Name: Can cats increase risk of schizophrenia? Study says YES
Uploaded: 2024-09-24T16:21:57+05:30
Duration: 1 min 39 s
Description: For pet lovers, having a furry companion can be a joy. But did you know that owning a cat could impact your mental health? Studies suggest that cat ownership might double the risk of developing schizophrenia-related disorders.

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For pet lovers, having a furry companion can be a joy. But did you know that owning a cat could impact your mental health? Studies suggest that cat ownership might double the risk of developing schizophrenia-related disorders.

Can cats increase risk of schizophrenia? Study says YES

can cats increase risk of schizophrenia? study says yes

Ishita Roy

Deadly Flesh-Eating Bacteria: Why A Rare, Lethal Bacteria Is Suddenly Spiking And Is Killing 1 In 5 Who Catch It

deadly flesh-eating bacteria: why a rare, lethal bacteria is suddenly spiking and is killing 1 in 5 who catch it

Breakthrough Vaccine Could Stop Pancreatic Cancer From Returning- Here Are 6 Signs of The Deadly Disease

breakthrough vaccine could stop pancreatic cancer from returning- here are 6 signs of the deadly disease

This 'Common Toilet Issue' That Happens At Night Could Be An Early Warning Sign Of Prostate Cancer

this 'common toilet issue' that happens at night could be an early warning sign of prostate cancer

7 Multiple Sclerosis Myths You Need to Stop Believing Right Now

7 multiple sclerosis myths you need to stop believing right now

sarcoma

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Sarcoma, often called the "forgotten cancer," and this is why it is important to talk about it. July marks the Sarcoma Awareness Month. It is a rare and complex group of cancers that can affect anyone, anywhere in the body. In an exclusive interview, Dr. Mrinal Gounder,  a globally recognized sarcoma expert and medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, who is also the Physician Ambassador to India and Asia, stresses the need for early, accurate diagnosis and specialized care. While mostly unpredictable, awareness, genetic counseling, and timely medical attention can make a life-saving difference.

Sarcoma, often called the "forgotten cancer," and this is why it is important to talk about it. July marks the Sarcoma Awareness Month. It is a rare and complex group of cancers that can affect anyone, anywhere in the body. In an exclusive interview, Dr. Mrinal Gounder,  a globally recognized sarcoma expert and medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, who is also the Physician Ambassador to India and Asia, stresses the need for early, accurate diagnosis and specialized care. While mostly unpredictable, awareness, genetic counseling, and timely medical attention can make a life-saving difference.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with MSK, New York Physician Dr Mrinal Gounder On Sarcoma Awareness Month

exclusive interview with msk, new york physician dr mrinal gounder on sarcoma awareness month

Kalpana Sharma

Pancreatic Cancer: New Study Warns How Your Alcohol Habit Could Be A Date With One Of The World’s Deadliest Cancers

pancreatic cancer: new study warns how your alcohol habit could be a date with one of the world’s deadliest cancers

If You Are Scared Of Needles, Scientists May Have A 'Painless' Dental Solution For Your Next Vaccine

if you are scared of needles, scientists may have a 'painless' dental solution for your next vaccine

Tennis Player Monica Seles Opens Up About Her Myasthenia Gravis Diagnosis

tennis player monica seles opens up about her myasthenia gravis diagnosis

Experts Weigh In On Why White-Collar Workers And Women Are More At Bladder Health Risk

experts weigh in on why white-collar workers and women are more at bladder health risk

beyond the stethoscope

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who heals the healer

From unnecessary procedures to unclear billing, Dr Guru N Reddy, MD, FACP, FACG, FASGE, AGAF, Founder &amp; Chairman, Continental Hospitals, Chief of Gastroenterology &amp; Liver Diseases, calls out the silent wrongs in the system. In the first episode of Beyond the Stethoscope, the veteran doctor holds up a mirror to medical malpractice, exposing how lack of transparency and greed are eroding trust in healthcare. This isn’t just about bad doctors, it’s about a broken mindset.

