Lagos Kicks Off Wellness Week

LASG to introduce “Wellness Week”, says Gov’s aide

Today, May 11 marks the beginning of Lagos wellness week. The one week event will hold simultaneously in all the local government areas and all the local council development areas of the state. A statement by Dr Yewande Adeshina, the Special Adviser to Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos on Public Health, says the wellness week is being organised to draw attention to comprehensive wellness check. She stated that the programme was an integrated free health screening to educate people on the need to do a holistic and comprehensive wellness check.

Adeshina stated that the Wellness Week, which would hold between May 11 and May 17, would be held in all the 20 local government areas (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) of the state. According to her, the screening is necessary due to the health and economic loss hypertension, diabetes and cancer pose to both individuals and the government.

“About the state-wide Wellness Week that we celebrate. It is actually a grassroots –community programme. We`ve merged Cancer Screening Week, hypertension and Diabetes Screening week. We are trying to teach people how to pay attention to holistic, comprehensive wellness check which should be yearly for any adult. And that is how we prevent illness. If we can encourage the culture of prevention, our cost in healthcare will go down very drastically. So, that is what the wellness week is supposed to do. We have all these services provided for at our PHCs and our general hospitals. So, we want to create awareness for our citizens that they can access this care.

Where during one screen, one visit, you get cancer check, you get high blood pressure and diabetes check and we educate on other preventive things that you should be doing for you to maintain your good health,’’she stated. The governor’s aide appealed to men and women, who are18 years and above, to take advantage of the programme to have a comprehensive check of their bodies.

LASG to introduce “Wellness Week”, says Gov’s aide

on May 08, 2015   /   in News 6:26 pm   /   Comments

Dr Yewande Adeshina, the Special Adviser to Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos on Public Health, says plans are at advanced stage to organise a “Wellness Week’’ to draw attention to comprehensive wellness check. She told newsmen on Friday in Lagos, that the programme was an integrated free health screening to educate people on the need to do a holistic and comprehensive wellness check.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/05/lasg-to-introduce-wellness-week-says-govs-aide/#sthash.oZ1gmuIv.dpuf

LASG to introduce “Wellness Week”, says Gov’s aide

Dr Yewande Adeshina, the Special Adviser to Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos on Public Health, says plans are at advanced stage to organise a “Wellness Week’’ to draw attention to comprehensive wellness check. She told newsmen on Friday in Lagos, that the programme was an integrated free health screening to educate people on the need to do a holistic and comprehensive wellness check.

Adeshina stated that the Wellness Week, which would hold between May 11 and May 17, would be held in all the 20 local government areas (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) of the state. According to her, the screening is necessary due to the health and economic loss hypertension, diabetes and cancer pose to both individuals and the government.

“About the state-wide Wellness Week that we celebrate. It is actually a grassroots –community programme. “We`ve merged Cancer Screening Week, hypertension and Diabetes Screening week. We are trying to teach people how to pay attention to holistic, comprehensive wellness check which should be yearly for any adult.

“And that is how we prevent illness. If we can encourage the culture of prevention, our cost in healthcare will go down very drastically. So, that is what the wellness week is supposed to do. “We have all these services provided for at our PHCs and our general hospitals. So, we want to create awareness for our citizens that they can access this care.

“Where during one screen, one visit, you get cancer check, you get high blood pressure and diabetes check and we educate on other preventive things that you should be doing for you to maintain your good health.’’ The governor’s aide appealed to men and women, who are18 years and above, to take advantage of the programme to have a comprehensive check of their bodies.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/05/lasg-to-introduce-wellness-week-says-govs-aide/#sthash.oZ1gmuIv.dpuf

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Coconut Fruits And Its Amazing Health Benefits

• 
  Coconut is a very versatile and indispensable food item for most people under the tropical belt, including Nigeria where it is found mostly in the southern part of the country. It is a complete food rich in calories, vitamins, and minerals. A medium-size nut carrying 400 g edible meat and some 30-150 ml of water may provide almost all the daily-required essential minerals, vitamins, and energy of an average-sized individual.
  
