April 30, 2025
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LIFE-THREATENING - Abortion pill found to have "severe adverse effects" for 1 in 10 women, study finds. Continue reading…
‘SOUL DOG’ - Woman says her cockapoo detected her breast cancer before doctors did. Continue reading…
SUMMER SKINCARE - Save on sunscreens, moisturizers and self-tanners. Continue reading…
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April 30, 2025
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The FDA chief has called into question whether the agency will approve and authorize the COVID-19 vaccine for winter.
In August 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the updated mRNA COVID vaccine to protect against the current variants, and also approved an updated Novavax vaccine.
FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, however, has expressed doubts about whether that is necessary for the 2025-2026 season.
DEMENTIA RISK COULD DIP WITH COMMON VACCINE, STUDY SUGGESTS
"We're taking a look. I can't comment on any particular application. As you know, we have a bunch of applications for those booster shots," Makary told CBS News on Tuesday, as the outlet reported.
"I think there's a void of data. And I think rather than allow that void to be filled with opinions, I'd like to see some good data," he added.
Makary also mentioned a "public trust problem" surrounding COVID boosters, noting that many healthcare workers opted out of receiving them last season.
FLU VACCINE LINKED TO HIGHER INFECTIONS, SAYS EARLY RESEARCH
The FDA chief has also expressed concerns about the lack of data supporting Novavax’s COVID vaccine, calling for more studies into its effectiveness before approving it.
"The big Novavax 2020-2021 study excluded people with natural immunity to COVID. Today, there is broad population immunity, and the big question is, does it provide a benefit?" he said in an interview with Inside Medicine on Tuesday.
"Without a study on the new formulation and product, we can’t give an honest, evidence-based answer to that question."
Novavax on Tuesday posted an update on its website of the FDA’s request for an additional clinical trial.
"It's my general feeling, not with this particular product, which I can't discuss in-depth, but with drugs in general, that we need to know if they work today in order to be able to recommend them," Makary told CBS News on Tuesday.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also been considering narrowing the recommendations for widespread COVID vaccines starting in 2025-2026.
In an April report, the agency presented three options for COVID boosters: to maintain the "universal vaccine policy" for everyone aged 6 months and older, to only recommend them for groups at high risk of severe COVID illness, or to use risk-based recommendations up to 64 years of age and then switch to universal recommendations at age 65.
The main risk factors for severe disease include advancing age, underlying medical conditions and pregnancy, the CDC stated.
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Those who work in healthcare or who live in long-term care facilities are at increased risk of exposure.
April 30, 2025
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We've all heard the adage "sitting is the new smoking" — but new research shows that being still for too long can have effects that go beyond the lungs and heart.
Just six hours of sedentary behavior is associated with an increased risk of neck pain, according to a new study published in BMC Public Health.
Researchers in Beijing, China, examined 25 cohort and case-control studies on neck pain and sedentary behavior among more than 43,000 participants.
‘I’M A SPINAL SURGEON – HERE'S HOW YOUR POSTURE IS KILLING YOUR BACK'
The analysis revealed a "significant relationship" between the two factors.
The risk was found to be greater among females than males — and more among employees, such as office workers, than among students.
Screen-based sedentary behaviors, like mobile phone and computer use, led to the greatest risk of neck pain. Watching TV did not pose a significant risk, according to the study.
Just over one hour of screen-based sedentary behavior increased neck pain risk.
More than four hours of sedentary behavior per day saw a greater risk, with the highest occurrence noted at six hours.
The researchers concluded that sedentary behavior is a "notable risk factor" for neck pain, while risk escalates with longer duration.
"Targeted preventative measures, particularly for high-risk groups like females and employees, are necessary," the study stated.
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"Public health initiatives should encourage the reduction of sedentary behaviors and the promotion of physical activity to enhance neck health and alleviate the global prevalence of neck pain."
Dr. Arthur Jenkins, a spinal surgeon in New York, commented on the findings.
"It doesn't surprise me to say that six hours of sedentary activity has a strong correlation with neck pain, since most of the activities that people do when they're sedentary involve sitting," the expert, who did not work on the study, told Fox News Digital.
"During sitting activities, people are either watching TV, looking at their phones or working at a desk, and most of these involve the head being in a looking-down position," he said.
This position puts excess strain on the back of the neck as well as on the front of the disc space, he added.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, multi-specialist physician Dr. Azza Halim, who was also not involved in the study, agreed that prolonged sitting can be a risk factor for musculoskeletal issues.
"We do know that being seated for extended periods, especially with poor posture or inadequate ergonomic support, definitely places sustained strain on the cervical spine and associated muscles, which eventually will lead to stiffness, muscle imbalances and chronic discomfort," she said.
"Research shows a clear dose-response relationship — as sedentary time increases, so does the risk of developing neck pain," Halim noted.
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"As shown, sitting for more than six hours per day has been linked to an 88% greater risk compared to those with minimal sedentary behavior."
Halim emphasized the importance of practicing regular movement, stretching and ergonomic adjustments in daily routines to "mitigate the negative health effects of prolonged sitting."
April 30, 2025
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As Alzheimer’s disease now affects seven million Americans — the largest number ever — there is a growing demand for new treatments.
Scientists at the University of California, Irvine, have discovered a "groundbreaking" new therapy to fight the disease.
The treatment involves using stem cells to "program" human immune cells, called microglia, to counteract signs of dementia in the brain, according to a press release from UCI.
ALZHEIMER'S RATES HAVE REACHED STAGGERING NUMBER AS EXPERTS CALL FOR CHANGE
Microglia are immune cells found in the central nervous system that act as the brain’s "primary line of defense against infection and injury," according to the reseachers.
Using CRISPR gene editing, the scientists engineered the cells to produce an enzyme called neprilysin, which has been shown to break down the toxic beta-amyloid plaques that build up in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
In the brains of mice, the engineered cells were found to preserve neurons, decrease inflammation, reduce beta-amyloid build-up and reverse neurodegeneration, the researchers found.
The study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, was published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.
'I'M A NEUROLOGIST — HERE'S WHY DEMENTIA IS RISING AND HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK’
"Delivering biologics to the brain has long been a major challenge because of the blood-brain barrier," said co-author Mathew Blurton-Jones, professor of neurobiology and behavior, in the release.
"We’ve developed a programmable, living delivery system that gets around that problem by residing in the brain itself and responding only when and where it’s needed."
The programmed cells only target amyloid plaques, researchers noted, which makes the approach "highly targeted yet broadly effective."
The study also found that microglia could be effective in combating other central nervous system disorders, such as brain cancer and multiple sclerosis.
"This work opens the door to a completely new class of brain therapies," said Robert C. Spitale, professor of pharmaceutical sciences, in the release.
