FACTS ABOUT BELLY (ABDOMINAL) FAT

 

FACTS ABOUT BELLY (ABDOMINAL) FAT

Weight loss occurs in the belly before anywhere else.

Whether you’re an ‘apple’ shape with excess belly fat or a ‘pear’ with wide hips and thighs, when you lose weight, you’ll most likely lose weight proportionately more from the abdominal region than elsewhere. Belly fat is more metabolically active and easier to lose than subcutaneous fat under the skin, especially if you have of plenty of it.

Belly (abdominal) fat is also known as visceral fat. 

Belly fat is also called visceral fat which is found deep in the belly and around internal organs. There is no disputing the fact that visceral fat is the most dangerous for our health. Visceral fat is easy to lose and can be lost without changes to diet.

Crunches (sit-ups) will not flatten your belly. 

Hundreds of crunches each day won’t flatten your belly if you need to lose weight. If your abdominal muscles aren’t covered with excess fat, strengthening them can help you look tighter and thinner, but spot exercise won’t banish belly fat.

Women have too much belly fat if their waists are more than 35 inches around.

Women with waists that measure more than 35 inches have too much belly fat and may be at risks for heart disease and other conditions. In this situation, the best thing to do is to lose weight.

Men have too much belly fat if their waists are more than 40 inches around.

Men with waists that measure more than 40 inches have too much belly fat and may be at risk for heart disease and other conditions. Men in this situation should lose weight.

Eating a diet rich in whole grains helps to reduce fat.

Eating a diet rich in whole grains (which also tend to be higher in fiber) helps improve insulin sensitivity. Thus, in turn, it helps the body more efficiently use blood glucose, lowers blood glucose levels, and reduce fat deposition.

Food consider whole grain.

A whole grain is a grain that still has its outer covering which is nutritionally rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Examples of whole grains include; 

Popcorn

Whole grain corn

Whole Oats/ Oatmeal

Brown rice

Whole Rye

Whole grain barley

Buckwheat

Triticale

Bulgur (Cracked wheat)

Millet

Quinoa

Sorghum

100% whole wheat flour

Please note that many commercially available microwave popcorns have additional ingredients which can add calories to these products.

Belly fat acts like an organ in the body. 

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 breakdown easily into fatty acids, which flow directly into the liver and into muscles. Fats and clots get into bloodstreams and that sets the stage for diabetes, heart disease, and more.

Skinny people can have hidden belly fat. 

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 skinny people at the same health risks as someone with more obvious big girth, researchers say.

Walking is the ‘golden path’ to belly fat loss.

Exercise such as walking is the golden path to help lose belly fat. Cutting calories is part of it, but physical activity is really the answer. Liposuction can’t get rid of enough fat to eliminate the health risks. Bariatric (gastric bypass) surgery, though more effective is not ideal.

Large bellies have been linked to erectile dysfunction (impotence).

Because belly fat can trigger cardiovascular problems, a large belly has also been linked to erectile dysfunction (ED, impotence) in men over 60 years of age.

Men tend to collect more belly fat than women, and its starts early in life. 

In adolescence and post-adolescence, men start collecting abdominal fat. It’s one of the reasons men have more coronary heart disease than women.

 

BREASTFEEDING: Why it is important.

The World Health Organization recommends that all infants should be exclusively breastfed for around the first six months of life.

This advice is informed by high-quality evidence that tells us that breastmilk is the only food an infant will need for optimal growth and development during this time.

Continued breastfeeding, alongside the introduction of solid food, is also recommended up to 12 months of age. The continuation of breastfeeding should occur until the mother wishes to conclude.

There are many advantages to breastfeeding, including immunological (disease protection) and nutritional advantages for the child, but also disease prevention for the mother. Many women also report that they find the intimacy of breastfeeding important for bonding with their child.

Let’s look at these advantages in more detail.

Immunological advantages
Breastmilk is considered to be ‘live’. This means it’s constantly changing to ensure the best fit for your baby. Breastmilk composition changes during feeds, and as your child grows. It also responds to a mother’s environment to help to protect her infant from disease.

This is important because new infants are not well equipped to fight infections. In response to this, the first milk a mother produces (known as colostrum) is rich in disease-fighting antibodies (it’s also lower in sugar and fat, and higher in protein). This colostrum and the milk that follows is designed to build a newborn’s defence system to allow them to fight any infections that come their way.

