ME/NA ~ Changing of Lifestyles

[sarahaziz 0]

I haven't heard of any country in MENA having an average age of death starting in the 40s-- most are in the upper 60s/low 70s for men and women both. If you're looking at a demographics chart, they ALL look like that for every country-- a spike around birth for infant mortality, a decline which pools in the 20s and sometimes 30s, then a steady increaase across older 30s and 40s, until some point in the 50s, then a spike in the 60s up until past a century. This is regular human demographics across the world.

Jenn-- that is true to a certain extent. Diet can affect your dental health and so can disease. There is a correlation not between dental health in general, but enamel hypoplasias and overall health. Back when it was still OK to experiment on the "others" (whomever that would be from our nation's POV), they did an experiment on dental health and Egyptian children. In the control group, they monitored their permanent tooth formation, erruption, and composition. In the experimental group, they gave them a protien bar-- just one per day. In the control group they maintained the regular dental health with slightly delayed erruption and enamel hypoplasias. In the experimental group they found that the children had normal erruption and a complete lack of hypoplasias. Obviously, the Egyptian diet was protein deficient in that particular group of children.

Sarah-- it is likely a large combination of reasons, including environment, diet, and disease.

I disagree, probably bc I didn't elaborate what I looked through, I researched the mortality rates throughout country villages where mountains, many trees (extreme percentage of oxygen is present vs city's)

You have women living at about 70 years but the men seem to be dying extremely early. Personally speaking I have too many widows in my family now from both sides of family. My husbands family also has many widows. It's like a little pattern going throughout the villages that so many women surpass the men.

You know what I'm guessing the stress of supporting a huge family gets to the men if that's the case sometimes? Stress is a start of diseases!! I'll be extra nice to hubby.

[Nasturtium 500]

I've always heard there's a strong correlation between dental health and overall health.

Yes, specifically heart health I heard, supposedly if you floss daily it can prevent heart attacks. I wish I didn't forget so often.

That is actually a link between periodontal disease and heart issues-- blood infections can occur as well as certain diets cause PDD and it is reflective of your overall health status.

[Nasturtium 500]

I buy organic natural shampoos which dont contain sodium lauryal sulfate (sp?) and a couple of other i can't think at the top of my head, it causes cancer and hair loss.

MENA men have alot of hair loss and I don't know if that's connected to cancer or other illnesses? I'd recommend them using natural shampoo. I have one uncle who only scrubs his hair with water it's so gross but he has a full head of hair at 50 years old lol

We try to stick with organic foods (organic sugar, flour, fruits, vegetables salads, cheese, meat) as much as we can but eating outside is something we can't avoid

Hair loss is 99% genetic.

[sarahaziz 0]

In his family they tend to not see the doctor unless something is falling off and they can't tape it back on

[Nasturtium 500]

I disagree, probably bc I didn't elaborate what I looked through, I researched the mortality rates throughout country villages where mountains, many trees (extreme percentage of oxygen is present vs city's)

You have women living at about 70 years but the men seem to be dying extremely early. Personally speaking I have too many widows in my family now from both sides of family. My husbands family also has many widows. It's like a little pattern going throughout the villages that so many women surpass the men.

You know what I'm guessing the stress of supporting a huge family gets to the men if that's the case sometimes? Stress is a start of diseases!! I'll be extra nice to hubby.

If women are living into their 70s and men are dying younger, then it is NOT related to diet or an environmental factor unless you have a sex-specific diet class or specific environment the men are only entering. That would be likely related to activity which is often gender-divided.

Women outlive men across the world, often by 5 or more years on average.

Edited May 7, 2008 by julianna

[ya falaha! 0]

I'm not sure how common diabetes is overall but both my current and ex husbands have family members (both mothers and various other family members) with diabetes.

My ex's family (from Yemen) had a lot of incidents of cancer. My ex MIL, BIL and SIL all died of cancer. The BIL was only 31 when he passed (lung cancer). The SIL was in her early 40s (breast cancer). The MIL was in her late 60s (lung cancer, never smoked).

Yemenis tend to eat a lot of meat. Egyptians not as much, or at least not in my husband's family. My husband's family eats fish at least twice a week and have many meatless meals throughout the week. Meat and poultry is simply too expensive for many Egyptians to have on a daily basis.

