Ajalah Efem Speech

Summary

Aala Eam, from the South Bronx, shares her journey with Type 2 diabetes and how traditional medical treatments failed to improve her health. After years of struggle, including multiple medications and worsening symptoms, Aala met Dr. Mariela Glant, who introduced a revolutionary approach: using food as medicine. This shift led to rapid improvements in her health, weight loss, and regained energy. Aala now enjoys a better quality of life, demonstrating the power of proper health guidance and the impact of dietary changes on chronic conditions like diabetes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Aala Eam, living in the South Bronx, initially tried conventional health advice to manage her diabetes, such as replacing animal fats with vegetable oils and switching to fruit juice instead of soda.
• 😀 Despite her efforts, Aala's health deteriorated further, leading to severe symptoms like extreme fatigue, excessive thirst, and neuropathy, prompting a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
• 😀 Her doctor prescribed multiple medications and insulin, but her health continued to decline, and she was soon using a cane and experiencing worsening asthma and nerve pain.
• 😀 Aala's mental health also suffered, leading her to fall into a depression as she blamed herself for not following the prescribed treatments perfectly.
• 😀 Aala's doctors eventually referred her to a specialist, Dr. Mariela Glant, in November 2023, who reassured her that her condition was not her fault and that there was hope for improvement.
• 😀 Dr. Glant removed all of Aala’s medications, including insulin, and introduced a new approach: using food as medicine, a diet plan specifically tailored to her health needs.
• 😀 Despite concerns from her family and even some doctors, Aala trusted Dr. Glant’s approach and soon began experiencing dramatic improvements in her health.
• 😀 Within days, Aala was able to get out of bed, and within weeks, she no longer needed her cane. She lost over 40 pounds in a few months and regained her energy and mobility.
• 😀 Aala’s transformation was not just physical; her mental and emotional state improved as well, as she felt empowered to take control of her health and future.
• 😀 Reflecting on her experience, Aala believes that all Americans should have access to the kind of health advice that helped her, emphasizing the importance of finding the right healthcare provider and the power of food to heal the body.

Q & A

What was Aala Eam's initial approach to managing her health?

Aala initially followed common health advice, such as replacing animal fat with vegetable oil, stopping soda in favor of fruit juice, switching white rice for brown, and ensuring each food group was represented on her plate. However, despite these changes, her health worsened.

How did Aala's health worsen despite her efforts to eat healthier?

After making the dietary changes, Aala began to feel sick. She experienced extreme fatigue, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and weight gain. Eventually, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and her symptoms only worsened despite following medical advice.

What medications and treatments were prescribed to Aala by her doctors?

Aala was prescribed five different medications for her diabetes and other health issues. She also saw a nutritionist, learned how to use insulin, and was referred to a bariatric surgeon for potential surgery. However, these treatments did not improve her condition.

What led to Aala's emotional and mental decline?

Aala's health continued to decline despite taking multiple medications. She faced worsening symptoms like nerve pain, asthma, and blindness, leading to depression and a sense of hopelessness. She also blamed herself for not following the doctors' orders and struggled with guilt and self-doubt.

How did Dr. Mariela Gland's approach differ from Aala's previous medical treatment?

Dr. Gland's approach was drastically different. She immediately took Aala off all her medications, including insulin, and introduced a new food plan, which she referred to as Aala's 'new medicine.' Dr. Gland also provided positive encouragement and optimism, which gave Aala a sense of hope for the first time in a long while.

What changes did Aala notice after following Dr. Gland's recommendations?

After a few days of following Dr. Gland's food plan, Aala's health improved. She was able to get out of bed, abandon her cane, and within a few months, lost over 40 pounds. She also regained her ability to play and dance, significantly improving her quality of life.

What role did food play in Aala's journey to better health?

Food played a central role in Aala's recovery. Initially, her love for food had contributed to her health decline, but it was through eating the right foods—recommended by Dr. Gland—that Aala was able to heal and regain her vitality. She even referred to the food as her 'new medicine.'

How did Aala's family react to her decision to follow Dr. Gland's approach?

Aala's family was initially very concerned and discouraged her from following Dr. Gland's unconventional advice. They felt it was a risky and foolish decision. Despite their concerns, Aala chose to trust Dr. Gland, and it ultimately led to a positive outcome.

What impact did Aala's health journey have on her outlook for the future?

Aala's health transformation gave her a renewed sense of hope and a bright outlook for the future. She now feels that she has a long life ahead of her, with the opportunity to pursue her dreams, including her goal of becoming an entrepreneur.

What message does Aala want to convey to others based on her experience?

Aala wants to emphasize the importance of getting the right advice for achieving health. She believes that all Americans should have access to the knowledge that helped her get healthy, as she was fortunate to receive it from Dr. Gland.