Health
Experts weigh in on the benefits, risks of using castor oil for weight loss
On social media, castor oil has become a popular trend for various uses, from hair growth to weight loss.
There have been millions of posts about the vegetable oil on TikTok, with many creators sharing how they’ve used it to improve their health.
In more controversial cases, creators have applied castor oil directly to their belly buttons — and have even taken to drinking it as a detox and weight-loss method, since the FDA has approved castor oil as a natural laxative.
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While some people on the internet have reported positive results, experts are warning that castor oil consumption could be dangerous for overall health.
Registered dietitian Ilana Muhlstein told Fox News Digital she has “never heard of castor oil being used for anything other than its traditional applications.”
Castor oil is a vegetable oil derived from the Ricinus communis plant, which is common in the Eastern areas of the world, according to the National Institutes of Health. (iStock)
The Los Angeles-based expert assumed that a primary use is for short-term, mild weight loss, since castor oil acts as a laxative.
“Laxatives can dehydrate you and cause dependency,” she said. “There are much safer alternatives.”
She added, “If you’re having trouble in the bathroom, try increasing your water intake, adding more fiber to your diet and getting more exercise. Speak with your doctor or dietitian if you have any questions.”
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Katrina Mattingly, M.D., chief medical officer at Option Medical Weight Loss in Chicago, said castor oil is a “tried-and-true, old-school laxative.”
She told Fox News Digital in an email, “The first thing that comes to mind is diarrhea.”
Castor oil is a “tried-and-true old school laxative” with a “distinct taste,” one doctor told Fox News Digital. But doctors warn about its use for weight loss. (iStock)
“I remember my 97-year-old grandmother giving it to us as kids, along with prune juice, when our GI systems needed help moving things along,” Mattingly said.
Castor oil “hastens our bodies’ elimination of solid waste products and also rids the body of essential water,” the expert noted.
While this can trigger weight loss, Mattingly said that “along with all the solid waste and essential water going down the toilet are essential vitamins and minerals, such as potassium and chloride” — which can lead to deficiencies.
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While castor oil can be helpful in relieving occasional constipation, overusing it as a laxative can lead to the bowels becoming dependent on laxatives, Mattingly warned, “making it difficult to go naturally on your own.”
The obesity doctor emphasized that she would not recommend castor oil for weight loss in any capacity.
One doctor only recommends drinking castor oil in small amounts for occasional constipation. (iStock)
“Although castor oil has been in use for centuries for a variety of reasons, from body detoxification to vision problems to labor induction, there’s no safety data to recommend routine use for any of these conditions, except constipation,” she said.
Current scientific studies and research do not support its use solely for the purpose of weight loss, the doctor noted.
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Mattingly said she would recommend ingesting castor oil in “small amounts” only for occasional bouts of constipation if it has worked in the past.
“Just remember to hydrate to replace the fluid loss, and if you have long-term or chronic constipation, that warrants a trip to your physician.”
‘Massive detox’ or health hazard?
Women’s health expert Dr. Mindy Pelz advocated for the use of castor oil packs to regulate organ function and move toxins through the body.
The California-based doctor claimed that castor oil can absorb through the skin and move into the organs “very easily.”
Castor oil application can spark a “massive detox,” one doctor said. (iStock)
“When it goes into our system, it creates dilation,” Pelz said to Fox News Digital. “It’s so simple, and so inexpensive … You could just rub it over your liver and gallbladder. You need castor oil to stay on there for two hours for it to … start to dilate these organs.”
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Pelz recommended applying castor oil at night, up to three times a week, for a “massive detox that opens the whole system up.”
The FDA has approved castor oil as a natural laxative. (iStock)
Mattingly, however, countered that castor oil “does not show promise in having inflammatory, antimicrobial properties or antioxidant properties.”
And while viral social media claims are often based on personal experiences, Mattingly noted that certain applications may not have the same effect on everyone.
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“When it comes to medical weight loss, leave that to the experts to ensure you are undergoing a safe and effective plan that won’t leave you miserable or taking that dreaded trip to the ER,” she advised.
Other castor oil applications
There are a few traditional applications for castor oil, including applying it to the scalp or eyelashes to promote hair growth, as well as using it on the belly button for better sleep, Muhlstein said.
“Some people say it helps ease muscle tension and promotes deeper sleep,” she said. “Just be cautious,” she added, “because I’ve heard that using too much of it can make you feel lethargic.”
“Perhaps future studies will give us another resounding medicinal use for [castor oil] other than constipation,” one doctor said. (iStock)
Another potential use for castor oil is as a topical treatment for skin irritations or scars, Muhlstein added.
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“People have reported positive results,” she said. “So, if you’ve got any annoying skin issues, it might be worth giving it a try, but always consult with a dermatologist for bigger issues.”
Mattingly recommended rubbing castor oil on your stomach or skin as a moisturizer only — but not for weight loss.
“Also, castor oil can have an unforgettable smell,” she warned. “So be prepared for this, particularly if using it on the face or hair.”
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Older adults identified as “super movers” are about half as likely to develop cognitive impairment than their peers.
That’s according to a recent study led by Stony Brook Medicine in New York, which evaluated the cognitive function of 4,000 adults 80 and over who participated in multiple aging and longevity studies over several years.
Among this group, 6% to 10% were classified as super movers, which means they walk at a much faster pace than others of the same age and gender — at speeds comparable to people three decades younger.
