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Lifelong Health: Achieving Optimum Well-Being at Any Age

Discover an essential reference guide to healthy living, packed with information and sound advice rooted in the latest scientific understanding of nutrition, physiology, and other related fields.
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Overview

Discover an essential reference guide to healthy living, packed with information and advice rooted in the latest scientific understanding of nutrition, physiology, and other related fields with Lifelong Health: Achieving Optimum Well-Being at Any Age. This course is the perfect way for you to take those first, all-important steps on the road to becoming a better and healthier you.

About

Anthony A. Goodman

It is the greatest gift to be able to explore the ever-changing outer edges of science and share them with my students.

INSTITUTION

Montana State University
View Full Details

By This Professor

Understanding the Human Body: An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology, 2nd Edition
854
The Myths of Nutrition and Fitness
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Lifelong Health: Achieving Optimum Well-Being at Any Age
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Lifelong Health: Achieving Optimum Well-Being at Any Age

Trailer

A Personal Path to Lifelong Health

01: A Personal Path to Lifelong Health

Dr. Goodman welcomes you with an engaging overview of the critical importance of lifelong health. Here, he teaches you how to recognize sound medical advice on healthy living, reveals his personal approach to well-being, and charts the major themes of the course.

31 min
The Cellular Biology of Aging

02: The Cellular Biology of Aging

There's no avoiding the fact that your body ages over time. But how it ages is something you can try to control. In this first lecture on aging, explore the science behind this inevitable process with a look at how common aging factors—both internal and external—all begin at the cellular level.

33 min
The Physiology of Aging

03: The Physiology of Aging

Continue your exploration of the aging process by examining what causes cells, tissues, and organ systems to lose some of their function over time. In addition, study the external stresses that cause aging, and learn a few tips on ways to slow this progression over time.

30 min
Myths of Aging—Magical Times and Places

04: Myths of Aging—Magical Times and Places

For thousands of years, the quest for eternal youth has captivated human society. Learn the difference between your chronological age and your biological age, explore two fascinating legends about immortality, and discover some cultural lifestyles that promote longevity.

29 min
Myths of Aging—Magical Substances

05: Myths of Aging—Magical Substances

Dispel the myths behind medicines and procedures widely promoted to prolong life or stave off the aging process. As you investigate the uses of human growth hormones, anabolic steroids, cell therapy, and other methods, you uncover both the risks behind these "cures" and the ways they fall short on their promises.

30 min
Optimizing Health—Tests and Procedures

06: Optimizing Health—Tests and Procedures

What health tests, screenings, and examinations can help you stay ahead of the curve? Discover the answers in this lecture, which teaches you the best times to consider mammograms, colonoscopies, exercise stress tests, and more—as well as routine blood tests and blood-pressure screenings.

32 min
Optimizing Health—Prevention

07: Optimizing Health—Prevention

Preventing a disease is always better than trying to cure it. Here, look at some important measures you can take to prevent serious illnesses before they start, including quitting smoking, reducing high blood pressure, and immunizing yourself from the flu and other preventable diseases.

30 min
How We Look—Surgery and Skin-Care

08: How We Look—Surgery and Skin-Care

Examine the realities of reconstructive surgery (which primarily restores or improves function) and cosmetic surgery (designed to improve appearance to reflect cultural norms). Also, focus on ways to prevent sunburn, skin cancer, acne, and other dermatological conditions.

31 min
The End of the Journey—Death and Dying

09: The End of the Journey—Death and Dying

Dr. Goodman candidly discusses the topic of death and dying, the awareness and acceptance of which is essential to optimum living. He discusses two programs that have shed new light on this difficult subject for the dying and their families: meaning-centered therapy and hospice and palliative care.

29 min
Health Advances on the Horizon

10: Health Advances on the Horizon

Cast your gaze onto the future of medical care with a study of current and future advances in medicine designed to prolong our lives, such as genetic research and immunotherapy.

30 min
Nutrition—Choices for a Healthy Life

11: Nutrition—Choices for a Healthy Life

Turn now to a focus on guidelines for good nutrition. Here, Dr. Goodman introduces you to some of the major themes he'll discuss in following lectures, including the role of food in our culture, the value of eating whole foods, and the search for nutritional balance.

32 min
The Physiology of Nutrition

12: The Physiology of Nutrition

To best understand nutrition, it's necessary to break down the components of food into manageable pieces. Examine the important nutritional roles of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and end with a close look at how to read the USDA's revised food pyramid.

30 min
The Role of Vitamins

13: The Role of Vitamins

Learn more about vitamins, those essential nutrients that your body requires from external sources for normal growth and development. Among the vitamins covered in this lecture are Vitamins A, D, E, C, and K. Also, learn why you should always use vitamins to supplement—not substitute for—a well-balanced diet.

31 min
The Role of Supplements

14: The Role of Supplements

Investigate antioxidants, fiber, herbs, and other supplements that may lower your risk of health problems and improve your body's overall function. In addition, learn how to distinguish supplements that can serve a valuable role in your diet from those that serve no benefit—or that can even be harmful.

30 min
Whole Foods for Optimum Health

15: Whole Foods for Optimum Health

How can you get the benefit of vitamins and supplements without going into areas of unproven benefits and possible risks? The answer: whole foods. Here, discover the amazing benefits of "power foods," such as berries, apples, garlic, teas, and turmeric.

31 min
The Good Fats

16: The Good Fats

Good fats such as omega-3 fatty acids and monosaturated fatty acids are greatly misunderstood and have the potential to maximize your health and well-being. Clear up the myths surrounding this group of whole foods and learn how to best integrate them into your daily diet.

