Paige Dunlop

Functional Gastrointestinal Practitioner | Nutritionist

Co-Founder of Bay Functional Health

BSc (Microbiology), BNatMed, NutDip, NMHNZ, CNA

Paige is a comprehensive and dedicated practitioner with a specialist focus on complex digestive disorders and microbiome-related dysfunction. Many of her clients have spent 10+ years living with abnormal, debilitating symptoms, often dismissed, misdiagnosed, or left unresolved. Her work offers not only answers but clarity, compassion, and education.

Paige’s approach targets the microbiota–gut–brain–immune axis, with a strong emphasis on the gut-brain connection, the bidirectional communication network that links our digestive system with our brain. This network is mediated through the autonomic and enteric nervous systems, the neuroendocrine system, and the immune system, influencing everything from mood and cognition to pain sensitivity, immune response, and metabolic health.

She reminds her clients that they’re not just feeding themselves, they’re feeding 36 trillion microbes that collectively weigh up to 2 kilograms of our body mass. This vast microbial ecosystem, known as the microbiome, plays a central role in how we think, feel, digest, and move. Paige’s clinical lens goes far beyond symptom suppression, her work is centred on restoring microbial balance and regulating the systems it influences.

To complement her thorough assessments, Paige is registered with PathLab and refers clients for investigative blood work. This not only strengthens her diagnostic insight but ensures every treatment strategy is grounded in measurable data.

Professional Background

Paige holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and a Bachelor of Natural Medicine, alongside currently completing a diploma in clinical nutrition. With this foundation, she bridges conventional science with evidence-based natural medicine, creating highly individualised treatment plans for chronic and complex gastrointestinal presentations.

Her diagnostic toolkit includes functional stool analysis, microbiome mapping, SIBO breath testing, and integrative blood chemistry interpretation. She also brings a robust understanding of post-infectious gut syndromes, histamine intolerance, intestinal permeability, and neuroinflammatory presentations of gut dysfunction.

Paige has trained under Sharon Erdrich, one of New Zealand’s most experienced functional medicine educators, refining her expertise in working with dysbiosis, IBS, leaky gut, and complex gut-brain axis cases. Her clinical decisions are always informed by current research, yet anchored in deep, personalised care.

At Bay Functional Health, Paige works alongside her co-founders to elevate the standard of integrative care in Aotearoa. She is trusted for her methodical investigative process, the clarity she brings to complex health puzzles, and her belief that no case is too chronic, too confusing, or too far gone to turn around.

  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
    Thursday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

    (Monday and Wednesday are solely for administration)

  • In-person clinic 141a Grange Road, Otumoetai, 3110

    Online consultations available

  • paige@bayfunctionalhealth.com

  • Lisa supports clients of all ages, from children through to older adults, and enjoys working with individuals and families alike. Her special interests include:

    • Women’s Hormonal Health – Perimenopause, menopause, menstrual cycles, and hormonal balance

    • Children’s Health – Gut health, sleep, skin issues (like eczema), immune support

    • Postpartum & New Mums – Energy, emotional wellbeing, nourishment

    • Long COVID & Concussion Recovery – Brain fog, fatigue, inflammation

    • Gut Health – Constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, reflux

    • Skin Health – Acne and chronic skin conditions

    • Burnout & Stress Recovery – Helping people rebuild energy and resilience

    • Men’s Health – Optimising nutrition, energy, and performance

    • Healthy Ageing – Cardiovascular support, bone health, vitality in later life

    Lisa is also a qualified relaxation massage therapist, offering body-based support to help clients release stress and reconnect with their wellbeing.