Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The diet that ‘detoxes’ diabetic kidney danger

For many people dealing with type 2 diabetes, kidney problems will crop up. Diabetes injures the kidneys, keeping them from cleaning the blood properly. But if you can eliminate one food compound you’ve likely never heard of, you might stop that threat in its tracks…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Green cleaning’s not-so-green harmful chemical link

When it comes to living healthy in a polluted world, most of us will go out of our way. That may mean choosing organic produce or grass-fed beef. But when it comes to green cleaning, it looks like most of us are paying a premium for a false sense of security.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Women’s Health Alert: Rapid ovary aging, menopause and heart disease

The menopausal transition usually begins between 45 and 55. But a growing threat has been connected to rapid ovary aging as much as 10 years before a woman’s last period. Speeding up the biological clock is one thing, but harsher menopause symptoms and a higher risk for heart disease is another…

Joyce Hollman

The health and relationship benefits of a sleep divorce

A sleep divorce may not sound like a good thing. But sleeping separately could be great for your relationship. Here’s what experts say about the pros and cons and how to approach it so it’s a successful strategy for you, your partner, your relationship and your health.

Carolyn Gretton

The ‘cluster condition’ that raises kidney cancer risk almost 5 times

Most of us know that metabolic syndrome encompasses several conditions and is sort of a stern warning to get your “house” in order or face the serious threat of heart disease. But the worse metabolic syndrome gets, the worse your cancer risk gets too…

Carolyn Gretton

Microplastic discovered in artery-clogging plaques

Plaque buildup clogs arteries and can lead to stroke and heart attack. This nasty mixture consists of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste, calcium and fibrin. But a shocking new ingredient seen in surgically removed plaques may make them even more dangerous.

Joyce Hollman

Remove microplastics from water in your own kitchen

Microplastics are inescapable. They invade pretty much every system in the body and ferry other toxins in. But when they’re in our food and water what can we do? Reduce them by 90 percent right in your kitchen, no special equipment needed…

Joyce Hollman

The underrated benefits of stretching that rival strenuous exercise

Most people stretch to warm up cold muscles before they jump into some heavy-duty exercise. But what if stretching IS exercise? Check mark! And even better: what if it reduces arterial stiffness at the same time it reduces stiffness in your body, and helps you live longer?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The statin that more than doubles dementia risk

Statins are commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol. But while it may seem like a no-brainer to take a medication your doctor says will reduce risk of heart attack or stroke, you could be increasing the danger to your brain…

Joyce Hollman

Daily blueberry powder changed brains in just 6 months

The particular phytochemical compounds blueberries contain, known as anthocyanins, have been shown to decrease dementia risk and increase blood flow to the brain. But you can imagine how excited researchers were to see changes in just 6 months — and they weren’t even fresh berries!

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The red fruit that lowered blood pressure like medication

Like a lot of fruit, often the most nutritional and health-promoting parts are the parts we throw away. When it comes to this unique red fruit, the same is true. But considering it lowered blood pressure as well as a prescription medicine, it warrants learning how to eat the most effective parts…

Carolyn Gretton

Real or artificial: The sweet drinks linked to AFib

Sugar may taste sweet. But its health impacts are anything but. And artificial sweeteners have lots of problems of their own. The best advice? Unless you want to risk AFib and stroke, quench your thirst, not your sweet tooth…

Carolyn Gretton

What Kundalini yoga does for those at high risk for Alzheimer’s

One out of nine Americans over 65 has Alzheimer’s. The odds of becoming that ‘one’ grow with every risk factor you may have. Some risk factors can be managed, while others can’t be changed: Almost two-thirds of Americans living with Alzheimer’s are women.

Joyce Hollman

The ‘other change’ behind menopausal weight gain and disease risk

If you’re post-menopausal, you’ve experienced a lot of change, but one’s recently been identified that helps explain why weight gain and higher risk for metabolic disease are among them. The loss of those hormones impacts a certain organ more than anyone thought…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Move over fish and krill oil: Is this the omega-3 for you?

