Your walking speed may hold a clue to how long you’ll live, study suggests

The speed a person normally walks could offer a simple clue about their overall health and longevity, new research suggests.

A study published in JAMA Network Open followed 4,067 adults in the U.K., who were about 69 years old on average, to see whether their usual walking pace was linked to their risk of death over time.

Participants completed a short walking test at their normal pace and also wore a wrist activity tracker for nine days to capture their walking speed during everyday life.

FORGET THE GYM: A 30-SECOND TEST MAY BE ONE OF THE BEST INDICATORS OF LONGEVITY

Over nearly 12 years of follow-up, faster walking in both settings was linked to a lower risk of death, even after researchers accounted for other health and lifestyle factors. A total of 739 participants died during that period.

Beth Templin, a board-certified geriatric clinical specialist and CEO of HouseFit Physical Therapy & Fitness in St. Louis, said walking speed can offer a broader look at how well the body is functioning.

"In physical therapy, we call walking speed the 'sixth vital sign' because it's a snapshot of how well many body systems are working together," Templin, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Changes in walking speed can therefore offer clues about a person's health, according to the doctor.

"To walk briskly, you need strong legs, a healthy heart and lungs, good balance, and a brain and nervous system that can coordinate it all," she said.

"When walking speed starts to slip, it's often an early warning sign that one of those systems is declining, sometimes before anything shows up on a lab test," Templin added.

For older adults who want to improve their walking speed and overall fitness, simply taking more steps may not be enough.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"Build the engine, not just the habit," Templin advised. "Most people try to walk more, but speed comes from strength and balance."

The doctor suggested strengthening the legs with simple exercises, such as standing up from a chair without using the hands and doing heel raises while holding onto a counter.

She also recommended adding short bursts of faster walking. After warming up, a person could walk briskly for one minute, slow down for two minutes and then repeat, gradually increasing the faster periods.

The findings do not mean that simply walking faster will make someone live longer, experts noted.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"This study shows an association, not proof that walking faster by itself adds years," Templin reiterated.

The participants included in the study were generally healthier than the larger group, the researchers noted. There is also no single standard method for measuring everyday walking pace with wrist activity trackers.

More research is needed to determine whether the findings apply to other groups.

Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/JFfaU2w

Read More

Women's sex drive treatment linked to higher rates of heart attack and stroke

Postmenopausal women who use testosterone therapy could face a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular problems, new research suggests.

The research, presented at the 2026 annual meeting of The Menopause Society last month in San Diego, looked at more than 6,000 postmenopausal women age 45 and older, comparing those who received testosterone therapy with those who did not. Women with a history of cardiovascular disease were excluded.

Among women receiving testosterone, 3.8% experienced a first-time cardiovascular event compared with 0.5% of women who were not receiving the treatment, according to The Menopause Society.

POPULAR ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER LINKED TO POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS HEART RISK

Those events included heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other cardiovascular problems.

Testosterone is a sex hormone produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands that plays a role in sexual desire, as well as muscle and bone health, mood and cognition, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Anna Cabeca, a Dallas-based board-certified OB-GYN and menopause expert, told Fox News Digital that the differences between the two groups — women who received testosterone and those who did not — deserve attention.

"The difference between 3.8% and 0.5% is certainly significant enough to warrant attention, but we need to be careful about what these numbers actually tell us," said Cabeca, who was not involved in the study.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

That amounts to about 38 cardiovascular events per 1,000 women receiving testosterone compared with five per 1,000 women who were not, the doctor noted.

For women considering testosterone therapy, Cabeca said doctors should look at the patient's overall health, including heart history, blood pressure, cholesterol, metabolic health, medications and family history.

"Sexual health is an essential part of overall health, and women deserve to have their concerns about libido, arousal and intimacy taken seriously, particularly during and after menopause," she added.

While testosterone can improve sexual desire and satisfaction in appropriately selected postmenopausal women, the possible benefits should be weighed against potential risks, Cabeca advised.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

In cases when testosterone is appropriate, she favors careful dosing, monitoring and regular checks of a patient's symptoms and lab results.

There are important limitations to the new findings, the researchers acknowledged.

The study was observational, meaning the researchers looked at outcomes among women who were already receiving testosterone rather than assigning the treatment in a controlled trial.

