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?

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

I'm going to pipe in on this because my husband was a meat and rice kind of guy from a third world country. I am familiar with what you are talking about.

First of all, my husband has had regular medical and dental check-ups the last 2 years. He had never seen a dentist before coming to the US (he cussed me the first couple of times!) and only saw a doctor when really sick.
My husband has sickle cell and has been on regular medications the last 2 years.
I have attempted to lower the salt content when he cooks.
We have stuck to the same basic meats and fish he used to eat. They are fine.
I have attempted to add more fruits and vegetables to his diet. He would be happy with meat and rice at every meal.
I tried to switch from white rice to brown rice; but that didn't go over well at all.
I have gotten him to drink milk.

Too bad he is not a Rasta eating I-tal diet...

I thank God for that. I don't think I could stand the restrictions. We got all the kids (nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters) beat one day cause his mom found out we had given them Spam. She is Rasta.....who knew there was actually pork in Spam?????????

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Gonna add him to my health insurance soon as possible

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.

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

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

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.

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???

I have worked and I have been a stay at home mom. Do you really want to know which one is more stressful???

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?

no kidding!

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???

Even if it was easier on the woman, she would still feel latent stress from her husband. When a family is impoverished, it is not just the man who feels the stress. The woman (assuming she is staying home and cooking, caring for children, etc) has the stress of trying to figure out how to cut corners and cost at home and also make do with food, etc.

I agree. there are all different kinds of stress. you cant make a blanket statement that being a stay at home mom is harder or going to work is harder. I will tell you that I work during the week and I am dealing with risk and layoffs and ridiculous management and harassment even and I am VERY stressed out. then I come home and deal with my kids and I get even more stressed out. plus sports and kids events, whining, bad behavior on weekends - stressful. my husband works and has his own stresses that are unique to mine and then he comes home and helps with the kids too. i think its all how you deal with your situation and your perspective on life. lately, i have been trying not to let anything stress me too much.

Well my take on things over there... having actually gone through their hospital system when my daughter had an accident.........

My daughter{pre schooler} ran into a corner of a wall in Oran and had a huge gash in her head. You think they have invisible stitches over there or sutures? Oh hell no. They stitched her up with something resembling crochet yarn with no shot for pain and she has a frankenstein scar on her head that cannot be helped without plastic surgery. The health care is atrocious. People die at 30 years old from things that are very simple. I contracted a lung burn over there from diesel exposure and for sure if I was there I would have died January 15th. It took an American team of drs 6 ours to get my lungs working properly after a horrible chemical exposure in North Africa. There are babies born over there with spinal bifida just laying around with open sores on their back and alot of peoples idea of dental care is extraction. Even if you do not have health insurance, you can go to the health department and with a good diet and moderation you have a hell of a lot better chance of being ok in the USA. I do not know peoples pollyanna idea of health care in MENA but after having watched my preschooler toddling around with a wound ( would have been invisible here) that stuck out puss filled and face swelling,.... watching the even EXCLUSIVE clinic not have any thing for pain.. YES THIS WAS AT AN EXCLUSIVE CLINIC....there is NO WAY IN HELL I would want my kids growing up there. People die from car accidents every day over there that they would survive over here and for all of our fat eating,.. heart issues and everything else.. your health is a hell of alot better over here if you can control your mouth at the buffet...

I would not be alive had I stayed in North Africa in January. The pollution is atrocious. The health care even worse... I will not take my newborn baby back over there until he is at least 2 or 3 for fear of infection and lack of reasonable care and certainly not until I have at least 60 percent breathing capacity back... ( I was at 100 percent in December before I went...) For people to insinuate that people are more healthy there is just bullocks. Rich people maybe... poor people die of simple cancers that are very treatable here and the teeth situation.. thats a whole nother ball of wax

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

I think good medical care is really a struggle in the ME. However I will note two experiences. I miscarried in Morocco and was incredibly sick but refused to go to the doctor for all reasons previously cited. When we were there this March with our 14 month old (at the time) he was a little out of sorts, not eating, crabby etc and I wasn't there yet. So when I did get there, we took him to my SIL's pediatrician (they are pretty well off so this was a private higher end doctor I guess) (still only cost us 300dH). Well it was basic, let's say that. And the sterilization techniques leave something to be desired. After having only been to American doctor's and hospitals (including pediatricians, ER's and my giving birth) hubby was in the same level of shock as I at the difference. Guess he had forgotten. Nothing was wrong with our son, he gave him teeth gel to "break down the mucus" supposedly and help the teeth push through. And some other stuff that is supposed to make him want to eat? It worked so I dunno!

Another SIL of mine was diagnosed recently with Hep. C - with of course no talk of how this might have occured. She had been hospitalized before for lung problems, had an IV (I think it came from the needle...and wonderful sanitation) or it could have been her jerk of a husband who may be sleeping around but whatever beside the point. Now he has to go to Casa every month (they live in Marrakech) to get the medicine, bring it to the doctor's office, and she has to go there to have it administered. Not to mention the meds cost like $500 a month.... argh so frustrating!

Well everything is soooooooo "romanitic" and interesting until something really serious happens. I was completely open to living over there before my little girl had her accident and then I watched a 30 year old friend of my husband die from absolutely nothing last year... ( some small infection) The main problem I think is pollution and sanitation. Another subject that is NOT discussed is the high level of sexually transmitted disease. With prostititution on the rise in North Africa to astonishing degrees due to sexual tourism ( this is Algeria , Morocco , Tunisia ( I dont know about Libya ) and Egypt , its no wonder that aids, hepatitis and all other kinds of things are on the rise there) Safe sex in some parts of Algeria does not exist. There are brothels all over the place and when you can get laid for 6 dollars,,, well you know what the heck the guys gonna walk out with. Add to this mix Morocco, saudi sex tourism... freaky european pedophiles and gays with aids.... North Africa has a whole lot more to deal with than just frankenstein stitching. I wonder how many visas have been stopped at the medical phase for venereal disease. I can just imagine some guy trying to explain to his American wife that um.. I didnt pass my medical and heres why.. YUCK.
All I know is that over the last 2 years, I saw a huge change in the hotels and what I experienced in Algeria. This last trip to Tunisia, I literally could not walk in the lobby of either hotel in Tunisia without tripping over prostititutes. In Algeria , in December, I went out to a supposedly "classy " new years event and there were girls dressed like they were going to a pimps and ho's party complete with boas and glitter and no underwear LOVELY
Hubby has a few frankensteiny scars too...