Features
The immense benefits of fruits and vegetables in our diets
Last weekend, I bought a quantity of cabbage and apples to the house. Unfortunately, all of the fruits and vegetables were eaten by my siblings without leaving some for me to eat.
The fact is that though I was not pleased with what they did, I had no choice but to buy another one because I love nutritious fruits and vegetables.
Fruits and vegetables are widely recommended for their health-promoting properties and that’s why I cannot do without them. I think about them when planning my day. They’re part of my life. They’re a necessity.
Low intake of fruits and vegetables is among the top 10 factors for mortality in the world according to research. In sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, where there’s nutrient insufficiency from animal and dairy sources, fruits and vegetables consumption is proposed as alternative source of micronutrients including essential vitamins such as Vitamin A, B and C, key minerals like iron and fibre.
Low consumption of fruits and vegetables accounts for increased chronic diseases such as heart diseases and strokes. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that 2.6 million deaths could be averted by adequate fruits and vegetables consumption.
Fruits and vegetables have historically held a place in dietary guidance because of their concentration of vitamins, minerals and fibre. When you visit our hospitals and health centres, most of the diseases that are prevalent can be attributed to low intake of fruits and vegetables.
Many people are dying due to high blood pressure, heart diseases, stroke, cancer among others. This is said to be mainly due to the high intake of fatty and junk foods.
Fast food joints have become numerous in our communities, which have made many people lose interest in homemade nutritious foods. Of late, most people especially the youth prefer manufactured foods to homemade foods and this is the cause of the high rate of diseases. It is, therefore, imperative for us to include fruits and vegetables in our everyday diet.
Fruits such as apples, pears, citrus, bananas, mangoes, berries, melons and avocados should be part of our daily diet.
Vegetables also come in many forms and these include leafy green ones such as lettuce, cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumber and many others. Others are onions, shallot, pumpkin, potato, sweet potato and yam. Legumes such as beans, peas are also good examples of vegetables.
They are naturally good and contain vitamins and minerals that can help to keep us healthy. These include vitamin A, C and E, magnesium, zinc, phosphorous and folic acid. For example, folic acid reduces blood levels of homocysteine, a substance that may be a risk factor for coronary heart diseases. Their high mineral content reduces risk of hypertension, heart attack and stroke. Their high vitamin content protects several micronutrient deficiencies.
Fruits and vegetables are essential for our health because they are low in fat, salt and sugar. They are good sources of fibre that helps one reduce obesity and maintain a healthy weight. Their high fibre content lowers caloric intake and weight, manages and reduces risk of diabetes, constipation and colon cancer. They help to also normalise one’s cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Since vegetables and fruits contain phytochemicals (plant chemicals), they offer innumerable protective benefits to life. These biologically active substances can help to protect the body from some diseases such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart diseases, cancer and high blood pressure (hypertension).
Undoubtedly, different fruits and vegetables contain different nutrients. The Australian dietary guidelines recommend that adults eat at least five kinds of vegetables and two kinds of fruits each day.
Children have a smaller stomach capacity and higher energy needs than adults. They cannot eat the same serving sizes as adults. However, we should encourage children to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. This will help them get the energy they need to play, concentrate better, learn, sleep better and build stronger teeth and bones.
The safety in the consumption of raw fruits and vegetables in Ghana also depends on how clean they are from farm to plate. As a result, I would like to encourage individuals to grow their own vegetables and fruits at home using container-gardens where land is not available.
In the same vein, fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed before consumption. The WHO recommended per capita intake of 400g per capita per day is equivalent to five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. For adequate intake, in any state of health, guidance must be sought from a registered dietician.
Continuous efforts to monitor, identify, encourage and promote the multiple importance linked to adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables will go a long way to address the numerous health problems and improve the health of the nation.
Let’s cultivate the habit of including fruits and vegetables in our diets and eschew the high intake of meat and fatty foods. This attitude will ensure that a healthy lifestyle is promoted so as to contribute our quota to the socio-economic development of the country.
By Doris Abaka Williams
In a country like ours in which we are aware of our challenges, all that is required is focusing on strengthening our institutional processes by making them more robust and transparent. In this regard, investment in digitilisation must be prioritised since the human element to cut corners is inherent in the psyche of some people and therefore cannot be trusted to do the right things out of their own volition.
Enforcement of existing laws and regulations must be reviewed to see what is working, which ones have to be tweaked to be able to address current challenges, and those that have become obsolete and must be discarded.
One issue that needs to be given priority attention is remuneration. A former President is alleged to declare that we pretend to pay workers and they also pretend to work. This indeed sums up the quandary facing government after government. Workers’ salaries are crucial in the fight against corruption. A realistic living wage must be given to workers; otherwise, they will seek avenues to address their personal budget deficit.
