Is There a Secret to Longevity Hidden in Your Nose?

The eyes and ears are commonly affected by issues that can be addressed with lenses and hearing aids. However, there is currently no device available to aid in the decline of our sense of smell as we age.

Research has shown that cognitive decline is linked to a diminishing sense of smell. A recent study indicates that failing a smell test is not only associated with dementia but also serves as an indicator of future frailty and mortality.

While a congested nose from a cold or flu can temporarily impact our sense of smell, it typically returns once we recover. Our sense of smell is often taken for granted, except in situations like the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, many individuals infected with the virus experienced a loss of smell as a symptom, with some never fully regaining their sense of smell even after recovery.

Prior to the pandemic, a diminishing sense of smell was seen as an early indication of conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. A recent study from Johns Hopkins University introduces additional concerns regarding this decline in sensory function.

Overview

The study investigated the connection between smell impairment and frailty, which is considered an indicator of accelerated aging and is highly predictive of future disability and mortality.

The research involved 1,160 adults with an average age of 76. The team evaluated frailty using a set of markers including weight loss, exhaustion, weakness, slow walking speed, and low physical activity.

Participants were tasked with identifying five scents and detecting six others to assess their odor identification and sensitivity. The results were then compared to the participants' frailty scores.

The study found a link between a reduced sense of smell and increased frailty. Additionally, an enhancement in both olfactory identification and sensitivity scores was associated with a notable decrease in frailty status.

Sense of Smell as an Indicator of Longevity

The results indicate that the loss of smell can act as a measurable biomarker and potential risk factor for frailty in older adults. Maintaining the sense of smell is connected to improved health, resilience, and longevity.

Although identifying odors involves cognitive processing, the simple detection of odors does not. The connection to frailty is believed to extend beyond the brain to the nose itself, according to senior author Nicholas Rowan.

Dr. Rowan underscores the serious consequences of smell loss, including loss of appetite, difficulties in monitoring hygiene, and the inability to detect harmful fumes, which can result in weight loss, malnutrition, weakness, and accidents in older adults.

Concerns Regarding Smell Loss

He recommends incorporating smell tests into routine screening procedures to evaluate the risk of frailty or unhealthy aging. For those who fail the smell test, improvements in nutrition and medical assessments may be advised.

Professor John Morley advocates for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and olive oil to prevent frailty, along with a supplement of leucine-enriched essential amino acids for improved muscle strength. He also stresses that physical exercise can often reverse physical frailty.