Trump in 'excellent' health, physician says

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - President Donald Trump is in "excellent" overall health, his physician said Tuesday, confirming also that the president's mental health is stable.

Naval Dr. Ronny Jackson told reporters Trump insisted on having a cognitive test despite the doctor's determination it was not necessary. The tests came back normal, Jackson said.

"I have no concerns about his cognitive ability," Jackson said during a White House briefing four days after the president's first physical examination.

Questions about Trump's mental health have swirled since before he assumed office but gained traction after the publication of a book that suggested Trump's senior aides regularly question his mental well-being.

Jackson described Trump as being "very sharp" mentally and "fit for duty".

But he said he told the president he would benefit from a healthier diet and routine exercise, which will begin this year with the hopes of reducing Trump’s weight by 10 to 15 pounds (4.5 to 6.8 kilograms).

Trump is just short of being classified as obese, Jackson said.

He “would benefit from a diet that is lower in fat and carbohydrates and from a routine exercise regiment,” Jackson said. "I told the president if he had a healthier diet over the last 20 years, he might live to be 200 years old. I don’t know."

Trump currently takes a low dosage of Crestor, a cholesterol medication, which is being increased, Propecia for baldness, a daily aspirin, and a medication for rosacea, a common skin problem.

The real estate mogul turned president has a long history of refusing exercise, viewing it as a waste of time, and has not been shy about his fondness for fast food, especially McDonald's.

Still, Jackson said Trump is expected to remain in very good health for the remainder of his presidency.

"All clinical data indicates that the president is currently very healthy and that he will remain so for the duration of his presidency," Jackson said.