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.

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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.”

“Our results suggest that the overall balance of one’s social network matters.”

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.

Study limitations

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.

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 is a lot of interest today in identifying ways to not just live longer, but to live better.”

“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.

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“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. 

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.”

3 reasons to get screened before 45

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

Strong family history

“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.”

Critical symptoms

Cannon listed the following red flags that warrant earlier screenings.

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• Rectal bleeding with bright-red blood
• Dark or black stools
• Blood in the stool
• Persistent changes in bowel habits, such as new constipation or diarrhea
• Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia
• Ongoing abdominal pain or cramping
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent sensation that the bowel is not emptying fully

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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.”

“If something feels new, persistent, or concerning, don’t wait. Early evaluation can save your life.”

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Certain genetic conditions

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.

Inflammatory bowel disease 

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.”