Cashews are the number one crop in the world (after almonds), reason for being identified as a healthy crop, containing powerful phytonutrients for the wellbeing of man. They require a hot, humid climate to proliferate, which is why India, Brazil, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Nigeria are the largest raw cashew producers.
Checkout the amazing benefits of consuming cashew nuts:
Cancer Prevention
Cashews are ripe with proanthocyanidins, a class of flavanols that actually starve tumors and stop cancer cells from dividing. Studies have also shown that cashews can reduce your colon cancer risk. Their high copper content also endows the seed with the power to eliminate free radicals and they are also good sources of phytochemicals and antioxidants that protect us from heart disease and cancer.
Cashew Nut
Heart Health
Cashews have a lower fat content than most other nuts and most of it is in the form of oleic acid, the same heart-healthy monounsaturated fat found in olive oil. Studies show that oleic acid promotes good cardiovascular health by helping to reduce triglyceride levels, high levels of which are associated with an increased risk for heart disease. Cashews are wonderfully cholesterol free and their high antioxidant content helps lower risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases. The magnesium in cashews helps lower blood pressure and helps prevent heart attacks.
Hair and Skin Health
Cashews are rich in the mineral copper. An essential component of many enzymes, copper plays its part in a broad array of processes. One copper-containing enzyme, tyrosinase, converts tyrosine to melanin, which is the pigment that gives hair and skin its colour. Without the copper cashews are so abundant in, these enzymes would not be able to do their jobs.
Bone Health
Cashews are particularly rich in magnesium. It’s a well-known fact that calcium is necessary for strong bones, but magnesium is as well. Most of the magnesium in the human body is in our bones. Some of it helps lend bones their physical structure, and the remainder is located on the surface of the bone where it is stored for the body to use as it needs. Copper found in cashews is vital for the function of enzymes involved in combining collagen and elastin, providing substance and flexibility in bones and joints.
Good for the Nerves
By preventing calcium from rushing into nerve cells and activating them, magnesium keeps our nerves relaxed and thereby our blood vessels and muscles too. Too little magnesium means too much calcium can gain entrance to the nerve cell, causing it to send too many messages, and leading to too much contraction.
Insufficient magnesium leads to higher blood pressure, muscle tension, migraine headaches, soreness and fatigue. Not surprisingly, studies have demonstrated that magnesium helps diminish the frequency of migraine attacks, lowers blood pressure and helps prevent heart attacks.
Prevent Gallstones
Data collected on 80,718 women from the Nurses’ Health Study demonstrates that women who eat at least an ounce of nuts each week, such as cashews, have a 25% lower risk of developing gallstones.
Weight Loss
People who eat nuts twice a week are much less likely to gain weight than those who rarely eat nuts. Cashew nuts are indeed relatively high in fat, but it is considered “good fat.” This is attributable to the ideal fat ratio in the nut, 1:2:1 for saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated, respectively, which is recommended by scientists for tip-top health. Cashew nuts contain less fat than most other popular nuts, including peanuts, pecans, almonds and walnuts. They are dense in energy and high in dietary fiber, making them a very valuable snack for managing weight gain.
Recent studies have shown that high consumption of fruits and vegetables may delay the process of degenerative diseases in humans.
Degenerative diseases are diseases that cause the structure or function of affected parts of the body to increasingly deteriorate over time, whether due to normal bodily wear or lifestyle choices. They include cancer, diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and so on.
Image of fruits and vegetable
In a research conducted by scientists from the Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Nigeria, and Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria, it was stated that high consumption of vegetables containing phenolic antioxidants may slow down the process of degenerative diseases.
Titled, “Antioxidant activity of selected Nigerian green leafy vegetables”, the study which was published in the American Journal of Food Technology 2 (3), and compiled by O.A Odukoya; S.L Inya-Agha; F.L Segun; M.O. Sofidiya; and O.O.Ilori recommends more consumption of vegetables because of their potential health benefits.
In conducting the study, the researchers experimented on the hot water extracts of 21 locally purchased green leafy vegetables. The vegetables include: Amaranthushybridus Linn. (Arnaranthaceae), Amaranthuscaudatus (Arnaranthaceae), Beilschmediamanni (Meisn.)Benth. Et Hook.f. (Lauraceae), Celosia argenteavarargentea (L.) 0. Knntze (Arnarantheceae) Celosia argenteavarcristata Linn. (Arnarantheceae), Corchorusolitorius L. (Tiliaceae), Crassocephalumcrepidioides (Benth).S.Moore (Asteraceae).
Othersr are: GnetumbucholzianumWelw.(Gnetaceae), GongronemalatifoliumBenth.(Asclepiadaceae), Heinsiacrinita (Afz.) G. Taylor (Rubiaceae), Hibiscus callyphyllus Cav. (Malvaceae),Lasiantheraafricana P. Beauv (Icacinaceae),Myrianthusarboreus P. Beauv. (Urt:icaceae ),Pterocarpusmildbraedii Harms (Papilionaceae ),Pterocarpussantalinoides DC. (Papilionaceae), Solanummacrocarpon L. (Solanaceae), Solamtmmelongena Linn.(Solanaceae), Struchiumsparganophora (Linn.) 0. Ktze (Asteraceae), Talinumtriangulare (Jacq.)Wild.Portulacaceae, Telferiaoccidetalis Hook (Curcurbitaceae) and Vernoniaamygdalina Del. (Asteraceae).
Preparation of materials
The vegetables were picked to remove debris, cut into small pieces and air dried. The materials were weighed (20 g) and homogenised with (100 mL) of distilled water using a Moulinex blender. Thereafter, the vegetables were tested to determine the antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and ascorbic acid content, through different methodologies.
Study procedure
The study observed that the protective action of fruits and vegetables is attributed to the presence of anti-oxidants, especially anti-oxidant vitamins, including ascorbic acid, a-tocopherol and P-carotene. It also noted that some vegetables need to be cooked before they become edible.
All the samples studied are eaten as cooked leafy vegetable in soups, while three species (Gnetumbucholzianum, G. africanum and Gongronemalatifolium) are also eaten raw in salads.
The study further stipulates cooking vegetables with minimal heat, since it is well established that many vitamins like vitamin C are easily destroyed by heat and light.
“Many studies have revealed that beta-carotene and antioxidant phenolic compounds are actually more bio-available from cooked vegetables compared with raw. This is probably due to cooking breaking down the tough cell walls, releasing the nutrient content for easier absorption from the small intestine,” the study said.
Carotenoids are present in chloroplasts in the leaves of dark green leafy vegetables, which are not readily digested in the body. It is believed that the fibre of vegetables entraps the beta-carotene, reducing its availability to be incorporated into micelles prior to absorption from the intestines. In contrast, beta-carotene in fruits is contained within the readily digestible cell wall. Hence, cooking of vegetables before eating increases bioavailability.
Antioxidant activity was accessed as a marker of lipid peroxidation in linoleic acid model. Thus, the study showed that there are large differences among total antioxidants in various dietary vegetables. The researchers noted that the correlation of variation in antioxidant activity of the vegetables may be due to the differences in the structures of phenolic compounds primarily related to their hydroxylation and methylation patterns and increased lag time of binding vegetable phenols with lipoproteins which subsequently protects them from oxidation.
“The human body cannot produce ascorbic acid, so it must be obtained entirely through one’s diet. The amount of ascorbic acid in the vegetables studied varied greatly. This might be as a result of factors as the variety, weather, maturity stage and storage. Since vitamin C is easily oxidized, storage and the cooking in air leads to the eventual oxidation of vitamin C by oxygen in the atmosphere.”
Related study
Researchers at the University College London (UCL) have also joined their voices to the campaign for increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, following a recent study by the institution which affirms that consumption of fruits and vegetables lowers mortality.
The researchers used the Health Survey for England to study the eating habits of 65,226 people representative of the English population between 2001 and 2013, and found that the more fruits and vegetables they ate, the less likely they were to die at any age.
Published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health in April, the study found that eating seven or more portions of fruits and vegetables a day reduces risk of death at any point in time by 42 per cent, compared to eating less than one portion.
The study further found that vegetables had the strongest protective effect, with each daily portion reducing overall risk of death by 16 per cent. Salad contributed to a 13 per cent risk reduction per portion, and each portion of fresh fruit was associated with a smaller but still significant four per cent reduction.
Compared to eating less than one portion of fruit and vegetables, the risk of death by any cause is reduced by 14 per cent by eating one to three portions, 29 per cent for three to five portions, 36 per cent for five to seven portions and 42 per cent for seven or more. These figures are adjusted for sex, age, cigarette smoking, social class, Body Mass Index, education, physical activity and alcohol intake, and exclude deaths within a year of the food survey, the study explained.
The study was the first to link fruit and vegetable consumption with all-cause, cancer and heart disease deaths in a nationally-representative population, the first to quantify health benefits per-portion, and the first to identify the types of fruit and vegetable with the most benefit.
According to Dr Oyinlola Oyebode, lead author of the study, “We all know that eating fruit and vegetables is healthy, but the size of the effect is staggering. The clear message here is that the more fruit and vegetables you eat, the less likely you are to die at any age.
“Vegetables have a larger effect than fruit, but fruit still makes a real difference. If you’re happy to snack on carrots or other vegetables, then that is a great choice but if you fancy something sweeter, a banana or any fruit will also do you good.
“Whatever your starting point, it is always worth eating more fruit and vegetables. In our study, even those eating one to three portions had a significantly lower risk than those eating less than one.”
Additionally, the researchers found no evidence of significant benefit from fruit juice, while canned and frozen fruits appeared to increase risk of death by 17 per cent. The survey did not distinguish between canned and frozen fruits, so this finding is difficult to interpret
“Most canned fruit contains high sugar levels and cheaper varieties are packed in syrup rather than fruit juice. The negative health impacts of the sugar may well outweigh any benefits. Another possibility is that there are confounding factors that we could not account for, such as poor access to fresh groceries among people who have pre-existing health conditions, hectic lifestyles or who live in deprived areas”, Oyebode said.
References: Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, UCL Epidemiology & Public Health, American Journal of Food Technology 2 (3): 169-175, 2007, ISSN 1557-4571
In this interview with Mrs Taiwo Akinola, superintendent pharmacist of Thompson and Grace Pharmaceuticals Limited, she disclosed to Pharmanews why there is more to cosmetics than beauty. She also explained why her company engages in cosmetics distribution. Excerpts:
How would you define cosmetics?
Cosmetics, also known as make-up, are care substances used to enhance the appearance or odour of the human body. They are generally mixtures of chemical compounds, some from natural sources, and others, synthetic. Examples include body creams/lotions, perfumes, lipsticks, nail polish, deodorants, hair cream and relaxers, aftershave cream/gel, hair removal cream etc. This wide variety is generally divided into two types: decorative cosmetics and care cosmetics.
Pharm. (Mrs) Taiwo Akinola
How are cosmetics different from over-the-counter (OTC) drugs?
Cosmetics are different from over-the-counter (OTC) drugs in that cosmetics are intended to be applied on the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering the appearance without affecting the body’s structure or functions – as it is with drugs. Cosmetics are not used in the treatment or prevention of diseases. For example, taking paracetamol tablet for pain or headache.
Is there any relationship between cosmetics and health?
The skin is the largest organ of the body, weighing between 8- 10 pounds in the average adult, and has an area of about 22 square feet. It serves many functions, including protective, sensory, regulatory, communication, and metabolic functions. Most of the things we put on our skin get absorbed in the body. Some stay near the surface, while others get absorbed into the blood stream and travel throughout the whole system. Many scientists think that changes in our health – such as proliferation of terminal diseases like cancer, onset of signs of puberty at an unusually early age, and even reproductive problems in adult women may be partly caused by all of the chemicals that we are exposed to every day.
Studies have shown that an average teenager uses 15-25 cosmetics per day: shower/wash, shaving cream, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, face toner, cream, lotion, hair food, lipsticks, nail polish etc. This continuous exposure affects our health, especially when products with harmful ingredients are involved. Someone experiencing itching or skin infection from sharing cosmetic brush which can transfer bacteria from skin to skin, or those with bloodshot eyes from mascara flakes cannot be said to be healthy since health is holistic.
What, really, are the benefits of cosmetics usage?
Cosmetics can hide blemishes, discoloured skin, scarring, etc. They help to enhance one’s complexion and beautify the skin. Moisturisers, for example, offer excellent protection against cold winds and act as lubricating agents. There are special sun protection creams/lotions that can protect you from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. These creams minimise the risk of skin cancer, which may result from exposure to sun rays.
Many cosmetics contain Vitamins such as A, D, E and K which are essential for healthy skin and hair.
To cope with body odour, one can use deodorants and perfumes. These help in making one feel fresh all through the day.
Some cosmetics can also be used to treat certain skin problems. For instance, dark spots and pimples can be treated with anti-pimple gel and coloured cream. While wrinkles can become less visible with the use of anti-aging creams/lotions.
Is every cosmetic safe for use? If not, how can consumers choose the best cosmetic for them?
No, not every cosmetic is safe for use. Consumers can determine the best cosmetics for them by first identifying their skin types. Either it’s oily, dry or normal. This will aid in the choice of cosmetics best suitable for their skin.
The average Nigerian doesn’t believe in reading labels and instructions before purchasing items from the store. This is not good enough as some serious damages could occur.
It is also advisable to always test a new cosmetic on a less visible part of the body, like the back of the hand, before using on the entire body, especially the face.
Are there some harmful components consumers should watch out for in cosmetics?
Fragrances and preservatives are the main ingredients in cosmetics. Fragrances are the most common cause of skin problems.
Preservatives prevent bacteria and fungi from growing in the products and protect products from damage caused by air or light. But they can also cause skin irritation and infection. Examples of these preservatives are paraben, formaldehyde, phenoxyethanol, Imidazolidinyl urea.
Cosmetics ingredients that can cause cancer or other serious health problems include Bithionol, mercury compounds, vinyl chloride, halogenated salicyanillides, chloroform, methylene chloride, and hexachlorophene.
What is the range of your company’s cosmetics and what benefits do they offer?
The range of our company’s cosmetics, Sebamed, are many and include Sebamed soap-free skin cleansers; skin care products; hair care; deodorants; anti-dry, anti-ageing, sun care products for adult and babies; baby Sebamed care range; Sebamed clear face range; and many others.
Regarding benefits of these products, I must duly inform you that Sebamed range of products are produced by Sebapharma in Germany with the support of leaders of dermatological research and development. All the products reflect quality through their careful, scientifically developed formulations, and consequently guarantee the highest skin tolerability.
Sebamed range of products are produced and maintained at PH 5.5. PH is the value of acid or alkali measured on a scale of 1-14, PH 7 being neutral. Lower numbers are increasingly acidic, while higher numbers are increasingly alkaline. A healthy skin has a slightly acidic PH value of 5.5.
Maintaining the skin PH or acid mantle is extremely important because the acid mantle supports the synthesis of barrier forming lipids within the stratum corneum. It stabilises the barrier structures of the stratum corneum lipids and the ecological balance of the skin’s micro flora. Also, the proliferation and differentiation of the skin cells is PH dependent.
Repetitive washing with soap leads to a permanent though slight increase of the skin surface PH. Sebamed products protect the skin’s barrier function through a PH of 5.5 They help protect against drying and irritation, provide efficient skin care, and are 100 per cent soap and alkali-free! They are widely recommended by dermatologists for the therapeutic cleansing of diseased skin.
We refer to our products as cosmeceuticals. The term has no meaning under the law but refers to products that are both cosmetics and drugs; an example of which is the anti-dandruff shampoo. While shampoo is cosmetic, the anti-dandruff properties make it a drug for treating dandruff. Also, the urea range of creams serves the purpose of moisturisers in treatment of extreme dry skin and psoriasis .They meet the standards for both cosmetics and drugs.
What is your advice to victims of harmful cosmetics?
Consumers should note that our skin type (light or dark) is genetically determined and should, therefore, stop the habit of bleaching, which damages the skin.
They should buy products with good label information – information is power! Products being purchased must also be sure to have the name and address of the manufacturers or distributors.
There is a need to check statements about a product’s alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) and PH levels. Consumers should protect their skins with sunscreens, having SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. Many Nigerians don’t believe in the use of sunscreen.
Lastly, be sure to stop any range of products once you notice a reaction or skin irritation.
It is very important to see a doctor or dermatologist if you have a problem with your skin after using a cosmetic product.
A recent study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, has recently suggested that pregnant women battling eating disorders are more likely to have children with high risk of complications.
According to the study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, the researchers were able to show that children born to mothers with eating disorders had an increased risk of premature birth and being born with small head circumference.
The study added that pregnant women with eating disorders should undergo extended pregnancy screenings considering their increased risk of complications.
Several studies have shown that eating disorders affect millions of people around the world, often women in childbearing age. The limited studies have also examined potential complications for children born to mothers with eating disorders.
