Now is a great time to think about the future, and what we can do to make it even better for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren. One of the key areas we have to work on is our health.
Did you know that one our most serious afflictions today—type 2 diabetes—hitsAfricans in the Western World particularly hard? It’s true. Here’s more, and how you can help prevent the disease, or if you already have it, reverse it with natural medicine.
Diabetes and Black Americans
According to the American Diabetes Association, Africans are 1.8 times more likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites, and almost 50 percent more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness. In fact, diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in Africans.
Women are even more at risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that women with diabetes have a shorter life expectancy than women without it, and are also more at risk for blindness from diabetes than men.
To make it worse, diabetes automatically raises your risk of cardiovascular disease—about two out of three people with diabetes die of heart disease or stroke.
A disease that affects the body’s ability to ingest and use energy (glucose) correctly, diabetes causes blood sugar levels to rise higher than normal. It may result in few symptoms at first, but over time, can lead to skin infections, glaucoma, cataracts, nerve damage, foot problems, high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, and stroke.
Why Are Africans in North America More Affected?
National health surveys show that over the past 35 years, the number of Africansdiagnosed with diabetes has increased dramatically, doubling between 1988 and 1994. Why is this happening?
You’ve probably heard of “melanin,” which is a pigment produced in the pineal gland in the brain. This pigment is responsible for skin, hair, and eye color. But did you know there are different kinds of melanin?
“Neuromelanin,” for example, is related to melanin, but acts somewhat differently in the body. A dark polymer pigment found in the brain and central nervous system, and its malfunction has been linked in some studies to Parkinson’s disease.
In fact, Melanin is a molecule found in each living organ in the human body. Glands such as the pituitary, barathary thyroid, adrenal, and thymus, all have it. It’s also abundantly present in the heart, liver, arteries, muscles, and the gastrointestinal tract. Under optimal conditions, it’sa superconductor, similar to that of a car battery. It remains charged when exposed to things such as color, sound, light, sunlight, and natural foods greatly impacted by the sunlight.
How Our Melanin Can Increase Risk of Disease
As dark-skinned people, we have more melanin moleculeson the whole, which can put us at risk, because melanin has the ability to hold onto good or bad energy. If we eat junk, melanin causes it to stick to us and increases risk of diseases like diabetes, and possibly violent primitive behaviors. If we eat healthy foods, on the other hand, the melanin hangs onto those as well, providing energy, vitality and civil behaviors.
Melanin is deranged only when it becomes toxic. Yet we are engaging in behaviors that are turning melanin against us.
Other Factors That Increase Our Risk for Diabetes
Higher-than-normal resting levels of the hormone “insulin”—which processes glucose and is out of balance in those with diabetes—has been detected in Africans. The large NHANES III study, for example, found that insulin levels were higher in Africans than in whites, indicating a greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Prevention and Management of Type 2 Diabetes
Whether or not you have diabetes, if you’re African, you can assume that you’re at risk for it. That means making changes in your life that will either help you avoid the disease entirely, or improve your management of it so you can steer clear of complications.
Try these ten tips to prevent and help cure diabetes,and celebrate your health along with your heritage!
- Replace white sugar: It’s time to change your thinking about white sugar. Imagine it as something bad for you, rather than something tasty. Processed sugar and starch destroys the melanin and carbon factor, which in turn destroys teeth, the pancreas, kidneys, liver, spleen, bones, etc. The sugar targets the melanin centers in the pancreas—an organ that typically helps us breakdown and digest carbohydrates. In fact, the pancreas is part of our “endocrine system,” which includes the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, etc. If one of these glands becomes weak, all others are affected. This throws all hormones out of whack and can cause a blood sugar imbalance.Use Stevia, raw honey, high grade Maple Syrup, or fresh raw fruits instead.
- Cut the Starch: The hard-dough bread, boiled dumpling, and fried dumpling have been in our lives for too long and we are paying for it. These carbs break down quickly in the body, spiking insulin levels and putting pressure on the pancreas. Thisthrows off blood sugar balance, increasing risk for diabetes. Starch also causes constipation, irritability, headaches, aggression, lack of energy, and insomnia. Resistant starches, on the other hand, resist breakdown, keeping blood sugar levels stabilized, yet helping you to feel full. If you still want to enjoy these foods, simply replace the flour you’re using with resistant starches like buckwheat flour, teff and quinoa.
- Eat the right fruits and vegetables:Today’s bananas are extremely high in sugar and should be avoided or limited. Choose fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, melons, cucumbers, celery, red cabbage, and most dark leafy green vegetables.
- Read labels.It’s imperative that if you aren’t already doing so, you start looking at the nutrition facts and ingredient lists on every one of your foods. The modern Western diet is full of processed foods that are high in sugar and fat and other ingredients that are connected with weight gain and diabetes. Choose whole foods in their natural state whenever possible, and limit the packaged foods you’re eating.
- Work exercise into your day. Exercise is a key staple of maintaining a healthy weight, which helps you avoid diabetes or better manage it once you have it. You don’t have to set aside two hours to go to the gym. In fact, science shows it’s better to move throughout the day. Get off the bus one stop earlier, or park your car farther out so you have to walk to your destination. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Ride your bike to work if you can, or take a weekend ride with the family. Find ways to make it fun and integral to your daily routine and get the family involved so this disease no longer travels from generation to generation.
- Learn to love water.Processed, sweetened beverages take a big toll on your health, especially if you drink more than two or three a week. They’re empty calories that lead to weight gain. Try replacing these with natural juices or a nice cold glass of water. Add lemon for a refreshing twist—it’s also great for your liver. Drink a full glass first thing in the morning—it will help satisfy your cravings and give you a better start to the day.
- Travel smart. On your commute, at the office, on the airplane—these are all places where you’re likely to make unhealthy choices. Prepare by taking healthy snacks with you. Nuts, fresh and dried fruit, cut-up veggies, roasted chickpeas, and raw or roasted seaweed are all better options than the standard chips or cookies.
- Nurture your mind and soul. Are you an emotional eater? Stress affects the body in a number of ways, and can cause us to indulge in behaviors that increase our risk of diabetes. Try deep breathing, yoga, kupigana ngumi, tai chi, a warm bath, meditation, time out with friends, and other ways of “de-stressing” to calm your nerves and help you think clearly. You’ll make healthier choices with a relaxed, calm brain!
- Add natural diabetes fighters to your life. These include the following:
- Gymnema Sylvestre is one of the most powerful herbs for blood-sugar control. It increases the activity of enzymes that help cells use glucose, and helps stimulate the production of insulin.
- Bitter melon helps the cells use glucose more effectively and blocks sugar absorption in the intestine.
- Gamma-linolenic acid aids with nerve pain associated with diabetes.
- Chromium helps to normalize blood sugar and metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
- Bilberry is rich in antioxidants called “anthocyanidins,” which help prevent damage to tiny blood vessels that result in nerve pain and retinopathy (damage to the eye’s retina).
- Chlorophyll is a natural anti-inflammatory and has shown in some research to help calm the pancreas.
- Black seed oil has been shown in a number of studies to help lower blood sugar levels.
- Vitamin D: When the sun’s energy cannot reach the melanin, it becomes less active. We have come to North America and are severely depleted of vitamin D and sun foods. Vitamin D keeps melanin clean. Good sources include mushrooms (except shitake), chlorophyll, spirulina, Premier Research Labs brand products, etc.
- Don’t wait. Your health isn’t something you should put off until tomorrow—because it may no longer be there. Use Black History Month as motivation to start making changes in your health, for yourself and those you care about. Take the first step today!
by Dr. T. Edwards (a.k.a., “Chatta”)|
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