"At Save Soul Natural Clinic, Healing Goes Beyond Medicine" - Dr Egbaredon Ehis Humphrey

Save Soul Natural Clinic, a frontline natural health facility located in Lagos, Nigeria, it one outfit that has carved a niche for itself in the Nigerian natural health industry. the facility, which is founded on the ancient healing powers of the Benin Kingdom, where its chief executive officer, Dr Egbaredon Ehis Humphrey hails from, has continued to provide healing services for people from both in and outside the country.

In this interview with Nigeria Natural Health Online's editor Dumbiri Frank Eboh, the CEO of Save Soul Natural Clinic speaks on the making of the clinic and how it has come to occupy the current position he does in the Nigerian natural health industry. He also speaks on other related issues. Excerpts.
    

On himself

My name is Egbaredon Ehis Humphrey. I am the chief executive officer of Save Soul Natural Clinic, a natural health providing facility located in Lagos. I am also the Rescuer/Supretendent officer United Nobles (UN, Abuja).

On Save Soul Natural Clinic

Save soul natural clinic is a health outfit that is different from others in the country. It is a clinic that treats various forms of ailments with the use of traditional medicine, not just herbal medicine. This is what sets us apart from the crowd. While others heal with just herbal medicine, we go beyond that. And the result is overwhelming. People come here and get cured of their disease on daily basics. Whether the ailment is physical, whether is spiritual, so long as it is diagnosed ailment, Save Soul Natural Clinic will handle it perfectly using the healing powers of the Benin Kingdom.

On his background

I am from a royal family in Benin Kingdom in Nigeria. My mother is the second to the last born of Chief Edohen of Emu, the one in charge of crowning the Oba of Benin. The Onojie of Ohordua is my grandfather. A prince married a princess and they gave birth to me. Before I was born, there was a prophecy that my mother was going to give birth to a great doctor. She mistook this to be a witch doctor and because she was a Christian, did not place much emphasis on it. Even the circumstances surrounding my birth were mysterious because after nine months, my mother could not give birth until she gave her consent that she has accepted the prophecy. Soon after that, she gave birth to me without much ado. That was why I was named Ehibor or Ehis, meaning the "Divine one from God". I eventually went on to study Corporate Management sciences at Nigeria College of Administration. After my youth service, I got chartered and became a chartered administrator managing a business unit, which was an organization involving some companies.

Going into natural medicine

Even though I was a successful business administrator, I was not satisfied because that was not my destiny and not my calling.

Eventually, I met a doctor who advice me to go into medicine but i did not accepts the advice because I was not good at science subjects. I was trained at the Lagos State Board of Traditional Medicine and then went  to Delta. I finally went back to Benin; it was here that i was drilled in the art of natural medicine. It was in Benin that I got my expertise in the field. By that time my mother was still alive and at the end of the training, the crown of practice was given to me. It was given to me at night and this is very significant because it entails that whether the source of the sickness is from the night or from the day, am equal to the task. So whenever or wherever the ailment may come from I have the ability to deal with it.

On the impact of Save Soul Natural Clinic in the Nigeria natural health industry

I don’t like assessing myself, I like it when other people do it. But the testimonies are everywhere. People come here and get cured of their ailments. Most times, when I am on the radio or on the TV people call in to say how they have been affected by Save Soul Clinic, how they or their relatives have been cured of terrible diseases. So I allow the people to rate Save Soul Clinic and so far the rating has been very high. But this is not our limit. We are set to soar higher and higher and take the Nigerian natural health industry to the next level. I always tell people that there is no need taking people overseas for treatment. If the orthodox doctors say they cannot cure it, bring it to Save Soul Clinic and it will be cured with the use of natural medicines. There is no ailment that can not be cure here. The day food can no longer satisfy hunger, that is when natural medicine can no longer cure ailments at Save Soul Clinic.

Decreasing life expectancy in modern societies

The place of natural medicine in the longevity of man can never be over emphasized. Our fore fathers lived to be above 80 or even 100years. Today average life expectancy has dropped very low. Again, our fathers married many wives and sexually satisfied them. But today, what do you find? You see men as young as 30 or even younger coming to complain of weak erection. Why is this so? It is because we have abandon nature. If one can go back in history, back to the traditional means of sustenance, we can bring back the lost glory. I am a traditionalist, not just a herbal doctor. Today as I speak with you, if you got to my village, you will see men as old as l09 still going about in agility. My uncle just died last year at the age of 104 years. He had a workshop where he repaired his own bicycle till death. When my mother died at over 80 years, this uncle was crying and wailing that my mother died too young! That shows you the kind of life they live over there. So it is clear: we have abandoned nature, and nature is punishing us for that. The only way to remedy things is to go back to nature.

