In an era where wellness trends rise and fall as fast as TikTok soundbites, few topics stir as much debate as the ketogenic diet. Is it the key to health and metabolic freedom or just another restrictive fad? To separate fact from fiction, I spoke with Maya Flynn, a Functional Medicine Practitioner and Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist, whose holistic philosophy and Mallorca-based wellness brand, GLOW, are redefining the conversation around nutrition, gut health, and true vitality.
A Journey Born from Curiosity and Healing
For Maya, functional medicine wasn’t a career pivot; it was a personal evolution. “I came to these modalities through my own health journey,” she explains. “I realised that symptoms aren’t random - they’re messages from the body about deeper imbalances.” Her fascination with how the body works and her love for food traditions from around the world led her to explore the intersection of nourishment, lifestyle, and emotional balance.
That curiosity became the foundation for GLOW, which stands for Growth, Lifestyle, Organics, and Wellness, an acronym that reflects her integrative approach. “I look at digestion, detoxification, hormones, immunity, and the nervous system as interconnected,” she says. “When we nourish each system, we create growth and wellness on every level.”
The Keto Question: Fact, Fiction, and Fat!
Few diets have captured public imagination - or confusion - quite like keto. As Maya explained, “Contrary to popular belief, the ketogenic diet isn’t high in meat. It’s high in healthy fats, moderate in protein, and should include plenty of non-starchy vegetables.”
She outlines that the classic macronutrient split is around 70–75% fat, 20–25% protein, and 5–10% carbohydrates, with fats coming from sources such as olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, and oily fish.
The aim is to shift the body from burning glucose to burning fat, a metabolic state known as ketosis. This fat-fuelled energy system burns cleaner and longer, providing stable energy for the body and brain.
A clean-keto day might look like:
• Breakfast: Omelette with vegetables, olives and goat’s cheese
• Lunch: Avocado and smoked salmon salad with a few almonds - easy to take to work
• Dinner: Buttery cauliflower mash with beef, sautéed mushrooms and sauerkraut
• Hydration: Water with a pinch of sea salt to maintain electrolytes and prevent ‘keto flu’
However, Maya is quick to point out that not all versions of keto are created equal. “When people rely on processed meats or damaged fats, or neglect micronutrient balance, they miss the therapeutic benefits,” she warns. Proper digestion and bile flow are critical to breaking down fats efficiently. Otherwise, fatigue and discomfort can follow.
She also notes that some people confuse keto with the more extreme carnivore diet, which excludes most plant foods. “The carnivore approach can be healing for certain autoimmune or gut-related conditions,” she says, “but it’s not for everyone. The key is always personalisation.”
Plants, Fibre, and the Gut Debate
In an age where “eat more fibre” is a universal mantra, Maya takes a slightly more objective view. “The idea that everyone needs 30 grams of fibre or five-a-day is an oversimplification,” she says. “Fibre can nourish the microbiome, but not everyone can digest it well.”
Through stool testing, she often finds undigested plant material in clients’ samples, a sign of poor digestive capacity. “If the gut is inflamed, large amounts of fibre or raw plants can actually worsen symptoms,” she notes. “Sometimes, the gut needs rest, not roughage.”
That doesn’t mean plants are the enemy, but rather that context matters. As Maya explains, “Plants produce defensive compounds like lectins, phytates, oxalates which can irritate sensitive individuals. When the gut is healed, many can reintroduce fibre without issue.” Her approach echoes the ancient wisdom of Hippocrates: “All disease begins in the gut.”
The Bacon Backlash — And the Truth About Processing
So what about those infamous keto staples - bacon and cured meats? Maya smiles knowingly. “Processing just means altering food, even through cooking. It’s the quality and method that count.”
She distinguishes between traditional curing — such as Mallorca’s jamón Serrano or Ibérico ham, made simply with meat and salt — and industrial ultra-processed meats packed with fillers and preservatives. “There’s even some room for bacon. When paired with vitamin C, it can offset the negative effects of added nitrates, a known carcinogen. Basically, if you have bacon every now and then, have it with vitamin C-rich vegetables, such as bell peppers, broccoli or tomatoes.”
Functional Testing and the Value of Insight
As a functional medicine practitioner, Maya uses advanced diagnostic tools to map her clients’ internal health. “Tests like the Organic Acids Test provide insight into metabolism, nutrient status, gut bacteria, and even neurotransmitters,” she explains. “But not everyone needs testing to begin improving. The basics: whole foods, regular meals, quality sleep, and stress management, are transformative on their own.”
When lifestyle foundations are solid, testing can fine-tune what’s already working rather than serving as a shortcut. “Supplements should follow food and lifestyle, not replace them,” she emphasises.
Lifestyle as Medicine
For Maya, gut health extends far beyond the plate. “Chronic stress disrupts digestion and immunity. Poor sleep impairs metabolism. Movement improves oxygenation and microbial balance,” she says. Her prescription? Consistency, calm, and connection.
“Move your body, take downtime, eat meals at regular times, and prioritise restorative sleep. These are the pillars that make everything else work.”
Small Steps, Big Shifts
With so much conflicting wellness advice online, Maya understands how easily people feel overwhelmed. Her advice is simple: “Start by stabilising blood sugar. Include protein with every meal, reduce refined starches, and avoid caffeine on an empty stomach.”
These micro-adjustments, she says, can quickly regulate energy, mood, and sleep, creating a ripple effect of positive change. “Health is momentum. Small wins lead to bigger transformations.”
The Glow Philosophy
At its heart, The GLOW Concept is not about restriction but reconnection with food, with nature, and with the body’s innate wisdom. Maya’s philosophy shines through her work: “Functional medicine reminds us that health isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about restoring the body’s natural ability to heal.”
Her message is both grounded and empowering: “When we stop following generic online advice and start listening to our own bodies, nourishing the systems that sustain us - that’s when we truly begin to GLOW.”
Maya Flynn specialises in personalised nutrition and integrative health strategies, combining scientific analysis with natural approaches to address the root causes of symptoms, blending evidence-based medicine with traditional healing principles and menu design.