Prickly Pear Cactus and Exercise: Natural Ways to Lower Your Risk for Diabetes

There is more wholesome nutrition in the good, green Earth than most of us know. Plants foods and old-fashioned labor have the ability to ward off diseases like diabetes. In America, it is estimated that 5.4 Million people have the disease and do not even know it, yet. Hispanic Americans have ninety percent higher risk of developing the disease than the rest of the population. For a long time, health officials have mostly chosen to chalk these high numbers up to family traits. However, the results from recent research support a different idea. They claim that processed, convenience foods and inactive lifestyles can also be blamed for causing high rates of diabetes among Hispanic populations.

In Blended Medicine, Michael Castlemen describes a related study on diabetes and the Pima Indians. A large group of the Pima Indians has migrated to Arizona from Mexico and another group currently remains in Mexico. Arizona Pima Indians lead dietary lifestyles similar to most suburban Americans. The majority has jobs in offices or work in industrial plants with laborsaving machinery. For meals, many members of the workforce choose to consume high fat, convenience foods during breaks. As a result, the diabetes rates are just as high as Hispanics in the United States of America. On the other hand, Mexican Pima Indians eat traditional foods: beans, rice, tortillas, fruits, and vegetables. The lives of Mexican Pima employees, too, are very different from those of Arizona Pima Indians. They work with traditional tools and agriculture such as hand tilling the fields and using horse-drawn plows. In comparison, the diabetes rate of Mexican Pima Indians is a staggering 84% lower than that of the Arizona Pima Indians.

In addition, plant foods within traditional Hispanic communities are proven effective for preventing and treating diabetes. Findings from the Journal of Ethnopharmacology illustrate that prickly pear cactus could be one of many remedies found in the desert Southwest. Prickly pear cactus is a spiny plant with broad leaves that bears fruits. In some Hispanic cultures of the Southwest, the leaves are chopped up and ground into a tea. This has been simulated in medical experiments with both human and animal subjects. The results indicate that diabetic symptoms are reduced when the cactus is prepared as a tea or capsules. There are many testimonies from people who regularly consume prickly pear tea and never develop signs of diabetes.

If lack of exercise and poor nutrition are one of the primary causes of diabetes in America, then the solution is easier than it seems. First, it is suggested that adults are regularly screened for diabetes once they reach 45 years of age. Every three years is the normal amount of time to have check-ups for diabetes. If you are at higher risk for diabetes (African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and pregnant women), then you should consult with your physician about having a screen done at an earlier age and with more frequency.

Next, consider using the Arizona and Mexican Pima Indians as models for dietary lifestyles. Instead of eating convenience foods at work, pack your own lunch and healthy snacks. A serving of lean meat and steamed, dark vegetables is very good for preventing diabetes. Strictly replacing at least one meal per day can slightly reduce your risk for diabetes. To reap benefits more like the Mexican Pima Indians, have a nutritionist fully evaluate your dietary lifestyle. If you do not want to use a nutritionist, a non-fad holistic health book can be helpful. Make sure a reputable agency or health practitioner authors it.
To find this kind of book, consult the reviews in health and wellness magazines using local library resources. Also, do not forget to visit natural and whole foods markets to properly prepare prickly pear tea on occasion. For cooking aficionados, consult a reputable collection of herbal formulas like the Encyclopedia of Healing Herbs and Spices as a guide. The prickly pear is readily available in the Southwest market and can usually be specially ordered beyond the desert.

PRICKLY PEAR CHUTNEY

Ingredients:

* 1/2 c. prickly pear pureed
* 1/3 c. salad oil
* 1 tsp. seasoning salt
* 1 tsp. sugar
* 3 or 4 tablespoons vinegar

Mix all together, chill and serve.