We are thrilled to have Dr. Deanna Minich back on the podcast this week! During our previous episode together we discussed the many health benefits of color in our diet and environment, as well as an introduction to the use of melatonin supplementation for more than sleep. Today we take a deeper dive into the powerful benefits of melatonin, including its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Deanna also shares insights into hormonal health for women and how we can easily transition through menopause.Deanna Minich, MS, PhD, CNS, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (IFMCP), is a nutrition scientist, international lecturer, educator, and author, with over twenty years of experience in academia and in the food and dietary supplement industries, currently serving as Chief Science Officer at Symphony Natural Health. She has been active as a functional medicine clinician in clinical trials and in her own practice (Food & Spirit™). She is the author of six consumer books on wellness topics, four book chapters, and over fifty scientific publications. Her academic background is in nutrition science, including a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Illinois at Chicago (1995) and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Medical Sciences from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands (1999). She has served on the Nutrition Advisory Board for The Institute of Functional Medicine and on the Board of Directors for the American Nutrition Association. Currently, she teaches for the Institute for Functional Medicine, University of Western States, Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and Institute for Brain Potential. Through her talks, workshops, groups, and in-person retreats, she helps people to practically and artfully transform their lives through nutrition and lifestyle. SHOW NOTES: 0:58 Welcome to the show!1:29 Pop Quiz of the Day3:56 Today’s interview topics4:26 Deanna Minich’s bio5:38 Welcome her to the podcast!6:28 Melatonin: not a sleep supplement7:08 The benefits of Melatonin10:11 Dementia, Melatonin, and Glutathione12:33 Genetic risk for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s & Sleep14:03 Decline in Melatonin from childhood to adulthood14:35 Inverse relationship with hormones & cardiovascular risk16:55 *Magic Mind*19:06 Supporting hormones with Protein20:12 Benefits of dietary fat & cholesterol20:57 Integrating plants + Maca benefits23:24 Gut Health & Hormone Metabolism24:36 Her biggest health surprise 27:19 Bone loss & Perimenopause29:20 The body gives us communication30:10 *Sleep Breakthrough*32:31 Leaning into hormonal changes & fluctuations38:37 The Importance of Purpose & Creativity41:35 The Heroine’s Journey43:01 Releasing control through the female cycle46:00 Inflammation & correlating phenotypes51:21 Netflix show “Beef”53:05 How to dose Herbatonin melatonin58:32 Her final piece of advice59:53 Where to find her1:00:13 Thanks for tuning in!RESOURCES:Website: deannaminich.comCertification Program: www.foodandspirit.comWhole Detox: www.whole-detox.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deanna.minich/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deannaminich/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/foodandspirit/Workbook: The Heroine’s Journey - Maureen MayHerbatonin - Symphony Natural HealthPaper: Is Phytomelatonin Complex Better Than Synthetic Melatonin?Is Melatonin the Next Vitamin D?Magic Mind.com/reneelauren - code: RENEELAUREN20 to save 50% in next 10 daysSleep Breakthrough - code: biohackerbabes10Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/biohacker-babes-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands