Popular artificial sweetener linked to potentially dangerous heart risk

People who consume greater amounts of a popular artificial sweetener could face a greater risk of heart attack and stroke, a new study suggests.

The research, which was presented at the ESC Cardiology Congress in Germany this week, showed that higher levels of xylitol in the blood were associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is commonly used as a low-calorie sweetener and sugar substitute, according to the National Institutes of Health. It is often used in higher amounts to sweeten foods, drinks, chewing gum and dental care products.

ZERO-CALORIE SWEETENERS COULD ALTER THE GENES OF LATER GENERATIONS, NEW STUDY WARNS

The researchers followed two large study cohorts of more than 17,700 Canadian and British participants.

Over a six-year follow-up, people in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging with the highest xylitol levels had a 57% higher risk of death, myocardial infarction or stroke related to cardiovascular events compared to those with the lowest levels.

Over 30 years, participants in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk group with the highest xylitol levels had an 18% greater risk of MACE.

Both cohorts showed evidence of a dose-dependent association, in which higher blood xylitol concentrations corresponded to higher rates of cardiovascular events.

DIRTY SODA DRINKS ARE EVERYWHERE, BUT DOCTORS WARN OF HEALTH RISKS: 'METABOLIC DISASTER'

These higher risks persisted even after the researchers adjusted for other factors like age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes and lipid levels.

The study follows previous research that showed xylitol can enhance the ability of platelets to form clots, according to Dr. Marco Witkowski, the study presenter from Charité University Hospital in Berlin, Germany.

"Artificial sweeteners are consumed by people who think they are healthier than sugar, and they are generally regarded as safe by regulatory agencies," the doctor said in a statement.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"Our long-term findings in the general population highlight how little we know about the cardiovascular safety of xylitol and indicate that further studies are warranted, especially as the amount of xylitol in products continues to increase."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

The study was observational and does not prove that xylitol causes cardiovascular events, as the researchers noted that more studies are needed to confirm the findings.

The report also does not establish whether high levels of xylitol in the blood necessarily reflect dietary consumption, as the sugar alcohol can also be produced naturally in the body as part of glucose metabolism.

"These disturbing findings with [a] plausible mechanism of xylitol increasing cardiovascular risk should be taken very seriously," Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a cardiologist and public health campaigner based in London, told Fox News Digital.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"As a practicing cardiologist, I see many patients suffering from anxiety and palpitations that resolve as soon as they stop taking artificial sweeteners."

Malhotra, who was not involved in the study, noted that one of the most important dietary changes to reduce cardiovascular risk is to "unsweeten your sweet tooth."

"That’s why I advise all my patients to avoid all processed sugars and artificial sweeteners for six weeks to break the addiction," he added.

Fox News Digital reached out to several food and beverage trade groups for comment.

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

Read More

Dietitian reveals simple eating strategy for better sleep — and one habit to avoid

How you eat can influence how you sleep, according to experts.

Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian, certified diabetes care specialist and author of "The Sleepdemic Solution," says certain foods can make, or break, a good night’s sleep.

"There are a number of foods that can help support sleep, and sometimes it's even a combination," she told Fox News Digital.

5-STEP SLEEP RESET COULD PROMOTE HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS, NUTRITIONIST SAYS

Keeping blood sugar steady throughout the day may help prevent afternoon energy crashes and support more restorative sleep at night, Palinski-Wade said.

Waking up in the middle of the night and struggling to fall back asleep may not always be insomnia, she suggested, but could be linked to fluctuations in glucose levels.

Combining lean proteins, slow-digesting carbohydrates and healthy fats in meals and snacks can help stabilize those levels — what Palinski-Wade called the "No. 1 way" to improve overall sleep.

Some small studies suggest tart cherry juice may support sleep, and the expert named tart cherries — or 100% tart cherry juice — as her top choice. 

FOOD CRAVINGS AT 3:45 PM AREN'T RANDOM, HERE'S WHAT YOUR BODY MAY BE WARNING YOU ABOUT

"Tart cherries [are] one of the foods that have the highest amount of melatonin naturally, but they also have compounds that help to really extend that melatonin in our bodies and our body's ability to use it," she said.

Still, research linking tart cherry consumption to modest improvements in sleep duration or quality is limited and mixed; a 2025 systematic review reached a similar conclusion.

For those who suffer from insomnia, Palinski-Wade recommends ingesting 4 to 6 ounces of 100% tart cherry juice, or about a quarter cup of dried tart cherries.

