Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What prunes can do for your heart

After menopause a woman’s risk for serious heart trouble only increases. But keeping your heart healthy post menopause could be as simple as eating prunes. Yes, prunes! Just a few a day improved several markers that matter. And there’s no reason men can’t benefit, too…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

How vegetable oil could trigger your migraine pain

Migraine is one of the most common causes of chronic pain. If you live with these extreme headaches, you know there’s no easy answer to finding relief. If you’ve tried the medications and they don’t work for you, take a close look at the oils in your diet. One type has been found to trigger them, and another may help reduce them…

Joyce Hollman

The real reason fibromyalgia increases pain sensitivity

Imagine being in pain all over your body, feeling crushingly tired and weak, and being so foggy-brained that you can hardly accomplish simple, everyday tasks. Now imagine years of being misdiagnosed or told “it’s all in your head.” That’s been life for people with fibromyalgia, until now…

Carolyn Gretton

NEAT: How capsaicin can help you burn fat

You may think your body only burns energy when you’re doing vigorous, aerobic exercise. But that’s not entirely true. NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis) refers to burning energy through simple daily movement. And you can boost NEAT to improve how your body converts energy to burn stored fat and improve endurance with just a little heat…

Joyce Hollman

Why you can’t depend on your doctor to know if prescriptions are safe

You trust your doctor to keep you safe. They’d never prescribe a drug that could cause you harm, right? Not so fast. Special alerts were set up to help doctors stop prescribing a group of common brain-stealing medications. But did they heed the warnings to give their patients safer alternatives?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What should you eat to avoid heart disease?

In the past, dietary advice for a healthy heart has been all about what not to eat. But broad research says there is no indication that any food is poison in terms of cardiovascular risk. It’s a matter of quantity and frequency of consumption. Here’s a simpler way to eat best for your heart…

Joyce Hollman

Low omega-3 levels? You might as well be smoking

Omega-3 fatty acids are good for your heart. Smoking is bad for your heart. Those are two well-known truths, right? Well, here’s a new and shocking one: Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that low levels of omega-3s are just as powerful in predicting early death as smoking.

Carolyn Gretton

When eating milk chocolate can help curb your appetite

Most of the health benefits of chocolate are attributed to dark chocolate. But because milk chocolate is so much more popular, a team of researchers decided to see just how much of an impact it had on weight and blood sugar. The findings were pleasantly surprising — depending on what time of day it’s eaten…

Easy Health Options Staff

The best diets for cancer patients and cancer survivors

Lifestyle changes often follow a cancer diagnosis, both during treatment and after. Eating well is often the first step. And there is good reason for it, say the experts. But of the five most popular diets that cancer patients or those wishing to avoid cancer often turn to, two really stand out…

Joyce Hollman

What are your chances of becoming a supercentenarian?

The oldest living person, Jeanne Calment of France, was 122 when she died in 1997. Seems unbelievable, but new research says living to 125 or even 130 years by the end of this century is well within the realm of possibility. That’s because extreme longevity is on the rise…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Cut heart failure risk in half just by sitting less

Staying active is one of the best ways to keep your heart healthy. But according to the American Heart Association, simply getting your recommended levels of exercise might not be enough. In fact, if you’re a woman over 50, you might be doing everything right and still doubling your risk of heart failure…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Why you should take sleep as seriously as nutrition and exercise

So much research has come out on the impact of sleep on our health that the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has declared sleep “essential to health” in a statement that has now been endorsed by 25 organizations. Statements like these aren’t made lightly. Here’s why they hope you’ll heed this wake-up call…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

A chiropractor’s tips to avoid back and neck pain when working from home

Working from home has its perks: no more rush hour commute and who doesn’t love taking Zoom meetings in pajama bottoms? But it also comes with some downsides — like back and neck pain if your home office setup isn’t supporting you properly. From your neck down, here are seven tips straight from your resident chiropractor.

Carolyn Gretton

Antibiotics may be driving colon cancer among those under 50

For years, public health experts have advised doctors and patients to curb unneeded antibiotic use, mainly because of the rise in infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. But there may be an even more urgent health reason for people to avoid antibiotics whenever possible — particularly if you’re under 50…

Joyce Hollman

6 habits that help dodge the Alzheimer’s bullet

If you’re not genetically predisposed, lifestyle changes may be enough to keep Alzheimer’s at bay. But there are people whose brains already show the effects of Alzheimer’s, but continue to function without any signs of dementia. Who are these “cognitive super-agers,” and how can you increase your chances of becoming one of them?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The 5-minute breathing technique that lowers blood pressure like a drug

Fewer than 40 percent of people with high blood pressure meet the recommended exercise guidelines to bring their readings down. If you’re one of them, you might be thrilled about a simple breathing technique that, in just five minutes a day, lowered blood pressure far more than the exercise and some medications doctors recommend.

