An Alabama teenager and his family are warning about the dangers of a viral social media trend after he suffered third-degree burns when a microwaved sensory toy exploded.

Eli Blackmon, now 13, was 11 when he saw videos on TikTok showing people putting NeeDoh squishy toys in the microwave in order to soften them.

The NeeDoh, a sensory toy similar to a stress ball, is described on the company’s website as a "gratifying super soft, super stretchy dough filled groovy glob."

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"I thought it was harmless because an adult tried it and nothing happened," he told Fox News Digital this week.

"When I took it out, my older sister held it for a few minutes, then I was playing with it. As soon as I squeezed it, it burst and the hot gel exploded onto my neck, chest and hands."

The hot gel caused third-degree burns on the boy’s neck and chest.

"At first I was just feeling frantic because I wasn’t sure what was going on because he was just screaming and not communicating," the teen’s mother, Fallon Blackmon, told Fox News Digital.

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"My husband is a fire medic and I work in emergency call taking, so I had a little knowledge of how serious it was. That obviously didn’t keep me from panicking on the inside."

She was not aware of this trend before her child's injury, she said.

"If I was aware, we would have had a conversation about not doing it."

Eli Blackmon recalled feeling extreme pain after the injury.

"I thought I was going to die. I kept telling my parents, ‘I don’t want to die, I’m sorry,’ and I that I loved them."

Blackmon was transported by ambulance to the emergency department at the local children’s hospital, and was later sent to the burn unit for wound care and debridement.

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"With how severe the burn was, they would typically recommend skin grafts, but they wouldn’t consider it for him because of the risks to his airway," his mother said.

Blackmon had weekly visits with the burn unit for four months, during which the doctors scraped off dead skin and performed wound care.

"This was done with no pain meds or numbing, so all his follow-up appointments were very painful," Fallon Blackmon said.

"Once the wound started to heal and the scarring began, they had to do chemical burns because he was developing granulation tissue."

The teen also developed a rash from the bandages, which quickly turned into a staph infection.

"Another issue was that the burn was pulling fluids from his body, and this caused severe lower GI issues for months," his mother said.

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Blackmon, who is a jiu-jitsu athlete, missed months of training and competing due to the injury. The family also faced thousands of dollars worth of hospital bills, doctor bills and wound care supplies over the four-month care period.

Now, the teen and his mother aim to help prevent other families from going through the same ordeal.

"If you purchase these types of toys, please just mention this trend and not to do it," she urged parents. "Even if they don’t have social media, kids in school are hearing it from other kids."

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Today, Blackmon attends to his scar each day so that it doesn’t cause any issues with neck mobility.

"I have to do stretches and moisturize and massage it daily," he said.

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"It hasn’t really changed my confidence because all my friends and family are very supportive and tell me my scar is cool."

To other kids who may be thinking about participating in this social media trend, Blackmon’s advice is simple: "Don’t do it! It’s stupid! It causes so much pain and other problems."

"Actually, just don’t do any trends on TikTok, even if you think they are harmless," he added. "Talk to your parents."

Blackmon’s mother agreed, noting that sharing the story and receiving negative criticism from adults online would be worth preventing another child from being "scarred for life" and experiencing something so traumatic.

A spokesperson for TikTok USDS Joint Venture previously shared with Fox News Digital that any content that "promotes dangerous behavior" and may lead to serious injury is considered a violation of the platform's Community Guidelines. The company claims that it immediately removes these videos when they are found.

Fox News Digital reached out to the manufacturer of NeeDoh requesting comment.

New details surrounding Sen. Lindsey Graham's sudden death have drawn attention to a cardiovascular emergency that can become fatal within minutes.

A statement released by Graham's office on Sunday cited preliminary findings from the District of Columbia's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, identifying the cause of death as an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Authorities said Graham, 71, was transported to George Washington University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:23 p.m. Saturday. An autopsy was completed Sunday.

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"The death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized, and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death," the statement said.

Fox News Digital reached out to Graham's office requesting comment.

An aortic dissection is a life-threatening medical emergency in which a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta — the body's largest artery, according to Mayo Clinic.

"It occurs when the layers of the aorta come apart and the inner one tears," Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel, who did not treat Graham, told Fox News Digital.

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Blood rushes through the tear and causes the layers of the aortic wall to separate, which can disrupt blood flow to vital organs or lead to a fatal rupture if not treated immediately.

"It can come on in minutes or days and may be hard to recognize," added Siegel, noting that while dissections can evolve over time, symptoms often appear suddenly.

Dr. Kenneth Perry, an emergency physician based in South Carolina, said the best way to visualize the condition is to think of the aorta as a hose.

"The wall of the hose has multiple layers to it, and if the layers separate, the water can no longer pass down the regular opening in the tube," Perry, who also was not involved in Graham's care, told Fox News Digital. "Often, this starts as a very small tear that keeps progressing because of the water pressure."

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"The same thing is happening in the aorta," he went on. "The small tear in the wall of the aorta continues to progress, usually from severely elevated blood pressure."

As the tear continues past the smaller arteries coming from the aorta, blood can no longer flow from the heart to the other organs.

"This causes the organs that need that blood to die from lack of oxygen," Perry said. "The only way to survive such a diagnosis is very early identification and strict blood pressure control with emergent operative management."

Aortic dissection is relatively rare, affecting an estimated three to four people per 100,000 each year, according to Cleveland Clinic.

In Graham's case, the preliminary findings cited arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This condition is most commonly associated with atherosclerosis, in which plaque builds up inside the arteries, causing them to harden and narrow.

Over time, this process can weaken the wall of the aorta, increasing the risk of an aortic dissection.

Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease can develop over time and is driven by several factors, according to the American Heart Association and Mayo Clinic. 

Some of the groups at highest risk include the following.

"Graham's father had a cardiac arrest, and if it was from a dissection, it would increase the risk," Siegel noted.

Symptoms of an aortic dissection can come on suddenly and often mimic those of a heart attack or stroke, experts say.

Anyone experiencing any of the below warning signs should call 911 for immediate emergency medical care, according to Siegel and other health experts.

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"Aortic dissection is one of the diseases that emergency physicians think of often when someone presents with chest pain — specifically pain described as a tearing sensation, with elevated blood pressure," Perry told Fox News Digital.

"We often describe the aortic dissection patient as appearing to have a ‘kidney stone of the chest,’ — meaning they have severe pain and cannot get comfortable, similar to kidney stone patients."

Early diagnosis and treatment greatly improve the chances of survival for those who have suffered an aortic dissection.

