Monday, 25 July 2022

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: NIGERIA’S TOBI AMUSAN SETS WORLD RECORD TWICE

 The duo produced jaw-breaking performances on the final day of action at the World Championships

BY TUNDE ELUDINI 

 

 


Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan early Monday set a World Record, twice, to win the 100m hurdles in style at the World Championships.

Her victory and another great performance by Ese Brume meant that after labouring all week long with nothing tangible to show for their efforts, Team Nigeria ended their campaign at the World Championships in Oregon on a spectacular note; winning a gold and a silver medal on the final day of action.


The duo of Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume produced the medals for Nigeria and they did it in style Oregon with jaw-breaking performances.

Amusan set the World Record twice before she was crowned the world champion in the 100m hurdles while Brume needed to dig deep for her silver in the long jump.

After improving on her African Record during the heats, many knew Amusan would be on to bigger things in the semi-final but not the World Record

In the semi-final, Amusan delivered an extraordinary time; clocking 12.12secs to obliterate the former World Record of 12.20secs held by Keni Harrison of the United States since 2016.

“I wanted to get out and go,” said Amusan after the race. “I did what I had to do.”

While that was amazing in itself, Amusan was not yet done as she improved on the World Record in her final race some hours later; winning in 12.06secs to become the first Nigerian World Champion ever.

Jamaica’s Britany Anderson took silver in 12.23sec, while Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico claimed bronze in 12.23.

Amusan got off to a scorching start and was smoothly into her stride after the first hurdle, building a clear lead and then pulling away ahead of Anderson and the fast-closing Camacho-Quinn for the gold.

Amusan, who is a Diamond League trophy winner, Commonwealth Games champion and multiple African Champion, now has an eye on the Olympic Games medal to add to her impressive collection.


On the sand, Brume, the African record holder, landed a silver medal in the women’s long jump final with a season’s best of 7.02m.

Brume is the first Nigerian to win a medal at two successive editions of the World Championships having won a bronze medal last time out in Doha.


Culled: Premium Times, Nigeria

Saturday, 10 April 2021

MIKE OKRI SIGNS DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH TUNES AFRIQUE:

 




Legendary Music icon, Mike Okri recently signed an agreement with Music Stream Company, Tunes Afrique to facilitate digital distribution of his latest musical works. Here at the official sign ceremony is CEO Tunes Afrique, Dr. Kunle Oladehin and Mr. Mike Okri.

 

Monday, 14 December 2020

20 FOODS THAT BOOST MALE FERTILITY

By Jesusegun Alagbe

In many African homes, not having a child in the first few years of marriage can lead to untold pressure on the couple by their immediate families. In fact, childlessness is one of the main factors that lead to the break-up of many couples.

In some cases, women have been the subject of harassment by their husbands and in-laws should there be a delay in having a child. More often than not, men are spared of the insults and embarrassment that trail childlessness in homes.

However, with more exposure today, it is a known fact that men can sometimes be the cause of childlessness in a home. But the good news is that there are tons of natural and medical solutions that men – as well as women – seeking children could explore.

According to experts, one of such solutions is found in the diet that one consumes.

A fertility expert and dietitian at the Reproductive Medicine Associates, New York, United States, Dara Godfrey, said diet and nutrition were essential factors in getting the body ready for making a baby, stressing that fertility diets were not just for women, but also for men.

She said certain foods could potentially increase sperm count and quality, while others could cause damage to sperm count and quality.

“And if you didn’t know, a man is considered to have a low sperm count if he has fewer than 39 million sperm total per ejaculation or fewer than 15 million sperm per millilitre. It sounds like a lot, but considering how far they have to travel, it’s not that many.

“The point? It’s important for him to evaluate his diet, so it won’t interfere with the chances of conceiving,” she wrote on mother.ly.

Godfrey and other fertility experts recommended the following 20 foods that men should add to their diets when trying to conceive:

Dark chocolate

“Dark chocolate contains arginine, an amino acid that can improve sperm count and quality over time,” Godfrey said.

A Bangalore, India-based obstetrician and gynaecologist, who is also a member of the Royal College Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Dr Sabiha Anjum, also said the consumption of dark chocolate could boost sperm count and quality in men.

