Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Carolyn Gretton

Microplastics are building up in blood clots

Research into the impact of microplastics on our health is still in its early days. But so far, the evidence is alarming, including the presence of microplastics in arterial plaques. Now researchers are finding microplastic blood clots deep inside the body…

Joyce Hollman

Genetic study dives into restless leg syndrome

For years, restless leg syndrome has puzzled the medical community. It’s not an autoimmune condition, but is a symptom of many. It disrupts sleep and carries a higher risk of death, heart problems and diabetes. For answers, international researchers have turned to genetics…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

4 factors that weigh heavy on breast cancer risk and death

Fat cells release hormones that, especially in postmenopausal women, can fuel breast cancer. But additional factors have been found to significantly stack the odds, whether weight is a factor or not. The good news is you can do simple diagnostics at home to identify these risks and turn them around…

Joyce Hollman

A vicious cycle: diabetes, heart and kidney disease

Diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease overlap so much that the American Heart Association has coined a new syndrome to describe people with two or more of these diseases. Here’s how to know if you’re at risk, and what to do about it…

Carolyn Gretton

6 ways to make your fresh produce last longer

It’s important to eat fresh fruits and veggies as part of a healthy diet. And right now, it abounds. But keeping that produce from quickly going bad once you get it home is a challenge. Here are some tips to make it a whole lot easier…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Blood work of super-agers reveals what keeps a brain young

Some people’s brains seem to stay young, while for others the clock speeds by, leaving cognitive decline and brain shrinkage in its wake. Do these super-agers possess some sort of superpower? Almost. A specific nutritional profile keeps their brains young…

Joyce Hollman

How to clean your feet to avoid infection, fungus and warts

When you shower do you wash your feet? I mean seriously and intently. Or do you hope the soap trickles down to do the job? I’m guilty, too, but not properly washing our feet can lead to problems from ugly feet to warts and infection and the threat of fungus that’s rampant in summer…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What happens in your mouth could damage your lungs

When living with COPD, what happens in your mouth could not only worsen your symptoms but also speed progression of the disease. Here’s why you should talk to your dentist to keep mouth problems from fueling the fires of inflammation in your lungs…

Margaret Cantwell

Friend or Foe: Casting doubt on fish oil’s heart health role

Omega-3s are essential fatty acids the body can’t make but are vital for heart, brain, blood vessel and endocrine health. But you may be confused by headlines casting doubt on fish oil’s important role in supplementing this important nutrient. Don’t throw your bottle out yet…

Joyce Hollman

Over 60? 15 minutes can make or break your senior years

If you’re over 60 and hoping your quality of life doesn’t diminish with the years, pay attention: A long-term study has shown what you do with as little as 15 minutes of your day can cut your quality of life in half, increase hospitalizations and even lead to an early grave…

Joyce Hollman

Blood proteins signal cancer 7 years before diagnosis

Despite years of research, the best medicine has to offer is the potential to put some cancers into remission. But if we’ve learned anything about cancer, it’s that the earlier you know, the better. Could seven years be enough to change things for the better?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why a fracture can be more deadly than cancer

It’s no secret that with age, the risk of an accidental fall increases. Most of us don’t give it a second thought, or the potential for injury — like a fracture. But considering that stats show we have a better chance of surviving cancer, it’s something we can’t afford to ignore..

Joyce Hollman

The medicine cabinet ointment that fights respiratory viruses

Researchers have sought an easier way to reduce the number of viral respiratory infections, from the common cold to flu, that hit us year after year. They say the nose is the best place to start, and that an ointment in your medicine cabinet could do the trick…

Joyce Hollman

What catching up on exercise before 60 can do for your 70s

Women who reach midlife without being physically active may think they’ve missed the boat on avoiding frailty and the diseases of aging that can make senior life miserable. But research says you can turn back the clock on years of inactivity if you hurry up and get busy now…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Melanoma carries higher genetic risk than previously thought

Under threat of skin cancer, we’ve been warned to avoid the sun or slather up in sunscreen. And unlike other cancers. the idea of genetic risk has been far removed from the likes of melanoma, the most dangerous of the skin cancers. New findings indicate just how wrong medical experts have been.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The link between mitochondria, Alzheimer’s and pomegranates

If you’ve heard anything about Alzheimer’s, you’ve heard plenty about the amyloid and tau protein signatures that harm the brain. But these aren’t the only proteins that clump, and research says that secret links mitochondria and the potential to reverse a variety of age-related ailments.

