Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Carolyn Gretton

Exercise or die? What if you’ve already had a heart attack

No one likes to exercise. But every day 2,200 Americans die from a heart attack. But you know what? There are about 335,000 recurrent heart attacks each year, too. That means a lot of people survive. But is exercise a good idea after the fact, can it keep you from another, and what kind’s best?

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The oil that turns fat storage cells into fat burning cells

For the longest, I was stuck with an extra 10 or 15 pounds that I felt I needed to lose. I can’t count how many times I’ve wished for a magic pill that would turn me into a fat burning machine. Well, thanks to researchers in Kyoto, Japan, we may have gotten a little closer to that magic pill.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The Alzheimer’s trifecta more risky than genetics

If a close family member had Alzheimer’s, you know that fear of one day developing the disease yourself. On the other hand, no family history could give you a false sense of security. That’s because a trifecta of three common health conditions has been found to carry a much higher risk than genetics…

Joyce Hollman

7 aging myths to stop believing

Aging is still a difficult subject to talk about. Maybe that’s why the aging process is surrounded by myths that many people believe. Here are seven of them we’d like you to stop falling for. You’ll improve your health, live longer and enjoy life more!

Joyce Hollman

How to slash genetic risk for prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in American men, and the most heritable cancer. If your father had it, there’s a high chance you will, too. If you are at increased genetic risk, recent research spells out exactly what you can do to dramatically decrease the odds it will take your life.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

2 steps to beating hypertension even if you’re overweight and over 55

There are a number of things that can cause your blood pressure to go up. But two of the most common contributors are age and weight. A new study has found a two-step system can significantly lower blood pressure even if you’re over the age of 55, overweight or obese…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The nutrient deficiency that leads to loneliness (and heart dangers)

Scientists discovered that loneliness can actually be ‘seen’ in our blood. While it sounds crazy, they saw that people who live with loneliness have very specific compounds in their blood, plus a nutrient deficiency that helps explains their condition and specific heart dangers…

Joyce Hollman

Only 1 in 5 of us has a healthy heart: Is it you?

While a higher risk of heart disease can be inherited, lifestyle can outweigh even these genetic tendencies. In a first ever study measuring specific factors that affect heart health, the news is grim for most of us, based on that simple fact, unless…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

4 ways to naturally relieve COPD symptoms

Many people don’t realize that COPD is actually an umbrella term that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema and sometimes asthma. Nor do they realize how widespread and dangerous it is — especially if you’re a woman…

Easy Health Options Staff

The ONE question to always ask a thyroid doctor

Need a good reason to take extra care of your thyroid? Here’s a good one: If something goes wrong — surgery is risky. But if you absolutely must have it removed, there is one very important thing you must ask your surgeon…

Joyce Hollman

From weight loss to lower cholesterol: How to get the most from apples

Study after study has shown the health benefits of apples give credence to the saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But, there are many ways to enjoy apples, and they’re not all created equal when it comes to reaping their nutritional value…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Viral trigger to blame for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis has had doctors and scientists stumped ever since it was first identified. While they could put up theories of what might cause the crippling autoimmune disease, the proof was elusive, until a solid connection was linked to a common virus…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Stomach cancer: Risks and symptoms you should know

While stomach cancer is only the sixth most common type of cancer worldwide, it’s the third most common cause of cancer death. Because it’s so dangerous, it’s important to know the signs, risks and best prevention…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Over 51? You may have monkeypox protection

No one is sounding loud alarms about monkeypox yet, but cases have started to rise. An interesting thing is that most of them are in people under 50. Unlike the last virus that made older adults a target, if you’re 51 or over, you may have little to be concerned about…

Carolyn Gretton

Is E. coli and a bad diet a recipe for colon cancer?

A Western-style diet is linked with a higher risk of colorectal cancer. And separate studies have indicated colorectal cancer could be influenced by a certain type of bacteria. Now, scientists are looking closely at the connection between these two colorectal cancer risk factors…

Joyce Hollman

The best way to avoid knee pain says science

The pain of knee osteoarthritis can be excruciating, and the stiffness can really slow you down. For many people, the solution is a total knee replacement. But science is stacking up for a simple way to slow damage and reduce your pain risk by 40 percent…

Carolyn Gretton

The menopause change that increases stroke and Alzheimer’s risk

Many changes come with menopause. And most of them we’re very familiar with. But one symptom has left experts wondering if it’s the result of out-of-whack hormones or if actual physical changes occur in the brain. Researchers recently explored this and what they discovered is concerning…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The microbe shortage spreading disease

The microorganisms that dwell in your gut impact vitals such as blood pressure, immune system development and your risks for more than two dozen other diseases, that they know of at this point. But most of us are running around with an “impoverished microbiome.”

