Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Carolyn Gretton

What colitis, IBD and leaky gut have in common with vegetable oil

Since the heart-diet hypothesis introduced in the 1950s scared most of us off of animal fats, the FDA and AHA have assured us vegetable oil is a beneficial alternative. But there’s a dark side to a major component of vegetable oil, and you probably didn’t even know you were eating it…

Joyce Hollman

Symptoms and risks for the ‘over-50’ cancer all women should know

It’s the most common cancer of the female reproductive system, yet there’s no screening test to detect uterine cancer. That’s why knowing these symptoms and risk factors is so important, especially if you’re over 50 when your risk is highest.

Jedha Dening

4 drugs that can give you dementia

If it’s not shocking enough that dementia kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined, how about this… you may be taking a common medication right now that increases your risk of developing dementia by as much as 50 percent!

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Huge study shows fitness is Alzheimer’s kryptonite

If you still cringe at headlines about fitness and health, you may think the benefits only apply to elite athletes. You’d be wrong. A 9-year study on almost 650,000 average Joe’s has proven you can pick the level you can commit to and make a dent in your dementia risk…

Carolyn Gretton

Experts blame 3 heavy metals for increasing heart disease risk

At least 9 million deaths worldwide each year are caused by pollution. And more than 60 percent of those deaths are linked to cardiovascular diseases. With numbers like these, researchers are working to identify the worse offenders and they’ve come up with three to watch out for…

Carolyn Gretton

The food additive triggering inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases affect millions of people, and though the exact causes are not fully understood, here’s a clue that’s hard to ignore: the most commonly used artificial coloring in American grocery items has already been banned in most of Europe for reasons you should know.

Joyce Hollman

Toilet seat or pillowcase: Which holds more infectious germs?

What do you think is the dirtiest place in your house? The bathroom or the bedroom? Both have their issues, but if you guessed bathroom, you’ll be shocked to learn a germ-filled slumber can expose you to an exponentially higher risk of dangerous bacteria…

Jedha Dening

Two kinds of fat your brain needs to reduce stroke risk

Stroke is perhaps the scariest of all vascular conditions. Odds are one in six of us will suffer one at some point. But research says that adding two specific fats to our diets won’t only lower risks for the development of stroke but reduce the severity should one happen…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Down this ‘shot’ before meals for lower blood sugar

While lifestyle changes can help defeat blood sugar problems, they’re not easy to stick to. But, if you’re still able to manage your condition without resorting to medication, you’d probably like to keep it that way. Here’s a tip researchers say will help…

Joyce Hollman

Why your hips hurt and the supplements that help

Healthy and pain-free hips are important to maintain mobility and independence with age. Osteoarthritis is only one condition that can compromise your hip function. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to support your hips so they can keep supporting you!

Virginia Tims-Lawson

6 strange signs of liver trouble

Some of the earliest signs of liver trouble are ones that you could easily dismiss as either oddities or symptoms of benign conditions, like menopause. Considering how easy it is to support liver health, that’s a shame. Watch for these signs and avoid permanent damage…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to lower your soaring summer stress hormone

There’s this myth about the lazy days of summer being so relaxing. But it looks like stress hormone levels may be far higher in summer than in winter, and that means so is your risk for depression, memory problems and even a heart event…

Carolyn Gretton

Pneumonia: The surprising threat to denture wearers

Properly cleaning dentures is important, and not just for a fresh mouth. Like teeth, they collect bacterial plaque and may cause fungal infections. Worse, they build up a sticky biofilm that acts like a magnet for some very dangerous bacteria, in and out of your mouth, that you can breath into your lungs…

Joyce Hollman

Proof dietary supplementation is a must

For years, the medical establishment has pushed the idea that supplementing is a waste of money. Will they change their minds after findings that prove food alone can’t compete with multivitamins when it comes to keeping important levels where they need to be…

Carolyn Gretton

The common condition aging you before you know you have it

The age of your cells, or your biological age, can be measured by an epigenetic clock that tracks changes in your DNA. Few health issues can speed up this clock, causing you to age faster. But one that leads to cardiovascular problems can, long before the first symptom…

Joyce Hollman

Aspartame: The artificial sweetener linked to anxiety

Did you know that aspartame is responsible for generating 75 percent of consumer reports on adverse reactions to artificial sweeteners? It’s been linked to heart attack, stroke and kidney damage for starters. The latest? Multi-generational anxiety…

Jenny Smiechowski

10 houseplants NASA says will make you feel better

How would you like to add some greenery to your bedroom that can help you sleep better, suffer fewer colds or allergies, and experience less anxiety–thanks to the proven power of plants to purify your air? Well, check out this list to see which ones can benefit you the most… NASA approved!

