Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Jenny Smiechowski

How to keep fructose from setting off a chain reaction that leads to liver disease

Eating a lot of sugar and refined grains is hard on your liver. But one type of sugar seems particularly harmful where your liver is concerned — fructose. It triggers a chain of events that leads to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which can then lead to liver damage, liver cancer or even liver failure.

Joyce Hollman

6 vitamins and minerals for healthier aging

As we get older, some vitamins and minerals become especially important. We don’t process them as well and need to get more of them from our diet to protect ourselves from health complications that will make our golden years not so golden.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Is the ‘No White Food’ diet the simplest way to lose weight and get healthier?

Can we just agree that the number of diets has hit an all-time high? From paleo and keto to Mediterranean, DASH and Atkins, just keeping up with the rules seems impossible. Could there be a simpler choice… a diet that has only one rule and promises weight loss and better health? It’s called the ‘No White Food’ diet…

Jenny Smiechowski

What you should know about the alarmingly common heart complications from a flu infection

Researchers have known for a while that a case of the flu is hard on your heart. In fact, serious heart complications following recovery, even fatal heart attack, can occur. But until recently, they haven’t known exactly how prevalent the danger could be…

Joyce Hollman

7+ lifestyle factors that protect your heart and your vision

New research shows that an overall heart-healthy lifestyle that includes seven specific behaviors can not only save your heart, but it can also prevent the eye diseases that can steal your vision. Simple changes to your diet and lifestyle can protect both your heart and your eyes.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The prescription pain pills your body builds antibodies to

Low back pain is not only the leading cause of chronic pain and disability in adults, but it also tops the chart when it comes to opioid prescriptions. For many reasons, treatment with opioids is far from the best approach. Now there’s one more reason to find a better solution for pain management: opioid antibodies created by your own immune system.

Jenny Smiechowski

What women with diabetes should know about their coronary calcium risk

Whether you’re a man or a woman, there’s one factor that automatically increases your heart disease risk — diabetes. People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than people without it. And according to the latest research, if you’re a woman with diabetes, there’s one medical test you should get to gauge your risk of having a severe heart attack…

Carolyn Gretton

Why colon cancer is on the rise in young people and how to curb it

Many were shocked when colon cancer claimed the life of 43-year-old Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman after a four-year battle. It’s not completely clear why the rate of colon cancer is increasing in those under 50, but it is clear that the age for screening needs to be lowered. But until that happens, it’s important to be aware of factors that put you in a high-risk group…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

People who eat pasta have healthier diets and weight

If you’re a pasta lover, I’ve got good news! Despite the bad rap pasta dishes have gotten, new research is revealing that it can be part of a healthy diet and could also help you lose weight and keep your waist trim. But you don’t get the all-clear to slather it with thick, creamy Alfredo sauce…

Jenny Smiechowski

Antibiotics double your risk of inflammatory bowel disease

Research shows that about 1 in 10 people deal with negative effects after taking antibiotics. This could include anything from chronic diarrhea to the sudden appearance of allergies to issues with blood sugar. But of all the potential impacts antibiotics can have on your health, there’s one that’s starting to appear more common — and more serious — than all the others…

Joyce Hollman

Plaque similarities point to Alzheimer’s/diabetes connection

Diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease often go hand in hand. The evidence for this is becoming stronger. Recently, electron microscopy has enabled scientists to see that amyloid strands that appear in diabetics bear a strong resemblance to the ones that are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.

Carolyn Gretton

Gut bacteria linked to high blood pressure and more than 2 dozen other diseases

There are trillions of bacteria, both good and not-so-good, colonizing your gut. Now, researchers have uncovered the staggering extent to which those bacteria impact your health. It turns out bacteria are directly tied to specific diseases. Time to get serious about your microbiome…

Jenny Smiechowski

Cinnamon and turmeric’s brain-boosting clout keeps stacking up

Despite the fact that cognitive decline is considered a normal part of aging, you’re not doomed to a future filled with “senior” moments. There are ways to slow (or even reverse) the impact aging has on your brain. In fact, science says potent doses of two spices could keep your cognitive skills sharp as a cactus needle…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Cruciferous vegetables shown best at fighting calcium buildup

Did you know that most heart attacks and strokes don’t start with your heart but with a buildup of fat and calcium in your blood vessels? And while there are numerous ways to keep your blood vessels healthy, they often take willpower, hard work and dedication. But just eating the right vegetables can lower risks by 46 percent.

