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THE TRUTH BEHIND BLACK PEOPLE AND THEIR HEALTH.

INTRODUCTION

How healthy are Black people? The general impression is that most black people are physically strong and athletic. Do they actually live long and live strong compared to other races? It may not be headline news but I was shocked by the statistics which showed that within a year 250,000 African-Americans would have died from the 10 biggest killers of Blacks* of all ages:

Coronary heart disease, cancer, AIDS, stroke, homicide, diabetes, pneumonia, accidents, influenza and chronic pulmonary diseases such as asthma and bronchitis and infant mortality.

The purpose of this article is to increase awareness of the 10 biggest killers of black people and what one can do to avoid being part of the statistics, if at all possible. After all the Bible says, “people die from a lack of knowledge”. With this computer age and the internet I hope ignorance of one’s body and health will be a thing of the past.

Health Professionals agree that many of these threats to health can be avoided by having regular checkups and simple changes in diet and exercise.

Heart Disease 

The primary medical threat to the African American is coronary heart disease. Have you heard of the saying that fat kills? Well this silent killer is fat related as fat collects in the blood vessels of the heart that is the coronary arteries thereby reducing the overall blood flow to the heart. Excess fat or obesity and hypertension makes Black people sitting ducks for cancer and stroke. Whites people are also plagued with these three leading health threats i.e. heart disease, cancer and stroke. However by the time most blacks are diagnosed with these illnesses, they are more likely to die.

What about AIDS how prevalent is it?

For the young African-American ages 25-44 the leading threat still remains AIDS. Blacks are infected by AIDS four times more than Whites.

According to the National Centre for health statistics showed that for Blacks in their late teens to early twenties, homicide as a black on black crime is the biggest danger.

Research has shown that although the general health status in America is improving overall, the health condition of blacks is worrying.

Here are some known sobering facts:

1. Death rate of middle-aged to elderly African-Americans from coronary heart disease is 70% more than that for white women.
2. Blacks have twice as many strokes as Whites.
3. Black Men have the highest rate of prostrate cancer in the world according to the American Cancer Society.
4. Suicide is a growing threat to young African-Americans from their teens to mid-40.
5. The life expectancy of Blacks is still 6 years less than the whites’ .And the African American who lives past 70 years usually has debilitating diseases such as glaucoma, paralysis or amputation. Most of the conditions could have been avoided by watching one’s diet.

I believe a war should be declared against ignorance if health is to be maintained and major illness is to be prevented in Blacks.

Regular physical checkups and transparency with a doctor could reduce the mortality rate by diseases.

Lack of access to proper health care, long waits to see a physician and the perception of being treated disrespectfully when finally seeing a doctor all contribute towards poor Health in Blacks.

Some physicians or health care workers may be insensitive to ethnic needs and wouldcarry out the consultation swiftly , using complex jargons all these contributing to poor health and compliance with medications.

Poverty is without saying a perverse health barrier.

Education is the best cure to this social ill among Blacks. This would involve amongst other things providing information on diet and nutrition .One third of cancer deaths is caused by improper diets according to the American Cancer Society. Our bodies need balanced meals with high proportions of fruit, vegetables and fibre. Those smothered pork chops and candied yams or filed chicken may taste good, but they, make you a magnet for health risks, including heart disease and obesity.

Black America is fat and overweight. Statistics show that more than a quarter of African-American men and women are overweight. Losing those extra pounds can take Blacks out of the high-risk group for health problems like diabetes, heart disease and stroke .

Soul food is part of the African-American culture which loaded with fat and high-salt .The aim now should be to make food that still tastes as good without the excess fat.”

Exercise

African-Americans also need to start exercising. The American Heart Association reports that, in terms of working out, Black women are the least active among all ethnic groups, and Black men aren’t far behind .

Along with establishing a balanced diet and a regular exercise regimen. Blacks (and other groups) should stop smoking, refrain from unprotected sex, drink in moderation and stay away from drugs. But the earlier one start to make changes, the better chances for a longer life.

Spirituality and self-esteem can go a long way toward boosting resistance to disease .It encourages us to love ourselves and others enough to lead healthy lives and can help combat suicide by reaching out to young people .

