Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Could poop be the secret of eternal youth?

When you think about the fountain of youth, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t poop. But what if I told you, researchers now think it’s the key to halt age-related decline and preserve cognitive function? Ponce de León would roll over in his grave! Here’s how scientists are using it, why, and what you can do to get the benefits without the ick factor.

Joyce Hollman

10 science-based tips for keeping produce fresh longer

Do you often buy fresh veggies and fruits only to have them rot before you can eat them? The problem may be with some common mistakes most of us make when washing or storing them. Here are ten pointers on how to keep your produce fresh until you’re ready to eat it.

Joyce Hollman

Eating by the numbers: A simple way to make the best food choices

Did you ever paint by the numbers? When you have a guide to follow, anyone can be a Picasso, right? Did you ever wish eating better could be that simple? It can. You can put more nutritional value on your plate and fewer calories. Best part, no complicated diet plan to follow…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

One more reason to read product labels: Hormone interference

Endocrine disruptors are everywhere. In the clothes we wear, the furniture we sit on and the products we slather on our skin. They lurk, waiting to tip our hormones from a healthy balance and cause disease. Luckily, a brand-new study found a simple way to lower the levels of these disruptors in your body. ..

Carolyn Gretton

Calming the anxious mind through conscious movement

Generalized anxiety disorder is common, and in these difficult times, more of us are getting a taste of what it’s like. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the best treatments, but it can be difficult to access. And medication isn’t ideal for long-term use because of side effects. Luckily, there’s an easy way to relieve anxiety symptoms in the privacy and safety of your own home…

Joyce Hollman

Diet tips for dodging prostate cancer

One out of every nine American men will receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer during his lifetime. Prostate cancer is survivable, but once it spreads, survival rates plummet. That’s why avoiding prostate cancer in the first place is your best chance. And the best place to start is with what you eat and don’t eat…

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas MD, FACC

8 ways to raise your good HDL cholesterol

HDL, high-density lipoprotein, is the good cholesterol. This is the particle that’s moving cholesterol out of your body, so you want to keep it high. But it turns out there’s not much good news about it… Low baseline HDL numbers are a potent risk factor for developing early or more aggressive heart disease. So let’s talk about getting them up…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

This listeria danger (and possible cure) from fish

Everyone knows that eating fish is good for you. There’s the brain- and heart-healthy omega-3s, good fats and protein, not to mention the vitamins and nutrients many of us don’t get enough of, like iodine and vitamin D. But before you put fish on the table, there’s a growing risk you need to consider — and help from a surprising source…

Joyce Hollman

Breakfast first, or coffee? The wrong answer could lead to diabetes

If you’re someone who looks forward to that first cup of coffee in the morning, especially if you haven’t slept well, there’s good news. And there’s bad news. Plenty of research shows the potential of coffee to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, but the caveat is “when” you drink it…

Carolyn Gretton

Olive oil comes to the rescue for heart condition that drugs failed

Heart failure is notoriously difficult to treat, which is why so many doctors focus on preventing it from developing in the first place. But if you suffer from a specific type of heart failure, there may be good news on the treatment front — and it may be as close as your kitchen pantry…

Carolyn Gretton

What women should know about the estrogen-atherosclerosis connection

Hormone replacement therapy can be helpful to many women for relieving the symptoms of menopause. However, it’s not without risk. But considering that the number one killer of women is heart disease, more women need to understand what the loss of estrogen does to their blood vessels and that they have natural options to both ease menopause and avoid heart disease.

Jenny Smiechowski

The real reason it’s so hard to quit junk food

To put it bluntly, eating junk food makes it harder to stop eating junk food. It sends you into a downward spiral of bad food and poor health that takes a will of steel to break free from. And research has proven just how it happens. It goes straight for the part of your brain that manages appetite control and wrestles it away from you. Here’s how to get it back…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

How oatmeal can ease some side effects of radiation treatment

For years, cancer survivors have been told one thing – eat less fiber. That’s because doctors believed that added fiber went hand in hand with the bloating and diarrhea that is so common after radiation. But guess what… According to a new study, they were dead wrong! Here’s why fiber and the humble oat could be the answer to radiation-induced gut inflammation.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Supplement combo turns bad fat to good fat to help stave off obesity and diabetes

If there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s that obesity and diabetes go hand-in-hand. And the process all begins two types of fat in the human body. Now, a brand new study has found a way to turn the bad fat good and in the process burn more calories, curb obesity-related inflammation and even put a halt to blood sugar problems.

