A new study published in The Lancet Digital Health suggests that biological age of different organs could predict a person's risk of diseases such as cancer, dementia, and heart disease than their actual chronological age. The research analyzed long-term data from Whitehall II study, which had been followed by over 10,000 British adults for more than 35 years.

The blood plasma samples were collected between 1997 and 1999 from participants between ages 45 to 69. Researchers have now examined a follow up data from 6,235 participants, who were by then aged 65 to 89. This was done to see how aging of specific organ may correlate with the development of diseases over two decades.

What Organs Were Studied?

The study measured the biological age of nine key organs, including:

• Heart
• Blood vessels
• Liver
• Immune system
• Pancreas
• Kidneys
• Lungs
• Intestines
• Brain

The researchers were able to find that different organs aged at different rates in different people. In many of the cases multiple organs showed signs of faster aging within the same individual. What is important to note is that those with accelerated aging in certain organs had a higher risk of developing 30 out of the 40 age-related diseases the study had tracked.

Organ Aging And Disease Risk

Some organ-disease connections were expected—people with rapidly aging lungs were more likely to develop respiratory diseases, and those with aging kidneys had an increased risk of kidney-related conditions. However, the study also found less obvious associations.

For example, individuals with fast-aging kidneys were more prone to diseases in other organs, such as the liver and pancreas. Additionally, multiple fast-aging organs were linked to an increased risk of kidney disease.

One of the most surprising findings was that dementia risk was not best predicted by an aging brain but rather by the immune system’s biological age. This suggests that factors such as chronic inflammation and immune health may play a critical role in neurodegenerative diseases.

What Is Organ Specific Blood Tests?

The study also highlights the important of the potential of developing blood tests that could assess the biological age of specific organs. Unlike previous complex methods that measured the organ health, this new approach could make things simple to detect early signs of disease.

The leader author of the study Mika Kivimaki, who is also a professor at the University College London's Faculty of Brain sciences pointed out that such tests could be helpful when it comes to guiding personalized healthcare. In a news release, Kivimaki said, "They could advise whether a person needs to take better care of a particular organ and potentially provide an early warning signal that they may be at risk of a particular disease."

The study reinforces the idea that aging does not affect all organs equally and that looking beyond chronological age could offer better insights into disease prevention. By understanding which organs are aging more rapidly, medical professionals may be able to recommend targeted interventions for individuals at higher risk of specific conditions. Future advancements in organ-specific blood testing could revolutionize how we detect and manage age-related diseases, potentially leading to more personalized healthcare strategies.

Carol Saffran began taking Ozempic a year ago to manage her blood sugar after other treatments hadn’t worked. She was prediabetic, meaning her blood sugar was higher than normal, and her doctor prescribed Ozempic to help prevent diabetes. She has since reached near her ideal weight and has a checkup scheduled soon to monitor her blood sugar, but after increasing to the highest dose, she noticed something unexpected.

“I would brush my hair and notice more hair than usual on the brush,” said Saffran, 71, from the greater Boston area, as per CNN. “It’s not falling out in clumps, but it’s definitely thinner. My hair isn’t as full as it used to be.”

Dr. Farah Moustafa, a hair loss specialist and director of laser and cosmetic treatments at Tufts Medical Center, diagnosed her with telogen effluvium, a type of hair loss caused by stress on the body. In Saffran’s case, the stress was the significant weight loss she experienced while on Ozempic.

Carol Saffran said her hair isn’t as full as it was before taking a GLP-1 drug. Courtesy Carol Saffran

What is Telogen Effluvium?

Hair grows in four phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), telogen (resting), and exogen (shedding). Normally, anagen lasts the longest, as per Cleveland Clinic.

Telogen effluvium pushes an unusually high number of hair follicles into the telogen phase, causing more shedding than usual. Dr. Anthony Rossi, a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, explained that telogen effluvium often appears after periods of stress such as childbirth, anesthesia, or rapid dieting.

