Category: Health

• Federal regulators have approved leucovorin for the treatment of cerebral folate deficiency, a rare neurological disorder.
• The FDA approval, however, did not include the use of leucovorin as a treatment for autism.
• The Trump administration has touted leucovorin as an autism treatment, but experts agree that more research is needed before leucovorin should be approved for this purpose.

A medication used primarily to help relieve the side effects of chemotherapy has been given the green light to be used as a treatment for a rare neurological disorder.

Officials at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on March 10 the approval of the drug leucovorin to help treat adults and children with cerebral folate deficiency. This rare condition is characterized by low levels of vitamin B9 in the brain.

However, the FDA announcement did not mention the use of leucovorin as a potential treatment for autism.

In September 2025, President Donald Trump and other administration officials suggested that the FDA had started a process to approve leucovorin as a treatment to manage symptoms in autistic people. However, there’s no word yet on a timetable or process for such an approval.

Leucovorin is the first approved treatment for cerebral folate deficiency. The FDA decision is being praised as long overdue relief for individuals with that condition.

“Today’s approval represents a significant milestone for patients living with cerebral folate transport deficiency due to the FOLR1 variant, a rare genetic condition that has had no FDA-approved treatment options until today,” said FDA commissioner Marty Makary, MD, in the agency’s announcement.

Leucovorin is a prescription medication used mainly to reduce the toxic side effects of chemotherapy agents such as methotrexate.

The medication works by helping to restore folic acid to healthy cells that have had that substance depleted by the effects of chemotherapy.

Leucovorin is considered to be effective as a “rescue agent” for people undergoing certain types of chemotherapy.

• developmental delays
• seizures
• movement abnormalities

It’s estimated that 1 in 1 million people worldwide have cerebral folate deficiency, although the true prevalence is unknown. It’s also been estimated that 38–70% of autistic children may have cerebral folate deficiency.

However, experts say those percentages may be inflated because much of the data has been drawn from FRAT tests, a blood exam that can be inaccurate.

While individuals with cerebral folate deficiency may have a higher risk of autism, but autistic people don’t necessarily have a higher risk of cerebral folate deficiency.

Alycia Halladay, MD, the chief science officer for the Autism Science Foundation, said she’s glad that people with cerebral folate deficiency finally have a treatment.

“This will probably help them. The mechanism is there,” she told Healthline. “I feel any relief would be helpful.”

Antonio Hardan, MD, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University, said that early intervention with leucovorin for cerebral folate deficiency is key.

“Case reports [support] complete clinical and radiological recovery when treatment is provided before the age of 2 years,” Hardan told Healthline.

While early intervention in autism is also crucial, it’s too soon to recommend leucovorin as a treatment.

Halladay expressed relief that leucovorin wasn’t approved as an autism treatment because there isn’t yet a scientific justification for this particular use.

“I’m glad the FDA used a scientific approach and used rigor to make this decision,” she said.

Hardan echoed this sentiment. “There is some evidence from small randomized controlled trials supporting the use of leucovorin for the treatment of autism. However, these studies have several design limitations, including small sample sizes and non-rigorous inclusion/exclusion criteria,” he said.

In September, President Trump said the approval of leucovorin as an autism treatment would give “hope to the many parents with autistic children that it may be possible to improve their lives.”

Makary echoed that sentiment, estimating that “hundreds of thousands of kids, in my opinion, will benefit” from the approval of leucovorin.

After that press briefing, officials at the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department clarified those comments, saying that leucovorin “is not a cure” for autism and “may only lead to improvements in speech-related deficits for a subset of children.”

The research on leucovorin and autism has mostly consisted of small studies with fewer than 100 participants, many done repeatedly by the same researchers.

The results of one of the studies, published in the European Journal of Pediatrics, were retracted in January after the authors identified several errors in their data.

There has been some anecdotal evidence that leucovorin can provide some benefits to communication and behavior for some autistic children, specifically those with cerebral folate deficiency or evidence of folate metabolic differences.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), however, more research in this area is still needed.

“The evidence for leucovorin and use for autism is currently limited,” the AAP said in an FAQ sheet about leucovorin use in autism and cerebral folate deficiency.

“Small studies show benefits to communication and behavior for some autistic children, specifically those with CFD or evidence of folate metabolic differences. Larger independent trials are warranted to better understand which patients may benefit. More evidence on efficacy and safety is needed before pediatricians can broadly recommend leucovorin,” the AAP said.

The Autism Science Foundation agreed, saying more studies are needed before leucovorin can be considered as a treatment for autism.

Halladay said that large-scale studies that examine safety and efficacy need to be completed before leucovorin can be considered as an autism treatment.

An HHS official appeared to agree, telling NBC News this week that there is not enough data to support leucovorin’s use as an autism treatment.

“We don’t have sufficient data to say that we could establish efficacy for autism more broadly,” the official said. “It’ll be up to patients to talk with their physicians to see if that might be right for them.”

Doctors can prescribe leucovorin as an off-label treatment for autistic children. Some have apparently been doing so.

A recent report published in The Lancet stated that leucovorin prescriptions for children rose 71% during the 2 months following President Trump’s announcement in September.

Halladay expressed concern about that increase, as well as the fact that people can go online and purchase folate acid products with vitamin B9 that are similar to leucovorin.

“All this can lead to false hope from companies that prey on families who will do anything to help their child,” she said.

Halladay encouraged families of autistic children to listen to medical professionals over what they read in the media.

“Talk to your doctor. Listen to your doctor and don’t listen to the internet,” she said.

• Psilocybin, also known as “magic mushrooms,” may help smokers quit tobacco for the long term.
• Smokers who received psilocybin alongside counseling were six times more likely to quit than those using nicotine patches in a small trial.
• The findings suggest psilocybin could eventually become another tool to help millions of smokers quit.

Could “magic mushrooms” help tobacco smokers quit for good?

Over the past decade, research into the use of psychedelic drugs to treat psychiatric conditions has expanded dramatically. Psilocybin in particular has shown promise as a therapy for addiction-related conditions, including alcohol use disorder and smoking.

The new research suggests that psilocybin combined with CBT may be more effective than nicotine replacement therapy at helping smokers achieve both short- and long-term abstinence.

“There was no question the psilocybin group did much better,” said Matthew Johnson, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and first author of the research.

“We found that for prolonged absence, they had six times higher odds of quitting if they were assigned to the psilocybin group compared to the nicotine patch group,” Johnson told Healthline.

Johnson is the leading researcher in the field of psilocybin and tobacco cessation. This latest trial builds on much of his earlier work, namely a 2014 study that first demonstrated that psilocybin could be safely used as an adjunct in smoking cessation treatment.

The findings published this week continue to establish psilocybin as a potential treatment for individuals with nicotine addiction.

Johnson and his team at Johns Hopkins University conducted a randomized clinical trial to investigate whether psilocybin could help smokers quit more effectively than a standard nicotine replacement therapy.

Both arms of the trial included 13 weeks of CBT, an approach used in counseling. CBT can help smokers identify triggers, manage cravings, and develop practical strategies to quit smoking.

The study enrolled 82 adult daily smokers ages 21 to 80 who had previously tried and failed to quit but still wanted to stop smoking. Participants were 59.8% male and 89% white, smoked roughly a pack per day, and had attempted quitting six times on average before the trial.

One group received a single supervised dose of psilocybin (30 milligrams per 70 kilograms of body weight), while the comparison group followed a standard 8- to 10-week regimen of FDA-approved nicotine patches.

Researchers tracked smoking behavior for six months using self-reported smoking diaries and biological tests to verify that participants had actually stopped smoking.

The researchers found that after starting treatment, 40% of those treated with psilocybin (17 participants) achieved prolonged abstinence, meaning they stopped smoking and remained smoke-free for six months after a brief grace period.

In contrast, only 10.0% of participants in the nicotine patch group (4 participants) achieved the same outcome. This translates to more than six times greater odds of quitting in the psilocybin group.

“It’s definitely refreshing to see someone look at new possibilities for nicotine addiction,” said George Singletary, MD, assistant professor of addiction medicine at the Tulane University School of Medicine, who wasn’t involved in the research.

“With all the deaths we have in this country due to nicotine that are preventable, it’s great to expand the options for treatment,” he told Healthline.

The researchers also investigated a seven-day point-prevalence abstinence, meaning participants had not smoked at all in the previous week at the time of the six-month visit.

By this measure, 52% of the psilocybin group (22 participants) were abstinent compared with 25% of the nicotine patch group (10 participants), representing about three times higher odds of short-term abstinence.

“This is an exciting study,” said Brian Barnett, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry and director of the psychiatric treatment resistance program at the Cleveland Clinic, who wasn’t involved in the research.

“We see that there is more and more evidence showing there’s potential benefit here for patients,” he told Healthline.

However, there are some notable limitations to the study as well.

Barnett pointed out that most of the participants (64.6%) had some previous exposure to “classic” psychedelic drugs, which could limit the generalizability of the findings to a broader population.

But, he added, “It’s an important caveat, but I don’t think it’s so problematic that it negates the obvious superiority of psilocybin to nicotine patch in the study.”

Singletary said he would have liked to have seen the study borne out over a longer time period than just six months. “Many smokers fail within six months, so we really need to see what happens after that point,” he said.

Despite decades of progress, smoking remains one of the most harmful and preventable public health threats in the United States.

More than 16 million Americans are living with smoking-related diseases, including:

While nearly two-thirds of smokers say they want to quit, the majority of them won’t. In any given year, fewer than 10% of adults who smoke successfully quit.

“Nicotine hijacks the brain’s reward learning circuitry. It shifts your brain toward being very preoccupied with getting the next exposure to nicotine,” Barnett said.

Fortunately, there are more options and resources available to stop smoking today than ever before.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), which includes patches and gums, is a longtime staple that can help, but is most effective when paired with other interventions like CBT, or other forms of counseling, and medication.

• Bupropion (Zyban) — An antidepressant that is also prescribed to help stop smoking. It works by affecting specific neurotransmitters involved in feelings of reward and pleasure.
• Varenicline (Chantix) — Reduces cravings and withdrawal by partially activating nicotine receptors in the brain. Simultaneously, it blocks nicotine, which reduces the pleasurable effects of smoking.

“The biggest takeaway is: don’t quit trying to quit. The more times you try to quit, the more likely you are to have success,” said Singletary.

Johnson told Healthline that he doesn’t expect psilocybin to replace any of these mainstay therapies, but instead to give smokers more options.

“I just want more tools in the toolbox to help empower as many people [as possible] that want to quit,” he said.

Psilocybin represents a potentially safe and effective therapy to help quit smoking, but experts caution that these studies are undertaken in controlled environments utilizing specific dosages.

“There are risks with psilocybin and other psychedelics, including legal risks. Certainly, I don’t advise anyone to do this themselves. Not only is it less safe doing it on your own, but the chances of it working would probably be much less than in therapeutic hands,” Johnson said.

• A recent study has found that taking a daily multivitamin may slow biological aging.
• The researchers note that multivitamins don’t necessarily add time to your life span, but may improve your overall health in the long-term.
• Multivitamins are not a magic fix, but can be beneficial when combined with other healthy lifestyle habits.

