Health
25 Health Benefits Of Bitter Leaf
Bitter leaf, also known as Vernonia amygdalina, has many health benefits.
It is being used in Africa and Asia for a long time to treat sickness.
Though it tastes bitter, that’s what makes it good for you. You can consume bitter leaf in different forms like juice or extract.
Studies have found that bitter leaf has good things like alkaloids and flavonoids. These can help with things like fighting inflammation, stopping bacteria, and even fighting cancer. People have used it for a long time to help with stomach problems, fevers, and liver issues.
In Africa, people often use bitter leaf in their traditional medicine, calling it “ewuro.” Tests have shown it really does have medicinal value. It’s becoming more popular worldwide. Bitter leaf also has antioxidants that protect your body from damage and help fight diseases.
One big benefit is that it helps with inflammation, which can cause many health problems. Bitter leaf has a compound called vernodalin that fights inflammation. It’s also good at fighting infections caused by bacteria and viruses.
Here are 25 health benefits of bitter leaf, and bitter leaf juice along with the constituents that provide each benefit:
1. Boosts Immune System: Bitter leaf is rich in antioxidants and other nutrients such as vitamin C and E which help to boost the immune system and protect the body from infections.
2. Helps With Weight Loss: Bitter leaf contains flavonoids that can help to stimulate the breakdown of fat, which makes it a great addition to a weight loss regimen.
3. Reduces Inflammation: The anti-inflammatory properties of bitter leaf can help to reduce inflammation in the body and relieve pain caused by conditions such as arthritis.
4. Treats Malaria: Bitter leaf contains a compound called vernodalin, which has been shown to be effective against the malaria parasite.
5. Regulates Blood Sugar: The antioxidants in bitter leaf can help to regulate blood sugar levels, making it a great natural remedy for people with diabetes.
6. Lowers Blood Pressure: Bitter leaf contains compounds that can help to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure, making it a great addition to a heart-healthy diet.
7. Improves Digestion: Bitter leaf can help to improve digestion by stimulating the production of digestive enzymes.
8. Treats Skin Infections: Bitter leaf has antimicrobial properties that can help to treat skin infections and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. This is one of the popular health benefits of bitter leaf.
9. Fights Against Cancer: Bitter leaf contains a compound called vernonolide that has been shown to have anticancer properties.
10. Boosts Liver Health: Bitter leaf can help to protect the liver from damage and improve liver function.
11. Treats Respiratory Infections: Bitter leaf has been used for centuries to treat respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
12. Treats Fever: Bitter leaf has antipyretic properties, which means it can help to reduce fever. This is one of the essential health benefits of bitter leaf.
13. Reduces Anxiety: Bitter leaf has a calming effect on the body and can help to reduce anxiety and stress.
14. Improves Cognitive Function: Bitter leaf contains antioxidants that can help to protect the brain from damage and improve cognitive function.
15. Promotes Wound Healing: The antimicrobial properties of bitter leaf can help to promote wound healing and prevent infection.
16. Treats Sore Throat: Bitter leaf can help to soothe a sore throat and relieve coughing.
17. Fights Against Fungal Infections: Bitter leaf has antifungal properties that can help to treat fungal infections such as ringworm.
18. Boosts Fertility: Bitter leaf has been used for centuries to improve fertility in both men and women.
19. Treats Stomach Ulcers: Bitter leaf has been shown to be effective in treating stomach ulcers.
20. Lowers Cholesterol: Bitter leaf can help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
21. Promotes Healthy Eyes: Bitter leaf contains antioxidants that can help to protect the eyes from damage and improve vision.
22. Treats Urinary Tract Infections: Bitter leaf has been used to treat urinary tract infections for centuries.
23. Reduces Menstrual Pain: Bitter leaf can help to reduce menstrual pain and regulate menstrual cycles.
24. Treats Insomnia: Bitter leaf can help to promote relaxation and treat insomnia.
25. Improves Skin Health: Bitter leaf contains vitamins and minerals that can help to improve skin health and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Bitter leaf has many good things for your health. It has different helpful stuff like alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, and phenolic acids. These are what make bitter leaf good for you. Bitter melon leaf, bitter gourd leaf, ampalaya leaf, and vernonia amygdalina leaf all have benefits.
Bitter leaf can also help control blood sugar, which is great for people with diabetes. It also fights inflammation, fungus, and bacteria, which can keep you from getting sick.
Health
JUST IN: JOHESU Launches Nationwide Strike Over Unresolved Demands
Members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU) have announced a seven-day warning strike set to begin at midnight on Friday.
This action follows a 15-day notice of industrial action issued to the Federal Government.