"Instead of using synthetic drugs or viral vectors, we’re enlisting the brain’s immune cells as precision delivery vehicles."
Dr. Joel Salinas, a behavioral neurologist and associate professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said this study is an "impressive proof of concept" for a highly targeted and responsive brain therapy.
"One of the most exciting aspects is the precision — instead of releasing treatment throughout the brain, these modified cells activate only where disease-related damage is happening," Salinas, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital.
BLOOD PRESSURE AND DEMENTIA RISK SHARE SURPRISING LINK, STUDY SUGGESTS
"That kind of targeted action could help limit harm to healthy brain tissue, reduce side effects, and concentrate therapeutic effects where they are most needed."
While the results are still early and limited to mice, Salinas noted that this strategy opens a "promising new avenue."
Looking ahead, the researchers aim to conduct human trials, potentially using stem cells from each individual patient to reduce the risk of immune rejection, according to the release.
"If future studies show that this approach is safe, durable and effective in humans, it could potentially be adapted not just for Alzheimer’s, but also for other conditions where disease processes are patchy or localized, like brain tumors, multiple sclerosis or other neurodegenerative diseases that cause dementia," Salinas said.
Courtney Kloske, Ph.D., director of scientific engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago, also reviewed UCI’s study findings.
"With the continued aging of the population, strategic research funding to broaden the therapeutic pipeline for Alzheimer’s and other diseases that cause dementia is critical," she told Fox News Digital.
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"It’s equally important to explore different drug delivery methods, such as using genetically modified cells as demonstrated in this newly published research."
Kloske noted that these findings are promising and hopeful, but preliminary.
"Additional research is needed to determine how this type of drug delivery mechanism could impact individuals living with or at risk for Alzheimer’s," she said.
"This work was done in animal models; the authors emphasize the importance of advancing this research into clinical trials in people to better understand the therapeutic potential of this drug delivery mechanism."
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In addition to the NIH, the study received support from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund.
April 29, 2025
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Alzheimer’s disease now affects more than seven million people in the U.S., and nearly four in five Americans say they would want to know if they have it before symptoms emerge.
This data comes from the Alzheimer’s Association's annual report, titled "Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures."
"For a long time, it was like, ‘Oh, I wouldn’t want to find out.’ And so knowing that people can do more now is making a difference in the stigma," said Dr. Elizabeth Edgerly, senior director for Community Programs and Services for the Alzheimer’s Association, in an interview with Fox News Digital.
EXERCISE CAN PREVENT COGNITIVE DECLINE EVEN WHEN ENERGY LAGS, RESEARCHERS DISCOVER
Edgerly was referring to the advancement of technology that allows for early Alzheimer’s detection, making testing more accessible than ever.
Traditionally, pre-symptom Alzheimer's testing has involved costly, invasive methods like PET scans and spinal taps.
And when it comes to senior health, it can be difficult to determine the level of urgency in potential red flags, according to Edgerly.
"People struggle to try to figure out: Is that normal aging, or something we should get checked out?"
Another obstacle is that testing can take a very long time. "That process can take months or even years to get to the point where someone has a definitive diagnosis," Edgerly said.
The introduction of a new blood test — one that can predict the likelihood of Alzheimer’s developing in a person before symptoms begin — makes the process a lot less daunting, the expert noted.
"It’s much more common, more affordable, more accessible."
RETIREMENT COULD BE BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH, SAYS WELLNESS EXPERT: 'POWERED BY PURPOSE'
The growing desire for transparency could also be related to the sharp rise in caregiving costs and the labor of caregiving itself.
The national cost of caring for those with Alzheimer's and other dementias is projected to reach $384 billion in 2025 — up $24 billion from just a year ago, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
Nearly 12 million family members and friends provide 19.2 billion hours of unpaid care, valued at an additional $413 billion.
"Anyone who has cared for someone or has close friends who have been affected ... it’s hard to not want to change that," said Edgerly, whose own mother suffered from a form of dementia.
'I'M A NEUROLOGIST — HERE'S WHY DEMENTIA IS RISING AND HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK’
Three in five people surveyed said they would accept a moderate or even high risk level from taking medication to slow the disease’s progression.
While much research is still needed into the disease’s progression, Edgerly said people can take steps to potentially reduce their risk.
"Eating a diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables — the Mediterranean diet is probably the one most people know — exercising, handling things like high blood pressure … all of that appears to make a positive difference," she told Fox News Digital.
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With over 140 treatment options in the works, Edgerly said Americans may feel more optimistic than ever about the reality of Alzheimer’s, even as risk grows amid an aging population.
"We’re also seeing that there is a higher recognition of Alzheimer’s," the expert noted. "For a long time — and still — many people don’t get diagnosed. But those numbers are changing."
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"We’re trying to get to the place where cancer is today — more openness, support and survivorship."
April 29, 2025
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Brad Smith — an Arizona husband and father with ALS — has become the third person to receive Neuralink, the brain implant made by Elon Musk’s company.
He is also the first ALS patient and the first non-verbal person to receive the implant, he shared in a post on X on Sunday.
"I am typing this with my brain. It is my primary communication," Smith, who was diagnosed with in 2020, wrote in the post, which was also shared by Musk. He went on to thank Musk.
Smith — who is completely paralyzed and relies on a ventilator to breathe — created a video using the brain-computer interface (BCI) to control the mouse on his MacBook Pro, he stated.
"This is the first video edited with the Neurolink, and maybe the first edited with a BCI," he said.
The video was narrated by Smith’s "old voice," he said, which was cloned by artificial intelligence from recordings before he lost the use of his voice.
"I want to explain how Neuralink has impacted my life and give you an overview of how it works," he said.
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, according to The ALS Association.
Over time, the disease impairs muscle control until the patient becomes paralyzed. ALS is ultimately fatal, with an average life expectancy of three years — although 10% of patients can survive for 10 years and 5% live 20 years or longer.
It does not impact cognitive function.
HOW ELON MUSK'S NEURALINK BRAIN CHIP WORKS
Neuralink, which is about 1.75 inches thick, was implanted in Smith’s motor cortex, the part of the brain that controls body movement.
The implanted device captures neuron firings in the brain and sends a raw signal to the computer.
"AI processes this data on a connected MacBook Pro to decode my intended movements in real time to move the cursor on my screen," Smith said.
"Neuralink has given me freedom, hope and faster communication," he added. "It has improved my life so much. I am so happy to be involved in something big that will help many people."
EXPERIMENTAL ALS DRUG COULD OFFER NEW HOPE FOR PATIENTS IF APPROVED, RESEARCHERS SAY
Smith is also a man of faith, sharing that he believes God has put him in this position to serve others.
