NUTRITION ADVOCATE

It has been proven by experts and various organizations (WHO, UNICEF etc)  that exclusive breast feeding for the first six month is not only necessary but essential for proper development of the newborn as it provide all necessary nutrient. Breastmilk only however could not meet the need of the baby after six month though it should continue till 2 years of life, hence the need for complementary foods(family food). As infants grow, their nutrient needs grow with then. To keep up with these growing demands, WHO recommends that infants begin eating solid, semi-solid or soft foods at 6 months of age to ensure that their nutrient intake is sufficient to fuel their developing brains and bodies. The foods consumed between 6 months and 2 years of life are called complementary foods because they ideally complement an already breastmilk-based diet, and the 18-month period between 6 months and age 2 is referred to as the complementary feeding period. During the complementary feedin...

Looking into the world today CANCER has been named amidst human and a critical mindset must be set towards CANCER, as it is well known that CANCER is a class of disease characterized by abnormal (out-of-control) cell growth. There are various types of cancer which includes: Bladder cancer, Brain Cancer, Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Colerectal Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Leukemia, Liver Cancer, Lung Cancer, Melanoma, Ovarian Cancer, PANCREATIC CANCER, Skin Cancer, Thyroid Cancer etc. Pancreatic Cancer begins in the tissues of the pancreas (an organ in the abdomen that lies horizontally behind the lower part of the stomach). Pancreas releases enzymes (Pancreatic Lipase) that aid digestion and hormones that help manage your blood sugar (Insulin and Glucagon). Pancreatic Cancer is the abnormal growth of the pancreas that might obstruct the action of the pancreatic enzymes and hormones. One sign of pancreatic cancer is diabetes, especially when it occurs with weight loss, jaundice or ...

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycaemic(abnormal high blood sugar) with disturbances of carbohydrate ,fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. We have different types of diabetes. Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 (insulin-dependent) can occur at any age but usually develops in children or adults aged less than 40 years. This is also called juvenile diabetes and this occurs as a result of lack of insulin production by the pancreatic B cells. Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed in older adults but increasingly seen in younger adults and some children. It is associated with a lack of insulin function as a result of insulin resistance  with or without insufficient production and is strongly associated overweight and obesity. Gestational diabetes is hyperglycaemia diagnosed during pregnancy that had not been previously diagnosed. Globally, about 170 million individuals have diabe...

New mothers often wonder how they can tell if their baby is getting enough milk. Fortunately there are several indicators that can be used to determine the adequacy of baby’s milk intake. As you read through this article, take note of the signs that indicate that your child is adequately breastfeeding. First and foremost is weight gain. Most babies lose some weight in the days following birth. However, once a mother’s transitional milk comes in, her baby should begin to gain. By two weeks of age, she should expect to see a return to birth weight. Breastfed infants typically gain between four and eight ounces per week thereafter. So, the only way to be absolutely sure that your baby is getting enough milk is to check his weight regularly. First of all, your baby should latch on and suck rhythmically for 10-15 minutes on each breast. He may pause periodically, but should nurse vigorously for most of the feeding. He should seem satisfied after nursing, and will often fall asleep...

'Breastfeeding' . This word is not new to us. In fact, everyone knows what it is. But do we all know what exclusive breastfeeding is? What are the significances of exclusive breastfeeding on your baby's health and why should you not deprive your child of this? Do you want to know the answers to these questions? Then first, let's consider what exclusive breastfeeding really is. Exclusive breastfeeding simply means that the infant receives only breast milk. No other liquid is given, not even water except oral rehydration solution or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals, and medicines. Now, for how long should an infant be exclusively breastfed? The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve growth, development, and health. Why is this important? For infants to survive, grow and develop properly they require the right proportion of nutrients. Breast milk is rich in nutrients and antibodies and ...

Coconut oil is extracted from coconut flesh, leaving behind the fibre, carbohydrate and protein, the extracted oil is pure fat. As we know, there are many different types of fats. The two major kinds are saturated fats (unhealthy fats that can promote heart disease) and unsaturated fats (healthy fats that can reduce your risk of heart disease). Saturated fats make up 92% of coconut oil – a higher percentage than butter. Saturated fats tend to increase Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL, which are unhealthy) cholesterol in the blood and should be eaten sparingly to minimise risk of developing heart disease. Coconut oil is very energy dense! It provides 505kJ in just one tablespoon, 92% of which is made up of saturated fatty acids. Despite this, thc amazing thing is that the saturated fat in coconut oil behaves differently to typical saturated fats, preventing any negative effects on health. Coconut oil is particularly high in one type of saturated fatty acid (the building blocks of fats) cal...