This exposure to a mother’s milk means that breastfed babies are well-equipped to protect themselves and respond to infections causing coughs and colds (respiratory infections). They’re also less likely to suffer from bowel upsets.

Indeed, research tells us that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, regardless of the wealth of a country, would reduce the rates of diarrhoea by half and the rates of respiratory infections by one third.

Nutritional advantages
Breastmilk is considered to be ideally suited to the growth rate and nutritional requirements of the full-term infant.

While we generally advise that breastmilk contains adequate amounts of all the nutrients a growing child needs, including energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat and the micronutrients needed for normal growth, there are some situations where this may not be the case.

For example, as we’ve come to know more about the role of Vitamin D in many aspects of our health, we’ve had to acknowledge that some breastfed infants will be at risk of Vitamin D deficiency. Specifically, infants with naturally darker skin, those with a mother who is deficient in Vitamin D (or at high risk of becoming deficient), all preterm infants with a body weight less than 2.5kg, and infants who are breastfed over winter months, particularly in areas with low light exposure during the winter, are potentially at risk.

Guidelines in a number of countries now reflect this. While Australian guidelines do not recommend Vitamin D supplementation, other countries, including the US and the UK, have recommended the supplementation of Vitamin D to infants who are fully breastfed.

As we mentioned previously, the amount of these nutrients changes in breastmilk depending on a child’s age. The nutrients are also available in forms that are highly digestible, promote healthy growth and do not stress an infant’s kidneys.

There’s also evidence that breastfeeding may promote longer term health in children. In a recent review of the Australian Dietary Guidelines, the panel concluded that there was very good evidence (Grade A) to suggest that breastfeeding, when compared with infant formula feeding, was associated with a reduced risk of a child becoming obese across their lives.
While childhood overweight and obesity are the result of many factors working together, it’s important to acknowledge this potential additional benefit of breastfeeding. Preventing our children from becoming overweight or obese is vitally important for their long-term health.

Emotional advantages
Breastfeeding promotes a feeling of security in the infant and encourages a close relationship between mother and child. However, it should be stressed that formula-fed babies can also achieve effective bonding with their parents. Eye-to-eye contact at the time of formula feeding helps to create a bond between parent and baby.

Advantages for mothers
Breastfeeding appears to reduce the risk of women getting a number of diseases later in their lives. These include breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis (weakened bones).
Source: Deakin University

ALCOHOL AND THE HUMAN LIVER

The need to drink responsibly

The liver can break down around 15ml of alcohol every hour, which is similar to the amount found in a can of beer (335ml). Drinking beyond this level stresses the liver and can result to damaged liver cells, which can cause liver scarring.

Scarring of the liver unfortunately accumulates over time, and there comes a point where there isn’t enough healthy liver tissue left to perform its essential functions. It is therefore not possible to drink heavily over years without damaging one’s liver; the question is rather how much damage can the liver sustain, until it can no longer support the body. Fortunately, early detection of signs of damage can help us make lifestyle changes necessary to stop the damage.

Are you getting enough B12?

There are very few reasons to take supplements, but getting enough of this vitamin may be one of the most important.

Vitamin B12 may not be high on your nutritional radar, yet it is essential to some of the body's most important functions, like forming red blood cells and maintaining nerve function. Doctors don't routinely test for vitamin B12 levels, so vitamin B12 deficiency can go unnoticed. But over time, such deficiency may cause anemia, nerve damage, and even problems with memory and reasoning. However, it's easy to avoid vitamin B12 deficiency, according to Stacey Nelson, manager of clinical outpatient nutrition at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. "What's important is to recognize if you're at risk and take measures to avoid developing a deficiency," Nelson says.

How vitamin B12 works

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally found in animal products. Some fortified foods, dietary supplements, and medications contain a synthetic version of vitamin B12. When you eat meat, fish, eggs, or dairy products, vitamin B12 is released from protein by hydrochloric acid and enzymes in the stomach; synthetic vitamin B12 is already in this released (free) form. Free vitamin B12 then combines with intrinsic factor — a substance secreted by the stomach cells—which enables it to be absorbed from the small intestine.

Who needs more B12?

Most women get the recommended daily amount — 2.4 micrograms (mcg) for most adults, 2.6 mcg for pregnant women, and 2.8 mcg for women who are breastfeeding — in their diets. However, you are at increased risk of vitamin B12 deficiency if any of the following applies:

You're age 50 or older. With age, your stomach cells become less efficient and secrete less hydrochloric acid, which means you absorb less B12.

