Thu, 11 December 2008
Jay Ashmore, PhD, executive director of Cooper Weight Loss, talks about a sound, sensible and scientific approach to weight loss.
|
Thu, 11 December 2008
Dr. Nina Radford, director of cardiovascular medicine for Cooper Clinic, talks about cardiovascular disease. Dr. Radford explains that healthy habits can help reduce heart disease risk factors.
Direct download: Minimize_Heart_Attack_Rick_Nina_Radford.mp3
Category:Health and Wellness -- posted at: 11:33am CDT |
Thu, 13 November 2008
Dr. Abram Eisenstein, director of gastroenterology for Cooper Clinic, talks about gastro-intestinal health and how our dietary choices can impact our gastro-intestinal health.
Direct download: Gastro-intestinal_health_Abram_Eisenstein.mp3
Category:Health and Wellness -- posted at: 8:05am CDT |
Thu, 6 November 2008
Dr. Kenneth Cooper, the "father of aerobics," and founder and chairman of Cooper Aerobics Center, discusses how 21st century medicine includes proper exercise, proper weight, proper nutrition, and proper supplementation. Dr. Cooper also explains what he means by the term "squaring off the curve."
Direct download: Squaring_off_the_curve_with_Dr._Cooper.mp3
Category:Health and Wellness -- posted at: 4:17pm CDT |
Fri, 31 October 2008
Cooper Wellness Program Executive Director Connie Tyne discusses ways we can relieve everyday stress. Connie provides suggestions on how to survive – and maybe thrive – in a stressful life.
Direct download: Relieve_Everyday_Stress_Connie_Tyne.mp3
Category:Health and Wellness -- posted at: 3:27pm CDT |
Thu, 25 September 2008
Dr. Tedd Mitchell, President and CEO of Cooper Clinic, and Todd Whitthorne discuss the recent recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, that men more than 75 years of age not be screened using the PSA test. Todd and Dr. Mitchell also discuss news from British Journal of Urology International that prostate cancer prognosis is worse in obese men. Dr. Mitchell discusses the protocol Cooper Clinic follows in testing and evaluating PSA levels in men.
Direct download: Prostate_Health_cancer_prognosis_worse_in_obese_PSA_testing_for_75_plus_years.mp3
Category:Health and Wellness -- posted at: 8:08am CDT |
Fri, 19 September 2008
Dr. Tedd Mitchell, President and CEO of Cooper Clinic, and Todd Whitthorne discuss heart disease. Dr. Mitchell explains the differences in chronic obstructive disease versus chronic plaque rupture, and how a treadmill stress test is great at helping to diagnosis chronic obstructive disease. Another great tool is the multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scan. Dr. Mitchell explains how the MCDT scan is less invasive than cardiac catheterization when physicians are trying to determine whether coronary artery disease exists. New cholesterol blood tests include LDL particle size. Dr. Mitchell explains why the larger LDL particles are safer than small LDL particles, and how LDL particle size can impact cholesterol treatment plans. Dr. Mitchell and Todd also talk about the need to have an overall view of heart health. Good blood work, imaging techniques, stress testing, genetics, and heredity are pieces to the puzzle in evaluating a patient.
Direct download: Heart_Disease_LDL_Particle_Size.mp3
Category:Health and Wellness -- posted at: 1:36pm CDT |
Wed, 27 August 2008
Dr. Robert Abel, Jr., an ophthalmologist who serves on the scientific advisory council for Cooper Complete supplements, talks about eye health and explains the importance of sunglasses, supplements, staying hydrated, and exercise as it relates to eye health.
|
Tue, 3 June 2008
Gina Kolata, reporting for The New York Times, recently wrote an article about stretching. It's easy to assess aerobic or strength conditioning, but much more difficult to assess flexibility. There are lots of questions about stretching. Does it help or harm? Should we stretch before or after exercise? Should we stretch before or after a warm-up? These questions are difficult to answer. Dr. Mitchell gives his recommendation for the average person exercising. |
Fri, 25 April 2008
Dr. Tedd Mitchell, president of Cooper Clinic, and Todd Whitthorne discuss the recent Men's Health article, "5 Ways to Add Years to Your Life." Researchers identify five ways we can add more than 20 years to our lifespan.
Direct download: Add_5_Years_to_Your_Life.mp3
Category:Health and Wellness -- posted at: 11:26am CDT |
Tue, 8 April 2008
#426: Years of education affects life expectancy; Smoking – giving patients their “lung age? as incentive to quit smoking
Dr. Tedd Mitchell, president of Cooper Clinic, discusses a study (also, see this) reported in the March/April 2008 issue of Health Affairs reporting better education translates into longer life expectancy. Researchers reported that individuals with more than 12 years of education have a predicted life expectancy of 82 years, while those with 12 years of education or less have a life expectancy of 75 years. Researchers are also seeing life expectancy lengthen for the group with more than 12 years of education. Dr. Mitchell comments on how the biggest difference between the two groups seems to be tobacco use. Dr. Mitchell also discusses a report in the March 15, 2008, edition of British Medical Journal reviewing the effect telling patients their “lung age? has on smoking quit rates. This study contained 561 current smokers older than 35, and is part of the Step2quit randomized controlled trial. Researchers found that telling smokers their “lung age? significantly improves their likelihood of quitting the habit.
