America's national parks could add years to your life — here's how they boost health

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, many Americans are taking extra notice of all the things the country has to offer.

One such case is our access to vast wilderness. Today, the nation's national parks are bustling tourist attractions, but they may also serve as vital resources for public health, experts say.

The most immediate health boost comes from physical movement.

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Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that regular physical activity is crucial for reducing obesity, improving sleep quality and lowering the risk of chronic illnesses.

The nation's public lands include parks, trails and open spaces that encourage outdoor recreation and physical activity.

A review by the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) found that implementing park, trail and greenway infrastructure directly increases physical activity across communities.

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When people walk, hike or bike through national parks, they are actively lowering their blood pressure, boosting immune function and reducing overall mortality, data shows.

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Beyond physical fitness, national parks may contribute to documented mental health benefits.

Previous research has demonstrated that direct exposure to nature significantly reduces physiological stress, lowers heart rates and decreases levels of stress hormones, like cortisol.

This research also shows that natural environments boost attention span, combat mental fatigue and improve cognitive performance.

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Parks also act as natural venues for mindfulness and social connection.

Research shows that practicing mindfulness in quiet outdoor spaces lowers stress and mitigates feelings of loneliness and social isolation.

Additionally, because parks protect cultural and historical resources, they can inspire lifelong learning.

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According to the data, engaging in educational activities and lifelong learning preserves brain function, improves memory and helps stave off age-related cognitive decline.

The National Park Service was established in 1916 to conserve the nation's natural and historic resources for future generations, according to the organization.

Today, that mission has expanded, as parks are recognized not only for their scenic and cultural value, but also the opportunities they provide for recreation and physical activity.

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Americans are giving up multivitamins for a different daily health habit, study finds

Americans are popping more supplements – and fewer multivitamins – than ever before, a new study found.

Research published in JAMA Network Open, led by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, looked at 25 years of U.S. dietary supplement use data from 1999 to 2023.

This included more than 63,000 adults over the age of 20 who reported their supplement usage.

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When tracking patterns over time, the analysis revealed that overall supplement use increased from 51% of U.S. adults to 60%. The largest rise – from 62% to 78% – was identified in adults 65 and older.

Supplement use was found to be more common in women, people with a higher income or education, and those with insurance.

During the same period, multivitamin use decreased from 35% to 31%, while intake of vitamins and minerals outside of multivitamins increased.

Some of the largest increases in intake were seen in vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B12 and turmeric. Other emerging supplements include ashwagandha, elderberry, collagen, hyaluronic acid, probiotics and prebiotics, according to the research.

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The later post-pandemic period saw an influx of immune support-based products, like zinc and vitamin D (outside of multivitamins).

The rise in supplement use aligns with the longevity movement, as more people seek products tailored to specific health goals, such as immune support, inflammation, gut health, skin health and joint health.

The study only shows that people are taking more supplements, but does not prove that they're effective for these uses, the researchers noted.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Los Angeles-based registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein gave her take on the emerging supplement movement.

"I love that people are getting more educated and more intentional – I just wish they were being advised by more doctors and dietitians and less by ‘wellness influencers’ who are likely not doing the due diligence on the quality and efficacy of the supplements they’re promoting," she said.

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Muhlstein expressed concern that all-in-one-multivitamin use has "slipped," despite the rise in GLP-1 weight-loss medications.

"A multivitamin is where I think people should start as the foundation to help bridge nutrient gaps, especially for people on a GLP-1 who are eating about 15% to 30% less, and therefore likely consuming 15% to 30% less vitamins and minerals," she said. "I recommend that everyone on a GLP-1 medication [should] take a multivitamin daily."

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A daily probiotic, magnesium and vitamin D3 are also "smart for many of us," the nutritionist added. She also recommends elderberry as an effective supplement for boosting the immune system when fighting a cold.

Collagen has also been shown to benefit the skin and joints, which Muhlstein said is "worth considering as we get older."

"My real concern is the unregulated market," she cautioned. "I can’t tell you how many calls I’ve received over the years of people pitching me new supplements ... because the margins are high and the market is huge."

"That’s why I’m extremely picky about what I take and what I recommend to my family and clients."

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Muhlstein warned against taking a supplement that hasn't gone through third-party testing for safety and quality.

"The best ones go further and test for pesticides, arsenic and heavy metals, especially for protein powders," she said. "If a product has many ingredients, I like to see that they do testing on each individual ingredient."

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Scientists discover possible link between 9/11 and accelerated aging

A study of World Trade Center responders found that PTSD is associated with molecular changes linked to accelerated biological aging and a higher risk of chronic disease.

The study, led by Stony Brook University in New York, could offer new clues to the long-term physical health effects of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The researchers tested blood samples from 393 WTC responders, collected approximately 18 years after the September 11, 2001 attacks, according to a university press release.

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Out of the sampled responders, 232 were diagnosed with PTSD and 161 were not. Between the two groups, 114 proteins and seven metabolites were significantly different.

In particular, the researchers detected changes in blood markers linked to brain function, immune activity, energy metabolism, protection against cell damage and how cells communicate and repair tissues.

Also reported were signs of accelerated biological aging in multiple organs — including the heart, kidneys, liver and lungs — among responders with PTSD.

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These discoveries could help explain why people with long-term PTSD are at greater risk for chronic conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, cognitive decline and other age-related illnesses.

"This study found that chronic PTSD is associated with long-lasting biological changes throughout the body, affecting multiple organs and biological systems decades after their traumatic exposure," lead study author Benjamin Luft, director and principal investigator at the Stony Brook WTC Wellness Program, told Fox News Digital.

The study reinforces the view that PTSD is a "whole-body illness" rather than simply a mental health disorder, he noted.

"Traumatic experiences can produce lasting biological changes that persist for decades," Luft said. "These changes appear to accelerate aspects of biological aging and may increase the risk of many chronic diseases."

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Several proteins that are critical for healthy brain function were also altered in those with PTSD, the researchers found.

"Many of these proteins play critical roles in helping brain cells communicate with one another, repair damage and maintain healthy connections that support memory and thinking," Luft said.

The study – which was funded in part by the CDC, the National Institute for Occupational Safety, and the National Institutes of Health – was published in Nature Communications.

