African Americans And Diet-Related Illnesses:
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Very Vegelicious Will Show You How To Prepare Delicious, Healthy Meals The State Center for Health Sta“Nutritional, or dietary factors, tistics Administration reveals these contribute substantially to the burden sobering facts: of preventable illnesses and premature deaths in the United States. Indeed, Heart disease is the leading cause dietary factors are associated with 4 of death in Washington, D.C., fol- out of the 10 leading causes of death: lowed by cancer and hypertension coronary artery disease, some types of (high blood pressure). Stroke is the cancer, stroke, and type-2 diabetes…” fourth leading cause of death; diabetes, the seventh. “Many dietary components are involved in the relationship between African Americans suffer dis- nutrition and health. A primary conproportionately from these diseases cern is consuming too much saturatcompared to Whites. For example, in ed fat and too few vegetables, fruits, 2000, the death rate from heart disease and grain products that are high in for Blacks was 346 per 100,000 com- vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates pared to 202.2 per 100,000 for Whites (starch and dietary fiber) and other that same year. substances that are important to good In DC, Blacks are more than twice health.” as likely to suffer a stroke as Whites, and adult African Americans are 1.7 The U.S. Department of Agricultimes as likely to have diabetes as ture, the Centers for Disease Control Whites. and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society, According to an excerpt from American Dietetic Association, and Healthy People 2010, (below) what you Physicians Committee for Responeat can substantially increase—or de- sible Medicine are among the many crease—your chances of suffering expert groups strongly advising peofrom these and other diseases. ple to consume a wide variety of plant
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www.veryvegelicious.com caroline@veryvegelicious.com; 301-922-6223 H-16 MAY 2012 / HEALTH, WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT
Hypertension Can Be Beat
African Americans who eat fruits and vegetables and exercise regularly can control their hypertension. By James Wright WI Staff Writer
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ne of the most prevalent diseases of our time is also one of the quietest, and yet with the proper regimen it can be controlled.
Hypertension, popularly known as high blood pressure, has no noticeable symptoms but still it is known as the “silent killer.” Left untreated, this stealth affliction can lead to a greater risk for stroke, heart attack or other types of damage to the cardiovascular system. Hypertension is a disease that plagues African Americans. “One African American dies as a result of high blood pressure every hour in this country,” said Dr. Elijah Saunders, a professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore and co-founder of the International Society of Hypertension in Blacks. “Blacks suffer from heart and kidney disease at alarmingly high rates, both of which are adversely affected by high blood pressure. In fact, blacks make up about 30 percent of those on dialysis due to kidney failure.” Saunders made his remarks in the March 10 edition of Archives of Internal Medicine. He said that blacks also develop high blood pressure at younger ages than whites and suffer more damage to their organs as a result of the disease. More than 74 million
Americans have high blood pressure, according to published reports. Approximately 90 percent of people with normal blood pressure at age 55 are at risk for developing high blood pressure as they get older. Normal blood pressure is less than 120 over 80 – often written as 120/80. Anything above 120 is a sign of trouble and a doctor should be consulted. Saunders said that the best way to fight hypertension is to encourage those who suffer from it to make lifestyle changes. He said that “this is especially true among African Americans because there is so much obesity and diabetes in the black community.” “Studies have shown that blacks who follow a diet which is rich in fruits, vegetables and fiber, have been able to successfully lose weight and control their blood pressure,” he said. Saunders said that medication is necessary but it must be prescribed by a doctor. He notes that hypertension sufferers should exercise, moderate their alcohol intake and avoid tobacco. Other healthy foods to eat include low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish and a recommended high potassium (bananas) and low-sodium intake diet. Meats should be eaten sparingly, he said. “The hope is that these recommendations will help save the lives of African Americans with high blood pressure,” he said. www.washingtoninformer.com