Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Jenny Smiechowski

Is winter really heart attack season?

As the cold weather approaches, you know you have to protect yourself from ailments like cold and flu. But what about more serious events, like heart attack? Surprsingly, as the temperatures go down our risk for heart attack goes up. Here’s why (an odd effect on blood vessels, for one) and what to do…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Best for a sharp brain: Crossword puzzles vs. high-tech games

Certain activities help stimulate the brain to keep it running like a high-performance race car. That’s why there are plenty of sophisticated web-based cognitive games specifically designed to improve those skills we need to keep our independence. And then there are crossword puzzles…

Craig Cooper

Osteoporosis: Not just a woman’s disease

Even though men in their 50s don’t have the same rapid bone loss women do, that changes around 65. Then, men lose bone mass at the same rate, and recovery from fracture is riskier for men. Most surprising? The risk of an osteoporotic fracture in men is higher than the risk of prostate cancer.

Carolyn Gretton

The link between CoQ10 and age-related frailty

Frailty can strike anyone over the age of 65, and the subtle changes can sneak up if you’re not careful. The factor that makes it more likely is the loss of a certain nutrient that circulates in your blood less and less with each passing birthday, increasing vulnerability to this scourge of aging…

Carolyn Gretton

Sit a lot? Activity ‘snacks’ counter the harm and maintain muscle

The research is in: A sedentary lifestyle can lead to diabetes, heart disease and obesity, and weaken our bones and muscles, making us more susceptible to frailty as we age. But adding this “snack” to our daily menu could go a long way toward reversing that damage to live longer and healthier…

Jenny Smiechowski

Fight colds and cancer with camu camu

Need an edge this cold and flu season? It’s time you discovered the berry with up to 60 times more vitamin C than an orange, and enough potassium, calcium, protein, beta-carotene, amino acids and antioxidants to support your heart, liver, eyes and more.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Lose weight and keep it off: Tips from 6,000 people who have

Only about one in five people who lose weight will actually succeed in keeping it off long-term. So does that mean you’re doomed to failure? Definitely not. Just take the right advice to heart, from those who’ve been there, done that and, most importantly, succeeded…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

5 cardiologist-approved tips for heart-healthy holidays

The holiday season can make it extra challenging to stick to your heart-healthy eating plan. With cardiologist-approved tips, you can make it, and still enjoy every single holiday…

Easy Health Options Staff

10 things to know about blood clots

A blood clot is a collection of blood in the body that has changed from liquid to a semi-solid mass. The body does this to stop bleeding when injured, but sometimes a clot forms inside a blood vessel and does not dissolve on its own. Here are 10 things to know about them…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Wine vs beer: One of these carries a higher stroke risk

Although it’s long been known that heavy drinking can significantly raise the risk of stroke, little research has looked at the effects of moderate to low consumption to determine if there really is any safe level. That’s all changed thanks to a worldwide study that gives us new insight…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Is your stove leaking cancer-causing chemicals?

If you’re health conscious, you don’t smoke. And you probably don’t allow others to smoke in your home. But if you have a gas stove, you could be exposing you and your family to a dangerous chemical in your very own kitchen comparable to second-hand smoke.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 BIG benefits of apple cider vinegar

With so much info on apple cider vinegar out there, you may still be on the line about giving it a try. Well, we’re going to look at five big reasons you should be taking ACV regularly, why it’s vital to your health and how to take it to get the most health benefits possible…

Joyce Hollman

More research says vitamin D deficiency can cut life short

The take-home message is simple: vitamin D plays a vital role in human health. Without sufficient levels, you’re selling yourself and your life short. New findings bring home the urgency about preventing early death and a new disease connection…

Carolyn Gretton

The mood switch in our brains activated by daylight

There’s no denying the seasons influence our state of mind. It’s easier to be in a good mood when the days are long and warm, but much harder during the short, dark days of winter, when some of us face seasonal affective disorder. Why does the light affect our moods and can we overcome it?

