Data for the current 2024/2025 season in England shows that norovirus laboratory reports are notably higher than the 5-season average. Norovirus cases typically increase through autumn and into winter, but this year cases have risen earlier than usual and are …
Why is norovirus reporting in England so high at the moment? Read More »
Dry yogurt is the latest viral food trend taking over TikTok.
As the name suggests, the trend involves removing the liquid from regular yogurt to create a drier, powdery snack inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine.
To make it, creators typically put yogurt inside a paper towel, press out the moisture, and refrigerate the mixture for 48 hours. Many people have also been putting their own stamp on the trend by adding colors or flavors and sculpting their yogurt snacks into different shapes.
But dry yogurt isn’t simply another viral food trend, it can be a healthy snack, too.
We spoke with experts who explained why this trend is one that’s delicious and nutritious.
Catherine Gervacio, a registered nutritionist and diet consultant for WOWMD, isn’t surprised dry yogurt is trending.
“It’s easy to pack and carry, which makes it ideal for on-the-go snacking, especially when stored correctly,” she said.
Gervacio said dry yogurt’s nutrient quality will largely depend on how it’s prepared but notes that there’s a lot to love about it.
“Yogurt is high in protein, which both supports muscle repair and aids satiety, so you stay fuller for longer,” she explained.
Yogurt is also known for its gut health benefits due to the live probiotics it contains.
Emma Shafqat, pediatric dietitian RD, says they can contribute to a healthy gut by supporting the balance of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system.
“This can potentially enhance digestion, boost immune function, and improve overall gut health,” she explained.
Shafqat said yogurt is also an excellent source of calcium, which is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth, supporting bone density, and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
Both experts agreed that the quality of the dry yogurt depends on the type of yogurt used in its preparation.
If flavored or sweetened yogurts are chosen, they may contain high levels of added sugar, which can contribute to excess calorie intake and reduce the overall health benefits of the snack,” Shafqat said.
Gervacio added, “If you’re using sweetened yogurt, it can contribute to increased blood sugar and weight gain.”
Another consideration is the caloric density.
“Drying yogurt removes water content, which naturally concentrates the calories in a smaller portion,” Shafqat said. “While this makes it convenient and portable, it’s important to be mindful of portion sizes, especially if you’re concerned about weight gain.”
However, beyond a potential choking risk due to its dry texture, Shafqat doesn’t believe dry yogurt carries any major health risks, provided it’s made with natural yogurt and consumed in moderation.
If dry yogurt has piqued your curiosity, there are a few simple ways you can enjoy the trend in a healthy way.
“Always choose unsweetened, high protein yogurt options like plain Greek or Icelandic yogurt,” Gervacio said.
If you’re unsure what you’re looking for, be sure to check the protein content and ingredients on the yogurt’s label.
To enhance your dry yogurt snack, you can pair it with other healthy foods.
“Use nutrient-dense toppings such as fresh or freeze-dried fruits, nuts, and seeds,” Gervacio said.
It’s also a good idea to be mindful of your portions. As the water content of yogurt is lost in the drying process, dry yogurt can be easy to overconsume.
Gervacio advises spreading the yogurt thinly to make single-serving pieces.
“If probiotic benefits are important for you, focus on freezing instead of baking or dehydrating,” Gervacio advised.
Dry yogurt is the latest foodie trend proving popular on TikTok.
The dehydrated food involves removing the liquid from regular yogurt to make a portable snack.
Experts say dry yogurt is high in protein, calcium, and probiotics, which are great for gut health.
However, they warn that using sweetened yogurt can contribute to blood sugar spikes and weight gain.
Experts recommend using plain, unflavored yogurt and being mindful of portion size to truly make this a healthy snack.
‘Dry Yogurt’ Food Hack Goes Viral on TikTok. Is It Worth the Hype? Read More »
Pop superstar Lizzo is showing off her weight loss journey on social media and educating fans on how she did it.
The self-described “former vegan” credits her weight loss success with three healthy habits: a high protein diet (with plenty of animal-based protein), a caloric deficit, and strength training.
While some fans online have speculated that the singer has been using a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic to lose weight, she has candidly shut down those rumors.
“It’s like a reward,” the singer lip-synced in an Instagram video with the caption, “When you finally get Ozempic allegations after five months of weight training and calorie deficit.”
In an interview with Business Insider, her trainer, Corey Calliet, also refuted those rumors, telling the publication, “She never wanted to do it, not one time. Ozempic doesn’t get this credit. She’s really working. She’s earning that body that she wants.”
Healthline asked experts to break down Lizzo’s keys to success.
Lizzo, a former vegan, credits a high protein diet (specifically involving animal-based protein) as a large part of her weight loss success.
In a video entitled “What I eat in a day as a former vegan,” she explains how she transitioned back to animal-based protein and how it has affected her health.
The singer describes how she was reintroduced to animal-based protein during a trip to Japan when a friend suggested she try a Japanese diet.
