What’s your family genetic history? We all have good genes, and not-so-good genes. It’s
best to be informed and aware, so that you can make choices to have the
best, longest life possible. Knowing your genetic tendencies allows you
to choose behaviors and take action to prevent problems in later life.
Understanding your family health history can spare you from the
problems your ancestors had to endure.

Were your parents overweight? Were family members prone
to addictive behaviors? To certain diseases? Was heart disease the big
family killer, or was cancer or diabetes?
What about your grandparents on both sides? Great grandparents? Were
they overweight? Did they have circulatory problems, strokes, etc.?
If you have ancestors that had specific diseases, you can work with
your doctor
to help prevent you from getting them.

It’s also important not to have
unrealistic expectations: If you come from a line of big people, it may
be against your genes to be tiny.
Be the best you can be, for yourself, according to your ancestry. If
heart disease is in your family, shed some pounds and don’t smoke. If
cancer is prevalent, eat more vegetables, especially leafy greens and
red, yellow, and orange ones. And don’t smoke.

Most of all, thank God for your life and your health, focusing on the good genes and taking care of what your need to look after so you will have a long, healthy life.

Please tell us your family history, and what you are doing to care for yourself by posting a comment below.  Tell us what you’re thankful to God for, too.

And, if you haven’t already, follow me, drnorrischumley, on twitter.com