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.
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.
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Davemac from
Very interesting course, a little bit to American
As always he quality of the course s first class. Very interesting and informative,
I have about 40 of these courses and I have never been disappointed. I am a retired manufacturing technical guy and have used The great curses to fill in the Arts and History I neglected during my careers
Date published: 2023-10-29
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Canadian from
Highly Recommended—with Two Caveats
Dr. Anthony A. Goodman’s common-sense insights, based on decades of experience as a surgeon and academic, are the greatest strength of his course, “Lifelong Health: Achieving Optimum Well-Being at Any Age.” His manner is so earnest, compassionate, and conversational that my wife and I felt we had been treated to inspirational “fireside chats.” Dr. Goodman speaks in a relatable manner, confiding his own experiences while discussing aging, weight control, allergies, inherited genetic weaknesses, women’s particular health issues, men’s issues, dealing with stress, making lifestyle choices, emotional and spiritual well-being, facing unsettling diagnoses and/or surgeries, and even confronting mortality. Matters related to aging receive the greatest attention.
Dr. Goodman emphasizes these four themes: small changes can make a big difference, moderation is key, aging is a natural eventuality, and you always do have opportunities to optimize enjoyment of your life. Dr. Goodman engages in convincing myth-busting and does not shy away from describing how there are many fad diets and aggressively advertised nostrums and hoaxes that do not deserve our attention. Commendably, he is careful to make clear when he is presenting data, as distinct from when he is giving his own personal viewpoints. Also, this course’s guidebook is one of the best provided for any of the Great Courses I’ve studied, with 46 pages of supplemental material beyond the lecture-by-lecture summaries.
It is because of what might be called the attitudinal principles Dr. Goodman teaches that I rate his course as excellent. He makes me believe that I have considerable control over my well-being, despite challenges that may confront me. Since studying this course, I’ve already made some lifestyle changes, especially encouraged by his message that even small “course corrections” can result in rerouting one’s journey.
The scientific content of Dr. Goodman’s lectures is quite good, in my opinion, though not as excellent as the attitudinal component that I’ve praised. He provides the gist of general information, presented fairly briskly, about human body chemistry, anatomy, physiology, healthful nutrition, healthful exercises, medical screening tests, research experiments, and various surgical procedures. Keeping close tabs on one’s medical and mental health receives proper emphasis, though mention of regular dental care is surprisingly absent. Had the sole focus of this course been its scientific content, I’d have expected more comprehensive and precise instruction. I consider the science here just a bit “thin” and am calling that my first caveat to draw to the attention of prospective students. For example, Dr. Goodman makes reference several times to an average daily consumption of around 2000 calories per day. For whom exactly that is average is not always clear in each instance. For a man? A woman? An American? An average world citizen? How old? How large? To be fair, I admit that this course is designed to get us to address our own questions thoughtfully. Dr. Goodman points out that students ought to be seeking additional information from their own medical professionals, exercise trainers, other teachers, and the resources listed in the course guidebook.
The other caveat I’ll mention is about something to which Dr. Goodman himself alludes. Many scientific fields relating to human well-being are changing very rapidly. This course has, in fact, become scientifically rather dated. I am writing my review in 2023, and the course was produced in 2010. I want to be clear that I bless the day that I ordered the course, but everyone should at least realize that the passage of time since it came out is another reason why one may need to follow up with further research, instead of assuming that the scientific content in Dr. Goodman’s lectures is “perfectly fresh.” Please study this course, anyway. Remember that its attitudinal content is valuable and timeless!
Date published: 2023-06-16
Rated 5 out of
5
by
geon from
Lifelong Health
Comprehensive and clearly explained. It was so thorough that bought extra copied for Christmas presents. Time to get my relatives and friends healthy. Then best part is that you don't have to buy programs to lose weight and it is flexible to meet your specific needs.
Date published: 2022-09-27
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Senior over 70 from
great sale price
Lots of good information to help develop a healthy lifestyle in my senior years. Presenter is easy to understand. Would not have purchased this course were it not for the sale price.
Date published: 2022-09-24
Rated 5 out of
5
by
DavidJ62_ 2025 from
Excellent Courses!
I just ordered six new courses because of a sale. I started watch Foundation’s of Eastern Civilization and it’s incredible! Great Courses never disappoints! Thank you!
Date published: 2022-09-17
Rated 5 out of
5
by
kalb from
one of the best
excellent course, given by an excellent teacher. Nothing bad to say - thoroughly enjoyed Prof Goodman's presentation, style, information. Motivates you to take better care of yourself.
Date published: 2022-07-05
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Universal Tap from
Enhance Your Knowledge for Better Health
This recorded series is well worth your time. The presentation is given at an enjoyable pace by the excellent speaker, Dr Goodman. The presentation style is more like a conversation with you than as a lecture. The presenter anticipates your possible questions and concern during the presentation. Don't miss this one!
Date published: 2022-03-09
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Jimmy C from
Educational and enlightening
I'm 62 years old and wanted to learn more about keeping healthy now and in the future. This course in an excellent resource to help understand the aging process and how to maintain good health. This course has increased my knowledge and I'll refer back to this course in the years to come. Excellent course.
Date published: 2022-03-03
Overview
About
Dr. Anthony A. Goodman is Adjunct Professor of Medicine at Montana State University and Affiliate Professor in the Department of Biological Structure at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He earned his B.A. from Harvard College and his M.D. from Cornell Medical College and trained as a surgical intern and resident at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor. He completed his surgical training and served as chief resident at the Harvard Surgical Service of Boston City Hospital, the New England Deaconess Hospital, the Lahey Clinic, and Cambridge City Hospital. For 20 years, Dr. Goodman worked as a general surgeon in south Florida and served as Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine. In addition, he served as a surgeon with the U.S. Army Medical Corps and on the hospital ship for Project HOPE. He was also Visiting Professor of Surgery at the Christchurch, New Zealand, Clinical School of Medicine. Founder of the Broward Surgical Society, Dr. Goodman is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Surgery.
Trailer
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
