Alzheimer’s disease now affects more than seven million people in the U.S., and nearly four in five Americans say they would want to know if they have it before symptoms emerge.

This data comes from the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual report, titled “Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.”

“For a long time, it was like, ‘Oh, I wouldn’t want to find out.’ And so knowing that people can do more now is making a difference in the stigma,” said Dr. Elizabeth Edgerly, senior director for Community Programs and Services for the Alzheimer’s Association, in an interview with Fox News Digital.

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Edgerly was referring to the advancement of technology that allows for early Alzheimer’s detection, making testing more accessible than ever.

Traditionally, pre-symptom Alzheimer’s testing has involved costly, invasive methods like PET scans and spinal taps.

And when it comes to senior health, it can be difficult to determine the level of urgency in potential red flags, according to Edgerly.

“We’re trying to get to the place where cancer is today — more openness, support and survivorship.”

“People struggle to try to figure out: Is that normal aging, or something we should get checked out?”

Another obstacle is that testing can take a very long time. “That process can take months or even years to get to the point where someone has a definitive diagnosis,” Edgerly said.

A new blood test can predict the likelihood of Alzheimer’s developing in a person before symptoms begin, the expert said. (iStock)

The introduction of a new blood test — one that can predict the likelihood of Alzheimer’s developing in a person before symptoms begin — makes the process a lot less daunting, the expert noted.

“It’s much more common, more affordable, more accessible.”

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The growing desire for transparency could also be related to the sharp rise in caregiving costs and the labor of caregiving itself.

The national cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is projected to reach $384 billion in 2025 — up $24 billion from just a year ago, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The national cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is projected to reach $384 billion in 2025, up from $24 billion from just a year ago. (iStock)

Nearly 12 million family members and friends provide 19.2 billion hours of unpaid care, valued at an additional $413 billion.

“Anyone who has cared for someone or has close friends who have been affected … it’s hard to not want to change that,” said Edgerly, whose own mother suffered from a form of dementia.

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Three in five people surveyed said they would accept a moderate or even high risk level from taking medication to slow the disease’s progression.

While much research is still needed into the disease’s progression, Edgerly said people can take steps to potentially reduce their risk.

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“Eating a diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables — the Mediterranean diet is probably the one most people know — exercising, handling things like high blood pressure … all of that appears to make a positive difference,” she told Fox News Digital.

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With over 140 treatment options in the works, Edgerly said Americans may feel more optimistic than ever about the reality of Alzheimer’s, even as risk grows amid an aging population.

“Eating a diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables … appears to make a positive difference,” an expert advised. (iStock)

“We’re also seeing that there is a higher recognition of Alzheimer’s,” the expert noted. “For a long time — and still — many people don’t get diagnosed. But those numbers are changing.”

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“We’re trying to get to the place where cancer is today — more openness, support and survivorship.”

The threat of ultraprocessed food consumption is in the spotlight amid the U.S. government’s plans to phase out artificial food dyes.

New research is supporting this movement, revealing that foods in this category are linked to premature deaths in eight countries.

The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, focused on the risk of all-cause mortality and the “epidemiologic burden” from ultraprocessed food consumption.

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The meta-analysis of observational cohort studies, conducted from November 2023 to July 2024, looked at people with low consumption of ultraprocessed foods in Colombia and Brazil, intermediate consumption in Chile and Mexico, and high consumptions in the U.S., the U.K., Australia and Canada.

The researchers found an association between ultraprocessed foods and all-cause mortality in all eight countries, varying from 4% risk in Colombia to 14% risk in the U.K. and U.S.

“The findings support that ultraprocessed food intake contributes significantly to the overall burden of disease in many countries, and its reduction should be included in national dietary guideline recommendations and addressed in public policies,” the researchers concluded.

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In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, study co-author Eduardo A.F. Nilson, a food and nutrition researcher in Brazil, shared how the evidence of health risks connected to ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) has “increased significantly over the last decade.”

“UPF consumption has been associated with 32 adverse health outcomes, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even mental health issues,” he listed.

“UPF consumption has been associated with 32 adverse health outcomes, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even mental health issues.”

“Our estimates show that the magnitude of the impact of UPFs on all-cause mortality is relevant in all countries involved in the analysis, especially in those where they are predominant in the diets, such as the U.S. and the U.K.”

The difference between countries with “lower, yet increasing” UPF consumption and those with higher consumption suggests that “large impacts on preventable deaths could be potentially achieved by reducing UPF consumption.”

“What’s in them that’s allowing them to stay in your pantry for a couple of years?” one doctor questioned about ultraprocessed foods. (iStock)

In a previous interview with Fox News Digital in New York City, WebMD Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Whyte shared a word of caution about ultraprocessed food exposure. 