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Addressing journalists in Abuja, JOHESU’s national chairman, Kabiru Minjibir, outlined the union’s primary demands, emphasizing a need for immediate action to address ongoing concerns affecting healthcare workers across the nation.
Key demands include the urgent implementation of the consolidated health salary structure and the payment of a 25 percent review of arrears from June to December 2023.
The union is also calling for an upward review of the retirement age for healthcare workers, a tax waiver on healthcare workers’ allowances, and the immediate disbursement of COVID-19 inducement hazard allowances.
Minjibir urged all union members nationwide to adhere to the strike directive, underscoring that compliance would be essential in pushing for their demands.
Details shortly………….
Health
Medical Emergency: Journalist, Kola Kuforiji Requires Financial Support
In a world where health is wealth, Kola Kuforiji, a Nigerian journalist who had worked for about two decades with Rhythm FM (Sliverbird Group) reporting business is facing an unthinkable challenge, and needs urgent help.
Kola, a 54-year-old husband and father of two, whose life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with a drug-resistant, Parkinson’s disease with pronounced difficulty in walking and tremor has been very ill for more than two years and the severity and debilitating nature of his illness has depleted the finances of his family.
He was initially treated at Ikorodu General Hospital, Lagos, where a presumptive diagnosis of his medical condition was made.
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He was over a year ago referred to LASUTH, but there has been little improvement in his health.
Medical treatment abroad now offers the best option for his recovery with a recommendation from Atasehir Medicana International Hospital – Atasehir / Istanbul, Turkey confirming that he will need a Deep Brain Stimulation surgery.
The expected total cost of the Deep Brain Stimulation surgery with traveling expenses is put at $35,000 (USD) about N57 million at recent exchange rate.
Meanwhile friends of Kola have initiated moves to seek financial support from concerned citizens to help bridge the gap and ensure that he receives the care he needs to overcome this challenge.
A bank account to receive fund for the urgent medical intervention has been opened for donation that will bring hope and healing to Kola and his family.
Name of Account: SOS FOR JOURNALIST KOLA KUFORIJI
Account Number: 1790322317
Bank: Polaris Bank
Kola’s story is one of courage, resilience, and determination, but it’s also a story of urgent need.
He had worked for about two decades with Rhythm FM (Sliverbird Group) covering business at large and had contributed immensely to deepening understanding of the economy.
Over the years he has explored his media platform as a strong tool to drive financial inclusion and expanding frontier of knowledge of Nigerians on the activities and stride of the energy, banking and finance sectors at large to national development.
Despite his illness, Kola remains hopeful and determined to overcome.
Use this link to join SOS FOR JOURNALIST KOLA KUFORIJI WhatsApp group https://chat.whatsapp.
Health
Banning Tobacco Sales Could Save 1.2m Lives By 2095 – WHO
A new study from the World Health Organization (WHO) underscores the alarming connection between smoking and lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.
The research reveals that smoking accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases and warns that nearly three million lung cancer deaths could occur among those born between 2006 and 2010 if current trends persist.
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The findings, published in The Lancet Public Health, indicate that implementing a ban on tobacco sales for this generation—approximately 650 million individuals—could prevent about 1.2 million deaths by 2095.
This study is among the first to evaluate the potential impact of creating a tobacco-free generation and draws on data from 185 countries.
The research highlights significant disparities in preventable lung cancer deaths based on gender.
It found that over 45% of lung cancer deaths among men could be avoided, while nearly 31% could be prevented among women.
IARC researcher and co-author Isabelle Soerjomataram noted that the disparity is largely due to targeted marketing by the tobacco industry over the past decades.
Interestingly, the study also suggests that in regions like North America and parts of Europe, ending tobacco sales could lead to more preventable deaths among women than men.
In Western Europe, 78% of potential deaths among women could be averted, compared to nearly 75% among men in Central and Eastern Europe.
While the study offers a glimmer of hope, it cautions that not all lung cancer deaths can be prevented through tobacco sales bans alone.
Other risk factors, such as air pollution and second-hand smoke exposure, also significantly contribute to lung cancer rates.
Several countries have already implemented tobacco-free generation initiatives, including New Zealand, which became the first nation to ban cigarette sales to individuals born after 2008.
However, the new conservative government in New Zealand has announced plans to repeal this measure.
Conversely, the UK’s new Labour government is supportive of a similar initiative that restricts cigarette sales to anyone born after January 2009.
Despite the promising implications of tobacco-free generation policies, the authors of the IARC study stress that these measures must be part of a broader strategy to combat the health crisis posed by tobacco.
They advocate for additional approaches, such as increasing cigarette taxes, creating more smoke-free environments, and providing enhanced support for individuals looking to quit smoking.
As lung cancer remains a leading health challenge, this study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive tobacco control policies to protect future generations and reduce the burden of this deadly disease.