Sperm count is important in reproductive health. It determines your chances of having children. Sperm is counted against semen or every ejaculate. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a healthy sperm density against a semen sample is 15 million sperm per milliliter. When measured per ejaculate, it should count at 39 million sperm per milliliter. That does not mean the end of the road for you. Any sperm count that falls below these numbers is considered low.
Some foods we eat help in fertility of sperm in men, either in production, motility, bonding or prevention from attacks. Below are some foods that boost fertility in men.
Eggs
Eggs are rich in vitamin E and protein which help in the movement of sperm. Consumption helps to double the chances of fertilization. Eggs are also rich in zinc which also help in sperm movement. They can be eaten in various ways to increase sperm count.
Bananas
This is an obvious choice to increase sperm production, rich in vitamin B1, C and magnesium. They also contain a rare enzyme called bromelain which increases sperm count and motility. Note that, they help to regulate sex hormones and there by cheer a man up.
Garlic
Garlic contains allicin which helps to increase the blood circulation to the right organs. This means that blood flows freely to the sexual organs and protects them from damage. An important enzyme found in garlic, Selenium, helps to improve sperm movements.
Walnuts
For its richness in omega -3 fatty acids, walnut improves, greatly, the vitality of sperm.
Ginseng
This known aphrodisiac root used for various cooking purposes is said not only to aid erectile dysfunction but also increase testosterone. It can be taken in fresh or dried form.
Carrots
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant, which helps to maintain healthy sperm. It may be consumed as a snack or vegetable.
Olive oil
Olive oil consumption helps to reduce bad cholesterol levels low. The flow of oxygen to the testicles increases and aids formation of healthy sperms.
Tomato
This is a wonderful fertility food containing lycopene, an antioxidant that improves the structure and activity of the sperm. Men are advised to consume lots of tomatoes to increase fertility.
Berries
Any type of berry, blueberries, and strawberries do contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients like quercetin and resveratrol which increase the quality and production of sperm.
However, with the consumption of the listed above, men should learn to live healthy life styles to enable all these fruits, nuts and foods function properly to achieve desired results.
Some of these healthy lifestyles are as follows but not limited to
Smoking: Affects fertility levels in men, so it is very important you quit smoking (if you do smoke).
Poor sex life: To increase chances of having a baby, have sex frequently with your wife especially during her ovulation to increase the chances. Also, regular sex helps to improve fertility levels.
Intake of unhealthy fats: Reduce intake of unhealthy fats while increasing the intake of healthy fats like Omega-3 and omega -6 to help in development of sperm membrane.
Prolonged sitting period: Avoid sitting for long periods which increases scrotal temperature which can affect fertility levels, also, avoid long hot baths.
Overweight and being sedentary: Exercise regularly and avoid being overweight or obese. Obesity hinders hormonal balance and as well lowers sperm count.
Poor sleep: Get enough sleep
Excessive alcohol and drug use
Exposure to environmental and occupational contaminants (chemicals and highly industrial areas).
Who says healthy eating has to be boring? Certainly not. Do you have trouble losing weight? Or would you like to lose faster? You’ve come to the right place. Get ready for weight loss without hunger. By losing just a few pounds with healthy eating and exercise, you’ll start to feel better. You’ll have more energy. And it will get easier to manage your diabetes, all while reducing your risk of developing other related problems.
Things to know about weight loss
Weight loss refers to a reduction of the total body mass, by a mean loss of fluid, body fat (adipose tissue), or lean mass (namely bone mineral deposits, muscle, tendon, and other connective tissue). Your weight is a balancing act, and calories are part of that equation. Weight loss comes down to burning more calories than you take in. You can do that by reducing extra calories from food and beverages, and increasing calories burned through physical activity.
Realize why you are eating
We eat all the time when we’re not hungry, and it’s often tied to emotions we may not even be aware of. This kind of ‘emotional eating’ can quickly sabotage weight loss efforts. If you can pinpoint the emotions that cause you to reach for food, you can stay on track. Emotions can influence what, when, and how much we eat. For instance, you have probably heard that some people eat to cope with stress. Others eat to preoccupy themselves when they feel bored. When you eat based on your emotions, it can hinder your weight loss efforts. Often, situations that trigger certain negative emotions prompt eating. If you have recently eaten and find yourself craving food again, do a quick emotional check. Do you want food because you are hungry or to fill an emotional need?
Some tips to consider when you are trying to loose weight
Stay positive
Those things we tell ourselves? They really do matter. And the way we frame our weight loss journey can have a big impact on progress whether it is good or bad.
