Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The menopause link to 40% of deaths in women

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and at no time in her life is that risk higher than when transitioning through menopause. Thanks to advanced blood tests, now we know why and what doctors need to watch to keep women from trending to insulin resistance, stroke and heart attack…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Why two people can eat the same calories—but only one gains weight

Why do some people gain weight easily, while others don’t? The usual suspects include genetics, stress levels, hormones and, of course, metabolism. But there’s a silent, microscopic player in this game that we often overlook…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

The ultimate health hack: Optimizing your circadian rhythm

When your body can predict what you’re going to do and when, it can “meet you there,” priming your systems to perform at their peak. Here is why predictability is the ultimate health hack…

Joyce Hollman

Study confirms an IBS treatment better than medicine

Traditional medications for IBS can produce side effects including heartburn, diarrhea, gas and abdominal pain — the very symptoms they’re meant to eliminate. Research has confirmed a treatment that works better with none of those side effects…

Joyce Hollman

Let this oil flow once a week for better blood flow

Heart disease is still the number killer. But hear this: It turns out that for good blood flow, you need to let the oil flow. What kind? The one that means fewer artery-clogging platelets in your blood and reduces heart attack risk by 30%…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The lycopene link to preventing severe gum disease

Gum disease is much more common in folks over 50. But why? Are they skimping on good oral health habits? The truth is, they’re skimping on a common nutrient that seems custom-made to prevent severe gum disease.

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…

Joyce Hollman

Alpha-lipoic acid: The metabolic health protector

Metabolic health is a broad term that encompasses four deeply interconnected areas of health: Blood sugar metabolism, weight, the liver and the heart. Learn how one nutrient impacts them all…

Carolyn Gretton

Ashwagandha: The ancient answer to 21st century wellness

Ashwagandha, a staple of traditional Ayurvedic medicine, could be the answer to 21st century wellness. Its secret? Increasing a person’s ability to resist or adapt to biological, physical or chemical stressors.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Hidden risks of weight loss drugs: Deficiencies that age your body

Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy feel like a miracle after years of struggling to lose weight. But we’re learning they lead to nutritional deficiencies that increase risk of serious health problems most hope to avoid even in old age…

Carolyn Gretton

The vitamin that could treat and prevent pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a painful sudden attack that could land you in the hospital. Damage from repeat attacks put you in serious jeopardy. Rest, IV fluids, pain meds and antibiotics can only do so much. But this vitamin may treat, protect and prevent…

William Davis

Dimethylglycine: The key to stamina, performance and endurance

In the 1970s, scientists were able to isolate an amino acid known as DMG from its source. Eventually, it became one of many nutrients used by athletes to help give them a performance edge. But why should athletes get all the benefits? Find out what DMG can do for you…

Joyce Hollman

Natural light’s beneficial impact on blood sugar control

Several factors support normal blood sugar levels, including diet and exercise. But if you’re spending too much time indoors, you’re cheating yourself of one shown by a world-first study to have a significant impact on metabolic health.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Two blood tests doctors should order but don’t

When we talk about cholesterol, the focus is primarily on HDL and LDL, otherwise known as “good” and “bad” cholesterol. But there are a couple of risk factors that change the conversation. Here’s what to know…

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…

Carolyn Gretton

The truth about caffeine and your blood vessels

Is the caffeine in your cup of coffee harming your heart? The answers have been mixed. On the one hand, it can raise blood pressure. On the other, it reduces risk of heart failure. But what it does for your blood vessels…

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.

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.

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 the right fiber…

Carolyn Gretton

How to slash your risk of AFib by 60 percent

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of irregular heartbeat. It’s also a leading cause of stroke. Risk of devloping it climbs with age but it can also run in families and take your risk even higher. Do this one thing to slash it…

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…

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

Magnesium: An inexpensive defense against colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer rates are rising, so it’s vital to decrease your risk by avoiding lifestyle habits that can raise it. But research reveals the surprising way magnesium goes to work right where the cancer can start…

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

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?

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