₦airaland Forum

Most people enjoy the sweet part of watermelon and throw the seeds away. Interestingly, watermelon seeds are edible and nutritious but they should be prepared properly because raw seeds are harder to digest.

Here are four simple ways to enjoy them:
1. Roast them: Wash, dry and roast until crunchy. Great as a healthy snack.
2. Soak them: Soak for 6–12 hours before drying and roasting. This may improve the absorption of minerals like zinc, iron and magnesium.
3. Grind into powder: Add 1–2 teaspoons to pap (ogi), oats, smoothies, yoghurt, soups or stew.
4. Make tea: Crush the seeds, boil for 10–15 minutes, strain and drink. Some people traditionally use it to support hydration and urinary comfort.

Who should be careful?
• People with seed or nut allergies.
• Those with sensitive digestion (powdered seeds may be easier to tolerate).
• Anyone on a kidney or mineral-restricted diet should consult their healthcare provider before consuming large amounts.
Like many healthy foods, moderation is important because watermelon seeds are calorie-dense.

By the way, have you ever tried eating watermelon seeds? If yes, how did you prepare them?

The rainy season often brings an increase in mosquito breeding, which can lead to more malaria infections.

We are curious to know: How many times have you had malaria since the rainy season started?

Feel free to share your experience in the comments.

Have you ever wondered what your liver would say if it could speak?

Would it thank you for that bottle of water? Or would it quietly beg you to reduce the sugary drinks, alcohol, and late-night fast food?

Let's imagine for a moment, that the organs inside your body could hold a conversation...

Liver (calm but exhausted): Stomach, could you please slow down? I can barely keep up with all this oil and sugar.

Stomach (defensively): Don't blame me! I only receive whatever our owner sends down. I don't choose the menu.

Liver: And then it all comes to me. I filter toxins, process nutrients, store energy, and help protect the body every single day. I don't get weekends off.

Stomach: So you are the one carrying the heavier burden?

Liver: Most people don't realize it, but yes. I work quietly in the background. They rarely think about me until something goes wrong.

That imaginary conversation may sound amusing, but it reflects a real truth.

Your liver is one of the hardest-working organs in your body. Every day, it filters your blood, processes nutrients, stores energy, produces bile to help digest fats, and removes harmful substances that could damage your body.

The remarkable thing is that it performs all these tasks silently. It doesn't ask for attention. It simply keeps working. Perhaps that is why many people don't think about their liver until it begins to struggle.

So, the next time you sit down for a meal, ask yourself one simple question, "If my liver could talk, would it thank me or ask me to do better?"

"My gut... a CEO?"

That was exactly my reaction when I first learnt how much influence the gut has on the rest of the body.

Like many people, I thought the gut had just one job: digest food. Eat, digest, and move on.

But the truth is far more interesting.

Imagine your body as a company. Every company has different departments working together, yet none of them can function well without good leadership. In many ways, your gut behaves like that quiet leader. It doesn't seek attention, but it influences far more than most people realize.

Beyond digestion, the gut helps your body absorb nutrients, supports your immune system, communicates with your brain, and plays a role in keeping many body functions in balance. That is why scientists often describe the gut as one of the body's most important control centres.

The fascinating part is that a healthy gut rarely announces itself. You don't think about it because everything simply works. Digestion is comfortable, your body gets the nutrients it needs, and many systems continue doing their jobs quietly.

That is what good leadership looks like. The best CEOs are often the ones you barely notice because everything is running smoothly.

So, the next time you think about your gut, don't see it as just the place where food goes. Think of it as one of the silent leaders working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep your body functioning every single day.

In our next edition, we'll answer an important question: How do you know when your body's silent CEO is asking for help?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way new medicines are discovered.

Today, AI can scan millions of chemical compounds in days and identify promising drug candidates. It can also predict how medicines may behave in the body and even uncover new uses for existing drugs. Tasks that once took researchers years can now be completed much faster.

With advances like these, one question naturally comes to mind: Can AI eventually replace scientists in drug discovery?

Let's hear your thoughts.

Most of us wouldn't let our phones run out of battery, overheat, or stop working before paying attention. Yet we often do exactly that to our brains.

We sacrifice sleep, live under constant stress, spend hours glued to screens, eat poorly, and expect our brains to keep performing at their best.

The problem is that brain health doesn't usually decline overnight. It can happen gradually, showing up as poor concentration, forgetfulness, mental fatigue, or difficulty staying focused.

The good news? Small daily habits can help keep your brain healthy.

Get enough quality sleep.
Exercise regularly.
Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and healthy fats.
Stay mentally active by reading, learning, or solving puzzles.
Manage stress through healthy coping strategies.
Drink enough water every day.

Your brain is your body's control centre. It powers your thoughts, memories, decisions, emotions, and every movement you make.

If you make time to care for your phone every day, make time to care for your brain too. It is the one organ you can never replace.

