Podcast Summary: The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka
Episode 167: Iman Hasan – How to Boost Fertility with Cellular Health Hacks
Release Date: May 20, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 167 of The Ultimate Human Podcast, host Gary Brecka welcomes Iman Hasan, a renowned voice in women's health and fertility. Iman shares her transformative journey from a career in luxury branding to becoming a leading advocate for integrating longevity principles into fertility practices. Their insightful conversation delves into the intersection of cellular health, longevity, and fertility, offering listeners actionable strategies to enhance reproductive health.
1. Guest Background and Personal Journey
Iman Hassan begins by recounting her extensive background in luxury fashion and lifestyle marketing, spanning over two decades across London, Dubai, and the USA. However, a personal health crisis six years ago pivoted her focus towards functional medicine and biohacking. After encountering a functional medicine doctor who introduced her to peptides, Iman embarked on a path to heal her body, which became even more urgent during the COVID-19 pandemic when her mother tragically passed away from an aggressive cancer shortly after receiving a booster shot.
Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [00:00]: "The slower you go into menopause, the more life expectancy you can have."
2. Transition from Luxury Branding to Health and Wellness
Motivated by her mother's passing and her own health struggles, Iman decided to redirect her agency's focus from luxury brands to health and wellness. This shift allowed her to collaborate with top-tier health practitioners, amplifying their voices and building brands that prioritize genuine well-being over profit.
Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [05:05]: "Today, 95% of our portfolio used to be luxury. We still have a portion of that, but now 90% of our portfolio is health and wellness."
3. The Current State of Fertility
Gary highlights alarming statistics indicating a steady decline in both sperm counts and female fertility rates. Over the past decade, sperm counts have decreased by 1% annually, posing a significant threat to future fertility rates.
Notable Quote:
Gary Brecka [09:32]: "We're going to be infertile in no time during our lifetime."
4. Integrating Longevity into Fertility Practices
Iman emphasizes the importance of viewing fertility through the lens of longevity. By addressing underlying health factors such as insulin resistance, inflammation, and mitochondrial health, practitioners can enhance fertility outcomes significantly.
Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [10:44]: "Insulin completely destroys your actual egg."
5. Comprehensive Strategies to Enhance Fertility
a. Hormone Testing and Panels
Iman advocates for comprehensive hormone panels beyond standard AMH and FSH tests. This includes checking homocysteine levels, full thyroid panels, fasting glucose, and markers of inflammation to get a holistic view of one's reproductive health.
Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [19:47]: "Run a full thyroid panel, not just a couple. Run the whole thing."
b. Addressing Insulin Resistance
Only 7% of Americans are metabolically flexible, leading to chronic inflammation that adversely affects fertility. Lowering insulin levels through diet, weight training, and supplements is crucial.
Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [18:10]: "Insulin completely destroys your actual egg."
c. Enhancing Mitochondrial Health
Mitochondria are vital for cellular energy and egg viability. Practices like hyperbaric chamber therapy can boost mitochondrial function by increasing oxygen supply.
Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [37:32]: "Hyperbaric chamber fuels your mitochondria by flooding it with oxygen and gets you firing."
d. Lipid Replacement Therapy (PK Protocol)
Iman discusses the PK Protocol, a lipid replacement therapy aimed at fortifying cell membranes, removing toxins, and enhancing overall cellular health. This therapy involves intense IV treatments containing phosphatidylcholine and sodium butyrate, which help cleanse and rebuild cell integrity.
Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [40:23]: "Lipid replacement therapy literally takes your cell wall, refortifies it, pulls out any toxins, and cleans it up."
e. PRP and Stem Cell Treatments for Ovaries
Advanced treatments like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and umbilical cord stem cell injections into the ovaries have shown promising results in restoring ovarian function and reversing early menopause.
Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [49:12]: "They inject your ovaries with stem cells, creating more follicles and improving fertility."
6. Male Fertility: A Shared Journey
Iman highlights that male fertility accounts for 50% of infertility cases. She shares her husband's journey, where addressing insulin resistance, optimizing diet, and supplementing with Vitamin D and NMN led to a remarkable improvement in his sperm count and overall fertility.
Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [25:51]: "We put him on supplements, cleaned out his gut, fixed his gut, got him detox, got him ready, got him firing."
7. Lifestyle Modifications for Optimal Fertility and Longevity
a. Diet
Adopting Paleo and Keto diets can reduce inflammation and support metabolic health. Emphasizing high-quality fats, such as pasture-raised red meat, and eliminating processed foods and sugars are pivotal.
Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [42:00]: "Keto and Paleo diets help break down food efficiently and cycle out toxins."
b. Exercise
Weight training not only builds muscle but also enhances insulin sensitivity, which is crucial for both male and female fertility.
c. Detoxification
Regular use of saunas, colonics, and coffee enemas can activate natural detox pathways, essential for eliminating toxins that impede fertility.
Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [42:24]: "Sauna is incredible. I definitely recommend lymphatic drainage."
d. Supplements
Supplements such as NMN, NR, Vitamin D, magnesium, and selenium support cellular and mitochondrial health, further enhancing fertility.
Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [27:01]: "NMN and NR paired with antioxidants are being researched for slowing ovarian aging."
8. The Importance of Couples' Joint Health in Fertility
Gary and Iman discuss the significance of couples embarking on their fertility journey together. Shared health practices not only improve individual fertility but also strengthen the relationship and lay a healthy foundation for future parenting.
Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [43:13]: "From day one, you're like, we're one team. We're going to birth a human together."
9. Cultural Approaches to Fertility Preparation
Iman contrasts Eastern and Western approaches to fertility, noting that countries like Japan and Greece emphasize a year-long preparation period. This intentional preparation involves detoxifying the body, optimizing diet, and regulating the nervous system to enhance fertility outcomes.
Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [21:53]: "Cultures in the East take a year to prep, being really intentional about the process."
10. Iman's Experience with the PK Protocol
Iman shares her personal results from the PK Protocol, noting significant improvements in her hormone levels, reduction in inflammation, weight loss, and enhanced overall well-being. Her successful transition from a premenopausal state to normalized hormone levels underscores the protocol's efficacy.
Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [56:55]: "My gut is firing correctly. I'm reducing the inflammation. My body feels better."
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The episode concludes with a reflection on the profound impact of cellular health on fertility and overall longevity. Iman emphasizes that what couples invest in their health now will directly influence the health and well-being of their future children. Both Gary and Iman advocate for a comprehensive, intentional approach to fertility that goes beyond conventional methods, integrating longevity science to achieve optimal reproductive health.
Final Notable Quote:
Iman Hassan [60:15]: "To operate with purpose and integrity in all things is what it means to be an Ultimate Human."
Where to Find Iman Hassan
Listeners interested in learning more can follow Iman on Instagram @iman__hassan, explore her podcast Biohacker, and visit her agency IHC Agency. For more detailed protocols and client resources, Gary recommends checking the show notes for links to Iman's clients and additional resources discussed in the episode.
Join the Ultimate Human Community
Gary invites listeners to join the VIP community at theultimatehuman.com/VIP for exclusive content, live Q&As, and personalized biohacking strategies to enhance health and longevity.
This episode provides a comprehensive exploration of how cellular health and longevity practices can significantly enhance fertility outcomes. Iman's expertise and personal success story serve as a compelling testament to the effectiveness of integrating biohacking techniques into reproductive health strategies.
