Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is described as the chronic metabolic disorder that is characterized by elevation of blood glucose concentration (fasting plasma glucose >7mmol; or plasma glucose> 11.1mmol/l two hours after a meal) – caused by relative or absolute insulin deficiency in the body often accompanied with insulin resistance (Kartzung, 2003). Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas necessary for the body cells ability to utilize bloo...
ABSTRACT This study investigated folate (B9) supplementation in the periconceptional period. The general objective of the study was to assess knowledge and practice of periconceptional folic acid supplementation and its health implications, among women of reproductive age in Enugu metropolis of Enugu State, Nigeria. The study was carried out from April to July 2011 in six major antenatal clinics (3 private, 3 public) in Enugu metropolis. They were visited twice weekly till a sample size of se...
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different processing methods on the chemical composition of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) flours and the organoleptic properties of it’s gruels. The seeds of cream coloured African yam bean (AYB) and lime were purchased from Oye Igbo-Eze and Ogige Nsukka markets, respectively in Enugu State, Nigeria. The seeds were sorted and divided into 4 equal portions of 1.5kg each. One portion was washed and fermented in tap wat...
ABSTRACT The study identified some edible fresh wild green leafy vegetables and fruits and determined their nutrients, antinutrients and food toxicants content. The proximate, micronutrients, antinutrients and food toxicants contents of these fruits (Olax viridis (“Osenga”), Gongronema species (“Aado”), Ficus carpensis (“Akankolo”), Napoleona/imperialis (“Ukpodikili”), Afromonum species) (“Okwocha”) and vegetables Vitex doniana (“Uchkulu”) and Ficus carpensis) were det...
ABSTRACT The study assessed the nutritional and health status of school-aged children (5-12 years) in onchocerciasis endemic communities of Ebonyi State and determined the effect of Ivermectin intake on haemoglobin and parasitic load of the children. The study was conducted in Ebonyi State of Nigeria. A multi stage random sampling technique was used in selecting respondents for the study. A total sample of 360 school aged children aged 5 – 12 years (made up of 194 males and 166 females) par...
ABSTRACT The study was designed to have both survey and biochemical components. Three communities were selected randomly from twelve communities in Obio-Akpor local government area. The sample size was calculated using the maternal mortality ratio for pregnant women in Nigeria which was 30%. Two hundred pregnant women were purposively selected from health care centers, public and private clinics providing ante-natal care and from traditional birth attendants and local delivery homes. The surv...
ABSTRACT The study examined the nutrient composition of shade and sun-dried fluted pumpkin leaf and the curd produced from the leaf. The effects of the processed leaves and the curd on beta carotene, iron, ascorbate, zinc, copper and calcium status of rats were evaluated. Fluted pumpkin leaf was divided into four (4) portions. One was shade-dried, another was sun-dried and the other was used to produce leaf curd. The last portion was not processed and served as the control. All the processed ...
ABSTRACT Effect of controlled fermentation with Candida tropicalis on glycaemic index of cassava, maize and sorghum flours and blood glucose response, protein utilization, mineral and vitamin bioavailability of their blends in diabetes induced adult rats was studied. Candida tropicalis was isolated and used in semi-solid state controlled fermentation of the starchy foods at 0, 24, 48 and 72h. Physicochemical composition of the fermented starchy flours and two under-exploited unfermented legum...
ABSTRACT The nutritional status, care and support of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHIV/AIDS) in Nsukka L.G.A of Enugu State was studied at Bishop Shanahan Hospital. The hospital is a HIV counseling and testing (HCT) centre. Descriptive and laboratory analysis were adopted for the study. A total of two hundred and forty three respondents only constituted the sample for the study. Questionnaire, anthropometry, biochemical tests and proximate analysis of foods eaten by PLWHIV/AIDS were the ins...
ABSTRACT This study assessed the prevalence of risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases among adults working in Federal Government Establishments in Umuahia Abia state, Nigeria. Two hundred adults randomly selected in the establishments participated in the study. Intervieweradministered questionnaire was used to obtain information on respondents’ socio-economic characteristics, food frequency and some lifestyle practices. The anthropometric measurements of the respondents were t...
ABSTRACT The study examined the proximate and phytochemical (saponins, tannins, phytate and flavonoid) composition of roasted cream coloured African yam bean (AYB) flour and the lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic rats fed diets supplemented with African yam bean. Different diets were formulated using the AYB flour. Group 1 consisted of the normal control rats (untreated rats), group 2 consisted of the hypercholesterolemic group of rats that were untreated. Groups 3-6 consisted of rats fed ...
ABSTRACT The study examined the nutrients and phytochemicals composition of some lesser - known vegetables in Nigeria (Mucuna pruriens and Phyllantus nuriri) and their effects on iron and beta carotene status of rats. Leaf extract was collected from each vegetable. The leaves were separately plucked, sorted and extraneous materials were removed. Then they were washed with deionized water and were pulverized to get the concentrates. Standard methods were used to determine the proximate, some m...
ABSTRACT High or raised blood pressure (HBP) is a global public health issue and a major cardiovascular risk factor. While the Kenya StepWise survey of 2015 confirmed that more than half (56%) of Kenyans have never been screened for BP, renewed interests in hypertension in children and adolescents has resulted from the recognition that its presence in adults often has its roots at a younger age. It is also still controversial whether mild thyroid dysfunction affects BP. To understand if iodin...
This study was aimed at assessing the iron, zinc and anthropometric indices of pre-school children aged 2 – 5 years in Ozubulu. A total of two hundred and forty (240) preschool children were randomly selected. Questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, biochemical analysis and 3–day weighed food intake were used for data collection. Two hundred and forty (240) questionnaires were distributed to mothers and caregivers of the selected children. Out of the 240 samples, sub samples of thirty...
ABSTRACT Nutrition plays a critical role in promoting the health of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Nutritional problems strongly predict illness or death among PLWHA. However, the knowledge, attitude and practices relating to adequate nutrition by this group of people have not been adequately explored in Nigeria. This study was therefore carried out to determine the knowledge, attitude and nutritional practices among PLWHA who were attending Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) clinics in Ibad...