MUST READ….Beware Of Adulterated Killer Palm Oil Sold In The Market

The production of adulterated palm oil is really on the increase. Infact, it has become a situation of Buyers beware! Especially with the sudden rise in cases of cancer, organ damages and heart diseases with no specific cause. It has become very important for Nigerians to pay particular attention on the quality of palm oil to be used in their diets considering the current trend.

I recently read an article that described the  experience of a group of friends who ate leafy vegetable popularly known as Efo riro by the Yorubas prepared with palm oil and all of them purged seriously until they were admitted to the hospital. The friends were quick to say it was the vegetable but a further test carried out indicated a trace of some certain chemicals. These chemicals are those used in the production of adulterated palm oil.

I sincerely hope that law enforcement agency such as NAFDAC would pin down the perpetrators of this evil act that had left a major food item like palm oil which is suppose to supply Vitamin A for proper nourishment our body to a food item supplying lethal toxins.

Filed Under: Funny Jokes, HEALTH on Sunday, 27 September 2015

See why you should always Put An Onion In Your Ear Overnight

Personally, I don’t like onions but I know that most people do. Still, they make you cry when you cut them, so I think that’s a valid sign that they should stay away from my hamburgers. But apparently we can do more with onions than just eat them. We can use them to clean our barbecue grills, and used to help hear our bodies. Wait, what? Yep… in Chinese medicine, onions slices are placed on people’s feet to help purify the body. The rationale is that onions have antibacterial properties, and its phosphoric acid enters into your bloodstream after being absorbed through your feet.

And what if you have an ear ache? You guessed it, send the onions in! Check out this video and let us know if you give it a try.

Filed Under: HEALTH on Saturday, 12 September 2015

Foods that Cause Body Odor

Genetics determine more than your eye or hair color. Your genes also drive your “odor signature,” the smell you naturally emit from oil and sweat glands when you’re at rest, physically active or exercising.

The fermentation of your perspiration by naturally occurring bacteria on your skin produces the distinctive scent we less generously call body odor, says Dr. Debra Jaliman, a dermatologist, spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets From a Top Dermatologist. We each have a distinct combination of bacteria — about 1,000 types live in human sweat glands — and therefore, our own unique smell.

Age is believed to alter body odor. Researchers have not pinned down the mechanism, but one theory is as we get older, the activity of our bacteria changes, affecting our natural odor.

But along with DNA and age, Jaliman says, what we eat can have a major impact on our scent, at least temporarily. While most of us understand that consuming garlic or onions will affect our breath, we might not realize that such foods as broccoli and red meat can significantly raise the volume on body odor.

Here are five types of foods or diet regimens known to alter your natural aroma.

1. Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower
The issue with these cruciferous vegetables is their sulfur, which your body breaks down into compounds that are actually similar to those responsible for the smell of rancid butter. “These compounds are absorbed into the body and secreted in sweat,” explains E. Adam Kallel, a medicinal chemistry consultant at Victrix Computational and Medicinal Chemistry Consultancy in Carlsbad, Calif. Your body odor can change for the worse as early as one hour after consuming these vegetables, he says. The scent associated with one serving should dissipate within six hours.

Despite the olfactory risk, Jaliman says, “Cruciferous vegetables are very healthy and you shouldn’t avoid them based on a little body odor.” To minimize the effect, parboil these vegetables in water seasoned with a pinch of sea salt. This process can remove much of the odor-producing chemicals while retaining the foods’ beneficial compounds.

2. Red meat
The amino acids in red meat leave a residue in your intestines during digestion. Intestinal enzymes break down that residue, which then mixes with bacteria on your skin during perspiration and intensifies your odor. It’s an effect that’s hard to avoid: Since meat is harder to digest than other foods, Kallel says, your body has to work harder to process it. “As a result,” he says, “your sweat glands may respond by secreting more perspiration.”