In order to comprehend the analogy, the researchers studied all the 1.2 million mothers who gave birth in Sweden between 2003 and 2014, of whom nearly 2,800 had eating disorder, 1,400 had binge eating syndrome and 3,400 had an unspecified eating disorder.
They also compared whether the risk varied between these different types of eating disorders and whether the mother had an active or previous eating disorder.
A pregnant woman
The study showed that all types of eating disorders increased the risk of premature birth, microcephaly (small head circumference for gestational age) and hyperemesis during pregnancy, a severe form of nausea and vomiting affecting the mother.
The risk of anemia was twice as high for women with active eating disorder or unspecified eating disorder as for mothers without eating disorders. Active anorexia was also associated with an increased risk of antepartum hemorrhage.
The majority of the risk increases were more pronounced during active disease, but women who hadn’t been treated for an eating disorder in more than a year before conception were also at higher risk of complications compared to mothers who had never been diagnosed with an eating disorder.
Ängela Mantel, researcher at the Department of Medicine in the university and corresponding author of the study said “Women with eating disorder should be recognized as a high-risk group among pregnant women. From a clinical point of view, this means that care providers need to develop better routines to identify women with active or previous eating disorders and consider extended pregnancy screenings to meet their needs.
According to the researchers, there are several possible explanations for the associations. An inadequate diet with subsequent nutritional deficiencies may limit fetal growth. The stress hormone cortisol tends to be high in women with anorexia and bulimia and has previously been associated with microcephaly. Both stress and some nutritional deficiencies in the mother have previously been connected to premature birth. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies have also been associated with placental abruption, which could explain the increased risk of bleeding during pregnancy.
When it comes to hyperemesis, the researcher noticed that part of the association to eating disorders disappeared when they adjusted for psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression. Other outcomes remained largely the same after adjustment for variables such as age, smoking and birth year.
For those people whose body systems are prone to periodic sicknesses, there is respite in sight, as a natural health therapist, Adeline N. Ojigho has revealed the secrets to healthy living through the consumption of natural foods and exercise.
Ojigho, who stressed the benefits of natural diet to the human body, said good health is 70 percent diet, and ”if you are able to win the diet battle, then you have won the battle for your health”.
Speaking withPharmanewsonline in exclusive interview at the lunch of her book titled: “You don’t have to be sick”, the natural health therapist condemned the habit of most Nigerians in cultivating appetite for western diet, saying this is killing us rather than helping.
“Over the years, we have developed westernised taste and moved away from our local foods and this is causing us a lot. Most of the westernised foods are all processed, and when we load ourselves with processed foods we suffer for it”, she lamented.
Adeline N. Ojigho
On the secrets of staying healthy, she advised participants on the consumption of more fruits and vegetables, which are affordable, while disagreeing with the notion that healthy living is expensive.
Ojigho said: “It is sheer ignorance that makes people think eating healthy diet is expensive. As far as I am concerned, there are veggies that won’t tear your pocket if you eat them in season. In season they are cheap, because all year round we have a particular set of fruits in season, so eat them in season, you will be getting the right nutrient from them.
“When you look around in the markets, you will see the sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, Cocoa yams, yam, and local rice. Many people don’t eat the local rice, they prefer the polish rice and the polish rice is not healthy for us. We have been blinded by the western culture, but anyone who dares to open his eyes will see things like garden eggs, tangerine in season, and others that are very affordable to the man on the street”.
Narrating her motivation for writing the book, Ojigho said she beliefs so much that ill health can be basically managed with natural things like food, supplement, water, exercise, because she has lived through it and she is a living testimony to what natural diet can do.
“My journey started when I discovered that I was actually suffering because of what I was eating and drinking. I had a lot of health issues, at a point, I will say the Lord brought my way a book I read and reading that book opened my eyes to the fact that I was the cause of my ill health and I went about changing the things about my life causing ill health.
“And within a space of six months, I recovered from every health challenge I was having. And I thought within myself that this is a topic that needs to be spoken about, and particularly putting it in a written form, and that was why I titled the book: ‘You don’t have to be sick”. Actually it is ignorance that is causing so much of these diseases, thus, there are things you need to know”, Ojigho explained.
Ibrahim Adekunle Oreagba, head of Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-araba, has been conferred with a professorial title by the University authority recently.
Oreagba, a consultant pharmacist and clinical pharmacologist with a Masters and Doctorate degree in Pharmacology, had been an associate professor prior to his promotion as a substantive professor of Pharmacology. He had his Postgraduate Certificate in Pharmaco-epidemiology and Pharmacovigilance from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine London U.K.
Prof. Ibrahim Adekunle Oreagba
A seasoned resource person and examiner of the college, Oreagba is a Fellow of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists.
The academician, has served and still serving the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria at different levels at different times. He is the immediate past editor-in-chief of the West African Journal of Pharmacy; editor of the West African Journal of Pharmacology and Drug Research; an editorial consultant for the Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine, Journal of Basic Medical Sciences and the Journal of Basic and Social Pharmacy Research. He is also a reviewer to many local and international Journals.
Oreagba is a core technical member/consultant to the National Drug Safety Advisory Committee, NAFDAC, Member, World Health Organization/Federal Ministry of Health (WHO/FMOH) Expert Committee on the development of National Standard Treatment Guideline, and Member, Expert Committee on the Development of the National Pharmacovigilance Policy.
He has published over 70 original scientific papers in the field of Pharmacology, Pharmacy Practice, Therapeutics, Rational drug use, Drug abuse, Pharmacovigilance, Pharmacoepidemiology, Chemotherapy and Toxicology in local and international journals.
His is currently the Executive Director of a welfare oriented NGO named ‘Human Concern Foundation International and Chairman of a Quality Assurance Organization known as Halal Certification Authority
He is happily married with four children.
Pharmanews joins his family and friends to wish him hearty congratulations.
The name ‘“locust bean”’ is synonymous with the ancient African aromatic seasoning that is highly cherished by West African women for the preparation of different native delicacies. Beyond this, however, different studies have confirmed that the locust bean tree possesses antihypertensive, anti-diabetic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as phytochemicals, for the benefit of the human system.
In a study conducted by researchers from the Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria, titled: “In vitro antibacterial activity of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) root bark extract against some microorganisms associated with urinary tract infections”, it was found that the root bark of the plant contains a lot of glycosides and tannins, appreciable amounts of saponins and traces of alkaloids. The presence of such bioactive compounds has been linked to antibacterial activities, while offering some protection to the plant against microbial infections.
The researchers – El-Mahmood, A. M. and Ameh , J. M. also found that the seeds of the locust bean were rich in proteins and amino acids and some simple sugars, lactose and maltose, justifying the use of in the treatment of snake bites, diabetes, fever and infections caused by some susceptible pathogens.
An expert in medicinal plants and CEO, Nigerian Medicinal Plants Development Company (NMPDC), Pharm. (Hajia) Zainab Sharrif, has also acknowledged the potency of the phyto-nutrients embedded in the locust bean plant.\
The herbal practitioner, who has done extensive work on various plants, said the locust bean tree is so useful to man that, all the parts – leaves, bark, fruit, pulp, and seeds-are essential for human consumption and treatment of different ailments.
Description
Botanically known as Parkia Biglobosa, the locust bean tree is a perennial deciduous tree mainly found in Africa, which grows between 7-20 metres high or more, with thick dark greyish-brown bark. Found in the Atlantic coast in Senegal, Southern Sudan and Uganda, it is also found in natural communities where cultivation is semi-permanent. Shariff noted that the tree contributes significantly to trade at local and regional levels in West Africa.
The tree has pods containing what is known as locust bean. Shariff said that Nigeria is estimated to produce about 200,000 tons of these per year. Each pod contains about 30 seeds.
Nutritional content
According to the study cited earlier, the nutritional and protective potential of P. biglobosa seeds was assessed through the comparative evaluation of the proximate, functional, minerals, and antinutrient composition of the fermented, defatted, and protein isolate of the seeds as part of exploration into its antidiabetic mechanisms. It has been established that proximate composition is an important criterion to determine the nutritional values and quality of food. “
The findings of the study show that the protein isolate contains higher protein content than the fermented and defatted samples. This is in agreement with similar reports from other studies. The high protein content of the protein isolate sample could be attributed to its production processes which increase the composition and availability of protein in the finished product (protein isolate) by inactivating antinutritional factors.
The researchers further maintained that dietary proteins play important role in natural synthesis and maintenance of body tissues, enzymes, and hormones as well as other substances required for healthy functioning. The protein isolate also contain higher ash content when compared to the fermented and defatted counterparts. Generally, high ash content is an indication that the protein isolate contains abundant mineral content
The NMPDC boss asserted that the plant contains Alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, saponins, tannins. While the seeds contain proteins, lipids, vitamin B2, lysine, calcium, sodium, and potassium. The pulp contains high energy, 29 per cent protein, 60 per cent saccharine, vitamin C and phosphorus.
Other health benefits include:
Healthy seasoning: Seeds are used in making the popular seasonings.
Anti-malaria: It is used in the combination with other herbs in treating malaria.
Burns treatment: Decoction of the bark is used in treating wounds and for burns.
Antidiarrhoeal: Leaves and pods are used as an antidiarrheal agent
Healthy heart: Decoction of the barks is used in treating high blood pressure
Intestinal disorder treatment: Ever green leaves are used in managing intestinal disorders, obesity, antitumor as an astringent and carminative.
Beverage: The seed is used as a substitute for coffee
Healthy food: Used as energy food source during famine or draught.
Maceration of stem bark is taken for ulcers, asthma, and sterility.
Aphrodisiac: Roasted seeds (Sudan coffee) as aphrodisiac.
Anti-inflammation: Mouthwash made from bark is used for toothache, jaundice treatment.
For domestic uses, Pharm. Shariff made the following recommendations:
•One tablespoonful of pulp + one tablespoonful of baobab in a glass of water serve as a refreshing drink and tonic.
•Two tablespoonfuls of pulp in a glass of water serve as a carminative and laxative.
•Two tablespoonfuls of powdered bark plus half glass of lemon juice plus one to two tablespoonfuls of boiled water or dilute spirit or vinegar.
•Chew the bark for virility and for aphrodisiac effect
•Roasted seeds, one to two tablespoonfuls of crushed seeds to one teacup of boiled water as an infusion to replace coffee with much nutritive benefit. Suitable for hypertensive and diabetic effects.
•One tablespoonful of powdered pulp in a cup of pap is useful for convalescence period given to step up the recovery period after an illness.
•Also suitable for malnourished children.
References:
El-Mahmood, A. M. and Ameh , J. M.: In vitro antibacterial activity of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) root bark extract against some microorganisms associated with urinary tract infections. Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (11), pp. 1272-1275.
The Nigerian Medicinal Plants Development Company (NMPDC)
Perhaps another natural remedy for malaria is very much closer than anyone could think of as scientists from different parts of the world have recently found that bitter leaf could be the potential cure for malaria – the most tropical disease worldwide.
Vernonia amygdalina, commonly known as bitter leaf, is usually bitter and all parts of the leaves, stem and roots are said to have medicinal uses. These include fighting off malaria parasite, promotion of dieresis, cure of tonsillitis, fever, diabetes, pneumonia, jaundice, anaemia, stomach problem and ascaris.
In a study, scientists researchthe antimalarial activities of the aqueous and ethanolic crude extracts of bitter leaves, already in use by traditional healers to treat malaria and other diseases. The scientists found that under laboratory conditions, extracts of bitter leaf made from water and ethanol showed moderate antimalarial activity and a negligible level of toxicity in the test animals rats.
Image of Bitter Leaf Soup, A natural remedy for malaria
The study titled “In vitro Antimalarial Activity of the Extracts of Vernonia Amygdalina” was documented in the 2013 edition of the Science World Journal. It was carried out by Sha’a, K. K from the College of Science and Technology, Adamawa State Polytechnic; Oguche, S from the Department of Paediatrics, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos.
Plasmodium falciparum also known as malaria is one of the greatest causes of hospitalisation and death among children below age of five years. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that there were an estimated 246 million malaria cases distributed among 3.3 billion people at risk in 2006, causing at least a million deaths. These were mostly children under five years.
According to WHO, over 80 per cent of malaria cases in the world is estimated to be in Africa where the disease is indigenous. In Nigeria, malaria transmission occurs all year mostly in the south, and more seasonal in the North.
The appalling rate at which Plasmodium falciparum has developed resistance to chloroquine and other synthetic antimalarial drugs makes it necessary to search for more effective antimalarial compounds.
Image of bitter leaf soup and a nice fufu for easy dinner
In Africa and other countries where malaria is endemic, traditional medicinal plants are frequently used to treat or cure malaria, thus the need to investigate the antimalarial activity of medicinal plants in order to determine their potentials as sources of new antimalarial agents.
To conduct the research, blood samples were collected from children and adults aged six months and above, who had fever in the last 24 hours, auxiliary temperature of 37.5 C, had not taken any antimalarial in the last two weeks, and who gave oral or written informed consent after the aim of the study were involved in the study. These were patients attending the outpatient department of the Damboa General Hospital, Borno State.
Of the two extracts tested, the ethanol extract of bitter leave showed the highest antimalarial activity of 78.1 per cent. The water extract had the malaria parasite growth inhibition of 74.0 per cent. In addition, dose-dependent antimalarial activity was clearly shown for the two crude extracts. The percentage inhibitions are higher with increasing concentrations. Previously, the antimalarial activity of bitter leaf against resistant P. berghei had been reported by scientists in the British Journal of Biomedical Science. In their findings, leaf extract produced 67 per cent suppression of malaria –causing germ in a four day test.
In addition, another study pointing to the potential use of bitter leaf in formulating a malaria drug in years to come, revealed its potential also in reversing chloroquine resistance when used as an adjuvant with chloroquine. Recently, researchers in the 2008 edition of Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, formulated the stem bark extract of this plant into tablets, and made this available as an antimalarial remedy.
It should be noted, however, that some of these extracts exhibited very high antimalarial activity in laboratory tests carried out on the malaria germ in the test tube, but displayed poor activity in animals infected with malaria germ.
Looking for a natural way to reduce your cholesterol level, boosts sperm count, and ease your menstrual flow, then a daily intake of African Walnut may be all you need to solve all these problems.
Walnuts do not only taste great but are a rich source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and an excellent source of those hard to find omega-3 fatty acids. Like most nuts, they can easily be added to your healthiest way of eating. Just chop and add to your favourite salad, vegetable dish, fruit or dessert.
Scientists have discovered how walnut trees respond to stress, cancer and heart condition by producing significant amounts of a chemical form of aspirin, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. They have also found that extracts of walnut tree are effective anti-microbial agents, could be used to boost sperm count, fertility, menstrual flow, treat uterine fibroids, and bring relief in hiccups.
Image of African walnut
Botanically called Tetracarpidium conophorum or Plukenetia conophora, African walnut belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. In Nigeria, it is called Asala or Awusa in Yoruba; Ukpa in Ibo; and Okhue or Okwe in Edo.
For years, scientists have known that plants in a laboratory may produce methyl salicylate, which is a chemical form of acetylsalicylic acid, or aspirin. But researchers had never before detected methyl salicylate in an ecosystem or verified that plants emit the chemical in significant quantities into the atmosphere.
The team of scientists reported its findings few years back in the journal Biogeoscience. The research was funded by the United States National Science Foundation (NSF), the sponsors of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).
The finding by scientists at NCAR in Boulder, Colorado, United States, opens up new avenues of research into the behaviour of plants and their impacts on air quality, and also has the potential to give farmers an early warning signal about crops that are failing.
According to the Medicinal Plants of Nigeria – South West Nigeria Volume 1 compiled and published by Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Victoria Island, Lagos, walnut seeds are used in the treatment of fibroid. The leaf juice is drunk to mitigate prolonged and /or constant hiccups. Seeds are chewed to improve sperm count in men. The leaf juice is used to improve fertility in women and also to regulate menstrual flow.
In southern Nigerian ethnomedicine, African walnut is used as a male fertility agent and the leaves are used for the treatment of dysentery and to improve fertility in males. The oil from the nut has found use in the formulation of wood varnish, stand oil, vulcanised oil for rubber and leather substitute. Most of the studies on the plant have been on the nutritive value of the seeds, which is a snack and delicacy.
According to “The Useful Plants of Tropical West Africa by H. M. Burkill”, the plant is a woody liane to over 30 metres long, of the bushy savanna. The leaves are considered a headache cure in Southern Nigeria, and have magical use to wash children to cause their mothers to conceive; the Igbo name meaning babies call babies. In Gabon, consumption of the seeds by husbands of wives already pregnant is believed to mitigate the risk of miscarriage. Nigerian material has been screened for alkaloids, a trace of which is recorded in the bark.
The fruit is a capsule six to 10 centimetres long by 3 to 11 centimetres wide containing sub-globular seeds two to 2.5 centimetres long with a thin brown shell resembling the temperate walnut, hence the English name.
