Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

A ‘runner’s high’ triggers brain receptors that could protect against Alzheimer’s

A “runner’s high” is a reference to a feeling of euphoria brought on following a strenuous run or even after engaging in other intense forms of exercise. It’s triggered when the brain releases endocannabinoids — fantastic molecules that research shows could be key to giving your memory a boost and even preventing Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

How to interpret your cholesterol test results

When you get a cholesterol test back, you’re typically given four numbers: The total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Your doctor is probably great about going over your results with you, but it can be confusing to remember all the details once you leave their office. Here’s what you need to know to interpret the results like a pro…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why your bone health may be a sign of stiffening arteries

Your bone health isn’t something to be taken lightly. A hip break can land you in the hospital, even shorten your life span. But it’s not a heart attack, right? Not so fast. The development of mineral deposits in your arteries, which can lead to arterial stiffness, and bone mineralization share many overlapping processes. That’s why weak bones may be a sign of serious heart trouble…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why diabetes leads to dirty, damaged kidneys

There’s no denying that diabetes is hard on the kidneys. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. About one in four people with diabetes has it. And as a result, they often go on to develop kidney failure. Why exactly is diabetes so damaging to the kidneys? It turns out that diabetes prevents them from performing one of their most critical functions…

Joyce Hollman

7 delicious things to do with your microwave

Your microwave can be your best friend. Use it to make life easier, more flavorful, and more aromatic. Here are seven things your microwave can do that you may not have thought of, and here’s one good reason why: Mounting evidence shows that microwaving may help foods and beverages retain nutrients and beneficial compounds better than other heating methods.

Jenny Smiechowski

How a few daily cups of coffee could impact colorectal cancer survival

Coffee has received recognition as a serious superfood in recent years for boosting energy and metabolism and enhancing mental and physical performance. It’s also been shown to reduce the risk for diseases like Parkinson’s, type 2 diabetes and dementia, not to mention reducing colorectal cancer by 26 percent. But coffee may do even more than just help prevent colorectal cancer… it may help people survive it.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Got pain? Stop and count backwards to reduce it by half

Living with pain can make all aspects of your life more difficult… from the dread you feel just getting out of bed in the morning knowing the stiffness, aches and discomfort will be there… to having to give up the activities you love. Luckily, a new study might have the answer to reducing your pain, and it’s as easy as counting down.

Joyce Hollman

8 ways to guard against the hearing loss-memory loss connection

Since I entered my 60s, my hearing isn’t what it used to be. I find myself asking people to repeat things. They don’t seem to mind and neither do I. After all my hearing is not that bad. But what does bother me is this: Research establishes a firm connection between age-related hearing loss and memory problems, possibly even Alzheimer’s. This is what we can do to combat that threat…

Joyce Hollman

3 things loneliness does to your body that leads to disease

Feeling lonely and being alone are very different things. Loneliness is a strong predictor of the onset of type 2 diabetes. Loneliness also elevates blood pressure and blood sugar and puts us at greater risk of early death than either obesity or alcoholism. Loneliness isn’t a weakness, it’s a health warning to heed…

Carolyn Gretton

Cleansing toxic thirdhand smoke from your home and your body

With people spending more time at home than ever before during the pandemic, it’s important to have a clean, safe dwelling. But if you live with a smoker or in a home where smokers once lived, coronavirus isn’t your only concern. Thirdhand smoke and its carcinogens can become deeply embedded in carpets and drywall and later be released back into the air you breathe.

Joyce Hollman

How pure is your honey?

Raw honey is probably the sweetest health food out there. Unfortunately, even as a natural, unprocessed product, raw honey may still arrive on your store shelves with pesticides, herbicides and bacteria. But there are simple ways to make sure you’re eating “clean” honey and getting all of its health benefits.

Jenny Smiechowski

Get toasty to tame your osteoporosis risk

There are plenty of ways to reduce your risk of osteoporosis, a condition that thins and weakens your bones. You can eat calcium-rich foods, practice weight-bearing exercise or take a supplement to bulk up your supply of bone-supporting vitamin D. But there’s one way to take better care of your bones that’s kind of strange — turning up the heat…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Science discovers a key way to increase your happiness quota

We would all like to live happy, fulfilling lives. So, some scientists recently set out to discover how we could all grab a little more joy in our lives — pandemic or not — and where, with whom or in what our happiness lies. What they found is pretty eye-opening, and I hope you can put it to good use, especially during these trying times…