“After tests and research, I found that animal proteins helped me have more energy, lose weight, and helped with my mental fog,” Lizzo said. “This is the diet that’s helped me reach my goals and helped me feel good in my body.”
Throughout the video, the singer shows off what she eats throughout the day, which includes a variety of protein-rich, low carb meals:
Kristin Kirkpatrick MS, RD, a nutritionist at the Cleveland Clinic and co-author of Regenerative Health, told Healthline, “Protein fills you up (satiating), and anytime we increase one macronutrient, we often decrease another. Therefore, effective weight loss could be the result of both increasing protein, as well as lowering carbohydrates – both may be effective for weight loss.”
However, Kirkpatrick points out that quality is key over quantity when deciding on a protein source.
“I will make sure to structure a plan that fits within their preferences while containing the greatest nutrient density, focusing on wild salmon and eggs, for example, over processed red meat, as well as a focus on beans and legumes as well,” she said.
A healthy diet is just one part of the weight loss equation, Lizzo also credits a calorie deficit, which she’s maintained for the past five months.
“A calorie deficit is when you burn more calories than you consume. In other words, the number of calories in must be less than the calories out. If you consume fewer calories than you expend, this may lead to gradual weight loss,” said Alyssa Kwan, MS, RD, a Clinical Dietitian in Cardiology at Stanford Medicine.
Your diet is what facilitates a calorie deficit, but doesn’t guarantee it. If you eat more calories than you expend during daily activity, you won’t lose weight.
In Lizzo’s case, a high protein diet was right for her goals but might not be right for someone else.
“The key to any weight loss is still a calorie deficit. High protein diets can work for weight loss for some individuals as it can also lead to a calorie deficit. However, there is not enough evidence to say that all high protein diets will result in weight loss,” said Kwan.
In addition to diet and calorie deficit, Lizzo has also been hitting the gym five days a week for strength training, according to Calliet.
Strength training or resistance training refers to weightlifting or bodyweight exercises rather than cardiovascular exercise, like using a treadmill.
Calliet explained to Business Insider that Lizzo’s training focuses on high intensity circuit training.
Both cardiovascular exercise and strength training can be effective for weight loss, however which one is better is hotly debated.
Cardio tends to burn more calories per session, which can put you deeper into a calorie deficit. On the other hand, strength training leads to muscle development which improves your metabolism in the long run.
“Resistance training and aerobic exercise should both be considered for optimal health. However, resistance training can specifically assist in building and maintaining muscle mass. Since muscle burns more calories at rest, it’s essential for both weight loss (to ensure loss of fat over muscle while losing weight) and weight loss maintenance,” said Kirkpatrick.
Kwan points out that no matter which type of exercise you choose, maintaining a calorie deficit and the quality of calories are important factors for weight loss.
Grammy-award-winning singer Lizzo credits three things for her weight loss success: a calorie deficit, high protein diet, and strength training.
A calorie deficit is when you burn more calories than you consume. A healthy, sustainable diet can help you achieve a calorie deficit.
Lizzo, a “former vegan,” credits a high protein diet, specifically involving animal-based protein, as an important aspect of her weight loss.
However, experts caution that diets are not “one size fits all” and that individuals should consult with a dietitian and do what is right for them.
Lizzo Says These 3 Healthy Habits Helped Her Lose 60 Pounds Read More »
If you regularly wake up and go to bed at different times, you could be at increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
According to new research in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, sleep regularity, or how often you stick to the same sleeping and waking schedule, appears to be a stronger predictor of major cardiovascular events than sleep duration.
It is the first study of its kind to look at the effects of both sleep duration and sleep regularity on cardiovascular disease.
The authors found that the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure all increased significantly in people with irregular sleep patterns, even if they got the recommended number of hours of sleep for their age.
Conversely, individuals who adhered most strongly to a regular sleep and wake schedule had a lower risk of major cardiovascular events.
“Sleep irregularity refers to frequently changing sleep schedules, like going to bed and waking up at different times each day, which can disrupt the body and negatively impact health. This research emphasizes the importance of prioritizing sleep regularity in public health guidelines and clinical care to support cardiovascular health,” Jean-Philippe Chaput, PhD, a senior scientist at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute and first author of the research, told Healthline.
The large study included more than 72,000 individuals between the ages of 40 and 79 with no history of major cardiovascular events.
All participants were part of the UK Biobank cohort, a biomedical database that includes de-identified data from half a million individuals in the United Kingdom.
Sleep is complex, so researchers attempted to control for a wide variety of factors that could affect the study’s outcomes, including age, sex, ethnicity, history of cardiovascular disease, and mental health. They also included important aspects of lifestyle that could affect sleep quality, such as self-reported sleep problems, whether or not the individual worked odd hours (night shifts), and even screen time.
Another strength of the study is that it did not rely on self-reported sleep data. Participants utilized activity trackers for seven days to record their sleep.
Based on the recorded sleep data, participants were given a “Sleep Regularity Index” (SRI) score; lower scores indicate irregular sleep patterns. Individuals in the cohort were further stratified according to their SRI score into three groups:
The study found that irregular sleepers had a 26% increased risk of major cardiovascular events, and moderate irregular sleepers had a modest increase of 8%.
