Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Carolyn Gretton

How scrubbing the toilet with gusto can help you live longer

Exercise is such a powerful tool, but we’re still not doing it. So researchers are working on creative ways to make it easier without sacrificing benefits. They may have hit upon the perfect formula: increasing the intensity of everyday activities a minute at a time, with huge results…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What your tongue can tell you about your heart

If you’re worried about your heart, look in the mirror and say “ah!” Not because it’s time to relax. But because the tongues of people with heart failure look totally different from those of healthy people. Here’s what to look for…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What the number of pushups a man can do reveals about his health

Who wouldn’t like to have a crystal ball that could predict your health over the next decade? That way, you’d know exactly what areas need improving. Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health may have found the next best thing — pushups.

Joyce Hollman

Is a ‘silent’ food allergy attacking your brain?

Food allergies can be uncomfortable and even life-threatening. But is it possible to have a food allergy and not know? Here’s evidence silent food allergies can cause problematic changes in the brain you might chalk up to something else…

Joyce Hollman

Anxiety-relieving practice deemed effective as medication

Generalized anxiety disorder can be challenging, often leading to isolation, physical illnesses, chronic pain and fatigue. Risky antidepressants have been the go-to treatment, but a drug-free alternative just went head to head against the pills and the news is good…

Joyce Hollman

How exercise works like a roadblock to prostate cancer progression

Prostate cancer is the second most deadly cancer in American men. Previous research has shown an exercise program could release chemicals that control the growth of prostate cancer. Now the news is even better…

Carolyn Gretton

The activity that slashes diabetes risk 44 percent

Blood sugar problems that lead to diabetes are most common around the age of 45. That spells big trouble, including an increased risk of heart disease, nerve damage and even sexual problems. Lifestyle changes can improve things, but this one gets powerful results…

Carolyn Gretton

A concerning connection: breast cancer survival and heart disease

Breast cancer deaths are declining. If we stop right here, that’s certainly great news. But even though fewer women are dying from the cancer, their treatment may set them up for another disease they should be followed closely for…

Joyce Hollman

Worried about Alzheimer’s, cholesterol and blood pressure? There’s a tea for that

Drinking tea warms the soul. I find it one of the most soothing things I do for myself. What’s even better? Knowing this guilty pleasure has lots of researched benefits—many among the biggest health issues we face today.

Joyce Hollman

15 minutes of yoga and your ‘stroke’ number could drop 10 points

Exercise and health go together like PB and J. Typically, people choose one kind of exercise that works for them. I’m not knocking that because getting any exercise is a good thing. But adding in a little yoga can balloon benefits for blood pressure…

Carolyn Gretton

The ‘d’eeper problem behind age-related muscle weakness

Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of muscle mass, strength and functionality associated with aging. But have you heard of dynapenia? If you want to keep fraily, falls and decline out of your future, you need to understand how deep age-related muscle loss goes.

Joyce Hollman

Thunderstorm asthma: What allergy sufferers should know

A lot of us suffer from allergic rhinitis or hay fever. There’s nothing that unique about seasonal allergies, except maybe this: If you have hay fever, you are at risk for a serious event called “thunderstorm asthma,” even if you don’t normally have asthma.

Carolyn Gretton

An important step forward in gauging men’s prostate cancer risk

The old standby, PSA testing, isn’t 100 percent accurate, leading to unnecessary biopsy and treatment and loads of anxiety. But when it was scaled back, metastatic prostate cancer cases rose. The key is identifying men by risk level—and a new tool may be the answer to saving lives…

Carolyn Gretton

The uncomfortable condition Americans won’t talk about

Too many Americans suffer from chronic bloating — that tight, heavy, swollen feeling in your abdomen that can be caused by a number of conditions. What’s worse, few are seeking help. If you’re one of them, you don’t have to suffer in silence…

Joyce Hollman

5 additional benefits of walking when you do it backwards

Walking is my exercise of choice. No equipment or special skills required! But what really inspires me to lace up my walking shoes is the documented benefits. But guess what? Walking backwards is even better, especially if you have joint or low back pain…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The one thing disrupting your natural protection from obesity and diabetes

Researchers have found that though fats, salt and sugar are the quickest recipe for poor health, one among them does the most damage at making your body ripe for metabolic disease, especially when your natural protection is missing…

Joyce Hollman

Spice it up: A tasty way to a healthier gut

Your gut microbiome needs a variety of bacteria to do its job and keep you healthy. And spice is, as they say, the variety of life. After learning what spices can do for the diversity of your microbiome, that saying may take on a whole new meaning…

Carolyn Gretton

Worn-out non-stick cookware: Not just ugly — but toxic

In the 1950s, a convenient chemical made non-stick pans the best thing since sliced bread. Or so we thought. But perfect omelets and easy cleanup came with a hefty price: our health. And if you’re still using old non-stick pans, here’s why that threat is even greater…

Joyce Hollman

What men who want to avoid colon cancer eat

Colon cancer is the third most common form of cancer and men tend to have a higher risk than women. Caught early, it’s treatable. That’s what brought a group of scientists to re-examine the power of diet to prevent colon cancer specifically in men.

Carolyn Gretton

The surprising truth about the color of snot

Snot — it’s certainly not something you would discuss at the dinner table. But it’s something we should be more aware of, especially since you can tell a lot about your health, from colds to molds, from what color your mucus is…

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…

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 to 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…

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…

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…

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How the skins of some fruits could slow the damage of MS

More than one million people suffer from MS in the U.S. 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.