Health workers can raise consciousness about how to prevent major health problems by taking messages to the church and schools.

Medical providers can to give equal access to health care through reliable transportation and affordable insurance to the poor.

Dr. Daniels and other medical experts say we hold the key to good health in our hands because much of our fate depends on the decisions we make. “What I see in my office are problems acquired by poor choices,” Dr. Daniels says. “If my patients followed [simple guidelines], two out of every three health problems I see would disappear.”

The leading health problems mentioned in this story were taken from a 1995 study from the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the Top 10 killers of Blacks of all ages.

PROBLEM RISK FACTORS

HEART DISEASE Obesity, high blood

pressure, high-fat

diets, smoking

CANCER Smoking, obesity,

high-fat diets, alcohol

consumption, family

, environment

STROKE Obesity, high blood

pressure, high-fat

Diets

AIDS Unprotected sex,

intravenous drug use

ACCIDENTS N/A

HOMICIDE N/A

DIABETES Obesity, stress, family

History of the Disease

PNEUMONIA Smoking, alcohol consumption

AND INFLUENZA people with diabetes, cancer, AIDS

ASTHMA AND Smoking, unclean

BRONCHITIS conditions, poverty

INFANT MORTALITY Lack of prenatal care

poverty

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

HEART DISEASE Heart disease is caused primarily by fatty

deposits that collect in the coronary

arteries and reduce the flow of blood to

the heart.

CANCER Cancer is a group of diseases character-

ized by the growth or spread of abnormal cells.

STROKE Stroke is caused by ruptured blood vessels

in the brain or when blood clots block an

artery to the brain.

AIDS Results when the human immunodeficiency

virus (HIV) infects the body’s white blood

cells. The AIDS virus can then invade the

cells and the weakened immune system is

susceptible to diseases that range from

pneumonia to sarcoma, a type of cancer.

ACCIDENTS N/A

HOMICIDE N/A

DIABETES Diabetes primarily results when the body

cannot process sugar normally and glucose

builds up in the blood. The condition is

also evident when the kidneys eliminate

too much water through urine.

PNEUMONIA Respiratory diseases that are character-

AND INFLUENZA ized by bacteria invading the lungs and

weakening defense mechanisms.

ASTHMA AND Asthma occurs when bronchial tubes in the

BRONCHITIS lungs are blocked by spasms or mucus.

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucus

linings in the lungs.

INFANT MORTALITY Measure of the number of infants who die

Before their first birthday.

PROBLEM TREATMENT

HEART DISEASE Treatment includes surgery,

aspirin therapy and angioplasty.

CANCER Treatment varies with the type

and stage of cancer, but can

include chemotherapy, surgery

and radiation.

STROKE Treatment can include

speech and physical therapy

and prescription drugs.

AIDS Treatment includes drugs such

as AZT (zidovudine) that inhibit

the production of HIV.

ACCIDENTS N/A

HOMICIDE N/A

DIABETES Diabetes can be treated with

insulin injections, and in some

cases changes in diet, exercise

and oral medications.

PNEUMONIA Treatment includes bed

AND INFLUENZA rest, antiviral drugs, antibiotics

ASTHMA AND Prescription drugs

BRONCHITIS

INFANT MORTALITY Prevention includes prenatal

care, immunization, proper

food and shelter.

Dr Jackie Akande

Reference:

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Todays quote: " To understand just one life, you have to swallow the world." Well i wont open the doors nor the windows to my world, but I'm ready to allow peep-holes!

Top 10 Signs That You’re Dating a Borderline Personality

How many times have you met a man who by all intents and purposes seems like your perfect match? It’s love at first sight as you fall head over heels for him, only to realize later that he was the Devil’s spawn?

This is happening more and more frequently as upwardly mobile, successful single ladies sacrifice starting a family to focus on their careers instead. By the time a successful, independent sista in her mid 30s decides to settle down with a man and start a family, she finds the pickings are very slim.

Among the down low men, the cheaters, the con artists and the play boys, there is a more sinister man lurking: the Sociopath.

You’re probably thinking you can spot a psycho from a mile away, but you’re wrong. These sociopath/borderline personalities are the dudes you see up in the clubs who look like walking Billboards. They’re fine, suave, debonair, charming, and one look from them can melt your panties off.

