Dick Van Dyke says living longer linked to his lack of hate and anger

Dick Van Dyke turns 100 this year, and he says he feels "really good." 

In a recent conversation with People, he credits his attitude for both his age and the fact that he has "no pain, no discomfort."

"I’ve always thought that anger is one thing that eats up a person’s insides – and hate," Van Dyke said, explaining how people often ask what he did right.

He added that he’s "rather lazy" and never felt driven by the kind of resentment that can harden over time.

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"Sometimes I have more energy than others – but I never wake up in a bad mood," he told People.

The actor explained that while there were always things and people he didn’t like or approve of, he "never really was able to work up a feeling of hate," and certainly not "a white-heat kind of hate."

He contrasted himself with his father, who was "constantly upset by the state of things in his life," noting to People that his father died at 73.

Van Dyke believes avoiding that emotional pattern is one of the chief things that kept him going.

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Modern research appears to back up this idea that emotional states play a meaningful role in long-term health.

Studies on aging adults show that anger can heighten inflammation in the body, raising levels of markers like IL-6 and increasing risk of illness.

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These effects can accelerate the wear-and-tear process associated with aging.

The broader scientific picture suggests that patterns of hostility or persistent irritation function like a physiological tax, straining the systems that keep the body resilient.

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Van Dyke explained in the interview his belief that "people are born with an outlook."

"I just think I was born with a brighter outlook," while others, he says, are born having to fight against downward spirals.

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"And after 100 years, I think I’m right."

"When you expire, you expire," he told People. "I don’t have any fear of death for some reason. I can’t explain that but I don’t. I’ve had such a wonderfully full and exciting life… I can’t complain."

Van Dyke’s 100th birthday falls on Dec. 13.

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America's most popular cooking oil may be linked to obesity, new study finds

A new study published in the Journal of Lipid Research suggests that soybean oil, the most widely consumed cooking oil in the United States, may play a direct role in promoting obesity, and the effect appears tied to how the body processes one of its main components.

Researchers fed mice a diet rich in soybean oil and tracked how they metabolized linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that makes up a large share of soybean oil.

Linoleic acid is broken down in the body into molecules called oxylipins, and eating a lot of linoleic acid can raise the amount of these oxylipins. The study shows that certain oxylipins are linked to weight gain in mice.

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"This may be the first step toward understanding why some people gain weight more easily than others on a diet high in soybean oil," said Sonia Deol, a UCR biomedical scientist and corresponding author of the study, in a press release.

The researchers asked a simple question: If we reduce the mice’s ability to turn linoleic acid into oxylipins, will they still get obese on a soybean-oil diet?

To test this, they used a genetically engineered line of mice that express a different version of a liver regulatory gene, P2-HNF4α.

The genetic change alters many metabolic pathways, including lowering the activity of several enzyme families that normally convert linoleic acid into oxylipins. These enzymes also exist in all mammals, including humans, and their activity can vary because of genetics, diet and other factors.

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The team then fed both the altered mice and normal mice a diet high in soybean oil. At the end of the experiment, the modified mice had healthier livers and gained much less weight compared to normal mice on the same diet.

The researchers pinpointed specific oxylipins made from linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid (another fat in soybean oil) that were tied to obesity in the normal mice.

These oxylipins were present in higher amounts in the mice that became obese.

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The findings suggest that the body’s internal processing of linoleic acid may play a key role in how soybean oil contributes to fat accumulation.

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In other words, the issue may not be just the calories in the oil itself, but what the body turns those fatty acids into once they enter the metabolic system.

The study was conducted entirely in mice, and the authors note that human metabolism is more complex. Still, the work raises questions about whether high intake of linoleic-acid-rich oils could contribute to obesity through biochemical pathways that go beyond simple energy balance.

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Soybean oil is the dominant cooking oil in American households, restaurants, and processed foods, according to the study. Because of its affordability and neutral taste, it is also used heavily in packaged snacks, fast foods and fried items.

The researchers emphasize that the study does not claim soybean oil inevitably causes obesity in humans. 

Instead, it highlights a biochemical mechanism that may help explain why diets high in this oil can promote weight gain in animal models.

The authors also caution that the genetically modified mice differ from humans because they were engineered to express much lower levels of enzymes responsible for converting linoleic acid into its metabolites. That allows scientists to see the effects more clearly but limits how directly the results apply to people.

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Doctor warns of 2 simple food mistakes that increase chronic disease risk

Nutrition can be the key to warding off disease — even fatal conditions like cancer.

That's according to medical doctors like Dr. Frank Dumont, an internal medicine physician and executive medical director of Virta Health, a Colorado-based group that tackles metabolic health through diet.

In an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital, Dumont shared that Americans have experienced an increase in obesity, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and cancers in the last several decades, which "probably has a lot to do with our lifestyle."

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"We know food is a big part of that … our diet has changed dramatically over the past few decades," he said. "A lot of the foods we're eating are much more processed. They're much higher in simple carbohydrates and simple sugars than they ever were previously."

These foods have been linked to an increase in insulin and inflammation, which leads to health complications, Dumont warned. To lower the risk of chronic disease, he encourages people to make the following simple swaps.

"It depends on the individual situation," he said. "The better you know your body, the better you can make decisions and make these types of swaps."

To help meet the goal of consuming more fiber and natural products, Dumont recommends eating real fruit instead of drinking fruit juice, which is highly processed.

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"Fruit juice can have some benefits — it has minerals, vitamins and micronutrients, but the bottom line is that it's more processed, and you've eliminated a lot of the fiber that is supposed to go hand in hand with the fruit sugar," he said.

Dumont added that he does not believe in "villainizing" fruit, as it has been scrutinized for being high in sugar.

"There's a lot of good health in fruit," he said. "It depends on that person's individual metabolism. If someone is so metabolically sick, so insulin resistant … even some very healthy fruits can be more than their body can handle."

"But for most people, and especially earlier on when you're not as metabolically sick, the wonderful thing about fruit is that you're actually packaging all of that sugar up in the fiber."

Making this one small swap, even at a fast-food restaurant, can improve overall health, according to Dumont.

Rather than opting for a menu item that is heavy in carbohydrates, like a breaded chicken sandwich, choosing a chicken salad makes for a more well-rounded meal.

The doctor recommends choosing chicken that is grilled rather than fried and breaded.

"You put that on top of some lettuce with a good healthy dressing, and it can actually be extremely healthy eating out on the road at a fast-food restaurant," he said.

Dumont noted that he has seen many patients lose their fight against chronic disease when treated only with medication.

