Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Carolyn Gretton

Brushing twice daily may keep respiratory illness away

Dentists advise toothbrushing twice a day to reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Those are good enough reasons for practicing good oral hygiene. But it turns out toothbrushing may cut down on at least one serious respiratory disease…

Carolyn Gretton

How nutmeg could lead to a longer lifespan

We’ve all heard the saying “the spice of life.” And nutrition research has proven several spices are exactly that. Spices have been found to improve specific conditions and improve health in general. Now one such spice has given up its secret for healthy aging…

Carolyn Gretton

Why only some of us get a brain boost from cocoa

Flavanols have a great reputation for heart and brain health. Cocoa is a source that’s been shown to be a real brain booster in some studies, but not so much in others. Researchers dug to the bottom of these mixed results, and found something interesting about cocoa and who benefits the most…

Carolyn Gretton

Mitochondria may hold secret to Parkinson’s diagnosis and treatment

Parkinson’s disease affects millions. Yet there is no single test to diagnose it, so years may pass before the standard treatment starts. But a revelation about mitochondrial involvement could lead not only to a definitive blood test but new treatment as well…

Joyce Hollman

When heart disease can spell dementia later in life

Most of us think that heart disease is a condition of old age. It happens to people in their 60s and 70s. But this is a fallacy. It can strike much earlier than most of us realize. And the earlier it does, the higher the risk of dementia down the road…

Carolyn Gretton

The seed that could help prevent breast cancer

Seeds, arguably the smallest part of any plant, often contain potent nutrition. Some exert particular influence on the gut, where their benefits are elevated even more. In fact, one seed and its action in the gut could play a key role in preventing a disease women dread…

Margaret Cantwell

10 best ways to blast inflammation from your body

Autoimmune problems that arise when your immune system attacks your own organs may afflict as many as 50 million Americans. However, making certain dietary changes may bring a measure of relief and offer protection against this widespread health issue…

Carolyn Gretton

Dropping one teaspoon of salt lowers blood pressure like medication

Fewer than 1 in 5 of the more than 1 billion people worldwide with high blood pressure has it under adequate control. Doctors usually recommend a combination of medication and lifestyle tweaks to bring it down. But it turns out one teaspoon of salt could have an impact as powerful as medication…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 factors that team up to destroy men’s testosterone

It’s no secret that men’s testosterone levels plummet with age, leaving many men with low libido, sexual dysfunction and increased health risks. This has many men in their 40s and 50s turning to testosterone therapy, despite its risks. But research shows that may be a little premature…

Joyce Hollman

How calorie restriction changes your body to slow aging

In early 2023, a first-of-its-kind study proved calorie restriction can indeed slow the pace of aging, not just in mice, but in humans. A second look showed how: It led to genetic changes that prevented a common aging condition that normally develops in older people…

Joyce Hollman

Kidney disease and cluster conditions lead to dangerous heart syndrome

You’ve likely heard of metabolic syndrome by now, even if you don’t have the condition. But if you do and start to have kidney problems, you’re at high risk for a major new heart syndrome affecting one-third of adults across the country…

Joyce Hollman

Probiotics: The new prevention strategy for colorectal cancer

Over the years, the benefits of probiotics have begun to stack up. And after significant advances in probiotic research, experts have a message for us: the gut microbiome cannot be neglected when treating or preventing colorectal cancer.

Joyce Hollman

Scans revealed how to slow immune system aging

A tiny organ that’s often ignored is the key to helping keep colds and flu away and your immune system balanced to avoid autoimmune disease. But it’s also connected to immune system aging. Here’s how to keep yours youthful…

Joyce Hollman

If walking is good for you, is running better?

Running and walking each have their advantages in terms of fitness and impact on conditions that can impact long-term health. But is one better than the other? It really depends on your individual goals and one especially important factor…

Carolyn Gretton

The connection between deep belly fat and Alzheimer’s

Belly fat signals much more than weight gain. It can hide a ticking time bomb deep in your abdomen known as visceral fat. This type of fat has already been linked to diabetes, heart disease and stroke — and now the most feared condition of aging…

Joyce Hollman

Deep sleep holds clues to cause of tinnitus

A person with tinnitus constantly hears phantom sounds like ringing and humming. While not life-threatening, tinnitus makes life difficult, and often leads to anxiety and depression. Scientists have begun to connect what happens in the brain during sleep with this condition…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

If malfunctioning mitochondria kick off aging, what’s the ‘fix’?

