By Nkozi Knight
I truly thought I was healthy. My BMI is only 25, and by most accounts, I look like I I am in great shape. But something wasn’t right for weeks. I felt tired all the time, my feet tingled, and my energy levels were nowhere near what they used to be when I would workout. Something inside me told me to get checked out, and what I found was alarming:
• A1C: 7.3% → Diabetes confirmed
• LDL (“bad” cholesterol): 198 mg/dL → Very high
• Non-fasting glucose: 219 mg/dL → Dangerously high
In other words, I was walking around with a silent killer inside me, completely unaware. And I’m not alone.
Black Men and the Health Crisis No One Talks About
Black men in the United States are disproportionately affected by diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, blood clots, and amputations, a lot of it comes down to our diet, lifestyle, and neglect of medical care. Here are some statistics that speak to that point:
• Black adults are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than white adults (CDC, 2022).
• More than 40% of Black men have high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke (American Heart Association, 2023).
• Diabetes-related amputations occur nearly 3 times more often in Black patients than in white patients (JAMA, 2021).
Yet, we don’t talk about it. We recently witnessed super dad, Lavar Ball lose his foot from such complications. We brush off the fatigue, the numbness, the tingling, the headaches, the difficulty in the bedroom, and the shortness of breath as just “getting older.” But these are warning signs that something is seriously wrong.
The Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore
• Tingling or numbness in your feet → Early sign of diabetic neuropathy, which can lead to amputation if untreated.
• Extreme fatigue → Could be due to high blood sugar, poor circulation, or even heart disease.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED) → Often an early symptom of diabetes or heart disease due to damaged blood vessels.
• Blurry vision → High blood sugar can lead to diabetic retinopathy, which can cause blindness.
• Slow-healing wounds → A sign of poor circulation, increasing the risk of infections and amputations.
• Frequent urination & constant thirst → Classic symptoms of diabetes.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to see a doctor immediately.
Fast Food & High Sugar Diets Are Killing Us
Let’s be real. Our beautiful culture is built around food, and not just any food, it always fried chicken, snacks, barbecue, mac and cheese, burgers, energy drinks, and other sugar-loaded drinks. We love to eat (at least I do), and food is a part of our identity. But it’s also the reason why we’re dying younger than we should.
• The average American consumes 17 teaspoons of added sugar per day which far beyond the recommended limit of 9 teaspoons for men (American Heart Association, 2023).
• Black Americans are more likely to consume sugar-sweetened beverages, which are directly linked to diabetes and heart disease (CDC, 2022).
• Red meat and processed meats (bacon, sausage, deli meat) increase the risk of heart disease by 18% and diabetes by 12% (Harvard School of Public Health, 2023).
The Solution: Skip the Steak, Choose the Chicken
I used to be that guy….grabbing a burger and fries on the go, ordering a steak just because I could, and washing it all down with a Sprite or Old Fashioned. But after seeing my numbers, I realized I was digging my own grave, and I have too many people depending on me to check out early.
I made the switch, and I urge you to do the same:
✔ No more red meat → Choose grilled chicken, turkey, or fish instead.
✔ No more sugary drinks → Drink water, unsweetened tea, or black coffee.
✔ No more processed carbs → Swap white bread & pasta for whole grains like quinoa & brown rice.
✔ More fiber, more greens, more movement.
And most importantly, please see a doctor before it’s too late.
Your Health Is in Your Hands
Black men, we can’t afford to ignore our health any longer. We too often put our own needs aside to take care of everyone else to our own demise. Too many of us are losing limbs, suffering strokes, and dying before our time. It’s not genetics at all, it’s the choices we make every day.
If you made it this far I ask you to not wait until it’s too late. Get your bloodwork done, eat like your life depends on it (because it does), and start moving.
We all deserve longer, healthier lives but we have to take action to make that a reality. I thank God for the people in my life who encouraged me to get checked out before it was too late, because too many of us ignore the warning signs until we can’t anymore. Let’s hope the MAHA movement brings attention to this silent killer that’s taking too many of us too soon. Our health is our responsibility so let’s fight for it.
Sources:
• CDC. (2022). Diabetes Statistics in the U.S.
• American Heart Association. (2023). Heart Disease & Stroke Risk in African Americans.
• Harvard School of Public Health. (2023). The Impact of Diet on Chronic Diseases.
• JAMA. (2021). Racial Disparities in Diabetes-Related Amputations.
Nkozi Knight 