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"I was seeing people get worse and worse, and that was really disheartening for me," he said. "What I found later in my career is the power of nutrition and lifestyle. And it's something that, honestly, I have really been trained to be pessimistic about."

In his training, Dumont said he was taught that patients rarely sustain healthy lifestyle changes, and that moving to medicines and procedures should be "quickly" encouraged.

"I found that was not true," he said. "If you gave people the right information, and they were able to implement it, you could help them do it in a way that was actually enjoyable and doable for them."

"The power of that was more than the power of the medicines I had been using."

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The doctor said he now sees people improve significantly when they match up their nutrition with what their bodies need.

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Dumont said he has worked with patients who "feel like they've failed at everything they've tried to improve their health, and then all of a sudden feel empowered to say, ‘I'm listening to my body. I've learned from my body, I know what works for my body, and look at what I've accomplished.'"

"It's a night and day difference," he said. "And I am very optimistic about that now."

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Mysterious marijuana-linked vomiting disorder gets official WHO code as ER cases jump

A mysterious vomiting disorder tied to long-term marijuana use is now formally recognized by global health officials, a move experts say could help save lives as cases surge nationwide.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally added cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) to its diagnostic manual, according to guidance published by the agency in October, giving the mysterious disorder a dedicated code for the first time. The update, which took effect Oct. 1 and is now adopted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, allows physicians nationwide to identify, track and study the condition rather than lumping it into broader vomiting or gastrointestinal categories.

CHS is a dangerous and sometimes deadly syndrome that, according to the National Institutes of Health, affects chronic cannabis users, causing severe nausea, repeated vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, weight loss and, in rare cases, heart rhythm problems, seizures, kidney failure and death. Patients often describe a horrifying symptom known as "scromiting" — screaming and vomiting at the same time due to extreme pain, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

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Until now, doctors have struggled to diagnose CHS because its symptoms mimic food poisoning, the stomach flu and more, Axios reported, and some patients have gone months and even years without answers.

"It helps us count and monitor these cases," said Beatriz Carlini, a research associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, which UW identifies and tracks CHS in their hospitals/ERs and praised the WHO decision in a Nov. 18 news release. "A new code for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome will supply important hard evidence on cannabis-adverse events, which physicians tell us is a growing problem," added Carlini, who studies adverse health effects of cannabis use.

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A new JAMA Network Open study published Nov. 24 found emergency room visits for CHS spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic and have remained high ever since. Researchers say isolation, stress and increased access to high-potency cannabis products likely contributed to the rise.

CHS-related ER visits rose approximately 650% from 2016 to their peak during the pandemic, especially among those ages 18 to 35, according to the study. The authors also noted a dramatic shift in THC potency, with today's products often topping 20% THC, compared to just 5% in the 1990s.

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John Puls, a Florida-based psychotherapist and nationally certified addiction specialist, said he has seen an "alarming" increase in CHS, particularly among adolescents and young adults using high-potency cannabis.

"In my opinion, and the research also supports this, the increased rates of CHS are absolutely linked to high-potency cannabis — often products are over 90% THC," Puls told Fox News Digital. He added that the most common misconception about CHS is that it is not a real condition, which is why he believes the new diagnosis code is "a significant step in the right direction."

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Some researchers, however, note that causation remains unproven, and the epidemiology is not fully understood, and the underlying cause of CHS is still unknown. One theory is that heavy, long-term cannabis use overstimulates the body's cannabinoid system, triggering the opposite of marijuana's usual anti-nausea effect. "Although cannabis can be used to treat nausea, those products are typically much lower dose THC — usually less than 5%," Puls said.

Stopping cannabis use appears to be the only surefire cure, according to the Cleveland Clinic and NIH. Typical nausea medications rarely help, so doctors often turn to stronger drugs or capsaicin cream, which mimics the warm relief many patients get from hot showers. 

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A telltale sign of CHS is that sufferers often find relief only by taking long, hot showers — a temporary fix scientists still don't fully understand.

The syndrome is intermittent, which leads some users to believe a bout of illness was a fluke, and they may continue using cannabis without incident before suddenly becoming violently sick again. Experts say many people resist the diagnosis, and even those who accept it often find it hard to quit cannabis because of addiction.

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"Some people say they've used cannabis without a problem for decades," said Dr. Chris Buresh, an emergency medicine specialist with UW Medicine. "But even small amounts can make these people start throwing up."

And once someone has had CHS, Puls noted, they're more likely to experience it again. "My hope would be that with this new diagnosis code that CHS is more accurately diagnosed in an emergency room setting," he said.

Public-health experts expect the new WHO code to dramatically improve surveillance and help physicians spot trends, especially as legalization spreads and high-potency products proliferate.

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Dogs for diabetes patients detect deadly blood sugar crashes before medical devices, families claim

As technology advances in diabetes care with continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps and AI-driven alerts, another kind of intelligence is proving just as powerful: a dog’s nose.

Across the country, specially trained diabetic alert dogs are learning to detect dangerous changes in blood sugar before medical devices do, news agency SWNS reported.

Kona, a 1-year-old labrador retriever in Ohio, alerts his owner, 7-year-old Kennedy Berce, to rising or falling blood sugar by gently placing a paw on her arm. Often, Kona is able to alert up to 30 minutes before the child's glucose monitor registers a problem.

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After completing two months of scent detection training, Kona now works around the clock — just like hundreds of other diabetic alert dogs, according to the same source. 

Those who live with diabetic alert dogs say the animals provide safety and peace of mind. For Kennedy Berce and her family, that means having a constant companion who can sense danger before anyone else knows something is wrong.

"At just 7 years old, she can be full of energy even when her blood sugar is 45. That’s why Kona is such a lifesaver," Lindsey Berce, Kennedy’s mother, told SWNS. 

"He can sense the change before Kennedy feels anything at all, and often before we even know something’s wrong from her technology."

Low or high blood sugar levels cause chemical changes in a person’s body that humans can’t smell. Diabetic alert dogs are trained to recognize these scents and alert their owners through specific actions like pawing or licking, according to the American Kennel Club.

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Dr. Frank Dumont, an internal medicine physician and executive medical director at Virta Health in Colorado, told Fox News Digital it comes down to how the body and technology process signals.

One of the main limitations of current diabetes medical devices is the lag between what's going on in the body and the blood vessels, the doctor noted.

Trained alert dogs have the intuition to detect glucose shifts in real time, even when the person is sleeping, often responding to hormonal changes before sensors pick them up.

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This early detection can be especially critical for people whose blood sugar levels drop suddenly or reach dangerously low levels, said Dumont. 

"That's the kind of thing that can cause a seizure or a coma or even death," he warned.

