How Your Gut Health Impacts Multiple Sclerosis - AI Podcast
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Release Date: 04/25/2025
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Story at-a-glance Aspirin helps prevent cancer metastasis by boosting your immune system's T cells, which attack cancer cells that try to spread throughout your body Metastasis causes 90% of cancer deaths as cancer cells travel through blood or lymph systems to form new tumors in organs like lungs, liver or bones Aspirin blocks a substance in your body that normally slows down T cells, allowing them to move and attack cancer cells more effectively Low doses of aspirin (75 to 300 milligrams daily) appear effective, with benefits increasing after 5 to 7.5 years of regular use Willow bark is a...
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Story at-a-glance Your fingernails and toenails serve essential functions like protection, tactile feedback, and proprioception. When a toenail becomes ingrown, it disrupts balance and causes discomfort, infection, negatively affecting your quality of life Ingrown toenails occur due to poor nail trimming, tight footwear, trauma, or physical growth imbalances. Early symptoms include swelling, redness, and eventually pain and infection if left untreated At-home treatments include soaking in warm water with Epsom salt, trimming nails properly, inserting cotton, using ointments, and keeping the...
info_outlineDr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Story at-a-glance In an open letter, I urge the American Dental Association to discontinue supporting water fluoridation, based on research linking fluoride exposure to reduced IQ scores, ADHD symptoms and thyroid dysfunction Most Western European nations have rejected water fluoridation in favor of education, fluoride-free products and dietary improvements to address dental health concerns I call for the elimination of mercury amalgam fillings, as research shows elevated blood mercury levels in patients with multiple amalgam fillings The European Union implemented a comprehensive ban on...
info_outlineDr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Story at-a-glance Chronic disease is at an all-time high — Modern lifestyle shifts have fueled skyrocketing rates of diabetes, heart disease, obesity and autoimmune disorders Vegetable oils have replaced natural fats — Marketed as a healthier alternative, seed oils high in linoleic acid have contributed to inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic disease Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are everywhere — Found in plastics, pesticides and personal care products, EDCs interfere with hormone function, impacting fertility, thyroid health and cancer risk Lifestyle factors...
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Story at-a-glance Approximately 10% to 15% of Americans suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by unpredictable symptoms that disrupt daily life Recent research reveals that psychological stress trains your body to misidentify safe foods as threats. This rewires your immune and nervous systems to produce pain responses in the gut Stress increases mast cell activity in the gut, which leads to nerve hypersensitivity and immune system changes that trigger IBS symptoms like bloating, pain, and altered digestion When stress becomes...
info_outlineDr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Story at-a-glance A recent study found that free-form dancing matches or exceeds the intensity of jogging or cycling, making it a viable alternative for cardiovascular exercise Unlike structured workouts, free-form dance requires no gym membership or equipment, making it a fun and sustainable way for people of all ages to stay active Dancing with music significantly increases heart rate and calorie burn, improving cardiovascular fitness while making exercise feel less strenuous and more enjoyable Free-form dance engages multiple muscle groups while stimulating cognitive functions like...
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Story at-a-glance A nearly 80-year Scottish study found older gardeners performed better on memory and thinking tests than non-gardeners, even after adjusting for education, income and exercise Gardening challenges multiple brain regions through planning, memory use, problem-solving and decision-making, providing a more complete mental workout than simple exercise The sensory experience of gardening — touching soil, smelling plants, seeing colors an spending time outdoors — stimulates your brain while reducing stress hormones and improving mood Starting a garden requires no experience...
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Story at-a-glance Consuming just four servings of ultraprocessed foods daily increases depression risk by 10% in adults over 70, according to a six-year Australian study of 11,192 older adults Ultraprocessed foods trigger inflammation, disrupt the gut-brain axis and cause oxidative stress — all known contributors to depression and cognitive decline in older populations Linoleic acid (LA) in vegetable oils damages cellular mitochondria, reducing energy production and increasing inflammation; keep daily intake below 5 grams, ideally under 2 grams Dietary changes that support mental health...
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Story at-a-glance Versatile therapeutic benefits — Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a potent compound known for treating a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, stroke recovery, tissue damage, autoimmune disorders, various skin conditions, and complex infections Unique role in cancer care — DMSO’s distinctive properties enable it to support the body in combating cancer while safeguarding healthy cells from the harmful effects of chemotherapy and radiation Enhanced chemotherapy delivery — When paired with chemotherapy, DMSO improves the drug’s ability to penetrate cancer...
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Story at-a-glance Glycerol, a common additive in sugar-free slushie drinks, can trigger severe medical symptoms in young children, including unconsciousness, seizures and dangerously low blood sugar A study across the U.K. and Ireland found that nearly all affected children became sick within an hour of consuming slushies, with no prior health issues or underlying medical conditions Symptoms mirrored rare metabolic disorders, confusing emergency responders and delaying proper treatment, despite the cause being an ingredient found in a popular children's beverage Glycerol exposure caused...
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- Studies show people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have different gut bacteria than healthy people, with too much of certain bacteria types and not enough of the helpful ones
- The ratio between the bacteria Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia serves as a biomarker for MS progression, with this pattern appearing consistently across patients worldwide
- Normally beneficial Akkermansia bacteria can become harmful in MS when Bifidobacterium levels drop, damaging the protective mucin layer in the gut and increasing inflammation
- Multiple studies confirm MS patients have lower levels of beneficial bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, which normally help reduce inflammation
- Simple dietary changes support gut health, including proper carbohydrate intake (200 to 350 grams daily), increasing fiber gradually if your gut is healthy and avoiding processed foods and vegetable oils