PRIVACY WAR - "GUIDE TO PRIVACY PROTECTION"

 

                                

                                                                STOP PRESS.
NEEDS for  Personal Privacy:
You don't know how closely you are being watched or how easily your life could be destroyed in this Privacy War. Lives are being stolen in Identity Thefts.

HOW can you protect yourself and your loved ones from Personal Identity thieves? Brian Mills has the SOLUTION. Find these novel solutions all in his Product: "Privacy War - Guide to Privacy Protection" from Nosy thieves and various other Information Grabbers that can put you at risk. This is A Must Have guide that is guaranteed to help protect you and your loved ones from privacy thieves, Much more this guide will help you live anonymously. To know more about this product, Click Here!.                  

‘Clean mouth protects from heart attack’ - Nigerian Tribune

• Written by 
• Thursday, 26 September 2013 

 

Dental problems such as tooth loss and infected gums are on the rise in Nigeria and its consequences are tremendous. Unfortunately, so many of these dental problems can be prevented. Dr Sunny Okeigbemen, Chairman, Nigerian Dental Association, Edo state Chapter, in this interview with Sade Oguntola, explains the importance of a clean mouth from childhood and how implementation of the National Oral Health Policy will contribute to healthy teeth. How serious is the problem of tooth loss, as its incidence is on the rise in Nigeria and does the problem cut across all age groups?
Tooth loss is loss of teeth and it mainly affects the middle age and elderly people. It is hardly seen in children, except with those with conditions such as juvenile peridontitis. We do not have a national study to give a national picture of whether cases of tooth loss are on the rise or not. But if you look at the causes of tooth loss like dental caries, periodontal disease and trauma, if these cases are on the rise you will expect that cases of tooth loss will also be on the rise. But mainly, it affects the elderly.

What are the consequences of losing your teeth?
The consequences can be derived from the uses for the teeth. The teeth have functions and if these teeth are lost, those functions of mastication and speech will be affected. The affected person, for instance, will not be able to speak well. Of course the face will collapse and then you have an aged look and you will not be able to eat well. The oral health profile, as well as the quality of life, will be reduced. So it has great consequences and it is more than we can imagine.

Are there diseases that are associated with tooth loss?
Yes, the commonest ones are dental caries which refers to holes in the tooth. If it is allowed to run its full course, it will lead to tooth loss. Also, gum diseases that lead to periodontal diseases and subsequently shaking teeth also accounts for some cases of tooth loss. A tooth that continues to shake over time can fall off. In addition, juvenile peridontitis can cause tooth loss in children. Cases of trauma, whether from vehicular accidents or home injury, can lead to a tooth being knocked off.

Do diseases such as diabetes and heart problems contribute to loss of tooth? Studies also say that people with tooth problems stand a higher risk of developing health conditions such as heart problems?
Recently, it was scientifically proven that there is a link between oral diseases and diseases like diabetes, heart disease and low birth weight in babies. But more work is ongoing to substantiate the link between poor oral health and diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
Most of these studies were done outside the country, but still need to be domesticated in the African region because there are some of these findings that are yet to be verified whether they are true in the African setting.

But is tooth loss synonymous with ageing?
Tooth loss is not synonymous with ageing, but when we allow the ravages of dental diseases to run their course, then the consequence is tooth loss. Now, if you take care of your teeth on a regular basis, you will have your complement of teeth throughout old age. So it is when people do not take care of their teeth that we have tooth loss and now say people will lose their teeth when they are old. If you take care of your teeth regularly, even at age 90 or 100, you will not lose them. It is because we do not have dental services, that is why we allow diseases to run their course. How many people have regular dental care from when they were young till they were old? How many people have dental checks every six months? So these are the things we should be looking at rather than focusing on the disease.

Can people that lose their teeth be helped?
There are options that we can use to help them. They could have dentures, bridges, implants and other forms of restorations that will replace the teeth artificially.
You will hardly know that they are having tooth loss. But the options are dependent on what they can afford as well. Virtually all these options are available because Nigeria is well matured in dentistry. If you need bridges, if you need implants and dentures of various kinds, they are all available in Nigeria.

Is it true that those implants might help improve productivity? How will it do this?
 Implants will improve quality of life but that it will save cost is another issue. Generally anywhere in the world, implants are more expensive than other forms of artificial tooth replacement.  As at now, implants are very expensive and not too many Nigerians on the average can afford it. But as more and more dentists get trained on artificial tooth replacement, probably cost of implants will come down.

How can Nigeria as a country help to ensure artificial tooth replacement is within the reach of the common man?
This can be possible through implementation of the Oral Health Policy which was launched November, 2012. This covers at least 50 per cent of all citizens. When a policy like that is in place, there will be some form of improvement and inclusion of oral health in the National Health Insurance Scheme.  Due to this, people can access oral health care without any money in their pockets to pay and doctors will be able to treat patients without having to demand for money. So let Nigeria implement the National Health Insurance Scheme and the Oral Health Policy so that people can be helped. This will go a long way in reducing dental problems.

Many myths abound in the community on tooth loss, tooth decay and dental health issues. In fact some people believe that a toothbrush must be used for a whole year before it is thrown away. Some believe that all toothpastes are same. Some say that one’s toothbrush should be thrown away after having a sore throat. What are the most prevalent ones in Nigeria?
From a professional point of view, the toothbrush should be used for maybe about three months. By that time, you will see the tuft had started to flatten out and are no longer effective in cleaning the teeth.  In fact, any time the tuft starts to flatten out, you should know that it is time to throw away that toothbrush.
On toothpaste, what is recommended is one that contains fluoride, which is its active ingredient.  Any toothpaste that contains fluoride is good. It is the fluoride that helps to prevent tooth decay. Other things such as the taste and the colour are not determinants of ideal toothpaste.
With regards to keeping the toothbrush, it should be kept dry. After brushing, it should be rinsed and kept such that it can remain dry, not damp, to prevent it accumulating germs. Also, when you have sore throat or dental infection in your mouth, it does not mean that after the infection is gone, your toothbrush cannot be used. You only need to continue to clean your toothbrush after each use and keep it dry. That a toothbrush be thrown away after a sore throat is cured is a myth, it has no scientific basis.

What other myths or practices do you see in the community on dental care and problems?
It is a common thing to see people that want to file their teeth to create a space between their front teeth. This is dental mutilation and it is wrong to start filling one’s teeth. Some also use things like sand, charcoal, petrol and kerosene in the mouth, claiming that it will kill the worms that are believed to cause tooth ache and tooth loss. This is a myth, it does not work.
Some also put a substance called “touch and go”, a chemical which distracts one’s attention from the real pain, so therefore increase the time spent before seeking dental care.
I have seen patients that applied “touch and go” when experiencing tooth ache but who ended up with burnt gums. Afterwards, they still end up coming to the dentist who will now be treating two things instead of one.  So, the best option is to visit the dentist at least twice a year, clean your teeth twice daily, eat nutritious foods and avoid things that have refined sugar in them.

Will the use of mouthwash help?
The use of mouthwash, when combined with brushing, is very beneficial and the mouthwash is always recommended as an adjunct to tooth brushing. The mouthwash helps to freshen one’s breath. But what is most important is tooth brushing; you cannot just use a mouthwash and stop tooth brushing.

Are there food items in our community that supports healthy teeth?
We have good and natural foods all over Nigeria that support good oral health. Our normal diets are okay for good oral health but the pattern of eating matters a lot. We should eat three square meals, no in-between meals, especially snacking on sugary substances. If you must take them do so during meal times and if you need snacks, eat fruits that can help to clean the mouth, which does not contain simple sugar. Simple sugar can be easily digested by the organisms in the mouth that converts them to acids which dissolves the tooth.

MUSCLE CRAMPS.

What are muscle cramps?