• 100 g kernel consists of 354 calories. Much of this comes from the fats and protein. Although, its meat is disproportionately high in saturated fats on comparison to other common edible nuts, coconut has many bioactive compounds that are essential for better health.
  
• The important saturated fatty acid in the coconut is lauric acid (1:12 carbon fatty acid). Lauric acid increases good-HDL cholesterol levels in the blood. HDL is a high-density lipoprotein, which has beneficial effects on the coronary arteries by preventing vessel blockade (atherosclerosis). Physicians recommend high HDL to total cholesterol levels in the blood for the same reason.
  
• Coconut water is a very refreshing drink to beat tropical summer thirst. The juice is packed with simple sugar, electrolytes, minerals, and bioactive compounds such as cytokinin, and enzymes such as acid phosphatase, catalase, dehydrogenase, peroxidase, polymerases, etc. Altogether, these enzymes aid in digestion and metabolism.
  
• Coconut oil extracted from dry kernel (copra) is an excellent emollient agent. It is used in cooking, applied over scalp as hair nourishment, employed in pharmacy and in medicines.
  
• Research studies suggest that cytokinins (e.g., kinetin and trans-zeatin) in coconut water showed significant anti-ageing, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-thrombotic effects.
  
• The kernel is an excellent source of minerals such as copper, calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, and zinc.
  
• It is also a very good source of B-complex vitamins such as folates, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, and pyridoxine. These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish.
  
• Coconut meat and water contain a very good amount of potassium. 100 g of fresh meat contains 356 mg% or 7.5% of daily required levels of potassium.
  
  
  There are several methods in practice to cut-open the whole coconut fruit. At domestic level, an expert person with enough skills in plying its tough outer husk should only be employed in this task. The nuts are usually husked with the help of huge machines in the industries. At the household, it is plied using sharp sickle, portion by portion to expose underneath nut with the spherical to ovals shaped hard shell. In India and other Asian countries, this husked nut is broken by hitting it against the hard surface with great force to crack open. Its water is usually discarded. Then its meat is separated from its attachment to shell using a sharp spatula or knife. The meat is cut into chunks, slices or grated using special household knife, or grater.
  Here are some serving tips:
  
• Its slices or chunks are eaten as a snack. The kernel can be eaten in many ways. In one of the special recipes in South India where small slices or grated coconut is mixed with jackfruit slices, honey, sugar, and banana and served as a desset. In Nigeria, slices of coconut are usually eating with boiled corn or boiled cassave chips (often called abacha).
  
• Finely grated and dried (desiccated) coconut powder is used in the preparation of variety of savory dishes in India and other Asian region. Coconut chutney is a thick paste prepared by grinding together grated coconut, roasted peanuts, green or red chilli peppers, mustard seeds, curry leaves, garlic, and salt and used as a dip with rice cake (idli), poori (puffed fried thin bread) etc.
  
• Dried (desiccated) coconut powder is found a special place in mouth-watering sweet dishes like burfi, granola bars, cake, cookies, chocolate, pies, custard (kheer) etc., in almost all parts of South Asia, and East Asian regions.
  
• Fresh tender coconut water can be made as special refreshing drink by adding lemon, mint leaves, orange zest, etc.
  
