Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Sex after 60: if you’re not doing it, you should be

Who says sex after 60 stops? If you think you’re supposed to leave all that behind after a certain birthday, you’d be mistaken. Researchers say an active sex life can offer benefits that can make your life more satisfying with age, and they have some tips to help you get it on…

Easy Health Options Staff

COPD: What to know about your prematurely aged immune system

COPD is an umbrella term for a group of incurable inflammatory lung disorders. It carries higher risk for other serious conditions such as heart disease, memory loss, stroke or diabetes. But less has been known about its connection to vitamin deficiency and an aged immune system…

Joyce Hollman

Two mistakes to avoid (like your life depends on it) when you retire

If you’re newly retired, or will be soon, some planning probably went into how you’ll spend this chapter of your life. Your finances may have been at the top of your list. But before you check anything off, be sure you don’t make the two mistakes that don’t leave room for second chances…

Jedha Dening

Cholesterol drugs: Prescription for disease?

When a physician suggests a medication, you trust them. You’d never expect them to prescribe a drug that may not actually work — much less one with links to other diseases. But that’s just what has happened…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The easiest way to drop your stroke risk by almost 50%

Some of us feel powerless about improving our odds of living long lives without the physical limitations that can make us dependent on others. A stroke is a perfect example of the kind of event that can change everything in an instant. But you can do something incredibly simple to lower that risk…

Carolyn Gretton

The after-stroke danger to be aware of: ‘Sticky’ blood vessels

It’s well-known that stroke can cause damage to the brain. But once the stroke is treated, it seems logical that the damage would stop there. Unfortunately, researchers have discovered a process deep within your body that can lead to more destruction. But it may be possible to dial it back…

Carolyn Gretton

DIM: The short answer to a long list of midlife ailments

In our 40s, our list of health concerns begins to grow. It doesn’t take long before that shortlist gets longer and longer. It would be easy to get overwhelmed trying to rein them all in, unless you’re familiar with one powerful phytonutrient that tackles them all, including hormone imbalance, sluggish metabolism, immune health and so much more…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

It’s not your diet: Why breathing is making us fat

Nothing is more frustrating than seeing numbers on a scale tipping in the wrong direction, no matter how much calorie counting you’ve done. Is it your diet? Hormones? Or the air you breathe? It’s not high in calories, but it’s high in something else science says packs on the pounds…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Heart disease: Not as sexist as you thought

Unless you grew up in a family where mothers and grandmothers suffered heart attack, like mine, I can see why many think heart disease is a man’s disease. But once you know what fueled the stereotype, you’ll understand
it’s an equal opportunity threat..

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Pomegranate: The fruit fueling cancer-fighting cells

This juicy red fruit is packed with antioxidants and possesses rich levels of a compound found to revive aging and defective mitochondria to help keep muscles stronger longer and extend lifespan. Now its cancer-fighting potential has gotten the attention of the scientific community…

Joyce Hollman

A family history of disease? It matters much less in your 50s

If mom, dad or granddad had cancer or diabetes, most of us believe we’ll suffer the same fate. Well, you can worry a lot less about that if you’ve reached 55. That may seem counter to everything you think you know about aging. But it could be a game-changer if you’re ready to play.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

For an immune system like a 20-year-old, do this one thing

Isn’t aging grand? Not only do you have to worry about wrinkles, blood sugar problems, osteoporosis, hormones and a laundry list of other issues, but there’s a reason your immune system just doesn’t function like it used to either. That one’s easier to fix…

Jenny Smiechowski

6 things muscle cramps say about your health

Muscle cramps are a common problem with a lot of potential causes. But no matter what’s causing your muscle cramps, regular cramping isn’t something you should ignore. It’s your body’s way of telling you something’s not right…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The cholesterol drugs giving you cataracts

Lipitor is the biggest-selling drug in the history of the pharmaceutical industry, even though the evidence for using statins to lower heart attack and stroke is not as strong as once thought. But, if you’re a statin-taker, you know they do far more than just that…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Women’s biggest benefit from intermittent fasting: Lower cancer risk

For women, just getting older increases the risk of breast cancer. Being overweight takes it up a few notches. Those odds double down after 50 if you carry extra weight and the change steals your sleep. How can you upset the odds? Change when you eat…

Jenny Smiechowski

The surprising food that supports your aging memory most

Memory problems are often considered an unavoidable consequence of old age. “Senior moments” are an expected and even comical part of getting older. We create memes, books and birthday cards about them. But even though most of us can laugh about it, you don’t want it to happen to you…

Joyce Hollman

5 reasons you wake up at night and how to stop

Insomnia is commonly thought of as the inability to fall asleep. But if you find yourself sound asleep, only to wake up at 2 a.m. to stare at the ceiling for hours, you’re dealing with a phenomenon called “middle insomnia.” Here are five reasons it might be happening…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Purple tomato boosted with 10x the cancer-fighting antioxidants