The seed kernel is edible. Eaten raw, they have a bitter flavor, not unlike the kola nut and are considered to be tonic and aphrodisiac. Usually the kernels are roasted and eaten in the general diet or added to cakes. The kernels are oil-bearing yielding 48 to 60 per cent of a light golden coloured oil with a taste resembling linseed oil.
Composition is linolenic acid 64 per cent, palmitic and stearic acids 15 per cent, oleic acid 11 per cent and linoleic acid 10 per cent. This is conophor oil, or in the paint and varnish trade awusa or n’gart. It is edible and could be used in food preparations. It is unsuitable for soap-manufacture and, being quick drying, it is certainly usable in the paint industry, provided there is a certain supply and the kernels are free from excessive free fatty acids. Fresh oil has an iodine value of 190, which is excellent for a drying oil; but the seeds do not store well and deterioration caused by enzymatic action needs to be prevented at the time of collection by heat-treatment.
Nutritional Profile
Walnuts are an excellent source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 essential fatty acids, in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Walnuts are also rich in antioxidants, including being a very good source of manganese and a good source of copper. Many other minerals are provided by walnuts in valuable amounts. These minerals include calcium, chromium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, vanadium and zinc. Vitamin B6, while not especially concentrated in walnuts, may be more bioavailable in this food. In terms of phytonutrients, walnuts contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, including more than a dozen phenolic acids, numerous tannins (especially ellagitannins, including tellimagrandins), and a wide variety of flavonoids. The vitamin E composition of walnuts is also of special mention, since there is an unusual concentration of the gamma-tocopherol form of vitamin E in this tree nut.
The oil has medicinal use in Nigeria in massages. The cake left after expression of the oil contains 45 per cent protein. It has local uses for food and is obviously a good source of protein. It can safely be fed to stock. The plant, presumably the kernel, is a good source of vitamins.
Results of a Nigerian study have shown that Tetracarpidium conophorum has a high potential, as an anti-microbial medicinal plant. It is reported to be useful in the folklore in the treatment of dysentery. This investigation therefore justifies its ethno-medical use, having displayed activities with the human pathogenic microorganisms that were used in this study.
Following the need for development of newer anti-microbial chemotherapeutic agents because there is increasing treatment failure rates of microbial infections, due to drug-resistant antibiotics, the most active fraction in the current study, the ethyl acetate fraction of the leaf methanol extract, has a very high potential as a source for drug discovery for anti-microbial agents.
The study, ‘anti-microbial potential of extracts and fractions of the African walnut – Tetracarpidium conophorum’ was published in African Journal of Biotechnology by E. O. Ajaiyeoba and D. A. Fadare of the Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Extracts and fractions were tested against four clinical strains of two Gram positive, two Gram negative bacteria and two of fungi. They exhibited concentration-dependent anti-microbial properties. The extracts displayed higher activities to the Gram positive organisms.
Gram positive bacteria includes many well-known genera such as Bacillus, Listeria, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and Clostridium.
Preliminary phytochemical screening of the plant parts for secondary metabolites, showed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, tannins and anthraquinones in the plant samples. The concentration of these metabolites was higher in the leaves. Cardiac glycosides were not detected in leaf, stem bark, roots and kernel of T. conophorum. Percentage yields of extracts were determined after removal of solvents respectively.
The root extract displayed intrinsic antibacterial properties. Of the six microorganisms used, Staphylococus aureus was most sensitive to the root and stem bark extracts. Both extracts did not show any anti-fungal property in the current study. The leaf extract exhibited the highest activities with all the micro-organisms investigated. The leaf extract also showed anti-fungal properties, inhibiting the growth of the Aspergillus niger, a normally resistant mold, much more than the reference drug, tioconazole.
The kernel did not show any activity with the microorganisms used in this study. The hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of the leaf extracts displayed good anti-microbial activities, which were concentration-dependent. Pseudomomas aeruginosa and Candida albicans were most sensitive to the extracts. The most sensitive bacteria to the four fractions were Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ethyl acetate fraction was the most active extract, while the hexane fraction showed least activity.
The edible part of the plant, the kernel did not show any anti-microbial property in the assay. However, T. comophorum is an economic plant and it is widely cultivated for production of the nuts, which are delicacies snack food.
Researchers have also shown that eating snack-sized quantities of walnuts could slow the growth of cancer. The study by Dr. Elaine Hardman of Marshall’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, near Huntington New York, United States, determined that mice that got part of their calories by eating walnuts had slower bosom cancer growth, and found that cancer in the walnut-fed group took twice as long to double in size as cancer in the control group.
The study published in the peer-reviewed journal, “Nutrition and Cancer”, made the mice ate a diet in which 18.5 per cent of the daily calories – the equivalent of two servings for humans – came from walnuts.
Walnuts have at least three components that could account for their cancer-slowing effect. They are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to slow cancer growth. They also include antioxidants and components called phytosterols, both of which have shown cancer-slowing effects in other studies.
Other Health Benefits
Cardiovascular Health
The form of vitamin E found in walnuts is somewhat unusual, and particularly beneficial. Instead of having most of its vitamin E present in the alpha-tocopherol form, walnuts provide an unusually high level of vitamin E in the form of gamma-tocopherol. Particularly in studies on the cardiovascular health of men, this gamma-tocopherol form of vitamin E has been found to provide significant protection from heart problems.
Walnuts Help Reduce Problems in Metabolic Syndrome
In the United States, as many as 1 in 4 adults may be eligible for diagnosis with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). MetS is not so much a “disease” as a constellation of problematic and overlapping metabolic problems including excessive blood fats (triglycerides), high blood pressure, inadequate HDL cholesterol, and obesity (as measured by waist circumference, and/or body mass index). Recent studies have shown that approximately one ounce of walnuts daily over a period of 2-3 months can help reduce several of these MetS-related problems. In addition, addition of walnuts to participant diets has also been shown to decrease “abdominal adiposity”—the technical term for the depositing of fat around the mid-section. Importantly, the MetS benefits of added walnuts have been achieved without causing weight gain in any the studies we have seen to date.
Helps in Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
Although we think about type 2 diabetes as a problem primarily related to blood sugar control and insulin metabolism, persons diagnosed with type 2 diabetes typically have health problems in other related systems, and are at special risk for cardiovascular problems. An important part of the goal in designing a diet plan for persons with type 2 diabetes is lowering the risk of future cardiovascular problems. In this context, consumption of walnuts is establishing a more and more impressive research track record. Increased flexibility in the response of the cardiovascular system following meals has been a repeated finding in research on walnuts. A variety of different measurements on blood vessel functioning (including their measurement by ultrasound) show a relatively small amount of daily walnut intake (1-2 ounces) to provide significant benefits in this area for persons with type 2 diabetes. Better blood fat composition (including less LDL cholesterol and less total cholesterol) has also been demonstrated in persons with type 2 diabetes.
Anti-Cancer Agent
Given the wide variety antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients found in walnuts, it is not surprising to see research on this tree nut showing measurable anti-cancer benefits. The antioxidant properties of walnuts help lower risk of chronic oxidative stress, and the anti-inflammatory properties help lower risk of chronic inflammation; and it is precisely these two types of risk, that, when combined, pose the greatest threat for cancer development. Prostate cancer and breast cancer are the best-studied types of cancer with respect to walnut intake, and their risk has been found to be reduced by fairly large amounts of walnut consumption. (Large in this case means approximately 3 ounces per day.) For prostate cancer, the evidence is somewhat stronger, and more studies have involved human subjects. For breast cancer, most of the evidence has been based on studies of rats and mice.
Enhances weight loss
Walnuts have also produced a good track record in the research as a desirable food for support of weight loss and for prevention of obesity. That finding often surprises people because they think of high-fat, high-calorie foods as a primary contributing factor to obesity and to weight gain. In general, overconsumption of high-fat, high-calorie foods is a primary contributing factor to obesity and weight gain. However, obesity has also been clearly identified by researchers as involving chronic, unwanted inflammation. Walnuts are unique in their collection of anti-inflammatory nutrients. These nutrients include omega-3 fatty acids; phytonutrients including tannins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids; quinones like juglone; and other anti-inflammatory phytonutrients. These anti-inflammatory benefits can overshadow the high-calorie and high-fat risk posed by walnuts.
Improves Bone Health
The anti-inflammatory nutrients in walnuts may play a special role in support of bone health. A recent study has shown that large amounts of walnuts decrease blood levels of N-telopeptides of type 1 collagen (NTx). These collagen components provide a good indicator of bone turnover, and their decreased blood level in response to walnut intake is an indication of better bone stability and less mineral loss from the bone. “Large amounts” of walnuts (in this study, actually raw walnuts plus walnut oil) translated into 50 per cent of total dietary fat. In an everyday diet that provided 2,000 calories and 30 per cent of those calories from fat, this 50 per cent standard for walnuts would mean about 67 grams of fat from walnuts or 4 ounces of this tree nut on a daily basis. While this amount is more than most people would ordinarily consume, we expect the health benefits of walnuts for bone health to be demonstrated in future studies at substantially lower levels of intake.
Although not popularly consumed in many parts of the world, a new study has found that high intake of whole grains can lower the risk of coronary heart disease and other related conditions.
The research, which was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, is one of the latest findings in the February edition of the publication. It was conducted to investigate the association between whole-grain intake in terms of total intake and intakes of different cereals and myocardial infarction.
According to the lead author, Anne Helnaes, from the Danish Cancer Society Research Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark, a total number of 54,871 Danish adults aged 50–64, were sampled for the study, with different research instruments.
The result showed that for both men and women with total whole-grain intake in the highest quartile, lower risks of myocardial infarction were shown than for individuals with intake in the lowest quartile. When the specific cereal species were considered, rye and oats, were associated with lower myocardial infarction risk in men, but not wheat.
Helnaes explained the reason for embarking on the study, which was to reduce the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) around the world, which he described as the leading cause of death worldwide and accounted for an estimated 7.2 million global deaths in 2008 alone.
“By 2020, CHD is expected to be the leading cause of disease burden worldwide. It has been well established that diet plays a major role in CHD risk, and attempts should be made to promote a healthy diet to reduce risk of CHD.
“Dietary fibre has especially received attention because major components of dietary fibre (e.g., b-glucan) have been associated with reduced risk of CHD. Although numerous studies have been conducted on dietary fibre in relation to risk of CHD, fewer studies have addressed the nutritional value of whole grains.
“Whole-grain foods contain dietary fibre, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals that have been suggested to hold favourable effects on risk of cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and serum lipids, increasing insulin sensitivity, and improving inflammatory markers and endothelial dysfunction”, he stated.
Previous studies had reported that whole grain intake has a protective effect against coronary heart disease. A meta-analysis suggested that an increment of three servings daily of whole grains could reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Furthermore, whole grain intake had an inverse association with type 2 diabetes risk.
Nutritional components of whole grains
Though there are several whole grains foods – oats, barley, buckwheat, rye, brown rice, wheat, and others – the study under consideration only focuses on rye, oats, and wheat. Thus, we shall be considering the nutritional contents of these three and how they enhance human health.
Rye contains high amounts of lignans and is the richest source of dietary fibre in all cereals. Together with several bioactive components, such as plant phenols and lignans, manganese , phosphorus, copper, pantothenic acid, and magnesium, the fibre complex is believed to be largely responsible for the health benefits of rye .
Oats are a whole grain cereal, known scientifically as Avena sativa. They are mainly grown in North America and Europe. Oats contain the most lipids and hold a high content of the viscous fibre b-glucans and specific antioxidants.Whole oats are the only source of a unique group of antioxidants called avenanthramides, believed to have protective effects against heart disease.
Due to their beneficial health effects, such as lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels, oats have gained considerable interest as a health food.
Wheat differs from oats and rye in that it has a higher content of insoluble fiber, but its starch content is similar to that of rye. Wheat is rich in catalytic elements, mineral salts, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, chlorine, arsenic, silicon, manganese, zinc, iodide, copper, vitamin B, and vitamin E.
Other health benefits of consuming whole grains
Other benefits of whole grains according to studies are as follows:
They lower cancer risk.
Evidence is emerging that whole grain consumption may lower the risks of certain cancers, such as colorectal, breast and pancreatic cancer. Although the evidence is mixed at this point, what will definitely lower your risk of cancer, says Delbridge, is eating a diet that includes not only whole grains but lots of fruits and vegetables and not a lot of meat or processed foods.
They protect teeth and gums.
In a study of almost 35,000 male health professionals aged 40 to 75, participants who consumed the highest amounts of whole grain were 23 percent less likely to get gum disease than those who stayed away from whole grains. This was true even after taking into account other factors like smoking, age and body size. Since gum disease is linked to inflammation and other health conditions like heart disease, this is about more than just a pretty smile.
They promote longevity of life.
Not only will whole grains help you live better, they may also help you live longer. One study of more than 40,000 postmenopausal women found that women who consumed four to seven servings a week of whole grains had a 31 per cent lower risk of dying from causes other than cancer or heart disease when compared with women who had few or no whole grains in their diet. And it worked in men, too, with another study finding that men who consumed one or more servings a day of whole-grain cereal had a 17 per cent reduced risk of dying than those who never or hardly ever ate it.
They contain resistant starch.
Carbs can be good for you. The trick is to find the right kind of carb and resistant starch is one. It’s a carb that acts more like a fibre. Because it’s not easily digested, it moves slowly through your digestive system burning more fat, stoking the hormones that make you feel full, maintaining your insulin in good working order and keeping blood sugar and cholesterol levels down. Try for 10 to 15 grams daily. Oatmeal and brown rice are good whole grain sources of resistant starch, which is also found in green bananas and other non-grain foods.
They may reduce asthma risk.
Eating whole grains early in life may ward off asthma and other allergic conditions. One study found that children who were introduced to oats as infants were less likely to have asthma or allergic rhinitis by the time they turned five. A Dutch study reported similar findings among children aged 8 to 13. An overall healthy diet with more whole grains, fruits and vegetables and less meat, and refined foods may reduce asthmatic wheezing, says Delbridge.
They make you feel full.
One way whole grains may help you control your weight is by making you feel fuller than refined grains such as cookies or white bread. “Whole grains take longer to digest and have a more satiating effect,” says Gans, who is also author of The Small Change Diet. This could also help keep your portions under control. Try rye or protein-packed quinoa to get maximum fullness.
They help regulate blood sugar.
One of the main benefits of whole grains is that, compared to refined grains, they help keep your blood glucose from spiking, which can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, among other things. Women in one study who ate two to three servings of whole grains a day had a 30 per cent lower risk of diabetes than women who ate little or no whole grain products. One analysis found a 32 percent lower risk of diabetes in people who ate three or more servings a day of whole grains versus a 5 percent risk reduction in those who ate refined grains. Something as simple as swapping one third of a serving of cooked white rice a day (about two ounces) for brown rice was associated with a 16 percent decline in type 2 diabetes risk.
References:
1.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, February 2016, 103 (2) :”Intake of whole grains is associated with lower risk of myocardial infarction: the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health Cohort1”.Anne Helnæs, Cecilie Kyrø, Ingelise Andersen, Sandra Lacoppidan, Kim Overvad,m Jane Christensen, Anne Tjønneland, and Anja Olsen
International Journal Of Clinical and Experimental Medicine 2015; 8(9): Association between whole grain intake and stroke risk: evidence from a meta-analysis. Liqun Fang, Wen Li, Wenjie Zhang, Yanan Wang, and Songbin Fu1
Sharma S, Cruickshank JK, Green DM, Vik S, Tome A, Kolonel LN. Impact of diet on mortality from stroke: results from the U. S. multiethnic cohort study. J Am Coll Nutr. 2013; 32:151–9. [PubMed]
Ohihoin’s induction ceremony into the fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK, held on 8 November, 2019, at the annual conference of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigerian Chapter, was an epoch-making event, as he was the first Nigerian medical doctor to be inducted as a Fellow of the UK Chapter of the institute.
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators was founded in March 1915, and it was accorded a royal charter in 1979. On commencement of activities, the institute’s aim was: “To raise the status of arbitration to the dignity of a distinct and recognized position as one of the learned professions”. While its objective is: “To promote and facilitate worldwide the determination of disputes by arbitration and alternative means of private dispute resolution other than resolution by the court”.
Grey, as he is fondly called by his colleagues is a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons and of the National Medical college of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He holds a Fellowship and Diploma in the field of Minimal Access Surgery from Asia’s Premiere Institute of Laparoscopy, the Laparoscopy hospital in Delhi India.
Aside his medical training, Ohihoin is a trained arbitrator and mediator with a bias towards resolving disputes in the health sector. He became a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of the United Kingdom, after becoming the first medical doctor to pass the accelerated membership exams.
In human reproduction, he is currently researching into infertility management in individuals living with HIV and other chronic infections. He is married to his best friend, Esther and they are blessed with two children.
The axiom ‘you are what you eat’, was vividly demonstrated by the findings of two different studies that validated that eating fish, nuts and seeds can help preserve your memory as you age.
The researchers from the University of Illinois posited that as we get older, parts of the brain age at different rates, but found that polyunsaturated fats in fish, nuts and seeds help to maintain ageing brain parts.