"I have not always understood why God afflicted me with ALS, but with time, I am learning to trust His plan for me," he said.
"God loves me and my family. He has answered our prayers in unexpected ways. He has blessed my kids and our family. So I'm learning to trust that God knows what he is doing."
Smith also said he is grateful that he gets to work with the "brilliant people" at Neuralink and do "really interesting work."
"Don't get me wrong, ALS still really sucks, but I am talking about the big picture," he said. "The big picture is, I am happy."
Dr. Mary Ann Picone, medical director of the MS Center at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, applauded Neuralink's capabilities.
"This is an amazing development that now the third person to use Neuralink has gained the ability with the use of AI to type with neural thoughts," Picone, who was not involved in Smith’s care, told Fox News Digital.
"The now-realized potential of Neuralink is to allow patients with quadriplegia to control computers and mobile devices with their thoughts."
There are some risks involved with the implant, Picone noted, including surgical infection, bleeding and damage to the underlying brain tissue.
"But the benefits are that patients who are paralyzed would have the potential to restore personal control over the limbs by using their thoughts," she said.
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Dr. Peter Konrad, MD, PhD, chairman of the department of neurosurgery at WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute in West Virginia, called Neuralink a "remarkable demonstration of the power of AI-driven technology."
"Mr. Smith is an incredible hero for those who are severely disabled from diseases such as ALS," Konrad, who also was not involved in Smith’s care, told Fox News Digital.
Konrad also spoke of the advancements that have occurred since the past generations of BCI technology.
"It is encouraging to see faster progress being made with neural devices reaching clinical trials in the past five to 10 years," he said. "However, we are still awaiting development of a BCI device that does not require a team of engineers and experts to customize each and every severely disabled patient with this technology."
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"For every Brad Smith out there, there are hundreds of thousands of other disabled patients awaiting access to this technology. This video demonstrates the safety of these types of devices — now it’s time to provide larger access to these devices through a new generation of educated physicians, engineers and manufacturers able to deploy this technology."
April 28, 2025
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A new study has exposed "serious adverse events" linked to mifepristone, also known as the "abortion pill."
Mifepristone is a "pregnancy blocker" that is used in combination with another medication, misoprostol, to terminate pregnancies, according to Mayo Clinic.
It is also used to manage early miscarriages, as it helps prepare the body to empty the uterus.
ABORTION PILL USE HAS SPIKED IN RECENT YEARS, NEW REPORT REVEALS: ‘SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE’
Research by the Ethics & Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., has revealed that the rate of serious side effects is 22 times higher than what is indicated on the FDA-approved drug label.
After going through an abortion assisted by mifepristone, nearly 11% of women — more than one in 10 — reported experiencing "infection, hemorrhaging, or another serious or life-threatening adverse event," according to the study summary.
The study used insurance claims data that includes more than 865,000 medication abortions prescribed between 2017 and 2023, resulting in what is described as the largest-ever dataset on chemical abortion.
ABORTION ON DEMAND: THESE 6 STATES ALLOW WOMEN TO GET PREGNANCY-ENDING DRUGS BY PHONE OR ONLINE
"By contrast, the current FDA-approved drug label is based on the results of 10 clinical trials with a total of 30,966 women, less than 0.5 percent of whom reportedly experienced severe adverse reactions," the study states.
"Some of these trials were conducted as long as 42 years ago."
The study authors — Jamie Bryan Hall, EPPC’s director of data analysis, and Ryan T. Anderson, EPPC’s president — called the results a "truly shocking and sad reality."
"We weren't exactly surprised by these findings, as other studies of smaller datasets have found significant safety problems with chemical abortion drugs — particularly after the Obama and Biden administrations removed important FDA safety protections that were required when the chemical abortion drug was first approved," the authors said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.
"The largest limitation, which we're working to address, is that there is no insurance code for death — and sadly, we know that women die from complications resulting from the abortion pill."
Based on the study, the researchers are calling on the FDA to reinstate the original safety protections that they required when they approved mifepristone, stating that "women deserve the truth."
Christina Francis, M.D., CEO of the American Association of Pro Life OBGYNs, who is based in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, was not involved in the research but commented on the significance of the outcome.
"The findings of this study, which analyzes nearly 900,000 drug-induced abortions, align with what I have seen in my two decades of practice as an OB-GYN, during which I have cared for many women who have been lied to about the safety of abortion drugs and suffered significant complications from them," she told Fox News Digital.
Francis concluded that nearly 71,000 women likely suffered these types of severe complications in 2023, based on numbers from the Guttmacher Institute.
"This should serve as a wake-up call for the FDA that the complication rate is over 20 times higher than what has previously stated — and is a public health crisis that should be investigated immediately," she said.
"Women deserve informed consent about the potentially life-threatening dangers of these drugs."
Professor Jessie Hill, a health law expert at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, also reviewed the study findings.
She stated that mifepristone has been one of the most-studied medications ever since its approval in the U.S. 25 years ago, claiming it is also "one of the safest."
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Hill pointed out that the EPPC’s study is not peer-reviewed and questioned its "potential bias."
"The study uses insurance claims data, but insurance claims are an imperfect proxy for causal medical outcomes," she told Fox News Digital. "They often lack context — a claim for hemorrhage, for instance, may not even be causally linked to mifepristone itself."
Hill also objected to the comparison of modern claims data to the FDA’s clinical trial data.
"Clinical trials have rigorous standards for defining and reporting adverse events. Claims data are generated for billing purposes, not scientific analysis, and often overcount or misclassify events."
Hill also noted that the legal standard for FDA drug regulation is not "no risk," and that all medications have adverse event rates.
"Overstating risks without weighing benefits distorts the regulatory framework," she said.
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Approximately 63% of all abortions in the U.S. in 2023 were medication abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute. This was an increase from 53% in 2020.
Fox News Digital reached out to the FDA and to the manufacturer of mifepristone for comment.
April 28, 2025
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New cancer research pioneered by Memorial Sloan Kettering points to a strong alternative to chemotherapy, surgery and radiation for some forms of cancer.
Nearly 80% of patients who suffered from a variety of cancer types were successfully treated with only immunotherapy, according to a new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
The immunotherapy protocol successfully treated 100% of rectal cancer patients involved in the trial.
WOMAN SAYS CHATGPT SAVED HER LIFE BY HELPING DETECT CANCER, WHICH DOCTORS MISSED
"My husband, Tommy, and I were preparing for the worst," recalled Maureen Sideris, who was diagnosed with gastroesophageal junction cancer in 2022 and subsequently became a participant in the trial.
