‘SkinnyTok’ weight-loss trend could lead to food deprivation, experts caution

Social media can be a great source of fitness, nutrition and wellness tips — but it also has some potentially harmful content.

Enter "SkinnyTok," a popular weight-loss trend making the rounds on TikTok. 

Creators are pairing the hashtag with videos that share various ways to lose weight, many of them based on the goal of getting as thin as possible in a short amount of time.

CHICK-FIL-A FOOD AND EMPLOYEES HELPED MAN LOSE WEIGHT AND CHANGE HIS LIFE

As of April 26, there were more than 60,000 videos from creators talking about SkinnyTok. One of those is Mandana Zarghami, 25, a business owner and influencer in Miami, Florida.

"What you eat in private will show in public," Zarghami told her followers in a recent video.

The influencer spoke with Fox News Digital about her perception of the worldwide SkinnyTok trend.

"There’s an emphasis on portion control, prioritizing daily movement and knowing what foods will make you feel better from the inside out and more," she said.

The creator acknowledged, however, that some of the content could be triggering for those who have battled disordered eating.

"While some content under the SkinnyTok trend can promote motivation around health and wellness, it can also unintentionally glamorize unhealthy habits or unrealistic body standards if you're following the wrong influencer or content creator," Zarghami cautioned.

At the same time, she said, "you control what you consume."

"It’s a little hard to be sensitive to each group, because a lot of the people who talk about SkinnyTok on their platforms also battled disordered eating and overcame it with healthy lifestyle choices," Zarghami added.

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert, said he has witnessed the "devastating consequences" of extreme thinness firsthand, including women with fractured bones caused by malnutrition. 

"This is a growing crisis, and it is being dangerously celebrated on social media under hashtags like #SkinnyTok," he told Fox News Digital.

"When young people chase after extreme thinness through starvation diets, they invite frailty into their lives. The body, deprived of caloric energy, becomes extremely fragile."

In teenagers and young adults, malnutrition disrupts hormones, weakens immunity, impairs cognitive function and can cause lasting damage to their still-developing brains, according to Osborn. 

FIRST GLP-1 PILL FOR WEIGHT LOSS, DIABETES SHOWS SUCCESS IN LATE-PHASE TRIAL 

Physical effects of malnutrition can include hair loss, reduced bone density and, in severe cases, irreversible structural damage, he added.

Low body weight or minimal body fat does not equate to good health, the doctor said.

"Starvation is not a virtue – it is an abandonment of the body’s nutritional needs," he said. "The SkinnyTok trend preys on impressionable youth, particularly young women, encouraging them to shrink rather than thrive."

Rather than focusing on "extreme thinness," Osborn called for a focus on building muscle, which he described as the "cornerstone of vitality."

"In older adults, muscle loss — or sarcopenia — is a medical warning sign linked to increased risks of falls, fractures, hospitalizations, cognitive decline and even mortality," he cautioned.

"Muscle loss doesn’t just weaken the body — it erodes the mind, hastening the onset and progression of dementia. The body and the brain are interconnected, and when one suffers, so does the other."

To those embracing the SkinnyTok trend, Osborn recommends that they shift the focus to building muscle.

"Muscles are your shield against disease and decline. Being lean and strong, not thin and frail, is the true measure of health," he said. 

‘THE CARNIVORE DIET SAVED MY LIFE AFTER DECADES OF ANOREXIA'

"Instead of glorifying starvation, we should teach our youth to nourish their bodies and minds, build resilience through muscle gained by strength training, and prioritize bodily function over any short-lived trend."

Dr. Jillian Lampert, vice president of The Emily Program, an eating disorder treatment center based in Minnesota, also called out the potential risks of the SkinnyTok trend.

"This content dangerously glorifies content that encourages people to take drastic measures to change their bodies," she told Fox News Digital. "It also further ensnares people already struggling with their body image and thoughts of size and shape, reinforcing the notion that being thin at all costs is the norm."

The behaviors in many of the videos are "often extreme" and highly limit foods or food groups, Lampert noted. 

LITTLE-KNOWN EATING DISORDER NEARLY STARVED A 9-YEAR-OLD: 'IT WAS TORMENTING HER'

The algorithms used by social media platforms make the content even more dangerous by amplifying the messages, according to the expert.

"Looking at one TikTok with even some less toxic body image content will teach the algorithms to send you more and more and more until your feed has become an avalanche of toxic content," Lampert warned. 

