The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • Waste not, want not economy: Banana peel, is super food

    Waste not, want not economy: Banana peel, is super food

    Everywhere you go, everywhere you turn, almost everyone is screaming that the economy is hot and scorchy and that they no longer have enough to eat. Even the Alsatian dogs in the house opposite mine are always barking. I guess they, too, want more food. So, I am careful to not be on the road alone, for I still vividly remember the story of five months old  Mariam Muhideen.  Two hungry Alsatian dogs wrenched her from her mother’s back on 23 August 2023 and ferociously devoured her.Her mother screamed for help, but none came.  Baby Mariam and her mother, Nasifat Muhideen, were attacked by the two dogs in unity estate, Hallelujah area of Ido-Osun, Osun State. Mariam had catarrh. Nasifat strapped her on her back and left home to buy a catarrh medicine for her. Meanwhile, two hungry Alsatian dogs had been digging the earth from  a walled property through the underneath of the gate to the street. Nasifat fell when they pounced on her, and Mariam became an easy  target for them.

    Nasifat may bear emotional injuries for life and suffer from their attendant health problems whenever she sees dogs or hear the bark of any, or if her subconscious mind recalls her experience in dreams. Our society can be an unfeeling one. How many of us remember this poor and unsung mother and her baby? Since this case has no political roots, flowers, fragrance and fruits, it has not much follow-up value for the traditional and social media. What has even Governor Ademola Isiaka Jackson Adeleke done about it? Couldn’t this woman and her family have voted for him? Governance is more of empathy for the fallen in society than it is of wriggling bum bum to the sound of music at public and private functions. Where are the women’s societies? Is this not a woman, mother, child and family matter before it is a Nigerian matter?

     In the years before the 1970s, I would have blamed our growing insensitivity on a visitation or pummeling of The Time in Which We Stand. Do we not carelessly and ignorantly say that Time flies?  Since the mid 1970s, however, I have realised that Time Does Not fly, that Time Stands Still, that Time is eternal, that we human beings are the causes of whatever we experience in the bowels of time. At a lower level of expectation, we can imagine that huge hollow space in which numberless material objects conduct themselves. It is the period certain occurrences regularly take place or the opening and closing of cycles we assume to be time, and then time. Thus, we speak of seconds, hours, months, days, weeks and years, seasons, cosmic ages and all of that. If one year on planet Earth is 248 years in planet Pluto( or six days on earth make one day on Pluto), If 12 years on planet Jupiter is one earth year, if 88 days on earth is one year on planet Mercury, If one day in heaven is 1000 years on planet Earth, What is time and Where is time? Certainly, it cannot be our earthly conception of it which is relative, nor can it reside among us for it is universal, untouchable by us and irresponsive to our whims and caprices. Time is Life, God.

    Economy  Woes

    If the economy has overheated to the point that we cannot find the money to buy enough food to fill our stomachs whenever we find food to buy, we must ask ourselves how this problem came about and solve the equations as we do in Algebra, arithmetic and Geometry. Time did not bring about hunger in the land.  We cannot blame it if there is food but we have no money to buy it, or if there is money, but there is no food to buy with it, or, as some people are experiencing, if there is no food and there is no money. The Almighty Creator provided us land on which to exist. The land is among the most arable on earth. Earthquakes, turbulent winds, snow, winter and floods do not disturb us, and we have abundant tropical sun which energises our environment. There are places on this earth with 24 hours of daylight or 24 hours of nightfall most of the time. We have about 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of nightfall  year round. So, what is our problem that we cannot easily feed ourselves? Countries with 24 hours of sunlight  live under “The Midnight Sun”. Those which live under 24 hours of darkness are “The  Polar Night” nations. Among Polar night countries are Norway, Sweden, Finland, parts of Russia. How do they grow their food and do not have to complain about hunger while we , the blessed ones, are complaining? Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and some parts of Canada have a breather in their summer months when the sun stands above the horizon for months, giving them continuous daylight . We are blessed in Nigeria, I say again. Imagine yourself to be living in a country where you have to sleep for one whole month and work without rest for another. How do you go to the farm in the wholly night months to cultivate land or to bring the farm harvests home? I was shocked in 1979 during my first travel outside Nigeria…to London . The sun was  up till about one hour from midnight and came up again at about 3:30am or 4 am. All my “O” level geography disappeared in my head. I could not sleep because the sun was still up, and I had to rise when the sun prematurely rose. Everyone around me who had lived in England for some time had adjusted to what, to me, was a”strange” phenomenon. Suddenly, I remembered the conception of Adaptation to the environment as well as to social events which I had learned from a spiritual work, back in 1977 as a Nigerian youth corps member in Calabar, Cross River State.

    Spiritual  Indolence

     We are an inwardly or innately, that is spiritually, unadaptable and wasteful, lazy people, even, if on the surface, we appear physically active, struggling and religious.

