The Dr. Berg Show LIVE - April 17, 2026
In a Nutshell
Dr. Berg emphasizes that insulin resistance from frequent eating and carbs drives most chronic disease, recommending 2 meals daily without snacks on a low-carb/ketogenic diet. Key supplements include therapeutic-dose vitamin D (50-100 ng/ml), magnesium glycinate (600 mg), K2 (40-45 mg), omega-3s from sardines, and B vitamins, while avoiding unnecessary medications like statins and antidepressants that deplete nutrients. Movement is essential—collagen, bones, and joints require weight-bearing activity, and long walks help manage stress hormones and maintain metabolic health.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Anything said is not meant to diagnose, treat, or replace medical care. Always check with a doctor before implementing any suggestions or tips.
If blood levels of vitamin D and B12 are elevated from supplements, the key question is how high. Data indicates levels should not exceed 200 ng per ml. For a good range, aim for 50-70 ng per ml. Therapeutic ranges may require higher levels, with some keeping levels around 100 ng per ml. The primary concern with excessive vitamin D is elevated calcium in the blood, though massive doses without cofactors are required to cause issues. Kidney stones represent the main potential problem. Drinking 2.5 liters of water daily, maintaining adequate magnesium, and monitoring blood calcium levels can help mitigate risks regardless of vitamin D numbers.
For required amoxicillin use before dental procedures following knee surgery, consider taking a probiotic immediately after the antibiotic. Consuming fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir, and aged cheese can help counter antibiotic effects. Antibiotics create a slippery slope by killing both good and bad bacteria, often preventing restoration of the original microbiome balance. Working continuously on gut microbiome health is recommended.
During a 5-day sardine fast, continuing supplements is recommended to maintain electrolytes. Sardines provide adequate protein and omega-3 fatty acids. While sardines supply various vitamins, complete nutrition from sardines alone cannot be guaranteed. This fasting approach yields amazing results for many, with omega-3 levels reaching next-level status, fortifying cellular membranes.
For post-mini-stroke recovery with carotid plaque and 49-60% stenosis, statins deplete coenzyme Q10, making supplementation essential. Use the higher quality, more active form of CoQ10 with magnesium as a cofactor. To increase blood flow through the brain, engage in substantial exercise and consider hyperbaric chamber therapy if accessible. High levels of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA from cod liver oil taken at double or triple the recommended dose, can help heal brain tissue.
Diabetes indicates excess blood sugar and likely significant liver insulin resistance, with the liver producing approximately 85% of blood sugar. The solution requires undoing insulin resistance through a low carbohydrate or ketogenic diet that cuts out sugar and starches. Reduce meal frequency from six meals daily to two meals daily with no snacks, maintaining this approach for a period to observe improvements.
At age 73 with dry macular degeneration and cataracts, antioxidant reserves need elevation through high-quality, nutrient-dense foods. Watch the video on the healthiest meal and begin implementing it. For cataracts, N-acetyl carnosine drops (more readily available for animals than humans) may help reverse the condition. Implement a low-carb diet with intermittent fasting while consuming antioxidant-rich foods and high-quality nutrient-dense salads for phytonutrients.
For chronic diarrhea and bloating, maintain a food log to identify triggers. Probiotics can help eliminate diarrhea and reset the gut microbiome. Start consuming fermented foods like sauerkraut. Determine the diarrhea's origin—whether from food poisoning, new diet initiation, or excessive fiber. Some find relief blending blackberries with kefir as a shake, providing polyphenols to microbes and probiotics from kefir.
The recommended magnesium form is magnesium glycinate, which offers superior absorption compared to other forms. The glycine component increases GABA in the brain, promoting calmness and better sleep. A personal magnesium glycinate brand is available.
The ketogenic diet does not increase kidney stone risk. The most common kidney stones are oxalate-based, not uric acid stones. Studies claiming keto increases kidney stone risk typically involve rats and non-keto diets. Magnesium is crucial for kidney stone prevention, with approximately 100 times more affinity for oxalates than calcium, effectively locking up oxalates and preventing calcium oxalate stone formation.
Vitamin B6 serves as one of the best antidotes for morning sickness. The active form (P5P or P5) is recommended for effectiveness.