Jenny Smiechowski

That laser pointer the cat loves to play with can permanently damage your eyes

I’ve never met a cat who doesn’t love playing with laser pointers. And the good news is, these popular pet toys give your cat plenty of exercise. But there’s also something you should be concerned about if you have one of these lying around the house… they could permanently blast away cells in your eyes in just a few seconds…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Taking a Z-pack with these medications could lead to heart attack

When you’re feeling sick and just want to find relief, you trust that the prescription your doctor sends you home with is not only going to help you feel better but that it’s also safe. But a word of caution… there is a common antibiotic you need to think twice about if you take other medications regularly, even if your doctor says you need it, or you could end up with a heart attack.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

Which is more important: Lose weight or eat better?

Does a normal weight protect you against adverse health outcomes even if you don’t eat particularly well? And what if you’re obese? Is your outcome equally poor regardless of what lands on your plate? A 17-year study may have finally helped us get the answer that most of us have been struggling with. And it may be the most freeing news you get all day…

Carolyn Gretton

Want to better manage your diabetes? Go to bed early

If you have diabetes, you’ve probably wrestled with sleep issues from time to time. Diabetics often have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep and often do not get enough sleep as a result. But even people without diabetes often struggle to sleep well. So is it any worse of a problem for diabetics? Research shows being a night owl or an early bird certainly affects disease management…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The 3-egg-a-day diet that improved insulin, cholesterol and weight loss

Not all fat is created equal. In fact, some fat deposits, like the ones around your abdomen, can be far more dangerous to your health than the fat padding your hips and thighs. This abdomen fat skyrockets your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Now, new research has found a way to lose that fat in just eight weeks without starvation or exercise.

Joyce Hollman

The spice that soothes osteoarthritis pain better and safer than NSAIDs

Turmeric is a spice used in curry. It has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat any number of conditions. Recent research confirms that it’s also a good substitute for dangerous NSAIDs if you suffer from the knee pain of osteoarthritis.

Jenny Smiechowski

Why too much black licorice is bad for your blood pressure and heart

A 54-year-old man in Massachusetts died after his heart stopped suddenly. The cause? Eating too much black licorice over the course of a few weeks. How could overindulging in candy cause someone’s heart to stop? Well, it turns out black licorice contains a compound that can trigger high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms and put your life in serious jeopardy…

Carolyn Gretton

The Chinese herb in the fight against colorectal cancer

Having cancer is scary. But the word “chemotherapy” can be just as worrisome for different reasons, including dreadful side effects like nausea, vomiting, hair loss, weight loss, fatigue, anemia and infection. Perhaps the worst, though, is when cancer becomes resistant to chemo. What then? Well, research shows a Chinese herb is proving a potent helper in just this situation…

Jenny Smiechowski

This ‘sunshine spice’ could help you feel less depressed this winter

For many, seasonal affective disorder can soon hit hard. The fatigue, sadness, hopelessness and social withdrawal (compounded this year by COVID-19) can make a long winter feel even longer. But if you’re looking for a safe, scientifically-backed way to fend off depression, this fragrant herb can be a big help…

Joyce Hollman

How to sleep your way to better weight loss

Did you know that how you sleep can keep you from losing weight? Research shows that sleep directly impacts your appetite hormones and your ability to say no to fattening snacks. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to counteract this effect…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Diabetics face serious blood pressure risk if breaking the ‘one drink’ rule

If you’re living with diabetes, you already know how important it is to embrace a healthy lifestyle. But there’s one more change you might need to make to be sure you don’t add high blood pressure to your list of diagnoses…

Jenny Smiechowski

Turning down the thermostat may be just as good for you as cutting calories

A calorie restricted diet isn’t easy. But they can lower blood pressure and inflammation, balance cholesterol, reduce insulin resistance and promote a longer lifespan. Why is cutting calories so good for you? That’s the million-dollar question, but it may not be the only way to get these benefit.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The weird effect a popular over-the-counter pain reliever has on risk perception

You probably consider yourself to be level-headed, right? Sure, you like to be adventurous, but you draw the line at risky behavior because it’s the smart thing to do. But if you’re among the 1 in 4 who turns to a popular OTC pain reliever for minor aches and pains, you’re unknowingly putting something in your body that can muddy your perception of risk…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why getting a cold could keep you from getting the flu

The common cold is far from dangerous, but it still makes you miserable by walloping you with a cough, a headache, congestion, a low-grade fever and that awful fatigued feeling you get when you’re sick. But the next time you’re laid up with a serious cold, you have a big bright side to think about… colds may be able to prevent the more dangerous flu virus from infecting your airways…

