Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health

Emerging research shows that human egg cells resist mitochondrial aging, challenging the idea that menopause is irreversible Scientists have successfully reactivated dormant ovarian follicles in women with premature ovarian insufficiency using stem cell strategies and metabolic interventions Mitochondrial health, not egg depletion, may be the key to reversing menopause symptoms and restoring reproductive function Hormones like DHEA, T3, and progesterone, along with nutrients like vitamin A and E, are being studied for their role in rejuvenating ovaries These findings suggest menopause may be a reversible metabolic state — not a permanent shutdown

A new JAMA Network Open study found that cutting down social media use to roughly 30 minutes per day had measurable effects on mental health, reducing anxiety by about 16%, depression by about 25%, and insomnia symptoms by 15% Loneliness scores did not change much, which shows that social media can be a lifeline for connection as well as a source of stress Earlier randomized trials from the University of Bath and others also found that a one-week break from platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook improved wellbeing, depression, and anxiety A short reset is not a cure for depression or anxiety, and does not replace therapy, medication, or crisis care. Still, it can be a realistic experiment that helps you see how specific apps affect your mood, sleep, and focus If you already struggle with your mental health, or if you rely on online communities for support, it makes sense to plan your week carefully and to talk with a trusted health professional about how this kind of experiment fits into your overall care

Fluoridated water has shaped U.S. dental policy since the 1940s, when officials began adding fluoride to public water supplies in an effort to reduce childhood cavities.1 As of 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 72.3% of Americans on community water systems (about 62.8% of the entire population) received fluoridated water,2 making systemic exposure nearly unavoidable. Mounting evidence now shows that fluoride offers little measurable benefit for dental health while introducing significant risks, particularly for children. Many countries, including Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, have already abandoned water fluoridation.3 In the U.S., Utah and Florida recently became the first states to ban the practice, and similar bills are emerging elsewhere.4 However, in places where fluoride is not added to tap water, fluoride supplements are prescribed for infants and children. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is taking action to restrict the use of these prescription fluoride supplements, following a directive from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission to reassess their safety and effectiveness.5

Your gut's nervous system directly influences whether you tolerate foods or react to them, making it a key factor in food sensitivities and allergy risk A tiny nerve messenger called the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) tells your gut stem cells how to rebuild the intestinal lining; when VIP drops, your gut produces too many tuft cells that trigger allergy like inflammation Everyday exposures — like microplastics, seed oils, and emulsifiers found in processed foods — damage tight junction proteins, weaken your gut barrier, and increase the flow of irritants into your bloodstream Low vitamin D, disrupted sleep, and high stress interfere with your gut's ability to maintain barrier integrity and calm immune activity, raising your vulnerability to allergic reactions You can lower your allergy risk by supporting mitochondrial function, removing gut damaging triggers, restoring healthy carbs in the right order, and improving the nerve-gut connection that regulates intestinal healing

About 24.2% of U.S. men today screen positive for erectile dysfunction (ED), while global rates range from 3% to 76.5%, showing it's a common health problem that affects men of all ages A 2025 study in the American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Urology found that ED is influenced by genes that also raise risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and addiction, tying erection problems to long-term heart health ED is usually multifactorial, with vascular, neurogenic, hormonal, and psychogenic forms, and is strongly associated with conditions like heart disease, obesity, sleep apnea, and depression, making it a powerful early warning sign that something deeper is wrong While drugs like Viagra can temporarily improve erections, they don't work for everyone and may be unsafe for men taking heart and lung medications Instead of relying solely on pills, addressing root causes with a heart-focused check-up, a metabolic-friendly diet, pelvic floor training, restorative sleep, enough sunlight and mindful supplementation can help restore sexual function without more drugs