Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Joyce Hollman

Not eating your greens? A greens powder could help

Less than ten percent of us eat enough leafy greens, and it’s making us sick. We either don’t like the taste, find them expensive and don’t like that they may cause gas and bloating. If you want to make healthier choices about what goes in your crisper — but have an easy option as well, here are the healthiest greens and what to look for in a greens powder.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

High blood pressure: What I tell my patients

High blood pressure is extremely common. What’s worse is that only about 1 in 4 adults with hypertension have it under control. That’s because there are many causes. Put too many straws on the camel’s back and it falls over. Take a few straws away, the camel can stand back up. You can bring your numbers down the same way.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 ways exercise helps battle breast cancer

Although it may seem like exercising would be a difficult task for anyone undergoing treatment for breast cancer, according to doctors at Johns Hopkins, it’s one of the best things to do. Not only does it lessen the side effects of treatment, research shows it has a direct impact on treatment outcomes.

Carolyn Gretton

One ‘must-have’ for a healthy liver and healthy living

Poor diet and lack of activity can lead to a lot of health problems, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The traditional way to treat fatty liver has been through significant weight loss. But researchers are finding that you may not need to lose as much weight to keep your liver healthy if you do this…

Joyce Hollman

9 health and body changes that happen in your 70s

Your body doesn’t come with a user’s manual. So, as you age, some changes may take you by surprise, but you can be prepared. Here are some things you might expect and some advice to keep enjoying life no matter your age.

Carolyn Gretton

How breastfeeding makes women’s hearts healthier

Maybe you’re a soon-to-be new mom deciding whether to breastfeed or not, or a mom who breastfed years ago. In either case you may excited to learn mothers benefit just as much from breastfeeding as their babies do. It turns out breastfeeding may lower the risk of certain diseases over the long term for moms, including cardiovascular disease…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How the gut may activate Alzheimer’s genes

One of the fastest-growing areas proving gut health is whole-body health is Alzheimer’s research. Study after study has linked the gut microbiome with either Alzheimer’s risk or protection. Now, a ground-breaking study has found that the genes that trigger Alzheimer’s may be turned on by the gut.

Joyce Hollman

Depression’s DNA links to accelerated aging

We’ve all had the blues. But major depressive disorder is something entirely different. People with MDD have higher rates of incidence and mortality from cardiovascular disease, diabetes and Alzheimers, but the medical community hasn’t understood why, until now.

Carolyn Gretton

Treating sleep apnea helps both your mind and body

A good night’s sleep is essential for optimal health. But there are disorders like sleep apnea that can make it difficult to get steady, restful sleep. That’s why it’s so important to treat sleep apnea — particularly when it comes to your cognitive health…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Is your back pain killing you?

Living with back pain can feel like torture. People who deal with pain day in and day out may even feel like it’s killing them. But can it? Past studies have made that connection. And the newest saw a correlation with premature death and back pain possibly involving a cardiovascular component.

Joyce Hollman

The vitamin that stands up to age-related muscle loss

Mitochondria are the “energy factories” of our cells. They process energy from the food we eat and make it available for our bodies to use. But even mighty mitochondria can’t provide your muscle with sufficient energy to avoid age-related muscle loss without this simple vitamin…

Joyce Hollman

The nutty reason a calorie isn’t always a calorie

In spite of all their health benefits, nuts like almonds still get “bad press.” You’ll often hear that snacking on them leads to weight gain, because of the calories that come from their fat content. What if we told you that when you eat that handful of almonds, you’re really not absorbing all those calories?

Carolyn Gretton

The link between ‘long COVID’ and your thyroid

While the majority of people who contract COVID-19 recover in a matter of days, many suffer from “long COVID,” a condition where symptoms linger for weeks or months. A possible reason? Thyroiditis, or thyroid inflammation, that’s been triggered by the virus.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Giving in to wanderlust may be what you need right now

After a year of lockdowns, things are finally loosening up. If you’ve been suppressing your wanderlust, now may be a good time to give in. Not just because it could be safer, but because of some measurable wellness benefits that could impact your well-being.

