The first organ to age in the body is the thymus.
The thymus is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located in the chest, above the heart. It plays a crucial role in the immune system by producing T cells, which are a type of white blood cell that helps fight off infections.
The thymus begins to shrink and lose function naturally with age, a process known as involution. This decline in thymic function leads to a weakened immune system, making older adults more susceptible to infections and diseases.
While the thymus starts to age early in life, the decline becomes more noticeable after puberty. This is why older adults are more prone to infections and age-related diseases.
Other organs, such as the brain, heart, and lungs, also experience age-related changes, but the thymus is considered the first organ to significantly decline in function.
