Dr. Thomas G. Hopkins, MD

09/03/2026

I always encourage my patients to make a healthy diet, exercise, and stress management part of their everyday lives. However, these wellness tactics are difficult and require a huge commitment.

Fortunately, there are easier wellness tactics that are just as important and that you can take to help maintain your wellness beyond 60.

Share your favorite personal wellness tactic.
https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/preventive-measures-you-can-take-your-50-60s-and-beyond

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We often think of prevention from the perspective of youth. If we had started eating healthy in our 20s, if we had built strong exercise habits in our 30s, if we had maintained a healthy weight in our 40s … While we can do a lot of good — or bad — when we’re young, we can still have an impac...

08/31/2026

Losing weight is not easy. And sadly, there’s a good chance you won’t achieve your weight loss goals. In fact, it’s very common.

Most of my patients who begin a diet don’t achieve their desired results and/or gain back the weight they lost. But their efforts aren’t in vain.

Here are some benefits of following a weight management program, even if you didn’t achieve your weight loss goals.

https://www.mdvip.com/patients/resources/didnt-reach-your-goal-weight-youre-healthier-trying

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08/27/2026

About 50% of my patients have high blood pressure. Hypertension can cause serious health problems; in fact, it’s dubbed “a silent killer”.

The condition is largely lifestyle-related, which is why I recommend exercising, following the DASH diet, managing stress, and getting good sleep to help manage it.

A recent study found that eating dark chocolate can help. Foods rich in flavan-3-ols, a plant pigment, such as cocoa, apples, grapes, and tea, can help lower blood pressure.

Here’s what you need to know.
https://www.mdvip.com/patients/resources/have-high-blood-pressure-chocolate-may-help-lower-it

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08/23/2026

Back pain is a major public health problem and a leading cause of disability. Fortunately, something as simple as walking is considered one of the best tactics for managing back pain.

However, historically, it’s been difficult to suggest a specific number of walks per week and a specific walk length.

Some of my back pain patients complain that they easily get tired, while others described having to stop suddenly.

The good news is: Norwegian researchers think they’ve cracked the code. Here’s what you need to know.

https://www.mdvip.com/patients/resources/suffering-back-pain-try-walking-everyday

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08/19/2026

Knee pain is a common problem in my practice. Knee pain is more than just pain; it’s associated with poor quality of life, inability to perform daily activities, fatigue, less exercise, and potential weight gain.

There are a handful of remedies that can ease knee pain; however, a recent study suggests that knee braces, water therapy, and exercise work best.

If you’re struggling with knee pain, let me know.

https://www.mdvip.com/patients/resources/6-tips-ease-knee-arthritis-pain

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08/17/2026

I discuss supplements such as vitamin D with my patients. I even have some patients who need iron and B12 supplements. But there are many other supplements on the market, and often patients forget to tell me they’re taking them.

While some can be helpful, others can affect your health and medications.

This is why you should discuss supplements with your doctor before taking them. Here’s a brief run-through of some commonly used supplements.

https://www.mdvip.com/patients/resources/which-supplements-and-vitamins-do-you-actually-need

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Do you take a multivitamin? What about supplements or protein powders? B12? Fish oil? Vitamin D?Most importantly: Does your doctor know what you take?For more than a century, scientists and doctors have known the role that certain substances play in our body and how those substances, which mostly co...

08/06/2026

I always encourage my patients to wait before jumping onto the latest supplement bandwagon.

Why? Supplements commonly fall out of favor once a substantial number of studies have been conducted and the results don’t support health claims.

Here are a handful of common supplements whose claims didn’t pan out.
https://www.mdvip.com/patients/resources/these-popular-supplements-may-not-have-desired-effect

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There was a time – especially in the 1980s – where antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E were popular. Scientists thought these nutrients might be the key to lowering cancer and heart disease risks.Unfortunately, the research didn’t pan out — and higher doses of these supplements led to prob...

07/27/2026

I warn my patients to limit their processed foods. Many brands use questionable ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, excessive salt and added sugar.

There’s also a wide range of preservatives used - some are deemed safe, while others should be avoided.

Here are five preservatives that may have ties to cancer.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/5-preservatives-avoid

Processed foods can be a double-edge sword. On one hand, they’re easy, convenient time savers. But they are often made with questionable ingredients, from high fructose corn syrup, excessive salt and added sugars.

07/23/2026

If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep, there’s a good chance it’s related to stress.

In fact, the combination of insomnia and stress is problematic for many Americans, according to a recent Gallup poll.

If stress keeps you up at night, talk to me about it and check out these tips.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/americans-are-more-stressed-and-sleeping-less

If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep, chances are you’re stressed. Stress is another public health issue plaguing America. In fact, more than 25% of American adults reporting being so stressed that they can’t function, according to a poll conducted by the American Psychological A...

07/20/2026

Women have been using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for years to help ease menopause symptoms and lower their risk of menopause-linked conditions like osteoporosis, heart disease and dementia.

However, I warn female patients with a personal or family history of heart disease or a hormone-dependent cancer to avoid HRT. As a result, some of these women try supplements, but that might not be the best alternative.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/cant-take-hrt-supplements-may-not-be-best-alternative-0

In 1942, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals introduced the first hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women going through menopause. Over the intervening decades, doctors have gone back and forth on the safety and efficacy of using HRT to treat symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal discomfort.