Many people believe acne disappears after the teenage years, but that's not always the case. More adult men are now seeking treatment for persistent acne and rosacea—two skin conditions that can cause discomfort, scarring, and affect self-confidence.

According to Dr. Ibrahim Al-Khatib, a consultant dermatologist based in Dubai, many men wait too long before seeing a doctor.

"Men frequently delay seeking treatment until symptoms are advanced. By then, we're dealing with not just inflammation, but scarring and significant psychosocial impact," he says.

Unlike teenage acne, adult acne is often linked to hormones, stress, shaving habits, and lifestyle factors. Rosacea, which causes persistent facial redness and acne-like bumps, can also become more severe if left untreated.

Doctors say treatment depends on the condition. Mild acne is often managed with medicated creams such as retinoids or benzoyl peroxide, while moderate to severe cases may require oral medications like doxycycline or isotretinoin. Rosacea can be treated with creams such as metronidazole or ivermectin, alongside other anti-inflammatory medicines.

Experts also warn against self-medication, as acne and rosacea can look similar but require different treatments. Using the wrong products may make symptoms worse.

Another common mistake is stopping treatment too early. Skin conditions like acne and rosacea often require consistent, long-term care to keep flare-ups under control.

With early diagnosis, the right medication, and regular follow-up, most men can successfully manage these conditions and prevent permanent skin damage.

Have you ever struggled with acne or persistent facial redness as an adult? Share your experience in the comments.

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), or severe bleeding after childbirth, remains the leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide. The condition can become fatal within minutes if not treated quickly, yet health experts say most of these deaths are preventable with timely access to the right medicines.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all women receive uterotonic medicines after delivery to help the uterus contract and reduce excessive bleeding.

Oxytocin is considered the most effective medicine for preventing and treating postpartum hemorrhage. However, it has one major limitation—it must be stored at the correct temperature to remain effective. In many rural communities where electricity and cold-chain storage are unreliable, that is often easier said than done.

This is where misoprostol becomes important. Unlike oxytocin, it is heat-stable and can be stored without refrigeration, making it a practical option for health centres with limited resources. According to Dr. Amina Yusuf, a maternal health specialist based in West Africa, misoprostol has transformed childbirth care in low-resource settings because it does not require refrigeration or advanced equipment. Despite this advantage, many women still struggle to access the drug because of frequent shortages and weak medicine distribution systems.

Another medicine, tranexamic acid (TXA), has also proven to be life-saving. Research shows it can significantly reduce deaths from severe bleeding when given as early as possible after childbirth. Unfortunately, it is still unavailable in many hospitals and primary healthcare facilities where it is urgently needed.

Health experts say the biggest challenge today is not the absence of effective treatments but ensuring they reach every woman who needs them. Poor procurement systems, stock-outs, weak supply chains, and inadequate storage continue to limit access to these essential medicines, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

The gap is especially noticeable between urban and rural healthcare facilities. While major hospitals may have a steady supply of emergency obstetric medicines, many smaller clinics and primary health centres operate with limited stocks, forcing health workers to delay treatment or rely on whatever is available.


For thousands of women, surviving childbirth should not depend on where they live or whether a health facility has the right medicine on its shelves. As countries continue efforts to reduce maternal deaths, ensuring access to life-saving medicines for postpartum hemorrhage remains one of the most urgent priorities.

Follow us for more health news, medical breakthroughs, and practical wellness tips that help you make informed decisions every day.

Scientists have developed a new toothpaste that may help prevent gum disease without destroying the beneficial bacteria that keep the mouth healthy.
Unlike traditional antibacterial mouthwashes and toothpastes, which kill both harmful and helpful bacteria, the new formula targets only the bacteria linked to periodontitis, a severe gum disease that can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.

Researchers at Germany's Fraunhofer Society say the toothpaste suppresses the growth of harmful bacteria, allowing beneficial microbes to naturally restore balance in the mouth. This targeted approach could reduce the chances of recurring gum disease.
The human mouth contains more than 700 species of bacteria, but only a small number are responsible for gum disease. Studies have also linked poor gum health to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.

The toothpaste was developed by PerioTrap Pharmaceuticals, a company created to commercialize the research. According to the developers, the product also contains fluoride to help prevent tooth decay.
Researchers are now working on additional products, including a mouthwash and a gel for use after professional dental cleaning, as they continue exploring new ways to protect the oral microbiome while preventing gum disease.

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men worldwide, cutting across continents, income levels, and lifestyles. While tobacco use continues to be the dominant risk factor, shifting patterns such as environmental exposure and genetic predispositions, are reshaping the global burden of the disease.

Today, however, a new era of treatment is offering renewed hope: checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies are transforming how clinicians approach lung cancer in men.

These therapies work by enabling the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.
“Checkpoint inhibitors have fundamentally changed survival expectations for many patients,” says Dr. Adrian Cole, an oncologist based in London. “We are now seeing men with advanced lung cancer living longer, with better quality of life, than we ever thought possible.”
Another major development is targeted therapy. Unlike chemotherapy, which affects both healthy and cancer cells, targeted therapies focus on specific genetic mutations that help cancer grow. This allows treatment to be more precise and, in some cases, more effective.

