One person has died in an E. coli outbreak linked to a California pumpkin farm, San Luis Obispo County health officials confirmed Tuesday. Officials have not released the person’s age or identity.

The death follows confirmation of five cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection, potentially originating from Brookshire Farms in San Luis Obispo, according to an advisory issued by the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department.

"We can confirm that one individual associated with the E. coli outbreak has died. We are sharing this information with the permission of the individual’s family," Tom Cuddy, public information officer for the department, said in a statement to The Tribune of San Luis Obispo on Nov. 10.

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"This is truly a heartbreaking development, and our thoughts are with the family and everyone affected by this outbreak. The entire team at Public Health extends our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones during this difficult time."

In a Nov. 6 statement, the health department said an additional 10 individuals who visited the farm between Oct. 16 and Oct. 26 and developed symptoms have been deemed "suspect cases." 

Tests of water, food and other samples from the farm found some bacteria, including other E. coli strains, but did not detect the strain responsible for the outbreak, officials said.

People who became ill shared possible exposures to corn cups, pumpkins, hay and water not intended for drinking, but officials could not pinpoint the source.

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No farm animals or petting zoos, which are known to be common sources of this type of infection, were accessible to visitors or operating at the farm.

Investigators faced several limitations, including numerous possible sources, items no longer available for testing and delays between exposure and sampling. No further environmental testing is planned, according to the report.

"Based on the findings of our investigation, we believe the risk of additional exposure associated with this incident has passed, and there is no longer an ongoing public health threat," said County Health Officer Dr. Christy Mulkerin.

"Our hearts go out to the families affected by this outbreak. We thank all those who have helped protect our community in response to this outbreak, and we encourage community members to continue practicing good handwashing and food safety to protect themselves and their families."

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Typical symptoms of E. coli include cramping, severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and signs of dehydration, which usually begin within three to 10 days of exposure.

Young children under 10 are typically at the highest risk for complications, which can include hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that damages blood cells and can lead to kidney failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease physician and founder of Wellness Equity Alliance in California, warned that diarrhea can lead to dehydration and fatigue.

"The diarrhea is really the key component here, and the stomach cramps," he told Fox News Digital.

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Evans said younger children and older adults can be particularly vulnerable, emphasizing the need to closely watch children younger than 5.

Speaking generally about potential exposure routes in pumpkin patches, Evans said E. coli can spread when bacteria from feces reach someone’s mouth.

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He pointed to potentially contaminated food or water, animal contact and person-to-person transmission as possible transmission routes.

Evans also noted that not all E. coli bacteria cause illness. The confirmed cases in this investigation involve Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.

The health department shared the following safe practices to protect against these types of infections.

Fox News Digital reached out to the county health department for comment. Brookshire Farms previously told Fox News Digital it was reserving comment pending test results.

An experimental weight-loss drug significantly reduced chronic knee pain and improved mobility in people with obesity and knee osteoarthritis, according to two clinical trials led by researchers at Northwestern University.

The trials, which were funded by Eli Lilly and published in The New England Journal of Medicine, evaluated retatrutide, a once-weekly injectable medication developed by Eli Lilly and Co.

Retatrutide, which is not yet FDA-approved, mimics three hormones involved in appetite and metabolism — GLP-1, GIP and glucagon — and has produced substantial weight loss in clinical trials.

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The late-stage trials enrolled more than 1,000 adults who were overweight or obese, did not have diabetes, and experienced painful knee osteoarthritis.

After 68 weeks in one trial and 80 weeks in the other, participants receiving the highest dose of retatrutide lost about a quarter of their body weight on average. A pooled analysis found that roughly two-thirds of those treated with the drug achieved at least a 50% drop in knee pain, compared with 38% of those receiving a placebo.

Beyond pain relief and functional gains, participants experienced reductions in blood pressure, lower blood lipid levels and decreased systemic inflammation, according to the researchers.

Gastrointestinal problems were the most common side effects, and serious adverse events were more common among participants receiving retatrutide than among those receiving placebo.

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Dr. Thomas J. Schnitzer, a professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and lead author of the study, said the findings offer therapeutic potential for specific groups of patients.

"For people who are obese, not diabetic, have radiographically confirmed knee osteoarthritis that has not progressed to bone on bone, and have consistent moderate knee pain, retatrutide treatment has the potential to result in a significant and meaningful reduction in their knee pain and improvement in their physical function while providing cardiometabolic benefit," Schnitzer told Fox News Digital.

While researchers anticipated benefits from the weight reduction, the "complete relief of knee pain" in one of every eight patients taking the drug was a surprise, Schnitzer said.

Painful knee osteoarthritis affects an estimated 15 million Americans, often turning routine activities such as standing, walking and climbing stairs into painful challenges.

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Conventional treatments include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and steroid injections, which often offer only limited or temporary relief, according to the researchers.

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While earlier research has found that losing 5% to 10% of body weight through diet and exercise can ease knee osteoarthritis symptoms, losing more than 10% through those measures alone can be difficult, particularly when knee pain limits exercise, Schnitzer said.

Despite the study's promising outcomes, Schnitzer stressed that there were some limitations.

"People with knee OA who were not overweight or obese were not studied, and individuals who were obese and had more advanced OA were also excluded, so we have no information on them," he said.

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The trials excluded patients who needed knee replacement surgery. Whether retatrutide slows osteoarthritis progression or reduces the need for future joint replacements remains unknown.

For individuals experiencing joint pain who may meet the study criteria, Schnitzer recommended discussing options with a healthcare provider.

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"If someone fits the profile noted above, and they have been unsuccessful at losing weight, they should speak to their physician about the possibility of being treated with a medication that would help them lose weight, as that could also reduce their knee pain as well as provide cardiometabolic benefits," Schnitzer said.

At the same time, he emphasized that medication should not replace healthy daily habits.

"Before starting pharmacologic treatment for knee pain, people who are overweight should try diet and exercise and consider interventions such as physical therapy," Schnitzer advised.

"Also, even for people on weight-loss medications, exercise is an important part of any treatment plan to maintain as much muscle as possible."

A Nashville woman is seeking $150 million from Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown, alleging that a medication error during knee replacement surgery left her with a permanent spinal cord injury.

Linda Gilbert, who was 78 at the time of the incident, alleges that hospital staff injected the wrong drug into her spinal canal during the procedure.

A total of four surgery patients received potassium phosphate instead of the intended anesthetic, mepivacaine, on Aug. 14, according to an Aug. 21 statement published on the hospital system’s website.

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The Nov. 6 complaint, which was provided to Fox News Digital by Gilbert’s attorney, alleges the injection severely injured her spinal cord and nerves, leaving her with incomplete paraplegia, severe weakness in both legs and the inability to walk, drive or live independently.

Gilbert also developed shock and respiratory failure requiring a ventilator, according to the filing. The lawsuit alleges that the patient’s injuries are permanent and says she remained in inpatient rehabilitation at a spinal cord injury center in Atlanta at the time it was filed.

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Gilbert’s lawsuit claims that staff continued using syringes from the same batch after two earlier patients reported burning pain. It also alleges medication preparation and verification failures, along with delays in treatment.

The patient is seeking $50 million in compensatory damages and $100 million in punitive damages.

Potassium phosphate is used to treat low phosphorus levels and to supply phosphorus in intravenous nutrition. Its prescribing information specifies that it must be diluted and administered through a vein.

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The label warns that excessive doses or overly rapid intravenous administration can cause dangerous heart rhythms, cardiac arrest, seizures and death, according to prescribing information available on NIH’s DailyMed. Those warnings concern intravenous use, rather than injection into the spinal canal as alleged in Gilbert’s lawsuit.

