Common diabetes drug may help preserve eyesight as people age

A common medication for diabetes may slow down age-related vision loss, according to new research.

People with diabetes who were over the age of 55 and taking metformin — a prescription drug most commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes — were 37% less likely to develop intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) over five years compared to those not taking it.

Researchers at the University of Liverpool used eye pictures from 2,000 people who received routine diabetic eye disease screenings over the course of five years.

NEARLY 90% OF AMERICANS AT RISK OF SILENT DISEASE — HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Next, they assessed whether AMD was present in the photos and how severe each case was, before comparing the differences between people taking metformin and those who did not take it, according to a press release.

They also adjusted for factors that could potentially skew the results, such as age, sex and how long they'd had diabetes.

POPULAR WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS LINKED TO SUDDEN VISION LOSS

"Most people who suffer from AMD have no treatment, so this is a great breakthrough in our search for new treatments," said Nick Bear, an ophthalmologist at the University of Liverpool in the U.K., who led the research.

"What we need to do now is test metformin as a treatment for AMD in a clinical trial. Metformin has the potential to save many people’s sight," he added.

While the results are promising, researchers noted that the study was observational, meaning it shows a link between the drug and eye health, but does not prove metformin was the direct cause of the improvement.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The study also focused only on people with diabetes. It is unclear whether the drug would have the same effect on people without the condition.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Additionally, the researchers did not have data on the specific doses of metformin patients took or how strictly they followed their prescriptions.

Metformin is an off-patent, low-cost drug already widely used to manage blood sugar, according to Mayo Clinic.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Scientists believe its anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties may help protect the retina.

Mayo Clinic says metformin is generally safe, but can cause digestive side effects and vitamin B12 deficiency in some patients.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/b5FcufT

Read More

How to use TrumpRx to find cheaper cash prices on medications

Following last week’s launch of TrumpRx, a federal government-based prescription drug platform, doctors are speaking about its potential benefits for consumers — and also its limitations.

The platform, which can be accessed at TrumpRx.gov, allows patients to access "large discounts on many of the most popular and highest-priced medicines in the country," according to the statement on The White House website.

The goal is for consumers to get the lowest available pricing among other developed nations, referred to as the MFN (most-favored-nation) price.

TRUMP UNVEILS TRUMPRX TO OFFER DISCOUNTED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

As of its initial launch, TrumpRx includes discounted pricing for 40 medications from five pharmaceutical manufacturers: AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Novo Nordisk and Pfizer.

"Depending on the manufacturer of a given drug, patients with valid prescriptions will be able to access savings through user-friendly coupons that can be printed or downloaded onto their phones or through channels set up by the manufacturer and integrated into TrumpRx.gov," the announcement says.

TrumpRx is not an online pharmacy, as it does not directly prescribe, dispense or sell medications.

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert, said he considers TrumpRx to be a "solid concept," putting cheaper, cash-pay drug prices at the forefront. 

"Prescription drugs are one of the quiet ways families get squeezed every month," he told Fox News Digital. "Anything that makes prices clearer and pushes them down is a step in the right direction."

OLDER AMERICANS ARE QUITTING GLP-1 WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS FOR 4 KEY REASONS

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, called TrumpRx "a step in the right direction."

"We have a lack of price transparency in the system — drugmakers and pharmacy benefit managers jack up the prices, which insurance companies pay, but then transfer the cost to the consumer in terms of higher premiums, copays and deductibles," Siegel told Fox News Digital.

The goal of Trump Rx, according to Siegel, is not to enact government price controls, but to increase consumer choices, allowing them to pay directly for drugs in amounts that do not exceed what other countries are paying.

"TrumpRx will help provide access to crucial drugs that are otherwise not affordable or not covered by insurance, such as fertility drugs, cancer drugs, the growing GLP-1 market, diabetes drugs and asthma drugs," Siegel said. 

WHAT ARE GLP-3S? MEET THE NEW GENERATION OF WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS WITH THREE KEY INGREDIENTS

"Even with discounts offered through TrumpRx or through its partnership with GoodRx — where you go from Trump Rx to an online pharmacy (with a prescription) or to the manufacturer — these drugs are still expensive," he added. 

This first iteration of the marketplace focuses on several key medications, which means not all patients will find what they need. For now, TrumpRx focuses on anti-obesity (weight-loss) drugs like GLP-1 agonists — although Osborn said that is "exactly where national attention should be."

