The clothes you wear when you work out may do you more harm than helping you to stay healthy as you hit the gym. This is because research has revealed alarming levels of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound linked to significant health risks in several sports wear, including sports bra, leggings, and athletic wear. The Center for Environmental Health (CEH), which is a nonprofit consumer advocacy group has brought these concerns to light, and have raised awareness about the potential danger and damage these sports wear can cause because of the common chemicals used.

What is BPA? Is it concerning?

Bisphenol A, or BPA is a chemical that is used to make plastics and resins. It is also used in certain fabrics and is known for its endocrine-disrupting properties, which can also interfere with one's hormonal balance. There have been studies, including a 2019 study titled The adverse health effects of bisphenol A and related toxicity mechanisms that have linked BPA exposure to various health problems, including asthma, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, and even cancer.

Many of research which have been conducted focus on the ingestion, which can happen when you store food in BPA-lined containers. Among them, some of the more recent studies show that skin absorption is also a pathway. This means when you are handling receipts which are printed on thermal paper, or wear BPA-containing fabrics, the chemical can seep through your skin and enter your bloodstream.

Though it is also true that BPA is exposed from the body within days, however, continuous exposure from multiple sources can be concerning.

Sports Wear and the harm it may cause you

CEH also tested popular athletic wear in October 2023 and found BPA levels were exceeding California's safety standards by as much as 22 times.

Testing also showed that top brands contained up to 40 times the permissible limit of BPA.

What do the laws say?

As far as laws are concerned, under California's Proposition 65, the maximum allowable dose for BPA exposure via skin is 3 micrograms per day. While this law is among the strictest in the United States, it highlights a broader issue of chemical safety in consumer products nationwide.

Ana Soto, an immunologist with decades of research on BPA, even low doses of dermal and oral exposure can combine to create a significant health risk. She also warned that prolonged exposure through fabric, especially when you are exercising, as your pores are open and sweat is present, can in fact, amplify these effects.

How does BPA affect your health?

BPA can disrupt your body's endocrine system, which is a network of glands and organs that produce hormones that control many bodily functions. These include growth and development, metabolism, and reproduction, to name a few. BPA can mimic natural hormones like estrogen and interfere in those bodily functions.

Studies also link it with obesity and diabetes, respiratory issues, especially asthma risk in school-aged children, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer risks.

How can you be safe?

There are certain steps you can follow to protect yourself:

• Avoid wearing BPA-lined sports-wear
• Change immediately after your workout
• Do not wear sports-wear for an elongated period

Beyond weight loss and diabetes control, GLP-1 drugs may offer mental health benefits by reducing the need for psychiatric hospital care among people with schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry.

The findings showed that treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) was associated with lower risks of psychiatric hospitalization and emergency department visits among people with both conditions.

What Did the Study Find?

Also read: Exclusive: GLP-1 Drugs Are The ‘New Statins’, Says University Hospital Birmingham Professor

Researchers from Deakin University and the University of Queensland in Australia analyzed US health records of more than 70,000 adults with schizophrenia and T2D who received treatment between January 2018 and October 2026.

The researchers found that people taking GLP-1 drugs were:

• 24% less likely to require psychiatric hospitalization than those not taking any of the compared diabetes medications.
• 18% less likely to require psychiatric hospitalization than those taking DPP-4 inhibitors.
• 17% less likely to require psychiatric hospitalization than those taking SGLT2 inhibitors.

GLP-1 use was also associated with fewer psychiatric emergency department visits. Compared with the same groups, users were:

• 29% less likely to require emergency care than those not taking any of the compared diabetes medications.
• 13% less likely than those taking DPP-4 inhibitors.
• 20% less likely than those taking SGLT2 inhibitors.

Further, when the researchers analyzed individual drugs, the association was observed with semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide, but not dulaglutide.

