EXPERTS WARNS NIGERIANS - “DONT EAT SUYA WITHOUT VEGETABLE”

Suya: A professor of Community and Public Health Nutrition has sounded a note of warning to Nigerians over the consumption of barbecued beef popularly called Suya. Consumers of barbecued beef popularly called “Suya” have been advised to always ensure that generous portions of onions, cabbage, tomatoes and other vegetables were eaten along with it. Suya is generally made with skewered beef, ram, or chicken. Innards such as kidney, liver and tripe are also used.

The thinly sliced meat is marinated in various spices which include peanut cake, salt, vegetable oil and other flavourings, and then barbecued. Ngozi Nnam, Professor of Community and Public Health Nutrition at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja. Ms. Nnam said that there was a link between its consumption and increased risk of cancer, noting that consumption of suya garnished with onions and other vegetables has a strong cancer-lowering effect. “Eating Suya can actually cause cancer. This comes from the reaction of meat and the smoke during Suya preparation which results in a toxic compound that can cause cancer. “Smoking of the meat is what causes cancer. Some metabolites from food can cause cancer. What is important is to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables to increase antioxidants in the body to neutralise or react with the toxic metabolite from food to prevent cancer. The nutritionist, however, urged Nigerians to consume more of fish than beef. She said that the major benefit of eating beef was that it provided needed protein for the individual. “It is however healthier to eat fish than meat because some fish e.g. srumbia fish contain omega 6 fatty acid which is good for the body. “Omega 6 fatty acid is also very good for infants because it is required for proper brain development.’’ In addition, she warned against the consumption of smoked fish, saying “again the problem with smoked fish is the toxic substance produced by the smoke. “If we can grill it, it will be better than smoking it,’’ she advised. Ms. Nnam, also the President of Nutrition Society of Nigeria, said that the National Policy on Food and Nutrition has been implemented across the country. “The National Policy on Food and Nutrition was launched during the Nutrition Week in September 2016 by the Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari. “After the launch, the policy has been domesticated and being implemented in different states of the federation. The Ministry of Budget and National Planning is overseeing this activity with state nutrition officers,’’ she said. The policy seeks to improve the nutritional status of all Nigerians, with particular emphasis on the most vulnerable groups including children, women, and the elderly.

Great benefits of sleeping on your left side

Below are the great benefits of sleeping on your left side...

Alert! You need to know this:10 ways to control high blood pressure without medication

Lifestyle plays an important role in treating your high blood pressure. If you successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you might avoid, delay or reduce the need for medication.

Here are 10 lifestyle changes you can make to lower your blood pressure and keep it down hereby reduce your risk of heart disease.

1. Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline

Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. Being overweight also can cause disrupted breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea), which further raises your blood pressure.

Weight loss is one of the most effective lifestyle changes for controlling blood pressure. Losing just 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) can help reduce your blood pressure.

Besides shedding pounds, you generally should also keep an eye on your waistline. Carrying too much weight around your waist can put you at greater risk of high blood pressure.

Men are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 40 inches (102 centimeters).
Women are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (89 centimeters).


2. Exercise regularly

Regular physical activity — at least 30 minutes most days of the week — can lower your blood pressure by 4 to 9 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). It's important to be consistent because if you stop exercising, your blood pressure can rise again.

If you have slightly high blood pressure (prehypertension), exercise can help you avoid developing full-blown hypertension. If you already have hypertension, regular physical activity can bring your blood pressure down to safer levels.

The best types of exercise for lowering blood pressure include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or dancing. Strength training also can help reduce blood pressure. Talk to your doctor about developing an exercise program.


3. Eat a healthy diet

Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and skimps on saturated fat and cholesterol can lower your blood pressure by up to 14 mm Hg. This eating plan is known as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.

It isn't easy to change your eating habits, but with these tips, you can adopt a healthy diet:

- Keep a food diary. Monitor your eating habits, for just a week you can write down what you eat, how much, when and why.

