Latest Stories

Latest Stories

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

6 fabulous reasons to eat more pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds are nutrient powerhouses. Problem is, most people only eat them one day per year… the day they carve their Halloween pumpkins. But once you know the six big health benefits of these seeds, you won’t be able to keep your paws off them.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Eat this every morning for less arterial plaque

Did you leave the house without eating breakfast again? If so, you could be at risk for far more than just low blood sugar. In fact, according to a new study, skipping the most important meal of the day could leave you at increased risk of atherosclerosis…

Jenny Smiechowski

The statin alternative that lowers cholesterol just as much

Statins cause muscle pain, liver damage, digestive problems, memory loss and high blood sugar, among other side effects. Plus, they lower levels of the heart-protective antioxidant CoQ10 in your body. So why are hundreds of millions of Americans taking them when there’s a safe alternative?

Jenny Smiechowski

The vitamin 10 times stronger than a cancer drug

Are there specific vitamins you should take to heal from and prevent cancer? Yes. There are two vitamins that have been proven time and time again to kill cancer cells and decrease your risk of a wide array of cancers, but this one…

Carolyn Gretton

How eating late makes body fat ‘grow’

Most experts advise against midnight snacking if you want to maintain a healthy weight, partly because it causes an unhealthy spike in blood sugar. But there are three additional factors affected by late-night eating, and you’ll definitely want to avoid the one that makes your body fat grow…

Carolyn Gretton

Research reveals stronger metabolic link to dementia

Research has discovered that changes in brain structure and function can occur years before dementia is diagnosed. They’ve also determined factors can put people at higher risk of developing dementia later in life. The metabolic link is one to pay attention to…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The diet found to fight dementia 4 ways

One diet has been shown to douse the fires of inflammation, prop up a failing immune system and enhance longevity. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s more good news: how it fights against dementia in four very powerful ways…

Joyce Hollman

3-year study proves lipids keeps Alzheimer’s at bay

Of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes, Alzheimer’s is the only disease where existing treatments don’t really help. But now, scientists are working on ways that nutrition can slow the cognitive decline and memory loss of Alzheimer’s. And lipids hold the key…

Jenny Smiechowski

The ancient Greek gum that’s good for your teeth, liver and more

Studies show a plant-based gum can reduce the amount of cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth, lower plaque levels, reduce gum inflammation and neutralize mouth odor. That’s probably why chewing it has been a popular dental hygiene practice in Greece for centuries. But its medicinal benefits don’t stop in your mouth…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Kick the common cold 3xs faster

Feed a cold, starve a fever… But, is sitting at home eating chicken noodle soup all you can do to get over the common cold? Actually, according to scientific research, there’s something else you can do to up your chances of getting well faster. In fact, you could triple your recovery time…

Jenny Smiechowski

How to unlock vitamin C’s cancer-fighting potential

There’s a lot of controversy over what vitamin C can do for your health… Some say it can help you fend off a cold. Others say it can’t. Some say it helps you overcome cancer. Others say it can’t. But in both cases, there’s one factor that majorly influences whether vitamin C works or not…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Hacking your gut-brain axis to defeat fatty food cravings

From butter and cheese to pizza and ice cream, fatty food cravings can doom the healthiest diet to failure. But while you may blame your taste buds for your weakness, research is telling us that it’s not really about your tongue at all…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The pill that increases blood clot risk 24x in obese women

For women, hormones can wreak havoc on the arteries, leading to dangerous, even life-threatening issues. And while some of these hormonal issues occur naturally, like during menopause, others not so much: like carrying extra weight and taking the wrong pills…

Jenny Smiechowski

How one gut bug can bring all your numbers down

Aging leads to insulin resistance, leaky gut and a domino effect that robs your gut of a protective fatty acid. But if you increase one special gut bacteria, you can reverse all that and enjoy a smaller waistline, lower blood sugar and better cholesterol levels…

Dr. Geo Espinosa

Stinging nettle root for enlarged prostate

Prostatitis and an enlarged prostate can greatly affect a man’s quality of life. Luckily, there’s an herb that has long been used to relieve urinary tract and prostate problems. The name may sound harsh, but stinging nettle for prostate health has many benefits…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The diet that increases testosterone deficiency up to 60%

Experts estimate that between 20 and 50 percent of men in the U.S. are living with low testosterone. That means decreased libido and energy and increased disease risk. But what if your diet was the thing zapping your testosterone? Would you do something about it?

Dr. Mark Wiley

Sick during air travel: What to do

Air travel can make you sick, both on the plane and after you land. But if you’re properly prepared before takeoff, you can deal with air sickness and reduce your risk of illness. Here’s what you need to do to keep those skies friendly.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

7 signs a vitamin D deficiency is dragging you down

It’s estimated that a whopping 42 percent of people are vitamin D deficient. Unless you get blood work regularly to monitor your levels, you may never know you’re lacking in this important vitamin until you start experiencing symptoms. Let’s take a look at seven sneaky signs you should be on the lookout for…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why your eyes are a window to your heart attack risk

You’ve heard the phrase, “Your eyes are the windows to your soul.” Well, according to research, they might also be the windows to your heart. In fact, what your eye doctor sees during your exam could reveal whether a heart attack or stroke is in your future so that you can take steps to save your life.