Carolyn Gretton

The red wine secret to living better post menopause

Following menopause, women are at a higher risk for osteoporosis, heart disease, and osteoarthritis. Also, chronic pain is a symptom that isn’t discussed nearly as much as more familiar symptoms, like hot flashes. Research says a plant compound in some favorite foods can be a big help in all of these areas, so you can live better post menopause.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

More proof coffee is a liver-protecting beverage

Coffee is hands down the world’s most popular beverage. But studies have been piling up for years about how it can improve health. It’s looking like, as far as the health of your liver goes, coffee has definite superpowers…

Joyce Hollman

Is it possible to eat French fries and lower blood pressure?

Potatoes have gotten a bad rap for years, especially that baked potato slathered in butter and sour cream. And don’t get me started on those French fries covered in salt and ketchup. Hypertension waiting to happen, right, or is it? Well, it’s time to think again about the humble potato and what it may do for your blood pressure.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Tai chi may help stroke survivors beat depression, anxiety and sleep problems

For approximately one-third of stroke survivors, the future can feel less than rosy. That’s because afterwards, many face three common problems: anxiety, sleep problems and depression. But there’s hope and help available from an ancient practice that’s already been proven to be good for both the mind and the body…

Carolyn Gretton

Chronic pain? It could be what you’re eating

Chronic pain affects people around the world, making it difficult for them to work or carry out day-to-day tasks. And current treatments for pain have many shortcomings. That’s why scientists are looking to more holistic ways to relieve pain. And they’re finding that the answer could be as simple as eating more…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How stress increases pain sensitivity and how to get relief

Have you noticed that when you’re stressed, pain from your bad knee or a headache kicks in? And it’s the last thing you need, right? The fact is, stress can make everything in your life worse, including pain levels. This inescapable truth starts with immune cells and that one abomination that contributes to everything “unwell.”

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ are hiding in your cosmetics

Think the makeup you put on your skin each day is safe because the label says, “Clean” or “Natural”? Think again! Testing of more than 200 cosmetics sold across the United States and Canada, found your cosmetics could be hiding a dirty toxic secret — “forever chemicals” associated with everything from thyroid disease to cancer.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The nutrients that lower depression up to 70 percent

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for reasons other than your body not producing them on its own. From improved heart health and cognition to longer life, omega-3s have long been identified as important nutrients to avoid numerous health problems. Add relieving depression to the mix, but there’s one caveat…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Research confirms how diabetes drives Alzheimer’s

Doctors and researchers have long known that some sort of link exists between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Yet, while they could see that the two went hand-in-hand for so many patients, they never actually understood why. Until now…

Margaret Cantwell

How leaky gut leaves you vulnerable to a virus, like COVID-19

As you already know, COVID-19’s symptoms weren’t just upper respiratory. It’s been reported that many people with the virus experienced GI problems, too. It may seem random, but the connection with viral infection is much more concerning: A condition that can act as an open door to disease…

Joyce Hollman

Postural muscles: The key to reducing your fall risk

Injuries and deaths related to falls in older adults are such that the problem has been described as a “hidden epidemic.” My balance is no longer something I take for granted. Because I don’t want to end up incapacitated and unable to enjoy doing the things that give my life meaning, here’s what I’ve learned and practice….

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Boosting blood oxygen levels may halt early sign of Alzheimer’s

Healthy, oxygenated blood flow is vital. That’s why during a stroke, seconds matter. But a catastrophic event isn’t the only concern when it comes to blood oxygen levels. Research has found that the brain is operating on the bare minimum, even on a good day. On a bad day, it can lead to Alzheimer’s earliest sign…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Hops compounds may fight fatty liver

While heavy drinking can lead to liver disease, a quarter of the people in the United States today have a dangerous liver condition that has nothing to do with alcohol. But there may be hope to defeating this condition from an unlikely source — hops.

