Simple nightly habit linked to healthier blood pressure, study suggests

A consistent bedtime may play a meaningful role in lowering blood pressure, according to new research examining how sleep timing affects cardiovascular health.

While most people think primarily about getting enough hours of sleep, experts say when you sleep also has an important effect on heart health.

Dr. William Lu, medical director at Dreem Health in San Francisco, told Fox News Digital that sleep duration and sleep timing work together, and that consistency is a key part of supporting cardiovascular wellness.

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"Both matter, but growing evidence shows regularity — going to sleep and waking at roughly the same times night-to-night — is an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk even after accounting for total sleep time," Lu said.

Recent findings have supported that connection. In a study published in the journal Sleep Advances, adults with high blood pressure who kept a consistent bedtime for two weeks saw modest but meaningful improvements in their readings, even though they did not sleep longer hours.

Participants reduced their night-to-night bedtime variability from about 30 minutes to only a few minutes, and researchers said that simple change helped restore healthier blood pressure overnight.

Even a modest nighttime drop in systolic pressure can lower cardiovascular risk, experts say.

The concept is supported by research into circadian rhythms and the body’s natural blood-pressure patterns.

"Consistent bed and wake times keep your internal circadian clock synchronized to Earth’s day-night cycle," Lu said.

A steady sleep schedule helps the body release important hormones, like melatonin and cortisol, at the right times, which supports the natural rise and fall of blood pressure throughout the day and night, according to the doctor.

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Disruptions in sleep timing can affect blood pressure more quickly than many people realize, Lu warned. While some people assume that shifting their bedtime on weekends or staying up late occasionally has little impact, the expert said the body responds almost immediately.

For people trying to build a more consistent sleep routine, Lu recommends starting with the morning wake-up time.

"Start with a fixed wake time every day, including weekends, and anchor the schedule with morning light exposure — then set a consistent bedtime that gives you enough sleep before that wake time," he advised. "Pick a wake time you can sustain and get 30 minutes of morning light after waking up."

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He also recommends adding a brief wind-down routine before bed and cutting back on stimulants and screen use in the evening.

Improving sleep timing is a low-risk change that may help lower blood pressure, Lu said, adding that consistent bedtimes should be used in addition to anti-hypertensive medications, not as a substitute.

The study did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged.

The sample size was relatively small, consisting of 11 middle-aged adults with obesity and hypertension. It was also a two-week period, which means researchers could measure only short-term changes.

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The study also lacked a control group or randomization, so it couldn't prove that the blood-pressure improvements were caused by more consistent bedtimes or by other lifestyle factors, such as diet, stress or medication changes. Larger, longer-term studies are needed to confirm the findings.

Anyone considering changes to their sleep schedule for blood-pressure benefits should first speak with a doctor.

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Viral 'all-white' wellness push could boost mental health — here are 4 essentials to consider

"Wellness" isn’t just a checklist of healthy habits — it’s a balance of nourishing body and mind, involving fitness, self-care and nutritious eating, as experts repeatedly note.

The just-announced 2026 Color of the Year from Pantone — a shade of white called Cloud Dancer — is an attempt to capture the importance of well-being, signifying a fresh start, a quiet mind, relaxation and room to breathe.

"Choosing rest and consciously stepping away from relentless demands and turning inward recognizes that true strength lies not just in doing, but also in being," the company noted in a press release about the choice.

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"It’s meant to represent a peeling away of old habits and outdated thinking, creating space for clarity, focus and renewed imagination," Parade noted about the choice. 

As the year winds down and a new one lies just ahead, four wellness products capturing these qualities stand out from the rest — offering an opportunity to give others the gift of calm.

Here are four holiday gift guide items to consider for loved ones this year. 

Read on for details. 

The Barefoot Dreams' CozyChic robe is cloud-soft and perfect for kicking back at home for some much-needed "me time," whether it’s meditating, reading or journaling.

The white and cushy fabric has a "luxurious feel and long-lasting comfort," according to its description, making it a strong gift to consider for a loved one.

Re-usable bottles provide a convenient, eco-friendly way to boost daily water intake.

Keeping hydrated is known to promote better skin, boost energy, lower inflammation and improve organ function, and can even help to lower stress and reduce anxiety and headaches, according to experts.

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The white, stainless-steel bottle is compact enough to take on the go as a new hydration companion.

A good night’s sleep is imperative to overall wellness and functional health.

Using a sunrise alarm clock can help regulate circadian rhythm by slowly introducing light that mimics the morning sun.

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This product also doubles as a sound machine, and can play white noise to drown out distracting sounds at bedtime and help lull anyone into a more restful sleep.

A candle's ambiance and aromatherapy have been shown to calm the nervous system.

This candle — scented with peppermint, cedar, clove and eucalyptus oils — is poured in the USA and made with non-toxic ingredients and a soy wax blend.

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The wick is 100% cotton and free of lead and zinc, allowing recipients to breathe more easily. 

For more Holiday Gift Guide ideas and stories, check out this link. 