A purple cancer-fighting tomato is making headlines. Its beautiful hue is the result of antioxidant pigments naturally found in berries which exert powerful benefits by mopping up dangerous free radicals. But are GMO antioxidants any better than organic ones?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The ‘diet’ fruit that makes you feel full faster

If you’re looking to lose weight, don’t fall into the low-fat trap. That’s not only difficult, but for men a low-fat diet can lead to low T and tank a healthy libido. Instead opt for this diet “fruit” with the good fat that make you feel full enough to push back from the table sooner…

Jenny Smiechowski

The superstar antioxidant that stops osteoarthritis in its tracks

Osteoarthritis is a pain in the butt, or more accurately, the knee, hip, hand, neck or back. The loss of cartilage in these areas leads to painful bone rubbing that can prevent you from doing all sorts of everyday activities. Unfortunately, doctors can’t help much, but there is a promising antioxidant that not only relieves the pain but could stop osteoarthritis from progressing…

Joyce Hollman

Lutein and zeaxanthin: Protection far beyond your eyes

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids known for supporting vision health. That’s why mom made sure you ate your carrots. But even mom didn’t know then that this duo’s protection could go far beyond, extending benefits from your brain to your bones and more.

Joyce Hollman

Is your doctor prescribing you drugs on the ‘danger list’?

There are a few classes of drugs you should be wary of… they can cloud your mind, reduce your abilities and they’re slow to leave your system. That increases risk of injury. What do you do if your doctor prescribes them? Try this…

Jenny Smiechowski

To protect your brain, watch where you get your calcium

The older you get, the higher your risk of developing osteoporosis. And taking a calcium supplement can help curb that risk. But, it turns out, taking a calcium supplement for healthy bones could put another crucial body part at risk…

Joyce Hollman

When sound drives you crazy: Misophonia, tinnitus, phonophobia and more

Do certain sounds make your skin crawl? Do you anticipate with dread that one repetitive sound that you know could push you over the edge? Or do you hear constant noise that has no external source? You may be suffering from one of these conditions — and you’re not alone…

Joyce Hollman

Weight or inches: Which matters most for heart health?

There’s no doubt that being overweight is bad for your heart, upping the odds as much as 60 percent. But some obese people have better cardiovascular health than people of healthy weight. Here’s what makes them heart-healthier than someone of normal weight…

Joyce Hollman

Your stress score could increase cancer risk almost 2.5 times

Stress signals the body to produce the hormone cortisol at times when you need it, like to meet a deadline. But chronic, ongoing stressors that never allow your cortisol to ‘come down’ cause wear and tear on your body at a biological level. And that’s only good for cancer…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The tea that keeps you young, fit and energetic

If you’ve been feeling like you’re slowing down lately or maybe you’ve been noticing a few new wrinkles and extra pounds around your middle, don’t write it off as a normal part of aging. There are natural ways to stay young, fit and energetic at any age.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why a hospital stay could increase risk for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

No one plans to get sick enough from a viral or bacterial infection to be hospitalized. But now there’s all the more reason to plan to avoid that scenario. That’s because landing in the hospital for infection just a couple of times could greatly impact the health of your brain a few years later…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Some animal-based foods not so bad for T2D

If you’ve been told your blood sugar isn’t so good, your doctor probably advised eating more plant-based foods, like whole grains, veggies, fruits and legumes while limiting consumption of most animal products. Good news: all animal-based foods are not equal in their effects on T2D.

Carolyn Gretton

3 beverages to drink for better metabolism

We’d all love to keep the metabolism we had when we were kids. But aging makes that impossible. While our metabolism naturally slows with age, there’s lot we can do to help it run at peak efficiency, starting with our drinking habits…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why this antiviral could help COVID-19 patients recover quicker

Researchers are racing to come up with new treatments for COVID-19 before more people lose their lives. But new treatments take a long time to develop and test. Luckily, we already have to a wide range of antivirals at our fingertips — including one that’s proven to help people recover from COVID-19 quicker.

Jenny Smiechowski

13 spices that save you from junk food-fueled inflammation

Junk food contributes to disease-causing inflammation. But it’s almost impossible not to hit the drive-thru from time to time. Just make sure you counteract your burger and fries with these inflammation-fighting spices…

Jenny Smiechowski

Your stove may be cooking up unsafe levels of indoor air pollution

Most of us don’t think twice when we click our gas stoves on to cook. But maybe we should. Gas stoves are exposing us to pollution levels so high they would be illegal if they were outside. And this exposure can contribute to everything from asthma to heart disease to cancer.

Joyce Hollman

Take 10 years off your brain age with resveratrol

Resveratrol is a polyphenol, a plant compound that acts as an antioxidant. It’s found in red wine and dark chocolate. If you want to wind back the clock on your brain’s age by up to a decade, go ahead and indulge a little!

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Reduce COVID-19 anxiety and depression with these free apps

If you’re feeling anxious, down, or lonely in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic you’re not alone. Anxiety and depression numbers have skyrocketed since the lockdowns began. A collection of apps can help significantly reduce your stress and anxiety, and they’re free!

