Intermittent fasting’s real benefit may come after you start eating again

Research continues to uncover new details on how fasting may help extend life.

A new study published in the journal Nature Communications investigated how intermittent fasting can boost longevity in small worms often used in aging research.

Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas compared worms that were fed normally to those that underwent a 24-hour fast in early adulthood and were then re-fed for 24 hours, according to a press release.

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The scientists measured a variety of factors, including stored fat, gene activity related to fat metabolism, and lifespan.

The results showed that the life-boosting benefit did not depend on the fasting itself, but on the body’s behavior after eating again.

Study lead Peter Douglas, PhD, associate professor of molecular biology and a member of the Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine at UT Southwestern, suggested that these discoveries "shift the focus toward a neglected side of the metabolic coin – the re-feeding phase."

"Our data suggest that the health-promoting effects of intermittent fasting are not merely a product of the fast itself, but are dependent on how the metabolic machinery recalibrates during the subsequent transition back to a fed state," he said.

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"Our findings bridge a gap between lipid metabolism and aging research," he added. "By targeting aging, the single greatest risk factor for human disease, we move beyond treating isolated conditions toward a preventive model of medicine that enhances quality of life for all individuals."

Lauri Wright, director of nutrition programs at the University of South Florida's College of Public Health, called this a "high-quality" study that adds an "important nuance to how we think about fasting and longevity."

The benefits of the re-feeding phase after fasting were "especially interesting," Wright, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

"The researchers showed that longevity was linked to the body’s ability to turn off fat breakdown after fasting, allowing cells to restore energy balance," she reiterated.

"From a scientific standpoint, that’s a meaningful shift, because it suggests fasting is not just about burning fat, but about metabolic flexibility."

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Fasting may support longevity through triggering metabolic switching, enhancing cellular repair and stress resistance, and improving markers like insulin sensitivity, research shows.

Although this study provides "important insight" on the power of re-feeding, Wright noted that the findings should be approached with caution, as the study was done in worms and cannot always be translated to humans.

"Additionally, it explains how a process might work in a controlled lab condition rather than real-world eating behaviors," she added as a limitation. "Finally, the study is short-term and doesn't give us the long-term translation on lifespan outcomes."

Wright cautioned that fasting is "not a magic solution for longevity, and how you eat overall matters more than when you eat."

"I advise, first and foremost, to focus on diet quality, including a variety of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and minimally processed foods," she said.

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For those who are considering fasting, it’s better to stick with a moderate plan — like a 12- to 14-hour overnight fast — rather than going to extremes, Wright said. After fasting, she recommends focusing on well-balanced meals.

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Several groups of people should be cautioned against fasting, according to Wright, including those with diabetes who are on insulin or hypoglycemic medications, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, anyone with a history of eating disorders, and older adults at risk of malnutrition.

Anyone considering intermittent fasting should consult with a doctor before starting.

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Cheap surgery overseas may come with devastating complications, doctors warn

More than three million people travel to undergo cosmetic surgery each year, statistics show – but the potential savings come at a cost.

Most people opting to pursue this so-called "medical tourism" are chasing budget-friendly price tags. 

International surgeries, such as hair transplants in Turkey, can cost as little as $4,000–$5,000 compared to $20,000–$30,000 in the U.S., but often come with extreme risks, according to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sheila Nazarian.

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The doctor recently joined Lisa Brady on the "The FOX News Rundown" podcast to discuss the rising trend of medical tourism. One of the biggest risks, she said, is the lack of safety regulations in popular destinations like Mexico and Turkey.

As demand spikes in these medical tourism "mills," there have been reports of non-medically trained staff performing procedures like hair transplants.

"I’ve heard that they [international clinics] are even recruiting people who maybe were taxi drivers and then putting them through their own training program ... to become hair transplant technicians," Nazarian shared. "That’s how high the demand has become."

In the U.S., medical school graduates are granted a "physician and surgeon" license, which means doctors — including pediatricians or OB-GYNs — can legally perform cosmetic surgeries, even if they didn’t receive specialized training for those procedures during residency, Nazarian noted.

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Instead of pinching pennies, the doctor recommends paying whatever amount is necessary to ensure quality treatment.

"People think of it as, you know, going to the mall ... it’s surgery, and surgery has risks," she said. "You need to be with someone who not only can perform a beautiful surgery, but who can handle possible complications well."

"You need to ask them: ‘What was your residency training in? And if you wanted to, would you be allowed to do this procedure in a hospital?’"

Aftercare is another critical factor in the success and safety of a cosmetic procedure, as the doctor emphasized that 20% of a surgical result depends on post-operative care.