“Any time people lose a significant amount of weight quickly, it can trigger telogen effluvium, where more hair follicles enter the shedding phase prematurely,” said Dr. Aron Nusbaum, a dermatologist and hair restoration surgeon at the Miami Hair Institute.

He added that this type of hair loss can appear three to six months after a triggering event, whether it’s physical stress, emotional stress, hormonal changes, major weight loss, or a new medication.

When the body is stressed, it prioritizes essential functions over nonessential ones, like hair growth. “Hair is a nonessential appendage,” Rossi said. Experts agree that the major cause of hair loss among GLP-1 users appears to be the significant weight loss rather than the medication itself.

Malnutrition May Play a Role

Dr. Brian Wojeck, an obesity medicine specialist at Yale School of Medicine, compared it to what happens after bariatric surgery, where rapid metabolic changes can trigger temporary hair shedding. He also suspects that sudden changes in nutrition or vitamin levels might contribute. Some people consider taking multivitamins while on GLP-1 medications, though “there isn’t strong evidence that multivitamins prevent hair loss,” he said.

Rossi noted that some patients become relatively malnourished on GLP-1s because the drugs suppress appetite. “If you aren’t getting enough micronutrients, your body won’t prioritize hair growth,” he said. “It’s a mix of metabolic stress and relative protein or nutrient deficiency.”

For healthy hair, people need about 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, plus sufficient levels of ferritin, zinc, and vitamins B, D, and B-12, Rossi said.

Manufacturer Guidance

A Novo Nordisk spokesperson confirmed hair loss is listed as a possible side effect of semaglutide. Clinical trials of Wegovy reported hair loss in 2.5% of participants versus 1% of placebo, with higher risk for those losing 20% or more of body weight. Alopecia is noted in post-marketing materials for Ozempic and Rybelsus.

Eli Lilly confirmed hair loss has been observed with weight loss interventions. It is listed for Zepbound but not Mounjaro, which is approved for diabetes management rather than weight loss. Zepbound trials showed higher hair loss rates in women (7.1%) than men (0.5%).

Treatments for Hair Loss

Telogen effluvium from GLP-1 use is usually temporary, but medical evaluation is advised. Chronic telogen effluvium, where shedding lasts more than six months, can occur, Rossi said.

Moustafa explained that once the stressor is removed, hair should fully recover. Medications like oral minoxidil can help speed regrowth, especially for patients who must continue a medication like Ozempic. Saffran plans to lower her dose and start minoxidil while continuing treatment. Nusbaum emphasized proper diagnosis is essential. Ruling out other causes through lab tests for vitamin, mineral, and hormonal levels allows for faster recovery.

For Saffran, Moustafa confirmed she had thick hair initially, with no signs of age-related pattern loss, indicating pure telogen effluvium. She advises GLP-1 users to monitor their hair shedding, track weight loss, and advocate for referrals to specialists to manage the condition.

Pancreatic cancer is widely known as a "silent killer" because it doesn't usually cause pain or noticeable issues until it is very advanced and hard to treat. This is why doctors and researchers are always searching for earlier signs. Fortunately, new research has uncovered a possible warning sign that could help find the disease much sooner. Detecting this cancer early, when it is small and hasn't spread, gives patients the best chance for a successful recovery.

Why Is Pancreatic Cancer Difficult To Diagnose?

The statistics for pancreatic cancer show just how deadly it is. Even though it makes up a small percentage of all cancer cases (around 3%), it is responsible for a large number of cancer deaths (about 8%).

This high death rate happens because the cancer is often only found after it has already spread to other organs in the body. When cancer is found late, the chance of survival is very low—only about 3% to 16% of people live for five years or more. Because of these low survival rates, finding a dependable way to spot this cancer early is absolutely essential to saving more lives.

Early Sign of Pancreatic Cancer

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered a promising sign that might point to early cancer: the pancreatic duct is enlarged. The pancreatic duct is basically a tube that carries the digestive juices out of the pancreas.

In their study, published in the journal Gastro Hep Advances, the research team found that if this duct is swollen or enlarged, it suggests a much higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. This sign is particularly important for people who already have a high chance of getting the disease due to family history or genetics.