You have altered gastrointestinal function. People who have gastrointestinal disorders like celiac disease or Crohn's disease or who have undergone weight-loss surgery may secrete too little hydrochloric acid or -intrinsic factor.

You're a strict vegan. If you've given up all animal products, you should consider using fortified cereals or nutritional yeasts or taking a vitamin B12 supplement. It's especially important that pregnant vegan women who are planning to breastfeed exclusively talk to their medical team about getting adequate vitamin B12 for both themselves and their infants. Babies who don't get any vitamin B12 can develop a deficiency and may sustain permanent neurological damage.

You take certain medications. Two types of medications for ulcers and gastric reflux — proton-pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole (Prilosec) and lansoprazole (Prevacid), and H2 blockers like cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), and ranitidine (Zantac) — inhibit the release of stomach acid necessary to free dietary vitamin B12. There is some evidence that the diabetes drug metformin (Glucophage) may reduce vitamin B12 absorption when used for several years.

You have pernicious anemia. This autoimmune condition affects the stomach's ability to produce intrinsic factor, so you can't absorb vitamin B12 through your digestive system.

Symptoms of B12 deficiency

A vitamin B12 deficiency may go undiagnosed because many of the symptoms — fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss — mirror those of minor illnesses or chronic conditions, Nelson explains. Other symptoms of B12 deficiency, such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, are also common in people with diabetes and spinal stenosis. If you have some of those symptoms — especially if you have a low red blood cell count — you should talk to your doctor about further blood tests for vitamin B12.

Preventing B12 deficiency

If you're at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency, the following can provide some protection:

Supplements. Even the lowest doses in B12 supplements are many times the recommended dietary allowance. Doses up to 1,000 mcg, though unnecessary, probably aren't harmful.

Fortified foods. Many breakfast cereals, soy products, and yeasts are fortified with B12.

Fortified toothpaste. Sante toothpaste delivers vitamin B12 to the bloodstream through the mucous membranes lining the mouth.

Injections. If you have had weight-reduction surgery or have pernicious anemia, celiac disease, or Crohn's disease, B12 injections may be recommended.

Source: Harvard Women's Health Watch.

The benefits of drinking enough water

(1) Stay slimmer with water

If you're trying to lose  weight water increases metabolism and helps you feel full. Drinking

 more water helps boost metabolism, especially if it is ice cold. Your body must work to

warm the water up thereby burning a few extra calories in the process.

It is advised you replace calories filled beverages with water and drink a glass before meals

 to help you feel fuller.

(2) Water boosts your energy

If you're feeling drained and depleted take some water. Dehydration makes you feel tired.

 The right amount of water will help your heart pump your blood, transport oxygen and

other essential nutrients to your cells

(3) Lower stress with water

About 70%-80% of your brain tissue is water. If you're thirsty or dehydrated, your body and

 your mind are stressed. To keep your stress level down, keep a glass of water at your desk,

 or carry a sports bottle and sip regularly.

(4) Build muscle tone with water

Drinking water helps prevent muscle cramping and lubricates joints in the body. When

you're well hydrated you can excise longer and stronger.

(5) Nourish your skin

Fine lines and wrinkles are deeper when dehydrated. Water is nature's own beauty cream.

Drinking water hydrates skin cells and plumps them up, making your face look younger.

Water also flushes out impurities and improves circulation and blood flow, helping your

skin glow.

(6) Stay regular with water

Along with fibre, water is important for good digestion. Water helps dissolve waste particles

 and passes them smoothly through the digestive track. If you're dehydrated, your body

absorbs all the water, leaving your colon dry and making it more difficult to pass waste.

(7) Water reduces kidney stones

The rate of painful kidney stones is rising. One of the reasons being that people including

children aren't drinking enough water. Water dilutes the salt and minerals in your urine that

form the solid crystals known as kidney stones. Kidney stones can't form in diluted urine,

so reduce your risk with plenty of water.

(8) Are you drinking enough water?

No one can tell you exactly how much water you need. As with most things, this depends

on individual. Most healthy adults get enough to drink by letting their thirst guide them but

the extra amount you need depends on your size, level of activity, the weather, and your

general health. You may need more water if you exercise or sweat heavily.

In general, you should drink between half an ounce and an ounce of water for each pound

you weigh everyday. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, that would be 75 - 150 ounces

(i.e, about 1.2 to 2.4 litres per day) of water a day. If you're living in a hot climate and

exercising a lot, you would be on the higher end of that range; if you're in a cooler climate

and mostly sedentary you need less.

