Quitting smoking could offer a major benefit beyond heart and lung health, study finds

People who quit smoking may reduce their risk of developing dementia later in life, according to new research.

A team of researchers at a university in China analyzed data from more than 32,000 adults over a 25-year period and found that former smokers had a lower risk of dementia compared to people who continued smoking.

The findings were published in the journal Neurology.

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During the study period, researchers documented 5,868 cases of dementia.

Participants who quit smoking during the study had a significantly lower risk of developing dementia than current smokers. Their risk was similar to people who had quit smoking before the study began and those who had never smoked.

The researchers also found that dementia risk continued to decline the longer a person remained smoke-free, approaching that of never-smokers after about seven years.

The benefits appeared strongest among people who gained little or no weight after quitting.

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"Our findings suggest that quitting smoking may support long-term brain health, but they also highlight that what happens after quitting matters," lead researcher Hui Chen said in a statement.

Zaid Fadul, a Harvard-trained physician and chief medical officer of Bespoke Concierge MD who was not involved in the research, said the findings add to growing evidence that quitting smoking can help protect long-term brain health.

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"The key takeaway is that the brain appears to benefit from smoking cessation at virtually any stage," Fadul told Fox News Digital.

"Smoking contributes to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and damage to blood vessels that supply the brain, all of which are associated with cognitive decline and dementia risk."

Fadul said the findings should encourage smokers who may feel it is too late to quit.

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"Importantly, it is rarely ‘too late’ to quit," he said.

"While earlier cessation offers the greatest benefit, the body and brain begin recovering soon after smoking stops."

Improvements in circulation, reduced inflammation and better cardiovascular health can help preserve cognitive function later in life, according to Fadul.

"Every year without tobacco is a step toward lowering future dementia risk and improving overall health," he said.

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While the findings were encouraging, the study does have limitations.

Researchers identified an association between quitting smoking and a lower risk of dementia, but the study was not designed to prove that ending smoking directly prevents the condition.

Other health, lifestyle and environmental factors may have also influenced participants' outcomes.

Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for further comment.

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Just 5 minutes of prayer could have surprising health benefits, study finds

Adult patients experienced significant relief from pain and anxiety after just five minutes of in-person prayer, as found in a randomized controlled trial.

The study, led by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Department of Family and Community Medicine, compared the effects of direct prayer to the effects of listening to music, revealing that prayer provided greater and more sustained relief for both symptoms.

"Prayer is powerful and beneficial on many levels," Jesse Bradley, pastor of Grace Community Church in Washington, told Fox News Digital.

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According to statistics cited in the study, prayer is the most used form of complementary medicine in the United States, relied on by 43% of Americans.

The researchers focused on a practice known as proximal intercessory prayer (PIP), which is defined as in-person, face-to-face prayer directed toward another individual’s well-being.

The research team recruited 180 adult patients from a family medicine waiting room, according to a press release. All participants had previously reported experiencing moderate to severe pain, anxiety or both.

Following their standard medical appointments, the patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the prayer group, in which participants received five minutes of in-person Christian prayer delivered by a trained volunteer, and the music group, where they spent five minutes listening to music.

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The researchers then tracked changes in the participants' self-reported pain and anxiety levels at multiple intervals: immediately after the five-minute session, at two weeks and at six weeks.

"It was very well-received," Katherine Jacobson, MD, assistant professor of family and community medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital. She noted that 97% of participants said they were "neutral or supportive" when asked about having this kind of prayer available as part of their medical visits.

The study, which was published in The Annals of Family Medicine, revealed that while patients in both groups showed improvements, those in the prayer group reported substantially greater relief.

Bradley, who was not involved in the study, described the transformative power of prayer through "healing and comfort," and shared that he himself once went through a long, painful recovery process.

"Daily prayer was essential in my healing journey," he shared.

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For pain reduction, the individuals who received in-person prayer experienced greater drops in pain intensity immediately following the session. This superior level of relief remained evident during the two-week follow-up compared to the music group, the researchers found.

For anxiety reduction, the benefits of prayer were even longer-lasting. The prayer recipients reported significantly greater reductions in anxiety immediately after the session, and these positive effects remained statistically significant at both the two-week and six-week checkpoints.

"We expected that patients who expected prayer to work would benefit more, but that wasn't what we found," Jacobson said.

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"Religious affiliation, religious intensity and expectancy of healing did not predict who improved," he went on. "Benefits appeared across a wide range of patients, including those not of the Christian faith and those who did not expect the intervention to help them."

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The study had some limitations, the researchers acknowledged, primarily that it could not prove that prayer itself caused the improvements.

The team also noted that patients receiving prayer had human contact, while the music control group did not. The eye contact and gentle laying of hands from the prayer volunteers may have had an impact, as that type of contact is known to reduce pain.

The authors hope to conduct future studies with a control group that receives interpersonal contact but no prayer.

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"For physicians and health systems, the study supports continuing to ask patients about spiritual care preferences as part of whole-person care, and considering whether trained Christian volunteer prayer practitioners could be integrated into outpatient settings for interested patients," Jacobson said.

The researchers suggest that PIP could serve as a low-cost, non-pharmacologic and effective complement to standard medical care.

Rather than replacing traditional treatments, the authors indicate that this type of brief, faith-based intervention could be integrated into primary care settings to help manage pain and anxiety.

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Cancer survivors may see surprising benefits from one specific exercise, study says

For many, surviving cancer comes with an automatic new lease on life but other survivors continue to experience physical and emotional challenges long after treatment ends.

Yoga may significantly reduce the insomnia, fatigue and mood disturbances many survivors endure after remission, a recent clinical trial found.

Mood disturbance and insomnia are "two of the most pervasive and troubling side effects experienced by cancer survivors for years after completing adjuvant treatments," the researchers reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

SIMPLE DAILY HABIT MAY HELP EASE DEPRESSION MORE THAN MEDICATION, RESEARCHERS SAY

They noted that both symptoms can substantially inhibit survivors’ ability to perform everyday activities.

The study, funded by the National Cancer Institute, compared 204 cancer survivors receiving standard survivorship care alone with 206 survivors who paired standard care with the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program. Most of the participants were female breast-cancer survivors.

YOCAS is a four-week intervention that incorporates two types of yoga – hatha, which is traditional and more active, and restorative, which is more passive. Both forms involve slow, gentle movements, breathing exercises and mindfulness, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), which published a news release on the study's findings.

