Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health

Your gut microbes determine how foods affect your health, meaning identical diets produce very different outcomes on people depending on microbial enzymes, balance, and overall gut condition
Large-scale research shows plant compounds require specific gut microbes for benefits, explaining why plant-heavy diets improve energy for some people yet trigger bloating, fatigue, or food reactions in others
Gut dysbiosis reflects cumulative daily habits, not isolated meals, with ultraprocessed foods, irregular eating, poor sleep, stress, and medications consistently disrupting microbial stability and gut barrier integrity
Sustained lifestyle changes over weeks to months restore healthier microbial activity, improve digestive comfort, reduce inflammation, and support whole-body regulation, especially in people with chronic metabolic or inflammatory issues
Effective gut repair focuses on lowering linoleic acid (LA), gradually restoring carbohydrates, managing stress, improving sleep, and addressing environmental disruptors rather than relying on supplements or one-size-fits-all diet rules

Osteoarthritis (OA), the leading cause of hip pain, affects an estimated 240 million people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones gradually breaks down, causing pain and stiffness
A study published in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that patients with a gait speed of at least 1 meter per second (m/s) before hip replacement recovered significantly better than those with slower gait
In another study published in BMC Geriatrics, researchers found that older adults who walked regularly before a hip fracture, at least 30 minutes or most days weekly, regained better walking speed one year after surgery
Hip osteoarthritis mainly affects adults in their 50s and older and is more common in women
Many people can manage hip osteoarthritis with safe, drug‑free strategies like walking, strength training, and reducing inflammation through lifestyle changes — often delaying or avoiding injections and surgery

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) now affects about 788 million adults worldwide, more than double the number in 1990, making it one of the most widespread and underrecognized health threats
A recent systematic analysis published in The Lancet revealed that CKD is now the ninth leading cause of death globally, responsible for roughly 1.48 million deaths in 2023 alone
High blood sugar, elevated blood pressure, and excess body weight are the leading drivers of CKD worldwide, together accounting for most of the disease's overall health burden
Early-stage CKD affects over 13% of the adult population globally, yet most cases remain undiagnosed because symptoms often don't appear until the disease is advanced
You can lower your risk of CKD by keeping your blood pressure and blood sugar in check, getting regular movement, staying hydrated, reducing processed foods, and supporting kidney function with balanced nutrition

Young people who use pre-workout supplements face more than double the risk of sleeping five hours or less per night, a level of sleep loss that undermines mood, learning, and physical recovery
High-dose stimulants in pre-workout products keep your nervous system in a stressed, alert state, making it harder for your brain and body to shift into deep, restorative sleep
Short sleep doesn't just cause fatigue; it pushes your body to adapt to exhaustion rather than strength, slowing progress even when training effort stays high
Teens and young adults are especially vulnerable because their brains, nervous systems, and hearts are still developing, making stimulant exposure more disruptive
Better performance comes from protecting sleep, fueling workouts with food, and prioritizing recovery, not from relying on stimulants that interfere with nighttime repair

Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced by gut bacteria that ferment dietary fiber. It serves as essential fuel for colon cells and maintaining overall systemic health
Adequate fiber intake — around 30 grams daily — is crucial for butyrate production. Without it, your body burns stored fat and protein, creating disease-causing byproducts
Butyrate strengthens your gut barrier, preventing intestinal permeability that allows harmful substances to enter the bloodstream and trigger autoimmune responses
Research shows butyrate improves insulin sensitivity, reduces diabetes risk, lowers bad cholesterol, prevents colorectal cancer, and supports brain health
Boost butyrate by eating fiber-rich foods, resistant starches, fermented foods and probiotics, while avoiding processed foods, managing stress, and limiting unnecessary antibiotics