The next question for researchers was whether or not getting sufficient sleep could offset the risk of irregular sleep.
Unfortunately, they found that even getting the recommended number of hours wasn’t enough to reduce risk for irregular sleepers, but it did have an effect on those in the moderately irregular group.
“While both adequate sleep duration and regular sleep patterns are important, our findings show that meeting sleep duration recommendations alone does not eliminate the increased MACE risk for those with irregular sleep schedules,” said Chaput.
In fact, regular sleep patterns were actually found to be protective against cardiovascular outcomes.
A minimum SRI score of 77.1 was associated with a 15% reduction in risk, with even greater benefit occurring with more regular sleep: an SRI of 80.8 yielded an 18% reduction.
While research has tended to focus on sleep duration, sleep regularity has consistently been linked to a host of negative health outcomes.
A 2023 study published in Sleep found that sleep regularity was a stronger predictor of overall mortality risk than sleep duration. Participants with higher SRI scores had as much as a 48% lower risk of all-cause mortality than those with the lowest SRI scores.
Andrew J. K. Phillips, MD, a sleep scientist and associate professor at the Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, was the senior author of that study.
He told Healthline that this novel research on cardiovascular outcomes is consistent with his own research.
“There is a strong emerging body of evidence from not only my group but many research groups around the world showing that irregular sleep patterns are bad for our health. What we are seeing is that sleep regularity is not just a predictor of one area of health, but rather it seems to touch on a wide range of health outcomes, from mortality to diabetes to mental health,” Phillips said.
Phillips also authored a 2017 study that found that irregular sleeping was associated with poorer academic performance.
“Irregular sleep patterns likely lead to disruption of the body’s network of circadian (24-hour) clocks. These clocks regulate the timing of all kinds of physiological functions throughout the body, including cell metabolism,” he said.
Getting on a regular sleep schedule is within reach but may take some adjustments.
“The beauty of this study is that its findings are immediately actionable. The very best way to keep a consistent sleep schedule is to wake up at or near the same time every day,” Scott Kutscher, MD, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry and sleep medicine at Stanford Medicine, told Healthline.
Kutscher recommended helpful tips including:
“Even if your sleep patterns are highly irregular — say a shift worker — think about creating as much overlap in your sleep schedules as possible,” he added.
Other steps for setting a consistent sleep schedule include:
“Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. If you struggle with consistency, start by gradually adjusting your sleep and wake times in small increments until you establish a stable routine,” said Chaput.
In a study of more than 72,000 people, individuals who had irregular sleep schedules (getting up and going to bed at different times every day) had a higher risk of major cardiovascular event outcomes, such as heart attack and stroke.
Getting enough sleep, based on recommendations by age group, wasn’t enough to offset these risks in individuals with irregular sleep patterns.
The study is the first to examine the combined impact of sleep duration and sleep regularity on major cardiovascular event outcomes.
To create a regular sleep schedule, experts recommend getting up and going to sleep at the same times every day, including weekends, limiting screen time before sleep, and creating a wind-down routine leading up to bedtime.
Irregular Sleep-Wake Cycles May Raise Heart Attack, Stroke Risk by 26% Read More »
A mac and cheese recipe shared by TikTok user Tini in November has gone viral, racking up over 13.2 million likes and 4.1 million saves, and many reviewers say it’s worth the hype.
The dish is made with three tablespoons of butter, three different kinds of cheese, heavy cream, and a pound of pasta, so it’s far from healthy.
However, if you’re thinking about serving this dish at a holiday gathering this year but aren’t thrilled about the amount of fat and calories it contains, health experts say there are ways you can make this recipe healthier with a few simple swaps.
Here’s what’s in TikTok’s viral mac and cheese and how you can hack the recipe to improve its nutritional value.
Ella Rauen-Prestes, nutritionist and founder of fitbakes, has crunched the numbers and says the recipe’s calorie, fat, and sodium content is alarming.
“One portion has over 1600 calories, which for some people is the full recommended amount of calories you’re supposed to eat in a day,” she says.
“The level of fat is beyond belief,” she adds. “It has 126g, which is double what a person should eat in a day. The saturated fat is almost four times what someone should eat in a whole day.”
Additionally, Rauen-Prestes says the dish’s sodium levels are nearly double the recommended daily allowance.
Colin La Grange, a weight loss and nutrition expert at Medwave, agrees that this recipe is nowhere near healthy.
Nevertheless, he says, the viral TikTok recipe uses real ingredients, like real cream, butter, and flour, rather than processed ingredients.
“When compared to a shop-bought, restaurant, or highly-processed ready meal, this may be a better option. When making a meal, using ‘real’ ingredients is a key part of anti-inflammatory weight loss,” he explains.
In addition, La Grange says cheese can be a good source of protein, offering 25g per 100g of protein.
“Heavy cream does have some nutrients too, including protein, vitamins A and D, and minerals like calcium and phosphorus,” he points out.
