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How eating habits could influence Parkinson’s disease risk, according to experts

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How eating habits could influence Parkinson’s disease risk, according to experts

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Growing observational research suggests that long-term dietary patterns may influence Parkinson’s risk, age at onset and possibly severity of symptoms.

Mediterranean-style eating, in particular, has been associated with lower risk and possibly milder disease.

That said, there isn’t a single food that causes or prevents disease, according to Dr. Michael S. Valdez, a California-based physician with advanced training in neurology.

Growing observational research suggests that long-term dietary patterns may influence Parkinson’s risk, age at onset and possibly severity of symptoms. (iStock)

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“When we talk about Parkinson’s and similar conditions, it helps to zoom out,” he told Fox News Digital. “In many cases, it’s the overall pattern over years that matters.”

The brain is especially sensitive to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and vascular health, which is how well blood flows to brain tissue, according to the doctor.

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“Another key point is that neurodegenerative diseases develop slowly,” Valdez pointed out. “Changes in movement or cognition often appear years after underlying changes in the brain have already started.”

“That means lifestyle factors, including diet, are part of a much larger timeline that also includes genetics, environmental exposures, sleep and physical activity.”

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Foods that could delay disease

No. 1: Mediterranean and MIND diets

Dr. Rebecca Gilbert, a seasoned neurologist and the chief mission officer at the American Parkinson Disease Association in New York, confirmed that the best foods for brain health are those that make up the MIND or Mediterranean diets. 

“These diets emphasize whole grains, vegetables (especially green leafy vegetables), nuts, legumes and berries,” Gilbert told Fox News Digital. “Fish is the preferred animal protein, and olive oil is the preferred fat.”

Mediterranean-style eating, in particular, has been associated with lower risk and possibly milder disease. (iStock)

Studies have suggested that among those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, adherence to the MIND or Mediterranean diets prior to diagnosis was associated with later onset of the disease, according to the doctor. 

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“These diets are good for the brain because they are rich in antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory nutrients that keep neurons healthy,” she said. “The diets also support clean blood vessels to the brain, which provide adequate blood flow containing the nutrients and oxygen that neurons need.”

No. 2: Flavonoid-rich foods

“Blueberries, strawberries, apples, tea and red wine in moderation have been associated with lower PD risk in large cohorts,” Amanda Hare, an expert nurse practitioner in the field of neurology and movement disorders, who is also a medical liaison at Rune Labs, told Fox News Digital. 

The South Carolina-based expert cited a Harvard study that found men with the highest flavonoid intake had about 40% lower disease risk.

“A responsible expert would place diet in that broader context rather than overselling any single food.”

“Anthocyanins — the pigments in red/purple berries — are the subclass with the most consistent signal,” she said. “These compounds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and may cross the blood-brain barrier.”

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No. 3: Coffee and caffeinated tea

Large studies have shown that regular coffee consumption is associated with lower Parkinson’s risk, according to Hare, although a direct cause can’t be proven.

Caffeine has been found to protect brain cells in animal studies by blocking a specific brain receptor called the adenosine A2A receptor, she said.

“The effect is stronger in men; hormone therapy appears to modify it in women,” Hare added.

Scientists have found early signs of the disease — clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein — in the nerves of the digestive system. (iStock)

No. 4: Fatty fish and omega-3 sources

“Evidence is more suggestive than definitive, but diets higher in omega-3s – salmon, sardines, mackerel, walnuts and flaxseed – correlate with lower risk and may support general neuronal health,” Hare said.

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YOUR DAILY COFFEE HABIT MAY PLAY A ROLE IN DEMENTIA RISK, STUDY FINDS

No. 5: Fiber and fermented foods

In some cases, Parkinson’s pathology may begin in the gut, and gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation, can precede diagnosis, experts agree.

Scientists have found early signs of the disease — clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein — in the nerves of the digestive system.

Large studies have shown that regular coffee consumption is associated with lower Parkinson’s risk, according to Hare, although a direct cause can’t be proven. (iStock)

“Constipation is one of the strongest prodromal symptoms, often predating diagnosis by a decade or more,” Hare told Fox News Digital. 

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“Diets supporting a diverse gut microbiome – high fiber, fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi – are an active research area, though we don’t yet have randomized trial evidence that changing your microbiome changes Parkinson’s risk.”

Foods associated with higher risk

No. 1: Dairy (particularly milk)

“This is a consistent but still-debated finding,” Hare said. “Multiple large cohorts have found that higher milk consumption is associated with modestly elevated PD risk, particularly in men.”

The signal is specific to milk, she noted, as cheese and yogurt don’t show the same consistent association.

Recent research, including the Nurses’ Health Study in 2025, has linked high ultraprocessed food intake to higher odds of early Parkinson’s symptoms. (iStock)

No. 2: Ultraprocessed foods

Recent research, including the Nurses’ Health Study in 2025, has linked high ultraprocessed food intake to higher odds of early Parkinson’s symptoms. This supports broader evidence of processed foods’ association with systemic inflammation, Hare noted.

