Extra-Ordinary Health Benefits Of Bitter Kola

BITTER kola is a popular agricultural produce available in large quantity in West Africa and it is a tree that grows in the rain forests. Bitter Kola has been identified as a potent antibiotic which could be effective in the treatment of many deceases.

The fruit, seeds, nuts and bark of the plant have been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat ailments from coughs to fever. As with any other herb, you never consume Garcinia kola without first discussing its use and benefits with your physician, especially if you are currently being treated for other medical conditions or are on any medications.

However, Bitter Kola is considered as an effective agricultural produce in the treatment of cough, diarrhea, tuberculosis and other bacterial infections. “When food is suspected to be contaminated by bacteria, chew bitter kola immediately after eating, it will prevent the development of any infection or poisoning.

Bitter Kola was eaten mostly by the elderly people because of their belief that it could prolong life.” Actually, researches in modern science have revealed that bitter kola contains chemical compounds that will help the breakdown of glycogen in the liver and has other medicinal uses which account for its longevity property in man. “Bitter kola is anti-poison too, it has the ability to repel evil men and spirits, it could sound superstitious but it works.

The naturalist even said that the seed and the bark of bitter kola should be eaten together in cases where food poisoning is suspected, “it helps to detoxify the system”. Indeed, it really works!

Uses of Garcinia Kola

It improves the function of the lung
Garcinia kola has been used for centuries to treat chest colds in traditional medicine, but research has taken a look and found out why it is effective. A study in the 2008 issue of The Internet Journal of Pulmonary Medicine, performed on mice, reports that Garcinia kola improved respiratory function after 28 days of use of a Garcinia extract. Written by David A. Ofusori, MSc, from Igbinedion University in Nigeria, the study shows that Garcinia kola works by dilating the alveolar ducts and sacs in the lungs by improving the strength of the fibers in the lung tissue. Garcinia kola’s beneficial lung properties are attributed to its high antioxidant content.

It Reduces Eye Pressure
An increase in eye pressure can lead to glaucoma, according to a report from The New York Times Health Guide. Researchers at Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria tested the effectiveness of eye drops that contained 0.5 percent extract of Garcinia kola. The results of their study, published in the January 2010 issue of Middle East African Journal of Opthamology, showed that the opthamolic solution that contained the Garcinia significantly reduced eye pressure when used twice a day.

It Relieves Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, characterized by pain, inflammation and limited movement in the joints, according to the National Institutes of Health. Causes of osteoarthritis can include joint injury, obesity and ageing. Since many arthritis sufferers prefer natural herbal medicines to other pain relievers and medications, researchers at Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria tested the effects of Garcinia kola against arthritis symptoms. The results of the study, written by Olayinka O. Adegbehingbe and published in the July 2008 issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, conclude that Garcinia kola significantly reduced inflammation and pain and increased joint movement in subjects that had osteoarthritis symptoms. It is believed that Garcinia kola works well as a result of its antioxidant properties.

The side effects reported from the Garcinia kola use in this study were “weight loss”, “increase in sex drive” and “extended sleep” which many considered helpful to meet their individual and marital demands. If you take Garcinia kola and experience diarrhea, hives, irregular heartbeat or other signs of allergic reaction, discontinue use immediately and seek medical attention.

Medicinal Significance
Garcinia kola is used in many tropical countries to fight infectious diseases such as Aids and the Ebola virus. It has shown to posses anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

Cold Remedy
Garcinia kola is often used to treat the symptoms of colds. It is suggested, in particular, for coughs and sneezing.

Knee Osteoarthritis
Garcinia kola has been successfully used to treat patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis, according to a study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery. It reduced pain and swelling and improved movement.

Immunity
Garcinia kola is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is used to prevent infections and viruses, especially of the immune system.

Hop Substitute
Garcinia kola is used as a substitute for hops in brewing lager beer. It is especially useful in preventing beer spoilage.

Weight Loss
Bitter Kola has been known to be a natural hunger suppressant and also increases the urge to drink more water.

Another importance of bitter kola is that its repels snakes. It can be used to chase snakes away. For snake prevention, spread it around the building.

Bitter Kola health benefit for malaria
Considerable experimental studies found the chemical constituents in bitter kola have anti-malaria properties. That aside, traditional healers have for many years prescribed bitter kola for the treatment of malaria infections.

Researchers who reported that bitter kola had anti-malaria effect in the 2010 issue of Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, from a survey of plants used by traditional healers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, attributed this to its quinones content.

The importance of bitter kola cannot be over floored, it therefore behoves on everyone to utilize effectively all the benefits embedded in it.

Natural Skin Care Information: All You Need to Know

 Taking care of one's skin is no longer a choice, but a 21st century preoccupation because of the ever-changing ideals of the true meaning of beautiful. The media and internet is awash with ads about what it deems true beauty and flawless skin.