"It's a really, really great tool to improve your sleep – and it's really tasty, too," she said.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Foods and drinks that may help reduce inflammation can also support sleep, the dietitian said.

"When we have more antioxidants in the body, more anti-inflammatory compounds, we're really helping our body to achieve that more restful state," Palinski-Wade said.

Foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds — including nuts and seeds, olive oil and avocados — also provide healthy fats and other nutrients that may support sleep.

On the other hand, Palinski-Wade warned that caffeine intake can negatively impact sleep quality.

"So many of us have a poor night's sleep and the next day we reach for caffeine to give us a burst of energy," she said. "And there's nothing wrong with a little bit of caffeine, but you have to look at how much you're having and how close to bedtime."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"And it's a stimulant, so it's harder to fall asleep," Palinski-Wade warned. "If you have foods or beverages with a large amount of caffeine, and you're having them in the afternoon or toward the evening, that is going to make it very hard to get restorative, restful sleep in the evening."

For those who do drink caffeine, it is best to stop about 10 hours before bedtime, the expert advised.

The "sweet spot" for daily caffeine intake is 300 milligrams or less, she said. Any more than that becomes a "stressor to our body." A cup of coffee, traditionally 8 ounces, is about 100 milligrams.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

The FDA says up to 400 milligrams daily is not generally associated with negative effects for most adults, although individual tolerance can vary depending on factors such as medications, health conditions and sensitivity to caffeine.

"We start to release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, and that not only makes our body store fat versus burn it, but it also increases inflammation," Palinski-Wade noted. 

"So now you have the stimulant, you have this inflammation, and all those things go against quality sleep."

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

Read More

Why Dolly Parton’s death can feel like losing someone you knew personally

The death of Dolly Parton has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans around the world, many of whom have shared that they feel like they’ve lost someone they knew personally.

Grief experts say it’s possible to experience genuine feelings of loss even if there wasn’t a personal relationship — particularly when the public figure has become woven into people’s memories and routines over a long period of time.

Psychologists refer to this type of loss as parasocial grief, according to licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Dara Houp.

DOLLY PARTON’S PRIVATE CANCER BATTLE HIGHLIGHTS WHY SOME PATIENTS DON’T SHARE THEIR DIAGNOSES

"When a celebrity shares their personal life – childhood experiences, hardships and victories – our brains register these bits of information through the same emotional and neural pathways utilized for our real-life friendships and a genuine attachment is developed," Houp, with Pathways Psychological Services in New York City, told Fox News Digital.

When that perceived relationship comes to an end, people may experience the parasocial grief, she said.

Desiree Taranto, a licensed mental health counselor and clinical director at Empower Your Mind Therapy in New York City, said the widespread reaction also reflects "collective grief," a shared emotional response when a loss resonates across a community.

"Parton’s music, movies, philanthropy and public persona became part of many people’s family traditions, memories and difficult life moments," she told Fox News Digital.

"I honestly didn’t know I could react that way over someone I don’t even personally know," one user wrote in a grief support group on Reddit. "[Dolly] was a ray of sunshine in this dark world nowadays, and I just can’t help but cry and get so emotional about it."

Another user shared that "as each day passes, losing Dolly seems to hurt more instead of less. I have found myself crying and feeling this deep sadness that I just can’t shake."

IN WAKE OF DOLLY PARTON'S DEATH, ONCOLOGIST REVEALS WHY SOME PATIENTS KEEP CANCER DIAGNOSES SECRET

"I never met Dolly, and I know she didn’t know me, but I loved her for most of my life. That love was real, and so this grief feels real too."

Someone else in a different group referred to the feelings of sadness as "post-Parton depression."

"I don't know why I am taking Dolly Parton's death so hard," one user wrote. "I never met her… She didn't know me. But for some reason, I can't stop crying."

"I think the reason it's hard is because she was a light and just a wonderful human," someone else shared. "She is exactly who Jesus wanted us to be."

The emotions people experience when grieving a celebrity can feel as real as those felt after losing someone they knew personally, Houp said.

"Perceived relational intimacy, not whether we actually know an individual, is largely what determines the intensity of grief," she said. "The emotional connection your brain developed runs along the same neural pathways as real-life bonds."

