Dr. James 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 St. Luke's Cardiovascular Consultants, a large cardiology practice based in Kansas City.
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James Henry O’Keefe Jr., MD, son of James Henry O'Keefe 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.[1] 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.[2] He did an advanced fourth year cardiovascular fellowship in nuclear cardiac imagery and interventional cardiology.
O’Keefe is 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.[3] He has been named to several top doctors lists, both regionally and nationally, including USA Today's Most Influential American Physicians,[4] Ingram’s Business Magazine,[5] Kansas City Family Magazine,[6] and Consumer Guide to Top Doctors [7] In 1989, he became a Professor of Medicine at the University of Missouri in Kansas City.[8] Dr. O’Keefe is also a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association Council of Clinical Cardiology.[9]
Dr. O’Keefe has contributed over 200 articles to medical literature.[10] These include his numerous studies on vitamin D, omega-3, diet and alcohol. He has been the lead author of four best-selling books, including, The Forever Young Diet & Lifestyle, Dyslipidemia Essentials, Diabetes Essentials, and the Complete Guide to ECGs.[11] He has been a contributor to chapters in eight other books.[12]
Dr. James O'Keefe has a long family history in medicine. James' great grandfather, Dr. Henry O'Keefe, practiced medicine in North Dakota from 1890 to 1935. Henry O'Keefe has been considered a pioneer doctor of his times. Henry's son, Emmett (James' grandfather), was also a doctor in this area.[13]
James met his wife, Joan while at the Mayo Clinic. The two married in October 1984 and together they have four children: James III, Evan, Kathleen, and Caroline. The family is an avid supporter of the Wayside Waifs animal shelter and are constantly providing a home for stray and helpless animals.[14]
Together, James and Joan, wrote the book, The Forever Young Diet & Lifestyle, the best-selling consumer health book.[15]
Every morning James begins his day by taking his dogs with him on a run. James’ favorite breakfast consists of anything from low-fat plain yogurt, mixed with unsalted walnuts or pecans, cinnamon and berries, an egg white omelet, to any avocado dressed with fresh lemon.[16] 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 trout are among his favorites.[17] James enjoys spending his free time outdoors, playing with family and friends.
James’ lectures focus extensively on the role of therapeutic lifestyle changes, the hunter-gather and Mediterranean diets, as well as drug therapy for preventing and improving cardiovascular disease.[18] It is not uncommon for James to prescribe his patients to get a dog in order to increase physical activity, reduce stress, and to help make it easier to stay fit and happy.[19]
Dr. O’Keefe highly suggests that in order to live a healthy lifestyle, humans must return to the lifestyles of our ancient ancestors.[20] 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, our modern, fast-paced, technology-driven world is full of diets consisting of fast food and empty calories.[21] These empty calories are the underlying cause for most diseases, disabilities, and unhappiness.[22] Our ancestors munched on a diet high in fish, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. They also were getting a large amount of exercise from walking, bending, lifting, carrying, swimming, climbing, and other activities that were necessary to their daily routines.[23] 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.[24]
James O’Keefe has researched and written about omega-3, and vitamin D. He was the lead author for the articles Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Cardiovascular Protection and Vitamin D Deficiency:An Important, Common, and Easily Treatable Cardiovascular Risk Factor?[25] Through his studies, James has shown that vitamin D deficiency may have a direct correlation with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and inflammation.[26] 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.[27] James often recommends taking a supplement with 2000 IU vitamin D3.[28]
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.[29] 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:
-The Forever Young Diet & Lifestyle [30]
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)
USA Today Most Influential Doctors (2010)
America's Top Doctors for Five Consecutive Years (2006–2010)
Kansas City Business Journal Top Doctors 2010
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, 30 October 2007.
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
1. O'Keefe JH Jr, Hammill SC, Freed M, Pogwizd SM: The ECG Criteria Book. Physicians’ Press, Birmingham, MI, 2010.
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.