Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health

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

Nearly 1 in 5 urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by E. coli strains that originated in contaminated meat, confirming what earlier research has shown Poultry is the main source of these dangerous bacteria, with chicken and turkey accounting for more than 74% of meat-linked UTI cases, while all retail meats showed high contamination levels These bacteria, known as extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), survive processing and cooking to enter your body, where they colonize your urinary tract and can spread to your bloodstream Overuse of antibiotics in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) fuels the growth of drug-resistant E. coli, creating infections that are harder to treat and more likely to require hospitalization You can protect yourself by avoiding CAFO meats, choosing grass fed and regeneratively raised options, improving food and personal hygiene, and supporting urinary health with methylene blue, cranberries, and D-mannose

A 2025 analysis of over 13,500 knee MRI scans revealed that men have more anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears overall, including ACL plus meniscus combinations, contrary to earlier data focused on female athletes Men under 40 were more likely to have trauma-driven medial collateral ligament (MCL) and meniscus injuries, while women over 40 had a higher rate of degenerative MCL and meniscus damage These patterns suggest trauma dominates in male injuries, while age-linked tissue breakdown plays a bigger role in older female patients These results can aid clinicians and radiologists in recognizing patterns of injury so they can tailor imaging protocols, risk assessments, and early intervention strategies for patients Researchers say these gender-specific patterns may change the screening, prevention, and rehabilitation for knee injury across lifespans

Cold weather worsens arthritis symptoms by thickening joint fluid, slowing blood flow, and tightening muscles, which amplifies pain and stiffness Drops in barometric pressure cause tendons and muscles to expand, adding extra pressure to already inflamed joints and increasing discomfort Reduced sunlight during winter lowers vitamin D levels, weakening bones and increasing inflammation, while inactivity further restricts circulation Eliminating seed oils, boosting vitamin K2, optimizing vitamin D, and sipping warm bone broth help reduce inflammation, strengthen cartilage, and restore flexibility Daily movement, heat therapy, and sunlight exposure keep joints lubricated, improve circulation, and help you stay active and pain-free all winter long