As people scroll through countless videos of "ideal" bodies and lifestyles, this often leads them to conclude that they’re not thin enough or attractive enough.

"Continual assessment of appearance and eating habits can make a person hypercritical and hyper-fixated on perceived flaws, thus fueling the cycle of eating less, which often leads to overeating and overexercising, which often leads to fatigue and loss of control around food," said Lampert. 

"It is a vicious cycle that quickly spirals from external messaging to internal criticism."

Dr. Anastasia Rairigh, a Tennessee-based family physician and obesity medicine specialist at the virtual health platform PlushCare, warned that extreme weight-loss behaviors can be deadly.

"As a person severely limits their caloric intake, the body struggles to maintain the correct electrolyte balance," she shared with Fox News Digital. 

"When a person’s electrolytes are severely unbalanced, they can experience heart arrythmias or, in severe cases, cardiac arrest. Even if a person does not experience this, severe food deprivation can lead to damage to the heart, bones and brain."

People who deprive themselves of food may also notice effects on cognition, mood and sleep, Rairigh warned.

"Modeling a healthy attitude toward food is critically important to combating the negative influence of toxic diet culture," she said, recommending that people focus on food as a source of energy rather than an enemy.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"Supporting young people to focus on activities and interests outside social media has been shown to be helpful as well," she said. 

"Encourage and facilitate positive activities in the real world as a counter to time spent on social media."

Those who are showing signs of disordered eating should see a doctor, Rairigh advised.

"While disordered eating is deadly, there is hope and treatment. Do not be afraid to reach out for help."

Zarghami, the TikTok creator, reiterated the importance of setting positive examples on social media.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

"Many of us that promote SkinnyTok focus on proper nutrition, walking over 10,000 steps a day and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle," she told Fox News Digital. 

"It’s so important to approach these trends with balance, focus on overall well-being rather than appearance, and encourage sustainable, nourishing choices that support both physical and mental health."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/kjt4aKP

Read More

RFK Jr. urges Americans to dispose of medicine safely — and to not flush them

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is urging Americans to dispose of their prescription medications properly. He addressed the issue in a video posted on X, marking National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is April 26.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has set up free, anonymous drop-off sites across the country where Americans can leave their unused prescription medications. 

RFK JR VOWS TO MAKE SURE KIDS GET 'REAL FOOD,' NOT 'POISON' AFTER ARTIFICIAL FOOD DYE ANNOUNCEMENT

While some may think that flushing prescriptions down the toilet is a safe alternative to throwing them away and can prevent people from accidentally ingesting it, Kennedy warns that there are dangers to that too. The HHS chief explained that once flushed, the medications will go into the water system, potentially exposing anyone who drinks the water to those substances.

"We don’t fully know the effects of low levels of birth control hormones or antibiotics or chemotherapy agents and so on, in the water, but it’s not good," Kennedy said in the video.

RFK JR TALKS KENNEDY HISTORY ON FIRST TRIP AS HHS CHIEF, INSPIRES GOV TO ORDER ‘MOUNTAINEER MILE’ FOR ‘MAHA’

However, there are some medications that are safe to flush. According to the FDA’s "Flush List," there are several opioid medications that are safe to flush, including Vicodin, OxyContin and Percocet. However, the FDA warns that drugs that do not appear on its Flush List should not be flushed down the toilet.

The DEA sees National Prescription Drug Take Back Day as more than a way for Americans to clear out unwanted or unused medication. On its website advertising the take back day, the DEA frames it as a way to prevent "medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting."

During its most recent take back day in October 2024, the DEA collected 629,953 pounds, or 314 tons, of medication across 4,644 collection sites.

For those who miss National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are drug take-back sites open year-round. The FDA provides instructions on how to safely dispose of medications, as well as needles and syringes safely.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/7MjTeSC

Read More

Woman says dog detected her breast cancer before doctors did: 'He's known this whole time'

Breanna Bortner says her dog had a hand — or a paw — in saving her life.

"I had always heard stories where people, you know, say that their dogs could sense things," the Minnesota woman, now 31, told Fox News Digital during an on-camera interview. (See the video at the top of the article.)

In 2023, Bortner — who now runs the blog "Brave Beautiful Boobies" documenting her experience — discovered a lump in her breast.

