Women's Health May 2, 2026 0 Comments

Unlock the Hidden Sign Your Body’s Aging Faster — Are You Missing This Silent Warning?

Ever stopped to think about your sense of smell? Most of us breeze through life without a second thought to it—until, bam! One day, that whiff of fresh coffee or blooming roses just isn’t as vivid anymore. But here’s the kicker: new research suggests this fading superpower might be more than just a pesky inconvenience as we get older. It could actually signal something deeper—like a link to our physical health slowing down. Sounds wild, right? The nose and the rest of our body might be more connected than we ever imagined. So, what’s really going on behind this unexpected connection? And more importantly, can we do anything about it to keep our senses—and ourselves—sharp? Let’s dive into the surprising findings and expert advice that might just change how you treat that little sensor perched on your face. LEARN MORE

4 min read

A new study that looked at over 5,000 adults suggests that having a poor sense of smell is linked to markers of lower physical health and decline.

Poor sense of smell has previously been linked to cognitive decline in diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Experts say there are a few things you can do to enhance your sense of smell as you age, such as olfactory training.

It’s easy to take your sense of smell for granted, until it’s not so great anymore. But aside from being jarring, new research suggests that having a poor sense of smell as you age could be linked to physical decline.

At first, it might seem strange to connect what’s happening with your nose to your physical capabilities, but doctors who work with older adults say this is a very real phenomenon. “We witness this all the time,” says David Cutler, MD, family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.

What’s behind this? Here’s what the study found, plus what doctors want you to keep in mind.

Meet the experts: Jayant Pinto, MD, study co-author and director of Otolaryngology at University of Chicago; Anna Kucharska-Newton, PhD, study co-author and associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health; Kai Zhao, PhD, professor in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine; Christopher Paredes, MD, geriatrician at Northwell’s Lenox Hill Hospital; and David Cutler, MD, family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.

What did the study find?

The study, which was published in JAMA Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, analyzed data from 5,474 older adults aged 65 and older who participated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, a long-term study that monitored risk factors and cardiovascular trends in adults. The study looked at a range of markers of health, including sense of smell, muscle strength, balance, and gait speed.

To measure sense of smell, the participants went through a Sniffin’ Sticks Odor Identification Test, which tested their ability to smell 12 different items. After analyzing that data, along with physical function tests, the researchers found that people who had a poor sense of smell also had lower scores across a range of markers of physical health, like gait speed and grip strength.

People with a poor sense of smell also went through faster rates of annual decline over about seven years compared to those who had a better sense of smell.

Why would your sense of smell be linked to physical decline?

It’s important to note that the study didn’t find a cause, but rather a correlation. The researchers also weren’t able to dive into the reasoning behind this linkage, but experts have a few theories as to why this might be.

“We think there could be fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms that connect these two components of our physiology,” says Jayant Pinto, MD, study co-author and director of Otolaryngology at the University of Chicago.

Neurons (nerve cells) connected to your sense of smell continue to regenerate throughout your life, points out Kai Zhao, PhD, professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. “A poor olfactory function may indicate poorer regenerative function in general,” he says.

Smell loss also tends to be an early symptom of diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s—and both of these cause physical and cognitive decline, explains Christopher Paredes, MD, geriatrician at Northwell’s Lenox Hill Hospital.

It’s also possible that a lowered ability to smell could itself lead to physical decline, Paredes says. “A reduced sense of smell makes food less appealing, potentially leading to poor appetite, weight loss, and muscle weakness,” he says.

Despite the link, sense of smell isn’t routinely tested in the doctor’s office, says Anna Kucharska-Newton, PhD, study co-author and associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health. But that might change in the future. “Our work supports efforts to incorporate olfaction testing into routine healthcare and thereby enhance awareness and prevention of cognitive and physical impairments in older adults,” Kucharska-Newton says.

How to keep your sense of smell sharp as you age

There are a few things you can do to enhance your sense of smell as you get older. Olfactory training, which involves regularly sniffing distinct smells like rose, lemon, and eucalyptus, can help to improve your ability to smell, Paredes says.

You don’t even need to do this through formal training. “Frequent use and frequent exposure will likely promote better senses,” Zhao says. “So keep enjoying food, wine, and fragrance as much as you can.”

Treating any underlying conditions, such as allergies, polyps, and chronic diseases, may also help keep your sense of smell in shape, Paredes adds.

But Cutler points out that the big concern here is really physical decline. That’s why he recommends doing your best to eat well, exercise regularly, get vaccinations as recommended, and stay on top of health markers like your blood sugar and cholesterol. “All of these things will slow down the aging process and will likely help your sensory inputs,” he says.

Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.

Carina Hsieh, MPH, is the deputy features editor of Women’s Health. She has more than a decade’s worth of experience working in media and has covered everything from beauty, fashion, travel, lifestyle, pets, to health.

She began her career as an intern in the fashion closet at Cosmopolitan where she worked her way up to Senior Sex & Relationships Editor. While covering women’s health there, she discovered her passion for health service journalism and took a break to get her Masters in Public Health. Post-grad school, she worked as a freelance writer and as The Daily Beast’s first Beauty, Health, and Wellness Reporter.

Carina is an alum of the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Yale School of Public Health. She and her French Bulldog, Bao Bao, split their time between Brooklyn and Connecticut. She enjoys reformer Pilates, (slow) running, and smelling the fancy toiletries in boutique fitness class locker rooms.