Beyond-Brawn-2nd-Edition

BEYOND BRAWN
Health tests
22.6 Regular blood and urine tests will let you see how you are doing internally. If
you are under age thirty-five, have a blood and urine test every three years. If
you are over thirty-five, have a test done annually. Consult a cardiologist or
your physician for the procedure to follow that is most appropriate for you,
and for help with interpreting the test results.
22.7 A very valuable and fascinating project is to monitor improvements in your
test results following changes in your diet and exercise program. Chronicling
changes for the better is great reward for the increased discipline given
to your diet and exercise program.
22.8 Suppose you have been on a heavy diet for years, are over 15% bodyfat,
and never do cardiorespiratory exercise. is is a common scenario among
experienced bodybuilders and lifters. Get your blood and urine tested. en
overhaul your diet and exercise program. Substitute skim milk for whole
milk; substitute virgin olive oil for all liquid oils, margarine and butter;
consume more raw food; boost your fiber intake; add anti-oxidant food
supplements, including vitamins C and E; cut out sugar and junk food;
eat generously of foods rich in essential fatty acids (e.g., sardines, mackerel
and sunflower seeds); reduce your bodyfat below 15%; and add moderate
aerobic work to your exercise program three times a week. Should you be
a smoker, then you must stop. Do this faithfully for six months and then
get your blood and urine tested again. You should see a big improvement in
your cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and uric acid levels, among other
markers. ere will be an accompanying big improvement in your internal
health. en maintain this new profile of health markers by sticking with
the overhauled diet and lifestyle.
The danger of self-diagnosis
22.9 Do not self-diagnose a physical sickness or deficiency. Seek professional
diagnosis, and more than one opinion if you are not satisfied with the first.
Consider the following illustration.
22.10 Someone suggested that a factor behind my “hardgainingness” could be an
underactive thyroid gland. e symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland
include a substandard synthesis of protein, which perhaps could contribute
to “hardgainingness.” First I needed to see if I really had an underactive thyroid
gland.
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