Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health - podcast cover

Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health

Dr. Mercolawww.mercola.com
Listen to Dr. Mercola’s Weekly Podcast, as the legendary natural health pioneer continues to lead you on your journey towards optimal health.

Episodes

Diabetes: The Shocking Link to Your Cells' Mitochondria - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Research has revealed that damaged mitochondria in metabolic tissues don't die off as expected, but instead send distress signals that cause cells to become immature and dysfunctional This cellular "immaturity" particularly affects insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, causing them to stop making enough insulin to regulate blood sugar properly This same pattern of mitochondrial damage and cellular dysfunction was observed across multiple types of tissue involved in metabolis...

Apr 16, 202511 min

Selenium: The Tiny Mineral with Mighty Health Benefits

Story at-a-glance Selenium is a trace mineral essential for health, supporting immune function, hormone regulation, and fighting oxidative stress Incorporated into 25 selenoproteins, selenium is crucial for antioxidant production, particularly glutathione peroxidase, which neutralizes harmful free radicals and prevents cellular damage Research shows selenium benefits cardiovascular health, with supplementation reducing rates of Keshan disease in deficient regions and supporting overall heart fun...

Apr 16, 202511 min

Beyond Baby Food: How Plants Build a Strong Infant Gut

Story at-a-glance Introducing a wide variety of plant-based foods after age one speeds up gut microbiome maturity, helping your child build better digestion and stronger immunity early on Children who consume diverse plant fibers develop higher levels of beneficial bacteria like Faecalibacterium and Bacteroides, which reduce inflammation and protect the gut lining Between 12 and 18 months is the most important window to introduce a range of solid foods, laying the groundwork for a healthy, adult...

Apr 15, 202511 min

Citrus & Your Mood: How Oranges Can Fight Depression

Story at-a-glance Depression affects more than 280 million people worldwide. Many patients do not fully respond to first-line medications or experience adverse side effects. This makes dietary influences on mood increasingly important Regular citrus consumption is linked to a 22% reduced depression risk by increasing beneficial gut bacteria like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which supports neurotransmitter production Citrus contains naringenin, formononetin, and hesperidin — plant compounds that...

Apr 15, 202511 min

Sweet Deception: The Hidden Dangers in Your Baby's Formula

Story at-a-glance Most infant formulas in the U.S. contain added sugars instead of natural lactose, with formula-fed infants consuming up to 60 grams of added sugars daily (equivalent to two soft drinks) Out of 73 formulas examined in 2022, researchers found only five contained mainly naturally occurring lactose, and those are no longer available in the U.S. market Added sugars in formula may increase risks of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and preference for sweet foods, while...

Apr 15, 202511 min

Gardasil on Trial: Questioning the Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Story at-a-glance Gardasil's ability to prevent cervical cancer is being questioned, with experts citing a lack of long-term studies proving reduced cancer rates While Gardasil targets specific HPV strains, concerns exist that it allows for the emergence of other harmful strains, thus canceling the vaccine’s intended benefits Reports of severe side effects, including heart complications and even deaths, raise serious safety concerns, warranting caution The vaccine's aggressive marketing, despite...

Apr 14, 202510 min

Modern Living: How Our Lifestyle is Killing Us - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Modern lifestyles have drastically reduced your body's ability to produce cellular energy. Humans now generate 75% less adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the currency of cellular energy, than a century ago Modern diets are filled with ultraprocessed foods, excessive sugar and harmful vegetable oils, which has led to widespread nutrient deficiencies despite consuming sufficient calories Sedentary lifestyles have become the norm. One-third of Americans spend more than eight hours a d...

Apr 14, 20259 min

Cognitive Decline Alert: The Risks of Antidepressant Use - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance A large study found that individuals with dementia who took antidepressants lost cognitive function at nearly twice the expected rate compared to non-users Dementia patients on higher doses of antidepressants experienced faster mental decline, increased hospitalization rates, fractures and even higher mortality risks than those on lower doses A separate meta-analysis found that individuals taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) had a 75% greater chance of develo...

Apr 12, 202510 min

UTI Misdiagnosis: Protect Your Health From Unnecessary Treatment - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance UTIs are one of the most overdiagnosed conditions in U.S. medicine, especially in seniors who often receive antibiotics without showing any infection symptoms Even in hospital settings, studies show overdiagnosis rates as high as 85% in some states, with three-quarters of patients labeled with UTIs lacking matching symptoms Many urine tests used to diagnose UTIs, such as checking for cloudy appearance or bacteria alone, are unreliable and often lead to unnecessary antibiotic pr...

