Brown seaweed consumption could help manage and prevent type 2 diabetes, study shows

Brown seaweed could be a great nutritional supplement for some diabetes patients.

A new South Korean study, published in the journal Nutrients, revealed that eating certain algae could be a promising strategy for blood glucose management.

Researchers at the Seoul National University of Science and Technology, within the Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, investigated how different diets have been recommended for type 2 diabetes management.

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Certain seaweeds contain "various functional components" that have reported benefits related to blood glucose regulation, improved intestinal health and enhanced lipid profiles, according to the study.

Researchers analyzed 23 studies from various databases that explored the effects of brown seaweed and its extracts on various populations, including both healthy participants and those with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Among the seaweed-consuming group, the result showed "significant improvements" to levels of post-meal blood glucose, glycated (sugar-linked) hemoglobin (HbA1c) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), which is a measure of insulin resistance.

However, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels did not significantly react with seaweed consumption, the study found.

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Higher doses of seaweed — 1,000 mg or more — showed more benefit than lower doses.

Brown seaweeds and algae, including Ecklonia cava, Laminaria digitata, Undaria pinnatifida, Acophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus, were found to be most effective.

"Based on our research, seaweed supplementation appears to be a promising strategy for reducing postprandial blood glucose, HbA1c and HOMA-IR levels, thereby enabling better blood glucose management and leading to a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes," the researchers concluded in a discussion of the findings.

Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for additional content.

California-based emergency medicine physician Dr. Joe Whittington weighed in on the study findings, calling the indication of certain seaweeds "compelling."

"These results suggest that seaweed could be a valuable addition to dietary strategies aimed at managing or even preventing type 2 diabetes, especially in terms of post-meal blood sugar spikes," he told Fox News Digital.

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The doctor noted that the effects were more beneficial at higher doses and longer consumption periods, specifically over a 12-week period.

"This information is crucial for anyone considering seaweed as a supplement for diabetes management, as it indicates that both dosage and duration are important factors for effectiveness," he said.

While the rise in global seaweed consumption is a "positive trend," Whittington pointed out that there's still a need for safety assessments of factors, including "concerning iodine levels, heavy metals and other potential contaminants."

The physician also highlighted some study limitations, including "significant publication bias and a lack of studies on different extraction methods of seaweed." 

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"Future research should address these gaps, including the comparative effects of brown, red and green algae, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of their potential in diabetes management," Whittington said.

As a health care professional, Whittington shared his appreciation for the "value of integrating evidence-based dietary interventions into holistic care plans for patients," as the role of diet in managing chronic conditions is receiving "growing recognition."

"Seaweed, being a natural and potentially cost-effective supplement, could offer a complementary approach alongside traditional diabetes treatments," he said.

"However, it's crucial to integrate such findings into clinical practice cautiously, considering individual patient profiles and potential interactions with existing therapies."

Whittington suggested that "more research is needed, especially in diverse populations and in conjunction with conventional treatments." 

He also said, "As always, patients should consult with health care professionals before starting any new supplements, especially those with chronic conditions like diabetes."

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Source of severe morning sickness found in new study, could enable relief during pregnancy

It’s common for pregnant women to experience some degree of morning sickness, but a smaller subset have severe, potentially debilitating nausea and vomiting — and now a new study has pinpointed the likely source of it.

A research team led by the University of Cambridge in the U.K. found that one specific hormone — GDF15 — is the culprit behind hyperemesis gravidarum, which is a condition that causes intense morning sickness during pregnancy.

The study findings were published in the journal Nature on Dec. 13.

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Among 120 pregnant women who participated in the research, the half who experienced nausea and vomiting were found to have "substantially higher" levels of GDF15 than the half who had little or no morning sickness.

"We have securely established, for the first time, using well-validated immunoassays and large sample sizes, that GDF15 levels in maternal blood are significantly higher in women who report vomiting in pregnancy, or have a diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum, compared to women who report no or low levels of nausea or vomiting," said study co-author Stephen O’Rahilly, a metabolism researcher at the University of Cambridge.