As the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement has the nation re-evaluating what people are consuming, Whyte agreed that there are “lots of things we need to be doing to make food healthier.”

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“There’s so much food that we consume that’s processed and, even more concerning, ultraprocessed,” he said.

“It often seems to be more convenient. It’s cheaper, it lasts longer,” he went on. “And sometimes, I’m concerned about how long some of these foods last.”

“The findings support that ultraprocessed food intake contributes significantly to the overall burden of disease in many countries,” study researchers concluded. (iStock)

The practicing physician questioned, “What’s in them that’s allowing them to stay in your pantry for a couple of years?”

As an example, Whyte referenced “blue zones,” areas of the world where people live to be 100 and have a low incidence of dementia and heart disease.

Residents in blue zones eat primarily plant-based, whole-foods diets, he noted.

DIABETES RISK LINKED TO THESE ULTRAPROCESSED FOOD COMBINATIONS

“They’re not eating a lot of processed cookies, meats or snacks,” he said. 

“And that’s where I think we need to have this important discussion as to how we have more healthy food. How do we make it more available? How do we make it economical for people?”

The U.S. government has announced plans to phase out synthetic dyes from America’s food supply. (iStock)

In response, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Mary Makary have announced their intent to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply.

“For the last 50 years, American children have increasingly been living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals,” Makary said at a recent press conference. 

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“The scientific community has conducted a number of studies raising concerns about the correlation between petroleum-based synthetic dyes and several health conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, cancer, genomic disruption and GI issues.”

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Fox News Digital’s Ashley DiMella contributed to this report.

Brad Smith — an Arizona husband and father with ALS — has become the third person to receive Neuralink, the brain implant made by Elon Musk’s company.

He is also the first ALS patient and the first non-verbal person to receive the implant, he shared in a post on X on Sunday.

“I am typing this with my brain. It is my primary communication,” Smith, who was diagnosed with in 2020, wrote in the post, which was also shared by Musk. He went on to thank Musk.

Smith — who is completely paralyzed and relies on a ventilator to breathe — created a video using the brain-computer interface (BCI) to control the mouse on his MacBook Pro, he stated. 

“This is the first video edited with the Neurolink, and maybe the first edited with a BCI,” he said. 

“Neuralink has given me freedom, hope and faster communication.”

The video was narrated by Smith’s “old voice,” he said, which was cloned by artificial intelligence from recordings before he lost the use of his voice. 

“I want to explain how Neuralink has impacted my life and give you an overview of how it works,” he said.

ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, according to The ALS Association. 

Over time, the disease impairs muscle control until the patient becomes paralyzed. ALS is ultimately fatal, with an average life expectancy of three years — although 10% of patients can survive for 10 years and 5% live 20 years or longer.

It does not impact cognitive function.

HOW ELON MUSK’S NEURALINK BRAIN CHIP WORKS

Neuralink, which is about 1.75 inches thick, was implanted in Smith’s motor cortex, the part of the brain that controls body movement.

The implanted device captures neuron firings in the brain and sends a raw signal to the computer.

Neuralink is made by Elon Musk’s company of the same name. (Getty Images)

“AI processes this data on a connected MacBook Pro to decode my intended movements in real time to move the cursor on my screen,” Smith said.

“Neuralink has given me freedom, hope and faster communication,” he added. “It has improved my life so much. I am so happy to be involved in something big that will help many people.” 

EXPERIMENTAL ALS DRUG COULD OFFER NEW HOPE FOR PATIENTS IF APPROVED, RESEARCHERS SAY

Smith is also a man of faith, sharing that he believes God has put him in this position to serve others. 

“I have not always understood why God afflicted me with ALS, but with time, I am learning to trust His plan for me,” he said. 

“God loves me and my family. He has answered our prayers in unexpected ways. He has blessed my kids and our family. So I’m learning to trust that God knows what he is doing.”

The wireless device was implanted in Smith’s motor cortex, the part of the brain that controls body movement. (iStock)

Smith also said he is grateful that he gets to work with the “brilliant people” at Neuralink and do “really interesting work.”

“Don’t get me wrong, ALS still really sucks, but I am talking about the big picture,” he said. “The big picture is, I am happy.” 

Dr. Mary Ann Picone, medical director of the MS Center at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, applauded Neuralink’s capabilities.

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“This is an amazing development that now the third person to use Neuralink has gained the ability with the use of AI to type with neural thoughts,” Picone, who was not involved in Smith’s care, told Fox News Digital. 

“The now-realized potential of Neuralink is to allow patients with quadriplegia to control computers and mobile devices with their thoughts.” 

