Nutri Viva Claudia Oxford-Gonzalez Christchurch Nutritionist

09/03/2026

Check out my latest blog on Heliobacter Pylori - and the different approaches to consider for treating it, plus the long term negative impact it may have.

understand both the usual and naturopathic approach to support h pylori infection to support your overall recovery and microbiome diversity

04/03/2026

www.nutriviva.co.nz is back up and running!

Discover personalized nutrition services at NutriViva in Christchurch, focused on digestive, metabolic, and autoimmune health to promote a healthier, longer life.

03/03/2026

Website is down for a few days while I do an upgrade ! 😍

Please message me at info@nutriviva.co.nz if you are wanting to make an appointment.

11/02/2026

There are many gene codes that I look at within a Nutrigenomic report when it comes to those wanting to focus on digestive symptoms.

DAO, HNMT, TNF, FUT2, MTHFR, are just some to consider. Yes there are more! But, I also like to look closely at the AMY1 data.

The AMY1 gene codes for salivary amylase, the enzyme responsible for the beginning of carbohydrate digestion, within the mouth. People with lower AMY1 copy number variants (CNV) often produce less salivary amylase which can influence how efficiently starches and complex carbohydrates are broken down.

From a digestive health perspective, reduced amylase activity may contribute to symptoms such as bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, & fluctuating blood sugar after carbohydrate-rich meals.

Poor initial carbohydrate digestion can also increase the delivery of undigested starch to the gut potentially feeding gas-producing bacteria and worsening microbiome imbalance. This is where I might also see oral microbiome within a stool microbiome test. Further clues of microbiome disruption, due to poor oral enzyme activity.

A nutrition-focused, personalised approach is key. Individuals with lower AMY1 activity may benefit from mindful chewing, moderating refined carbohydrate intake, prioritising wholefood carbohydrate sources, & balancing meals with protein, fibre, and healthy fats.

In many cases, targeted digestive enzyme support or strategic carbohydrate timing may be helpful.

Understanding AMY1 gene variation through nutrigenomic testing allows me to tailor nourishment strategies supporting digestion, metabolic health & long-term gut comfort—moving beyond one-size-fits-all advice.

Want to know more? Make sure to reach out!

01/02/2026

Over the years in clinic, I have seen clients with suboptimal Vitamin D blood results, and this is despite them either being on a prescribed Vitamin D supplement, or, if they like to have their skin exposed to the sun.

Now as I delve more into DNA/Nutrigenomics I can see why for these types of clients, looking at their genetic variants can be super helpful to understand why this might be the case.

Vitamin D plays a critical role within the metabolic system, immune regulation, neurotransmitter function, bone health and inflammation control, however, optimal vitamin D status is not just about sun exposure or supplementation—it is also influenced by your genetics, particularly the VDR gene.

VDR gene provides instructions for making the vitamin D receptor, found throughout tissue in the body such as the intestinal tract, bones, immune cells, brain and more.

As well as laying out instructions for vitamin D activity, the receptor also activates genes and instructions involved in calcium absorption, overall immune defence, and cellular repair.

Currently our lab testing (in NZ) is aimed towards vitamin D levels for bone health. With a range of between 50-150nmol/L regarded as being adequate.

But, Vitamin D is not just for bone health, but also immunity, cardiovascular health, metabolic health, brain function and more. In clinic I prefer to see clients Vitamin D status at least above 100nmol/L or thereabouts.

Potential gene variants may impact upon Vitamin D function affecting how efficiently vitamin D binds to receptor sites, how strongly vitamin D genes can “turn on or off”, or how well it can be absorbed. This helps explain why some individuals experience symptoms of deficiency despite adequate intake.

This may impact upon not just bone density, but also immune regulation, increased inflammation, autoimmunity risk, and metabolic dysfunction.

From a functional medicine perspective, understanding VDR genetics allows for personalised vitamin D strategies. Some individuals may benefit from higher dosing, understanding the need for co-factors, understanding the need for the right form of vitamin D, or whether intestinal integrity is compromised.

Suggesting foods to increase, or preferred form of vitamin D and dose, based on genetic insight can help tailor nutrition and supplementation strategies for better outcomes, moving beyond standard reference ranges to truly personalised care.

Want to know more, make sure to reach out!

18/01/2026

Why Detox Genetics Matter : understanding the GST variation (Glutathione-S-transferase).

A gene variation that I have seen crop up lately for some of my clients is the GST gene. Which is an enzyme that helps to neutralise toxicants, including chemicals, but also oxidative stress, by binding them to glutathione so they can be safely eliminated from the body. A variation in this gene, may reduce the activity, meaning that detoxification is less efficient, “more sluggish”.

