Host & Guest Details

Host: Dr. Yousef Elyaman, Functional Medicine Primary Care Physician
Guest: Dr. Deanna Minich, PhD, CNS, IFMCP — Nutritionist, Author, and Functional Medicine Educator

Episode Description

In this inspiring FMP Essentials episode, Dr. Yousef Elyaman sits down with renowned nutrition scientist and functional medicine leader Dr. Deanna Minich to explore how colorful foods and phytochemicals can help women navigate the transition through perimenopause and menopause with vitality and balance.
Dr. Deanna Minich shares how color, creativity, diversity, and rhythm — nature’s principles from her book The Rainbow Diet — can guide nutrition for hormone health. Together, they break down how different food colors correspond to body systems, how functional medicine views the menopause transition, and how practitioners can personalize care using color-coded nutrition, micronutrient testing, and root-cause analysis.

This conversation bridges science and soul — giving both practitioners and patients tools to use food as medicine for energy, mood, and longevity.

Key Questions We’re Answering

• How do color and phytochemicals influence hormonal and metabolic balance?
• What are the most common symptoms and root causes of perimenopause?
• How can nutrition, testing, and functional medicine support this transition?
• What practical food swaps and cooking tips improve absorption and reduce inflammation?
• How can functional practitioners empower patients with evidence-based nutrition?

What Listeners Will Learn

Key Insight:
“When we teach women to eat the rainbow, we’re not just talking about color — we’re talking about activating different systems of the body.” – Dr. Deanna Minich
Top Takeaways
Color Has Function: Each color in plant foods has distinct benefits — red for inflammation and immunity, orange for reproductive health, yellow for digestion, green for cardiovascular, purple for mood and brain, and white for detoxification.
Orange Is the Menopause Power Color: Orange foods like squash, mango, and carrots contain carotenoids that support ovarian function and hormone balance.
Balance the Matrix: Functional medicine’s seven core systems provide the framework for understanding perimenopause holistically — from inflammation to detox.
Micronutrients Matter: Minerals like magnesium and zinc are vital for hormone metabolism and adrenal stability during menopause.
Count Colors, Not Calories: Focusing on nutrient density and food diversity creates better metabolic and hormonal health than calorie restriction.

Shareable Quotes

• “Count colors, not calories — that’s how we nourish hormones and mitochondria.” – Dr. Minich
• “Fat isn’t the enemy; unhealthy, over-processed fats are.” – Dr. Minich
• “Functional medicine gives women back control of their bodies by understanding the why behind every symptom.” – Dr. Elyaman

This Episode’s Sponsors

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Connect with Us

Guest: Dr. Deanna Minich | Instagram @deannaminich
FMP Essentials: www.fmpessentials.com | Instagram @fmpessentialshq
Dr. Yousef Elyaman: Instagram @drelyaman
🎵 Music credit: “Heroes Approaching – Extended” by tunes2go

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Disclaimers

Educational Purpose Only – This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
No Doctor-Patient Relationship – Listening does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.
Supplement Use Disclaimer – Any supplement recommendations are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult your provider.
Professional Responsibility – Practitioners should use professional judgment before applying strategies discussed.
Liability Disclaimer – The host, guest, and affiliated organizations assume no liability for the use or misuse of the information shared.