He shared his thoughts in an email sent to Fox News Digital.

GDF15 is produced primarily by the fetus during early pregnancy. Some women are more sensitive to the hormone, putting them at a higher risk of developing severe morning sickness.

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The hope is that this finding will enable more treatment options for women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, researchers said.

"We now have a clear view of what may cause this problem and a route for both treatment and prevention," said O’Rahilly.

Women who had higher levels of GDF15 before getting pregnant were significantly less likely to develop severe sickness, the study found — only 5% of them developed the condition compared to 60% of the general population.

With this in mind, one potential remedy would be to administer the hormone to high-risk women before pregnancy to allow them to acclimate to it and prevent severe symptoms.

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"Our data tentatively suggest that a doubling of pre-pregnancy GDF15 levels would reduce hyperemesis gravidarum risk by 50%," said O’Rahilly. 

"Metformin, a widely used drug that has been given to people with diabetes for over five years, increases GDF15 levels by two- to three-fold and is widely used in pregnancy in many countries."

Clinical trials are currently being planned, he added.

Around 70% of women experience typical morning sickness, but only around 0.3% to 2% suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum.

The condition can be debilitating, the study authors wrote, making it difficult for pregnant women to eat, drink and participate in daily activities.

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Some signs of hyperemesis gravidarum include vomiting more than three times per day, developing severe dehydration and losing 10 pounds or more, according to the Cleveland Clinic website.

Some women may even require hospitalization to receive hydrating fluids intravenously.

The effects of hyperemesis gravidarum are usually worse during the first trimester and then taper off later in the pregnancy.

While GDF15 was found to increase severe sickness, the study authors noted that other factors may also influence the risk.

"There is considerable overlap between symptomatic and asymptomatic women, so GDF15 levels alone cannot be responsible for determining who is and who is not affected, nor can it be used as a diagnostic test for hyperemesis gravidarum," said O’Rahilly.

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Artist helps seniors capture precious memories in works of art: 'They bring their life experiences'

For many aging seniors, memories are precious and fleeting. Now, one Canadian artist is helping some of them capture their favorite scenes in lasting works of art.

Erin Finley is an award-winning artist who teaches at OCAD University in Canada. She's the creator of Memory Drawing, a program that helps older adults tap into their memories and express them in vibrant color.

Each month, Finley visits a large long-term care facility in Toronto, where she guides residents through the process of creating unique pieces through drawing, coloring and painting.

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The residents range from intrepid, seasoned artists to beginners who are a bit nervous at first, Finley told Fox News Digital in a video interview. 

Regardless of their skill level, there's a lot to gain from the sessions, she said.

"I love that they all bring their own life experiences and their own bodies of work that they develop through memory drawing activities," she said.

Finley first got the idea for Memory Drawing during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she saw "heartbreaking images" of people in long-term care facilities who couldn't be with their loved ones.

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"I thought, 'What can I do? I'm not in health care, but I want to do something,'" she said.

The artist started contacting local facilities pitching her idea — and the program was born.

For each session, Finley brings some prompts for those who need a little more direction — but she pointed out that some of the seniors are "very self-guided and eager to tap into their own imaginations."

Seasonal elements are a popular prompt. In the fall, for example, Finley encourages the seniors to think about the crinkly sound of leaves, the changing colors and the trees moving in the wind.

In spring, they might create art based on their favorite flowers.

As they draw and paint, the group talks about the memories that inspired their work, which often involve favorite people, places and things, Finley said. Sometimes an artist brings a photo of a beloved person or object to recreate.

One of the artists is a Corvette enthusiast, for example — so he creates art inspired by the memories of cars he drove and loved as a young man.

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For residents with cognitive decline, Finley said the art sessions can help spark and sharpen memories, particularly when the seniors focus on texture or touch. 