Experts are therefore calling for greater investment in cancer care, wider access to genetic testing, and policies that make advanced treatments more affordable. They also stress that prevention remains critical. Avoiding tobacco use, reducing exposure to harmful pollutants, and seeking medical attention for persistent respiratory symptoms can help lower the risk of lung cancer.

As research continues, checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies are changing the way lung cancer is treated, offering renewed hope to patients and their families.

For more health stories and medical updates, you can visit our website.

Ageing is not just about getting older. Your daily habits can make your face look older than your age.

Before we talk about the solution, we need to identify the problem. Here are some things that may be ageing you faster:

1. Stress: Constant worrying and emotional stress can leave your face looking tired and worn out.

2. Lack of sleep: Your body repairs itself while you sleep. Sleeping too little can lead to dull skin and tired eyes.

3. Too much sugar and junk food: Excess sugar damages collagen, the protein that keeps your skin firm and youthful.

4. Not drinking enough water: Dehydration can make your skin look dry and less vibrant.

5. Sitting all day: Regular movement improves blood flow and helps keep the body healthy.

6. Constant anger and emotional exhaustion: Peace of mind shows on the face more than many people realize.

So, what can you do to slow ageing and glow more naturally?

• Drink more water.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables.
• Sleep properly.
• Exercise regularly.
• Protect your peace.
• Laugh more and manage stress.

Wrinkles are not always caused by age. Sometimes, they are the result of stress, poor sleep, unhealthy habits, and emotional burdens.

Meanwhile, how many hours do you sleep every night?

Mouth odour (halitosis) is the unpleasant smell from the mouth caused by bacteria breaking down food particles and releasing foul-smelling gases. Occasional bad breath is normal, especially in the morning. But when it becomes constant or keeps returning shortly after brushing, it may point to something more than just hygiene, often diet and the way oral bacteria are being fed.

One of the biggest hidden drivers in this cycle is sugar.

Sugar may taste harmless, but in the mouth, it creates the perfect environment for bad breath.

When you consume sugary foods and drinks, the bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar. As they break it down, they produce acids and waste products. These are what lead to unpleasant mouth odour.

Over time, this process also increases plaque buildup on teeth, weakens tooth enamel, and encourages more bacterial growth.

The more sugar you take, the more you are feeding the bacteria responsible for bad breath. This is why frequent sugar intake can turn occasional morning breath into a persistent problem that keeps returning even after brushing.

This is also why people who often consume sweets, soft drinks, and snacks tend to struggle with ongoing mouth odour, especially when oral hygiene is not consistent.

Even after brushing, if sugar intake remains high, the bacteria quickly return and continue producing the same unpleasant smell.

In simple terms, sugar doesn’t just affect your teeth, it directly fuels the bacteria that cause bad breath.

So if mouth odour is becoming frequent, it may be time to look beyond just brushing and also reduce how often sugar enters your diet.

A lot of people think eating healthy means you must have plenty money or start buying foreign food or following complicated diet plans but that is not true.
Healthy eating is more about how you eat than how expensive your food is. Even if you eat rice, yam, swallow, beans, you can still eat healthy.

It just comes down to a few simple habits you can practice every day:

• Eat more vegetables when you can. Even if it is just adding fluted pumpkin leaves (ugu) to your soup or stew.

• Reduce oil and sugar. We understand you may want your tea very sweet or use that stew for jollof the next day, but please try to reduce the oil.

• Do not skip breakfast. Even something small like taking pap is fine.

• Drink water regularly, not only when you are very thirsty.

• Balance your meals, especially if you eat rice often. Try to add beans, fish, egg, or vegetables.

• Watch your portion sizes. You don't always need a very full plate to feel satisfied.

At the end of the day, healthy eating is not about money. It is about small, consistent changes you can maintain over time.

Zeramal QS is the best Antimalaria you can ever think of.

As part of Pfizer’s disease awareness campaign on heart diseases and keeping up with the Cardiovascular Screening Project, Pfizer is supporting some community screenings to promote healthy hearts and increase awareness on cardiovascular diseases.

“We partner with religious organizations, NGOs, pharmacies, and other healthcare institutions to provide free CV screenings and medical education. To date, the project has reached more than 15,000 at-risk people across the country” said Margaret Olele, Director Corporate Affairs.

World Heart Day is an annual event which takes place to spread awareness about heart diseases and stroke prevention. The aim is to improve health globally by encouraging people to make lifestyle changes, and promote education about ways to be good to your heart.

Today, the good news is that some of the premature deaths from CVDs can be avoided if these main risk factors – tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and harmful use of alcohol are controlled.

http://pharmatimes.com.ng/pfizer-managing-cardiovascular-diseases/

Living Healthy:
Health is the general condition of body and mind; it is a healthy state of wellbeing that is free from disease. But have no doubts about it, healthy living is a long-term commitment; it is not a chance thing, and that means you have a major role to play in how your health turns out. Mrs. Pauline Bamidele Aribisala – a board certified nurse, is the Principal of the Lagos State School of Nursing; she strongly believes that “health is not a gift.”