On the flip side, La Grange points out that this recipe contains zero vegetables and is high in calories.
“Heavy cream has 340 calories per 100 grams. It also has a much lower protein content than milk,” he notes.
This means a serving of this mac and cheese dish is unlikely to be satiating.
If you still want to enjoy this tasty mac and cheese recipe, there are several healthy ways you can reduce the calorie, fat, and sodium content you’ll consume with a serving.
Rauen-Prestes suggests eating a portion of vegetables before eating your mac and cheese.
“The fiber and protein in the vegetables will help your body deal with the fat and refined carbs of the mac and cheese in a much better way,” she explains. “The fiber will also make you feel fuller, so you might eat a smaller portion of the Mac and Cheese.”
In a similar vein, La Grange recommends swapping half your pasta for lightly boiled cauliflower. This will reduce the calorie content, add fiber, and aid satiety.
Zucchini is another option. Rauen-Prestes recommends shredding one and adding it to your dish.
“[Zucchinis] don’t taste like anything if added to pasta and cheese, and they will dilute the calories, the fat, and the carbs and improve the fiber level,” she explains. “This is beneficial for our heart, gut health, and glucose levels, reducing future diabetes risk.”
Another way to cut the calories and fat in this dish is to swap out the full-fat dairy ingredients for reduced-fat dairy options.
La Grange recommends swapping out the cream for skimmed milk in the sauce to cut calories significantly.
“Whole milk has 82% less calories than heavy cream, and it’s also significantly higher in protein,” he explains. This means you can feel fuller for longer while consuming less calories.
“You can use a lower-fat cheese for the sauce, too,” La Grange adds.
Butter is another ingredient that ramps up this dish’s calorie and fat content.
“Change the butter for olive oil,” Rauen-Prestes suggests. “It will significantly reduce the saturated fats, which is so damaging for our heart health.”
What about the sodium content? Rauen-Prestes says it’s a good idea to taste the recipe before adding salt; you might discover that it doesn’t need any extra seasoning.
“If you don’t add salt, or add less than what the recipe says, the level of sodium will be significantly reduced, and your blood pressure will thank you,” she notes.
And if you don’t want to make any significant changes to the recipe? You can create a smaller portion and serve it with a side salad and some protein, La Grange recommends.
A mac and cheese recipe has gone viral on TikTok with over 13.2 million likes, with many people saying they plan to serve it at holiday gatherings.
However, health experts warn that the recipe is very high in fat, sodium, and calories.
Nutritionists say a number of healthy hacks can help improve the dish’s nutritional value, including adding vegetables and swapping some of the full-fat ingredients for reduced-fat options.
TikTok’s Viral Mac and Cheese: Simple Hacks to Make It Healthier Read More »
Selena Gomez recently shared she has a rare gastrointestinal disorder known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or SIBO.
The 32-year-old pop music icon and “Only Murders in the Building” star revealed the news of her chronic health condition in a viral TikTok video in response to body-shaming commenters. In the video, which has since been deleted, Gomez was captured holding her hand over her stomach on the red carpet at the American French Film Festival in Los Angeles last month.
“This makes me sick,” she wrote in the comments of the now-deleted post. “I have [SIBO] in my small intestine. It flares up. I don’t care that I don’t look like a stick figure. I don’t have that body. End of story. No I am NOT a victim. I’m just human.”
This isn’t the first time Gomez has opened up about her health on social media. In 2017, Gomez shared she had a kidney transplant and also lives with lupus.
These conditions may have contributed to Gomez’ SIBO symptoms, according to Rudolph Bedford, MD, board certified gastroenterologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.
“One of the most common things that happens with SIBO is bloating and belly distention. What’s probably happening is [Gomez] feels bloated, and her belly is distended because of the gas buildup within her system,” Bedford told Healthline.
While there is currently no cure for SIBO, treatments are available to help with symptom management. We spoke with Bedford to learn more about what causes SIBO and why it’s often difficult to treat those who live with it.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.
Bedford: SIBO is an overgrowth of bacteria within the intestine, and the common symptoms are anything from abdominal pain to diarrhea, gassiness, bloating, constipation, weight loss, and malabsorption of fats. You may have fatty-looking stools, things of that sort, which are persistent.
You have over 10 trillion bacteria in your body — more than you have cells in your body. All of these bacteria work in the digestive process, and the enzymes that are produced to help digest your foods require these bacteria, and they work in a symbiotic fashion with your body and digestive system.
The problem is that when various species of bacteria overgrow, they may disrupt the digestive process, thereby producing gasses of excessive hydrogen or excessive methane, which causes disruption and discomfort. Because of the overgrowth of these various species of bacteria, you may have diarrhea or not absorb certain vitamins.
Bedford: There’s ongoing research, but SIBO is not well understood. Issues with gut motility, stress, diet, or various medications could cause SIBO. A variety of medical conditions can lead to SIBO, including if you’ve had surgery and have abdominal adhesions or scar tissue or have diabetes, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, or an autoimmune disease called scleroderma.
