The Pop Quiz Big Pharma HOPES You FAIL

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

I’ve got a little pop quiz for you today. But don’t worry, it’s only one question.

Now, if you’re anything like me, you HATE to fail. The trouble is the deck is stacked against you this time. So I don’t want you to be too hard on yourself if you get the answer wrong.

You see, Big Pharma has been training us for YEARS (doctors included) to get this one wrong.

I’m going to give you the name of two diseases. But one is a REAL threat, and the other one isn’t.

  • high blood pressure
  • high cholesterol

I’ll give you a hint. One HARMS your brain, and the other HELPS it.

Can you guess which one is the dangerous disease and which isn’t?

Time’s up! The real troublemaker is high blood pressure.

A study published in the journal Hypertension pooled the health data from 7,000 people, comparing their blood pressure to the health of their brains.

After some serious number crunching, one thing was very obvious. High blood pressure sent the risk of brain problems climbing.

The researchers found that middle-aged and senior folks whose top (systolic) and bottom (diastolic) blood pressure numbers were considered “high” had an accelerated decline in thinking skills as they age.

In other words, our memory is at risk when we battle high blood pressure for years.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the connection, either. Earlier research demonstrated that controlling high blood pressure can keep dementia risk low.

And in that study, the scientists found that it didn’t matter whether the people brought their blood pressure down using drugs or lifestyle changes. Either way, they had improved brain function later in life.

But high cholesterol, on the other hand? Well, that’s a whole different story… despite the push by drug companies to get every Tom, Dick, and Harry on statins.

See, despite what we’ve been led to believe, what research ACTUALLY shows is that elevated cholesterol, especially in older folks, can be great for your brain health.

This could be because your brain is packed with the stuff. While your brain is only four percent of your weight, it contains 25 percent of all the cholesterol in your body.

But the lies don’t stop there. For example, I bet you’ve been told to avoid certain foods because they’re high in cholesterol. Eggs, for example, became public enemy number one at some point.

The truth is eating foods high in cholesterol has almost no effect on your cholesterol levels. In fact, most of the cholesterol in your body is produced by your body…  NOT your diet.

By all means, to keep your brain healthy, make sure you keep your blood pressure low. But don’t worry about eating that bacon and egg breakfast. And don’t buy into Big Pharma’s statin lies.

Instead, consider supporting your heart and brain health with these nutrients:

  • Fish oil: Omega-3-rich fish oil reduces inflammation and softens up arteries to help them stay flexible. I typically suggest taking between 1,000 and 3,000 milligrams a day.
  • CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10): This vital enzyme is found in every cell in your body and is used for energy production. Your heart, one of the most energy-hungry organs in your body, requires CoQ10 to function at peak power. Plus, CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that can help lower inflammation, reduce blood clot risks, and head off arrhythmias or skipped heartbeats.
  • Vitamin C: Vitamin C can help lower blood pressure naturally. Plus, C supports the neurotransmitters in your brain, making it vital for good cognitive health. But humans are one of the few mammals that can’t produce their own vitamin C. So if you don’t supplement, you likely don’t get enough of this vital vitamin.
  • Antioxidants: Antioxidants can help prevent the formation of artery plaques, reduce body-wide inflammation, and protect brain cells from oxidative stress. Plant phytonutrients such as carotenoids, polyphenols, and flavonoids offer excellent antioxidant protection. Examples include green tea extract or EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), red wine extract (resveratrol), pycnogenol, olive leaf extract, and curcumin.

P.S. Want to do even MORE to support your heart and brain health? This one easy move could drive down blood pressure and build up gray matter in your brain at the same time! Click here for all the details.

Source:

“Hypertension, Prehypertension, and Hypertension Control – Association With Decline in Cognitive Performance in the ELSA-Brasil Cohort,” Hypertension. 2021;77:672–681, https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.120.16080

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

How to Get Your Spouse to Go to the Doctor

The other day, a friend asked me if I thought her husband was trying to hide something because he wouldn’t go to the doctor. It’s a common scenario, I told her—research shows that many men avoid preventative care and doctor’s visits. (Some women are guilty of it, too.) But what if your spouse is clearly...

Read This

Glucose Guardians Discovered at the GROCERY Store!

A new meta-analysis suggests that the spices in your kitchen aren’t just bursting with flavor. They could also deliver hidden health benefits. That’s especially true if you’re concerned about keeping your blood sugar in check. Which, honestly, everyone should be—regardless of whether you’re diabetic or not. The recent study confirmed that several popular spices (some...

Read This

Mailbag: The TRUE Cause of Your Tingly Scalp

“Why do I feel a tingling sensation in my scalp when I’m stressed?” – Anonymous Hi Anonymous, About twenty years ago, I was running on a trail in the early morning light when a fox bolted from the cover. It ran beside me for a few yards before ditching into the woods. I’m guessing the...

Read This

The Hidden (and DEADLY) Cost of Convenience

In our fast-paced, modern world, we’re always on the go, juggling work, family, and social obligations. The frantic pace leaves little time for home-cooked meals. As a result, convenience has become king. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) swoop in to save the day. They beckon us with their bright packaging and promise of ready-to-eat, instant gratification. And...

Read This

Exercise Leaving You in Pain? Try THIS Natural Fix

One of the biggest barriers to building a regular exercise routine is that many folks feel fantastic right after a session, but then they pay for it the following day. Those post-exercise aches and pains alone are enough to prevent most people from even thinking about working out again. But what if I told you...

Read This

Caffeine’s Benefits Go BEYOND the Buzz

Over 60 percent of American adults drink coffee daily—enjoying the caffeine-induced energy boost to jumpstart their day. However, caffeine’s benefits don’t end with that temporary jolt of alertness. It has other potential payoffs, including reducing diabetes risk and body fat. Now, new research reveals those benefits can vary from person to person… and the surprising...

Read This

Live LONGER and HEALTHIER with the “Grocery Cart Challenge”

Nobody on the planet who grabs something from a vending machine, thinking, “This is a healthy choice.” So, if we KNOW it isn’t good for us, why do we do it? Well, often it’s for convenience. We’re hungry and in a hurry, so grab-and-go foods fit the bill. But that’s not the only reason we...

Read This

BEWARE of the “Coffee Trap” [UNDOES Benefits]

Longtime Living Well Daily readers know I love my coffee. Powerful antioxidants and other healthy compounds in coffee deliver various health benefits. In fact, studies confirm a regular coffee habit may reduce the risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s, and liver disease. It also provides a temporary boost in energy and focus that many people rely on...

Read This

Frailty Leads to a Shorter Painful Life? [Surprising FIX]

Aging sure isn’t for sissies. You have to be tough as nails to manage it gracefully. Everything gets a bit more challenging. Whether it’s diet, exercise, or reducing specific risk factors, you often have to work harder to get the same results. Eventually, all the so-called “diseases of aging” start nipping at your heels, from...

Read This

Mailbag: Taste Buds in Turmoil? The Cause of Metallic Mouth

“Should I be concerned about a metallic taste in my mouth? It happens on occasion but isn’t every day.” – Mark Hi Mark, Many people experience a metallic taste that will not go away, and it can be caused by several different things. The most common cause of “metallic mouth” is poor oral health. Gum...

Read This