A new study suggests gut microbes can help protect humans from toxic, long-lasting “forever chemicals.”

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have identified that a natural “gut microbiome could play a helpful role in removing toxic PFAS chemicals from our body” following a study on mice, according to a media release. 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, “are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said. 

“We found that certain species of human gut bacteria have a remarkably high capacity to soak up PFAS from their environment at a range of concentrations, and store these in clumps inside their cells,” Dr. Kiran Patil, from the University of Cambridge’s MRC Toxicology Unit and senior author of the report, said in a statement. 

DANGEROUS ADDITIVE LURKING IN DESSERT COULD BE DESTROYING YOUR GUT HEALTH, EXPERTS SAY

Teresa Ensley, who lost her brother, father and husband to cancers all in the space of a few years, sits with her mother at a town hall meeting about PFAS contamination in Calhoun, Georgia, on June 13, 2025. (ISSAM AHMED/AFP)

“Due to aggregation of PFAS in these clumps, the bacteria themselves seem protected from the toxic effects,” he said. 

Researchers say that more than 4,700 PFAS chemicals are widely used today. Some quickly exit the body through urine; others could linger for years.

NONSTICK PANS FACE POTENTIAL BAN IN NEW YORK AMID HEALTH CONCERNS

A resident holds a pamphlet about PFAS contamination during a town hall meeting in Calhoun, Georgia, on June 13, 2025. PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals that repel heat, water, oil and stains. Developed in the 1940s, they’re still used in nonstick pans, firefighting foams and stain-proof carpets, yet are now linked to hormonal disruption, immune suppression and cancers. (ISSAM AHMED/AFP)

“We’re all being exposed to PFAS through our water and food – these chemicals are so widespread that they’re in all of us,” Dr. Anna Lindell, a researcher at the University of Cambridge’s MRC Toxicology Unit and first author of the study, said in a statement.

“PFAS were once considered safe, but it’s now clear that they’re not. It’s taken a long time for PFAS to become noticed because at low levels they’re not acutely toxic. But they’re like a slow poison,” she said. 

BEER DRINKERS BEWARE: SCIENTISTS FIND ‘FOREVER CHEMICALS’ EXCEEDING EPA LIMITS IN AMERICAN BREWS

Civil engineer and water quality expert Bob Bowcock collects samples to test for PFAS contamination from a property in Dalton, Georgia, on June 12, 2025. (ISSAM AHMED/AFP)

Patil and Lindell are now working to create probiotic supplements to increase the amount of the beneficial microbes in people’s guts to help protect against harms from PFAS.

Until then, researchers say people can help protect themselves from PFAS exposure by avoiding PFAS-coated cooking pans and by using a “good water filter.”

HEART DISEASE DEATH RISK RAISED BY COMMON HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS, STUDY FINDS

Amanda Hunt, 42, holds a sign revealing the results from PFAS testing at her home in Dalton, Northwest Georgia, on June 12, 2025. (ISSAM AHMED/AFP)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“Given the scale of the problem of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’, particularly their effects on human health, it’s concerning that so little is being done about removing these from our bodies,” Patil said. 

After Joe Rogan voiced his concerns about the bread offerings in America, experts are sharing their tips on choosing the healthiest varieties.

On a recent episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” the famed podcaster claimed that most of the breads in the U.S. are unhealthy and contribute to inflammation.

“A lot of inflammation comes from diet,” Rogan said. “Our bread is f***d — if you go overseas, and go eat bread in Italy, you won’t feel bad at all.”

BREAD WITH SPROUTED GRAINS OFFERS ‘ENHANCED NUTRITIONAL PROFILE,’ MAY BE HEALTHIER WAY TO ENJOY CARBS

The podcaster then shared an Instagram reel from holistic health influencer Dennis Echelbarger (Denny_Dure) claiming that bread can leave people feeling “bloated, brain-fogged and tired.”

Many point to gluten as the culprit, Echelbarger said in the video, but he claims it’s “just the scapegoat.”

“The real issue is ultraprocessed, chemically altered, bleached, bromated, fake vitamin-filled wheat soaked in glyphosate,” he concluded.

Rogan added, “I know when I cut that stuff out of my diet, it made a giant difference.”

He noted that one exception is sourdough bread, which he said is “great for you.”