In a statement published by local NBC affiliate WSMV on Nov. 9, Ascension Saint Thomas said it was aware of the complaint and was cooperating with the legal process, but could not share additional details because the case was ongoing.

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"Our hearts remain with the four patients and families impacted by the recent medication error that occurred at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown," the hospital wrote in a Sept. 11 statement on its website.

In a Sept. 16 update, the hospital said it was working with an independent quality consultant to "guide and verify the full scope of our corrective actions and process enhancements," adding that it remained "committed to learning from this and upholding the standards of patient safety, quality, and compassionate care."

About 790,000 total knee replacements are performed each year in the U.S., according to the American College of Rheumatology.

Most patients experience substantial pain relief and improved mobility, with only 2% reporting serious complications, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states.

Medication safety recommendations emphasize the importance of clear labeling of drugs, including their names and concentrations, and reading the label to correctly identify each medication before administration. 

Fox News Digital reached out to Ascension Saint Thomas, Gilbert’s attorney, the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices for comment.

Some older adults may be able to stop taking statins with little added risk over two years, but a new study raises concerns about longer-term safety.

That’s according to a randomized clinical trial that was presented on Nov. 7, 2026, at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Chicago, and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Statins are prescription medications that lower LDL, or "bad," cholesterol by reducing how much cholesterol the liver makes. They are known to help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

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The study — conducted by researchers from the University of Bern in Switzerland, the University of California, San Francisco, and other institutions — included 1,880 adults aged 70 years and older, all of whom were taking statins to prevent a first heart attack or stroke.

All participants had at least two chronic medical conditions, but did not have established cardiovascular disease or previous cardiovascular events. Half of the participants stopped taking statins, and the other half continued.

After two years, the added risk from stopping statins was small enough to fall within the limits researchers had set for the study. However, that did not mean stopping carried no added risk.

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Over the full follow-up, which lasted about two years for the typical participant and up to four years for some, about 13% of those assigned to stop statins had a heart attack, an ischemic stroke or died from any cause, compared with 9% assigned to continue treatment.

The study’s safety monitoring board also recommended that participants who were assigned to stop statins discuss restarting treatment with their healthcare team, according to the American College of Cardiology.

For other outcomes, the researchers found no meaningful differences between the two groups in reported quality of life, muscle pain, falls or loss of muscle mass and strength.

Dr. Christopher Kelly, a UNC Health cardiologist, emphasized that continuing statins did not worsen reported muscle pain or quality of life in the trial.

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Although guidelines support lowering high cholesterol earlier in life, the benefits of continuing statins in older age are less certain, said study author Dr. Rita F. Redberg, a cardiology professor at the University of California, San Francisco, in a press release.

Earlier studies found no difference in mortality after adults 70 and older stopped statins for primary prevention, she noted.

"One study suggested quality of life improvements after stopping statins," Redberg said, adding that her team explored whether stopping was safe for older adults taking the drugs to prevent a first cardiovascular event.

The study had several limitations. About 14% of participants did not stick with their assigned treatment plan. Some who were told to stop taking statins resumed them, while others assigned to continue treatment stopped taking the drugs, according to the researchers.

The findings also may not apply to all older adults, as the study was limited to people aged 70 and older who had multiple chronic health conditions but no history of heart disease or stroke.

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Although some participants were followed for up to four years, the study primarily assessed outcomes over about two years. Longer follow-up is needed to determine how stopping statins affects patients over many years.

"This small, increased risk of cardiovascular events means that one cannot make a general recommendation about stopping statins in this patient population," Redberg said.

"There should be shared decision-making between the patient and the healthcare professional to know if it is appropriate for an individual to discontinue the medication. In general, however, discontinuation is safe for most people who are in this age group and without a previous CVD event."

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Kelly, who was not involved in the study, noted that a healthy 70-year-old could live another 20 years, leaving questions about the effects of stopping treatment over that longer period.

The doctor also emphasized individualized decisions based on overall health and expected lifespan, noting that he "errs on the side of caution" with his own patients.

"I typically recommend that they continue taking it unless they have specific concerns about that medication, such as side effects, or if they are taking a lot of medicines, and they're just really eager to stop taking one of them."

Medical experts are warning of a dangerous new social media trend known as "heightmaxxing," amid reports that teenagers are taking black-market cancer medications in an effort to grow taller.

Adolescents, primarily teenage boys, are reportedly turning to erdafitinib — often referred to online as "ERDA" or "Erta" — a targeted prescription drug approved to treat advanced bladder cancer.

Teenagers are reportedly experimenting with the prescription medication after encountering online discussions suggesting it could increase height.

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"It’s extremely concerning that teenagers are experimenting with powerful cancer medications in an attempt to grow taller," Dr. Stephanie Widmer, a New York City-based emergency medicine physician and Fox News medical contributor, told Fox News Digital.

"These drugs were developed to treat serious medical conditions, not to enhance physical appearance, and taking them without a legitimate medical indication or physician supervision can have devastating consequences."

The drug maker, Johnson & Johnson, pushed back against the practice in a statement to Rolling Stone, emphasizing that the medication has never been approved to stimulate height growth and that its safety and effectiveness have not been established for any pediatric or adolescent use.

Medical research has documented unexpected growth spurts in children receiving erdafitinib for brain tumors. A 2024 study published in Hormone Research in Paediatrics described accelerated growth in two pediatric patients, while a separate case report documented a teenager who grew more than 5 inches during treatment but developed serious skeletal complications.

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Physicians caution that these spurts do not equal healthy skeletal growth. Dr. Jessica Gray, a family physician in Lubbock, Texas, warned that forced, rapid growth can trigger dangerous structural problems, including premature growth plate damage and bone fractures.

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The drug works by blocking specific cellular signaling pathways involved in cancer cell growth, Widmer shared during an appearance on Fox News' "America's Newsroom."

Those same pathways also play a role in bone development, which may help explain why some pediatric patients experienced unexpected growth during treatment.

Widmer noted that height is overwhelmingly governed by genetics, and biological shortcuts do not exist. Once growth plates close near the end of puberty, medications cannot reopen them, meaning older adolescents taking the compound are incurring catastrophic health hazards without any chance of gaining height, she said.

"One of the biggest concerns is that these medications can cause serious side effects, including potentially permanent vision damage, elevated phosphate levels and other metabolic abnormalities," Widmer said.

"We’re talking about adolescents whose bodies are still developing, and exposing them to these risks for a cosmetic goal is particularly troubling."

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Other warning signs and side effects linked to the medication include skeletal pain — especially in the hips or knees — as well as mouth sores, loose nails and skin disorders.

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The trend has also raised concerns about the influence of social media on teenagers' decisions about their health. Widmer noted that online discussions about physical appearance and self-improvement can expose young men to potentially unsafe practices that lack medical evidence.

"Parents need to understand that this goes beyond teenagers being insecure about their height," the doctor said.

"We’re talking about young people potentially obtaining prescription cancer medications and experimenting with them outside of medical supervision. If a child has concerns about their growth, that conversation belongs in a pediatrician’s office, not on an internet forum."

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Doctors advise parents to watch for symptoms such as unusual joint pain or unexplained physical changes, and to speak with their children if they suspect they are using medications obtained online.

Teenagers concerned about their height or growth should consult a pediatrician before considering any medication.

"We should be encouraging teenagers to prioritize their health, not teaching them to gamble with it," Widmer said. "No amount of additional height is worth risking permanent damage to your vision or other serious and potentially unknown medical complications."

Two "forever chemicals" have been associated with a higher risk of aggressive breast cancer, according to research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Forever chemicals, known as PFAS, are a group of synthetic chemicals that break down extremely slowly and can build up in the environment and the human body.

PFAS have been used in nonstick cookware, upholstery and clothing, as well as some food packaging and personal care items.

