gutsy by nutrition

faqs

Find answers to questions like, what is Nutritional Therapy, how does nutrition impact your health, and should I get lab testing done?

What is functional Nutrition?

Functional Nutrition is a research-based, holistic health modality that uses the warning signs and signals your body sends you to identify and support underlying dysfunction at a cellular or building block level. It is based on the belief that many health problems that riddle our society are a result of weaknesses in physiological function brought on by the modern diet. Functional Nutrition is a systematic, tried and tested approach to health that utilises personalised nutrition and lifestyle programs. And it's one that ultimately puts control back into your hands.

A Functional Nutritionist does not treat any specific disease or medical condition. We are trained to evaluate nutritional needs and make recommendations on dietary and lifestyle change, and nutritional supplements.

What does nutrition have to do with your health concerns?

Conventional medicine, at its foundation, focuses on the biochemistry of cells, tissue, and organs. When your cells—the basic building blocks of your body—are nutrient deficient your health suffers, eventually spiralling downwards. Food contains chemical messages, either providing what your cells need to function optimally, or placing a toxic burden on them. Functional Nutritionist are trained to help balance your body's chemistry using the tools of nutrition, supplements and lifestyle.

How does a functional Nutritionist differ from a Dietician?

Functional Nutrition is bio-individualised, supporting each unique person to achieve balance and improved health through nutrition and lifestyle rather than offering generalised advice. This may or may not be based on lab testing.

As a Functional Nutritionist, I use an in-depth health history, detailed signs and symptoms questionnaire, and food and mood journal to work out each client’s unique nutritional status, creating a personalised and targeted program. Functional Nutrition looks at the systems in someone’s body as a whole rather than at individual health challenges such as weight, hormones or immunity. 

what is g.e.m.m. and a g.e.m.m. practitioner?

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. program is underpinned by science. All aspects of the protocol have their foundation in peer-reviewed scientific evidence, with the accompanying nutrigenomically-active G.E.M.M. formulations based on food-derived ingredients for which clinical trials demonstrate efficacy.

A G.E.M.M. Accredited Practitioner is someone trained in its application.

WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE?

Functional medicine is a systems biology-based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease. It’s a client-centered approach to health so that you receive personalised and effective care for your needs. This may or may not include lab testing.

Once we identify possible causes, we can customise a healthy living plan for you from your physical needs—including nutrition, exercise and sleep—to mental and emotional stressors related to social, work and community life.

What is Microbiome Mapping (stool testing), and what is it used for?

Microbiome mapping is scientific lab stool testing that provides information on gastro-intestinal infections, which can be used to create a personalised and targeted healing protocol using food and natural supplements. Stool testing provides information on overgrowths of bad bacteria; undergrowths of good bacteria; yeast and fungal infections; parasitic and worm infections; gut immunity status; pancreatic function (digestive enzymes); fat digestion; H Pylori; viral pathogens; autoimmune triggers; gut inflammation; and, leaky gut (zonulin). I use either NutriPATH Integrative Pathology Services testing or the Designs for Healht US-based GI-Map, which use the most up-to-date technology.

Microba testing uses full metagenomics (also called shotgun metagenomics), the most reproducible, least biased and comprehensive DNA sequencing method to provide you with a high-resolution picture of your gut microbiome. Metagenomics is a powerful tool where all the genes from the microorganisms in your sample are sequenced, allowing you to see not just bacteria, but also fungi, protists, and archaea. This method can also identify microorganisms at the species or even strain level and reveals what your microbes are capable of.

Most other microbiome profiling companies use 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This method only sequences a small portion of a single gene to identify known bacterial groups and leaves out the rest of your microbiome. The results are often biased and not reproducible between different labs. Functional information, including what your various gut bacteria do, is limited to known bacteria, which misses a large portion of your overall microbiome.

do you accept clients from around the world?

Yes! I accept clients from Australia and around the world. In terms of consults and time zones, we simply need to find times that suit, which is not difficult.

