Germ Magnet Puts YOU at Risk (GROSS!)

If you weren’t already a “germaphobe” before COVID-19 arrived, there’s a good chance you became one after… well, for a while anyway. We ALL turned into clean freaks during the height of the pandemic.

And it wasn’t just the constant hand washing, either. (Which I hope you’re STILL doing.) If you were like a lot of folks you started cleaning nearly everything that came into your home.

Better safe than sorry. After all, there’s no way to SEE the microscopic germs that could be lurking on them.

But there’s one item we touch DAILY that scientists say is almost certainly crawling with sickening microbes. Yet most folks rarely clean it.

And that’s a HUGE mistake…

It turns out that shiny rectangular lifeline tucked in your pocket or perched on your wrist carries MORE than precious pictures of your family and your favorite playlists.

Smartphones and watches harbor a dirty little secret. They’re GERM MAGNETS… covered with microbes, oils, and grime.

In fact, recent research found that the average smartphone carries over 25,000 bacteria per square inch. That means it’s dirtier than a toilet seat! (Shudder.)

And that’s not just gross, it’s DANGEROUS.

A study published in the journal Nature called smartphones “hazardous microbial platforms.”

The researchers concluded that the situation has become so concerning that strong biosecurity and public health rules are needed to lower the dangers.

Your smartwatch isn’t far behind when it comes to germ-gathering.

Recent research published in the journal Advances in Infectious Diseases found that the most common germs living on watchbands or on watches are…

  • Staphylococci,
  • Pseudomonads, and
  • Enterobacteriaceae.

Now, you may already be in the habit of wiping down your screen regularly. After all it’s hard to see what’s on them when you don’t remove the smudges from time to time.

But regularly DEEP CLEANING these devices is vital to avoid transferring bacteria and viruses to your eyes, nose, and mouth. And it’s even MORE essential during cold, flu, and COVID season.

The best solution is to use alcohol wipes on your phone and wearables. They’re cheap, portable, and easy to use. A 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe will take care of most bacteria in a few seconds.

It’s well worth the few minutes a week it takes to clean your phone to reduce your risk of infections.

P.S. Your CLEAN home is hiding ANOTHER dirty secret.

Sources:

Olsen, M., Nassar, R., Senok, A. et al. “Mobile phones are hazardous microbial platforms warranting robust public health and biosecurity protocols.” Sci Rep 12, 10009 (2022).

Joseph Mendonca, et al. “Prevalence and Disinfection of Bacteria Associated with Various Types of Wristbands,” Advances in Infectious Diseases, Vol.13 No.2, June 2023, DOI: 10. 4236 /aid. 2023.132018

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

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

Doctor-Approved Method to Ditch Blood Pressure Meds

In a world where drug solutions dominate healthcare, it’s refreshing to discover that best remedies sometimes don’t involve a single pill. A groundbreaking study shows simple relaxation techniques could be your secret weapon against one of America’s deadliest health conditions. Best of all? It’s free, easy to start right away—and your results are bound to...

Read This

Trouble Hearing? Your Heart Could Be at Risk

With research exploding and data pouring in, scientists are uncovering some weird (and surprisingly helpful) health connections. Today’s odd couple? Hearing loss and heart failure. Turns out your ears and your ticker are more connected than you ever imagined. A major study published in the journal Heart looked at over 164,000 people for nearly a...

Read This

Stay Up Late? It Could Destroy Your Mental Health

If you dread mornings but come alive at night, there’s concerning new research you need to know about. A recent study found that “night owls” are at higher risk for depression. But before you rush to set your alarm to get up with the sun tomorrow, there’s more to the story… Chronotypes are essentially your...

Read This

Go from Flabby to Fit with this Common Vitamin

If you’re like many of us, you woke up one day, looked in the mirror, and realized you’re no spring chicken anymore. Even worse—when you weren’t paying attention—it seems you somehow misplaced the muscles of your youth and have gone from fit to flabby. Aging has a way of humbling us like that. But scientists...

Read This

Seasonal Allergy “Off Switch” Discovered in the GUT

“Doc, why am I suddenly suffering from seasonal allergies when I’ve never had them before?” It’s a question I get all the time—and my answer might surprise you. Stop looking up at the trees—and start looking down at your gut… Your sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and runny nose might have more to do with what’s...

Read This

“Canary in the Coal Mine” Test Sniffs Out Brain Issues Early

One of the most common questions I get is how to tell if you’re starting to experience cognitive decline. I get it—losing your memory is scary, especially when it sneaks up on you. But here’s some exciting news that might put your mind at ease. A fascinating new study suggests that your nose might be...

Read This

BEAT Stubborn Leg Swelling Without Dangerous Diuretics

“I need help with edema.” —Swollen Hi Swollen, When patients complain of edema—fluid retention that causes feet, ankles, and legs to swell—I explain that, while conventional medicine immediately prescribes diuretic drugs, nature offers us effective solutions we can try first. I’ll share those in just a moment, but first, let’s take a quick look at...

Read This

Mental Health Linked to 30% FASTER Aging [6-Step FIX]

Your mind and body are more connected than you might realize—and a groundbreaking new study proves just how profound that connection really is. In fact, it’s this mind-body link that helps explain why battling depression can put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve...

Read This

The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory

You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...

Read This

Get Intermittent Fasting Benefits Without Going Hungry

Intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between eating and fasting periods, is effective. There’s plenty of evidence for that. It’s not just weight loss, either. Intermittent fasting has significant benefits for metabolic health. However, many people find fasting difficult to stick to—and others can’t do it at all due to medical issues—so they miss out on...

Read This