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes involve high blood sugar levels, but for different reasons. Type 1 occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, while type 2 develops when the body still makes insulin but no longer responds to it effectively.

"The treatment is very different," Dumont said. "Sometimes we have to resort to medicines like insulin, but we're usually trying to do other things to help people get their nutrition right."

While diabetic alert dogs can provide crucial early warnings, they are not a replacement for medical devices or ongoing monitoring, experts emphasize.

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Although the animals undergo extensive training and require consistent reinforcement to help improve accuracy, they cannot provide exact blood sugar measurements.

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Those interested in using a diabetic alert dog as part of their diabetes management should speak with a doctor to determine the best approach for their individual needs.

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Type 1 diabetes reversed in landmark study, paving the way for human studies

A potential cure for type 1 diabetes has been identified by scientists in a new mouse study.

In an animal study, researchers at Stanford School of Medicine discovered that resetting the immune system in diabetic mice and creating new insulin-making cells reversed the disease in 100% of cases, according to a Stanford press release.

The researchers took a group of 19 pre-diabetic mice and gave them a non-toxic "conditioning" treatment that included low levels of radiation and special antibodies that reduce certain immune cells called T-cells, according to the study release.

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The goal was to make the mice’s immune systems less reactive so that the scientists could test new therapies more effectively.

The mice then received stem cell transplantation using the bone marrow cells of other mice, as well as donor islet cells (insulin-making) cells.

The researchers’ goal was to create a "mixed chimerism" — an environment where the mouse has both its own cells and donor immune cells.

This method prevented the development of diabetes in all 19 pre-diabetic mice, as published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

The researchers also studied nine mice that had long-standing type 1 diabetes. All nine of the mice were cured by the combined stem cell and islet transplantation.

The results did not indicate any major side effects or immunity depletion, the scientists noted.

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Although this study was only done in mice and required some radiation, which could be limiting in future research, the experts shared their optimism that the treatment could eventually be applied to humans.

In addition to diabetes, this "gentler pre-conditioning approach" could make stem cell transplants a "viable treatment for autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and non-cancerous blood conditions like sickle cell anemia," the researchers wrote.

"The key steps in our study — which resulted in animals with a hybrid immune system containing cells from both the donor and the recipient — are already being used in the clinic for other conditions," study co-author Seung K. Kim, M.D., Ph.D., the KM Mulberry Professor and a professor of developmental biology, gerontology, endocrinology and metabolism at Stanford University, wrote in a statement.

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"We believe this approach will be transformative for people with type 1 diabetes or other autoimmune diseases, as well as for those who need solid organ transplants."

Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel commented on these findings in an interview with Fox News Digital, noting that although it is "preliminary work," it could show promise for humans.

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"This is a feasible approach and can be translated into human treatment, but will need to be modified via genetic analysis and artificial intelligence for a personalized approach to autoimmunity, which causes type 1 diabetes," he said. "It's not one-size-fits-all."

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Alzheimer's risk declines sharply with one daily lifestyle change, researchers say

Increasing physical activity in midlife or later may reduce the chances of developing dementia by up to 45%, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open.

Researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health analyzed data from more than 4,300 people in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring, all of whom were dementia-free at the start of the study.

The individuals completed a questionnaire reporting their amount of sleep and level of physical activity (sedentary, slight, moderate or heavy), according to the study report.

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The researchers analyzed the individuals’ physical activity throughout three life stages — early adult (ages 26-44 years), midlife (45-64 years) and late life (65-88 years).

They followed the participants for an average span of 37.2, 25.9 and 14.5 years, respectively, to monitor the onset of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.

Those in the top two quintiles of mid-life physical activity were associated with a 40% lower all-cause dementia risk over a 26-year period compared to those with the lowest activity level.

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People in the top two quintiles of late-life physical activity were associated with a 36% to 45% lower dementia risk over 15 years.

"These results may help to inform more precise and effective strategies to prevent or delay the onset of dementia in later life, and support evidence that the benefits of physical activity on the brain may extend to earlier in life than previously thought," study author Phillip Hwang, Ph.D., from the Department of Epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health, told Fox News Digital. 

Higher activity in midlife was associated with lower dementia risk only in people without APOE4, a genetic variant linked to higher Alzheimer's risk.

However, this was not the case with the late-life higher activity group, which showed reduced dementia risk among both APOE4 carriers and those without the gene, according to the study.

"There are several possible mechanisms through which physical activity is thought to lower the risk of dementia, such as improving brain structure and function, reducing inflammation and exerting benefits on vascular function," Hwang told Fox News Digital.

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Physical activity may also directly impact Alzheimer's disease pathology, such as the buildup of toxic beta-amyloid in the brain, according to the researcher.

"These potential mechanisms may contribute to facilitating cognitive reserve, which can delay late-life cognitive impairment."

More research is needed to understand whether these possible causes all happen at the same time throughout a person’s life, or if different causes emerge at different stages, the researchers said.

Dr. Cathryn Devons, M.D., who specializes in geriatric medicine at Phelps Hospital Northwell Health in Sleepy Hollow, New York, was not part of the study but commented on the findings.

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Exercise can lower the risk of hypertension, stroke, vascular disease, cholesterol levels and diabetes — "all the things that put you at risk for circulatory problems to the brain," she told Fox News Digital.

The doctor also noted that exercise is known to help to reduce inflammation, which can protect brain health.

One limitation of the study is that physical activity was based on self-reporting, Hwang told Fox News Digital.

"While we can say from these results that higher levels of overall physical activity are associated with reduced dementia risk, these results cannot translate well to recommendations about specific exercise types," he said.

Also, the level of physical activity in early adulthood was not linked with all-cause dementia or Alzheimer's dementia.

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"We may have been underpowered to detect associations with early adult life physical activity due to the small number of dementia cases in this age group," the authors noted.

Devons agreed that while the study may have limitations, it supports the idea of exercise lowering the risk of dementia.

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Stop heartburn before it starts: 5 dinner mistakes to avoid, from a GI doctor

The holidays are a time for family, food and festive cheer — but for many people, they also bring an unwelcome guest: heartburn.

It’s no coincidence that cases of reflux spike this time of year, according to Dr. Mark Shachner, medical director of the Broward Health Coral Springs Heartburn Center in South Florida.

"Heartburn tends to flare up during the holidays because we often eat larger portions, enjoy richer foods, and indulge in more sweets and alcohol than usual," he told Fox News Digital.

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Combine those rich holiday foods and drinks with overeating, late-night meals, and lying down too soon after eating, and you’ve got what the doctor calls "a recipe for reflux."

Below, the doctor shares five common mistakes people make that can trigger heartburn — during the holidays and year-round.

