Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health

Listen to Dr. Mercola’s Weekly Podcast, as the legendary natural health pioneer continues to lead you on your journey towards optimal health.

Emerging Health Benefits of Creatine Supplements

Creatine isn’t just for athletes — it fuels brain function, immune response, and recovery from stress and illness by supporting how your cells make and recycle energy Older adults, vegetarians, and those with brain fog or long COVID are especially likely to benefit from creatine, as natural production and intake often fall short Daily creatine supplementation improves memory, learning, and executive function in aging adults, including those with Alzheimer’s disease When combined with resistance training, creatine helps build lean muscle, speed recovery, and reduce the risk of frailty-related falls and fractures Grass fed red meat is one of the best food sources, but supplementing 3 to 5 grams of creatine monohydrate daily is a safe and effective way to increase levels

09-17
07:27

Persistent Grief Nearly Doubles Your Risk of Death Over 10 Years

Persistent grief symptoms nearly doubled the risk of death within 10 years, showing that unresolved grief has serious long-term health effects People with high levels of grief were far more likely to use antidepressants, sedatives, and anxiety medications for years after their loss Frequent doctor visits remained elevated for up to seven years in those experiencing unrelenting grief, highlighting the strain it places on both mind and body Long-lasting grief keeps stress hormones high, weakens your immune system, disrupts sleep, and increases your risk of chronic disease Taking steps like honoring your unique grieving process, supporting your body with sleep, healthy diet, and exercise, and using techniques like the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) helps you move through grief and protect your long-term health

09-17
06:49

Eating Minimally Processed Foods Helps You Shed Pounds Twice as Fast as Ultraprocessed Options

Eating minimally processed foods helped participants lose pounds at nearly double the rate of ultraprocessed diets, even when calories, fat, sugar, and protein were carefully matched Researchers found that people on minimally processed diets improved craving control twofold overall, with a fourfold improvement in resisting savory cravings, making long-term weight management far easier Ultraprocessed foods now make up more than 70% of the U.S. food supply, flooding daily diets with additives, seed oils, and engineered products that undermine health and longevity Large reviews link ultraprocessed foods to a 50% higher risk of heart disease and 32 additional health problems, including sleep issues, anxiety, depression, and digestive disorders Food companies engineer textures, flavors, and even sounds to bypass satiety signals and hook your brain’s dopamine response, making ultraprocessed foods as addictive as alcohol or cigarettes

09-17
06:58

Reanalysis of Popular Antidepressant Trial Uncovers Reporting Flaws

A reanalysis of a study found that fluoxetine alone showed no measurable benefit over placebo in treating adolescent depression after 12 weeks Researchers uncovered 11 additional suicide-related events that were hidden or misclassified, bringing the total to 21 serious incidents Statistical tactics and selective reporting made fluoxetine appear safer and more effective than it really was in clinical trials A different reanalysis mentioned that adverse events and many side effects were minimized or excluded from the original reports Improving gut health, getting regular exercise, undergoing therapy, and optimizing vitamin D are viable approaches for treating depression

09-16
08:14

New Research Reveals How Low Sodium Disrupts the Heart's Electrical Rhythm

Sodium is an essential electrolyte that supports fluid balance, nerve signaling, muscle contraction, and heartbeat coordination; even small drops in blood sodium disrupt these essential functions A Virginia Tech study found that low blood sodium amplifies the effects of flecainide, a common rhythm-control drug, by disrupting key electrical support systems between heart cells Restoring sodium to the normal range reversed conduction delays. This confirms that the effects were due to a temporary sodium imbalance People on sodium channel blockers need to monitor sodium levels closely, as common triggers like diuretics or illness cause dangerous delays in heart signal conduction Most adults do well with around 3,500 milligrams of sodium daily, especially when it comes from unprocessed, mineral-rich sources balanced by adequate potassium intake

09-16
07:26

Glutamine Protects Eye Health and Helps Prevent Vision Loss

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in your body, supporting tissue repair, immune function, and energy production, while also helping protect your eyes from vision loss Research shows your eyes rely on glutamine to fuel photoreceptors, the light-sensing cells in the retina, making it a key nutrient for long-term visual health When glutamine metabolism is disrupted, photoreceptors degenerate rapidly, triggering harmful stress pathways that accelerate retinal thinning and increase the risk of blindness Studies demonstrate that restoring glutamine balance calms cellular stress, preserves retinal thickness, and keeps eye cells alive, offering new strategies for preventing eye disease You can support natural glutamine levels through diet by eating foods such as grass fed beef, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, pastured eggs, raw dairy, spinach, cabbage, beans, and even white rice

