Toxic people in your life may have a hidden health impact, study suggests

Surrounding yourself with difficult people could shorten your lifespan, according to new research.

A study published in the journal PNAS found that negative social ties contribute to a faster aging pace and an older biological age.

The researchers, from various U.S.-based universities, studied how "hasslers," or people who often cause problems or social difficulties, impacted aging and mortality, according to a study press release.

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Biological aging refers to the pace of aging on a cellular level, which is often different from chronological age.

Based on a sample of more than 2,000 Indiana participants 18 years and older, nearly 30% of individuals reported having a "hassler" in their network.

People who were more likely to report hasslers included women, daily smokers, people in worse health and those with adverse childhood experiences.

Using biological clocks that measure age-related changes to DNA, the researchers found that the presence of hasslers was linked to accelerated aging, higher inflammation, more chronic conditions and worse mental health.

For each additional hassler, there was about a 1.5% increased pace of aging and about a nine-month older biological age.

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Not all hasslers "exert the same influence," as blood relatives and non-blood relatives both showed "detrimental" associations, but spouse hasslers do not, the researchers stated.

Blood-related hasslers are hard to avoid, making them "stronger chronic stressors," according to the study. Spouse hasslers may not have shown a significant association because these ties mix negative and positive exchanges. 

"These findings together highlight the critical role of negative social ties in biological aging as chronic stressors, and the need for interventions that reduce harmful social exposures to promote healthier aging trajectories," the researchers wrote in the study abstract.

"We are surrounded by those who make our lives difficult and cause problems," study co-author Byungkyu Lee of NYU’s Department of Sociology told Fox News Digital.

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"We found that they are not just stressful; they are associated with measurable acceleration in biological aging at the molecular level, along with higher inflammation, depression, anxiety and chronic disease burden."

Reducing exposure to people who consistently create stress or conflict "may benefit health," the study suggests, although this is not always realistic, Lee noted.

"Many of these relationships involve family members or others who are deeply embedded in daily life, so the challenge is often not simply avoiding them, but finding healthier ways to manage them," he said. "More broadly, our results suggest that the overall balance of one’s social network matters."

Community-based programs that expand social circles through shared hobbies, volunteering or mutual aid may be beneficial, the researchers suggested.

"Broadening and diversifying one’s network may be one way to offset some of the biological toll associated with chronic relationship stress," Lee added.

The authors noted that these findings only show an association, but do not prove that toxic relationships have a negative impact on aging. Other traits or environments were not considered when measuring morbidity.

Because the data came from one Midwestern sample, it may not apply to other cultural or socioeconomic populations.

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The study used data collected at one point in time, which means it cannot show whether hasslers came before the aging changes or if the faster aging influenced social perceptions.

The hassler relationships were also self-reported and subject to participants' moods and experiences — which could introduce some bias.

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Aging could slow down with one common daily habit: 'Live longer and better'

Aging can't be stopped, but a daily pill could slow it down, according to new research led by Mass General Brigham in Boston.

Among people who took a multivitamin every day for two years, biological aging slowed down by about four months, found the study, which was published in Nature Medicine.

Biological aging refers to the pace of aging on a cellular level, which is often different from chronological age.

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The findings came from a large randomized clinical trial of nearly 1,000 healthy older adults averaging 70 years of age. The participants were divided into four groups — one took a daily  multivitamin-multimineral supplement along with a cocoa extract, one took a daily cocoa extract and placebo, one took a placebo and multivitamin, and one took just a placebo, according to the study press release.

The researchers analyzed blood samples taken from the participants at three points during the study, looking at five biomarkers known as "epigenetic clocks" that measure age-related changes to DNA.

"Aging at the cellular level can be marked by DNA methylation, where in some cells it decreases and in some it increases," Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital. "This is also described as epigenetic changes – or DNA expression."

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Those who took multivitamins showed a biological aging slowdown across all biomarkers, including the two that are linked to longevity.

The biggest benefit was seen in those who already had a biological age that was older than their chronological age, the researchers found.

"There is a lot of interest today in identifying ways to not just live longer, but to live better," said senior author Howard Sesso, associate director of the Division of Preventive Medicine in the Mass General Brigham Department of Medicine, in the press release. 

"It was exciting to see the benefits of a multivitamin linked with markers of biological aging. This study opens the door to learning more about accessible, safe interventions that contribute to healthier, higher-quality aging."

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Siegel, who was not involved in the study, described the results as "scientific and significant," agreeing that they should be studied further.

It’s not clear which part of the multivitamin might be responsible for the aging slowdown, the doctor noted.