But before you give him your number (or your panties); ask yourself: why is he single? Often times these men are sociopaths on the hunt for prey: and you are their perfect victim. They’re not looking for a relationship, and they will tell you that right off the bat. So please listen to them.

I found the following tips on how to spot a Sociopath/Borderline personality on another blog. Ladies, study these tips so you don’t fall victim to a sociopath who destroys you mentally and financially.

How to Know When You’re Dating a Psychopath

1. Charisma and charm — He’s a smooth talker, always has an answer, he’s quick witted and never misses a beat. He seems to be very exciting. If he’s too good to be true, it’s because he is!

2. Enormous ego — He acts like the smartest, richest or most successful man in the club. He wears expensive clothes, shoes and jewelry (all bought by his last victim). He is handsome and charming and he knows it. He will brag on himself and often parties with his “boys” who back up his lies.

Read more…

Daily Uplift:

1)SURROUND yourself with ppl who have your BEST INTEREST in mind. Life is too short to put up with fools


2) Sometimes our fear gets in the way of really loving someone. Sometimes we close Love out by being afraid of its Light.


3) Detach a little & see who they really are instead of who you fantasize them to be


4) Instead of expecting the ppl you love to be perfect, accept that they are perfectly imperfect






Losing Weight

(WeeklyHealthNews) - Losing weight often feels like an impossible challenge. We have evaluted numerous fad diets over the years. All too frequently their results are just shy of painfully disappointing. The reason for why most diets fail, in our opinion, is that they impose unrealistic restrictions on how you live your life. Some advocate eating tons of protein others emphasize carbohydrates. In either case, you're left with having to make rather drastic changes to the types of food you eat and when you eat it. In this special report, we take an in-depth look at an emerging and promising weight loss trend that we believe is a game changer, and it won't break the bank.

You may have heard of the enormously popular Acai berry in the news. It's a completely organic berry found deep in the Amazon rainforest of South America. Alone the Acai berry offers many benefits primarily due to its high anti-oxidant content. Combine it with a powerful colon cleanser, and you've created a fat burning machine. If you're skeptical, you're not alone. When we first learned about this weightloss combo, our diet fad radar went off right away.  Nevertheless, as we began to investigate the countless success stories reported by people from all around the globe, we decided that this weight loss trend was worthy of a closer examination. Moreover, we found it of particular interest that these people had not significantly changed their current lifestyles. Ella Regan from , was reported to have lost 46 pounds in 3 months while being on the Acai Max Cleanse and Colon Cleanse combo diet. In the story on her blog she states, "I couldn't believe how easy it was. I didn't change my diet or my daily routine, but the fat melted off like it butter. I love this stuff! Finally a diet that just works."

For the Weekly Health News test, it was inevitable that I was to be the guinea pig for this diet since I was about to get married. I wanted to lose 10 pounds for my wedding. In order to try the Acai Berry and colon cleanse diet, I ordered two products. First, I got a FREE TRIAL of Acai Max Cleanse. Although there are many Acai berry offers available, I chose Acai Max Cleanse, since they are one of the most credible and trustworthy suppliers on the market. The Free Trial bottle of Acai Max Cleanse was delivered in a few days from ordering and with surprisingly inexpensive shipping. Acai Max Cleanse is one of the most concentrated and purest acai products on the market. It was our shared opinion that this would give me the most accurate results for my test.

Here is what Acai Max Cleanse claimed on their website: 4 Times More Weight Loss Than Diet and Exercise Boosts Energy Rich in Antioxidants Promotes Cardiovascular and Digestive Health Although we were pretty skeptical, we wanted to find out for ourselves if this product could actually do everything that it claimed. Most of the success stories talk about combining Acai berry with a colon cleansing products to achieve maximum weight loss. The idea behind combining the products is that while the Acai Berry encourages weight loss and increases energy; the colon cleanse helps rid your body of toxins and allows your body to work and burn calories more efficiently. I chose Colon Cleanse to test. Here is what Colon Cleanse claimed on their website: Helps Eliminate Bad Toxins That Have Built Up Over the Years Removes ‘Sludge‘ From the Walls of the Colon Helps Get Rid of Gas and Bloating Helps Regulate the Metabolism The Colon Cleanse product like Acai Max Cleanse offers a free trial backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Putting the Acai Max Cleanse and Colon Cleanse to the Test Both the Acai Max Cleanse and Colon Cleanse arrived within 4 days of having placed my order online for the free trials. The bottles I received contained a month worth of highly concentrated pills, which worked out perfectly as I was to follow the supplement routine for 4 weeks time and document my progress. The Test: A Four-Week Combo Diet Using Acai Max Cleanse and Colon Cleanse Take one Acai Max Cleanse pill per day (in the morning) Take one Colon Cleanse pill per day (in the evening)