Luft said the findings should be viewed with "cautious optimism."

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"The research provides compelling evidence that PTSD is associated with long-lasting biological changes throughout the body, including signs of accelerated aging, altered metabolism and changes in proteins involved in brain health," he said.

"These findings strengthen the growing recognition that PTSD is not simply a mental health disorder, but a condition that can have lasting effects on physical health as well."

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Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, was not involved in the study but called the results "fascinating."

"This speaks to the complex reality that PTSD is not an isolated psychiatric event due to emotional trauma alone, but that it is also tied in with physical trauma," he told Fox News Digital. "The stress is both emotional and physical, and leads directly to immune dysregulation and aging processes."

"The chronic diseases that resulted from high exposure in the aftermath of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks were conjoined in terms of the impact on physical and emotional well-being, longevity and effects on multiple organ systems, as well as core metabolic and immunological processes," the doctor added.

There were some limitations to the findings, the researchers noted.

"Because all measurements were taken at one point in time, the research can only show an association — not that PTSD directly caused the changes," Luft noted.

"We are currently doing studies in these patients examining multiple time points to see whether the changes in specific proteins and metabolites precede clinical changes."

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Also, because the study was done on a unique population – World Trade Center responders who experienced very specific trauma and environmental exposures – the findings may not apply to everyone with PTSD, "such as combat veterans, survivors of abuse or people who experienced other types of trauma."

Women are not well-represented in the study, comprising only 10% of responders.

"Blood tests cannot tell us exactly what is happening inside the brain," Luft said. "Although many of the altered proteins are related to brain function, blood measurements are only an indirect reflection of processes occurring in the brain."

Additional studies are needed to determine whether these blood markers can predict disease progression or treatment response.

"From a public health and policy perspective, the study reinforces the importance of recognizing PTSD as a chronic medical condition with significant long-term health implications," Luft said.

"Investing in early diagnosis, comprehensive treatment and long-term follow-up for trauma survivors, including our first responders and veterans, may improve quality of life while reducing the burden of chronic disease."

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Rare tick-borne virus turns deadly fast as US cases reach record high, experts warn

A rare and potentially fatal tick-borne illness currently spreading across the United States can be traced back to a 1958 case involving a young boy on a farm.

The disease, known as Powassan virus, was named for the Ontario town near where it was first discovered.

At the time of his death, Lincoln Byers, a 4-year-old living in Canada, had a condition that medical professionals could not explain, the Boston Globe reported.

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Years later, researchers discovered a tick harboring the same virus on a dead squirrel, finally providing an answer to the tragedy, but foreshadowing a growing public health challenge.

While once considered an obscure medical anomaly, Powassan virus cases have reached historic highs in the U.S., data show.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 76 Americans were diagnosed with the virus in 2025, the highest annual total on record. Previously, the U.S. averaged just seven to eight diagnoses each year.

The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected woodchuck tick or deer tick. Like other tick-borne illnesses, Powassan is most prevalent from late spring through mid-fall, when tick populations peak and outdoor activity increases.

Public health experts warn that the virus's transmission speed makes it uniquely dangerous.

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"One of the most dangerous aspects is its rapid transmission," Dr. Jorge P. Parada, a medical advisor at the National Pest Management Association in Chicago, told Fox News Digital.

"Powassan can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes after the infected tick bites, while Lyme disease usually requires a 36- to 48-hour attachment time for transmission."

Parada noted that while Powassan remains rare compared to Lyme disease, it poses clinical concern.

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Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News, confirmed that the virus transmits significantly faster than Lyme disease. He noted that Powassan carries an incubation period of one to four weeks before symptoms manifest.

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Initial symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting and weakness, though some infected individuals remain asymptomatic, according to the CDC.

The virus can progress to severe neurological complications, including encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord membranes).

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In severe cases, patients may experience confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking and seizures, per the CDC.

Approximately 10% of Powassan cases involving severe neurological disease are fatal, and many survivors experience long-term neurological issues.

There are currently no specific medications or vaccines to treat or prevent Powassan virus; clinical care is limited to supportive therapy, such as intravenous fluids and respiratory support.

While anyone can develop severe illness, those at the highest risk include children, older adults and immunocompromised individuals, experts caution.

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Doctors thought man had brain cancer — they found live tapeworms instead

Doctors thought a 60-year-old man had metastatic brain cancer after scans revealed multiple tumors – but further testing revealed a shocking diagnosis.

The Spanish man, who was not named, was found to have a parasitic tapeworm larvae lodged in his brain — a case of neurocysticercosis, a parasitic infection of the central nervous system caused by the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium).

The patient, a lifelong resident of Castellón, Spain, had not traveled to any regions where the disease is endemic, according to the case report published in the CDC journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.

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The man had initially come to the hospital after suffering two weeks of progressive headaches and mild behavioral changes.

CT scans showed multiple abnormal spots that looked like tumors that had spread from cancer elsewhere in the body, leading doctors to suspect advanced brain cancer.

However, whole-body scans, a colonoscopy and specialized imaging failed to identify cancer anywhere in the patient's body, the case report stated.

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When doctors performed a more detailed MRI, they discovered several fluid-filled cysts in the brain, some of which contained the head of a tapeworm. A blood test confirmed the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis.

The man was treated with a combination of albendazole and praziquantel (two antiparasitic medications), as well as corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. He successfully recovered with no complications, according to the case report.

The authors suggested that the patient may have gotten the infection after accidentally ingesting microscopic tapeworm eggs years earlier.

The exposure may have occurred while working a construction job with migrant coworkers from regions where neurocysticercosis is endemic.

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People can catch the pork tapeworm in two different ways. Eating undercooked infected pork usually leads to an intestinal tapeworm, but accidentally swallowing the parasite's eggs — typically through food or water contaminated with feces — can send the larvae into the bloodstream, where they may form cysts in the brain and other organs. This can cause the disease the patient in the case report acquired.

As this was just a single case, the source of transmission could not be proven, the researchers acknowledged, and the findings cannot be generalized to a wider population. The report shows that there is a possibility of local transmission in non-endemic settings, but cannot establish how often this occurs.

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In the United States, less than 2% of neurocysticercosis cases are considered domestically acquired, according to the case report.

