Leadbitter Spine & Sports

22/08/2025

Picture this: You’re standing at the kitchen window sipping your morning tea, watching squirrels dart across the yard.

The day hasn’t even begun, and your stomach is already in knots.

Sound familiar?

For many seniors, digestive trouble is just part of daily life—bloating, constipation, reflux—and it all seems to get worse under stress.

But it turns out that “nervous stomach” is more than just a figure of speech.

A growing body of research now confirms what I’ve been telling patients for decades: Chronic stress can seriously damage your gut.

More specifically, it’s cortisol—the body’s primary stress hormone—that wreaks havoc.

When Stress Hits Below the Belt
The latest findings from the Cortisol Gut Project paint a troubling picture: When cortisol levels stay elevated (as they often do in high-stress or anxious individuals), the gut takes a direct hit.

Cortisol slows down digestion, inflames the gut lining, lowers serotonin levels (the neurotransmitter that keeps things moving), and disrupts the balance of good bacteria.

In fact, even infants with early-life stress show reduced microbiome diversity—a recipe for lifelong immune and digestive issues.

And it doesn’t get better with age. One report estimates that gastrointestinal diseases cost Americans more than heart disease or mental health issues—topping $136 billion annually. Seniors, in particular, are hit hardest by constipation, reflux, gas, bloating, and chronic abdominal pain.

Healing the Gut—Naturally
So what’s the solution? Well, managing stress is non-negotiable.

But beyond meditation and yoga (which are great, by the way), the real promise lies in nutritional and botanical support.

Here are some of the most powerful tools:

B-Vitamins (B6, B9, B12): These are critical for serotonin production and help balance your stress response. Without them, your brain and gut both suffer.

Magnesium: Think of this as the “calm” mineral. It supports sleep, eases muscle tension, regulates cortisol, and improves gut motility.

L-theanine: Found in green tea, this amino acid smooths out cortisol spikes and promotes relaxation without making you groggy.

Phosphatidylserine (PS): A nutrient found in organ meats and egg yolks, PS helps regulate the body’s HPA axis (your stress control center) and supports memory and mood.

And then there’s the real gut-restoring powerhouse combo…

The Gut-Healing Duo
Two recent clinical trials found that a combination of ashwagandha (a proven cortisol-lowering adaptogen) and okra (yes, the slimy green vegetable) significantly improved gut symptoms in people with functional constipation.

Participants saw improvements in bowel frequency, reduced bloating, better sleep, and even increased serotonin production. After just one week, most participants noticed meaningful relief—and without the side effects commonly seen with prescription gut medications.

Why does this combo work so well?

Ashwagandha calms the stress response and boosts serotonin.
Okra soothes gut inflammation, feeds beneficial bacteria, and helps regulate bowel movements.
Together, they’re like a natural balm for a frazzled gut.

If your gut feels like it’s been under siege lately—especially during stressful times—don’t ignore it. Excess cortisol is more than just a mental burden; it’s a full-body disruptor.

Instead of reaching for antacids or laxatives, consider healing your gut from the inside out—with the right nutrients, stress management, and proven plant-based remedies.

Because the truth is, it’s not just what you eat… it’s what your body can digest, absorb, and eliminate that really counts.

In case you missed it, here’s what else we’ve been chatting about this week in e-Tips:

Lose the Weight Without Counting a Single Calorie
Can These Vitamins Protect Your Vision?
How Caffeine Might Trim Fat—and Diabetes Risk
The Gut Health “Combo” Most Folks Get Wrong
It’s Not About Living Longer…
The Secret to a Resilient Immune System (It’s Not a Shot)
P.S. This surprising superfood may shield your gut lining.

Sources:
Moloughney, S. (2025, March 25). Cortisol-Induced Gut Dysfunction: Examining Causes, Symptoms and Natural Solutions. Nutraceuticals World.

Digestive issues are proving to respond well to nutraceutical combinations because the root cause is often related to stress and excess cortisol.

21/08/2025

If you’ve ever felt like your body’s defenses just don’t bounce back the way they used to, you’re not imagining it.