Well, you can disregard what you've learned from the popular media because you will be learning nothing but the real truth about all those beauty products and the exact meaning of glowing skin - just the basics of natural skin care. Here, we'll lay bear all the natural skin care information you're seeking that others may not be willing to share. First and foremost, like our body's other organs, our skin can adequately take care of itself. We all know the skin is the largest body organ, right?

The skin is the first thing that protects us from any harmful elements and its also accountable for hindering viruses, foreign contaminants and harmful bacteria. Due to this, it functions as a well-coordinated system.

The use of commercial skin care products and cosmetics loaded with synthetic chemicals causes imbalances in this well-coordinated system. The best way we can take care of this system is by being very careful about what exactly we use on our skin.

Although our skin is waterproof, this does not mean it doesn't absorb any toxins and chemicals. The most recent studies indicated that human skin can absorb about 60% of any substance that is put on the surface of the skin. This would be great if the only thing we put was water. Unfortunately, things have changed and the number of people putting synthetic chemicals on their skins through the use of creams, lotions and moisturizers is increasing.

Never experiment with different skin care products to just check how it goes. If you want to find the products that work best with your skin type, it's important that you schedule a visit to your dermatologist and let them know that you would choose the most natural skin care routine over all other things. The dermatologist will be able to help you settle on the most suitable products.

Another thing is to be careful of what you eat. A lot of people are not aware of the fact that what they eat plays a major role in their natural skin care efforts. Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption can accelerate the rate at which your skin ages. If you would like your skin to appear more youthful, then you will have to quit such bad habits. Your skin and all other body organs will be grateful for the change.

Additionally, it's also important that you stay well hydrated all the time for the sake of your skin. If you have dry and cracked skin, using natural skin care moisturizers, oils and lotions would be the best idea. Oils will create an extra protective layer just over your skin's surface. However, avoid using oils if your skin is oily. Sebum, which is naturally produced by sebaceous glands, will be enough to hydrate your skin.

Vitamin D Deficiency - Things to Know

Vitamin D is a part of the "Calcium-vitamin D-Parathyroid hormone" endocrine axis. It is crucial for calcium metabolism. Adequate calcium intake along with Vitamin D is necessary to maintain the peak bone mass achieved by an individual. Vitamin D adequacy during early age helps in reducing the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Vitamin D deficiency and low calcium intake are important risk factors for osteoporosis. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are more at risk of vitamin D deficiency, which is also prevalent in children between the ages of six months and five years, elderly people and those who aren't exposed to adequate sunlight. Men between the ages of 30 and 60, adolescent girls and women between the ages of 15 and 30 are also likely to develop vitamin D deficiency. If you are Vitamin D deficient, then you have an increased risk of developing Rickets, osteomalacia and osteoporosis depending on your age group. The most well recognized function of active Vitamin D involves regulation of calcium and phosphorus balance for bone mineralization and remodeling. Without adequate levels in the bloodstream, dietary calcium cannot be absorbed. In the long term this leads to weakened and brittle bones that break easily. Approximately 40%-60% of total skeletal mass at maturity is accumulated during childhood and adolescence. Rickets results from inadequate mineralization of growing bone. Can a perfectly normal individual be deficient? Studies from India show that Vitamin D deficiency has a very high prevalence rate upto 70-100%, even in otherwise healthy individuals of all age groups. All over India, vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent in pregnant women and lactating mothers. Relatively, fish are a rich source of vitamin D. The residents of Bengal eat more fish compared to the rest of the Indians. Individuals of all walks of life are equally deficient, be it doctors, sportsmen, or even soldiers who eat well, exercise and spend good amount of time in the sun. Undoubtedly, the situation od Vitamin D deficiency is very grim in India, and has to be recognized as a major health problem. Even excess of it can also be a big health problem. One must be careful not to over enthusiastically over treat without actually monitoring Vitamin D levels. Excessive ingestion of this vitamin may lead to increased blood calcium levels, constipation, decreased appetite, lethargy, dehydration, failure to gain weight in children, increased urination, increased thirst, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, deposition of calcium in kidneys, and headache. Vitamin D deficiency is a preventable and treatable condition. You need to be aware

