The Diabetes Dilemma: When Faith, Food, and Facts Collide

In a quiet Sunday afternoon, Adeola noticed something was amiss with her husband, Pastor Simeon. After 25 years of marriage, she had never seen him ill – until that day. His lips were dark, his body hot, and his eyes weary. She begged him to visit the hospital, but Pastor Simeon brushed it aside. “It’s a test of faith,” he said. “Not a sickness.”

When he finally agreed to seek help, it was too late. Within weeks, Pastor Simeon was gone. The death certificate read: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus – a preventable disease that silently claimed a life that could have been saved.

Pastor Simeon’s love for sweet drinks, salted meals, and late-night snacks was well-known – yet never questioned. Like many, he ignored the warning signs, trusting faith alone to sustain his health. In many religious communities, illness is often seen as a spiritual attack. Prayers replace checkups; fasting replaces balanced meals.

“Faith is powerful,” says Dr. Ezekiel Adeniyi, a physician and pastor, “but faith without knowledge can be fatal. The same God who heals also gave us medicine and wisdom.”

Globally, diabetes and hypertension claim millions of lives annually. The World Health Organization reports that over 500 million people live with diabetes, while hypertension affects 1 in 3 adults. These “silent killers” often show no symptoms until irreversible damage occurs.

UNDERSTANDING THE ENEMY

Diabetes Mellitus occurs when the body cannot properly regulate sugar. There are three main types: Type 1 Diabetes, genetic and often affecting children; Type 2 Diabetes, lifestyle-related and linked to poor diet, inactivity, and obesity; and Gestational Diabetes, which develops during pregnancy.

Typical warning signs include frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, weight loss, and slow-healing wounds – symptoms often ignored until it’s too late.

THE HYPERTENSION TRAP

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is when the force of blood against the arteries stays higher than normal. It’s often symptomless – hence its nickname, “the silent killer.” You can look perfectly healthy, yet your heart and arteries are under siege.

THE POWER OF LIFESTYLE

Lifestyle modification remains the cornerstone of prevention for both diabetes and hypertension. Losing just 7% of body weight, eating balanced meals, and engaging in regular exercise can reduce Type 2 diabetes risk by up to 58% and significantly lower blood pressure.

HEALING BEGINS IN THE KITCHEN

Nutritionist Mrs. Musa reminds families that health starts from the pot. “Feed your family health, not harm,” she says. Replace sugary drinks with water or fresh juices. Reduce salt, seasoning cubes, and processed foods. Use natural flavorings like ginger, garlic, and turmeric.

PRESCRIPTION FOR A HEALTHY LIFE

• Eat more vegetables and whole foods
• Exercise regularly
• Drink plenty of water
• Check your blood sugar and blood pressure regularly
• Take medications as prescribed and attend checkups

Pastor Simeon’s story is a painful reminder that faith is a gift, but prevention is obedience to the law of health. Health is not just the absence of disease; it’s the presence of wisdom to check your blood pressure. Watch your sugar. Move your body. Eat right. Live long. Your lifestyle is your loudest prayer in action.