Importance of Eating Protein

Proteins Foods

In our effort to always eat a balanced meal, primarily for the purpose of good health,  we tend to concentrate more on different types of food. normally we eat what is provided depending on the type of food we are capable of affording.
However many times when we watch or listen to health programs on TV or Radio,we often remember what the nutritionist say concerning eating a balanced diet. myself in particular am a fan of health programs on TV, i like watching them. one thing i noticed about nutritionist when invited to health programs is that they tend to focus and lay emphasis more on including a very good amount of protein to our diet. that was one of the main reasons behind the idea of writing this post. that reasons cause me to ponder, what makes them put more emphasis on protein, why not carbohydrates or any other six classes of food. so i went on making some research online, after my findings i come to understand the reasons why they put more focus on protein.
Protein as we all know is one of the three major classes of food. it is a complex naturally produce molecules composed of one or more long chain of amino acid. it source is abundantly in animal-derived food such as meat, pork, sea food (fish),and also leguminous plant such as  peas, beans, soya beans, nuts, etc. but among the aforementioned animal-derived sources of protein, fish is the most nutritious of  them all, for the purpose of this post i will be focusing only on fish since its the most valuable of them all. its a rich source of amino-acid, selenium, omega-3-fatty aid, vitamin D etc. also compared to other animal-derived protein food, like meat which take longer to digest, fish digest easily and faster, also its cheaper and more affordable than meat. some health benefits of fish includes it lower blood pressure & heart palpitation, reduces the chances of children having asthma, sustain brain function even till old age thereby preventing brain damage or diseases (dementia).. while from the Leguminous plant, at least any of soya beans, beans, nut contains the required protein intake and to crown it all protein is abundantly availaible world wide so getting it won't be difficult. To summarize it all,  always enrich your food with protein and remember your food is your medicine.




Remember articles posted on Naira Health are for educational purpose only, so always seek medical advise, or consult a doctor before trying anything..........  

Health Benefits & Medicinal Value of Bitter Leaf (Ewuro/Onugbo)

Bitter Leaf Tree

Bitter leaf as the name implies, is a plant that is often known for its bitter taste, but underneath that bitterness, are useful and numerous health benefits, that is highly needed by our body.
 The plant precisely in Nigeria is very a common vegetable that is abundantly grown almost everywhere in the country. it is popularly known as Ewuro amongst the Yoruba,  Onugbu by the Igbo and called shiwaka by the Hausa.
  Botanically called Vernonia Amygdalina, this shrub has been used by traditional locals to treat different ailment, diseases, due to the medicinal value and healing potencies present in this vegetable.
  However the vegetable can be prepared by jucing it with your blender,juicer,or you can do it the local way by adding little water to the leaves rubbing it on your palm and squeezing the juice out of it. another way of preparing it is by cooking it as a soup ( Bitter Leaf soup a popular delicacy amongst the Southeast people of Nigeria). But it works effectively when its jucied.
 Alright, here are some of the health benefits of bitter leaf.......

Bitter leaf washed and squeeze locally

1. It increases the rate of metabolism in the body system thereby improving loss of weight.

2. It contains anti-parasite, anti-bacteria properties that is needed to cure malaria, therefore for its an anti-malaria.

3. It detoxify the blood, prevents indigestion, rheumatism, scurvy and nourishes the skin.

4. Prevents diabetes, regular intake of bitter leaf in your diet, helps to counter the effects of excess sugar in your blood stream, thereby reducing the high level of sugar in the blood.

5. Cure common skin diseases, such as eczema, ying worms, rashes etc, just by squeezing the leaves and apply it to the parts affected.

6. Bitter leaf juice when taken by nursing mothers, improve the quality and production of breast milk.

7. Cures mild stomach ailment, pile, fight liver problems, and energizes you.

8. Finally its a rich source of vitamins, such as Vitamin A, vitamin B1 & B2 which are needed by our body.




Important Notice: In as much as it has numerous benefits, it is advise able not to take it during pregnancy, as high intake of bitter leaf can cause miscarriage.






