• Research has revealed that damaged mitochondria in metabolic tissues don't die off as expected, but instead send distress signals that cause cells to become immature and dysfunctional
• This cellular "immaturity" particularly affects insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, causing them to stop making enough insulin to regulate blood sugar properly
• This same pattern of mitochondrial damage and cellular dysfunction was observed across multiple types of tissue involved in metabolism, including liver and fat cells
• Proper mitochondrial function requires eliminating processed foods and vegetable oils high in linoleic acid, while maintaining adequate healthy carbohydrate intake of 200 to 350 grams daily for optimal cellular energy production
• Environmental factors like endocrine-disrupting chemicals and electromagnetic fields also damage mitochondria, creating a cycle that compromises cellular energy production

• Selenium is a trace mineral essential for health, supporting immune function, hormone regulation, and fighting oxidative stress
• Incorporated into 25 selenoproteins, selenium is crucial for antioxidant production, particularly glutathione peroxidase, which neutralizes harmful free radicals and prevents cellular damage
• Research shows selenium benefits cardiovascular health, with supplementation reducing rates of Keshan disease in deficient regions and supporting overall heart function
• This mineral plays a vital role in thyroid function by helping convert inactive T4 hormone to active T3, with supplementation improving hormone conversion in those with thyroid disorders
• Research indicates selenium has anticancer properties, helping normalize tumor vasculature, enhancing cancer treatments, and targeting proteins involved in tumor growth and drug resistance

• Cigar and smokeless tobacco users faced significantly higher risks of stroke, heart failure, and cardiovascular death, even without any history of cigarette use, according to a large-scale U.S. analysis
• Sole users of smokeless tobacco had a 70% higher risk of heart failure and a 66% increased risk of dying from coronary heart disease, demonstrating that these products are not “safer alternatives”
• Tobacco harms your cardiovascular system, as it damages the endothelium, increases oxidative stress, impairs oxygen delivery, and promotes clot formation, even in brief or secondhand exposures
• Other studies have confirmed that all tobacco products deliver carcinogens and cause gene-level disruptions tied to respiratory symptoms and increased mortality
• Quitting requires targeting both nicotine addiction and behavioral triggers. Replacing routines, setting boundaries, and supporting detox pathways improve your chances of breaking the cycle for good

• Most infant formulas in the U.S. contain added sugars instead of natural lactose, with formula-fed infants consuming up to 60 grams of added sugars daily (equivalent to two soft drinks)
• Out of 73 formulas examined in 2022, researchers found only five contained mainly naturally occurring lactose, and those are no longer available in the U.S. market
• Added sugars in formula may increase risks of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and preference for sweet foods, while lacking the health benefits of lactose found in breast milk
• Unlike adult food products, U.S. regulations don't require added sugars to be reported on infant formula nutrition labels, leaving parents unaware of sugar content
• Researchers recommend requiring formula companies to produce products containing only naturally occurring lactose and removing societal barriers to breastfeeding

• Depression affects more than 280 million people worldwide. Many patients do not fully respond to first-line medications or experience adverse side effects. This makes dietary influences on mood increasingly important
• Regular citrus consumption is linked to a 22% reduced depression risk by increasing beneficial gut bacteria like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which supports neurotransmitter production
• Citrus contains naringenin, formononetin, and hesperidin — plant compounds that nourish gut bacteria and influence the biochemical pathway responsible for neurotransmitter balance
• Ultraprocessed food consumption increases depression risk by 49%, with artificial sweeteners and processed snacks being particularly harmful to gut health and brain function
• Improving gut health requires removing vegetable oils, reducing endocrine disruptors and electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, optimizing carbohydrate intake, and considering beneficial bacteria supplements

• Introducing a wide variety of plant-based foods after age one speeds up gut microbiome maturity, helping your child build better digestion and stronger immunity early on
• Children who consume diverse plant fibers develop higher levels of beneficial bacteria like Faecalibacterium and Bacteroides, which reduce inflammation and protect the gut lining
• Between 12 and 18 months is the most important window to introduce a range of solid foods, laying the groundwork for a healthy, adult-like gut by age 2
• Local, fiber-rich foods like millet, banana, and rice work best in supporting gut health — expensive superfoods are not necessary for strong gut development
• Restrictive or processed replacement foods damage gut bacteria balance, but breastfeeding combined with diverse, real foods builds a more resilient, long-term gut foundation

In this interview, Dr. Eric Pinnar, a hernia surgery specialist from Jacksonville, Florida, discusses why hernias matter, how to choose a surgeon, what surgery options exist and how to recover the right way.

In this interview, Alexis Cowan, Ph.D., a molecular biologist from Princeton, uses her deep knowledge of molecular biology, particularly her passion for light, circadian rhythms and mitochondrial health, and offers a fresh perspective on optimizing your well-being.