Being aware of the timing of your amplified aroma is the best way to try to manage it. “The bacteria need a couple of hours to ramp up to their most odiferous point,” Kallel says. “You can smell worse within two hours of eating red meat.” Depending on your personal body chemistry, the change in the scent of your sweat brought on by meat consumption can be minimal or can linger for a few hours up to as long as two weeks.

3. Fish
There’s no question about the health benefits of consuming fish. Years of research have shown that omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish oil, are essential for brain function and play a key role in reducing one’s risk of heart disease. Two fish-based meals a week has become a commonly accepted guideline. But choline, a member of the B-complex vitamin family that is found amply in fish like tuna and salmon, delivers a natural fishy smell.

Some people, Kallel says, may secrete choline in their sweat for up to a day after eating a serving of fish, potentially producing a strong body odor. In a small number of people, consumption of foods containing choline and carnitine, including fish, meat and eggs, can contribute to trimethylaminuria, or “fishy odor syndrome,” which can be treated by dietary change and antibiotics.

4. Processed (junk) foods
The mechanism for this food-odor connection has not been pinned down by researchers, Jaliman says, but the refined sugar content of junk foods, as well as their high glycemic index (a measure of how different carbohydrates raise blood sugar levels), are likely to blame. It’s thought that the sugar present in the blood after eating junk food alters the make-up of perspiration in some people when it combines with bacteria on the skin, leading to changes in odor. Processed foods also lack chlorophyll, the chemical that gives vegetables their color and acts as a deodorizer and cleanser in the body, neutralizing the bacteria that causes BO.

“After a week of abstaining from such food, the odor should go away,” Jaliman says — a problem if you’re a daily processed snack consumer (which, of course, you shouldn’t be).

5. Low-carb diets
High-carb processed foods can turn up your odor, but low-carb diets are also a problem for some. When you cut back on carbohydrates, your body has fewer carbs to burn for energy and starts burning fat instead. This is why low-carb diets can deliver weight loss — and body odor. “When you burn fat,” Jaliman says, “your body produces a chemical that can make perspiration smell either like nail polish remover or fruity.” This is not a problem for everyone, and affects some people in different ways. “The exact alteration to the natural body odor depends on a person’s body chemistry,” she says.

It can take several days after starting a low-carb regimen to notice a difference in your scent, but Jaliman says that if and when the change takes effect, it will likely linger as long as you remain on the diet. If the effect is pronounced, she suggests, speak to your doctor about adjusting your diet.

Filed Under: HEALTH on Sunday, 23 August 2015

With The Help Of This Recipe Your Hair Will Grow 2 Times Faster

If having a long and shiny hair is still only a dream for you, we have the best recipe for you. Can you possibly imagine that red onions can help you reduce hair loss, stop graying and also stimulate your hair to grow much faster?

Hair growth is a matter of genes, but certain internal and external factors affect this process. Home remedies can do miracles for your hair, and they have passed through the hands of many generations.

Red onion juice is amazing for your hair and for many celebrities it is one of the best ingredients when it comes to improving hair quality.

Studies have shown that red onion prevents hair loss in 87% of the cases. You hair will also look more attractive within a month.

Dermatologists have confirmed that it does not cause any side effects.

Red onions are loaded with sulfur, which is important for the production of collagen. Collagen is essential for hair growth.

Red onion juice improves blood circulation in the scalp. It reduces skin inflammation, thanks to its strong antibacterial properties.

It will make your hair much stronger, open your follicles and prevent any infections. You will be amazed by the results of this treatment in just a month!

Recipe

Clean and dice 2-4 onions. Squeeze out their juice. Blending onions is another option, but juicing is the best solution. Stir in a tablespoon of honey.

Gently rub the juice on your scalp. Leave it on for 15-30 minutes. You may do not like its smell, but it is sure worth the effort. For optimal results, you can keep the juice on for an hour. Rinse your hair as usual.

Repeat the treatment 2-3 times a month.

Try it and share your opinion!

Filed Under: HEALTH on Sunday, 9 August 2015

Coconut Oil Is Better Than Toothpaste According to New Studies

There is nothing better and more beneficial for the teeth than coconut oil. It has a very strong effect in cases of fungi, microbes and bacteria and according to studies it can kill tooth decay bacteria in no time.

