Latest Stories

Latest Stories

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

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…

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…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The 4 most common triggers of irregular heartbeat

When you have this condition, the electrical impulses in the upper chambers of your heart are chaotic, causing the atrial walls to quiver, instead of contracting normally and moving blood to the lower chambers. This can cause blood clots to form. That’s why you need to know your triggers…

Joyce Hollman

The double standard keeping the pain relief of cannabis out of your hands

Cannabis has proven benefits… yet, it’s grouped with drugs that kill. Why? There’s a double standard allowing the government a stranglehold on producer’s of CBD oil while allowing pharmaceuticals to produce drugs made from marijuana. Does that sound fair to you?

Jenny Smiechowski

The food that could replace blood pressure meds

Blood pressure medications are rife with side effects. In fact, blood pressure pills are being pulled from pharmacy shelves because of cancer-causing impurities. So, how do you avoid that conversation with your doctor about high blood pressure meds you really don’t want to take?

Joyce Hollman

3 reasons your dental care needs extra attention after 50

Maybe your whole life you’ve had strong teeth and a healthy mouth. But when you enter your 50s, you’ll experience changes that need special attention. Here are some proactive steps you can take to keep your mouth healthy as you get older…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The exercise scientifically proven to help you lose more weight

What if time is not on your side and you have no desire to become a slave to exercise to slim down? A new study has found that you can throw out the old guidelines that require lots and lots of exercise for a much faster and more effective way to lose weight…

Jenny Smiechowski

Young-onset colon cancer is on the rise and this habit’s to blame

Even though a recent study identified six different cancers on the rise in younger adults, for several years, we’ve heard about one particular cancer that’s popping up in the under 50 set more often than ever — colorectal cancer. Because it’s more aggressive, you need to be just as aggressive at avoiding it.

Dr. Michael Cutler

Estrogen replacement methods and management

You may have recently made the decision to give hormone replacement therapy a try. There are several ways to replace low estrogen. And several others factors that can affect how well it works for you.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The diet that helps seniors lose fat, keep muscle and gain bone mass

The older you get the more difficult dieting can be and not just for the same reasons as when you were younger. Now, there’s even more you have to worry about. Because losing weight can also mean losing muscle and bone density. That spells trouble.

Joyce Hollman

Are breast implants worth the cancer and autoimmune risks?

What lengths would you go to reshape your body so that it more closely matches the “ideal” women’s figure? Would you mind being inconvenienced or uncomfortable for a few days or a week? How do you feel about pain? What about cancer?

Margaret Cantwell

The broth that warms your bones and protects your heart

Soothing, healing broth is a natural health staple for helping people feel better from just about any ailment. But if you want to block the activity of enzymes known to lead to heart disease, not just any old broth will do. Let me tell you what the science says is so special about this one…

Carl Lowe

6 ways gluten can secretly ruin your life

Even if you don’t have celiac disease, gluten can be problematic — even dangerous. If you suspect gluten could be at the root of your problems, you may have to do some digging on your own. Start by weeding through these most common myths that people believe about gluten…

Jenny Smiechowski

The diet that makes you susceptible to sepsis

Sepsis occurs when your immune system releases chemicals into the bloodstream to fight an infection, but things go awry. The immune system goes into overdrive triggering body-wide inflammation and a real risk of organ failure and death. Who’d have thought your diet could do this…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

What the studies got wrong about fish oil’s heart health benefits

Lately, controversy has been swirling around the long-held belief that omega-3 fish oil supplements were beneficial for heart health. In fact, recent reports have come out saying they have little or no heart or vascular health benefit. Your life could depend on understanding what the research got wrong…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

If you’re shaving down there, know the risks

How do you wear your hair? Nope… Not the hair on your head, but the hair down there… Your pubic hair. Do you go au naturale, trim, shave, wax? Well, if you trim it back or take it off, you’re not alone. But there’s a dark side to this grooming habit.

Joyce Hollman

The root that gets to the root of resistant cancer stem cells

Imagine weeding your garden by cutting back the stalks as low to the ground as possible, then leaving it at that. Not a very effective technique, is it? If you don’t pull out the roots, those weeds will grow back pretty quickly.

Jenny Smiechowski

Be wary of the weedkiller raising cancer risk 41 percent

After conducting a comprehensive review of the existing science on glyphosate exposure and cancer, researchers came to a startling conclusion… There’s a clear connection between glyphosate and at least one type of cancer. And the risk is much higher than ever thought before.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How your nose can boost your dieting willpower

Making changes to your lifestyle is just not easy, no matter how much you want to exercise more or eat better, or both, because you know those things will make a significant difference in your health and your future. But that smell…

Joyce Hollman

Did your cell phone make the ‘most’ or ‘least’ radiation list?

Study after study has made the connection between cell phone use and cancer, brain damage and other diseases. So if you’re not taking the threat seriously still, time to get with the game. Find out if your phone is a bigger threat than you think, and how to avoid the danger…

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