30 WAYS TO PROTECT SPERM

 (dapo.ashiru@medicalartcenter.com )

1. Do not have unprotected sex. Sexually-transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhoea and Chlamydia, can damage the sperm-producing cells that block the tubes carrying sperm from the testis to the penis.

Prof.Ashiru

2. Avoid pesticides that control pests in the garden and on the farm. Such chemicals can damage the sperm-reproducing organs.

3. Avoid insecticides sprayed to kill mosquito. Such chemicals can damage the sperm- reproducing organs. Therefore, if you must spray your room against mosquitoes, allow at least one hour before going back to the room.

4.       Avoid exposure to lead fumes generated in the manufacture of small cell batteries and in bullets. Such fumes can reduce sperm count through their negative effects on the hormones and the testis.

5.       Avoid exposure to heavy metals like cadmium from the manufacture of heavy batteries, as they negatively affect the hormones.

6.       Avoid exposure to paint fumes and plastic softening chemicals like phthalates, hydrocarbons such as ethylbenze, benzene, toluene, and xylene, as they destroy the sperm-producing cells and hormones.

7. Minimise exposure to e-rays, as the sperm germ cells are very easily damaged by the gamma rays.

8. Minimise exposure to radiation, as the sperm germ cells are very easily damaged by radiation.

9. Avoid fumes generated by welders and iron smelters, as their heat can affect sperm production and lead to low sperm count.

10. Avoid exposure to accumulated old newsprints, as the carbon can lead to low sperm count.

11. Avoid wearing tight pants and trousers, as the heat generated can cause low sperm count.

12.     Avoid children with mumps as having mumps in childhood can cause irreversible damage to the testis. Therefore, never allow a male to visit other children that have mumps.

13. Minimise your consumption of alcohol as drinking to excess can cause low sperm count and also reduce libido, causing you to have a low sex drive.

14.     Do not smoke, as cigarette smoking can damage the testis and lower sperm count, lower the ability of sperm to move and lower the lifespan of the sperm.

15.     Do not eat too much saturated fat, as they reduce the efficiency of the hormones and enzymes that help in the sperm production process.

16.     Do not eat food or supplements with soya beans, as soya beans convert to the female hormone oestrogen, which tends to neutralise the male hormone testosterone, which is needed for men to reproduce sperm.

17.     Minimise your intake of refined carbohydrate like white flour, white bread and white rice, as they reduce the efficiency of the hormones and enzymes that help in the sperm reproduction process. Instead, eat more of the unrefined carbohydrate like brown rice, wheat bread and oats.

18. Do not become constipated, as this can obstruct blood flow to the testis. Therefore, eat more dietary fibres.

19.     Do not eat a poor diet, as this affect the quality of the sperm. Instead, eat more whole grains, vegetables and fruits.

20.    Do not take artificial sweeteners like nutrasweet, candarell and sweetex, as they reduce sperm count.

21.     Avoid excessive consumption of raw lemon, as this may inhibit the enzymes responsible for sperm production and libido.

22.     Do seek immediate medical help if one or both of the testes are un-descended from the abdominal cavity into the scrotal sac, as this can significantly reduce sperm production.

23.     Do not sit for long periods of time in one position if you are a long distance driver, drive a small sport car, or a chief executive having many board meetings in leather chairs, as this can increase the temperature around the scrotum which can reduce sperm count.

24.     Avoid traumatic injury around the testes, as this can damage the sperm-producing cells.

25.     Avoid bicycling, as this can damage the tube carrying the sperm.

26.     Avoid stress, as this can decrease the sperm count and lead to production of abnormal sperms.

27.     Avoid obesity,s as this can reduce blood flow to the testes, making the sperm production process more difficult and significantly reduce libido.

28.    Avoid substance abuse like cocaine or heavy marijuana use, as this can lead to low sperm count and deformed sperms.

29.     Avoid poor nutrition, as this affects the quality of the sperm.

30.    Do not have children at a late age, as the quality of the sperm decreases with age, leading to more difficult conception and greater possibility of having children with deformities.