“For every Brad Smith out there, there are hundreds of thousands of other disabled patients awaiting access to this technology,” a neurologist said. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

There are some risks involved with the implant, Picone noted, including surgical infection, bleeding and damage to the underlying brain tissue.

“But the benefits are that patients who are paralyzed would have the potential to restore personal control over the limbs by using their thoughts,” she said.  

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Dr. Peter Konrad, MD, PhD, chairman of the department of neurosurgery at WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute in West Virginia, called Neuralink a “remarkable demonstration of the power of AI-driven technology.”

“Mr. Smith is an incredible hero for those who are severely disabled from diseases such as ALS,” Konrad, who also was not involved in Smith’s care, told Fox News Digital.

“Mr. Smith is an incredible hero for those who are severely disabled from disease such as ALS.”

Konrad also spoke of the advancements that have occurred since the past generations of BCI technology.

“It is encouraging to see faster progress being made with neural devices reaching clinical trials in the past five to 10 years,” he said. “However, we are still awaiting development of a BCI device that does not require a team of engineers and experts to customize each and every severely disabled patient with this technology.”

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“For every Brad Smith out there, there are hundreds of thousands of other disabled patients awaiting access to this technology. This video demonstrates the safety of these types of devices — now it’s time to provide larger access to these devices through a new generation of educated physicians, engineers and manufacturers able to deploy this technology.”

A new study has exposed “serious adverse events” linked to mifepristone, also known as the “abortion pill.”

Mifepristone is a “pregnancy blocker” that is used in combination with another medication, misoprostol, to terminate pregnancies, according to Mayo Clinic.

It is also used to manage early miscarriages, as it helps prepare the body to empty the uterus.

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Research by the Ethics & Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., has revealed that the rate of serious side effects is 22 times higher than what is indicated on the FDA-approved drug label.

After going through an abortion assisted by mifepristone, nearly 11% of women — more than one in 10 — reported experiencing “infection, hemorrhaging, or another serious or life-threatening adverse event,” according to the study summary.

The study used insurance claims data that includes more than 865,000 medication abortions prescribed between 2017 and 2023, resulting in what is described as the largest-ever dataset on chemical abortion.

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“By contrast, the current FDA-approved drug label is based on the results of 10 clinical trials with a total of 30,966 women, less than 0.5 percent of whom reportedly experienced severe adverse reactions,” the study states. 

“Some of these trials were conducted as long as 42 years ago.”

The study authors — Jamie Bryan Hall, EPPC’s director of data analysis, and Ryan T. Anderson, EPPC’s president — called the results a “truly shocking and sad reality.”

The study used insurance claims data for more than 865,000 medication abortions prescribed between 2017 and 2023.

“We weren’t exactly surprised by these findings, as other studies of smaller datasets have found significant safety problems with chemical abortion drugs — particularly after the Obama and Biden administrations removed important FDA safety protections that were required when the chemical abortion drug was first approved,” the authors said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital. 

“The largest limitation, which we’re working to address, is that there is no insurance code for death — and sadly, we know that women die from complications resulting from the abortion pill.”

Nearly 11% of women reported experiencing “infection, hemorrhaging, or another serious or life-threatening adverse event,” according to the study summary. (iStock)

Based on the study, the researchers are calling on the FDA to reinstate the original safety protections that they required when they approved mifepristone, stating that “women deserve the truth.”

Christina Francis, M.D., CEO of the American Association of Pro Life OBGYNs, who is based in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, was not involved in the research but commented on the significance of the outcome.

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“The findings of this study, which analyzes nearly 900,000 drug-induced abortions, align with what I have seen in my two decades of practice as an OB-GYN, during which I have cared for many women who have been lied to about the safety of abortion drugs and suffered significant complications from them,” she told Fox News Digital. 

Francis concluded that nearly 71,000 women likely suffered these types of severe complications in 2023, based on numbers from the Guttmacher Institute.

Mifepristone is also used to manage early miscarriages, as it helps prepare the body to empty the uterus. (iStock)

“This should serve as a wake-up call for the FDA that the complication rate is over 20 times higher than what has previously stated — and is a public health crisis that should be investigated immediately,” she said.

“Women deserve informed consent about the potentially life-threatening dangers of these drugs.”

Potential limitations

Professor Jessie Hill, a health law expert at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, also reviewed the study findings. 

She stated that mifepristone has been one of the most-studied medications ever since its approval in the U.S. 25 years ago, claiming it is also “one of the safest.”

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Hill pointed out that the EPPC’s study is not peer-reviewed and questioned its “potential bias.”

“The study uses insurance claims data, but insurance claims are an imperfect proxy for causal medical outcomes,” she told Fox News Digital. “They often lack context — a claim for hemorrhage, for instance, may not even be causally linked to mifepristone itself.”