09-16
07:49

The War on Saturated Fat Is Finally Coming to an End

For several decades, saturated fat was wrongly blamed for heart disease, while vegetable oils quietly caused a surge in obesity, inflammation, and chronic metabolic disorders Newly appointed FDA commissioner Dr. Marty Makary is now leading efforts to revise outdated dietary guidelines that were built on cherry-picked data from Ancel Keys’ Seven Countries Study A 2016 BMJ-published reanalysis found replacing saturated fat with linoleic acid-rich vegetable oils increased cardiovascular deaths, despite lowering cholesterol Investigative journalist Dr. Maryanne Demasi faced vicious backlash after exposing the flawed science behind saturated fat demonization in her documentary “Heart of the Matter” Industrial seed oils like canola and soybean are now linked to mitochondrial damage, inflammation, and chronic illness — while saturated fat is finally being recognized as metabolically supportive

09-15
07:37

Scientists Uncover How Targeted Probiotics Help Athletic Performance and Recovery

Targeted probiotic strains improve endurance, strength, recovery, and mental resilience by supporting gut integrity, reducing inflammation, and enhancing nutrient absorption Intense training damages your gut lining and weakens immunity, but probiotics help maintain barrier function and prevent bacterial toxins from triggering systemic inflammation Specific strains deliver specific benefits, such as Lactobacillus plantarum for endurance, Bacillus coagulans for muscle recovery, and Lactobacillus casei for stress reduction Supporting butyrate-producing bacteria fuels intestinal cells, improves lipid metabolism, and enhances oxidative muscle fibers for sustained aerobic performance Probiotics are most effective when introduced after gut healing, paired with a diet free from linoleic acid–rich vegetable oils and supported by prebiotic foods to maintain microbial balance

09-15
08:36

Why Phosphate-Loaded Sodas Hammer Your Metabolism Harder Than Sugar

A single can of cola floods your system with nearly 100% absorbable inorganic phosphate, triggering hormonal shifts that disrupt vitamin D, calcium balance, and kidney function Phosphate in soda raises levels of FGF23, a hormone that accelerates vascular calcification, weakens bones, and increases your long-term risk of heart attack or stroke, even if your labs are normal Unlike natural sources, phosphate additives in soda are rapidly absorbed and bypass digestive safeguards, placing a silent burden on your kidneys and arteries with every sip When combined with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), soda creates a metabolic double hit — HFCS promotes liver fat, raises uric acid, and drives insulin resistance, while phosphate sabotages hormonal and mineral balance Replacing soda with sparkling citrus water, magnesium glycinate, and vitamin K2 helps support your bones, protect your heart, and reverse the silent damage phosphate leaves behind

09-13
07:37

Prebiotics Influence Gut Bacteria That Raise Brain GABA Levels

Low GABA levels are linked to anxiety, poor sleep, memory issues, and neurological conditions like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s, but boosting GABA through your gut microbiome offers a natural solution A study in NPJ Science of Food found that prebiotics like fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and Aspergillus-derived enzymes significantly increased brain GABA and homocarnosine, a compound that protects and stabilizes brain function Specific gut bacteria such as Akkermansia and Parabacteroides were directly linked to higher GABA production, while strains like Blautia and Roseburia were associated with lower levels and gut imbalance If your gut is inflamed, even healthy fibers worsen symptoms — so it's essential to start with low-fermentation carbs and reintroduce prebiotics slowly once digestion improves Strategies like fermented foods, GABA supplements, and natural progesterone further enhance GABA activity and support calm, clear, and stable brain function

09-13
07:36

Processed Food Diet Raises Lung Cancer Risk

People who ate the most ultraprocessed foods had a 41% higher risk of developing lung cancer compared with those who ate the least The increased risk was seen in both smokers and nonsmokers, showing that diet alone influences lung cancer development Processed foods alter nutrient absorption, strip away protective compounds, and add toxic byproducts that fuel inflammation and immune dysfunction Harmful chemicals from packaging and high-heat cooking further raise cancer risk and weaken your body’s defenses Choosing whole, unprocessed foods and cutting linoleic acid in vegetable oils down to 2 grams or less daily is one of the most effective ways to protect your lungs