Shachner recommends eating smaller portions, chewing slower and resisting the urge to go back for seconds until you’ve had time to digest. 

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Staying upright for at least two to three hours after eating helps the stomach empty more efficiently — and keeps acid where it belongs.

"Moderation and timing make the biggest difference," Shachner added.

It’s tempting to grab one last cookie or slice of pie before bed, but Shachner recommends allowing two to three hours between your last bite and bedtime.

Going to bed too soon after eating is one of the biggest culprits for reflux, since lying flat makes it easier for stomach acid to creep upward, he said.

Walking or other low-effort activities after a big meal can make all the difference, according to Shachner.

"A gentle walk after meals helps digestion and reduces reflux," he said.

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Even light activity helps the stomach process food and reduces the pressure that leads to heartburn. No matter how appealing it may seem, Shachner recommends avoiding the post-feast nap.

Some foods and drinks are more likely to cause trouble. Common triggers include fatty or fried dishes, tomato sauces, citrus, chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, coffee and carbonated drinks, according to the doctor.

"Everyone’s triggers are a little different, so paying attention to which foods cause discomfort is important," he added.

An occasional bout of heartburn isn’t usually cause for concern, but if you’re having symptoms two or more times a week, or if over-the-counter remedies stop working, the doctor said it's important to pay attention.

"That’s when it’s time to see a doctor for a full evaluation," he said. 

Chronic reflux can signal gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can cause long-term damage if left untreated.

The doctor also cautioned about relying too heavily on antacids or acid reducers. "It’s best to use them under the guidance of a healthcare professional who can identify and treat the root cause rather than just the symptoms," he advised.

For people with chronic reflux, there are now minimally invasive, FDA-approved treatments that provide lasting relief without traditional surgery.

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"One example is the LINX® procedure, which uses a small ring of magnetic beads to reinforce the lower esophageal sphincter," Shachner shared.

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Another is transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF), which restores the natural barrier between the stomach and esophagus through the mouth, with no external incisions.

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Judge rules West Virginia parents can use religious beliefs to opt out of school vaccine requirements

A West Virginia judge ruled on Wednesday that parents can use religious beliefs to opt out of school vaccine requirements for their children.

Raleigh County Circuit Judge Michael Froble on Wednesday issued a permanent injunction, saying children of families who object to the state's compulsory vaccination law on religious grounds will be permitted to attend school and participate in extracurricular sports.

Froble found that a state policy prohibiting parents from seeking religious exemptions violates the Equal Protection for Religion Act signed into law in 2023 by then-Gov. Jim Justice.

West Virginia was among just a handful of states to offer only medical exemptions from school vaccinations when Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued an executive order earlier this year allowing religious exemptions.

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However, the state Board of Education voted in June to instruct public schools to ignore the governor's order and follow long-standing school vaccine requirements outlined in state law.

The board said following Wednesday's ruling that it "hereby suspends the policy on compulsory vaccination requirements" pending an appeal before the state Supreme Court.

Morrisey said in a statement that the ruling "is a win for every family forced from school over their faith."

Two groups had sued to stop Morrisey's order, arguing that the legislature has the authority to make these decisions instead of the governor.

Legislation that would have allowed the religious exemptions was approved by the state Senate and rejected by the House of Delegates earlier this year.

The judge ruled that the failure to pass the legislation did not determine the application of the 2023 law. He rejected the defendants' argument that religious exemptions can only be established by legislative moves.

"Legislative intent is not absolute nor controlling in interpreting a statute or determining its application; at most, it is a factor," Froble said.

A group of parents had sued the state and local boards of education and the Raleigh County schools superintendent. One parent had obtained a religious exemption to the vaccine mandate from the state health department and enrolled her child in elementary school for the current school year before receiving an email in June from the local school superintendent rescinding the certificate, according to the lawsuit.

In July, Froble issued a preliminary injunction allowing the children of the three plaintiffs’ families in Raleigh County to attend school this year.

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Last month, Froble certified the case as a class action involving 570 families who had received religious exemptions in other parts of the state. He said the class action also applies to parents who seek religious exemptions in the future.

Froble said the total number of exemptions so far involved a small portion of the statewide student population and "would not meaningfully reduce vaccination rates or increase health risks."

State law requires children to receive vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis B, measles, meningitis, mumps, diphtheria, polio, rubella, tetanus and whooping cough before attending school.

At least 30 states have religious freedom laws. The laws are modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was signed into law in 1993 by then-President Bill Clinton, allowing federal regulations that interfere with religious beliefs to be challenged.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Common sleep problem tied to serious neurological disorder in major new study

A major new study has found a notable connection between untreated sleep apnea and an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.

A team of researchers from Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) studied more than 11 million veterans aged 40 and older who did not already have Parkinson’s disease.

Some of them had been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The researchers then tracked who went on to develop Parkinson’s over an average of nearly five years.

'SOCIAL SLEEP APNEA' COULD BE RUINING YOUR WEEKEND REST, STUDY SUGGESTS

They also examined veterans who began continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy within two years of their sleep apnea diagnosis, searching for any difference in Parkinson’s outcomes compared with those who delayed or never started CPAP.

Dr. Greg Scott, an Oregon-based pathologist and co-author of the study, called the findings "surprising" in a press release.

"People who still got Parkinson’s but had been on CPAP had fewer fractures, fewer falls and lower mortality. We tested this rigorously and the result kept happening," he said.

The research, published in JAMA Neurology, draws on records from U.S. veterans who were treated through the Department of Veterans Affairs between 1999 and 2022. Data were adjusted for age, sex, race, smoking and other health factors.

'HARMLESS' VIRUS FOUND LURKING IN PARKINSON'S PATIENTS' BRAINS, NEW STUDY SHOWS

Veterans with untreated sleep apnea were almost twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s as those without apnea, the study found. Over about five years, this translated into roughly one to two additional Parkinson’s cases per 1,000 people.

Among veterans who began CPAP therapy early, the risk was about 30% lower. 

That reduction amounted to approximately 2.3 fewer Parkinson’s cases per 1,000 people, meaning that early CPAP treatment could prevent one case for every 439 individuals treated over five years.

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"The best strategy for a neurodegenerative disease is prevention and catching risk factors early, before the damage is done," said Scott.

The researchers propose several potential reasons for this link. Repeated drops in oxygen during sleep can damage neurons, increase inflammation and and interfere with the brain’s ability to clear out waste, allowing toxic proteins to accumulate.

"If you stop breathing several times an hour and your oxygen levels are dropping … you’re essentially stunning those brain cells every time that is happening," said Dr. Lee Neilson, OHSU neurologist and lead author of the study, in the same press release.