"After being treated with only immunotherapy, I had no evidence of cancer and didn’t have to undergo surgery, chemo or radiation," she said in an MSK press release. "I felt like I won the lottery!"
Dr. Andrea Cercek, a gastrointestinal oncologist, oversaw the research along with fellow gastrointestinal oncologist Dr. Luiz Diaz.
EXPOSURE TO TOXIN INCREASES COLORECTAL CANCER RISK AMONG YOUNGER ADULTS, STUDY FINDS
The pair sought to develop this approach in part due to the negative impacts of traditional treatment, according to the release.
"Using the standard-of-care treatment of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to treat rectal cancer is effective," Cercek said.
"But the treatments can leave people infertile and severely affect bowel, urinary and sexual functions, as well as other aspects of daily life."
Participants in the trial were all patients with tumors ranging from stage 1 to stage 3, meaning the tumors had not yet spread, the release indicated.
DANCING CAN HELP RELIEVE CANCER-RELATED SIDE EFFECTS, EARLY DATA SHOWS
The tumors also had a genetic mutation called mismatch repair-deficient (MMRd), which makes them particularly vulnerable to a type of immunotherapy called "checkpoint inhibitors."
This therapy "unmasks" tumor cells, MSK stated, making it easier for the patient’s own immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells.
The first clinical trial testing the therapy started with only 18 patients, all of whom had rectal cancer.
"We knew there was a broad range of cancer types that had this same MMRd genetic mutation," Cercek said. "We hoped this approach could help people facing these other cancers, too."
In the expanded trial, which contained 103 patients, there were 49 rectal cancer patients and 54 patients with other types of cancer. Participants received checkpoint inhibitor infusions intravenously over the course of six months, per the release.
In all 49 rectal cancer patients, there was no evidence of cancer after immunotherapy.
Of the 54 patients with other cancers, 35 saw all signs of cancer disappear after therapy, according to a variety of tests performed for the study.
"This is a very significant response, and the results were even better than we had hoped," said Cercek. "We found that some cancer types responded extremely well to the immunotherapy, including colon and stomach cancer."
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In the 20% of non-rectal cancer patients who still needed surgery post-therapy, researchers saw that the immunotherapy often shrunk the tumor and even lowered the stage classifications of some of the tumors, according to Cercek.
Timothy Yap, Ph.D., a medical oncologist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, agrees that the immunotherapy treatment's effectiveness for multiple kinds of cancer is "exciting."
"We are always seeking to improve treatment strategies for cancer patients through innovative clinical trials, and this is no exception," Yap, who was not involved in the study, told Fox Digital.
"Responding patients may avoid the need for surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and benefit by improving their quality of life," he said.
Based on the results of the original trial with rectal patients, the immunotherapy-only approach has been incorporated into the treatment guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, which is the doctor’s group that sets cancer treatments in the U.S., the release stated.
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Some of the original participants of the 2022 trial are still cancer-free today, multiple years after the initial treatment.
April 28, 2025
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Even on days when you're lagging in energy, exercise can give your brain a boost.
That's according to researchers at the University of Missouri (Mizzou), who made a specific discovery about physical activity's brain benefits.
The study, published in the journal Physiology, examined what happens to the brains of individuals who have limited ketone production in the liver.
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When the body is low on glucose, its usual fuel, the liver produces ketones, which help generate energy and power the brain, according to the study's press release.
These molecules support cognitive memory, learning and overall brain health.
Even when the liver cannot produce enough ketones, exercise helps compensate for this loss, potentially reversing some cognitive decline, the researchers found.
This is especially prevalent as people age and face a higher risk of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
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These findings are also promising for those who have liver conditions that prevent the body from producing ketones.
Lead study co-researcher R. Scott Rector, Ph.D., a professor in the School of Medicine and director of the NextGen Precision Health Building, commented on the study in an interview with Fox News Digital, noting that the body's natural production of ketones is important for keeping the brain healthy.
"It helps maintain memory, learning abilities, and the health of the brain’s energy factories (mitochondria)," he said.
"Exercise can still protect the brain even when the liver isn’t making ketones, which might be relevant to individuals with liver disease, which causes reduced ketone production."
These findings were surprising to the researchers, according to Rector, who expected that exercise might not improve brain health when ketone production was limited.
"However, it seems exercise has backup pathways that enhance brain health, even when ketone production is compromised," he said.
Another lead researcher, Taylor Kelty, a postdoctoral fellow in Rector’s lab, noted that previous research has begun to show the link between severe liver dysfunction and a high risk of dementia.
"If ketone production in the liver is disrupted, it could be a potential cause of cognitive decline, ultimately leading to conditions like dementia," Kelty said in the press release.
These findings reinforce exercise's role in keeping people "mentally sharp," as well as being a "key piece of the puzzle in preserving brain health as we age," according to the researcher.
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Rector noted that exercise activates "many other pathways" in the liver that could also help the brain, although that wasn't a focus of this study.
"In the future, we need to study these other molecules and backup systems that still boost brain health," he said to Fox News Digital.
"Exercise's brain health benefits are particularly important for those who have liver conditions like MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease)," Rector added.
"Scientists are finding more and more evidence that liver health affects brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease," he said.
"Our findings suggest that taking care of the liver and understanding ketone metabolism could be a new way to help prevent or slow down brain diseases."
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The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health as part of the NIH Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium.
April 28, 2025
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As measles cases continue to spread throughout the U.S. — with 12 states reporting official outbreaks, according to the latest CDC data — concern is growing among high-risk groups.
Children under the age of 5 are most vulnerable to measles, health experts confirm.
The CDC recommends that children receive two doses of the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and a second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.
MEASLES OUTBREAKS EMERGE ACROSS US: SEE WHICH STATES HAVE REPORTED CASES
That means children under 5 may not have full protection.
Allison Croucher, DO, a pediatrician and doctor of osteopathic medicine with Duly Health and Care in Illinois, said she frequently gets questions from concerned parents looking to protect their children from the highly contagious virus.
Chroucher shared some of the most common inquiries she receives, along with her responses.
Measles cases have been reported in 20 states so far (according to the CDC): Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
Even if you do not live in one of those areas, keep a close eye on local health alerts, since the disease is rapidly evolving.
Your state's Department of Health website, which should end in ".gov," is a great place to start. If you plan on traveling to an area with reported cases, be sure to seek guidance from your doctor beforehand.
A child is considered fully vaccinated for measles if they have received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at least four weeks apart.
The first dose is typically given to children between 12 and 15 months old, followed by the second at four to six years.
In certain cases, yes. Infants who are high-risk or traveling to areas with active cases may be eligible to get the MMR vaccine between six months and 12 months of age. This depends on individual circumstances, so it's important to talk with your pediatrician.
