Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Capsaicin capsules may be the next big cancer thing

Capsaicin gives peppers their spicy kick. And that heat’s been one of the hurdles keeping it from clinical use despite research that show its promise for pain relief, inflammation, heart health, stroke reduction, fat burning and now, cancer. But what if you could down it as an encapsulated time-release capsule?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The link between poor sleep, deep belly fat and your heart

Not sleeping well makes you feel bad, but probably a lot worse when you realize the domino effect it starts that’s been found to lead to dangerous visceral fat and cardiovascular disease. Here’s the research and what may work to help you avoid that dangerous trajectory…

Carolyn Gretton

Can’t get no satisfaction? Release more oxytocin

People whose brains release more oxytocin tend to be kinder and more satisfied with their lives. And unlike most beneficial chemcials in the body, oxytocin release increases with age. But if you’re not getting enough satisfaction, here’s how to get more…

Joyce Hollman

Increasing your HDL cholesterol may keep Alzheimer’s away

Understanding your cholesterol numbers can get confusing. LDL, you want low. HDL you want high. Then there are triglycerides. It all adds up to your total blood cholesterol level. But a first-ever study counted small HDL particles in your brain, and Alzheimer’s is the big reason why…

Carolyn Gretton

Famed heart health booster blasts fat and diabetes

Nitric oxide, a natural vasodilator your body produces with the right nutrition, supports normal blood pressure. But this clever little compound does so much more, Now researchers have discovered nitric oxide could be the next big thing to fight diabetes and obesity…

Easy Health Options Staff

6 Simple weight loss hacks you’ve never heard of (slideshow)

Instead of giving up on a fit, healthy body (or trying to starve yourself to lose weight,) these six simple weight loss hacks may be just what the doctor ordered to drop those unwanted pounds.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Dangerous drug-resistant pathogen coming to your fruit bowl

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. But times have changed. Most apples you’ll sink your teeth into today have been treated with a fungicide that’s turned them into the perfect vehicle for a drug-resistant pathogen to hitch a ride to your fruit bowl…

Margaret Cantwell

Feel like you’re gassier as you get older? Here’s why

When my mom was visiting she kept apologizing for her “old people farts.” After we had a good laugh, I helped her understand why she had these embarrassing episodes. The good news is it’s an easy fix, but ignoring it can steal your health…

Carolyn Gretton

Brisk walking, telomeres and how 60 may be the new 45

Walking is one of the healthiest habits to fall into. But when you pick up the pace, something amazing happens to your telomeres, little DNA caps that work like harbingers of aging: brisk walking walks back your biological age…

Joyce Hollman

5 factors for living more years without Alzheimer’s

The healthier you are, the longer you are likely to live. But, with every year that you’re alive, your risk of developing Alzheimer’s also goes up. That’s the double-edged sword of longevity! But there’s a way to get around it…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to protect your heart during prostate hormone therapy

Even though testosterone is a natural male hormone, it can fuel certain prostate cancer cells, accelerating their growth. By starving them of this fuel, hormone therapy can help slow their growth or even cause cancer cell death. While there’s no doubt that this can help save your life, there is a downside…

Joyce Hollman

Is your plant-based diet enough to beat diabetes?

Plant-based diets, where animal products are eaten much less, appear to keep type 2 diabetes at bay, though the exact mechanisms behind “why” has not been fully understood. Harvard researchers took a look, and the bottom line: they work, but the devil’s in the details…

Carolyn Gretton

The leading cause of death from fatty liver isn’t what you’d think

One in four adults worldwide have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and many of them don’t even know it. It’s well-known that NAFLD can raise your risk of cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. So why is the leading cause of death in people with NAFLD heart disease?

Joyce Hollman

4 behaviors that put you in line for heart failure

Heart failure is an often misunderstood diagnosis. It doesn’t mean your heart stops working. But it can be deadly. Here’s a primer on risk factors, symptoms, behaviors you can change to lower your risk, and a few science-backed ways to make improvements if you’ve been diagnosed.

Joyce Hollman

The prostate cancer-fighting potential of licorice

The licorice plant is one of the world’s oldest herbal remedies. Its powerful compounds are linked to fighting diabetes, adrenal fatigue and even the herpes simplex virus. Prostate cancer may be next on that list. But before you run out to stockpile it, there are some things to know…

Joyce Hollman

Surprising ‘anger link’ for men with essential hypertension

For most adults, there’s no identifiable cause for their hypertension, meaning no underlying condition or typical risk factor appears to be to blame. It’s called essential hypertension and all they know for sure is that it develops over years. But, for men, at least, an odd link to anger, with a twist, may be the cause.