Approximately 63% of all abortions in the U.S. in 2023 were medication abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute. (iStock)

Hill also objected to the comparison of modern claims data to the FDA’s clinical trial data.

“Clinical trials have rigorous standards for defining and reporting adverse events. Claims data are generated for billing purposes, not scientific analysis, and often overcount or misclassify events.”

“Insurance claims are an imperfect proxy for causal medical outcomes.”

Hill also noted that the legal standard for FDA drug regulation is not “no risk,” and that all medications have adverse event rates. 

“Overstating risks without weighing benefits distorts the regulatory framework,” she said.

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Approximately 63% of all abortions in the U.S. in 2023 were medication abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute. This was an increase from 53% in 2020.

Fox News Digital reached out to the FDA and to the manufacturer of mifepristone for comment.

New cancer research pioneered by Memorial Sloan Kettering points to a strong alternative to chemotherapy, surgery and radiation for some forms of cancer.

Nearly 80% of patients who suffered from a variety of cancer types were successfully treated with only immunotherapy, according to a new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

The immunotherapy protocol successfully treated 100% of rectal cancer patients involved in the trial.

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“My husband, Tommy, and I were preparing for the worst,” recalled Maureen Sideris, who was diagnosed with gastroesophageal junction cancer in 2022 and subsequently became a participant in the trial.

“After being treated with only immunotherapy, I had no evidence of cancer and didn’t have to undergo surgery, chemo or radiation,” she said in an MSK press release. “I felt like I won the lottery!”

Dr. Andrea Cercek, a gastrointestinal oncologist, oversaw the research along with fellow gastrointestinal oncologist Dr. Luiz Diaz. 

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The pair sought to develop this approach in part due to the negative impacts of traditional treatment, according to the release.

The immunotherapy protocol successfully treated 100% of rectal cancer patients involved in the trial. (Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Images)

“Using the standard-of-care treatment of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to treat rectal cancer is effective,” Cercek said.

“But the treatments can leave people infertile and severely affect bowel, urinary and sexual functions, as well as other aspects of daily life.”

“After being treated with only immunotherapy, I had no evidence of cancer and didn’t have to undergo surgery, chemo or radiation.”

Participants in the trial were all patients with tumors ranging from stage 1 to stage 3, meaning the tumors had not yet spread, the release indicated.

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The tumors also had a genetic mutation called mismatch repair-deficient (MMRd), which makes them particularly vulnerable to a type of immunotherapy called “checkpoint inhibitors.”

Checkpoint inhibitors, delivered intravenously to participants, “unmask” tumor cells, making it easier for the body to fight back against them. (iStock)

This therapy “unmasks” tumor cells, MSK stated, making it easier for the patient’s own immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells.

The first clinical trial testing the therapy started with only 18 patients, all of whom had rectal cancer.

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“We knew there was a broad range of cancer types that had this same MMRd genetic mutation,” Cercek said. “We hoped this approach could help people facing these other cancers, too.”

In the expanded trial, which contained 103 patients, there were 49 rectal cancer patients and 54 patients with other types of cancer. Participants received checkpoint inhibitor infusions intravenously over the course of six months, per the release.

Thirty-five patients out of the 54 with cancers other than rectal cancer saw all signs of their cancer disappear after the immunotherapy. (iStock)

In all 49 rectal cancer patients, there was no evidence of cancer after immunotherapy.

Of the 54 patients with other cancers, 35 saw all signs of cancer disappear after therapy, according to a variety of tests performed for the study.

“This is a very significant response, and the results were even better than we had hoped,” said Cercek. “We found that some cancer types responded extremely well to the immunotherapy, including colon and stomach cancer.”

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In the 20% of non-rectal cancer patients who still needed surgery post-therapy, researchers saw that the immunotherapy often shrunk the tumor and even lowered the stage classifications of some of the tumors, according to Cercek.

Timothy Yap, Ph.D., a medical oncologist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, agrees that the immunotherapy treatment’s effectiveness for multiple kinds of cancer is “exciting.”

“Responding patients may avoid the need for surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and benefit by improving their quality of life,” one oncologist said. (iStock)

“We are always seeking to improve treatment strategies for cancer patients through innovative clinical trials, and this is no exception,” Yap, who was not involved in the study, told Fox Digital.

“Responding patients may avoid the need for surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and benefit by improving their quality of life,” he said.

“This is a very significant response, and the results were even better than we had hoped.”

Based on the results of the original trial with rectal patients, the immunotherapy-only approach has been incorporated into the treatment guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, which is the doctor’s group that sets cancer treatments in the U.S., the release stated.

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Some of the original participants of the 2022 trial are still cancer-free today, multiple years after the initial treatment.