     Even plants and animals struggle and adapt to environmental changes. Which bird or ant or lizard doesn’t fill its stomach everyday? When we plant seeds in the soil, do they not sprout, push the soil and pebbles aside, grow roots to secure themselves and then rise against the forces of gravity, to the top soil to flower and then fruit? Do ants, birds and other animals blame anyone else but themselves if they are hungry? It is because we do not study their lives that we always point accusing fingers at everyone but ourselves whenever things go wrong for us and with us. In the country, we have all the arable land we need, but we are too lazy to cultivate it. We would rather, for example, like to eat the rice grown on foreign land which, devitalised from refining for longer shelf life, is less nutritious than ours. When the government encourages local farmers to grow more rice and bans foreign rice, we smuggle in foreign rice. We do not realise India and Thailand are selling theirs at cheaper prices to deplete our foreign reserves, keep their citizens employed,  keep ours unemployed and make us a dependent people. Many of us are religious but not spiritual christians. The parable of the 10 virgins is about castigation of dependency. Dependent persons are foolish persons. Which stalk of corn in the field depends on the other for its nutrition and survival? Among nations, we are habitual importers, not producers and exporters. That is why our foreign earnings are grossly below our spending and there is a near war-rush for the U.S Dollar and  other European currencies. How would the government and the country not be broke in these circumstances? Who but ourselves can we blame? In June, this column published a series of warnings that no fewer than Six Mafia Wars were coming, beginning with that of petroleum subsidy, foreign exchange equalisation and food.  It is in an effort to help pave some ways for an escape from the hunger in the land that I wish to make one or two comments today.

    A  WastFUL PEOPLE

    We waste food a lot. Yet, we are in a WASTE NOT, WANT NOT economy. Our wedding and funeral banquets are opportunities to throw away large remnants of food, notably rice, cow meat, chicken, turkey and fish, most of them imported with hard earned foreign currency. We cannot start a rabbit farming revolution to reduce or stop importation of cows from  Chad and Niger Republic and stop their herders from grazing foreign cattle on our farm lands, killing, maiming and kidnapping our farmers. Indians do not eat cow meat. We relish it. According to Google, Indian life expectancy in 2020 was 70.15 years, while Nigeria’s was 52.89 years. So, there should be no need for all the cry that many families cannot afford beef and fish protein at this time.  What adaptation is all about is that there are other sources of protein, probably healthier than flesh protein, to which the poor can be guided.

     I AM thinking of Banana Peel and other plant Protein Substitutes which may minimise the roles of fish, egg and cow meat in the diet.

     When my household couldn’t cope with daily budgets of beef and fish, we switched to soups made from peanut( groundnut) and crayfish pastes, assorted edible leaves in the garden with good protein content, all garnished with banana peel. For some years, I have been eating banana with the peel because the peel is more nutritious than the fruit. We do not throw away plantain peel either. We prefer the green plantain. We grate fruit and peel into a mesh , cook as porridge with crayfish and groundnut paste. If tomatoes are cheap, we add. Otherwise we leave out. For the soup, three or four of us will eat about three times, we require no  more than N300 worth of crayfish and the same amount of groundnuts.

    Read Also: Trump’s banana republic

    Nutrient Values

    From www.healthline.com comes this amazing nutritional treasure trove of 100 grams of groundnuts…

    “Total fat 49 grams; cholesterol 0 mg; sodium 18mg; potassium 705mg; total carbohydrate 16g, dietary fiber 9g; sugar 4g; protein 26g, vitamin c (0%), iron (25%), vitamin B6 (15%), magnesium (42%), calcium(9%), vitamin D(0%), cobalamin…B12(0%)

     What about crayfish? According to www.fitnigerian.com, crayfish provides the following food values: ” calcium 3,760mg; iron 28.6mg; magnesium 1,100mg; phosphorus 1,310mg; potassium 1,760mg; sodium 0mg; zinc 0.16mg; copper 0.25mg; manganese 0.275mg

    What about banana peel? Cured, diced and eaten raw with food or perboiled before serving , banana peel is a rich source of antioxidants, digestive aid in constipation and diarrhoea, anti cancer substances and depression fighter, sleep improvers, bacteria killers and immune boosters, among others.

    Here are a few potential health benefits of banana peels:

     Depression Relief

    The high levels of tryptophan in bananas, combined with the B6 in banana peels, can help relieve some symptoms of depression and other mood disorders. Tryptophan turns into serotonin as it breaks down, which can improve your mood. Vitamin B6 can help improve sleep, which has a positive impact on mood over time.

    Fiber-rich banana peels can help regulate the digestive system, easing both constipation and diarrhoea. This can be a particularly important benefit of banana peels for people with Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome.

    Vitamin A can help keep your eyes strong and healthy. This vitamin is abundant in both bananas and banana peels.

    Banana peels are packed with polyphenols, carotenoids, and other antioxidants that fight cancer-causing free radicals in your body. Eating more banana peels, especially green, unripe peels, can increase your antioxidant levels and help reduce your risk of cancer.”