Remember articles posted on Naira Health are for educational purpose only, so always seek medical advise, or consult a doctor before trying anything..........  

Amazing Health Benefit of Bitter Kola

Bitter kola is yet another wonderful and highly nutritious nut Mother Nature has given unto mankind. In my last post, I discussed about the African walnut that has numerous health benefits, however, this time around, I will be sharing with you the amazing health benefit of bitter kola.

    Bitter kola is a tropical plant belonging to the guttiferae class, it grow in moist lowland forest (rain forest) botanically called Garcinia kola. popularly known as Obi Orogbo amongs the Yoruba people, Namijin-goro in Hausa and Akuilu in Igbo language, The plant is mostly found in West African countries such as Nigeria, Ivory Coast Ghana and other central African countries. Garcinia kola is commonly cultivated for its brown nut seed, which is used by African locals as masticatory in traditional and cultural events.
    Bitter kola otherwise known as Garcinia kola has been used as traditional herbs by the locals for centuries to treat different kind of disease, ailments. It has various health importances’ ranging from food supplement, notify liver, improve lung functions and lot more. Below are the benefits of bitter kola.

Amazing Health Benefits of Bitter Kola

Treat Cough, Cold, Sore throat : Bitter kola contains antimicrobial properties, purgative and anti parasitic that are traditionally used by Africans who believe it to be very effective for treatment of cough, cold, sore throat. In addition a study perform on a mice, by one David ofusori from lgbinedion university in Nigeria shows, the high anti oxidant in bitter kola helps in improving the respiratory function and strengthen the fiber of the lungs.

Helpful for the Eyes: According to a research at the Lagos university teaching hospital (LUTH)  eyes drops that contains 0.5% of garcinia kola effectively help to lower and reduce the eye pressure when used 2 times day. Eye pressure leads to glaucoma an eye disease if untreated lead to the damage of the optic disc of the eye and resultant visual field which can cause blindness.

Serves as Pain Reliever: Osteoarthris is form of arthris, affecting mainly older people. It is caused by chronic degeneration of the cartilage and synovial membrane of the joints lead to pain and stiffness. However according to my recent finding, regular intake of bitter kola helps to relieve the pain in the joints, and inflammation due to the high presence of antioxidant.

Serves as Anti-malaria: Bitter kola contains anti malaria properties such as kolavin, quinines, that has prove to be effective in the treatment of malaria.

Detoxify the Body system: Garcinia kola also contain antioxidant that is used to detoxify the liver, gall bladder and it also serve as sexual stimulant in men as its increases blood flow the gential area in men who have hardening arteries.

Enhance Immune system: Like I said before bitter kola contains a lot of antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties that helps prevent infections of viruses, diseases, it is also believe to contain anti poison. In addition to this garcinia kola serves as a natural hunger suppressant and also increases the urge to drink more water.

UPDATE:

Cure Quick Ejaculation:  Bitter Kola also help to cure quick ejaculation for men as they act as sexual performance drug and its very effective. but use it wisely.

Cheers!

Health Benefit of African Walnut

African Walnut is an edible single seeded stone fruits botanically called Tetracarpidium conophoram and Coula edults, its plant is mostly cultivated for its nuts which can be cooked or consumed as snacks. The nuts comprises of families such as Euphorbiaceae (Tetracarpidium conophoram) and Olacaceae ( Coula edults), with each family having its own specific feature.
The Euphorbiaceis mostly found in Nigeria and Cameroon, while the Olacaceae is found in some central African countries such as Congo, Liberia and Gabon. In the western part of Nigeria the African Walnuts is known as ausa or asala while in the southern part its called ukpa. In Cameroon its also known as ngak or kaso.
The African Walnut is a rich source of vitamins and Minerals, proteins, fiber, health fats, plant sterols and antioxidant, compared other nuts it is considered the king of nuts due to the numerous health benefits it has. so here are top 10 health benefits that will make you eat African walnuts Regulary.

