A Health Expert with the International Health Consult (IHC), Mr. Caleb Anyankpele on Friday said constant exercise and diet control is key to preventing the likelihood of contracting chronic diseases.

Anyankpele said this during a health seminar on ‘Balance Diet and Chronic Disease Prevention,’ organised by the Management of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) for its staff in Abuja.

He said that deadly and incurable diseases, such as heart, kidney and chronic respiratory diseases, stroke, cancer and diabetes, were often caused by poor nutrition and unhealthy lifestyle.

He said that a healthy lifestyle included five per cent sugar consumption, 15 per cent of protein, 30 per cent fruits and vegetables, and 50 per cent of whole grains.

He said persons who imbibed such daily lifestyle had high chances of living a healthy and long life.

Anyankpele said persons who were not financially stable most often had a daily diet which included 50 per cent of fats and sugar, 30 per cent protein, 15 per cent fruits and vegetables and five per cent whole grain.

He said that such lifestyle often increased the chances of contracting chronic diseases.

“But the good news is that the World Health Organisation (WHO), Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and other global health authorities have identified that chronic diseases are preventable.

“This is through diet improvement, lifestyle change and also taking supplements as they contain minerals, vitamins, lipids and enzymes.

“Supplements also contain sterols that are gotten naturally from fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other natural sources. They help to prevent all these chronic diseases.”

He advised that Omega 3 Salmon Fish be consumed often as it kept the heart healthy, strong and prevented the chances of experiencing a heart attack.

According to the expert, Omega 3 salmon fish oil clears cholesterol from the arteries and veins, it lubricates the joints and eases joint pain, and it also improves metal alertness and memory improvement.

“The oil also enhances erection in men, relieves heart burn, chest pain and reduces excessive panting after exercise.”

Anyankpele said that consumption of whole grain such as wheat prevented the risks of diverticulitis, colon cancer, coronary disease and breast cancer, adding that it also fought fever and malaria.

He said that it cleared toxic substances and carcinogens in the intestine, stating that it boosts the immune system as it contained fibre, mineral and vitamins B1, B2, B6 and E.

He noted that many persons died daily from various forms of cancer which was mostly triggered by unhealthy diet and lifestyle.

He listed the major causes of cancer to include constant consumption of frozen and processed foods, cigarette smoking, alcohol and carbonated drinks.

He advised that persons who were ageing should reduce or stop excessive consumption of milk, sugar, salt, fatty foods, starchy foods and oil as the body could no longer process these foods as it did before.

The health expert also advised ageing persons to consume more supplements than drugs as constant drug intake had adverse effect on the body.

Mr. Victor Anunobi, a sales representative at Gaurapad International Limited, advised the emersion of the feet in warm water mixed with salt 30 minutes daily for a healthy life and young, glowing skin.

Anunobi, who is also a Physical Therapist, said that the salt and warm water therapy enhanced blood circulation, removed toxins in the body and promoted a stronger immune system.

NAN staff present at the seminar had their blood pressure, sugar level and weight checked by the medical experts. (NAN)