A Healthier You Begins with YOU

We have been advised to embrace taking our health and wellness serious for quite a while. Taking heed to this advice has never been so dire.

Now that COVID-19 is upon us, it really is a matter of life and death. Compared to other ethnic groups, African Americans have a higher percentage of underlying conditions which makes recovering from COVID much more difficult.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7286828/

Many have a condition referred to Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, a stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

Source:(https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351916

Having one of these conditions does not mean you have metabolic syndrome, but often times, these conditions go hand in hand. The leading factor is being overweight or obese which can lead to the cluster of conditions that make up metabolic syndrome. You should take an active part to make sure you avoid this. Focus on three plans of action; Get physical, eat heart healthy foods and lose weight.

Source: https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/heart-and-cardiovascular-health/3-steps-to-help-combat-metabolic-syndrome

Engage in physical activity (light, medium and heavy). Progress the intensity as your body tolerates. Walking is the activity that is most readily available. Thirty minutes a day, most days is what the experts recommend.

Eat a higher percentage of plant based whole foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains and minimal or no dairy), lean meats (chicken, turkey, fish, beef, game) and unsaturated fats (canola/olive oil). Avoid foods (processed) with added sugar, salt, unsaturated fat and trans fats.

Losing weight can significantly improve your health and conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol.

It has never been so important to take charge of your health and people under your care. Do not make wholesale or drastic changes early as they may be hard to stick with. Play the long game and make it become your lifestyle. Start with a little and work your way up. Your life depends on it.