People take multivitamins for various reasons. These supplements can have various health benefits, including increasing nutrient intake, improving health and preventing chronic conditions, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

A recent study published in Nature Medicine has found that taking a daily multivitamin may slightly slow the aging process in older adults.

This study was funded in part by Haleon (formerly Pfizer Consumer Healthcare) and Mars Inc. These companies provided the multivitamins and cocoa extract, and two of the study’s authors received funding from both companies, neither of which contributed to research design.

The study findings show that those who took a daily multivitamin reduced biological aging by up to 4 months.

“Although everyone ages over time, there may be simple ways to delay the aging process and help us live not only longer but also better,” said study author Sidong Li, MD, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, told Healthline.

“In this study, we found that daily multivitamin-multimineral supplementation could be an accessible and low cost strategy that promotes healthier aging, particularly for people who are already biologically older,” Li told healthline.

The study analyzed 958 older adults ages 60 and older over 2 years. The participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups and took the following pills:

• cocoa extract and a multivitamin
• a multivitamin and a placebo
• cocoa extract and a placebo
• two placebos

The researchers found that those who took a daily multivitamin experienced a slowing of biological aging of about 4 months. This means that over the course of 24 months, these individuals aged about 20 months at the cellular level.

Researchers used five “epigenetic clocks” to estimate the biological aging of the participants.

When compared to the placebo group, the people who took multivitamins aged slightly slower, as shown by two of the five clocks.

The researchers also found that those who showed signs of accelerated biological aging at the beginning of the study appeared to see a greater benefit from the multivitamins.

“It’s important to keep the magnitude of the effect in perspective,” said Michelle Routhenstein, preventive cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished, who was not involved in the study.

“These are changes in biomarkers, not direct evidence of fewer heart attacks, cancers, or longer life span. So I would view the findings as encouraging but still preliminary,” Routhenstein told Healthline.

The researchers also found that the cocoa extract has no effect on any of the measures of biological aging.

The researchers note that this doesn’t mean that multivitamins can add to your life span. It does, however, mean that multivitamins may be beneficial for your future health trajectory. It also doesn’t mean you should definitely start taking multivitamins if you aren’t already.

“It was exciting to see that a multivitamin has benefits on the biological aging process in older adults. However, we should keep in mind that maintaining a healthy lifestyle remains fundamental to healthier, higher-quality aging,” said Li.

The decision to take supplements, like multivitamins, should be made by an individual and their healthcare professional.

There are many things to consider when selecting multivitamins.

One major thing is that multivitamins and supplements are not strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that some multivitamins may contain higher or lower levels of nutrients than what is stated on the label.

Multivitamins may contain about 12 vitamins and 10 essential minerals.

Some multivitamins and supplements may contain ingredients that could interact with medications. This is why it is important to speak with your healthcare professional before taking any supplement.

“Supplements should complement, not replace, a nutrient-dense diet. Multivitamins are often most helpful for people with dietary gaps, restricted eating patterns, or increased nutrient needs,” said Routhenstein.

She also stated that people should “Choose a formulation that matches your age and health status and focuses on appropriate dosing.”

However, the guidelines also note that some older adults may need fewer calories, but still require equal or greater amounts of key nutrients.

This means you may need to focus on increasing your protein intake. Many older adults are also deficient in Vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D.

These individuals may need to discuss taking a multivitamin or other supplements with their healthcare professional, as they may not be able to get the required amounts from their diet.

“The biggest contributors to healthy aging are well established,” said Routhenstein.

She added that they include:

“These lifestyle factors have a far greater effect on long-term health than any single supplement,” Routhenstein said.

• A new study has found that the GLP-1 drug Wegovy is linked with a higher risk of “eye stroke,” especially in men.
• Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) is a rare but serious condition that can cause vision loss or even blindness.
• Semaglutide drugs like Wegovy may pose a greater risk of ION than Ozempic due to higher doses used for weight loss.
• Doctors say the risk is small, but there are steps you can take to reduce the risk even further.

A new study has raised concerns about a rare but serious eye condition linked to a popular class of used to treat obesity and diabetes, especially those containing semaglutide.

Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION), known colloquially as an “eye stroke,” can cause sudden vision loss and even blindness.

The study found that certain formulations of semaglutide, particularly Wegovy, the higher-dose version, may carry a higher risk of this vision-threatening side effect, especially in men.

The authors called for further research to better understand the safety of these drugs, which are widely prescribed for weight loss.

This database collects reports from patients, doctors, and drug manufacturers about side effects and complications experienced after taking medications.

The researchers focused on reports where a GLP-1 receptor agonist was suspected to be involved in cases of ischemic optic neuropathy.

Semaglutide comes in different forms, including Ozempic, a weekly injection used primarily for type 2 diabetes; Wegovy, a weekly injection for obesity at a higher dose; and Rybelsus, a daily pill for type 2 diabetes.

The study examined each formulation separately to see if the risk of vision problems differed. They also looked at tirzepatide, a newer drug that works on similar pathways but in a slightly different way, as well as common diabetes medications like metformin and insulin for comparison.

The team used statistical methods designed to detect whether a particular drug was reported more frequently with ischemic optic neuropathy than would be expected by chance.

They also adjusted their analysis to account for differences in age and sex, helping to clarify whether certain groups might be more vulnerable. This approach allowed researchers to identify patterns in the data despite the rarity of the condition and the complex background of patients using these drugs.

Out of the tens of millions of reports examined, about 31,000 involved semaglutide.

The obesity drug Wegovy showed the strongest link to ischemic optic neuropathy, even though it had fewer overall reports than Ozempic, the diabetes formulation.

