Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Joyce Hollman

Nighttime heat: The stroke risk we didn’t know about

It can be hard to get the bedroom temperature just right, especially during warmer months. But being too hot when you sleep is more than just uncomfortable. New research shows nighttime heat is a significant stroke risk we knew little about…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The menopause link to 40% of deaths in women

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and at no time in her life is that risk higher than when transitioning through menopause. Thanks to advanced blood tests, now we know why and what doctors need to watch to keep women from trending to insulin resistance, stroke and heart attack…

Joyce Hollman

The omega fatty acid solution for that itchy feminine infection

The painful itching of bacterial vaginosis is something almost all women experience at some point. And when well-meaning doctors prescribe antibiotics, our natural chemistry can become even more unbalanced. What’s a girl to do? Harvard and MIT may have the answer.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The least number of steps to lower heart disease risk

Wallking is great exercise with big benefits. Luckily, research is showing that while getting close to 10,000 steps a day might be an admirable goal, it takes far fewer steps to tip the scales in favor of a healthy heart and longevity…

Joyce Hollman

The common denominator between osteoporosis and short telomeres

Research has found a direct connection between the way our chromosomes age and the development of osteoporosis. By tackling a common denominator, not only can we age slower and healthier, but support long telomeres for longer life…

Carolyn Gretton

The surprising deficiency that could raise diabetes risk

If you find yourself perpetually shortchanged on sleep, it can do a lot worse than make you cranky and foggy. it can raise your risk of heart disease and diabetes, And if you’re a woman who has trouble sleeping, research shows you could be at greater risk for poor cardiometabolic health…

Carolyn Gretton

The weird connection between RA and atherosclerosis

Inflammation is characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis and many other diseases. One of those is heart disease, which people with RA are prone to. All this inflammation may be why people with RA are also twice as likely to develop blood vessel disease. But new treatments may tackle it…

Carolyn Gretton

What receding gums signal about this shrinking organ

The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease 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 we can adopt habits to keep a healthy plump brain as long as possible…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

3 cancers in men linked to ‘female’ cancer gene

While men account for half of carriers of the breast cancer gene, they get tested for these genetic mutations at one-tenth the rate of women. It’s a dangerous game of Russian roulette, since this “female gene” can lead to three types of deadly cancers in men.

Joyce Hollman

Flexibility may be the easiest flex for a longer life

At 68 I can still touch my toes. That kind of flexibility not only helps me feel younger, there’s proof it lowers blood pressure. And since my goal is to live to 100, like my mom, research shows I’m on the right track. Here’s why flexibilty is linked to multiple benefits, including longevity…

Carolyn Gretton

Rocket fuel: The toxic danger lurking in our food

A dangerous chemical found in rocket fuel has gone from infiltrating our water sources to the foods we eat. Some of us are especially vulnerable to this forever chemical, which disrupts hormone production, metabolism, thyroid function and causes brain damage…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Ditch these foods found to accelerate brain aging

Something about starting my day with food I know does my brain and body good, gives me some incentive to keep that healthy momentum going. But when I splurge on the weekends, I’m doing more damage than I thought. Avoid these on your breakfast table to avoid a setup for dementia…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

When aspirin for colon cancer prevention is worth the risk

You may have heard that taking an aspirin a day could help keep cancer at bay. However, doctors have questioned whether or not the potential side effects are worth is. But the jury is in and they know who can benefit the most from taking aspirin to stave off colon cancer.

Joyce Hollman

The exotic fruit that could prevent fatty liver

Fatty liver is fast becoming a growing problem for many Americans. If it progresses, it can turn into a world of hurt. That’s why scientists feverishly look for ways to halt it in its tracks. Adding this exotic fruit to your diet may be the easiest way yet…

Carolyn Gretton

Keto’s gut changes that raise your stroke risk

To keto or not to keto? If you’re looking to lose weight and control inflammation, the keto diet can help. But there are risks to this diet as well — including its negative impact on your gut, cholesterol levels and ability to process carbs which is a setup for diabetes and stroke…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The one thing about blood pressure that stacks stroke risk

Strokes are incredibly traumatic. And while they may seem to strike without warning, there are danger flares sent up by your body that can indicate a future stroke. High blood pressure is the obvious culprit, but depending on how long you’ve lived with it, your stroke risk is climbing…