    What about leaves? We cook a mixed grill of bitter leaf, scent leaf , oregano leaf, dead nettle, young potato leaves and iyana ipaja leaves which also go by the names ewe awolowo, ewe Akintola or, in Akwa Ibom State and Delta state, Hospital too far. Natives of these states believe it saves them the trouble of hospital visits. In Mexico and Guatemala and Cambodia, this leaf is a popular vegetable. Mexicans call it tree spinach or chaya. For centuries, it has been a staple food of the Mayans. It is not eaten raw, but cooked for about 20 minutes to neutralise the hyddrocyanic glycosides. It may be stirred and added to rice, beans or porridge, even corn porridge if powdered. Americans now encapsulate it for the natural health market.

     Michelle Blackwood says in www.healthiersteps.com:

     “Chaya has been used traditionally to treat many ailments such as diabetes, kidney stones, arthritis, obesity, eye problems, and acne.Chaya is a good source of Vitamin A and C, a great source of protein, calcium, iron, phosphorus.”

     According to pdf.usaid.gov:

     “… Chaya is more nutritious than many green leafy vegetables such as spinach, Chinese cabbage and amaranth. The leaves are very high in protein, calcium, iron and vitamins A and C…The following table summarises the range of nutrition values found in a 100g serving of Chaya, and the percentages of recommended daily intakes of key nutrients.

    Protein 6.2 – 7.4 g 12-15% Protein builds muscles. One serving of Chaya has the same amount protein as an egg.

    Calcium 200 – 330 mg 20-33% Calcium builds strong bones. Chaya has more calcium than any other vegetable.

    Iron 9.3 – 11.4 mg 42-52% Iron is good for healthy blood and more energy.

    Chaya has two times the iron as spinach.

    Vitamin A 1,357 IU 27% Vitamin A prevents night blindness and protects the body against infections.

    Vitamin C 165 – 205 mg 275-342% Vitamin C builds strong bones, protects against infections and helps the body absorb iron.

     In general, Chaya leaves are boiled in the same way as spinach

    The leaves have a bland taste so they can be easily added to many foods such as soups, mixed vegetable dishes and omelets without changing the taste of these dishes.

     Stir frying Chaya leaves with onions, garlic and chili peppers is another way to make an easy, nutritious dish.

     Or add chopped, cooked Chaya leaves to rice just before it finishes cooking, to add nutrients to this staple dish.

    Always cook Chaya leaves. Do not eat uncooked leaves. Raw Chaya leaves contain hydrocyanic glucoside, a toxic substance that can make you sick. However, cooked leaves are safe to eat. By cooking the leaves, the toxic substance is released as a harmless gas…

    For many dishes that cook quickly, it is important to pre-cook the Chaya leaves before using them…

    When you boil Chaya leaves, much of the vitamin C ends up in the cooking water. Do not throw this away as it is a good source of nutrients. Add the cooking water to soups. Or, drink it like a tea. Because the leaves have been boiled, the liquid is safe to use or drink.”

    CONCLUSION

    I have not mentioned many leaves, including pride of Barbados and hibiscus flowers. Many Nigerian wives have got hooked on spinach, water leaf and ugwu that they do not know other leaf vegetables exist. When the prices of these three popular vegetables rise or they are scarce, there is commotion everywhere in the social media and the government becomes the whipping boy. When are we going to stop this behaviour and learn to adapt? Can we not grow tree spinach at home? Can the farmers not grow it on the farms? Can the media not redirect our gaze to other food types when one food type is scarce? Do we respond to re-orientation? This column has reported how an agriculture revolution in Nigeria can produce 100 billion rabbits and 100 billion pawpaw fruits in only four years. How many persons have joined the revolution? Iamgrowing about 10 papayas in my house. When they mature, would I cry that I have no money for breakfast or for dinner? We waste banana and plantain peels, more nutritious than the fruits as they are. We waste nutritious vegetables or ignore them and complain that we are hungry and starving. We do not ask ourselves why the animals we do not cage in our homes have a lot to eat everyday and we live in want. We approach everything we do with delimited brain and not the free soaring spirit, ranking below the animal when we are meant to be Lords in this wonderful Creation. The ingredients proposed for soups here are abundant, cheap, nutritious, bulk of the meal and, thereby, reduce quantum of the non-vegetable content and the cost of a meal.

     Finally, we have a serious convenant with the Almighty Creator who permitted us existence on earth…that we would always reap bountiful harvests of whatever we sow. Hunger in the land admit plenty, I say boldly, is the harvest of Spiritual Indolence…seeing we see but comprehendest not!

  • NLCC launches innovative programme to enhance children cancer treatment

    NLCC launches innovative programme to enhance children cancer treatment

    The NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre (NLCC) in Lagos has initiated a Paediatric Radiation Oncology Programme to offer specialised radiation therapy for children with cancer. Dr. Lilian Ekpo, the Centre Director of NLCC, announced the launch during a media tour, highlighting that the programme aims to tackle the increasing cases of cancer in children in sub-Saharan Africa.