The fact that fish oil is packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids is no secret. Because it’s got its drawbacks, we can also reach for krill oil. But hold on to your hat… there’s a third contender in the ring. Is this what you’ve been waiting for to transform your health?

Joyce Hollman

From kidney disease to heart disease: How much salt matters

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for people with Chronic kidney disease (CKD). And CKD can raise the risk of CVD significantly. They often occur together and share many of the same risk factors — and one popular spice…

Carolyn Gretton

Lose fat exercising just two days a week

For optimal health and weight, experts say we have to get anywhere from 75 to 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise a week. But who has time for that much exercise? That’s why scientists have been exploring whether it’s truly necessary to get that much…

Joyce Hollman

The diet linked to cancer, heart disease and 30 other conditions

It’s no surprise a steady diet of the wrong foods packs on pounds, raises blood pressure and blood sugar and ruins good health. But when you come face to face with facts from 45 studies that include 30+ conditions and cancer, time to look at what we’re eating…

Easy Health Options Staff

FDA Alert Concerning Cinnamon: Check your spice rack for lead-tainted brands

The FDA has issued an official alert concerning certain ground cinnamon products due to the presence of elevated levels of lead. We’re sharing the six brands you need to check for and dispose of, as well as a link to their full statement concerning the scope of the problem.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The down-the-road dangers of heart attack

Experts say quick emergency treatment is why seven in ten people now survive a heart attack. But the road they face post-heart attack won’t be an easy one. It’s the beginning of working even harder to secure their health, and why anyone should try that much harder to avoid a first attack…

Carolyn Gretton

Depressed? Your immune system may have been hacked

Your immune system defends against injury and disease. It attacks pathogens, neutralizes harmful substances and fights disease-causing changes in the body. But less has been known about its role in depression, until experts realized it can get hacked — by stress.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The menopause-migraine link to heart attack and stroke

Heart problems in women are risky enough for reasons like having symptoms doctors are slower to recognize. But a life transition there’s no escape from and higher odds for migraine makes matters worse. Here’s what you need to know about this risky combination and how to protect yourself…

Carolyn Gretton

Is it IBS or IBD?

IBS and IBD have a few things in common: they both affect the GI tract and can cause constipation, diarrhea, pain and fatigue. They’re both difficult to diagnose and can make life miserable. Here’s your guide to understanding the differences and getting relief…

Carolyn Gretton

The surprising truth about medications and driving

If you take certain medications, you may have seen “Do not operate heavy machinery” on the label. For sleeping pills, that may seem like a given. But there are others you may be surprised to learn could get you into trouble if you take them before driving…

Joyce Hollman

15 risk factors for young-onset dementia

When dementia hits before 65, it’s considered young-onset and may have strong genetic ties. But if epigenetics has taught us anything, it’s that genes don’t reign supreme, and scientists have identified 15 factors that can make all the difference.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How concerning is news about lead in Stanley cups?

Drinking water is a healthy habit — one that’s made tumblers popular for keeping it cold and tracking how much we drink. But headlines implying some cups contain lead could make you wonder if your healthy habit has been sabotaged. Here’s why that cup may be the least of your worries…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Study reveals what men can expect after prostate cancer treatment

Prostate cancer presents a range of outcomes. Some diagnoses are favorable enough doctors only advise watching and waiting. Others need more aggressive treatment. From one end of the spectrum to the other, men have needed more to go on to make critical decisions. Now they may have it…

Carolyn Gretton

Activating a gene that slows brain aging and increases lifespan

No one really likes restricting calories. However, it becomes much more attractive when research says it could help slow brain aging and increase lifespan. But to this point they haven’t been entirely sure how. A gene influenced by diet may change all that…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why a fat cell’s ability to burn energy fails and how to avoid it

Being overweight or obese is like being stuck between a rock and a hard place. That’s because it becomes harder to lose weight and easier to gain it, all at the same time. But now we know why fat cells lose their ability to burn energy, what triggers it and how to avoid it…

Joyce Hollman

The daily trick for overcoming pain

Chronic pain can consume you, make you unable to concentrate on work or family, and ultimately keep you from doing things you enjoy. Drugs can be both disappointing and risky. But science says there’s a daily habit for overcoming pain that really works…