When Big Pharma funds research trials, 90% of respondents recognize the research becomes biased in favor of the funding source. Taxpayers indirectly fund much Big Pharma research while companies receive patents and keep raw data secret. Professor Irving Kirsch's FOIA request on 74 antidepressant clinical trials revealed 31 studies were unpublished and 15 required rewriting to appear positive. The Hamilton Depression Scale (0-51) showed placebo improvement of just under 10 points, while the drug added only 1.8 additional points. 82% of antidepressant benefit derives from placebo effect. A $19 billion business generates massive side effects including black box warnings, up to 60% sexual dysfunction, and emotional numbing.
Properly informed patients would rarely consent to antidepressants given the dangers. Discontinuation syndrome causes increased anxiety and problems. Tapering off requires months or years under medical supervision, with some patients never successfully stopping. Annual costs for discontinuation can reach $30,000.
Collagen powder alone provides no benefit without movement, motion, and force on the body. Collagen is raw material, but movement activates it to support connective tissue, ligaments, tendons, muscle, skin, and fascia. Take collagen 30-60 minutes before workouts for better results. Sedentary individuals waste collagen supplementation entirely. Being bedridden causes 1-2% bone density loss weekly. Breaking an ankle and wearing a cast for 4-6 weeks resulted in complete calf muscle loss. Arthritis and joint pain discourage movement, preventing collagen rebuilding and causing further tissue deterioration. All joints require motion for collagen integration into specific tissues.
Cracking teeth at age 55 may indicate vitamin K2 deficiency. Vitamin K2 is fat-soluble, requiring adequate gallbladder function and bile. For maximum bone and teeth strength, supplement with 40-45 mg of K2 combined with D3 and magnesium, rather than microgram doses.
Bone broth provides glutamine which is the key nutrient needed. Collagen helps heal the gut. Fermented vegetables like sauerkraut and kimchi are super important for gut health. Fasting is also recommended.
Do not come off drugs when fasting. A doctor must monitor the process, especially with antidepressants because things can get worse. For hydroxychloroquine taken during fasting, use a teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil to help absorption, then continue fasting the rest of the day.
Stress is not a real cause of disease but rather a downstream effect. The key factor is your capacity and tolerance to handle stress. To increase tolerance take more natural B1, magnesium, and potassium. Long walks are the best way to flush out excess cortisol and adrenaline.
During menopause hormones tend to decline, especially progesterone. Some women find progesterone cream works well for hot flashes. Bioidentical hormone cream containing testosterone and estrogen may be considered. First try sea kelp, vitamin E in the form of tocotrienols, and GABA. Magnesium glycinate increases GABA. Glycine also increases GABA. Therapeutic dose of magnesium glycinate is 600 mg.
Three cans of sardines per day can include onions, salt, pepper, and lemon.
The body absorbs only a certain amount of potassium at one time. Do not take all potassium at once because it will be excreted through urine. Eat avocados and leafy greens for potassium. If supplementing, take 1,000 mg four times a day spread out. Therapeutic dosages of potassium are probably much higher. Add magnesium as well. Magnesium does not work without vitamin D, and vitamin D does not work without magnesium.
Number one is cutting out snack foods including carbohydrates in the form of starches and sugars. Number two is going on a low-carb diet. Number three is improving sleep through more exercise and movement, especially walking.
Camu camu is a good source. Bell peppers and berries are loaded with vitamin C. Fruits contain vitamin C. For supplements get a food-based one made from berries and acerola berry.
True or false: It is a good idea to reset your low-carb diet and consume more carbs once a week. The answer is false. Adding carbs creates a slippery slope where the need for carbs increases. There is no research supporting the need for a reset. Athletes on keto deplete glycogen but build it back up over time by becoming more efficient at burning fat.
A woman in her mid-50s developed eczema in the middle of her hands, inside of thumbs, and inside of index fingers. The skin is sensitive with paper-cut-like painful lesions. Palms and fingers became wrinkled. Touching cotton pads or toilet paper causes chills throughout the body. The skin stays indented when pressed. She tried everything from dermatologist treatments to natural remedies.
The more creams and lotions applied, the worse the condition can become by pulling out oils. Recommended treatment is natural liquid vitamin E in the form of tocotrienols or tocopherols for healing paper-cut lesions. Do not add lotions or soap to hands as it will dry them out more. Be careful in the shower. A DNA test for vitamin D pathways is recommended. Skin lesions like eczema or psoriasis may indicate vitamin D deficiency. Therapeutic doses of vitamin D might need to increase significantly, especially for lesions on palms, hands, or bottom of feet. For temporary relief use liquid tocotrienol or high-quality vitamin E.
