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  • Excessive salt intake fueling hypertension, kidney issues, experts warn

    Excessive salt intake fueling hypertension, kidney issues, experts warn

    Health experts have sounded the alarm over Nigeria’s growing intake of salt and sodium-rich foods, warning that it is fuelling a surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, kidney damage, and cardiovascular disorders.

    They called for urgent, coordinated efforts to reduce sodium intake nationwide to avert a looming public health crisis.

    This warning came during a one-day media workshop held in Abuja, organised by the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI).

    The training session brought together journalists, nutrition advocates, and health professionals to discuss sodium reduction strategies and equip the media with evidence-based information and storytelling techniques to promote healthier food choices.

    The Executive Director of CCSI, Babafunke Fagbemi, emphasised the need for a paradigm shift in how Nigerians approach food, particularly sodium consumption.

    Fagbemi, who was represented by the Head of Programmes at CCSI, Oluseyi Akintola, pointed out that excessive sodium intake has become a silent but deadly driver of non-communicable diseases across the country.

    “Excessive sodium consumption is a silent contributor to the range of non-communicable diseases affecting the health and well-being of Nigerians,” she noted in her welcome address.

    On her part, Programme Lead for Cardiovascular Health at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Bukola Olukemi-Odele, presented data on current sodium consumption patterns among Nigerians.

    She explained that while sodium is an essential nutrient required in small amounts between 200 and 500 milligrams per day, most Nigerians consume it in dangerously high quantities.

    “The average Nigerian consumes between 2.8g and 10g of salt per day, more than double the World Health Organisation’s recommended limit of 5g, which is just about one level teaspoon of salt,” she said.

    Olukemi-Odele further warned that a large portion of this sodium intake is not from table salt but from less obvious sources embedded in modern food culture.

    Read Also: Boost for NOA’s war against salt, hypertension

    “Most sodium consumed today is ‘hidden’ in processed foods, restaurant meals, street food, and food additives such as MSG and preservatives,” she explained.

    She lamented the shift from traditional diets to highly processed foods, a trend driven by urbanisation, aggressive marketing, and time constraints.

    “The traditional Nigerian diet is being overtaken by ultra-processed and convenience foods due to urbanisation, aggressive food marketing, and busy lifestyles, but this trend is threatening our public health.

    “While sodium plays important roles in maintaining blood pressure, nerve function, and fluid balance, excess intake is strongly linked to hypertension, stroke, kidney damage, and premature death from heart disease,” she added.

    The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare affirmed that it is actively addressing the problem through policy and education.

    Femi Stephen, Food Safety Lead at the Ministry, explained that the health impacts of excessive sodium consumption are long-lasting and financially draining for affected families.

    “Excessive sodium intake contributes to hypertension, a major risk factor for stroke and other cardiovascular diseases,” he said.

    Stephen disclosed that the ministry had developed and begun implementing the National Guidelines for Sodium Reduction as a tool to combat these health threats.

    “Part of what we want to do in implementing the National Guidelines for Sodium Reduction is to pass this knowledge down to everybody in the country, particularly those who are vulnerable, those who are already suffering from cardiovascular issues, and those who have not started suffering from it.

    “We need to stop them because these cardiovascular issues are lifelong battles; they are not like malaria, where you take a drug one day and you’re okay.

    “It changes the dynamics of finances in every family, the economic dynamics in every household,” Stephen stressed.

    He noted that the success of this national guideline hinges on effective public awareness and multi-stakeholder cooperation, including strong media participation.

    Echoing similar sentiments, a food science and technology consultant with the Nigeria Health and Environmental Development (NHED), John Tehinse, drew attention to the role of the processed food industry in Nigeria’s escalating health crisis.

    “Evidence from Nigeria shows more than 70 per cent of sodium intake comes from industrially processed, pre-packaged, and ready-to-eat foods such as bread, instant noodles, bouillon cubes, sauces, processed meats, and snacks,” he said.

    Tehinse pointed out that these ultra-processed foods are not only accessible and affordable but are now embedded in daily consumption habits, making them major contributors to the country’s rising rates of heart disease and hypertension.

    “Processed and pre-packaged foods are major contributors to cardiovascular risks in Nigeria,” he added.

    The stakeholders made a strong call to action for the media to use their platforms to educate the public about the hidden risks of sodium-rich diets, promote healthier alternatives, and hold food industry players accountable for transparency in food labelling and formulation.

    The participants agreed that reversing the current trend requires collaboration between the government, civil society, media, and the private sector to promote a healthier, more informed food culture in Nigeria.

  • Why Nigerians must cut salt intake, by experts

    Why Nigerians must cut salt intake, by experts

    …public health experts seek media boost for awareness

    Public health advocates have renewed calls for Nigerians to reduce their salt intake, warning that excessive sodium consumption is driving a surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, heart disease, and stroke, with devastating consequences for individuals, national productivity, and the economy.

    Although they acknowledged government efforts toward salt reduction, they emphasised that involving the media in creating and sustaining public awareness would yield far greater impact.

    At a media roundtable held Wednesday in Abuja, experts, nutritionists, and journalists convened to discuss the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines, the health risks of salt-heavy diets, and the critical role of the media in promoting public awareness.

    The event was organised by the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), in collaboration with the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).

    According to the experts, with the country already battling a rising tide of diet-related illnesses, research shows that many common processed foods consumed by Nigerians far exceed safe sodium levels.

    Yet, the absence of clear front-of-pack food labels prevents consumers from making informed dietary choices. Adopting Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL), the experts said, would empower Nigerians to easily identify high-salt, high-sugar products.

    Nigeria’s food environment is flooded with invisible risks. The media must spotlight these risks, not just for awareness, but to demand solutions that protect citizens’ health,” said Dr. Emmanuel Sokpo, NHED Country Director.

    Dr. Joseph Ekiyor, a global health researcher, provided sobering statistics, saying, “1.6 million lives could be saved each year globally if sodium intake is cut by 30%.

    “In 2021, NCDs caused 43 million deaths worldwide, 75% of all non-pandemic-related deaths. Most of these were in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria.”

    He warned that unless urgent action is taken, the number of deaths could rise to 52 million annually by 2030.

    Read Also: World Salt Week: NHED rallies support for mandatory sodium limits, clear food labels

    John Tehinse, a Food Scientist and member of Nigeria’s sodium reduction technical working group, explained that the government has adopted the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and is now working with the food industry to reformulate products.

    “We studied 34 food categories popular in Nigeria, including bread and meat products, to guide safe sodium levels,” he said.

    Tehinse added that the national target is to reduce salt in processed foods by 15% by 2026, reaching 30% by 2030, urging, “This gradual approach helps Nigerians adapt their taste without losing flavour. But the media must drive this awareness so people understand what’s at stake”.

