Influenced to Death

In this episode, Hannah & Victoria welcome back Sara Russell, Ph.D., to finish our discussion on research-based blood test analysis in pregnancy and postpartum, plus an exploration of the general brilliance that is speaking with Sara.We cover:* General review of the blood markers that have special postpartum ranges* 6 blood markers that can detect an early risk of preeclampsia * The incredible medicinal qualities of plain old white button mushrooms* Why you shouldn’t be afraid of soy* The brand of prenatal Sara recommends (no, she’s not affiliated!) and why choline is so crucial* The 3 layers of celiac disease and the connection to pregnancy and postpartum* The links between postpartum thyroiditis, non-celiac gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, bipolar disorder, and postpartum psychosis and why some people should NOT take SSRIs when experiencing postpartum depression* The paternal contribution to preeclampsia (yep, the dad)* Why aspirin might be a great tool for you in pregnancy You can find Sara at www.sararussellntp.com and click here for more information on her pregnancy & postpartum blood work analysis course. 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 & Victoria discuss the now-internationally famous story of Belle Gibson, an Australian influencer who rose to fame in the mid-2000s for her social media accounts of battling and winning against brain cancer.But her Instagram account was hiding a massive secret that may have hurt her followers.We cover: * The details of the Belle Gi…

Delve into the historical journey of methylene blue, a synthetic dye turned medical marvel, and explore its surprising links to mitochondrial health. The conversation dives into the rising trend of colostrum and its supposed benefits versus marketing hype. You’ll also hear insights on high-protein diets, unraveling myths around collagen and nutrition. Additionally, the hosts highlight the importance of balancing health claims with credible research while examining the social implications of dietary choices.

In this episode, Hannah & Victoria dive into one of the most contentious topics in all of wellness: delicious, delicious gluten. They discuss: * What, exactly, is gluten?* Where macronutrients come from (like, originally)* If gluten is a lectin, or not, and if you should worry about eating lectins* The history of gluten and gluten-free diets* If grain and gluten hurt our health * Our opinions on whether gluten is appropriate for the general population * Victoria and Hannah’s personal experiences with gluten * The possible harms of a gluten-free diet* If cross-reactive foods are a real thing for people who react to gluten* Is celiac reversible???For our most mature listeners, the South Park explanation of gluten. 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 & 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