A Harvard medical student recently completed an “egg-citing” experiment.

Nick Norwitz, 25, decided to eat 720 eggs in one month to see what the effect would be on his cholesterol.

At the end of the month, the Boston man found that his cholesterol levels had dipped by 20%.

ASK A DOCTOR: ‘HOW CAN I PREVENT HIGH CHOLESTEROL?’

Norwitz — a self-described “academician” with a PhD in metabolic health, who is currently finishing his medical degree at Harvard — said he has always had a passion for sharing his “joy and interest” in science.

“My colleagues and I come up with creative ways to try to translate our awe and love for physiology and biology into something that is interesting and accessible to the public,” he told Fox News Digital.

“The goal is to provoke conversation and bring people to the table so we can talk about human metabolism, which I find utterly fascinating.”

VEGAN DIET VERSUS MEAT-BASED DIET: IDENTICAL TWINS FOLLOWED DIFFERENT MEAL PLANS, HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED

During his egg-eating month, Norwitz consumed 24 eggs per day.

He ate them in “all the ways,” he said — scrambled, fried, omelets, deviled.

“Eggs are a pretty versatile food, so making them in different ways made for a pretty pleasant experiment — it wasn’t that difficult.”

Norwitz, who has a PhD in metabolic health and is currently finishing his medical degree at Harvard, said he has always had a passion for sharing his “joy and interest” in science. (Nick Norwitz)

For the first two weeks, it was against the backdrop of an otherwise very low-carbohydrate diet, he said, and then he added carbs for the second two weeks.

“The goal is to provoke conversation about human metabolism.”

“The purpose of this whole experiment was a metabolic demonstration to discuss the ‘levers’ that can affect cholesterol in different individuals.”

“I expected my cholesterol levels not to change by just adding the eggs — and that is indeed what happened.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP      

It was when he added the carbs that his cholesterol levels dropped, due to a metabolic shift after having adapted to the low-carb diet — a phenomenon that he explains in more detail in the video at the top of the article.

During his egg-eating month, Norwitz consumed 24 eggs per day. He ate them in “all the ways,” he said — scrambled, fried, omelets, deviled. (iStock)

One key thing Norwitz has learned — from this experiment and others he’s done — is that there’s not one “best” human diet.

“When evaluating what is a good diet for a person, you need to consider their baseline metabolic health, and also what their goals are,” he told Fox News Digital. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Some people, for example, might be optimizing for longevity, while others might be focused on cardiovascular health or looking to keep inflammatory bowel disease in remission. 

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

Norwitz said he has many more experiments planned to spark awareness and knowledge of how foods affect the body’s functions and overall health.

“I am passionate about making metabolic health mainstream,” he said. “This is only the tip of the iceberg.”

Hot on the heels of the National Public Records data breach, which leaked more than 2 billion records, another background check firm has now had a leak.

The company in question, MC2 Data, exposed the sensitive data of around one-third of the U.S. population – 106 million people – to the entire internet. 

While data leaks are sometimes unavoidable, in this case, MC2 Data is fully responsible, as it left a database containing 2.2TB of personal data passwordless.

GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE

MC2 Data’s negligence led to the data leak

Cybernews broke the story of this security incident, noting that on Aug. 7 its research team discovered that MC2 Data had left a database containing 2.2TB of personal data unprotected and easily accessible to anyone on the internet.

The database contained 106,316,633 records with private information about U.S. citizens, and Cybernews estimates that at least 100 million individuals were affected by this massive data leak.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS

The leaked data included names, emails, IP addresses, user agents, encrypted passwords, partial payment information, home addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, property records, legal records, and family, relatives’ and neighbors’ data as well as employment history. MC2 Data even exposed data of 2,319,873 users who subscribed to its services, including individuals and organizations needing background checks.

MC2 Data base (Cybernews)

THE HIDDEN COSTS OF FREE APPS: YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

What was the company doing with all that data anyway?

As I mentioned, MC2 Data is a background check firm. It was probably using the data to provide background check services, gathering information on people for clients like employers, landlords or organizations needing to verify things like identities or employment history. 

While data collection like this is pretty standard in the background check industry, companies are required to follow strict rules. They have to comply with federal, state and local regulations to make sure their operations are legal and that people’s data stays protected.

“Background-checking services have always been problematic, as cybercriminals would often be able to purchase their services to gather data on their victims,” said Aras Nazarovas, a Cybernews security researcher.