Positive self-talk
Self-talk is the internal conversation that you have with yourself. Believe it or not, the way you talk to yourself can have a big influence on how you feel and act. Your words matter. That’s why it is so important to be aware of the conversations you have with yourself about your physical activity and your fitness abilities and it can impact on your performance.
Lighten the Foods You Already Love
One of the easiest ways to cut back without feeling denied is to switch to lower-calorie versions of the foods you crave. A pizza tastes just as good with reduced-fat cheese, and when you garnish low-fat ice cream with your favorite toppers, who notices those missing calories?
Stay hydrated!!
Take some water before a meal and you won’t feel so famished and also keeping your body refreshed with plenty of water may also help your workout.
Choose a dietary approach that works for you.
In spite of all the hype around various diets, there really is no “one best way” to eat for weight loss, says Yeung. The key is to choose a dietary approach that fits easily into your lifestyle.
Eat slowly
Eating quickly can lead to weight gain over time, while eating slowly makes you feel more full and boosts weight-reducing hormones.
Find an exercise you enjoy
Physical activity is an important part of losing weight. Not only does it help you burn calories, but it also improves your well-being. There are many different types and ways to exercise, and it’s important to explore different options to find one you enjoy.
Living with diabetes can be a challenging. You don’t get to eat or drink what you like. Sometimes, it can get very frustrating but just keep calm and take a deep breath as we will be discussing about some tips to help manage high blood glucose (diabetes) in this article.
What is Diabetes Mellitus?
Commonly known as (diabetes). Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased appetite. If left untreated, diabetes can cause many complications. Acute complications can include diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, or death. Serious long-term complications include cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, foot ulcers, damage to the nerves, damage to the eyes and cognitive impairment.
What are the causes of high blood sugar?
Too much food
Too little exercise or physical activity
Skipped or not enough diabetes pills or insulin
Insulin that has been marred after being exposed to extreme heat or cold
Stress, illness, infection, injury or surgery
A blood glucose meter that is not reading accurately
Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin, or the cells of the body not responding properly to the insulin produced. There are three main types of diabetes mellitus:
Type 1 diabetes results from the pancreas’s failure to produce enough insulin due to loss of beta cells. This form was previously referred to as “insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus” (IDDM) or “juvenile diabetes”. Type 1 diabetes must be managed with insulin injections.
Type 2 diabetes begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to respond to insulin properly. As the disease progresses, a lack of insulin may also develop. The most common cause is a combination of excessive body weight and insufficient exercise. Prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes involves maintaining a healthy diet, regular physical exercise, a normal body weight, and avoiding use of tobacco. Type2 diabetes may be treated with medications such as insulin sensitizers with or without insulin.
Gestational diabetes is the third main form, and occurs when pregnant women without a previous history of diabetes develop high blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes usually resolves after the birth of the baby.
How you monitor your blood sugar?
Diabetes mellitus is characterized by recurrent or persistent high blood sugar, and is diagnosed by demonstrating any one of the following:
The good thing is that we can monitor our blood sugar using blood glucose meters at home or anywhere
This is a table of how you can monitor your reading
Condition
2-hour glucose
Fasting glucose
Unit
Mg/dl
Mg/dl
Normal
< 140
< 110
Impaired fasting glycaemia
< 140
110 -126
Impaired glucose tolerance
> 140
< 126
Diabetes mellitus
>200
>126
You should not wait for the numbers to get so high. If you notice any increase in your blood glucose, please consult your doctor.
How can we properly manage high blood glucose?
Diabetes management concentrates on keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal, without causing low blood sugar. This can usually be accomplished with dietary changes, exercise, weight loss, and use of appropriate medications (insulin, oral medications).
Weight loss
Weight loss can prevent progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes type 2, decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, or result in a partial remission in people with diabetes. No single dietary pattern is best for all people with diabetes. Healthy dietary patterns, such as the mediterranean diet, low-carbohydrate diet, or DASH diet are often recommended, although evidence does not support one over the others. For overweight people with type 2 diabetes, any diet that achieves weight loss is effective.
Medications
Most medications used to treat diabetes act by lowering blood sugar levels through different mechanisms. There is broad consensus that when people with diabetes maintain tight glucose control and keeping the glucose levels in their blood within normal ranges they experience fewer complication.
There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be treated and controlled. The goals of managing diabetes are to:
Keep your blood glucose levels as near to normal as possible by balancing food intake with medication and activity.