On day one, what should engage the attention of government is Energy, making it available and affordable. The industrialisation agenda cannot be successfully executed without power that is readily available, reliable, and affordable. Solar energy must be factored in the quest for affordable and reliable power for industry.
The fuel sector issues must be urgently addressed so that it can impact positively on the transportation sector, which plays a key role in the supply of goods and services. The railway infrastructure plan linking places like Boankra Inland Port to prolong the lifespan of our roads and to fast track distribution of goods from the Capital City to the inland areas of the country should be a top priority item.
A well-structured system linking industry to academia must be quickly established to serve as a catalyst towards the industrialisation drive. Research findings from the universities must be channelled to captains of industry in a timely manner. Effective channels of communication should be established to facilitate shorter product-to-market times.
An effective mechanism for fishing out needy but talented children must be established, as well as a sponsorship package for talented individuals who are needed for certain critical areas of the economy — what I term critical investment in education.
Certain changes must be made in the constitution, particularly the appointment of the heads of certain constitutional bodies or institutions. This is to ensure that the Executive arm of government does not wield too much power to ensure accountability and checks and balances really work.
The Attorney General’s Office must be detached from the Executive arm of government. The Nolle Prosequi provision must also be amended to compel the Attorney General to give an explanation of why he or she is declining to prosecute a particular case or discontinue it. The provision that protects sitting Presidents from prosecution must also be reviewed.
The punishment for some of our laws needs a review. We must review the removal of CJ provision to ensure the independence of the Judiciary.
Above all, there must be a mindset of change, i.e., a paradigm shift from inability to capability. Inferiority complex must give way to a pacesetters mentality, and all will be well. God bless.
NB: KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
BY LAUD KISSI-MENSAH
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Features
The impact of emotional surgery and emotional elysium on neurological and neurosurgical procedures
Abstract
THIS comprehensive review aims to explore the impact of emotional surgery and emotional elysium on neurological and neurosurgical procedures. We examine the scientific literature on these approaches, including their definitions, theoretical frameworks, and applications. Our analysis highlights the potential benefits and risks of these approaches and discusses their implications for practice.
Introduction
Neurological and neurosurgical procedures are complex and delicate, requiring precision and accuracy to achieve optimal outcomes. Emotional surgery and emotional elysium are two innovative approaches that have the potential to enhance the success of these procedures. Emotional surgery involves the use of art and other creative techniques to promote relaxation and reduce stress, while emotional elysium focuses on cultivating positive emotions and promoting emotional well-being.
The Role of Emotional Surgery in Neurological and Neurosurgical Procedures
Emotional surgery has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety and stress in patients undergoing neurological and neurosurgical procedures. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress, emotional surgery can help patients prepare for procedures, leading to improved outcomes and faster recovery times.
The Role of Emotional Elysium in Neurological and Neurosurgical Procedures
Emotional elysium has been shown to be effective in promoting emotional balance and resilience in patients undergoing neurological and neurosurgical procedures. By cultivating positive emotions and promoting emotional well-being, emotional elysium can help patients cope with the stress and trauma associated with these procedures, leading to improved outcomes and enhanced quality of life.
Benefits of Emotional Surgery and Emotional Elysium
The benefits of emotional surgery and emotional elysium in neurological and neurosurgical procedures are numerous. These approaches can:
- Reduce anxiety and stress: Emotional surgery and emotional elysium can help patients manage anxiety and stress, leading to improved outcomes and faster recovery times.
- Improve emotional regulation: Emotional surgery and emotional elysium can help patients regulate their emotions, leading to improved mental health and well-being.
- Enhance patient experience: Emotional surgery and emotional elysium can improve the patient experience, leading to increased satisfaction and improved outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, emotional surgery and emotional elysium are two innovative approaches that have the potential to enhance the success of neurological and neurosurgical procedures. By reducing anxiety and stress, promoting emotional balance and resilience, and improving patient experience, these approaches can lead to improved outcomes and enhanced quality of life for patients undergoing these procedures.
Recommendations
- Further research is needed: More research is needed to fully understand the benefits and risks of emotional surgery and emotional elysium in neurological and neurosurgical procedures.
- Integration into practice: Emotional surgery and emotional elysium should be considered for integration into practice, as they may offer a valuable tool in the treatment of a range of neurological and neurosurgical conditions.
By exploring innovative approaches like emotional surgery and emotional elysium, we can improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of life for individuals undergoing neurological and neurosurgical procedures.
BY ROBERT EKOW GRIMMOND-THOMPSON