    Citing examples from schools, Tehinse warned that children are increasingly exposed to salty, processed foods.

    “Some schools feed pupils junk five times a day. A nine-year-old already weighing 75kg is a sign of crisis. Parents must return to home-cooked, traditional meals,” he said.

    Tehinse emphasised that enforcement of new regulations will be led by NAFDAC once sodium guidelines are codified into law, noting, “But enforcement alone isn’t enough. Public education must start now, and that’s where the media comes in.”

    To help reverse this trajectory, Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA, called on media practitioners to prioritise food policy reporting.

    “Nutrition stories are not just lifestyle pieces; they are justice and survival stories. Frame them that way,” he said.

    Oluwafemi, who noted that excessive sodium intake is a looming public health crisis, urged that the media must move beyond reporting to advocacy, helping Nigerians make informed food choices that could save millions of lives.

    Joy Amafah, Country Coordinator for GHAI, said Nigeria’s shift from traditional, nutrient-rich diets to ultra-processed products (UPPs) has worsened the NCD burden.

    “We are now consuming more products with minimal nutritional value and high salt, sugar, and trans fats, driven by aggressive marketing. The media must expose this,” she said.

    The roundtable also served as a build-up to a digital engagement scheduled for June 28 via TX Space, themed Salt, Labels & Public Health: Addressing Nigeria’s Food Environment.

  • How much salt is too much?

    How much salt is too much?

    Considering various studies linking excessive salt intake to heightened risks of severe health conditions such as heart disease and stroke, too much salt consumption has become a pressing public health concern. CHINYERE OKOROAFOR examines the nuanced question of how to define the threshold of “too much” salt in one’s diet.

    Baba Yusuf (pseudonym) was healthy on Thursday. On Friday morning, he went to work, and in the evening when he returned from work, he started feeling unease. He was feeling dizzy and so much thirsty, his feet and hands were swollen and his blood pressure shot above the normal systolic pressure of at least 130 mmHg was 157mmHg, while the diastolic pressure of at least 80 mmHg was more than 90mmHg.

    His wife, Bisi and his first son, Ola, rushed him to the family hospital. The doctor on duty, Fatima, examined Baba Yusuf to discover that there is so much salt in his body system. Dr Fatima had to place Baba Yusuf on medication so that the symptoms would be taken care of. He was discharged after two weeks of hospitalisation.

    Another patient, Mama Kunle, 65, was also off health. She was feeling nausea, vomiting and dizziness.

    Her husband, Gbenga rushed her to the hospital where the doctor carried out some diagnosis. It was discovered that she was suffering from hyponatremia which experts describe as a condition that occurs when the sodium in one’s blood falls below the normal range of 135–145 milliequivalents. (mEq). Experts say that such health issue is more common in older adults because they’re more likely to take medicines or have medical problems that put them at risk of the disorder, even as they contend that “low sodium levels in the body can lead to muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. Eventually, lack of salt can lead to shock, coma and death.”

    Read Also: JUST IN: Two Edo varsity students shot dead in cult reprisal attack

    Health experts have said that intake of too much salt and low intake of salt could be dangerous to health.

    This is a dilemma which health authorities say is dicey. So, how does individuals approach intake of salt, since too much of it leads to hazardous health situation? Caution and moderation, they advise, should be the watchword.

    Salt is a necessary ingredient in our daily meals, even as it is useful in flavour enhancement and food preservation. The body also needs some salt; it is necessary for nerve and muscle function and helps to regulate bodily fluids.

    However, numerous studies have indicated that consuming too much salt can increase the risk of severe health problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, kidney-related diseases, heart disease and stomach cancer.

    In the circumstances, therefore, it is taxing to state exactly how much salt a person eats in one day without knowing the precise salt content of each food and measuring the exact quantities eaten. To worsen this problem, many individuals underestimate their rate of salt consumption. This has resulted in a significant health issue in Nigeria, leading to calls for a reduced salt intake.

    Recommended salt intake

    Due to these concerns, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that adults consume less than 2000mg of sodium per day, which is equivalent to less than five grams per day of salt (just under a level teaspoon).

    For children aged 2–15 years, the recommended sodium intake should be adjusted downwards based on their energy requirements. Unsurprisingly, many individuals exceed this limit in their home-cooked meals, often unknowingly. Additionally, processed and restaurant-prepared foods tend to also contain high levels of hidden salt.

    With its recommendation, the WHO aims for a 30 per cent reduction in global sodium intake by 2025. How feasible is this target which is just a year away?

    Salt represents the primary source of sodium in our diets. Nonetheless, the question remains: how much salt is deemed “excessive” for consumption?

    According to the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Alliance, a global civil society network uniting 2,000 federation associations, civil society organisations, scientific and professional associations, and academic and research institutions to improve NCD prevention and control worldwide.

    It noted that NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases are the primary cause of death and disability worldwide.

    In Nigeria, hypertension, mainly caused by increased intake of salt and sodium accounts for 12 per cent of deaths.

    This could be why the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) is leading a campaign to reduce salt consumption.

    According to its Executive Director, Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, Nigeria currently records an estimated daily salt consumption of up to 5.8 grams per day, which exceeds the WHO recommended limit. He spoke at a one-day journalism training on salt reduction in Lagos.

    He said: “Our role as a health-focused civil society organisation is to help the public understand the dangers of their choices, especially when consumption is driven by a gap in knowledge when it comes to food.” Oluwafemi advised Nigerians to understand the gimmicks of the food production industry that promote unhealthy foods as the norm.

    The Programme Officer for Salt Reduction and Cardiovascular Health, Bukola Olukemi-Odele emphasised the significance of ensuring that Nigerians have the knowledge needed to embrace salt reduction policies, advocate for salt reduction, and monitor industry practices.

    Olukemi-Odele noted the importance of ensuring that processed and packaged foods adhere to specific sodium limits to protect the health of Nigerians.

    “Research has shown that high salt consumption causes hypertension and hypertension is the major risk factor for stroke, kidney disease and several other non-communicable diseases. A way to maintain normal pressure is by reducing salt/sodium intake,” she said.

    She further explained that salt reduction is a cost-effective public health intervention that can help to bring down the burden of NCDs in Nigeria as well as help Nigerians live free of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Olukemi-Odele, who called on policymakers to take action and set mandatory salt targets for all processed and packaged foods in Nigeria in 2024, also charged the public to be aware of the public health consequences of high salt consumption, take responsibility and make health choices that will be beneficial for the future.