Direct download: Education_impacts_life_expectancy_Does_telling_patients_lung_age_impact_smoking_cessation.mp3
Category:Health and Wellness -- posted at: 3:29pm CDT |
Tue, 18 March 2008
Dr. Tedd Mitchell, president of Cooper Clinic, discusses the study reported in the American Journal of Medicine March 2008 issue, “Adopting Moderate Alcohol Consumption in Middle Age: Subsequent Cardiovascular Events.? This study tries to answer the question of whether or not a non-drinker should consider moderate drinking as part of their health habits. Historically, Cooper Clinic has counseled patients who drink to limit their drinking to one to two drinks per day (one for women, two for men), with the recommendation that “if you don't drink, don't start.? The study examined individuals 45 to 64 years of age who started drinking. The study found that after four years of follow-up, new moderate drinkers (less than one drink per day, per woman, or less than two drinks per day, per man) had a 38 percent lower chance of developing cardiovascular disease than their non-drinking counterparts.. One drink was defined as 12 ounces beer, 5 ounces wine, or 1 1/2 ounces liquor. The study also found that very few of the new drinkers had any issues related to alcohol consumption. Dr. Mitchell discusses how the therapeutic window for alcohol is small - a little bit is beneficial while a lot can be harmful. It's important to remember that the problem is the amount of alcohol that gets us in trouble isn't much more than the amount that's shown to provide health benefits. Dr. Mitchell advises, "If you'll think of alcohol like any other drug, there's a certain dose that might be helpful." |
Wed, 5 March 2008
Dr. Cooper and Todd Whitthorne discuss a study conducted at Yale University School of Medicine that reviewed vitamin E levels and their ability to ward off physical decline. Almost 700 patients 65 years and older participated in the study. The article, published in the Jan. 22, 2008, edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), suggests a link between vitamin E and subsequent decline in physical function for older adults. If the level of vitamin E was less than 1.1 on the scale used, there was a marked increase (almost 60 percent) of cognitive impairments that occurred over a three-year period. The study used subjects living in Italy. Dr. Cooper is interested in measuring plasma levels of vitamin E as a stand-alone test, like the test Cooper Clinic currently does with vitamin D. There’s another article in JAMA that reviews testosterone supplementation in older men. During the study, lean body mass increased and fat mass decreased in the testosterone group compared with the placebo group, but cognitive function and bone mineral density did not change. Dr. Cooper discusses the findings, and advises on what circumstances prompt him to prescribe testosterone supplementation for a patient.
Direct download: Supplements_-_Vitamin_E_and_Testosterone_for_senior_males.mp3
Category:Health and Wellness -- posted at: 5:08pm CDT |
Thu, 28 February 2008
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Dr. Tedd Mitchell, president of Cooper Clinic, discusses a paper presented at the 2007 American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology meeting, which found that quality of life has a significant impact on lung cancer survival rates. The study looked at the overall health of the patients, their mobility, emotional stability, and both social and financial support to predict mortality. The study's findings include: Patients who received the necessary emotional and physical support had better survival rates than those who didn't. Lung cancer patients with a below average quality of life before their treatment, in poor health, or those with inadequate support networks had nearly 70 percent higher death rates than patients with stronger support networks.
Direct download: Quality_of_life_predicts_lung_cancer_survival.mp3
Category:Health and Wellness -- posted at: 3:38pm CDT |
Wed, 13 February 2008
Dr. Cooper is interviewed on ReachMD.com about the invention of Aerobics.
