Game-changing cholesterol pill wins FDA approval after cutting LDL nearly 60%

Millions of Americans with high cholesterol now have a new treatment option, as the FDA has approved the first once-daily oral PCSK9 inhibitor.

Merck, the New Jersey-based manufacturer of Lipfendra (enlicitide), announced the approval on Thursday.

Lipfendra blocks the action of PCSK9, a naturally occurring protein that affects how the liver removes LDL ("bad") cholesterol from the bloodstream.

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"PCSK-9 is a protein that works in the liver, preventing the recycling of LDL receptors, as a result increasing bad cholesterol in the blood," Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital.

"In the caveman days, this was useful when we were hunter-gatherers and didn't always have food, but now it mainly forms plaques that lead directly to heart disease."

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The pill is approved as an add-on to diet and other LDL-lowering therapies in adults with high cholesterol, including inherited forms of high cholesterol, Merck stated.

In phase 3 clinical trials, Lipfendra was shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by roughly 56% to 60% when combined with statin therapy.

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"This is around double the impact of statins," Siegel noted.

The pill was generally well-tolerated in the trials, Merck reported. The most common side effects were diarrhea and dizziness, while serious side effects and treatment discontinuations occurred at rates similar to those in the placebo group.

Statins, which work by blocking an enzyme in the liver that the body uses to make cholesterol, are the most commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications, according to the American Heart Association.

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For many people, statins are effective on their own. But for some patients who have very high cholesterol levels, inherited forms of high cholesterol or adverse side effects when taking statins, another medication — such as a PCSK9 inhibitor like Lipfendra — may be necessary, per the AHA.

Until now, PCSK9 inhibitors — such as Repatha and Praluent — have only been available as injections, a factor experts say may have contributed to their underuse.

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"Repatha, the injectable form, is very useful, with few side effects," Siegel noted. "The oral form, Lipfendra, is also well-tolerated and just as effective."

Additional research is needed to determine whether Lipfendra also reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular deaths. Results from a large clinical trial are expected to be available in 2029, Merck stated.

"Steve Nissen, longtime head of preventive cardiology at Cleveland Clinic, tells me that the lower the better when it comes to LDL cholesterol, especially in those at risk for heart disease," Siegel added.

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Doctors reveal hidden danger for some Ozempic, Wegovy users with brain disorders

Neurologists are warning that popular weight-loss medications could have severe negative effects on neurodegenerative conditions like ALS.

Jinsy Andrews, MD, a neurologist and director of NYU Langone’s ALS Center, says the very mechanism that makes these drugs popular — rapid weight loss — can go against the biological needs of patients with neuromuscular disorders.

GLP-1 agonists have shown to be highly effective at managing diabetes and obesity, which are major health concerns across the population. However, the doctor emphasized that the clinical rules shift when dealing with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

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In addition to mitigating some of the inflammation related to obesity and diabetes, GLP-1 medications have been linked to other protective effects.

The therapies have been helpful in reducing cardiovascular disease, stroke risk, liver disease and addiction, according to Andrews.

However, when it comes to an incurable neurodegenerative disease, losing weight and body fat can accelerate a patient's physical decline.

For an ALS patient, losing weight can cause the condition to progress faster, Andrews said, because the disease's unique traits make it dangerous to be in a caloric deficit.

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In fact, standard clinical care guidelines for ALS often recommend that patients actively maintain or even gain weight to help preserve their remaining nerve and muscle function.

"In certain conditions where hypermetabolism is something that negatively affects the disease […] losing weight actually makes the disease worse and move faster," Andrews told Fox News Digital..

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"So, in the setting of a person with ALS — whether they have diabetes or not — using GLP-1s may actually worsen the disease and make for a rapid progression."

In a 2025 case report published in the medical journal Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, a 52-year-old ALS patient was prescribed semaglutide to treat her type 2 diabetes.

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Prior to starting the medication, her physical functions were declining at a predictable rate on the standard ALS rating scale.

According to the case report, the patient lost 25 pounds in three months. At the same time, she experienced a sudden, dramatic shift in her disease trajectory, with symptoms worsening significantly.

Once the semaglutide was discontinued at the advice of medical professionals, the patient's rapid physical decline stabilized.

Andrews pointed out that this published documentation, alongside retrospective cohort data of ALS patients with diabetes, provides growing evidence that clinicians must be careful and thoughtful about who they treat with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

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While weight-loss medications offer significant benefits for many patients, experts say maintaining body weight and muscle mass remains an important consideration for people with neurodegenerative diseases.