In Egypt, my husband ate a late breakfast consisting of fuul, falafel, cheese, bread, jam, raw vegetables and tea (with lots of sugar). He would have dinner at about 6-7pm usually consisting of a protein (mostly fish), salad (lemon as a dressing), white rice (made with semnah) and another vegetable of some sort. He would also have a late snack before bed usually fruit or bread with cheese. Throughout the day he would drink a minimum of four cups of tea with at least 4 tsp of sugar per cup. Many Egyptians use lots of semnah, either veg based or animal based, in their cooking. Way more fat than your average American would use to cook with. However, their food had a lot less additives and preservatives added.

In the US, he eats less, I've noticed. Most days he skips breakfast and just has tea. He'll grab a sandwich and some chips or other snacks at work. He drinks energy drinks and eats protein bars (at least one of each per day). He'll come home after work (about 12am) and eat whatever I cook for dinner. He eats far less vegetables and fruits here than in Egypt.

Like most of everyone here I'll soon be reunited with my babe in a couple of weeks!! Can't wait

So here's something I was thinking about, I read around a bit and ME/NA death rates seriously start at around 40 years old (My grandparents also died 40's-60's) .I'm guessing because of medical care they don't go to doctors usually for "checkups" only when sick. The diets could be a problem also. So much meat!! Everyday beef/goat and also eating French bread (or other kinds) everyday with 2 meals!!

My spouse seems to only eat really small meals 2 times a day sometimes only eating 1 meal. Has anyone changed their spouses diet trying to prolong good health? What have you done or substituted without hurting his taste?

Is diabetes very common in MENA? I dunno if the high meat consumption is the whole story - the life span in Nepal is likewise very short (about 55-60) but a significant percentage of the population is vegetarian. The base diet is very healthy(dal, rice and vegetables) but if you drink a lot of chai and eat sweets maybe that is a problem. Diabetes is very common in S. Asia(my FIL was recently diagnosed with it) - there was a series of articles in the NY Times discussing diabetes in S. Asians both in the US and in S. Asia.

Maybe communicable diseases and unclean food/water are factors in MENA too? On another forum I frequent there was a doctor living in Ecuador who posted about practicing there - people are routinely treated for parasites without even testing for them because they are so prevalent. I contracted a case of Giardia last year in Nepal - I think from eating cut fruit from a street vendor. Giardia weakens you but you can go on functioning, still your body is being depleted of nutrients. Many people in developing countries have chronic Giardia infection and since they can go on working sinply take it for granted, cannot afford treatment.

[sarahaziz 0]

Has anyone taken their spouse to the doctor here in the USA? For a checkup?

[Imua 0]

I disagree, probably bc I didn't elaborate what I looked through, I researched the mortality rates throughout country villages where mountains, many trees (extreme percentage of oxygen is present vs city's)

You have women living at about 70 years but the men seem to be dying extremely early. Personally speaking I have too many widows in my family now from both sides of family. My husbands family also has many widows. It's like a little pattern going throughout the villages that so many women surpass the men.

You know what I'm guessing the stress of supporting a huge family gets to the men if that's the case sometimes? Stress is a start of diseases!! I'll be extra nice to hubby.

If women are living into their 70s and men are dying younger, then it is NOT related to diet or an environmental factor unless you have a sex-specific diet class or specific environment the men are only entering. That would be likely related to activity which is often gender-divided.

Women outlive men across the world, often by 5 or more years on average.

Maybe smoking could be a factor in why women outlive men? I know in a lot of cultures there is still a taboo against women smoking, while men smoke heavily.

Edited May 7, 2008 by Pattu Rani

[sarahaziz 0]

Gonna add him to my health insurance soon as possible

[Tunisia216 2]

Sarah you just brought up another topic that was a little bit of a misunderstanding and argument for me and DH. I said that as well.. That I want to add him to my health insurance as soon as he gets here and called the insurance company and asked what they wanted to see: marriage certificate and translation or US Spousal visa, etc - Meaning what did they want as proof we were married so I could put him on my policy and DH was like what are you going to do that for? So I explained the insurance to him and he was like ah okay it's through work that's fine - and I thought it was settled.. And then he goes - Does that cost you anything? And I explained the monthly pre tax deductions and premiums to him and he went nuts ... "You are going to pay money every week from your salary for "incase" I get sick?? What if I never get sick? What about all that money they took and I never even needed to use it or had a problem?!"

What a mess that was - He finally came around after I explained to him that if he broke something for instance and had to go get a cast, or any number of things, car accident, etc that the medical bills could be in the thousands of dollars and there is no way we could guarantee that we could pay that up front or have it to pay later, etc.