FROM TIKTOK TO TROUBLE: HOW YOUR ONLINE DATA CAN BE WEAPONIZED AGAINST YOU

The data leak is a gold mine for cybercriminals

The world’s most valuable resource is no longer oil but data. Everyone from big tech companies to cybercriminals to small-time marketers is willing to pay a premium for access to this vast amount of information. The biggest concern, however, lies with cybercriminals who can use this data for identity theft and other malicious attacks.

The leaked information of subscribers is particularly concerning, as these individuals could be high-value targets for cybercriminals. The subscribers may include employers, landlords, law enforcement and similar entities.

MC2 Data is yet to issue a statement confirming the breach. We reached out to MC2 Data for a comment but did not hear back before our deadline.

It’s time to invest in identity theft protection

Cybercriminals who have access to this data may attempt identity theft, but with an identity theft protection service, you’ll be notified if and when you are affected. Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.

One of the best parts of using some services is that they might include identity theft insurance of up to $1 million to cover losses and legal fees and a white-glove fraud resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

A person scrolling on their cellphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

WORLD’S LARGEST STOLEN PASSWORD DATABASE UPLOADED TO CRIMINAL FORUM

4 ways to protect yourself from data breaches

In addition to opting for an identity theft protection service, you can follow these tips to protect yourself from data breaches.

1. Remove your personal information from the internet: While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with the information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

2. Be wary of mailbox communications: Bad actors may also try to scam you through snail mail. The data leak gives them access to your address. They may impersonate people or brands you know and use themes that require urgent attention, such as missed deliveries, account suspensions and security alerts.

3. Be cautious of phishing attempts: Be vigilant about emails, phone calls or messages from unknown sources asking for personal information. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or providing sensitive details unless you can verify the legitimacy of the request. The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware is to have strong antivirus protection installed on all your devices. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

4. Monitor your accounts: Breaches of this magnitude will make it a necessity for you to start routinely reviewing your bank accounts, credit card statements and other financial accounts for any unauthorized activity. If you notice any suspicious transactions, report them immediately to your bank or credit card company.

Kurt’s key takeaway

When your business model relies on collecting people’s data and providing services based on that information, you must do everything possible to protect it. This is not only a moral responsibility, it’s also a legal requirement. MC2 Data has failed to meet this obligation, and its negligence puts millions of Americans at risk, many of whom were unaware their data was being collected by the firm. Companies should face strict legal actions and hefty penalties for such incidents rather than just receiving a slap on the wrist.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

What do you think should be the consequences for companies that fail to protect consumer data? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

New from Kurt:

Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

It has been added to municipal water for decades, but a federal judge in California has ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to further regulate fluoride because high levels could pose “an unreasonable risk” to the intellectual development of children.

U.S. District Judge Edward Chen ruled Tuesday that the scientific evidence of fluoride’s health risks when ingested at current prescribed levels requires stricter regulation under the 2016 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The act provides a legal pathway for citizens to petition the EPA to consider whether an industrial chemical presents health risks.

Chen, in his 80-page ruling, “little dispute” over whether fluoride is hazardous and ordered the EPA to take steps to lower that risk, but didn’t say what those measures should be.

“Indeed, EPA’s own expert agrees that fluoride is hazardous at some level of exposure,” the judge said. “And ample evidence establishes that a mother’s exposure to fluoride during pregnancy is associated with IQ decrements in her offspring.”

FLUORIDE IN WATER LINKED TO LOWER INTELLIGENCE

“Between 1981 and 1984, fluoride’s association with adverse effects including osteosclerosis, enamel fluorosis, and psychological and behavioral problems was contested,” Chen said.

At the same time, he wrote that the court’s finding “does not conclude with certainty that fluoridated water is injurious to public health,” Chen said. “Rather, as required by the Amended TSCA, the Court finds there is an unreasonable risk of such injury, a risk sufficient to require the EPA to engage with a regulatory response.

“This order does not dictate precisely what that response must be. Amended TSCA leaves that decision in the first instance to the EPA. One thing the EPA cannot do, however, in the face of this Court’s finding, is to ignore that risk,” Chen added. 

“If the Court finds anew that the chemical at issue presents an unreasonable risk, it then orders the EPA to engage in rulemaking regarding the chemical,” the judge said. “The EPA is afforded in the first instance the authority to respond; regulatory actions can range from requiring a mere warning label to banning the chemical.”

