Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Carolyn Gretton

How grains can dash diabetes by more than 30 percent

The average American eats less than one daily serving of whole grains, and some studies show that over 40 percent of Americans never eat whole grains at all. When you know what whole grains can do for blood sugar, it’s no wonder so many Americans are in trouble…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The unexpected truth behind AFib triggers

AFib skyrockets your stroke risk. By throwing your heart out of rhythm, the condition can result in blood clots being released, blocking blood flow to your brain. If that wasn’t bad enough, strokes caused by AFib tend to be more severe than strokes from other causes. That’s why getting to the truth about AFib triggers is vitally important…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Best reason to exercise: rebuilding your body to live healthy longer

Aging means slowing down, doing less and retiring, right? Wrong! According to research from Harvard, if you’re taking it easier as the years pass, you’re missing out on processes in the body that can actually build your body back stronger and fight disease to help you live healthier and longer…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

An unexpected perk of housework: Healthy aging

Need a reason to stop procrastinating when it comes to household chores and get that sweeping, vacuuming and dusting done? A study looked at housework specifically for its ability to increase the amount of physical activity people get, and found quite a few unexpected perks that promote healthy aging…

Carolyn Gretton

The surprising habit that weakens your pelvic floor (and we all do it!)

Sucking in our stomachs can seem normal, especially for women. But it turns out it’s not exactly healthy for us to be holding in our stomachs all the time. Read on to discover the dark side of “stomach gripping” and why it might have you running to the nearest restroom faster…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The FODMAP diet: Reducing symptoms and disease-causing bacteria

The FODMAP diet has been found to reduce the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. But it wasn’t clearly understood how. Well, now we know. We also know that many people with IBS have a very unique microbial signature that’s downright dangerous…

Carolyn Gretton

15 chemicals linked to early menopause

It’s long been known that following menopause, women face an elevated risk of numerous health problems. But for women who experience early menopause (before the age of 50), the risks carry an extra wallop. And unfortunately, outside factors are contributing to this phenomenon…

Carolyn Gretton

‘Altered metabolites’ could be causing your migraines

Researchers have identified a connection between a genetic link and altered metabolites that appears to increase susceptibility to migraine. Good news is, to correct these metabolites and hopefully cut down on the painful condition, they’re looking at diet and a particular supplement that’s already shown major promise…

Joyce Hollman

The confusing way iron levels factor into Alzheimer’s

Iron is an essential nutrient. Iron deficiency anemia is all too common, especially in women and people over 65. But iron overload can also lead to serious health concerns. This conundrum is plaguing research over the past five years that has discovered a complicated relationship between iron levels and Alzheimer’s…

Joyce Hollman

The chemicals causing high cholesterol

We’ve known about the harmful effects of phthalates for some time now. They disrupt our hormones. They also cause thousands of deaths from heart disease each year. A new study has shown exactly how a specific chemical works in our bodies to raise cholesterol and cause heart disease.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Does your blood type increase your risk for certain diseases?

A Japanese concept called ketsueki-gata suggests that blood type shapes personality. The Blood Type Diet suggests certain foods may be healthier based on blood type. And while research on the validity of these concepts may be lacking, science is learning that blood type may influence disease risks…

Easy Health Options Staff

Flurona: What is it and what to watch for

Months and months ago we warned that the fall and winter months were expected to be a little rocky thanks to the combination of COVID-19 and a potentially nasty flu season. There was concern the viruses could muddy diagnoses and delay effective treatment. But things have gotten more confusing…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 scary facts about flu and your heart

You might have heard the news that a bad flu season might be just around the corner. But while getting the flu might leave you worried that you’ll suffer from a complication like pneumonia, bronchitis or a bacterial infection of the lungs, most of us don’t think about what it’s doing to our heart.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Two hot drinks that could lower your risk of stroke and dementia

Do you prefer coffee or tea? Either way, if you’re drinking the optimum amount you’re doing yourself some big favors, especially when it comes to risk of stroke and dementia. You may love either drink, but they love your brain more…

Carolyn Gretton

To lower blood pressure, use your whole spice rack

If you have high blood pressure, you’ve probably been told to cut back on salt. But just because you’re using less salt doesn’t mean you have to skimp on flavor. There are plenty of herbs and spices that will not only add flavor to your meals, but will also lower you blood pressure, so says science…

Carolyn Gretton

The strong connection between bad sleep, bad attitude and bad aging

Getting older has its advantages, but losing sleep isn’t one of them. Not only does age-related sleep loss hurt your physical and cognitive health, researchers are finding it can make you distressed about aging. And that negative outlook could have further consequences for your physical and mental well-being…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Heart disease in a paper bag: The worst and least chemical-laden fast foods

There’s probably not one of us who believes eating fast food is healthy. But what’s the harm in the occasional indulgence? Well, you might be surprised to learn there’s far more lurking inside that greasy bag you get in the drive-thru than just anti-nutrients that pack on the pounds…

Carolyn Gretton

Can estrogen help stave off Alzheimer’s in women?

