The ears wax reveals many clues about our health

From signs of Parkinson or even cancer, the texture, color and smell of ear wax may be important indicators of our health.

Wax from ears can be one of the most revealing body substances when it comes to health. Researchers are increasingly discovering than color, smell and even the texture of secretion can serve as early signs of disease.

Usually, the ears wax varies from light yellow to rambling brown, darkening as it accumulates dirt and bacteria. According to Cleveland Clinic, there are certain shades may indicate problems: green wax may indicate infectionBlack suggests obstruction and nuts with red stripes may indicate injury within the ear canal. Accompanied by secretion, these signs may even suggest a rotating eardrum.

In addition to appearance, the smell can also bring diagnostic clues. A rare genetic condition, urine disease in sugar syrup, can be identified in newborns by Sweet smell of ear waxa detail that saves lives, given the risk of death if not treated. Almiscarado odors may be linked to Parkinson’s diseasewith recent studies showing that odors analysis in ear wax samples can distinguish patients with the disease with up to 94% precision, points out.

Scientists even explored the links between the texture of the ear wax and the cancer risk. A gene known as ABCC11 determines whether a person has moist or dry wax. Initial studies suggested that the “humid” type could be related to higher rates of breast canceralthough further research has questioned the connection. Still, the role of the gene enhances the potential of ear wax as a biomarker.

So why is this discreet secretion so useful? The answer is in your chemistry. Unlike blood, which is largely water -based, ears’ wax is rich in lipids – fat -like molecules that often have the first metabolic changes associated with the disease. “Lipids are the alert sign“Explained Perdita Barran, a professor at the University of Manchester.

This potential has already produced impressive results. In 2019, a study that analyzed ear wax samples was able to distinguish, with full precision, between healthy individuals and those with cancer. The test could not identify the type of cancer, but confirmed the ear value value as a metabolic sign.