STRESS TEST – Heart attack risk spikes for some people during periods of stress, such as election seasons, a new study found. Continue reading…

IRREVERSIBLE DECISIONS – Many patients who died after traumatic brain injuries may have survived and recovered if their families had waited to take them off life support, a new study found. Doctors react. Continue reading…

‘NOT A DEATH SENTENCE’ – For Lupus Awareness Month, a lupus expert debunks 7 common myths about the autoimmune disease. Continue reading…

Dr. Brooke Goldner, a board-certified medical doctor and an autoimmune professor at Cornell University, pictured at right, is committed to debunking lupus myths and misconceptions. (iStock/Dr. Brooke Goldner)

CHEW ON THIS – “Is it dangerous to swallow gum?” In our Ask a Doc column, a gastroenterologist explains the risk. Continue reading…

NIGHTMARISH SYMPTOMS – Those who experience vivid nightmares and odd hallucinations might have an underlying autoimmune disease, a new study suggests. Continue reading…

LIVING LONGER – For Women’s Health Month, three mothers at three different stages of life shared how they are defying age through simple lifestyle practices and interventions. Continue reading…

Left to right, Julie Gibson Clark, Amy Hardison and Lil Eskey shared the lifestyle habits that help them slow down biological aging. (James Lee, Amy Hardison, Lil Eskey)

NEW HOPE – Paralyzed participants in a trial saw “significant improvement” in their hand and arm function after receiving spinal cord simulation. Continue reading…

CHEMICAL CULPRITS – Americans may be breathing in cancer-causing chemicals while driving, recent research suggests. Doctors weigh in on the potential risk. Continue reading…

CAUTIONARY TALES – This May, for Skin Cancer Awareness Month, two melanoma patients are sharing their stories of how they overcame this invasive form of the disease. Continue reading…

Abby Weiner, pictured at left and at right with her husband and sons, was diagnosed with melanoma in Oct. 2023. (Abby Weiner)

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Ninety percent of paralyzed patients regained strength or function in their upper limbs after receiving an experimental therapy, a new study found.

After receiving spinal cord simulation from ONWARD Medical’s ARC-EX system, the participants saw “significant improvement” in their hand and arm function, according to a press release.

The study, published on Monday in Nature Medicine, included 65 participants at 14 leading spinal cord injury centers in the U.S., Europe and Canada.

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The participants received non-invasive electrical stimulation of the spinal cord using ARC-EX, and then researchers gauged the safety and effectiveness of the system.

Improvement was seen even in people whose injuries occurred up to 34 years ago, the release stated.

“When a person suffers a spinal cord injury, after two to three months of rehabilitation, they are sent home and told there is nothing further that can be done,” Dave Marver, CEO of ONWARD Medical, told Fox News Digital. 

The company is global; its main headquarters is in The Netherlands. 

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“This week’s publication in Nature Medicine heralds a new era in spinal cord injury care. The Up-LIFT trial demonstrated that ONWARD ARC therapy can restore strength and function of the hands and arms up to 34 years after a spinal cord injury.”

“This is a game-changer for the spinal cord injury community and their loved ones.”

Improvement was seen even in people whose injuries occurred up to 34 years ago, the release stated. (iStock)

The trial results far exceeded the researchers’ expected 50% response rate — giving “new hope” to people with SCI, noted lead study author Chet Moritz, Ph.D., professor of electrical and computer engineering and rehabilitation medicine at the University of Washington, in the release. 

After two months, more than half the paralyzed participants regained enough “grasp force” to lift up a filled cup, pick up an item with a fork or insert a key, according to Moritz.

“This is a game-changer for the spinal cord injury community and their loved ones.”

“This indicates not only improved strength and function, but also the potential for greater independence with ARC-EX Therapy,” he said.

Additional benefits included reduced muscle spasms, improved sleep and a greater sense of touch in the upper body, the release said.

Eighty-seven percent of the participants reported having an improved quality of life after receiving the therapy.

After two months, more than half of the paralyzed participants regained enough “grasp force” to lift up a filled cup, the study noted. (iStock)

“Improvement in arm and hand function is among the highest priorities for people with tetraplegia (paralysis in the upper and lower body) who have endured far too long without effective therapies for functional recovery,” Marver, the company CEO, said in the release. 

“The findings published in Nature Medicine provide critical and compelling evidence that ARC-EX has the potential to restore independence in daily activities and improve [the patients’] quality of life.”