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By stabilizing oxygen and improving sleep continuity, scientists believe CPAP may reduce those stresses and protect brain tissue over time.

The study’s authors emphasized, however, that their findings only show an association between the sleep disorder and neurological disease.

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Because this was an observational analysis, it cannot definitively prove that sleep apnea causes Parkinson’s.

The team also lacked detailed data on how consistently participants used their CPAP devices. Also, most veterans in the study were older men, which means the results may not be generalized to other populations.

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Additionally, the researchers noted that early signs of Parkinson’s, including sleep disturbances, might have led some individuals to be diagnosed with apnea in the first place.

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‘Green Wednesday’ surges as Americans swap alcohol for cannabis ahead of Thanksgiving

The biggest shopping day of the year may be Black Friday, but the cannabis equivalent happens the day before Thanksgiving.

Despite potential health risks, "Green Wednesday" has been named the second-highest day of the year for pot sales, according to various reports, second only to April 20 (4/20) as the leading day for sales.

This is in part due to dispensaries offering large discounts on products like pre-rolls, edibles, gummies, vapes and flowers.

POT AND GAMING COMBO COULD POSE HIDDEN HEALTH RISKS, RESEARCHERS WARN

According to Dutchie, an Oregon-based e-commerce platform used by thousands of dispensaries across the U.S., average sales increased 91% on Nov. 27, 2024 — the day before Thanksgiving last year — compared to a typical Wednesday. The average basket per shopper increased by 9% to more than $70.

New York dispensaries reported even higher numbers, according to the analysis, with medical baskets reaching more than $106.

"While not as well-known as 4/20, Green Wednesday is quickly becoming a premier cannabis holiday and a vital day of business for cannabis dispensaries," Spencer Scott, Dutchie's chief revenue officer, wrote in a press release. "And as more Americans swap alcohol for cannabis, the popularity of Green Wednesday will just increase."

USING MARIJUANA TO COPE WITH STRESS OR TRAUMA MAY BACKFIRE, STUDY WARNS

A blog post by Catalyst Cannabis — a California-based dispensary with nearly 30 locations — noted how Green Wednesday allows customers to stock up before family gatherings, long weekends and general travel. Catalyst called the day a "pre-holiday pilgrimage for weed lovers."

"Think of it as a moment to reset, refuel and roll up before the chaos begins," the post reads.

According to the seller, Green Wednesday began in the early 2010s, when delivery services noticed an "unexpected sales spike" on the day before Thanksgiving.

"Customers were prepping for family gatherings, eating/cooking marathons and everyone’s favorite ‘cousin walk,’" Catalyst reported. "Soon, the industry caught on and began promoting special deals around the event, branding it as the cannabis version of Black Friday."

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The retailer added, "As the stress of travel and family dynamics ramps up, people turn to Green Wednesday for a little holiday peace."

While Catalyst encourages taking advantage of the pre-holiday deals, it also offers some safety tips.

Those include knowing your dose, staying hydrated, not driving under the influence and keeping cannabis products safely stored away from kids and pets.

While cannabis products can have a de-stressing effect for many, recent studies have cautioned that marijuana use may increase mental health challenges like paranoia, anxiety and depression.

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Researchers found that people who first tried marijuana to deal with pain, stress or depression were far more likely to struggle with paranoia later.

Cannabis has also been linked to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes, according to a 2024 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

"Cannabis is not an innocent bystander when it comes to cardiovascular health," Dr. Robert Page, a University of Colorado School of Medicine professor who serves as the American Heart Association chair, told Fox News Digital at the time.

"We need to get out to the public the fact that there is a potential for these types of cardiovascular events and people need to make an informed decision."

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Potency has also increased in recent decades. According to the American Psychological Association, in the 1960s and 1970s, marijuana averaged about 1% THC; today, many products reach 30% and concentrates can be as high as 95%.

Fox News Digital's Khloe Quill contributed to this report.

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On a GLP-1? How to survive holiday meals without derailing your progress

While being on a GLP-1 can help to accelerate weight loss and regulate blood sugar, it also has the potential to change how people interact socially.

As the holidays approach, sitting down for meals with family and lots of indulgent food may be challenging for those taking obesity drugs, as they tend to decrease appetite, lower tolerance for alcoholic beverages, shift mood and even affect mental health.

Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, a board-certified endocrinologist, weight loss specialist and author of the upcoming book "Weightless," shared the severity of these changes in an interview with Fox News Digital.

'NEXT OZEMPIC' AIMS TO DELIVER 30% WEIGHT LOSS WITH FEWER SIDE EFFECTS

"For the first time in history, we're having masses of people achieve weight-loss goals that never were possible before," said the New York-based doctor.

"Some patients have never seen themselves at that new weight — or for some, their spouses met them at a different weight. Many patients have decades of trauma from [struggling with] their weight — shame, guilt."

"We're not doing anything for the psyche part of weight loss," Salas-Whalen went on. "The psyche doesn't move as fast as the weight loss can happen."

WHY OZEMPIC USERS 'CAN BARELY FINISH A THIRD' OF THEIR RESTAURANT ORDERS

Some may be faced with physical shifts like excess skin, changes in shoe size and intolerance to colder temperatures — but emotional and mental barriers exist as well.

Many of Salas-Whalen's patients have admitted that they struggle mentally with how differently they’re treated after losing weight.

WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS COULD ADD YEARS TO AMERICANS' LIVES, RESEARCHERS PROJECT

"Many patients don't see themselves as that new weight," she said. "They see themselves as they were before. Some patients have a hard time understanding how they're being treated better now than before, even though they're the same person."

The doctor said she has also witnessed some patients distancing themselves from spouses and friends because social eating and drinking doesn't fit into their new lifestyle.

In some cultures, it may be considered rude to turn down food at family events, Salas-Whalen mentioned — and some family members tend to pressure people to eat and make claims like "you’re too skinny."

Instead of overindulging — which can make people feel sick while on medication — the doctor recommends being open about weight-loss journeys and setting clear boundaries.

"I think many people feel ashamed or embarrassed or are even shamed by other people for being on weight-loss medication," she said. "It’s going to be very hard for somebody to not say, ‘Are you sick? Why are you not eating?’"

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"Your body has changed completely, you've lost 80 pounds, and now you're eating half of what you normally would eat, and maybe you're not drinking," Salas-Whalen went on. "So, people are going to wonder."

The best way to approach this, according to the expert, is to share that your eating habits have changed due to GLP-1 medication and that you don't want to feel pressured in social situations.