A prior systematic review identified only 18 confirmed locally acquired cases in Western Europe between 1990 and 2011.

In some cases, NCC can cause serious symptoms, including seizures, stroke, neurological deficits and cognitive decline.

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"Our case emphasizes that the absence of travel history should not preclude NCC from the differential diagnosis of multiple ring-enhancing brain lesions, even in regions where metastatic cancer is statistically much more likely," the researchers concluded in the case study.

Detecting the worms earlier could have prevented "unnecessary invasive oncologic procedures and led to prompt, targeted antiparasitic therapy," they added.

Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.

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America's lifespan has doubled since 1776 — experts reveal what changed

Americans today live roughly twice as long, on average, as they did when the Declaration of Independence was signed.

When the nation was founded in 1776, life expectancy was around 35 to 40 years old, historians estimate. However, someone who survived childhood in colonial America often lived into their 60s or even 70s.

Today, the average lifespan is about 79 years old, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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The improvement in lifespan over the centuries has been largely attributed to reduced deaths in infancy and from infectious diseases, multiple researchers have stated. Advances in sanitation, clean water, nutrition, vaccination and medical care have also contributed to lower mortality rates.

"Much of this vast discrepancy is related to the extremely high rates of infant, childhood and maternal mortality," Dr. Omer Awan, physician and professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital.

"Childbirth was dangerous, and without antibiotics and vaccines, many infectious diseases, such as measles, smallpox and pneumonia, were deadly," he went on. "Now we have cleaner water and sanitation, vaccines and antibiotics that have significantly prolonged life."

Advances in treatments of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes have also significantly prolonged life, the Harvard-trained doctor noted.

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According to the CDC, improved prevention and treatment of high blood pressure has helped reduce deaths from heart disease and stroke, two of the nation's leading causes of death.

Mia Kazanjian, MD, a Stanford-trained body and breast radiologist with an interest in longevity who is based in Greenwich, Connecticut, attributes the shorter life expectancy in the 1700s to suboptimal sanitation, poor hygiene and limited medical treatments.

"Many babies and children died from infections like dysentery, diphtheria, scarlet fever and pneumonia," she told Fox News Digital. Children who survived into adulthood often succumbed to infections like tuberculosis, cholera and typhoid fever.

Maternal mortality has also fallen dramatically over the past century due to advances in antibiotics, blood transfusions and safer obstetric care, according to the CDC.

Kazanjian pointed to several key advancements over the centuries that contributed to longevity improvements, including the development of early municipal water systems that provided cleaner drinking sources.

"Sewer system networks were built, the first in Brooklyn in 1857," she said. "These allowed people to drink clean water and dispose of waste. Indoor plumbing with toilets and bathrooms became more widespread."

At this time, people’s understanding of disease started to improve, and public health measures were developed to minimize risk.

During the late 1800s, germ theory became widely accepted in medicine and public health, helping shape the Sanitary Era, the expert said.

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"The Federal Quarantine Act of 1878 allowed the government to prevent spread of infection from out of the country, from epidemics like yellow fever," she said. "Food safety regulations went into effect in 1906, when the Pure Food and Drug Act and Federal Meat Inspection Act were passed."

By 1900, the average life expectancy was about 49 years old, according to the National Vitals Statistics Report.

Another major landmark in increasing lifespan came with the development of vaccines and antibiotics to prevent and treat disease, Kazanjian noted.

"Jenner developed the smallpox vaccine in 1796, Pasteur created vaccines for rabies and anthrax in the 1880s, and several scientists created vaccines for polio, measles, influenza, mumps and rubella in the mid 1900s," she said.

"Antibiotics proliferated in the 1940s, specifically penicillin and tetracycline. By 1950, the US life expectancy was about 68 years old."

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From the mid-20th century to 2014, life expectancy continued to rise, Kazanjian said, largely due to "major gains" in medical knowledge of ways to prevent heart disease and stroke.

Public health campaigns promoting smoking cessation also played a role, as declining smoking rates helped reduce deaths from lung cancer, heart disease and stroke, according to the CDC.

"Motor vehicles became safer and carseats became staples," Kazanjian noted.

According to the National Institutes of Health, advances in emergency medical services and trauma care have substantially reduced deaths after serious injuries.

Development of pharmaceuticals for cardiovascular disease and cancer also contributed to longer lives, according to Kazanjian.

Modern longevity is more focused on preventing chronic disease and less about surviving childhood infections, noted Nneoma Oparaji, MD, a triple board-certified media physician specializing in obesity, lifestyle and internal medicine.

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"The next frontier will be less about living longer, but more about living healthier longer," Houston-based Oparaji told Fox News Digital.

Kazanjian pointed out that between 2014 and 2026, there has been a fall and a rise in lifespan.

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"The fall was due to young adult deaths from drug overdoses, particularly the opioid epidemic, suicides and alcohol-related deaths," she told Fox News Digital.

The COVID-19 pandemic reduced U.S. life expectancy by more than two years between 2019 and 2021 before it began recovering, CDC data shows.

Although U.S. life expectancy has rebounded since the pandemic, it remains below that of other high-income countries, largely because of higher death rates from chronic diseases, substance use and other preventable causes, according to KFF.

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Obesity rates also continue to climb, contributing to higher numbers of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, Kazanjian said.

"Most concerning is the rise in obesity in children," she added.

Changing cancer trends are also affecting lifespan among younger adults, data shows.

"My generation, the millennials, has seen an unprecedented rise in young adult cancers, particularly colon and breast," Kazanjian said, citing factors that include sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, alcohol, obesity and smoking, among others.

The doctor said she aims to raise public health awareness of ways to improve lifespan.

"We need to get off our screens, move around more, eat a whole food, plant-based diet, sleep seven hours a night, do our screening exams, and avoid toxins like alcohol and cigarettes."

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Could 'humanmaxxing' actually help you live longer? Here's what experts say

We are officially living in the "maxxing" era.

From "looksmaxxing" to improve appearance to "sleepmaxxing" for better rest, these viral terms all point to the same goal: squeezing every ounce of potential out of a specific trait or habit.