The researchers studied 641 people who were already considered to be at a high risk for pancreatic cancer, either because close family members (like parents or siblings) had it, or because they had specific genes that increase the danger.

Key Discovery: They found that 97 of these high-risk patients had this enlarged pancreatic duct.

Increased Odds: When they tracked these patients, they found that those with the duct enlargement were 2.6 times more likely to eventually get pancreatic cancer compared to the people without the enlargement. The danger was even greater if they had the enlarged duct and three or more fluid-filled sacs, called cysts, on their pancreas.

Will This Increase Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rate?

This discovery gives doctors a clear signal to take action. If a doctor sees an enlarged pancreatic duct on a medical scan—even if the scan was initially ordered for a different issue, like checking for kidney stones or general belly pain—they should immediately treat it as a warning sign.

Next Steps

The action taken would be to either perform very frequent and detailed imaging (scans) to watch the area closely, or in some cases, do surgery to remove the tissue concerned.

Can This Improve Chances Of Diagnosis?

Dr. Canto pointed out that sometimes, the swelling in the duct is visible even before the cancerous mass itself is big enough to be clearly seen on a scan. This means doctors have a valuable new chance to step in earlier than ever before.

The research is not stopping here; the team’s next big project is to teach Artificial Intelligence (AI) how to look at pancreas scans. The goal is for the AI to analyze the images and make even more specific and accurate predictions about a person's risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Most toothpaste commercials show a long, dramatic swirl covering the entire length of the toothbrush. But dentists say this is not only misleading, it could actually be harmful.

A video shared by Dr. Miles Madison, Beverly Hills Periodontist & Dental Implant Specialist, has sparked fresh debate on how much toothpaste is truly safe. Paired with expert insights and existing dental research, one message is clear: more toothpaste does not mean better cleaning.

The Big Problem: We’re Using Far More Toothpaste Than Needed

According to Dr. Madison, almost 40% of people use an excessive amount of toothpaste, as shown by CDC findings. The amount typically seen in commercials? “That much is a hell no,” he says.

His guidance on the correct amount is straightforward:

For Babies and Toddlers (Teeth Eruption to Age 3)

Use only a smear, roughly the size of a grain of rice.

This tiny amount protects the teeth without overexposing children to fluoride, especially since young kids often swallow toothpaste instead of spitting it out.

For Ages 3 and Above

Use a pea-sized amount no more.

This is enough to clean the teeth thoroughly without increasing health risks.

Why Using Too Much Toothpaste Is Harmful

Children under eight have teeth and gums that are still developing. Overusing toothpaste, particularly fluoride-containing toothpaste, can trigger dental fluorosis, a condition caused by excess fluoride intake. This results in yellow or white spots, enamel damage, pits, and an increased risk of cavities.

Because children tend to swallow toothpaste, larger amounts can quickly push them into unsafe fluoride levels.

Adults Aren’t Exempt From Risks Either

Even though adults are less likely to swallow toothpaste, using too much can still:

• Erode protective enamel over time
• Irritate gums
• Trigger sensitivity
• Leave residue that traps bacteria
• Encourage people to brush too aggressively

Dentists also warn that people often rely too heavily on toothpaste while neglecting brushing technique — gentle circular motions, not force, and flossing.

So What Does Toothpaste Actually Do?

Toothpaste works by:

• Breaking down plaque
• Fighting bacteria
• Strengthening enamel
• Reducing inflammation
• Neutralizing acids
• Freshening breath

However, its benefits peak at a pea-size amount. Beyond that, the risks outweigh the rewards.

The Safe Brushing Routine Dentists Recommend

• Use only the recommended amount for your age
• Choose a fluoride toothpaste unless advised otherwise
• Use a soft-bristled brush
• Brush for two minutes
• Spit out the foam; don’t rinse immediately for long-lasting fluoride protection
• Floss daily
• Supervise young children while brushing

Used correctly, toothpaste prevents cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss, but used excessively, it can do more harm than good.