Just one spoonful of coconut oil has the ability to prevent your teeth from decaying and can help you clean them much better than regular toothpastes, and it doesn’t even have side effects like in the cases of mouthwash products and fluoride.

The strong effects of coconut oil were researched at the Athlone Institute of Technology, where Irish scientists found out that coconut oil can inhibit mouth bacteria, especially in cases of candida albicans.

How can coconut oil prevent tooth decay?

By destroying the candida albicans, it prevents your teeth from developing dental diseases. The growth of candida albicans is helped with processed foods and sugar, and can also lead to other illnesses related to the digestive system. The scientists discovered that coconut oil has strong effect on common bacteria that help in teeth decay, such as the S. mutans, which is the primary cause for bad teeth, and have suggested that the coconut oil enzyme is a powerful alternative to chemicals that we use to protect our teeth.

Filed Under: HEALTH on Friday, 24 July 2015

Dangers of High Heels and How They Affect the Body

High heels are fashionable and they can make a woman who is unhappy with her short stature feel tall and confident. However, while heels can certainly be a great accessory to an outfit, wearing them every day can cause more harm than good.

These shoes can do excessive damage to the foot, as well as the ankle and the back. In fact, high heels are the cause of ankle, foot and back problems for millions of people around the world.

If you’re a fanatic of wearing high heels, you’re going to want to continue reading to learn the damaging effects that your shoe obsession can cause.

The High Cost of High Heels

Your favorite pair of Manolo Blahnik may have cost you a pretty penny, but they’ll cost you way more in the damages that they will do to your feet, ankles and back if you wear them too much. Here’s a look at some of the ways that wearing heels every day can cause you more harm than good.

• Severe Joint Pain. When worn excessively, high heels can lead to serious pain in your joints, including your ankles, your knees and even your hips. Why? Because heels don’t provide any real shock absorption, which means that your joints will end up absorbing all of the shock you experience with every step you take. Additionally, high heels prevent your feet from rotating when you walk because they are forced to walk straight. When your feet can’t bend, your joints have to absorb the strain that is put on your body when you walk.
• Pain in the Lower Back. Do you ever notice that your lower back aches after you’ve spent a day wearing heels? Have you ever wondered why? It’s because heels make your pelvis push forward, which puts a ton of pressure onto your lower back. The result? Pain.
• Pain in the Achilles Tendon. Wearing heels for an excessive period of time can actually lead to a shortened Achilles tendon. This happens because when your feet are constantly in that lifted position, a physiological change can occur in the muscles, as well as the tendons. The result of this is excessive pain when walking flat footed.
• Sprained Ankles. Women who wear heels are more likely to suffer from ankle sprains than women who wear flats. Heels cause an uneven distribution of weight between the ball of your foot and your ankle. This can make walking more unsteady and can cause your foot to roll out, thus causing a sprained ankle.
• Ingrown Toenails. There is nothing cute about an ingrown toenail, and heels can definitely cause more of these. Since heels put pressure on your big and little toes, hey cause them to bend into the nail bed, thus causing the development of ingrown toenails. These toenails are seriously not cute and they can be seriously painful.

Given these issues, you may want to rethink wearing those heels every day and consider wearing flats more often. Your feet, ankles and back will thank you.

Filed Under: HEALTH, Life Style on

See Where Your Body Accumulates The Most Fat And How To Get Rid Of It

Science has proven and defined 6 types of obesity, caused by various factors. Check out the group you fall in, what lifestyle you are leading and how to solve the problem:

1. Obesity caused by eating

This type of obesity is most prevalent in the world and is caused by the excessive amount of fatty foods and sugar. To get rid of fat, exercise at least 30 minutes a day.

2. Obesity caused by stress

This type of obesity is caused by anxiety, stress and depression. People suffering from this type of depression usually treated it with sweets. Most importantly is to control yourself psychologically and deal with many activities that will release you from stress.

