Health
Are peptides the fountain of youth? Doctors warn hype may outpace science
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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.
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“‘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.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as messengers involved in processes like metabolism, growth and immune function. (iStock)
“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.
Are peptides the fountain of youth?
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.”
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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.”
Despite some claims of peptides extending lifespan, one expert cautioned that no longevity therapy or treatment should be considered a “fountain of youth.” (iStock)
“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.”
Side effects
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.
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“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.”
“Selling unproven, miracle-promising or supplement-peddling products with little accountability or third-party testing is a dangerous red flag.”
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.”
Approval and regulation
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.
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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.
“[Peptides] should be approached as a combination of lifestyle measures that contribute to better healthspan,” one expert said. (iStock)
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.
Starting safely
For those considering peptides, Vinjamoori recommends watching out for the following red flags.
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- Sourcing issues: Non-pharmacy “research chemicals,” lack of third-party testing or unclear labeling
- Overblown claims: Promises of rapid muscle gain or fat loss with no training changes
- Too many compounds: Stacking multiple substances without clear targets or bloodwork
- Lack of oversight: No clinician, baseline labs, or plan for cycling or stopping
“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.”
Anyone interested in peptides should consult a physician to ensure that they receive a safe product and that it is used appropriately. (iStock)
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.”
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While peptides may address issues that fall outside the reach of conventional medicine, Perez said, the supporting clinical data is still being developed.
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“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.
Health
Two Maryland residents monitored for hantavirus after sharing flight with infected cruise ship passenger
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Two Maryland residents are being monitored for potential hantavirus exposure, according to the Maryland Department of Health.
Health officials said the Maryland residents were on a flight that included a passenger from the MV Hondius cruise ship who was infected with hantavirus.
Health authorities said they are taking these steps out of an abundance of caution. At this time, the risk to the public in Maryland remains “very low,” state health officials said.
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View of the cruise ship MV Hondius docked in the port of Granadilla before setting course for the Netherlands, on 11 May, 2026 in Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. (Europa Press Canarias via Getty Images)
Maryland health officials said the two residents with potential hantavirus exposure were not on the MV Hondius cruise ship, but they were on a flight abroad with a passenger who has the virus.
The department declined to provide additional details about the residents, citing a need to protect their privacy.
Medical staff direct some of the last passengers to be evacuated from the MV Hondius on May 11, 2026 in Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands, Spain. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
The two Maryland residents are being monitored during the virus’s incubation period, which can range from four to 42 days. Officials said asymptomatic individuals are not considered infectious.
No hantavirus cases have been reported in Maryland since 2019, and Andes virus infections have never been identified in the state, officials said. Health authorities said they are coordinating with federal and international partners as the situation continues to evolve.
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American passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondius arrived in Omaha, Neb., on Monday, May 11, 2026, after flying from Tenerife, Spain. The ship was stricken with hantavirus. (Nick Ingram/AP)
According to the Maryland Department of Health, hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents, but the strain tied to the cruise ship – the Andes virus – is the only known type capable of person-to-person transmission.
“The hantaviruses that are found throughout the United States are not known to spread between people,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.
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Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare infectious disease that starts with flu-like symptoms and can quickly progress to life-threatening lung and heart problems. Several hantavirus strains can cause the illness, also known as hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, according to Mayo Clinic.
Early symptoms of HPS can include fatigue, fever and muscle aches, with about half of all patients also experiencing headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems, like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC.
HPS has a nearly 40% fatality rate in those who are infected, according to the CDC. Similar hantavirus cases have been reported in Arizona, California and Georgia.
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Health
Pediatricians group stands up for kids’ rapidly shrinking recess time: ‘Very powerful benefit’
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Recess may look like downtime, but pediatricians say cutting it could cost kids far more than a few minutes on the playground.
The American Academy of Pediatrics released updated guidance for the first time in more than a decade that urges schools to protect recess, highlighting that the unstructured break delivers major benefits for kids’ health, learning and behavior.
“It has a very powerful benefit if it’s used to the fullest,” said Dr. Robert Murray, a lead author of the new guidance, which was published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.
Researchers say recess helps students reset between lessons, improving focus and memory. It also gives kids time to build social skills, boost confidence and stay physically active, a key factor as 1 in 5 U.S. children and teens struggle with obesity.
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Students play ball during recess at St. Agnes Elementary School in Phoenix, Ariz., on March 3, 2020. (Dario Lopez-Mills/AP)
Despite those benefits, recess time has been shrinking for years. Since the mid-2000s, up to 40% of school districts have reduced or eliminated it, according to data from the Springboard to Active Schools group and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The group is pushing schools to reverse that trend, recommending at least 20 minutes of daily recess and multiple breaks. It further warned against using it as punishment.
Whittier Elementary School students enjoy recess in Mesa, Ariz., on Oct. 18, 2022. (Matt York/AP)
“If the child is disruptive or rude and disrespectful, recess is one of the things that teachers use to punish kids,” Murray said, noting that those students often need it most.
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Doctors also stress that recess isn’t just for younger children. As screen time rises, older students need time to unplug, move and recharge.
Elementary school students play tag outside on the grass during recess. (iStock)
“As kids get older, they’re more on their screens,” said Dr. Lauren Fiechtner, a pediatric specialist. “So it’s really helpful, I think, for outdoor activity and recess to be happening. Recess is great. We all kind of need recess.”
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In other countries such as Denmark, Japan and the United Kingdom, students already get more frequent breaks, often after every 45 to 50 minutes of instruction. Experts say this model could help U.S. schools improve both learning and student well-being.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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