Yet healthy living is actually within the reach of everyone if only they know what to do, and it has always been so from time immemorial.

Preventive measures for accessing and maintaining good health Aribisala says, will normally involve each of us being self responsible. Thus we ought to get the requisite knowledge for this to happen; living healthy is a choice you will have to make yourself.

What you must know about healthy Living:
One good habit to adopt is health screening. Speaking at a community health workshop in Alagbado – Lagos, Aribisala advises that as you approach the age of forty and above, you should begin to check yourself.

While highlighting some of the major health challenges as it affects both men and women, she stated that this practice will ensure that you know the state of your organs.

A man must understand that as he ages his prostrate (gland) may begin to increase in size. But this is just a benign state i.e. it is not cancerous; still, you need to take proper care of it to avoid any (further) health complications about this vital male organ. The prostate is a firm partly muscular chestnut sized gland in males, situated at the neck of the urethra. It produces a viscid secretion that is the fluid part of your semen.

At the extreme of an enlarged prostate however, you may wish to operate to remove it (prostatectomy) if you are through with having children – so you do not have to worry about it any longer. Thus the necessary interventions must be applied in order to prevent the prostate from becoming cancerous.

Aribisala also reminds the women folk to get knowledge concerning the health of their cervix. She warns that the cervix being the neck-like opening to the uterus, which leads to the vagina, is to be protected specially.

She pointed out that the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is mostly responsible for cervical cancer; this dangerous infection can as well be escalated and propagated by the practice of keeping multiple sex partners by the woman.

She urges every woman as from the age of forty to begin precautionary measures such as doing a Pap smear. This is necessary so that you are able to know what to do, and prevent any risk of impending cancer if any. According to an Oncologist, Dr. Kehinde Okunade, “cervical cancer had killed more people worldwide than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria put together.” Okunade who is also a Director, Sebeccly Cancer Care and Support Centre, an NGO, said that no fewer than 9,000 Nigerian women die yearly as a result of cervical cancer.

This problem experts say is rampant with ladies who have been exposed to early sexual activities. It is pertinent therefore, that young ladies (21-29 years) in these situations avail themselves of the opportunity to be screened early enough. As a preventive measure, experts advise that ladies must avoid early sex, and having multiple sex partners.

Both men and women are also advised to avoid smoking, as well as much alcohol (especially beer for the men) while the girl-child should be vaccinated with the HPV vaccine at age nine, in order to further prevent the above mentioned health issues.

In addition, Aribisala urges ladies to always do self examination on their breasts by palpating it for early warning signs such as (unusual) lumps.

She also added that you must be wary of the following signs: “If the breast of a woman who is not lactating (breastfeeding) should emit substance when the husband sucks, it is not a good sign; if you press the breast and there is an emission of fluid it is also not normal.

And so you must get yourself checked to avoid risking cancer due to delay”, she said.

Taking decisive actions
Apart from the happenstances of life such as genetic factors, etc, leading a healthy life requires that you must be responsible for a lot of things.

And there are steps you can take right now that will make today healthier than yesterday and pave the way for healthy living tomorrow, too. These, apart from health screening and vaccination, will entail a wholesome dietary (nutrition) behaviour, exercise, good sleep and stress management.

You should also engage your mind positively by participating in mentally stimulating activities both privately and with other people.

Nutritional approach

“You need to eat regularly and responsibly; you do not skip your breakfast only to eat up a big bowl of food in the evening (trying to make up for the ones you missed). This is very wrong,” Aribisala said. Continuing she added, “But if your morning routine does not require you being very busy (active), you do not need to eat a heavy breakfast because if you do, you are not going to be burning off enough calories.”

You must choose to eat more fruits and vegetables especially in their raw forms; they are loaded with the phytochemicals necessary for your system to ward off infections and diseases.

While you are at it, it is important to note that what you put into your system is more important than what you put on. And so you must endeavour to add this little bit in addition: Drink plenty of water daily, and go easy on refined and packaged foods as well as oily foods while taking to healthy oils, more of fish and less of (red) meat.

Exercise:
“There is a thin line between good health and ill health, and it is difficult to come back if you cross the line. You need to have regular exercise; your blood needs to flow freely, and if this does not happen, you may likely have a blood clot, and that is dangerous,” Aribisala said.

Thus exercise helps you to burn off fat and improve your (fat) metabolism thereby preventing thrombosis caused by clotting. Studies have shown that active people are less likely to suffer obesity, and cardiovascular related ailments than those who lead sedentary lifestyle.

If you must live healthy, you must choose today to take responsibility for your health. Learn therefore to master your body; eat healthy, learn to relax and ‘breathe properly’. You should also get active. Sometimes why you say that obesity ‘runs in your family’ could actually be because – nobody is running! Your life may be a gift, but not so with your health.