Jenny Smiechowski

The easiest way to send your insomnia into remission

As someone who’s suffered from insomnia, I know how difficult finding safe, satisfying sleep solutions is. That’s why research from Sweden recently caught my eye. It was about a natural insomnia remedy that can make a serious dent in insomnia in just a short time — maybe even send it into remission.

Carolyn Gretton

Is your immune system causing your depression?

When you hear the words “immune system,” you probably think immediately of your body’s defense against seasonal maladies like cold and flu. A strong immune system is definitely an asset in protecting you from these and other invaders. But it turns out the immune system does a lot more than protect against microbes and infection.

Carolyn Gretton

Got 10 minutes? Try these self-care hacks proven to destress and relax

We all know stress can ruin health and bring on disease. But who has the downtime to combat it? With a never-ending list of tasks to accomplish, scheduling time to relax seems like a distant dream. Lucky for us, researchers found it only takes 10 minutes to boost your body’s physiological engine of relaxation — and they’ve identified the most effective way to do it…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why the Pesco-Mediterranean diet is the ultimate heart-healthy diet

Humans are omnivores who can survive on a long list of foods… plants, meat, fish, dairy, fruit, grains, nuts and even whatever the heck is in those processed, packaged foods we eat. But which of these foods will help you not only survive — but thrive… especially when it comes to heart health? Loads of research points to this diet as the ideal for omnivores who want to keep their hearts ticking…

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…

Jenny Smiechowski

What your body shape says about your cancer risk

Looking for an accurate way to gauge your cancer risk right now without going to your doctor’s office and getting pricked and prodded? Well, all you have to do is stand in front of a mirror and look for the places on your body where…

Dr. Mark Wiley

5 lymph hacks to boost wellness and energy

You know you have a lymphatic system, but have you really ever thought about what it does and how important it is to your overall health? Well, it does an awful lot — so let’s start there…

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

The science of walking barefoot

Remember the guy you knew who went barefoot everywhere, even in winter? He may have seemed a little eccentric but perhaps you admired his tenacity. As it turns out, he was on to something. This quirky habit has real wellness benefits for you…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

5 ways to ‘shake off’ body fat

If you’re looking to lose weight, get in shape and blast away the excess body fat, you should be drinking protein shakes. In fact, replacing one to two meals per day with a high-quality protein drink is one of the easiest ways to drop pounds fast…

Jedha Dening

Why you may need double the vitamin E

Around 40 percent of Americans are afflicted with metabolic syndrome. If you find yourself in this situation, frequently the dietary advice is to decrease your fat intake. But it turns out, you could pay an awful price by doing so…

Jenny Smiechowski

The serious problem with high SPF sunscreens

You probably already know that sunscreens are chock-full of concerning ingredients. But a recent analysis of popular sunscreens uncovered some alarming facts about the sunscreens you’re slathering on your summertime skin, including this doozy…

Jedha Dening

Plant weeds out cancer, improves therapy

The power of natural plant compounds as cancer prevention and treatment agents is astounding. As scientists delve deep into research, they’re discovering these natural substances may provide protection above and beyond medications…

Dr. Michael Cutler

Yeast, fungi and mold, oh my!

There are thousands of known mold species. They all require moisture in order to grow and feed on organic material and then their “digestive” enzymes decompose it. If you are routinely indoors near a moldy/musty smell, dampness, or obvious mold growth, you should take note: some molds are known human pathogens.

Margaret Cantwell

How to counteract cancer-causing cocktails

This weekend will be full of celebration. It is the New Year, after all… and that usually means at least one champagne toast. But if you’re a woman, drinking any amount of alcohol can have a direct impact on your breast cancer risk. Just make sure you’re countering that risk…

Easy Health Options Staff

7 things you need to know before taking antibiotics (slideshow)

The problem with antibiotics is that they represent too much of a good thing. Like any drug, it’s good to steer clear of overuse to optimize a drug’s effectiveness. Here are the top reasons to avoid antibiotics and how to take them safely when you must…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The power of green superfoods

If you haven’t started taking a green superfood powder yet, you’ve been missing out. But, what are they and why are they so super? The answer is that they’re like a multi-vitamin on steroids…

Dr. Mark Wiley

3 simple poses for a strong, supple spine

Spinal health is essential to quality of life. A restricted spine reduces your ability to live an active life causing limited range of motion. Here are maneuvers that will get your spine nice and supple and loose again…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Dementia drinks: Are you at risk?

