Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Tapping into the vagus nerve for long-term heart health

The vagus nerve stretches from the brain to the colon, touching and impacting our organs and more along the way. But less has been known about it, including that it may be key to keeping the heart younger longer…

Carolyn Gretton

The amino acid ‘hack’ for fewer cavities

Keeping your teeth in good shape can be an uphill battle, even with a stellar oral hygiene routine that includes flossing and brushing a few times a day. If you need extra help, give the cavity-busting power of arginine a try…

Carolyn Gretton

How diabetes can actually reshape your heart

People with diabetes are at high risk for heart trouble, whether they have traditional symptoms like high blood pressure or cholesterol, or not. Now we know why: Diabetes reshapes the heart…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Mouth cancer: The significant risk of just one drink

Alcohol’s relationship with the human body is perplexing. Over the years, there’s been an association with health, but on the other hand, with cancer. How problematic is just one drink a day?

Joyce Hollman

Restless legs and Parkinson’s: the link thickens

Most of the time, restless legs syndrome is an annoying though benign condition. But there’s a lot of speculation about possible links to Parkinson’s. New findings thicken the plot: In some cases, restless legs may be a loud warning sign…

Joyce Hollman

The right way to use vitamin C to renew your skin

You skin is your largest organ. So taking care of it is about more than fighting the signs of aging. But doing both? I’m on board. Save money on the expensive creams you hoped would work, and renew and strengthen your skin the right way…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The ‘no-bloat, no-gas’ prebiotic that reduces liver fat and inflammation

Fatty liver is a stealthy condition with few, if any, signs or symptoms until it progresses. It’s also highly preventable with the right lifestyle choices, including a simple and inexpensive prebiotic that can help a fatty liver slim down…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Anti-aging compounds may get to the root cause of dry eye

If you have dry eye, eye drops accompany you everywhere, and your night routine ends with goopy drops that make you feel slimed. There’s got to be a better way. Research into the root cause may have found a few…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Women urged to eat this blood pressure ‘kryptonite’

If I had a dollar for every time a doctor told me to cut down my salt intake… But what if something could counter salt’s bad effects? Sort of a “kryptonite” that weakened its impact on blood pressure? Sound too good to be true? This time it’s not…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The berry that improved heart and blood vessel function in 30 days

When Hippocrates said let food be thy medicine, he must have had berries in mind. They’re full of uniquely beneficial compounds, wrapped in delicious little packages. If you don’t eat them daily, you’re missing out on a fast path to heart and blood vessel health…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The heart attack risk doctors miss almost half of the time

A heart attack occurs every 40 seconds in the US, making screening to gauge risk vital. But there’s a big problem with the two screening tools doctors depend on: They missed half of all first heart attacks in people screened just days earlier. Here’s why…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Rosemary’s scar-free healing ‘TikTok trend’ verified

A natural skincare trend on TikTok claims the aromatic herb rosemary may help wounds heal more effectively and limit scar formation. But does it really work? Here’s what scientists found when they put it to the test…

Jenny Smiechowski

6 ways to make your varicose veins and blood clot risk vanish

Whether varicose veins put a kink in your style or not, you should know they’re not as benign as we’ve been lead to believe. They could increase your risk for deep vein thrombosis. Here are 6 ways to reduce the threat…

Carolyn Gretton

For your immune system’s sake, try kimchi

Fermented foods have a healthy reputation. But if you’re stuck on yogurt, it’s time to break out of the mold. The Korean dish kimchi is gaining a reputation as an immune system “precision regulator.” Here’s why…

Carolyn Gretton

What every woman should know about her brain-gut-vagina axis

The gut-brain axis has demonstrated how the gut microbiome influences cognitive decline, depression and autoimmune conditions. But the gut is the center of the body in more ways than one. And for women, it’s personal…

Carolyn Gretton

Chronic constipation? You may have chronic inflammation

Chronic constipation is more than feeling bloated. It can carry serious consequences. Despite modern medicine, why has this natural bodily process become such a widespread problem? The fiber fallacy has kept us from the truth…

Carolyn Gretton

Coffee or tea drinkers: Who’s got better bone density?