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No. 3: Pesticide exposure via diet

Exposure to paraquat and rotenone, which are toxic chemicals often used as pesticides, are among the strongest environmental risk factors for Parkinson’s, according to Hare.

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“Eating organic produce when possible … is a reasonable precaution, though the bulk of pesticide risk in the Parkinson’s literature relates to occupational exposure, not dietary,” she noted.

No. 4: Excess saturated fat and red/processed meat

“Associations exist, but are less robust than the dairy or ultraprocessed findings,” Hare said.

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There are some limitations and caveats for all of these dietary risk associations, she noted.

“Associations exist, but are less robust than the dairy or ultraprocessed findings,” the expert said about red meat consumption. (iStock)

“Epidemiology does not equal causation,” she emphasized. “Nearly all of the above comes from observational studies.”

Lifestyle behaviors can also come into play – people who eat Mediterranean diets, for example, also exercise more, smoke less and have more resources.

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“Diet is one lever among several,” Hare noted. “Exercise has stronger evidence than any food for both preventing Parkinson’s and slowing progression. Sleep quality, cognitive engagement and avoidance of head injury also matter.”

“A responsible expert would place a diet in that broader context rather than overselling any single food.”

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Weekly weightlifting sweet spot may be linked to longer life, study finds

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Weekly weightlifting sweet spot may be linked to longer life, study finds

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Sticking to a resistance or strength training routine for a certain amount of time may extend your life, according to a new study.

Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine analyzed whether workouts involving weightlifting and weight machines are linked to a lower risk of death over time.

The study followed more than 147,000 U.S. adults who participated in three large health studies spanning up to 30 years. More than 35,000 died during the study period.

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Participants reported their exercise habits, including the number of minutes per week spent on resistance training and on aerobic activity, like walking, biking or swimming.

Resistance training levels were then compared with later death from any cause, as well as from cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and neurological disease, according to a press release.

Doing a moderate amount of resistance training was linked with a lower risk of death in a recent study. (iStock)

Doing a moderate amount of resistance training was linked with a lower risk of death, according to study results. This outcome persisted even after researchers adjusted for other factors like age, smoking, diet quality, alcohol intake, family history and aerobic activity.

The clearest benefit was seen at around 90 to 119 minutes per week of resistance training.

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People who stuck to this interval of training per week had a 13% lower risk of all-cause death, 19% lower risk of death from heart disease and 27% lower risk of death from neurological disease.

More than 120 minutes of resistance training per week did not appear to add extra benefit to the overall death risk, according to the findings.

The clearest benefit was seen at around 90 to 119 minutes per week of resistance training. (iStock)

A lower risk of cancer death was seen at even small amounts of resistance training — 30 to 59 minutes per week was associated with a 12% decreased risk.

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The lowest overall death risk was found in people who did both higher aerobic activity and moderate to high resistance training.

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The study shows only an association between resistance training and lower death risk, not a direct cause, the researchers noted.

Other limitations were that participants reported their own exercise habits, which may not have been completely accurate, and the study did not measure how intensely they exercised.

30 to 59 minutes per week of strength training was associated with a 12% decreased risk of cancer death.

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The authors reflected in the study that engaging in “sufficient aerobic or resistance training alone is linked to lower mortality, with a stronger effect from aerobic activity.”

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The lowest risk was seen among people who did high levels of both aerobic exercise and resistance training. However, for people already doing a very high amount of aerobic exercise (roughly five to six hours of jogging or 11 hours of brisk walking per week), adding resistance training did not appear to lower the risk any further, they noted.

The lowest overall death risk was found in people who did both higher aerobic activity and moderate to high resistance training. (iStock)

In a previous interview with Fox News Digital, Kenny Santucci, fitness trainer, gym owner and host of the “Strong New York” podcast, shared the importance of pairing general movement with a focus on muscle building.

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For a better fitness outcome, Santucci encourages gym-goers to add more strength training to their routines and to lift “a little bit heavier.”

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“Strength training should be the basis of what you do,” he said. “I don’t have anything against cycling … but if you’re telling me that’s the basis of your training, and your goal is aesthetics, then you are not really helping yourself get to that point any easier.”

“Hard doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a better workout.”

Santucci recommends working at about 60% to 80% of capacity, pushing to a point of fatigue with moderate intensity.

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“There’s a science behind muscle growth, and if there’s no external force pushing against the muscle tissue, and you’re not fueling yourself with protein, then you’re probably not going to build muscle,” he said.

“Hard doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a better workout … If you’re training at levels of intensity, then you’re reproducing good outcomes.”

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AI-designed ‘universal vaccine’ passes first human clinical trial, could prevent future pandemics

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AI-designed ‘universal vaccine’ passes first human clinical trial, could prevent future pandemics

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A vaccine created using artificial intelligence that could potentially provide broader protection against multiple coronaviruses and help prepare for future outbreaks has passed its first human clinical trial.

Researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Southampton developed a “universal vaccine” designed to protect against multiple Sarbeco coronaviruses, which the university explained in a news release is “the large group of viruses that occur in nature, including SARS-CoV-2, which caused the COVID pandemic.”

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Traditional vaccines must constantly be updated as viruses mutate, and the process is “like a dog chasing its tail,” said University of Southampton professor Saul Faust, the trial’s chief investigator.

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“Viruses like Influenza, coronaviruses and the Ebola group are evolving continuously, and by the time vaccines are rolled out, they may be poorly matched — the current ‘reactive’ vaccine system struggles to keep pace,” Faust said.

Researchers have developed a vaccine using AI that has proven to be promising in “future-proofing” people against mutating infections. (iStock)

An antigen is the active ingredient in a vaccine meant to trigger an immune-system response and fight off infection. According to the release, the university scientists logged all the available genetic sequence data for Sarbeco coronaviruses and used AI used to design a “super-antigen” that contains the antigen features “common to this whole group of viruses – including ones that haven’t emerged yet.”

The trial of the vaccine proved safe and triggered an immune response in 39 healthy volunteers, marking “the first time that a vaccine whose active component was designed entirely by computer simulations has been tested in humans,” the release said.

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The trial vaccine was administered through a micro-fluid jet that delivers the immunization through the skin using a tiny, high-pressure stream of liquid and does not require a needle. The researchers said this method could make it “faster and easier to carry out in large numbers of people.”

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“This new class of universal vaccines are future-proofed,” Faust said. “They not only protect against many variants simultaneously, but potentially against related viruses that haven’t yet emerged and spilt over to humans. If we can develop and clinically advance this new class of vaccines before a virus outbreak begins, millions of lives could be saved, lockdowns avoided and the economy preserved.”

A new vaccine has been proven safe and capable of triggering immune responses against coronavirus in a limited human trial. (iStock)

Some experts have raised broad concerns about using AI in medicine, primarily when it comes to making clinical decisions, not developing vaccines. Certain groups of people may be underrepresented in the data AI relies on, resulting in biased outcomes, some said.

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AI also sometimes produces erroneous information, called “hallucinations,” and determining who is liable for medical failings in such situations is a complex matter.

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Others have expressed concern over patient privacy, as well as the need for human judgment that takes into account the scope of a patient’s health history, rather than a single dataset.

While traditional vaccines are reactive, a new AI-designed vaccine aims to protect against future coronavirus threats. (iStock)

The universal-vaccine researchers said that a larger trial involving “a wider and more diverse population” is needed. They published their findings in Journal of Infection.

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Former wrestler, actor reveals breast cancer diagnosis: ‘One in 750 men’

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Former wrestler, actor reveals breast cancer diagnosis: ‘One in 750 men’

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Former professional wrestler and actor Tyler Mane announced he has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Known for his roles in “X-Men” and “Halloween,” Mane shared the news publicly to help raise awareness about a condition that is frequently overlooked in men.

“I have some bad news. I start chemo today,” Mane stated in a video posted to his social media channels. “One in 750 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and I’m one of them.”

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Because breast cancer is predominantly associated with women, many men are unaware that they are also at risk. However, according to Mayo Clinic, everyone is born with a small amount of breast tissue.

While women go on to develop more of this tissue during puberty, the biological foundation for the disease exists in everyone.

Known for his roles in X-Men and Halloween, Mane shared the news publicly to help raise awareness about a condition that is frequently overlooked in men. (Bobby Bank/Getty Images)

The most common symptom of male breast cancer is a hard, painless lump located directly behind or near the nipple, according to experts. Other signs can include skin dimpling, nipple retraction or discharge.

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Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all cases globally. Because routine screenings like mammograms are not standard practice for men, the disease is often caught much later than it is in women.

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Mane highlighted this issue as a primary motivation for speaking out. “Because it’s rarely talked about, it’s usually found at later stages and has worse outcomes,” he said. “I want to change that.”

Experts say the most common symptom of male breast cancer is a hard, painless lump located directly behind or near the nipple. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Medical data supports Mane’s concerns regarding late-stage detection. While male breast cancer can occur at any age, it is most frequently diagnosed in older men, according to Mayo Clinic.

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Men’s treatment plans generally mirror those for women, typically involving surgery to remove the breast tissue, followed by chemotherapy, radiation or hormone therapy depending on how far the cancer has progressed.

Treatment plans generally mirror those for women, typically involving surgery to remove the breast tissue, followed by chemotherapy, radiation or hormone therapy depending on how far the cancer has progressed. (Rune Hellestad/Corbis via Getty Images)

Mane said he is utilizing his platform to normalize conversations about male health and encourage early detection. He concluded his video by asking his followers to spread the word and help educate others.

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“Follow, like and share, and come along for my journey to kick this thing in the ass,” Mane said. “Send this to 10 of your friends and have them follow me, because people need to hear this.”

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