Mitochondria are bean-shaped structures that provide the energy our cells need to function. When they malfunction and age, so do we. Is there a fix? The Buck Institute for Research on Aging made a discovery that puts them hot on the trail…

Joyce Hollman

How cell phones assault male health and manhood

Mobile phones, cell phones, smartphones. What we call them has changed but the fact that they emit electromagnetic radiation hasn’t. Neither has scientific curiosity about how these devices we hold so near impact our hormonal health…

Carolyn Gretton

The surprising reason behind red wine headaches

Why is it that red wine causes headaches in some people but not in others? Scientists investigating this phenomenon traced the culprit to a normally friendly flavanol that becomes the body’s foe when mixed with alcohol…

Carolyn Gretton

How formaldehyde reprograms our cells for cancer

Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change your DNA sequence, but they can change how your body reads a DNA sequence. That’s how lifestyle habits can turn bad genes around, and now how we know that formaldehyde can give you cancer…

Joyce Hollman

What triglycerides have to do with dementia

Your body needs fat, but your brain actually craves it. The quality of the fats you eat determines how well your brain’s cell membranes work. That’s our introduction to the complex relationship between triglycerides and dementia…

Joyce Hollman

The missing amino acid linked to depression

New research indicates that a deficiency in an amino acid could be part of what causes depression. But previous research has validated its importance in metabolism, heart health, immune function and even longevity. Are you getting enough?

Joyce Hollman

15 foods to undo binging over the holidays

‘Tis the season of overindulging. Even if you’re a healthy eater, you’re going to encounter foods you probably don’t the rest of the year. This can wreak havoc with your digestive system, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure. These foods can counter the damage…

Dr. Geo Espinosa

5 natural ways to shrink the prostate

If you are one of the 14 million men who suffer from an enlarged prostate due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), it is understandable that you would like to find a way to shrink your prostate or at least reduce its symptoms.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

The cardiologist says: Eat without guilt over the holidays

The holiday season is all about excess: Whirlwind shopping, celebrations, abundant food… And just so you know, I hope to enjoy it all! About that abundant food… My plan is to keep it in perspective. After all there is some guilt-free good news…

Joyce Hollman

Iron, chemicals behind red meat’s link to diabetes

Over a decade ago we were warned about red meat and diabetes. Maybe we’ve been sidetracked by sugar, but understanding how meat can elevate diabetes risk by more than 50 percent is a message a new study hopes to drive home…

Joyce Hollman

Rewind the clock on your brain’s age

Time marches on, but you don’t have to join the parade. Research is stacking up, in one area in particular, that it’s more than possible to slow down how old your body feels and acts. And the organ that runs the show is where to start…

Joyce Hollman

‘Loneliness’ prescriptions are putting older adults in jeopardy

Whether it’s empty nest syndrome or other life changes, it’s not uncommon for people to assume loneliness goes hand-in-hand with getting older. But that’s a misconception that’s leading to a problem: seeing bouts of loneliness as an excuse for doctors to prescribe drugs that are putting seniors in danger.

Joyce Hollman

Exercise’s immune response trigger reveals how it fights disease

Decades of research confirm that exercise promotes head to toe health. But did you ever wonder exactly what it is about exercise that helps prevent disease? Find out what really goes on inside of your cells when you exercise…

Carolyn Gretton

Get a literal grip to slow your biological age

Diminished grip strength has proven to be a surprisingly reliable indicator of health issues like cardiovascular events, declining brain function and metabolic disease. And that’s not all a weak grip can point to. Turns out grip strength may be related to how fast or slow our bodies are aging…

Joyce Hollman

How the medical community is making human guinea pigs of women

Some of the biggest medical studies to date, responsible for medication and procedures, have been conducted without a single female subject. But is that holding the medical community back from using protocols designed for men on women? Not at all and not without consequence…

Carolyn Gretton

Exercise or die? What if you’ve already had a heart attack

No one likes to exercise. But every day 2,200 Americans die from a heart attack. But you know what? There are about 335,000 recurrent heart attacks each year, too. That means a lot of people survive. But is exercise a good idea after the fact, can it keep you from another, and what kind’s best?

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The oil that turns fat storage cells into fat burning cells

For the longest, I was stuck with an extra 10 or 15 pounds that I felt I needed to lose. I can’t count how many times I’ve wished for a magic pill that would turn me into a fat burning machine. Well, thanks to researchers in Kyoto, Japan, we may have gotten a little closer to that magic pill.

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…

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…

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