Influenced to Death

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit influencedtodeath.substack.comIn this episode, Hannah & Victoria are back with listener-favorite Amanda Jones to finish up their detox discussion. Be sure to listen to part 1 if you haven’t already!They discuss: * Why gastroenterologists don’t find toxic build-up in patients’ colons 🤔* Is lemon water an effective detox?* How to appropriately detoxify when you’ve had a toxic exposure* Is fu…

In this episode, Hannah & Victoria welcome Amanda Jones back for an episode all about using supplemental hydrochloric acid.Hydrochloric acid is a popular digestive supplement in integrative medicine. But is it safe? Is it effective? Does everyone have low stomach acid?They cover the history of hydrochloric acid supplementation, the woman who discovered endogenous hydrochloric acid (the form we make ourselves), and if supplementation is all it’s cracked up to be. If you’ve taken hydrochloric acid or been told to take it to improve your digestion, especially to improve heartburn, be sure to listen to this episode! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Hannah & Victoria have the pleasure of speaking with Sara Russell on blood chemistry changes that happen in pregnancy and postpartum.Fair warning, we’re breaking our typical episode pattern because we’re so mind-blown by Sara’s work, its impact on pregnancy and postpartum, and the fact that it isn’t well-known in the world of functional medicine. We discuss:* Sara’s background and why she started researching pregnancy blood work* Methylation specifics - folic acid, methylated folate, and prenatals* Can people skip their prenatal and just take liver?* The natural user bias in pregnancy * The blood tests Sara likes to see in male and female partners before conception* What is the “zinc spark?”* Beta-carotene (provitamin A) vs. retinol (preformed vitamin A) in preconception* The primary blood tests that should be interpreted differently in pregnancy * Starting to unwind the knot of iron supplementation and metabolism in pregnancyLearn more about Sara and her work at www.sararussellntp.com. Click here to learn more about LabSmarts blood work interpretation software.Click here to learn more about Sara’s pregnancy blood work interpretation course.Click here to get a free preeclampsia guide.Click here to get a free prenatal vitamin guide. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit influencedtodeath.substack.comIn this episode, Hannah and Victoria review the new Netflix documentary created by Chris Smith on multi-millionaire techpreneur Bryan Johnson, Don’t Die.Bryan lives a highly unconventional lifestyle—he engages in literally hundreds of strategies per day—as he attempts to reverse his biological age and “not die.” Spoiler alert: If you haven’t watched the…

In this episode, Hannah and Victoria speak with Amanda Jones as they explore one of the most controversial and lucrative corners of alternative wellness: DETOX. They discuss:* The interesting connections between our culture’s Christian roots and the urge to detox* The nuances of detox—it’s not all or nothing, no matter what you’ve seen online* Studies that help us gain a better understanding of what detoxification truly is and why it’s sometimes frowned on by conventional medicine * Some personal stories, including, but not limited to: enemas in the jungle, oregano oil mishaps, and photog-worthy colonic irrigation * Why simple, free steps can be just as powerful as $500 cleanses* The crucial aspect of detox that most influencers miss This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode (that you should probably not listen to on your lunch break), Hannah & Victoria welcome back guest Jameson Simpson (of episode #8 fame) to talk about medicinal leeches. Jameson has been using leeches medicinally for over 15 years, and he and Victoria share their personal tales of leech therapy while Hannah does her best not to puke.In this episode, they discuss:* The history of leech therapy, dating back over 3500 years* Some interesting leech facts, like the fact that leeches are FDA-approved* Personal leech stories, including Victoria showing off some of her leech bite scars* Graham Rook’s “Old Friends” hypothesis and the interesting connection between our health and what we now consider unsavory but possibly beneficial bacteria, parasites, and other creatures* The risks of leech therapy and why YOU SHOULD NOT TRY THIS AT HOME This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe

In this discussion, Dr. Deanna Minich, a nutrition scientist and author, dives into the fascinating world of melatonin. She unpacks the molecule's rich history, from its discovery linked to the pineal gland to its unique antioxidant properties. The conversation explores how melatonin aids not just in sleep but also in digestive health and immune function. Dr. Minich also sheds light on the impact of constant light exposure, the aging process, and the controversies and nuances surrounding melatonin supplementation.

Dr. Sharon Bergquist, a scientist and medical doctor known for her research on stress and author of "The Stress Paradox," dives into the surprising benefits of stress. She reveals how moderate stress can make you biologically younger and why it might be unwise to lower it completely. The discussion explores the concept of hormesis, emphasizing how small stressors promote resilience. They also tackle misconceptions about diets and stress responses, suggesting that understanding stress can lead to better health outcomes.

Jenny McGruther, a talented cookbook writer and recipe developer, returns to dive deeper into The Weston A. Price Foundation. She tackles the controversial review of Nina Planck’s book on traditional diets and questions the nutritional impacts of phytic acid. The conversation evolves around the merits of raw milk versus pasteurized and the balance between Nutritional Heritage and modern choices. They also explore the complexities of dietary guidance, questioning traditional narratives and advocating for informed, personal food decisions.

In this episode, Hannah and Victoria have the extreme pleasure of speaking with Dawn Whitten, a clinician, researcher, educator, and clinical mentor in naturopathic medicine specific to perinatal and early life health for over twenty years. (This woman knows her stuff, y’all.)Today’s topic? Maternal exclusion, aka elimination diets, as a way to address eczema or other symptoms in the baby. Does it work? Is it safe? What does the evidence say? What is Dawn’s clinical experience? Learn more about Dawn here.See all of Dawn’s publications here. 🤯………….Resources & research notes for this episode: The Australian Breastfeeding Association is a wonderful resource—it's a volunteer-run non-profit organization that uses a peer-support model. They have put together many resources for parents and are a place to go for reliable informationAnd, of course, La Leche League.The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is more of a professional organization, but they do have a find a practitioner function that can help parents find a practitioner fluent in breastfeeding medicine. They also have a few great handouts.And they have some great parent handouts.On maternal peanut allergen consumption while breastfeeding and infant allergy:* Reduced risk of peanut sensitization following exposure through breast-feeding and early peanut introduction* Reduced peanut sensitization with maternal peanut consumption and early peanut introduction while breastfeedingOn breastfeeding and the effect of policies and marketing of breastmilk substitutes:* Why invest, and what it will take to improve breastfeeding practices?* Marketing of commercial milk formula: a system to capture parents, communities, science, and policy* Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect(this is considered a seminal paper)On donor milk:* Australian Breastfeeding Association Position Statement on Donor Milk* Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine’s 2017 Position Statement on Informal Breast Milk Sharing for the Term Healthy Infant This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe