Nutrition
Dietary management of Asthma
Fruits
This chapter discusses how we can manage asthma with our diet.
Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs, characterised by obstruction of the airway, which may be accompanied by wheezing, difficulty in breathing, coughing and other symptoms.
Asthma is a very distressing disease which poses immense threat on one’s life. That being said, asthma is not a death sentence and there are many ways to optimise one’s life with asthma. We will discuss the dietary portion of that.
Foods to avoid
Before we know what to do, we must know what not to do. Some common foods which may trigger an attack include shellfish, nuts and some dairy products, among others. Avoiding these foods will go a long way to reduce the distress caused by asthma attacks.
Also, some food additives and preservatives such as sulphites, food colourings, monosodium glutamate, and salicylate are potential triggers. You should always check food labels to be able to avoid these.
Foods to consume
People with asthma may benefit from a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids. Foods with anti-inflammatory properties, such as berries, leafy greens, and fatty fish, may also be helpful in avoiding episodes.
One should always remember to drink adequate water, as this is universally beneficial to our overallhealth and also helps to thin mucous of the airway, thereby helping to curtail episodes of asthma.
Lifestyle modification
To help avoid frequent asthma attacks, we should avoid smoking and smoky environments, avoid alcohol and very cold beverages (including ice cream), manage emotional and physical stress, and last but not the least, stay away from and avoid known triggers (common triggers include house dust mites, pollen, animal fur or dander), among others.
In conclusion, asthma, as distressing as it is, can be an issue of minimal concern with adequate medical attention, which is never complete without dietary measures.
The writer is a Nutritionist and Chief Executive Officer of Holistic Health Consult. Email: info@holistichealthconsult.org
By AsareKorkor Bernice
Nutrition
Akotonshi (Stuffed crab)
Akotonshi
Akotonshi is a delicious stuffed crab dish that is associated with feasting in Ghana.
The dish is sprinkled with breadcrumbs and placed under a broiler. When served, akotonshi is usually garnished with chopped parsley.
Ingredients
5 large whole crabs or cooked crabbed meat
2 large fresh ginger
3 tablespoonfuls of cooking oil
2 large onion minced
1 tablespoonful of ginger ground
2 large tomatoes finely chopped
1 tablespoonful of tomato paste
1 large green bell peppers finely chopped
1 tablespoonful of ground nut meg
1 tablespoonful of cloves ground
1 tablespoonful of dried thyme leaves
1/2 cup of dried shrimp
1 cup of plain bread crumbs
2 tablespoonfuls of salt
Preparation
-When cooking crabs, clean them and bring a large pot of water to a boil.
-Add in the ginger, cloves and the crab, cook for 15 minutes. Remove crabs and meat, keep shells for plating.
-If using just crab meat mix crab meat with ¼ cup water that has been boiled with the ginger piece and cloves for 15 minutes. Drain water, flake the meat and set aside.
-In a heavy pot, heat oil to medium temperature and add other ingredients in the following sequence, stirring for a minute or so between each: onions, ground ginger, tomatoes, tomato paste, green pepper, cumin, nutmeg, thyme, grains of paradise, paprika, mashed peppers, and dried shrimp.
-Reduce heat and simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly, until vegetables are cooked.
-Add crab meat and stir another couple of minutes to heat it through. Then spoon the mixture into clean crab shells or ramekins (small individual baking dishes).
-Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top of each crab and toast under an oven broiler, being careful not to let the crumbs scorch. —Source: Pulse.gh
Nutrition
Preventing skin cancer with our diet
Intake of shrimps and salmon can prevent skin cancer
In this chapter, we will be discussing how we can prevent skin cancer with our diet.
Skin cancer is more common in Caucasians, but the incidence is on the rise in the black community according to WHO.
The two most common types are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These usually form on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is more dangerous but fortunately less common.
Anyone can get skin cancer, but it is more common in people who:
● Spend a lot of time in the sun or suffered sunburn.
● Have light coloured skin, hair and eye.
● Have family history.
● Older than 50 years.
Because the sun’s ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) rays promote cancer causing changes in the skin, learning sun safe practices is one way to protect one from skin cancer. Another way is to know the signs of skin cancer. This is usually a mole that is oddly shaped, strangely coloured, or unusually large, may be a sign of skin cancer, especially if it grows. That’s why it is important to check your skin regularly for moles and/or changes in already existing moles. You should also have your doctor check any suspicious skin markings and any changes in the way your skin looks. These steps can help in early diagnosis and management of skin cancer- the stage when cancer is most likely to be treated successfully. Catching cancer early may also prevent certain types of skin cancer cells from spreading to other parts of the body.
In the misdt of all this, diet plays an important role which has to be harnessed.
Foods to include
● Astaxanthin rich foods such as; salmon and shrimps.
● Catechin rich foods such as green tea.
● D-limonene rich foods such as, grapefruit, oranges, pineapples, and bell peppers.
● Monounsaturated fatty acid rich foods such as; almonds, avocado, and walnuts.
Lifestyle modification
● Avoid direct exposure of the skin to the sun.
● Wear sunscreens when visiting the beach or pool.
● Wearing of protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses for people who work directly under the sun and people with light coloured skin, hair and eye.
● Avoid excessive bleaching of the skin.
● Avoid cigarette smoking.
In conclusion, managing skin cancer can be very stressful and uncomfortable. A well-tailored diet and lifestyle can go a long way to prevent skin cancer. By following the recommendations above skin cancer will become the least of our worries.
The writer Dr. Bernice Asare Korkor is the CEO of Holistic Health Consult.
“Your diet your health, your health your wealth” Email holistichealthconsult.gmail.com