Longevity & the sense of smell

Failing heart, cancer, lung disease are all major risks to life. Even bigger is loss of the sense of smell.

https://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21621702-low-olfactory-acuity-portends-curtailed-lifespan-scent-death / hearts failing lost their sense of smell die within five years if you cannot recognise common smells obviously deadly illnesses illness research study published PLOS ONE Dr. Martha McClintock Dr. Jayant Pinto University of Chicago investigation reseaarch project olfactory problems forewarn neurodegenerative diseases Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s abnormally shortened telomeres caps on the ends of chromosomes shortening implicated in the process of ageing good sense of smell keep people healthy detecting pathogens toxins in the air stimulating appetite aid aiding memory emotions intimacy researchers measuring smell loss predict mortality National Social Life, Health and Ageing Project survey University of Chicago measure measures health well being older Americans participants three minute smell test survey’s researchers special felt-tipped pens scented five common odours fish leather orange peppermint rose volunteers presentation volunteer pictures names four possible answers answer wrong normosmic errors hyposmic smell-deficient anosmic unable to smell 430 of the respondents were dead adjusting for ageolder people gender sexwomen men socioeconomic status richer better educated people greater longevity race ethnicity ethnicities longer lifespan correlation nutrition smoking alcohol use controlled for specific diseases heart failure cancer stroke strokes diabetes researchers relationship severe liver damage stronger predictor of death causal relationship olfaction turnover of stem cells smell general inability to regenerate and renew /