Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The 3 most impactful ways to support your brain

Much research exists about how to hold onto a sharp mind as we age. But the bottom line comes down to protecting the grey and white matter of your brain. Norwegian researchers whittled down the three best ways to do that…

Joyce Hollman

DHA: The omega-3 that’s like poison to tumors

If you’re supplementing your omega-3s, it’s probably because you know they’re tied to heart health, a longer life and a super brain. Need I say more? Well, what if I told you that one in particular killed cancer cells and slowed development of tumors?

Carolyn Gretton

The ‘K’ey nutrient for strong bones when you need them most

Breaking a bone, especially a hip, is a real concern for women as we age. So it stands to reason that if there’s something you can do to help prevent that issue later in life, you’d want to do it. Research says a key factor is a forgotten nutrient that drastically reduces that risk….

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 steps to make your resolutions stick

If you’ve set a goal for the new year, whether it’s a fitness plan, quitting smoking, drinking less or having more fun, the odds are against you. Most resolutions fall to the wayside by the 2nd Friday in January. But here are five research-backed tips that can give you your best chance…

Easy Health Options Staff

Alert: Blood pressure tablets recalled over cancer risk

Just before Christmas, the FDA announced, as a public service, that drug manufacturer Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. has issued a voluntary recall for Quinapril — a blood pressure-lowering medication that may contain a cancer-causing impurity. Here’s what we know…

Carolyn Gretton

Lower your blood pressure in 20 minutes without sweating

Sure, exercise will lower your blood pressure. But it’s not the only way. Have you ever wondered what people mean when they talk about mindfulness? It’s much more than mumbo jumbo. Not only does it take BP numbers down, it kickstarts a signaling molecule your body uses to do just that…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The ‘diabetes’ spice that beat metformin

The list of people I know with type 2 diabetes grows daily. So does the number of people on diabetes drugs, like metformin. But what if I told you that there was a plant that may be just as effective at improving glucose intolerance as metformin, but without the side effects?

Joyce Hollman

The ‘causal link’ to Alzheimer’s you can break

Research relies on different types of studies. Some are “observational,” where researchers observe the effect of a risk factor. Then there are the ones we get really excited about. These identify an actual causal factor that, if avoided, can greatly cut your risk of something like Alzheimer’s…

Joyce Hollman

Kidney cancer is silent, until it’s not: Know the symptoms

Kidney cancer is fast becoming one of the more common cancers. It often strikes around age 65, but likely starts sooner because, in its earliest stages, kidney cancer often does not cause any noticeable symptoms. And diagnosis occurs after it has spread. Know these signs…

Jenny Smiechowski

How the Swedes reduce dementia risk by 90 percent

Exercise and brain health go hand in hand… But how much time do you have to put in to prevent the most dreaded of age-related brain diseases — dementia? Science finally has a solid answer: A recent study determined a goal you can set to obliterate your dementia risk…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Stretch away low back pain in 6 simple moves

If you’re living with low back pain, you’re not alone. And whether your pain is sharp and shooting, dull and achy or radiating, there are things you can do at home to get relief, including the 5,000-year-old practice deemed just as effective as physical therapy…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The virus no one wants that could eradicate cancer

When you think of the herpes simplex virus, not much that’s pleasant comes to mind. But what if the virus that can wreak so much havoc could also be used for good, like causing advanced tumors to disappear, shrink or stop progressing?

Joyce Hollman

What’s in your mug could lower your risk for hip fracture

A hip fracture, especially over 60, can be a nightmare. The long period of immobility that follows can bring on dangerous health complications. Calcium and vitamin D are important, but you may be shocked to know how much your coffee or tea habit may help…

Joyce Hollman

Best treatments for dry winter skin

Winter can be brutal on your skin. The dryness, itching and flaking are miserable, and can cause breaks in the layer of protection meant to keep your skin healthy. How about a crash course in choosing the right moisturizers (and a bonus ingredient with extra benefits) that can help?

Carolyn Gretton

Allergies in the wintertime: Weather as a trigger

For some people, allergies can be an issue year-round. Even when there’s frost on the ground and no pollen in the air, they’re still dealing with sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. One allergy expert points to weather as a possible trigger and what may help…

Carolyn Gretton

Why bladder problems increase with age for some women

In the United States, roughly 17 percent of women ages 20 and older suffer from urinary incontinence. While that doesn’t seem like a lot, the number skyrockets as women age. And so does overactive bladder. But why are these conditions worse for some, and where’s the relief?

