Welcome to
Nurturing Life and Wellness
At Nurturing Life and Wellness, I work with individuals navigating complex and persistent health concerns, particularly those who feel they have reached the limits of conventional care and are seeking a more comprehensive and personalised approach.
Many of the people I support have experienced ongoing digestive issues, histamine sensitivity, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, fatigue, dysautonomia, hormonal changes, or recovery following neurological events such as stroke or TIA. In this space, your symptoms are not dismissed or simplified; they are explored with depth, care, and clinical attention.
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My work is grounded in a structured, integrative approach that moves beyond isolated consultations. I offer personalised programs designed to support your body over time, allowing for meaningful progress and lasting change. These programs combine clinical nutrition, naturopathic care, nervous system regulation, and lifestyle and emotional wellbeing support.
Each plan is developed through a systems-based lens, recognising the interconnected relationship between the gut, immune system, hormones, and nervous system.
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This work is best suited for individuals who are ready to engage more deeply with their health. It is for those who want to understand the underlying drivers of their symptoms, commit to a guided and structured process, and receive ongoing, individualised support. By working together over a period of time, we are able to make careful adjustments, respond to your body’s feedback, and build sustainable improvements rather than temporary relief.
My approach is both evidence-informed and person-centred, drawing on contemporary scientific research, clinical experience in complex chronic conditions, and traditional naturopathic principles. I consider your full picture, including biochemical, emotional, environmental, and lifestyle factors, to create a plan that is not only clinically appropriate but also realistic and supportive of your day-to-day life.
This is a collaborative process in which you are supported with clear guidance, structured protocols, and ongoing adjustments as your health evolves. Just as importantly, it is a space where your experience is heard and respected. The intention is not only to reduce symptoms, but to help you develop clarity, confidence, and resilience in your health over time.
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Most clients engage in structured programs, with additional personalised recommendations for testing and practitioner-grade supplements where appropriate. This allows your care to remain tailored and responsive to your individual needs.
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If you feel ready to move beyond short-term solutions and into a more comprehensive and supported approach to your health, you are welcome to begin.
Meet Wanessa Sarmento
Wanessa Sarmento is dedicated to supporting individuals in restoring their health, rebuilding resilience, and reconnecting with a sense of vitality—particularly in moments when it may feel difficult to see a way forward.
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Now based in Tauranga, Wanessa works across both clinical and healthcare environments. She is currently engaged in hospital administration support at Tauranga Hospital and works as a Portuguese and Spanish medical interpreter for the New Zealand Ministry of Justice, as well as for Tauranga and Auckland City Hospitals. Through this work, she has developed a deep understanding of patient care, clinical systems, and the importance of clear, compassionate communication across diverse cultural and medical contexts.
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Wanessa’s academic background reflects a strong foundation in both science and clinical practice. She holds a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics from Brazil, a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences from the University of Auckland, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Research from Victoria University of Wellington. She has also completed professional training in naturopathy and herbal medicine and has undertaken further postgraduate study in health sciences at the University of Auckland.
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Alongside her clinical work, Wanessa has contributed to health education at a tertiary level, teaching Level 7 Health Science courses and tutoring students at AUT and the University of Auckland. This experience has strengthened her ability to translate complex scientific concepts into clear, practical guidance that can be meaningfully applied in everyday life.
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Her professional experience across both hospital and integrative settings has shaped a balanced and respectful approach to healthcare. Wanessa recognises the essential role of conventional medicine, including general practitioners and hospital-based care, and works in a complementary way by focusing on nutrition, lifestyle, and evidence-informed naturopathic support. She takes particular care in her clinical recommendations, ensuring that any supplements or herbal interventions are safe, appropriate, and aligned with each client’s medical context.
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What most deeply informs Wanessa’s work, however, is her own lived experience of illness and recovery. Having navigated serious health challenges herself, she understands the frustration of feeling unheard, the complexity of chronic symptoms, and the uncertainty that can accompany the search for answers. This experience brings a depth of empathy and attentiveness to her practice, allowing her to meet each person with genuine understanding while offering structured, clinically grounded support.
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Her work is centred on providing thoughtful, individualised care that integrates scientific knowledge, clinical reasoning, and a holistic perspective. Through this approach, Wanessa supports her clients in moving toward greater clarity, stability, and long-term wellbeing.
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Enhancing Your Healing Through Personalised Care
​Wanessa works in close collaboration with you to support and strengthen your current treatment plan. Her approach focuses on identifying the most appropriate nutritional, lifestyle, and herbal strategies to help optimise your body’s capacity to heal and maintain balance.
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Each plan is thoughtfully tailored to your individual needs and designed to complement your existing medical care. By integrating targeted support with a deeper understanding of your unique health picture, this process aims to enhance resilience, improve overall wellbeing, and help you move through your health journey with greater clarity and confidence.
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Evidence-Informed Practice
​At Nurturing Life and Wellness, care is grounded in an evidence-informed approach that integrates clinical nutrition, naturopathic principles, and current scientific research. Wanessa offers guidance on both conventional laboratory and functional testing, ensuring that each recommendation is clearly explained and directly relevant to your individual case.
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Testing is approached with care and intention. As these services are not typically covered by public healthcare or insurance, Wanessa considers each recommendation thoughtfully, ensuring that any investigation represents a meaningful and appropriate investment in your health.
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Committed to ongoing professional development, Wanessa continually engages with current research and advances in health sciences. This dedication ensures that her clinical recommendations remain up to date, practical, and aligned with the evolving understanding of complex health conditions.
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Patient-Centred Care
​Your experience is central to the care process. Wanessa places strong emphasis on listening with attention and respect, recognising that your symptoms, concerns, and lived experience provide essential insight into your overall health.
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Health challenges can often bring uncertainty, particularly when symptoms are ongoing or difficult to understand. Within this space, you are supported with compassion and clarity. Together, you will explore personalised strategies that align with your needs, complement your existing care, and support you in moving forward with greater confidence and a renewed sense of direction.
ADDRESS
Nurturing Life and Wellness
Tauranga
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Zoom
Online Consultations Available
PHONE
02108289849
