Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Carolyn Gretton

Just ‘move more’ to lower disease and lengthen lifespan

Even the best of intentions around exercise can fall by the wayside. Don’t fret. Switching to a more active lifestyle at any point in adulthood may extend lifespan. It’s never too late to start, and you control the dial on the benefits…

Joyce Hollman

Say goodbye to nighttime leg cramps

Nothing jolts you awake like a leg cramp. Sometimes they’re associated with a serious condition. Other times, they strike from too much or too little exercise. Say hello to this vitamin and goodbye to the pain…

Carolyn Gretton

5 critical nutrients Americans fall short on

If you eat a typical Western diet, chances are good you aren’t getting all the nutrients you need, even from fortified foods, like cereal. In fact, there are five nutrients critical to disease prevention we’re falling short on…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

29 million-person study finds 3 ways air pollution fuels dementia

Dementia dangers with every breath — that’s the warning of a 29-million person study. Here’s what you need to know about the triple-threat hidden in air pollution and how to fight back and win the battle for your brain health…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The breakthrough that reversed skin aging in 28 days

Want firmer, younger-looking skin (with the bonus of a healthy heart)? A breakthrough in skin aging, discovered in one of my favorite plant compounds, is poised to change the way we approach anti-aging skincare formulations…

Carolyn Gretton

Low-cal sweetener linked to brain cell damage and blood clots

The dark side of artificial sweeteners has been coming to light for years. But the newest generation carries especially concerning risks, like trading calories for higher stroke risk by interfering with how your blood vessels function…

Joyce Hollman

The food that won’t let you ‘outrun’ obesity

For decades, obese Americans have been made to feel lazy and at fault for eating too much and not moving enough to avoid weight gain. Energy in, energy out, right? That was wrong on so many levels, and we know why…

Joyce Hollman

Hot tub time improves blood pressure and immune response

It’s time for hot tubs to go from luxury to wellness tool. If you can’t or won’t exercise, time in a hot tub may be just what you need to lower blood pressure and improve your immune system, even after you dry off.

Carolyn Gretton

The link between the vitamin D gene and cancer

While vitamin D deficiency is mainly the result of not getting enough vitamin D from sun and diet, in some cases, it can be traced to a gene mutation. Researchers uncovered something shocking about this mutation that could be a huge step forward in the fight against cancer…

Joyce Hollman

The unnecessary reason for men’s increasingly shorter lifespans

Harvard researchers say the life expectancy gap between men and women has grown to six years. That’s unsettling enough, but the underlying reason behind increasingly shorter lifespans among men is even more so…

Carolyn Gretton

Drink away the risk of age-related muscle loss

Research is learning more about the cellular hallmarks of aging — those that happen at a level we don’t see, but can sneak up and pull the rug out from under your feet. One of those is sarcopenia which can leave you frail and dependant, unless you drink a daily dose of trigonelline…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Coffee: The cardiometabolic disease crusher that lowers heart disease, diabetes and stroke

Loads of research has stacked evidence of coffee’s health benefits. But it gets better. Beyond the heart, it slays a cluster of conditions, even in early stages, to crush what’s now known as cardiometabolic disease, and it just takes this much…

Joyce Hollman

7 skin changes that should never go unchecked

Your skin is a shield between you and the pollutants, UV radiation, pathogens and toxins you encounter daily. A lot can go wrong, and not just skin cancer. From skin tags to spots, skin changes warn of conditions that are more than skin deep…

Carolyn Gretton

Could we actually poop out ‘forever chemicals’?

There’s no escaping “forever chemicals.” They’re everywhere and, as the name implies, they stick around. They’re also linked to numerous disease conditions. But have we been overthinking the solution?

