Samantha Zagorski
Accredited Clinical Nutritionist
Adv Dip. Clinical Nutrition
Adv Dip. Integrative Nutritional Therapeutics
Certified Nutrition & Health Coach
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What is the G.E.M.M. Protocol?
The G.E.M.M. Protocol (Gut Ecology & Metabolic Modulation) is a unique system of health care designed
to harness the principles of Nature in helping to restore normal function to human cells. As the
function of individual cells returns to normal, so too does the function of the disordered organs and
systems that had allowed disease to flourish.
The G.E.M.M. Protocol addresses the root causes of ill-health through optimising the function of all human cells. The Food-First philosophy of the G.E.M.M Protocol is designed to educate and sustain long-term food and lifestyle changes to empower your own self-care and prevention of future illness.​
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Why is G.E.M.M. different from other gut repair systems?
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A most important difference lies in the fact that G.E.M.M was developed to mimic the principles of Nature. G.E.M.M is based on replicating the natural processes human cells use to maintain and repair themselves. The initial G.E.M.M. focus is on restoring essential balance within the ecosystem of the gut, rather than on using specific medicines, probiotic supplements or plant extracts to destroy undesirable gut bacteria or other microbes.
Although G.E.M.M. uses several Nature-compatible formulations as medicines to help restore this balance, it relies heavily on specific ‘functional’ foods that send chemical signals to activate protective genes. By ‘talking to’ our genes, these food molecules can beneficially influence repair and minimise the inflammatory processes that lead to disease. In this way, these food molecules act a bit like a volume control that can ‘turn up’ or ‘turn down’ the expression of our genes. With no need for anti-microbials, probiotics or high-dose vitamins, G.E.M.M is a gentle, yet powerful approach for restoring and maintaining good health.
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How are G.E.M.M clinicians qualified to use this approach?
To enrol in the Gut Ecology & Metabolic Modulation (G.E.M.M.) Course, a clinician must demonstrate prior qualifications that meet a minimum standard of education in an appropriate healthcare discipline. After completing the foundation training, the clinician can be accredited as a G.E.M.M Clinician by undertaking additional assessment and regular upskilling. Annual Upskilling is required to maintain active accreditation.
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Is this programme underpinned by science?
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The G.E.M.M. Protocol was developed by Australian Nutritional Biochemist, Dr Christine Houghton PhD, who after several decades in clinical practice, realised that existing therapies for addressing gut health, metabolic and other chronic diseases were not effectively targeting the underlying causes of ill health. All aspects of the G.E.M.M. Protocol have their foundation in peer-reviewed scientific evidence.
Every step in the G.E.M.M Protocol is backed by evidence-based research. Your G.E.M.M Practitioner has reviewed this research while studying the Foundations course.
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Does G.E.M.M. require a specific ‘diet’?
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Whilst there is no specific diet that applies equally to everyone, it is important to eat natural, whole foods in order to nourish each and every cell in the body.
G.E.M.M. promotes a Diet of Inclusion, not a Diet of Exclusion. A few foods may need to be excluded initially when embarking on G.E.M.M but the ultimate aim of the G.E.M.M. Protocol is to encourage a diverse array of minimally-processed whole foods which are introduced sequentially as you progress through the programme.
The G.E.M.M food principles are based on variety and seasonality. Your practitioner will adapt these principles to your individual needs initially, while aiming to improve diversity of wholefoods as you progress through G.E.M.M.
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Will G.E.M.M. give me long term results?
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The G.E.M.M. Protocol is designed to stimulate healing and repair at a cellular level. To sustain the beneficial changes you are likely to experience, it will be necessary for you to maintain the new diet and lifestyle practices you will have learned. With such a diverse array of health promoting foods from which to choose and a genuine desire to stay well, it becomes remarkably easy to maintain the new lifestyle habits.
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What conditions does this approach treat?
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Whilst G.E.M.M. initially addresses the function of the gut, it then works to improve the function of all bodily systems. The nutrigenomically-active ingredients in the formulations, together with the underlying diet, help to improve the function of all the body’s cells at a fundamental level.
Healthy cells mean a healthy body.
The G.E.M.M. approach is to implement treatment at the cellular level, so that ALL the cells of your body will benefit, impacting the treatment of many conditions.
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How long will this programme take?
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The length of the treatment phase of the G.E.M.M Protocol will vary from one person to another. It will be dependent upon a range of factors which include the nature and extent of your health issues, your genetic predisposition and how readily you can adopt the necessary lifestyle changes.
As a guide, most patients will experience substantial improvement within 3 months; more complex and longstanding conditions may take longer. On the other hand, many patients feel beneficial changes in just a few weeks. As you see your symptoms disappearing, you will know that there are important cellular changes taking place.​​​​
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Is G.E.M.M. a lifestyle approach?
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G.E.M.M. is designed to incorporate a balanced lifestyle approach. It is a holistic approach to health, encompassing the many aspects of a health-promoting lifestyle.
Some people may need to work more on their diet, some more on their sleep and rest routine, whereas others might need to work more on how they exercise.
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Will G.E.M.M. help to improve my immune function?
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The systems of the gut and its underlying immune network are intimately connected.
The immune system governs so much more than infection control; it is equally responsible for dealing with inflammation, allergies and autoimmune conditions. One of the most significant benefits of using G.E.M.M. to restore the gut-immune interface is that it often helps remove intolerances to foods, a common and distressing problem.
​Most of the immune system resides just beneath the cells lining the gut, explaining why G.E.M.M addresses the gut-immune systems as a first step. Restoring appropriate balance to the gut and its underlying immune network thereafter impacts other parts of the body.​
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