Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Carolyn Gretton

The grapes-gut connection that lowers cholesterol

It’s always a good thing to include fruit in your diet. Most of us don’t eat enough of it, but now we’ve certainly got more reason to — especially when it comes to grapes and the special effect they have on gut bacteria.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Two popular herbs reveal recipe for anti-cancer compounds

We often forget that Mother Nature’s medicine cabinet often holds the answer to so many of the illnesses that we suffer from. The latest: two popular Italian herbs that could go from farm to table to cancer treatment…

Carolyn Gretton

Phytic acid: The antinutrient found in healthy foods

We tend to see phytic acid as something to avoid because of its reputation as an antinutrient. But this plant-based substance isn’t all bad. In fact, it has some health benefits that could offset its potential for causing mineral deficiencies. So let’s dig into the conundrum…

Carolyn Gretton

The ancient spice that tackles a modern-day plague: Chronic inflammation

Chronic inflammation is linked to a host of problems, from obesity to autoimmune conditions to depression. So researchers are exploring ways to directly target inflammation in people at risk. It turns out a long-used ancient anti-inflammatory spice could help with these modern-day problems…

Joyce Hollman

Health risks that could decrease if dentists talked to doctors

The connection between gum disease and more serious health problems is no secret. But recent large-scale research has painted a more comprehensive picture, and it’s not pretty. It’s time to stop thinking of the mouth as an independent system of its own…

Joyce Hollman

When women practice self-compassion, their hearts benefit

If you’ve cracked open a magazine or gotten online, you’ve seen lots of terms you might chalk up to New Age fads or practices, like “self-care” and “mindfulness.” News flash: beyond helping with stress, one specific practice made improvements to women’s hearts that could be seen in their arteries…

Joyce Hollman

Black beans: Potent ingredient for insulin resistance

Insulin resistance is when a body’s response to the hormone insulin is impaired and glucose in the blood cannot be used for energy. The next step is usually diabetes. Beans and legumes are great for people with insulin resistance, but black beans just may take the cake…

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…

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

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…

Jenny Smiechowski

The strange sign you have sleep apnea

If you have a spouse or partner, they can tell you if you’re snoring or breathing weird — two telltale signs of sleep apnea. But if you’re single, finding out you have sleep apnea isn’t so easy. But there’s one warning sign you can see clearly every time you look in the mirror…

Jenny Smiechowski

The diet that helps delay menopause

If you’re a woman approaching middle age (or you have a daughter who is), you may be wondering if there’s a way to delay menopause for a bit. The good news is, there does seem to be a natural, healthy way to do that. It also improves your health and reduces your disease risk!

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

No matter your age, this is the key to reboot your health and slow aging

When you’re younger, your body is able to clear out damaged cells. As we get older, not so much. This creates an altered cell state associated with aging and diseases, like cancer. But research has zeroed in on one consistent compound whose function can increase both lifespan and healthspan by slowing aging…

Joyce Hollman

Medical scholars aren’t falling for the ‘statin trap’ and you shouldn’t either

Sixteen medical scholars and doctors from England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Sweden and the United States conducted a massive review of past studies on the safety and effectiveness of statins. Their only goal: to get to the bottom of the “statin myth.”

Jenny Smiechowski

How to amplify your weight loss by watching it fall off

Do you ever close your eyes and imagine something you really want to achieve? If weight loss is your dream, there’s one technique that can really supersize your results. In fact, a recent study shows it can help you lose five times as much weight…

Joyce Hollman

5 reasons your hands could be hurting

Your hands are built from an intricate structure of bones, ligaments and muscles that are extremely vulnerable to injuries and other conditions that can cause pain and rob them of function. Here are some things to watch for and tips to keep them ‘hands-on’ healthy…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The heart-protective compound in grains that works like a drug

You may have heard some whole grains, like oats, are a good source of fiber. And the health benefits of fiber are a no-brainer. But the real health protection comes from previously undiscovered compounds in grains that work similar to a drug used to treat heart disease…

Joyce Hollman

6 ways burdock root can help you stick to good health

Here’s a piece of trivia for you… What plant is a blood purifier and is considered helpful against cancer, diabetes, skin diseases and arthritis — and was the inspiration for Velcro? If you guessed burdock root, you win. Now, do you know how to use it?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Raising a glass to cancer, heart disease or great health?

Lots of conflicting info about drinking lately. And it’s not so cut and dry. It looks like some doctors may recommend that people with certain disease risks should have a drink from time to time, but in families with other risks, abstinence will be key…

Jenny Smiechowski

The strange insomnia cure that stops the cycle of sleeplessness

If you find yourself playing mind games to sleep, like counting sheep, you’re on the right track. But your mind is a trickster. Sometimes, when you want something too badly, it gives you the opposite. So, you have to beat your mind at its own game, this way…

Dr. Michael Cutler

Mesotherapy: The technique that melts stubborn fat

You can diet and exercise, but there are just some places the fat clings to. But instead of choosing surgery or liposuction, there’s a less invasive technique that involves injecting a naturally occurring plant chemical into fat pockets to dissolve them.

