Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Joyce Hollman

You’re never too old to change your diet and save your brain

The Mediterranean diet is well known for its multiple health benefits, including heart health, weight loss and cancer prevention. Now, researchers in Scotland have added brain health to that list. Sticking to a Mediterranean style of eating can keep your brain sharp well into your senior years.

Carolyn Gretton

How type 2 diabetes may increase risk for Parkinson’s disease

Aging can come with higher risks of many diseases, including type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. These two diseases may seem unrelated, but they share a lot of the same characteristics inside the body. And now it appears there may be a definite link between type 2 diabetes and your risk for Parkinson’s.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Tea’s blood pressure-lowering compounds identified

Lowering blood pressure can be challenging. After all, to get it down, most doctors recommend changing your diet, getting more exercise or taking loads of medications, sometimes stacked one on top of another. But lowering your BP a few more notches can be as simple as a cup of tea.

Joyce Hollman

How a plant-based diet cured an ‘incurable’ skin disease

There’s tons of evidence that eating mostly fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help prevent and even cure many conditions, from eczema to arthritis to diabetes and heart disease. But some people remain skeptical. Here’s one woman’s true story of what can happen when you switch to a plant-based diet.

Carolyn Gretton

Why espresso could negate coffee’s heart-healthy benefits

Much has been written about coffee’s health benefits, but one area that’s been murky is whether coffee helps or hurts heart health. Now, another study has confirmed that drinking coffee made a particular way, and used as the basis for some of our favorite coffee house beverages, can actually raise the risk of cardiovascular disease…

Joyce Hollman

Warning: Spring flowers spell danger for your pets

Those blooms you bring into your home this spring could spell discomfort and even worse for your furry friends. Here’s the lowdown on some popular flowers, how they can poison your pet and what to do if you think your cat or dog has eaten them.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How urinary tract infections can lead to bladder cancer

Pain, burning, urgency — each of these symptoms will sound familiar if you’ve ever suffered from a urinary tract infection. And the likelihood is, you have. And while the pain and symptoms of the infection themselves are bad enough, according to a new study, having a urinary tract infection could be a signal of far worse to come…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

When a heart attack ‘comes out of the blue’

Do you know someone whose heart attack seemed to “come out of the blue? While it’s hard to understand how someone can seem fine one day and suffer a major heart event the next day, it happens. Cardiologist Dr. Elizabeth Klodas explains how, why and what’s lurking below the surface that even a stress test can miss — and how to help guard against it.

Carolyn Gretton

The juice/supplement combo that eases rheumatoid arthritis symptoms

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, chances are you’ve experienced side effects from your medication, so you may be aware of alternatives that relieve your symptoms. One such alternative, fish oil, has shown the ability to ease RA symptoms. You can ramp us those effects by taking it with the right juice…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

For women only: Fiber could be the key to happiness

There’s no doubt fiber’s part of a healthy diet. Yet, we mostly think about what it does for the gut, like promoting regularity or stopping the bloat. There’s one more way adding the power of fiber to your life could improve your health (and even your happiness)…

Joyce Hollman

What energy drinks do to your heart muscle

Energy drinks are loaded with caffeine and sugar. For that reason alone, they’ve always been questionable at best when it comes to your health. But now, research has pinpointed other chemicals in these drinks that damage your kidneys and set you up for heart failure.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Protective psychedelics may rewire the brain following stroke

In the U.S., someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds. For survivors, the road to recovery can be long and hard. But trials are underway to test a hallucinogenic drug that could be the answer to less brain damage and better function following stroke.

Carolyn Gretton

The not-so-sweet way fructose damages the immune system

Fructose has been a common food additive for decades, and its overconsumption is known to cause issues with the liver and insulin resistance, a precursor to obesity and diabetes. What hasn’t been as clear is how fructose impacts the immune system, and that’s a gamble with high stakes right now.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The truth about HDL: ‘Good cholesterol’ isn’t so good

For years we’ve been told to watch our cholesterol, keeping our so-called “bad” cholesterol down and our “good” cholesterol up. But what if that advice was wrong and we’ve been operating under a false sense of security? There’s much more banking on HDL than we ever realized.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5+ reasons women over 50 should weight train

Walk into any gym and you’ll notice a great divide, with women hitting the treadmills and ellipticals, while the men lay claim to the weight machines. It’s a divide that seems to only get greater with age. But if you’re a woman over 50, skipping the weights in favor of just cardio could be a big mistake.

