Escuchar Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health

Story at-a-glance * Over 36,000 U.S. processed foods contain Red 40, a petroleum-based dye, while 8,000 products include Red 3, a known carcinogen that causes thyroid tumors in animals * Artificial food dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and Blue 1 are linked to behavioral issues in children, including hyperactivity, restlessness and attention difficulties * The FDA banned Red 3 from cosmetics in 1990 but only banned it from food in January 2025; food manufacturers have until 2027 to remove it completely * Europe requires warning labels on foods with certain dyes, prompting companies to use natural alternatives, while the same products in the U.S. continue using petroleum-based dyes without warnings * Parents can protect their families by reading ingredient lists, choosing dye-free alternatives, replacing processed foods with whole foods and using natural colorants like turmeric and beet juice

Story at-a-glance * One in three children in the United States now lives with a chronic health condition that will follow them into adulthood * Asthma, ADHD, autism, and prediabetes are rising steadily each year, making it harder for children to succeed in school and life * Children from low-income families face the highest risk, with poverty and lack of stable employment directly tied to chronic health problems * Environmental toxins, poor diet, and stress are major drivers of these conditions * Early detection and prevention through clean eating, better sleep, sunlight, and stress management are key to protecting your child’s future

Story at-a-glance * Women with chronic migraines and body-wide pain were far more likely to have poor oral health, with over half falling into the lowest oral health categories in a new study * Specific oral bacteria, including Mycoplasma salivarium and Gardnerella vaginalis, were significantly more common in women who reported frequent migraines and widespread pain * Harmful oral microbes don’t stay in your mouth; once gum tissue is inflamed, these bacteria enter your bloodstream, disrupt the immune system, and trigger systemic pain * A less diverse oral microbiome was found in women with migraines and gut pain, making it easier for pain-triggering bacteria to dominate and inflame nerve pathways * Inflammatory chemicals produced by oral bacteria — like calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) — are directly involved in migraine and fibromyalgia, showing how poor oral hygiene can set off whole-body pain responses

Story at-a-glance * In an open letter, I urge the American Dental Association to discontinue supporting water fluoridation, based on research linking fluoride exposure to reduced IQ scores, ADHD symptoms and thyroid dysfunction * Most Western European nations have rejected water fluoridation in favor of education, fluoride-free products and dietary improvements to address dental health concerns * I call for the elimination of mercury amalgam fillings, as research shows elevated blood mercury levels in patients with multiple amalgam fillings * The European Union implemented a comprehensive ban on dental amalgam in January 2025, while many other countries have restricted or banned its use, particularly for vulnerable populations * Despite global shifts toward safer alternatives, U.S. federal programs like Medicaid continue using amalgam fillings, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations with limited health care options

Story at-a-glance * Your fingernails and toenails serve essential functions like protection, tactile feedback, and proprioception. When a toenail becomes ingrown, it disrupts balance and causes discomfort, infection, negatively affecting your quality of life * Ingrown toenails occur due to poor nail trimming, tight footwear, trauma, or physical growth imbalances. Early symptoms include swelling, redness, and eventually pain and infection if left untreated * At-home treatments include soaking in warm water with Epsom salt, trimming nails properly, inserting cotton, using ointments, and keeping the foot clean and uncovered for faster healing * Nonsurgical treatments like the cotton wick, dental floss, taping, and brace techniques aim to lift the nail from the skin, offering relief and preventing further complications without invasive methods * The BS Brace is a long-term, noninvasive solution ideal for diabetics. It reshapes the nail with minimal discomfort, allowing normal activities while preventing recurrence with multiple applications if needed