While there are a lot of myths surrounding menopause, one thing remains true — this midlife change brings estrogen production to a crashing halt. And that loss of estrogen can lead to health issues well beyond hot flashes and night sweats. The connection between estrogen and Alzheimer’s is one that may surprise you…

Joyce Hollman

Eat more fish to lower risk of vascular brain disease, stroke and dementia

Vascular brain disease involves damage to blood vessels in the brain and is a risk factor for vascular dementia and stroke. Sounds quite scary and it is. But if you’re eating the right stuff — specifically the best brain food — you can greatly lower your risk for the disease and the dangers that come with it.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The chemical-fat combo driving prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is only surpassed by melanoma as the most common cancer among men in the United States. In fact, almost 250,000 men will receive the diagnosis this year alone — a rate that’s predicted to skyrocket! What’s driving the numbers up? “Forever chemicals” and a dietary component that seems to accelerate tumor growth.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Your body on carbs: Metabolic distress and accelerated aging

A good deal of research has shown long-term overconsumption of carbs has a negative impact on metabolism, weight and overall health. But very little was known about how the body processes large amounts of carbohydrates eaten in a single meal. Hold onto your hats: it’s not just your metabolism that’s at risk…

Joyce Hollman

Why older adults are at high risk from this ‘open door’ to disease

When you hear the term “leaky gut,” some awful pictures may spring to mind. But the truth is that a leaky gut is like an “open door” through which harmful microbes (even COVID-19) and toxins enter your bloodstream, causing all manner of illness. If you’re an older adult, your risk is higher. That’s why researchers looked into ways to help you close that door for good…

Carolyn Gretton

The surprising hormone that helps burn belly fat

Most people consider ghrelin, the hormone that produces those hunger pangs, an enemy of their weight-loss efforts. But that’s not really the case. It turns out ghrelin may be an ally in losing a particularly stubborn form of fat…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

7 ways to reduce your risk of cataracts

Currently, the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery to remove the clouded lens and replace it with an artificial one. This makes focusing on cataract prevention vital to maintaining healthy eyesight. Watch for these signs and follow these tips on how you can prevent cataract development — naturally…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

A salty diet can starve your brain of oxygen

Remember those old commercials that warned us of what drugs could do to our brains by frying an egg in a skillet? Turns out that same demonstration is fitting when it comes to salt’s effects on the brain… including tissue damage from hypoxia.

Carolyn Gretton

How spinach can help prevent colon cancer

Popeye was right — spinach really is a superfood. It’s loaded with fiber and nutrients like vitamins A, C, K and B2, folate, manganese, calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron — not to mention powerful carotenoids that support eye health. But science has pinpointed several ways this leafy green goes after colon cancer…

Joyce Hollman

Food vs. anti-aging wonder drugs: Which works best

Food is powerful medicine. Yet, there hasn’t been much detailed research comparing the efficacy of diet vs. “wonder drugs” for slowing aging processes, until now. Recently, three with the most credibilty were put to the test against food. See where metformin, rapamycin and resveratrol landed…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Want a good night’s sleep? Get naked

Sleeping well impacts your overall health. Yet, for many of us, getting those elusive eight hours isn’t just a struggle, it can seem impossible. But there’s good news. Sleep researchers have not only discovered why so many of us have sleep issues, they’ve also narrowed in on ways you can rest better — including stripping down before you hit the sheets.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The common chemical that’s shrinking penises

One of the top factors men have to worry about is the chemicals they’re exposed to, even in their aftershave. Now, a leading scientist has a new warning that’s more worrisome than what phthalates are doing to your testosterone levels and your bedroom performance. They’re also causing penises to shrink.

