EPISODE # 40

The GEMM Protocol: A Deeper Approach To Why Your Gut Isn't Healing - And What To Do About It

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Interview with Dr Christine Houghton

In this episode of The Histamine Well Podcast, Joanne is joined by nutritional biochemist Dr. Christine Houghton, the developer of the GEMM Protocol (Gut Ecology & Metabolic Modulation).

The GEMM Protocol is a science-based approach to restoring gut health by addressing inflammation at the cellular level rather than relying on aggressive antimicrobial therapies.

Instead of the traditional “kill the bugs” approach often used in gut treatment, GEMM focuses on repairing the gut lining, rebalancing the microbiome, and activating protective genes within the body.

Central to this process is sulforaphane, a powerful plant compound known for its ability to activate the NRF2 pathway, which regulates over 250 protective genes involved in detoxification, antioxidant defense, and immune regulation.

Dr. Houghton explains how chronic gut inflammation disrupts enzyme production, including diamine oxidase (DAO) — the key enzyme responsible for breaking down histamine. When the gut lining is inflamed, DAO production drops, leading to symptoms like food intolerances, allergic reactions, and systemic inflammation.

By restoring the gut barrier and activating the body’s natural antimicrobial defenses, the GEMM Protocol helps rebalance the microbiome without harming beneficial bacteria.

In this episode you’ll learn:

  • What the GEMM Protocol is and how it works
  • How sulforaphane activates the NRF2 pathway and protective genes
  • Why traditional antimicrobial gut protocols can worsen dysbiosis
  • How gut inflammation contributes to histamine intolerance and food sensitivities
  • The role of heat-killed probiotics and immune signaling in gut repair
  • Why restoring the gut lining can improve conditions throughout the body
  • How diet and prebiotics support microbiome recovery
  •  Why some patients with chronic illness react to many supplements

This conversation explores how supporting the body’s natural healing mechanisms can lead to long-term improvements in gut health, metabolic function, immune regulation, and chronic inflammatory conditions.

Stay well,

Joanne Kennedy

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