Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Medical panel finally admits we need more vitamin D

Despite decades of mounting evidence on vitamin D’s prevention potential, the medical community has held fast to a very meager RDA. But change is in the air, at least for certain people and conditions. Did you make the cut?

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The weekend warrior phenomenon: Beating disease 2 days at a time

Chances are we all know a weekend warrior: someone who gets in little activity during the week, but hikes, climbs, kayaks, or the like, every weekend. We could learn a lot from them, like how to avoid more than 260 diseases.

Joyce Hollman

4 common infections that spread cancer risks

Cancer isn’t as random as you might think. There are five types of cancer that are caused by four common viruses and bacteria. Knowledge is half the battle. Prevention can help you win it…

Carolyn Gretton

When sleep apnea sets you up for aortic aneurysm

Obstructive sleep apnea causes a person to stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night. It can raise the odds of several cardiovascular complications. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is the latest to join that list…

Carolyn Gretton

Hashimoto’s: An often misdiagnosed thyroid disorder

An underactive thyroid can make you tired, achy, overweight and lead to mysterious symptoms including anxiety. That’s why it’s important to know if your thyroid is working as it should. If not, it could be due to an increasingly common and misdiagnosed autoimmune disorder…

Carolyn Gretton

Move over coffee: Tea lowers dementia risk too

We’ve known for a while that coffee has loads of health benefits, especially for the brain. But what about tea? Well, it’s time for tea lovers to celebrate, because their beverage of choice looks to be just as good for the brain as that cup of joe…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

4 reasons men’s cancer-related deaths are expected to double

It looks looks like cancer is here to stay, in spite of all the money going into research. In fact, for men, the numbers are expected to double. What can you do? Pay attention to these 4 factors fueling the rise…

Carolyn Gretton

What ‘hangry’ says about your cortisol and blood sugar

Many factors influence mood swings. Some are external, like a lost job or a disagreement. Others are internal, like an imbalance in hormones. Who would have thought blood sugar could have such an impact on one in particular…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The secret to better erectile function: Use it or lose it

Erections aren’t just about a healthy sex life. They’re important for a man’s health. An essential trigger for strong erections previously ignored, is in the spotlight: special cells that decline with age. But there’s a way you can generate a youthful number of these cells for, you guessed it, youthful erections…

Carolyn Gretton

How a dentist could save you from sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea can increase seven cardiovascular complications that can skyrocket risks for heart trouble. Fortunately, getting diagnosed may be easier if you start with a dentist who recognizes the signs and gets to the root of the problem…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Painless prostate cancer test claims 90% accuracy

Prostate-specific antigen testing for prostate cancer is known for a high rate of false positives that can lead to routine biopsies that can do more harm than good. A new, simple and highly accurate test may put an end to all that…

Carolyn Gretton

The heart condition 3 times more common than thought

It’s hard to tell sometimes if health problems are on the rise or just underdiagnosed. Both could apply to atrial fibrillation, a condition that substantially increases risk of stroke. With such dangerous stakes, it a good thing researchers are taking a closer look…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

A growing connection: Cardiovascular disease and cell phones

Mobile phone usage is gaining a reputation for trouble. Two studies in as many years link it to cardiovascular diseases through disrupted circadian rhythm, endocrine and metabolic disruption, and increased inflammation. Here’s what you need to know about the data and your risk…

Joyce Hollman

Eat this now to avoid depression pitfall of aging

Depression in older adults is common, but contrary to popular belief, it’s not a normal part of aging. Illness, medication, loneliness and limited mobility can play a part. But the biggest contributor? Foods that you should be eating now to boost production of happiness hormones later…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The safe simple drug-free weight loss strategy that works

While GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are having their moment, we’re learning they can lead to intestinal damage and the possibility of “life-long treatment” to keep weight from returning. Why risk it when researchers say another evidence-based strategy is safer and works?

