Is Your Anxiety Damaging This Vital Organ?!

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted December 20, 2020

“You have nothing to worry about!” 

When’s the last time you heard — or believed — that?  

And if we’re being honest, especially these days, it’s hard NOT to feel anxious or worried.  

Between the pandemic… the relentless news cycle… worrying about the holidays and even concerns about your family’s and your OWN health, it’s no wonder you’re feeling on edge.  

But there is a BIG problem with this kind of constant anxiety. 

It takes its toll on your body, and can be especially harmful to this one particular organ.  

I’m talking about your brain.  

No one wants to get Alzheimer’s Disease. Because Alzheimer’s wipes away your memories, your ability to think… and in many ways it erases you.  

Well, a new study, presented at the Radiological Society of North America’s Annual Meeting, found that older adults with memory problems may progress to Alzheimer’s more quickly if they are also suffering from anxiety.  

Anxiety has a way of increasing stress hormones, inflammation, and oxidative stress throughout your body and brain. 

And your brain is especially sensitive to those stressors.  

The researchers believe that anxiety may also be an early sign of the disease. That makes anxiety the cause of the disease AND a sign of the disease.  

The study looked at those with Mild Cognitive Impairment and assessed their anxiety levels.  

Mild Cognitive Impairment is a stage of the disease where there are problems with memory and thinking skills, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it has to progress to full–blown Alzheimer’s.   

The researchers discovered that those who were anxious progressed more quickly from Mild Cognitive Impairment to dementia AND were more likely to progress through all of the disease stages. 

Let’s look at how you can keep your brain sharp as you age by reducing anxiety. 

Dr. Scott’s Anxiety-Stomping Program:  

• My favorite method for dealing with anxiety is called exposure therapy. Often, the things we’re afraid of turn out to not be as bad as we think. Exposure therapy is simply putting yourself in the situation that causes you anxiety in small doses. This works well for fear of snakes, flying, or talking in front of groups… but doesn’t work well for anxiety that comes from outside forces (like having a visit from one of your children who is a problem). 

• Sleep: Anxiety and sleep go hand in hand. Most of us know we feel more anxious when we don’t sleep, but getting enough sleep can be a tough battle. Natural supplements like L-theanine, melatonin, and chamomile can be very effective. 

• Calming herbs: Speaking of sleep… I’ve given herbs usually used for sleep to people who have anxiety and found they work pretty well (though, not for everyone). Try taking a half-dose of a sleeping formula in the morning and see how it works. 

• Exercise: Anxiety and exercise also go hand in hand: exercise reduces anxiety. Find something that works for you that you enjoy. The more you can make exercise fun, the better. 

 P.S. If you suffer with anxiety and/or depression, luckily there is no shortage on natural remedies to help you fend them off. Click here to learn about the drug-free dream team that BANISHES depression and anxiety in two weeks!  

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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