 Top 10 Health Benefits African Walnut

1. Rich Source of Vitamins and Minerals: African walnut contains vitamins such as  vitamin E,B6,B7, thiamin, folate and also a rich source of magnesium which is higly needed by the body daily.

2. Presence of Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acid: African walnut also contains alot of omega 3 and 6 fatty acid that is very vital for the body for disease prevention, blood clothing, cell growth, and immune infection.

3. Prevent Heart Disease: The nuts according to recent research carried out in USA prevents heart disease (conary heart disease)it is said to contains amino acid 1-arginine that helps persons with heart disease,lower the risk of sudden cardiac death and supports healthful cholesterol level. its also contains very powerful antioxidant such as flavonol morin,quinone juglone, and tannin tellimagrandin that are rare in most foods we eat, this effective antioxidant helps control heart of age related deterioration.

4. Helpful for Brain: Like i said before African walnut contains omega 3 fats, vitamin E and folate which is highly needed by the brain as its supports the area of memory, enhance cognitive functions, and increase inferential reasoning in adults.

5. Prevent Cancer: Yes! consuming african walnuts regularly can also prevent cancer as it contains cancer fighting properties such as phytosterols, omega 3 fatty acid, antioxidant that helps to reduce the risk of prostrate and breast cancer in humans.

6. Prevent Diabetes: According to various research conducted, people that are  obese and with type 2 diabetes should include walnut as an essential part of their diet as it lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

7. Improve Fertility in Men: Daily intake of African Walnut according to my recent findings, also help to improve the quality of sperm in men, including vitality, motility and morphology.

8. Good Hair Food: African walnut very high in vitamin, contains vitamin B7 (biotin) that helps to reduce hair fall, strengthen the hair, and improve the hair growth, so that makes it a good hair food.

9. Helps in Weight Control: Walnut is also helpful in terms of maintaining your ideal weight, as it contains proteins, fiber, omega 3 that helps provide satiety.

10. Medicinal Purpose: walnuts are also considered to be traditional herb in Chinese, as it is use to tonify kidneys, stop asthma, used for elderly ones to cure constipation, and finally the bark is used in tea as laxative and chewed for toothache.


Cheers!

5 Benefit of Drinking Water in the Morning

Water is the most important and basic element needed by human beings to survive, as the saying goes water is life, and there is no, (yes capital NO) human being on earth that can survive without water, because it become it is something we can’t do without everyday.

Water popularly known as H2O is very essential for our body because of about 55 – 60% of water fluids exist the body every time through pores (sweating), via urine, and breathing and in order to maintain and keeps the body in balanced state, these must be replaced everyday.

However, in this article I will be sharing with you the benefits of drinking water. There various health benefits of drinking water but specifically I will be sharing with you the benefits of drinking (on an empty stomach) in the morning.



RECOMMENDED: Benefits of Drinking Lemon with Water in the Morning


     Benefits of Drinking Water Every Morning.

1.      Aid in the production of new blood cells and muscles.

2.      It cleanses the large bowel so as to make it absorb nutrients easily.

3.       Helps to remove toxic substances from the blood and speed up metabolism.

4.      It also encourages weight loss, yes! Drinking water on an empty stomach every morning helps you to reduce weight.

5.      Balanced the body fluids, lymph system and also fight against diseases and infections.

In addition, if you planning to start, in the morning make sure you take at least 2-3 glass of water, before brushing your teeth. After that you don’t have to drink neither you eat anything in the next 45 minute.

5 Reasons to Drink Lemon in the Morning

According to Wikipedia, lemon is a yellowish citrus fruits gotten from the semitropical tree. Highly nutritious in vitamins the fruit is commonly used by the locals in Nigeria to treat different sought of sickness like cough, typhoid and others.

