Yes you have six pack killer abs, but can you be sure that you're healthy? Of course, you can measure a persons health on their outside appearance; but there are other ways of measuring how healthy they are, aside from basing it on their midsection.

Weight of course, may tell if a person is healthy or not. However, weight may not be the decisive factor in the determination. Doctors use body mass index or BMI to measure or judge a persons size against weight. BMI is a calculation of kilograms/meter squared. A BMI between 18 to 25 is healthy. But someone who is very fit and muscular, could have a BMI greater than 25. This would classify them as overweight.

BMI is a useless indicator for people under 16. Instead of using the weigh and height ratio, what should be factored is a persons age and potential for growth. An example would be if a child was gaining weight too quickly for their age, or they were not gaining enough weight.

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Body shape can also be an indicator of good health. Doctors are looking at waist measurements, because apple-shaped people carry excess weight around their waist. They can be at risk of obesity-related conditions such as heart disease. Be sure to measure your waistline. If your waistline is larger than 35 inches, you may have an increased risk of health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Your waistline should be the focus of your attention, to help you avoid unhealthy eating and increase mobility or exercise.

Other health indicators involve the skin, and to take care of it, you should develop healthy habits. Freckles or moles that are odd shaped or growing, could indicate severe skin problems. Tanning or sun exposure can age the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. Use sunscreen for over exposure to the suns ultraviolet radiation, and get a dermatologist opinion about spots and moles.

As you brush your teeth, check to see if there is blood in your saliva, your gums may need attention. Bleeding gums indicate poor oral health and deficiencies in vitamin K and vitamin C. You may also have diabetes, cancer, hemophilia, periodontal disease, or thrombocytopenia, not having enough platelets to form a blood clot.

Gum disease may also be a sign of cardiovascular problems. Blood on the toothbrush or dental floss is one of the earliest and most common sign of gingivitis. Gingivitis is preventable and reversible. Your gums need to have a complete removal of plaque, which is the sticky film on teeth; improved daily oral hygiene practices, a good diet and nutritional supplements.

It is more than just bad breath that should have your concerns. Gum problems can now be linked to heart disease, clogged arteries, stroke, premature birth, and diabetes. Women who have preterm deliveries have more severe gum conditions, than mothers with normal deliveries. Generally, those with gum disease and tooth decay, are almost twice as likely to die of heart attacks, and almost three times as likely to have a stroke.

Also, take time to feel and examine your lips. If your lips are dry and chapped, it could be a signal that you are dehydrated, which is a harmful reduction in the amount of water in the body. Dehydration can cause dry mouth, dizziness, muscle cramps, rapid heart beat, rapid breathing, irritability, sleepiness, fainting, dark urine, headaches and fatigue; as well as drain the moisture from your skin, making it look old and dry. There are many ways to lose water from your body, such as sweating, tears, spitting, vomiting, urinating, using diuretics, and discharging feces.

You should also examine the condition of your fingernails. Healthy fingernails and toe nails are strong, colorless and smooth. If they are yellowing, brittle, have ridges, crumbling and having white spots, these are obvious signs that your nails are not healthy.

Nail problems can indicate viral, fungal, bacterial or yeast infection. It may also show abnormal levels of oxygen in the blood, kidney disease, thyroid disease, vitamin deficiency, or psoriasis and malnutrition.

You do not have to rely on six pack abs, biceps or lats to say something about being healthy or the health of others. There are telltale signs that you should never ignore.

By: Ru

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