Dr. Msonthi B. Levine

01/12/2026

PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS POST- it could save your life or someone else!

🧠 Carotid Artery Stenosis: The Silent Stroke Risk You Cannot Ignore 🧠
Early detection can save your brain — and your life.

Your carotid arteries are the main highways that supply oxygen-rich blood to your brain. When these arteries become narrowed or blocked by plaque buildup, it is called carotid artery stenosis — and it is one of the leading hidden causes of devastating stroke.

🚨 WHAT IS CAROTID ARTERY STENOSIS?

It is a dangerous narrowing of the carotid arteries caused by fatty plaque, cholesterol, calcium, and inflammatory debris sticking to the artery walls.

Over time, this plaque can:
• Break loose and travel to the brain
• Form a clot
• Completely block blood flow

👉 Result: Stroke, permanent brain damage, or death.

🧬 WHY DO WE GET IT?

🧠 #1 MOST IMPORTANT RISK FACTORS

🚬 Smoking (even past history)
🍔 Poor diet high in fats, sugar & processed foods
🛋️ Lack of exercise
🧂 High blood pressure
🍬 Diabetes
🧬 Family history of heart disease or stroke
⚖️ Obesity
😰 Chronic stress
🧪 High cholesterol

Carotid disease is often part of a full-body vascular disease process.

⚠️ WARNING SIGNS YOUR BODY MAY BE GIVING YOU

Most people feel nothing until a stroke is about to happen — but when symptoms appear, do not ignore them:

🧍‍♂️ Sudden weakness or numbness in face, arm, or leg
🗣️ Slurred speech or trouble understanding words
👀 Sudden vision loss or blurred vision in one eye
🌀 Dizziness or loss of balance
🧠 Sudden severe headache
😵 Confusion or trouble thinking clearly

⏰ These can be mini-strokes (TIAs) — your final warning before a massive stroke.

🔍 HOW DO WE DISCOVER IT?

Carotid stenosis is found by your primary care physician through:

🩺 Listening to the neck with a stethoscope
🧪 Ultrasound of carotid arteries
🖥️ CT Angiogram or MRI
🩻 Vascular imaging when risk factors exist

👉 Most people only discover it after a stroke — unless they are screened early.

💊 HOW IS IT TREATED?

Treatment depends on how blocked the artery is:

🟢 Mild to Moderate Narrowing

• Blood pressure control
• Cholesterol medication (statins)
• Blood thinners
• Smoking cessation
• Nutrition & exercise therapy

🔴 Severe Blockage

• Carotid endarterectomy (surgical plaque removal)
• Carotid stent placement

These treatments can prevent a fatal stroke.

🧠 WHAT OTHER DISEASES CAN STEM FROM IT?

Carotid artery disease often means widespread artery disease, increasing risk for:

❤️ Heart attacks
🦵 Peripheral artery disease
🫀 Aortic disease
🧠 Vascular dementia
🩸 Blood clots
🧬 Early cognitive decline

💡 THE TAKEAWAY

Carotid artery stenosis is:
• Often silent
• Often deadly
• Entirely preventable when found early

🦋 Team Levine is committed to educating our community, raising awareness, and protecting lives.
Let us partner with you to Create a Healthier You.

Let’s Create a Healthier You! One post at a time❤️

www.msonthilevinemd.com

01/12/2026

This week’s “Team Leader of the Week” is our Medical Assistant Halea and her topic for the week will be Carotid Artery Stenosis.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts regarding Halea’s topic and be sure to like, comment, and follow our page to stay up-to-date on all future postings.

01/10/2026

Big thanks to

Kenneth Mccloney, Nikki Sells King, Sarah Carr, Halea Stephens, Rebecca Coller, Kayla Rayburn, Tahir Naqvi

for all your support! Congrats for being top fans on a streak 🔥!

01/10/2026

Today is a great day to Start-
New Year, New You 2026

🌟 Let’s Tone and Get Strong!

Toning After Weight Loss: How To Build Strength Safely At Every Decade Of Life

Losing weight is a powerful accomplishment — but toning your body afterward is what truly protects your muscles, joints, heart, balance, and independence as you age.

Whether you’re 30 or 90+, it is never too late to strengthen your body and feel confident again.

🦋 Team Levine💪 is here to cheer you on every step of the way — Let’s Create a Healthier You. 🦋

Below is how to safely tone your body at every decade of life.