Apr 12, 202511 min

Menopause: The Estrogen Dominance Dilemma - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Contrary to conventional belief, research shows menopausal women often experience estrogen dominance rather than deficiency, with high estrogen levels in tissues despite lower blood measurements A 2024 study revealed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) dramatically increases estrogen in fat tissues, creating a hormonal environment heavily skewed toward estrogen relative to androgens Optimal hormonal health depends on the ratio between progesterone and estrogen, with many menopaus...

Apr 12, 20259 min

Protect Your Heart: How Eggs Improve Cardiovascular Health - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Research shows eating eggs up to six times per week lowers the risk of heart disease-related death by 29% and reduces overall mortality by 17% Choline, an essential nutrient found in eggs, supports heart health by reducing homocysteine levels, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease In addition to cardiovascular disease, choline deficiency leads to various health complications like fatty liver disease, muscle breakdown and cognitive decline Pasture-raised eggs from a rep...

Apr 11, 202510 min

Fix Your Sleep, Fix Your Health: A Guide to Blood Sugar Balance - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Sleeping fewer than six hours a night leads to greater blood sugar swings and less stable glucose levels throughout the day Going to bed late — even if total sleep time is adequate — disrupts glucose control and increases the risk of metabolic dysfunction The worst glycemic instability was seen in people with both short sleep and consistently late bedtimes Brain scans show that poor sleep blocks glucose from reaching memory centers, impairing your ability to recall and learn ne...

Apr 11, 20259 min

The Formula Deception: Unmasking the Dangers of Infant Formula - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance The infant formula industry has almost 100 billion dollars in annual sales. This was accomplished by unscrupulous marketing that trained doctors and parents to discard breastfeeding and tricked them into believing infant formula is "safe and effective" Infant formula is full of corn syrup and seed oils, which cause metabolic dysfunction and excessive weight gain. Remarkably, that weight gain has been normalized, making it possible to diagnose normal children as "underweight" an...

Apr 11, 202510 min

EMR Syndrome: The Danger of Wireless Radiation - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance The term Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) Syndrome is gaining recognition to better describe the symptoms — like headaches, dizziness, and fatigue — linked to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), which millions of people experience today This growing recognition of EMR Syndrome is shifting the focus from blaming affected individuals to addressing the health risks of wireless radiation. Advocates push for safer technology and policy changes Individuals affected by EMR Syndrome suffer f...

Apr 10, 202512 min

Nutrient Deficiencies: The Impact on type 2 Diabetes

Story at-a-glance A study that analyzed 52,501 Type 2 diabetes patients found widespread nutrient deficiencies, with vitamin D being most common (60.45%), followed by magnesium (41.95%) and vitamin B12 (28.72%) Vitamin D deficiency significantly impairs insulin function and sensitivity, while increasing the risk of complications like diabetic retinopathy, kidney disease and foot ulcers Magnesium deficiency creates a vicious cycle among diabetics — low intake increases diabetes risk, while diabet...

Apr 09, 202512 min

The American Food Scandal: What They're Not Telling You - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance The FDA allows food manufacturers to introduce new additives without independent safety testing, meaning thousands of chemicals are in the U.S. food supply with little oversight Many food additives, including emulsifiers and preservatives, disrupt gut bacteria, leading to inflammation, metabolic disorders, and immune dysfunction The Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) loophole allows companies to self-certify chemicals as safe, even when long-term health effects are unknown Hea...

Apr 09, 202510 min

Hidden Hazards: The Shocking Truth About Indoor Air - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Scented wax melts release terpenes that interact with ozone to create harmful nanoparticles, despite being marketed as safer alternatives to candles Studies show wax warmers emit up to 1,000 times more terpenes than candles, significantly degrading indoor air quality Everyday scented products create nanoparticles that reach deep into lungs, with pollution levels comparable to gas stoves or diesel engines Health risks from these invisible particles include respiratory irritation...

Apr 09, 202512 min

The Symptom Trap: Why Modern Medicine Isn't Making Us Healthier - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Many people are now on medications, yet chronic illness is still on the rise because doctors focus on symptom management instead of fixing underlying metabolic and cellular dysfunction Nearly half of U.S. adults take prescription drugs monthly, with 13.5% taking five or more medications. This polypharmacy puts them at risk of side effects that outweigh the drugs’ benefits Prescription drugs like statins, insulin and antidepressants don’t fix metabolic dysfunction. They suppress...