The More Fish, Nuts and Seeds You Consume, The Healthier Your Brain
They found that Omega-3s can preserve brain areas that are key to memory and problem solving, while the fatty acids can also help to protect the fornix, a region linked to Alzheimer’s.
The findings reported on DailyMailOnline noted that Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids found in these food groups protect the areas of the brain that are most affected by ageing, two new studies have found.
These same fats may also aid maintenance of the fornix, which is a small brain region that has previously been linked to memory and Alzheimer’s disease, the study revealed.
The report reads in part: “In both studies, researchers from the University of Illinois analysed levels of a type of fat, known as polyunsaturated fat, in the blood of adults aged 65 to 75. Polyunsaturated fats are found in salmon, nuts, seeds and olive oil.
“The researchers asked the participants to take part in a number of cognitive tests and analyzed structures in their brains using scans.
“They found that those with high levels of polyunsaturated fats in their blood did better in problem-solving tasks.Such participants also tended to have larger left frontoparietal cortices – the brain region associated with problem-solving.”
The management and board of Access Bank Plc has appointed Dr (Mrs) Ajoritsedere Josephine Awosika, as its new chairman, in line with the robust leadership succession plan of the organisation.
It was reported that the financial institution announced the appointment of Awosika on Monday, as its incumbent chairman, Mosun Belo-Olusuga, is set to retire 8 January 2020, following her completion of the maximum 12-year term limit allowed by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Code of Corporate Governance for Banks and Discount Houses.
Owing to the confidence reposed in Awosika by the management of Access Bank, it stated that she has been appointed as the new chairman to lead the board in the next phase of the bank’s transformation into becoming ‘Africa’s Gateway to the World’.
Dr Awosika joined the board in April 2013 as an independent non-executive director and has been the chairman and vice-chairman of the Board Credit and Finance Committee and the Board Audit Committee respectively in addition to membership of other board committees.
An accomplished administrator and public health expert with over three decades of experience in public sector governance, she was the pioneer National Coordinator/Chief Executive of the National Programme on Immunisation, she was also at various times, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministries of Internal Affairs, Science & Technology and Power.
Dr (Mrs) Ajoritsedere Josephine Awosika
Although her innovative skill catapulted her beyond the circumference of the health sector, but her profile shows that Dr Awosika has a vast working experience in the healthcare sector, beginning as an intern at the General Hospital, Benin City. She also worked at the S.I.M. Hospital/Plateau Hospital, Jos, and the Military Hospital, Lagos.
She was a Senior Pharmacist-in-Charge at the Military Hospital, Benin City; and Research Pharmacist at St. Mary’s Hospital, Bradford, United Kingdom (while attending an in-service training). She equally had stints in practical attachment at Whipp Cross Hospital and Barnett Hospital, London. She later worked as a Clinical Pharmacist at Base Hospital (former Military Hospital), Yaba, where she disengaged at Directorate level.
She has to her credit various publications and paper presentations in her professional field.
She is a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the National Institute of Directors. She is also a member of the Great Britain Clinical Pharmacists Forum. She is a recipient of several honours and awards, including Member of the Federal Republic (MFR), the Distinguished Vocational Service Award of Rotaract District 9130 Nigeria of Rotary International; the ECOWAS Community Service Gold Award by Intra-Continental Media Networks; and the Distinguished Pharmacist Award by the Lagos branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.
The management and staff of Pharmanews Limited join her families and friends to wish her a successful tenure in her new position.
Hearty felicitations are still pouring in on the Facebook Timeline of Arinola Joda, senior lecturer, at the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Idiaraba Campus, Idiaraba, Lagos, as her new title of Associate Professor was announced on her Facebook handle recently.
Among the earlier well-wishers of Joda were the immediate past president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Pharm. Ahmed I. Yakasai; Pharm. Inusa Bello; Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Morohundiya; Pharm. Gbenga Olubowale; former chairman, Lagos PSN; Pharm. William Etubiebi; Pharm. Mosun Beckley; Pharm.Tony Oyawole, former PSN presidential aspirant; Pharm. Omolola Folake Nwokoma and a host of others.
Prof. Arinola E. Joda
They expressed their warm greetings to the new associate professor as follows: “Congratulations to the brand new Prof. in town. Well deserved”, Yakasai, enthused; “Good morning Prof. many congratulations!!!”, Bello, remarked; “Congratulations Prof. Arinola, more blessings IJMN”, Morohundiya, said; “Congratulation ma. Greater height in Jesus name”, Adegoke Adesina, remarked; “My Prof. congrats”, Omolola Folake Nwokoma, stated; “A big congratulations to you, 👏👏😁😁🎉🎊🙌🙌,” Claudine Okonkwo, added.
Joda holds a PhD in Clinical Pharmacy from the University of Lagos. Her ORCID ID is 0000-0002-6991-763X.
She is a Fellow of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP). She obtained her B.Pharm. (Upper Class) and MPharm. (with distinction) degree also from the University of Lagos in the years 1994 and 2000 respectively.
Joda is skilled in Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmacy Practice, Operational Research and Public Health. She is a prolific researcher and author.
She is currently the editor in chief/assistant general secretary of the African Pharmaceutical Forum (APF), the youngest regional forum of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). She had served the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria at the National level successfully in three separate elective positions, National Publicity Secretary from 2015 to 2018, Assistant National Secretary from 2012 to 2015 and the National Editor-in-Chief from 2005 to 2008.
Wishing her hearty congratulations from all of us at Pharmanews.
A new study conducted by researchers from the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) has linked a diet rich in plant-based foods and low in animal products during midlife to lower risk of cognitive impairment later in life.
According to the latest estimates from the United Nations, there are currently 137 million people over the age of 80 worldwide suffering from cognitive impairment. Experts expect this number to triple by 2050, reaching 425 million.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States alone, there are currently 5 million adults living with Alzheimer’s. This number is also likely to triple within the next few decades.
As the population continues to age, it is becoming increasingly important to be able to identify modifiable risk factors for conditions such as Alzheimer’s, as well as any lifestyle changes that may prevent neurodegenerative conditions such as this from developing in the first place.
New research points to nutrition as one such factor. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in animal products such as meat and dairy lowers the risk of cognitive decline in later life, suggests the new study.
Koh Woon Puay, a professor at the National University of Singapore’s and colleagues examined data available from the Singapore Chinese Health Study, a population cohort study of 63,257 Chinese people living in Singapore.
As part of this initial study, adults aged 45–74 provided information during face-to-face interviews about their “usual diet, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, sleep duration, height, weight, and medical history.”
Image of a well prepared vegetarian diet
This occurred at baseline, between April 1993 and December 1998. Researchers interviewed the participants again during three follow-up visits, until 2016.
For the study, Prof. Puay and colleagues used these data to select information on 16,948 people — aged 53, on average — at baseline. These participants only completed cognitive function assessments during their third follow-up visit, in 2014–2016.
To assess the participants’ eating habits, the researchers used five dietary patterns:
the “alternative Mediterranean diet,” which is a tweaked version of the typical Mediterranean diet.
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.
the alternative Healthy Eating Index
the plant-based diet index
the healthful plant-based diet index
All of these diets are similar in their emphasis on plant-based foods. The latter two indexes assign positive scores to eating plant-based foods and reverse scores for eating less healthful plant foods or animal foods.
In 2014–2016, 2,443 of the participants (14.4% of them) had cognitive impairment.
The researchers found that people who had strongly adhered to the five dietary patterns outlined above during midlife were less likely to develop cognitive impairment later on.
Specifically, those whose diets the researchers deemed most similar (in the top 25%) to those five dietary patterns were 18–33% less likely to develop cognitive impairment than those with the least similar diets (in the bottom 25%).
“Our study suggests that maintaining a [healthful] dietary pattern is important for the prevention of onset and delay of cognitive impairment.”Prof. Koh Woon Puay
“Such a pattern,” she adds, “is not about the restriction of a single food item but the composition of an overall pattern that recommends cutting back on red meats, especially if they are processed, and including lots of plant-based foods (vegetables, fruit, nuts, beans, whole grains) and fish.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO), during the observation of the maiden World Patient Safety Day on 17 September, 2019, the campaign endorsed by the 72nd World Health Assembly in May 2019, remarked that “the safety of patients during the provision of healthcare services of high quality is indispensable for making healthcare systems formidable and making remarkable progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC)”.
It was also observed that antibiotics are the cornerstones on which the health system is resting. Without effective antibiotics, good and quality healthcare for all cannot be achieved. Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance are interconnected with a good number of dimensions regarding patient safety. Thus, in ensuring patient safety, the following dimensions should be considered:
Access to quality antibiotics
Getting access to quality medicines is a very crucial part in making sure patient safety is ensured. Records have shown that Bacterial infection that are treatable with antibiotics cause 5.7 million avoidable deaths annually. This number is different from the 750,000 annual deaths caused by antibiotic resistance, which has been predicted to be 10 million by 2050 if no action is taken to combat antibiotic resistance.
Unavailability and shortage of essential antibiotics poses a threat to patient safety. By not being able to provide the correct treatment for an infection or disease, it can elevate the disease severity and an increased risk of patient harm or even death. Shortage or unavailability of first line treatment often leads to the use of antibiotics with broader spectrum and contributes unnecessarily to resistance development.
Diagnostics for infectious diseases
An accurate diagnosis is the basis for any decision making in healthcare delivery and infectious diseases face a special challenge as it is not sufficient to identify the disease alone but also the organism causing the disease. Improper use of antibiotics is an outcome of poor diagnosis and thus leads to the development of antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotics Awareness Week: A Call for Improved Antibiotics Supply
Infection prevention and control
Preventing and controlling the spread of infections in the community and in healthcare settings is critical to reducing the prevalence of infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance. Nosocomial (healthcare-associated) infections are a major contributor to complications, morbidity and mortality of hospitalised patients. Nosocomial infections are estimated to affect 7-6 per cent of hospitalised patients in high-income countries and between 8.5-15.5 of hospitalised patients in low- and middle-income countries.
One of the primary ways to address nosocomial infections and prevent harms to patients and health workers is through infection prevention and control. Preventing infections, creating and implementing infection prevention and control would be one of the cheapest and most effective ways to reduce the effects of antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic stewardship programmes are important for minimising the inappropriate use of antibiotics across healthcare settings. These programmes aim to ensure that antibiotics are used only when indicated–that is, to treat bacterial infections– and at the right dose and duration of therapy. The potential impact these programmes can have on patient safety is clear. Antibiotic stewardship plays a crucial role in reducing the health impacts of antibiotic resistance.
The use of antibiotics will always carry a risk, both to public health and patients. However, improved stewardship efforts can help minimise the risks by ensuring that antibiotics are used discriminately and appropriately.
Afonchies Pharmaceutical Limited, a chain retail pharmacy in Ajah community and its environs, has commissioned a new ultra-modern outlet at 3, Hitech Road, Lagos Business District (LBS), area, Sangotedo, Lagos State, and as well as conducted free diabetes screening to the people of the community, to mark the 2019 World Diabetes Day.
World Diabetes Day is celebrated annually on 14 November and was initiated by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), in 1991 in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, in response to growing concerns about the escalating threats posed by diabetes.
Speaking with Pharmanews in an interview during the low-key event, Pharm. Adebayo Afon, managing director, Afonchies Pharma Nigeria Limited, said although the company usually run free health screening for residents of its environs, but this year’s screening was significant as it coincided with the unveiling of their latest outlet, and the commemoration of this year World Diabetes Day.
One of the beneficiaries being attended to at the screening exercise.
On what prompted the decision of the company to open the new outlet, which was the Eleventh branch, with other branches scattered across Ajah and its metropolis, the Afonchies Pharma boss said the company was determined to contribute to availability of affordable quality medicines to Nigerians, which informed his provision screening kits for free screening at each of his branches.
Speaking further, Afon explained that the free medical screening was organised to have an impact in the communities where his pharmacies are located and to celebrate this year World Diabetes Day, which aimed at raising public awareness and understanding of diabetes as one of the common diseases that affect millions of people worldwide.
According to him, “World Diabetes Day was first introduced in 1991 and founded by both the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in reaction to the rise in cases of Diabetes worldwide. It was decided to choose a day of the year to raise awareness on Diabetes and related causes and the day chosen was the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, a medical scientist who co-discovered Insulin and was the first person to use it on humans.
He explained that diabetes is not as a result of consuming sugar or sugary things, but rather, as a result of the body’s ability to handle glucose in the body, noting that the glucose comes from all the food we eat whether it is meat, carbohydrate, protein or fat; saying, in their normal forms, the body does not recognise them.
In her contribution, the pharmacist in-charge, Pharm (Dr) Angela Oyuonvo Evbodi, described the unveiling as part of the company’s expansion policy, adding that the success was achieved through efficient and innovative delivery of quality products and service that benefit the general public. She added that the company remains passionate in achieving its set vision.
While thanking Afonchies for organising the screening, one of the benefactors, Mrs Olusola Akinyele, expressed her delight about the programme, saying if other organisations around could embrace the good gesture, life would be better for all in the community and beyond.
Also speaking, another beneficiary, Mr Yaya Aminu, who happened to be a local security man commended Afonchies pharmacy for the programme, while urging them to extend the exercise beyond the period of World Diabetes Day.
The Sterile Insect Technique, a form of “birth control” for mosquitoes and other deadly insects, has been used to tackle invasive pests in the past.
This process involves irradiating male Aedes mosquitoes, in dedicated facilities, and then releasing them to mate with females in the wild. This was first developed by the United States Department of Agriculture and has been used successfully to target insects that attack crops and livestock, especially the Mediterranean fruit fly and the New World screwworm fly. It is now being used across the world to boost agriculture.
According to reports, dengue fever has become a major health threat with 110 countries around the world suffering outbreaks this year. WHO believes that as many as five million cases may be reported by the end of 2019 – up from an average of three million in previous years.
Image of WHO logo
The UN health agency said it had recently observed that the technique could prove successful in controlling some species of mosquito from spreading diseases amongst humans.
“The process involves rearing large quantities of sterilised male mosquitoes in dedicated facilities, and then releasing them to mate with females in the wild. As they do not produce any offspring, the insect population declines over time” WHO said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have partnered with WHO to develop a pilot programme for countries interested in using the technique to test the impact on disease transmission.
Malaria, dengue, Zika, chikungunya and other related fevers account for about 17 per cent of all infectious diseases globally, WHO said, claiming more than 700,000 lives yearly with far greater number suffering infections.
WHO said it has become necessary to find a lasting solution to reducing or eradicating mosquitoes as disease vendors as half of the world population is at risk of dengue. “Half the world’s population is now at risk of dengue,” Soumya Swaminathan, WHO chief scientist, said during the announcement. “And despite our best efforts, current efforts to control it are falling short.” “We desperately need new approaches and this initiative is both promising and exciting,” the official added.
Raman Velayudhan, coordinator of WHO’s department of neglected tropical diseases, said there was a desperate need for new tools to control the Aedes mosquito which lives in urban areas, bites during the day and whose eggs are able to survive for long periods.
WHO also stressed that the technique will not harm the wider eco-system. There are more than 3,500 different types of mosquito that serve as food for animals so removing one species will have little impact.
The IAEA is looking at refining the technique for malaria-carrying mosquitoes, although Dr Velayudhan said there were already control tools for this mosquito, such as bed nets and indoor residual spraying.
Florence Fouque, a tropical disease expert at WHO, said the technique could have a “really significant” impact on dengue.
“We have to demonstrate that this technology has an impact not only on the density of mosquitoes but on the number of cases of the disease: declining, reducing and eventually eradicating a disease in a country,” she said.
Dr Velayudhan added WHO hopes to reduce the mosquito population in trial areas by a quarter by 2025 and 2030.
Dr Soumya Swaminathan, WHO chief scientist, added: “Despite our best efforts, current efforts to control [dengue] are falling short. We desperately need new approaches and this initiative is both promising and exciting.”
As part of its strategic move to significantly penetrate the underpenetrated Nigeria market and presents a massive opportunity for disruption to startups that can use the right mix of technology innovation and smarter operations, MeCure Healthcare Nigeria Limited, recently introduced MeCure SmartBuy, a complete healthcare mobile app that offers free teleconsultation with doctors and home delivery of medicines anywhere in Nigeria.
The app which is available on both Android and iOS smartphones, has hit more than 50,000 user registrations and thousands of orders nationwide in less than 6 months of its introduction, while it has also got partnerships with HMOs and corporate institutions across the country.
Dr Adekunle Megbuwawon
To continue its growth momentum after clocking 50,000 users, the diagnostic company said its now targeting the B2B segment through tie-ups with Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs), hospitals and corporate institutions by offering them attractive discounts on medicines for their customers and employees. So far, it has already started pilot operations with more than 10 organisations and is in various stages of discussions with several more.
