Sleep doctor reveals the brutal health downside of daylight saving time

The Trump administration is taking another look at ending biannual clock changes, with an eye toward making daylight saving time (DST), or the "summer clock," permanent.

On May 21, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent in a 48-1 vote, part of a largely bipartisan push to end twice-yearly clock changes.

Although gaining extra winter evening daylight might seem like a win, health experts say permanent daylight saving time could disrupt people's natural circadian rhythms.

TRUMP CHAMPIONS BID TO NIX CLOCK CHANGES BY ADOPTING PERMANENT DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Wendy Troxel, a licensed clinical psychologist and senior behavioral scientist at RAND based in Utah, said science is being "misconstrued" in this decision.

"Ending the biannual clock change is something most sleep scientists and the public would welcome," she said. "The disruption of springing forward every March is associated with real, measurable harm — spikes in car crashes, heart attacks and sleep deprivation."

However, Troxel noted, implementing permanent daylight saving time is "not supported by science." Instead, evidence "strongly supports" permanent standard time, or the "winter clock," according to the expert.

Major sleep medicine organizations, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have previously supported adopting permanent standard time over permanent daylight saving time.

HERE'S WHY 90% OF AMERICANS DON'T SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT, ACCORDING TO EXPERT

"Standard time is more closely aligned with human circadian biology, meaning the relationship between light, darkness and our internal clocks remains intact," Troxel said.

"Permanent DST simply shifts an hour of morning sunlight to the evening, and there are significant health and safety costs of that trade."

The U.S. attempted permanent DST in the early 1970s, but the plan was aborted in part due to these "morning consequences," according to the sleep expert.

"Within a year, the law was repealed amid public displeasure with commuting to work and school in the dark and increases in morning car crashes, and with no demonstrable impact on energy savings," Troxel told Fox News Digital.

Human circadian rhythms are primarily "anchored" by morning light, Troxel said. Under permanent DST, most people waking up for work or school would be rising before the sun, which forces a "chronic misalignment between the body’s internal clock and the external world."

FORCING AN EARLY WAKE-UP TIME COULD HARM YOUR HEALTH, SLEEP DOCTORS WARN

"You cannot override that biology by simply shifting external clocks forward," the expert said. "What you get instead is a population that is effectively waking up in the middle of their biological night, every single day."

The public has typically supported having more daylight in winter evenings, which could alleviate mental health conditions such as seasonal depression.

Supporters of permanent daylight saving time argue that later evening daylight could encourage outdoor activity, recreation and consumer spending after work or school.

Troxel agreed that light is a "powerful regulator" for sleep and moods, but noted that not all types have the same benefits.

"Morning light is crucial to regulate sleep, alertness and support mental health, and this would be sacrificed with permanent daylight saving time," she noted.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

In some areas of the country, like Utah, Americans wouldn’t see the sunrise until about 9 a.m. in the winter, which some research has linked to higher rates of depression and seasonal mood challenges.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"More evening light may feel enjoyable, in part because we equate it with lovely summer evenings, but permanent daylight saving time does not mean permanent summer," Troxel emphasized. "It just means we will get less morning sunlight and more evening sunlight."

"Exposure to light in the evening further pushes circadian rhythms later, making it more difficult to fall asleep and harder to wake up in the morning."

Permanent daylight saving time can intensify people’s habit of "bedtime procrastination," deepen sleep deprivation and contribute to the widespread public health issue of insufficient sleep already identified by the Institute of Medicine, according to Troxel.

Various studies have shown that people typically sleep less in summer compared to winter. Troxel said this is particularly concerning in a society where one in three people are already getting insufficient shuteye.

"This is especially alarming for teenagers, a population the U.S. surgeon general has identified as being in a mental health crisis," she cautioned.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

For example, a teen waking up at 6:30 a.m. for an 8 a.m. school start time under permanent DST would be rising biologically at 5:30 a.m., Troxel noted, which is "in the middle of their biological night."

"Framing permanent DST as a fix for seasonal depression gets the science exactly backwards," she added.

Fox News Digital's Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/W3FmwhZ

Read More

Popular fruit may help protect your skin from the sun, new study suggests

The benefits of grapes could go beyond providing a healthy snack.

According to a study published in the journal ACS Nutrition Science, regular grape consumption can change how the genes behave, giving the skin an added defense system against sun damage.

The research, led by scientists at Western New England University, suggests that grapes could trigger changes in DNA.

