A new study published in The Lancet Digital Health suggests that biological age of different organs could predict a person's risk of diseases such as cancer, dementia, and heart disease than their actual chronological age. The research analyzed long-term data from Whitehall II study, which had been followed by over 10,000 British adults for more than 35 years.

The blood plasma samples were collected between 1997 and 1999 from participants between ages 45 to 69. Researchers have now examined a follow up data from 6,235 participants, who were by then aged 65 to 89. This was done to see how aging of specific organ may correlate with the development of diseases over two decades.

What Organs Were Studied?

The study measured the biological age of nine key organs, including:

• Heart
• Blood vessels
• Liver
• Immune system
• Pancreas
• Kidneys
• Lungs
• Intestines
• Brain

The researchers were able to find that different organs aged at different rates in different people. In many of the cases multiple organs showed signs of faster aging within the same individual. What is important to note is that those with accelerated aging in certain organs had a higher risk of developing 30 out of the 40 age-related diseases the study had tracked.

Organ Aging And Disease Risk

Some organ-disease connections were expected—people with rapidly aging lungs were more likely to develop respiratory diseases, and those with aging kidneys had an increased risk of kidney-related conditions. However, the study also found less obvious associations.

For example, individuals with fast-aging kidneys were more prone to diseases in other organs, such as the liver and pancreas. Additionally, multiple fast-aging organs were linked to an increased risk of kidney disease.

One of the most surprising findings was that dementia risk was not best predicted by an aging brain but rather by the immune system’s biological age. This suggests that factors such as chronic inflammation and immune health may play a critical role in neurodegenerative diseases.

What Is Organ Specific Blood Tests?

The study also highlights the important of the potential of developing blood tests that could assess the biological age of specific organs. Unlike previous complex methods that measured the organ health, this new approach could make things simple to detect early signs of disease.

The leader author of the study Mika Kivimaki, who is also a professor at the University College London's Faculty of Brain sciences pointed out that such tests could be helpful when it comes to guiding personalized healthcare. In a news release, Kivimaki said, "They could advise whether a person needs to take better care of a particular organ and potentially provide an early warning signal that they may be at risk of a particular disease."

The study reinforces the idea that aging does not affect all organs equally and that looking beyond chronological age could offer better insights into disease prevention. By understanding which organs are aging more rapidly, medical professionals may be able to recommend targeted interventions for individuals at higher risk of specific conditions. Future advancements in organ-specific blood testing could revolutionize how we detect and manage age-related diseases, potentially leading to more personalized healthcare strategies.

If you believe having a healthy body mass index (BMI) means you have a low risk of heart disease, you may be wrong. A new study suggests that abdominal fat may predict cardiovascular disease risk better than BMI alone.

The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), found that failing to account for waist circumference (WC) or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) may lead to misclassification of cardiovascular disease risk.

“Indeed, it appears that WC and WHR reclassify risk defined by traditional BMI thresholds,” said Michael J. Blaha, director of clinical research at the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease.

“We saw individuals with clinically determined normal weight who had elevated central adiposity and high WHR, associating them with higher risk across most outcomes,” Blaha added.

Why BMI Alone May Not Predict Heart Risk

BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared and is commonly used to diagnose overweight and obesity. However, BMI does not show where body fat is distributed.

• Visceral fat surrounds the internal organs in the abdominal area and is associated with chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
• Subcutaneous fat is located directly under the skin and is not as strongly associated with these conditions.

What Did the Study Find?

The study examined whether adding WC and WHR to BMI could better predict future cardiovascular risk. Researchers looked at more than 260,000 people over an average of 20 years. They found that central adiposity could identify cardiovascular risk that BMI alone may miss.

Among people classified as having normal weight by BMI:

• 5% had high waist circumference
• 18% had high waist-to-hip ratio

• 39% had high waist circumference
• 40% had high waist-to-hip ratio

• 9% had low waist circumference
• 45% had low waist-to-hip ratio

People with normal weight or overweight who had clinically defined high WC or WHR had a 15%–50% greater risk for most heart problems.