With a growing focus on optimizing wellness and maximizing longevity, the trend has evolved into what's known as "humanmaxxing," sparking a bigger question: How far can people go to optimize the human body?

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While there is no single definition of humanmaxxing, the trend generally refers to efforts to optimize health, performance and longevity through a combination of lifestyle habits, health tracking, supplements and, in some cases, more experimental interventions.

For some, the movement begins with biohacking. According to Dave Asprey, a Texas-based wellness expert who refers to himself as the "father of biohacking," optimizing your body starts with changing your environment.

Asprey has defined biohacking as "the art and science of changing the environment around you or inside you so that you have full control of your own biology."

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His public advice focuses on boosting cellular energy through everyday choices like intermittent fasting, high-fat diets, red-light therapy and supplement routines.

"My goal right now is 180 years, because I'm doing something about it now instead of waiting," he once said.

Others have embraced a more data-driven approach. Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, creator of the multimillion-dollar longevity project Blueprint in Los Angeles, argues that optimizing the body means removing human error from health decisions and instead relying on medical data.

"Methodically, we sought to build an algorithm with science and data that could better care for me than I can myself," Johnson wrote on his website. "My mind did not have the authority to override the algorithm."

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Johnson's routine involves tracking hundreds of health metrics, eating a precisely measured diet, taking dozens of supplements, and undergoing advanced medical treatments in an effort to reduce his biological age.

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At the far end of the spectrum are those investing in technologies aimed at pushing the limits of human performance.

London-based tech investor Christian Angermayer recently described humanmaxxing as a strategy toward human maximization.

"I don't think we should become something different, because I think humans are awesome, but I think we can maximize the potential [that] is already in us," he said in an interview with The New York Times.

Angermayer's investment firm, Apeiron Investment Group, focuses on technologies intended to help people "live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives." He also founded atai Life Sciences, a biotechnology company that develops psychedelic treatments for mental health conditions that are currently being evaluated in clinical trials.

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As interest in humanmaxxing grows, mainstream health experts urge consumers to separate evidence-based wellness practices from experimental interventions.

Public guidance from the National Institute on Aging notes that while some anti-aging therapies have shown promise in laboratory research, there is not yet sufficient evidence that they can safely extend human life.

Clinical experts also caution that extreme self-experimentation can bypass the rigorous safety standards applied to conventional medical treatments.

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According to the Endocrine Society, taking substances such as testosterone or growth hormone without a medical need can lead to serious health risks, including cardiovascular complications and long-term disruption of the body's chemical balance.

While many humanmaxxing habits overlap with standard healthy lifestyle practices, experts say consumers should be cautious of expensive or experimental interventions that promise dramatic anti-aging or longevity benefits without strong scientific evidence.

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These leafy greens could help protect your lungs, study suggests

Scientists have linked eating leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale and broccoli to better lung health.

There are two primary forms of vitamin K found in foods. The primary kind is vitamin K1, found mainly in vegetables, which plays a major role in the body’s blood-clotting process.

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Vitamin K2 is found in fermented foods, certain dairy products, eggs and meats and helps regulate calcium in the body and supports bone health.

Researchers at Australia's Edith Cowan University examined whether dietary intake of vitamins K1 and K2 was associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and lung function.

"Chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, are among the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases worldwide and were the third leading cause of death in 2019, accounting for 4 million deaths and affecting 454.6 million individuals globally," the scientists reported in the introduction to their study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

"Although asthma and COPD can be managed with available treatments, neither condition is curable, underscoring the need for effective prevention strategies," they added.

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The leading cause of COPD is smoking, the Mayo Clinic reported. Exposure to other irritants, such as dust, chemicals and pollution, can also cause it.

The researchers analyzed data from 179,062 participants over a 10-and-a-half-year period and concluded that, "Higher dietary vitamin K1 intake was associated with better lung function and a lower rate of COPD."

Participants who consumed the most vitamin K1 had a 16% lower likelihood of COPD, the researchers observed. The effects were more pronounced in smokers and participants with high-risk occupations.

Consumption of vitamin K2 did not result in lower COPD rates.

"No association was observed for vitamin K1 or vitamin K2 intakes and asthma," the researchers also wrote.  

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Associate Professor Marc Sim, who was involved in the study, said that it’s likely Vitamin K activates a protein that may help keep lung tissue flexible and prevent damage.

Because the study was observational, it cannot prove that vitamin K1 directly reduces COPD risk, only that higher intake was associated with better lung health.

Just one extra serving of leafy greens "is an achievable way to boost your vitamin K1 intake," said Chengfeng Li, one of the study’s researchers.

Other foods rich in vitamin K1 include collard greens, Swiss chard, Brussels sprouts and turnip greens.

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New blood test detects 90% of aggressive prostate cancer cases, beating current screenings

A new test could make it easier to detect high-risk prostate cancer cases earlier.

The blood test, called Stockholm3, is showing promise in clinical trials, beating out the traditional, standard prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.

In a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden studied the test’s efficacy in more than 12,000 men – mostly Swedish or European – aged 50 to 74.

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All participants were tested with PSA and Stockholm3 and were followed for two years. During the follow-up period, 443 men were diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.

Stockholm3 detected 90% of aggressive prostate cancer cases compared to 74% for PSA tests.

Stockholm3 missed "significantly fewer" serious cancer cases than PSA. The number of men incorrectly classified as high-risk was similar across both tests, according to a press release.

Thorgerdur Palsdottir, a researcher at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, wrote in a statement that one of the major challenges in prostate cancer is being able to identify the cases that are "truly dangerous."

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"Our results show that Stockholm3 identifies significantly more aggressive cancer cases than PSA, without increasing the number of unnecessary follow-ups," she said.

"These results point toward a potential change in how prostate cancer screening can be conducted," the researcher added. "A more precise blood test could enable earlier detection of aggressive disease while reducing the number of unnecessary follow-up examinations and procedures."

Study co-author Hari Vigneswaran, MD, chief medical officer of Stockholm3-maker A3P Biomedical, commented on these "promising" findings in an interview with Fox News Digital.

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He confirmed that PSA has been the standard for prostate cancer screening since the 1990s, despite its "well-documented limitations."