Coffee, tea or… better bones? Our two favorite beverages have finally been put to the test: To reduce risk of an osteoporosis-related bone break that half of women over 50 face, what you drink, and how, matters…

Joyce Hollman

High-fat cheese may protect your brain from dementia

Do you shy away from the cheeseboard at parties? I used to, but that’s changing, like the saturated fat myth that had all of us eating low-fat dairy. Turns out high-fat cheese may support your brain, and not harm your heart…

Joyce Hollman

The bedroom activity that predicts longevity better than diet or exercise

Research into lengthening the human lifespan has been at a fever pitch for a few decades, and science has determined that certain healthy habits can help us live much longer. But the one with the most clout may surprise you…

Joyce Hollman

A multivitamin a day could keep hypertension away

If you’re health-conscious, you may already take a multivitamin every day. If you don’t, here’s a compelling reason to start: you could avoid a factor for stroke and heart trouble that already affects nearly half of all American adults.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Eat this food to see why you can’t go #2

Gut problems are often revealed by your transit time — the time it takes for food to pass through. Depending on yours, you may be straining on or running to the toilet. This at home test will help you figure out why…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The herb that helps you get your groove back

When your adrenals are constantly stressed, this sets off an autoimmune inflammatory response in your entire body. If you’ve got thyroid problems as well, things can go south real fast. The result? Feeling hopelessly stuck — tired, overweight and unhappy. There’s a way out…

Carolyn Gretton

Scientists find how to control body’s fat-burning switch

Certain types of body fat are better than others. White fat isn’t one of them. Accounting for most of the body’s fat, it amounts to stored calories that if not burned, keep adding up. But brown fat ramps up metabolism and controlling it is in our reach…

Craig Cooper

Why blood pressure testing is mostly wrong

Hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and the second greatest health threat. Getting an accurate measurement of blood pressure is critical. But are we? Some experts say change is needed…

Carolyn Gretton

High blood pressure? Lower it and your dementia risk

It’s become increasingly clear that the health of your heart can affect the health of your brain. In fact, studies have found a link between high blood pressure and dementia. How much can you lower it to reduce your risk?

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

The best drink for hydration

Mild dehydration can harm your brain, your joints, your heart and age you more quickly than you’d imagine. But what’s the best drink to replace those lost fluids without running to the toilet all day? You might be surprised…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

How your poop schedule impacts your liver and kidneys

Once we’re out of elementary school, the poop jokes typically end. The childish humor is just that, plus the older we get we learn a fact: There’s nothing funny about not being able to go. And now we know our kidneys and liver can pay the price…

Joyce Hollman

Food that helps you feel happier, not just healthier

It’s easy to feel giddy eating ice cream, but that feeling likely won’t last long. Boost your mood and slash depression risk by 30% with foods that fight inflammation, improve insulin and bolster gut-brain communication…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

PQQ: The antioxidant that fights the most dangerous fat

There’s fat and there’s belly fat. It’s hard to lose and it takes your health down. That’s why so many reach for injectible GLP-1 drugs. Instead of dangerous side effects, battle the bulge with an alternative that not only fights fat three ways, but supports liver health and longevity…

Joyce Hollman

The common drug with a longevity ‘side effect’

Drugs often have undesirable side effects. But sometimes, the result is welcome. Especially if it’s considered a gerotherapeutic, a drug that, in addition to its original purpose, can slow various aging processes…

Joyce Hollman

The nutrient linked to anxiety disorders

Some nutrients are in the spotlight over and over. But one that just happens to be vital for brain health is not only underappreciated, but underconsumed. It should be a priority, especially if anxiety is a problem for you…

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…

Joyce Hollman

The one food that fights both cancer and stroke

Researchers conducted a series of tests on compounds commonly found in plants to see which, if any, might have a stronger tendency to prevent deadly blood clots. It just so happens the winner also has powerful anti-cancer clout too…

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…

Carolyn Gretton

The dark side of daily aspirin use

Millions of Americans are taking aspirin daily to prevent cardiovascular disease based on a decades-old recommendation, and many are doing it without their doctor’s supervision. Health experts have recently revised this advisory due to a dangerous side effect that outweighs its benefits…

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.

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 a warm bowl of oatmeal…

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The vitamin that slashes second heart attack risk by half

Anyone who’s suffered a heart attack knows they have a 1 in 5 chance of another within 5 years. It’s not inevitable. Diet, exercise, managing stress and healthy habits can help. But cutting that risk in half just got easier…

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

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…

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…

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

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…

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