If you’re immunosuppressed for a condition and are on chemotherapy or some type of therapy that suppresses your immune system, you may develop SIBO.
Selena Gomez had a kidney transplant, and I’m sure she’s taking a variety of immunosuppressive drugs to prevent the kidney from rejecting. She also has lupus, and I have no doubt she’s been on various immunosuppressive medications, which would make her much more susceptible to developing overgrowth of bacteria in her system.
Bedford: The key is to try to eliminate or reduce the species of bacteria that are so disruptive.
Several antibiotics are used, but the most common ones we use are Xifaxan and Neomycin. We may also place patients on a short-term low FODMAP diet.
A few studies on herbal supplements as a treatment for SIBO have shown some equivalency in their effectiveness compared to antibiotics like Rifaximin and Neomycin.
They have done breath tests on these patients, looking for their hydrogen levels and methanes, and found these herbal products are as effective, if not more effective, than the antibiotic treatment.
Many herbal products, including probiotics, are available to help treat SIBO. These include:
Where probiotics come into play is that these are the types of bacteria that you really want in your system. So after you’re treated for SIBO, you may want to replant the soil with probiotics to help prevent further recurrence of SIBO.
Fermented foods, like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir that contain soil-based probiotics, can also be helpful. If probiotics work for you, that’s great.
Selena Gomez recently shared in a now-deleted TikTok post that she lives with SIBO, a rare GI disorder that currently has no cure.
SIBO causes excess gas and other unpleasant symptoms, such as bloating and constipation. Treatments are available to help with symptom management and should be tailored to the individual.
Antibiotics and a short-term low-FODMAP diet or SIBO diet are often the first-line treatments for SIBO. Herbal supplements, probiotics, and fermented foods can help prevent flare-ups.
Selena Gomez Has SIBO: What to Know About This Rare Digestive Condition Read More »
For more than a decade, Veronica Brown was experiencing chronic fatigue, depression, and debilitating anxiety without knowing what was causing the symptoms.
“I stopped traveling, and I used to be a travel agent,” she said.
While she didn’t know it at the time, Brown was experiencing non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease during what is called the prodromal or hidden stage of the disease.
Alessandro Di Rocco, MD, a neurologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital, explained that the brain starts to lose specific brain cells that produce dopamine years before motor symptoms like tremors, slowing of movements, and stiffness appear.
“Many people can trace back a few years before they experienced a tremor or motor symptoms and see that they experienced changes in mood, depression, and anxiety. Some people might experience constipation, but it’s so common that it’s hard to connect to Parkinson’s disease,” he told Healthline.
In 2018, while in her late 50s, Brown began experiencing tremors in her foot that forced her to stop working at her retail job. Over the next few years, more physical symptoms developed, including slower walking and a hunched posture.
In 2020, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
After processing her diagnosis, Brown began taking the medication carbidopa-levodopa, a dopamine promoter that is commonly prescribed to treat motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Developed in the late 1960s, the medication is known as one of the most significant breakthroughs in medicine.
“It worked until it didn’t,” Brown said. “[It] just seemed like all of a sudden, all the symptoms kept coming. They kept coming faster and faster.”
While the medication made her feel better for a few hours at a time for a while, it eventually brought inconsistent relief. This is common, according to Francisco Ponce, MD, neurosurgeon and chief of stereotactic and functional neurosurgery at The Barrow Neurological Institute.
He said over time, the benefit of medication wears off, and complications from medication can develop, leading to uncontrolled symptoms.
“Due to this, patients often find themselves taking more medication with greater frequency. The degree of control of their Parkinson’s symptoms fluctuates throughout the day, and it can feel like they are on a roller coaster ride,” he told Healthline.
After three years of pushing through on medication, in 2024, Brown turned to deep brain stimulation (DBS), which involves brain surgery to implant a battery-operated medical device that releases electrical stimulation to specific areas in the brain that control movement. DBS blocks abnormal nerve signals that cause symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
“Deep brain stimulation therapy gives patients greater and more predictable control of their symptoms, reducing the fluctuations and dyskinesias. In addition, most patients are able to significantly reduce their medication with DBS,” said Ponce.
Brown was referred to Ponce by her Parkinson’s specialist. At the time, she was taking medications seven to nine times a day. While she had a good history of medication responsiveness, she was experiencing dyskinesias (erratic movements) and disabling fluctuations in her symptoms over the course of the day.
“Despite this, we were able to quantify that Veronica’s symptoms did improve by 50% with medication, which is predictive of a good response to DBS,” said Ponce.
In January 2024, he performed two DBS surgeries on Brown. While DBS has been an FDA-approved therapy for Parkinson’s disease for over 20 years, Brown was one of the first patients in the world to be implanted with the latest innovation in Medtronic neurostimulation technology, Percept RC.
“It’s the smallest and thinnest option available to patients today, which was an especially good fit for Veronica due to her petite stature,” said Ponce.
The procedures were performed while Brown was asleep, which helped her overcome some anxiety. The first time they turned on her DBS was January 30.
