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

The Decline of Physical Health in the Modern Age - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Historical disease patterns show a shift from infectious illnesses to chronic diseases. Conditions like heart disease, cancer and autoimmune disorders have become increasingly prevalent in modern times Despite longer lifespans from medical advances, the quality of life has declined as modern medicine focuses on managing symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of chronic disease Past generations maintained physical resilience through daily manual labor and movement, wher...

Apr 29, 20258 min

Creatine: The Unexpected Heart Hero - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Creatine made arteries more flexible in older adults after just four weeks, improving blood flow and heart health without any exercise or diet changes After 28 days of taking creatine, high blood sugar levels dropped to healthier ranges and harmful blood fats decreased significantly Creatine helps blood vessels work better by providing energy to cells and supporting the production of nitric oxide that keeps arteries healthy In just one week, arteries became less stiff with crea...

Apr 29, 202510 min

Lab-Grown Milk Is Coming—Are You Ready? - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Lab-grown "UnReal Milk" is being developed by Brown Foods using mammalian cells in bioreactors. It’s marketed as environmentally friendly despite lacking comprehensive safety testing Other companies like Perfect Day are creating synthetic dairy alternatives that also lack long-term safety data while making questionable environmental claims Raw milk from grass fed cows contains essential nutrients like C15:0 fat that support mitochondrial health, diabetes prevention, and weight ...

Apr 29, 202511 min

Social Media's Effect on Mental Health and Psychosis - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance People with delusion-prone disorders, including body image issues and narcissism, are more likely to overuse social media, worsening symptoms Online interactions confuse self-perception and trigger or amplify delusional thinking, especially in those already at risk for psychosis Most mental health tools ignore social media use, leading to missed diagnoses and ineffective support You can protect your mental well-being online by tracking emotional triggers, curating your feed and...

Apr 28, 202512 min

Iron and the Stroke Crisis: A Hidden Catalyst for Brain Damage - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Ischemic strokes block blood flow to brain cells, causing damage through three distinct cell death mechanisms, with iron overload playing a key role Excess iron accumulation during strokes accelerates cell death, functioning like "gasoline on a fire" and worsening brain damage significantly New research shows targeting iron-related cell death could lead to better stroke treatments that protect more brain cells from damage A simple blood test called serum ferritin measures your ...

Apr 28, 202511 min

Water Aerobics: The Easiest Weight Loss Plan - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Water aerobics provides a safe and effective way for obese individuals to lose weight and improve fitness without stressing their joints Research shows that engaging in water exercise for at least 10 weeks leads to measurable fat loss, with participants losing an average of 2.69 kilograms and 2.75 centimeters from their waist Water’s natural resistance increases calorie burn while reducing injury risk, making it ideal for those who struggle with traditional workouts Eliminating...

Apr 26, 202512 min

Is Vitamin D the New Steroid? - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Vitamin D influences key hormones like leptin, an energy balancer, and myostatin, which limits muscle growth. It plays a direct role in how your body manages energy, builds muscle and regulates fat storage through various metabolic pathways A study published as a preprint on Research Square found that high-dose vitamin D increases muscle strength, reduces myostatin, shifts calories toward muscle development and enhances metabolic rate Vitamin D mimics anabolic steroids by suppr...

Apr 26, 202511 min

Spot the Difference: Freckle, Sunspot or Mole? - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Freckles are small, flat, light brown spots that darken in summer and fade in winter; they typically appear in clusters on sun-exposed areas Sunspots are flat, brownish patches that don't change with seasons; they signal sun damage and appear on sun-exposed areas like hands, face and chest Moles can be flat or raised, tan to dark brown, sometimes with hair, and should be monitored for skin cancer warning signs Genetics play a significant role in skin spots — fair-skinned indivi...

Apr 26, 202511 min

The Gum Truth: Unveiling the Microplastic Menace - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Chewing a single piece of gum can release up to 3,000 microplastic particles into your mouth within minutes, with most released in the first 60 seconds Both synthetic and "natural" chewing gums release similar amounts of plastic particles, which include types used in packaging and automotive parts Regular gum chewers may ingest around 30,000 plastic particles annually, adding to microplastic exposure from other sources like food packaging and bottled water Most consumers are un...

Apr 25, 20259 min

How Your Gut Health Impacts Multiple Sclerosis - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Studies show people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have different gut bacteria than healthy people, with too much of certain bacteria types and not enough of the helpful ones The ratio between the bacteria Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia serves as a biomarker for MS progression, with this pattern appearing consistently across patients worldwide Normally beneficial Akkermansia bacteria can become harmful in MS when Bifidobacterium levels drop, damaging the protective mucin layer i...