The higher dose of Wegovy likely plays a role, as it leads to greater systemic exposure and faster weight loss, which might affect blood flow to the optic nerve.

Males appeared to be at higher risk than females, with the data showing a notably stronger association in male patients taking Wegovy.

No cases were reported with the oral form of semaglutide (Rybelsus), which is absorbed more slowly and in smaller amounts, suggesting that the way the drug is delivered and its dose matter.

Tirzepatide, another drug in this class but with a different mechanism, showed no significant association with vision problems despite achieving even greater improvements in blood sugar and weight. This may be because tirzepatide acts on two receptors, potentially balancing out effects on blood flow and reducing the chance of ischemic injury to the optic nerve.

The study also found no increased risk with other commonly used diabetes medications like metformin and insulin. This specificity points toward a unique effect of semaglutide, especially at higher doses, rather than a general risk from improving blood sugar or losing weight.

Researchers believe that high dose semaglutide may reduce blood flow to the optic nerve through factors such as fluid loss, low blood pressure — especially at night — and shifts in the body’s vascular system. These changes could make the optic nerve more vulnerable to damage. However, the exact biological link remains to be confirmed in future studies.

Because the FDA’s database relies on voluntary reporting, the numbers do not reflect how often the problem actually occurs. Still, the clear pattern seen with Wegovy and the higher risk in men suggest that doctors should monitor patients carefully, especially those receiving the higher doses for obesity.

More detailed studies are needed to understand who is most at risk and how to prevent this serious complication.

Hector Perez, MD, a board certified bariatric surgeon at Renew Bariatrics and an advisor at BestSurgeons.com, who was not involved in the study, said that while the risk for ION is worth monitoring, the study is very small.

“Untreated obesity, diabetes, and vascular disease damage vision far more commonly than semaglutide does,” he told Healthline.

However, Perez noted that there are still several steps you can take to reduce your risk for this side effect.

He advised that you avoid extremely rapid early weight loss. “Gradual caloric reduction helps prevent sudden drops in blood pressure or perfusion,” he said.

Perez further stated the importance of staying well hydrated, explaining that when people’s appetites are suppressed, they often tend to reduce their fluid intake as well. However, this can worsen optic nerve perfusion, he said.

“Excessively low nocturnal BP is a known risk factor for optic nerve ischemia,” he cautioned.

Diala Alatassi, MD, an obesity medicine physician at TeleSlim Clinic, who was also not a part of the study, added that if you have multiple health conditions along with obesity, it’s wise to start low and titrate your dose up slowly.

She further noted that it’s best to consult with an experienced weight loss doctor rather than purchasing medications online and self-titrating.

Alatassi recommended staying up to date with your eye health. “Patients, especially diabetics, should get yearly eye exams to get a baseline prior to starting such medications,” she said.

Finally, Alatassi, stressed the importance of always following your doctor’s instructions.

“These are prescription medications,” she said. “Just like other medications, if used inappropriately, they can have unfortunate outcomes.”

• A recent study suggests there may be three different biotypes of ADHD.
• The findings suggest that each biotype (subtype) of ADHD may have its own distinct chemical reactions in the brain.
• Experts say that more research is needed, but the study could mark a shift in how ADHD is diagnosed and treated.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.

Symptoms of ADHD can vary in severity, and around 6 in 10 children have moderate to severe symptoms.

Current treatment for ADHD is typically categorized by age group. However, it generally involves a combination of medications and behavioral therapies.

A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that there may be three distinct subtypes of ADHD.

“This could mark the beginning of the end for one-size-fits-all ADHD treatment,” said Rod Mitchell, a registered psychologist and founder of Emotions Therapy, Calgary, AB, Canada, who was not involved in the study.

“If each biotype involves different neural circuits and neurotransmitter systems, then the standard ‘diagnose, prescribe stimulant, adjust dose’ approach may only be well-suited to one of the three groups,” he told Healthline.

The study looked at the chemical and structural patterns of the brains of 1,154 participants with ADHD.

When they analyzed brain scans and neurochemical signals, they found that ADHD did not affect everyone’s brain activity the same way.

They noticed that three distinctive patterns seemed to emerge.

The three subtypes of ADHD that they found were:

• severe combined with emotional dysregulation
• predominantly hyperactive/impulsive
• predominatly inattentive

“Each biotype tells a distinct neurobiological story,” said Mitchell.

He explained that the predominantly inattentive type showed alterations in a region tied to sustained attention and filtering distraction.

The predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type showed disruption in circuitry that governs impulse braking and action regulation. Both broadly align with what clinicians have observed for years.

“Interestingly, their phenotypes mirror the DSM-5,” said David Goodman, MD, assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, and a clinical associate professor at the Department of Psychiatry at Norton School of Medicine, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY. Goodman wasn’t involved in the study.

“In some way, these findings support the utility of the DSM-5 when pursuing this research population,” Goodman told Healthline.

The severe-combined type with emotional dysregulation is where this study breaks new ground.

This type showed the most widespread brain alterations, the most persistent emotional dysregulation over time, and preliminary signals of elevated mood disorder comorbidity — all underpinned by involvement across serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, and histamine pathways simultaneously, explained Mitchell.

“That neurochemical complexity helps explain why these are often the clients who don’t respond to stimulant medication alone,” Mitchell said.

The researchers note that understanding subtypes of ADHD may, “ultimately create a path toward developing personalised therapeutic strategies.”

“The correlation of neural networks and 3 biotypes in this study supports ongoing research with this concept … until a large, well-controlled clinical study demonstrates the clear benefit of one compound over another for a specific symptom cluster, this current research contributes to the evolution of ADHD neuroscience with guarded clinical applicability,” said Goodman.