Carolyn Gretton

The good news thick thighs could reveal about your blood pressure

It’s been drilled into our heads for decades that fat is bad. With obesity comes a higher risk of all kinds of disorders, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancers. But recent research has found that fat may not always be a harbinger of a health problem on the horizon. In fact, if you’ve got thick thighs, you may breathe a sigh of relief…

Joyce Hollman

How not to get breast cancer from your salad

In 1972, the United States banned the use of the pesticide DDT. But other endocrine-disrupting pesticides have taken its place and are still in use. Luckily, there are ways to protect yourself from exposure to these endocrine-disrupting chemicals that cause breast cancer.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Eat more blueberries to preserve and repair your muscles

Reduced muscle mass can lead to a lack of mobility, lower quality of life and even steal your independence. Now though, there’s a new weapon in your arsenal that could make all the difference — a simple and delicious way to kick your muscle strength into gear by stimulating the production of special cells in your body that boost muscle growth and repair…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

8 ways to eat out without sabotaging your diet

Dieting is a challenge and once you add in eating out, it can seem impossible to lose the weight and keep it off. But, there are ways to make healthy choices no matter where you choose to eat. Here are the top ways…

Dr. Michael Cutler

Natural help for male infertility

The growing low T issue is concerning and so are the symptoms… decreased sex drive, ED, increased body fat and enlarged breasts. Not to mention depression, irritability and insomnia. Just a few of these symptoms are enough to affect a man’s quality of life (and his partner’s), but it also impacts fertility.

Jenny Smiechowski

The best reason any ‘body’ should exercise

A lot of people only exercise with one goal in mind — losing weight. And they assume that once they lose weight, they’ll feel better, look better and have more self-esteem. But the truth is, exercise is more than a means to an end…

Easy Health Options Staff

8 Healthy habits that help you live better longer [slideshow]

For the first time in more than a decade, the life expectancy in the U.S. has dropped. Now more than ever, you need to take your health into your own hands and do all that you can to live longer and healthier. So, here are a eight easy, proven ways to extend both the quantity and quality of your life.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The plant secret to balancing your estrogen levels

Have you put on a few extra pounds lately? Are you plagued with headaches, mood swings, bloating and even a decreased sex drive? If any of this sounds familiar, you could be suffering from the symptoms caused by high estrogen, even if you’re in menopause.

Dr. Mark Wiley

4 simple neck stretches for tension release

Neck tension can creep up on you and if you’re really unlucky, can lead to headache and migraine pain when that tension makes it way up the base of your head. And most of the time you’re not even aware it’s happening until it hurts. Why?

Jenny Smiechowski

The diabetes ‘drug’ on your dinner plate

If you’re trying to eat healthy, then you probably eat broccoli at least a few times per week… It’s one of the most touted cancer-fighting foods, after all. But there’s another big broccoli benefit that hasn’t gotten much press yet, even though it could help fight one of the greatest epidemics of our day…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The must-have essential oil for glowing skin

If you want skin that is more youthful and vibrant… Skin that has that glow you just can’t miss. There is one must-have essential oil that should be part of your beauty regimen.

Jenny Smiechowski

Turn your biological clock back 9 years in 30 minutes

Do you ever wish you could turn the clock back a decade to a time where you felt a little younger, a little healthier and a little more energetic? Well, in a sense, you can…

Dr. Mark Wiley

Who can you trust most with your health?

Who do you turn to when you are thinking about joining a gym, taking up yoga or trying a new diet? Who do you call when you have a health concern, small or large? These are important considerations…

Jedha Dening

The big fat myth: Healthy fats made easy

Fat is not something to be feared. The fact is we need fat for many functions in the body — for the production and formation of bile acids, sex hormones, adrenal hormones, vitamin D and more.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

10 warning signs your fingernails are giving you

You might not even think about your fingernails except to clip, file, paint or otherwise improve their appearance. But, your fingernails do more than just make you look good, they also provide a window to your health.

Jenny Smiechowski

This cancer-fighting oil goes to bat for your brain

Olive oil has a long list of unquestionable health benefits… It fights heart disease, reduces your risk of diabetes, fights osteoporosis, and wards off depression, among other remarkable feats. But if all that weren’t enough, olive oil has one more enticing trick up its sleeve…

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

Why the rise in thyroid problems?