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Is lettuce still safe to eat amid Taco Bell illness probe? Doctors answer

A Cyclospora parasite outbreak has put lettuce in the spotlight as investigators examine a possible link to Taco Bell, raising concerns among consumers about whether it's still safe to eat fresh greens.

While investigators have not identified a specific product or supplier as the source of the outbreak, interviews with sick patients have repeatedly pointed to lettuce and other salad greens as common exposures, and many of those patients also reported eating at Taco Bell before becoming ill.

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State and federal health officials – including the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), CDC and FDA – are investigating a possible link between fresh ingredients served at certain Taco Bell locations and the Cyclospora outbreak.

The chain has voluntarily removed select fresh ingredients at certain locations while public health officials continue their investigation.

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In a statement to Fox News Digital, California-based Taco Bell Corp. said, "The health and safety of our guests is our top priority. Public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer. While authorities continue their broader review, Taco Bell has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and follow the guidance of public health authorities."

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite (Cyclospora cayetanensis) that infects the small intestine after people consume contaminated food or water, according to the CDC.

The agency confirmed that 1,645 domestic Cyclospora cases have been reported since May 1, most often linked to fresh produce, including leafy greens, cilantro and berries.

The CDC is also investigating more than 5,100 additional suspected cases, with a total of 145 people having been hospitalized with the infection.

"Cyclosporiasis is not generally a life-threatening illness for most people," Tammy Lundstrom, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer of Trinity Health in Michigan, told Fox News Digital.

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"The biggest concern is that it can cause severe, prolonged diarrhea that may last for weeks or even longer if it's not diagnosed and treated."

People should seek medical attention if they have lasting, severe diarrhea. The symptoms can be very prolonged in people with compromised immune systems, Lundstrom noted.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, said the parasite has been primarily identified in packaged lettuce and salad bags, but no particular brand has been pinpointed.

"In the meantime, the best strategy is to wash lettuce and all salad greens thoroughly and to wash your hands with soap and water before and after preparing food," he told Fox News Digital, adding that "the chances of acquiring it still remains extremely low."

Registered dietitian nutritionist Caroline Margolis, the on-staff registered dietitian at Lifeway Foods, an Illinois-based company best known for its kefir and other cultured dairy products, also weighed in on the risk.

"While health officials have identified lettuce as the likely culprit, the exact source remains unknown," she told Fox News Digital.

For now, she recommends skipping prewashed, bagged lettuce and salad mixes.

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"Instead, choose whole heads of lettuce, discarding the outer two to three leaves, and wash and rinse thoroughly," Margolis advised. "If you do develop cyclosporiasis, stay hydrated and seek medical care if needed."

"Be sure to support your recovery with nutrient-rich, easy-to-digest foods and probiotic options like kefir, yogurt, bananas, apples and oatmeal."

Lundstrom reiterated that it ’s unclear whether any specific fresh produce is responsible, even though past outbreaks have sometimes been linked to fruits and vegetables.

"Federal public health authorities have not issued any warnings to avoid lettuce or other fresh produce at this time," she told Fox News Digital. "It is recommended to thoroughly wash lettuce and other leafy greens, which can significantly reduce the amount of any pathogen present."

Until further information is known, Lundstrom said iceberg is currently a better option for lettuce. She recommends first washing the entire head, then discarding the outermost leaves.

"Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly when handling and preparing fresh produce," she added.

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For those who wish to take further precautions, frozen and canned produce may be safer options, according to the dietitian.

"It’s important to follow CDC recommendations for safe food and vegetable handling and preparation to help reduce the risk of illness," she said.

Those recommendations include the following.

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Lundstrom added, "It's important to remember that fruits and vegetables in all forms are an essential part of our daily healthy diet, and by exercising these practical preventive steps, people can still enjoy these nutritious foods."

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Think your cortisol is too high? Expert reveals the truth behind viral wellness craze

Social media feeds have recently been flooded with wellness influencers warning about the dangers of high cortisol.

But is this complex hormone truly something people should try to eliminate, or is it a victim of online hyperbole?

In a recent Fox & Friends segment, Ainsley Earhardt sat down with New York City-based certified dietitian and nutritionist Amy Shapiro to separate fact from fiction.

Despite its reputation, cortisol is a biological necessity. Produced by the adrenal glands, it is the body's primary stress hormone.