EXPERIMENTAL WOMEN'S CANCER DRUG BOOSTS SURVIVAL RATES IN NOTABLE STUDY

There were about six weeks between the discovery of the lump and the biopsy, she recalled.

During this time, Bortner's cockapoo, Mochi, became fixated on the breast with the lump. The behavior came as a surprise to Bortner, who said the dog had never behaved that way before.

"Even when I had been sick in the past or dealt with other things, he had never done that, so that was the first time that I really noticed how in tune he was to my body," she said.

COMMON CANCER TREATMENT CAN HAVE THIS PAINFUL SIDE EFFECT

The results of the biopsy soon confirmed that Bortner had breast cancer — but she said she already knew, courtesy of Mochi.

"I was like, oh my gosh, he’s known this whole time. Before I knew and the doctors knew."

Doctors diagnosed Bortner with stage 2B triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma, a type of breast cancer that has fewer treatment options than other types of invasive breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

DISABLED VETERAN LEANS ON SUPERHERO DOG WITH 'BATMAN' MARKINGS FOR SUPPORT, COMPANIONSHIP

This is because these cancer cells do not have certain receptors that allow them to be treated with hormone therapy.

"If the cancer has not spread to distant sites, surgery is an option. Chemotherapy might be given first to shrink a large tumor, followed by surgery," reads the ACS website.

After doctors confirmed the cancer, Bortner said the process moved very quickly. She underwent five-and-a-half months of chemotherapy (16 rounds total).

"Chemotherapy is a very scary, daunting word," she said. "Everything about [chemotherapy drugs] is scary. I found that calling them ‘healing sessions’ instead of chemotherapy was better for me."

Bortner said that Mochi, who she calls her "soul dog," continued to be a source of comfort — and a reason to keep going in those dark days.

"At the time, he was only 2 years old," she said.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

"And I was like, ‘I cannot leave this earth before you do.’ Like, no way. ‘I should be the one burying you. You shouldn't be the one having to lose your human mom.’"

Tasks as mundane as feeding the dog or taking him on a walk helped Bortner get off the couch and keep going.

Mochi learned to adapt to Bortner's new lifestyle during recovery, as their walks were slower and shorter. 

When Bortner would nap for long periods or sometimes cry, the dog was always there to comfort her, she shared.

When she left for appointments — sometimes multiple times per day — Mochi would dig through the trash to collect his owner's hair, which was falling out at the time due to chemotherapy.

"He would dig out my hair to smell me," Bortner said.

Even now, with Bortner almost a year out of cancer treatment, Mochi still digs through the trash out of habit.

Today, Bortner provides support to others going through the same experience, serving as a source of information about what to expect and how to keep going.

"It just brings a smile to my face when things come full circle — and now I'm on the other end, mentoring people through their cancer journeys," she said.

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, confirmed that dogs have an "exquisite sense of smell."

"There is evidence in the medical literature that they can in fact smell the abnormal cancer proteins," the doctor told Fox News Digital. 

"In fact, artificial canine noses have been created relying on this response. Artificial intelligence is now enhancing this ability."

Pashtoon Kasi, M.D., medical director of gastrointestinal medical oncology at City of Hope in Orange County, California, was also not surprised by the idea that dogs could detect molecules or byproducts from cancer. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"There is a lot of information that can be non-invasively found in blood, urine or other bodily fluids — or even the breath of individuals who have cancer in their bodies," he told Fox News Digital. 

"It has been demonstrated that dogs, and potentially other animals, are likely able to detect some of the odors associated with certain chemicals linked to cancer, which are detected in the blood or bodily fluids of patients with cancer." 

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/k5HWgUD

Read More

Exposure to toxin increases colorectal cancer risk among younger adults, study finds

Amid the alarming trend of colorectal cancer cases rising among young people, a new study has pinpointed a potential source.

Researchers from University of California San Diego have linked a bacterial toxin called colibactin to the increase in early-onset cases.

Colibactin is produced by certain strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) that exist in the colon and rectum, according to the researchers.

COLORECTAL CANCER RISK REDUCED BY THIS COMMON VITAMIN, STUDY SUGGESTS

Exposure to the bacterial toxin during early childhood can alter the DNA of colon cells in a way that increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer before age 50, the study found.

The study, which was funded by Cancer Research UK, was published in the journal Nature on April 23.

"The key takeaway is that exposure to colibactin is likely a major contributor to early-onset colorectal cancer," senior author Ludmil Alexandrov, professor in the Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering and the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at UC San Diego, told Fox News Digital.