|
Mon, 11 February 2008
Dr. Cooper and Todd Whitthorne discuss the latest data on cholesterol. The discussion includes a brief review of how the body uses LDL cholesterol, and an explanation of why it's a bit of a misnomer that LDL cholesterol is the "bad? cholesterol. Raising HDL cholesterol, the “good? cholesterol through aerobic/cardiovascular conditioning is suggested. The question of whether lowering the LDL cholesterol with statin medications is an effective way to reduce death from cardiovascular disease is raised. Dr. Cooper recommends steps to reduce cholesterol naturally first, with statin medication as an option if natural methods don"t move the score enough. The cost and side effects of taking a statin are discussed. In a large study, 3 percent of the subjects taking the placebo (sugar pill) had heart attacks, while 2 percent had heart attacks while taking the statin. In terms of real numbers, the difference between the two groups was very small. Dr. Cooper talks about an article published in the September issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, “HDL Cholesterol, Very Low Levels of LDL Cholesterol, and Cardiovascular Events.? There is disagreement in the medical community about whether statin medications are beneficial. “Do Cholesterol Drugs Do Any Good?? BusinessWeek cover story, Jan. 17, 2008, is discussed. Dr. Cooper’s book Controlling Cholesterol the Natural Way is a resource for people who want to control their cholesterol without drugs. The SPARCL (Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels) findings are reviewed. Dr. Beatrice A. Golomb’s statin effects study is reviewed . Dr. Golomb has been actively researching statin medications and their risk-benefit balance, including possible side effects. |
Thu, 7 February 2008
Dr. Cooper and Todd Whitthorne discuss recent data coming from the National Center for Health Statistics as it relates to heart disease. Researchers believe medical advancements (early detection and treatment) and lifestyle changes (not smoking, blood pressure control, exercise, and stress control) have all helped to reduce the incidence of and deaths from heart disease. Dr. Cooper discusses the EPIC Study (and how four healthy habits extended life by an average of 14 years), and the Framingham Heart Study is discussed. National Center for Health Statistics EPIC Study and see PODCAST titled EPIC Study
|
Thu, 31 January 2008
Dr. Tedd Mitchell, president of Cooper Clinic, discusses the recent study reported in American Journal of Preventive Medicine (http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSFLE27756320071212) that obese children who watched two to four hours of TV each day were 2.5 times more likely to have high blood pressure than their peers who watched less TV. Dr. Mitchell explains the role of NEAT, Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (the energy expended for everything we do that is not sleeping, eating, or sports-like exercise), and how it impacts overall weight. Sitting still burns few calories, standing burns more calories than sitting, and walking burns more calories than standing. Healthy children need to keep moving. Children have access to TV, computers, electronic games, and other gadgets that keep them sitting and inactive. Dr. Mitchell suggests removal of the TV and computer from the bedroom (so time can be monitored), and urges parents to enforce a household rule of "no eating in front of the TV.?
Direct download: TV_viewing_increases_BP_in_obese_children.mp3
Category:Health and Wellness -- posted at: 4:40pm CDT |
Tue, 29 January 2008
Dr. Michele Kettles, medical director and vice president of Cooper Clinic in Dallas, discusses the latest scientific data on vitamin D, and explains why vitamin D is important. Traditional bone health recommendations may have overemphasized the importance of calcium in bone health and underemphasized the importance of vitamin D. Vitamin D isn't just for bone health. Dr. Kettles explains that low levels of vitamin D are also associated with certain disease states. Cooper Clinic started routinely checking vitamin D levels of all patients in June 2007. Your physician can check your vitamin D level with a simple blood test. The test to take is a 25-hydroxy vitamin D level. The Cooper Complete scientific advisory team suggests vitamin D supplementation of 1,000 IU daily. Vitamin D-3 is a better supplement compared to vitamin D-2, and when purchasing vitamin D-3, look for the word "cholecalciferol? on the supplement facts label. An article entitled, "Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease? was published in the journal Circulation on Jan. 22, 2008 - (http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.706127v1). |
Fri, 25 January 2008
The prevalence of esophageal cancer in men 50 years and older is increasing. Dr. Tedd Mitchell, president of Cooper Clinic, discusses this situation, and explains the difference between the two types of esophageal cancer. The gold standard for screening for esophageal cancer is an EGD (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy) test. Cooper Clinic recommends a baseline screen at age 50. Dr. Mitchell discusses long-time use of over-the-counter acid reflux medications, from TUMS to Prilosec. Dr. Mitchell recommends evaluation and treatment if acid reflux occurs more than once or twice each week.
Direct download: Acid_Reflux_and_Cancer_Risk.mp3
Category:Health and Wellness -- posted at: 10:54am CDT |
Tue, 22 January 2008
Dr. Tedd Mitchell, president of Cooper Clinic, discusses the United Kingdom study Combined Impact of Health Behaviours and Mortality in Men and Women: The EPIC-Norfolk Prospective Population Study reported in PLoS Medicine http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0050012. Researchers examined the prospective relationship between lifestyle and mortality in a prospective population study of 20,244 men and women aged 45 - 79, and found that four healthy lifestyle habits resulted in participants living an average of 14 years longer than those who didn't practice any of the four lifestyle habits. We also give the calculation for Body Mass Index (BMI), http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/, and explain the categories. |
Wed, 16 January 2008
The ENHANCE (Effect of Combination Ezetimibe and High-Dose Simvastatin vs. Simvastatin Alone on the Atherosclerotic Process in Patients with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia) trial results were released on Jan. 14, 2008. Dr. Tedd Mitchell, president of Cooper Clinic, discusses results of the ENHANCE trial (which compared Vytorin to Zetia), and gives Cooper Clinic's recommendation of what to do if someone currently takes either of these medications.
Direct download: ENHANCE_Trial_Cooper_Clinic_feedback.mp3
Category:Health and Wellness -- posted at: 3:02pm CDT |