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• McDonald’s Chicken Big Mac is rolling out in restaurants nationwide this week.
• The sandwich will feature two tempura-battered chicken patties, cheese, McDonald’s special Big Mac sauce, lettuce, and pickles on a sesame seed bun.
• From a nutrition perspective, experts say there’s little difference between the Chicken Big Mac and the original, though the latter is made with fewer ingredients.
• You can make the Chicken Big Mac slightly healthier by asking for more lettuce and no sauce. 

McDonald’s will be selling its hotly anticipated Chicken Big Mac in the U.S. for the first time nationwide beginning Thursday, October 10 for a limited time.

Like the original triple-decker Big Mac, the Chicken Big Mac will feature cheese, McDonald’s special Big Mac sauce, lettuce, and pickles on a sesame seed bun.

The only difference? The two all-beef patties —that are a staple of the original Big Mac—are swapped out for two tempura-battered chicken patties.

So, how do the original Big Mac and the new Chicken Big Mac compare from a health and nutrition standpoint? Let’s take a look.

Nutritional comparison of the original vs the Chicken Big Mac

Here’s how the nutritional breakdown for the original Big Mac and the Chicken Big Mac, as listed on the McDonald’s website, compare:

Is the Chicken Big Mac healthier than the original?

It probably won’t come as much of a surprise that neither sandwich is particularly healthy. 

“I’m a fan of a good quality burger, but Big Macs always feel a little unnecessarily ‘extra’ with the additional bread in the middle,” said Natalie Burrows, nutritional therapist and clinic director at Integral Wellness. 

Chicken is often thought of as a healthier choice than beef. However, Burrows said by having crispy chicken in this sandwich, McDonald’s has reduced its nutritional value by processing it, frying it, and adding ingredients. 

Still, looking at the numbers, there’s little to tell these two sandwiches apart. 

The protein, fiber, and salt content of both sandwiches are roughly the same. There isn’t much difference in calories either. 

“What stands out most is the saturated fat change between beef and chicken Big Macs and the carbohydrate total,” said Burrows. 

“Beef does have more saturated fat than chicken, and this is because the fat content in chicken is more concentrated in the skin than the meat,” she explained. 

As for the carbohydrate increase, Burrows said the 19g of extra carbohydrates in the Chicken Big Mac are likely due to the way the chicken patties have been made. 

One of the biggest differences between the Chicken Big Mac and the original is the number of ingredients. 

“Only 44% of the chicken patty is chicken breast meat. The rest is a combination of flour, starch, breadcrumbs, flavorings, raising agents, and sugars, including glucose syrup and dextrose,” Burrows said. “If we compare this to a beef patty in the original Big Mac, the ingredients are just one item: 100% pure beef.” 

Because of this detail, Burrows said she would have to say the Big Mac is the healthier option. 

“Although I do not believe fast, processed food such as McDonald’s can be classed as healthy, the more natural the ingredients, the better they are for us,” she noted. 

Simple swaps that can improve the Chicken Big Mac’s nutritional value

Still, if you’d like to try the Chicken Big Mac, there are a few swaps you can make when placing your order to make it a little healthier. 

“Ask for extra lettuce,” said Dr. Peter Brukner, nutritionist at Fatlotofgood. “This adds more crunch and fiber without many calories.” 

“You can also ask for light or no sauce. The special sauce can have many calories and fat, so using less or none is better,” he added. 

Another way to make a Chicken Big Mac meal a little healthier is to choose a side salad instead of fries.

“This gives you more vegetables and less calories,” Brukner said. 

If you aren’t feeling too peckish, he also suggested sharing a sandwich instead of eating a full one. 

Nevertheless, Burrows said it’s difficult to make a menu item like this healthier without drastically changing it. Eating foods like the Chicken Big Mac only in moderation is always a better choice. 

“When we are eating fast food, we have to acknowledge that it is not healthy for us, and to try to make it healthy may lure us into a false sense of illusion that we can eat it more often than we should,” she said. 

Healthier items on the McDonald’s menu 

If you really want to make a healthier choice when dining at McDonald’s, you may want to order something else on the menu. 

Brukner suggests the grilled chicken salad.

“This salad comes with lean protein and many vegetables, making it a very good choice — you just need to be careful with too much dressing,” he said. 

Burrows also suggests considering the grilled wraps on the McDonald’s menu. 

She said that opting for grilled items rather than crispy options reduces the amount of frying and processing the chicken has gone through, which is a plus.

However, she noted that many of these are ultra-processed and can still have a high fat content. 

The grilled McChicken sandwich is another option. 

“This item has less calories and fat compared to the fried chicken sandwich, but still tastes delicious,” says Brukner. 

Takeaway 

Neither the original Big Mac nor the Chicken Big Mac are healthy choices.

However, from a nutrition standpoint, the original Big Mac may have a slight edge because it’s made with fewer ingredients and has a lower carbohydrate content. 

Bottom line, it’s best to eat ultra-processed fast food in moderation.

• Gold medalist swimmer Caeleb Dressel shares the positive impact his pets have on his life.
• Dressel says his dog and cat provide him with mental and emotional support.
• Studies suggest that pets can help boost the mental and physical health of people.

Olympic swimmer Caeleb Dressel returned home from the Paris Olympics with two gold medals and a silver. Being welcomed by his wife, son, their dog Jane, and cat Rems brought him the comfort and perspective he needed.

“[I] get caught up in very much the hustle of everything and media and sponsors and training and making sure I’m getting to bed on time that I forget to take a breath,” he told Healthline.

Sitting on his porch watching Jane happily relax gives Dressel a reality check he said he appreciates.

