Ebola Fears, Microplastics in Our Brains, and Young Adults With Colon Cancer

This week, Dr. Joe looks at health threats that feel far away, and others that may be hiding in our kitchens and even our tissues. The World Health Organization has declared an Ebola outbreak in parts of Congo and Uganda a global health emergency, driven by a Bundibugyo strain with no approved vaccine yet. Dr. Joe explains how Ebola really spreads, why it is much harder to catch than COVID, and why everyday risk in the U.S. remains low right now. New research on microplastics finds tiny plastic particles in human blood, lungs, and even brain tissue, raising questions about their effects on mood and thinking. Dr. Joe talks about how these particles might disrupt hormones, inflammation, and neurotransmitters tied to anxiety and depression—and practical steps that can modestly cut exposure. Colon cancer is now the leading cancer killer among people under 50, and doctors increasingly suspect a damaged gut microbiome is part of the reason. Dr. Joe walks through when to start screening, symptoms younger adults should never ignore, and how fiber, movement, and fewer ultra‑processed foods may help lower the risk. A new imaging study shows that ultra‑processed foods are linked to more fat streaked through people’s muscles—even in those who are slim and active. Dr. Joe explains what “fatty muscle” means for everyday strength and heart disease risk, and why whole foods matter even if the scale looks fine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.