Here are the benefits of lemon with water in the morning………..

1.    It Increases Digestion: start your day with a glass of water and lemon as it improves digestion and helps in fighting hunger.
2.    Detoxify the Body System: lemon a natural diuretic helps to remove foreign and harmful substance from the body; it also contains antimicrobial properties that protect the body from diseases.
3.    Gives you More Energy: Instead of drinking most of this energy drinks which are very harmful to the body, lemonade is the best option to help you replace them as it refreshes the body and gives you more energy.
4.    Enhances Immunity: lemon contains a very large quantity of vitamin C, which perform a very useful role in improving the immune system.
5.    Speed up Metabolism: lemon also help in dissolving fat, and also detoxify the liver in order to speed up the rate of metabolism in the body system.

Cheers!!!

Why you Should Eat Fruit

It's never too late to learn how to start eating the fruit because of the countless benefit it gives to the body 

To have an improved and better health, it is advice to make it a habit of consuming fruits and vegetables. The body derives alot of nutrient from fruit ranging from Vitamin, antioxidant, fibetMinerals, Last studies that are conducted, come up to the conclusion that as many fruits and vegetables consumed, make people look more attractive.

This happens because of their curative features.

Below, we will list some fruit and the features they have.

Therefore, researchers have suggested that people to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables, to get the benefits they want.

If you consume bananas, should know that gives us more energy, as well as cherry which calms the nervous system.

Generally the women who care for a healthy and fresh skin, must eat as many strawberries. It fights aging and cancer.

Another fruit is grapes, which strengthens blood vessels, while blueberries protects the heart.

Who consume more watermelon in summer, keeps their heartbeats under control. To protect the skin and eyes, drink as much orange.

Meanwhile, apple increases resistance against infections. Peaches guarantee Iron, florium, potassium and kiwi increases the measure of bone and fights constipation.

The message is clear. Eat as much you canfruit because reduces the risk of death at any age.

How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

So at last, we will examine about most essential part Teeth which is utilized to have Sustenance the most significant thing in our life. Nourishment is truly vital by water that goes in our mouth and if taken without consideration than it could be destructive for our teeth and even harm them for until the end of time.

There are numerous particles than together fills in as a Sustenance which at some point sticks to our teeth and can result in different tooth illnesses, for example, tooth rot, tooth disintegration, and so on in this way Dealing with Each Tooth is truly critical as contrasted with dealing with other Body-Parts.

Just Brushing and Flossing your Teeth is insufficient for keeping a Solid Tooth and counteracting Tooth Issues. It's truly significant to have a great Oral Well-being propensities on the grounds that having a Dental Issue may have more negative results than you can ever envision!
if you truly don't care for your teeth, it won't be much sooner than unhealthy Gums make your mouth, extremely sore. Thus, in the event that you need to make your Teeth and Gums ought to be health

Follow 3 Simple Steps Each Day:

Step 1: Brush your teeth 2-3 times per day and floss each night: The Night period is under attack with sugar, acids and bacteria’s which have to be eliminated by Brushing and Flossing right before going to Bed!

Step 2: Stay away from acidic foods: Carbonated Beverage reduces the white enamel of your teeth leaving the off-white and dark enamel exposed. This becomes the major factor for increasing sensitivity of your Teeth.

Step 3: Make less use of sugar refined foods: You should concentrate on eating some Fruits and Veggies which do contain sugars and carbohydrates, as they contains natural Sugar & Carbohydrates which are healthier and are different from the ones we finds in soft foods such as donuts, candy bars, etc… as the sugar present in these things adds a feast for the bad bacteria in the mouth.

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Health Benefit of African Star Apple (Agbalumo/Udara)

The African star apple is a dark yellowish fruit with semi-circle seeds, a popular seasonal fruit normally consumed with it flesh in the West Africa region.

Botanically called Chrysophyllum albidum, the fruit is mostly cultivated in the rural areas and is very common during the months of December to April.
the fruit is mostly found in african countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, Cote d’ Ivorie, Uganda and Niger Republic.

