While many think of the holidays as an unhealthy time, Doctor Oz says it can be a time where you learn the most about your health and can make some necessary improvements. Here's the doctor from NBC's hit show with a holiday tip for you/

Thanksgiving, like other family holidays, may mean being with people you have nothing in common with -- except your genes, and of course the desire to consume vast quantities of food. Find out if you have a close family member who developed heart disease or hardening of the arteries early in life, this means you could too. The same holds true for certain cancers. if you have two close relatives who have had either breast or ovarian cancer, you should start screening at age 25. Depression and anxiety -- chemical imbalances could also run in the family. So seek help if you experience chronic, mood related problems. armed with knowledge of your family history, you can start routine medical tests and make necessary life style changes, and beat the genetic odds.

So this year, don't ignore the relatives. learn from them instead.