3. Obesity caused by gluten

It is mainly found among women in adolescence, menopause or hormonal imbalance. It is important to avoid long sitting, cigarettes and alcohol, and to practice exercises with weights.

4. Obesity caused by slow metabolism

People with this type often feel their belly bloated as a balloon, which accumulated all fat. Most affected are those who consume alcohol or have trouble breathing. The least you can do is quit vices and to focus on a diet rich in vegetables and fruits.

5. Obesity caused by circulation

This is mostly genetically inherited obesity, and can occur during pregnancy and in people who are susceptible to swelling of the legs. The solution is to be more active, ie to do exercises like running or climbing stairs.

6. Obesity caused by inactivity

This type of obesity affects all modern people that are obsolete or at least 8 hours in a sitting position. Well designed training are necessary to activate the body, at least 3 times a week.

Filed Under: HEALTH on

How to make a smoothie without banana

Think of a smoothie. Think of bananas. Check out the ingredients of any smoothie, and 9 times out of 10 you’ll find banana on that list. For better of worse, bananas and smoothies are like peanut butter and jelly or marmite on toast (for you Aussies and Brits out there).

Maybe you’ve run out of bananas or want to try something new. Perhaps you’re allergic to bananas, want to cut down on the sugar and calorie content of your smoothies, or you simply can’t stand the taste, texture or sight of them. Or maybe you just don’t like yellow. For all of you seeking smoothies without bananas know this. Bananas are convenient, but they’re by no means some sort of magical or essential ingredient to making to making a smoothie awesome.

Bananas are a popular ingredient in green smoothies and fruit smoothies for good reason – or reasons to be precise. Bananas have a subtle flavor, they add natural sweetness, they’re healthy, they add great texture, and they kind of bind the whole smoothie together. So yes, bananas and smoothies make great bedfellows, but that certainly doesn’t mean you can’t make a great smoothie without one. So, we’re giving you the low-down on how to make a smoothie awesome – without banana.

1. Add oatmeal

To give texture to your banana-less smoothie add finely ground oatmeal to your smoothie. Simply grind oatmeal to a fine powder and add about a quarter cup to your smoothie.

For a creamier texture, add cooked oatmeal instead. This will give your smoothie body, and also make it more filling.

2. Add chia seeds

Chia seeds like banana are an incredible binding agent, and also fantastic for thickening smoothies. Either simply add one tablespoon of chia seeds in with the other smoothie ingredients and blend, or create a smoothie gel.

To make a gel mix some chia seeds with water and leave to thicken, then mix in with smoothie. You can soak the chia seeds overnight, but even 10 minutes will do.

3. Add avocado

Before you baulk at the idea of adding something green to your fruit smoothie, remember that avocado is a fruit, not a vegetable. Another reason not to persecute this pear-shaped fruit is that it’s absolutely blissful in smoothies. Like you smoothies creamy? Then avocado is your friend. Avocados are the surfer dudes of the fruit world. They’re super mellow. Boasting a very mild taste, they’re virtually undetectable in smoothies. And it’s sublime buttery consistency transforms your smoothie into a creamy delight. It’s that good – especially if you have a predilection for the naughty end of the food spectrum. Also, try freezing them first for a frostier consistency. Simply mash them, put into ice cube trays and place in the freezer.

When it comes to being potassium-rich, bananas enjoy all the fanfare, but actually avocados boast high levels of potassium too. Plus, they’re full of healthy fats. If you’re new to avocados and smoothies, start by adding a ¼ avocado.

4. Add some yogurt

Yogurt is creamy and thick, and comes in all sorts of guises – cows, sheep, lactose-free, soy… There’s even coconut yogurt. So whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, paleo, doing low carb, high protein, or anything else. There’s likely an option for you.

Greek yogurt is worth a special mention as it’s packed with protein and works particularly great with smoothies.

5. Add coconut butter

So if you’ve never heard of this. Don’t hate me. This tasty butter is so good you’ll be eating it straight out of the jar. It’s smooth, creamy and tasty.

