Join the World’s #1 Natural Health Newsletter for FREE!

Latest Trustworthy News from Dr. Mercola - delivered straight to your inbox!

Weekly Health Quiz: Rising Healthcare Costs, Peak Body Age, and Heart Attacks in Women

April 13, 2026
7654

1 What effect can larger indoor plants have on building spaces?

They trap heat near walls
They dry out the air to reduce humidity
They can make rooms feel cooler
Larger plant systems release water vapor into the air, which can improve humidity and make indoor spaces feel cooler and more comfortable. Learn more.
They block outside light

2 Which condition can trigger an oxygen supply imbalance linked to heart problems in younger women?

Anemia
Anemia can reduce oxygen delivery and help trigger an imbalance that strains the heart, especially during illness or physical stress. Learn more.
Arthritis
Migraines
Eczema

3 Molecular hydrogen helps protect mitochondria from oxidative stress in what way?

By thickening cellular membranes
By helping restore cellular energy

Molecular hydrogen may support mitochondrial function by reducing oxidative stress, which can help cells produce energy more effectively. Learn more.
By blocking all fatigue signals
By raising body temperature

4 What best explains the long-term rise of heart disease in the 20th century?

Seed oils became common first
Heart disease rose years after seed oils became common in the food supply, matching the slow buildup of plaque inside blood vessels over time. Learn more.
Exercise habits changed overnight
Doctors found more cases early
Smoking ended in most homes

5 What is the main reason health care spending keeps rising?

More medical services are used
Increased use of medical services is the biggest driver. Daily choices around food, sleep, and activity can also shape how often care is needed. Learn more.
Doctors are working fewer hours
Fewer people have insurance
Hospital buildings are older

6 What kind of diet may shorten your Peakspan?

A high-protein diet
A low-carb diet
Low-carb eating can limit the body’s main energy source. The guidance here suggests about 250 grams of healthy carbohydrates daily, adjusted higher for active people. Learn more.
A fruit-based diet
A low-salt diet

Test Your Knowledge with

The Master Level Quiz

1 Around which decade was Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) first discovered?

1960s
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was discovered in the 1960s and quickly drew major attention because of its reported use across many hard-to-treat conditions. Learn more.
1970s
1980s
1990s

2 Which of these does not worsen breathing problems like asthma?

Cigarette smoke
Household mold
Rodent exposure
Vapor from a diffuser
Smoking, mold, and rodents can irritate the lungs or trigger allergic reactions, whereas diffuser vapor doesn't have any adverse health implications. Learn more.

3 What do you call the active compound in apple cider vinegar?

Acetic acid
Acetic acid may improve insulin sensitivity and help the body burn more glucose after meals, which can lower how much fat gets stored. Learn more.
Malic enzyme
Lactic fiber
Citric extract

4 In the 1950s, which corticosteroids were used to treat inflammatory and autoimmune diseases?

Penicillin and streptomycin antibiotics
Insulin and metformin blood sugar drugs
Prednisone and hydrocortisone corticosteroids
Corticosteroids reduce inflammation and calm immune overactivity, which helps manage autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as lupus and multiple sclerosis. Learn more.
Aspirin and acetaminophen pain relievers

5 What can lead to treatment that does not address the real cause of a heart attack?

Delayed hospital transport
Misclassification of artery tears
Mislabeling artery tears as plaque-related events can lead to the wrong treatment, follow-up, and prevention plan. Learn more.
Low blood sugar readings
Mild chest discomfort

6 Which of these is not a type of hernia surgery?

Open surgery
Minimally invasive surgery
Laparoscopic repair
Surgical mesh
Mesh is a material used in some repairs, not a surgery type. The two main approaches are open surgery and minimally invasive surgery, including laparoscopic methods. Learn more.

7 Which quirkily named kind of poop may be a sign of excellent gut health?

Snake poops
Pebble poops
Ghost poops
These bowel movements leave no residue when wiping and sink in the toilet, which may suggest efficient digestion and good nutrient processing. Learn more.
Sticky poops

8 What is not true about hydrogen-rich water?

Improves athletic endurance and reduces fatigue
Only quenches thirst
Hydrogen-rich water may support endurance, reduce muscle fatigue markers like lactate, and make physical stress feel less exhausting. Learn more.
Raises lactate during exercise
Worsens feelings of exhaustion

9 Which airborne toxic chemical discovered in rural Oklahoma proved that such chemicals are not confined to industrial zones?

Polyvinyl flame dust (PDV)
Brominated metal fumes
Nitrate-based soot (NBS)
Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCP)
Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) were detected in rural air, suggesting wider chemical spread than expected and raising concerns about hormone disruption and long-term buildup in fat. Learn more.

