5 Tests to Take For Good Health and Disease Prevention

Certain health tests can tell us a lot about how our bodies are functioning. A simple blood, urine or saliva test can give us the information we need to keep ourselves healthy and living symptom free.

Here are five valuable tests that can help you get to the bottom of your health issues and uncover the information you need to prevent future illness.

1. C-Reactive Protein

According to Life Extension Magazine, ideal C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels for men are under 0.55mg/L and under 1.0 mg/L for women.

Our immune cells and liver and fat cells all make C-reactive protein, but a rise in CRP is a red flag that a problem may exist even when symptoms don’t.

When your CRP levels remain high, it can signal a risk for many health issues like cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and more.

Life Extension Magazine reports that CRP is turning out to be a useful research tool for both diagnosis and risk assessment. Knowing your CRP levels gives you much power over your own health and well-being. All it takes is a simple, low-cost blood test.

If your CRP is elevated, you can do what you need to do in order to lower your risk of developing a life-threatening disease.

Check out Life Extensions table of 17 nutrients that have been shown to help lower CRP levels.

Some of these tested nutrients include:

• Curcumin
• Fenugreek
• Ginger
• Green Tea Polyphenols
• Magnesium
• Probiotics
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids

2. Vitamin D 25 (OH) D Test

The Vitamin D Council suggests that at least 50 ng/ml is an ideal level of D to aim for, and that adults take 5,000 IU per day of Vitmain D3 in order to stay at this level.

We get vitamin D from sun exposure or supplements. It is very difficult to get it from our diets. Lead vitamin D researcher, Dr. Michael Holick, estimates that 50 percent of the general population is at risk of not having enough of this essential nutrient. (Source)

If you are at least 50 years old, have darker skin, feeling depressed, overweight or obese, have a higher muscle mass, have head sweating, your bones ache or gut trouble, you may be at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Dr. Holick says,

“Studies have shown that if you improve your vitamin D status, it reduces risk of colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and a whole host of other deadly cancers by 30 to 50 percent. You’re correct. Cancer is a big deal. You need to realize that vitamin D is playing a very important role in helping to maintain cell growth and to help fight cancer when a cancer cell is developing in your body.”

Watch this very good video of Dr. Mercola interviewing Dr. Michael Holick about vitamin D.

Knowing your vitamin D levels and making sure you have a sufficient amount in your body is a great way to take control of your overall health.

• Find high quality vitamin D supplements at Natural Healthy Concepts with fast, free shipping.

3. Hormone Levels

According to Dr. Mark Hyman, so many symptoms we accept as “normal” are signs of a type of imbalance that affects almost everyone in our society – hormonal imbalance.

Some of these “normal” symptoms include mood swings, sugar or salt cravings, overweight, belly fat, PMS, heavy periods, feeling depressed, headaches, poor sleep, less interested in sex, thinning hair, dry skin and more.

Dr. Hyman explains that the hormones that cause the most mental misery are your stress hormones, thyroid hormones, sex hormones and your major blood-sugar control hormone – insulin.

All of these hormones or chemical messengers must work together to keep everything balanced and to keep us feeling alive, happy and well.

There are different types of hormone testing including saliva testing, urinary tests and blood testing. Many doctors have differing opinions on which types of tests are best, but all of them have specific pros and cons. Based on your symptoms, it’s best to do some research into these types of tests and talk to your doctor to figure out which one may be best for you.

Often times, there are certain supplements, diet changes and other natural ways to balance your hormones. But testing your levels may offer you a starting point for how to get on the path to feeling better.

Check out some natural ways to help balance your hormones in this awesome infographic from Wellness Mama.

Source: Wellness Mama

4. pH Levels

Blood, urine, lymph and other fluids and tissues in our bodies should have a proper acid-alkaline balance for optimal well-being.

Normal levels range from pH 4.6 to pH 8.0 with 7 being neutral. If you have a pH 4, you are strongly acidic, if you have a pH 9, you are strongly alkaline.

