Author: Mercola

By Dr. Mercola I’ve been passionate about food and nutrition to optimize my own health for over three decades. The last 15 years I have also been sharing what I learn with you through this newsletter. Diet is clearly the foundational strategy of Taking Control of Your Health. You can have an excellent exercise program, but if your diet is poor, you will not be able to reap the full benefits of your efforts. A full 80 percent of the health benefits you reap from a healthy lifestyle can be attributed to your diet, with the remaining 20 percent coming…

Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published September 14, 2017. For many, happiness is elusive at best and at times near impossible. There’s always something (or someone) pushing our buttons, making us feel less than joyful. According to Barbara Fredrickson, a psychologist and positive-emotions researcher, most Americans have two positive experiences for every negative one. While that sounds good and well, this 2-to-1 positivity ratio is barely enough to get by. To flourish emotionally, Fredrickson’s research1 shows you need a 3-to-1 ratio. That is, you need to have three positive emotions for every negative emotion. Only…

Magnificent Raw Milk Cow’s milk is one of the most popular foods around the world, thanks to its versatility. It’s used to make products such as cheese, butter, yogurt and ice cream. It can even be enjoyed by itself for a refreshing afternoon drink, or blended with fruits to create smoothies. However, chances are the milk you’ve been drinking throughout your life is pasteurized, which can be detrimental to your health. This is because pasteurized milk comes from cows raised in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), which is the perfect breeding ground for foodborne illnesses.1 Instead, you should try making…

Mercola proudly supports these charities and organizations. View All Charities & Organizations More About Mercola.com Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you…

A new study is causing fresh doubts about the safety of genetically modified crops. The research found Bt toxin, which is present in many GM crops, in human blood. Bt toxin makes crops toxic to pests, but it has been claimed that the toxin poses no danger to the environment and human health; the argument was that the protein breaks down in the human gut. But the presence of the toxin in human blood shows that this does not happen. India Today reports: “Scientists … have detected the insecticidal protein … circulating in the blood of pregnant as well as…

Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published February 8, 2017. In 2002, researchers discovered a cancer-causing and potentially neurotoxic chemical called acrylamide is created when carbohydrate-rich foods are cooked at high temperatures, whether baked, fried, roasted, grilled or toasted. Acrylamide is the byproduct of a chemical reaction between sugars and the amino acid asparagine, which occurs at high temperatures. While the chemical can form in many foods cooked or processed at temperatures above 250 degrees F (120 degrees C), carbohydrate-rich foods are by far the most vulnerable. As a general rule, acrylamide forms when plant-based foods…

Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published April 26, 2017. Vitamin D, often referred to as “the sunshine vitamin,” is different from other vitamins in that it influences your entire body. And, while scientists refer to vitamin D as a vitamin, it is actually a steroid hormone obtained from sun exposure, food sources and supplementation. Vitamin D receptors have been found in almost every type of human cell, from your brain to your bones. Unfortunately, dermatologists and the media do the public a great disservice by recommending avoiding the sun to decrease skin cancers.1,2 This is…

It’s unfortunate how many fail to fully appreciate the importance oral health has on their overall health. The fact of the matter is, the delicate balance of bacteria in your mouth is as important to your health as your gut microbiome. When certain bacteria become overabundant, various problems start to develop, and not just in your mouth. Other parts of your body can also be severely affected. For example, periodontal disease, which affects the soft tissues and bone in your mouth, is initiated by an increase in Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacteria that also impairs your innate immune response1 and increases…

Probiotic supplements have long been promoted for their ability to improve your gastrointestinal health. However, as noted in a 2016 paper,1 gut bacteria also “exert effects beyond the local boundaries of the gastrointestinal tract to include distant tissues and overall health.” For example, the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri help upregulate the hormone oxytocin, a chemical messenger that plays important roles in the male and female reproductive systems and influences aspects of human behavior, including sexual arousal, recognition, trust and interpersonal bonding.2 L. reuteri also upregulate systemic immune responses, thereby promoting wound healing, mental health, metabolism and myoskeletal maintenance.3 Some of…

Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published November 30, 2018. Strength training is foundational for good health, especially as you get older. Importantly, weights is not just about keeping your musculature strong; it has a number of other health benefits that at first glance may seem unrelated, including improved metabolism, cognition and mental health. Strength training is also important for heart health, and recent research1,2 shows less than an hour of strength training per week can reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke anywhere from 40% to 70%. Weightlifting Protects Against Heart Attack and Stroke…