    The Director of Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED) and Technical Adviser, Salt Reduction Campaign, Dr. Jerome Mafeni, said the Nigeria salt reduction target coalition includes non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, academia, and international organisations that have come together to track and promote the campaign around salt reduction and diet in Nigeria. Mafeni added that the coalition is working to ensure that NAFDAC takes responsibility to ensure that existing food regulations are in line with the salt targets for commercially produced foods to reduce the amount of salt that the public consumes knowingly or unknowingly. He explained that the coalition is also working with the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that proposed regulations will also provide guides on how food products are labelled and ensure that the public is aware of foods that are of very high salt content and injurious to health.

    On her part, Assistant Project Manager, Cardiovascular Research Unit at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Ms. Vanessa Alfa, said: “We need to engage in widespread awareness, telling people to learn how to eat healthily, to reduce the amount of salt in their food; snack and conventional foods. One of the primary actions that are expected is for food products to have less salt; we are talking about products manufactured in Nigeria because we don’t have control over imported products.”

    “There is a need for restricting the appearance of these adverts on contents that children watch. Involving children in the adverts is not good enough as it ruins our public health as a nation. It’s high time that our regulatory agencies restricted the promotion of such products.”

    She also encouraged the public to make a conscious decision to reduce the amount of salt in the food they consume. The National Salt Reduction Campaign project was implemented by CAPPA funded by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator and the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED) as an implementing partner.

    Nigeria’s salt consumption statistics and health trends

    Nigeria is experiencing a rapid epidemiological transition, shifting from a predominance of infectious diseases to an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and cardiovascular disorders.

    It was also noted that the age-standardised prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria stands at a staggering 38.1%, indicating a widespread health challenge affecting a significant portion of the population.

    In 2017 alone, an estimated 100,000 deaths in Nigeria were attributed to cardiovascular diseases, highlighting the grave impact of NCDs on public health. For CAPPA, these statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases, including initiatives to reduce excessive salt consumption and promote heart-healthy habits among Nigerians.

    Frequently consumed foods

    Nigerian cuisine encompasses a variety of flavourful dishes, but it’s important to be aware of certain foods that contribute significantly to  sodium intake. According to Nigeria Sodium Study Findings titled “Nigerian Sodium/Salt consumption patterns and Nigerian Perspectives on Salt,” foods high in sodium/salt that Nigerians consumes include salted fish and meats and stock fish. Additionally, processed meats like kilishi (spiced dried meat) or suya (skewered meat) often undergo seasoning with salt, further increasing their sodium content. Another food is bread and baked goods such as bread rolls, pastries, and snacks. Others include cheese, dairy products, sauces, condiments,  Instant Noodles and pickled foods.

    Dietary habits, cultural preferences, processed and packaged foods, lack of awareness, socioeconomic factors and marketing and advertisement. The effect of high salt consumption on public health include high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, kidney damage, stroke, osteoporosis, gastric, cancer and public health burden.

    According to experts, a single slice of bread typically contains between 80 and 230 milligrams of sodium. Additionally, certain breakfast cereals can contain as much as 300 milligrams of sodium before adding milk. Salt in the diet could come from processed foods, including processed meats like bacon, ham and instant noodles or because they are consumed frequently in large amounts. Salt is also added to food during cooking in the form of bouillon cubes or at the table. If sodium is listed on the label’s nutritional information instead of salt, the amount on the label should be multiplied by 2.5 to get the equivalent salt content. For example, if a portion of food contains a gram of sodium per 100gm, such contains 2.5 grams of salt per 100 grams.

  • 32 ships with food items, petroleum products to arrive Lagos ports

    32 ships with food items, petroleum products to arrive Lagos ports

    Thirty-two ships laden with food items,petroleum products and other goods are expected to arrive at Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port in Lagos from March 5 to March 24.
    The Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA ) stated this in its “Shipping Position’’ publication, a copy of which was made available to the newsmen in Lagos on Monday.
    It said that 12 ships out of the expected number had petrol consignment.

    READ ALSO: Farmers, others kick over N116b palm oil import

    According to it, the remaining 20 vessels contain bulk wheat, salt, bulk fertilizer, bulk sugar, diesel, crude palm olein, bulk gypsum and containers laden with goods.
    The publication indicated that eight ships carrying bulk fertilizer and petrol had already arrived at the ports and were waiting to berth.

    NAN

  • ‘Excess salt can damage good health’

    ‘Excess salt can damage good health’

    Nigerians have been advised to watch their salt intake for the sake of their health.

    According to a naturopath, Dr Idowu Ogunkoya, while salt makes food tasty, it should be used moderately. “If one eats too much  salt, the extra water stored in the body raises one’s blood pressure”, he said, adding: “So, the more salt you eat, the higher your blood pressure. The higher your blood pressure, the greater the strain on your heart, arteries, kidneys and brain. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, dementia and kidney disease.”

    Dr Ogunkoya said eating of excess salt does not stop with adults as children also do through seasonings that accompany noodles. “Majority of salt is added to noodles through the seasoning supplied in sachets. So reduce the sodium content by using the minimum amount of seasoning, preferably half of the sachets. Instant noodle soup is often high in salt; limit its consumption to avoid excess intake of salt,” he said.

    So either way one must watch salt consumption because high sodium leads to damages in the body system, “Over time, the extra work and pressure can stiffen blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. It can also lead to heart failure. There is also some evidence that too much salt can damage the heart, aorta, and kidneys without increasing blood pressure, and that it may be bad for bones, too.

    “Excess sodium increases blood pressure because it holds excess fluid in the body, and that creates an added burden on the heart. Too much sodium will increase your risk of stroke, heart failure, osteoporosis, stomach cancer and kidney disease,” he noted.

    According to Dr Ogunkoya, eating salt is not totally bad but its overindulgence, “Table or common salt also known as sodium chloride, is added to food to make it tastier. Salt provides your body with sodium, which is necessary for proper muscle function and regulating the amount of water in the body. The average daily sodium intake should be 1500 milligrammes, while the maximum intake is 2300 milligrammes. Consuming more sodium than the maximum daily recommended intake is harmful,” he warned.

    He said Cardio vascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world and hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition that affects so many Nigerians. While this condition can be caused by other factors such as stress and eating diets rich in saturated fats, excessive intake of sodium increases the risk of developing it. “If you already suffer from high blood pressure, reducing your salt intake could also reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. When you consume too much sodium and your blood pressure is too high, over time the extra pressure can make your vessels less elastic and more susceptible to buildup of fatty deposits called plaque. This can cause atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. In atherosclerosis, vessels narrow and their walls thicken, making your heart work harder and eventually raising your risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke,” he advised.

