When assessing fertility, Anti-Müllerian Hormone, or AMH, has become a key marker. Knowing what to expect from this hormone could help individuals and couples better understand where they stand in their journey to conceive. With that in mind, and with great interest in understanding the various roles of this important hormone, we spoke with a leading professional in the field of fertility.

What is AMH?

Anti-Müllerian Hormone, or AMH, is one of several hormones produced by the granulosa cells surrounding the oocytes in the ovarian follicles. It is well documented to play a key role in modulating ovarian follicular development. AMH secretion starts at the very beginning of female reproductive life and is an integral part of the ovarian reserve-a term used for the number of usable eggs that a woman possesses.

Role of AMH in Fertility

1. Ovarian Reserve Indicator:

Probably one of the most important roles of AMH is serving as an indicator of ovarian reserve in women. The higher the level of AMH, the more eggs are left; on the other hand, when the levels are low, this may indicate a lower ovarian reserve. This information is very useful for those considering fertility treatments or planning to delay childbearing.

2. Predicting Response to Ovarian Stimulation:

In the case of women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies like IVF, the level of AMH will help predict their response towards ovarian stimulation. Generally speaking, the higher the levels of AMH, the better the response to fertility medication resulting in retrieving more eggs during the stimulation process.

3. Early Loss of Ovarian Endocrine Function Evaluation

The level of AMH is also useful in monitoring premature ovarian insufficiency, wherein the ovaries cease proper function before age 40. Low levels of AMH are considered an early marker for this rare condition of POI, and thus intervention can be done in a timely manner and managed accordingly.

Testing and Interpreting AMH Levels

Most of the time, a simple blood test can measure AMH levels. Unlike other hormones in the menstrual cycle, AMH levels do not fluctuate much during the entire cycle and are thus considered a good marker of ovarian reserve at any time.

But as good as AMH is, it still does not have any validity or reliability to stand as an independent variable in quantifying fertility. It cannot reflect the quality of eggs or, generally speaking, the quality concerning the reproductive feature. Thus, it should be analyzed with other diagnostic tests and clinical assessments to find out the level of AMH.

AMH Levels and Age

It is important to emphasize that AMH levels decline naturally with the increase in age. Women who are younger usually have higher levels of AMH that consistently decline as one approaches menopause. In this light, a woman's AMH level can be considered in a context which takes into consideration her age and general reproductive health.

Clinical Applications and Limitations

Personalized Fertility Planning

Testing of AMH can thus form a part of personalized fertility planning. Women considering childbearing at a late age or entering fertility treatment can benefit from this information, as it would base decisions and treatment approaches made for them.

It is limited, though, as it does not predict natural fertility and does not guarantee the success of fertility treatment. Other determining factors include the quality of the egg, health of the sperm, and the uterine environment.

AMH remains a critical marker and thus an indicator in the evaluation of ovarian reserve and fertility potential. By providing estimates of the residual number of eggs and predicting outcomes of fertility treatments, AMH informs fertility planning and interventions.

Nevertheless, AMH levels should be considered in a full assessment context, taking other important determinants of reproductive health into account. As more research unfolds, our understanding will evolve with new knowledge regarding AMH and its role in fertility, providing refined methodologies in managing and enhancing reproductive health.

You may think that hours at the gym and a carefully balanced diet guarantee a healthy heart. But experts now say that the secret to lasting heart health might be simpler and quieter. New insights suggest that while exercise and nutrition are vital, skipping sleep can quietly undo their benefits. Even the fittest body cannot perform at its best if the heart is constantly deprived of rest.

Why Heart Health Deserves More Attention

The heart works around the clock, beating nearly 100,000 times a day to keep blood flowing through every cell. When it weakens, the entire body begins to suffer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases are the world’s leading cause of death, responsible for roughly 17.9 million lives lost each year.

High blood pressure, stress, poor diet, and lack of sleep are among the biggest contributors. What’s striking is that most of these risks are preventable through small, consistent lifestyle changes, including better sleep.

What Science and Doctors Are Saying

Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a Hyderabad-based neurologist, recently drew attention online by saying that “regular vigorous exercise cannot offset the negative impact of chronic sleep deprivation.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he compared two healthy individuals, one who runs daily but sleeps poorly, and another who sleeps 7–8 hours while walking for only 20 minutes a day. The well-rested individual, he explained, had better heart resilience in the long run.

Exercise strengthens muscles, improves cholesterol, and supports blood pressure regulation. However, sleep deprivation reverses many of these benefits. It increases inflammation, elevates stress hormones, and forces the heart to work harder even at rest. Over time, this strain stiffens arteries and raises the risk of heart disease. Research published in the European Heart Journal found that sleeping fewer than six hours a night can raise cardiovascular risk by up to 40%, regardless of a person’s fitness level.

Sleep: The Body’s Built-In Repair System

As Dr. Kumar explains, sleep is the time when the body heals and restores itself. During deep rest, heart rate slows, blood pressure stabilizes, and tissues repair. Without enough sleep, the body remains in a semi-stressed state, limiting recovery. Hormone levels fluctuate, insulin sensitivity drops, and inflammation rises, all of which make the heart more vulnerable.

The example of someone who sleeps well but exercises moderately shows how balance works better than intensity. A routine that includes seven to eight hours of quality rest and light daily movement, such as brisk walking, can strengthen the heart, improve metabolism, and build lasting resilience.

The Healthier Way Forward

For fitness enthusiasts who thrive on high-intensity workouts, Dr. Kumar advises cutting back slightly to allow enough rest. Just one extra hour of sleep may help the heart recover and function more efficiently. True fitness, he adds, is not about how hard you push but how well you let your body repair itself.

