The HIDDEN Harm of Mouth Breathing
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted February 17, 2024
It’s a habit often hurled as an insult by movie bullies and internet trolls. Yet over HALF of us are “mouth breathers.”
And, as I’m sure you already know, despite the insults, mouth breathing doesn’t have a thing to do with intelligence.
But new research reveals it DOES have a downside.
Mouth breathing could leave you with far worse than just a dry mouth and bad breath…
It turns out that breathing primarily through your mouth instead of your nose can contribute to…
- snoring,
- sleep apnea,
- asthma, and,
- ultimately, heart problems.
The thing about mouth breathing is that it can feel impossible to stop. But it’s nothing more than a poor breathing habit developed over years that’s now hard to break.
You see, your body is DESIGNED to take air in through your nose.
Your nose (not your mouth) assures that the air going into your lungs has the right temperature and humidity.
Plus, it acts as a filter that keeps germs and other harmful particles from reaching your lungs.
But the results of a new study reveal the most surprising benefit of all. Incredibly, breaking the mouth-breathing habit once and for all can SLASH your blood pressure!
Scientists theorize that breathing through your nose INCREASES blood vessel expanding nitric oxide. And that, of course, naturally lowers blood pressure.
Don’t worry. You CAN retrain yourself to be a nose-breather through breathing techniques and lifestyle changes.
You can encourage nose breathing with things like…
- taping your mouth at night (search for sleep tape or snoring strips online),
- nasal irrigation with a neti pot to keep your nose clear,
- exercising more often,
- drinking more water, and
- quitting smoking.
Be patient with yourself. It takes time to develop a new habit. If you find yourself mouth-breathing, take a moment to inhale a few times through your nose.
Soon, you won’t even think about it, and you’ll be a permanent nose breather and on your wayh to lowering your blood pressure.
P.S. The REAL cause of your breathing problems as been revealed. (It’s NOT Smoking!)
Source:
“Acute nasal breathing lowers diastolic blood pressure and increases parasympathetic contributions to heart rate variability in young adults,” Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparitive Physiology, Volume 325, Issue 6, December 2023, Pages R797-R808, doi. org /10.1152 /ajpregu .00148.2023
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
The $1000 Weight-Loss Secret Your Body Makes for FREE
Weight-loss drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have become household names. These injectable GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) drugs have captured widespread attention, with celebrity endorsements and social media success stories highlighting their dramatic results. But here’s what those glossy headlines aren’t telling you… GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone released by your gut. It acts as...
Brain Fog? Your Thermostat Could Be the SURPRISING Culprit
Cranking up the heat in winter or blasting the AC in summer can send your utility bills soaring. So, it’s no surprise that many of us choose to grit our teeth and endure it. But that could be a huge mistake. New research reveals that extreme indoor temperatures don’t just make you uncomfortable—they could be...
Nature's Powerful COVID-19 Defense REVEALED
While Big Pharma scrambles to cash in on new COVID-19 treatments, Mother Nature already has powerful allies waiting in the wings. A groundbreaking review in the journal Nutrients revealed a secret that Big Pharma won’t advertise—common herbs and supplements could ease mild COVID-19 symptoms. And the best part? You won’t need a prescription or to...
Women, Don’t Ignore These 5 Signs!
I’ve spent decades in medicine, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that women are tough as nails. They’re pros at pushing through discomfort and brushing off warning signs. But that strength can also be their biggest health risk. Feeling tired? Well, of course—after all, you’re juggling a million things! Short of breath? It...
5 Warning Signs Men Should NEVER Ignore!
Men—listen up. I know you pride yourself on being tough. You insist on pushing through and refuse to make a fuss about “every little ache and pain.” But here’s the cold, hard truth… That tough guy act? It could KILL you. As a doctor I get an unwanted first-row seat to some hard-learned lessons. Hardly...
Mailbag: Is Your Gut Secretly Attacking Your Joints?
“Can a leaky gut cause sudden onset arthritis? My wife has developed arthritis over a 2-month period that is almost debilitating at this point, and she has constant diarrhea. Are these symptoms connected in some way?” -Leaky and Lost Hi Lost, When my patients ask me about leaky gut, my answer is always the same: “It’s...
“Brain Brew” SLASHES Dementia Risk
If you’re a regular Living Well Daily reader, you know I’m a coffee fan. There are plenty of good reasons to stay that way. In fact, I shared a reason just last week. But I’ve also made room in my life for another hot beverage—and that’s green tea. Now, new research suggests it was a...
Nature's New Mood Booster? (It's Already in Your Kitchen!)
Scientists uncovered something surprising hiding in plain sight in our kitchens. And it might turn out to be nature’s answer to fighting depression. The best part? You’re probably already eating it… Let’s find out. An exciting new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders reveals that naturally occurring spermidine could help keep the blues...
Coffee Mug Hack Could Head Off Cancer
If you’re a coffee lover, it doesn’t get much better than that first cup of morning coffee. But before you reach for your favorite mug, I have some news that might make that java taste EVEN better. A new study finds your coffee habit could protect you from one of the world’s most common cancers…...
WALK Away from Cancer? Study Says “Yes!”
When you’re battling cancer, the LAST thing you need is more questionable advice. Yet a parade of well-meaning folks will insist you must do everything from running marathons to moving to a Greek island in order to outsmart the disease. But what if something as simple as a daily walk could give you the extra...