How to Fix Eye Strain from Screens - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Google slashed traffic to Mercola.com by 99.9%, replacing years of trusted content with pharma-backed search results that promote junk food and drugs as "healthcare" solutions A new term, “nonaginate,” describes Google's tactic of wiping out 90% or more of alternative health websites’ visibility — a practice now threatening hundreds of holistic sources Under the guise of safety, Google uses vague policies like EEAT and YMYL to bury licensed doctors and researchers who question mainstream pharmaceutical narratives Google's so-called “quality raters” depend on Wikipedia for judgments about credibility — even though its anonymous editors openly oppose natural health and block factual corrections To protect your health freedom and privacy, I recommend ditching all Google products — from search to Gmail — and switching to platforms that respect your data and independence

Story at-a-glance Modern technology causes widespread eye strain by reducing natural blinking rates from 15 times per minute to just five to seven times when using screens Follow the 20-20-20 rule and take longer breaks — look 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Another variation is taking five-minute breaks hourly Blue light from screens disrupts your sleep patterns by suppressing melatonin production, affecting your circadian rhythms significantly Regular exercise benefits your eye health by reducing risks of dry eye disease, myopia, cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration through body-wide effects Lutein and zeaxanthin from leafy greens protect your vision by filtering harmful blue light and concentrating in the macula, reducing macular degeneration risk

Story at-a-glance Drinking just one sugary beverage a day increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 25%, even if you're not overweight Boys who consume daily sugary drinks in childhood show a 34% rise in insulin resistance by age 17, along with higher fasting glucose levels Unlike glucose, which is used by every cell in your body, fructose is processed only by your liver — and in excess, it gets turned into fat, driving fatty liver disease and insulin resistance Fructose from whole fruit is not harmful because it’s absorbed slowly with fiber and nutrients, but processed fructose in soda, including high-fructose corn syrup, floods your liver and overwhelms your mitochondria Replacing just one daily soda with water, coffee or tea reduces your risk of Type 2 diabetes by 17%, making it one of the easiest and most effective prevention strategies

Story at-a-glance Microplastics contaminate drinking water, food and blood; the average person consumes a credit card's worth of plastic weekly, causing hormone disruption and organ damage Natural okra and fenugreek extracts removed up to 93% of microplastics from real-world water samples, outperforming synthetic chemicals like polyacrylamide by nearly 40% Plant extracts work through "bridging," or trapping plastic particles with long-chain sugars that clump contaminants together, making them heavy enough to filter out Just 1 gram per liter of plant extract cleaned water in 60 minutes, proving these natural solutions are practical and cost-effective for everyday use Beyond microplastics, these plants also remove heavy metals and industrial toxins while being completely biodegradable, unlike synthetic chemicals that leave harmful residues

Story at-a-glance Dragon fruit delivers antioxidant protection, gut support, and metabolic benefits, making it an easy way to upgrade your fruit intake Research shows that 100 grams of dragon fruit, about 1/2 cup, daily lowers LDL cholesterol by up to 69%, raises HDL by over 60%, and reduces triglycerides within weeks Bioactive compounds in the flesh, seeds, and even peel help fight inflammation, protect your liver, and feed beneficial gut bacteria like Akkermansia and Lactobacillus Dragon fruit’s natural sugars provide steady energy without blood sugar crashes, making it an ideal pre-workout snack or midday pick-me-up It’s especially helpful for pregnancy, digestive sluggishness, and skin repair, thanks to its folate content, natural hydration, and collagen-boosting vitamin C

Story at-a-glance Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is typically linked to cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension and aging, but evidence suggests chronic oral infections also play a direct role in its development New research links Porphyromonas gingivalis, the key bacterium in gum disease, to heart scarring and arrhythmias. Findings show it travels to the heart and interferes with electrical signaling In animal models, P. gingivalis exposure increased AFib risk, while human heart tissue confirmed higher bacterial load and damage in patients with severe gum disease A 14-year study of 1.25 million people found chronic gum disease increased AFib risk by 4%, while recovery lowered risk to nearly the same level as gum-healthy individuals To improve your gum health, make sure to brush and floss daily, try oil pulling, eat a whole-food diet, manage your stress levels, and get regular cleanings from a biological dentist trained in systemic oral care

Story at-a-glance Inhaling specific essential oils before bed helps calm your nervous system, lower stress hormones, and prepare your brain for sleep, without medication Lavender, jasmine, clary sage, and cedarwood have been shown in clinical studies to improve sleep quality, ease anxiety, and reduce the time it takes to fall asleep Your sense of smell is directly wired to your brain’s emotional center, which is why the right scent shifts you out of fight-or-flight mode and into deep rest Layering the same oil across multiple methods, like diffusing, bathing, and topical use, strengthens the relaxation signal and helps your body respond more consistently Some oils, like peppermint and rosemary, are stimulating and should be avoided at night; safety also matters, so always dilute oils properly and avoid synthetic products

Story at-a-glance For 50 years, medicine has waged a misguided war against critical sources of health like salt and sunlight while avoiding discussing the real causes of diseases. Because of this, the dangers of salt are relentlessly focused on despite evidence not supporting them In parallel, the extreme dangers of consuming too little salt are rarely discussed in the medical field — despite dangerously low sodium being one of the most common conditions seen in hospitalized patients, and chronically low sodium greatly increasing one’s risk of dying The war against salt originated from the belief salt raises blood pressure — despite the evidence showing it doesn’t Many of the foundational beliefs around high blood pressure are not supported by the existing data, leading to situations where patients are routinely medicated to blood pressures far below what is safe, significantly reducing their quality of life and increasing their risk of severe injuries or death Salt restriction creates many similar complications to dangerously low blood pressures (e.g., fatigue, lightheadedness, erectile dysfunction). Because of this, many find their health and energy dramatically improves once they start consuming healthy salts

Story at-a-glance Water temperature influences how the body absorbs and responds to fluids, affecting digestion, circulation, hydration rate, and recovery depending on when and how different temperatures are consumed Cold water helps cool the body after exercise, provides a mild metabolic effect, and boosts alertness, but it interferes with digestion and triggers symptoms in sensitive individuals Room temperature water supports consistent daily hydration, is easier to absorb, and works well during meals or illness, especially when the digestive system or overall resilience is lower Warm water promotes digestive comfort, eases cramping and congestion, improves circulation, and supports relaxation, though it reduces thirst and slows intake during intense heat or physical activity There is no universally ideal temperature or fixed daily water intake; hydration needs and preferences vary based on climate, diet, activity level, and individual physiology; flexibility is more effective than rigid guidelines

Story at-a-glance Women who ate more whole fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains in their 40s and 50s had up to 31% better odds of aging without disease or decline Diets high in white bread, sugary snacks and processed carbs were linked to significantly worse mental, physical and metabolic health in older age Eating carbs with little fiber, typical of most processed foods, was tied to a 29% drop in the chance of healthy aging across all categories Consistent intake of high-quality carbs over many years had a stronger effect on aging than temporary diet changes made later in life If your gut is compromised, even healthy carbs cause problems, so start with simple carbs like fruit and white rice, then reintroduce fiber slowly once your gut heals