Deanna Minich, PhD, joins the podcast to discuss the critical intersection of circadian rhythms, hormone health, and phytonutrients. She breaks down the "Hierarchy of Health"—starting with Time, moving to the Endocrine System, and finally Metabolism. The conversation explores why light and dark should be treated as essential nutrients and how women in mid-life can use "chrono-nutrition" to navigate hormonal shifts like perimenopause.

The Power of Purples and Phytonutrients

• The Rare Color: Blue and purple foods are the rarest in nature; 88% of people are deficient in these specific phytonutrients.
• Brain Benefits: These compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids) are essential for cognition, memory, and mood.
• Beyond Macros: Nutrition isn't just about protein, carbs, and fats; the thousands of phytonutrients in plants act as signaling molecules for our microbiome and genes.

The Hierarchy of Health: Time First

• The Sequence: 1. Time (Circadian Rhythm) → 2. Endocrine System (Hormones) → 3. Cellular Processes (Metabolism).
• The Problem: Most people try to fix metabolism (weight loss) or hormones (HRT) without first fixing their relationship with
• Time.Circadian Syndrome: A modern condition involving disrupted sleep, mood issues, and metabolic dysfunction caused by "bucking nature."

Light and Dark as Nutrients

• Lux Levels: Outdoor light (even on a cloudy day) can be 10,000 lux, while indoor light is often a meager 500 lux.
• Morning Rituals: Sunlight in the morning stops melatonin and triggers the "Cortisol Awakening Response" to give us energy.
• Darkness Deficiency: Over-exposure to artificial light at night acts as an endocrine disruptor, interfering with reproductive health and testosterone levels.

Chrono-Nutrition: The "When" of Eating

• Melatonin vs. Insulin: As melatonin rises at night, insulin sensitivity drops. Eating large meals in the dark makes it harder for the body to process carbohydrates.
• The 1-Hour Rule: Dr. Minich suggests hydrating immediately upon waking (with minerals) and waiting about an hour before the first meal to let digestive juices prime.
• Eating with the Light: A simple rule of thumb—try to finish your last meal before or shortly after sunset.

Melatonin: More Than a Sleep Aid

• Mitochondrial Shield: Melatonin is a master antioxidant that protects the "mother of the cell"—the mitochondria.
• The Decline: By age 50, we produce only about 10% of the melatonin we had during puberty.
• Supplementation: Dr. Minich discusses "Herbatonin" (plant-based melatonin) and why low-dose supplementation (0.3mg) can be a longevity strategy rather than just a sleep fix.

Connect with Dr. Deanna Minich:

Instagram: @deannaminich

You can sign up for legume love letters HERE

Enjoy! Unique

www.youregreat.com

In this episode, Unique Hammond sits down with Rick, who recently celebrated an incredible milestone: six years of stability on the Bean Protocol. Rick’s journey began in 2018 with a dire prognosis. Diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)—a rare autoimmune liver condition—and Hemolytic Anemia, doctors told him nutrition couldn’t fix his condition and that he was facing the removal of both his liver and spleen.

Rick shares the raw reality of his medical trauma, spending months in the hospital, and the turning point when he decided to take his health into his own hands. Today, he lives a full life as an author and musician, proving that even with a "medical nightmare" diagnosis, there is a path toward grace, grit, and healing.

Highlights:

• The "Mud and Rocks" Philosophy: A beautiful analogy for healing—you can't always get the "mud" out of a container, but you can fill it with enough "clean rocks" until that's mostly what remains.
• Beating the Odds: How Rick moved his reticulocyte count (blood cell death rate) from a dangerous 20 down to a healthy range in 17 months.
• The Medical vs. Nutritional Dialogue: Navigating a world where specialists said, "I've never seen nutrition fix this."
• Trauma and Somatic Healing: Discussing the "T-line" of medical trauma and how emotional release is often the final key to a physical plateau.
• The "Love Letter" to Your Body: Shifting perspective from "dieting" to viewing every meal as a love letter to your organism.Impact on the Gut-Liver Axis
  • Bile Acid Metabolism: Because PSC affects the ducts, it disrupts the normal metabolism of bile acids, which can negatively impact intestinal motility.Systemic Health: Imbalances in the gut microbiome and liver function can affect multiple "gut axes," including immune health, metabolism, and the brain.Secondary Effects: The disruption in bile flow can lead to an overabundance of detrimental bacteria, such as Proteobacteria, which promote systemic inflammation.

  Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment

C. Rick Vella is a multi-talented creator whose life is a blend of music, storytelling, and hands-on craftsmanship. A veteran songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Rick spent over a decade touring the U.S. and recording 17 albums before expanding his creative reach into children’s book authorship, property investment, and even stand-up comedy.

But beneath the surface of a prolific creative career, Rick was navigating a harrowing health battle with a rare liver disease and hemolytic anemia. These challenges shifted his perspective from "managing illness" to "building resilience." Today, Rick shares how he uses creativity and foundational health to stay grounded and uplift others. A true overcomer, he lives by a simple mission: to leave every person and project better than he found them.

You can find out more about The Bean Protocol and working with Unique Hammond - www.youregreat.com

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Is histamine the villain of the health world, or a vital messenger your body can’t live without? In this episode, Unique Hammond sits down with Dr. Laura G. to demystify Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and histamine intolerance. Dr. Laura shares her personal journey from "allergic to life" in Austin, Texas, to finding health through nomadic living and clinical expertise.

We dive deep into why the "pushing through" culture fuels the flame of inflammation, the surprising link between mast cells and mental health (anxiety, ADHD, insomnia), and how simple lifestyle shifts—like soluble fiber and blood sugar stability—can calm your immune system.

Key Topics Discussed:

• What is Histamine? Why we need it for sleep, hormones, and digestion.
• The "Histamine Bucket" Analogy: How stress, infections (like Long COVID), and environment overflow your system.
• The Mental Health Connection: How histamine acts as a neurotransmitter triggering panic attacks and OCD.
• Modern Triggers: Why Austin’s "Cedar Fever" and mold can be a tipping point.
• Practical Tools: The role of soluble fiber (the "trash bag" for toxins), freezing leftovers, and the "New Salt" hack for potassium.
• Exercise Intolerance: How to stay active without triggering a massive histamine flare.

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Laura G.’s Website: www.drlauragouge.com
• Unique Hammond (The Bean Protocol): https://www.youregreat.com
• Join my Legume Love Letter Newsletter here-Legume Love Letters

Host: Unique Doctor

Guest: Dr. Jason Hawrelak (Microbiome Specialist & Educator)

Episode Summary

In this episode, Unique Doctor sits down with renowned clinician and researcher Dr. Jason Hawrelak to discuss why the modern trend of "carpet-bombing" the gut with antimicrobials like Berberine and Oregano oil may be doing more harm than good. They explore the nuances of Akkermansia, the dangers of hidden chemicals in natural supplements, and how to use fiber and targeted herbs as "snipers" to restore a healthy internal ecosystem.

Key Information & Highlights

• The Problem with "Natural" Antimicrobials: Many popular herbal treatments (Berberine, Oregano Oil, Grapefruit Seed Extract) are non-selective. They kill beneficial Bifidobacteria and butyrate-producers, often leading to a "bloom" of pathogens like E. coli and Klebsiella shortly after treatment.
• The "Sniper" Herb – Pomegranate Husk: Unlike broad-spectrum killers, Pomegranate Husk acts selectively. It inhibits pathogens and fungi while actually encouraging the growth of beneficial microbes.
• The Oxygen/pH Dynamic: You can suppress pathogens without "killing" them by changing the environment. Pathogens hate acidity and oxygen-free environments. Feeding your gut fiber creates Butyrate, which sucks oxygen out of the gut and lowers the pH to a level pathogens cannot tolerate.
• Akkermansia Insights: If you are missing Akkermansia muciniphila, current supplements may not "colonize" you permanently. However, red polyphenols (Pomegranate, Dragon Fruit, Cranberry) and prebiotics like Inulin can drastically increase levels if the species is still present.
• The Probiotic Myth: Probiotics rarely "recolonize" a healthy gut. They are transient travelers that perform specific tasks (e.g., speeding up transit time or producing GABA for anxiety) but usually don't stay forever.

