Eating A High Fat Diet Could Lead To Smell Loss

It is well known that people with obesity face a number of dangerous health risks, including diabetes and high blood pressure.  However, there is new research which suggests obesity could lead to a decreased sense of smell.  Researchers from Florida State University found that obese mice that were fed a high fat diet experienced a significant reduction in their sense of smell.

What is a smell disorder?

An impaired sense of smell or anosmia is the inability to smell things properly.  Smell impairment can describe a complete inability to smell or a partial inability to smell.  

Anosmia can be due to problems in the nose, brain or central nervous system. 

What are the symptoms of smell loss?

With the loss of smell, there can also be a loss of taste.  Other symptoms of smell loss can include distortion of food smells and the inability to determine flavors. If you experience any of these symptoms, it could be due to anosmia or another medical condition which requires treatment.

What conditions could lead someone to an impaired sense of smell?

The temporary loss of smell is usually due to allergies, bacterial or viral infections. However, there are other things which can also lead to a decreased sense of smell and these conditions include the following:

• Overuse of nasal decongestants
• Dementia
• Neurological disorders
• Hormonal disturbances
• Tumors in the brain
• Viral upper respiratory infections
• Nasal tumors or surgeries
• Head injuries
• Malnutrition
• Sinusitis (sinus infection)
• Radiation therapy

Certain prescription drugs, such as hypertensive medications, can also cause an alteration of a person’s sense of taste or smell.

How is a loss of smell diagnosed?

If a person has an impaired sense of smell, it is important to consult with a physician before trying to treat the condition with over-the-counter medications.  When talking to a physician, a person should tell the doctor about the symptoms being experienced and when the issue began to happen.  It is also important to tell the doctor about any other symptoms which may be going on.

A doctor will perform a physical examination of a person’s nose and may perform the following tests to determine if there are any blockages in the nasal passages:

• X-ray
• CT (computed tomography scan)
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging scan)
• Nasal endoscopy (examination of the nasal passages with a thin tube which has a camera attached)

These tests will allow a physician to take a closer look at the structures within the nose to determine if there are any abnormalities.  In some situations, it could be necessary for the doctor to take a sample of cells within the nose to make a diagnosis.

What are the treatment options available for an impaired sense of smell?

Anosmia is a condition which requires treatment from an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist).  The loss of smell is a very diverse disorder and it could be the result of many problems.  If nasal congestion or allergies are the cause of smell loss, treatment is usually not necessary because the condition will correct itself.  If smell loss is the result of nasal polyps or growths, a doctor may recommend removing the obstruction to help a person regain their sense of smell.

See Also: The Sense Of Smell And The Amazing World Of Odors

There are steps a person can take to make living with smell loss more pleasant and safer.  If a person seeks treatment from a specialist, the doctor will recommend the best course of action.  The testing a doctor order's will depend on the kind of symptoms a person is having and whether or not the root causes can be discovered only through physical examination.  Generally, it can take about 3-5 days to get test results back, but each physician and lab is different so this is only a rough estimation.

Lifestyle Modifications That May Improve Loss Of Smell

There are many lifestyle changes and modifications that can improve smell loss.   You can wait the condition out if it is due to a cold or allergies.  Other things you can do are engage in mild exercise and eat spicy foods to open up the nasal passages.  You should also consider smoking cessation because it could help improve smell loss. The use of over-the-counter medications and nasal sprays may offer some temporary relief of smell loss, but it is important to avoid these methods long term, because it can actually cause permanent nasal damage.

What are the other types of smell disorders?

Anosmia is the total loss of smell, but there are also other disorders which can affect smell.  Hyposmia happens when a person’s ability to detect certain orders is reduced.  Dysosmia involves a change in the way a person perceives odors, familiar odors become distorted or an odor that smells sour may smell sweet.

Smell loss due to aging is called presbyosmia.

What were the results of the scientific study concerning high fat diet and smell loss?

In a study conducted by neuroscientists for Florida State University, mice were fed a high fat daily diet while being taught to differentiate between a particular smell and a reward.  Researchers found the mice being fed a high fat diet were slower to learn the associated task than the control group.  When researchers introduced a new smell to monitor the adjustments, the mice on a high fat diet could not quickly adapt, which demonstrated a reduced sense of smell.

When the high fat fed mice were put on a diet of controlled food, they were able to return to a normal weight and blood chemistry, but still had a reduction of smell.  The mice that were exposed to the high fat diet had only half the neurons needed to encode odor signals in the brain.  This study is the very first time researchers have been able to establish the effect of a high fat diet on odor.

See Also: Will a Tax on High-Fat Foods Rescue Americans from the Obesity Pandemic?

Conversely, a high fat diet can be unfit for both sensory organs, as well as the physical body because it contributes directly to an increase in the risk of obesity.

Prognosis

Smell loss is not serious, but it can sometimes be a signal of an underlying health condition which requires medical attention.  If a person has a problem with smelling, there are many treatment options to explore which can make life easier.  If your sense of smell has changed or disappeared, or if you have noticed the problem has been going on for a while, it is important to seek help from your doctor.  With the proper treatment and lifestyle modifications, you can dramatically improve or recover your sense of smell.