This Smell-Related Trait May Hold The Key To Living Longer

Longevity may, at times, be subjected to chance, but scientific information also provides a wide-ranging guide by identifying in advance some warning signs. Markers linked to life-threatening and age-related complications like dementia, for instance, are largely being identified early on. Findings of the study that were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine have made a significant contribution to this field. According to the study, your sense of smell may provide clues in determining your lifespan.

The Sense of Smell

Researchers found that older adults suffering from a poor sense of smell may die sooner compared to those with better olfactory attributes. To examine the relationship between longevity and sense of smell, researchers gathered 2,289 adults with ages ranging from 71 to 82 years old. They were then asked to identify twelve common smells, with researchers ranking their capability to recognize the correct smell from 0 to 12.

To make sure that all participants begin on a level footing, researchers made sure none of the volunteers were frail. All of them were checked if they could climb ten steps easily and walk a quarter of a mile, as well as complete routine activities without any help. During the 13-year study, 1,211 of these participants died.

Upon checking their data, researchers found participants who have a weak sense of smell were 46% more likely to die by the tenth year of the study. Another 30% were at risk of dying by the end of the study compared to those who have a good sense of smell.

Poor Sense Of Smell

The link was hugely limited to volunteers who showed good to excellent health at the beginning of the study. This proved that a poor sense of smell might be a sensitive and an early sign of deteriorating health before it is recognized clinically.

This was the conclusion of Dr. Honglei Chen, the senior author of the study and a professor at Michigan State University in East Lansing. Highlighting the impact of having a poor sense of smell, Dr. Chen said those with olfactory problems were 62% more likely to die by the tenth year of the study. This is despite being in excellent or good health at the beginning of the study.

Researchers also found that those with a poor sense of smell are at higher risk of dying from cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, but not from respiratory conditions or cancer. Having a poor sense of smell may be an early indication of poor health in older age. As the results suggest, this goes beyond neurodegenerative ailments that often signal the start of mental or physical decline.