People with obesity and low WC did not have a significantly different risk of outcomes compared with those who had normal weight and low WC, except for all-cause mortality, for which their risk was significantly lower.

“Our findings emphasize the critical role of identifying elevated central adiposity, even in individuals with a normal BMI or with a BMI in the overweight range. Relying solely on BMI may result in misclassification of cardiovascular risk across a wide range of cardiovascular outcomes,” said Zeina A. Dardari, lead author of the study.

“We encourage clinicians to consider central adiposity distribution across the entire BMI spectrum when evaluating cardiovascular risk in primary prevention settings,” she added.

What Were the Study's Limitations?

The researchers did not have information on several factors that can influence cardiovascular disease risk, including:

• Physical activity
• Diet
• Genetic risk for obesity

The study also included only one assessment of waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. This limited the researchers' ability to understand how changes in abdominal fat accumulation over time may influence cardiovascular disease risk.

Organ donation is one of the most profound ways in which we can give the gift of life to another person. To raise awareness about organ donation, it is important address common myths and encourage more people to consider pledging their organs.

India has a large number of patients waiting for organ transplants, including transplants of the liver, kidney, heart, pancreas, intestine and other organs and tissues.

Despite the significant need, organ donation rates remain low, with lack of awareness and several misconceptions continuing to be major barriers. One organ donor can potentially save multiple lives. However, for this to happen, it is important that people understand the process and make an informed decision about organ donation during their lifetime.

Busting Common Myths About Organ Donation

1. “My religion does not permit me to donate my organs.”

2. “Organs can only be donated after the heart stops beating.”

For most organs, donation after brain death is possible when the brain has permanently stopped functioning, but the heart is still beating, which generally occurs in an intensive care setting. Corneas can also be donated after death within a limited time period. This is why pledging your organs during your lifetime and discussing your decision with your family is important.

3. “Organ donation will disfigure or mutilate the body.”

Organ retrieval is performed by trained medical specialists in an operating theatre. The surgical incision is carefully closed after the procedure, and the body is not mutilated.

Also read: Post-Organ Donation And Transplant Care: How Can Donors And Recipients Stay Healthy?

4. “I can buy a kidney or liver for my family member.”

5. “If I donate a kidney, I will become weak or handicapped.”

A healthy person who is found suitable for living kidney donation through the required medical evaluation can generally continue their normal life after donation. The remaining kidney is capable of maintaining normal kidney function.

6. “A kidney donor has to take lifelong medicines.”

Kidney donation does not mean that a healthy donor has to take lifelong medication simply because they have donated a kidney. Some pain medication may be required during the initial recovery period, while the remaining healthy kidney continues to perform its function.

7. “I will have severe dietary restrictions after donating a kidney.”

According to the source material, kidney donors do not generally need specific dietary restrictions solely because they have donated a kidney, as the remaining kidney continues to maintain normal kidney function.

8. “I will not be able to have children after donating a kidney.”

Both men and women who donate a kidney can have children. For women, the source recommends waiting one year after donation before becoming pregnant to allow the body to recover completely.

9. “I am over 60, so I am too old to donate.”

Age alone does not determine whether someone can donate. The health of the donor and the condition of the organs are important considerations, and suitability is determined through medical evaluation.

Also read: World Organ Donation Day 2026: Too Old Or Too Sick To Donate Organs? Doctors Bust Key Myths

What Can We Do To Encourage Organ Donation?

• Consider pledging your organs during your lifetime and communicate your decision clearly to your family.

• Talk to your family, friends and colleagues about organ donation and help dispel common myths.

• Encourage community organisations to participate in creating awareness around organ donation.

• Do not assume that you are medically unfit to donate. A team of medical experts evaluates the donor and determines suitability.

