Prostate Cancer, Hysterectomy or Fibroid problems, why are they so high amongst us?

I wonder if it's just me or has anyone else noticed the high numbers of black people with prostate cancer, fibroid problems, diabetes, and high blood pressure and the number of women having hysterectomies? Is it the food, the water, the air or all three? Many times sicknesses and diseases can be traced back to food, water and air quality. I think it's important that we not only watch what we eat and drink, but also what our children, relatives and friends eat and drink. There are so many chemicals and artificial additives placed in our food and drink until its a wonder that some of us have not already grown horns, a tail and wings. I'm in the water business and one thing many of us don't know about bottle water is that most of it does not contain floride which is important in preventing tooth decay. Most water bottlers are not required to list whether the water has floride or not. Think of how the lack of floride could not only affect your teeth, but teeth in babies and small children? Many bottled waters do not contain minerals either, especially those imported into the USA. Distilled water contains absolutely nothing. While I think well water which has been tested is the best you can get, artesian or spring water contain essential minerals and nutrients too. Tap water contains chlorine which is a disinfectant used to kill bacteria in the water. If I were to ask,  how much chlorine is in your water, I doubt any would know? When you go out to eat and the waiter or waitress brings you a glass of water or a beverage they used water to make, it is from tap water, unless you specifically ask for a bottle of water that you open or is opened in front of you.  I've had the opportunity to eat many fruits and vegatables that were grown without any chemicals and only natural fertilizers. The food taste very different than it does here. As a child I can remember the big cans of lard used to fry food, only white bread, 5 pound bags of sugar which was used on everything and poured into lemonade and kool aid by the cups full. Now I use only olive oil, raw honey and agave for sweetner, and no preserved bread. What do you think is causing these illnesses to be on the rise? How have you changed your eating and drinking habits from the past? Today many of our children are being brought up on fast food and microwaves, should we be concerned? Do you think it's time to start your own little garden?

I live in the Pacific Northwest (Portland, OR metro area) and let me tell you, it's very different from where I grew up in Los Angeles.  My brother and I were just commenting a few days ago how different everything tastes up here.  Growing up, my brother wouldn't eat strawberries, he hated them.  But here, he loves them.  Most all of the foods that are sold in the NW are locally grown.  The food had FLAVOR that it doesn't have when everything is freeze dried or picked early so it can be packed and shipped.  Even the chain stores here only use locally grown fruits and veggies and even meats.  And the farmer's markets are phenomenal.......

I've always believed that things are storing up in our systems and manifesting itself later in life, or through our children.  I know that some of these diseases have always been around, but the bottom line is, things are getting worse.  I admit that my kids eat fast food but we're eating a lot healthier than we were in LA.  We all brown bag it for lunch, it not only saves money but I know my kids are eating healthier.  I pack snacks for them too, so there's less of an inclination to go out and stop at 7-11 (which is right across the street from my daughter's high school).  I use bakery bread out here.....it has flavor!  I grew up on white bread (tasteless), then switched to wheat bread (a little taste, and healthier) but now.....my kids are so spoiled, they won't eat bread from the grocery store anymore, lol, and it's about the same price (I pay $4.35 per loaf).  They are learning to eat much healthier than I am, and they are learning to be more responsible environmentally as well.

I think we do need to be more concerned about what goes into our bodies, and what's in the air and what's in the water and the soil and the grass our livestock is eating.  It was different when we didn't know better, but now that we do, we need to DO better.

I actually grow some peppers, onions and tomatoes every year... when I was younger, I had a full garden... I don't have the time to tend one and honestly not quite the same desire. I do however, buy most of my vegetables at a local farmers market not far from me... I grew up on fresh vegetables... St. Louis has a huge open air farmers market and we went every week.. I do miss Soulard's Market.... (except it was open in the winter too... and OMG, the wind would whip through there and it was already cold and freezing.... )