According to a press statement made available by Dr Adekunle Megbuwawon, chief medical officer at the company, MeCure Smartbuy is already a leading diagnostic brand in Lagos for the last 10 years and it already has amazing partnerships with most of the HMOs and big corporate institutions for diagnostic services for years now.
He added, “With MeCure SmartBuy we leverage this existing relationship and provide additional value to all of our clients by taking care of medication needs for their employees or end consumers. Consider this, as a responsible organisation you would want your employees and customers to have access to genuine medication at an affordable price, right?
Nigeria is already infamous for counterfeit drugs and furthermore, the pricing and availability is highly volatile, but with MeCure SmartBuy, all of these concerns are addressed because we offer genuine drugs at a flat discount with doorstep delivery! It is technically a no-brainer for our clients and hence we are witnessing rapid growth.”
“The pace of growth also comes with its own set of challenges from a tech and operations perspective. I remember at one point I think somewhere in June, we were receiving around 4000+ signups in a single day. It was a crazy time for our tech team, as we had to ensure our network infrastructure could scale and support this huge spike in traffic. While we did run into some minor issues, it gave us a clear indicator with regards to the demand for our offering and validated the magnitude of the problem that we are trying to solve”.
Also speaking from the release, Adil Shaikh, chief technology officer, in charge of MeCure Smartbuy, said “from the time an order is placed on the app till the time our delivery agent hands over the medication to the customer, we track each and every interaction minutely. We can track the exact location for each of our delivery agents in real-time. This helps us understand bottlenecks and optimize our operations on a daily basis, while constant feedback from our customers is also helping us improve and expand our offerings. Tech is only an enabler, executing to delight the customer is key, so if you look at our reviews from customers on the app stores you will understand how seriously we pay attention to detail. If your customer is not happy, nothing else matters.” he said.
He added that the app is available through their website www.mecuresmartbuy.com and users can also search for “MeCure SmartBuy” on the Android and iOS stores through their phone to download it. He, however, added that the app uses a geo-fence to only allow registrations from Lagos at the moments.
Amidst a rapturous applause, Pharm. Isa Muhammad was recently sworn in as the new chairman of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria – Young Pharmacists Group (PSN-YPG).
Muhammad, winner of ‘Young Pharmacist of the Year’ organized by Pharmanews Limited, took over the mantle of leadership from the outgoing energetic chairman, Pharm. Muyiwa Olagunju.
Isa Muhammad, left and the immediate past chairman of PSN-YPG, Muyiwa Olagunju
The election of YPG executives into office which took place the group’s Annual General Meeting on 6 November 2019 during the 92nd PSN Conference had eminent pharmacists such as Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria; Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, immediate past president of the Society; Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director, Pharmanews Limited; Pharm. Samuel Adekola, chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists in Nigeria (ACPN); Pharm. (Dr) Kingsley Chiedu Amibor, national chairman, Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) and Calixthus Okoruwa, keynote speaker in attendance.
Other elected exco members are Abdullahi Abdusalam, national vice chairman; Nzomisaki Shadrach, national PRO / editor-in-chief; Abubakar Jibo, national secretary / project coordinator; Zainab Muti, national treasurer; Chado Baba, national assistant secretary; Abdullahi Muhd, national financial secretary; Egbon Temitope, South West zonal coordinator; Chukwuemeka Nwabugwu, South East zonal coordinator; Umar Sabiu, North West zonal coordinator; Ignatius Da’ap, North Central zonal coordinator; Raji Abdulrazaq, North East zonal coordinator; South South zonal coordinator while Muyiwa Olagunju was given the post of an ex officio.
To overcome the burden of Ebola virus disease, Lassa fever, Monkey pox, and other zoonotic infectious diseases in Africa, scientists have called for the adoption of multidisciplinary approach, which requires the collaboration of veterinary doctors, clinicians, basic scientists, environmentalists, and social scientists, to design an effective prevention formula.
The researchers stated that adoption of multidisciplinary approach is essential in achieving one health, which deals with the prevention of transmission of animal diseases to human being, such as Ebola, Lassa fever, Monkey Pox, etc.
Director General, Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Prof. Babatunde Salako, unveiling the newly launched locally developed medical devices at conference.
Addressing participants at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) sixth International Scientific Conference with theme: “One Health and Global Health Security: Need to be Proactive Through Health Research”, the Director General, Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Prof. Babatunde Salako, said more than 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in origin, and many of the same microorganisms infect both animals and humans, while they share the same ecosystem.
Thus, to combat the outbreak of these zoonotic infections, like Ebola virus disease, he said there is need to break professional, disciplinary and institutional boundaries, and to work in a more integrated fashion to effectively detect, respond to and prevent outbreaks of zoonosis and food safety problems.
His words: “To improve global health security, there is a need to look at how this relationship exist and how can we prevent the transmission of animal diseases to human, and where it has been transmitted, how can we treat and limit the spread to human. This will require a multidisciplinary approach, requiring veterinary, clinicians, basic scientists, environmentalists, and of course the social scientists. All of them will have to come together to come up with a better approach of prevention”.
Salako, however, called on policy makers, researchers and workers across sectors to implement joint responses to health threats, develop framework and indicators to ensure impact of one-health activities, as well as share epidemiological data and laboratory information across sectors for quick response.
While fielding questions from journalists at the conference, the Chairman of the conference, Dr Aubrey Cunnington, from the Imperial College London, United Kingdom, noted the key factors to enhance the achievement of one health as availability of infrastructure and funds for researchers, which make them prepare for emerging outbreaks.
He said this will enable constant surveillance on human and animal health, looking out for these emerging diseases. And in case of any outbreak, like that of Ebola virus disease, scientists will have infrastructure to combat it. “This requires funding from government and preparation of individuals as well as sharing of knowledge among countries”, he stressed.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Moses Bockarie, speaking on the topic: The role of African governments and research institutions in implementing one health”, pointed out that health security is how we can use one health to prevent public health emergencies like the Ebola crisis, Lassa fever, monkey pox and how the government need to take drastic measures to manage it.
A cross section of participants at the international conference
He said the governments of Africa need to priotise research to prepare for outbreaks of infectious diseases, as well as promote public health.
He said the governments of Africa need to priotise research to prepare for outbreaks of infectious diseases, as well as promote public health.
The international conference also witnessed the unveiling of innovative local diagnostic and medical devices, developed by NIMR researchers including: NIMR Biotech DNA/RNA extraction kits for biological and botanical samples; NIMR-Electrophoretic Machines Model Iⅈ NIMR-Hematocrit Centrifuge ; NIMR-Biological Incubators; NIMR-Laboratory fitted Oven, and NIMR-Bucket Centrifuge .
Usuemerai, introducing the maiden edition of the PSN-YPG YOPPEX programme, with the CEO of HMEDIX Abuja on stage.
Pharm. Precious Azino Usuemerai, is the immediate past coordinator of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria – Young Pharmacists Group (PSN YPG). A talented and vision driven pharmacist, whose determination to Impact the profession saw him through the fiercely contested election for the position of the State Coordinator of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in October 2018, ascribed the success of his tenure to his burning passion to uplift the standard of the profession.
In an exclusive interview with Pharmanewsonline.com, he narrated how he has spearheaded several groundbreaking initiatives, which validated his reputation as a transformative young leader in the pharmaceutical industry. His first strategic move involved engaging directly with the Registrar of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) to advocate for a comprehensive overhaul of the pharmacy school curriculum. Recognising the rapid evolutions in healthcare, Usuemerai meticulously outlined the necessity for incorporating contemporary skills and advanced knowledge to prepare future pharmacists more effectively.
A hallmark of Usuemerai tenure was the introduction of the Young Pharmacists in Professional Excellence (YOPPEX) programme, an unprecedented initiative within the PSN-YPG nationwide. This innovative programme, according to him focused on skill acquisition and capacity building, designed to foster professional competence among young pharmacists. At his landmark meeting with the PCN Registrar, he disclosed how he articulated the substantial benefits of YOPPEX, which received resounding endorsement for its visionary approach.
PCN Registrar, Pharm. Elijah Mohammed (middle); with Pharm. Precious Azino Usuemerai; PCN executives and participants at the programme.
He said, “The inaugural YOPPEX programme was a remarkable success, providing young pharmacists with unparalleled opportunities to engage with industry frontrunners. Notable among the speakers was Ibrahim Hussein, the esteemed CEO and Director of H-Medix Abuja, recognised for establishing one of Abuja’s most disruptive and innovative retail pharmacy chains. Participants gained invaluable insights and took part in a mini-MBA course, significantly enhancing their business acumen and strategic capabilities.”
Beyond staging of programmes, Usuemerai has been a formidable advocate for ethical practices within the pharmaceutical programmes. A good example of his advocacy for good pharmacy practice, was during the PSN Abuja meetings, where he consistently led initiatives against illegal pharmaceutical practices, championing the cause of credible and lawful pharma practice. His unwavering commitment to integrity has garnered him high praise and recognition from the state’s PSN leadership, positioning him as a leading voice for reform and excellence in the industry.
In another notable achievement, he revealed how he forged a strategic partnership with the British School of Project Management. This collaboration resulted in providing free project management training to over 100 young pharmacists in Abuja, further equipping them with essential skills to advance their careers and contribute more effectively to the healthcare system.
Usuemerai’s tenure as the State Coordinator of FCT Abuja PSN-YPG epitomises the significant impact of dedicated and visionary leadership. His innovative programmes and advocacy efforts have set new standards for excellence and professional development within the Nigerian pharmaceutical community.
Pharm. Aliyu Bello Aliyu, a 2017 Pharmacy graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, has won a cash prize of $2000 for Healthcare Innovation &Tech Advancement at the just concluded Nigeria-Canada Investment Submit, held in Abuja.
Aliyu, who emerged third among the winners, presented an innovative project on the advancement of technology in healthcare, and his work was featured among the best at the summit.
Pharm. Aliyu Bello Aliyu, receiving a dummy cheque at the summit.
Following this feat, members of the Young Pharmacists Group (YPG) have been felicitating with him on Twitter on this noble achievement, while wishing him greater heights in the nearest future.
Aliyu is the CEO of Myclinic.ng, an online, on-demand platform that enables anyone from anywhere to see and talk to a doctor at anytime simply using a mobile app and all within 5 minutes. The goal of the platform is to minimize costly, time consuming and sometimes unnecessary hospital visits.
The platform also integrates diagnostics laboratories across Nigeria which significantly broadens the spectrum of conditions that can be managed using online consultation.
Screenshot of felicitating tweets
The Nigeria-Canada Summit is the flagship event of NCIS LTD/GTE, which brought together world business leaders, top diplomats, senior government officials, development partners, and international trade and investment practitioners from around the world.
Stakeholders in attendance were from both Nigeria and Canada six sectors (Agriculture, Education, Energy, Healthcare, Infrastructure and Mining). The summit also explored and targeted investment opportunities, and strategic business solutions to further the business ventures between Nigeria and Canada.
There is an increasing global challenge of antimicrobial resistance, which hitherto has made some antibiotics ineffective for the treatment of infectious diseases, they were specifically designed to fight. Statistics have shown that the use of antibiotics save millions of lives each year by fighting off bacterial infections. They have been the backbone of medicine, yet many of us take them for granted. Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) won’t be possible without paying close attention to this most pressing global health threat.
The world indeed has moved from a period of inevitable deaths from infections and undiscovered medication for strange infections to self-inflicted deaths from human greed. The consequences of antibiotics abuse helps to accelerate the level and spread of resistant bacteria. Increasing availability of antibiotics has also accelerated this alarming downside: The drugs losing their efficacy to kill the microbes they were created to conquer. Hard-wired to survive, many bacteria have evolved to outsmart the medications.
Drug abuse, especially abuse of codeine and tramadol, is one challenge that have threatens the future of the country. One major issue that is neglected in the fight against drug abuse in Nigeria is increasingly use of antibiotics as a form of contraception, cold and flu, every febrile illness tagged as typhoid, unconfirmed sexual transmitted disease (stds), and for every case of diarrhea with a simple overwhelming level of patronage from clients having no idea of the possible consequences.
Yusuf Hassan Wada
In Nigeria, anyone can visit the Proprietary Patent Medicine Vendors (PPMVs), hawkers, small shopkeepers who provide on-the- spot diagnosis and treat anything with buying just a few tablets instead of the full course — not enough to vanquish an infection but enough to allow bacteria to mutate and gain resistance for their complaints ranging diarrhoea, pain, wounds, and at the slightest hint of a cough or cold.
If these people who don’t have a pharmacist’s degree nor a medical training by any means, can be taking advantage of the ignorance of others and doing their unethical business freely, then this signifies state failure, institutional malfunction or breakdown in regulatory and legal frameworks.
Another example is that of diarrhea, which is a viral infection, and would go on its own, but most Nigerians would rather take flagyl or the red and yellow capsule named as ‘system flushers’. What rather presents a precarious picture is the case of using antibiotics especially Ampiclox as a form of contraception or preventing STDs which is very rampant and poses a great danger to the users themselves, and it calls for increase in knowledge and awareness about sexual health.
The aftermath of all these is that an average citizen who is already resistant to common and affordable antibiotics ends up spending more in procuring expensive antibiotics to achieve the same result. Antimicrobial resistance increases the financial burden of healthcare, particularly in health systems where out-of-pocket payments predominate, like Nigeria.
We can’t effectively mitigate the growing problem of antibiotic abuse and resistance without dealing with lax oversight attitude of antibiotic use, non-compliance with prescribed dosage as well as duration of usage of the drug, choatic drug distribution network which calls for strong political
commitment at both national and the entire international community levels to curb the menace. In effect, it is therefore paramount for us to have a good drug distribution system that can guarantee safe, efficacious and affordable medicines across all levels of health care delivery in Nigeria.
Increased awareness and mass education on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), reduction in the excessive use of antimicrobial drugs, surveillance of AMR, placing a ban on the sale of antimicrobial prescription medicines as Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs, massive changes–in the expectations and actions of patients, physicians, pharmacists, dispensers, the investments of pharmaceutical companies and the oversight of governments.
It is high time also, that physicians and their various associations insist on the use of blood or stool urine culture diagnosis in treating their patients and totally discountenancing Widal test for uniformity of practice.
Government should regulate and closely monitor PPMVs’ practices in order to avert the looming crises that will become inevitable if there are no potent antibiotics.
Thus, towards the World Antibiotic Awareness Week (18-24 November) and beyond, it is imperative for people to learn how to save their money, kidneys and liver. We must create, develop and sustain a distinct way forward and put a permanent stop to the mentality because we are quickly running out of treatment options and if we don’t get a handle on the problem, I fear for the future.
All hands must be on deck towards solving this problem.
Yusuf Hassan Wada is a Public Health Advocate and writes from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto. He can be reached at hasawa2011@gmail.com
In recognition of his outstanding achievement in promotion of Pharmaceutical industry, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, publisher of Pharmanews has been honoured with 2019 Business Hallmark People of the Year Award.
The colourful ceremony, which held 10 November 2019 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos attracted bankers, healthcare professionals, airline operators and several other dignitaries.
L-R: Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Anya O. Anya congratulating Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi for his outstanding achievement in promotion of Pharmaceutical industry while Sir Marc Wabara, CEO, Overt Energy and Member, Hallmark Advisory Board looks on.
Aside the Pharmanews boss, notable winners of the 2019 edition of the awards included Chief Willie Obiano, Anambra State governor – Hallmark Man of the Year; Kennedy Uzoka, CEO, United Bank for Africa – Banker of the Year; Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) – Professional Excellence Award in Law and Jurisprudence; Chief Sam Maduka Onyishi, CEO, Peace Mass Transit Limited – Business Integrity Award; Chief Bisi Olatilo, founder, Biscon TV – Professional Excellence Award in Media and Communication; Mrs Folake Ani-Mumuney, group head, marketing & corporate communications, First Bank of Nigeria – Professional Excellence Award in Marketing & Corporate Communications and Prof. Olufemi Adelowo, consultant rheumatologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) – Outstanding Achievement award in Medicine.
Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, recipient of 2019 Business Hallmark People of the Year Award (middle) flanked by his wife, Lady Joan Atueyi (right), Mrs Ugonwa Nnubia and Barr. Emeka Nnubia. Left are Mrs Funke Abiola and Engr. Titus Abiola.
Others were Air Peace Airline – Company of the Year Award; Collins Chikeluba, CEO, GMO Group – Entrepreneur of the Year Award; Fidelity Bank Plc. – co-winner, Special Product of the Year; Sterling Bank H.E.A.R.T Initiative – co-winner, Special Product Award; Mr Jackson Agbai Abbah, CEO, Dover Hotel – Outstanding Achievement Award in the Promotion of Hotel and Hospitality; Mr Abubakar Bello, MD NEXIM Bank – winner of Professional Excellence Award in Banking and Financial Services; Dr Godwin Ehigiamusoe, MD, LAPO Microfinance Bank – Outstanding Achievement Award in Micro Financing; Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission – Public Servant of the Year Award and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) – Parastatal of the Year Award.
