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• A “mystery virus” has been gaining traction on TikTok, with many social media users saying they are experiencing a litany of symptoms, including congestion, light-headedness, and shortness of breath.
• Experts say the “mystery virus” shares many symptoms with other common respiratory illnesses and is unlikely to be anything to worry about.
• You can treat the symptoms with over-the-counter pain relief, rest, and hydration.
• Experts recommend practicing good hand hygiene to slow the spread of viral illnesses.

It’s not unusual to feel a little out of sorts at this time of year. It’s cold and flu season, after all. However, concerns about a “mystery virus” are spreading online.

People began speculating about a “mystery virus” in February when a video by TikTok user @thatgirlkanesha went viral.

“You mean to tell me that everyone in the U.S. is getting sick by some virus, but they don’t know where it’s called?” she shares in the video.

“When I say everybody, I’m including myself too. I just had this so-called virus last week. I was feeling very lightheaded. I felt like I had to vomit. I felt like I was going to pass out. All of these symptoms are not adding up to me.”

Countless other videos have since emerged, with online creators claiming to experience many of the symptoms of COVID-19 (such as congestion and shortness of breath) despite testing negative for it.

However, health experts say this so-called “mystery virus” is unlikely to be cause for concern.

What is the “mystery virus” everyone is talking about on TikTok?

While it’s not clear exactly what illnesses people may have in the videos that are trending online, health experts say there likely isn’t much of a mystery to solve.

“The symptoms people in the videos describe, such as coughing, fever, fatigue, and generalized muscle pain, are common to many viral illnesses, including colds, COVID-19, and the influenza virus,” says board certified family physician Dr Sarah Bonza.

Additionally, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is another illness that is circulating and can cause similar symptoms to other viral infections like colds, the flu, or COVID-19.

“The symptoms can overlap greatly in these diseases, so it can be common to mistake them for one another, even without official testing,” she notes.  

What’s more, general practitioner and founder of Say GP, Dr Semiya Aziz, notes that it’s possible that common viral illnesses (like colds and flu, for example) can mutate and change over time, forming new strains.

“This does not mean it is a new virus. It is simply a new version of the old virus,” she points out. “These changes may potentially present with new, previously unknown, symptoms and may explain what individuals are currently describing as a mystery virus.”

The dangers of misinformation on social media platforms like TikTok

It’s natural to feel concerned if you’re experiencing new and unexpected symptoms, but both experts agree that the “mystery virus” currently trending on TikTok is likely a common respiratory illness.

Bonza says trends like these can cause unwarranted illness anxiety.

“We live in a post-pandemic era, and when you combine that with social media, health concerns can go viral even if there is no solid basis for them,” she points out.

What’s more, Bonza says the symptoms people are describing are non-specific and flu-like, which suggests they can be down to common viral illnesses such as the flu.

Considering we’re at the tail end of winter, Bonza says this isn’t surprising.

The unknown often sparks cause for concern, but TikTok’s “mystery virus” is unlikely to be something serious.

“As frightening as these new symptoms may appear, individuals suffering from this infection have not described them as life threatening or as warranting hospital admission,” Aziz points out.

“It’s important to realize that whilst some of these symptoms are extremely frightening, most viral infections are self-limiting and pass over a period of several days, with or without over-the-counter treatment,” she notes.

Online claims can create unnecessary fear, and Bonza says you should exercise extra caution when believing the so-called health information you find online.

She advises waiting for official announcements from the CDC or local health authorities.

“There is a meticulous system that public authorities follow when managing infectious diseases that spread quickly, and if there isn’t a current official announcement, then it shouldn’t be a cause for alarm,” Bonza notes.

How to treat symptoms like those associated with TikTok’s “mystery virus”

While the mystery virus probably isn’t cause for concern, you may find the symptoms unpleasant, inconvenient, and debilitating. So, how can you treat them?

“Rest is crucial,” says Aziz. “It allows the body to fight off the virus effectively, so make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep and avoiding overexertion.”