Joyce Hollman

High protein for weight loss? Make sure your kidneys can handle it

A high-protein diet can be an extremely effective weight loss plan. It usually goes hand in hand with a low-carb diet. But before you jump into changing your ways, consider the health of your kidneys. If not, you could end up with a bigger problem than a few extra pounds.

Carolyn Gretton

The link between nighttime light and your thyroid

We use more artificial light than ever at night, both indoors and outdoors, and it’s affecting our health. Night light use is connected with a higher risk of obesity, depression, sleep disorders and diabetes. And according to researchers, it may be raising our risk of a particular type of cancer…

Joyce Hollman

Where do you fall on the food addiction scale?

If you were in the clutches of drugs or alcohol, you’d want out. It’s time to think about foods that are bringing your health down the same way, foods that are engineered to addict you. Here’s insight into the worst culprits and how to break free.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Research rekindles the question: Are eggs healthy?

The egg debate has gone on for years. Some studies indicate eggs contribute to heart disease, cancer and a shorter lifespan, while others have demonstrated a protective effect. There’s a lot on the line when it comes to eggs. So, it’s no wonder the debate is ongoing. Here’s what the latest research reveals…

Carolyn Gretton

Curcumin: The spice that wards off liver damage

Curcumin, a compound found in the spice turmeric, is well-known as a powerful anti-inflammatory that’s shown promise in relieving several diseases, including cancers of the stomach, blood and lungs. As if these benefits weren’t enough, the spice may also help protect the health of another vital organ.

Tracey G. Ingram, AuD

Sleep deprivation nearly doubles dementia risk

Sleep is critical time the brain uses to clear toxins, build memories and reinvigorate parts of the brain that help us continue to learn and function independently. If you’re missing out on valuable shut-eye, these processes are short-circuited, and you could potentially set yourself up for serious problems.

Joyce Hollman

What is lifestyle medicine and what can it do for you?

What if lifestyle interventions were looked on as legitimate, bona fide treatments, just as medications are? The growing discipline of lifestyle medicine is making this “what if” a reality, and instead of medicalizing disease, provides an easier pill to swallow.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Is being a workaholic ruining your health?

Previous studies have shown a combination of stress and work can increase your risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In other words, being a workaholic can ruin your health. Here’s how to gauge your risk and how to turn it around.

Carolyn Gretton

How refined grains stack your odds of heart attack and stroke

It’s no news flash that refined grains like white flour are bad for your health. But while many studies on refined grains have focused on their impact on weight and blood sugar, it turns out they significantly boost our odds for heart attack or stroke. Good news: Whole grains do just the opposite.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Best drink for stroke and heart attack survivors

Even if you’ve survived a heart attack or stroke, your risk of dying prematurely increases. In fact, in the first month after a cardiac incident, risk of death skyrockets, and this risk can remain high for years. The good news: You’re a survivor, and researchers are tirelessly working on ways you can keep it that way.

Carolyn Gretton

How are ‘SuperAgers’ avoiding Alzheimer’s?

While scientists have been able to identify key markers of Alzheimer’s disease, they’re still trying to work out why some people develop the disease and others do not. Some, called ‘SuperAgers,’ even appear to be resistant. And researchers are trying to unravel their secret…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

How to keep computer vision syndrome from ruining your eyesight

It’s almost impossible to avoid a computer or digital screen, including your phone. But these modern conveniences are causing new threats to your eyesight. Here’s what you should know about computer vision syndrome, and how to avoid it when you can’t avoid a screen.