15 Tips To Maintain A Healthy Skin

The skin is the outer protective layer of the body of any animal including human, it's appearance could either speak positively (if it is healthy) or negatively (if it is unhealthy) of the bearer. Hence, maintaining a healthy skin is very essential as a human being and this can be achieved by adopting good skin care and healthy life style choices which can help delay the natural aging process and various skin problems. Below are 15 tips to maintain a healthy skin: 1. PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems, as well as increase the risk of skin cancer. Use sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours or more often if you're swimming or perspiring. Seek shade: Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. Wear protective clothing: Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing (which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays). 2. TREAT YOUR SKIN GENTLY Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle: Limit bath time: Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm, rather than hot water. Avoid strong soaps: Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers. Shave carefully: To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it. Pat dry: After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin. Moisturize dry skin: If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF. 3. EAT A HEALTHY DIET A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn't clear, but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin. 4. QUIT SMOING Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin (the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity). In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking (such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke) can contribute to wrinkles. If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking. 5. MANAGE STRESS Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin (and a healthy state of mind) take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect. 6. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER Drink plenty of water, your skin is made of water so therefore, drinking more water will be highly favourable to the skin. 7. AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE MORE OFTEN Avoid touching your face often. Doing this can spread serious bacteria that causes your pores to get irritated from getting on your face. 8. WASH YOUR FACE REGULARLY Wash your face before you go to bed, and after you get up in the morning. Before you go to bed, splash warm water and cold water on your skin. For better results when you expose yourself to water on your face let, the liquid air dry. There can be a bacteria on the towel you use to dry your face. 9. WASH YOUR PILLOW CASE ALWAYS Wash your pillow cases often. Doing this can prevent breakouts (Acne) towards your skin. 10. CLEAN YOUR MAKE-UP BRUSHES A study have found that most women never wash their brushes or sponges, even though they collect dirt and bacteria which can cause breakouts. "You should wash loose powder brushes every two to three weeks, and those used to apply foundation once a week. Mix a couple of drops of gentle facial cleanser or shampoo and lukewarm water in a cup, swish your brushes around, rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry, and lay flat to air dry. 11. SANITIZE YOUR SMARTPHONE Smart phones you can't keep your hands off of can get more germ-infested than a toilet in a public toilet. In fact, the glass touch-screens on mobile devices are so good at spreading viruses that sharing them may be almost as bad as sneezing in someone's face. Here's a scary thought: All those germs land right on your cheek and jawline every time you chat away, causing spots and irritation. To keep your phone (and face) bacteria-free, wipe it down with an antibacterial wipe like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes a few times a day. 12. DROP DAIRY FROM YOUR DIET "Dairy products (even those that are organic) contain cow hormones that stimulate your oil glands and your pores, leading to acne". Beware of hidden dairy in foods like salad dressing, protein bars, and shakes. And if you have to go there, stick to skimmed milk. "The hormones are concentrated in the fat, so it's your best option." 13. DON'T NEGLECT YOUR NECK AND CHEST Most of us are guilty of stopping our skincare routine as soon as we hit our chin. And our neglected neck and chest take vengeance by wrinkling, sagging, and displaying dark spots that beg to be hidden by a turtleneck. The skin on these areas is thinner, and doesn't have a strong blood supply, so it doesn't heal well. Plus it's an area that we often forget to protect with sunscreen. Use the same products as you would on your face, but start lightly (every other day) when applying active ingredients like retinols or acids since they may cause some initial irritation. 14. STRIP OFF YOUR MAKE UP BEFORE GOING TO BED Leaving makeup and dirt on skin doesn't just clog pores; it can cause excessive dryness and even skin dandruff. Most makeup contains a sugar-type molecule that can grow yeast overnigh. Don't forget to thoroughly remove eye makeup too because it can lead to bumpy rashes around the eyes or small white bumps called milia cyst.. Try Rinse-Off Eye Makeup before going to bed. 15. STAY OFF HOT WATER A steamy shower may feel great, but it's one of the worst things you can do for your skin. Not only does the heat strip essential oils, but it creates a mild burn. Blood vessels respond by dilating in an effort to cool the skin, causing flushing and ruddiness. When you're in your twenties, you can take a hot shower, be red & swollen and recover in an hour, but in your thirties, it may take 2 hours. By your forties, your skin just doesn't have the ability to shrink back to its original state so you stay ruddy all the time.

Top 5 Natural Asthma Remedies

Most people do not even realize that asthma can be life-threatening. Despite the fact that there are more conventional treatments available than ever before, the death rate from asthma has more than doubled since 1980. Now more than ever asthma sufferers are turning to natural asthma remedies for asthma relief.

Natural asthma remedies are a safe and effective way to get relief from your asthma symptoms such as tightness or pain in your chest, wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Natural asthma remedies have been used for years for treating asthma.

Another reason for asthma sufferers to turn to natural asthma remedies is because asthma medications have a host of side effects. They contribute to yeast growth, osteoporosis, rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, dizziness, thinning of the skin and connective tissue, etc. They even seem to worsen asthmatic symptoms after a while or become less potent.

Natural asthma remedies do more than treat the asthma symptoms, they are used to aid the body by enhancing its own natural defense mechanisms to heal itself.

Using natural asthma remedies can reduce your reliance on bronchodilators (inhalers), antihistamines and corticosteroids (steroids), reduce symptoms of coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing.

Top 5 Natural Asthma Remedies:

1. Magnesium - Magnesium helps stabilize the mast cell and relax muscles, so it functions as both an anti-inflammatory nutrient and as a bronchodilator.

2. Supplement with Omega 3 essential fatty acids - natural anti-inflammatory substance, gentle treatment that slowly over time helps the body repair tissue damage.

3. Take a high quality Probiotic - Probiotics can help your body heal asthma from within

4. Vitamin C & E - Vitamin C works as a gentle antihistamine without the side effect s of medications. They have potent anti-inflammatory benefits. Vitamin E penetrates each cell's fatty membrane and protects the cell from damage.

