Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Joyce Hollman

Common chemical found to drive heart disease and early death

Chemicals are an invasive part of our lives that we have a hard time avoiding. Many of them can make our lives easier, but that luxury demands a high price. In fact, we’re paying with our lives… 100,000 a year to be exact, lost to heart disease and early death. But you may be more shocked to learn how you’re exposed to this killer chemical…

Carolyn Gretton

The beverage that helps prevent calcified arteries

We’ve known for some time that coffee and green tea are exeptional health-promoting beverages. But you may be less aware of the significant heart protection another common drink offers. Researchers have discovered a daily cup can protect against this indicator of heart attack and stroke…

Carolyn Gretton

How phthalates can trigger abnormal growths in women

A growing body of research is showing how dangerous phthalates are to our health. But one hazard in particular that women need to be aware of when it comes to these widespread pollutants strikes at a very personal level…

Joyce Hollman

How a salty diet literally ‘stresses you out’

You know salt promotes high blood pressure and increases the risks for heart problems, including stroke. But did you know sodium can literally stress you out? Research says that alone can wreak havoc on your health in ways you never thought…

Joyce Hollman

Limiting protein: A strategy for cancer treatment and prevention

The search for a cure for cancer is proving to be a long-term effort, but experts are honing in on the mechanisms by which cancer cells grow and spread. Nutrition, especially, has often been examined as a possible path for preventing cancer. Now it may also treat it…

Dr. Mark Wiley

Chlorella: Mother Nature’s superfood miracle

Chlorella is a true superfood, packed with amino acids, minerals, vitamins and other nutrients that support the health of the body. If you are seriously ill, suffering a modern-lifestyle disease or an athlete looking to perform and feel better, chlorella may offer just the boost you need.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Busting the myths about screentime, blue light and sleep

You’ve probably heard all the warnings about cutting down on screentime at bedtime to avoid blue light, especially if you hope to get a good night’s sleep. Not so fast. It turns out you can have your iPad, phone or TV, and your sleep too if you just follow a few simple rules…

Dr. Mark Wiley

Acai: Miracle of wellness

Acai is reported to be a miracle fruit that can work wonders for arthritis, cholesterol, obesity, heart health, digestion, energy, erectile dysfunction, inflammation, detoxification, diabetes, allergies, bloating, muscle cramps and oxidative stress. But how can one fruit do all that?

Joyce Hollman

8 holiday depression triggers and how to work around them

The Christmas season can be a double-edged sword. It brings with it feelings of love, togetherness and joy. But many people find themselves stepping around emotional landmines that trigger feelings of anxiety and depression. Here are some healthy ways to cope and have a truly rewarding holiday season…

Carolyn Gretton

Diabetes medications and more: Why MS is on the rise

Selma Blair and Christina Applegate are part of a trend, but not a popular one. Autoimmune diseases are on the rise in people aged 50 and older. While scientists examine why, one possible reason is a common medication. Another isn’t so easy to avoid…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Going cellular on why communication breaks down in the brain

We’ve gained new insight into just how important synaptic transmission is in keeping our brains healthy. A long-sought, gene-encoded protein has been discovered that enables the brain to communicate a broad range of signals, but when depleted can lead to breakdown…

Joyce Hollman

3 ways red wine compounds promote a healthy mouth

Decades of research confirms compounds found in red grapes are heart-healthy, good for your skin and may even deter diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Now it appears they may be why a glass of merlot can offer oral health benefits for preventing cavities and gum disease…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why researchers say CBD ‘changes the channel’ on pain

CBD has gotten lots of press over the last few years. But perhaps its most hyped benefit is its ability to provide pain relief. Now CBD has been put to the test to determine if it’s truly a pain-relieving miracle or just hype based on the phenomenon of the “placebo effect.”

Joyce Hollman

How intense exercise starves cancer and stops the spread

Exercise is good for almost everything that ails us, even cancer. Past research says it cuts the risk of invasive breast cancer. And the latest shows no matter what kind, exercise can reduce cancer spread as much as 72 percent. But what it reveals about “permanent” protection is the big story…

Carolyn Gretton

The sweet truth about honey and your heart

There are so many types of sugar, natural and not-so-much. Still, the consensus among nutritional experts has been “a sugar is a sugar” and mostly all bad. Well, that adage may have just been debunked, thanks to honey’s surprising heart benefits other sweeteners lack.