By Morgan Nwanguma

Smoothies are a perfect on-the-go snack any time of day. Blend frozen bananas, peanut butter, soy milk, Greek yoghourt, honey, and a few ice cubes. If this is a morning snack, keep it in a tight-sealing container and throw it in a gym or work bag. For an afternoon boost, prep it the night before and freeze. Remove in the morning, and it will be thawed and ready to enjoy after lunch.

Tip: Add a scoop of your favourite chocolate or vanilla protein for an extra protein boost.

This is also a great way to use up those bananas that have gone a little dark. Just peel them and throw them into a food storage container and place them in the freezer. They’ll be ready next time you want this good-for-you frozen treat.

The ripe bananas have plenty of natural sweetness, and the peanuts are a great source of protein. The texture of the blended frozen bananas is a lot like an ice cream milkshake, so enjoy! It can be your breakfast in a cup or the perfect thing to cool down after a run when, you’re just trying to stay on the cute side of chubby.

Make one for yourself:
3 frozen bananas

1/4 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
1 1/2 cups soy milk (or milk)

1/2 cup 2% greek yoghourt
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon chopped roasted peanuts (groundnuts)

Throw a few frozen bananas into a blender cup along with the peanut butter, soy milk, yoghourt, honey, and salt. No need to be fussy about it. Blend until smooth. Top each with a teaspoon of chopped peanuts and maybe include a paper straw.

*Culled from: The Chubby vegetarian

[center] A healthy Lifestyle, a big priority:
A healthy lifestyle can help you thrive throughout your life. Making healthy choices isn't always easy, however. It can be hard to find the time and energy to exercise regularly or prepare healthy meals. However, your efforts will pay off in many ways, and for the rest of your life. A healthy lifestyle is a big priority.

Guide to living a Healthy Lifestyle:

Be physically active for 30 minutes most days of the week. Break this up into three 10-minute sessions when pressed for time. Healthy movement may include walking, sports, dancing, yoga, running or other activities you enjoy.
Eat a well-balanced, low-fat diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Choose a diet that's low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and moderate in sugar, salt and total fat.
Don't smoke, or quit if you do. Ask your health care provider for help.
Drink in moderation if you drink alcohol. Never drink before or while driving, or when pregnant.
Ask someone you trust for help if you think you might be addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS by using condoms every time you have sexual contact. Condoms aren't 100 percent foolproof, so discuss STI screening with your provider. Birth control methods other than condoms, such as pills and implants, won't protect you from STIs or HIV.
Brush your teeth after meals with a soft or medium bristled toothbrush. Also brush after drinking and before going to bed. Use dental floss daily.
Stay out of the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the sun's harmful rays are strongest. You are not protected if it is cloudy or if you are in the water — harmful rays pass through both. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen that guards against both UVA and UVB rays, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Select sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of the sun's rays.
Maintaining a Healthy Outlook

Women today have busy, demanding lives. You may feel pulled in different directions and experience stress from dealing with work, family and other matters, leaving little time for yourself. Learning to balance your life with some time for yourself will pay off with big benefits — a healthy outlook and better health.

Steps you can take:

family living healthy
healthy Family
Stay in touch with family and friends.
Be involved in your community.
Maintain a positive attitude and do things that make you happy.
Keep your curiosity alive. Lifelong learning is beneficial to your health.
Healthy intimacy takes all forms but is always free of coercion.
Learn to recognize and manage stress in your life. Signs of stress include trouble sleeping, frequent headaches and stomach problems; being angry a lot; and turning to food, drugs and alcohol to relieve stress.
Good ways to deal with stress include regular exercise, healthy eating habits and relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing or meditation. Talking to trusted family members and friends can help a lot. Some women find that interacting with their faith community is helpful in times of stress.
Get enough sleep and rest. Adults need around eight hours of sleep a night.
Talk to your health care provider if you feel depressed for more than a few days; depression is a treatable illness. Signs of depression include feeling empty and sad, crying a lot, loss of interest in life, and thoughts of death or suicide. If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, get help right away.
A healthy lifestyle can help you thrive throughout your life. Making healthy choices isn't always easy, however. It can be hard to find the time and energy to exercise regularly or prepare healthy meals. However, your efforts will pay off in many ways, and for the rest of your life.[/center]

[center]Did you know that over 60% of what you put on your skin, the largest organ on your body gets absorbed into your blood stream? And unlike your kidneys and liver that act as your body’s filter, the skin is all on its own. 95% of the chemicals in most commercial cosmetics and personal care products are made from harmful substances. This is because it appeals more to the eyes of the consumers and also would sell real fast.
It is important to check the ingredients listed on cosmetic and personal care products before you buy. Quite a number of the so called ingredients are harmful and may rank among causes of skin cancer and few other health problems.
Below are some of the ingredients to watch out for:
• Parabens: Parabens are synthetic preservatives used in foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care products such as deodorants, moisturisers and shampoos. Cornell University reports that a high lifelong exposure to oestrogen can increase breast cancer risk. Oestrogen, and synthetic chemicals that act like oestrogen, play a role in stimulating the division of breast cells and affect other hormones that stimulate breast cell division. Your body does not easily break down synthetic oestrogen, and it can accumulate in fat cells, including breast tissue.

