Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health

Story at-a-glance Linoleic acid (LA), the primary polyunsaturated fat in vegetable oils and commonly found in processed foods, accumulates in skin tissue and increases your risk of sun-induced oxidative damage Once stored in body fat, LA leaks into circulation for years, continuously influencing your skin cell membranes even after your dietary intake of LA has stopped Pentadecanoic acid (C15:0), found in grass fed dairy and ruminant animals, helps displace LA from cell membranes, reduces lipid peroxidation, and supports mitochondrial and structural integrity Supplementing with 2 grams of C15:0 per day, combined with a low-LA diet and metabolic support, significantly shortens LA clearance from two to three years to 12 to 18 months Proper sun exposure becomes safer once LA has been displaced from skin membranes, but caution is needed during early clearance stages to avoid UV-induced inflammation from residual LA

Story at-a-glance Circadian Syndrome (CircS), a serious health risk marked by sleep issues, depression, and metabolic dysfunction, significantly raises your risk of dying from chronic illnesses and early death A major study of over 16,000 adults in the U.S. and China found that people with CircS have far higher death rates, especially from diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease Signs of circadian disruption — like insufficient sleep or belly fat — may appear mild, but could actually become lethal when combined with other CircS traits, highlighting the danger of ignoring seemingly common symptoms Artificial light exposure, irregular schedules, and "social jetlag" all disrupt your internal clock, increasing your risk of obesity, high blood pressure, cancer, and metabolic disease, especially in older adults To reset your body clock, get morning sunlight, avoid nighttime screens, move daily, and manage your stress — these small changes help restore your body’s natural rhythm and vitality

Story at-a-glance Neurological injuries from vaccination have been documented since the smallpox vaccine over two centuries ago, with severe injuries reported throughout medical literature The medical profession concealed these injuries, believing public vaccination benefits justified hiding information that might create vaccine hesitancy Historical injuries like spreading paralysis mirror current "one in a million" vaccine injuries, but toxicity documentation was erased to preserve the "safe and effective" narrative In the past, these injuries were widely reported, but now research into them is widely censored Many of these forgotten reports are critical for understanding modern “inexplicable” conditions like Autism

Story at-a-glance A study found that vegetarians who ate plant-based fake meat are 42% more likely to experience depression than those who don’t, even when factors like age, BMI, and lifestyle are taken into account Eating fake meat leads to higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation linked to chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders Triglycerides were elevated and HDL cholesterol was lower in those eating fake meat, increasing their long-term risk for cardiovascular disease The body reacts to fake meat not because of its nutrients, but because of ultraprocessed ingredients and additives that disrupt immune signaling and metabolic function Even when blood nutrient levels appear normal, the deeper immune system activity reveals that fake meat is pushing your body toward inflammation and oxidative stress

Story at-a-glance Magnesium deficiency is widespread despite its key role in 600+ bodily functions; modern farming has depleted soil minerals and most people absorb only 30% to 40% of dietary magnesium Different forms of magnesium target specific health needs: glycinate for sleep and anxiety, malate for energy, citrate for digestion, threonate for brain function and taurate for heart health Common magnesium-rich foods like nuts and seeds aren’t recommended because they contain inflammatory linoleic acid, which worsens metabolic health Magnesium deficiency contributes to serious health issues including insulin resistance, high blood pressure, poor glucose control and mitochondrial dysfunction Supplementation strategy matters: determine your ideal dose using magnesium citrate — once your dose causes loose stools, dial back slightly — then switch to glycinate or malate based on symptoms of tension/sleep issues or energy/focus problems

Story at-a-glance Florida became the second U.S. state to ban water fluoridation after Governor DeSantis signed legislation calling it "forced medication" without informed consent; the ban takes legal effect July 1, 2025 — that’s when public water systems must stop adding fluoride and state regulators can begin enforcement A National Toxicology Program review of 72 studies found consistent evidence that fluoride exposure lowers children's IQ scores and impairs cognitive development Multiple states including Ohio and Texas are considering similar bans while federal agencies reevaluate fluoride recommendations under new leadership Research links fluoride to thyroid dysfunction and neurological harm, with doses as low as 2 to 5 milligrams daily affecting hormone regulation Many European countries rejected water fluoridation decades ago; 98% of Western Europeans now drink non-fluoridated water

Story at-a-glance Despite limited scientific evidence supporting vitamin B1 as a mosquito repellent, many people report fewer bites when taking it. As a water-soluble vitamin with minimal risk, there’s no harm in trying it Essential oils from Russian sage, tangerine peel and wild mint have demonstrated strong mosquito-repelling capabilities in studies, with Russian sage matching DEET's effectiveness for up to 135 minutes Traditional remedies like oils from Hatkora fruit and Anchiri root provide impressive protection lasting over six hours; this makes them viable natural alternatives to chemical repellents Eliminating standing water around your home is key for mosquito control, as these insects need water to breed and typically don't travel far from their hatching sites Natural mosquito control strategies include wearing light-colored clothing, installing bat houses and planting repellent herbs like citronella, lavender and marigold near entryways

Story at-a-glance Homemade puppy meals using affordable ingredients like rice, ground beef, liver, and eggs are healthier and more cost-effective than commercial kibble Dogs need balanced nutrition, which includes protein for muscle development, healthy fats for energy and cell function, and minimal carbohydrates from rice for basic glucose requirements Ground eggshells provide essential calcium for bone development, while egg yolks contribute vitamins A, B, and K Dr. Mercola’s "Puppy Power Meal" recipe serves 1 cup per 10 pounds of body weight and can be batch-cooked, portioned, and frozen for convenient feeding Proper preparation includes rendering tallow in a pressure cooker, cooking ingredients separately, and combining with essential supplements like fish oil for omega-3 fatty acids

Story at-a-glance Natural light is an essential nutrient many of us lack within our bodies. When ultraviolet light is introduced into the bloodstream, remarkable health benefits emerge The dermatology industry created hysteria about benign sun-induced cancers while ignoring that deadly melanoma actually results from sunlight deficiency, not excess exposure Once ultraviolet blood irradiation (UVBI) was discovered in the 1930s, it produced miraculous results for patients on the verge of death and was quickly adopted by hospitals throughout America, demonstrating remarkable efficacy for a wide range of diseases To neutralize this competition, the American Medical Association published a doctored study that "debunked" UVBI, and it became a forgotten therapy. Russians and Germans recognized its value and have produced decades of research showing UVBI's remarkable utility This article explores UVBI's remarkable history, systematic suppression, and scientific foundation, demonstrating why this therapy represents one of medicine's lost opportunities

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