Diagnosing ADHD involves several steps. The CDC states that there is no single test to diagnose the condition.

Treatment for ADHD most often involves a combination of behavioral therapy and medications.

This can depend on the age at which a person is diagnosed, however. For example, for children under 6, parent training in behavior management is generally the first line of treatment before medication.

For children ages 6 years and over, treatment generally involves a combination of therapy and medications. Behavior therapy helps the child learn how to reduce certain behaviors and increase self-regulation skills. It also typically involves training for parents.

There are two types of medications for ADHD: stimulant and non-stimulant.

It’s important for parents to work closely with healthcare professionals to find the right treatment for their child.

• “Boy kibble” is a food trend that’s been gaining popularity on social media, especially among Gen Z men.
• Usually made up of ground beef and rice, the trend is being shared as an inexpensive, simple high protein meal to support muscle building.
• Nutrition experts say the dish can provide important nutrients, but discourage eating it daily without modification.
• Eating the same meal repeatedly may lead to nutritional gaps.

“Boy Kibble” is the latest viral meal trend that’s taking over social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

The trend has been described as the male counterpart to the 2023 “girl dinner” phenomenon, in which women shared casual, snack-style meals of small portions of various foods.

“Boy Kibble,” on the other hand, is exactly what it sounds like. Much like kibble for pets, it’s a basic, no-frills meal that typically consists of ground beef and white rice.

Across social media, fitness influencers and gym-focused creators say the dish helps them easily hit their daily protein targets without spending much time cooking or money on takeout.

Many claim they eat the meal several times a week, while some say it’s part of their everyday routine.

Unlike many viral social media diet trends, experts say “boy kibble” does have some benefits, especially when the recipe is modified.

However, it can also pose some risks if the basic recipe is eaten too often.

Jennifer L House, MSc, RD, a dietitian with First Step Nutrition, says there’s a lot to like about the “boy kibble.”

“It’s cheaper than eating out, easy to make and batch cook, and nutrient-dense (especially if you add veggies),” she told Healthline.

“Almost 50% of our calories come from highly processed foods, so I support any kind of home cooking, no matter how basic.”

As for its nutritional plus points?

“Ground beef is a complete protein, which helps maintain muscle, repair tissue, and build antibodies. A 100g serving contains over 100% of our daily requirement for Vitamin B12, which is found [naturally] only in animal products,” House said.

“Beef contains other important minerals, too, such as zinc, which supports immunity, and iron, [which is necessary for hemoglobin], which transports oxygen in our bodies.”

She added that “boy Kibble” doesn’t have to be just for boys.

“The iron in beef is more important for women and growing children, who have higher iron needs. Many adult women are low in iron, which can lead to poor sleep, poor immunity, and lack of energy,” she said.

It’s important to note that not all rice is equal in nutrients. White rice, which is refined, has had its fiber and protein stripped out. This means that it behaves like a simple carb in the body.

“The carbohydrates in rice complement ground beef as they provide the energy you need for your workout and to replenish the energy that was used during your workout,” Kezia Joy, registered dietitian nutritionist and medical advisor at Welzo, told Healthline.

“The two together may serve as a viable base for a post-workout or high-energy meal.”

While the basic “boy kibble” recipe has some nutritional merit, experts are raising concerns about how often some people claim to eat it.

“The basic ‘boy kibble’ meal includes meat and rice. If this is all someone ate, three times a day, they would be low in fiber, calcium, and some vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin C and folate, as well as antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables,” House said.

She said she strongly discourages people from eating basic ‘boy kibble’ “for three meals a day, or even once a day, especially if it’s just meat and rice with no veggies added.”

Joy agreed, noting that while eating the same meal every day can make tracking calories or protein easier, “dietary variety is very important to ensure that you are getting all of the nutrients your body needs.”

“Rotating different proteins, grains, and vegetables daily will help guarantee that you are getting all of the vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds your body needs to be healthy over time,” she said.

She also noted that even healthy foods can lead to deficiencies if you eat them repeatedly without variety.

House said she isn’t surprised to see “boy kibble” trending, especially among young men who may find it appealing because it removes some barriers to healthy eating.

“Boy kibble’ is simple, easy to make, and requires little time and mental energy to prepare. If it’s batch-cooked and pre-portioned, it’s just as easy to come home and microwave your ‘boy kibble’ as it is to hit a drive-thru,” she said.

“One of the barriers to cooking at home and eating healthily is the time and energy it takes to meal-plan. This recipe simplifies that process.”

Experts say the basic beef-and-rice “boy kibble” meal can be easily modified with a few simple additions to make it even healthier and more nutritionally balanced.

“Adding frozen mixed veggies or broccoli doesn’t add much prep time, but it boosts nutrition,” House said.

“Or, you could throw in a handful of bagged kale or spinach to add calcium, fiber, and antioxidants,” she added.

If you’re eating it regularly, House suggests occasionally swapping rice for another carbohydrate.

And don’t forget that taste matters too.

“I would like to see some spices, such as garlic powder and cumin, or sauces, such as salsa, added. Not only will it make the meal far tastier, but spices also contain flavonoids and other healthy antioxidants,” House said.

• Obesity is now linked to at least 13 types of cancer, making it one of the most preventable cancer risk factors in the United States.
• Obesity reconfigures bodies at the cellular level, creating an environment where cancer can develop and spread.
• The longer someone has a BMI in the obesity range, the harder it is to reverse the effects.
• Preventing obesity is a more effective cancer-prevention strategy than reversing obesity.

Obesity now accounts for roughly 10% of all new cancer diagnoses in the United States each year, and up to 50% of certain cancers — including endometrial and liver cancer — according to a new review published March 9 in JAMA.