• Coconut milk is added to flavor variety of food preparations. Fish and seafood curries cooked in milk is one of a special recipe in many parts of Indonesia, Philippines, India (Kerala,), Malaysia and Sri Lanka. In Indonesia and Malaysia, rice is steamed in milk with herbs and spices (nasi uduk) and served with chicken or beef curries.
• Coconut rice is also a meal enjoyed by many Nigerians

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The Dangers Of Belly Fat

In Africa, especially in Nigeria, having a big tummy was once thought to be " evidence of good living". But now, health researchers have come to established the fact that belly fat (which in most cases is the cause of big tummy) is a dangerous health condition.The notches on your belt tell the tale: If your waistline has gained girth, you've got more than friendly padding. You've got too much belly fat, and that's a serious health issue.
Doctors have a catchy term for that too-familiar round belly -- the "apple" shape. If your fat has settled on the buttocks and thighs, you're a "pear" shape. Don't get sidetracked with the cutesy names, however. Belly fat (aka visceral fat) is serious business.
"A big waistline puts you at increased risk for many health problems -- diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke," says Robert Eckel, MD, president of the American Heart Association.
Even skinny people can have unhealthy "hidden" belly fat. Research shows that fat may be folded deep inside the belly around the stomach organs, visible only by CT or MRI imaging. This fat puts people at the same health risks as someone with more obvious big girth, researchers say.

Belly fat doesn't just lay idle at your beltline. Researchers describe it as an active "organ" in your body -- one that churns out hormones and inflammatory substances.
"Abdominal fat is thought to break down easily into fatty acids, which flow directly into the liver and into muscle," says Lewis Kuller, MD, DPH, professor and past chair of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health.
When these excess fatty acids drain into the liver, they trigger a chain reaction of changes -- increasing the production of LDL 'bad' cholesterol and triglycerides. During this time insulin can also become less effective in controlling blood sugar, so insulin resistance sets in, he explains.
Blood sugars start to get out of balance. Fats and clots get into the bloodstream, and that sets the stage for diabetes, heart disease, and more.
And research shows that abdominal fat triggers a change in angiotensin, a hormone that controls blood vessel constriction -- increasing the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack, Kuller explains.
Indeed, belly fat is a key indicator of "metabolic syndrome," a cluster of abnormalities that include high levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, and triglycerides, as well as low levels of "good" HDL cholesterol. This combination of risks has an impact on mortality from heart disease.

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"Vemma Nutrition Offers Improved Health and Wellness To Nigerians Via Its Products While Giving Opportunity For People To Make Extra Income Through Distribution Partnership" - Wilfred Obi, Platinum Leader, Vemma Nutrition Nigeria Limited

 (When it arrived in Nigeria May last year, There were just about 100 people in the business; but now,  barely one year after, the company has over 7000 people in its network. That is the story of Vemma Nutrition Nigeria Limited, a company that has succeeded in positioning itself as a creator of both health and wealth. In this interview with Nigeria Natural Health online's editor, Dumbiri Frank Eboh, A Platinum Leader with Vemma Nutrition Nigeria Limited, Mr Wilfred Obi, speaks on the coming of Vemma Nutrition into Nigeria as well as its socio-economic impact on Nigerians who want to create extra stream of income to their finances. He also speaks on the Natural health benefits of Vemma Nutrition products. Excerpts.)

Lets begin by meeting you, your organization and your portfolio in the organization.
My name is Wilfred Obi. I am a platinum  leader with Vemma Nutrition Nig Ltd.
Could you please tell us in detail what Vemma Nutrition is all about?

Vemma is a health drink formulated with  90-plus nutrients that nourishes the body at the cellular level, and the daily 2 ounce serving is all you need to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs for a solid nutritional foundation.* Featuring 12 full-spectrum vitamins, plant-sourced minerals along with a powerful blend of the exotic mangosteen super fruit, organic glyconutrient-rich aloe vera and organic decaffeinated green tea, Vemma is quite possibly the world’s most powerful liquid antioxidant.

How is Vemma Nutrition different from other similar brands in the Nigerian market?