Participants in the YOCAS group practiced yoga, on average, for 180 minutes each week over the course of three sessions.

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At the end of the trial, the YOCAS participants reported overall improvements to mood, anxiety and fatigue, while the standard care group did not.

"Additionally, improvements in insomnia stemming from YOCAS yoga may be mediated by changes in overall [mood disturbance] and fatigue," the researchers wrote.

"[The study is] an important advance because it offers survivors, who are likely already managing multiple medications, a non-pharmaceutical solution for reducing four different side effects at once," Fumiko Chino, MD, a cancer researcher and associate professor in breast radiation oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, told ASCO.

Timothy Pearman, Ph.D., director of supportive oncology at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, told Fox News Digital he was not surprised by the results of the study.

"Yoga is one of the most widely studied and validated interventions for managing cancer-related fatigue, mood disturbance and overall physical health," Pearman said.

Pearman said his wife, Jenny Finkel, is a yoga teacher and received her continuing education at Duke University's integrative medicine program, which focuses on yoga for cancer patients. 

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"There are now a number of cancer-specific yoga teacher training programs nationwide," Pearman said. "Yoga is a wonderful thing because it is very modifiable, meaning that even for people who have significant physical impairment, the exercises can be modified so that anyone can participate."

He added that yoga is affordable, too, because "all you need is a mat and someone to show you how to do it."

Osteoporosis, an increased risk of cardiac problems and issues with balance and stamina are other physical symptoms related to cancer treatment that yoga can help mitigate, Pearman said.

Shari Botwin, a licensed clinical social worker based in Pennsylvania, is a thyroid-cancer survivor who specializes in working with victims of trauma, including cancer. She turned to yoga months after her diagnosis and told Fox News Digital the practice has been "transformative."

According to Botwin, cancer survivors she’s worked with have dealt with emotional challenges that affect their healing process, including depression and survivor’s guilt. In addition to the physical relief yoga can provide, she said it can also offer "a supportive environment of peers, some of which are cancer thrivers."

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Botwin added that yoga can help survivors who have lost parts of their body reframe their thinking.

"It supports us into moving into a place of self-compassion rather than shame and self-hatred," she said.

Almost any type of exercise can be beneficial for cancer survivors, Pearman said. He advises his patients to stick to the type of exercise they enjoyed prior to cancer.

He also noted that free yoga classes geared toward cancer survivors are widely available through various non-profit organizations.

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What to do if someone is having a stroke, after Jill Biden revealed debate-night fears

Former First Lady Jill Biden has expressed her concerns about former President Joe Biden’s health status, noting that she feared he was having a stroke during a 2024 debate.

The then-president struggled his way through the performance, with long periods of silence, confused facial expressions and stammered speech. In a recent interview with CBS, Jill Biden commented that she was "frightened."

"I don't know what happened," she said. "I mean, when I watched it, I thought, ‘Oh my God, he's having a stroke,’ and it scared me to death."

JILL BIDEN SAYS SHE THOUGHT JOE WAS HAVING A STROKE DURING HIS DISASTROUS 2024 DEBATE PERFORMANCE

A stroke occurs when there is bleeding in the brain or when blood flow to the brain is blocked, according to Mayo Clinic.

Identifying a stroke may be difficult, as symptoms can vary. The American Stroke Association (ASA) identifies the following key warning signs, using the acronym "B.E. F.A.S.T."

In a situation where someone could be having a stroke, "the only" thing to do in is to call 911, Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel told Fox News Digital.

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The doctor emphasized other symptoms to watch for, including weakness on one side, slurred speech, difficulty processing information and confusion. The ASA also warns that severe headaches can also be a sign of stroke.

Siegel advised against giving the person an aspirin, as it could worsen bleeding in the brain if that is the cause of stroke. With an ischemic stroke, that type of medication could be helpful.

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According to ASA, 1.9 million brain cells die every minute that a stroke goes untreated, which means earlier treatment leads to higher survival rates and lower risk of disability.

"In medicine, we use the term ‘time is brain,’" Siegel said. "This means that the faster you bring the patient to the emergency room, the faster they can receive emergency treatment if indicated to reopen the blocked artery in the brain, if there is one."

Brain imaging can also be done on arrival at the ER, which should occur within the first several hours, Siegel said.

Anyone who is experiencing a stroke should not drive themselves to the hospital, according to the CDC. Instead, they should get a ride or call 911, as treatment begins inside the ambulance.

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About 80% of strokes are preventable, the American Heart Association states. Prevention includes managing high blood pressure, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and other risk factors.

One in four survivors have another stroke within the next five years, per CDC data, so those at higher risk should prepare a prevention and treatment plan.

Fox News Digital's Alexander Hall contributed to this report.

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Controversial drug delivered rapid relief for severe depression in just hours

→ Single infusion of controversial drug changed severe depression symptoms within hours

→ What to know about thyroid cancer prognosis following Pam Bondi's diagnosis

→ Tick bite ER visits are spiking as doctors warn of disease surge

→ Popular fruit may help protect your skin from the sun, new study suggests

→ Diet change tied to ‘younger’ biological age in older adults

→ Filtered water at specific ages could add months to lifespan decades later

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→ Finding sleep 'sweet spot' could help you live longer, study suggests

→ ‘Wild West’ peptide craze surges beyond GLP-1s, FDA to consider easing access

→ One type of sitting may pose greater dementia risk

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Single infusion of controversial drug changed severe depression symptoms within hours, study finds

People experiencing severe depression with suicidal symptoms may not have to wait weeks for traditional antidepressants to take effect.

A recent review suggests that a single intravenous ketamine infusion can provide rapid relief for some patients.

Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine is a medicine that can reduce pain and, in some cases, help treat depression, but it can also be misused as a recreational drug, experts warn.

SINGLE DOSE OF POWERFUL PSYCHEDELIC CUTS DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS IN CLINICAL STUDY

Researchers from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine reviewed 26 clinical trials that included more than 1,100 patients. Approximately 626 received ketamine and 540 served as controls who did not take the drug.

Most of the trials included patients with major depressive disorder, but 11.5% included those with bipolar depression and 7.7% included people with both unipolar and bipolar depressive diagnoses.