“[I’ll] give it another couple weeks or a month, no one is going to be talking about Paris. They’re on to the next thing, so I know it’s a lot bigger deal in my mind, and certainly, Jane and Rems help me forget about that,” said Dressel.

A lifelong love of animals

Dressel’s dad is a retired veterinarian. Growing up, his family had many pets, including a bird, guinea pigs, hamsters, and a rat. He bought Jane the day after he graduated college.

“[As] soon as my college career finished, I got 5 hours of sleep, woke up, and drove to go get Jane at 8 weeks old,” he said.

Because his dad’s first dog was a black lab, Dressel wanted the same.

“She’s been with me since literally day one of my professional career, so she’s technically seen more than anybody else in my circle. She’s seen all the bad practices, all the rough days. She’s been really special, just to be there with me,” said Dressel.

His wife Meghan brought their cat Rems into the relationship.

“Rems has such a funny nighttime routine where we’ll get into bed, and it’s usually about 10 minutes on the dot, we’ll hear him jump up on the bed, and then…he’ll paw to get under the covers, and then he spoons with Meghan the whole night,” he said.

How pets can provide mental health support

Pets have long been known to provide significant emotional and physical benefits to their owners. 

Studies suggest having a pet reduces depression and anxiety and helps maintain social connections with others and the community.

“Owning a pet provides feelings of comfort, security, and unconditional love. Further, the need to care for one’s pet helps provide a sense of structure, purpose, and leads to boosts in self-confidence and self-care,” Deborah Serani, PsyD, professor of psychology at Adelphi University, told Healthline.

The bond between humans and pets furthers the notion that they are not just furry companions but valued and special family members, she added.

So is the case for Dressel who welcomes Jane to sleep on his side of the bed.

“So anytime I travel, it’s kind of tough to get used to not having her paw next to me, her farts, her bad breath, all that stuff,” he said. “It’s the same thing with Rems…it’s funny the dynamic me and my wife have with Jane and Rems, we have a kid, but they’re truly our kids. I refer to Rems as our first-born son, and Jane is my daughter.”

There are also benefits to interacting with animals even if they’re not your own pet, said Beth Steinberg, PhD, RN, senior researcher with the Center for Integrative Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

As the principal investigator of a recent study, Steinberg and colleagues evaluated the effects of regular therapy dog visits on healthcare workers in high-stress inpatient hospital units. They found that healthcare workers who interacted with therapy dogs during their work shifts reported decreases in stress and burnout and significant increases in self-reported mood.

“While these findings indicate that interactions with therapy dogs offered immediate benefits for these essential healthcare workers, future research is needed to better understand longer-term benefits, as well as downstream effects for patient care and satisfaction,” she told Healthline.

Pets can provide physical health benefits, too

The simple act of petting or interacting with a dog, cat, or other companion animal can lower a person’s blood pressure and increase the endorphins or feel-good hormones in the brain, said Steinberg.

According to the American Heart Association, pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with decreased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and may have a causal role in reducing CVD risk. Having a pet may also help lower cholesterol and blood sugar.

“Pets can also help us be more active and make activity more enjoyable,” said Steinberg. “Studies show that people diagnosed with cardiovascular disease have increased activity levels and better outcomes when a pet accompanies them on daily walks.”

In addition to walks, Dressel enjoys playing catch with Jane and especially swimming with her.

“She loves baseballs and an orange rubber ball we have. On the weekends, we go to the pool…she loves to swim, and we try to get her exercise,” he said.

Why Dressel is joining fellow Olympians to promote better pet health

Along with other Olympians, including sprinter Gabby Thomas and gymnast Simone Biles, Dressel is part of Nulo’s Fuel Incredible campaign, which highlights the connection between eight USA athletes and their pets.

The collaboration aims to inspire pet parents everywhere to elevate their pets’ nutrition, ensuring they can fully participate in every aspect of their mutually active lives.

Leading up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Dressel said he had more sponsors than he did heading into the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“I didn’t want to do that again. I have my family now, and I want to be very particular about who I take on, and because I want to be there for the companies I take on, and also I want to be organic,” he said.

Teaming up with Nulo felt right to him. He said the initiative is about more than selling dog food.

“It’s not just a product. I’m associated with [them for] truly the love of pets,” said Dressel. “I want to take care of [Jane] the best I can. She’s been in my corner her whole life and has given me so much joy.”

• A North Carolina woman says she lost 35 pounds after consuming nothing but sardines and MCT oil for more than three months.
• The sardine-only diet was popularized in 2023 as a 3-day challenge, but some people extended it to weeks or months.
• Experts caution that limiting your diet to a single food for extended periods can have negative health effects.

A North Carolina woman ate nothing but sardines for more than three months — a diet that, she said, improved her health.

In addition to eating four cans of sardines a day, she also consumed MCT oil. This supplement is popular among athletes and bodybuilders and is used as a quick energy source and may support weight loss.

However, Jane Crummett, of Mint Hill, North Carolina, doesn’t consider her eating pattern a “diet.”

“To me, a diet insinuates a beginning and an end. This is my lifestyle and I have no intention of introducing plants back into it,” she recently told Fox News Digital.

Before her months-long sardine-only lifestyle, Crummett was following a “zero carb/carnivore” diet — eating no carbohydrates at all. She also skipped dairy because she “finds it inflammatory,” she told Fox News Digital.

She ended her dalliance of eating only sardines on September 30 after 135 days. While only eating sardines, she lost 35 pounds over three months, she said, and felt better overall.

“My pain has resolved” and her inflammation has decreased, she told Fox News Digital. 

Despite her restrictive diet, Crummett said she is healthy and sees a doctor regularly. She plans on reintroducing other meats back into her diet under the guidance of a doctor.

