Nutritious Health Benefit of Melon Seed (Egusi)

Melon Seed (Egusi)

Melon seed (egusi) is a popular food crop in Nigeria and other African countries that comes with lots of health benefits which are vital for children, young and old, men and women.

Melon seed is popularly or locally called Egusi, and is fortified with essential  minerals and vitamins which promotes eye vision, improves the skin and hair, and other numerous benefits it offers.

Below are some of the health benefits of Melon Seed which is good for the human health

1.   Improves Appetite

The vitamins in melon seed provide exceptional benefits to the human body, the presence of vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) makes the fats and oil in the body to undergo the process of metabolism and is also good for improving appetite.

2.   Improves the Skin

The vitamins such as vitamin E as well as others help in improving the skin and making it stay healthy as well, and these vitamins in most cases are used in the production of skin care products such as soap because of its benefits to the skin.

Egusi seed contains alpha-tocopherol which does not only act an antioxidant but also as a vitamin E, as it helps also in improving the skin and prevent ageing (anti-ageing properties) by reducing wrinkles, dry skin and other, and is used for various dermatology purposes.

3.   Antioxidant properties

Owing to its antioxidant properties it helps to prevent cells from damage due to the oxidization processes in the body which helps in the prevention of ulcer and other health condition which are caused by the oxidation processes in the body.

4.    Helps in Digestion

Its content of dietary fibre is also good for the body due to its ability to aid digestion thereby preventing any form of a digestive disorder such as constipation and irregular bowel movement.

5.      Improves Vision

Vitamin A content in Egusi, as well as the oil, makes it good for consumption because of its function in the improvement of eye vision and more.

6.      Reduces Inflammation

Its properties as anti-inflammatory food help to prevent swelling in the body and reduce any cause of inflammation especially that which is linked to depression.

Methanol extract from melon seed is traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory medicine for swellings and also for analgesic.

This is so because the extracts helps to regulate serotonin which is released by the blood platelets to the inflamme vessels in the body which affects the immune cells which are resident in the area of inflammation thereby promoting the accumulation of neutrophils which helps fight infections that can cause inflammation.

Thromboxane which is a type of prostaglandins hormones also promotes anti-inflammatory properties and reduces inflammation and bloatings which can lead to ulcer of the gastrointenstine and digestive systems thereby reducing inflammation in all areas.

Due to its ability to stop inflammation, it tries to constrict the blood vessels in the area it was released by the white blood cell which aims to reduce the destruction of the surrounding  tissues thereby leading to pain, fever or headache in some cases.

They are said to be an inflammatory mediators.

7.      Promotes Heart Health

Egusi contains a high amount of fatty acids which are “unsaturated” and this makes it beneficial for the heart as it helps in reducing the chances of heart diseases by constantly reducing the blood cholesterols which are known to be bad for the heart.

8.      Prevents Malnutrition

Its protein content, as well as other essential minerals and vitamins, makes it a good source of food to prevent malnutrition, and in some cases, it is often grounded and used as a supplement for baby food which provides them with the nutrients they need to growth and develop.

9.      Good for Bones

Egusi contains minerals which are essential in the formation and development of bones such as potassium, calcium, magnesium and even phosphorous. It consumption can help alleviate some bones diseases and disorder.

10.  Prevent Anemia

Iron and other minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium and even sodium helps in the blood cell formation and its regulation, and help prevent anemia and other blood related health conditions.

Nutritional Values of Melon Seed

Egusi (melon seed) is packed with many vital and beneficial nutrients which are good for the body and these nutrients are not limited to protein, potassium, vitamin B1, sulphur, fats, calcium, magnesium, carbohydrate, zinc, copper, vitamins A, E and C, manganese, dietary fibre and more.

Per 100g serving
Carbohydrates	7.6g
Protein	0.6g
Dietary Fibre	0.4g
Fats	0.2g
Viatmin C	8mg
By Weight
Oil Content	50%
Protein	37.4%
Fibre	3.6%
Ash	6.4%
Oil Content
Unsaturated Fatty Acid	50%
Linoleic	35%
Oleic	15%
Saturated Fatty Acid (Stearic and Plamitic acid)	50%

Melon Seed (Egusi) and its Derivatives

Melon seed is widely grown and used in West Africa, and its seed is well-known to be rich in fat as well as protein. In Nigeria, it is used mostly in the preparation of delicious food delicacy known as Egusi Soup, and in some cases can be used in thickening soups.

Melon seed has high oil content and because of this it can be processed into oil and can serve as a vegetable oil in cooking, it can also be roasted and ground into butter or even so be used as a snack.

