Regular Preventive Checkups for Longevity

Regular monitoring of key clinical parameters is crucial not only for maintaining overall health but also for promoting longevity. The table below highlights important health metrics, their ideal targets, and a brief description of their relevance. Some parameters, when kept low, can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, while others are most beneficial when maintained within a specific range or increased with improved fitness. By optimizing these metrics through regular preventive checkups, lifestyle adjustments, and medical guidance, individuals can enhance both their health and longevity.

Parameter	Target	Description
Waist circumference	The Lower, the Better	Measures abdominal fat distribution, an indicator of metabolic risk.
LDL-cholesterol	The Lower, the Better	Known as “bad” cholesterol; high levels can lead to plaque buildup in arteries.
Triglycerides	The Lower, the Better	A type of fat found in the blood; elevated levels are linked to heart disease.
Hb1Ac	The Lower, the Better	Reflects average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months; used to monitor diabetes.
Insulin	The Lower, the Better	A hormone regulating blood glucose levels; imbalances can indicate diabetes or insulin resistance.
C-reative protein	The Lower, the Better	A marker of inflammation, often elevated in chronic diseases or infections.
AST, ALT	The Lower, the Better	Liver enzymes that, when elevated, can indicate liver damage or disease.
Arterial stiffness	The Lower, the Better	A measure of the elasticity of arteries, associated with cardiovascular health.
IMT carotid arteries	The Lower, the Better	Measures the thickness of the carotid artery walls, used to assess atherosclerosis risk.
BMI	Within Range	Body Mass Index; assesses body fat based on height and weight.
Glucose	Within Range	Blood sugar levels, critical for diagnosing and managing diabetes.
IGF-1	Within Range	Insulin-like growth factor, involved in growth and anabolic processes, often checked in relation to aging and metabolic health.
Hemoglobin	Within Range	A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen; low levels may indicate anemia.
TSH	Within Range	Thyroid-stimulating hormone; regulates thyroid function, affecting metabolism.
Leptin	Within Range	A hormone that regulates hunger and fat storage, often linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Vitamin D	Within Range	Essential for bone health, immune function, and calcium absorption.
Vitamin B12	Within Range	Important for nerve function, brain health, and red blood cell production.
Blood pressure	Within Range	Measures the force of blood against artery walls; high levels indicate hypertension.
Lean mass	The Higher, the better	The amount of muscle mass in the body, excluding fat.
Insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR)	The Higher, the better	A measure of how responsive the body is to insulin; lower sensitivity indicates insulin resistance.
HDL-cholesterol	The Higher, the better	Known as “good” cholesterol; helps remove excess cholesterol from arteries.
SHBG	The Higher, the better	Sex hormone-binding globulin; regulates the availability of sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen.
IGFBP-1	The Higher, the better	Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein, which modulates the effects of IGF-1.
IGFBP-2	The Higher, the better	Another binding protein for IGF, playing a role in metabolic and growth regulation.
VO2max	The Higher, the better	Maximum oxygen consumption during exercise, a key measure of cardiovascular fitness.

Source (Column 1 and 2): Fontana, L. (2020). The Path to Longevity: The Secrets to Living a Long, Happy, Healthy Life (P. 266). Hardie Grant Books.