Latest Stories

Latest Stories

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

The pain-relieving power of nostalgia

Opioids are proof that modern medicine has a long way to go in the battle against pain. Thank goodness there are natural ways to decrease pain levels, including the ones you can find down memory lane…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The relationship between loneliness and memory problems

Many people enjoy “alone time.” It helps us reset, be productive and sparks creativity. But loneliness is different. It is a feeling of social isolation fueled by a lack of fulfilling interactions with others. And research has been finding for years that it’s harmful to our health, especially your brain…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The supplement that makes it easier to cut out sugar

There’s good news for all of us who love our sweet and carb-laden treats but would like to tone them down a bit… and it’s all wrapped up in helping your gut help you make better choices, release appetite-suppressing hormones and increase calorie burn…

Easy Health Options Staff

Common erectile dysfunction drugs tied to vision problems

Drugs for ED have become incredibly popular in the last several years, helping many men overcome a problem that impacts their quality of life. But they may come with a serious price: a higher risk of three conditions that could cause vision loss…

Joyce Hollman

Avoiding heart failure is the best reason to stay hydrated

You’ve probably heard that your body is 50 percent water. But did you know some of your most vital organs are up to 80 percent water? Your heart is one of them. And we’re hearing that your future risk of heart failure may hinge on how well-hydrated you keep it…

Carolyn Gretton

The ‘weight optional’ diet that lowers cholesterol and blood sugar

Your doctor says you’ve got to lower your cholesterol and blood sugar. Of course, he also says to do that, you’ve got to lose weight, and you’ve found that hard. No worries. Meet the diet that gives you these benefits and more, with or without the weight loss…

Joyce Hollman

Antibiotics and the surprising threat to women’s brains

It’s no secret that antibiotic overuse is harmful. It contributes to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance that threatens us all. But for women, it’s personal. If you’re not careful, fighting a simple infection could age your brain and hasten cognitive decline…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Diabetes: Why a broken biological clock affects treatment

Mitochondria communicate with time-keeping molecules in our cells, and this communication is disrupted in people with type 2 diabetes. That’s a problem because some of the most common diabetes treatments affect mitochondria, meaning they may work differently depending on the time of day they are taken…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The ‘silent hormone’ that doubles women’s Alzheimer’s risk

Doctors have long known that if you’re a woman, your brain is in danger. Numerous studies show women are twice as likely as men to develop Alzheimer’s. And as you may have guessed, hormones are believed to be the culprit following menopause. But not the ones you’re thinking of…

Joyce Hollman

The trick to using optimism to live longer and better

Research says being an optimist can absolutely add years to your healthspan, the number of years you get to live a healthy, disease-free, productive life. But it depends on when you’re optimistic in response to the stressors in your life — before they happen or after…

Carolyn Gretton

A single cell may be the start and end of Alzheimer’s

The brain needs a lot of oxygen. Without a hardy supply, brain cells begin to malfunction and die off. That’s why the brain has a mechanism in place to make sure its energy demands are met: a single cell that may be all that’s between you and a cascade that could lead to Alzheimer’s or stop it…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why cutting calories could cut your colon cancer risk

While we used to think of colon cancer as a concern for those middle-aged and older, more people are being diagnosed under the age of 50. And while plenty of research speculates as to why that is, the best is finding ways to keep it from happening to you…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Poor liver health could be destroying your bones

If your liver goes down, so do you. It’s a fact that’s as true for your bones as it is for any part of your body. So, if you’re experiencing bone loss, problems with bone density or are worried about suffering from weak bones and fractures, your liver health, or lack of it, could be to blame.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Live cold, die old: How temperature affects lifespan

We’ve all heard the saying, “Live fast, die young.” It’s one that’s stood the test of time since living a fast and risky life is often cut short. Now, there’s one more adage that will likely stand up to that time test, and may have you cranking up your AC: Live cold, die old…

Carolyn Gretton

The harmful brain legacy of leaded gasoline

You may think the only way to get exposed to lead is through drinking water or paint chips in older houses. But if you were born in the U.S. before 1996, you were very likely absorbing lead with every breath you took. And researchers say that could be affecting how your brain is aging today…

Joyce Hollman

What dentists get but doctors don’t about pH balance

Every time you eat or drink anything other than water, the pH level in your mouth drops (becomes more acidic). This causes minerals in your tooth enamel to seep out as your body tries to re-establish a balanced pH. Any guesses what happens in the rest of your body?

Carolyn Gretton

Protein: How to eat it to avoid high blood pressure

Nearly half of the American population has high blood pressure. But what’s really odd is that for most adults, there’s no identifiable cause of their hypertension. Lifestyle factors, like salt intake, get a lot of blame. But if you’re not eating your protein right, you’ll be surprised at what may happen…

Margaret Cantwell

The Alzheimer’s drug on the horizon that’s really a vitamin

Could an existing FDA-approved drug be that magic Alzheimer’s pill we’ve been waiting for? It reduced those signature brain plaques and improved memory deficits in mice. Better yet? The “drug” is a simple vitamin that’s already shown that people with the lowest intake are 80 percent more likely to develop the disease…

Jenny Smiechowski

Perfect pill melts fat, fights disease and keeps your body young

There’s an all-natural “pill” shown to help you lose weight. Sure, diet and exercise can help. But why not give yourself a break and take this pill every day? You’ll drop pounds and end up not only with a healthier body weight but a better gut, bones, skin and more!

