Hypertension and Brain Health — How High Blood Pressure Damages Your Brain
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Release Date: 01/08/2026
Fitness Shortcuts Make You Healthier Even Without a Full Workout Plan
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Only one in four adults meets the recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise, but even a few minutes of movement each day can still improve heart health, metabolism, and strength A single high-intensity workout session each week — just 30 minutes — is linked to a 39% lower risk of heart-related death in men and a 51% lower risk in women Short, intense efforts are more effective than long, drawn-out routines, and pushing past four high-intensity sessions per week offers no added benefits Activities like mopping floors, scrubbing counters, and gardening raise your heart rate enough to build...
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Hypertension and Brain Health — How High Blood Pressure Damages Your Brain
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Nearly half of U.S. adults have undiagnosed hypertension, which increases risks for stroke, heart attack, and early brain impairment due to reduced oxygen and nutrient delivery to neural tissue Early hypertension triggers rapid cellular damage, including endothelial aging, neuronal energy loss, myelin disruption, and blood-brain barrier leakage, all of which accelerate inflammation and cognitive decline even before symptoms appear Long-term high blood pressure leads to changes such as white matter hyperintensities, microbleeds, and brain volume loss. These findings are strongly linked to...
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Scientists Reveal How Leucine Supercharges Cellular Energy
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Leucine, an essential amino acid found in foods like grass fed beef, eggs, and dairy, triggers a cellular pathway that boosts mitochondrial performance and energy output New research from Nature Cell Biology shows leucine prevents the breakdown of key mitochondrial proteins, allowing your cells to generate more adenosine triphosphate (ATP) — the fuel that powers every function in your body The study revealed that leucine’s effects appear within hours, not weeks, improving mitochondrial respiration and helping your cells burn fuel more efficiently Unlike other amino acids, leucine uniquely...
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Early Exposure to Fatty Food Smells May Rewire Your Child's Metabolism for Life
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
An animal study found that the smell of fatty foods during pregnancy and breastfeeding, even without eating them, can alter a child’s brain development and make them more prone to obesity later in life Mice exposed to bacon-scented diets in the womb and through milk developed insulin resistance and gained more weight in adulthood, despite eating the same healthy diets as control mice The scent exposure rewired appetite and reward pathways in the brain, particularly affecting dopamine and AgRP neurons responsible for hunger regulation Researchers found 155 distinct odor molecules from fatty...
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How Kimchi Helps Your Immune System Work Smarter
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented vegetable dish, is rich in diverse lactic acid bacteria, bioactive compounds, and fibers that support gut integrity, microbial balance, immune signaling, and overall metabolic resilience A recent study published in npj Science of Food used single-cell RNA sequencing to map how daily kimchi intake influences immune cells, offering insight into food-driven changes in human immune regulation Their findings showed that kimchi strengthened key immune functions by helping cells recognize threats more effectively and supporting balanced T cell activity, without...
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How Artificial Light Undermines Your Liver Health
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Your circadian rhythm controls vital organ functions, including how your liver processes nutrients and filters toxins. Exposure to artificial blue light disrupts this rhythm, triggering a chain reaction that destabilizes liver health German researchers found that long-term artificial light exposure alters liver gene expression and melatonin production, contributing to the development and progression of fatty liver disease over time An earlier controlled animal study showed that constant light combined with a high-fat diet led to more weight gain, insulin resistance, and gut-derived liver...
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A Hidden Breathing Problem May Help Explain Chronic Fatigue's Exhaustion
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
In a recent study, 71% of chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients tested had abnormal breathing patterns like hyperventilation or dysfunctional breathing, which were not seen in healthy controls Dysfunctional breathing was found in 42% of ME/CFS participants, leading to erratic, inefficient breathing during exertion, often without the person realizing it Low carbon dioxide (CO2) levels from overbreathing reduce oxygen delivery to muscles and the brain, worsening symptoms like brain fog, pain sensitivity, and exhaustion A simple breath-hold test helps identify poor CO2 tolerance, a key...
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Could the Shape of Your Behind Reveal a Hidden Health Risk?
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Americans spend about nine hours sitting and nearly five hours on their phones daily, contributing to a sedentary way of life In a featured study presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), researchers found that muscle shape, not size, may reveal early metabolic changes and even signal disease risk The World Health Organization (WHO) advises getting at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week. Yet many people fall short of these targets because inactivity significantly raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes,...
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High Ultraprocessed Food Intake Linked to Lower DNA Methylation
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Ultraprocessed foods alter DNA methylation patterns, silencing protective genes and activating harmful ones, creating cellular dysfunction that begins before visible health problems appear in both adults and children A study of 30 adult women revealed those consuming 45% of their daily calories as ultraprocessed foods showed hypomethylation in 80 genome regions, affecting genes linked to fat storage, insulin sensitivity, and cancer progression Research on 3,152 European children found that ultraprocessed food consumption caused consistent DNA methylation changes affecting thyroid function,...
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Sound Therapy Shows Promise in Managing Tinnitus
Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Tinnitus isn’t just a ringing in your ears — it can interfere with memory, mood, and sleep, affecting your overall well-being when left unmanaged A Phase II clinical trial found that low-intensity sound therapy (LINTS) can reduce tinnitus symptoms without blocking out real-world sounds, helping the brain tune out the ringing naturally Sound therapy works by helping your brain reclassify tinnitus as background noise, reducing its emotional and cognitive impact over time For best results, work with a professional — sound therapy is most effective when guided by a trained audiologist...
info_outline- Nearly half of U.S. adults have undiagnosed hypertension, which increases risks for stroke, heart attack, and early brain impairment due to reduced oxygen and nutrient delivery to neural tissue
- Early hypertension triggers rapid cellular damage, including endothelial aging, neuronal energy loss, myelin disruption, and blood-brain barrier leakage, all of which accelerate inflammation and cognitive decline even before symptoms appear
- Long-term high blood pressure leads to changes such as white matter hyperintensities, microbleeds, and brain volume loss. These findings are strongly linked to slower processing, stroke risk, and dementia
- Dementia risk rises with midlife hypertension, and older adults with high blood pressure show accelerated brain aging; regular monitoring beginning around age 40 helps reduce long-term cognitive decline
- Treatment can reverse some early damage, while lifestyle strategies such as diet changes, exercise, and better sleep significantly lower blood pressure and help protect long-term brain health