As a result, the study can show a link between testosterone use and cardiovascular events, but cannot prove that the treatment caused them.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Women who received testosterone may also have differed from those who did not in ways that affected their heart risk, including age, blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol levels or other health factors, Cabeca said.

"This is an important safety signal that deserves further investigation, not definitive evidence of causation," she added.

Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.

Deirdre Bardolf of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/bpgv5TM

Read More

5 habits that could help keep you out of a nursing home, from an orthopedic surgeon

Three in four Americans aged 50 and older would like to remain in their homes as they age, according to the AARP — and preserving that independence starts with daily habits.

Dr. Vonda Wright, a double board-certified orthopedic surgeon, author and authority on active aging and mobility, who is based in Orlando, Florida, said there are three main problems that can make it difficult for older adults to age in place.

Those include difficulty getting up from a chair and caring for themselves, memory problems, and incontinence that makes it hard to manage personal hygiene.

FORGET THE GYM: A 30-SECOND TEST MAY BE ONE OF THE BEST INDICATORS OF LONGEVITY

"The missing piece in most conversations between mental health, physical health and independence is your skeletal longevity," Wright said.

Staying independent with age requires attention to the entire musculoskeletal system, including the muscles, bones and tendons, according to the surgeon.

Wright shared the following habits as most important for maintaining independence outside of a nursing home.

The human body "craves mobility," Wright said.

"When you think about it, it's our first skill. We learn to walk when we're 1," she pointed out.

WEEKLY WEIGHTLIFTING SWEET SPOT MAY BE LINKED TO LONGER LIFE, STUDY FINDS

For older adults, staying active can help preserve the ability to handle everyday tasks independently. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests low-impact activities such as walking, cycling and water exercise.

"Even when your hips hurt, even when your knees hurt, you should move on the ground, or get in a pool in chest-high water," Wright suggested.

While the doctor does not recommend exercising through a new injury or severe pain, she pushed back against the belief that rest is the best way to address pain.

PEOPLE LIVING PAST 100 IN ONE TINY VILLAGE SHARE 3 DAILY HABITS

"Rest doesn't cure anything. When you have, for instance, arthritic knees, do you know what can help? Building the muscles around your knees, building the muscles in your hips to support your knees," she said. "So rest is not the answer for feeling better — staying strong and mobile is."

Strength training can help older adults maintain the ability to get out of a chair, climb stairs and carry groceries — everyday tasks that support independent living.

There is never an age or skill level when it’s too late to build muscle, according to Wright.

FITNESS EXPERT REVEALS 6 THINGS PEOPLE OVER 35 SHOULD DO AFTER WORKOUTS TO STAY STRONG

"Even if you feel like you've declined or your parents have declined, there is no age or skill level when we can't become more mobile, when we can't build muscle or reconnect the neuromuscular pathways," she said.

It’s even possible to build muscle sitting in a wheelchair, she noted. "Some of the very first research done by Dr. Maria Fiatarone at Tufts University showed that even at 90 years old, you can regain function."

In that small 1990 study, nine nursing home residents who completed eight weeks of high-intensity resistance training increased their muscle strength by an average of 174%, and also showed improvements in muscle size and mobility.

The National Institute on Aging recommends that older adults perform muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week, targeting all major muscle groups, with recovery time between sessions.

Some options include resistance bands, hand weights and body-weight exercises. Beginners are advised to start gradually and seek guidance from a doctor or physical therapist as needed.

Older adults tend to eat less, which can undermine efforts to maintain energy and build muscle, Wright warned.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"It’s something I see even happening to my 86-year-old parents; they're just eating less and less," she said. "And we cannot fuel the muscle we want to build [and] the energy we need without a protein-forward, adequate-calorie diet."

Although older adults may require fewer calories, they still need enough nutrients to support their health, according to the National Institute on Aging.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

To help maintain muscle, the agency recommends that older adults consume protein-rich foods throughout the day, including seafood, dairy, fortified soy products, beans and lentils. Specific calorie needs will vary based on each person’s weight and activity level.

Wright urged older adults to challenge assumptions about what they can and can’t do as they age.

"The most common mistake I see seniors making as they age is assuming that aging is an inevitable decline from vitality to frailty," she said.