After surgery, Brown experienced more steady control of her symptoms with fewer fluctuations, as well as a reduction in her medication requirements and dyskinesias.
“I was very fortunate, and it worked on me. I woke up one morning and came downstairs and said, ‘I’m going to bake some cookies,’” she said. “Everybody just kind of looked at me like, what is she doing?”
It had been years since her family had seen her show such excitement and energy.
Although DBS is FDA approved and studies show its efficacy for Parkinson’s disease, because it’s a brain surgery, people are hesitant to embrace it.
“Our goal is, through outreach and education, to help increase the awareness that this is a data-proven therapy that significantly improves quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease,” said Ponce.
He hopes that more people will consider it because DBS surgeries are now more comfortable and less stressful than in previous years.
“It’s hard to imagine undergoing major surgery while awake, but this is often the norm for patients who need brain surgery,” Ponce said. “Today, we know it’s safe and effective to perform DBS procedures while patients are awake or asleep under general anesthesia, which can help ease the apprehension that many have about the surgery.”
Di Rocco added that other reasons that contribute to only 4% of eligible patients having the procedure done include age, having other medical conditions that put them at high risk for surgery, and cognitive changes.
“Oftentimes, you want to use this procedure on people to resettle their motor function, but they often have also developed cognitive or intellectual problems, which makes this non-indicated,” said Di Rocco.
Additionally, not all neurosurgeons are trained or have the support to perform DBS surgery.
Brown is grateful she qualified for and had access to DBS surgery.
“I’ve only got one tiny little scar; it’s maybe an inch long,” she said.
The advocacy of her husband and support from others living with Parkinson’s disease helped her through the process and continues to help her today.
“[If] you can find a good support group of people who’ve been through it, it’s very helpful…everybody has something different to contribute,” said Brown. “And it could be just one lady who already had Parkinson’s [sharing] how she dealt with it.”
In fact, it was a woman Brown met in a support group who told her about her personal experience with DBS.
“She told me about, you know, what to expect,” she said. “All the different people that I’ve met through Parkinson’s, everybody has something different to contribute.”
To find a support group near you, visit the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
She Lived with These Parkinson’s Symptoms for Over a Decade Before Diagnosis Read More »
Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution for yourself, perhaps vowing to finally lose those extra pounds or get into the best shape of your life? About 3 out of 10 people made a New Year’s resolution in 2023, according to Drive Research, so it wouldn’t be surprising if you have made one in the past.
Now, however, TikTok users are putting a new spin on things by getting an early start on transforming their lives with the Winter Arc Challenge.
Proponents of the Winter Arc Challenge suggest taking 90 days in the late fall and winter to prioritize your physical and mental health rather than waiting for the new year to get a start.
“These are the months where a lot of people tend to slow down … this is the time where people tend to let their foot off the gas,” explains TikTok influencer @carlyupgraded, adding that the Winter Arc Challenge is about “dialing … in and getting super laser focused on your goals.”
According to Fortune Well, the Winter Arc Challenge features a hardcore mindset reminiscent of another viral TikTok trend called the 75 Hard Challenge.
They additionally write that it does not have a set plan. Instead, people generally come up with a list of 10 self-improvement activities that they’d like to add to their daily routine, such as walking 10,000 steps, drinking more water, or journaling every day.
The activities chosen are meant to boost both physical and mental wellness.
However, experts point out that there could be both pros and cons to following this challenge. We contacted two of them to get their opinions about the Winter Arc Challenge’s potential benefits and risks.
Jonathan Kaplan, M.D. — who is a board-certified plastic surgeon, tech innovator, TikTok influencer, GLP-1 expert, and entrepreneur as well as the founder and CEO of BuildMyHealth — said he sees “a lot of potential” in this viral TikTok trend.
“From my point of view, there are some real benefits to the 90-day personal development framework,” he said.
Kaplan noted firstly that it makes use of a “key psychological window” between November and January when people are already thinking about bettering themselves.
“Creating a community-driven, structured challenge is more likely to keep people accountable and moving,” he stated.
Another pro of the Winter Arc Challenge is that it leverages what research has shown about how long it takes to form a new habit. Kaplan pointed to a 2009 study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology which found that, on average, it took people about 66 days to turn a regular practice into a habit.
“[S]o psychologically, a 90-day commitment gives us enough time to form a real habit,” he said.
Additionally, since the challenge focuses simultaneously on physical and mental health, Kaplan said it addresses the interdependence of wellness, a focus that he uses in his own medical practice.
“The social media piece — which will probably involve TikTok documentation and community support — provides an additional layer of motivation by way of shared experience and, perhaps, social reinforcement,” he concluded.
However, Joseph Trunzo, Ph.D. — who is a licensed, practicing clinical psychologist with expertise in the psychological management of chronic medical illnesses and the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders as well as the Associate Director of the School of Health & Behavioral Sciences and a professor of psychology at Bryant University — urged caution with challenges such as the Winter Arc Challenge.
