Phytonutrients have been called the ‘dark matter’ of nutrition, a significant but often uncharacterised and poorly understood class of nutrients that have a profound impact on human health. In this remarkable interview, Dr. Deanna Minich dives into her specialist area, the relationship between phytonutrients, health and wellbeing. She discusses new research that is changing the way we think about plant foods, controversies such as diets that restrict plants, and weaves in several practical clinical takeaways that bridge the connections between food, biology, behaviour, environment, and spirit.

Guest:

Dr. Deanna Minich, MS, PhD, CNS

About our guest:

Deanna Minich, MS, PhD, CNS, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (IFMCP), is a nutrition scientist, international lecturer, teacher, and author, with over twenty years of experience in academia and in the food and dietary supplement industries.

Throughout the years, she has been active as a functional medicine clinician in clinical trials and in her own practice (Food & Spirit™), which has now become oriented towards groups, workshops, and retreats. She is the author of seven 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 (nutrition focus) from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands (1999). For a decade, she was part of the research team led by the “father of Functional Medicine,” Dr. Jeffrey Bland, and has served on the Nutrition Advisory Board for The Institute of Functional Medicine, as well as on the Board of Directors for the American Nutrition Association. Since 2013, she has been part of the faculty for the Advanced Practice Module in Environmental Health offered by the Institute for Functional Medicine and has been teaching a graduate level course in metabolic detoxification at the University of Western States. Over the decades, she has taught thousands of nutrition classes for health coaches, fitness trainers, and healthcare professionals, including for programs offered by the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy, and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. In conjunction with her academic degrees and extensive teaching experience at the university level, she is both a Fellow (FACN) and a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) through the American College of Nutrition. She is Chief Science Officer at Symphony Natural Health, where she leads the medical advisory team, oversees scientific communication, and provide educational leadership for the company’s plant-derived nutraceuticals. She is passionate about helping others to live well using therapeutic lifestyle changes that impact their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

Guest websites and links:

https://www.foodandspirit.com

Selection of our guest’s publications:

• Minich DM. A Review of the Science of Colorful, Plant-Based Food and Practical Strategies for "Eating the Rainbow". J Nutr Metab. 2019 Jun 2;2019:2125070.
• Petroski W, Minich DM. Is There Such a Thing as "Anti-Nutrients"? A Narrative Review of Perceived Problematic Plant Compounds. Nutrients. 2020 Sep 24;12(10):2929.
• Minich DM, Brown BI. A Review of Dietary (Phyto)Nutrients for Glutathione Support. Nutrients. 2019 Sep 3;11(9):2073.
• Bush CL, Blumberg JB, El-Sohemy A, Minich DM, Ordovás JM, Reed DG, Behm VAY. Toward the Definition of Personalized Nutrition: A Proposal by The American Nutrition Association. J Am Coll Nutr. 2020 Jan;39(1):5-15.

Dr. Hemilä became interested in the possible benefit of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) when exposed to conflicting opinions on its clinical efficacy. He has spent decades specialising in vitamin C research and, as a result, has addresses important issues such as the efficacy of vitamin C, sub-groups most likely to benefit, and dose-response relationship. Dr. Hemilä has also published several important papers that reveal methodological and analytical problems as well as bias in vitamin C research that, at least in part, explain why vitamin C has been sidelined in medicine and erroneously dismissed. In this informative interview he speaks to the history of vitamin C research for infection and its clinical implications.

Guest:

Dr. Harri Hemilä, MD, PhD

About our guest:

Dr. Harri Hemilä first studied biochemistry and received his PhD (biochemistry) in 1993. Thereafter he studied medicine and receive MD degree, and thereafter PhD (epidemiology) in 2006. His major scientific interest has been the effects of vitamin C on the common cold, and on infections in general. He has not done experimental work of his own in this field, but he has carried out several meta-analyses that have estimated the effects of vitamin C from studies published over half a century. He has also analyzed the effects of vitamin E on infections and on total mortality in the ATBC Study data set of 29,133 Finnish male smokers. Most recently he has carried out meta-analyses on the treatment effects of zinc lozenges on the duration of the common cold. Along with research, he is doing clinical work in the GP context. By the year 2021, he has 155 PubMed publications, 76 of which are focused on vitamin C, 28 on vitamin E, and 12 on zinc lozenges. Dr. Hemilä is Adjunct Professor at the Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki.

Guest websites and links:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Harri-Hemilae-2

Selection of our guest’s publications:

• Hemilä H, Chalker E. Vitamin C for the common cold and pneumonia. Pol Arch Intern Med. 2025 Jan 30;135(1):16926.
• Hemilä H, Chalker E. Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis. BMC Public Health. 2023 Dec 11;23(1):2468.
• Hemilä H, Chalker E. Bias against Vitamin C in Mainstream Medicine: Examples from Trials of Vitamin C for Infections. Life (Basel). 2022 Jan 3;12(1):62.
• Hemilä H, de Man AME. Vitamin C and COVID-19. Front Med (Lausanne). 2021 Jan 18;7:559811.
• Hemilä H. Vitamin C and Infections. Nutrients. 2017 Mar 29;9(4):339.