For one of the artists, Finley usually starts the drawing and lets him finish.

"I'll draw half of a maple leaf and he draws the other half," she said. "It adds an interactive component."

Overall, she said she tries to "be nimble" and "give the residents what they need and what brings them joy."

Finley said she is constantly inspired by the creativity the seniors exhibit.

"One of the artists takes watercolor paint, which is a dry medium, adds water to it and paints with his thumb," she said. "The end result looks like a beautiful oil painting."

"The ingenuity is just mind-boggling, and I'm so inspired by it every time I visit."

As each piece is completed, Finley presents it to the group and celebrates the accomplishment.

"I might lift up the work and say, ‘This is what Lester has done today.’ And then we have a kind of cool gallery moment and we celebrate."

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One of the residents is deaf, Finley said, and so the individual communicates only through drawing.

"She'll pass me an image and I'll pass one back — it's beautiful."

The finished pieces are sometimes displayed in the nursing home or given to loved ones.

"Sometimes they are kind of understood to be legacy pieces, so when a family member passes on, they become the prized belongings of the adult children and the remaining family," Finley told Fox News Digital. 

"This can be a difficult time for some of the adult children of the seniors I work with, but I get to go in and help them access these memories and create something wonderful for them to enjoy."

Beyond helping the seniors tap into their own memories, Finley said she herself has also benefited. 

"It's uplifting for me," she said. "It makes me feel like I'm making a difference and helping in some regard."

There is also a community-building aspect to the Memory Drawing project, Finley noted, as it brings people out of their isolated spaces and into a collaborative, creative environment for the 90-minute sessions.

"The residents are socializing with each other more than they might have before," she said. "While enacting a painting, we have conversations that are outside the realm of their regular daily routines."

Looking ahead, Finley hopes to expand her program to include more nursing homes.

"Maybe the next phase will be enlisting specific artists to be instructors and hold art encounters," she said.

Dr. John Whyte, a practicing physician in Washington, D.C., and chief medical officer of WebMD, shared with Fox News Digital some of the mind-boosting benefits of art for older adults.

"Engaging in artistic activities stimulates certain areas of the brain, helping to keep the mind sharp and active," he said. "This mental stimulation may delay the onset of cognitive decline associated with aging."

Creating art can also improve seniors’ motor skills, he noted.

"Artistic activities require fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, which can maintain or improve these abilities in seniors," said Whyte. "Those skills are important for the activities of daily living."

Art also encourages emotional expression, he noted, which is especially beneficial for seniors who may face social isolation or emotional challenges.

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"The act of creating art can be therapeutic and meditative, reducing stress and promoting a sense of calm and relaxation," Whyte said. 

In terms of cognitive health, the doctor noted that artistic activities stimulate neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.

Creating art can also trigger memories and stimulate storytelling, he said, "aiding in the recall of past events and strengthening memory pathways."

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The activity also builds the ability to focus, Whyte said.

"Art projects require attention to detail and concentration, which can enhance these cognitive abilities in seniors."

The very act of recalling and capturing memories can have an array of benefits, even if those recollections aren’t always accurate, Whyte pointed out.

"This activity can be a powerful tool for reminiscence therapy, helping seniors with memory loss to connect with forgotten experiences," he said.

"Reflecting on personal history through art also helps seniors maintain a sense of self and personal identity, which can be particularly important in battling conditions like dementia or Alzheimer's."

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Marijuana use among pregnant women is linked to low birth weight, study finds

It’s long been proven that smoking cigarettes is harmful to fetuses, and now a new study has confirmed that the use of cannabis during pregnancy — including medical marijuana — can increase health risks for babies.

Researchers from the University of Utah Health studied more than 9,000 pregnant women across the U.S., finding that marijuana use was linked with low birth weight, along with other poor outcomes.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on Dec. 12.