Doctors typically diagnose an aortic dissection using imaging tests, including a CT scan, transesophageal echocardiogram (ultrasound), magnetic resonance angiography (MRI-based scan) and chest X-ray, per Mayo Clinic.

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The condition requires immediate medical treatment, which will depend on which part of the aorta is affected.

Type A dissections involve the ascending (upper) aorta near the heart, which typically require emergency surgery.

Type B dissections affect the descending (lower) aorta farther from the heart, according to Mayo Clinic. These may be treated with medications to lower blood pressure and heart rate, although some may also require surgery or a stent.

Those who survive the event will generally need lifelong blood pressure management and regular imaging to monitor the aorta, per the above source.

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"This condition has a high mortality rate," Siegel said.

According to the American Heart Association, an untreated acute aortic dissection is one of the deadliest cardiovascular emergencies.

For untreated dissections involving the ascending aorta, the risk of death increases by approximately 1% to 2% for every hour treatment is delayed after symptoms begin, according to the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.

Without treatment, more than half of people with a Type A aortic dissection die within one month. About 20% of Type A patients will die in the hospital, compared to 10% for treated Type B dissections.

While not all aortic dissections can be prevented, people can reduce their risk by controlling certain lifestyle factors.

"You need to make sure your blood pressure is well-controlled, your cholesterol is low and that you are seen regularly by a doctor," Siegel advised.

Smokers should kick the habit, he said, as they are at a highly increased risk.

Maintaining a healthy weight and following treatment plans for underlying heart or vascular conditions can also reduce the risk, according to Mayo Clinic.

People with a family history of aortic disease or inherited connective tissue disorders should discuss screening with their healthcare provider, doctors advise.

A terminally ill man who chose to provide for his kids over spending money on a wedding has finally tied the knot with his fiancé – 20 years after he first proposed to her.

Dean Pennell, 63, met his partner Kay Beaman, 62, through their children 24 years ago in Basildon, Essex.

The couple held off on wedding plans in order to provide for their 10 children. 

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But after being told he had just weeks to live, Pennell — who has terminal cancer — finally married Beaman on June 18 at Colchester Hospital in Essex, England, news agency SWNS reported.

The new wife said, "I am absolutely elated. We have waited a long time, and it’s so special to be able to celebrate our marriage here, with our families."

She added to SWNS, "Dean proposed when we first got together — but with 10 children between us, money would not allow."

She added, "We were planning to get married this year, but with the situation as it was, we decided to bring the wedding forward."

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The couple were joined by their family and friends, including their 10 children and some of their 18 grandchildren.

The event was organized in less than a week by a variety of hospital staff members, SWNS noted.

Said Beaman, "It was very hard for Dean. He had been so excited in the lead-up to the wedding, and I would get a phone call from him at the hospital every morning telling me how many days there were to go until the wedding."

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She said that "when the day came, he was adamant, as difficult as it was, that he was going to stand up for as much as the ceremony as possible — and we had a lovely day."

She noted her new husband "was exhausted afterward. Dean is now back at home, and we are living life to suit us."

A former electroplater, Pennell added, "It was absolutely brilliant. The staff worked really hard to organize the wedding."

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Ward manager Lucy Everett said, "It has been a pleasure to be able to help Dean and Kay. It’s rare that we get to celebrate a wedding at Colchester Hospital — it’s a first for me," as SWNS reported.

The East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust also presented the couple with a clock — displaying the exact time the happy couple said "I do" on their big day. 

Speaking two or more languages may help slow brain aging, according to new research.

The study, presented at the 2026 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum, found that people who spoke multiple languages appeared to have younger brains than those who spoke only one language.

Researchers analyzed brain activity from hundreds of people in Spain's Basque region who spoke between one and four languages, including Spanish, Basque, French and English. They used artificial intelligence to estimate each participant's "brain age" based on patterns of brain connectivity.

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The researchers found that bilingual participants had brains that appeared about six years younger than those of monolingual participants. People who spoke three languages had brains that appeared about seven years younger, while those who spoke four languages had brains that appeared roughly 13 years younger.

The findings also suggested that people who learned a second language earlier in life and became highly fluent experienced greater benefits.

Dr. Tommy Wood, a neuroscientist, performance consultant and author of "The Stimulated Mind: Future-Proof Your Brain from Dementia and Stay Sharp at Any Age," said the findings support earlier research showing that speaking multiple languages may help protect cognitive function as people age.

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"Most of the evidence for the benefit of learning multiple languages comes from individuals who grew up bilingual or learned multiple languages in childhood," Wood, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital.

He said adults who didn't grow up speaking more than one language should not assume it's too late to benefit.

"There's no clear cutoff in age where learning a second language would no longer be beneficial," Wood said.

Several randomized controlled trials involving older adults have found improvements in attention, working memory and executive function after just a few months of language learning, he said.

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Beyond improving cognitive function, Wood said learning a new language can also help people stay socially engaged and strengthen the brain's ability to absorb new information.

He encouraged adults not to be discouraged by making mistakes while learning.

"It's also important to lean into the process of being a beginner," Wood said.

"Making mistakes is one of the biggest drivers of neuroplasticity and learning," he said. "If you do choose to learn a new language, get stuck in, challenge yourself and embrace the occasional failure. You'll actually learn faster as a result."

The researchers acknowledged several limitations to the study.

While they accounted for factors such as age, sex and education, they said they could not rule out the influence of other factors, including lifestyle and social engagement, that may have affected the findings.

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

A 30-year-old man has been asking people he doesn’t know to sit with him in pubs across the country ever since December of last year, as part of what he calls his "Empty Chairs" campaign.

Dean Perryman came up with the idea after his best friend, Rob Clancy, tragically died by suicide at age 29 just a month earlier.

Wanting to make sure nobody else ever felt alone — even perfect strangers — Perryman started heading out to restaurants and pubs wearing a bright orange hoodie to make his presence obvious to anyone choosing to chat with him. 

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Just a few weeks ago, he held his program's 1,000th meet-up in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, featuring about 12 attendees — and said he's proud of how far it has come.

"It has been such an incredible experience. I am loving every second of it still," the resident of Stratford in East London told news agency SWNS.

"When I started, it came from such a place of sadness — and to see how this simple idea has been able to help so many people has been really nice," he said. "I have been able to meet and connect with so many new people and learn about them. It gives people an opportunity to speak openly if they need it."

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Perryman works for team-building game company Chicken Rush. He used social media, he said, to create interest in the "Empty Chair" idea, he said.

The events started in London and Essex before the founder began recruiting volunteers to host them across the U.K. — and the rest of the world as well.

