Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Carolyn Gretton

A top 10 commonly prescribed drug linked to dementia

Experts have warned that by 2050, dementia diagnoses may triple, mostly due to an aging population. But a popularly prescribed drug for back pain may be doubling the risk, even in young people.

Joyce Hollman

The early heart disease risk men face in their 30s

Heart disease develops gradually. In early stages, symptoms are often subtle or absent. By the time warning signs appear, significant plaque may already be present. That makes this early prevention window urgent…

Carolyn Gretton

Night owls face almost 80% higher risk of heart trouble

You may think being a night owl is fine as long as you’re getting enough sleep. That’s all that matters, right? Not exactly. Those late nights pose a major threat to heart health…

Margaret Cantwell

Exercise after stroke helps mitochondria heal the brain

Physical therapy after a stroke is common to help survivors regain their abilities. But there’s another good reason to use exercise after stroke recovery: the potential to send mitochondria to the brain to support the healing process…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The diet that lowers the elevated stroke risk menopause brings

Near middle age, we start thinking about health changes our 30-something selves didn’t give much thought to. For women, one of those impending changes is menopause. But what about the elevated stroke risk that comes with it? There’s encouraging news…

Carolyn Gretton

Gut microbiome and aging: Can a younger microbiome help?

Ample research shows the gut microbiome influences whole-body health. But as we age, so does the gut. Could maintaining a more “youthful” microbiome support intestinal regeneration and healthier aging?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The vitamin deficiency that can lead to hospitalization from respiratory infection

Everywhere you go, someone is coughing or sneezing, spreading germs you might not be ready to handle. Strengthen your protection against respiratory infections now, not just to avoid getting sick, but to lower the risk of hospitalization if you do…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Fertility: Why cellular energy matters

Every cell in the body demands energy, though some processes in the body demand a lion’s share. Supporting our cellular powerhouses, the mitochondria, can keep our cells and health humming along. But there’s another reason for anyone wanting to start a family…

Carolyn Gretton

When eating meat could help you live longer

To eat meat, or not to eat meat? Decades of research seem to come down on the side of a plant-based diet. However, everything we thought we knew about the risks of eating meat may have just been upended…

Margaret Cantwell

The vitamin that fights a common contributor of unhealthy aging

Longer lifespans have researchers scrambling to keep an aging population healthier. One vitamin has emerged that experts agree may be helpful for several chronic conditions featuring a common denominator afflicting aging Americans…

Joyce Hollman

Fitness and strength decline earlier than thought, but there’s a silver lining

If asked when a person’s physical performance begins to decline, most of us would guess in their 50s or 60s. But we’d be way off as the results of a 47-year study have revealed. Thankfully, there’s a silver lining…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Scientists capture the health benefits of thyme

Far beyond being the perfect poultry seasoning, thyme is packed with health-supporting compounds. But despite years of research into its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune boosting potential, the question has been how to get the most from it, until now…

Carolyn Gretton

The 22-minute solution to a longer life

Sitting. It’s so bad for us, but is there any way to get around it? How can you possibly counter the damage to your health after sitting eight or more hours a day at work and then winding down in front of the TV for a few more? In 22 minutes, that’s how…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

3 health conditions that steal your testosterone

Studies show that testosterone levels in men have been declining for decades. If you’re a man between 45 and 65, odds are your T levels don’t measure up to your dad’s. But why? Well, as three specific health conditions rose, T levels tanked, and there’s a definite connection…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Microplastics appear to target men’s arteries

Microplastic travel the circulation super-highway and have been found in the brain, the heart, blood clots and artery-clogging plaque. Up until now, scientists considered them an equal opportunity threat…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The ‘male’ hormone turning women’s sex drives back on

Compared to a man’s sex drive, the female sex drive has largely been ignored. And for far too long, too many women thought loss of sexual desire was just part of aging. Wrong! Put on your seat belt and prepare to get turned on…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How a mushroom with anti-diabetic properties starves cancer

For thousands of years, medicinal mushrooms have been used for tumor therapy in traditional Chinese medicine. But one stands out because it also has anti-diabetic qualities. And if you know cancer’s favorite fuel source, it’s a no-brainer how it works…

Joyce Hollman

Astaxanthin to slow skin aging? Here’s why

Astaxanthin is an antioxidant with a reputation for challenging the effects of aging, impacting longevity and health. Now it joins a few nutrients that can slow skin aging from the inside out…

Carolyn Gretton

The supplement that reduced dialysis-related heart risks almost by half

Dialysis is needed when the kidneys are so damaged that the body needs an external filtration system to remove waste from the blood. But heart-related complications are a risk of the procedure. There may be a way to reduce that threat…