A muscle cramp is an involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax. When we use the muscles that can be controlled voluntarily, such as those of our arms and legs, they alternately contract and relax as we move our limbs. Muscles that support our head, neck, and trunk contract similarly in a synchronized fashion to maintain our posture. A muscle (or even a few fibers of a muscle) that involuntarily (without consciously willing it) contracts is in a "spasm." If the spasm is forceful and sustained, it becomes a cramp. Muscle cramps often cause a visible or palpable hardening of the involved muscle.
Muscle cramps can last anywhere from a few seconds to a quarter of an hour or occasionally longer. It is not uncommon for a cramp to recur multiple times until it finally resolves. The cramp may involve a part of a muscle, the entire muscle, or several muscles that usually act together, such as those that flex adjacent fingers. Some cramps involve the simultaneous contraction of muscles that ordinarily move body parts in opposite directions.
Muscle cramps are extremely common. Almost everyone (one estimate is about 95%) experiences a cramp at some time in their life. Muscle cramps are common in adults and become increasingly frequent with aging. However, children also experience cramps of muscles.
Any of the muscles that are under our voluntary control (skeletal muscles) can cramp. Cramps of the extremities, especially the legs and feet, and most particularly the calf (the classic "charley horse"), are very common. Involuntary muscles of the various organs (uterus, blood vessel wall, bowels, bile and urine passages, bronchial tree, etc.) are also subject to cramps. Cramps of the involuntary muscles will not be further considered in this review. This article focuses on cramps of skeletal muscle.

Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 4/24/2012

What the nails say about your health - Nigerian Tribune

• Written by  Blessing Ekum
• Saturday, 28 September 2013 00:00

Of all the parts of the body, one feature that can give a quick clue to one’s personality and some times, profession, is the nails. Think of the obsessive-compulsive nail biter (gnawed nails), the auto-mechanic (grease-stained nails), the gynaecologist (short and trimmed nails), the hygienic and refined (perfectly-manicured nails) and it becomes quite predictable.

 do our nails give a peek into our personality or profession, sometimes, they can be mirrors to the state of one’s health, providing pointers to health issues. A streak of black here, a depression there and some discolorations may be an indicator of disease in the body. Problems in the heart, liver, lungs, and even psychological disorders have been known to be indicated in the nails.
Unfortunately, most people do not take the time to observe while others hardly ever see their real nails as a result of constant use of artificial nails and nail polish.
This denies them the opportunity to notice the changes in colour, shape and texture of the nails. Though not every change implies a debilitating health condition, for instance, hitting the nail on a hard object would definitely affect the colour, it is important to take notice of these little changes. Moreover, nothing replaces a visit to a doctor for a proper diagnosis when you notice a change. The following are some secrets your nails might reveal:

White nails:
Healthy nails are usually pinkish in colour. When the nails go very pale, it could be a sign of some serious illness. The United Kingdom National Health Service state that white nails are likely to be either a fungal nail infection or a sign of decreased blood supply to the nail bed, known as “Terry’s nails.”
Terry’s nails are typically white with reddened or dark tips and can be a sign of a wide range of medical conditions, including liver cirrhosis (scarring and damage to the liver), liver, kidney or heart failure, diabetes, iron-deficiency anaemia, which is a reduced number of red blood cells due to a lack of iron in the body, an overactive thyroid or malnutrition

Yellow nails
A yellow nail is usually indicative of a fungal infection. As the infection worsens, the nail beds retract and the nails may thicken. According to experts, there are rare cases of yellow nails which may indicate a more serious condition such as severe thyroid disease, diabetes or psoriasis.

Rippled nails
A nail surface that is rippled or pitted is usually a sign of danger. The nails should normally be smooth to feel but when there are indentations on the nail bed, they should be observed for a while and if it doesn’t clear, it should be checked out by a doctor as it could be indicative of inflammatory arthritis or psoriasis. In a 2000 study carried out by Primary Care, it was discovered that between 10 and 50 per cent of patients with psoriasis had pitted nails.

Gnawed nails
Though gnawed nails are not indicative of a disease and are sometimes just a bad habit, but sometimes they can indicate a psychological disorder such as obsessive-compulsion or anxiety disorder.

Separated nails
Separated nails, a condition medically known as onycholysis, occur when the fingernails become loose and separate from the nail bed. Though detached nails are usually associated with injury or infection, there are cases where a reaction to a particular drug or product, such as nail hardeners, can be the cause. However, the 2004 edition of the journal, American Family Physician, reported that thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism, in which too much thyroid hormone is produced) and psoriasis have been linked to nail separation.

Split or cracked nails
Besides the after-effect of taking off acrylic nails as well as long-term exposure to water or chemicals such as detergents which could crack the nails, nails that frequently crack or split may be a sign of disease. In fact, dry nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease while those that come with a yellowish hue have been linked to a fungal infection.
With hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid, the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone leading to a disruption in metabolic functions throughout the body including the delivery of moisture to the nails. Pale, dry skin and hair that may fall out are related signs.

Spoon nails
For those who have spoon nails, the nails look scooped out with a depression large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Known as koilonychia, they are often a sign of iron-deficiency anaemia or a liver condition known as hemochromatosis, (a condition in which the body absorbs too much iron from food) though there have cases that have been caused by trauma and constant occupational exposure of the hands to petroleum-based solvents. Spoon nails have also been associated with heart disease and hypothyroidism.

White lines
For a lot of children in this part of the world, white streaks on the nails are usually attributed to flying cattle egrets popularly known as lekeleke. For these kids, chanting a specially-composed song while the bird flies overhead would result to the bird giving them a “white finger.” While this may be harmless and a source of intrigue and fun for them, medical experts state that when there are stripes that extend horizontally across the nail, it could be indicative of a health concern. Known as Muehrcke’s lines, these horizontal white lines that span the entire nail, and appear on more than one nail might be an indication of kidney disease, liver abnormalities or a lack of protein and other nutrients in the blood.

Experts link rise in sudden deaths to decline in physical activities - The Guardian Newspapers

Experts link rise in sudden deaths to decline in physical activities

Monday, 30 September 2013 00:00 By Chukwuma Muanya News - National

EXPERTS have associated the increasing cases of sudden deaths from coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke to global decline in physical activities.
   To address the situation, the experts, Sunday on the occasion of the World Heart Day, called everyone to increase their physical activity in order to protect their heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke.
   The bodies include: The World Heart Federation (WHF), the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), Pfizer pharmaceuticals, cardiologists, World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH).
    A consultant cardiologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idi-Araba, Lagos, Prof. Amam Mbakwem, at a media chat organised by Pfizer to mark the World Heart Day at the weekend said: “We have a big problem in our hands. That is a time bomb waiting to go off. Nigerians are no longer walking. More people are slumping and dying on daily basis. There is no single day that we do not see at least two new cases of stroke in our clinic here. Strokes are getting so common.
     “Why? People are no longer exercising. We are not moving. Most of us are living a very sedentary lifestyle. I think it is good for the government to have banned commercial motorcycle so that people will start walking. We have to build the roads and provide where people can walk. Take a road to a healthy heart; walk. Let us start doing what we enjoy like dancing. Let the children dance. We have to consciously start taking at least 10,000 steps a day. Use the stairs rather than the elevator. Be wary of salty food. Do not fry the fish and white meat. We have to start reading labels of food products before we buy. We have to ban cigarettes.”
    The theme for this year’s World Heart Day, ‘Take the road to a healthy heart,’ focuses on the ‘life-course approach’ to the prevention and control of CVD amongst all age groups, with a focus on women and children, as healthy children lead to healthy adults and healthy adults lead to healthy families and communities.
    Also, the WHO yesterday, reported that global levels of physical activity are declining. The six country survey published jointly with the WHF revealed that between 14 and 37 per cent of adults do not pay any attention to one of the simplest things most  people can do to protect their heart health – walking.
   More than a quarter of people who took part in a new multi-country survey said they did not know how much time they spent briskly walking at a speed faster than normal.
  Chief Science Officer, WHF, Dr. Kathryn Taubert, said: “Awareness is the first step to a healthy heart. Paying attention to how much we walk should be as simple as watching what we eat. On World Heart Day, we are urging people to take action to protect their hearts. By reaching the recommended guideline of minimum 30 minutes of moderate exercise, which includes brisk walking at least five days a week, many premature deaths can be prevented.”
    Medical Manager, Pfizer, Dr. Osahon Omorodion, said: “The main aim is to educate people that the threat of heart disease can begin at any age, and that people’s risk increases with exposure to risk factors such as unhealthy diet or exposure to tobacco smoke. Unless people are aware and action is taken to enable heart-healthy living, CVD will remain the single leading cause of death worldwide and, by 2030, will be responsible for 23.6 million deaths each year.”