“My ultimate goal is to have sardines for breakfast every day with MCT oil and incorporate normal beef, pork and/or chicken back into my diet,” she told Fox News Digital. 

Is the sardine diet healthy?

Crummett is not alone in embracing a sardine-only diet.

Last year, Patti Bodner, a 67-year-old Florida grandmother, told Yahoo Life that she lost weight while following a three-day sardine challenge. She also said her blood sugar levels went back to normal, and she was able to stop using the insulin she was taking for type 2 diabetes.

It is not clear if she was able to maintain these changes after the end of the three-day experiment.

This challenge, as the name suggests, involves eating only sardines in oil for 72 hours. You are also allowed a carb-free hot sauce or other seasoning, salt, water and black coffee.

This trend was popularized in 2023 by Annette “Dr. Boz” Bosworth, MD, a Florida-based internist who is an advocate of low-carb, high-protein keto diets.

Eating only sardines may lead to nutrient deficiencies

While the sardine-online diet has gained in popularity, there are no scientific studies to back up the claims or to show how safe it is, especially when followed for months instead of days.

“I have significant concerns about anyone consuming a single food — like sardines — exclusively for several days or months,” said Grace Derocha, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

“While sardines are a nutrient-dense food packed with omega-3 fatty acids, protein, calcium and vitamin D, relying on one food alone poses serious nutritional and health risks,” she told Healthline. 

Kim Shapira, a registered dietitian and nutrition therapist and author of “This Is What You’re Really Hungry For,” agreed.

Keeping in mind “that food is fuel and the ingredients in that fuel supply every cell in our body with what they need to maintain health, there would be some long-term negative effects of eating a single food,” she told Healthline.

This might include muscle loss, bone loss, nutrient imbalances, and malnutrition, she said, with the negative effects more likely to occur with a long-term restrictive diet.

Shapira added some people might experience short-term side effects, such as:

• diarrhea
• fatigue
• mood changes
• constipation

Derocha pointed out that sardines lack certain “key nutrients such as vitamin C, fiber, magnesium, and certain B vitamins, all of which are critical for immune function, digestion, energy production, and overall health.”

Also, following a sardine-only diet long-term “could lead to deficiencies in antioxidants like vitamins A and E, and phytochemicals — important compounds found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes that help protect against chronic diseases,” Derocha said.

Excessive nutrient intake from single-food diets

Eating a single food for extended periods can also lead to excessive intake of certain nutrients.

Although these may not be harmful in lower amounts — and in some cases are helpful — they can cause problems if you consume too much.

A key one with sardines is sodium, which can increase the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, especially if consumed in large quantities over time, said Derocha.

In addition, ”while sardines are excellent sources of vitamin D and calcium, excessive intake could lead to an imbalance in these nutrients, with potential side effects like high calcium levels in the blood, which can affect heart and kidney function,” she said.

There is also a risk of excessive intake of mercury or other heavy metals that are found in certain fish.

“While sardines are lower in mercury compared to larger fish, a diet exclusively made up of fish still raises concerns about cumulative exposure to heavy metals and other environmental contaminants, especially over long periods,” said Derocha.

“For the average person, eating a single food for an extended period of time is not advisable and should be avoided,” she said. “Variety in the diet is crucial to ensure you’re meeting all your nutrient needs and to support overall health and well-being.”

Takeaway

For over three months, a woman in North Carolina ate only four cans of sardines and MCT oil each day. She says this diet helped her lose 35 pounds, resolved her pain, and decreased her inflammation. She plans to reintroduce other meats into her diet but will continue to follow a “low-carb/carnivore” lifestyle.

The sardine-only diet was popularized in 2023 as a three-day challenge by Annette “Dr. Boz” Bosworth, MD, a Florida-based internist who is an advocate of low-carb, high-protein keto diets. Some people have extended this challenge to weeks or months.

Experts caution that limiting your diet to a single food for days or longer can lead to negative health effects. This may include short-term effects such as diarrhea, fatigue, mood swings and constipation, or long-term ones like muscle loss, bone loss, nutrient imbalances or malnutrition.

• A study found that vitamin D is linked with better cardiometabolic health.
• People taking it had better blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose.
• Some groups did even better, such as those with vitamin D deficiency or lower BMI.
• Experts say it’s a good idea to get tested by a doctor before taking larger doses.
• Sunlight and vitamin D-rich foods are the best ways to get this important nutrient.

According to a large meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, taking vitamin D supplements was linked with better cardiometabolic health.

The study, published online on July 26, 2024, in the journal Engineering, found that a daily median dose of 3,320 International Units (IU) was necessary to achieve these benefits.

Study participants consuming vitamin D had better blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic), total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and fasting blood insulin.

However, the effect was stronger in non-Westerners, older adults, people with lower baseline vitamin D levels, those with lower body mass index (BMI), and those who took the supplement longer. This was especially true regarding glycemic-related measurements.

The study authors additionally highlighted the importance of providing each person with an individualized dose, given these differences in response.

“Our findings suggest that higher vitamin D levels are required to maintain cardiovascular health in non-Westerners, obese, and older populations,” they wrote. “Consequently, consideration should be given to administering higher doses for longer durations when designing personalized intervention strategies aimed at enhancing cardiometabolic health in these populations.”

How vitamin D supplements were linked with better cardiometabolic health

To conduct their study, the team searched several large databases of medical research to identify all relevant studies.

Altogether, 99 suitable studies were found that included a total of 17,656 participants.

These participants ranged in age from 6 to 75 years, with a median age of 50.35.

Both Western and non-Western countries were included.

The researchers extracted data from the studies in order to learn how effective vitamin D supplementation was in improving cardiometabolic risk factors.

