The Hidden Risks of Unnecessary Gluten-Free Diets in Children

The Hidden Risks of Unnecessary Gluten-Free Diets in Children

Author: Dr. Mercola February 6, 2026 Duration: 7:03
  • Gluten-free diets were initially intended for children with medical conditions such as celiac disease, wheat allergy, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity
  • A review published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that gluten-free diets, when not medically required, can cause nutrient gaps and raise health risks for children
  • A recent study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology found that young patients exhibited a significant increase in urinary arsenic and other metal levels after only six months on a gluten-free diet
  • When cooked properly, white rice can be a smarter choice than brown rice because it's easier to digest, contains less arsenic and heavy metals
  • Instead of cutting out foods that are good for your gut, include healthy carbs, choose stable fats over seed oils, and learn to calm your food fears

Each week, Dr. Joseph Mercola-Take Control of Your Health offers a direct conversation about navigating the often-confusing world of wellness. Dr. Mercola brings decades of experience as a natural health advocate to these discussions, focusing on practical strategies that go beyond conventional approaches. The episodes dig into the interconnected areas of holistic health, physical fitness, and alternative methods for building resilience. You’ll hear detailed explorations of how everyday choices impact long-term vitality, with an emphasis on personal agency and evidence-informed alternatives. This isn’t about quick fixes but about understanding the underlying principles that can help you make better decisions for yourself and your family. The tone is straightforward and investigative, aiming to equip you with knowledge that is frequently overlooked. Tuning into this podcast feels like accessing a deep resource of non-mainstream health perspectives, all centered on the fundamental goal of sustainable well-being. It’s for anyone who feels that managing their health requires looking at the full picture, from nutrition and movement to the less obvious environmental factors. Dr. Mercola’s weekly insights serve as a catalyst for taking a more active, informed role in your own health journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Podcast Episodes
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The Hidden Mental Health Cost of Antibiotic Use [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:18
Antibiotic use has been linked to higher anxiety and depression risk by disrupting gut bacteria that regulate brain chemistry and stress response Human studies show antibiotics lower key calming neurotransmitters and act…
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Fermented foods are biologically active whole foods that reshape digestion and immune signaling by delivering microbes, enzymes, and microbial byproducts together, not isolated nutrients Most benefits from fermented food…
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Duration: 8:10
Despite decades of statin use costing approximately $25 billion annually in America alone, heart disease remains the leading cause of death, suggesting the cholesterol hypothesis that drives statin prescriptions is funda…
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Duration: 5:01
Extra body fat interferes with how vitamin D works after it enters your body, which explains why low levels often persist despite supplements or sun exposure Vitamin D can become trapped in fat tissue and fail to convert…
Daytime Light Exposure Influences Glucose Control in Type 2 Diabetes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:44
Type 2 diabetes management is influenced not only by diet and medication but also by environmental factors, including the type and timing of light exposure during typical indoor workdays A Cell Metabolism study found tha…