    The naturopath said every edible provided by nature has its natural salt, so one may not need to add salt at all, but if one must use, then it should be in moderation, and salt shaker should be done with.Lots of people have diabetes and don’t know it. But the disease often causes telltale changes in the retina that can be picked up by an ophthalmologist. In this eye, diabetes has caused tiny hemorrhages in the retina and yellowish deposits of blood fats (lipids). The condition is known as diabetic retinopathy.

  • Union Dicon Salt scales up agro-allied investments

    Union Dicon Salt Plc has signed new investment agreement to scale up its investments in the agriculture sector to diversify its businesses. Until recently, Union Dicon, which is quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) was the largest producer of salt in Nigeria.

    The management of the company at the weekend stated that the company has signed an agreement that will add 2,000 hectares to its 15,000 hectares of land portfolio.

    The management stated that the combined 17,000 hectares will make the company the largest Cassava producer in Nigeria in furtherance of the company’s transformation strategy and in line with its goal of becoming a fully integrated agro industrial national champion.

    “This transaction will ensure security of feedstock supply, as Union Dicon Salt moves ahead in establishing its Cassava processing facilities in Edo and Delta states. It will also fulfill management’s commitment to become cashflow positive before the end of 2016,” the company stated in a regulatory filing obtained at the weekend.

    The company had secured the approval of the shareholders to diversify into the agro industrial sector, with an initial concentration of cassava, and starch processing.

    The management of the company said it has finalised agreement with GEA Westphalia of Germany to build the largest industrial starch processing facility in Nigeria.

    Union Dicon Salt has been struggling with working capital deficit and poor liquidity as operational losses build up.

    The Nation had exclusively reported that the latest audit report of the company had indicated that there was material uncertainty on the future survival of Union Dicon Salt Plc as the company technically lacks the ability to meet emerging financial obligations and working capital unless it is able to secure loans.

    In the latest audit, external auditors to Union Dicon Salt, BDO Professional Services, said the negative bottom-line and shareholders’ funds of the company could affect its going concern status, referring to its ability to continue operations into the foreseeable future.

    The audit report, which was included in a regulatory filing submitted by Union Dicon Salt, noted that the salt company made a loss of N87.62 million and deficit of N1.01 billion and negative shareholders’ funds of N1.17 billion. The audit, for the year ended December 31, 2014, was submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) last week.

    The report stated that with the current liabilities exceeding current assets by N1.01 billion and negative shareholders’ funds of N1.17 billion as well as the operational loss, there were reasons to doubt the ability of the company to sustain its operations.

    These conditions “indicate existence of a material uncertainty which may cast doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern, unless the bankers continue their financial support and the shareholders introduce additional capital not only to wipe out the negative shareholders’ funds but to enable the company operate profitably,” the audit stated.

    Union Dicon was established in 1984 and until recently, it was the largest producer of salt in Nigeria. It has two factories; one in Lagos and another in Port Harcourt with a total installed production capacity of 700, 000 metric tonnes per year.

    Apart from the production of the iodised edible salt, and the processing of crude salt for wholesale, Union Dicon Salt Plc also manufactured industrial salt for detergent manufacture, animal feeds, leather tanning, oil wells, and other drilling related operations.

  • ‘Moderate salt intake reduces risk of hypertension’

    ‘Moderate salt intake reduces risk of hypertension’

    Dr. Amam Mbakwem on Friday said moderating salt intake and regular blood pressure monitoring will help to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and other related diseases.

    Mbakwem, an Associate Professor of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, said: “Hypertension is one subject every Nigerian should be aware of.

    “This is because the number of people with hypertension keeps increasing daily and worse still, hypertension does not have any sign or symptom.

    “More blacks have hypertension than whites basically because the way blacks handle salt is a bit different,’’ she said.

    With this year’s theme, “Know Your Numbers’’, for the World Hypertension Day on Sunday, Mbakwem said that people tended to hold onto more salt because of the climate.

    “We sweat a lot and so, we require more salt to balance up. But once too much salt is in the system, it triggers high blood pressure.

    “There is also some genetic differences between whites and blacks. The rate at which hypertension develops complications is worse in blacks even for the same level of blood pressure in whites.

    “Diet is also another reason for the high rate of hypertensive cases in black people,’’ she said.

    Mbakwem also disclosed that Nigerians stood more risk of hypertension because of their lifestyles, urging them to be aware.

    “Hypertension is one subject every Nigerian should be aware of because the numbers are increasing in our nation.

    “About 15 to 20 years ago, the statistics was about 11 per cent Nigerian adults that had hypertension.

    “These days, we are looking at figures over 30 per cent. In some areas, it’s as higher as 47 per cent. Putting it simply, if you meet 100 Nigerian adults, 30 people are hypertensive.

    Mbakwem therefore, warned that hypertension gave little or no sign before striking its patient dead and for this reason, there must be caution.

    “Few people may have headache, but most people do not know they are hypertensive as it has no symptoms.

    “It is either somebody checks your blood pressure and it is there or an organ has been damaged before it is discovered.

    “That is why we worry about it. It is not just about the numbers, but the damage high blood pressure causes,’’ she said.

    Mbakwem also said that “high blood pressure heats up the brain, it can also damage it and that is when we talk about stroke.

    “It can damage the eyes, causing blindness. The heart can fail. It can damage the kidneys. It can damage the arteries in the body.

    “That is why we want everybody to know this. If it is discovered early, it is better to manage.

    “What we are saying is check your blood pressure at the slightest opportunity you can ever find.

    “Anytime you visit a hospital or any medical centre, make sure you check your blood pressure,’’ she said.

    Contributing, Olugbenga Abiodun, Country Manager (ASM) for Nigeria, Omron Healthcare Europe B.V, said that what was more worrisome was that few people knew their status.

    “Nigerians are unaware of their blood pressure levels or measurement of blood pressure and that means we have a big problem on our hands.

    “What can be done? People need to take responsibility and know their numbers as this year’s World Hypertension Day theme proposes.

    “It is important that people start checking their blood pressure even at home.

    “That way, at least you can begin to raise your level of consciousness, make lifestyle modification and then consult your doctor.

    “Prevention, they say, is better than cure. That is why we are encouraging people to check their blood pressure often,’’ Abiodun told NAN.

    “’If you go to buy medication, spare some more time to check your blood pressure.

    “You can also keep a record of your numbers on a daily or weekly basis. This is the way we can nip this problem in the bud.’’

    On strategic steps that the country could follow to stem this, Abiodun said government had the responsibility of making policies that would help to stem the tide.

    “Government and key stakeholders need to start focusing on policies that can help us to prevent the development and support the management of this condition.

    “For instance, I will like to see a population-wide salt reduction policy. How can we do that?

    “The government can mandate manufacturers to reasonably reduce the amount of salt in all processed and staple foods produced in the country.