Joyce Hollman

Colorful carotenoids: Foods that fight aging inside and out

Carotenoids are pigments in brightly colored fruits and vegetables. They’re also powerful antioxidants with a serious capacity to scavenge free radicals and guard against cellular damage. But their anti-aging effects don’t stop there…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How exercise improves belly fat even when you don’t see it

Do you spend several hours a week working out to lose weight? Maybe you’ve been at it for a while but aren’t seeing the results you hoped for in the mirror. You may even question if it’s worth it. These findings will leave no doubt in your mind about the benefits you’re reaping…

Carolyn Gretton

9 physical signs you could have depression

Depression causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anger and more. But depression isn’t confined to the mind. It can manifest in physical symptoms that can make it hard to understand what’s going on and interfere with getting the right kind of help…

Joyce Hollman

Potential Parkinson’s prevention found in seaweed antioxidant

There’s no cure for Parkinson’s, but research provides insight into steps we can take to reduce our risk. The most compelling is the free radical assault that puts Parkinson’s into motion and strong evidence the right antioxidant can prevent it…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Researchers conclude: Gluten’s harm goes way beyond Celiac  

Autoimmune conditions have been on the rise. And after years of denying its role in anything but celiac, science admits: Gluten induces oxidation, cellular stress, gut dysfunction and inflammation linked to multiple autoimmune, metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Study links spirituality to healthier blood pressure

As a preventive cardiologist, one of the most common conditions I treat is hypertension. Nearly half of adults have it. Medications help, but lifestyle avenues interest my patients most. Now research has opened another avenue to lower their readings, with impressive results…

Margaret Cantwell

The bladder exercise better than confounding Kegels

If you’re dealing with a leaky, overactive bladder, you’re not alone. But you may think your choices are limited to adult diapers, questionable drugs that impact the brain or “practically impossible to master” Kegel exercises. You’d be wrong. Here’s a new easier way to cut the restroom leash…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Blood pressure drugs tied to surprising fracture risk

As our age goes up, so can our risk for fractures. And it’s a risk not to be taken lightly: Fractures have been linked to early death for both men and women, especially in those of us over 65. Not long ago we shared the threat long-term use of blood pressure drugs can pose to our kidneys. Now I need to share another…

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…

Carolyn Gretton

Ignore your body clock at peril, especially if overweight

Most people’s natural circadian rhythm signals bedtime between 10 p.m. and midnight. Those who ignore it in favor of late-night TV or scrolling, can see it add up to higher levels of body fat, triglycerides and glucose in the blood, increasing risk for metabolic syndrome…

Carolyn Gretton

 The sweet truth about yogurt, honey and your gut

Separately, yogurt and honey both have excellent health properties, including the ability to protect the gut. But what about together? Researchers decided to see if two are better than one when it comes to probiotic survival in your gut and the benefits that follow…

Joyce Hollman

The prostate cancer ‘testosterone paradox’ solved

Oncologists know testosterone injections slow tumors and prolong lives in men with late-stage prostate cancer. But in early cancer stages, testosterone must be blocked to halt tumor growth. This paradox has kept a life-saving treatment from going mainstream, until now, hopefully…

Joyce Hollman

This supplement reduced genetic Alzheimer’s risk even in older adults

Many people are walking around with an inherited “time bomb” just waiting to go off. The APOE4 gene dramatically increases risk of Alzheimer’s. But a common supplement can slash that risk in as little as a year, even in older adults.

Carolyn Gretton

‘Ignored biomarkers’ predict 30-year heart disease risk

Cholesterol is just one contributor to heart problems. Two biomarkers strikingly absent from regular testing, when taken into account with cholesterol, can better predict risk of major heart trouble over the next three decades. We’ve sounded the alarm about one of them for more than a decade…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The vitamin-bacteria combo that beats IBD fatigue

Inflammatory bowel disease can be unpleasant and painful. But in addition to digestive problems, it causes crushing fatigue. A simple vitamin provided relief for many, but not all. Now experts discovered the secret to turning thiamine into an energy-generating machine everyone can benefit from…

Joyce Hollman

8 ways to rid your home of dust, dirt and toxins this spring

Few things are sweeter than spring after a long, cold winter. It just makes you want to start cleaning everything! But with a little planning, you can make your home a healthier living space by cutting down on endocrine-disrupting toxins hiding in plain sight…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Frailty: The surprising threat to female shift workers