Common nutrient reverses age-related memory decline - The Guardian Newspapers

Thursday, 05 September 2013 00:00 Editor Features - Natural Health

LIKE humans, Drosophila fruit flies become forgetful with age. But at least their memory deficits can be reversed by eating a diet rich in polyamines, according to a study published online Monday in Nature Neuroscience.
  “There’s a great need for cognitive enhancers to keep us healthy into old age - now polyamines are offering a new approach,” says learning and memory specialist Ronald Davis at the Scripps Research Institute Florida in Jupiter, who was not involved in the study. “There are reasons for optimism that this fly work will translate into human.”
  Polyamines - which include the graphically named putrescine, cadaverine and
spermidine - are small molecules that are essential for cells to survive and grow. But their cellular levels decline with age.
  Some foods that are popularly considered to have health benefits - such as wheatgerm and fermented soya beans - contain high levels of polyamines. Japanese scientists have shown that natto, a fermented soya-bean product, raises the level of polyamines in the blood in humans.
  But there is a long way to go before anyone can say that polyamines can help to stave off memory decline in ageing people, cautions Stephan Sigrist of the Free University of Berlin, one of the study’s principal investigators. “Still, the polyamine system does offer a new target for those interested in developing therapies.”
  Other scientists had already shown that feeding polyamines to fruit flies, as well as worms or yeast, increases the organisms’ lifespan3. It seems to do so by reversing the age-related decline in autophagy - a mechanism that cells use to clear themselves of debris. Promoting autophagy, either by genetic techniques or by restricting calorie intake, can also increase longevity in fruit flies. But neither tactic had been clearly proven to be effective against age-related memory decline.
  So the study’s scientists didn’t know exactly what to expect when they began their two-year polyamine study, says Sigrist. “Still,” he says, “we reasoned that spermidine is a natural and potent inducer of autophagy through a novel mechanism, so it might just affect memory decline.”
  The team trained their flies to associate a particular odour with a mild electric shock. Youthful flies quickly learn to avoid the odour and remember to avoid it for many hours. Older flies learn more slowly. But when the researchers fed the older flies a polyamine-rich diet, the insects’ polyamine levels were restored to youthful levels — and the age difference in learning and memory was nearly wiped out.
 “We were very impressed with how strong the effect was,” says Sigrist. “But that also made us a bit nervous.”
  To be sure that the effect was real, Sigrist asked other researchers in his lab to independently repeat the experiments in a double-blind fashion. The team also threw in a second approach: instead of feeding polyamines to the insects, they cranked up the activity of an enzyme that manufactures these molecules in cells. In each case, they got the same result.
  In other experiments, the scientists showed that the effect on memory was specific, and was not a general consequence of the flies becoming healthier as a result of the diet. They also showed that the mechanism was independent of that promoting extension of life.
  The researchers are now starting studies to see whether a polyamine-rich diet has a similar effect in mice and humans.