The foundation of Vemma's success lies firmly in the results achieved from its clinically studied, single-formula product line. At the company's core is the mission to help others by enhancing their well-being, and offering an income stream to people who introduce others to a product line they believe in. Product excellence from concept to consumption, is what makes Vemma an industry leader specializing in premium liquid nutrition. By combining the extensive knowledge of it's Chief Scientific Officer, Yibing Wang, M.D., Ph.D., with his Eastern (cardiology) and Western (genetic obesity) wellness expertise, and the best experts in nutrition, weight management and fitness, Vemma guarantees results-driven products that are true to what's listed on the label and a brand you can trust to enhance overall health.*
The science behind Vemma's clinically studied formula and all Vemma products is its highest priority. To ensure the best quality, Vemma ensures the following:
Sources only the highest-quality raw ingredients
Incorporates advances in nutrition and technology
Adheres to extensive manufacturing and testing standards
Completes a 30-step quality control process before a product gets released for purchase
What are the nutritional values of Vemma Nutrition products and how do these affect the health and wellness of the average Nigerian?

Vemma's nutritional values and potential impact on the health of the average Nigerian can be imagined from the following quotes:

“Vemma is the most complete, physician-derived vitamin, mineral and antioxidant formula available today. I take Vemma and recommend it to family and colleagues. The science behind the Vemma nutrition formula is impressive and the results I see as a physician are unsurpassed by any other supplement currently available."
– Steve J., M.D.
Brand Partner
Arkansas

"I had serious health challenges which left me with significant discomfort every day. I have been taking Vemma for ten weeks. I feel great and have as much energy as I did in my 20s!"**
– Sonia L.
Brand Partner
California

What is the driving force behind the Vemma Nutrition brand?
It is the clinical studies backing the products, which attest to their efficacy.
"It is rare in the wellness industry that a company would do clinical studies, simply because they're not required. But to have two clinical studies done on the Vemma formula and have them published in peer-reviewed journals is absolutely huge."
– Yibing Wang, M.D., Ph.D.
Vemma Chief Scientific Officer
In what ways is Vemma Nutrition contributing to the socio-economic life of Nigerians?
Health is wealth! To the extent that Vemma promotes health and wellbeing, it has great potential to positively impact the sociology-economic lives of Nigerians.

Secondly, Vemma Nutrition is an amazing organization with a unique business plan that offers individuals to make residual income through distribution partnership. The company with head quarters in the United States, moved its global sales from $100m in 2012 to $400m in 2014 and with its presence in Nigeria, the sales has moved further up. Nigerians are becoming to relate with this great company which is just relatively one year so far in the country.

Last year May when the company established, the affiliate members were a little over 100 but now we have close to 7,000 individuals scattered all over Nigeria making a living from Vemma business. This goes to show that people believe in the company’s vision and the products.
The company will be sponsoring a few Nigerians along with other top sales leaders across the globe to its 2015 convention, all expenses paid trip - this will no doubt have a greater positive impact in the business and branding of the company in Nigeria.
How are you positioned in the market – for the upper, middle and/or lower income bracket?
Not so many people are aware about the company and its products because we are, like I indicated earlier, only about a year old in Nigeria. As a network marketing organization, it is the responsibility of brand partners like myself to ensure that the word is out to the general public.
As a result of this, we are embarking on series of marketing programmes to support our face-to-face sales to the public.
Due to it's premium quality, Vemma products don't at average price, so it's easier forbthe upper and middle class to patronise  but I can tell you that the health value Vemma offers has made even the lower income to embrace the products.
  What is your distribution network like and in which parts of the country do you still need distributors?
At the moment we have Affiliates and Partners in 15 states in the country and the spread grows daily. Anyone interested, no matter the location in Nigeria is welcome to be an Affiliate  
How do you cope with competition?
As much as competition is welcome, we have been able to strategically situate ourselves in the market to meet the demands of the public. The efficacy of our product has strongly been stamped in the minds of Nigerians with sales moving up from N5m last year June to N100m within a year.

Let begin by meeting you, your organization and your port folio in the organization.

My name is Wilfred Obi. I am the platinum  leader, Vemma Nutrition Nig Ltd.

Could you please tell us in detail what Vemma Nutrition is all about?