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The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, found that women with higher blood levels of two types of PFAS — perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) — were more likely to develop estrogen receptor-negative (ER-negative) breast cancer.

ER-negative breast cancers tend to be "more aggressive" and have worse outcomes compared to breast cancers that respond to estrogen, according to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) press release.

Data was drawn from a large U.S. research project called the Sister Study, which investigated environmental and genetic factors related to breast cancer. All participants had a sister diagnosed with breast cancer at enrollment but did not have breast cancer themselves.

Researchers measured 17 PFAS in blood samples collected before diagnosis from 1,609 women who later developed breast cancer and a comparison sample of 2,269 women, then examined links between PFAS levels and breast cancer risk by tumor type.

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The highest PFOA exposure group had a 67% higher rate of ER-negative breast cancer. The rate was 93% higher in the highest PFOS group compared to those in the lowest group. These figures represent relative differences between groups, not an individual woman’s chance of developing breast cancer.

The researchers found no clear association between PFOA or PFOS and breast cancer overall.

"This study, along with the accompanying meta-analysis of previous studies, provides evidence that two PFAS are related to a higher ER-negative breast cancer risk," study leader Alexandra White, Ph.D., a researcher at the National Institutes of Health, told Fox News Digital.

As this study focused mainly on older PFAS chemicals that have been largely phased out, the researcher said experts know "very little" about the PFAS that are replacing them, which could serve as a limitation.

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"They tend to be shorter-chain compounds and may be less persistent in our bodies and the environment, but we know little about how they may influence health outcomes, such as breast cancer," she said.

The findings show an association, not proof of causation, between forever chemical exposure and breast cancer risk, as the authors noted that more research is needed.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that "women deserve clear answers about how chemicals in their environment may affect their health," calling for further investigation.

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"Under President Trump’s leadership, we will pursue the evidence, confront environmental health risks and give women the information they need to protect their health," he said.

Medical oncologist Dr. Tiffany Troso-Sandoval, a New York City-based breast and gynecological cancer specialist who worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering for more than 25 years, also acknowledged that forever chemicals can increase cancer risk.

"Oftentimes, once you've been exposed to them, they will accumulate in your body and cause havoc, and can actually increase the risk of carcinogenic transformation of cells," she told Fox News Digital. "What was interesting about this study is that the link was found only in ER-negative breast cancers, which is a known aggressive subtype of cancer."

Few risk factors beyond genetic predispositions are known for ER-negative breast cancer, Troso-Sandoval noted, adding that "the study did not show that it increased the risk of all breast cancers in general."

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She suggested PFAS might damage DNA or interfere with the body's ability to repair that damage or destroy cancerous cells.

While patients with ER-negative breast cancer had higher levels of these compounds in their bodies, that does not prove the chemicals caused their cancers, according to Troso-Sandoval.

First author Che-Jung Chang, Ph.D., a former research fellow at NIH and a current researcher at DLH, noted that although PFAS are "persistent" in the environment and in the human body, exposure is "potentially modifiable."

"People can take steps to reduce their exposure, and these findings could open new avenues for prevention," she said.

Troso-Sandoval recommends reviewing everyday sources of exposure to PFAS and other potentially harmful chemicals, including the following:

Her concerns about black plastic utensils involve other chemical contaminants, including flame retardants.

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"Try to look at the products that you are using very frequently, and those are the first ones to swap out," she advised. 

"Maybe consider cooking with stainless steel pots and pans ... I recommend not heating up any food in plastic containers, because as you heat these plastics, they tend to leach more of the compounds into our foods."

She recommends reviewing cosmetics and personal care products that may contain some of these compounds.

Gavin Newsom has signed legislation banning the sale of some "muscle-building supplements" to Californians under 18 years of age.

The legislation (AB 2030), which was signed on Sept. 28, covers over-the-counter diet pills and dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building. It will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

"Nonprescribed, medically unapproved products may cause dangerous side effects," the governor’s office said in its announcement. "Products can be mislabeled or contaminated with substances such as steroids."

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California’s law restricts minors’ access to supplements marketed for muscle building – specifically, those that are "labeled, marketed or otherwise represented for the purpose of achieving weight loss or building muscle."

Courts may consider whether a product contains "creatine, green tea extract, raspberry ketone, garcinia cambogia or green coffee bean extract," the legislation states.

The law does not impose an outright ban on all creatine products. Restrictions depend on how the supplements are labeled, advertised and marketed to consumers.

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The law does not apply to people under 18 who have a prescription for an over-the-counter diet pill or dietary supplement for weight loss or muscle-building.

The release cites research indicating that nearly one in 10 adolescents have used such products.

It also references studies linking over-the-counter diet pill use to a sixfold greater likelihood of an eating disorder diagnosis within three years.

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The announcement does not specify whether whey protein or creatine products are included in the ban.

Sellers who do not adhere to the new law will face civil fines of up to $500 per violation.

The American Herbal Products Association, based in Maryland, released a statement opposing the law.

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"Lacking any scientific justification, AB 2030 casts a shadow over safe, beneficial products," said Robert Marriott, the association's vice president of regulatory and government affairs, in the statement.

The organization argues that the law's scope is unclear and notes that it does not explicitly exempt protein products.

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The Center for Science in the Public Interest, based in Washington, D.C., shared public support of the new legislation.

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"Manufacturers of these products often prey on kids and teens with deceptive claims that lack any scientific evidence," said Jensen Jose, a regulatory counsel at CSPI, which co-sponsored the legislation.

Dr. Sigrid Wolf, a pediatric sports medicine physician at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, recently addressed the use of creatine products among teenagers, stating that evidence of benefits is limited.

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"In some cases, they might even be dangerous," wrote Wolf, who is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' sports medicine committee, in an article published on HealthyChildren.org, the American Academy of Pediatrics' parenting website. 

"Creatine can come with negative side effects such as weight gain, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea."

"Studies show that many supplements contain harmful substances that go undetected," she added, instead recommending prioritizing nutrition, training, sleep and hydration.

Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom's office for comment.

Men who use cannabis occasionally may feel stronger effects from the drug than women with similar use habits, new research suggests.

The UCLA Health study, published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, included 44 healthy adults between the ages of 21 and 55, evenly split between men and women. Researchers divided participants based on whether they used cannabis frequently or occasionally.

Each participant took part in three separate sessions: smoking cannabis with no THC, a lower amount of THC or a higher amount. They did not know which one they were receiving at the time.

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Among those who used cannabis occasionally, men reported feeling more high, sedated and impaired than women with similar use habits, according to the study.

The men also reported more unpleasant effects, including anxiety, and their heart rate rose significantly after using active cannabis.

Blood THC levels alone did not appear to explain the difference.

Men and women who used cannabis occasionally had similar peak THC levels, even though the men reported stronger effects, researchers found.

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The pattern was different among people who used cannabis more often. Men and women in the frequent-use group generally responded similarly to active cannabis.

Frequent users were also more likely than occasional users to say they liked the effects, wanted to use cannabis again and chose to take more during the study, regardless of gender.

The findings challenge some previous research suggesting women may be more sensitive to the effects of cannabis.

"Much of what we thought we knew about sex differences in cannabis effects came from animal research and from human studies that pooled data from different trials," Dr. Ziva Cooper, the study's principal investigator and director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids, said in a press release.

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"When we designed a study to look at sex and frequency of use at the same time, and controlled for hormones, the picture changed," she added.

The researchers controlled for menstrual cycle timing among the women in the study, who were not using hormonal birth control.

The findings suggest that a person's cannabis habits may be important when considering how men and women respond to the drug.

"Sex and cannabis use history can both shape how someone experiences the effects of cannabis," lead author Dr. Stephanie Lake, a researcher at the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids, said in the release.