Joyce Hollman

LISS: The low-intensity workout with big cardio benefits

Remember when high-intensity interval training became popular? I wondered how anyone but a seasoned athlete could stand up to those intense bursts of exercise. If you’re looking for cardio you can keep up with, that elevates your heart rate with less risk of injury, welcome to low-intensity steady state workouts…

Carolyn Gretton

Low sex drive? It may be your thyroid

There are a lot of symptoms of low thyroid function. You may experience cold hands and feet, fatigue, headache, stiff or painful joints and depression, among other effects. But there’s another thyroid symptom affecting men and women we don’t talk about…

Carolyn Gretton

The sneaky substances raising women’s blood pressure

Modern living is synonymous with chemicals. And unfortunately, some of them may be inescapable. They’re called “forever chemicals” and there’s no doubt they impact our health. If you’re a woman puzzled about what’s behind your blood pressure, this may be the first place to look…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

That low-fat dairy advice? It’s way wrong for your heart

Many of us believe the only way we can enjoy dairy is to only choose low-fat options.That’s meant watery milk and giving up rich, delicious full-fat yogurt, not to mention real butter and cheese. Time to stop. You’ve been cheating your tastebuds and your heart for too long…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

8 great supplements for calming rheumatoid arthritis

Living with RA can get a little easier when you use supplements to naturally reduce inflammation and swelling, relieve pain, improve your overall health and combat the side effects of those prescription drugs. Here are the great eight…

Carolyn Gretton

The diabetes warning that comes from your arteries

Have you heard of “vascular compliance?” It’s a term for how stiff or flexible your arteries are. And it’s key to maintaining healthy blood pressure and avoiding stroke and heart attack. Now, researchers are finding it may also be the strongest indicator you’re developing blood sugar problems…

Joyce Hollman

How obesity can lead straight to heart failure

A lot’s been said about obesity as a contributor to diseases like cancer, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. And some of it’s been contradicted. But cardiac scans don’t lie about the physical changes obesity wreaks on the heart that lead straight to heart failure…

Jenny Smiechowski

What your itchy skin indicates about your gut

You’ve heard of the gut-brain axis. Well, research shows there’s a gut-skin axis too. That means your gut is constantly communicating with your gut, and your gut is constantly communicating with your skin. In fact, a new study shows exactly why people with skin problems are more likely to have gut problems and vice versa…

Margaret Cantwell

The vaccine that lowers Alzheimer’s risk 40 percent

For years researchers have teased us about the potential for an Alzheimer’s vaccine. So far we’ve been left high and dry, or have we? Turns out a vaccine that’s been around for decades may activate the immune system in a way that protects against the disease…

Carolyn Gretton

Your brain and cholesterol on cranberries

Like most berries, cranberries are bursting with health-boosting micronutrients which give berries their red, blue, or purple color. But it’s their potential impact on the brain and vascular health that has experts giving the tiny berry a closer look…

Carolyn Gretton

How a mistaken Alzheimer’s diagnosis proved deadly

Lyme disease is growing across the country. Testing for it is often inaccurate. And if not caught it in time, it could prove debilitating or deadly. That’s what one family discovered when their father was misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s before the truth came out…

Carolyn Gretton

Low thyroid? Keep these 9 foods on your radar

If you’re suffering from unexplained weight gain, fatigue, thinning hair, stiff or painful joints, memory issues and increased sensitivity to cold, you may want to get your thyroid checked. Chances are, you’re suffering from low thyroid. Then take a good look at what you’re eating…

Jenny Smiechowski

Stevia: The natural, zero-calorie sweetener that slays fatty liver

High sugar intake is directly linked to liver cancer, liver scarring and fatty liver disease — a condition that can lead to cirrhosis. But there is a zero-calorie savior that can satisfy your sweet tooth and save your liver — stevia.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Collagen supplement reduces lines and wrinkles from UVB rays

Spending time in the sunshine lifts your mood and gives you a vitamin D boost that keeps your bones and your immune system strong. But it also leads to UVB-induced skin damage and premature aging. Could supplementing collagen reverse that damage and restore youthful skin?

