Nutri Viva Claudia Oxford-Gonzalez Christchurch Nutritionist

24/05/2026

I couldn’t agree more with the comment about the importance of understanding a patient’s markers for B12, for cognitive decline.

And the fact that this is no longer a funded blood test in NZ – unless you meet certain criteria – blows my mind.

B12 is such an important nutrient to consider for brain function in all population. And we just don’t consume enough from our diet. Let’s be honest, here in NZ the majority do not eat organ meat, shellfish or enough seafood, DAILY, to have optimal B12 intake.

Also, I love the statement “this does not mean everyone should start taking high dose supplement…..” this is certainly true! Understanding a person’s methylation is fundamental in knowing if B12 is even the issue, it could be another B vitamin or other nutrient altogether, that is needed. Even working out which type of B12 should be taken.

And the serum B12 test reference is so wide, it is important to understand if we are actually dealing with a true B12 deficiency, in the context of presenting symptoms.

So yes, I feel we need to bring back funded B12 testing, and to understand where on the reference range someone falls in the context of risk for dementia, but also for children and teenage brain health.

But we should also be considering methylation as part of this picture and this is where I tend to ask patients to consider Active B12 and methylmalonic Acid, plus nutrigenomic testing.

If you have any questions around this, please make sure to reach out! 🤓

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DyKNQNchR/

We may have misunderstood vitamin B12 — and the brain could be paying the price.

A new study led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco suggests that older adults with vitamin B12 levels considered “normal” may still show signs of subtle neurological decline.

The research focused on 231 healthy older adults with no dementia or mild cognitive impairment. Even though their average B12 levels were well above the current U.S. deficiency cutoff, those with lower levels of active B12 — the form the body can actually use — performed worse on tests of thinking speed and visual response.

The most concerning finding came from brain scans. MRI results showed that people with lower active B12 had more white matter lesions, a type of brain change linked to cognitive decline, dementia, and stroke risk. White matter acts like the brain’s communication network, helping different regions send signals to each other quickly and efficiently.

Researchers say this raises an important question: are current B12 deficiency cutoffs too low to protect brain health, especially in older adults?

Vitamin B12 is essential for making red blood cells, supporting DNA production, and maintaining healthy nerves. But this study suggests that simply being “not deficient” on a lab report may not always mean the brain is getting enough.

The researchers believe future guidelines may need to look beyond total B12 levels and include functional biomarkers that better reflect how much B12 is actually available to the nervous system.

This does not mean everyone should start taking high-dose supplements without medical advice. But it does highlight the need for better testing, earlier detection, and more attention to B12 status in older adults with memory, nerve, or thinking-speed concerns.

Source: University of California, San Francisco / Annals of Neurology — “Vitamin B12 Levels Association with Functional and Structural Biomarkers of Central Nervous System Injury in Older Adults.”

21/05/2026

Celery: the crunchy green stick everyone forgets about… until your digestion says thank you!

As a kid, I hated when my mum would pop these “palos” in my lunch box (Spanish for sticks). On the days these were in my lunch box, I could sense she had reached her limit for lunch inspiration! 😅 😅

But now of course, I have a much deeper appreciation for the humble celery stick. !!

While celery probably does not give off glamourous Pinterest image vibes, it does quietly bring some impressive nutrition to the table. It contains vitamin K for bone and blood health, vitamin C for immune support, folate, potassium, and small amounts of antioxidants that help support overall health. And most importantly the fibre content can help keep digestion moving and support a healthy gut microbiome.

And let’s not forget hydration — celery has a great amount of water, making it a great snack for busy days when your coffee intake is suspiciously higher than your water intake 👀☕️

We are at the start of celery season, so here are some easy ways to use these “sticks”:

>Dip into hummus or nut butter
>Toss into soups, stir fries, or stews/casseroles
>Chop into salads for crunch
>Fill with cream cheese

Celery may not be glamorous, but neither is a healthy bowel motion… and both deserve more appreciation 😅👍🤓

19/05/2026

Why jumping into methyl B9 is not always the golden answer!!!

