Why Do So Many Wellness Influencers Look Unhealthy?

Note: This article originally appeared with the private women’s community, Birthright.

I am sharing it here as the information is too important to be behind a paywall.

A trend I have been noticing for quite some time is how numerous social media health people visually look unwell - and that some are covering up the lack of vitality with excess makeup and plastic surgery. (I am not against cosmetics or cosmetic surgery, but I am against bad cosmetic surgery or lying about it).

I will not be naming names, but if you know, you know.

Let's get into why these types don't radiate the health they claim to cultivate.

1. Chronic Inflammation from Excess Nutrients & Protein

Over consumption of red meat and organ meat can lead to iron overload, copper toxicity and vitamin A toxicity which promotes oxidative stress and tissue aging.

High intake of methionine rich muscle meats without balancing glycine (from gelatin or broth) creates methylation imbalance, stressing detox and DNA repair.

Skin signs of this include a red or blotchy face, puffiness, dull complexion and premature wrinkling.

2. Low Plant Antioxidants = Cellular Wear & Tear
Some “ancestral” influencers avoid fruits, vegetables and tea, cutting off:
-Polyphenols & flavonoids
-Fiber, which is essential for the detox of metabolic waste
-Chlorogenic acid, EGCG, anthocyanins

Without these, their mitochondria age faster, and their skin, joints, and eyes can show this.
Visible signs include tired looking eyes, poor skin tone, dry texture, or thinning hair.

3. PUFA Missteps
Ironically, many of these diets allow poultry, pork, and conventional dairy, which are high in linoleic acid (omega-6 PUFAs). Even the carefully sourced pastured meats are often fed on fish meal which is loaded with highly unstable fats, heavy metals and vitamin A.

All of the above are pro-inflammatory and pro-aging, especially in mitochondria, skin, and the liver which can lead to midsection fat, poor skin elasticity and inflammation.

4. Stress-Driven Metabolism
Many of these people fast extensively, over-exercise, abuse coffee and have low thyroid markers without realizing it.

This creates a “wired but tired” state where the body runs on cortisol (stress hormones), not vitality (sex hormones). Common signs include a lean but inflamed look, visible fatigue and a loss of facial fullness or glow.

5. Under-Mineralization & Gut Damage
Without proper carbs, plant foods, or fibers, many develop low magnesium/potassium, poor bile flow and constipation or dysbiosis.
The gut-liver-skin axis breaks down, and this shows in appearance and aging.

6. Chronic Supplement & Herbs = Stress

Taking 10+ daily pills, stimulants, or strong herbal tonics can actually stress the liver, nervous system, and mitochondria. Many adaptogens or trendy herbs (ashwagandha, rhodiola) dampen or override natural feedback in the body, leading to long-term dysregulation. Overuse of “detox” agents can cause nutrient loss, electrolyte imbalance, and gut damage.

Long-term herbal use (including TCM herbs) can blunt hormonal signaling, thin the blood too much, or suppress appetite and libido - all signs of aging. Some herbalists don’t account for constitution (yin/yang, damp/dry), so people self-prescribe based on fads, not bodily needs. Taking herbs to override symptoms isn’t healing, it's still suppression (literally allopathy) just wearing a different hat.

Many in the pro-metabolic community use multiple glandulars (desiccated organs), thyroid hormones (like NDT or T3), and isolated vitamins (A, D, K, E, B1, B2, niacinamide) without labs or breaks. Over time, this wrecks feedback loops, creates synthetic dependency, thinning hair, dry skin and fatigue. Hepatic injury in a thing and now accounts for 20% of the liver toxicity cases in America!

7. Aesthetic Obsession vs. Authentic Radiance:

Many influencers use fillers, Botox, thread lifts and lie or omit it. They also layer thick makeup and filters, or promote collagen powders without addressing core metabolic or liver health. Underneath it all lies the signs of inflammation, stagnation, and stress if you look past the veneer.

8. The Pursuit of Constant “Optimization” Creates a Stress Loop:

Tracking, hacking, fasting, ice bathing, and endlessly tweaking your stack = hypervigilance, which raises cortisol and sympathetic tone. This can cause tight fascia, pale or blotchy skin, hair loss, and nervous system fragility.

9. Overdoing It: Too Much Food, Too Often aka Overeating

Some influencers over-interpret “eating enough” and push constant snacks, juice, dairy, and sugar to raise temps/pulse. This can lead to: pancreatic strain, fatty liver, insulin resistance and bloating. Eating every 2–3 hours doesn’t work for everyone, especially if thyroid function is weak or the liver is sluggish.

10. Too Much Dairy, Calcium, or Saturated Fat

Dairy is often treated like a magic bullet, but for those with sluggish digestion or excess estrogen, it can: cause puffiness, fatigue, or sinus issues as well as lead to calcium overload and vitamin A toxicity without enough magnesium or vitamin K.

Many also overdo saturated fat without bile support, leading to obesity, acne, or irritability. Too much fat of any kind will impair liver detox and raise estradiol. High fat diets are an obvious psyop.

My Approach Is Different and It Shows

Mineral rich foods
Thyroid centric nourishment
Hydration, gentle fiber, and bile movers
Targeted animal foods
Low toxin whole plants

What Actually Creates Visible Health + Longevity?

Clear eyes - Replete minerals, deep sleep, clean organs

Skin glow - Blood sugar stability, low PUFA intake, good gut health

Facial softness - Collagen balance, nervous system safety, minimal cortisol

Emotional presence - Balanced hormones, parasympathetic state, food over stimulants

Energetic resilience - Mitochondrial strength, nutrient density, joy from food/life

Health influencers are selling a projection. It's merely wellness theater, where the appearance of health is curated but not necessarily lived.

My steady, food-based, grounded approach builds real tissue integrity, nervous system strength, and graceful aging.

I'm not trying to trick biology, I'm working with it.

That’s why my results will deepen and grow over time, not fade with the next algorithm shift.

Bita Hunt is a wellness guide, homemaker and creator of the Birthright community.

Birthright: https://yourbirthright.mn.co