Carolyn Gretton

From hemorrhoids to heart trouble: Why you shouldn’t strain to ‘go’

We don’t like to talk about it, but the truth is, constipation is a common problem. When you’re constipated, you may have to strain to pass your stools. And if you strain too hard, it can lead to complications much more serious than hemorrhoids…

Joyce Hollman

Brain fog: How chronic sinus problems may change your brain

If you suffer from chronic sinusitis or rhinosinusitis, you know how it can interrupt your daily life. And it’s not even the runny nose or sinus pressure that’s the most disruptive. The inability to concentrate can make everyday tasks almost impossible for some. Now you can feel validated: Science shows sinus inflammation affects your brain’s connections.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Enzymes: The safer, healthier choice for digestive upset

From gas and bloating to abdominal pain, heartburn and diarrhea, surveys show that 74 percent of Americans are living with digestive problems. If you’re one of them, you may have wondered about digestive enzymes and why you need them. Here are the answers to your questions, and the relief you need.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Who’s most likely to experience long-haul COVID-19 symptoms?

One of the most frightening issues with COVID-19 is that unlike other viruses we’e exposed to, such as the flu or the common cold, which are over when they’re over, COVID symptoms can linger for months. But everyone isn’t affected the same way. Here’s why you could be at higher risk for the long haul and what might help…

Joyce Hollman

7 ways to start ridding your life of brain-damaging BPA

We’ve long known that the chemicals BPA and BPS, found in many common plastic products, can cause damage to your liver, thyroid, heart and other organ systems. Now, a team of biologists has found that these chemicals may also cause permanent brain damage. Follow this advice to reduce you and your family’s risk.

Carolyn Gretton

The antioxidants that could lower HPV infection risk

Cervical cancer can be one of the more deadly cancers women face. Human papillomavirus causes the vast majority of cervical cancer and in recent years a vaccine was developed for both women and men. But many older adults have never received the vaccine. Luckily, researchers are examining other ways to reduce this threat.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Is bacon worth a 44 percent increase in dementia risk?

Dementia is a disease that’s not only on the rise, it seems to be taking the world by storm. While there are currently approximately 50 million cases of dementia globally, every year another 10 million are diagnosed. You could avoid being one of them if you cut out this kind of meat…

Joyce Hollman

The real ‘fat factor’ driving osteoarthritis

Many people believe osteoarthritis (OA) is an unavoidable result of aging, as the cartilage in joints wears away, leaving them stiff and painful. Carrying extra weight is thought to worsen it. But new research has revealed that it’s a different kind of fat factor driving OA.

Carolyn Gretton

2 types of stress putting women at high risk for heart disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is more prevalent in men than in women, but that doesn’t mean women are safe from it. Mature women are at especially high risk of developing CHD, partly because of low estrogen, and partly because of the weight of two specific types of psychological stress…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What your brain pH can tell you about your health

The measure of pH reveals how acidic or alkaline the body is. Too much, either way, can contribute to illness. Researchers have been able to see the effect of pH on brain chemistry and there are significant impacts…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Dopamine: The link between exercise and cognitive health

For decades, aerobic exercise has been linked to improved cognitive function. But the “why” hasn’t been clear. New research connects it to a feel-good neurotransmitter that may not only help your brain but help you with the motivation you need to get fit.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Mix up your daily activities to boost your well-being

The pandemic didn’t make dealing with depression or anxiety easy. In fact, by curtailing social and recreational activities and movement, your well-being may have taken an even bigger hit. Though this was a social experiment none of us volunteered for, here’s what research learned about how our daiy activities impact our well-being and how to get the most from them.

