Health
Cure for men's hair loss could be found in sugar stored in the body, study suggests
The cure for male pattern baldness could already be in the human body.
The condition, which causes gradual hair loss, affects up to 50% of men worldwide.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield in the U.K. claim the fix might be found in a sugar that’s naturally present in the human body.
HAIR LOSS AND PROSTATE MEDICATION COULD ALSO REDUCE HEART DISEASE RISK, STUDY FINDS
The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology, revealed that this sugar, known as 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR), is involved in various biological processes in animals and humans and can stimulate hair regrowth in mice.
Scientists from U.K.’s Sheffield and COMSATS University Pakistan have studied the sugar for the past eight years, focusing on its ability to help heal wounds by forming new blood vessels.
Male pattern baldness affects up to 50% of men worldwide, according to the University of Sheffield. (iStock)
The researchers noticed that hair around the wounds also appeared to grow more quickly compared to untreated wounds.
The scientists then tested this on testosterone-driven hair loss in mice, which is similar to the cause of male pattern baldness, according to a university press release.
NEW HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS MAY BE ON THE WAY AFTER MAJOR DISCOVERY, RESEARCHERS SAY
When they applied just a small dose of the sugar, new blood vessels were formed, leading to hair regrowth.
The findings suggest that the deoxy ribose sugar could be as effective as hair regrowth drugs, according to the university.
Researchers reported that a small dose of deoxy ribose sugar led to hair regrowth in mice. (iStock)
Sheila MacNeil, PhD, emeritus professor of tissue engineering at the University of Sheffield, noted that male pattern baldness could benefit from more research.
“There are only two FDA-approved drugs for this condition at present,” she wrote in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.
CHOOSE THE BEST HAIRBRUSH FOR YOUR HAIR TYPE
“Our U.K./Pakistan collaboration unexpectedly turned up a small, naturally occurring sugar that stimulates new blood vessel formation, and we were delighted to discover that it not only stimulates wound healing, but [also] stimulates hair growth in an animal model.”
The sugar is “natural, inexpensive and stable,” MacNeill noted, and can be delivered in an “easy to apply gel,” which the researchers plan to explore in further research.
The sugar could be produced as a hair gel, the study researcher (not pictured) suggested. (iStock)
Dr. John Whyte, WebMD’s chief medical officer in Washington, D.C., called the study findings “intriguing” in a conversation with Fox News Digital.
“This naturally occurring sugar’s effectiveness indicates significant potential in developing new hair loss treatments,” said Whyte, who was not involved in the research.
BAD HAIR DAY? STUDIES SHOW YOU MIGHT WANT TO BLAME YOUR RELATIVES, FAMILY
Current therapies “have been around for a while, have limited effectiveness and can have side effects,” the doctor noted.
Given that this research is still in the early stages, further investigation and clinical trials will be necessary to determine whether the sugar can be “safely and effectively developed into a viable cure for male pattern baldness,” Whyte added.
“More research is required before it can be considered a cure,” one doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
“The public should view these results with cautious optimism,” he went on.
“The study provides hope for new natural treatments for hair loss, but more research is required before it can be considered a cure.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Dermatologist Brendan Camp, M.D., in New York, also reacted to the findings, reiterating to Fox News Digital that there are limited treatments available for hair loss.
“The study provides hope for new natural treatments for hair loss, but more research is required before it can be considered a cure.”
“A number of potential treatments have been studied, but none have been found to be curative,” said Camp, who was not involved in the research.
“The current goal of treatment of alopecia is to help patients retain the hair they have.”
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health
This study could ultimately lead to a new, effective therapy if future research is successful, he said.
“The treatment in question, 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR), is thought to improve hair growth by causing an increase in the number of blood vessels,” he said.
There is currently no cure for alopecia, a dermatologist noted. (iStock)
“While potentially effective at encouraging existing hair follicles to grow, it seems unlikely that it will make follicles that have already disappeared grow back.”
He added, “While promising, this treatment requires additional studies to confirm the reproducibility, efficacy and real-world application of 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR) as a treatment for alopecia.”
New flu strain emerging as a severe health threat
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ to warn of a new strain of the flu that is spiking hospitalizations across the country and newfound risks of medical marijuana’s link to psychosis.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The New York State Department of Health reported a record surge in influenza activity, with 71,123 positive flu cases recorded statewide during the week ending December 20.
Health officials said the figure represents the highest number of flu cases ever reported in a single week since influenza became a reportable disease in New York in 2004.
State health data show the weekly total reflects a 38% increase from the previous reporting period, signaling a rapidly intensifying flu season.
There have been 189,312 reported positive flu cases so far this season, while influenza-related hospitalizations rose 63% in the most recent week.
FLU BY STATE: WHERE THIS SEASON’S HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VARIANT IS SPREADING THE MOST
New York reported the highest weekly total of cases ever recorded since influenza became reportable in 2004. (iStock)
“We are seeing the highest number of flu cases ever recorded in a single week in New York state,” Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a press release.