Joyce Hollman

Conquer inflammation to live longer with vim, vigor and health

Inflammation is central to a unifying theory of disease. So it’s not surprising that it’s behind unhealthy aging, decrepitude and a shorter lifespan. But what if a treatment could cool it at the cellular level? Scientists say it could extend years of healthy life, that’s what…

Carolyn Gretton

The spa secret that prevents menopause-related weight gain

Visiting a spa may seem like an indulgence. But evidence is piling up that one common spa practice may kick-start metabolism for less weight gain and increase insulin sensitivity to stave off type 2 diabetes, especially if you’re a post-menopausal woman…

Joyce Hollman

12 healthy holiday baking substitutions

Here are a dozen easy recipe substitutions that will not only let you enjoy delicious baked goods without the guilt, but will also make a once-sinful treat into a nutritional delight!

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How red meat leads to type 2 diabetes finally revealed

The incidence of type 2 diabetes has been rising at an alarming rate and most of the blame has been placed on weight, age and lack of exercise. But experts knew there was a red meat connection. It took 36 years, but they’ve found it…

Joyce Hollman

Sweet news about safer treatments for hair loss

Almost all men and women will notice hair loss or hair thinning as they age. But genetics and hormones play a part too. Current topical hair loss treatments work but side effects like decreased libdo, weight gain and tachycardia leave us looking for safer options. We may have found one…

Carolyn Gretton

That snap, crackle and pop in your knee may start with your thyroid

If you notice your knee crackling, it could signal osteoarthritis or a build-up of calcium crystals thought to only happen in really old age. Turns out they do structural damage much earlier than thought, especially if your mineral metabolism is off…

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…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The one change that lowers BP and improves heart and kidney health

High blood pressure can do more than damage your heart. It weakens blood vessels, limiting blood flow and dramatically reducing kidney function. This causes a backup of fluid into your blood vessels, raising your blood pressure even more. One change can fix it all…

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

The supplement that could prevent age-related macular degeneration

For years, scientists have been trying to stop age-related macular degeneration. And while there still is no drug cure, supplements like the AREDS formulations can slow progression — but they can’t prevent the onset. That’s where melatonin comes in…

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…

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.

Joyce Hollman

The viral heart risk that’s greatest for boomers

Liver problems are often serious. But some chronic liver conditions often go under the radar. That doesn’t mean they’re not doing damage, and not only to your liver. Even though they can affect anyone, if you’re a boomer like me, this is urgent for you…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Soak up the sun to ramp up your calorie-burning metabolism

Spending time in the sun isn’t just fun and recreational. It’s a great way to power up your health with the sunshine vitamin. But as if you needed one more reason, it turns out catching some rays has quite an advantageous effect on burning fat and calories…

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…

Joyce Hollman

Why poor balance is a sure sign of a shorter life

If you don’t use it, you lose it as you age, specifically muscle strength and flexibility. But balance may not be something you give much thought to, at least not its impact on how long you live or how early you die. Here’s a test than can answer that for you…

Joyce Hollman

Memory problems: Validating Alzheimer’s first hint

Senior moments are the butt of jokes and over-50 birthday cards. But all joking aside, it’s time to get serious if you notice the first hints of a memory problem. It’s called subjective cognitive decline and could be key to slowing changes to your brain…

Carolyn Gretton

12 conditions signaled by the way you walk

Walking comes naturally easy to us as adults. But the way we walk tends to vary from person to person. That’s no big deal unless it’s a difference that signals one of these 12 hidden health problems tipped off by how you walk…

Carolyn Gretton

When weight loss is a sign to get checked for these cancers

Losing weight without trying may seem like the Holy Grail for anyone struggling to shed some excess pounds. However, unintentional weight loss may be an early sign of one of these developing cancers…

Joyce Hollman

Hidden food allergies and the link to heart damage

What if you had a food allergy to a common allergen, like milk, peanuts or shellfish, but it was mild enough that you had none of the typical symptoms? New findings say continuing to eat an offending food could cause heart damage that could shorten your life…

Joyce Hollman

For a happy liver and digestion, balance your bile

Bile produced by the liver makes you able to digest fats and vitamins. But too much bile can be toxic to the liver and other organ systems. Here’s the run-down on what happens when there’s too much bile, and how you can keep things flowing smoothly.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The strawberry solution to heart disease and diabetes

Strawberries are the sweetest thing about summer, pun intended. What’s even sweeter is news that eating them isn’t just enjoyable: adding strawberries to your daily diet means better blood sugar and a significantly lower risk of heart disease…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Neck inflammation: an undeniable link to headache pain

I have a special insight when it comes to headaches. Not only have I suffered them all my life, I’m also a chiropractor. And there’s one thing I can tell you without a doubt… if you want to defeat them, you’ve got to address the inflammation in your neck.

