What’s the Difference Between Vitamin D, D2 and D3?
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 18th 2024 10:32pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE Vitamin D3 is significantly more effective than D2 at raising blood vitamin D levels, showing a 40% greater increase in total vitamin D concentrations through supplementation Natural sunlight exposure remains the optimal source of vitamin D, but factors like skin color, geographical location and body composition affect individual vitamin D synthesis Global vitamin […]
Microplastics Continue to Threaten Public Health
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 18th 2024 10:31pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE Microplastics mimic hormones like estrogen, leading to health issues such as infertility and breast cancer due to their endocrine-disrupting properties These particles are linked to increased risks of heart attack and stroke, highlighting their broader impact on cardiovascular health Plastic production is projected to increase by 70% by 2040, exacerbating pollution and human […]
Melatonin — A ‘Nighttime Guardian’ Against Alzheimer’s
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 17th 2024 10:33pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE Alzheimer’s disease affects over 50 million people worldwide, with poor sleep being a significant risk factor Disrupted circadian rhythms are common in Alzheimer’s patients and exacerbate cognitive decline; when your melatonin levels are balanced, you support the synchronization of your brain’s internal clocks, which enhances overall brain function and resilience Clinical studies show […]
Blenders with the Safest BPA-Free Food Contact Surfaces
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 17th 2024 10:32pm ESTBy: Mamavation STORY AT-A-GLANCE Modern blenders have moved away from BPA plastics, but many now use Tritan plastic, which studies suggest may still leach hormone-disrupting chemicals when exposed to heat, fat, or UV light When choosing a blender, look for transparent material disclosure. Many manufacturers don’t specify their plastic types, which could indicate unsafe materials […]
Unveiling the Hidden Dangers of Irregular Bowel Movements
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 17th 2024 10:31pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE Abnormal bowel movement frequency is linked to changes in gut microbiota and health risks, with irregular patterns leading to the production of harmful toxins like indoxyl sulfate, which are associated with reduced kidney function and other health issues Optimal bowel movement frequency is once or twice a day, which supports the production of […]
Healthy Sizzle: Choosing the Best Fats for Cooking
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 16th 2024 10:33pm ESTBy: Ashley Armstrong STORY AT-A-GLANCE Modern Western diets have shifted dramatically from traditional saturated fats to polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from vegetable oils, triggering metabolic slowdown and increased fat storage A higher ratio of saturated to unsaturated fats (like in butter) is metabolically favorable, while oils high in PUFAs are unstable and produce toxic compounds […]
Blood Pressure Influences Your Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 16th 2024 10:32pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE High blood pressure affects nearly half of American adults. A study shows that it increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 42% in untreated cases compared to people without hypertension Blood pressure damages brain capillaries when elevated, causing blood clots, leakage and restricted blood flow, which leads to cognitive issues and stroke Normal […]
Wash Your Potatoes First to Avoid Contamination
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 16th 2024 10:31pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE Washing potatoes before peeling is necessary to prevent contamination from bacteria and pesticides, which transfer from the skin to the edible parts during preparation Proper washing techniques involve soaking potatoes in cold water and scrubbing them under running water with a vegetable brush, which effectively removes dirt and bacteria Avoid using soap or […]
The Surprising Link Between Your Gut Microbiome and Cholesterol Level
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 15th 2024 10:34pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE Recent Framingham Heart Study research shows your gut microbiome significantly impacts cholesterol levels, with bacteria like Oscillibacter helping break down cholesterol through specific enzymes and metabolic processes Scientists identified cholesterol dehydrogenase enzymes (ismA genes) in gut bacteria that convert cholesterol to coprostanol, a form less easily absorbed by the body Specific gut bacteria […]
Top Foods to Keep in Your Pantry During the Cold and Flu Season
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 15th 2024 10:32pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE Garlic contains sulfur compounds like allicin that boost immunity by regulating cytokines and fighting bacteria. When consumed raw and chopped, it’s most effective at providing immune-protective benefits Ginger’s bioactive compounds (gingerol, shogaol, zingerone and paradol) provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping protect against viral infections and soothing sore throats when consumed as tea […]
Improving Your Sleep Posture Enhances Your Cervical Spine Health
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 14th 2024 10:33pm ESTDownload Interview Transcript | Download my FREE 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, […]
The New Neuroscience of Sleep and Dreams
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 13th 2024 10:33pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE Dr. Rahul Jandial’s 25 years as a neurosurgeon reveals that dreams are deeply connected to neurological functions, with brain imaging showing distinct patterns between waking and dreaming states During sleep, your brain’s executive network (prefrontal cortex) becomes less active while your imagination network dominates, allowing for emotionally intense and illogical dream experiences Your […]
How to Cope with the ‘Winter Blues’
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 13th 2024 10:32pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects 9.7% of Americans, causing depression during winter months. It’s classified as a major depressive disorder with symptoms like sadness, fatigue and appetite changes Vitamin D from sunlight is crucial for mental health. People living far from the equator are more susceptible to SAD due to limited sun exposure […]
Lifestyle Choices Are Sabotaging Male Fertility
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 13th 2024 10:31pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE Obesity, poor diet and stress are significant contributors to male infertility, affecting sperm count, motility and DNA integrity. Research indicates that these factors lead to hormonal imbalances and oxidative stress, which damage sperm quality Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from devices like mobile phones is linked to DNA fragmentation in sperm, reducing motility […]
What Makes Hospitals So Deadly and How Can We Fix It?