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"It leads to invasive and costly follow-up testing, contributes to over-diagnosis of non-aggressive cancers and, most importantly, it misses a substantial share of aggressive disease," Vigneswaran said.

When aggressive prostate cancer is found while still confined in the prostate, the five-year survival rate is close to 100%, which highlights the importance of early detection, according to the doctor.

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Data from the National Cancer Institute’s SEER database show that metastatic prostate cancer has risen over the past decade, suggesting that "we have not improved early detection of the aggressive, curable disease that screening is meant to catch," Vigneswaran said.

"The goal of screening is to find the cancers that need treatment while they are still curable, without raising the number of men who screen positive but don’t have aggressive disease," he said.

Stockholm3 could reduce the need for unnecessary MRIs and biopsies, according to the researcher.

The findings did have some limitations. Stockholm3 is an investigational device and is not currently available for sale in the U.S., Vigneswaran noted.

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The test estimates a man's risk of aggressive prostate cancer, but a biopsy remains the gold standard for confirming the disease.

The company plans to seek FDA approval to use the test for routine screening and will "generate the evidence needed to support that pathway, including U.S. data," Vigneswaran said.

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Common food preservatives may raise blood pressure and heart risks, study suggests

→ 8 common food preservatives linked to high blood pressure and heart disease

→ Study suggests latest COVID vaccine may have unexpected health benefit

→ Switching from cigarettes to vapes linked to higher risk of major eye diseases

→ Former reality star opens up about new diagnosis after years-long health ordeal

→ Popular mommy blogger dies at 48 two years after devastating cancer diagnosis

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→ Want to age better? Researchers say 4-minute routine may help prevent dangerous falls

→ One question may reveal whether your body is getting the rest it needs

→ Dad jokes may be good for your brain in one surprising way, experts say

→ Measles-infected traveler may have exposed passengers at LAX and nearby hotel

→ No sex for 10 weeks? Championship team's playoff strategy raises eyebrows

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Switching from cigarettes to vapes linked to higher risk of major eye diseases, large study finds

Switching from cigarettes to electronic vapes is often seen as a healthier move, but a massive nationwide study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology suggests that smokeless alternatives could increase the risk of serious eye diseases compared to quitting nicotine altogether.

Researchers from the Korea University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, analyzed health data from a group of 179,273 adults through the Korean National Health Insurance Service, according to a press release.

All participants had smoked traditional cigarettes between 2011 and 2012 and then quit smoking by 2018 or 2019, they reported.

SINGLE WORKOUT CUTS CRAVINGS, OFFERING NEW HOPE FOR SMOKERS TRYING TO QUIT

To ensure a fair comparison, the researchers paired up participants who shared similar backgrounds, including their age, gender, medical history, existing health conditions and general lifestyle habits.

This process created a balanced group of 32,316 matched participants, who were divided into two categories: complete quitters who stopped using all nicotine products and those who transitioned to smokeless nicotine products, such as vapes.

The researchers followed the participants for an average of 4.6 years to determine whether they developed eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and focus-related eyesight disorders.

5 WAYS TO PRESERVE YOUR VISION AS YOU AGE, ACCORDING TO AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST

Over the tracking period, the group experienced a total of 6,328 major eye disease events. People who quit nicotine entirely had the lowest disease rate in the study, at 41.1 cases per 1,000 person-years (a measure that accounts for both the number of people in the study and how long they were followed).

In comparison, that rate rose to 44 cases for individuals who had switched over to smokeless alternatives like vapes.

Ultimately, the data showed that switching to alternative nicotine products carried a steady 7% increased risk of serious eye diseases compared to quitting nicotine completely.

FOOD CHOICES THAT CAN BOOST YOUR VISION AND PROTECT AGAINST EYE DISEASE

Most notably, those who switched faced a 24% higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a condition that damages the blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

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Additionally, those who ditched cigarettes for vapes had a 7% higher risk of developing refractive and accommodation disorders, which affect the eye's ability to focus clearly.

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"These findings challenge the assumption that substituting noncombustible nicotine or tobacco products for conventional cigarettes is visually harmless," the researchers noted.

The authors did point out a few limitations of the research. Because this was a study looking back at health insurance data, it cannot definitively prove that vaping directly causes eye damage.

Additionally, the study relied on people filling out questionnaires about their own smoking and vaping habits, which can sometimes lead to underreporting or simple memory errors.

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Still, the researchers concluded the findings suggest that replacing cigarettes with alternative nicotine products may not eliminate the risk of certain eye diseases.

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Latest COVID vaccine may have unexpected health benefit, study suggests

The latest COVID-19 vaccine (2024-2025) has been linked to fewer serious heart-related events among U.S. veterans.

New research confirmed a small reduction in COVID-related cardiovascular events, or COVID-19-associated MACE, due to the vaccine.

MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events) is a composite measure of serious heart-related outcomes. It typically includes cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke, and may also include hospitalization for heart failure.

VACCINES FOR FLU AND COVID: SHOULD YOU GET BOTH AT THE SAME TIME?

Using health records from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the researchers compared two groups of veterans — one that received the COVID and flu vaccine on the same day (nearly 350,000 people) and another group that received only the flu vaccine (nearly 700,000 people).

Out of more than one million veterans studied, the average age was about 70 and 92% were male, according to a press release.

Within about eight months, the results showed that those who received the 2024-2025 COVID vaccine had a lower risk of COVID-associated major cardiovascular events, with a relative vaccine effectiveness of 37.7%.

The COVID vaccine was linked to a 57.9% lower risk of cardiovascular death, 38.5% lower risk of heart attack and 41.9% lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure, the researchers stated. The result for stroke was not statistically significant.

SCIENTISTS PINPOINT WHY COVID VACCINE MAY TRIGGER HEART INFLAMMATION IN CERTAIN PEOPLE

The benefit was greatest among adults ages 75 and older and those with underlying health conditions. In people over 75, the vaccine was 50.7% effective at preventing COVID-associated MACE.

As the study was observational, it could not prove cause and effect between the COVID-19 vaccine and lower risk of cardiovascular events, but only highlighted an association.

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Dr. Glenn Hirsch, cardiologist at National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado, called these results "not overall surprising" in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"This result is consistent with previous studies of the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines against infectious diseases [in] preventing cardiovascular events, including heart attack, cardiovascular cause of death or hospitalizations," he said.