Carolyn Gretton

The sweet news about sugar in your coffee

There’s no doubt that coffee’s health benefits are backed by plenty of research. But the caveat has been to avoid the cream and sugar to reap them. Of course, you want the benefits — but you want to enjoy your coffee too. Here’s some good news on that front…

Carolyn Gretton

How time of day (and sex) affects your exercise results

Exercise is so good for us experts tell us to do it whenever we have the time. But depending on what your goals are — less tummy fat versus more upper body strength or better blood pressure and cholesterol — your exercise timing makes a huge difference…

Carolyn Gretton

The lowdown on skin cancer: Types, treatment and staying safe

More Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than for all other cancers combined. But skin cancer is still shrouded in mystery, misconceptions and doubt. Let’s take a look at the main types, how to identify them, what to expect and how to stay safe.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Proline: Why this amino acid causes depression for some

More than 37 million Americans now take medications for depression. And for far too long experts focused on chemical imbalances in the brain these drugs treat. But another imbalance is proving just as powerful at affecting your mood. And the medicine is much easier to swallow…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Strange link: Dietary cholesterol and viral infection

Specific limits on dietary cholesterol were lifted from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans back in 2015. But that move may have been too hasty. Turns out there’s an odd connection between dietary cholesterol and your susceptibility for viral infection…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How breast cancer and diabetes feed off each other

As scientists will say, just because there seems to be a link doesn’t mean there is, especially without proof. But now, when it comes to diabetes and breast cancer, they’ve got the proof connecting cancer’s sweet tooth and a dangerous feedback loop…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

A doctor’s list of 6 diseases a plant-based diet benefits

Have you ever noticed something strange when you go to your doctor? No matter what your health problem, their answer is always in a pill. But physicians everywhere are being put on notice by one of their own — and she’s got a better prescription with lots of clout…

Joyce Hollman

10 surprising things that cause hair loss

Aging is not automatically accompanied by hair loss. But there are lifestyle and other factors that could cause you to see more hair in your hairbrush than you’re used to. I was surprised to find that several of these may be behind my own hair loss.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

4 movements that really help you “go”

I had a problem with constipation for years. Whatever the cause, going to the bathroom was my nemesis. I would go days without “going” and then when I did, the strain was awful. After many, MANY doctor’s visits, and getting no help, I decided there had to be a better way. And, I found it…

Carolyn Gretton

Atrial fibrillation: A reason to work harder to avoid dementia

Atrial fibrillation can raise your risk of several heart and circulatory issues, including heart failure and stroke. But what’s been less clear is whether AF increases the risk of dementia not caused by stroke. So far, this is what they’ve found…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The serious blood clot risk that comes with prostate cancer

People with cancer are known to have a higher risk of dangerous blood clots known as venous thromboembolism or VTE. These clots are a leading cause of death in people with cancer. Because prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, this is a risk they need to be aware of…

Jenny Smiechowski

The antioxidant that protects your brain’s barrier

Inflammation is a huge factor when it comes to Alzheimer’s. It’s triggered by a build-up of proteins that kill your brain cells. And it may cause the build-up in the first place. One thing’s for sure, inflammation causes the disease to progress quickly and severely.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Quantified: How much type 2 diabetes ages the brain

Type 2 diabetes doesn’t just spell problems for your blood sugar. It acts as a gateway disease in many respects. And while there have been concerns about its connection to cognitive decline for a while, you may be surprised to learn how much diabetes ages the brain…

Carolyn Gretton

The real reason ‘bad’ cholesterol increases during menopause

When women undergo menopause, they experience a decline in estrogen that kicks off a host of unpleasant symptoms. But what has been less clear is estrogen’s specific role in heart disease risk, and how the “change” is connected to cholesterol, until now…

Joyce Hollman

The medication increasing inflammatory bowel disease in people over 60

Most people that develop inflammatory bowel disease do so by the age of 30. But IBD is on the rise — and it’s targeting a vulnerable population: folks aged 60 and older. IBD is painful, difficult and debilitating. And if you’re a senior, the risks are even higher…

Carolyn Gretton

What gout and heart failure have in common

Gout has been established as a risk factor in certain cardiovascular conditions, including stroke and heart attack. But what about heart failure? Exploring a potential link between these two conditions may offer heart failure patients a new lifeline…

Joyce Hollman

Why the mercury in fish may not be so bad

We’ve been warned to avoid eating much fish over concerns about mercury. But now, Canadian researchers say the chemical form of mercury consumed from a high fish diet is completely different from the form found in the brains of those who were poisoned by mercury. What gives?