Avocados should be avoided if there is a gut issue because they contain fiber which should be avoided until the gut fully heals.
Rheumatoid arthritis is autoimmune. Take high doses of vitamin D3. Four doctors follow the Coimbra protocol. Take high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Do periodic prolonged fasts. The sardine fast involves 5 days of nothing but sardines for massive omega-3 doses. Three cans of sardines per day is super low-carb and mimics fasting without losing protein. The sardine fast can be done as OMAD or spread throughout the day.
Being bedridden can cause up to 1 to 2 percent of bone loss per week. During menopause bone density loss is approximately 1 percent per year. Weight-bearing load and compression forces are needed for bones to maintain density. Without this messaging bones dissolve.
Take one tablespoon of organic beetroot juice powder per day. Beetroot powder spikes nitric oxide which is good for blood flow. Mix with raw milk or yogurt and a teaspoon of cacao powder. Add a drop of liquid stevia for a treat at lunchtime. This supports the gut microbiome.
Intermittent fasting is needed to get off blood pressure medications. Insulin spikes from frequent eating make arteries stiffer and increase pressure. Fewer meals addresses the root cause rather than managing symptoms.
Ketones drop in the morning because cortisol spikes at 8:00 AM. Cortisol releases glucose from the liver which lowers insulin and ketones. The solution is to go for a long walk to burn off excess sugar. Over time this becomes less of a problem and ketones become more concentrated.
Minimum walk duration is half an hour. Ideally 45 minutes. Walking on hills is beneficial for ankles. Walking in nature is best. Avoid walking on cement.
Almond and walnut oils are healthy in small quantities if cold-pressed.
Turkey tail supplements benefit cognitive function, have anti-cancer properties, and support the immune system. Buy quality supplements containing the actual fruit of the mushroom, not sawdust. Many companies add sawdust to increase profits.
Sardines are smaller fish with less mercury than larger fish. Sardines have super high selenium which binds with mercury. Sardines have comparable mercury levels to mackerel but more omega-3 fatty acids than salmon. Get sardines with bones and skin for extra calcium.
People with Hashimoto's should do intermittent fasting. Have enough high-quality animal protein. Do not take iodine right away. Take selenium for a month first, then add iodine. Vitamin D is also needed.
Tuna has more mercury than sardines.
Watch the cancer video for detailed information. Anti-cancer supplements include cruciferous concentrates and DIM. A nutritional protocol blocks an enzyme called Scott. Cancer behaves like a parasite and has similar survival strategies. Ivermectin and other anti-parasitic medications help reduce cancer. Natural dewormers include black walnut hull, garlic clove, and wormwood extract. There are no products for sale to cure cancer.
High B12 levels without supplements may be genetic. Evaluate all foods because B12 may be added to drinks and other products.
Accutane is a synthetic version of vitamin A and is powerful for acne but causes liver damage. Natural vitamin A from liver pills or cod liver oil controls the sebaceous gland. Vitamin A will not work without zinc. Zinc also helps the sebaceous gland at the root of acne.
Sarah from Facebook asked whether a neck issue or injury could contribute to heart palpitations. Dr. Berg confirmed that it could, particularly because of associated pain. However, he noted that palpitations are typically related to dietary factors or gallbladder issues, as the gallbladder can swell up. He also recommended magnesium supplementation for anyone experiencing palpitations.
Dr. Berg announced that the show is expanding its reach starting next Friday, adding X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to the existing platforms. The full list of new platforms will be announced, allowing viewers to connect through their preferred social media channels beyond YouTube.
Dr. Berg shared details about an upcoming app called The Wellness Map, which is being released to a limited first run of only 2,000 people. After working on it for a year, this phase one release will focus on helping users identify gaps in their lifestyle and environment. The app will address specific environmental factors including:
- Kitchen environments with excessive junk food in refrigerators or pantries
- Work environments where people sit at desks for extended periods
- Sleep environments
Users will be able to take pictures of their foods and input that data into the app. The more people who use the app, the more data will be collected. This data will never be released or sold but will be used to learn what works for different individuals, allowing the app to provide increasingly personalized recommendations over time.
As the app collects more data, it will become smarter and more capable of providing specific guidance. Instead of users having to experiment like guinea pigs, the app will eventually tell users exactly what will work best for their specific situation based on collective data from other users. This creates a platform where users help each other by contributing their inputs and experiences.
Dr. Berg concluded by wishing the audience a wonderful weekend.
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