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"It's harder if you want to keep it a secret, but even if it's kept a secret, you can just say, ‘I am full and this is it, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't keep pursuing,'" she said.

"It's just setting boundaries that we sometimes don't have with family — but I do encourage patients to share their [journeys]."

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Disclosing GLP-1 use can also help to remove the stigma associated with using medication to help with obesity, Salas-Whalen added.

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The deadly cancer hiding in plain sight — and why most patients never get screened

A new study from Northwestern Medicine suggests that current lung cancer screening guidelines may be missing most Americans who develop the disease — and researchers say it’s time for a major change.

Published in JAMA Network Open, the study analyzed nearly 1,000 lung cancer patients who were treated at Northwestern Medicine between 2018 and 2023. 

The goal was to see how many of those patients would have qualified for screening under existing guidance from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

STEALTH BREAST CANCER THAT HIDES FROM SCANS TARGETED IN BREAKTHROUGH TECH

USPSTF currently recommends annual CT scans for adults ages 50 to 80 who have a 20 pack-year smoking history (the equivalent of one pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years) and either still smoke or quit within the last 15 years.

Only about 35% of those diagnosed with lung cancer met the current criteria to undergo screenings.

That means roughly two-thirds of patients would not have been flagged for testing before their diagnosis.

"Not only does that approach miss many patients who had quit smoking in the past or did not quite meet the high-risk criteria, it also misses other patients at risk of lung cancer, such as non-smokers," Luis Herrera, M.D., a thoracic surgeon at Orlando Health, told Fox News Digital.

The study noted that these patients tended to have adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer among never-smokers.

Those missed by the guidelines were more often women, people of Asian descent and individuals who had never smoked, the study found.

The research team also compared survival outcomes. Patients who didn’t meet the screening criteria had better survival, living a median of 9.5 years compared with 4.4 years for those who did qualify. 

ERIN ANDREWS HAD 'NO SYMPTOMS' BEFORE CANCER DIAGNOSIS, PUSHES FOR EARLY SCREENINGS

While this difference partly reflects tumor biology and earlier detection, it also highlights how current screening rules fail to catch a broad range of cases that could be treated sooner, according to researchers.

"The current participation in lung cancer screening for patients who do qualify based on smoking history is quite low," said Herrera, who was not involved in the study. This is likely due to the complexity of the risk-based criteria and stigma associated with smoking and lung cancer, he added.

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To test an alternative, the researchers modeled a different approach: screening everyone between the ages of 40 and 85, regardless of smoking history. 

Under that universal, age-based model, about 94% of the cancers in their cohort would have been detected.

Such a change could prevent roughly 26,000 U.S. deaths each year, at a cost of about $101,000 per life saved, according to their estimates. 

The study emphasized that this would be far more cost-effective than current screening programs for breast or colorectal cancer, which cost between $890,000 and $920,000 per life saved.

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Herrera noted the many challenges in the adoption of lung cancer screening, from lack of awareness to some providers not recommending the screening test.

However, he added, "The cost of screening is covered by most health insurance plans and many institutions also offer discounts for patients who don’t have insurance."

Lung cancer remains the deadliest cancer in the country, killing more people each year than colon, prostate and breast cancer combined. But because of the narrow eligibility criteria based on smoking history, millions at risk never get screened.

Northwestern Medicine researchers argue that expanding screening to include all adults within an age range could help close those gaps, especially for groups often underdiagnosed.

The study was conducted at a single academic center, which means the patient population may not represent the wider U.S. population. It also looked back at existing data, so it can’t prove how the new model would perform in real-world screening programs, the researchers acknowledged.

The cost and mortality projections rely on assumptions that could shift depending on how screening is implemented. 

The researchers also didn’t fully account for the potential downsides of broader screening, such as false positives or unnecessary follow-ups, they noted.

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For patients who don’t qualify for lung cancer screening, there are other opportunities for lung evaluations, including "heart calcium scores, CT scans and other imaging modalities that can at least evaluate the lungs for any suspicious nodules," Herrera added.

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Aggressive cancer warning signs revealed after JFK’s granddaughter's diagnosis

Days after Tatiana Schlossberg announced that she has terminal cancer, the spotlight is on the warning signs of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

John F. Kennedy’s granddaughter, 35, shared the details of her diagnosis in an essay published in The New Yorker on Nov. 22.

Schlossberg, who is the daughter of Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, and Edwin Schlossberg, learned of her disease in May 2024. 

KATE MIDDLETON SHARES PHOTO TAKEN BY PRINCE LOUIS WITH POIGNANT MESSAGE AFTER CANCER BATTLE

She wrote that one doctor predicted she would live for about a year.

The first indicator of Schlossberg’s disease was an abnormally high white blood cell count, which doctors detected just hours after she gave birth to her second child.

AML is a type of leukemia that begins in the bone marrow, the soft, inner tissue of certain bones where new blood cells are produced, according to the American Cancer Society.

This type of cancer typically spreads rapidly from the bone marrow into the bloodstream and can also reach other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, brain and spinal cord, and testicles, per ACS.

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In some cases, clusters of leukemia cells may form a solid mass known as a myeloid sarcoma.

Schlossberg's AML stems from a rare gene mutation known as inversion 3, which is an abnormality of chromosome 3 in the leukemia cells.

"Inversion 3 correlates with a very high rate of resistance to standard chemotherapy treatments and, therefore, very poor clinical outcomes," Dr. Stephen Chung, a leukemia expert and oncologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, told Fox News Digital. (Chung was not involved in Schlossberg’s care.)

The most common symptoms of Schlossberg’s type of cancer include sudden onset of severe fatigue, shortness of breath with exertion, unusual bleeding or bruising, fever and infections, according to Dr. Pamela Becker, professor in the Division of Leukemia at City of Hope, a U.S. cancer research and treatment organization in California, who also did not treat Schlossberg.

Chung noted that AML usually causes abnormally low blood cell counts, or in some cases an abnormally high white blood cell count.

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"This may be picked up in routine testing for other purposes, or because the patient develops symptoms from these low blood counts," he said. 

AML can sometimes resemble a severe flu with a generally unwell feeling, noted Robert Sikorski, M.D., Ph.D., a hematology/oncology expert and chief medical officer of Cero Therapeutics in California. 

"Some patients also experience bone pain or night sweats," he told Fox News Digital.

Known risk factors for AML include prior chemotherapy or radiation, smoking, long-term benzene exposure and certain inherited syndromes, although most cases occur without any identifiable cause, according to Sikorski, who has not treated Schlossberg.

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In some rare cases, people can inherit mutations that cause AML to run in families, with recent research suggesting that these cases may be more common than previously thought, Chung noted.