Events have since been planned in Manchester, Bedford, Cambridge, Skegness, Gloucester, Leeds, York, Wrexham, and more.

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It has also branched out to other countries, including Colombia, Spain, the United Arab Emirates and Australia.

He said lots of people actually return to the events, especially in smaller rural towns, as people create and build friendships that last long afterward.

Perryman, who has attended 61 himself, said his favorite part of the events is seeing men open up about their troubles, as he feels they need a safe space to do so.

"Some people come because they really want someone to listen to what they have to say," he said. "Others come because they have the capacity to be there for someone else. Everyone shares their own story, but it stays at the table."

He said the groups have "talked about the difficulty of living in a big city and feeling isolated, but nothing is off the table — we’ve spoken about everything and anything. To give people a place that they can go when they need to talk is incredible."

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Perryman said he has about 200 more events already lined up — and said he has no plans to stop scheduling them, SWNS reported.

He said there is no pattern in terms of who shows up. Usually, it's a diverse group of people. 

"Every Empty Chairs event you go to, you are going to meet people of different walks of life," he said. "It is so powerful to show that, no matter who you are, there is a place for you. We have everyone — men, women, young, old. There really isn’t a barrier to entry for this. Whoever needs the space is welcome to come."

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He also said, "A lot of people come because they’re feeling lonely in a new area, or they want to make new friends."

He said he hopes that his Empty Chairs campaign can be a lasting legacy for his best friend, Rob — someone he believes needed a similar space.

"He was the kindest, sweetest guy you could ever hope to meet," said Perryman. "Like a lot of men, he wasn’t the biggest sharer. He was very much the life and soul of anywhere you went, but he wasn’t someone who would be the first to open up about it if he was feeling some type of way."

"To now be in a position where Empty Chairs looks like it could be a legacy for Rob is amazing," Perryman added.

Most families wait to talk about senior care until an emergency hits, but experts say having those discussions early can lead to better outcomes and less conflict.

Tatyana Zlotsky, CEO of A Place for Mom in New York City, said 77% of the families she works with tell her they wish they’d acted sooner.

Planning before a crisis gives families more time to compare care options, understand costs and honor an older adult's wishes instead of making rushed decisions, the expert advised.

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"If you think about this being an extremely stressful, financially burdensome decision already, doing it under the duress of a medical emergency makes it 10 times worse," she told Fox News Digital. "And yet most families are still not taking action."

Family caregivers lose an average of $21,000 per year as they cut back on work to care for aging relatives, she noted. 

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Families generally tend to procrastinate because they suffer from caregiver burnout, according to Zlotsky, who specializes in providing support services and digital tools for finding local senior housing options.

"They're already dealing with so much, it's nearly impossible for them to predict the situation sooner," she added.

"It's a reconfiguration of a parent-child relationship... the parent wants to maintain their independence... the child becomes the one providing the care," Zlotsky went on. "And so the senior resists this at all costs... and the adult child is not sure how to have the conversation."

The discussion shouldn't wait until a fall, hospitalization or other medical emergency, according to the expert.

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Zlotsky emphasized that cognitive decline often begins with subtle changes in executive functioning — not always dramatic memory loss. Adult children should pay attention to these signs during routine visits, as they may signal that it's time to talk about future care plans.

These may include, but are not limited to, any of the following, according to the expert.

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"Maybe Mom has made the same pot of coffee for the last 20 years," Zlotsky said as an example. "Now all of a sudden she doesn't drink coffee anymore... the truth might be that it takes five steps to fill the coffee maker... and her executive functioning skills are failing her."

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She encourages family members to look for those signs earlier, and to seek guidance from a professional.

"You can't be required as a caregiver to diagnose Mom or Dad," she said. "You really have to be able to get consultation."

When having the conversation, Zlotsky emphasized the importance of listening to the older adult’s preferences.

"Your parents do have opinions on how they want to be taken care of, and what that looks like and who does it," she said. "It's really about having the courage to start that conversation and engaging in it."

"If you can break through that ice and really get to the core of what they need and want, it can make the financial and emotional journey much easier."

A 78-year-old Oklahoma woman who was diagnosed with polio as a child and was the last American to rely on an iron lung to live has died.

Martha Lillard found out she had the once-feared disease when she was 5 years old, which left her paralyzed from the neck down, and required her to use the machine to help her breathe while she slept.

Lillard contracted COVID-19 twice during the pandemic, which left her in the machine nearly 24 hours a day.

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"They told her she wasn't supposed to live past 20 years old," her younger sister, Cindy McVey, told The Associated Press on Friday. "She had the enthusiasm and the drive to continue living and make the best of her life."

Despite having polio, Lillard was able to go to school two hours a day as a child, and she had tutors the rest of the time. She also used an intercom phone system that allowed her to interact with her teachers and classmates from home.

Lillard was even able to take road trips as a child because of a custom trailer that could accommodate the iron lung and her father making sure their hotels had wide enough doors for the machine.

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An iron lung is a negative-pressure ventilator that helps a patient with paralyzed lung muscles breathe.

The disease once caused thousands of cases of paralysis in children during outbreaks each year in the first part of the 20th century before a vaccine became available in 1955.

By 1979, polio was considered eliminated in the U.S.

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Later, Lillard was able to regain the use of her left arm and legs through therapy and was even able to drive for a time.

She lived independently for many years, even getting married earlier this year to a man from Egypt she corresponded with for two decades after he was able to obtain a visa.

"They were really soul mates," McVey said. "He's extremely brokenhearted."

Lillard, who wrote poetry and volunteered with the Humane Society, according to her sister, had just 25% lung capacity before she was diagnosed with COVID.

She died of chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome, according to her death certificate.

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Her sister added that it was related to the effects of long-haul COVID.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

As people prepare to travel for summer vacation, a top pest-control company is revealing the U.S. cities where you’re likely to encounter bedbugs.

Bedbugs are small insects that feed on blood and live near humans or animals, favoring places we sleep or rest, such as beds, couches and nearby furniture. They can cause itchy bites, skin irritation, and in some cases, allergic reactions.

Chicago once again topped the list of Orkin’s 2026 Bed Bug Cities List, retaining the pest control and extermination company’s number one ranking as America’s city where it performed the most bedbug treatments.

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Orkin announced last year that the Windy City had held onto its spot as the most bedbug-infested city in the nation for the fifth consecutive year.

Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis rounded out the top five this year. Popular tourist hot spots Tampa and Myrtle Beach experienced increased bedbug activity, Orkin reported.

