Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

3 rules to overcome chronic pain from a Survivor champion

Chronic pain is a fact of life for over 20 percent of adults. And if you’re part of that one in five, you know just how much of an impact that pain can have on your ability to work, play and simply enjoy your life. But what if you could learn to “reframe your pain” to better manage it? Pain science says it works.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Stroke warning: The significant impact of anger and exertion

Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. Many health conditions can increase risk for stroke including high blood pressure and diabetes, but when researchers looked closer, they found two common things happening in the hour before a stroke that pushed those risks over the edge.

Easy Health Options Staff

Why poor sleep causes heartburn (and vice versa)

We all need a good night’s sleep. That’s a gut feeling for most people. But sometimes discomfort within the gut is what hurts our ability to get deep, restful sleep. To make matters worse, it tuns out the process can occur in reverse: Sleep disorders are believed to trigger the stomach, too…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Stress: What it does to your DNA to speed aging

Science has discovered how to go beyond chronological age (the number of years you’ve lived) to measure biological age (the rate at which your cells age) using epigenetic clocks. They track chemical changes in DNA that not only helps predict health but also lifespan. And they’re finding too many of us aging faster thanks to the same culprit…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

The only 4 cholesterol foods you should avoid

Which is worse for your heart: an egg or a hot dog? Think about it. Since the amount of cholesterol in a food doesn’t always correlate with raising your cholesterol, which high cholesterol foods are the worst culprits for elevating bad cholesterol levels? The doctor says it’s these four…

Carolyn Gretton

3 dietary molecules linked to aggressive prostate cancer

While most men with prostate cancer recover completely, the outlook is grim for the handful diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease. But research has identified three molecules — and the foods they come from — showing that the place to start to change your fate is your gut…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The good deed that shows up in your blood work

There’s growing evidence that many of the worst and most chronic diseases, including coronary artery disease, diabetes and even Alzheimer’s may be riding the same steed: inflammation. But there’s a simple, non-medicated fix that works so well at dousing it, you can see the proof in your blood work…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Study finds a handful of heavy metals clogging major arteries

Some experts have said that at least 31 percent of the cardiovascular disease burden in the world could be avoided if environmental pollutants were eliminated. So when researchers looked at the association between toxic heavy metals and the body’s major arteries, they were shocked, but not surprised…

Joyce Hollman

Discovery shows how omega-3s help prevent stroke

Hardening of the arteries is a dangerous factor that can increase a person’s risk for stroke. It’s associated with chronic inflammation that damages blood vessels and hinders self-repair from mechanisms called resolvins. That’s where omega-3s come into the picture…

Joyce Hollman

An urgent reason to pamper your liver: Air pollution

Fatty liver disease isn’t new. What is new is learning its impact on metabolic health is so strong it’s now called Metabolic-associated liver disease, and that with every breath you take, you’re increasing your odds of the most common indication for liver transplantation. Start here to reduce your risks…

Joyce Hollman

Why giving up saturated fats can lead to heart trouble

Are you a label reader? Do you review the fat content of almost every product before adding it to your grocery cart? We’re not judging but we do want to share some new evidence that will blow all your concerns about saturated fats and heart trouble out of the water — and make life easier…

Carolyn Gretton

Why are more of us more exhausted than ever?

A survey of 2000 respondents has found that an alarming 59 percent of us feel permanently short of energy. Just as many feel disjointed and unfocused. Worse, they say sleep isn’t the answer. Why do more of us feel more exhausted than ever before, and what can we do about it?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

One more risk of too little exercise: Pneumonia

Winter is here, and you know what that means: Your chances of getting sick and ending up with pneumonia are higher than at any other time of the year. And if you still haven’t gotten the message about the harms of a couch potato lifestyle, you’re missing out on the easiest intervention that works across all age groups.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

For women, hormones could wreak havoc on arteries

When it comes to your arteries, you want the consistency of a wet noodle, not an uncooked piece of pasta. Otherwise your risks go up for heart problems. Yet, age isn’t the only thing that can stiffen our arteries. From birth control pills to menopause, women face a unique risk that can have serious consequences…