Just a tablespoonful makes for a great addition to any smoothie. Because it’s rich in (healthy) fats, it also helps you to stay fuller for longer.

6. Add nut butter

To make up for banana’s smoothness in a fruit smoothie, try adding a tablespoon of nut butter. Almond, peanut, hazelnut, are just a few of the nut butters of there.

Even better if you have the time, why not make your own nut butter?

7. Add silken tofu

Silken tofu is rich in protein, but more importantly has a pretty neutral favor, and adds creamy silkiness to smoothies. If you’re vegan or need to avoid dairy, double bonus.

Silken tofu will thicken and smoothen your smoothie right up and help keep you full for hours.

8. Add extra frozen fruit.

If push comes to shove and don’t have anything else to hand, just add in some extra frozen fruit. It will thicken and sweeten the smoothie.

For extra creaminess fleshy fruit works best, such as mango, the meat of a young coconut, or peach.

9. Use a creamy liquid-base

To make up for the creamy texture of banana, use a creamy liquid as your smoothie base. Thin liquids such as water, green tea and coconut water lack texture and creaminess.

So think almond milk, hazelnut milk, coconut milk and rice milk. If you’re on a massive health kick, nut milks are also pretty easy to make yourself.

10. Sweeten up

Lastly, now you’ve sorted out the texture, you need to make up for the sweetness of a ripe banana. Simply, add extra fruit, a little extra honey, agave nectar, maple syrup, some dates, or other sweetener. Try to keep it healthy and avoid sugar or artificial syrups.

Sweetening up your smoothie is, of course, optional. If you’re looking to make a low-calorie smoothie or are reducing your sugar intake, cutting out bananas is a simple way to do it. To add sweetness without calories add vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices.

Filed Under: HEALTH on Friday, 3 July 2015

Tips To Help You Lose Belly Fat

Want a trimmer tummy? Follow the tips below religiously and you will have a better bod in no time.

Eat breakfast

Before your body can run efficiently, it needs fuel. By eating within 90 minutes of waking up, you kick-start your metabolism. People who eat breakfast in the morning generally have more energy throughout the day and make better food choices.

Eat regularly

Eating small meals every 3 or 4 hours helps keep your metabolism running at a steady pace. Your body can only use so much energy at a time, and eating 5 or 6 small meals instead of 3 large ones makes it easier to burn off calories instead of storing them as fat.

Increase fiber

Fiber certainly has staying power, and it will keep you full for longer periods of time. Sourcs of fiber include fruits, vegetables and whole grain products (whole wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa, beans and lentils). There are many options to choose from.

Reduce intake of simple sugar

Simple sugars contribute to body fat gain because they are generally high in calories. By avoiding foods like soda, ice cream, cakes, cookies, and candy bars, you can cut out many unnecessary calories. Fresh fruit, dried fruit, fruit juice, and frozen yogurt can satisfy your sweet tooth with natural sugars.

Eat healthy fats

Healthy fats—found in olive oil, nuts, nut butters, salmon, tuna and avocado—can help fill you up and keep you full. Including these fats in your diet every day (in moderation) can help you maintain your weight. (See How to Incorporate Healthy Fats Into Your Diet.)

Be smart when eating out

If you eat out frequently, make smart choices by using the available resources. Apps such as GoMeals and CompareChains provide nutritional information for many restaurants. Also, most restaurants post nutritional information on their websites. Plan your meal before you leave the house to make sure you pick healthy choices.

Filed Under: HEALTH on

10000 times stronger killer of CANCER than Chemo-Therapy

The Sour Sop or the fruit from the graviola tree is a miraculous natural cancer cell killer 10,000 times stronger than Chemo.Why are we not aware of this? Its because some big corporation want to make back their money spent on years of research by trying to make a synthetic version of it for sale.

So, since you know it now you can help a friend in need by letting him know or just drink some sour sop juice yourself as prevention from time to time. The taste is not bad after all. It’s completely natural and definitely has no side effects. If you have the space, plant one in your garden.

The other parts of the tree are also useful.

The next time you have a fruit juice, ask for a sour sop.