"Many cities where bedbug activity has been the worst in the last year are also some of the country’s most popular travel destinations and are expected to welcome large numbers of visitors for major concerts, festivals and sporting events throughout the summer and beyond," Orkin announced in a press release.

Nashville and Oklahoma City each climbed 10 spots on this year’s list, the company said, while Youngstown, Omaha and Knoxville recorded some of the largest declines.

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According to Orkin, "These year-over-year changes highlight the persistent and evolving nature of bedbug activity across the nation."

The rankings are based on treatment data from metro areas where Orkin performed the most bedbug treatments from May 2025 to May 12, 2026, and includes both residential and commercial bedbug treatments.

A report by casino.ca released earlier this summer ranked Michigan as the state with the highest estimated risk of encountering bedbugs, followed by Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, Fox News Digital previously reported. Hawaii and Oregon ranked lowest on the list.

Warren, Michigan, topped the list of U.S. cities, with North Las Vegas, Nevada, and Madison, Wisconsin, also ranking among the biggest hot spots, according to the report.

The casino.ca analysis combined bedbug data from Orkin and Terminix with TripAdvisor hotel reviews, treatment records and social-media posts to estimate travelers' risk of encountering bedbugs.

While such reports "make for fun reads," Zachary DeVries, associate professor of urban entomology at the University of Kentucky, previously told Fox News Digital that people shouldn't put too much stock in them.

"The main problem I have with these [rankings] is they make it seem like urban areas have all the bedbug problems, but from some recent work we’ve done and anecdotal reports, we know bedbugs can show up anywhere — urban, suburban or rural," he said.

"While people are more packed together in urban areas and thus more likely to bump into bedbugs, those living in rural areas may have less access to good pest control services and thus may find it more difficult to get rid of bedbugs," he added.

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Dini Miller, professor of urban pest management at Virginia Tech, told Fox News Digital that places tend to get attention for bedbugs when people are visiting and looking for them.

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Experts recommend inspecting mattress seams, upholstered furniture and behind headboards for bedbugs while traveling.

They also suggest using a sticky lint roller on clothing, upholstery and the bottoms of shoes to help detect hitchhiking bedbugs.

Reducing your risk of cancer death may be as simple as taking brief breaks for physical activity throughout the day, according to a new observational study.

The study, led by researchers from the University of Glasgow studying the association between cancer and prolonged sedentary behavior, found that participants who regularly interrupted prolonged sitting with physical activity had a lower risk of cancer death.

"This study adds to growing evidence that prolonged sedentary behavior is an independent health risk," Dr. Georgia Spear, chief of breast imaging at Northwestern Medicine, told Fox News Digital.

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"While it does not prove that sitting causes cancer, it suggests that long, uninterrupted periods of sitting are associated with a higher risk of cancer mortality," Spear explained. "The findings reinforce existing public health recommendations that regular movement throughout the day is an important component of cancer prevention."

The researchers monitored 91,292 volunteer participants in the U.K. who wore movement-tracking devices on their wrists for seven days to track their sedentary habits. The scientists followed the volunteers' health outcomes over the course of about 12 years.

The researchers defined prolonged sedentary behavior as any bout that lasted "at least 30 minutes and during which at least 90% of the time was sedentary."

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They defined interrupted sitting as sessions that lasted fewer than 30 minutes or were interrupted by brief periods of physical activity.

Each additional hour per day of prolonged sedentary behavior was associated with a 10% higher risk of cancer death, the researchers reported in their study, published by PLOS Medicine.

Replacing one hour of sitting each day with light activity was associated with a 12% lower risk of cancer death. Replacing 30 minutes with moderate activity was linked to an 8% lower risk, and replacing just five minutes with vigorous activity was associated with a 22% lower risk.

The researchers classified light physical activity as walking at a low speed and performing household chores, such as ironing a shirt or washing dishes.

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These findings should be interpreted with caution, the researchers wrote, "because the study cannot prove causality."

The volunteers may not represent the wider population, they noted, "and the activity monitor captured behavior only during a limited period without showing the context of sedentary behavior, such as work, television viewing or driving."

Spear said existing research has linked sedentary behavior to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and several cancers.

"What is notable here is the finding that how people sit appears to matter, not just the total amount," she said. "Breaking up sitting with regular movement may provide measurable health benefits."

According to Spear, other simple lifestyle strategies can be highly effective at reducing cancer-death risk.

"Stand and move every 30 to 60 minutes, take short walking breaks, including after meals, use the stairs, walk during phone calls and incorporate light activity throughout the day," she recommended.

"Combined with regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, not smoking and staying current with recommended cancer screening, these habits can help reduce the risk of breast cancer and other chronic diseases."

Being healthy doesn’t require a hefty price tag. Some of the most beneficial habits are actually free, according to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital during the Great American State Fair in the nation's capital, Oz shared three "super simple" health tips that Americans can apply now without spending a dime.

"The best health advice I can give is super simple," he said. "There's nothing healthier than having a good time with the people that you care about."

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Spending time with loved ones can bring tangible health benefits, especially when paired with activities like eating a meal together or doing something active, according to the doctor.

"Do the things that bring you an inner sense of calm so you can sleep at night," he said. "That all comes along with being social."

Oz said 50% of the human brain is designed to read the face of the person next to you.

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"We wouldn't waste that brain power if it wasn’t important," he said. "We're supposed to be social. We're supposed to interact with others, so spend time doing that."

Some traditionally "healthy" habits such as dieting may help to promote certain health benefits, but Oz cautioned that dieting can also "make you feel lonely."

"We celebrate around food," he said, adding that people can stay socially connected while also maintaining healthy habits.

Adequate sleep is one of the most powerful ways to improve your health, and it doesn't cost a thing.

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"Reducing the stress in your life so you can sleep is probably the single best way, especially as you get older, [to stay] youthful," Oz advised.

"You can try to spend money on medication, but I’m not aware of any that work as well as the natural sleep hygiene tools."

These tools include making the room you’re sleeping in as dark as possible, keeping the temperature cool and avoiding screens before bed. The comfort of a loved one — or even a pet — can also contribute to better sleep, Oz added.

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"Do the things that we know allow us to sleep with more comfort," he said.

When it comes to eating healthier, Oz said the approach is "pretty straightforward."

"Eat real food that comes out of the ground," he recommended.

"These wholesome, real foods are what your brain is looking for," he said. "It's looking for nutrients, not calories."

Oz used nuts as an example of a nutrient-rich, natural food, which he described as "so valuable as a health tool."

"Nuts, which are baby trees, basically, have tons of nutrients," he said. "Yeah, they’ve got calories, but they’ve got so many nutrients in them that it's without question one of the wise things you can do to make your brain healthy.