Jenny Smiechowski

Zinc: Too much or too little spells trouble

Zinc is one of those nutrients you don’t hear a lot about. People are all over vitamin C, but zinc, an equally important nutrient for a strong immune system tends to take a back seat to all the hype. But supplementing can be tricky…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

New study shows 3 ways eggs benefit your heart

Remember how for years, doctors warned us not to eat eggs? They would raise our cholesterol, give us heart disease and leave us to die of a heart attack or stroke? Forget that old-school advice. The new-school lists three ways eggs do a heart good…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

4 lifestyle choices that add up to 6 years to your life

It’s no secret that the choices you make have a profound impact on your health. From protecting your heart to guarding against dementia and disability as you age, lifestyle modifications are taking center stage, and these four can add years to your life…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Slow walker? You’re on a fast track to a nursing home

We all want to age like those people who get laugh lines, not wrinkles, hold on to their memories and become more vital as the years pass. But it doesn’t always go that way. There’s a way to measure your odds — just in time to do something about it.

Joyce Hollman

The heart condition you can get from one episode of heavy drinking

A drink with dinner — no big deal. What about two or three beers? If you’ve had enough to drink that you get a hangover the next morning, you’re setting yourself up for a potentially fatal heart problem, even if you’ve never had heart issues before.

Carolyn Gretton

How your age at menopause impacts your dementia risk

Women are at much higher risk of dementia than men, and declining estrogen may have something to do with it. But it gets more alarming: The earlier menopause happens, the higher that dementia risk goes. What can we do about that? You’d be surprised…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The hidden factor increasing heart disease in lean people

I’m not body-shaming. My concerns stem from knowing that certain kinds of fat and where it’s carried, like around the middle, can do real damage. But there’s another type of fat we never see that goes after the heart. Surprisingly, the leanest among us may be most at risk.

Joyce Hollman

Reducing cravings: An added benefit of exercise

Exercise should be part of any weight-loss strategy. But can it do more? Scientists have looked into how it may help us resist the foods that often sabotage our best efforts. And it’s promising enough that you may start disliking exercise a whole lot less…

Joyce Hollman

A fiber fix for antibiotic-resistant infections

When bacteria become resistant, the original antibiotic can no longer kill them. The chances of experiencing an antibiotic-resistant infection are only increasing. But what you eat can shift the balance of antibiotic resistance genes in your gut…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What gallstones reveal about your cancer risk

Pancreatic cancer is tough. Often diagnosed late, survival rates are low. Knowing your risks can help. And now a predictor of elevated risk has been identified — a condition that could mean cancer isn’t far behind. But like those other risk factors, you can take control…

Carolyn Gretton

Vision loss as a dementia risk factor stacks up

None of us want to face dementia. So we do crosswords and brain teasers and hope we’ll maintain a sharp brain. But there’s actually a simple action that a lot of us aren’t taking that can make a big difference in our dementia risk…

Joyce Hollman

Middle-aged+? This is the ‘optimal’ amount of sleep for you

Ever wonder how much sleep you need for your best shot at overall health, including strong mental faculties? A huge study has answered that question for those of us middle-aged and up. Here’s the scoop, plus some tips for natural ways to help you achieve it…

Joyce Hollman

Gum disease and lung infections: A new connection

Did you know the immune cells that are generated to fight gum disease often turn up in heart valves and heart muscle? And that’s not the only crazy connection to your dental hygiene. Most recently, it’s been found that your lungs are another target for mouth bacteria…

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