Natural cure for cataracts, glaucoma validated -The Guardian Newspapers

Thursday, 12 September 2013 00:00 CHUKWUMA MUANYA Features - Natural Health

Can extracts of bitter kola (Garcinia kola), garden egg (Solanum melongena) and pepper fruit (Dennettia tripetala) provide the elusive natural cure for eye diseases especially cataracts and glaucoma? CHUKWUMA MUANYA writes.
UNTIL now, they are renowned for their bitter and peppery tastes. They have been validated in clinical trials for treating various ailments such as osteoarthritis, food poisoning, indigestion, and heartburn, among many other disease indications.
  But now researchers are adding more feathers to their caps. Extracts of bitter kola, garden egg and pepper fruit have shown promise as the next best eye drugs in town.
  Garcinia kola of the family Guttiferaceae is an indigenous herb in Nigeria colloquially referred to as “bitter kola”, “false kola” or “male kola.” Garcinia kola has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, antimicrobial and antiviral properties.
  Botanically called Dennettia tripetala, pepper fruit belongs to the plant family Annonaceae. It is called Ako in Edo, Nkarika in Ibibio, Mmimi in Igbo, and Ata igbere in Yoruba.
  Botanically called Solanum melongena, garden egg or bitter tomato is an economic flowering plant belonging to the family Solanaceae.
  Professor of Ophthalmology at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Adebukunola O Adefule-Ositelu, told participants at an exhibition on natural medicine in Lagos organised by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to mark the 2013 African Traditional Medicine Day that her team has patented eye drops made with bitter kola for preventing blindness in patients with glaucoma.
  The ophthalmologist said: “I got the mixture from one of my patients who I promised we will work on it. I can tell you authoritatively now that we have done extensive research on this extract as an eye drop and we are successfully using it in our clinic in successfully treating patients with glaucoma.”
  The study by Adefule-Ositelu and her team published recently in Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology concluded: “Topical Garcinia kola 0.5 per cent aqueous eye drops are as effective as timolol maleate 0.5 per cent eye drops in lowering Intraocular Pressure (IOP) in newly diagnosed glaucoma and ocular hypertensive patients. The mean IOP reducing efficacy after six months of use was similar in both groups. Garcinia kola extract may represent an alternate topical medication for patient with open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertensives in a resource limited population.”
  The study is titled “Efficacy of Garcinia kola 0.5 per cent aqueous eye drops in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.”   
  The other members of the research team include: Adebayo K Adefule from the Department of Ophthalmology, LUTH, Idi-Araba, Bernice O. Adegbehingbe, Olayinka O. Adegbehingbe, and Elsie Samaila from Departments of Surgery, (Ophthalmology Unit) and Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and Kehinde Oladigbolu of the Department of Surgery, National Eye Centre, Kaduna.
  Also, Nigeria researchers have shown that eating pepper fruits could decrease the risk of blindness caused by glaucoma.
  The researchers at the Department of Optometry Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, have demonstrated how a meal rich in pepper fruit reduces the risk of glaucoma by stabilising the Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP) of the eye.
  The study is titled “Effect of Dennettia tripetela Seed Intake on the Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP) of normotensive Emmetropic Nigerian Igbos.” Normotensive is having normal blood pressure.
  Emmetropia describes the state of vision where an object at infinity is in sharp focus with the eye lens in a neutral or relaxed state. This condition of the normal eye is achieved when the refractive power of the cornea and the axial length of the eye balance out, which focuses rays exactly on the retina, resulting in perfect vision. An eye in a state of emmetropia requires no correction.
  According to the Abia State University study, results obtained showed that consumption of 0.75g of seed gradually reduced the mean IOP from 15.6mmHg to 11.20mmHg, (25.64 per cent reduction) after 60 minutes; and gradually reversed towards baseline value at 120mins-post ingestion. The mean induced change in IOP at 60 minutes was 4.00mmHg. The effect was found to be statistically significant.
  The researchers wrote: “Result obtained from this study showed that ingestion of 0.75g of reduced the Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP) of normotensive emmetropes though not sustained. At 30 minutes post consumption of pepper fruit, the IOP was reduced by 17.30 per cent (12.90mmHg) from the mean baseline of 15.60mmHg.
  “This decrease in IOP was consistent at 60 minutes (a 25.64 per cent reduction 11.20mmHg) and then started reverting towards baseline. This decrease was, therefore, not found to be sustained after 60 minutes post consumption of the seeds. The IOP returned almost to baseline after 120 minutes (a mean of 15.40mmHg) post ingestion of 0.75g.
  “There was a statistically significant reduction of IOP after 30 minutes and 60 minutes. This reduction in IOP recorded was probably due to the ascorbic acid, magnesium, flavonoid, melatonin, thiamin, vitamin B, lipoid acid content of Ascorbic acid had been established to support the osmotic influx of water following osmolarity elevation of blood artificially leading to the fall in IOP.
  “The effect of flavonoid in IOP reduction is thought to be as a result of the reduction in excessive permeability of blood aqueous membrane within the eye. The presence of lipoic acid (fatty acid) probably helped in the reduction of IOP by increasing glutathione in red blood cells and lacrimal fluid of glaucomatous patients thereby reducing the IOP.
  “Finally, the presence of melatonin, thiamine (vitamin B) and vitamin B perhaps also contributed to the reduction in IOP. This is due to the fact that melatonin levels have been found to decrease in glaucomatous patient and normal diurnal rhythms of IOP fluctuation reflect melatoninrhythms.”
  Also, Nigerian researchers led by the former Director General of NAFDAC and professor of pharmacology at University of Nigeria (UNN), Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili have demonstrated how a meal of garden egg would be of benefit to patients suffering from raised intraocular pressure (glaucoma) and convergence insufficiency, as well as in diseases associated with hyperlipidemia (high lipids/fats) such as ischaemic heart diseases and arteriosclerosis (stiffening of the arteries).
  Botanically called Solanum melongena, garden egg or bitter tomato is an economic flowering plant belonging to the family Solanaceae.
  The study on garden egg and glaucoma is titled “Effects of Solanum melongena (garden egg) on some visual functions of visually active Igbos of Nigeria.”
  The study was published in Journal of Ethnopharmacology by S. A. Igwe of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, Dora N. Akunyili of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu; and C. Ogbogu of the School of Optometry, Abia State University, Uturu.
  The effects of bolus consumption of 10 gram of S. melongena were undertaken on visually active male volunteers so as to determine its ocular complications.  Results of the study showed that the pupil size was reduced (23 per cent), Near Point of Convergence (NPC) was decreased (nine per cent) and the Anecortave Acetate (AA) was increased (22 per cent) and the intraocular pressure dropped by 25 per cent while there was no effect on Visual Acuity (VA), and the habitual phoria. Anecortave (rINN) is a novel angiogenesis inhibitor used in the treatment of the exudative (wet) form of age-related macular degeneration (blindness).
  The miotic effect lowered the intraocular pressure appreciably and the reduced NPC, which was still within normal range, did not produce any vision discomfort. The increased AA and convergence excess positively correlated provide an efficient visual mechanism.
  The researchers concluded: “It is suggested that S. melongena would be of benefit to patients suffering from raised intraocular pressure (glaucoma) and convergence insufficiency.”
  Also, two earlier studies published in Archives of Ophthalmology offer hope of reducing risk of blindness due to Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and cataract.
  Three leading causes of blindness are age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinopathy related to premature birth. All three conditions involve retinopathy, which is the abnormal development of blood vessels in the eye.
  Researchers have found that regular consumption of fish; nuts, olive oil and other foods containing omega-three fatty acids and avoiding trans-fats may significantly lower the risk for AMD.
  Food sources of omega-3s include leafy green vegetables, walnuts, flaxseeds and fatty fish such as salmon, herring and sardines. Omega-6s are found in meat and vegetable oils such as safflower oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, and soy oils.
  Previous studies have shown that extracts of carrots, garlic, pumpkin (Ugu in Igbo), amaranth (commonly called green vegetable) aniseed, almonds contain antioxidants that may decrease the development or progression of cataract.
  Several research studies show that the antioxidant properties of vitamins C and E contained in these plants may protect against the development and progression of cataracts.
  Early evidence also suggested that the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are also antioxidants, might also be protective against cataracts. Some recent studies compared diet and supplement intake of the antioxidant vitamins C and E with the development of cataracts. However, naturopaths recommend eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.
  IOP is the pressure within the eyeball as a result of the constant formation and drainage of the aqueous humour. It is the internal pressure of which allows the eye to hold on to its shape and function properly. Intraocular pressure is controlled primarily by the rate of secretion or rate of drainage of the aqueous humour. These will be building up pressure leading to increased risk of optic nerve damage, a pathological condition called glaucoma.
  Glaucoma is rated as the second leading cause of vision loss worldwide. It is also estimated that 66.8 million people are affected by glaucoma worldwide and 6.7 million are bilaterally blind because of the disease. It was said to affect individuals of all age groups but is more prevalent after the fourth decade of life.
  Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. The progression of this disease can be reduced or stopped by lowering IOP with medication and surgery. Among the several options available for medical therapy of elevated IOP, topical b-blockers and the prostaglandin F2á analogs, such as latanoprost, are the most commonly prescribed first-line therapies?
  In Nigeria, the most commonly available IOP reducing agents are beta-blockers (mainly timolol maleate 0.5 per cent eye drops) and prostaglandins (mainly latanoprost 0.005 per cent). Latanoprost 0.005 per cent is more effective than timolol maleate 0.5 per cent in reducing diurnal IOP fluctuations. This is clinically important because optic nerve damage is accelerated by IOP fluctuations.
  However, both drugs are expensive and there is poor compliance with long-term use in Nigerian patients. Several studies have compared the efficacy of other topical glaucoma treatments in various settings. The current challenge was to search for an alternative medication that is affordable, available and effective in lowering IOP in a limited resource economy.
  A recent study reported a reduction in subchondral pressure and pain in knee osteoarthritis due to bitter kola. Bitter kola has also proven safe in human eyes and its systemic blood pressure lowering effects has been published in previous studies.
  The researchers wrote: “During the initial stages of this study, Alcon Research Laboratories Inc United States of America (U.S.A.), was consulted to perform chromatography and pharmacodynamics analyses of the Garcinia kola nut extract. Results of analyses indicated that Garcinia kola extract inhibits the active process of aqueous secretion mediated through selective ion transport across basolateral membranes of non-pigmented ciliary epithelium.
  The enzymes involved in the transport are sodium potassium activated adenosine triphosphate and carbonic anhydrase. Some have proposed the IOP lowering activity of Garcinia kola is a combination of a vasodilation effect, which reduces aqueous production through the lowering of perfusion pressure, and a miotic effect, which increases outflow facility.
  The researchers wrote: “The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of G. kola 0.5 per cent aqueous eye drops to that of timolol maleate 0.5 per cent in newly diagnosed patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (OH). The primary outcome measure was the change in IOP over 24 weeks.”
  The researchers said the results of the current study indicate that Garcinia kola 0.5 per cent aqueous eye drops are as effective as timolol in reducing IOP in newly diagnosed patients with POAG or OH. Additionally, the outcomes confirm the efficacy of timolol among Nigerians with POAG and OH. Timolol and G. kola aqueous eye drops were effective in the reduction of IOP at 6, 12 and 24 weeks. G. kola had a significant IOP lowering effect at 12 weeks compared to timolol. Chromatography has established that G. kola extracts have similar features to some commonly used glaucoma medications.
  They explained: “In the G. kola group, IOP reduction from baseline to the sixth week was approximately 24 per cent and 25 per cent in the timolol-treated eyes. The mean IOP reduction at six months in the G. Kola group and timolol-treated eyes was 47.8 per cent and 48.2 per cent, respectively with no statistically significant difference between groups.
  “The significantly greater IOP lowering effect after six weeks of treatment was due to poor drug compliance initially in the majority of subjects. Most subjects exhausted their assigned drug earlier than expected and stopped further treatment a few days prior to the upcoming follow up. Hence the IOP reduction was minimal six weeks into the study compared to subsequent visits.
  “Furthermore, subjects did not contact the study coordinator for additional medication because they felt that the treatment had no effect. However, they were counselled on the importance of continuing medication regardless of their perceptions for the duration of the study and there was better compliance from six weeks onwards.
  “Since glaucoma has been found to be one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide the need for cheaper and acceptable adjuvant remedy becomes necessary Therefore ingestion should be encouraged as an adjuvant in the treatment of glaucoma.”

