Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Cortisol: The forgotten blood sugar trigger

Stress causes a boatload of problems no matter who you are. And these days it seems there’s so much more triggering stress. But if you have diabetes, you should know that stress is an often-forgotten trigger that can send your blood sugar levels through the roof as well…

Joyce Hollman

Brain imaging shows common supplement’s impact on depression

The gut plays a major role in the production of neurotransmitters and chemicals that influence the immune system, metabolic functions and even the brain. By looking at brain changes, researchers have discovered the gut’s role in fighting symptoms of depression.

Carolyn Gretton

Zoning out may be your brain’s rinse cycle

We’ve all been there. After a night of poor sleep, we find our attention wandering or just zoning out altogher. Well, it turns our there may be a very beneficial reason for zoning out…

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…

Joyce Hollman

The ED drug that brings long-term blood sugar down

Some interesting connections between health conditions have left us scratching our heads. The latest? A drug that helps get things “up” also takes down long-term blood sugar in type 2 diabetics. But if you know the “nature” of how it works, there’s no big surprise…

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…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The mouth bacteria stealing your memories

When you think about memory loss, you likely picture a problem that starts in the brain. But what’s happening in your mouth can block the formation of a chemical crucial for a youthful brain, memory retention and independence…

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

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

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.

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. Adria Schmedthorst

Biomarkers prove wine’s heart-supporting benefits

Conflicting reports about the benefits or harms of drinking wine came from studies relying on self-reported data that’s often flawed. But when researchers got serious about the science, it resulted in great news for wine lovers and their hearts…

Joyce Hollman

The vitamin-packed “sweet” you should include on your holiday table

A Thanksgiving tradition, few know that the humble sweet potato is a nutritional giant. So, let me share these six ways sweet potatoes are one food you can stuff yourself silly with — guilt-free — and introduce you to three delicious recipes you can use to impress your holiday guests…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

6 changes that happen when you eat one ounce of walnuts

One of the easiest ways to grab big health and nutritional benefits is by adding nuts to your diet. But the cost of nuts, like everything else these days is going up. Good news: all it takes is one ounce to see these 6 improvements…

Jenny Smiechowski

The best holiday food to hamper holiday weight gain

They wouldn’t be holidays if we didn’t indulge, right? But rich, starchy, sugary desserts lead to weight gain and soaring blood sugar. There’s one seasonal treat that contains powerful metabolism boosters that can counteract the harm and help you enjoy the holidays guilt-free…

Margaret Cantwell

Don’t share these holiday foods with your dog

Is it hard to say no to your fur baby when the Thanksgiving turkey hits the table? Or maybe they just want to sample the ham. No matter how sweet those puppy dog eyes are, some under-the-table sharing can do your pet serious harm…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

How your diet can cause your bladder to leak

Bladder betrayal doesn’t discriminate when aging and hormones are involved. But diet? Surprising new findings about what you eat and don’t eat may explain why you run faster to the bathroom than the next person…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The snack your heart loves that boosts your ‘happy’ hormone

When you reach for sweets or salty chips, your waistline and your health suffer. Don’t worry. If you need a little something to hold you over, there’s one snack that hits so many health marks — if you’re not enjoying it daily, you’re doing yourself a disservice…

Carolyn Gretton

How sugary drinks help colorectal cancer spread

Having an occasional soda can’t hurt, can it? Turns out it can. Modest consumption of sugary drinks can raise your risk of cancer, and, if you’re battling it, can cause it to spread. Here’s how…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How germs in your mouth more than double stroke risk

Not one but two studies add to a growing body of evidence that what happens in your mouth doesn’t just stay there. In fact, your oral health can more than double your risk for stroke and more…

Carolyn Gretton

The berry that takes down triglycerides and LDL

It’s America’s favorite berry because we love the taste. Now research shows if you’re having trouble managing your triglyerides and LDL, you have another good reasons to eat them…

Carolyn Gretton

That snap, crackle and pop in your knee may start with your thyroid

If you notice your knee crackling, it could signal osteoarthritis or a build-up of calcium crystals thought to only happen in really old age. Turns out they do structural damage much earlier than thought, especially if your mineral metabolism is off…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What works to keep fatty liver inflammation from progressing

Fatty liver has become far too common a health risk, and it’s one that keeps on giving because it can progress to liver cancer with just a few steps in between. The key is stamping out the inflammation before that happens…