GLP-1 Drugs Not Primary Treatment for Schizophrenia

Read More: Ozempic Baby: Can GLP-1 Drugs Help Women With PMOS Conceive?

The researchers cautioned that the observational study cannot establish that GLP-1 drugs directly reduce the need for acute psychiatric care.

They said the medications should not be considered primary psychiatric treatments or prescribed solely to reduce psychiatric hospitalizations and emergency visits.

Instead, the findings point to a potential additional benefit when GLP-1 drugs are prescribed for appropriate metabolic indications as part of integrated cardiometabolic and mental health care.

“The findings suggest that lower psychiatric acute-care use could be a favourable secondary benefit when GLP-1-based therapies are clinically indicated for metabolic management,” the researchers said.

They added that randomized clinical trials and mechanistic studies are needed to determine whether the drugs have a direct effect on psychiatric outcomes. Further research should also investigate their potential benefits in people with schizophrenia who do not have T2D.

Why Is Type 2 Diabetes More Common in People With Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a serious psychiatric disorder associated with disability, other health conditions, and premature mortality. Cardiometabolic diseases, including T2D, contribute substantially to this burden.

Studies suggest that diabetes may be up to five times more common among people with schizophrenia than among those without the condition. Approximately one in five people with schizophrenia may also have diabetes.

Several factors may contribute to this increased risk, including:

• Obesity
• High cholesterol and other abnormal blood lipid levels
• Elevated blood sugar
• Smoking
• Unhealthy diet
• Physical inactivity
• Poor sleep
• Stress

Could GLP-1 Drugs Help Address Both Conditions?

GLP-1 receptor agonists are an established class of medications used to manage T2D and, in some cases, obesity. Their potential role in people with schizophrenia is of growing interest because of the high burden of metabolic disease in this population.

However, whether these medications directly improve psychiatric outcomes remains uncertain.

The latest findings suggest that GLP-1 treatment may be associated with reduced use of acute psychiatric care among people with schizophrenia and T2D. Further clinical trials are needed before any direct mental health benefit can be established.

Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, GLP-1 receptor agonists have shown benefits beyond blood sugar control and weight loss, including for cardiovascular and kidney health.

Some women, particularly those with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly known

as PCOS, have reported conceiving after taking these medications.

Although GLP-1 drugs can support weight loss and improve metabolic health, evidence that they directly improve fertility remains limited.

Woman Says GLP-1 Drug Helped Her Conceive

For 30-year-old Ashlee Amborn, pregnancy was challenging. According to ABC News, she had PMOS, one functioning fallopian tube and half a uterus, which complicated her chances of conceiving naturally.

After years of fertility treatments, she conceived her first two children. Four months after her second child's birth, she became pregnant again.

Amborn said a GLP-1 drug prescribed to manage her PMOS symptoms, including inflammation and hormonal imbalances, helped her conceive. She became pregnant after taking the medication for a month.

"It was kind of these mixed emotions of, 'Holy cow, I'm pregnant,'" Amborn said. "I did this on my own without fertility treatment. All it took was a GLP-1."

Also read: Sorority Rush Sees Ozempic Trend: What Young Women Should Know Before Using GLP-1 Drugs

What Does Research Say?

A recent review published in the Journal of the Brazilian Reproduction Association (JBRA) Assisted Reproduction suggests a possible association between GLP-1 use and improved fertility outcomes in women with obesity and PMOS, particularly those also taking metformin, a medication used to manage blood sugar.

Weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity may support ovulation and reduce ovarian dysfunction. However, more research is needed to establish whether these medications improve pregnancy or live-birth rates.

Can GLP-1 Drugs Affect Ovulation?

Dr. Jacinta Anyaoku, a physician at Maven Clinic specializing in obesity and women's health in midlife, told ABC News that research has not established a direct link between GLP-1 use and ovulation rates, although she has observed potential benefits among her patients.