Committee adopts draft guidelines for verification of herbal cure claims - The Guardian Newspapers

Thursday, 19 September 2013 00:00 By Chukwuma Muanya Features - Natural Health

THE National Expert Committee on Verification of Herbal Cure Claims (NECVHCC) set up in February 2013 by the Director General of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii, on Tuesday adopted a draft guideline.
  The 16 man Committee made up of professors of medicine and pharmacy, traditional medicine practitioners, relevant government agencies, The Guardian’s Natural Health Desk, among others also promised to present at least six herbal products within one year or less to President Goodluck Jonathan for global marketing.
  Members of the Committee include: NAFDAC’s Director of Drug Evaluation and Research (DER), Mrs. Hauwa Keri, as the chairman, Director of Food and Drug Safety (FDS) at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Mrs. Mary Okpeseyi, President National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), H.R.H. Omon Oleabhiele, NAFDAC’s Director of Pharmacovigilance (PVG), Mrs. Adeline Osakwe, Professor of Pharmacy at Obafemi Awolo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Anthony Elujoba, Director at Nigerian Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Prof. U. A. Osunkwo, Director of Research at NIPRD, Prof. Emeje Martins, Managing Director, Nigerian Medicinal Plants Development Company (NMPDC) Hajia Zainab Sheriff, Dr. Olufunsho Awodele of the University of Lagos.
  Other members of the Committee include NAFDAC’s Director of Special Duties, Abubakar Jimoh, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Adefule-Ositelu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Halamin Nigeria Limited, Dr. Ben Amodu, NAFDAC’s Deputy Director DER, Mrs. P. Odu, NANTMP Secretary Yobe State, Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim Jawa, President Moringa Development Association of Nigeria, Mr. Dammy Kadashi and Head Science/Health/Natural Health Desk of The Guardian Newspapers, Chukwuma Muanya.
  Osunkwo and Emeje, who were given the responsibility of drafting the guidelines for the verification of claims and modalities for funding of the studies, said the draft guidelines for the verification of claims towards developing full monograph should among other things include: the name of the plant and general description such as the scientific name with author, synonyms, family, vernacular names, botanical description, plant part used, and possible alternative source species.
  Chairman of the Committee, Mrs. Hauwa Keri, said the guideline is not supposed to discourage the NANTMP. “Do not be frightened. We need to do this because Nigeria is not an island. We have got to do this and this committee is not representing any interest or specific group but that of all Nigerians.”
  Keri said that the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Committee included verification of claims on herbal medicinal products, selection of listed herbal medicinal products for verification with reference to the NAFDAC list, Nigeria Herbal Pharmacopeia, other relevant monograph, determination of centres for study with NIPRD as focal reference; development of guidelines for verification of claims, selection of fellows, vetting and consideration of the study design plan developed by the Fellows, advocacy to collaborating partners such as Nigeria Broadcasting Cooperation (NBC), Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Federal Ministry of Information (FMoI), among others and presentation of at least six herbal products within one year or less to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
  Keri at the third meeting of the Committee but first meeting of the expanded Committee said the TOR should also include documentation. “Documentation is very necessary for traditional medical practitioners. They should do everything to make sure their products are registered. NAFDAC is ready to identify with such practitioners who documents the patients progress and extra mile report that the patient can be seen physically if the need arises,” she said.
  The NANTMP President said assured that his members are going to do cooperate with the Committee. “We agree to cooperate with NAFDAC to make sure that traditional medicine is accepted in Nigeria without conflict,” Oleabhiele said.
  He added: “We have set up a task force in all the zones that will go into the field and make sure that traditional doctors making claims have registered NAFDAC products. The taskforce is also going to report non-compliance to NAFDAC and advise them to register their products.”
  Osunkwo said the issue of pharmacovigilance should be ensured. “This has to sink down into the minds of traditional medicine practitioners. It is unfortunate that at the pharmacovigilance centre, little or no information is coming from NANTMP,” he said.
  The draft guideline also contains ethno botanical information like major ethno pharmacological uses, other relevant uses, chemical constituents and compounds.
  Emeje and Osunkwo said that there should also be quality control, which will include identification, organoleptic properties; macroscopic characteristics, microscopic characteristics, solubility, moisture content, TLC/HPLC/GC, markers and quantitative methods, FTIR spectroscopy, DNA finger printing, purity tests/requirements, adulterants and adulterations, standard preparations and standard specifications.
  The guideline also contains test for pharmacological properties such as pharmacodynamic properties, in vitro experiments, in vivo experiments, clinical studies and pharmacokinetic properties.
  According to the guideline, herbal cures should also be tested for safety data like ethnic use safety data, preclinical safety data, single dose toxicity, repeated dose toxicity, mutagenic potential, carcinogenicity, sensitizing potential and clinical safety data.
  The guideline contains provision for key proposed usage for the herbal product such as therapeutic indications, dosage, method and duration of administration, contraindications, special warnings and precautions for use, effects on ability to drive and use machines, interactions, pregnancy and lactation, adverse effects, overdose and evaluation of efficacy.
  Another important component on the proposed draft guideline is trade information. These include volume of production in the country, volume of domestic consumption, volume of export, average price, nature of plant material, nature of plant product, processing and storage.
  According to the guideline, the herbal product must contain regulatory information such as pharmacopeias/monographs, regulatory/registration status, patents, traditional information, possible developments, outlook on further uses and research, antidotes and references.

Healthy Eye Tips - The Guardian Newspapers

Monday, 30 September 2013 00:00 Editor Sunday Magazine - Living Wellbeing

YOUR eyes are an important part of your health. There are many things you can do to keep them healthy and make sure you are seeing your best. Follow these simple steps for maintaining healthy eyes well into your golden years.
Know your family’s eye health history
   Talk to your family members about their eye health history. It’s important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with a disease or condition since many are hereditary. This would help to determine if you are at higher risk for developing an eye disease or condition.
Give your eyes a rest
   If you spend a lot of time at the computer or focusing on any one thing, you sometimes forget to blink and your eyes can get fatigued. Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This can help reduce eyestrain.
Clean your hands and your contact lenses—properly
   To avoid the risk of infection, always wash your hands thoroughly before putting in or taking out your contact lenses. Make sure to disinfect contact lenses as instructed and replace them as appropriate.
Practice workplace eye safety
   Employers are required to provide a safe work environment. When protective eyewear is required as a part of your job, make a habit of wearing the appropriate type at all times and encourage your coworkers to do the same.

REDUCING ABDOMINAL FATS - Moses Ziregbe.

If you care about the quality of your life and
your loved ones, reducing your abdominal fat
should be one of your TOP priorities!

There's just no way around it. Besides, a side effect
of finally getting rid of all of that excessive ugly
abdominal fat is that your stomach will flatten out,
and if you lose enough stomach fat, you will be
able to visibly see those sexy six pack abs that
everyone wants.

So the question is what gets rid of extra abdominal fat?

The first thing you must understand is that there is
absolutely NO quick fix solution. There are no pills
or supplements of any sort that will help you lose
your abdominal fat faster. Also,none of the gimmicky
ab rockers, rollers, or ab belts will help get rid of
abdominal fat either.

You can't spot reduce your stomach fat by using any
of these worthless solutions. It simply doesn't work
that way.

The only solution to consistently lose your abdominal
fat and keep it off for good is to combine a sound
strategic nutritious diet full of unprocessed natural
foods with a properly designed exercise program
that stimulates the necessary hormonal and metabolic
response within your body.

Both your food intake as well as your training program
are important if you are to get this right.