Carolyn Gretton

The vitamin deficiency that doubles risk for heart trouble

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the No. 1 cause of death worldwide. And though we’re familiar with the three main risk factors for CVD — high cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking — research has uncovered another, less-obvious factor that can double your risk for heart trouble…

Carolyn Gretton

Eat this dairy daily to lower blood pressure by almost 7 points

If you have high blood pressure, you know it’s tough to get your readings down to normal levels, even with medication. One popular food known for health benefits could tank it by 7 points…

Carolyn Gretton

Experts may have found ‘fountain of youth’ in tiny seed

We’ll do just about anything we can to extend our lifespan, whether it’s following an anti-aging diet or exercise regimen — or as involved as using hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In all those efforts, there’s one goal scientists continue to chase: the ability to swallow one pill to stop aging. And they are inching ever closer…

Joyce Hollman

What you should know about peripheral artery disease

Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is similar to coronary artery disease. Both involve a buildup of plaque inside the arteries, which slows the flow of blood that nourishes all parts of the body and increases risk for blood clots. Scary thing is, it’s considered a “silent disease.” Here’s what to watch for…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Good news for your bones if you’ve passed menopause

Saying the word “menopause” immediately conjures up images of hot flashes, night sweats and bones becoming frail and prone to fracture. However, while menopause isn’t always a walk in the park, everything post menopause isn’t always bad news…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

12-year study finds 8 foods to beat cognitive decline

More evidence is stacking up that, when it comes to keeping your brain at its best, what you eat counts. According to research that spanned 12 years, there are eight foods you’ll want to make a part of your regular diet if you want to ward off cognitive impairment and dementia as you age — and one to avoid like the plague…

Joyce Hollman

Got 10 hours? Use it to turn metabolic syndrome around

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms affecting one-third of American adults that increases risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke. If you have excess belly fat, high cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar, you may be one of them. If you’ve got 10 hours, you can turn it around before it’s too late.

Jenny Smiechowski

Reversing age-related brain shrinkage is easier than you think

As you get older, the size of a certain vital organ becomes more and more important — your brain. That’s because, typically, the older you get, the smaller your brain volume gets. And if this shrinkage gets too out of hand, you end up with a serious cognitive impairment like dementia.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why cool temps could slow down autoimmune diseases like MS

By definition an autoimmune disorder is one in which your own immune system goes haywire, attacking the healthy tissue in your body, causing the disease. MS is one such disease. New research shows its symptoms may be improved and progress prossibly slowed with a change of temperature. Here’s why…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

New way walnuts improve cholesterol discovered

From controlling type 2 diabetes to stopping cancer in its tracks, if you want to stay in tip-top shape, nuts could be your ticket to a longer, healthier life. And it looks like the benefits of walnuts just keep stacking up, especially where heart health is concerned…

Joyce Hollman

How to tell if it’s age-related memory problems or Alzheimer’s

Memory problems can be unnerving, especially when we get older. It’s easy to begin second-guessing everything and wondering whether you’re simply forgetful or if something worse is happening — like Alzheimer’s. How can you tell the difference? Here are a few things to take note of…

Carolyn Gretton

The surprising connection between MS and the sun

Sun exposure may be rough on the skin, but it has a lot of upsides for our sleep, mood and vitamin D levels. And now researchers are discovering that the benefits of sunlight may go even further by protecting us from certain autoimmune diseases…

Carolyn Gretton

Catching AMD before you start losing vision

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of sight loss in the Western world. And most people don’t know they have it until they’re already losing their sight. Researchers have been looking for ways to catch AMD before that point, and they may have identified some new early warning signs that can help them do it…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

10 steps to simplify living heart healthy

To lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, we’re told to eat a heart-healthy diet. What exactly is heart-healthy? Is it only eating certain types of foods and eliminating others? Or is there a way to get to that elusive heart-healthy status without feeling deprived? Yes, according to these new rules…

Joyce Hollman

11 exotic superfruits with supersized nutrition

Instead of dreaming of tropical islands this winter, why not try some exotic fruits that hail from warmer climates? Here are 11 exotic “superfruits” that are fun to try, and packed with enough nutritional power to dispel the winter doldrums and most anything else that ails you…