Carolyn Gretton

The heart attack that happens when coronary arteries are clear

For women, heart attack symptoms differ from men. But the differences don’t end there. A heart attack is usually caused by a blockage in one of the main coronary arteries. But a type of heart attack can occur when those arteries are crystal clear, and it’s becoming more common in women…

Margaret Cantwell

The best nutrients to fight the #1 source of premature aging

The sun is responsible for about 90 percent of skin aging by damaging key proteins responsible for keeping it firm and smooth: collagen and elastin. You can fight back from the inside out with nutrients research says add a second layer of protection against photoaging.

Joyce Hollman

Keto: From metabolic disorders to mental health

The keto diet is very restrictive. But for people with serious metabolic disorders, it can turn health around. The key is changing the fuel your body uses to energize itself. And research is showing that fuel may have special benefits for the body’s most energy-hungry organ, the brain.

Carolyn Gretton

The urine test that could save more men from a prostate biopsy

Cancer screenings can help catch disease in its earliest stages. For men though, it’s a process fraught with anxiety. PSA screenings are often inaccurate and lead to unnecessary biopsies that can cause harm. With metastatic cases on the rise, men can finally breath a sigh of relief…

Carolyn Gretton

3 factors that age your brain’s weak spot the fastest

Our brains have a “weak spot.” It begins to show degeneration earlier than other areas of the brain. In other words, it ages faster. The good news is research narrowed a long list of factors that affect this weak spot down to three that age it the fastest so you can avoid them…

Joyce Hollman

Centuries-old ginger extract suppressed cancer cell growth

Ginger’s soothing digestive effects are well known. But a centuries-old ginger extract, popular in Indonesia as a medicininal drink, may actually hold a valuable secret: The key to stopping the spread of cancer cells…

Joyce Hollman

Don’t let ‘fear of flying’ anxiety ruin your summer

Fear of flying can ruin a vacation you’ve planned for ages, or make you a wreck if you fly for business. It doesn’t have to be that way — not if you try these tried-and-true techniques, tips, apps and supplements that can help you fly away from your feelings of anxiety…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The surprising risk from reusable water bottles

Reusable water bottles are much more than a fad. They help us keep up with hydration efforts and that convenience promotes a healthy lifestyle. But if we’re not careful about how we use them, they can lead to sickness instead of wellness real fast…

Carolyn Gretton

The diet that crosses the blood-brain barrier

One diet keeps coming to the top of every list. It’s loaded with nutrients so powerful they’re studied for their potential to fight disease. Now there’s undeniable proof they cross the blood-brain barrier to feed your brain exactly what it needs to guard against decline…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The dangerous side of Low T: Serious heart health risks

While low T is often thought of as a bedroom problem, the truth is men who live with low levels of the male hormone, testosterone, face much more serious risks. In fact, a review of 11 studies indicates Low T is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease that can end a man’s life…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

What is borderline cholesterol, and what should I do about it?

If you’ve been told your total cholesterol is “borderline high,” you’re not alone. That’s a common scenario for about 85 million Americans. But what does that mean exactly? And should you be worried? The doctor says that depends on several factors…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Optimizing vitamin D gets personal

Vitamin D has a long and enviable list of ways to maintain good health. But there’s a catch: If you’re not getting enough, its preventive benefits are beyond your reach. Research into ongoing deficiencies reveals the complexities of why you may have to get personal to maintain optimal levels.

Carolyn Gretton

A little exercise goes a long way to ease depression

Exercise has proven itself as effective as medication at relieving depression symptoms and risk. But being depressed makes it hard to be motivated enough to commit to a regular routine. Fortunately, to benefit, it doesn’t take as much as you might think.