    “I will also like to see the Federal Government develop a new evidence-based guidelines for the management of hypertension and its complications,’’ Abiodun said.

     

  • Bitter taste of salt mining

    Bitter taste of salt mining

    NOTHING seasons like salt. But when it comes to mining the tasty preservative in Ishiagu, a community in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, nothing can be as bitter.

    The community has large deposits of salt and other solid minerals, but extracting them is fast turning out to be a curse rather than blessing.

    Since the minerals were discovered in the 1940s, many companies have mined the mineral, made their fortunes and moved on, but most times, they left the community more impoverished than they met it.

    From the look of things, Royal Salt Company, the latest to secure mining license from the Federal Government to extract the mineral in the community, may also follow in the footsteps of their predecessors.

    That is why the community has risen in unison to ensure that history does not repeat itself.

    The community recently raised the alarm that the company has taken over their land, including residential buildings on the land without any adequate compensation.

    They therefore sent a Save Our Soul message to the state governor Martin Elechi to come to their aid.

    They also complained of neglect by the government. The Nation on a visit to the community discovered that it lacks basic amenities like clean drinking water, good access road, schools, among others.

    A community leader, Chief Jacob Nweke, blamed some government officials for hijacking negotiations with the company and benefits to them.

    He stated this during a community meeting at the village square where the community issued the SOS to the governor and also lambasted the company for being indifferent, rude, disrespectful and insensitive.

    His words:  ”The matter is that we don’t know Royal Salt and they did not enter into any agreement with us and we don’t have any agreement with them. They never told us that they have come to work on our land and since then they have been looting our natural resources and destroying our crops and other things; we don’t want such thing any more;

    “If they want such things to exist, we want the governor to come into this matter and save us because Royal Salt treats us the way they want because they feel there is nobody that is prominent in this our area.

    “Any other person who has been coming into Enyigba usually has agreement with us the owner of the land of where they want to work; when Royal Salt came to this area, they threatened us that we are going to park out of our land; even when they say that the Nigerian Mining Corporation sent them to work here, we equally do not have agreement with them; the Corporation has never one day come to us that there is a company that will be coming to our land to work.

    “We are surprised at what they are doing; we don’t know who brought them; so that’s why we say they should not work; and if they want to work, they should come and meet with Ishiagu people to have any agreement with us and if they say that government has ordered them to come and work, they should show us the lease or particulars authorising them  to invade our land.

    “After the confirmation, we will equally tell them how to operate on our land; and it is not all our land that they will enter and push us out; we don’t want that and that is why we have told them to stop working until we finish up with the court; they didn’t talk to us and there is no written agreement between them and us; they just came through the back door and invaded our precious land because of its natural deposit given to us by God; for them to have alleged that the feud between us and them have been settled is pure lies”.

    “We have not given them any consent letter to operate in our land; we don’t know them; we have never seen them except when they are working on our land; there is no written agreement authorising them to invade our land; for them to come here and work by force is not good and if they like they should kill us all; we have our rights as a people under a democratic dispensation; they must come and have an agreement with us; they are first to have dealings with us and why should they come in, and start operating as they want”.

    “We don’t know how they managed to come because nobody among us brought them into our land; this land they have invaded belongs to the village; we have a community and everybody has his or her own community land; Ishiagu Enyigba is a large area; we are so many villages; we have about 19 or 23 villages here in this Ishiagu alone; we are due for a development centre because Ebonyi state was created and given the acronym ‘salt of the nation’ we are the reason why such name was given; it is in Ishiagu that you have that salt; we have lead, zinc and other types of minerals here”.

    “We want the government to make us an autonomous community; we don’t want a situation where after these strangers had finished exploring these deposit, they will abscond like what is happening in the Niger Delta Region; we need the government to help us”.

    “There is so much the government is to do for Enyigba Ishiagu people;  We don’t have good road, we don’t have hospital and schools in our area; the first thing that Royal Salt did was to build a security post in our community to intimidate and arrest our people; why will they start with a police station? Is that the first thing to do if they want to develop a community where you have lots of natural deposits? This is wrong. This primary school you are seeing now was built by Nigeria Mining Corporation in 1940s.

    A youth leader in the community, Mr James Nwafor who also spoke to our reporter wondered why the first action of the company will be to establish a police post in the community.

    He said, “I am the youth vice chairman in this community; the way that company came in suggests that they want violence; we the youths cannot just fold our hands and allow strangers to invade our lands and take away the natural deposits given to us by God; they have come like the colonial masters and just as they were resisted then, we are prepared to resist them; and they must pack the load and go. Our blessing will not be allowed to become a cure to us”.

    “They cannot just come into our land without informing us; there is so much impunity in their action and little regards to human right and corporate existence of our people; this is where God has given us a land to live forever, and it that land is taken, I will not have any other place to stay and that is why we told them that we don’t like they way they came; they are suppose to come and inform us if they want to take our land; for them to have gone to the government and say that consent letter had been issued to them to collect our land we disagree”.

    “What we want them to do is for them to leave the land for us and come to see our people, the villagers so that we can stay and discuss; no compensation has been given to us; in fact, they have not come one day to discuss with us; no I’m not happy with the level of development in the area; i’m very angry because of the way and manner they came; let them come and so that we settle this impasse; because without the settlement more problems is on the way for them”.

    But the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Ifeanyi Ike denfended the actions of Royal Salt. He said the company got their license from the Federal Government and has been paying compensation to the community every year since it entered the land even though it has not started mining activities.

    He said it is only a few disgruntled and greedy members of the community who are orchestrating the crisis. He promised that the state government will ensure that the problem is resolved to enable the company resume work.

    His words, “It is obvious that the problem that emanated from Enyigba autonomous community in Abakaliki Local Government Area between a fraction of Ishiagu village against Royal Salt company is unexpected and very unbecoming; there are 13 villages that make up the autonomous community but one Ishiagu village complained of marginalization; six people petitioned the government through the SSG and commissioner for Commerce and Industry on how they felt marginalized by the company; we welded into the issue immediately”

    “The ministry paid a visit to the community at Ishiagu village of Enyigba autonomous community; It is not the old mining site that causing the problem but a new site; I remember during the negotiation that Enyigba people particularly, the Ishiagu people insisted that the company should set up a milling factory where lead can be processed in Enyigba; and many other clamoured for it but Enyiba succeeded and royal salt put it in their work schedule that by 2014 they will start working to set up an industrial milling for the processing of lead in Ebonyi”.

    “To our surprise when the complain came, we said all the same we will go in and solve the problem; we met all the concerned parties on the 24th October 2013 with the representatives of the SSG and those that participated in the negotiation that brought in Royal Salt into Ebonyi state; before their arrival, the Governor gave a directive that a Committee be set up to negotiate with the rural communities which was done”.