Miguel Leyva

Glyphosate and thyroid cancer: Too little too late

Research into the causes of thyroid cancer is ongoing, but exposure to pesticides has long been suspected. One, in particular, glyphosate, was associated with a 33 percent increase in cases. 2023 is the year this health destroyer is supposed to be phased out. Is it too little too late?

Jenny Smiechowski

The 4-minute hack that lowers blood sugar for hours

Did you know that every time you exercise, your muscles start using more of the glucose (and fat) in your bloodstream? That’s why it’s recommended for balancing blood sugar. But what if you have high blood sugar, but no time to exercise? Try this instead…

Jenny Smiechowski

The diet that improves aging (even in nursing home residents!)

As you age, your body starts breaking down and becomes more inflamed. This leads to frailty… or what’s commonly thought of as “getting old.” You walk slower, feel creakier and just don’t have as much physical or mental spunk as you once did. But here’s something you may not know… the right diet can turn that around!

Joyce Hollman

How to put stress to work for a better brain

Stress is bad for you. Or is it? It certainly has its downsides, like increasing risks for conditions such as nausea, migraine, hypertension, heart disease and even cancer. But all stress is not the same and can, in fact, have the opposite effect…

Carolyn Gretton

Vascular dysfunction: A direct path to disease

There appears to be no end to the havoc a poor diet can wreak on the body: the heart, liver, kidneys, blood sugar, and metabolism all suffer… but the damage a bad diet does to your blood vessels provides a direct path for that destruction and more.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Aortic aneurysm: A reason to check blood pressure in both arms

Getting your blood pressure checked is simply a routine procedure to be sure your heart is effortlessly pumping blood like it’s supposed to. But if your doctor is only checking one arm, you could be at higher risk for heart attack, stroke or sudden death and not even know…

Carolyn Gretton

How flavonols put the brakes on memory decline

What’s considered normal memory decline with age is not as disruptive as Alzheimer’s or dementia. But still, who wouldn’t like to maintain strong mental faculties as long as possible? If you’re getting plenty of this nutrient, you’ll keep a sharp brain at any age…

Carolyn Gretton

The condition that can skyrocket your risk for AMD

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is on the rise as the population grows older. And as more is learned about how it can steal our vision, research is also revealing connections to other conditions that can increase the risk of the blinding eye disease even more…

Joyce Hollman

‘Good’ cholesterol’s role as heart health predictor challenged

The fact that “good” cholesterol, AKA HDL cholesterol, is beneficial to heart health is just that, a long-standing fact. But sometimes facts bear re-examining. That’s because HDL may not be the harbinger of heart health we once thought, at least not for everyone.

Joyce Hollman

The diet that doubles fat loss and reduces disease risk

The traditional Mediterranean diet is well known for its benefits that lead to longevity, partly by improving heart health and weight. Hard to believe it could get any better than that, but hold onto your hat… Find out how to double visceral fat loss and drop disease risk, even more!

Joyce Hollman

Common chemical found to drive heart disease and early death

Chemicals are an invasive part of our lives that we have a hard time avoiding. Many of them can make our lives easier, but that luxury demands a high price. In fact, we’re paying with our lives… 100,000 a year to be exact, lost to heart disease and early death. But you may be more shocked to learn how you’re exposed to this killer chemical…

Carolyn Gretton

The beverage that helps prevent calcified arteries

We’ve known for some time that coffee and green tea are exeptional health-promoting beverages. But you may be less aware of the significant heart protection another common drink offers. Researchers have discovered a daily cup can protect against this indicator of heart attack and stroke…

Carolyn Gretton

How phthalates can trigger abnormal growths in women

A growing body of research is showing how dangerous phthalates are to our health. But one hazard in particular that women need to be aware of when it comes to these widespread pollutants strikes at a very personal level…

Joyce Hollman

How a salty diet literally ‘stresses you out’

You know salt promotes high blood pressure and increases the risks for heart problems, including stroke. But did you know sodium can literally stress you out? Research says that alone can wreak havoc on your health in ways you never thought…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The saturated fat link to heart disease may be melting away

If you’ve given up the guilty pleasures of a perfectly cooked steak, dripping rich juices, butter melted just perfectly onto your biscuits… or your favorite cheeses, hold up. Research has revealed that not only is the evidence against saturated fats weak at best, those fats may even be vital to our health.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How household dust may contribute to breast cancer

Chemicals have been developed to make our lives easier and safer. But is that always the case? More and more studies are finding it’s not. In fact, something as innocuous as the dust in your home can pose a cancer threat, thanks to chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system.