Carolyn Gretton

A glitch in the brain’s barrier reduces Alzheimer’s odds by 71%

People who carry the APOEe4 gene have a significantly higher risk of Alzheimer’s. But it’s been a mystery why some carriers don’t develop disease. The secret lies in the blood-brain barrier, and a discovery that may finally open up a route for real protection…

Jenny Smiechowski

Fight colds and cancer with camu camu

Need an edge this cold and flu season? It’s time you discovered the berry with up to 60 times more vitamin C than an orange, and enough potassium, calcium, protein, beta-carotene, amino acids and antioxidants to support your heart, liver, eyes and more.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Lose weight and keep it off: Tips from 6,000 people who have

Only about one in five people who lose weight will actually succeed in keeping it off long-term. So does that mean you’re doomed to failure? Definitely not. Just take the right advice to heart, from those who’ve been there, done that and, most importantly, succeeded…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

5 cardiologist-approved tips for heart-healthy holidays

The holiday season can make it extra challenging to stick to your heart-healthy eating plan. With cardiologist-approved tips, you can make it, and still enjoy every single holiday…

Easy Health Options Staff

10 things to know about blood clots

A blood clot is a collection of blood in the body that has changed from liquid to a semi-solid mass. The body does this to stop bleeding when injured, but sometimes a clot forms inside a blood vessel and does not dissolve on its own. Here are 10 things to know about them…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Wine vs beer: One of these carries a higher stroke risk

Although it’s long been known that heavy drinking can significantly raise the risk of stroke, little research has looked at the effects of moderate to low consumption to determine if there really is any safe level. That’s all changed thanks to a worldwide study that gives us new insight…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Is your stove leaking cancer-causing chemicals?

If you’re health conscious, you don’t smoke. And you probably don’t allow others to smoke in your home. But if you have a gas stove, you could be exposing you and your family to a dangerous chemical in your very own kitchen comparable to second-hand smoke.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 BIG benefits of apple cider vinegar

With so much info on apple cider vinegar out there, you may still be on the line about giving it a try. Well, we’re going to look at five big reasons you should be taking ACV regularly, why it’s vital to your health and how to take it to get the most health benefits possible…

Joyce Hollman

More research says vitamin D deficiency can cut life short

The take-home message is simple: vitamin D plays a vital role in human health. Without sufficient levels, you’re selling yourself and your life short. New findings bring home the urgency about preventing early death and a new disease connection…

Carolyn Gretton

The mood switch in our brains activated by daylight

There’s no denying the seasons influence our state of mind. It’s easier to be in a good mood when the days are long and warm, but much harder during the short, dark days of winter, when some of us face seasonal affective disorder. Why does the light affect our moods and can we overcome it?

Carolyn Gretton

Why avoiding alcohol entirely may be bad for the brain

With dementia on the rise, experts are looking closer at known risk factors that lead to the devastating illness. One, alcohol use, has been hotly debated. Some studies say it harms, while others were not so clear. International research including almost 25,000 participants may finally have the answer…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Almonds: The little snack that fixes big gut problems

There are tons of good reasons to eat almonds regularly. Maybe you want to improve your waistline, or like almost 4 million Americans, you want to ‘go’ regularly and enjoy the benefits of a healthy gut this tiny nut provides.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What meat does to your ventricles, arteries and heart function

For years we’ve been warned that red meat is bad for heart health. Some controversial studies of late have started to lean the other way. But when researchers looked at three important measures of heart health, what they saw was indisputable.

Joyce Hollman

9 natural plant remedies for stomach problems

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Indian Ayurvedic Medicine share the longest and most sophisticated histories of healing with plants, herbs and spices. Have you heard of these nine powerful plants that can spell relief of stomach problems and keep your gut healthy?

Joyce Hollman

The truth about expiration dates on medication

Knowing what I know now about expiration dates on foods, I cringe thinking about how much food (and money!) is unnecessarily thrown away. But I recently came across something that piqued my curiosity about those same dates on medications. Considering the high cost of meds, this is even more cringeworthy…

Joyce Hollman

6 unusual fall picks that pack big taste and nutrition

Autumn is harvest time. That means a variety of veggies and fruits are available now and bursting not only flavor, but health-boosting nutrients. It’s time to get adventurous and “wow” your taste buds. Here are six you might not have tried before…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why Daylight Savings Time can destroy your health