From unnecessary procedures to unclear billing, Dr Guru N Reddy, MD, FACP, FACG, FASGE, AGAF, Founder & Chairman, Continental Hospitals, Chief of Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases, calls out the silent wrongs in the system. In the first episode of Beyond the Stethoscope, the veteran doctor holds up a mirror to medical malpractice, exposing how lack of transparency and greed are eroding trust in healthcare. This isn’t just about bad doctors, it’s about a broken mindset.

Doctors Day 2025: Beyond The Stethoscope, Episode 1

doctors day 2025: beyond the stethoscope, episode 1

A Simple 10-Minute Daily Habit Can Boost Sleep Quality

a simple 10-minute daily habit can boost sleep quality

What Happens To Your Body When You Work From Bed  All Day, Everyday?

what happens to your body when you work from bed  all day, everyday?

Chikungunya Outbreak In China Has Prompted Canada To Update Its Travel Advisory

chikungunya outbreak in china has prompted canada to update its travel advisory

Healthcare

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World Health Day

Every year on April 7, World Health Day is observed, this year, our team in an exclusive interview with Lt Gen Dr Vimal Arora spoke to him about the importance of dental health and how it can tell a lot about your overall health. As Dr Arora rightly says, your oral health is like a "mirror" to your overall health. Watch the full interview here.

World Health Day 2025: Why Your Dental Health Is Important, An Exclusive Conversation With Lt Gen Dr Vimal Arora

world health day 2025: why your dental health is important, an exclusive conversation with lt gen dr vimal arora

Lactic Acid in Goat Milk: The Gentle Skin Smoother That Works — But Is It All Hype?

lactic acid in goat milk: the gentle skin smoother that works — but is it all hype?

Breast Milk Ice Cream Hits The Shelves, But Do Adults Really Need It?

breast milk ice cream hits the shelves, but do adults really need it?

Dietician Shares Tips To Prevent Osteoporosis, Calls It A 'Silent Thief'

dietician shares tips to prevent osteoporosis, calls it a "silent thief"

mawra hocane

fitness routine

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pilates

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fitness secrets

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Mawra Hocane, the actress known for her role in Sanam Teri Kasam, has recently shared some breathtaking wedding photos on Instagram, leaving netizens in awe of her glowing skin and fit physique. Achieving this level of fitness and radiance doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of Mawra’s dedication to her fitness routine and a solid skincare regimen. But it’s not just about working out—her healthy diet and lifestyle choices play a huge role too.Watch the video for more details

Mawra Hocane's Fitness Routine: The Secrets to Her Radiant Glow

mawra hocane's fitness routine: the secrets to her radiant glow

Unique Symptoms Of Seasonal Respiratory Virus In 2025 And How Long Does The Infection Last?