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"It does help us in many ways," Shapiro said during the segment.

"It helps us get out of bed in the morning. You have a cortisol spike. Gives you that energy to get up and go. It helps to protect you when you have to run ... It helps support your immune system."

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Under normal conditions, cortisol levels follow a natural 24-hour cycle, peaking in the morning to help the body wake up and gradually dropping to their lowest point at night. 

Problems arise when the body remains in a prolonged state of stress, causing cortisol levels to stay elevated.

According to Mayo Clinic, chronic exposure to high cortisol can disrupt almost all of the body's processes, contributing to anxiety, sleep issues and weight gain.

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Shapiro highlighted these as markers of cortisol imbalance, along with additional warning signs like frequent illness and feelings of burnout.

While influencers often attribute a puffy face ("moon face") entirely to cortisol, Shapiro said this is often misleading.

"It could be your diet, it could be high salt, it could be [inadequate] hydration. Maybe we're not all walking around with these taxed cortisol levels."

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Those who suspect their levels are off-balance shouldn't rely on self-diagnosis, the expert advised. A doctor can order saliva or blood tests to accurately measure hormone levels.

Managing spikes starts with identifying and avoiding common daily triggers. Shapiro pointed out that caffeine can increase cortisol levels, especially when consumed on an empty stomach.

She added that exercising and doing high-intensity interval training late at night can also cause a spike in cortisol. "It's better to do it in the morning when your cortisol levels are naturally high," she recommended.

Shapiro also cautioned against "eating ultraprocessed foods, eating high-sugar foods, drinking soda and not eating a balanced diet," as well as "high stress, not getting adequate sleep, not moving your body."

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"Recognizing that we do live in a high-stress society right now, taking time to manage our stress is a good idea," she added.

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Popular diet trend could boost mental health among older adults, study finds

Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and olive oil may help keep the mind strong even into old age, according to new research.

Older adults in England who followed a Mediterranean diet — which is primarily composed of the above foods — during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic reported higher psychological well-being than peers who did not.

The researchers tracked more than 3,000 adults between the ages of 50 and 90 to determine how their daily food choices related to their long-term outlook on life, according to a press release.

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The participants filled out specialized surveys that measured positive psychological traits, including their sense of autonomy, life satisfaction, purpose and control over daily routines.

Each participant also received a score based on how closely their eating habits matched a traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern.

Adults who stuck closely to the Mediterranean diet reported a significantly stronger sense of overall well-being.

This finding held even after researchers accounted for factors like income, education, physical activity, smoking habits and general physical health.

The boost in well-being did not appear to be driven by differences in caloric intake, which suggests the specific types of food played an important role.

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As the researchers tracked the participants over several years, they were able to measure how their well-being shifted during the early months of the pandemic.

While emotional well-being and happiness dropped across the entire group during the lockdowns, the study – which was published in BMJ Open – showed the decline was less intense for people who stuck to the Mediterranean diet.

Previous research points to a few explanations for this.

"This study shows what we’ve been seeing in other research," Kim Kulp, registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of the Gut Health Connection in the San Francisco Bay Area, told Fox News Digital.

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The Mediterranean diet is naturally rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids from fish and antioxidants called polyphenols found in extra-virgin olive oil.

These nutrients help to lower inflammation in the brain and support a healthy gut microbiome, which is directly linked to the chemical production of mood-regulating hormones, experts say.

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"Since the Mediterranean diet is loaded with a variety of plant foods, it provides an increase in nutrients for the body and brain, special compounds that reduce inflammation, and prebiotics to feed the good gut microbes," said Kulp, who was not involved in the study.

Researchers noted some limitations to the data, including the fact that the study relied on self-reported dietary surveys, which can sometimes be inaccurate.

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Additionally, the participants who completed the tracking tended to be healthier and wealthier than the general public, meaning the results might not fully apply to more diverse or vulnerable populations.

"There were only two days of dietary data, and the psychological well-being test was only administered on two occasions, both early on during COVID," Kulp noted. "Two days of data may not be enough to form conclusions."

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Because the study was observational, it could not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the diet and improved mental health, the researchers acknowledged.

"Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes provides the ultimate combination of nutrients to improve overall health as we age," said Kulp.

"Together, this diet can help reduce stress and depression and improve a sense of well-being, even during the toughest times."

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'Miracle on the Hudson' hero Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger reveals Alzheimer's diagnosis

One of the nation’s most famous aviators and great heroes has announced a heartbreaking diagnosis.

Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III, the pilot who saved 155 people after making an emergency landing in New York’s Hudson River in what became known as "The Miracle on the Hudson," shared in a public statement that he was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

"It is early stage," he revealed. "For now, this means a name may not come easily to me, I forget a story I have recently told, or I don’t sleep as well, but I am in the beginning of this long journey."

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Sullenberger, 75, shared with People magazine that he’s had trouble recalling details within the last year, despite having a photographic memory. He received his official diagnosis in August 2025.

The pilot became a celebrity when he carried out the emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on Jan. 15, 2009, after colliding with a flock of geese that resulted in engine failure. Everyone onboard survived.

Alzheimer's, the most common type of dementia, impacts more than seven million people in the U.S. over the age of 65, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

"My doctor, Dr. Gil Rabinovici with UCSF Medical Center, has opened my eyes to the prevalence of Alzheimer’s," Sullenberger said in his statement. "This disease, he has told me, spares no age group and impacts millions of people around the world. It is the unwanted visitor at the door."

Sullenberger’s wife, Lorrie, shared with People that the diagnosis has not dimmed his strong demeanor.

"Just as he was the same steady person before and after Flight 1549, he is the same steady person now, before and after this diagnosis," she said. "That strength and steadiness is guiding us as a family."

"We’re supporting him on this journey that we now walk with so many other families. Though the future is uncertain, we continue to live our lives, have hope and find joy in the everyday."

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Flight 1549 first officer Capt. Jeff Skiles also commented on the news of his friend’s diagnosis.

"Sully is larger than life, even to me," Skiles told People. "He’s somebody I’ve always looked up to, and I think a lot of other people do, too. Hopefully, it’s going to progress slowly and he’s going to be able to create the kind of life going forward that he would be proud of."

Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel noted that Sullenberger had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the Miracle on the Hudson, which could have increased his risk.

"Age 75 is relatively late-onset," he told Fox News Digital. "PTSD doubles the risk of developing Alzheimer's because of changing brain chemistry and structure and sleep disruption."

Sullenberger reflected on how he has been a staunch advocate for travel safety, often addressing roadblocks in the aviation industry, fighting for increased pilot training and care.

Now, Capt. Sully, a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, plans to continue serving the public by focusing on raising Alzheimer’s awareness.

"This new phase of my life has challenged what it means to be of service," he said. "And the answer is to speak up. It is my hope that by sharing this, other families living in the shadows with this disease will feel they, too, can step forward."

"So many people told us after Flight 1549, that the outcome gave them hope," he went on. "Lorrie, my incredible partner of 37 years, says we can all use a little of that hope right now."

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Though the soon-to-be National Aviation Hall of Fame inductee’s memory of the past may be impacted, Sullenberger said his diagnosis "will not prevent me from looking forward to and appreciating our future. I will navigate this chapter with my wonderful family by my side."

"Over the years, when people would ask about the successful outcome of Flight 1549, I would say that ‘courage can be contagious,’ and on that day it helped everyone band together to get everyone off that airplane successfully," he said.

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"Now we need that courage to battle this disease. I am now part of a larger community with many of you, and we will be courageous together."

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia affecting memory, thinking and behavior, as described by the Alzheimer’s Association. It accounts for 60% to 80% of all dementia cases.

It is a progressive disease, meaning the symptoms gradually worsen over time. The memory loss is usually mild in early stages, but late-stage Alzheimer’s can include loss of ability to carry a conversation and respond to environmental factors.

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While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are treatments that can help slow symptoms. Newer, more effective therapies are on the horizon, experts say.

Certain lifestyle changes, including mental and physical activity, have been shown to help prevent the disease.

Dr. Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist, brain imaging doctor and founder of Amen Clinics in California, previously spoke with Fox News Digital about Alzheimer’s risk and management.

"Alzheimer's starts in your brain decades before you have any symptoms," he said. "So, a 59-year-old woman I diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease likely had negative changes in her brain in her 20s."

"It's really never too early to think about protecting your brain and your mind."

Amen listed 11 major protective factors that can help ward off Alzheimer’s. These include promoting blood flow, reducing inflammation, and avoiding toxins like alcohol and drugs. Improving mental health, boosting immunity, getting adequate sleep and keeping diet and weight in check can also help reduce risk.

The doctor also recommends staying informed of hereditary diseases, maintaining a healthy hormonal balance and keeping the brain active in retirement.