Dr. Yanuck provides a deep but practical understanding of how to approach complex immunological problems from an evidence-informed, hypothesis generating perspective that can provide a foundation for personalised clinical interventions. He explores the theme of the NLRP3 inflammasome, its intersection with autophagy and why this is relevant to many common immunological challenges including autoimmunity, metabolism, thyroid function, inflammation, T cell polarization and the capacity to clean up cells.

Guest:

Dr. Samuel Yanuck

About our guest:

Dr. Samuel Yanuck, DC, FACFN, FIAMA is an adjunct assistant professor in the Program on Integrative Medicine, in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

With his wife, Cheryl Yanuck, MD, a psychiatrist, Dr. Yanuck runs the Yanuck Center for Life and Health, a functional medicine clinic in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. His practice is primarily focused on the care of patients with autoimmune disease, chronic infection, persistent inflammatory process, chronic GI disorders, or other immunologically involved challenges. Dr. Yanuck also provides online consultations for clinicians.

Cogence Immunology is the creation of Dr. Yanuck the company’s CEO and Director of Education. Dr. Yanuck began studying immunology in 2001, after he observed that focusing on specific patterns in immune function could profoundly influence the outcomes of challenging cases. The more he learned, the better the outcomes became. Cogence® Immunology reflects Dr. Yanuck’s more than two decades of immunology study and clinical experience.

Dr. Yanuck has published a number of research papers in peer-reviewed medical journals on topics related to functional immunology, including neurological, inflammatory, infectious and autoimmune disorders as well as the cancer immune microenvironment.

Guest websites and links:

https://cogenceimmunology.com

Selection of our guest’s publications:

• Yanuck SF. Failed Induction of the TH1 System in TH2 Dominant Patients: The Cancer-Permissive Immune Macroenvironment. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2024 May;23(2):24-35.
• Yanuck SF, Pizzorno J, Messier H, Fitzgerald KN. Evidence Supporting a Phased Immuno-physiological Approach to COVID-19 From Prevention Through Recovery. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2020;19(Suppl 1):8-35.
• Yanuck SF. Microglial Phagocytosis of Neurons: Diminishing Neuronal Loss in Traumatic, Infectious, Inflammatory, and Autoimmune CNS Disorders. Front Psychiatry. 2019 Oct 3;10:712.

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Jonathan Prousky, ND, as we explore how to find balance and harmony in today's tumultuous world. In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Prousky delves into the intersection of psychology and naturopathic medicine, offering practical insights and strategies to navigate the stressors that define our modern lives. From political and ideological divisions to economic uncertainties and health challenges, Dr. Prousky highlights how lifestyle changes, nutraceuticals, and botanical medicine can empower individuals to not only survive but thrive.

With actionable advice on managing stress, enhancing emotional well-being, and fostering resilience, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking tools to stay grounded and centred amidst the chaos of modern life. Whether you’re dealing with personal health struggles, societal pressures, or the daily grind, Dr. Prousky provides valuable guidance on integrating natural therapies and mindful approaches to foster a sense of balance and vitality. Tune in for a rich discussion on how to take control of your health and well-being in unpredictable times, and discover how small, intentional shifts in your lifestyle can make a world of difference.

Guest:

Dr. Jonathan Prousky, ND, MSc, MA

About our guest:

Dr. Jonathan Prousky (ND, Bastyr University, 1998; MSc, University of London, 2008; MA, Yorkville University, 2016) is the Chief Naturopathic Medical Officer at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Toronto, Ontario). His primary responsibility is ensuring the delivery of safe and effective naturopathic medical care to patients, as well as ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the medical training in the naturopathic program. His clinical practice focus is primarily on the evaluation and management of mental health problems. He has spent over 25 years advocating for patients that wish to receive complementary and alternative means to help their mental struggles. He was the first naturopathic doctor to receive the “Orthomolecular Doctor of the Year” award in 2010, and later to be inducted into the Orthomolecular Hall of Fame in 2017. Dr. Prousky is the author of more than 60 scholarly publications, and several texts including the recently published 2025 Clinical Handbook on Stress Management.