“Broad-based health advice delivered through social media channels (or any media for that matter) that are not tailored to the individual’s physiological and psychological needs can be ineffective or, at worst, directly harmful,” he said.
Trunzo further discussed the risks associated with misinterpreting advice, taking that advice to an extreme, or doing something inadvertently harmful.
“While the advice itself may be generally helpful, the application of the advice by the individual – which will encompass all of their psychological, social, and behavioral influences – may not be so beneficial,” he noted.
Trunzo added that the best idea is to work with professionals — such as your doctor, therapist, or trainer — to ensure that you are working toward your goals in a healthy, effective way.
If you don’t have access to professionals, he advises looking for information from reputable sources and organizations.
“Working on your goals with others can add a positive social aspect as well,” he suggested.
Finally, Trunzo explained that, while getting healthy can be hard, it should never feel bad.
“[E]xcessively negative thinking, feelings of guilt, isolation, consistently negative comparisons of self to others, or anything else that feels burdensome are all signs that the plan should be re-evaluated,” he said.
TikTok’s Winter Arc Challenge encourages people to get a headstart on improving their physical and mental health during the late fall and winter rather than waiting to make a New Year’s resolution.
The 90-day challenge generally involves making a list of 10 health and wellness-promoting activities to be done every day.
Experts say this challenge can be beneficial in helping people form better habits.
However, they should be cautious and make sure that they are seeking out sound advice from professionals.
The Pros and Cons of TikTok’s Viral ‘Winter Arc’ Challenge: What to Know Read More »
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States.
Cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke exposure are responsible for about 1 in 5 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While cigarette smoking has declined more than 70% in the U.S. since 1965, a new advisory from U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy highlights ongoing health disparities in tobacco use.
The November 19 report cites unequal progress in smoking cessation, showing disparities among racial and ethnic groups, income, education, gender identity and sexual orientation, occupation, geography, and health status, among other factors.
Despite the concerning data, Dr. Murthy appears optimistic, envisioning a tobacco-free future with reduced death and disease burden in these population groups. The report outlines various factors affecting tobacco-related disparities and proposes actions to promote smoking cessation and improve health equity in the U.S.
“Tobacco use imposes a heavy toll on families across generations. Now is the time to accelerate our efforts to create a world in which zero lives are harmed by or lost to tobacco,” Dr. Murthy said in the advisory. “This report offers a vision for a tobacco-free future, focused on those who bear the greatest burden, and serves as a call to action for all people to play a role in realizing that vision.”
Quitting smoking can have immediate, short- and long-term benefits on human health. The American Cancer Society’s annual Great American Smokeout on November 21 is one of many resources available to begin a smoke-free journey.
The Surgeon General’s advisory sheds light on multiple health disparities related to tobacco use, such as:
Poverty is a major driving force in tobacco-related health disparities, the report found. Cigarette smoking is twice as common among people who live in poverty compared to those who do not.
The report also shows that disparities in secondhand smoke exposure, particularly among children, Black people, and those living in low socioeconomic status, have increased since 2000.
Additionally, people who live in rural areas or reside in the Midwest or South are more likely to use tobacco, as are those who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, and those who live with a mental health condition or substance use disorder.
“Progress, in the form of improvements in tobacco-related policies, regulations, programs, research, clinical care, and other areas, has not resulted in the same outcomes for everyone,” said Adm. Rachel L. Levine, HHS Assistant Secretary for Health, in the advisory. “We have not made progress unless we have all made progress.”
As the Surgeon General notes, we all have a role in eliminating tobacco-related health disparities. Dr. Murthy advised the following:
Smoking is associated with many negative health outcomes, such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart disease.
When you quit smoking, you immediately reap health benefits, such as a reduced risk of a cardiovascular event. While some benefits can be seen from cutting back, health experts recommend quitting smoking entirely.
“Cutting down on smoking can potentially be useful if it puts someone on the path to eventually quit,” Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, an interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in California, told Healthline in a recent interview.
“Quitting smoking is essential to minimize the risk of a future cardiovascular event and can potentially be lifesaving,” Chen said.
There is value in calling coaching quitlines like 1-800-QUIT-NOW. The CDC notes these resources are often key to success in quitting smoking. Other resources include websites such as:
Additionally, the Great American Smokeout from the ACS is an email-based program offering support for quitting smoking.
To quit smoking, experts recommend starting your smoke-free journey by making a concrete plan.
“Set a target quit date, preferably within 2 weeks, and support your quit attempt with medication and counseling. This combination of support — rather than relying on one or neither — is key and leads to higher success rates,” Hilary Tindle, MD, PhD, the founding director of ViTAL, the Vanderbilt Center for Tobacco, Addiction, and Lifestyle at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told Healthline in a recent interview.
“If someone does not succeed on the first quit attempt, keep trying,” Tindle said. “ In the U.S., more than 50% of all people who ever smoked have now quit.”
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a new advisory highlighting health disparities in tobacco use despite a decline in cigarette smoking in recent decades.