Joyce Hollman

Vitamin D update: Low levels, infection severity and the COVID-19 trials that put it to the test

Did you know that vitamin D is a key player in maintaining the health and vitality of your immune system? And right now, that’s of paramount importance. Research in the United States and abroad has highlighted the importance of enough vitamin D in the time of COVID-19.

Jenny Smiechowski

Apples, berries and tea fend off Alzheimer’s

If you want to reduce your odds of developing Alzheimer’s, you should make one simple change to your diet — eat more flavonoid-rich foods. Why? Because the amount you eat now directly impacts your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia in the decades to come.

Joyce Hollman

How to keep grandparents connected to grandkids from a distance

Social distancing is taking a toll on all of us. We miss seeing our friends and family. We miss socializing and the everyday interactions we used to take for granted. But for those of you who are grandparents, particularly if your grandkids are still very young, there’s a whole other type of “missing” going on.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

6 ways apple cider vinegar could save your health

When you think of apple cider vinegar, you probably picture that tangy salad dressing that makes your mouth water or that tart marinade that gives your favorite chicken dish an extra kick. But, if you’re only using the flavor-packed powerhouse in your cooking, you could be missing out on some big health benefits…

Margaret Cantwell

Is nitric oxide really coronavirus kryptonite?

The news about nitric oxide is only getting better. It’s providing the most immediate promise of relief to patients infected with COVID-19 right now… But even outside of a pandemic, its got powerful benefits you should know about….

Joyce Hollman

How nail polish, canned foods and cash register receipts increase your risk of death from COVID-19

We know that air pollution is linked to diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease and asthma — conditions that just happen to make people especially vulnerable to respiratory infections. But what about the toxins right in your home that are “hacking” your immune system?

Jenny Smiechowski

How getting mindful can help eliminate chronic stomach symptoms

Do you have stomach issues, food allergies or intolerances? What if you could get rid of your gut trouble without changing anything in your diet? It sounds too good to be true, but it’s possible. That’s because gut issues don’t always have to do only with the contents of your stomach…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The high fiber fruits and veggies that lower breast cancer risk by 8%

One in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in her lifetime. And even while breast cancer rates have been decreasing, this year alone, over 42,100 women will die from it. But a review of 20 studies proves a high fiber diet is a solid way to bring your breast cancer risk down.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

6 signs you’re deficient in these essential nutrients

In many modern countries, even the U.S. where most people have access to high-quality nutrition, vitamin deficiencies are more common than most realize. That puts wellness at the top of the list… starting with these essential nutrients…

Jenny Smiechowski

12 unusual COVID-19 symptoms that are striking seniors

COVID-19 has us on high alert for fever, cough, shortness of breath, not to mention the loss of taste and smell and red eyes. But according to medical experts, seniors may start acting “off” before they develop these symptoms. Here’s how COVID-19 affects them and 12 signs to watch for…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

6 habits that age you, kick them to keep your age a secret

We all want to look younger. Yet, little things you do each day could be aging you beyond your years… That’s why we’re counting down six seemingly harmless habits that can leave your face looking like a road map. If you’re doing any of these, stop now to keep your age a secret…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

The statin mistake that increases your weight and decreases your health

On their own, statins are not a fool-proof guarantee of better outcomes. In fact, I recommend that all my patients eat a heart-healthy diet. Why? Because if your cholesterol is high and you can reduce it with diet alone, that’s always the better answer. That’s why a new study is so alarming…

Jenny Smiechowski

High selenium diet increases chance of COVID-19 survival

With COVID-19 going around, you want your immune system to be primed and ready to fight if and when it needs to. That means you should pay a little extra attention to the vitamins and minerals you’re getting daily. A new scientific review shows that high selenium levels could be linked to a higher likelihood of surviving COVID-19…

Jenny Smiechowski

The clean 15 and dirty dozen fruit and veggie guide for 2020

I buy a lot of my food organic, but not all of it. Sometimes, the price tag is so steep that I convince myself my body can handle a little dose of pesticides for the sake of my pocketbook. But based on all I’ve learned about pesticides and produce, I know I need to be strategic about which foods I buy organic and which ones I don’t…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The top 5 science-backed benefits of walking