When IVF Fails ,Other Therapies Can Help - By Professor Oladapo Ashiru

Mrs. Y.M. came to MART on referral by a friend on September 2011 at the age of 37. She had been married for three years. Past medical history showed that she had one patent tube, as shown by the X-ray of the tubes.

She had three failed IVF attempts at two different IVF clinics in Lagos. In many of the IVF trials, she said, they failed because no eggs were found. On one occasion, they found eggs but the result was still not positive. A donor egg alternative was recommended for her, but she rejected this because she was very uncomfortable with the idea.

On examination, she weighed 82.2kg, and had normal blood pressure. She works in an oil company. And though she works in the office, she takes occasional trips to the field in the Niger-Delta region.

She went through our normal IVF programme, which included ovarian and sperm improvement regimes.  She was given this because she was told that if she had problem with egg production some few years back, now at 37 it must be a bit more difficult.

 

Luckily, during egg recovery procedure on January 27, 2012, two eggs were retrieved and one embryo eight-cell Grade A was transferred on January 30th.This attempt was also unsuccessful by her pregnancy test.

We conducted a failure analysis protocol on her case. A number of recommendations were highlighted for her. The most significant one was that if she did not want a donor egg, then her only possible option was to go for a 10-day Mayr therapy to detoxify. Thereafter, the chances of having eggs may be improved. She was counselled that the Mayr therapy practice at the Martlife Detox Clinic, which was about to open then, was known to have helped many women conceive after the therapy. The babies are called Mayr babies.

She accepted to go for the therapy. She prayed hard that this therapy should work for her so she would not need donor egg for her IVF. That was where the Asyra test (a bio-energetic scan of the body systems) showed that she had several environmental toxins in her that had weakened her reproductive system. A 10-day therapy plan was arranged for her and her husband in June 2012.

The plan included daily abdominal treatments, Scenar treatment, daily foot detoxification, lymphatic massages, colon irrigation, body hydrotherapy baths, the physiotherm, and several other Mayr protocols. She also had a consultation with Mayr nutritionist who shed more light on her food intolerances. She also went through a lifestyle modification seminar where she learned how to maintain a healthier, toxin-free lifestyle beyond her stay at clinic.

She was discharged and then asked to return to Medical Art Center for a repeat IVF cycle. Mrs. Y.M. called us in August to inform us that she is now pregnant and was very surprised it happened naturally! She said the detoxification worked very well. She delivered a baby boy in February 2013 at the age of 39. The family had a celebration for their baby and and at Mrs. Y.M’s 40th birthday recently, family and friends were so thankful that we could establish the modern Mayr therapy here in Nigeria. They wish many more people would get to know of the treatment sooner than later.

This case has underscored two important facts. One is that there are toxins in our environment and in our work place, especially in such occupations like the oil and gas industry, the paint industry, as well as in the foods such as the stock fish, and large fish like mackerel. All these constitute serious health hazards to us, especially hindering or reducing our reproductive efficiency. Some, at a later date after consumption, can even be carcinogenic.

The second fact is that detoxification can be very helpful in reversing some of the possible damages. I also need to stress that such process must be carefully applied to get rid of identified toxins and individually customised by experts trained to do so in reputable centres.

FOODS THAT HELP YOU OBTAIN AND KEEP A FLAT BELLY

They say that a flat tummy can be achieved in the kitchen. If you're working hard towards getting rid of belly fat, why not start stocking up on these foods today? Best of all, is that these foods are locally available in Nigeria.