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Scientists reveal the one practice that could prevent dementia as you age

A lack of socializing may be a major risk factor for neurological disorders in older adults.

New research from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia, has considered how "social frailty" can be a predictor of dementia.

The study, published in The Journals of Gerontology, looked at data from 851 people over the age of 70 in Sydney’s suburbs who did not have dementia at the time.

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The researchers evaluated social frailty using measures of social support, frequency of social interactions, sense of purpose, engagement in community or volunteer activities, and the individual's perceived social roles and connectedness, according to a press release.

Based on this analysis, participants were classified as socially frail, pre-frail or non-frail.

The participants were followed for over 12 years, undergoing neuropsychological tests every two years to diagnose any new dementia cases. The researchers adjusted for other factors like physical frailty, psychological frailty and health history.

The study concluded that social frailty was associated with a higher risk of dementia, with socially frail individuals facing about a 47% increased risk compared to those in the non-frail group.

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In most socially frail people, the factors that were most strongly associated with this risk included low financial and family satisfaction, infrequent social contact and limited participation in social activity.

Study co-author and clinical psychologist Dr. Suraj Samtani, UNSW Sydney postdoctoral research fellow at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, emphasized the consequences of aging people lacking in social connections.

"In midlife, risk factors like hearing loss and metabolic syndromes like hypertension and diabetes are very important to prevent and manage," he said in the press release. "But in late life, social isolation is the biggest risk factor for dementia."

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In an interview with Fox News Digital, co-author and postdoctoral research fellow Dr. Annabel Matison noted that the study population was "generally healthy, well-educated and Caucasian."

While the researchers would like to confirm these findings among a broader group, Matison commented that the strength of the association between socialization and cognitive decline is "noteworthy."

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"We hope these findings raise awareness that poor social connections, resources and support are risk factors for dementia," she said. "We encourage older adults to stay socially active with family, friends and neighbors, and to consider volunteering."

Another recent study by researchers at Cornell University found that social relationships can actually slow cellular aging.

Lead study author Anthony Ong, psychology professor and director of the Human Health Labs in the College of Human Ecology in New York, shared with Fox News Digital how the "depth and consistency" of social connection across a lifetime "matters profoundly."

"Strong social ties appear to work in the background over many years, building a more resilient body by reducing the chronic, low-grade inflammation that is a key driver of accelerated aging," he said.

In a previous interview with Fox News Digital, longevity experts David Cravit and Larry Wolf, the Canada-based authors of "The SuperAging Workbook," shared several aspects of "super-aging," including attachments to others.

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"I'm lucky enough to have been married to the same wonderful lady for almost 60 years," Wolf said. "Cultivating contact with people you love, with people you like, and expanding your social network, are all very critical."

The experts noted that mental and physical exercise are also crucial for keeping the brain young and sharp.

Multiple studies have shown that loneliness can be hazardous to humans' health. In fact, a previous Harvard study found that being lonely is as detrimental as smoking 15 cigarettes per day.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an updated notice on the loneliness epidemic in September, reporting a growing decrease in social connection, especially among young people.

Psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen, founder of Amen Clinics in California, also commented on the grave impact that loneliness may have on human health.

"The number of friends people have has dropped 40% since 1990," he said in a previous interview with Fox News Digital. "Why? We're more connected online, but we're more disconnected in person."

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"Loneliness increases stress hormones, making you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression, and it's just bad for you," he went on. 

"When you're face-to-face with actual people, your brain has to work so much harder, which ultimately is working out your brain."

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Lower dementia risk linked to routine vaccination in major new analysis

The shingles vaccine could slow the progress of dementia, according to a new study from Stanford.

These findings follow previous research that found older adults who received the vaccine were 20% less likely to develop dementia over the next seven years compared to those who didn't get the shot.

"For the first time, we now have evidence that likely shows a cause-and-effect relationship between shingles vaccination and dementia prevention and treatment," Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer, assistant professor of medicine and senior author of the new study, told Fox News Digital.

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A team of scientists used public health data in Wales, where, for several years, eligibility for the shingles vaccine (Zostavax) was based strictly on birth date. 

People born just before the cutoff automatically qualified, while people born just after did not.

This created two large groups of older adults who were nearly identical in age, health profile and background, only differing by who received the vaccine. This allowed researchers to compare dementia rates in a way that avoided some of the biases seen in observational studies.

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After the initial analysis from April, researchers dug deeper into the records and found that the vaccine’s benefits extended from the earliest signs of cognitive decline all the way to the last stages of dementia.

Over the course of nine years, people who received the vaccine were less likely to be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.

Additionally, those who received the vaccine after a dementia diagnosis were significantly less likely to die from dementia in the next nine years, suggesting that the vaccine could slow the progress of the disease.

Nearly half of the Welsh seniors who had dementia at the start of the vaccination program ended up dying from dementia in the follow-up, compared to only 30% of those who received the vaccine.

"There is a growing body of research showing that viruses that preferentially target your nervous system and hibernate in your nervous system for much of your life may be implicated in the development of dementia," said Geldsetzer.