Carolyn Gretton

How to get up to 10 times the benefits from eating blueberries

Blueberries definitely pack a health punch. But it can be tough for our bodies to absorb all the antioxidants present in the fruit. Now, researchers may have found a way around that problem by combining blueberries with this common food…

Dr. Michael Cutler

Why the glyphosate danger keeps getting worse

It’s the most widely used herbicide in the world, and new evidence says that it’s more prevalent and dangerous than ever. Worrisome enough on its own, new research reveals glyphosate-based herbicides expose us to five hormone-disrupting heavy metals…

Margaret Cantwell

The hormone imbalance that sets you up for Alzheimer’s

Hormone treatment therapies of the past have many of us too scared to consider HRT. But there is an urgent reason why you should consider your options… That menopause ‘brain fog’ may not end with the last hot flash. In fact, it could be the reason two-thirds of Alzheimer’s victims are women…

Cara McCarthy

7 Smart tips to eat healthy on a budget

One way to stretch your dollar is to make sure the produce you buy doesn’t spoil before it’s eaten. Another way is to consider store brands, many of which are just as nutritious as their full-priced competitors. Here are 7 tips to get you started.

Jenny Smiechowski

How much exercise does it take to keep your heart from aging?

It’s no fun to see signs of of aging. Every time a wrinkle appears, your heart sinks a little. But trust me… what’s going on inside your body is even more alarming. Aging is hard on your vital organs, and your heart is particularly vulnerable to the harsh hands of time…

Joyce Hollman

The nutty secret Italians use to look and feel great

Many Italian towns have reputations as blue zones… places where inhabitants live unusually long and healthy lives. Most often their health and longevity is attributed to a healthy Mediterranean diet. But the citizens of a town on the Italian Riviera hold tight to another healthy secret…

Craig Cooper

Can saw palmetto shrink the prostate?

Many claims have been made about the ability of saw palmetto to shrink the prostate, relieve symptoms of BPH and associated urinary tract problems and perhaps even fight prostate cancer. Is this hype, or does saw palmetto really help?

Joyce Hollman

Are you aging in the ‘right’ place? Here’s how to know

I’m looking at old age from a comfortable distance. But I’m realizing some adjustments to my home are necessary if I want to remain here independently for another decade or two. If you’re “of a certain age” and want to live in the home you love, here are some things to consider…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why using your legs generates brain power

A recent study from Italian researchers found that when you don’t exercise your legs enough, not only do you lose muscle mass in your legs, you lose nerve cells. You’ve heard the saying, “use it or lose it.” Well, it’s particularly true when it comes to your brain cells…

Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby

6 Aging myths to start ignoring right now

Believing a myth is counter-productive to slowing the signs of aging, improving your health (now and well into your future), and living the best life you can. So, let’s break down some of the most popular wrong-headed ideas so they don’t hold you back….

Joyce Hollman

What you ought to know about powder and cancer

The American Cancer Society lists almost twenty risk factors for this often-silent, fast-moving cancer. Many of the risk factors are medical and genetic in nature. Some have to do with habits like smoking and drinking. Then there’s talcum powder…

Jenny Smiechowski

Can cold water end chronic pain? It did for this guy

Most chronic pain sufferers have to resort to addictive and dangerous painkillers to cope. But members of the Polar Bear Club may be on to a simple and side effect-free way to relieve chronic pain, perhaps for good, that doesn’t involve addictive painkillers…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How your gut can fight MS, Parkinson’s, ALS, Alzheimer’s and more

There may be little your doctor can do for you if you’re living with a chronic neurological disease. But with the help of your gut, you could improve your symptoms, possibly halt the damage and get your life back — just by activating a little-known pathway…

Joyce Hollman

How sweets and forbidden foods help the weight come off

She was working with her therapist to address long-standing issues with overeating. So when his instructions were to keep her kitchen stocked with a full supply of sweets and “forbidden” foods, and never to let her supply run low, she thought he was nuts. Boy, was she wrong…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to harness the power of curcumin for a golden memory

Curcumin, the golden spice from the turmeric root, has been demonstrated to be both a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound in numerous lab studies. Now, scientists believe it could be the reason why in India, where it’s a dietary staple, the prevalence of memory problems is so low…

Jenny Smiechowski

A toast to red wine’s protective prostate benefits

Drinking alcohol can contribute to at least 13 types of cancer. But there’s something different about red wine… Not only does it not increase your cancer risk, new research shows red wine can cut your risk of the most common cancer in the Western world…

Dr. Michael Cutler

19 alternatives for naturally healthy blood pressure

Hypertension can mean a lifelong pre-existing condition and daily medication that doesn’t just cramp your style… it invites some side effects you’d probably rather do without, like diarrhea or constipation, lightheadedness and erection problems. Unless you’re open to alternatives… and I’ve got 19 natural ones.