Carolyn Gretton

Improve your indoor air and breathe easy with houseplants

Houseplants are a great way to bring a little nature inside. A little greenery goes a along way to ease anxiety, improve mood and sleep, and importantly, your oxygen levels. They can also protect you from a dangerously common household gas…

Carolyn Gretton

Alzheimer’s in your future? Cholesterol and blood sugar at 35 hold clues

You may have heard the expression “that’s a problem for future me.” You may have even said it yourself. But when it comes to health, that can be dangerous. In fact, recent research shows that certain health decisions you make in your younger years can elevate your Alzheimer’s risk later in life…

Jedha Dening

Aloe vera: The fat-burning blood sugar balancer

If you’re looking for something to turn your metabolism around, think aloe vera. The thought may conjure up memories of slathering it on sunburns, and while it’s true it’s great for your skin, it’s also considered a ‘functional food’ — meaning it provides health benefits, particularly for metabolic syndrome.

Jenny Smiechowski

When your skin signals a dangerous heart condition

Your skin can tell you a lot about your health. If something is out of balance, it can show up as rashes, eczema or other rritations rooted in inflammation. So, if your skin is showing signs of a problem, research says chances are it’s wreaking havoc elsewhere increasing risk for stroke, heart attack or worse.

Joyce Hollman

A late bedtime won’t turn you into a pumpkin but possibly a heart attack statistic

There are numerous ways to lower your risk of becoming a heart disease statistic, from exercise to eating habits to stress reduction. Apparently, picking just the right bedtime is just as crucial. Too early or too late means a 12 to 25 percent increase in your risk. But there was an optimal bedtime to aim for…

Carolyn Gretton

The ancient Chinese practice that helps with stroke recovery

Tai chi, an ancient Chinese mind-body practice, involves a combination of deep breathing and a series of slow, deliberate movements of the hands, arms, neck, legs and core. A tailored version has been found helpful in helping stroke victims get back on their feet…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Is your weight setting you up for cognitive decline?

It’s easy to look in a mirror and gauge if we need to lose weight. But there’s another kind of fat that isn’t so easy to see. It’s called visceral adipose fat and it’s stored inside your body around your organs. Turns out these fats may team up to set you up for cognitive decline…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How much daily activities add up to heart protection

How much time do you devote to exercise? If you’re like most, not as much as you’d like. By the time you’re done with work, housework, kids or grandkids — who feels like a half hour of heart-protective cardio? If you think you’re not getting as much as you need, you might be relieved to know how much your daily activities are helping…

Carolyn Gretton

How a zinc ‘burst’ activates the immune system

Scientists have long known that people whose zinc levels are too low have few to no infection-fighting T-cells. And their thymus, an immune system organ that generates those T-cells, starts to shrink. When corrected, their thymuses grow and start generating T-cells again. But activation needs a burst…

Carolyn Gretton

10 health consequences of not having sex

It can be deceptively easy to slide into an extended period of not having sex. Life gets busy, you get tired, and sometimes we think we’re just too old. But lack of sex isn’t just a relationship issue: not having sex can negatively impact your health, happiness and well-being…

Joyce Hollman

The fiber that offers the most heart protection

Fiber is an essential part of a healthy diet. But if you’re nearing 65, one food source in particular is the best choice for fending off the inflammation that leads to heart problems. Here’s why it’s better than fruits or vegetables at keeping your heart healthy…

Joyce Hollman

Long-term proof: An avocado a day keeps heart disease away

It’s no secret that avocados have lots of health benefits wrapped up in one little package, including phytochemicals that protect eyesight and fight cancer. But the connection between eating avocados and lowering your risk of heart disease just got even stronger…

Joyce Hollman

Nerve pain: The latest symptom of long COVID

Following the pandemic, the effects of long COVID are slowly coming to light. Almost daily, new symptoms and conditions are revealing their strange connection to SARS-CoV-2. Not too surprising, the latest has also been linked to diabetes and the shingles virus…

Carolyn Gretton

The simple vitamin/mineral pairing that can help with vertigo

If you sometimes experience the kind of dizziness that feels like a sudden spinning sensation, you’re probably experiencing benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). And it can range from annoying to downright debilitating. Some people experience a “once and done” episode, but others aren’t so lucky. Fortunately, getting relief could be as simple as the right nutrients…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Can you measure the health benefits of your social life?