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Men’s heart health: In your 60s and beyond

Although a heart attack may seem to come “out of the blue,” the substrate that enabled it to happen has been building for decades. But the more risk factors you can keep under control, the less likely you’ll have a heart attack in the future. And it truly is never too late to start…

Carolyn Gretton

Why severe heart attacks occur most often on Mondays

Is there anyone who really likes Mondays? When that alarm goes off early Monday morning, it signals the end of a care-free attitude and hello to whatever business is at hand. It also signals a dangerous time for your heart…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The answer to gum disease found in fish oil

By the age of 65, the risk of periodontal disease, a gum infection that erodes soft tissue and bone, leading to tooth loss, is more than 70 percent. But a simple nutrient appears to get to the “root” cause, supporting stem cells in the gums that may hold onto your teeth…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Formaldehyde: This secret summer threat is heating up

When you think about the dangers that come with blazing summer heat, you probably think about dehydration and sunburn. In a big city, you might worry about the pollution making up that thick summer haze. But the heat is also increasing a serious threat in your home right now…

Carolyn Gretton

IBD: The gut problem that increases stroke risk

The symptoms of IBD are bad enough: bloating, cramping, stomach pain, diarrhea, fatigue and weight loss. Worse, IBD can set off other problems, including raising the risk of blood clots. In turn, that means IBD carries a higher stroke risk to be on guard for…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The veggie that lowers blood sugar up to 35 percent

If you work at balancing your blood sugar, you know that rice and potatoes can be a real problem. But they’re hard to give up, right? What if you could just replace half a serving of potatoes with a certain veggie and lower blood sugar spikes by 35 percent?

Carolyn Gretton

Carotenes: A double-whammy against atherosclerosis

Carotenes, antioxidant compounds found in varying degrees in fruits and vegetables, are believed to have the potential to check atherosclerosis. But many studies have been inconclusive on this point. The most recent, however, hits on not one, but two ways the nutrient supports our arteries.

Joyce Hollman

12 surprising ways air conditioning affects us

Whether you have one in your home or not, when it’s hot, most of us certainly wish for one. But air conditioning can be a mixed blessing. In climates that are consistently hot, it can be a lifesaver. But it does have its tradeoffs. Living in a consistently air-conditioned environment can do both good and not-so-good things to your body.

Joyce Hollman

Moderate drinking’s brain-changing effects on the heart

There’s been a lot of conflicting research on the impacts of alcohol on health. But study after study has linked moderate drinking with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. It has to do with a very small part of the brain that has a big job: processing emotions…

Margaret Cantwell

Why GERD, acid reflux and indigestion increase in summer

To maintain good health, your body must constantly manage the delicate balance that keeps pH levels where they should be. The trouble is that some of our vital functions throw that balance off. And summertime is when they can get really out of whack…

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

Reduce the travel risks of deep vein thrombosis

As the summer season hits full swing, many people are planning their long-awaited vacations. If you are escaping to a far-away place, however, it’s important to keep in mind the risks involved with long-distance travel, including deep vein thrombosis…

Joyce Hollman

The best workout for better blood sugar control

Diabetics know the right exercise is important for controlling blood sugar. But a newly discovered factor to add to any routine has the highest chance of helping some with type 2 diabetes completely stop their glucose-lowering medications…

Carolyn Gretton

3 reasons to wash your rice: Lead, cadmium and arsenic

I like my rice with a creamy consistency, so I’ve never washed it before cooking. That’s about to change. In the U.S., arsenic levels in rice are sky high (even in instant rice), but it’s not the the only harmful heavy metal you get a serving of when rice is on your plate…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The Alzheimer’s trifecta more risky than genetics