Vemma’s 90-plus nutrients nourishes the body at the cellular level and the daily 2 ounce serving is all you need to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs for a solid nutritional foundation.* Featuring 12 full-spectrum vitamins, plant-sourced minerals along with a powerful blend of the exotic mangosteensuperfruit, organic glyconutrient-rich aloe vera and organic decaffeinated green tea, Vemma is quite possibly the world’s most powerful liquid antioxidant.

How is Vemma Nutrition different from other similar brands in the Nigerian market?

The foundation of Vemma's success lies firmly in the results achieved from our clinically studied, single-formula product line. At the company's core is our mission to help others by enhancing their well-being, and offering an income stream to people who introduce others to a product line they believe in. Product excellence, from concept to consumption, is what makes Vemma an industry leader specializing in premium liquid nutrition. By combining the extensive knowledge of ChiefScientific Officer, Yibing Wang, M.D., Ph.D., with his Eastern (cardiology) and Western (genetic obesity) wellness expertise, and the best experts in nutrition, weight management and fitness, we guarantee results-driven products that are true to what's listed on the label and a brand you can trust to enhance overall health.*

The science behind our clinically studied Vemma formula and all Vemma products is our highest priority. To ensure the best quality, we:

• Source only the highest-quality raw ingredients
• Incorporate advances in nutrition and technology
• Adhere to extensive manufacturing and testing standards
• Complete a 30-step quality control process before a product gets released for purchase

What are the nutritional values of Vemma Nutrition products and how do these affect the health and wellness of the average Nigerian?

“Vemma is the most complete, physician-derived vitamin, mineral and antioxidant formula available today. I take Vemma and recommend it to family and colleagues. The science behind the Vemma nutrition formula is impressive and the results I see as a physician are unsurpassed by any other supplement currently available."

– Steve J., M.D.
Brand Partner
Arkansas

"I had serious health challenges which left me with significant discomfort every day. I have been taking Vemma for ten weeks. I feel great and have as much energy as I did in my 20s!"**

– Sonia L.
Brand Partner
California

What is the driving force behind the Vemma Nutrition brand?

"It is rare in the wellness industry that a company would do clinical studies, simply because they're not required. But to have two clinical studies done on the Vemma formula and have them published in peer-reviewed journals is absolutely huge."
– Yibing Wang, M.D., Ph.D.
Vemma Chief Scientific Officer

In what ways is Vemma Nutrition contributing to the socio-economic life of Nigerians?

Vemma Nutrition is an amazing organization with a unique business plan that offers individuals to make residual income. The company, since 2012 moved its sales from $100m to $400m in 2014 and with its presence in Nigeria, the sales has moved up. The public have started relating with this great company which is just relatively 11 months so far in the country.

Last year May when the company established, the affiliate members were a little over 100 but now we have close to 7,000 individuals scattered all over Nigeria making a living from its business. This goes to show that people believe in the company’s vision and the products.

The company will be sponsoring a few Nigerians to its 2015 convention holding in Arizona, United States. It is an all expenses paid trip that will no doubt have a positive impact in the business and branding of the company.

How are you positioned in the market – for the upper, middle and/or lower income bracket?

Not so many people are knowledgeable about the company and its product. As a network marketing organization, it is the responsibility of brand partners like us to ensure that the word is out to the general public, as such, about 15% of the public are in the know of this.

As a result of this, we have embarked on direct marketing through social media, radio adverts and the likes to reach massively to the public.

  What is your distribution network like and in which parts of the country do you still need distributors?

At the moment we have distributors in 15 states in the country. However, we will need distributors in states like Niger state, Enugu, Kwara, Ota – Ogun state   

How do you cope with competition?

As much as competition is welcome, we have been able to strategically situate ourselves in the market to meet the demands of the public. The efficacy of our product has strongly been stamped in the minds of Nigerians with sales moving up from N5m last year June to N100m

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