Joyce Hollman

The vicious cycle of adult ADHD and insomnia

Adults with ADHD face some unique challenges. Struggling to focus takes a toll that results in reduced well-being and higher risk for depression. But research uncovered a significant factor that fuels that cycle…

Carolyn Gretton

New gene link to obesity and a thyroid connection

Genes have come to the forefront of research into obesity, adding a layer of complexity. A study into one gene sheds light on the thyroid, a small organ with big influence on the repression and enhancement of gene activity…

Carolyn Gretton

Why poor sleep is a ticking time bomb for women over 45

Women are fortunate that, for most of their lives, heart problems are of little concern. That changes in menopause, when it becomes a significant threat. Four factors can increase the danger, but one in particular needs addressing sooner than later.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

7 powerful health benefits of watermelon

Summertime is here and that means markets across the country are once again selling that sweet, juicy fruit kids and adults alike wait all year for. And we’ve got good news: If you eat watermelon, you’re getting much more than a tasty treat…

Joyce Hollman

5 ways to slash risks for painful diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a painful inflammation of the colon that becomes more common after 50. But diet, lifestyle and some conditions can increase your odds. If not treated, complications can be life-threatening. Here’s what to know…

Carolyn Gretton

How slightly elevated blood sugar tanks a man’s sex life

Low testosterone and aging are often blamed when men have trouble in the bedroom. But a six-year study shows an unrelated health problem, easily remedied, may actually be the impetus for a man’s sexual health decline…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Menopause and the big lie

Given that it’s a normal physiologic process and not a disease, women are expected to just endure menopause and get on with it. But misery is not “normal,” and neither is accepting the harm it does to your health…

Joyce Hollman

The trace mineral that slows brain aging and helps after stroke

Selenium plays a role in many bodily processes, including reproduction, thyroid function, and protecting the body from free radicals and infection. But what it can do to slow brain aging got our attention, even in the event of stroke…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The superfood enzyme that ‘dissolves’ sinus pain and pressure

Superfoods get their reputation because they’re nutrient dense and do for your body what it normally takes a variety of other foods (in copious amounts) to do. Or because they contain that “one amazing” ingredient, like the natural answer for your sinus problems…

Joyce Hollman

What makes obesity-related heart disease so deadly

In the last two decades, there’s been a significant increase in deaths from obesity-related ischemic heart disease. Let’s talk about why obesity drives heart problems, the type of fat that does the most harm, who’s most affected and what to do about it…

Carolyn Gretton

What receding gums signal about this shrinking organ

The cause of Alzheimer’s is elusive. But studies that find an association with certain conditions or practices provide clues for prevention. The more we learn about what causes brain shrinkage, the more healthy habits we can adopt to keep it healthy and plump as long as possible.

Carolyn Gretton

Live near a golf course? Your risk for Parkinson’s may double

Even if you don’t play golf, but have a golf course in your neighborhood, you’ll want to pay attention to this. You could face more than double the risk of developing Parkinson’s, and it may start in your groundwater…

Joyce Hollman

The berry powerful enough to treat bowel inflammation

If you follow nutritional health like I do, you know one superfood stands out study after study. Now researchers are calling it a natural therapeutic agent for intestinal health. That’s because it goes after the root of conditions like colitis and more…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How this sneaky protein triggers leaky gut syndrome

With the incidence of leaky gut and celiac disease on the rise, people are left suffering as doctors struggle to get to the root of the problem. Luckily, researchers are shining a light on how leaks form in the gut lining, providing hope for treatments that work…

Carolyn Gretton

A biological reason to hate Mondays: It’s a stress amplifier

Does a cloud of gloom descend on your Sunday nights? There’s a biological reason for that. Our complex relationship with Mondays is deep-seated and dangerous and poses a real health threat, even after we’re retired…

Dr. Geo Espinosa

Six ways to deal with a prostatitis flare-up

Prostatitis is a common condition that can cause pelvic pain, urinary issues and sexual problems. In addition to conventional treatment, here are six ways to deal with a prostatitis flare up.