"There are so many possibilities, from biotin to calcium to zinc to vitamin B, C or D … to niacin and to metals like magnesium and copper," he told Fox News Digital. "I am personally a believer in riboflavin, thiamine and vitamin D, but further research is needed to parse this out and determine a cause-effect relationship."

There were some limitations of the research, including that the aging effects were small, and it’s not yet known how they might affect actual medical outcomes.

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The study population was also limited to mostly older ages and those of European ancestry, which could mean it wouldn’t be generalized to larger groups.

The research also did not explore the relationship between epigenetic clock changes and actual health outcomes, such as lower disease risk or greater lifespan.

The researchers are now planning follow-up research to explore whether the slowdown of biological aging continued after the trial, as well as the impact these improvements may have on clinical outcomes.

Additional studies will also look at other potential benefits of daily multivitamins, such as cognitive function and reduced cancer risk.

"A lot of people take a multivitamin without necessarily knowing any benefits from taking it, so the more we can learn about its potential health benefits, the better," said Sesso. "We are fortunate and excited to build upon a rich resource of biomarker data to test how two interventions may improve biological aging and reduce age-related clinical outcomes."

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The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health. 

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Red flags for colorectal cancer that warrant screenings before 45 years of age

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is now the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50 and the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., highlighting the importance of routine screenings.

Adults 65 and younger comprise nearly half (45%) of all new cases — a significant increase from 27% in 1995, according to a report from the American Cancer Society.

"Once considered a disease that primarily affected people over 50, we are now seeing increasing diagnoses in patients in their 20s, 30s and 40s — making it even more important not to dismiss symptoms based on age alone," Dr. Timothy Cannon, director of the Molecular Tumor Board and co-director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Program at Inova in Virginia, told Fox News Digital.

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Official health agencies recommend that CRC screenings start at age 45 and continue through age 75 for adults at "average risk."

Stool-based tests can be used to detect blood or DNA changes, potential indicators of cancer. Depending on the type of stool test, it can be performed every one to three years.

A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a doctor to examine the inside of the patient’s colon and rectum using a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end. For average-risk adults, a colonoscopy is typically done every 10 years.

"Colonoscopy remains the gold standard because it not only detects cancer early, but can also prevent it by identifying and removing precancerous polyps," Cannon said.

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Dr. Michael Martin, a California physician, emphasized that colonoscopy is generally preferred for younger patients who are clearly at higher risk. 

"Stool-based tests are appropriate screening options for average-risk adults, but they are not the best choice for people with significant family history, inflammatory bowel disease, hereditary syndromes or alarm symptoms," he told Fox News Digital. "If symptoms are present, the goal is not screening but diagnosis, and colonoscopy is usually the more appropriate test."

Doctors may suggest earlier screenings for people who fall into the following higher-risk groups.

"A family history can make screening earlier and more frequent," Martin told Fox News Digital.

The American College of Gastroenterology recommends early screening if one first-degree relative is diagnosed with colorectal cancer or an advanced polyp before age 60, or if two first-degree relatives are diagnosed at any age.

"They should generally start colonoscopy at age 40 or 10 years before the youngest affected relative’s diagnosis, whichever comes first," Martin said. "In that setting, repeat the colonoscopy every five years is then generally recommended."

Cannon listed the following red flags that warrant earlier screenings.

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"While many of these symptoms can be caused by less serious conditions, they should never be ignored," he said.

Rectal bleeding in particular should always be taken seriously, even in younger patients, Cannon said. 

"Too often, symptoms are attributed to hemorrhoids, diet, stress or athletic activity without further evaluation," he noted. "Any persistent or unexplained bleeding warrants a conversation with a physician, and in some cases, a colonoscopy."

Some common hereditary syndromes increase the risk of colorectal cancer and may warrant earlier screenings.

For example, people with Lynch syndrome — an inherited DNA mutation that greatly increases lifetime risk — should get a colonoscopy every one to two years starting at about 20-25 years old or two to five years before the youngest diagnosed family case, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), another genetic variant, carries the risk of thousands of polyps and a nearly 100% lifetime risk of CRC, noted the American Cancer Society. Those with FAP are advised to start annual screenings at as early as 10 to 12 years old.

Several other syndromes and genetic variations — including Peutz–Jeghers Syndrome, Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome and MUTYH-Associated Polyposis (MAP) — can also warrant earlier screenings.

Those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, face a higher lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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This is largely due to chronic inflammation that causes cellular changes. In this case, the patient may be advised to start colonoscopy screenings before age 45.

If someone falls into a category that warrants an early screening before 45, and then the screening is normal, the length of time until the next one will depend on the specific risk factors, according to Martin.

