Health Archives - The Olive Branch

World No Tobacco Day

theolivebranchadmin — Thu, 31 May 2018 22:07:29 +0000

World No Tobacco Day
As part of the sustainable development goals SDG 3 is “to ensure healthy lives and promote well being for all ages’. Having one of its targets as to ‘Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate.’

Facts about Tobacco
Tobacco kills more than 7 million people each year. More than 6 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while around 890 000 are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.
Around 80% of the world’s 1.1 billion smokers live in low and middle-income countries.
It’s the leading cause of death and illnesses and poverty.
In some countries, children die from ‘green tobacco sickness’ when working on tobacco farms in other to provide for family income.
Surveillance is key in eliminating tobacco use.
Second hand smoke from tobacco kills:
– It contains more than 4000 chemicals, and at least 250 are known to be harmful
– Causes serious cardiac diseases, coronary heart disease and lung cancer
– In pregnant women it causes low birth weight babies
– Children’s health at risk by breathing in second hand smoke from people around killing the younger generation

Tobacco users need help to quit
Pictures campaigns and media helps.
Bans on tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship.
Stopping illegal trade with strong enforced rules.
The 6 MPOWER measures by WHO are:
• Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies
• Protect people from tobacco use
• Offer help to quit tobacco use
• Warn about the dangers of tobaco
• Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship
• Raise taxes on tobacco.

How to quit chewing tobacco
1. Make the decision to quit
2. Choose your quit date
3. Start cutting down
4. Talk to your doctor
5. Expect some withdrawal symptoms
6. Have a support team

GINGER

theolivebranchadmin — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 21:12:49 +0000

Ginger
Ginger!!!
I’m gingered to write this post already.
It is surprisingly the most widely used dietary condiment in the world today. Wonderful enough, it’s been used by the chinese and Indians to treat ailments for over 4000 years ago and it was really priceless during the roman empire trade around the coming of Christ because of its medicinal properties. So long story short!!!
FACTS
•   It is high in Gingerol
•   A substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
What makes ginger so good to us?
1. Nausea and indigestion:
Chewing raw ginger or drinking ginger tea is a common home remedy for nausea and also for morning sickness and car sickness to reduce the nauseating feeling but it doesn’t really prevent vomiting. You know nausea can be a bit annoying so to get rid of it, get yourself just a few pieces of raw ginger.
Ginger is also safe to use during pregnancy of course to relieve nausea. It is available in the form of ginger lozenges or candies if you can find that in your area but you can make do with ginger tea or the raw ginger itself. Just a little bite is good enough.
Also for indigestion, it relieves gastrointestinal (GI) irritation, stimulate saliva and bile production and suppress gastric contractions as food and fluids move through the GI tract. At the same time, ginger also appears to have beneficial effects on some enzymes (trypsin and pancreatic lipase) to increase motility through the digestive tract. This suggests ginger could help prevent colon cancer and constipation
2. Immune system boosting
Cold and flu relief, Fresh ginger is effective against the RSV virus, a common cause of respiratory infections like common cold
During cold weather; harmattan and winter, drinking ginger tea is good way to keep warm. it promotes sweating so this works from within to keep you warm.
You can get ginger tea or make a quick one for yourself( you can see that at the end of the post)
3. It reduces Pain
Study carried out have shown that daily ginger supplement reduces muscle pain by 25 percent and for my ladies out there, menstrual pain has got no hold on you especially if you’re the type that doesn’t love drugs. Just a cup of ginger tea and you’re fine.
It also helps to reduce pain in Arthritis. Read the post on premenstrual syndrome
4. Inflammation
Ginger has been used for centuries to reduce inflammation and treat inflammatory conditions.
5. Ginger Can Help Fight Infections
Gingerol, the bioactive substance in fresh ginger can help lower the risk of infections as infections are inflammatory processes.
In fact, it can inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria. It’s been tested in some study (Journal of Microbiology and Antimicrobials) on its effect being able to kill staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus pyogenes which has proved effective. It is very effective against the oral bacteria linked to inflammatory diseases in the gums, such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
Also used as anti-fungal. Mix some drops together with tea tree oil and coconut oil
6. Others
It can cure
Stomach ulcers and gastro esophageal reflux.
Play a role in improving diabetes.
It’s also lowers cholesterol levels
Best ways to use
Ginger can be used either fresh, dried, powdered or as an oil/juice. It is sometimes added to processed foods and cosmetics and is a very common ingredient in recipes.
Raw ginger
You can chew some on journeys or for fast relief in situations where you can’t get access to tea or other forms.
Sliced and Add fresh ginger to a smoothie or juice.
Add fresh or dried ginger to a stir-fry or homemade salad dressing.
Make ginger tea by steep peeled fresh ginger in boiling water.
Ginger oil
The most potent part and this is the best way, you can either take it internally (2 to 3 drops) or rub topically on area of pain
Ginger tea
Mostly used to relive nausea, settle stomach problems and relax the body. You can add a bit of honey to it to taste and there are already made ginger tea drinks.
To make ginger tea at home, slice 20 to 40 grams (g) of fresh ginger and steep it in a cup of hot water. Add a slice of lemon or a drop of honey to add flavor and additional benefits, including vitamin C and antibacterial properties. This makes a soothing natural remedy for a cold or flu.
Ginger powder
Used mostly for cooking to spice up any fish recipe, chicken curry or for smoothies. It can also be taken as supplement with a dose (1,000 milligrams daily).