Going back to nature in a  modern society

Even though it is not easy to go back to nature in this our modern time, it is possible to do so. And people like us in the practice of natural medicine have taken up the challenge of creating the awareness and educating people on the need to go back to nature. We are on radio, TV and on papers. Even if you live in a city like Lagos, you could carve out a space in your compound where you plant fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, cucumber, onions and the rest of them fresh. That way, you get the nutrients which God has deposited in them. But now, you see people buying processed foods imported from abroad. They don’t know who processed it or how it is processed. That is not good at all. We need to embrace nature in other to live long and quality life.

The difference between A Traditionalist and a herbalist

Yes, I told you I am not just an herbalist, I am traditionalist. A traditionalist is different from an herbalist. An herbalist is somebody that practices with herbs only. If you squeeze bitter-leafs, and add water to it, you are an herbalist. If you cook pumpkin leafs and add onion and pepper to it, you are an herbalist. But a traditionalist is far much greater than that. An traditionalist seats in his house and sees what is going on somewhere else; he seats in his house and sees tomorrow. A traditionalist has three eyes. And that is what set Save Soul apart from the rest. I work all the time. I work when I am awake and when I am asleep. That is why, most times I get tired when I wake up, I have been doing so much work in the spiritual realm. At Save Soul Natural Clinic, healing goes beyond medicine.

The range of ailments that Save Soul Natural Clinic can curve

When you ask about the kinds of ailments I can cure, I choose to answer the question from the other way round: what kind of ailment can I not cure? If I start listing the kind of sicknesses and diseases that I cure, it could take a whole day and yet the list will not be exhausted. Be it heart problems, strokes, epilepsy, or viral diseases I cure them all. When the baby in the womb is too large and the doctor says there is going to be a CS, don’t worry. Just bring it here. I will constrict the baby and it will come out safely. If the pelvic area needs to be expanded, I expand it and the baby comes out smoothly. So whatever sickness that there is, weather spiritual or physical, I cure them all...

(TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW)

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Foods That Help Prevent Cancer

Whether you have a history of cancer in your family, or are currently battling the disease, lifestyle factors, including your diet, can make a huge difference in helping you fight off cancer. Some foods actually increase your risk of cancer, while others support your body and strengthen your immune system. By making smart food choices, you can protect your health, feel better, and boost your ability fight off cancer and other diseases.


Not all health problems are avoidable, but you have more control over your health than you may think. Research shows that a large percentage of cancer-related deaths are directly linked to lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking, a lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet. Avoiding cigarettes, limiting alcohol, reaching a healthy weight, and getting regular exercise are a great start to preventing cancer. But to best support your health, you also need to look at your eating habits.

What you eat—and don’t eat—has a powerful effect on your health, including your risk of cancer. Without knowing it, you may be eating many foods that fuel cancer, while neglecting the powerful foods and nutrients that can protect you. For example, a daily serving of red or processed meat increases your risk of colorectal cancer by 21 percent, whereas eating whole soy foods such as tofu or edamame can help reduce your risk of breast cancer. Every 35 grams of dairy protein you consume each day can increase your risk of prostate cancer by 32 percent, while eating more fruits and vegetables can lower your risk for a variety of common cancers. By making small changes to your diet and behaviors, you can lower your risk of disease and possibly even stop cancer in its tracks.

It comes down to this: Fruit and vegetables have less fat, more fiber, and more cancer-fighting nutrients. These three elements work together to support your immune system and help your body fight off cancer.  Currently, most people are falling short of the recommended daily minimum of five servings of fruit and vegetables. In fact, most of us need to double the amount we currently eat to stay healthy and help prevent or fight cancer.

While there’s no single food you can eat to prevent or fight cancer on its own, a balanced plant-based diet filled with a variety of vegetables, fruits, soy, nuts, whole grains, and beans can help lower your risk for many types of cancer. Eating a colorful variety gives you the best protection. Plant-based foods are rich in nutrients that boost your immune system and help protect against cancer cells. Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium. These powerful vitamins can protect against cancer and help the cells in your body function optimally.
There is also evidence that plant-based foods may be effective at preventing specific cancers. For example:

• Diets high in fruits may lower the risk of stomach and lung cancer.
• Eating vegetables containing carotenoids, such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, and squash, may reduce the risk of lung, mouth, pharynx, and larynx cancers.
• Diets high in non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, and beans, may help protect against stomach and esophageal cancer.
• Eating oranges, berries, peas, bell peppers, dark leafy greens and other foods high in vitamin C may also protect against esophageal cancer.
• Foods high in lycopene, such as tomatoes, guava, and watermelon, may lower the risk of prostate cancer.

The less processed these plant-based foods are—the less they’ve been cooked, peeled, mixed with other ingredients, stripped of their nutrients, or otherwise altered from the way they came out of the ground—the better.

There are many ways to add plant-based foods to your diet. A nice visual reminder is to aim for a plate of food that is filled at least two-thirds with whole grains, vegetables, beans, or fruit. Dairy products, fish, and meat should take up no more than a third of the plate.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to go completely vegetarian. Instead, focus on adding “whole” foods, which are foods close to their original form. Just as important, try to minimize or reduce the amount of processed foods you eat. Eat an apple instead of drinking a glass of apple juice, for example. Or enjoy a bowl of oatmeal with raisins instead of an oatmeal raisin cookie.