EATING A COMMON VITAMIN-C PACKED FRUIT MIGHT TOTALLY TRANSFORM SKIN, STUDY FINDS

Researchers tracked a group of volunteers who first followed a restricted diet for two weeks to clear their systems, according to a press release.

Then, for the next two weeks, they ate the equivalent of three daily servings of whole grapes, provided in a concentrated, freeze-dried powder form.

The scientists took small skin samples before and after the grape diet, testing them both under normal conditions and after exposing them to low doses of ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun.

At the start of the study, each volunteer had their own pattern of gene activity. However, these patterns shifted noticeably after they ate grapes, after they were exposed to UV light, and when the grape-eating was combined with UV exposure.

SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE CAN POSE LIFE-CHANGING HEALTH BENEFITS, EXPERT SAYS

While everyone's individual genetic responses were unique, grape consumption changed gene expression across all participants.

When skin is exposed to UV rays, it normally creates a chemical called malondialdehyde, which is a warning sign of cellular damage. After eating grapes, the volunteers showed significantly less of this damaging chemical, the study found.

"We are now certain that grapes act as a superfood and mediate a nutrigenomic response in humans," John Pezzuto, PhD, professor and dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Western New England University, said in the press release.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"We observed this with the largest organ of the body, the skin. The changes in gene expression indicated improvements in skin health."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Pezzuto also noted that the benefits likely don't stop at the skin.

"Beyond skin, it is nearly certain that grape consumption affects gene expression in other somatic tissues of the body, such as the liver, muscles, kidney and even brain," he said.

A major limitation of the study is its very small sample size, as usable, complete RNA sequencing data was successfully obtained from only four female participants, the researchers noted.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Additionally, all four of these women shared a very similar skin type and background, meaning the genetic findings may not apply to a broader, more diverse population.

The researchers also emphasized that regular grape consumption cannot replace traditional sunscreen or sun-safe habits, and that the study relied on a highly concentrated grape powder rather than occasional, casual snacking.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/UsaJz82

Read More

Ozempic-style drugs linked to major slowdown in cancer spread, new study finds

Popular GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) weight-loss drugs may help slow the spread of some cancers, according to new research to be presented at a major medical conference.

Research led by Cleveland Clinic found that the medications may reduce the spread of several obesity-related cancers, including lung, breast, colorectal and liver cancers.

The findings will be presented at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting next week in Chicago.

WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS NOW LINKED TO CANCER PROTECTION IN WOMEN, MAJOR NEW STUDY REVEALS

According to a press release, the real-world retrospective study included 12,112 patients with the following types of obesity-related cancers, ranging from stage 1 to stage 3.

Half of the participants started a GLP-1 medication – semaglutide, tirzepatide, dulaglutide, liraglutide, lixisenatide or pramlintide – after their cancer diagnosis.

The other half began taking a DPP-4 inhibitor comparator ("gliptins"), a different class of diabetes medications, the study noted.

WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS’ IMPACT ON CANCER RISK REVEALED IN NEW STUDY

Compared to the patients taking gliptins, the GLP-1 users were found to have significantly lower progression to stage 4 disease for four types of cancers.

The biggest risk reduction was for non-small cell lung cancer (50%), followed by breast cancer (43%), colorectal cancer (31%) and liver cancer (38%).

"Our study found that use of GLP-1 drugs, compared to DPP-4 inhibitors and other antidiabetic drugs, was associated with a meaningful reduction in cancer progression across four solid tumor types," said lead study author Mark David Orland, MD, of the Taussig Cancer Institute at Cleveland Clinic, in the release. "It provides early evidence that future studies are worth pursuing."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Three other types of cancer – prostate, pancreatic and kidney – also had lower rates of spread among those taking GLP-1s, but those differences were "not statistically significant," the researchers noted.

Tumors with higher levels of GLP-1 receptors — proteins that help cells respond to GLP-1 hormones and drugs — were also linked to better survival outcomes, according to the study findings.

Overall, patients whose tumors had more of these receptors were about one-third less likely to die during the study period.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The incidence of adverse side effects were similar between GLP-1 and gliptin groups.

The findings suggest that GLP-1 pathways may directly influence how some cancers grow or spread, though researchers say more studies are needed to understand the mechanism behind this effect.

The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, had some limitations, according to the researchers. As it was retrospective and observational in design – as opposed to a randomized clinical trial – it couldn’t prove that GLP-1 drugs directly prevent cancer progression.