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"Studying both together is key to understanding who is most at risk of higher-risk, unpleasant or beneficial experiences from cannabis."

There were several limitations to the findings, the researchers acknowledged.

The study was small, with just 44 participants, and several of the findings involving occasional male users came from exploratory analyses, meaning they need to be confirmed in larger studies.

The cannabis used in the experiment contained 4% or 10% THC, which researchers noted is weaker than many cannabis products sold today, where THC levels are commonly 20% or higher.

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Researchers said larger studies are needed to better understand whether men and women develop tolerance to cannabis differently and how those differences could affect the risk of cannabis use disorder.

Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.

As more Americans turn to popular GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound to lose weight or manage diabetes, there is a growing focus on protecting muscle as pounds are shed.

The concern comes as 11% of U.S. adults report taking these drugs for weight loss, up from 3% in 2024, according to Gallup.

Lean mass, which includes muscle and other tissues, accounts for roughly a quarter to a third of the weight lost with these obesity treatments, research suggests.

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Gary Brecka, a biologist and longevity expert in Miami, Florida, shared with Fox News Digital his simple strategy for helping people preserve muscle — starting with just six minutes of exercise a day.

"GLP-1s can be life-saving for people, especially for people who are morbidly obese or have type 2 diabetes, but they can also be fascinating shifts in someone's trajectory of their wellness journey," he said.

"What's critically important for people who embark on a GLP-1 journey is to make sure that they are mitigating the lean body-mass loss."

Brecka emphasized that weight loss is not exclusively fat loss.

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"When most people say, ‘I want to lose weight,’ what they're really saying is, ‘I want to lose fat,’" he said. "But with GLP-1s, you have a double-edged sword. About 20% to 40% of the weight that you lose is what we call lean body mass."

Lean body mass includes not only muscle, but also water, organs, blood and connective tissues, such as tendons and ligaments. Brecka emphasized that preserving lean tissue should be a priority during treatment.

Maintaining strength also helps people remain independent as they age, supporting everyday activities such as bathing, dressing and walking.

"The more that we can maintain control and dominion over those, the more independent we can be," Brecka said.

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Challenging the body through exercise encourages it to adapt and grow stronger, Brecka said.

"But when it comes to a GLP-1 journey, you've got to give up a little bit of that comfort to reach your goals," he said.

Brecka recommends starting with six minutes of resistance exercise each day.

"People think of weight-training or resistance training as something they've got to dedicate 60 to 90 minutes to every day, and therefore they think they don't have enough time in their day," he said.

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It’s also important to pair the strength training with adequate protein to help preserve muscle during weight loss.

Protein provides amino acids that help the body build and maintain muscle and other tissues, including tendons, ligaments and cartilage, Brecka said.

Busy people who don’t have time for lengthy gym sessions can fit resistance training into their day by "snacking" on exercise, the longevity expert said.

Brecka suggested simple exercises such as holding a plank with the knees on the floor, progressing to a full plank as strength allows, or doing body-weight squats and abdominal crunches.

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He also recommended resistance exercises using dumbbells or barbells, preferably moving through a full range of motion. One example is a goblet squat, which involves holding a dumbbell near the chest while squatting and standing.

"You don't have to lift like a bodybuilder to mitigate lean body mass loss," he said. "All you have to do is provide resistance for these tissues so that your body doesn't begin to reabsorb them while you're on this GLP-1 journey."

In terms of frequency, Brecka said exercise should be "non-negotiable" as a daily practice. He recommends a minimum of three days of resistance training and a minimum of three days of cardiovascular training.

"Cardiovascular training can be as simple as walking outside, taking your dog for a 20-minute walk," he said, adding that a weighted vest can make the same walk more challenging by increasing the load the body carries.

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"If you're going to an airport, skip the moving walkway, skip the escalator, just take the steps," Brecka suggested. "There are simple things that you can do every single day … that have a dramatic impact on your body's ability to rebuild these tissues."

"These small choices throughout our lifetime are what build resilience for the decades ahead."

Protein does more than just support muscle, according to Brecka. 

Whether protein comes from chicken, beef or plant-based foods, the body breaks it down into amino acids that help build and repair muscle and other tissues, including tendons, ligaments and cartilage.

"Protein is important for so many more things than just muscle and the physical things that we see on the outside," Brecka said. "It's also responsible for building these lean body mass structures."

Current federal dietary guidelines recommend 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily.

A joint advisory on GLP-1 treatment discusses the same range during active weight loss, while emphasizing that targets should be tailored to the individual.

Brecka also urged patients to pay attention to declining energy or exercise performance, such as finding a previously easy flight of stairs suddenly difficult, and discuss those changes with a doctor.

Eating two green kiwis a day could help people struggling with constipation, a new review suggests.

The research, published in the journal Food, Nutrition and Health, looked at 33 previous studies and reports on kiwifruit and digestive health.

Eating two fresh green kiwis a day for about four weeks was linked to more regular bowel movements, less straining and better digestive comfort in people with constipation or irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).

COMMON KITCHEN STAPLE MAY HELP RELIEVE MILD CONSTIPATION, NEW RESEARCH SUGGESTS

In one international trial included in the review, people with constipation had about 1.5 more complete bowel movements per week, while those with IBS-C had about 1.7 more per week. Both groups also reported improved digestive comfort.

The new review suggests there may be several reasons kiwi helps with constipation.

Its fiber can add bulk and hold water in stool, while the fruit's natural water and sorbitol may help make stool easier to pass. Researchers said the benefit likely comes from several parts of the whole fruit working together rather than one component alone.

Kiwi was not necessarily more effective than other constipation treatments.

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One U.S. trial included in the review found that green kiwi, psyllium fiber and prunes all helped improve chronic constipation. Kiwi was associated with fewer side effects and was well-tolerated by many participants.

The evidence is strongest for fresh green kiwi, the researchers noted. There is less research on gold kiwi, powders and extracts, so those forms should not be assumed to have the same effect.

Jason Heiselman, a New York-based certified nutritionist and professional chef at Hungryroot in New York City, previously told Fox News Digital that kiwi is an easy fruit to work into a person's diet.

"It feels like a no-brainer to include a few slices with any meal," said Heiselman, who was not involved in the new review.

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Kiwi contains fiber along with a natural enzyme called actinidin, which can help with digestion, the nutritionist noted.

"Pairing kiwi with some good fat sources, like seeds, nuts or full-fat dairy, allows your body to absorb more nutrients," he said.

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For people who do not want to eat kiwi on its own, the fruit can also work in savory meals, according to Heiselman. "Raw kiwi slices often make their way to my dinner table," he said.

Heiselman said he pairs the fruit with salty cheeses, toasted pistachios and shaved red onion, and has also used kiwi as the base for chutneys and relishes.

There were some limitations to the findings.

The paper reviewed previous research rather than conducting a new clinical trial, and the studies differed in the people involved, the types and amounts of kiwi consumed, and the results researchers measured.

Most of the research also looked at relatively short periods of time, so more studies are needed to determine whether the benefits continue long-term.

Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.

Andrea Margolis of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

Helping a transgender man detransition to being a woman again is not something the pro-life, gospel-led Alternatives Pregnancy Center even notes on its website. 

But because it is a full-service women's health clinic with doctors who specialize in hormone therapy, it's simply something they do in order to give women the care they need to fully embrace their God-given gender.

It is all based on listening to the Holy Spirit, said executive director Heidi Matzke.

STUDY REVEALS UNEXPECTED HEALTH BENEFITS AFTER 5 MINUTES OF PRAYER

Based in Sacramento, California, Alternatives is one of hundreds of like-minded pregnancy help centers across the country. These venues may have different names, but they all work to help women with unplanned pregnancies. 