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This can be difficult or even impossible to manage when a doctor is in a different time zone, she cautioned, or if the clinic disappears shortly after the procedure.

Nazarian also discussed the importance of addressing the psychological component of plastic surgery, noting that no procedure will fix underlying unhappiness. The doctor said she uses screening questionnaires to ensure that patients are truly seeking self-improvement rather than a "cure" for deeper issues.

"If you’re not already generally very content with your life, a knife in my hand is not going to bring you there," Nazarian said.

"The analogy I always give is you don't want a paisley couch – you want a neutral couch and you can put paisley pillows on it," she said, noting that a procedure should "make you look normal, God-given, athletic. And then you can change your clothes when the trends come and go."

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Dr. Samuel Golpanian, MD, a double board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, said he has also seen an increasing number of patients undergoing cosmetic procedures abroad, sometimes with "devastating consequences."

"I’ve seen a wide range of complications, including infections, poor wound healing, significant scarring and tissue necrosis (skin death)," he told Fox News Digital. "These complications often lead to prolonged pain, ongoing medical problems, and significant additional costs to repair the damage."

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Golpanian said he’s treated patients who received unsafe or non-medical-grade injectable materials, which can lead to serious long-term health issues.

"I’ve also seen damage to underlying structures, asymmetry and results that are extremely difficult — sometimes impossible — to correct."

"That said, I’ve also seen some good outcomes, so it’s not all bad," he noted. "The key is being extremely careful before embarking on this journey."

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Your favorite snacks could be quietly wrecking your knees, new research suggests

You might want to drop the bacon, because it might be the reason behind your bad knees, recent research suggests.

Ultraprocessed foods have been studied extensively for their negative health effects, and now a new study has linked them to an increased risk of arthritis in the knees.

Foods in this category are designed for longer shelf life, strong flavor appeal and convenience. Common examples include breakfast cereals, bacon, hot dogs, pre-packaged snacks and sweets.

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"Over the past decades, in parallel to the rising prevalences of obesity and knee osteoarthritis, the use of natural ingredients in our diets has steadily diminished," said the study’s lead author, Zehra Akkaya, MD, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), in a press release.

Previous research into knee osteoarthritis — a degenerative "wear-and-tear" condition — has revealed that higher amounts of intramuscular fat in the thigh could increase the risk of developing the condition.

When fat gets into the muscle, it weakens the support system for the knee, leading to more joint stress and inflammation.

"It constitutes one of the largest non-cancer-related healthcare costs in the United States and around the world. It is highly linked to obesity and unhealthy lifestyle choices," said Akkaya.

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The research team set out to determine whether diet directly influences this fat buildup. Using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative – which is a large, long-term public research project focused on the condition – they analyzed 615 individuals who did not yet have osteoarthritis.

Through non-enhanced MRI scans, they looked for degeneration marked by streaks of fat replacing healthy muscle fibers in the thigh.

The results, published in the journal Radiology, showed that the more ultraprocessed foods people consumed, the higher the amount of fat stored inside their thigh muscles.

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This was true regardless of a person’s total caloric intake, their weight or how much they exercised.

Even if someone was "thin" or active, if their diet was primarily composed of ultraprocessed foods, muscle quality and knee health could still be at risk.

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On average, the study participants consumed about 41% of their daily food from ultraprocessed sources.

Reducing ultraprocessed food consumption may help to preserve muscle quality, which in turn could alleviate the burden of knee osteoarthritis, according to the researchers.

One of the best ways to prevent obesity is to adopt a healthy, balanced diet and to exercise regularly.

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There were some limitations to the study. While it showed a clear link between ultraprocessed foods and muscle fat, it could not definitively prove that the food caused the fat buildup, only that they happened at the same time.

The findings are also based on participants reporting their own diets, which can sometimes be inaccurate compared to clinical monitoring, the researchers noted.

Additionally, the study focused on people already at high risk for knee issues, so the results might not apply as much to younger or healthier populations.

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Doctors warn of ‘looksmaxxing’ dangers after influencer’s livestream emergency

"Clavicular," the controversial "looksmaxxing" influencer, was reportedly hospitalized due to a suspected overdose Tuesday night during a livestream. 

The Miami content creator, 20, posted a photo of his bloody face and commented on X Wednesday.

"Just got home, that was brutal. All of the substances are just [to] cope, trying to feel neurotypical while being in public, but obviously, that isn’t a real solution. The worst part of tonight was my face descending from the life support mask."

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The influencer, whose real name is Braden Peters, was hospitalized after his livestream was cut short when he began slurring his words and repeating phrases, according to reports.

