Columns & Opinions

Elizabeth Ko, M.D.

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Collagen peptides can increase bone density

Saturday, July 19, 2025

Hello, readers! Welcome to a bonus letters column. We are happy to report that you are keeping our inboxes busy, so we’ll dive right in.– We recently wrote about collagen peptides, a protein abundant in collagen, skin and bone.

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CLINTON’S HISTORY 10, 20, 30 AND 40 YEARS AGO

Saturday, July 19, 2025

30 YEARS AGO• Many area girls, including 11 from Clinton, were among approximately 90 students who attended the annual color guard camp at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford.

Looking at the State Department cuts

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Looking at the State Department cuts

Friday, July 18, 2025

On Friday, the Trump administration laid off about 1,350 employees at the State Department. A number of news reports described the staff cuts as “devastating.” Others suggested the downsizing will endanger U.S. national security. The New York Times said the cuts “demote longtime U.S.

Elizabeth Ko, M.D.

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Exercise can improve cognition in adults

Friday, July 18, 2025

Dear Doctors: I am 82 years old, and I have tested negative for Alzheimer’s disease. But I do have some cognitive dysfunction. Can this be slowed? I exercise 30 minutes a day. In addition to that, I walk at least 1 mile. I also bicycle vigorously for two six-minute periods a day.

Weight gain makes reader self-conscious

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Weight gain makes reader self-conscious

Friday, July 18, 2025

DEAR HARRIETTE: Over the past year, I’ve gained a significant amount of weight, and it’s been difficult for me emotionally and mentally. I’ve become extremely self-conscious about how I look – to the point where I sometimes avoid social situations altogether.

Attack ads have already been written

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Attack ads have already been written

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill is already the subject of campaign attack ads launched by both parties. One Republican group is targeting vulnerable House Democrats like Rep. Jared Golden of Maine with the charge of “voting against tax cuts.

I’ll stick to posting my pictures of flowers

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I’ll stick to posting my pictures of flowers

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

The internet has gotten to be a mean place. I have a Facebook author page (CarrieClassonAuthor), but folks looking for insightful comments on current events will be disappointed. I post pictures of flowers most of the time and occasional photos of my cat, Felix.

Parents want daughter to visit before move

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Parents want daughter to visit before move

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter just graduated from college in May, and my husband and I couldn’t be prouder of her. She has a job lined up in New York City and will be moving there in mid-August.

Disburbing sight of Democratic anger

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Disburbing sight of Democratic anger

Friday, July 11, 2025

We know many Democrats were stunned when Donald Trump won a second term as president. We know many are still angry about it. But we’re just now learning how angry some of them are.It’s not just grandstanding Democratic lawmakers like Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas.

Elizabeth Ko, M.D.

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Use sterilized water in nasal irrigation

Friday, July 11, 2025

Dear Doctors: Whenever you talk about neti pots, you include a warning about always using distilled water. It seemed to me like an overreaction, but now there’s news that someone died from not doing that. Why would that be, when drinking water is treated and goes through testing?