Keep in mind that an early dose doesn't count on the regular vaccination schedule — your child will still need two additional doses after their first birthday.
ANOTHER STATE CONFIRMS MEASLES CASE WITH INFECTED CHILD ITS FIRST OF YEAR
If your infant is too young for the vaccine, it's important to take extra precautions to limit their exposure to others who are or might be ill. Don't be afraid to decline travel or gatherings — you have every right to protect your child's health.
For children over one year, the second MMR dose can be given as early as four weeks after the first. Once they've received both doses, children are considered fully vaccinated and don't require any additional doses.
In the early stages, symptoms to watch out for include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, irritated eyes.
These symptoms usually appear seven to 14 days after initial exposure.
It's not always easy to tell, since measles shares symptoms with many other illnesses. One key differentiator is that children with measles typically display very high fevers, around 104°F. They also tend to be very fussy.
Around the second or third day of symptoms, many patients develop small, bluish-white spots on their inner cheeks, referred to as Koplik spots — though not every child will develop these spots. The telltale red rash typically develops three to five days into the illness.
This rash typically starts three to five days after the initial symptoms. It begins as small spots on the face near the hairline, then spreads downwards and can cover the entire body.
Measles can have many complications, ranging from mild to severe. About one in 10 people will develop ear infections or diarrhea.
About one in five unvaccinated children with measles will require hospitalization. Up to one in 20 children will contract pneumonia, which is the most common cause of death from the disease.
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About one in 1,000 children will develop encephalitis, or inflammation and swelling of the brain. This can lead to seizures, lifelong disability or even death. In all, one to three of every 1,000 children infected with measles will die due to complications from the disease.
There is a growing amount of misinformation and disinformation circulating about vaccines, which has led some parents to delay or skip them altogether.
The MMR vaccine has been safely administered to millions of people and has an excellent safety record — and research has repeatedly debunked the myth that the vaccine is linked to autism.
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Don't wait — contact your doctor right away. They can guide you through the next steps.
The above questions and answers were provided by Allison Croucher, DO, a pediatrician and doctor of osteopathic medicine with Duly Health and Care in Illinois.
April 27, 2025
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Social media can be a great source of fitness, nutrition and wellness tips — but it also has some potentially harmful content.
Enter "SkinnyTok," a popular weight-loss trend making the rounds on TikTok.
Creators are pairing the hashtag with videos that share various ways to lose weight, many of them based on the goal of getting as thin as possible in a short amount of time.
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As of April 26, there were more than 60,000 videos from creators talking about SkinnyTok. One of those is Mandana Zarghami, 25, a business owner and influencer in Miami, Florida.
"What you eat in private will show in public," Zarghami told her followers in a recent video.
The influencer spoke with Fox News Digital about her perception of the worldwide SkinnyTok trend.
"There’s an emphasis on portion control, prioritizing daily movement and knowing what foods will make you feel better from the inside out and more," she said.
The creator acknowledged, however, that some of the content could be triggering for those who have battled disordered eating.
"While some content under the SkinnyTok trend can promote motivation around health and wellness, it can also unintentionally glamorize unhealthy habits or unrealistic body standards if you're following the wrong influencer or content creator," Zarghami cautioned.
At the same time, she said, "you control what you consume."
"It’s a little hard to be sensitive to each group, because a lot of the people who talk about SkinnyTok on their platforms also battled disordered eating and overcame it with healthy lifestyle choices," Zarghami added.
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert, said he has witnessed the "devastating consequences" of extreme thinness firsthand, including women with fractured bones caused by malnutrition.
"This is a growing crisis, and it is being dangerously celebrated on social media under hashtags like #SkinnyTok," he told Fox News Digital.
"When young people chase after extreme thinness through starvation diets, they invite frailty into their lives. The body, deprived of caloric energy, becomes extremely fragile."
In teenagers and young adults, malnutrition disrupts hormones, weakens immunity, impairs cognitive function and can cause lasting damage to their still-developing brains, according to Osborn.
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Physical effects of malnutrition can include hair loss, reduced bone density and, in severe cases, irreversible structural damage, he added.
Low body weight or minimal body fat does not equate to good health, the doctor said.
"Starvation is not a virtue – it is an abandonment of the body’s nutritional needs," he said. "The SkinnyTok trend preys on impressionable youth, particularly young women, encouraging them to shrink rather than thrive."
Rather than focusing on "extreme thinness," Osborn called for a focus on building muscle, which he described as the "cornerstone of vitality."
"In older adults, muscle loss — or sarcopenia — is a medical warning sign linked to increased risks of falls, fractures, hospitalizations, cognitive decline and even mortality," he cautioned.
"Muscle loss doesn’t just weaken the body — it erodes the mind, hastening the onset and progression of dementia. The body and the brain are interconnected, and when one suffers, so does the other."
To those embracing the SkinnyTok trend, Osborn recommends that they shift the focus to building muscle.
"Muscles are your shield against disease and decline. Being lean and strong, not thin and frail, is the true measure of health," he said.
‘THE CARNIVORE DIET SAVED MY LIFE AFTER DECADES OF ANOREXIA'
"Instead of glorifying starvation, we should teach our youth to nourish their bodies and minds, build resilience through muscle gained by strength training, and prioritize bodily function over any short-lived trend."
Dr. Jillian Lampert, vice president of The Emily Program, an eating disorder treatment center based in Minnesota, also called out the potential risks of the SkinnyTok trend.
"This content dangerously glorifies content that encourages people to take drastic measures to change their bodies," she told Fox News Digital. "It also further ensnares people already struggling with their body image and thoughts of size and shape, reinforcing the notion that being thin at all costs is the norm."
The behaviors in many of the videos are "often extreme" and highly limit foods or food groups, Lampert noted.
LITTLE-KNOWN EATING DISORDER NEARLY STARVED A 9-YEAR-OLD: 'IT WAS TORMENTING HER'
The algorithms used by social media platforms make the content even more dangerous by amplifying the messages, according to the expert.
"Looking at one TikTok with even some less toxic body image content will teach the algorithms to send you more and more and more until your feed has become an avalanche of toxic content," Lampert warned.
As people scroll through countless videos of "ideal" bodies and lifestyles, this often leads them to conclude that they’re not thin enough or attractive enough.
"Continual assessment of appearance and eating habits can make a person hypercritical and hyper-fixated on perceived flaws, thus fueling the cycle of eating less, which often leads to overeating and overexercising, which often leads to fatigue and loss of control around food," said Lampert.
"It is a vicious cycle that quickly spirals from external messaging to internal criticism."
