Health
Alzheimer’s risk could rise with common condition affecting millions, study finds
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The first study to evaluate the link between Alzheimer’s disease and body weight found a significant association.
Researchers at Washington University Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, discovered that Alzheimer’s blood biomarkers increased 95% faster in people with obesity than in non-obese individuals.
The study, which was presented Tuesday at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) in Chicago, investigated five years of data from 407 participants from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, including PET scans (medical imaging) and blood samples.
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The researchers assessed the association between Alzheimer’s biomarkers and body mass index (BMI), according to a press release.
When the participants were first measured, a higher BMI was associated with lower Alzheimer’s blood biomarkers due to blood dilution, since people with higher body weight often have larger blood volume.
Alzheimer’s blood biomarkers increased 95% faster in people with obesity, the study found. (iStock)
But when the researchers followed the same participants over a longer period, they found that those with obesity developed a greater Alzheimer’s disease burden than those without obesity.
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In analyzing how the Alzheimer’s biomarkers matched up with PET scan results, they noted a buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain — a central hallmark of the most common type of dementia.
PET scans reveal a buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain – a “central hallmark” of Alzheimer’s. (iStock)
In an interview with Fox News Digital, the study authors discussed the impact of these findings.
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“Our study shows that over a five-year period, obesity is associated with a steady increase in Alzheimer’s-related pathology,” said lead author Dr. Soheil Mohammadi, a post-doctoral research associate at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, part of WashU Medicine.
“What surprised me was how sensitive the blood biomarkers were in detecting this relationship. They captured subtle changes even better than brain imaging.”
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Senior study author Dr. Cyrus Raji, associate professor of radiology and neurology at Washington University, noted that the progression of Alzheimer’s is “influenced by pathologies happening overall in the body, such as obesity.”
“It is critical to preserve brain health by optimizing body health as well,” he said.
“It is critical to preserve brain health by optimizing body health as well,” the lead researcher said. (iStock)
Recent clinical trials (EVOKE and EVOKE+) have explored whether GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic) could slow cognitive decline in people already diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s disease.
“While the recent Evoke trials failed to show an effect of Ozempic for the treatment of Alzheimer’s dementia, our work should motivate future trials to determine if this class of drugs can help prevent Alzheimer’s by treating obesity earlier in life,” Raji said. “Caretakers and clinicians are key partners in making such trials happen.”
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One limitation of this research, according to Mohammadi, is the fact that not all body fat carries the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
“Our prior work shows that belly fat, rather than fat under the skin, drives much of obesity’s impact on the brain,” he said. “Future studies should distinguish between these fat types instead of treating obesity as a single category.”
“Our prior work shows that belly fat, rather than fat under the skin, drives much of obesity’s impact on the brain.”
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel, who was not involved in the research, said he considers this a “very important study.”
“I think this finding makes complete sense, because obesity leads directly to inflammation and insulin resistance, which provoke neuro inflammation — one of the pillars of Alzheimer’s development,” he told Fox News Digital.
Other risk factors that often coincide with obesity — such as diabetes, hypertension and inflammation — may also contribute to Alzheimer’s biomarker changes. (iStock)
The study did have some limitations, the researchers noted.
The study sample was relatively small and specific, and may not represent the general population. Also, the BMI measurement can’t distinguish between fat and muscle mass or reflect differences in fat distribution that may influence Alzheimer’s risk.
The study also relies on observational data, which can reveal associations but can’t prove that obesity directly causes faster Alzheimer’s pathology, the researchers noted.
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Other risk factors that often coincide with obesity — such as diabetes, hypertension and inflammation — may also contribute to Alzheimer’s biomarker changes.
This initial research sparks the need for larger studies in more diverse populations with longer follow-ups.
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Talk show host Kelly Ripa recently revealed she receives a niche procedure to enhance the appearance of her behind.
During a recent episode of her podcast, “Let’s Talk Off Camera,” the 55-year-old opened up about getting microneedling done “on my a– cheeks,” after her guest, actor Lukas Gage, shared that he had also undergone the treatment.