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That includes the chickenpox virus, which stays in the body for life. In older age, it can reactivate and cause shingles, and sometimes it can trigger inflammation in or around the brain, according to Mayo Clinic.

Preventing viral flare-ups could also reduce inflammation, which has been linked to dementia risk, experts say.

The critical limitation of this research, according to the team, is that the health behaviors of those who get vaccinated are different than those who do not.

"We have very little, if any, information on these behaviors in electronic health records or medical claims data," Geldsetzer noted.

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For instance, the researchers don’t know about the patients' dietary behaviors or physical activity levels.

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"If the shingles vaccine really prevents or delays dementia — and, with this new study, also appears to have benefits for those who already have dementia — then this would be a hugely important finding for clinical medicine, population health and research into the causes of dementia," Geldsetzer emphasized.

Fox News Digital reached out to shingles vaccine manufacturers for comment.

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Weight-loss drugs could become unavailable for millions in coming years

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced its official guidance on the use of GLP-1 drugs for treating obesity.

GLP-1 drugs are medications that mimic the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which are most commonly used for type 2 diabetes and medical weight loss.

The first guideline, released on Dec. 1, aims to address the "growing global health challenge of obesity," WHO wrote in a press release.

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

Obesity affects more than one billion people globally and was associated with 3.7 million deaths. The number of people with obesity is expected to double by 2030.

While GLP-1 medications were added to the WHO’s Essential Medicines List for managing type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups in September 2025, the new guideline adds two key "conditional recommendations" for people with obesity.

"GLP-1 therapies may be used by adults, but excluding pregnant women, for the long-term treatment of obesity," the first condition states.

"While the efficacy of these therapies in treating obesity and improving metabolic and other outcomes was evident, the recommendation is conditional due to limited data on their long-term efficacy and safety, maintenance and discontinuation, their current costs, inadequate health-system preparedness and potential equity implications."

The second condition allows "intensive behavioral interventions," including healthy diets, regular physical activity and support from health professionals, to be offered to adults with obesity who are prescribed a GLP-1, as part of a "comprehensive approach."

In addition to the health impacts, the cost of obesity is projected to hit $3 trillion annually by 2030. The WHO’s guideline attempts to reduce "skyrocketing" health costs associated with management of the condition and other complications.

The WHO guideline emphasized the importance of fair access to GLP-1 therapies.

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"Without deliberate policies, access to these therapies could exacerbate existing health disparities," they wrote. "WHO calls for urgent action on manufacturing, affordability and system readiness to meet global needs."

Despite the "rapid expansion" of GLP-1 production, the health agency revealed that by 2030, these therapies are predicted to reach less than 10% of people who could benefit from them.

"The guideline calls on the global community to consider strategies to expand access, such as pooled procurement, tiered pricing and voluntary licensing among others," WHO stated.

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Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, wrote in a statement addressing the guideline that obesity is a "major global health challenge that WHO is committed to addressing by supporting countries and people worldwide to control it, effectively and equitably."

"Our new guidance recognizes that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," he said. "While medication alone won’t solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms."

The agency added that obesity is a "complex, chronic disease" that is a driver of other illnesses like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

While GLP-1 therapies alone won’t solve the obesity problem, these therapies represent the "first efficacious treatment option for adults," WHO stated.

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The organization stressed that obesity requires creating healthier environments to promote wellness and prevent obesity, protecting high-risk individuals through screening and early interventions and ensuring lifelong access to healthcare.

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Popular daily snack found to boost brain blood flow in older adults, new study shows

Eating a daily serving of peanuts may help older adults improve blood flow to their brains and boost memory, according to new research.

In a study published in Clinical Nutrition, scientists at the NUTRIM Institute at Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands set out to test whether this simple, inexpensive food could make a measurable difference in people's brains as they age.

The team recruited 31 healthy older adults between the ages of 60 and 75. In one period of the study, participants ate 60 grams of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts every day for 16 weeks. In another stage, they avoided peanuts entirely, according to a press release.

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The order was randomized, and there was an eight-week break in between the two periods so that the effects of the first period wouldn’t carry into the second.

Throughout the study, researchers measured blood flow in the brain using specialized MRI technology and tested memory using a standard set of cognitive measures.

At the end of the peanut consumption period, the results showed that blood flow in the brain increased by 3.6% overall. There were also slightly stronger improvements in gray matter, which is the brain tissue responsible for memory, emotion and decision-making. 

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"[Cerebral blood flow] is an important physiological marker, because having a strong flow of blood to the brain contributes to its health," Peter Joris, Ph.D., the study's author and an associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences at the Maastricht University Medical Center, said in the press release. 

"We found that longer-term consumption of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts improved global cerebral blood flow, which suggests an overall enhancement in brain vascular function."

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These increases were most notable in the frontal and temporal lobes, areas that are important for higher-level thinking and language.

Participants also performed better in verbal memory tests, by approximately 5.8%.