Compared to a placebo, a single treatment significantly reduced depression in just four hours and dramatically lowered suicidal thoughts within 24 hours, the study found.

Patients reported fewer depressive symptoms after a week and reduced suicidal thoughts for up to a month after one ketamine infusion. Those who received repeated ketamine infusions showed a similar reduction of suicidal and depressive symptoms at the end of the treatment.

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The most common adverse events of ketamine – including headaches, numbness, dissociation ("out of body" experiences), nausea, dizziness and visual disturbances – were temporary and resolved within hours of the infusion.

Rarer, more serious side events included hospitalization, suicide attempts and suicide, but most were unrelated to ketamine, the review stated.

The analysis was published in May in JAMA Psychiatry.

Major depressive disorder is a formal psychiatric diagnosis affecting approximately 280 million people globally, according to recent research.

Effective treatment involves a combination of therapy and medication, frequently antidepressants. However, for a small number of patients, symptoms do not respond to multiple therapies, a condition known as treatment-resistant depression, doctors say.

These patients are at a higher risk of very serious, sometimes tragic consequences, including suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and death.

"When all existing treatment options fail, patients with severe depression could consider ketamine infusions," lead author Taeho Greg Rhee, PhD, of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital. "This is still a safer option when compared to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)."

Traditional antidepressants stabilize mood by slowly elevating serotonin levels in the brain, but it can take weeks for the full effect to be achieved.

Ketamine, in contrast, works rapidly by blocking glutamate, a neurotransmitter that can impact emotions negatively when levels are too high in the brain, according to Cleveland Clinic.

The authors say their findings have two important potential clinical applications.

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First, ketamine’s rapid effects can be a life-saving treatment in the emergency room for patients presenting with suicidal ideation.

Second, the effects of a single ketamine infusion are relatively short-lived – as almost all patients relapsed with depressive symptoms after a single infusion – so those with treatment-resistant depression will need repeated sessions.

"While intravenous ketamine is not yet FDA-approved for treating depression, it may still be used with off-label indications for those with severe depression and/or with a high risk of suicidal behaviors," said Rhee.

Dr. Lama Bazzi, a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City, has had several patients receive ketamine infusions.

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"For a small subset of patients in a major depressive episode or struggling with suicidal thoughts, intravenous ketamine can be genuinely lifesaving," Bazzi, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "The relief they experience is almost immediate, offering them distance from the intensity of their emotions."

However, she cautions that the medication should only be administered in closely monitored settings, such as clinics, to ensure safe treatment.

Ketamine is not a panacea, Rhee agreed, warning of the potential risk of abuse and addiction.

"It should only be used medically," he advised.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, noted in previous comments to Fox News Digital that ketamine is increasingly being used to treat severe depression, but emphasized that it should be administered under careful medical supervision because of its potential risks.

Although the studies compared ketamine with a placebo, some patients may have realized they were receiving the drug. This could have influenced how they reported their symptoms and how effective they perceived the treatment to be, according to the researchers.

Another limitation is the small sample size of the studies, which could make the effects seem disproportionately magnified.

Also, as this was a review of many different studies, it is challenging to apply the findings to the general population, the researchers noted.

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"While long-term outcomes have not been studied, I believe that when patients are severely depressed or suicidal, ketamine is sometimes the only choice that almost always works," Bazzi added.

Anyone interested in exploring alternative depression treatments should first consult a doctor.

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What to know about thyroid cancer prognosis following Pam Bondi's diagnosis

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi was diagnosed with thyroid cancer shortly after leaving the Department of Justice last month, according to a report.

Bondi, 60, who left her role at the Justice Department in early April, underwent treatment and is recovering, a source stated.

The thyroid is a gland located in the neck. It makes hormones that are then secreted into the blood, which help the body "use energy, stay warm and keep the brain, heart, muscles and other organs working as they should," according to the American Thyroid Association.

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Thyroid cancer is relatively uncommon compared to other cancers. Even so, as of 2023, more than one million people in the U.S. are living with the disease.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) predicts that there will be an estimated 45,260 new cases in 2026.

While more common in women, thyroid cancer can affect both sexes. Those with a family history may be more likely to develop it, as well as those between the ages of 25 and 65. Exposure to radiation is also a risk factor, according to the National Cancer Institute.

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Signs of thyroid cancer may include lumps or swelling in the neck, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, hoarseness and pain when swallowing, per the above source. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention.

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If thyroid cancer is suspected, a doctor can diagnose it in several ways. A laryngoscopy is a procedure where the doctor checks the voice box with a mirror or laryngoscope — a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and lens, per NCI.

Blood hormone studies – where a blood sample is checked to measure hormone levels – can also reveal indicators of thyroid cancer. Ultrasounds and CAT scans are then used to check for tumors in the body.

Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy are the main ways doctors treat thyroid cancer. A new type of therapy, immunotherapy, is being tested in clinical trials.

"Surgery is the primary therapy, followed by regular surveillance and thyroid hormone replacement," Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital.

If the thyroid must be completely removed, patients will take hormones to replace the gland's natural function.

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"Radioactive iodine is added in extensive or more aggressive cases," Siegel said, but noted that it is "usually not needed."

The prognosis for thyroid cancer is generally positive and depends heavily on how the cancer responds to treatment, according to NCI.

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Some types are much milder and slower-growing than others. Doctors will also consider the stage of the cancer's progression.

The best-case scenario is when a surgeon can completely remove the tumor during surgery. Doctors will also factor in whether this is a brand-new diagnosis or if the cancer has returned after previous treatment.

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Tick bite ER visits hit highest seasonal level in years as doctors warn of disease surge

Tick bite-related ER visits are at their highest seasonal levels since 2017 across most U.S. regions, raising concerns about increased Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

That’s according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Tick Bite Tracker, which monitors weekly emergency department visits associated with tick bites across the country.

For every 100,000 ER visits, approximately 71 were related to tick bites in April 2026, compared to a historical seasonal average of roughly 30 per 100,000.

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Some of the highest rates of tick-based ER visits were among children younger than 10 years and adults between 70 and 79 years.

"Over the past three decades, the geographic range of the blacklegged tick has expanded significantly, and with it, the risk of Lyme disease and other Ixodes-transmitted infections," Dr. Steven Goldberg, MD, a family medicine physician who practices urgent care and family medicine at UofLHealth in Louisville, Kentucky, told Fox News Digital.