1. Plain or Greek yogurt: We all know that yogurt is good for us, but did you know it's also good for maintaining your flat abs? For a nice mid-section, nutritionist and owner of Essential Nutrition For You Rania Batayneh says to reach for the kind that's plain flavored or Greek. "The probiotic bacteria in most yogurts help keep your digestive system healthy, which translates into a lower incidence of gas, bloating, and constipation, which can keep your tummy looking flat."
*The commercially available brands in Nigeria are usually full of sweeteners but you can make your own. Step by step guide on how to make your own yoghurt at:

http://livelonger.hubpages.com/hub/How_to_make_your_own_yogurt_-_An_illustrated_guide
2. Whole grains: Set aside the white bread and rice and swap them in for whole grains such as 100-percent whole wheat bread and brown rice (our very own ‘ofada.’) "A recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that a calorie-controlled diet rich in whole grains trimmed extra fat from the waistline of obese subjects," registered dietitian Erin Palinaki says. "This may be due to the decreased insulin response to whole grains versus refined carbohydrates, making it easier to mobilize fat storage."
N.B. Ofada rice is cheaper in the open market but there are several package already sorted brands if you don’t want to go to the trouble of picking/sifting.
3. Cruciferous vegetables: That means, cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, asparagus, peppers, and yellow beans, which contain vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate, beta-carotene, calcium, magnesium, and fiber.
4. Monounsaturated fats: New research indicates that a diet high in monounsaturated fats like olive oil can help us lose some of that belly fat, even without changing calorie intake or adding in additional exercise, Palinski says.
5. Vinegar: A Japanese study found that the substance that gives vinegar its sour taste and strong odor might fight fat. "The study found that in overweight individuals who consumed 1 or 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily for 12 weeks had significantly lower body weight, BMI, visceral (belly) fat, and waist circumference than the control group that didn't consume any vinegar," Palinski says. "Researchers feel this may be due to vinegar's acetic acid, which may switch on genes that pump out proteins that break down fat."
Note: Apple Cider Vinegar is usually available in Nigeria in the larger pharmacies and supermarkets. The Bragg’s brand is widely acknowledged as being one of the best, organically-certified, raw apple cider vinegar.
SOURCE: YAHOO.COM