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The super movers were found to have about half the risk of cognitive decline compared to seniors with typical gait speed.
The findings were published in the journal Neurology on June 16.
Older adults identified as “super movers” are about half as likely to develop cognitive impairment than their peers. (iStock)
“The study reinforces that mobility and brain health are closely connected,” lead study author Dr. Joe Verghese, MD, neurologist at Stony Brook Medicine, told Fox News Digital. “This suggests that preserving mobility may be an important marker of healthy brain aging and resilience.”
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The most intriguing finding, according to Verghese, was that super movers maintained cognitive function despite having similar dementia-related brain changes as their peers.
In postmortem brain analysis, there was no difference in dementia-related pathologies between the super movers and the slower walkers, the study stated.
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“This suggests they may possess resilience mechanisms that help preserve brain function even in the presence of age-related changes,” he said. “Understanding these resilience factors could lead to new strategies for promoting healthy brain aging.”
As the study was observational, there were some limitations, and it does not prove that walking faster prevents dementia, the researchers noted.
Super movers were found to have about half the risk of cognitive decline compared to seniors with typical gait speed. (iStock)
“Other factors, such as cardiovascular health, physical fitness or genetics, may also contribute to both faster walking and better cognitive outcomes,” Verghese said.
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This study adds to growing evidence that what’s good for the heart and muscles also benefits the brain, he noted, adding that “staying physically active remains one of the most effective, evidence-based ways to support healthy aging.”
“Walking speed is best viewed as a marker of overall health, not a treatment.”
“The broader message is that physical activity is important at any age,” Verghese said. “Walking is an easy step-up point because you don’t need any special equipment. You can do it inside or outdoors, and you can do it on a regular basis. You can walk with a dog, you can walk with a friend.”
Any activity is beneficial if it’s done regularly and with the right intensity, he added.
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Rather than just trying to walk faster, the neurologist recommends that seniors focus on maintaining mobility through regular physical activity, strength training, balance exercises and good cardiovascular health.
“Walking speed is best viewed as a marker of overall health, not a treatment,” Verghese noted.
Major public health guidelines from the CDC and U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking.
Major public health guidelines from the CDC and U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking. (iStock)
This can be achieved by walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week, or about 20 to 25 minutes most days. Another option is to engage in shorter sessions that add up over the day.
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“You have to do it within your health limitations and medical conditions,” Verghese advised. “So if there are any medical concerns, I would get your physician to clear you before starting exercise.” The good thing about walking, he added, is that you can start at a slow pace and then gradually build up to a brisker pace.
“And then adding on strength and balance training, whatever age you are, I think is also important.”
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Health
Dr Oz warns Medicare scammers are stealing billions — and your personal information could be next
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Washington, D.C. – Medicare fraud is a multibillion-dollar problem that government officials say threatens both taxpayer dollars and Americans’ personal identities.
In a July 6 interview with Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., Dr. Mehmet Oz warned that every dollar stolen through Medicare fraud is a dollar taxpayers lose – a problem that has worsened since the COVID pandemic.
“If I had to just pick one thing to focus on to make healthcare more affordable in America, I’d go to health fraud and all the waste and abuse that accompanies it,” said Oz, who is the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “And just to put this in perspective, we think it’s about $100 billion a year.”
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Medicare fraud can include billing for services that were never provided, overcharging for medical equipment, using stolen patient or doctor information, or performing unnecessary procedures, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
CMS administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz is pictured on stage at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., on July 6, 2026. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)
As the Trump administration ramped up efforts to combat fraud, CMS reported $41.9 billion in Medicare program integrity savings in 2025, up 59% from $26.3 billion in 2024.
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Medicare fraud not only harms the federal budget and steals from taxpayers, but exposes seniors to identity theft, unnecessary care, higher premiums and reduced access, Oz cautioned.
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Removing corruption from the healthcare system will have the greatest impact among seniors, since “so much of the fraud is perpetrated against them,” the administrator said.
“I’m talking about people tricking seniors to give up their Medicare beneficiary numbers, which is like a credit card basically,” he said. “These scammers can take those numbers and use them for all kinds of illegitimate purposes.”
“If I had to just pick one thing to focus on to make healthcare more affordable in America, I’d go to health fraud and all the waste and abuse that accompanies it,” said Oz. (Fox News Digital)
“People are stealing from you by pretending to send you drugs you don’t want, wheelchairs you don’t need, [and] services you never asked for or don’t benefit from,” Oz added.
To prevent this, he shared his top advice for seniors: Do not give your Medicare beneficiary number to anybody, do not answer questions on a phone call from an unknown person and do not give away personal information.
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“These scammers are calling seniors, tricking them, and once they have key information, they can steal it,” he said. “And I won’t know it and you won’t know it.”
“We want to protect people who need these programs the most,” Oz went on. “You do that by making sure scoundrels don’t corrupt the systems and steal money out of the till that is designed to help folks in dire straits when they’re vulnerable and in need of services.”
Seniors should never share their Medicare information with unknown people, the administrator advised. (iStock)
Removing fraud could “double the life expectancy of the trust fund that makes all this possible,” Oz predicted.
“If you’re worried about Medicare being there when you’re ready to retire in a couple decades, depending on how old you are, and you’re concerned that it might not last because of all the fraud that’s hitting it … you’ve got a good [reason to] worry,” he said.
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“If we take the fraud out, we could double the life expectancy, which means you, your kids, your kids’ kids … they could all benefit from this beautiful safety net program.”
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