In the study, the researchers analyzed 981 colorectal cancer genomes from early-onset and late-onset colorectal cancer patients across 11 countries. 

Those who had prior exposure to colibactin were found to have specific mutations in their DNA, which have been shown to mainly occur in the first decade of life — "placing children on an accelerated path to developing cancer as young adults."

That group was 3.3 times more likely to develop early-onset colorectal cancer compared to those who were diagnosed after 70.

These mutations were found to make up 15% of the early genetic alterations that increase colorectal cancer risk.

WOMAN SAYS CHATGPT SAVED HER LIFE BY HELPING DETECT CANCER, WHICH DOCTORS MISSED

"We detected the mutational signature of colibactin in over 50% of colorectal tumors from patients under 40, compared to less than 10% in tumors from older individuals," Alexandrov noted.

"If someone acquires one of these driver mutations by the time they’re 10 years old, they could be decades ahead of schedule for developing colorectal cancer, getting it at age 40 instead of 60," noted Alexandrov.

The fact that a microbial exposure in the first few years of life can leave a "lasting genomic imprint" and likely contribute to cancer in adulthood is both "remarkable and sobering," according to the researcher. 

"It’s a reminder that there are likely many other such exposures we’ve yet to uncover, and that the way we nurture and protect children during these formative years may have long-term implications for their lifelong health," he told Fox News Digital. 

REALITY STAR SHARES DEADLY MELANOMA UPDATE AS DOCTORS DISCUSS PROGNOSIS

"From my perspective, investing in early-life prevention, healthy living and research is not just important — it’s essential."

Dr. Emil Lou, MD, PhD, a board-certified oncologist and internal medicine physician at the University of Minnesota, agrees that the microbiome – "the constellation of microbes that includes bacteria that live under normal circumstances in our gut" — is one potential culprit of early-onset colorectal cancer.

"It is less surprising now than it was a decade ago that any form of bacteria – more specifically, a toxin derived from bacteria – could be associated with and potentially be the primary cause of cancer," Lou, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. 

"What is especially concerning is the long period of time that might lapse between exposure to the bacteria early in life, and the time before the related cancer is diagnosed."

Alexandrov pointed out that the study provides "strong genomic evidence" of a "striking association" between colibactin and early-onset colorectal cancer, but cannot prove causation. 

"Demonstrating unequivocal causality — proving that colibactin alone is sufficient to initiate cancer in humans — remains a significant challenge," he told Fox News Digital.

"Definitive proof of causality would require long-term prospective studies beginning in early childhood to monitor microbial colonization and track cancer development over several decades."

Lou agreed with this limitation, noting the complexity of cancer factors.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"There are many aspects of our environment – both within and outside of our bodies – that can play a role in development of cancer," he said. "It is difficult to say or conclude whether any given single factor – in this case, the bacteria-derived toxin – is the true or even a major cause of colorectal cancer."

"Providing evidence of potential association sets the foundation for more in-depth studies to determine whether there is true cause and effect," Lou added.

Alexandrov noted that while the findings don’t yet warrant changes to screening or treatment guidelines, they do highlight the "critical role of early-life microbial exposures" in terms of long-term cancer risk. 

"We are actively working on developing screening tests to detect the long-term effects of colibactin exposure, with the goal of translating these findings into practical prevention strategies in the near future," he added.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

Colorectal cancer cases have doubled among adults under 50 for each of the past two decades, statistics show.

"If current trends continue, colorectal cancer is projected to become the leading cause of cancer-related death among young adults by 2030," the researchers concluded.

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

Read More

'I’m a spinal surgeon – here’s how your posture is killing your back'

In a world of sitting at desks and slumping in front of screens, back pain is known to be the most common ailment among Americans.

Dr. Arthur L. Jenkins III, a board-certified neurosurgeon in New York — who is also fellowship-trained in spinal surgery and CEO of Jenkins NeuroSpine — blamed slouching and poor posture for grave effects on the back.

Poor posture stretches the spine in a way it’s "really not designed to do," Jenkins said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

JUST 1 IN 10 BACK PAIN TREATMENTS WORK, STUDY SAYS – WHAT TO DO INSTEAD

"We stand much better than we sit," he said. "And we find more people having that pain when they're working or when they've been sitting for a while – it's just a terrible position for our spines."

