Description

Melatonin isn't just a sleep aid. It might be one of the most misunderstood molecules in your body, and understanding it could impact your healthspan.

Most of us know melatonin from the supplement aisle: something you take when you can't sleep. But Dr. Deanna Minich has spent years making the case that this "sleep hormone" is actually a primordial, multitasking molecule she calls the "mother molecule," made not only in your pineal gland but in your gut, skin, ovaries, and even inside your mitochondria. 

In this conversation, Dr. Minich and Dr. Daphne get into what melatonin really is, why your own production drops sharply as you age (a decline she calls "melatonopause"), and the practical, plant-forward ways you can protect it starting tonight.

Dr. Deanna Minich is a nutrition scientist with a doctorate in medical sciences, a Fellow and past president of the American College of Nutrition, and Chief Science Officer at Symphony Natural Health. She spent a decade working alongside Dr. Jeffrey Bland, the father of functional medicine, and is the author of The Rainbow Diet and Whole Detox. In 2022 she published the review "Is Melatonin the Next Vitamin D?"

Read Dr. Minich's full bio: https://deannaminich.com/professional-bio/

In this episode:

• Why melatonin is far more than a sleep hormone, and what it does in your mitochondria
• "Melatonopause": how your levels fall from childhood to your 50s and 60s
• The single most important lever for your circadian health (hint: it's free)
• Why so many of us have a "darkness deficiency," and how to fix it
• How your plate builds melatonin, from tryptophan to the cofactors you need
• The dosing "sweet spot," and why more is often not better
• Why you might feel groggy on melatonin, and what caffeine tells you about your own metabolism
• The plant-based melatonin conversation, and what the early research actually shows

A note on the science: Melatonin is a true hormone with real interactions, so please talk with your own clinician before starting any supplement. This conversation is educational, not medical advice.

Learn more about Dr. Minich: https://deannaminich.com (visit the Resources tab for free downloads, including a melatonin summary)

Explore the plant-based melatonin discussed: Symphony Natural Health at https://symphonynaturalhealth.com

Disclosure: Dr. Minich serves as Chief Science Officer at Symphony Natural Health. Some research referenced involves their formulations.

#Melatonin #Menopause #Healthspan #CircadianRhythm #PlantBased #FunctionalMedicine #Longevity #Perimenopause #SleepHealth #WomensHealth

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here  

🌱  Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ 

(you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). 

Thank you for your support!