If a close family member had Alzheimer’s, you know that fear of one day developing the disease yourself. On the other hand, no family history could give you a false sense of security. That’s because a trifecta of three common health conditions has been found to carry a much higher risk than genetics…

Joyce Hollman

7 aging myths to stop believing

Aging is still a difficult subject to talk about. Maybe that’s why the aging process is surrounded by myths that many people believe. Here are seven of them we’d like you to stop falling for. You’ll improve your health, live longer and enjoy life more!

Joyce Hollman

How to slash genetic risk for prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in American men, and the most heritable cancer. If your father had it, there’s a high chance you will, too. If you are at increased genetic risk, recent research spells out exactly what you can do to dramatically decrease the odds it will take your life.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

2 steps to beating hypertension even if you’re overweight and over 55

There are a number of things that can cause your blood pressure to go up. But two of the most common contributors are age and weight. A new study has found a two-step system can significantly lower blood pressure even if you’re over the age of 55, overweight or obese…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The nutrient deficiency that leads to loneliness (and heart dangers)

Scientists discovered that loneliness can actually be ‘seen’ in our blood. While it sounds crazy, they saw that people who live with loneliness have very specific compounds in their blood, plus a nutrient deficiency that helps explains their condition and specific heart dangers…

Joyce Hollman

Only 1 in 5 of us has a healthy heart: Is it you?

While a higher risk of heart disease can be inherited, lifestyle can outweigh even these genetic tendencies. In a first ever study measuring specific factors that affect heart health, the news is grim for most of us, based on that simple fact, unless…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

4 ways to naturally relieve COPD symptoms

Many people don’t realize that COPD is actually an umbrella term that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema and sometimes asthma. Nor do they realize how widespread and dangerous it is — especially if you’re a woman…

Easy Health Options Staff

The ONE question to always ask a thyroid doctor

Need a good reason to take extra care of your thyroid? Here’s a good one: If something goes wrong — surgery is risky. But if you absolutely must have it removed, there is one very important thing you must ask your surgeon…

Joyce Hollman

From weight loss to lower cholesterol: How to get the most from apples

Study after study has shown the health benefits of apples give credence to the saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But, there are many ways to enjoy apples, and they’re not all created equal when it comes to reaping their nutritional value…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Viral trigger to blame for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis has had doctors and scientists stumped ever since it was first identified. While they could put up theories of what might cause the crippling autoimmune disease, the proof was elusive, until a solid connection was linked to a common virus…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Stomach cancer: Risks and symptoms you should know

While stomach cancer is only the sixth most common type of cancer worldwide, it’s the third most common cause of cancer death. Because it’s so dangerous, it’s important to know the signs, risks and best prevention…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Over 51? You may have monkeypox protection

No one is sounding loud alarms about monkeypox yet, but cases have started to rise. An interesting thing is that most of them are in people under 50. Unlike the last virus that made older adults a target, if you’re 51 or over, you may have little to be concerned about…

Carolyn Gretton

Is E. coli and a bad diet a recipe for colon cancer?

A Western-style diet is linked with a higher risk of colorectal cancer. And separate studies have indicated colorectal cancer could be influenced by a certain type of bacteria. Now, scientists are looking closely at the connection between these two colorectal cancer risk factors…

Joyce Hollman

The best way to avoid knee pain says science

The pain of knee osteoarthritis can be excruciating, and the stiffness can really slow you down. For many people, the solution is a total knee replacement. But science is stacking up for a simple way to slow damage and reduce your pain risk by 40 percent…

Carolyn Gretton

The menopause change that increases stroke and Alzheimer’s risk

Many changes come with menopause. And most of them we’re very familiar with. But one symptom has left experts wondering if it’s the result of out-of-whack hormones or if actual physical changes occur in the brain. Researchers recently explored this and what they discovered is concerning…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The microbe shortage spreading disease

The microorganisms that dwell in your gut impact vitals such as blood pressure, immune system development and your risks for more than two dozen other diseases, that they know of at this point. But most of us are running around with an “impoverished microbiome.”

