The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Body

  • Functions of water in the human body

    Water is so important for the body that we get a signal when it is lacking. We feel thirsty. Older adults often lose the ability to sense thirst.

    Water is the medium in which the body components exist and function. Body water content is higher in men than in women and falls with age. The body does not store water and we need fresh supplies continually.

    Every body function depends on water, and you can live only a few days without it. The body’s weight is 55-75% water. Water makes up about 83% of blood, 73% of muscles, 90% of the lungs, 70% of the brain, 25 % of body fat, and 22% of bones.

    Water is a transporter.  It transports chemicals, nutrients, waste, gases such as oxygen, and heat throughoutthe body.  It is a regulator, regulating heat; the concentrations of chemicals and cells; and functions in different parts of the body.  It is the mediumin which chemical reactions that constitute physical life processes take place within the body.Every body function requires water and the human body cannot survive more than a few days without water.  If you are fasting for religious or other reasons, try to drink at least some water.

    Water isa protector that relates body compositionsand function, actsas a lubricant in the joins and other parts andcushions delicate organs such as thebrain and spinal cord, the eyes, as well as the fetus. It moistensandprotects theskin and mucous membraneswhich are areas where the environment can harmthe body.

    To control body temperature by losing heat, the body excretes sweat which is mostly water. Without water therefore, the body can overheat.

    The kidneys remove metabolic wastes from the body. These wastes are converted to chemical forms that dissolve in water forming urine.  Lack of water consumption limits this kidney function and toxic waste may accumulate in the body. If a person lacks water the kidney limits the amount of water excreted in the urine and the urine is more concentrated appearing a deeper yellow.   (Some dietary components such as riboflavin, a B vitamin in multivitamin products may also change urine colorto deep yellow).   If you are passing little urine, or dark urine, or urinatingless frequently, thesemaybesigns that you need to drink more water.

    Drinking water instead of drinks with sugar can help to avoid weight gain or give room for weight loss.  Weight losers can also take more water with meals to enhance satiation and to lower capacity for food consumption. However too much water may dilute gastric juice and weaken its effect in digestion.   Excess water drinking should be avoided in people with kidney disease, heart problems, high blood pressure, and swelling of the lower legs. Drinking water is advantageous over drinking fluids that cause teeth coloration and teeth decay.

    During sports and exercises, water helps to transport nutrients and energy to the brain, muscles, lungs and hearts; to distribute heat; and to remove heat and waste from body tissues through sweating. Sports drinks with added nutrients such as salts enhance the functions of water.   The urine becomes dilute and pale yellow if one is drinking too much water. To be continued.

     

    Dr. ‘Bola John is a biomedical scientist based in Nigeria and in the USA.   For any comments or questions on this column, please email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 08160944635

  • Headless body found in Ondo community

    Police in Ondo State are battling to unravel the mystery behind the killing of a woman by unknown assailants, who also cut off her head.

    The body of the deceased was found on old Ogbagi/Arigidi Akoko Road in Akoko North West Local Government Area.

    It was gathered that the body was discovered by a passer-by, who raised the alarm, thereby attracting residents.

    As at press time, the identity of the deceased was yet to be ascertained.  Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Wole Ogodo confirmed the incident, saying investigation has begun to unravel those behind the killings.

    Ogodo said: “The policemen at Irun-Akoko Division were hinted on Saturday morning that there was a headless body of a lady whose name and address are yet to be known and suspected to be between 25 to 30 years of age lying on Old Ogbagi/Arigidi Akoko Road.

    “A team of policemen under the command of ASP Ezeala Obiora visited the scene and it was observed that the body must have been dropped by some ritualists. A photograph of the body was taken. The body has been deposited at the mortuary of the Specialist Hospital in Ikare-Akoko.”

  • Healthy body, healthy mind

    Healthy body, healthy mind

    Being healthy, according to World Health Organisation (WHO), is not merely the absence of disease but a state of physical, mental and social well-being.

    To maintain a healthy life and prevent muscular diseases, medical experts recommended physical exercises.

    In line with this recommendation, the University of Ibadan (UI) Health Services, as part of its New Year resolution to keep students and staff fit, held a Workplace Wellness Programme, a physical exercise.