Margaret Cantwell

The one thing that undoes your healthiest habits

You might be shocked to find what’s just as bad for your health as gorging on junk food daily. If you’re letting it get the best of you, forget spending money on healthy foods like salmon, quinoa, kale and kefir. Because all your best health habits could go out the window…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

6 health risks you can take down with vitamin D

If you haven’t had your own levels checked, it’s time to make an appointment because there are six serious health dangers optimizing your vitamin D levels could save you from.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Your brain pH can make you prone to Alzheimer’s

After examining the brain tissue samples of healthy people in comparison to the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, researchers found that the pH of your brain plays a pivotal role in how amyloid plaques form and take over your brain…

Easy Health Options Staff

The mineral that cures colds three times faster

Winter is coming. So is the common cold. That means you should be checking your pantry to take stock of anti-virals and immune-boosters that can ward off these nasty buggers. But there’s one you should especially have on-hand to kill that cold fast…

Joyce Hollman

Does your happiness quota add up to disease or longevity?

It’s hard to feel positive when you’re feeling ill. And negative emotional states can certainly bring about physical symptoms. What may surprise you is how connected your happiness is to length of life, disease and death…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Is baking soda the key to managing autoimmune conditions?

Inflammation causes severe health problems and destroys your quality of life when you’re living with an autoimmune disease. And, finding a way to stop the inflammation could give you back your life. Could it really be this simple?

Joyce Hollman

7 indicators that can reduce Alzheimer’s by 70%

Science is telling us that keeping our hearts healthy will also protect our minds. There is evidence that many of the factors that contribute to physical illness also contribute to mental decline, especially these seven indicators…

Jenny Smiechowski

In serious pain? Aromatherapy and reflexology could help

So many conditions cause serious, long-term pain. Fibromyalgia. Arthritis. Back injuries. Nerve damage. Migraines. Multiple sclerosis. Shingles. Cancer. Forget the opioids and try these alternatives that are heavier hitters than you might think…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Don’t get duped into this unnecessary surgery

Do you still have your appendix? Well, hold on to it… Long-term scientific research is questioning whether surgery is even necessary for an appendix attack. It turns out you do have another option, and for more than half of patients, it worked better.

Jenny Smiechowski

The surprising way multiple medications can turn deadly

It’s easy for the number of medications you’re taking to spiral out of control. But in addition to the minor (or sometimes not so minor) side effects each medication has on its own, there’s also a major side effect of taking multiple medications you may not suspect…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The contact lens infection that can steal your sight

The number of infections seen with contact lens use is increasing. In fact, there’s a threefold increase in the number of infections caused by one particularly nasty eye infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. Here’s how to avoid losing your sight if you wear them…

Joyce Hollman

Weed killer’s killing spree shows no signs of stopping

Glyphosate is killing people. Are we surprised, then, to find out that glyphosate is also getting to the honeybees, the creatures whose pollination is responsible for about three-fourths of the world’s food crops? Is our food supply next?

Jenny Smiechowski

The most delicious way to get your vitamin D

Roughly two-thirds of US teens and adults have low vitamin D levels. But there are a bunch of easy ways to boost it: Get more sun. Eat more fish. Drink more milk. Take a vitamin D supplement. Eat chocolate. Yes, I said chocolate!

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

Two plant compounds leading the fight against colon cancer

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. These numbers, together with the statistics on outcomes from conventional therapies, reveal an urgent need for integrative approaches to stop cancer development and spread… specifically, plant-based compounds that fight against colon cancer…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

7 times you should consider genetic testing for cancer

When it comes to cancer, there are many factors that can increase your risk… age, diet, physical activity and even your weight all play into the equation. Fortunately, they are also factors that you can control to limit your risk and hopefully avoid that cancer diagnosis.

Joyce Hollman

4 conditions you can fight with fall’s favorite fruit

We all know the saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But you may not know there’s abundant research, including six anti-cancer studies at one university alone, to show that no matter what variety is your favorite, you’ll be making a healthy choice…

Jenny Smiechowski

The supplement to save us from antibiotic resistance

The fewer antibiotics each of us take, the less antibiotic resistance there will be worldwide. How can we do this? There’s a safe supplement that could make all of us much less likely to rely on an antibiotic script from the doctor…

Dr. Michael Cutler

What are your choices for sagging skin?

Good skincare can cut down on further damage, but to reverse the look of sagging skin, you might have to consider a cosmetic procedure. These days, that doesn’t mean a full-on face lift. In fact there are many, much less-invasive options to choose from…

Margaret Cantwell

Much ado about a drug that doesn’t even relieve pain

It’s no secret that opioids come with serious side effects: nausea, vomiting, constipation, depression and a huge risk of addiction. Most people put up with these side effects, because opioids made that pain more tolerable. At least that’s what we thought…

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