Dr. Anastasia Rairigh, a Tennessee-based family physician and obesity medicine specialist at the virtual health platform PlushCare, warned that extreme weight-loss behaviors can be deadly.
"As a person severely limits their caloric intake, the body struggles to maintain the correct electrolyte balance," she shared with Fox News Digital.
"When a person’s electrolytes are severely unbalanced, they can experience heart arrythmias or, in severe cases, cardiac arrest. Even if a person does not experience this, severe food deprivation can lead to damage to the heart, bones and brain."
People who deprive themselves of food may also notice effects on cognition, mood and sleep, Rairigh warned.
"Modeling a healthy attitude toward food is critically important to combating the negative influence of toxic diet culture," she said, recommending that people focus on food as a source of energy rather than an enemy.
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"Supporting young people to focus on activities and interests outside social media has been shown to be helpful as well," she said.
"Encourage and facilitate positive activities in the real world as a counter to time spent on social media."
Those who are showing signs of disordered eating should see a doctor, Rairigh advised.
"While disordered eating is deadly, there is hope and treatment. Do not be afraid to reach out for help."
Zarghami, the TikTok creator, reiterated the importance of setting positive examples on social media.
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"Many of us that promote SkinnyTok focus on proper nutrition, walking over 10,000 steps a day and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle," she told Fox News Digital.
"It’s so important to approach these trends with balance, focus on overall well-being rather than appearance, and encourage sustainable, nourishing choices that support both physical and mental health."
April 26, 2025
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Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is urging Americans to dispose of their prescription medications properly. He addressed the issue in a video posted on X, marking National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is April 26.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has set up free, anonymous drop-off sites across the country where Americans can leave their unused prescription medications.
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While some may think that flushing prescriptions down the toilet is a safe alternative to throwing them away and can prevent people from accidentally ingesting it, Kennedy warns that there are dangers to that too. The HHS chief explained that once flushed, the medications will go into the water system, potentially exposing anyone who drinks the water to those substances.
"We don’t fully know the effects of low levels of birth control hormones or antibiotics or chemotherapy agents and so on, in the water, but it’s not good," Kennedy said in the video.
However, there are some medications that are safe to flush. According to the FDA’s "Flush List," there are several opioid medications that are safe to flush, including Vicodin, OxyContin and Percocet. However, the FDA warns that drugs that do not appear on its Flush List should not be flushed down the toilet.
The DEA sees National Prescription Drug Take Back Day as more than a way for Americans to clear out unwanted or unused medication. On its website advertising the take back day, the DEA frames it as a way to prevent "medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting."
During its most recent take back day in October 2024, the DEA collected 629,953 pounds, or 314 tons, of medication across 4,644 collection sites.
For those who miss National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are drug take-back sites open year-round. The FDA provides instructions on how to safely dispose of medications, as well as needles and syringes safely.
April 26, 2025
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Breanna Bortner says her dog had a hand — or a paw — in saving her life.
"I had always heard stories where people, you know, say that their dogs could sense things," the Minnesota woman, now 31, told Fox News Digital during an on-camera interview. (See the video at the top of the article.)
In 2023, Bortner — who now runs the blog "Brave Beautiful Boobies" documenting her experience — discovered a lump in her breast.
EXPERIMENTAL WOMEN'S CANCER DRUG BOOSTS SURVIVAL RATES IN NOTABLE STUDY
There were about six weeks between the discovery of the lump and the biopsy, she recalled.
During this time, Bortner's cockapoo, Mochi, became fixated on the breast with the lump. The behavior came as a surprise to Bortner, who said the dog had never behaved that way before.
"Even when I had been sick in the past or dealt with other things, he had never done that, so that was the first time that I really noticed how in tune he was to my body," she said.
COMMON CANCER TREATMENT CAN HAVE THIS PAINFUL SIDE EFFECT
The results of the biopsy soon confirmed that Bortner had breast cancer — but she said she already knew, courtesy of Mochi.
"I was like, oh my gosh, he’s known this whole time. Before I knew and the doctors knew."
Doctors diagnosed Bortner with stage 2B triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma, a type of breast cancer that has fewer treatment options than other types of invasive breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
DISABLED VETERAN LEANS ON SUPERHERO DOG WITH 'BATMAN' MARKINGS FOR SUPPORT, COMPANIONSHIP
This is because these cancer cells do not have certain receptors that allow them to be treated with hormone therapy.
"If the cancer has not spread to distant sites, surgery is an option. Chemotherapy might be given first to shrink a large tumor, followed by surgery," reads the ACS website.
After doctors confirmed the cancer, Bortner said the process moved very quickly. She underwent five-and-a-half months of chemotherapy (16 rounds total).
"Chemotherapy is a very scary, daunting word," she said. "Everything about [chemotherapy drugs] is scary. I found that calling them ‘healing sessions’ instead of chemotherapy was better for me."
Bortner said that Mochi, who she calls her "soul dog," continued to be a source of comfort — and a reason to keep going in those dark days.
"At the time, he was only 2 years old," she said.
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"And I was like, ‘I cannot leave this earth before you do.’ Like, no way. ‘I should be the one burying you. You shouldn't be the one having to lose your human mom.’"
Tasks as mundane as feeding the dog or taking him on a walk helped Bortner get off the couch and keep going.
Mochi learned to adapt to Bortner's new lifestyle during recovery, as their walks were slower and shorter.
When Bortner would nap for long periods or sometimes cry, the dog was always there to comfort her, she shared.
When she left for appointments — sometimes multiple times per day — Mochi would dig through the trash to collect his owner's hair, which was falling out at the time due to chemotherapy.
"He would dig out my hair to smell me," Bortner said.
Even now, with Bortner almost a year out of cancer treatment, Mochi still digs through the trash out of habit.
Today, Bortner provides support to others going through the same experience, serving as a source of information about what to expect and how to keep going.
"It just brings a smile to my face when things come full circle — and now I'm on the other end, mentoring people through their cancer journeys," she said.
Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, confirmed that dogs have an "exquisite sense of smell."
"There is evidence in the medical literature that they can in fact smell the abnormal cancer proteins," the doctor told Fox News Digital.
"In fact, artificial canine noses have been created relying on this response. Artificial intelligence is now enhancing this ability."
Pashtoon Kasi, M.D., medical director of gastrointestinal medical oncology at City of Hope in Orange County, California, was also not surprised by the idea that dogs could detect molecules or byproducts from cancer.
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"There is a lot of information that can be non-invasively found in blood, urine or other bodily fluids — or even the breath of individuals who have cancer in their bodies," he told Fox News Digital.
"It has been demonstrated that dogs, and potentially other animals, are likely able to detect some of the odors associated with certain chemicals linked to cancer, which are detected in the blood or bodily fluids of patients with cancer."
