Tag Archives: Diet

Lifestyle

Add this to your healthy- black-self diaries

You want to be more than just a pretty face…..you want to be
a healthy mind and body!

We, black & brown folks, are at the head of so many
lists. The smartest, hardest working, most beautiful
souls but, (black men) with highest increasing rate
of colorectal cancer between ages 29 – 45 (!) of all
racial groups.

What has led to this? There are many contributing
causes.Heredity plays a part for 50% of all cases.
We can’t control that. Researchers think that diet plays an important part. We can control that. See how many check marks
you score on this list of colorectal cancer favorite foods:

  • Sodas & sugary beverages
  • Red meat
  • Sandwich meats/processed meats
  • High fat intake
  • White bread
  • Alcohol
  • Sugar
  • Fast foods

Other conditions that are associated with increased risk
of colon or rectal cancer are obesity, lack of exercise &
smoking. Having a family history of colon cancer may
make you especially vulnerable even with a normal diet.
That’s why getting checked is essential if there is someone
in your lineage who has had colon or rectal cancer.

The death of actor Chadwick Boseman at age 43 has brought the increasing occurrence of colon cancer among people of color to the forefront.
Chadwick Boseman_Photo by Gage Skidmore July 23, 2016

The world was stunned when actor, Chadwick Boseman,
left the world at only 43 years old. He died from colon cancer.
His death has brought visibility to the fact that people are
getting this type of cancer earlier and earlier in life.

There are many ways to screen for this cancer, both with
tests that you can take at home and colonoscopies
performed on an outpatient basis under anesthesia.
The earlier it’s found, the easier it is to treat. In younger
people, it is showing up in more advanced stages by the
time symptoms are noticed. With a variety of home tests
available, (Check with your doctor’s office to clarify whether
and how your insurance will cover it), why not get tested
and ease your mind.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 3rd most common cancer
among both men and women. It used to be more prevalent in
adults 68 and older.

One can see alot of ways that you could fall into habits that
set you up for this cancer. For example, it is frequent that folks
with depression also complain of constipation and weight gain.
Depression can make it feel like the hardest task in the world
to put on your shoes and head out for a run or to the gym.
Succumbing to cravings for foods that are emotionally satisfying
(“comfort foods”) often results in more depressive
lows. Those subtle emotions can also trigger you to reach for
alcohol, cigarettes and whatever else makes you feel a
little better in the short run.

How can you start a change, today?

Take a long walk, watch a funny movie, eat a piece of
fruit, draw, exercise, meditate, sing, write a poem or a
“get it off your chest” letter (don’t mail it-tear it up)
to your boss or ex. Get it out of your body, so that
healthy, fresh, new food and new ideas can come in.

For more info, check out the American Cancer Society’s
recommendations.

Current News

Are black people protected from covid-19 by taking vitamin d?

…Black people with vitamin D3 levels of only 30-40 ng/ml had a 2.64 times higher risk of testing positive for COVID-19 than those with levels of 40 ng/ml or greater.*

Most physicians are testing and recommending vitamin D3 supplementation for folks who live above the Mason-Dixon line. Vitamin D has been found to be deficient in dark skinned people and to those who are not exposed to sufficient amounts of sunlight. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), the most active form of vitamin D, is created when the skin is exposed to sunlight. In the northern half of the United States and in the winter months, our bodies do not produce adequate amounts of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is important to the immune system. It protects against muscle weakness and helps to regulate the heartbeat. It aides in the prevention and treatment of breast and colon cancer, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. It is needed for normal blood clotting and to regulate thyroid function. Vitamin D helps strengthen bones and reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

It is estimated that at least 76% of Americans are deficient in vitamin D.

A recent research study at the University of Chicago Medicine found that Black people with levels of only 30 to 40 ng/ml had a 2.64 times higher risk of testing positive for COVID-19 than those with levels of 40 ng/ml or greater.*

Dr. David Meltzer, Chief of Hospital Medicine at the University of Chicago and is the lead author of the study. He became interested in investigating this after seeing an article in 2020 about the effects of vitamin D supplementation. That article noted that people randomly assigned to take vitamin D supplementation had much lower rates of viral respiratory infection than those who did not take the supplements. People with darker skin who comprise nearly half of the world’s population have vitamin D levels below 30 ng/ml.

Vitamin D3 is inexpensive and readily available at drugstores and grocery stores. Dr. Meltzer said, “Currently, the adult recommended dietary allowance for vitamin D is 600 to 800 international units (IUs) per day. The National Academy of Medicine has said that taking up to 4,000 IUs per day is safe for the vast majority of people, and risks of hypercalcemia increases at levels over 10,000 IUs per day.”

However, some cholesterol-lowering drugs , antacids, mineral oil and steroid hormones such as cortisone may interfere with absorption. Because some thiazide diuretics, such as chlorothiazide (Esidrix, HydroDIURIL, Oretic) disturb the body’s calcium/vitamin D ratio, taking over 1,000 IU daily may cause a decrease in bone mass.**

Check with your doctor.

** Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Ed., Penguin Books, 2006

*Li Y, Tong CH, Bare LA, Devlin JJ. Assessment of the Association of Vitamin D Level With SARS-CoV-2 Seropositivity Among Working-Age Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(5):e2111634. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.11634

Lifestyle

Protecting the Black Body through self-care

Covid 19 has exerted devastating losses on our communities. The vaccine has been a lifeline for many and

a source of fear and cautious speculation for many others. People don’t know what to believe since one of the

constants over the past few years has been the revelation of the extent to which lies and financial inequities

permeate our government and our healthcare systems. Our democracy is not democratic to everyone. The

system does not treat us fairly and does not assure us of the same levels of healthcare. Our decision making

has to be based on getting information from all sides, asking questions, observing what is going on around

us and getting answers that make sense.