Ensuring you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids is also a good idea.

“This not only helps with hydration but also helps thin mucus secretions and alleviate symptoms like sore throat and dry cough,” Aziz explains.

Antibiotics are ineffective for viruses like colds and flu. However, you can take pain relief medication. Aziz says over-the-counter pain relief drugs may help to reduce fever and relieve headaches and body aches.

However, Bonza says if the fever doesn’t seem to go away in a week and you are experiencing signs of respiratory distress, such as difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, grunting, sweating, and wheezing, you should see a healthcare professional.

How to protect yourself against respiratory illnesses

Bonza says practicing hand hygiene with soap and water to stop the spread of germs is a great place to start.

She also recommends upping your intake of vitamin C and making time for rest to help keep your immune system healthy and strong.

Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits can also help.

“Eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, getting enough sleep, managing stress, avoiding tobacco smoke and excessive alcohol consumption, may all help to support your immune system,” Aziz notes.

“Incorporating these preventive measures into your daily routine may reduce the risk of getting viral infections and protect you and others from illness,” she says.

It’s a good idea to keep up to date with vaccinations, too, including annual flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines. These reduce your chances of contracting a viral illness and can reduce the severity of the infection if you do.

Takeaway

Health experts say there’s little mystery about the so-called “mystery virus” trending on social media platforms like TikTok.

The symptoms described in many online posts overlap with the respiratory illnesses we see every cold and flu season.

Health information shared on social media can often spark fear, but the so-called “mystery virus” is unlikely to be a serious cause for concern. 

• A new study finds people with sleep apnea may have 50% increased risk of memory or thinking problems.
• It’s unclear if sleep apnea directly causes cognitive deficits or if the issues with attention and memory are linked to comorbidities. 
• Scientists suspect the intermittent drops in oxygen, blood flow, and neuroinflammation seen in people with sleep apnea may impair cognitive function. 

People with sleep apnea may have a greater risk of developing cognitive issues, according to new research.

The study, which involved over 4,200 people, found that those with sleep apnea were about 50% more likely to have memory and thinking problems compared to those without sleep apnea. 

The research will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 76^th Annual Meeting April 13-18, 2024.

It’s unclear if sleep apnea directly causes cognitive deficits or if the issues with attention and memory are linked to comorbidities. 

Some scientists suspect the intermittent drops in oxygen, abnormal blood flow, and neuroinflammation seen in people with sleep apnea may impair cognitive function. 

“The disrupted, poor-quality sleep seen in sleep disorders leads to both acute and chronically worsening changes in the brain,” said Dr. David Merrill, MD, PhD, a geriatric psychiatrist and director of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute’s Pacific Brain Health Center at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. 

Merrill was not involved in the research.

The researchers say the findings highlight the importance of early screening to prevent, detect, and treat cognitive impairment in people with sleep apnea.

The link between sleep and our cognitive health 

Sleep — specifically, the quality, quantity, frequency of it — can be both protective or a risk factor for cognitive function, says Merrill.

When people regularly get high-quality sleep, their brain health is protected and enhanced as they age.

A good night’s sleep allows for the repair and restoration of brain function, according to Merrill.

The brain has a specialized cleaning system, the glymphatic system, which gets rid of waste that accumulates during the day. 

The glymphatic system is activated during the deepest stages of sleep, he noted.

Without high quality sleep, the brain doesn’t get the opportunity to rest and repair. 

“If sleep is chronically disrupted, this can lead to a number of health issues including headaches, fatigue, and memory loss that worsens over time,” Merrill says. 

Does sleep apnea directly cause cognitive impairment?

With sleep apnea, a person intermittently stops breathing during their sleep.

There are three types of sleep apnea: central, obstructive, and complex. 

With obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the muscles in the back of the throat overly relax, which prevents normal breathing and potentially dangerous drops in oxygenation of the brain, according to Merrill. Sometimes these tissues can block the airway leading to a choking or snorting sound as the body reacts to the lack of air.