‘RABBIT FEVER’ CASES RISING IN US AS CDC WARNS OF ZOONOTIC BACTERIAL DISEASE

"The Ohio River Valley region is one of the most striking examples — Lyme disease cases in Ohio have increased roughly 10-fold over the past decade, likely driven by the convergence of Northeastern and Upper Midwestern tick populations meeting in that corridor."

States like Virginia and West Virginia, as well as areas south of the traditional endemic zone, are reporting increasing tick abundance and disease cases, the doctor noted.

"The lone star tick is also expanding its range northward beyond its traditional stronghold in the Southeast, which means diseases like ehrlichiosis and alpha-gal syndrome are appearing in regions where clinicians may not yet be thinking about them," he warned.

Some climate studies predict that the blacklegged tick's suitable habitat could expand by over 200% by the end of the century, Goldberg noted, including into Canada and across the central and southern U.S.

"Warmer, wetter conditions allow ticks to survive in habitats that previously would have been too cold," Saggar said. "Milder winters also extend the lifespan of both ticks and the animals they feed on, accelerating tick reproduction and shortening their life cycles."

Areas that historically experienced longer, colder winters or significant snow cover are now more hospitable to ticks, the doctor noted.

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"As temperatures rise and precipitation patterns change, ticks are able to spread northward and thrive in new ecosystems," he said. 

Another contributing factor is increased land development and human expansion into wooded and grassy areas, as well as reforestation of formerly agricultural land.

"The recovery and expansion of white-tailed deer populations — critical hosts for adult blacklegged ticks — has been a major driver," Goldberg added. "Deer density is positively associated with Lyme disease incidence. Small mammal communities, particularly white-footed mice that serve as key reservoir hosts for Borrelia burgdorferi, also play a central role."

Tick bites are known to transmit numerous illnesses, the most widespread of which is Lyme disease, a bacterial infection.

"Lyme disease cases alone have increased roughly two- to threefold over the past 20 years," Saggar said. Approximately 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year, per CDC surveillance data.

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Also common are anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis, two different types of bacterial infections, according to the doctor. Tick bites can also cause babesiosis, a malaria-like parasitic disease that infects and destroys red blood cells.

"Another growing concern is alpha-gal syndrome, a condition in which a (lone star) tick bite triggers a serious allergic reaction to red meat," Saggar said. "In rare cases, people have died from anaphylactic reactions linked to alpha-gal syndrome following a tick bite."

Ticks can also transmit viruses, including the Powassan virus, which can cause severe neurologic injury.

"Powassan virus disease is arguably the most concerning emerging tick-borne infection," said Goldberg, who is also chief medical officer at HealthTrack. "It's transmitted by the same blacklegged tick that carries Lyme disease, but unlike Lyme, it can be transmitted within minutes of tick attachment."

Powassan can cause severe encephalitis with a roughly 10% to 15% fatality rate, and more than half of survivors have lasting neurological deficits, Goldberg noted.

In the Rocky Mountain states, the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Colorado tick fever.

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"In the Southeast and South-Central U.S., the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) drives a different set of concerns: ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and two emerging viral threats — Heartland virus and Bourbon virus," said Goldberg.

Some common symptoms of tick-borne illness include fever, chills, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches and joint pain, according to Dr. Suraj Saggar, chief of infectious disease at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Another sign is the classic "bullseye" rash associated with Lyme disease, known medically as "erythema migrans." 

"Because testing can sometimes be falsely negative early in the disease process, doctors may treat patients based on symptoms and exposure history rather than waiting for laboratory confirmation," Saggar noted. 

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"If you think you have been bitten by a tick, you should seek medical attention if you develop symptoms after a known tick bite or after spending time in tick-prone areas, especially during the spring, summer and fall."

As there are no vaccines currently available for any tick-borne disease in the U.S., prevention is the most effective strategy.

Goldberg shared the following recommended prevention strategies.

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"The longer a tick is attached, the higher the risk of disease transmission — for Lyme disease, transmission generally requires at least 36 hours of attachment," Goldberg said. "The Powassan virus can be transmitted much more quickly."

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Doctors push new blood tests for colon cancer as cases surge in younger adults

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has updated its guidelines for colorectal cancer screening.

The organization released the update in its flagship journal on Wednesday, noting that the new recommendations "re-affirm" that adults at average risk should be screened for colorectal cancer at age 45 and continue through 75, for those with a life expectancy greater than 10 years.

In addition to the standard colonoscopy, the ACS also recommends that patients receive a blood-based screening test in a doctor’s office, which is designed to detect tumor DNA in the blood.

COMMON CANCER TYPE COULD BE DETECTED WITH NEW BLOOD TEST

The ACS also suggested an at-home screening option that looks for hidden blood and molecular markers in stool samples.

These new guidelines reflect recent advancements in disease detection, as well as a "critical shift in public health strategy to expand screening options and lower barriers to access," the ACS stated in a press release.

Dr. Robert Smith, senior vice president of early cancer detection science at the American Cancer Society and senior author of the report, wrote in a statement that colorectal cancer should be emphasized as a "highly preventable disease as much as a treatable one."

"By offering more screening tools in our guideline update, more eligible adults will be able to participate in lifesaving colorectal cancer testing, helping to close the screening gap and catch more cancers at an earlier, treatable stage," he added.

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According to the ACS, colorectal screening "dramatically improves survival," as studies show early-stage detection yields a five-year survival rate of more than 90% in the U.S.

About one in three American adults are eligible for colorectal cancer screening but have not been tested, although ACS research marks colorectal cancer as the top cancer killer of adults under 50.

People at a high risk of colorectal cancer may need to begin screening before age 45 or be screened more often, the ACS added. Those over 85 years old should no longer be screened for colorectal cancer, per the guidelines.

Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the ACS, commented that "no matter which test you choose, what’s most important is to get screened, and that includes underserved, rural and minority populations."

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These guideline changes follow a surge in colorectal cancer diagnoses in younger individuals. Recent ACS research revealed a 50% relative increase in diagnoses in adults aged 45 to 49 from 2021 to 2022.

Dr. Aparna Parikh, medical director of the Center for Young Adult Colorectal Cancer at the Mass General Cancer Center, who is not affiliated with the ACS, shared that experts don’t "entirely understand why" cases are on the rise.

