Your numbers, explained.

What does it mean when lab results are normal?

Your Labs Came Back "Normal." That Is Not the Compliment You Think It Is.

A normal result means you landed where most people land. Here is why that is a low bar, and what optimal looks like instead.

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What is biological age?

Biological Age: The Number That Does Not Care How Old You Are.

Your birthday says one number. Your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body composition say another. Here is what biological age is, and what it is not.

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At what age should you start checking cholesterol and blood pressure?

Your 30s Are When Your Numbers Start Keeping Score.

Guidelines say to start checking cholesterol and blood pressure in your 20s. Most people wait for a problem. Here is why the early numbers matter most.

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What is an ideal blood pressure?

The Ideal Blood Pressure Is Under 120/80. Make 120/80 Your Ceiling.

Under 120/80 is ideal, and 120/80 should be the most you accept, not a goal. A study of a million adults found risk already rising from 115/75.

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Why should I check my blood pressure at home?

Your Doctor Sees Your Blood Pressure Once a Year. Your Arteries See It Every Minute.

Home readings predict long-term risk better than office readings, and the American Heart Association recommends them. Here is how to do it properly.

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What is a good LDL cholesterol level?

What Should Your LDL Be? Lower Than Your Lab Report Thinks.

Most people with an LDL over 100 hear "keep an eye on it." We think every adult should aim for under 70 mg/dL, and lower still with other risk factors. Here is why.

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Why are triglycerides important?

Triglycerides: The Cholesterol Number Everyone Skips. It Is Quietly Telling on You.

Triglycerides are a window into how your body handles sugar and fat. The American Heart Association calls under 100 mg/dL optimal. Here is what the number says.

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What is a normal fasting blood sugar and HbA1c?

Your Blood Sugar Is "Fine." Two Numbers Say Whether It Really Is.

Fasting glucose is a snapshot. HbA1c is the three-month average. The American Diabetes Association publishes lines for both, and you should know where you sit on each.

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Why is body fat percentage better than BMI?

BMI Cannot Tell a Linebacker From a Couch. Body Fat Can.

BMI is a quick screen built from height and weight. It cannot see muscle. A large study found it missed more than half the people with high body fat. Here is why body fat is the better number.

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How much exercise do I need, and what kind?

Your Problem Is Not Exercise. It Is Sitting.

The guidelines say 150 minutes a week plus strength training twice a week. The research says the hours you sit matter just as much. Here is the plan that covers both.

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