Loneliness Linked to THIS Startling Side Effect

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted March 15, 2023

Before the pandemic, we didn’t talk much about being lonely.

But when the virus locked us down in our homes, the issue of isolation could no longer be ignored.

Some of us were experiencing that kind of loneliness for the first time. But the truth is social isolation has ALWAYS been a common problem for older folks.

It’s just that, since COVID-19 hit, it’s been ten times worse.

We’ve known for quite some time that loneliness can negatively affect your health.

But now, a new study has uncovered a startling side effect of social isolation that you CAN’T afford to ignore.

According to recent research, spending too much time alone is linked to dementia.

The study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that lonely folks who don’t have much (or any) social support are at a higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

But it gets worse…

If you ALSO have heart disease, diabetes, depression, vision issues, or hearing problems, your risk for dementia SKYROCKETS. The combo is like a recipe for losing your marbles.

But as bad as this all sounds, there’s actually a silver lining.

Isolation is what scientists call a “modifiable risk factor.”

In other words, it may not always feel like it, but we make choices that CAUSE us to be isolated and lonely. This means we ALSO have the power to modify the situation by changing those choices and pursuing social activities.

And the study showed when you do, you throw all those dementia-linked risk factors in reverse.

For example, when people exercise regularly with others, their…

• risk of feeling lonely drops by 1 percent
• chance of having poor social support plummeted by 9 percent

In other words, whether it’s Pickleball, mall walking, golfing, or bowling, you’ll feel far less alone when you do it with other folks. Plus, you’ll be protecting your precious memories by building a social safety net.

But it doesn’t have to be exercise to make a difference. If you’re feeling lonely, you can take a class, join a book club, volunteer at church, or try square dancing. Taking part in ANY social activity will do the trick.

Breaking out of your isolation will take some determination and work. But the effort is well worth the rewards.

P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? CLICK HERE to submit your question and get featured in the weekly mailbag!

Source:

“Social isolation is linked to classical risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias,” PlosOne, Published: February 1, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280471

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 By Dr. Scott Olson, ND