WHITE BREAD VS. WHOLE WHEAT BREAD: IS ONE ‘BETTER’ FOR YOU?

For those who do eat bread, Rogan said, “You have to get it from a place that has heirloom wheat.” 

(Heirloom wheat, also known as heritage wheat, refers to older varieties that have not been genetically modified and may have higher nutritional value.)

The ideal ingredient list

New Jersey-based dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade, author of “2-Day Diabetes Diet,” says it’s not necessary to completely avoid bread to improve your health, but pointed out that not all varieties are created equal.

“There’s a wide range of breads — from those that can negatively impact your health to options that offer potential health benefits,” she said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

“The first ingredient is what makes up the majority of the bread, so this should be a whole grain.”

Breads made from refined flours, such as white bread, can cause rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar, increasing the risk of weight gain and type 2 diabetes over time, the dietitian warned. 

Instead, she recommends opting for whole-grain and high-fiber breads that break down more slowly, helping to stabilize blood sugar and improve long-term glycemic control.

When choosing a bread, it’s important to read labels carefully and assess the ingredient list, Palinski-Wade advised.

“A lot of inflammation comes from diet,” Rogan said. “Our bread is f***d — if you go overseas, and go eat bread in Italy, you won’t feel bad at all.” (iStock)

“The first ingredient is what makes up the majority of the bread, so this should be a whole grain,” she said. “From there, the shorter the ingredient list, the better.”

An ingredient list made up of whole grains, yeast and a bit of salt — as well as limited added sugars and preservatives — is ideal, according to the dietitian. “Some brands add seeds or legumes as well,” she added.

CONTROVERSIAL SEED OILS MAY OFFER UNEXPECTED HEALTH BENEFITS, NEW RESEARCH SHOWS

Among store-bought breads, one of Palinski-Wade’s top recommendations is Ezekiel bread, which includes sprouted whole grains and legumes, uses minimal processing and has limited added sugars and preservatives.

“Another easy-to-find option is the line of breads from Dave’s Killer Bread,” she shared. “Made with organic whole grains, this line of bread contains minimal preservatives, added sugars or refined grains.”

Overall, the dietitian said, it’s best to choose bread that contains mostly whole grains with little added sugars and preservatives, has a taste you enjoy, and works for your lifestyle.

An ingredient list made up of whole grains, yeast and a bit of salt — as well as limited added sugars and preservatives — is ideal, according to a dietitian. (iStock)

Julie Stefanski, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics in Chicago, said that lumping all bread together as potentially harmful is a “big oversimplification.” 

“As Americans, we have access to an enormous number of food choices,” she told Fox News Digital. “When deciding what type of bread to purchase, a person should consider how often they choose it, how large a portion they consume and their own medical issues.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Those who eat bread frequently or in multiple servings may want to prioritize choosing a healthier, whole-grain option, she advised.

“When choosing bread with fewer preservatives and simpler ingredients, consumers need to be aware that the bread will not last as long, and may need to be frozen and toasted to eventually make use of an entire loaf,” Stefanski pointed out.

Is sourdough really better?

Sourdough bread has been shown to have a lower glycemic index (GI) than white bread, Stefanski noted, and thus can be easier to digest than other wheat breads.  

“A lower glycemic index (which measures how quickly any given food spikes a person’s glucose levels) means the bread digests and turns into blood sugar slightly slower than typical white bread,” she said. 

Sourdough bread has been shown to have a lower glycemic index (GI) than white bread, and thus can be easier to digest than other wheat breads.   (Brett Comer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

“In the process of making sourdough bread, the bacteria and yeast in the starter for the bread partially breaks down the carbohydrates that are in the wheat.”

People who are typically sensitive to digesting the sugars in wheat may notice less bloating, gas and digestive issues when eating sourdough bread compared to other varieties, according to Stefanski.

Palinski-Wade agrees that sourdough bread is a good choice, but “not superior.”

“If you eat commercial white bread, the glucose in that starch is very, very quickly turned into glucose in the blood.”

“Whole-grain sourdough would be better than white sourdough, but sprouted grain breads would most likely be superior in antioxidants, fiber and nutrient composition,” she told Fox News Digital.

Making your own sourdough bread at home can be a healthy choice, Palinski-Wade added — but that isn’t always a feasible option for people who are short on time or traveling.