(9) "8 by 8" Rule

You may have heard of the advice to drink eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about        

2-litres or half a gallon per day. This is the 8 by 8 Rule. Although the rule isn't supported by

hard evidence, it remains popular because it is easy to remember.

What you need to know about Honey

1. Honey is made up of mostly sugar and water
Honey is made of mostly 95% to 99%sugar and  water, but this sugar comprises mostly fructose and glucose, it also has some probiotic sugars that help maintain a healthy mix of bacteria in the gut. Most kinds of honey also have vitamins, minerals and enzymes that help with digestion in the body.

2. Natural-made honey are Bee vomit
Bees collect flower nectar and keep it in a special second stomach only to throw it up and pass it to another bee who does the same thing. Finally, it’s put in an area of the beehive called the honey comb. The bees flap their wings to cool it, and that makes water evaporate which helps it thickens.

3. Bees May need to visit about 2 million flowers to make 1 pound of honey
The 60,000 bees in a hive may fly as many as 55,000 miles in search of the right flowers. The kinds of flower determines the colour and flavour of the honey.

4. Honey may not help you fight pollen allergies
Honey has small amounts of pollen, so the theory that said eating it can teach your body not to react to it does not hold up. It may be because  flower pollen (the kind most often in honey) doesn’t typically trigger allergies. The usual suspects are trees, grains and weeds.

5. Children younger than a year old shouldn’t have honey because it can cause an infection
Although rare, wild honey can have a kind of “sleeping” bacteria (clostridum botulinum) that cause a disease called botulism. A baby can’t digest honey quickly, and the bacteria can wake up and make a dangerous toxin in his intestine. Constipation is the first sign of infant botulism, other symptoms include weakness and trouble sucking or feeding. Don’t give your child honey, even a tiny bit until he’s at least 1 year old.

6. Honey may help your toddler’s cough
The American Academy of Paediatrics warns against giving over-the-counter cough syrup or cold medicines to children under 6years old but honey might be a good option for kids older than 1. Studies show that one and half teaspoon before bedtime may help you all get a better night sleep.

7. Honey can help heal a wound if you put it directly on it.
The ancient Greeks and Romans used honey to dress wounds and so did the Russians and Germans in world war 1. It seems to help prevent infections as well.

8. Honey is good for pink eye, athletes foot and diarrhoea.
It also can help with chest pain, fatigue and vertigo. Honey's is full of antioxidants that can eat up all the “free radicals” that can damage your cells and it’s an anti-inflammatory.

Use honey today and enjoy its benefit for healthy living.

What you need to know about HPV vaccine

HPV vaccine: Who needs it, how it works
Who needs the HPV vaccine? How many doses? What about side effects? Get answers to these questions and more.

Most cervical cancers are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. Widespread immunization with the HPV vaccine could reduce the impact of cervical cancer worldwide. Here's what you need to know about the HPV vaccine.

What does the HPV vaccine do?

Various strains of HPV spread through sexual contact and are associated with most cases of cervical cancer. Three HPV vaccines have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in the U.S. — Cervarix is for girls only, while Gardasil and Gardasil 9 can be used for both girls and boys. Gardasil 9 offers girls protection against more strains of HPV that can cause cervical cancer.
All three vaccines can prevent most cases of cervical cancer if given before a girl or woman is exposed to the virus. In addition, all three vaccines can prevent vaginal and vulvar cancer in women, and Gardasil and Gardasil 9 can prevent genital warts and anal cancer in women and men.
In theory, vaccinating boys against the types of HPV associated with cervical cancer might also help protect girls from the virus by possibly decreasing transmission. Certain types of HPV have also been linked to cancers in the mouth and throat, so the HPV vaccine likely offers some protection against these cancers, too.

Who is the HPV vaccine for and when should it be given?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine HPV vaccine for girls and boys ages 11 or 12, although some organizations recommend starting the vaccine as early as age 9 or 10. It's ideal for girls and boys to receive the vaccine before they have sexual contact and are exposed to HPV because once someone is infected with the virus, the vaccine might not be as effective or might not work at all.
Research has shown that receiving the vaccine at a young age isn't linked to an earlier start of sexual activity. Also, response to the vaccine is better at younger ages than it is at older ages.
In October 2016, the CDC updated the HPV vaccine schedule to recommend that all adolescents and teens ages 9 through 14 receive two doses of HPV vaccine at least six months apart, rather than the previously recommended three-dose schedule.
Teens and young adults who begin the vaccine series later, at ages 15 through 26, should continue to receive three doses of the vaccine.