These sleep interruptions can occur dozens of times an hour, causing some people to be severely sleep-deprived.

“Sleep disruptions alone can cause cognitive decline, but the choking episodes also can put a strain on the heart which causes decreased blood flow to the brain,” says Thomas Kilkenny, DO, the director of the Institute of Sleep Medicine at Staten Island University Hospital.

Kilkenny was not involved in the research.

These physiologic events can result in cognitive decline, according to Kilkenny.

“Past meta-analysis studies suggest that conditions found in OSA patients consistently are associated with impairments in attention, memory, executive functions, psychomotor functions, and language ability,” Kilkenny said.

Diagnosing and treating sleep disturbances early is crucial

Sleep disturbances can increase the risk of dementia, and inversely, that dementia can heighten a person’s risk of impaired sleep. 

“So, you can end up with sleep worsening memory to the point of dementia, which then worsens sleep,” Merrill says. 

The cycle can snowball, which is why it’s crucial to diagnose and treat sleep issues early on, he adds.

Ideally, sleep disturbances can be addressed before any symptoms of cognitive decline appear.

“The hope is that with improved sleep, we can actually delay the age of onset of dementia,” Merrill says. 

The use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines can prevent the sudden reductions in oxygenation.

As a result, this can protect brain function and decrease cognitive decline. 

According to Kilkenny, using a CPAP device for at least one year has also been shown to improve cognition. 

“Research studies have shown that even four hours per night using a CPAP device results in significantly less worsening of cognitive decline over time,” Merrill said, noting that there are other solutions for people who can’t wear a CPAP device overnight. 

There are many steps people can take to improve their sleep, too.

Having regular sleep and wake times, being exposed to light in the morning, avoiding stimulants like caffeine in the afternoon, and sleeping in a cool, dark room, and avoiding screen time at night can improve sleep duration and quality.

“It’s crucial to use all available strategies to treat sleep symptoms to alleviate dementia symptoms,” says Merrill, and “that includes all the intuitive, but often difficult to achieve, elements of sleep hygiene.”

The bottom line:

People with sleep apnea may have a greater risk of developing cognitive issues, new research suggests. The researchers say the findings highlight the importance of early screening to prevent, detect, and treat cognitive impairment in people with sleep apnea.

Soaring numbers of Scots unable to work as they queue for treatment on SNP-run health service  By Michael Blackley Scottish Political Editor Published: 18:16 EST, 4 March 2024 | Updated: 18:16 EST, 4 March 2024 Chronic NHS waiting lists are causing a spike in sickness absence from work and damaging the economy, a damning new […]

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• A new study finds ultra-processed foods like soda, candy and prepackaged meat can lead to increased risk of health issues like cancer and heart disease.
• The study found that consumption of ultra-processed foods accounts for up to 58% of daily calorie intake in high-income countries like the United States.
• They found eating large amounts of ultra-processed foods was linked to a 50% increased risk of cardiovascular disease-related death.

High exposure to ultra-processed foods like sodas, candy, pre-packaged meat, sugary cereals, and potato chips is connected to an increased risk of 32 health issues including cancer, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and respiratory disorders, depression, anxiety, and early death, according to a new study published in The BMJ on February 28.

The study found that consumption of ultra-processed foods accounts for up to 58% of daily calorie intake in high-income countries like the United States. Middle- and low-income countries have also notably increased their consumption of them in recent years.

The people who ate more of these foods were at increased risk for depression, type 2 diabetes and fatal heart attacks.

What are “ultra-processed” foods?

Ultra-processed foods, which also include instant noodles, ready-made meals, and other packaged snacks like chips or cookies are mostly made out of “chemically modified substances extracted from foods, along with additives to enhance taste, texture, appearance, and durability, with minimal to no inclusion of whole foods,” the study says.

They have been processed industrially, with added flavors and colors, and have high amounts of salt, fat, and sugar and low amounts of vitamins essential to a healthy diet.