Joyce Hollman

How sugar steals your vitamin C

To effectively use the power of vitamin C to combat oxidative stress, your white blood cells need 50 times more C in their cell walls. Macrophages in your respiratory tract are dependent on C. And it helps the body produce interferons to keep viruses from replicating. See why it’s more important than ever to understand how sugar steals yours?

Carl Lowe

Get thinner with the right kind of apple

An apply a day can do a lot of good things. A study of how apples support the gut microbiome shows that one variety in particular may promote the growth of bacteria associated with less body fat…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Coffee’s incredible benefits: longevity plus heart health

For decades, there’s been a debate as to whether our favorite morning beverage is truly friend or foe when it comes to our health. But a study of almost half a million people may give you a a reason to rejoice and pour a second cup each morning…

Carolyn Gretton

Poor gut health and the risk of aggressive breast cancer

Investigators have discovered interesting connections between breast cancer and the health of the body’s different microbiomes. In fact, the gut may be just as influential as the breast microbiome when it comes to the risk of aggressive breast cancer…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How your sports history could lead to erectile dysfunction problems

My uncle played football all through school. His dream was to go pro so he put all he had into every game. Looking back, he wishes he had never even played. Yet every day, his body painfully reminds him he did. Now men like him face another problem from their glory days…

Jenny Smiechowski

How stress changes your metabolism to gain weight and develop diabetes

We’ve all been told a million times that managing stress is an important part of taking care of your health. But how seriously do you really take this advice? I’m here to tell you that ignoring stress is a big mistake — one that sets off a sequence of events that sends your health down the tubes.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The ‘other’ condition that can put you on the danger list for COVID-19 and flu

About 50 percent of the Amerian population fits into a surprising category that could increase their severity of not only flu infection, but also coronavirus. Just like heart disease, diabetes and lung diseases, if you are in this group, take extra precautions…

Joyce Hollman

When weight loss surgery steals your bone density

Diet and exercise can reverse obesity for many. But thousands of people turn to gastric bypass surgery, a more drastic method for losing weight quickly. Unfortunately, the sudden weight loss that comes after such surgery comes with risks of its own…

Jenny Smiechowski

Can cannabis go from joint to antibiotic?

Antibiotic resistance has doubled over the past 20 years. So scientists are searching far and wide for compounds that can fill the big shoes of current antibiotics we’ve used for decades. And they’ve discovered an unusual contender…

Joyce Hollman

How eating for heart health can save your brain

What’s good for the heart is also good for the brain. In fact, research over the past decade has confirmed the intimate connection between our brains and our hearts, and how caring for one means caring for the other… A two for one, so to speak…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What you give up after starting BP and cholesterol medications may destroy your health faster

Sometimes healthcare is a Catch 22. Meds and treatments can help us live longer, better, and healthier unless we make this mistake researchers found can actually accelerate your health problems in spite of your doctor’s best efforts…

Jenny Smiechowski

The secret to getting curcumin’s anti-Alzheimer’s benefits

Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory compound proven to act against a variety of cancers and possibly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. For big benefits, it’s important to improve the amount your body can absorb. Here are a few ways to do that…

Joyce Hollman

The surprising reason vertigo can take hold and how to break it

Dizziness, or vertigo, can have lots of causes. But while the initial episode of dizziness may be physically based, when it continues, a person can get trapped in a vicious cycle, a self-destructive feedback loop that must be broken…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The diet that may lower stroke risk almost 75 percent

Did you know that while heart disease still reigns number one, the second most common cause of death worldwide is actually stroke, beating out all forms of cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and even lower respiratory infections? Time to lower your risk…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why simple soap slays viruses better than alcohol and disinfectants

“Drastic times call for drastic measures.” And the pandemic was one of those times. It was tempting to apply drastic measures to our disinfectant efforts. But something we learned that we can carry forward, no matter what virus we face, is that the simple answer turned out to be the best answer…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

A story about allergies and a racehorse with asthma

Over the years I’ve had numerous occasions where I’ve stopped, clutched my chest and looked at my husband and said, “Am I having a heart attack?” If you knew my family history of heart disease, you’d understand why. But this time, my thoughts went straight to coronavirus…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Getting fit: The exercise overdose that can lead to heart attack

“Exercise is medicine, and there is no question that moderate to vigorous physical activity is beneficial to overall cardiovascular health. However, like medicine, it is possible to underdose and overdose on exercise — more is not always better and can lead to cardiac events.” Here’s lifesaving info on how to do it right…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How bacteria in your gut makes a meal out of cancer cells

Gut health has become a buzzword for those who want to feel better, fight off disease, and live longer. And with good reason: Poor gut health is associated with everything from weight gain and autoimmune conditions to heart and kidney disease. Now, there’s another reason to focus on your gut — fighting cancer.

