Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences (FBMS), College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar (UNICAL), has held its third lecture series with a call on Nigerians to be conscious of their diets.
The lecture series, an initiative of the former Dean, Prof Atim Antai, was held at the conference hall of the college.
In his address, the Dean, Prof Mbeh Ubana Eteng, said the faculty lecture series was in line with the university’s five years strategic plan to become a centre of excellence, using research and teaching to drive development internationally.
“In the five years strategic plan of this university, it is our aim to emerge as centre of excellence using research and teaching to drive development internationally, nationally and individually,” he said.
Speaking on the theme of the lecture Lipid consumption: Food aroma and our health ,Prof Essien Udoh, noted that lipid consumption varied between the rich and poor, saying rich man’s food comprised animal products that contained saturated fats while poor man’s diet composed of vegetables.
Prof Essien explained that fat is a necessary nutrient for optimal health and wellbeing but excessive consumption of it is unhealthy.
“The lesser the fats coming from animal sources the better since the new trend places emphasis on people consuming as much as possible vegetable sources of food while moderating the animal sources which excess predisposes one to heart diseases”.
The don stressed that because of the appetising nature of lipid people are always enticed to consume more than required amount of lipid which he noted predisposes one to heart diseases.
“Lipid is the source of flavour in food, if you prepare a food without any source of fats the food will have no flavour and will not be appetising. Food aroma entices people to eat. We should be aware that the more appetising, we maybe getting too much fats”
In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, Dr. Mfon Agbaso, secretary Faculty Lecture series committee noted that it cannot be overemphasized the need for Nigerians to be aware of their diet since the functionality of their body depends on what they eat.
“it’s important one knows what he/she puts in his body because at the end of the day, the functionality our our body system depends on what we eat. The clothes we wear do not determine how our body works but what we eat because the body system depends on what we eat so what we eat determiner how our body functions. So if you take something that will have adverse effects on our system then you know that you are dipping your grave rather early. So it’s ok to be conscious about what we eat”
The lecture held every semester with a view to encourage cross fertilization of knowledge between staff and students of faculty had the attendance of Prof. Osim, Prof. Anne Asuquo (Dean, faculty of allied medical science), heads of the constituting departments, staff and students.