April 25, 2025
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Amid the alarming trend of colorectal cancer cases rising among young people, a new study has pinpointed a potential source.
Researchers from University of California San Diego have linked a bacterial toxin called colibactin to the increase in early-onset cases.
Colibactin is produced by certain strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) that exist in the colon and rectum, according to the researchers.
COLORECTAL CANCER RISK REDUCED BY THIS COMMON VITAMIN, STUDY SUGGESTS
Exposure to the bacterial toxin during early childhood can alter the DNA of colon cells in a way that increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer before age 50, the study found.
The study, which was funded by Cancer Research UK, was published in the journal Nature on April 23.
"The key takeaway is that exposure to colibactin is likely a major contributor to early-onset colorectal cancer," senior author Ludmil Alexandrov, professor in the Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering and the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at UC San Diego, told Fox News Digital.
In the study, the researchers analyzed 981 colorectal cancer genomes from early-onset and late-onset colorectal cancer patients across 11 countries.
Those who had prior exposure to colibactin were found to have specific mutations in their DNA, which have been shown to mainly occur in the first decade of life — "placing children on an accelerated path to developing cancer as young adults."
That group was 3.3 times more likely to develop early-onset colorectal cancer compared to those who were diagnosed after 70.
These mutations were found to make up 15% of the early genetic alterations that increase colorectal cancer risk.
WOMAN SAYS CHATGPT SAVED HER LIFE BY HELPING DETECT CANCER, WHICH DOCTORS MISSED
"We detected the mutational signature of colibactin in over 50% of colorectal tumors from patients under 40, compared to less than 10% in tumors from older individuals," Alexandrov noted.
"If someone acquires one of these driver mutations by the time they’re 10 years old, they could be decades ahead of schedule for developing colorectal cancer, getting it at age 40 instead of 60," noted Alexandrov.
The fact that a microbial exposure in the first few years of life can leave a "lasting genomic imprint" and likely contribute to cancer in adulthood is both "remarkable and sobering," according to the researcher.
"It’s a reminder that there are likely many other such exposures we’ve yet to uncover, and that the way we nurture and protect children during these formative years may have long-term implications for their lifelong health," he told Fox News Digital.
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"From my perspective, investing in early-life prevention, healthy living and research is not just important — it’s essential."
Dr. Emil Lou, MD, PhD, a board-certified oncologist and internal medicine physician at the University of Minnesota, agrees that the microbiome – "the constellation of microbes that includes bacteria that live under normal circumstances in our gut" — is one potential culprit of early-onset colorectal cancer.
"It is less surprising now than it was a decade ago that any form of bacteria – more specifically, a toxin derived from bacteria – could be associated with and potentially be the primary cause of cancer," Lou, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
"What is especially concerning is the long period of time that might lapse between exposure to the bacteria early in life, and the time before the related cancer is diagnosed."
Alexandrov pointed out that the study provides "strong genomic evidence" of a "striking association" between colibactin and early-onset colorectal cancer, but cannot prove causation.
"Demonstrating unequivocal causality — proving that colibactin alone is sufficient to initiate cancer in humans — remains a significant challenge," he told Fox News Digital.
"Definitive proof of causality would require long-term prospective studies beginning in early childhood to monitor microbial colonization and track cancer development over several decades."
Lou agreed with this limitation, noting the complexity of cancer factors.
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"There are many aspects of our environment – both within and outside of our bodies – that can play a role in development of cancer," he said. "It is difficult to say or conclude whether any given single factor – in this case, the bacteria-derived toxin – is the true or even a major cause of colorectal cancer."
"Providing evidence of potential association sets the foundation for more in-depth studies to determine whether there is true cause and effect," Lou added.
Alexandrov noted that while the findings don’t yet warrant changes to screening or treatment guidelines, they do highlight the "critical role of early-life microbial exposures" in terms of long-term cancer risk.
"We are actively working on developing screening tests to detect the long-term effects of colibactin exposure, with the goal of translating these findings into practical prevention strategies in the near future," he added.
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Colorectal cancer cases have doubled among adults under 50 for each of the past two decades, statistics show.
"If current trends continue, colorectal cancer is projected to become the leading cause of cancer-related death among young adults by 2030," the researchers concluded.
April 25, 2025
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In a world of sitting at desks and slumping in front of screens, back pain is known to be the most common ailment among Americans.
Dr. Arthur L. Jenkins III, a board-certified neurosurgeon in New York — who is also fellowship-trained in spinal surgery and CEO of Jenkins NeuroSpine — blamed slouching and poor posture for grave effects on the back.
Poor posture stretches the spine in a way it’s "really not designed to do," Jenkins said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
JUST 1 IN 10 BACK PAIN TREATMENTS WORK, STUDY SAYS – WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
"We stand much better than we sit," he said. "And we find more people having that pain when they're working or when they've been sitting for a while – it's just a terrible position for our spines."
"Tech neck," or excessive forward posture, is caused by looking down at devices, including phones and laptops, the expert noted.
Being in this "suboptimal" position while sitting down for long periods of time can be damaging.
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"At night, a lot of people will [watch] TV … and their chin is tucked down," Jenkins said. "Most people don’t put TVs on their ceilings."
This position can lead to a condition called kyphosis, where the front of the spine is strained and extra pressure lands on the disks.
This posture also stretches and pulls on the muscles in the lower back as they are forced to "stretch out and give," said Jenkins.
"All the muscles are designed to be at their strongest when your spine is in its optimum position," he said. "Once you get out of the optimum position, your muscles have to work harder to maintain that."
For those who work in front of screens all day, Jenkins recommends standing up often and stretching out the body to keep the joints "lubricated and active."
It can help to use a standing desk, raise the computer monitor higher to promote an elevated chin and neck angle, or sit on an exercise ball instead of a desk chair, he advised.
ASK A DOCTOR: ‘IS IT DANGEROUS TO CRACK MY NECK OR BACK?’
Even while sitting on the couch, Jenkins said it's best to sit up, avoid slouching and change positions every so often.
Isolating and flexing the back and ab muscles can also help to promote healthy muscles and ward off back pain.
"Find ways to be more mindful during the day of engaging your core," Jenkins advised. "While you're sitting there, squeeze your abdominal and back muscles together."
ASK A DOCTOR: ‘HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY POSTURE?’
"Even if you don’t do a formal sit-up, if you just spend five minutes mindfully squeezing your core while you're working, that's better than not doing anything at all."
Maintaining flexibility, especially with age, can also help prevent back pain.
Jenkins recommends committing to a fitness routine that "speaks to your issues" while strengthening the core and stretching the muscles, like yoga or Pilates.