📅 DAILY OUTLINE — “TONE FOR LIFE”

🟢 AGE 30s — Build Your Muscle Foundation

Your Focus:
✔ Rebuild lean muscle after weight loss
✔ Boost metabolism
✔ Protect joints early

Best Exercises
• Body-weight squats
• Lunges
• Push-ups (wall or floor)
• Planks (20–45 sec)
• Resistance bands
• Brisk walking / light jogging

Weekly Goal:
Strength train 3–4 days | Cardio 2–3 days

Health Benefits
• Faster fat burning
• Better posture
• Stronger bones
• Long-term injury prevention

🟡 AGE 40s — Protect Joints & Core

Your Focus:
✔ Preserve flexibility
✔ Strengthen core & hips
✔ Prevent back pain

Best Exercises
• Chair squats
• Step-ups
• Modified push-ups
• Pilates or yoga
• Resistance band rows
• Elliptical or incline walking

Weekly Goal:
Strength 3 days | Cardio 3 days | Stretch daily

Health Benefits
• Reduced joint stiffness
• Improved balance
• Stronger metabolism despite hormonal changes

🟠 AGE 50s — Prevent Muscle Loss

Your Focus:
✔ Maintain muscle mass
✔ Protect heart health
✔ Improve mobility

Best Exercises
• Light dumbbell routines
• Wall push-ups
• Sit-to-stand from chair
• Standing leg lifts
• Water aerobics
• Cycling or swimming

Weekly Goal:
Strength 2–3 days | Cardio 3–4 days

Health Benefits
• Lower blood pressure
• Improved cholesterol
• Fewer falls
• Better blood sugar control

🔵 AGE 60s — Strength for Independence

Your Focus:
✔ Fall prevention
✔ Bone protection
✔ Everyday strength

Best Exercises
• Chair yoga
• Heel raises holding chair
• Resistance bands
• Balance walking heel-to-toe
• Recumbent bike
• Stretching daily

Weekly Goal:
Movement every day, strength at least 2x weekly

Health Benefits
• Better balance
• Reduced fracture risk
• Increased confidence walking

🟣 AGE 70s — Preserve Mobility

Your Focus:
✔ Keep walking safely
✔ Maintain coordination
✔ Protect joints

Best Exercises
• Seated leg extensions
• Light hand weights
• Tai Chi
• Arm circles
• Standing marches
• Short walks throughout the day

Weekly Goal:
Daily gentle movement

Health Benefits
• Less stiffness
• Better circulation
• Improved mood & memory

🟤 AGE 80s — Move With Purpose

Your Focus:
✔ Maintain independence
✔ Prevent falls
✔ Improve posture

Best Exercises
• Sit-to-stand
• Seated band exercises
• Toe taps
• Wall balance holds
• Slow controlled stretching

Weekly Goal:
10–15 minutes of movement, 2–3 times daily

Health Benefits
• Fewer hospitalizations
• Stronger breathing
• Increased confidence

⚪ AGE 90+ — Gentle Strength = Life Quality

Your Focus:
✔ Comfort
✔ Circulation
✔ Mental clarity

Best Exercises
• Seated marching
• Arm raises
• Finger stretches
• Deep breathing
• Light range-of-motion movements

Weekly Goal:
Short sessions multiple times daily

Health Benefits
• Better sleep
• Reduced joint pain
• Improved quality of life

💙 FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT

Your body is never done healing, strengthening, or improving.
It does not matter where you start — it only matters that you do.

🦋 Team Levine is here to cheer you on — Let’s Create a Healthier You. 🦋

Hashtags:

01/08/2026

🌟 2026 Community Health Focus: Where Do I Start With Weight Loss? 🌟
Because the hardest part is not how — it’s simply starting.

At 🦋Team Levine🦋 we hear this every day:

“I’ve never tried to lose weight before. What is the safest and most effective way to begin?”

Let’s break it down in a simple, honest, and medically sound way.

🔹 Step 1: Start With YOUR Story – Not Someone Else’s

Before choosing food plans, gyms, or injections, ask yourself:

🩺 Medical questions to ask your provider
• Do I have diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, or insulin resistance?
• What medications am I taking that may affect weight?
• What is my BMI and waist measurement?
• How is my sleep? My stress level?
• Have I ever tried weight loss before — and what stopped me?

📌 This evaluation is your safest FIRST step.

