Latest Stories

Latest Stories

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…

Carolyn Gretton

Anesthetic may release tau and spur Alzheimer’s development

Surgery is difficult at any age, but it carries specific complications for older adults, including long-term memory loss. Researchers have dug into this connection and may have narrowed it down to the way a specific type of anesthetic affects tau protein, a key player in Alzheimer’s development…

Joyce Hollman

7 foods that reduce colorectal cancer risk despite your genes

You might think having a genetic predisposition for cancer is a death sentence, or that there’s very little you can do to counteract heredity. Well, recent research has shown this to be untrue when it comes to colorectal cancer. In fact, lifestyle factors can do more for folks with the cancer gene than those without…

Joyce Hollman

A better variety of gut bacteria reduces age-related muscle loss

Sarcopenia can put a kink in your plans to enjoy retirement, whether you see yourself playing golf every day, going on cruises or hosting campouts in the backyard with your grandkids — and instead leave you frail and housebound. But your gut bacteria can help keep it from stealing your get-up-and-go.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Mildly elevated BP in middle-age doubles women’s heart attack risk

Traditionally, women start out with much lower blood pressure than men. But when we get into our 40s, things start to change. That’s why women are being urged to diligently check it. Turns out even a mild elevation in BP for middle-aged women can double the risk for heart attack.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

It takes fewer steps than you’d think to live longer

Walking is one of the safest and easiest ways to stay active. It’s also great for your heart health and can help you live longer, reducing your risk of death as much as 32 percent. Better news? Retire your Fitbit… it doesn’t take near as many steps as you’d think…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The diet that boosts testosterone and burns calories

For men, obesity and low testosterone levels can go hand-in-hand and are often a “chicken and the egg” situation. Obesity kicks off testosterone decline and the resulting low-T leaves the body burning fewer calories and leads to more weight gain. But it’s a vicious cylce that can be broken so you can get your vim and vigor back.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Your gut may be the fast way to better blood pressure

Your gut or GI tract is home to a huge and diverse community of microorganism that makes up your gut microbiome. And more and more evidence is proving that much of your health — even your blood pressure levels — starts right here…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The cholesterol-lowering food supplement that tames anxiety

When you suffer from anxiety, that feeling of dread can take over. Unfortunately, the medications most doctors will prescribe carry a boatload of side effects. Some can even worsen your anxiety symptoms. But a plant compound found in some of our favorite foods was shown to wrangle anxiety… and cholesterol, too.

Carolyn Gretton

Food dyes found to trigger bowel disease

Dyes used in food are supposed to be safe for you to eat, but we’ve already seen evidence that’s not the case. Artificial food colorants have been linked with everything from hyperactivity in children, allergic reactions and worse — and now, there’s evidence they may impact your gastrointestinal health as well…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Coffee drinkers have better brain connectivity

For years, research has dug into the benefits of coffee. And, now, there’s more credibility pointing to our favorite elixir’s stimulating brain benefits. Coffee certainly lives up to its reputation to help us stay sharp, alert and focused, but should we drink more… or less for the best big brain benefits?

Joyce Hollman

Spiritual fitness: The missing link for brain health

Over the past twenty years, the emerging field of neurotheology has explored the relationship between spiritual practices and meditation and a person’s overall physical and mental health. But the idea that meditation is good for the brain, and may even prevent Alzheimer’s, isn’t new at all…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What you should know about diet, tea and protein to avoid frailty

As we age, diet plays an important role in maintaining health and independence. But it’s a little more complex than you’d think. Research has revealed some recommendations, and some precautions, that can help you live life with vim and vigor no matter how many candles are on your birthday cake…

Joyce Hollman

Pancreatic cancer: Signs, tests and early detection

In the past twenty years, the survival rate for pancreatic cancer has skyrocketed, as long as the disease is caught at stage 1, from around four percent to almost forty percent. This makes greater awareness of the risk factors for the disease and the early warning signs of pancreatic cancer an important part of survival.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The sleep sweet spot that reduces heart attack and stroke risk

A good night’s sleep can do wonders for your mental and cognitive health. It helps keep us focused, alert and simply happier. But more than that, getting just the right amount of sleep can bring down your risk for stroke and heart attack.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Fishing for better blood sugar? Try these tiny fish

Sardines. You either love them or you hate them. But if you were at a high-risk level for type 2 diabetes — meaning you’re prediabetic — and eating just a few a day could turn all that around for you, why not give it a try? Still need convincing? Check out these impressive results…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

People with high omega-3 levels live longer than people with less

When you were growing up, your mom never forgot to remind you to eat your vegetables. And while that’s still great advice, there might have been one recommendation she missed. Always eat your fish… your oily, fatty fish, that is! Because people with higher omega-3 blood levels live longer than those with lower levels.

Joyce Hollman

‘Sedating’ music helps seniors sleep without the risky pills

All of us have those nights when physical discomfort or a racing mind can make it difficult to sleep well. But when it happens night after night, it can be a real nightmare — one that affects up to 70 percent of older adults. Pop a pill? That’s dangerous the older you get. But new research says the right kind of music is the stuff dreams are made of…

Carolyn Gretton

Want to be less stressed? Eat your fruits and veggies

Between the chaos of the pandemic and the information overload that comes from being constantly online, stress is pretty much a constant presence in our lives. Luckily, evidence continues to mount that following a healthy diet with plenty of plant-based foods can help you manage your stress…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Reduce psoriasis skin symptoms with the 5:2 diet

Psoriasis is a difficult autoimmune disease to manage. Not only can it result in thick, red, itchy skin plaques that feel uncomfortable — but it can make someone suffering from the condition uncomfortable about showing their skin. It can also cause misery below the skin including inflamed joints and tendons. A type of diet shows promise in improving symptoms…

Joyce Hollman

Prediabetes: The ‘benign’ condition that does serious heart damage

Diabetes is well-known as a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. But prediabetes? No big deal, right? Wrong. The notion that prediabetes is “blood sugar that’s high but not high enough to be diabetes” has lulled us into a false sense of security. It can lead to heart damage without ever progressing…

Carolyn Gretton

The other reason HDL protects against narrowing of the arteries

You already know that there’s “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol and that the “good” type helps eliminate bad forms of cholesterol out of your system. But researchers have discovered another benefit to “good” cholesterol that could help predict your likelihood of developing a serious heart problem…

Joyce Hollman

One more reason for seniors to stay cool: Neurodegeneration

Heat stroke is a dangerous condition that can sneak up on you if you get overheated and don’t take the time to cool off. Now, we’re finding that being overheated for too long can lead to specific danger for seniors… it can actually lower your body’s ability to clean out damaged cells that could lead to diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Carolyn Gretton

When other medications are to blame for your high blood pressure

People with high blood pressure are usually taking some action to bring it under control, including diet, exercise and medication. But what they don’t know is that they could be sabotaging their efforts simply by taking care of other health issues, especially with medication…

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…

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…

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