Dr. Matthew CL Phillips is exploring dietary strategies, including a Maatauranga Māori approach, to address challenging neurological disorders and cancer.

In addition to his clinical and teaching responsibilities as full-time neurologist at Waikato Hospital, Dr. Phillips is pursuing his passion for science and research. His main interest lies in exploring diets that put the body and brain into a state of ketosis as therapy for conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease, as well as aggressive cancers.

Dr. Matthew CL Phillips

Food for thought

Te Whatu Ora Waikato Medical Science Award – Finalist

University of Waikato Vision Maatauranga Award – Finalist

Dr. Matthew CL Phillips is exploring dietary strategies, including a Maatauranga Māori approach, to address challenging neurological disorders and cancer.

In addition to his clinical and teaching responsibilities as full-time neurologist at Waikato Hospital, Dr. Phillips is pursuing his passion for science and research. His main interest lies in exploring diets that put the body and brain into a state of ketosis as therapy for conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease, as well as aggressive cancers.

In one of his trials, a participant is following a ketogenic diet based solely on ancestral Māori recipes. Dr. Phillips’ research has already achieved a few ‘world firsts’ and is showing encouraging results both in terms of health outcomes and patient empowerment in areas where treatments are currently limited.

Dr. Matthew CL Phillips is a 2023 finalist in the Te Whatu Ora Waikato Medical Science Award and the University of Waikato Vision Maatauranga Award.