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"If it was performed because of a strong family history, repeating it every five years is common," he advised. "If the person turns out not to have colon cancer (or an advanced polyp) and is closer to average risk than to high risk, the interval may be longer." 

In many cases, early screenings will be covered by insurance, Martin said, but coverage rules can differ depending on whether the exam is classified as screening or diagnostic.

"Under federal law, recommended screening tests for average-risk patients are generally covered without cost-sharing, but a colonoscopy done because of symptoms is often considered diagnostic, as mentioned above," he noted. "This can have an impact on deductibles or co-pays. The exact out-of-pocket cost varies by insurer and plan."

The encouraging news is that colorectal cancer is often preventable, Cannon emphasized.

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"Most cancers develop slowly from precancerous polyps over many years," he said. "Screening allows physicians to detect and remove these polyps before they turn into cancer."

"The key message: If something feels new, persistent, or concerning, don’t wait. Early evaluation can save your life."

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Nearly half of seniors improve with age — and researchers think they know why

Aging is often depicted as a steady decline, but new research suggests that many older adults actually improve over time.

Using more than a decade of data from a large, representative study of older Americans, Yale University researchers found that nearly half of adults 65 and older showed improvement in cognitive function, physical function or both.

The improvements were consistent across the study population, and were linked to the participants' mindset about aging, according to a press release.

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"In contrast to a predominant belief or stereotype that age is a time of continuous and inevitable decline, we found evidence that a meaningful number of older persons actually show improvement over 12 years in cognitive and/or physical health," lead author Becca Levy, a professor of social and behavioral sciences at Yale, told Fox News Digital.

The research, which was published in the journal Geriatrics, relied on data from the Health and Retirement Study, a federally supported, long-running survey of older Americans.

Researchers tracked changes in cognition using global performance tests and measured physical function based on walking speed, which was seen as a "vital sign" because of its strong links to disability, hospitalization and mortality.

Over a 12-year period, 45% of participants improved either mentally or physically. About 32% showed cognitive gains, while 28% improved physically, according to the study.

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"If you average everyone together, you see decline," Levy said. "But when you look at individual trajectories, you uncover a very different story. A meaningful percentage of the older participants … got better."

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A participant’s beliefs about aging appeared to influence the results, as those with more positive age beliefs were significantly more likely to show improvements in both cognition and walking speed.

This remained true even after accounting for factors such as age, sex, education, chronic disease, depression and the length of follow-up. Improvements were seen even among participants who started with "normal" levels of function, not just those recovering from injuries or illness. 

"Individuals who have taken in more positive age beliefs ... tend to have a lower stress response and lower stress biomarkers," Levy said. Because age beliefs are modifiable, she noted, there could be a capacity for improvements later in life.

The study did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged. It didn’t look at how muscles or brain cells change and adapt, which could help explain why people improved.

Future studies should examine improvement patterns for other types of cognition, such as spatial memory, they added.

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"In addition, although our participants were drawn from a nationally representative sample, it would be useful to examine patterns of improvement in additional cohorts that have a greater representation of different ethnic minority groups," the researchers noted in the study.

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The authors said they hope the findings will debunk the myth that continuous physical and cognitive decline is inevitable.

"We found evidence that there could be psychological pathways, behavioral pathways and physiological pathways [by which age beliefs impact health]," said Levy. "It’s common, and it should be included in our understanding of the aging process."

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Male fertility rates crash as doctors reveal health threats: 'Something very wrong'

Scientists and physicians agree that there’s been a general decline in male fertility — but they aren’t sure why.

Social media buzz has pointed to a few environmental exposures as potential factors, including cellphones and electric vehicles.

But the reality is "more complicated" than that, according to experts who recently spoke to National Geographic.

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Although it’s not clear whether the decline is at a stage where it should be considered a crisis, numbers show that overall fertility — demographically measured by the number of babies born compared to women of child-bearing age — has decreased.

Dr. Alex Robles of the Columbia University Fertility Center in New York confirmed that clinical practitioners are "certainly seeing more couples where the male factor contributes to infertility."

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"At least one-third of couples we evaluate have some male component," he told Fox News Digital.

A 2017 meta-analysis published in Oxford Journals: Human Reproduction Update found that sperm counts in Western countries have declined by almost 60% globally since 1973. The 2023 update confirmed these same results.

Lead study author and epidemiologist Hagai Levine warned that this trend could lead to human extinction if it isn’t addressed.

"This is the canary in the coal mine," Levine, public health physician at the Hebrew University-Hadassah Braun School of Public Health, told National Geographic. "It signifies that something is very wrong with our current environment, as lower sperm counts predict morbidity and mortality."   

