We are into the second month of the year. I hope January started well for you and you’re making good progress towards your wellness goals.
What are you working on this year to improve your overall wellness? Is it less sugar, more exercise, a goal to lose weight, or eat better? No matter how healthy you are, there is always room for improvement and so everyone should have something they are working on.
If you need help in trying to achieve your health goals, please let us know by clicking here and we shall be happy to offer help wherever we can.
This leads me to the big question. Are you really healthy? And, do you really know how healthy you are?
Many of us judge our health by the way we look and feel. If we are of normal weight and don’t feel sick or have any symptoms, we assume we are healthy. And most people who think they are healthy unfortunately don’t do as much towards their wellness as those who are already affected by a health or wellness problem.
I know many people who are lean or normal weight who eat whatever they want. Sometimes they even eat lots of unhealthy, sugary, and processed foods because they feel it doesn’t affect them, or even trying to gain weight. I hope none of us reading this is one such a person. If you are, it is time to change your mindset. Making healthy choices isn’t only for those who are overweight or sick.
If you hadn’t made some wellness resolutions, please do. Read my blog article on suggestions for healthy habits to adopt in 2023
The truth is many months and years before overt sickness appears, many people are already struggling with dysfunction in their bodies that doesn’t show outwardly. You can have high blood pressure, an abnormal fat profile, higher than normal blood sugar levels, and even low nutrient levels without any sign or symptom. That is why it is important to regularly do a body check-up to assess even the things that aren’t classified as diseases.
Many times a simple body composition assessment that shows you that your body fat percentage is higher than you thought can be enough of an eye-opener to get you more serious about your health. But even more importantly you could detect a serious health problem early when it is still simpler to manage and reverse. Especially in a country like Uganda, you don’t want to find out you have a serious health challenge when it is too late.
And remember, not knowing or not wanting to know that you have a health problem doesn’t mean that it isn’t there and will definitely not take it away. It is best to know, no matter how disappointing or worrying it is, and to take action than to find out when it is too late.
I recommend that at the very least once a year everyone should do the following tests:
Body composition test. This looks at your weight, body fat percentage, muscle percentage, visceral fat (fat around your organs), and waist circumference.
Body Age test. This is a calculated test that looks at the risk for health problems at your current biological age but basing on your body composition. For example, a 40-year-old can have a body age of 30 years which is great but could also have a body age of 70 years old. That means problems that could have come at 70 may start appearing at age 40.
Blood pressure.
Fasting blood sugar and HbA1c. These look at your blood sugar function.
Lipid profile. Commonly known as a cholesterol test, this profile can help evaluate your risk for diabetes and heart disease
Vitamin D test. Because many people (about 85%) are Vitamin D deficient and because it is such an important vitamin for blood pressure, heart health, hormones, immunity, bone health, and cancer prevention, we should all know our Vitamin D levels.
A complete blood count. This looks at information about your red and white blood cells.
Yes, there are many other tests you can do based on your health status, age, sex, occupation, or other factors such as cancer screening, liver function test, uric acid, CRP, kidney function, and more, the ones mentioned above should be done routinely. Get a good healthcare practitioner to help you interpret them and advise you on what other tests you may need to do.
Having normal tests or lab values is a good thing but remember that a health screening is not what makes you healthy. It only provides you with important information about how your body is functioning at that particular point.
What makes you healthy is what you proactively do every day.
I, therefore, want to encourage you to make a plan to improve your wellness through a healthier lifestyle. But I also want to encourage you to go for a health checkup this month. It doesn’t have to be expensive or too extensive but get some baseline information about your health.
If you need help with a health screening, especially the body composition and body age test please do let us know and we shall help you have it done. It is also possible to organize yourself into groups at work, at home, or in any other setting where a health screening can be arranged. Sometimes it is easier to get these done when they are brought closer to you.
Always remember
“Take care of your body. It is the only place you have to live” – Jim Rohn
Wishing you health and happiness.