Obesity actively creates the conditions cancer needs to thrive. It is linked to at least 13 cancer types, among them colorectal, pancreatic, ovarian, breast, thyroid, and kidney cancers.

More than 40% of adults and 20% of children were living with obesity in the United States from 2021 to 2023, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.

“It’s almost alarming how much obesity really changes our bodies,” Neil Iyengar, MD, an oncologist at Winship Cancer Institute and co-author of the review, told Healthline.

The review authors cited inflammation as a key factor driving obesity-related cancer diagnoses.

Fat tissue, Iyengar explained, is one of the most common tissues in the body, and most cancers develop either within it or directly beside it, using the inflammation as fuel.

“When you have chronic inflammation for a long period of time, you’re essentially creating an environment in your body that is ripe with growth factors, new blood vessels,” Iyengar said.

“If a cancer cell arises, it can leverage that inflamed environment and use all of those growth factors to grow into a tumor.”

For cancer cells to develop, certain cellular properties are required. Scientists have identified 10 of these properties, which include a cell’s ability to:

• divide without limit
• resist death
• build a new blood supply
• evade the immune system

Additionally, cancer cells can begin to “rewire” their metabolism to use extra energy as fuel, accelerating tumor growth.

Together, these properties create what Iyengar called a “host environment” for cancer to develop and thrive.

“Obesity causes a lot of those properties that lead a cell to become cancerous,” Iyengar said. “Nearly every process that leads to the development of cancer in our bodies is accelerated by obesity.”

Other factors that can be manipulated by obesity to drive cancer growth include:

• DNA damage: This becomes accelerated with obesity and can quickly turn a healthy cell cancerous while simultaneously slowing the body’s ability to repair the cell.
• Immune suppression: Obesity can make natural killer cells and T cells less effective at identifying and destroying abnormal cells before they form into tumors.
• Gut disruption: Extra weight can reduce the beneficial bacteria that produce anti-inflammatory molecules. Without them, the gut membrane begins to break down.

The longer a person remains in the obesity BMI range, the greater their cancer risk and the more difficult it becomes to reverse the damage.

The review authors found that losing more than 10% of body weight could help reverse the harmful biological processes associated with obesity.

However, weight loss is only meaningful if it’s sustained in the long term. Rapid cycles of weight loss and regain may do more harm than good. Every dramatic swing forces fat tissue to contract and expand rapidly.

“That’s going to cause even more inflammation and disrupt all of these processes even more,” Iyengar said.

Preventing obesity has a significant impact on cancer prevention. That work, the review suggests, should start in childhood.

A 2024 study of more than 1.6 million U.S. patients with type 2 diabetes found GLP-1 use was associated with a meaningfully lower risk of 10 of the 13 obesity-associated cancers compared to insulin therapy, including pancreatic, liver, and colorectal cancers.

Iyengar referred to this blockbuster class of weight loss drugs as “an incredibly useful tool for weight loss and possibly for cancer prevention.”

However, a common pitfall of these medications is weight regain from stopping the drug without a plan. Without one, the resulting biological whiplash of that rebound may be worse than the obesity itself, Iyengar said.

“You have to pair them with lifestyle change so that you can maintain that weight loss when you taper down the drug,” he said.

Tiffany Barrett, MS, a clinical dietitian manager at Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, who was not involved in the research, recommended the plate method as a practical starting point.

This strategy involves filling half your plate with colorful foods and emphasizes fiber, fruits, and vegetables. For example:

• 1/2 colorful vegetables and fruit (high in fiber, low in calories, and inherently anti-inflammatory)
• 1/4 lean protein
• 1/4 whole grains

Limiting processed meats and simple sugars and replacing sugary drinks with water directly reduces inflammation that may fuel cancer risk.

“You’re inherently reducing inflammation by consuming fiber and by limiting your processed foods and simple sugars,” Iyengar said.

Barrett encouraged mindful eating as another approach.

The practice involves being attuned to hunger and fullness cues, minimizing distractions while eating, and avoiding the cycle of fad diets.

She said it’s about balance and that “the occasional indulgence should be enjoyed without guilt.”

Current guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, which can be broken into smaller sessions throughout the day.

Experts like Barrett also recommend strength training at least twice a week, targeting all major muscle groups.

“Women are often fearful to lift,” Barrett said. But strength training is critical for building lean muscle mass and keeping your metabolism working efficiently, she added.

Exercise isn’t just about losing the extra weight. Regular physical activity stimulates the same immune cells that identify and destroy abnormal cells before they become tumors.

“Exercise stimulates natural killer cells and T cells,” Iyengar said, “just the opposite of what obesity does.”

“It’s important to follow a healthy diet and exercise to lower inflammation and reduce cancer risk,” he said.

• A recent small study found that reduced GLP-1 frequency may help people maintain their weight loss.
• The study shows that people who dosed as little as once every two months maintained weight loss and other improved health markers.
• Tapering GLP-1s may not be right for everyone, but the researchers suggest it may help reduce long-term medication use.

People taking GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy to help treat obesity lose an average of 15–20% of their body weight.

These medications are generally considered a long term, potentially lifelong treatment, as studies show that when individuals stop taking them, they often quickly regain the pounds they’ve lost, returning to their original weight within less than two years.

Yet, 32% of people who begin taking GLP-1 weight loss medications stop within a year due to several reasons, including the high cost and severity of side effects.

However, a recent study published in Obesity suggests that people may be able to maintain their weight loss with fewer doses.

“These findings support structured de-escalation as a promising strategy to reduce treatment burden without sacrificing efficacy,” noted the study authors.