As we age, the immune system—our biological fortress—starts to show cracks in the walls. But here’s the good news: This decline, known as immunosenescence, isn’t inevitable. And it certainly doesn’t require a pharmacy’s worth of prescriptions to fix.

In fact, the best way to build immune resilience might just be sitting on your spice rack, in your supplement drawer… or growing in your garden.

Fighting “Inflamm-Aging” Naturally
There’s a term for the smoldering, low-grade inflammation that creeps in with age: inflammaging. It’s been linked to everything from Alzheimer’s to heart disease.

But what if you could turn the volume down on that inflammation and restore a more youthful immune response?

One promising compound is glutathione, a master antioxidant your body naturally produces. Levels drop with age, but studies show that supplementing with glutathione can enhance immune cell function—particularly in older adults.

After just a few months of daily supplementation, participants in one clinical study saw their natural killer (NK) cell activity more than double. That’s your first line of defense against viruses and rogue cells.

Another standout? Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric. It helps tame inflammatory cytokines and supports antioxidant defenses. Look for bioavailable forms like HydroCurc or C3 Reduct for better absorption.

Your Gut: The Gatekeeper of Immunity
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you’ve heard me say this before: Immunity begins in the gut.

Over time, the diversity of your gut microbiome—the healthy bacteria that help regulate inflammation and immune response—declines. That shift allows bad bugs to flourish, triggering gut permeability and systemic inflammation.

Aging gut = aging immune system.

The fix? Probiotic strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, as well as prebiotic fibers that nourish them. In one study, older adults who supplemented with LactoSpore saw improvements in cholesterol, testosterone levels, and immune health markers.

And if you want to go high-tech, companies like Biohm Technologies are now using gut tests to map your “microbial age.” That data can guide more targeted nutrition and supplementation.

Polyphenols: Small Compounds, Big Protection
Polyphenols are plant compounds found in everything from berries to green tea. They protect against oxidative stress, support vascular health, and, yes, even modulate immune activity.

A recent clinical study on Tartary buckwheat, rich in polyphenols, showed a 47 percent reduction in aging markers tied to immune dysfunction. The seed also enhanced a key genetic pathway associated with better immune regulation.

Other immune-friendly polyphenols include resveratrol (from grapes), quercetin (from onions and apples), and bergamot extract, which shows promise for supporting nitric oxide production and endothelial function.

What You Can Do Today
Here’s your immune resilience checklist:

Glutathione: Look for a form like Setria Glutathione with clinical backing. Take daily.
Curcumin: Choose a bioavailable form. Take with food for better absorption.
Probiotics: Opt for multi-strain formulas containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Prebiotic fibers: Eat more legumes, onions, garlic, and resistant starch (like cold potatoes).
Polyphenols: Add more berries, green tea, and herbs to your plate—or consider a supplement.
Move your body: Gentle exercise keeps lymph fluid moving and immune cells active.
The bottom line?

You don’t have to surrender to immune decline just because you’re adding candles to the cake.

There’s a new way forward—one that’s grounded in nature, not needles.

P.S. The race to outpace a superbug… learn more here.

Sources:
mmontemarano@rodmanmedia.com. (2025, April 11). The New View on Aging: Enhancing Health Span and Optimizing Performance. Nutraceuticals World.

A modern wellness paradigm frames all health issues within the context of age, reaffirming that healthy aging is for everyone.

20/08/2025

Let’s face it—none of us is chasing immortality.

What we are after is something far more meaningful: staying sharp, staying mobile, staying independent—for as long as humanly possible.

I’ve been saying this for years, but a new crop of research and innovation is finally catching up.

The real goal of aging well isn’t about adding years to the end of your life. It’s about adding life to your years.

And that’s exactly where the science is heading.

The “Health Span” Revolution
Researchers, companies, and even investors are pouring money into a new concept called “health span.”

It’s the amount of time you live in good health—not just alive, but able to enjoy life with clarity, energy, and strength.

For folks like us, that means:

Fewer aches and pains
Better memory and mental focus
A strong immune system
And the ability to keep doing the things we love
And here’s the best part: the things that support your health span are often simple, natural, and already familiar to many of you.