Jenny Smiechowski

Honey beats medications at treating cough and upper respiratory tract infections

A lot of people see all-natural honey-based cough medicines on the drugstore shelf and think they need something stronger and more serious to tame their cough. But that just isn’t the case. Not only do popular drug-based cough medicines come with more risks, but they’re also not nearly as effective as plain old honey, according to the latest research.

Joyce Hollman

Daily aspirin almost doubles melanoma risk for men

For years, a daily aspirin was viewed as a panacea that would prevent heart attacks and strokes and even help decrease the odds of some cancers. But it also carries risks. Recent research has turned up another one… the increased potential for deadly melanoma, especially in men.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Tips that help you kiss unhealthy food cravings goodbye

Have you ever noticed that your diet can be going along just fine until you eat one of those “forbidden foods” and suddenly the cravings you thought you had conquered are back with a vengeance? Here’s how to avoid temptation and kiss food cravings goodbye.

Jenny Smiechowski

How a multivitamin could help you through our most challenging cold and flu season yet

The COVID-19 pandemic combined with our usual cold and flu season is going to make this autumn one of the most challenging ones we’ve ever faced. We need all the help we can get, especially those of us on the mature side, since the immune system naturally weakens with age. Luckily, a new study shows that taking a multivitamin could offer some critical protection…

Joyce Hollman

The 7 best diets for lowering blood pressure

There’s no lack of research comparing the detrimental effects of a meat-heavy diet with the blood pressure-lowering benefits of a plant-based diet. But all plant-based foods are not equal. In fact, if you’re eating the right plant foods, you can still eat meat and lower your blood pressure without feeling deprived. Here are some of the best diets to choose from…

Jenny Smiechowski

Why menopause may put you at risk for liver damage

There’s a common misconception that liver disease only threatens people who drink a lot of alcohol or take a lot of medications. But nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can strike anyone and lead to liver damage, liver cancer, liver failure and even death. Unfortunately, one group of women may be extra vulnerable to this dangerous liver disease…

Jerry Walker, Ph.D., Dale Wilson, Ph.D.

The natural health benefits of an emotional support animal

From a natural health perspective, there is strong evidence to suggest various benefits to a person’s mental and physical health from interacting with a pet. Studies found a significant reduction in stress among cardiac patients when compared to non-pet owning cardiac patients with similar conditions.

Jenny Smiechowski

12 actions that could reduce dementia rates by 40 percent

Part of the reason dementia is so difficult to prevent and treat is that it doesn’t have one cause. It’s caused by a lot of different things. Genetics. Diet. Exercise habits. Pollution. These and many more factors play into your risk of developing this devastating disease. Luckily, new research published in the journal The Lancet […]

Jenny Smiechowski

Can plant-based meats really keep your heart healthier?

A lot of people choose plant-based meat over real meat in the hopes of improving their health. But many of these plant-based meats are highly processed and full of saturated fat and sodium. So, should you just keep eating real burgers? Well, if you’re concerned about your heart, plant-based meat may still come out on top…

Joyce Hollman

Keep diabetes away with a spoonful of cinnamon

It’s nearing the end of summer, so our favorite Fall spice may be on your mind, with good reason! Because not only is cinnamon tasty, it’s helpful for losing weight and managing blood sugar so well it could keep prediabetes from developing to full-blown diabetes…

Jenny Smiechowski

Can probiotics put a plug in urinary incontinence?

When it comes to staying healthy, it seems like all roads lead back to your microbiome. Everything from anxiety to Parkinson’s to diabetes to depression to multiple sclerosis to cancer has been linked to the microbes you have (or don’t have) in your body. And now there’s another common condition in which your microbiome may make a huge difference… urinary incontinence.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Losing weight may take the aggression out of breast cancer cells

Even though the medical community has long known of an association between obesity and increased breast cancer risk, researchers weren’t exactly sure why — until now. What they’ve learned about fat tissue, inflammatory molecules and breast cancer aggression is lifesaving information every woman needs to know…

Joyce Hollman

How to make bacon that won’t give you cancer or heart disease

Bacon is one of those processed meats that raises your cancer and heart disease risk. So, what’s a bacon lover to do? Some people turn to turkey bacon. But don’t kid yourself. It’s still processed meat. But there’s a tasty alternative you can make easily and eat to your heart’s content…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Supplementing lipoic acid for weight loss: Does it work?