• DEA, cocamide DEA and lauramide DEA (Related chemicals: MEA and TEA): are hormone-disrupting chemicals known to form nitrates and nitrosamines, often in conjunction with other chemicals present in a product, e.g. Cocamide DEA, or Lauramide DEA. They are almost always in products that foam: bubble bath, body wash, shampoo, soap, facial cleanser. Roberta Baskin, an investigative reporter for WJLA-TV, says studies confirm that "It (DEA) is in hundreds of cosmetic products but it does something more than make soap bubbles. An American government study says that DEA and DEA-based detergents have been shown to greatly increase the risk of cancer, especially liver and kidney cancer.

• Coal Tar Dyes: These dyes are used in foods, over-the-counter and prescription drugs, textiles, cosmetics, and personal care products like hair dyes, shampoos, and deodorants. There’s also evidence that artificial colours increase hyperactivity, ADHD and learning difficulties in children. Other studies have implicated coal tars in lung and skin cancers (though a direct relationship remains unproved).


• Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives: Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (FRPs) are used in many personal care products particularly in shampoos and liquid baby soaps. These chemicals, which help prevent microbes from growing in water-based products, can be absorbed through the skin and have been linked to cancer and allergic skin reactions.

• Synthetic fragrances and Parfum: Studies have shown that several types of synthetics not only may disrupt hormones, but traces have been found in fat tissue, breast milk, body fat, umbilical cord blood, both fresh and marine water samples, air, wastewater and sludge. Pour le Monde does not use any synthetics or synthetic musk in their fragrances.

• Petrolatum: Petrolatum, commonly known as petroleum jelly, is a by-product of petroleum. Petrolatum is a soft paraffin or wax mixture sold as a topical skin ointment. It is acknowledged by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an approved over-the-counter skin protectant and is used in the manufacturing of cosmetic skin care. However the side effects of petrolatum include finding the petroleum by-product in breast tumours, suffocation of the skin, premature ageing and aggravated acne.

• Mineral Oil: Most harmful when poorly refined, by-product of petroleum, that's used in baby oil, moisturisers, styling gels, it creates a film that impairs the skin's ability to release toxins.

• Siloxanes (Cyclomethicone and ingredients ending in “siloxane” (e.g., cyclotetrasiloxane): These silicone-based compounds are used in cosmetics to soften, smoothen, and moisten. They make hair products dry more quickly and deodorant creams slide on more easily. They are also used extensively in moisturisers and facial treatments. Siloxanes can also be found in medical implants, water-repelling windshield coatings, building sealants and lubricants. They are toxic, persistent, and have the potential to bio-accumulate in aquatic organisms. Also, the European Union classifies it as an endocrine disruptor, based on evidence that it interferes with human hormone function and a possible reproductive toxicant that may impair human fertility.

• Triclosan: an ingredient added to certain soaps, cosmetics, clothing, cookware, furniture and toys, to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination. Recent studies, however, have shown that triclosan might be hazardous to human health; it might contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant germs and also be harmful to the immune system
[/center]

The immediate past director-general of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Dr. Paul Orhii had prior to his exit from office been widely quoted as advocating for the enactment of new legislation to enable the agency cope with the present realities on the dynamics of war on counterfeit medicines among other challenges confronting it.

The former NAFDAC helmsman had hinged his call for a revision of the laws on the noticeable defects in the existing ones to enhance efforts of the agency to rid the country of unscrupulous elements.

We support Orhii’s advocacy because it borders on strengthening the operations of an important agency of government whose activities have direct consequence on the lives of the greatest majority of the populace.

Over the years, successive directors-general of NAFDAC have come up with different strategies to curb the menace of fake drugs, and each in his or her own way has helped to significantly address the problems. According to studies conducted by NAFDAC, there is a positive trend in the progressive decline in the incidence of counterfeit medicines in Nigeria.

In 2001 alone, the rate of counterfeiting according to NAFDAC stood at 40% but due to the indefatigable effort of NAFDAC team under late Prof. Dora Akunyuli, the figure was reduced to 16% in 2005. Despite the fierce war waged by NAFDAC during this period, counterfeiters kept coming up with novel ways of evading detection by the agency and other law enforcement agencies.

When Dr. Orhii, took over leadership of NAFDAC, he came up with a technology based strategy as a profound method of detecting counterfeits. The introduction of TRUSCAN Machines and Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) by NAFDAC meant that the agency had deployed a guaranteed strategy to secure many steps ahead of counterfeiters.
To a considerable extent, the deployment of TRUSCAN Machines at the seaports and all entry points across the nation to carry out on-the-spot check of drugs before they are cleared into the country by NAFDAC, did help in dislodging the activities of counterfeiters.