The Business Hallmark People of the Year Award is an annual event organised by the medium to celebrate institutions and individuals who have affected national development in positive ways in the course of the year.
Prof. Wilson Oyekigho Erhun, a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and former dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has been declared winner of the 2019 May & Baker Professional Service Award in Pharmacy.
The award, presented during opening ceremony of the 92nd Annual National PSN Conference, held on 5 November, 2019 at the International Trade Fair in Kaduna.
Erhun had his secondary school education at St Peter Clavers College, Aghalokpe; Government College, Ughelli and Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State. He is a 1978 Pharmacy graduate of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and holds a Master of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry (1980) and another Master of Business Administration (1992) from Obafemi Awolowo University.
Interestingly, the pharmacist was the first holder of a Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacognosy awarded by Obafemi Awolowo University (1984).
One-time Executive Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (1991/92), Erhun has also served as editor-in-chief of Nigerian Journal of Pharmacy. He was coordinator of the first Group Dynamics Session of the PSN National Conference held in Kaduna in 1992.
He has served either as chair, coordinator or member in many committees of the PSN (National) including Communique; Scientific Sessions of PSN National Conference, Research & Documentation and the Education Committee where he currently serves as Adviser.
Prof. Erhun (Left) receiving the May & Baker Award Plaque
Erhun has also been honoured with Fellowship of West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (1994); Fellow, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (2014); Fellow, Institute of Management Consultants (2018) and Fellow, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (2019).
Over the years, the May & Baker Professional Service Award in Pharmacy has become a flagship professional award in the pharmaceutical landscape in Nigeria.
The May & Baker Professional Service Award aims to reward excellence and innovation in the practice of Pharmacy in Nigeria. The award carries a prize reward of N500,000, plus a passage allowance to enable the winner attend the National Conference of PSN to receive the award.
Every eligible applicant is expected to be a financial member of the PSN.
…posing with the dummy for the May & Baker Professional Service Award
Applicants should include relevant evidence of whatever claims they may have concerning their achievements for verification and must appear before the award selection committee to clarify some of the claims.
Among other things, the committee scrutinized the credentials for elements of integrity, leadership positions held in pharmacy, academic and professional qualifications, innovations in the area of practice, professional/academic performance, philanthropic activities and service to humanity outside pharmacy.
A new study has found that morning meal rich in protein and fat can actually curb hunger, and help control blood sugar levels, in patients with type 2 diabetes.
According to the researchers, patients who ate a big breakfast for three months experienced lower blood sugar (glucose) levels, and nearly one-third were able to reduce the amount of diabetic medication they took.
“The changes were very dramatic,” said Dr. Joel Zonszein, director of the Clinical Diabetes Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. “I’m impressed with these findings,” added Zonszein, who was not involved with the study. “We should see if they can be reproduced.”
Image of a healthy breakfast
The researchers based their study on previous investigations that found that people who regularly eat breakfast tend to have a lower body mass index (BMI) than those who skip the meal. BMI is a measurement that takes into account height and weight. Breakfast eaters also enjoy lower blood sugar levels and are able to use insulin more efficiently.
The trial randomly assigned 59 people with type 2 diabetes to either a big or small breakfast group.
The big breakfast contained about one-third of the daily calories that the diabetic patients would have, while the small breakfast contained only 12.5 percent of their total daily energy intake. The big breakfast also contained a higher percentage of protein and fat.
Doctors found that after 13 weeks, blood sugar levels and blood pressure dropped dramatically in people who ate a big breakfast every day. Those who ate a big breakfast enjoyed blood sugar level reductions three times greater than those who ate a small breakfast and blood pressure reductions that were four times greater.
About one-third of the people eating a big breakfast ended up cutting back on the daily diabetic medication they needed to take. By comparison, about 17 per cent of the small breakfast group had to increase their medication prescriptions during the course of the trial.
The people eating a big breakfast also found themselves less hungry later in the day.
“As the study progressed, we found that hunger scores increased significantly in the small breakfast group, while satiety scores increased in the big breakfast group,” study co-author Dr. Hadas Rabinovitz, of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said in a news release from the association. “In addition, the big breakfast group reported a reduced urge to eat and a less preoccupation with food, while the small breakfast group had increased preoccupation with food and a greater urge to eat over time.”
Rabinovitz speculated that a big breakfast rich in protein causes suppression of ghrelin, which is known as the “hunger hormone.”
The protein in the breakfast also likely helped control the patients’ blood sugar levels, said Vandana Sheth, a certified diabetes instructor and registered dietitian in Los Angeles and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
“We know when you eat carbohydrates, they can elevate blood sugar within 15 minutes to an hour,” Sheth said. “Protein takes longer to convert into glucose, as long as three hours, and not all of it goes to glucose. Some of it is used to repair muscle, for example. So it’s not a direct effect – 100 per cent of the carbs you eat convert to glucose, while only a portion of protein you eat converts to glucose.”
An Associate Professor at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Dr. Femi Fasanmade, corroborated the findings, stating that it is not ideal for diabetics to skip any meal of the day because it will not help proper monitoring of the blood sugar level.
Fasanmade who spoke with Pharmanews in a telephone conversation also submitted that while a big breakfast will help diabetics a great deal, it must be rich in protein, vegetables and antioxidants to be truly effective.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said it would ensure that 60 per cent of the drugs being imported into the country were manufactured locally.
Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the agency, said this at a news conference, on Monday in Abuja.
NAFDAC Logo
She stressed the need for the agency to ensure the local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector thrived.
She said a significant amount of substandard and falsified drugs were creeping into the country.
“We want the local manufacturing sector to thrive; we want a situation whereby 60 per cent of the country’s products are manufactured locally,” Mrs Adeyeye said.
She said that a significant amount of substandard and falsified medicines were being imported “as unregistered or registered but with compromise on the content after approval to become substandard.”
“One of the drives of my administration is to encourage local manufacturing for products that can be manufactured in Nigeria,” the NAFDAC boss said.
She stated that the agency now encouraged innovation from local manufacturers by giving five-year market exclusivity to the innovator- company with the capacity to meet the country’s demand.
Mrs Adeyeye added that during the period, “there would be no approval of a similar product to ensure that products manufactured, imported, distributed and sold after registration or renewal of registration conformed with quality specifications”.
She said that the agency had four laboratories, with ISO-17025 accreditation across the country, to test the quality of medicines, vaccines test kits and other biological products.
Mrs Adeyeye said NAFDAC had overhauled its testing of products coming from China and India by re-certification of the ‘clean report’ and ‘analysis agents’ as well as laboratories from those countries.
This, she said, was aimed at ensuring that the imported products were tested by qualified laboratories.
The official said part of the restrictions was streamlining the pre-shipment testing, with testing done post-shipment. (NAN)
When we launched our training and consulting business eight years ago, we didn’t have all the resources in place. The main capital I had as the founder of the company was competence and ability to connect with people. We explored our ‘‘relationship capital’’ and of course our ability to do the Job exceptionally well. This strategy has become today our corporate culture. In sales, nothing beats competence and ability to grow great relationships.
Keep connecting
Relationship capital is your ability to connect with people. In this tough business environment, you must keep connecting with the right circle that will help your business. You must keep doing the right things. You must continue to satisfy your customers and prospects. The more you make customers happy, the more you grow your relationship capital with them. Developing healthy relationship with customers and prospects is a strategy that leads to success in sales career.
Successful sales professionals believe in building relationships. They believe in delighting their clients by giving them value. You just have to be competent; you should also know how to connect with people. You must increase in these aspects if you want to be outstanding in sales and in the business world.
Get the right people and go all the miles to get things done
George O. Emetuche
Relating with one another makes our world a better place. Successful companies gather smart sales people to get things done. Increasing relationship capital is a winning concept in life, not just in business alone. You need people to build a great team. You need the right people to build a great organisation. This is why I maintain that you need to build the right team that will help the company to enhance its customer base by building relationship capital.
The more we relate with one another, the more we discover how to provide solutions for our needs. This is a strong point in the world of business today; it is the essence of selling. This aspect cannot be achieved when the salesman is in a hurry or desperate to sell. This scenario takes time to build. You must give it all it requires. You must water the ground. You must make your grass greener by watering it. You must build relevant business relationships that will bring you out of hard selling.
Go the extra mile
Don’t be afraid to start a robust business relationship with a prospect or customer. Some salespeople see this as a big issue. They lack the attitude to commence healthy professional relationships. The only option they deem fit is to hurriedly present their products and services without making efforts to invest time and care that will take the business relationship to enviable heights.
No business grows in a hurry! Today’s businesses thrive on competence and relationships. I once held a business meeting at 10.00 pm in a recreation club. The meeting was at the instance of my friend, a Chief Executive Officer of a conglomerate – who is a member of the elite recreation club. The entrepreneur had to give me appointment to see him at the club in order to spend more time to discuss business with me. I got there that night and watched him play tennis and our meeting commenced thereafter. The time I spent with him during the business meeting couldn’t have been achieved in his office if I ‘‘desperately’’ wanted to hold the meeting in his office. The recreational environment created the ambiance needed for a friendly business meeting. You must ensure great relationships and ability to deliver on your promises. This is the strength of successful businesses.
Generic proposal is not smart enough!
In my experience in the world of selling, I have discovered that the more you find a common ground with people, the more you sell. The business environment today has gone personal. Leading organisations now develop tailor-made strategies to satisfy their target markets. Generic proposals don’t sell anymore. You must find a way to personalise your offering. The way our faces are different is the way our needs differ. It is always smart to develop ‘‘individualised approach’’ to problem solving.
Discover your prospects and customers and proffer the best solutions that will take care of their needs. The importance of building a great relationship capital cannot be overemphasised. The more you connect with your customers by fulfilling their needs and ensuring healthy business relationships with them, the more you protect your business from activities of competitors. The more you spend more time to bring the buyer to your side, the more you reduce the urge to be desperate and aggressive to sell your products and services. Sales come naturally when you do the right thing.
Some medicinal fruits and vegetables are said to owe their potency to the bitterness of their taste. But with the duo of watermelon and orange, it is a different ball game, as both contain sweet juices, with life-saving nutrients that can cure and prevent most common health disorders.
Scientists from the University of Benin and the Igbinedion University (both in Edo State) have conducted a research into the “Comparative evaluation of antioxidant effects of watermelon and orange, and their effects on some serum lipid profile of Wister albino rats.” Their findings were published in the International Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism Vol. 3(8).
In conducting the study, normal rats, given varying doses of the juices of the fruits were investigated. 120 g/70 kg body weight was used as the standard dose, while the animals were given the normal dose, × 1.5, and × 2.0 of the normal dose, orally, for a period of six weeks.
“Our findings showed that watermelon juice caused a dose-related decrease in SOD activity at weeks three and six, while orange juice caused a dose related increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity,” the researchers said.
The result of the study further showed both catalase activities lower than that for control, and at high doses, both showed increased activity of catalase. Both juices caused a dose-related increase in HDL-cholesterol, with no significant difference between them. And watermelon caused a dose-related decrease in LDL-cholesterol, while orange caused a dose related increase in LDL-cholesterol.
But LDL concentration for orange treated test groups were shown to be higher than that for watermelon treated test groups. These show that both fruits are complimentary, as the shortcoming of one is made up for by the other. So, for full health benefit, it is better to consume both at the same time.
Nutritional Contents of Watermelon and Orange
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a member of the Cucumbitaceae family. It is an excellent source of the potent carotenoid antioxidant “lycopene”. This powerful antioxidant travels through the body neutralising free radicals. Other researchers have confirmed that a cup of watermelon provides 24.3 per cent of the daily value of vitamin C, and through its beta carotene, 11.1 per cent of the daily value of vitamin A.
The antioxidant function of lycopene is its ability to help protect cells and other structures in the body from oxygen damage and has been linked in human research to prevention of heart disease. Protection of DNA inside white blood cells has also been shown to be an antioxidant role of lycopene.
Before cholesterol can be deposited in the plaques that harden and narrow arteries, it must be oxidised by free radicals. With its powerful antioxidant activity, lycopene can prevent LDL-cholesterol from being oxidised.
Research indicates that diets low in carotenoids can increase the body’s susceptibility to damage from free radicals. As a result, over the long term, carotenoid-deficient diets may increase tissue damage from free radical activity, and increase risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancers.
Orange (Citrus sinensis) belongs to the genus citrus, of the family Rutaceae. It is a popular fresh fruit, often consumed because of its tangy taste and nutritive values. Oranges are rich in vitamin C and also provide some vitamin A. These vitamins serve as antioxidants, preventing the attack of free radicals on the cells of the body.
Orange is rich in a compound called liminoid, which combats cancer of the colon, stomach, breast, lung, skin, and mouth. Orange peels have alkaloid synephrine, which can cut down the production of cholesterol in the liver. The antioxidant elements in oranges combat oxidative stress that oxidises the LDL in the blood.
Oranges protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, thus helping you look young and glowing.
The aqueous extract of Citrulus lanatus has been known to be a good source of glucose, fibre and also an excellent source of vitamin C, lycopene, and beta carotene. C. sinensis is also a good source of vitamin A and an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin C being the major vitamin contained in both fruits.
Epidemiologically, it has been shown that antioxidants may reduce or inhibit the effect of oxidative stress in tissues and organs of the body. Vitamin C is a highly effective antioxidant, acting to lessen oxidative stress.
Stressing the health benefits of watermelon, the pioneer managing director/CEO of the Nigerian Medicinal Plants Development Company (NMPDC), Pharm. (Mrs) Zainab U. Shariff, said in an interview with pharmanews that every part of the watermelon is useful, bark, seed, and pulp. It contains 80 -90 per cent water, thus it is diuretic, rich in antioxidants and carotenoids from the red colour.
As an expert on herbs, she noted that watermelon with the combination of carrot, cucumber and a touch of ginger will produce an excellent natural fruit juice, which is very medicinal for diabetics, cancer patients, and for the general wellbeing of the human body.
“Watermelon serves as a cleanser because it cleanses and nourishes the kidney, thus, it’s suitable for diabetics. The availability of watermelon in most parts of the country makes its accessible to everyone,” she stated.
On the usefulness of the bark, she said the green bark is also very useful, in that, it can be dried and ground into powdery form, to be taken as tea in combination with orange, zobo and a little of ginger. “This bark is good for the liver because it has been established that it tones the kidney and liver,” she added.
Shariff, who is also the national chairman of the Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs) and a facilitator of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), explained that another way to use the bark of watermelon is to chop it, mix it with boiled water, sieve and drink.
According to her, “the seeds are believed to have aphrodisiac effects both on man and woman. One can chew seven to fourteen seeds daily, to experience the aphrodisiac effect, kidney flushing function, and erection improvement in men.”
Specific Health Benefits of Watermelon
Lowers blood pressure:
Watermelon contains a compound known as citrulline, which in the bloodstream, signals the body to release a compound that causes the blood vessels to dilate. As a result, blood flows through the vessels easily, causing less pressure on the vessel walls. According to a research, led by food scientists at The Florida State University, six weeks of L-citrulline extract from watermelon reduced blood pressure and aortic wave reflection in middle-aged individuals with pre-hypertension.
Boosts heart health, controls weight gain:
In a recent study, researchers at the Purdue University and University of Kentucky found that a diet including watermelon juice lowers weight, cholesterol and arterial plaque.
Protects from cancer:
Watermelon is rich in antioxidants such as lycopene which contains twice the amount found in tomatoes. Watermelon also contains vitamins C and A, which play active role in the fight against several cancers such as breast, prostate and colorectal cancer.Chinese study showed in 2009 that the compounds found in watermelon work to increase the programmed death in breast cancer cells.
Boosts libido and improves fertility:
Watermelon may have Viagra-like effect. It is a rich source of amino acid citrulline, which works to further expand and relax the blood vessels, in a way similar to what happens when a man takes Viagra. This ensures the passage of more blood to the penis leading to erection.
Prevents heat stroke:
Watermelon is effective in reducing body temperature and blood pressure. Many people in the tropical regions eat the fruit to protect themselves from heat stroke.
Eases arthritis:
Watermelon can serve as a diuretic, which means that it can help to maintain the balance between fluids and glucose in the body. Aside from helping to keep the body hydrated, thereby helping to prevent arthritis, its rich beta-carotene and vitamin C content also contribute to reducing inflammatory processes associated with this disease.
Prevents constipation:
Drinking a big glass of watermelon juice is very effective in aiding the elimination of wastes. Consuming plenty of this red juice will do a lot of good.
Eases heartburn, morning sickness:
Watermelon eases heartburn and reduces swelling; its high water content (80-90 per cent) and fruit sugars alleviate morning sickness and dehydration; and the minerals it contains can help prevent third-trimester muscle cramps.
A 2003 study in the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics found that daily lycopene supplements reduced the incidence of preeclampsia by 50 per cent. Test subjects were given four milligrammes of lycopene; a single serving of watermelon can increase that effect by three folds.