Carolyn Gretton

Why more men are getting thyroid cancer

It’s been known for some time that people who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of getting certain cancers, including thyroid cancer. But it’s been unclear exactly how many cases of thyroid cancer are connected with weight — until now — and the findings should be a wake up call, especially for men…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why a marathon on your bucket list spells danger for your heart

For years a good friend of mine has been trying to talk me into running a marathon with her. But there’s a danger that comes with marathons few realize. If you’re new to marathons but planning to compete one day, read this before hitting the pavement…

Joyce Hollman

How to support your body’s cannabinoid system without going up in smoke

In 1988, two scientists proved that the human body is wired for cannabis. In fact, your body has an entire system that runs on cannabinoids, and a deficiency spells trouble. Besides marijuana, there are other natural substances that will support it…

Jenny Smiechowski

What to know if you’re diagnosed with high blood pressure under the new rules

In 2017, the American College of Cardiology created new treatment guidelines for high blood pressure, assuming it’s better to catch creeping blood pressure sooner rather than later. But despite their good intentions, the new guidelines do more harm than good…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 essential oils that might win the fight against Lyme disease

Lyme disease is still a mysterious condition in many ways. And just as mysterious is curing it. But Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has discovered 5 essential oils that are more effective at killing the disease than standard Lyme antibiotics.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

More protein could be the answer to defeating fatty liver disease

Weight is a major factor for a condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD. It significantly increases risk for liver cancer and liver failure, and makes it more likely that you’ll develop type 2 diabetes. But more of a healthy nutrient can help…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What really works for tennis elbow pain

In over 10 years in chiropractic practice, one of the most common complaints from patients was tennis elbow. Some doctors have tried everything from medications, to botox injections, to ultrasounds. Turns out what I was recommending has been proven to work best.

Joyce Hollman

10 baking soda uses for health, house and hygiene

That little yellow box sitting in your refrigerator and keeping things fresh? The white powder in that box isn’t a miracle cure, but it has more amazing uses than most people realize. Here’s how to put it to use for health, house and hygiene…

Jenny Smiechowski

The bowel problem that quadruples your prostate cancer risk

Many chronic diseases come with other health risks. And that seems to be the case with inflammatory bowel diseases too, like Crohn’s or colitis. In fact, a new study shows that men with IBD are more at risk for a super serious health condition…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How a bad night’s sleep throws you off balance

Multiple studies have linked poor sleep to everything from weight gain and depression to chronic disease. Yet, there’s another danger you could be facing that hasn’t gotten enough attention… Your risk of serious falls and even fractures.

Jenny Smiechowski

The healthy tea that raises diabetes risk 20 percent

It’s the holy grail of health drinks. It improves brain function. It speeds up your metabolism. It lowers your risk of certain cancers. It keeps your teeth healthy. But here’s how new research says it could increase your risk for type 2 diabetes…

Joyce Hollman

12 poisons that hijack your body, wreck your hormones and cause cancer

Endocrine disruptors cause hormone imbalances that wreak havoc on your body and can lead to hormone-dependent cancers. But, don’t panic, yet. We know where the bad guys are hiding, and you can do a lot to avoid them…

Jenny Smiechowski

How air pollution turns off the genes that prevent breast cancer

Whether you’re a construction worker, a truck driver, a tollbooth attendant, a border patrol officer or just live by a major highway, you’re inhaling large amounts of air pollution daily. It’s no secret that this isn’t good for you. In fact, it could make your cancer risk as much as 16 times higher…

Jenny Smiechowski

Can’t choose between low-carb and high-carb? There’s a third option

There’s evidence that low-carb diets improve your health. And there’s evidence that high-carb diets improve your health. It’s enough to make your head spin! How could two completely different diets both be healthy? More importantly, which one should you choose? You may not have to…

Dr. Michael Cutler

Helicobacter pylori: More your doctor hasn’t told you

Testing for and treating H. pylori for gastroesophageal disease is now mainstream. That’s because it’s commonly accepted that it’s the culprit behind gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. However, study results show two sides of H. pylori: it may be both protective and harmful…

Joyce Hollman

6 foods (and 5 other things) to get you out of a funk naturally

Being depressed can feel like being sick — all the time. Your energy is low, you don’t feel like doing anything. People may look at you likes it’s all in your head. But the truth is, there are real, physical reasons that are often behind depression: hormonal imbalances, vitamin deficiencies… even cancer.

