Dr Joseph Mercola : What Is Natural Medicine?

Mitochondrial health serves as the foundational pillar for human longevity and disease prevention. Dr. Joseph Mercola, a board-certified family medicine physician, argues that modern metabolic dysfunction stems largely from the excessive intake of linoleic acid found in seed oils, which damages cardiolipin in mitochondrial membranes and persists in the body for years. Beyond dietary changes, optimizing health requires regular exposure to solar near-infrared radiation, which stimulates mitochondrial melatonin production—a potent antioxidant—and supports cardiovascular function. Furthermore, boosting NAD levels is more effectively achieved through time-restricted eating and circadian rhythm alignment than through costly supplementation. By rejecting processed foods and replicating ancestral lifestyle patterns, individuals can restore metabolic flexibility and enhance systemic resilience, ultimately reducing reliance on pharmaceutical interventions for chronic conditions.