"We used to only check for this in younger AML patients, but we now believe all patients should be screened for these mutations," he said.

The standard treatment for AML is intensive chemotherapy with a combination of two drugs, with additional agents added based on each patient’s specific characteristics, according to Becker.

For patients with higher-risk types of AML, the chemotherapy is usually followed by a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant to prevent relapse. The transplants come from matched donors, often family members.

"This is a much more involved process that usually involves another month in the hospital, followed by close follow-up for many months, as well as a much higher risk for treatment-related side effects," Chung said.

There is not a specific treatment that is effective for Schlossberg’s specific chromosome abnormality, the doctors noted, although some new cellular therapies and immunotherapies are being investigated.

For older patients who are not strong enough to receive intensive chemotherapy, the standard treatment is venetoclax/azacytidine (a combination therapy used to treat certain types of AML), Chung said.

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"This can often be given mostly outside the hospital on a monthly basis," he said. "While it technically is not considered to be curative, it can work very well — in some cases, patients remain in remission for many months, if not years."

There is hope on the horizon, as AML treatment has advanced more in the past decade than in the previous 30 years, according to Sikorski.

"New targeted drugs have been approved in several AML subtypes, and early work in immune-based therapies, including CAR-T and other engineered cell therapies, is beginning to reach clinical trials for AML," Sikorski, told Fox News Digital.

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"Supportive care has also improved significantly, which helps patients tolerate treatment more effectively." 

While there is not yet a drug tailored specifically to inversion 3, he reiterated, "many studies focused on high-risk AML are actively enrolling these patients, and the overall treatment landscape continues to expand."

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Pumpkin’s secret health powers go far beyond the holidays, experts say

Pumpkin is a staple ingredient in many holiday dishes, like pumpkin pie, breads, soups and even ravioli.

In addition to its seasonal appeal, pumpkin has been shown to have many health benefits.

According to New York-based certified holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco, pumpkin is a great source of fiber and potassium, which boosts heart health by countering sodium's effect on blood pressure.

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"For heart health — and health in general — we are always looking for ways to increase our daily intake of fiber, and pumpkin is a good source," she told Fox News Digital in an interview.

About 1 cup of canned organic pumpkin purée can provide more than 10% of daily potassium and contains about 4 grams of fiber.

DeCicco suggested adding pumpkin purée to smoothies, oatmeal and yogurt bowls for a "rich creaminess" that also satisfies appetite.

According to the nutritionist, pumpkin is also very high in antioxidants.

"There is research correlating a diet high in antioxidants to health benefits, specifically lowering the risk of inflammatory conditions," DeCicco added.

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Pumpkin and other brightly colored foods, like butternut squash and carrots, also contain carotenoids, which can help protect against cell damage.

It's important to read labels carefully when using items like canned pumpkin purée, as some that are labeled "pumpkin pie mix" most likely include added sugars, the nutritionist warned.

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"Look for the can to only say ‘organic pumpkin’ as the ingredient," she advised. "If you do want to add a bit of sweetness on your own, add ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger and a small amount of low glycemic sugar, like coconut palm sugar."

For a nutrient-dense snack, DeCicco recommends adding pumpkin seeds.

"Pumpkin seeds pack a huge protein and fiber punch to stabilize blood sugar and reduce cravings, and are also high in many antioxidants and vitamins for overall health," she said. "Rich in zinc for immune health — and studied to improve prostate health — they are also high in potassium, magnesium and iron."

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Just a quarter-cup of pumpkin seeds can provide about 10 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, according to DeCicco. The fiber increases when eating the seeds after they are shelled.

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New weight-loss shot shows major fat reduction, but experts urge caution

An experimental medication was shown to help boost weight loss by up to 20%, a study found.

Eloralintide, a once-weekly injectable manufactured by Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, led to "meaningful, dose-dependent weight loss" in adults who were overweight or obese but did not have diabetes, according to a press release.

The drug was generally well-tolerated by the study participants.

The Phase 2 trial, which was funded by Eli Lilly, included 263 adults. After 48 weeks, they had lost between 9.5% and 20.1% of their body weight, compared to 0.4% for those taking the placebo.

Treatment with eloralintide was also linked to improvements in waist circumference, blood pressure, lipid profiles, glycemic control and markers of inflammation, all of which can increase cardiometabolic risk, according to the researchers.

WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS COULD ADD YEARS TO AMERICANS' LIVES, RESEARCHERS PROJECT

"The weight loss we saw in the study is clinically impactful," lead study author Liana K. Billings, M.D., director of clinical and genetics research in diabetes and cardiometabolic disease at Endeavor Health in Skokie, Illinois, said in the press release. 

"With this degree of weight loss in only 48 weeks, we see people having improvement or resolution in other conditions like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and more weight-related conditions."

"Furthermore, in the study, we did not see a nadir or plateau of weight loss, so I would expect weight loss to continue if the study continued for a longer duration. Additionally, up to 90% of participants on eloralintide improved by at least one BMI category," she added.

The results were published in The Lancet and presented at ObesityWeek 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this month.

AMERICA’S FATTEST STATES REVEALED — AND HOW OZEMPIC IS CHANGING THE MAP

While popular GLP-1 drugs — including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound — work by mimicking the gut hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), eloralintide is a selective amylin receptor agonist that works by mimicking a pancreas hormone called amylin.

Similar to GLP-1s, it helps to slow digestion, reduce appetite and control blood sugar after meals. It has not yet been FDA-approved for clinical use.

The biggest side effects noted for eloralintide were mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms and fatigue, the researchers noted. These effects were greater at higher doses.

"Obesity is a complex condition, and no single treatment works for everyone," said Billings.

"To truly address each patient's needs, we need therapies with different mechanisms of action so that each person can receive the treatment that offers the best balance of effectiveness and tolerability for them."

COULD GLP-1 WEIGHT-LOSS MEDICATIONS LIKE OZEMPIC BECOME THE 'EVERYTHING DRUG'?

Based on the trial results, the reseachers plan to launch Phase 3 clinical studies for obesity treatment by the end of this year, the president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health confirmed to Fox News Digital. The drug is also being evaluated for use in combination with GLP-1 medications.

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert, shared some concerns about the new anti-obesity agents being developed.

"Between all the agents out there, there is no way any person cannot lose weight when coupled with progressive resistance training and attention to their daily macronutrient intake, even if only a little," the doctor, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

"Yet big pharma will continue to search for novel targets to introduce a new drug that will likely prove similarly, yet not more, efficacious than the current agents. There are enough agents out there to drive weight loss to a malnutrition status."

Osborn also noted that the lower cardiovascular risk associated with the drug was likely due to the participants losing body fat, which reduces the risk for all age-related diseases.

