Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Jenny Smiechowski

6 things muscle cramps say about your health

Muscle cramps are a common problem with a lot of potential causes. But no matter what’s causing your muscle cramps, regular cramping isn’t something you should ignore. It’s your body’s way of telling you something’s not right…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Common pain conditions linked to high blood pressure

From hips and knees that ache to back pain misery, chronic pain has a significant impact on daily life. What might surprise you, though, is the effect it has on your blood pressure, and the single solution for both…

Carolyn Gretton

All the benefits of exercise in a third of the time

Good reasons to exercise include improving body composition, metabolism and heart health. But who has 150 minutes a week? No problem, try interval running and get these benefits and more in a fraction of the time.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The bacterial infection with a growing colon cancer reputation

H. pylori is a nasty bacteria known for infecting the stomach and small intestines, causing bad breath, painful gastritis, ulcers and gastric cancer. But research indicates its cancer-causing reputation is growing, Good news, it’s a treatable risk…

Joyce Hollman

The nut that’s a colon cancer-fighting trifecta

Nuts are like disease kryptonite, especially when it comes to cancer. But one nut in particular contains a special cancer fighter that launches a three-pronged attack on the growing threat of colon cancer…

Amanda Wilks

6 Anti-aging superfoods that will make you feel younger

Take into account just how important a factor food can be when it comes to aging. Stuffing yourself full of foods with added sugars and bad fats can be almost as destructive as hours sedentary on the couch. If you want good health to feel and look better, try these…

Carolyn Gretton

The truth about caffeine and your blood vessels

Is the caffeine in your cup of coffee harming your heart? The answers have been mixed. On the one hand, it can raise blood pressure. On the other, it reduces risk of heart failure. But what it does for your blood vessels…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

7 GI conditions linked with brain aneurysm

Research into the gut-brain axis, the signaling pathway between the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system, has uncovered connections never before known. The latest is especially concerning. If you have a GI condition, know your elevated risk for brain aneurysm…

Joyce Hollman

3 amino acids can slay your mental and physical fatigue

Mental and physical fatigue doesn’t just make it hard to do things, it makes you depressed. Don’t miss out on life just because your body’s missing 3 critical amino acids that can make a world of difference and aren’t that hard to get…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The drinking habit linked to stroke 10 years early

One of the most debated topics of health is alcohol consumption. Studies have shown benefits, while others show harm. Is moderation key? You may be surprised at how few drinks a day can put you at the same risk as heavy drinkers for a catastrophic brain bleed.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The best way to beat down inflammation

Inflammation seems like such a benign and common symptom. But as the saying goes, “give it an inch and it’ll take a mile.” Once it takes hold — which is easy because it’s fueled by stress, sleep loss, sugar, pollution and countless other modern-day threats — it can completely wreck your health.

Carolyn Gretton

The fiber that could stave off liver damage

High fructose corn syrup isn’t healthy, in the least. But the damage it can do to our livers, without a single symptom, should be criminal. Protection against, and even reversal of, fatty liver could lie in the right fiber…

Carolyn Gretton

How to slash your risk of AFib by 60 percent

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of irregular heartbeat. It’s also a leading cause of stroke. Risk of devloping it climbs with age but it can also run in families and take your risk even higher. Do this one thing to slash it…

Carolyn Gretton

3 benefits of a daily coffee that cut Afib risk

Afib is a heart rhythm disorder that causes the heart to beat too quickly and irregularly. People with Afib have been warned off coffee for years. But in a shocking turn of events, a daily coffee could help manage the condition. Here are 3 reasons why…

Joyce Hollman

Turn up the tunes to turn down dementia risk

Music has always been a vital part of my life. I depend on my playlist to help my mood, get work done and relax. If music doesn’t play into your life, here’s why it should: Music is medicine that may significantly lower dementia risk…

Carolyn Gretton

Best for blood sugar control: cardio or weights?

Which is better, aerobic exercise or strength training? While the ideal answer is “both,” one is clearly better at improving one aspect of health that, unchecked, is a kick-off point for metabolic disaster…

Joyce Hollman

Weight loss without hunger? Try Hara Hachi Bu

Japanese culture offers a wealth of wisdom on how to nourish the body, including hara hachi bu, one simple principle for shedding weight, getting healthier and feeling satisfied when you leave the table…

Carolyn Gretton

What happens when you stop supplementing omega-3s

Omega-3s are healthy fats your body can’t make on its own. They help lower triglycerides and reduce risk of stroke. Here’s what you should know about getting them from food or supplements and the impact your metabolism could have on your levels…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Processed food fats may not be so bad on our hearts

By now, you’re sure to have heard about the heart health dangers of processed foods. Relax, there’s good news: Some processed food fats may not be nearly as bad for our health as we were led to believe — within reason…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Metformin cancels out the diabetic benefits of exercise