In my quest, to get you cutting edge information on
Weight management, I discovered the perfect diet
solution for this problem.

I think this is the best diet program on "Pot-Belly"
solution.




PS - Let me ask you a particular question.
"What is the value of losing weight or getting that
flat belly and sexy body that you have always
wished for?"

From my experience, that sexy body might just
save your relationship/marriage.

Because it will stop your spouse from looking at
those 'pencil skirt girls' at his workplace.

It all depends on the decision you make to lose
weight today.

HEALTH BENEFITS IN BRISK WALKING/RUNNING

Top of the evening to you all my friends. Hope your day went well. Did your remember to tune up this morning before jumping into the streets to begin the day's activities? If you didn't then make sure to do that tomorrow morning after your morning devotion. I did it and I tell you! I reaped the benefits bountifully.
Do you know that we have allowed unwanted fats and its ugly side effects to deny us of so much wellness and it's unquantifiable benefits? This resulted from our lifestyle and truly speaking, this is a great disservice to ourselves. Let me share this experience and personal observations with you. I look around me these days and I see promising young men and women who ordinarily one would have expected to fly like a dove. But I suffer disappointments in what I see because, expecting them to fly like a dove is a pipe dream. They could best be described as AGRICULTURE FOWLS. Many of them believe ignorantly that what they have is a sign of good living. Lie.There is the need to refer these young lads to a health practitioner. What they will hear is surely going to be at variance with what they expect to hear.
This morning on my way to the church, I encountered a situation where a young man of about 23 years of age was hurrying somewhere. Boy, I wish you were with me to see what I saw. His attempt to run was highly belabored. You could see vividly that this young man has no illness troubling him. But he has graciously granted himself so much unwanted fats and laziness with his life style that walking fast or even running has almost become a mirage. How do you expect a child to run from a crawling position without first learning to stand, walk before learning the art of running? Even at my age, I felt like challenging this son to a race which I knew I could have won without difficulty.
My friends, this should not be. You stand to gain so much from these health tips I am posting to you. I truly need all my friends to be in top shapes because it is your right to be healthy.
So much for this evening. Until tomorrow when we shall be sharing some more health tips and there benefits, I say: KEEP WAKING. Have a Good Night Rest.

Hormone-disrupting chemical detected in bottled water - The Guardian (Nigeria) Newspapers.

MANY of us prefer to drink bottled water, swayed by the belief that it is fresher and better for us. But now, researchers have uncovered an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) in commercialized bottled water, according to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE.
  EDCs are man-made compounds that are commonly used in many plastics. The compounds have been found to interfere with the hormonal systems of several organisms, particularly reproductive systems.
  In 2010, Medical News Today reported on a study, which revealed that adults who had been exposed to EDCs prenatally might be a higher risk of breast cancer, after a mice study revealed the compound could program a fetus for life.
  It is known that many types of EDCs are in plastics used to store food and water. Most recently, one EDC called Bisphenol A (BPA) was found to be present in the plastic used to make baby bottles.
  For this most recent study, the researches wanted to see if EDCs were seeping into commercialized bottled water and if so, to find out which ones they were.
  The researchers found that the majority of bottled waters analyzed contained endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which could disrupt hormonal systems.
  The research team conduced a review of data from previous studies, as well as a review of 18 bottled water products to see if there was evidence of compounds that block estrogen activity (antiestrogenic), as well as activity that would prevent any biological effects (antiandrogenic).
  Results of the sample analysis showed that 13 bottles of water demonstrated antiestrogenic activity, while 16 of the bottles showed antiandrogenic activity.
  Further research using mass spectrometric simulations enabled the researchers to find the chemical DEHF (di2-ethylhexyl) fumarate) present in the water. However, the researchers say that this compound only demonstrates antiandrogenic activity, meaning there may be another EDC in the water that is yet to be discovered.
  The study authors say: “We have shown that antiestrogens and antiandrogens are present in the majority of bottled water products.
  To identify the causative chemical, we applied a novel correlation approach to integrate biological and high-resolution mass spectrometry data. Structural elucidation led to dioctyl maleate/fumarate isomers as promising candidates.”
  “While chemical analysis confirmed that DEHF is the putative steroid receptor antagonist, this compound was weakly antiestrogenic in the bioassays, only,” they continue. “We conclude that we have either missed active compound(s) or that another, untested maleate/fumarate isomer causes the antagonistic activity in bottled water.”
 The researchers add that it is more likely that there is a missed active compound in the water, as there is supporting evidence for this. As well as DEHF, other isomers were antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic.
  “Moreover, maleates are structurally highly similar to phthalate plasticizers, well-known antiandrogens,” the researchers continue.
  “Therefore, we pose the hypothesis that dialkyl maleates and fumarates might represent a novel group of steroid receptor antagonists. This illustrates that in spite of the potentially relevant exposure and obvious resemblance to other EDCs, such chemicals have been so far disregarded by the scientific and regulatory community.”
  They note, however, that there is no strong evidence as yet to suggest that DEHF is harmful to people and that further research is needed to determine if the compound needs to be banned in plastics used to process or contain certain foods.
  But they add that they hope these findings will emphasize the potential effect of EDCs in food, beverages and consumer products.
  Earlier this year, Medical News Today reported that the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Health Organization found EDCs in certain domestic and industrial products that had failed to undergo sufficient testing.

Nutritional and health benefits of dietary fibre - The Guardian (Nigeria) Newspapers.

Thursday, 19 September 2013 00:00 BY PAUL JOSEPH NANNA Features - Natural Health

AS recent as the 1970s certain diseases that were common among the Caucasians and Americans were almost non-existent in Africa. These diseases include intestinal disorders such as constipation, haemorrhoids, appendicitis, polyps, diverticulitis, and diverticulosis and colon cancer. Others are cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, heart attack, stroke and metabolic conditions such as diabetes.
  A group of researchers led by Dr. Denis Buckitt found that the reason this was so had to do with the diet of the African. The diet of the African was in the main made up of unrefined carbohydrates and other high-fibre foods such as raw vegetables as against the high level of refined, processed and canned foods that the Caucasians ate. They also discovered that the advent of these diseases in Europe and the Americas coincided with the introduction of techniques of converting whole wheat to white flour in the late 1800s. This involved the removal of fibre from the wheat to produce white flour.
  The attraction was the whiteness of the flour, not thinking about the hazards of such a product to our health. Not only that, rice is polished by eliminating the fibre, also to make it look whiter. In the last 40 years or so, not only have these processing plants been established all over Africa, the finished products such as white flour and rice are imported into our continent in large quantities.
What is this dietary fibre?
What first comes to mind when you hear the name, dietary fibre is, this is a fibrous kind of substance. The name is actually a misnomer in that this fibre has nothing to do with fibrous tissue.
  According to the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine in Washington DC, dietary fibre consists of non-digestible carbohydrates and lignin that are intrinsic and intact in plants.
  Functional fiber consists of isolated, non-digestible carbohydrates that have beneficial physiological effects in humans. Total fibre is the sum of both dietary and functional fibres.
  The dietary fiber includes non-starch polysaccharides found in plants, such as cellulose, pectin, gum and hemicellulose. Others are fiber contained in oats and wheat bran, oligosaccharides, lignin and some resistant starch.
  There are two main components of fibre, soluble and insoluble fibre. Soluble fibre can dissolve in water and it is readily fermented in the colon into gases and physiologically active byproducts. This type of fibre slows down the passage of food in the digestive tract. Insoluble fibre, on the other hand, does not dissolve in water. It is metabolically inert and provides what is known as bulking. In bulking, this fibre absorbs water throughout the length of the digestive tract. This produces two distinct and important effects.
  Firstly, they increase the bulk of the stools and secondly, they speed up the passage time of food through the intestines. The end result is that passing out stools becomes easier and more frequent. This is very important in that it is the mechanism by which insoluble fibre cleanses, detoxifies the colon and reduces the acid waste load in the colon. This helps to prevent certain diseases, as we shall see later.
Plant sources of dietary fibre
Dietary fibres are predominantly found in plants. Some plants contain both types of fibre but the decision, whether or not to eat some fibre, should not be based on eating one or the other. In other words, let your decision be based on the fact that the body needs fibre and you are going to supply enough fibre to the body on a daily basis.
  Common sources of both soluble and insoluble fibre include, fruits such as avocado, bananas, pears, apples, prunes, plums, skin of kiwifruit and grapes; vegetables like broccoli, celery, carrots, green beans, cauliflower etc. Other sources are whole grains, wheat and corn bran, oats, rye and barley. A variety of legumes are also high in fibre and in this category are black beans, white beans, kidney beans and lentils. The rest are, almonds, flaxseed, sweet potato, onions, brown rice and Ofada rice.
  Recommended daily intake of fibre for the American adult is 20 to 35 grams but research shows that they have fallen short of this because of the typical American diet. Going by diet, one can safely say that an adult Nigerian should be doing more that 50 per cent of this daily requirement. I am certain that we can do even better than this if we add a few of those foods that have a high content of fibre to our meals daily.
  Next week Thursday, I shall continue on this topic as I present the beneficial effects of fibre on conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol metabolism, colon health and obesity.
God bless.

