Black Women Hair Loss Diabetes Alopecia

Studies show that when it comes to minority health issues the African American community is the highest demographic to have diabetes.

According to diabetes.org the high risk is 4 times higher among black women.

The dietary practices that are deeply rooted in the black culture lead to food choices that are detrimental to the overall health of adult women and children.

Studies show that the historical shaping of food patterns leads to a lack of healthy eating habits among generations.

Home Remedies for Thin Hair

Obesity among black women can contribute to heart disease. Prevention to control the type 2 diabetes health condition would require a change of food selection.

The preparation of such foods as well as consumption is a challenge for a culture that is used to family gatherings and a history of overeating.

Growing up in a southern household I many times have sat down to eat very fatty and sugary foods in large quantities.

Home Remedies for Hair Loss

Also having family members who frequently have cookouts and buffet style meals where guests take home plates full of high calorie food as left-overs, it is no wonder that poor eating habits are learned from a young age.

It was a tradition to eat very heavy rich foods in the evening causing weight gain and health related issues of obesity and diabetes.

Breakfast foods consists of fried hash-browns and eggs, bacon, ham slices, jelly toast, grits with butter and syrup.

Dinner foods would include fried foods, meat dishes eaten on a regular basis making it hard to lose weight.

The Columbia University Medical Center team compiled a clinical research paper in regards to medical and health sciences for in patient care.

Studies conducted showed that the autoimmune diseases from alopecia areata is one of the most common causes of hair loss in 5.3 million people in the United States.

New drug treatments are planned to help with the genes known as ULPBP3 that is found in the hair follicles apparently diagnosed more in women.

The professor of dermatology and genetics leading the study confirmed that drugs are being developed to target the genes effected by the scalp hair loss.

The stress on the nervous system which is effected by too much sugar in the blood stream hinders blood circulation and causes hormonal imbalances which can lead to loss of hair regeneration and growth.

Womens Health Blood Disease Information

The national womens health information center reports how the disease that causes blood sugar levels to be too high in minority women can effect parts of the body such as the heart, kidneys, and feet.

One in 4 black women over 55 years of age has diabetes leading to complications and amputation of a toe or foot.

Other forms of diabetes include: gestational diabetes which can affect pregnant black women who are at risk of getting type 2 diabetes later in life.

Medications used to treat high blood pressure or diuretics can lead to loss of potassium which helps regulate blood circulation and hair growth.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease found in patients with a dysfunctional thyroid gland along with Type 1 diabetes where the white blood cells attack the hair follicles.

Interestingly ethnic food consumption is associated with southern cuisine which has the biggest influence on participants who come to eat large quantities of what is referred to as "soul food".

Traditional sunday dinner is usually prepared by the mother or grandmother of the household, where she spends many hours and most of the day preparing a meal for a large group of relatives.

The food itself is not bad for you but how it is prepared is what causes the health risk and leads to diabetes.

For instance fresh vegetables such as yams, collard greens, turnip, squash along with corn on the cob is healthy but once seasoned with salt, syrup, lard, margarine the vegetables become high in salt and cholesterol.

I remember eating fried okra, along with meats such as chicken, beef and pork that is broiled, deep fried or barbecued as the main dish. The drink of choice being fruit punch, Kool-aid or soda.

Served with fried potatoes, pan cornbread, hush puppies or bisquits and gravy which is made from flour and the oil drippings in the frying pan.

To top off the big meal afterwards sweet potato pie, chocolate cake and jellied filled pastry with flavored ice cream are eaten for dessert.

The high amounts of sugar consumed over a lifetime leads to heart attacks, organ damage of arteries and obesity.

Many individuals are prescribed prescription medication to help manage their type 2 diabetes symptoms.

Some of those medications are supposed to help control blood sugar levels by reducing insulin resistance in muscle and fat.

It is the decreased insulin production of the pancreas and the increased sugar production of the liver as well as the high levels of bad cholesterol that lead to dysfunctional kidneys.

Many medical professionals recommend the once daily oral prescription of ACTOS or Januvia or similar diabetes treatment medication to be used along with a proper diet and exercise program.

You can expect that there will be side effects and health risks including hair loss associated with any type of Pharmaceutical drug.

Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only, always consult your doctor before trying any type of diabetes treatment.

Check your Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Levels

Since warning signs are not always apparent it is best to consult your practicing physician to have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked.

Next eat well balanced low fat meals with a steady physical aerobic activity. It is best to limit alcohol consumption because it has a very high sugar content.

Getting your blood sugar levels checked can help you manage the disease while you lead an active lifestyle.

Genetics and family health history can be passed down from generation to generation the only way for prevention is to change your body mass index with proper food combining.

Recommendations to help decrease the health risk of poor eating habits is to eliminate salt intake and choose vegetarian dishes instead of fried foods.

Fresh fruit and vegetables along with whole grains can make a difference for better health and weight loss.

The bodies ability to produce or respond to insulin a hormone that allows blood glucose to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy is dysfunctional causing a increase of insulin secretion that stays in the blood diabetes or hyperglycemia.

When the bodies cells becomes starved for energy the high glucose levels damages the nerves, kidney, heart and blood vessels

Having high blood sugar levels requires an individual to use a monitoring kit to help regulate the blood.

Excessive thirst or the need for frequent urination, extreme fatigue and nausea is just some of the side effects experienced by those with diabetes.

If you experience shortness of breath, leg swelling or blurred vision be sure to inform your doctor right away.

Combining diet, exercise and medicine can help manage diabetes and control weight gain. Nutritional counseling and weight reduction can greatly improve symptoms.

American Diabetes Association Guidelines

Diabetics can get information on how to manage and reverse the deadly disease that affects individuals over the age of 40 known as pre-diabetics.

The ADA does research and helps patients with diagnostic tests for early detection to prevent kidney failure, amputations of limbs and blindness caused by poor eating habits found in most american diets.

Resources:

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, HHS