“Although this study involved a small patient sample, I have had similar experiences in my practice,” said Mir Ali, MD, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, who wasn’t involved in the study.

“Many patients who have been successful on GLP-1 medications are able to use a lower dose or less frequent injections to help maintain their weight loss,” Ali told Healthline.

The typical dosing regimen for GLP-1 weight-loss medications is a once-weekly injection. Some types may even recommend a daily injection.

However, this small study of 30 people suggests that less frequent injections may help people maintain their weight loss and make it easier for them to use the medications long-term.

“There is no single solution for all patients,” Ali said. “While some can taper successfully and maintain their results, others require a consistent dose. Most individuals regain significant weight once these medications are stopped.”

The reduction in injection frequency was led by the individuals, with 24 participants reporting a minimum of 2 weeks between injections. The longest interval was 6 weeks apart. The other six participants reported a frequency of 10 to 14 days.

Participants maintained a reduced dosing frequency for an average of 36 weeks.

Nearly every participant maintained the same BMI following the reduced frequency. Only four saw a slight regain, with the largest increase being 8 lbs.

Many participants even saw a slight reduction in their body mass index (BMI).

“I have patients who have lost 50 to 70 pounds during their nearly two-year weight loss journey,” said Victoria Finn, MD, board certified endocrinologist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to LabFinder, who wasn’t involved in the study.

“To find the lowest effective dose for maintaining their achieved target weight, we gradually decrease the dose and reduce the frequency of dosing,” she told Healthline.

Finn noted that while “GLP-1 medications are incredibly powerful tools,” they should “not be considered magic wands,” and should always be “combined with regular physical activities and dietary adjustments” for the best results.

Ali noted that people with obesity should view it as a “chronic, long-term disease — similar to hypertension or diabetes.”

“Those using GLP-1 medications should approach them as a long-term treatment plan,” Ali said.

Experts note that the findings of this study are based on a very small sample, and tapering GLP-1 medications may not be an effective strategy for everyone.

For example, even in the recent study, four people returned to their original dosing schedule after they began regaining weight.

Nevertheless, tapering GLP-1 medications may be a preferable option to stopping altogether for some people.

“Stopping cold turkey is not recommended. Instead, reducing the frequency of dosing to lower doses is the best way to maintain results and reduce the financial burden of treatment,” Finn said.

If reduced doses of GLP-1 drugs prove viable for more people, the strategy may be a game-changer for obesity treatment.

“Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and may help address concerns about indefinite therapy, lower healthcare costs, ease supply constraints, and broaden access to GLP-1 medications to improve public health,” said the researchers.

• A recent review of clinical research suggests that collagen supplements may offer modest improvements in skin elasticity, hydration, and dermal density.
• Experts say these changes tend to be subtle and gradual, typically appearing after several weeks of consistent use.
• There is little evidence to show that collagen supplements can prevent or significantly reverse wrinkles, despite common marketing claims.
• Skin experts say collagen supplements may support skin health, but work best alongside proven strategies such as sunscreen use, retinoids, and healthy lifestyle habits.

Collagen supplements have become a go-to for those seeking to delay aging and improve skin appearance.

However, a recent review of clinical research suggests that collagen supplements may offer only modest benefits for skin health, particularly in terms of elasticity and hydration.

Across several trials, researchers found that consistent supplementation was associated with small improvements in skin elasticity, hydration, and dermal density, typically after several weeks of use.

So, just how effective are collagen supplements when it comes to improving skin health and slowing visible signs of aging?

Healthline spoke with experts to learn more about the purported benefits of collagen and whether common claims about supplements have any merit.

Marlee Bruno, a board certified physician associate, aesthetic medicine educator, and founder of Mind Body & Soul Medical, said the review aligns with what she sees in the treatment room.

“Collagen supplements may support improvements in skin elasticity and hydration over time, but they are not a magic fix for aging,” she told Healthline.

“In my practice, patients who approach them with realistic expectations tend to be the most satisfied. When someone expects dramatic wrinkle reversal from a supplement alone, they are often disappointed,” she said.

According to Bruno, the current science suggests collagen supplements can contribute to modest improvements in skin quality with consistent use, but the changes are typically gradual and subtle.

If you’re taking collagen supplements consistently, Bruno said that proven benefits lie in the “three pillars of skin quality”: elasticity, hydration, and dermal density.

“Some medical trials show that taking between 2.5 to 5 grams of bioactive collagen peptides daily can lead to an increase in skin elasticity after 8 to 12 weeks,” she said.

Moustafa Mourad, MD, double board certified facial plastic and reconstructive head and neck surgeon and founder at Mourad NYC Facial Plastic & Reconstruction Surgery, said the most consistent benefits are improvements in skin hydration and small increases in elasticity.

“People who respond to collagen supplements may notice that their skin looks a little more hydrated or feels slightly firmer,” he told Healthline.

“These changes usually appear after several weeks of daily use. The key point is that these improvements are subtle and gradual. They do not produce the kind of visible lifting or tightening that people sometimes expect from cosmetic treatments,” he said.

Bruno agreed. “What people should realistically expect is that you aren’t going to wake up with a facelift. What you can expect is subtle firmness and smoother texture,” she said.

“Think of it like high quality insulation for a house. You don’t necessarily see it from the street, but the house stays warmer, and the structure holds up better against the elements,” she said.

Bruno noted that collagen works better as long-term support rather than a visible transformation.

One common claim is that collagen supplements can prevent or significantly reduce wrinkles, but experts say this claim is overstated.

“Collagen supplements don’t prevent wrinkles in the way sunscreen prevents UV damage,” Bruno said. “Aging [involves] UV damage, genetics, inflammation, and hormonal changes,” she said.