If you’re like me, Daylight Savings Time throws you for a loop. Don’t brush it aside… It can have a profound impact on everything from genes that alter your sleep patterns to your brain, heart, energy levels, ability to remain alert, and more. That’s why doctors are calling for an end to it…

Carolyn Gretton

Real or forced, smiling makes you feel better, says science

Evidence is mounting that a smile can both lift your mood and make you healthier. And it’s true whether the smile is genuine or faked. So, if you’re feeling down, force a smile. It may soon become real when you see just how many benefits science shows it can get you…

Carolyn Gretton

How intermittent fasting could help take cancer down

It’s become increasingly clear that certain types of food can raise cancer risk, while other foods help protect against the disease. But just as important as what we eat is in the cancer battle, so is how we eat. And one style of diet checks off quite a few of the reasons cancer happens…

Carolyn Gretton

Sleeping five hours or less? Meet your long-term health risks

Sleep is essential for good health. And most experts agree, between 7 and 9 hours a night helps the body operate at peak efficiency. But is there a threshold at which insufficient sleep causes the most harm, as in increasing the risk of multiple disease and death? Without a doubt….

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The French maritime extract that calms restless legs

Do you settle down in the evening only to discover your legs have other plans? That annoying twitching sensation can make it almost impossible to relax. Your doctor may have thrown his hands up but a way to treat the condition has been found in an old-time remedy…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Why low thyroid is so often misdiagnosed as depression or menopause

From heart trouble to sleep apnea and Parkinson’s, doctors all too often fail to see the signs or flat-out misdiagnose women’s health. And they’re still doing it when it comes to thyroid problems, telling women the symptoms are in their heads or just one more problem of menopause. Here’s why…

Joyce Hollman

The minimum amount of steps to lower dementia risk

10,000 steps a day seems like an impossible goal. And luckily, we’re finding you don’t have to really walk that much to get real-world benefits. Want to make a singificant dent in your dementia risk? You’ll be glad to know you can take that number way down…

Carolyn Gretton

The surprising effects of antioxidants on insulin resistance and metformin

The best way to combat damage from oxidative stress is with antioxidants. These powerful nutrients strike a balance against the perils of aging and inflammation that can destroy health. Now we’ve learned they can defend against a mechanism of metabolic disease that leads to insulin resistance…

Jedha Dening

Why this disease sign makes your teeth fall out

Tooth loss is considered a serious health problem that sits right up there beside arthritis and cancer. It’s also been associated with a higher risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and even death. So, the reasons to be extra vigilant about what’s behind your dental health go far beyond that pretty smile.

Joyce Hollman

10 signs your immune system is sending an S.O.S.

The human body is amazing. But a lot of little things can go wrong. Some are annoying, like rashes, while others, like fatigue, can wreak havoc with our daily lives. Many of these mishaps are set off by a poorly functioning immune system. Here’s how to know if yours is in trouble…

Joyce Hollman

‘Menopause diet’ significantly reduces hot flashes and weight

The ‘M’ in menopause stands for miserable. Hot flashes at the most inopportune times during the day and relentless sleep robbers at night. If HRT isn’t for you, discover the diet that works as well and helped women drop an average of eight pounds…

Miguel Leyva

Risky drugs: From bladder trouble to vision damage

For consumers who suffer lifelong side effects after prescription drug use, the question that often arises first is: How could medication approved by the FDA cause them serious harm? A drug used to treat a painful bladder condition is just one example of what happens when the system goes terribly wrong…

Easy Health Options Staff

They used this vitamin to block tumor growth – and it worked

Colon cancer can be especially difficult to eradicate. But help for patients fighting this battle may come from a simple vitamin.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The ‘controversial’ aluminum-Alzheimer’s connection

Everyday items we come in contact with can impact our health. One of those is aluminum, long associated with breast cancer and Alzheimer’s. As a theory, it’s controversial, but researchers find it wrapped up in brain tau tangles. Do you know all the ways you’re exposed to it?

Craig Cooper

Beta-sitosterol: Natural support for the prostate, heart and more

Plant sterols are natural substances produced by plants. Beta-Sitosterol is one type that’s well known for supporting prostate health. But the list doesn’t stop there. Here’s how to use this popular plant substance for your best male health and more…

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