     Childhood cancer incidence in sub-Saharan Africa is currently estimated at 56 cases per million population, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Projections indicate that by 2050, Africa will contribute to almost 50 per cent of the global childhood cancer burden. Cancer is a leading cause of death for children and adolescents. According to WHO, the likelihood of surviving a diagnosis of childhood cancer depends on the country in which the child lives: in high-income countries, more than 80 per cent of children with cancer are cured, but in many low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) less than 30 per cent are cured. The reasons for lower survival rates in LMICs include: delay in diagnosis, an inability to obtain an accurate diagnosis, inaccessible therapy, abandonment of treatment, death from toxicity (side effects), and avoidable relapse. Improving access to childhood cancer care, including to essential medicines and technologies, is highly cost effective, feasible and can improve survival in all settings.

     Dr. Ekpo explained that these alarming statistics motivated the NLCC team to take a significant step in addressing this issue. “The introduction of the paediatric radiation oncology programme is our response to this urgent need. It recognises that children with cancer require specialised care tailored to their unique medical and emotional needs. This initiative underscores our unwavering dedication to enhancing outcomes and the quality of life for these young patients,” she stated.

     Dr. Ekpo described this new medical service as a beacon of hope for children and their families facing the challenging journey of paediatric cancer. The director described the new medical service as a beacon of hope for children and their families who face the challenging journey of pediatric cancer. “The project also represents a promise that the centre will make every child and every family who walks through its doors, a promise of hope, a promise of healing, and a promise of unwavering support. We have assembled a dedicated team of experienced radiation oncologists who are not only experts in their field but also compassionate individuals deeply committed to providing the best possible care for our young patients.

    Read Also: How we’re tackling cancer scourge, by NLCC

     “Children are our most precious treasures, and their well-being is a shared responsibility. This programme underscores our dedication to this responsibility. It represents a promise that we make to every child and every family who walks through our doors, a promise of hope, a promise of healing, and a promise of unwavering support. Our journey to this point has been marked by tireless dedication, countless hours of planning, and unwavering determination. Today, as we inaugurate this programme, we do so with immense pride, knowing that it carries the potential to positively impact the lives of countless children and their families,” Ekpo said.

     She appreciated the LUTH and NSIA for their commitment to advancing cancer care in Nigeria. During her presentation, a Clinical Radiation Oncologist, Dr Adebayo Joseph, stressed that 40 per cent of Nigerian cancer deaths could be prevented if patients were provided with the information and support they need to adopt healthy lifestyles. According to her, the NLCC offers compassionate and comprehensive care at every stage of the patient’s journey. This is as the centre understands the huge burden that a cancer diagnosis and its subsequent treatment places on the patient and their family.

     “Hence, the highly experienced team made of radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiotherapists, and oncology nurses provide the most feasible route to alleviate the situation by offering affordable, safe and proven treatment options.’’

     Also, the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, praised the NLCC’s efforts and contributions of their selfless service to humanity, especially the children with cancer. The CMD said the centre had once again demonstrated exemplary leadership in the treatment of cancer in the country, urging the team to continue thinking out of the box.

  • Patient safety: A call for enhanced healthcare standards

    Patient safety: A call for enhanced healthcare standards

    In Nigeria, medical and healthcare workers play a crucial role, and any negligence on their part can result in severe consequences for patients and their families. Medical negligence, characterised by improper or negligent treatment by healthcare professionals, underscores the urgent need for healthcare providers to prioritise patient safety, maintain high standards of care, and foster a culture of accountability.

     Patient safety, encompassing efforts to ensure the well-being and quality of healthcare services, involves preventing medical errors, reducing harm, improving communication, empowering patients, and establishing a culture of safety within healthcare facilities. One significant concern is the rising number of cases related to patient safety in Nigeria, which experts attribute to the country’s large population. Effective patient safety policies and infrastructure are necessary to address quality issues in healthcare. Although some patients or their families seek legal redress, many incidents of negligence go unnoticed.

     Legal experts emphasise Nigeria’s existing laws that protect patients’ rights to safety, urging legislators to pass more laws strengthening patient safety and overall healthcare quality. Organisations like Ducit Blue Solutions advocate for the establishment of a Patient Safety Programme Board overseeing education and training initiatives to ensure safe healthcare practices. The Nigerian government acknowledges the importance of patient safety and has developed the National Policy and Implementation Strategy on Patient Safety and Care Quality. This policy focuses on improving various aspects of patient safety, including family engagement, medication safety, surgical safety, and infection prevention. Despite these efforts, challenges such as limited resources and inadequate infrastructure persist, hindering progress. Continuous commitment, collaboration, and the implementation of evidence-based practices are essential to improving patient safety in Nigeria. With ongoing efforts, the country can enhance healthcare standards, ensuring better outcomes for all patients.

    Read Also: ‘Public-private partnerships will boost healthcare system’

     But government says it is taking steps to address the challenges. Dr Shetak Gilbert, Head of Patient Safety/Oxygen, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), said that Nigeria has developed the first-ever National Policy and Implementation Strategy on Patient Safety and care quality. Gilbert said the policy is in line with the Resolution 18 of the 55th World Health Assembly (WHA 55.18), which called for member states to recognise the burden of patient safety and to set up policies to manage them.