Strong Muscles, Steady Joints
Mobility is one of the first things people lose as they age—and one of the most devastating. If your knees ache or your strength declines, everything else starts to feel harder.

New studies show that certain nutrients can slow this down. For instance:

Undenatured collagen helps cushion joints and maintain flexibility.
HMB, a muscle-protective compound, has been shown to preserve muscle mass even without regular exercise.
Krill oil (rich in omega-3s) supports joint comfort and reduces stiffness.
These are ingredients I’ve recommended before—but now the research confirms their ability to support long-term mobility, not just short-term pain relief.

Keep Your Brain in the Game
Another key to health span? Mental clarity.

I’ve seen too many people give up their independence after they start forgetting appointments or struggling with simple tasks. But new science shows we can fight back.

Ingredients like:

Citicoline, which protects brain cells and supports memory
Curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory that crosses the blood-brain barrier
Polyphenols like those in Tartary buckwheat, which may slow epigenetic aging
These natural compounds help preserve cognitive resilience, not just day-to-day focus.

Immune Strength = Aging Gracefully
You might not think about your immune system until it lets you down. But immune aging, or “immunosenescence,” is a key driver of nearly every major age-related disease—from Alzheimer’s to cancer.

Supporting immune balance—especially as we age—is critical. That’s why I often recommend:

Glutathione (the body’s master antioxidant)
Ashwagandha and beta-glucans (to reduce overactive inflammation)
And probiotic support to keep the gut—where most of your immune cells live—in balance
Recent studies have even shown that boosting immune resilience can reduce biological aging markers by up to 47 percent. That’s no small feat!

The Power of Prevention
What makes all this so exciting is that the focus is finally shifting from “managing” disease to preventing it.

This isn’t about gimmicks or $40,000 “biohacking” programs. It’s about building a foundation of strength using real, proven tools—most of them drawn from the natural world.

Yes, technology is helping track aging markers in ways we couldn’t before. But at the end of the day, the old truths remain:

Eat a Mediterranean-style diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables
Stay active in ways that challenge your body and your brain
Supplement smartly—with ingredients that support core systems like the brain, heart, gut, and immune response
My Final Take
As a doctor and your guide, I don’t want you chasing youth.

I want you chasing vitality.

The kind that lets you keep up with your grandchildren, enjoy your garden, take a vacation, and stay sharp at 90.

You don’t need to turn back the clock. You just need to fuel the machine you’ve already got—and make sure it runs smoothly for the miles ahead.

P.S. Unlocking a longer, healthier life—without a time machine.

Sources:
mmontemarano@rodmanmedia.com. (2025, April 11). The New View on Aging: Enhancing Health Span and Optimizing Performance. Nutraceuticals World. https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/the-new-view-on-aging-enhancing-health-span-and-optimizing-performance/

19/08/2025

You’ve probably heard a lot of chatter about probiotics.

They’re in your yogurt, your supplements, your grocery store’s “gut-friendly” aisle. And they’re sold as miracle microbes that can solve everything from bloating to brain fog.

But here’s what few people—especially the marketers—bother to mention: probiotics don’t work alone. In fact, without the right partner, they may not work at all.

I’m talking about prebiotics—the fuel your gut bacteria need to survive. And if you’re not feeding those bugs properly, all the fancy supplements in the world won’t do you much good.

Probiotics vs. Prebiotics: The Real Difference
Think of your gut like a garden.

Probiotics are the seeds—live microorganisms that help populate your gut with beneficial bacteria. Prebiotics are the compost—fibers and nutrients that keep those seeds alive and thriving.

Skip the compost, and your garden shrivels. It’s no different in your gut.

Probiotics are found naturally in fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, miso, and even certain cheeses. These foods contain live cultures of bacteria that can help restore balance to your microbiome.

Prebiotics, on the other hand, are specific types of fiber found in plant foods. They include compounds like inulin, resistant starch, pectin, and galacto-oligosaccharides. You’ll find these in foods like onions, garlic, bananas, legumes, whole grains, and leafy greens.

Here’s the kicker: prebiotics are what your probiotics eat. If you’re not getting enough of them, those good bugs starve out.