Carolyn Gretton

Why avoiding alcohol entirely may be bad for the brain

With dementia on the rise, experts are looking closer at known risk factors that lead to the devastating illness. One, alcohol use, has been hotly debated. Some studies say it harms, while others were not so clear. International research including almost 25,000 participants may finally have the answer…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Almonds: The little snack that fixes big gut problems

There are tons of good reasons to eat almonds regularly. Maybe you want to improve your waistline, or like almost 4 million Americans, you want to ‘go’ regularly and enjoy the benefits of a healthy gut this tiny nut provides.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What meat does to your ventricles, arteries and heart function

For years we’ve been warned that red meat is bad for heart health. Some controversial studies of late have started to lean the other way. But when researchers looked at three important measures of heart health, what they saw was indisputable.

Joyce Hollman

9 natural plant remedies for stomach problems

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Indian Ayurvedic Medicine share the longest and most sophisticated histories of healing with plants, herbs and spices. Have you heard of these nine powerful plants that can spell relief of stomach problems and keep your gut healthy?

Joyce Hollman

The truth about expiration dates on medication

Knowing what I know now about expiration dates on foods, I cringe thinking about how much food (and money!) is unnecessarily thrown away. But I recently came across something that piqued my curiosity about those same dates on medications. Considering the high cost of meds, this is even more cringeworthy…

Joyce Hollman

6 unusual fall picks that pack big taste and nutrition

Autumn is harvest time. That means a variety of veggies and fruits are available now and bursting not only flavor, but health-boosting nutrients. It’s time to get adventurous and “wow” your taste buds. Here are six you might not have tried before…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why Daylight Savings Time can destroy your health

If you’re like me, Daylight Savings Time throws you for a loop. Don’t brush it aside… It can have a profound impact on everything from genes that alter your sleep patterns to your brain, heart, energy levels, ability to remain alert, and more. That’s why doctors are calling for an end to it…

Carolyn Gretton

Real or forced, smiling makes you feel better, says science

Evidence is mounting that a smile can both lift your mood and make you healthier. And it’s true whether the smile is genuine or faked. So, if you’re feeling down, force a smile. It may soon become real when you see just how many benefits science shows it can get you…

Carolyn Gretton

How intermittent fasting could help take cancer down

It’s become increasingly clear that certain types of food can raise cancer risk, while other foods help protect against the disease. But just as important as what we eat is in the cancer battle, so is how we eat. And one style of diet checks off quite a few of the reasons cancer happens…

Carolyn Gretton

Sleeping five hours or less? Meet your long-term health risks

Sleep is essential for good health. And most experts agree, between 7 and 9 hours a night helps the body operate at peak efficiency. But is there a threshold at which insufficient sleep causes the most harm, as in increasing the risk of multiple disease and death? Without a doubt….

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The French maritime extract that calms restless legs

Do you settle down in the evening only to discover your legs have other plans? That annoying twitching sensation can make it almost impossible to relax. Your doctor may have thrown his hands up but a way to treat the condition has been found in an old-time remedy…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Why low thyroid is so often misdiagnosed as depression or menopause

From heart trouble to sleep apnea and Parkinson’s, doctors all too often fail to see the signs or flat-out misdiagnose women’s health. And they’re still doing it when it comes to thyroid problems, telling women the symptoms are in their heads or just one more problem of menopause. Here’s why…

Joyce Hollman

The minimum amount of steps to lower dementia risk

10,000 steps a day seems like an impossible goal. And luckily, we’re finding you don’t have to really walk that much to get real-world benefits. Want to make a singificant dent in your dementia risk? You’ll be glad to know you can take that number way down…

Carolyn Gretton

The surprising effects of antioxidants on insulin resistance and metformin

The best way to combat damage from oxidative stress is with antioxidants. These powerful nutrients strike a balance against the perils of aging and inflammation that can destroy health. Now we’ve learned they can defend against a mechanism of metabolic disease that leads to insulin resistance…

Jedha Dening

Why this disease sign makes your teeth fall out

Tooth loss is considered a serious health problem that sits right up there beside arthritis and cancer. It’s also been associated with a higher risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and even death. So, the reasons to be extra vigilant about what’s behind your dental health go far beyond that pretty smile.

Joyce Hollman

10 signs your immune system is sending an S.O.S.

The human body is amazing. But a lot of little things can go wrong. Some are annoying, like rashes, while others, like fatigue, can wreak havoc with our daily lives. Many of these mishaps are set off by a poorly functioning immune system. Here’s how to know if yours is in trouble…

Joyce Hollman

Is aspirin the simple answer to migraine?