Dieting tips!!!!!

Can’t stick to your diet? Here are 10 tips to keep you on the path to slim. They may seem nutty, but they’ve been road-tested. Plus, how calorie savvy are you? Find out with our quiz…

Tip # 1: Try the Toothpaste Diet
You don’t have to suck down tubes of toothpaste, but that minty fresh taste can help you stick to your diet.

If portion control is your dieting downfall and you can’t resist your favorite goodies, brush your teeth with mint-flavored toothpaste.

It’ll tell your brain the meal’s over. If you’re tempted to take another bite, you’ll quickly find out that most food doesn't taste good with a mouth full of cool mint flavor. Plus, the slick feeling of clean teeth is enough to keep most people from wanting to chow down more.

Your dentist will thank you, too, because brushing your teeth after meals is good dental hygiene.

If you don't have a toothbrush and toothpaste on hand every time you eat, or if you feel a snack attack coming on, reach for sugarless mint gum instead.

Tip #2: Get Grossed Out
Can’t put your fork down, even when you’re full? Get grossed out! Make the food left on your plate look unappetizing. Some the following tricks may seem silly, but they’ve worked for lots of successful losers:

1. Put silverware handles into the food on your plate. You won’t want to pick up grimy utensils to take another bite.

2. Wad up your used napkin, and toss it on top of the food.

3. Buy a fake 5-pound glob of fat, and put it on the top shelf of the refrigerator or cupboard. You’ll take one look at it, glance at your thighs and think: “I definitely don’t want that cheesecake now.”

4. Put a picture of yourself at your heaviest on the refrigerator as a reminder of why you’re watching calories.

Tip #3: Purge to Avoid the Binge
This is one time purging is good for you. If you really want to stick to a diet, clear your cupboards, fridge, freezer and pantry of foods too tempting to ignore.

Once you’ve purged your home of naughty nibbles, stock up on healthy items you can turn to when the urge to munch hits.

Buy fresh fruit and vegetableseach week, and fill your pantry every month with dried fruit, nuts, no-sugar-added applesauce, turkey jerky and other healthy snacks.

Having the right foods on hand and the wrong ones out of reach is the perfect formula for long-term dieting success.

Tip # 4: Eat Cake
If you love to bake, you probably have a hard time steering clear of the goodies you make.

But you don’t have give up baking; just do it smarter. Most recipes can be made healthier with low-cal substitutes. For example, use egg whites instead of whole eggs or whole-wheat flour instead of bleached.

Another tasty way to slim down recipes for muffins, cakes, cupcakes and cookies is to substitute equal parts applesauce for the oil or butter.

For every tablespoon of applesauce, you’ll save almost 100 calories and 14 grams of fat. The best part is you won’t even taste the difference. Just make sure to use a smooth no-sugar-added applesauce to reduce calories and avoid mysterious chunks in your cupcakes.

Tip #5: Squeeze into Skinny Jeans
What’s the first thing you do when your clothes feel too tight? You put on a big baggy sweatshirt and pants. They’re comfortable... actually, a little too comfy.

Next time you gain a few pounds, squeeze into your skinny clothes instead. Wearing too-tight clothes to dinner will remind you which foods to eat and how much. Try these clothing tips:


Instead of unbuttoning your pants at the end of a large meal, buckle your belt one notch tighter before you start eating. It may stop you from overindulging.

Squeeze into your favorite skinny jeans, and let your tummy bulge over the top when you’re lounging at home and tempted to snack through a Saturday night movie.