Still, years ago when Matzke took over, she knew she needed help — heavenly help.   

Matzke told Fox News, "When God called me into this ministry... I felt the Holy Spirit impress upon my heart back then, 'Heidi, you're right. You have no idea what you're doing, and that's why you'd better be face-down before me every single day. You better be fasting and praying.'"

She did fast. And she prayed and listened, she said. 

The result today is a pregnancy help center that is also a full-service health clinic for women. 

It wasn't long before another challenge came Matzke's way, involving listening to God. 

She asked the Holy Spirit to direct her very short talk at a church soon after launching the full-service clinic. The pastor gave her just two minutes.  

Matzke heard the Holy Spirit say to talk only about the women's health services the center offered and nothing else — not even the unplanned pregnancy help.  

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She did as directed. While the congregation received her respectfully and politely, Matzke said she felt a sense of defeat.

Then, between services, a man dressed as a woman came to her in the pews. 

It was just the two of them. 

He said the words that changed both their lives. 

He said to her, "What you don't know about me is that I'm biologically female, and I encountered Christ. The Holy Spirit has done work in my heart, and I am now trying to detransition. But my current doctors have basically abandoned me and I have nowhere to go."

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That "man dressed as a woman" was Jessica Rose. Her story is all over the internet.

On that faith-filled day, Rose told Matzke she had been sobbing uncontrollably during Matzke's short presentation, as she had been praying that morning that God would provide her with free women's medical care.  

By listening to the Holy Spirit, Matzke became the angel in Jessica Rose's life. 

Her doctors had been eager to start her on hormones and surgery to remove her breasts after just a 30-minute consultation. 

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Now, in the pew, Matzke was the answer to spirit-leading prayer.

The women's heath clinic at that moment became more full-service than Heidi Matzke could ever imagine. 

It became a place where all women, meaning adult females, can be strengthened and shown to love themselves as they are in the light of the Gospel of Christ.

On an episode of the "Lighthouse Faith" podcast, Matzke talks about her encounter with Jessica Rose.

She also shares how a series of events strengthened her resolve to develop a full-service health clinic led by the Gospel — and how listening to the Holy Spirit brings healing to many more people than we could ever imagine.

Depression rates among Americans ages 12 and older rose nearly 60% over a decade, increasing from 8.2% in 2013–2014 to 13.1% in 2021–2023, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Finding the right treatment for depression can take time, and antidepressants usually take four to eight weeks to work, per the National Institute of Mental Health.

For those struggling with the condition, clinical psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen – founder of Amen Clinics in California – says avoiding the following habits may help to manage symptoms and support mental health.

IS DRINKING EVERY DAY ALCOHOLISM? EXPERTS EXPLAIN WHERE CULTURE AND ADDICTION COLLIDE

Alcohol may offer temporary relief from depression symptoms, but as its effects wear off, mood can worsen.

As the brain adjusts to alcohol’s relaxing effects, it can leave people feeling more anxious and restless after the buzz fades, making them feel "worse than before," Amen warned.

Drinking can also disrupt sleep, adding to next-day fatigue, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

It might be tempting to linger in bed when you wake up, but Amen encouraged people with depression to get up and start their day.

"When people are depressed, they tend to have pretty low activity, especially in the front part of their brain, but burying yourself under the covers just makes things worse," he said. "Get up, get out."

SCIENTISTS REVEAL SURPRISINGLY EASY EXERCISE THAT MAY BOOST YOUR MOOD IN JUST 10 MINUTES

Amen's advice aligns with a broader approach called behavioral activation, a type of therapy that helps people gradually return to meaningful activities rather than withdraw from them.

Behavioral activation has been shown to be beneficial for treating depression, according to a 2020 Cochrane review of 53 studies involving 5,495 adults.

A negative mindset can make it easier to believe things that aren’t true — or, as Amen puts it, every "stupid" thought. He refers to these as "ANTs," or automatic negative thoughts.

"The thoughts that come into your mind automatically and ruin your day – they drive depression," he said.

When feeling strong emotions – such as sadness, anger, anxiety or just lack of control – Amen recommends writing down what you’re thinking and then asking yourself if it’s true.

"My favorite part – and there's a whole method to this – is flipping the thought and actually meditating on the opposite of the thought you have," he said. "So, taking each thought captive."

Depression can lead people to withdraw from others, but social isolation may worsen symptoms, Amen said.

"The more isolated you get, the louder the ANT chorus gets, and it makes [depression] worse," he cautioned.

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A 2025 study published in General Hospital Psychiatry tracked more than 339,000 U.K. adults for roughly 12 years. Loneliness was associated with a 77% higher risk of developing depression, while social isolation was linked to a 14% higher risk.

Eating more ultraprocessed foods, including many fast-food items, has been linked to a higher risk of depression, Amen said, although research has not established cause and effect.

"There's actually a lot of consensus now among psychiatrists that inflammation drives certain types of depression," the doctor told Fox News Digital.

A 2025 review in the American Journal of Psychiatry supports inflammation’s role in some cases, but notes that elevated inflammatory markers occurred in only a subset of people with depression.

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Amen recommends adhering to an anti-inflammatory diet emphasizing "vegetables, healthy protein and healthy fats."

A 2024 review of five randomized trials involving 1,507 adults found that Mediterranean-style diets reduced depressive symptoms compared with control groups, although results varied considerably among studies.

Depression treatment is individualized, so not every medication is right for everyone — and not every patient requires medication.

Amen emphasized the importance of receiving a thorough assessment prior to receiving antidepressants, which he said can be "lifesaving."

For milder depression, psychotherapy is often the first approach. People with moderate or severe depression are usually prescribed medication as part of their initial treatment plan, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

For those who have done "all the right things" but still struggle, Amen encouraged seeking further medical evaluation. Depending on symptoms and medical history, a clinician may order blood tests to check for conditions such as anemia or thyroid disease that could contribute to symptoms.

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The doctor also recommended considering approaches beyond medication, such as exercise — or, as Amen suggested, "walking like you're late" — which has been proven in studies to perform better than some depression medications.

Some supplements, like omega-3 and saffron, have been found to be more effective than antidepressants in recent research.

Falling asleep earlier was linked to greater weight loss in adults with prediabetes, according to new research.

An analysis of data from a randomized trial led by the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing found that each hour earlier participants fell asleep was associated with roughly 1. 3 pounds of weight loss over eight weeks, although the finding does not prove that moving bedtime earlier causes weight loss.

"When we fall asleep — not just how much we sleep — seems to be an important and overlooked factor for weight loss and metabolic health," Susan Kohl Malone, an assistant professor at the nursing college and the study's lead author, said in a press release.

POPULAR WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS MAY PREVENT PREDIABETES FROM TURNING INTO DIABETES

The investigation, published in the journal Nursing Research, evaluated 196 adults diagnosed with prediabetes who routinely logged fewer than 6.5 hours of sleep nightly. Half the group took part in an eight-week lifestyle education course on diet, exercise and stress.

The other half received the same training alongside behavioral coaching meant to get them to go to bed earlier in gradual phases.

DIETITIAN REVEALS SIMPLE EATING STRATEGY FOR BETTER SLEEP — AND ONE HABIT TO AVOID

Researchers tracked participants’ blood sugar, sleep and activity using sensors, sleep logs and wrist-worn monitors.

Neither group showed significant improvements in blood sugar. Both groups lost weight, but those receiving sleep coaching did not lose significantly more than those receiving lifestyle education alone.

"While we expected that extending sleep would improve glucose levels and weight loss in adults with prediabetes who sleep for shorter periods, this wasn't the case in our study," Malone said.