Carolyn Gretton

The tiny ‘leak’ that may explain statin-related muscle pain

Some people taking statins suffer from muscle pain, while others experience no pain at all. Research into why reveals a tiny leak that can cause muscle tissue to degrade. Here’s what to know…

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…

Joyce Hollman

The diet that sheds pounds and keeps your brain from shrinking

Studies have shown it doubles weight loss, slows brain aging and brain atrophy and decreases liver fat. It could be the one diet to answer all our problems. Here’s how to go “green” for a big brain and slimmer waist and liver…

Joyce Hollman

6 supplements a scientist who studies aging swears by

Most doctors advise geting nutrients from food and only supplementing for deficiencies. But an expert in the anti-aging space says he and others like him are willing to throw caution to the wind, especially on supplements with little risk, for the best shot at a long, healthy life…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 habits to make your brain 8 years younger

How old do you think your brain is? The truth is, it may be much older than you. But you can do something about it. Start these 5 habits now to turn back the clock on brain aging…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Tapping into the vagus nerve for long-term heart health

The vagus nerve stretches from the brain to the colon, touching and impacting our organs and more along the way. But less has been known about it, including that it may be key to keeping the heart younger longer…

Carolyn Gretton

The amino acid ‘hack’ for fewer cavities

Keeping your teeth in good shape can be an uphill battle, even with a stellar oral hygiene routine that includes flossing and brushing a few times a day. If you need extra help, give the cavity-busting power of arginine a try…

Carolyn Gretton

How diabetes can actually reshape your heart

People with diabetes are at high risk for heart trouble, whether they have traditional symptoms like high blood pressure or cholesterol, or not. Now we know why: Diabetes reshapes the heart…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Mouth cancer: The significant risk of just one drink

Alcohol’s relationship with the human body is perplexing. Over the years, there’s been an association with health, but on the other hand, with cancer. How problematic is just one drink a day?

Carolyn Gretton

The ‘pickled’ food that took down weight and triglycerides

Wouldn’t it be great if fighting obesity were as simple as adding one specific food to your diet? According to multiple studies, one food eaten for thousands of years may help — by stimulating your gut’s built-in GLP-1 support system…

Joyce Hollman

Restless legs and Parkinson’s: the link thickens

Most of the time, restless legs syndrome is an annoying though benign condition. But there’s a lot of speculation about possible links to Parkinson’s. New findings thicken the plot: In some cases, restless legs may be a loud warning sign…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Key player in kidney disease identified (and a supplement that helps)

37 million Americans live with chronic kidney disease. If you have diabetes or hypertension, you’re at high risk of joining them. Luckily, a new treatment, and better yet, preventative, is on the horizon. Even better, it’s available right now without prescription…

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…

Carolyn Gretton

A sweeter way to boost hair growth

Living with androgenic alopecia, a common cause of hormonal hair loss in men and women, is challenging, especially when the suggested treatment isn’t all that effective. That may be changing…

Carolyn Gretton

This could be why your blood pressure medicine isn’t working

About 20 percent of people with high blood pressure are resistant to treatment, leaving them vulnerable to heart attack and stroke. Researchers trying to get to the bottom of why are onto something…

Craig Cooper

10 ways to lower your PSA levels

An elevated PSA can be an early indication of prostatitis, an enlarged prostate or other health concerns. Research suggests that lifestyle changes, targeted nutrients, and inflammation reduction may help support healthy PSA levels.

Joyce Hollman

The diet that could keep gum disease away

The Mediterranean Diet is always at the top of any “best diet” list. It just has so much going for it, promoting healthy aging, better blood pressure and protecting against cognitive decline. The lastest? Gum disease…

Joyce Hollman

How to have the memory of a 50-year-old at 80

Diet, exercise and sleep are important for keeping your brain sharp with age. But what if you can’t do it all, like exercise? SuperAgers do more of one thing that’s not on this list, and it works for them…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The hidden arterial dangers of being ‘skinny-fat’

You can easily zip your jeans and your doctor’s happy with the number on the scale. That means you’re fit and healthy, right? Not necessarily. Being skinny-fat may mask artery damage setting you up for stroke or heart attack…

Carolyn Gretton

What your neck size can reveal about your heart

BMI was considered the gold standard for estimating a person’s body fat, until we learned it overlooked a critical detail that’s a much stronger indication for heart trouble, one your neck size could reveal…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

9 signs of poor circulation you shouldn’t ignore

Good circulation is one of the most critical factors for good health. Your heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and everything in between receive life-giving oxygen via a complex network of blood vessels throughout the body. Do you know the signs if yours is failing?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Sugar ruins your gut surprisingly fast — but there’s an antidote

Thanks to all the sweet treats that go hand-in-hand with social gatherings, I have no doubt that I eat more sugar during the holidays than in the previous six months combined. But eating a high-sugar diet for even a short amount of time can result in shockingly fast health problems…

Jenny Smiechowski

Avoid hidden heavy metals this holiday season

Decorative tableware is never more popular than during the holidays. But those festive platters can serve up toxic metals that shorten lifespans and endanger your heart on par with cholesterol. Before you serve guests, how dangerous is your holiday setting?

