Episode #23: Functional medicine misses the mark in pregnancy

Episode #23: Functional medicine misses the mark in pregnancy

Author: Hannah Wright & Victoria LaFont March 11, 2025 Duration: 1:05:54

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 pregnancy

Learn 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 would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com

Navigating the endless scroll of wellness advice can feel like a full-time job, and a dangerous one at that. Influenced to Death, hosted by Hannah Wright and Victoria LaFont, is your critical companion in the chaotic landscape of health trends and social media gurus. This podcast digs into the often-absurd, sometimes alarming world of wellness influencing with a sharp comedic lens, because sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying over a $100 "detox" tea. Each episode unpacks the latest fads, questionable supplements, and pervasive myths peddled online, blending researched health commentary with relatable humor. You'll hear them dissect the language of influencers, separate fleeting trends from actual science, and share their own misadventures in trying to keep up. It’s a health and fitness podcast that acknowledges the comedy in our collective pursuit of better living, while seriously questioning the forces trying to sell it to us. Tune in for a dose of reality that’s far more refreshing than any juice cleanse. Find more from the podcast naturally on their Substack.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Influenced to Death
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