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Dr. Torri Metz, vice chair of research of obstetrics and gynecology at Utah Health and lead author on the study, noted that there is increasing evidence that cannabis is linked to smaller babies. 

"The placenta is responsible for providing fetal nutrients and oxygenation, and is largely responsible for fetal growth," she said in an email to Fox News Digital.

"So it was not very surprising to us that we also saw a higher rate of poor pregnancy outcomes that are related to how the placenta functions with cannabis exposure in this study."

In the study, "poor pregnancy outcomes" consisted of stillbirth, preterm birth for a medical indication, high blood pressure in pregnancy and a baby who was small at the time of birth. 

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"We also found that there was more risk of these adverse outcomes with higher levels of cannabis use and ongoing use across the pregnancy," Metz added.

Out of the more than 9,000 participants, who came from eight different medical centers across the U.S., 610 had "detectable levels of cannabis exposure." 

The data was collected between 2010 and 2014.

The subset of pregnant women who were exposed to cannabis were shown to have a 1.3-times higher risk of delivering babies with low birth weight and other fetal health issues.

Cannabis levels were obtained via urine samples that measured a "metabolic byproduct of cannabis," which resulted in a higher level of accuracy.

One potential reason for the negative outcomes is that cannabis may impede the flow of blood to the placenta, the researchers suggested.

Based on the findings, the researchers said pregnant women should consult with their doctor before using medical marijuana and consider safer options.

"This adds to what we know about cannabis use and pregnancy and demonstrates that there is concern for risks with use in pregnancy," Metz told Fox News Digital. 

"Clinicians should continue to recommend against cannabis use in pregnancy by having a conversation with patients about the potential risks and safe alternatives to treat conditions."

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The lead author said she hopes this "will also encourage" those who are pregnant "to discuss their cannabis use with their health care provider and to stop using prior to getting pregnant."

One potential limitation of the study is that the researchers were not able to adequately examine some of the rare outcomes, like stillbirth, because they did not have a large enough population, Metz noted. 

"We also do not know how participants were using cannabis or what specific products they were using," she added.

Dr. Courtney Boyle, OBGYN and medical director of the Connections Clinic at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Pennsylvania, was not involved in the Utah Health study but shared her comments on the use of cannabis during pregnancy.

"This study furthers our understanding of how marijuana use during pregnancy may lead to health complications for the fetus," she told Fox News Digital. 

"As medical marijuana becomes more mainstream, we are seeing an increase in pregnant patients who desire to continue during their pregnancy, which is why studies like these are important."

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When Boyle meets with patients who are using medical marijuana, she presents alternative treatments for them to consider.

"For patients who continue marijuana during the pregnancy, we counsel about the limited data on long-term effects, particularly with the newer products available."

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that anyone who is pregnant, planning to get pregnant or is breastfeeding abstain from marijuana use because of the limited scientific knowledge on the harms of this drug during pregnancy, Boyle pointed out. 

Risks to the fetus include "being small for gestational age, risk of preterm labor and neurodevelopmental effects long term," she said.

Cannabis use can also have potential effects on the pregnant woman, the doctor noted, including permanent lung injury and dizziness, which raises the risk of falls. 

"Patients are offered referrals for drug and alcohol counseling should they desire," said Boyle. 

"I would highly encourage pregnant women to have an open conversation with their health care providers to find ways to reduce potential health complications for their fetus."

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Drinking carrot juice could boost immune system and reduce inflammation, say researchers

Adding carrot juice to your daily nutrition routine could help promote better health.

A small study published in the journal Nutrients this month found that drinking carrot juice could help boost the immune system and reduce inflammation.

Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark took into consideration the bioactive compounds falcarinol (FaOH) and falcarindiol (FaDOH) found in carrot juice, which can affect inflammation.

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Fourteen healthy volunteers between the ages of 20 and 55 had their blood tested before and then one hour after juice intake.

The volunteers consumed 30 grams of freeze-dried carrot powder mixed with 500 milliliters of tap water.