Avoiding the sugar spike

Dr. Jason Fung, a Toronto-based physician who is also an expert in intermittent fasting, agreed that bread’s effect on health hinges not only on its carbohydrate content, but also on how quickly the starches are absorbed into the bloodstream. 

“If you eat commercial white bread, the glucose in that starch is very, very quickly turned into glucose in the blood,” he reiterated to Fox News Digital.

“When choosing bread with fewer preservatives and simpler ingredients, consumers need to be aware that the bread will not last as long, and may need to be frozen and toasted to eventually make use of an entire loaf.” (iStock)

“This is because the flour is very refined — removing fiber, fats, proteins and bran, which all slow absorption — and is also very finely machine ground. This fine grind creates white flour, which is a dust that is quickly absorbed by intestinal cells.”

The texturizers and emulsifiers in commercial white breads — which are added to make them softer and easier to eat — also cause them to be more quickly digested and absorbed, Fung noted.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

“You can see the effect of this on the glycemic index, which measures how quickly bread spikes your glucose,” he said. 

The GI is a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 being the highest glucose spikes. White bread has a very high GI of 73, Fung said, while machine-ground whole wheat is not much better, at 70.

The GI is a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 being the highest glucose spikes. White bread has a very high GI of 73, one expert said, while machine-ground whole wheat is not much better, at 70. (iStock)

To counteract this effect, Fung recommends choosing any of the following healthier options.

• Stone-ground flour
• Ezekiel bread (sprouting process lowers GI to about 36, with more fat and protein)
• Sourdough bread (the acid slows down absorption)
• Pumpernickel (course-ground rye flour and sourdough starter, with a GI of about 50)
• Rye bread (rye flour is denser, chewier and slower to digest, with a GI of about 45-50)

“You can also slow down the absorption of glucose by eating bread with olive oil and also vinegar,” Fung advised.

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

Palinski-Wade agreed that it’s important to carefully choose what bread is paired with.

“Choosing breads with a low glycemic index and pairing them with foods rich in fat, protein or fiber can help minimize blood sugar spikes and support better glucose management,” she said.

Americans continue to invest in their aesthetic health.

A new report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) shows steady growth in cosmetic procedures last year, particularly in body contouring and minimally invasive treatments. 

The report’s data, detailed below, reveals where people are spending their money.

Cosmetic surgeries hold steady

Of the nearly 1.6 million cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2024, liposuction and breast augmentation topped the list.

HAS KRIS JENNER FOUND THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH? EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON HER STUNNING TRANSFORMATION

• Liposuction: 349,728 procedures
• Breast augmentation: 306,196 procedures
• Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): 171,064 procedures
• Breast lift: 153,616 procedures
• Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): 120,755 procedures

“Surgical procedures grew by 1% from 2023,” ASPS President Dr. Scott Hollenbeck, a general plastic surgeon based in Charlottesville, Virginia, shared in a press release, noting that body contouring procedures saw the highest increase. 

Thigh and buttock lifts were up 3%, while arm and neck lifts rose 2%. 

WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY TRUMPS POPULAR OZEMPIC TREATMENT IN SHOCKING NEW COMPARISON

Surgeons believe this may reflect the rising use of GLP-1 weight-loss medications, like Ozempic and Wegovy, which can lead to sagging skin.

Minimally invasive treatments reign supreme

Minimally invasive procedures continue to dominate the aesthetic landscape, with over 28.5 million performed last year. The top five listed below led the pack.

• Neuromodulator injections (e.g., Botox, Dysport): 9,883,711
• Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers: 5,331,426
• Skin resurfacing (e.g., laser, chemical peels, microdermabrasion): 3,703,305
• Skin treatments (e.g., laser hair/tattoo removal, IPL): 3,112,056
• Lip augmentation with injectables: 1,449,565

Minimally invasive procedures continue to dominate the aesthetic landscape, with over 28.5 million performed last year, per the ASPS. (iStock)

“These treatments remain strong due to their affordability and low downtime,” said ASPS member surgeon Dr. Kristy Hamilton, a general plastic surgeon based in Houston, Texas, in the release.

“Despite so-called ‘filler fatigue,’ HA fillers continue to top the list — when done naturally, they’re extremely effective,” she added.

The weight loss connection

For the first time, ASPS tracked the use of GLP-1 weight-loss medications, noting that over 837,000 prescriptions were written by ASPS surgeons in 2024. 