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 12th 2024 10:33pm ESTBy: A Midwestern Doctor STORY AT-A-GLANCE Throughout COVID-19, abysmal hospital care and the suppression of effective off-patent therapies killed approximately a million Americans. Much of this originated from Obamacare pressuring hospitals to aggressively treat patients so they could quickly leave the hospital and reduce health care costs More frail patients respond poorly to aggressive protocols, […]
1The Timing of Exercise Affects Colorectal Cancer Risk, Study Says
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 12th 2024 10:32pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE Early- and late-day exercise (around 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.) reduced colorectal cancer risk by 11%, with this two-peak activity pattern showing greater benefits than other exercise timing schedules Morning exercise between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. reduced breast cancer risk by 26%, likely because it helps lower estrogen levels during their natural […]
Unlocking Pregnancy Health — The Powerful Impact of Relaxation
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 12th 2024 10:31pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE Relaxation interventions during pregnancy, such as music therapy and progressive muscle relaxation, significantly reduce maternal stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms, leading to improved birth weight in newborns Music therapy is particularly effective in reducing stress and anxiety by inducing emotions and mental imagery, while progressive muscle relaxation enhances blood circulation and oxygen saturation, […]
CoQ10 Triumphs Over Ubiquinol in Heart Health Battle
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 11th 2024 10:33pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE CoQ10 supplementation shows significant benefits in heart failure patients, leading to lower cardiovascular death rates and improved cardiac function, making it more effective than the reduced form, ubiquinol CoQ10 aids in the early recovery of cardiac function post-myocardial infarction by reducing inflammation through the inhibition of CCR2+ macrophage recruitment and suppression of the […]
What Does It Mean To Be Immunocompromised?
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 11th 2024 10:32pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE The number of immunocompromised adults has increased to 6.6% of the population (about 18 million people), up from 2.7% in 2013, due to autoimmune diseases and immunosuppressive drug use Immunocompromised conditions can be inherited (primary immunodeficiency) or acquired (secondary immunodeficiency). The second one is more common among adults Common causes of secondary immunodeficiency […]
How a Turbulent Economy Threatens Public Health
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 11th 2024 10:31pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE High inflation rates are linked to increased child mortality, particularly in low-income countries, as they reduce access to essential resources like nutritious food and health care Inflation erodes purchasing power, leading to poorer nutrition and increased stress, which disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and further exacerbates socioeconomic inequalities Eviction is increasingly recognized as a […]
Vitamin D Deficiency Complicates Autoimmune Diseases
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 10th 2024 10:33pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE Vitamin D deficiency disrupts thymus function and immune tolerance, triggering autoimmune diseases by allowing self-reactive T cells to escape into the bloodstream Vitamin D enhances both innate and adaptive immunity by boosting antimicrobial peptides, suppressing inflammatory responses and promoting regulatory T cells that maintain immune balance Beyond immune function, vitamin D supports muscle […]
Best and Worst Mouthwashes for Your Oral Microbiome, Bad Breath, Teeth and Gums
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 10th 2024 10:32pm ESTBy: Mamavation STORY AT-A-GLANCE Studies show common antibacterial mouthwashes can disrupt the oral microbiome by killing both good and bad bacteria, potentially delaying natural healing processes and immunity Research from 2019 linked frequent mouthwash use to increased diabetes risk in a study of 1,206 overweight patients aged 40 to 65 in San Juan Most mouthwashes […]
Gut Microbiota — The Key to Treating Addiction?
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 10th 2024 10:31pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE The gut microbiota significantly influences addiction vulnerability by affecting brain reward systems and neurotransmitter production, highlighting its potential as a target for addiction treatment Stress and social interactions modulate addiction by altering gut microbiota composition, which in turn impacts the brain’s reward pathways and addiction susceptibility The gut-brain axis controls the communication between […]
One Reason Why Consuming Animal Fats Is Vital
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 9th 2024 10:33pm ESTBy: Ashley Armstrong STORY AT-A-GLANCE Vitamin K2, found exclusively in animal fats and fermented foods, is essential for metabolic health, serving as an emergency electron carrier during cellular reductive stress Unlike plant-based oils, animal fats provide vitamin K2, which helps regulate calcium distribution, ensuring it’s deposited in bones and teeth rather than arteries and kidneys […]
How to Prevent and Treat Hemorrhoids
Dr. Joseph Mercola DO - Dec 9th 2024 10:32pm ESTSTORY AT-A-GLANCE Hemorrhoids are normal vascular tissues in everyone’s anal canal that become problematic when inflamed, affecting 75% of Americans and causing symptoms like itching, bleeding and pain Hemorrhoids are classified as either internal (inside the rectum) or external (around the anus). Risk factors include pregnancy, constipation, obesity, prolonged toilet sitting and low-fiber diets Preventing […]