Carolyn Gretton

When a fall may be a stroke warning sign

Most people have experienced a fall at least once in their life. Most of the time there’s a reason (you tripped over a tree root, for instance). But there’s a concerning connection to falling that could mean increased stroke risk…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

3 symptoms of ovarian cancer you shouldn’t ignore

Ovarian cancer is a mostly silent and fast-moving disease. But researchers have found symptom-triggered testing can pick up early stage aggressive ovarian cancer in one in four women. Know what to look for and the tests your doctor should be running…

Joyce Hollman

Low back pain? Walking it off really works

It may seem counterintuitive, but if you’ve got low back pain and you’re not walking, you’re missing out on a simple, free and proven-effective way to reduce your level of pain, enjoy more pain-free days and keep pain from interfering in your daily life…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Can You Slow Down Alzheimer’s by Taking Care of Your Heart?

Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease are two of the most significant health challenges we face today — and top the list of conditions my patients want to avoid. But what if these two seemingly separate conditions were more connected than we ever thought?

Carolyn Gretton

The metabolism-busting secret in olives rivals those new weight-loss drugs

The race is on to find safe, inexpensive alternatives to weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, like this naturally derived compound that melts the weight and may work better than two medications commonly used to treat diabetes.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The Alzheimer’s-diabetes connection that may be hard to escape

There’s no doubt diabetes and Alzheimer’s are intertwined. That’s why some experts labeled Alzheimer’s as type 3 diabetes. Finally, the mechanism behind the connection has revealed why people with diabetes may have a harder time escaping the buildup of amyloid plaques…

Joyce Hollman

When your urine test finds heavy metals and heart trouble

Scientists are drilling down into the serious heart threat heavy metals present to our health, and it’s not pretty. Nor is how easily we are exposed. If you have any doubt how ubiquitous these toxins are, just see what a urine test can reveal…

Carolyn Gretton

Alcohol and longevity: Does it help or hurt your lifespan

Some studies show alcohol is great for your health, in moderation. Others point out some definite risks. But the anecdotal evidence linking red wine, the drink of centenarians, to a long healthy life is extensive. When the research was revisited, though, the conclusion was sobering.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

10 serious reasons to rethink lash extensions

Eyelash extensions are a popular, non-surgical way to improve on what Mother Nature didn’t give you or takes back when menopause nears. Just like hair, eyelashes thin, become brittle and lose their upward curve. But before heading to the salon, you need to weigh some serious risks…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

The not-so-sweet stroke danger of two popular sweeteners

Low-calorie or no-calorie substitutes are often recommended, especially for people with cardiometabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. But more evidence about an increasing stroke and heart attack risk may have experts singing a different tune…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The seed that takes out disease-causing cells

Traditional seeds are making a comeback as people turn to options like quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat and black cumin to avoid gluten, but benefits don’t end there. One such seed used in a medicinal Chinese liquor has been found to kickstart a process that helps rid disease-causing cells associated with Alzheimer’s and alcoholic liver disease…

Carolyn Gretton

Microplastics: From your gut to your kidneys, liver and brain

The dangers that microplastics present is no longer speculation. They’re in artery-clogging plaques and may cross the blood-brain barrier. Now it appears the gut may be an open door to how they wreak even more havoc on the human body…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

6 supplements that put the brakes on late-stage AMD

Age-related macular degeneration will strike around one in three of us by age 75. With no cure, slowing progession has been the best hope, except for those already in late AMD, the vision-threatening stage. But a second look at a group of supplements says otherwise…

Joyce Hollman

The 8-week diet proven to slow aging

Making a diet change is a big commitment. But there’s one diet that appears to confer substantial anti-aging benefits, even when followed for just a matter of weeks. This may be the nudge you need to give it a try and slow your rate of aging in the process…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Fat burning ‘default’ switch?