    “I happen to be a member of the committee as the special adviser to the governor on solid mineral development, petroleum product pricing and distribution at that time; and when they came in they had a safe landing having negotiated with Enyiba community, Emeri in Ikwo, Ameka in Ezza south; that of Ezza south was troublesome; it was not easy for it to be signed, Enyigba was very peaceful within that period we are talking about but to our surprise, Enyigba has turned out to be a tumultuous situation as at this period in time but as 26th of October we met with their lawyer with his team and discussed; we discussed until November until we were able to reach a decision”.

    “Royal salt limited got their approval not from Ebonyi state but from the federal government through the ministry of Mines and Steel; we don’t give approval as state government; minerals is in the exclusive list of the government and that was why the Minister, Asada, then visited Enyigba, Ameri, Ameka about two years ago to see their work schedule and plan ; that area under dispute is covered under Mining Lease 188 being the former Nigerian mining Corporation, NMC”.

    “We visited the lease area to ensure that Royal Salt was operating within their jurisdiction; after doing that we discovered that Royal salt had not gone outside; We are following the federal government mining law and not state; but because there are four immediate land owners there namely, Ishiagu, Alibaluhu, Olouwa and Ndiabor; they are the ones receiving the impact of the activities of that company there, the rest of the nine that made them 13 are outside that area; they are not part of what we are talking about; in our resolution we affirmed that the four immediate landowners must be compensated; Royal Salt agreed that the annual rate will be N4 million every year; post production”.

    “However, what I saw  on the field surprised me, I had to suspend Royal Salt from working and they kept off for one month if not two months; It is like our decision did not go done well with some of the community members who felt we would have  told them to go with 99 percent while the rest of Enyiba go home with one percent; We awarded 50 percent of whatever is coming to the four immediate land owners while the rest of the 50 percent go to the rest of the nine because, also, the nine are involved”.

    “The committee for the negotiation  was drawn from the 13 villages of Enyiba autonomous community; the negotiation took about three months”’ he added.

    Court case stalls negotiation

    While the Ministry was mediating in the matter the community took the company to court.

    “While we were doing this( mediating) ,we learnt the case has gone to court”, said the Commissioner.

    The Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, on Dec 18th 2013 halted the operation of Royal Salt Limited in the community.

    This followed a motion on notice filled by David Igbuji, Felix Itumo, Ikechukwu Nweze and Mbam Ode on behalf of the community against Royal Salt.

    In her ruling, the presiding Judge, Justice I. A. Onyetenu, ordered Royal Salt Limited not to enter into mining operation or process mined mineral, pending the hearing and determination of substantive suit.

    She adjourned the matter to February 17, 2014 for further hearing on the substantive suit.

    “Since there is subsisting court injunction stopping Royal Salt from operating in the area, we have written the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State for advise on the matter, said Dr Ike.

    Effort to get Representative of the Company to react we’re not successful.

    Pics. Hopeless: Members of the community who lost their lands look dejected and hopeless

    Pic 2: Jacob Nweke

    Pic3: the company’s sign post and factory under construction in the community

     

     

  • New core investor increases appetites for Union Dicon Salt

    Union Dicon Salt Plc’s market consideration has sustained a steady increase, following the emergence of a new core investor and management for the company.

    Official trading and pricing data provided by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that Union Dicon Salt’s share price had risen to a high of N6.83 per share, three weeks after formal announcement of the consummation of an investment and management deal involving Union Dicon Salt and CBO Capital.

    Union Dicon Salt’s share price had risen by more than 21 per cent from its previously stagnant low of N4.22 to open two weeks ago N5.12. It opened trading at a high of N6.83 per share.

    NSE’s weekly report indicated that Union Dicon Salt recorded the fourth highest gain, in percentage terms, at the stock market two weeks ago with an increase of 15.58 per cent. Union Dicon Salt led the gainers last week with share price increase of 33.40 per cent to close at N6.83 per share.

    The uptrend came on the heels of the emergence of CBO Capital Partners as new core investor in Union Dicon Salt. CBO Capital Partners had acquired significant equity stake in Union Dicon Salt to become a new core minority shareholder in the salt producing company.

    In a deal valuing the company at N8.40 billion, CBO Capital Partners acquired 41 million ordinary shares of UDS and also simultaneously acquired an option to purchase additional 240 million ordinary shares for a consideration of N3.36 billion.

    Besides, CBO Capital, a Lagos-based investment and project development firm, was given a management contract to turnaround UDS.

    The emergence of CBO Capital as a strategic investor and the management contract are expected to stimulate the recovery of the ailing salt company. The parties to the deals indicated that the turnaround programme for the company is being finalised with the current management of the company and implementation will commence in the first Quarter of 2014.

    The company had stated recently that it was concluding on a variety of strategic options for a 2014 capital expenditure requirement of N4 billion, which would be announced soon.

    “We are glad to have CBO on board, to rejuvenate this great company, and we shall soon announce a strategy that will involve investment of billions of Naira over the next 24 months,” Managing Director, Union Dicon Salt, Colonel Henry Mgbemena (Rtd) said.

    Founding partner, CBO Capital, Bex Nwawudu, said CBO Capital was very conscious of the exceptional history of Union Dicon Salt and it would build on this to take the company to greater heights.

    According to him, the acquisition of equity stake in UDS was part of CBO Capital’s investment philosophy that focuses on dedicated development of Nigeria.

    “We are grateful to the board and management of Union Dicon Salt Plc for their outstanding professionalism during negotiations and we are proud to become shareholders of this illustrious company,” Nwawudu, who has been designated as new executive director in Union Dicon Salt, said.

    Union Dicon Salt, currently chaired by General Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd) was established in 1984 and was for a considerable period, it was the largest producer of salt in Nigeria. It has two factories, in Lagos and Port Harcourt, with a total installed production capacity of 700,000 metric tons per year.

    Apart from the production of the iodized salt edible salt and the processing of crude salt for wholesale, Union Dicon Salt Plc also manufactured industrial salt for detergent manufacture, animal feeds, leather tanning, and for oil wells and other drilling related operations.

    CBO Capital was established with the aim of servicing and supporting business growth in Africa. CBO Capital’s asset management subsidiary, CBO Investment Management (CBO IM) is currently raising a $250 million private equity fund for investment across the West African region.