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…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

How you can stop a stroke

Here’s a little bit of information that may help scare you straight: Nearly 800,000 people have a stroke every year putting it at the number 5 cause of death in the United States. What most of us don’t know is that it is also the leading cause of long-term disability. But 9 out of 10 are preventable…

Joyce Hollman

The toxin in beer and wine that could make teetotaling popular again

The nightmare called glyphosate is one we can’t seem to wake up from. That’s because the weed-killing toxin is capable of worming its way into every corner of your life… Even a recent test of 20 beer and wine samples shows it could be lurking in your favorite brand…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Slash liver cancer nearly 40 percent with the ‘right’ fiber

Liver cancer rates and deaths are on the rise. In fact, it’s the only cancer with rates expected to go up year after year in both women and men. But just by making a simple change, you can bring your risk of the most common form of liver cancer down by almost 40 percent.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

This proven weight loss habit takes less time than you think

Do you have a reason you want to lose weight? For me it’s just six extra pounds that will help me feel more comfortable when I hit the beach with my family this summer. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit health wasn’t a bigger and more important reason than feeling comfortable in my swimsuit…

Jenny Smiechowski

The breathing exercise that lowers blood pressure

What if you could improve your blood pressure just by working out for five minutes per day? What if this workout didn’t involve any running, jogging, jumping, weight-lifting or traditional exercise whatsoever? What if all it involved was breathing?

Joyce Hollman

When yoga can be bad for your bones

Meditation makes your heart healthier. So does yoga. But recent research has caught me up short. It warns that people with osteoporosis need to be careful. So do people like me — who have “pre-osteoporosis,” known as osteopenia. For us, there are certain yoga poses that will do more harm than good.

Dr. Michael Cutler

Progesterone benefits and management

In my previous article I explained some important details of estrogen dosing and monitoring. Let’s look now at how naturally-derived progesterone is safe and effective for short and long term, and how it is dosed and monitored.

Joyce Hollman

9 vaccines older adults should consider

Everyone has an opinion on vaccinations. But a sore arm might be better than some of the diseases these vaccinations prevent. Based on your health history, the work you do and even the year you were born, here are 10 you should probably check on and consider…

Jenny Smiechowski

The creepy reason food poisoning may become a bigger threat

Campylobacter bacteria are one of the leading causes of food poisoning. The most common sources of this unpleasant bug are raw and undercooked poultry and unpasteurized milk. But researchers say there’s another way to get this bad bacteria…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

One more way to ward off one of the deadliest cancers in the U.S.

When we talk about death from cancers, there’s probably one big one that comes to mind — lung cancer. That’s not surprising, since it kills more people than any other form of cancer. But, there’s one that runs a close second that many of us try to ignore, and that’s colon cancer.

Margaret Cantwell

The berry that could save you from insulin injections

So many Americans are walking a thin line between life and death. That may sound a little dramatic, but if you’re prediabetic, my friend, that’s where you are. Crossing the line to a full-fledged type 2 diabetes diagnosis is not just inconvenient — but it sets you up for…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 must-have essential oils (slideshow)

Long before the pharmaceutical industry was ever even thought of, essential oils were being used to prevent illnesses, ease pain and stress and promote healthy living. For anyone looking to live better, healthier and more naturally, there are 5 must-have essential oils to always keep on hand…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Signs you’re the 1 in 3 Americans with a protein deficiency

Protein has never been more popular as evidenced by the grocery shelves packed with everything from protein powders and drinks to Greek yogurt and protein-packed bars and cereals. But about a third of us are still missing the mark when it comes to protein and that’s a problem…

Joyce Hollman

Gluten sensitive? It might be something else

We’ve all known the feeling of eating something that just doesn’t agree with us. What you may not realize is that feeling really tired after a meal, getting a headache or even feeling kind of depressed could also be signs of a food intolerance. But finding the cause isn’t so easy…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What calculating your true age can reveal about your health and longevity

You’re birth date tells you how old you are, but it’s your body’s true age that matters more. That’s because it’s your physiological age that can reveal if it’s in the cards for you to live to a ripe old age or suffer risk factors that could lead to premature death…

Jenny Smiechowski

6 menopause symptoms you can treat with acupuncture

There’s evidence HRT increases your risk for breast cancer, blood clots and stroke. It’s hard to justify those risks. So, many women tough menopause out. You don’t have to. There’s another way to relieve symptoms that’s not so high-stakes. In fact, researchers believe this may be the best option…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

How to recognize labeling tricks that make foods seem healthier than they are

Can you trust the ingredient panel on food packaging? I’m a doctor and I don’t. Deceptive labeling is one of the major factors behind the epidemic of chronic disease in the U.S. If you’re trying to make the right choices, here’s how to decipher their clever marketing tricks…

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