Recommended Resources

• The Corn/Quinoa Test: Eat corn or black quinoa and track how many hours/days it takes to appear in the stool (Optimal is 18–30 hours).
• Microbiome Testing: Look for Shotgun Metagenomics or 16S DNA testing rather than basic PCR pathogen tests. I like Tiny Health for North America. Code: youregreat
• Dietary Goals: Aim for 40–50g of fiber daily from diverse plant sources.

Watch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/@beanprotocol

Join The Legume Love letter Newsletter here: LOVE LETTERS

Episode Summary: What happens when you over-train, under-eat, and lose touch with your nervous system? For Hunter, it resulted in a "weighted blanket" of chronic fatigue and a terrifying cycle of OCD. In this episode, Unique and Hunter discuss the specific steps he took to desensitize his nervous system, why he had to eat 4,000+ calories just to feel safe, and the importance of disconnecting from the "matrix" of technology to find health.

Key Timestamps:

• [00:00] The "Comfort Crisis" and why being cold and bored is good for you.
• [08:45] Screen time vs. Fiction: How different hobbies impact the Whoop stress monitor.
• [15:20] The Minnesota Starvation Study: Why under-eating leads to psychological breaks.
• [24:10] Hunter’s Rock Bottom: Navigating OCD, anxiety, and depersonalization.
• [35:00] The "Bottom-Up" Approach: Using the Bean Protocol to calm the brain.
• [48:15] Life after Coffee (and bringing it back): Finding personal metabolic balance.
• [55:30] The 6 PM Rule: How early dinners revolutionized Hunter’s sleep.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
• Hope and Help for Your Nerves by Dr. Claire Weeks
• Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means
• The Bean Protocol: wwwyourgreat.com

Episode Summary: What if there was a roadmap that gave you literal permission to stop trying to be someone you’re not? In this episode, Unique Hammond sits down with human design expert Alexandra Cole to discuss how this "spiritual self-awareness tool" can transform how we parent, work, and care for our bodies. From understanding why some of us need big emotions to why some children shouldn't be forced to sit still at the dinner table, this conversation is a deep dive into the beauty of human individuality.

Key Timestamps:

• [00:00] Unique’s journey: From "flaky" MG to discovering her design while sick in bed.
• [05:30] What is Human Design? The "one-of-a-kind frequency" imprinted at birth.
• [08:15] Deconditioning: Moving away from the "molds" we are forced into at age seven.
• [12:45] Parenting by Design: How Unique used HD to support her daughters' unique career paths.
• [18:20] Emotional Authority: Why "sleeping on it" is a biological necessity for some.
• [25:00] Profile Archetypes: A breakdown of lines 1 through 6 (The Investigator to the Role Model).
• [38:10] The Human Design Diet: Why how you eat matters as much as what you eat.

Resources Mentioned:

• Alexandra Cole’s Substack & Purpose Programs: alexandra cole coach | author | human design Website: www.thrivingbydesign.com Instagram: @alexandrafcole | @purpose_playbook
• The Bean Protocol & Working with Unique: www.yourgreat.com
• Join my Next Ladies 12 week health ( bean) group Waitlist for Sept 4th!
• https://www.youregreat.com/join-the-bean-protocol#jointhewaitlist

Guest: Dr. Hannah Lollar Naturopathic Doctor (ND)

Core Theme: Moving beyond the "pill for every ill" mentality to embrace nutrition (The Bean Protocol™), individualized hormone support, and the powerful signaling of the female cycle.

Key Takeaways & Highlights

1. The Luteal Phase "Truth Serum"

Unique and Hannah discuss the emotional intensity often dismissed as "just PMS."