🔹 Step 2: Food First – Always

🍽️ Why diet comes before exercise or medication
• You cannot out-exercise a poor diet.
• Appetite control starts in the kitchen.
• Your body must learn how to fuel properly before any medication can truly help.

✔️ Focus on:
• Lean protein
• Vegetables & high-fiber foods
• Limiting sugar, sodas, and late-night snacking
• Drinking water before meals

🔹 Step 3: Should I Try Exercise Right Away?

🏃‍♀️ Yes – but start SMALL.
• Walking 10 minutes after meals
• Stretching in the morning
• Light resistance training at home

✨ Consistency beats intensity every time.

🔹 Step 4: What About Weight Loss Medications or Injections?

💉 There are many appetite-curbing medications and injectable options now — but they are not one-size-fits-all.

Your provider should help determine:
• Are you insulin resistant?
• Do you emotionally eat?
• Are cravings your main struggle?
• Do you have medical conditions that limit medication choices?

⚠️ Shots are tools — not shortcuts.
They work best when paired with lifestyle change, not instead of it.

🔹 Step 5: The Most Effective & Safest Approach

🛡️ Medical evaluation → nutrition reset → lifestyle change → medication (if needed)
This is the order that works long-term.

💙 A Real Testimony of Consistency

💪 Nicholas Bryant, our IT Administrator, has been on his own weight-loss journey for over three years — losing nearly 200 pounds.

Today he:
• Lives for healthy movement
• Feels better than ever
• Is off all medications
• Sleeps better
• And inspires us daily

We are incredibly proud of his transformation — it proves that consistency changes everything.

🦋 Team Levine Promise

We stand strong behind every patient walking through our doors.

We are your support.
We are your rocks.
We offer prayer, hugs, encouragement, education, and accountability — especially on the days you want to quit.

✨ Let’s create a healthier you. ✨

🌐 www.msonthilevinemd.com



’sCreateAHealthierYou

Welcome to the private practice on Msonthi B. Levine, M.D. in Beaumont, Texas. Dr. Levine has been practicing medicine for over 20 years.

01/07/2026

🥦 WEIGHT LOSS MADE SIMPLE — VEGETABLE EDITION 🥕

Trying to lose weight in 2026?
One of the most powerful changes you can make is increasing the right vegetables in your day.

Not all veggies are created equal. Some help burn fat… others can quietly slow your progress.

Let’s break it down 👇

🥇 MOST IMPORTANT — NON-STARCHY “FAT-BURN FRIENDLY” VEGGIES

(Low calorie • Low carb • High fiber • Eat freely)

🥬 Spinach, Kale, Romaine, Mixed Greens
🥦 Broccoli, Cauliflower
🥒 Cucumbers
🍅 Tomatoes
🫑 Bell Peppers
🥕 Carrots (moderate portions)
🧅 Onions
🧄 Garlic
🥬 Cabbage
🍄 Mushrooms
🫛 Green Beans
🥗 Zucchini, Squash
🌱 Asparagus
🌶️ Jalapeños

➡️ Goal: Fill ½ of your plate with these at lunch & dinner.

⚠️ LIMIT — STARCHY / HIGH-CARB VEGGIES

(Nutritious, but spike blood sugar & slow fat loss)

🥔 Potatoes
🌽 Corn
🍠 Sweet Potatoes
🟠 Butternut / Acorn Squash
🫘 Peas
🥕 Beets

➡️ Treat these like a carb, not a vegetable.
½ cup portions only, not daily.

⏱️ BUSY LIFE? EASY PREP IDEAS

🛒 Grab pre-cut veggie trays
🥗 Bagged salad mixes = instant meals
🔥 Sheet-pan veggies — roast once, eat all week
🥒 Keep cucumbers & peppers sliced in the fridge
🥦 Steamable microwave veggie bags
🍳 Add spinach or mushrooms to eggs in the morning
🥤 Blend spinach or zucchini into smoothies — you won’t taste it!

💧 BONUS FAT-LOSS TIP

Veggies are loaded with fiber — they:

✔️ Keep you full longer
✔️ Reduce cravings
✔️ Balance blood sugar
✔️ Support gut health
✔️ Help control calories naturally

✨ 2026 is YOUR year.
Small changes lead to BIG results — and it starts with what’s on your plate.

🦋 Team Levine 🦋 is cheering you on every step of the way.

Let’s Create a Healthier You.