5. Turmeric - Turmeric is a perennial herb of the ginger family used as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Nutritional deficiencies are an important key to beginning to heal asthma. Nutrient supplements target asthma at a cellular level, where things first go wrong.

If you are dealing with the challenges of asthma (as increasing numbers of people are these days!), don't think that potentially dangerous medications are your only choice.

Because when you help your body naturally from within and support it in addressing some of the underlying factors behind asthma, you can feel a dramatic difference in your symptoms.

Type 2 Diabetes - The Effect of Obesity on the Brain

Both obesity and Type 2 diabetes are linked to brain shrinkage and poor brain function in older people. Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and several other research centers in Pittsburgh, United States, decided to compare the brain of a group of young people. Some of the participants had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, others were obese, and the balance were in the average weight range in good health.

Their study, reported on in the International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience in July 2015, included 15 individuals between 12 and 21 years of age...

• 5 had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes,
• 5 were obese with normal blood sugar levels and no sign of Type 2 diabetes, and
• 5 were of normal weight and in good health.

The brain of each participant was examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)...

• the normal-weight individuals had more volume in the part of the brain called the caudate nucleus, than did the other two groups.
• another part of the brain, known as the thalamus, was greater in size in the normal weight and obese groups than in the Type 2 diabetes group.
• another difference was seen in how ions, or charged particles, travel throughout the white matter, where some thinking takes place.

The caudate nucleus is used for choosing actions to reach certain goals, learning which actions are successful, and modifying the actions when needed. The thalamus has to do with sensations of touch, sight and hearing, and helps to regulate the sleep and wakefulness cycle. Measurements of ingoing and outgoing ions are thought to have to do with brain cell size and how well brain cells are protected.

With only fifteen participants, the work is a pilot study, designed to learn what might be found in larger studies. It has been strongly suggested more research be carried out along this important line of investigation.

In related work, the journal Neuroimage, published in August 2015 reports on work conducted on waist and brain sizes. The study performed at the University of Greifswald and various research institutions in both Germany and the United States, compared waist size and gray matter in the brain of each of 2344 individuals. Parts of the brain involved in...

• thinking,
• processing rewards, and
• turning off appetite

were smaller in individuals with a high waist circumference.

As both these studies were completed at the same time, researchers indicate care needs to be taken in interpreting the results. It is not possible to conclude whether belly fat could be affecting the brain or whether the brain could be affecting belly fat. More research will be needed to solve this fascinating question.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

The Top Five Home Remedies for Eczema

Eczema is by no question a painful and irritating disease. Scratching your skin once it attacks will only make it worse. There are many ways to provide temporary relief to eczema and most of the ingredients required are found at your home. Just a word of caution, though, eczema is a disease that should be treated with medical care. If the recommended treatments in the succeeding sections seem to make your eczema worse, stop the treatment and consult a qualified physician.

Coconut Oil

Apply a liberal amount of coconut oil on the affected area. This will moisturize your skin and help prevent dryness and flaking. If you cannot get coconut oil, use mudpack as a replacement. Coconut oil is readily available in drugstores.

Cold Compress

Do this for two times a day and feel the relief. It will reduce the itchiness, thus preventing you from rubbing it. The cold compress, however, may absorb the moisture of your skin so keep the usage to a minimum number of times daily. Ideally, apply a dermatologist-approved cream right after the cold compress treatment.

Milk Compress

Place a cloth dipped in milk on the affected area and leave it there for 15 minutes. Just like coconut oil, this will moisturize your skin, relieve the pain and reduce the possibility of drying and flaking.

Sunbath

Sun bath may be done while walking briskly in the early morning or while jogging. This should be done before ten in the morning when the sun's rays are still cool to the skin and are still rich with vitamin D. After ten in the morning, the sun's rays are already very harmful so stay away from open spaces.

Steam Bath

Do this twice a day to get relief. If steam bath is too hot for you, you can use a mild hot compress to relieve the pain. Be very diligent in doing this so you do not experience itching and inflammation again and again.

Each person's skin will have different reactions to the remedies provided above. Always consult a qualified physician if the eczema gets worse or if no relief is felt. Remember to stay away from water contact unless it is necessary because water is a known trigger to eczema attacks. This happens when the skin gets wet and no moisturizer is applied. Once the water evaporates, the skin is left dry and this causes the eczema to get worse.

 

How To Naturally Regrow Hair In 15 Minutes

Observing a head full of locks lessen is not many exciting. You could battle with trying to either, cease or mask, the losing of your own hair. Even better, you may just want it back! This information has guidance and tips on hair loss that could be just what you are searching for.

Prevent locks damage, kinks, and snags by lying on pillowcases made out of silk or satin. The load of your respective go on the pillow produces a great deal of friction, along with your head of hair is caught at the center. The sleek finishes of silk and satin allow your your hair to glide within the textile while you move on your sleep, which means a lot less tugging and breaking.