Joyce Hollman

LISS: The low-intensity workout with big cardio benefits

Remember when high-intensity interval training became popular? I wondered how anyone but a seasoned athlete could stand up to those intense bursts of exercise. If you’re looking for cardio you can keep up with, that elevates your heart rate with less risk of injury, welcome to low-intensity steady state workouts…

Carolyn Gretton

Low sex drive? It may be your thyroid

There are a lot of symptoms of low thyroid function. You may experience cold hands and feet, fatigue, headache, stiff or painful joints and depression, among other effects. But there’s another thyroid symptom affecting men and women we don’t talk about…

Carolyn Gretton

The sneaky substances raising women’s blood pressure

Modern living is synonymous with chemicals. And unfortunately, some of them may be inescapable. They’re called “forever chemicals” and there’s no doubt they impact our health. If you’re a woman puzzled about what’s behind your blood pressure, this may be the first place to look…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

That low-fat dairy advice? It’s way wrong for your heart

Many of us believe the only way we can enjoy dairy is to only choose low-fat options.That’s meant watery milk and giving up rich, delicious full-fat yogurt, not to mention real butter and cheese. Time to stop. You’ve been cheating your tastebuds and your heart for too long…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

8 great supplements for calming rheumatoid arthritis

Living with RA can get a little easier when you use supplements to naturally reduce inflammation and swelling, relieve pain, improve your overall health and combat the side effects of those prescription drugs. Here are the great eight…

Carolyn Gretton

The diabetes warning that comes from your arteries

Have you heard of “vascular compliance?” It’s a term for how stiff or flexible your arteries are. And it’s key to maintaining healthy blood pressure and avoiding stroke and heart attack. Now, researchers are finding it may also be the strongest indicator you’re developing blood sugar problems…

Joyce Hollman

How obesity can lead straight to heart failure

A lot’s been said about obesity as a contributor to diseases like cancer, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. And some of it’s been contradicted. But cardiac scans don’t lie about the physical changes obesity wreaks on the heart that lead straight to heart failure…

Jenny Smiechowski

What your itchy skin indicates about your gut

You’ve heard of the gut-brain axis. Well, research shows there’s a gut-skin axis too. That means your gut is constantly communicating with your gut, and your gut is constantly communicating with your skin. In fact, a new study shows exactly why people with skin problems are more likely to have gut problems and vice versa…

Margaret Cantwell

The vaccine that lowers Alzheimer’s risk 40 percent

For years researchers have teased us about the potential for an Alzheimer’s vaccine. So far we’ve been left high and dry, or have we? Turns out a vaccine that’s been around for decades may activate the immune system in a way that protects against the disease…

Carolyn Gretton

Your brain and cholesterol on cranberries

Like most berries, cranberries are bursting with health-boosting micronutrients which give berries their red, blue, or purple color. But it’s their potential impact on the brain and vascular health that has experts giving the tiny berry a closer look…

Carolyn Gretton

How a mistaken Alzheimer’s diagnosis proved deadly

Lyme disease is growing across the country. Testing for it is often inaccurate. And if not caught it in time, it could prove debilitating or deadly. That’s what one family discovered when their father was misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s before the truth came out…

Carolyn Gretton

Low thyroid? Keep these 9 foods on your radar

If you’re suffering from unexplained weight gain, fatigue, thinning hair, stiff or painful joints, memory issues and increased sensitivity to cold, you may want to get your thyroid checked. Chances are, you’re suffering from low thyroid. Then take a good look at what you’re eating…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why are tomatoes being genetically modified with vitamin D?

In this day and age, it’s hard to believe a vitamin deficiency could be at the root of many of the significant health problems we face. But more and more research says it is, from heart problems, to autoimmune disease and even Alzeimer’s. But is the answer in tomatoes?

Carolyn Gretton

How your eyes can influence your longevity

So many of the body’s systems are interconnected and influence each other. For instance, the gut has been found to influence mood, immunity and dementia risk. Knowing this, researchers were still surprised by the connection they found between lifespan and our eyes…

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