Food Poisoning Can Be Passed Through Sex - New Study

FOOD poisoning can be passed through sex, doctors have discovered.

Usually it's assumed the nasty illness - causing sickness and diarrhoea - is a result of eating something dodgy.

1

Food poisoning can be passed through sex, doctors have said after studying an outbreak in men who have sex with menCredit: Getty - Contributor

But researchers in Oklahoma have for the first time discovered a new mode of spread, making it a possible STI. 

The study looked at campylobacter, one of the many common bugs that leads to food poisoning.

Campylobacter infections usually happen when someone eats chicken that has not been cooked thoroughly, or the juices that come from it.

It can also occur when people drink water or milk that has been contaminated by infected animals.

Researchers looked at whether sexual contact could be behind an outbreak of campylobacter infections in men who have sex with other men in northern Europe.

It showed the illness was 14 times higher in men who were sexually active with other men compared to the control group.

The results are relevant to people of any sexual orientation whose sex may involve “fecal-oral contact”, said lead author Dr Katrin Kuhn.

This is when infectious particles from faeces are ingested through the mouth.

Some STIs are passed this way, including herpes and gonorrhoea.

Dr Kuhn said: "This research is important for public health messaging and for physicians as they talk to their patients about risks associated with sexual contact.”

Two other food poisoning bacteria, salmonella and shigella, were used as comparisons in the study.

Salmonella is spread primarily through infected foods and has a high infectious dose, meaning people have to consume a lot of it to become ill.

For comparison, shigella can be transmitted through food or sexual contact with a low infectious dose, making it easier to transmit.

Dr Kuhn, an infectious disease scientist at the OU Hudson College of Public Health, said: "That's an additional reason why we believe Campylobacter can be transmitted through sexual contact like shigella is - because people can become infected when only small amounts of the bacteria are present.”

How to avoid food poisoning

·         Wash your hands before and after handling food, after touching the bin, using the toilet, blowing your nose or touching animals, including pets

·         Wash worktops, knives and utensils before and after preparing food

·         Wash dishcloths and towels regularly and make sure they are dry before using them again

·         Use a separate chopping board to prepare raw food, such as meat and fish

·         Keep raw meat away from ready-to-eat foods, such as salad, fruit and bread

·         Always cover raw meat and store it on the bottom shelf of the fridge

·         Make sure poultry, pork, burgers, sausages and kebabs are cooked until steaming hot, with no pink meat inside. Do not wash raw meat

·         Keep your fridge temperature below 5C  and don't overfill it

·         If you have cooked food that you're not going to eat straight away, cool it as quickly as possible and put it in the fridge or freezer

·         Do not eat food that's past its use-by date, even if it looks and smells OK

Source: NHS 

Read More

The Amazing Health Benefits Of Soy Beans (1)

Soybean or soya bean is a species of legumes that has become one of the most widely consumed foods in the world for its many health benefits. soybeans are native to East Asia and are highly grown in India as well as Africa. People who follow a strict vegetarian diet often use soybean to replace meat for protein. Along with having a high protein content, soybeans are also rich in saturated fats, fiber, antioxidants, Omega-3 fatty acids, and phytoestrogens, among other essential nutrients required by the body. In recent times, soybeans have grown to popularity due to their derivatives such as tofu, soy milk, and textured vegetable protein. This variety of soy products has created a new massive market altogether, primarily benefiting the vegan population. Foods containing soy have also been shown to have several health benefits. For example, the health benefits of soybean for menopausal women include lowered risk of osteoporosis, protection from coronary heart disease, and fewer hot flushes. According to experts, including soybean in your daily diet can help you maintain a healthy body as well as overall well-being. 

With that said, in this post, we will be discussing the health benefits of soybean, its nutritional facts, and the best soybean recipe that can be made at the comfort of your home.

Nutrition Value of Soybean

Soybeans are composed of protein and also contain good amounts of fat and carbs. 100 grams of boiled soybeans contain:

§  Calories – 173  

§  Fiber – 6 grams    

§  Carbohydrates – 9.9 grams    

§  Protein – 16.6 grams

§  Fat – 9 grams

Health Benefits of Soybean 

Soybean has been part of the traditional Indian and African diets for centuries. It contains phytonutrients and antioxidants that are linked to numerous health benefits. And don’t forget the protein content, which is in abundance. Here are the potential health benefits of soybeans. 