"Obesity is not a cosmetic issue — it’s a metabolic epidemic, a gateway disease that underpins heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain cancers, dementia and massive downstream health spending," he said. 

On TrumpRx, injectable Ozempic and Wegovy (for diabetes and obesity, respectively), could cost about $350 per month on average, down from ~$1,000+, with some doses as low as $199/month. Wegovy pills could be as low as $149/month.

The price for Zepbound, Eli Lilly’s obesity medication, could fall to about $346 per month on average, or as low as $299 depending on the dose.

Commonly used medications for infertility, COPD, asthma, dermatitis, hot flashes and osteoporosis are also included.

Osborn commended the platform for "not trying to be everything."

"A more directed platform – like TrumpRx — that highlights medications that address ‘root cause’ diseases sends a MAHA signal," he said. "It shows people what matters."

TRUMP ROLLS OUT ‘GREAT HEALTHCARE PLAN,’ URGES CONGRESS TO SLASH COSTS FOR AMERICANS

Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, applauded the launch of the platform.

"We’re continuing to make it easier for people to access our authentic, FDA-approved medicines by expanding availability through multiple, convenient options," said Chris Pernie, associate vice president of U.S. public affairs, referencing NovoCare Pharmacy, the company’s direct-to-patient channel that launched in March 2025.

"The launch of TrumpRx will further extend patients’ reach to Ozempic and Wegovy, including the newly approved Wegovy pill, at our self-pay prices," Pernie added in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.

Osborn cautioned that some drugs may not always be cheaper than insurance once deductibles are met. 

"Cash payments (accessed through the platform’s coupons) do not count toward out-of-pocket limits," he pointed out. "And comparing TrumpRx prices to list prices can make discounts on the site look bigger than they really are."

In a new commentary, Cato health policy expert Dr. Jeffrey Singer acknowledged that direct-to-consumer drug sales can help push prices down, but suggested that federal government’s control of the system could pose a risk.

"President Trump is right that direct-to-consumer drug sales can restore cost sensitivity and put pressure on prices," Singer wrote. "But a government-run platform risks crowding out private competition and reintroducing political favoritism into a market that was already becoming more consumer-driven."

Siegel also pointed out that there is some concern about the impact on pharmaceutical research and development, "at a time of great innovation and personalized solutions."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"I am also concerned about more cheap copies spinning off here as a result, especially with the weight-loss drugs," he added.

As TrumpRx continues to evolve, Osborn recommends that antihypertensives (blood pressure medications) should be added. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"Blood pressure control is non-negotiable. Control blood pressure, blood sugar, lipids, body composition and lifestyle, and health follows," he said.

Health officials are working to secure more agreements with pharmaceutical companies to expand the selection of prescription drugs on the platform.

"As the Trump administration pursues the best possible deals for the American people, additional high-cost medications will be added on a rolling basis," The White House’s announcement states.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Overall, Osborn said he believes TrumpRx could help to "flip the script" on the "death spiral of chronic disease management."

"Lower drug costs should be seen as an American win — not a partisan one," he said. "This is a bid toward the center, not toward the right or the left. Although it is so right."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/l9yFNs8

Read More

Your daily coffee habit may play a role in dementia risk, study finds

Drinking two to three cups of coffee daily could reduce the risk of dementia, according to new observational research published in The Journal of the American Medical Association.

American researchers analyzed four decades of data from more than 130,000 doctors and nurses, finding that moderately caffeinated coffee and tea intake can lower the risk of cognitive decline, according to SWNS.

The analysis revealed that not only did participants with the highest intake of caffeinated coffee have a lower risk of dementia, but there also appeared to be a "sweet spot" where it was most effective.

SCIENTISTS REVEAL THE ONE PRACTICE THAT COULD PREVENT DEMENTIA AS YOU AGE

Previous findings on the relationship between coffee and dementia have been inconsistent due to limited follow-up data. To address this, researchers used information from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, tracking healthcare professionals from midlife through older age.

Over a follow-up period of up to 43 years, the team analyzed self-reported dietary patterns collected through questionnaires administered every four years.

This long-term approach allowed scientists to account for changes in coffee and tea consumption over time, while monitoring for both clinical dementia diagnoses and subtle shifts in cognitive function.

By adjusting for variables such as smoking, physical activity and underlying health conditions, the researchers were able to isolate the specific relationship between caffeine intake and long-term brain health, SWNS noted.