• The Luteal Narrative: The luteal phase (the week before your period) acts as a "BS filter." While it can feel like "lunacy," it often highlights real issues in life or relationships that we suppress during the rest of the month.
• Actionable Advice: Don’t make life-altering decisions (like divorce) during this phase, but document the feelings. Use them as data points to address once your hormones settle.

2. Naturopathic vs. Conventional Medicine

Dr. Loller clarifies the rigorous path of an ND:

• Training: Four years of medical school, including biochemistry, anatomy, and pharmaceuticals, plus extensive training in nutrition, homeopathy, and hydrotherapy.
• The "Village Doctor" Approach: Hannah operates a concierge practice, making house calls. This allows her to see a patient’s environment—poking around the pantry to see what they think is healthy versus what actually supports their biology.

3. The Foundation of Nutrition: The Bean Protocol

Both Unique and Hannah emphasize that nutrition is not a "fad" but the literal building blocks of cells.

• Soluble Fiber (Beans & Psyllium): Essential for clearing recycled estrogen and toxins from the liver. This is the "insurance policy" for anyone on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
• Personal Responsibility: You cannot drive a "Ferrari" (your body) and put in the cheapest fuel. High-performance health requires high-quality, consistent inputs.

4. Advanced Optimizations: Peptides & Genetics

When the foundation of nutrition is set, Dr. Lawler looks at "levers" to move the needle:

• Peptides: Signaling molecules that tell cells to perform specific tasks (e.g., recovery, skin health, or mood). Hannah highlights GHK-Cu (copper peptide) for anti-aging and Thymosin Beta-4 for recovery.
• Genetics (3x4 Genetics): Understanding "bottlenecks," such as the COMT gene, which affects how you process caffeine and adrenaline. Knowing your genetics removes the "DIY" guesswork from health.

5. Thyroid Health & The "Canary in the Coal Mine"

The discussion touches on why Hashimoto’s is so prevalent today:

• Environmental Toxins: Halogens like fluoride, chlorine, and bromine can "plug" iodine receptors in the thyroid, leading to dysfunction.

Root Cause: It’s never "just" the thyroid; it’s a response to stress, viruses, or environmental toxicity (like mold).

Episode 61 Focus: Special Guest Dr Jason Hawrelak ND.

We discuss why health is an active daily process rather than an occasional state, the subtle damages of the Western diet, the distinction between sugar and fruit, and personalized approaches to healing serious GI conditions.

• Mouse Study Revelation: Research suggests that mice eating a junk food diet only on the weekends suffered almost as much microbiome damage as mice eating junk food seven days a week, illustrating the importance of consistent, daily nourishment.
• The Gut-Brain-Immune Axis: The decisions we make daily—from food choices to stress and sleep—directly impact the microbiome, which, in turn, influences mood, immunity, and long-term disease risk.

Saturated Fat, and gut health.

• Crohn's Disease and IBD: IBD symptoms (Crohn's, Colitis) show similar patterns of dysbiosis: too few beneficial, anti-inflammatory bacteria (like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii) and too many pro-inflammatory or pathogenic species (like certain E. coli strains).
• Dietary Emulsifiers: A major driver of IBD and inflammation is the consumption of dietary emulsifiers (e.g., carrageenan, polysorbate 80) found in ultra-processed foods. These compounds actively strip away the protective mucus layer, allowing microbes and toxins to interact with the immune system.
• Saturated Fat and Pathogens: Saturated fats (from dairy, lard, or coconut) behave differently in the gut:
  • They encourage the growth of bacteria like Bilophila wadsworthia (a bile-loving bug) by increasing bile sulfur levels.
  • Bilophila produces hydrogen sulfide gas, which is linked to IBD risk and visceral hypersensitivity (painful, oversensitive nerves in the gut).
  • Saturated fat can also bind to and increase the absorption of endotoxin (a bacterial toxin), driving systemic inflammation.
• Optimal Protein: A plant-forward omnivore or pescatarian diet is optimal. A high-fiber diet mitigates many of the risks associated with moderate protein intake. For IBD flares, temporarily reducing red meat is often necessary to suppress hydrogen sulfide-producing microbes.

