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Longevity Nutrition

Longevity Dietitian Melbourne

Optimise your healthspan, prevent chronic disease, and age with vitality through evidence-based longevity nutrition at REAL Health & Nutrition.

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What is Longevity Nutrition?

Longevity nutrition goes far beyond basic “healthy eating.” It is the targeted use of food and nutrients to increase your healthspan, the number of years you live in good health, free from chronic disease and disability.

While lifespan is simply how long you live, healthspan is about your quality of life.

We focus on evidence-based dietary patterns that reduce systemic inflammation, optimise metabolic health, protect your DNA, and support a robust immune system so you can stay active and thriving for decades to come.

Matthew Rigoni, expert Dietitian and sports dietitian- REAL Health & Nutrition

Aging is inevitable, but how you age is largely within your control. Are you looking to not just live longer, but live better?

In a world obsessed with quick-fix “anti-aging” fads and confusing supplement marketing, it’s hard to know what truly works.

At REAL Health & Nutrition, our expert Dietitians in Eltham and via telehealth provide science-backed, practical nutrition strategies designed to optimise your cellular health, preserve your physical independence, and protect your mind.

Stop guessing and start investing in your future with a personalised longevity plan that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle. 

What to Expect in Your Consultation

  • Comprehensive Assessment: We take a deep dive into your medical history, current diet, lifestyle, recent blood work, and long-term health goals. We look at the complete picture of your health.

 

  • Personalised Longevity Strategy: We don’t prescribe restrictive, miserable diets. We build a sustainable, delicious eating framework based on the longest-living populations in the world, adapted to modern Australian life.

 

  • Ongoing Coaching & Support: Longevity is a marathon, not a sprint. We offer regular reviews to track your progress (like blood lipid changes or energy levels), adjust your plan, and keep you confidently on the path to healthy aging.
Matthew Rigoni Dietitian (APD), expert Longevity Dietitian and Max Dennehy Dietitian

What we can do

How Our Accredited Dietitians Can Help You Age Well

We cut through the noise of wellness trends to build a targeted, proactive nutrition plan focusing on the pillars of healthy aging:

Preserving Muscle Mass (Sarcopenia Prevention)

As we age, muscle loss accelerates, leading to frailty. We optimize your protein intake and timing to preserve strength, mobility, and independence.

Heart & Brain Protection

Utilizing principles from the Mediterranean and MIND diets to lower cholesterol, manage blood pressure, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Metabolic Flexibility & Blood Sugar Control

Improving insulin sensitivity to prevent or manage metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and age-related weight gain.

Bone Density Support

Targeted strategies utilizing calcium, vitamin D, and other essential co-factors to prevent osteopenia and osteoporosis

Gut Microbiome Optimization

Nurturing your gut bacteria to reduce chronic inflammation, enhance nutrient absorption, and strengthen your immune system as you age

Evidence-Based Supplementation

Honest advice on longevity supplements (like Omega-3s, Vitamin D, and specific antioxidants) to fill gaps without wasting money on unproven “biohacking” pills.

Why Choose REAL Health & Nutrition To Enhance Longevity?

  • Trusted Medical Expertise: Our team consists of University-qualified Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) who base their advice on robust clinical research, not internet fads.

 

  • Realistic & Joyful Eating: We believe food is one of life’s great pleasures. Our longevity strategies include enjoying meals with family, eating out, and yes, even enjoying a glass of wine or dessert.

 

  • Flexible Access: Choose from in-person sessions at our Eltham, Melbourne clinic or convenient Telehealth appointments available Australia-wide.
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Realistic nutrition solutions

REAL Health & Nutrition was founded in Melbourne by Matthew Rigoni alongside a passionate team that provides evidence-based nutrition strategies that fit into your life.

Our diverse clientele includes individuals seeking to optimise performance, enhance their energy, and those aiming to improve their healthspan and longevity through sustainable health and nutrition strategies.

REAL Health & Nutrition. Group of people eating happy.