It’s also possible that the deaths of certain celebrities — particularly those associated with childhood, family traditions or major life moments — are more likely to trigger an intense grief response, the expert noted.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"When a celebrity’s life is connected to a personal milestone — such as a break-up or the birth of a child — their death permanently disrupts a living connection to who, what or where you used to be," Houp said. "Losing a celebrity can feel like losing a piece of your own history."

A song may be tied to someone who has died, a family memory or a difficult period when Parton’s work brought comfort, Taranto noted, making the loss feel connected to a person’s own life story.

Over decades in the public eye, Parton gave fans a window into her life, allowing them to form a sense of who she was, Houp said.

"For many who followed Dolly’s life, she represented resilience and ambition, authenticity and bold self-expression, and a rare, unconditional kindness," she said.

"We identified with the goodness we saw in Dolly and felt encouraged by her ability to overcome hardship – thereby furthering our sense of connection to her."

Taranto offered advice for those feeling the grief following Parton’s death.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"Accept your feelings and know that it is okay to mourn someone you never met," she said. "Do not judge yourself or feel embarrassed because that person’s work, values or advocacy touched your life personally."

It can also help to reach out to others who are also grieving the loss.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"Be there for each other and allow others to be there for you," Taranto advised. "Tell stories, listen to her music, watch her movies or journal about what she meant to you."

"Remember the positive impact she made in the world and the ways she used her platform for good. Shared grief can help us process a loss because it reminds us that we are not alone in it."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/2cVHmI3

Read More

Drug institute warns that Trump-shaped ecstasy pills contain potentially fatal ingredient

A respected drug treatment and mental health center in the Netherlands issued a warning against taking ecstasy pills that are shaped like President Donald Trump’s head, saying they could be fatal.

The Trimbos Institute warned in a "red alert" that the pills contain a high concentration of PMMA, also known as para-methoxymethamfetamine, which is similar to ecstasy’s active ingredient MDMA, but is slower acting.

The slow onset could encourage users to take more and potentially overdose.

The institute shared a photo of two of the pills, of which one was green on the front and one was yellow and they were red and blue on the back.

POLICE SEIZE COCAINE BRICKS WITH STICKERS OF NORWEGIAN SOCCER STAR ERLING HAALAND ALL OVER THEM

The pills had a likeness of Trump’s face on the front and the name "Trump" and letter "NL" on the back.

"Absolutely do not use these pills," the institute urged.

In 2018, Indiana State police seized orange Trump-shaped ecstasy pills in an operation targeting small-time drug traffickers.

Those pills also had Trump’s face on the front and "great again" written on the back, an apparent reference to his Make America Great Again slogan.

In 2017, German police also seized thousands of Trump-shaped ecstasy pills, which also appeared to be orange, that had an estimated street value of nearly $46,000.

There have yet to be any reports of overdoses or deaths due to the drug, Spokesperson Anniek Groothuis told the Associated Press.

GERMAN POLICE SEIZE THOUSANDS OF 'TRUMP' ECSTASY TABLETS

"We do not know of any victims where PMMA was found in their blood," she said.

The clinic said that the pills had recently been handed in to some of their centers where they test drugs before people take them.

While ecstasy is illegal in the Netherlands, hundreds of thousands of people use the drug every year, according to the government.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/d0r2QBX

Read More

‘Quiet quitting’ in marriage: The subtle signs a spouse has emotionally checked out

"Quiet quitting," a workplace term for doing only the minimum required, has also been used to describe a pattern in some marriages.

In relationships, the informal term refers to spouses who remain together while reducing their emotional effort, communication or involvement in the relationship.

Couples may continue managing day-to-day responsibilities, such as household tasks and parenting, even as one partner becomes emotionally and physically disengaged, relationship experts say.

‘NO CONTACT’ ON THE RISE: NEARLY 2 IN 5 AMERICANS CUT TIES WITH LOVED ONES

Discussion of the term has gained traction on social media, with users sharing videos and posts about remaining in a marriage while feeling checked out.

Licensed marriage and family therapist Lisa Brookes Kift, of Marin Therapy and Counseling in California, told Fox News Digital that a noticeable absence of friction can be an early warning sign.

"It’s a myth that an absence of arguing in a relationship automatically means the relationship is healthy," Kift said. "Many are conflict-avoidant and rather than address their feelings, opt to sweep them under the rug, which over the long term erodes the foundation of emotional safety."

Kift said a person’s attachment style — patterns of seeking closeness and support in relationships — can influence how they respond to marital distress.

