Your Health: Trace the root of your troubles; Use family tree as your

HAVE you ever wished you had a crystal ball to look into your future health?

Well, you have one already - in the shape of your family tree.

Looking at the health profiles of your relatives offers an amazing insight into what's in store for you in the years ahead.

Just knowing the medical history of your parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents helps to pinpoint weaknesses in your own genetic make-up.

Doctors and nutritionists can then use the information to advise about preventative medicine, screening and diet to safeguard your health. Katy Bland, 29, from Desborough, Northants, had always been a happy-go-lucky person before succumbing to depression three years ago. She used her family health tree (below) to help her understand why she was prone to "the blues".

The Sunday Mirror's Dr Mark Porter says: "A number of Katy's family have suffered mental health problems. But I'm more concerned that her father has diabetes, high blood pressure and signs of furred arteries. They all indicate that Katy must stop smoking and watch her weight."

Lyndel Costain, dietitian, says: "Katy's health and family health tree suggest she needs to gear her diet to reduce her risk of heart disease and diabetes, and nourish her mental health."

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