"Tech neck," or excessive forward posture, is caused by looking down at devices, including phones and laptops, the expert noted.

Being in this "suboptimal" position while sitting down for long periods of time can be damaging.

'DEAD BUTT SYNDROME' COULD HAPPEN AFTER SITTING TOO LONG, HERE'S HOW TO AVOID THE CONDITION

"At night, a lot of people will [watch] TV … and their chin is tucked down," Jenkins said. "Most people don’t put TVs on their ceilings."

This position can lead to a condition called kyphosis, where the front of the spine is strained and extra pressure lands on the disks.

This posture also stretches and pulls on the muscles in the lower back as they are forced to "stretch out and give," said Jenkins.

"All the muscles are designed to be at their strongest when your spine is in its optimum position," he said. "Once you get out of the optimum position, your muscles have to work harder to maintain that."

For those who work in front of screens all day, Jenkins recommends standing up often and stretching out the body to keep the joints "lubricated and active."

It can help to use a standing desk, raise the computer monitor higher to promote an elevated chin and neck angle, or sit on an exercise ball instead of a desk chair, he advised.

ASK A DOCTOR: ‘IS IT DANGEROUS TO CRACK MY NECK OR BACK?’

Even while sitting on the couch, Jenkins said it's best to sit up, avoid slouching and change positions every so often.

Isolating and flexing the back and ab muscles can also help to promote healthy muscles and ward off back pain.

"Find ways to be more mindful during the day of engaging your core," Jenkins advised. "While you're sitting there, squeeze your abdominal and back muscles together."

ASK A DOCTOR: ‘HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY POSTURE?’

"Even if you don’t do a formal sit-up, if you just spend five minutes mindfully squeezing your core while you're working, that's better than not doing anything at all."

Maintaining flexibility, especially with age, can also help prevent back pain.

Jenkins recommends committing to a fitness routine that "speaks to your issues" while strengthening the core and stretching the muscles, like yoga or Pilates.

Jenkins also warned people to avoid "BLT" — or bending, lifting and twisting all at once, which is a major contributor to back pain.

"You should always try to break up your bending, lifting and twisting into individual components … You should never bend, lift and twist at the same time," he instructed.

"When you lift, engage your core actively. Think about squeezing your core while you're lifting anything."

A new study out of Italy, published in the journal Healthcare, found that a kinesiology-based method can be effective in treating lower back pain.

Noting that lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, the researchers introduced the Canali Postural Method (CPM) to a group of individuals for three months.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

CPM, which is a personal kinesiological therapy to reprogram posture, showed promise in improving motor control and quality of life, and suggested "potential benefits for other musculoskeletal issues," the study found.

Although the international study only included 35 participants, Jenkins said the results speak to the effectiveness of a "very structured, posture-based exercise regimen."

"It's pretty straightforward that more support is better," he said. 

"Kinesiology, chiropractic or just general physical therapy, or Pilates, or yoga – any of these interventions are likely to provide more support for the person’s back, and better pain relief than them trying to figure it out for themselves."

Jenkins recommends seeing a professional if back pain persists and prevents engagement in normal activities.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

It is also best to seek medical attention if the pain does not subside after trying exercise, therapy or anti-inflammatory medications.

Any emergent signs that surface – such as severe pain, worsened balance, or impaired bladder or bowel function – should be addressed immediately by a doctor, according to Jenkins.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/9CPwOt2

Read More

Woman says ChatGPT saved her life by helping detect cancer, which doctors missed

A mother of two credits ChatGPT for saving her life, claiming the artificial intelligence chatbot flagged the condition leading to her cancer when doctors missed it.

Lauren Bannon, who divides her time between North Carolina and the U.S. Virgin Islands, first noticed in February 2024 that she was having trouble bending her fingers in the morning and evening, as reported by Kennedy News and Media.

After four months, the 40-year-old was told by doctors that she had rheumatoid arthritis, despite testing negative for the condition.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

Bannon, who owns a marketing company, then began experiencing excruciating stomach pains and lost 14 pounds in just a month, which doctors blamed on acid reflux.

Desperate to pinpoint the cause of her symptoms, Bannon turned to ChatGPT, the large-language model made by OpenAI.

The chatbot told Bannon that she may have Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to become inflamed and eventually underactive, according to Kennedy News and Media.