unique symptoms of COVID

unique symptoms of flu

unique symptoms of influenza

unique symptoms of RSV

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COVID

COVID-19

common cold

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COVID 19 new strain

Seasonal changes not only welcome a new season, new weather, and new food habits, but it also bring in seasonal diseases, especially respiratory viruses. Though it is a yearly occurrence. Every time when the season changes, respiratory viruses attack you. However, what makes it different this year is the unique symptoms and the mutations that are happening among these viruses. <br /><br /><h2>The Common Seasonal Respiratory Viruses<br /></h2><br /><h3>COVID 19: It is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2, and is very contagious.<br /></h3><br />COVID-19 causes respiratory symptoms that can feel like a cold, flu, or pneumonia. It can also attack other parts of the body, even outside of the lungs and respiratory system, notes the official Government website of Michigan.<br /><br /><h3>Influenza: It is a contagious respiratory illness, typically in the nose, throat and lungs, caused by the influenza virus.<br /></h3><br />It can result in mild to severe illness and sometimes, death.<br /><br /><h3>Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): It is a common virus that causes mild, cold-like symptoms, including runny nose, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and fever. <br /></h3><br />These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and difficulty breathing.<br /><br /><h2>What Makes Them Unique In 2025: The Unique Symptoms<br /></h2><br /><h3>COVID 19<br /></h3><br />From nuanced changes in patterns of symptoms to news on vaccine immunity and AI-driven virus forecasting, here's a closer look at the latest direction of COVID and its continued influence.<br /><br />While hospitalizations and COVID-19 deaths have significantly slowed from pandemic highs, the virus is hardly gone. In Australia alone, there were 58,000 cases of COVID so far in 2025, though experts say the real numbers are much greater, given decreasing testing and underreporting.<br /><br />Sentinel surveillance statistics by FluCan, a network of 14 hospitals, reported 781 hospitalizations due to COVID complication in the first quarter of 2025 alone. Another 289 deaths due to respiratory infections caused by COVID happened in the first two months of the year. These statistics point out that, although COVID seems less formidable now, it is still a critical healthcare issue for some sections of the population.<br /><br /><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/covid-2025-unique-symptoms-of-new-variant-and-how-long-infection-now-last-article-151633407" data-type="tilCustomLink">Unique Symptoms Of Covid In 2025 And How Long Infection Now Last</a></strong> <br /><br />Furthermore the mutation of virus into various strains like the Stratus or Nimbus, has further introduced a new set of symptoms, for instance: <br /><br /><h4>Anosmia is now more variant-specific, so it is a key symptom to monitor for new variants<br /></h4><h4>Razor-blade like pain in the throat<br /></h4><h4>Sore throat or hoarseness, as experts have also claimed that Stratus can give patients a "hoarse voice"<br /></h4><h4>Headaches that can last several days<br /></h4><h4>Nasal congestion and mild fever<br /></h4><h4>Fatigue that lingers beyond acute phase<br /></h4><br /><strong>You May Like To Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/experts-warn-against-the-unique-symptoms-of-stratus-covid-strain-that-has-infected-a-large-uk-population-can-it-evade-antibodies-article-152455852" data-type="tilCustomLink">Experts Warn Against The Unique Symptoms Of 'Stratus' Covid Strain That Has Infected A Large UK Population; Can It Evade Antibodies?