"BAD" CHOLESTEROL AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN HUMANS - The Guardian Newspapers.

How ‘bad’ cholesterol causes atherosclerosis in humans

Thursday, 26 September 2013 00:00 Editor Features - Natural Health

UNIVERSITY of Buffalo, United States, translational researchers are developing a richer understanding of atherosclerosis in humans, revealing a key role for stem cells that promote inflammation.
      The research was published last month in PLOS One. It extends to humans previous findings in lab animals by researchers at Columbia University that revealed that high levels of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)/“bad” cholesterol promote atherosclerosis by stimulating production of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC’s).
      “Our research opens up a potential new approach to preventing heart attack and stroke, by focusing on interactions between cholesterol and the HSPCs,” says Prof. Thomas R. Cimato, lead author on the PLOS One paper and assistant professor in the Department of Medicine in the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
      He notes that the finding about the importance of these stem cells in atherosclerosis could lead to the development of a useful therapy in combination with statins, or one that could be used in place of statins in individuals who cannot tolerate them.
      The study demonstrated for the first time in humans that high total cholesterol recruits stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream, via increases in IL-17, which has been implicated in many chronic inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis. IL-17 boosts levels of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), which releases stem cells from the bone marrow.
     They also found that statins do reduce the levels of HSPCs in the blood but not every subject responded similarly, Cimato says.
     “We’ve extrapolated to humans what other scientists previously found in mice about the interactions between LDL cholesterol and these HSPCs,” explains Cimato.
     The demonstration that a finding in lab animals is equally relevant in humans is noteworthy, adds Cimato, a researcher in UB’s Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC).
      “This is especially true with cholesterol studies,” he says, “because mice used for atherosclerosis studies have very low total cholesterol levels at baseline. We feed them very high fat diets in order to study high cholesterol but it isn’t easy to interpret what the levels in mice will mean in humans and you don’t know if extrapolating to humans will be valid.”
     Cimato adds that the degree of increased LDL cholesterol in mouse studies is much higher than what is found in patients who come to the hospital with a heart attack or stroke.
     “The fact that this connection between stem cells and LDL cholesterol in the blood that was found in mice also turns out to be true in humans is quite remarkable,” he says.

ALLIGATOR PEPPER - FAST AND SAFE WAY TO ACHIEVE WEIGHT LOSS AND ENERGY BOOST.

Alligator pepper may provide next weight loss, energy-boosting drug

Thursday, 26 September 2013 00:00 CHUKWUMA MUANYA Features - Natural Health 
 

Can regular intake of alligator pepper be the next best fastest and safest way to shed weight, burn body fats, boost energy levels? CHUKWUMA MUANYA writes.
JAPANESE researchers have discovered more novel applications for alligator pepper.
       Commonly called grains of paradise or alligator pepper, Aframomum melegueta is a tropical herbaceous perennial plant of the genus Aframomum belonging to the family zingiberaceae (ginger family).
        The researchers in a study published recently in the British Journal of Nutrition tested the traditional West African herbal remedy and found that it increases thermogenesis and stimulates brown adipose tissue loss.
       Thermogenesis is the process of heat production in organisms. It occurs mostly in warm-blooded animals.
        The research comes from Japan’s Tenshi College School of Nursing and Nutrition. After significant laboratory testing on the medicinal herb called Aframomum melegueta, inclusive of breaking down its primary active constituents, the researchers tested the herb on 19 healthy young men.
     The study is titled “Grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta) extract activates brown adipose tissue and increases whole-body energy expenditure in men.”
      The researchers tested the 19 men for body fat content, energy expenditure and thermogenesis using positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
        A PET scan uses radiation, or nuclear medicine imaging, to produce 3-dimensional, color images of the functional processes within the human body.
     The thermogenesis testing included submitting the subjects to a cold environment for two hours while testing their energy output.
     After gaining baseline levels, the researchers gave an extract of Aframomum melegueta seed or a placebo to the 19 men for four weeks, and then crossed the group over to test the placebo group with the herbal extract.
      The researchers found that the extract resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure and loss of brown adipose tissue – fatty tissue known to be difficult to reduce. They also found that energy expenditure increased within two hours of the subject receiving the extract, while the placebo group showed no such increase.
      The research, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, means that Grains of Paradise may be a significant weight loss aid. Brown adipose tissue can be difficult to reduce for those wanting to lose weight because it receives significant circulation. Some refer to brown fatty tissue as “baby fat.”
     The researchers wrote: “Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is responsible for cold- and diet-induced thermogenesis, and thereby contributes to the control of whole-body energy expenditure (EE) and body fat content. BAT activity can be assessed by fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) in human subjects.
      “Grains of paradise (GP, Aframomum melegueta), a species of the ginger family, contain pungent, aromatic ketones such as 6-paradol, 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol. An alcohol extract of GP seeds and 6-paradol are known to activate BAT thermogenesis in small rodents.
      “The present study aimed to examine the effects of the GP extract on whole-body EE and to analyse its relation to BAT activity in men. A total of nineteen healthy male volunteers aged 20-32 years underwent FDG-PET after 2 h of exposure to cold at 19°C with light clothing. A total of twelve subjects showed marked FDG uptake into the adipose tissue of the supraclavicular and paraspinal regions (BAT positive). The remaining seven showed no detectable uptake (BAT negative).
      “Within four weeks after the FDG-PET examination, whole-body EE was measured at 27°C before and after oral ingestion of GP extract (40 mg) in a single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover design. The resting EE of the BAT-positive group did not differ from that of the BAT-negative group. After GP extract ingestion, the EE of the BAT-positive group increased within two hour to a significantly greater (P< 0·01) level than that of the BAT-negative group. Placebo ingestion produced no significant change in EE.
      “These results suggest that oral ingestion of GP extract increases whole-body EE through the activation of BAT in human subjects.”
         The phytochemicals obtained from the seed of Aframomum melegueta has been used for years in the treatment of infectious diseases. The grains of Aframomum melegueta possess active ingredients that may be exploited for local development of antimicrobials.
        Alligator pepper has also shown promise in resolving erectile dysfunction and delaying ejaculation.
      A preparation from Alligator pepper has received a United States patent as a potent aphrodisiac.
         It has been shown that Alligator pepper is more effective when used with Piper guineense (Uziza in Ibo)), kola nut and bitter kola. In a research, this combination was used on male rats. The results showed that this combination has an ability to “turn on” male rats.
         Indeed, the patented invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions based on the use of Aframomum seeds to solve the problem of male erectile dysfunction as well as premature ejaculation in men.
        A summary of the U.S. Patent 5879682 reads: “One aim of the present invention is to provide a painless therapy for male erectile dysfunction as well as for premature ejaculation in male without the drawbacks of the prior art techniques. The composition of the present invention provide a painless and safe medication to patients suffering from erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation as well as to men wishing to improve their sexual performance.”
        A study published in International Journal of Biology by researchers from Yaba College of Technology, Lagos concluded: “The plant Aframomum melegueta can be of immense use in phytomedicine and can be included in health care delivery system particularly in the developing economies. Further studies on more effective method of extracting only the necessary constituents and standard reconstitution means as well as other processing, refining and purification measures would be necessary. It can be concluded from this study that the extracts from the seed of Aframomum melegueta showed antimicrobial activity against the tested isolates at high concentration of 50mg/ml. This probably justifies its use as an antimicrobial agent.”
      The presence of phenolic compounds in the seed of Aframomum melegueta indicates that this plant is an antimicrobial agents and this is because phenols and phenolic compounds have been extensively used in disinfections and remain the standard with which other bactericides are compared.
     Extracts from the seed of Aframomum melegueta with have potent antiseptic or bactericidal properties, have therefore been used in treating wounds and preventions of infections.
      Aframomum melegueta was tested for antimicrobial effects on five pathogenic bacteria, which include Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherictaia coli, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumonia. The plant extract of Aframomum melegueta was found inhibitory to the growth of Klebsiella pneumonia and Salmonella typhi.
    The findings revealed that extract from Aframomum melegueta contain phytochemicals, which offer an enormous potential as bio control of these pathogens and source of antimicrobial agents of therapeutic importance.