Apr 25, 202510 min

Beyond Tired: Recognizing and Treating Sleep Apnea - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects nearly a billion people worldwide. It causes breathing interruptions during sleep that prevent you from reaching restorative sleep stages Common symptoms include loud snoring, gasping/choking during sleep, morning headaches, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating and mood changes that are often mistaken for normal tiredness Risk factors for OSA include age, excess throat tissue, weak throat muscles, structural airway abnormalities and vi...

Apr 24, 202510 min

Life After Gallbladder Surgery: Navigating Recovery - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Gallbladder removal surgery leads to constant bile dripping into your intestines, making fat digestion unpredictable and often causing diarrhea, gas, and bloating Up to 40% of people experience post-cholecystectomy syndrome, with symptoms like nausea, upper abdominal pain, and digestive distress lasting for months or longer Bile reflux is common after gallbladder surgery and causes burning discomfort and heartburn, especially if you eat large or high-fat meals Retained gallston...

Apr 24, 202511 min

Is Your Liver Secretly Killing You? - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Fatty liver disease affects nearly 25% of adults globally and progresses silently, leading to cirrhosis, heart disease, diabetes, and liver cancer Research shows that fatty liver disease significantly increases mortality risk, especially from endocrine disorders and during the first year after diagnosis Cardiovascular disease ranks as a top threat for people with fatty liver disease, with advanced liver fibrosis substantially increasing the risk of serious adverse events Excess...

Apr 24, 20259 min

Pregnancy, Antibiotics, and Your Child's Diabetes Risk - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Type 1 diabetes affects about four in 1,000 U.S. children and is linked to the disruption of the gut microbiome, particularly through early antibiotic exposure A study from the University of Colorado Boulder found that there’s a 10-day window during early life when specific gut microbes are required for proper pancreatic beta cell development When antibiotics are given during the 10-day window, it disrupts the growth of insulin-producing cells and contributes to the development...

Apr 23, 202511 min

Rewiring Your Mind: Three Days Without Your Phone - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance A 72-hour break from cellphones triggered increased cravings in study participants; brain scans showed heightened activity in reward centers when shown phone images Cellphones stimulate your brain's pleasure center similarly to other rewards, creating dopamine hits that lead to dependency Your brain's attention center becomes increasingly focused on phones, making it difficult to concentrate on other tasks without feeling pulled back to check devices Regular phone breaks help m...

Apr 23, 202511 min

Soda’s Hidden Toll: 330,000 Deaths a Year - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Sugar-sweetened beverages are linked to 338,240 deaths annually and contributed to 2.2 million new Type 2 diabetes cases in 2020, representing about 1 in 10 cases globally Sugary drinks cost the world 12.5 million healthy years of life in 2020 and are associated with 1.2 million new cardiovascular disease cases, or about 1 in 30 cases Latin America, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa face the highest health impacts, with some countries attributing nearly half of new diabetes ...

Apr 23, 202510 min

Why Breastfeeding Matters for Your Child's Future - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Breastfeeding for at least six months increases gut microbiome diversity in infants, reducing inflammation and supporting immune function, which contributes to lower blood pressure in early childhood A one-unit increase in gut microbiome diversity at one month of age correlates with a 1.86 mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure by age 6, lowering long-term cardiovascular risk Formula-fed infants have a less diverse gut microbiome with more inflammatory bacteria, increasing th...

Apr 22, 202511 min

Mitochondria: Your Guardians Against Inflammation - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Macrophages and mitochondria are immune partners; macrophages clear germs and control inflammation, while mitochondria power cells and signal macrophages to manage inflammation effectively Mitochondria's complex III produces superoxide, signaling macrophages to release IL-10, the "off switch" for inflammation — key for preventing chronic and autoimmune issues Research showed impaired mitochondrial complex III reduces IL-10, causing unchecked inflammation and severe illness, hig...

Apr 22, 202511 min

Protecting Your Fertility: A Guide to Reducing Glyphosate Exposure

Story at-a-glance Research shows that glyphosate exposure, even at “safe” levels, causes hormone imbalance, oxidative stress, and permanent damage to reproductive organs like the ovaries and uterus Exposure reduces estrogen and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) while increasing testosterone and progesterone, creating conditions similar to PCOS. It also impairs egg quality and lowers the chance of successful fertilization and implantation Glyphosate alters gene expression in the uterus of offspr...

Apr 22, 202511 min

Ginger for Gut Health Unlocking Nature's Remedy for IBD - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Ginger has a long history of soothing digestive issues and modern research confirms its ability to reduce gut inflammation and support intestinal healing Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increases the risk of serious health issues.IBDs like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue, increasing the risk of malnutrition, intestinal damage, and colorectal cancer if left untreated A recent study found that furanodienone (FDN) in ginger activ...