10 Green tea comes from which plant?

Aloe vera leaf
Camellia sinensis
Green tea uses Camellia sinensis unoxidized leaves, which helps preserve antioxidants and gives the drink its lighter flavor compared with black or oolong tea. Learn more.
Echinacea root
Hibiscus flower

11 How do seed oils raise heart disease risk over time?

Linoleic acid damages artery walls
Linoleic acid can oxidize easily, fuel inflammation, damage artery walls, and weaken plaque, which may quietly raise heart disease risk for years. Learn more.
Saturated fat blocks blood flow
Plaque forms in a few days
Protein intake weakens vessels

12 About how many new dementia cases are projected each year by 2060?

514,000
750,000
1 million
Researchers estimated about 514,000 new cases in 2020, then projected a doubling by 2060 as more people move into higher-risk older age groups. Learn more.
2 million

13 What kind of medications may be given within three hours to dissolve a blockage during an ischemic stroke?

Anti-seizure drugs
Blood pressure pills
Cholesterol blockers
Thrombolytic drugs
Thrombolytic drugs can break up the clot and help limit brain damage when treatment starts within the first three hours. Learn more.

14 What is one way to help lower long-term health care costs?

Move your body consistently
Other helpful habits include getting enough protein with collagen, enough carbs for cellular energy, better sleep, and safe sunlight exposure, while avoiding ultraprocessed foods and seed oils. Learn more.
Skip meals more often
Avoid sunlight completely
Sleep fewer hours

15 Which antioxidants found in eggs build up in the retinas of your eyes?

Vitamin C and copper
Lycopene and rutin
Lutein and zeaxanthin
Lutein and zeaxanthin help protect vision and may lower the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Learn more.
Selenium and calcium

16 Ibuprofen and naproxen are examples of what kind of medication?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Ibuprofen and naproxen can narrow blood vessels in the kidneys by lowering protective hormone activity, which may reduce kidney function during dehydration or illness. Learn more.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Calcium channel blockers
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

17 When does the human body usually perform at its best?

Around age 50
In the teenage years
In the 20s to early 30s
By about age 50, brain speed, strength, and endurance are often already below their top level, even when a person still feels healthy. Learn more.
After age 60

18 What approach have some pediatricians used to help reduce autism risk in predisposed infants?

Early drug treatment based on EEG results
Genetic screening followed by medication
Whole-body lifestyle modifications
Whole-body approaches focus on modifiable factors, such as reducing toxin and allergen exposure, to support early neurological and immune health. Learn more.
Intensive behavioral therapy in infancy

19 How does iodine intake affect thyroid health?

It supports thyroid function, but excess can trigger autoimmune thyroid disease
Iodine is needed to make thyroid hormones, but excess iodine may trigger autoimmune thyroid disease, especially in people with lower genetic tolerance. Learn more.
It blocks thyroid hormones and lowers immune activity in most people who have healthy thyroid function
It replaces thyroid hormones and repairs gland damage on its own to protect the gland
It prevents thyroid disease by raising genetic tolerance over time, allowing the gland to rest

Revolutionary Forum: Transforming Your Health Information Experience

Exciting news! We're thrilled to announce the development of a cutting-edge forum that will revolutionize how you engage with health information online. This major upgrade to our content management system will provide you with one of the best-in-class forums on the internet, designed to exceed all current offerings and transform your experience.

Our new forum will feature a dedicated health community section, allowing for more meaningful interactions and ensuring your questions are properly addressed—a significant improvement over our previous model. While we understand that the temporary removal of comments may be disappointing, we assure you that this change paves the way for a far superior platform.

This transformative project is on track for a future launch. We appreciate your patience as we work diligently to bring you this groundbreaking resource. In the meantime, we're committed to dramatically enhancing our free content offerings, giving you even more valuable health information at your fingertips.

Expanding Our Reach to Elite Levels

The release of my innovative book, " Your Guide to Cellular Health: Unlocking the Science of Longevity and Joy," coupled with the groundbreaking technical advancements of the upcoming Mercola Health Coach, is expected to skyrocket our site traffic. We anticipate becoming the most visited health sites globally, far surpassing our current traffic.

This remarkable growth would place us among the most visited websites globally. Looking ahead, we're setting our sights even higher, with the ambitious goal of eventually breaking into the top most visited sites worldwide. This vision reflects our commitment to making reliable, cutting-edge health information accessible to an ever-growing global audience.

The Future of Health Education: Our Vision for 2025 and Beyond

For decades, we've been privileged to help hundreds of millions with their health journey. Now, we're aiming higher. This forum upgrade marks one of our important major steps towards that goal, promising to usher in a new era of health education and community support. Stay tuned for updates as we work tirelessly to bring you this game-changing platform!