FAT LOSS FACTOR.

FAT LOSS FACTOR

STOP PRESS:

 Are You Having issues with your weight and not knowing what to do to remedy the situation? Relax! The Solution is at your finger tips.Click Here! to link up with  Dr. Charles on a somewhat unusual tip to Quickly Get A Flat Belly While Still Enjoying All The Foods You Love. You will be glad you did. 

HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY ATTITUDE. By: Christen Cooper, M.S., R.

   No matter a child's age, it's important for parents, caregivers, friends and others to take a positive approach to feeding. Experts such as Ellyn Satter, a dietitian who has worked with children's nutrition for many years, explains that overly intrusive, judgmental or restrictive attitudes towards feeding children can lead to eating problems.
Ms. Satter recommends that no matter what a child's weight, parents should present healthful meals, allow children to eat until they are full, enjoy a small dessert and then wait until the next meal to eat again. She believes that regular, scheduled, healthful meals and snacks are the key to getting kids into the kind of eating pattern that will help them self-adjust to good eating habits and therefore, to a healthy weight over time. Ms. Satter says that parents should control "what is offered and when it's offered." Kids should control "what and how much they eat from the choices offered.

   Another reason to take a positive, non-critical approach to eating is to avoid triggering an eating disorder. No one is certain exactly what plants the seeds of eating problems in children, but certain children seem to be more sensitive than others to society's and others' opinions and to their own body images.
Some types of dance and sports, such as gymnastics, ballet and figure skating become more difficult when young people enter puberty. Their weight rises and weight distribution shifts, sometimes making their performance more difficult. Some young people have a hard time accepting these changes, especially if they are devoted to their sport and their success is dependent on body type.
Young athletes who fail to eat enough calories jeopardize their bone health, and for young women, their reproductive health as well.
Help your teen or preteen to weather the confusion of her changing body by answering questions and finding answers to the questions that you cannot answer. Continue to emphasize that good health is what makes a good athlete not food restriction. Seek help from counselors or coaches if appropriate.

   There is a saying that  "a healthy child has many mums and is the pride of all" , but the sickly belongs just to his/her biological mum. These children are the adults and leaders of "Tomorrow". Building a healthy generation of youths from infancy is a sure way to institutionalize  a sustainable economy capable of providing for the citizenry. 

  

YOUTH FITNESS AND NUTRITION.

 By Christen Cooper, M.S., R.

Photo Credit running with balloons image by Renata Osinska from Fotolia.com

Youth have unique needs for food and physical activity not only to maintain good general health, but to optimize their growth and development.
Despite high energy needs, many young Americans have become overweight and obese over the past decade. Many experts believe that in the past, children had greater amounts of designated time for physical fitness during the school day. They also had more freedom to play outside, since there were fewer threats to their safety. There was also less of a propensity to choose sedentary activities such as TV watching or computer use after school. And finally, children were presented with healthier foods and given less leeway in their food choices.
A major gripe of dietitians and physicians specializing in child nutrition is that many children have replaced milk, a beverage containing calcium, protein and other valuable nutrients; with soft drinks, which contain little more than calories and do not provide the same sense of satiety that more nutritious beverages do.
Another factor that has contributed to fatter youth is advertising for junk foods, which is widespread and many young people eat at fast food establishments for meals as well as for recreation. This will need to change, as the nation gears up for a fitter, healthier future for our next generation.
All children and teens should focus on eating as many fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy and healthful fats as possible. These foods offer more than calories; they offer valuable nutrients, plus the vitamins and minerals that help the body turn food into energy. They provide the calories the body needs for high levels of fitness and cognition, as well as for growth and development of bones, organs and the brain.

   The society is in dare need of healthy youths, without whom the drive towards excellence may be a pipe dream. The aged are no longer in a position to do many things needed to drive the economy, especially those things that border on the exertion of physical strength. It is the youth that metamorphose into the adult. It therefore follows logically that the healthy youth grows into the healthy adult. The health and fitness of the youth is not something that could be wished away as the end result may not be palatable. We could end up with a society made up of unhealthy men and women who may not be in a position to contribute meaningfully toward making the society a better place.     

   

PREPARE FOR OLD AGE FROM INFANCY ------- OYEDIRAN.

One of the secrets of living to a ripe old age is to prepare for it right from infancy and even while in the uterus during pregnancy.
A public health physician and Former Adjunct Professor in the Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos Professor Muriel Ayodeji Oyediran, who gave this assertion, urged Nigerians to adopt the kind of lifestyle in their youth that would enable them live healthily in old age.
   Oyediran, who was Guest Speaker at the 2013 Annual Faculty Day Lecture, of the Faculty of Public Health, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, last week at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi Araba, called for commitment from government at all levels towards provision of conditions that promote quality of life for the elferly in Nigeria so that they continue to participate in their communities for as long as possible.
   "As soon as you can, from your childhood, teens and 20s, prepare for your old age,because you will get old one sometimes. What you do from childhood influences your state of health later in life, so take care," she advised.
   "You have to start from being a baby, from childhood. Start from breast feeding which is the best for babies. It protects their teeth and bones. A healthy child is bound to grow into a healthy, normal adult, so if a child is well fed, that child would grow into a healthy normal and long-lived adult.
   "It begins from in-uterus to birth, because the diet the mother has when she is pregnant affects the health of the child. Start early from pregnancy all the way down, then you may live to 120," she asserted.
   In her lecture titled: "Even Nigerians Grow Old!: The Problems and Challenges of Aging in Nigeria" Oyediran said it was essential for government to be aware of the increasing financial, social and health needs of the elderly and to be more proactive in providing affordable healthcare for the elderly through health insurance schemes and care homes.
   Lamenting the increasing trend abuse, neglect and abandonment of the elderly in Nigeria, she said the problem which was rarely recognized and reported in the past, is becoming an important growing social and public health problem.
   "With regard to the various economic changes occurring with high unemployment rates, poor economic indices and a general deterioration in living standards, it is likely that the elderly may become an extra source of stress and strain to the family."
   In her view, Oyediran said it is important for caregivers to develop a network of family and friends who can assist with caring. "It is clear there are still many opportunities for health services and care to be provided in the community for the elderly who are either living by themselves or are living with family." This is a challenge to the local authorities and state governments to improve lives of the elderly by providing them with companionship and suitable activities to keep them mentally, physically and socially active.

   This is a follow up from my earlier blog  on :CARING FOR AGING PARENTS.