Federal Government has expressed worry that Nigeria has one of the highest problems of heart problems in Africa, owing to consumption of unhealthy fats.
Ekwi Ajide reports that speaking on the need to educate Nigerians on keeping fit at this week’s ministerial update on COVID-19 response and development in the health sector, the Director of Family Health, Dr. Salma Anas, regretted that those in the business of food selling use trans-fat, especially in bakery, confectionaries and several other snacks Nigerians consume daily.
She explained that the ministry is working closely with NAFDAC to ensure that Nigerians avoid all fats that are fortified and hydrogenated, which unfortunately can lead to death, urging Nigerians to be cognizant that trans-fat are very dangerous to health, as it causes a lot of problem with circulation, thereby leading to heart problems.
Dr. Anas, however noted that there are fats which are regarded as high density cholesterol or the good fats, warning Nigerians to be careful of what they eat, especially outside their homes, and avoid trans- fats like margarine, which she said Nigerians unfortunately enjoy a lot even if they reside abroad.
She further stressed that there are high incidences of lung cancer in the country; owing to smoking of Shisha, which she described as one of the imported cultures that are foreign to Nigeria, cautioning that shisha has permeated all nooks and crannies of the country, even though it is much more dangerous than tobacco.
She encouraged citizens to eat more quality food than quantity by consuming lots of fruits and vegetables.
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