“The cacao beans that make up the chocolate are full of antioxidants. Dark chocolate also contains an enzyme called L-Arginine which helps increase the volume of sperm. You and your partner can share a piece of dark chocolate after dinner, instead of having a filling dessert,” Anjum wrote on parenting.firstcry.com.

Eggs

Anjum said, “It’s no secret that eggs are the basic superfoods for increasing sperm count. Eggs are rich in Vitamin E and protein, which help in the motility of the sperm.”

She said consuming eggs also protects the sperm from free radicals, thereby doubling the chances of fertilisation.

“Eggs are also a rich source of zinc, which is known to improve sperm motility. Eggs can be consumed in umpteen ways to increase your sperm count,” she added.

Bananas

A Lagos-based obstetrician, Dr Oyepeju Adeoti, said bananas were the obvious choices for increasing sperm production.

“Bananas are rich in Vitamins B1 and C and magnesium, and these are elements that can increase the mobility of the sperm and help in sperm production,” she said.

She added that bananas also contain an enzyme called Bromelain, which could help boost sperm count and motility.

“Bananas can also regulate the sex hormones and cheer your mood. So if you love eating bananas, you have enough and more reasons to continue eating bananas,” she said.

Garlic

Garlic helps prevent cancer as well as enhance the production of sperm in the scrotum, Anjum said.

“Garlic contains allicin, which is required for stimulating blood circulation to the right parts. The blood flows freely to the sexual organs and protects them from any damage. Selenium, which is another important enzyme found in garlic, helps to improve sperm motility,” she said.

Spinach

Godfrey said eating leafy vegetables like spinach is good for health as they help regulate a lot of activities in the body.

“Leafy greens can especially help in sperm production. Spinach is rich in folic acid, which is essential for the development of the sperm,” she said.

Walnuts

According to Anjum, walnuts are well-known as brain food, but they also help increase the sperm count. Being rich in omega-3 fatty acids, walnuts improve the vitality of sperm, she said.

Oysters

Oysters are a great source of zinc, which helps improve sperm motility. So eat oysters – they will stimulate the reproductive system by providing glycogen and taurine, Anjum wrote.

Ginseng

Adeoti said ginseng is a great aphrodisiac that has been used for cooking purposes for ages.

“Ginseng not only increases testosterone but also helps in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It is available in fresh or dried form and can be consumed in the form of tea,” she said.

Whole grains

Experts at London-based organisation, Emma’s Diary, stated that whole grains such as oats, brown rice, whole wheat and quinoa were great to boost male fertility.

“These whole grains are complex carbohydrates and so not only give you lots of energy by releasing sugar into your blood slowly and evenly, but also contain an abundance of B and E vitamins that are essential for cellular reproduction, hormonal balance and the production of healthy sperm,” they stated.

Oily fish

Also, salmon, mackerel and sardines are said to be the best source of essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, which are important for regulating reproductive functioning, improving blood flow and enhancing sperm quality and mobility.

For those who don’t eat fish, flaxseed oil is said to be a good alternative to essential fatty acids.

Honey

This food has for centuries been considered a fertility-boosting superfood, according to Emma’s Diary experts.

“It’s incredibly rich in the minerals and amino acids that nourish the reproductive system,” they said.

Avocado

This provides a rich source of vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant and an essential fertility nutrient that improves the viability of sperm. It is also said to be an excellent source of unsaturated fats.

Pomegranates

According to Anjum, pomegranates are known to increase sex drive. “Being a rich source of antioxidants, they help increase the level of sperm and quality of sperm production as well. You can consume pomegranates in raw form or in the form of juice every other day,” she said.

Pumpkin seeds

Anjum wrote, “These seeds are rich in antioxidants, phytosterols, and amino acids which enhance fertility in men. Pumpkin seeds can also help in increasing sperm count, motility, and virility overall. You can add them as salad toppings or consume them raw as a snack.”

Carrots

Carrots, which can be consumed as a snack or as a vegetable, are said to be a rich source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant which maintains the health of the sperm by protecting it from free radicals. This, in turn, aids mobility of the sperm thereby helping it to reach the egg.

