Lifestyle Diseases... Preventable.

 Lifestyle Diseases

In September 2011, the UN called only its second high-level summit ('lifestyle' diseases or Non-Communicable Diseases) on a health issue – the first was over Aids in 2001. 

Back home, Public Health minister Beth Mugo, announced that Lifestyle diseases are now the leading cause of death in Kenya - 50 per cent of all deaths annually.

Globally, more than nine million people die before the age of 60. A quarter of 18- to 65-year-olds in Ukraine have a chronic disease, meaning the country could "lose the next generation"

Reasons being unhealthy diets (70 per cent Kenyans eat poorly), lack of physical exercise fuelled by obesity and modern trends of excessive use of alcohol and tobacco. About two million Kenyans are smokers and half of them will die of tobacco-related diseases.

The biggest killers by 55 per cent  are:

Cancer: The number one disease of civilization. Annually, about 28,500 Kenyans are diagnosed with cancer. A shocking 22,100 die from lack of treatment due to high cost. It's characterized by uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells.   The leading cancer in men is Prostate, in women, Breast cancer.

Heart Disease: Abnormalities that affect the heart muscle or its blood vessels can lead to congestive heart failure; a condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to meet the demands of the body (Stroke). In Kenyan, 20 per cent are at risk due to overweight and obesity,

Atherosclerosis: Linked to Overweight, Diabetes  and High blood pressure (37 per cent). It is the most common and most serious. Cholesterol & fats are deposited in the walls of arteries, causing them to become thick and loose elasticity. Heart attacks, chest pains and complications in blood circulation are inevitable.

Other Lifestyle diseases include Chronic Liver disorders, Kidney disorders (symptoms include blood/pus in the urine, difficult urinating).

 Best Foods

Powerhouse Leafy Greens like kale (sukuma wiki) and spinach. They are jam-packed with vitamins A, C, and K, folate, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, lutein, and fiber.

Butter nut squash: Steam, bake, stir-fry, or soup it. Lots of vitamins A, C and fiber.

Watermelon: A heavyweight in the nutrient department. About 2 cups have one-third of a day’s vitamins A and C, potassium and lycopene.

Beans: All beans are good. They’re rich in protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Toss a handful on your salad or into vegetable stews.

Salmon: The omega-3 fats in fatty fish like salmon can help reduce the risk of sudden-death heart attacks.

Broccoli: King of Vegetable Kingdom. Excellent source of antioxidants, vitamin C, folic acid, beta carotene, calcium and iron, and is very low in calories and high in fibre which has been shown to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol. Sulphorophane also stimulates the production of liver enzymes which destroy cancer-causing chemicals. Anyone eating a high-protein diet should also eat lots of broccoli. According to Dr. Bernard Jensen, broccoli is best if eaten with proteins, because the combination helps drive amino acids to the brain.

Mangoes: One cup of mango supplies 100% of a day’s vitamin C, one-third of a day’s vitamin A, blood-pressure-lowering potassium, and fiber.

Sweet potatoes: A nutritional all-star — they're loaded with carotenoids, vitamin C, potassium, manganese, vitamin B6, fiber and other nutrients. Bake or steam them.

Seeds and Nuts especially Almonds, Flaxseeds and Pumpkin seeds (recommended for mens prostate gland). They Contains loads and loads of vitamins, minerals, fibre and healthy fats. Eat the skins, which are full of flavonoids that help reduce heart disease, high blood pressure and lowering LDL cholesterol.
In addition; Move, Move, Move…. Exercise.    


               

 Worst Foods

Soft drinks, "diet" sodas (sugar and additives)

A single glass of soda contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar!!! Obesity, toothdecay and diabetes are common. Most artificial sweeteners in 'diet' drinks are linked to cancer. Instead drink water, green tea, fresh fruit juice, one coffee or cups of sugarless tea per day.

 Transfats (hydrogenated vegetable oil)  

Most refined oils are highly toxic and full of transfats.  Including margarines, most cooking oils in our supermarkets, burgers, packaged and deep fried foods (chips, doughnuts) and baked goods (biscuits, cakes, crisps). Transfats clog your arteries, raise LDL cholesterol, lower good HDL cholesterol, and increase risk of heart disease.

Processed meats (foods) like bacon
Very high in nitrites and nitrates, fat and salt. Nitrates are harmless, but can convert to nitrite, which can form nitrosamines, which are a powerful cancer causing chemical.

Pizza loaded with cheese and  processed "meat" 

Refined flour (including white breads, fat, salt, preservatives. The tomato is good but that's it.

In summary stay away from Sugar, Salt and Fat.