OK... what should you do?

First of all, if you are over 35 and have not had a blood test within last few years ... arrange one... NOW!

Get a general one, which tests for:

* Cholesterol. Both LDL and HDL * Triglycerides * Homocysteine * Lipoproteins * Liver Function * Renal Function * Plasma Glucose

If you are a man over 40 make sure you also have a PSA. (Prostate Specific Antigen) test) Hint: There is recent evidence that suggests that if you have had sex within previous 72 hours your PSA levels could be affected. Play it safe and abstain for 2 - 3 days before your test.

Irrespective of your gender ask your physician if any other tests are also recommended for you. If each test is within normal range, that's great, you can rest easy knowing that you are unlikely to be subject to any immediate health risk. You can then direct your efforts towards improving way you feel and slowing down your aging process.

If any of your tests are abnormal you will need to do something about bringing them back to within 'normal' ranges ... and possibly be subject to more tests. It is treatment of any abnormalities from these blood tests that create a potential conflict between 'Askelepians' and 'Hygeians'.

Here is an example of potential conflict

Let's say your tests show that your cholesterol is 'out of whack', your 'mainstream' physician may first propose lowering your intake of diet cholesterol. That's unlikely to be successful as ingested cholesterol only makes up a relatively small percentage of blood cholesterol.

They will next likely propose one of cholesterol lowering drugs commonly known as 'statins'. These are drugs that work by blocking an enzyme that your liver needs to manufacture cholesterol. (Up to 80% of your blood cholesterol is manufactured by your liver, NOT from ingestion of cholesterol within your diet).

These statin drugs are very powerful and have been known to cause serious side effects including deaths. In fact Bayers were recently forced to withdraw their statin drug from market place because of 'unacceptable' levels of fatalities. In spite of these risks, sales of statin drugs amount to billions of dollars per year and are commonly prescribed.

It's ironic that there are natural alternatives to these statin drugs which can assist in lowering cholesterol, and do it safely, and without side effects. But general public hears very little about them as they are not patentable and there is not financial incentive for big corporate's to promote them.

The same principle applies for many different ailments. There can be many legitimate methods of treatments. What is important is that you seek out natural alternatives and apply them before agreeing to subject yourself to negative side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.

Pharmaceutical drugs are 'blockers' whereas natural remedies are 'enablers'

Pharmaceutical drugs are 'blockers' and do not normally heal underlying ailment. They generally work by suppressing natural functions such as certain enzymes which I mentioned earlier when giving 'statin' example. Because of this process, results are often 'instant' and as such there is sometimes a place for these powerful prescription drugs in case of life threatening emergencies.

In contrast, natural products such as herbs, vitamins etc are 'enablers'. They work at correcting cause of ailment which is often a nutrient deficiency of some sort. The results are not immediate and have to be measured in weeks, or even months.

If you have a serious ailment, work with your physician to try and correct it... by first using natural remedies. If she or he is not familiar with treatment you would like to try, do some further research and get hold of supporting information so you are in a better position to discuss options intelligently. If your physician has a closed mind to natural remedies it may be wise to ask around and find another qualified physician with an open mind.

Warren Matthews is the Editor of XTEND-YOUR-LIFE, a FREE bi-monthly Newsletter who's goal is to show you how to take better care of yourself. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor by subscribing today.

Illness is UNNATURAL and can generally be avoided. The cause of almost all illness is people doing unnatural things to their body, whether it is due to environment they live in, food and liquids that they ingest, or living life of a 'couch potato'. Each person controls their own health OR illness, not their physician or their 'Health Care' provider. I am sure that you are aware that average diet is very much lacking in essential nutrients due to high level of food processing, as well as exposure to toxins such as pesticides.

The lack of these essential nutrients has been shown to 'trigger' off many ailments which can start a cascade effect and lead to serious problems in future. The lack of these nutrients can be largely overcome in most people by dietary supplementation. The problem is getting ALL nutrients into your body in correct proportion.

It is imperative that you explore your options and consider a professional supplement regimen that can provide you with essential nutrients missing from standard diet. A high quality supplement can help to prevent you from becoming an iatrogenic victim.

Warren Matthews is the Chairman of Xtend Life Natural Products, designer and manufacturer of Total Balance. Total Balance contains over 84 nutrients encased in an enteric coating, which allows you to get the maximum benefit from each ingredient. Total Balance provides the best value for your dollar of any professional health supplement and is unequivically backed by a 100% guarantee.