Of those patients, 20% had already undergone surgery, 39% were considering surgery and 41% were exploring non-surgical options, the report shared.

WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS’ IMPACT ON CANCER RISK REVEALED IN NEW STUDY

“These medications are helping patients reach a healthy weight before surgery,” Dr. Heather Faulkner, a cosmetic plastic surgeon based in Atlanta, Goergia, said in the release. 

“But they’re not substitutes — you must be near your goal weight before considering procedures like tummy tucks or lifts.”

What’s fueling the interest?

A number of factors could contribute to the high demand for cosmetic procedures, according to experts.

“Maybe it’s greater exposure through social media or a general decrease in taboos,” said Hollenbeck. “Either way, patients are prioritizing their aesthetic health.”

A number of factors could contribute to the high demand for cosmetic procedures, according to experts. (iStock)

Surgeons agree that aesthetic procedures go beyond vanity, suggesting they are about feeling strong, confident and healthy. 

Many also see them as part of a holistic self-care routine, alongside diet, fitness and mental well-being.

“Patients are prioritizing their aesthetic health.”

Social media is also helping to normalize aesthetic care, making procedures more accessible and less stigmatized, the report stated.

Patients now openly discuss their experiences and are seeking natural, subtle enhancements, not exaggerated results.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“There’s a trend toward the ‘ballerina body,’” Dr. Michele Shermak, a general plastic surgeon based in Baltimore, Maryland, said in the report. 

“Smaller implants, lifted silhouettes — women want to look refined, not overdone.”

Reconstructive surgery on the rise

Cosmetic procedures weren’t the only area of growth. Over one million reconstructive surgeries were performed in 2024, including the most common ones listed below. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

• Tumor removal (including skin cancer): 361,798
• Hand surgery: 208,480
• Breast reconstruction: 162,579
• Maxillofacial surgery: 54,747
• Scar revision: 54,280

According to cosmetic surgeons, patients now openly discuss their experiences and are seeking natural, subtle enhancements, with extreme or exaggerated results fading out of fashion. (iStock)

“Plastic surgeons are also innovators in complex wound care,” said Dr. Sara Dickie, general plastic surgeon based in Morton Grove, Illinois, according to the report. 

“Whether it’s trauma, dog bites or tumor removal, our work goes beyond aesthetics.”

For more Health articles, visit foxnews.com/health

Safety over savings

While trends may come and go, ASPS emphasizes that safety should always come first, recommending that procedures are performed by board-certified plastic surgeons with the appropriate training and experience.

“Patients want to look and feel their best,” Hollenbeck added. “And when done right, aesthetic care can support mental and physical well-being in truly meaningful ways.”

If living near a golf course seems scenic and relaxing, it may also be linked to a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to a surprising new study that comes with some limitations.

Led by the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona, along with Mayo Clinic, the study found that the greatest risk was found among those who live within one to three miles of a golf course.

“The strongest effects were in municipal water service areas with a golf course and in regions with vulnerable groundwater based on the bedrock and topography,” lead study author Brittany Krzyzanowski, Ph.D., assistant professor at the Barrow Neurological Institute, told Fox News Digital.

EAR WAX COULD OFFER CLUES OF EARLY PARKINSON’S DISEASE, STUDY SUGGESTS

“These findings suggest that pesticides applied to golf courses may play a role in the incidence of PD [Parkinson’s disease] for nearby residents,” the researchers concluded in the study, which was published in JAMA Network Open.

The case-control study analyzed data from 419 Parkinson’s patients averaging 73 years of age and living near 139 golf courses in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

They then made comparisons to control data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project from 1991 to 2015.

“We had accurate data on golf course locations, and we could accurately determine the source of an individual’s drinking water – whether that be municipal water or private well water,” Krzyzanowski noted.

Living within one mile of a golf course was associated with 126% increased odds of developing the neurological disease compared to living more than six miles away, the study found.

People living near water service areas with a golf course had nearly twice the risk of developing Parkinson’s, according to the new study.

People living near water service areas with a golf course had nearly twice the risk of developing Parkinson’s compared with individuals in water service areas without golf courses.

Those living in water service areas with a golf course in vulnerable groundwater regions had an 82% higher risk, according to the findings.

