James O'Keefe, MD
James Henry O'Keefe Jr., MD(Born June 8, 1956) is an American author and preventive cardiologist best known for his studies in the field of cardiovascular medicine. O’Keefe is the co-author of the best selling consumer health book, The Forever Young Diet & Lifestyle. He is currently a professor of medicine at the University of Missouri—Kansas City and a partner in Cardiovascular Consultants, a large cardiology practice based in Kansas City.
About
James O’ Keefe Jr., MD, son of James Henry Sr. and Leatrice O’Keefe, was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota on June 8, 1956. He began his college undergraduate education at the University of North Dakota where he received a BS in Natural Science . In 1982, he graduated with his MD from Baylor College of Medicine. He then completed his medical residency as well as a cardiovascular fellowship at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota . O’Keefe is currently the director of the Preventive Cardiology Fellowship Program at the Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute. At the Mid America Heart Institute, he is actively involved with patient care, clinical research as well as non-invasive cardiology practices. He has been board-certified in cardiology, nuclear cardiology, pacing, and internal medicine . He has been named to several top doctors lists, both regionally and nationally, including Ingram’s Business Magazine , Kansas City Family Magazine , and Consumer Guide to Top Doctors . In 1989, he became a Professor of Medicine at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. Dr. O’Keefe is also a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association Council of Clinical Cardiology.
Dr. O’Keefe has contributed over 180 articles to medical literature . Some of his most noted are those involving his studies on vitamin D and omega-3. He has also been the lead author of four books, including his most recent, The Forever Young Diet & Lifestyle, which he co-authored with his wife Joan O’Keefe, RD. The other books include Dyslipidemia Essentials, Diabetes Essentials, and the Complete Guide to ECGs. He has been a contributor to chapters in eight other books, as well .
Family History
James met his wife, Joan while at the Mayo Clinic. The two married in October of 1984 and together they have four children and various pets. The family is an avid supporter of the Wayside Waifs animal shelter; therefore, they are constantly providing a home for stray and helpless animals.
Joan is a practicing nutritionist whose counseling focuses on weight loss, optimum health and improved athletic performance in adults, teens, and children. Joan is a professional speaker, appearing before an array of audiences including schools, teams, families, men’s and women’s organizations, and professional groups . She considers her nutrition counseling a community service; therefore, she donates any profit made from these activities to various charities.
Joan O’Keefe, RD grew up in Walnut Creek, California, in the San Francisco Bay area. She attended San Diego State University where she received her BA in Foods and Nutrition. She then received her RD after completing her dietary internship at the St. Mary’s Hospital of Mayo .
At the age of 27, while pregnant with her first child, Joan was diagnosed with Metastasic Cancer. That experience helped her to strengthen her faith as well as focus on nutrition and fitness .
James and Joan, together, wrote the book, The Forever Young Diet & Lifestyle, the best-selling consumer health book .
Personal Diet and Lifestyle
Every morning James begins his day by taking his dogs with him on a run. According to his wife, Joan, James’ favorite breakfast consists of anything from low-fat plain yogurt, mixed with cinnamon and berries, an egg white omelet, to any color bell pepper topped with natural peanut butter along with a handful of nuts . James can be found, at any point of the day, with a cup of green tea in hand. Two to three times per week, James will enjoy a meal consisting of oily fish. Salmon and sardines are among his favorites. James and Joan enjoy spending afternoons in the park with their family.
James’ lectures focus extensively on the role of therapeutic lifestyle changes, the hunter-gather and Okinawa diets, as well as [...] therapy in cardiovascular risk reduction. It is not uncommon for James to prescribe his patients to get a dog in order to increase physical activity, reduce stress, and help make these lifestyle changes.
Hunter-Gatherer Lifestyle
Dr. O’Keefe highly suggests that in order to live a healthy lifestyle, humans must return to the lifestyles of our ancestors. This is essential because the nutritional needs of our current era were determined many centuries ago in the remote pre-historic past. We have been genetically adapted to a Hunter-Gatherer type of lifestyle. However, society does not follow this recommended lifestyle due to our fast paced, technology-driven world that we live in today. Instead, our diet is full of fast food and doughnuts which are high in trans fats, the unhealthiest food one can consume. Our ancestors munched on a diet high in fish, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. They also were getting ample amounts of exercise, taking little time to sit and vegetate on a couch . The hunter-gatherers were also more adept in their liquid intake. Instead of slurping down sugary fruit drinks and sodas such as Coke, our ancestors consumed water. Dr. O’Keefe says it is essential that humans consume 1.5 liters of water daily. He also suggests drinking tea, coffee, and wine in moderation .