"Bottom line: If an individual has an experienced and competent physician supervising their care — and driving the formation of healthy habits in addition to simply using the medication — they will lose weight," he said.

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Sue Decotiis, M.D., a medical weight-loss doctor in New York City, also shared her thoughts on eloralintide’s potential as an alternative treatment.

"It seems that the more receptor systems that are influenced, the more weight a patient can lose," she told Fox News Digital. "This is why tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), which hits two receptors, induced more weight loss than Ozempic and Wegovy."

"In my practice, I witnessed significantly better results with tirzepatide when patients were switched from Ozempic."

Hitting more receptors may be the answer for those patients who do not respond well or who "hit the wall" with simpler drugs, according to Decotiis, who also was not involved in the study.

"For long-term safety and results, peptide drugs show promise," she said.

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Whitney Di Bona, in-house attorney and consumer safety advocate for Drugwatch, noted that while the Phase 2 results are "promising," it is important to be cautious.

"These drugs have been used for years, but new safety concerns keep appearing," the Florida-based expert told Fox News Digital. Some of those include a potentially serious eye condition, delayed stomach emptying, bowel obstruction and serious digestive problems, which have led to many lawsuits.

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"Some side effects are rare or take time to show up, so it is important to monitor new drugs like eloralintide for safety over the long term," Di Bona advised. "Even with careful studies, some risks may only become clear after the drug is used by many people."

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Researchers say human hair could soon be key to repairing teeth damaged by cavities

A team of scientists in London may have found a way to repair tooth enamel using an ingredient found in an unexpected place: human hair.

Researchers at King’s College London experimented with keratin, the same natural protein found in hair, skin and nails, on teeth. In lab tests, the system "has shown potential in repairing early defective dental enamel lesions, restoring both optical appearance and mechanical properties," potentially offering a future in reversing cavities.

Daily habits like sipping acidic drinks or skipping proper brushing gradually erode enamel, causing sensitivity and tooth loss, the study explains. While fluoride can only slow the damage, the keratin-based formula in the new study stopped it entirely in lab tests.

Researchers harvested keratin from wool, and found that it forms a crystal-like structure upon application to the tooth surface and exposure to minerals in saliva.

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Over time, this structure attracted calcium and phosphate and turned them into a durable layer that mimics enamel. By forming a dense mineral layer that seals nerve pathways, keratin shields teeth from further wear and relieves sensitivity at the same time, the study found.

TREATING GUM DISEASE COULD REDUCE RISK OF HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES, STUDY SUGGESTS

According to the research team, the regenerated material could protect teeth against further acid wear, and the process might even reverse early decay.

DENTAL EXPERTS REVEAL 6 ESSENTIAL TIPS TO PREVENT TOOTH LOSS IN AGING ADULTS

What makes the discovery especially appealing is its potential for sustainability, the researchers say. Keratin can be harvested from hair or wool that would otherwise be discarded, turning waste into a valuable health product.

In the press announcement, King’s College London scientists said they envision it being added to everyday toothpaste or used in dentist-applied treatments within the next few years, though that depends on further testing and commercial development.

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Experts caution that this breakthrough is still in its early stages.

"Only limited enamel thickness was regenerated, along with questionable biocompatibility," the study notes, adding that "the clinical applicability of this technique is challenging due to the complicated fabrication process."

That means questions remain about the "scalability" of the solution in widespread application.

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According to the researchers, more work is needed to understand how thick and durable the new enamel layer can become and whether it can withstand years of real-world wear.

Independent dental scientists have also noted that lab-based enamel regeneration studies often struggle to match the complexity of true enamel.

Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, but it can’t naturally regrow once it’s damaged. Traditional toothpastes and fluoride treatments only help slow decay or strengthen what’s left. If the keratin-based method proves effective in people, experts say it could mark a major step toward truly regenerative dentistry.

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The study was published in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials.

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‘Miracles are real’: Doctor reveals how faith and medicine promote long-term health

Maintaining good health and longevity sometimes takes more than medicine, according to Dr. Marc Siegel.

In his new book, "The Miracles Among Us," the Fox News senior medical analyst shares miraculous stories of healing and life-saving moments that exceed the bounds of medical intervention.

"The book is amazing because it tells itself," he said. "The stories aren't mine; the stories are real. And what's interesting about them is that they are compilations that lead up to miracles."

DR. MARC SIEGEL: MY PERSONAL MIRACLE: A PHYSICIAN'S LESSONS IN FAITH AND HEALING

Siegel said he was inspired by his father, who lived to be 102 years old, and his mother, who lived to be 100. They credited their longevity to their love for each other.

"They were bound together by love; they didn't want to leave the other alone," he said. "It's a real love story."

"But beyond that, it's because physicians participated in keeping them alive and keeping them going down a lane to survival rather than saying they're too old."

The doctor added, "God is found in coincidences, he's found in visions, he's found in dreams, he's found in angels, he is found in unexpected happenings and unexpected recoveries and people waking up from comas that shouldn't."

BIBLE-BASED DIET COULD UNLOCK THE SECRET TO LASTING WELLNESS, EXPERTS SAY

Even those who don’t follow a certain religion still share a belief in a "larger reality," according to Siegel, including physicians.

"Over 70% [of physicians] believe in religion, and over 70% believe in miracles," he said. "But the real problem, and why I wrote this book, is because they don't always apply those beliefs to their patients and to their practices, and I want them to."

Siegel shared one story in his book called "The Rebbe," featuring a carpenter and his wife who had three children. The third child appeared to be in poor health.

The carpenter’s rabbi told him to check his mezuzah, a small, sacred object kept by the front door of Jewish homes. One of the idols that resembled a heart appeared to be broken, so the rabbi told the carpenter to have the child’s heart checked.

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A cardiologist then confirmed that the child had a hole in his heart, but was too young for surgery at only 3 months old.

Despite the rabbi’s plea for the baby to have surgery, the doctor declined — until the child had a nearly fatal cardiac arrest and they were forced to operate.

Siegel recalled that the "rabbi was right," and the boy’s life was saved.

"I want people to understand that you can be both a deeply committed scientist and deeply committed to your religion," he said. "I want people to realize we need this now. We need healing prayers."

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"I want people to be inspired that they're going to find miracles in their own lives, that there are miracles among us, that we all have a miracle to tell," he added. "I want people to come forward and tell their miracles, and I want them to experience them now at a time of great divisiveness, derision, depression and anxiety."

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Siegel encouraged readers to learn from these stories, taking away how people could begin an ordinary day and end up in a place that is "just magical."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/74zSonO

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