For these patients, they may be more sensitive to the smell of fragrances, or the smell of chemicals. They may be sensitive to consuming alcohol, or perhaps sensitive to general environmental triggers.

When the body cannot detoxify optimally and these toxicants are not able to be eliminated from the body efficiently, it impacts upon DNA replication, mitochondrial function and affects enzyme and hormonal activity.

Interestingly, I have found that most of these people, will have some level of fatigue, including chronic fatigue and/or inflammatory disease or symptoms. These patients have a higher need for antioxidants, including glutathione, but also Vitamin C, selenium & molybdenum, among other co-factors.

Understanding a potential variation of this gene, helps me to work out the right food as medicine approach, and supplementation suggestion. It can help both the patient any myself work out an immediate plan, but also a long-term approach so they can finally gain some energy and vitality.

As a result of these recent findings, I have been having great results with good old Vitamin C supplementation. As well as a very low dose of glutathione. But, it is important to understand the full range of co-factors needed for the GST pathway, so that detoxification is not being pushed too fast, because it can actually make a person feel worse, not better.

Which is why Nutrigenomics reporting as a whole, needs to be considered, not just single gene variations.

Want to know more? Make sure to reach out!
info@nutriviva.co.nz

15/01/2026

15/01/2026

Want to know how DNA testing alongside microbiome stool analysis testing can support you in your health journey?

Take a read of my latest blog!

How Microbiome Stool Analysis and Nutrigenomics Transform YOUR health journey.

21/12/2025

Summer holidays are just around the corner!

Just letting everyone know the clinic will be closed between the 23rd December to the 13th Jan.

Merry Christmas everyone!

18/12/2025

I am absolutely in love with Pomegranate seeds.!! Not a common fruit here in NZ, but if you find the fruit, PLEASE, give it a try.

The seeds are what you eat from within the fruit, crunchy and delicious you can add it to yogurt, smoothies, salads, or even have on its own 😋

Pomegranate seeds (arils) are a great source of fibre and antioxidants, specifically ellagic acid which helps to feed our microbiome, but also improve the diversity overall.

Due to the fruits high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, it is known to benefit heart health, brain health, digestion, and immunity.

The arils freeze super well, so you can bulk buy the fruit when its on special and deseed into a container to freeze and use when ever you like.

A great source of vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and folate, with its beautiful bright colour make sure to add them to your Christmas Menu in some way!

11/12/2025

Long ago when I was still a studying nutrition, there was a very short paper on Nutrigenomics. 15 years ago, it was a concept, I guess not hugely applicable in clinic, but it had its own text book, so it was important enough to mention, and I remember being fascinated by the idea that how we nourish ourselves, could impact upon our DNA, but also, how our DNA could impact upon the intricacies of how we use nutrients within the body.

And then, as does happen, other things became more important or “on trend” in clinic.

This year, you will have noticed I have been very quiet on facebook, it has been a head down kind of year as I tackle trickier and tricker health cases. So part of me being quiet, has been me delving in deeper for clients to work out….what the heck is going on for them.

I made mention earlier in the year that I went to an amazing 2-day seminar in Sydney which had a focus on autoimmune conditions, inflammation in general and the role the microbiome and genetics play.

I had been toying with the idea of offering DNA testing in clinic as part of the functional medicine approach that I use regularly, but for various reasons was a little reluctant. However, this seminar really opened by eyes as to how DNA testing can support the types of clients I tend to see more often in clinic.

I will be honest, it is very demanding work when looking at DNA reports, there is SO MUCH data to peel back. But oh my gosh when I start to dig into the weak points for specific patients who have not been able to feel better with the usual approach it is the DNA report that can explain the possibilities of why.

Because functional medicine is trying to understand part of the root cause, it makes sense to factor in DNA information. This is literally the coding of how your body functions. This “blueprint” can indicate specific nutritional needs, metabolic tendencies, inflammatory and detoxification data, as well hormonal considerations.

Remembering that everything we eat and drink, whole food or ultra-processed, has a direct chemical messenger impact within our body. And our DNA is involved here. Even how we metabolise medicine. NUTRIGENOMICS!!!!

I will possibly (if I get time) write in a little more detail about how DNA testing may support you in your health goals. Not everyone needs to consider DNA as part of their tool kit of testing, but there are certain signs and symptoms, that may point to having this data as platform on where to get started in the health journey, and how to continue supporting your body for long term health ageing.

If you want to know which companies I prefer to use, and will only use, for DNA testing, then please reach out.

oh and Merry Christmas by the way!!! I hope you all have a lovely festive season with your loved ones 🎅😀

Look foward to helping you in 2026!!!

27/10/2025