Testing and masking are two easy things to do. So is getting the vaccine.

Don’t just wait in fear for Covid to get you. Don’t go looking for it either. This is probably not a good time

to hit the clubs. If there’s a wedding, baby shower or celebration for other reasons, celebrate small. Don’t

be nervous to set limits on who, what, when and where. Our survival will depend on our patience in being

careful.

Don’t limit your ability to protect yourself otherwise. This may be the time to check out natural ways to

protect yourself from Covid. Do your research on good multivitamins and zinc supplementation. A recent study

shows that more than 80% of patients with Covid 19 were vitamin D3 deficient. Dr. David Meltzer, Chief of Hospital

Medicine at the University of Chicago Medicine is lead author of a study showing that “having vitamin D levels

above those normally considered sufficient is associated with decreased risk of testing positive for Covid 19.

Natural D3 is inexpensive and available in most drug stores and large grocery stores. Check with your health

care practitioner in case you’re taking other medications or supplements. Your immune system is made

stronger by adequate (7 hours or more) sleep. And remember that viruses like sugar, so the less you feed

them, the better.

Lifestyle, Mind Health

How to feed your brain to make it last

Let’s face it…..every time you feed your body, you feed your brain. A well-fed brain can think clearly, make great decisions, handle stress and remember well.

A poorly-fed brain can’t remember, is impatient, is stuck in a cloud and can’t make decisions. Everything you eat affects you, so don’t you want to know which foods are best for your brain AND your body? You’ve met those people who look great but their brain is running on empty? With a
little know how and an eye for spotting fresh, home cooked, chemical-
free food, you can build your brain muscle and release the inner gunk
associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Oh, and with ADHD and
memory problems as well.

What’s really the best food?
Who knew that the best foods for you, now that you know the food pyramid misses the mark, are, u name it:  good ole greens, beans and veggies as close to fresh picked as you can get them. Organic produce is important because it is not grown with  pesticides, which  are potent cancer causers. With the widespread marketing of GMO foods (genetically-modified “Frankenfood” fruits and vegetables), it is doubly important that black folks and urban neighborhoods don’t become dumping grounds for pesticide-laden, old, poorly regulated and nutrient poor foods.

Food distributors know that they can unload lower quality foods in urban and immigrant neighborhoods. Check the expiration labels on the food products that you buy. For unpackaged foods, use your eyes and your nose. If you can smell the fish counter or the meat section from the front of the store, maybe you should go somewhere else. If you can smell
that a packaged food is rancid (old smelling), don’t use it. Packaged foods,
like nuts and crackers should be fresh.

What to look for
Now is the time to look for the stickers on fresh produce that says “Organic” or has a five digit code that begins with a number 9.  Let the manager at your local market know that you want high quality, organically grown, fresh produce. If a few people ask, they can order it for their produce section. Look for farmers markets with produce that is often picked the same day or the day before. Pay a little bit more or check out your local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) to buy a “farm-share” where you’ll get weekly deliveries of freshly harvested veggies from May to November for a lump sum payment. Check the prices of several farms but this usually averages $40 a week for the growing season for a family of four. They usually deliver to a drop off point like a church,  school or farmers market.

In the end, it’s less expensive
Fresh produce can be quickly cooked into a meal for 25% of the cost of processed, prepared foods and have four times the nutrition because it hasn’t been processed, baked, boiled, colored, preserved and sometimes, dried for packaging.

Follow health-conscious sister/brother bloggers
Vegan and healthy food bloggers, like Tracye McQuirter, will give you the details, recipes, facts and motivation for cooking up delicious, nutritious, “skintastic” and age defying meals! Join her movement to enroll Black
women in an 8 week campaign to change your life.

Also, check out The Afro-Vegan Society where Executive Director,
Brenda Sanders explains to you how your food choices can change
the black experience from one of poor health and limited opportu-
nity to one of extended longevity and boundless energy.

For Tracye’s new plan……
Mind Health

Coconut oil for alcoholism

Image

A former alcoholic who researched a solution to the unbearable cravings for alcohol that ruined his personal life, Dr. Robert Hershline, found relief from a simple, natural nutrient.

“He started taking coconut oil daily and within four days experienced the same sense of relief from symptoms that he got from alcohol.”

In his book, The Coconut Oil Miracle, he shares his insights into the conversion of medium-chain fatty acids (essential to brain function) in coconut ketones into fuel for the brain. Through the regular consumption of coconut oil, “the brain’s conditioned dependence on acetic acid and desires for alcohol can be broken”.

In a recent study review in The Well Being Journal, Bruce Fife, ND and certified nutritionist, stated that blood ketone levels can be raised to therapeutic levels by taking 5 to 6 tablespoons of coconut oil daily.  Consumed with foods, three 1 1/2 – 2 tablespoons doses could be consumed daily.

Consumers of coconut oil stress that one should look for extra virgin, cold-pressed, organic coconut oil. Try coconut oil spread with nut butter on sprouted bread or on steamed carrots, added to a smoothie or used in low temperature cooking to saute vegetables.

References

1. Hershline, R. Why Do I Drink?: The Role of Brain Metabolism, Published by Robert Hershline, Hilton Head Island, SC 2013

2. Fife, Bruce. “Coconut Ketones: A New Approach to Alcoholism“.  Well Being Journal, November/December, 2013: 9-14.