Latest Stories

Latest Stories

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The virus no one wants that could eradicate cancer

When you think of the herpes simplex virus, not much that’s pleasant comes to mind. But what if the virus that can wreak so much havoc could also be used for good, like causing advanced tumors to disappear, shrink or stop progressing?

Joyce Hollman

What’s in your mug could lower your risk for hip fracture

A hip fracture, especially over 60, can be a nightmare. The long period of immobility that follows can bring on dangerous health complications. Calcium and vitamin D are important, but you may be shocked to know how much your coffee or tea habit may help…

Carolyn Gretton

Allergies in the wintertime: Weather as a trigger

For some people, allergies can be an issue year-round. Even when there’s frost on the ground and no pollen in the air, they’re still dealing with sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. One allergy expert points to weather as a possible trigger and what may help…

Carolyn Gretton

Why bladder problems increase with age for some women

In the United States, roughly 17 percent of women ages 20 and older suffer from urinary incontinence. While that doesn’t seem like a lot, the number skyrockets as women age. And so does overactive bladder. But why are these conditions worse for some, and where’s the relief?

Miguel Leyva

Glyphosate and thyroid cancer: Too little too late

Research into the causes of thyroid cancer is ongoing, but exposure to pesticides has long been suspected. One, in particular, glyphosate, was associated with a 33 percent increase in cases. 2023 is the year this health destroyer is supposed to be phased out. Is it too little too late?

Jenny Smiechowski

The 4-minute hack that lowers blood sugar for hours

Did you know that every time you exercise, your muscles start using more of the glucose (and fat) in your bloodstream? That’s why it’s recommended for balancing blood sugar. But what if you have high blood sugar, but no time to exercise? Try this instead…

Jenny Smiechowski

The diet that improves aging (even in nursing home residents!)

As you age, your body starts breaking down and becomes more inflamed. This leads to frailty… or what’s commonly thought of as “getting old.” You walk slower, feel creakier and just don’t have as much physical or mental spunk as you once did. But here’s something you may not know… the right diet can turn that around!

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Using food to boost immunity — for Coronavirus and beyond

The immune system is complex and comprised of many components. And it can be supported to function at its best — and at every level. Several vitamins and nutrients are vital for that but are typically under-consumed by most Americans. Learn more in Dr. Klodas’ video chat…

Joyce Hollman

The best healthy ‘comfort food’ for difficult times

It’s April, and spring is in the air, but in New England it can still feel like winter. That’s just one reason that comfort food has been on my mind…The other is that the world is a little haywire right now. Agreed? Join me in a bowl of the perfect comfort food…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The toxic byproducts lurking in your drinking water linked to cancer

The most common method of disinfecting drinking water in the U.S. involves chlorine. There’s no doubt that doing so has been beneficial against disease. But killing bacteria isn’t all chlorinating our water is doing… It’s also producing previously unidentified toxic byproducts.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 types of pain that could signal a dangerous health problem

We all get little aches and pains. Like when we sleep wrong and wake up with a stiff neck. Or push a little too hard on the treadmill. However, it’s important to know that some types of pain can be indicators of far more serious issues and shouldn’t be ignored.

Joyce Hollman

Why art therapy may be what you need right now

After reading some recent research into just how “doing art” affects the brain and the emotions, whether you consider yourself “good at art” or not, you may want to grab the kid’s coloring books and crayons or just start doodling away…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The surprising cause of death in women that’s jumped 85 percent

Alcohol-related deaths in the U. S. have risen sharply. However, women are far outstripping the men in this morbid race. While deaths in men went up by 35 percent over time, researchers want to know what’s fueling the shocking increase for women and how to stop it…

Joyce Hollman

The ‘extra’ benefits of an at-home fitness routine during social distancing

As the COVID-19 pandemic runs its course, we’re being advised to stay at home as much as we can. But this shouldn’t mean that we let our physical fitness fall by the wayside. In fact, now more than ever, it’s important to find some simple, do-able ways to keep moving.

Jenny Smiechowski

The painful reason not to fill an opioid prescription from your dentist

There are obvious problems with prescribing opioids for tooth pain. The biggest being the potential for addiction and side effects. But beyond these problems with opioids in dentistry, there’s a very surprising one that proves it’s not worth any of these risks…

Jenny Smiechowski

3 health conditions that should make you think twice about surgery if you’re a senior

Surgery is never something to go into lightly. It’s a major event that puts your body under a lot of stress. So it’s important to weigh the risks and benefits carefully, especially if you’re over 65 and have one of these three health conditions which makes it far more dangerous…

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…

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…

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