If you’re uncomfortable wearing tight clothing in public, cover up with a loose jacket. That way you alone will know why you’re eating a salad instead of a cheeseburger.

Tip #6: Tell a Joke for Better Abs
Knock, knock. Even if the punch line isn’t funny, laugh anyway. It’s great for your heart and abs. Laughing contracts abdominal muscles, builds them up and shapes your six-pack.

Researchers also say happy people make healthier diet and lifestyle choices and avoid bad habits like smoking.

Laughter also prolongs your life. It increases blood circulation by more than 20% and prevents hardening of the arteries, say University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers. They recommend a minimum of 15 minutes of laughter daily.

So go ahead and ask your friends or co-workers if they’ve heard the one about the lawyer and the pit bull.

Tip #7: Fidget Yourself Thin
Ever wonder why some people don’t gain weight, even though they never watch what they eat? It may because they can’t sit still. Fidgeting increases daily calorie expenditure and prevents weight gain.

Sound too good to be true?

Not according to Mayo Clinic researchers. They placed motion-sensing devices in the underwear of 10 normal-weight and 10 obese adults to monitor their daily movements and to see if the amount of calories fidgety people burn each day account for their ability to stay slim.

The results? The obese group spent an average of two more hours sitting still than the normal-weight people, who burned an extra 350 calories per person per day.

So what are you waiting for? If you’re sitting still, get moving and fidget yourself thin!

Tip #8: Buy New Dishware
Are you a chronic overeater? Then buy new dishware. Downsize your plate, and you’ll downsize your waist.

As our waistlines have grown in the last 20 years, so have plate sizes. Dinner plates once were about 10 inches across; now they’re 12 inches or more. So what? Those two inches increase your portions.

If you eyeball portions, they seem a lot smaller on a larger plate because your perception is distorted. If you served pasta on a 12-inch plate, you’d serve a lot more than on a 10-inch plate.

What looks like a hearty amount of pasta on a small plate will look measly on a larger one.

So take your tape measure shopping, and buy smaller-sized plates.

If you’re not ready to ditch your dishes, serve meals on salad or bread plates or in a small bowl, especially when you’re eating treats like ice cream.

Tip #9: The Couch Potato Workout
TV can easily get in the way of your weight-loss goals. You didn’t go for a run Wednesday night because "So You Think You Can Dance" was on? You missed out on a hike with your friends because you watched the big game instead?

If watching TV is an addiction, exercise some self-discipline and cut down. How much is too much? A healthy adult watches no more than 1-2 hours of TV a day.

For shows you just can’t miss, make TV time work for you. Use TV downtime to your advantage. Complete 10 push-ups and 20 sit-ups during every commercial break, or try jump roping.

With five, 5-minute breaks during a one-hour TV show, you can get a 25-minute workout in without driving to the gym. Watch two hours and you’ll have almost an hour of exercise!

Tip #10: Drink Cheap
Water’s one of the healthiest drinks, but here’s another reason you should have more of it: It’s free!

Have you ever been shocked at the restaurant bill? It’s not the food that’s sinking your budget. It’s the iced tea, soda or alcoholic drinks. You can easily trim at least $5 off your check by choosing water.

You’ll save on liquid calories too. A 12-ounce soda has around 150 calories; alcoholic drinks run 170 calories for a glass of wine to more than 300 calories for some mixed drinks. Water? Zero.

If you don’t like plain water, add some zest. Squeeze lemon or lime wedges into it for a refreshing twist.

You can also experiment with other flavors; try adding peppermint extract or fresh mint leaves to cool water, or drink hot water with honey and lemon.

How Calorie-Conscious Are You?
Calorie-counting can be tedious, but gaining a basic knowledge of which foods will send you into a diet trap is easy. Find out how savvy you are with this calorie quiz.

I love to Meditate, especially right now since my life is kinda crazy right now. It give me energy and focus. Your eyes are the gateway to your soul....
If you are new to meditating I will post some videos. Honestly try it, make it a lifestyle choice. You'd be amazed what meditating can do for you.....



This is one of the videos/music I use. Just click play and work on your posture and breathing. Close your eyes and relax. Feed your soul and spirit with relaxation... You are worth it!