Dr. Axe points out that the healthiest pH is one that is slightly alkaline. That perfect number being 7.365, but normal range is between 6 and 7.5. Your pH is something that changes throughout the day and certain foods and environmental factors play a huge role in that.

It’s definitely a balancing act, but obtaining a proper pH is crucial to having good health. In fact, many experts say disease and disorder can not even occur in someones body whose pH is balanced.

Many Americans are too acidic. Alcohol, antibiotics, artificial sweeteners, chronic stress, lack of exercise, conventional meats, preservatives, food dyes, pesticides and herbicides and all processed foods causes acidity.

There are even some nutritious types of foods that are acid-forming. These include things like eggs, lentils, oats, walnuts, balsamic vinegar and rice – among others.

Alkaline-forming foods include fruits, especially citrus, mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, baking soda, green drinks and many other raw foods.

Here is a great chart from MindBodyGreen.com that summarizes which foods are acid or alkaline-forming.

Dr. Axe also addresses the effects of acidity on our health. Issues like allergies, asthma, fatigue, headaches, skin problems and weight gain are all symptoms of acidity. Long term acidosis can lead to arthritis, cancer, diabetes, MS, heart diseases and more.

It’s very simple to test your pH level at home with strips that measure through your urine or saliva.

• Get pH strips for urine
• Get pH strips for saliva
• Learn more with this book: Alkalize or Die

5. Zinc Assay Taste Test

While zinc is most commonly thought of as a way to combat the occasional common cold, this trace element deserves much more credit than a simple immune booster.

Zinc serves a variety of important functions in our bodies, besides strong immunity. It plays a role in the prevention of cancer, maintenance of your mood, mental focus, restorative sleep, prostate and intestinal health and so on.

Dr. Mercola says zinc is involved in more enzymatic reaction in our bodies than any other mineral.

The current RDA’s for zinc from the National Institutes of Health is listed in the table below.

* Adequate Intake (AI)

An inadequate amount of zinc can lead to being sick often, chronic fatigue, mood issues, bad memory and impaired learning. Acne and poor eyesight can also be related to having low levels.

If you’re vegan, vegetarian, you eat a high-grain diet, you’re pregnant, nursing, elderly, an infant, or have poor gastrointestinal health, you’re more likely to have a mild zinc deficiency.

However, too much zinc is not healthy either. That’s why it’s best to test instead of guess.

Kayla from Radiant Life wrote a great article explaining the importance and ease of a simple at home zinc assay taste test you can take to test your zinc levels.

image courtesy of Radiant Life Blog

With Premier Research Labs Liquid Zinc Assay, which doubles as a zinc supplement, you can determine your zinc level through tasting a teaspoon of the liquid zinc.

If it tastes like water, or like nothing, you’re most likely very deficient. On the opposite of that, if you taste an immediate unpleasant bitter taste, your levels are optimal.

Here is a simple guide that Kayla put together for the taste test.

• You can find Premier’s Liquid Zinc Assay from Natural Healthy Concepts at a fair price and with free shipping, but you must have or create an account to purchase any Premier professional products.

These are some of the key tests that can help shed some light on where your health stands. There are many factors that contribute to wellness, but this would be a good place to start.

Most often, the bottom line for all of these inadequacies seems to be the same. Eat as many raw, organic fruits, veggies and greens as you can. Limit processed foods, flour and sugar. Avoid too much caffeine. Get enough sleep and exercise, and eliminate your exposure to toxins in foods, water and countless consumer products. Choose coconut oil and olive oil over any other vegetable-based oils. Limit your stress and find ways to RELAX. Supplement with quality essential nutrients like omega-3’s, vitamin D, enzymes, probiotics, etc.

You will find this similar kind of advice being preached over and over when it comes to optimal health and nutrition. There must be something to it!

If you liked this article, subscribe to our blog so you don’t miss the next one.

[jetpack_subscription_form]