"If your brain's healthy, it'll stop feeding your mouth."

The simple act of noting how fast your heart is beating while you're at rest may be the key to measuring your overall health.

Resting heart rate is defined by Mayo Clinic as the number of times your heart beats each minute while you’re awake, calm and not moving. 

A normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults. A slower resting heart rate means the heart does not have to work as hard to pump blood through the body — something typical of someone who is more fit.

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Athletes who are very fit may have a resting heart rate closer to 40 beats per minute, according to Mayo Clinic.

Your resting heart rate can vary due to a variety of factors, including age, physical activity levels, sleep health, smoking, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, stress, anxiety, hormones, body type and certain medications.

But a resting heart rate that’s often too high or too low may signal a health issue.

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A high resting heart rate, even if it’s slight, is usually a sign that something else may be going on in the body, such as anemia, an infection or a thyroid problem, according to Cleveland Clinic.

If your heart rate is regularly above 100 beats per minute, this is a sign to talk with your heart care provider. 

The same advice applies if you are not a trained athlete and your resting heart rate is frequently below 60 beats per minute.

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Talk to your doctor if other symptoms such as fainting, dizziness or shortness of breath occur.

You can check your own heart rate by tracking your pulse on your wrist or neck. The best time of day to measure resting heart rate is first thing in the morning, says Mayo Clinic. 

Place your index and middle fingers inside the wrist below the thumb, to feel the radial artery; or, do so on the side of the neck, to feel the carotid artery.

Count the number of times your pulse beats in 15 seconds, then multiply this number by four to calculate beats per minute.

Wearable devices can also detect and track resting heart rate, although this may not always be accurate.

If your resting heart rate is higher than normal, there are a few ways to work toward lowering it.

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Vigorous exercise is "the best way" to lower your resting heart rate and increase the heart’s aerobic capacity and max heart rate, according to Harvard.

For those who don’t exercise regularly, it’s important to work your way up in difficulty when following a new workout routine.

Some medications, such as beta blockers, can also lower heart rate. In the same way, managing stress through holistic methods such as meditation or yoga can also help. 

Cleveland Clinic also recommends cutting back on harmful substances such as drugs and alcohol, which can dehydrate you and raise your heart rate.

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Adequate sleep can also help bring your heart rate down, in addition to maintaining a healthy weight.

Cardiologist Tamanna Singh, M.D., shared with Cleveland Clinic that lowering your heart rate takes time as various lifestyle changes kick in.

"Just like building your biceps and triceps, it takes time for your heart to become stronger," the doctor said.

Singh recommended focusing on heart rate patterns rather than dialing in on just the number. 

Take note of how your heart rate changes after eating certain foods, when you’re dehydrated or after you’ve begun a new exercise or stress management routine.

"If you notice that your heart rate is consistently over 100, mention it to your doctor, especially if you’ve tried making lifestyle changes and they don’t seem to be working," she said. 

"Your resting heart rate isn’t the be-all, end-all of your health, but it’s definitely a marker that you should pay attention to."

The health benefits of morning coffee may go beyond a wake-up call, according to a massive new study linking the beverage to a significantly lower risk of severe liver disease, liver cancer and liver-related death.

Published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the research used data from 354,957 participants enrolled in the UK Biobank.

Researchers tracked individuals who had no history of cirrhosis or liver cancer at the start of the study for an average of 13 years, according to a press release.

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Participants who drank one to two cups of coffee daily showed a 20% lower risk of developing cirrhosis and a 31% lower risk of liver-related mortality compared to non-coffee drinkers.

The protective effects became even more noticeable at higher levels of consumption.

Individuals who drank five or more cups of coffee per day experienced a 32% reduction in cirrhosis risk, a 42% lower risk of liver-related death and a 47% lower risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of primary liver cancer.

While previous studies have hinted at coffee's positive relationship with liver health, this study provides biological evidence to support the statistical trends, the researchers said.

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To better understand why coffee may protect the liver, the researchers conducted additional analyses using imaging data from a subgroup of nearly 29,000 participants and blood samples from approximately 50,000 individuals.

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The data showed that heavy coffee drinkers had significantly lower levels of liver fat and liver iron, as well as lower odds of developing fibroinflammation, which is the scarring and inflammation that often precedes permanent liver damage.

The blood analysis linked coffee consumption with lower levels of some proteins known to trigger inflammation and tissue scarring, along with higher levels of proteins essential for healthy liver function.

Notably, the study found that the liver-protective benefits were similar for both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, suggesting that these benefits are driven by naturally occurring compounds not related to caffeine.

While the benefits persisted regardless of whether the coffee was consumed black or with sweeteners, the researchers observed that adding sugar or artificial sweeteners slightly weakened the beneficial effects, particularly concerning markers of liver inflammation.

While these findings suggest that coffee consumption is an accessible dietary habit for supporting liver health, the authors noted that it should serve as a complement rather than a replacement for standard preventative health practices.

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Because the research relied on self-reported dietary questionnaires from the UK Biobank, the findings could be susceptible to changes in participants' coffee-drinking habits over the 13-year follow-up period.

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Additionally, as an observational study, it can only establish a strong correlation and cannot prove cause and effect, as other factors may influence the outcomes.

Cases of cyclosporiasis infections are rising across America, with more than 1,000 people diagnosed in Michigan and more than 500 in Ohio.

This is the largest outbreak of its kind in Michigan's history and one of the country’s largest in years, according to the Associated Press.

The parasitic infection can cause weeks of watery diarrhea. The source of the infections has not been identified and no deaths have been reported.

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Michigan officials announced the outbreak last week following the identification of more than 170 cases since June 22 in the southeastern part of the state. Typically, only about 50 cases are identified in Michigan each year, according to AP.

Similar illnesses have been reported in 28 other states, including neighboring Ohio, where diagnoses have popped up across the Michigan border.

Cases have been climbing since the CDC identified an uptick in infections in mid-June, with illnesses now reported in dozens of states.

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Michigan has now reported more than 1,200 cases and at least 40 hospitalizations. In Ohio, northwest counties have identified more than 500 cases, including at least 306 in Lucas County, according to the latest available local figures.

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Texas has reported at least 48 cases, and illnesses have been identified in numerous other states as health officials investigate the source.

The hallmark symptom of a cyclospora infection is watery, often "explosive" diarrhea that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated, the CDC says.

Other symptoms include severe abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and significant weight loss.

The official outbreak season for the parasite runs from May 1 through Aug. 31, a window where warmer temperatures historically coincide with a spike in infections, according to the CDC.