"They just assume that a certain number of birthday candles predisposes them to sitting on a couch the rest of their life. The reality is that there is no age or skill level when you're done."

Wright suggested that people should start working toward future independence during their busy working years.

"We need to start thinking about that in our busiest times of life, in our 30s, our 40s, our prime times of working," she said. "It’s part of a long-term, lifetime plan to live where you want to live, with whom you want to live, when you want to live there."

The doctor recommends that adults directly ask their aging parents what assistance they need and to explore available support, including community programs.

In many cases, she said, parents do not want to be a burden to their adult children, so they never ask for anything.

"I think this is a time for really open, frank conversations," Wright said. "What do you want help with? How can I help you? How could we get help for you if possible?"

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

As an example, Wright said her elderly parents live with her family. When she noticed their meals started to suffer while she was traveling, she arranged for support to help them continue managing their lives.

"I have half of their meals delivered every week because I'm not going to be home to shop or cook," she said. "They remain independent, but with assistance. And that's what works for us."

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

Read More

Paper straws could be doing more harm than good, study suggests

Paper straws have been marketed as a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic, but a new South Korean assessment suggests they may carry a greater pollution-related health burden.

South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment commissioned the assessment from the Korean Society for Life Cycle Assessment, according to news reports.

Researchers compared how paper, plastic and other disposable straws could affect human health and the environment, from production through disposal.

POPULAR ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER LINKED TO POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS HEART RISK

Paper straws scored 6.33 times as high as conventional plastic straws in an estimate of cancer-related harm from pollution generated during production and disposal, according to South Korean reports. 

The score estimates potential harm from pollution generated from production through disposal — not chemical exposure or cancer risk from drinking through a straw, the researchers noted.

The assessment reportedly compared four straw types: paper, conventional plastic, biodegradable plastic and bio-based polyethylene, or bio-PE.

Researchers assessed 16 environmental impacts, assuming about 74% of discarded straws were incinerated and 26% went to landfills, based on South Korean waste statistics.

MICROPLASTICS DETECTED IN MOST HEART ATTACK PATIENTS' BLOOD IN STARTLING NEW STUDY

Conventional plastic straws performed best in 10 of the 16 environmental categories, but no straw type came out ahead in every category.

The study did not measure whether chemicals leach from straws into drinks and did not assess health outcomes among people who use them.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Researchers recommended that stores provide disposable straws only upon request, according to The Korea Herald.

Lawmaker Kim Wi-sang, whose office received the report, later criticized plastic straw restrictions, arguing that alternatives had failed to deliver their promised environmental benefits.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

President Donald Trump has also criticized paper straws, calling them ineffective and arguing that they may pose health risks.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

In February 2025, he signed an executive order directing federal agencies to stop buying and providing paper straws and to develop a national strategy to end their use, according to a White House press release.

"I was tired of having straws melt in my mouth," Trump previously said.

Fox News Digital previously reported on health concerns raised by Florida lawmakers, including a 2023 University of Antwerp study that detected PFAS, or "forever chemicals," in 27 of 39 straw brands tested, most often in paper straws.

Separately, 360° Foodservice, a European food-service packaging association, previously said its member companies have a no-PFAS clause and set requirements for food-contact safety.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Foodservice Packaging Institute and 360° Foodservice for comment.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/AQ7u9ZT

Read More

Get $20K 'trophy arms' at home without spending a dime, says NYC fitness trainer

As some women are reportedly spending up to $20,000 to achieve sculpted "trophy arms," a New York City fitness trainer says a targeted at-home routine and proper nutrition can offer a more affordable alternative.

Marfred Suazo, better known as Fonz the Trainer, said he often has clients aiming to get what he calls the "holy grail" of arms.

Building trophy arms doesn’t require daily workouts — but exercise selection, controlled movements and nutrition matter, according to Suazo, who runs a program called the Decade Strong Blueprint.

BIGGEST WASTE OF MONEY IN YOUR HOME GYM MAY SURPRISE YOU, FITNESS EXPERT SAYS

"A lot of people talk about tone and things like that, but I think the best thing — the epitome of an arm — is having it well-balanced and well-framed into the body, and having the right proportion from the shoulders to the triceps and biceps," he told Fox News Digital.

