This Common Habit is “KILLING” Your Brain
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 15, 2023
You do IT daily.
In fact, multiple times and maybe for hours at a go.
After all, it’s only natural.
But disturbing new research reveals the longer you do this everyday “activity,” the more your risk for developing dementia rises.
It turns out sitting could be quietly killing your brain.
Scientists have uncovered troubling connections between being sedentary and cognitive decline later in life.
Now, new research reveals that the LESS time you spend moving, the greater your risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s.
The study published in the journal JAMA shows that being more sedentary, like sitting for long periods, raises your risk.
The scientists used step counter (accelerometer) data to discover that folks over 60 who spend more than 10 hours a day being inactive are at a higher risk of dementia compared with those who sit less.
This isn’t the first study to link sedentary behavior and brain health, of course. But, it answered one of the biggest questions that remained.
And that is, “How MUCH sitting (or time being sedentary) is bad?”
- 10 hours daily was associated with an 8 percent increase in dementia risk.
- 12 hours was linked with a 63 percent increase in dementia risk.
Our brains rely on regular movement to function at FULL capacity as we age.
So, for every hour you spend on your couch, you could be chipping away at your mental fitness in the future.
Scientists believe that reductions in brain blood flow might be behind the problem.
Plus, there’s also a well-known link between sitting and heart disease, which likely also plays a role in a higher risk for dementia.
Making an effort to sit less NOW can pay off with a sharper mind in the FUTURE.
The reality is our jobs, volunteer activities, or even watching a favorite show or movie may require us to sit for longer periods. So just be sure to get up and move every half an hour.
If you’re having trouble getting motivated or simply REMEMBERING to get up, a fitness tracker with a built-in movement reminder can help.
Don’t let your desk job or love of the couch today put your cognitive function at risk tomorrow.
And another thing…
Here’s what else we’ve covered this week in Living Well Daily…
5 Superfoods BLOW Away the Winter Blues
Battling the winter blues? Discover five mood-boosting “superfoods” to get you OVER this hump and INTO the holiday spirit.
Common Supplement Could Combat Long COVID
Finding solutions for “long COVID” symptoms like fatigue is challenging. But, research suggests a simple supplement could come to the rescue.
Most people walk into surgery without much prep. But if you have a surgery in your future, new research reveals how you can bounce back FAST.
Natural Fix Dials DOWN Pollution Damage
A new study reveals a simple solution to DIAL DOWN the damaging effects of pollution that may have been staring us in the face all along.
MAILBAG: Take a DEEP Breath with Natural COPD Solutions
It’s not easy to fix COPD-damaged lungs. But there IS a lot you can do to naturally improve lung function to breathe… AND feel… better fast.
“Fountain of Youth” Discovery REWINDS Age!
Disappointed by failed fountain-of-youth promises? Folks eating THIS for just six months had their biological clocks REWOUND!
IS YOUR Water Contaminated with PFAS? Find Out
It’s estimated that PFAS chemicals are in the blood of 97% of Americans. Find out if these toxins are in your water and lower your risk of exposure.
P.S. This overlooked health measurement could SAVE your life!
Source:
Cao Z, et Al., “Leucocyte telomere length, brain volume and risk of dementia: a prospective cohort study,” General Psychiatry 2023;36:e101120. doi: 10.1136 /gpsych-2023-101120
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...