     

  • Cell salt for rainy season ailments

    THE rains are in full bloom, wetting the fields and forests, cooling the air and returning to the rivers and oceans from where the sun had pulled water up as water vapour. When I think of this event, I see behind it the great hand of Mother Nature’s Law of Giving and Taking. The earth gives, the earth receives. And this gives us the residents of this planet the blessings of more food, as the crops sprout in the fields and fish mushroom in the rivers and seas, and a cooler weather which compensates for the heat of the past few months which was, in fact, respite from the pounding of the bygone rainy months. I sometimes wonder how beautiful Nigeria our great country may have become if, as children, today’s adults had been taught always not to TAKE without GIVING! I wonder, also, about what Nigeria may have been like if, like the common folk, politicians did not have to empty the public treasure into the pockets of their clothes and give nothing in return to their looted country. But can you blame them? Aren’t they merely leaders of their people? And aren’t leaders merely people who, among a people, carry deep within them the strongest of the abilities for goodness or evil prevalent among a people? Aren’t shop girls and boys, like corporate chief executives, emptying the till as well? Someday, perhaps when the “beautiful ones” are “born”, this Law of Nature which the rainy season teaches us, would be given more respect in our lives, and our country would glow in beauty.

    Meanwhile, as students of Nature follow the seasons to learn what deep lessons of life each season’s wishes to teach, and falling in tune with the great Universe, there are many people who always appear left behind. These are the people whose health deteriorates in one season, picks up in another only to dip in yet another season. This has led doctors to classify a family of seasonal health problems as SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISEASE or SAD. The rainy season can, indeed be a sad seasons for many people, such as asthmatics, arthritics, or sufferers from intestinal troubles. Largely, the troubles come from the cold or damp environment and the wind which, in many cases, announce the coming of rainfall. The wind blows dust everywhere and, with the dust germs which cause air borne diseases. Rain water may also bring water borne diseases and the floods all sorts of germs. Many people are not lucky enough to live in upland parts of town. So, their homes and neighbourhoods are always flooded or damp. Dirty habits of the city dweller do not help matters either in upland area. Government failure to provide safe, drinking piped water for everyone has led to the growth of a gigantic private sector drinking water industry which sells its products in plastic bottles and cellophane sachets. These packages are dumped anywhere once their contents are consumed, and find their ways into drains. Rainfall time is an opportunity for many people to empty their waste at home in the gutters for the rain water in the open drains to carry them wherever in this case, means downstream, and flooding of downstream neighbourhoods. I felt bad one day two years ago wading through the floods at Ikeja Under bridge in Lagos. When I arrived home, I emplied a large quantity of table salt into the bath tub to give my toes, feet and other exposed parts of the body a salt scrub. After that I took herbal antibiotic teas. I do not know if many people take this kind of trouble to protect themselves after an exposure, such as this, to the water–borne germs. I will mention a few of the common rainy season problems which require protection against this rainy season to avoid a SAD, before I come to cell or tissue salts and some of the health troubles they have been known to help prevent or revent.

     

    Malaria

     

    Pools of water are collecting almost everywhere. Mosquitoes will breed, in them, bite their victims and, most probably, give them Malaria fever. It is rare to find a person who drinks lemongrass tea every day and comes down with malaria. The chemicals in this plant kill the plasmodium (malaria causing parasite) in the bloodstream. Chanka piedra (Phyllanthus) does it, too I guess a proprietary product named PARACLEANSE will act likewise. It is a combination of many herbs, including wormwood, which is an anti–malaria. The proprietary blend SPECTRAGREEN, blend of over 40 green since these two plants are used to treat malaria fever; plants including pawpaw (Papaya) leaves and lemon grass leaves may have an anti – malaria action. As Plasmodium damages red blood cells, creating Oxygen shortage, which causes pains all over the body, blood building herbs such as Nettle, Yarrow and Chlorella may help. So should Oxygen tablets which not only supply Oxygen indirectly but also burn to death diseases causing parasites. So does JOBELYN a Nigeria antioxidant herbal blood formula. in the cell salt family, Ferrum phosphate (Ferrum Phos.) and Potassium Sulphate (Kali Sulph) do this beautifully.

     

    Gastroenteritis

     

    This is trouble in the intestinal tract. Add to it diahrroea and Colitis, which is inflammation of the colon. The trouble comes from bacteria in dusty air and in water, and may be water or food borne. Think of the many food canteens which keep plates and cutlery in open baskets outdoor, and of those service girls who do not rinse the plates (at best, they merely wipe them with dirty napkins) before they serve your meal in them! In gastroenteritis, one is unable to eat or drink. An intense burning sensation develops after meals, and there may be blood (dark or fresh) in the stool. Blood indicates ulceration or laceration of the intestine, which may provide a habitat to germs and, if care is not taken, damaged further to a point at which the cells may become cancerous. The intestine may also suffer from diverticulosis or polyps and other diseases.

    The amino acid L, – Glutamine, Zinc, Vitamin S, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Selenium and Bioflavonoids may help to heal intestinal tract injuries. Cell salts also have a major role to play.

    Asthma

     

    Like Bronchitis, Asthma is a respiratory system disease. Many suggestions have been given for its cause. They range from allegens to Magnesium deficiency. Allegens include Cocknacles, furry animals such as cats, dust mite, smoke e.t.c. Some researchers have linked the condition to infestation of Candida and mould, deficiency of essential fatty acids, Magnesium and Vitamin A, and dehydration. For me, if two people are exposed to the same allegens and one goes down but the other does not, there must be something other than more allegens in the equation. Is this a constitutional weakness of the lungs, in which case, nutritional deficiencies as listed above and cell salt deficiencies may be underlining causes? In bronchitis and asthma, cell salt practitioners watch out for the colour of phlegm or mucus, and the colour of the tongue… pinkish red, which is normal, or grayish and patched which is not the colour tells them which cell salt is missing or not enough in the system. When they supply it, the ailment goes!

     

    Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

     

    Unlike osteoarthritis, which is degeneration of bone cartilage, growth of bone spurs, rubbing bones, inflammation, pain and stiffness, rheumatoid arthritis is an immune disorder in which the body is attacking its own joints. Both conditions hate damp and cold weather and worsen in such conditions. The good old hot water bottle helps but there are not many good ones in town in these days in China-Made products. I often order direct from England when I have need for it. Those ones come with factory made jackets for women who are treating Uterine fibroids and need heat in that region, under camphorated castor therapy or not, find it useful to improve blood circulation in that region. It helps RA people, too, as it does people with arthritic fingers or atrophic fingers.

     

    Pneumonitis

     

    This is inflammation of the lungs triggered sometimes by the invasion of fungi, including, Candida, mould or, simply, inhalation of dust. If the cause, is fungus or mould, the organisms produce antigens against which the body produces antibodies. Caught in the crossfire, lung tissue inflames. Cell salt practitioners prescribe remedies for it.