Joyce Hollman

The most effective strategy against heart disease and cancer

Diet is directly tied to health or disease. That’s why it has been and may always be a topic of research. But when a study comes out every week on this diet or that, how do you quantify it all? Analyze 20 years of studies and the disease-free diet comes to the top…

Carolyn Gretton

Get a whiff of this to put a stop to cognitive decline

There’s an interesting connection between some neurodegenerative ailments, like Alzheimer’s and Parkison’s: the loss of smell. Knowing scent-detecting nerves trigger certain brain responses, research tested a whiff of a scent that may halt cognitive decline…

Carolyn Gretton

The vegetable that lowered blood pressure 36 percent

What you eat can make a huge difference in your blood pressure. Too much (or too little) salt and skimping on fiber can send your blood pressure soaring. But if you’re looking to lower your risk, there’s one food you should consider adding to your daily diet…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Guava’s secret liver cancer-fighting molecule

Liver cancer is on the rise. And just in time, scientists are on the cusp of an effective and inexpensive treatment, thanks to the secrets given up by the guava fruit, its seeds and leaves — chock-full of powerful cancer fighters…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to slash cancer growth 30% in 30 minutes

Myokines are proteins produced by muscles that have known anti-cancer properties. Healthy people can make plenty, but what if you’re a cancer survivor and want to keep it that way? Here’s how to boost these cancer-fighters in just 30 minutes.

Joyce Hollman

Nature’s appetite suppressant

Serotonin is best known for improving mood, reducing anxiety and promoting energy. But did you know it’s also nature’s appetite suppressant? It helps curb appetite and food cravings, and makes you feel satisfied. Here’s how to put it to use…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What toenail clippings can reveal about lung cancer

Lung cancer goes hand-in-hand with smoking, but the leading cause for people who have never smoked is an odorless, tasteless gas that can go undetected. Even years later, our toenails can reveal exposure and the risk it might pose…

Carolyn Gretton

Why antioxidants are the answer for aging brains and muscles

Oxidative stress, which plays a significant role in age-related health issues, is the progressive cellular damage caused by free radicals. Exercise can help protect against some of that decline. But powerful nutrition goes straight to the cause…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The drink that makes antibiotics useless (and it’s not alcohol)

The list of effective antibiotics is getting shorter, especially against one bacteria behind some very common and difficut-to-treat infections. To protect your chances they’ll work when you’re in need, you may have to give up your favorite drink…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Try this weight-reducing fat trick to survive holiday eating

From Thanksgiving with its turkey, dressing and rich pies, to Christmas and endless cookies and cakes, I tend to eat my way through the holiday season. And then, come New Year’s, I’m looking at a long list of resolutions topped with “START DIET TODAY!” But not this year! Here’s why…

Carolyn Gretton

The ‘pickled’ food that took down weight and triglycerides

Wouldn’t it be great if fighting obesity was as easy as adding one specific food to your diet? Well, according to multiple studies, this may be possible with a food that’s been eaten for thousands of years…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Magnesium’s overlooked link to type 2 diabetes

Magnesium doesn’t get a whole lot of attention. But when it comes to type 2 diabetes, and the two-way connection that makes people with blood sugar problems especially vulnerable to deficiency, it should…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Drink this every day to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke

A lot of focus is on living longer and healthier. There’s a simple way to do that: lower your risk of heart disease and stroke and increase not only life expectancy but the quality of those extra years — all with one drink.

Carolyn Gretton

The supplement that kept prostate cancer from worsening

For older men, prostate cancer is a real concern. About 6 in 10 diagnoses are in men 65 or older. But research into food as medicine has revealed why one food can slow or prevent it from getting worse.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The cortisol-link between stress and dehydration

Ever wonder why you can handle stress better on some days than others? Maybe it’s a car repair you keep putting off… maybe you’re being pulled in too many directions. Or, maybe, you’re just not drinking enough…

Margaret Cantwell

Why colonoscopies may be less effective than we thought

Colonoscopy was hailed as the procedure that could end colorectal cancer by reducing risk and death as much as 70%. But results from a large trial might make it harder to justify this form of screening that’s remained largely unchanged since 1969…

Joyce Hollman

Newly discovered cause of heart attack hides in plaque

A century of research and heart disease is still the #1 killer and cholesterol still tops the list of causes. Keep that in mind as you read how bacteria, hidden for years in plaque, can trigger heart attack, and why this knowledge may make them easier to prevent…

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