1. Helps relieve sleep disorders 

One of the primary benefits of soybean is that not many know that soybean can help relieve the symptoms of sleep disorder. According to health professionals, soybeans can help in reducing the occurrence of insomnia along with other sleeping disorders. Since soybean contains magnesium in high amounts, which is linked to increasing the quality, restfulness, and duration of your sleep, it would be beneficial that you add it in your daily diet.  

2. Soybean may help manage diabetes 

Eating soybean is an effective way to manage and prevent diabetes. According to several studies, soybean has the ability to increase the insulin receptors in the body. As a result, it can prevent diabetes from occurring in the first place or can help manage the disease effectively if you are already suffering from it. Further, the carbohydrate content in soybean is incredibly low, which makes it an excellent anti-diabetic food. Eating soybean will keep your blood sugar levels in check and will make sure that it doesn’t spike thanks to the soy isoflavones. Although the mechanism of how it works is still unknown, scientists say that soy isoflavones help improve insulin sensitivity, allowing the cells to absorb more glucose and respond more to insulin. 

3. Help improve blood circulation

As per the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, iron and copper are two essential minerals that are found in abundance in soybean. Both components are vital for the production of red blood cells (RBCs). According to health experts, with an appropriate amount of red blood cells in the body, the essential organ systems, including the extremities of the body, can get proper oxygen and blood flow they need to function efficiently. With the increase in red blood cells, your body experiences a maximized metabolic activity. 

4. Essential for pregnancy

Soybean is rich in folic acid and vitamin B complex that is very essential for pregnant women. Pregnant women are told to consume soy-based organic products as folic acid in soybean helps in the prevention of neural tube defects in infants, ensuring a healthy delivery as well as a healthy baby. Birth defects are normal if the mother-to-be doesn’t take care of the nutrition requirements. Therefore, it is important to consult with your concerned gynecologist and pen down the list of things to eat during pregnancy. Nutrition is not only important to the infant but the mother as well.  

5. Soybean for healthy bones 

Soybeans have high mineral and vitamin content. The impressive levels of zinc, selenium, copper, magnesium, and calcium in soybean help in keeping the bones stronger and healthy. All these elements in soy can help in promoting the osteotropic activity, allowing the new bones to grow, making the existing ones stronger, and speed up the bone healing process. Doctors and health experts believe that eating soybean can be a long-term solution for treating problems like osteoporosis, which is a common condition affecting the old age. With that said, you must include soybean in your daily diet to ensure your bones are strong and can evade any diseases. 

6. Aids healthy digestion 

Dietary fiber is present in soybean in high quantities. Dietary fiber is essential for total body functioning and plays a vital role in the digestive system. Fiber helps in bulking up your stool, allowing it to move through the intestines smoothly and exit the body. Fiber helps in stimulating the peristaltic motion in the body, which is the contraction of the muscles in the digestive system that push food through the system. People suffering from constipation are recommended to consume fiber-rich foods as it helps proper bowel movements. Constipation, if not looked into, can lead to some serious conditions like bleeding, pain while clearing the bowel, and even colorectal cancer. Soybean is a fiber-rich food source that also contains oligosaccharides, a carbohydrate that is known to stimulate the growth of healthy gut bacteria, acting as a prebiotic. 

7. Relieve menopausal symptoms

 

Soybean contains isoflavones in abundance, which is a vital component of the female reproductive system. When women reach menopause, they experience a drastic drop in estrogen levels. This can lead to several menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, abdominal cramps, hunger pains, mood swings, etc. Isoflavones bind the estrogen receptors in a way that your body doesn’t feel the change. Including soybean in your daily diet can help in relieving menopausal symptoms… to be continued on Saturday.  

Read More

Delta Variant: Fear Of Rapid Spread As Nigerians Abandon Safety Protocols

  

      Nigerians have abandoned COVID-19 protocols despite the detection of Delta variant, a highly contagious strain of the virus.

Punch correspondents, who monitored public places across the country on Tuesday, observed that residents were no more adhering to safety measures as they

dismissed the Delta variant, which was detected in the country last week.

But experts, who spoke to The PUNCH, warned that Nigerians’ disregard for safety rules would lead to the rapid spread of the dangerous strain.

Amidst the widespread disregard for protocols in the country,  the University of Lagos, Akoka on Tuesday said patients at its medical centres were presenting

flu-like symptoms similar to COVID-19.

It was gathered that because of a rumour of a suspected case of the Delta,  many students were no more sleeping in the university hostels.