What’s the difference in white, brown and beige fat cells? Beige cells burn energy (calories) and your body can be coaxed to produce them throughout your lifetime. Even better, scientists say a switch could turn hard-to-get-rid-of white fat cells to beige for a fat-burning metabolism…

Joyce Hollman

Accelerated aging: the downside of sugar you can slow

Over the years I’ve shared sugar’s unsweet impact, from heart disease to aggressive tumors. The fact it cuts life short is no surprise. But the discovery that it can undermine our healthiest efforts makes understanding how it hurts us all the more compelling…

Carolyn Gretton

What facial exercise can and can’t do for these signs of aging

Even with a positive attitude about aging, many of us struggle with the signs we see in the mirror and the desire to put our best face forward. Botox and fillers work, but they’re invasive, costly and temporary. What about those face exercises you’ve been hearing so much about?

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

The effects of probiotics on cholesterol levels

Probiotics have been linked to various health benefits, including enhanced immune function, reduced inflammation, and most notably, improved gastrointestinal health. But what can they do for your heart health? Let’s start with cholesterol…

Joyce Hollman

Orange peel extract: Natural heart disease prevention

People with higher levels of TMAO in their blood may have more than twice the risk of heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular problems. And when we eat a juicy orange, we’re throwing away the part that can inhibit this dangerous enzyme…

Carolyn Gretton

3 foods to take down blood sugar, blood pressure and weight

Few of us eat the recommended eight to 10 daily servings of fruits and vegetables, and it’s bringing our health down as a nation. Easy fix. Focus on just three: one you can drink and the other two only require one serving a day…

Joyce Hollman

Stopping ‘recurring loop of infection’ can end chronic UTI

Want to make a woman cringe? Just mention urinary tract infection. For the really unfortunate, UTIs can become a chronic problem, recurring over and over. Finally, they’ve figured out why that happens: Doctors have only been treating one body part responsible for harboring the virulent bacteria…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Olive oil: The easy antidote for a high-fat diet

We all know that eating greasy, high fat foods, like burgers with fries and a milk shake, aren’t good for us and can lead to health problems, like fatty liver disease. But, what if you could enjoy these foods and still remain healthy?

Carolyn Gretton

7-decade study reveals lifetime of diet on dementia risk

Cognitive performance can keep improving well into middle age, but typically begins to decline after the age of 65. And severe conditions such as dementia can develop alongside these aging-related declines. 70 years says there’s one sure fire way to avoid them…

Carolyn Gretton

Explained: How a high-fat diet fuels anxiety

If you tend to eat when you’re anxious, you probably go straight for your favorite junk foods hoping to feel better. But in reality, you’re fueling a vicious cycle of anxiety that starts in your gut and travels a superhighway to your brain…

Joyce Hollman

The changes that happen when you eat less red and processed meat

So, you’ve gotten the message loud and clear, and are ready to reduce the amount of meat you eat. What changes could you expect to see? How would your health improve? And just how much do you have to give up? If you need those answers to take the dive, read on…

Easy Health Options Staff

Another spice-related recall for lead contamination

Cinnamon is in the news again as yet another recall for a lead-contaminated brand has recently affected a few states. Here are the details you need to keep safe, and news you need to know about spices as a growing heavy metal health threat…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Carbs aren’t the only macronutrient with an impact on blood sugar

If you’ve been ditching the bread, pasta and grains in order to keep your insulin in check, you might be missing some important information. It turns out two other macronutirents impact blood sugar in ways never before characterized by science…

Joyce Hollman

Are these foods behind your chronic insomnia?

Stress, pain, bathroom trips, frequent screen time and irregular sleep habits can add up to occassional sleeplessness. Chronic insomnia, where sleep is elusive night after night can be maddening. But a growing connection means a simple solution may be in reach…

Joyce Hollman

The most critical habit for keeping Alzheimer’s symptoms at bay

An “amyloid cascade” starts with an abnormal increase of β-amyloid protein in the brain, which triggers tau tangles. Memory and cognition can start to falter and, ultimately, Alzheimer’s can set in. But even with these brain changes, one thing can keep symptoms at bay…

Carolyn Gretton

Grow an indoor garden and watch your immune system flourish

Research has shown that gardening is good for your joints, longevity and stress levels. And those benefits come from the dirt. But there’s more… getting your hands dirty is tied to the healthy functioning of your immune system thanks to beneficial microbes.

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