Other factors, such as participants’ health conditions, weight loss and metabolic improvements, may have influenced the results, researchers noted.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

For some specific cancer types, there may not have been enough patients represented to detect statistically significant differences.

Further randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate these preliminary findings and to determine the specific ways in which GLP-1s control cancer progression.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/2J7aB5z

Read More

One type of sitting may pose greater dementia risk than another, study suggests

For years, researchers have believed prolonged sitting could raise dementia risk — but new findings suggest the type of sitting may matter more than previously thought.

The research, which was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in March, found that replacing mentally passive sedentary behavior with mentally active sedentary behavior was associated with a significant reduction in dementia risk.

Mentally active sedentary behaviors could include reading, office work and other activities that keep the brain engaged while sitting, while mentally passive behaviors may include watching television or other low-engagement screen activities.

'I'M A NEUROLOGIST — HERE'S WHY DEMENTIA IS RISING AND HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK’

To gather the findings, Swedish researchers analyzed data from more than 20,000 adults between ages 35 and 64 who were tracked over a 19-year period, between 1997 and 2016, according to a press release.

Participants answered questions about their sitting habits, physical activity and other lifestyle behaviors, while dementia diagnoses were identified using Swedish health and death records.

Mentally active sedentary behavior was associated with "a significant reduction in dementia risk" compared to more passive sitting activities.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Although the study was based in Sweden, the release said the findings "are likely generalizable to a wider global population" and could help "inform public health guidelines and preventive strategies to reduce dementia."

In a statement, lead researcher Dr. Mats Hallgren of Sweden's Karolinska Institute said the study highlighted major distinctions between passive and mentally engaging sedentary habits when it comes to brain health.

"While all sitting involves minimal energy expenditure, it may be differentiated by the level of brain activity," said Hallgren.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"How we use our brains while we are sitting appears to be a crucial determinant of future cognitive functioning and, as we have shown, may predict dementia onset."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Sedentary behavior is a "ubiquitous but modifiable risk factor for many health conditions, including dementia," according to the researcher.

"Our study adds the observation that not all sedentary behaviors are equivalent; some may increase the risk of dementia, while others may be protective," he added. "It is important to remain physically active as we age, but also mentally active — especially when we are sitting."

The CDC projects that by 2060, nearly 14 million American adults will have Alzheimer's disease.

One recent study published by the Alzheimer's Association found that a person's biological age may be tied to dementia risk.

Researchers also recently found that a higher intake of unprocessed meat may protect against dementia in older people who have a variant of a certain gene.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/iLKpuUg

Read More

Experimental Alzheimer’s drug could reduce alcohol withdrawal damage, researchers say

An investigational dementia drug may also ease alcohol withdrawal by calming the brain inflammation linked to addiction and relapse.

That’s according to researchers at the University of Kentucky, who studied an experimental medication called MW150 that targets a brain inflammation pathway known as p38α MAPK.

The drug, which has not yet been approved, is designed to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

ALCOHOL DEATHS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED IN RECENT YEARS, ESPECIALLY AMONG WOMEN

Scientists believe neuroinflammation may contribute to relapse risk and long-term neurological damage in people with alcohol use disorder.

In laboratory and animal-model experiments, MW150 was found to reduce certain inflammatory markers during alcohol withdrawal.

The work, which was published in the journal Alcohol, came from the University of Kentucky’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, led by neuroinflammation researcher Linda Van Eldik.

ALCOHOL POSES THESE 8 RISKS TO OLDER ADULTS, EXPERTS WARN

Caleb Bailey, PhD, co-author of the study and a researcher in Van Eldik’s lab, said the study provides "biological plausibility" that MW150 could mitigate neuroinflammation arising from alcohol withdrawal.

Alcohol use disorder is difficult to treat because of high relapse rates, especially during withdrawal, according to Bailey.

"If follow-up experiments reveal similar anti-inflammatory effects of MW150 in animal models of alcohol use disorder, it would provide a strong rationale for development of MW150 as a treatment for those struggling with chronic alcohol relapse due to alcohol withdrawal," he told Fox News Digital.

'I"M A NEUROSURGEON — HERE'S WHAT ALCOHOL DOES TO THE BODY'

MW150, along with a related drug called Neflamapimod, is already being investigated in clinical trials as a potential therapy for dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions, the researchers noted.