Carolyn Gretton

Do you have to choose between meat and heart health? Maybe not

If you’re at risk for heart disease, you may be avoiding meat, especially red meat, and eating more vegetables, per doctor’s orders. While more of the green stuff is always a good idea, a 10-year study has found some good news for meat lovers: All meat isn’t off the board — just this group found to significantly raise the danger risk for your heart.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Cocoa: The drink that protects your heart when you’re stressed

When you’re anxious, your heart rate and blood pressure go up. The function of your arteries is also temporarily impaired. So, what can you do other than try to Zen out or medicate? Tantalize your taste buds with the drink that wards off stress-induced cardiovascular events.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The diet that wins for weight loss, cholesterol and insulin sensitivity

There are a number of reasons people diet, but if you had to narrow them down, they’d probably all fit in two categories: to lose weight and to improve a health condition. What if you want it all?

Joyce Hollman

Why your weight can increase your Alzheimer’s risk

Most people don’t know that obesity doesn’t just place a strain on your body, but on your brain as well that can set you up for Alzheimer’s. Maintaining a healthy weight can lessen the risk, and it may be a little easier with the one nutrient that feeds your brain and helps you lose weight.

Carolyn Gretton

Bleeding gums? Check your blood pressure

Keeping your teeth and gums clean can go a long way toward protecting the health of your whole body, including your heart, lungs, kidneys and brain. In fact, good oral health has been linked with an important measure of heart health: your blood pressure…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How your walking speed affects your COVID-19 risk

Early on we learned that many factors could contribute to our risk of becoming infected with COVID-19. Those factors even impact the severity and outcome of a bout with the virus. Now, a risk factor has been identified that seems really odd, but when you understand why it matters, it makes perfect sense.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The juice that promoted healthier aging in just 10 days

Things change with age. But you don’t have to settle for poor blood vessel health, high blood pressure, and senior moments just because a few extra years have passed — not when you know how to kick up production of an important compound that can get things going in the right direction in as little as 10 days.

Joyce Hollman

The pre-diet step for lasting lower blood pressure and weight loss

If you’ve been discouraged with results after dieting, the problem could be your gut bacteria. Researchers identified a pre-diet step that boosts the benefits of
a healthy diet and helped participants lose weight, get control of their blood pressure and even cut down or eliminate BP medication.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Are you taking one of these medications that increase fall risk?

Chances are, if you’re 65 years of age or older, you’re currently taking at least one prescription drug that could cause a dangerous fall, a hip fracture, head trauma and worse. Coinciding with the rise in medication is the rate of death from falls. Here’s a list of the worst offenders…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

3 deficiencies leading to weak bones for vegans

While research shows going vegan could help you lose more weight, ward off type 2 diabetes, and even protect against certain cancers, the news isn’t all roses. If you go vegan and aren’t careful, your bones can suffer. Research shows three nutritional deficiencies leading to trouble…

Joyce Hollman

The sleepy solution to less menopausal belly fat

Have you been told that belly fat is just part of menopause? It took a female doctor to realize that only about half of women are plagued with weight gain at this time in their lives. So she dug in and found out what else was contributing to that extra weight…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Can heart failure really be turned around with exercise?

One of the complications that comes with heart failure is a “reduced ability to exercise.” After all, it makes sense that if your heart isn’t pumping as well as it should, it would be harder to go for a run. But a growing body of research is showing that exercise may be exactly what’s needed.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Studying CBD’s effect on immune response and the spread of COVID-19

Numerous studies have presented information on how we might battle the virus that causes COVID-19. Many have looked at nutritional solutions since health experts were finding little help in the way of existing medications. But perhaps the non-pharmaceutical most in the spotlight has been CBD.