     “The National Patient Safety and Care Quality policy focuses on improving different aspects of patient safety including family engagement in healthcare, medication safety, surgical safety, infection prevention and control (IPC) etc. The document aligned with the FMOH four-point agenda: improving quality of health governance in Nigeria and improving population health outcomes. It is also in line with medical industrialisation-the value chain of the health sector; and improving health security- preparatory response to public health threats,” he explained.

     According to the Chairman National Advocates for Health (NA4H), Mohammed Usman, the Nigerian healthcare system recognise the importance of patient safety and has made efforts to address this issue. “The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with other stakeholders, has developed policies and guidelines to improve patient safety standards and practices in the country,” he said.

     Usman said it was important to note that while efforts were being made to improve patient safety in the country there was still plenty of work to be done. “Challenges such as limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and systemic issues can hinder progress. However, with ongoing commitment, collaboration, and implementation of evidence-based practices, Nigerian patient safety can continue to improve, ensuring better healthcare outcomes for all patients,” he said.

  • Randle General Hospital extends SGBV awareness campaign to schools

    Randle General Hospital extends SGBV awareness campaign to schools

    Survivors and victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) have been assured of free medical services and justice. Dr. Olumide Sojinrin, the Medical Director/CEO of Randle General Hospital, Surulere, Lagos State, made this commitment during the hospital’s inaugural awareness event held for students of Ansar-Ud-Deen Grammar School and Girls Junior High School, Surulere. The event marked  the commemoration of the state domestic and sexual violence awareness month. Dr. Sojinrin emphasised that September is dedicated to raising awareness and commemorating SGBV issues.

    Read Also: Foundation plans against human trafficking, sexual violence

    He stressed the hospital’s dedication to minimising sexual and gender-based violence across the state, aligning with the THEMES Agenda of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration. Mrs. Anita Ogbeide, the focal person, along with Olabode Mojeed, Head of the Department of Social Welfare, and Dr. Okonu Smith, consultant gynaecologist, highlighted this year’s theme, “Not in My Lagos,” signifying the state government’s zero tolerance for SGBV.

    Addressing the students, Mrs. Ogbeide urged them to report cases of sexual and youth abuses, emphasising the availability of quick response facilities for SGBV cases. These resources include legal representation, medical services, counselling, shelter, and empowerment for survivors. She also provided emergency hotlines for the students.

    Mrs. Ogbeide called on relevant stakeholders to support the state government’s initiatives in combating this menace. Julius Sobiye, the Vice Principal of Gbaja Girls’ Senior High School, commended the programme, describing it as “laudable” and praising the government’s efforts to sanitise the society.

    The Senior Prefect of Ansar-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, and Head Girl of Gbaja Girls’ Junior High School, Aishat Babalola, expressed their gratitude to the hospital for organising the programme.

  • ‘Optimal breastfeeding’ll save 820,000 children from malnutrition’

    ‘Optimal breastfeeding’ll save 820,000 children from malnutrition’

    Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Agozie Ubesie, has said that over 820,000 children’s lives could be saved every year among children under five years, if all children from 0-23 months were optimally breastfed. Presenting the 191st inaugural lecture of the university at the Enugu campus, entitled: “The burden of childhood malnutrition and the bane of a developing economy: breaking the barriers to ending a cycle,” Ubesie submitted that while the country had grappled with the cycle of undernutrition for a long time, the rising incidence of over-nutrition in the same nation was rather creating the double and triple burdens of childhood malnutrition in Nigeria.

     According to the don, ’’This is a huge threat to both child health and national socio-economic development; we must act now to address inequity and inequality that perpetuates malnutrition cycle in Nigeria, and the time is now.”

    Read Also: Nigeria losing $1.5bn of GDP to malnutrition, says FG

    Ubesie revealed that the negative impact of malnutrition starts in-utero, and may persist throughout the rest of an adult life and even spill over to subsequent generations. He noted that malnutrition is a cycle process because women who were stunted in childhood tend to have stunted children, thereby creating an intergenerational cycle of poverty and reduced human capital that was difficult to break. He explained that optimal breastfeeding included initiating breastfeeding within an hour of birth, breastfeeding exclusively for up to six months of age, and continuing to breastfeed a child up to two years of age.

    Ubesie, who hails from Achi in Enugu State, remarked that since Nigeria was struggling with childhood undernutrition, and like many developing economies in transition, facing rising incidence of over-nutrition, adequate nutrition was a cost effective intervention that holds the key to preventing a lot of communicable and non-communicable diseases which is connected to national development and growth. He maintained that as healthcare paradigm shifts from treatment to preventive, cost effective measures like appropriate breastfeeding practices, maternal and infant nutrition including adequate complementary diet, can significantly reduce both childhood morbidities and mortalities.

    He lauded the university administration for the introduction of the inaugural lecture series in 1976, saying it is a huge boost to learning and academic excellence.

  • How Multitasking affects the brain, lower overall productivity

    How Multitasking affects the brain, lower overall productivity

    Modern communication technology devices like cell phones, tablets, and laptops enable us to accomplish tasks more efficiently and quickly.