Gut Health Isn’t Just Hype
Your microbiome—aka the trillions of bacteria living in your gut—plays a central role in digestion, immunity, brain function, and even blood sugar control.

But just like everything else in your body, your microbiome changes as you age. Stress, medications (especially antibiotics), poor diet, and inactivity can all tip the balance, leading to something called dysbiosis—a state where the bad bugs start to outnumber the good.

Symptoms can include gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or more systemic issues like brain fog, fatigue, and skin conditions.

Many seniors experience these problems and are told, “Just take a probiotic.” But the evidence is mixed. In healthy people, probiotic supplements don’t reliably increase microbial diversity.

Some studies even suggest they delay recovery after antibiotic use.

And when you’re just swallowing capsules without addressing your diet, you’re only getting half the picture.

Feed the Good Guys First
Here’s the truth: if you want a healthy gut, fiber is king. The best prebiotics come from a diet rich in:

Vegetables (especially leeks, onions, asparagus, and leafy greens)
Legumes (like lentils, chickpeas, and black beans)
Fruits (bananas, apples, and berries)
Whole grains (oats, barley, and quinoa)
These fibers travel through your digestive tract untouched—until they reach your colon.

That’s where the magic happens. Your gut bacteria ferment these fibers into short-chain fatty acids (like butyrate), which reduce inflammation, fuel colon cells, and support immune function.

No supplement can match the complexity or benefits of real food.

So, do you need both?

In a word: yes. But not necessarily from pills.

You don’t need to shell out money for daily probiotic supplements unless you’re dealing with a very specific issue (and even then, only under guidance). Instead, focus on fermented foods and a variety of plants. That’s the most reliable—and affordable—way to nourish your gut.

A good rule of thumb? Aim for 30 different plant foods per week. That includes fruits, veggies, herbs, spices, legumes, nuts, and seeds. The more variety, the more diverse your microbiome—and the better your health outcomes.

Bottom Line from Me?
A spoonful of sauerkraut and a side of beans will do more for your digestion than a $40 bottle of “gut reset” pills. Your microbiome is alive—and it thrives on real food.

So skip the gimmicks. Instead, head to the produce aisle. Your gut—and your whole body—will thank you.

Sources:
The Conversation. (2025, May 14). Probiotics vs Prebiotics: What’s The Difference And Do You Need Both? ScienceAlert.

If you walk through your local pharmacy or supermarket you're bound to come across probiotics and prebiotics.

18/08/2025

I’ve long defended coffee from the fearmongering of the mainstream.

Coffee is no villain. In fact, it’s one of the most studied—and wrongly maligned—natural health tools around.

Now, new research adds to the growing list of potential benefits. Scientists from top institutions in Sweden and the UK have found that higher caffeine levels in the blood are linked to lower body fat and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

And here’s what’s especially interesting: These benefits appear to occur even without counting calories or cutting carbs.

Not How Much You Drink—How Long It Stays in Your System
This wasn’t just another observational study. Researchers analyzed genetic data from nearly 10,000 people to understand how the rate at which your body breaks down caffeine may influence weight and metabolic health.

They focused on genetic variants—particularly in genes like CYP1A2 and AHR—that affect how quickly your body clears caffeine from the bloodstream.

Here’s the catch: People who metabolize caffeine more slowly tend to have higher blood levels of caffeine for longer periods.

Interestingly, they also tend to drink less coffee overall.

But despite drinking less, these “slow metabolizers” had lower BMI, less overall body fat, and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

It’s not the cup of coffee that matters as much as how long its effects linger in your body.

How might this work?

The researchers believe caffeine’s influence on thermogenesis (your body’s heat production) and fat oxidation (your body’s ability to turn fat into energy) could explain the metabolic benefits.

Essentially, caffeine seems to rev up the engine—burning more calories, more fat, and possibly improving blood sugar control in the process.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen caffeine linked to better metabolic outcomes. Short-term trials have shown weight loss and fat loss effects from caffeine intake.

But this study provides a longer lens—and a more sophisticated look—at the genetics behind the benefits.

Should We All Start Drinking More Coffee?
Not so fast.