"That gives this work added significance," Bailey said. "Because these compounds are already further along in development for other neurological diseases, it raises the possibility that they could someday be repurposed more efficiently for alcohol-related conditions if future studies continue to show promise."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

There were some important caveats of the research, including that it was conducted in cell culture and animal models.

"Because they are ‘dish’-based models, they provide limited information regarding what happens in the full organism – or even the full brain for that matter," Bailey said.

"A series of follow-up studies in living animals is required to more fully understand how future MW150 treatment in alcohol use and withdrawal affects systemic health and/or alcohol consumption."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Dr. Amy Swift, deputy chief medical officer at Silver Hill Hospital in Connecticut, was not involved in the study but shared her reactions to the findings.

"Although detoxification using tapering doses of medication has long been considered the evidence-based first step in treating alcohol use disorder, its impact on the long-term trajectory of a person’s drinking behavior has been limited," she told Fox News Digital.

"Put simply, detoxification does not treat alcohol use disorder itself; rather, it prevents the potentially fatal complications of alcohol withdrawal."

Adding supportive medications — especially those intended to improve overall brain health — could address an important gap in early treatment of detoxification, according to Swift.

"Given the profound inflammatory effects alcohol has across multiple organ systems, it is worthwhile to investigate whether reducing neuroinflammation could improve a patient’s ability to engage in treatment earlier in recovery and, in turn, meaningfully alter their long-term relationship with alcohol," she added.

Bailey emphasized that no amount of alcohol consumption is good from a physical health standpoint.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"We don't currently have robust pharmacological treatments to mitigate damage caused by chronic alcohol consumption," he said. "Minimizing alcohol consumption, therefore, is the best strategy for staying healthy."

As the MW150 compound continues to be studied for dementia patients, Bailey saud, "information regarding the interaction between these drugs and alcohol – for better or for worse – will be important for patient outcomes."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/uG9jDRM

Read More

Filtered water at specific ages could add months to your lifespan decades later, new study finds

Drinking filtered water may extend a person's life by several months, according to a new study.

The research, published in the American Journal of Health Economics, reveals that being exposed to water filtration systems early in life can significantly increase longevity. By analyzing public health infrastructure shifts from the early 20th century, researchers found that city water filtration alone increased the lifespan of older American men by an average of 3.2 months.

UPGRADE YOUR TAP WITH THESE COUNTERTOP REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEMS

"While water quality has improved in many areas, this study shows the real impacts to communities without access to safe water, both in the U.S. and globally," co-author Jason Fletcher, a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, said in a press release.

"The consequences on human health are significant."

The team analyzed data from the Social Security Administration’s Death Master Files. They tracked death records for American men born between 1975 and 2005, mapping each individual’s year and city of birth to historical water filtration records.

WHERE YOU LIVE COULD SHAPE YOUR RISK OF CANCER MORTALITY, STUDY SUGGESTS

By connecting early-life environments to late-life outcomes, the researchers isolated the lifelong impact of clean water.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Beyond adding months to a person's life, the study suggests that clean water in childhood sets off a positive chain reaction for socioeconomic and physical development.

Additional data from mid-20th-century censuses showed that early exposure to filtered water was linked to increased height, higher education and income levels later in life.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The paper is part of a broader research initiative called the American Mortality Project, which examines how early-life conditions shape the modern American lifespan.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The researchers exclusively analyzed historical data from American men, meaning the findings may not fully capture how early-life water filtration impacted the long-term longevity, physical growth, or cognitive scores of women from the same era.

The data is limited to public health infrastructure changes across U.S. cities during a specific window in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Because of this, the exact timeline and magnitude of the lifespan extension (3.2 months) may not directly translate to modern developing nations, rural communities, or areas with different environments.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/10eHYzK

Read More

5 common walking mistakes that could hurt your progress, according to an expert

Walking is a great way to get the body moving and clear the mind — but if you're doing it wrong, it may do more harm than good.

That's according to Dr. Milica McDowell, author of the new book "Walk," a guide to getting the most out of walking.

The Montana-based doctor of physical therapy, who specializes in lower extremity and orthopedics, shared in an interview with Fox News Digital how powerful walking can be.

WALKING STYLE COULD BE KEY TO LONGEVITY AND INJURY COMEBACKS, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS

"Walking has incredible health benefits for your wellness today and your longevity tomorrow," she said. "And it's something that's at an all-time low since the pandemic."

"Walking improves every system in your body – gut, musculoskeletal, mental health, your hormones – and so it has an incredible power to help optimize how you're doing."