• Breakfast: Add fruit and a few seeds or nuts to your whole grain breakfast cereal (such as oatmeal).
• Lunch: Eat a big salad filled with your favorite beans and peas or other combo of veggies. Always order lettuce and tomato (plus any other veggies you can) on your sandwiches, which should be made with whole grain bread. Have a side of veggies like cut up carrots, sauerkraut, or a piece of fruit.
• Snacks: Fresh fruit and vegetables. Grab an apple or banana on your way out the door. Raw veggies such as carrots, celery, cucumbers, jicama, peppers, etc. are great with a low-fat dip such as hummus. Keep trail mix made with nuts, seeds, and a little dried fruit on hand.
• Dinner: Add fresh or frozen veggies to your favorite pasta sauce or rice dish. Top a baked potato with broccoli and yogurt, sautéed veggies, or with salsa. Replace creamy pasta sauces with sautéed vegetables or tomato sauce made with healthy olive oil. Try replacing meat with beans or soy products.
• Dessert: Choose fruit instead of a richer dessert. Or a single square of dark chocolate.

Another benefit of eating plant-based foods is that it will also increase your fiber intake. Fiber, also called roughage or bulk, is the part of plants (grains, fruits, and vegetables) that your body can’t digest. Fiber plays a key role in keeping your digestive system clean and healthy. It helps keep food moving through your digestive tract, and it also moves cancer-causing compounds out before they can create harm. Eating a diet high in fiber may help prevent colorectal cancer and other common digestive system cancers, including stomach, mouth, and pharynx.
Fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. In general, the more natural and unprocessed the food, the higher it is in fiber. There is no fiber in meat, dairy, sugar, or “white” foods like white bread, white rice, and pastries.

• Use brown rice instead of white rice
• Substitute whole-grain bread for white bread
• Choose a bran muffin over a croissant or pastry
• Snack on popcorn instead of potato chips
• Eat fresh fruit such as a pear, a banana, or an apple (with the skin)
• Have a baked potato, including the skin, instead of mashed potatoes
• Enjoy fresh carrots, celery, or bell peppers with a hummus or salsa, instead of chips and a sour cream dip
• Use beans instead of ground meat in chili, casseroles, tacos, and even burgers (bean burgers can taste great)
• Drink plenty of water. Fiber absorbs water so the more fiber you add to your diet, the more fluids you should drink. Water is also essential for fighting cancer. It stimulates the immune system, removes waste and toxins, and transports nutrients to all of your organs.

 

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It Is Sugar, Not Obesity That Causes Ill Health - New Study

Obese children who cut back on their sugar intake see improvements in their blood pressure, cholesterol readings and other markers of health after just 10 days, a rigorous new study found.

The new research may help shed light on a question scientists have long debated: Is sugar itself harming health, or is the weight gain that comes from consuming sugary drinks and foods mainly what contributes to illness over the long term?

In the new study, which was financed by the National Institutes of Health and published last week in the journal Obesity, scientists designed a clinical experiment to attempt to answer this question. They removed foods with added sugar from a group of children’s diets and replaced them with other types of carbohydrates so that the subjects weight and overall calorie intake remained roughly the same.

After 10 days, the children showed dramatic improvements, despite losing little or no weight. The findings add to the argument that all calories are not created equal, and they suggest that those from sugar are especially likely to contribute to Type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases, which are on the rise in children, said the study’s lead author, Dr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist at the Benioff Children’s
Hospital of the University of California, San Francisco, United States.

“This paper says we can turn a child’s metabolic health around in 10 days without changing calories and without changing weight – just by taking the added sugars out of their diet,” he said. “From a clinical standpoint, from a health care standpoint, that’s very important.”

Added sugars — the extra sweeteners food companies put in their products, not the sugar that occurs naturally in foods like fruit – are a topic of growing debate. In February, the federal government’s Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommended that Americans limit their intake of added sugars to no more than 10 percent of daily calories.

In 2014, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed that food companies include a line on their nutrition labels listing the amount of added sugars in their products. After the dietary guidelines committee issued its report earlier this year, the agency expanded on its 2014 proposal, saying that companies should also list a “daily percent value” for added sugars on their labels in line with the 10 percent recommendation.

The proposed changes have been strongly opposed by the food industry as unscientific. The Sugar Association, a trade group, said the FDA was “making assertions that lack adequate scientific evidence,” and the Grocery Manufacturers Association criticized the standards the agency used to establish the daily value as being “inadequate.”

The newly released study is timely in part because it lowered sugar intake among children to roughly 10 percent of daily calories, the amount recommended by the dietary guidelines committee.

For their study, the scientists recruited 43 children between the ages of nine and 18 who were considered at particularly high risk of diabetes and related disorders. All the subjects were black or Hispanic and obese, and had at least one or more symptoms of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors that includes hypertension, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol and excess body fat around the waist.