Who should not get the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine isn't recommended for pregnant women or people who are moderately or severely ill. Tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies, including an allergy to yeast or latex. Also, if you've had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine or to a previous dose of the vaccine, you shouldn't get the vaccine.

Does the HPV vaccine offer benefits if you're already sexually active?

Yes. Even if you already have one strain of HPV, you could still benefit from the vaccine because it can protect you from other strains that you don't yet have. However, none of the vaccines can treat an existing HPV infection. The vaccines protect you only from specific strains of HPV you haven't been exposed to already.

Does the HPV vaccine carry any health risks or side effects?

Overall, the effects are usually mild. The most common side effects of HPV vaccines include soreness, swelling or redness at the injection site.
Sometimes dizziness or fainting occurs after the injection. Remaining seated for 15 minutes after the injection can reduce the risk of fainting. In addition, headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue or weakness also may occur.
The CDC and the FDA continue to monitor the vaccines for unusual or severe problems.

Is the HPV vaccine required for school enrollment?

The HPV vaccine is part of the routine childhood vaccines schedule. Whether or not a vaccine becomes a school enrollment requirement is decided on a state-by-state basis.

Do women who've received the HPV vaccine still need to have Pap tests?

Yes. The HPV vaccine isn't intended to replace Pap tests. Routine screening for cervical cancer through regular Pap tests beginning at age 21 remains an essential part of a woman's preventive health care.
What can you do to protect yourself from cervical cancer if you're not in the recommended vaccine age group?
HPV spreads through sexual contact — oral, vaginal or anal. To protect yourself from HPV, use a condom every time you have sex. In addition, don't smoke. Smoking raises the risk of cervical cancer.
To detect cervical cancer in the earliest stages, see your health care provider for regular Pap tests beginning at age 21. Seek prompt medical attention if you notice any signs or symptoms of cervical cancer — vaginal bleeding after sex, between periods or after menopause, pelvic pain, or pain during sex.

Courtesy: Mayo Clinic

A Presentation on Breast cancer

Health awareness series : St Luke's Anglican Church Kuje-Abuja Nigeria

Breast Cancer 

A Presentation on Cervical Cancer

Health awareness series : St Luke's Anglican Church Kuje-Abuja Nigeria

CERVICAL CANCER

Presentation on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Health awareness series : St Luke's Anglican Church Kuje-Abuja Nigeria
NON - COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (NCDS)

A Presentation on Prostrate Cancer

 Annual Health week presentation to members of the St Luke Anglican men's Fellowship Kuje-Abuja Nigeria

PROSTRATE CANCER

A Presentation on Health talk

 A presentation made at a semina by Anglican Mens' Fellowship in Kuje-Abuja, Nigeria as part health awareness campaign

HEALTH TALK

HPV VACCINE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THOUGHT

A study reported in the Healthday news has indicated that Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine prevents lesions that could cause cervical cancer by approximately 50 percent.
HPV infection is believed by doctors to cause most cases of cervical cancer. In addition, HPV can cause genital warts in men and women and some head and neck cancers.
The study’s lead researcher Cosette Wheeler, a professor of pathology and obstetrics and gynecology at the University of New Mexico, in Albuquerque, observed that after eight years of vaccination, the reduction of the incidence of cervical herplasia (abnormal growth of cells), including precancers, have been reduced approximately 50 percent. This was greater than expected.
The study also showed that the protection appears to occur even when only one or two of the recommended doses of the vaccine are given.
At present the recommendation is three doses for girls and boys before the 13th birthday, so that you are protected before you become exposed.
The findings make the case for HPV vaccination against cervical cancer and other related diseases even stronger.
One way to do this is for it to be incorporated as part of the routine immunization programmes. Also immunization campaigns can be conducted as appropriate to widen coverage and create awareness.