They also looked at how people’s ethnocultural background (Western versus non-Western), baseline vitamin D levels, BMI, vitamin D dosage, age, and length of supplementation influenced the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Their analysis found that, overall, vitamin D supplementation improved all measures of cardiometabolic health throughout the entire population.

The groups who benefited the most were non-Westerners, those who started with a 25-hydroxy vitamin D level of less than 15.0 ng/mL (below 20 ng/mL is generally deemed to be vitamin D deficiency), those having a BMI less than 30 kg/m² (non-obese), those 50 years of age or above, and those using vitamin D supplements for longer than three months.

How much vitamin D should you take per day?

Akanksha Kulkarni, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Prowise Healthcare, who was not involved in the study, advised that it is necessary to get a blood test prior to supplementing to see what your current vitamin D levels are.

“This test is usually performed by your doctor, who will also give you guidance on how to administer the dose if necessary,” she said.

She urges caution because vitamin D can build up to toxic levels if taken in excess for too long.

It can cause calcium to build up too high, contributing to kidney stones and even bone damage, according to Kulkarni.

Excess calcium buildup can also cause symptoms such as:

• nausea
• vomiting
• weakness
• frequent urination

People should avoid taking large amounts of vitamin D without visiting a doctor, she stressed.

However, if you do opt to take a supplement, the National Institute of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements says the recommended amount of vitamin D for adults 19-70 is 600 IU daily. This amount rises to 800 IU over the age of 70.

Up to 4,000 IU daily is considered to be safe. Anything above this should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision.

What are the healthiest ways to get vitamin D?

Michael Lahey, MD, a physician and preventive healthcare specialist with My Weight Loss Partner, who was also not a part of the study, said that one of the best ways to get adequate vitamin D is through sun exposure.

“Natural production of vitamin D requires only moderate amounts of sunlight, 10-30 minutes, 2-3 times a week,” he said.

“But one should not expose their skin to the sun without protection to prevent skin harm,” added Lahey, noting that too much unprotected sun exposure can raise your risk for skin cancer.

“Tanning beds are the worst and should be strongly discouraged,” he added.

You can also get plenty of vitamin D from foods like fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and egg yolks, said Lahey. There are times, however, when supplementation could be advisable.

“This is especially important during winter or in such regions where the sun does not shine through most of the year,” he said. “Lack of sun and proper diet can be met with supplements to ensure that your body has the right vitamin D it requires.”

Takeaway

A new study has found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with improved cardiometabolic health.

People who took vitamin D supplements had better blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and fasting blood insulin.

However, some people — such as non-Westerners, older adults, people with lower baseline vitamin D, those with lower BMI, and those who took the supplement longer — responded even better.

Experts say most adults should stick with the recommended amount of vitamin D — 600 IU — unless they have been tested and advised by a doctor to take more.

Exposure to sunlight (within limits) and eating foods rich in vitamin D are the best ways to maintain vitamin D levels.

• GLP-1 medications are most often used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.
• However, new research has found that they may have other applications.
• They may help lower the risk of opioid overdose as well as early death.
• They might also help reduce the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic skin condition.

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have gained popularity in recent years due to their ability to help manage type 2 diabetes and aid with weight loss.

However, researchers are finding other promising applications for these drugs as well.

From protecting against heart attacks and strokes to lowering the risk of developing severe COVID-19, a number of new studies suggest GLP-1s could help prevent and treat several conditions, including brand-new research that has linked them with three additional health benefits: treating the chronic skin condition hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), lowing the risk of an opioid overdose, and reducing the risk of early death.

Semaglutide linked with reduced risk of opioid overdose

A September 25, 2024, study published in JAMA Network Open found an association between semaglutide use and a significantly lower risk of opioid overdose over the course of one year.

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy.

According to Dr. Ramit Singh Sambyal, a General Physician associated with ClinicSpots who was not involved in the study, this could be because of how GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide impact the brain’s reward and appetite pathways.

“GLP-1 affects areas of the brain involved in regulating food intake and cravings such as the hypothalamus and the mesolimbic reward system,” he said. “These same areas are also involved in addiction-related behaviors.”

Sambyal went on to explain that modulating the brain’s reward system could theoretically reduce people’s cravings and make addictive drugs like opioids less rewarding.

“If true, this could help people with opioid use disorder by reducing the desire to misuse opioids or by making them less appealing overall,” he said.

Fewer episodes of hidradenitis suppurativa linked with semaglutide use

Another potential area of risk reduction is the chronic inflammatory skin condition hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

New research presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2024, held September 25-28 in Amsterdam, found that patients receiving semaglutide had fewer HS flare-ups, going from having them about once every 8.5 weeks to once every 12 weeks.

Also, their C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation, dropped significantly, going from 7.8 to 6.9.

Sambyal said that GLP-1 receptor agonists’ anti-inflammatory effects might explain why they can help manage HS.

He also believes that their ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce systemic inflammation could potentially reduce the chronic inflammation that contributes to the painful nodules seen in HS.

“Since inflammation is a driving factor in many chronic conditions, including autoimmune diseases, the anti-inflammatory properties of GLP-1 drugs may extend to skin conditions like HS, even though direct evidence is still limited,” said Sambyal.

Lower risk of early death associated with GLP-1 drugs

Additionally, GLP-1 drugs could help reduce people’s risk of early death.

According to an August 30, 2024 study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, patients treated with semaglutide had lower rates of death from any cause.

Death rates were driven by both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular causes, according to the authors, however, non-cardiovascular deaths were mainly because of fewer people dying from infections.

“The suggestion that GLP-1 drugs might lower the risk of early death could be linked to the broad range of benefits they offer for overall metabolic health,” said Sambyal. “These drugs improve glycemic control, reduce body weight, and lower blood pressure—three major factors that influence long-term health and mortality risk.”

