I had my routine check-up this morning and I appear to be in quite good health. It amazes me that every time I have a check-up (which is the only reason I have gone to see a doctor for at least three years), the nurse is always amazed that I am not on any meds. The doctor, on reviewing my chart, is always a bit surprised, as well, saying that it is very rare that a person my age does not have at least one or two prescriptions (which echoes what the nurse says). My heart and lungs sound good, my blood pressure is normal, and my weight is acceptable.

When I was about to turn 65, I went to an informational meeting about Medicare. Of the 40 or 50 people there, only two or three of us did not raise our hands when the director asked how many people had prescriptions.

So, why? Why do so many 69 year old people--and younger--need medications? The nurse mentioned cholesterol and high blood pressure. My bad cholesterol is always a bit high, i.e. 105 instead of the preferred 100, and this has to be genetic as I eat no cows, pigs, eat few dairy products, and an occasional egg; if I ate those foods, I am sure my cholesterol would be much higher. I used to be consistently pre-hypertensive, but since I cut out caffeine and aspartame, my blood pressure has been normal. I weighed 161, up a few pounds, but not bad for my 5'6" frame.

I know that some people also have inherited issues that affect their health, but does that account for the seemingly vast percentage of old people with health issues?

I dunno, but when someone tells me that I look young and fit for my age, I reply that I don't look young: this is what 69 looks like. If people who are younger than I am or the same age look older, it is because they look older, and being in poor health makes most people look older.

I do know that there is no one size fits all when it comes to be healthy and that personal experiences can easily be logical fallacies. However, if I had not lost 100 pounds in my 40s, I would not be as healthy as I am now; if I continued to eat food high in cholesterol, my numbers would be sky-high; if I guzzled caffeine laden drinks, my BP would also be high. If I did not exercise, I would also not be in good health. If I had smoked, I would not have good lungs (my dad died from lung cancer--he smoked unfiltered Camels for decades).

Just sayin'.

And, of course, I could hit by a truck tomorrow and good health would be a moot point.