Jenny Smiechowski

The best supplement for stress, anxiety and sleep

Cortisol throws your hormonal balance out of whack. Beyond your hormones, high cortisol levels weaken your immune system, put you at risk for diabetes and contribute to obesity. High cortisol is also tied to mood problems and, of course, anxiety. Bust it with a simple amino acid…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The secret to safe, effective, non-addictive back pain relief

The U.S. is facing an addiction crisis like no other in its history. While it’s easy to sit back and say those people were simply opioid addicts, many of them started as patients in pain. That’s why more people need to know about this method shown to reduce drug dependency and pain at the same time…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Anxiety or just this hard-to-diagnose gland condition?

It accounts for more than 40 percent of all cases of depression and 30 percent of all cases of anxiety. Those are some big numbers! And, unfortunately, it’s super easy for doctors to misdiagnosis it as ‘menopausal symptoms’ or depression or anxiety alone…

Joyce Hollman

The extra life-saving benefits of exercise for diabetics

It’s hard to think of a condition that exercise won’t help. It slows the growth of cancer, boosts HDL cholesterol and lowers LDLs that clog arteries and cause stroke. But is it as beneficial for type 2 diabetics? Doubly so… Just take a look at what it does for glucose and insulin control and heart attack risk…

Jenny Smiechowski

How to fight superbugs with this simple supplement

Looking for a simple way to protect yourself against bacterial infections… especially those scary superbugs you’ve been hearing about? Well, there may be safe and cheap way to do just that. In fact, you may be able to fend off those nasty bacterial infections with…

Joyce Hollman

When vertigo signals something more serious

When your vestibular system is damaged, you may have episodes of vertigo, a general term for a sensation of dizziness. But there are six lesser-known conditions that cause vertigo and loss of balance, along with other symptoms that can often resemble signs of stroke or brain tumors…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Here is a method helping migraine sufferers everywhere

Migraines=misery. After an exhaustive review of more than 180 studies on migraines and diet, researchers at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center were able to identify four of the most likely dietary triggers — and what to eat for relief.

Craig Cooper

Why coffee is even better for you after 45

When it comes to drinking coffee, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, per se. However, if you are among the hundreds of millions of coffee drinkers in the world, there’s significant proof that coffee is very healthy habit, but even more so if you’re on the mature side…

Jenny Smiechowski

Is bacteria behind your hair loss?

If you’ve been following microbiome medicine, this may not be a shocker… It seems like every health condition around can be connected to the community of bacteria and other microorganisms living in your body. The good news is, if this is true, then a healthy gut may be able to curb or reverse your hair loss…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Genetics or exercise: Which wins at weight loss?

While it’s perfectly normal to look at your family and wonder, “how in the world can I ever beat my genetics,” the truth is that your weight has far more to do with your daily choices than you might think. But a big part of the puzzle is your age…

Joyce Hollman

The little-known mineral that fights arthritis, osteoporosis and cancer

There’s a trace mineral you’re almost certainly overlooking… It’s a “gatekeeper” for most of the important vitamins and minerals your body needs. This often-ignored mineral makes nutrients accessible to your body, preventing some of the conditions we fear most with age…

Jenny Smiechowski

Five scientifically-supported health benefits of saunas

1,628 men and women between 53 and 74 years old were divided into groups and given a hard job… to sit in a sauna for a few minutes, anywhere from one day a week to seven days a week. And one group slashed their stroke risk more than 60 percent. Any guesses?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How fiber now could help you fight off next year’s flu

Traditional methods for fighting the flu have some stiff competition. Previous studies have shown fiber fights inflammatory diseases, like asthma and allergies. So researchers wondered… could fiber help your body’s immune system work better at protecting you from flu?

Jenny Smiechowski

How alcohol fuels cancer-causing bacteria

The connection between the community of bacteria that call your body home and disease is the cutting edge of medicine right now. And it looks like alcohol seems to fuel the bad stuff — the strains tied to cancer, heart disease and other health problems…

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