The goal should be proper proportion to a person’s frame rather than size, Suazo emphasized.

A structured approach can help people make the most of their workout time, according to the trainer.

10-MINUTE FITNESS HABIT CAN HELP ADULTS OVER 40 MAINTAIN MUSCLE AND STAY STRONG

"Most of us don’t have so much available time to do it, so we want to do it as smartly and as effectively as possible," he said. "A more planned-out training protocol will get you to that point where you really start seeing the arms develop and change in shape."

Suazo shared the following tips for building stronger, more defined arms.

Suazo recommends combining exercises that work multiple muscle groups — such as pull-ups, rows and chest presses — with movements that target specific areas, including lateral raises and triceps extensions.

"We’re building muscle with these bigger movements, these compound movements, and then just fine-detailing everything else with lateral raises, triceps extensions and overhead triceps extensions," he said.

Suazo recommends training the arms twice a week, noting that chest and back workouts also work those muscles.

"Two to three times a week, I think, is more than enough."

JUST 10 MINUTES OF DAILY FLOOR EXERCISES MAY IMPROVE BALANCE AND AGILITY, STUDY FINDS

Adults should do muscle-strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups at least two days a week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Muscle-strengthening activities can include lifting weights, using resistance bands or performing body-weight exercises such as pushups.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

It’s also important to allow muscles time to recover. The National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases advises against working the same muscles on consecutive days.

Some common mistakes include rushing through exercises and failing to use a "full range of motion," Suazo said. 

"Full range of motion" refers to a comfortable range performed with good technique, without forcing a painful movement.

Suazo emphasized deliberate, controlled movements rather than simply rushing to reach a target number of repetitions.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"Moving with intention is the biggest thing, where you’re really fatiguing the muscles and you’re getting growth and stimulus out of them," he advised.

Lighter weights can also challenge the muscles when the exercises are sufficiently demanding, Suazo added.

Nutrition also plays a role in getting the desired results, Suazo said.

"You use the gym and all your training programs to really shape the arm as best as possible and build the areas that you want – to reveal these things, you can only do that with proper nutrition."

Protein helps the body build, maintain and repair muscle, according to the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Suazo recommends three to four meals a day, with protein included throughout the day.

"You want to have protein-conscious meals a few times per day," he said. "This will help reveal all the hard labor that you’re doing in the gym to develop a tremendous physique aesthetically."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/C3kqlv1

Read More

E. coli outbreak lands 3 in hospital, health officials investigate link to pumpkin patch

Three children are in intensive care with E. coli infections as health officials investigate a possible link to a California pumpkin patch that closed just days before Halloween.

Five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection have been confirmed, potentially originating from Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo, according to an Oct. 27 advisory issued by the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department.

The suspected exposure period is Oct. 16 through Oct 26.

FDA WIDENS CYCLOSPORA OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION TO SIX MORE STATES AS CONFIRMED CASES TOP 6,000

Health officials advise that anyone who visited the pumpkin patch between those dates should monitor for gastrointestinal symptoms.

"We are working diligently to identify the source of these infections to protect the health of our community," said County Health Officer Dr. Christy Mulkerin in the news release.

"We encourage anyone who may have been exposed and is experiencing symptoms consistent with E. coli infection to seek immediate medical attention."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Typical symptoms of E. Coli include cramping, severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and signs of dehydration, which usually begin within three to 10 days of exposure.

Young children under 10 are typically at the highest risk for complications, which can include hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that damages blood cells and can lead to kidney failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease physician and founder of Wellness Equity Alliance in California, warned that diarrhea can lead to dehydration and fatigue.

"The diarrhea is really the key component here, and the stomach cramps," he told Fox News Digital.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Evans said younger children and older adults can be particularly vulnerable, emphasizing the need to closely watch children younger than 5.

Speaking generally about potential exposure routes at pumpkin patches, Evans said E. coli can spread when bacteria from feces reach someone’s mouth.

He pointed to potentially contaminated food or water, animal contact and person-to-person transmission as possible transmission routes.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Evans also noted that not all E. coli bacteria cause illness. The confirmed cases in this investigation involve Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.

"One of the most effective ways that we can prevent this is washing your hands," the doctor added.