Naturally prevent stroke By Godwin Ihesie

IN disease prevention, Doctors, Healers, and priests should be seen as guides and teachers only. For the attainment of happiness, which first of all lies in total and radiant health is a personal responsibility and therefore an essential duty which must be fulfilled by an individual himself. He or she alone must strive at all times to learn the rules of healthy living as prescribed my mother nature-in order to live in harmony with them. Also, it is an individual's responsibility to learn how to take care of the physical body in wholesome manner and not to wait until the disease like stroke compels him or her to value importance of health.
In the infinite wisdom of the Most High - the Creator of all the world, we find, spreading throughout all the geographical zones of the world, the numerous healing aids i.e., the preventive and the healing forces of nature: the mineral kingdom, the vegetable kingdom, etc. Learning to understand and making beneficial use of them is part of living in harmony with nature which ultimately assists in regenerating and rebuilding our bodies and thus helping in the prevention of their weakness and their predisposition to diseases like the paralytic stroke.
Most of our present day degenerative disease including the cerebrovascular accident (stroke) stems from the hither-to "wrong spiritual direction" and the total disregard to nature's wise principles or the laws of nature which are the expression of the will of the Creator.
Many holistic health scientists have noted that diets or foods for nourishing the physical body does indeed affects the state and the quality of our minds and thinking in a particular manner. They believe that the narrowing of horizon and the present day lack of interest in spiritual life which is on the increase among the people stems from the hitherto overemphasis on the consumption of red meat in particular and other refined foods - white flour products, white sugar, tinned foods and those that are contaminated with man-made chemicals, over-cooked foods loaded with excess salts, foods and stimulants like coffee, alcoholic beverages fizzy drinks, etc.
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These devitalised foods are known to help energize and support our physical bodies for a busy intellectual and worldly activities, they also activate our nerves for pleasure seeking - which increase our quest for excessive materialism and the eventual loss of interest in spiritual matters.
Furthermore, the nutritionally dead foods generate lots of morbid metabolic wastes that irritate the central nervous systems and the nerves. Such toxic end products of metabolism also over-tax the bodily organs, upsets the glandular system - thus causing inner disharmony, anger, agitation, restlessness and placing the entire physical body under constant high tension - a factor that is well known to cause degenerative diseases and stroke.
For the effective prevention of stroke like any other degenerative disease, Jonathan Swift, once noted that: "The best doctors in the world are Dr.
Diet, Dr. Quite, Dr. Merryman."
A sensible diet that will best provide the body with the necessary nourishment should consist of about 80 per cent alkaline-forming foods: deep green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, fruits, sprouted seeds, honey, molasses, grains like corn, soy products, millet, etc and about 20 per cent of acid-forming foods: Flour-based products, beans, legumes, white meat - poultry, sea foods, grains, tubers, etc. a sensible and wholesome diet should maintain the alkaline acid ratio of the blood and body to approximately in a 4:1 ratio. In this way, the body is provided with adequate nutrients such as minerals like calcium, selenium, Vitamin like C, E, B6, essential fatty acids, enzymes, phytochemicals, etc, that will help prevents:
the accumulation of excess fats and cholesterol, excessive generation of "free radicals" which is capable of causing cell-oxidation and the weakening of their arteries carrying oxygen to the brain.
accumulating of nerve irritating morbid waste products of metabolism - which promotes inner disharmony.
Positive thinking, hearty laughter, heartfelt happiness in every situation of existence brings inner calmness and tranquility - thus counteracting inner agitation and nervous tension which usually tightens the blood vessels and also impedes the free flow of blood to the brain.)
From clinical observations and scientific researches, it have been noted that.
I) Periodic fasting (i.e. systemic detoxification) using the juices extracted from citrus fruits (grapefruits, oranges, diluted lemon juice), Pineapple, paw-paw or coconut water and the milk helps the body in ridding itself of accumulated morbid waste products of metabolism that often render the control of high blood pressure with drugs or natural remedies less effective. In addition, the intake of the citrus fruits supplies the body with Vitamin C and other antioxidant nutrients that works together with Vitamin E and the minerals like the zinc and selenium to give adequate protection to the blood vessels supplying blood to the heart and the brain cells - thus lessening their susceptibility to cerebrovascular accident (stroke).
2) Pineapple and paw-paw contains bromelin and papain respectively - the proteolytic enzymes that helps break up any blood clot or prevent their formation within the body. Taking these fruits as a "mono diet" or fasting on them exclusively for definite period of time is one of the means of preventing stroke.
Eating the pulp, the rind of fresh paw-paw together with about 15 to 20 seeds of the fruit on an empty stomach-before the breakfast time helps in strengthening the blood carrying vessels and protect them from any form of rupture or accident.
3) A regular intake of Aloe Vera gel helps in clearing the blood vessels of any fatty deposits, cholesterol or blood clots resulting from internal bleeding.
The gel of fresh Aloe Vera helps in preventing cerebral thrombosis or cerebral emboli that often results in stroke.
4) Spreading one to two teaspoons of ground CAYENNE PEPPER on meals and taking this regularly helps to keep the blood in fluid state by assisting in clearing the blood vessels of any deposit of morbid waste product of metabolism that could hamper an efficient blood circulation tos the heart and the brain.
Hypertensive patients who take ground cayenne pepper regularly suffer cerebrovascular accident (stroke).
5) Studies have shown that the intake of GARLIC and MISTLETOE lower high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol in the blood, dissolves any form of clots or prevents their formation and also promotes the circulation of blood to the brain and thus prevents the susceptibility to stroke.
6) The intake of other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular tonic herbs like the Billy goat weed extract, lemon juice/garlic and honey extract, garlic/onions in wine and herbs like yarrow, mothers wort, hawthorn berries kep and leathin helps in reducing the incidence of stroke especially among the hypertensive victims.
For those already down with paralytic stroke taking the blood cleansing herbs like, vervain, chickweed, catnip, hysoop, nettle, sage and as infusions will speed up recovery. Administering any of the above, preventive remedies at the same time will equally enhance quick recovery.
To restore speech defects in stroke patients, an infusion made from speedwell, St. John's wort, the tincture made from Calamus Root is giving to the patient regularly.
For memory lapses associated with paralytic stroke, the regular intake of the teas made from chickweed, Gingko biloba, speewell and plenty of onions/garlic in wine helps to bring the memory back.
To restore the use of the paralyzed part of the body in those that have the attack of mild stroke, a good exercise guided by a competent naturopath is particularly helpful with the external massage of the affected part with an ointment made from garlic ginger, cayenne or with raw ground garlic extracted in mustard oil.
SOURCE: ALLAFRICA.COM