It can also serve as one of the supplement for baby’s food especially in places where there is malnutrition.

Truly, egusi contains nutrients that are good for the body, but as it applies to almost all food crops, the intake of egusi should be moderate.

Side Effects:

In as much as the nutrients are beneficial, some of them such as omega 6 fatty acid might trigger some certain health diseases such as depression and even cancer when taken in excess because of its role in increasing inflammation.

Therefore it might be supplemented with omega-3 fatty acid which does the exact opposite as it helps in the reduction of inflammation.

The fats content which is high in Egusi might also lead to excessive weight gain, therefore, adequate vegetables can be used to complement it, making the diet to be balanced.

                                                  How to make Nigeria Egusi Soup

Conclusion:

Egusi is widely grown in Asia, Africa and other arid areas and contains lots of essential nutrients which is good for the health and skin. The nutritive value is great and should complement our daily dietary plan as it helps:

1.                  Improves Appetite

2.                  Prevent Anemia

3.                  Good for Bones

4.                  Prevents Malnutrition

5.                  Promotes Heart Health

6.                  Improves Vision

7.                  Reduces Inflammation

8.                  Helps in Digestion

9.                  Antioxidant properties

Brief History of Lassa Fever (LF): Symptoms and Prevention

There is outbreak of Lassa Fever (LF) in some states in Nigeria

According to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) report 3rd Febraury, 2019; there were 275 confirmed cases and 57 deaths recorded that spread across 37 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 19 states out of 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. States include; Edo, Ebonyi, Ondo, Bauchi, Plateau, Adamawa, Imo, Rivers, Kwara, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Enugu, Delta, Borno, Nasarawa, Oyo, and FCT Abuja.

Lassa Fever (LF) is an acute and sometimes severe viral haemorrhagic animal-borne illness endemic in West Africa including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Benin, Ghana and Nigeria. Humans contract Lassa virus primarily by eating food or drinking water contaminated with excreta (urine, faeces, saliva or blood) of the rodent Mastomys natalensis (Natal Multimammate rat), which is the natural reservoir or zoonotic animal for the virus. Secondary transmission between humans occurs through direct contact with infected person blood or bodily secretion/fluids.

Natal Multimammate (Mastomys natalensis)

BRIEF HISTORY OF LASSA FEVER

Description of the disease dated from the 1950s. The virus was first described in 1969 from a case in the town of Lassa, Borno State, Nigeria.
The first documented case of Lassa Fever and from whom the first Lassa virus was isolated in 1969 is Ms Lily (Penny) Pinneo, she was infected alongside Dr. Jeanette Troup while working as a Nurse, Anesthetist and Midwife at Jos Mission Hospital in Jos Nigeria. Watch her documented video here>> www.vimeo.com/calmdog/pennystory.
The second documented case of Lassa Fever and to whom the virus was isolated is Mr Harry Elyea, he's also a missionary Nurse in Nigeria from 1945 to 1968 and never returned to West Africa after living Nigeria.
The third isolated person with Lassa Fever case was Dr. Hal White, a physician who worked at Jos mission Hospital in Nigeria from 1968 to 1975.

SYMPTOMS

Lassa Fever usually starts with fever, general body weakness, headache, cough, diarrhoea, sore throat, rashes, chest and muscles pain, nausea, vomiting, fascial swelling. And in severe cases, bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina or gastro-intestinal track.

Lassa Fever can be treated if detected early. Visit the nearest health centre near you for treatment. If you think you have been infected with Lassa Fever, avoid contact with other people, seek health advice immediately in the nearest health facility, drink plenty of fluids/water.

PREVENTION

1. Storing grains and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers.
2. Disposing of garbages far from home
3. Maintaining clean home and keeping rat predator pets e.g cats etc and by using rodenticide.
4. Healthcare providers and family members should always becareful to avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons.
5. wash hand regularly with soap under running water.
6. cook food properly and cover food from rodents.
7. Keep house and environment clean.
8. Block holes and keep rodents away.

Source:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583312/#!po=26.9231,  https://ncdc.gov.ng/reports/173/2019-february-week-5

Use Of Chlorhexidine Gel For Umbilical Cord Care

By Dr. Abduljeleel Balogun

In the past, mothers were instructed to swab the umbilical stump with rubbing alcohol (methylated spirit) after every diaper change but that has changed.
Sadly however, a lot of wrong practices based on tradition that may predispose a newborn to infection are still engaged in. Some mothers go as far as applying toothpaste or salt which has resulted in agonising pain and even death of some babies or Cow dung which increase the chances of infection.

The application of Chlorhexidine Gel is the GOLD STANDARD NOW.