Sambyal added that even in people without diabetes, improving these factors could reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

“Theoretically, if GLP-1 receptor agonists can help people maintain a healthier metabolic profile over the long term,” he said, “it might explain why some early studies have found an association with reduced mortality.”

Sambyal further noted that GLP-1 drugs can improve heart health directly.

“These drugs have been shown to have cardioprotective effects, including reducing inflammation in blood vessels and improving endothelial function,” he said, explaining that this could lower people’s risk of heart disease even if they don’t have diabetes.

Other potential health benefits of GLP-1 agonists

Jana Abelovska, Superintendent Pharmacist at Click Pharmacy, added that, in addition to these three recent studies, scientists are “discovering a slew of other benefits.”

There’s some evidence that people had a lower risk of cognitive problems as well as being less likely to be addicted to nicotine, she said.

“Although this link is not yet fully understood, it means that the drug may be useful in preventing cognitive decline in later life, as well as helping people give up smoking,” said Abelovsak.

Additionally, there is ongoing research looking at whether semaglutide could be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, which is thought to be linked with brain inflammation.

Abelovska further noted that semaglutide might be a potential treatment for chronic kidney disease.

“[P}eople taking it were less likely to need dialysis or lose kidney function,” she said

Finally, Abelovsia pointed to a study that found that semaglutide reduced the risk of 10 different types of cancer in people who were taking the drug for diabetes.

Takeaway

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are most often used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.

However, recent research indicates that they might also benefit health in other ways, such as reducing people’s risk for opioid overdose, lowering the inflammation associated with hdradenitis suppurative, and preventing early death.

Other promising applications that scientists are looking at include reducing the risk of cognitive problems, helping people to stop smoking, treating chronic kidney disease, and lowering the risk of several types of cancer.

As we approach another winter season, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is ramping up its comprehensive surveillance systems to monitor flu and other seasonal respiratory viruses. Here’s an overview of how we’re working to keep the nation informed and protected. …

You may have seen reports about a rise in cases of Marburg virus disease in Rwanda, which we are monitoring closely.  Marburg virus belongs to the filovirus family, along with Ebola. It can cause haemorrhagic fever, meaning it can damage …

• Paris Hilton is opening up about her journey to being diagnosed and living with ADHD.
• She is speaking out to help break the stigma surrounding neurodivergence.
• Hilton hopes by hearing her story, others will feel less alone.

Paris Hilton has a lot behind her iconic name: socialite, model, singer, actress, media personality, and businesswoman — including CEO of her next-gen media company, 11:11 Media, and her nonprofit, 11:11 Media Impact.

In recent years, she’s added another title to that list that’s especially close to her heart: ADHD advocate.

Diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, Hilton is open about navigating life with a neurodiverse brain on social media, during interviews, and even while she sings. Her latest album includes a song titled, “ADHD,” with the following lyrics:

Now look at me, I’m the best I can be
I was so down, thought I’d never be free
My superpower was right inside, see?
It was ADHD.

In an effort to help further increase awareness, Hilton recently partnered with Understood.org to provide resources to women and children with ADHD on how to navigate life, work, and health. This year, for ADHD Awareness Month, the non-profit will take over Hilton’s social media channels to provide content featuring expert-vetted tips and research.

“While I have the platform to shine a light on living with ADHD, they’re creating resources and communities for people, especially women and children, to feel supported,” Hilton told Healthline. “I love that their mission is all about empowering people to embrace their unique strengths. Together, we’re working to help break the stigma around ADHD and make sure no one feels alone in their journey.”

Below, Hilton shared more with Healthline about living with ADHD, how it’s her superpower, and what she wants others to understand about the condition.

Can you tell us a little bit about your journey to being diagnosed with ADHD?

Hilton: I was diagnosed much later in life, which, looking back, explains a lot of what I went through as a child and teenager. Growing up, I struggled to focus in school and found it hard to fit into the traditional learning environment. I felt misunderstood, and it created this feeling that something was “wrong” with me when, in reality, my brain just works differently. Once I was diagnosed, my life became so much easier because I was able to implement tools that have helped me thrive! 

Can you share some treatments, methods, and/or self-care practices that help you manage ADHD?

One of my favorite tools is turning everything into audio — it helps me stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed by written text. I also break tasks into smaller, manageable steps so I don’t feel like I’m tackling everything all at once. Surrounding myself with a supportive team who understands how I work has also been a huge help. I truly believe it is just as important for the individual living with ADHD and the people around them to educate themselves. And then there’s self-care — I have a very structured skin care routine at night that helps me quiet my mind. I find routines really help soothe the brain and provide structure to the end of my day.

How is ADHD your superpower?

I call ADHD my superpower because it’s what makes me who I am! My brain doesn’t think in a straight line — it zigzags, and that’s allowed me to see things from angles other people might not. It’s why I’ve been able to spot trends early, push boundaries, and build my career in unexpected ways. When I’m passionate about something, I can hyper-focus and throw myself into it completely, which is how I’ve achieved a lot of success. ADHD gives me creativity, resilience, and the ability to think outside the box — qualities I consider my greatest strengths.

What do you think is the biggest misunderstanding about people living with ADHD?

I think one of the biggest misunderstandings is that people with ADHD are just distracted or incapable of focusing, which couldn’t be further from the truth. ADHD isn’t about being lazy or unmotivated; in fact, we can be incredibly driven and productive when something interests us. People often don’t realize how much effort it takes to manage the constant mental noise and energy that comes with ADHD. It’s exhausting at times, but it doesn’t mean we’re any less capable.

What do you wish more people understood about living with ADHD?