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"But it seems to be an interplay of a person’s risk factors, overall makeup and early exposures," she previously told Fox News Digital. "[Those] include dietary exposures, environmental exposures and possible antibiotic exposures, as well as lifestyle factors in the right host."

Another recent ACS study found that drinking heavily and consistently over an adult’s lifetime could lead to a higher risk of colorectal cancer.

Other known risk factors include family history, obesity, smoking, a diet high in red and processed meats, inflammatory bowel disease, and a personal history or family history of polyps.

While there may be no symptoms of colorectal cancer before diagnosis, especially in the early stages, certain symptoms should not be overlooked, experts say.

Dr. Eitan Friedman, PhD, an oncologist and founder of The Suzanne Levy-Gertner Oncogenetics Unit at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel, confirmed to Fox News Digital that changes in bowel habits are the primary red flag that should raise the suspicion of colorectal cancer.

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Other symptoms include fatigue as a result of anemia, stomach pain or abdominal discomfort, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, weakness and unexplained weight loss.

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ER doctor reveals how pneumonia can suddenly turn deadly after Kyle Busch’s death

The sudden death of Kyle Busch has drawn attention to a rare but devastating medical progression: when pneumonia escalates into fatal sepsis.

An ER doctor spoke with Fox News Digital about how sepsis can trigger a rapid health decline.

"Sepsis is actually not a specific disease or diagnosis, but rather the syndrome that occurs when the body has certain abnormal findings and a presumed infection," said Dr. Kenneth J. Perry, a South Carolina-based emergency medicine physician.

HOW PNEUMONIA PROGRESSES TO SEPSIS: DOCTORS EXPLAIN AFTER KYLE BUSCH'S DEATH

The markers of sepsis include elevated white blood cell counts, a high or low temperature, and elevated heart and respiratory rates, according to Perry. Because of this, a patient with pneumonia is often already technically septic by definition.

While many people assume a worsening infection means bacteria are multiplying uncontrollably, it often has more to do with the body’s internal environment.

"It is often not the bacteria itself that is causing the specific decline," Perry said. "In most cases, it is a cascade of inflammatory processes that are set in motion by the infection."

When this inflammation spirals out of control, the body moves from having a manageable infection into severe sepsis. This is when otherwise healthy people can rapidly deteriorate.

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"The concerning thing that can happen with any individual ... is that sepsis can then lead to low blood pressure, worsening vital signs and organ damage," Perry said.

"As multiple organs fail, it becomes very difficult for the medical team to treat and can sometimes lead ultimately to death."

It is very unlikely to have pneumonia and not have any symptoms, according to Perry. Early signs can mimic a severe flu, including fevers, chills, a productive cough, and chest or back pain in cases where the lung is infected.

When sepsis begins to take hold, time becomes the most critical factor. "We have known for a number of years that early antibiotic therapy is beneficial in the treatment of sepsis," Perry said.

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If you or a loved one are managing an infection at home, the doctor says the following red flags mean you should bypass the clinic and head straight to the emergency room.

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While cases like Busch's are tragic, Perry stressed that this shouldn't cause widespread panic. Most patients with pneumonia do very well with standard oral antibiotics.

The NASCAR star's rapid decline underscores the importance of medical vigilance and "having a primary care physician with whom you have a good relationship," according to the ER doctor.

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"Monitoring symptoms while having easy access to primary care is a very beneficial and appropriate plan for most patients," he added.

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Sleep doctor reveals the brutal health downside of daylight saving time

The Trump administration is taking another look at ending biannual clock changes, with an eye toward making daylight saving time (DST), or the "summer clock," permanent.

On May 21, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent in a 48-1 vote, part of a largely bipartisan push to end twice-yearly clock changes.

Although gaining extra winter evening daylight might seem like a win, health experts say permanent daylight saving time could disrupt people's natural circadian rhythms.

TRUMP CHAMPIONS BID TO NIX CLOCK CHANGES BY ADOPTING PERMANENT DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Wendy Troxel, a licensed clinical psychologist and senior behavioral scientist at RAND based in Utah, said science is being "misconstrued" in this decision.

"Ending the biannual clock change is something most sleep scientists and the public would welcome," she said. "The disruption of springing forward every March is associated with real, measurable harm — spikes in car crashes, heart attacks and sleep deprivation."

However, Troxel noted, implementing permanent daylight saving time is "not supported by science." Instead, evidence "strongly supports" permanent standard time, or the "winter clock," according to the expert.

Major sleep medicine organizations, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have previously supported adopting permanent standard time over permanent daylight saving time.

HERE'S WHY 90% OF AMERICANS DON'T SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT, ACCORDING TO EXPERT

"Standard time is more closely aligned with human circadian biology, meaning the relationship between light, darkness and our internal clocks remains intact," Troxel said.

"Permanent DST simply shifts an hour of morning sunlight to the evening, and there are significant health and safety costs of that trade."

The U.S. attempted permanent DST in the early 1970s, but the plan was aborted in part due to these "morning consequences," according to the sleep expert.

"Within a year, the law was repealed amid public displeasure with commuting to work and school in the dark and increases in morning car crashes, and with no demonstrable impact on energy savings," Troxel told Fox News Digital.

Human circadian rhythms are primarily "anchored" by morning light, Troxel said. Under permanent DST, most people waking up for work or school would be rising before the sun, which forces a "chronic misalignment between the body’s internal clock and the external world."

FORCING AN EARLY WAKE-UP TIME COULD HARM YOUR HEALTH, SLEEP DOCTORS WARN

"You cannot override that biology by simply shifting external clocks forward," the expert said. "What you get instead is a population that is effectively waking up in the middle of their biological night, every single day."

The public has typically supported having more daylight in winter evenings, which could alleviate mental health conditions such as seasonal depression.

Supporters of permanent daylight saving time argue that later evening daylight could encourage outdoor activity, recreation and consumer spending after work or school.

Troxel agreed that light is a "powerful regulator" for sleep and moods, but noted that not all types have the same benefits.

"Morning light is crucial to regulate sleep, alertness and support mental health, and this would be sacrificed with permanent daylight saving time," she noted.

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In some areas of the country, like Utah, Americans wouldn’t see the sunrise until about 9 a.m. in the winter, which some research has linked to higher rates of depression and seasonal mood challenges.