Jenny Smiechowski

Common infections that increase your stroke and heart attack risk

When you get over an infection, you’re relieved that the worst is behind you… The discomfort. The pain. The worry that it will progress into something more serious. But you’re not completely in the clear yet. There’s a post-infection pitfall to be aware of. And a pretty serious one, at that…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

5 Alzheimer’s early warning signs you should know

What if I told you that memory loss is not the first sign of Alzheimer’s? And that once memory loss is present the damage is already done? In fact, researchers have discovered five early warning signs that you could be developing Alzheimer’s that have nothing at all to do with memory loss…

Jenny Smiechowski

The heavy metal hiding in your spice rack

In recent decades, we’ve done a good job of reducing lead in our homes. Paint and pipes (in newer homes at least) are pretty much lead free. But several popular spices resting innocently in your spice rack could still be increasing your lead exposure…

Joyce Hollman

How to ‘climb’ away from diabetes and heart disease

If you live in a house with stairs, you’ve probably been missing out on a daily opportunity to strengthen your heart and lungs, keep your weight down, and stretch your muscles. Studies have shown how this deceptively simple form of aerobic exercise benefits all aspects of our health.

Jenny Smiechowski

The 3 best foods to eat for a strong mind and sharp memory

Picture your life in 20 years. What do you want it to look like? I bet you don’t want to see yourself being cared for by someone else because your brain’s too feeble. To improve your odds of keeping your cognitive health intact 20 years from now, I have a suggestion for you…

Joyce Hollman

Why your cell phone could give you diabetes, cancer and make you fat

Did you know that there are special cells in your eyes that have nothing to do with sight? They’re in charge of your internal sleep-wake clock. When the work of those special eye cells are disrupted, it can wreak havoc with your health in the form of cancer, diabetes and obesity…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

‘Facetiming’ can keep you from having a blue Christmas

Depression can strike at any time but during the holidays, depression rates can soar. And if you have to celebrate long distance, or are unable to share the same space with family and friends for whatever reason, the holidays can certainly seem less merry and bright. Luckily, technology can bring you together…

Joyce Hollman

6 great greens and what they do for your body

Green, leafy vegetables are probably the best things you can include in your daily diet. But there are probably more green, leafy choices than you’re aware of, each with its own merits, distinctive flavor and texture. Here’s a primer on the nutrient value and benefits of my favorite six…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Pedal while you sit for better blood sugar

By now we all know that a sedentary lifestyle is one of the largest risk factors for a plethora of dangerous health conditions — especially diabetes. But how can you fit enough activity into each day to reduce your threat? It’s not easy… but if you get creative, a little movement will go a long way…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The antioxidant that resists age-related decline

Aging is inevitable but age-related decline is not. The latter is set off by the the decline of detoxification pathways linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other leading causes of death and disability. Because in response to toxins, your cells lose a significant amount of your body’s master antioxidant…

Joyce Hollman

The ‘coffee treatment’ for rosacea

Research is pointing more and more to the health benefits of our favorite indulgence: Coffee. In fact, we’ve recently found there’s something special about your morning cup that works as a treatment for a distressing skin condition that has no cure…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why you should still exercise during cancer treatment

Going through cancer treatment, the last thing on anyone’s mind is exercise. It’s hard enough to find the energy to make dinner, go to work, let alone hop on a treadmill. But here’s why abandoning exercise during cancer treatment is a big mistake…

Dr. Michael Cutler

The culprit behind gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer?

It is probably the most widely studied and treated bacterium residing in half the population. It’s associated with gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. But doctors commonly rule it out when a patient has stomach pain. So is H. pylori really an infection?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The truth about lavender and stress

I know a lot of people who use lavender to destress, yet I know just as many more who claim that essential oils don’t work and are all just a hoax. Well, the debate has finally been settled by science. So get ready to take a big whiff and feel the calm…

Jenny Smiechowski

Can high-carb diets curb Alzheimer’s?

Everyone has their food weaknesses. Mine fall into the high-carb category. But I’m not worried anymore. Turns out we can all breathe a sigh of relief that we can potentially improve our aging brains by eating more carbs rather than less calories.

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