Getting a Smartphone Too Young Linked to Lasting Mental Health Harm
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Release Date: 09/09/2025
The War on Saturated Fat Is Finally Coming to an End
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
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 Marty Makary is now leading efforts to revise outdated dietary guidelines that were built on cherry-picked data from Ancel Keys’ Seven Countries Study A 2016 BMJ-published reanalysis found replacing saturated fat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...
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Scientists Uncover How Targeted Probiotics Help Athletic Performance and Recovery
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
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...
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Why Phosphate-Loaded Sodas Hammer Your Metabolism Harder Than Sugar
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
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...
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Prebiotics Influence Gut Bacteria That Raise Brain GABA Levels
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
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...
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Processed Food Diet Raises Lung Cancer Risk
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
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...
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The Hidden Crisis in Organ Transplantation — Brain Death Diagnosis and Ethical Failures
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
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:...
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Science Reveals Why Exercise Takes Longer to Pay Off as You Get Older
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
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...
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Most US Adults Have Hearts Older Than Their Actual Age
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
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...
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Military Issues New Restrictions for Recruits
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
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...
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Try These 7 Herbs to Protect Your Liver Health
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your 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...
info_outline- Receiving a smartphone before age 13 is strongly linked to poorer mental health in young adulthood, including higher rates of suicidal thoughts, aggression, and detachment from reality
- Early smartphone ownership often leads to earlier social media access, which raises the risk of cyberbullying, harmful content exposure, poor family relationships, and disrupted sleep
- The most severe effects are seen in females, with nearly half of those given a phone at age 5 or 6 reporting severe suicidal thoughts compared to less than a third who received one at age 13
- English-speaking countries face greater risks due to earlier average ages of phone and social media access and more exposure to harmful, exploitative online content
- Delaying smartphone and social media access, teaching digital literacy before use, and setting phone-free times significantly improve emotional resilience and self-worth over the long term