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Dr Ann Walker

Dr Ann Walker PhD, MNIMH, MCPP, is a herbal practitioner and a vastly experienced and widely published nutritionist. She was a Senior Lecturer in Human Nutrition at The University of Reading for 35 years and holds honorary posts as Director of Continuing Professional Development for the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy and Course Director of the Discovering Herbal Medicine study course. She now concentrates on patient care, running a clinic in Reading treating over 400 patients.

Dr Ann Walker holds honorary posts as:

• Director of Continuing Professional Development for the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy

• Course Director of the Discovering Herbal Medicine home study course, which is    and completion of which is accepted for entry on to most BSc courses in herbal medicine in the UK 

She became interested in the medicinal uses of plants when her husband, Alan, who had chronic fatigue syndrome, responded well to Chinese herbal medicine and retrained as a herbal practitioner in the “Western style”, qualifying in 1994. She now concentrates on patient care, running a clinic in Reading treating over 400 patients.

Dr Walker is the author of many scientific papers and books on human nutrition. 

Appointments

Senior Lecturer in Human Nutrition, University of Reading (retired). 

Director of Continuing Professional Development, College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy

Course Director of Discovering Herbal Medicine course, New Vitality Tuition

Education and qualifications 

BSc (Hons) Biochemistry, Bristol (1965)   

Postgraduate Diploma in Tropical Agriculture, West Indies (1968)  

MSc (Livestock Science), West Indies (1973)   

MSc (Food Science), Reading (1973)   

PhD (Food Science and Nutrition), Reading (1981)  

Chartered Biologist, IOB (1991)

Diploma in Herbal Medicine, College of Phytotherapy, Hailsham (1994)

Membership of professional societies and institutes

Fellow of the Royal Society of Health.

Member of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (UK)

Member of the Forum on Food and Health, Royal Society of Medicine

Member of the Institute of Biology

Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists

Member of the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy  

Director of the British Herbal Medicine Association

Director of the Herb Society

Publications (since 2000)

• Bundy R, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Wallis C, Simpson HC. 2008  Artichoke leaf extract (Cynara scolymus) reduces plasma cholesterol in otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic adults: A randomized, double blind placebo controlled trial.  Phytomedicine;15 :668-75.

• Hamblin L, Laird A,  Parkes E,  Walker AF.  Improved arthritic knee health in a pilot RCT of phytotherapy.  Perspectives in Public Health (J R Soc Health), 2008; 128: 255 - 262

• Marakis G, Walker AF, Simpson HCR, Byng M, Robinson PA. Enhanced wellbeing of adults with type 2 diabetes following multi-vitamin and mineral supplementation for three months in a randomised, double-blind, cross-over pilot study.  Integrative Medicine Insights. 2007 http://la-press.com/journals.php?pa=abstract&content_id=74

• Walker AF.  Editorial:  potential micronutrient deficiency lacks recognition in diabetes. Br J Gen Pract. 2007 57:  3-4.

• Brien S, Lewith G, Walker AF, Middleton R, Prescott P, Bundy R.  Bromelain as an adjunctive treatment for moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. QJM 2006, 99:  841-50. 

• Walker AF, Marakis G, Simpson E, Hope JL, Robinson PA, Hassanein M, Simpson HC.  Hypotensive effects of hawthorn for patients with diabetes taking prescription drugs: a randomised controlled trial. Br J Gen Pract. 2006 56:  437-43. 

• Walker AF.  Herbal medicine: the science of the art. Proc Nutr Soc. 2006 65:  145-52. 

• Bundy R, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Booth J (2004).  Turmeric extract may improve irritable bowel syndrome symptomology in otherwise healthy adults:  a pilot study.  J Altern Complement Med. 10(6):  1015-1018.

• Hicks SM,  Walker AF, Gallagher J, Middleton RW, Wright J. (2004).  The significance of “nonsignificance” in randomized controlled studies:  a discussion inspired by a double-blinded study on St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) for premenstrual symptoms.  J Altern Complement Med. 10(6): 925-932

• Bundy R, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Marakis G, Booth JC. Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and improves quality of life in otherwise healthy volunteers suffering from concomitant dyspepsia: a subset analysis.  J Altern Complement Med. 2004, 10(4):  667-9. 

• Hamblin, L, Laird A,  Parkes E, Walker AF (2004).  Herbs used in the management of osteoarthritis:  a small-scale survey.  European Journal of Herbal Medicine 6, 5-13. 

• Christie S, Walker AF, Hicks SM, Abeyasekera S. (2004).  Flavonoid supplement improves leg health and reduces fluid retention in pre-menopausal women in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.  Phytomedicine 11, 11-17.

• Walker AF, Marakis, G, Christie S, Byng M. (2003).  Mg citrate found more bioavailable than other Mg preparations in a randomised, double-blind study.  Magnesium Research 16, 183-191.

• Roberts WG, Gordon MH, Walker AF. (2003)  Effects of enhanced consumption of fruit and vegetables on plasma antioxidant status and oxidative resistance of LDL in smokers supplemented with fish oil.  Eur J Clin Nutr 57, 1303-1310.

• Walker AF, Bundy R, Hicks, SM and Middleton RW (2002).  Bromelain reduces mild acute knee pain and improves well-being in a dose-dependent fashion in an open study of otherwise healthy adults.  Phytomedicine 9, 681-686.

• Marakis G, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Booth JCL, Wright J and Pike DJ (2002)  Artichoke leaf extract reduces mild dyspepsia in an open study.  Phytomedicine 9, 694-699.

• Walker AF, Marakis G, Morris AP, Robinson PA  (2002). "Promising hypotensive effect of hawthorn extract: a randomized double-blind pilot study of mild, essential hypertension." Phytother Res 16(1): 48-54.

• Marakis G, Walker AF, Ferris D, Simpson HCR and Morris A (2002).  Survey of dietary supplements use in people with diabetes.  Diabetes and Primary Care 3 (4), 118-123.

• Walker, A.F., De Souza, M.C., Marakis, G., Robinson, P.A., Morris, A.P. and Bolland, K.M.. (2002). "Unexpected benefit of sorbitol placebo in Mg intervention study of premenstrual symptoms: implications for choice of placebo in RCTs." Med Hypotheses 58(3): 213-20.

• Walker, A.F., Middleton, R.W. and Petrowicz, O.  (2001). Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a post-marketing surveillance study. Phytother Res 15(1): 58-61.

• Christie, S., Walker, A.F. and Lewith, G.T. (2001). "Flavonoids--a new direction for the treatment of fluid retention?" Phytother Res 15(6): 467-75.

• De Souza, M. C., A. F. Walker, et al. (2000). "A synergistic effect of a daily supplement for one month of 200 mg magnesium plus 50 mg vitamin B6 for the relief of anxiety-related premenstrual symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study." J Women’s Health Gend Based Med 9(2): 131-9. 

• Walker AF (2000)  St John's wort:  the sunshine herb.  Nutrition Bulletin (British Nutrition Foundation) 25, 189-192.

Books

• Foods that Harm Foods that Heal.  McWhirter A, Clasen L, Sanders T, Walker A F, Lakin A L et al. (1996, updated 2004).  Reader's Digest, London.

• Reader's Digest Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements.  Lakin A L, Walker A F, Cormack J (2000).  Readers Digest Association, London.

 

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