This Disease Risk SOARS for Seniors with COVID

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted September 26, 2022

Dear Living Well Daily Reader

Unfortunately, COVID-19 is far from over.

A quick check of the stats shows around 450-500 people are still dying from the infection every day in the United States.

That’s about equal to the daily deaths we see at the HEIGHT of a bad flu season.

At least we’re currently moving in the right direction. (There were days last year when 4,000 Americans died.)

But it’s still a disturbingly high number. And while the number of new infections reported is a moving target, it’s currently above 60,000 a day.

You might think you’re in the clear if you’ve been vaccinated or have already had COVID-19.

But that’s not the case. It turns out COVID-19 will be much more like the flu or a cold – in the sense that you can get it more than once.

And getting the infection can come with a steep cost.

In some cases, the price people are paying is much more than we could have imagined. And now researchers say that’s especially true for older folks…

A new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that COVID survivors over 65 are FAR more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers crunched the data for over 6 million older adults, and what they found was shocking. The risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease nearly doubled in the year following infection.

Scientists aren’t sure yet whether COVID-19 caused Alzheimer’s or if it just accelerated the progression of the previously hidden disease.

Either way, it’s devastating. But my guess is the infection made the disease move faster. After all, uncontrolled inflammation, regardless of the cause, makes you age quicker.

And we know COVID-19 can send inflammation levels SURGING as it kills off vital immune cells in the blood and lungs. In some cases, that inflammation can hang around, and we aren’t sure yet for how long.

So, what can you do?  Start with the obvious. Practice what you already know about how to reduce the risk of being infected with this virus:

• Wash your hands – well and often.
• Try not to touch your face.
• Social distance as much as you can.
• Wear a face mask whenever you’re going to be around a lot of people.

Next, do everything you can to be as healthy as you can. It may help you avoid getting infected. And should you still develop COVID-19 lead to a milder case and help reduce your inflammation levels.

That means ensuring you’re eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising, and taking supplements to make up for any nutritional deficiencies.

Reducing overall inflammation levels is a good idea regardless of whether you’ve had COVID-19 or not. You can start with the strawberries I told you about in yesterday’s Living Well Daily.

Then consider taking digestive enzymes. They can help reduce membrane swelling and help remove cellular debris. And consider intermittent fasting.

You can also support better brain health by following my simple nutrient plan:

• Creatine is an amino acid that’s good for the brain and helps support energy production.
• Your brain needs omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil) to function and protect against oxidation.
• CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant and helps to provide cellular energy body-wide, including to your energy-hungry brain.
• The brain is very susceptible to oxidative stress, and antioxidants, including vitamins A and C, and phytonutrients, including polyphenols and carotenes, can help.
• The herbs curcumin and bacopa help to decrease inflammation and act as powerful antioxidants.

COVID-19 infections are moving in the right direction. And that’s fantastic. But don’t let your guard down yet.

P.S. Aging is tough on the whole body. But it takes its biggest toll on the brain. Fortunately, recent research has revealed one of the BEST ways to keep a sharp, healthy brain as we age. And it couldn’t be any easier.

Source:

Association of COVID-19 with New-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease,”  Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, vol. 89, no. 2, pp. 411-414, 2022, DOI: 10.3233/JAD-220717

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