Latest Stories

Latest Stories

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…

Joyce Hollman

10 natural pain relievers and what the science says

No one wants to live with chronic pain. In fact, if given a choice, no one wants to live with pain even for a short time. But standard methods of pain relief can be risky, including acetaminophen, ibuprofen and opioids. Here are 10 alternatives that all fight the root cause of most pain…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The proof is in the spinal fluid: The Mediterranean diet deters Alzheimer’s

The list of diets you can choose and trends you can follow is virtually endless. But when it comes to one that consistently scores high for both brain and body health, it’s the Mediterranean diet. And it may be hands down the most protection against Alzheimer’s plaques you can eat.

Carolyn Gretton

Sore throat? OTC cold remedies won’t help and may harm

Catching a cold is a drag and little is worse than a sore throat. But if you turn to drugstore cold remedies to ease the discomfort, think twice. They not only do little good, but they also harm upper respiratory cells…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The best prescription for better blood pressure and cholesterol

You might want to ask your dotor about your prescriptions. If they’re treating your cholesterol, you could end up with double the dementia risk. If it’s your blood pressure, they may have you on the medication found to thicken blood vessels and makes things worse. Maybe it’s time to walk away with a brand new and surprising prescription.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Bloodroot offers promise against triple-negative breast cancer

One of the most difficult forms of breast cancer you could be up against is known as triple-negative breast cancer. It doesn’t respond to traditional treatments and it’s especially aggressive in African American women. A simple plant compound may lead to more effective treatments…

Carolyn Gretton

The nutrient with huge disease prevention potential we don’t get enough of

Between the glut of highly processed foods in the average Western diet and the popularity of meat-heavy diets like keto and carnivore, too many of us are not getting enough of a simple but powerful health-boosting nutrient that wards off heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and more…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Superfoods for blood sugar, blood pressure, inflammation and more

Superfoods have a valuable impact on our health because they’re nutrient-dense or possess special compounds. Three new studies have taken a closer look at the science behind these superfoods. And they’ve discovered benefits that go far beyond what we previously knew…

Joyce Hollman

How heavily weight factors into prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is only second to skin cancer among men. When diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate for prostate cancer is nearly 100 percent. Except, that is, if you’re obese. It’s important to understand weight’s connection to agressive prostate cancer, the worst fat and how to lose it…

Carolyn Gretton

The lifestyle habits that can outweigh a family history of dementia

Having a first-degree relative such as a parent or sibling with dementia can increase your dementia risk by a staggering 75 percent compared with someone who doesn’t have this familial history. While this statistic is sobering, there’s more and more evidence that it’s by no means set in stone…

Carolyn Gretton

How effective is garlic for osteoarthritis knee pain?

It’s no secret that obesity can put you at risk of a number of chronic illnesses. It can also increase your risk for osteoarthritis and make you a tough candidate to find relief from osteoarthritis knee pain. You may have heard that garlic can help. But how effective is it really?

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Wegovy: What you can expect from the ‘new’ weight loss drug

If you were paying attention to the news this summer, you probably heard about Wegovy™, a “new” drug just approved for weight loss. It’s an injection that you self-administer once a week under the skin. And it works! Sounds great, but before you give it a try, here are all the details…

Margaret Cantwell

How fortified foods and the breakfast myth make us sick

The idea of fortified foods was to reduce nutritional deficiencies. But you can’t cut corners, use cheap ingredients, remove natural nutrition and expect that throwing in a few synthetic vitamins will make up for a product that does more damage than any vitamin deficiency…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What fruit can do for insulin sensitivity

High levels of circulating insulin can damage blood vessels leading to high blood pressure and heart disease. That’s why improving insulin sensitivity is paramount. Here’s a sweet way to lower your risk of blood sugar problems by a whopping 36 percent, by doing just that…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Can zinc lower blood pressure?

The number one modifiable risk factor for heart disease and premature death is high blood pressure. That means if you can control it, you can greatly lower that risk. Maybe you’ve cut back on salt, started exercising and eating right. But what about your zinc levels?