We don’t think much about the thyroid… and we really should. Especially considering that this non-descript little gland located in your neck produces hormones that regulate energy metabolism, control protein synthesis and adjust your body’s sensitivity to other hormones.

Jedha Dening

The big FAT myth — busted!

There are many nutrition myths that are deeply embedded in society. So much so that they become “norms” — things that most people believe to be true and don’t really question. One such nutrition myth surrounds fat…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How to reduce weight gain the more you eat

There’s a quick trick you can use to keep those pounds from coming back, maintain your weight loss and stay fit and it’s backed up by science. Researchers say it “pushes the right biological buttons” that keep your body from gaining weight.

Jedha Dening

The right ‘chocolate’ prescription to lower your blood pressure

There’s no getting around it: most of us absolutely adore chocolate! Like many, perhaps you even struggle to balance your desire to eat healthy with your desire to enjoy life’s pleasures — such as chocolate! The good news is you may not have to choose.

Margaret Cantwell

Keep anger from ‘eating you up’ with disease

There’s a lot of anger in the world these days. Anger is quite a powerful emotion and has been shown to manifest in powerful diseases. You may feel powerless about what’s behind the anger, but regardless of the cause, if you let it, it can rob you of your good health… or even kill you.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 ways smiling makes you healthier

It’s no secret that a simple smile from someone you love can make you feel better. But, did you know that putting a smile on your face, even if you have to fake it can decrease your stress, fight depression, ease your pain, lower your blood pressure and even help you live longer?

Dr. Mark Wiley

‘Plow’ through life for a healthier back

A strong, flexible spine is one of the most important ways to assure better health as you age. This one body part can help you have good posture, better balance and flexibility and an active lifestyle. That equates to a longer life.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Brain booster found in your refrigerator

Did you know that adding this tasty snack into your diet could be one of the best things you can do to boost your brain health? If you want a healthy brain, you first have to improve the health of your gut…

Jenny Smiechowski

Take the sting out of your spring break or summer beach trip

Summer is the perfect time of year to while away your days at the beach — the sand between your toes, the breeze on your face and the water lapping at your ankles. Of course, there are a few things that put a damper on this blissful summer experience… sunburn, bug bites and (worst of all) jellyfish or man o’ war stings.

Jedha Dening

Is ‘inflamm-aging’ eating away your joints and youth?

Physicians have often suggested osteoarthritis was simply a “wear-n-tear” issue. Now we understand it’s a disease of low-grade inflammation, a term that scientists call “inflammaging,” leading to a whole range of complex reactions at the cellular and molecular level characteristic of premature aging.

Jenny Smiechowski

The frugal way to fight ageing

If you’re tired of spending money on anti-aging serums, I have good news: There’s a simple way to slow aging while also spending less. At first, it may sound like cruel and unusual punishment, but hear me out… research participants’ biological age appeared to go backwards!

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

What your food cravings are telling you

Everyone has food cravings… In fact, 97 percent of women and 68 percent of men say they experience cravings for very specific foods. In all likelihood, you’re one of them. So, what are those cravings trying to tell you?

Dr. Mark Wiley

7 ways to beat burnout and save your heart

Everyone may feel stressed at times, but burnout is a whole other level. Burnout is a hyper-stress state induced by continued workplace pressures, elevated chronic stress and feelings of not being in control of your work environment. And it can boost your risk for coronary heart disease by almost 80 percent…

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

Milk thistle: All-in-one superherb

When it comes to botanicals, there’s no such thing as a magic bullet — one herb that supports all aspects of health. However, there are many which are known for their versatility and wide range of benefits. One of these is milk thistle.

Dr. Mark Wiley

14 posture hacks to ease aches and pains

Chronic pain can destroy your wellbeing. Even low-level aches and pains can derail your mood. Sometimes injury is to blame, but commonly it’s our own bad habits, starting with posture…

Jenny Smiechowski

How to get the arteries of a 20-year-old

Did you know that it’s possible to have the young, supple blood vessels of a 20-year old when you’re 70 or even older? It’s rare, but completely achievable if you know what to do. There are just seven steps you need to follow, and I’ll tell you exactly what they are…

Jedha Dening

The vitamin deficiency that leaves you without a backup

The cells of your skin, gut, and blood are in a constant state of renewal. They only have a lifespan of a few days. So, your body also hosts stores of dormant stem cells in your bone marrow, as a back-up you can draw from if needed, like during injury or illness. But they don’t work without this vitamin…

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