Maintain your blood cholesterol and triglyceride (lipid) levels as near the normal ranges as possible.
Control your blood pressure. Your blood pressure should not go over 140/90.
Decrease or possibly prevent the development of diabetes-related health problems.
Lastly, drop a comment, share your experience and let’s know what you think! Contact us via phone or whatsapp with the following numbers:
08094289951 Sola
08094289947 Josephine
08094289944 Gbenga
Or chat with us by touching the green circular icon at the bottom right corner of your screen.
Stay safe!!
Disclaimer: Please note that this information should not take the place of doctor’s advice
Everyone has a story to tell about the immune system. When your immune system is on point, it’s a lifesaver. But as good as it may be, it’s not perfect. If it were a superhero, the immune system would be Superman. Your immune system works every hour of the day to keep you healthy, happy, and full of energy. In this article, we are going be discussing about the immune system, helpful ways to strengthen our immune system and fight off diseases, how you can support it with natural supplements and how to boost our immune system.
What is the Immune System?
The immune system is the body’s defense system. It is extensively complex and comprises of various structures and biological processes that protect it against disease and perceived threat. To function properly, an immune system must detect a wide variety of agents, known as pathogens, from viruses to parasitic worms, and distinguish them from the organism’s own healthy tissue. The immune system is vital for a person’s survival. Without one, the body is open to being attacked from viruses, bacteria, parasites and much more besides. A person’s immune system keeps them healthy amongst a cloud of pathogens all around. The immune system is made up of a huge network of tissues and cells that are constantly looking out for invaders. When they spot an enemy, they mount an attack.
What are the helpful ways to strengthen our immune system and fight off disease?
On a norm, your immune system does a good job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes it fails and when a germ invades successfully it can make you sick. There are ways which we can strengthen our immune system which includes;
Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods
There are several specific items you can add to your diet to strengthen your immune system. Certain foods that are high in vitamin C, like red bell peppers, broccoli, strawberries, spinach and citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruits. Sunflower seeds and almonds are recommended because they are high in vitamin E. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is a good start to strengthen the immune system. Good nutrition may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of boosting your immunity, but it’s not the only healthy habit that makes a difference.
Manage your stress
Managing your stress level is easier said than done but high stress levels have a negative effect on your body’s ability to fight off illness. Health experts recommend stress management techniques such as avoiding social media, meditating, practicing controlled breathing and doing yoga or other activities that help you feel relaxed.
Drink plenty of water
The key is to always stay hydrated. Staying hydrated is not directly connected to preventing disease, but it can help with your overall health. Health experts recommend drinking eight glass of water a day, or about half a gallon.
Exercise regularly
Moderate exercise can reduce inflammation and support your immune system’s cells. Moderate exercise includes brisk walking, biking, swimming or jogging, while more intense exercise includes running or other cardio.
How you can boost your immune system and support it with natural supplements
Attempting to boost the cells of your immune system is especially complicated because there are so many different kinds of cells in the immune system that respond to so many different microbes in so many ways. Which cells should you boost, and to what number? There is some evidence that various micronutrient deficiencies for example, deficiencies of zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6, C, and E can alter immune responses.
So, what can you do? If you suspect your diet is not providing you with all your micronutrient needs. Maybe, for instance, you don’t like vegetables taking a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement may bring possibly beneficial effects on the immune system. You can get a supplement which is available at our website and very cost effective. Taking mega doses of a single vitamin does not help. More is not necessarily better. These supplements are also available at the pharmacy.
Lastly, drop a comment, share your experience and let’s know what you think! Contact us via phone or whatsapp with the following numbers:
08094289951 Sola
08094289947 Josephine
08094289944 Gbenga
Or chat with us by touching the green circular icon at the bottom right corner of your screen.
Do not forget to protect yourself when you go out. Wear a nose mask properly, maintain social distancing and maintain proper hygiene when you get home. Properly dispose face masks, wash your clothes, wash or sanitize your hands and possibly take a bath before you come in contact with anyone. This will help you and your household greatly if you were in contact with an infected person. Also make sure you strengthen your immune system with the immune supplements earlier said.
Stay safe!!!
Disclaimer: Please note that this information should not take the place of doctor’s advice.