You could incorporate a huge amount of healthy proteins in your daily diet to help prevent hair thinning. Head of hair is comprised of health proteins. Healthy proteins can be obtained from foodstuffs, including species of fish, chicken eggs, steak and poultry. In case you are a vegan, or just don't care for meats, try out beans and lentils. Health proteins is vital for the introduction of new your hair for that reason, by raising your intake of health proteins you can lessen simply how much locks you could possibly shed.

As a way to support grow back locks which has been misplaced, you might like to look at purchasing an organic shampoo or conditioner. Frequently, hair thinning is triggered by the use of hair shampoos and also other head of hair remedies, so it is important that you turn back this injury. If you adored this article so you would like to collect more info relating to Hair Regrowth Tips - Naturalhairregrowthtips.Com - nicely visit the web site. Organic hair shampoos accomplish that by purifying your head and unclogging hair follicles to ensure that head of hair can grow back.

As the few days continues on, try and get the maximum amount of fresh air since you can to help rejuvenate your body with o2. Should you continue to be in the house all the time, your own hair is certain to get quite wet and lose its feel. This will result in poor quality and might make your your hair vulnerable.

Look at obtaining your thyroid gland checked out, should you suffer from hair loss! One of the many unfavorable side effects of a thyroid condition is hairloss. In order to get your own hair back again on the right track, you have to have the thyroid difficulty taken care of first!

Castor oils could be a normal defend with your hair loss protection. Blending a teaspoon of castor oils with an holistic shampoo can increase quantity and denseness inside the head of hair and make up a much more controllable hair shaft. Stay away from shampoos with different chemicals, simply because this will negate the effectiveness of the oil. You will notice a reduction in your hair decrease after a couple of apps.

It might audio astounding, however, if you prevent conditions rich in contamination, then you could actually be stopping hairloss. It has been confirmed in scientific studies that men that live in aspects of high contamination are more prone to building hairloss as a consequence of pollutants that happen to be present in their bloodstreams.

You have to energize the circulation inside your scalp each morning if you're seeking to re-increase your hair. This doesn't need to be a full-on restorative massage. You only have to work your convenience over your scalp within a rounded motion for at least a few a few minutes. This may obtain the bloodstream streaming and induce hair growth.

Consume a lot of eco-friendly and yellow vegatables and fruits. What you're soon after this is actually the carotene. This will help as a result of way your body transforms this compound right into a powerful vitamin supplement. The final result of using this dietary supplement can be a larger, richer head of head of hair that's basically much stronger than before you began.

Trying to keep your scalp as thoroughly clean as is possible will help you to avoid hair loss. Your head can be like your face often. For those who have plugged skin pores, you will probably have skin breakouts. If you have a messy scalp, you are more inclined to lose head of hair. Clean your head persistently by using a mild cleaning product or service.

Be sure you are getting enough proteins in your daily diet. When your follicles aren't receiving sufficient proteins, they move into a sleeping stage by which no new the growth of hair happens. If new hair isn't increasing in, the existing your hair will drop out. Consuming a healthy diet regime with enough health proteins can stop this pattern.

To help keep from dropping your own hair, try and get ample steel in what you eat. Metal deficiency not just brings about anemia, it can cause hair loss. Fortunately, this is amongst the less complicated techniques to lower your chance of hair loss. Get an steel supplement or try to eat more meals like clams, soybeans, pumpkin plant seeds and green spinach.

As you have seen, hairloss isn't an inevitable approach is numerous situations. There are many actions you can take to further improve the healthiness of your head and hair follicles to help keep your mind of head of hair for as long as probable. Try these simple suggestions and find out if they help hair problem.

Nigerians Suffer Vitamin, Mineral Deficiency - Minister

Minister for Health, Professor Eyitayo Lambo has decried the recent United Nations assessment that says there is still serious vitamin and mineral deficiency problems among the Nigerian populace. Speaking at the Launch of vitamin ‰A¡ food fortification programme, vitamin, and mineral deficiency damage assessment report for Nigeria, Lambo said several preventive micronutrient nutrition strategies have been embarked on in the country in varying degrees and with varying successes as well. He attributed the successes and heights attained so far to the National agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC even as has implored all food manufacturers, policy makers, royal fathers, primary health care coordinators and other stake holders to actively support the food fortification programme. Everyone has a part to play for the success of this program, we may have to bear some inconveniences here and there, but it is worthwhile to lat a solid foundation for the sake of posterity." Vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, iron, folic acid, zinc, and iodine are essential macronutrients required for proper functioning of the human body. The true significance of vitamin and mineral deficiency (VMD) is only just being revealed, but it has maimed and killed many over the years especially in developing countries. Nigeria has one of the highest rates of child and maternal mortality in the world and vitamin A deficiency disorders is a major contributory factor. Dr Dora Akunyili, DG of NAFDAC in her remarks pleaded with Nigerians to join forces in making out an agenda and work plan on how to achieve this Millennium development goal within the given frame.