HOW TO CURE BAD BREATH NATURALLY

Bitter (Garcinia) kola
Bitter (Garcinia) kola, is a natural compound (dimeric flavonoid) for treating bad breath, glaucoma, liver disorder, erectile dysfunction, arthritis and sore throat.
Scientists have found strong evidences suggesting that bitter kola nut or extracts holds promise for treatment of glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve and can result in serious vision loss over time.
"Garcinia kola (Bitter Kola, a name sometimes also used for G. afzelii) is a species of flowering plant in the Clusiaceae family. It is found in West Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests."
It is traditionally used to treat illness by African medicine men. Trials on the plant have shown promising signs that it may benefit Ebola victims by slowing down multiplication of the virus, giving the victim's body more time to develop a proper autoimmune response. The active compound responsible for its curing properties is a dimeric flavonoid, much like those found in orange and lemon rinds, so even if this particular plant cannot cure Ebola on its own, it provides the foundation from which scientists can discover a cure. The studies, if successful, could spill over to other types of antiviral treatment.
Bitter kola nut water extract holds promise for the treatment of glaucoma. It is able to correct abnormal constriction of the pupil of the eye.
It is a safe and effective substance in the control of open angle glaucoma, the commonest type of glaucoma that affects Africans and African Americans.
Most findings concludes that its consumption also showed the same effects on the intraocular pressure in the eye, after 45 minutes of its ingestion, in a dose dependent manner. Ingestion of bitter kola nuts produced a decrease in the pupil size and a drop in the intraocular pressure, thus improving vision and intraocular eye pressure.
In 2004, the Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine researchers documented the usefulness of bitter kola nut water extract to treat viral eyes such as conjunctivitis, which is commonly referred to as Apollo in Africa.
Bitter kola, exhibits very potent pharmacological activities in these area:
Antioxidant,
Antibacterial
Antiviral,
Anti-fungal
Anti-inflammatory
Cough
Aphrodisiac

The anti-oxidant property of Bitter Kola is attributed to its very high content of ascorbic acid.
ACTION:
Bitter kola nut has been found useful in the treatment of the followings:
1. Glaucoma.
2. Head and chest cold.
3. Colic: When crying lasts longer than about three hours a day and is not caused by a medical problem (such as a hernia or infection), it is called colic
4. It improves singing voices through soothing effect on vocal cords.
5. It relieves coughs and hoarseness of voice.
6. It is used for treatment sore throat.
7. It is also chewed as an aphrodisiac.
8. You can chew its to clean the mouth of germs that causes bad breath.
9. It is used for treatment of cuts.
10. It is used for treatment of fatigue or can be used as a substitute coffee.
11. It is used for treatment of parasitic skin diseases when applied directly as a wound dressing.It is used for the treatment of dysentery and diarrhea. It is used for stoppage of bleeding after childbirth and infections of the urinary tract.
12. For preventing arthritis
13. For treatment of liver disorder by protection of the hepatic parenchyma, and by way of its potent antioxidant properties. It neutralizes all kind of toxins and poisons from food, water, air and medications. Bitter kola improves the functional efficiency of the liver
14. Also, It is used as a possible substitute for hop (Humulus lupulus L.) in the beer industry.
Main Ingredients:
xanthones, biflavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, tannins and saponins.

