Sources say that more than 20 million Nigerians are living with kidney disease and no fewer than 20,000 of the number are coming down with End Stage Kidney Disease requiring dialysis and/or transplant to stay alive. This begs the question: what lifestyle changes can
healthy lifestyle
Almonds are one of the most popular nuts in the world and have been consumed for thousands of years. They are packed with essential nutrients and health benefits that make them a popular addition to any healthy diet. Below are some of the benefits of eating almonds and why you should
Abdominal fat is one of the most stubborn types of fat that people struggle to lose. However, with the proper habits, you can effectively burn abdominal(belly) fat and improve your overall health. Here are 10 early morning habits that can help you achieve this goal.
Drink water with lemon.
Drinking water with lemon first thing in the morning can help boost your metabolism and aid digestion. In addition, lemon water contains antioxidants that can help flush out toxins from your body, which can help reduce belly fat.
Eat a high-protein breakfast.
Eating a high-protein breakfast can help you feel full for extended periods, reducing your overall calorie intake. Protein is also essential for building and repairing muscles, which can help increase your metabolism and burn more fat.
Do some yoga
Yoga can help reduce stress and improve flexibility, which can help tone your muscles and burn abdominal fat. Practising yoga regularly can also help improve digestion and reduce bloating, making your stomach appear flatter.
Take a cold shower
A cold shower in the morning can help stimulate your metabolism and increase your calorie burn. It can also improve blood circulation, which can help reduce inflammation and promote muscle recovery.
Drink green tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants and caffeine, which can help boost your metabolism and increase your fat burn. Drinking green tea in the morning can also help reduce your appetite and promote healthy digestion.
Walk or jog
Starting your day with a brisk walk or jog can help you burn calories and boost your metabolism. It can also improve your cardiovascular health and reduce stress, which can contribute to belly fat.
Eat a fibre-rich breakfast.
Fibre is essential for maintaining healthy digestion and reducing bloating. Eating a fibre-rich breakfast can also help keep you full and satisfied, reducing your overall calorie intake.
Meditate
Meditation can help reduce stress and improve your mental clarity, which can help you make healthier choices throughout the day. It can also help regulate your cortisol levels, reducing belly fat.
Avoid sugary drinks
Sugary drinks like soda and juice can contribute to belly fat and other health problems. Instead, opt for water, herbal tea, or low-calorie drinks that can help keep you hydrated without adding excess calories.
Get enough sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy metabolism and reducing stress. However, lack of sleep can also disrupt your hormones and increase your appetite, contributing to weight gain and belly fat.
Incorporating these 10 early morning habits into your routine can effectively burn abdominal fat and improve your overall health. In addition, remember to maintain a balanced diet and engage in regular physical activity to achieve your weight loss goals.
In Nigeria, infant and under-five mortality rates have remained steady, at 74 and 117 deaths per 1,000 live births, respectively. At these mortality levels, one Nigerian child of every 13 born dies before age 1, and one in every eight does not survive before their fifth birthday. These are not just figures; these are human beings dying due to poor healthcare. The following are some factors critical to safeguarding the health of children.
Breastfeeding
Many women are discouraged from breastfeeding or have been led to believe their children will get a better start in life if they are fed infant formula and other commercial substitutes for breast milk. However, infant formula does not contain the antibodies found in breast milk. Breastfeeding is the best possible start towards good health and nutrition. According to the World Health Organization, exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age could prevent the deaths of more than 200,000 infants each year. Appropriate breastfeeding means feeding within the first hour of life with skin-to-skin contact between mother and infant.
It is a practice with lifelong health benefits. For example, people who were breastfed as babies are less likely to be of higher weight later in life and may be less prone to diabetes and are more likely to perform better in intelligence tests. In addition, breast milk provides optimal nutrition for babies. The milk has the proper nutrients, is easy to digest, and is readily available. Furthermore, it contains antibodies that help your baby fight viruses and bacteria critical in those tender, early months.