</a><br /> </strong><br /><h3>Flu Or Influenza<br /></h3><br />In most years, flu activity in the U.S. typically follows a predictable pattern, starting in October, peaking between December and February, and fading by April. But the 2024–2025 season has defied that rhythm.<br /><br />Cases surged past the national baseline in December and then, unexpectedly, peaked again in February, a second wave that blindsided doctors and public health experts.<br /><br />As of March 2025, the CDC had reported an estimated 37 million influenza infections, 480,000 hospitalizations, and 21,000 deaths. Hospitalizations, in fact, reached their highest levels in 15 years.<br /><br />One key driver? A mismatch between circulating flu strains and this year’s vaccine. The dominant strains: H1N1 and H3N2, accounted for more than 99% of cases.<br /><br />H3N2, in particular, is known for mutating quickly and evading immune responses, and only about half of circulating H3N2 samples matched well with vaccine antibodies, according to CDC surveillance data.<br /><br /><strong>Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/unique-symptoms-of-flu-in-2025-and-how-long-the-infection-lasts-article-152394113" data-type="tilCustomLink">What Makes Flu Season 2025 Different? Unique Symptoms Of Flu In 2025 And How Long The Infection Lasts</a><br /></strong><br /><h3>Unique Symptoms Of Flu:<br /></h3><br /><h4>Sudden onset fever<br /></h4><h4>Severe body aches and chills<br /></h4><h4>Sore throat and persistent cough<br /></h4><h4>Nasal congestion<br /></h4><h4>Diarrhea and vomiting (more frequent in children)<br /></h4><h4>Extreme fatigue<br /></h4><h4>Headache<br /></h4><h4>In some children, neurological symptoms like confusion or seizures<br /></h4><br /><h3>Respiratory Syncytial Virus<br /></h3><br />What makes RSV different from the aforementioned viruses is that here, the cough is mild, while in flu and Covid-19, the cough is dry and persistent. In fact, in the other two cases, the cough can often worsen.<br /><br />Here, the fatigue too is mild, along with muscle aches, which could be very common or even intense in flu or COVID-19 symptoms. <br /><br />There is rarely any loss of taste or smell and no shortness of breath. What makes it different from flu or COVID-19 is the presence of runny nose and sneezing. <br /><br /><h3>How Long Do These Viruses Last?<br /></h3><br />COVID-19 lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Some people may develop long COVID, a wide range of symptoms that last weeks, months, or years after COVID-19 illness, which is also known as Long Covid.<br /><br />Influenza, or the flu, typically lasts for about a week for most healthy individuals. However, some symptoms like cough and fatigue can linger for a couple of weeks. <br /><br />RSV symptoms typically last for a week or two, with the peak severity occurring around days 3-5. While most people recover on their own within that timeframe, some may experience lingering coughs or wheezing. Severe cases can last longer and may require hospitalization. <br /><br /><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/is-it-just-a-cold-flu-or-covid-19-how-to-spot-the-differences-key-prevention-tips-article-151041302" data-type="tilCustomLink">Is It Just A Cold, Flu Or COVID-19? How To Spot The Differences, Key Prevention Tips</a></strong> <br /><meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