The Migraine Research Foundation tells us that 12 percent of the U.S. population suffers from migraines. And stroke risk is doubled for at least a quarter of them. Now, a review of research shows an inexpensive and easily available remedy could be the key to treatment and prevention…

Jenny Smiechowski

Is the secret to stroke recovery in your gut?

Nothing can prepare you for a stroke. It’s sudden. And it’s scary. And there are no promises when it comes to recovery. But what if there was a way to make sure that, if you had a stroke, the repercussions would be less severe, and you would recover quicker?

Joyce Hollman

Essential oils for cuts, scrapes and wounds

Long before Big Pharma was around, essential oils were used to control pain, ease stress and stimulate the immune system to fight colds and flu. Research continues into the ways that essential oils can make us healthier, including their power to control inflammation and help wounds heal quickly and safely.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 Supplements to ward off all that winter throws at you

When winter rolls around, in addition to stocking up our medicine cabinet, I stock up our vitamin cabinet with supplements that get us through the season happier and healthier — and hopefully unscathed. Here are our five ‘can’t be without’ supplements for winter…

Jenny Smiechowski

What’s behind diabetes’ strong connection to heart failure?

There’s a connection between diabetes and heart health… no doubt about it… People with diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease. They’re more likely to have a heart attack. They’re more likely to go into heart failure. Why?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

They failed their weight loss study and still lost 16 pounds

A whopping 54 percent of the resolutions made on January 1st involve weight loss goals. Unfortunately, only about 8 percent hold up. But, don’t give up… A little-known study found you don’t have to stick to a certain diet or give up as much as you think to lose considerable weight…

Jenny Smiechowski

The strange type of stomach cancer striking people under 60

If you look at stomach cancer statistics, you’ll see that less people are getting this terrible disease than ever before. That’s good news. But it’s also misleading… Even though stomach cancer is getting diagnosed less overall, it’s on the rise in one surprising group — people under 60.

Joyce Hollman

10 ways to reduce the BPA exposure that’s 50 times higher than the FDA told us

This endocrine-disrupting chemical increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and infertility, as well as cancer. And guess what? The FDA and other regulatory agencies have underestimated our exposure to BPA by as much as 44 times the average levels! Time to start protecting yourself…

Joyce Hollman

Could SIBO be causing all your stomach problems?

You’ve probably heard of irritable bowel syndrome. And most people have heard of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. But there’s a lesser-known condition that, on its own, can totally disrupt your gut health in addition to contributing to others. Is it behind your pain?

Jenny Smiechowski

3 diets that halt age-related hearing loss

It’s funny how common certain beliefs about aging are. Everybody will need glasses. Everybody’s memory will slip. Everybody will lose hearing. Well, hold on… A 20 year study says what you eat can help you avoid hearing loss. It’s the best diet you’ve never “heard” of…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to reduce your breast cancer risk after 50

By your 50s, your risk of breast cancer is 1 in 43 and by 60, a scary 1 in 29. But according to a new study from investigators at the American Cancer Society and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, even if you’re over 50, it’s not too late to lower your breast cancer risk significantly…

Jenny Smiechowski

Trouble with A-fib? Giving up this drink is good medicine

Researchers say that giving up a certain type of drink offered the same A-fib benefits as the drugs they prescribe to treat the condition. But that wasn’t the only heart-healthy perk…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Sleeping like this could be the reason for those nasty migraines

The relationship between sleep and migraines hasn’t been well understood or even well-studied, leaving migraine sufferers with no information on exactly what type of sleep issues are more likely to cause problems, much less what they can do about it… Until now. And the connection is clear…

Joyce Hollman

CoQ10: The ‘magic bullet’ for a healthy energetic life

Of all the vitamins and minerals, there’s one that seems to hold the key to aging well. In fact, low levels of this nutrient have been linked to heart disease, brain disorders, diabetes and cancer. No, this time it’s NOT vitamin D, but it can help make healthy aging a snap…

Dr. Michael Cutler

How to tap into drug-free depression and anxiety relief

All of us feel good when things are going well. But when feelings of frustration, anger or despair erupt, it’s time for help. It’s easy to take the pills any doctor can prescribe to mask your symptoms. But you have other options, proven effective, safe, and inexpensive for pain, depression and anxiety…

