IBS Christchurch: Looking At The Whole Picture

​At SmartGENES Naturopathic, we bring over 25 years of clinical experience to gut health. Our approach to IBS is rooted in a clear principle: lasting digestive health begins with restoring and supporting optimal gut function. We work with clients across New Zealand to address the underlying drivers of dysfunction, not just the symptoms.​
Naturopath & Medical Herbalist
​BHSc. (Deans Award for Academic Excellence), BEd, Adv.Dip.Nat., Adv.Dip.Herb.Med., NMHNZ 
If you’re living in New Zealand and struggling with symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you’re not alone. Bloating, cramping, irregular bowel habits, and unpredictable food reactions can all have a real impact on your daily life. But there is a way forward that doesn’t rely on endlessly cutting out foods or living in discomfort.
The key to IBS is to improve the function of the gut

Why Gut Function Is So Important in IBS

Your digestive system is responsible for breaking down and absorbing the nutrients from the food you eat. When this process is working well, it fuels everything from your immune system and energy production to mood balance and hormone regulation.
​But when digestion is impaired, the effects ripple through the whole body causing:
●  Bloating or fullness after meals
●  Irregular or painful bowel movements
●  Food intolerances that seem to keep increasing
●  Fatigue or brain fog with digestive flare-ups
●  Burping, flatulence, nausea & reflux
What's often overlooked, is that these symptoms may not be caused by the food itself, but rather by how the body is processing it.

Restore Function First, Then Reassess

As an experienced IBS naturopath, my focus is not on food restriction, but on restoration of healthy digestion.

Rather than continuing to remove foods, we begin by looking at common causes of disruption to digestive function, including:
●  Low stomach acid or sluggish digestive enzymes
●  Imbalances in gut flora resulting in dysbiosis or SIBO
●  Poor microbiome diversity
●  Inflammation in the gut wall
●  Food reactions that are symptoms of a deeper imbalance
Once we target these foundational issues, your gut can begin to do what it was designed to do: digest, absorb, and heal itself. At this point, you may find that previously problematic foods can be reintroduced successfully, allowing for a greater confidence and freedom around food.

Supporting IBS Naturally

If you are looking for natural, evidence-based support for IBS in Christchurch, the journey starts with a conversation.  Let's meet up for a chat, or get started with an initial consultation to discuss the root of what’s happening in your digestive system.

Our focus will be on rebuilding a well-functioning gut so that you can enjoy food again, feel more at ease in your body, and live without the constant worry of symptom flare-ups.
​
This isn’t about a temporary fix. It’s about understanding what your body needs to heal, and giving you the tools to maintain lasting digestive health. Let’s support the gut,  and bring variety back to your plate.
At SmartGENES we have been working with gut health for over 25 years
Consultations are available in-clinic in Christchurch, or online NZ wide
IBS Digestive Drops
IBS Digestive Drops

IBS Testing NZ

There are a number of testing options available in New Zealand for gut health.  For the most part these are sent away to labs in Australia as they are unavailable in New Zealand.  A consultation is always recommended prior to testing, in order to determine which test is the best fit for your symptom profile.  We are not here to sell you a test, we want to know it is the best spend of your money.  Some of the more popular tests include:

CDSA Level 1

A cost effective option for assessing infection or dysbiosis.  Pathogenic, imbalanced and beneficial flora are tested - $264.00

Microbiomix Metagenomic Mapping (MMM)

DNA analysis of the gut microbiome using shotgun metagenomics
Stool Test Kit    - $828.00

Complete Microbiome Mapping(CMM)

A comprehensive panel of the gut microbiome, as well as digestive and immune markers - $662.00

Helicobacter Pylori Antigen

A stool test to determine if infection is present - $120.00

SIBO Testing

Hydrogen and Methane breath test for 
Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth    - $225.00

Intestinal Permeability

Lactulose/Mannitol urine collection      - $198.00

Food Intolerance Panels

Blood spot IgG to 96 foods     - $390.00
Blood spot IgG to 144 foods    - $484.00

Allergy Panels

IgE to 27 foods                            - $420.00
IgE to 50 inhalant allergens    - $397.00
Vanessa Winter
​Naturopath & Medical Herbalist
BHSc (Deans Award for Academic Excellence), BED, Adv.Dip.Nat., Adv.Dip.Herb.Med., NMHNZ
​Registered with Naturopaths and Medical Herbalists of NZ (NMHNZ)