Participants who received sleep coaching did report better sleep quality and less daytime drowsiness, and they gradually began going to bed earlier.

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In a separate analysis across both groups, participants who shifted their sleep earlier tended to lose more weight.

The researchers suggested the body’s internal clock may help explain the findings. Staying up late can increase exposure to artificial light, which may activate the body’s stress response and affect hormones that regulate hunger.

Remaining awake late also coincides with the hours when human insulin sensitivity is at its lowest.

"In contrast, falling asleep earlier may limit late-night eating and better align food intake with the body's optimal metabolic window," Malone noted.

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The trial ran for only eight weeks, which means it's unclear whether participants could maintain earlier bedtimes or sustain weight loss over the long term.

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While participants wore wrist monitors, key sleep metrics like rest quality and daytime drowsiness relied heavily on self-reported logs.

The findings also show an association across the study group rather than proven cause and effect.

Participants receiving sleep coaching fell asleep about 12 minutes earlier on average, according to Malone, which produced no measurable improvement in blood sugar levels.

The study received funding from the National Institute of Nursing Research, a division of the National Institutes of Health, and was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the University of Delaware.

A person's sleep habits may help identify a newly proposed subtype of depression linked to the body's internal clock.

In a study of 11,380 Australian adults with a history of depression, about 23% met researchers' criteria for what they called "circadian depression."

The profile included at least three of six features: being an evening person, waking up feeling very tired, sleeping longer during the worst periods of depression, experiencing seasonal changes, having a later midpoint between falling asleep and waking up, and experiencing "social jetlag," a large shift in sleep timing between workdays and days off.

The seasonal changes could involve sleep, mood, activity, appetite, weight or energy.

THE DAYTIME HABIT THAT COULD TRANSFORM YOUR SLEEP, ACCORDING TO NEW STUDY

The study, published on Oct. 20 in The British Journal of Psychiatry, could eventually help guide more personalized care for patients with depression, according to the researchers.

"Depression is not a uniform illness, and understanding the characteristics of different subtypes means we can give people earlier access to treatments that will be most effective for them," first author Emiliana Tonini, Ph.D., from the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre, said in a statement.

The label, however, is not a formal diagnosis and needs independent replication and further study, the researchers noted.

People in the circadian group reported an earlier onset of depression and more severe symptoms than those who did not meet the criteria. They were also more likely to report weight gain during depressive episodes.

They also reported poorer responses and more side effects with two common classes of antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

POPULAR SLEEP AIDS BEFORE SURGERY COULD PREVENT PAINKILLER DEPENDENCE LATER

Participants reported how well their medications worked, but the study did not explain why some were less effective and did not test treatments aimed at adjusting the body’s internal clock. 

Researchers said light exposure, regular sleep schedules and melatonin-related approaches warrant further study.

Dr. Ian Hickie, a study co-author and professor of psychiatry at the University of Sydney, said the proposed profile "cuts across existing historic subtypes" of depression, most commonly atypical and bipolar depression, because they share features such as low energy and oversleeping.

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Atypical depression can also involve weight gain, while bipolar depression refers to depressive episodes in people with bipolar disorder, which also involves periods of unusually elevated or irritable mood and increased energy.

"We define circadian only by sleep-wake and circadian features," Hickie told Fox News Digital.

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For some people with this profile, Hickie said sleep-wake disruption may be more than a symptom of depression. "This type of circadian disturbance is not simply a consequence, but the underlying cause," he wrote.

The study itself, however, could not establish whether body-clock disruption caused depression or resulted from it.

Staying up late or having trouble waking does not necessarily indicate depression. Participants had already reported depression, which in some cases was severe, recurring or long-lasting.

Participants in the circadian group also reported more manic-like experiences. John Puls, a psychotherapist and adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University, said those symptoms could help explain their reported response to antidepressants.

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"SSRIs are not meant to treat these more significant mental health symptoms that go far beyond depressive symptoms," Puls, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "In fact, some SSRIs can actually worsen manic symptoms, which lead to poor sleep."

There were several limitations to the study, the researchers acknowledged. 

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Participants reported their own sleep patterns and treatment experiences, and the cross-sectional analysis didn't show whether sleep disruption preceded or followed depressive symptoms.

All participants were of European ancestry, so the findings may not apply to other populations.

Jillian Amodio, a Maryland-based psychotherapist and founder of Moms For Mental Health, cautioned against using the findings as "a benchmark for treating each person in the same way."

"Biological, environmental, social and psychological factors all need to be accounted for," Amodio, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital.

Researchers should examine more populations, including people who work night shifts, and account for differences in time zones and seasons, according to Amodio.

The study was led by researchers at the University of Sydney and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, with co-authors from institutions in Australia, the U.K. and the U.S.

Energy drinks and stimulant-containing supplements have been linked to the risk of serious heart problems, including cardiac arrest and heart attacks, particularly among young adults.

That’s according to new research released by the American Heart Association, which will be presented at the AHA Scientific Sessions in Chicago, Nov. 6-9, 2026.

A retrospective observational analysis looked at more than 28,000 reports submitted to the Food and Drug Administration of cardiovascular events, including cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction (heart attack), ventricular arrhythmias (abnormal rhythms), palpitations, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), chest pain and syncope (fainting).

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Cardiac arrest appeared in reports involving caffeine- and stimulant-containing products about 11 times as often as in reports involving products without those ingredients.

Heart attacks were reported about 4½ times as often, while ventricular arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) or palpitations were reported about four times as often, according to the AHA.

Elevated heart rate, chest pain and fainting also increased among the group consuming those substances.

Approximately 45% of reported cardiovascular events associated with stimulant products involved adults ages 18 to 34.

The stimulants included in the study were caffeine, methylxanthines, guarana, Yerba maté, synephrine, yohimbine and other compounds. They were consumed in products such as soft drinks, meal replacement shakes, protein bars, smoothies and vitamins.

Colin Kane, M.D., a pediatric cardiologist and service chief at Children's Health and professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, said the findings build on earlier case reports about potential heart risks from high caffeine intake.

"We've known through case reports and anecdotal evidence that caffeine in high amounts can be potentially dangerous to people with underlying heart conditions and even those who have normal hearts," Kane, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

WHY STACKING SUPPLEMENTS WITHOUT A BLOOD TEST FIRST CAN DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD

It is generally safe for adults to consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, which equates to up to five 8-ounce cups of regular black caffeinated coffee, according to a 2026 American Heart Association Scientific Statement on caffeine and cardiovascular disease.

"Some energy drinks have up to three times more caffeine per fluid ounce than brewed coffee, and some pre-workout supplements have more than 12 times as much," senior study author Dr. Pamela Benavidez, a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist at Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, Ohio, told Fox News Digital. 

"This means one small serving can easily surpass the advised daily limit or more."

Benavidez also warned that these products often include other stimulants like synephrine, yohimbine and methylhexanamine.

"These can interact with caffeine in ways that are not fully understood, especially in young, healthy people," she said.

YOUR DAILY COFFEE HABIT MAY AFFECT YOUR BRAIN AND MOOD IN UNEXPECTED WAYS, STUDY FINDS

The researchers recommend that young people carefully monitor their consumption of caffeine and watch for heart-related symptoms, such as palpitations, chest pain or tightness, lightheadedness, fainting or a racing or irregular heartbeat during or after use of these products.

"If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help right away," Benavidez advised. "If you have a known heart condition, a family history of sudden cardiac events or take medications that are classified as stimulants or can affect your heart rate/rhythm, you should talk to your doctor before using these products at all."

Kane identified people with underlying heart conditions, particularly those with potentially dangerous heart rhythms and older adults with coronary artery disease, as groups needing particular awareness.

"And there's a whole group of people who may have an underlying heart condition that they're not diagnosed with yet," he added.