Evidence from the study points to alarming connections between eating high levels of processed foods and developing a number of health problems. The researchers reported there was “convincing evidence” of the following conditions being linked to eating ultra-processed foods.

• Around a 50% higher risk of cardiovascular disease-related death.
• Up to a 53% higher risk of anxiety and common mental health conditions.
• A 12% greater risk of type 2 diabetes.

 Additionally the researchers there was “highly suggestive evidence” of the following:

• A 21% greater risk of death from any cause.
• A 40-66% increased risk of heart disease-related death, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and sleep disorders.
• A 22% higher risk of depression.

“These findings support urgent mechanistic research and public health actions that seek to target and minimise ultra-processed food consumption for improved population health,” the study authors concluded.

Why are ultra-processed foods such a huge part of American diets?

Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, a registered dietician at the Cleveland Clinic Department of Department of Wellness & Preventive Medicine in Ohio and a senior fellow at the Meadows Behavioral Healthcare in Wickenburg, Arizona, who was not involved in the study, told Healthline that ultra-processed foods (UPF) are cheap and prevalent in everyday shopping options.

 “UPF are typically highly hyperpalatable. That means it’s hard to stop eating them, and when you are not eating them, you may very well be craving them,” Kirkpatrick said. “They may even make you feel calm and content while consuming them – so there are reasons why we start eating them and can’t stop.”

Melanie Murphy Richter, a registered dietitian nutritionist and the director of communications for the nutrition company Prolon, who was not involved in the study, told Healthline that economic factors and the time crunch of many American schedules, combined with the difficulty of parsing food labels and marketing, can make UPF an easy choice. There are also emotional factors, she said.

“In my practice, I often have my patients answer a variety of intake questions that help me understand the strongest motives behind their food choices. For some people, it’s simply because these are comforting foods they knew as a kid or that their grandparents made for them,” Richter said. “Other people, it’s price. And ultra-processed foods are absolutely cheaper than healthier alternatives. For others, it’s emotional. People eat because they are stressed, sad or angry. And it just so happens that the foods our body wants during these emotional experiences are… sugar!”

How do ultra-processed foods contribute to anxiety and depression?

The increased risks of sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and common mental health disorders that UPF pose are connected to a number of different ways they interact with our bodies, Richter said. She pointed to four key areas: glucose spikes and crashes; gut imbalances; inflammation (which is linked to many mood disorders); and nutritional deficiencies from a lack of vitamins.

Because UPF are so high in added sugars, extreme swings in glucose regulation can create mood swings and irritability, which can lead to depression over time.

“High sugar diets have shown to decrease the production of necessary neurotransmitters like serotonin, which plays an important role in mood regulation and mental well-being,” Richter said. “Additionally, high intake of sugar preferentially feeds pathogenic (harmful) bacteria in our gut like yeast and mold which can lead to severe dysbiosis. These pathogenic bugs can block or hinder our ability to produce necessary hormones like serotonin that keep us calm and relaxed. In fact, just shy of half of all those who reported having IBS or IBD also report having either anxiety or depression.”

Kirkpatrick also noted that the amount of UPF consumed can be directly proportional to the level of depression or anxiety: “Some studies also show an impact with the amount as well – as consumption of UPF goes up, so may risk for adverse mental health outcomes,” she said.

Takeaway:

A new study suggests that consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to 32 adverse health outcomes like cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, and early death.

Ultra-processed foods, which include store-bought cookies, prepackaged snacks, processed meats, sugary cereals, and sodas, are cheap and easy to obtain.

Researchers say consuming large amounts of ultra-processed foods can disrupt gut health, cause glucose spikes, and contribute to chronic inflammation, all of which have negative impacts on mental health.

 

 

 

 

  

• Actor Alan Ritchson addresses his bipolar disorder diagnosis in a new interview.
• The disorder is characterized by manic and depressive episodes.
• Experts say that high-profile people speaking about mental health is crucial to breaking down stigma.

