Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health

Milk thistle and turmeric are powerful liver-supporting herbs that reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular damage through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties Green tea catechins can reduce liver inflammation biomarkers by 42% and oxidative stress by 31% within 12 weeks of supplementation Eliminate vegetable oils and alcohol immediately, as they create toxic aldehydes that damage liver cells and promote dangerous fat accumulation Increase choline intake through egg yolks and grass fed liver, or supplement with citicoline to help export fat from liver cells effectively Stay physically active and maintain healthy waist measurements to reduce visceral fat that contributes to liver scarring and fatty liver disease

Instant coffee increases dry age-related macular degeneration risk nearly sevenfold compared to other coffee types, according to genetic studies Each cup of instant coffee causes equivalent of 0.38 years additional biological aging by shortening protective telomeres on chromosomes Instant coffee contains more contaminants like acrylamide, lead, and advanced glycation end products due to intense heat processing methods Filtered coffee using freshly ground beans shows no harmful effects on telomeres or eye disease risk in research studies Experts recommend completely avoiding instant coffee and switching to organic, shade-grown filtered coffee to protect long-term health

E. coli O157:H7 is one of the leading causes of severe foodborne illness, and romaine lettuce has repeatedly been implicated in widespread outbreaks of this pathogen A Cornell University study that traced contamination from field to table found that irrigation practices are the dominant factor in whether lettuce becomes a carrier of E. coli Lettuce irrigated with untreated surface water sprayed overhead carried the greatest contamination risk, while switching to furrow or drip irrigation reduced illness by over 96% The study showed that consumer washing only lowered risk by 28%, reinforcing that on-farm prevention through safer irrigation is essential to protect lettuce before harvest Although prevention starts with better farm practices, there are still strategies to lower your risk at home, including staying updated on recalls, choosing fresher local produce, washing and storing them properly, and even growing your own food

Krill oil helps preserve muscle and boost energy in elderly adults and people who are trying to lose weight (especially when reducing calories significantly over time) A recent study found that people taking 4 grams of krill oil daily retained more muscle strength and size while fasting compared to those who took a placebo In adults over 65, krill oil improved grip strength, thigh muscle thickness, and neuromuscular response — even without added exercise — after just six months of use Krill oil helped muscle cells burn fat more efficiently and increased levels of leucine, a key amino acid that signals your body to build new muscle tissue Krill oil also activated genes that help transport sugar into muscle cells for energy use, supporting both metabolic health and muscle performance from the inside out

Older adults who consumed between 1.2 and 1.6 milligrams of copper daily scored higher on memory and processing speed tests, with stroke survivors benefiting the most Higher copper levels in specific brain regions were linked to slower cognitive decline and fewer Alzheimer's-related changes A high-fat diet combined with high copper intake more than doubled the rate of memory loss, especially in language and verbal recall skills Copper regulates enzymes that protect brain cells from oxidative stress and helps shift brain immune cells into a healing state after injury Whole foods like grass fed beef liver, bee pollen, and shiitake mushrooms support copper balance, while strategic supplementation with copper bisglycinate helps restore levels in those with deficiency

Florida announced it will eliminate every school vaccine mandate, making it the first state to fully separate public education from government-enforced vaccinations Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo described vaccine mandates as oppressive, declaring that only parents — not the state — should decide what goes into their child's body Families will gain the freedom to send their children to school without facing exclusion for refusing vaccines, restoring control over personal medical decisions Governor Ron DeSantis acknowledged that some vaccines are written into state law, meaning the repeal will roll out in stages through both administrative rules and legislative action Parents are encouraged to strengthen their children's health through lifestyle choices and rely on informed consent rather than government pressure when making medical decisions

Flossing takes only minutes yet slashes health risks, with regular flossers showing up to 44% lower odds of certain strokes and reduced chances of irregular heart rhythms Long-term research following more than 6,000 adults found flossing even once a week is linked to healthier arteries, fewer strokes, and protection against atrial fibrillation (AFib), a dangerous heart rhythm disorder Scientists concluded that flossing itself stood out as protective, offering benefits independent of brushing, dentist visits, or other lifestyle habits that usually influence cardiovascular and overall health outcomes Gum bacteria that escape into the bloodstream trigger inflammation, artery hardening, and clots; flossing interrupts this chain reaction, giving your heart and brain measurable protection over time Beyond heart health, studies show flossing daily reduces all-cause mortality by lowering systemic inflammation, suggesting this habit not only extends life but also safeguards brain function and memory

Handing a smartphone to kids before age 13 can lead to serious mental health issues in adulthood, including suicidal thoughts and aggression. Early access to social media increases risks of cyberbullying and poor sleep, with girls being particularly vulnerable. Research shows that teaching digital literacy and delaying smartphone access can bolster emotional resilience. Parents are encouraged to set boundaries around tech use to protect their children from harmful online content.

Common pesticides don't just kill pests — they disrupt how your gut bacteria function, leading to inflammation, metabolic stress, and immune imbalance Even small amounts of pesticides in food or water damage your microbiome, blocking the production of protective compounds like butyrate that keep your gut lining intact Research shows that some gut bacteria absorb and store pesticides, turning into toxic reservoirs that trigger long-term inflammation throughout your body Damaged gut bacteria have been linked to higher rates of autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, especially in people with repeated exposure You can protect your gut by choosing organic foods, filtering your water, sweating out toxins, and supporting regenerative farms that don't rely on harmful chemicals

Microplastics were found to trigger cancer-like changes in healthy lung cells, including increased mobility, DNA damage, and activated survival pathways Inhaled particles bypass your body's defenses and embed deep in your lungs, where they silently disrupt cellular function without causing obvious inflammation A review of 31 studies confirmed that microplastics harm your lungs, gut, and reproductive organs even at exposure levels that mimic everyday life Smaller nanoplastics are especially dangerous because they cross into your bloodstream, reaching your liver, brain, and other organs where they cause long-term damage Natural strategies like psyllium, chitosan, probiotics, and autophagy-enhancing nutrients help trap and remove plastic particles before they're absorbed