    Using mobile devices, we can sit in a meeting or seminar, text dinner plans to our spouse, browse email, and even pay a bill – all at the same time. “Very productive”.

    There are some instances when multitasking can be beneficial, but most of the implications of multitasking are negative

    Researchers from Stanford University state how multi-tasking can hamper and cause brain damage. During this research, the team found that those multi-tasked were unable to pay much attention and recall information accurately as compared to those who stuck to doing one task at a time.

    The Stanford team compared groups of people based on their tendency to multitask and their belief that it helps their performance. They found that heavy multi-taskers were actually worse at multitasking than those who like to do a single thing at a time. The frequent multi-taskers performed worse because they had more trouble organising their thoughts and filtering out irrelevant information. They were also slower at switching from one task to another.

    However, it is possible for our brains to multitask if one of the tasks is not cognitively demanding. Walking and chewing gum, for example, is quite possible because gum-chewing requires no actual brain power. The problem comes when trying to do two things at once that tax the brain.

    Read Also: NESG to fight brain drain, unemployment

    The human brain cannot actually give its full attention to two tasks at once. Instead, it toggles back and forth between the tasks, resulting in neither task getting the attention it deserves. With each switch, there is a loss in performance and accuracy. Try to multiply a number in your head while reading a book or watching a movie while having an intense discussion about the universe with a friend…you can’t do justice to both at once.

    “Distracted” driving is a perfect example. Most everyone agrees that texting and driving is dangerous. Most would also say that driving while using a handheld phone is risky. Although, most of these same people believe they themselves are quite capable of doing both successfully! The majority of drivers, as well as lawmakers, believe that it is perfectly safe to drive and talk on a phone as long as it is hands-free. They are wrong.

    The problem with talking on a phone and driving has little to do with what our hands are doing at the time; it’s all about what our brains are doing. Conversing is cognitively demanding, as is driving. Instead of doing both adequately, our brains keep switching from one task to the other. In addition to neither really getting our full attention, there is also a gap as the brain switches from task to task.

    Statistically, talking on a cell phone increases the risk of accidents, whether it is handheld or hands-free. It’s quite different from talking with someone who is in the car, as that person is aware of the driving environment. The person on the other end of the phone is not and therefore, requires your attention and concentration.

    Multi-tasking reduces your efficiency and performance because your brain can only focus on one thing at a time. When you try to do two things at once, your brain lacks the capacity to perform both tasks successfully.

    Those who considered themselves heavy multitaskers and believed it boosted their performances were actually found to be worse than those who undertook a single task at a time. The heavy multitaskers had problems organizing their thoughts and were even slower at switching from one task to another.

    Multitasking has also been shown to increase the heart rate and levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

    The results of these effects on the brain and body include:

    ·        Lower overall productivity

    ·        Less ability to filter irrelevant information

    ·        More mistakes

    ·        Increased stress, depression, and anxiety

    ·        Premature brain ageing

    ·        Poor impulse control

    Multitasking can become addictive, and for all of the reasons listed above, put lives in danger.

  • Diphtheria: Group to launch wide-scale health response in Kano, Yobe and Katsina

    Diphtheria: Group to launch wide-scale health response in Kano, Yobe and Katsina

    A humanitarian group, Save the Children International (SCI) has said it was launching a wide-scale health response against diphtheria in the three most impacted states of Kano, Yobe, and Katsina.

    It noted that its Emergency Health Unit was deploying expert health and supply chain staff to help over-stretched clinics to detect and treat diphtheria cases and to support mass vaccination campaigns across the worst-hit areas.

    SCI in a statement issued Friday, September 29, by its Interim Country Director, Faton Krasniqi, said prior to the pandemic, Nigeria already had one of the lowest vaccination rates in the world, with efforts to strengthen routine immunization coverage and reduce under-five mortality having limited success.

    Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease that has largely been eradicated across the world, although periodic outbreaks happen in places where large groups of children have missed this routine vaccination, such as the disruptions to vaccinations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    However, diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can be fatal without treatment.

    Read Also: Police repel terrorist attacks in Katsina

    Nigeria recorded 7,202 cases of diphtheria and 430 deaths since the outbreak started in May 2022.

    The statement said: “There have been 453 deaths confirmed since the outbreak started in May 2022, with most cases recorded in the past three months.

    “The vast majority of the confirmed cases (6,185) were recorded in Kano, the second most populous state in Nigeria, located in the north of the country.

    “Three in every four confirmed cases – or 73.6% of all cases – are of children under 14, with those aged between 5-14 years bearing the brunt of the disease.”

    Krasniqi warned that a mass vaccination campaign will only be successful if the vaccine shortage is urgently dealt with.

    He noted: “Severe shortages in Nigeria of the required vaccine and the antitoxin needed to treat the disease mean the situation could continue to escalate placing many children at risk of severe illness and death, said the child rights organisation.