Joyce Hollman

Genetic risk of glaucoma? Cut out the caffeine

This sneaky vision-stealer gives virtually no warning signs, not until peripheral vision starts to disappear. Even with treatment, many with the disease will lose vision in one eye. But even in those with a genetic predisposition, you can lower your risk… starting with caffeine.

Joyce Hollman

Milk may do your cholesterol and heart good

Milk has been given a bad rap for a long time. I’m referring to good old-fashioned cow’s milk, blamed for weight gain and heart disease. But a huge study’s found a connection between drinking milk, better cholesterol and keeping your heart strong.

Carolyn Gretton

Your breast microbiome and breast cancer risk

You’ve probably read a lot about your gut microbiome. But you may not be as aware that other parts of the body have their own microbiomes that are just as important to your health, like the connections between diet, breast microbiome, some supplements and breast cancer risk.

Easy Health Options Staff

Ischemic, hemorrhagic and mini-stroke: What to know

If there is a lack of blood flow to the brain, the brain is going to starve. That’s why there is ittle time to spare when stroke symptoms arise. Here are the differences between the two main types of stroke as well as TIA or mini-stroke…

Carolyn Gretton

Want to lose belly fat? Give tai chi a try

The gentle, flowing movements of tai chi aren’t usually the types of exercise you’d associate with losing weight or inches around your middle (where that dangerous fat collects). But a recent study suggests this seemingly sedate practice actually packs a fat-loss punch…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Is your real blood pressure problem incorrect readings?

What’s defined as high blood pressure varies depending upon who you listen to… the American Heart Association or the International Society of Hypertension. In my own practice, I typically favor the more lenient definition. But regardless of which scale you follow, getting correct readings is what really matters…

Joyce Hollman

When housework can lengthen your life as much as a workout

About 30 minutes of daily moderate exercise is ideal. It’s not easy for all of us to commit to that, but just a few hours of light physical activity can provide major benefits on par with more exercise. Just be sure to avoid the one thing that can negate them.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Do you flail and kick in your sleep? It could mean Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s is a disease that causes tremors, stiffness and rigidity, cognitive decline and more. And though there is currently no cure, there are drugs and alternative health methods that can help slow the disease progression. That’s why seeing the early signs matters so much…

Joyce Hollman

No time for heart-healthy exercise? Try a hot bath

Exercise. Either you love it, or you hate it. But it’s good preventive medicine. Regular exercise can prevent heart disease, diabetes and even cancer. The good news? There’s an indulgent activity that carries a lot of the same benefits.

Joyce Hollman

Simple sleep tweak cuts depression by double digits

There are people who tend to thrive and do their best work late at night. But others are at their best earlier in the day. One drawback of being a night owl is a higher risk for depression. But one hour is all it takes to slash that risk by double digits — without giving up late night..

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Popular bleach alternative not so safe to disinfect your home

Are you a cleaning fanatic? Be wary of the ingredients in the products you use. You could face serious respiratory damage if you’re not careful.

Carolyn Gretton

Bad news for couch potatoes: Sitting less sustains weight loss

Let’s say you’ve reached your weight loss goal (congratulations!) and you’re looking forward to all the health benefits that brings. You probably worked very hard, but maintaining your new weight may not be so hard, as long as you don’t do this one thing that works against sustained weight loss.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

How to load up on heart-healthy nutrients at your farmer’s market

One of my favorite rites of spring is browsing aisles of beautiful asparagus, radishes, herbs and lettuces at farmer’s markets. It’s one of the most inspiring ways to cook more heart-healthy foods at home. My favorites contain lots of potassium, calcium and nitrates, which may help improve blood flow, and of course fiber!

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Lifestyle changes that reversed aging 3 years in just 8 weeks

Who wouldn’t want to roll back the clock and reverse aging to feel better and live longer? But is turning back your biological age even possible? And if so, is it something you can do yourself? Here’s how the study participants did it in just eight weeks…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Study proves you’re only as old as you feel

For some people, age is only a number. No matter the number of years that have passed, they stay active, strong, and yes — youthful. They seem to live and breathe the popular saying “you’re only as old as you feel.” And now science has proven there’s really something to it…

Margaret Cantwell

Seniors beware: They’re coming for your supplements

Medical types are claiming there’s no reason for seniors to supplement their nutrition with vitamins or minerals. In a perfect world, I might agree. But before your doctor takes your supplements from you, there are a few things you might want to understand about the current state of nutrition…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

