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.

A new oral weight-loss drug is showing promising results for people living with obesity or who are overweight. In a phase II clinical trial published in Nature Medicine, participants taking the experimental medication aleniglipron lost up to 12% of their body weight over 36 weeks.

The study included contributions from Robert Kushner, MD, professor emeritus of medicine at Northwestern University and a longtime expert in obesity treatment.

Aleniglipron belongs to the GLP-1 family of drugs, the same class as popular medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy. These treatments help people lose weight by mimicking a natural hormone that reduces appetite, increases feelings of fullness, and helps regulate blood sugar levels.

What makes aleniglipron different is that it comes in pill form. Most currently available GLP-1 medications require injections and often need special storage, which can make them less convenient and more difficult for some patients to access.

Researchers believe an oral option could make treatment easier for many people. Because aleniglipron is a small-molecule drug—meaning it is chemically manufactured rather than peptide-based—it can be produced more efficiently and potentially at a lower cost.

“Aleniglipron is different because it’s a small molecule that can be taken with or without food,” Kushner said. “Most medicines people take every day, from aspirin to blood pressure drugs, are small molecules. That also creates opportunities to combine it with other treatments in the future.”

If further studies confirm its safety and effectiveness, aleniglipron could offer a more convenient alternative to injectable GLP-1 medications and help expand access to obesity treatment.

Why Is GLP-1 Drug A Medical Breakthrough?

Dr Shubham Vatsya explains that it took 20 years of research for scientists to come up with these medicines. This drug underwent proper lengthy trials, and have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), "which is not obtained by giving any bribe".

He also noted that when a person is not able to lose weight, Ozempic and drugs alike give a "head start" to them, along with a hope.

Talking about side effects, he says that every drug has its side effects, this is where a doctor's role comes in.

"Now, the person who is not able to lose weight, if you tell him 'you hit 100 kg bench press', he will break his shoulder. He needs a kickstart somewhere. This is what weight loss drugs allow," he says.

He also points out that the scientists who made GLP-1 agonists got a Nobel Prize, which "cannot be a scam". This is what makes weight loss drugs truly different.

Also Read: Raising Sons Linked to Faster Cognitive Decline in Later Life, Study Find

What Are GLP-1 Drugs?

GLP-1 Drugs stand for Glucagon-like peptide 1, a naturally occurring hormones that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite after eating. It was first identified almost 50 years ago and scientists have since uncovered its role in type 2 diabetes.

Air conditioners feel great when the weather turns hot and sticky. Most of us spend hours under one, at home, at work, or even on long drives, and it barely crosses our minds. But sitting in cold air for too long can quietly leave your neck and back feeling tight and sore. AC isn't going to cause a serious spine problem on its own, but it can tighten up your muscles and make existing pain worse.

Why Does This Happen?

Muscles function optimally when they are relaxed and warm. As soon as the cold air comes into contact with them, the body automatically starts tightening them as it seeks to retain its warmth. When this occurs in places such as the neck, shoulders, and lower back regions, there is a chance that these muscles will get sore and stiff. This condition worsens even more if the cold air continues to blow in the same spot for hours, especially while sleeping or sitting at a workstation.

What It Does To Your Neck And Back

Your neck and back rely on several muscles to keep you upright and moving properly all day. Cold air can slow blood flow to these muscles, which makes them tense up more easily. That's why people often wake up with a stiff neck after sleeping under an AC vent or feel upper back pain after a day in a freezing office. If you already deal with something like cervical spondylitis or chronic back pain, cold air can make those symptoms flare up even more.

It's Not Just The AC

Cold air rarely works alone. Bad posture, sitting too long, skipping exercise, and not stretching enough all add to the problem. Picture sitting at a computer for hours in a chilly office: that's tense muscles and poor posture combining at the same time, which makes stiffness and pain even more likely.

Simple Ways To Avoid It

A few small changes can make a real difference: keep the airflow away from your neck and back, set the temperature to something comfortable rather than freezing, get up and stretch every so often, drink enough water, and keep a light sweater or shawl nearby if it gets too cold.

AC keeps us comfortable when it's hot outside, but too much cold air for too long can leave your neck and back stiff and achy. A little attention to airflow, posture, and movement throughout the day can help you stay comfortable without paying for it later.

