HAPPY XMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YER

Through this medium, i want to wish all my followers a merry christmas and a happy new year. It is my expectation that the new year 2010 will come with lots and lots of opportunities for everyone of us.Thanks and God bless.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES AND CURE FOR ECZEMA?

Dear readers, a friend recently informed me that he saw eczema developing on his back. What are the causes of this condition and how can the eczema be removed from the skin? Your comments are welcomed. Thanks.

EAT MORE BANANA AND STAY HEALTHY

Banana is a tropical fruit that is grown using suckers and water-shoot or bits. It matures between 18-24 months, depending on variety planted. Banana is greatly valued for its nutritional content.

The ripe fruit has a lot of potassium which is very good for people who exrcise a lot. Potassium is also known to be able to keep the blood pressure low. In diarrhoea patients, banana is very important as it helps to replace the nutrients that was lost. It also replaces the electrolytes which helps to maintain fluid balance and power the body.

An average sized banana fruit provides about 33mg of magnesium, 452 milligrams of potassium and a little over 2grammes of fibre, which is equally soluble and assist in lowering body cholesterol. The calorie content of banana is made up mainly of carbohydrates . As the fruit ripens, the sugar level rises while the starch level falls. For this reason the fruit is easier to digest the more ripe it becomes. The fruit is generally low in protein, though the amount of protein in the fruit is generally higher than the amount of fat. The vitamin C which is found in Banana helps the body to fight diseses and infections. This vitamin is also important for synthesis of connective tissues, iron absorption and the formation of blood. Banana also has vitamin B6 which assists in synthesis of antibodies in the immune system and also helps in blood formation and proper functioning of the nervous system.

DO You Know That Good Food can make You Feel sexier?

Nutritionists generally believe that eating healthy foods which are rich in nutrients can actually make you feel and look sexier. This is because the nutrients keep your hair and skin healthy. Also eating good food while exercising regularly will make the body strong and fit.

Foods such as dairy products are rich in protein, which is good for beautiful skins and good hairs. Oranges contain a lot of vitamin C. Eating an orange a day gives the body enough vitamin C which is needed. This vitamin makes the body beautiful by keeping the connective tissues strong, thus preventing wrinkling of the skin. Other foods that contribute to healthy skin and hairs are tomatoes, berries, walnut and oysters.

CHOICE OF FOOD AND INFLAMMATION

Inflammation can be defined as a localized reaction of tissue to infection, injury and irritation. They are easily identified by the pain they produce, swellings, red and coloration of the affected parts of the body. In addition affected areas are painful.

It is known that there are certain foods that can worsen inflammations in the body. Such foods should be avoided or their consumption reduced. For example, foods high in fats and sugar, and fast foods may increase inflammation. Processed meats such as hot dogs and sausages contain nitrites which can increase inflammation. Others such as soft drinks and candy which are high in sugar content can also increase inflammation. For excellent health therefore, the consumption of these food should be reduced or eliminated completely.

Nutritional, Social and Economic Significance of Honey

Honey is produced by bees by changing nectar, which is obtained from flowers into honey. The honey is harvested by man in the wild. In recent times, the number of artificially constructed bee hives have increased all over Africa. This is due to the increased awareness of the nutritional and economic benefits of honey, a situation which leads to increased production of honey.
Nutritionally, honey is a very good food substance which contains a lot of carbohydrates. These nutrients are easily digested, absorbed and utilized by the body of man as a source of energy. In addition, the pollen remnants extracted from bees hives are eaten by man as a source of protein. Honey is particularly useful to diabetic patients as a substitute for refined sugar.
In African societies, honey is an important components of the requirements during weddings and naming ceremonies. It is common to bless people by saying that "Your life and marriage will be sweet like honey"
Honey is also highly important for its medicinal properties. Among rural people in Africa for instance, it is commonly mixed with hot water, lemon juice or hot milk and used as remedy for cough and sore throat in children. Sometimes, it may be mixed with lemon juice and garlic for the same purpose. It can also be used as dressing for wounds and burns. At present time, this commodity is finding more uses in the cosmetic industries and the bee wax is used in making candles.
Readers' comments are welcomed. Thank you very much

DO YOU KNOW?

1. That there are about twenty four fatty acids needed by the body?
2. That only few of these twenty four fatty acids are regarded as being essential, i.e. they cannot be synthesized by the body. They must be present in food.
3. That Omega 6, one of these essential fatty acids, is found in many of the cooking oils we use at home, therefore it is rarely deficient?
4. That Omega 3, another essential fatty acid, may sometimes be in short supply, therefore there is need for it to be supplemented?
5. That these essential fatty acids have been linked to lower risk of cancer and hypertensive disorders?
6. That they have also been linked to increased cognitive abilities?