Nothing spoils a mouthful of a moist and delicious chocolate cake than the “Ugh, what did I just eat?” feeling. And no matter how much you tell yourself that it’s fine to indulge now and then, you still can’t shake that guilty feeling that follows every piece of cake…sigh. So, wouldn’t it be great to have delicious dessert options that won’t leave you feeling like you’ve fallen off the healthy eating wagon? Look no further. We have put together these three tasty, guilt-free cake recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth and your conscience. Prepare to indulge without the regret!
CHOLESTEROL FREE VANILLA CAKE
READY IN: 35 mins Serves 6-8 people
INGREDIENTS 2 and half cups of all purpose flour 2/3cups of vegetable oil (substitute for butter) 5eggwhites (substitute for 2whole eggs) 1cup of sugar or honey. 2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. 1table spoon of baking powder 1teaspoon of distilled of apple cider vinegar. half cup of buttermilk (preferably low fat)
DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350°F or 160°C. Grease the bottom of two eight-inch pans and dust with flour (you may also use a parchment paper). Combine all your dry ingredients(flour, sugar and baking powder and mix till they are all incorporated (please note that if you are using honey instead of sugar, you will add it to your wet ingredients).
Pour your egg whites into a large bowl and whisk for about 3-5minutes or till it starts getting foamy. Add your vegetable oil and your vanilla extract and whisk slowly (if you are using a mixer, set it on medium low). Add your other wet ingredients and mix everything slowly till it’s well combined. Then start adding your dry ingredients little by little, make sure the little you added is well incorporated before you add another. (pls do not overmix). Mix for about two minutes till your batter is smooth. Then distribute equally into the greased cake pans. Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in pan. Cool completely before frosting. You can use Greek yogurt for your frosting.
Cholesterol per serving (cake only) = 0.8mg-2.2mg, compared to a regular vanilla cake which has 150mg-160mg cholesterol per serving.
3large egg whites, at room temperature ½ cup plain non-fat yogurt 3 tablespoons canola oil or olive oil 1/3 cup of an artificial sweetener (xylitol or erythritol) 2 teaspooons vanilla extract 2 ½ cups of almond flour (you can always get in a supermarket) 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt(optional) 1 teaspoon grinded cinnamon ½ teaspoon grinded nutmeg 1 cup grated carrots (four large carrots) ¼ cup dark raisins
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 400°F or 180°C. Grease two 9-inch cake pan with cooking spray or olive oil, Dust with flour and tap out excess. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg whites, yogurt, oil, and vanilla. Into a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt (if using), cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually add to the egg mixture while stirring until incorporated. Stir in the carrots and raisins into the cake batter. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the back of a spoon. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Slide a thin knife around the edges and center of the cake to loosen it from the pan. Invert onto a rack to cool. When ready to serve, transfer cake to a serving tray or plate. you can always frost with unsweetened yoghurt and grated carrots.
This cake has 100-107cal per serving.
SUGAR FREE CHOCOLATE PEAR CAKE
INGREDIENTS 2 and half cups of flour 2 large ripe bananas half cup of honey 1tablespoon of vanilla extract 1tablespoon of baking powder half tablespoon of baking soda
half a cup of Greek yoghurt 1cup of unsweetened cocoa powder 1 large pear. 1 tablespoon of vinegar a quarter cup of olive oil. 2 large eggs or 5egg whites.
DIRECTIONS Blend the bananas, greek yogurt, honey, vanilla extract and oil. (if you don’t have a blender, you can always marsh the bananas with a fork and mix it with the yoghurt, honey, vanilla and oil). Pour the blended mixture into a large bowl. Add the eggs and mix in. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda, into another bowl and mix until incorporated. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients till you get a smooth chocolate cake batter. Dice your pear into the mixture and stir with a spoon until well combined. Pour the cake batter into the greased pan. Sprinkle additional diced pear on top of the cake if desired. Bake for 27-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Kindly note than even though these recipes are relatively healthy, too much consumption isn’t healthy. You can take a slice up to three times in a week.
Lastly, drop a comment, share your experience and let’s know what you think! If you have any questions or concerns about your health or need any medications , please contact us via phone or whatsapp with the following numbers:
08094289951 Sola
08094289947 Josephine
08094289944 Gbenga
Or chat with us by touching the green circular icon at the bottom right corner of your screen.
Do not forget to protect yourself when you go out. Wear a nose mask properly, maintain social distancing and maintain proper hygiene when you get home. Properly dispose face masks, wash your clothes, wash or sanitize your hands and possibly take a bath before you come in contact with anyone. This will help you and your household greatly if you were in contact with an infected person.
