The FDA Approved Drugs That Don’t Work - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance PPI heartburn drugs have been linked to a 16% higher risk of heart attacks and double the risk of dying from cardiovascular events, even in people with no history of heart disease Contrary to common belief, most reflux is caused by too little stomach acid, not too much, and PPIs worsen this problem by further suppressing acid production Long-term PPI use damages kidneys, weakens bones, impairs nutrient absorption and increases infection risk, as stomach acid is essential for pathogen defense If you’re using PPIs, taper off slowly and switch to famotidine (Pepcid), a safer option that not only avoids heart risks but also helps block excess serotonin that disrupts energy and drives inflammation Full recovery of stomach acid production and digestive function after long-term PPI use takes several months up to two years, requiring targeted nutritional support

Story at-a-glance A single protein called klotho extended healthy mice lifespan by 20%, while improving muscle strength, bone density and cognitive function across multiple body systems Klotho functions as a "longevity switch" that naturally declines with age; it’s influenced by lifestyle choices rather than just chronological aging Regular moderate exercise, whole-food diets rich in antioxidants and adequate vitamin D significantly boost klotho levels, while overtraining reverses these benefits Poor sleep, chronic stress, loneliness and habits like smoking all decrease klotho production, accelerating the aging process and increasing disease risk Scientists are exploring klotho as a biomarker for healthy aging, as low levels correlate with greater risk of cognitive decline, frailty and early mortality

Story at-a-glance Results of a two-year investigation found that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved nearly 75% of new drugs between 2013 and 2022 without meeting its own basic standards Some cancer and Alzheimer’s drugs were fast-tracked using surrogate markers like tumor shrinkage or protein levels, not real improvements in survival, memory, or function Dangerous side effects — including brain inflammation, hemorrhage, and blindness — were linked to drugs approved on minimal or flawed data, with thousands of deaths occurring each year The reporters created a searchable database on FDA drug approvals made between 2013 and 2022 — use it to check if any of your prescriptions meet the four scientific standards Always ask if a drug shows real-world benefits, look up its approval history, wait on new drugs, review your prescriptions, and work with a doctor who questions the system

Story at-a-glance Egg white proteins naturally lower blood pressure by releasing peptides that relax blood vessels and boost nitric oxide production without pharmaceutical side effects Research shows egg whites reduced systolic blood pressure by 18 points in just nine days by supporting the body's natural circulation mechanisms Enzyme-treated egg whites maintain blood pressure benefits while eliminating allergic reactions, making them a safe option for people allergic to eggs Pasture-raised, low-linoleic acid eggs provide optimal cardiovascular benefits, while conventional factory-farmed eggs cause inflammation that counteracts many positive effects Combining egg whites with nitric oxide-boosting foods like beets and glycine-rich bone broth maximizes their blood pressure-lowering effects and overall benefits naturally  

Story at-a-glance Texas Senate Bill 25 requires processed foods with banned ingredients to display a warning label stating they are “not recommended for human consumption.” It was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 22, 2025 and takes effect September 1 The law targets 44 harmful ingredients already banned overseas, including artificial dyes, seed oils, bleached flour, and chemical preservatives found in everyday snacks Companies like PepsiCo, General Mills, and Walmart lobbied hard to weaken the bill, arguing it would hurt profits and create “confusion” for consumers Industry pressure already forced lawmakers to remove aspartame and high fructose corn syrup — two ingredients with known health risks — from the bill’s scope Loopholes in the bill allow old packaging to remain on shelves for years, giving food companies time to keep selling toxic products without new warning labels

Story at-a-glance Independent testing of 51 popular toothpaste brands revealed 90% contained lead, 65% arsenic, 47% mercury, and 35% cadmium. Only six toothpastes tested clean Heavy metals enter toothpaste through contaminated raw materials like hydroxyapatite, calcium carbonate, and bentonite clay used in manufacturing Lead and cadmium disrupt cellular functions, causing kidney damage, osteoporosis, anemia, and various other health complications Despite evidence, toothpaste companies refuse to remove heavy metals. Some even use legal means to intimidate whistleblowers Switching to a homemade toothpaste made from coconut oil, baking soda, and essential oils offers safer protection compared to mass-produced alternatives

Story at-a-glance People with the highest consumption of ultraprocessed foods had a 23% higher risk of developing psoriasis compared to those who ate the least, based on a 12-year study of 121,019 participants Replacing just 5% of UPFs with unprocessed foods lowered psoriasis risk by 14%, and replacing 20% dropped it by 18%, making this a powerful prevention strategy Seed oils and additives in UPFs fuel chronic inflammation and increase body mass index (BMI) — two factors that significantly raise your chances of developing autoimmune skin disorders like psoriasis If you’re genetically at risk for psoriasis, eating a high-UPF diet increases your likelihood of developing the condition by 2.7 times compared to those with low genetic risk and low UPF intake Reducing seed oil intake and restoring vitamin D levels through safe sun exposure or supplementation helps repair immune function and strengthens your skin’s natural defenses

Story at-a-glance More than 1 in 4 rice products sold in the U.S. now exceed the FDA’s arsenic limit for infant cereal, exposing families to heavy metals that harm brain development, kidneys and long-term health Brown rice grown in the southeastern U.S. was the most contaminated, while white basmati from India, Thai jasmine and California-grown white rice had the lowest heavy metal levels Cooking rice in extra water and draining it like pasta cuts arsenic exposure by up to 60%, making it one of the simplest ways to reduce your toxic load Children under 2 in Asian American and Latino households are exposed to two to four times more arsenic from rice than the general population due to higher rice consumption White rice is easier to digest and less inflammatory than brown rice for people with gut issues or mitochondrial dysfunction, making it a better choice for many; choosing lower-contaminated varieties and cooking them properly are key

Story at-a-glance Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a serious condition where jawbone dies and fails to heal, and it’s been linked to common bone drugs like bisphosphonates and denosumab A Finnish study found that people taking denosumab were five times more likely to develop MRONJ than those using bisphosphonates, with cancer patients and long-term users at highest risk Adding corticosteroids to bone drugs significantly worsened outcomes, multiplying the risk of jaw disease by up to six times in some users MRONJ often begins after dental procedures like extractions, but it also develops in people with gum disease or dentures — even without dental intervention Preventive dental care, a nutrient-rich diet, and lifestyle habits that support natural bone repair offer your best defense against this disfiguring and painful condition

Story at-a-glance Most ovarian cysts are harmless and disappear naturally, but some cause severe complications like rupture or twisting the ovary, requiring emergency surgery Vegetable oils like canola and sunflower act as fake estrogens, damaging ovarian tissue and fueling cyst formation due to linoleic acid content PCOS drives recurring cysts through hormonal chaos, particularly insulin resistance and elevated estrogen that disrupts normal ovarian function and cycles Natural pain relief includes heat therapy, massage and gentle movement, while chamomile and ginger teas help reduce inflammation and balance hormones Prevention focuses on eliminating vegetable oils, addressing insulin resistance and considering natural progesterone to restore hormonal balance and stop cyst recurrence