Practitioners

Meet the team

Highly skilled and qualified Dietitians and Sport Nutritionists

  • Matthew Rigoni Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD), sport Nutritionist, Accredited Sport Dietitian (ASD)

    Matthew Rigoni

    Head Dietitian (APD) & Sports Nutritionist

    Matthew Rigoni is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist supporting clients across Eltham, Diamond Creek and Melbourne’s North-East. He specialises in weight management, chronic disease care, IBS/low-FODMAP nutrition, and sports-performance nutrition. His approach focuses on evidence-based, realistic strategies tailored to each client’s health goals. Matthew also brings experience in strength training and rehabilitation, helping clients build long-term, sustainable habits.

  • Max Dennehy Dietitian, body building coach

    Max Dennehy

    Dietitian and Bodybuilding Coach

    Max Dennehy is a qualified Dietitian with strong expertise in sports nutrition, weight loss, muscle gain and body recomposition. He has more than seven years of hands-on experience in bodybuilding and strength training, blending clinical nutrition with practical performance coaching. Max supports clients managing chronic conditions, improving metabolic health, and achieving body-composition goals. His coaching style is structured and supportive, helping clients stay consistent and confident.

  • Emma Westlake Accredited Sports Nutritionist

    Emma Westlake

    Accredited Sports Nutritionist

    Emma Westlake is a Nutritionist and Accredited Sports Nutritionist with experience in athletic performance, endurance nutrition, injury recovery and rehabilitation. She brings a strong background in Biomedical Science and works with clients to improve energy, health and long-term wellbeing. Emma has supported athletes across AFL/AFLW, triathlon and running communities, offering clear and practical guidance. Her passion lies in helping active individuals optimise performance through personalised, evidence-based nutrition.

Learn more about our practitioners

Qualifcations, profesional interests and why they're unique!

Invest in Your Future Health Today

The best time to start investing in your healthspan was 10 years ago; the second-best time is today.

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Happy family middle aged and senior in good health with good blood glucose levels and well managed cholesterol

Certifications & Associations

Maintaining Excellence in Nutrition Care

This commitment ensures you always receive the most current, evidence-based nutrition guidance available.

Frequently Asked Longevity Nutrition Questions

Common questions for Longevity and Health-span

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    Lifespan refers to the total number of years a person is alive.

    Healthspan refers to the number of years a person lives in good health, free from chronic diseases and physical decline.

    Our longevity dietitians focus on maximising your healthspan, alongside your life span, so your later years are active, independent, and vibrant.

    While there is no single “magic” diet, decades of research point to the Mediterranean Diet and the dietary habits of the “Blue Zones” as the gold standards for longevity.

    These patterns emphasise abundant plants, whole grains, healthy fats (like olive oil), lean proteins, and minimal highly processed foods to optimise micronutrient intake and apply evidence-based interventions through nutrition science.

    We adapt these principles to suit your personal tastes and lifestyle.

    Not necessarily. While some animal studies show benefits of calorie restriction or fasting for longevity, the evidence in humans is complex.

    For many, fasting can actually lead to dangerous muscle loss as they age.

    Our dietitians focus on what you include in your diet and overall metabolic health, rather than just restricting when you eat.

    Age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) is a major threat to longevity and independence.

    Preventing it requires a combination of resistance training and a highly strategic protein intake.

    Our dietitians calculate your optimal daily protein target and show you how to distribute it across your meals to maximise muscle protein synthesis.

    Absolutely. If you already have a condition like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol, utilising medical nutrition therapy is one of the most powerful ways to manage the disease, prevent complications, and vastly improve your future health trajectory.

    The longevity supplement industry moves faster than the clinical science.

    While some compounds show promise in mice, human trials are often lacking.

    We prioritise a “food-first” approach and only recommend supplements that have robust, proven human safety and efficacy data, ensuring you don’t waste money on marketing hype, or more importantly, the underacknowledged danger of supplement contamination

    Yes. As Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs), you can claim a rebate through your Private Health Insurance if you have “Extras” cover that includes dietetics.

    If you are managing a chronic condition (like arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease), your GP can provide a Chronic Disease Management Plan, making you eligible for Medicare rebates.