    “The entire humanitarian community is alert to the crisis here. We are coordinating closely together and working alongside the Nigerian Ministry of Health to ensure we reach everyone who needs treatment and to contain the spread of the disease.

    “Diphtheria can be fatal in more than 10% of cases, but this can increase in places like overcrowded displacement camps or informal settlements in cities, where families have limited access to health services or where health facilities are overwhelmed.

    “The response to this outbreak requires an urgent injection of funding and a large supply of vaccines to ensure we can contain it, and to save children’s lives.”

  • Peptides: A Brief Overview

    Peptides: A Brief Overview

    In this article, we will look at the science behind peptides, including what they are, where they come from, how individual peptides function, the research that has been done on them, and other details associated with their development.

    What Are Peptides?

    Peptides are shortened copies of proteins built from amino acids, which are the main elements of protein composition. Peptides are shorter chains of between 2 and 50 amino acids, in contrast to proteins, which are large chains of more than 50 amino acids. Because of their shorter length, they are more easily digested and absorbed more quickly than proteins [i].

    How Do Peptides Work?

    Studies suggest peptides may often perform the functions of hormones, transmitting information through the blood from one location to another and prompting cells to generate various substances that might positively impact the systems [ii].

    The following are examples of food items that may include peptides:

    • Meat 
    • Fish 
    • Legumes
    • Soy 
    • Oats 
    • Flaxseeds
    • Seeds from hemp and wheat

    Research suggests synthetic peptides are often bioactive peptides that imitate or otherwise impact naturally occuring peptides. Peptides may be manufactured synthetically in a lab. The order in which the amino acids are combined will determine the qualities shown by these peptides [ii].

    Findings imply that peptides may have various properties, the most frequent of which are as follows:

    • Potential muscle growth properties
    • Potential weight loss properties
    • Potential anti-aging properties
    • Possibly enhancing the protective function of the skin
    • They may reduce blood pressure
    • They may perform the role of antioxidants
    • They may increase immune system efficiency

    Antimicrobial Peptides

    Studies suggest collagen, elastin, and AMPs are key components in skin structure. They are naturally produced, but that production naturally decreases over time. This process may result in increased production of wrinkles at an increased depth.

    Research suggests that peptides may potentially be absorbed by the skin. Findings imply that peptides are the building blocks of collagen, and as collagen consists of three polypeptide chains, with certain peptide supplementation possibly boosting collagen synthesis.

    Researchers speculate that the first line of protection against germs, UV radiation, and other elemnts is the stratum corneum, or the outer skin barrier. This barrier may become compromised by external stimuli. Scientists hypothesize that peptides may contribute to forming a more robust barrier and help to mitigate damage.

    Peptides have been suggested to reduce inflammation, support the repair of damaged tissue, and rebalance tone. Research suggests peptides may also include elastin fibers, which are the fibers that support skin firmness. Findings imply with age-related decline in the production of elastin, peptide supplementation may support rejuvenation of collagen and elastin production levels [iii].

    What Are Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptides?

    HGH is a hormone that is generated by the pituitary gland. It is considered to stimulate the development of muscle and aid in the reduction of fat stores. This is considered to be accomplished by increasing the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the liver via stimulation.

    Researchers speculate IGF-1 may stimulate the creation of muscle protein and the development of muscle. Furthermore, scientists hypothesize it may indirectly encourage the breakdown of fat stores [iii].

    What is the Role of Ghrelin?

    Ghrelin is a hormone generated primarily in the stomach, with minor quantities also produced in the small intestine, the pancreas, and the brain. Studies suggest it is often called the ‘hunger hormone’ because it may enhance food consumption, stimulate appetite, and encourage fat accumulation.

    Research suggests Ghrelin and other substances that resemble it attach to the GHS receptor, which may stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete more growth hormone. The release of growth hormones contributes to the breakdown of fatty tissue and increased muscle development. Findings imply these peptides are employed to help reduce weight and increase muscle mass and may also assist in the healing of muscle tissue in animal test models [iv].

    What are Mitochondria-Generated Peptides?

    Exercise mimetic peptide MOTS-c is a relatively novel peptide produced from the mitochondria. From research study findings, the peptide is gained its exercise-mimicking reputation. This finding suggests it may duplicate or improve the impact created through prolonged and healthy physical activity.

    Research suggests MOTS-c may move from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of a cell in response to metabolic stress and the control of adaptive nuclear gene expression. Researchers speculate it may increase the oxidation of lipids, reduce the amount of fat gained on a diet rich in fat, convert glucose into energy that can be used, and manage insulin sensitivity [v].

    What Role Do Peptide Fragments Play In The Body?

    GH contains a modified version of the amino acid known as AOD9604, also present in GH. Findings imply it has the HGH component that may help reduce fat. Research conducted on obese animal models has suggested that it may cause a reduction in body weight and increase fat oxidation and lipolysis [v].

    Licensed professionals interested in research compounds can find peptides for sale at Core Peptides. Human consumption is strictly prohibited.