I have lab testing set up worldwide, and am able to supply or provide access to quality, practitioner-only supplements.

WHAT IS HAIR TISSUES MINERAL ANALYSIS (HTMA), AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR?

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is an affordable quantitative screening test that measures the mineral and heavy metal composition of hair. It’s a safe and non-invasive, reflecting the level of nutrients and toxic elements in body tissue, which are recorded in the hair shaft.

Mineral imbalances and toxic metal excesses are linked to many conditions such as cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, migraines, thyroid and hormone imbalances, learning difficulties, blood sugar imbalances, hyperactivity in children and many more.

what is functional blood chemistry?

Functional blood chemistry is not only the gold standard assessment tool for identifying clinical conditions and dysfunctions in functional or integrative medicine, but in terms of nutrition, it uses science to determine nutritional imbalances so they can be addressed before they develop into chronic health conditions. In other words, functional blood chemistry is a powerful screening and preventative health tool.

How does functional blood testing differ from other testing? The tests chosen paint a picture of dysfunction across every system in your body, revealing the causes and links from one area of someone’s health to another.

What is a Restorative Wellness Practitioner and what do they do?

A Restorative Wellness Practitioner is trained in the science of lab testing, including gastrointestinal or gut healing, hormones including thyroid, and blood chemistry.

Based on lab tests—including possibly a comprehensive stool analysis, SIBO testing, food sensitivity testing, hormone testing, functional blood chemistry and more—I create an individualised and targeted food and supplement protocol to restore gut function and integrity, while balancing nutritional deficiencies in a holistic and natural way that doesn’t cause further harm.

This deeper dive that can be helpful for children and/or people with chronic and complex illnesses such as autoimmune disease.

What is a Certified Gluten-free Practitioner and what do they do?

A Certified Gluten-Free Practitioner is trained in the root causes of gluten related and autoimmune disorders, along with how to assess and test for them, provide support and educate clients presenting with a wide variety of symptoms.

The Certified Gluten Practitioner Program is the most comprehensive practitioner education available for Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, Celiac Disease and Autoimmune Disorders, providing clinically proven approaches to help support clients. It is created and taught by Dr Tom O’Bryan, DC, CCN, DACBN, a world-renowned expert in these disorders.

what is rapid transformation coaching

Transformation Coaching is a positive, life-affirming coaching process that helps clients create the health and vitality they’ve longed for.

It uses simple, deep and powerful tools rooted in neuroscience to empower and motivate someone to make lasting changes quickly and easily, including by freeing emotional blocks and harmful subconscious beliefs.

During our sessions, I will also empower you to bring subconscious beliefs to the surface so you can deal with them yourself throughout your life.

My 10-session, one-on-one program will get you mentally ready to achieve your desired goal – e.g. better health or healing from a long-term illness, or dealing with the root cause of your unhappiness – clarifying the result you are looking for and supporting you to take positive action.

Possible topics include (this is individual and flexible)

  • Why are you here: Getting to your TRUE why

  • Future Belonging and Clarifying Your Result: Create your vision and identify blockages to achieving it

  • The Change Framework: Identifying and neutralising whatever is in your way

  • The Values Track: Aligning values and removing values conflicts

  • Universal Freedom Technique: Release trapped emotions, or discover the origin of an issues if it's unknown

  • Soul Retrieval: Safely release events that caused limiting beliefs

  • Share Your Sabotage: Shine a light on your fears and self sabotage

  • Shadow Values: Change disempowering habits

  • Resource Anchors: Set up powerful states to assist in breaking habitual responses to things

  • The Guru Technique: Gain direct connection with your intuition or higher self ie receive and decipher important messages

Book a free call here.

WHAT IS PSYCH-K AND WHAT DOES A PSYCH-K FACILITATOR DO?

Many of us hold limiting beliefs such as ‘No matter how hard I try, it’s never good enough’ or in our bad moments tell ourselves things like ‘I’m fat, dumb or [insert negative word]’ or ‘If people knew the real me, they wouldn’t like me’.

