Health
Unlock the Secret to Longevity: Two Key Health Metrics That Could Extend Your Life
As we age, the risk of chronic illnesses such as cancer and heart disease increases. This has led researchers to explore how different age-related metrics can impact our health and longevity. A recent study published in the journal Nature Medicine sheds light on two specific health metrics that could significantly lower the risk of death.
The study highlights the importance of biological age, which differs from chronological age by assessing how well our organs are functioning. This approach provides a clearer picture of our body’s aging process, as some organs may age at different rates. The research identified two key metrics of biological age that are particularly influential in predicting lifespan and healthspan: the age of the brain and the immune system.
The study, led by Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD, from Stanford University, analyzed blood samples from 44,498 participants aged 40 to 70. By examining around 3,000 proteins in the bloodstream, researchers assessed the health of 11 major organs and used AI models to estimate each organ’s biological age. An organ was considered “aged” if its biological age exceeded the individual’s actual age.
Findings revealed that individuals with youthful brains had a 40 percent lower risk of dying, while those with younger immune systems had a 42 percent reduced risk. Participants with both a biologically young brain and immune system experienced the greatest protection against mortality.
Lead author Hamilton Oh, PhD, expressed surprise at the findings, particularly noting that youthful arteries did not correlate with extended lifespan.
“I expected many more organs to be linked to longevity, but our data suggest the immune system and brain are key,” he explained.
He added, “After thinking more about it, though, it makes intuitive sense. Both the brain and immune system control so many parts of our physiology—the brain through nerve branches that sprout from the spinal cord and the immune system through resident and migratory cells present in all tissues.”
The study also found that a youthful brain offers protection against heart failure, lung disease, and other conditions such as dementia or stroke.
“These systems may be the guardians of our whole body,” Oh noted.
The research showed a stark contrast for subjects with multiple aged organs, as their risk of death increased significantly. Those with two to four aged organs faced a 2.3 times higher death risk, while individuals with five to seven aged organs had a 4.5 times higher risk. The risk soared to 8.3 times higher for those with eight or more aged organs.
“More than 60 percent of people with 8 or more extremely aged organs at blood draw died within 15 years,” the researchers noted.
When asked how people can lower their organs’ biological age, Oh emphasized the need for further research.
“A major question is what does brain and immune system youth actually mean biologically? If we can figure this out, we may find new ways to keep our brains and immune systems youthful.”
In the meantime, adopting lifestyle habits that promote overall health is advisable.
“Exercise, diet, sleep, and low stress are tried and true ways to live longer and healthier,” Oh advises.
“A healthy lifestyle goes a long way!”
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