Carolyn Gretton

Overcome stress eating and improve metabolism with ‘psychobiotics’

There is a complex interplay between stress eating, obesity and the kinds of metabolic issues that can lead to type 2 diabetes. Managing all these factors usually takes multiple steps. But a team of researchers may have found an interesting shortcut involving a particular kind of “good” bacteria…

Joyce Hollman

3 ways group singing boosts our health

Choral groups may not be singing together much right now, but hopefully that will change soon. Because the emotional and physical health benefits science shows happens when we blend our voices are just too good to pass up…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The fruit that guards against sunburn, UV damage and skin cancer

We all need a little sunshine in our lives. It’s an important source of vitamin D. Get too much sun, though, and UV damage can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. But there’s a tasty way to give yourself an extra layer of sun protection and guard against sunburn…

Jenny Smiechowski

Forget fillers and facelifts, try face-firming exercise

Exercise keeps you younger on a cellular level, protects you from age-related diseases and slows the physical signs of aging. So hopefully you have a vigorous workout penciled into your daily schedule. But even if you do, there’s one area of your body that you’re probably neglecting…

Dr. Michael Cutler

The dangerous deficiency that’s almost impossible to detect

It’s considered the silent epidemic of our times–a nutritional deficiency that is vastly underestimated according to peer-reviewed research. But what can you do? Know the symptoms, signs and illnesses associated with it to save your health.

Joyce Hollman

Olives’ other health boosting secret you haven’t heard

Olives and olive oil are at the heart of the Mediterranean lifestyle — considered one of the healthiest diets in the world. But the health promoting benefits don’t stop with the oil that comes from this tasty fruit of the olive tree…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How dental advice could fix your prostate

Men think of prostate problems as something they just have to live with. But, nothing could be further from the truth. Not only can you find relief from your prostate pain, it might be even easier than you think. And, it all starts with a toothbrush…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

7 sources of sciatica relief (slideshow)

You don’t have to turn to dangerous drugs. And, you don’t have to live in pain. There are a few simple, natural things you can do to get the sciatica relief you’ve been looking for.

Jenny Smiechowski

4 ways to treat chronic dry eye without drugs

Chronic dry eye can drive you crazy, even make you desperate. And there’s nothing drug companies like more than desperation… That’s why, in 2016, they took $1.5 billion from Americans with chronic dry eye and gave them a drug that doesn’t work. And the FDA has known this for nearly 20 years…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

What your husband’s gray hair might say about his heart

Is going gray just genetic or is there more to it? Research reported by the European Society of Cardiology took a look at the link between graying hair and the risk of serious heart problems in over 500 men. You might be surprised at the findings…

Dr. Mark Wiley

The easy-peasy push-up workout for your whole body

Push-ups can be daunting. If you don’t have any or much upper body strength they seem near to impossible. But not these… and even better, this easy-peasy push-up routine works multiple muscle groups at once — and fits into even the busiest schedule. No time to do a lot of exercises? No problem!

Jenny Smiechowski

Why alcohol is cancer in a cup

A couple of years ago, scientists made a bold claim about alcohol based on 10 years of research. They said that, without a doubt, alcohol causes cancer. More specifically, they said that drinking causes at least seven different types! But what they didn’t dive in to was why… until now.

Joyce Hollman

And the award for most dangerous meal goes to…

You’ve heard of the Emmys, the Oscars, the Grammys… but there’s one more not-so-prestigious award you may never have heard of — and knowing who these winners are could be a matter of your life and death…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Coffee and chocolate: Recipe for diabetes prevention

According to two new studies the key to quashing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes could lie in two things you probably already enjoy anyway – coffee and chocolate. Doing a double-take about now?

Craig Cooper

6 ways to increase libido after 40

So, your sex drive isn’t what it used to be… that’s not something you should worry about — in fact, stress around low sexual desire is actually a cause of decreased libido. Instead, focus on these tips to stay strong both in and outside of the bedroom…

Dr. Mark Wiley

What a single cup of tea does to your brain

If we could point to one thing through the centuries that has been a fixture in traditional societies, and also a proven boon to health, it would be the consumption of tea. For ceremonies, meals, leisurely relaxation — and health — tea has held a solid place in history.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

One supplement to fix 4 reasons you get heart disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women. Thankfully, researchers have discovered one nutrient that could help you ward off four dangerous conditions that lead you down the road to heart problems, starting with your weight…

Joyce Hollman

Why you shouldn’t trust the drinking water police

Most of us probably assume that the Environmental Protection Agency tests all chemicals sold in the United States, and protects us from those that could harm us. Nothing could be further from the truth. Approve now, test later, seems to be their procedure. Potentially lethal chemicals we breathe and consume are innocent until proven poisonous.