Avert infections:
Watermelon plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of many infections in the body. As a rich source of vitamin C, it helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful oxygen-free radicals.
Sustains healthy kidneys:
Water melon contains a lot of potassium, which is very helpful in cleaning or washing off the toxic depositions in the kidneys. Moreover, it is helpful in reducing concentration of uric acid in the blood, thereby lowering the chances of kidney damages and formation of kidney stones in it.
In addition to helping to prevent dehydration due to its high water content, it induces frequent urinating, which is again helpful for cleaning of the kidneys.
An outbreak of yellow fever has killed at least 29 people in Bauchi State, the state has said.It is latest of such outbreaks in the country.
Rilwanu Mohammed, chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency spoke to journalists on Thursday about the outbreak.
Mr Mohammed said the virus was first detected in September, meaning the deaths were possibly recorded in the last two months.
Image of Yellow fever causing mosquito
“We discovered 224 suspected cases, and 29 were confirmed dead, with 24 in Alkaleri local government, two in Bauchi local government, 1 in Darazo council area and two in Ningi local government,” he said.
Mr Mohammed explained that the virus was first detected in Alkaleri local council area, adding that efforts had since been on to avoid further spread.
He said the government was doing everything possible to ensure that the disease did not spread to the state capital.
“That is why government has made efforts through vaccination of people living in the prone areas.
“Already, 500,000 doses of vaccines had been administered in Alkaleri and we are expecting 600,000 doses of vaccines to be administered in Ningi community,” he said.
Yellow fever is not a communicable disease. It can only be transmitted through mosquitoes.
Mr Mohammed urged communities to give early information to the authorities, especially when they noticed unusual happenings around them.
Mr Mohammmed also urged the residents of the state not to reject vaccines, saying that this was the only way they could be free from the dreaded disease. (NAN)
As Nigeria marks 59 years of independence today, one critical aspect of our nationhood journey that I consider worth assessing is the state of our healthcare system and, more importantly, the health conditions of the citizens themselves. I have to quickly emphasise that since the Nigerian healthcare system is a part of the entire national infrastructure, it should not come as a surprise that the same disparity that exists between the huge potentialities of the nation and the realities on the ground, equally holds true for the health sector.
As it can it be said of the nation as a whole, the health sector has indeed made considerable progress – considering how far we have come since 1960, in terms of number of health training institutions, healthcare personnel, medical facilities, accessibility of care, research institutes and outputs, as well as health-related manufacturing companies.
Yet, it is also very true that we are not where we ought to be. Proofs of this can be found in the country’s health indicators, which have consistently been far from impressive. In fact, according to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the nation’s health indicators are “some of the worst in Africa”, not to talk of the world at large.
Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi
To explain better, health indicators are measures designed to summarise information about given priority topics in population health or health system performance. Some of such indicators include maternal and infant mortality, healthcare financing, a ratio of healthcare workers per 1000 population, disease prevalence and life expectancy. According to recent reports from leading world health bodies, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), despite smatterings of progress that have been made in recent years in maternal and child health, Nigeria still occupies the unenviable position as a leading contributor to the regional and global burden of women and children’s death.
The country also still has the highest burden of malaria globally, which remains the top cause of child illness and death. Moreover, Nigeria has the second-largest number of people living with HIV globally and accounts for nine percent of the global HIV burden. Even more disturbing was the 2018 report from the WHO that Nigeria had the lowest life expectancy in the whole of West Africa.
Causes and Consequences A number of apparent factors can be blamed for these unenviable realities in the nation’s health landscape. Top on the list is the abysmally low budgetary allocation to the health sector from year to year. For instance, the allocation for the current year was just two per cent of the total budget – out of which more than half is for recurrent expenditure, while the meagre leftover is for capital expenditure. Similar paltry allocations were made to health in the preceding years. In fact, for several years now, allocation to the health sector has not risen above five per cent, which is far below both the recommendations of the WHO and the Abuja Declaration.
The repeated snub of the Abuja Declaration by successive governments is particularly worrisome because, as the name implies, it was right here, in Nigeria, that leaders of African Union countries met in April 2001 and pledged to allocate, at least, 15 per cent of their annual budget to the health sector. That was the kernel of the declaration and while other countries at that meeting, including those smaller than Nigeria, have exceeded the targets, Nigeria has neither attained nor seem keen to attain even half of the target.
As should be expected, with such acute shortage of funds, the country’s health sector has continued to decline, evidenced by the poor and ill-equipped state of most public hospitals and grossly inadequate health provision to citizens. One ripple effect of these is the massive brain drain in the health sector, with thousands of Nigerian healthcare workers leaving the country for better working environments. Another is what has come to be known as “medical tourism” – used to describe the alarmingly increasing number of Nigerians needing or seeking treatments overseas.
Of course, there are other factors that may be blamed for the doldrums in the nation’s health sector. However, I must also quickly add that a number of recommendations are being made by experts and stakeholders to remedy the anomalies in the health sector. Time and space will not allow me to exhaust them here. Nevertheless, while we wait to see these efforts come to fruition, it is my view that individuals must take responsibility for their wellbeing. Actually, even in climes where the health system is in better shape, citizens are still expected to make the choice of not only taking advantage of health provisions by going for regular health screening and seeking medical attention early enough but also taking measures to see that they do not fall ill often.
To this end, I will be exploring certain lifestyle considerations and choices that can contribute to better life expectancy for every Nigerian.
Link between Lifestyle and Lifespan I believe that, regardless of the state of things in the country, people will individually pay more attention to their health if they understand that there is a strong connection between their lifestyle and their ultimate lifespan. Indeed, much of what people consider to be symptoms of health decline and ageing – such as wrinkles, weight gain, memory loss, lack of energy and certain types of illnesses – is not primarily caused by passage of time or harsh economic conditions. Rather, it is a direct result of sedentary living, poor diet, lack of sleep, insufficient (or nonexistent) skin care, too much stress, and even a defeatist attitude to life.
Therefore, it stands to reason that if an individual reverses such habits –that is, if one sufficiently exercises the body, eat longevity-promoting food, sleep soundly, adequately protect and nourish the skin, and improve one’s outlook on the world, the signs of ill-health and ageing will reverse themselves, too.
Medical science has recently discovered that advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are responsible for causing illnesses and speeding up the ageing process. The body forms AGEs and we also consume them in certain foods. When the quantity of AGEs in the body gets high, they can cause wrinkles, sagging skin, kidney and nervous system damage, clogged arteries, diabetes, cataracts, inflammation and other age-related diseases, and eventually, death.
AGEs are formed in the body when sugars combine with amino acids. High blood sugar, therefore, can trigger formation of AGEs. Research has shown that foods of animal origin such as meat, poultry, fish and cheese have high levels of AGEs. Levels of AGEs rise when foods are cooked. The higher the cooking temperature, the more AGEs are produced. Therefore, frying, grilling and roasting increase the rate of AGEs formation.
Foods of plant origin – fresh fruits, nuts, vegetables and grains – are lowest in AGEs. They also contain antioxidants that destroy free radicals that damage the cells of the body thereby resulting in ageing. Key to Longevity
Limiting sugar in one’s diet is a key to longevity because sugar molecules inflict damage to the body. Fructose, in particular, is an extremely potent pro-inflammatory agent that creates AGEs and speeds up the ageing process. Consumption of foods such as white bread, pastries, cookies and candy increases the sugar in the body and adds to the havoc. Heavy consumers of soft drinks and fruit juices add excess of sugar to their bodies.
High-sugar diets lead to obesity. Carbohydrates like fructose and other sugars destroy your insulin sensitivity, which, in turn, causes your cells to accumulate more fat. This makes it more difficult to get rid of the extra weight, as well. Therefore, if you want to look and feel younger, drastically reduce all forms of sugar in your diet.
It is also important to emphasise that water (not beverages) is absolutely essential for good health. It has been demonstrated that the lack of adequate water in the body is implicated in many health problems. For example, if you do not supply enough water to the body, your brain cannot function well, and you may have a headache or migraine. Harmful effects of dehydration include tiredness, constipation, muscle cramps, irregular blood pressure, kidney problems, dry skin etc.
If you need to lose weight, water will help you, since it reduces your appetite and has zero calories. With an adequate supply of water to your brain, you think better, become more alert and concentrated on your work. Water is also the best moisturiser for your skin, increasing skin elasticity, helping to replenish skin tissues, thereby making you look younger. Generally, you are less likely to get sick when the proper balance of water is maintained in the body. Studies have shown that drinking a healthy amount of water may reduce the risks of bladder and colon cancer.
Let me also add that studies have shown that we need seven to nine hours of sleep per night, to maintain good health. Going to bed early (before 10.00 pm) is conducive to health. It has been found out that one hour of sleep before midnight is worth two after midnight. Getting enough rest can help you to effectively cope with stress. When we are burdened with thoughts and worry, they have adverse effects on our bodies. Taking time to absolutely do nothing and rest our minds can have wonderful health benefits. It is during this time of rest that we are able to recuperate, recharge, meditate and contemplate.
It is my view that if each individual can make the decision for a healthy lifestyle as explained above, then we are definitely more steps closer to having a healthy and wealthy nation.
Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, an accomplished pharmacist and author, is the founder and publisher of Pharmanews. Despite the lure of material gains, Atueyi, who clocked 80 on 1 October, abandoned the lucrative profession of pharmacy for the field of journalism. In this interview with Deputy Editor Ayoola Olaoluwa and Correspondent Yusuf Mohammed, he spoke about some of the challenges of the pharmaceutical industry and other sundry issues. Excerpt:
How do you feel at 80? Are you fulfilled? Have you been able to achieve your dreams?
I haven’t achieved. I have not come to the end but I am on the way. I am achieving. It is continuing. It is not yet the end.
Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi
To many, you have achieved a lot. Your credentials are intimidating…
To you not to me because I still have a lot to contribute. I used to think that a man of 80 is very old but I have seen that it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are very old because by the grace of God, you are still doing certain work and my own productivity has not reduced very much. I do my work, I do my writing. I think and I move around. I am still doing what I used to do before I turned 80 and I give God the glory for that.
You share the same date with Nigeria, October 1st 1960. How would you rate the country so far? Would you say Nigeria has done well? What was the Nigeria of your dreams growing up?
Nigeria has recorded some milestones but we are still not where we should be. Some of us my age know that we had better quality life in those years. The quality of life was much better than what it is today in most respects.
In the educational sector, we were much better because we had committed teachers in the secondary schools and committed lecturers in the universities. They were not businessmen. And they believed in developing students. And even students themselves were responsible people. Today what you find is that teachers, most of them are just doing what they like to do there. They are not committed. That is why we hear a lot of funny things about lecturers. And facilities are not compared with what we had before. For instance, in 1961 when I entered the University of Ife, we had surplus food to eat. When we entered the dining hall, stewards were there to serve us. And if ever you needed more, you ask the steward to bring you more. Each person occupied a room. Beddings were taken care of weekly. Now I don’t know how many people they cram into one room in higher institutions.
Talking about food, nowadays, students take care of themselves. Some don’t even eat three square meals.
Companies used to go to the universities then. By June when it is time for graduation companies go to institutions to recruit staff to work with them. They looked for graduates.
When I finished my exams on 30th of May, I started work on 15th of June. Today, people will finish in the university and they go about looking for work. One year, two years, they haven’t settled down.
Those years, there was clarity. I have been living in Lagos since 1964. And we used to have nightclubs. People were moving around in the night. Today, I don’t know what is happening. People are no longer secured at night.
We used to have people who were more honest. People had integrity. Today, to trust someone, you have to be selective because we find a lot of stealing, corruption and abuse of office, especially among youths and older ones. The society is not as interesting as it used to be in those days.
The roads were better. They were few but solid. But today’s roads don’t last long. There is poverty and degradation everywhere. We lived a quality life in the past. Those who are young should be happy with what they have because they have nothing to compare with what they have.
Then if you make a first class, you are a first class material; today in the university if you make a first class people will suspect you. If you are a lady, they will say we don’t even know how you got your first class, anything can happen.
What is your prognosis for the country? Is there hope that the country can recover?
Let us have hope. But the way we are going, it is not going to be immediate. You know, government dominates everything. I don’t understand what government is taking as priority. The government is not providing quality healthcare. Healthy people make a healthy nation. When you look at that sector which I am familiar with, I don’t see any effort to provide healthcare for people. It is not in budgeting that we provide. It is not in the provision of medical facilities. It is not even in the personnel. Doctors and nurses are exiting this country. And it is affecting healthcare. A lot has to be done in the educational sector, both in the secondary and tertiary sectors. I don’t want to be political, but giving special preferences to some tribes for them to prosper in Nigeria has become a priority, instead of taking the welfare of Nigerians into consideration.
You trained as a pharmacist, but decided to abandon it for journalism. What made you take this bold decision?
When I went into pharmacy, I did not know what I wanted to do with my degree. I was a confused man. I loved that degree because it was the first in Nigeria. And I had good scholarship by Pfizer. But the practice of pharmacy did not appeal to me. After getting my qualifications, I was still asking myself that what I wanted to do with the degree. That is why if you see my career, I have worked in the manufacturing industry, I have worked in the hospital, I have worked in community practice, I did a lot in marketing and sales but I didn’t have any fulfillment.
Some of my colleagues were enjoying but I never enjoyed. But it is only God that led me to what I am doing today which has given me satisfaction. I am so relaxed and I am not envying any other person because I am fulfilled in pharmaceutical journalism. And the way God arranged it, in 1974 when we had Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Conference in Kano, I was persuaded by my very good friend, Prince Julius Adelusi Adeluyi to accept the position of editor in chief of the society journal. With reluctance, I accepted it because I had no experience of editing journals. But I found myself so in love with managing the journal. I made good changes, in fact, I modified the name. I increased the number of adverts and articles contained. I enjoyed doing it and stopped after four years. But it was such that God arranged for me that I should have that experience because when I was working in 1978, actually there was a program I wanted to attend in the US in Cambridge within the Boston area. I paid for the program because I was interested. I paid for tuition; I paid for boarding the aircraft. The company said they had no money to buy my ticket so I still bought it which was N560 in 1978 to take me from Amsterdam, to Boston and back. That was how my relationship broke down.
I was confused because I knew I had no prospect anymore in the company that treated me like that. Where would I go from there was the question. I had worked with government, Pfizer and several other places and I didn’t have any fulfillment. It was when God told me to go into the publishing of pharmaceutical journal the idea came to me in the last quarter of 1978. In fact, till date I still put down ideas that come to me. I still keep that note book dated 21st of December 1978. Some ideas were coming to me. It was like a business plan. When that one was concluded, I resigned my appointment in January 1979.
Since that time I have not looked back. That was why I studied pharmacy, to help me become a pharmaceutical journalist. Not to help me practice pharmacy. If you read the book I have published, you would see that my uncle persuaded me to study medicine. But I insisted on pharmacy and God did it for me. I am not looking around, I am not envying anybody. I am set for what I am doing. I have been running this journal from May 1979 and we have not missed any edition since that time which is by the Grace of God. If you check the national library, I don’t know any other monthly paper that survived for forty years without interruption.
The pharmaceutical industry is a multibillion dollar industry with tons of money to be made. Some of your friends, including Julius Adelusi, who owns Juli Pharmacy, made fortune from the industry. Looking back, do you have any regret abandoning it for journalism?
Well, I don’t know how much they are making. I have never compared myself to anybody. I have never envied any of them because I am where God has placed me. What I do is to use the resources I have to serve in this area. The people you are talking about can’t do what I am doing so I don’t regret it. I don’t envy anyone. I don’t compare notes. It is wrong to compare. We are unique individuals and we have different callings. You compare yourself with yourself not with any other person.
We would like you to share your experience with us in the publishing industry. Has it been a bed of roses throughout?
You know, you are in the newspaper industry and you know it is a risky industry when you are running a periodic newspaper and you want to be consistent. You have to be on your toes, whether it is quarterly, monthly or weekly. There are challenges which may come from anywhere. Sometimes there may be no advertisements. Sometimes the printer can disappoint you. Anything can happen. We have had experiences like that many times. There was a period there was serious fake drug problem in this country. Advertisements dried up for the company. It was a terrible time we passed through. In fact I was about to give up because I could not pay the staff. I could not even take care of my family because resources dried up. But you see, God’s hand has been in this business. Even during that time, I was still publishing Pharmanews, but it thinned down. I went from 5,000 in a month to 1,000 a month and I was still running. I didn’t miss any edition.
I have also been consistent in writing books. I have been writing a book every year. This year, my book is titled ‘Living on Purpose’. And each of the books has life or living as part of the title. You see how God has directed me? I am happy that in our profession, there is one person who is committed to writing a book every year and it is me. People find it useful and give them out as gifts and sell to people. But that is how problem has led me into another dimension to serve people.
You talked about fake drugs. It seems the scourge is coming back. There is a widespread believe that the last two director generals that succeeded Prof. Dora Akunyili at NAFDAD did not do well?