    The participants, led by the Director of Health Services, Dr. Olufemi Akingbola, converged on Jaja Avenue before embarking on the exercise. The participants moved from the Jaja Avenue to the university gate and Central Administration, where they visited the Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Isaac Adewole.

    While waiting for the VC, the participants performed some aerobics . They arranged themselves to spell “coconut” by bending to the left, right, stretching hand back and forth. They impressed the on-lookers with the choreographed exercise, singing nursery hymns such as “My head, my shoulder, my knee, my leg belong to God”.

    The UI Director of Public Communication, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo, who addressed the participants before the VC’s arrival, pledged the university’s support for the exercise.

    Addressing the participants, Prof Adewole described the human body as a vehicle that requires prompt and adequate attention to avert unnecessary ailments. He charged the participants not to take part in the exercise for fun, but to maintain a healthy life.

    “Taking breakfast at appropriate time is germane to health of individuals as it will serve the basis for brain to function normal,” the VC said, urging Nigerians to give priority to their health status through medical checkup. “This will enable someone to know his or her blood pressure, blood sugar and caution on what to eat,” he added.

    The VC urged the participants to sensitise the public on health issues, noting that there were still people who did not know their blood group and genetype to prevent sickle cell. He announced that the university would establish four special clinics in to attend to body pains, hypertension, diabetes and orthopedics.

    Dr Akingbola said he was excited that the programme came at the time the university was preparing to resume for work in the New Year. He said it was a New Year campaign to sensitise and educate members of the university community on health issue.

    “We don’t want people to fall sick before they visit the clinic; we want those who are healthy remained healthy and those that visit clinic frequently can have respite,” Akingbola said.

    He praised the VC for taking the bold step to establish the clinics, saying the move would reduce mortality and morbidity rates.

    The Co-ordinator of the programme, Dr Bayo Oluwasanu, described the exercise as significant to maintain a healthy nation. He added that without good health nothing could be achieved.

    He stressed the need for people to consider medical implication of everything they do. He charged participants to check their health monthly.

     

  • What you should know about your body

    What you should know about your body

    People find it difficult to understand their body make-up or chemistry. Sometimes you tend to wonder why you react the way you do – how you respond to stimuli, why the eyes blink after some seconds and how you never get tired of breathing.

    Here are some things you should know about the body:

    •  Splashing cold water on the face helps you calm down-  When you splash water on the face, three changes occurs in the body within few seconds:

    -the heart rate slows down up to 25 percent
    -the blood flow to the limbs are reduced, just to make sure the brain and the heart receive enough oxygen.
    -there is a blood shift that occurs only during deep dives. This allows the blood plasma and water to pass through organs to protect them against the increasing pressure.
    You could try it before business meeting or simply a date. You can activate this reflex by using a cold wet towel.

    • There are between 2 and 5 pounds of bacteria in the body:

    According to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, (HNM) of Maryland, every person hosts 2-5 pounds of live bacteria. Some of them are actually helpful and we depend on them for survival. The bacteria found in yoghurt (lactobacil), is proven to be useful for easing diarrhoea caused by antibiotics. The largest population of bacteria in the body is found in the intestines.

    • Laughing when you get tickled is a panic response. That’s why you can’t tickle yourself.  According to scientist discovery, the feeling we get when someone tickles us is a panic response.
      However, when you touch your ticklish spots the brain is prepared for it and doesn’t respond with panic.
    • Needing to pee improves impulse control
      Research suggest that holding your pee can actually help control impulses and allow you to make better and  clear headed decisions. Though the logical thing to do at the time pee comes is to visit the toilet. Try doing it while having to pee.
    • There’s a scientific explanation for why the car trip home feels shorter than the car trip away.
      The wait seems longer because you look forward to getting there with high expectations.
      Because home is very familiar it has a rich mental representation. That makes home feel like a larger geographical area than the less mentally familiar destination.The most efficient way to shorten the amount of time perceived on a trip is simply falling asleep in the car.
    •  The chills you get when listening to music are caused by the release of dopamine in your body – Dopamine is a neurotransmitter. It is a chemical messenger that helps in the transmission of signals in the brain and other vital areas. Dopamine naturally produced by your brain makes you feel good. You get a rush of dopamine in response to pleasurable activities like food or sex.
      The release of dopamine during music explains why such a high value is put on it and why music can manipulate emotions.