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"More evening light may feel enjoyable, in part because we equate it with lovely summer evenings, but permanent daylight saving time does not mean permanent summer," Troxel emphasized. "It just means we will get less morning sunlight and more evening sunlight."

"Exposure to light in the evening further pushes circadian rhythms later, making it more difficult to fall asleep and harder to wake up in the morning."

Permanent daylight saving time can intensify people’s habit of "bedtime procrastination," deepen sleep deprivation and contribute to the widespread public health issue of insufficient sleep already identified by the Institute of Medicine, according to Troxel.

Various studies have shown that people typically sleep less in summer compared to winter. Troxel said this is particularly concerning in a society where one in three people are already getting insufficient shuteye.

"This is especially alarming for teenagers, a population the U.S. surgeon general has identified as being in a mental health crisis," she cautioned.

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For example, a teen waking up at 6:30 a.m. for an 8 a.m. school start time under permanent DST would be rising biologically at 5:30 a.m., Troxel noted, which is "in the middle of their biological night."

"Framing permanent DST as a fix for seasonal depression gets the science exactly backwards," she added.

Fox News Digital's Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.

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Popular fruit may help protect your skin from the sun, new study suggests

The benefits of grapes could go beyond providing a healthy snack.

According to a study published in the journal ACS Nutrition Science, regular grape consumption can change how the genes behave, giving the skin an added defense system against sun damage.

The research, led by scientists at Western New England University, suggests that grapes could trigger changes in DNA.

EATING A COMMON VITAMIN-C PACKED FRUIT MIGHT TOTALLY TRANSFORM SKIN, STUDY FINDS

Researchers tracked a group of volunteers who first followed a restricted diet for two weeks to clear their systems, according to a press release.

Then, for the next two weeks, they ate the equivalent of three daily servings of whole grapes, provided in a concentrated, freeze-dried powder form.

The scientists took small skin samples before and after the grape diet, testing them both under normal conditions and after exposing them to low doses of ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun.

At the start of the study, each volunteer had their own pattern of gene activity. However, these patterns shifted noticeably after they ate grapes, after they were exposed to UV light, and when the grape-eating was combined with UV exposure.

SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE CAN POSE LIFE-CHANGING HEALTH BENEFITS, EXPERT SAYS

While everyone's individual genetic responses were unique, grape consumption changed gene expression across all participants.

When skin is exposed to UV rays, it normally creates a chemical called malondialdehyde, which is a warning sign of cellular damage. After eating grapes, the volunteers showed significantly less of this damaging chemical, the study found.

"We are now certain that grapes act as a superfood and mediate a nutrigenomic response in humans," John Pezzuto, PhD, professor and dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Western New England University, said in the press release.

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"We observed this with the largest organ of the body, the skin. The changes in gene expression indicated improvements in skin health."

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Pezzuto also noted that the benefits likely don't stop at the skin.

"Beyond skin, it is nearly certain that grape consumption affects gene expression in other somatic tissues of the body, such as the liver, muscles, kidney and even brain," he said.

A major limitation of the study is its very small sample size, as usable, complete RNA sequencing data was successfully obtained from only four female participants, the researchers noted.

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Additionally, all four of these women shared a very similar skin type and background, meaning the genetic findings may not apply to a broader, more diverse population.

The researchers also emphasized that regular grape consumption cannot replace traditional sunscreen or sun-safe habits, and that the study relied on a highly concentrated grape powder rather than occasional, casual snacking.

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Ozempic-style drugs linked to major slowdown in cancer spread, new study finds

Popular GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) weight-loss drugs may help slow the spread of some cancers, according to new research to be presented at a major medical conference.

Research led by Cleveland Clinic found that the medications may reduce the spread of several obesity-related cancers, including lung, breast, colorectal and liver cancers.

The findings will be presented at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting next week in Chicago.

WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS NOW LINKED TO CANCER PROTECTION IN WOMEN, MAJOR NEW STUDY REVEALS

According to a press release, the real-world retrospective study included 12,112 patients with the following types of obesity-related cancers, ranging from stage 1 to stage 3.

Half of the participants started a GLP-1 medication – semaglutide, tirzepatide, dulaglutide, liraglutide, lixisenatide or pramlintide – after their cancer diagnosis.

The other half began taking a DPP-4 inhibitor comparator ("gliptins"), a different class of diabetes medications, the study noted.

WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS’ IMPACT ON CANCER RISK REVEALED IN NEW STUDY

Compared to the patients taking gliptins, the GLP-1 users were found to have significantly lower progression to stage 4 disease for four types of cancers.

The biggest risk reduction was for non-small cell lung cancer (50%), followed by breast cancer (43%), colorectal cancer (31%) and liver cancer (38%).

"Our study found that use of GLP-1 drugs, compared to DPP-4 inhibitors and other antidiabetic drugs, was associated with a meaningful reduction in cancer progression across four solid tumor types," said lead study author Mark David Orland, MD, of the Taussig Cancer Institute at Cleveland Clinic, in the release. "It provides early evidence that future studies are worth pursuing."

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Three other types of cancer – prostate, pancreatic and kidney – also had lower rates of spread among those taking GLP-1s, but those differences were "not statistically significant," the researchers noted.

Tumors with higher levels of GLP-1 receptors — proteins that help cells respond to GLP-1 hormones and drugs — were also linked to better survival outcomes, according to the study findings.

Overall, patients whose tumors had more of these receptors were about one-third less likely to die during the study period.

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The incidence of adverse side effects were similar between GLP-1 and gliptin groups.

The findings suggest that GLP-1 pathways may directly influence how some cancers grow or spread, though researchers say more studies are needed to understand the mechanism behind this effect.

The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, had some limitations, according to the researchers. As it was retrospective and observational in design – as opposed to a randomized clinical trial – it couldn’t prove that GLP-1 drugs directly prevent cancer progression.

Other factors, such as participants’ health conditions, weight loss and metabolic improvements, may have influenced the results, researchers noted.

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For some specific cancer types, there may not have been enough patients represented to detect statistically significant differences.

Further randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate these preliminary findings and to determine the specific ways in which GLP-1s control cancer progression.

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One type of sitting may pose greater dementia risk than another, study suggests

For years, researchers have believed prolonged sitting could raise dementia risk — but new findings suggest the type of sitting may matter more than previously thought.