The findings are preliminary and have not yet been published as a full peer-reviewed manuscript.

Because the study was observational, it could only show an association and could not prove that the products caused the cardiac events.

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"We don't know how many people consumed these drinks and didn't report symptoms or those who maybe had symptoms and didn’t report them," Kane said.

Also, because the FDA reports were voluntary, they may contain incomplete, inconsistent or selectively submitted data.

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It is possible that other factors, such as alcohol or drug use, strenuous exercise and undiagnosed heart conditions, may have contributed to the cardiovascular events.

"Anytime you're mixing stimulants and other substances or medications, it can certainly bring up a potential for harm," Kane said.

The American Beverage Association, based in Washington, D.C., sent the statement below to Fox News Digital in response to the study:

"Energy drinks have been enjoyed by billions of people around the world for more than 30 years and are recognized as safe by government food safety agencies worldwide. 

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada, the European Food Safety Authority all relied on the highest quality science when they determined that a moderate daily intake of 400 milligrams of caffeine from all sources is safe for adults.

"Energy drinks have less caffeine than coffeehouse coffee, and no regulatory agency has found that their other ingredients interact harmfully with caffeine."

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Andrea Wong, chief science officer of the Council for Responsible Nutrition in Washington, D.C., also reacted to the study’s findings.

"Because the analysis does not account for how many consumers actually used these products, whether they were overused or misused or even the amount of caffeine (or other ingredients) per serving, it cannot determine the incidence of cardiovascular events or quantify the associated risk," she told Fox News Digital.

"Importantly, the reported 11-fold difference in cardiac arrest reporting does not mean consumers are 11 times more likely to experience cardiac arrest."

A 23-year-old fitness influencer's vacation took a frightening turn after she suddenly became seriously ill in Bali.

Australian fitness coach Khiana Smith said in a TikTok video that she was hospitalized after developing a severe headache and sensitivity to light. She later revealed in another video that she had been diagnosed with meningitis.

Smith said she knew something was wrong when she woke up with what she described as the "worst headache."

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"I couldn't even get out of bed," Smith said in the TikTok video. "It was so intense I couldn't even open my eyes properly. I was really sensitive to light. I couldn't stand up without falling over."

She initially waited to see whether she would feel better, but said she woke up the following morning feeling "10 times worse." She was eventually taken to a hospital by ambulance, where testing revealed the infection.

Dr. Alfred Joshua, a California-based board-certified emergency room physician and former chief medical officer, told Fox News Digital that Smith's reported symptoms included several warning signs that should be taken seriously.

"She started having symptoms of severe headache, having difficulty with light," Joshua said. "And then she started having difficulty walking, and then eventually slurred speech."

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Meningitis occurs when the protective layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord become inflamed, according to Joshua.

Symptoms can include headache, fever, stiff neck and sensitivity to light. Trouble walking or speaking, confusion and extreme tiredness are more serious signs that should prompt immediate medical attention, Joshua said.

The seriousness of the illness can also depend on what is causing it.

Joshua said viral meningitis often resolves on its own, while bacterial meningitis can progress rapidly and requires prompt treatment with antibiotics.

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"Certain strains over a couple of hours [can cause] the person [to] get really, really sick," he said.

Doctors initially did not know whether her meningitis was bacterial or viral, according to Smith, so she was being treated for the bacterial form as a precaution.

Smith's condition later appeared to improve enough for her to leave the ICU, but she said she had to return after continuing to experience head pain, light sensitivity and slurred speech. She also reported memory loss, and said swelling in her brain was preventing her from flying home.

When meningitis is suspected, Joshua said doctors can use blood tests, brain imaging and a lumbar puncture to determine whether the infection is bacterial, viral or caused by something else.

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Smith's experience has highlighted a concern for travelers who become seriously ill far from home.

Joshua said recommended vaccines can protect against some forms of bacterial meningitis, and advised travelers to consider insurance that includes medical evacuation coverage.

Smith's mother also stressed the importance of travel insurance, saying her daughter's hospital expenses were covered because she had purchased a policy before leaving Australia.

Joshua said worsening symptoms, including changes in speech, walking or other brain functions, should not be ignored.

"When symptoms are progressing in a more complicated manner with neurological dysfunction, do not wait and try to see this out," he said. "Go and seek prompt emergency treatment."

Fox News Digital reached out to Smith for comment.

Small changes in how parts of the brain communicate with one another can help predict a person’s likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease years before any memory lapses appear, according to a study published in Science Advances.

Stanford Medicine researchers used brain scans and a computer model to look for early clues about why some older adults develop memory and thinking problems while others stay sharp.

Investigators examined resting brain scans from two opposing groups: patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and older individuals known as "super agers," whose memory capabilities match people decades younger.

SUBTLE CHANGE IN HOW YOU SPEAK COULD BE EARLY SIGN OF DEMENTIA RISK, NEW RESEARCH SUGGESTS

Instead of looking for physical hallmarks like amyloid plaque accumulation or brain shrinkage, the researchers studied how different parts of the brain communicate with one another.

By comparing the two groups’ brain activity patterns, the researchers calculated a measurement called the Alzheimer’s resilience-vulnerability connectome score, or ARC score, that distinguishes super agers from people with Alzheimer’s with about 85% accuracy.

"I'm excited we established a signature that can help us better understand the difference between people who can maintain excellent cognitive performance and people who show cognitive decline," Yu Zhang, the study's senior author and an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford Medicine, said in a press release.

DEMENTIA RISK MAY BE LINKED TO SEEMINGLY HARMLESS DAILY HABIT, NEW RESEARCH SUGGESTS

Next, the scientists applied the scoring model to more than 1,300 cognitively unimpaired adults aged 55 to 70.

Although all the adults scored normally on memory tests, their brain scans showed differences: Some had activity patterns similar to super agers, while others had patterns more like those seen in people with Alzheimer’s.

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Over follow-up periods of up to 12 years, with most participants tracked for five to six years, those whose brain activity more closely resembled Alzheimer’s patterns showed faster declines in memory and thinking, developed more amyloid plaques and were more likely to be diagnosed with the disease, the researchers found.

The team found that the ARC score matched or outperformed standard risk measures, including amyloid and tau biomarkers as well as genetic testing, in spotting early decline.

"We compared the ARC score with existing biomarkers in predicting people converting to Alzheimer's disease," lead author Kanhao Zhao, a postdoctoral scholar in psychiatry at Stanford Medicine, said in the release.

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"Our model shows comparable or better prediction ability, and it can do so at an earlier time point. And if we combine our score with the existing biomarkers, the prediction performance improves."

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Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of older adults worldwide, according to major health institutions.

A central challenge in treating the disease is that physical damage often begins decades before patients notice memory lapses, at which point treatments offer limited benefit.

Researchers stressed that the brain scan method is not yet ready for doctors to use on its own to diagnose Alzheimer’s. More studies are needed to confirm its accuracy and compare it with other new tests.

However, understanding how brain activity differs between healthy aging and neurodegeneration could help researchers test future treatments, including techniques that stimulate the brain without surgery.

"There are two main components: One is to know which part of the brain to target. The other is how we should change it," Zhang said.

"That's why identifying the super ager brain resilience pattern is a critical component — so we know what a good pattern should be."

A new study of nearly 450,000 American adults links cannabis use to an increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.

The findings, scheduled for presentation at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2026 in Chicago Nov. 6–9, show that both casual and heavy marijuana users have higher odds of heart conditions compared to non-users.

Researchers analyzed survey responses collected between 2020 and 2024 through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

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People who reported using cannabis between one and five days per month had 23% higher odds of reporting a history of cardiovascular disease than non-users. Those using it 16 to 30 days per month had 21% higher odds.

