Preserving the Sense of Smell

A significant decline in the sense of smell occurs with age, affecting around a quarter of Americans over 50 and climbing to nearly 80% in those above 80. The onset of COVID-19 exacerbated this issue, with almost 50% of individuals experiencing smell loss, and for some, these issues persisted for months or even years after recovery. The loss of smell not only impacts flavor perception but also poses safety risks, such as missing gas leaks or spoiled food. To mitigate smell loss, avoiding air pollution and cigarette smoke is crucial, as both have been linked to olfactory dysfunction.