Jenny Smiechowski

The sweetest way to slay metabolic syndrome

Don’t fool yourself into thinking just because metabolic syndrome is considered a “syndrome” and not a “disease,” it’s no big deal. It’s a very big deal. It puts you at a higher risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. So, now that you know the seriousness of the situation… what can you do about it?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The fiber-fat connection you shouldn’t ignore

Fiber is very important to the health of your colon. It keeps everything moving, brushes out the bad stuff that gets trapped in the pockets of your colon and generally keeps you from getting clogged up. But, getting enough fiber in your diet is vital for another reason… One your doctor probably never even mentioned…

Jenny Smiechowski

The doctor-recommended eczema treatment you should never do

If you have chronic eczema, you’ve probably tried a lot of things to get rid of those red, itchy, scaly skin patches that plague you… Maybe you’ve even tried things that go against your better judgement, like bleach baths. And who’s to blame you?

Joyce Hollman

Why this super drink gives you super eyesight

Of all the superfoods, one stands out from the crowd. You’ve probably read how it helps ward off cancer, supports the prostate and manages blood sugar. Now, you can add protection from cataracts and glaucoma …

Dr. Michael Cutler

Dr. Cutler’s best tips for reversing diabetes naturally

To many, the claim that diabetes can be reversed through nutrition alone may sound like wishful thinking. The mainstream medicine belief is that “once a diabetic, always a diabetic.” But we now know otherwise, and I’ve personally witnessed that success with my patients. Here’s how…

Joyce Hollman

Pack this toxic holiday ‘décor’ away for good

Over the holidays, chances are, you served up a little egg nog, wine or good old iced tea in some decorative holiday glasses or mugs. They may be festive, but when you take down the tree and pack up the ornaments, you may want to box up those glasses for good…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How an Alzheimer’s early-warning could save your mind

Alzheimer’s is a disease that steals more than just your memories. It also steals your ability to perform simple tasks, leaving you perplexed, frustrated and reliant on others. While it’s easy to think it’s a disease that just can’t be beaten, new research reveals you’re not entirely powerless…

Margaret Cantwell

An accidental Alzheimer’s pill?

Scientists were recently testing a new pharmaceutical developed to treat diabetes, and found very promising indications that their potential diabetes pill may actually reverse memory loss — and treat other neurodegenerative disorders as well. Could it be the Alzheimer’s pill we’ve all been waiting for?

Easy Health Options Staff

How to recognize these 5 toxic dangers (slideshow)

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as well as the International Agency for Research on Cancer, heavy metals are considered human carcinogens (cancer-promoting). In addition, there are at least nine other illnesses that can be an indication of mineral toxicity…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The drinking habit that leads to obesity

Before you take a swig of that drink in your hand, hold on just a second… because what’s in it could be the reason you’ve failed every diet you ever tried. That’s right. A review of 30 studies proves it’s not what’s on our plate, but in our cups, that is making us fat…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

If you can’t escape the flu, tame it

When breakthroughs on boosting immunity hit the web, you can bet I’m researching and putting them to use. Most recently, I learned how, even if you can’t escape the flu, there is a way to tame it. With a little preparation, you can be as ready as you can be to keep the flu’s effects at a minimum…

Dr. Mark Wiley

The daily practice for pain-free movement

Keeping the body pain free and moving easy is not so… easy. But just like the old saying goes — if you don’t use it, you lose it. If you don’t, before you know it, it’s not so easy to move, and when you do it hurts. But you can remedy that…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The link between depression chronic illness and a shorter life

Mortality risk over longer periods of time may be more likely to result from chronic conditions associated with depression. If you think you may be living with depression, or know someone who is, it’s vital to take steps now to overcome it, to increase both the quality and the length of your life. Start with these five steps…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The best way to overcome worry, decrease stress and win the waiting game

You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Waiting is the hardest part.” And, if you’ve ever actually worried yourself sick, you know how true it is. That’s because waiting for something to happen can be far worse than dealing with the reality of it happening.

Dr. Mark Wiley

4 behaviors linked to 50 percent of cancers

What we think affects our wellness and influences our behaviors, which alters our health. But why is that so hard to accept? Maybe because even within the medical community, it’s a hard sell. But there’s no disputing that risky behaviors account for nearly 50 percent of cancer cases.

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