Do you think drinking diet sodas in order to avoid the sugar in other drinks is healthy? Think again! Those diet drinks you’ve been tipping up could erase your memories, leaving you suffering from dementia…

Debra Atkinson

Hip stretches your lower back will love

The agony and ecstasy of more physical activity that comes with warmer weather and longer days… the most common sources of agony being hip, lower back, knee and shoulder pain. There are two equal but opposite reasons three out of four of those are lower body joints…

Jenny Smiechowski

Scientists want you to eat this fabulously healthy food

You’ve probably heard (on more than one occasion) that you shouldn’t eat a lot of processed food. And this is wise advice. But there’s an exception to this golden rule of good eating…

Craig Cooper

Once-weekly habit helps avoid cancer, stroke and Alzheimer’s

We live in America, the land of the super-size! We love our food so why would we not eat? That’s crazy talk! But in case you are inclined to join me and millions of others who are convinced of the proven health benefits of this new habit, here are tips to get started…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The sleep-breast cancer connection

In your lifetime, you have a one in eight chance of developing invasive breast cancer. So, it’s vital that you look beyond drug therapy and doctor’s visits alone to increase your chances of recovery and avoiding cancer. And, one of the secrets to living longer following breast cancer may just surprise you.

Jenny Smiechowski

This food goes nuts on colon cancer

The evidence continues to pile up in favor of eating one particular food to fight colon cancer… studies have already shown that this food heals your gut, slows the inflammation linked to colon tumor growth and reduces your overall colon cancer risk.

Dr. Mark Wiley

Best home remedies for poison ivy

One of the deadliest natural poisons known is urushiol, and it is the very toxin found within the poison ivy plant. It’s no wonder when we come in contact with it, we rash out. Let’s take a look at some natural home remedies for treating the symptoms of poison ivy.

Jedha Dening

Foods that could give you 15 more years

Though there are many underlying mechanisms that can potentially trigger disease, it’s surprising to learn that lifestyle diseases — with cardiovascular disease and cancer as the two front-runners — cause 70 percent of deaths.

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

3+ reasons to guard your health with magnolia bark

If you tried to fill your medicine cabinet with the best botanicals to do your body good, you’d quickly run out of space. So you probably try to just keep a few on hand for specific needs. Better yet, you could use a great multi-tasker like pure honokiol…

Jenny Smiechowski

Could cannabis reverse brain aging?

Love it or hate it, marijuana is becoming an accepted form of medicine. It’s most well-documented uses are for conditions like glaucoma, epilepsy, cancer and MS. But as it becomes more popular, intriguing new benefits are coming to light, including how it affects your brain…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Is your dinner plate making you fat?

If you’re carrying around a few extra pounds, your dinner plate could be to blame. No, really — your actual plate… And, it’s something you’ll never hear from your doctor no matter how many times you ask for help losing weight. But, we’ve got all the details right here…

Jedha Dening

Eye these 2 nutrients to switch off stress

When you feel stressed you can’t sleep, your mind goes on hyperdrive, your appetite changes and there’s just a general unease about everything. It’s not a pleasant experience. This happens because stress literally switches your body’s nervous and endocrine system up to maximum velocity.

Jedha Dening

4 ways to lower triglycerides without statins

Cholesterol plays an important role in your body. It’s a precursor to your natural steroid and sex hormones. It’s needed to produce vitamin D and bile acids. And it’s also involved in healthy nervous system and brain function. So lowering it isn’t so cut and dry…

Debra Atkinson

Get the body you want and bones you need

Did know aerobic activity could make you fat? If a large percent of the weight you lose is lean muscle, your metabolism will slow. The rate that you burn calories at rest will decrease. And this sets you up for weight gain in the future.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Boost your weight loss with kombucha

You’ve probably seen kombucha at your grocery store or local coffee shop. This fermented black tea is everywhere now. And, if you haven’t already tried it, the time is now… especially, if you’re looking to lose a little extra weight.

Margaret Cantwell

‘Give back’ and feel five years younger

You already know good health requires a proper diet and plenty of exercise. But if you want to take your health from good to great, you have to look beyond the physical. Staying psychologically-fulfilled and socially-active plays a surprisingly large role in your health…

Easy Health Options Staff

The Sexy 7: Tips that keep a body young [slideshow]

No one welcomes wrinkles, gray hair or less energy, but you can fight off these “normal” consequences of getting older with 7 healthy aging tips that’ll keep you fit and sexy at any stage of life…

Dr. Mark Wiley

Quick fix for ‘turtle back’ and ‘text neck’ pain

When I see people with forward-rounded shoulders, it’s usually a sign of two posture problems: first, rounded upper back, commonly called “turtle back,” and a forward leading head posture, now commonly called “text neck.” These 3 simple maneuvers can save you from both…

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