Frailty is a word we associate with aging. But did you know it’s also a measurement of 52 factors that can lower your lifespan? Depending on your score that could mean illness or a life cut short. And for women, there’s one more thing working against them…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Safety and effectiveness of drugs for back pain up for grabs

When your doctor prescribes drugs for your low back pain, he’s working with what he’s got. But whether analgesic medicine provides meaningful relief is still an open question, a new study has found. You may be surprised at what may work better…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The heart attack threat healthy cholesterol scores can hide

A study has confirmed that not only can a little-known lipoprotein accurately predict your risk of developing atherosclerosis (where fatty deposits clog your arteries), it can be measured by at-home genetic testing just as accurately as bloodwork done in a doctor’s office. But if you’ve got good cholesterol numbers, your doctor isn’t looking for it…

Carolyn Gretton

Your brain on high blood pressure: Changes that lead to dementia

If you have high blood pressure, your heart’s not the only thing you have to worry about. It can also impact your brain. In a “world first,” researchers have mapped specific brain regions impacted by high blood pressure and how that can increase your odds of dementia…

Joyce Hollman

Why golfers who tee off regularly could live up to 5 years longer

It turns out that playing golf just once a month can have a positive impact on heart attack and stroke risk. And, let’s face it, the older we get, the harder it is to participate in other sports that could lower that risk as much. But there’s even more to golf than meets the eye. Find out how it plays into longevity…

Joyce Hollman

Endangered Microbiome: Protecting your biggest ally

When you hear the word “bacteria,” the first thing you may think of is a disease-causing organism that needs to be eradicated. But without the bacteria in your gut microbiome, it’s your health that could disappear. And science says we should all be worried about that…

Carolyn Gretton

Stroke, cancer and 43 other conditions linked to sugar

Some foods contain natural sugars, But unless you follow a strict whole foods diet, daily added sugar is setting you up for disease, and not just diabetes or obesity. 45 adverse health conditions have been linked to added sugars prompting a new limit…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Accelerated aging and depression: More than just the blues

Depression is more than a mental state. People with depression are at far higher risk of chronic disease and even early death. However, no one knew why until an undeniable link between depression, disease and something called senescent cells was uncovered…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The other reason some men ‘go’ all night

When men over a certain age start making multiple nightly bathroom trips, two things usually enter their minds: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate, and that other serious prostate problem no man wants to face. But often it’s a condition they’ve never considered…

Carolyn Gretton

Low-dose radiation: Common diagnostics linked to heart disease

Few of us are exposed to high-dose radiation (unless it’s to kill cancer cells). But what about the exposure that comes from X-rays or CT scans? We’ve been told for years not to worry about low dose radiation. But the effects on the heart aren’t so benign…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Bone loss: A significant risk factor for dementia

Bone loss and dementia are both health problems we have a higher risk of as we age. So for years, there’s been speculation about a connection between these issues. What they’ve found will have you running for your next bone density screening.

Joyce Hollman

Anticipatory stress: How worry over politics is harmful

Studies show stress affects physical health. But not just stress in the moment. Anticipatory stress is stress you’re anticipating, and politics is a big trigger. If this sound like you, there are a couple of ways to manage it and avoid the harmful effects…

Joyce Hollman

Regulating forever chemicals in your water: Too little too late?

The EPA has taken the first step to regulate forever chemicals in our drinking water. These chemicals get stored in our bodies and wreak havoc on our health. So is it too little too late? Here’s how to protect against this dangerous exposure…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Is fitness enough to save a man’s heart from high blood pressure?