Alan Ritchson, the star of Amazon Prime’s Reacher series, is speaking candidly about living with bipolar disorder.

Ritchson is a towering man; he’s six-foot-three and known as much for his superhero physique as his leading-man persona on television. So, he might not be the first person that comes to mind when you think of mental illness. Now he’s addressing it head-on in a new interview with Men’s Health and shedding light on his diagnosis.

Now 41, Ritchson says he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when he was 36. With the help of a psychiatrist and his wife, he’s learned how to live with and control his behavior.

“I am always happy to see celebrities and high-profile people sharing their experiences and mental health struggles. Of course, I am never happy to see/hear people struggling, but it normalizes mental illness and helps people feel less alone in a world that can feel quite lonely at times,” Dr. Rachel Goldman, PhD, a licensed psychologist in private practice in NYC, and clinical assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at New York University, told Healthline.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by pronounced changes in a person’s behavior, characterized by periods of mania and depression.

A manic episode is a hyperactive state in which the person feels energetic, has racing thoughts, sleeps less, takes part in harmful behaviors, and feels important or powerful.

A depressive episode is the opposite: the individual may feel lethargic, sad, oversleep, and have trouble making decisions.

Ritchson told Men’s Health that a manic episode can manifest for him in a small way, like obsessing over a new pair of shoes — and then buying 8 different kinds that look the same.

He also describes it as feeling like something “isn’t living up to its best potential.”

“It usually comes out in a very — not in a mean way — but in a ‘this has to be better’ way. Like a very, almost obsessive ‘this has to be better,’” he said in the interview.

Symptoms and severity can vary from person to person with bipolar disorder, but Ritchson tends to deal with mania more often than depression. His work schedule keeps him busy enough that he often works through depressive episodes.

“When I’m feeling depressed, it doesn’t really matter because I am so focused at work. I could go weeks without people even knowing I feel a certain way,” he said.

Bipolar 1 vs bipolar 2

There are three types of bipolar disorder: bipolar 1, bipolar 2, and cyclothymic disorder.

Bipolar 1 is the most severe form and is characterized by manic episodes that last at least seven days and depressive episodes that last around two weeks. With bipolar one, manic episodes can be severe enough to require hospitalization.

Bipolar 2 still maintains the hallmark manic and depressive episodes, but the symptoms are less severe.

Cyclothymic disorder is the most mild form of bipolar disorder.

Ritchson doesn’t specify his exact diagnosis in the interview, but the age of diagnosis could be an indicator.

“There are two main types of bipolar. The more severe one is called bipolar 1. Those patients usually get diagnosed around their late teens or early twenties,” Dr. Po Wang, MD, a clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford Medicine, told Healthline.

“Bipolar 2 episodes are not necessarily as severe. It can be a little bit delayed…So thirty-something is not too out of the ordinary for a diagnosis. That doesn’t mean they don’t have symptoms before then,” said Wang.

Signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder

It can be difficult to identify bipolar disorder before it is diagnosed. Although there may be behavioral changes, they can be normalized and explained away. But, over time, a pattern can emerge of manic and depressive episodes that are indicators of bipolar disorder.

“When these symptoms become problematic in our life, we need to flip that sort of normality viewpoint into ‘maybe there’s something going on,’ and accept that these symptoms sometimes are pathologic,” said Wang.

“If you notice a recent change in your mood or behaviors (i.e., appetite, sleep, etc.) and it’s more than just feeling like you are having an off day, then I would recommend seeking help,” said Goldman.

The question of when and how to seek help is a difficult one, but it shouldn’t be.

“If you are thinking about seeking help, or questioning if you should seek professional help, then it can’t hurt. Make the call and have a consultation,” said Goldman.

She adds that when symptoms are beginning to take a toll on your life — daily functioning, work, and personal relationships — it is definitely time to speak to a medical professional. 