There’s one exercise that can be done anywhere. No special equipment is required and the benefits are wide-ranging — from boosting your brain health to keeping your heart ticking.So, throw out the excuses and break out your shoes…

Joyce Hollman

What antibody testing is revealing about COVID-19

Serological testing, testing for the presence of antibodies that show you’ve already been exposed to the virus, is getting a lot of attention lately. It’s helping to give us a more accurate picture of just how widespread the virus is, and convincing authorities that, indeed, this is not just another “flu virus”…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 heart attack habits to ditch before it’s too late

Since we know that heart disease is the leading cause of heart attacks, is there anything you’re doing that’s increasing your risk of death? What can you do differently that could save your life? For starters, you can change these five habits and change your risk…

Joyce Hollman

Inflammation fix helps fight depression and obesity

I’m being careful to make very conscious choices about what I eat these days. See, the link between depression and weight gain is well established. But there’s another piece of the puzzle that may be the root of the problem and the answer to fixing it…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why too much TV is hurting your heart

As much as I enjoy losing myself in good television, I know that by watching so much all at once, I might be putting my health at risk. According to all the research, binge-watching is linked to a higher risk of inflammatory disease and a shorter life span in general… so is there a level that’s safe, especially for your heart health? The good news is yes!

Jenny Smiechowski

‘Recipe’ for dementia found: don’t eat these foods together

You’ve probably heard about “brain-boosting” foods that lower your risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. But an area that gets overlooked when we talk about diet is food pairing. Can eating certain foods together impact your risk? Turns out these pairings are a recipe for cognitive decline…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

6 cancer warning signs that are easy to overlook

Overall, fewer people are dying from cancer. But while cancer deaths are going down, the number of people being diagnosed with certain types actually went up last year. We’ve put together a list of six symptoms that doctors say patients often miss to help you avoid being caught in this nightmare scenario…

Jenny Smiechowski

Protecting your heart from metabolic syndrome is easier than you’d think

If you have metabolic syndrome, you’re officially at a much higher risk for heart disease (diabetes and cancer too). Scary thought, I know. But protecting yourself from the dangers of metabolic syndrome might be easier than you’d think…

Joyce Hollman

Sudden signs of dementia could signal COVID-19 infection

Dry cough and fever were the first signs of a COVID-19 we watched for. Now, almost daily, we’re learning this virus has the potential to attack the body in undisclosed ways. A new symptom to add to the list? Sudden signs of dementia or delirium… evidence the virus damages not just the heart and lungs, but the brain as well.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Eating the skins of some fruits could reverse the damage of MS

More than one million people suffer from MS in the United States alone. But ground-breaking research may be able to help them slow, even reverse the damage it inflicts on the nervous system. Best of all, it’s a natural compound found in some of our favorite fruits and a few herbs, too…

Jenny Smiechowski

This OTC drug may treat COVID-19, but here’s why you shouldn’t stock up

Scientists are exploring every possible avenue for treating COVID-19. That includes revisiting existing drugs, like Remdesivir, used to treat other conditions. But, surprisingly, there’s a common over-the-counter medication that’s very promising. But before you head to the drugstore, there’s more you need to know …

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The novel nasal approach that provides extra precaution against coronavirus

An ancient practice that’s gone mainstream has many doctors across the country (including my own) recommending it to patients when they’re sick or simply suffering from seasonal allergies. Now, one doctor is convinced this DIY health habit may be an important tool in the battle against COVID-19…

Jenny Smiechowski

The one factor that determines whether your coffee is heart healthy

Even though coffee has transformed its bad-for-you image over the past couple of decades, there are still lingering questions about coffee’s impact on your health. Why is coffee OK for your heart in some studies and not OK in other studies? Research shows it all may come down to this one thing…

Jenny Smiechowski

What you should know about Guillain-Barre syndrome and COVID-19

Guillain-Barre isn’t all that common. It only impacts about 1 in 100,000 Americans. But those who are affected by it often have something in common — in the weeks before developing it, they were fighting off a bug. Usually, a gastrointestinal bug that causes diarrhea or a respiratory infection — like COVID-19…

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