The study showed promising results following ingestion, which led researchers to believe that carrot juice intake could benefit people with certain diseases like diabetes and cancer, where inflammation comes into play.

"In contrast, carrot juice intake affected both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated plasma samples one hour after juice intake compared to no juice intake," the study reported.

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"Intake of carrots has acute effects on reactivity in parts of the innate immune system, and the bioactive compounds in carrots that can explain these effects are most likely acetylenic oxylipins such as FaOH and FaDOH."

Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for comment.

Nutritionist and registered dietitian Ilana Muhlstein, who was not involved in the study, called the research "super interesting" in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"Carrots are the No. 1 food source of beta carotene, which is a precursor for vitamin A that’s vital for our immune system," said Muhlstein, who is based in Los Angeles.

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Although these findings are helpful, Muhlstein suggested it would have been "even more beneficial" to carry out the same study with full carrots.

"People would have the added benefits of fiber, which gets removed when juicing fruits and vegetables," she said.

Muhlstein added that the fiber in carrots can function as a prebiotic, which can help aid in gut health and overall immunity.

"Fiber could also benefit blood sugar control, which may further help reduce inflammation in the body," she said.

"So, while I love this study, and it’s nice to see how people can benefit from carrot juice, I think it’s also important to remind people that they can achieve similar benefits, if not more benefits, by eating carrots as well."

The study authors noted in a discussion of the findings that more research is needed to confirm the impact of carrot juice on immune function and inflammation. 

Specifically, they called for long-term clinical trials that include larger and more diverse populations. 

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Do you search compulsively for health information online? You could have this common disorder

In the age of "Dr. Google," it can be tempting to click your way to self-diagnosis — but an overload of health information can cause its own set of symptoms.

"Cyberchondria," a subset of health anxiety, is described as a condition in which an individual excessively searches for health information online. 

While cyberchrondria may not start as a physical disease, it can cause intense levels of anxiety and fear that can negatively impact a person's health, according to Dr. Maggie Williams, a family physician in Scottsdale, Arizona, and medical director for MDLIVE Virtual Primary Care.

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Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, said he and his colleagues used to call the condition "medical students' disease."

"When you know a little, but not enough, you imagine you have everything and constantly worry," he told Fox News Digital.

Although cyberchondria is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a formal diagnosis, it’s thought to be closely related to hypochrondria, a more general heightened anxiety about one’s health.

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In 2014, two U.K. researchers, Eoin McElroy and Mark Shevlin, created a "cyberchrondria severity scale" that measures a person's score across eight areas: compulsion, distress, excessiveness, reassurance seeking and mistrust of medical professionals.

As Siegel pointed out, the condition is becoming more common over time. 

"The invention of the internet and then the perfection of search engines created a global hypochondria, where patients searched to find possible explanations for their symptoms," he said.

"It especially increased during the pandemic, when dogma abounded and everyone was suddenly an expert," Siegel added.

A study published in JIMR Formative Research last year found that COVID-19 caused a spike in the condition in spring 2020, as people experienced higher levels of "cyberchondria-related distress and compulsion during the pandemic."

One user shared experiences with cyberchrondria on Reddit: "I thought that I might see something that will ease my mind, but … it makes it all worse and worse. Out of the 100 times I checked a symptom online, only 10 of them kinda made me feel safe."

Another user wrote, "I'm pretty sure I have this. The pandemic definitely made my health anxiety worse. Unfortunately, the pandemic also made it harder to get in to see a doctor in a timely manner and so the internet is the next logical place to look for answers."

In a small study by MDLIVE Virtual Primary Care, more than half of respondents said they searched online instead of going to the doctor, and more than two in five (42%) turned to social media to ask about their symptoms.

Another 22% said they rely on artificial intelligence for medical answers.

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Nearly half of the 518 respondents, who provided data in August 2023, said they have misdiagnosed or mistreated an issue based on information they found online.