• Organ donation is a completely voluntary decision. No individual should be pressured into donating an organ.

• Patients waiting for an organ transplant should approach a licensed transplant hospital and complete the necessary registration formalities, including through the NOTTO system.

Organ donation is ultimately about giving someone another chance at life. We should not take our organs with us; they can be used to save lives and give hope to those waiting for a transplant.

By Dr Sanjeev Gulati, Chairman, Nephrology, Fortis, Vasant Kunj

Anemia remains one of the least talked about threats to a safe pregnancy in India. The National Family Health Survey-5 data shows that 52.2% of pregnant women in India were anemic. This translates to at least one in two expectant mothers entering pregnancy with insufficient hemoglobin to meet her own and her baby’s needs.

Pregnant women with iron-deficiency anemia may feel unusually tired, weak or short of breath. Some women may suffer from dizziness, headaches, palpitations or reduced ability to concentrate. However, symptoms can be subtle and this is why routine antenatal screening is important even if the woman feels well.

Left unaddressed, it raises the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, postpartum haemorrhage, and maternal fatigue severe enough to affect daily functioning and recovery after delivery.

Severe anaemia can also reduce a woman's ability to tolerate blood loss during delivery, making even an otherwise uncomplicated birth potentially more challenging.

Why pregnancy makes it worse? Well, blood volume expands by nearly 50% during pregnancy, and the growing fetus draws heavily on maternal iron stores, especially in the second and third trimesters. Most Indian women begin pregnancy with iron stores already depleted by poor dietary intake, frequent pregnancies, or heavy menstrual blood loss. So, the added demand tips many into overt anaemia.

Do's:

1. Start Antenatal Care early. You should get a baseline haemoglobin test at your first antenatal visit, and repeat this each trimester or more if needed.

2. Iron and folic acid tablets must be taken in accordance with the prescription given. It is best to start with them before conceiving or as soon as possible in the pregnancy process, preferably in discussion. The dietary consumption may not always be sufficient to cater to the increased demands during pregnancy.

3. Pair iron-rich foods with vitamin C. A squeeze of lemon with dal or leafy greens meaningfully improves absorption. Indian gooseberry (amla), guava, oranges and tomatoes improve absorption of non-heme iron from plant based foods.

4. Include iron-dense foods regularly like leafy greens, jaggery, dates, legumes, eggs. If non-vegetarian, eat lean meat or fish, meat or poultry.

5. Treat underlying causes. Get heavy periods, worm infestations or unexplained fatigue evaluated before conception if possible.

6. Ask about your ferritin level, not just haemoglobin, since ferritin reveals depleted iron stores earlier.

Anaemia is not always caused by iron deficiency. B12 or folic acid deficiency, problems with haemoglobin production, infections, and many other medical conditions can also be contributing factors.

Also read: 'My Periods Are Painful' Is Not Always Normal: When Could It Be A Sign of Endometriosis?

Don'ts:

1. Do not stop iron supplements simply because you feel better. Treatment usually needs to continue for the recommended period to replenish iron stores.

2. Don't take iron tablets with tea, coffee or milk. These block absorption. Space them at least an hour apart.

3. Do not skip supplements because of nausea or constipation. Ask your doctor for alternate formulations instead of foregoing the supplements.

4. Don't assume fatigue is ‘normal pregnancy tiredness’ without a haemoglobin check. Persistent breathlessness, dizziness or a racing heart need evaluation.

5. Don't self-medicate with over-the-counter iron doses. Both too little and too much iron can cause harm.

6. Don't ignore mild anaemia on the assumption that it will ‘sort itself out’. It typically worsens as pregnancy progresses and has to be actively treated.

Anemia in women is mostly preventable and treatable early. Regular antenatal check ups, proper supplementation, balanced diet and timely treatment can go a long way in reducing its impact on the mother and baby. The key message is simple, really. Screen early, do not wait for symptoms, treat appropriately and maintain adequate iron stores throughout pregnancy.