The study authors paired the subjects with dietitians. They then replaced the sugary foods in their diets with other foods purchased from local grocery stores. The goal was not to eliminate carbohydrates, but to reduce sugary foods and replace them with starchy foods without lowering body weight or calorie intake.”

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Herbal Remedy For Male Infertility (2)

(CONTINUED FOR PER ULTIMATE FRIDAY)

Diet has a big impact on sperm health and male fertility. What you are eating today is impacting the sperm that will be swimming 3 months from now.

Study findings show a range of 42 to 76 days from the time of sperm production to ejaculation in normal men.

The changes that you make today are impacting the sperm you will be using two to three months from now.

This means that it will take about 2-3 months for diet, herbs and supplements to have an effect on sperm health.

Here are the nutrients specifically needed for a healthy male fertility diet, they should be added to the diet as well as supplemented:

Zinc - In men, zinc is considered one of the most important trace minerals for fertility; increasing zinc levels in infertile men has been shown to boost sperm levels, improve the form, function and quality of the sperm thus decreasing male infertility. Food sources: Calf liver, oysters, beef, lamb, venison, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, turkey, peas, and shrimp. Zinc can be damaged by cooking so it is important to eat some foods high in zinc in their raw forms. 

Selenium - Selenium is necessary for the creation of sperm. In studies, men with low sperm counts have also been found to have low levels of selenium.
Food sources: Brazil nuts, liver, snapper, cod, halibut, tuna, salmon, sardines, shrimp, and turkey.

CoQ10 - Necessary for every cell in the body for energy production, CoQ10 is an important antioxidant that helps to protect cells from free radical damage, thus protecting DNA: it is necessary for sperm motility in semen. Additionally, studies have shown that CoQ10 can increase sperm health.
Food sources: Found most abundantly in seafood and organ meats, though it is very difficult to obtain through the diet. CoQ10 Ubiquinol supplementation is the best way to obtain CoQ10 – keep in mind that amounts in the body decline with age.

Vitamin E - Vitamin E has been shown in studies to improve sperm health and motility in men. Studies have also shown a diet deficient in Vitamin E to be a cause of infertility in rats. The meaning of the name for vitamin E ‘Tocopherol’ literally means to bear young. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant to help protect sperm and egg DNA integrity.
Food sources: Sunflower seeds, almonds, olives, spinach, papaya, and dark leafy greens.

Folic acid – New research suggests that folic acid can boost sperm health. Men with low levels of folate had increased risks for sperm that contained too little or too many chromosomes. If an egg is fertilized by an abnormal sperm it could result in a birth defect such as downs syndrome, or an increased chance of miscarriage.
Food sources: Liver, lentils, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, asparagus, spinach, black beans, navy beans, kidney beans, and collard greens.

Vitamin B12 – Also known as cobalamin, vitamin B12 is involved in cellular replication and studies indicate a deficiency can lead to reduced sperm count and motility. Supplementation is advised for any man whose sperm count is less than 20 million or has a motility rate of less than 50%. Studies indicate that supplementation with vitamin B12 at 1,000mcg per day may increase sperm count.
Food sources: Clams, oysters, muscles, liver, caviar (fish eggs), fish, crab, lobster, beef, lamb, cheese, and eggs.

Vitamin C – For men, vitamin C has been shown to improve sperm quality and protect sperm from DNA damage; helping to reduce the chance of miscarriage and chromosomal problems. Vitamin C also appears to keep sperm from clumping together, making them more motile.
Food sources: Abundant in plants and fruits including red peppers, broccoli, cranberries, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, and citrus fruit.

L-Carnitine – Carnitine is a necessary nutrient for sperm cells to function normally. Sperm require high concentrations of carnitine for energy metabolism. Studies indicate that the level of free carnitine in seminal fluid directly correlates with sperm count and motility. The lower the concentrations of carnitine in the seminal fluid, the lower the sperm count. Research shows that supplementing with L-carnitine for a minimum of 4 months helps to increase sperm count and motility in men with low sperm count and quality. Carnitine and CoQ10 have been shown to work synergistically when combined.
Food sources: Red meat and dairy products.

Antioxidants – Antioxidants are one of the most important components to having healthy fertility that every man and women needs to focus on. Antioxidants help to protect the sperm from free radical damage. Free radicals are able to damage both sperm cell health and the cell’s DNA. The DNA of both partners is the future blueprint for a child. Damaged DNA is known to cause miscarriages, birth defects, and/or developmental problems for the future child. Studies have also shown a connection between oxidative stress caused from free radicals and male infertility. Fertilica Choice Antioxidants contains all of the most important antioxidants nutrients in a capsule form. This blend is great for both men and women, but especially for men with low sperm count and poor sperm health.