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While the infection can sometimes clear up on its own, it frequently requires antibiotics. The CDC advises anyone experiencing symptoms of cyclosporiasis to contact a healthcare provider for testing and treatment.

The CDC, alongside the Food and Drug Administration and state health officials, is actively investigating several multistate clusters, but they have yet to find a cause behind the spread.

Past infections have reportedly been linked to consuming contamined fruits or vegetables, or being exposed to contaminated irrigation water.

Fresh produce should be washed thoroughly before being eaten, although this may not eliminate the risk of infection, the AP noted.

Michigan officials recommend purchasing salad mixes or whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-washed, bagged lettuce. Remove two to three leaves from the outer layer of the lettuce head before washing and cook vegetables when possible.

Fox News Digital's Khloe Quill contributed to this report.

A simple lifestyle adjustment could potentially slow down the body's biological aging process, according to new research.

The study, published in the journal Aging, investigated how a diet change and easy exercise regimen affected men between the ages of 50 and 74 over a three-month period.

Researchers designed a clinical trial involving 48 overweight men in Japan. Over a 12-week period, half of the participants followed a strictly structured wellness routine, while the other half maintained their usual habits.

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For the intervention group, the routine required consuming 100 grams of plain yogurt every day.

This group also received individualized dietary counseling that advised them to curb overeating, avoid excessive snacking and cut out sugary drinks.

They were also instructed to walk or use a stepper machine for roughly 30 minutes a day, at least three days each week.

To measure the impact of these changes, the scientists collected blood samples from all participants before and after the study, and also analyzed DNA for chemical changes that act as indicators of cellular age.

Specifically, they used a measurement tool called DunedinPACE. Rather than assessing a person's chronological age in years, this tool calculates the precise rate at which an individual’s body is currently aging.

The men who consumed the probiotic yogurt, adjusted their diets and exercised showed a statistically significant reduction in their pace of aging compared to the control group, the researchers said.

On average, the speed of their biological aging slowed by approximately 2.2%. This reduction is roughly comparable to the slowing of biological aging observed in a previous two-year U.S. study, in which participants reduced their daily calorie intake by 25%.

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This reduction in aging speed happened independently of weight loss , meaning it did not directly correlate with changes in the participants' body mass index or the exact number of exercise sessions they logged.

The researchers also recorded a noticeable improvement in a specific DNA marker that is linked to kidney function.

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Because this study combined three distinct factors — probiotics, diet and exercise — the authors concluded that the anti-aging benefits cannot be attributed to any single component. Instead, the slowed aging rate appears to be the result of a combined effect.

The researchers also acknowledged clear limitations of the study, including its small sample size and short duration. Also, the participant pool was restricted to overweight men of a single nationality.

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More research is needed to determine whether these short-term biological shifts can translate into permanent, long-term health benefits, the study stated.

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs have become a prevalent part of American healthcare, and the current administration is getting behind the movement.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair in the nation's capital on July 6, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz voiced his support for the use of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) medications, such as Ozempic, for appropriate uses.

"I'm a fan of GLP-1 drugs when used correctly," he said. "They do help people who are overweight lose weight quite effectively. They're not a replacement for diet and exercise, but they might jumpstart the system so it’s easier for you to use healthier tactics."

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This is especially helpful for those who may have trouble moving due to joint pain or are experiencing internal dysfunction, Oz said.

Certain GLP-1 drugs are covered by Medicare for overweight candidates with certain conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and Oz projected the benefits will continue to benefit taxpayers.

"We believe these are so effective in reducing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes that they'll actually save money for the federal taxpayer, because [they're] going to make you healthy enough that you don't have to consume health services," Oz said.

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"We think about 70% of all the money we spend on healthcare is caused by chronic conditions, and obesity is the No. 1 driver of all that, so it’s a smart decision."

Oz recently announced the launch of the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, which will allow more seniors to access GLP-1 drugs for only $50 a month if they meet qualifying health criteria and receive prior authorization from a doctor.

"There are a lot of overweight people who don't have high blood pressure, diabetes or other conditions, so they don't get access to the drug normally," he said. "We want them to have the ability to use it as well."

Although these access shifts could boost Americans' overall health — and in some cases could be lifesaving — Oz noted that there is "no silver bullet" when it comes to these medications.

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"I love the fact that the innovation that's coming out of pharmaceutical companies is allowing us to save lives and make lives better," he said. "But the real secret to longevity is eating right, exercising, sleeping, dealing with the stress of your life, finding some purpose in your existence [and] realizing you have agency over the future."

"These are things that your mom would have told you [and that] you don't need a doctor to be emphasizing."

While GLP-1s may not be a fix-all, combining these medications with foundational health practices "makes a lot of sense," Oz said.

"I don't want people being fat-shamed ... I don't want you feeling guilty that you're gaining weight even though everyone else around you seems to have figured it out," he said. "It's not that simple — our set points for hunger are different. We have different things going on in our lives."

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"But if you realize how precious you are — the temple of the soul is so valuable. It's the greatest gift your parents ever gave you, and you take advantage of every tool out there to make it work … which includes using medications when appropriate. That, to me, is MAHA."

Journalist Katie Couric is sharing a scary medical episode that she experienced on June 27.

In a post on Substack titled "The Day I’ll Never Remember," she detailed a sudden episode that left her unable to recall the current month, year and president.

"I thought it was 2024. And I believed Joe Biden was president," she wrote.

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The event occurred while Couric was attending the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado, during which she participated in two public panels — one on AI and one on journalism — both of which she cannot remember at all.

"I have no idea what we talked about, or of what occurred when the panels ended," she said.

John Molner — Couric’s husband, who was in attendance at the festival and the two panels — also shared his account.

After the event, someone told Molner that Katie wasn’t feeling well. When he reached her, an EMT and a doctor were tending to her. "I could tell something was off," he wrote. "It could have been altitude sickness, but Katie was definitely not all there."

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At the hospital, when Couric struggled to recall the year, the president and her grandchildren’s names, doctors began checking for a stroke.

An MRI revealed no signs of stroke, which was a relief, but "Katie’s ‘fog’ became a lot more apparent," Molner wrote.

"She repeatedly asked me the same questions: ‘What was I doing before we got to the hospital?’ ‘Why am I at the hospital?’"

Couric was ultimately diagnosed with transient global amnesia, a sudden, temporary episode of memory loss that prevents a person from forming new memories and may also erase some recent memories, according to Mayo Clinic.

It is not caused by a stroke, seizure or head injury, and it usually resolves completely within 24 hours.