Apr 08, 202512 min

Cozy Danger: The Risks of Heating Pads and Blankets

Story at-a-glance Toasted skin syndrome (erythema ab igne) occurs when skin is exposed to moderate heat for prolonged periods, leading to red, brown or purple net-like patterns Common causes include heating pads, electric blankets, laptops on your lap, space heaters and hot water bottles that maintain prolonged contact with skin In toasted skin syndrome, initially harmless redness progresses to permanent skin discoloration, thinning and, in rare cases, skin cancer if heat exposure continues Prev...

Apr 08, 202511 min

How Limiting TV Can Save Your Heart - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Spending more than two hours a day watching TV increases your heart disease risk by 12%, even if you have low genetic risk for Type 2 diabetes Limiting television viewing to less than one hour daily cuts heart disease risk, even in people with high genetic risk for Type 2 diabetes, according to new research Each extra hour of daily TV time raises your chances of developing heart disease by 3%, building up dangerous plaque in your arteries over time Watching TV displaces physica...

Apr 08, 202511 min

Clean Water Crisis: Millions Exposed to Contaminated Drinking Water - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Recent studies show tap water containing unregulated contaminants affects over 97 million Americans, with higher concentrations in areas with more Hispanic or Black residents PFAS "forever chemicals" found in 45% of water systems near urban areas are linked to increased risk of digestive, lung, thyroid and other cancers Common contaminants include trihalomethanes from chlorine treatment, nitrates from agricultural runoff and arsenic from natural deposits, plus lead and fluoride...

Apr 07, 20259 min

Ancestral Health Revival: Was the Past Healthier? - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Our ancestors maintained better health naturally through their lifestyle, which included nutrient-dense whole foods, physical activity, and living in harmony with nature Traditional diets emphasized whole-animal consumption, including organ meats and bone broths. They also incorporated saturated fats and seasonal fruits and vegetables Daily physical activity was inherent in historical lifestyles through manual labor and outdoor work. This resulted in higher metabolic rates comp...

Apr 07, 202510 min

Strength Training: The Surprising Key to Better Sleep for Seniors - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Insomnia affects up to 20% of older adults, causing fatigue, irritability and increasing risks of serious health problems like depression and heart issues Researchers analyzed 25 studies involving 2,170 older adults with insomnia to determine which exercise types most effectively improve sleep quality Strength training proved most effective for improving sleep, reducing insomnia scores by 5.75 points compared to 3.76 points for aerobic exercise Starting with light weights, resi...

Apr 05, 202510 min

Brain Invaders: The Alarming Truth About Microplastics and Your Mind - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Research shows microplastics become trapped in brain blood vessels when consumed by immune cells, leading to reduced blood flow and impaired cognitive function in mice Human brain tissue contains seven to 30 times more microplastic contamination than other organs, with particularly high concentrations found in individuals diagnosed with dementia Researchers identified a direct pathway for microplastics to enter your brain through your nose, bypassing the blood-brain barrier via...

Apr 05, 202510 min

The Food That Fights Gray Hair: The Luteolin Secret - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Gray hair results from declining stem cell function in hair follicles, specifically when keratinocyte stem cells and melanocyte stem cells stop working together effectively Luteolin, a flavonoid found in common plants, prevents graying by protecting these stem cells from oxidative stress and maintaining their collaborative function Research using mice showed that luteolin was more effective at preventing gray hair than other antioxidants like hesperetin and diosmetin Topical ap...

Apr 05, 202511 min

DMSO: The Forgotten Therapy for Cancer, Pain, and Beyond - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a forgotten gem from the 1960s, effectively treats a broad spectrum of conditions, including strokes, tissue injuries, autoimmune inflammation, a myriad of skin diseases, and many challenging infections One of the least-known benefits of DMSO is that it also eliminates cancers (especially when combined with another therapy) and protects the body from damage created by conventional cancer therapies In dozens of experiments, DMSO has been shown to preve...

Apr 04, 202511 min

PFAS: The Chemical Threat in Your Tap Water - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," are man-made substances found in everyday products that contaminate drinking water and remain in the environment and human body for years Research shows PFAS exposure increases health risks including cancer — especially in children — infertility, liver damage and weakened immune systems Most standard water filters merely trap PFAS temporarily rather than removing them completely, allowing chemicals to eventually leak back into water New break...

Apr 04, 202512 min

Beta-Glucans: The Immune Superhero in Your Pantry - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Beta-glucans are natural compounds found in foods like oats, mushrooms and barley that significantly enhance immune function by activating dendritic cells These compounds help manage allergies by training your immune system to respond appropriately to allergens without overreacting, reducing symptoms like sneezing and itching Beta-glucans serve as effective adjuvants in allergy treatments, improving the body's antibody production and enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy Rese...

Apr 04, 202510 min