Beef

According to Anjum, red meat such as beef is also a great source of zinc. “Beef is also a rich source of folic acid and selenium, which helps improve sperm health. If you like meat, consume beef – it will assist in sperm production and mobility,” she said.

Olive oil

The consumption of olive oil is said to regularly help improve sperm count and quality of sperm. It is said to help keep the bad cholesterol levels low, increase the flow of oxygen to the testicles, and help in the formation of healthy sperm.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are great fertility food. They contain lycopene, which is an antioxidant known to improve the structure and activity of the sperm. Regular consumption of tomatoes can increase fertility in men, experts said.

Berries

Be they raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, or blueberries, berries are said to contain powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients such as quercetin and resveratrol, which help in increasing the quality and production of sperm.

Almonds

Loaded with the healthy monounsaturated fats that support the reproductive system, as well as Vitamin E and other vitamins and minerals, snacking on almonds is said to be a great way to boost fertility in men.

Five foods to avoid or reduce intake of

For men seeking to improve their sperm count and quality, experts advised them to cut back on or eliminate the consumption of the following foods:

Fried foods: These hard-to-resist foods can decrease the quality of sperm.

Full-fat dairy: Full-fat dairy contains oestrogen and can lower healthy sperm.

Processed meats: Processed meats (including bacon, ham, sausage, hot dogs, corned beef, beef jerky, canned meat and meat sauces) can lower sperm count, experts said.

Caffeine: Researchers have linked caffeine consumption by both men and women in the weeks leading up to conception to an increased risk for miscarriage.

Alcohol: One or two alcoholic drinks are okay, but more than 14 mixed drinks in a week can lower testosterone levels and affect sperm count.

Other tips to improve male fertility

Apart from consuming the above foods, Anjum advised men to also incorporate some lifestyle changes to improve their sperm health.

In order to improve your fertility levels, you must quit smoking. Smoking affects fertility levels in men, so it is important that you quit smoking.

·         Avoid sitting for long periods of time as it can increase your scrotal temperature, which can affect your fertility levels. Also, do not take hot tub baths for long.

·         If you want to have a baby, have sex frequently. Having sex with your wife when she is ovulating will definitely increase her chances of getting pregnant, but having sex frequently will improve your fertility levels.

·         If you are overweight or obese, work harder to bring your weight to healthier levels. As being overweight or obese disturbs the hormonal balance, it lowers the sperm count as well.

Source: punchng.com

Saturday, 28 November 2020

DRINK FOR QUALITY LIFE!

Most of us don’t really bother about the water we drink. We just grab a bottle or turn on a tap, fill a glass, and drink. Is the water you're drinking safe or would bottled water be safer? What if your tap water suddenly became contaminated? These are some questions we need to ponder.

According global health statistics, close to 10 million people don’t have access to clean drinking water the world over; and more than 2 billion get their water from contaminated sources. Despite this problem, emerging technologies including solar powered purification systems are making it possible for emerging economies to assess cleaner drinking water.

It’s not enough to think that any clear water is good water. Of course we need water to survive and as long as it’s clear, it’s good for us, right? NO. Not all water is equal in terms of its safety or quality. 

While there are many benefits to good drinking water, such as aiding in digestion, flushing toxins, and promoting weight loss, there’s a lot that could contaminate this otherwise vital resource.

Toxins, chemicals, and other elements can all find their way into our drinking water, which is why finding good drinking water like Karover Table Water is so important. It has a balanced pH level, be contaminant-free, rich with healthy, naturally occurring minerals.

Considering that it’s recommended to drink half your water in weight daily, it’s crucial for everyone to have access to safe, clean drinking water. 

Experience that fresh feeling… Drink Karover Table Water, always!

Thursday, 26 November 2020

SEVEN HABITS UNHEALTHY FOR THE BRAIN

 

BY Jesusegun Alagbe

Every part of the human body is important. But while a human can still survive without some body parts, one cannot survive without some other body parts, one of which is the brain.

The brain is the central organ of the human nervous system, and with the spinal cord, it makes up the central nervous system. The brain consists of the cerebrum, the brainstem, and the cerebellum.