CUT OFF BY YOUR ADULT CHILD? PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCHER REVEALS WHAT PARENTS SHOULD DO NEXT

"An avoidant style may be more able to stay in their own lane — on their own island — to ride it out, because they are most comfortable resourcing in themselves," she said.

Those with a more secure attachment style are less likely to stay in that dynamic, as they may be more inclined to give a partner the benefit of the doubt and believe problems can be worked through, the expert noted.

These patterns can be shaped, in part, by early experiences involving trust, worthiness and whether a person’s emotional needs were met, according to Kift.

"What did they learn about whether their needs would be met? Whether the most important people to them could be trusted? That they were lovable for who they were and not what they did?" Kift asked.

When adult relationships appear to repeat those early disappointments, partners can lose hope, she added.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"I’ve seen quite a few people in my therapy practice who have taken this stance, where there have been failed attempts to get emotional and other needs met, leading to hopelessness," Kift said.

Kift identified several early signs that a partner may be becoming emotionally disengaged.

Left unaddressed, the relationship could shift into what journalist Monica Corcoran Harel described on Oprah’s podcast as "parallel play" — a reference to toddlers playing side by side without meaningfully engaging with one another.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Repairing a marriage requires both partners to re-engage, Kift said, which can be difficult once one spouse has become deeply emotionally detached.

"If one has fully checked out, they will not be open to repair," she said, adding that hypervigilance — remaining on guard for hurt or disappointment — can make it difficult for a person to recognize positive changes in their partner.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

For couples willing to work on the relationship, Kift suggests starting with a conversation that feels safe and communicates care.

As one example, she suggested saying: "I know it may not have looked like it, but you and our marriage are very important to me. Can we find a time to sit down and talk?"

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/ox8ZEjS

Read More

Measles deaths may have been 'fabricated,' RFK Jr claims after coroner raises questions

Days after Pennsylvania health officials reported two measles deaths, a public dispute has emerged about whether other factors played a role in the fatalities.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the two "measles-associated" deaths on Tuesday, noting that both individuals were unvaccinated.

These were the state’s first measles-related deaths in 35 years, according to the release.

On Wednesday, the DOH revealed that one of the deaths was a newborn baby from Lancaster County. That confirmation came after the county coroner — physician Stephen Diamantoni — said the newborn died shortly after birth from a lacerated spleen and had tested positive for measles acquired before birth, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

FORMER CDC ADVISOR SAYS DECLINE IN KINDERGARTEN VACCINATIONS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT: 'KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON'

Diamantoni’s office was still investigating the newborn’s death, and the coroner said he was not aware of the other reported death, Axios reported.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health stated that not all deaths are referred to a coroner under state law.

The DOH says it uses the term "measles-associated" when laboratory or epidemiologic evidence of measles is present, even if a coroner or medical certifier does not identify measles as the immediate cause of death.

Measles can affect the spleen, potentially causing enlargement and, in rare cases, rupture, according to Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst.

Pregnant women, newborns and young infants can face a higher risk of serious measles complications, the doctor noted.

Infants who are too young to receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine can be especially vulnerable.

COMMON VACCINE LINKED TO 24% LOWER DEMENTIA RISK IN OLDER ADULTS

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has questioned whether Pennsylvania officials provided sufficient information to substantiate the two measles-associated deaths.

In a Wednesday post on X, after the coroner’s comments were made public, Kennedy alleged that Pennsylvania had not given the CDC relevant information and suggested the deaths could have been "fabricated."

"The announcement appears to have been premature, and the deaths may even have been altogether fabricated by one of the Governor's hopeful staffers," he wrote. "The Lancaster County Coroner says that it has no record of any measles deaths."

RFK also accused Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and his office of "fearmongering, misinformation, finger-pointing and the weaponization of infectious disease fears for political gain."

Meanwhile, at a Tuesday press conference, Shapiro said the deaths showed the "real-life consequences" of misinformation about the measles vaccine.

In a subsequent X post, the governor claimed Kennedy had "stoked confusion amongst parents and others — and the result has been less protection from measles and more cases."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

In response to Kennedy’s comments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also spoke on X about the debate, expressing appreciation for RFK’s efforts to "clarify conflicting information" about the cause of the two reported deaths.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"CDC is working to determine what actually occurred," the agency wrote. "These discrepancies raise important questions, particularly because the Governor’s Office has not provided CDC with information relevant to the outbreak and has declined our offers of assistance."