Jenkins also warned people to avoid "BLT" — or bending, lifting and twisting all at once, which is a major contributor to back pain.
"You should always try to break up your bending, lifting and twisting into individual components … You should never bend, lift and twist at the same time," he instructed.
"When you lift, engage your core actively. Think about squeezing your core while you're lifting anything."
A new study out of Italy, published in the journal Healthcare, found that a kinesiology-based method can be effective in treating lower back pain.
Noting that lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, the researchers introduced the Canali Postural Method (CPM) to a group of individuals for three months.
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CPM, which is a personal kinesiological therapy to reprogram posture, showed promise in improving motor control and quality of life, and suggested "potential benefits for other musculoskeletal issues," the study found.
Although the international study only included 35 participants, Jenkins said the results speak to the effectiveness of a "very structured, posture-based exercise regimen."
"It's pretty straightforward that more support is better," he said.
"Kinesiology, chiropractic or just general physical therapy, or Pilates, or yoga – any of these interventions are likely to provide more support for the person’s back, and better pain relief than them trying to figure it out for themselves."
Jenkins recommends seeing a professional if back pain persists and prevents engagement in normal activities.
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It is also best to seek medical attention if the pain does not subside after trying exercise, therapy or anti-inflammatory medications.
Any emergent signs that surface – such as severe pain, worsened balance, or impaired bladder or bowel function – should be addressed immediately by a doctor, according to Jenkins.
April 24, 2025
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A mother of two credits ChatGPT for saving her life, claiming the artificial intelligence chatbot flagged the condition leading to her cancer when doctors missed it.
Lauren Bannon, who divides her time between North Carolina and the U.S. Virgin Islands, first noticed in February 2024 that she was having trouble bending her fingers in the morning and evening, as reported by Kennedy News and Media.
After four months, the 40-year-old was told by doctors that she had rheumatoid arthritis, despite testing negative for the condition.
WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?
Bannon, who owns a marketing company, then began experiencing excruciating stomach pains and lost 14 pounds in just a month, which doctors blamed on acid reflux.
Desperate to pinpoint the cause of her symptoms, Bannon turned to ChatGPT, the large-language model made by OpenAI.
The chatbot told Bannon that she may have Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to become inflamed and eventually underactive, according to Kennedy News and Media.
BLOOD TEST COULD PREDICT SKIN CANCER RECURRENCE, STUDY SHOWS
Despite reservations from her doctor, Bannon insisted on being tested for the condition in September 2024 — and was shocked to discover that ChatGPT was correct, despite the absence of any family history.
This prompted doctors to perform an ultrasound of Lauren's thyroid, when they discovered two small lumps in her neck that were confirmed as cancer in October 2024.
Bannon claims she would never have found the hidden cancer without the help of ChatGPT, which she credits for helping to save her life.
"I felt let down by doctors," said Bannon, as reported by Kennedy News and Media. "It was almost like they were just trying to give out medication for anything to get you in and out the door."
"I needed to find out what was happening to me, I just felt so desperate. I just wasn't getting the answers I needed."
Bannon said she had been using ChatGPT for work. When she asked the chatbot about which medical conditions mimic rheumatoid arthritis, it answered, ‘You may have Hashimoto's disease, ask your doctor to check your thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO) levels.’"
After her cancer diagnosis in January 2025, Bannon underwent an operation to remove her thyroid and two lymph nodes from her neck. She will now remain under lifelong monitoring to ensure that the cancer doesn't return, according to the report.
Due to not presenting with typical symptoms of Hashimoto's disease, Bannon believes her condition, and subsequent cancer diagnosis, would have remained undetected without the help of ChatGPT.
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"I didn't have the typical symptoms of Hashimoto's disease — I wasn't tired or feeling exhausted," she said, per Kennedy News and Media.
"If I hadn't looked on ChatGPT, I would've just taken the rheumatoid arthritis medication and the cancer would've spread from my neck to everywhere else."
"It saved my life. I would've never discovered this without ChatGPT. All my tests were perfect."
Bannon encourages others to use the chatbot to investigate their own health concerns, but to "act with caution."
"If it gives you something to look into, ask your doctors to test you," she suggested. "It can't do any harm. I feel lucky to be alive."
Dr. Harvey Castro, a board-certified emergency medicine physician and national speaker on artificial intelligence based in Dallas, Texas, said he welcomes the role of AI tools like ChatGPT in raising awareness and prompting faster action, but also urges caution.
"AI is not a replacement for human medical expertise," he told Fox News Digital. "These tools can assist, alert and even comfort — but they can’t diagnose, examine or treat."
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"When used responsibly, AI can enhance healthcare outcomes — but when used in isolation, it can be dangerous," Castro went on. "We must prioritize patient safety and keep licensed medical professionals at the center of care."
Fox News Digital reached out to OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, for comment.
April 24, 2025
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One U.S. governor is telling Americans to take a hike – literally.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey is encouraging residents to get outside and walk at least one mile per day.
The state plans to designate official "Mountaineer Mile trails" in its 32 state parks that have hiking trails.
FOOD DYES TO BE PHASED OUT TO 'MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN'
The MAHA-supporting governor spoke with Fox News Digital on Tuesday while at HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s announcement of impending food dye bans.
"We're getting a lot of traction with our Mountaineer Mile, and everyone knows the importance of getting out and working and walking. That's really starting to gain a lot of strength in West Virginia," said Morrisey.
Getting Americans healthy again will require a multipronged approach to reducing rates of obesity, diabetes, stroke and congestive heart failure, according to the governor.
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"You're taking the crap out of the food, you're incentivizing people to eat good food … making sure people are working and have purposeful lives, and then we're also encouraging people to go out and exercise."
Hiking can help build stronger muscles and bones, improve balance, boost heart health and decrease the risk of respiratory problems, according to the National Park Service.
Celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels has touted the benefits of walking, previously telling Fox News Digital that she encourages Americans to have a daily step goal.
"150 minutes of walking a week has been shown to extend your lifespan by up to seven years," she said at the time. "Something simple like that goes such a long way."
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Starting with a simple goal of 5,000 steps a day and using a walking pad is a great way to begin, according to Michaels.
Hiking in nature has also been shown to reduce anxiety and depression.
Stanford researchers have found that people who walked for 90 minutes in a natural outdoor setting showed decreased activity in a region of the brain linked to depression.
"These results suggest that accessible natural areas may be vital for mental health in our rapidly urbanizing world," said co-author Gretchen Daily, the Bing Professor in Environmental Science and a senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, in a study report.
"Our findings can help inform the growing movement worldwide to make cities more livable, and to make nature more accessible to all who live in them."