- Consider boosting potassium.

9 Potassium rich foods to lower blood pressure 

 Potassium can lessen the effects of sodium on blood pressure. The best source of potassium is food, such as fruits and vegetables.

- Be a smart shopper. Read food labels when you shop and stick to your healthy-eating plan when you're dining out, too.


4. Reduce salt in your diet

To decrease salt in your diet, consider these tips:

- Read food labels. If possible, choose low-sodium alternatives of the foods and beverages you normally buy.
- Eat fewer processed foods. Only a small amount of sodium occurs naturally in foods. Most sodium is added during processing.
- Don't add salt. Just 1 level teaspoon of salt has 2,300 mg of sodium. Use herbs or spices to add flavor to your food.
- Ease into it. If you don't feel you can drastically reduce the sodium in your diet suddenly, cut back gradually. Your palate will adjust over time.


5. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink

Alcohol can be both good and bad for your health. In small amounts, it can potentially lower your blood pressure by 2 to 4 mm Hg.

But that protective effect is lost if you drink too much alcohol. Drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol can actually raise blood pressure by several points. It can also reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications

6. Quit smoking

Each cigarette you smoke increases your blood pressure for many minutes after you finish. Quitting smoking helps your blood pressure return to normal. People who quit smoking, regardless of age, have substantial increases in life expectancy.

7. Cut back on caffeine

Although the effects of chronic caffeine ingestion on blood pressure aren't clear, the possibility of a slight increase in blood pressure exists.
To see if caffeine raises your blood pressure, check your pressure within 30 minutes of drinking a caffeinated beverage. If your blood pressure increases by 5 to 10 mm Hg, you may be sensitive to the blood pressure raising effects of caffeine. Talk to your doctor about the effects of caffeine on your blood pressure.


8. Reduce your stress

Chronic stress is an important contributor to high blood pressure. Occasional stress also can contribute to high blood pressure if you react to stress by eating unhealthy food, drinking alcohol or smoking.

Take some time to think about what causes you to feel stressed, such as work, family, finances or illness. Once you know what's causing your stress, consider how you can eliminate or reduce stress.
If you can't eliminate all of your stressors, you can at least cope with them in a healthier way. Try to:

Change your expectations. Give yourself time to get things done. Learn to say no and to live within manageable limits. Try to learn to accept things you can't change.
Think about problems under your control and make a plan to solve them. You could talk to your boss about difficulties at work or to family members about problems at home.
Know your stress triggers. Avoid whatever triggers you can. For example, spend less time with people who bother you or avoid driving in rush-hour traffic.
Make time to relax and to do activities you enjoy. Take 15 to 20 minutes a day to sit quietly and breathe deeply. Try to intentionally enjoy what you do rather than hurrying through your "relaxing activities" at a stressful pace.
Practice gratitude. Expressing gratitude to others can help reduce stressful thoughts.


9. Monitor your blood pressure at home and see your doctor regularly

Blood pressure monitors are available widely and without a prescription. Talk to your doctor about home monitoring and how to use the BP apparatus before you get started.

Regular visits with your doctor are also key to controlling your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is under control, you might need to see your doctor less frequently depending on other conditions you might have. If your blood pressure isn't well-controlled, your doctor will likely want to see you more frequently.

10. Get support

Supportive family and friends can help improve your health. They may encourage you to take care of yourself, drive you to the doctor's office or embark on an exercise program with you to keep your blood pressure low.

If you find you need support beyond your family and friends, consider joining a support group. This may put you in touch with people who can give you an emotional or morale boost and who can offer practical tips to cope with your condition.

Credit:Mayo clinics
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How To Brighten Dark Areas On The Body

Areas of the body like the elbows, knuckles, knees and more get darker than other areas and come off funny where in fact they should match other areas (or very close to).
Lemons come as natural bleaching agent for dark areas on the body and they work well and fast, add sugar as a perfect natural exfoliating agent and the skin will glow as much as it feels smooth.
Lemon is rich in Vitamin C which ensures smooth and softer skin as well as improve skintone and gets rid of dead skin cells while making the skin visibly lighter and brighter.