For further reading:

http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/hpv-genital-warts/news/20160929/hpv-vaccine-more-effective-than-thought-study?ecd=wnl_day_093016&ctr=wnl-day-093016_nsl-hdln_4&mb=YybuO0xu%2fFlsE1y105jchShonS%2fH3cwyDo%2fpCXiIFSg%3d

Nutrition and Wellbeing

Food and disease  –  what  is  the  weakest link


Early origins of diseases

Scientists are exploring links between what we eat, the way we live and effect of our environment on some of the diseases we suffer. These effects of environment have been traced right from before our conception through our life course and increases our risk of suffering certain diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers.
In this presentation, Prof. Paul Haggarty, from Rowlett Institute of Nutrition and Health at the University of Aberdeen explains further:
A along  and  healthy  life.  Most  of  us  want  that and  we have a  good idea of  the things  we need to do to  achieve it  -  eat  a  good diet,  don't  put  on too  much weight,  and  avoid  smoking.  But  there is  an emerging area of  research that  suggest  that  events  even before  birth  may  be  influencing our  health  and wellbeing  throughout  life,  from  obesity,  heart  disease,  diabetes, and cancer, to cognitive function.  Interest  in this  possibility  started when researchers  looking  at  historical  birth records  noticed  that  the risk  of  some diseases  in later  life  were related to birth weight  decades  earlier.  These  observations  led researchers  in  Southampton to suggest  that  the  mother's  nutrition in  pregnancy  could impact  on the  health of their  offspring.  Subsequent  research  suggests  that  the period of  sensitivity  may extend beyond pregnancy into breastfeeding and back even before fertilisation.  Birth weight  has  been linked to the risk  of  breast  cancer,  cardiovascular  disease, and  a number  of  other  health outcomes  in adult  life,  and  even intelligence. These  statistical  associations  suggest  that  a fundamental  biological phenomenon  may  be  linking  something  in  the  early  environment  to later  health. Someone suggested that  the cause could be  factors  like stress  in  the mothers during  pregnancy.  But  most  interest  is  focused on  mother's  nutrition and  specific studies  have been carried out  on the effects  of  mother's  consumption of  nutrients such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, folic acid, and others.  However,  researchers  are only  beginning  to  understand  how  this  process  works. A  particular  challenge  has  been  how  to  explain the delay  of  decades  between those  early  life influences  and the chronic  diseases  that  they  appear  to give rise to in later  life.  In recent  years,  a new  understanding  of  the  biology  of  the  human genome  has  emerged  that  can  help  explain this  time  delay  and the transgenerational  transmission  of  health and  disease  risk  from  parents  to children.  That  new  idea is  something  called  epigenetics.  The word comes  from  the Greek "epi,"  which means  upon or  over.  And it  refers  to information  in the  human genome over  and above the normal  genetic  information.  This  provides  a mechanism  by  which our  genome  may  be  modifiable  by  the environment  on our experiences  throughout  life.  Epigenetic  changes  can  accumulate  over  our lifetime  and may  explain how  the  environment  before birth  and even  the environment  experienced by  our  parents  before they  were born can  affect  our health.  We know that  one  of  the most  important  ways  in which the  environment  can affect  our  DNA  through  this  epigenetic  process  is  by  something  called methylation.  Developments  in  technology  mean that  we can now  measure  these changes  very  accurately.  In this  process,  the  DNA  is  modified in  a way  that changes  the  function  of  the  human genome.  It  alters  the genes  that  are switched on and off, and ultimately, it influences our biology.  We now know  that  a  wide range  of  nutrients  can change these  epigenetic  states in  ways  that  can impact  our  health and it  could also  be influenced  by  factors such as  social  status,  infertility  treatment,  and  even the emotional  environment. This  emerging  understanding  also  helps  to  explain how  completely  different aspects  of  life,  from  diet  to  physical  activity,  to emotional  health,  and our  ability to cope with stress, can interact at the fundamental level of the genome.  Epigenetic  marks  are known to change over  the life course.  And this  trajectory has  been  linked  to longevity.  Well,  particular  patterns  have been linked to specific  diseases  such  as  cancer.  The concept  is  these changes  accumulate until  they  reach a  stage where they  tip the genome into an unhealthy  state.  And that  when  enough of  these transitions  occur,  it  can give rise to  disease.  New insights emerging from this field are already changing the way we look at health.  When  it  comes  to  things  like pregnancy  advice,  it's  usually  assumed  that  this  is all  the  mum's  responsibility.  She's  the one that  has  to  eat  well,  avoid alcohol,  and smoking,  and keep to  a healthy  weight.  But  this  new  concept  of  epigenetics brings  dad into the  frame  too.  We've known  for  a long  time  that  the  age of  the father  can  affect  the  health in  the  offspring,  particularly  in relation to  psychiatric illnesses  like schizophrenia.  And  we now  understand  that  the  father's  diet  and lifestyle can  influence  the epigenetic  marks  in  the sperm  that  provide half  the genetic makeup of the offspring.  So  maybe it's  time  for  dads  to look  after  their  health too  for  the  sake of  baby. This  emerging  field  of  epigenetics  shows  us  that  what  happens  before birth can influence the way  the human genome works  through the rest  of  our  life,  with potentially  important  consequences  for  our  health  and  wellbeing.  We're only  now beginning  to  understand that  how  we live may  influence the  health of  our children and grandchildren.  The  hope is  that  this  new  understanding  will  help us to develop effective strategies  to  improve the  life chances  for  all  babies  in the future.