01/07/2026

Listen Saturday mornings at 8 as Dr. Msonthi Levine discusses medical issues and takes your calls on News Talk 560 KLVI. Dr Levine is board certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. His office is located at 3080 Milam in Beaumont, Texas. He can be reached at 409-347-3621.

01/07/2026

Dr. Levine answers your medical and health-related questions in the week's Ask the Doc segment.Submit your questions for Ask the Doc: askthedoc@kfdm.com or call

01/07/2026

🧂❓ If I’m Trying to Lose Weight, Is a Low-Sodium Diet Important?

Yes — and it matters more than you think.
Even when calories are controlled, high sodium can cause water retention, bloating, high blood pressure, fatigue, and slower weight-loss results.

Here’s how to stay on track without feeling deprived.

🥇 1️⃣ Read Labels First (Most Important)

🚫 Watch for foods with 400+ mg sodium per serving
🎯 Aim for 1,500–2,000 mg per day total

Hidden Sodium Bombs:
• Canned soups
• Deli meats
• Frozen meals
• Salad dressings
• “Healthy” wraps & breads
• Cheese slices
• Pickles & olives

🥈 2️⃣ Choose Low-Sodium Swaps

✔️ Fresh meats instead of processed
✔️ Frozen vegetables without sauce
✔️ Low-sodium canned beans (rinse before using)
✔️ Unsalted nuts & seeds
✔️ Brown rice, quinoa, oats — no seasoning packets

🥉 3️⃣ Flavor Without Salt

🌿 Garlic, onion powder, lemon juice
🌶️ Black pepper, paprika, chili flakes
🧄 Mrs. Dash or no-salt seasonings
🍋 Vinegar, lime, fresh herbs

🥗 4️⃣ Smart Low-Sodium Snacks

🥕 Carrots & hummus (low-sodium)
🍎 Apple slices with peanut butter (no salt added)
🥒 Cucumbers with lemon
🥚 Hard-boiled eggs
🧀 Low-sodium cottage cheese

🍽️ 5️⃣ Simple Low-Sodium Meal Ideas

🥗 Grilled chicken salad with olive oil & vinegar
🍳 Eggs with spinach & mushrooms
🍲 Homemade soups (no bouillon cubes)
🍚 Baked salmon, quinoa & steamed broccoli
🌮 Lettuce wraps instead of tortillas

🚨 Why This Matters

Too much sodium causes:
💦 Water weight
📈 High blood pressure
😫 Bloating & fatigue
⛔ Slower weight-loss results

🦋 Team Levine💪 is dedicated to educating our community throughout 2026 to help you build habits that last — and to truly live healthier.









🌐

Welcome to the private practice on Msonthi B. Levine, M.D. in Beaumont, Texas. Dr. Levine has been practicing medicine for over 20 years.

01/07/2026

💻🏆 TEAM LEADER SPOTLIGHT — Nicholas, IT Administrator 🏆💻

At GTIM, we believe leadership shows up in many forms — behind the scenes, on the front lines, and within ourselves.

Today we proudly recognize Nicholas for his outstanding dedication to keeping our technology running smoothly AND for committing to his personal health journey by educating our community on how to lose weight safely, sustainably, and without burnout.

⏱️ How Much Should You Exercise Each Week?

✔️ 150–300 minutes per week of moderate activity
That’s just 30–45 minutes, 5 days a week — and it can be broken up into short sessions!

Examples:
🚶‍♂️ Brisk walking
🚴 Light cycling
🏊 Swimming
🧘‍♀️ Stretching & mobility days

🛑 Give Your Body a Break (So You Don’t Quit)

💤 Rest 1–2 days per week
🧠 Alternate muscle groups — don’t train the same areas every day
😴 Sleep 7–8 hours nightly
💧 Stay hydrated

Rest is not weakness — it is how your body gets stronger.

🔁 Why Starting Slow Wins Every Time

Many people go hard for 2 weeks… then disappear.

The goal is NOT exhaustion.
The goal is consistency.

🌱 Start with 10–15 minutes a day
📈 Increase slowly every week
⚖️ Lose weight at 1–2 lbs per week
❤️ Protect your stamina so you can keep going month after month

Slow progress is real progress.

💬 Nicholas’ Message to the Community

“You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep showing up.”

That’s how you build habits that last — and that’s how real transformation happens.

🦋 Team Levine🦋 is dedicated to helping the community create a healthier you — one step, one choice, one day at a time.

💻🌐

Welcome to the private practice on Msonthi B. Levine, M.D. in Beaumont, Texas. Dr. Levine has been practicing medicine for over 20 years.