09-13
06:21

The Hidden Crisis in Organ Transplantation — Brain Death Diagnosis and Ethical Failures

The concept of "brain death," introduced in 1968 to enable organ harvesting, has never been proven equivalent to actual death — it merely defines an irreversible coma Documented cases exist of "brain dead" patients who were conscious, including some who mouthed "help me" as their organs were nearly harvested Global organ shortages have fueled a black market, with an estimated 5% to 20% of transplants involving illegal procurement and added pressure to lower diagnostic standards for “brain death” Recent federal investigations found serious failures in the U.S. organ donation system: 29.3% of reviewed cases showed troubling signs, and 20.8% of patients had neurologic activity incompatible with procurement — yet transplant coordinators still pushed to proceed Safer, ethical alternatives exist — such as natural therapies like DMSO that have revived “brain dead” patients and restored organ function, removing the need for transplant

09-12
08:14

Science Reveals Why Exercise Takes Longer to Pay Off as You Get Older

Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, begins subtly in midlife and accelerates with age, increasing your risk of frailty, falls, and fractures As your body ages, muscles become less responsive to training, and physical gains come more slowly, even when effort and consistency remain the same A 2025 study published in Nature Communications found that older muscles fail to activate key growth pathways and repair signals after exercise, explaining the reduced adaptation Despite slower gains, exercise remains essential not just for physical strength but also for brain function, heart health, immune regulation, and metabolic resilience across the aging process Longevity benefits peak at around 40 to 60 minutes of strength training per week; exceeding this reverses the gains and increases the risk of overtraining

09-12
07:43

Most US Adults Have Hearts Older Than Their Actual Age

Most American adults live with a heart age older than their actual age, which silently raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, and early death long before symptoms appear On average, women’s hearts are about four years older than their bodies, while men’s are nearly seven years older, with many carrying a cardiovascular risk a full decade beyond their real age The burden of accelerated heart aging is heavier among people with lower income, less education, and minority backgrounds, widening health gaps across communities Researchers developed an online calculator that translates complex health data into an easy-to-understand “heart age,” helping you see if your heart is aging faster than the rest of your body You can take practical steps to rewind your heart age by eliminating vegetable oils, eating enough healthy carbs, walking daily, getting safe sun exposure, and testing for insulin resistance

09-12
08:06

Military Issues New Restrictions for Recruits

The Department of Defense (DoD) has tightened military recruitment standards, restricting enlistment for applicants with serious conditions like congestive heart failure and active schizophrenia treatment Heart failure hospitalizations among young adults (18 to 44 years old) increased 23% from 1999 to 2019, driven by rising obesity, metabolic syndrome, pollution exposure, and substance abuse Mental health disorders are surging among youth aged 12 to 25 years old, with one-third experiencing anxiety or depression severe enough to interfere with daily functioning Only 23% of military recruits in 2024 could enlist without medical waivers, indicating widespread health problems among potential soldiers affecting national security readiness Improving cellular health by eliminating processed foods, consuming healthy carbs, reducing EMF exposure, getting proper sunlight, and supporting gut microbiome can help reverse declining youth health

09-11
06:44

Try These 7 Herbs to Protect Your Liver 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

09-11
07:53

Instant Coffee Linked to Higher Risk of Vision Loss

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

09-11
07:29

Krill Oil Helps Preserve Muscle and Boost Your Energy Levels

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

09-10
06:57

How Dietary Copper Affects Memory Loss and Brain Aging

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

09-10
07:04

Scientists Identify Key Factors Behind E. Coli Outbreaks in Romaine Lettuce

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

09-10
08:11

Dingus

this ai nonsense is such a shame. used to love to listen but cannot bear the ai

05-12 Reply

Morlin Buchnor

I don't like the AI voices.

04-26 Reply

J D

what happened to DR mercola?

03-26 Reply

Christina Mancini

these shorts stink. mindless and useless. if we can't know that a podcast us actually Dr. mercola speaking, I will unsubscribe altogether.

03-11 Reply

Christina Mancini

well, these folks seem nice, but I wouldn't bother listening to their drivel again.

03-04 Reply

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