Joyce Hollman

7 reasons to get your omega-3s from krill oil

If you want to support your heart and brain health, your doctor may have recommended that you eat at least two servings of fish a week to get your omega-3s. Fish oil supplements have become popular for this reason — but they’re not your only choice and there’s some evidence they may not be the best choice.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

What processed foods are doing to your kidneys

When we think about poor food choices affecting our health, we think of heart disease and diabetes. But microvascular diseases, ones that affect your small arteries and blood vessles to cause big problems, like kidney disease, are on the rise. Here’s why and how to protect your kidneys.

Carolyn Gretton

Want a better brain? Start with your heart

It’s no secret that the health of your brain depends a lot on your heart health. And the American Heart Association recently issued guidelines that reiterated the importance of this link, as well as the steps you can take to strengthen both your heart and your brain health…

Joyce Hollman

The mineral secret to living longer lighter

To help control weight and promote a longer healthspan (a longer healthier lifespan) many people are turning to restrictive diets, like the vegan diet, known for its health and longevity benefits. But thanks to the mineral found in Brazil nuts you may not have to…

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…

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

The diet that sheds pollutants, pounds and packs on health

Chemicals are inked to some of the most serious health conditions, including cancer, diabetes, neurodevelopmental disorders, and more. For support against this constant barrage of toxins and pollutants, you need strategies that remove them from your body, for good…

Dr. Michael Cutler

The iron condition that steals your energy and causes liver cancer

If annoying symptoms like fatigue, low-thyroid, abnormal weight gain, low interest in sex, palpitations, joint and low back pain won’t go away, iron could be the problem. An estimated 16 million Americans have elevated iron. The good news is it can be easily detected. Check it out before it increases your risk for liver cancer…

Jenny Smiechowski

Binge watching brings big bowel cancer risk for men

Spending hours in front of the TV keeps you sedentary, which means it’s not great for your waistline. But there’s one health problem attached to your TV time that’s less obvious… and it’s a doozy… Watching a lot of TV increases your risk of bowel cancer.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

6 really weird signs you might have heart disease

We’re conditioned to think of certain signs when it comes to heart disease… things that are going on inside our bodies as a result of changes in the health of our heart and blood vessels, like high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol. But, did you know there are outward signs too?

Joyce Hollman

The whole food that’s 40% better at building muscle

The older you get, the less protein your body produces. If you don’t get enough, you leave yourself open to a condition of muscle loss and weakness known as sarcopenia. One food the medical establishment falsely blamed for heart disease can help you build muscle 40% better…

Easy Health Options Staff

3 sneaky reasons your vision goes bad (and how to save it)

As you age, your eyes are especially vulnerable to damage that reduces your ability to see. Here are 3 sneaky causes of vision loss that you can avoid, and 3 easy ways to protect your peepers…

Joyce Hollman

6 factors including sex that help grow new brain cells

For a long time, science has told us that our brains reach their peak performance at around age 25, and that things slowly go downhill from there. But new findings are proving that we can help our brains continue to grow and develop well into old age. Here’s how…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

How cutting just a few calories helps you age slower

One of the first trials using human subjects put the effects of calorie restriction on aging to the test. Previous studies have resulted in longer life spans for monkeys. The bigger winners, rats and worms, saw life spans up to twice as long as normal in prior tests. And people?

Craig Cooper

How much do testosterone levels really matter?

Higher testosterone levels supposedly means greater sexual performance, sex drive, and self-esteem. But is much of this just marketing hype designed to get men into testosterone replacement therapy? Do testosterone levels really matter that much?

