Tests help predict life expectancy from birth

A simple test that identifies a chemical "point marker" in a newborn's blood can provide clues to their health as they age and help predict their lifespan, according to a study. new.

Researchers have discovered 22 molecules that are involved in metabolism, collectively known as metabolites , that can serve as a sign of the risk of disease later in life. This discovery opens up the prospect of a type of blood test that can predict a person's aging mechanism as well as paving the way for their preventive treatments.

Professor Tim Spector of King's College London (UK) and head of the study said that he and his colleagues have taken a look at donated blood samples of 6,000 twins. The results are "very significant and interesting".

The test conducted by Spector's group was advertised as "better than any existing method" in conjecturing the life expectancy of a person as well as being useful to the forensic industry.

The research team found a greater concentration of metabolites in older people."You can conduct tests not only to determine how long someone lives but also their future aging speed , " explains Professor Spector.

A metabolite called C-glyTrp seems to be involved in a range of characteristics, including lung function, bone density, blood pressure and cholesterol. It is also associated with birth weight - a factor that has been shown to have a major impact on future health determinations.

"Until now, the molecular mechanisms associated with birth weight at birth with a person's health or illness when they are old are still mysterious. However, our discovery has revealed one of the ways. Understanding that they can ultimately lead to the development of future aging-related therapies , " said the team.