Thymus organ health may predict lifespan and overall mortality risk, study finds

New research indicates that the thymus, a chest organ involved in immune function, may serve as a predictor of how long a person lives. Studies show that individuals with healthier thymuses have significantly lower risks of death from all causes. The organ is critical for producing and training T cells, which are essential to the body's immune response. Lifestyle factors such as smoking and excess body weight are known to negatively affect thymic health. Scientists now consider the thymus a key to better understanding why people age at different rates.