For now I'm hoping we settled it but I have a feeling it's another argument coming when he gets here and I go to send off the paperwork lol

MENA men seem to have REALLY hard heads

Gonna add him to my health insurance soon as possible

[Nasturtium 500]

Maybe smoking could be a factor in why women outlive men? I know in a lot of cultures there is still a taboo against women smoking, while men smoke heavily.

It would depend on if the women were sitting and inhaling the second-hand smoke That could be part of it though, especially in the older generations which we're watching die now.

Sarah mentioned stress which could very well be a major issue as well. Social and religious stress can be a powerful thing. In many places heavy labor is divided by gender, although not in every place around the world. Often certain activities are seperated by gender, such as women being in charge of making a certain ceremonial thing, gathering foods, or cooking, or childbirth, etc. If your gender was in charge of making some kind of drink which involved a plant which contained arsenic compounds, your gender would also likely have health issues associated with this activity. It's stuff like that which causes problems-- the same thing as your smoking example.

In Northern Jordan there has been a spike in cancer-- it seems everyone is getting it in the past 5-15 years and no one knows why.. which means an environmental issue. There is a lot of thought that this is likely due ot the 2 bombed nuclear plants a few years ago-- the one in Iraq and the one in Syria. The fallout would be in that area. Now there has been the third nuclear bombing in that general area, the second one in Syria. Prior to this, many were living into their 80s and 90s in the villages, both men and women.

Has anyone taken their spouse to the doctor here in the USA? For a checkup?

He's been to the dentist but that's it. They go all the time in Jordan. It's not a big deal. Jordan is also as good and surpasses the US in several areas of medical care.

[sarahaziz 0]

Sarah you just brought up another topic that was a little bit of a misunderstanding and argument for me and DH. I said that as well.. That I want to add him to my health insurance as soon as he gets here and called the insurance company and asked what they wanted to see: marriage certificate and translation or US Spousal visa, etc - Meaning what did they want as proof we were married so I could put him on my policy and DH was like what are you going to do that for? So I explained the insurance to him and he was like ah okay it's through work that's fine - and I thought it was settled.. And then he goes - Does that cost you anything? And I explained the monthly pre tax deductions and premiums to him and he went nuts ... "You are going to pay money every week from your salary for "incase" I get sick?? What if I never get sick? What about all that money they took and I never even needed to use it or had a problem?!"

What a mess that was - He finally came around after I explained to him that if he broke something for instance and had to go get a cast, or any number of things, car accident, etc that the medical bills could be in the thousands of dollars and there is no way we could guarantee that we could pay that up front or have it to pay later, etc.

For now I'm hoping we settled it but I have a feeling it's another argument coming when he gets here and I go to send off the paperwork lol

MENA men seem to have REALLY hard heads

Gonna add him to my health insurance soon as possible

Yeah that's the stubbornness of arab men or "dumbassness" as I tell my spouse. They love to be right about anything and everything b/c they know we've been exposed to extreme street and educational intelligence in the US. I guess they feel threatened! But I'm sure it will wear off here when they understand how everything works. Damn I'd love to only pay 30 dollars for a health visit lol We need more affordable healthcare in USA.

[RAKASA 0]

I find this surprising - then I am a label reader, bought a Korean cup-a-noodles marked 'Vegetal' and was shocked it actually had beef marrow in it.... Since then I read labels carefully.

My former roommate who did not keep serious Kosher but didn't eat pork had been eating salami from the grocery store for years without knowing what animal it comes from - she was shocked when I informed her...

Likewise a Muslim co-worker of mine did not know how much alcohol there is in Nyquil.

Whole Foods has a delicious all-beef salami!

[morocco4ever 63]

You know what I'm guessing the stress of supporting a huge family gets to the men if that's the case sometimes?

Stress for the men? I see them every night sitting at the coffee shops while the women are working their A$$e$ of preparing the dinner and watching the children. I have worked and I have been a stay at home mom. Do you really want to know which one is more stressful???

[doodlebugg 10]

You know what I'm guessing the stress of supporting a huge family gets to the men if that's the case sometimes?

Stress for the men? I see them every night sitting at the coffee shops while the women are working their A$$e$ of preparing the dinner and watching the children. I have worked and I have been a stay at home mom. Do you really want to know which one is more stressful???