An EPA spokesperson, Jeff Landis, told The Associated Press that the agency was reviewing the decision but offered no further comment.

It’s the first time a federal judge has made a determination about the neurodevelopmental risks to children of the recommended U.S. water fluoride level, said Ashley Malin, a University of Florida researcher who has studied the effect of higher fluoride levels in pregnant women.

She called it “the most historic ruling in the U.S. fluoridation debate that we’ve ever seen.”

Currently, more than 200 million Americans, or about 75 percent of the population, drink fluoridated water.

Fluoride is added to many brands of toothpaste (iStock)

DOES FLUORIDE IN DRINKING WATER HURT YOUR BRAIN?

In 1950, federal officials endorsed water fluoridation to prevent tooth decay, and they continued to promote it even after fluoride toothpaste brands hit the market several years later. In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan became the first city in the world to fluoridate its water supply. 

Critics have long said that washing teeth with fluoride is not comparable to the risks posed by ingesting fluoride, with the latter potentially triggering harmful neurotoxic effects. 

Since 2015, federal health officials have recommended a fluoridation level of 0.7 milligrams per liter of water. For five decades before that, the recommended upper range was 1.2 “after evidence increasingly established fluoride’s connection to adverse effects, including severe enamel fluorosis, risk of bone fracture, and potential skeletal fluorosis,” the judge wrote. Skeletal fluorosis is a potentially crippling disorder which causes weaker bones, stiffness and pain.

The World Health Organization has set a safe limit for fluoride in drinking water of 1.5. Separately, the EPA has a longstanding requirement that water systems cannot have more than 4 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water. 

The case was brought by Food and Water Watch, an advocacy organization which petitioned the EPA to investigate lowered IQs in children allegedly caused by fluoride. The EPA denied the group’s 2016  petition calling for the agency to ban or limit the fluoridation of drinking water. 

Food & Water Watch and several co-petitioners subsequently sued the EPA to compel action citing the mounting scientific evidence of toxicity when fluoride is ingested.

“Today’s ruling represents an important acknowledgment of a large and growing body of science indicating serious human health risks associated with fluoridated drinking water,” the group said in a statement.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

A water utility foreman at a plant where fluoride is added to the drinking water in Healdsburg, California. (Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

“This court looked at the science and acted accordingly. Now the EPA must respond by implementing new regulations that adequately protect all Americans – especially our most vulnerable infants and children – from this known health threat.”

Tuesday’s ruling cited a review of 72 human epidemiological studies and available literature by the U.S. National Toxicology Program which concluded that fluoride is connected to reduced IQ in children.

“Notwithstanding recognition by EPA’s expert that fluoride is hazardous, the EPA points to technicalities at various steps of the risk evaluation to conclude that fluoride does not present an unreasonable risk,” Chen said. “Primarily, the EPA argues the hazard level and the precise relationship between dosage and response at lower exposure levels are not entirely clear. These arguments are not persuasive.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

READ THE RULING BELOW — APP USERS CLICK HERE: 

Do you often wake up feeling exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep? You might be one of the millions of people unknowingly living with sleep apnea. But here’s some great news. Apple has just introduced a game-changing feature that could help you identify this hidden health issue right from your wrist.

If you own an Apple Watch Series 10, 9 or Ultra 2, you’ll soon have a personal sleep detective on your arm. This new feature uses the watch’s built-in technology to monitor your breathing patterns while you sleep, looking for signs that could indicate sleep apnea. 

No more need for complicated sleep studies or expensive equipment; your everyday smartwatch could be the key to uncovering this common but often undiagnosed condition.

GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE

How it works

The sleep apnea detection feature utilizes the watch’s built-in accelerometer to monitor a new metric called “breathing disturbances” during sleep. By analyzing these disturbances over time, the watch can identify patterns consistent with moderate to severe sleep apnea.

Possible Sleep Apnea notification on iPhone and Apple Watch (Apple)

APPLE TRANSFORMS AIRPODS PRO 2 INTO LOW-COST HEARING AIDS

FDA approval and availability

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for this sleep apnea feature, marking a significant milestone in wearable health technology. Apple plans to roll out the functionality to more than 150 countries and regions this month, including the United States, Europe and Japan.