However here in Nigeria the white star apple is popularly referred to as Agbalumo and Udara by the Yoruba's and Igbo respectively.

This wonderful fruit is picked by africans on their way to the farm, during the era of our forefathers. But nowadays you get it from the marketplace as it has become a source of income to the people mostly living in the rural areas.
During white star apple season you will see both adult and children savouring the great taste of this indigenous fruit.

But have you ever care to know the health benefit of the African star apple. anyway incase you don't know, the fruit is highly nutritional and can help alot in many ways


1. The bark of the tree according to researcher was used traditionally to treat yellow fever and malaria, while the leaf treated wounds, stomachache, and diarrhea

2. The agbalumo/udara is a natural remedies for toothache, constipation, sore throat, and much more. Also in some parts of Nigeria the seeds are used to treat vaginal and skin infections

3. White star apple had been suggested to contain more vitamin C than orange and guava, the friut is also rich in calcium, iron potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phytochemicals.

4. When the udara/agbalumo is consumed for its flesh, it can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol prevent and treat heart diseases.

5. The fruit is known to have anti-oxidant properties that help fight cancer and treatment of diabetes.

7 Reasons Why you Should Get a Good Night Sleep

Sleeping has become a very essential and inevitable part of our life, it is the time when our body rest and be relief of work.
Depriving the body of not sleeping well is not OK at all. It's affects your health in various ways, chronic sleep deprivation can cause fatigue, daytime sleepiness, clumsiness, high blood pressure, stress, stroke and weight loss or weight gain.
According to my recent research, i have found that more people are sleeping less than six hours a night, for whatever the reason sleep is too important to shortchange.
Today am goning to share with you the health benefit of sleep and these benefit should be enough to tell why you shouldn't deprive yourself of sleep. Below are the health importance of sleep.

7 Reasons Why You Should Always Sleep At Night

#1. Creativity, it make u more creative. It has been attest that people who always sleep well are more creative than the individuals who don't.

#2. Having a good sleep at night, can help lower the chances of been affected by disease such as heart diseases, strokes, diabetes etc.

#3. It also enhance your memory. It has proved that when you're learning something new, you mind can combine what you're trying to learn while you're sleeping.

#4. Having enough sleep needed for your body will also keep you away from daily stress, tensions etc as those who have a sound sleep feel fantastic when they wake up.

#5. In as much as good sleep makes you look healthier it also makes you look attractive. A research held in 2010 has proved that people who take enough sleep score more as being more attractive than those who don't.

#6. Good sleep also increases your attention span, if you notice, children always look active while adults look woozy and tired, it's just because children do have a solid night sleep than the adults do.

#7. Finally you should always maintain and keep yourself healthly, because part of our brain control sleep also connection with metabolism syste

7 Amazing Facts About Moringa Oleifera

Moringa is a native flowering plant commonly found in the West region of Africa.
This plant is widely cultivated here in Nigeria due to it's medicinal and nutritional values.
Today i will be sharing with you the health benefits of the Moringa plant, and why i think you should integrate moringa into your daily diets.

#1. Moringa has the ability to control the cholesterol level in the body and also has essential amino acids and balances the sugar level, thus making it potent in the fight against diabetes

#2. Daily intake of moringa increses the mechanism of the body’s natural defence, it also stimulate immunity as prescribed for AIDS-afflicted patients.

#3. The plant is a very rich source of Vitamin A with as four times more Vitamin A or than found in carrots, the leaves also contain seven times more potassium than bananas and have large quantities of zinc.

#4. It is highly rich source of Vitamin C, it contains Vitamin C five times more than oranges. also the amount of calcium present in moringa leaves is way higher than in milk.

#5. It is very useful for mothers, who just gave birth as the consumption of moringa will help in increasing the quantity of breast milk.