Transport Workers Risk HIV/Aids - Minister

Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekeibo yesterday described members of his constituency, the transport industry as people with the greatest risk of the deadly HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country. Speaking at the One-Day sensitization seminar for workers under the Ministry, yesterday in Abuja, the Minister said since most of the transportation business entails movement of operators from one place to another, they faces exposure to all kinds of risks including indiscriminate making of friends and acquaintances. "Statistics have shown that transport workers are veritable sources of the HIV/AIDS spread", he said. He told the staff of the Transport Ministry that as the personnel at the apex body over-looking the affairs and activities in the industry, the need to show example and be in the vanguard for the fight against the spread of the disease is very paramount. He advised the staff to pay adequate attention to all that would be discussed at the seminar so as to be equipped with necessary information to assist in the propagation of the campaign against the scourge of HIV/AIDS. Earlier, the Minister of State in the Ministry, Mohammed Inuwa Musa while welcoming the participants said that from the 2003 sentinel survey, more than 3.5 million Nigerians are living with HIV infection. He said that the Federal Government in recognition of the dangers posed by this epidemic has adopted a multi-sectoral approach in the fight against the disease.

Experts Identify Causes of Antibiotic Resistance

Lack of adequate diagnostic facilities and poor education of doctors on appropriate use of antibiotics have been identified as factors responsible for the growing resistance of disease-causing organisms to most of the antibiotics in Nigeria and other countries in the West African sub region. 

Experts at a workshop on antibiotic resistance, sponsored by the multinational pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline Nigeria Limited (GSK), noted that using antibacterial agents or dosages that allow bacterial persistence increases the risk of recurrence and relapse and the potential for the selection for resistance. 

In a paper at the workshop, Prof. Javier Garau, an associate professor of medicine, University of Bacelonia and Head of the Department of Medicine at Hospital de Terrassam Bacelona Spain, said antibiotic resistance had increased to an all-time high worldwide just as prescription had also increased at an all-time high level. 

Garau also warned against inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. According to him, prescribing antibiotics for infections not caused by bacteria does not have clinical benefit, rather, he said, the practice promotes resistance, causing unnecessary adverse reactions. 

Speaking on the six principles for the appropriate prescribing of antibiotics, Garau said the objective of the principles was to optimise therapy to reduce morbidity, therapeutic failure and cost and prevent resistance emergence. 

He disclosed that the principles specifically targeted respiratory tract infections (RTI) because 80 per cent of antibiotics were often prescribed for RTIs. 

"Reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing through the principles will require education of physicians and patients towards a change in behaviour, an understanding of the impact on resistance, time and resources - money," he added. 

In a paper titled "Nigeria: antibiotic resistance, practice and clinical issues in RTI therapy," a medical microbiologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Kenneth Iregbu said policies would enhance a rational use of antibiotics in the country, control spread of resistant strains, check wastages and the burden of unwanted effects. 

He blamed the growing incidence of antibiotic resistance on lack of education on the part of doctors on the appropriate use of antibiotics and unrestrained access of the people to the drugs. 

"Most drugs in Nigeria are available over the counter without doctor's prescription leading to antibiotic abuse. There is also the problem of fake drugs due to the lucrative nature of pharmaceutical drug sales," he further said. 

In a paper titled Ghana: antibiotic resistance, practice and clinical issues in RTI therapy, a professor of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, University of Ghana and consultant physician, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana, Prof. Kenneth Adjepon-Yamoah noted that the problem of antibiotic misuse and overuse is a common occurrence worldwide. 

According to him, the problem is worse in Ghana because a large number of non-medically trained persons are delivering health services. Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice President and Managing Director of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) West and Central Africa, Mr. Karim El-Alaoui expressed concern about the emergence of antibiotic resistance, adding that the company had led the rest of the pharmaceutical industry in providing positive solutions to the problem. He disclosed that GSK is funding a range of microbial susceptibility surveys in over 50 countries, including the Alexander Network initiated in 1992 and solely funded by the company. "GlaxoSmithKline currently occupies a leadership position in many therapeutic classes and is undoubtedly a leading healthcare company in the management and treatment of bacterial infections. We are not relenting in our efforts to fulfill this mission," he said. In another paper, the GSK Marketing and Business Development Director, Mr. Greig Baines observed that resistance to antibiotics is increasing rapidly in the West African region as in other parts of the world. According to him, the trend has reached to the attention of governments, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders adding that GSK is opposed to unnecessary and inappropriate use of antibiotics, the main factors responsible for resistance

NAFDAC to set up mobile laboratories to inspect contaminated agricultural products.

The Director General of NAFDAC,National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr Paul Orhii said that it would establish mobile laboratories in various parts of the country to check the movement of contaminated agricultural products.

Orhii,who disclosed this in Abuja when the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) retired Col. Hameed Ali, paid him a courtesy visit.

He noted that the distribution and sale of contaminated food items had become a major threat to health and the country’s economy and as such there was need for proper monitoring.

According to Orhii,the organisation decided to establish the laboratories following deadline given by the European Union (EU) for the establishment of a risk management system to monitor contaminated food export.