unique symptoms of seasonal respiratory virus like covid 19, flu or influenza and rsv in 2025 and how long does the infection last

Breathe, Move and Declutter

Supriya Ramesh

3-Day Mindfulness Challenge: Recharge Without Stepping Out This Long Weekend

mindfulness

breathing

gratitude

decluttering

digital detox

mindful eating

awareness

mental peace

positivity

stress reduction

If your idea of a long weekend usually involves binge-watching a drama series, mindless scrolling, and wondering why you are still in pyjamas at 4 pm, you are not alone. But what if you could come out of these three days feeling lighter, calmer, and maybe even more alive, without leaving your home? From Independence Day to Krishna Janmashtami on 16 August, followed by your favourite Sunday, take some time out for yourself and prioritise your wellbeing. This 3-day mindfulness challenge might open doors to great things, because when you destress and relax, you give space to creativity and better imagination. <br /><br />Take up this 3-day mindfulness challenge and you do not need a passport; just you, your space, and a few intentional choices.<br /><br /><h3>Why mindfulness, and why now?<br /></h3>We live life like we are running late for a bus we never actually catch, juggling to-do lists, work deadlines, and the background hum of anxiety. Dr Narendra K. Shetty, a consultant in mindfulness practices, puts it plainly:<br /><br />“In our daily life we are running behind distractions and never-ending to-do lists… practising mindfulness helps us to overcome stress and find mental peace.”<br /><br />Mindfulness, he explains, is “the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we are doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what is going on around us.”<br /><br />And if you are wondering whether it is just another buzzword, science says otherwise. Research links mindfulness to reduced stress, better immunity, sharper brain function, and even healthier eating habits.<br /><br /><h3>Day 1: Wake up, breathe, repeat<br /></h3>Before you check your phone, spend a few moments acknowledging that you woke up today. That simple gratitude shifts your brain chemistry towards positivity.<br /><br />Nidhi Nahata, lifestyle coach, suggests beginning with “the smallest choices”, a glass of water sipped slowly, feeling it cleanse you from within, or opening your windows to let fresh air remind you of the world’s kindness.<br /><strong><br />From there:<br /></strong><br /><ul><li>Mindful waking — Sit up in bed, notice how your body feels, and stretch like you mean it.</li><li>Balcony breathing — Inhale deeply for four counts, exhale for six. Let your mind follow your breath.</li><li>Nature gaze — Even if your view is just potted plants, watch them for a few minutes. Nature doesn’t rush — maybe neither should you.</li></ul><br /><h3>Day 2: Move, eat, and live like you mean it</h3><br />You do not need a gym session; mindful walking around your home counts. Feel your feet connect with the floor, notice your weight shift, and hear the subtle sounds you usually tune out.<br /><br />When it comes to food, both experts agree: mindful eating is a game changer. Dr Shetty recommends a “colourful platter” because the more variety you see, the more nutrients you get. Nidhi suggests choosing food that is “alive”, fresh fruits, crisp salads, and meals planned ahead so you are nourishing, not neglecting, yourself.<br /><br /><strong>Try this:<br /></strong><br /><ul><li>Eat one meal without screens. Chew slowly, taste each bite, and notice textures.</li><li>Take a digital detox for an hour — or, if you are brave, half a day.</li><li>Ground yourself while walking barefoot on a safe surface, noticing each sensation.</li></ul><br /><h3>Day 3: Clear the clutter — inside and out<br /></h3>Your surroundings affect your mental state more than you think. Nidhi suggests tending to your home “as you would to a loved one with care, with presence… clear spaces not just of dust, but of stagnant energy that weighs you down.”<br /><br />This is also the perfect day to reconnect with people, not just your family and friends, but those who are part of your everyday rhythm. Ask your security guard how his morning was, or thank the delivery person. Listen without rushing. As Nidhi says, “In those stories, you will find a mirror of humanity — raw, real, and unfiltered.”<br /><br />Dr Shetty’s advice here is simple but powerful: take five minutes every hour to check in with yourself. “Spend it on yourself to have a better life in the future,” he says. That could be stretching, sipping tea in silence, or simply breathing with awareness.<br /><br /><h3>The magic isn’t in the grand gestures<br /></h3>Mindfulness is not about sitting cross-legged for hours while incense burns. It is about micro-moments of awareness sprinkled through your day. It is pausing before reacting to an annoying email, feeling the sun on your skin when you hang laundry, or laughing wholeheartedly at a silly joke.<br /><br />As Nidhi reminds us, “Mindfulness is not a skill to master; it is the way life was always meant to be. Somewhere, in the rush of doing, we forgot how to simply be.”<br /><br /><h3>Your 3-day cheat sheet<br /></h3><ul><li>Morning: Gratitude → Breathwork → Screen-free breakfast</li><li>Afternoon: Mindful movement → Colourful, fresh meal → Digital detox hour</li><li>Evening: Declutter a space → Connect with someone → Gentle stretching before bed</li></ul><br />Repeat these patterns in any order. The more you weave them in, the more natural they feel.<br /><br /><h3>Why this works even after the weekend<br /></h3>Think of these three days as a soft reset for your nervous system. Dr Shetty sums it up beautifully: “The goal of mindfulness is to wake up to the inner workings of our mental, emotional, and physical processes.” And once you have woken up to that, it is hard to go back to autopilot.<br /><br />Or, as Nidhi puts it, “Sometimes, the most powerful journey is the one that brings you home.” So this weekend, instead of letting the days blur together in a haze of screens and snacks, try letting them sharpen your senses, calm your mind, and remind you that life is happening right here, right now.<br /><meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