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Simple hack stops ‘viral vitamin’ from plummeting during winter

It’s no secret why cold and flu season go hand-in-hand with the dark days of fall and winter. Luckily, scientists have discovered an easy way to bio-hack the ‘viral vitamin’ we need most this time of year…

Margaret Cantwell

More proof of skin cancer prevention in a vitamin

A few years ago, a small study from Australia, the skin cancer capital of the world, suggested a simple vitamin could help prevent the most common skin cancers. A much larger study just put those findings to the test, and they were right…

Carolyn Gretton

The real cholesterol culprit cracked: It’s not eggs

If you have elevated cholesterol, you’ve probably been avoiding eggs. Turns out, that advice may be as dated as bell-bottom pants. In fact, it’s this Western breakfast staple that may be the real villain in the cholesterol war…

Carolyn Gretton

The unusual link between HRT and women’s immune health

Hormone replacement therapy has largely shed its bad reputation, given the heart, bone and brain health benefits revealed in recent years. New evidence shows it could shore up another system critical to keeping women well…

Joyce Hollman

The perfect pair to beat disease-causing inflammation

There are lots of supplements that support gut health and fight disease-causing inflammation. But a perfect pair that produces a crucial short-chain fatty acid essential to healthy aging may be the most potent anti-inflammatory to do the job…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

10 sneaky conditions that lead to weight gain

When you do everything right and still gain weight, it can be frustrating. It’s probably not even your fault. Many health conditions, some you’d never suspect, can make it hard to maintain healthy weight or even cause sudden weight gain…

Amanda Wilks

6 Anti-aging superfoods that will make you feel younger

Take into account just how important a factor food can be when it comes to aging. Stuffing yourself full of foods with added sugars and bad fats can be almost as destructive as hours sedentary on the couch. If you want good health to feel and look better, try these…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

16 medical tests to expect in your 60s and beyond

Some preventative medical tests are a piece of cake, while we dread others. And it seems new ones gets tacked on with each passing birthday. Here’s what to expect at 60 and beyond, including when you can start saying ‘no’ to some of the poking and prodding…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What is ‘Ghost Poop’ and what it signals about your health

‘Ghost poop’ is making the rounds on social media. Who you gonna call? Not Ghostbusters. We’ve got all the answers about what this spooky-sounding term means, who experiences ghost poop, and what it signals…

Jenny Smiechowski

Eat this ONE veggie for clearer arteries

Most people with atherosclerosis don’t know they have it until artery-clogging problems show up, like stroke or heart attack. So, what can you do to steer clear? Eat the one vegetable that reduces vascular calcification.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The unseen fat that’s your heart’s biggest threat

A layer of fat around the heart offers protection. Unless there’s a little too much and it’s composed of damaging substances that can leak directly into your heart. Here’s how that happens and how to gauge your risk…

Joyce Hollman

The Parkinson’s clues found in ear wax

Right now, diagnosing Parkinson’s is costly, subjective and slow, taking an average of three years. When the only hope is to slow progression, every second counts. Here’s why ear wax could lead to faster diagnoses, but don’t break out the swabs…

Joyce Hollman

Common drugs that disrupt your gut years after taking them

You may be done with that antibiotic, but is it done with you? Not by a long shot. But research has found it’s not the only common medication that continues doing damage to your gut long after you’ve finished it…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

This ‘living drug’ could be the real fountain of youth

No need to travel to Florida. New findings reveal the real fountain of youth is much closer to home. Tweaking our own T cells, immune system cells, is the start of what scientists are calling a “living drug” to halt the ravages of time…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to get more from your vitamins

Are you among the 80 percent of Americans supplementing? Most of us realize that to feel better, have more energy, fight the ravages of time and avoid chronic conditions, nutrition matters. But are you making these 13 mistakes that can sabotage this healthy habit?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 foods and drinks that lower blood pressure like a prescription

A growing body of research is proving that some foods and drinks can lower blood pressure to a level often on par with prescription medication, reducing what is normally a high risk for heart attack or stroke.

«SPONSORED»