7 STEPS TO OBTAIN QUICK RELIEF FROM EATING DISORDERS

Eating disorders among human population includes anorexia and bulimia. In anorexia the victim abstain from food in order to reduce his perceived weight problem while in bulimia the victim eats too much to gain weight after which he finds ways to vomit the excess food and gain some relief. These conditions are caused by low self-esteem, stress and a desire to fit into a group or win acceptance of peers and friends. Everyone has love and esteem needs but the victims of these disorders carry their own desires to extreme levels. They seek fulfillment at the expense of their health.

The following steps outline the strategies to gain freedom from these disorders:
1. Accept yourself as you really are. Know that you are very unique in all things, therefore do not compare yourself with anyone.
II. Get busy with activities that will benefit yourself and others. This will help you to think less about yourself
iii. Decide in your mind that you will be happy everyday and keep your promise.
iv. Purpose in your heart that you will not overeat or under eat as the case may be.
v. Know in your heart that there is no ideal shape, weight, or fashion. The so-called standards for judging these attributes are always changing. Why then do you need to worry yourself about such things whose standards of assessment keep on changing?
vi Use the principle of auto-suggestion by repeating the following affirmations in front of your mirror early in the morning everyday:
"I am feeling great, spirit soul and body. I am created in the image of God who is perfect in all respect. I am created perfect. My weight is the best for me, i am of the right shape. I am created beautiful. In all my activities today everyone shall see the radiance of God's beauty and glory in me and they shall praise my heavenly father"
vii. The exercise should be performed with absolute faith that it will work

KEEPING HEALTHY- THE NATURAL WAY

It is commonly said that prevention is better than cure. This statement is very true because taking steps to prevent diseases is far cheaper than allowing the disease condition to come before seeking help.

Microorganisms present in our environments generally cause diseases. These microbes produce toxins, which poison our system leading to the disease symptoms.

Another factor that leads to disease condition is poor nutrition. When you are not able to obtain the required nutrients in the right amount, the tendency is for the body to operate below the most efficient level, as the body will not be able to resist most of the common diseases around.

In addition, physical and emotional stress has been identified as being responsible, in many cases for the observable symptoms. Low self-esteem, loss of hope and general frustrations, all combine to produce anxiety and mental stress which usually have a negative effects on general well-being. No matter the causes of the disease, preventive measures, using nature’s principles and techniques have been found to be very effective and cheaper.

How then can we go about preventing diseases using natural methods?

Firstly, it is important to make sure that our food contains the important nutrients such as proteins, fats and oils, minerals and vitamins. It is known for instance, that adequate nutrition can give the body some level of resistance against disease such as tuberculosis, common cold, anemia, sore throat, etc. No pills or drugs can effectively substitute for natural foods such as fruits and vegetables which are very common around us. The foods and vegetables should not be over-cooked to prevent the nutrients from being denatured and rendered useless. The foods should also be prepared in the most hygienic environment to prevent contaminations.

Apart from nutrition, I strongly believe that each and every one of us should have a religious/spiritual experience that can brighten our outlook about life and thus give us the hope of achievement, even though things are difficult at present. To be able to obtain this experience, it is important to hear and meditate on the primary messages of our faith. Reading the religious books and fellowshipping with other brethren will be of immense benefits. In addition, thought discipline and adequate rest are important. Avoid any condition that produces guilt, regrets and depression. Any thought that will not produce hope and confidence should be rejected and substituted immediately with a thought of hope and goodness.

It is my firm belief that if these simple steps are followed, we shall be able to live a healthy life at the cheapest cost.

HONEY: A VERY USEFUL NATURAL FOOD AND MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Honey is produced by bees from the nectar juice they collect from flowers. The nectar is biochemically changed to honey, which is harvested by human beings, either in the wild or at home from bee hives constructed by man.

The practice of establishing bee farms is becoming more common these days due to the recognition of the fact that honey is a very important product in international trade and the fact that the nutritional and health benefits of honey are becoming more obvious.

Honey is commonly used as a sweetening agent in homes. It is a perfect substitute for refined sugar in both urban and rural areas in Africa. Nutritionally, honey is a very good food substance. This is because it has a great amount of carbohydrates such as levulose, dextrose, sucrose and dextrins. It also contains some good quantities of minerals and water. The carbohydrates are easy to digest and absorb by the body, thereby providing a rich source of energy for life activities. The pollens extracted from bee hives along with honey are consumed by human beings. Experts say that they are valuable nutritionally as a source of protein.

Honey is used locally in the treatment of cough, particularly among children. The usual practice is to mix honey, lemon juice and garlic together. The resulting mixture is taken orally as many times as possible. Honey can also be mixed with hot water, lemon juice or hot milk for the treatment of cough and sore throat.

We can also take advantage of the antibiotic properties of honey by using it as dressing for wounds. Among the Yorubas of Western Nigeria, honey plays an important role during naming ceremonies.

HAPPY NEW AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

I hereby wish all my fans a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year. It is my expectation that we will enjoy this year better than we did last year. May God Almighty bless you all.