“I’m going to tell you something … just as old as before,” she said after Gage asked her whether she saw an improvement. “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”
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Dermatologist Dara Spearman, M.D., of Radiant Dermatology Associates in Indiana, described the cosmetic dermatologic procedure to Fox News Digital.
“Butt microneedling is where a device with very fine, sterile needles is used to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin of the buttocks,” she said.
Kelly Ripa, 55, admitted to microneedling her butt during a recent podcast episode. (Kelly Ripa/Instagram; iStock)
“This process stimulates the body’s natural wound healing response, which boosts collagen and elastin production over time.”
Microneedling is often used to improve skin texture concerns like acne scarring, stretch marks or uneven tone, especially in the rear end area, according to Spearman.
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The treatment can be performed in an office by a trained professional and is sometimes paired with topical serums to enhance results.
“While the concept may sound trendy, the underlying technology is the same as traditional microneedling used on the face and body,” Spearman said.
“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” said Ripa about the procedure she undergoes. (Lorenzo Bevilaqua/Disney via Getty Images)
Microneedling the buttocks can lead to smoother, firmer and more even-looking skin after a series of treatments.
An increase in collagen production over time can “subtly improve skin laxity,” Spearman said, with results building gradually over multiple sessions.
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“Consistency and realistic expectations are key,” the dermatologist said.
As with any procedure that disrupts the skin barrier, there are potential risks, according to Spearman, especially if it’s performed improperly or in a non-sterile environment.
Traditional microneedling is typically done on the face, experts say. (iStock)
These potential side effects include irritation, infection and prolonged redness. In some cases, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur in patients with deeper skin tones.
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“There is also a risk of worsening acne or folliculitis if the area is not properly assessed beforehand,” Spearman said. “Overly aggressive treatments can lead to scarring rather than improvement, which is why technique and needle depth matter significantly.”
“It is not a quick fix, and multiple sessions are typically needed to achieve meaningful results,” the expert said. (iStock)
“It’s important that patients seek care from a qualified medical professional to minimize these risks.”
Although this treatment is gaining viral popularity on social media, it should still be regarded as a medical procedure requiring proper training and safety standards, Spearman emphasized.
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“It is not a quick fix, and multiple sessions are typically needed to achieve meaningful results,” the dermatologist told Fox News Digital. “Patients should also be cautious about at-home devices for this area, as improper use can increase the risk of infection or skin damage.”
“A thorough consultation is essential to determine whether someone is a good candidate, especially if they have active skin conditions or a history of keloid (raised) scarring.”
Fox News Digital’s Lori A. Bashian contributed to this report.
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The Trump administration’s recent pullback on health insurance has left fewer Americans with coverage.
For the uninsured, being treated for certain conditions may be out of the question due to high costs.
This has led some Americans to wait multiple days, some even sleeping overnight in their cars, to seek free free healthcare from volunteer clinics like Remote Area Medical (RAM).
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The Tennessee-based nonprofit organization, founded in 1985, employs volunteer healthcare professionals to treat Americans without insurance at no cost.
In a recent episode of CBS News’ 60 Minutes, host Scott Pelley spoke with people waiting to be brought into the clinic.
Medical professionals from all around the U.S. volunteer their time at Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinics. (Remote Area Medical)
In February, Sandra Tallent drove 200 miles from Huntsville, Alabama, to RAM’s pop-up clinic in Knoxville, Tennessee, to have her teeth examined.
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She arrived at the clinic site at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday and spoke to Pelley from her car at 5 a.m. Friday, after sleeping for two nights in the parking lot.
Pelley asked, “If you didn’t have RAM, how would you get your teeth taken care of?” Tallent responded, “I wouldn’t.”
Some Americans have been waiting hours and even sleeping overnight in their cars to be seen by a doctor. (iStock)
Tallent was later seen by a dental expert and had dentures created in RAM’s 3D denture-printing lab.
Connor Gibson, a 22-year-old engineer, uses computer design to get the job done in just about an hour, according to the report. This is a process that can typically take weeks.
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“We see grown men cry sitting in the chair,” Gibson told 60 Minutes, describing what it’s like for patients to see themselves with a new set of teeth for the first time.
This includes Tallent, who looked in the mirror and smiled with tears in her eyes, expressing her gratitude.