There have been 189,312 reported flu cases so far this season, with influenza-related hospitalizations increasing 63% in the most recent week. (iStock)
Earlier this month, the department declared influenza prevalent statewide, a designation that requires unvaccinated health care workers to wear masks in patient care settings.
SURGE IN WHOOPING COUGH CASES IN SOUTHERN STATE PROMPTS HEALTH ALERTS
Health officials continue to emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent severe illness and hospitalization from influenza.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
New Yorkers who have not yet received a seasonal flu shot are still encouraged to do so, with experts saying vaccination can offer protection even later in the season.
Health officials continue to urge New Yorkers to take preventive steps, including vaccination and staying home when sick, to limit further spread. (iStock)
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
To help limit further spread, the department advises individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms — including fever, cough, sore throat, or body aches — to stay home. State health officials also recommend frequent handwashing, using hand sanitizer, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
For those who become ill, officials say antiviral medications are available and are most effective when started within 48 hours of symptom onset.
Health officials also added that people at higher risk for complications should contact a health care provider promptly for evaluation and possible treatment.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
The department noted that flu activity typically peaks in January, meaning case counts could continue to climb in the weeks ahead.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
If the stress of the holidays wreaked havoc on your gut, you’re not alone — 76% of Americans experience gastrointestinal distress during the holiday season, according to a recent national survey from Oshi Health and YouGov.
Digestive problems can be triggered not only by holiday overeating, but also by stress. Financial worries, disrupted routines, fatigue and interpersonal dynamics rank as some of the top causes.
“I see an uptick in psychiatry-related GI issues during the holiday season,” Dr. Claire Brandon, a gastrointestinal psychiatrist based in New York City, told Fox News Digital. “When you are undergoing stress, your body produces more corticotropin-releasing hormones, which sets off a cascade of the inflammatory system.”
GUT IMBALANCE MAY BE DRIVING AMERICA’S FOOD ALLERGY EPIDEMIC, EXPERTS WARN
Stress hormones can act directly on the gut, leading to more digestive distress and pushing the body out of “rest-and-digest mode,” Brandon said.
“Stress activates the sympathetic — fight, flight, freeze — nervous system, which slows digestion,” added Dr. David Clarke, an Oregon-based gastroenterologist and president of the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms. “That can lead to bloating, cramps, nausea and sometimes abdominal pain.”
Stress often plays a bigger role in digestive issues than overeating alone, experts say. (iStock)
The good news, doctors say, is that a few simple, realistic steps can help reset the digestive system after the holidays.
No. 1: Reset your sleep
Sleep plays a major role in gut health. Research shows that insufficient or disrupted sleep can change the composition and function of the gut microbiome, potentially affecting metabolic and immune factors that influence overall health.
NOT ALL FIBER IS CREATED EQUAL — DOCTORS SHARE WHICH KINDS TRULY SUPPORT LONGEVITY
“When I travel and get derailed, my main focus is to reset my sleep,” Brandon said. She recommends reestablishing wind-down routines like deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
No. 2: Eat balanced, fiber-rich meals
Fiber helps keep digestion moving and supports healthy gut bacteria, which can aid post-holiday recovery, experts say.
“The usual principles for supporting digestion apply here,” said Clarke. “Consuming a balanced diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes; avoiding highly processed foods; and moderating alcohol will keep your gut microbiome happy.”
Digestive symptoms like bloating and discomfort often spike during the holidays due to stress, travel and disrupted routines. (iStock)
No. 3: Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated will also aid digestion, Clarke said, noting that light-colored urine is a good indicator of hydration.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Traveling can be particularly tough on the gut, experts say, especially during flights where low cabin humidity causes the body to pull water from the bowels, leading to constipation.
Drinking water before, during, and after flights — and limiting alcohol and caffeine — can help counteract dehydration-related digestive slowdowns. Experts also recommend sipping water consistently throughout the day.
No. 4: Resume regular movement
Both doctors agreed that exercise supports digestion and stress regulation, which are both key to gut recovery.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“Going on walks can be enough to help with this, but if you have space to do more, including some gentle stretching, that can be a huge help,” Brandon advised.
No. 5: Reduce stress gradually
Stress management plays a critical role in gut health, and experts say that small, consistent habits can help ease gastrointestinal symptoms.
Brandon recommends calming the nervous system with breathing or grounding exercises and slowing down at meals.
Light movement can help support digestion and regulate stress, experts say. (iStock)
“If you’re constantly running on fumes, on a layover in the airport, eating high sugar and doing things off your routine, expect a few disruptions with your gut,” she said. “Reframe it as something that you can reset when you get home.”
No. 6: Skip cleanses and detoxes
Clarke says that detoxes and cleanses are not necessary and can actually be harmful. Instead, he recommends sticking to the basics — including hydration, balanced meals, regular sleep and movement.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Doctors say the gut is designed to recover on its own in response to consistently healthy practices rather than extreme resets.