The brain controls most of the activities of the body, processing, integrating, and coordinating the information it receives from the sense organs and making decisions as to the instructions sent to the rest of the body. The brain is contained in, and protected by, the skull bones of the head.

According to scientists, the brain is an amazing three-pound organ that controls all functions of the body, interprets information from the outside world, and embodies the essence of the mind and soul.

Intelligence, creativity, emotion, and memory are some of the many things governed by the brain.

It receives information from the five senses: sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing – often many at one time. It then assembles the messages in a way that has meaning for human beings and can store that information in the memory. The brain controls thoughts, memory and speech, movement of the arms and legs, and the function of many organs within the body.

However, like other parts of the body, there are lifestyle habits that affect brain health, particularly in an era of technology where human beings are being rewired to do more to the detriment of the brain.

According to experts, the modern lifestyle is chipping away at neural pathways and making humans slower, denser, and less capable of original thought. Hyper-connectivity is increasingly taking its toll on the brains and in the end, many people end up less productive and ineffective.

A UK-based entrepreneur and health expert, Thomas Oppong, said when talking about health, many people did not always think about nurturing their brains the way they nourished their bodies.

“But to be our most productive self, we need to do more of what improves our brain health, and less of what causes cognitive decline. Start by adjusting your daily habits and avoiding these common modern habits – your brain will thank you,” Oppong wrote on businessinsider.com.

Inactivity

Physical inactivity has its price tags – it’s linked to the development of chronic health problems like heart disease, obesity, depression, dementia, and cancer. Many people are too busy to make time for “basic movement activities” that can slow cognitive decline–walking, cycling, stretching, etc.

Being sedentary changes the shape of certain neurons in the brain, according to a study in the Journal of Comparative Neurology that suggests a link between inactivity and mental decline.

Regular physical activity can benefit you cognitively as they increase brain chemicals which promote better memory and learning.

For emphasis’ sake, sitting is one of the worst things one can do to their health. A study at the University of California, Los Angeles, reported that people who were more sedentary had thinning in brain regions linked to memory. The study found that sitting wasn’t just a physical health risk – it’s a neurological risk as well.

The study authors wrote, “It is possible that sedentary behaviour is a more significant predictor of brain structure, specifically (medial temporal lobe) thickness, and that physical activity, even at higher levels, is not sufficient to offset the harmful effects of sitting for extended periods of time.”

You can reduce the amount of sitting you do by adopting interventions like moderate walking, standing while working, even for just 10 minutes at a time, and standup meetings.

Multitasking

In this age of technology, smartphones have become Swiss army knives. Many people use them all the time. They text while walking across the street, catch up on email while commuting, read or listen to podcasts while standing in a queue.

According to mental health experts, multitasking is not only bad for productivity, it’s also a habit that rewires the brain and makes one less effective.

A neuroscientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, and one of the world experts on divided attention, Earl Miller, noted in his study that human brains “are not wired to multitask well.”

“When people think they’re multitasking, they’re actually just switching from one task to another very rapidly. And every time they do, there’s a cognitive cost in doing so,” he said.

“Multitasking also increases the stress hormone cortisol as well as the fight-or-flight hormone adrenaline, which can overstimulate your brain and cause mental fog or scrambled thinking,” he added.

Information overload

Things are happening fast and many people want to catch up on events around them as they happen. However, this can lead to unnecessary over-stimulation of the brain.

The sheer volume of emails, social updates, and notifications people receive can be overwhelming and take a huge bite out of the day for many. The constant stream of content, if not managed, can cause stress and lead to decision overload.

“Too much information or information overload is one of the biggest irritations in modern life,” experts at The Economist wrote.

Some people proudly boast of how many things they can juggle in a single day. But Glenn Wilson, a former visiting professor of psychology at Gresham College in London, found out in his research that being in such a situation could reduce one’s effective Intelligence Quotient by 10 points.

Oppong advised that to maximise the brain every day, one should use better tools and settings to filter information throughout the day.

“Be proactive about how you consume media. Prepare your brain to ignore unnecessary information. When you organise your day with these principles in mind, you will likely increase your brain’s efficiency significantly,” he said.

 Less face-to-face interaction

Today, face-to-face interactions are increasingly being replaced by digital tools. People spend more time online than ever before.