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Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, was not involved in the trial but commented on the results.

“This has been tried for many years with reports that it helps, but it has not yet gone mainstream in patients with upper and lower spinal cord paralysis,” he told Fox News Digital.

“Improvement in arm and hand function is among the highest priorities for people with tetraplegia.”

“This small study in a very prominent journal is very encouraging in terms of some return of upper extremity function,” Siegel continued. 

“It warrants further study and more universal use in these patients.”

It’s possible that this type of spinal cord stimulation could be combined with the increasing use of other brain and spine interfaces to restore function, the doctor added.

ONWARD Medical’s ARC-EX system, pictured here, performs non-invasive electrical stimulation of the spinal cord. (ONWARD Medical)

John Hinson, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon in Florida, was also not involved in the study but shared his insights on the findings.

“Patients with incomplete quadriplegia can be left with weakness and muscle spasm, as well as sensory changes that can cause significant loss of function,” he told Fox News Digital.

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Traditional treatments for these injuries have included physical therapy, he noted, but results can be limited.

“Review of the trial results shows that by two months of use, over half of the patients showed significant functional improvement in activities such as grasping and pinching required for basic daily tasks,” Hinson said. 

“If these results can be predictably achieved, it would greatly improve the lives of patients with spinal cord injuries that resulted in incomplete quadriplegia.”

Traditional treatments for these injuries have included physical therapy, but results can be limited, one doctor noted. (iStock)

This could potentially be a “big factor” in the treatment of these patients, according to Hinson.  

ONWARD has submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to gain approval for the ARC-EX system, with clearance expected later this year.

“We are laser-focused on our commitment to bringing this first-of-its-kind technology to the SCI community as soon as possible,” Marver said.

The ARC-EX System will require a prescription from a qualified health care professional once it is cleared for use, according to the company.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

For an increasing number of women over 40, age really is just a number.

It may not be possible to stop the passage of time — but certain healthy habits can help slow down biological age, experts say.

“As we age, our abilities to perform certain physical and cognitive tasks decline, while our risks for disease and ultimately death increase,” Chris Mirabile, CEO and founder of NOVOS, a longevity supplements company in New York, told Fox News Digital.

“Although these changes are correlated with chronological age, biological age is a more accurate predictor, because it looks at individuals and how well – or poorly – they are aging.”

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If a 40-year-old woman has a biological age of 35, it implies that she is biologically in the same place as an average 35-year-old, Mirabile said – which means a significant reduction in risk for disease and death, plus an increased capacity for activities associated with a high quality of life.

For Women’s Health Month, three mothers at three different stages of life shared how they are defying age through simple lifestyle practices and interventions.

The women all participated in a six-month-long trial of NOVOS Core and Boost, supplements that are designed to slow down the aging process. Over the course of the study, they took three epigenetic tests, which analyzed DNA via a small blood sample to measure their “pace of aging.”

Lil Eskey, 41 years old, still has young kids

Lil Eskey, 41, is a stay-at-home mom and former fitness instructor in Phoenix, Arizona.

Growing up, she frequently had allergies and a constant sore throat. 

“The way that my mom handled it was to put me on antibiotics so many times when I was a kid,” she told Fox News Digital. 

Lil Eskey, 41, pictured with her son, is a stay-at-home mom and former fitness instructor in Phoenix, Arizona. Maintaining a more youthful energy level is important to Eskey, as she is still raising young children. (Lil Eskey)

“I also had gut issues most of my life, so my path into health and wellness stemmed from trying to figure out what was going on with my body.”

Prioritizing her sleep is the biggest thing Eskey does for her health, she told Fox News Digital. 

“Good sleep is so underrated,” she said.

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“Having a consistent bedtime and wake-up time is so important for overall wellness. Everything works so much better when you’re well-rested, including any stressors in your life or anything going on with the mind.”

Eskey also tries to incorporate movement into her life wherever possible. 

“When my son goes to preschool, I pull him on a bike trailer. The same goes for anything that’s a few miles away, like grocery shopping.”

“I want to be completely present for my kids and maintain a level of energy and vitality in life.”

After dinner, the family often goes out on bike rides or jumps on the trampoline. 

“We do anything to make it fun,” she said.

When it comes to mental health, Eskey has made the decision not to use social media.

