Blood Test Can Predict Biological Age of Organs and Future Disease Risk

Blood Test Can Predict Biological Age of Organs 

Blood Test Can Predict Biological Age of Organs and Future Disease Risk – Experts suggest that biological age—whether for the entire body or specific organs—is a more accurate predictor of overall health and aging than chronological age.

Unlike chronological aging, which progresses at a fixed rate, biological aging can be influenced by environmental and genetic factors, making it faster or slower in different individuals. Additionally, organs within the same person can age at different rates.

Chronological vs. Biological Age

Age is generally measured in two ways:

• Chronological age refers to the number of years a person has been alive.
• Biological age reflects the condition of a person’s cells and organs, which can differ significantly from their chronological age due to genetics and lifestyle factors.

The difference between chronological and biological age is often called the age gap. A negative age gap (biological age younger than chronological age) indicates slower or healthier aging, while a positive age gap suggests faster aging and increased health risks.

New Study Links Biological Age of Organs to Disease Risk

A recent study led by researchers at University College London (UCL) has found that a blood test assessing the biological age of organs can predict the risk of developing health conditions years or even decades in advance. The findings were published in The Lancet Digital Health.

The research suggests that faster aging of a specific organ increases the likelihood of various diseases affecting the whole body. Scientists believe this type of blood test could help predict and prevent conditions such as heart disease and cancer.

Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, an interventional cardiologist and medical director at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, explained in an interview with Medical News Today:

“This long-term observational study found an association between ‘organ age’—assessed by protein levels in the blood—and the future risk of developing different diseases. This type of analysis could help in risk assessment and potentially modify a person’s likelihood of developing a disease.”

Study Methodology and Key Findings

The researchers analyzed data from 6,235 adults who participated in the Whitehall II study, which tracked U.K. government employees. Blood samples were collected between April 1997 and January 1999 from participants aged 45 to 69.

Scientists performed proteomic analysis to study proteins in the blood plasma. From these data, they calculated the biological age gaps for nine different organs and systems, including:

• Arteries
• Brain
• Heart
• Immune system
• Intestine
• Kidney
• Liver
• Lungs
• Pancreas

They then assessed how these age gaps correlated with 45 different age-related diseases.

Biological Aging and Disease Risk

The study revealed that:

• Individuals with a higher age gap in any organ were at greater risk for 30 out of 45 diseases examined.
• A higher heart-age gap was linked to an increased risk of heart disease later in life.
• Accelerated aging in one organ also increased the risk of multi-organ diseases.
• Individuals with multiple fast-aging organs had higher overall mortality rates.

Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani, a professor of public health at New Mexico State University, noted:

“The most intriguing finding was how aging in one organ can influence disease risk and aging in other organs. These relationships make sense due to shared immune, genetic, vascular, and inflammatory mechanisms. However, from a clinical standpoint, these interactions make preventive strategies and treatments more complex.”

Organ Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders

The study also linked immune system aging to an increased risk of dementia and found that a rapidly aging intestine was the strongest predictor of Parkinson’s disease.

These results align with previous research that has associated inflammatory markers in the blood with higher dementia risk and a compromised intestinal barrier with Parkinson’s disease.

Dr. Chen highlighted the connection between inflammation and neurodegeneration, stating:

“This study found an association between inflammation-related proteins and future dementia risk, reinforcing the link between inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. Further research is needed to explore this relationship.”

Potential for Future Healthcare

Dr. Sebnem Unluisler, Chief Longevity Officer at the London Regenerative Institute, emphasized the potential impact of these findings:

“This type of blood test could revolutionize preventive medicine, especially in longevity-focused healthcare. By identifying early signs of organ-specific aging, doctors could intervene with lifestyle changes, medications, or regenerative therapies before diseases develop.”

However, the study authors acknowledge some limitations:

• The research was observational, meaning it cannot establish direct causation.
• The participants were healthier than the general population, which may limit how widely the results apply.
• The incidence of some diseases was low, making it difficult to confirm associations.

Despite these challenges, experts believe this research is a major step forward in precision medicine.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

Dr. Unluisler cautioned that more work is needed before this type of test can be used in everyday clinical settings:

“While promising, this test requires further validation and standardization. Additionally, ethical concerns arise regarding how to counsel patients whose organs are aging prematurely, particularly when treatment options are limited. Nonetheless, this study highlights the growing role of proteomics in longevity research and precision healthcare.”

Dr. Khubchandani echoed similar concerns:

“Aging has many markers with varying predictive accuracy for disease and mortality. Another challenge is making these tests widely available and affordable for the general public. While advancements in precision medicine are exciting, behavioral changes will remain crucial in reducing disease risk.”

Conclusion

This groundbreaking research demonstrates that biological aging in specific organs can predict long-term disease risk. While more studies are needed, these findings could lead to new preventive healthcare strategies and personalized treatments in the future.

For more details, you can read the full study in The Lancet Digital Health.

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