Bizarre New Cell Phone Risk (Beware)

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted May 31, 2023

I sometimes joke with my (adult) kids.

“Do you know,” I ask, “that the PHONE you carry around with you all the time can make phone calls?” They laugh and mumble, “Old,” under their breath.

I swear the generations who grew up with a cell phone attached to their palm will do almost anything to NOT place a phone call.

They’re much more comfortable texting and e-mailing instead. You might have even noticed this behavior with your own kids or grandkids.

While it’s always struck me as silly that they refuse to use their phones to make phone calls, it turns out the joke is on ME.

Here’s why…

Now don’t get me wrong. I’ll be the first person to warn you about responsible cell phone use and limiting exposure.

In fact, it’s a topic I’ve touched on many times right here in Living Well Daily.

The damage overexposure to blue light can do is particularly disturbing. But a bizarre NEW risk has emerged that none of us saw coming.

According to new research published in the European Heart Journal, being on a cell phone for more than a half-hour per week can lead to an eight percent increase in the risk of high blood pressure.

And it gets worse the longer you use the cell phone.

This weird new risk was uncovered when researchers pooled data on 212,046 adults aged 37 to 73 who didn’t have high blood pressure and followed them for 12 years.

Here’s what the team discovered:

• High blood pressure was seven percent more common among cell phone users than folks who didn’t have a mobile device.
• Participants who used their phones for 30 to 59 minutes a week had an eight percent increase in high blood pressure risk.
• Those who used their cell phone for 1 to 3 hours a week had a 13 percent increase in high blood pressure risk.
• Folks who used their phones for 4 to 6 hours a week had a 16 percent increase in high blood pressure risk.
• Volunteers who used their phones for over 6 hours a week had a 25 percent increase in high blood pressure risk.

The question, of course, is WHY? And the researchers investigated several theories trying to solve that puzzle.

A few of them were downright silly, like whether arm position when holding a cell phone up to your ear played a role or if sick people, who were more likely to develop hypertension anyway, used smartphones more often.

What they considered the MOST likely cause was the radiofrequency radiation coming off the phone.

And I have to agree it’s the most likely culprit. After all, earlier studies point to radiofrequency radiation as a potential trigger for various diseases, including high blood pressure.

The good news is using a hands-free device such as headphones or making calls using the speaker phone was NOT associated with higher blood pressure in the new study.

So let’s all take a note from the younger generation for once and embrace text and e-mail whenever they make sense. And when you HAVE to make a call use your cell phone hands-free whenever possible. Or switch to a landline if you still have one.

P.S. In many ways, cell phones enrich our lives. They help us stay in touch, entertain us, and keep us informed. But those glowing screens have a dark side too. And if you’re a senior, you may be in even MORE peril. CLICK HERE for the scoop.

Source:

“Mobile phone calls, genetic susceptibility, and new-onset hypertension: results from 212 046 UK Biobank participants,” European Heart Journal – Digital Health, 2023;, ztad024, https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjdh/ztad024

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.

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