The Overlooked Organ Linked to Longevity

New research in more than 50,000 adults links thymus health to longevity and disease risk.
The Overlooked Organ Linked to Longevity
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For decades, doctors dismissed the thymus as a childhood organ that fades by middle age. However, two new major studies suggest that this often-overlooked gland—one most people have never heard of—remains active in adults, playing a surprisingly large role in long-term health and fighting off disease.

The studies found that having a healthy thymus reduced mortality risk and improved outcomes with cancer immunotherapy.

George Citroner
George Citroner
Author
George Citroner reports on health and medicine, covering topics that include cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. He was awarded the Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) award in 2020 for a story on osteoporosis risk in men.