Yoga or Pilates: Which Is Right for You?




Madonna credits her hard body to yoga; Jennifer Aniston owes her lean muscles to Pilates. A-listers seem to know which discipline is right for their bodies, but do you? To help you pick the perfect exercise, we rounded up a Pilates instructor, a yoga teacher and a neutral third party for a side-by-side comparison…

The Mentality

Yoga
This discipline has an Eastern-based philosophy.

“Yoga is a journey of self-discovery,” says Leigh Crews, a registered yoga teacher (RYT) and spokesperson for the American College of Sports Medicine(ACSM) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE).

The mind, not the body, is the main target. Yoga teaches relaxation and meditation, and not just in the studio.

“[What students learn in class] transfers into the rest of their lives too,” Crews explains. “Instead of laying on the horn when they get cut off on the freeway, they practice yoga breathing and remain calm.”

And during the yoga session itself? Students fall into a meditative, peaceful state of mind.

But if you’re not into meditation, should you try yoga anyway? Absolutely, Crews says.

“There are eight [parts] of yoga, and spirituality is only one of them. Many Western classes tend to focus more on breathing and movement.”

Pilates
Pilates is more concerned with strengthening the body than the mind. But it still requires the mind to be engaged – no auto-pilot here. Movements are deliberate and focused.

“Pilates is also called ‘contrology,’” says June Kahn, owner of June Kahn’s Bodyworks, LLC, and director of Pilates for Lakeshore Athletic Clubs in Boulder, CO. “It’s using the mind to control the muscle.”

Verdict
“Both exercises have a mind-body connection,” says Edward Jackowski, Ph.D., founder of the New York City-based fitness company Exude and author of Escape Your Shape: How to Work Out Smarter, Not Harder (Fireside).

The difference?

“Yoga focuses more on meditation, whereas in Pilates the goal is to get your mind into the spot where it can control the motions.”

The Movements

Yoga
Most poses are static, meaning that they’re held for a long period. They’re not counted in seconds, but rather, in breaths. Often, you move deeper into the pose with each breath you take.

Pilates
There are two types of Pilates.

Floor-based Pilates takes place on a mat on the ground, using elastic bands and the Pilates magic circle (exercise ring) to build strength and add resistance.

In machine-based Pilates, you use two machines, called the Cadillac and Reformer, which are a system of springs and pulleys that add weight and resistance.

In both types, exercises are performed in sets and repetitions. While you do hold some moves for a certain number of breaths, as with yoga, in Pilates you remain in regular motion for the majority of the class.

Verdict
“People gravitate to things they are already good at,” Jackowski says. “Those with flexibility are more apt to choose yoga, while those who are stronger gravitate toward Pilates.” However, he recommends you pick the type of exercise that will most benefit your body.

The Physical Benefits

Yoga
Yoga keeps the body supple, pliable and flexible, which helps you perform daily movements better.

“Yoga is functional training,” Crews explains. “It requires lots of different muscles to work together, training them to perform in the way we use them in everyday life.” (Compare this to isolation exercises such as biceps curls, which work only one muscle at a time.)

Athletes can also benefit from yoga.

“With any sport, you tend to overwork one muscle group over another,” Crews says. “Yoga will pinpoint this imbalance, forcing the weak muscle to work harder and forcing the tighter muscle to stretch.”

Pilates
“Every Pilates exercise combines flexibility and strength,” Kahn says.

Pilates emphasizes your core, or “powerhouse” muscles, which run in a circle around your lower back and abdomen. Whether you’re doing abdominal work, leg lifts or upper body exercises, all movement originates from the core in Pilates.

“[A strong core] allows you to have more power and improved performance in sports,” Khan explains. “You’re better able to power and propel yourself through movements.”

Dancers have known this for years.

“Ballerinas flow beautifully through their movements. They look like they’re floating,” Kahn says.

Watch an experienced Pilates practitioner, and you’ll notice the apparent ease of her movements. But don’t be fooled – it only looks effortless. Moving through the progressions is challenging and requires a lot of strength.

Verdict
In general, yoga is the best choice if you want to increase range of motion and overall flexibility, Jackowski says.

“If you have a weak back or core section, pick Pilates.”