Routine Test Reveals Sleep Apnea Risk
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted August 16, 2024
There’s no shortage of jokes about snoring sounds keeping the whole house awake.
But for millions of folks, nighttime breathing troubles are no laughing matter.
Obstructive sleep apnea can leave you exhausted during the day, destroy your mood, and even increase your risk of serious health problems, like heart disease.
The tricky part? Many folks don’t know have sleep apnea, or even if they’re at a higher risk developing it.
But that could all be about to change…
Exciting new research reveals that a simple, common blood test might be the key to predicting your sleep apnea risk before those sleepless nights take their toll.
And the best part? You may have already had this test without even realizing it.
It turns out the secret lies in the compound homocysteine, an amino acid that’s been hiding in plain sight in your bloodstream all along.
Researchers discovered that elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood are strongly linked to an increased risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea.
This is a game-changer because measuring homocysteine is quick, easy, and already a routine part of many health check-ups.
Doctors often order this test to assess the following:
- Heart disease risk
- Cognitive health and dementia risk
- B-vitamin deficiencies
- Overall vascular health
Now, we can add “sleep apnea risk predictor” to that impressive list. But it gets even MORE interesting.
If your homocysteine levels are high, you’re not automatically doomed to a future of fitful sleep. Several proven, natural ways exist to lower those numbers and reduce your sleep apnea risk.
- Boost your B vitamins (folate, B6, and B12)
- Add more leafy greens to your diet
- Consider omega-3 fatty acid supplements
- Cut back on coffee and alcohol
- Get regular exercise
- Quit smoking
The bottom line? That simple blood test might be your ticket to better sleep and improved health.
And another thing…
Here’s what else we’ve covered this week in Living Well Daily…
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Drop This Habit to SLASH Dementia Risk
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What Your Walk Reveals About Your Health
Discover how your walking style could be a window into your overall health and aging process. Learn the surprising signs to watch for in yourself and loved ones.
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Ancient Hack Helps Parkinson’s Patients Sleep Better
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P.S. The deadly truth about sleep apnea is REVEALED!
Source:
Cavalcante-Silva V, Morelhão PK, Fernandes GL, D’Almeida V, Tufik S, Andersen ML. Homocysteine as a predictor of apnea-hypopnea index in obstructive sleep apnea: a longitudinal epidemiological study (EPISONO). Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2024 Jun;281(6):3237-3243. doi: 10.1007/s00405-024-08614-z. Epub 2024 Apr 3. PMID: 38568296.
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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