Acute inflammation in the body from infections like COVID-19 increases the risk of cardiovascular events and can cause further complications, according to the doctor.

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"This can lead to a higher risk of blood clotting, but can also make arterial plaques susceptible to rupture, which then leads to clot formation to heal a ruptured plaque," he said. "This clotting can cause a near-total or complete occlusion of an artery, leading to these cardiovascular events."

"Vaccines either prevent infection or reduce the severity of infection and subsequent inflammation, lowering the cardiovascular risk."

Despite the positive outcome, the overall benefit of the vaccine in this study was less than in previous studies, according to Hirsch, who was not involved in the research.

This could be due to the lower severity of illness seen in more recent COVID-19 variants, as well as immunity from prior infections among unvaccinated people, he noted. There has also been a decline in COVID testing, making it more difficult to link cardiovascular events to the virus.

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"The bottom line [is] that there is still evidence of benefit from COVID-19 vaccination like many other infectious disease vaccinations, and people should be encouraged to discuss these with their healthcare team annually," Hirsch advised.

"This is an observational trial and there can always be some confounding after necessary statistical adjustments and other potential benefits or harms, including adverse effects from vaccines that were not investigated in this study," he added.

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Former reality star opens up about new diagnosis after years-long health ordeal

A former "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star is speaking out about a fresh wave of health issues.

Brandi Glanville, 53, has been speaking publicly about ongoing swelling, lumps and paralysis of her face since 2023.

At the time, the reality star shared that she believed she had been infected with a parasite during a trip to Morocco, Fox News Digital previously reported. 

BRANDI GLANVILLE SPENDING 'ALL OF MY MONEY' LOOKING FOR ANSWERS TO MYSTERY ILLNESS THAT LEFT HER DISFIGURED

After the initial diagnosis, she suspected she contracted a parasite in Morocco and said she could feel it moving within her face.

Glanville was first diagnosed with stress-induced angioedema, a sudden swelling of the deeper layers of the skin and mucous membranes, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Angioedema "is a reaction similar to hives that affects deeper layers of the skin. It can appear with hives or alone," Mayo Clinic states.

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Most recently, in a June 18 episode of her podcast "Brandi Glanville Unfiltered," Glanville revealed that doctors discovered a "benign tumor" in one of her facial lymph nodes.

The reality star, who has previously speculated that a parasite may be contributing to her facial symptoms, said the finding could help explain the swelling and fluid buildup she has experienced and noted that she has had a lump in her face for "years."

"I don't know what's wrong with me, guys. I thought I was fixed, and then it happened again and now it's sinking in again," Glanville said in another June podcast.

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"It could be why the fluid is going around my face and why I'm having a hard time," she added.

While benign tumors of the face have been known to arise from fat tissue, blood vessels, skin structures, salivary glands or lymphatic tissue, Glanville has not publicly disclosed the specific type of diagnosis she received.

Prior to learning of the tumor, Glanville said she saw dozens of doctors and spent over $100,000 trying to pinpoint the source of the issue.

The reality star emphasized that the tumor is "not cancerous."

"I haven't had a face lift yet!" she added.

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Glanville also said she suspected her ruptured breast implants could have played a role in her health issues, claiming the leaking silicone had clogged her lymph nodes.

Fox News Digital reached out to Glanville for comment.

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One common type of fat may increase diabetes risk, while another helps fight it

A new review suggests that the type of fat you eat may affect your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Saturated fats rich in palmitic acid – the most common saturated fatty acid in U.S. foods – appear to make it harder for the body to respond to insulin.

Meanwhile, monounsaturated fats rich in oleic acid — such as those found in olive oil — may help protect against insulin resistance, the review concluded.

ONE TYPE OF OLIVE OIL HAS A SURPRISING EFFECT ON BRAINPOWER DURING AGING

"Palmitic acid is found in meats, dairy products, cocoa butter and in the form of palm oil in foods, including margarine, cereal, sweets, baked goods and fast foods," Tanya Freirich, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Charlotte, North Carolina, told Fox News Digital. She was not involved in the review. 

"Oleic acid, on the other hand, is in higher concentration in foods like olive oil, canola oil, nuts, sunflower seeds, eggs, olive, avocados and also in meats (beef, chicken, pork), milk, cheese and pasta."

The review, which was published in the journal Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, was led by researchers from the University of Barcelona and the CIBER Area for Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM) in Spain.

The findings suggest that fat quality may be more important than total fat quantity when it comes to metabolic health and diabetes risk.

DIABETES RISK LINKED TO THESE ULTRAPROCESSED FOOD COMBINATIONS

This appears to support the idea that diets rich in monounsaturated fats, such as the Mediterranean diet, may contribute to lower rates of type 2 diabetes.

"Palmitic acid promotes several molecular processes that impair insulin action," study investigator Dr. Manuel Vázquez-Carrera, from the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry at the University of Barcelona, told Fox News Digital. 

Too much palmitic acid can cause harmful fat byproducts to build up in the body, which can impair the body's ability to respond to insulin, he warned. This makes it harder to control blood sugar and increases the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

"It also promotes inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular stress responses, which contribute to insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction," Vázquez-Carrera added.

VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT MAY DELAY DIABETES IN SELECT GROUPS, RESEARCHERS SAY

By contrast, oleic acid – a hallmark of the Mediterranean diet – does not have these harmful effects, according to the researcher.

"In fact, oleic acid can counteract many of the detrimental effects triggered by palmitic acid, by promoting the storage of fatty acids in relatively inert triglycerides, preserving mitochondrial function and reducing inflammation," he said.

Freirich confirmed that the review is consistent with previous research supporting the use of olive oil in the diet for metabolic benefits.

"Also confirming previous research, the consumption of saturated fats is associated with some negative metabolic changes," she told Fox News Digital.

THE WORST FOODS TO BUY IN THE SUPERMARKET AND THE BETTER CHOICES INSTEAD

Given the complexity of foods and diets, there is an overlap between foods that contain both types of fatty acids, the nutritionist noted. 

"Palmitic acid and oleic acid can both be found in olive oil, baked goods and fast foods, in differing amounts," she said. "All sources of fat in our diet contain a mix of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids."

