When meeting with my clients for the first time, I like to see the whole picture of what is going on. There are many factors that play a role in being healthy and getting the results you want. Whether it’s losing weight, having more energy, getting better sleep, regulating digestion, or coping with anxiety, you must first be clear if there are underlying causes that are preventing you from feeling your best. When having your annual checkup, your primary care physician will most likely run a typical battery of tests. If nothing seems too out of the ordinary, chances are your doctor will just ask you to follow up in about a year. If you happen to feel terrific and don’t really have any concerns, then consider yourself lucky…. In my practice, the clients I see tend to be educated and want to look and feel the best they possibly can. They don’t see symptoms of weight gain, less energy, decreased sex drive, hair loss, or wrinkles as just a part of “Aging”. Unfortunately that’s what we’ve been told and have learned to accept it. I am proud to say that I’m 60 years old and I look and feel like I’m in my 30’s or 40’s. Yes, good genes play a role in how we age, but there are so many things we can do to prevent the course of aging as well.
As you get into our 40’s and 50’ that’s when the changes really start to happen. Diagnostic Testing will help to monitor hormones, uncover whether or not you are prone to specific medical problems, and how to deal them before they become an issue. In addition to the routine blood tests performed by your PCP, some less mainstream tests that give a clearer picture as to how the body is functioning are by checking Liver and Kidney Function, Bone Mineral Density, Stool Quality, Neurotransmitter Function, Homocysteine, and C- Reactive Protein. Women should also check their levels of Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone. When these hormones are out of balance it can cause dry skin, hair loss, loss of libido, and weight gain. While traditional hormone replacement therapy can be one option, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy can be used to deal with these issues without the side effects. Thyroid disease is very common in women and should be checked yearly. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, depression, hair loss, and more. Make sure to ask your doctor for a TSH test so you can prevent and if necessary correct any problems.
At the end of the day you are the only person looking out for your health. By taking responsibility you can alter the way you age and live a longer, happier, and more youthful life…
Written by Oz Garcia, Ph.D., a nutritionist with 30 years of experience who caters to celebrities like Hilary Swank and Naomi Campbell.