Despite the advice by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control,  washing of hands and use of face masks have been abandoned in many cities as state governments

have stopped enforcement.

At bus termini in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Tuesday, passengers and drivers did not adhere to the protocols.

But the state government, in a statement appealed to residents not to let their guards down but adhere strictly to the COVID-19 preventive measures to

prevent them from contacting the Delta variant.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani; and the Coordinator, COVID-19 Response Task Force, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, in the statement while alerting

citizens to the presence of the deadly variant in Nigeria, said it was capable of severely impacting infected persons within a short time.

They stated, “Ekiti State COVID-19 Response Task Force is set to heighten surveillance and the strict enforcement of all existing measures aimed at containing

the pandemic in the state. All indigenes and residents are hereby enjoined to adhere to the government’s public health advisories and regulations in our

collective interests.

“We must not relent in the practice of preventive measures such as the proper use of masks in public gatherings, maintenance of hand hygiene through proper

hand-washing or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and social distancing.”

Correspondent in Sokoto State noticed that banks, markets including the Sokoto Central Markets and motor parks, had stopped enforcing safety measures.

At the entrance of Sokoto Central Motor Park, what was left were damaged motorized hand washing bowls, without water and soap.

Residents of Plateau State, who spoke to one of the correspondents, said it was not important to use face masks, adding that the Delta variant would go

as the previous strains went down in the country.

It was observed that face masks were no longer in use in public places such as bus stops, schools, churches and mosques.

A resident, Rose Michael who acknowledged the disappearance of the use of face masks and other safety measures in public places, blamed the development

on “familiarity with the disease”

In Rivers State, while shopping malls, banks and hotels continue strict adherence to the protocols, especially the use of face masks, motor parks flout

them.

Correspondents, who have been monitoring the level of compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines, observed that the people had completely ignored the

guidelines in parks,  bus stops and commercial vehicles.

It was also observed that the measures were not being enforced in schools and churches in Port Harcourt and other parts of the state.

UNILAG patients present COVID-19-like symptoms, varsity urges adherence to protocols

In UNILAG, a student,  who resides in one of the hostels on the university campus, confided in one of the correspondents that many of his colleagues who

were ill, had symptoms similar to COVID-19.

“We have many people falling sick with COVID-19 symptoms. We don’t know what is happening. Many of us have to start going home instead of sleeping in the

hostel,” she said.

Another student confirmed that her roommate tested positive and had been isolated.

The undergraduate stated, ”Yes, one of my roommates tested positive. After that, we (other roommates) went for the COVID-19 test but returned negative.

People are saying that there is Delta variant on campus but I don’t know how true that is.”

“We had a test today and the turnout was large, just that many of us were scared and we all used our nose mask,” another student told one of the correspondents.

When contacted, the spokesperson for UNILAG, Nonye Oguama, said “no comment.”

The institution on its website confirmed that its medical centre had recorded an increase in the number of patients with symptoms similar to those of 

COVID-19.

The statement published on the university website read, “The University of Lagos Medical Centre wishes to inform all members of the University of Lagos

Community about what appears to be the start of a potential third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos State.

“The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu, in his press statement issued on July 11, 2021, stated that since the beginning of July

there has been a steep increase in the number of daily confirmed cases, with the test positivity rate going from 1.1 per cent at the end of June 2021,

to its current rate of 6.6 per cent as at the 8th of July 2021. This is with a concurrent increase in the occupancy rate at Lagos State isolation centres.

 “The University of Lagos community has also been affected by this potential third wave, with an increase in the number of patients presented to the University

of Lagos Medical Centre with flu-like symptoms which are similar to COVID-19.

“The Medical Centre hereby assures all members of the university community, that all necessary actions in line with the Federal and Lagos State governments’

guidelines have been taken regarding this potential threat in our community.

“The Medical Centre will also return to providing EMERGENCY ONLY SERVICES during this period, in order to protect all members of the community from potential

infection within the facility. The Medical Centre Emergency Contact line: 09095879781 remains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Despite this threat to the return of normalcy, pursuit of education and daily livelihood, it has become imperative once more to judiciously adhere to

the following COVID-19 guidelines and protocols in order to curb the spread of this disease.”

It was gathered that  a female student in the Law Department got infected, adding that the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, 

summoned an emergency meeting of the senate as the third wave of COVID-19 hits the institution.

Nigeria expecting 41,282,770 vaccine doses July, September

In Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, disclosed that Nigeria would be expecting

41,282,770 COVID-19 vaccine doses this year.