The research, which was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in March, found that replacing mentally passive sedentary behavior with mentally active sedentary behavior was associated with a significant reduction in dementia risk.

Mentally active sedentary behaviors could include reading, office work and other activities that keep the brain engaged while sitting, while mentally passive behaviors may include watching television or other low-engagement screen activities.

'I'M A NEUROLOGIST — HERE'S WHY DEMENTIA IS RISING AND HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK’

To gather the findings, Swedish researchers analyzed data from more than 20,000 adults between ages 35 and 64 who were tracked over a 19-year period, between 1997 and 2016, according to a press release.

Participants answered questions about their sitting habits, physical activity and other lifestyle behaviors, while dementia diagnoses were identified using Swedish health and death records.

Mentally active sedentary behavior was associated with "a significant reduction in dementia risk" compared to more passive sitting activities.

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Although the study was based in Sweden, the release said the findings "are likely generalizable to a wider global population" and could help "inform public health guidelines and preventive strategies to reduce dementia."

In a statement, lead researcher Dr. Mats Hallgren of Sweden's Karolinska Institute said the study highlighted major distinctions between passive and mentally engaging sedentary habits when it comes to brain health.

"While all sitting involves minimal energy expenditure, it may be differentiated by the level of brain activity," said Hallgren.

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"How we use our brains while we are sitting appears to be a crucial determinant of future cognitive functioning and, as we have shown, may predict dementia onset."

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Sedentary behavior is a "ubiquitous but modifiable risk factor for many health conditions, including dementia," according to the researcher.

"Our study adds the observation that not all sedentary behaviors are equivalent; some may increase the risk of dementia, while others may be protective," he added. "It is important to remain physically active as we age, but also mentally active — especially when we are sitting."

The CDC projects that by 2060, nearly 14 million American adults will have Alzheimer's disease.

One recent study published by the Alzheimer's Association found that a person's biological age may be tied to dementia risk.

Researchers also recently found that a higher intake of unprocessed meat may protect against dementia in older people who have a variant of a certain gene.

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Experimental Alzheimer’s drug could reduce alcohol withdrawal damage, researchers say

An investigational dementia drug may also ease alcohol withdrawal by calming the brain inflammation linked to addiction and relapse.

That’s according to researchers at the University of Kentucky, who studied an experimental medication called MW150 that targets a brain inflammation pathway known as p38α MAPK.

The drug, which has not yet been approved, is designed to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

ALCOHOL DEATHS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED IN RECENT YEARS, ESPECIALLY AMONG WOMEN

Scientists believe neuroinflammation may contribute to relapse risk and long-term neurological damage in people with alcohol use disorder.

In laboratory and animal-model experiments, MW150 was found to reduce certain inflammatory markers during alcohol withdrawal.

The work, which was published in the journal Alcohol, came from the University of Kentucky’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, led by neuroinflammation researcher Linda Van Eldik.

ALCOHOL POSES THESE 8 RISKS TO OLDER ADULTS, EXPERTS WARN

Caleb Bailey, PhD, co-author of the study and a researcher in Van Eldik’s lab, said the study provides "biological plausibility" that MW150 could mitigate neuroinflammation arising from alcohol withdrawal.

Alcohol use disorder is difficult to treat because of high relapse rates, especially during withdrawal, according to Bailey.

"If follow-up experiments reveal similar anti-inflammatory effects of MW150 in animal models of alcohol use disorder, it would provide a strong rationale for development of MW150 as a treatment for those struggling with chronic alcohol relapse due to alcohol withdrawal," he told Fox News Digital.

'I"M A NEUROSURGEON — HERE'S WHAT ALCOHOL DOES TO THE BODY'

MW150, along with a related drug called Neflamapimod, is already being investigated in clinical trials as a potential therapy for dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions, the researchers noted.

"That gives this work added significance," Bailey said. "Because these compounds are already further along in development for other neurological diseases, it raises the possibility that they could someday be repurposed more efficiently for alcohol-related conditions if future studies continue to show promise."

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There were some important caveats of the research, including that it was conducted in cell culture and animal models.

"Because they are ‘dish’-based models, they provide limited information regarding what happens in the full organism – or even the full brain for that matter," Bailey said.

"A series of follow-up studies in living animals is required to more fully understand how future MW150 treatment in alcohol use and withdrawal affects systemic health and/or alcohol consumption."

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Dr. Amy Swift, deputy chief medical officer at Silver Hill Hospital in Connecticut, was not involved in the study but shared her reactions to the findings.

"Although detoxification using tapering doses of medication has long been considered the evidence-based first step in treating alcohol use disorder, its impact on the long-term trajectory of a person’s drinking behavior has been limited," she told Fox News Digital.

"Put simply, detoxification does not treat alcohol use disorder itself; rather, it prevents the potentially fatal complications of alcohol withdrawal."

Adding supportive medications — especially those intended to improve overall brain health — could address an important gap in early treatment of detoxification, according to Swift.

"Given the profound inflammatory effects alcohol has across multiple organ systems, it is worthwhile to investigate whether reducing neuroinflammation could improve a patient’s ability to engage in treatment earlier in recovery and, in turn, meaningfully alter their long-term relationship with alcohol," she added.

Bailey emphasized that no amount of alcohol consumption is good from a physical health standpoint.

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"We don't currently have robust pharmacological treatments to mitigate damage caused by chronic alcohol consumption," he said. "Minimizing alcohol consumption, therefore, is the best strategy for staying healthy."

As the MW150 compound continues to be studied for dementia patients, Bailey saud, "information regarding the interaction between these drugs and alcohol – for better or for worse – will be important for patient outcomes."

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Filtered water at specific ages could add months to your lifespan decades later, new study finds

Drinking filtered water may extend a person's life by several months, according to a new study.

The research, published in the American Journal of Health Economics, reveals that being exposed to water filtration systems early in life can significantly increase longevity. By analyzing public health infrastructure shifts from the early 20th century, researchers found that city water filtration alone increased the lifespan of older American men by an average of 3.2 months.

UPGRADE YOUR TAP WITH THESE COUNTERTOP REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEMS

"While water quality has improved in many areas, this study shows the real impacts to communities without access to safe water, both in the U.S. and globally," co-author Jason Fletcher, a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, said in a press release.