I wish people understood that ADHD doesn’t define us by our challenges; it actually gives us unique strengths. Yes, it comes with difficulties — like managing distractions and feeling overwhelmed — but it also comes with incredible gifts like creativity, empathy, and the ability to think differently. I want people to see that ADHD isn’t something to be fixed; it’s something to be embraced. I hope more people recognize that neurodivergence adds value to the world, not something to hide.

By sharing your experience with ADHD, do you hope to help break the stigma and help others?

Absolutely! That’s one of the main reasons I wanted to share my story with ADHD — it’s not something I used to talk about because of the stigma, but I’ve come to realize how important it is for people to know they’re not alone. So many people — especially women — are undiagnosed or misunderstood, and I want to help change that narrative, so I wrote my song “ADHD” on my new album INFINITE ICON. If even just one person feels seen and understood because of my story, then it’s all worth it. Shifting the narrative — not just for myself, but for anyone who’s ever felt like their differences were a disadvantage. “ADHD” is my way of saying that it’s okay to be different, and in fact, it’s those differences that can make you unstoppable.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

I just want to remind anyone living with ADHD — or any other challenge — that you are not defined by your diagnosis. ADHD is my superpower, and I do not believe it limits your potential; it unlocks new possibilities. Never be afraid to ask for help or create your own path. We’re all in this together. Keep “sliving!”

• Users on social media say the “Mucinex Method” has helped them get pregnant.
• The “Mucinex Method” involves taking a medication containing guaifenesin while trying to conceive in order to improve fertility.
• Doctors say that there’s no research that supports the use of guaifenesin to improve fertility.

Users on TikTok and other social media platforms are sharing stories that taking Mucinex helped them to get pregnant, sometimes after only one dose.

How?

Guaifenesin, Mucinex’s active ingredient, is an expectorant that relieves congestion by thinning mucus in the air passages, making coughing easier.

However, some social media users believe that it also helps to improve fertility by thinning cervical mucus.

“I’m a true believer of Mucinex. It has worked for so many women, especially women who have tried for years to get pregnant…I took Mucinex, first try, and we’re pregnant,” said TikTok user Amanda Macgibbon in a video.

@amanda_macgibbon

Replying to @Yaaasitsme ✨Mucinex Method✨ My most asked question 🤰🏻🌈👶🏻Answered #mucinex #mucinexpregnancy #mucinexmethod #pregnant #pregnancy #pregnancyjourney #rainbowbaby #pregnancyaftermiscarriage #infertility #ttc #ttccommunity #secondaryinfertility #factor2 #mthfr #pcos #pregnancytest

♬ original sound – Amanda MacGibbon

Comments on the video share similar stories about what is now being referred to online as the “Mucinex Method.”

“After 2 miscarriages and a year of infertility, I finally tried the Mucinex method, and now I am 15 weeks pregnant,” wrote one user.

Despite numerous anecdotal reports on social media, doctors dispute whether these claims have any scientific validity outside of a very small 1982 study with limited evidence.

“Where we stand right now, there’s no data, there are no studies that show that using mucinex or any medication that has guaifenesin in it increases the chance of pregnancy or improves fertility,” Michelle Roach, MD, the Medical Director of the Vanderbilt Fertility Clinic and an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told Healthline.

Mucinex Method: What is it?

The “Mucinex Method” involves taking Mucinex or another medication containing guaifenesin at various intervals according to a female’s menstrual cycle. There is no exact protocol, so the dosage, regularity, and even the variety of Mucinex appear to vary from video to video. 

The general consensus among social media users involves taking the medicine throughout the fertility window, the time of the menstrual cycle when a person is most likely to get pregnant, and prior to intercourse.

The goal of taking Mucinex is to increase the likelihood of pregnancy by thinning the cervical mucus, which is believed to improve sperm motility.

But Roach pushes back on these claims.

“Physiologically, in women, that happens on its own. When a woman is ovulatory, there will be a physiologic change that happens naturally with the cervical mucus. This change happens on its own to try to help make it easier for the sperm to meet the egg. So you don’t need the Mucinex to do that,” she said.

Reckitt, the maker of Mucinex, has also warned against taking the product for any other indication than those prescribed on the box. In a statement to Healthline, the company stated:

Reckitt is aware of recent social media activity surrounding Mucinex and fertility, and we understand why there is heightened interest in this topic. As a global leader in health and hygiene, it is important that we clarify that Mucinex should only be used as intended in line with label directions. Taking Mucinex for infertility constitutes off-label use.

Taking any medications outside their approved indications or without acknowledging all active ingredients may be harmful. In case of doubt, we recommend women have a discussion with their healthcare professional. Please always read the label and safety information before taking any self-care medication.

Is Guaifenesin safe to take if you’re trying to get pregnant?

Guaifenesin is generally a safe medication, including for females who are trying to become pregnant. However, it can result in some side effects, including:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting

You should inform a doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away.

Mucinex and other medications containing guaifenesin are frequently combined with other ingredients to treat cough and cold, such as dextromethorphan. Always read the ingredients on the packaging to ensure there are no potential allergens or contraindications.

“Given that there’s no real data to support the use, I usually encourage women to not take it unless there’s some other medical reason for them to take it. As with any medication, you should carefully weigh the risks and benefits,” said Roach.

Health misinformation can easily spread on social media

Benjamin Morse, BA, a Visiting Lecturer in New Media and social media expert at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, told Healthline that social media algorithms can make it harder to sort through good and bad information.

“Instead of having to look something up, you’re getting it served to you by algorithms, by people who purport to be experts,” he said.

“If I’m a pregnant woman or if I’m dealing with mental health issues, the algorithm is putting things in my face, and the algorithm is not going to fact-check for me,” added Morse.