Chlorhexidine gel is applied once a day after delivery once the baby is cleaned. It works for 24 hours. The mother can apply it on her own without assistance.
One application is all that is required as it takes care of formation of any sepsis or other infections.

The DO's

1. Wash your hands before and after application.
2. Expose the stump to air to help dry out the base. 
3. Keep the front of your baby’s diaper folded down to avoid covering the stump.
4. In warm weather, dress your baby in a diaper and T-shirt to improve air circulation.
5. Sponge baths might be most practical during the healing process. 
6. When the stump falls off, you can bathe your baby in a baby tub or sink.
7. It should be kept out of eyes and ears and should be applied only to the umbilical stump.
8. Please, let the stump fall off on its own. 
9. Resist the temptation to pull off the stump yourself.
10. Do not give the child drinks including Gripe water which is already banned by NAFDAC

Continue to breast feed your baby for six months on exclusive breast milk. No water, no herbal solutions or concoctions, no infant formula.

SERAP Asked Court To Stop Sen. Joshua Dariye's Monthly Payment

Socio-Economic Right and Accountability Project (SERAP), has filed a lawsuit asking the Federal High Court in Lagos to stop the Senate President Bukola Saraki from paying former Plateau State governor, Senator Joshua Dariye N14.2 million monthly allowances while he serves out a 10-year prison sentence for corruption. Because such payment violates Nigerian law and international obligations. The made this known through there twitter handling.

Mr Dariye is still receiving the N750,000 salary and N13.5 million monthly allowances from the Nigeran Senate six months after his conviction in June. An FCT high court convicted Dariye for diverting N1.162 billion state ecological funds while he was governor. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, which was later reduced to 10 years by a court of appeal in Abuja. Dariye is said to have been paid N85.5 million as allowances since his conviction.

The accused Bukola Saraki and the National Assembly Service Commission for trying to override Nigerian law and the judgment of our court by continuing to pay Mr Dariye’s allowances while he serves out a 10-year prison term and unable to sit and perform the functions of a senator. This action undermines the rule of law and is a great moral failure because it sends a message that corruption pays - it’s the opposite of Nigerian Constitutional principles and international obligations.

Bukola Saraki and the National Assembly Service Commission should be immediately restrained from unlawfully paying salaries and allowances to Mr Dariye who is serving jail term. Restraining them would send a clear message to Nigerian elected officials that corruption does not pay and contribute to promoting accountability and fostering public trust and confidence in Nigeria’s democracy, the rule of law and the governance system.

Bukola Saraki and the National Assembly Service Commission shouldn't be allowed to continue to make a mockery of the rule of law, our process of administration of justice & judicial system by behaving as if National Assembly isn't bound by the court judgment.

SERAP is also seeking an order compelling Mr Dariye to return all salaries and allowances paid to him as a senator while in prison, having not performed the functions and office of a sitting and serving senator and having not deservedly earned such.

SERAP is also seeking a declaration that the seat of Mr Dariye in the Senate is automatically deemed vacant, having being convicted and sentenced to a prison term and currently serving jail term in Kuje prison Abuja. And having been absent at the sessions of the Senate for a period amounting in the aggregate to more than one-third of the total number of days allowed, and that he is therefore, not entitled to any allowances reserved for a sitting and serving senator.

TONGUE-TIE IN NEWBORN BABIES

By Dr. Abduljeleel Balogun

When a baby has a tongue-tie, the piece of tissue that connects the tongue to the bottom of d mouth is short, tight, or thick. It may be attached close to d tip of d tongue preventing d tongue from moving freely and from sticking out past the baby's gums.
Every newborn examination should include checking for the presence of tongue or lip tie. The tongue may even look heart shaped when the baby cries or tries to push it out.

A baby with a tongue-tie may be able to breastfeed without any problems, or he may not be able to breastfeed well at all. It really depends on the baby and the severity of the tongue-tie.

A baby with a tongue-tie may not be able:

🔵To open his mouth wide enough to latch on to the breast and seal the latch well.
🔵To make use if its tongue for the necessary movements to squeeze the milk ducts under the nipple as he's breastfeeding.

🔵To suck which can prevent the baby from effectively removing the breast milk from the breast.

How a Tongue-Tie Can Impact Babies:
A tongue-tie can have varied effects on babies. These are just a few:

✔Irritability and crying: If your child is always hungry and frustrated, he may be irritable and cry a lot.
✔He may also have trouble sleeping.
✔Breast refusal: Some babies will refuse the breast if it's frustrating to nurse and they aren't getting enough breast milk.
✔Poor weight gain: If your child cannot latch on and breastfeed well, he will not get enough breast milk to grow and gain weight at a consistent rate.