Groundnut may cure diabetes, eye disease By Chukwuman Muanya

New researches suggest that eating a handful of groundnuts daily will not only prevent malnutrition, particularly the deficiency of niacin, but also check the development of diabetes, heart disease and age-related blindness.
THEY are in season. They are usually eaten boiled, roasted, put into a paste or oil. They are probably the most common snack in the country now.Groundnut or rather peanut is sold not just in the markets, but on the streets in most cities and even villages in Nigeria.Scientifically called Arachis hypogaea, the legume belongs to the pea and bean family, but it is considered as nut because of its high nutritional value. However, two new studies suggest that a meal of groundnut may be a better way of preventing degenerative diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and age-related blindness.Researchers have found that a naturally occurring chemical, resveratrol, found in groundnut (peanut), red wine, grapes and other plants may help reverse some of the ills associated with aging and being overweight such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.The findings are reported in the July issue of the American Journal of Pathology.What makes groundnut thick? Analysis of different nutrients in 100 grammes groundnut shows it contains 26 essential minerals and 13 different types of vitamins that include Vitamins A, B, C and E, which help in brain function and development and also to maintain strong bones.Phytochemical analysis per 100 gramme of groundnut indicates calcium - 93 milligramme (mg), carbohydrate - 16.13 gramme (gm), copper - 11.44 mg, fat - 49.24 gm, fibre - 8.5 gm, iron - 4.58 mg, magnesium - 168 mg, manganese - 1.934 mg, phosphorus - 376 mg, potassium - 705 mg, - 25.80 gm, sodium - 18 mg, water - 6.50 gm, and zinc - 3.27 mg.The chemical, resveratrol, has been shown to lengthen the life span of yeast and improve health in laboratory animals, but scientists do not yet know whether the substance might also benefit humans.The two new studies of older or overweight people suggest that resveratrol can, by helping boost the action of insulin, thus preventing diabetes.
And a study in mice shows that the chemical works through a previously unknown mechanism to halt harmful blood vessel growth in the retina.As people age or gain weight, their ability to respond to insulin declines. Some people become mildly resistant to insulin’s action, so that their muscles and other tissues no longer take up and burn glucose efficiently. That condition, known as insulin resistance, is one of the first steps toward diabetes. Now, researchers have found that resveratrol improves the response to insulin in overweight people with insulin resistance and older people with mild insulin resistance. The older people in the study were an average age of 72.Resveratrol has previously been shown to stimulate the activity of proteins known as sirtuins, which have been linked to longer life and better regulation of metabolism in laboratory animals. But a new animal study indicates that resveratrol may work through other biological processes to stop blood vessels from invading the retina and causing blindness associated with eye diseases such as macular degeneration, or retinopathies caused by diabetes or premature birth.Resveratrol inhibited blood vessel growth in the retinas of mice that had injuries to their eyes caused by lasers, a new study appearing in the July issue of the American Journal of Pathology shows. Resveratrol was able to stop blood vessel growth even when researchers inactivated the sirtuin proteins, indicating that the chemical’s effect on blood vessel growth must work by another mechanism.A Retinal Surgeon at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, United States, who led the study, Prof. Rajendra Apte, said: “That mechanism turns out to be a biological process involving a protein known as elongation factor-2,” he says.Other researchers have suspected that resveratrol may do its work through more than just sirtuins, but the new study provides some of the first evidence that resveratrol may take multiple pathways toward improving health.Researchers have also demonstrated how diabetic rats fed with groundnut oil showed a small but significant reduction in Total Cholesterol (TC), Very Low Density Lipo-protein/ ‘very bad’ cholesterol (VLDL-C), Low Density Lipo-protein/ ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL-C) and Triglycerides (TG) and an elevation in High Density Lipo-protein/ ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL-C). Groundnut oil consumption slightly but significantly decreases the blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA), lipid peroxidation and lipid profile and increases antioxidant levels in diabetic rats.Lipid peroxidation is the process whereby free radicals ‘steal’ electrons from the lipids in cell membranes, resulting in cell damage and increased production of free radicals or reactive oxygen species (causes cell damage).The study titled: “Effect of Dietary Substitution of Groundnut Oil on Blood Glucose, Lipid Profile, and Redox Status in Streptozotocin-diabetic Rats” was published in Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine by B. Ramesh, R. Saravanan and K.V. Pugalendi of the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamilnadu, India.The researchers wrote: “Groundnut oil-fed diabetic rats showed a significant elevation of Vitamin E in the plasma of diabetic rats. The increased level might be due to the presence of Vitamin E in the oil.“The levels of serum lipids are usually elevated in diabetes mellitus and such an elevation represents a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Diabetic rats fed with groundnut oil showed a small but significant reduction in levels of TC, VLDL-C, LDL-C, and TG and elevation in HDL-C levels when compared with diabetic controls. This could be due to the presence of Mono Unsaturated Fatty Acid (MUFA) and Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) in the oil. “There have been numerous studies in humans and animals that have demonstrated that oils containing saturated fatty acids raise serum TC, TG and in particular, LDL-C levels, while those enriched in unsaturated fatty acids lower TC, TG and LDL-C. Diets high in monounsaturated fatty acids have been found to be relatively hypocholesterolemic (low cholesterol) or hypotriacylglycerolemic (low triglyceride).“In conclusion, our results show that groundnut oil substitution in the diet influences blood glucose, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants beneficially in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