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

How to use the power of your mind to reverse signs of heart disease

In the weeks after a heart attack, you need to do things differently so you don’t have another one. What should you do to turn your heart health around? Healthy eating and exercise are great starters. But there’s another component to restoring heart health that people often forget about…

Joyce Hollman

Why deep sleep helps lower your Alzheimer’s risk

For decades, scientists have questioned the link between sleep and Alzheimer’s. Does poor sleep increase risk? It seems people with sleep problems are more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s. Or, does the brain biology of people at risk cause them to have poor sleep? Regardless, what’s at the root of this is what deep sleep does to your brain.

Jenny Smiechowski

The willow compound with more anti-cancer potential than aspirin

Over the past couple of decades, we’ve seen aspirin’s anti-cancer clout rise significantly. But the salicin that inspired aspirin may not even be the best anti-cancer compound the amazing willow has to offer. Recent research shows there’s another willow compound with even more cancer-fighting potential…

Joyce Hollman

A dozen delicious ways to power-up your immune system

Making deliberate choices about the foods you eat and what kinds of meals you prepare for yourself can truly make the difference between good or poor health or between a minor illness or a life-threatening one. Foods that boost your immune health are especially important…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The ‘hangover supplement’ with powerful liver protection

I like a glass a wine now and then, but I’m finding my body doesn’t tolerate it as well as it did in my younger days. Luckily, a study has found an herbal remedy may work like a natural hangover drug to not only significantly reduce acute alcohol-related symptoms but protect the liver.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Fallen lately? Here’s why you should get your hearing checked…

If you’ve been feeling out of balance or even taken a tumble, it may be time to get your ears checked — but not for the reasons you might think. It turns out your hearing plays a bigger role in your balance than ever realized and a hearing test could help you avoid a fall…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The diet that could help people with asthma breathe easier

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, more than 25 million Americans now suffer from asthma. That’s 25 million people that have to take more extensive precautions with their health in these unprecedented times. So, what should you be doing now to protect yourself if you have asthma?

Jenny Smiechowski

The probiotic that could help clobber celiac disease

If you have celiac disease you have to strip every trace of gluten from your life. But even when you try your best, a dose of gluten gets past and ends up triggering diarrhea, fatigue, pain, nausea, vomiting, and other terrible symptoms. Here’s good news for you, even if you’re just gluten sensitive…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

10 foods to avoid when you’re fighting a virus

If the last couple of years have taught us anything, it’s that prevention is worth its weight in gold. But you should know, just like there are foods that can boost your health when you need it most, there are some foods that, no matter what bug you’re fighting, you should avoid like, well… the plague.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How inflammation sabotages immune cells to lead to liver cancer

There’s no way to put this that it doesn’t sound scary: Inflammation causes your body to produce cells that stop your immune system from fighting off cancer — basically putting the brakes on your defenses and allowing the cancer to grow unchecked. But’s that information you can use to turn your risk around…

Jenny Smiechowski

The habit that could make your brain nearly a decade younger

As you know, brain volume tends to shrink with age. And as a result, you start to experience some level of cognitive decline, even if you don’t end up with dementia or Alzheimer’s. But one man’s brain scans show a near lifetime practice can slow down the rate at which the brain ages…

Joyce Hollman

Can’t sleep? These prebiotic foods might help

Are you confused about the difference between probiotics and prebiotics, and how each can benefit your health? You’re not alone. We’re going to clear all that up in a moment. But, for now, just know that prebiotics are the focus of recent research, and not for the usual reasons.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Scientists prove you can vibrate your way to better blood sugar

Diabetes is an epidemic in our country, spurred on by sedentary lifestyles and skyrocketing rates of obesity. And, once you have it, the rest of your health can quickly deteriorate, raising your risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.

Joyce Hollman

Research confirms: Less butter and more olive oil lowers your heart disease risk

A new study takes a closer look at whether eating more olive oil, one of the main components of the Mediterranean diet, is associated with a lowered risk of heart disease here in the United States. But what about other plant-based oils?

Joyce Hollman

Middle age is the perfect time for women to lower their stroke risk

75 is the average age for a first stroke in women. But could making midlife lifestyle changes significantly reduce the number and severity of strokes in women who are of middle age and beyond? The results of a 25-year study shed some pretty compelling evidence on that question…

Jenny Smiechowski

April showers bring May flowers… but they also bring major gut trouble

Spring is my favorite season. Where I live, it means birds chirping, flowers sprouting, trees budding and rain — lots of it. But a recent study found that heavy spring rainfall in one American city caused cases of acute gastrointestinal illness to double! What’s that about? And could it happen where you live?

Jenny Smiechowski

The best way to feed your muscles so you don’t lose them with age

If you’re like most people, you’re not a planner when it comes to protein… Some meals you eat lots of protein. Other meals you don’t eat much. But you figure it all evens out in end. Unfortunately, that assumption could cost you something very important — your muscles.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 things to watch to keep your migraines from going chronic

There’s not much that’s more miserable than a migraine… The pain that comes with one alone is bad enough, but the nausea, light and sound sensitivity, and the fact that one can steal days and days of your life is like adding insult to injury, something I know all too well.

Joyce Hollman

Can magnetic therapy draw you out of depression?

If you’re suffering with clinically diagnosed, long-term depression, every single aspect of your life is altered. Depression can rule your days. And you may or may not be aware of the dangers associated with SSRIs. Good news is Stanford is seeing great results with a drug-free treatment…

Jenny Smiechowski

Does your vitamin D level play a role in your COVID-19 risk?

There’s no denying that vitamin D plays an important role in your immune system. Vitamin D helps regulate immune response and, specifically, helps your body determine when it needs to send out its immune defenders… Can vitamin D reduce the risk and/or severity of COVID-19?

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