Sunday, November 8, 2009

Dr. Oz's Ultimate Health Checklist

1. Get a check-up. Find a doctor who you are comfortable with and who will listen to you.
2. Know what foods to avoid. (See previous post)
3. Add healthy foods to your diet. (See previous post)
4. Take a multi-vitamin daily.
5. Know your numbers: Vitamin D levels, C Reactive protein, TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), Resting heart rate (should be around 60), Blood Sugar level, Cholesterol levels (LDL or bad cholesterol should be less than 100, HDL or good cholesterol should be greater than 40). Your doctor can perform all these tests and tell you what the results mean.
6. Find a health advocate, someone who will go to the doctor with you and help you remember everything he or she tells you.
7. Organize your health information. Store it all in one location so you have immediate access to it when you need it.
8. Know your waist size. Waist size should be less than half your height. This is not for looks or vanity, this is for your health.
9. Know your blood pressure numbers. 115/75 is ideal.
10. Know your body fat percentage. Women should be 25 to 31%. Men should be 18 to 25%.
To figure your percentage: Multiply your weight by 703. Multiply your height in inches by itself. (For instance I am 5'9, so I would multiply 69 by 69) Take the weight number and divide it by the height number. This is your Body Mass Index, or how much of your body is fat.
11. Know what tests you need and when. Everyone should have the following:
*Annual physical
*Dentist cleaning and check-up every 6 months
*Eye exam every 2 years
*Echocardiogram at age 50
*Stress test at age 50
*Colonoscopy at age 50
*Skin check (for skin cancer) yearly
*Hearing check early 60's
Women should also have a yearly pelvic exam, pap smear and starting at age 35-40, a mammogram.
The question I want you to ask yourself today is this: WHAT WILL I DO TO LIVE HEALTHIER IN NOVEMBER 2009? Write down your answers and check those items off when you do them. Make a new list at the start of every month and stick to it!

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