    Source-www.readersdigest.ca

  • Parties battle Cross River’s electoral body over council polls

    The first indication that all was not well with the September 21 local government elections in Cross River State emerged when the National Conscience Party (NCP) and the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) raised the alarm over the decision of the State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) to shift the date of the close of nomination forms and submission of candidates.

    Their grouse was that it was to favour the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which failed to meet the deadline. The parties said the umpire had “benevolently” agreed to shift the date under the guise of trying to accommodate the merger of some political parties.

    The NCP and PPA dragged CROSIEC to court over adjustment to the election timetable.

    According to the timetable issued by the commission, the period for the submission of candidates’ names was to last from May 17 to June 17. Also the period for sales of nomination forms was to last from May 20 to June 21.

    CROSIEC chairman Patrick Otu said the deadlines were extended to the first week of July. This, he said, followed a meeting with political parties where they agreed that the extension should be allowed to accommodate the merger attempt by some political parties.

    Since then it has been a barrage of complaints against the commission.

    An originating summons 3 dated July 9 from the High Court in Calabar shows fhat the NCP and PPA want an order restraining the defendant from selling on or acting on or processing any nomination form sold to any political party candidate after June 21 and the issuing of CROSIEC forms LGE001A and LGE002 to any political party after June 17.

    The defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) accused the electoral umpire of arbitrary charges of which it had instituted a case in court to protest the development. Otu said the only money collected from candidates were N90, 000 for chairmanship and N30, 000 for councillorship candidates for security fee, election deposit and processing fee, which he said applied to all parties.

    Chairman of the defunct ACN, Hiilard Eta had also protested against the voters register which he said would disenfranchise a lot of Cross Riverians who had attained the voting age of 18 between when the last elections was held and now.

    Also, the defunct Congress for Democratic Change (CPC) has instituted a legal action in the Federal High Court seeking to bar the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) from handing over the Voters’ Register to CROSIEC for the conduct of the Council election without first carrying out a comprehensive review of the register.

    The CPC is querying INEC’s power to handover the voter register to CROSIEC to organise the local government election in Cross River State on September 21 without a revision of the Voters’ Register.

    CPC also wants an update of the register by INEC.

    With the merger of the ACN, CPC and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) into the All Progressives Congress (APC) registered on July 31, Eta said the commission’s legal advisers would advise on the way forward.

    Speaking at a meeting convened by the chairmen of the three defunct parties, he said they were already harmonising their structures.

    However, the fate of the APC hangs on the balance as to whether it will be eligible to present candidates in the local government elections with the deadline for submission long due, a situation CROSIEC has refused to comment on. But with the adjustments of the timetable severally to accommodate various interests, it is believed they may have a case.

    In a surprising development, PDP jumped into the fray of parties attacking the umpire.

    PDP Chairman John Okon told reporters in Calabar that the umpire has lapses. One of his grouses was CROSIEC’s failure to publish the list of screened candidates at the time stipulated by the timetable. He raised fears about the commission’s readiness to handle the elections.

    Okon said: “Our candidates submitted themselves for screening and from CROSIEC time-table stipulated that the screened list will be published at area offices between 15th-19th July, 2013. As we speak today, the list of screened candidates is not published.

    “We demand that CROSIEC publish the list of screened candidates and the parties that sponsored them immediately. We don’t want to believe that CROSIEC wants to smuggle names of candidates of parties that did not submit nomination as at 7th July, 2013.”

    On why is the PDP was worried over the umpire’s noncompliance to timetable when it had been a beneficiary of an alteration to timetable before to accommodate their own interest, he said the first instance was done in a “transparent” way.

    When The Nation visited Otu on Wednesday, he was unwilling to talk. But after being persuaded, he wondered what the PDP was fretting over.

    He said: “It is just that they were expecting the list and they have not seen it yet. Whenever they see it, let them take it. This thing is not easy. We are working towards it. It is not easy screening all the candidates. Maybe it would be out next week. I will not say more.”

    Already, with the elections less than a month away, the umpire’s hands are already looking full. There are speculations that the local government elections would be shifted.