Of the 131,821 participants involved in the long-term analysis, 11,033 developed dementia.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The analysis revealed that participants with the highest intake of caffeinated coffee had an 18% lower risk of dementia compared with those who reported little or no consumption.

These participants also performed better on tests of overall cognitive function, the report noted. While higher tea intake yielded similar results, decaffeinated coffee did not, suggesting that caffeine is likely the driving neuroprotective factor.

The cognitive benefits were most pronounced in those who consumed two to three cups of caffeinated coffee or one to two cups of tea daily.

Dementia affects more than six million Americans and 55 million people worldwide, with the National Institutes of Health reporting more than 100,000 U.S. deaths annually. 

Experts emphasize that early prevention is crucial, as current treatments offer only modest benefits once symptoms appear. This has led scientists to investigate the role that specific lifestyle factors play in cognitive decline.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"When searching for possible dementia prevention tools, we thought something as prevalent as coffee may be a promising dietary intervention," senior study author Daniel Wang, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, noted in a press release from SWNS.

Both coffee and tea contain bioactive ingredients such as polyphenols and caffeine, which may reduce inflammation and cellular damage while defending against cognitive decline. Researchers referred to these properties as "neuroprotective."

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Contrary to some previous studies, higher caffeine intake did not produce negative effects; instead, it provided consistent neuroprotective benefits even for those with a high genetic predisposition to the disease, per SWNS.

Despite the encouraging findings, Wang cautioned that the effect size is small and should be viewed as just one of many ways to protect cognitive health during aging.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/58uhDUd

Read More

Common vision issue could lead to missed cancer warning, study finds

Colorblindness, a condition that mostly affects men, could be linked to a higher mortality risk in bladder cancer cases, a new study suggests.

About 8% of men are estimated to have a form of color vision deficiency (CVD), compared to 0.5% of women, according to global statistics.

The condition, in which patients see and identify color differently, could cause people to miss blood in their urine, which is a vital sign of bladder cancer.

RISK OF DEADLY CANCER TRIPLES WITH HIDDEN MOUTH BACTERIA, STUDY FINDS

Blood in the urine is the most common first sign of the disease and is often the impetus that leads to diagnosis, according to researchers at Stanford Medicine.

Those with colorblindness usually have difficulty seeing the colors red and green, which can present "everyday challenges."

In the latest study, published in the journal Nature Health, researchers analyzed health records and found that bladder cancer patients who are also colorblind have a 52% higher mortality rate over 20 years than those patients with normal vision.

Since colorblind people fail to recognize blood in their urine, they may be delayed in seeking care, which can lead to worse outcomes, the findings suggest. Bladder cancer is about four times more common among men than women.

COMMON VITAMIN SHOWN TO SLASH SKIN CANCER RISK IN SOME GROUPS, STUDY SUGGESTS

Senior study author Ehsan Rahimy, M.D., adjunct clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at Stanford Medicine, commented in a press release that he’s "hopeful this study raises some awareness, not only for patients with colorblindness, but for our colleagues who see these patients."

Dr. Douglas Lazzaro, a professor in NYU Langone's Department of Ophthalmology, said the inability to recognize the color red in this scenario is a "real risk."

"The patient, family and medical doctor should be made aware of this potential gap in diagnosis," Lazzaro, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "It is important to raise awareness of potential issues in making the diagnosis of bladder or kidney cancer in colorblind individuals."

"My guess is that many doctors may not be looking closely enough at the medical record to pick up on this eye problem, leading to delays in diagnosis as the patient may not be able to see the issue," he added.

While the issue may not be completely avoidable, Lazzaro suggested that it could be prevented if colorblind patients are aware of the risk and inform their doctors of their vision limitation.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Dr. Don Railsback, optometrist and CEO of Vision Care Direct in Kansas, agreed that people with known CVD and their clinicians should "pay close attention."

"This is the kind of small detail in a medical history that can change how we counsel patients on the symptoms they should never ignore," he told Fox News Digital.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"The takeaway is simple: Don’t rely on color alone to detect a problem. Bladder cancer can present as painless bleeding, and if you ever suspect blood in your urine, you should alert your doctor."

Railsback, who was not part of the research, added that if the color of urine looks "off" — for example, is tea-colored or unusually dark — the patient should be checked "promptly."

"This study is a strong reminder to tailor health guidance to real-world differences and variations, including color vision," he said.