Cutting back on smoking can be beneficial, but experts recommend quitting altogether. Doing so can immediately improve your health and reduce your risk of death.
There are many resources available to help you quit smoking. Try the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout and 1-800-QUIT-NOW to learn more.
Surgeon General: Health Disparities Remain as US Smoking Rates Decline Read More »
A multi-state E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrots has resulted in 15 hospitalizations and one death so far, according to the CDC.
In a food safety alert issued this week, the CDC warned that E. coli infections have been reported from 18 states, with nearly 40 sickened. The outbreak has been traced to organic carrots sold by Grimmway Farms, which are available in a wide variety of grocery stores under brand names including Cal-Organic, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, and 365.
The outbreak is still considered active by the CDC, although the products are no longer on store shelves. Consumers are urged to check their homes and refrigerators for any affected carrots and discard them immediately.
Escherichia coli, or E. coli, is a bacterium that can live in human intestines and is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness in the United States. There are multiple species of E. coli, some of which are harmless. Others can result in mild symptoms, including nausea, fatigue, and diarrhea, and even more serious, potentially life threatening symptoms.
“This is definitely a recall that consumers should take very seriously to protect themselves and their loved ones,” Joseph Lambson, PharmD, Director of the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center, and an Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy, told Healthline.
The E. coli outbreak has been linked to infections in 18 states across the US, from California to New York. Affected states include Texas, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Colorado, and many more.
Currentl,y Washington, Minnesota, and New York are reporting the highest number of cases, followed by California and Oregon.
Grimmway Farms organic carrots and baby carrots are sold under many different brand names, including:
A full list of states and products affected by the recall can be found here.
The contaminated products can be identified through their best-if-used-by dates.
Baby organic carrots with best-if-used-by dates are approximately between 9/11/2024 and 11/12/2024, and whole organic carrots between 8/14/2024 and 10/23/24. However, not all brands will carry a best-if-used-by date on their packaging.
Consumers should check their households for affected products and discard them immediately. Any surfaces that the carrots have come into contact with should be cleaned immediately with hot soapy water.
“E. coli is not a new toxin. It’s something that we’ve known about for a long time in medicine. And the good news is that we know what symptoms to look for. We’re pretty good at detecting and treating the infection. Most people recover, although some of the more severe cases are very tragic,” said Rais Vohra, MD, a professor of Clinical Emergency medicine at UCSF Medical and director of the California Poison Control System Fresno-Madera Division.
The symptoms of E. coli generally manifest within 3 to 4 days after infection. Mild symptoms are nonspecific and can feel like general “food poisoning”:
In some cases, the symptoms are more severe, particularly when the variety of E. coli produces shiga toxin. Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) can result in severe, bloody diarrhea (dysentery), and other serious complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure and death.
“STEC actually gets into the lining of the gut, and the whole gut starts to kind of just peel off, which is where you get bloody diarrhea; it’s a much more invasive disease. Then the bacteria can actually get into your bloodstream, and then you can even get blood poisoning, also known as sepsis,” said Vohra.
Healthy adults will likely survive an E. coli infection with supportive care, but some groups are at increased risk of severe illness.
“If you happen to be immunocompromised, if you happen to have some condition that makes you more vulnerable to dehydration, such as diabetes, you could be at increased risk,” said Vohra.
Elderly individuals and young children are also at increased risk of dehydration and severe symptoms from E. coli infection.
The best medicine for foodborne illness is prevention. That means basic hygiene and food safety practices like hand washing and disinfecting surfaces. However, if you think you’ve consumed a contaminated product or already have symptoms, the best course of action is supportive care at home: make sure to rest and hydrate.
Replenishing fluids and electrolytes that are lost through vomiting and diarrhea is the most important facet of care at this stage.
However, in some instances, supportive care may be insufficient.
“If the symptoms are more severe, such as having a fever that’s above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, or having diarrhea that’s occurring for longer than three days, or bloody diarrhea, any of the symptoms that the CDC on their website lists as more severe, in that situation, it would be recommended to then reach out to a healthcare profession,” said Lambson.
Vohra also recommends that everyone pay special attention to hygiene and food safety heading into the holiday season.
“Everyone’s getting ready to cook their best dishes and share them with families. Please, please be hygienic when you do that. If you’re going to be cooking meat, know how to prepare it. Clean your vegetables. Double check your list of groceries to make sure that they’re not being recalled at the national or at the state level, wherever you happen to be,” he told Healthline.
A multistate E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrots has resulted in nearly 40 reported illnesses, including 15 hospitalizations and one death.
Grimmway Farms sold the contaminated carrots under various brand names, including Trader Joe’s, Cal-Organic, and Bunny Luv.
The affected products are no longer on store shelves but may be in your refrigerator. Consumers are urged to check for contaminated products and discard them immediately.
E. coli infection is a common foodborne illness that may result in mild symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting) or more severe complications, including dysentery (bloody diarrhea) and hemolytic uremic syndrome.
E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Carrots: Symptoms, Risks, and Recalled Brands Read More »