Tracey G. Ingram, AuD

Forgetting fiber over the holidays could do some lasting damage

From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, we’re allowed to splurge. But two studies demonstrate the damage that does even in the short-term to your colon, weight, blood sugar, cholesterol and more. So, enjoy the goodies but don’t forget the one nutrient they said could make all merry and bright again…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The number of medications and types that increase dementia

Many factors play into dementia risk, from health and genetics to lifestyle. That makes understanding more about the risks within our control, like the number and types of medications you take regularly, paramount. Here’s the number and dangerous drug combos to watch for…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

6 Japanese remedies that knock out a cold fast

Winter doesn’t just mean cooler temperatures. It can mean the common cold and feeling cruddy for days. There are plenty of over-the-counter cold medicines to ease your symptoms, but there are just as many reasons not to rely on them (like brain shrinkage!). We’ve got you covered…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

What a single cup of veggies can do for your heart

If there is one health problem that’s most likely to steal your life, it’s one that affects your heart. You could start taking a laundry list of medications now or discover the surprisingly significant impact of just one cup of the right vegetables on your heart…

Carolyn Gretton

The ‘other’ male hormone that predicts longevity

Every day new things about the human body are discovered that may extend our healthspan — the number of healthy years we live. For men, a new discovery may unravel the puzzle as to why some men are more prone to developing age-related illnesses than others…

Joyce Hollman

The popular tech gadget that works like a hearing aid (without the cost!)

About 75 percent of Americans with hearing loss don’t use hearing aids because they’re costly. That increases their risk for depression and dementia. But hearing experts say a popular tech gadget can provide virtually the same improvements in hearing for a fraction of the cost…

Joyce Hollman

Fermented foods and fiber: A recipe for less stress

We all experience stress from time to time. Next time you’re feeling like you need a better way to manage it, try food before turning to medications. Researchers may have found the best recipe for less stress…

Miguel Leyva

Intoxicating beauty: Chemical hair straighteners linked to uterine cancer

In recent years, we’ve learned that our personal care products may harbor dangerous chemicals that can make us sick, including parabens and others that have been linked to cancer. Unfortunatley, it looks like adhering to beauty standards is indeed intoxicating…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

What causes high LDL cholesterol?

You might think this post is another speech from a doctor about lifestyle factors that cause LDL (bad) cholesterol to rise. But I really just want you to know about the biochemical processes that influence cholesterol levels that aren’t alway explained to patients, and which ones you may or may not be able to control…

Easy Health Options Staff

This vitamin gets sucked from your body when you soak up the sun

Sensibly soaking up the sun is a good way to boost your vitamin D. But research shows that while you’re soaking up the sun, the sun is soaking up your stores of another very important vitamin — one that can help your body fend off some pretty nasty illnesses and chronic conditions…

Joyce Hollman

Sedentary habits and sugar worse on men than women

Getting little, if any, exercise and following an unhealthy diet add up to a surefire recipe for disaster. These bad habits were thought to be equally risky for both men and women. But it’s been found men’s health can suffer much faster and face bigger dangers in a surprisingly short time.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Eating nuts strengthens your brain waves

You already know nuts are brain food. But a new study has measured their powerful effect in the form of brain waves. They tested six different kinds of nuts, and all of them produced brainwave frequencies that can improve cognition, healing, learning, memory and more…

Joyce Hollman

6 silent heart attack symptoms lucky survivors missed

Last month, my friend Jeff felt a strange heaviness in his upper arms. It wasn’t from exercise and it wasn’t painful, just strange. He called his doctor, who suggested a trip to the ER. Jeff was having a heart attack. What would you have done if you were Jeff?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How your microbiome helps or hurts weight loss

When you think about losing weight, chances are you think about your gut, the one that’s central in the battle of the bulge. But you might be focusing on the wrong gut. Research has found a surprising reason there that explains when you and your friend follow the same diet, only one of you loses weight.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Exercise: A powerful drug-free remedy for chronic anxiety

It’s no secret that exercise can help you feel better about yourself and your life. In fact, studies have shown regular physical activity to combat depression and put a smile on your face. But is a drug-free solution to chronic anxiety that easy?