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These findings have been contradicted by other studies, however. A 2025 Cleveland Clinic analysis of studies from the last 53 years found sperm counts to be steady.

"There is no evidence to suggest that this decline is the cause of a precipitous decline in the ability to cause pregnancies," primary study author Scott Lundy, a reproductive urologist at Cleveland Clinic, told NatGeo. "Most men, even with a modest decline in sperm counts, will still have no issues conceiving."

Multiple lifestyle factors can lead to a decline in male fertility, Robles noted, including obesity, smoking and diet, as well as environmental exposures and delayed parenthood.

National Geographic also reported that heavy drinking and marijuana use directly contribute to declining fertility, and that quitting these habits, while also exercising and losing weight, can help.

Systemic inflammation, infection and disease can also have a "big, profound effect on the current status of fertility," Lundy told NatGeo. 

Those who are getting over a fever from an infection, like the flu or COVID, will have a "drastically lower" sperm count for three months, he said.

Male infertility can also be a marker of overall health, according to Robles. "Poor semen parameters are associated with other medical conditions and may signal underlying metabolic, hormonal or environmental issues," he told Fox News Digital.

Allan Pacey, deputy dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at the University of Manchester, told NatGeo that the decline could be caused by increased use of contraception, as well as men waiting longer to have children or choosing not to have them at all.

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Microplastics have also been raised on social media as a potential culprit, but the effects are unclear, according to experts.

There is some evidence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals — which are substances found in reusable plastics and some disposable products — altering male fertility, Lundy revealed to NatGeo.

Concerns have circulated on social media that keeping a cellphone in a front pocket could harm male fertility. While Lundy said such an effect is biologically possible, there is currently no scientific evidence supporting the claim.

Another common myth is that infertility is mostly a women’s issue, Robles noted, but male factors contribute to about one-third to one-half of all cases.

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The claim that taking supplements can boost sperm counts is another common myth, he said, adding that it's not backed by strong scientific evidence.

"Men should focus on factors that we know matter: maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol and managing chronic health conditions," Robles advised. 

Experts recommend seeing a urologist to address fertility concerns. Robles said his approach begins with an evaluation, semen analysis, hormonal testing and medical history, while also exploring lifestyle factors.

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In addition to traditional treatment options, Robles said his fertility center also uses advanced tools that incorporate AI and robotics.

"Technologies like this are expanding options for patients who previously had very limited paths to biological parenthood," he said.

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Lurking dementia risk exposed by breakthrough test 25 years before symptoms

A new blood test could determine a woman’s dementia risk as early as 25 years before symptoms emerge.

That’s according to new research from the University of California San Diego, which found that a specific biomarker protein associated with early pathological processes of Alzheimer’s disease was "strongly linked" to future dementia risk.

The researchers analyzed blood samples from 2,766 participants in the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study in the late 1990s, according to the study’s press release. 

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The women ranged from 65 to 79 years of age and showed no signs of cognitive decline at the start of the study.

After tracking the participants for up to 25 years, the researchers concluded that the biomarker phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217) was "strongly associated" with future mild cognitive impairment and dementia. 

Women who had higher levels of p-tau217 at the beginning of the study were "much more likely" to develop the disease. The findings were published today in JAMA Network Open.

"The key takeaway is that our study suggests it may be possible to detect risk of dementia two decades in advance using a simple blood test in older women," first author Aladdin H. Shadyab, PhD, UC San Diego associate professor of public health and medicine, told Fox News Digital. 

"Our findings show that the blood biomarker p-tau217 could help identify individuals at higher risk for dementia long before symptoms begin," he added.

This long lead time could open the door to earlier prevention strategies and more targeted monitoring, rather than waiting until memory problems are already affecting daily life, according to Shadyab.

"As the research advances, these biomarkers may help us identify who is at greatest risk and develop strategies to delay or prevent dementia," he said.

This risk relationship wasn’t the same across the board, however. Women over 70 with higher p-tau217 levels had "poorer cognitive outcomes" compared to those under 70, as did those with the APOE ε4 gene, which is a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

The study also found that p-tau217 was a stronger predictor of dementia in women who were randomly assigned to receive estrogen and progestin hormone therapy compared to those who received a placebo.

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"Blood-based biomarkers like p-tau217 are especially promising because they are far less invasive and potentially more accessible than brain imaging or spinal fluid tests," said senior author Linda K. McEvoy, PhD, senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute and professor emeritus at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, in the release. 

"This is important for accelerating research into the factors that affect the risk of dementia and for evaluating strategies that may reduce risk."