01/07/2026

🥦 Healthy Snacking & Simple Meals for Weight Loss — No Sugar, Low Carb, Real Results! 💪

If your goal is to lose weight in 2026, it starts with the choices you make between meals and keeping your daily calories around 1,800 per day. Here’s how to make it easy and realistic 👇

⭐ MOST IMPORTANT: Choose Lean Protein First

🍗 Chicken
🦃 Turkey
🥚 Eggs
🐟 Fish

Protein keeps you full longer, helps prevent snacking, and protects your muscle while you lose fat.

🥈 Load Up on Green Vegetables (Low-Carb, High-Volume)

🥦 Broccoli
🥬 Spinach
🥒 Cucumbers
🥗 Mixed greens
🫑 Bell peppers
🥬 Green beans

These fill your plate without filling your calorie count.

🥉 Snack Smart — No Sugar, Low Carb Options

🧀 String cheese
🥜 A small handful of almonds or walnuts
🥚 Boiled eggs
🥒 Celery or cucumber slices with cream cheese
🍗 Turkey or chicken roll-ups

🚫 Limit Starchy Vegetables

🥔 Potatoes
🌽 Corn
🍠 Sweet potatoes

These spike blood sugar and slow weight loss. Choose green vegetables instead for better results.

🧮 How to Stay Under 1,800 Calories a Day

🍳 Breakfast: Eggs + spinach + turkey bacon
🥗 Lunch: Grilled chicken salad with olive oil & vinegar
🍗 Dinner: Turkey or chicken + broccoli + green beans
🥜 Snacks: Protein + healthy fats (nuts, cheese, eggs)

This keeps your carbs low, your sugar out, and your hunger under control.

Small changes. Big impact. You can do this — one healthy choice at a time 💚

🌐 www.msonthilevinemd.com
Let’s create a healthier you

Welcome to the private practice on Msonthi B. Levine, M.D. in Beaumont, Texas. Dr. Levine has been practicing medicine for over 20 years.

01/06/2026

2026 Is Your Year to Lose the Weight — The Right Way 🌟

Hydration. Sleep. Nutrition. Consistency. These four simple things are more connected than you think — and when you get them right, weight loss becomes possible instead of frustrating.

🦋 How It’s All Connected 🦋
💧 Hydration: Drinking enough water helps control hunger, boosts metabolism, and prevents confusing thirst with hunger.
😴 Sleep: Poor sleep increases cravings, especially for sugar and carbs, and slows fat loss.
🍽️ Nutrition: What you eat fuels your energy, your mood, and your ability to burn fat.
🏃 Movement: Small, consistent activity keeps your metabolism working all day.

🔢 How Many Calories Should I Eat?

A safe starting point for most adults trying to lose weight is:
➡️ 1,400–1,800 calories per day (depending on your size, age, and activity level).
Never starve yourself — consistency beats extremes every time.

🍞 What Should My Carbs Look Like?

Not all carbs are bad — it’s the type that matters.

✅ Choose more:
• Oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa
• Sweet potatoes
• Beans, lentils
• Fruits & vegetables

❌ Cut back on:
• White bread, pastries, donuts
• Sugary drinks, sweet tea, soda
• Chips, crackers, candy

🚫 Bad Habits to Break in 2026
• Skipping meals → leads to binge eating
• Drinking calories instead of water
• Late-night snacking out of boredom
• Eating while distracted (TV, phone)
• “All-or-nothing” thinking — one bad day doesn’t ruin your journey

🌱 Your Easy, Step-by-Step Weight Loss Guide

Step 1: Drink a glass of water when you wake up.
Step 2: Eat 3 simple meals — protein, veggies, healthy carbs.
Step 3: Move your body for 10–20 minutes a day (walks count!).
Step 4: Put your phone down 30 minutes before bed.
Step 5: Sleep at least 7 hours.
Step 6: Start again tomorrow — even if today wasn’t perfect.

✨ You Are Not Behind. You Are Right on Time.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be willing.

🦋 Team Levine🦋 supports creating healthier yous — and we believe 2026 will be the year you shed the pounds and start truly living your life.
If this post gave you hope, please like, share, and encourage someone else today.

Let’s Create a Healthier You!

Welcome to the private practice on Msonthi B. Levine, M.D. in Beaumont, Texas. Dr. Levine has been practicing medicine for over 20 years.