A new long-term observational study suggests that increasing your daily step count could help slow cognitive decline in older adults already showing biological markers of early Alzheimer’s disease.

The buildup of beta amyloid and tau proteins is considered a defining feature of Alzheimer’s. Amyloid can start collecting between brain cells as early as a person’s 30s, interrupting communication within the brain. As these deposits grow, they can trigger the spread of abnormal tau proteins, which form tangles inside neurons and eventually destroy them.

“Regular physical activity may slow the buildup of tau, which is the protein most strongly linked to memory loss, and delay mental decline in those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s,” said Dr. Wai-Ying Wendy Yau, a neurologist and memory disorders specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Daily Steps May Slow Alzheimer’s Progression, New Study Suggests

Although many people aim for 10,000 steps a day as a standard fitness goal, researchers found that walking as few as 3,000 steps daily appeared to delay brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s.

The 14-year study found that cognitive decline was delayed by about three years among participants who took 3,000 to 5,000 steps a day, and by nearly seven years in those who reached 5,000 to 7,000 steps daily.

“We want older adults who may be at risk of Alzheimer’s to consider small, manageable increases in their activity levels,” said Dr. Yau, who also works with Mass General Brigham Hospital in Boston. “Consistent habits, even mild ones, can support brain and cognitive health over time.”

How Does Walking Affect the Brain?

Globally, dementia affects about 50 million people, with Alzheimer’s being the most common cause. In the UK alone, over 500,000 people are estimated to have the disease. The condition is driven by toxic accumulations of amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles in the brain.

For the study, Yau and her colleagues analyzed data from 296 adults aged 50 to 90 who were cognitively healthy when the research began. Their data included annual cognitive assessments, pedometer-based step counts, and PET scans that measured amyloid and tau levels.

Participants with low amyloid at baseline showed minimal cognitive decline or tau buildup over the years. However, those with higher amyloid levels faced greater risk, and in this group, walking more steps was associated with slower cognitive decline and reduced tau buildup. In contrast, sedentary participants experienced faster tau accumulation and mental decline, according to findings published in *Nature Medicine*.

Why Exercise Might Protect the Brain

While researchers caution that the study cannot completely rule out reverse causation, where early Alzheimer’s changes may cause reduced physical activity, the data still suggest a protective role for movement.

“We need randomized clinical trials to confirm cause and effect, but it’s promising that exercise may help alter the course of the disease,” said Dr. Yau. “Even among people with amyloid buildup, higher activity levels could mean a slower rate of decline.”

The exact mechanism remains uncertain, but scientists believe exercise improves blood circulation, reduces inflammation, and boosts hormones and growth factors that protect brain cells. “That’s the million-dollar question we hope to explore in future studies,” Yau added.

A Simple Habit With Major Potential

Dr. Julia Dudley of Alzheimer’s Research UK said the results highlight the impact of small, consistent activity. “The findings show that even a modest amount of walking, roughly 5,000 steps a day, is linked with slower accumulation of tau in the brain, one of the main drivers of Alzheimer’s,” she said.

“This gives us a clearer understanding of how everyday movement can influence brain health and affect the root causes of the disease. More research, especially clinical trials, is needed to confirm how physical activity can prevent or slow dementia. But studies like this underline that simple, consistent lifestyle choices may help keep our minds healthier for longer.”

The NHS has pointed out one main sign that helps tell the flu apart from a regular cold, as experts warn of a “worrying increase” in flu cases across the UK. Reports show that infections are now about three times higher than this period last year, with flu season striking more than a month earlier than expected.

Figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that positive flu cases jumped from 6.1% to 8.2%, mostly due to a sharp rise among school-aged children, NHS England said. Health officials are now urging people, especially children and vulnerable groups, to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Here’s what the NHS says can help you tell whether you have the flu or just a seasonal cold.

How To Identify If You Have The Flu Or Just A Normal Cold?

Telling the difference between a cold and the flu can be tricky since their symptoms overlap, but there are a few ways to distinguish them.

According to the NHS, “Cold and flu symptoms are similar, but flu tends to be more severe.” One of the biggest clues that it’s flu and not a cold is if you “feel completely drained and too unwell to go about your day.” A regular cold, on the other hand, usually makes you feel under the weather, but you can still manage your normal activities.

Flu symptoms also tend to appear suddenly, often within a few hours, while a cold develops more slowly. Unlike a cold, which mostly affects the nose and throat, flu impacts the entire body.

The NHS lists the main symptoms of flu as:

• A sudden high temperature
• An aching body
• Extreme tiredness or exhaustion
• A dry cough
• A sore throat
• Headache
• Trouble sleeping
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach pain or diarrhoea
• Feeling sick or vomiting

What To Do If You Have Flu?

If you have flu, the NHS advises staying at home and avoiding contact with others, especially if you have a high temperature or are too unwell to carry on with normal tasks. To help prevent spreading the virus, you should:

• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (if you don’t have one, use your elbow instead of your hands)
• Dispose of used tissues right away

Since flu viruses change every year, getting vaccinated annually is the best way to stay protected and reduce the risk of passing it to others. Vaccines are safe, effective, and one of the strongest defences against seasonal illness. Health officials urge everyone who is eligible to get their flu jab soon, with convenient appointments and local walk-in options now available.

Eligibility For The Flu Vaccine In UK

In the UK, the NHS offers free flu vaccinations to several groups, including people aged 65 and above, those with specific chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and caregivers. Children aged 2 to 3, as well as all children up to age 11 who fall into clinical risk categories, are also eligible. Meanwhile, children aged 4 to 17 in these risk groups can receive their flu shots at school or through their general practitioner, according to the NHS.