3-day mindfulness challenge: recharge without stepping out this long weekend

Mounjaro’s UK Price Hike

Mounjaro Price Increase: Eli Lilly to Hike UK Cost of Weight-Loss Drug by 170%

mounjaro price increase

weight loss drug

ozempic

fatloss jabs

eli lilly mounjaro price increase

mounjaro

mounjaro price

mounjaro price increase uk

Swallowable balloons reduce stomach capacity

cryotherapy or lipolytic injections

Eli Lilly will significantly increase the UK price of its weight-loss and diabetes drug Mounjaro from September. The company says the rise is intended to align UK costs with those in other developed nations and address pricing disparities. The US pharma giant has announced it will raise the price of its popular drug, also prescribed for type 2 diabetes, by as much as 170 per cent.<br /><br />According to Lilly, the hike will bring UK prices more in line with other wealthy nations in Europe and beyond.<br /><br /><h3>The NHS Gets a Pass… For Now<br /></h3>Know that the NHS won't be hit by this increase. The higher prices are aimed squarely at private patients and providers, who can negotiate hush-hush discounts behind closed clinic doors. Reports suggest that the highest monthly dose will leap from £122 to £330, while lower doses will see bumps between 45 and 138 per cent.<br /><br />If you have been relying on Mounjaro as your secret weapon against stubborn kilos, this could be the financial equivalent of your personal trainer suddenly charging three times more for the same number of push-ups.<br /><br /><h3>Life Without the Jab</h3><br />Of course, for some, the looming price jump is more than a budget annoyance; it is a motivation crisis. But you do not actually need to stick a needle in your thigh to get “Mounjaro-like” weight loss.<br /><br /><h5>Here is how to hack your habits so your body thinks it is on the metabolism-boosting fast track, without any pharmaceutical intervention.<br /></h5><br /><h3>Eat Like You Mean It</h3><br />Most of what Mounjaro does can be replicated through daily habits. Step one? Food. High-protein, high-fibre, healthy-fat meals keep you full longer, suppress sugar cravings, and make overeating less tempting. Avoid large meals, sugar, and processed food. And slow, mindful eating gives your brain time to catch up with your stomach.<br /><br />Even your water bottle can become a weight-loss tool. A lot of what people think is hunger is actually dehydration. Electrolyte-rich water—with sodium, potassium, and magnesium—can curb cravings and keep energy levels stable.<br /><h3><br />Pick Up Heavy Things</h3><br />While pounding the treadmill has its place, strength training is the real game-changer for long-term fat loss. Muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat. Plus, medications like Mounjaro and Ozempic can cause muscle loss if you are not lifting weights, leading to a slimmer but softer physique. Resistance training preserves muscle and shapes the body more effectively.<br /><br /><h3>Sleep, Stress, and Staying the Course<br /></h3>Before you dismiss rest as “lazy time”, remember it is a weight-loss essential. Poor sleep and chronic stress raise cortisol and blood sugar, making fat loss harder. Consistency is king. A regular schedule for eating, exercising, and resting does more for your metabolism than any magic shot.<br /><br /><h3>Surgery, Skincare, and Staying Realistic</h3><br />Medication-induced weight loss can come with aesthetic and medical trade-offs. Rapid weight loss often means loose, sagging skin, and there are reports linking GLP-1 drugs to inflammatory issues and even certain cancers.<br /><br />There are alternatives that avoid the “melted candle” effect of sudden slimming. Swallowable balloons reduce stomach capacity gradually, minimising skin laxity. For sculpting, there is 360 body contouring or liposuction with skin-tightening tech.<br /><br />If you are needle-shy but still chasing definition, go for cryotherapy or lipolytic injections for stubborn fat. They are great for shape refinement, not full-body weight loss.<br /><br /><h3>When the Price Tag Becomes the Push</h3><br />For many, the new Mounjaro pricing might be the gentle nudge needed to ditch the drug and rediscover the old-school ways of getting lean: mindful eating, muscle-building, and sleep that actually lets your body recover. <br /><br />The reality is, drugs like Mounjaro can be revolutionary for people with serious metabolic issues, but for those using it as a shortcut, the financial bite may soon feel sharper than the injection. Whether you keep your jab or kick it, remember that sustainable weight loss has always been less about the price tag on your medicine cabinet and more about the habits that shape your daily life. <br /><meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

mounjaro price increase: eli lilly to hike uk cost of weight-loss drug by 170%

Credits: Canva

The Science Behind Multi-Peptide Serums: Can They Really Slow Skin Ageing? Experts Weigh In