"The European Union has given us a deadline of June 16 next year for us to have a risk management system in place for the reduction of these contaminants in the food export".

"Imagine that what is being rejected at the international market is what we eat here and we are also worried of the increased level of cancers, kidney failures and different diseases in this country".

"We have taken on that job to ensure we deploy mobile laboratories that will go from farm to farm, market to market, so that we can identify at what point the contaminants get into this products. Once we identify it, we will conduct public awareness workshops for the people who are growing these foods and exporting them,"Orhii said.

He urged NCS to ensure that food products were properly tested before they leaving the shores of the country to avoid being rejected at the international market.

Earlier,The Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) said that the purpose of the visit was to strategies with NAFDAC on how the war on fake and counterfeit products would be won.

He advocated for a forum to be created where NAFDAC would collaborate with law enforcement agencies, including customs on issues of counterfeiting.

"We are here to create that bond, synergy and platform so that all of us can operate easily. If you are doing something which other agencies can benefit from, it cuts cost and at the same time reduces problem,it strengthens the synergy among us".

"There is no information we can hide between ourselves; we need to have those information so that we can act. If we are going to inspect containers you will be there; if somebody is bringing in rice and other food items, you have to be there to certify that it is consumable,’’ Ali said.

He said NAFDAC and the Nigerian Customs Service would work effectively and efficiently, when both agencies collaborated to fight counterfeiting.

EIGHT PATIENTS SUCCESSFULLY UNDERGO OPEN HEART SURGERY IN NIGERIA

Eight patients have successfully undergone open heart surgeries at the National Hospital Abuja recently. The Chief Medical Director, National Hospital, Dr. Jafaru Momoh made the disclosure in Abuja while speaking on the Open Heart Surgery Programme. He said the programme was conceived out of the need to assist Nigerians who could not travel abroad for medical treatment and to provide expert medical care, thereby reducing the burden of medical tourism in the country. Dr. Momoh also revealed that the hospital management has recommended highly specialized services in radiotherapy, cancer treatment while ensuring sustenance of its in-vitro fertilization programme. The surgery was carried out in collaboration with the Cardio-thoracic team of a Non-governmental organization led by Nigerians, Dr. Segun Ajayi and Dr. Ikenna Omeje with the National Hospital Team coordinated by Dr. Iretiola Babaniyi and Dr. Yahaya Adamu among others.

Kwara To Immunise Over 700,000 Children Against Measles

Dr Abimbola Folorunsho, Director, Primary Healthcare and Disease Control in Kwara, said the agency would immunise 767, 200 children against measles in the state.

Folorunsho said this on Monday in Ilorin, capital of Kwara, at a sensitisation programme for newsmen ahead of the exercise scheduled to hold between Nov. 21 and Nov.25.

The director was represented by Mrs Falilat Sulaiman, Head of Department, Health Education, Kwara State Ministry of Health.

She urged parents and guardians to avail their children and wards of the opportunity to be immunized against the disease.

She said children between the ages of nine months and five years would be immunised during the exercise.

“The exercise will cover 767, 200 children in 193 wards of the 16 local government areas of the state and the vaccination will be done at both the fixed and temporary posts in all the wards.

“One dose of the vaccine is about 85 per cent effective at preventing measles and two doses are about 97 per cent effective’’, she said.

She maintained that the vaccination is safe, free and highly efficacious for the prevention of measles.

She, however, warned that measles could reduce a child’s ability to fight other diseases if not cured from him or her.

The director, however, advised parents not to express any fears in case some of their children should react to immunization.

According to her, such can be in form of body temperature, rashes, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, reddening of skin and swelling of eyes.

Folorunsho urged them to report severe cases they might notice to health workers or any nearest health facility.(NAN)

Widely Used Antibiotics May Raise Heart Risks, Review Finds

A widely used class of antibiotics is associated with a small but measurable increased risk of sudden cardiac death, researchers report.

These antibiotics -- called macrolides -- are used to treat infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis and some sexually transmitted diseases.

In the new report, the investigators analyzed 33 studies that were conducted between 1966 and 2015, and included a total of more than 20 million patients. The studies compared patients who took macrolides, other types of antibiotics, or no antibiotics.

Macrolides include the antibiotics erythromycin, azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin) and quinolone.

The results revealed a small, but statistically significant, association between taking macrolides and increased risk of sudden cardiac death. But the review did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between these medications and sudden cardiac death.

The study was published Nov. 9 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

"The absolute risks of sudden cardiac death and cardiac death are small, so it should likely have limited effect on prescribing practice," study author Dr. Su-Hua Wu, from the department of cardiology at First Affiliated Hospital at Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, China, said in a journal news release.

"However, given that macrolides are one of the most commonly used antibiotic groups, and millions of patients are prescribed these drugs annually, the total number of sudden cardiac deaths or ventricular tachyarrhythmias and cardiac deaths may not be negligible," Wu added.

