Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health

Story at-a-glance Recent data show U.S. maternal mortality rates increased by 27.7% between 2018 and 2022, with one-third of pregnancy-related deaths occurring after the standard six-week postpartum care period Significant disparities exist in maternal death rates by state, race, and ethnicity. American Indian/Alaska Native women face a nearly four times higher risk than white women Cardiovascular disorders are the leading cause of late maternal deaths, followed by cancer and endocrine conditions. Drug and alcohol-related issues and mental or behavioral disorders are also significant contributors U.S. infant mortality also increased by 3% from 2021 to 2022, the first rise in 20 years, with deaths from maternal complications rising 8.6% and newborn bacterial sepsis up 13.7% To reduce maternal mortality risk, track your symptoms after birth, push for care beyond the standard six-week visit, and make informed decisions throughout pregnancy and postpartum

Story at-a-glance Fluoridated water provides little dental benefit but carries serious neurological risks, including lower IQ and disrupted brain development in children Most developed countries have rejected fluoridation and still have similar rates of dental health, while 62.8% of Americans receive it without informed consent A North Dakota investigation revealed federally funded officials using deceptive tactics to override local authority when communities attempted to end water fluoridation programs Beyond cognitive impacts, fluoride exposure has been linked to skeletal fluorosis, increased fracture risk, thyroid issues, and muscle atrophy To reduce your fluoride exposure, install specialized filtration systems, use fluoride-free oral products, avoid hidden sources in food and beverages, and advocate for policy changes

Story at-a-glance Akkermansia muciniphila is a gut microbe that thrives in your intestinal mucus layer. It's linked to improved metabolic health, but its levels decrease with age and poor diet Studies show Akkermansia helps combat obesity by reducing fat mass, improving insulin sensitivity and decreasing inflammation. It also influences glucose and lipid metabolism Akkermansia stimulates GLP-1 production naturally, similar to weight loss drugs like Ozempic. It helps manage blood sugar levels and support heart health As the "sentinel of the gut," Akkermansia strengthens the intestinal barrier, regulates immune reactions and supports beneficial bacteria growth. It's a marker for favorable metabolic profiles To boost Akkermansia levels, consume polyphenol-rich foods and high-inulin vegetables. Supplements are available but require careful dosing and timing for effectiveness

Story at-a-glance New research shows over 70% of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) patients reported significant symptom improvement with holistic treatment, even when lab tests remained abnormal SIBO develops when digestive metabolism slows down and bacteria migrate where they don't belong, causing bloating, gas and food intolerances Antibiotics often worsen the condition by disrupting gut ecology and triggering candida overgrowth, creating a secondary fungal problem Restricting carbohydrates provides temporary relief but ultimately weakens metabolism; gradually reintroducing simple carbs helps rebuild gut health Addressing underlying causes like low thyroid function, hormone imbalances and poor motility is more effective than simply targeting bacterial overgrowth

Story at-a-glance A targeted brain rehabilitation program combining digital exercises and coaching helped 80% of long COVID patients return to work, while none in the standard care group did Long COVID cognitive symptoms affect 9 million to 10 million Americans, with nearly one in seven unable to return to work three months after infection Early neurorehabilitation helped unconscious COVID ICU patients regain awareness; over half showed improvement after just eight days off sedation Proteolytic enzymes like lumbrokinase help break down lingering spike protein, reducing inflammation and supporting recovery from neurological symptoms Resources like the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance's (FLCCC) I-RECOVER protocol provide comprehensive treatment plans for those experiencing persistent symptoms after COVID infection or injection

Story at-a-glance Indoor plants significantly reduce stress levels, lowering heart rate and blood pressure while creating a calming effect on your nervous system Exposure to real plants improves cognitive function; it enhances attention span, memory retention and reaction time compared to artificial plants or images Patients recover faster and need less pain medication when plants are present, as greenery creates a healing environment that supports physical and emotional well-being Specific houseplants like spider plants and Boston ferns help remove indoor air pollutants, which is particularly important since Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors The routine of caring for plants creates a purposeful ritual that fosters emotional resilience and has been prescribed by doctors for anxiety, depression and cognitive decline

Story at-a-glance Recovery is an active process that directly impacts performance and fitness gains; your body needs specific conditions to repair muscle damage effectively Start recovery immediately after workouts by bringing your heart rate down to 100 beats per minute, followed by foam rolling to reduce muscle tightness and improve circulation Proper nutrition timing is key — consume healthy carbohydrates and protein after exercising to replenish glycogen and support muscle repair Massage outperformed all other recovery techniques in reducing muscle soreness, fatigue and inflammation, with benefits lasting up to 96 hours after treatment Clean air quality is an overlooked recovery factor — indoor pollution increases inflammation and reduces oxygen availability when your body needs it most for healing

Story at-a-glance Spinal pain affects millions despite over $134 billion spent annually in the USA alone, with most patients remaining stuck in chronic pain cycles due to treatments that address symptoms rather than root causes Common pain generators are frequently missed, including weak ligaments, tight muscles, structural misalignments, trapped emotions, and inflammatory conditions — leaving patients to cycle through increasingly dangerous interventions without addressing underlying issues Conventional medications create more problems than they solve — NSAIDs are the leading cause of drug-related hospital admissions, Tylenol causes 56,000 ER visits annually from toxicity, and Gabapentin provides minimal benefit while causing cognitive effects such as drowsiness Corticosteroids, despite being "wonder drugs," cause devastating long-term damage, including 5% to 15% yearly bone loss, 70% weight gain rates, and dramatic increases in heart attacks (226%), heart failure (272%), and strokes (73%) Spinal surgeries remain highly profitable but questionable in effectiveness, with significant risks that patients often don't learn about until after complications occur, and no ability to "undo" surgical damage

Story at-a-glance Despite its life-saving importance, proper hand hygiene is unavailable in 40% of global health facilities, including hospitals where staff often wear the same gloves between patients Gloves create a false sense of security and are not substitutes for handwashing, which should occur before and after glove use to prevent dangerous cross-contamination For most routine patient care, clean hands alone are sufficient, while gloves should be reserved only for contact with blood, body fluids or broken skin Improper glove use creates significant environmental waste, with an average large hospital discarding 1,634 tons of glove-related waste annually Every dollar invested in hand hygiene delivers up to $24.60 in health and economic returns, making it one of the most cost-effective medical interventions available

Story at-a-glance Ozempic users risk losing essential lean muscle and bone mass, making them physically weaker and shortening their lifespan GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic dull emotional responses, reduce life satisfaction, and significantly increase risks of depression and suicidal thoughts by altering brain chemistry and dopamine regulation After discontinuing semaglutide, many users regain more fat than they lost, with a worse fat-to-muscle ratio, as hunger returns and muscle loss remains unrecovered Common GI symptoms could escalate into dangerous conditions like gastroparesis, where digestion slows or halts, leading to vomiting, nutrient deficiency, and chronic digestive distress Since 2018, 62,000 adverse events and 162 deaths linked to Ozempic-type drugs have been reported, with a surge following increased marketing and prescriptions after 2022