Blood tests for Alzheimer's disease are still being studied and are not recommended for routine screening in people without symptoms, Shadyab noted. 

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More research is needed before this approach can be considered for clinical use prior to cognitive symptoms. 

Future studies should investigate how other factors — like genetics, hormone therapy and age-related medical conditions — might interact with plasma p-tau217, the researchers added.

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"The study examined only older women, so the findings may not necessarily apply to men or younger populations," Shadyab noted. "We also examined overall dementia outcomes rather than specific subtypes such as Alzheimer’s disease."

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Firefighter credits 'strict' home routine, medical tests to stay alive well past retirement

America’s first responders put their lives on the line to protect their communities — and it shaves approximately 10 years off their life expectancy.

Despite the inevitable risk, practicing healthy lifestyle habits can help to protect longevity, experts say.

Mike Morlan, firefighter and district vice president at CAL FIRE 2881, spoke to Fox News Digital about prioritizing health in the line of duty.

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"For me, it's personal," said the Sacramento firefighter of nearly 30 years. "I lost both my parents to cancer … and I learned early in my career that heart disease and cancer are what take firefighters out.

"We don’t necessarily usually die in a fire. We die years later from what the job does to us."

Morlan said that "shift after shift," firefighters are exposed to smoke, toxins, carcinogens and extreme heat, leading to sleep disruptions and medical conditions.

"I've stood at memorials for people who have never made it to retirement," he said. "Even for some of our members and firefighters who do retire — a year or two after that, that's when they pass away. That really stays with you."

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Dr. Eve Henry, chief medical officer at Hundred Health in California, said the fact that firefighters tend to die 10 years sooner than the general American population should be a "wake-up call" for those in the medical community.

"That’s not a marginal difference — it’s a decade of life lost," she told Fox News Digital.

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"When you combine repeated exposure to toxic chemicals and carcinogens with the extreme physical and physiological stress of the job, it creates a perfect storm for chronic disease to accelerate much faster than it would in a typical office environment," Henry said.

Acknowledging the risk is the first step to living longer, Morlan said.

"When we run into burning buildings, it's really the invisible exposures over decades that threaten our lives," he said. "Being strong doesn't cancel out toxic exposures or sleep deprivation."

The firefighter also recommends treating the body like "mission-critical equipment."

"We inspect our rigs, and we inspect our equipment all the time. We're always checking those boxes and making sure we’re ready to go," he said. "And it shouldn't be any different [with] our health."

In addition to getting annual physicals, first responders may want to seek out biomarker testing and data tracking through wearable devices, Morlan suggested.

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Making small improvements to nutrition, exercise and recovery are also critical, he said.

"Longevity isn't just one big overhaul — it's consistent, informed decisions over time. If we maintain our bodies like we maintain our apparatus and our equipment, then we'll extend a lot of our careers out there."

Henry encourages first responders to treat their recovery with the same "clinical respect" they give their training.

"Sleep is the single most important variable in that equation," she said. "I know how difficult that is with a firehouse schedule, but when you are off-shift, you have to be disciplined about a strict sleep environment to let your body repair the damage."

Henry also recommends taking ownership of one's health, and to not wait until "something breaks to fix it."

"You need to understand your own biomarkers so you can spot the early warning signs of cardiovascular strain long before it becomes a crisis," she advised.

The physician recommends that first responders start by focusing on three small, attainable measures, such as hitting a protein goal, cutting out alcohol or starting a strength-training routine.

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"If a plan is too aggressive … you’ll never actually adopt it into your daily life," Henry warned. "It’s about making the changes that are realistic enough to stick."

Henry also suggests adopting a "longevity stack" that can bridge gaps in a busy schedule, including supplements like creatine monohydrate for muscle and brain resilience. A "clean" protein powder can also help meet nutritional standards when a long shift interrupts the ability to eat a real meal, she said. 

As the daughter of a New York firefighter, Henry said she's witnessed firsthand the toll of the schedule, stress and physical load of the job. "Too often, the cumulative toll never shows up on a routine physical and isn't apparent until it's already a crisis," she said.

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To support the thousands of local first responders, CAL FIRE Local 2881 and Hundred Health have launched a program that offers health assessments and personalized plans focused on improving their mental and physical well-being.

The program uses biomarkers and wearable data to spot early health changes firefighters may not detect on their own. Organizers say it could also build the first large-scale dataset that tracks how job-related exposures — including carcinogens, heat stress and sleep disruption — affect firefighters over time.

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"We're talking about tracking biomarkers against known occupational exposures … across thousands of firefighters, over years," Henry said. 

"That data could rewrite what we know about how this career affects the human body."

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