Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health

Ultraprocessed foods are linked to addiction-like symptoms, negatively impacting mood and mental health. Over 85% of heavy consumers face cravings and loss of control. These foods hijack the brain's reward system, stimulating dopamine and opioids, making quitting challenging. Damage to the gut microbiome further affects cravings and emotional eating. Strategies like cutting out certain vegetable oils and focusing on whole foods can help restore mood balance and break the addiction cycle.

Story at-a-glance Sitting more than 10.6 hours daily increases heart failure risk by 45% and cardiovascular death risk by 62%, even for those who regularly exercise Breaking up sedentary time is important; even reallocating 30 minutes of sitting to light activity reduces heart failure risk by 7% Prolonged sitting impairs blood circulation, decreases insulin sensitivity and reduces mitochondrial activity, which damages cardiovascular health over time Regular movement throughout the day is necessary to protect your heart health and metabolic function Simple strategies like standing for 10 minutes every hour and integrating more walking into your daily routine significantly lower cardiovascular risks

Story at-a-glance Research shows starch-based "biodegradable" plastics break down into microplastics that accumulate in organs, causing significant tissue damage in the liver, intestines and ovaries Even at low doses similar to human environmental exposure, these microplastics disrupt blood glucose levels and trigger metabolic problems within just three months Starch-based microplastics disturb gut microbiome balance and circadian rhythms, leading to long-term health issues including weight gain and compromised immunity The damage occurs through oxidative stress mechanisms and severity increases at higher exposure levels, challenging the assumption that biodegradable means safe Practical protection strategies include using glass or stainless steel containers, filtering drinking water, avoiding plastic food packaging, choosing natural fiber clothing and making smart everyday swaps

Story at-a-glance Bleeding, painful, or swollen gums could be an early warning sign of deeper health issues, including heart disease, depression, and diabetes, even before other symptoms show up In a study of over 500,000 people, those with painful gums had a 54% higher risk of living with multiple chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, anxiety, and alcohol-related illness Pain is the strongest predictors of poor health, making it essential to take gum discomfort seriously and not brush it off Researchers found that harmful oral bacteria escape through inflamed gums, enter the bloodstream, and trigger inflammation in distant organs including the brain, heart, and lungs Addressing gum disease early by reducing inflammation, improving diet, and adopting a better oral care routine could lower your risk for serious long-term health problems

Story at-a-glance Pepcid (famotidine) uniquely blocks serotonin activity unlike other H2 blockers, helping interrupt chronic pain, inflammation and fatigue caused by elevated serotonin levels A 70-year-old patient's life-threatening serotonin syndrome was rapidly reversed within 15 minutes using intravenous famotidine, demonstrating its powerful anti-serotonin effects Elevated serotonin impairs mitochondrial energy production and drives chronic inflammation, depression and pain, contrary to the popular "feel-good chemical" misconception Pepcid is safer than recalled Zantac (ranitidine) and more potent than older H2 blockers, with fewer drug interactions and decades of proven safety Unlike proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) with serious long-term risks, Pepcid offers a safer approach by targeting serotonin overload while providing effective heartburn relief

Story at-a-glance People managing multiple chronic illnesses are nearly twice as likely to develop depression, even if they've never had mental health issues before, according to a decade-long study Living with both heart disease and diabetes drastically increases your future depression risk, making cardiometabolic combinations among the most dangerous for emotional health outcomes Chronic illnesses like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), liver disease, and bowel disorders sharply increase your risk of depression by overwhelming your body's ability to regulate mood and energy Women with joint and bone issues like arthritis face a higher depression risk than men with the same diagnosis, revealing a serious and often ignored gender vulnerability Depression doesn't just follow disease — it drives it. Left untreated, it speeds up illness progression, weakens your immune system, and increases your chances of hospitalization

Story at-a-glance People managing multiple chronic illnesses are nearly twice as likely to develop depression, even if they've never had mental health issues before, according to a decade-long study Living with both heart disease and diabetes drastically increases your future depression risk, making cardiometabolic combinations among the most dangerous for emotional health outcomes Chronic illnesses like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), liver disease, and bowel disorders sharply increase your risk of depression by overwhelming your body's ability to regulate mood and energy Women with joint and bone issues like arthritis face a higher depression risk than men with the same diagnosis, revealing a serious and often ignored gender vulnerability Depression doesn't just follow disease — it drives it. Left untreated, it speeds up illness progression, weakens your immune system, and increases your chances of hospitalization

Story at-a-glance The MAHA Commission's new report identifies food toxins, overmedication and environmental stressors as core drivers behind the surge in childhood chronic illness CDC data show that 87% of U.S. children have glyphosate in their urine, pointing to daily exposure through common foods like wheat, oats and corn-based snacks Federal agencies are now being mobilized to close research gaps, overhaul outdated food safety laws and launch real-time tracking of toxic exposures Chronic illness isn't just about genetics; it's the result of daily inputs like poor food quality, artificial light, lack of movement and excess screen time Removing inflammatory foods, restoring sleep and sunlight routines, and cleaning up your home environment gives your child's biology the conditions it needs to heal

Story at-a-glance A large health screening revealed 45% of women have low hemoglobin and 75% are deficient in vitamin D; these low levels affect energy, hormones and overall health Nutrient deficiencies manifest differently across age groups, with younger women experiencing immune and hormonal issues while older women face increased risks of bone loss and cardiovascular problems Smart strategies to increase hemoglobin include consuming iron-rich foods with vitamin C, avoiding coffee/tea near meals and addressing absorption issues like gluten sensitivity While low iron is a concern in menstruating women, iron overload is dangerous and common, especially in men and post-menopausal women; high iron levels increase cancer risk and damage mitochondria Regular testing of ferritin, the protein that stores iron in your body (ideal range 35 to 45 ng/mL), and vitamin D levels (aim for 60 to 80 ng/mL) is necessary for targeted supplementation and lifestyle adjustments

Story at-a-glance Your skin microbiome helps protect against UV radiation damage by metabolizing harmful cis-urocanic acid (cis-UCA) using an enzyme called urocanase, preventing immunosuppression and inflammation after sun exposure Urocanase-positive bacteria rapidly respond to UVB exposure, shifting skin microbiome composition within hours and creating a protective feedback loop that supports overall skin health Conventional sunscreens often disrupt beneficial skin bacteria, while certain microbes produce protective compounds like pigments, antioxidants, and enzymes that naturally neutralize harmful UV radiation Linoleic acid (LA) from vegetable oils accumulates in skin cells, making them vulnerable to UV damage. Conversely, C15:0 fat can eventually replace LA in cell membranes Reducing LA intake and supplementing with 2 grams of C15:0 daily can help boost skin health in 12 to 18 months, enabling greater sun resilience without relying on conventional sunscreens