 Hormone imbalance is not just something that is reserved exclusively for women. Men can also have imbalanced hormones. Hormones play a large roll in semen production and a man’s fertility. One of the main hormones being testosterone. Due to our modern lifestyles and many of the culprits mentioned above, men’s hormones can become imbalanced.

There are pollutants that “mimic” estrogens (xenohormones) in the body leading to a reduction in testosterone. Excess estrogen in men produces erectile dysfunction, low/lack of libido, low sperm count, and lowered production of seminal fluid.
These xenohormones can come from:

• soy foods
• pesticides on food
• hormones added to dairy and meat
• plastics

5 steps to balancing your hormones:
1. Reduce your exposure to xenohormones
2. Eat only organic meats and dairy
3. Do not eat soy foods.
4. Cleanse the body of excess hormones and toxins. This can be done with a Male Fertility Cleanse
5. Eat lots of fiber and cruciferous vegetables. These vegetables contain a special element that helps the body to rid itself of excess estrogens. You can also take the supplement DIM to have the same effects.

These traditional herbal tonics have been shown through studies and hundreds of years of use to help men have healthier sperm and increased fertility.

Most of these herbs are adaptogens which help to nourish the endocrine system so all of the hormones are working properly. For best results use these herbs for at least 3 – 6 months.
 Ginseng root (Panax quinquefolius)

Ginseng may support a healthy sex drive, erectile dysfunction and enhance sexual performance in men. It strengthens the HPA (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) axis, aiding hormonal balance, stress management and immune function.
Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera)

Traditionally used to improve sex drive and low sperm count, Ashwagandha supports endocrine system function for overall hormonal balance.

Epimedium, also known as horny goat weed (Epimedium grandiflorum)
Epimedium is known as an aphrodisiac, increasing sexual desire and performance. The active ingredient Icariin has been shown to increase nitric oxide in turn nitric oxide increases circulation to the extremities. It has been shown useful in aiding a sustained erection.

Fo-ti, also known as Ho Shou Wu or He Shou Wu, root (Polygonum multiflorum)
Fo Ti has been traditionally used for men who have low libido, low sperm count, erectile dysfunction and poor sperm motility. This root supports fertility longevity.

Ginkgo leaves (Ginkgo biloba)
Ginko is the #1 remedy for erectile dysfunction. It increases circulation to the reproductive organs and is high in antioxidants, shown to be important for sperm health.

Goji berry, dried fruit (Lycium barbarum, L.chinense)
Goji berries have been shown to protect sperm from hyperthermia (overheating), helping to preserve and improve sperm quantity and quality through its high antioxidant content. Goji berries support hormonal balance through improved liver function support and they are extremely nutritious.

Maca root (Lepidium meyenii)
Regular consumption of maca has been shown to increase libido, seminal volume and sperm count per ejaculate, and improve sperm motility. Maca is a wonderful superfood which can be taken in capsules or added to fertility smoothies in powder form.

Saw Palmetto berries (Serenoa repens)
Saw Palmetto has been traditionally used to improve prostate health, impotence, testicular atrophy and low libido.

Schisandra fruit and seed (Schisandra chinensis)
One of the most supportive and protective herbs for liver health, (important for hormone balance) Schisandra has been shown to support immunity, and endocrine and nervous system function. Studies have also shown it may help to increase sperm count. This berry helps the body to adapt to stress, making it useful for stress related infertility as well.

Tribulus, aerial parts and fruit (Tribulus terrestris)
Tribulus has been shown to be effective in aiding sex hormone production, increasing luteinizing hormone (LH), DHEA and testosterone production in men. This makes Tribulus useful for erectile dysfunction, low sperm count and poor sperm health related to hormonal imbalance.

Yohimbe bark (Pausinystalia yohimbe)
The bark of this tree supports healthy circulation to the male reproductive organs making it useful for erectile dysfunction. Yohimbe has been shown to help men sustain an erection and may help to make an erection firmer. The increased circulation to the reproductive organs has also been shown to increase libido.

(TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK)
For effective herbal cure for male infertility, call: +2347031040178

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The Amazing Nutritional Benefits Of Okro

In most Nigerian and African homes, okro soup is a daily delicacy. The soup combines easily with foods such as pounded yam, fufu and eba which it aids to travel easily down the gullet into the stomach - quite unlike other kinds of soup in which the swallower has to exert pressure to force the morsel down. Also referred to as lady’s finger and gumbo, Okro is a nutritional powerhouse used throughout history for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Once loved by the Egyptians and still used in many dishes today (such as the infamous gumbo dish), this pod-producing, tropical vegetable dates back over 3500 years ago. But still today, many are enjoying both okro health benefits and the vegetable’s edible delight.

Like the kiwi fruit (okro actually shares many kiwi fruit benefits), okro is known for it’s high vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate content,(although not quite as high as kiwi). Further, okro is known for harnessing a superior fiber, which helps with digestion, stabilizes blood sugar, and helps to control the rate at which sugar is absorbed.
But there is much more to okro.