Carolyn Gretton

OTC supplement improves walking for people with PAD

Peripheral artery disease is a painful condition that can restrict the ability to walk, due to fatigue and poor blood flow in the legs. But researchers uncovered a vitamin that could counter these debilitating symptoms and help PAD sufferers get on the move again…

Carolyn Gretton

The alarming truth about ‘forever chemicals’ and your skin

Our skin protects us from the outside world. But there are some things it can’t defend against. Known to enter the body through air, food or water, sneaky “forever chemicals” lurking in personal care products, furniture and more also have an open door through your skin.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What arm fat can tell you about your bone density

Osteoporosis and the risks for hip or spine fractures go way up with age, especially for women. That’s why we succumb to bone scans and try to build up our bones. But you may be surprised what your arms can reveal about your bones (and a disease trigger deep in your belly)…

Joyce Hollman

A complex relationship: women, weight and high stroke risk

There’s been a lot of conflicting information on weight and health status. But most experts agree: maintaining a healthy weight improves many areas of health. For women though, depending on when weight struggles started, the risk of stroke is much greater.…

Joyce Hollman

Eczema flare-up? Cut back on the salt

Salt. It’s tied to hypertension and heart health, and now, would you believe skin? It makes sense how it gets in your bloodstream to impact arteries, but how it affects your skin will leave you scratching your head, and maybe your eczema flare-up…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

3 health conditions that steal your testosterone

Studies show that testosterone levels in men have been declining for decades. If you’re a man between 45 and 65, odds are your T levels don’t measure up to your dad’s. But why? Well, as three specific health conditions rose, T levels tanked, and there’s a definite connection…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The at-home test that determines heart attack risk in minutes

Someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the U.S. We know what the risks are. But how do your personal risks add up? You see your doctor once a year, but is that enough to avoid the number one killer of men and women in this country?

Carolyn Gretton

Cheap supplements that payout big for an aging brain

Your gut is almost a universe unto itself, populated by trillions of microbes that help keep it and your whole body healthy and balanced. Keeping it nourished can have an especially big payout for an aging brain, without putting a dent in your wallet…

Carolyn Gretton

The one time the benefits of exercise don’t hold up

If exercising to be healthy, how much exercise should you get and how hard should you workout? For supercharged benefits, vigorous exercise appears to have a greater impact than moderate exercise. But for immune health, the opposite may be true….

Joyce Hollman

The link between diabetes and silent heart attacks

The human body is complex. Conditions that may seem unrelated can have connections below the surface, like diabetes and the increased risk for heart problems. And as if it couldn’t get more complex, there’s the “silent heart” attack factor…

Joyce Hollman

The low-fat answer to lung cancer, even for smokers

Diet has long been proven to make a huge difference, not only in matters like weight, but in disease risk. And one component, fat, gets the most attention. No wonder. When your choice of fat can reduce lung cancer risk, even in smokers, that’s a big deal.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why night shift leads to weight gain and diabetes

Working night shift does more than mess with your sleep. Flipping your schedule on its head releases a cascade of damage that leads to chronic metabolic conditions that research shows can turn your good health bad surprisingly fast…

Carolyn Gretton

What drinking alcohol on a plane can do to your heart

Maybe you’re traveling for vacation. Maybe for business. Either way, you may not think twice about enjoying a cocktail to unwind, unless you know about the risk that drink carries for your heart that it doesn’t when you’re on the ground…

Joyce Hollman

7 amazing benefits of pterostilbene

If you try to stay on top of your heart, brain and blood sugar health, you’re aware of resveratrol, the polyphenol found in red wine and dark chocolate. But what about its powerful cousin? From blood pressure to calorie burn, you’ll want pterostilbene in your life…

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