Why retiring means our immunity gets far weaker too Scientists have discovered a key organ behind retires at the same time as we do The thymus is an organ behind the breastbone which produces T cells READ MORE: Change to your toilet habits could be a sign of pancreatic cancer By Alun Palmer Published: 01:43 BST, 25 August 2024 | Updated: 01:47 BST, 25 August 2024 e-mail View comments Scientists have discovered why a key organ retires at the same time as we do – stopping the production of cells that are vital to good health. The thymus produces T cells, which help the body to fight infection and disease. But it virtually stops working around the age of 65, meaning our immune systems become far weaker.
With age, the thymus – located behind the breastbone – shrinks and the T-cell-producing areas are replaced with fatty tissues, while 'scarring' prevents regeneration. Treatments for cancer also damage the thymus, making recovery from infection a lot slower for young people with the disease. Scientists have discovered the thymus, an organ behind the breastbone, retires at the same time as we do – stopping the production of cells that are vital to good health The thymus produces T cells (seen fighting a cancer cell in an illustration), which help the body combat infection and disease Read More Elderly patients near end of life being needlessly given distressing and risky scans, study reveals The team behind the groundbreaking research say their findings could be significant.