He  advised Nigerians to embrace non-pharmaceutical means of curbing the Delta variant of  coronavirus. 

Read More

NAFDAC Warns Nigerians Against Using Hand Sanitizers With Methanol

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has again cautioned Nigerians against the use of hand sanitizers especially Nutricional S, de R, L De C.V containing methanol.

The warning is contained in a public alert with No: 20/2021 tagged “Recall of Hand Sanitizers by DiBAR Nutricional due to the presence of Methanol(Wood alcohol).

The alert was signed by the Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday .

She said that the agency had received information from US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) about the presence of methanol in hand sanitizers.

She added that information from FDA noted that Nutricional S,de R,L De C.V (Dibar) is recalling all Dibar Labs hand sanitizers, ProtectoRX hand sanitizers and Advance hand sanitizers due to the presence of methanol.

According to her, methanol, or wood alcohol, is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can be life-threatening when ingested.

“Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death.

“All persons using these products on their hands are at risk for methanol poisoning, young children who accidentally ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk.

“Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and must not be used due to its toxicity,” she stressed.

Adeyeye, therefore, called on consumers, who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol and are experiencing symptoms, to seek immediate treatment for a potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning.

According to her, the call is necessary at this time after the FDA analysis has found the product to contain methanol in lab testing.

Adeyeye stated that NAFDAC implores importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance to avoid the distribution, sale and use of methanol alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

She also called on healthcare providers and members of the public in possession of methanol alcohol-based hand sanitizers to discontinue sale and use or submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

She said that healthcare professionals are encouraged to report any problem related to the use of any hand sanitizers to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLL FREE from all networks). 

Read More

COVID 19: NCDC Confirms Deadly Delta Variant In Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Thursday said it has detected a confirmed case with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, also known as lineage B.1.617.2.

The NCDC in a statement said the variant was detected in a traveller to Nigeria, following the routine travel test required of all international travellers and genomic sequencing at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory, Abuja.

The deadly Delta variant is recognised by the World Health Organisation as a variant of concern, given its increased transmissibility.

The variant has been detected in over 90 countries and is expected to spread to more countries, according to the NCDC.

The NCDC Head of Communications, Dr Yahya Disu, in the statement said the variant had also been linked to a surge in cases in countries where it is the dominant strain in circulation.

“There are ongoing studies to understand the impact of the variant on existing vaccines and therapeutics. As part of Nigeria’s COVID-19 response, NCDC has been working with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, African Centre for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, and other laboratories within the national network, to carry out genomic sequencing.

 “This is to enable the detection of variants of concern, and initiate response activities. All data on variants from Nigeria have been published on GISAID, a global mechanism for sharing sequencing data. Given the global risk of spread of the Delta variant, positive samples from international travellers to Nigeria are sequenced regularly,” the statement partly read.

The Federal Government through the Presidential Steering Committee had initiated several measures to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19.

The measures include the introduction of travel restrictions from countries where there is a surge in cases associated with widespread prevalence of variants of concern.

“The national travel protocol which includes compulsory seven-day self-isolation and repeat test on the seventh day after arrival, are in place to reduce the risk of spread of the virus.

“It is very important that this is strictly adhered to, to prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases in Nigeria. Given the high transmissibility of the Delta variant and following its detection in Nigeria, NCDC urges all Nigerians to ensure strict adherence to public health and social measures in place,” the statement said.

  

Read More

Nigeria Moves Closer To Local Vaccine Production - NAFDAC

The Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the drugs and food regulatory agency in Nigeria,  Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, has said that Nigeria has 30 left on the list of requirements put in place by the World Health Organisation for the production of local vaccines in the country.

The NAFDAC boss disclosed this during an interview with news men.

According to Adeyeye, the WHO laid down 240 requirements and Nigeria has been able to meet 210 of them.

She said, “What the world body is trying to do right now is to make sure that Africa has the capacity to manufacture vaccines and that is what is going on as we speak.

“However, to be able to manufacture vaccines, NAFDAC has to be strong enough to control.

“We have been working on this for about three years. When I came in, that was what I dug into.

 “We have over 240 quality system requirements that we have to meet. As of a week plus ago, we had about 30 requirements left.

“It is still a lot, but as we are speaking because the WHO people are coming in three weeks; we have sent them everything we have to serve as evidence. When we get to that level, Nigeria can start manufacturing vaccines.”

  

Read More