Other areas of thinking, like executive function and reaction speed, did not show meaningful improvement.

The study also reported small decreases in systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure, suggesting broader benefits to vascular health.

Peanuts contain several nutrients that may support blood vessel function, including unsaturated fats, plant protein, fiber, polyphenol and certain amino acids, the study authors noted.

"Peanuts are especially rich in plant-based protein and contain high concentrations of L-arginine, an amino acid important for vascular health," Joris wrote. "They are also a valuable source of unsaturated fats and polyphenols, both known to support vascular function."

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Because the peanuts were roasted with their skins on, participants also consumed additional antioxidants. Together, these components may help explain the improvements seen in blood flow and memory.

The study did have some limitations, including the small sample size and the fact that all participants were healthy older adults. That makes it difficult to determine whether the effect would hold true in larger groups, younger people and those with medical conditions.

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The study also tested only unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts at a specific daily amount. Other forms of peanuts or smaller servings may not produce the same results. 

Because participants likely knew whether they were eating peanuts, there is also the possibility of a placebo effect, the researchers noted.

The trial lasted only a few months, so it cannot show whether these benefits last over time or affect long-term dementia risk.

As peanuts are dense in calories, nutritionists generally recommend choosing unsalted, lightly salted, dry-roasted or raw peanuts rather than heavily salted or oil-roasted variants. Moderate servings of peanuts should be balanced with healthy proteins, vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

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The NUTRIM study was supported by funding from The Peanut Institute Foundation, although the foundation did not have a role in the study design, implementation, analysis or interpretation of the data or the writing of the manuscript, the published results noted.

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Tongue cancer warning signs highlighted after 'Full House' star's diagnosis

On the heels of comedian Dave Coulier’s announcement of his tongue cancer diagnosis, experts are sharing what to know about the disease.

Coulier, 66, announced in a Tuesday interview that he has been diagnosed with early-stage P16 carcinoma, or oropharyngeal tongue cancer. 

"Oropharyngeal" refers to cancer that begins at the base of the tongue. The "P16" indicates that it is associated with HPV (human papillomavirus).

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The news comes just months after the "Full House" star announced his battle with an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. The tongue cancer is "totally unrelated" to that initial cancer, he told "Today" in the interview.

"I went in for a PET scan, just a routine check-up, and something flared on the PET scan," Coulier said. "It turned out that I have P16 squamous carcinoma at the base of my tongue."

The comedian had announced on April 1 that he was cancer-free following the non-Hodgkin Lymphoma diagnosis.

"To go through chemotherapy and feel that relief of whoah, it's gone, and then to get a test that says, well now you've got another kind of cancer ... it is a shock to the system," he said.

Coulier shared that he will undergo a course of 35 radiation treatments.

Tongue cancer can affect the front of the tongue (oral cavity) or the base/back of the tongue (oropharynx), according to the National Cancer Institute. Risk factors and prognosis can differ substantially depending on the location of the cancer.

In 2025, it is expected that there will be about 20,040 new cases of tongue cancer and approximately 3,270 deaths, the NCI states. (These numbers only include cancers that begin in the front two-thirds of the tongue.)

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When including all oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers — which totals all mouth and throat cancers — the numbers rise to 59,660 new cases and about 12,770 deaths in 2025, per the American Cancer Society.

The overall five-year survival rate for tongue cancer is 71%.

Studies have shown that cases have been on the rise in the U.S. in recent years, affecting almost all age groups and races.

"The rise is linked to the dramatic rise of HPV," Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel told Fox News Digital. "It can metastasize, but the prognosis is 80% to 90% curable if it's HPV-related."

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George Semeniuk, M.D., a medical oncologist and hematologist at City of Hope in Newport Beach, California, agreed that tongue cancer is one of the fastest-rising head and neck cancers doctors are seeing.

"Early detection is critical," he told Fox News Digital.

Some of the earliest warning signs of tongue cancer include a persistent sore or ulcer on the tongue, pain when swallowing, a lump or changes in speech, according to Semeniuk.

"Anything that lasts longer than two weeks should be evaluated by a specialist," he advised.

Siegel added, "Look out for a sore that won't heal or difficulty swallowing. Show your doctor, ENT or dentist."

Other common signs include a lump or thickening on the tongue; red or white patches on the tongue or lining of the mouth; persistent tongue, pain in the mouth, jaw or throat; and numbness or burning in the tongue, according to multiple health sources.

Those affected may also notice difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking, or unexpected bleeding in the area.

If the cancer has spread, the patient may notice a lump in the neck (from enlarged lymph nodes), ear pain (usually on one side), or stiffness or swelling of the jaw. 

The biggest risk factors for tongue cancer are tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption and HPV, Semeniuk noted.

"We are also seeing increasing cases in younger adults who have never smoked, which underscores the role HPV can play," he said. "People with long-standing mouth irritation, weakened immune systems or poor oral hygiene may also be at higher risk."

The standard treatment for tongue cancer is largely dependent on the stage of the disease and where it is located, according to experts.