Vázquez-Carrera noted that these findings come from a review of numerous experimental, clinical and epidemiological studies rather than a single clinical trial.

"One important limitation is that much of the mechanistic evidence comes from cell culture and animal studies," he said. 

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"Although these studies provide valuable insights into how specific fatty acids affect insulin signaling, further human intervention studies are needed to confirm the extent to which these mechanisms operate in everyday dietary settings."

In addition, many of the human studies in the review relied on self-reported dietary intake, which can introduce inaccuracies. 

"Another challenge is that people consume foods containing complex mixtures of fatty acids and bioactive compounds rather than isolated fatty acids," Vázquez-Carrera added. "Therefore, it remains difficult to fully disentangle the specific contribution of individual fatty acids in free-living populations."

The review’s findings appear to support current dietary recommendations that emphasize replacing part of the saturated fat intake with unsaturated fats, according to Vázquez-Carrera.

"This means favoring dietary patterns rich in foods such as extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, seeds, legumes, vegetables, fruits and fish, while limiting excessive consumption of foods rich in saturated fats, especially highly processed foods," he advised.

The review does not suggest that a single nutrient alone determines diabetes risk, the researcher pointed out.

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"Rather, maintaining a healthy body weight, engaging in regular physical activity and following an overall healthy dietary pattern, such as the Mediterranean diet, remain fundamental strategies for preventing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes."

Type 2 diabetes develops over many years, with genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors all playing a role, Vázquez-Carrera noted.

"Future research should move beyond simply classifying fats as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and instead focus on understanding how specific fatty acids, their dietary sources and their interactions within whole dietary patterns affect metabolic health," he said.

Improving the quality of dietary fat intake could prove to be an effective strategy for reducing type 2 diabetes risk, according to the researcher.

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"A simple takeaway for consumers is to swap out foods high in saturated fat more often with foods rich in heart-healthy fats, like olive oil, nuts and avocados, to better support blood sugar and metabolic health," advised New Jersey-based registered dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade, who was also not involved in the review.

Anyone at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes should consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance on nutrition, exercise and other preventive measures, experts say.

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Want to age better? Researchers say 4-minute routine may help prevent dangerous falls

Just four minutes of daily strength exercises can dramatically improve mobility, balance and leg strength in older adults, per new research from the Penn State College of Medicine.

Standard public health guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. However, the study suggests that fewer than one in five older adults meet the recommended muscle-strengthening guidelines.

The research team designed a home-based program called Functional Activity Strength Training, or FAST-2. They evaluated 97 sedentary participants 65 and older, with an average age of 74.

FITNESS EXPERT REVEALS 6 PILLARS OF STRENGTH TRAINING THAT OLDER ADULTS SHOULD MASTER

Before entering the study, these individuals were averaging just 18 minutes of total physical activity each week.

The older adults were randomly split into two groups, with one group performing the daily exercise routine and the other serving as a control group that received no intervention, according to the study's press release.

Participants performed four basic movements for 30 seconds each, separated by 30-second rest intervals. The entire routine lasted exactly four minutes. The circuit consisted of push-ups, chair stands, two-arm resistance-band rows and stair stepping.

To keep the routine accessible, researchers provided written explanations and simple modifications. For example, participants could perform push-ups against a kitchen counter or wall, or use their hands on their knees for support during chair stands.

Participants were also given four elastic resistance bands and an adjustable step platform.

7 COMMON FITNESS MISTAKES OLDER ADULTS MAKE AND HOW TO AVOID THEM FOR BETTER WORKOUTS

"Exercise is actually really complicated, because you have to decide how many repetitions, how far, how many sets, how much rest and how many times per week," co-author Smita Dandekar, associate professor of pediatrics at Penn State College of Medicine, said in the press release.

"It's hard work ... so if we can make it short, we’re part [of the] way there."

As the participants grew stronger, they were encouraged to progress to higher levels of difficulty, such as transitioning away from modifications or increasing the height of the stepper.

DOCTOR SHARES 3 SIMPLE CHANGES TO STAY HEALTHY AND INDEPENDENT AS YOU AGE

After 12 weeks, the results suggested that a tiny dose of regular exercise could yield noticeable physical benefits. In a 30-second chair-stand test, the exercise group performed an average of 4.2 more repetitions than the control group.

The adults doing the exercises also shaved 2.3 seconds off their time during a test measuring how they could stand up and sit down five times consecutively. Furthermore, they extended their one-legged balance time by an average of 3.6 seconds.

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The researchers emphasized that these specific measurements are critical medical indicators of an older adult's future health.

"These indicators predict your future ability to go into a nursing home, your future likelihood of falling and of developing difficulty walking," noted lead author Christopher Sciamanna, professor of medicine and of public health at Penn State College of Medicine, in the press release.

"They give you a sense of whether or not you're going to be able to be active in the future."

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While traditional home exercise programs generally see low engagement, the participants in this study successfully completed their workouts on 81% of the tracked days, according to the researchers.

The study had several noted limitations. As it tracked a relatively small sample size of fewer than 100 individuals over a brief 12-week time frame, it is unknown whether these mobility gains can be sustained long-term.

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Additionally, the researchers did not specify the exact dropout rates or detail how the routine might affect seniors who already relied on assistive devices like walkers or canes.

Because the final trial results reflected a specific group of participants who met the entry criteria, further investigation is required to determine whether the short routine can safely benefit older adults facing more severe physical limitations or cognitive decline.

The study was published in the journal PLOS One.

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Popular mommy blogger dies at 48 two years after devastating cancer diagnosis

Jill Smokler, founder of Scary Mommy, has died at age 48 after a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

The popular "mommy blogger" had been fighting the disease for the past two years, according to an announcement posted on ScaryMommy.com on Monday.

The stay-at-home mother of three launched the blog in 2008 as a place to share the "joys and pitfalls" of parenting, according to the article.

As Scary Mommy expanded from a personal blog into a major parenting brand, Smokler built a following with her honest, often self-deprecating take on motherhood. She went on to speak at blogging conferences, author bestselling books, appear on national television programs and earn three Webby Awards, her biography states.

