Health Information
Are There Cheaper Alternatives to Hearing Aids?
By Dr. Mercola Nearly 20 percent of Americans, or 48 million people, report having some degree of hearing loss.1 After age 65 that percentage continues to rise as age is the strongest predictor of hearing loss.2 Almost 15 percent of school-age children also have some degree of hearing loss. While hearing loss affects millions, it is an invisible condition, often creating a barrier between the sufferer and society. In adults, the most common cause of hearing loss is noise pollution and aging. As you get older changes occur in the inner ear...
read moreHeartburn Drugs Increase Mortality — How to Safely Address Indigestion
By Dr. Mercola If you suffer from frequent heartburn, chances are you’ve been prescribed a proton pump inhibitor (PPIs) such as Prilosec, Prevacid or Nexium to inhibit acid production. This, despite the fact they were never intended to treat heartburn in the first place. PPI drugs were originally designed to treat a very limited range of severe problems,1 including bleeding ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a rare condition in which tumors in the pancreas cause your stomach to produce excess acid) and severe acid reflux concomitant...
read moreA Million Bottles Per Minute
By Dr. Mercola The immense waste that comes along with one-time-use plastic products is clearly evident, yet despite the growing amount of plastic waste filling up our oceans, coastlines and landfills, their usage continues. The number of plastic bottles alone is staggering, with data obtained by The Guardian suggesting 1 million plastic bottles are purchased every minute worldwide. Worse still, this is expected to increase by 20 percent by 2021 and reach more than half a trillion sold every year by 2020.1 Most of this waste comes from the...
read moreMore Details Emerge in Organic Dairy Fraud
By Dr. Mercola U.S. prices of wholesale organic milk have dropped significantly — in some cases by more than 30 percent — in the last year. While this might seem like welcome news for consumers looking for a price break on this premium milk, it comes at a cost to small farmers — some of whom are selling organic grass fed milk at non-organic prices or, worse, being forced to dump it.1 Small farmers risk being forced out of business in this market, even as the organic dairy industry has grown in size. The problem is that as larger...
read moreBenefits of Taro
By Dr. Mercola Looking like a spud on steroids, taro is a commonly eaten commodity in areas such as Hawaii, India, Southeast Asia and other warm areas of the world, the reason it’s dubbed “potato of the tropics.” Colocasia esculenta (also called poi in its mashed form) thrives in warm, tropical climates due to the abundance of humidity and heat. The fact that taro is one of the few crops that thrive in flooded areas is significant to its wide use in many different areas, as its petioles, or stalks, can transfer even while...
read moreVitamin D3 Versus D2
By Dr. Mercola It’s something I’ve been encouraging for several years now — making sure you’re getting adequate levels of vitamin D, not only because it’s a crucial nutrient, but because so many people are deficient and don’t realize it. But a new study has emerged dispelling the idea many scientists and health care providers have had for many years, the upshot being that there is a vast difference between vitamin D2, which is plant-based (notably from mushrooms), and vitamin D3, which is derived from animal...
read moreWhich Foods Are Best for Your Heart Health?
By Dr. Mercola Your diet is an important, if not crucial, factor for the maintenance of a healthy heart well into old age. Healthy dietary fats top the list of heart-healthy foods, of course, but aside from that, a nitrate-rich diet can go a long way toward protecting your heart. Nitrates should not be confused with nitrites, found in bacon, hot dogs, ham and other less-than-healthy cured meats. Nitrites can convert into potentially dangerous nitrosamines, especially if heated, which is why processed meats are best avoided. In fact, after...
read moreCreamy Avocado Fudge Pops
Ice pops and frozen puddings and ice creams on a stick are a snack that’s well-loved around the world. Kids love them, especially on a hot summer day. However, the problem with this type of food is that it’s usually processed and is high in sugar and very low in nutrition, which isn’t ideal for you and your growing kids.[i] Instead, I recommend you try this scrumptious frozen fudge pop recipe. It uses avocado as the base ingredient, along with cocoa powder to give it an appealing flavor for people of all ages. This is one...
read moreDocumentary Unveils America’s Pharma-Driven Opioid Crisis and the Heartbreak It’s Causing Families
By Dr. Mercola The HBO documentary “Warning: This Drug May Kill You,” details the devastating effect America’s pharma-driven opioid crisis is having on families and the victims themselves. The film, made by Perri Peltz and Sascha Weiss, features the perspectives of four families whose lives have been ripped apart as a result of opioid and heroin addiction. Opioid and heroin addiction — which public health officials have described1 as being the worst drug crisis in American history — affects about 2.5 million Americans, nearly half a...
read moreWhat Happens When You Don’t Brush Your Teeth?
By Dr. Mercola Brushing your teeth twice a day is an indispensable health habit that affects more than just your teeth. The state of your oral health most definitely plays a role in optimizing your overall health and well-being. Regardless of your age or the number of years you’ve been using a toothbrush, it’s a good idea to make sure you are addressing the important aspects of dental hygiene. Bad breath, plaque, yellow teeth, tooth decay and other health problems are easily avoidable when you adopt an effective oral-care routine....
read moreMost Americans Suffer From Nature Deficiency Syndrome
By Dr. Mercola Spending time outdoors can significantly lift your mood, so it’s no surprise that outdoors activities such as gardening and nature hikes1 have been found to be good therapy. In one survey,2 80 percent of gardeners reported being “happy” and satisfied with their lives, compared to 67 percent of non-gardeners, and the more time spent in the garden, the greater their life satisfaction. Among volunteers at an outdoor conservation project, a whopping 100 percent said participation improved their mental health and...
read moreStudy: Viewing Puppy Photos Can Increase Loving Feelings
By Dr. Mercola Your brain works in mysterious ways, many of which we’re only beginning to understand. As part of your day to day daily grind, your brain may actually run on autopilot much of the time. In fact, research suggests people may be mentally “checked out” — focused not on the present moment, the world around them or a particular given task, but rather on their own thoughts nearly half the time.1 This mental state of blasé, in turn, generally makes us unhappy, likely because our minds turn to unsettling thoughts,...
read moreTry Mesmerizing Myrtle Oil Today
Myrtle’s leaves and fruits have been widely used as folk medicine for the treatment of digestive, pulmonary and skin problems in many parts of the world.1 Its essential oil, which possesses much of the healthful properties of the plant, is also popular among aromatherapy practitioners. Discover what you can gain from having a bottle of myrtle oil stocked in your home by reading the information below. What Is Myrtle Oil? The myrtle plant was first mentioned in history in ancient Greece.2 It was associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of...
read moreStudy: Viewing Puppy Photos Can Increase Loving Feelings
By Dr. Mercola Your brain works in mysterious ways, many of which we’re only beginning to understand. As part of your day to day daily grind, your brain may actually run on autopilot much of the time. In fact, research suggests people may be mentally “checked out” — focused not on the present moment, the world around them or a particular given task, but rather on their own thoughts nearly half the time.1 This mental state of blasé, in turn, generally makes us unhappy, likely because our minds turn to unsettling thoughts,...
read moreDoes Your Dental Floss Contain Toxic Nonstick Coating?
By Dr. Mercola Flossing your teeth is one of the basic tenets of maintaining healthy gums and reducing your potential for periodontal disease. And, your dental health is foundational to your overall health. Your oral health is a frequently underappreciated and misunderstood aspect of your daily care that may have a significant impact on your overall health. The truth is, your mouth is like a window to your physical and even mental health. The soft tissues and your teeth reflect what’s going on in the rest of your body and your oral...
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