Would you like to be that person who’s still active, engaged and sharp at 100 years old, living independently and enjoying time with the great grandkids? If you’re a social butterfly, you’re half way there. And now, a new study has figured out why — by measuring the benefits of being social.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Scientists warn ‘allergy’ danger from ticks is greater than expected

If you’ve ever been bitten by a tick, you know concerns include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado Tick Fever, Ehrlichia and Powassan disease. And now, the potential for a weird allergy that may be a bigger threat than first thought…

Joyce Hollman

9+ amazing phytonutrients and why you should eat them every day

Phytonutrients are simply chemicals produced by plants that afford them protection. But luckily for us, phytonutrients can boost our immunity, improve our digestion, repair DNA damage from toxin exposure, and even prevent cancer. Here’s 9 and how they help…

Jenny Smiechowski

The mineral that might replace antibiotics to treat UTIs

For many women, UTIs become chronic… which means taking antibiotics does too. But those drugs are becoming resistant. What better reasons to find a new treatment for UTIs. And researchers from the University of Queensland may have done just that…

Jenny Smiechowski

How dental plaque bacteria fuels aggressive colorectal cancer

Certain bacterial strains may make cancer more aggressive. Unfortunately, there’s a common oral bacteria that has this exact effect on colorectal cancer… People with this bacterium in their body are not only more likely to get colorectal cancer, it’s likely to be aggressive and deadly…

Dr. Michael Cutler

What the doctor wants you to know about ginger’s benefits

Research has markedly increased in studying ginger and the various components behind its health benefits. No wonder, since it has a reputation for healing that goes back more than 3,000 years! How can you separate fact from fiction? See what the doctor has to say…

Joyce Hollman

No time for the gym? Housework could save your life

A recent study showed that a quarter of all Americans sit for more than eight hours a day. The result: obesity, a heart muscle that isn’t exercised, brittle bones and more. Does that mean you’re doomed if you can’t make it to the gym or workout regularly? Maybe not… How tidy is your home?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What you should know about resistant hypertension

For most people, making healthy lifestyle changes and possibly adding in a prescription medication is enough to optimize their blood pressure and keep them out of the danger zone. However, if you fit into any of these categories, resistant hypertension could be the problem:

Jedha Dening

4 natural (and safe!) reflux remedies

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD, is a condition where stomach acid splashes up into the esophagus. Luckily, there are a variety of simple remedies that can help put out the fire naturally…

Joyce Hollman

The FDA isn’t done trying to take away your supplements

The supplement industry is growing bigger and healthier, and Big Pharma can’t get its hands on the profits. So, along with the FDA, they are doing the next best thing for them: Holding supplements to ridiculous regulations the likes of which their deadly meds and schemes received a “pass” on…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The diet that can cause your heart to fail after a heart attack

After my dad’s heart attack, his doctor told him, “What you did in the past got you here, but it’s what you do now that counts.” That’s because if you’re eating a certain type of diet following a heart attack, you’re also significantly increasing your risk of heart failure…

Jenny Smiechowski

Does THC pack better health benefits than CBD?

As interest in CBD reaches its pinnacle, another cannabis compound with heaps of health potential is being left in the shadows — THC. Stigma surrounds THC because it’s the stuff that makes you “high.” But let’s put things in perspective for a moment… starting with symptom relief.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Stents don’t work

There is no question that stents can be lifesaving when they’re part of the treatment protocol for a heart attack. But most stents are not put in during heart attacks. Does this mean the effectiveness of our standard therapies just might be completely wrong? Here’s where things get fuzzy…

Joyce Hollman

The ‘alphabet soup’ of poison popping up in your blood pressure meds

There was a time when taking medication was pretty straightforward. Your doctor wrote a prescription, you filled it and began taking your meds. It would never have crossed your mind that there was poison in your pills. Sadly, those days are gone. Here’s more to know about the recalls…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Rock your way to better sleep and improved memory