AGGRESSIVE BRAIN CANCER MAY RESPOND TO HIGH-DOSE VITAMIN THERAPY, STUDY SUGGESTS

"Jill spent her life telling the truth about motherhood — that it could be wonderful and impossible in the very same breath — and in doing so, she gave millions of women permission to stop pretending and feel a little less alone," her family shared in a statement following her passing.

"She was funny, fearless, generous and entirely herself. More than anything she built, Jill was proudest of her three children, Lily, Ben and Evan. We are heartbroken to lose her, and endlessly proud of the mark she left on the world."

Smokler's first sign of the disease was in April 2024, when she experienced a sudden seizure. She then underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor, after which she didn't recognize her own children, she previously shared with Today.

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"I am definitely grateful that I don’t remember the looks on their faces when I didn’t recognize them," she said. "That must have been gutting."

Smokler was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults and one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer. There is currently no cure.

Following surgery, the blogger underwent radiation and chemotherapy, during which she was open about her treatment side effects, including fatigue and hair loss. Additional surgeries and clinical trials followed, according to previous interviews.

"Thank you, Jill, for everything. May you rest in peace," the Scary Mommy post concluded.

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About 13.9% of all brain tumors are glioblastomas, according to the American Brain Tumor Association. More than 12,000 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year.

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Median survival is approximately 12 to 18 months after diagnosis, even with treatment. Only about 5% to 7% of patients survive five years after diagnosis, data shows.

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8 common food preservatives linked to higher risk of high blood pressure and heart disease

Common food preservatives may contribute to higher risks of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, according to a large French study.

Researchers analyzed data from 112,395 adults averaging 42 years of age, assessing their detailed dietary intake with an average follow-up of nearly eight years.

Among the participants, 5,544 developed hypertension during the follow-up period, and 2,450 experienced cardiovascular disease events.

'ADDICTIVE' ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS LINKED TO SPIKE IN CHRONIC DISEASE, RESEARCHERS WARN

Higher consumption of total non-antioxidant preservatives was associated with a 29% greater risk of hypertension and a 16% higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Higher consumption of total antioxidant preservatives was linked to a 22% spike in hypertension risk.

Out of the 17 preservative additives consumed by at least 10% of participants, eight in particular were associated with higher rates of hypertension, including the following.

HEART SURGEON REVEALS WHAT TO EAT (AND NOT EAT) FOR OPTIMAL CARDIAC HEALTH

Only one of the preservatives – ascorbic acid, which is the food additive form of vitamin C – was significantly associated with higher cardiovascular disease risk.

The finding does not mean that dietary vitamin C itself causes cardiovascular disease, the researchers noted. The study examined ascorbic acid in the form used as a food additive in processed foods, not vitamin C from fruits, vegetables or supplements.

The findings were published in the European Heart Journal.

"This is a very important study that puts together what we already know – that preservatives of all kinds raise blood pressure and contribute directly to heart disease and stroke over eight years," Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital.

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"Whereas potassium itself can lower blood pressure, the additive potassium sorbate has previously been found to be associated with hypertension in a large study in the European Heart Journal," the doctor, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "Potassium metabisulphite was also found to raise pressure in the same study."

The same was found for sodium nitrite in the new study, Siegel noted, with 73% of participants consuming it regularly – "mostly in processed foods like hot dogs, ham, bacon and deli meats."

"This has been found in previous research for many years," he added.

Siegel also discussed the 22% increased risk linked to ascorbic acid. "I am dubious about this association, as it has not generally been found before, but perhaps the risk is when it is used as a chemical preservative."

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"For all the sodium additives, this is expected, but surprising with extracts of rosemary and citric acid – the key to both of these ingredients is when they are used as preservatives (chemicals)," he added.

As this was an observational study, it could not prove that the additives caused the health conditions.

Also, the participants who volunteered for the study were generally healthier, more educated and more often female than the general French population, the researchers noted.

There was also the chance that hypertension was underdiagnosed in some participants.

While the researchers estimated people's dietary intake as accurately as possible, there was a chance that some consumption was inaccurately reported.

The authors emphasized that these findings need to be confirmed in further research of other populations.

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If the results are replicated in future research, some food preservatives may face additional safety reviews focused on their effects on the cardiovascular system, the researchers suggested.

"The take-home is to use natural ingredients as much as possible, and especially beware of sodium chemical preservatives when it comes to risk of heart disease and stroke from associated hypertension," Siegel concluded.

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This one question may reveal whether your body is getting the rest it needs, study finds

Feeling older than your actual age could be a sign that you're not getting enough quality sleep, according to new research.

A study led by researchers at the National Sleep Foundation and published in the journal Sleep found that adults who felt older than their chronological age were more likely to report insomnia symptoms, irregular sleep patterns and daytime fatigue.

The study involved more than 3,100 adults, who were asked a simple question: "How old do you feel?"

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

Researchers then compared participants' answers with measures of sleep quality, sleep consistency and daytime functioning.

People who felt older than their actual age consistently reported poorer sleep and greater sleep-related impairment than those who felt younger or closer to their chronological age.

Researchers also found that people who felt older than their age were more likely to report poorer physical health.

Jonathan Alpert, a New York-based psychotherapist and author who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital that the findings align with what he frequently sees in his practice.

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"I've worked with many people who come in saying they feel older than they are. They're exhausted, mentally foggy, less patient, less motivated and generally not functioning at their best," Alpert said. "Poor sleep is often a major part of the picture."

Inadequate sleep can make everyday responsibilities feel more difficult and leave people struggling to concentrate, manage stress and maintain their usual energy levels, Alpert said.

Over time, he said, those challenges can contribute to a feeling of premature aging.

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"Many people assume feeling older is just an inevitable part of aging, but sometimes the issue is simply that they're chronically sleep-deprived," Alpert said.

For that reason, he suggested looking at sleep habits before assuming fatigue and low energy are simply consequences of getting older.

For now, Alpert said the findings offer a reminder that fatigue should not automatically be blamed on getting older.

While the findings were notable, there are several limitations to consider.

The study relied on self-reported survey responses, meaning participants provided information about both their perceived age and sleep habits. The observational design also means the research cannot determine whether poor sleep influences how old a person feels or vice versa.

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