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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.
The study measured the biological age of nine key organs, including:
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.
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.
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.
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Chai and pakoras are practically non-negotiable once the rains set in. For a large number of Indians, though, monsoon comes with something less welcome: a blocked nose, itchy eyes, and a "cold" that just won't quit.
Most people write this off as a seasonal cold. It's often not. A large share of the patients I see in July aren't fighting a fresh infection. They're dealing with allergic rhinitis that's been present for months at a manageable level, and monsoon has simply pushed it past a threshold they can no longer ignore.
The scale of this is easy to underestimate. A national study under the Global Asthma Network, which surveyed more than 1.27 lakh children, adolescents, and adults across India, found that close to a quarter of Indian adolescents aged 13 to 14 live with allergic rhinitis. Roughly one in ten adults does too.
Other Indian research puts the overall incidence of allergic rhinitis anywhere between 20 and 30 percent of the population. This isn't a niche complaint. It's one of the more common chronic conditions walking through general practice doors, most of which are simply unnamed.
The same national study found something more concerning: nearly three out of four people who met the clinical criteria for allergic rhinitis had never actually been diagnosed with it. Many had lived with recurring congestion, sneezing, and disturbed sleep for years without anyone connecting the dots.
A separate survey of over 1,600 physicians across India found that while a large share see allergic rhinitis routinely in practice, more than half had never used immunotherapy, one of the few treatments that changes the course of the disease rather than just quieting it temporarily.
Indian allergen-testing data show a clear rotation of triggers through the year: dust mites dominate winter, pollens dominate summer, and fungal and insect allergens rise sharply once the rains set in.
The reason is straightforward. Once relative humidity in a city climbs past 70 percent, which happens routinely through the monsoon, fungal spores and dust mites both multiply fast. Waterlogging pushes fungal spore counts up further. A damp curtain or a mattress that never quite dries between showers becomes a long-term allergen source that outlasts any single rainy day.
Allergic skin and eye conditions tend to flare with the same seasonal humidity and allergen load as allergic rhinitis, and in practice, they rarely show up in isolation. A patient with monsoon-triggered nasal symptoms is worth a closer look for coexisting asthma, eczema, or conjunctivitis, simply because in the Indian patient population, these conditions travel together more often than not.
For anyone with a known allergic condition, a few habits make a real difference once the rains arrive:
Monsoon doesn't create new allergy patients. It reveals how well the existing ones are actually being looked after.
“Let knowledge be your shield against the changing seasons."
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Even a mild case of COVID-19 may trigger long-lasting eye problems, with new research revealing that persistent inflammation and nerve damage could be responsible for symptoms that standard eye tests often fail to detect.
The study, led by researchers at Linköping University in Sweden and published in Nature Communications, sheds light on why some COVID-19 survivors continue to experience debilitating vision issues months or even years after infection.
The research began after people who had recovered from mild COVID-19 sought medical help for persistent eye complaints. Many reported:
Many participants said the condition significantly disrupted their daily lives, preventing them from working or continuing their education.
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Researchers evaluated 100 people who developed eye problems after mild COVID-19 but had never been hospitalized. Their symptoms had persisted anywhere from three months to three years.
The findings were compared with those of 32 people who had recovered from mild COVID-19 without developing eye symptoms.
Using advanced imaging and laboratory techniques, researchers identified several abnormalities that conventional eye exams failed to detect.
The study found evidence of:
Lead author Petros Moustardas, senior research associate at Linköping University, said the findings indicate that COVID-19 may trigger a severe immune reaction in the eyes, resulting in chronic inflammation and nerve dysfunction.
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One of the most common complaints among participants was extreme sensitivity to light. Researchers found that their pupils were allowing too much light into the eyes because of impaired nerve control.
This abnormal pupil function was also associated with:
The study also identified impaired coordination between the two eyes.
Some participants developed adult-onset strabismus—commonly known as crossed eyes—a condition that is rare in adults.
Researchers believe this occurred because COVID-19 affected the nerves responsible for controlling eye muscles.
Because routine eye tests often miss these abnormalities, the research team developed two diagnostic models.
The first relies on specialized ophthalmic tests available at advanced eye clinics, while the second combines these examinations with tear fluid protein analysis to improve diagnostic accuracy.
Researchers hope these models will help doctors recognize COVID-related eye syndrome earlier and pave the way for future treatments.
"We found that the problems experienced by those affected were not detectable by standard tests. We had to perform specialised examinations to detect deviations. The puzzle pieces then fell into place, and we found explanations for the symptoms," said Neil Lagali, professor of experimental ophthalmology at Linköping University.
He added that while the findings provide important clues about how COVID-19 affects the eyes, more research is needed to develop effective treatments for those living with persistent vision problems.
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Plant-based Vitamin D3 is often marketed as a healthier or superior alternative to traditional supplements, but doctors say that's not necessarily the case.
According to Dr. Murtaza S. Bagwala, Head of Emergency Medical Services at Saifee Hospital in Mumbai, existing research shows that plant-based Vitamin D3 is just as effective as conventional Vitamin D3 in increasing the body's vitamin D levels.
"Current evidence suggests that plant-based Vitamin D3 performs similarly to conventional Vitamin D3 supplements. For people who prefer vegan or plant-based products, it is a suitable alternative," he told HealthandMe.
Echoing this view, Dr. Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist at Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, said that plant-derived Vitamin D3—usually obtained from lichen, algae, or modern fermentation methods—provides an animal-free option without sacrificing effectiveness.
In a post on X, he noted that while plant-based Vitamin D3 is welcome news for vegans and those seeking cruelty-free supplements, both forms work equally well. He added that there is no medical need for people to switch if they are already taking conventional Vitamin D3 supplements.
India has approved its first plant-based Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) ingredient, a move that could expand options for food fortification and dietary supplements while addressing the country's widespread Vitamin D deficiency.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has cleared VITADEE Green, developed by Fermenta Biotech, for use in health supplements, nutraceuticals and food products.
The company stated that the ingredient is produced using an India-patented process and offers a sustainable, scalable and vegetarian-friendly source of Vitamin D3.
The approval allows Indian manufacturers to incorporate the ingredient into fortified foods, beverages and dietary supplements.
It is particularly significant for vegetarians and vegans, who have traditionally had limited access to Vitamin D3 because most supplements are derived from lanolin, a by-product of sheep's wool.
The approval also supports India's broader efforts to improve nutrition through food fortification, an area where experts say Vitamin D remains a major gap.
Vitamin D3, often called the "sunshine vitamin," is produced by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight.
It helps the body absorb calcium, maintain healthy bones and teeth, and lowers the risk of fractures. In children, severe deficiency can lead to rickets, while in adults it increases the risk of osteoporosis, muscle weakness, and falls.
Beyond bone health, Vitamin D3 also supports immune function. Research suggests low Vitamin D levels may be associated with increased susceptibility to infections and higher levels of inflammation.
The experts said the key question is whether supplementation is needed, not whether the source is plant- or animal-derived.
"The source matters mainly for ethical, dietary or personal preference—not for efficacy," Dr. Sudhir said.
Dr. Bagwala cautioned against taking high-dose Vitamin D without medical advice, as excessive intake can raise calcium levels and increase the risk of kidney stones and other complications.
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