The title of this article may sound like a scary movie or something horrific but trust me, this article itself isn’t horrific but the cough is contagious. I’m sure we all know the proper way to cough by now (coughing into your elbows, like doing the DAB dance step).
Cough is actually a body reflex, it’s a sudden, forceful hacking sound to release air and clear out irritants which don’t belong in your breathing passage but when it becomes persistent, it’s a sign that something is wrong. This article will be addressing cough in respect to Tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis (TB) is an air-borne infection caused by a bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis which spreads via respiratory droplets. These tiny droplets are released into the air when people who have an active TB infection talk, cough, sneeze, sing (I know right, never knew harm could come from singing) or transmit their saliva through the air. When it comes to TB, anyone can actually have it. It’s not confined to a particular race, gender, religion, socio-class or age, but people with compromised (weak) immune system are at a higher risk of getting it.
Medications and conditions likely to weaken the immune system include: Immunosuppressants Diabetes HIV/AIDS Certain cancers Severe kidney disease Malnutrition Very young or advanced age
The signs and symptoms of TB in the body include:
Cough that lasts for 3 or more weeks Coughing of blood Chest pain, or pain when breathing or coughing, Fatigue Night sweat Fever Chills Unintended weight loss Loss of appetite Significant hand clubbing
Do take care to note that, TB affects the lungs most often but can also affect other parts of the body outside the lungs such as the kidney, brain, bone, larynx, spine, lymph node. For instance, tuberculosis in the kidney might cause blood in urine or tuberculosis in the spine can cause back pain. There is no denying that tuberculosis is contagious and can put you at risk of having COVID-19, hence if you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms do well to see your doctor or visit the nearest Health Centre to run a test and here’s the catch, TB test is FREE, TUBERCULOSIS is TREATABLE and CURABLE.
If confirmed you have an active TB, it is imperative to keep taking your drugs daily and complete therapy in order to avoid other complications, or the TB progressing to Multi-drug resistant TB or even Extensively-drug resistant TB which are more deadly and difficult to treat. Right now, you’ll be wondering how TB spread may be prevented. Here are some precautionary measures you can practice: Good hygiene practices especially when coughing or sneezing Good ventilation as TB can remain suspended in the air for several hours with no ventilation Maintaining a healthy immune system with the use of immune boosters, eating balanced meals Vaccination with the BCG Vaccine A.K.A TB Vaccine Early screening and treatment for active TB Face masks should be worn when dealing with TB patients
Finally, I hope you’ve been enlightened about Tuberculosis and remember the stronger your immunity, the better your body’s defense. Stick around for our next post on knowing more on how to improve your immune system.
Drop a comment, share your experience and let’s know what you think! If you have any questions or concerns about your health or need any medications , please contact us via phone or whatsapp with the following numbers:
Do not forget to protect yourself when you go out. Wear a nose mask properly, maintain social distancing and maintain proper hygiene when you get home. Properly dispose face masks, wash your clothes, wash or sanitize your hands and possibly take a bath before you come in contact with anyone. This will help you and your household greatly if you were in contact with an infected person.
When you hear the word “exercise,” what comes to mind? A lot of people instantly imagine someone running in sporty clothes, carrying weights at the gym or doing some intense-looking aerobatics. But there is one kind of exercise we often take for granted; Walking.
Walking is one of the most common forms of exercising. That’s because you don’t need a special skill or special gym equipment to walk, just put one foot in front of the other and keep it moving! It is a good way to improve overall health, lose weight and keep fit and the most interesting thing is, almost anybody can do it!. In this article, we will answer the following questions:
What are the health benefits of walking?
How much walking is considered sufficient exercise?
How can I ensure I am taking enough steps in a day, especially during the lockdown?
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF WALKING
As simple as it is, walking comes with a lot of benefits which include;
Heart and lung fitness
Stronger muscles and bones
Better balance
Reduced body fat
Reduced risk of heart diseases and stroke
Improved management of health conditions like high blood pressure,joint and muscular pain, stiffness, diabetes and high cholesterol
Improved mood
HOW MUCH WALKING IS ENOUGH EXERCISE?
Granted, many of us walk everyday – but the big question is …”ARE YOU WALKING ENOUGH?” If your goal is to keep fit, there is a required number of steps you need to take daily. Research has shown that healthy adults can take between 4,000 to 18,000 steps a day but 10,000 steps (about 5 miles) is a reasonable target for adults.