     

  • The right shorts for your body type

    IN this season of holiday (picnic & beach), what is better than best shorts for your legs? Our Fashion squad hit the style-world to capture the ideal shorts for your shapes for your delight. Enjoy

     

    The figure to-die-for (hour-glass shape)

    Women with hour-glass figures are curvy. Their bust to hip ratio is almost the same, and their slim waist is the highlight of their frame. Pick up shorts that are slightly wide-legged and loose-fitting. Avoid prints, pleated styles and cargo pants. Pair your shorts with a top that tapers in towards your waist.

     

    Pear-shaped

    Pear-shaped women have a slimmer upper torso and bigger hips, waist and thighs. Go for shorts that are flat-fronted or softly pleated to emphasise your smaller waist areas.

    Straight-leg cuts will suit you best: Avoid clingy fabrics like lycra. Jackets and shrugs create the appearance of a fuller shoulder. Bermuda-inspired short style that skims over hips is your best bet. Heavily pleated styles and pockets that pooch are no-go area.

     

    For straight (long) leg

    Show off what you got. Go for shorts with cute details and you can experiment with floral.

    Look for feminine details like lace, bright floral to soften your frame. A high-rise cut could lend you the appearance of an hour-glass figure, if it hits right at your waist.

    Avoid wide leg shorts as they could make your legs look like a pair of sticks.

     

    Boyish shape

    Women with boyish shape have narrow hips, small bust and a non-existent waist. Pick shorts that give your slim hips the illusion of a fuller curve. Tailored shorts with detailing work just right.

    Avoid loose fits

     

    For plus-sized figure

    Go for single colour flat-front pair that hits your thighs where they start to narrow.

  • Benefits of garlic in human body

    Garlic is an herb. It is best known as a flavoring for

    food. But over the years, garlic has been used as a medicine to prevent or treat a wide range of diseases and conditions. The fresh clove or supplements made from the clove are used for medicine.

    Garlic is used for many conditions related to the heart and blood system. These conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, heart attack, and “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis). Some of these uses are supported by science. Garlic actually may be effective in slowing the development of atherosclerosis and seems to be able to modestly reduce blood pressure.

    Some people use garlic to prevent colon cancer, rectal cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. It is also used to treat prostate cancer and bladder cancer.

    Garlic has been tried for treating an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia; BPH), diabetes, osteoarthritis, hayfever (allergic rhinitis), traveler’s diarrhea, high blood pressure late in pregnancy (pre-eclampsia), cold and flu. It is also used for building the immune system, preventing tick bites, and preventing and treating bacterial and fungal infections.

    Other uses include treatment of fever, coughs, headache, stomach ache, sinus congestion, gout, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, asthma, bronchitis, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, high blood sugar, and snakebites. It is also used for fighting stress and fatigue, and maintaining healthy liver function.

    Some people apply garlic oil to their skin to treat fungal infections, warts, and corns. There is some evidence supporting the topical use of garlic for fungal infections like ringworm, jock itch, and athlete’s foot; but the effectiveness of garlic against warts and corns is still uncertain.

    There is a lot of variation among garlic products sold for medicinal purposes. The amount of allicin, the active ingredient and the source of garlic’s distinctive odor, depends on the method of preparation. Allicin is unstable, and changes into a different chemical rather quickly. Some manufacturers take advantage of this by aging garlic to make it odorless. Unfortunately, this also reduces the amount of allicin and compromises the effectiveness of the product. Some odorless garlic preparations and products may contain very little, if any, allicin. Methods that involve crushing the fresh clove release more allicin. Some products have a coating (enteric coating) to protect them against attack by stomach acids.

    While garlic is a common flavoring in food, some scientists have suggested that it might have a role as a food additive to prevent food poisoning. There is some evidence that fresh garlic, but not aged garlic, can kill certain bacteria such as E. coli, antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enteritidis in the laboratory.

    Courtesy: MotleyHealth.com

     

  • Dressing your body type correctly

    Dressing your body type correctly

    ONCE you know what your designated body type is, dressing yourself is a lot easier and even fun because you know what to stay away from and what looks best on you. While there are a myriad of body type combinations, there are four main types that all women fall into in some way. They are:

    Apple: This body type is essentially rounded all over with thinner legs and arms. This body type also lacks a defined waist-line and a can alternate between a smaller or fuller bust area.

    Pear: This shape is characterized by having a smaller upper body in comparison to your lower half. The waist area is defined and smaller than the hip and thigh area, while the upper body sports a small bust, arms and long neck.