How to use Lemon + Sugar to brighten dark skin area:
1. Cut lemon into halves
2.  Sprinkle granulated sugar (brown preferably) on half lemon
3. Wash affected areas of the body clean
4. Scrub the skin with the lemon half (with sugar sprinkles) over the areas in circular motions
5. Leave the 'mix' on for about 15 minutes
6. Rinse with water and apply moisturizer as usual
Note: Avoid exposure to sun when using lemon as a skin lightening agent.

Guess what??? Here are 8 great things Garden Egg Can Do For You

Are you wondering what you gain when you eat eggplants? Here are some astonishing benefits of consuming garden eggs:


1. EYE PROTECTION
According to findings, garden eggs is believed to protective the eyes. It improves sights as it has positive effects on visual functions. A study conducted by some experts, ” found that eating plenty of garden egg can help lower eye pressure in persons with glaucoma. The study, which initially set out to find out if there may be complications associated with its excessive consumption in the male volunteers that were involved in the study, found they all had a reduced pupil size. They also had a lower intraocular pressure. It dropped by 25 per cent, even though it was yet still within the normal range. They concluded that garden egg consumption did not produce any vision discomfort and that people needed not fear eating plenty of it since it could even help to lower eye pressure in persons with glaucoma.


2. PREVENTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
A high level of blood cholesterol more particularly low-density Tipoprotein cholesterol is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke and heart disease and garden egg has the power of reducing these risks.
Garden eggs are rich in vitamins and the immense benefits of vitamins in the body are well known.
In garden eggs, vitamin B1 and B6 (Thiamine and Niacin) are abundant. These vitamins are needed for growth, proper functioning of the heart and cellular respiration.
It is also rich in potassium, a salt that helps in regulating blood pressure.


3. REGULATION OF BLOOD SUGAR
If you belong to the class of people who are constantly trying to watch their blood sugar level, garden egg is the fruit for you.
It contains low soluble carbohydrates and has the ability to reduce glucose absorption in the body.


4. WEIGHT LOSS
Some Scientists have also propounded that garden eggs are also excellent for weight reduction. People who are trying to loose weight within a short period of time should eat a lot of garden eggs in fresh form because it is a fibre with very low calorie content.

5. FERTILITY
In Nigeria, it is believed that it also represents fertility and blessing and thus,  it is served during wedding ceremonies in some parts of the country.


6. DIGESTION AND BOWEL MOVEMENT
Just as it happens with other fibrous foods, garden eggs help with digestion of food by ensuring the smooth passage of food in the body so that there is no chance of bloating.
It does not stop there; when it is time to visit the convenience, the fibre in garden eggs also helps with smooth passage of faeces.


7. BLOOD FORMING AND CLOTTING FACTOR
Low levels of vitamin K especially in adults though rare, can raise the risk of uncontrolled bleeding. Garden eggs contain Vitamin K which is majorly known to play a key role in helping blood to clot, strengthening the blood capillaries hereby preventing excessive bleeding.
The leaves from the plant is also known to serve as a natural blood tonic in anemic patients.


8. TREATMENT OF STOMACH ULCER
Expert in a study indicated that garden egg could be used for the treatment of stomach ulcers. The study was undertaken to evaluate the possible anti-ulcer effect of the African garden egg. They found that it possessed ulcer protective properties against ulcers induced experimentally, making it a cheap source of natural anti-ulcer remedy.
Are you just like me who sneer at the sight of the fruit never interested in the taste? Well I plan to get some today and take at least one a day for start till I get used to it. Anything that will protect my eyes and reduce my ulcer definitely works for me.
So are you having some today???

Woman Slept With Her Snake Every Night, But What The Vet Told Her Is Terrifying

If you’ve got a dog or a cat, you might be the type of person to let them sleep in your bed. We get it: They’re adorable and warm and they’d much rather sleep next to you than on the floor, and their cute furry faces make it hard to resist. But what if your beloved pet is something slightly more terrifying than your average, run-of-the-mill cat or dog? In other words, would you feel the same way if our pet had scales? Most people would answer that question with an enthusiastic “HELL NO.” But one woman defied expectations and let her reptilian pet sleep in her bed, most likely using the logic that if dogs and cats can do it, why can’t the more slithery, slimy animals of the world receive the same courtesy. Unfortunately, what she found out about her bedmate ended up being pretty scary. Find out what happened below.

 #1. Snuggling with your pet at night is far from strange. In fact, it’s one of life’s simple pleasures.
 #2. After all, they’re just so warm and cuddly. And we’re pretty sure they feel the same way about you.

#3. But what happens when the pet you love isn’t the cuddly sort? And no, we’re not just talking about a dog that needs his personal space.

 #4. We’re speaking more to the kind of pets that most people don’t want in their beds. Think less warm fur and more slithery scales.

 #5. Yes, that’s right: One woman sleeps with her beloved python in her bed. No, we’re not sure how we feel about it either.

#6. The woman slept with her pet every single night. Often, it laid out across her body, where she thought it was catching some zzz’s.

 #7. But when the python stopped eating, the woman got worried. She took it to the vet to see if it was ill, and to find out what might be causing its appetite issues.

#8. The vet asked her a series of peculiar questions. The woman admitted that yes, the snake laid across her entire body at night, often spreading out from her head to her toes.

#9. That’s when the vet told her something disturbing. Apparently, the snake’s behavior and lack of eating indicated that it was sizing HER up for its next meal.

#10. Who knows what would have happened if the women hadn’t taken her animal to the vet and found out the truth. Word to the wise: Don’t sleep with your python, because while you sleep it’s considering ways to make you into a snack. Who knew?

How to manage food poisoning

WHAT IS FOOD POISONING?

Food poisoning is a foodborne illness that is caused by eating contaminated food.

CAUSES

 Bacteria, viruses and parasites are the most common causes of food poisoning.

these infectious organisms can contaminate food and food products in their processing or production. Also affects uncooked foods, foods that are not well cooked or washed.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF FOOD POISONING

• Feeling nauseous 
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea (may be watery)

• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Fever
• Headach

You may experience these complaints within few hours of ingesting contaminated food and water or might take days after the infection.

HOW TO MANAGE FOOD POISONING 

Usually food poisoning tends to resolve naturally after some time even without taking any medication.

If the complaints are severe or continuous over days then you should go to the hospital.

HOME REMEDIES 

• Drink alot of water if not vomiting so as to replace lost body fluids and electrolytes.
• Avoid eating foods and roughages that can easily upset your tummy such as vegetables, beans and fruits.
• Use cold water pack or cold compress on your fore head to relieve headaches and fever
• If diarrhea and vomiting is mild, eat light food such as crackers and bread slowly and rest after each meal. 
• To relieve the abdominal cramps drink warm lemon water, ginger roots tea prepared safely. Use warm stomach compress if there is no fever.
•  In case of fever, take cold shower once or twice. 

HOW TO AVOID FOOD POISONING 

• Check Best Before date before eating any processed or packaged food
• When in doubt throw foods stored in the fridge for a long time out. 
• Cook and refrigerate at the right temperature 
• Clean every dirty plates and kitchen utensils before use 
• Wash hands always before eating and after using the bathroom.
• Stay informed on best food safety practices. 

If you observe that your vomitting is much and your stool is blood stained, serious stomach pains and high body temperature, tiredness, general weakness and other strange body feeling, immediately seek your doctor's attention.

copyright: #snowdlblog  

5 Things You Must Do If You Have Unprotected Sex

Unprotected lovemaking puts lovers at health risks due to the prevalence of diseases as a result of infidelity among partners most times.

