Latest Stories

Latest Stories

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.

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…

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

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…

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

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.

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. 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…

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.

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.

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…

Craig Cooper

Boxing: The perfect workout

If you were to ask me what type of exercise I consider the most complete, most challenging, and most fun, I’d give an answer that might surprise you…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Cell phones signal rising blood sugar

There’s a game I see people play when dining out. Everyone puts their smartphones in the middle of the table, and the first one to use their phone during dinner has to foot the bill. But there’s another very important reason for putting your smartphone away…

Dr. Mark Wiley

Do you have any of these life-threatening symptoms?

Americans keep gaining weight. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity or being overweight is a key factor associated with increased mortality rates in adults — as well as elevated risks of heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer.

Jenny Smiechowski

Quick fix for your afternoon energy slump

Whether you work in an office, behind a cash register or in a classroom, it never fails… The clock strikes 2 p.m. and your energy and productivity take a dive. You can barely keep your eyes open, let alone finish out your workday. Next time it hits, try this…

Jedha Dening

‘AGE-forming’ foods make your brain old

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are real fears that all of us face… the idea of one day losing your mind, the ability to recognize loved ones, perform daily functions or take care of yourself — that’s just not a thought any of us want to entertain.

Jenny Smiechowski

Add three years to your life in 15 minutes

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who can’t wait to lace up their running shoes daily, and those who would rather get a root canal than run a mile. Love it or hate it, running is hands down the best exercise for adding years to your life…

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Get golden slumbers with golden tea

Spanish explorers named it “Copa del Oro” or “Cup of Gold” because its petals looked like they were filled with gold. But, this gorgeous blossom has more going for it than beauty. If it’s golden slumbers you wish to fill your eyes, you might fill your tummy with golden tea…

Jedha Dening

8 anti-cancer compounds and where to get them

When it comes to cancer-fighting compounds, which are the most effective and where do you find them? Here are eight that are shown to be particularly effective and, as it turns out, these anti-cancer compounds can be found in everyday foods you consume…

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

Avoid Lyme disease during tick season

Like people, ticks love the warm weather, which means “tick season” is here. If Lyme disease is detected early, most courses of treatment entail a heavy round of antibiotics. However, delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to chronic, exhausting symptoms that can persist for years.

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

4 incredible benefits of ginseng

A few years ago I started using ginseng to help with my fatigue. And, it’s been such a lifesaver for me that I’ve never stopped using it. However, I recently discovered four other amazing benefits this super herb has to offer…

Jenny Smiechowski

A can a day triples your risk of stroke

You’ve heard all about the best brain drinks… like tea, pomegranate juice, blueberry juice and coffee. But what’s the point of drinking brain-boosting beverages if you’re going to turn around and drink something that damages your brain and increases stroke risk?

Dr. Michael Cutler

9 diseases that can indicate mineral toxicity

Sometimes illness is the first sign of mineral toxicity. In fact, exposure to aluminum, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury are linked to many disease states. Some of these include…

Margaret Cantwell

Is your medical treatment based on hocum?

Science has brought us a long way. We are living longer healthier lives, thanks in large part to scientific discoveries. As great as science is though, it’s not infallible. But people who go against the scientific grain are treated like blasphemers. And the reason why is disturbing…

Easy Health Options Staff

8 ways to ease muscle spasms and cramps [slideshow]

Spasms and cramps account for much of the daily chronic discomfort and pain we feel. Although they are more common than they should be, the good news is that most muscle spasms and muscle cramps can be relieved naturally…

Jedha Dening

How much broccoli must you eat to fight cancer?

Everyone knows that the little green tree known as broccoli is an incredibly healthy food. Now, a recent study has revealed that broccoli has super cancer-fighting powers. But how much should you eat to benefit?

Dr. Mark Wiley

Improve ‘range of motion’ stiffness and pain

Range of motion is very important… Think about backing out of a parking space. Sure you can use your mirrors, but to be safe, you need to be able to also look over your shoulder just to be sure. And it’s surprising just how restricted that simple motion, and many others, can become over the years.

Virginia Tims-Lawson

The forgotten anti-fracture vitamin

Your rate of bone loss skyrockets in the 10 years following menopause and can leave you living in fear of breaks and fractures. However, there is one vitamin that most doctors overlook that when taken along with calcium and vitamin D can help increase your bone density.

Craig Cooper

Why a PSA test is still a vital first step

It’s no wonder men are confused… Over the past few years, various different medical organizations and professionals have changed their minds and recommendations about if and when men should get a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test.

Debra Atkinson

Lose your muffin top without hurting your joints

These standing core exercises can be more than a simple solution for someone who has an injury or limitation in getting to the floor and back up. And the icing on the cake: they’re gentle on joints, but hard on the muffin top!

Dr. Adria Schmedthorst

Sip away wrinkles with white tea

The next time you make a cup of tea, you just might want to reach for white tea rather than its green cousin. Although green tea has powerful health benefits, it has nothing on the white variety for keeping your skin young, firm, and wrinkle-free.

Jenny Smiechowski

Produce pesticides are stealing your sleep hormone

There are plenty of compelling reasons to purchase organic food… but if you’ve ever experienced the misery of chronic insomnia, I have one more life-changing reason to ditch pesticide-covered produce for good… it messes with your sleep.

Jenny Smiechowski

‘Vibrate’ belly fat and high blood sugar away

Have you ever run across one of those vintage ads from the 1950s featuring a full-figured model strapped to a vibrating belt exercise machine? As funny and strange as those machines seemed, it appears the concept of using vibration for weight loss actually works…

Jedha Dening

Drink wine and eat chocolate to see better

If you want a good excuse to enjoy your glass of red wine with dinner, you’ve now got one! Overall, resveratrol stacks up to be a very potent antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory agent, with some seriously powerful benefits for your vision…

Dr. Mark Wiley

7 lifesaving habits to keep heart disease away

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. but most are preventable. Regardless of your risk level, these seven ways to reduce heart attack and stroke risk can get you on the right path…

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

What really causes cancer?

Only 50 percent of people believe eating or lifestyle habits influence their risk of developing cancer. This suggest that many of us feel we don’t have much control when it comes to cancer prevention. This just isn’t the case…

Jedha Dening

To avoid Alzheimer’s eat more fruit… or veggies?

While it is important to eat both fruit and vegetables, it turns out that with each additional 3.5-ounce daily serving of one of these food groups, your risk of dementia continues to decrease…

Jenny Smiechowski

The scary short-term steroid sepsis connection

You’ve probably been prescribed short-term steroids for an illness that won’t kill you, like back pain, allergies or respiratory tract infections. But the complications of this medication can increase your risk for three dangerous conditions, and two can kill you.

Debra Atkinson

Why strength matters most to women 50+

Strength training can lengthen your life. In fact, in one study, people who strength trained outlived other people who did just about every other exercise under the sun but strength training. So there is definitely something special about boosting your strength…

Dr. Michael Cutler

13+ natural ways to ease leg cramps

Leg cramps, no matter the cause, are painful, annoying and sleep-disturbing. You can decrease your chances of experiencing leg cramps by modifying physical activity, but if you find yourself writhing in “Charley horse agony” often, you might need to dig deeper…

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…

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