Jenny Smiechowski

The calorie secret that makes nuts even better

When you’re counting calories, every calorie counts. You want to know if you have a little wiggle room to eat that extra handful of nuts, or whatever else you enjoy. Keeping your calorie intake down is hard enough, so here’s some good news…

Jenny Smiechowski

Fight fibromyalgia pain with the “compassion cure”

It’s easy to feel stuck when you have a chronic pain disorder like fibromyalgia. That’s why it might be easier to start with a natural remedy that requires less physical energy when you have so little to spare… like compassion therapy…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

6 foods that make headaches worse

Suddenly it hits. That dull, aching pain… a tight band wrapping around your head, constricting and getting tighter and tighter. You’ve got another headache and there goes your day. But stopping the pain can be as simple as a few changes…

Joyce Hollman

The vitamin that fights skin cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s

The sun’s ultraviolet rays can lead to skin cancer, even if you’re not a sun worshiper. You’ve had plenty of exposure just by walking outside during the spring and summer months. But there’s exciting news about how to outsmart the damage with a simple vitamin…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 big health risks every time you drink soda

You head down the grocery aisle to grab your favorite soda. but, before you do, think again. Those no-calorie, artificially sweetened sodas come with just as many health risks if not more than their sugary cousins. Here are the five biggest health risks you get in every glass…

Joyce Hollman

10 depression-fighting vitamins and minerals

There’s an intimate connection between food and mood. And, depending upon your age, one nutrient group or another may become more crucial to health. However, the following 10 nutrients are proven mood-boosters for anyone of any age…

Jenny Smiechowski

The pesticide 1,000 times more toxic than we thought

Spring is upon us… It’s not long before your neighbors begin dousing their lawns in Roundup. Whether glyphosate on its own is safe, there’s another factor a lot of people don’t think about: all of the other chemicals added to concoct a powerful pesticide cocktail…

Joyce Hollman

7 conditions that increase your stroke risk

Here’s an amazing fact: If you were to lay out all the arteries, veins and capillaries of the average adult, end-to-end, they would stretch about 2.5 times around the world! That’s a lot of life-giving blood vessels that can get clogged, worn out and injured…

Dr. Michael Cutler

5 reasons to test your omega-3 levels

If you still have any questions about why you should maximize your omega-3 intake, just take a look at the health benefits you could miss out on. Plus, talk to your doctor about the omega-3 index (O3-I) to see if your levels are optimal…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What coffee does for your liver and heart

I never start my day without a steaming cup of joe. That liquid energy in a mug gets me going and helps me stay alert through the usual mid-morning slump. Now, there is evidence that the java we crave so much could actually be the secret to a happy liver and heart…

Jenny Smiechowski

Eat this food to melt off the fat

A study found that people who followed low-carb and low-fat diets lost the same amount of weight. Is this a sign we’re approaching this whole weight loss thing wrong? Rather than avoiding any one type of food completely, maybe we should follow one simple habit instead…

Easy Health Options Staff

5 surprising things making your bones brittle (slideshow)

Truth be told, you don’t have to be an older woman to develop osteoporosis, a progressive disease where your bones become increasingly weak, thin and brittle. It can happen if you’re young and/or a man too. Some surprising things making your bones brittle include…

Jenny Smiechowski

3 toxic ingredients lurking in your protein powder

Protein powder. Talk about convenience… You just toss a scoop into a smoothie, and you’re giving your body the fuel it needs to repair cells, create muscle and perform other critical bodily functions. But that convenience comes with a dangerous price…

Joyce Hollman

3 things making us fat (and stealing your taste buds)

It’s a vicious cycle… Most of the weight-causing foods contribute to inflammation. That inflammation means fewer taste buds, which means fewer pleasure signals are released to the brain after eating that burger or candy bar. That’s not your fault…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Not a milk-drinker? Your thyroid could be in trouble

I stopped drinking milk for a period of time about five years ago. Like a lot of people, I jumped on the “dairy is no good for you” bandwagon. Fortunately, for me, it was a short ride… because those non-dairy alternatives rob your thyroid of something it urgently needs.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

9 Tasty ways to ditch the calories in your coffee habit

I was addicted to the Starbucks. I’m not talking about a simple cup of black coffee. I’m talking about those creamy, sugary, calorie-laden specialty drinks that are just so darn tasty. Five pounds later, I’ve found a way to enjoy my coffee as much, but without damaging my waistline…

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