Guest websites and links:

https://jonathanprouskynd.com

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jonathan-Prousky

Selection of our guest’s publications:

• Prousky J. Helping the distressed clinician by identifying and treating burnout. Townsend Letter. 46-56, Oct, 2022.
• Prousky J. Protecting your brain from stress – Part 1. Townsend Letter. 45-49, Dec, 2020.
• Prousky J. The Manifestations and Triggers of Mental Breakdown, and its Effective Treatment by Increasing Stress Resilience with Psychosocial Strategies, Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, and Orthomolecular Interventions. Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine 28(3):111-130, April 2014

Dr. Paul Clayton, PhD shares his unique and remarkable research into pre-industrialised societies and their relative freedom from disease including what this means for the current epidemic of chronic diseases today. He discusses important but overlooked and underappreciated changes in diet and lifestyle and their clinical implications as well as common mechanisms that could be targeted to reduce disease risk and improve health and function. Finally, he paints a picture of the future of the global food environment and nutrition-centric clinical medicine.

Guest:

Dr. Paul Clayton, PhD

About our guest:

Dr Paul Clayton graduated summa cum laude in Medical Pharmacology from Edinburgh University, prior to obtaining his PhD.

A former Chair of the Forum on Food & Health (UK), and Senior Scientific Advisor to the UK government’s Committee on the Safety of Medicines, he was a Fellow of the Institute of Food, Brain & Behaviour (Oxford).

He works with leading doctors and clinical scientists at centres of clinical expertise in many countries, designing and supervising pre-clinical and clinical trials of pharmaco-nutritional interventions.

Dr. Clayton’s books and e-books include Health Defence, After Atkins, Natural Defences, Out of the Fire, Let Your Food be Your Pharmaco-nutrition and Strengthening Your Immune System: How to Fight Infection, Allergy and Autoimmune Disease.

Guest websites and links:

• drpaulclayton.eu

Selection of our guest’s publications:

• Clayton P, Rowbotham J. How the mid-Victorians worked, ate and died. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2009 Mar;6(3):1235-53.
• Clayton P, Rowbotham J. An unsuitable and degraded diet? Part one: public health lessons from the mid-Victorian working class diet. J R Soc Med. 2008 Jun;101(6):282-9.
• Clayton P, Rowbotham J. An unsuitable and degraded diet? Part two: realities of the mid-Victorian diet. J R Soc Med. 2008 Jul;101(7):350-7.
• Rowbotham J, Clayton P. An unsuitable and degraded diet? Part three: Victorian consumption patterns and their health benefits. J R Soc Med. 2008 Sep;101(9):454-62.
• Badaeva AV, Danilov AB, Clayton P, et al. Perspectives on Neuronutrition in Prevention and Treatment of Neurological Disorders. Nutrients. 2023 May 28;15(11):2505

In this episode we speak with Patrick Holford, founder and chair of the Food for the Brain scientific advisory board and author of Alzheimer's: Prevention is the Cure (2025). Highlighting why drug therapies have failed for Alzheimer's we look beyond a single-drug single-target approach to multi-component nutrition and lifestyle medicine-based approaches that not only target multiple disease processes, but have been shown to reverse, not just prevent, Alzheimer's disease in well-conducted clinical research. The discussion includes actionable biomarkers for personalised preventative approaches using nutrition.

Guest:

Patrick Holford BSc, DipION, FBANT, NTCRP

About our guest:

Patrick Holford is Founder and Chair of the Food for the Brain Foundations Scientific Advisory Board. He is a retired visiting professor, specialising in nutrition and mental health, author of over 45 books and is in the Orthomolecular Medicine Hall of Fame. In 1984 he founded the Institute for Optimum Nutrition.

He started in the field of psychology and then became a student of two of the leading pioneers in nutrition medicine and psychiatry – the late Dr Carl Pfeiffer and Dr Abram Hoffer. In 1984 he founded the Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION), now degree-accredited, to train a new profession – the first generation of nutritional therapists and to define what it means to be optimally nourished. His mentor, twice Nobel Prize winner Dr Linus Pauling, was patron.

In 1998 Patrick left ION to focus on writing down what he’d learnt and his first book, the Optimum Nutrition Bible, was published, selling over 2 million copies and catalysing a global revolution. He’s now written over 45 books translated into over 30 languages.

One of his current focusses is on helping people with mental health issues and in 2003 he founded the Brain Bio Centre and in 2007 he founded the Food for the Brain Foundation.

In 2014, Patrick was inducted to the Orthomolecular Medicine Hall of Fame, joining his mentors Drs Linus Pauling and Abram Hoffer. He has also been awarded an honorary Diploma from ION and is also an Honorary Fellow of the British Association of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine. He is also a retired visiting professor at the University of Teeside.

Guest websites and links:

• https://foodforthebrain.org/
• https://foodforthebrain.org/the-cognitive-function-test/

Selection of our guest’s publications:

• Holford P. Alzheimer's: Prevention is the Cure. Holford Press. 2025.

Additional publications:

• Smith AD, Refsum H. Homocysteine - from disease biomarker to disease prevention. J Intern Med. 2021 Oct;290(4):826-854.