Dr. Thomas G. Hopkins, MD

12/31/2025

🥂 It’s New Year’s Eve 🥂 Some of you will probably spend a nice, quiet evening at home, while others will paint the town. But many of you will probably have a drink or two to help ring in the new year. 🍾

At the risk of sounding like a wet blanket, if you’re going to drink, make sure you’re doing so safely and understand how much you’re really drinking. 🕛

And remember: Never drink and drive! 🚗🚫

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/how-much-alcohol-are-you-really-drinking

Many people are unaware of the health effects of alcohol on the body. Educate yourself on how much alcohol you are really drinking and one drink consists of.

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. 🍲🥂

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/5-tips-help-prevent-holiday-heartburn

12/12/2025

🕎 ! 🕎 Hanukkah’s celebration lasts eight days, and 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. 🕯️🧘‍♂️

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/simple-tips-help-prevent-holiday-back-and-neck-pain

12/06/2025

It’s World Diabetes Day—a great moment to assess your habits and ensure you are taking proactive steps to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Daily exercise is one of the most effective approaches to help reduce your risk of diabetes and obesity, which significantly raises the risk of type 2 diabetes.

This article shares a recent study that found exercise is a powerful starting point in managing and controlling both diabetes and obesity. Let’s discuss your current fitness routine at your next appointment.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/afternoon-workouts-can-help-people-obesity-diabetes
https://hubs.ly/Q03bZYW80

There’s a new term for an epidemic you’re probably aware of: Diabesity. It probably sounds a little melodramatic, but it is the largest epidemic in human history, according to a study published in Clinical Diabetes and Endocrinology.

11/27/2025

From our family to yours, we wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

While it's tempting to indulge in your favorite holiday foods, you’ll want to be mindful of overeating, especially if you are managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, or kidney disease.

Here’s why avoiding overeating is crucial for a healthier holiday season.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/avoid-overeating-ensure-healthier-holiday-season

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

11/23/2025

My patients frequently ask questions about bone health, and it's understandable.

Osteoporosis is a debilitating condition that affects many older women and a growing number of men. A frequently overlooked risk factor, however, is excessive alcohol consumption, which is unfortunately rising among American women.

Learn more about the significant connection between increased alcohol use and your long-term bone health.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/older-women-are-drinking-more-and-harder-and-its-affecting-their-bone-health

When you think of osteoporosis, you probably imagine a frail, older woman. After all, osteoporosis is most often associated with thin, older women with small bone structures. White and Asian women tend to have a higher risk than Black and Latina women, but their risk also is significant.

11/16/2025

It's a sobering fact that about two out of three Americans show some level of cognitive impairment by age 70.

While cognitive decline is currently not preventable or curable, there are emerging tactics you can employ to protect your brain health—one surprising tactic involves exposure to scents while sleeping.

Here’s what you need to know about how diffusing scents during sleep may boost brain health.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/study-finds-diffusing-scents-while-sleeping-may-boost-brain-health

About two out of three Americans have some level of cognitive impairment at an age 70, according to the National Institutes of Health. Cognitive decline takes a tremendous toll on the quality of life of an individual and breaks the heats of family members. It also can be quite costly with expensive....

11/09/2025

A major focus of my practice is preventative health, which is why I'm adamant about staying on top of screenings—especially those related to metabolic function.

When abnormal chemical reactions interfere with your body's ability to convert food into energy, it can lead to a metabolic disorder, affecting everything from your weight to your overall health.

Understanding your metabolism is key to a healthier life. Here's what you need to know about maintaining metabolic health.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/understanding-your-metabolic-health-and-how-it-impacts-your-body

Fundamentally, your metabolic health is about how well your body responds to and processes food. Our metabolism’s job is to convert what we eat and drink into energy to power your body’s functions. When everything is working well, your body has the energy to do a range of amazing things – from...

11/02/2025

I receive many questions from my patients about Parkinson's disease, and it's understandable why.

As a life-altering and debilitating condition that is unfortunately rising in the US, concerns about lowering risk are real.

While it can be frightening, there are simple lifestyle changes that can help you protect your brain health. This post offers four tips to help lower your risk of Parkinson's.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/4-tips-help-lower-your-risk-parkinsons-disease

Legendary National Football League quarterback Brett Favre was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), a progressive and debilitating nervous system disorder that affects cognitive and motor abilities. In the early phases, symptoms develop slowly, are mild and possibly overlooked. For in...

10/26/2025

Every flu season, I see patients who struggle—some bounce back after a week, while others end up hospitalized for several weeks.

A weaker immune system, not just underlying heart or lung conditions, can lead to serious complications from the flu.

Want to know how to lower your risk of serious illness? Focusing on boosting your T-cells can make a profound difference. Here’s what you need to know.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/does-flu-knock-you-out-weeks-boost-your-t-cells

10/19/2025

It's a fact that most cancer cases have a higher survival rate when detected early.

However, with over 200 types of cancer but only five standard early screenings, more than half of all cancers are diagnosed in advanced stages. A new technology is emerging to fill this gap.

Multi-cancer early detection blood tests—or liquid biopsies—are helping provide a more comprehensive approach. If you're curious about this test, let's talk at your next appointment.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/what-are-multi-cancer-early-detection-blood-tests

10/12/2025

For years, I've talked to my patients about the benefits of a Mediterranean diet, and olive oil is a key ingredient.

With the recent boom in popularity, there are so many options to choose from that it can be a bit overwhelming.

But don't worry, picking the right one doesn't have to be confusing! Here are some simple tips to help you make an easier, more informed choice.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/3-tips-buying-olive-oil

You may have noticed how big the olive oil section of your supermarket has become. Olive oil consumption almost doubled from 1990 to 2021 and brands are offering olive oil at different price points and styles to keep up with the demand.Its popularity as a cooking oil began taking off in the 1980s af...