Also, NAFDAC enforcement of text messaging system popularly called MAS, that puts the power of drug detection in the hands of the consumers who can send a direct message using the code on the drug they are about to purchase to verify whether it is genuine or fake equally aided in reducing faking of medicines.

Despite successes so far recorded, the continued threat of counterfeiters in Nigeria has reinforced the need for NAFDAC and Pharmacists Council of Nigeria to continue to take action in multiple areas to create a comprehensive system to better protect against counterfeit medicines.

According to experts, the problem of counterfeiting of medicines is on the rise because of the low risk and high reward involved, and the fact that penalties are relatively weak. Criminals can make a lot of money by falsifying drugs that are on high demand, in short supply, or are exorbitantly beyond the reach of consumers.

We believe that this is the time for a review of the legislation empowering NAFDAC to operate effectively and efficiently in safeguarding the lives of Nigerians. However, NAFDAC and Pharmacists Council of Nigeria should be alive to their responsibilities especially in fashioning out workable strategies that will enable them to align their responsibilities with international best practices.

We suggest that NAFDAC through its Directorate of Registration & Regulatory Affairs on one hand, and the Directorate of Enforcement on the other, should ensure that the provisions of ACT CAP F33 LNF 2004 (formerly Decree 19 of 1993) are strictly applied in documentation transactions with existing and potential companies seeking registration.

For instance, the law provides that in documentation of imported drugs, ‘’labelling shall be informative, clear and accurate’’. It also provides that the name of the medicine (brand name where applicable) and generic name must form the minimum requirements for registration of the drug. Other requirements include: name and full location of the manufacturer, Provision of NAFDAC Registration number on product label, Batch number, Manufacturing date and Expiry date among others. In other words, compliance to minimum requirements must be treated as sacred.

this is serious!!!! is this legally accepted by the network provider, or is just some kinda trick created by a geek.

[center]Dr. Sabu George is a Nigerian heart expert based in the United States of America; recently he alerted Nigerians on the inherent dangers in the over-indulgence in some popular foods and drinks as consumed by Nigerians.
George cautioned that these foods regularly consumed in the country are capable of leading to cardiovascular-related diseases. He noted that staples like bread, pounded yam, noodles, cassava as well as soft drinks can endanger your blood pressure and the health of your heart if care is not taken.
During a three-day free health screening programme – ‘Medical Mission’, put together by the Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos, the cardiologist stated that most cardiovascular-related diseases can be brought under good control if detected at an early stage.
George declared: “Cardiovascular diseases are a silent killer, and if not detected at the early stages, the sufferer is at high risk and can lead to sudden death. It is more expensive to treat the ailment and cheaper to prevent it by maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, checking cholesterol, avoiding too much of carbohydrates and sugar.
“We can avoid cardiovascular diseases by eating less of carbohydrates, but more of vegetables and drinking more water than fizzy drinks.
We will ensure that any person detected to have such ailment will be given proper care by providing free treatment and there will be regular consultations, to monitor the patients.”
He further encouraged Nigerians to freely consume local dishes like moi-moi, vegetable, and melon soups. The free health screening exercise was initiated by the Council to render a helping hand to all sufferers of cardiovascular diseases and other sicknesses within the locality. According to the Sole Administrator of the Council, Mr. Olumide Olayomi, “The purpose of this year’s programme organised by the council and the National Sports Lottery Foundation is to help people in the community to know their health status and to also receive adequate treatment.
“The health of people in the community is critical to the progress of this local council development area, because it will boost our economy because healthy people are always productive.”
But the programme will not just stop at that; Olayomi added that critical health issues discovered in this exercise will further be referred to the general hospitals and teaching hospitals, to continue with their treatment.
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5 simple steps to removing a bug from ones ear:[color=#990000][/color]
1.Wiggle your ears. One way to try to remove a bug in your ear is to use gravity. ...
2.Let the bug make its way out on its own. ...
3.Flush the ear with warm water with a dropper or a bulb syringe. ...
4.Use mineral oil to kill the bug. ...
5.Go to a doctor for suction.

10nCost-Effective Ways To Get Relief from Morning Sickness:

Lemons

Lemons are super inexpensive and have many great uses, like combining with baking soda to create a cheap cleaning solution. But lemons also have a natural calming effect that can reduce nausea, and can leave you feeling clean and refreshed. Since they’re natural, there’s no need to worry about harm being done to your body or your baby. If you are not keen on cutting open a fresh lemon and taking a bite, here are some other budget-friendly ways to reap the benefits.

1. Lemon Candy. This was my absolute favorite way to get relief from my morning sickness. I had candy hidden everywhere: in my bag, in my desk at work, and even in the car. When a friend of mine gets morning sickness, the first thing I recommend is lemon-flavored candy.