The Sleep apnea feature is available in 150-plus countries and regions (Apple)

APPLE’S BOLD MOVE INTO AI: NEW IPHONE 16, AIRPODS AND WATCHES

User experience and data analysis

You can view your nightly breathing disturbance data in the Health app on your iPhone, where it will be categorized as either “elevated” or “not elevated.” The watch analyzes this data over a 30-day period and notifies users if it detects consistent signs of sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea data from Apple Watch showing “Not Elevated” (Apple)

IOS 18: DISCOVER THE NEW FEATURES IN APPLE’S LATEST OPERATING SYSTEM

Performance metrics

In clinical validation studies, the notification performance achieved a sensitivity of 66.3% and specificity of 98.5%. This means that while the algorithm is effective at identifying those with moderate to severe sleep apnea, it also minimizes false positives, ensuring that you can trust the notifications you receive.

HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET 

Apple Watch Accelerometer Signals and Ground Truth Respiration Signals (Apple)

TOP SLEEP ACCESSORIES 2024

Potential impact

Dr. Sumbul Desai, Apple’s vice president of health, emphasized the rigorous development process behind this feature. The detection algorithm was created using advanced machine learning with extensive datasets from clinical-grade sleep apnea tests. The studies included diverse participants across various demographics and evaluated both at-home and in-lab sleeping environments.

This new feature has the potential to significantly impact public health by helping identify undiagnosed cases of sleep apnea. Research suggests that up to 80% of sleep apnea cases remain undiagnosed, making this tool invaluable for many people who may not exhibit obvious symptoms.

THE HIDDEN COSTS OF FREE APPS: YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

Setting up sleep apnea notifications

To use the new sleep apnea detection feature on your Apple Watch, follow these steps:

1. Update your devices

Ensure your Apple Watch is running the latest version of watchOS. Here are the steps:

• Tap on the Watch app icon on your iPhone’s home screen
• In the Watch app, tap on My Watch at the bottom of the screen
• Scroll down and tap on General
• Select Software Update. Your iPhone will check for available updates for your Apple Watch.
• If an update is available, tap Download and Install. You may need to enter your iPhone passcode.
• Follow any additional prompts that appear on your screen.
• The update process may take some time, so be patient. Your Apple Watch will restart automatically once the update is complete.
• After your watch restarts, you can confirm that the update was successful by going back to the Watch app, tapping on My Watch and then selecting General and About to view the current version of watchOS.

Steps to update your Apple Watch (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version. Here are the steps:

• Tap on the Settings app on your iPhone’s home screen
• Scroll down and select General
• Tap on Software Update. Your device will check for available updates.
• If an update is available, you’ll see a prompt with options to Download and Install. Tap this option
• If prompted, enter your passcode
• Read and agree to Apple’s terms and conditions, if required
• Once the download is complete, tap Install Now. Your iPhone will restart during this process.

Steps to update your iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

2. Set up sleep apnea notifications

• In the Health app, tap Browse
• Then click Sleep
• Under “Sleep Apnea Notifications,” tap Set Up
• Next, tap Next

Steps to set up sleep apnea notifications (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

• Then confirm that you are 18 or older by tapping the circle next to Yes or No
• Indicate whether you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea by tapping the circle next to Yes or No 
• Then tap Continue
• After reading “How sleep apnea notifications work,” tap Next
• Finally, tap Done

Steps to set up sleep apnea notifications (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

3. Wear your watch to sleep

• Wear your Apple Watch to bed for at least 10 nights within a 30-day period
• Ensure your watch is charged to at least 30% before bedtime
• After the initial 30-day evaluation period, check the Health app for any notifications
• View your breathing disturbances data in the Respiratory section of the Health app

Remember, this feature is designed for users 18 years or older who have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea. If you receive a notification suggesting signs of sleep apnea, it’s important to consult with your health care provider for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

SUBSCRIBE TO KURT’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR QUICK VIDEO TIPS ON HOW TO WORK ALL OF YOUR TECH DEVICES

Kurt’s key takeaways

It’s incredible how technology can empower us to take charge of our health, and the new sleep apnea detection feature on the Apple Watch 10, 9 and Ultra 2 is a perfect example. With this tool, you can monitor your breathing patterns while you sleep, potentially uncovering issues that have gone unnoticed for far too long. Just remember, while this feature is a fantastic step toward better health, it’s essential to consult with a health care provider if you receive a notification about possible sleep apnea. Embracing these advancements could lead to a more restful night and a healthier life.