While the “amount of nutrition” from okro varies based on how it’s consumed (pods, grams, etc), some of the key substances in the vegetable remain the same. Here are some prominent vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients found in okro that deserve some spotlight. Each figure is based on 1 cup (100g) of okro.

• Fiber – 2.5 grams. 10% of RDA (recommended daily value)

• Vitamin C – 16.3 milligrams. 27% RDA.

• Folate – 46 micrograms. 11% RDA.

• Vitamin A – 283 international units. 6% RDA.

• Vitamin K – 40 micrograms. 50% RDA. The vitamin K found in okro is known as vitamin K1, one of two beneficial forms. The other beneficial form is K2; K3 is synthetic and should be avoided.

• Niacin (Vitamin B3) – 0.9 mg. 4% RDA.

• Thiamin (Vitamin B1) – 0.1 mg. 9% RDA.

• Vitamin B6 – 0.2 mg. 9% RDA.

• Magnesium – 36 mg. 9% RDA.

• Manganese –  0.3 mg. 15% RDA.

• Beta carotene – 225 mcg.

• Lutein, Zeaxanthin – 516 mcg.

As mentioned, Okro is rich in numerous vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are responsible for the health benefits the plant has to offer. Here are some of okro’s health benefits:

• Okro Promotes a Healthy Pregnancy – An extremely important B vitamin for producing and maintaining new cells, folate is an essential compound for optimal pregnancy. The vitamin helps prevent birth defects like spina bifida and helps the baby to grow sufficiently. Vitamin C is also essential for fetal development. Okro is rich in both folate and vitamin C.

• Helps Prevent Diabetes – Thanks to fiber and other nutrients, okro proves beneficial in normalizing blood sugar in the body, helping with diabetes.

• Helps with Kidney Disease – One study published in the Jilin Medical Journal found that regular consumption of okro can help prevent kidney disease. In the study, “those who ate okro daily reduced clinical signs of kidney damage more than those that simply ate a diabetic diet.” This also ties in with diabetes, as nearly 50% of kidney disease cases are caused by diabetes.

• Supports Colon Health – Okro is full of dietary fiber, which is essential for colon health and digestive health as a whole. The fiber Okro provides helps to clean out the gastrointestinal system, allowing the colon to work at greater levels of efficiency. Additionally, the vitamin A contributes to healthy mucous membranes, helping the digestive tract to operate appropriately.

• Could Help with Respiratory Issues like Asthma – Okro contains vitamin C, which has been shown to help with respiratory issues like asthma. One study concluded that “the consumption of fruit rich in vitamin C, even at a low level of intake, may reduce wheezing symptoms in childhood, especially among already susceptible individuals.”

• Promotes Healthy Skin – Vitamin C helps keep the skin looking young and vibrant. The vitamin aids in the growth and repair of bodily tissues, which affects collagen formation and skin pigmentation, and helps to rejuvenate damaged skin. Okro is full of vitamin C.

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Melon (Egusi) Soup: Rich Supplement For Mother Nature

Elena Davert, an expert nutritionist from Nourishing The Planet, extols the health benefits of consuming melon soup, otherwise known as egusi in West Africa. Egusi, a wild member of the gourd family, has the potential to spread its popularity on the global market nearly as quickly as it grows. Native to parts of Western Africa, this peculiar looking plant can grow just about anywhere, from humid gullies, to dry savannahs, to tropical highlands –making it a source of food for farmers in even the worst conditions.

Although the egusi looks almost identical to its cousin, the watermelon, don’t be fooled, they are actually quite different.  Because the egusi is filled with very dry, bitter flesh, the seeds are the true delicacy of this melon. Composed of nearly 50 percent edible oil and another 30 percent pure protein, these little seeds pack a lot of nutrition into a very small package. In many parts of Africa, where farmers lack access to meat or dairy, the high oil and protein content can make an excellent dietary supplement.

While the seeds are often shelled and eaten individually as a snack, many processed forms of the seeds have made their way into common cooking practices. After soaking, fermenting, or boiling, the seeds take on different flavors and are frequently added to thicken soups and stews. On their own, the seeds can also be roasted and ground into a spread like peanut butter.  With further preparation, egusi-seed meal can be pressed into patties to be used like a meat substitute, and its oil can be used for cooking.

The egusi can also be an important supplementary baby food, helping prevent malnutrition. Blending the seeds with water and honey produces a milky liquid that can be used as formula if breast milk is unavailable, making the plant as diverse in its uses as it is easy to grow.

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Why Processed Meat Can Cause Cancer - WHO

Even though health providers have been warning against it, many people, especially meat lovers, were taken by surprise yesterday when the World Health Organization (WHO) released the report that processed meat could cause cancer.

While doctors have long warned against eating too much meat, the World Health Organization's cancer agency gave the most definitive response yet about its relation to cancer - and put processed meats in the same danger category as cigarettes or asbestos.

A group of 22 scientists from the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France evaluated more than 800 studies from several continents about meat and cancer.

