Sesame seed and osteoarthritis

How To Use Sesame Seeds For Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis is a distinctive type of degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease that affects the knee and leads to many different symptoms like swelling,pain, disfigured cartilage, limited motion and atypical bone growth. It is very common among Nigerian elderly population and in young people with trauma induced arthritis

Knee Osteoarthritis and Sesame Seeds

Sesame is a plant that has been grown by people for thousands of years. There are records about sesame written by the Ancient Egyptians in which they mention sesame as an efficient natural remedy. People have used sesame to produce nutritious and tasty oils for more than 5 millennia.

There are many different varieties of sesame and that’s why you can find this plant in different colors like red, black, white and yellow. In Nigeria, we have the creamy white one. It is used as substitute for egusi in our soups and in northern Nigeria, it is used as a snack; sesame candy called 'RIDI'

A group of researchers from the Iranian Tabriz University has focused on studying the effects of sesame on the symptoms and signs of knee osteoarthritis. As previously mentioned some of the symptoms include atypical bone growth, limited motion, swelling and pain.There were 50 participants suffering from knee osteoarthritis that were part of this study. They were separated into two groups. 25 of them were part of the so-called sesame group and they had practiced a standard drug therapy along with consumption of 40 grams of sesame per day.

The other group was practicing only the standard therapy which included intake of 500 milligrams of glucosamine on a daily basis (glucosamine is a well-known natural remedy used in cases of arthritis) along with 500 milligrams of Tylenol which was taken twice a day.

The results

This study lasted for about 60 days and after it was finished these two groups were tested for their pain sensitivity. Arthritis sufferers that have taken sesame had notably less pain when they were compared with the other group.

It is worth mentioning that all participants took the so-called Timed Up and Go test (a test designed to find out more about the individual’s mobility focused on their dynamic and static balance), but it turned out that all patients showed more or less the same results.

The Conclusion

These interesting results became available to the public in October 2013 when they were published in the reputable The International Journal of Rheumatic Disease. The truth is that this was a small study, but the results will surely encourage other scientists to make more tests which will include sesame. It is obvious that sesame seeds can improve the effects of traditional therapy for knee osteoarthritis.

It is also good to emphasize the fact that although sesame seeds did a great job when it comes to pain produced by knee osteoarthritis, the study didn’t show whether this plant can completely replace the standard therapy or not. The results that were published are certainly positive because patients can improve their health condition.

dr dileem says sesame goes far beyond 'open sesame in Ali baba and the forty thieves story'

Dr Dileem
The Likita Bokanturai
Kano Nigeria

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Turmeric and depression

There are a growing number of people who are becoming aware of the fact that pharmaceutical drugs often come with serious side effects. Even a greater number of people know that herbs, seeds and other natural foods and substances can replace these drugs by providing the same (if not better) effects, but without the side effects of antidepressants.

These claims and beliefs were confirmed by many scientific studies. A study conducted not while ago and published in the reputablePhytotherapy Research suggests that turmeric is very efficient when it comes to treating depression. As matter of fact, this plant and spice was more efficient compared to many popular antidepressant drugs used today.

What makes Turmeric a better Depression Treatment than Prozac?

Of course, there were few other studies in the past that have suggested the benefits of using turmeric (curcumin) in cases of serious depression, but this recent study was the first controlled and randomized clinical trial.

The scientists from the Government Medical College, the Department of Pharmacology, in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India have decided to compare directly the effects of turmeric and Prozac, or fluoxetine which is one of the most used drugs to treat depression. They were used separately and together in about 60 patients who were suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD).

GreenMedInfo.com says that the scientists have relied on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale in order to measure the final results.

They have found out that curcumin was accepted well by all the patients. By using the HAM-D17 scale, they have found out that the proportion of responders was slightly higher in patients who have used the two ingredients together (about 78%) compared to those who have used Prozac (fluoxetine)(65%) and curcumin (63%).

This is the first study that comes with clinical evidence that curcumin can be used as a completely safe and efficient alternative for depression treatment in patients diagnosed with MDD without psychotic disorders.

If we take a close look at the conclusion from this research, we can notice that one turmeric depression treatment is equally efficient as Prozac, but without the side effects which are usually related to Prozac, which makes it a better option. When we talk about mental health, Prozac has proven to trigger suicidal and other similar psychotic disorders in many patients, effects that are completely absent in turmeric use.