The farm has voluntarily closed as a precaution while investigators work to identify the source of the infections, determine whether the cases are connected and assess whether others may be at risk, according to the county health department.

Brookshire Farms told Fox News Digital it was reserving comment pending test results from the county health department.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/qYNFvf8

Read More

Common developmental condition linked to higher risk of Parkinson's-related disorders

Older adults diagnosed with autism face a significantly higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease-related movement disorders compared to the general population, according to a large new study published in the journal Autism.

Researchers analyzed Medicare and Medicaid claims data covering nearly 57 million Americans aged 45 and older between 2017 and 2019.

Individuals on the spectrum, as well as those with intellectual disabilities, were diagnosed with parkinsonism at much higher rates than those without autism.

HOW EATING HABITS COULD INFLUENCE PARKINSON’S DISEASE RISK, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS

Parkinsonism refers to a range of neurological conditions characterized by certain movement symptoms, including tremors, muscle rigidity, balance difficulties and slowed voluntary movement, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

While earlier research suggested an overlap between autism and motor decline later in life, it was unclear whether those problems stemmed from the condition or from antipsychotic medications, which are widely known to trigger Parkinson’s-like symptoms as a secondary side effect.

To determine whether medications explained the link, researchers excluded people who took antipsychotics from the analysis. They still found higher rates of Parkinson’s-related diagnoses in neurodivergent populations.

In the general population control group, the prevalence of parkinsonism was roughly 1.57%. The prevalence rose to 3.83% among adults with autism alone, 4.32% for those with an intellectual disability alone, and 4.86% among individuals diagnosed with both autism and an intellectual disability.

PARKINSON’S PATIENT’S YEARS-LONG TREMOR VANISHES WITHIN MINUTES OF NEW ULTRASOUND TREATMENT

"A critically important new contribution of this study is increased incidence rates of parkinsonism for autistic people in middle and older adulthood, which suggests that these cases aren’t simply a byproduct of lifelong motor challenges," Greg Wallace, lead author and a professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., said in a press release.

The study represents the first time scientists have tracked the incidence rate, or the risk of newly emerging cases over time, among older autistic individuals.

"It is therefore important for clinicians to establish clear baselines of motor skills and challenges during adulthood that can be tracked over time," Wallace added.

Dr. Lee Murray, a neurologist based in Jackson, Tennessee, said this study clarifies previous research that suggested patients with autism are at a higher risk of having Parkinson's.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"This study takes into account the use of antipsychotic medications that can cause a Parkinson's look (resting tremor, stiffness, shuffled gait, stooped posture, softened voice), which is a different pathology than stereotypical or idiopathic Parkinson's disease," Murray, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

"This study showed patients with autism that was associated with intellectual disability seem to have the greatest association with concomitant Parkinson's."

The neurologist cautioned that autism encompasses a wide range of symptoms and severity, so the findings don't mean that people with milder cases face a significantly higher risk of Parkinson’s disease.

"It certainly is an interesting correlation, although it does not imply that someone with autism is certain to develop Parkinson's," Murray added.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"From a clinical perspective, it's helpful to review medications with the autistic patient's physicians and, if possible, try to avoid medications that may cause a Parkinson's appearance."

Despite the scope of the data, the authors noted several key limitations of using insurance records.

The investigation relied on billing and diagnostic codes submitted through Medicare and Medicaid, which can contain errors or reflect differences in how clinics and medical providers diagnose conditions.

The reliance on claims data also means researchers could not assess the severity of individual motor symptoms or examine the role of lifestyle factors, genetics and family history, they noted.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Additionally, the data only captured adults who were enrolled in public insurance programs, potentially leaving out older individuals who rely strictly on private health insurance.

Because people on the autism spectrum may already struggle with coordination, repetitive behaviors or executive functioning challenges, experts say early indicators of Parkinson’s disease can be missed or mistaken, potentially delaying essential care.

"Patients with autism can have atypical movements that can be misdiagnosed as Parkinson's if the examiner is not accustomed to diagnosing it," Murray confirmed.

The researchers emphasized the need for physicians, long-term care facilities and family caregivers to closely monitor older autistic patients for motor decline so interventions can begin as early as possible.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/hWrD9gP

Read More