Looksmaxxing is a social media trend focused on enhancing appearance, ranging from basic skin care to extreme practices like hitting cheekbones with hammers to alter facial structure.

The potentially dangerous trend has been popular with young males, plastic surgeons told Fox News Digital.

"In my practice, we've seen it primarily in young men in their 20s," Dr. Josef Hadeed, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California, told Fox News Digital. "We have had a few women, but I'd say by and large, it's been mostly men who have come into our office wanting these various looksmaxxing procedures."

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"Patients are increasingly seeking to align how they look with how they feel," he said. "The difference today is that the tools and technologies available to achieve that have never been more advanced or more accessible."

Looksmaxxing can be divided into two categories: "softmaxxing" and "hardmaxxing," according to Hadeed. Softmaxxing is a more simple, non-invasive approach to improving one’s looks.

"It's really like self-care or grooming – things like going to the gym on a regular basis to try to improve your body composition, or using various skincare products to try to improve your skin texture," the surgeon said.

Softmaxxing techniques – which can also include teeth whitening, beard grooming, or upgrading a wardrobe or hairstyle – are not usually a problem, according to Hadeed. Hardmaxxing, which involves more extreme measures, can have riskier consequences.

Some individuals in the looksmaxxing online community do things like "bone smashing," Hadeed said.

"[It’s] literally what it sounds like, where you smash the bones to change the facial structure, and that is obviously not recommended because it can lead to potential complications," he warned.

"Once you cross that line and start getting into more extreme things, I feel like that's where most plastic surgeons should draw the line."

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Dr. C. Bob Basu, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, said the biggest safety risks with the looksmaxxing trend come from pursuing treatments without proper medical guidance.

"Social media can make procedures seem easy or risk-free, but even minimally invasive treatments carry real risks if performed incorrectly or by an untrained provider," the Houston-based plastic surgeon told Fox News Digital.

To achieve quality results, it is critical to be treated by a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands both safety and anatomy, Basu advised.

The convergence of social media, constant digital visibility and "unprecedented access to aesthetic treatments" – along with a cultural shift toward optimizing wellness and longevity – are fueling the looksmaxxing trend, according to Basu.

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Hadeed agreed, noting that social media puts pressure on individuals to look perfect.

"People are constantly comparing themselves to other people online," he told Fox News Digital. "It can quickly develop into body dysmorphia for a lot of people, and that's when they start pursuing more and more procedures that they don't need by any stretch – it's kind of like keeping up with the Joneses."

Dr. Nancy Frye, a professor in the psychology department at Long Island University in Brookville, New York, also weighed in on what’s driving the looksmaxxing craze.

"We figure out how attractive we might be by comparing what we see in ourselves to what we see in others," she told Fox News Digital. "This social comparison is especially problematic with social media and filters, as people compare themselves to filtered versions of others."

While experts warn of the risks of looksmaxxing, they say a thoughtful approach can have some benefits, including pride in one’s appearance and health.

The most tangible benefits are associated with the softmaxxing approach, which includes following a fitness routine, eating a clean diet and following regular skin care routines, according to Hadeed.

With healthy guidance, aesthetic care can "enhance confidence and self-esteem, helping patients feel more aligned with their sense of self," Basu added.

Both plastic surgeons emphasized the importance of taking a responsible approach when considering the looksmaxxing trend.

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"The goal should always be thoughtful self-improvement, not perfection," Basu said. "It should never be about looking like someone else or a filtered version of yourself, but rather about becoming a confident, natural and authentic version of you."

Anyone considering this trend should consult a licensed healthcare professional rather than relying on advice from social media influencers, the doctors advised.

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Peptides may soon be easier to get amid RFK Jr's push, but experts warn of risks

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will reportedly weigh easing restrictions on peptides in anticipated talks.

The meeting, which is expected to be held in July, will discuss relaxing limits on more than a half dozen peptide injections.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids — the building blocks of proteins — that play key roles in biological functions, according to the National Institutes of Health. Peptide drugs are lab-made versions of natural molecules in the body that are designed to mimic or influence biological signals to treat disease, experts say.

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In a federal notice released Wednesday, the FDA identified these drugs — used for conditions ranging from insomnia to obesity — for potential inclusion on a list of substances that can be safely compounded by pharmacies.

This follows Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to deregulate peptides, which he’s spoken about publicly, although most peptides have not been reviewed for safety by the FDA.

Kennedy has discussed using the substances for personal injuries. In a recent interview on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, he stated that he’s a "big fan of peptides."

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The HHS secretary mentioned that he’s "very anxious" to making some peptides "more accessible."

"My hope is that they will get moved to a place where people have access from ethical suppliers," Kennedy said, alluding to the FDA taking action.