Sullenberger's 2009 bestselling autobiography, "Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters," co-written with Jeffrey Zaslow, was adapted into a 2016 film, "Sully," directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks.

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Could flesh-eating screwworms end up in your beef? USDA reveals risk level

The return of the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s, has raised fresh concerns about whether it could threaten the nation's food supply.

Unlike other foodborne diseases like norovirus, E. coli and salmonella, which sicken millions of Americans every year, experts say the screwworm is not a threat to the food on our dinner tables.

"The U.S. food supply is not compromised by New World screwworm, which is an animal issue, but not a foodborne pathogen issue," Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, told Fox News Digital.

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"While screwworm infestation is an infection of live animals, it does not result in meat, milk or produce becoming contaminated."

Screwworms die during standard meat processing and cooking, according to Glatt.

While native to South America and the Caribbean, the screwworm migrated north through Central America and Mexico after a 2023 outbreak in Panama and Costa Rica, the CDC says.

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On June 3, health officials confirmed one case in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texa, the first detection in the U.S. since it was eradicated in the 1960s (excluding a localized outbreak in deer in the Florida Keys from 2016 to 2017), according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Since early June, the USDA has reported 33 screwworm infections in animals in Texas and New Mexico, including cattle, goats and a pet dog.

The U.S. milk and food supply is routinely tested by regulatory agencies, according to Glatt.

"Animals used for human food production must pass inspection before and after slaughter to ensure that food safety and humane handling requirements are met," a USDA spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

"An infestation or animal illness that makes meat unsafe for consumers will prevent the animal from entering the food supply."

If an animal at a slaughterhouse shows signs of illness, the meat inspection system overseen by the USDA isolates it from others and labels it a "U.S. Suspect," meaning it needs additional examination by a public health veterinarian, per USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service regulations.

If an infection is discovered prior to the animal reaching the slaughterhouse, a veterinarian will treat the animal and disinfect the wound to prevent worsening infection.

Any livestock infected with new world screwworm are to be quarantined until all wounds heal, according to the UDSA.

A screwworm is a fly, typically the size of a common housefly or slightly larger. It infects warm-blooded animals — usually livestock, wildlife and pets — and only rarely may infect people, the CDC states.

An infection starts when a female fly lays eggs after being attracted to the smell of a wound, but the opening can be as small as the size of a tick bite. One female may lay up to 3,000 eggs during her lifespan (about 10 to 30 days), per the CDC.

The eggs hatch into maggots that "screw" into the wound to feed. After about a week, the maggots fall to the ground, burrow in the soil and morph into adult screwworm flies.

"It spreads only when an NWS fly lays eggs in a wound, not through meat, poultry or dairy products," the USDA spokesperson said.

"It’s also important to note that people do not catch screwworm from other people, and they do not become infected by eating meat," Dr. Bobbi Pritt, professor and chair of laboratory medicine and pathology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, told Fox News Digital.

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"Most people living in the U.S. are very unlikely to ever encounter this parasite."

The fly thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, while colder temperatures help limit its survival. Some researchers warn that climate warming could expand the areas where the insect can survive if it becomes established, although experts say the current outbreak has been driven primarily by its northward spread through Central America and Mexico.

The USDA is combating current U.S. outbreaks by deploying sterile male flies to mate with female flies using a method known as the sterile insect technique, which helped eradicate the infestation in the 1960s, per the USDA.

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Since female screwworm flies mate only once during their roughly month-long lifespan, those that breed with sterile males produce no viable offspring, causing the population to gradually die out.

In May 2025, the USDA announced a $21 million investment to renovate a sterile screwworm fly production facility in southern Mexico, with production expected to begin as early as summer 2026.

The agency also plans to spend $750 million on a new "fly factory" at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas, which is expected to open by November 2027.

"In the rare cases of human infection, the symptoms that should prompt someone to seek medical attention include a non-healing wound with pain, redness and swelling that is getting worse, a sensation of movement or crawling in the wound and visible fly larvae in the wound," Pritt told Fox News Digital.

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Maggots should not be removed without medical assistance because attempting to do so can leave parts of the larvae behind and worsen the infection, per the CDC.

If any maggots fall to the ground, they should not be discarded in the trash, as this could spread the infestation. Instead, they should be placed in a leakproof container filled with alcohol to kill them, and a doctor should be contacted to safely remove the remaining maggots.

To protect against infection, the CDC recommends the following steps.

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