Bipolar disorder may not fit the same pattern for everyone, so paying attention to behavioral changes is important, even if they don’t fit the model of a manic episode followed by a depressive episode.

Sharing stories can help reduce stigma

Both Wang and Goldman praised Ritchson for speaking out and helping to change the narrative around bipolar disorder. 

Looks can be deceiving, Wang points out.

“We have an idea of what celebrities’ lives are like: they are successful. And Ritchson is very athletic, so he looks healthy, right?” said Wang. “So the other part of this conversation that is super important is when we see people who look healthy, and they can say, ‘I have problems too.’” 

“Sharing stories around mental health and talking so honestly and openly around mental health helps break the stigma. I also think it is wonderful, and important, for people to see that individuals who are successful also struggle with their mental health,” said Goldman.

The bottom line

Actor Alan Ritchson, 41, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when he was 36. He’s now discussing life with mental illness in a new interview.

Bipolar disorder is characterized by periods of energy and impulsive behavior (manic episode) and periods of melancholy and lethargy (depressive episode).

The disorder can sometimes be hard to spot, so it is important to watch for behavioral changes that seem out of the ordinary and can become part of a pattern.

Mental health experts praised Ritchson for speaking openly about his diagnosis and breaking down the stigma of mental illness.

• An experimental GLP-1 weight loss drug developed by Viking Therapeutics showed promising results in a mid-stage clinical trial.
• The drug is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, which like Zepbound and Mounjaro, mimics the actions of two hormones.
• Additional clinical trials are needed to test the safety and effectiveness of the drug in a larger, more diverse group of people before it can be approved by the FDA.

Biopharma company Viking Therapeutics released promising initial results on Feb. 27 from a mid-stage clinical trial for its experimental weight loss drug.

The phase 2 trial followed 176 adults who have obesity or overweight. Researchers randomly assigned people to receive one of four doses of the test drug, VK2734, or an inactive placebo.

After 13 weeks, people in the clinical trial who received weekly injections of the drug lost up to 14.7% of their body weight from baseline on average, the company said in a statement.

When researchers adjusted for the amount of weight lost by people in the placebo group, those receiving the drug lost 13.1% of their body weight.

“These results are similar to tirzepatide [Zepbound, Mounjaro], which is already on the market. So it’s promising that [Viking has] developed a similar drug that has good results,” said Dr. Mir Ali, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Calif.

Ali was not involved in the new research.

Why the drug isn’t going to compete with Mounjaro yet

Researchers also found that up to 88% of people who received the drug lost 10% or more of their weight, compared with 4% of people who received the placebo.

In addition, “no evidence of a plateau was observed” after 13 weeks among people receiving the drug, said Brian Lian, PhD, chief executive officer of Viking, in the statement, “suggesting further weight loss might be achieved” from longer treatment periods.

The results have not been published yet in a peer-reviewed journal, so they should be viewed with caution.

Strong demand for currently approved weight loss drugs such as Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound have made them hard to find. Having another option on the market might relieve some of that demand.

“The issue that consumers are running into is a shortage of these medications,” Ali told Healthline. “So if there are more options to get this type of medication, I think that would be helpful.”

However, phase 3 clinical trials will be needed before the company can apply for regulatory approval of its drug. These studies will examine the effectiveness and safety of the drug in a larger, more diverse group of people.

The company plans to meet with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss the next steps for the development of VK2735, reports CNBC.

The company also plans to report on the results of an early-stage clinical trial by the end of this month for an oral version of the drug, it said in the release.

New drug has similar side effects as Zepbound and Wegovy

The results of Viking’s phase 2 trial show that the drug was well-tolerated. The majority of adverse events that occurred in people who received the drug were mild or moderate, the company reported.

Gastrointestinal side effects were most common. These included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation, which commonly occur with GLP-1 drugs. Some people also experienced loss of appetite.

Among people who received the drug, 13% discontinued treatment early, compared to 14% in the placebo group.