Besides the use in depression therapy, this interesting yellow root is part of many dishes because it brings a specific taste and many health benefits. Numerous studies have confirmed that turmeric is not only helpful in depression treatment, but also in cases of diabetes, inflammatory problems and cancer. In case this is not enough for you, turmeric can also support weight loss and reduce chances of developing heart disease. We don’t have to mention how tasty it is.

When it comes to dealing with depression, antidepressant drugs are bringing a significant amount of profit for the Big Pharma industry. So, instead of increasing this profit, people should definitely try a natural solution like turmeric.

dr dileem says turmeric is much more than a spice,its a power spice!!!

Dr Dileem
The Likita Bokanturai
Kano Nigeria

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Harmattan and our Hands

So the harmattan wind has begun blowing and its essential we care for our skin especially our hands. Due to the dryness that harmattan brings, the hands become dry and hard like 'sandpaper' and it is so easy to get the hands injured during this period. This applies to males and females alike.

We all too often neglect our hands, leaving them defenceless to the environment and in poor condition. Develop the habit of moisturising the hands after washing them so that they would not dry out

The hands being one of the first places to show any signs of ageing,  can easily give the game away if you neglect them. Using a moisturising hand cream is the best way to repair and restore damaged hands, ensuring that they not only look younger but feel softer too.

Along with everyday tasks; exposure to water, chemicals and severe temperatures are the main cause of damage to the hands. Hands can become dry, cracked and painful, irrespective of sex.
Develop the habit of using hand gloves where necessary: in the kitchen,at work,etc

Whether you want to fade age spots, tighten loose skin or soothe excessive dryness, there is a hand cream for you. Make sure you look out for ingredients like Vitamin E, Shea Butter, essential oils and Glycerin which will add much needed moisture to your skin.  

Simply adding hand moisturising to your daily routine can completely change the condition of your hands, so the sooner you start using a hand cream, the sooner you will see results.

Dr Dileem says our hands are very important! Care for them specially especially this harmattan season!!!

Dr Dileem

The Likita Bokanturai

Kano Nigeria

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Nigerian Cashew Nuts and depression

Cashew nuts are one of the healthiest foods in the world. Unfortunately, not many of you know the numerous benefits they offer, and only a very small percentage of the natural medicines comprehensive database is dedicated to them.

Countries like my great Nigeria, Tanzania, Mozambique and Brazil are the biggest producers of cashew nuts, mostly due to the fact that they need hot and humid climate in order to grow.

Health benefits of cashew nuts:

Cashew nuts are rich in vitamins, soluble dietary fibre, minerals and many phytochemicals that prevent diseases, including cancers. Cashews are also rich in calories, about 50f of cashew contains 275 calories. Cashew nuts provide numerous essential vitamins, including pantothenic acid or vitamin B5, pyridoxine or vitamin B6, thiamine or vitamin B11 and riboflavin.These vitamins are crucial for metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrates at a cellular level. On the other hand, niacin improves the protection against pellagra or dermatitis.

Furthermore, B6 is extremely beneficial for our health for it significantly lowers the chances of developing sideroblastic anaemia and homocystinuria. 100g of cashew nuts provide about 30% of daily recommended levels of B6 (that’s about 0.147 mg).

Moreover, cashews are also rich in essential minerals. Some of the most useful minerals found in cashew nuts are potassium, manganese, copper, selenium, magnesium, zinc and iron. Only a handful of these nuts on a daily basis can provide the necessary amount of these extremely needed minerals and protect you from deficiency related diseases.

For instance, copper acts as a co-factor for many important enzymes, like superoxide dismutase and cytochrome c- oxidase. Zinc, on the other hand, plays the same role together with enzymes that are responsible for the regulation of the growth and progress of digestion, gonadal function and DNA synthesis. Selenium is a very important micro nutrient and it works as a co-factor for antioxidant enzymes like Glutathione peroxide known as one of the strongest antioxidants in human body.

