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IS DIABETES KILLING THE BLACK RACE?
by Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu
As we approach the largest holiday season where people will consume the most food, what should be the happiest of times, could become most dangerous for African Americans. In my best seller, Satan, I'm Taking Back My Health, I reported that diabetes is the third leading killer after heart disease and cancer among African Americans.
Historically, Black people have played diabetes off and commonly referred to this deadly disease by saying "Mama has a sugar problem." My first response would be, if you know you have a sugar problem, why do you continue to buy that five pound bag of sugar? Why do you put sugar in almost everything you eat? For many of us we have more sugar in our Kool-Aid or tea than we have Kool-Aid or tea. We have more sugar than sweet potatoes. Can you imagine a Christmas soul food dinner without sugar filled dessert? African Americans would go nuts without sugar-filled cakes, pies, donuts, pastries, and ice cream.
The problem is that our people are dying, and the rate is growing exponentially. In the past two decades, the incidence of diabetes has grown 500 percent. Two-hundred million people worldwide suffer from diabetes. It is the sixth leading killer among whites, but as mentioned previously, it ranks third among African Americans. What makes diabetes more dangerous is that half of its victims are unaware of its existence until it almost too late. Every American needs to be tested. Diabetes in its advance stage, leads to blindness, amputation, kidney failure, obesity, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and cancer. (Mama has more than a sugar problem!)
Why is diabetes increasing? In the early 1900's, Americans only consumed four pounds of sugar annually. We now consume a whopping 155 pounds of sugar! The Bible says, "We are fearfully and wonderfully made," however, the body simply cannot handle that much sugar. There are two types of diabetes: One is genetically driven (type I) while type II is a result of diet. Children who are born with diabetes suffer from a deficient pancreas that does not produce enough insulin to reduce their glucose level. Ideally, we should all be between 70-110mg. People with a glucose level between 110-180 are at low risk, 180-250 moderate risk, 250-400 high risk, and above 400 is dangerous.
Only 10 percent of diabetics are born type I, the remaining
90 percent (type II) abused their bodies with excess sugar and refined carbohydrates and
are now suffering the consequences. Historically, only two percent of children were type
II, but parents have allowed children to consume their bad diet, therefore 30 percent of
type II diabetics are children. Parents should be charged with child abuse. The warning
signs are excessive urination, thirst, and fatigue. We were wrong when we confined Mama's
problem to just sugar. In my book, Satan, I'm Taking Back My Health, I document the
consequences of the seven whites which include white flour, bread, rice, noodles, sugar,
salt, and milk. Diabetes is not just a result of consuming 155 pounds of sugar, but eating
pounds of refined carbohydrates. The most popular American foods are white bread, donuts,
cookies, pasta, crackers, and potato chips. These are all refined carbohydrates which
increase your glucose level.
There is a vicious cycle with excess glucose. The pancreas produces more insulin to
decrease glucose. Many Americans have become addicted to sugar and refined carbohydrates
and so they consume more pop, candy bars, donuts, chips, etc. Throughout the day,
Americans' sugar level fluctuates drastically. The pancreas is determined to reduce the
sugar level. Insulin stores fat which leads to obesity, high blood pressure, and strokes,
over a period of time, the body becomes insulin resistance.
In my book, I document the answer is not confined to more insulin injections. The solution lies in the elimination of those seven whites from our diets and replacing them with wheat or rye flour and bread, brown rice, and wheat noodles. If you must consume chips, choose low-fat and baked. Sugar should be replaced with 100 percent fruit juice, unrefined honey, and molasses. Less effective, but acceptable are aspartame, sorbitol, and sucralose.
In addition, in my book, I also recommend vitamins, minerals, and herbs including vitamin E, chromium, zinc, and garlic. It is unfortunate that so many diabetics, particularly African Americans don't exercise. Glucose levels decline without insulin with exercise which pulls sugar from the body. I wonder how many African American diabetics will increase their exercise regiments since they will be increasing their food consumption during the holidays?
You do not have to suffer with diabetes; give yourself the two greatest gifts during this holiday season - a good diet and exercise. You deserve it.
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