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"Treatment depends on the stage and location of the tumor, but often involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and, in more advanced cases, chemotherapy or targeted therapies," Semeniuk said.

"At City of Hope, we also use minimally invasive surgical approaches and precision-guided therapies to preserve speech and swallowing whenever possible."

Siegel noted that tongue cancer tumors tend to be more responsive to surgical resection, radiation and chemotherapy.

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"Prognosis is significantly better when tongue cancer is diagnosed early. If detected at an early stage, cure rates can be quite high," Semeniuk told Fox News Digital. 

"That’s why it’s so important for people to pay attention to changes in their mouth and seek care promptly. Regular dental visits and HPV vaccination are also important steps in lowering risk."

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West Virginia restores exclusion of religious reasons for school vaccine exemptions after latest court ruling

The West Virginia Board of Education reinstated its school vaccination policy after the state Supreme Court paused a lower court's ruling that allowed parents to cite religious beliefs to opt out of vaccines needed for children to attend school.

The state Supreme Court issued a stay on Tuesday following last week's ruling by Raleigh County Circuit Judge Michael Froble in a class-action lawsuit. Froble said in his injunction that children whose parents refused the state’s vaccination requirement on religious grounds would be allowed to attend school and participate in extracurricular sports.

Froble's ruling was blocked pending resolution of appeals in the case.

The board said in a statement that it "is reinstating its directive to county boards of education not to accept religious exemptions to compulsory vaccination laws. This directive will be in effect until the Supreme Court issues further guidance."

JUDGE RULES WEST VIRGINIA PARENTS CAN USE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS TO OPT OUT OF SCHOOL VACCINE REQUIREMENTS

Additionally, the board said its priority is to ensure compliance with the state vaccine law "and safeguard the health and well-being of all students across West Virginia."

The vaccine mandate was suspended by the board last week after Froble's ruling, which stated that the state policy prohibiting parents from seeking religious exemptions violated the Equal Protection for Religion Act signed into law in 2023 by then-Republican Gov. Jim Justice.

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

But the board voted in June to instruct public schools to ignore the governor's order and follow long-standing school vaccine requirements outlined in state law.

Two groups had sued to stop Morrisey's order, arguing that the legislature, not the governor, has the authority to make these decisions.

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

Froble said in his ruling 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 sued the state and local boards of education and the Raleigh County schools superintendent. One parent 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.

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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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GLP-1 drugs may reach fewer than one in 10 people who need them, experts predict

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced its official guidance on the use of GLP-1 drugs for treating obesity.

GLP-1 drugs are medications that mimic the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which are most commonly used for type 2 diabetes and medical weight loss.

The first guideline, released on Dec. 1, aims to address the "growing global health challenge of obesity," WHO wrote in a press release.

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

Obesity affects more than one billion people globally and was associated with 3.7 million deaths. The number of people with obesity is expected to double by 2030.

While GLP-1 medications were added to the WHO’s Essential Medicines List for managing type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups in September 2025, the new guideline adds two key "conditional recommendations" for people with obesity.

"GLP-1 therapies may be used by adults, but excluding pregnant women, for the long-term treatment of obesity," the first condition states.

"While the efficacy of these therapies in treating obesity and improving metabolic and other outcomes was evident, the recommendation is conditional due to limited data on their long-term efficacy and safety, maintenance and discontinuation, their current costs, inadequate health-system preparedness and potential equity implications."

The second condition allows "intensive behavioral interventions," including healthy diets, regular physical activity and support from health professionals, to be offered to adults with obesity who are prescribed a GLP-1, as part of a "comprehensive approach."

In addition to the health impacts, the cost of obesity is projected to hit $3 trillion annually by 2030. The WHO’s guideline attempts to reduce "skyrocketing" health costs associated with management of the condition and other complications.

The WHO guideline emphasized the importance of fair access to GLP-1 therapies.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"Without deliberate policies, access to these therapies could exacerbate existing health disparities," they wrote. "WHO calls for urgent action on manufacturing, affordability and system readiness to meet global needs."

Despite the "rapid expansion" of GLP-1 production, the health agency revealed that by 2030, these therapies are predicted to reach less than 10% of people who could benefit from them.

"The guideline calls on the global community to consider strategies to expand access, such as pooled procurement, tiered pricing and voluntary licensing among others," WHO stated.

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Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, wrote in a statement addressing the guideline that obesity is a "major global health challenge that WHO is committed to addressing by supporting countries and people worldwide to control it, effectively and equitably."

"Our new guidance recognizes that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," he said. "While medication alone won’t solve this global health crisis, GLP-1 therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms."

The agency added that obesity is a "complex, chronic disease" that is a driver of other illnesses like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

While GLP-1 therapies alone won’t solve the obesity problem, these therapies represent the "first efficacious treatment option for adults," WHO stated.

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The organization stressed that obesity requires creating healthier environments to promote wellness and prevent obesity, protecting high-risk individuals through screening and early interventions and ensuring lifelong access to healthcare.