     

    Fibromyalgia

     

    This is a condition of inflammation and pain in fibrous tissue in muscle, tendons, other connective tissue principally in the neck, shoulders, upper chest, rib cage, lower back, the arms and elbows.

     

    The 12 Cell or Tissue Salts

     

    Dr Wilhelm Heinrich Schuessler (1821 – 1898) developed these 12 salts while condensing or simplifying Dr, Hahnemann’s over 200 Homeopathic remedies. He came to some conclusions, including that

    (1) If the human body was burnt to ash and the ash was analysed, it would yield 12 different biochemic salts which constitute all tissues in varying proportions peculiar to particular tissues.

    (2) Disease does not occur in a cell in which metabolism is in order.

    (3) Metabolism is normal if the cell has enough adequate mineral tissue or cell salts.

    (4) The cell’s ability to absorb nutrients and excrete wastes is disturbed by a deficiency of tissue salts.

    (45)Supply of specific tissue salts to the cell may restore normal metabolism.

    The 12 cell salts are numbered 1 – 12 in the following order:

    No 1: Calcium Flouride

    This biochemic salt ensures suppleness throught the body. A deficiency causes slackness which may result in swellings and hardening such as is evident in swollen gums and loose teeth, piles, enlarged heart, enlarged blood vessels (Varicose Veins), wearing of enamel of the teeth. Its value in supporting elasticity of tissue recommends it for such other conditions as muscle weakness and weakness of tendons, ligaments and fibrous tissue, and rigid joints (gout or arthritis).

    No2: Calcium Phosphate

    This is the regulator of healthy cellular activity. In its presence, other cell salts intensity their action. It is a great restorative in run – downs conditions. It is a major constituent of all cells and fluids. Cyril Scot names its shortage in the eye as a cause of eye troubles. Also known as the Phosphate of Lime, good gardeners are said to know Calcium Phosphate is a major constituent of most productive soils, and, so, enrich the soil with it. It is probably for this reason that it features in the remedies of Children who are not growing properly, and in cases of infertility. It cannot be ignored in the building of healthy bones and bone joints. When it comes to cramps, Calcium Phosphate, with Magnesium Phosphate, calm the muscle.

    No 3: Calcium Sulphate

    A great blood purifier, it is a cousin of Silica (No12) in cleansing the blood of toxins, helping with liver detoxification and the healing of some skin ailments, including an acne and pimples and supports the formation of new skin cells.

    No 4: Ferrum Phosphate

    The body requires Oxygen to burn diseases, and here comes an Oxygen carrier. It oxygenates the outside of cells while Potassium Sulphate, another cell salt, oxygenates the inside. It fights congestions and inflammation. Of value in anaemia, Ferrum Phosphate delivers iron to the cells in small, homeopathic but effective doses, which does not cause iron build–up in the system or cause constipation as many Pharmaceutical iron pills do. This cell salt strengthens the walls of blood vessels, may stop abdominal bleeding and, when in short supply, has been identified as cause of fever and inflammation.

    No 5: Potassium Chloride

    Here comes the famous Kali Mur, an important constituent of muscles, nerve and brain cells without which the brain is said to be unable to form, a great destroyer of poisonous wastes, especially when the body is fighting off a fever or other infections, a blood thinner and, like ferrum phosphate,, a remedy for cold.

    No 6: Potassium Phosphate

    Kali phos is the most important of the three phosphate salts and is said to be the soother of jangled cells. It is plentiful in the gray matter of nerve cells, and complements magnesium phosphate which is active in the white matter of these cells. A shortage of one affects the functions of the other. Potassium phosphate is used worldwide as a natural tranquiliser and is reputable in the treatment of psychological problems, irritability, memory loss, dementia, sudden brain fog and rapid decomposition of the blood.

    No7: Potossum Sulphate

    Like ferrum phosphate, here’s another oxygenator of the blood and cells. It promotes the health of the lungs, is useful in asthma and bronchitis and skin health. Nicknamed the “Anti-friction” and the “Cellular Building Block,” kali sulph acts like a lubricant and helps to create new cells to replace those damaged or killed by disease. Its deficiency causes oil in the body to thicken and clog the pores of the skin. Such oil is often expelled, also, as a yellowish sticky discharge from any office of the body (the nose, vagina etc) or from a cancer, swollen gland or abscess, including boils.

    No 8: Magnesium Phosphates

    An antispasmodic, mag phos is good news for people who suffer from cramps, including foot and menstrual cramps, and palpitations of the heart. Nerve and muscle spasms of asthma, like these which cause premature ejaculation, also benefit from it. The same goes for twitches of eyelids. Magnesium Phosphate works even more powerfully when combined with the other two phosphate salts, Calcium Phosphate and Potassium Phosphate. Together they build nerve tone. Magnesium helps to stop nerve pain, such as is experienced in neuralgia or sciatic nerve problems. A deficiency may cause nervous, convulsions, epilepsy, flatulence from, indigestion, and other nervousness, system disturbances.

    No 9: Sodium Chloride

    This is by no means your table salt. It is Natrium Muri it is the “pre–eminent headache remedy”. Its main job is to set up and maintain osmotic pressure through which fluid enters the cell with nutrients and leaves with wastes. Another of its functions is to regulate fluid balance throughout the body, preventing dryness or water – logging.

    No 10: Sodium Phosphate

    This is the body’s biochemic antacid. It is fund everywhere in the body… blood, nerves, eyes, muscles, blood, brain, lungs and lympth… everywhere, to decompose acids and to balance body pH. People who suffer from ulcer, heartburn, heat in any part of the body benefit from sodium Phosphate (Natrium Phos) therapy. So do people who suffer from other problems caused by excess acids such as back pain, arthritis.

    No 11: Sodium Sulphate

    This is the cell salt for asthma. While Sodium Chloride attracts water to the body, Sodium Sulphate takes away excess water. It is especially friendly to the mucus membranes, which makes it good for asthma, sinus discharges, influenza, cold, and the bowels. It helps liver cleansing, and supports blood sugar metabolism and, by extensions diabetes therapy.

    No12: Silica

    Known as “the remarkable cellular cleanser” and “homeopathic surgeons, Silica dissolves boils and abscesses supports hair, skin and nail health, makes calcium deposit appropriately in bone, hardens bones, connective tissue, eliminates toxins and dissolves congestions and swellings. In the days before antibiotics were discovered and surgery was not rampant, Silica was named the homeopathic surgeon because it helped to solve most of the problems for which surgeon’s advice surgery today. In cases of hernia, for example, silica may so strengthen tissue fabric connective that makes a prolapse impossible. Beyond these and more, it is good for digestion and cleansing of the blood.

    Cell salt therapy is often described as “well kept secret of Alternative Medicine this column will continue to discuss it, even outside the rainy season.