#6. Regular consumption moringa leaves can also help in losing weight loss, it also a non-sugar based energy drink.

#7. And finally it help in protecting the liver, kidneys and can also be used as a water purifier also people suffering from insomnia find the use of moringa beneficial for it helps in regulating sleep cycles.


Cheers!

Eat Grapefruit to Lose Weight

 Are you looking for a better, quick and easy way to lose some pounds of your weight?....
Then sit back and watch as today's post on Naira Health will be sheding more light and revealing to you a fruits that will help you lose few pounds of weight.

Some people do say if you want to lose weight, avoid fruits? That's WRONG!
Though, there are some fruits you should avoid like ALL canned and packaged fruit juices.
But there are some fruits that if you consume them, not only help in your weight loss efforts, they also help burn belly fat.


One of such fruits is the grapefruit Eating just half a grapefruit before or with a meal. Preferably, or adding it to your morning breakfast (or for a snack), will really help you in losing belly fat or body fat.
A recent study from the Scripps Clinic in San Diego by Dr. Ken Fujioka after a 12-week study on 100 obese volunteers who ate fresh grapefruit showed that......certain chemical properties of grapefruit reduce insulin levels and encourage weight loss.
Let have look at how grapefruit helps you shrink your belly and body fat

1. It helps you feel fuller by slowing down the digesting process.

2. It contains a fat-burning “flavonoid” called Naringenin that has fat burning properties.

3. This naturally occurring flavonoid found in grapefruit balances out blood sugar levels and helps to prevent metabolic syndrome, a pre-diabetic condition associated with weight gain around the waist. Scientists at the University of Western Ontario found it worked by programming the liver to burn up excess fat, rather than store it.
4. It is also rich in vitamin C which is super healthy for you. Vitamin C helps the body process fat faster and also stimulates the carnitine amino acid which speeds up the body’s fat-burning capacity. Vitamin C dilutes the fat and makes it less effective and helps in releasing the fat from the body.

5. It is a good source of fiber with cholesterol controlling properties.

6. It contains anti-oxidants which help in reducing cancer risk and also assist in weight loss.

7. It also helps reduce hunger pangs.

8. And lastly, if you’re the calorie counting type then you’ve also got a friend in grapefruit since half only has around 52-60 calories.

CREDIT: Part of this post is culled from Weight Loss Tips For Nigerians by Dr. Ela Maris a Nutrition Biochemist, Sign up for Dr Ela's daily update here

Healthy Tips On How To Sleep Faster

Are you tired of lying on bed starring at your ceiling wishing sleep would come? ?
Or you are looking a faster way to sleep. Then seat back and read this useful tips.

5 Useful Tips On How To Sleep Faster

1. Get Some Exercise During The Day: People who is physically active fell asleep faster and sleep over well as long as they don't exert them selves with 3 hours of bedtime.
2. Turn of Your Cellphone at Least 1 Hour Before Going to Bed: Study indicated that being expose to cellphone radiation before going to bed may compromise sleep quality.
3. Put a Few Drops of Vanilla Oil on a Tissue and Put it Inside Your Pillow Case: Studies have indicated that the scent may help you sleep faster than they normally do and get you in to dream state more quickly. The scent of lavender help people asleep too.
4. Take Foods that Help you Sleep Better: during the day, try and make some changes in you diet, includes foods that will help you sleep faster, such foods are Banana which contains some essential Minerals and Vitamins that relaxes your muscle and also increases your body's melatonin levels, thereby helping treat chronic insomnia. Another is honey which contains a lot of glucose, tells your brain to shut off orexin, which is a chemical that is known to trigger alertness. But, don't overdo it; just one tablespoon of honey is enough for a good night's sleep.
5. Stay Cool: Imagine a scene that has a pleasant and suiting to you, this may help you relax and fell asleep.
If none of this are working, get out of bed and do something as long as it doesn't involve turning on an electronic device which only stimulate you further. Return to bed when you feel drowsy.