Boosting longevity often comes down to the small choices you make every day.
But according to experts, many of us are unknowingly sabotaging our own health with habits that seem innocent until they’re not.
Daily Mail interviewed longevity specialists Dr. Michelle Jorgensen from Living Well with Dr. Michelle and Dr. Will Haas, the founder and CEO of VYVE Wellness, to discuss habits that may be reducing our lifespan.
Dr. Jorgensen pointed out that excessively cutting salt from your diet might actually be harmful, as it ‘deprives your cells of energy.’
She explained: ‘Without minerals like sodium, your heart, brain, and energy grid start to fail.’
Next up, the doctor shared a series of quick-fire insights about daily habits that are secretly harmful.
‘Popping antacids like candy? Say hello to nutrient deficiencies, fragile bones, and a brain that can’t think straight,’ she detailed.
‘Replacing meals with green juice? Not when it’s a blood sugar bomb with no fiber. Insulin spikes = accelerated aging.
Boosting longevity often comes down to the small choices you make every day (stock image)
She remarked that breathing through your mouth while sleeping doesn’t equate to ‘getting air’; instead, it bypasses nitric oxide, disrupts oxygen flow, and potentially raises the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Additionally, she mentioned that ignoring snoring is not just bothersome, but a warning sign that the brain is not getting enough oxygen. Untreated sleep apnea might reduce life expectancy by 10 to 20 years.
Additionally, the doctor said if you’re not scraping your tongue, you’ll be shocked to know what’s living in your mouth.
‘That white coating? It’s mold, yeast, and bacteria — setting you up for chronic sinus infections and gut issues,’ Dr. Jorgensen revealed.
She also clarified that getting a root canal doesn’t mean the problem is gone.
She clarified that dental issues aren’t always resolved as they might seem; infections sealed within teeth can release toxins into the bloodstream over time, which could contribute to heart disease and strokes.
The expert also noted that grinding your teeth at night is more than just a stress response; it suggests your body is struggling to breathe, indicating an ongoing battle for oxygen during sleep.
‘Holding your breath when stressed? You’re literally choking off oxygen to your brain and heart—triggering a cortisol surge and inflammation storm.’
Many of us are unknowingly sabotaging our own health with habits that seem innocent until they’re not (stock image)
Dr. Jorgensen also shared that holding in your pee too long isn’t a power move because it is putting strain on your kidneys and risking long-term bladder damage.
Additionally, the expert asked: ‘Chewing sugar-free gum? Aspartame and sorbitol are microbiome murderers. Goodbye, good gut bugs, hello autoimmune risk.
‘Constant hand sanitizer use? You’re not killing germs. You’re nuking your immune system’s training ground.’
The longevity expert added that if you are still using fluoride toothpaste, you’re microdosing a neurotoxin twice a day, and potentially hurting your thyroid in the process.
Also, if you’re ignoring bleeding gums, that’s not just a dental problem, the expert said, ‘it’s an open door to heart disease, stroke, and even dementia.’
Finally, she said dismissing your daily brain fog as ‘normal’ isn’t a good idea.
‘It’s not age — it’s your cells crying out for help. Ignore it and you’re inviting neurodegeneration,’ Dr. Jorgensen concluded.
Dr. Will Haas also chimed in with another five habits that can quietly sabotage your long-term health.
He explained that sitting after a big meal might impair blood sugar regulation and, ‘falling out of a consistent brushing routine can lead to chronic gum inflammation – something strongly linked to heart and brain disease.’
The expert also shared that, ‘watching TV right up until bed bathes your brain in blue light, throwing off melatonin and disrupting deep, restorative sleep.’
‘Putting on deodorant that isn’t non-toxic can expose you to endocrine-disrupting chemicals like aluminum and parabens, which may interfere with hormone balance over time.’
He concluded with a final warning about wearing shoes inside, insisting that it ‘might seem trivial, but it’s a hidden way toxins like pesticides and heavy metals are tracked into your home and absorbed through everyday contact.’