Peptide Serums

Skin Ageing

amino acids

collagen

antioxidant defence against UV damage

Are Peptides As Powerful As Retinoids

How to Get the Best Out of Your Peptide Serum

Skin & Hair

hyaluronic acid and vitamin C

skincare routine

When it comes to skincare, there is always a new “miracle” in a bottle. One year it is snail mucin, another it is fermented rice water, and now, multi-peptide serums are making their way onto bathroom shelves, promising to keep our skin plump, firm, and suspiciously smooth for our age. But are they the real deal, or just another beauty fad? We turned to experts to find out. <br /><br /><h3>What Exactly Are Peptides?<br /></h3>In the simplest terms, peptides are short chains of amino acids. Think of them as the Lego pieces that build proteins like collagen, elastin, and keratin, the big names responsible for keeping our skin bouncy, firm, and resilient.<br /><br />“Peptides are the building blocks of collagen and elastin,” explains Dr Katheeja Nasika, Consultant, Department of Dermatology, Rela Hospital, Chennai. “Signalling peptides like palmitoyl pentapeptide stimulate fibroblasts to produce more collagen and elastin, while carrier peptides such as copper peptides help deliver trace elements that support tissue repair and offer antioxidant defence against UV damage.”<br /><br /><h3>What Are Multi-Peptide Serums?</h3><br />Single peptides target one problem at a time, but multi-peptide serums? They are the multi-taskers who answer emails, bake banana bread, and run 5Ks before breakfast.<br /><br />“Multi-peptide serums have diverse peptides like signal peptides, carrier peptides, and enzyme inhibitors,” says Dr S. Sooriya, Consultant Dermatologist and Dermatosurgeon, SRM Global Hospitals, Chennai. “Signal peptides encourage more collagen and elastin, carrier peptides deliver essential minerals like copper and manganese to help skin heal and regenerate, and enzyme inhibitors slow down the breakdown of existing collagen.”<br /><br />This triple-action approach means multi-peptide serums can, in theory, target fine lines, sagging, dullness, and skin repair all at once.<br /><br /><h3>Are Peptides As Powerful As Retinoids?<br /></h3><br />While peptides are promising, they are more of the slow-and-steady marathon runners of the anti-ageing race, whereas retinoids are the sprinters, showing visible changes faster.<br /><br />“Peptides are not as potent as retinoids,” says Dr Katheeja. “However, they can be a good alternative for people with sensitive skin or those who cannot tolerate retinoids. They can also be cycled along with retinoids for better results.”<br /><br />Dr Sooriya agrees: “Peptide research is still relatively new compared to retinoids, which have decades of evidence behind them. But with consistent use over 8 to 12 weeks, you can expect improvements in skin texture, plumpness, and reduced fine lines.”<br /><br /><h3>How to Get the Best Out of Your Peptide Serum<br /></h3>Peptides are like that one friend who works best when combined with other actives. “Combining peptides with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C can have synergistic effects,” says Dr Katheeja. “They also work best as part of a complete anti-ageing skincare routine that includes sunscreen, antioxidants, a balanced diet, and healthy lifestyle habits.”<br /><br />Peptides would not save your skin if you are still skipping sunscreen, surviving on instant noodles, and sleeping four hours a night. <br /><br /><h3>Who Should Try Multi-Peptide Serums?<br /></h3>If your skin is sensitive or prone to irritation, or you have had bad experiences with strong actives, peptides could be your new skincare BFF. “They are mild and safe to use alongside other gentle acids if combined properly,” says Dr Sooriya. “They would not irritate or burn the skin like stronger actives sometimes do.”<br /><br />And because they are generally well-tolerated, peptides are ideal for anyone who wants gradual, cumulative improvements without downtime or peeling.<br /><br /><h3>Gentle, Consistent, and Worth the Hype <br /></h3>Peptides would not turn back time or erase a decade of sun damage overnight, but they can help your skin look smoother, firmer, and healthier over time.<br /><br />“They offer a gentle yet effective approach to supporting skin health and fighting visible signs of ageing,” says Dr Katheeja. “By restoring collagen and elastin production or delivering essential trace elements, they improve firmness, resilience, and overall texture.”<br /><br />Dr Sooriya puts it even more plainly: “They would not make your skin younger right away, but they can help keep it looking better when combined with other good skincare practices.”<br /><meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

the science behind multi-peptide serums: can they really slow skin ageing? experts weigh in