Methylated B9, often referred to as methyl-folate, is often seen as the “go-to” supplement for supporting energy, mood, detoxification and overall methylation pathways. But in clinical practice, jumping straight to high dose methylfolate does not always work well for everyone.

Methylation is a TOTAL BIOCHEMISTRY process, NOT JUST a folate process. I like to refer to it as highway, at risk of bottle necks or traffic jams.

For methylfolate to be used well, the body also relies on enough vitamin B12, B6, B3, zinc, magnesium and choline. If these nutrients are low, adding methylfolate alone can sometimes leave people feeling overstimulated, anxious, irritable, wired, headachy or fatigued instead of better.

This can be especially relevant in people with variations in COMT and MAO genes, as these pathways are involved in processing neurotransmitters such as dopamine, adrenaline and serotonin. Some people may simply be more sensitive to rapid shifts in methylation and nervous system activity.

Supporting the foundations first — including digestion/microbiome, protein intake, mineral status and nervous system support — is often a gentler and more effective approach than starting with large amounts of methylated nutrients straight away.

Bioindividuality matters. Genetics, environment and nourishment need to be considered on an individual basis.

Because what works well for one person may not feel right for another.

Want to know more? Make sure to reach out! 🤓👍

05/05/2026

We started off with the basics. Just some strain specific probiotics and mineral supplementation to support her chronic cough, which was affecting her in more ways than one. Repeated endoscopies showed some inflammation, but with no firm plan on how to improve this, she was stuck with the same symptoms.

The first feedback came back as “ Regarding my cough, thank you for making me feel better, even just 30% , that’s a great start! None of the doctors achieved that in years. I'm looking forward the stool results and hopefully know more about what else is going on”

She was ready to dig in deeper. She knew there was more to her symptoms than what the repeated endoscopy results were coming back with. We both knew that the clue was in how she felt a benefit from being on antibiotics. Short term gains, but long-term consequence. So she went ahead with stool analysis.

Sure enough, there was plenty of data there to move on with. Factors that helped to explain her low energy and digestive complaints. The second feedback came back as “I’m feeling slightly better overall, less congested , more energy. I hope with the next round of treatment, I will be feeling even better!”

Small wins! Enough for her to finally notice a positive change overall.

Loving the client feedback! 👍🤓

22/04/2026

The power of nutrigenomics reporting!

Understanding the right type of vitamins you need for your body, can be seen through a nutrigenomics report.

Once you know and support these findings, you will start to the feel the positive changes.

For anyone who is wanting more energy, both physical and brain, this is the report for you!

Or if you have other health concerns such as inflammation, autoimmune, metabolic or digestive symptoms that won't budge, consider this amazing report that is specific to your DNA requirements.

10/04/2026

Check out the latest blog regarding the new baby and paediatric biome test.

Learn how to support your child’s microbiome naturally. Discover signs of gut imbalance in children, the benefits of microbiome testing, and simple nutrition tips to improve digestion, immunity, and overall wellbeing.

06/04/2026

I am having an overgrowth of parsley in my herb garden this year, but I am not complaining! Parsley is one of those super versatile herbs which can be added to almost any dish, or used as part of homemade dressings.

Parsley is a highly functional food, maybe you want to call it a super food, that can support multiple genetic pathways, particularly those involved in detoxification, inflammation, and methylation.

Super rich in flavonoids such as apigenin and luteolin, parsley can provide strong antioxidant support for genes like GSTM1, GSTM3, and NQO1, which are involved in phase II liver detoxification.

Individuals with reduced function in these genes may benefit from parsley’s ability to enhance glutathione activity and reduce oxidative stress. It is also naturally high in chlorophyll, which will further supports toxin binding and elimination. It is my go-to recommendation for a food as medicine approach to supporting detoxification.

