Could Your NOSE Save Your Life?
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted July 12, 2024
The human body is both super weird and incredibly cool.
Case in point: There’s evidence that our sense of SMELL can send us secret signals…
About our HEART.
That’s right, your nose could be trying to tell you something about your ticker.
And not listening could be a fatal mistake.
As odd as it sounds, researchers say being unable to smell your neighbor’s BBQ could be a red flag for heart disease.
In fact, according to the new study, older adults who lost some or all of their sense of smell were 30 percent more likely to develop congestive heart failure.
But the discoveries didn’t end there. Older adults with a significant loss of smell were also at a higher risk for coronary heart disease and stroke.
Over about 11 years, study participants with moderate smell loss had a 35 percent higher risk of congestive heart failure and those with poor smell had a 39 percent higher risk.
Now, I’ll admit that a fading sense of smell isn’t exactly uncommon with aging. But that doesn’t mean it’s “normal.”
Instead, it’s often an early warning system for serious health issues. Other studies have linked a poor sense of smell to cognitive decline, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and a higher mortality rate.
You can try a “scratch and sniff” test, to check your own sense of smell.
These scented strips come in a booklet and you can get usually get them online or from some doctors’ offices. They typically contain common and recognizable odors like lemon, gasoline, and roses.
If you’re having trouble identifying the smells, you should talk to your doctor. This isn’t an attempt to scare you—but it is a case of better safe than sorry.
Your nose could be trying to tell you something crucial about your health. So, it’s best to listen and get it checked out. After all, early intervention is the key for most illnesses (including heart failure).
And another thing…
Here’s what else we’ve covered this week in Living Well Daily…
Millions on Statins Who Shouldn’t Be
The statin-pushers have run out of excuses to peddle their pills to everyone with a pulse. Now, the mainstream has to admit they were wrong all along.
Cracking the Vitamin D Dosage Code
Vitamin D is VITAL for good health. But how much should you take? The answer might surprise you.
The Sleep Solution Hiding in Your Backyard
Desperation for some decent sleep can have you trying every potion, device, and technique on the planet. But what if the solution is the EARTH itself?
Citrus Secret to Better Heart Health REVEALED
A powerful tool for boosting our heart health has been hiding in plain sight. Even worse, we’ve been tossing it into the TRASH!
Mailbag: Are Hearing Aids Worth It?
Concerned about investing in hearing aids? It’s a big decision, and it’s natural to wonder if it’s really worth it. Here’s the truth…
“Emotional” Trigger Sends Stroke Risk Soaring 56%
You know that feeling when you’re surrounded by people but still feel alone? Well, it turns out loneliness might have serious health consequences.
7 BETTER THAN Soda Alternatives
Soda is packed with harmful inflammatory sugar. So, what can you drink instead of soda? Keep reading for some refreshing and delicious options…
P.S. “Nose Training” trick supercharges your memory.
Source:
Keran W. Chamberlin, Yaqun Yuan, Chenxi Li, et al., Olfactory Impairment and the Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Older Adults, Journal of the American Heart Association. 2024;0:e033320,
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...