Hygiene and clean water
Access to clean water is crucial to reducing the toll of disease caused by unclean drinking water. Adopting hygiene practices such as using latrines, washing hands before handling food and preparing food correctly, coupled with access to clean water, can significantly minimize waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery arising from consuming contaminated water. Not only does clean water lead to improved health outcomes for individuals and communities but it is also associated with reduced mortality and a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, lack of access to clean water can increase the risk of contracting cancer and liver disease. In addition, clean water is vital for the body to produce antibodies and fight off infections. Therefore, increased access to clean water is essential for reducing the spread of waterborne diseases and improving overall public health.
Nutrition
Vitamin A supplementation could prevent thousands of children from dying yearly. The solution to the problem may be realized by improving diets, fortifying foods, or distributing vitamin-A capsules. Distributing two-cent vitamin-A capsules periodically to young children is already effective in lands where vitamin-A deficiency is common. Also recommended are foods like papayas, mangoes, carrots, green leafy vegetables, and eggs.
Vaccination
Advances in medical science have enabled us to protect our children against more diseases than ever before. As a result, we have eliminated several diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children, and others are rapidly approaching extinction due to safe and effective vaccines. For example, Polio was once America’s most-feared disease, causing death and paralysis across the country. Still, today, thanks to vaccination, there are no reports of Polio in the United States.
Vaccination is very safe and effective. Scientists, doctors, and healthcare professionals conduct a long and careful review before administering vaccines to children. Although vaccines may cause pain, redness or tenderness at the injection site, this discomfort is minimal compared to the pain, discomfort and trauma of the diseases they prevent.
Oral Rehydration Therapy
UNICEF says that half the annual child deaths caused by diarrhea could be prevented with inexpensive and easy-to-prepare mixtures of clean water, salt, and sugar or rice powder. Parents should also continue to give their child food. An estimated one million lives a year are being saved by these means.
Adequate Sleep
Sleep is essential to your child’s mental and physical health because it allows your child’s mind and body to rest and recover. A child’s brain needs sleep to restore resources used during the day. A well-rested brain can solve problems, learn new information, and enjoy the day more than a tired brain. Children who consistently get a good night’s sleep are more creative, can concentrate on tasks for longer, have better problem-solving abilities, and can learn and remember new things.
Not getting enough sleep each night can have negative consequences for your child. These cannot permanently be erased with extra sleep the next night. Over time, not getting enough quality sleep each night can produce a range of behavioural, cognitive and emotional symptoms.
The amount of sleep a child needs varies depending on the individual and certain factors, including the child’s age. For example, newborns should sleep about 15 hours daily, while children from 1 to 12 generally need 10-12 hours of sleep.
Bottom Line
The environment that influences your health the most is your home and your neighbourhood. Your environment can be a health hazard because of the water. Infections, skin diseases, diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and other afflictions are caused by insufficient and unsafe water. Keeping the environment clean is a prerequisite for safeguarding a child’s health.
Onions, popularly known as the vegetable that makes you cry as you slice it, is very popular in Nigerian dishes. It forms the basis of a wide variety of dishes, whether eaten raw, baked, steamed or boiled. They vary in size, shape, colour, and flavour. The most common types are red, yellow, and white onions.
Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree, which is grown in many tropical regions worldwide. They grow in large clusters which hang from the top of these palm trees. As they ripen, their skins turn brown and wrinkle as more and more moisture leaves the fruit. Dates are chewy with a sweet flavour. They’re especially important during Ramadan when people practicing
The world today is very fast-paced. Things happen as soon as you want them because of the internet, and this has made our generation quite impatient. The instant results we get from technology have in turn increased our appetite for instant gratification in other aspects of our lives. We have become
In Nigeria, malaria is the most common illness. It is so common, that we sometimes take it for granted. But we shouldn’t. Malaria is a serious disease. We contract malaria when we are bitten by a mosquito infected by tiny parasites. When it bites, the mosquito injects malaria parasites into your bloodstream.
Maintaining a clean home is essential for a healthy and happy lifestyle. However, it’s not just about removing dust, dirt, and clutter. Sometimes, there are things that make your home look dirty even when it’s not. Here are ten things that can give your home an unkempt appearance:
Herbal remedies have a deep-rooted culture in Nigeria, especially in more traditional communities. Herbal shops and vendors promising a cure for all forms of illnesses, from common flu to diseases such as cancer and diabetes, are a common sight on the streets and markets.