For colorblind individuals, Railsback recommends asking their primary care physician for a urine test at annual visits. If something seems unusual, they should ask a spouse or partner.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"Colorblindness doesn’t cause bladder cancer, but it may make the earliest warning sign easier to miss," he said. "The fix is awareness and simple testing, not fear."

Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for comment.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/OZ3MC6y

Read More

'Doormat Mom' cut off by daughter amid estrangement trend: ‘Completely blindsided’

While Brooklyn Beckham’s recent social media post about his bitter family feud thrust the topic of parent-child estrangement into the headlines, surveys suggest that these types of rifts have been on the rise for years.

One study from Cornell University found that more than a quarter of Americans — roughly 67 million people — report being estranged from a family member. One of those is Laura Wellington in Connecticut, known on social media as "Doormat Mom."

While research has shown that many estrangements are gradual, Wellington described hers as sudden and unexpected. After initially being involved in her daughter’s wedding plans, she was abruptly told that she would not be invited to attend. 

RELATIONSHIP COACH BLAMES OPRAH FOR PUSHING FAMILY ESTRANGEMENT 'FOR DECADES'

When Wellington pushed back, both her daughter and her daughter’s fiancee blocked her from all contact in 2024, she told Fox News Digital during a recent interview.

"I was literally just completely blindsided by this," she said. "The pain of being cut off — it’s a pain you can’t describe unless you feel it." 

The widowed mother of four took to TikTok to share her experience.

"I just said what was on my mind — and I didn't mention my daughter specifically," she said. "I just came out with a very heavy hand and said something to the effect of, ‘Were you a really good parent and you raised an ungrateful little b—---d?’"

DAVID BECKHAM RESPONDS AFTER BROOKLYN’S EXPLOSIVE INSTAGRAM POST TARGETS PARENTS

Wellington was "flooded" by responses from parents, she said — not only in the U.S., but also in Germany, the U.K., Australia and other countries. "They wanted to share their feelings, to share the impact. They needed the support."

Since posting her first video in August 2024, Wellington has built a large social media following — nearly 150,000 on TikTok and Instagram — that includes other mothers in similar situations, as well as a fair share of critics. 

Wellington said she has heard from many parents who have experienced profound grief, isolation and even suicidal thoughts after estrangement from their adult children.

"The parents were ashamed to talk about it," she said. "Because they felt … that if they talked about it, if they spoke about it, then the first question they would get is, ‘Well, what did you do?’"

Estrangement is becoming a more normalized way to address family tensions, even in cases where there is no abuse or neglect, according to Wellington.

She blames several factors that drive division, including political and cultural differences and "societal narratives that are destroying families."

"There's a lack of foundation and traditional family values … loss of faith, loss of grounded principles, and the education that's happening in our country," Wellington said. "The way these things are being skewed today, cutting off your parent is the first go-to, not the last."

IRELAND BALDWIN CUTS OFF 'NARCISSISTIC' FAMILY MEMBERS AS SHE TURNS 30 YEARS OLD

"We're at a crossroads in our nation, because what's the point of saving a nation if you don't have cohesive families to save it for?"

In December 2024, on the weekend of her daughter’s wedding, Wellington released a self-published book, "Doormat Mom, No More!"

"I married my new life, so to speak," she said. "It became not my personal story anymore — it became a story of many."

Wellington has also heard from young adults who are seeking to repair parental relationships.

"There are some wonderful young people out there who really do want answers, they want to solve their problems, they want to have the relationship," she said.

In some cases, Wellington acknowledged, adult children are warranted in ending the relationship, such as in cases of abuse or neglect.

Dr. Jonathan Alpert, a New York City psychotherapist, told Fox News Digital that he is seeing parent-child estrangement becoming more common, with politics often playing a role.

"I regularly work with families where estrangement isn’t driven by abuse or neglect as much as it is by political identity and voting behavior," he said. "Parents are cut off because of who they voted for, what news they watch or the views they express."

"What would once have been handled as disagreement is now framed as moral injury."

JENNIFER ANISTON, KATE HUDSON, HEATHER GRAHAM'S SHOCKING REASONS THEY BECAME ESTRANGED FROM THEIR PARENTS

Alpert echoed Wellington’s claim that estrangement is becoming more of an automatic reflex.

