Key points from article :
A new study suggests that the appearance of the thymus on CT scans can reveal the aging of the immune system.
With age, the thymus shrinks and is replaced by fat, but the rate is linked to sex, age and lifestyle factors.
In 1000 people aged 50-64, men and people with abdominal obesity found more likely to have fatty degeneration of the thymus.
Low intake of fiber is also associated with fatty degeneration of the thymus.
Individuals with fatty degeneration of the thymus showed lower T-cell regeneration.
"...lifestyle factors can be influenced. It might be possible to influence immune system aging," - Lena Jonasson, co-author of the study.
More research is needed to determine whether the appearance of the thymus on CT scans can predict future risk of disease.
Study by Linköping University, published in Immunity & Ageing.