“Collagen helps soften the appearance of what you already have, but if you aren’t wearing SPF, no amount of collagen supplements is going to save you from wrinkles,” she explained.

Mourad agreed that many claims about collagen and wrinkles are exaggerated.

“Wrinkles form due to several factors, including sun exposure, natural collagen breakdown with age, repetitive facial movements, and larger structural changes in the skin,” he said.

“Because of that, collagen supplements alone cannot prevent wrinkles or dramatically reverse them. At most, they may help support skin hydration and elasticity, making very fine lines look a little softer,” Bruno explained.

If improving skin elasticity and delaying skin aging are among your goals, a multifactorial approach is best.

“I always explain to patients that while supplements can support the skin from the inside out, they work best when combined with a comprehensive approach that includes medical-grade skin care, healthy lifestyle habits, and, when appropriate, in-office aesthetic treatments,” Bruno said.

“UV exposure is responsible for about 80% of visible skin aging, breaking down collagen faster than anything else,” she said.

Second, Bruno advised using a medical-grade retinoid to maintain high cellular turnover and antioxidants, such as vitamin C, to reduce oxidative stress.

“Going even further, you could consider in-office collagen-stimulating treatments like microneedling that provide more measurable results than supplements alone, too,” Bruno said.

Mourad noted that it’s important to prioritize the basics. “I always emphasize the basics of overall health, including good nutrition, adequate sleep, and avoiding smoking, since all of these influence skin quality and long-term aging,” he said.

“Collagen supplements can certainly be added if someone wants to try them, but they should really be viewed as a complement to these proven strategies rather than a replacement for them,” he said.

• A new position statement from the Royal College of Psychiatrists discusses the link between menopause and the onset of new mental health conditions.
• The statement notes that only 21% of females knew that menopause was associated with mental health conditions like depression and bipolar disorder.
• It further notes that research is needed to increase awareness of how hormonal changes during menopause can impact mental health.

There are various symptoms that people can experience before, during, and after menopause.

One of the lesser-known symptoms is the effect that menopause can have on mental health.

“I believe this is a much-needed conversation that I have been seeing in my clinical practice for years” said Menijie Boduryan-Turner, PsyD, licensed psychologist and founder of Embracing You Therapy in Woodland Hills, CA.

“There has been a significant increase in insomnia, depression, anxiety, changes in concentration, memory impairment, and body image issues correlated with menopause. As suggested, most women are unaware of this link because for decades we have treated menopause as a medical condition, given the obvious reasons, and have been ignorant of the impact it has on women’s mental health,” Boduryan-Turner told Healthline.

This is a major contrast to the number of females who are aware of other associated issues, such as hot flashes and reduced sex drive.

“Menopause can have a significant yet often overlooked impact on women’s mental health and well-being. Women account for 51% of the population, and all will experience menopause at some point,” Lade Smith, president of the RC Psych, told The Guardian.

“This is a societal issue for everyone. Simply put, we must do better,” Smith said.

According to the RC Psych, only 21% of females were aware that menopause can be associated with mental health issues.

This is in contrast to 81% who were aware of hot flashes due to menopause, and 64% aware of a reduced sex drive.

RC Psych published its position statement with certain key aims in mind, such as:

• More training and education for the psychiatric workforce.
• Promoting a wider understanding and awareness of the association between menopause and mental health.
• Enhancing equity in the identification of, and access to support and appropriate treatment for, females with menopausal symptoms and pre-existing mental health needs.
• Advocating for comprehensive, interdisciplinary approaches to menopause support and treatment across health systems.
• Considering how a female’s experience of menopause and mental health can impact their relationships with children and family.
• Setting out key evidence to illuminate existing knowledge and treatment gaps about menopause regarding its interplay with mental health.

“I think it’s important to know that mental health challenges that occur or are exacerbated by menopause are common,” said Amy Roskin, MD, JD, board certified OB-GYN and Chief Medical Officer at Seven Starling, a women’s health platform.

“It’s essential to be aware of this and have support from your healthcare providers in order to best diagnose and manage these issues,” Roskin told Healthline.

The position statement points out the mental health effects that perimenopause can have. Anxiety and low mood are fairly common side effects of hormonal changes associated with menopause. However, for some females, menopause can significantly increase the risk of developing a serious mental health condition.

The physical and hormonal changes during menopause can also lead to relapse or trigger eating disorders. The report also notes that suicide rates are higher among those of menopausal age.

“With greater public awareness, there is more conversation and dialogue. There is more compassion and willingness to seek help. When mental health experiences are normalized, we are more likely to seek support and not suffer alone,” said Boduryan-Turner.

“I have worked with clients who struggled with severe depression with suicidal ideation; therefore, it is extremely necessary for us to have more education, information, and awareness on this topic.”

The statement notes that for females with a history of mental illness who are entering menopause, hormone therapy can be a key treatment to address both their physical health risks, as well as their mental health symptoms.

Some experts may recommend a combination of hormone therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) rather than antidepressants for perimenopause-associated anxiety and low mood symptoms.

There is some older evidence to show that females experiencing depressive episodes during menopause may not respond as well to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a common type of antidepressant. It also shows that there may be significant discontinuation rates associated with adverse effects.

“A healthy diet, exercise, work/life balance, psychotherapy, psychiatric medications, and HRT can all be important parts of strong emotional health for women in midlife,” said Nissa Keyashian, MD, board certified psychiatrist and author of “Practicing Stillness.”

“I recommend finding a psychiatrist with expertise in women’s health who has expertise in HRT and menopause,” Keyashian told Healthline.

“There are many different formulations of HRT that can minimize risks and side effects and maximize benefits to your emotional health and well-being.”