As Siegel warned, online medical information "isn't often accurate, and it isn't filtered, and it lacks clinical judgment."

Several signs may indicate that people are experiencing cyberchondria, Williams said.

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"Most people may not recognize the symptoms before it’s too late, after they’ve invested hours, delayed access to the doctor and worsened their overall anxiety," she told Fox News Digital.

One warning sign is spending one to three hours or more at a time searching for symptoms online.

A quarter of the survey respondents said that when experiencing a health issue, they spend more than one hour searching for their symptoms online.

Obsessive medical searches may also get in the way of day-to-day activities, Williams noted.

In the MDLIVE study, 41% of respondents said that compulsively searching for symptoms has gotten in the way of their daily tasks.

"You may feel a compulsion to search online constantly, often rechecking symptoms multiple times, despite having completed an exhaustive search," Williams said.

Another symptom of cyberchrondria is high levels of distress and anxiety when searching for symptoms online — an rather than easing of concerns.

Fifty-eight percent of the participants in MDLIVE’s study said that searching online for their symptoms made them more anxious. 

"You may also have a heightened fixation on a particularly serious disease or condition, despite any evidence that you are suffering from it," Williams added.

If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of cyberchondria, Williams said it’s important to set boundaries on the time spent searching for health information online. 

"Resist the urge to check and recheck symptoms," she advised.

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She also recommends avoiding "deep diving" into online forums or threads where people share "worst-case scenarios." 

"These tend to be exceptions rather than the rule, which can unnecessarily increase your anxiety," she said.

It’s best to consult with a health care professional at the onset of any symptoms, Williams advised. 

"They can provide accurate information about your health concerns, potentially helping you to sidestep the slippery slope of cyberchondria," she said.

Siegel noted that as a physician, one of his jobs is to help patients sort through their fears and worries and put them in perspective of real risk and disease. 

"This is even more the case with social media, where you end up searching through videos — especially TikTok — and become convinced you have a disease," he said. "This all increases anxiety and is bad for health."

For those who might have trouble physically getting to a doctor’s office, Williams suggested setting up a telehealth visit to address concerns in a timely manner, which will reduce the temptation to dive into online searching.

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It's important to address cyberchrondria seriously, just as you would with any other health issue, she said.

"If you're experiencing anxiety related to your health, you may find it helpful to speak with a mental health professional."

While there are some reputable sources of health information on the internet, not all online information is factual or trustworthy.

"I still rely on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes for Health, Mayo Clinic, NYU Langone and CIDRAP (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy)," said Siegel.

That said, he warned that even vetted medical websites can still sometimes be wrong.

For those suffering from cyberchondria, Siegel advised them to find a doctor they can trust who can help guide them, while at the same time pulling back from online sources.

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ChatGPT found by study to spread inaccuracies when answering medication questions

ChatGPT has been found to have shared inaccurate information regarding drug usage, according to new research.

In a study led by Long Island University (LIU) in Brooklyn, New York, nearly 75% of drug-related, pharmacist-reviewed responses from the generative AI chatbot were found to be incomplete or wrong.

In some cases, ChatGPT, which was developed by OpenAI in San Francisco and released in late 2022, provided "inaccurate responses that could endanger patients," the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, stated in a press release.

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ChatGPT also generated "fake citations" when asked to cite references to support some responses, the same study also found.

Along with her team, lead study author Sara Grossman, PharmD, associate professor of pharmacy practice at LIU, asked the AI chatbot real questions that were originally posed to LIU’s College of Pharmacy drug information service between 2022 and 2023.

Of the 39 questions posed to ChatGPT, only 10 responses were deemed "satisfactory," according to the research team's criteria.

The study findings were presented at ASHP’s Midyear Clinical Meeting from Dec. 3 to Dec. 7 in Anaheim, California.

Grossman, the lead author, shared her initial reaction to the study's findings with Fox News Digital.