Experts recommend returning to balanced, fiber-rich meals instead of intense cleanses. (iStock)
While short-lived symptoms can improve within hours and are usually temporary, experts say lingering or worsening issues shouldn’t be ignored.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“If you are back home and struggling to feel your usual baseline while back on your routine, it’s probably worth checking in with your physician,” Brandon advised.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Regular exercise may do more than strengthen the heart. It could also reprogram the nerves that control how the heart beats, new research has found.
The discovery could eventually help doctors better treat common conditions such as irregular heart rhythms, chest pain, angina and stress-related “broken-heart” syndrome, according to scientists at the University of Bristol in the U.K.
The study, which looked at lab rats trained over 10 weeks, found that moderate exercise does not affect the heart’s nerve control system evenly. Instead, it produces distinct and opposing changes on the left and right sides of the body. a split researchers say has gone largely unnoticed until now.
SIMPLE LIFESTYLE CHANGES COULD SLASH HEART ATTACK RISK FOR MILLIONS, SCIENTISTS REPORT
“The discovery points to a previously hidden left–right pattern in the body’s ‘autopilot’ system that helps run the heart,” Dr. Augusto Coppi, the study’s lead author and a senior lecturer in veterinary anatomy at the University of Bristol, said in a statement.
Regular exercise may “rewire” the nerves that control the heart, the new study found. (iStock)
“This could help explain why some treatments work better on one side than the other and, in the future, help doctors target therapies more precisely and effectively,” Coppi added.
After 10 weeks of aerobic exercise, the researchers examined the animals’ heart control nerves and found left–right differences that did not appear in inactive rats, according to the research published in the journal Autonomic Neuroscience in September.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
On the right side, the nerve hub that sends “go faster” signals to the heart developed many more nerve cells, suggesting increased wiring. On the left side, however, the number of nerve cells did not rise as much. Instead, the existing cells grew significantly larger, indicating a different kind of adaptation.
The findings could help explain why some heart treatments work better on one side than the other. (iStock)
The findings show that exercise reshapes the heart’s nerve control system in a side-specific way rather than affecting both sides equally, the researchers said. Understanding that process could help doctors better target treatments, especially for patients who cannot exercise or whose symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Researchers compared the nerve clusters, known as the stellate ganglia, to a “dimmer switch” that fine-tunes how strongly the heart is stimulated. That fine-tuning is important because overstimulation of these nerves is linked to chest pain and dangerous heart rhythm problems.
Scientists caution more studies are needed to determine whether the same effects occur in humans. (iStock)
The findings are early stage and based on animal research, however. So, they do not prove the same effects in people. More studies are needed before they could affect patient care.
Researchers say future studies will explore whether similar left–right nerve changes occur in people and whether they could help explain why some heart treatments work better on one side than the other, potentially paving the way for more precise, personalized care for angina and heart rhythm disorders.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from University College London, the University of São Paulo and the Federal University of São Paulo in Brazil.
Researchers discovered distinct left-right changes in heart-control nerves after 10 weeks of aerobic exercise. (iStock)
The findings add to growing evidence that regular, moderate exercise benefits the heart in ways scientists are beginning to understand better.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Digital has reached out to the study authors for comment.
2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
SF 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks preview: Race for the NFC’s No. 1 seed
‘No War With Venezuela’ protest held in downtown Dallas after U.S. seizes Maduro
Kirouac’s dunk sparks Georgia Tech to victory over Boston College
Denver Barkey scores first career goal as Flyers take down Oilers
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
For those who help the poor, 2025 goes down as a year of chaos
Marjorie Taylor Greene criticizes Trump’s meetings with Zelenskyy, Netanyahu: ‘Can we just do America?’
US visa ban targets ex-Commissioner Breton over alleged censorship
‘Bomb cyclone’ forecasted to bring heavy snow, blizzard conditions and dangerous travel
The biggest losers of 2025: Who fell flat as the year closed
-
Entertainment1 week agoHow the Grinch went from a Yuletide bit player to a Christmas A-lister
-
Connecticut1 week agoSnow Accumulation Estimates Increase For CT: Here Are The County-By-County Projections
-
Entertainment1 week agoPat Finn, comedy actor known for roles in ‘The Middle’ and ‘Seinfeld,’ dies at 60
-
World6 days agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
Indianapolis, IN1 week agoIndianapolis Colts playoffs: Updated elimination scenario, AFC standings, playoff picture for Week 17
-
Southeast1 week agoTwo attorneys vanish during Florida fishing trip as ‘heartbroken’ wife pleads for help finding them
-
World1 week agoSnoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson, Huntr/x and Andrea Bocelli Deliver Christmas-Themed Halftime Show for Netflix’s NFL Lions-Vikings Telecast
-
World1 week agoBest of 2025: Top five defining moments in the European Parliament