Joyce Hollman

Natural compound in basil kills Alzheimer’s ‘zombie cells’

As much as we’ve learned about the mechanisms of Alzheimer’s, a cure has still proven elusive. But there’s been a pattern of research results pointing to the food we eat as a probable source of what we need to beat this disease. Out of 144,000 compounds, this one holds the most promise…

Joyce Hollman

How to keep bursitis from making every movement a pain

Many people confuse bursitis with arthritis, where bone-on-bone friction occurs. Both are inflammatory conditions, but are caused by injury or wear to different parts of the joint. If you’re not sure what’s causing you pain, here’s how to tell and what to do about this painful condition…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why that thing you’re avoiding could help fix your IBS

It’s hard to be active and fit when you have irritable bowel syndrome. Just to leave the house, you have to locate the nearest bathroom… just in case. It’s very limiting, but worse, prevents you from getting the exercise you need. But the very thing you’re avoiding could be the key to relieving your symptoms.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to reset your hunger hormone for easier weight loss

Have you ever wondered why it’s so easy to gain weight but so hard to lose it? Why, no matter how many times you tell yourself that you won’t reach for that bedtime snack, you do it anyway. The answer lies with one particular hormone. When it malfunctions your willpower goes out the window…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why tall people get the short end of the stick when it comes to cancer

There are a ton of advantages to being tall… You can reach stuff on high shelves. You can see better at movies and concerts. And you can eat more because taller people need more calories than short people. Despite these advantages, there’s one big disadvantage to all that height…

Jenny Smiechowski

Two minerals that boost bone health better than exercise

Exercising is one of the best ways to keep your bones healthy. But what if you can’t exercise because you’re sick, injured, or just too dang busy to fit in your usual workouts? Is there any other way to keep your bones strong? There is. And it’s more effective at protecting your bones than exercise…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

9 ways fake sweeteners can lead to disease

By now you know artificial sweeteners are bad for your health. In fact, drinking diet sodas, sweetened with these chemical compounds has been linked to everything from migraines and kidney damage to heart attack and stroke. Now there’s one more reason to avoid those sweeteners…

Joyce Hollman

High blood pressure might ‘turn on’ Alzheimer’s in the brain

One piece of information that is pretty solid about Alzheimer’s is the presence of sticky amyloid plaque. But there’s still more to learn about how it affects the brain. That’s because about thirty percent of people over 70 actually have amyloid in their brains — but not everyone with amyloid develops Alzheimer’s…

Jenny Smiechowski

Family history of stroke? Slash your risk 66%

Has a close family member had a stroke? Unfortunately, that means you’re more at risk. Especially if your family member had their stroke before the age of 65. But even if genes put you in the stroke danger zone, it’s possible to counteract your genetic stroke risk…

Jenny Smiechowski

How much can organic eating lower your cancer risk?

You might not be surprised to learn that eating organic food frequently could make you 25 percent less likely to get cancer. But when it comes to several specific types of cancers, eating organic could bring some risks down by more than 75 percent! So what’s holding you back? I know, it can be costly. But if you eat organic the smart way, you’ll save your life and your life’s savings…

Joyce Hollman

8 benefits of ginkgo biloba

The Ginkgo tree is a species that dates back over 270 million years. Considering its longevity and hardiness, numerous researched healing “superpowers” are attributed to these living fossils. Ginkgo biloba, the extract collected from the dried leaves of the tree, has been a staple of Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. Here are eight reasons for its healthy reputation…

Jenny Smiechowski

What cannabis cream could do for your skin

If you’ve ever suffered from a chronic skin problem or disease, you know that it’s not just physically uncomfortable, it’s psychologically uncomfortable too. You could turn to a popular medicinal herb for life-changing relief from your chronic skin problems… especially those with a strong itch factor.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Does your body have a diabetes switch?

You might remember the research by the Mayo Clinic that showed you can turn off your body’s aging switch with high-intensity interval training exercise. The key is that it reduces a common symptom that’s also linked to your immune system and type 2 diabetes. Doe that mean your body has a diabetes switch too?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The strange symptom that makes this mood disorder harder to treat

NAC is a derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine and has been shown to significantly decrease bipolar depression. Good news for sufferers, since the drug treatment is successful in only 40 to 50 percent of patients. But if you’ve tried NAC without success, this one symptom could be holding you back…

Joyce Hollman

How science is helping the immune system find and kill breast cancer

Your immune system is in charge of defending you against invaders. That means that it attacks any organism it sees as dangerous or not belonging to you. An example of this system going awry is an autoimmune disease, where your body attacks itself. Can this same system seek and destroy cancer cells?

