ReZoom

A handy guide you can print to take along on your next visit to the doctor.

Before you can figure out how to slow down your aging clock, you need to find out where it's currently set. For a quick, simple glimpse into your biological versus chronological age, click here.

I also recommend that you go to a physician who will give you a thorough, intensive examination. When there, review your complete medical history, then get a physical exam and a series of functional and anatomic diagnostic tests. You need to find out all the biomarkers of aging, which include circulating levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, antioxidant defense, blood hormone levels, cardiovascular status, vascular health cardiovascular risk factors, pulmonary status, bone health, speed of nerve conduction, body composition, musculoskeletal health, sensory responses, balance, coordination, reaction time, neuropsychological status and cognitive function.

Here's what to request:  

1. Blood pressure using office readings, home readings and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

2. Both standard and expanded cholesterol and lipid profile analysis

3. Glucose, hemoglobin A1C, insulin, C- Peptide levels and two-hour glucose tolerance test

4. Analysis of High Sensitivity C-reactive protein (HS- CRP)

5. Kidney function with serum creatinine and BUN, calculation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urinary protein and microalbumin and routine urinalysis

6. Complete blood count, serum iron, ferritin, fibrinogen, uric acid, homocysteine, liver function, electrolytes , magnesium, albumin and protein levels

7. The LP-PLA2 for stroke risk assessment, total and free PSA in men, and a CA-125 in women

8. EKG and Chest X Ray

9. Exercise treadmill and nuclear cardiac testing or cardiac MRI, CT, SPECT -MPI or PET as indicated

10. Electron beam tomography (EBT) of the heart

11. Carotid artery ultrasound and carotid IMT

12. Arterial compliance, elasticity, augmentation index and endothelial function evaluation

13. Oxidative stress and oxidative defense

14. Inflammation markers such as HS –CRP and ESR (sedimentation rate) and other newer biomarkers for cardiovascular risk assessment as indicated

15. Hormone levels, toxicity status and trace and heavy metal evaluation

16. Vascular and heart function (Computerized Arterial Pulse Wave Analysis, ECHO)

17. Brain structure and function (CT, MRI, MRA, PET)

18. Micro- and macro-nutrient analysis and nutritional status (SPECTACELL)

20. Exercise capacity, body weight and composition

21. Bone density scan (DEXA)

22. Pulmonary function testing

23. Musculoskeletal and psychoneurological testing

24. Genetic profile