Ali said the side effects seen in the trial are similar to what his patients experience when taking other weight loss medications, pointing out that in the study, the side effects occurred more frequently at higher doses of the drug.

However, “what we’ve found in our practice is side effects tend to resolve with time, as patients adapt to the drug,” he said.

Viking’s drug belongs to a class of medications called dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists. It mimics the action of two hormones — glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).

These are the same hormones targeted by Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug Zepbound and diabetes drug Mounjaro.

Drugs such as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus — which have semaglutide as the active ingredient — target only the GLP-1 hormone receptor.

While these kinds of drugs can have a dramatic impact on people’s weight, Ali emphasized that, as with bariatric surgery, other approaches are needed alongside these tools.

“The whole goal with these tools is to help the patient change to a healthier diet and lifestyle,” he said. “Then they can maintain long-term success.”

Takeaway

Viking Therapeutics released results from a phase 2 clinical trial for its experimental weight loss drug. People who received weekly injections of the drug lost up to 14.7% of their body weight over 13 weeks, researchers found.

The drug is a GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, which mimics the actions of two hormones — glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug Zepbound and diabetes drug Mounjaro are in the same class of drugs.

Larger phase 3 clinical trials will be needed to test the safety and effectiveness of the drug in a more diverse group of people. Viking is in discussions with the FDA on next steps for the development of its drug.

Marcia Cross was a vision in red as she walked the runway during the Vetements  Fall/Winter show as part of Paris Fashion Week on Friday. The Desperate Housewives star, known for her role as Bree Van De Kamp, proved she has still got it at 61 as she flaunts her age-defying looks for the glitzy event.  […]

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• The health benefits of magnesium have been gaining popularity on social media platforms like TikTok.
• Research on the effects of magnesium, particularly in supplement form, is limited.
• Registered dietitians say most people can achieve the recommended intake with food instead of the supplements often touted online.

From improved sleep to boosting exercise performance, magnesium is being touted as a quick fix for various health issues on social media platforms like TikTok.

“Magnesium is an essential mineral necessary for numerous physiological processes in the body, including muscle and nerve function, energy production, and bone health, and our body does not make it naturally, so it must be consumed from dietary or supplemental sources,” says Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, a registered dietitian nutritionist.

But while magnesium is essential, how much should you take each day, and how accurate are the claims that it can help with specific health issues?

We asked experts to weigh in on five of the most popular magnesium-based health claims racking up views on TikTok and to share what science really says about the potential benefits.

Magnesium can help you sleep

Magnesium’s potential to aid in relaxation is at the core of the popular Sleepy Girl Mocktail trend.

The drink consists of a half-cup of pure tart cherry juice, a tablespoon of magnesium powder, and sparkling water, with many claiming the simple recipe can help people fall asleep more easily and improve sleep quality.

“The trend highlights magnesium’s role in relaxing muscles and nerves, potentially calming mood, lessening anxiety, and improving sleep quality, which are relatable health concerns for many,” says Kelsey Costa, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and national media spokesperson for Dietitian Insights. 

However, Costa says research is mixed, and more is needed.

For instance, a 2023 systemic literature review suggested a link between magnesium status and sleep quality in observational studies.

However, randomized control trials didn’t show a specific correlation between supplementing with magnesium and improvements in sleep quality.

An older, small study of 46 older adults published in 2012 suggested that people who took 500 mg of magnesium daily for eight weeks reported fewer subjective insomnia symptoms than those who received the placebo.

What about the TikTok famous cocktail? Same deal.

“Ingredients like tart cherry juice in the Sleepy Girl Mocktail could indirectly support sleep due to their magnesium content, but further research is needed to determine their precise impact,” Routhenstein says.

Magnesium can help prevent and treat cramps 

One registered dietician nutritionist is cautious about supporting this so-called benefit of magnesium.