Harry Cline

5 great reasons for seniors to try yoga

Yoga is for everybody, no matter if you’re young or old, in shape or out of practice. As a senior, you also have a lot to gain from yoga. Read on to learn how yoga could improve your health and life as a mature adult.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

4 supplements to protect your heart health this winter (and beyond)

It’s the perfect time to think about supporting your heart health to live longer and better. That’s because winter can be particularly harsh on your heart. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of heart-protective nutrients that can put your mind at ease while your heart keeps ticking away…

Jenny Smiechowski

How the wrong milk could completely sabotage your weight loss

Maybe you’ve wondered whether you should go with plant-based milks over whole milk. Or maybe you’ve asked yourself a far more common question among milk drinkers: Should you choose whole milk or reduced-fat milk? If weight loss is part of the equation, there’s something surprising you should know…

Joyce Hollman

Cranberries found to disarm superbugs and make antibiotics more effective

Cranberry juice is perhaps best known as a way to prevent the misery of a urinary tract infection, or UTI. Now, a Canadian study has shown that the mighty berry may also hold an answer to the crisis of antibiotic resistance. That’s because cranberries launch a two-pronged attack to help stop superbugs…

Joyce Hollman

Take down blood pressure, blood sugar, LDL and weight just by timing your meals

If you have been diagnosed with any of the components that add up to metabolic syndrome — high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol or high blood sugar — here’s some good news: There could be an alternative path to health that doesn’t involve counting calories or calculating the fat content of your meals…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The best therapy for incontinence following prostate surgery

The truth is that after a prostatectomy, not only do many men deal with erectile dysfunction, almost every patient has incontinence immediately post-surgery. Most doctors recommend physical therapy. But therein lies the problem…. for some men that makes matters worse, so here’s what your therapist needs to know…

Jenny Smiechowski

The antibacterial drink strong enough to go after TB

If you drink green tea, you probably do it for one of two reasons… To keep your cancer risk down or to keep your metabolism up. These are two of green tea’s most popular perks. But green tea has a huge benefit that most people forget about…

Joyce Hollman

How safe are generic drugs?

The Food and Drug Administration exists to protect us from putting toxic or otherwise harmful stuff into our bodies. Yet every single year, dozens of medications we commonly depend on are recalled by the FDA because they are contaminated with poisons. How does this happen?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

6 mood changes that could signal a serious illness

When most of us consider the possibility of disease, we tend to think physical symptoms will be the first indication of a problem. That’s not always the case… Many diseases, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and more can present with subtle emotional changes long before any physical ones…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Want to be younger by this time next year? Read this

You can’t change your birth date. But you do have some control over many aspects of the aging process. That’s why you hear more about heart age, mental age and biological age these days. Can you guess a simple way you can improve the resilience and longevity of your heart, brain and even your chromosomes?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Compounds in Mate tea and caffeine may help fight the ills of a high fat diet

If you’re like me, the next few weeks and months will be a whirlwind of rich foods, thanks to the upcoming holidays. Last January, my pants were a little tighter, my scale showed I was heavier, and I just didn’t feel as healthy as I like to. But some interesting research may make it easier for all of us to get back to our “normal” quicker.

Joyce Hollman

Why everyone, especially diabetics, should walk after dinner

As we get older, insulin’s response to a large meal tends to be weaker later in the day. If you want to control your blood sugar, prevent diabetes and obesity, digest your food more efficiently and sleep better, you’d do well to imitate the Italians. It’s time to bring back the evening constitutional…

Jenny Smiechowski

The one factor fueling modern-day head, neck and face injuries

Our lives have changed a lot in the past fifteen years… and most of those changes can be traced back to smartphones. You can FaceTime with friends and family across the world. You can instantly access weather reports. You always have directions. It’s amazing stuff. But with good comes bad…

Jenny Smiechowski

The surprising reason preventative aspirin doesn’t work anymore

Did your doctor ever tell you to take low-dose aspirin daily? You’re not alone. For years, doctors promoted this habit to prevent heart attacks. The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology even advised it for a while. Why the change? It just doesn’t work anymore and here’s why…

Joyce Hollman

Covering your gray could increase your breast cancer risk

The FDA doesn’t approve each ingredient used in hair dye. It’s up to manufacturers to include cautions and warnings on their packaging. If any of their ingredients are found to be unsafe, the FDA can request a recall but cannot require it. Why does this matter? Well, coloring your hair may give you cancer…

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