    Hourglass: Widely known as the ideal body type, hourglass figures are highlighted by a very small waist area in comparison to their hip/thigh region. The bust area can be both average or full size. Generally, this body type is curvy all over.

    Rectangle: This is the body type that is commonly seen in athletes and runway models. Known as “the boyish figure”, rectangle body types have slim hips, thighs and waist areas. The rear area lacks curves and the bust tends to be on the smaller side.

  • Police recover body of slain officer in Langtang

    The Plateau State Police Command has recovered the body of the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), who was declared missing during the recent invasion of Langtang communities by suspected Fulani militia.

    The command has also dismissed two of its officers for allegedly aiding manufacturers of local arms.

    They are: Constable Emmanuel Dakol and Corporal Joseph Dakup. They were reportedly dismissed, arrested and detained on the order of Police Commissioner Chris Olakpe.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in his office in Jos, the state capital, Police Commissioner Chris Olakpe said the body of the slain police officer, Tarfa Wuyep, has been discovered.

    Olakpe said: “On a very sad note, I wish to let you know that the body of the police officer, who was a victim of the attack in Langtang South Local Government Area, was found early yesterday. His body was discovered in a bush near Karkashi village, one of the villages raided by the gunmen.

    “His body was riddled with gun wounds and machete cuts. He was identified by the uniform he wore before the attack. We wish to use this opportunity to condole with his colleagues in the police and his family for this sudden death.

    “We have made high profile arrests in connection with the attack. We will not want to disclose their names now until investigations are concluded.”

    On the two policemen, who were dismissed from the Force, Olakpe said: “In the quest of the command to rid the state of criminals, it has recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest and dismissal of two policemen serving with the command.

    “The policemen were accused of aiding and abetting manufacturers of local arms in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. Preliminary investigation showed that the accused have direct links with some suspected manufacturers of arms, who are also in our custody. They have manufactured all sorts of guns for criminals.

    “We have always pointed at proliferation of light weapons as a major influence in the violence and most of the criminal activities in the state. We never knew that men of the Police Force could be involved in such act…”

  • Importance Of Exercise

    Exercise and healthy weight loss not only help your heart,they also trim the threat of developing diabetes by up to 58 percent and cut your risk of cancer.

    Whether you prefer to walk, run, swim, or pump metal, it’s important to add aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities to your daily routine. Even moderate levels of physical activity can improve sleep, sharpen your mind, and decrease your odds of developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

    Exercise is good for the body due to the following reasons:

    First, it helps you cut weight. When you exercise like jog or run you burn the fats in your body. This happens because the body undergoes respiration to yield energy needed for the exercise. The extra carbohydrates in the body are respired in presence of oxygen to give energy. Consequently, this burns away the fats that would otherwise have been stored as fats hence cutting weight.

    Second, it slows the rate at which gets old working out eliminate the inflation which comes along with aging. Moreover, some exercises like yoga minimize production of stress hormones which hasten aging. In-addition the stretching assists in smoothing lines which make you look aged.

    Third, it improves your physical appearance. Bodybuilding exercises burn fats and increase lean muscles. Cardiovascular exercises increases metabolic rate which removes toxins in form of sweat from the skin. This rejuvenates the skin and makes you look presentable.

    Fourth, it reduces stress through the release of endorphin hormone. The hormone works with various organs in the body like the brain and other receptors to ease how you view pain. When exercising instance playing football, you forget the pain and the stress as you only pay attention to your movements.

    Fifth, it boosts self-esteem as well as physical appearance. The proper blood circulation ensures that nutrients reach the scalp hence healthy hair and less gray hair. The lean muscles obtained during bodybuilding exercises improve the physique in men as they gain six packs and shoulder muscles.

    Sixth, it is used to relax and derive some fun. Some exercises like swimming and cycling have become hobbies. This is because the endorphin hormone released initiates motivation.

    Lastly, is the health benefit . Cycling increases metabolism hence reducing chances of stroke. The functioning of the brain is improved through adequate supply of air and nutrients to the brain that occurs during exercise. Obesity is controlled through burning of excess fats. Weight lifting strengthens cardiovascular muscles and reduces blood pressure which combats heart diseases.