“There are many different causes and types of cramps, making it dangerous to say broadly that supplementation will provide benefits for cramping,” explains Maddie Pasquariello, MS, RDN, a registered dietician nutritionist. “In fact, when it comes to workout-related cramps, nocturnal cramps (or the kind of leg cramps that wake you up in the night), and cramps associated with pregnancy, there is little evidence to suggest that oral or IV magnesium supplementation will provide benefits.”

Research from 2021 didn’t find evidence magnesium supplements could aid in the prevention or treatment of muscle cramps.

Additionally, research from 2020 suggests that magnesium doesn’t prevent cramping in older adults but noted that research is conflicting and needed for pregnant people. 

Magnesium can help you avoid constipation and ease

Can regular magnesium intake help you stay regular — as in relieving or preventing constipation? 

“Magnesium…can aid in relieving constipation by drawing water into the intestines, softening the stool, and promoting bowel movements,” Routhenstein says. “Magnesium citrate acts as an osmotic laxative, meaning it pulls water into the intestines, resulting in increased bowel movements and facilitating smoother passage of stool.”

One 2019 study of 34 female patients with mild to moderate constipation indicated that magnesium oxide might help reduce “colonic transit time,” or how long it takes something to move through your colon.

Research from 2021 indicated that magnesium intake might lower chronic constipation regarding stool frequency but didn’t find a significant link between magnesium and stool consistency. In the end, the authors called for more research.

And Routhenstein stresses the need for caution.

“However, it’s essential to use magnesium citrate as directed and consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice, as excessive magnesium intake can lead to diarrhea or other adverse effects,” she says.

Magnesium can boost mental health

More than 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness, according to the CDC. Treatment is available, including therapy and medication, but is magnesium worth considering, too?

Again, Pasquariello stresses caution due to limited data.

“Magnesium has been investigated as a potential component of treatment for mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression, and lower magnesium intake can be associated with self-reported depression in adults who are not in current treatment for the condition,” Pasquariello says. “That said, data is still limited.

Why the hype, then?

“Magnesium, including forms like magnesium malate, may support mental health by regulating neurotransmitters and stress response. However, further research is needed to confirm its efficacy in specific mental health conditions,” Routhenstein says.

A 2020 study indicated that stress could reduce magnesium in the body and vice-versa, terming it a “vicious cycle.”

A 2017 review indicated that evidence suggests magnesium could be helpful for subjective anxiety but noted evidence (including self-reported data) is poor.

Magnesium can improve exercise performance 

Magnesium isn’t the first supplement to be touted to improve exercise and likely won’t be the last. But does the idea hold merit?

“Because magnesium is directly involved in muscular function and energy production, magnesium status can affect athletic performance,” Pasquariello says. “Magnesium supplementation may decrease the accumulation of lactate in the body and help improve muscle contraction/relaxation, allowing for improved exercise endurance.”

But Pasquariello says more consistent research is needed.

Research from 2021 indicated that some experimental studies suggest that magnesium administration can improve glucose uptake and limit lactate buildup in skeletal muscles, enhancing exercise performance in the process.

Should you take a magnesium supplement?

It’s recommended that people get 310 to 420 mg of magnesium per day, depending on age, sex, pregnancy, and lactation status, Costa says.

She also pointed to data from 2013-2016 that indicates that nearly half of U.S. adults don’t get enough magnesium.

“For most people, dietary sources of magnesium should be the focus, and magnesium supplements, therefore, should not be necessary,” Costa says. “They should only be considered after optimizing diet to meet nutritional needs and addressing potential underlying causes of deficiency, such as certain medical conditions or medications.”

Bloodwork can help detect magnesium deficiency. Costa says magnesium-rich foods include:

• Leafy greens like kale and spinach
• Seeds such as flax, pumpkin, and chia
• Nuts like Brazil nuts, almonds, and cashews
• Legumes and tofu
• Avocados
• Whole grains

Routhenstein suggests speaking to your doctor before trying a magnesium supplement, especially if you are a person living with kidney disease, taking medication, or are pregnant or lactating.

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