How many people died in vain while this billion-dollar drug maker concealed the secret of the miraculous Graviola tree?

This tree is low and is called graviola ! in Brazi l, guanabana in Spanish and has the uninspiring name “soursop” in English. The fruit is very large and the subacid sweet white pulp is eaten out of hand or, more commonly, used to make fruit drinks, sherbets and such.

The principal interest in this plant is because of its strong anti-cancer effects. Although it is effective for a number of medical conditions, it is its anti tumor effect that is of most interest. This plant is a proven cancer remedy for cancers of all types.

Besides being a cancer remedy, graviola is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent for both bacterial and fungal infections, is effective against internal parasites and worms, lowers high blood pressure and is used for depression, stress and nervous disorders.

If there ever was a single example that makes it dramatically clear why the existence of Health Sciences Institute is so vital to Americans like you, it’s the incredible story behind the Graviola tree..

The truth is stunningly simple: Deep within the Amazon Rainforest grows a tree that could literally revolutionize what you, your doctor, and the rest of the world thinks about cancer treatment and chances of survival. The future has never looked more promising.

Research shows that with extracts from this miraculous tree it now may be possible to:
* Attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not cause extreme nausea, weight loss and hair loss
* Protect your immune system and avoid deadly infections
* Feel stronger and healthier throughout the course of the treatment
* Boost your energy and improve your outlook on life

The source of this information is just as stunning: It comes from one of America ‘s largest drug manufacturers, th! e fruit of over 20 laboratory tests conducted since the 1970’s! What those tests revealed was nothing short of mind numbing… Extracts from the tree were shown to:

* Effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 types of cancer, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer..
* The tree compounds proved to be up to 10,000 times stronger in slowing the growth of cancer cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug!
* What’s more, unlike chemotherapy, the compound extracted from the Graviola tree selectivelyhunts
down and kills only cancer cells.. It does not harm healthy cells!

The amazing anti-cancer properties of the Graviola tree have been extensively researched–so why haven’t you heard anything about it? If Graviola extract is

One of America ‘s biggest billion-dollar drug makers began a search for a cancer cure and their research centered on Graviola, a legendary healing tree from the AmazonRainforest.

Various parts of the Graviola tree–including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit and fruit-seeds–have been used for centuries by medicine men and native Indi! ans in S outh America to treat heart disease, asthma, liver problems and arthritis. Going on very little documented scientific evidence, the company poured money and resources into testing the tree’s anti-cancerous properties–and were shocked by the results. Graviola proved itself to be a cancer-killing dynamo.
But that’s where the Graviola story nearly ended.

The company had one huge problem with the Graviola tree–it’s completely natural, and so, under federal law, not patentable. There’s no way to make serious profits from it.

It turns out the drug company invested nearly seven years trying to synthesize two of the Graviola tree’s most powerful anti-cancer ingredients. If they could isolate and produce man-made clones of what makes the Graviola so potent, they’d be able to patent it and make their money back. Alas, they hit a brick wall. The original simply could not be replicated. There was no way the company could protect its profits–or even make back the millions it poured into research.

As the dream of huge profits evaporated, their testing on Graviola came to a screeching halt. Even worse, the company shelved the entire project and chose not to publish the findings of its research!

Luckily, however, there was one scientist from the Graviola research team whose conscience wouldn’t let him see such atrocity committed. Risking his career, he contacted a company that’s dedicated to harvesting medical plants from the AmazonRainforest and blew the whistle.

Miracle unleashed
When researchers at the Health Sciences Institute were alerted to the news of Graviola,! they be gan tracking the research done on the cancer-killing tree. Evidence of the astounding effectiveness of Graviola–and its shocking cover-up–came in fast and furious….

….The National Cancer Institute performed the first scientific research in 1976. The results showed that Graviola’s “leaves and stems were found effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells.” Inexplicably, the results were published in an internal report and never released to the public…

….Since 1976, Graviola has proven to be an immensely potent cancer killer in 20 independent laboratory tests, yet no double-blind clinical trials–the typical benchmark mainstream doctors and journals use to judge a treatment’s value–were ever initiated….