During the heat of s*xual ecstasy, things can really go fast from foreplay to s*x and partners may not even remember to use Cond0ms.
Unprotected s*x is s*xual intercourse without the use of a barrier method of contraception. This can be either the male or the female Cond0m. Unprotected s*xual intercourse increases the risk of contacting/ transmitting HIV, STD and unwanted pregnancy.
I have seen a lot of people overwhelmed with anxiety after having unprotected S3xual intercourse with some indulging in acts that does not only sound ridiculous but also increases their chance of contacting STD or even affecting their health adversely. Douching is one of such. Generally, women are discouraged from douching because it alters the normal bacteria flora of the v*gina which keeps it healthy and free from invading pathogens.
If you douche after s*x, it increases the chance of contacting STD and it doesn’t prevent pregnancy and HIV infection. Myths like ingestion of herbal medicines, insertion of caustic soda, ingesting OTCs like ampicillin and aspirin have not been proven scientifically to be effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies and infection with STD. In this article, we will review on things you must do if you have unprotected s*x.

1. Take Emergency contraceptive pills

This is one of the surest ways of preventing unwanted pregnancy after having unprotected S3xual intercourse. You will have to take emergency contraceptives in form of emergency contraceptives pills. Emergency contraceptive pills also referred to as morning after pills are is used to prevent pregnancy. There can be obtained with a doctor’s prescription or as an over the counter drug (OTC) in drug stores. A commonly used form of EC is Postinor 2 which is taken within 72 hours after having unprotected S3xual intercourse. It contains Levonorgestrel which is a synthetic form of a female reproductive hormone that prevents implantation hence pregnancy doesn’t occur.

2. Ask for an Intra-Uterine Device (IUD)

If after 72 hours, then you must contact your health care provider for an emergency IUD. IUD is tiny rod-like devices inserted into the uterus (womb) by your doctor. There distort cervical mucus and prevents the implantation of the egg. If inserted properly and within 5 days, it is highly effective with an efficacy rate of about 98%. It is important to note that EC and IUD don’t give any protection nor prevent STD and HIV infection.

3. Test for STD and HIV

Fears of infection with STD or the dreaded killer disease HIV is heightened after unprotected S3xual intercourse. It is mandatory that you test to screen for STD and HIV. If possible, such test should be conducted with your s*xual partner. STD to be tested for includes Hepatitis B and C, gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia. This can be carried out with blood samples or via a Vag!nal/ penile swab. However, results gotten from an early test are inconclusive hence test must be repeated after 6 months for cases of HIV and Hepatitis. Testing after having unprotected s*xual intercourse allays fear/ anxiety and increases the chance of early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of S3xually transmitted disease.

4. Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

PEP is essential after a high risk unprotected S3xual intercourse. This includes cases of rape by an unknown assailant, s*xual intercourse with an individual living with HIV or unprotected S3xual intercourse with a partner with known multiple s*xual partners. You must visit a health facility that provides such services and after counseling and series of test, you will be commenced on PEP for a duration of one month. The drugs have been noted to be 99% effective in preventing HIV if commenced within 72 hours. PEP provides protection against HIV but not to other STD. However, you will have to do another HIV test after 6 months to be declared free from the deadly disease.

5. Keep calm, watch for symptoms and consult your doctor 

Unprotected s*x may happen unexpectedly or as a result of carelessness from both partners. Once it has occurred, there is little of no need for panic. You should keep calm and watch out for symptoms after undergoing the initial screening test for STD and HIV. Symptoms make take 2 weeks or more to manifest. If after unprotected s*x, you begin to experience v*ginal itching, v*ginal or penile discharge, severe burning pain on urinating, sores or ulcers around your external genitals then it is advisable that you consult your doctor for further evaluation and treatment.