Source: Future learn

Breastfeeding: Nutritionist advises employers to provide crèches

A nutritionist, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, has advised employers to provide crèches in their work places to support nursing mothers to practise exclusive breastfeeding for six months.

Onimawo, the Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo state, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said employers should look at the international policy on crèches and implement same in the country.

“The international policy says any employer that has more than 50 people should provide a crèche where a woman can always take care of the child and breastfeed him or her on demand.

“All these come to play if we want to improve breastfeeding rate in the country,’’ the expert said.

Onimawo, who is also a former President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, said awareness on breastfeeding was not enough in the country.

He advised medical workers to educate nursing mothers on the need to embrace exclusive breastfeeding for their babies.

“Some nursing mothers give excuse that they are career women but that should not be an excuse for not breastfeeding because there are ways of doing it.

“Breast milk can be expressed even if it is not stored in the fridge; it is healthy, so people need to know that breast milk can be expressed while the mother is at work.

“Mothers need to know that breast milk contains more than 80 per cent water. The child doesn’t need water while being breastfed,’’ he said.

Onimawo said there were a lot of advantages of practising exclusive breastfeeding for the baby and the mother.

“Exclusive breastfeeding will make the child to be healthy and he or she will be more intelligent.

“ The mother of the child will visit clinic less because the health of the mother will improve and the mother is not likely to develop loop that can lead to breast cancer.

“So, there are so many advantages and when the mother knows about this; on her own, she will begin to practise it,’’ he said.

In addition, Onimawo urged Nigerians to eat balanced diet.

“Our diets are heavily carbohydrate and too much of it is not good for human nutrition.

“We should include vegetables and fruits in our diets to increase our nutrients,’’ he said.

Source: The Nation Newspaper

Appeal for Nigeria

GPEI appeals for support to respond to a polio outbreak in north-eastern Nigeria as part of the broader humanitarian response effort

© WHO Nigeria

Nigeria & Lake Chad Polio Outbreak Appeal

Nigeria has been experiencing insurgency in the north-eastern part of the country since 2009 which led the Nigerian President to declare the state of emergency in the 3 worst affected states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in May 2014.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) aims to deliver polio vaccine alongside broader life-saving health interventions to some of the most marginalized populations globally in order to fulfil the goals of the Endgame plan. As part of the humanitarian response to the current crisis in Nigeria, a holistic approach to tackling polio underpins the current outbreak response efforts.

A deteriorating humanitarian situation

Against a backdrop of long-term crisis, the humanitarian situation in northern Nigeria has worsened substantially in recent weeks.  Over seven million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance across the country, with limited access to basic health and other essential services, with the main areas impacted by the crisis situated in the north-east.  Access to health services has been drastically compromised, with half of the population not having access to any basic health services. As a result on-going public health risks are very high, with low baseline vaccination coverage rates, populations housed in overcrowded and unsanitary camps and severe food insecurity. The crisis also has broader regional implications, with approximately 155,000 refugees in Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

Challenges to polio eradication

This difficult situation was made more complicated by the detection in August in Borno of two new cases of polio - the first cases detected in Africa since 2014. As many as 600,000 children across north eastern Nigeria remain inaccessible to polio vaccinators, presenting a very real obstacle to polio eradication efforts. Concrete strategies are in place to tackle such obstacles, including through close collaboration with key community stakeholders.   Similar approaches have been used by the GPEI in other parts of the world beset by complex humanitarian emergencies or insecurity. Most recently in the Middle East, the polio outbreak response was conducted within the broader humanitarian response effort, to ensure that as communities are reached, they are not just reached with polio vaccine but with a host of other lifesaving health interventions.