Yes, you read that right. The most popular drug for treating type 2 diabetes may cancel out the biggest benefits expected from exercise when part of a treatment strategy. Beyond diabetes, that may be a setup for long-term health risks…

Carolyn Gretton

Magnesium: An inexpensive defense against colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer rates are rising, so it’s vital to decrease your risk by avoiding lifestyle habits that can raise it. But research reveals the surprising way magnesium goes to work right where the cancer can start…

Carolyn Gretton

The scientific reason it really is better to give than receive

Everyone loves giving and getting gifts. But it seems we enjoy gift-giving a bit more. Turns out the old adage “it’s better to give than to receive” is actually true in terms of the response it elicits from your brain…

Carolyn Gretton

The simple blood test that could detect stroke risk

Stroke often hits with no warning. And your doctor may not even know you have an elevated risk for stroke until you’ve had one. Luckily, researchers may have found a way to detect stroke risk with a simple blood test…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Key player in kidney disease identified (and a supplement that helps)

37 million Americans live with chronic kidney disease. If you have diabetes or hypertension, you’re at high risk of joining them. Luckily, a new treatment, and better yet, preventative, is on the horizon. Even better, it’s available right now without prescription…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The serious threats that stick around after the virus is long gone

Fever, cough, chills, congestion and body aches… a viral infection can be rough. When the symptoms are gone, it feels like the worst is over. But a surprising symptom sticks around: elevated risks for stroke and heart attack.

Easy Health Options Staff

Read before hanging out under the mistletoe

A kiss under the mistletoe is a longstanding holiday tradition, steeped in ancient lore. Depending on the health of your kissing partner, when you indulge in a 10-second kiss, you exchange much more than good tidings…

Joyce Hollman

Half a dozen ways to avoid weight gain over the holidays

The holiday season isn’t kind to people who are trying to lose weight or maintain a holding pattern. But don’t give up hope. I’ve got some strategies to avoiding tipping the scales to share with you…

Carolyn Gretton

A sweeter way to boost hair growth

Living with androgenic alopecia, a common cause of hormonal hair loss in men and women, is challenging, especially when the suggested treatment isn’t all that effective. That may be changing…

Carolyn Gretton

This could be why your blood pressure medicine isn’t working

About 20 percent of people with high blood pressure are resistant to treatment, leaving them vulnerable to heart attack and stroke. Researchers trying to get to the bottom of why are onto something…

Joyce Hollman

The diet that could keep gum disease away

The Mediterranean Diet is always at the top of any “best diet” list. It just has so much going for it, promoting healthy aging, better blood pressure and protecting against cognitive decline. The lastest? Gum disease…

Joyce Hollman

What vitamin C can do for pancreatic cancer

Some cancers are especially cruel, like pancreatic cancer. It’s hard to detect and can progress rapidly. But a treatment added to standard chemotherapy, could double the life expectancy for those facing this challenge…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The warning men get 10 years before their brain shrinks

While we all face risk factors that could steal our brain health, men need to start paying attention to them an entire decade earlier than women. For one brain threat, in particular, men’s vulnerability is greater, begins sooner and lasts longer…

Joyce Hollman

The snack swap that takes cholesterol down

Eating lots of fiber and doing lots of exercise can help lower cholesterol — an important measure to avoid metabolic syndrome, stroke and heart attack. But a simple nutty snack swap could work just as well…

Joyce Hollman

The condition you won’t find in a long-lived family tree

Do you get leg cramps when you walk even a short distance? Do your legs feel heavy, numb, or weak? Don’t write these symptoms off as arthritis or “getting older.” It could be the reason your family gets short-changed when it comes to longevity.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The longlasting harm of brief glyphosate exposure

Glyphosate, the herbicide made famous by Roundup®, opened up a Pandora’s Box. It’s not in the news much, but it’s still a threat. That’s because even when exposed to a little, research shows it hangs around harming the brain…

Joyce Hollman

Sugary drinks linked to rising rates of oral cancer

Research has found clear links between sugary drinks and accelerated aging, diabetes and heart disease. Now, the popular drinks look to be outpacing smoking and alcohol in contributing to oral cancer…

Carolyn Gretton

The overlooked menopause symptom stealing your energy

During menopause, most women experience a new level of fatigue. There are a lot of reasons why, including hot flashes, sleep problems, pain and depression, to name a few. But a common culprit is often overlooked…

Joyce Hollman

Balance this organ to balance your stress response

Sleep is only one process your body clock handles. Stress response is another. If your stress response feels out of control, research has discovered how you can balance it by doing the same with an organ critical for regulating stress hormone secretion…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Are plant-based milks all they’re cracked up to be?