(By Dr. Aanchal Sharma, Pain Physician, Principal Consultant and Head of Department, Department of Pain Medicine at BLK MAX Hospital, New Delhi)

Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that causes pigment loss in patches of skin. It is highly treatable and does not spread from person to person. However, stress, poor sleep, diet, and overall immune health may influence how active the condition becomes, experts said today on World Vitiligo Day.

Awareness around vitiligo remains low and is often clouded by misconceptions. Observed annually on June 25, World Vitiligo Day aims to raise awareness and challenge the stigma associated with the condition.

HealthandMe spoke to experts to understand the disease and the factors that may affect it.

Dr. Rashmi Ranjan, Consultant – Dermatology, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida, said the biggest misconception is that vitiligo is contagious.

"It cannot spread from one person to another through touch, sharing food, or close contact."

Dr. Rashmi told HealthandMe that many people also incorrectly believe vitiligo is caused by poor hygiene or specific foods, claims that are not supported by scientific evidence.

Also read: Sleeping Too Little or Too Much? Neurologist Explains Health Risks

What Is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo occurs when the body's immune system attacks melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing skin pigment. While the condition is not life-threatening, it can have a significant emotional and psychological impact.

“As a chronic autoimmune disorder, vitiligo develops when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks melanocytes—the cells responsible for producing skin pigment. The result is the appearance of white patches that can develop anywhere on the body and may gradually increase in size or number over time,” Dr Hetanshu Parekh, Consultant Plastic Reconstructive & Cosmetic Surgeon, Bhailal Amin General Hospital, told HealthandMe.

The Emotional Impact of Vitiligo

The theme of World Vitiligo Day 2026 is "From Stigma to Strength".

According to Dr. Rashmi, visible skin changes often attract unwanted attention, questions and social judgment. Some people may avoid social gatherings or experience challenges in relationships and employment because of persistent misconceptions.

Children may face bullying, while adults can struggle with anxiety and low self-esteem. Emotional support from family, friends and healthcare professionals is therefore crucial.

A recent study also highlighted a strong link between vitiligo and mental health in India. Nearly 89% of patients reported moderate to severe depression, while close to 60% said they covered their patches, underscoring the continuing impact of stigma.

Read More: Did Donald Trump Take Eli Lilly's Weight Loss Drug? What Did White House Say

Vitiligo and the Role of Lifestyle Factors

Dr Hetanshu said vitiligo is often viewed as a skin condition alone, but the disease is far more complex. He explained that

Stress

• Stress can disrupt immune balance and increase inflammation, potentially worsening vitiligo.
• New or expanding patches are often observed after major life events such as exams, work pressure, illness, financial difficulties or bereavement.

Sleep

• Quality sleep is essential for immune regulation and overall health.
• Chronic sleep deprivation, irregular sleep schedules or less than six hours of sleep may worsen autoimmune conditions, including vitiligo.

Diet

• There is no specific "vitiligo diet" and no food can cure the condition.
• Deficiencies in Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, folate and copper may affect immune and skin health.
• Experts recommend an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided.

Skin Protection

• Repeated friction, cuts, burns and excessive sun exposure may trigger vitiligo patches (Koebner phenomenon).
• Use sunscreen regularly, wear protective clothing and avoid unnecessary skin trauma from tight straps, jewellery or repetitive rubbing.

Is Vitiligo Treatable?

Advances in targeted topical medications, phototherapy and immune-modulating therapies have expanded treatment options and enabled more personalized care, said Dr. Rashmi told HealthandMe.

Dr Hetanshu stressed that lifestyle measures should complement, not replace, medical treatment. Treatment measures include:

• For small, stable patches, doctors commonly prescribe corticosteroid creams and tacrolimus ointment.
• More extensive or rapidly spreading vitiligo may require narrowband UVB phototherapy, excimer laser therapy, oral corticosteroids or newer JAK inhibitors such as tofacitinib and ritlecitinib.
• Patients with stable disease for six to twelve months may be candidates for surgical procedures such as skin grafting and melanocyte transplantation.
• Medical tattooing and camouflage techniques can help in difficult-to-treat areas.