“Anything with a screen – television, phones, tablets, computers, video games – constitutes screen time,” said Tom Kersting, a psychotherapist and mental health expert.

“If the majority of our waking hours entails looking at a screen, then we know it is way too much. A face-to-face conversation is incredibly beneficial for your brain,” he said.

Also, a study by the University of Michigan found that even just 10 minutes per day of conversation with another person could improve memory and cognition.

“In our study, socialising was just as effective as more traditional kinds of mental exercise in boosting memory and intellectual performance,” said Oscar Ybarra, a psychologist at the U-M Institute for Social Research and a lead author of the study.

The lack of true personal interaction limits the brain’s opportunities to make better connections. It can also lead to loneliness and depression – mental conditions that contribute significantly to reduced brain health.

Looking at screens all day can hurt one’s eyes, ears, neck, shoulders, back, wrists, and forearms. It also interferes with getting a good night’s sleep.

According to experts, excessive screen time has a negative effect on intellectual abilities as well as emotional well-being.

Therefore, it is advisable to set clear boundaries with screens to avoid developing detrimental habits. The goal isn’t to avoid screen time entirely, as that’s not realistic in modern life. However, if you’re going to use a device, be mindful.

Listening to loud music

Many people love to switch up the volume as it makes the music sounds more fun and immersive. In the age of noise-cancelling earbuds and headphones, you can easily damage your hearing.

When the rest of the world gets too distracting, it’s tempting to pop in your earbuds, crank up your favourite tunes, and close yourself off to focus better.

According to experts, if you consistently blast your music too loudly, you can damage your hearing. But it’s not just your ears: Hearing loss in older adults is linked to brain problems, such as Alzheimer’s and loss of brain tissue.

When your brain has to work hard to understand what’s being said around you, it can’t store what you’ve heard into memory. So, protect your hearing by adjusting the volume of your headphones – it’s an excellent way to preserve your hearing and allow your brain to work better.

“One test we recommend is to remove your headphones, keeping them at your preferred volume, and hold them out in front of you at an arm’s length. Can you hear the music clearly? If so, try turning it down and repeating again,” wrote experts at Headphonesty.

Always aim to take regular breaks during the course of the day to give your ears a much-needed rest.

Sleep deprivation

Insufficient sleep is a huge problem for many busy professionals. Sleep deprivation can have serious short-term and long-term consequences – it can delay reaction times, glucose levels, mood, headache, impaired memory, and hormone imbalances. Researches showed that not getting enough sleep may actually shrink your brain.

Sleep is absolutely essential for your brain. When you deprive your brain of healthy sleep, how it processes information, consolidates memories, makes connections, and clears out toxins suffers.

Lack of sleep slows down your thinking, impairs your memory, concentration, judgment, and decision-making, and impedes learning.

Improving your sleep habits could be an important way to improve brain health. Seven to eight hours of good sleep a night is essential for stimulating new connections and brain growth.

If you are concerned about the health of your brain and the quality of your thinking now or in the future, learn to take care of your brain. A few simple changes to your lifestyle could boost your memory, learning, mental resilience, and overall health of your brain.

Eating excessive junk food

According to researches, parts of the brain linked to learning, memory, and mental health are smaller in people who take lots of hamburgers, fries, potato chips, and soft drinks in their diet.

On the other hand, berries, whole grains, nuts, and green leafy vegetables can preserve brain function and slow mental decline. So next time you start to reach for a bag of chips, grab a handful of nuts instead.

Meanwhile, if you eat too much food – even the right kind of food – your brain may not be able to build a strong network of connections that help you think and remember. If you overeat for too long, you may get dangerously overweight, which can cause heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure – all linked to brain problems and Alzheimer’s.

Similarly, experts said smoking could cause the brain to shrink, which is a bad thing.

“It (smoking) makes your memory worse and makes you twice as likely to get dementia, including Alzheimer’s. It also causes heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure,” experts at webmd.com said.

Source: punchng.com

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: NIGERIA’S TOBI AMUSAN SETS WORLD RECORD TWICE

  The duo produced jaw-breaking performances on the final day of action at the World Championships BY TUNDE ELUDINI      Nigeria’s Tob...