As much as I admire coffee’s health-boosting potential, there are limits. Too much caffeine can cause jitteriness, disrupt sleep, or worsen anxiety in some people. And remember, this study looked at blood levels of caffeine, not just the amount consumed.

That means your genetics—how your body processes caffeine—may determine whether you’re likely to benefit. A slow caffeine metabolizer might get more bang for their buck than someone who burns through it quickly.

Still, the implications are promising. The idea that something as common as a cup of coffee (or tea) might help support fat loss and glucose balance—without adding calories—is worth paying attention to.

The Big Picture: Natural Strategies Still Win
One of the most encouraging parts of this study is that it supports something I’ve been saying for years: Metabolic health doesn’t start with a drug. It starts with daily habits.

Caffeine, when used mindfully, may be one more tool in your natural health toolbox.

Combine it with regular movement, low sugar intake, and a diet rich in healthy fats and protein—and you’ve got a powerful strategy to combat insulin resistance, excess weight, and yes, even type 2 diabetes.

What To Do Now
If you enjoy coffee or tea, you can likely keep enjoying it. Just avoid drowning it in sugar and artificial creamers. And listen to your body—too much caffeine can still be too much.

Also consider green tea, which provides a gentler dose of caffeine plus beneficial antioxidants.

And if you’re not a fan of caffeine at all, don’t worry. There are still plenty of natural ways to support your metabolism—from intermittent fasting to magnesium-rich foods to simple strength training.

But as this new research reminds us, sometimes the simplest habits—like a morning cup of joe—can quietly deliver profound benefits.

P.S. Could your morning cup prevent cancer?

Sources:
Nield, D. (2025, May 9). Caffeine in Your Blood Could Affect Body Fat And Diabetes Risk, Study Shows. ScienceAlert.

The levels of caffeine in your blood could affect the amount of body fat you carry, a factor that in turn could determine your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

16/08/2025

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: When it comes to your health, the simplest tools are often the most powerful.

And now, thanks to a new study, we may be adding another natural ally to the fight against glaucoma—B vitamins and choline.

Glaucoma is no small concern. This group of eye diseases silently damages the optic nerve and is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. And once the damage is done—it’s permanent.

There’s no cure. Just a slow, steady battle to preserve what vision you’ve got.

But a new animal study offers hope. Researchers have found that supplementing with B vitamins—specifically B6, B9 (folate), and B12—along with choline may help slow the disease’s progression… and in some cases, even halt it.

Rethinking What Causes Damage
In this study, researchers weren’t just trying to mask symptoms. They wanted to understand what’s really going on under the hood of glaucoma.

One suspect? Homocysteine—an amino acid that tends to spike when your body doesn’t have enough B vitamins.

Too much homocysteine is linked to cardiovascular trouble, cognitive decline… and yes, eye damage.

But here’s the twist: when researchers gave glaucoma-prone mice high levels of homocysteine, it didn’t make their glaucoma worse.

That was surprising. Instead, the researchers believe that elevated homocysteine may simply be a signal—a sign that your retina is running low on crucial nutrients, especially B vitamins.

Which led them to their next step…

Target the Deficiency, Protect the Nerve
The research team supplemented mice with B6, B9, B12, and choline. And the results were striking:

In mice with mild glaucoma, optic nerve damage was completely stopped.
In mice with more advanced disease, the supplements still slowed down the progression.
Now here’s the kicker: None of the mice were treated to lower eye pressure—what we usually think of as the main culprit in glaucoma. This means the vitamins likely worked through a different protective pathway. That’s exciting news.

The researchers believe these nutrients may help maintain healthy metabolism in the retina and reduce inflammation and nerve damage—especially when the eye’s natural defenses begin to falter.

What This Means for You
No, we’re not saying to toss your glaucoma drops or cancel your eye appointments. But this research gives us yet another clue about how nutrition supports your most delicate organs—your eyes included.

And here’s the good news: B vitamins and choline are safe, affordable, and widely available. You get B6 and B12 in eggs, fish, and meat. Folate (B9) is found in leafy greens, beans, and citrus. Choline? Eggs and liver are your best bets.

Of course, many older adults struggle to absorb B12 from food as they age.