Losing weight can feel like fighting a losing battle, leaving many of us to give up before the weight even starts coming off. What if there were an easier way to shed that extra fat and slim down without the struggle… all wrapped up in an easy-to-find medium-chain fatty acid supplement?

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Smile! Science says faking a happy face raises your spirits

When you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you. Celebrities from Louis Armstrong to Katy Perry have produced hits praising the power of a smile to lift your spirits and make the world a better place. But is there science backing the premise behind these songs, or is it all just blind hope? The answer to that question will put a smile on your face…

Jenny Smiechowski

Don’t get duped by ‘whole grain’ decoys’ deceptive labels

With mounds of research showing whole grains help fight disease, filling your shopping cart to the brim with whole grains is one of the best decisions you can make for your health. Full stop. But what if the whole grains you’re buying aren’t really whole grains? New research shows that far too many of us are getting fooled by deceptive labeling. Here’s how to get the real stuff…

Jenny Smiechowski

Send calories and high blood sugar down the drain

If you only fill up your bathtub when you’re feeling extra stressed, you may be missing out on some of bathing’s best benefits. There’s something about a hot soak that sends high blood sugar and calories down the drain…

Easy Health Options Staff

5 ways to naturally curb your appetite (slideshow)

Side effects for appetite suppressants include dry mouth, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, and psychological or physical dependence. There’s got to be a better way, right?

Dr. Mark Wiley

Try this for a quick dose of energy and vitality

Qigong is an ancient technique that helps the body restore itself by cleaning, de-stressing, relaxing and energizing through a series of postures, movements and breathing techniques. Try these sitting or standing…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

What your hair tells you about your heart disease risk

Gray hair is an inevitable part of the aging process. But there’s something you should know about going gray… It affects more than just your appearance. It could be a sign your heart is in danger…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

4 Surprising triggers that trick you into overeating

There are four sneaky causes behind the excess calories many of us consume every day that make it hard to lose those extra pounds. If you ignore these triggers, your weight loss plans are doomed to failure…

Jedha Dening

4 reasons alcohol makes you feel worse as you age

Friends, fun, a few drinks… what’s the harm? Recovery, that’s what. It’s not your imagination that it takes you longer — up to four days — to recover from just one big night out. And it gets worse…

Craig Cooper

The greatest spice for men’s health

Turmeric, and its well-known active ingredient curcumin, has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been studied for a wide variety of healing properties, most of which greatly benefit men’s health. Here are a few of them…

Jenny Smiechowski

Should you nuke your food for more nutrients?

Mounting evidence shows that microwaving may help food and beverages retain nutrients and beneficial compounds better than other heating methods. Which means microwaving might not deserve such a bad rap, after all…

Debra Atkinson

How stretching keeps your brain and body sharp

You may regularly stretch your body, but are you stretching your brain? If not, you’re only working half of the equation that could keep you strong, sharp and independent. Here’s how to do both in just 10 minutes…

Dr. Mark Wiley

What your tongue shows about your health

The tongue is an amazing body part. It helps you speak, eat and keeps your mouth and lips moist. But did you know your tongue could reveal surprising secrets about you, from anemia, to autoimmune diseases, to food allergies and more…

Jedha Dening

The metabolism-boosting, heart-protective oil

Like most food groups, not all saturated fats are the same. Coconut oil consists predominantly of a fatty acid known as lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid with some pretty powerful benefits for your health…

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

Surviving allergy season 101

Allergies can be a sign of more serious long-term conditions such as a poorly functioning immune system or even digestive problems. In other words, there’s actually no such thing as just an allergy…

Jedha Dening

Is the secret to stopping type 1 diabetes in your gut?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body kills insulin-producing beta cells. One thing has always been made abundantly clear: diet and lifestyle have no influence whatsoever on stopping it, unlike type 2 diabetes. That is, until now…

Jenny Smiechowski

Miracle mineral slashes bone fracture risk by 44 percent

One of the leading causes of disability and poor health in adults is completely preventable. As you get older, your risk of bone fractures goes up because your bones don’t retain calcium and other minerals as well. But there’s a simple answer…

Debra Atkinson

7 simple tips to feel, look and age better

Slowing the aging process is no longer considered a fruitless search for a mythical “fountain of youth.” Research has revealed that if there truly is a way to slow the hands of time, it means getting up, moving and getting physical. These 7 tips will get you going so you can look and feel younger longer…

Dr. Michael Cutler

What’s causing those annoying leg cramps?