Hypertension is a risk factor for heart attack, stroke and premature death. For years, we’ve been told exercise can help. In some analyses, exercise was as effective as drugs. But a 29-year study came to a surprising conclusion about exercise, blood pressure and man’s risks for heart trouble…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Losing weight and gaining it back still benefits the heart

Losing weight and then putting it back on is something most of us can relate to. But don’t get too down on yourself. If improving heart health is your goal, you may be surprised to find how long even temporary weight loss does a heart good…

Joyce Hollman

Why exercise is essential to surviving colon cancer

Exercise is one of the healthiest habits we can practice. You know it protects the heart, but there’s a strong connection between cancer and exercise too. Even following diagnosis, find out why you should start moving as much as possible…

Carolyn Gretton

The ‘every day’ nutrient that takes down the Alzheimer’s gene

It’s unsettling to get news you carry the Alzheimer’s gene. But even though it may raise your risk of cognitive decline, there are ways to offset it. One of them is a nutrient you already eat every day, and if you eat more, you can lower that risk by 30 percent…

Dr. Michael Cutler

Testing for hormone imbalances

Your hormonal system is like a symphony orchestra. When everything is in harmony your health and vitality are great. When they’re off, so are you. From stress hormones to sex horrmones, men and women alike can suffer. But the more you know, the better your chances of getting back on track…

Carolyn Gretton

Paxlovid mouth: The unpalatable truth about the COVID-19 antiviral

One of the most common treatments for COVID-19 is the antiviral Paxlovid. While it’s reported to be effective at shortening the severity and duration of the virus, it has its drawbacks — among them a nasty side effect known as “Paxlovid mouth” you’ll need this advice about…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Significant sign of cellular aging linked to Alzheimer’s

It’s a given that short telomeres accelerate aging. But after decades of research into plaques and tangles as hallmarks of Alzheimer’s, new insights show those tiny caps at the end of our DNA strands also affect brain structure, and why we need to keep them longer as long as possible…

Carolyn Gretton

Peripheral artery disease: How sleep contributes to the pain in your legs

The most noticeable symptom of peripheral artery disease is pain and cramping caused by poor blood flow to the muscles in the legs. It occurs most often when walking, but you may be surprised how much sleep has to do with it…

Joyce Hollman

7 medications that make your bladder work overtime

About half of all adult women deal with some level of incontinence. Many men do too. A surprising cause is often medication that’s taken for other conditions. Here are seven classes of medications linked with urinary incontinence, and some natural ways to take back control of your bladder.

Craig Cooper

I took metformin for a week and this happened

Metformin, the leading prescribed “wonder” drug for type 2 diabetes, is reported to be anti-aging, anti-cancer and even helpful with weight issues. So, truth be told, I wasn’t looking at metformin as a drug — I was looking at it more as a “superfood.”

Dr. Mark Wiley

Simply press these points for headache relief

Headaches don’t have to ache. Before your head starts hurting again, check out this quick and easy guide to the acupressure points that can head off headache pain before the suffering intensifies. You may be amazed at how well and fast these points quell pain.

Carolyn Gretton

Why experts say this is the prostate cancer prevention diet

Prostate cancer is one of the most common and fatal cancers in men. For men with low blood levels of lycopene and selenium, there’s an increased risk not just for the cancer, but the damaging effects of the radiation used to treat it. There’s a diet that can help that and more…

Carolyn Gretton

‘First of its kind’ study: Restricting calories slows pace of aging

By far, the most convincing evidence for slowing aging has come from calorie restriction. For years, studies involving fruit flies, worms and even mice have shown it can extend lifespan and delay onset of age-related disorders. Finally we know what it can do for us too…

Joyce Hollman

The ‘invisible’ chemical increasing Parkinson’s diagnoses

Trichloroethylene is a chemical used in manufacturing as a solvent and degreaser. Up until the 1970s, it was used to decaffeinate coffee, of all things. Now, there’s a strong possibility it’s increasing cases of Parkinson’s disease…

Joyce Hollman

The one factor that outweighs obesity-related cancers

Obesity has been synonymous with poor health, especially cancer, for decades. But does the label hold? After a review of 40 years of data, the picture of health might change. There’s more than weight behind these cancers…

Easy Health Options Staff

Alert: Blood thinner recalled for cancer-causing impurity

Another drug recall is in effect due to high levels of the cancer-causing impurity nitrosamine. This follows on the footsteps of two similar recalls over the past two years. This time, it is the blood thinner Dabigatran. Here’s what you need to know…

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