Monounsaturated fatty acids which are in high quantities in cashew nuts are extremely good for the heart's health, as palmitoleic and oleic acids. They belong to the group of essential fatty acids that can increase the level of good HDL cholesterol and decrease the level of harmful LDL cholesterol in our blood. In addition, as shown by many scientific studies, the so-called Mediterranean diet which is mostly based on monounsaturated fatty acids supports the blood lipid profile, and protect our system from strokes and coronary artery diseases. Furthermore, cashews also contain a small quantity of one very important pigment of flavonoid antioxidants, called zeaxanthin, which is selectively absorbed inside the retinal macula in our eyes. This pigment provides protective and antioxidant UV ray filtering features, and it also protects from ARMD or age-related macular degeneration in old people

Apart from all the benefits that these nuts offer, Cashew Nuts are considered to be beneficial in those who are on treatment for depression.
Cashew nuts are an excellent source of tryptophan, which is a vital amino acid that we need to take through our food. This miraculous item regulates our mood, improves sleep, helps children grow and develop, balances our behaviour and significantly lowers the level of stress, anxiety and depression.
NB. Avoid if you have but allergies.
If you are like me who has migraine headaches(cashews and groundnuts can worsen them) then consume in small amounts.

Dr Dileem says plenty good lies in our Cashew nuts!!! Indulge yourself!!

Dr Dileem

The Likita Bokanturai

Kano Nigeria

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Nigerian Nchanwu/efirin flu prevention remedy

If you think you are coming down with any kind of cold/flu – I recommend dosing yourself with this remedy 3xday for 3-4 days especially now that harmattan is around the corner in Kano.

2 tbsp pure honey
2 tbsp chopped fresh nchanwu/efirin leaves
1/4 tspn ground turmeric
1 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon/lime
1 tspn of fresh ginger (ground)
250ml boiling hot water
Add all ingredients to the hot water.
Allow to steep for  few minutes and there you are.
Sieve and sip away!!

Dr Dileem says it works absolutely and saves you a lot of money!!?

Dr Dileem

The Likita Bokanturai

Kano Nigeria

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Nigerian Egusi/Melons seeds and our body

NIGERIAN EGUSI/MELON SEEDS CAN HELP KILL CANCER CELLS,FIGHT DIABETES AND IMPROVE EYESIGHT

These seeds are one of nature’s perfect foods.

Benefits:
Egusi Seedsare loaded with Magnesium.  Being one of the most vital minerals, it is responsible for over 300 different biochemical reactions which are essential for your body to function properly. 1/2 cup of egusi seeds contains 92% of your daily value of magnesium. Egusi seees naturally boost testosterone. Egusi seeds do wonders for male sexual health. The nutrients contained in egusi seeds such as  vitamins B, C, D, E, and K  play a very important role in libido. Additionally, egusi seeds are loaded with zinc which is the power behind high testosterone levels. Egusi seeds Improve Mood and Diminish Hot Flashes. Egusi seeds can also help improve your mood as they contain tryptophan which is needed to produce serotonin in the brain. Egusi seeds can also help with hot flashes due to the magnesium, which helps to balance your body temperature.Egusi Seeds Can Fight Cancer. Pumpkin seeds contain compounds known as cucurbitacins. A new study found that these compounds are known to fight cancer and kill different types of cancer cells.Egusi Seeds can help you with Insomnia.  Tryptophan, contained in egusi seeds,  is an amino acid that aids in the production of melatonin and serotonin, which is responsible for our sleep/wake cycle.  Thus, eating egusi seeds will help you fall asleep easier.

Dr Dileem says our Egusi is much more beneficial that we ever thought!

Dr Dileem

The Likita Bokanturai

Kano Nigeria

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A Computer Test You Must Avoid

Are you familiar with these machines being paraded all over naija?? Its the new trend o!
I had written about this earlier of facebook. You can read my article here about these machines being paraded all over Nigeria that can diagnose everything. I had to undergo the procedure myself, though it was free and my diagnosis was testicular cancer..that was funny since i am female and have no testes!!!!!
Please listen, quacks are everywhere even in hospitals.
My brother was siphoned of 25,000 naira after he consulted some 'doctor'  who used a computer to diagnose him of multiple conditions. He so believed in this quack that after he spent this amount of money was when he consulted me.
My uncle went to a general hospital and there was no doctor on duty. He was referred to a quack by a nurse who told him the quack diagnosed people with a machine. He had paid 60,000 after he was diagnosed of prostate cancer at age 40. Of course that was when i heard. If they had only dashed me the money!!!Phew!
These people are everywhere lurking around to unsuspecting people.
Never fall for such quackery!!!

dr dileem says  dear Nigerians,it is full blown quackery!!! I wish i could say report the to the nearest....lol

Dr Dileem
The Likita Bokanturai
Kano Nigeria

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