Pictured on a hike, Eskey said she incorporates movement into her life wherever possible.  (Lil Eskey)

“I hear about anything that’s super important, and I’ll check the news occasionally to see what information I need, but to me, social media just seems like an additional stressor on the body,” she said. 

Eskey and her family often experiment with different health practices, she said. 

“I listen to different podcasts on health and fitness to hear about new science or new ideas, and then we’ll test it out to see what works,” she said. 

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“For example, I realized I feel way better when I have a couple of hours between having my last meal and going to bed.”

She’s also experimented with using a continuous glucose monitor to track her blood sugar.

“We’re always just doing different experimental things to see what makes the biggest change,” Eskey said.

Prioritizing her sleep is the biggest thing Eskey does for her health, she told Fox News Digital. “Good sleep is so underrated,” she said. (Photo Illustration by Ute Grabowsky/Photothek via Getty Images)

She has also been using anti-aging supplements from NOVOS. During the course of the study, Eskey’s biological pace of aging was reduced from .99 to .77.

“The time we’re here on this earth doesn’t always have to reflect the cumulative stress on our bodies. Rather, it’s stress that causes aging,” she said. 

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“It’s more important now than ever, with all the toxins and stressors we’re facing.”

Maintaining a more youthful energy level is important to Eskey, as she is still raising young children, she said.

“The biggest thing is being able to keep up with my kids and be totally active,” Eskey said.  (Lil Eskey)

“The biggest thing is being able to keep up with my kids and be totally active,” she said. 

“When my kids want to play at the park, it’s important to me that I’m not just sitting on the bench watching them. I want to be completely present for my kids and maintain a level of energy and vitality in life.”

Julie Gibson Clark, 55 years old, focuses on movement

A recruiter who lives in Phoenix, Arizona, Julie Gibson Clark said she focuses on seven key areas to help slow down biological aging.

The first is movement, both strength and cardio. “I focus on full-body strength training twice per week and a mix of zone 2 and Vo2Max training the rest of the week,” she told Fox News Digital.

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In her diet, Clark focuses heavily on veggies.

“I mix cooked greens and veggies, about 1 pound total every day,” she said. “I started small (about 4 ounces) and added about 1 ounce per week.”

Clark also prioritizes 90 to 100 grams of healthy protein each day: a mix of vegan protein, collagen and healthy, pasture-raised meats and eggs.

Julie Gibson Clark, a recruiter who lives in Phoenix, Arizona, said she focuses on seven key areas to help slow down biological aging. (Julie Gibson Clark)

Sleep is also a big priority for Clark. “It’s hard to perform well at anything without proper sleep,” she told Fox News Digital.

Saunas and cold showers are another part of Clark’s regular routine. “This is my natural antidepressant and helps with focus during the day,” she said. “For anyone struggling with low mood or stressful times, I highly recommend trying this.”

Clark also began meditating in 2019, which she described as “a game-changer for stress and sleep.” 

“I like to think of longevity practices like a braid with three strands — exercise, eating right and prioritizing sleep.”

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“Twenty minutes every afternoon improves my sleep and allows me to recalibrate stress levels during the day,” she said.

Clark also takes NOVOS supplements, which she credits with increasing her energy levels and slowing her pace of aging by 8%, according to the study results.

“When you start moving, you’ll likely be more motivated to eat well, and your sleep will be better. When you sleep, it’s easier to stay on track with your diet and fitness plans,” Clark said. “They all work together.” (James Lee)

“I like to think of longevity practices like a braid with three strands — exercise, eating right and prioritizing sleep,” she told Fox News Digital. “And there’s an extra colorful strand in there: supplements. Each of these works together to help the others.”

She added, “When you start moving, you’ll likely be more motivated to eat well, and your sleep will be better. When you sleep, it’s easier to stay on track with your diet and fitness plans. They all work together.”

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Clark said she adheres to the motto, “It’s not the years in your life, but the life in your years.”

“I want all the years I have to be full of mobility, vibrance and vitality.”

Amy Hardison, 64 years old, makes exercising fun

A writer and grandmother of 11 in Mesa, Arizona, Amy Hardison has always had consistent health and exercise habits.

“I have exercised aerobically an hour a day, six days a week for 50 years and have rarely missed a day,” she told Fox News Digital. 

“I always listen to an audiobook while exercising, making it even more fun.”