"The consequences on human health are significant."

The team analyzed data from the Social Security Administration’s Death Master Files. They tracked death records for American men born between 1975 and 2005, mapping each individual’s year and city of birth to historical water filtration records.

WHERE YOU LIVE COULD SHAPE YOUR RISK OF CANCER MORTALITY, STUDY SUGGESTS

By connecting early-life environments to late-life outcomes, the researchers isolated the lifelong impact of clean water.

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Beyond adding months to a person's life, the study suggests that clean water in childhood sets off a positive chain reaction for socioeconomic and physical development.

Additional data from mid-20th-century censuses showed that early exposure to filtered water was linked to increased height, higher education and income levels later in life.

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The paper is part of a broader research initiative called the American Mortality Project, which examines how early-life conditions shape the modern American lifespan.

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The researchers exclusively analyzed historical data from American men, meaning the findings may not fully capture how early-life water filtration impacted the long-term longevity, physical growth, or cognitive scores of women from the same era.

The data is limited to public health infrastructure changes across U.S. cities during a specific window in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Because of this, the exact timeline and magnitude of the lifespan extension (3.2 months) may not directly translate to modern developing nations, rural communities, or areas with different environments.

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5 common walking mistakes that could hurt your progress, according to an expert

Walking is a great way to get the body moving and clear the mind — but if you're doing it wrong, it may do more harm than good.

That's according to Dr. Milica McDowell, author of the new book "Walk," a guide to getting the most out of walking.

The Montana-based doctor of physical therapy, who specializes in lower extremity and orthopedics, shared in an interview with Fox News Digital how powerful walking can be.

WALKING STYLE COULD BE KEY TO LONGEVITY AND INJURY COMEBACKS, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS

"Walking has incredible health benefits for your wellness today and your longevity tomorrow," she said. "And it's something that's at an all-time low since the pandemic."

"Walking improves every system in your body – gut, musculoskeletal, mental health, your hormones – and so it has an incredible power to help optimize how you're doing."

McDowell added that walking is a "phenomenal way" to support a weight-loss journey, as it’s low-impact and low-intensity. It can also boost creativity and reduce stress.

JUST 5 MINUTES OF EXERCISE COULD REDUCE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, STUDY FINDS

While the health benefits of walking are evident, McDowell warned of some mistakes that could reverse progress.

Escaping our phones can sometimes feel impossible, but if there’s ever a time to be on do-not-disturb, it’s during a walk, according to McDowell.

Walking while scrolling is "really dangerous," she cautioned, as you're less aware of your surroundings and more susceptible to accidents.

"You could step in a pothole. You could get hit by a car. You could trip over something. You could bump into someone," she said. "Walking and scrolling is actually a bit of a public health crisis."

SIMPLE DAILY ACTIVITY COULD REDUCE RISK OF LOWER BACK PAIN, STUDY FINDS

Scrolling also puts the neck in a downward position, making the head heavier, which changes your posture "from the top down," McDowell said. "That can be a problem if you're someone who struggles with neck pain, back pain or shoulder pain."

McDowell recommends wearing a proper shoe designed specifically for walking to support the feet, promote healthy alignment and protect musculoskeletal health.

The shoe should be "shaped like a foot" so that the toes have room to spread within a wide toe box, she said.

Having space between each toe activates more muscles in the foot and creates a "more healthy walking gait," according to the expert.

SIMPLE JAPANESE FITNESS TREND COULD ADD 7 YEARS TO LIFE EXPECTANCY, EXPERTS SAY

More than 60% of adults wear the wrong shoe size, according to McDowell, and sizing can vary significantly between brands and manufacturers. She recommends getting measured by a professional to ensure the optimal fit.

Walking engages important muscles that support stability and mobility, including the glutes, which help propel the body forward with each step.

But walking shouldn’t be your only form of exercise, experts say. Incorporating strength training and other forms of movement can help prevent overuse injuries, improve balance and build overall fitness.

"A health stack includes drinking enough water, having healthy nutrition and sleeping adequately — and walking can be added to the other activities," she said.

Pairing walking with activities like weightlifting, pickleball, dancing or CrossFit can help create a more balanced fitness routine, according to McDowell, and are all part of building a strong "health stack."

"A health stack includes drinking [enough] water, having healthy nutrition, sleeping adequately — and walking can be added to the other activities," she said.

The speed at which we walk may tell us more about our health than we think.

ALZHEIMER’S DECLINE COULD SLOW DRAMATICALLY WITH ONE SIMPLE DAILY HABIT, STUDY FINDS

Walking speed is the sixth vital sign of health, according to McDowell. These clinical measurements also include blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature.

If your walking speed begins to decline, this could be a marker of underlying health conditions up to seven years before they occur.

While most people walk at about 90 to 100 steps per minute, translating to about three miles per hour, McDowell suggested increasing your speed to reap "higher level benefits."

This might mean taking a brisk walk at about 120 to 130 steps per minute, or three and a half to four miles an hour.

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"That can be a place where you get higher level payoff, including more calories burned, if you're on a weight-loss journey," she said.

McDowell emphasized the importance of staying consistent with your walking routine. 

A daily walk will have bigger payoffs than only walking once or twice a week. The expert likened walking to basic hygiene, such as brushing your teeth.

"Everyone is at different places on their walking journey," she said. "Don't set the 10,000 steps per day benchmark. That is a marketing myth ... Go ahead and find a step count that works well for you, maybe between 5,500 and 7,500."

McDowell summed up that each walk should be efficient.

"If you are an efficient walker, you are graceful, you are not wasting energy, you are walking balanced no matter your height, your weight or your age," she said.

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As the wellness movement has emphasized the importance of just moving, McDowell commented that walking is a "pinnacle activity" in this push.

"People are recognizing that these softer, more consistent activities can provide a lot of benefit for our physical and mental health," she said.

"You don't have to go and crush yourself in the gym. You don't have to be dripping sweat ... It's something you can do for periods of time throughout the day, little ‘snacks’ that all add up, or you can take longer walks depending on what time is available to you."

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Walking can also be a positive social experience done with friends and loved ones, McDowell noted. This is particularly important for seniors who can benefit from the combined physical activity and social interaction.

"Walking with an older adult can help combat loneliness," she said. "It can also help improve balance and reaction time, and reduce fall risk."

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