How do you feel about using wearable technology like the Apple Watch for health monitoring? Are you excited about these advancements, or do you have concerns about privacy and accuracy? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

New from Kurt:

Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

A new study has exposed the sexual health habits of some Americans.

The research, conducted by DatingNews.com, analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau to determine how and where Americans have been contracting and spreading STIs (sexually transmitted infections), also known as STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).

Among the findings was the fact that 55% of people with an STI contracted it from a cheating partner.

TESTOSTERONE THERAPY COULD HELP BOOST WOMEN’S SEX DRIVE AS THEY AGE, BUT RISKS EXIST, EXPERTS SAY

Thirteen percent of the nearly 1,000 respondents said their partner has lied to them about their STI status, while 45% did not discuss testing with their partner before becoming sexually active.

Nearly one in five (18%) of respondents said they have been diagnosed with an STI, with the most common diagnosis, chlamydia, making up 36% of the cases.

The survey participants ranged in age from 18 to 79, DatingNews.com spokesperson Emily Fanous told Fox News Digital.

Given that 81% of Americans over 18 are sexually active, Fanous emphasized the importance of knowing your risk and how getting testing can aid in prevention.

FIRST AT-HOME SYPHILIS ANTIBODY TEST GETS FDA AUTHORIZATION AS STD CASES SPIKE IN US

One in three Americans in the study said they have never been tested for an STI.

The largest number of untested individuals were baby boomers (51%), followed by millennials (33%) and Gen Z and Gen X (both 29%).

The main reasons respondents refrain from testing are embarrassment (25%), lack of time (22%) and cost (19%).

Baby boomers made up 51% of individuals who had never been tested for STDs. (iStock)

Dr. Gabe Gaviola, MD, senior medical director at Everlywell in New York — an at-home STD testing and treatment platform — noted that there are more than 20 million new cases of STIs reported in the U.S. each year.

“The real surprise from these findings is the lack of STI testing that could prevent new cases,” Gaviola, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital during an on-camera interview.

“Many STIs don’t present any symptoms, which means you shouldn’t wait for symptoms to get tested.”

“As a doctor and public health advocate, I wish more people knew that there are affordable at-home STI lab testing options that provide quick, reliable results with the privacy and convenience of collection at home.”

“I wish more people knew that there are affordable at-home STI lab testing options that provide quick, reliable results with the privacy and convenience of collection at home,” said a sexual health expert. (iStock)

The study also found that only 34% of people get annual STI testing, while fewer than 25% get tested before entering a new relationship.

“Those numbers aren’t high enough,” Gaviola said. “Many STIs don’t present any symptoms, which means you shouldn’t wait for symptoms to get tested.” 

STDs by state

The research also revealed which U.S. states have the most STI and STD cases.

Mississippi has the highest rate, at 1,187 diagnoses per 100,000 people, followed by Louisiana at 1,145, Alaska at 1,066, South Dakota at 993 and Georgia at 975.

Fanous encourages those in states with high rates to consider being tested if they are sexually active.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health

“These findings show that too many people are not prioritizing their sexual health,” Gaviola said. 

“Whether it’s because of stigma, access or education, millions of Americans who are at high risk of getting or transmitting an STI are not getting tested.”

“We need to advance the conversation around sexual health and increase education about the importance of STI testing.”

“Whether it’s because of stigma, access or education, millions of Americans who are at high risk of getting or transmitting an STI are not getting tested,” an expert said. (iStock)

Everlywell is teaming up with the American Sexual Health Association for the first-ever National Get Tested Day on Sept. 30.

“Testing is the first step in empowering people with important information about their sexual health.”

“Our goal is to educate and break down barriers to accessing this essential health care,” Gaviola said. 

“Testing is the first step in empowering people with important information about their sexual health.”

Sexual health experts encourage routine STI testing, even for people in long-term, monogamous relationships. (iStock)

Gaviola added that even people in long-term, monogamous relationships should stay up to date on STI testing.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

“Many STIs don’t present any symptoms, but if left undetected and untreated, they can lead to serious long-term health issues, such as infertility,” he cautioned.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The expert encouraged Americans to have open conversations with their partners before entering a sexual relationship and to “keep checking in.”

“This helps establish trust that they are taking their sexual health as seriously as you are by getting tested regularly,” he said.