Key Takeaways:

• The Single Most Important Action: Eat a diverse, high-fiber, plant-forward diet aiming for ∼50g of fiber daily.
• Be Aware of Toxins: Avoid ultra-processed foods, emulsifiers, and minimize pesticide exposure (eat organic when possible) to protect the gut lining.

You can find out more about Dr Jason Hawrelak ND, BNat(Hons), PhD, FNHAA, MASN, FACN ProbioticAdvisor.com

Interested in testing your gut microbes?

We love TINY HEALTH- https://bit.ly/3RIOiKz

Code: YOUREGREAT

In Podcast 61, I sit with Dr. Karen Hurd to discuss HRT.

Episode Focus: Re-examining the risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in light of new scientific rhetoric, The biological mechanism of hormonal damage, and the power of lifestyle in navigating menopause.

1. The Core Scientific Risk: DNA Damage

Dr. Hurd challenges the idea that "bioidentical" hormones are inherently safer than synthetic ones.

• The Mechanism of Action: Hormones (both endogenous/innate and exogenous/prescribed) are very small molecules known scientifically as nuclear receptors.
• Crossing Barriers: These molecules are so tiny that they can bypass normal cellular defenses by diffusing directly through the cell membrane (plasma membrane) and the nuclear envelope.
• The DNA Barrage: Once inside the nucleus, the hormone-transcription factor complex randomly attaches to the DNA3. This is not a one-time event; a daily pill or patch creates a constant barrage on the nuclear envelope.
• Mutating Genes: If this random attachment occurs at a critical site, such as the P53 gene (often affected in nearly 50% of hormonally receptive cancers) 5, it can disable the cell's stop mechanism (stop codon)6. The damaged cell then reproduces daughter cells carrying the same mutation, leading to tumors.

The Power of Diet and Lifestyle

• The Natural Menopause: Menopausal symptoms (bone loss, brain fog, hot flashes) are often the result of entering menopause in a non-healthy state
• Estrogen Drivers: Hormones are naturally produced, but their excess can be driven by lifestyle. Caffeine is a more powerful driver of estrogen production than sugar.
• Adrenal Role: The adrenal glands are meant to take over producing weaker, protective estrogens after menopause16. Stressing the adrenals with caffeine, sugar, and over-exercising diverts resources away from hormone production, leading to symptoms like vaginal atrophy and hot flashes.
• The Bean Protocol Solution: Eating soluble fiber (like beans) does not stop innate hormone production; rather, the fiber acts by carrying out what the liver dumps into the gut.. This prevents the excessive recycling (up to 72 times daily) of hormones, allowing the body to naturally bring elevated estrogen levels back down to a safe, post-menopausal level

You can learn more about working with Karen Hurd at www.karenhurd.com

and you can learn more about my courses and working with me at www.youregreat.com

Wishing you well on your human journey.

X

From diet culture to thriving.

In this powerful episode of the Your Great Podcast, host Unique sits down with her client, Catherine's, to share an incredible transformation story. Catherine's came to Unique feeling "at war" with her body, struggling with eczema, chronic sickness, and food sensitivities that left her at rock bottom.

But through the foundational principles of the Bean protocol™, Catherine moved beyond simply managing symptoms. She healed her relationship with food and her body, rediscovering vitality and joy. This isn't just a story about a diet; it's about a complete mindset shift, from feeling like a victim of your health to becoming the empowered hero of your own life.

Listen in as Catherine reveals how she went from being sick more weeks than she was well, to having the energy to say "yes" to life, all by learning to nourish her body from within. If you've ever felt like healing is a struggle, this conversation will inspire you to look at your health journey with new eyes.

You can find out how to work with Unique at https://www.youregreat.com/oneonone-consults