An effective outbreak response

Following the recent cases of polio in Nigeria, a major vaccination campaign in Nigeria and the surrounding region has been launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and UNICEF, with subsequent rounds to follow.  Vaccination efforts form part of the broader response to the current humanitarian crisis in Borno and the surrounding states, and across the Lake Chad basin countries. The focus is on coordinating the delivery of basic health services including vaccinations, enhancing surveillance for epidemic-prone diseases, providing life-saving interventions to manage common ailments among children, adult and the elderly, improving maternal and child health services at the community and facility level including mentoring of health workers, conducting ongoing evaluations of the evolving situation, and improving readiness response for any new disease outbreaks. The GPEI is committed to integrating within a broader humanitarian framework in order to secure a polio-free world.

Source: Global Polio Eradication Initiative

Tetanus shots: Is it risky to receive 'extra' boosters?

What happens if you get tetanus shots too close together — within a few years instead of the recommended 10 years?

Answers from James M. Steckelberg, M.D.

It's usually OK to receive an extra booster of the tetanus vaccine. This is especially true if you're being treated for an acute injury, such as a deep cut or puncture wound.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent tetanus — a serious disease caused by a bacterial toxin that affects the nervous system. Tetanus bacterial spores can enter your body through any cut or scratch. But deep puncture wounds, such as from stepping on a nail, are most susceptible to tetanus infection.

An adult who's never been immunized against tetanus should complete the initial tetanus series of three tetanus shots. The first two shots are given at least four weeks apart, and the third shot is given six to 12 months after the second shot. After the initial tetanus series, booster shots are recommended every 10 years.

If you experience a puncture wound, it's best to get the booster shot regardless of when you had your last tetanus shot.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Oral polio vaccine (OPV)

The oral polio vaccine (OPV) was developed in 1961 by Albert Sabin. Also called “trivalent oral polio vaccine” or “Sabin vaccine”, OPV consists of a mixture of live, attenuated (weakened) poliovirus strains of all three poliovirus types.

OPV produces antibodies in the blood to all three types of poliovirus. In the event of infection, these antibodies protect against paralysis by preventing the spread of wild poliovirus to the nervous system. 

OPV also produces a local, mucosal immune response in the mucous membrane of the intestines. In the event of infection, these mucosal antibodies limit the replication of the wild poliovirus inside the intestine. This intestinal immune response to OPV is thought to be the main reason why mass campaigns with OPV can rapidly stop person-to-person transmission of wild poliovirus.

Advantages

• OPV is administered orally. It can be given by volunteers and does not require trained health workers or sterile injection equipment.
• The vaccine is relatively inexpensive. In 2011, the cost of a single dose for public health programmes in developing countries was between 11 and 14 US cents. 
• OPV is safe, effective, and induces long-lasting immunity to all three types of poliovirus.
• For several weeks after vaccination, the vaccine virus replicates in the intestine, is excreted in the faeces, and can be spread to others in close contact. This means that in areas where hygiene and sanitation are poor, immunization with OPV can result in the “passive” immunization of people who have not been directly vaccinated.

Disadvantages

Although OPV is safe and effective, in extremely rare cases (approx. 1 in every 2.7 million first doses of the vaccine) the live attenuated vaccine virus in OPV can cause paralysis. In some cases it is believed that this vaccine-associated paralytic polio (VAPP) may be triggered by immune deficiency. 

The extremely low risk of VAPP is well known and accepted by most public health programmes in the world because without OPV, hundreds of thousands of children would be crippled every year. 

A second disadvantage is that very rarely the virus in the vaccine may genetically change and start to circulate among a population. These viruses are known as circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV).

Safety

OPV is an extremely safe vaccine. All OPV used in supplementary immunization activities for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative is pre-qualified by WHO and procured through UNICEF. In 2006, WHO issued a statement to affirm the quality and safety of OPV.

Efficacy

OPV is highly effective against all three types of wild poliovirus. When this vaccine is used however, there is competition among the three viruses to cause immunity, which results in protection but not with equal efficiency for each type: it is most effective against type 2.

One dose of OPV produces immunity to all three poliovirus serotypes in approximately 50% of recipients. Three doses produce immunity in more than 95% of recipients. Immunity is long-lasting and probably life-long.

Recommended use

In most countries, OPV remains the vaccine of choice in routine immunization schedules and supplementary immunization activities. 

Where more than one type of wild poliovirus is circulating, OPV is epidemiologically and operationally the best vaccine to use because protection develops to each of the three types of polio virus.

Related links

WHO position statement: safety and pre-qualification of oral polio vaccine (OPV)

For further information visithttp://www.polioeradication.org/Polioandprevention/Thevaccines/Oralpoliovaccine(OPV).aspx