Remote Area Medical clinic volunteers and patients are pictured at the center in Tennessee. RAM has recently expanded its services to include women’s health exams, general wellness check-ups and sports physicals. (Remote Area Medical)
In an interview with Fox News Digital, RAM CEO Chris Hall shared how their clinics pop up and move across the country to expand access for more Americans.
“All of our services are provided free of cost to patients on a first come, first serve basis,” he said. “And we do that through our team of dedicated volunteers and professionals that come from all around the county.”
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RAM provides cleanings, fillings and extractions, as well as comprehensive eye exams and access to an eyeglass lab that can manufacture eyewear and dentures, according to Hall.
About 60% of patients seek dental care, he said, and about 30% to 35% seek vision care.
RAM provides cleanings, fillings and extractions, as well as comprehensive eye exams and access to an eyeglass lab that can manufacture eyewear and dentures. (iStock)
RAM has recently expanded its services to include women’s health exams, general wellness check-ups and sports physicals.
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In 2008, RAM held about 10 to 12 events per year. Today, it has grown to 90 full-scale operations, with events happening nearly every weekend, Hall shared.
Hall said the demand for medical care has been consistent for the last 20 years. Even for some patients who have insurance, the out-of-pocket premiums and deductibles can be “out of reach.”
Chris Hall, CEO of Remote Area Medical, describes the operation as “inspiring, yet heartbreaking.” (Remote Area Medical)
“The communities that we go into, the patients who are coming through our door, these are working-class people,” Hall said.
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“Whether we’re doing events in rural Appalachia or downtown Los Angeles, the patients who are coming … they’re just isolated and do not get the care that they need,” he added.
Hall said he’s heard “heartbreaking” stories from patients who have put off medical care to keep the lights on in their homes and provide food for their families.
Marriage linked to lower cancer risk, study finds
Dr. Namrata Vijayvergia, a medical oncologist, shares insights into recent studies on health and lifestyle, explaining why marriage correlates with lower cancer risk due to better social support and healthy behaviors.
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Adults who never married are significantly more likely to develop cancer, according to new research from the University of Miami.
A large study of more than 4 million Americans across 12 states found that this increased risk spans nearly every major cancer type. It is especially true for preventable cancers, such as types caused by smoking and infection.
Men who never married were found to have a 70% higher likelihood of cancer than their married counterparts. For women, that gap was even wider, with never-married individuals facing an 85% higher risk.
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Previous research has linked marriage to better survival rates after a diagnosis, but this is one of the first studies to show that marital status could be a major indicator of whether a person will develop cancer in the first place.
“These findings suggest that social factors such as marital status may serve as important markers of cancer risk at the population level,” study co-author Paulo Pinheiro, a research professor of epidemiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said in a press release.
Adults who never married are significantly more likely to develop cancer, according to new research from the University of Miami. (Getty Images)
Between 2015 and 2022, the team examined cancer cases diagnosed at age 30 or older and compared the rates of various cancers to the marital status of participants. They then broke down the data by sex and race and adjusted for age.
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Adult men who were never married had approximately five times the rate of anal cancer compared to married men, the study found.
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Adult women who were never married had nearly three times the rate of cervical cancer compared to women who were or had been married.
“It’s a clear and powerful signal that some individuals are at a greater risk,” Frank Penedo, director of the Sylvester Survivorship and Supportive Care Institute at the University of Miami, said in the release.
For women, being married (and often, by extension, having children) was associated with lower risks of ovarian and endometrial cancers. (iStock)
For women, being married (and often, by extension, having children) was associated with lower risks of ovarian and endometrial cancers, likely due to hormonal and biological factors associated with pregnancy, according to the researchers.
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Experts stressed that these findings do not mean marriage alone can protect against cancer.
“It means that if you’re not married, you should be paying extra attention to cancer risk factors, getting any screenings you may need, and staying up to date on healthcare,” Penedo said.
Experts stressed that these findings do not mean marriage alone can protect against cancer. (iStock)
The researchers also hypothesized that people who smoke less, drink less and take better care of themselves may be more likely to get married, meaning other factors could influence the findings.
More research is needed to confirm the outcome, they noted.
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The study was published in the journal Cancer Research Communications.
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