"Once a parent’s beliefs are labeled as ‘unsafe’ or ‘toxic,’ disengagement feels justified and necessary," he said. "Estrangement becomes a form of moral signaling rather than a last-resort response to genuine harm."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

In cases where adult children go "no-contact," Alpert said the emotional impact can be "severe."

"Parents often experience profound grief, confusion and shame," he said. "Adult children may initially feel empowered, but many later struggle with unresolved anger, rigidity, and a narrowing of emotional tolerance that affects other relationships as well."

Alpert’s biggest concern, he said, is that estrangement is increasingly presented as emotional health.

"In reality, emotional health often involves learning how to stay connected across differences," he said. "When therapy language and political culture reward rupture over repair, families are left divided long after the arguments fade."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Alpert emphasized that there’s a difference between boundaries and estrangement.

"Boundaries are meant to allow a continued relationship with limits, while estrangement ends the relationship entirely," he said. 

For parents who are struggling with estrangement from adult children, Wellington warns against trying to force reconciliation, as she said that can actually make things worse.

"You can't force them into a relationship with you," she said. "Once you start running after them, you give up your autonomy. If they're choosing to move away from you, you have to just let them go."

"Let life teach them, and if they're meant to come back, they will come back."

Wellington said it’s important for parents in her situation to focus on moving forward with their own lives.

"Go on and create a life for yourself that you're proud of, find your happiness," she advised. "If they do come back, they’ll see that you're doing well and thriving."

Looking ahead, Wellington said she thinks there’s "always hope" that she and her daughter may reconnect someday.

"I hope she realizes that the same woman who wants to use every ounce of her strength to keep this family going …. is the same woman who created this platform to help others keep going," she said. "And I hope she sees her mom as a strong woman."

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Alpert agreed that reconciliation is possible, but said it’s more challenging when estrangement is "reinforced by social validation, online communities or political identity."

"Repair requires a shared belief that relationships can survive disagreement," he added.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/J5MGdhy

Read More

Family dinners may keep teenagers off drink and drugs, says new research

Family dinners may play a role in reducing teenage alcohol, drug and vaping use.

A new study published in the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma suggests that regularly sharing meals as a family may help discourage substance use among many adolescents, news agency SWNS reported.

The study found that higher-quality family meals were linked to lower rates of alcohol, cannabis and e-cigarette use for most teenagers.

HIGH TAKEOUT PRICES MAKE FEEDING FAMILY OF 9 IMPOSSIBLE AS MOM SHOCKS KIDS WITH AFFORDABLE MEALS

For those with more severe adverse childhood experiences, shared meals alone appeared to offer little protection.

To reach those findings, researchers analyzed online survey data from 2,090 adolescents aged 12 to 17 and their parents from across the United States.

Participants were asked about the quality of their family meals, including communication, enjoyment, digital distractions and logistical challenges.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Teenagers were also asked about their alcohol, vaping and cannabis use during the previous six months.

Researchers examined whether family meals were more or less effective depending on teenagers’ levels of household stress and traumatic experiences, using reports from both parents and teens, SWNS explained.

Rather than treating all adverse experiences the same, the team weighted each factor according to how strongly it has been linked to substance use in previous research.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

Among adolescents with lower levels of childhood adversity, higher-quality family meals were linked to a 22% to 34% reduction in reported substance use.

Margie Skeer, the study’s lead author and a professor at Tufts University, told SWNS that the findings reinforce the importance of routine family connection.

"These findings build on what we already knew about the value of family meals as a practical and widely accessible way to reduce the risk of adolescent substance use," Skeer said.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

She said regular family meals can help create opportunities for consistent communication and parental involvement, which may play a role in reducing risky behaviors over time.

However, the study found that family meals offered limited benefit for adolescents whose adversity scores reached the equivalent of four or more adverse childhood experiences.

"While our research suggests that adolescents who have experienced more severe stressors may not see the same benefits from family meals, they may benefit from more targeted and trauma-informed approaches, such as mental health support and alternative forms of family engagement," Skeer noted.

Potential limitations the researchers noted include the study’s cross-sectional design, which means the findings cannot establish cause and effect between family meals and substance use. The use of online recruitment may also limit how broadly the results apply to all families.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/8pAr96Q

Read More

Are peptides the fountain of youth? Doctors warn hype may outpace science

Peptide therapy has gained popularity as a potential health and longevity booster, but experts are warning of cautions and limitations.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as messengers involved in processes like metabolism, growth and immune function, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Some peptides have shown potential in helping with skin health, metabolism, muscle recovery and immunity, although research is limited, experts say.