Joyce Hollman

6 habits that hijack your immune system

You probably already know that bad nutrition and poor sleep can sabotage your immune system. But there are some lesser-known habits you may be engaging in right now that are compromising your immune system’s ability to protect you at a time when you need it most.

Jenny Smiechowski

3 dangers of drinking too much green tea

With all the hype around green tea’s health benefits, it’s tempting to sip on the stuff all day, every day. But it turns out that drinking too much of this typically healthy beverage comes with a few potential side effects… including one serious one.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The best time to check your blood pressure

High blood pressure and heart disease go hand in hand. Most of us get checked regularly at our doctor’s office. Hopefully yours is in the green… but there’s a way to check it to see if red zone numbers are in your future.

Joyce Hollman

5 smoothies that calm inflammation and boost immunity

I’m focusing on superfood combinations that can boost my immune system and tame inflammation. Both will lower my chances of a COVID-19 infection, or any infection, for that matter. And since spring has finally arrived and it’s warm out, I’d like to share five of my favorite superfood smoothie recipes with you.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Switch couch time for naptime for better mood and BMI

Stay-at-home orders have most of us sitting more than ever. Estimates show that levels of physical activity have plummeted by 32 percent, leading to added stress and depression as well as weight gain. A new study has shown that substituting nap time for sitting time could help you feel and be healthier.

Jenny Smiechowski

All whole grains aren’t as healthy as you’ve been made to think

Fiber is a health-giving, life-saving nutrient. Research shows eating a high fiber diet decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and colorectal cancer. It also extends life expectancy. The problem is, not all sources of fiber deliver the same benefits — especially if they’re “whole grain.”

Jenny Smiechowski

Just one fast food meal can lower your brain power

With all the stress, uncertainty and monotonous days spent hunkered down at home, many of us are eating less healthy than we normally would. But it turns out, even a little bit of junk food has a swift and serious impact on your brain’s ability to function.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Drinking more whole milk clobbers ‘cluster’ of cardio threats

Both diabetes and high blood pressure significantly increase your risk of dying from both heart attack and stroke, with diabetes alone nearly doubling that risk. Now, new research has found that simply adding more dairy to your diet could be the key to avoiding both conditions, especially if you go full fat.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Ancient Chinese remedy soothes indigestion without drugs or side effects

If you live with indigestion that causes bloating and stomach pain, you might be tempted to head to your doctor for a prescription. But wait… many of those pills have been linked to Alzheimer’s. Luckily, a new study has found safe, effective indigestion relief in an ancient Chinese practice.

Joyce Hollman

Drink away weight and disease risk with green tea

With obesity on the rise, more people are looking at green tea as an aid in fat burning and weight loss, as well as for its other health benefits. An international group of researchers did a deep dive into how green tea can help with weight loss.

Joyce Hollman

When low blood pressure signals a hidden health problem

We spend a lot of time talking about the dangers of high blood pressure. But did you know that low blood pressure (hypotension) holds dangers all its own? Here’s what you need to know about hypotension, its effects and how to prevent it.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Fight Alzheimer’s with your toothbrush

Alzheimer’s is one of the scariest diseases on the planet. It doesn’t just steal your life, it steals who you are and the lifetime of memories you’ve accumulated. Scientists have proven that one of the easiest ways to postpone or even prevent Alzheimer’s could be found in your bathroom.

Joyce Hollman

11 health hacks for your best life after 40

There are changes you can make in your forties that will keep you healthier, more energetic and more alert for decades to come. Here are 11 changes you can make that will make a big difference over time.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The cholesterol danger in every cup

A new study says there’s a little-known factor that could be increasing your chances of ending up with worrisome cholesterol levels. It’s something you could be drinking on a daily basis.

Jenny Smiechowski

How potatoes can help pump up your muscles

Potatoes are probably the most controversial vegetable. No one would say that broccoli is unhealthy, but potatoes have plenty of naysayers… mostly because they’re high in carbs. But the truth is that potatoes are a good source of nutrients, including protein that can fuel your muscles.

Easy Health Options Staff

Why your body craves CoQ10

The vital antioxidant nutrient Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is responsible for providing an energy spark to all 100 trillion of your body’s cells. And scientists have proven that sufficient CoQ10 is critical for producing 95 percent of your body’s personal energy. But its effects go much deeper…

Joyce Hollman

9 secret signs of thyroid trouble

When your thyroid is functioning properly, your health blossoms. When it isn’t, the effects on your health can be more widespread than you’d ever imagine. Here is a list of 9 lesser-known signs of thyroid trouble you need to be aware of.

Joyce Hollman

Vitamin K: The secret to hard bones and soft arteries

Vitamin D and calcium, the dynamic duo of bone health, are probably the first things you think of when you think about how to keep your bones healthy… but vitamin K is crucial for building bone strength and can be found in many of the foods we eat.

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?

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.

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…

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…

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