A Consultant Reproductive Endocrinologist, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, has cautioned Nigerians against too much consumption of fruits, saying it causes diabetes and other health conditions.
Ashiru, also the Chief Executive Officer of a Lagos-based Detoxification Clinic, Mart-Life Detox Clinic, decried the poor eating habits of Nigerians.
He spoke as the guest lecturer at a Public Lecture organised by an NGO, The City Club, Lagos, on Thursday in Lagos.
The title of the lecture was: “Diabetes: Cause, Diagnosis and Management. “
According to him, excess fruits consumption is bad and a major contribution to why many people are diabetic.
“People are taking smoothies and mix a lot of water melon, pineapples, oranges and then, mix all like that in large quantities.
“They are not good for the pancreas, because they are too much.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended daily amount of fruit is like 200 grammes, which is just very small amount.
“Too much of it exhausts the function of the pancreas and that is what leads to diabetes, because the organ that produces the insulin cannot regenerate,“ Ashiru said.
The consultant reproductive endocrinologist advised people to “eat their foods slowly, chew them and have the habit of eating our local foods such as garri, beans, tiger nuts, coconut milk, among others”.
Ashiru said: “We can make healthy choices by eating our home grown foods; these foods are healthy and made for us.
“Ninety-five per cent of blacks are milk intolerant; we can take our own milk made from tiger nuts and coconut milk.“
Speaking, Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State called for massive enlightenment on the need for people to adopt healthy lifestyle to reduce the possibility of being predisposed to diseases.
Ambode was represented by his Special Adviser on Primary Healthcare, Dr Olufemi Onanuga.
According to him, today, humanity is faced with the challenges of diverse health issues which the medical world is still researching on to develop appropriate solutions.
“One interesting thing which cuts across these emerging and increasing health challenges is that most, if not all, are related to our lifestyles, especially in modern age.
“It is, therefore, very clear to everyone that beyond the issue of providing healthcare facilities with necessary equipment and drugs as well as qualified medical personnel.
“There is a need for massive enlightenment on the need to embrace healthy lifestyle to reduce the possibility of being predisposed to these diseases,“ he said.
The governor assured Lagosians of the state government’s commitment to sustain the implementation of both the preventive and curative measures through mass campaign.
According to him, through these health outreaches, people, especially in the rural communities are given the opportunity to know their health status through basic test and screening.
In his remarks, the Chairman, 2018 Public Lecture Committee, The City Club Lagos, Gbenro Oluwole, called on well-meaning Nigerians to give back to the society by educating people about their health.
According to Oluwole, educative programmes such as the lecture will go a long way to informing people.
“Our club decided to hold this lecture and push it out to members of the public to enlighten them about their health.
“Other organisations and well-meaning Nigerians should do more of programmes like this so that many people can get to learn about their health and chose to live healthy.
“`I also urge youths to emulate clubs like ours and contribute positively to the society, “Oluwole said.