If you want to compare performance, there are things you take into consideration. When you have a lot of rubbish to clear, when you sweep, you clear a lot of rubbish. But if the ground is clean you don’t get plenty of rubbish. It doesn’t mean you are not working. God sent Dr. Akunyili that time because some people put the percentage of fake drugs about 70percent at that time. So she came at a time when things reached a climax. There were many companies in the country making fake drugs. They depended on Nigeria for their market to sell fake drugs. So there was a lot to do and we thank God we tackled this problem.
Another person succeeded her and deepened on what Dora had done to keep it going. And now we have Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye who is very good and very determined to do something for this country.
Fake drugs are all over the world. And Nigeria’s porous system is not easy to control by air and road. Also corruption in the country is not easy to control because in some of these cases, law enforcement officers still look the other way and bring them in or when you pay them heavily they can allow you. The regulatory bodies in the country; NAFDAC, NDLEA and the Pharmacist Council are not very well equipped in terms of number of people, vehicle, training and equipment.
These things are affecting efficiency in controlling fake drugs. But technology is advancing too. Before, fake drug syndrome was local affair. It has now filtered everywhere, including the US. Before, drugs were not sold online. But now with the internet, you can deliver anywhere. Nobody is checking. It is being controlled but the problem is there. Law enforcement agencies are doing well to control it. And then people have to be educated. Some people do not mind buying fake drugs because it is cheaper.
Another major problem is that there are many places you can access drugs outside the pharmacy. There are drugs which we call Outside the Counter (OTC). We still have poison in some of the patent medicine stores. Sometimes, in remote areas, they are selling drugs. The situation is not encouraging in a country like Nigeria. Many people are not educated. They can’t read and they can’t write so they are being deceived by those who have knowledge. As I said, it is a process. We are growing and things will get better.
There have been many complaints about fake Paracetamol which people take mainly for headache. How can one differentiate between fake drugs and real drugs?
You cannot differentiate and no one will blame you because there are laborites you send your samples to and they are analyzed there. They must be properly analyzed by qualified people. For example, the paracetamol you are talking about, a normal tablet should contain 250 milligram but they can put 200 of the active ingredients. They can even put 100 milligram or just starch. But the packaging would be so beautiful and attractive. It is only a good lab that can do the analysis. Don’t blame anyone that doesn’t know. It is a laboratory that will prove it. Many people just assume that it is fake drugs. It is just assumptions not scientific.
Does a pharmacy have the right to sell drugs to a patient without that patient going through a doctor to test him or her to know the problem?
In a normal pharmacy, you have what we call the over the counter medicine (OTC). Those ones don’t require doctor’s prescription. Some require doctors to prescribe. For instance there are anti-worm expellers that can be recommended to you by a pharmacist. But there are some that needs doctor’s prescription because they have to examine the patient to know the causes of the problem and then use medicine to solve it. But you know, may people do not have access to doctors. That is when they want the easy way or short cut.
One of the hallmarks of a good leader is the ability to build an enduring legacy. A day will come when you will grow so old that you may not be able to do what you are doing now. Are you thinking of it because one of the mistakes in this part of the world is not to build legacies? When you are gone what is going to be the fate of Pharma news?
When I am gone, there is nothing to worry about. You are gone, you are gone. No more worry, no more stress, no more work. One would be enjoying in heaven. But now that we are living, we think of continuity. As a matter of fact, when you have a vision for a business as I have, the ambition is to keep the business going so that people will benefit. As I said, God who started this business has already made plans for how it will end because God works till the end.
God doesn’t work like human beings. There are things people can’t control. They make plans but eventually, they leave it to God. If you are working in a company like this, we believe that your relations are the best to succeed you and carry on. Then they have other staff members who are equally capable. So, like we are now, what we are doing is delegating responsibilities to people who are around so that there will be continuity.
There was a time I will rush out if I am going for a conference and will later rush back because I need to do essential things and sign cheques. But gradually I started delegating duties. And even technology has improved. In fact I do more on holidays. I can write anything when I am outside this place and send to the office. The office is working because of technology. I don’t think there should be too much worries of what happens when you are dead. But as you are living, you know people who are capable and committed, and then you give them assignments to be doing. Somebody can go suddenly without notice at anytime.
When we make plans we commit them to God. You can be planning to retire in five years time, and the next week they say that man ‘oti ku o’ (he is dead). And you find things happening like that. You plan that your child would be there and you hear he is dead. What do you do? The Bible tells us as human beings we must make plans. But when you make plans, commit it to God because He is the one who will make it to work. When God starts a thing in your life he finishes it.
Has any of your children shown interest in your line of business?
Yes, I have my daughter who is very much interested. In fact, right now, she is a pharmacist in Dublin. But she is very much interested in what we are doing.
If you have the chance of coming to this world a second time, would you tread this path again?
I think if I don’t choose it, I would be making a mistake. This is why God created me. This is why he sent me to the world. This is the contribution he wants me to make. I was destined to do this. It is one of the things that make me happy. And I told you I don’t envy anybody. I am in the right place. The impact I am making, there is no other sector I will be that I will make that impact. No other place but this place. I am happy and fulfilled.
You are 80 years of age and by any standard you have lived a long and a fruitful life. Are there secrets you would like to share about your longevity?
You must take care of your health. Don’t depend on any other person. You have to be responsible for your health. Prevent illness. You have to mind what you eat and what you don’t eat. You have to control the mind and emotions because they can bring disaster to people’s health. Also make sure there is joy in what you are doing. If you are doing what doesn’t give you joy, it affects your health. Your work is important because that’s where you spend most of your life. If you aren’t happy there, it affects your health.
Amidst significant improvement made in the Nigerian healthcare sector, in the last five years, the newly released Nigerian Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2018, has shown that there are still lots of grounds to cover, as one in eight Nigerian children dies prior to its fifth birthday.
The Survey, which was released on Tuesday in Abuja by the National Population Commission showed a rate of 132 deaths per 1,000 live births in the five-year reporting period, with more than one in three children stunted. The UNICEF estimates that approximately a quarter of these deaths could be prevented through routine immunization.
Image Credit: ThisDaylive
It revealed progress in some areas – such as increased levels of breastfeeding and decreased incidence of malaria, child vaccination, with about 31 percent of children under two received all eight vaccines of the basic package, up from 13 percent in 2003, and nearly three in 10 children under six months are exclusively breastfed, up from 17 percent during the last survey.
However, even with this improvement recorded, coverage of routine childhood vaccines remains lower than global benchmarks.
Speaking on the findings of the Survey, U.S. Charge d’affaires Kathleen FitzGibbon said despite some good news, the Survey also highlights many challenges Nigeria still faces, while she called for proper harnessing of the findings to improve the health of the citizen. “This data can help improve the health of families and communities throughout Nigeria”, she stated.
She further expressed the interest of the United States Government in the proper handling of the data obtained from the Survey, as she disclosed that the U.S through the Agency for International Development (USAID), invested over $8 million of the Survey’s $13 million cost. “The U.S. has invested in the quinquennial survey because data and evidence are the cornerstones of all successful development programs – especially in health”, she added.
Findings from the Survey further revealed that two thirds of pregnant women received antenatal care, and 40% of deliveries were assisted by a skilled provider, remains low by international standards, the uptick testifies that government efforts – especially funding of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund – are making progress in improving access to maternal health services.
The report reads in part: “About 61 per cent of Nigerian households own at least one insecticide-treated net to prevent malaria, and 52 per cent of respondents said their children slept under one, significantly up from 17 per cent in 2013. Malaria prevalence declined from 42 per cent in 2010 to 23 per cent among children under five; suggesting government programmes –managed in adherence with international treatment guidelines – are helping make Nigeria’s children and families stronger and healthier.
For the first time, the 2018 NDHS provides information on anaemia prevalence among children and adults, malaria prevalence among children, sickle cell disease, as well as disability, showing that 2 percent of Nigerian men and women report at least one physical or cognitive impairment”.
Commenting on the Survey report during its launch, President Muhamadu Buhari has said that the launch of the Survey report would bring together key line Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Development Partners, National and International Non-Governmental Organisations. He urged relevant government agencies to factor the findings of the Survey into policy formulation and health intervention programmes.
The president, who was represented by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, at the launch, recently in Abuja, said the first survey conducted in 1991, was used to measure progress of Nigeria’s health interventions and progress in the areas of mortality indices for Women, infants and children, as well as other related human and social development indices, such as skilled birth attendance, antenatal care coverage, contraceptive and many others.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet office, Dr. Tunde Lawan, stated that the thematic areas of coverage of the study are in line with the vision of Buhari, aimed at improving health care and lifting 100 million people out of poverty in the next 10 years and deploying the population of the country as asset for development.
Dr Tunde Lawan noted that the indicators from the report covers areas like Fertility, family Planning among married women within the age of 15-49, Maternal Health Care among women within the age of 15-49, Child Health, Nutrition, Child Mortality; death per 1,000lives birth, Malaria, Domestic Violence among age 15-49 and Female Genital Cuttings.
A large, long-term study has shown that if men and women could create time to go through meticulous physical exercises on a daily basis, the prevalence of depression and anxiety will be reduced to the barest minimum.
Depression is one of the most widespread mental disorders among adults in the United States. According to data provided by the National Institute of Mental Health, 6.7 percent of all U.S. adults had at least one major depressive episode in 2017 alone. Common mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, are a growing global issue.
Although there is evidence that exercise can boost mental health, scientists know less about whether physical fitness can prevent the onset of mental health conditions. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis take a closer look.
image of a young lady and her colleague performing some exercise
The researchers are focused on unraveling the numerous factors that increase the risk of developing mental health conditions. Although it is not possible to alter some of these factors, such as genetics, it is possible to modify some lifestyle factors, including diet and physical activity.
Scientists are keen to identify which modifiable factors might have the most significant impact on mental health. Some researchers are looking to physical fitness.
The authors of another recent study investigated whether cardiorespiratory showed that fitness might be an effective intervention. Cardiorespiratory fitness is a measure of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems’ capacity to supply oxygen to the body during exercise.
The authors explain how previous studies “have found that low physical activity is associated with a greater incidence of common mental health disorders.” However, few studies have investigated whether cardiorespiratory fitness is directly related to mental health risk.
To investigate, the researchers hunted down studies that looked at how fitness interacts with mental health risk.
They only included papers that used a prospective study design. This means that at the beginning of the studies, none of the participants had mental health conditions, and researchers observed them for a time to see if any mental health issues arose.
All experiments assessed cardiorespiratory fitness and either depression or anxiety.
In total, the researchers only identified seven studies to include in their qualitative synthesis and four that they could enter into their meta-analysis.
Their analysis of the latter four studies — which included 27,733,154 person-years of data — produced significant results. The authors wrote according to the Journal of Affective Disorders:
“We found that low cardiorespiratory fitness and medium cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with a 47% and 23% greater risk of common mental health disorders, compared with high cardiorespiratory fitness.”
They also found evidence of a dose-dependent relationship between fitness and common mental health conditions. The authors explain that “incremental increases in the cardiorespiratory fitness group were associated with proportional decreases in associated risk of new onset common mental health disorders.”
The results were in line with the researchers’ expectations. As Kandola told MNT, “exercise is the biggest determinant of cardiorespiratory fitness,” and scientists have already uncovered “the benefits of exercise for common mental health disorders.”
However, he explained that they “were surprised at the lack of research in this area.” He hopes that their study will “help to draw more attention to it.”
If two drugs with the same effect, taken together, produce an effect that is equal in magnitude to the sum of the effects of the drugs given individually, it is called as:
Going by the popular saying that prevention is better than cure, the Rotary Club of Gbagada, District 9110, Nigeria, recently held a health awareness campaign and free screening programme for the residents of Gbagada, Anthony, Oshodi, Mushin and its environs.
The health campaign which featured distribution of insecticide-treated nets and sanitary towels for girls, HIV test and counseling, deworming for kids, vitamin A and B administration, cervical, breast and prostate cancer screening, polio immunization, eye test and treatment for cataract and pterygium, screening of diabetes and glucose level, hypertension screening, malaria screening, hepatitis b and c screening, tuberculosis screening and treatment was held at the General Hospital, Gbagada, from 31 October to 2 November 2019.
According to the President, Rotary Club of Gbagada, District 9110, Rotr. Akinwale Odutola, having noticed that many people do not go for a medical check-ups, Rotarians for Family Health and AIDS Prevention (RFHA), in commemorating the 2019 Rotary Family Health Days, decided to make the process easier by bringing healthcare and checkups closer to the people and of course, making it free of charge, while going into partnership with the government and private organisations.
The President, Rotary Club of Gbagada, District 9110, Rotr. Akinwale Odutola, giving out free eye glasses to one of the beneficiaries.
Speaking further, Odutola said health screening is important because it has been discovered that a lot of people are coming down with chronic diseases and health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, hepatitis, and other silent killer diseases, adding that the awareness is very important as it will afford many Nigerians opportunities to know their health status.
Explaining further, the Rotary boss noted that regular health exams and tests can help detect health problems before they become complicated and sometimes untreatable.
Speaking in the same vein, Rotr. Bola Oyebade, district coordinator, Rotarians for Family Health and AIDS Prevention (RFHA), District 9110, Nigeria, stated that the group RFHA, started as fighting AIDS initially, but when it realised that just fighting AIDS will not do, it expanded, adding that the RFHD programme is holding concurrently in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Uganda.
Oyebade further stated that the goal of the programme was to have everyone be in good health so that they will live well. He added that as part of activities for the exercise, tests were carried out on diabetics, glucose, hypertension and malaria, saying there was also the distribution of free mosquito nets, drugs, condoms and the distribution of sanitary towels.
The President, Rotary Club of Gbagada, District 9110, Rotr. Akinwale Odutola, giving out free eye glasses to one of the beneficiaries.
He further remarked that the event was organised yearly as a tradition in the club in collaboration with Rotary International Districts over the years, noting that the club has made remarkable progress with the initiative, stressing that the turnout has been wonderful. “It was a three-day event which was planned to have more 1,000 participants” he said.
In their contributions, the duo of Rotr. Flavia Mirro, from the Rotary Club of Uganda, and Rotr. Gbenga Olubowale, former chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Lagos State Branch, noted that the programme was an immense and impactful, Rotary-led nationwide health campaign held over three days in multiple African countries, providing comprehensive free healthcare and screening services at selected sites to communities around the country.
According to the duo, the three-day health programme was a complete cycle as all hands were on deck from the registration point, nurses, physicians and medical laboratory scientists, pharmacists and others were on ground to attend to participants, adding that many participants were surprised to hear about their medical results as they were unaware of many diseases they are living with.
Some beneficiaries of the free medical programme, including an octogenarian Madam Victoria Adekunle, who came for eyes test and also benefited from the free eye glasses, and Miss Simisola Adewale, who came for malaria screening appreciated the Rotary Club and called for more support to enable poor Nigerians live meaningful life.
Appreciating the organisers when they paid him a courtesy visit in his office, Dr A.A. Kaka, the medical director, General Hospital, Gbagada expressed the delight of the hospital management at the activities of Rotary Club of Gbagada, District 9110, in the state, noting that regular health screening is essential for good health and health care.
Dr Kingsley Chiedu Amibor is the national chairman, Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) and deputy director of Pharmaceutical Services (DDPS), Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State.
He was born to the family of late Mr Joel Iwebunor Amibor and Mrs Christianah Adafor Amibor on 17t October, 1964 in Ubulu-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.
In October 1983, Amibor secured admission to the University of Benin to study Pharmacy, graduating with Second Class (Honours) in 1987. He then had the mandatory one year internship at the Edo State Hospitals Management Board, Benin City, from 1987 to 1988, and National Youth Service programme (NYSC) from 1988 to 1989 at the Nigerian National Medical Centre (NNPC) Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Amibor’s career began at Glaxo Pharmaceuticals Plc, in 1990, where he rose from medical representative to field sales manager. In 1996, he joined Encristo Pharmaceutical Industries, Enugu, as marketing manager/superintendent pharmacist. In January, 2001, he decided it was time to serve his fatherland in a different capacity, and joined the services of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), specifically, the Federal Medical Centre Asaba, where he rose from senior pharmacist to his current position of deputy director of pharmaceutical services (DDPS).
Dr Kingsley Chiedu Amibor
While in Enugu, Amibor pursued a course of study in Marketing Management at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC). Additionally, his flair for learning saw him going back to the University of Benin to pursue the Doctor of Pharmacy Degree (PharmD) which he obtained in January, 2009.
Amibor is an accomplished unionist. His unionism career started in 2006, when he was elected chairman, Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) Federal Medical Centre, Asaba Chapter.
In 2015, he contested and won election as national vice chairman of AHAPN, a position he held for three years. In August 2018, driven by passion to serve his chosen profession, he decided to contest for the office of national chairman, the highest office in AHAPN. A contest he won after a tedious campaign.
Amibor is a winner of several awards, including the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS) UNIBEN Award for Excellence in Leadership (2018), Distinguished Service Award (DSA) of AHAPN National.