    References

    [i] https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-are-peptides

    [ii] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326701#side-effects

    [iii] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/peptides-for-bodybuilding#bottom-line

    [iv] https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/ghrelin/#:~:text=Ghrelin%20is%20a%2

    [v] https://doctorpaulvin.com/blog/7-game-changing-peptides-for-fat-loss/

  • How to deal with Autism Spectrum Disorder

    How to deal with Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Many years ago, children grew up in the environment they found themselves in. Some children were raised with time, as days went by, they grew and this was without medical support or authorised medications.

    Reconnecting to this era where we have virtually everything at our disposal for proper reawakening, parents are beginning to take cognizance of their children’s lives from the moment conceived.

    Addressing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain.

    People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.

    There are ways to identify the traits in your child, listed below are the symptoms;

    1. Social Communication and Interaction Skills:

    Avoids or does not keep eye contact, does not respond to names by 9 months of age, does not show facial expressions like happy, sad, angry, and surprised by 9 months of age, does not play simple interactive games like pat-a-cake by 12 months of age, uses few or no gestures by 12 months of age (for example, does not wave goodbye), does not share interests with others by 15 months of age (for example, shows you an object that they like), does not point to show you something interesting by 18 months of age, does not notice when others are hurt or upset by 24 months of age, does not notice other children and join them in play by 36 months of age, does not sing, dance, or act for you by 60 months of age.

    2. Restricted or Repetitive Behaviors or Interests: People with ASD have behaviors or interests that can seem unusual. These behaviors or interests set ASD apart from conditions defined by problems with social communication and interaction only.

    Some noticeable traits are; Lines up toys or other objects and getting upset when the order is changed, repeating words or phrases over and over (called echolalia), playing with toys the same way every time, is focusing on parts of objects (for example, wheels), gets upset by minor changes, has obsessive interests, must follow certain routines, flaps hands, rocks body, or spins self in circles and has unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel.

    Other related characteristics may include:

    1. Delayed language skills.

    2. Delayed movement skills.

    3. Delayed cognitive or learning skills.

    4. Hyperactive, impulsive, and/or inattentive behaviour.

    5. Epilepsy or seizure disorder.

    Read Also: More autism awareness as confab begins

    6. Unusual eating and sleeping habits.

    7. Gastrointestinal issues (for example, constipation).

    8. Unusual mood or emotional reactions.

    9. Anxiety, stress, or excessive worry.

    10. Lack of fear or more fear than expected.

    It is important for parents and guardians to note that children with ASD may not have all the behaviors listed as examples while adding that being autistic does not mean you have an illness or a disease, it means your brain works in a different way from others, a child is naturally born with it.

  • Electronic Medical Records: Game changer for Nigeria’s healthcare system

    Electronic Medical Records: Game changer for Nigeria’s healthcare system

    In Nigeria, healthcare facilities, both governmental and private, still rely on paper-based records to document patient information, including medical history, diagnoses, treatments, and prescriptions. 

    While this system has been in place for decades, it comes with significant drawbacks that hinder efficiency and pose risks to patient care. The shift to electronic medical records (EMRs) is not just a matter of modernization but a necessity for improving healthcare delivery.

    One of the leading voices championing this transformation is Dr. Osayamen Igunma, a distinguished public health expert and EMR pioneer at Donolush Healthcare Solutions. 

    As a trailblazer in digital health innovations, Dr. Igunma has played a fundamental role in the successful integration of EMR systems within various healthcare settings in Nigeria. His innovative work has significantly enhanced patient data management, service efficiency, and healthcare continuity.

    At the recently concluded Society for Quality in Healthcare in Nigeria (SQHN) Annual Conference in Victoria Island, Lagos, Dr. Igunma shared insights on the pressing challenges posed by paper-based records. 

    “Paper-based medical records are bulky, difficult to retrieve, and prone to damage,” he explained. “During hospital renovations, mismanagement, or crises such as fire outbreaks, these records are often lost permanently, leading to fragmented patient histories. Additionally, searching for a patient’s file in a manual system can be time-consuming, causing delays in treatment and decision-making.”

    He further emphasized that the physical volume of paper records also contributes to inefficient storage management, occupying valuable space that could be repurposed for medical supplies or additional patient care services. 

    In contrast, EMRs offer quick access to patient information, significantly reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment. Unlike paper records that can be lost or destroyed, EMRs can be securely backed up and retrieved from multiple locations.

    Dr. Igunma also noted that while the initial setup of an EMR system requires substantial investment, it significantly reduces long-term costs associated with paper, printing, and storage. 

    He stated, “Physicians can track patient history more effectively, leading to better-informed treatment decisions and continuity of care.”

    To maximize the impact of EMRs, Dr. Igunma advocates for the development and enforcement of policies that encourage digital record-keeping while ensuring data privacy and security. Furthermore, he calls for targeted training for healthcare professionals to optimize the use of these systems, thereby enhancing both efficiency and patient outcomes.

    As Nigeria’s healthcare sector continues to evolve, experts like Dr. Igunma are driving crucial conversations and advocating for transformative solutions. His contributions to the digitalization of healthcare demonstrate his unwavering commitment to improving public health and patient safety.