Jenny Smiechowski

Why carbs and diet soda are a disastrous combo you need to avoid

Studies show diet sodas increase the risk of stroke, dementia and metabolic syndrome, among other issues. If you can give them up, you really should. But, at the least, remember this: Don’t eat carbs with your diet soda. Because new research shows that could be where the real danger lies…

Jenny Smiechowski

How heart problems steal gray matter from your brain

You know what happens when you tip over one domino — the whole row falls. And the same thing happens with your health… In fact, a new study shows that the amount of blood your heart pumps out directly impacts the amount of oh-so-important grey matter you have in your brain…

Joyce Hollman

How playing ping pong reverses symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced by a portion of the brain called the substantia nigra. Dopamine controls muscle movement, everything from walking and gripping with the hands, to smiling and swallowing. As Parkinson’s patients produce less dopamine, symptoms become more apparent. But a fun activity shows promise for keeping them active.

Easy Health Options Staff

Can’t find Lysol? Try these 6 essential oils in your diffuser

This past weekend, like most everyone else, I went in search of Lysol disinfectant spray and came home empty-handed. After all, when you want to ward off the spread of anything in your home, that’s been our go-to disinfectant, right? But if you can’t find it, here’s how you can use essentials oils in your home…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The oil that’s packed with antioxidant power even after cooking

Olive oil isn’t just part of the amazingly healthy Mediterranean diet. It can stand alone and still confer all of those benefits… thanks to its high antioxidant content! In fact, extra virgin olive oil shows a unique composition of fatty acids with a higher antioxidant content than any of the other edible oils. But does it stand up to the heat?

Joyce Hollman

A popular citrus fruit could help peel back fat and diabetes risk

Hypertension, stroke, heart disease and diabetes are directly linked to obesity. It’s also viewed as a predictor of a dozen types of cancer or more. So it’s no wonder that research is ongoing into how we can stem the tide of obesity-related conditions that, at worst, lead to death and at the least, greatly affect the quality of life for most Americans…

Margaret Cantwell

These common health conditions can make coronavirus especially dangerous

You may be tired of seeing coronavirus in our headlines… But with information changing every day, we have an obligation to help pass it on. The crisis is now a pandemic, and unlike the flu, anyone of any age is fair game. That’s why you need to know about the common conditions that can make you especially vulnerable to COVID-19…

Joyce Hollman

Could dessert with breakfast be the easiest weight-loss hack?

Chocolate cake at breakfast may help you keep weight off… Hard to believe? Not ready to break out the cake yet? Then you need to know what happens when you eat breakfast that doesn’t when you eat any other meal of the day. Let’s take a look at the research behind these claims…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

How you can use ‘vitamin F’ to slow premature aging

Although skincare experts have coined the term, vitamin F is not a real vitamin. In fact, the F simply stands for fat. Specifically, vitamin F is two types of fatty acids – linoleic acid (an Omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (an Omega-3). These acids are now the hottest trend in skincare. And here’s why…

Jenny Smiechowski

The most important nutrient for lower blood pressure

Scientists and doctors agree that eating too many calories, and the weight gain that causes, are the biggest factors in high blood pressure for most people. But just cutting back on calories isn’t always enough to get that high BP down. Case in point? A new study shows that this missing nutrient can trigger high blood pressure…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The aromatherapy of love can help you sleep better

Is it any wonder that poor sleep is one of the fastest ways to send your health down the drain? Not at all. Luckily, thanks to a new study from researchers at the University of British Columbia, there’s a new weapon you can holster in your sleep arsenal to help you rest better — as long as it passes the smell test.

Joyce Hollman

Do you know what sugar’s doing to your cholesterol?

Scientists just published the results of a long-term study that confirmed the fact that sugar doesn’t just lead to metabolic syndrome by messing with your blood sugar… It comes at you in another serious way… So to avoid that cluster of conditions that lead to stroke, heart disease and diabetes, read this asap…

Jenny Smiechowski

You can measure your breast cancer risk by how much milk you drink

There are so many “milk” options, and the advice about them is constantly changing… Almond, oat, coconut and soy milk. Just when you decide on one, a new one pops up. And you wonder… should I drink that instead? Let’s make it easy: Be wary of the one that increases breast cancer risk by the cup as much as 80 percent.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

These microscopic particles at work or your home office change your genes

Being exposed to printer toner can change your genes themselves, alter your protein production, and lead to real and lasting health problems. Don’t believe me? Read what the researchers saw it do in the lungs of mice. It was worrisome enough that they immediately went to a printing company to check out their lungs…

Jenny Smiechowski

What too little (or too much water) does to your brain

Changes in your cognitive abilities can start subtly. Maybe you forget doctor’s appointments and lunch dates. You lose your train of thought in conversations. You may become concerned it’s dementia. But before you start thinking worst-case scenario, there’s something you should know…

Joyce Hollman

The strange connection between sleep, food (or vice versa) and heart disease in women

Women are particularly prone to sleep disturbances across their life span. And heart disease is the leading cause of death of women in the U.S. Is there a connection? It’s prompted researchers to examine how poor sleep quality and not enough sleep is related to the risk of obesity and heart disease…

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