Research
James O’Keefe has spent many years researching the benefits of omega-3, as well as the effects of vitamin D deficiency. He has been an author as well as assisted in studies like Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Cardiovascular Protection and Vitamin D Deficiency:An Important, Common, and Easily Treatable Cardiovascular Risk Factor? Through his studies, James has shown that vitamin D deficiency may have a direct correlation with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and inflammation. Vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin,” can be obtained by being outside everyday. However, the use of sunscreen and the lack of UVB rays during the winter months are a few of the reasons why most people living north of Atlanta are vitamin D deficient . James often recommends taking a supplement with 2000 IU vitamin D3.
According to Dr. O’Keefe, it is imperative that an individual consume 1000 mg omega-3 fatty acids every day. DHA and EPA are the omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish. This is the equivalent of 2-3 meals involving fish per week . Omega-3 fatty acids have been studied and shown potential benefits in reducing the risk of stroke, improving brain and cardiovascular function, and reducing inflammation. O’Keefe is an advocate on the importance of an omega-3 presence in your diet:
- A sharper mind, a happier mood, a healthier heart, a leaner body, and less inflammation: Thousands of scientific studies have documented an astounding array for physical, mental, and emotional benefits conferred by omega-3 supplementation. Omega-3 fats nourish the cells of the skin, hair, nerves, brain, heart, and virtually all of the tissue and organs. You are what you eat.
-The Forever Young Diet & Lifestyle
Honors
Phi Eta Sigma (1977)
Phi Beta Kappa (1978) Summa Cum Laude Honors Graduate at the University of North Dakota (1978)
AMA Outstanding Medical Student Award: University of North Dakota (1980)
Summa Cum Laude Honors Graduate at the University of North Dakota (1980) Alpha Omega Alpha (1982)
Cardiovascular Research Scholar recipient: Funding for dedicated research time: Mid America Hearth Institute (1998-2004)
The Squire Top 125 Kansas City Doctors (2004)
Kansas City Top 25 Doctors (2004-2005)
America’s Top Rated Physicians—Cardiology (2004-2005)
Kansas City Top 100 Doctors (2006-2007)
Research Publications
1. O’Keefe JH Jr, Gheewala NM, O’Keefe JO: Dietary strategies for improving postprandial glucose, lipids, inflammation and cardiovascular health. J Am Coll Cardiol. 22;51(3)249-255, 2008 January.
2. Lee JH, O’Keefe JH Jr, Bateman T, Thompson RC: Dubotamine-induced chest pain not a predictor of ischemic findings on myocardial perfusion imaging. Submitted J Nucl Cardio December 2007 and Accepted for publication 2008 January.
3. Abuissa H, O’Keefe JH Jr, Bybee KA: Statins as anti-arrhythmics: A systemic review. Clin Cardio. Submitted October 2007 Accepted for publication 2008 January.
4. Lee JH, O’Keefe JH Jr, Lavie CJ, Marchioli R, Harris WS: Omega-3 fatty acids for cardio-protection: Optimal dosage and DHA/EPA Ratio. Submitted and accepted
5. Bybee KA, Lee JH, O’Keefe JH Jr: Exploring the clinical impact of lipidlowering
therapy-Atorvastatin landmarks. Submitted Curr Med Res and Opin December 2007 and Accepted for publication 2007 December.
6. Lee JH, O’Keefe JH Jr, Bybee KA: Longer course of varenicline therapy improves smoking cessation rates. Submitted Cardiol. 2007 December.
7. Bell DSH, O’Keefe JH Jr: White cell count and mortality in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Letter to the Editor. J Am Coll Cardiol. 50:1810-1811, 2007 October 30.
8. Bell DSH, O’Keefe JH Jr, Jellinger P: Is post-prandial dysmetabolism the missing link between diabetes and cardiovascular events? Submitted September 2007 Endo Prac and Accepted 2007 October.
9. O’Keefe JH Jr, Lee JH: Cardiac Rehab in the Quest for a Happier and Healthier Heart. Submitted and accepted by So Med J. 2007 September accepted for publication 2007 December.
10. O’Keefe JH Jr, Bybee KA, Lavie CJ: Alcohol and cardiovascular health: The razor-sharp double-edged sword. J Am Coll Cardiol 7;50:1009-1014, 2007 September.
Complete Research Publication List
Books
1. O'Keefe JH Jr, Hammill SC, Freed M, Pogwizd SM: The ECG Criteria Book. Physicians’ Press, Birmingham, MI, In Press 2007.
2. O'Keefe JH Jr, Bell DS, Wyne K, Haffner SM: Diabetes Essentials, 3rd Edition, Physician’s Press, Birmingham, MI, In Press 2007.
3. Ballantyne CM, O’Keefe JH Jr, Gotto AM Jr: Dyslipidemia Essentials 2007, 3rd Edition. Physicians’ Press, Royal Oak, MI, In Press 2007.
4. O'Keefe JH Jr, O’Keefe J: The Forever Young Diet and Lifestyle. Andrews McMeel Universal, Kansas City, MO, November 2005.
5. O'Keefe JH Jr, Bell DS, Wyne K, Haffner SM: Diabetes Essentials, Physician’s Press, 150 Pages, Birmingham, MI, April 2004.