Apr 21, 202511 min

Uncovering the Root Causes of Chronic Disease - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance The U.S. channels 90% of its $4.5 trillion annual healthcare costs toward chronic diseases, yet most of it funds profitable drugs and procedures that do not address the root cause of illness Prescription drugs trap patients in an endless cycle of dependence. Once patients start medications for chronic conditions, they rarely stop, even when their health continues to decline Chronic disease patients face severe financial strain; 32% have medical debt in collections and their ban...

Apr 21, 202511 min

How Sleep Posture Can Save Your Spine - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Cervical spine degeneration affects nearly 80% of adults. It’s primarily caused by poor posture, sedentary behavior and prolonged device usage, and often progresses without noticeable symptoms Proper sleep positioning, especially lying on your back with specialized neck support, helps reshape and realign the cervical spine, preventing long-term structural damage Movement is crucial in preventing spine degeneration, as lack of motion causes joint dehydration, reduced disc height...

Apr 19, 202510 min

Firefighters at Risk: Flame Retardant Tied to Brain Tumors - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Research has identified a unique genetic mutation in brain tumors of firefighters directly linked to flame retardant chemicals, with more mutations appearing after longer exposure periods Chemicals found in flame retardants damage genes regulating cell growth, causing aggressive brain tumors like glioma that lead to severe disability if untreated Everyday household items including furniture, electronics and children's products contain these same toxic chemicals, putting familie...

Apr 19, 202510 min

Methylene Blue: A New Hope for Cancer Treatment?

Story at-a-glance Methylene blue has been shown to shrink tumors and slow cancer growth by targeting cancer cell metabolism and energy production Photodynamic therapy with methylene blue uses light activation to destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed, making it a more precise treatment option Research on ovarian cancer found that methylene blue forces tumors to shift away from their preferred energy source, making them more vulnerable to treatment Unlike chemotherapy, methylen...

Apr 19, 202510 min

How New Experiences Enhance Your Well-being - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Introducing even one new experience daily, such as trying a new recipe or taking a different walking route, improves memory and boosts mood, making days feel more meaningful Visiting diverse locations, even within your local area, is linked to increased happiness, highlighting that the novelty of surroundings, rather than travel distance, positively impacts emotional well-being Novelty activates your brain's memory and reward centers, reinforcing motivation and emotional health...

Apr 18, 20258 min

How Your Health Shapes Your Child's Brain - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Maternal body fat percentage during pregnancy correlates with increased risk of developmental coordination disorder in children, affecting their motor skills and coordination Mothers who consumed nutrient-dense foods like fish, fruits, and vegetables during pregnancy had children with better motor skills and cognitive development The first trimester is a crucial period where maternal health and diet have the strongest impact on a child's future motor and cognitive abilities Chi...

Apr 18, 202511 min

DMSO: The Natural Cancer Fighter - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) effectively treats many ailments, including strokes, tissue injuries, autoimmunity, and a myriad of skin diseases and challenging infections DMSO’s unique properties also make it highly suited for both eliminating cancers and protecting the normal cells from cancer therapies Hundreds of studies have shown DMSO can transform a wide range of cancerous cells back into normal cells — something very few other agents are capable of DMSO strengthens the immun...

Apr 18, 202511 min

Sperm Health and Longevity: The Surprising Link to a Longer Life - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Sperm counts have declined by 50% over the last five decades, with poor sperm quality linked to chronic diseases and increased mortality risk A recent study shows men with higher sperm counts live longer on average. Those with more than 120 million motile sperm lived 2.7 years longer than men with fewer than 5 million Low sperm quality correlates with earlier onset of diseases, especially cardiometabolic conditions. This suggests semen quality could serve as a marker for health...

Apr 17, 202511 min

Nature's Rx: Healing Stress with the Great Outdoors - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Research shows a two-hour forest walk significantly reduced depression, tension, fatigue, and confusion — even in people without diagnosed mental health conditions Middle-aged adults showed a significant drop in total mood disturbance after just three days of guided forest-based wellness activities Blood pressure decreased and oxygen levels remained optimal during the forest experience, showing measurable cardiovascular benefits without medication Women experienced stronger emo...

Apr 17, 202511 min

Pinpointing Inflammation: A New Scientific Breakthrough - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Chronic inflammation drives diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer and autoimmune conditions. However, standard tests only measure generalized inflammation and does not pinpoint the exact tissues affected Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new method to track inflammation at its source using antibodies that detect molecular markers left by reactive oxygen species (ROS) Unlike traditional markers like C-reactive protein (CRP), this new appr...

Apr 17, 202511 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast