Dr. Joseph T. Morandi

01/02/2026

Happy New Year! If you set health-related resolutions such as losing weight, getting more sleep or even quitting smoking, you need to learn about cortisol. This hormone plays an important role in achieving these goals. Here’s what you need to know.

https://www.mdvip.com/patients/resources/managing-cortisol-levels-can-help-you-achieve-your-health-goals

01/01/2026

! Almost half of all Americans make New Year’s resolutions, yet only a small percentage actually achieve them. In fact, about 80 percent of resolutions fall by the wayside by February. Most people blame their lack of willpower. If you need help hitting your goals, try these five tips.

By February 1st, 80% of people who make New Year’s resolutions have given up. Learn why & get tips on how to achieve your New Year’s Resolutions in 2019.

12/25/2025

! Do you eat special dishes on Christmas? If yes, which ones are your favorites? I find that mainstream holiday fare — high-fat foods, alcohol and desserts – can often trigger heartburn with some of my patients. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help prevent heartburn. Here’s what you need to know.

During special occasions heartburn can be prominent due to the types of food and alcohol present. Discover 5 tips for avoiding heartburn at special occasions.

12/22/2025

The holiday season is a wonderful time of year. But it has its baggage. Financial issues, grief, family strife and health issues can really make the season less festive. When my patients are experiencing holiday stress, I suggest these tips.

Even if the holiday season is your favorite time of the year, preparing for festivities can cause a lot of stress. But you can ease some of the pressure with these simple tips.

12/19/2025

Many of my patients wait all year long to eat their favorite holiday foods. But those nibbles can be problematic if you have diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease or kidney disease. Here’s how to enjoy your holiday favorites without having too much.

Holiday celebrations are a tempting trap. Here are some healthy eating tips for anyone whose doctor has warned them to “watch what you eat."

12/16/2025

I always encourage my patients to listen to their bodies, and this time of year, your body is probably asking for more sleep. Throughout the year, your body’s sleep needs change. Many factors affect the amount of sleep your body needs, but arguably, the most influential is the amount of daylight you get each day. Here are three reasons why your body wants more sleep during the fall and winter.

https://www.mdvip.com/patients/resources/long-winters-nap-how-sleep-patterns-change-seasonally

12/15/2025

! Hanukkah’s celebration lasts eight days. While this sounds fun, for many of my patients, it means eight days of preparing, cleaning, cooking, wrapping gifts, lifting boxes, socializing and possibly traveling, which can take a toll on their spines. If holiday festivities make your back and neck ache, here are some simple tips to help prevent the pain.

Nearly all of us experience back and neck pain at some point, which significantly affects your quality of life. Unfortunately, holiday stress and preparations are common triggers for pain. Here are some tips that can help keep you pain free.

12/11/2025

Do you sit for hours? Most of my patients do. Many of them have desk jobs and then watch TV at night; hobbies such as knitting, sewing and painting are also popular. And doom scrolling on phones has become part of most people’s daily routine. But sitting for hours can take a toll on your body. These tips can help offset the negative effects of sitting.

https://www.mdvip.com/patients/resources/do-you-sit-hours-take-steps-prevent-health-issues

12/06/2025

Herbs and spices are generally considered a healthier alternative to America’s most popular flavoring agent, salt, and many, in fact, have health benefits of their own. They may be rich in healthy compounds called phytonutrients, including carotenoids, flavonoids and isoflavones. But some herbs and spices may also be rich in heavy metals, which can be harmful to our health. Here’s what you need to know.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/4-tips-help-control-heavy-metal-exposure-herbs-and-spices

12/03/2025

For years, I’ve been warning my patients about health issues associated with eating processed red meats such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, jerky and cold cuts. Research has linked these foods with a higher risk of obesity, heart disease, stomach cancer and colorectal cancer. New research suggests that it also may raise your risk of dementia. Here’s what you need to know.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/processed-red-meat-raises-risk-dementia-study-says

12/01/2025

Let’s talk about coffee. Most of my patients drink coffee daily, and a large percentage of them purchase coffee (or another beverage) from a coffee shop every week. Coffee shops can be very enticing, rolling out festive, seasonal flavors, particularly during this time of year. But these drinks may be taking a toll on your wallet, and more importantly, your health. Here’s more on coffee shop coffees.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/coffee-house-beverages-good-bad-and-ugly

11/27/2025

From our family to yours, we wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. As tempting as it may be to eat a little too much of your favorite holiday foods, you’ll want to avoid overeating, especially if you are trying to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. Here’s why.

Holiday celebrations are a tempting trap. Here are some healthy eating tips for anyone whose doctor has warned them to “watch what you eat."