29 min
Sugar, Salt, Allergies, and Additives

17: Sugar, Salt, Allergies, and Additives

Some foods can evoke unpleasant and unhealthy responses in different people. Dr. Goodman examines the risks of eating too much salt, sugar, and additives; offers you commonsense tips on how to control your intake of these foods; and discusses the differences between food allergies and sensitivities.

32 min
The Physiology of Weight Management

18: The Physiology of Weight Management

Obesity is one of the fastest-growing epidemics in the United States. This lecture covers a host of topics about obesity and weight management, including the differences between being "overweight" and "obese," the roles played by genetics and the environment, and practical eating and dieting advice for managing your weight.

31 min
Healthful Eating versus Fad Diets

19: Healthful Eating versus Fad Diets

Learn how to view your way of eating as a way of living. As you debunk the myths of popular low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets, you discover why a Mediterranean-style diet (with its emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats) is the perfect template on which to craft your own whole-food diet.

29 min
Movement and Recreation—a.k.a. Exercise

20: Movement and Recreation—a.k.a. Exercise

What are the physical benefits of moving your body? How can you create an exercise plan that is optimum for your lifestyle? Discover the answers to these and other questions about physical activity.

31 min
The Physiology of Muscle

21: The Physiology of Muscle

Delve into the physiology of muscles and weight training, including a closer look at the three basic kinds of muscle (skeletal, cardiac, and smooth), the differences between isotonic and isometric exercises, and why it's never too late or too early to start moving your body.

31 min
Resistance Training and Weight Training

22: Resistance Training and Weight Training

Discover why weight training doesn't have to be uncomfortable or intimidating. Dr. Goodman reveals how to get the most effective (and safe) workout from the muscles in your body through resistance training, free weights, calisthenics, and more—at any age.

30 min
Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise

23: Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise

Any well-rounded workout involves the use of aerobic and anaerobic activities as well as weight lifting. Examine the benefits of moderate and high-intensity exercises, learn how to draft a basic workout plan, investigate reasons that walking might be just as good for you as running, and more.

30 min
Exercise in Dealing with Injury and Disease

24: Exercise in Dealing with Injury and Disease

Contrary to popular belief, exercising can be extremely beneficial for people with diseases such as diabetes, emotional disorders, and osteoarthritis—but only if done properly. Find out how in this lecture, which also offers you tips on preventing and recovering from common exercising injuries.

31 min
Joy in Movement—Sports and Exercise Options

25: Joy in Movement—Sports and Exercise Options

Moving your body is an essential part of overall health and wellness. But with all the exercises and activities out there, how do you know which ones are right for you? Study the pros and cons of popular exercise options, including biking, hiking, dancing, and ball sports.

30 min
Martial Arts and Yoga

26: Martial Arts and Yoga

Finish up your study of exercise by investigating two appealing options you might not have considered: martial arts and yoga. The different styles of these two workouts can be practiced at all ages and stages of life, with multiple benefits for enhancing the health of your joints, muscles, and mind.

31 min
Mental Health and Stress Reduction

27: Mental Health and Stress Reduction

Start taking control of the stress in your life with this lecture, which introduces you to the profound benefits of mental well-being on all aspects of your life and teaches you how to realistically reduce stress through three powerful techniques: relaxation, meditation, and mindfulness.

30 min
Brain Physiology, Alzheimer's, and Dementia

28: Brain Physiology, Alzheimer's, and Dementia

Peer inside the physiology of the human brain and uncover ways to increase cognitive function and slow its decline. Then, move on to look at the challenges, warning signs, and myths behind Alzheimer's disease, which accounts for about 60% to 80% of all dementias in the United States.

30 min
Maintaining Your Mental Edge

29: Maintaining Your Mental Edge

Explore the three pillars for optimizing your mental edge as you age: frequently exercising; maintaining strong interactions with family and friends; and stimulating your brain through learning. The lecture concludes with a brief discussion of the invaluable power of laughter on your mental health.

29 min
Focus on Women's Health

30: Focus on Women's Health

In the first of two lectures on women's health, focus on the risk factors, symptoms, effects, and possible preventive measures of three critical health issues for women: osteoporosis, depression, and heart disease.

29 min
Focus on Menopause

31: Focus on Menopause

Take a close look at the three major kinds of menopause, as well as the contentious debate over using hormone replacement therapy to lessen the unpleasant symptoms of this normal part of the aging process.

28 min
Focus on Men's Health

32: Focus on Men's Health

Examine some of the health issues common to men, including prostate health (and the importance of testing for prostate-specific antigens), central obesity (or "belly fat"), erectile dysfunction, and andropause (the gradual decline in testosterone sometimes referred to as "male menopause").

29 min
Focus on Children's and Adolescents' Health

33: Focus on Children's and Adolescents' Health

Childhood eating habits tend to stay with people throughout their lives; these habits are also very hard to change later. Using his insight as a doctor, a parent, and a grandparent, Dr. Goodman gives you advice on establishing and maintaining healthy eating habits in children and adolescents.

30 min
Healthy Choices in Your Daily Life

34: Healthy Choices in Your Daily Life

This lecture emphasizes the importance of choices you make every day that affect your health and well-being. Get invaluable tips on sleeping adequately, staying well hydrated, and controlling your consumption of alcohol—especially during periods of high stress.

29 min
Becoming an Educated Patient

35: Becoming an Educated Patient

Maximize the effectiveness of your relationship with your healthcare professional by learning how to ask the right questions, what to bring to a doctor's appointment, and more. Also, delve deeper into ways to balance conventional and proven alternative medical therapies while keeping your best interests at heart.

30 min
Here's to Your Healthy Life!

36: Here's to Your Healthy Life!

Conclude with a review of the ground you covered, a look at a compelling 72-year study on human longevity that cements the benefits of healthy living, and some powerful words of practical advice that will help guide you through the dynamic world of optimum well-being.

30 min

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