”Groundnut has also been employed in fighting malnutrition through micronutrient fortification of staple foods. In a major attempt to solve the problem of malnutrition, particularly micronutrients deficiency, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has recently launched a research to enhance the production of beta-carotenes (Vitamin A) in groundnut and help fight Vitamin A deficiency among resource poor consumers in the semi-arid tropics. ICRISAT is a non-profit international research organisation headquartered in India, devoted to science-based agricultural development.According to ICRISAT, in terms of nutrient value, groundnut contains high amounts of protein (25-30 per cent) and oil (46-50 per cent). Pound for pound, it contains more protein than meat, about two and half times more than eggs and far more than any other vegetable food, except soybean and yeast.Through bio-fortification, the nutritive content of peanut is levelled to a higher level—one that is rich in beta-carotenes. Groundnut, while being oil-rich and packed with other nutrients like zinc and iron, but deficient in beta-carotenes, it can be enhanced through the use of recombinant technologies as what has been done recently for rice (Golden Rice). Moreover, according to the scientist of ICRISAT, enrichment of human diets with beta-carotenes can facilitate the uptake of other important minerals like iron.While Vitamin A is only present in animal products, its predecessor beta-carotene or provitamin A can be found in several plant species. However, these are not taken up easily from digested food, because they are fat-soluble and their bioavailability depends on the presence of fat or oil in the same meal, failing which they are excreted undigested.
Oral delivery of Vitamin A is problematic, mainly because of the lack of infrastructure thus the need for viable alternatives. And this is where the ever-reliable groundnut comes in.Several groups of researchers in England have reported using groundnuts or its products in the treatment of haemophilia, an inherited blood disease, which causes haemorrhage. Beneficial results have also been reported from the use of groundnuts in severe cases of epistaxis or nose bleeding and in cases of excessive bleeding during menstruation in women.Groundnuts are considered beneficial in the treatment of obesity. Experiments have shown that body weight could be reduced by eating a handful of roasted groundnuts with tea or coffee without sugar an hour before lunchtime. It reduces appetite and thus reduces the weight gradually.However, some researchers suggest that excessive use of groundnuts causes high acidity in the body, spermetorrhoea and premature ejaculation. Groundnuts contaminated with aflatoxins (toxin produced by the fungus Aspergilus flavus) have also been linked with liver damage and cancer.Several studies indicate that some persons are allergic to roasted groundnuts. Asthmatics in particular are advised to abstain from eating groundnuts in excess. Some studies even suggest that pregnant women who eat a lot of groundnut increase the chance of their baby developing asthma.It is believed that groundnuts that are boiled in salted water are less harmful for such persons, however, liberal use of groundnuts should also be avoided by persons with gastritis and jaundice as their excessive use causes hyperacidity of the stomach, indigestion and heart burn.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN, JULY 8 2010