Cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes; the three Caribbean killers

BY TRISHA SMITH

Just when you thought gun violence was our biggest enemy, there is and always was, a greater force that takes the lives of hundreds of our Caribbean people every day.

Although islands like Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have been proudly independent since 1962, we have never really been free of western influence. The adaptation of the western diet has been by far the most detrimental mark that has been left on the islands. With an increase in consumption of foods high in saturated fat, salt and sugar, these “killers” are responsible for approximately 66% of annual deaths in the Caribbean.

These killers I speak of are cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. In 2015, Barbados reported spending $64 million in treating diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In 2018, a report found in Jamaica said that 30,000 children between the ages of 10-19 years old have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, a precursor to heart attack and stroke. In Ontario, a study was done from 2001-2012 and reports found that the rate of diabetes doubles amongst Black women, from 6%-12%.

So, why is this happening? Well, according to some studies, Black people are more salt-sensitive than other ethnicities. This means that genetically, we are more prone to things like high blood pressure. Our ancestors never had this problem though. I feel the main reason has nothing to do with biological markers, but rather that we no longer eat like our great-grandparents did, but is it really our fault? With an increase in imported foods and fast-food chains, and a decrease in locally grown staples, our people are being aggressively influenced to choose what is more accessible to them. Here in Canada, more and more of us have adopted the western diet, with traditional foods only reserved for Sunday dinner.

Weekly consumption of red meat and processed foods, coupled with an increase in obesity, tobacco and alcohol consumption, with little to no exercise are the ingredients to a recipe for disease.

Let’s talk about stress for a moment. The one thing we all have in common and can’t seem to avoid. Stress causes inflammation in the body, damages the cells, leeches important B vitamins from the body, disrupts digestion and breaks down the body’s ability to properly deal with stress overtime. When our organs can’t handle the effects of stress anymore, the real problems begin. It is the root cause of 99% of disease in the body and is the most overlooked factor in its influence on our overall health.

So, what do we do? How can we counteract this not-so-subtle push of western eating habits and lifestyle on ourselves, and our family back home?

The first thing is to get regular check-ups with your doctor. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and even sugar can go undetected for years without the proper blood work to determine its existence. All of the above mentioned are precursors to heart attack and diabetes. They are preventable and reversible when caught early, so book that check up!

Getting active, increasing your water intake, eating more whole-fibre rich foods and incorporating dense nutrient staples like Irish-moss, Noni juice and herbs like Sorrel, Cerasee, Soursop Leaves and Guinea Hen Weed are all great to include into your diet for preventative measures.

Last but not least, stress management techniques. Dealing with what comes is not enough, that stress needs an outlet so it cannot eat you up inside, literally! This outlet can be the gym, meditation, journaling, dance, yoga or deep breathing. Smoking weed is not a healthy long-term option, but that topic will be for another article. Counselling or therapy is another beneficial way to deal with stress. Removing toxic people from your life, instilling more self-love practices and practicing forgiveness are all healthy ways to deal with stress.

In the end it’s always about acknowledging that you have a choice. You can choose what you put in your mouth, and you can choose how to deal with the stress that comes your way. The power is in the present moment, what will you choose to do?