That’s why I often recommend a high-quality B complex supplement—especially for patients with glaucoma, macular degeneration, or even just general eye strain.

Vision Care Beyond the Eye Chart
The idea that glaucoma damage is purely about eye pressure is outdated. We now know it’s a whole-body disease—with metabolic, neurological, and inflammatory roots.

That’s why lifestyle matters. Diet matters. Nutrients matter.

This research is still in early stages—it was done in mice. But human trials are already underway. And if they confirm what this study suggests, B vitamin and choline supplements could become a vital tool for millions of people trying to hold on to their vision.

So if you or someone you love is living with glaucoma, talk to your doctor. Ask about adding B vitamins and choline into your daily routine.

Because sometimes, the best solutions don’t come in a prescription bottle—but in the form of nutrients your body already knows how to use.

P.S. The real reason your eyes feel like grit.

Sources:
Pelc, C. (2025, May 13). Vitamin B, choline supplements may slow down glaucoma, mice study shows. Medicalnewstoday.com; Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vitamin-b-choline-supplements-may-slow-down-glaucoma-mice-study -discovery-to-help-slow-glaucoma-progression-is-a-good-thing

Supplementing with B vitamins and the essential nutrient choline may help slow the progression of glaucoma, a new study in mice has suggested.

15/08/2025

Let me say this loud and clear…

You don’t need a trendy diet, an overpriced meal kit, or a tiny calculator to lose weight.

You don’t even need to track every morsel you eat!

In fact, the latest science says a simple change—eating your meals within an 8-hour window—may be one of the most effective ways to slim down, shrink your waistline, and actually keep the weight off.

And the best part? It works even if you’re not cutting calories.

Time-restricted Eating Just Got Easier
This approach is called time-restricted eating, or TRE. You’ve likely heard me talk about it before—maybe you’ve even given it a try.

But now researchers have confirmed something even more encouraging: It doesn’t really matter which 8 hours of the day you choose to eat.

A team in Spain tracked nearly 100 adults with overweight or obesity. They were split into four groups: one stuck with their normal eating schedule (12 hours or more), while the other three followed an 8-hour eating window. Some ate earlier in the day, others later, and one group even picked their own window.

All groups were also encouraged to follow a Mediterranean-style diet (which I strongly recommend anyway).

The results? Hard to ignore.

After 12 weeks:

The normal eaters lost just over 1 pound.
All three TRE groups lost significantly more:
Early eaters dropped over 9 pounds
Late eaters shed nearly 7 pounds
Self-chosen windows resulted in about 8 pounds lost
But what’s more impressive is this:

A year later, the early and late eaters kept most of the weight off—even without strict follow-up.

The group that picked their own window also maintained some weight loss, but not quite as much. One possible reason? Inconsistent timing can reduce the effectiveness of the fasting window.

Waistlines Also Shrunk
People in the early and late TRE groups had slimmer waist and hip measurements at the end of the study—and they stayed that way 12 months later.

This isn’t just about the scale. Abdominal fat is strongly linked to inflammation, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome. Losing inches off your waistline can be more important than dropping pounds.

Why Does TRE Work So Well?
When you eat matters just as much as what you eat. Compressing your meals into a smaller window gives your body longer fasting periods between meals, which improves insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation, and gives your digestive system time to rest.

This helps reset your metabolism in a way that chronic calorie-cutting diets never do.

And before you ask—no, this isn’t about skipping breakfast.

Some people eat from 8 AM to 4 PM. Others prefer 1 PM to 9 PM. The timing didn’t change the results much in this study.

That’s what makes it so sustainable—you can tailor the plan to fit your life.

You Still Need Carbs—But the Right Kind
Let’s clear up a common misconception: carbs are not the enemy. Your body needs carbohydrates for energy—but that doesn’t mean white bread, donuts, and sugar-packed cereals are on the menu.

Whole, fiber-rich carbs like beans, lentils, steel-cut oats, sweet potatoes, and plenty of vegetables are ideal. Pair that with quality protein, healthy fats, and an 8-hour eating window, and you’ve got a blueprint for metabolic health.