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…

Jenny Smiechowski

Move over resveratrol, this healthy fat fights aging better

Dietary fat used to be the scapegoat for heart disease, obesity, diabetes, premature aging — you name it. Now we know the opposite is true. Eating fat is one of the best things you can do. In fact, healthy fats may even top antioxidants as the most effective nutrient for fending off disease and aging…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

6 ways to sleep better despite Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time can do far worse than make you late for work Monday. In fact, when we set our clocks forward this weekend, most of us will experience sleep loss that triggers problems lasting for weeks or more. That’s why we’ve put together the best tips for getting good sleep despite the time change…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

A potent flavonoid for lowering blood pressure, heart attack and stroke risk

Study after study has looked at a popular plant pigment found in many foods, like onions, teas, apples, and even red wine, for its potential to protect the heart. In fact, the current news is based on a pooled review of 17 separate scientific studies. The results? It ‘markedly’ reduced systolic blood pressure…

Joyce Hollman

Your doctor’s treatment for hip and knee pain may cause more harm

The knee and hip joints are the two joints you hear about most in connection with osteoarthritic pain and joint replacement. Treatments are available that ease the pain of OA, including cortisone injections. But recent research has revealed that these injections are more dangerous than we’ve been led to believe…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What your cancer risk really looks like

In 2018 alone, 9.5 million deaths worldwide were due to cancer. When you combine those facts with an ever-growing list of lifestyle habits that can increase your risk of the disease, is it any wonder that worrying if you’re next can keep you up at night? Put your mind at ease by learning more about actual risk.

Jenny Smiechowski

The common gut infection that leads to long-term tummy trouble

Irritable bowel syndrome is a mystery. Doctors don’t know what causes it. And that’s frustrating, especially when you suffer chronic stomach cramping, diarrhea, gas and other uncomfortable symptoms. But it turns out those chronic symptoms may be tied to something that happened to you years ago…

Joyce Hollman

5 ways obesity accelerates the mechanisms of aging

At least 40 percent of Americans suffer from a preventable condition that significantly shortens their healthspan. Not only does this condition cause hypertension, heart disease and diabetes, but it damages the body on a cellular level — the kind of damage that mimics changes that normally come with getting old…

Joyce Hollman

9 foods for a slim liver and slimmer chance of liver cancer

When your liver’s overloaded with calories, fats and sugars from foods, it stores that excess caloric energy in the form of fat. This condition is known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. That’s a problem because a fatty liver creates a welcoming environment for the most common form of liver cancer…

Jenny Smiechowski

The best morning hack for boosting your brainpower as much as coffee

Coffee is an incredible brain booster. That’s why we hit it first thing in the morning. Plus, it has amazing benefits, like lower risk of Parkinson’s, type 2 diabetes and liver disease. But if coffee isn’t your thing, there’s another way to make your mind sharp, productive and limitless at the start of the day…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Meal delivery kit do’s and don’ts for your health and your wallet

A recent Nielsen survey shows 23 percent of American households were considering purchasing a meal kit within the next six months. Can these meal kits be part of a heart-healthy diet? The answer is possibly… But there are some do’s and don’ts to keep you and your wallet healthier…

Joyce Hollman

How food choices can make your menopause symptoms better or worse

You’ve heard the saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” right? Based on a new study published in the journal Menopause, it’s entirely possible that an apple a day helps keep menopause symptoms away. And it’s not just apples, either. These foods can worsen or relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

You may be wasting your time on high intensity interval training

High-intensity interval training can carry big benefits, from fat loss and revving up your metabolism to better heart health. The idea is to exercise in short bursts and rest in between. When you’re exercising, you’re doing it to the max and the breaks give you time to recover. But doing this one is a waste of energy…

