New research suggest loss of smell linked to 139 conditions

Author(s):

Grace Koennecke

Key Takeaways

Inflammation, environment, and neuroanatomy link olfactory dysfunction to 139 conditions, including depression, Alzheimer's, and COVID-19.
Olfactory loss often precedes other symptoms, with inflammation damaging the olfactory system through inhaled agents or blood.
Diets high in healthy fats are associated with increased risk of cognitive and olfactory loss.
Essential oils and olfactory training can enhance cognitive functions, reduce inflammation, and improve memory in older adults.
Specific olfactory interventions are recommended for dementia and COVID-19 patients to mitigate symptoms and improve outcomes.

While several conditions pose a risk of losing one’s smell, new research also suggests ways to strengthen the olfactory senses.

In new research published last month in Frontiers in Molecular Science, researchers found that inflammation, environment, and neuroanatomy can link loss of smell to several conditions, and that enacting the olfactory senses could be useful to treat and prevent genetic, physical, and neurological conditions by minimizing inflammation in the brain and body.

There are 139 medical conditions connected to olfactory dysfunction, including genetic or hereditary, physical, and neurological conditions, such as depression, Alzheimer’s, and COVID-19. Typically, olfactory loss can appear before symptoms of these conditions arise. If undetected, inflammation can damage the olfactory system through inhaled agents, such as odor or pollution, or blood.

Diet can also be a factor in determining the risk of losing one’s olfactory senses, with researchers finding that diets in healthy fats were linked to an increased risk of cognitive and olfactory loss.

Olfactory senses also affect cognitive capabilities like decision-making, verbal fluency, and memory. However, researchers found that gender plays a role, as olfactory senses like executive function and language are stronger in men, while visuospatial abilities are stronger amongst women.

To strengthen one’s olfactory senses, researchers recommend exposure to essential oils can help the brain through balancing its transmitters, which in turn reduces oxidative stress and inflammation. These oils can also help boost cognition, memory, and neuroprotection. Results from the research found that 2 hours a night for 6 months of essential oil exposure significantly improved memory scores in older adults.

For dementia patients, researchers suggest exposing patients to pleasant smells and daily olfactory exposure and electrical stimulation can reduce inflammation in the brain and body as well. For those with COVID-19, researchers recommend patients try nasal steroids and olfactory training, such as surrounding themselves with certain scents like ginger, lavender, and eucalyptus.

By integrating the necessary exposures and treatments for patients, researchers believe that the loss of smell could predict future cognitive declines, as well as possibly mortality.