Amy Hardison’s favorite exercises include swimming and working out on the elliptical. “I love working out at home — other people love going to a gym and having a trainer. Do whatever works for you and then do it consistently,” she advised. (Amy Hardison)

Hardison’s favorite exercises include swimming and working out on the elliptical. 

“I love working out at home — other people love going to a gym and having a trainer. Do whatever works for you and then do it consistently,” she advised.

Regarding nutrition and exercise, Hardison’s philosophy is to find something you love that you can stick with long-term. 

“Aging will take you places you have never been.”

“Some people totally cut out sugar from their diet, often because they tend to eat too much once they start,” she said. “Others, like me, eat small amounts each day.”

Hardison had never been into vitamins and supplements until she got involved in the NOVOS study.

“I really liked that the study included bloodwork at the beginning, middle and end of the year-long trial,” she said. 

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“My bloodwork revealed that at the beginning of the study, I was aging at .86 biological years for every chronological year.  At the end of the study, I was aging at .74. That is compelling empirical data.”

Although Hardison does what she can to stay physically healthy and mentally sharp, she acknowledges that there is a limit to what she can control. 

“Life is to be lived and enjoyed,” said Hardison, pictured hiking with her husband. (Amy Hardison)

“There is even a limit to how much I am willing to invest in longevity,” she said. “Life is to be lived and enjoyed.”

“Aging will take you places you have never been,” Hardison continued. 

“There is so much to learn and experience. Embrace the normal and natural decline with humor and perspective. Thank your body for taking you on the journey.”

A biohacker’s 5 quick tips for healthy aging

Melanie Avalon, health influencer, entrepreneur and host of The Intermittent Fasting Podcast and “The Melanie Avalon Biohacking Podcast,” agreed that women can take proactive steps to slow their pace of aging.

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“The ever-growing online bloodwork and genetic platforms allow women access to personal data, providing a deeper view of their aging on a cellular level, including monitoring their biological age, which may differ from their chronological age,” she told Fox News Digital. 

“Women can then make dietary and lifestyle choices to optimize these markers.”

1. Optimize sleep

One of the biggest issues aging women experience is restless sleep, often characterized by tossing, turning and hot flashes, according to Avalon.

One of the biggest issues aging women experience is restless sleep, often characterized by tossing, turning and hot flashes, according to Avalon. (iStock)

“Women can implement a ‘sleep sanctuary’ to best support a restorative night, including sticking to a consistent wind-down routine and sleep schedule, in a cool, dark environment,” she advised.

Using a cooling mattress, avoiding late-night blue light exposure, and finding the optimal sleep position are some ways women can achieve better sleep quality, Avalon advised.

2. Seek hormonal support as needed

“Women often dread the perimenopausal years for their seemingly inevitable rollercoaster of hormonal issues,” Avalon said.

“Women can support healthy hormonal levels and natural transitions into the menopausal years by nourishing their bodies with micronutrient-rich whole foods, getting ample sleep, addressing stress levels, and reducing their exposure to toxins.”

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For some women, hormone replacement therapy may be an option.

“Many women may find that the benefits outweigh the risks,” Avalon noted.

3. Optimize muscle mass

Maintaining muscle mass is crucial for healthy aging, according to Avalon. 

“Declines in muscle mass and strength are intrinsically tied to mortality, playing a causative role in falls and metabolic issues,” she said. 

The maintenance of muscle mass is crucial for healthy aging, according to one expert. (iStock)

“Aging typically leads to reduced muscle protein synthesis,” Avalon noted.

“Women should pay careful attention to getting ample protein as they age, with a particular focus on the amino acid leucine, which stimulates muscle protein synthesis.” 

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Aging women should aim for a gram of protein per pound of body weight, Avalon recommended. 

“Women can also engage in strength training to further support muscle growth and maintenance,” she added.

4. Monitor essential markers

“Aging women should embrace the agency to take their health into their own hands,” Avalon said.

Women should work with conventional doctors to regularly check key health metrics, such as blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol and bone density, along with other markers of disease, an expert advised. (iStock)

She recommends working with conventional doctors to regularly check key health metrics, such as blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol and bone density, along with other markers of disease.

5. Achieve proper glycemic control

Poor glycemic control is linked to a myriad of degenerative diseases, from prediabetes and diabetes to cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline, according to Avalon. 

“Aging women can implement an unprocessed, whole-food-based diet, low to moderate in carbs, depending on their tolerance,” she said. 

Women can also opt to wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to monitor their blood sugar levels.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.