"When you lose weight, your inflammation goes down," Anyaoku said. "It actually can help with improving your rate of ovulation. Your egg quality could potentially improve if you have reduced inflammation, and so these are all potential effects that come with GLP-1 use."

Sharrón L. Manuel, a board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinology specialist at HRC Fertility, attributes the reported "Ozempic Baby Boom" largely to weight loss and improved metabolic health, which may help restore ovulation.

Excess body weight can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, contribute to insulin resistance and affect egg and uterine lining quality.

Manuel also points to preliminary research suggesting GLP-1 drugs may influence reproductive function through hormonal regulation, reduced inflammation and improved insulin sensitivity. However, preclinical findings involving ovarian function and endometrial receptivity require further investigation in humans.

Read More: GLP-1 Drugs Ozempic, Zepbound Use Rises 24-Fold Among American Women After Childbirth

Can GLP-1 Drugs Be Used During Pregnancy?

GLP-1 drugs should not be used during pregnancy. Women planning to conceive should consult their healthcare professional about stopping treatment. For semaglutide, prescribing guidance recommends discontinuation at least two months before a planned pregnancy.

Women should also seek medical advice about using these medications while breastfeeding.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises against weight-loss medications during pregnancy. Women considering GLP-1 treatment should discuss the risks, benefits and timing with their healthcare professional, particularly if they plan to conceive.

What About Birth Control?

Tirzepatide, sold under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound, can affect oral contraceptive absorption. Its prescribing information recommends switching to a non-oral contraceptive method or adding a barrier method for four weeks after starting treatment and for four weeks after each dose increase.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms differ between women and men, a new study has found, with potential implications for treatment.

Presented at the 2026 International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders in Seoul, the study found that women experienced more severe motor complications and depression. Men, however, had greater cognitive impairment.

“Sex differences in movement disorders remain understudied and undervalued despite having an important impact on clinical outcomes in both real-life and clinical trial settings,” said Dr. Marina Picillo, assistant professor of neurology at AOU San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona.

What Did The Study Find?

Researchers retrospectively analyzed 10 years of clinical data from more than 10,000 Parkinson’s patients examined at a movement disorders clinic in Germany.

The findings showed that women had a greater burden of motor complications and depression. Men were more likely to experience cognitive impairment, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and loss of smell.

“By analyzing data for more than 10,000 PD patients, this study confirmed that depression is more common in women, while RBD, worse cognition, and poorer olfaction are more prevalent in men,” Picillo said. “With good representation of women (40%), it also confirmed a greater female burden of motor complications.”

How Could The Findings Help?

The findings highlight the need to account for sex differences in Parkinson’s disease management and clinical trial design, particularly given the historical underrepresentation of women in neurological research. However, the factors underlying these differences remain unclear.

Picillo stressed that considering sex differences when tailoring treatment and designing clinical trials could be an important first step toward precision medicine in Parkinson’s disease.

“This would be the very first, basic step for boosting precision medicine in PD,” she said.

What Is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain.

Common symptoms include tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance. As the disease progresses, patients may have difficulty walking, speaking and performing everyday tasks.

The condition can also cause cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, pain and swallowing difficulties, affecting patients’ independence and quality of life. Although it primarily affects older adults, younger people can also develop Parkinson’s disease.

Global Burden Of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease affected an estimated 11.9 million people worldwide in 2021. The number is projected to reach 25.2 million by 2050, a 112% increase.

Can Parkinson’s Disease Be Prevented?

There is currently no established way to prevent Parkinson’s disease. However, research suggests that certain lifestyle and environmental factors may influence disease risk.

• Physical activity: Regular exercise supports overall health, although its role in preventing Parkinson’s disease remains under investigation.
• Diet and nutrition: A balanced diet supports brain health, but no specific diet has been proven to prevent the disease.
• Environmental factors: Exposure to certain pesticides and other environmental pollutants has been associated with Parkinson’s disease risk. Reducing harmful exposures may help address potential risk factors.