"This study raises important concerns about cannabis use and cardiovascular health, particularly stroke," Dr. Kristen "Nicke" Worth, an Ohio-based physician and medical adviser at NuggMD, a telehealth platform for medical marijuana evaluations, told Fox News Digital.

"One finding I found particularly interesting was that people who used cannabis just one to five days per month had somewhat higher reported odds of a previous stroke than people who used it more frequently," added Worth, who was not involved in the study.

Low-frequency users had 40% higher odds of a reported stroke, while heavy users had 25% higher odds. The study found no statistically significant link between cannabis use and heart attacks.

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"That isn't what we'd necessarily expect from a straightforward dose-response relationship, where greater exposure is associated with greater risk. But we shouldn't interpret this as evidence that heavier use is safer," Worth said.

The method of consumption did not change the outcome. Whether participants smoked, vaped or consumed edibles like gummies, the risk remained consistent, according to the researchers.

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"We were surprised to find that the link between cannabis use and cardiovascular disease was not straightforward," said lead author Dr. Aabha Divya, an assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Tulane University School of Medicine, in an AHA press release.

"We expected that the chances of heart disease would gradually rise as people used cannabis more often, but that wasn't the case. Both low-use and heavy-use groups had higher odds of developing heart disease."

The study comes amid growing commercial availability and use of the drug across the country. According to the research team, about one in six adults reported past-month cannabis use in 2024, up from one in 10 in 2020 — a 51% increase over four years.

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Dr. Robert L. Page II, a professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of Colorado and an American Heart Association volunteer expert who was not involved in the study, said the findings challenge common assumptions about the drug's safety.

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"In patients who use both, cannabis has always been considered an innocent bystander; however, this is not the case," Page said in a press release.

"Overall, cannabis is beginning to emerge as a major contributor to premature heart disease in young and older adults, which can lead to serious cardiovascular events."

Page added that doctors should question patients about marijuana use just as they do with cigarettes and alcohol.

Researchers noted several key limitations to the findings. Because the study was observational and captured data from only a single point in time, it can only show a statistical link and cannot prove that cannabis causes heart disease or strokes.

The data also relied on telephone surveys, leaving room for errors in participants' memory regarding their medical diagnoses and drug use. Additionally, the researchers did not track product strength, THC potency or total amounts consumed.

The findings remain preliminary until vetted through the full, peer-reviewed publication process.

"For patients, I wouldn't recommend making abrupt treatment decisions based on one preliminary study, but I wouldn't dismiss these findings," Worth said. "People should not discontinue prescribed cardiovascular medications because of this report."

"Anyone using cannabis, medically or recreationally, should discuss their cardiovascular history, existing risk factors, medications and treatment alternatives with their healthcare professional," she added.

An infant in Wisconsin died of measles, marking the state’s first death linked to the disease in 36 years, the state's Department of Health Services announced on Thursday.

The Department of Health Services said the child died in southwestern Wisconsin but did not provide a more precise location. The department said it would not release any additional details to protect the privacy of the family.

The coroner listed the immediate cause of death as measles.

"It is with a heavy heart we are reporting the first death of an infant connected with a measles outbreak in Wisconsin in many years. My heart is broken for the family," state Department of Health Services Secretary Kirsten Johnson said in a statement.

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"Any death of a child is a tragedy and even more so when it is related to a vaccine-preventable disease. Measles can cause serious illness and death, and it is important for all Wisconsinites to evaluate their risk and take steps to protect themselves and their family," she continued.

Measles can cause life-threatening complications, including pneumonia and swelling of the brain. The department said that while anyone can become seriously ill, children younger than 5, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of complications.

Wisconsin has reported 431 measles cases in 13 counties so far this year, reflecting the highest number of cases seen in the state in more than 35 years. Among these cases, nine people required hospitalization for severe symptoms.

State officials urged Wisconsinites to be proactive in preventing illness to protect themselves and their communities, saying the best way to prevent measles is with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services previously told FOX News Digital that "Secretary Kennedy and CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz continue to make clear that the MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent measles."

Earlier this week, a child in New York state's Lewis County died in the first known measles-associated death in the state in more than 30 years.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was "heartbroken" to learn of the child's death.

"As a mother and grandmother, I cannot imagine what this family is going through. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this child," Hochul said in a statement.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported four measles-associated deaths across the country this year, although state health departments have reported higher figures.

In Pennsylvania, state health officials have confirmed six measles-associated deaths in 2026 and are investigating another reported death that has not yet met the state's criteria to be classified as measles-associated.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Adults with prediabetes and obesity who took GLP-1-based medications had a 31% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes and a 41% lower risk of death compared with those taking metformin.

Metformin is an oral medication used primarily to treat type 2 diabetes, widely considered the first-line treatment, combined with lifestyle modifications. It is also sometimes prescribed to people with prediabetes to help prevent or delay progression.

The findings, which come from a large observational study, are set to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2026 this weekend in Chicago. They have not yet undergone the full peer review process.

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The study involved health records for 256,492 adults with prediabetes and obesity, averaging 52 years of age. 

Approximately half of the group received GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) medications – including semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide and dulaglutide – and half received metformin.

Based on a three-year follow-up, in addition to the lower risk of diabetes and all-cause mortality, GLP-1–based medications were associated with 20% fewer strokes, 15% fewer heart attacks and 25% fewer cases of heart failure.

"The 41% lower risk of death from any cause surprised me most," study author Vinicius de Sousa Barzon Serra, M.D., a research fellow in the department of cardiovascular medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, told Fox News Digital.

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"I expected GLP-1 medications to do better than metformin on blood sugar and diabetes risk, because they lead to much more weight loss. I was also struck that the benefit appeared across many outcomes, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure and atrial fibrillation."

Nearly 40% of U.S. adults have prediabetes, according to statistics from the AHA. That condition is marked by blood sugar levels that are above normal but not yet elevated enough for a diabetes diagnosis.

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As many as 10% of those with prediabetes will go on to develop type 2 diabetes each year.

"Most earlier research on these medications focused on people who already had diabetes," Serra noted. "Our study suggests the prediabetes stage may be an important time to consider them, rather than waiting until they develop type 2 diabetes."

Dr. Bradley Serwer, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals nationwide, agreed that the study raises the possibility that GLP-1 medications could play a large role in primary cardiovascular prevention.  

"We have long known the benefits of controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and urging smoking cessation, but now we should consider aggressively treating obesity and metabolic dysfunction," Serwer, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

While the study found a link between GLP-1 medications and better health outcomes, it does not prove that the drugs were responsible.

The findings are preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal, Serra noted.

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"We matched patients by age, health conditions and other characteristics to make the groups comparable … even so, other differences between the groups may remain," he said. "We also grouped the GLP-1 medications together, so we could not tell whether individual drugs differ."

The study relied on patients' electronic health records, which may have contained missing or incorrect information. It is also possible that factors not measured in the study, such as medication dosage and compliance, could have influenced the results, the researchers noted.

People with prediabetes and obesity should talk with their doctor about all their options and should not stop or change any medication on their own, Serra advised.

"Metformin is a safe, inexpensive option with a long track record, and lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, regular physical activity and weight management remain the foundation of treatment," he emphasized to Fox News Digital.

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"For some patients, a GLP-1 medication may be worth discussing, depending on their overall health, other medical conditions, cost and access. The decision should be made together with their doctor."

Serwer emphasized the importance of identifying patients who would benefit most from aggressive treatment to prevent cardiovascular disease. 

"Not everyone with prediabetes needs a GLP-1 medication," he said. "We need to identify those with obesity, insulin resistance and multiple cardiovascular risk factors who are most likely to benefit from early intervention."