If you tell yourself such things, your subconscious will comply because it wants to please you. In fact, your subconscious influences 95% of your thoughts and actions, while your conscious mind influences only 5%. This is because our subconscious is where we hold our memories, values, perceptions and beliefs. These establish our reality and the limits of what we can achieve, including in our health, weight and ability to heal. As Henry Ford said, ‘If you believe you can, or if you believe you can’t…you’re right'.’

Psych-K helps you uncover your self-limiting subconscious beliefs and transform them into empowering ones. A Psych-K session balances both hemispheres of the cerebral cortex creating a ‘whole-brain state’, which is ideal for reprogramming your mind with new self-enhancing beliefs, reducing unwanted stress and helping you access your ‘full-response potential’. It’s a safe process of discovery and transformation that only goes as far as you want to go.

Balances include

  • Core Beliefs, Relationships, Rapport, Life Bonding and more

I offer one-by-one consults or a package of 5. Book a call to discuss your needs here.

What is the DNA Health TEST?

The DNA Health test is designed to optimise well-being and health by personalising lifestyle and diet choices and, where necessary, using specific food and supplements to offset any particular nutritional deficit based on specific gene variants. It assists in establishing someone’s optimal nutrition for good health, longevity and disease risk mitigation. Diet is a key factor in determining genomic stability as it impacts on all relevant pathways: exposure to dietary carcinogens, biotransformation, DNA repair and synthesis and apoptosis. Current recommended dietary allowances for vitamins and minerals are based largely on the prevention of diseases of deficiency. However, because diseases of lifestyle are partly caused by damage to DNA it stands to reason that we should focus our attention on defining optimal requirements of key minerals and vitamins for preventing genomic instability.

The DNA Health test report

  • Provides the level of impact of any genetic variants identified

  • Gives an explanation of their impact on health

  • Advises on appropriate nutritional and lifestyle recommendations

  • Highlights specific metabolic pathways that may require extra support

  • Makes recommendations that involve optimisation of quantities of certain nutrients, vitamins and minerals

  • Suggests whether an individual is better able to reduce their cholesterol levels through diet, as opposed to through medication

  • Provides an indication of the degree of susceptibility to the harmful effects of carcinogens ingested in the diet

  • The results are divided in sections of key metabolic function, so that genetic weaknesses and strengths within a functional area can be easily identified. 

What is a Health Coach and what is Health Coaching?

I am also a health coach—a wellness guide and supportive mentor. I educate and motivate people to develop positive and sustainable health and wellbeing choices through tailored dietary, lifestyle and behavioural adjustments.

I see Health Coaching as a collaboration between myself and my client with the aim of improving their overall health and wellbeing. Unlike the traditional health approach where patients are told what to do, I help my clients choose their own goals with the best evidence-based wellness options, strategies, information and guidance. I motivate them through gradual and sustainable success rather than advocating discipline and denial. In other words, I add to my clients’ lives rather than take things away. I also look at my clients as whole people and take into consideration their entire lives.

What does foundational or ROOT CAUSE health mean?

Foundational or core health is about setting the stage for optimal health by supporting and bringing balance to the five foundations listed below. By supporting each of these, and helping clients adopt a more nutrient-dense diet, body chemistry can be brought back into natural balance. All five foundations are built on a single, solid base—a properly prepared, nutrient-dense diet. Reaching optimal health requires sincere commitment, possible lifestyle changes and a positive attitude:

  • Digestion

  • Blood Sugar Regulation

  • Fatty Acid Balance

  • Mineral Balance

  • Hydration

Do you accept insurance?

I currently don’t accept private health insurance, but I can accept NDIS clients.

I would encourage you to not look at the money alone. In terms of the financial burden, if you take into account out-of-pocket medical expenses, the trial and error of supplements (which I usually avoid), the cost of other treatment and sick days, seeing me becomes easier to justify. There are also the other costs of being unwell in terms of the quality of your life, including on your physical and emotional wellbeing, and the impact on your family and work.