You have access to an easy test to track, then slow, much of the aging process. You can get your doctor to do the test or you can easily and inexpensively do it on your own.
But don’t expect the doctor to understand what you are doing—he/she will even likely discourage you because they do not understand why/how this test is useful and they don’t generally care about aging or anti-aging because no drugs or procedures are involved.
This is another aspect of the kind of DIY health that I advocate in my book, Undoctored.
About Undoctored:
We are entering a new age in which the individual has astounding power over health–but don’t count on the doctor or healthcare system to tell you this.
We draw from the health information of the world, collaborate, share experiences, collect data, and show how to apply new health tools to achieve levels of health that you may have thought unattainable. We do all this at a time when conventional healthcare costs have become crippling.
The result: personal health that is SUPERIOR to that obtained through conventional means.
Undoctored: Why Health Care Has Failed You and How You Can Become Smarter Than Your Doctor
Available in all major bookstores, Costco, Sam’s Club, and Amazon.
I had a blood test two years ago and although my CVD risk was under 1%, because my LDL was 231 my doctor recommended I go on statins as a rest-of-my-life prescription. I wrote a letter, reminding her I’d been losing weight on a low-carb diet, pointing out LDL levels are high where there’s inflammation, and that hyperinsulinemia hadn’t been discussed as a possible cause. I listed eight bibliographical sources, many of them available through PubMed. Then I changed doctors, going to the one LCHF general physician I knew of in my area that wasn’t dedicated to diabetes and weight loss clinics. Very soon after my letter had been received and read my doctor went on half-time hours.
Some of us have experienced metabolic disorder and treated it without prescription drugs, but with a change of lifestyle. Although close to half adult Americans have insulin resistance or some sort of metabolic disorder we don’t have a corresponding level of American doctors with the knowledge to treat us beyond prescribing statins or medication. Are more doctors of late re-thinking the lipid hypothesis, food pyramid, current government-issued health and dietary guidelines? I don’t want to argue against my doctor. I want my doctor to understand that my immediate family all died decades before they should have, and that I’m motivated by bereavement to have a healthy diet and lifestyle and NOT be on DRUGS FOR LIFE. Am I wishing for a unicorn here?
Christina wrote: «I had a blood test two years ago …»
Let me guess: no CT calcium scan for imaging any actual disease process afoot, no advanced lipoprotein panel to measure actual LDL particles, and possibly not even an HbA1c.
re: «…my CVD risk was under 1%…»
That was based on what, Framingham (FRS)?
re: «…my doctor recommended I go on statins…»
As you no doubt know, when considering all-cause mortality, there’s no case for statins being prescribed to females. When an MD proposes it, pathological liability dread, shocking ignorance, willful blindness and total sell-out to Big Pharm™ are among the explanations that might be mooted.
re: «Am I wishing for a unicorn here?»
Nope, and you’re doing exactly what needs doing: which is for victims of Standard of Care to start pushing back, and where possible, taking control of their metabolisms and health care.
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