Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health

Almost 80% of Americans take supplements — and that number keeps growing. It's no surprise supplements are everywhere. Herbal products alone bring in more than $12 billion a year
The U.S. supplement industry is raising safety standards without banning trusted herbs. Experts advocate for clearer rules, improved testing, and consumer protection while maintaining access to beneficial natural products
Europe is reversing course, with new European Union (EU) rules possibly requiring reformulations, restricting online sales, and limiting access to ingredients like ashwagandha
Supplements have an exceptional, long-standing safety record, with serious adverse effects being rare compared to many medications
In contrast to pharmaceuticals, which carry FDA-mandated "black box" warnings for known lethal risks, there has never been a confirmed death recorded as the direct result of taking a dietary supplement as intended

Americans are rediscovering calisthenics — simple, equipment-free exercises like squats, pushups, and planks — as an effective way to build strength, endurance, and mobility without relying on a gym
Bodyweight training activates multiple muscle groups at once, improving balance, flexibility, and cardiovascular health while also supporting joint stability and posture
Calisthenics delivers measurable gains in strength and power, often matching conventional gym workouts when done consistently and with proper form
Real-world examples highlight dramatic transformations — some gaining 40 pounds of muscle in a year — proving that progressive calisthenics and discipline build a lean, powerful, and functional physique
The revival of the Presidential Fitness Test and nationwide interest in functional fitness reflect a growing return to natural movement and self-reliance — helping people get stronger, leaner, and more confident using just their own bodyweight

Heavy alcohol use accelerates bleeding strokes by more than a decade, causing brain hemorrhages to occur around age 64 instead of 75 and leaving survivors with greater disability and cognitive decline
MRI scans show that heavy drinkers develop more severe white matter damage, a sign of accelerated brain aging and small vessel disease, even before a stroke occurs
Alcohol and seed oils both damage your mitochondria through toxic aldehydes that weaken blood vessels, increase inflammation, and raise the risk of brain bleeds and liver disease
Eliminating alcohol and seed oils, while rebuilding your diet around nutrient-dense, low-linoleic acid foods, helps restore vessel integrity and reduce oxidative stress throughout your brain and liver
Melatonin, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) support mitochondrial repair and antioxidant defenses, helping protect your brain and blood vessels from long-term oxidative damage

Early smartphone ownership at age 12 is linked to higher risks of depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep, placing your child on a riskier long-term developmental path
Each year earlier a child receives a smartphone increases the odds of obesity and insufficient sleep, showing just how much the timing of that first phone shapes their health
Children who acquire a smartphone between ages 12 and 13 face sharply higher rates of emotional symptoms and poor sleep compared to peers who remain phone-free
Receiving a smartphone before age 13 is linked to lower self-worth, weaker emotional resilience, and greater psychological distress in young adulthood
Simple steps like delaying smartphone access, keeping devices out of bedrooms, and reducing wireless exposure support healthier sleep, emotional steadiness, and long-term well-being

Industrial farming has weakened soil biology, reduced food quality, and contributed to chronic disease, prompting renewed focus on soil health as a foundation for human health and agricultural resilience
Regenerative agriculture rebuilds soil without reliance on heavy chemical inputs. This approach improves water retention, nutrient density, and long-term farm productivity
In December 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program to support farmers transitioning to soil-building practices
The program uses existing conservation funds, public-private partnerships, and a unified application process to reduce administrative burden and make regenerative practices more accessible
You can support regenerative agriculture through your daily food choices by prioritizing food from regenerative farmers, choosing pasture-raised meat and dairy, and avoiding ultraprocessed foods