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Your brain doesn’t age the way you think — new research upends old beliefs

Previous research has found that the human brain reaches maturity sometime in the 20s, but a new study suggests that it never stops developing.

Neuroscientists at the University of Cambridge have identified "five major epochs," or stages, of brain structure, according to a press release from the university.

Over the lifespan, the brain "rewires to support different ways of thinking while we grow, mature and ultimately decline," the researchers noted.

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The study, published in the journal Nature Communications and led by Cambridge’s MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, examined the brains of 3,802 people between birth and 90 years old.

They were compared using a specialized MRI scan that tracks how water molecules move through the brain tissue, the researchers stated.

The study pinpointed the following five broad phases of brain structure, separated into four "turning points" between birth and death.

In the childhood era of the brain, rapid growth and "network consolidation" occurs, including the expansion of grey and white matter and the stabilization of the brain surface. Grey matter is responsible for processing information in the brain, while white matter enables communication, according to the researchers.

There is also an overproduction of neuron connectors, or synapses, which are whittled down so only the most active ones survive.

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"Across the whole brain, connections rewire in the same pattern from birth until about 9 years old," the researchers noted.

At 9, the brain experiences a "step-change" in cognitive capacity and an increased risk of mental health disorders.

In the adolescence stage, which lasts on average until the age of 32, the growth of white matter continues, while the brain’s communication networks become more refined and efficient.

There is also an increase in connectivity, which enhances cognitive development and learning, the study found.

These developments peak in the early 30s, which is defined as the "strongest topological turning point" of the entire lifespan.

Around age 32, the "most directional changes in wiring and the largest overall shift in trajectory" occur, lead researcher Dr. Alexa Mousley, a Gates Cambridge Scholar, wrote in a statement.

"While puberty offers a clear start, the end of adolescence is much harder to pin down scientifically," she said. "Based purely on neural architecture, we found that adolescent-like changes in brain structure end around the early 30s."

Adulthood is the longest era of brain development, lasting more than three decades. In this stage, the brain architecture stabilizes with no major turning points, corresponding with a "plateau in intelligence and personality," the researchers echoed from other studies.

Meanwhile, regions of the brain during adulthood become more compartmentalized or "segregated."

Around year 66, there are no major structural shifts, but researchers still pointed to "meaningful changes" in the pattern of brain networks. This re-organization is most likely related to general aging, coinciding with reduced connectivity and the degeneration of white matter.

According to Mousley, people at this age face an increased risk of health conditions that can affect the brain, like hypertension.

The final brain structure occurs at around 83 years old. While data is limited for this era, there is a noticeable shift in the decline of brain connectivity and an increased reliance on certain regions, the researchers noted.

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Senior author Duncan Astle, professor of neuroinformatics at Cambridge, commented in a statement that "many neurodevelopmental, mental health and neurological conditions are linked to the way the brain is wired."

"Indeed, differences in brain wiring predict difficulties with attention, language, memory and a whole host of different behaviors," he said.

"Understanding that the brain’s structural journey is not a question of steady progression, but rather one of a few major turning points, will help us identify when and how its wiring is vulnerable to disruption."

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This research is the first to identify major phases of brain wiring across a human lifespan, Mousley commented.

"These eras provide important context for what our brains might be best at, or more vulnerable to, at different stages of our lives," she said. "It could help us understand why some brains develop differently at key points in life, whether it's learning difficulties in childhood or dementia in our later years."

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Paul Saphier, a neurosurgeon and founder of Coaxial Neurosurgical Specialists in New Jersey, commented that although he agrees with the concept of stages of brain aging, the "segregation they proposed is a little bit broad."

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"I think there are more discreet fundamental aging milestones earlier on," he said. "From birth to 9 years old, there are substantial changes that occur."

Saphier, who was not involved in the study, noted that certain factors can influence brain aging, such as stimulating children's brain development with verbal, written, mathematical and musical skills.

"At the opposite end of the spectrum, continuation with these tasks helps prevent accelerated aging in the later years of life," he said.

Lifestyle factors like healthy diet, limited alcohol intake and avoidance of illicit drug use and smoking can also help promote long-term brain health, according to the expert.

Saphier added, "We also know from research in the ‘blue zones’ that people who live in socially active communities and avoid isolation also have increased brain health and longevity with lower rates of dementia."

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Heavy drinkers cut alcohol use by nearly 30% after adopting one new habit, study finds

Certain people who use cannabis tend to drink less alcohol, a new study found.

Researchers from Brown University’s Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies set out to determine whether cannabis use has an effect on alcohol craving and consumption — specifically, whether smoking marijuana can reduce alcohol use in heavy drinkers.

The randomized, controlled study included 157 adults between the ages of 21 and 44 who reported heavy drinking and regular cannabis use (at least bi-weekly). 

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Each participant completed three two-hour "lab sessions" with different types of cannabis use. They received one of two levels of THC or a placebo, and then were given the choice to drink alcohol or accept a cash payment.