"[It’s] just a very weird neural episode that’s pretty uncommon and, at least in most cases, is a ‘one and done’ experience," Molner said.

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Couric said she finally began feeling "like herself" again around 9 p.m. and went to sleep at 2 a.m.

As TGA leaves a "permanent gap in memory" for the duration of the episode and for hours beforehand, Couric said that from around noon on that day until at least 7 p.m. will remain a "big, black hole."

Data shows that approximately three to eight people per 100,000 will have an episode of transient global amnesia, with people 50 years of age and older at higher risk.

The specific cause of TGA is not known, but some experts believe it stems from a "temporary dysfunction in the brain’s hippocampus — the area responsible for creating new memories," Couric shared.

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"Doctors believe this is driven by brief interruptions in blood or oxygen flow, or microscopic spasm in the blood vessels."

Episodes could potentially be triggered by intense physical exertion, emotional distress, extreme temperature changes or migraines, experts say.

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Approximately 15% of patients will have a recurrence 10 years later.

"Why did this happen to me? Was the altitude an issue? Was I dehydrated? Tired? Stressed? The literature doesn’t seem to indicate that these are contributing factors, but the cause seems to be as mysterious as the brain itself," Couric wrote.

"All I know is that those hours will be forever lost. Someone described it as my brain failing to hit the ‘record button.’"

"While this was a freaky occurrence, it could have been much more serious. So ultimately, I’m relieved — even though several hours of a Saturday in June will always be missing for me."

Anyone who experiences sudden memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness, numbness, vision changes, severe headache or other stroke-like symptoms should seek immediate medical attention or call 911, doctors advise.

Older adults identified as "super movers" are about half as likely to develop cognitive impairment than their peers.

That’s according to a recent study led by Stony Brook Medicine in New York, which evaluated the cognitive function of 4,000 adults 80 and over who participated in multiple aging and longevity studies over several years.

Among this group, 6% to 10% were classified as super movers, which means they walk at a much faster pace than others of the same age and gender — at speeds comparable to people three decades younger.

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The super movers were found to have about half the risk of cognitive decline compared to seniors with typical gait speed.

The findings were published in the journal Neurology on June 16.

"The study reinforces that mobility and brain health are closely connected," lead study author Dr. Joe Verghese, MD, neurologist at Stony Brook Medicine, told Fox News Digital. "This suggests that preserving mobility may be an important marker of healthy brain aging and resilience."

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The most intriguing finding, according to Verghese, was that super movers maintained cognitive function despite having similar dementia-related brain changes as their peers.

In postmortem brain analysis, there was no difference in dementia-related pathologies between the super movers and the slower walkers, the study stated.

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"This suggests they may possess resilience mechanisms that help preserve brain function even in the presence of age-related changes," he said. "Understanding these resilience factors could lead to new strategies for promoting healthy brain aging."

As the study was observational, there were some limitations, and it does not prove that walking faster prevents dementia, the researchers noted.

"Other factors, such as cardiovascular health, physical fitness or genetics, may also contribute to both faster walking and better cognitive outcomes," Verghese said.

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This study adds to growing evidence that what's good for the heart and muscles also benefits the brain, he noted, adding that "staying physically active remains one of the most effective, evidence-based ways to support healthy aging."

"The broader message is that physical activity is important at any age," Verghese said. "Walking is an easy step-up point because you don't need any special equipment. You can do it inside or outdoors, and you can do it on a regular basis. You can walk with a dog, you can walk with a friend."

Any activity is beneficial if it's done regularly and with the right intensity, he added.

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Rather than just trying to walk faster, the neurologist recommends that seniors focus on maintaining mobility through regular physical activity, strength training, balance exercises and good cardiovascular health.

"Walking speed is best viewed as a marker of overall health, not a treatment," Verghese noted.

Major public health guidelines from the CDC and U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking.

This can be achieved by walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week, or about 20 to 25 minutes most days. Another option is to engage in shorter sessions that add up over the day.

"You have to do it within your health limitations and medical conditions," Verghese advised. "So if there are any medical concerns, I would get your physician to clear you before starting exercise." The good thing about walking, he added, is that you can start at a slow pace and then gradually build up to a brisker pace.

"And then adding on strength and balance training, whatever age you are, I think is also important."

Medicare fraud is a multibillion-dollar problem that government officials say threatens both taxpayer dollars and Americans’ personal identities.

In a July 6 interview with Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., Dr. Mehmet Oz warned that every dollar stolen through Medicare fraud is a dollar taxpayers lose – a problem that has worsened since the COVID pandemic.

"If I had to just pick one thing to focus on to make healthcare more affordable in America, I'd go to health fraud and all the waste and abuse that accompanies it," said Oz, who is the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "And just to put this in perspective, we think it's about $100 billion a year."

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Medicare fraud can include billing for services that were never provided, overcharging for medical equipment, using stolen patient or doctor information, or performing unnecessary procedures, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

As the Trump administration ramped up efforts to combat fraud, CMS reported $41.9 billion in Medicare program integrity savings in 2025, up 59% from $26.3 billion in 2024.

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Medicare fraud not only harms the federal budget and steals from taxpayers, but exposes seniors to identity theft, unnecessary care, higher premiums and reduced access, Oz cautioned.

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Removing corruption from the healthcare system will have the greatest impact among seniors, since "so much of the fraud is perpetrated against them," the administrator said.

"I'm talking about people tricking seniors to give up their Medicare beneficiary numbers, which is like a credit card basically," he said. "These scammers can take those numbers and use them for all kinds of illegitimate purposes."

"People are stealing from you by pretending to send you drugs you don't want, wheelchairs you don't need, [and] services you never asked for or don't benefit from," Oz added.

To prevent this, he shared his top advice for seniors: Do not give your Medicare beneficiary number to anybody, do not answer questions on a phone call from an unknown person and do not give away personal information.

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"These scammers are calling seniors, tricking them, and once they have key information, they can steal it," he said. "And I won't know it and you won't know it."

"We want to protect people who need these programs the most," Oz went on. "You do that by making sure scoundrels don't corrupt the systems and steal money out of the till that is designed to help folks in dire straits when they're vulnerable and in need of services."

Removing fraud could "double the life expectancy of the trust fund that makes all this possible," Oz predicted.

"If you're worried about Medicare being there when you're ready to retire in a couple decades, depending on how old you are, and you're concerned that it might not last because of all the fraud that's hitting it ... you've got a good [reason to] worry," he said.

"If we take the fraud out, we could double the life expectancy, which means you, your kids, your kids' kids ... they could all benefit from this beautiful safety net program."

