Latest Stories

Latest Stories

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…

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…

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…

Jenny Smiechowski

Your height can predict the kind of heart problems you might get

Do you wish you had a crystal ball to see what your health will be like in the future? Because, if I knew I was going to have a heart attack in 20 years or get cancer in 30, I could make changes now that would shift my destiny. Turns out your height can tell you much about your heart’s future…

Joyce Hollman

Trigeminal neuralgia: A painful bully that can wreak havoc on your life

The textbooks describe the main symptom of Trigeminal neuralgia as “electric jolts of pain,” but this does not really do it justice. A friend described it best: it’s like getting a root canal with a cattle prod. The scariest thing about this condition is its unpredictability…

Joyce Hollman

Getting steamy can slash your heart attack risk

Concerned about your heart attack risk? At least five studies over the last decade or so have presented solid evidence that this habit can help reduce blood pressure, strengthen arteries and reduce the likelihood of that thing you’re worrying about…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

3 toxic reasons to ditch dryer sheets

If you’ve been using dryer sheets to ward off static cling and give your laundry that April fresh scent, I’m afraid that what you’re about to read here will be quite upsetting. Dryer sheets are capable of actually slowly harming you…

Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby

9 Antibiotic alternatives you need to have on hand

The issue of antibiotic resistance should worry every single human being on this planet. So if you believe finding effective antibiotic alternatives is only for those who live a 100% natural lifestyle (running marathons, growing their own food, and eating vegan) you’d be dangerously wrong…

Jenny Smiechowski

The high-carb weight loss food that burns calories

The low-carb diet craze has been going strong for decades. It started with Atkins, progressed to Paleo, and now it’s all about Keto. But low-carb eating isn’t for everyone. And, as shocking as it sounds, certain high-carb foods can even kick-start your weight loss.

Joyce Hollman

10 anti-aging vegetables you should eat regularly

It’s become evident that a diet based mainly on plants is a healthy one. That’s why many people have adopted a plant-based diet, consuming more vegetables than meat. But choose your vegetables well to avoid the insidious effects of protein deficiency than many people are not aware of…

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

9 ways turmeric tackles your health problems

For millennia, this bright yellow spice has been revered for its many uses. Today, researchers and medical professionals are rapidly exploring turmeric’s remarkable potential and demonstrating its powerful benefits for many key areas of health.

Jenny Smiechowski

Doing this now could save you next flu season

This year’s horrible flu season is finally winding down… thank God! But if you were one of the unlucky ones who got the flu, you may be wondering how you can prevent yourself from reliving that awful experience again next year. You’re in luck…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Yoga basics for a bigger mind, a better body and inner peace

Before I began my yoga practice, I was exhausted, stressed, stiff, achy and unhappy. But it really changed my life. If you don’t currently practice yoga on a regular basis, you’re missing out. Here’s how to get started at home as a beginning yogi…

Jenny Smiechowski

How nourishing the brain could heal mental illness

People who take antipsychotics, anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants often do worse in the long-term than people with the same mental illnesses who don’t take these medications. But there’s a very promising long-term solution…

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