7 ways to a flatter belly without sweating

Before you throw up your hands and shake your fists at the thought of one more diet plan, relax. Getting rid of belly bloat and feeling lighter is actually very simple. Here are 7 simple tricks to beat whatever’s weighing you down…

Joyce Hollman

Why sugar today could mean Alzheimer’s tomorrow

Science has long established the fact that inflammation is a problem behind all the diseases and conditions that scare us… cancer, diabetes, even stroke and heart disease. Now, scientists have established inflammation’s role in the development and severity of Alzheimer’s disease.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The best exercise for lower blood pressure (and great legs!)

Could there really be just one perfect exercise that reduces arterial stiffness and blood pressure, while also increasing leg strength in stage 2 hypertensive postmenopausal women, like me? The answer is yes! And you can kiss those gym fees goodbye…

Jenny Smiechowski

Is a pear shape just as bad for your heart as a belly bulge?

Where you hold your fat reveals a lot about your health: Fat in your middle means risk for obesity-related cancers and heart disease. Past studies show fat in your butt, hips and thighs seems to protect you from heart disease. But, it turns out belly fat isn’t the only body fat that’s bad for the heart…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Look at these and watch the pounds fall off

Dieting is hard. Before you revert to diet pills and suffer side effects like stomach pain, cramping, gas and even the inability to control your bowel movements, try something painless… A proven trick that can help you automatically eat less so that you can get slim more easily…

Craig Cooper

5 powerhouse nutrients for your heart and where to get them

It’s no secret that vegetables are good for your health… but exactly which are the best vegetables for men’s heart health (women can benefit, too!) — and why are they so beneficial? It boils down to these amazing heart-protective nutrients…

Joyce Hollman

This is what a good night’s sleep sounds like

Getting restful sleep is every bit as critical to your health as eating the right foods. But, as we age, sleep becomes more difficult. More bad news: age-related decline in sleep quality steals your ability to hold onto memories. Here’s the secret to get your sleep in the pink…

Jenny Smiechowski

The vitamin that squashes psoriasis symptoms

People with psoriasis have noticed something strange about their chronic, painful skin condition… It gets better in the summer. If you have psoriasis, you may have noticed this seasonal shift in symptoms yourself. But have you ever wondered why this happens?

Jenny Smiechowski

The deep-sea supplement that restores youthful stamina

Exercise makes you younger on a cellular level. If you stop because it gets harder with age, you create a vicious cycle of aging. You’ve got to plow through the pain in the name of a more youthful body and brain. And this supplement can help make exercise easier at any age…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

2 common habits you’d never guess are blowing up your BMI

About 10 years ago my dad was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, after trying so hard to lose the weight that contributed to his diagnosis. Now, a study is giving us insight into why it’s so hard for some people with blood sugar problems to lose weight, and what to do about it…

Joyce Hollman

Can a nasal spray treat depression and prevent suicide?

Almost two decades ago, researchers discovered that an FDA-approved anesthetic drug could relieve severe depression and suicidal thoughts within hours. Sounds like a godsend for the mental health community, right? Here’s what you need to know since it’s about to be fast-tracked…

Jenny Smiechowski

2 modern medicine fails medical marijuana could solve

Marijuana is controversial. Not everyone’s open to it. But if you’re only getting a few hours of restless sleep a night due to insomnia, you should know research says it’s incredibly effective… as well as for another condition that often accompanies insomnia — chronic pain.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What you really need to know about feminine hygiene products

I was in “that” aisle of the drugstore the other day. You know the one… the feminine hygiene aisle, and I was floored by the number of products out there. But, are they safe? Are they healthy to use on some of the most sensitive tissue on your entire body?

