Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Dr. Mercola
Listen to Dr. Mercola's Weekly Podcast, as the legendary natural health pioneer continues to lead you on your journey towards optimal health.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 4, 2025 • 8min
Food, Not Lack of Exercise, Fuels Obesity
Obesity is not caused by lack of exercise, as people in wealthier nations burn more calories daily yet still gain more fat Eating ultraprocessed foods is strongly linked to higher body fat because they disrupt hunger signals and make calories easier to store Body fat percentage, not BMI, is the most accurate way to measure obesity and related health risks Modern ultraprocessed diets and lower immune demands in industrialized countries lower resting energy needs, making fat storage more likely You can restore your metabolism by removing vegetable oils, eating the right carbs for your gut health, reducing estrogen and EMF exposure, and avoiding ultraprocessed foods

Oct 4, 2025 • 7min
Study Reveals How Type 2 Diabetes Directly Alters Heart Energy and Structure
Type 2 diabetes directly damages your heart's ability to make energy, leaving you more vulnerable to fatigue, swelling, and heart failure Human heart tissue studies show that mitochondria — the power plants of your cells — lose key components in diabetic hearts, forcing the heart to beat with less fuel Fat and sugar metabolism both become inefficient, and backup fuels fail to provide support, leaving your heart stranded without reliable energy sources Structural changes inside the heart, including scar-like collagen buildup and weaker calcium-handling proteins, make each heartbeat less coordinated and less powerful You can take action by cutting linoleic acid (LA) from your diet, choosing the right carbohydrates, limiting environmental toxins, using sunlight strategically, and tracking your insulin resistance with HOMA-IR to protect your heart's energy systems

Oct 3, 2025 • 6min
The Surprising Benefits of Weighted Stretching
Discover the innovative world of weighted stretching, where light loads boost both mobility and stability. Using everyday items like soup cans, you can enhance your range of motion and activate stabilizer muscles effectively. Holding stretches for 20–30 seconds under light tension promotes flexibility and muscle growth. Progress from simple moves to advanced techniques, like the Turkish get-up, to build confidence and controlled movement. This approach not only strengthens but also teaches your body to embrace deeper motion safely!

Oct 3, 2025 • 9min
Does Melatonin Help Ease Migraines?
Explore how melatonin can ease migraine symptoms for millions worldwide. Discover its surprising benefits beyond sleep regulation, including cellular protection and inflammation reduction. Research reveals that 3 mg of melatonin may significantly decrease headache frequency and intensity. Learn about its safety compared to common medications and the optimal timing for use. The hosts also discuss practical strategies for enhancing your melatonin production, making this a must-listen for those seeking natural migraine relief.

Oct 3, 2025 • 7min
Erasing Encephalitis — Why Vaccine Brain Injuries Became Autism
The podcast dives into the controversial links between vaccinations and neurological injuries, revealing a troubling history of suppressed research. It discusses how terms like 'autism' have replaced 'encephalitis' to obscure severe vaccine-related damages. The hosts critique the use of ambiguous language in public health messaging that minimizes accountability. They underscore the impact of these changes on compensation and the public's understanding, urging vigilance in evaluating claims and vaccination strategies.

Oct 2, 2025 • 7min
Kids' Backpack Safety — A Guide to Protect Your Child's Back
When it comes to a child's backpack, 10% to 15% of body weight is the maximum safe range, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). For example, a backpack that weighs 6.6 to 10 lbs. (3 to 4.5 kg) is recommended for a child weighing 66 pounds (30 kilograms) 5% to 10% of body weight is recommended for smaller children, those who have longer walks or commute, or if pain is already present Weigh, don't guess — use a bathroom scale to check. If the pack exceeds the range, remove items or split the load The way a backpack fits is just as important as its weight. Always use two straps, keep the pack high and snug, and place heavier items close to the spine Watch for warning signs that a backpack is too heavy, including leaning forward, red strap marks, tingling or numbness, or frequent complaints of back, neck, or shoulder pain

Oct 2, 2025 • 8min
Can Magnesium Improve ADHD Symptoms?
ADHD affects more than 7 million children in the U.S., with many experiencing moderate to severe symptoms; yet nearly a third receive no treatment, highlighting the need for broader, integrative solutions Research shows children with ADHD are more likely to have magnesium deficiency, which disrupts neurotransmitters, stress response, and brain signaling. This worsens hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, and emotional instability Clinical trials demonstrate magnesium supplementation improves behavior, focus, and social interactions in children with ADHD, with the strongest benefits observed in those correcting underlying magnesium deficiencies Food alone is often not enough to restore optimal magnesium levels due to soil depletion and poor absorption. Supplementation with forms like glycinate, malate, or L-threonate is a valuable tool Environmental and lifestyle strategies, like reducing pesticide and chemical exposure and improving gut health, help manage or reduce ADHD symptoms naturally

Oct 2, 2025 • 7min
Does Whole Body Vibration Help You Lose Weight?
Whole body vibration (WBV) therapy uses a vibration plate to trigger rapid muscle contractions, enhancing muscle activation, coordination, and circulation in a short, low-impact session Studies show WBV helps reduce total and visceral fat, though results are modest and most effective when paired with healthy eating and regular exercise Research highlights additional benefits, including improved bone density, muscle strength, balance, cognitive function, and reduced chronic pain in certain populations Not all vibration plates are the same — movement patterns, frequencies, and amplitudes vary, with devices like the Power Plate offering advanced tri-planar vibration technology WBV is generally safe for healthy adults but should be avoided without medical clearance in cases of pregnancy, recent surgery, cardiovascular issues, or severe osteoporosis

Oct 1, 2025 • 7min
Eye Exams Detect Alzheimer's Disease Years Before Symptoms Appear
More than 7 million Americans live with Alzheimer's today, and researchers project that number will rise to 13 million by 2050, doubling the burden on families Researchers at the Jackson Laboratory (JAX) discovered twisted, narrowed retinal vessels in mice carrying a common gene mutation, showing changes that resemble early Alzheimer's signs years before memory decline begins They also found disrupted protein activity in both brain and retina, weakening energy production and vessel support, creating the conditions for Alzheimer's long before symptoms appear Visual sensitivity testing in over 8,000 adults predicted dementia risk up to 12 years ahead, showing how everyday vision struggles may signal hidden brain changes Regular eye exams, better sleep, balanced carbohydrates, healthy fats, sunlight exposure, and methylene blue support offer practical steps to strengthen vessel health and protect your brain

Oct 1, 2025 • 8min
Hot Baths Trigger Exercise-Like Effects
A 45-minute hot bath raises your core body temperature by 1.1 degrees C (2 degrees F) and boosts cardiac output as much as a moderate-intensity cardio workout Hot water immersion increases immune activity, helps control inflammation, and supports immune surveillance Compared to traditional and infrared saunas, hot baths triggered the strongest cardiovascular and immune responses due to water's more efficient heat transfer Very hot water dries out your skin, alters its pH, and disrupts your skin microbiome, especially if you have eczema, rosacea, or sensitive skin You can reduce risks by keeping bath sessions under 30 minutes, moisturizing with coconut oil immediately afterward, and rotating with sauna usage if hot baths irritate your skin


