Blog – Page 2 – Emeran Mayer, MD

What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Eating Meat?

In my practice, I have never asked a patient to become a vegan or vegetarian for health reasons. However, I do recommend reducing meat consumption to approximately 25% of total daily caloric intake, and I fully understand if somebody decides to go vegetarian for ethical or environmental reasons.

The Rising Tide of Dementia: What You Need to Know

If you are in your 40s or 50s, and somebody would tell you there are several things you can do now to prevent you from developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease as you get older, wouldn’t you be extremely interested in knowing the early risk factors, and some interventions to delay or prevent this unfolding scenario?

Your Favorite Food Might Be Hurting Your Gut

For years, nutrition experts have debated the root causes of the global obesity epidemic. Is it sugar? Fat? Lack of exercise?

Rethinking American Healthcare: A Call for Preventative Action

In the world of healthcare, the United States stands out—not just for its considerable spending, but for the paradoxes that permeate its system.

The U.S. Is #1

Why Some People Live to 100 (and Why Most of Us Won’t)

Helen Reichert was a 100-year-old smoker who continued smoking despite everyone’s best efforts, especially her doctors, to convince her to quit. She ended up living almost another decade before passing away.

Understanding the Health Benefits of Quercetin

When it comes to staying healthy and feeling your best, the impact of polyphenols has long been ignored. In 2024, I was co-author of a review article on the potential health benefits of these compounds.

A Gut Risk for Kids: Prenatal Antidepressants?

Research reveals new ways by which prenatal factors can influence lifelong health outcomes. Among these, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—the most common class of antidepressants used during pregnancy—have drawn attention for their potential negative effects on the developing interactions between the gut and the brain.

Are GLP-1 Agonists More Than Just Anti-Obesity Drugs?

A recently published article in the journal, Nature Medicine, discusses a significant study on the effects of blockbuster obesity drugs like Ozempic, which are known as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

Sexism in Medicine

For many women, the dismissive phrase, “It’s just in your head,” is an all too familiar response during medical visits. Gender bias remains a common concern even in today’s evolved medical world.

The Truth About Protein Powder

Protein powder is often touted as “healthy” because the general consensus is that protein is crucial for maintaining muscle mass. However, while it may have some benefits, there are also some issues with regular protein powder consumption.

The Hidden Dangers in Plant-Based Food

As I have consistently discussed in my three books and in many posts in this newsletter, there is overwhelming evidence for the overall health-benefit of a largely plant-based diet, an essential component of the traditional Mediterranean lifestyle.

Has the Obesity Epidemic Plateaued?

Obesity has long been one of the most pervasive health challenges in the United States, with rates steadily climbing for decades. In a recent post, I wrote about some troubling report published in the medical journal, The Lancet.

Make America Healthy Again – Tackling the Chronic Disease Epidemic

Over the past several years, I have often drawn attention in my books and communications to the unfolding global chronic non-contagious disease (CND) epidemic.

Beyond Skin Deep: The Importance of the Skin Microbiome

The well-known phrase “skin deep” is used to describe something that is seen as superficial or meaningless. While our skin is the body’s second largest organ (the gut has the largest surface area), it is often thought to be taken care of solely to benefit one’s outward appearance and to enhance both our beauty and youth.