STAY GINGERED!

Estée

The post GINGER appeared first on The Olive Branch.

Sleeping with make up and 3 other habits that gives you wrinkles

theolivebranchadmin — Sun, 06 Nov 2016 00:25:31 +0000

Hey guys, Happy New Month!!! We have a special post today and this is a twist to our normal post. New feature by Aderibigbe Sheriff ,twitter handle (sheriffsimply) .No knowledge is lost. Enjoy, Comment and Subscribe.

Wrinkles are nothing to worry about especially when they come when you have crossed the age of fifty and above because wrinkles are a part of life that every single one of us should expect as we grow older.

The truth however is that some of us tend to have wrinkles at a younger age than we normally should because of the habits we have and the things we do. Some of the common habits include our beauty habits and routines which may trigger wrinkles on your skin.

One of such bad habits that can trigger wrinkles at an early age occurs as a result of failing to clean up our makeup and going to bed with them still on. Here are some habits that maybe responsible for your skin wrinkling at an early age.

Going To Bed With Your Makeup

This is perhaps one habit that commonly causes wrinkles in people that makes use of makeup especially women. Going to bed with your makeup can especially cause you to have wrinkles because of the constituents of the materials used in making foundation and primers.

Moreover, a mixture of makeup and environmental pollutants which will occur during the course of the day can actually seep into your skin pores causing the collagen and elastin that makes the skin elastic to break down. Once this occurs, the aging process of the skin is sped up which will result in you having define lines and wrinkles.

To avoid this, ensure you take off your makeup every night by cleaning your face. Remember to also moisturize your skin with water every night before going to bed.

The Way You Sleep

Recent research have shown that the way you go to bed can actually determine whether or not you will develop wrinkles at an early age. Experts say sleeping on your face, can actually make you develop wrinkle especially if you make use of a pillow while you sleep.

If you must make use of a pillow when you sleep, ensure that the pillowcase is made from a satin material. Satin materials help the pillowcase slide across your face instead of cotton materials which allow the pillowcase set into your skin and prevents your skin pores from breathing. Alternatively, you can choose to sleep on your back to avoid stretching your skin beyond its elastic point.

Alcohol Consumption

Consuming high amount of alcohol or even little quantities can affect the skin negatively and even trigger skin wrinkles. Alcohol tends to dehydrate the skin, leaving it dry and scaly. When alcohol is consumed before you go to bed, the chances that your skin will appear less plump and fresh the following morning is high.

More so, as time goes on your skin will lose its elasticity which will cause it to form wrinkles as a result of dehydration. Alcohol can also have a huge negative effect on the levels of vitamin A in your body. Vitamin A is an important antioxidant for the skin and body in general and it is important in tissue repair and regeneration of new cells.

Vitamin A is also very important in the production of collagen which is responsible for the elasticity present in your skin. The combination of Collagen and skin elasticity helps to keep the skin taut, supple, young and fresh. keep your skin supple, taut, and looking young.

The post Sleeping with make up and 3 other habits that gives you wrinkles appeared first on The Olive Branch.