Based on that evaluation, they classified processed meat as "carcinogenic to humans" and red meat as "probably carcinogenic."

Meat industry groups protest the classification. The North American Meat Institute argued in a statement that "cancer is a complex disease not caused by single foods" and stressed the importance of lifestyle and environmental factors.

Doctors have warned that a diet loaded with red meat is linked to cancers, including those of the colon and pancreas. The American Cancer Society has long urged people to reduce consumption of red meat and processed meat.

Dr. David Agus, one of the world's leading cancer specialists and a CBS News medical contributor, told "CBS yesterday" that processed meats can "slightly increase your risks," predominantly for colon cancer.

"To put this in perspective, the lifetime risk of colon cancer is 5 percent," Agus said. "If you have a hot dog every day, your risk goes to 6 percent."

Examples of processed meats include bacon, hot dogs, ham, sausages, corned beef, beef jerky and canned meats - any meat transformed to improve its flavor or preserve it through techniques like salting, curing or smoking.

"We've always known, processed meats - too much is bad," Agus said. "Processed meats aren't good for blood pressure, have a slight increase in colon cancer risk, potentially a slight increase in prostate and pancreatic cancer [risk]. They're very small. But the key is what grandma used to say: moderation."

He said research shows that three and a half servings of regular meat per week appears to have no negative health consequences.

Dana White, a clinical assistant professor of athletic training and sports medicine at Quinnipiac University, in Connecticut, concurred with the message on moderation. "As a registered dietitian I like to look at the big picture of the overall diet," she said. "Red meat can provide important nutrients such as essential amino acids, iron and vitamin B12. When lean cuts are consumed in moderation, it can still fit into a healthy diet."

The WHO report noted that red meat contains important nutrients but said it was associated with some cancers in several studies. Their report said grilling, pan-frying or other high-temperature methods of cooking red meat produce the highest amounts of chemicals suspected to cause cancer.

While the WHO report classifies processed meats as "carcinogenic to humans" - the same category as tobacco smoking and asbestos - it points out this does not mean such foods are as hazardous as cigarettes.

The classifications "describe the strength of the scientific evidence about an agent being a cause of cancer, rather than assessing the level of risk," it explains. "This classification is based on sufficient evidence from epidemiological studies that eating processed meat causes colorectal cancer."

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Plants Based Diets Healthier For The Brain - Study

Following a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish and healthy fats may preserve a more youthful brain in old age, a United States (U.S) study has stated. Previous research has connected Mediterranean diet to a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative brain conditions, noted lead study author, Yian Gu of Columbia University in New York.

For the current study which is published in the journal Neurology, researchers focused on elderly people with normal cognitive function to see if the diet might also be tied to losing fewer brain cells due to aging, Gu said. Scientific evidence has shown that ageing can cause the brain to shrink.

Deterioration of the brain sneaks up on most people. As people age, their reflexes slow. They walk and act slower and in some, memory begin to fail especially the short term form of memory ability that is so crucial for learning new things.

Although, ageing brain is a major risk factor for most common neurodegenerative diseases, including mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, cerebrovascular disease, Pakinson’s disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease, the U.S study shows that consumption of diet of Mediterranean countries, characterized especially by a high consumption of vegetables and olive oil and moderate consumption of protein confers health benefits. Countries with coastline on the Mediterranean Sea have through their diet culture carved a niche for themselves as researchers have found their eating plan to be healthier as well as heartfriendly.

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes eating primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts and replacing butter with healthy fats, such as olive oil. It also includes using herbs instead of salt to flavour foods. Furthermore, Mediterranean diet features fish and poultry – lean sources of protein – over red meat, which contains more saturated fat.

Red wine is similarly consumed regularly but in moderate amounts. Explaining details of the U.S. study, Gu said: “Among cognitively healthy older adults, we were able to detect an association between higher adherence to a Mediterranean type diet and better brain measures.”

To understand the relationship between the diet and brain health, Gu and colleagues reviewed surveys that 674 elderly people completed about their eating habits and then examined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of their brains. Compared to the people who didn’t regularly follow many aspects of the Mediterranean diet, the participants who adhered to this way of eating more often had larger total brain volume, as well as more gray and white matter.

Higher fish intake and lower meat consumption, one aspect of a Mediterranean diet, was tied to larger total gray matter volume on the brain scans. Also, eating less meat was independently associated with larger total brain volume.

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Banana Peels Are Packed Full With Nutrients

They are traditionally tossed aside, consigned to the rubbish and long forgotten. But, rather than deserve their reputation as a slippery hazard, the butt of cartoon jokes, banana skins are, in fact, good for us.

Whether you're partial to a green, yellow or browning fruit, the peel is packed with nutrients that can prove beneficial to the body. While it may strike you as an alien concept to use banana skin in your daily diet, in many parts of the world, notably India and the Caribbean, the peel is used to add flavour and substance to dishes.