2. Lemon Candles. If candy isn’t your thing, try a lemon-scented candle. Since most of my pregnancy was spent in my office at work where I was not allowed to light candles, I used a candle warmer to melt the candle. It was very relaxing to breathe in that refreshing aroma.

3. Lemon Essential Oil. If you do not want the world to know that you are expecting (at least not yet), you may not want to surround yourself with lemon candies and candles without getting questions. To hide your reliance on lemons, put some lemon essential oil into a handkerchief and stick it in your pocket or purse. When you feel a bout of nausea coming on, take out the handkerchief and wipe your nose to breathe in the essential oil. Hopefully no one will ask to borrow your handkerchief!

4. Water with Lemon. If you have to go out to a restaurant, which you probably won’t want to do, order a water with lemon. Or squeeze a fresh lemon into your water every morning to start the day off (hopefully) nausea-free.

Nutrition

In the many pregnancy books out there, there’s a list of all the nutritional requirements that a pregnant woman needs each day. Two servings of this, 4 servings of that, which is a challenge when the only thing that sounds remotely appetizing is a bag of salt n’ vinegar chips with a side of Reeses Pieces (or was that just me?). In this case, forget the lists and try these tricks to keep morning sickness at bay, while still meeting most of your nutritional needs – and of course, saving money.

5. Eat Frequently. Even though you may not have an appetite for anything, make sure to always have something in your stomach. I found that when my stomach was empty, I would feel overwhelmingly sick, so I would make sure to eat a little something every 2 hours or so to avoid being famished. If you pack healthy snacks to take to work or while you’re on the go, you won’t be tempted by fast food drive-thrus, which aren’t great nutritionally, and they can put a dent in your wallet.

6. Keep Snacks Near Your Bed. If you feel sick or hungry in the middle of the night, the last thing you want to have to do is go downstairs to the kitchen to find something to eat. Keep a variety of snacks (granola bars were a favorite for me) near your bed in case you get the midnight munchies.

7. Eat Bland. Ever heard of the BRAT diet? Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These foods are bland and low in fiber and thus gentle on your digestive track. They’re also really inexpensive. You can also add tea and yogurt to the list to go on the BRATTY diet. I recommend saltine crackers as well. I used to eat those by the sleeve during my bouts with morning sickness.

8. Avoid Fatty Foods. Fatty foods take longer to digest and may be a little rough on your digestive track. You may also want to avoid anything fried, overly seasoned, or acidic.

9. Eat Something Before Getting Out of Bed. When you’re pregnant, it’s important to take care of yourself because you’re also being a good steward by caring for another human being. You can do this by putting yourself first. That means instead of taking the dogs out first thing in the morning or whatever you normally do, eat first. Enjoy a few weeks of breakfast in bed!

10. Don’t Cook. Yep, you are off kitchen duty for the next 6 weeks, as the smells can be an instantaneous nausea trigger. But even if you’re not cooking, you need to make sure that whoever is cooking turns on the exhaust fan or opens the windows. I remember a time when my husband made spaghetti for dinner, and it made me nauseous way on the other side of the house.

Eating breakfast isn't just for kids. Although you've probably stopped growing, your body is constantly renewing itself, replenishing your skin, hair and nails, replacing old tissues with new, breaking down and rebuilding bone and generally keeping your body in the best shape possible.

Breakfast is a critical meal because it influences practically every dimension of our being during the course of the day, including how we perform physically and mentally. Breakfast immediately raises the body’s energy level and restores the blood glucose level to normal after an overnight fast:
Breakfast-skipping is linked with being overweight:

Although a direct effect of skipping breakfast on weight has yet to be determined, studies indicate that people who skip breakfast are more likely to be overweight or obese. One large study found that breakfast skippers were 4.5 times more likely to be heavy than those who ate breakfast, so when you get the chance, make your breakfast (and pack your lunch) at home!

Breakfast is packed with the nutrients most of us don't get enough of:

Pastries and fatty breakfast meats don't count, but if you stick to breakfast foods like whole-grain cereal and milk, fruit and yogurt or eggs and whole grain toast, you're much more likely to meet your daily dose of necessary nutrition. Those who skip breakfast tend to have lower levels of calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc, vitamins A, E, B6, C and folate.

Eating breakfast benefits blood sugar and cholesterol levels:

A small study found that when lean, healthy women skipped breakfast, their fasting blood sugar was higher, along with their cholesterol, upping their risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Skipping breakfast caused the women to eat more throughout the day than when they ate breakfast, too.

Skipping breakfast won't save you calories:

It may seem like eliminating a whole meal must lead to weight loss, but the opposite appears to be true. Many studies have found that those who skip breakfast tend to eat more during the day and are more likely to be overweight or obese: One study found that skipping breakfast is associated with higher risks of developing chronic diseases like diabetes, metabolic syndrome and high blood pressure. Whether those diseases resulted from the extra weight non-breakfast eaters tend to carry or from skipping breakfast itself needs further research.[color=#990000][/color]