Not all body parts age at the same rate. Researchers discovered that organs in our body age at different paces. This difference in ageing can provide an important clue about the risk of diseases and even how long someone might live. The study was conducted using blood tests on more than 44,000 people, looking at proteins in the blood.
From these proteins, the research team made a special calculation to determine the ‘biological age’ of eleven different organ systems. The biological age says something about how old the organ functionally feels, independently of chronological age. For example, it became clear that the ageing process in the brain has a strong influence on overall health and life expectancy.
In particular, the brain proved to be a good predictor of future health. People whose brains aged faster than average had an increased risk of age-related conditions and a lower life expectancy. This underlines the importance of protecting and stimulating brain function as we age.
These findings can contribute to better personal healthcare. By knowing how quickly certain organs age, people and doctors can take more targeted measures to stay healthy as they get older. It provides insight into how lifestyle and treatment can help to slow down biological age.
For anyone wanting to age healthily, it is important to realise that the brain plays a central role in maintaining good health in later life.
Source: Neuroscience News
