Topic: Preventative Care
Probiotics and African American Health: What Your Gut Bacteria Say About Your Risk
Probiotics and African American health Probiotics are everywhere, from yogurt aisles to supplement shelves. They may help digestion, and researchers are finding that the bacteria living in our gut may influence the risk of colon cancer, a disease that hits…
Vitamin C Deficiency in African Americans: Who’s Really at Risk?
Why vitamin C matters My Black patients know they should get more vitamin C, but many are not able to eat enough fruits and vegetables to get it. Vitamin C supports the immune system, helps the body absorb iron from…
Erectile Dysfunction in Black Men: Causes and Solutions
Black men have erection problems too! Erection problems, also called erectile dysfunction or ED, are common. In the landmark Massachusetts Male Aging Study, about half of men aged 40 to 70 had some degree of ED, and it became more…
Garlic and African American Health: Can It Replace Your Blood Pressure Medicine?
My African American patients are always talking about taking garlic rather than starting blood pressure or cholesterol-lowering medications. But what is the truth about the benefits of garlic? And how much should you take? Garlic does have real health benefits.…
Calcium and Prostate Cancer in Black Men: Why More Isn’t Better
Calcium and prostate cancer Black men should be cautious with calcium supplements and large amounts of dairy. Several studies have found that higher calcium intake is linked to a higher risk of advanced and aggressive prostate cancer, and the link…
Scoliosis and African Americans
Lack of Vitamin D Linked to Scoliosis Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher risk for prostate cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and a host of other health problems that are very common in the…
Benefits of Zinc for African Americans: What It Does and How Much You Need
Zinc and infections Zinc is essential for a healthy immune system and for wound healing. African Americans face higher rates of many infections, including sexually transmitted diseases, bacterial vaginosis, HIV, and diabetes-related wound infections that can lead to amputations. Zinc…
Processed Meats and African American Health: Why the Hot Dog Is Hurting Us
What is a processed meat? In the health world, people are frequently told to cut back on “processed meats.” But what are processed meats? They are meats that have been salted, cured, smoked, or fermented, or had preservatives such as…
Stronger, Healthier Nails for Black Women: What Really Helps
Black women take pride in their appearance, right down to the smallest details. Fingernails and toenails are part of that look. Many of my patients want nails that are strong and attractive, and also distinctly their own. Yet many Black…
Lung Cancer in African Americans: Who Should Get Screened and Why It Matters
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and it hits Black men especially hard. Black men are more likely than White men to develop and die from lung cancer, even though they smoke fewer…