Those who smoked cannabis with the higher level of THC (7.2%) consumed about 27% less alcohol than those who smoked a placebo. They also reported an immediate reduction in the urge to drink.

Participants who smoked cannabis with 3.1% THC smoked about 19% less alcohol.

"In our controlled bar lab study, after people smoked cannabis, they drank about a quarter less alcohol over the next two hours," lead study author Jane Metrik, Ph.D., professor of behavioral and social sciences at Brown’s Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, told Fox News Digital.

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Cannabis had mixed effects on alcohol cravings, the researchers reported.

"We found a significant decrease in alcohol urge immediately after smoking cannabis, but not a consistent effect on a different measure of alcohol craving," Metrik said. "This suggests that cannabis may not exert a uniform effect on alcohol motivation, and that other mechanisms may also explain how cannabis impacts subsequent alcohol use."

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The study, which was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, was published last month in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

The study did have limitations, the researchers acknowledged.

"The study tested only one cannabinoid (THC) in smoked cannabis, which means the results may not generalize to the wide range of cannabis products, formulations and other cannabinoids," Metrik told Fox News Digital. "The study sample also consisted of individuals who used cannabis nearly every day, so those who use cannabis less often may show different alcohol-related behaviors."

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The researchers also did not look at the effects of using cannabis and alcohol at the same time.

As the research was short-term and conducted in a "lab" setting, it’s unclear whether the reduced alcohol use would continue in the longer term or in real-world settings, they noted.

The study results do not justify recommending cannabis as a substitute for alcohol among people with alcohol-use disorder, the researchers stated, as the long-term health effects and addiction risks for cannabis remain uncertain.

"It is important to understand that cannabis’ impact varies substantially across individuals," Mitek said, noting that while the substance may reduce drinking in the short term, it also presents its own risks.

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"Our study is a first step, and we need more long-term research before drawing conclusions for public health," she said. "We do not have clear evidence of long-term safety and efficacy of using cannabis as alcohol treatment. For now, I would not recommend using cannabis to cut down on alcohol use."

For people who are already substituting cannabis for alcohol, Mitek recommends that they closely monitor their use and be aware of the risk of cannabis use disorder. She also "strongly encourages" them to consider evidence-based alcohol treatments.

Marcel Bonn-Miller, Ph.D., a cannabis researcher with Ajna BioSciences in Colorado, noted that the study highlights the current market trends, which show that alcohol sales have decreased significantly as THC has become more accessible. 

"As many consumers report using THC beverages and other non-inhaled methods of administration as alternatives to alcohol, it would be important for future clinical trials to determine the effect of these formats on alcohol use behavior over time," the researcher, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

Riana Durrett, director of the Cannabis Policy Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, praised the study’s "rigorous" design.

"Overall, the experimental design is a rare feature in this area of research because it can be logistically difficult to give people cannabis in the lab (given its federal Schedule I status), so this is a really unique study," Durrett, who was also not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

The results align with the "California sober" trend, where smoking cannabis may be a way to reduce other substance use, she noted.

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While some individuals have reported that cannabis has helped them recover from other substance use disorders, the effect hasn’t been tested extensively, according to Durrett.

The expert agreed that while the study infers cannabis use does decrease alcohol use in a single session, there are some unknowns, including the long-term effects of cannabis use on alcohol consumption.

"So, it is still possible that in the longer term, cannabis use may be harmful for drinking outcomes," she said. "We also don't know the net effect of swapping out one substance (such as alcohol) for another (such as cannabis)." 

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"It might be easy to believe that using cannabis instead of alcohol is a win, but we really don't know if that is true or not from the current research."

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Durrett added, "Hopefully, this study and similar ones can add tools to our toolkit on how to reduce problem drinking."

Mitek noted that additional research is needed to evaluate "clinically relevant alcohol outcomes," particularly among people who are seeking treatment for alcohol-use disorder.

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Men with 'beer bellies' may face serious heart damage regardless of weight

People with "beer bellies" may have an increased risk of heart damage, raising fresh concerns about the health risks tied to extra weight around the midsection.

German researchers found that men with fat deposits around the abdomen showed clear signs of early heart damage, even when their overall weight wasn’t especially high.

Scientists wanted to better understand whether abdominal fat — the kind stored deep around internal organs — is more harmful to the heart than general body fat.

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Doctors have long suspected that fat distribution, not just total pounds, plays a major role in heart disease. This study tested that idea using cardiac MRI scans.

"Abdominal obesity, a high waist-to-hip ratio, is associated with more concerning cardiac remodeling patterns than high body mass index (BMI) alone," said study lead author Jennifer Erley, M.D., radiology resident at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany, in a press release.

The research team examined 2,244 adults between the ages of 46 and 78, none of whom had been diagnosed with heart disease. Each participant underwent high-resolution MRI scans that measured the size, thickness and volume of the heart’s chambers.

Researchers also collected detailed health information, including weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking status and diabetes history.

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Instead of relying solely on BMI, which can miss where fat is stored, the team used a measurement of waist-to-hip ratio, which compares the circumference of the waist to the hips and determines how much fat sits around the abdomen. 