Peptides have gained popularity among wellness influencers and fitness gurus as a means of building muscle, healing injuries or appearing younger, the AP reported.

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Peptides act like a signal to hormones and the human body. Similar to how GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists), such as Ozempic, suppress appetite and trigger weight loss, peptides can signal other functions, like the release of growth hormones.

Certain peptides up for review by the FDA, like BPC-157, are marketed for tendon healing, gut healing (in cases like ulcerative colitis), injury recovery and inflammation reduction, although the FDA has warned about the risk of unapproved peptide treatments.

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The FDA wrote in a February advisory that "compounded drugs should only be used in patients whose medical needs cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug."

"Patients should obtain a prescription from their doctor and fill the prescription at a state-licensed pharmacy," the agency wrote.

The current peptide market has been referred to as the "Wild West" due to lack of regulation. In an interview with AP, Dr. Peter Lurie, a former FDA official who now leads the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, D.C., commented that "the Wild West is about to become wilder."

"I don’t see why one would take the path of proper drug approval if there is now this less rigorous, alternative path to market," he said.

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Under the Biden administration, the FDA added nearly 20 peptides to a list of substances that should not be produced by compounding pharmacies, according to the AP.

The panel of pharmacy advisers at the time noted that the peptides did not meet criteria for safety.

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'Office air' trend has people convinced the workplace is aging them: 'Less fresh'

Is the air in your office dulling your look? The internet, and some experts, think so.

"Office air," a new trend on social media, is a concept that suggests sitting in an office for an eight-hour shift changes skin, hair and overall appearance.

The TikTok trend has sparked many videos and millions of views from a variety of creators, mostly women.

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One TikTok creator, Zoe Keels (@zoescoutt), posted her own before-and-after video following an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. shift in the office, which has received more than 300,000 views.

"Sucks the life right out of you," Keels wrote in the caption of the post. Others commented, agreeing with her experience.

"It makes my skin look & feel horrible! Ughh," one user commented.

Another wrote, "I look like I’ve been to war every day by 3pm."

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In a conversation with Fox News Digital, Keels described "office air" as a "combo of dry, recycled air, bright fluorescent lighting and staring at a screen for eight hours, mixed with the stress of the job itself."

"By the end of the day, it definitely shows in my skin, makeup and hair," she said.

This phenomenon has some scientific backing, experts say.

Los Angeles-based dermatologist Dr. Sandra Oska said most office environments rely on HVAC systems that "lower ambient humidity."

This can cause the skin to appear more dry and dull, according to Oska, due to an increase in "transepidermal water loss."

"When the skin is dehydrated, that can emphasize the appearance of fine lines, and makeup can settle into patches of dry skin," she told Fox News Digital. "Eczema-prone or sensitive skin does not do as well in low-humidity environments, either."

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When the skin feels dry, it can "try to compensate by producing more sebum, which can contribute to oiliness in the T-zone that’s worse by end of day," the dermatologist noted.

Low-humidity environments can also cause the hair to feel dry and frizzy, causing flyaways.

"This is why hair starts looking worse by the afternoon," she said. "When the environment is dry, the scalp compensates by producing more sebum, meaning the roots look oilier and the volume at the root can fall flat."

Certain irritants in an environment, like dust particles, can also irritate the skin and eyes, according to Oska.

"This can cause people to rub their eyes, which in turn contributes to puffiness and dark circles," she said.

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The "office air" trend not only impacts physical appearance, but also the mental well-being, confidence and productivity of employees throughout the workday, according to Amanda Augustine, a career expert at resume.io.

"Many office workers on the app say they feel ‘less fresh’ by the afternoon, as their surroundings take a toll on both their hair and skin," she told Fox News Digital.

"The 'office air' trend on TikTok highlights a real concern about workplace environments affecting not just appearance, but also employee confidence and well-being."

Augustine highlighted how office factors, like excessive air conditioning or heating, artificial lighting, lack of natural sunlight, poor ventilation and prolonged screen time, can lead to dry skin, hair issues and fatigue.

"All of [those] can negatively impact employee productivity, engagement and morale," she said. "While it may seem like a lighthearted social media trend, it highlights the importance of workplace wellness."

"Employers should note that creating a comfortable, well-ventilated office space can encourage a healthier and more engaged workforce."

Keeping skin moisturized and taking breaks to get fresh air can also help prevent this effect, experts say.

The "office air" phenomenon is not a medical concept, some experts noted, and any changes in appearance could also be due to other factors beyond environmental exposure.

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Fox News Digital reached out to several indoor air quality and occupational health organizations requesting comment.

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