….A study published in the Journal of Natural Products, following a recent study conducted at Catholic University of South Korea stated that one chemical in Graviola was found to selectively kill colon cancer cells at “10,000 times the potency of (the commonly used chemotherapy drug) Adriamycin…”

….The most significant part of the Catholic University of South Korea report is that Graviola was shown to selectively target the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched. Unlike chemotherapy, which indiscriminately targets all actively reproducing cells (such as stomach and hair cells), causing the often devastating side effects of nausea and hair loss in cancer patients.

…A study at Purdue University recently found that leaves from the Graviola tree killed cancer cells among six human cell lines and were especially effective against prostate, pancreatic and lung cancers Seven years of silence broken–it’s finally here!!!

Filed Under: Features, HEALTH on Friday, 19 June 2015

Reasons You Should Stop Eating Suya.

Suya as it is being made and sold in many places should not be eaten because of the risks and dangers associated. I will try as much as possible to explain this in very simple and clear terms. This is to enable even a layman read and understand the message of this post. I promise not to mention terms such terms as benz[a]anthracene, Fasciola hepatica and Taenia saginata. In fact, forget I mentioned those three. All I just want you to know are the risks and dangers associated with eating just any Suya.

What is Suya?

If you are reading this, you probably know what Suya is. But by way of definition, Suya is a spicy skewered meat which is a popular food item in various parts of Nigeria and is enjoyed as a delicacy in many parts of West Africa. It is traditionally prepared by the Hausa people of northern Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and some parts of Sudan.

Health and Safety Issues Associated With Suya Consumption

Forget the dirty environment and poor or zero hygiene conditions in which Suya is made and handled in many places in Nigeria, there are other dangers that are inherent in the consumption of Suya – those that many would never know unless they are Food professional or have come across an article like this that explains it.

Suya and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

You know when they say Cigarette kills? It is majorly due to the PAHs they contain. Many Suya sellers make their Suya by burning all sort of woods and charcoal to make their fire. Some even throw in such things as plastics to make their ember burn brighter in order to cook the Suya meat. Many of these materials burning under the meat contain these Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons — and do you know what these PAHs do in the body after enough consumption or exposure?

1. Some PAHs are chemical carcinogens (cancer-causing compounds) while seven PAH compounds have also been classified as probable human carcinogens.
2. Some PAH compounds are mutagens. Mutagen is a physical or chemical agent that changes the genetic material (DNA).
3. According to a finding, reported in an article on health.usnews, high prenatal exposure to PAH is associated with lower IQ and childhood asthma.

   Potential of contacting zoonotic diseases

   A zoonotic disease is a disease that can be passed between animals and humans. Since Suya meats are generally undercooked and in rare occasions carrying some blood on them, there is a chance that one could contact zoonotic diseases from Suya.
   Take for example, during the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak, we were warned to stay away from Monkey and Bat meats. There was also a stern warning to always cook our meats very well before we eat them. Cooking meat very well cannot really be said of Suya.

   Beef Tapeworm (Taenia saginata)

   This is commonly known as the beef tapeworm – a zoonotic tapeworm. Like it was mentioned above, humans majorly get infected by consuming undercooked beef. The infection is may come without any noticeable symptoms but heavy infection can also occur with attendant symptoms. Heavy infection often results in weight loss, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headaches, nausea, constipation, chronic indigestion, and loss of appetite. Heavy infections may cause intestinal obstruction in humans — this can be alleviated by surgery.
   Suya can be very delicious and make a good delicacy if well cooked and appropriate types of woods are used for smoking.
   For example, it is advised to cook/heat the Suya meat to a safe internal temperature around 80 degrees Celcius or more. Avoid adding plastics or fuels such as kerosene to the fire to make it burn better.
   Finally, let me say that eating moderate amounts of smoked meat (Suya) without charring to a safe, yet medium temperature should not not pose a problem.

Filed Under: Features, HEALTH on Tuesday, 9 June 2015