TRE isn’t a miracle cure, but it is a science-backed strategy that costs nothing, requires no calorie tracking, and appears to support long-term weight loss.

Better still, it aligns beautifully with the principles I’ve promoted for years:

Give your digestive system a break
Don’t graze all day
Let your metabolism reset
It’s not about starvation. It’s about structure.

So, if you’re tired of the yo-yo diets and frustrated with the bathroom scale, try shrinking your eating window instead.

Sources:
Larkin, M. (2025, May 13). Eating in Any 8-Hour Window Daily Yields Durable Weight Loss. Medscape.

Restricting eating to an 8-hour window at any time of day for 3 months boosts weight loss for at least a year.

14/08/2025

Silence is golden,” they say—but not when it comes to your health.

Especially not when that silence comes from isolation or the kind of loneliness that creeps into your life slowly… and stays far too long.

Now, if you’ve been with me for a while, you know I’m no fan of the idea that aging automatically leads to frailty.

But I’ve always said that staying connected—to others and to your purpose—isn’t just good for your soul… it may be critical to your survival.

And now, according to a powerful 12-year study of nearly half a million adults, it could be vital to your hearing.

Researchers from Tianjin University and several other international institutions discovered that people who reported feeling lonely were 24% more likely to develop hearing loss—even after accounting for genetics, physical health, and depression.

Let that sink in. Not noise exposure. Not smoking. Not even diabetes.

Loneliness.

The Surprising Link from Emotion to Ear
The study focused on sensorineural hearing loss—the type that stems from problems in your inner ear or the auditory nerves.

This is the kind of hearing loss that isn’t fixed by simply turning up the volume.

It’s deep. It’s neurological. And it’s often permanent.

And here’s what makes this research so compelling: Even after accounting for things like smoking, physical activity, age, and even depression—loneliness still stood out as an independent risk factor.

This tells us that something deeper is happening. Chronic loneliness triggers the release of stress hormones, drives up inflammation, and puts your cardiovascular system under siege.

And your ears? They rely on tiny, delicate blood vessels and nerve endings. If inflammation damages those systems—your hearing may go, too.

Women Are Hit Even Harder
One of the most concerning aspects of the study was just how much worse the effect was in women. Lonely women had a 30 percent higher risk of hearing loss, compared to 18 percent in men.

That tells me something I saw in my own patients: Women may be more sensitive to the physiological effects of emotional stress—and loneliness, unfortunately, is one of the most underappreciated stressors of all.

Why This Matters More Now Than Ever
Loneliness among older adults is at epidemic levels. We’ve had decades of policies, devices, and technologies that were supposed to bring people closer together.

But many seniors still live alone, disconnected from community, family, or purpose.

And now we know the consequences go beyond mood. They touch your brain, your heart—and now, your ears.

What You Can Do
Let me be clear: I’m not suggesting that a few phone calls will cure hearing loss.

But if you’ve felt more isolated lately, it’s time to treat it like a health priority—not a personality quirk.

Start small:

Reach out to a neighbor or friend—make it a weekly routine.
Get involved in a local community group, library event, or walking club.
Volunteer—helping others is one of the fastest ways to feel connected.
Check your hearing. If you’ve noticed changes, don’t wait. Early treatment can prevent further decline.
And if you have friends or loved ones who’ve grown distant, consider this your cue to knock on their door. Sometimes a simple act of connection is the best medicine.

Because when it comes to hearing—and health—no one should be left in silence.

In case you missed it, here’s what else we’ve been chatting about this week in e-Tips:

Heart Trouble Starts Here—And It’s Not Where You Think
Why I’ve Been Telling You to Rethink Your Diet for Years
The Surprising Fungus That May Protect Your Liver
This “Gut-Friendly” Drink Could Help Shield Your Brain
Relieving Constipation the Natural Way
Save Your Grandkids from the Scroll Spiral
Sources:
Wire, S. (2025, May 14). Feeling Lonely? Why Your Hearing May Pay The Price. Study Finds.

Loneliness doesn't just hurt your heart – it could also damage your ears too. Nearly half a million UK adults tracked for over a decade revealed a surprising truth: feeling lonely increases the risk of hearing loss by 24%, according to a massive new study.