"Under President Trump’s and Secretary Kennedy’s leadership, CDC will follow the facts and tell the American people the truth."

Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen disputed the CDC’s account, saying the two deaths were reported to the agency’s measles response team early Tuesday morning.

In an X post from the Pennsylvania Department of Health account, Bogen said she had reviewed the case investigations and that state epidemiologists had thoroughly investigated both deaths. She confirmed that both individuals tested positive for measles.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Meanwhile, Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons said he did not believe there was enough evidence to confirm the two deaths were caused by measles, citing information he said he received from the county coroner’s office, according to Local21 News.

Siegel noted that measles weakens the immune system and increases the risk of pneumonia, which can stem from measles itself or from a secondary bacterial infection.

"If the impact of measles on the immune system or stress on other major organs as a result of the disease leads to death, that would be a measles-associated death," he told Fox News Digital.

When a patient has both measles and another immediate cause of death, several considerations come into play when infectious disease specialists are determining whether the virus was a contributing factor.

"It has to do with whether the immediate cause of death is from measles itself, as in measles pneumonia, or due to damage to the immune system and secondary infections or other diseases that result," Siegel said.

Lancaster County is at the center of Pennsylvania’s current measles outbreak. As of Friday, the state had reported 424 confirmed cases and 73 hospitalizations.

Fox News Digital reached out to the involved government officials requesting comment.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/Sjlx7Qg

Read More

Common vaccine linked to 24% lower dementia risk in older adults

A recent study led by researchers at Brown University appears to strengthen the link between shingles vaccination and a reduced risk of dementia diagnoses in older adults.

The study, published in The Annals of Internal Medicine, evaluated electronic health records and Medicare claims for more than 509,926 U.S. adults 66 and older who were admitted to skilled nursing facilities.

Individuals who received at least one dose of the recombinant shingles vaccine, commercially known as Shingrix, experienced a 24% relative reduction in dementia risk over a four-year period compared to people who did not receive the shot, the researchers found.

ALZHEIMER'S RISK MAY BE 35% LOWER WITH COMMON MENOPAUSE TREATMENT, STUDY FINDS

However, the findings show an association and do not prove that the vaccine directly prevents dementia, the researchers noted.

Dr. Ajeet Sodhi, a clinical neurologist and neuro-interventionalist in Orlando, Florida, noted that while the finding is "remarkable," it builds upon a growing foundation of scientific literature rather than standing alone.

"This is maybe the third or fourth study, and they all came to the same conclusion," Sodhi, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "It seems that by giving patients the shingles vaccine called Shingrix, in the next couple of years, we see a clinically significant decline in the development of dementia."

Researchers have proposed several possible explanations for the association, including the vaccine's role in preventing shingles and its potential complications. The virus has also been linked to vascular events such as stroke, which can contribute to vascular dementia.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Sodhi noted that recent medical literature continues to support larger cardiovascular benefits as well.

"In addition to the study that we're talking about today, there was a study published just this week that showed the shingles vaccine results in a clinically significant reduction in the incidence of both cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease," he told Fox News Digital.

"So that's heart attacks and strokes."

The neurologist emphasized that while the data shows a strong correlation, the vaccine is not currently classified as a direct therapeutic treatment for cognitive decline.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"It's not at this time considered a treatment," he noted. "This association is ... very, very suggestive, but we can't say one-to-one it proves that this treats dementia. And this finding, honestly, is kind of like icing on the cake."

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox, according to Mayo Clinic.

After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in nerve tissue near the brain and spinal cord, where it can reactivate decades later as a painful rash with fluid-filled blisters.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The primary function of the vaccine remains the prevention of the severe nerve pain and rash caused by shingles reactivation.

Shingles can lead to severe complications, including post-herpetic neuralgia, a debilitating condition causing long-term nerve pain that persists after the rash clears, according to Cleveland Clinic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two doses of Shingrix for adults 50 and older, as well as adults 19 and older who are or will be immunocompromised. The vaccine is FDA-approved to prevent shingles and related complications — not to prevent or treat dementia.

The study received funding from GSK, the maker of Shingrix; the authors stated that the company had no role in the study’s design, analysis or publication.

For individuals concerned about memory loss or family medical history, experts recommend consulting a doctor early.

"The common theme in all of this is the sooner you seek evaluation, the better it is for the treatment," Sodhi advised. "The treatment is more likely to work the earlier you are in the onset of the disease."

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

Read More