An average of 80 cases of rapid heartbeat that can result in sudden cardiac death (or "ventricular tachyarrhythmias") occurred per 1 million treatment courses among patients who were not taking macrolides, the investigators found.

But, current use of macrolides was associated with an additional 118 ventricular tachyarrhythmias or related sudden cardiac deaths per 1 million treatment courses. And there were 36 additional sudden cardiac deaths from causes other than ventricular tachyarrhythmia, and 38 additional heart-related deaths per one million treatment courses, the findings showed.

Past use of macrolides and use of other antibiotics were not associated with increased heart risk, the researchers found.

To put the findings into perspective, one in 8,500 patients treated with macrolides could develop a serious heart rhythm problem and one in 30,000 might die, Dr. Sami Viskin, from the Tel Aviv Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University in Israel, explained in an accompanying journal editorial.

Viskin said macrolides are a first-line treatment for a number of infections.

"Today, when antimicrobial resistance represents a major threat to global health and new treatment options are frighteningly few, losing an entire class of antibiotics would represent a major setback in the fight against infections. Furthermore, it takes years to fully understand the consequences of a drug's disappearance," Viskin wrote.

SOURCE: Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Just One Energy Drink Sends Young Adults' Stress Hormone Levels Soaring

Just one energy drink can cause potentially harmful spikes in both stress hormone levels and blood pressure in young, healthy adults, a new study shows.

After drinking a 16-ounce can of "Rockstar Punched," young adults had a 74 percent increase in blood levels of the "fight-or-flight" hormone norepinephrine, said lead researcher Dr. Anna Svatikova, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

That's more than double an average 30 percent increase in norepinephrine the same participants experienced when they consumed a fake energy drink, Svatikova said.

The sham energy drink contained the same amount of sugar and nearly the same calories, but did not include natural stimulants found in the Rockstar drink, she said. The stimulants in the real energy drink include caffeine, taurine, guarana, ginseng and milk thistle extract.

The young adults also experienced a significant increase in their blood pressure after consuming the energy drink, the study found.

"The worry is that if these responses are seen in healthy young people, perhaps the effects of energy drinks may be more pronounced in people who already have high blood pressure or arrhythmias," leading to more heart attacks and strokes, Svatikova said.

The findings were to be presented Sunday at the American Heart Association's annual meeting in Orlando, and the results will be published simultaneously in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Energy drinks can contain up to five times more caffeine than a typical cup of coffee, according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAmHSA).

Emergency room visits involving energy drinks doubled between 2007 and 2011, rising from about 10,000 to nearly 21,000, SAMHSA said.

Previous studies have shown that energy drink users experience a dramatic rise in their blood pressure, Svatikova said. Researchers conducted this study to see if that blood pressure spike is caused by a change in the person's hormone levels.

The study included 25 healthy young adults. They were between the ages of 26 and 31, and had no known heart risk factors. Each person drank one 16-ounce can of Rockstar Punched or the sham drink in random order on two separate days.

Researchers measured participants' blood pressure and blood levels of norepinephrine before and 30 minutes after they chugged each drink.

The body usually releases norepinephrine in fight-or-flight situations of extreme stress, Svatikova said. The hormone increases blood pressure and the heart's ability to contract, and increases arousal and alertness in the brain.

Participants' norepinephrine levels increased more than twice as much when compared to when they consumed the sham drink, researchers found.

Blood pressure also spiked due to energy drinks. For example, mean blood pressure increased by 6.4 percent after energy drink consumption, compared with a 1 percent increase when the young adults downed the fake drink, the study found.

"They are not benign, these products, and there's no limit to how these products are consumed by individuals," said Linda Van Horn, a professor of preventive medicine and nutrition at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association.

Due to the small size of this study, "it's probably premature to launch any kind of specific concerns or warnings about these products," Van Horn added.

But both Van Horn and Svatikova said doctors should take note of this possible effect, and consider asking heart patients to cut energy drinks out of their diet.

"As physicians, we should perhaps ask people about energy drink intake, and factor this in as we interpret their vital signs in emergency settings," Svatikova said. "For the consumers, they should use caution when consuming energy drinks, because these drinks may increase their risk of sudden heart problems, even among young people."

The American Beverage Association took issue with the findings.

"There is nothing unique about the caffeine in mainstream energy drinks, which is about half that of a similar-sized cup of coffeehouse coffee," the association said in a statement. "According to a study published in the International Journal of Cardiology, drinking coffee would produce similar results to the findings of this abstract."

"The safety of energy drinks has been established by scientific research, as well as regulatory agencies around the globe," the association said. "Just this year, the European Food Safety Authority confirmed the safety of energy drinks and their ingredients after an extensive review."

Leading energy drink manufacturers in the United States display total caffeine content on their packaging, along with warnings that say energy drinks aren't recommended for children, pregnant or nursing women or anyone who is sensitive to caffeine, the association added.

SOURCES: Anna Svatikova, M.D., cardiologist, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.; Linda Van Horn, Ph.D., R.D., professor, preventive medicine and nutrition, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, spokeswoman, American Heart Association;