Okay, I know what you are thinking; “10,000 steps?? Is that even POSSIBLE?!” Yes, it is! Infact, a lot of people do it. It is all about being intentional about the number of steps you take, especially during this period when we are encouraged to stay at home. It is so easy to forget to exercise this period and that could be dangerous to your health. So it is important to measure your steps to ensure you are walking enough.
HOW DO I MEASURE MY STEPS?
Step Counters or Pedometers are a great way to measure steps. They are small devices you wear on your body that count the number of steps you have taken. The motion sensors in this device measure steps by tracking arm and leg movements. They do not only record and store walking activity, but also show the number of calories and fat burned and help you time your walk.
Whether you are simply trying to keep fit or trying to lose weight, using a step counter is a great choice for you. It is also important to wear it well as a badly placed device will give false or inaccurate readings. Make sure you follow the instructions that come with the device and regularly check to ensure it is well placed.
Do not forget to protect yourself if you are permitted to go out for walks. Wear a nose mask properly, maintain social distancing and maintain proper hygiene when you get home. Properly dispose face masks, wash your clothes, wash or sanitize your hands and possibly take a bath, before you come in contact with anyone. This will help you and your household greatly if you were in contact with an infected person. Also make sure you strengthen your immune system with immune boosters like Nature’s Field Vitamin C, Immunace and Reload Immunity.
Disclaimer: Please note that this information should not take the place of your doctor’s advice. Victory drugs is not liable for any action you take as a result of reading this article.
Fatima fainted while at work and was rushed to the hospital. She wakes up in the hospital and could not figure out what was happening. After calming her down, the doctor told her that she fainted at work due to high blood pressure which is also known as hypertension. Fatima is confused. She was not sick. She doesn’t recall having any symptoms. So, how could she just have slumped… just like that?
Hello
everyone!!!
We are going to be discussing about hypertension, the risk involved, symptoms and management. High blood pressure is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease. The dangerous aspects of hypertension is that you may not know that you have it. In fact, almost one-third of people who have high blood pressure don’t even know it. Most of the time there are no obvious symptoms. The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is through regular checkups. This is particularly important if you have a close relative who has high blood pressure (which could be your parents, siblings, or any member of your family) if you are obese or diabetic or do not practice healthy living.
Do you know that high blood pressure is a silent killer?
Certain physical traits and lifestyle choices can put you at a greater risk for high blood pressure. Lifestyle choices like smoking, taking alcohol, poor diet, drug abuse, lack of exercise, stress.
When left untreated, the damage that high blood pressure does to your circulatory system is significant. It may contribute to heart attack, stroke, and other health threats.
Do you know the symptoms you should look out for?
If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be some certain symptoms to look out for, like severe headache, vision problems, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, pounding in your chest, neck or ears and so on. If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. You could be having hypertension crisis that could lead to a heart attack or stroke. However, more often than not, high blood pressure doesn’t give any sign or symptom. The first sign could be a sudden stroke. This is why it is called the “silent killer.”
How can we properly measure blood pressure at home?
We all know about this pandemic situation and we are trying to reduce our visit to hospitals and health centers, this might limit check-ups or going for blood pressure monitoring. But, there is a good news. You can check and monitor your blood pressure whiles staying at home. Yes, All you need to do to get a blood pressure monitor which is available here and very cost effective. Now lets talk about the numbers and what they mean.
When you want to check your blood pressure using the device. You need to:
Rest for about 10 minutes.
Sit in an upright position
Make sure your arms are bare and hand measurement rests on a table
Wrap cuff around your arm as directed on BP device. If you can not wrap the cuff by yourself you could get someone to do that for you.
Note your reading, allow 3-5 minutes and repeat. You can repeat two or three times and get the average.
Please, make sure you do not talk , laugh or eat throughout the process. Ideally you shouldn’t measure your BP less than 30 minutes after meal or exercise
You should not wait for the numbers to get so high. If you notice any increase in your blood pressure please consult your doctor but only regular checking would make you know. That is why you should always monitor and check your blood pressure even when you have no symptoms like they say “Prevention is better than cure”.
How you can prevent high blood pressure?
Eat a Healthy Diet
Choose healthy meal and snack options to help you avoid high blood pressure and its complications. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.Talk with your health care team about eating a variety of foods rich in potassium, fiber, and protein and lower in salt (sodium) and saturated fat. For many people, making these healthy changes can help keep blood pressure normal and protect against heart disease and stroke.