Addressing health misinformation online is a complex topic that is often framed as a battle between free speech and censorship. Some claim that restricting information about health topics violates the first amendment, while others argue that the government and social media platforms must do more to clamp down on false and potentially harmful health topics.

According to Morse, combating misinformation comes down to improving digital literacy:

“They need to teach digital literacy in school at a younger age. So kids know how to navigate the internet. I think with adults, it’s the same thing. They need to have an education as well,” he said.

Roach suggests that if people have questions or concerns, they shouldn’t hesitate to raise them with their doctors.

“There’s a lot of misinformation out on social media, particularly as it pertains to fertility. So, we always counsel patients that if they have a concern or a question or a thought, that they should always reach out to us to get our opinion or our feedback,” she said.

The bottom line

Users on social media are promoting the “Mucinex Method” to improve fertility and help get pregnant.

The “Mucinex Method” involves taking Mucinex or another medication with the ingredient guaifenesin during your fertility window and prior to intercourse.

Despite numerous anecdotal reports, doctors say there is no evidence to support the use of guaifenesin to improve fertility.

• Early-onset breast cancer in females under 50 is increasing, a new report shows.
• Deaths from breast cancer are declining overall, but disparities among women of color persist.
• Aside from a genetic component in some people, breast cancer is highly influenced by diet and lifestyle factors.
• Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, following a healthy, balanced diet, and limiting exposure to environmental toxins are proven ways to reduce breast cancer risk.

Breast cancer mortality rates have fallen in recent years, but early-onset breast cancer is on the rise.

While breast cancer deaths have decreased by 44% in the past 30 years, the biennial update from the American Cancer Society warns of an uptick in breast cancer diagnoses in females under 50. 

Moreover, disparities in mortality rates among women of color persist compared to white women. Black women face higher risks of triple-negative breast cancers and have the lowest survival rates for nearly every breast cancer subtype and stage, the report shows.

Driving breast cancer rates in all females, aside from any genetic predisposition, are myriad factors, many of which are modifiable byproducts of modern-day living.

Recent research has shown that, in 19 out of 30 types of cancer, nearly half of all cases in the United States are linked to modifiable risk factors. A significant proportion of these cancer cases affect females, including breast cancer. 

Following lung cancer, female breast cancer is linked to the most modifiable risk factors. 

One possible culprit? Alcohol. A progress report from the American Association for Cancer Research linked alcohol consumption to a higher risk for six cancer types, including breast cancer.

Other factors, such as overweight and obesity, difficulty following a healthy diet, and exposure to environmental toxins, also play a role in breast cancer development.

“It’s important to know that the breast organ itself is more vulnerable than other organs to cancer, which is why breast cancer is more common and the price more vulnerable,” said Marisa C. Weiss, MD, chief medical officer and founder of Breastcancer.org. 

“If you look at modern life, where people are not having babies until later, they’re not breastfeeding, they’re drinking a lot, or they’re overweight and not exercising, they’re not eating well, or they’re using pharmaceutical hormones for an extended time, it’s a combined set of reasons why breast cancer is more common today than it used to be, including in young women.”

Healthline spoke with Weiss to learn more about early-onset breast cancer and some of the modifiable risk factors, plus other tips for breast cancer prevention.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and brevity. 

Risk factors influencing early-onset breast cancer

Weiss: Breast cancer used to be pretty rare 100 years ago, and it’s become the most common cancer to affect women. 1 in 8 women — 2.3 million globally — are affected by breast cancer each year.

The explanation for the increase in the incidence of breast cancer overall, especially in younger women, is multifold. When it comes to steps you can take that have been proven to drop your risk of breast cancer you should try to: 

• maintain a healthy weight
• exercise regularly
• eat a mostly plant-based diet (i.e., the Mediterranean diet) 
• limit or omit alcohol use 
• reduce exposure to environmental pollutants
• consider non-hormonal birth control
• quit smoking
• sleep well
• socialize with others
• consider genetic testing for BRCA gene mutations
• consider further testing if you have dense breasts

Here’s a closer look at some of the main factors that may be affecting rising breast cancer rates in young females.

1. High prevalence of overweight and obesity  

Weiss: Obesity or being overweight affects two-thirds of women. Carrying extra weight increases inflammation, which irritates the cells of the body and can make it more likely that a cancer cell could occur. Extra weight brings puberty on earlier, which is a risk factor for breast cancer. 

For people carrying extra weight, it’s often harder to exercise, and they’re less likely to eat well. One study linked a 30% higher risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women with obesity compared to those without obesity.

Of course, it’s very hard to get to and stick to a healthy weight, but getting there reduces the risk of breast cancer and the risk of recurrence if you’ve been diagnosed. 

2. Increased exposure to environmental pollutants 

Weiss: Pesticides and plastics, fragrances, and other types of pollutants — many of them are lipophilic, meaning they dissolve in fat after exposure. 

If you had exposure to a pesticide years ago, let’s say DDT, you may still have residue of DDT in your fat tissue, which could raise your risk of breast cancer.

To reduce your exposure to pollutants, avoid products containing fragrances, and don’t cook in plastic.

4. Rising alcohol use among females

Weiss: Alcohol use in women is increasing. And the more alcohol you drink, the higher your breast cancer risk.

Recent studies show there’s no safe level of alcohol use. Any alcohol use can increase breast cancer risk, which is an unpopular reality. If you drink, limit how much you drink. 

5. Hormones in conventional dairy products

Weiss: There are hormones in the products that we eat that could stimulate breast cancer cell growth.

The conventional dairy industry, not the organic one, keeps cows pregnant as often as possible because pregnant cows make more milk. 

So, whatever’s in the pregnant cow’s milk is more likely to have hormones. Hormones generally live in the fat of the milk. 