McDowell added that walking is a "phenomenal way" to support a weight-loss journey, as it’s low-impact and low-intensity. It can also boost creativity and reduce stress.

JUST 5 MINUTES OF EXERCISE COULD REDUCE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, STUDY FINDS

While the health benefits of walking are evident, McDowell warned of some mistakes that could reverse progress.

Escaping our phones can sometimes feel impossible, but if there’s ever a time to be on do-not-disturb, it’s during a walk, according to McDowell.

Walking while scrolling is "really dangerous," she cautioned, as you're less aware of your surroundings and more susceptible to accidents.

"You could step in a pothole. You could get hit by a car. You could trip over something. You could bump into someone," she said. "Walking and scrolling is actually a bit of a public health crisis."

SIMPLE DAILY ACTIVITY COULD REDUCE RISK OF LOWER BACK PAIN, STUDY FINDS

Scrolling also puts the neck in a downward position, making the head heavier, which changes your posture "from the top down," McDowell said. "That can be a problem if you're someone who struggles with neck pain, back pain or shoulder pain."

McDowell recommends wearing a proper shoe designed specifically for walking to support the feet, promote healthy alignment and protect musculoskeletal health.

The shoe should be "shaped like a foot" so that the toes have room to spread within a wide toe box, she said.

Having space between each toe activates more muscles in the foot and creates a "more healthy walking gait," according to the expert.

SIMPLE JAPANESE FITNESS TREND COULD ADD 7 YEARS TO LIFE EXPECTANCY, EXPERTS SAY

More than 60% of adults wear the wrong shoe size, according to McDowell, and sizing can vary significantly between brands and manufacturers. She recommends getting measured by a professional to ensure the optimal fit.

Walking engages important muscles that support stability and mobility, including the glutes, which help propel the body forward with each step.

But walking shouldn’t be your only form of exercise, experts say. Incorporating strength training and other forms of movement can help prevent overuse injuries, improve balance and build overall fitness.

"A health stack includes drinking enough water, having healthy nutrition and sleeping adequately — and walking can be added to the other activities," she said.

Pairing walking with activities like weightlifting, pickleball, dancing or CrossFit can help create a more balanced fitness routine, according to McDowell, and are all part of building a strong "health stack."

"A health stack includes drinking [enough] water, having healthy nutrition, sleeping adequately — and walking can be added to the other activities," she said.

The speed at which we walk may tell us more about our health than we think.

ALZHEIMER’S DECLINE COULD SLOW DRAMATICALLY WITH ONE SIMPLE DAILY HABIT, STUDY FINDS

Walking speed is the sixth vital sign of health, according to McDowell. These clinical measurements also include blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature.

If your walking speed begins to decline, this could be a marker of underlying health conditions up to seven years before they occur.

While most people walk at about 90 to 100 steps per minute, translating to about three miles per hour, McDowell suggested increasing your speed to reap "higher level benefits."

This might mean taking a brisk walk at about 120 to 130 steps per minute, or three and a half to four miles an hour.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"That can be a place where you get higher level payoff, including more calories burned, if you're on a weight-loss journey," she said.

McDowell emphasized the importance of staying consistent with your walking routine. 

A daily walk will have bigger payoffs than only walking once or twice a week. The expert likened walking to basic hygiene, such as brushing your teeth.

"Everyone is at different places on their walking journey," she said. "Don't set the 10,000 steps per day benchmark. That is a marketing myth ... Go ahead and find a step count that works well for you, maybe between 5,500 and 7,500."

McDowell summed up that each walk should be efficient.

"If you are an efficient walker, you are graceful, you are not wasting energy, you are walking balanced no matter your height, your weight or your age," she said.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

As the wellness movement has emphasized the importance of just moving, McDowell commented that walking is a "pinnacle activity" in this push.

"People are recognizing that these softer, more consistent activities can provide a lot of benefit for our physical and mental health," she said.

"You don't have to go and crush yourself in the gym. You don't have to be dripping sweat ... It's something you can do for periods of time throughout the day, little ‘snacks’ that all add up, or you can take longer walks depending on what time is available to you."

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Walking can also be a positive social experience done with friends and loved ones, McDowell noted. This is particularly important for seniors who can benefit from the combined physical activity and social interaction.

"Walking with an older adult can help combat loneliness," she said. "It can also help improve balance and reaction time, and reduce fall risk."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/5nWjVz3

Read More