Vitamin D Levels in the U.S. Population are Getting a Little Better!

It is well-known that vitamin D deficiency is widespread in the U.S., and that deficiencies are tied to numerous health problems. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has been tracking vitamin D levels in the population over the past few decades. The most recent findings and recommendations are summarized in our current blog....

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Dietary Carbohydrate: Facts and Misconceptions

Many people have misconceptions regarding dietary carbohydrate. Rather than being the villain as portrayed in several off-the-wall popular diets, carbohydrate is actually essential for human survival, optimal bodily function, and disease prevention. However, it is very important to distinguish between the two major types of dietary carbohydrate; simple and complex. In this blog, we will take a careful look at facts and common misconceptions about carbohydrates. We also provide links to several previous blogs related to this topic....

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Update on The Cooper Institute® Certified Personal Trainer Exam

The Cooper Institute continuously completes internal procedures in compliance with NCCA standards in order to maintain accreditation. Over the past 14 months, exam development processes have resulted in an updated CI-CPT exam that will be launched on June 1, 2017....

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New Studies Bolster Existing Support for Whole Grains!

When it comes to grains, misinformation abounds, particularly in how grains are processed for consumer consumption. The basic understanding between grains and whole grains means a world of difference. As September is Childhood Obesity Awareness month, it’s important to reflect on this important distinction and evaluate whether you and your family are truly eating for optimal health. Read on for The Cooper Institute’s Dr. Steve Farrell’s keen insights into this critically important dietary component....

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New Evidence that Following the Mediterranean Eating Plan Decreases the Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke!

With so many different diet plans and opinions floating around, it’s hard to separate fact from fiction when it comes to what constitutes healthful eating. A large European study published in the world-renowned New England Journal of Medicine bolsters support for the Mediterranean Eating Plan....

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Can 1 Minute of All-Out Exercise 3 Days a Week Improve Your Cardiovascular Fitness and Blood Glucose/Insulin Levels?

High-intensity interval training, also known as HIIT or sprint interval training (SIT), involves alternating short bouts of maximal intensity effort with low intensity recovery periods within the same workout. One appealing aspect of SIT workouts is that they do not last nearly as long as traditional 'steady state' workouts where the individual maintains a constant level of moderate intensity from start to finish....

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Should You Be Nuts Over Coconuts?

Over the past few years, a number of claims have been made regarding the benefits of dietary coconut oil (DCO). Weight loss and improved heart health are among the most commonly purported health benefits of DCO. Because I’m a big proponent of the old adage ‘if it seems too good to be true, it probably is’, let’s take an objective look at what the science says. First off, while dietary saturated fats tend to increase blood levels of LDL-cholesterol (the bad cholesterol), not all saturated fatty acids are exactly alike. Dietary saturated fatty acids fall in two categories based on how many carb...

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CPR Tips

CPR can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chances of survival. The thought of performing CPR on someone can be scary, but don’t let fear prohibit you from being a lifesaver. So how do you know if someone really needs CPR? Check out this month’s Fit Tip to learn some quick, practical tips when it comes to administering CPR....

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Should everyone be Concerned About Gluten?

Many individuals are going to great lengths to avoid gluten in their diets, and food manufacturers as well as restaurants are touting their ‘gluten-free’ products as being healthful. However, before you jump on the ‘anti-gluten’ bandwagon, let’s look at some basic facts....

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Update on The Cooper Institute Certified Personal Trainer Exam

The Cooper Institute continuously completes internal procedures in compliance with NCCA standards in order to maintain accreditation. Over the past 14 months, exam development processes have resulted in an updated CI-CPT exam that will be launched on June 1, 2017....

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Fitness Norms and Fitness Standards are Apples and Oranges

Often times the terms ‘fitness norms’ and ‘fitness standards’ are used interchangeably in the law enforcement community, but these terms are actually very different from one another. In this blog we discuss the difference between the two....

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Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension (DASH)

In this Fit Tip video, we will discuss how the DASH eating plan, as well as moderate amounts of cardiovascular and strength training can have a favorable impact on your resting blood pressure....

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