Amid warnings of a Legionnaires' disease outbreak on Manhattan's Upper East Side, health experts say that early recognition of symptoms can mean the difference between a quick recovery and life-threatening complications, especially for high-risk groups.

New York City health officials are urging anyone who has visited the east side of Central Park or Manhattan's Upper East Side since late June to watch for symptoms.

As of July 6, the New York City Health Department had confirmed 23 cases and 17 hospitalizations associated with the respiratory infection. No deaths have been reported.

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Officials are investigating contaminated cooling towers as the likely source. They have emphasized that the illness is not spread person-to-person and is not linked to the city's drinking water.

"Legionnaires’ disease is deadly but can be effectively treated if diagnosed early," said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin in a press release. "New Yorkers at higher risk, including anyone who is 50 and older, those who smoke or people with chronic lung conditions should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin."

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.

The bacteria is usually found in lakes, streams and other freshwater environments, but can grow in any area where water sits for a long time, according to the CDC.

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That can include shower heads, sink faucets, hot tubs, water features/fountains, plumbing systems and other water systems.

When people swallow or breathe in droplets of water that contain Legionella, they can potentially become ill.

Although human transmission is possible in rare cases, the disease is not typically transmitted among people, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Infections can lead to severe pneumonia in older people and those with compromised immune systems, according to Dr. Andrew Handel, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at Stony Brook Children's Hospital on Long Island, New York.

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease usually show up between two and 14 days after exposure.

"Legionella infections cause symptoms that are similar to other forms of pneumonia — fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and chest pain," Handel previously told Fox News Digital.

The signs are similar to other types of pneumonia, and include the following:

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Some patients may also experience nausea, diarrhea and confusion, the CDC noted.

A medical professional can diagnose the infection with laboratory tests and chest X-rays.

The condition is typically treated with antibiotics. In cases of severe infection, hospitalization may be required for breathing support and IV hydration.

Around 10% of people who contract Legionnaires’ disease will die from those complications — and the mortality risk rises to 25% for those who get Legionnaires’ while staying in a healthcare facility, according to the CDC.

"Treatment needs to be early and aggressive," Dr. Nathan Goodyear, an Arizona-based integrative medicine expert, previously told Fox News Digital. "Legionella infection is an intracellular infection that requires antibiotic treatment."

Antibiotics that are appropriate for Legionella infection include Levofloxacin and Azithromycin. 

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"Therapy can be prescribed orally in healthy individuals… but intravenous antibiotics often prove to be the initial option for treatment secondary to the pathogenicity of the disease," Goodyear said.

Currently, there are no vaccines for Legionnaires’ disease. 

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The best strategy to prevent infection is to reduce the growth and spread of the Legionella bacteria. The CDC recommends that building owners and managers use a water management program to reduce the risk.

To prevent serious illness from Legionnaires’, Goodyear recommends that all smokers kick the habit, and also emphasizes the need to "aggressively support" chronic pulmonary disease.

"Increasing immune support (vitamin D3, vitamin C, Zinc) is required to counter the immune dysfunction associated with advancing age."

Obesity is another foundational risk factor for all chronic inflammatory diseases, the doctor added.

Creatine, the common muscle-building supplement, may help improve depression symptoms, new research suggests.

A systematic review, published in Genomic Press’ Brain Medicine, found that creatine monohydrate may be beneficial as an add-on treatment for major depressive disorder, although the evidence remains preliminary.

The Canada-based researchers analyzed data from five randomized controlled trials, evaluating the impact of creatine monohydrate intake on mental health.

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Four of the trials studied major depressive disorder, and another looked at bipolar disorder with a current depressive episode.

In one trial of women with depression who took 5 grams of creatine per day, plus the antidepressant escitalopram, there was greater improvement after eight weeks. Another study revealed benefit when creatine was added to cognitive behavioral therapy.

Other studies involving teen girls found no benefit from a variety of creatine dosages after eight weeks. The bipolar depression study also found no significant improvements when 6 grams of creatine was added to medication after six weeks.

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In a press release, the researchers said previous studies have found that people with mood disorders process creatine differently in the brain. Because creatine helps produce energy, some scientists believe disruptions in this process may contribute to depression.

Although creatine has also been associated with boosting dopamine and serotonin, which most antidepressants target, the authors stressed that the link between brain creatine and mood "remains correlational," as depression has "many moving parts."

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Lead study author Bassam Jeryous Fares, a student in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, commented in a statement that the signal is "interesting, but not a verdict."

"Two trials pointed one way and three pointed another," he said. "That is not the kind of evidence on which you change clinical practice. It is the kind that tells you the question is worth further exploration."

Nicholas Fabiano, corresponding author and a psychiatry resident at the University of Ottawa, added in the same press release that creatine "appears to be a safe intervention," noting that side effects were limited to mild stomach pain.

"We cannot yet reliably say that creatine helps with depressive symptoms or if the findings are generalizable to everyone," he added as a caveat.

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Dr. Thea Gallagher, psychologist and director of wellness programs at NYU Langone, said that although creatine is best known for supporting muscle performance, it also helps the brain produce and use energy.

"Researchers believe that some people with depression may have alterations in brain energy metabolism, and creatine could help support these energy-producing pathways," Gallagher, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "There is also emerging evidence that it may influence neurotransmitters and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, although these mechanisms are still being investigated."

The research suggests that creatine may be most helpful when combined with established depression treatments rather than as a replacement, Gallagher emphasized.

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"This research is encouraging because it adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that supporting brain energy metabolism may be another pathway for improving depression symptoms," she said.

"It's exciting whenever we identify another potential tool that could complement existing treatments, particularly one that is relatively inexpensive and widely available."

The new study is a review of prior research rather than a new clinical trial, which can pose a limitation, the researchers acknowledged, adding that "larger, well-controlled trials are still needed."

Gallagher noted that creatine should be considered as a potentially promising addition to treatment, rather than a substitute for psychotherapy, antidepressant medication, regular exercise or healthy sleep habits.

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"While creatine has a strong safety profile for most healthy adults, it's still important to talk with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement — particularly if you have kidney disease, are pregnant or have other medical conditions," she advised.

For those experiencing signs of depression, Gallagher recommends seeking evidence-based mental healthcare.

The doctor noted that depression is a "highly heterogeneous condition, so we still don't know which patients are most likely to benefit or what the optimal treatment approach looks like."

Gallagher also cautioned that supplements have been known to generate "early enthusiasm" before larger studies have revealed "more modest effects."

"Right now, I'd describe creatine as promising but not definitive," she concluded. "It's an area that deserves continued research, but it's not something people should view as a standalone treatment for depression."