Joyce Hollman

While you walk, your liver makes your brain younger

Exercise can help you “keep on keeping on” so you can enjoy your favorite activities into your golden years. But recently, researchers found out it can also spur your liver into producing a protein that could help preserve your cognitive abilities as you age.

Carolyn Gretton

The one piece of furniture making your home toxic

Your home can be even more polluted than the air outdoors, given the chemicals lurking in household objects like furniture, rugs, window coverings and even scented candles. Living without all of these things may seem impossible, but a good start would be to switch out the one biggest contributor to toxic air and dust in your home.

Joyce Hollman

Help getting back in the saddle again following heart attack

Following a heart attack, there’s a lot of fear. No one wants to risk going through that experience again. But movement is essential to improving qualtity of life after a heart attack. A simple technique with loads of other proven health benefits is also proving to help survivors get back in the saddle again.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Breakfast timing can make all the difference in blood sugar levels

Intermittent fasting is linked to everything from weight loss to reduced inflammation and the improvement of conditions associated with diabetes, like insulin resistance and A1C levels. But starving yourself for hours may be unnecessary if you get your breakfast timing right…

Carolyn Gretton

Measuring pH could make it easier to identify cancer cells

Identifying cancer can be a difficult, time-consuming and expensive process requiring different tests, exams and scans. Researchers are looking to make the process more efficient by using artificial intelligence to help identify cancer cells by their altered pH levels…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The harm in not brushing your teeth for just one day

Brush and floss at least twice a day. It’s advice you’ve heard all of your life. But sometimes things get in the way of caring for your mouth the way you should. But if you let your dental hygiene slip, the risk goes beyond gum disease.

Carolyn Gretton

The foods that lower your stroke risk even more

Going keto or carnivore may be trendy these days and have benefits for certain conditions, even though they leave out a lot of healthy foods. But what about lowering your stroke risk? Researchers are finding those healthy foods may give you the most protection against stroke…

Joyce Hollman

Caring for your heart lowers your cancer risk

More American adults die of heart disease each year than from any other cause, with cancer a close second. It seems like a lot of work to try to avoid both. But is it? Research shows just trying to avoid one of these killers can protect you from both.

Tracey G. Ingram, AuD

What every woman should know about bladder leaks

Bladder leaks are embarrassing and can really cramp your lifestyle. But as common as the problem is, it’s not easy to talk about. Worse, some women accept urinary incontinence as something they just have to tolerate. That doesn’t have to be the case…

Tracey G. Ingram, AuD

The brain danger for men with nighttime hypertension

Normally, blood pressure follows a daily rhythm. It rises higher during the day and falls at night when we sleep. But what does it mean if you consistently have higher blood pressure at night than during the day? You could suffer from reverse dipping and face a higher risk of Alzheimer’s.

Joyce Hollman

Sneaky added sugars double your liver’s fat production

Trying to avoid fat in your diet isn’t easy. But avoiding hidden sugars is next to impossible. Here’s some incentive: A surprisingly small amount of sugar daily can cause your body to go into fat production overdrive and steer you into diabetes or fatty liver disease.

Carolyn Gretton

The tea that tames metabolic syndrome

Not only are hibiscus flowers beautiful, but they are also very good for your health. Loaded with more antioxidants than even green tea, hibiscus can help attack the inflammation that’s the root cause of many diseases. In fact, researchers are exploring its use in the group of conditions known as metabolic syndrome…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The pesticides that steal sleep and give you diabetes

When you eat foods that are not organic, not only are you being cheated of more healthful nutrition that should fight disease, you may get a dose of a toxin that’s stealing your sleep hormone and increasing your risk for metabolic disorders, like diabetes.

Joyce Hollman

6 ways to reduce senior loneliness

People in their 60s and older are the most vulnerable to the very real health consequences of loneliness and isolation. It’s not a new problem, but one that has been compounded over the past year. Here are ways to feel less alone during the pandemic and beyond that don’t require Zoom…

Joyce Hollman

Heart disease? Eat fish twice a week to save your life

A diagnosis of heart disease is a serious wake-up call. Some people heed that call, while others wonder if the diagnosis is the beginning of a downward spiral they have little control over. Well, a very large study has proven it doesn’t have to be, as long as fish is part of your diet…

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