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Since "we had not used ChatGPT previously, we were surprised by ChatGPT’s ability to provide quite a bit of background information about the medication and/or disease state relevant to the question within a matter of seconds," she said via email. 

"Despite that, ChatGPT did not generate accurate and/or complete responses that directly addressed most questions."

Grossman also mentioned her surprise that ChatGPT was able to generate "fabricated references to support the information provided."

In one example she cited from the study, ChatGPT was asked if "a drug interaction exists between Paxlovid, an antiviral medication used as a treatment for COVID-19, and verapamil, a medication used to lower blood pressure."

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The AI model responded that no interactions had been reported with this combination.

But in reality, Grossman said, the two drugs pose a potential threat of "excessive lowering of blood pressure" when combined.

"Without knowledge of this interaction, a patient may suffer from an unwanted and preventable side effect," she warned.

ChatGPT should not be considered an "authoritative source of medication-related information," Grossman emphasized.

"Anyone who uses ChatGPT should make sure to verify information obtained from trusted sources — namely pharmacists, physicians or other health care providers," Grossman added.

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The LIU study did not evaluate the responses of other generative AI platforms, Grossman pointed out — so there isn’t any data on how other AI models would perform under the same condition.

"Regardless, it is always important to consult with health care professionals before using information that is generated by computers, which are not familiar with a patient’s specific needs," she said.

Fox News Digital reached out to OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, for comment on the new study.

OpenAI has a usage policy that disallows use for medical instruction, a company spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital in a statement.

"OpenAI’s models are not fine-tuned to provide medical information. You should never use our models to provide diagnostic or treatment services for serious medical conditions," the company spokesperson stated earlier this year. 

"OpenAI’s platforms should not be used to triage or manage life-threatening issues that need immediate attention."

The company also requires that when using ChatGPT to interface with patients, health care providers "must provide a disclaimer to users informing them that AI is being used and of its potential limitations." 

In addition, as Fox News Digital previously noted, one big caveat is that ChatGPT’s source of data is the internet — and there is plenty of misinformation on the web, as most people are aware. 

That’s why the chatbot’s responses, however convincing they may sound, should always be vetted by a doctor.

Additionally, ChatGPT was only "trained" on data up to September 2021, according to multiple sources. While it can increase its knowledge over time, it has limitations in terms of serving up more recent information.

Last month, CEO Sam Altman reportedly announced that OpenAI's ChatGPT had gotten an upgrade — and would soon be trained on data up to April 2023.

Dr. Harvey Castro, a Dallas, Texas-based board-certified emergency medicine physician and national speaker on AI in health care, weighed in on the "innovative potential" that ChatGPT offers in the medical arena.

"For general inquiries, ChatGPT can provide quick, accessible information, potentially reducing the workload on health care professionals," he told Fox News Digital.

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"ChatGPT's machine learning algorithms allow it to improve over time, especially with proper reinforcement learning mechanisms," he also said.

ChatGPT’s recently reported response inaccuracies, however, pose a "critical issue" with the program, the AI expert pointed out.

"This is particularly concerning in high-stakes fields like medicine," Castro said.

Another potential risk is that ChatGPT has been shown to "hallucinate" information — meaning it might generate plausible but false or unverified content, Castro warned. 

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"This is dangerous in medical settings where accuracy is paramount," said Castro.

AI "currently lacks the deep, nuanced understanding of medical contexts" possessed by human health care professionals, Castro added.

"While ChatGPT shows promise in health care, its current limitations, particularly in handling drug-related queries, underscore the need for cautious implementation."

Speaking as an ER physician and AI health care consultant, Castro emphasized the "invaluable" role that medical professionals have in "guiding and critiquing this evolving technology."

"Human oversight remains indispensable, ensuring that AI tools like ChatGPT are used as supplements rather than replacements for professional medical judgment," Castro added.

Melissa Rudy of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. 

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