❌Other issues: As the baby grows a short frenulum can cause problems with eating, swallowing, and speech.

Tongue-Tie and Mothers
A tongue-tie can also have some negative effects on mothers.

1) Sore nipples: If your newborn is only latching onto your nipple or he's chewing or gumming your nipple as he's trying to nurse, it can lead to sore, cracked, damaged nipples.

2) Painful breast problems: When the baby isn't able to breastfeed well, he can't drain the breasts of the breast milk. The build-up of breast milk in the breasts can lead to breast engorgement, plugged milk ducts, and mastitis.

3) A low breast milk supply: A poor latch and the ineffective removal of breast milk can quickly decrease the breast milk supply.

4) Emotional stress: Breastfeeding difficulties can lead to frustration and a lack of breastfeeding confidence. If the baby isn't getting enough milk , it can also be scary or cause sadness and feelings of guilt.

5) Early weaning: Painful breastfeeding, a low breast milk supply, and dealing with a frustrated, hungry baby who is gaining weight too slowly can all lead to early weaning.

Usually a minor surgery or procedure for babies with a tongue-tie can be done. It's a simple snip of the frenulum under your child's tongue.
The doctor can use local anesthesia, but most newborns can handle it without any anesthesia. It does not bleed much, and stitches are usually not needed.

EPILEPSY

EPILEPSY (WARAPA IN YORUBA) (PARPADIYA IN HAUSA)

In our community today many people run away from someone  suffering from epilepsy especially when he/she is having the seizure.
Many people believe by touching the victim the condition will transmit to them which is a very big lie . I can see some Yoruba movies too help in this myth which make people to believes is true. But let's us look at some points on epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a mental disorder caused by abnormal functioning of the brain and cannot be contracted by simply going close or touching an affected victim.
Epilepsy can have a visible and invisible cause.

Visible causes are causes you can see, for instance, when a child suffers from infection that affects the brain like meningitis, tetanus and septicaemia among others or when a child falls on the head and have injury in the brain. Also, those who have problem of incompatibility and have jaundice in early childhood may end up having epilepsy.

Invisible causes include causes that have to do with genetics. When the baby’s brain is being formed, it is possible to have abnormal genetic constitution that may predisposed the person to epilepsy or abnormal wiring of the brain.

Epilepsy is a common disorder of the brain that we see every day but people have a lot of misconception about it, which tends to mitigate the kind of care people who suffer the ailment are suppose to get.

When an epileptic patient has an attack, people run away simply because they feel, it is contagious, noting that epilepsy is not a sickness that can be contracted by touching the victim’s saliva or urine.

Epileptic illnesses once its identified some patient may need to take medicine for a life time but that does not make the illness incurable.

I urged the general public to always rally round epileptic patients during their epileptic fit in order to offer a helping hand.

If you are with someone who is having a Epilepsy, move them away from anything that could cause injury such as a busy road or hot cooker. Cushion their head if they're on the ground. loosen any tight clothing around their neck such as a collar or tie, to aid breathing. Do not try to give mouth-to-mouth breaths (like CPR). People usually start breathing again on their own after a seizure.
Do not offer the person water or food until he or she is fully alert.

I hope you're cleared about this?? You can share if you find it useful.

The Way You Treat Your Pregnant Wife

By Rishen Afakpo J. J.

THE WAY YOU TREAT YOUR PREGNANT WIFE AS A HUSBAND, TELLS THE KIND OF BABY 👼 YOU ARE LIKELY TO HAVE AS A FATHER.

Depressed pregnant woman

Many women suffer depression during pregnancy. We live in a country where people assume health is only about medicine and would like to keep the case of depression to themselves without seeking the appropriate help.

They have no idea the danger this poses to the mother and baby. Most miscarriages or loss of a pregnancy or pre-mature births and complications during child birth are as a result of depression.

There are babies who had low birth weights and other medical problems due to depression. It is rather unfortunate some husbands become so cruel, unconcerned, show lack of care & are insensitive because their pregnant wives have changed and is no longer the lovely wife she used to be.

In case you don't know, she is carrying another human being you put in her, the little you, the junior father is being formed in there. It’s a process which is very special and needs special care and attention. This is the period you demonstrate greater love for your wife.

Unfortunately, some husbands tend to abuse their wives at this time, some don't only insult them but also physically abuse them. Others deny them their basic needs such as a proper diet at home. There are those who vacate the house and look for a backup wife.

Fear God And Stop Maltreating Somebody Daughter, Remember Your Own Daughter. It Will Bounce Back! Law Of Karma!