BLOOD TEST COULD PREDICT SKIN CANCER RECURRENCE, STUDY SHOWS

Despite reservations from her doctor, Bannon insisted on being tested for the condition in September 2024 — and was shocked to discover that ChatGPT was correct, despite the absence of any family history.

This prompted doctors to perform an ultrasound of Lauren's thyroid, when they discovered two small lumps in her neck that were confirmed as cancer in October 2024.

Bannon claims she would never have found the hidden cancer without the help of ChatGPT, which she credits for helping to save her life.

"I felt let down by doctors," said Bannon, as reported by Kennedy News and Media. "It was almost like they were just trying to give out medication for anything to get you in and out the door."

"I needed to find out what was happening to me, I just felt so desperate. I just wasn't getting the answers I needed."

Bannon said she had been using ChatGPT for work. When she asked the chatbot about which medical conditions mimic rheumatoid arthritis, it answered, ‘You may have Hashimoto's disease, ask your doctor to check your thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO) levels.’"

After her cancer diagnosis in January 2025, Bannon underwent an operation to remove her thyroid and two lymph nodes from her neck. She will now remain under lifelong monitoring to ensure that the cancer doesn't return, according to the report.

Due to not presenting with typical symptoms of Hashimoto's disease, Bannon believes her condition, and subsequent cancer diagnosis, would have remained undetected without the help of ChatGPT.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"I didn't have the typical symptoms of Hashimoto's disease — I wasn't tired or feeling exhausted," she said, per Kennedy News and Media.

"If I hadn't looked on ChatGPT, I would've just taken the rheumatoid arthritis medication and the cancer would've spread from my neck to everywhere else."

"It saved my life. I would've never discovered this without ChatGPT. All my tests were perfect."

Bannon encourages others to use the chatbot to investigate their own health concerns, but to "act with caution."

"If it gives you something to look into, ask your doctors to test you," she suggested. "It can't do any harm. I feel lucky to be alive."

Dr. Harvey Castro, a board-certified emergency medicine physician and national speaker on artificial intelligence based in Dallas, Texas, said he welcomes the role of AI tools like ChatGPT in raising awareness and prompting faster action, but also urges caution.

"AI is not a replacement for human medical expertise," he told Fox News Digital. "These tools can assist, alert and even comfort — but they can’t diagnose, examine or treat."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

"When used responsibly, AI can enhance healthcare outcomes — but when used in isolation, it can be dangerous," Castro went on. "We must prioritize patient safety and keep licensed medical professionals at the center of care."

Fox News Digital reached out to OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, for comment.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/UR6OMz3

Read More

This simple outdoor activity can improve Americans' health, says governor

One U.S. governor is telling Americans to take a hike – literally.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey is encouraging residents to get outside and walk at least one mile per day.

The state plans to designate official "Mountaineer Mile trails" in its 32 state parks that have hiking trails.

FOOD DYES TO BE PHASED OUT TO 'MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN'

The MAHA-supporting governor spoke with Fox News Digital on Tuesday while at HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s announcement of impending food dye bans.

"We're getting a lot of traction with our Mountaineer Mile, and everyone knows the importance of getting out and working and walking. That's really starting to gain a lot of strength in West Virginia," said Morrisey.

Getting Americans healthy again will require a multipronged approach to reducing rates of obesity, diabetes, stroke and congestive heart failure, according to the governor.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"You're taking the crap out of the food, you're incentivizing people to eat good food … making sure people are working and have purposeful lives, and then we're also encouraging people to go out and exercise."

Hiking can help build stronger muscles and bones, improve balance, boost heart health and decrease the risk of respiratory problems, according to the National Park Service.

Celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels has touted the benefits of walking, previously telling Fox News Digital that she encourages Americans to have a daily step goal.

"150 minutes of walking a week has been shown to extend your lifespan by up to seven years," she said at the time. "Something simple like that goes such a long way."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

Starting with a simple goal of 5,000 steps a day and using a walking pad is a great way to begin, according to Michaels.

Hiking in nature has also been shown to reduce anxiety and depression.

Stanford researchers have found that people who walked for 90 minutes in a natural outdoor setting showed decreased activity in a region of the brain linked to depression.

"These results suggest that accessible natural areas may be vital for mental health in our rapidly urbanizing world," said co-author Gretchen Daily, the Bing Professor in Environmental Science and a senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, in a study report. 

"Our findings can help inform the growing movement worldwide to make cities more livable, and to make nature more accessible to all who live in them."

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

Read More