I have always been focused on my health. Seeing my parents and grandparents deal with major health issues has been a driving force. Of the major health issues that missed my family, my children have inherited from their father’s side. Are we destined for the same health risks as our ancestors? I like to believe the answer is a definite NO!
Doctors are not Gods
For years I had turned to my primary care physician (PCP) as the expert of my health and well-being. After seeing many errors and misjudgments from these “experts”, I realized that the best caretaker of my health is me! Doctors have a good level of knowledge of the body and its functioning, but we need to remember that for the most part, they have been trained to treat ailments – not to maintain or achieve wellness. Fixing ailments usually means prescribing pills – providing a quick fix to the problem. Most medications lend to other health issues over time, so ultimately this usually isn’t the best solution. Therefore, we have to put ourselves in the driver’s seat to discern what we have to do to keep ourselves in the best of health.
Be an informed patient
Many people think that if they have no symptoms, they have no health issues. The best way to know is to check your blood. Your blood carries information that tells you about current and pending medical issues in your body. Here is where you need to turn to your PCP every year – to advise you on which tests to be conducted and what the results mean. Once you have the results of your blood tests – and I strongly recommend everyone seeing the results for themselves – take note of where you fall within the recommended values. If any results are over the recommended values, talk to your doctor about ways to lower your numbers without medications. Many times, a change in diet, exercise, and weight can make all the difference. Then do more homework on your own.
Gather outside information
I have struggled to reduce my total cholesterol level for many years. I kept getting the same feedback from various PCPs – eat more whole grains, reduce your fat intake, etc. It took a while for me to realize that the doctors know very little about diet and nutrition. This is why I started taking my health into my own hands. I started working with a naturopath as they look at the functioning of the body differently than allopathic doctors. Again, not taking their feedback as the gospel but as additional information. I started reading more about what foods I should be eating and uncovered that the whole grains I was told to eat may have been playing a big role in my struggles. I also eliminated sugar from my diet – which ultimately made me feel better than I ever felt before.
While I still haven’t found the perfect formula for my body, I can see the progress that I’ve made. Remember, there is no quick fix for your health. No shake, miracle drug or concoction is going to change your life – but it will change the weight of your wallet. It comes down to taking care of yourself by reading, asking questions, participating in discussion forums about health issues you have (currently or in your family), and experimenting to see what your body responds best to. Making modifications to your lifestyle and diet is only one piece of the puzzle. Our emotional state of mind and how we manage our stress can sometimes be the cause of our health challenges, without even realizing it.
TIP – did you know that in the states of Arizona, Utah, and Texas you can order your own labs without a doctor’s requisition? Contact us to find out where the best prices are for labs in your area.