(Vulnerable groundwater is more susceptible to contamination from human activities and environmental factors.)

Living within one mile of a golf course was associated with 126% increased odds of developing the neurological disease compared to living more than six miles away, a new study has found, though further research is needed. (iStock)

The associations remained even after the researchers adjusted for age and income, which suggests there could be something more than demographics driving the relationship between golf course proximity and risk of Parkinson’s disease, Krzyzanowski noted. 

“We speculate that pesticides might play a role; however, we didn’t include data on pesticides in this study, so future research is needed to better understand what’s going on,” she said.

PARKINSON’S PATIENTS WHO TAKE ‘MAGIC MUSHROOMS’ SEE KEY BENEFITS, STUDY FINDS

Dr. Mary Ann Picone, medical director of the MS Center at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, was not involved in the study but shared her opinion of the findings.

“There has often been discussion regarding risks for development of Parkinson’s disease and environmental agents such as pesticides,” she told Fox News Digital. 

“Further research is needed with larger groups of patients, but this study does increase the concern about the association between pesticide exposure and risk of Parkinson’s, especially within a one- to three-mile radius and groundwater and well vulnerability.”

Airborne exposure to the pesticides was also a factor, she added.  

Potential limitations

The main limitation of the study is that it is not possible to quantify the amount of exposure each person receives, according to Dr. Rodolfo Savica, Mayo Clinic neurologist and senior author of the study.

“Unfortunately, there are many other aspects as well that can interfere with developing a disease,” he told Fox News Digital. 

“There has often been discussion regarding risks for development of Parkinson’s disease and environmental agents such as pesticides,” a doctor told Fox News Digital.  (iStock)

“Despite that, we are trying our best to contemplate and adjust for any possible additional information, but sometimes that is not possible.”

The study was limited to a region with hot and humid summers, specifically southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, where golf courses may have applied pesticides with more frequency compared to other geographic regions. 

“Therefore, our results might not generalize to other areas,” the study lead noted.

Other relevant Parkinson’s risk factors, such as head trauma history and genetic predisposition, were not accounted for, Picone noted.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Krzyzanowski also pointed out that Parkinson’s disease develops many decades after exposure, so the study aimed to estimate exposure from long ago. 

“If pesticides were involved, they would be the ones sprayed a long time ago and that might be different from what’s being sprayed today,” she said.

“The study’s methodological limitations make it difficult to draw conclusions from the data.”

Picone agreed that because this study looked back to 2013, it is possible that different pesticides used before 2013 were not tracked.  

“However, this study does provide evidence for an association between living on a golf course and pesticide groundwater exposure and risk of Parkinson’s development, and does raise concern and the need for larger population sample research,” she shared with Fox News Digital.

Older adults continue to stay active, which is crucial for their well-being, noted the senior study author. (iStock)

Krzyzanowski added that because this was an observational study, the researchers couldn’t make causal conclusions about the results.

“If you’re worried about exposure of any kind, you should consult with your doctor,” she advised.

Industry spokespeople respond

A spokesperson from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, headquartered in Lawrence, Kansas, provided a statement to Fox News Digital in response to the study.

“Public health experts and researchers who have reviewed the study have noted that the study’s methodological limitations make it difficult to draw conclusions from the data. As noted by the authors of the study, the role of pesticide exposure from golf courses in Parkinson’s disease risk remains unclear. Without the methodological gaps being filled, the hypothesis linking golf-course pesticide exposure to Parkinson’s Disease remains speculative.”

“Pesticides registered by the EPA do not … create unreasonable adverse effects to human health and the environment when used according to label directions.”

The spokesperson noted that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rigorously tests and registers the pesticides that the golf industry uses to maintain healthy golf course turf. 

“Pesticides registered by the EPA do not, according to the top researchers in their field, create unreasonable adverse effects to human health and the environment when used according to label directions,” the spokesperson continued.

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

“Golf course superintendents are leading practitioners of integrated pest management, a philosophy that reduces the potential environmental risks of pesticide usage.”

Mayo Clinic’s Savica recommended that older adults continue to stay active, which is crucial for their well-being. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“I recommend people continue to play sports outdoors and enjoy the sociality of any activity, including playing golf,” he said. 

“On the other hand, I would recommend that people be very careful and avoid exposure to places where we know there can be an interaction between pesticides and contaminants.”