But in the organic milk industry, they’re not allowed to do that. They only take milk from pregnant cows at the beginning of the pregnancy, not toward the middle and the end, when hormone levels are higher. 

If you want to avoid hormone exposure, buy organic fat-free milk. While it sounds elitist to say, ‘Just go out and buy organic,’ it’s true that organic products, including milk, are increasingly available in places like Walmart grocery stores or in other places that serve people with lower incomes.

6. Hormones in birth control, HRT

Weiss: The use of birth control pills is ubiquitous, particularly now, with access to abortion being limited.

Most people are trying to prevent pregnancy rather than have a baby, so the use of hormonal contraception is very effective and widely used. 

But the longer you’re on it, the higher the breast cancer risk. That’s also true of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) — the longer you’re on it, the higher the risk of breast cancer. 

Try to find nonhormonal methods of effective contraception, like an IUD that doesn’t contain hormones.

Why is it so important to limit or avoid alcohol?

Weiss: We already know girls who drink alcohol are more likely to have overgrowth of breast cells — hyperplasia — while they are still girls. While it may not be breast cancer, they’re more likely to have bumps and more likely to get a biopsy. 

We don’t know exactly why alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer. It probably has to do with how the liver responds to it and maybe hormone levels that may increase.

It may be that we don’t know the whole story about why alcohol increases cancer risk. Still, there’s pretty strong evidence that says there’s an association between drinking alcohol and a higher risk of breast cancer, and the more you drink, the higher the risk.

But there’s an opportunity to modify your risk — you can drink a nonalcoholic beverage when you go to a party, like flavored seltzer in a wine glass, with a mint and a lime. 

When you drink wine with food, you drink more slowly. When you go to a restaurant, put your hand over your glass to avoid being topped off. 

Drinking less alcohol also makes a big difference in managing your weight. If you stop drinking alcohol, you will be consuming fewer calories from the alcohol. 

Diet and nutrition tips for breast cancer prevention

Weiss: Modern life is full of all kinds of exposures that are not healthy for us. If you’re in the grocery store you have choices, you can choose to bring home food that’s healthy rather than not healthy.

For example, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has a list of the ‘Dirty Dozen,’ which is the top fruits and vegetables that are most likely to be grown in the presence of pesticides and other junk. You want to buy those from organic sources like, just like you would milk. 

The junk in the environment also concentrates as it goes up the food chain, which is why a bigger fish, like a tuna, is more exposed to junk like mercury throughout its life. So it’s a good idea to eat lower on the food chain. 

I tell my patients that the main show on their plate should be fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, grains, spices, and different colors of the rainbow. Your meat, fish, chicken, and pork should be more of a sideshow. 

A vegetarian diet is still healthier even if it contains foods on the Dirty Dozen list. A Mediterranean diet is the healthiest diet even if you can’t afford to buy organic. 

When you eat chicken, for example, take off the skin because that has a lot of the fat in it. When you eat fish, avoid the brown fat part underneath since it contains junk in it.

Enjoy tuna every once in a while, otherwise, enjoy smaller fish (i.e. sardines, anchovies) or even tilapia and flounder, which economically are cheaper than eating something higher on the food chain. The bigger the fish, the higher on the food chain and the more junk there is in there. 

For people who can’t afford organic food, a vegetarian diet is still healthier even if it contains foods on the Dirty Dozen list. A Mediterranean diet is the healthiest diet even if you can’t afford to buy organic. 

Are there any risks to soy consumption?

Weiss: Soy contains isoflavones, a protein with very weak estrogen levels. I think it’s fine to consume relatively unprocessed soy foods (e.g., edamame, tofu, tempeh, and soy milk).

“Economic vegetarians” who can’t afford meat or people who follow diets where their biggest source of protein is soy. Their risk of breast cancer is low. 

What I do warn people against is concentrated pharmaceutical-grade soy protein powder. We don’t know if that’s safe, so I would say avoid it. 

Dense breasts: What can you do to lower breast cancer risk?

Weiss: First, don’t panic. The new FDA rule says you’re required to know if your breasts are dense or not. It’s important to know that breast density is not a diagnosis, it’s just a description, and it’s based off your mammogram. 

Half the women who get mammograms have dense breasts. Of the half — a quarter of the whole pie — have what we call heterogeneously dense breasts, or patches of dense tissue. 

About a quarter of all breast cancers, which is half of the half who have dense breasts, have extremely dense breast tissue. This means that your risk of breast cancer may be a little higher, and it also means that it’s a little harder to find breast cancer in there because it’s like trying to find a polar bear in a blizzard. Then you might need some extra testing like an ultrasound or an MRI. 

There’s a whole list of factors that influence your breast cancer risk. Breast density is just one of them.

So breast density, your family history, your weight, your alcohol consumption, whether you’re socially isolated, have uncontrolled diabetes, have been on extended use of HRT or birth control pills, etc. — you want to look at all those factors. 

If you find out that you have dense breasts, it’s good to talk with your doctor or a genetic counselor about your overall risk.

It is also important to note that while uncommon, breast cancer also occurs in men. The condition affects about 1 in 800 men in their lifetime, compared with 1 in 8 women.

Takeaway

Early-onset breast cancer cases are on the rise. While overall breast cancer mortality is declining, disparities persist, with women of color still facing significant risks. 

Key risk factors for breast cancer include obesity, alcohol consumption, hormone exposures, and environmental pollutants. 

Maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, following a mostly plant-based diet, quitting smoking, and limiting or avoiding alcohol can help reduce breast cancer risk. 

The role of genetic factors, particularly in women of color and those with a family history of breast cancer, should also be taken into account. Talk with your doctor if you have dense breasts or other risk factors for breast cancer. They may recommend genetic testing for personalized risk management.