Be Physically Active
Having overweight or obesity increases your risk for high blood pressure. Physical activity can help keep you at a healthy weight and normalize your blood pressure. Children and adolescents should get 1 hour of physical activity every day while adults need at least 30 minutes 5 days a week. Adults may use step counters to measure their daily exercise. They should do about 10,000 steps daily (please discuss with your pharmacist or other healthcare professional).
Adopting Healthy Habits; Avoid Alcohol And Smoking
Alcoholcan have a serious long-term effect on your blood pressure. Heavy drinking has been discovered to increase the risk of developing hypertension. Smoking raises your blood pressure and puts you at higher risk for heart attack and stroke. If you do not smoke, do not start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for heart disease.
Lastly, drop a comment, share your experience and let’s know what you think! If you have any questions or concerns about your health or need any medications or even a Blood Pressure Monitor, please contact us via phone or Whatsapp with the following numbers:
Do not forget to protect yourself when you go out. Wear a nose mask properly, maintain social distancing and maintain proper hygiene when you get home. Properly dispose face masks, wash your clothes, wash or sanitize your hands and possibly take a bath before you come in contact with anyone. This will help you and your household greatly if you were in contact with an infected person. Also make sure you strengthen your immune system with immune boosters like Nature’s Field Vitamin C, Immunace and Reload Immunity.
Right now, you are probably thinking, “How else am I supposed to eat my fruits?” It’s either you cut them up into slices or eat them whole… right? Maybe not. Today, we will show you various ways you can turn plain fruits into exciting, nutritious and savoury meals.
But first, let’s talk a bit about the benefits of eating fruits. Fruits are naturally sweet, colourful, filled with nutrients and make very healthy snacks. They are easily accessible and require little or no preparation; just wash, peel and cut if you have to and enjoy!
Fruits are a great source of vitamins, minerals and fibre and their consumption has many benefits and some are;
Improved mental health
Better cardiovascular health
Weight management
Reduced risk of stroke
That said, here are some really cool ways to spice up your fruit eating experience:
FRUIT KEBAB
You have probably done this with meat but did you know you could do this with fruit? We like to think of this as a variant of the fruit salad. Instead of serving in a bowl, simply serve on kebab sticks – making it not only fun to eat but also fun to make. Get yourself an array of your favorite fruits, honey and lemon (to make a dressing which is also optional) and kebab sticks. Wash and cut up the fruits into chunks of your preferred size and stack them onto the kebab stick. Dip each kebab into the honey and lemon dressing, lay on a tray for the excess dressing to drip and enjoy!
HONEY AND YOGURT FRUIT SALAD
Ditch the old and boring way of just cutting up and mixing fruits to make a fruit salad. The infusion of other ingredients makes it tastier and even more nutritious. To make this, you will need your choice of fruits (the more common ones are berries, watermelons, pineapples, pawpaw, banana), low-fat unsweetened yogurt, honey, fresh orange juice. To make this simply cut up your fruits into preferred sizes and mix in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon and orange juice to make a dressing for your fruit salad. Pour the dressing into the fruit bowl and enjoy your delicious honey and yogurt fruit salad!
SMOOTHIES
You don’t feel like chewing? Go ahead and blend! Turn your favourite and tasty fruits into a delicious drink by blending them up with water or dairy products like milk or yogurt. We shared five exciting smoothie recipes that you can try out here.
FRUIT POPSICLES
We all know children love ice-cream. So if we want them to eat fruit, why not make it like ice-cream? This recipe here is amazing for children and the young at heart. A healthier replacement for ice-cream and very nourishing for the days when the weather is extremely hot. All you need to do is freeze fruit juices or fruit purees and lick away! To make this, you will need a juicy fruit or fruits (orange, watermelon, pineapples are top choices), plastic moulds or disposable cups (plastic or paper), popsicle sticks (you can use skewer sticks in place of these. Just take off the sharp edges). Simply juice or puree your fruit or fruits, pour in the mould or disposable cups and drop the popsicle or skewer sticks in, making sure they are standing upright as they will serve as the handles. Put in the fridge until the contents of the cup are frozen. To get the popsicles out of the mould or plastic cup, dip in hot water for a few seconds or simply tear if you are using paper cups. Your popsicles are ready for you to enjoy!
N.B: For smaller variants, you can use ice cube boxes as the moulds and toothpicks for the handles!