Plant-based diets are linked to better health, longevity and healthier body weight. But a close look at the nutritional value of plant-based milk and the process of making it that may bring cancer into the mix, begs this question…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Sleep apnea’s dementia double threat for women

Two conditions that seem to have nothing in common may team up to increase dementia in women. They both steal sleep and starve the brain of oxygen. But 90% of women with one of the conditions go undiagnosed. Bet you can guess which one…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

4 nutraceuticals for natural migraine relief

Most of my life I’ve been one of the 40% that suffer from migraines. Some medications have helped, but often with difficult side effects. It’s good to know there are other choices…

Carolyn Gretton

Is your brain care score enough to beat dementia and stroke?

Lifestyle habits impact brain health. And now, that impact can be measured with a simple online test. But here’s the real question: if you’re genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s, stroke or depression, can you change your brain care score to beat it?

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Got 5 minutes? Lower your blood pressure

Managing blood pressure has its ups and downs. But when research tested this option on 14,700 volunteers, they had great news. If you’ve got 5 minutes a day you could have an easier time keeping those numbers down…

Carolyn Gretton

The fruity swap that beats back insulin resistance

Insulin resistance is a slow but steady road to chronic illness, starting with type 2 diabetes. You can sit back and do nothing or reach for the tasty fruit that beats back blood sugar trouble…

Joyce Hollman

The best processed foods for weight loss

If you find it hard to follow a whole foods diet, abhor frequent trips to the market for fresh produce and enjoy the convenience of processed food, I’ve found a deal for you: Processed foods that make the weight fall off…

Carolyn Gretton

Medications that can increase your skin cancer risk

I learned at a young age that my pale skin burns fast. So I have an arsenal of all the “right ways” to protect it. Imagine my dismay at discovering all the medications that could sabotage my efforts…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

This one thing reduces Alzheimer’s plaques by 76%

Research shows it can beat back heart disease, stroke and cancer, and even slow brain aging and reverse age-related brain shrinkage. So, should we even be surprised it significantly reduces amyloid plaques?

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Wearable devices help predict IBD flare-ups

Unpredictability might be the worst thing about an inflammatory bowel condition. There are times when pain and diarrhea are more than inconvenient. What if you could predict your next flare-up weeks in advance?

Joyce Hollman

Art by the numbers boosts seniors’ mental health

Older adults are at higher risk for depression. They can also fall victim to anxiety. You may have heard of paint by the numbers, but it’s art by the numbers that can give them the mental health boost they need…

Carolyn Gretton

What women should know about pelvic organ prolapse and UTI

Pelvic organ prolapse affects roughly half of all women to some degree. Surgery can relieve its impact on quality of life, but surgery alone may not be the answer to the frequent UTIs…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The heavy metal making your allergies worse

Living with allergies, you might think your miserable symptoms are something you’re stuck with. Hold on to your socks. If you’ve noticed they’re worse, it’s not your typical trigger…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Common medications that increase migraine risk by 70%

Migraines are like headaches on steroids. Bigger and badder, and typically require serious medication. But ironically, some medications for another very common condition can give anyone up to a 70 percent greater chance of suffering migraine.

Carolyn Gretton

The night and day difference light makes on your lifespan

Before electricity, people went to bed at dark and rose with the sun. Today, light bombards every part of our lives, but little of it is natural. Depending on your exposure, it could increase or decrease you lifespan by 34%.

Carolyn Gretton

A closer look at the gut’s connection to Alzheimer’s

A new wrinkle in Alzheimer’s research: Discovering that the gut and the brain communicate through neurons in both organs. What does that mean for early detection, treatment and prevention?

Joyce Hollman

What’s increasing stroke in women under 50?

Stroke is more common in people over 65. But younger people are not without risk. In fact, women under 50 are falling victim to stroke in increasing numbers. The reason may surprise you…

Joyce Hollman

What eating yogurt does to your colon cancer risks

Health benefits are linked to fermented foods, the most popular of which may be yogurt. If you eat it regularly, you’re risk may be lower for a type of colon cancer tumor known for poor survival rates.

Carolyn Gretton

Getting effective pain relief from cannabis

Cannabis has been used medicinally for thousands of years, including to treat pain. Thanks to the failure of opioids, renewed interest in cannabis may result in new and improved pain relief…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Spring into heart health: A cardiologist’s list of the season’s best

Spring is the season of renewal and the perfect time to renew your commitment to heart health starting with food. With so much to choose from, how do you pick the most heart-healthy? Here’s my list…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Type 1 diabetes: weight loss and kidney disease risk

Type 1 diabetes was considered a “lean” disease, but like the general population, more people with the condition are facing obesity. They also face a serious danger from the weight loss pitfall known as yo-yo dieting…

Joyce Hollman

The fitness combo for cancer survival & longevity

“Getting fit” is a generic term that leaves you wondering where to start. This makes it easy: A combo of two types of exercise won’t just get you fit, but has clout for cancer prevention, survival and longevity…

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