Zehra Elban, MD

Zehra Elban, MD is a member of the Acibadem Life Clinical Service and practises at Acibadem Atasehir Hospital in İstanbul, Türkiye. Her professional work is centered on clinical dietetics and medical nutrition therapy, and she has more than three years of experience in nutrition-focused care. She speaks Turkish and English and sees both local and international patients.

Dr. Elban graduated from Istanbul Okan University Faculty of Health Sciences in 2022, having previously been at Istanbul University in 2021. From 2023 to 2024 she worked at Mita Healthy Clinic. In 2024 she joined Acibadem Health Group, where she continues her clinical practice in nutrition and dietetics.

Clinical focus

Dr. Elban’s listed areas of expertise are medical nutrition therapy, personalized nutrition planning, clinical dietetics, evidence-based nutrition counseling, lifestyle behavior change counseling, and general wellness nutrition. Medical nutrition therapy involves assessing a patient’s nutritional status and adjusting dietary intake as part of the wider management of a medical condition, in coordination with the treating physicians. Personalized nutrition planning builds on this assessment to develop an eating plan that takes into account the individual’s health status, daily routine, and personal preferences, rather than applying a single standard diet to every patient.

Her counseling is described as evidence-based, meaning that recommendations are grounded in current scientific understanding of nutrition rather than short-lived dietary trends. Lifestyle behavior change counseling addresses the practical side of dietary change, helping patients identify realistic adjustments to eating habits and daily routines that can be maintained over time. For patients without a specific medical diagnosis, general wellness nutrition covers everyday questions about balanced eating and long-term dietary habits. Which of these services is appropriate for a given patient depends on the individual’s medical background and is determined during the initial assessment; where a medical condition is present, nutritional advice is intended to complement, not replace, the care provided by the patient’s physicians.

How Dr. Elban works with international patients

Dr. Elban consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for patients who speak other languages. Before a visit, the international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports, including laboratory and pathology results, previous medical reports, discharge summaries and any relevant imaging reports, so that the necessary background is available in advance. The team also arranges appointments and organises the hospital visit. A first consultation typically covers the patient’s history and symptoms, a review of existing results and previous treatments, a clinical examination, and a discussion of the options. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to speak with Dr. Elban before travelling, which can be useful for an initial discussion of nutritional goals and for clarifying which documents should be sent or brought to the appointment.