What causes leg cramps? All of us know by experience what a leg cramp is — and how much they can hurt. Especially a Charley horse in the middle of the night…

Jedha Dening

6 nutraceuticals to combat your digestive troubles

Whether it’s constipation or more troublesome and serious conditions such as gastric ulceration, inflammatory bowel disease, and even colorectal cancer — many of us will struggle with gastrointestinal illnesses (GI) at some point in our lifetime.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The top 3 reasons to ditch your toothpaste

Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. See your dentist for a checkup every six months and make sure your toothpaste has enough fluoride to prevent cavities. We’ve all heard it. We’ve probably all believed it. Yet, your toothpaste could be doing you more harm than good.

Easy Health Options Staff

10 signs of a sick liver [infographic]

Your liver helps fight infections and cleans your blood. It also helps digest food and stores energy for when you need it. This is why a poor-functioning liver impacts a frightening number of other organs. Here are 10 signs that your liver may be in need of some extra care.

Dr. Mark Wiley

Say goodbye to tension in 5 quick steps

I’m always on the lookout for unique ways to relax. I’ve tried and had success with herbs, teas, and music when I need to take the tension down a few notches. If you’re having a bad day and need to reset yourself in a matter of minutes, this does the trick…

Virginia Tims-Lawson

Your heart called and wants dairy back

Does milk really do a body good? Well, that depends. Some people will tell you cutting out dairy is the single best thing you can do for your health. You might lose weight, get clearer skin… maybe have more energy. But it’s really not that cut and dry…

Jedha Dening

Are your meds blocking your brain’s feel-good chemicals?

We all get the blues. They tend to accompany stress, pain or injury, dramatic or traumatic life events… even seasonal changes. But there are substances in your brain that can make you feel better, unless you take a medicine that works against your brain…

Jenny Smiechowski

Thin ‘healthy’ women face breast cancer double threat

You’ve been told time and time again that if you want to avoid breast cancer, you should maintain a healthy body weight. And it seems like logical advice. But what if the connection between excess pounds and breast cancer isn’t that clear-cut, after all? Well, that may be the case…

Craig Cooper

Cold therapy benefits for men’s health

My kind of “chilling out” means daily and regular cold therapy, meaning I purposefully place my body in a cool to cold environment. Once I explain all the health benefits you may be reaching for the ice cubes, too.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Why caffeine spells trouble for your thyroid

Do you enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning? Many of us do… but the caffeine could be messing with the thyroid’s delicate hormone balance. Here’s what you need to know about when and how much you should be having…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

The natural germ killer that can replace antibacterial soap

Triclosan, the main ingredient found in many antibacterial soaps was finally banned by the FDA. But as antibacterial products begin slowly disappearing from store shelves, what are your choices for keeping a clean and germ-free body?

Dr. Mark Wiley

3 steps to a headache-free life

The surest way to conquer severe headache and migraine pain is by preventing it in the first place. Once the pain grips you, it doesn’t want to let go. The only way to escape it is to go beyond the triggers, directly to the causes to keep headache pain from diminishing your life…

Jenny Smiechowski

The drink that slashes Alzheimer’s risk 86%

If you drink this beverage daily, it could slash your risk for cognitive decline in half. And if you’re at an increased genetic risk for Alzheimer’s, it could reduce your chances of developing cognitive impairment by an impressive 86 percent.

Jedha Dening

Cancer, not fat, is the urgent reason to stop frying this food

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as crunching down on potato chips occasionally. But when you were enjoying those deep fried, fatty treats, I bet you had no idea you might be consuming a cancer-causing chemical at highly toxic levels…

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

3 ways digestion breaks your health and 8 tips to fix it

Good digestion is vital to good nutrition. But there’s more to it. It’s easy to think of digestion as a closed system, but we’re finding that multiple systems, i.e. digestive, endocrine, neurological, immune and others are highly interconnected and woven closely together…

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