Jenny Smiechowski

4 reasons to try America’s forgotten inflammation-fighting tea

Do you start your morning with a cup of Guatemalan coffee? A cup of Chinese green tea? Or Peruvian yerba mate? Most of us get our daily dose of caffeine from halfway across the world. But there was a time when Americans got their caffeine fix from a source closer to home…

Joyce Hollman

The shocking trend causing 13 kinds of cancer (it’s not cigarettes)

According to the CDC, nearly half of all cancers in people age 65 and younger between 2005 and 2014 were associated with a health condition that is fast becoming more dangerous than smoking. Experts predict this epidemic will soon overtake smoking as the leading cause of cancer deaths…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why berries are the best at fighting cancer and aging

If you’re looking for a simple way to eat healthier, without counting calories or following crazy diet rules, here’s a healthy eating philosophy you can follow: Eat more of this super healthy compound that has an astounding effect on cancer and aging, found in the tiniest fruit…

Dr. Michael Cutler

Clearing the confusion about cooking oils

Is there anything more confusing than the truth about vegetable oils? The FDA tells us they’re good for us because they are polyunsaturated fatty acids, and not saturated oils. The problem with that is that the scientific literature says otherwise. So, let’s clear things up…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How many alcoholic drinks before your life expectancy shrinks?

The subject of alcohol can be a very polarizing one. Some people don’t drink at all while others think of it as part of their daily life and part of their social scene. I probably fall somewhere in the middle. The thing is, what’s the limit before your life expectancy shrinks fast?

Joyce Hollman

A spring guide to beating bug bites and infection

As winter is ending and spring is poking her head out, it’s time for us to get outside, too! Time to enjoy the spring sunshine by walking, biking, canoeing or just strolling around the neighborhood. Too bad the bugs are coming out of hibernation, too.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to break this deadly sleeping habit (slideshow)

If your sleeping habits are like mine, not only do you have a higher risk of diabetes, psychological and neurological disorders, you also have a 10 percent higher risk of dying! But I made changes to reduce my disease risk and feel better than ever! Here’s how you can, too…

Joyce Hollman

How to keep a common infection from turning deadly

Bacteria have a natural tendency to adapt to the drugs meant to kill them, so antibiotic treatments become less and less effective. And the antibiotic pipeline is at a standstill. Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself from the superbugs, like MRSA, roaming free out there…

Jenny Smiechowski

This best high-carb food for your blood sugar and weight

Did you know that eating white rice has pretty much the same effect on your blood sugar as eating sugar? It’s a scary thought. That’s why so many people avoid carbs. They don’t want to go on a blood sugar roller-coaster ride, but does that mean you should give up all carbs?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How food can dash your depression symptoms

Getting help for depression usually means a prescription that then causes you to go through nausea, weight gain, fatigue, constipation, irritability, anxiety and sexual problems. But for many, a special diet that’s often prescribed for stroke and heart attack sufferers can significantly help…

Joyce Hollman

Beet benefits: A must-have for healthy living and disease prevention

So much research has been done on the benefits of beets that to say they’re good for you is a huge understatement. You may have heard how great they are for your heart health, but you can add Alzheimer’s, cancer and more to the list of diseases beets may help you avoid. Here’s how…

Joyce Hollman

The ‘unnatural’ danger that follows a natural disaster

Six months after Hurricane Harvey, area residents still have questions about the long-term health consequences of chemical exposure during this catastrophic event. But don’t think this has nothing to do with you. What’s happening in Houston is just one sign of a larger, more insidious problem…

Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby

The antioxidant you’ve never heard of

When researchers realized the extent of cellular damage caused by the biological process of oxidation, it answered so many questions (and created countless new ones). Now, new research has confirmed that not all free radicals are the same, nor are the antioxidants that counter them.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

8 sneaky ingredients that could be making your eczema worse

Did you know that there are ingredients lurking in items in your house, that you probably use every day, that can make your eczema worse? They can lead to the inflamed, itchy, red patches of skin you absolutely dread. It’s time to put a stop to that and start feeling better by avoiding these sneaky eight…

Jenny Smiechowski

When weight loss means cancer

Unintentional weight loss could be a sign that something’s seriously wrong. In fact, a recent scientific review found that it’s more likely a cause for concern than celebration, because it’s one of the top predictors of cancer. So when should you worry?

Jenny Smiechowski

12 fruits and veggies you need to buy organic (and 15 you don’t)

Eating organic is great for your health, but not for your bank account. Do you really need to buy everything organic? When it comes to certain fruits and veggies you definitely do, but others you can slack on…

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