You don’t have to be a small child to get the benefits that come from being rocked to sleep. Turns out a continuous rocking motion can help synchronize the neural activity in the thalamo-cortical networks of your brain, and the benefits — more than just great sleep — are the stuff of dreams…

Jenny Smiechowski

How tomatoes could tame liver diseases — even cancer

American livers are under a lot of stress. Obesity and diabetes are on the rise, and both conditions lead to one of the most common liver diseases — nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. But there’s something simple that can save your liver health and reduce your risk of liver cancer.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The promising prescription for colon cancer

With the ever-increasing rates of colorectal cancer we keep hearing about, researchers are spending more of their time trying to find ways to increase survival — and a team of researchers just made a breakthrough that may inhibit the growth of those dreaded colon cancer cells…

Jenny Smiechowski

The scary connection between gluten, schizophrenia and depression

Whether you have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, a rogue breadcrumb in your dinner could give you a long list of physically uncomfortable symptoms: joint pain, headaches, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain. But the negative effects of gluten go beyond the body….

Joyce Hollman

Here’s how you could pay for your vitamins tax-free

Could you imagine if natural supplements and other forms of natural healthcare were more financially accessible, just like medications are? How could this happen? By making it legal for us to use our own hard-earned dollars to seek the treatment of our choice without penalty…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The sleep disorder that steals memories

Likely, you already know that sleep apnea is linked to some extreme health risks, including stroke. But, if you’re living with sleep apnea, bits of your past could be going missing each and every night, leaving you struggling to remember the most precious moments of your life…

Jenny Smiechowski

Understanding expiration dates so you can toss less and save money

If you’re like me, as the date on your food creeps closer, your faith in its safety takes a dive. You sniff it. You examine it for funky moldy growths. And then, ultimately, you throw it away. But here’s the thing… the dates on your food aren’t always what they seem…

Joyce Hollman

7 nutrition-packed veggies for powerful winter soups

Why is it so hard to “eat your vegetables,” at least for most of us? Sure, I do have friends who would rather eat a giant salad or a plate of sautéed spinach than anything else in the world. But that’s just not me, or most people I know. So, what can we do to get the essential nutrition that can only come from veggies?

Craig Cooper

5 Super foods for men over 40 (slideshow)

If you can include these five super foods for men over 40 into your weekly diet, your little changes will add up to big health benefits in fighting disease and problems associated with aging.

Jenny Smiechowski

12 essential oils that attack Lyme disease bacteria

There’s a scientific reason why some people infected with the Lyme disease bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) get saddled with long-term symptoms… Persister cells. How can you prevent them from persisting and making you sick? There are several common herbs that put persisters in their place…

Joyce Hollman

The arthritis drug that makes your heart old and tired

It’s one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for arthritis. It belongs to a class of drugs known as NSAIDs, and as early as 2005, the FDA knew that taking NSAIDs significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Now they know it increases odds of another dangerous condition…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The nutrient cocktail that kicks migraines to the curb

To get relief from a migraine, you may have tried everything. What if I told you that simply correcting a nutrient deficiency could give you everlasting relief? In fact, scientists have shown that there are three nutrients that migraine sufferers are deficient in…

Jenny Smiechowski

How your home contributes to your kids and grandkids toxic load

Even when you try your darnedest, you’re likely exposed to dangerous chemicals daily at your most vulnerable times… Like when you’re snuggled up on the couch reading a book. Or crouched on the floor playing with toy trucks with your grandson. Here’s why…

Joyce Hollman

2 more ways gum disease can kill you

At this moment, there’s a 50/50 chance that your mouth is killing you. No, I don’t mean it’s hurting. If you’re in the half of the adult population with some degree of gum disease, you should know research has linked gum disease to cancer and at least four other chronic and potentially fatal diseases.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Does pain relief exist without risk of addiction, overdose or death?

Approximately 20 percent of US adults live with chronic pain. That’s over 49 million Americans. You’d think with so many people suffering, the medical community would have a good way to reliably treat it. Nothing is further from the truth. That doesn’t mean you’re powerless, though…

Jenny Smiechowski

‘Holy herb’ halts inflammation in cells linked to Alzheimer’s

Used by Native Americans and Spanish settlers, the “Holy Herb” is best known for its ability to relieve respiratory issues like asthma, bronchitis, or seasonal allergies. It’s also used for headaches, fever, and sore muscles. But a new study shows it could be the answer to a bigger problem…

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