By Paula Bowers-Sanchez

Have you had your yearly physical yet? I know some of you had to get one for your children before school started, but you might want to go ahead and make an appointment for yourself, too. You know the saying, “Better safe than sorry.” It is better to have your blood work done and discover early if anything needs to be dealt with or if you’re OK.

One study I read found that only about one in five Americans gets a physical once a year. An annual physical is important because if there is a problem, you can catch it before it turns into something more serious. It is also a good idea to stay on top of your health because some illnesses or diseases may not exhibit symptoms early on. We women need to get in for our “well woman” exams every year. Early detection and preventive care is paramount.

Another good idea is to take a probiotic. Probiotics are the “good” or “friendly” bacteria that keep our stomachs, intestines and colons clean, happy and functioning properly. With daily life stresses, both internal and external, and toxins entering our bodies, good bacteria are depleted. When this happens, our bodies become more prone or susceptible to illness. I take a probiotic with more than five billion live cultures. I have read studies that suggest or recommend taking a supplement with at least three or more billion live organisms daily.

Another supplement I swear by is fish oils. You’ve probably heard about omegas. These fatty acids are extremely important to heart and brain health. According to the American Heart Association, these omega-3 fatty acids can help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Studies have shown that fish oils can help with brain functions and decrease the risk of stroke. They also have been shown to help boost brain memory and help with psychological conditions, such as depression and bipolar illness.

Health professionals recommend that we consume fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel) at least twice a week or take a supplement. I prefer supplements because for me, eating that much fish just isn’t convenient.

Remember, the way you treat your body when you are young will have profound effects on how your body performs when you are older.

So it is important for us to take care of this one body we are given because it is the only one we are ever going to have. We can’t go down to the dealership and trade it in for a newer, younger model.