PARFAIT
A parfait (pronounced par-fay) is a dessert made of different layers of yogurt or cream and fruits. It is one of the best ways to enjoy fruits and is quick and easy to prepare. To make a parfait you will need your choice of fruits (the commonly used fruits are seedless grapes, bananas, pineapples and apples), low-fat yogurt (preferably Greek yogurt because it has a thicker consistency) and coconut flakes. Coconut flakes can be bought in most supermarkets but you can make yours at home simply by grating and frying the coconut at low/medium heat until it turns brown (you will need to fry with a bit of coconut oil if your pan is not non-stick). Now back to the parfait recipe! Wash your fruit and cut them into tiny chunks so that they can fit into your cup. Mix all the chopped fruit together. Start to layer the ingredients into your cup – start with the yogurt then add the fruit and then add the coconut flakes. Repeat until your cup is full and voila!, your parfait is ready.
Don’t forget to protect yourself by washing your hands regularly and using quality hand sanitizers. Also make sure you strengthen your immune system with immune boosters like Vitamin C, Immunace and Reload Immunity.
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Disclaimer: Kindly remember that as much as we ensure we provide sound information or advice, the information or advice given here is not intended to replace your doctor’s advice and Victory Drugs is not liable for any decision you make based on the information or advice provided here.
One fun thing you can do to keep yourself going this period is to try new recipes – and if cooking is not your thing, you can just make smoothies. They are very easy to make!
Who says eating healthy has to be boring? Smoothies are fun ways to incorporate fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods into your diet without them seeming “uninteresting” or foul-tasting.
What’s a Smoothie?
A smoothie is a thick and sometimes creamy drink made from a blend of fruits, vegetables, water or dairy products such as milk or yogurt. They are healthy drinks that can serve as a nutritious breakfast because they provide a balance of nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fibre and healthy fats.
Healthy smoothies :
can help boost your Immunity
are a great source of antioxidants
can help maintain a healthy weight
aid digestion
prevent dehydration
improve skin health
can help detoxification
Here are five nutritious, tasty and easy to make smoothie recipes:
1. Pineapple Smoothie
Ok, let’s be honest – pineapples are one of the best gifts of nature – and if you can get your hands on some pineapples and milk (almond, soy or coconut milk), you can make your taste buds dance! To make this, cut the pineapple into chunks and blend together with the milk. You can add ice for a cool and refreshing smoothie. Blend all the ingredients until you get your desired consistency.
2. Spinach, Grape and Coconut Smoothie
Oh yes, spinach! For this surprisingly tasty smoothie, you would need spinach (popularly called efo tete in Yoruba), seedless grapes, coconut milk and ice (optional). Before you begin, be sure to wash vegetables with water, salt and vinegar. To make this smoothie, put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until you get a smooth consistency. Pour in a cup and enjoy. Seriously, try it!
3. Banana and Cashew Smoothie
If you have never thought to combine bananas and cashew nuts in your life, you’re missing out on this nutritious delicacy! Get yourself some bananas, unsalted cashew nuts, honey(optional sweetener) and ice (optional). Firstly, soak the cashew nuts in clean water and refrigerate overnight. Drain the cashew nuts and blend together with the other ingredients until you get a smooth consistency.
Mango Smoothie
If you are not the adventurous type, this simple mango recipe is for you! The needed ingredients include mangoes, yogurt/milk, honey (for sweetening) and ice (optional). To make this smoothie you will need to skin the mangoes and cut them into chunks. Then blend together with the yogurt/milk, honey and ice until you get the texture you want!
Ugu Smoothie
Ok, we admit, this one sounds crazy – but it might end up being your favorite drink. You never know till you try! So do it! Before you begin, be sure to wash vegetables with water, salt and vinegar. Get yourself some chopped Ugu leaves and boil for 5 minutes (it is always safer to cook Ugu before eating). Allow it to cool (for about an hour). Then, add your favorite fruits (could be banana, apples, oranges, etc.), non-dairy milk (soy, almond, coconut or tigernut milk). Finally, blend all the ingredients together until you achieve a smooth consistency.
Be careful not to use any ingredient that you or anyone drinking may be allergic to.
Smoothie making is also a fun activity you can try with your family and also teach your children to make (with adult supervision) to keep them occupied. It is a healthy substitute for snacks also as it is quite filling. At a time like this where it is very important to boost our immunity, smoothies are a great way to do so.
Don’t forget to protect yourself by washing your hands regularly and using quality hand sanitizers. Also make sure you strengthen your immune system with immune boosters like Vitamin C, Immunace and Reload Immunity. If you don’t have any of these you can visit our website and chat with us by touching the green circular icon at the bottom right corner of your screen. You can also call :