High ratios point to visceral fat, which is the deeper, metabolically active fat linked to inflammation and organ stress.

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Men with higher waist-to-hip ratios showed a pattern of thicker heart muscles and smaller internal chamber volume. That means the heart muscle becomes bulkier but holds less blood, forcing it to work harder, according to the researchers.

"[Abdominal obesity] appears to lead to a potentially pathological form of cardiac remodeling," said Erley.

Based on BMI alone, 69% of males and 56% of females in the study were overweight or obese. Using waist-to-hip ratio, however, 91% of the males and 64% of females met the criteria for obesity.

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General obesity based on BMI was more often linked to enlarged heart chambers for all participants. Abdominal obesity was associated with thickening of the heart muscle and smaller heart chamber volumes.

Over time, those structural changes can lead to heart failure or other cardiovascular problems, the researchers warned.

These associations remained strong even after researchers accounted for age, smoking, blood pressure and other risk factors.

The same trend appeared in women, but the effect was significantly stronger in men. Researchers noted that men tend to store fat in the abdomen more readily than women, especially as they age, which may explain the sharper impact.

The findings help to clarify why some people with normal or moderately elevated BMI still develop heart disease, while others weighing more do not. It also suggests that simply stepping on a scale may not capture the full picture of heart risk.

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The study did have some limitations, primarily that it was observational in design, meaning that it identified patterns but could not prove direct causation.

Additionally, researchers did not follow participants long enough to see who eventually developed heart disease, they acknowledged. 

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And waist-to-hip ratio, while useful, is a simplified measure that doesn’t capture all variations in body composition.

The findings are being presented this week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago.

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New cancer therapy hunts and destroys deadly tumors in major breakthrough study

Scientists at UCLA have developed an "off-the-shelf" cell-based immunotherapy that was able to track down and kill pancreatic cancer cells even after they had spread to other organs.

In a mouse study, the treatment slowed cancer growth, extended survival and remained effective even within the harsh environment of solid tumors.

"Even when the cancer tries to evade one attack pathway by changing its molecular signature, our therapy is hitting it from multiple other angles at the same time. The tumor simply can’t adapt fast enough," lead author Dr. Yanruide Li, a post-doctoral scholar at UCLA, said in a press release.

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To build the therapy, researchers took human stem cells and turned them into a special type of immune cell called an invariant natural killer T cell (or NKT cell).

Next, they genetically modified those cells by adding a CAR receptor (chimeric antigen receptor), which enables the cells to recognize and attack pancreatic cancer cells.

NKT cells are naturally compatible with any immune system, which means they can enter the body without causing dangerous reactions, according to the researchers. They can also be mass-produced using any donated blood stem cells.

"One donor could provide sufficient cells for thousands of treatments," potentially offering a more affordable and accessible approach, according to the press release.

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The team tested the therapy in several lab models. These included models where the cancer was placed directly into the pancreas and others designed to mimic how the disease spreads to other organs, like the liver and lungs.

The CAR-NKT cells were able to push their way into the tumor itself, rather than getting stuck on the outside like many immune treatments do, the researchers found.

Once they got inside the body, these engineered immune cells could spot cancer cells in several different ways and kill them using multiple built-in attack methods.

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Most importantly, they stayed active. Many immune cells that enter a solid tumor quickly become overwhelmed and shut down, but these engineered cells kept working instead of burning out, allowing them to continue fighting the cancer for a longer period.

The findings were published in the journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).

"Developing a therapy that targets both the primary tumor and its metastases in pre-clinical studies — one that can be ready to use off-the-shelf — represents a fundamental shift in how we might treat this disease," said senior author Dr. Lili Yang, a professor of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics at UCLA, in the same press release.

The researchers noted that one dose could cost around $5,000, far lower than personalized CAR-T treatments.

Pancreatic cancer is notoriously aggressive and difficult to treat, according to the researchers. Most patients aren’t diagnosed until the disease has already spread, and the tumor’s biology creates multiple physical and chemical barriers that weaken the impact of traditional treatments.

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Since the therapy targets a protein that is common in breast, ovarian and lung cancers, the same cell product could potentially treat multiple cancer types. 

In separate studies, the team has already demonstrated the therapy’s effectiveness against triple-negative breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

Based on the early findings, the UCLA researchers are preparing to submit applications to the Food and Drug Administration to begin human trials.

"We’ve developed a therapy that’s potent, safe, scalable and affordable," Yang said in the release. "The next critical step is proving it can deliver the same results in patients we’ve seen in our preclinical work."

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All testing so far has been done in mice, as the researchers noted that solid tumors in humans are far more complex. Human tumors can evolve and lose the targets that treatments are designed to recognize, raising the risk of the cancer escaping detection and continuing to grow.

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Long-term safety and side effects in humans are unknown ahead of clinical trials.

The researchers also noted that making big batches of identical, safe cells poses logistical and regulatory challenges.

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