Jenny Smiechowski

They did the math: Here’s how much to exercise to slow brain aging

Exercise can reverse age-related brain-shrinkage and reduce your risk of developing cognitive issues by up to 90 percent. But if you want to use exercise to improve your brain health, what type of exercise work best? And how much do you need to do to keep your brain in tip-top shape?

Debra Atkinson

The daily workout for a slim waist and flat belly

Six-pack abs are over rated. A more realistic goal to work towards is simply a flatter belly and slimmer waist. This daily workout focusing on your core can help you get there…

Craig Cooper

6 foods that help shrink the prostate (slideshow)

Men with symptoms of an enlarged prostate, such as urinary hesitation, frequent nighttime urination, and weak urine flow, have a number of natural options to help shrink the gland. By including these six foods in your daily menu, you can increase your chances of reducing inflammation and prostate size.

Jenny Smiechowski

Why more sleep doesn’t always mean more smarts

Most of your life, you’ve prioritized sleep before a big day. The first day of school? An important interview? Better go to bed early. But more sleep isn’t always better. In fact, there are times when more sleep could sabotage your brain power and put you at a serious cognitive disadvantage…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Exercise in a pill could be the new way to fix high blood pressure

Have you ever thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice if I could skip the exercise and take a magic pill that could do it all for me?” Unfortunately, we all know that to get the health benefits, you have to put in the work, right? Well, maybe not for too much longer when it comes to lowering your blood pressure…

Jenny Smiechowski

Balance blood sugar and feed your ‘good’ bacteria with this one food

Science shows that the bacteria in your gut directly affects your blood sugar. And what you eat directly affects the bacteria in your gut. So, if you want better blood sugar, you have to get strategic about feeding those healthy bacteria. So, top your grocery list with this one food…

Joyce Hollman

7 ways to use lavender for your mind and body

The earliest recorded use of lavender comes from ancient Egypt. Today, research substantiates many of lavender’s benefits, including calming anxiety. But it’s a natural remedy for some troubling physical ailments as well. Here are just seven ways you can put this sweet-smelling herb to use…

Jenny Smiechowski

The strange sign women get their health is headed for trouble

Women have a serious disadvantage when it comes to aging. They’re much more likely to develop physical limitations and disability with age than men. And scientists have no clue why. Stay vigilant and watch out for this one warning sign that your physical abilities are on the downslide…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The lighting in your home or office could be shrinking your brain

If you spend most of your time indoors, like most adults, that means 90 percent of the time, you’re being exposed to lighting that could be dulling your memory, fogging your brain, reducing your ability to learn new things and even shrinking your brain…

Joyce Hollman

11 stroke signals no woman should ignore

There are at least four factors unique to sex that increase a woman’s risk for stroke. But the differences don’t stop there… Even the symptoms, including an altered mental state, that women can experience during a stroke may be so different there’s risk of misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.

Jenny Smiechowski

Mediterranean brain juice instantly improves memory by 15 percent

Rosemary’s been used for its memory-protecting powers since ancient times. While it’s hard to say exactly why rosemary has this effect, researchers think it comes down to antioxidant compounds. Specifically, two important brain antioxidants that make it a turbo charger for the brain..

Joyce Hollman

What you need to know about pancreatic cancer

Cancer is arguably the most feared word in the English language. Some cancers, though, are even more disturbing, because their rapid progress makes life expectancy cruelly short. Pancreatic cancer is one of these. It’s important to know the signs, risks and preventive measures that could help…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why your body needs a Facebook break

Stress can infiltrate your body without notice. Not until the damage is done do you even realize there’s a problem. So, just like bad foods and dangerous toxins, it might be time to take a health break from the effects of social media to undo the damage these experts are revealing…

Jenny Smiechowski

The age-defying food that keeps you disease-free

When it comes to natural ways to boost longevity, the only tips that are truly exciting are the ones that not only help you live longer but help you live better. I have one of these age and disease-defying tips for you today — and it’s backed up by more than two decades of research on real people.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The weird factor that could help more women survive a heart attack

The simple fact is that if you’re a woman having a heart attack, your symptoms can look different than the man having a heart attack in the same emergency room. But what else is different? Your chances of surviving, going home to your family and living a long, happy life are far less…

Jenny Smiechowski

The supplement that could stop staph infections

The scariest thing about life-threatening staph infections? You have this dangerous bacteria in your body right now. Most of us do. It hangs around in your gut or your nose and waits for an opportunity to run rampant. So, the less staph bacteria lurking around in your body the better. Here’s one way to get rid of it…

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