The HIDDEN Harm of Mouth Breathing
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted February 17, 2024
It’s a habit often hurled as an insult by movie bullies and internet trolls. Yet over HALF of us are “mouth breathers.”
And, as I’m sure you already know, despite the insults, mouth breathing doesn’t have a thing to do with intelligence.
But new research reveals it DOES have a downside.
Mouth breathing could leave you with far worse than just a dry mouth and bad breath…
It turns out that breathing primarily through your mouth instead of your nose can contribute to…
- snoring,
- sleep apnea,
- asthma, and,
- ultimately, heart problems.
The thing about mouth breathing is that it can feel impossible to stop. But it’s nothing more than a poor breathing habit developed over years that’s now hard to break.
You see, your body is DESIGNED to take air in through your nose.
Your nose (not your mouth) assures that the air going into your lungs has the right temperature and humidity.
Plus, it acts as a filter that keeps germs and other harmful particles from reaching your lungs.
But the results of a new study reveal the most surprising benefit of all. Incredibly, breaking the mouth-breathing habit once and for all can SLASH your blood pressure!
Scientists theorize that breathing through your nose INCREASES blood vessel expanding nitric oxide. And that, of course, naturally lowers blood pressure.
Don’t worry. You CAN retrain yourself to be a nose-breather through breathing techniques and lifestyle changes.
You can encourage nose breathing with things like…
- taping your mouth at night (search for sleep tape or snoring strips online),
- nasal irrigation with a neti pot to keep your nose clear,
- exercising more often,
- drinking more water, and
- quitting smoking.
Be patient with yourself. It takes time to develop a new habit. If you find yourself mouth-breathing, take a moment to inhale a few times through your nose.
Soon, you won’t even think about it, and you’ll be a permanent nose breather and on your wayh to lowering your blood pressure.
P.S. The REAL cause of your breathing problems as been revealed. (It’s NOT Smoking!)
Source:
“Acute nasal breathing lowers diastolic blood pressure and increases parasympathetic contributions to heart rate variability in young adults,” Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparitive Physiology, Volume 325, Issue 6, December 2023, Pages R797-R808, doi. org /10.1152 /ajpregu .00148.2023
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
Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED
By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...
Let It Go—The Unexpected Freedom of “Fart Walks”
Ever notice your walk sometimes comes with some, well… unexpected sound effects? One step, two step, POOT! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this natural phenomenon. Passing gas on your daily stroll is totally normal—and it means your digestive system is working well. Here’s what’s happening… Walking and other physical activities stimulate your digestive tract,...