Jenny Smiechowski

5 healthy cooking oils and how to use them in the kitchen

Cooking oil overwhelm is REAL. There’s so much conflicting information about which oils are healthy… and which aren’t. Which ones have low smoke points — and which don’t (and what the heck is that anyway?). Here are five great ones to keep in your kitchen and all the answers to your questions about cooking with them…

Joyce Hollman

How to shift the heart disease, diabetes and stroke risk of shift work

In a clinical review of published research, evidence indicated that shift-workers are at a significantly higher risk for developing metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions that increases a person’s risk for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. If you can’t quit your job, can you shift your risk? Certainly…

Jenny Smiechowski

What that daily drink does to your brain’s age

Here’s my motto when it comes to brain aging: the slower, the better. Because, as your brain ages, your memory slips, your cognitive abilities decline, and you lose your independence. Who wants that? So when I found out how much faster even a small sip of alcohol daily makes your brain age, it made me think…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Proven relief for low back pain that doesn’t require a prescription

Low back pain is sadly all too common, something I saw first-hand in my chiropractic practice. If you haven’t experienced it yet, you may be surprised to learn that about 80 percent of adults in the United States will experience lower back pain at some point. So don’t wait to arm yourself with safe and effective ways to treat it…

Jenny Smiechowski

What your commute has to do with your cancer risk

How much time do you spend driving? If you’re like most Americans, quite a bit. Maybe you love being behind the wheel. Or maybe, like me, driving is far from your favorite activity. Either way, there’s something you need to be aware of: The amount of time you spend in your car could be increasing your cancer risk.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

A cardiologist’s 10 tips for eating heart-healthy on a budget

There’s a pervasive myth out there that healthy foods are prohibitively expensive. I’m here to tell you that the opposite is true — at least, it can be true! Most people can actually save money by eating better. If you resolved to improve your eating habits, but don’t want to break the bank, here are my tips on how to do it…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The right light ‘activates the burn’ that ‘melts’ fat cells in your body

Less sunlight during the winter can lead to the blues, but you may not know it can result in something far worse… excess body fat, high blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure that skyrockets your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Time to shed light on avoiding metabolic syndrome…

Joyce Hollman

Is 5G cellular technology something to worry about?

Every decade or so, the wireless industry introduces a new “generation” of powerful cell phone technology. With each generation, wireless capabilities grow — but do the health risks, as well? A 13-country study classified radiation from cell phones as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” What can we expect from 5G?

Jenny Smiechowski

The real reason statins cause muscle pain

If you’ve never taken statins, you might be thinking, what’s the big deal about a little muscle pain? But if you’ve experienced it, you know statin-related muscle pain can get pretty serious… But the bigger question here is why the heck are statin drugs so hard on your muscles? Researchers may have finally figured out an answer…

Joyce Hollman

The drink that exercises fat from your liver

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are on the rise. And both of these conditions are risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition forecast to affect millions. We’re facing more fat in our diets and our hard-working livers pay the price. But a simple drink can send that fat running faster than exercise…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

8 weird reasons you might be gaining weight

The New Year has come and gone and by now most of our resolutions, including those to lose weight, have done the same. But, even if you’re still watching what you eat, exercising, and doing everything that’s supposed to work, the numbers on your scale just keep going up. So, what’s with that?

Jenny Smiechowski

What you need to know about glucosamine, arthritis and allergies

Depending on who you talk to, glucosamine is either the must-have supplement for arthritis… or a potentially dangerous supplement that barely works. So, what’s the deal? Should you keep (or start) taking it for your arthritis? Here’s what you need to know about how glucosamine impacts your joints and your health…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to avoid catching Coronavirus, flu, or colds on an airplane

Spring break is just around the corner and if you’re thinking of flying, here’s some sobering news: 1 in 5 people who travel on planes will suffer from a cold or flu after the flight. That’s because they are in an enclosed area where some germs can remain for up to seven days. You think those cruise ships had it bad? Think again…

Jenny Smiechowski

The simplest way to slay morning grogginess

Being jolted awake by an alarm when your body isn’t ready to get up stinks. But for most of us, it’s an inescapable fact of life. But what if there was a way to make your morning alarm experience less miserable? And it could help you wake up far more chipper next time your alarm goes off? Alright, here’s how…

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