When you consider that aspirin is extremely inexpensive, there is simply nothing that cheap with so many benefits.  Certainly anyone over 25 years old, without ulcers or allergy to aspirin, should take one aspirin a day

 Are you in love with a man in prison? 
Several years ago alarms went off about the surge in HIV in African-American Women.  There are many reasons for this, but when one looks at the very large population of African American males in prison, and the fact that within the prison population, HIV rates are significantly higher than in the general population, you get the picture that these inmates, once released from prison, could be a real source of HIV infection.

The systems that run the various prisons realized this and some prisons test prisoners for HIV, and Hepatitis before the inmates are released.  

Unfortunately this testing is not universal.  So ladies, when the man you love gets out of prison, please make sure he has documented proof of his HIV status.

 Diabetes Update 
Diabetes is still a common disease in the African American population and overall 16 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. 10 million of these diabetics are diagnosed and 6 million are undiagnosed.7.8% of whites, 10.8%of blacks, and 10.6% of Mexican Americans have diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body cannot metabolize sugar (glucose), and this results in damage to the very small blood vessels that go to the heart, brain, kidney and other tissues.  The complications develop slowly over time and in the population of undiagnosed diabetics often times by the time the illness is discovered heart disease or kidney problems have already started.

Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death in African American women, and the third leading cause of death in Hispanic women.  The leading cause of death in people with diabetes is heart disease.  One thing that separates the treatment of diabetes from other illnesses is that it requires a lot of work on the patients part.

Diabetics have to understand diabetic diets, take medicines regularly, and monitor their sugar levels by use of digital devices called glucometers.  This is what makes diabetes so hard to control in the population.  Most illness just require you to take a pill, if you have arthritis you take tylonol,  If you have an ulcer you take zantac, but diabetics have a lot of responsibility in taking control of their health.

Studies have shown that many minorities don't have insurance, or are on a government program such as Medicaid.  Medicaid in particular often changes patients from one clinic to another or from one Doctor to another, and it is easy for these patients to fall through the cracks of the Medical system.  It is not uncommon to get a new patient who has had diabetes for years, but they just don't have a good grasp of their illness.  Inconsistent medical care is as bad as no care in many instances.

One important development in the treatment of diabetes is the measurement of a molecule called the hemoglobinA1c, or hgA1c for short. This measurement can tell you what your sugar level have been over the last 2 months.  You want to get this number close to 6.5.If you are a diabetic keep up with the hgA1c.  If you have a relative who has diabetes check to see if they have had their hgA1c levels done lately.

 New Guidelines For Eating Fish 
Fish is a high-protein low fat food.  However industrial chemicals have been found in fish by marine biologist for years, and now the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug administration have put together some guidelines to help reduce any potential heath hazards.

The two main chemicals are mercury, and polychlorinated biphenlys (PCBS).  Pregnant women, women who are nursing, women who may become pregnant, and young children are at risk because these two chemicals can harm the developing brain or nervous system, or other key organ systems.

Fish are put in two groups.  The first group is fish caught in freshwater locally by family or friends.  They suggest one meal per week of fish about 6 ounces of cooked fish.  For children one meal is 2 ounces. For ocean fish caught by family or friends you can have 12 ounces of cooked fish for adult and 6 ounces of fish for children.  The second group is fish purchased in stores and restaurants, and for one meal per week you are allowed to eat 12 ounces of cooked fish, and children can have 6 ounces of cooked fish.

Keep in mind these guidelines are aimed at women who are pregnant, can get pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children.  These guidlines also recommend this particular population to avoid shark, swordfish ,and king mackerel.  Trimming away skin and any fat is also recommended prior to
cooking.  For the men, it might be wise to start reducing fish portions as well.  These are really new guidelines, and once again gives us us a chance to learn something new about food.