Parsley is also a valuable source of folate, making it beneficial for individuals with variations in methylation-related genes such as MTHFR, MTR, and MTHFD1. While it does not replace targeted supplementation, including parsley regularly can contribute to overall methylation support, which is important for DNA repair, neurotransmitter balance, and energy production.
For inflammatory gene variants such as IL6, TNF-α, and IL1β, parsley offers anti-inflammatory effects through its polyphenol content. These compounds help modulate inflammatory pathways, potentially reducing chronic low-grade inflammation often seen in individuals with these SNPs (DNA variants).

Parsley also contains vitamin C and other antioxidants that support genes like SOD2 (MnSOD) and CAT, which are responsible for managing oxidative stress at the mitochondrial level. This makes it particularly useful for supporting energy production and reducing cellular damage.

As you can see, parsley is a simple yet powerful addition to a nutrigenomic-focused diet, offering broad-spectrum support across detoxification, methylation, inflammation, and oxidative stress pathways.

Not only supporting DNA data, parsley is a nutrient-dense herb that can support a healthy microbiome. It contains polyphenols and flavonoids, which act as prebiotics by feeding beneficial gut bacteria and encouraging microbial diversity. Parsley is also rich in vitamin C and chlorophyll, both of which may help reduce oxidative stress and support a balanced gut environment. Its mild antimicrobial properties can help inhibit the growth of less desirable bacteria without disrupting beneficial strains.

Parsley may also aid digestion by stimulating gastric juices, helping to improve nutrient breakdown and absorption—key factors in maintaining overall gut health and microbiome resilience.

Simple ways to add parsley to your diet:

>Add it to fresh salads

>Make a gremolata or chimichurri type dressing – lemon juice and zest, Olive oil, parsley, garlic, (chilli if you like)

>Add to a dish of freshly roasted root vegetables along with garlic, and home made mayo

>Make a “green’s” smoothie, using plain or vanilla protein powder, cucumber, pineapple ginger and parsley with coconut water
🤤👍😍

31/03/2026

I often get asked what types of functional testing do I suggest?

There are many to consider and it really depends on your specific health goals, and what/how the data may support these goals.

The most common ones I use in clinic are microbiome testing (stool and vaginal), we as well as Nutrigenomic testing, Organic Acid Test as well as food intolerances.

Functional testing is not always necessary, but for some, can help to clarify the need to follow a certain protocol or prescribed nourishment approach.

Click on the link for more details and if you would like to know more, please make sure to reach out. 😁👍

https://www.nutriviva.co.nz/nutrition-services-chc -we-do

25/03/2026

I am very excited!

I now have access to Pediatric (3-17yrs) and Baby (0-3yrs) biome testing!!!

Parents have been asking and it is finally available to NZ patients via Nutri Path Labs (Aus) and Nutri Script (NZ).

Using the same MMM technology that I have already been using in clinic, this will help those parents understand what might be driving their childs symptoms.

"This test uses advanced molecular technologies to evaluate microbial composition, functional activity, gut inflammation, digestive function and potential pathogenic organisms. The panel provides practitioners with insight into the maturation of the infant microbiome and helps identify factors that may contribute to symptoms such as digestive discomfort, immune dysregulation, skin conditions, food sensitivities or altered bowel habits."

If you would like to know more, or know of a parent stressing out with their childs symptoms, make sure to reach out 👍😀

info@nutriviva.co.nz

24/03/2026

I often get asked if Clinical Nutritionists are registered with Health Insurance providers, for possible consult claims.

Yes we are!

However it does depend on your policy. The best place to ask is your own Health Insurance provider, but if you have any questions around this please email or check out the new FAQ page on my website. 👍😁

https://www.nutriviva.co.nz/nutriviva-faq

12/03/2026

https://www.nutriviva.co.nz/nutrition-services-chc -we-do

Want to know what type of clients I help? 😃
Check out the what we do page of my website. ! 👍

Nutrition services in Christchurch, focusing on digestion, autoimmune conditions, & fatigue using evidence-based nutrition approaches. Book your consult today.