OBESITY EXPERT REVEALS THE BEST WAY TO DECIDE IF GLP-1S ARE RIGHT FOR YOU

"'Peptides' is a broad umbrella that includes everything from well-studied, FDA-approved therapies to experimental compounds marketed for anti-aging with limited human data," Dr. Brad Younggren, a board-certified physician and CEO and co-founder of Circulate Health in Seattle, Washington, told Fox News Digital.

Injectable GLP-1 diabetes and weight-loss drugs are a common form of peptides, he noted.

"Most people now more widely understand the positive impact this peptide can have on human healthspan," Younggren said. "Peptides have broad targets across human physiology, and each one must be explored independently."

Other common types of peptides help with growth hormone production, healing and tissue repair, skin and hair health, immune regulation, and cardiovascular and blood pressure regulation.

Despite some claims of peptides extending lifespan, Younggren cautioned that no longevity therapy or treatment should be considered a "fountain of youth."

"The science is promising in specific areas, but the category as a whole is not a single, proven longevity solution," he said. "Peptides may be useful tools in select clinical contexts, but claims of universal rejuvenation are ahead of the evidence."

JELLY ROLL'S WIFE SAYS WEIGHT-LOSS DRUG SENT HER INTO ‘WORST SUICIDAL DEPRESSION’

Ben Perez, the biomedical technology specialist at Pure Tested Peptides in Pennsylvania, noted that some people have seen benefits in recovery, immunity and tissue repair, while others have reported positive outcomes related to sleep, lean body mass and recovery time.

However, while peptides show promise, he said some suggested results may be "overly optimistic."

"Some are anti-aging related and assist with cellular repair, release of growth hormones and metabolic functions," Perez, who oversees quality control of research peptides, told Fox News Digital. "However, the results can be inconsistent, and the assertions are usually greater than the supportive research."

Each type of peptide can be associated with its own potential side effects, experts say.

Growth hormone–related therapies, particularly those that act on the growth hormone (GH)–IGF-1 axis, can affect multiple hormone pathways and carry risks such as fluid retention, insulin resistance, headaches and joint symptoms, as well as changes in blood pressure or lipid levels, according to Dr. Anant Vinjamoori, M.D., a Harvard-trained physician and chief longevity officer at Superpower.

6 LONGEVITY RULES EXPERTS FOLLOW FOR HEALTHIER AGING IN 2026

"The pathways in the study of peptides are complex and can lead to imbalances in the hormones of the body," Perez said. "Other negative outcomes can be localized inflammation at the injection site and other reactions."

"Endocrine disorders, autoimmune disorders and history of cancer are further reasons to be more careful."

The most reliable way to receive peptide therapy is through injection, according to Vinjamoori, as some oral forms can be "under-absorbed" or may rely on added ingredients that can cause side effects.

"'Safe' is less about the route and more about the molecule, dose, purity and monitoring," he told Fox News Digital.

"Most peptides have an extremely strong track safety record based on the data we do have — but there is still much that we do not know."

Some peptides are FDA-approved for specific conditions, including GLP-1s and growth-hormone stimulators. These may be prescribed off-label in some contexts, although risks and benefits vary and evidence may be limited, according to experts.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

There are also some peptides that are not FDA-approved. "Many ‘fitness’ peptides discussed online are in early clinical phases or used only in research settings," Vinjamoori noted.

Perez warned that peptides have little to no regulation in many countries, which means online vendors may sell fake, poor-quality or dangerous products. 

"Selling unproven, miracle-promising or supplement-peddling products with little accountability or third-party testing is a dangerous red flag," he said.

For those considering peptides, Vinjamoori recommends watching out for the following red flags.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"The most effective longevity care is proactive, personalized, and grounded in biomarkers and scientific evidence," Younggren added. "It should be approached as a combination of lifestyle measures that contribute to better healthspan."

Perez emphasized the importance of starting conservatively. "Understand the science, know the source and get medical guidance," he advised. "Peptide therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s nuanced and still evolving."

While peptides may address issues that fall outside the reach of conventional medicine, Perez said, the supporting clinical data is still being developed.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"Excessive use can lead to a decrease in their therapeutic effects and may cause adverse reactions, so more is not necessarily better," he cautioned.

Anyone interested in peptides should consult with a physician to ensure that they receive a safe product and that it is used appropriately.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/kbhOv7D

Read More