Whether you're navigating menopause or simply striving for more vitality, this episode of Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring offers valuable insights that could help you live a more vibrant and balanced life. Dr. Deanna Minich, a renowned nutrition scientist and author of The Rainbow Diet, joins Dr. Ring to discuss how phytonutrients from colorful plants can support everything from hormone balance to brain health and beyond.

[00:02:00] Dr. Minich explains the role of colorful foods in fertility, perimenopause and menopause and how different colors in food correspond to specific body functions, such as inflammation and hormone balance. She highlights the benefits of orange foods, like tangerines and mangoes, which help support ovarian health and reduce decline during perimenopause.

[00:05:53] She says there are protective effects in carotenoids, found in colorful foods, on fat tissues, particularly for skin health, especially during menopause. She also emphasizes the role of purple foods like blueberries and purple sweet potatoes in protecting against oxidative stress.

[00:10:27] Aging men should focus on red and green foods that support prostate and heart health, Minich says. She highlights the role of lycopene and green leafy vegetables in preventing inflammation and promoting cardiovascular health.

[00:13:21 Dr. Ring asks the importance of detoxification, particularly during weight loss or with medications like GLP-1. Minic advocates for incorporating omega-3s into the diet to support detoxification and cellular health.

[00:28:25] Melatonin is a favorite topic of Minich and she says it is not just important for sleep, but for immune health, brain function, and detoxification. She explains how melatonin helps with circadian rhythm synchronization and the removal of brain toxins, especially during sleep.

[00:36:35] Through her research, Minich has found that eating colorful foods nourishes the body and soul. She encourages listeners to make meals enjoyable and artistic, emphasizing the importance of colorful plant-based foods in daily life.

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This episode dives into a topic that could redefine healthcare as we know it. How can we shift from a disease-centered system to one that truly supports whole person well-being? Host Dr. Melinda Ring is joined by Dr. Tracy Gaudet, known for her pioneering work with the Veterans Health Administration, where she led the development of the Whole Health model, to discuss the need to shift from a disease-centered system to one that prioritizes the whole person. Dr. Gaudet highlights the importance of community-based healthcare, emphasizing that wellness begins outside the clinic and shares her vision for training future healthcare leaders through the Doctor of Whole Health Leadership Program at Southern California University Health Sciences.

[00:00:17] - Dr. Gaudet shares her path in medicine from becoming an OBGYN to being named the founding Executive Director of the University of Arizona's Program in Integrative Medicine to becoming a leader in the Whole Health movement, highlighting her experience at the Veterans Health Administration.

[00:02:25] - She explains the Whole Health Model, which emphasizes a shift from disease-centered care to a patient-centered approach that begins with exploring what truly matters to individuals—health, purpose, and life satisfaction.

[00:12:02] - Dr. Gaudet discusses the urgent need for a transformation in American healthcare, emphasizing the breakdown of the current system and how the Whole Health model could provide the solution.

[00:21:03] - The conversation turns to the importance of leadership in healthcare reform, with Dr. Gaudet introduced the first-of-its-kind Doctor of Whole Health Leadership Program at Southern California University Health Sciences. She has designed the program to train the next generation of leaders who will drive systemic change.

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In this episode of Next Level Health, Dr. Melinda Ring and Dr. Robert Rountree dive into science-backed strategies to help you optimize your health and well-being. They discuss the role of inflammation in chronic diseases, how to repair and maintain gut health the critical role of mitochondria and how artificial intelligence may lead to true personalized medicine.

https://youtu.be/8cR909NXa6M

[00:04:14] - Dr. Rountree’s Journey into Integrative Medicine
Dr. Rountree shares his personal journey from discovering herbal medicine at age 19 to becoming a leader in functional medicine. He discusses how early exposure to alternative healing methods and scientific curiosity shaped his career.

[00:07:53] - Inflammation, Gut Health and Chronic Disease
Next Drs. Ring and Rountree explore the role of inflammation in chronic diseases, including autoimmune disorders, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s. Dr. Rountree highlights dietary interventions, elimination diets, and the importance of gut health in reducing inflammation.

[00:25:35] - Mitochondrial Health and Longevity
Dr. Rountree explains the critical role of mitochondria beyond energy production, emphasizing its impact on chronic diseases. He discusses mitochondrial dysfunction’s link to conditions like Parkinson’s and Type 2 diabetes, along with dietary and lifestyle strategies to optimize mitochondrial function.

[00:38:44] - The Role of AI in Personalized Medicine
The discussion shifts to how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing healthcare, particularly in interpreting complex data sets like gut microbiome analyses and multi-omics. Dr. Rountree highlights the future of AI-driven personalized medicine and its potential to transform patient care.

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