And, there is now a growing consensus, which suggests the nutrients, compounds and minerals hidden away within the skin could help aid weight loss, and boost your mood. 

Banana skins are packed with various nutrients and vitamins that can boost your health, aid weight-loss and improve your mood, nutritionists say.

Nutritionist Ella Allred says while 'at first the peel may seem like an odd choice of food, when you investigate further you will realize there are nutritional benefits'.

She says: "The extra fibre in banana skins will certainly help with bowel regularity. The nutrition profile of magnesium, potassium, vitamin C and B6 is not something to be sniffed at." Laura Flores, a San Diego-based nutritionist agrees.

She told LiveScience: "It contains high amounts of vitamin B6 and B12, as well as magnesium and potassium, and some fibre and protein."

Furthermore, according to an article in the journal of Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, banana peels also contain 'various bioactive compounds like polyphenols, carotenoids and others'.

The skins are packed with vitamin A, which aids in healthy teeth, bones and soft tissue.

While B6 aids the body's immune system, promoting brain and heart health. It also regulates blood sugar levels, and so can help boost your mood.

And B12, also helps the brain and nervous system. Furthermore, B vitamins and the antioxidants lurking in the skin help stoke the metabolism and can therefore prove useful for those trying to lose weight.

And when it comes to being diet friendly, the peel adds no calories to your daily diet, only extra sustenance. 

Adding the peel of your banana to a smoothie is a good way to enjoy its benefits, adding fibre to the drink 

and helping you feel fuller for longer

Vitamin C aids the body in healing, growing new tissue and ligaments, while fibre can help you feel fuller for longer, making the skin diet-friendly.

The peel is also high in the mood-boosting hormone serotonin - a neurotransmitter derived from tryptophan. 

As well as helping to give you a life, tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is often prescribed to help treat sleep problems.

Past research has found fibre helps to lower cholesterol, in turn protecting against heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.

High levels of lutein contained within the peel can help protect your night vision.

The compound has also been found to play a role in preventing cataracts and macular degeneration - one of the leading causes of blindness.  

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Ebola: Virus Exists In Survivor's Semen For 9 Months

An electron micrograph scan shows the Ebola virus emerging from an infected cell.

Researchers have long known that the Ebola virus can linger in certain bodily fluids even after an infected person begins to recover. But a new study shows that remnants of the virus remained in the semen of some male survivors in Sierra Leone for 9 months after the onset of symptoms, raising new questions about how long Ebola might remain transmissible.

"These results come at a critically important time, reminding us that while Ebola case numbers continue to plummet, Ebola survivors and their families continue to struggle with the effects of the disease," Bruce Aylward, the World Health Organization's top Ebola official, said in a statement. "[The study] provides further evidence that survivors need continued, substantial support for the next 6 to 12 months to meet these challenges and to ensure their partners are not exposed."

The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, are part of a long-term effort to decipher the mysteries that still surround the deadly disease. While the unprecedented Ebola outbreak in West Africa has killed more than 11,000 people, it also has left behind something previous outbreaks did not -- thousands of survivors that researchers hope can teach us more about the virus.

The study involved analyzing semen samples from 93 Sierra Leonean men who had survived Ebola.

Researchers detected the presence of the virus's genetic material in the semen of all nine men tested in the first three months after their illness began. More than half of the 40 men tested between four and six months after the onset of their symptoms also tested positive, as did a quarter of the 43 men tested between seven to nine months after their illness began.

The findings shed new light on how long the virus can remain in the body. As recently as last October, the WHO noted that while the virus is spread primarily through contact with blood, feces and vomit -- and typically during the height of illness -- it also had been detected in breast milk, urine and semen. "In a convalescent male, the virus can persist in semen for at least 70 days; one study suggests persistence for more than 90 days," the organization wrote then. The study suggests that the virus can hang around even longer than many researchers expected.

But plenty of questions remain. The authors acknowledged that they still lack data about how the presence of Ebola virus RNA in semen relates to the likelihood of actual transmission. Despite some suspected instances of Ebola being spread through sexual activity, it is exceedingly rare, and "the risk of sexual transmission is unknown and is being investigated," the study states.

The explanation for why some men retain fragments of the Ebola virus in their semen for months while others clear the virus also remains unclear. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are conducting more tests on the samples to determine whether the virus is live and potentially infectious. In the meantime, health officials have urged the more than 8,000 male Ebola survivors to abstain from sex or use condoms until no remnants of the virus remain in their semen.

The study, conducted jointly by the CDC, the WHO and the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health, comes as the countries hard-hit by the Ebola crisis are pushing to end the outbreak nearly two years after it began. The epidemic is now confined to small areas of Guinea and Sierra Leone, the WHO said. Liberia remains free of Ebola. In general, the epidemic is considered over in a country when no new cases are identified for 42 days, twice the incubation period of the virus.

However,  it is believed that, so long as there is a case of Ebola in any part of the world, there is the risk that it could be imported into any other part of the world.

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