Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, National President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), has said people from age 40 and above are more prone to various health conditions.
Ohuabunwa, who stated this recently in an interview with BusinessDay in Ilorin, Kwara State, urges those within the age bracket to evaluate their wellbeing, saying that to maintain good health at age forty and above, people must embrace good nutrition and desist from consuming sugary food as it is harmful to their body.
According to him, for each person that has reached age forty and above, he or she should ascertain what his or her body is used to.
Adding that “if one’s body is used to certain things and have carried it that long and not causing any health issue, one is not expected to go back on it, because changing one’s lifestyle of eating will cause problem.”
Ohuabunwa, however, advised individuals irrespective of age to eat well, take good amount of fruits and vegetables, sleep well, drink more water, eat more protein, as well as supplements.
He says: “Three major things to maintain good health at age forty and above, are; eat decently the right quantity of food and at the right time.
“Eat well, don’t eat too much of any food; nothing God did is bad, when you have over loaded your system with one; it will affect your health.
“Therefore, eat little meat, fish, yam, amala, coconut, little of any food as long as it is in little quantities; does not harm you,” said Ohuabunwa.
He identifies exercise as the second mode of preventing ailments after age forty, explaining that people need to constantly exercise to keep their bodies active.
He says: “Five minutes exercise is better than none. Walk around, do press up, go to gym, and avoid been sedentary.
“If the heart is not pumping efficiently, everything will slow down and be alright, any day the heart is having challenge; then you are in trouble. But if you are used to running, walking from one place to another; you’re keeping your heart ready for action.”
The last one according to him is to have peace of mind. He says when people have difficulties; they loose their well-being, become hypersensition and that destroys their blood cells, system and affects their immunity.
“But when you have peace of mind; you will be stable, nothing bothers you and that helps your health. Many people become hypertension because they are thinking and worrying.
“Age forty is a good time to take a deep breath, although; you have a lot of other things out there, do a little introspection and say, ‘OK, there is something I need to do to make sure I stay healthy. Instead of worrying, learn to pray and put everything in hands of God then, your health will be good, “he explains.
Speaking on depression, Ohuabunwa revealed that “mental health management in Nigeria is too poor, and something must be done as a matter of urgency.
He charges government to be proactive and more responsive, saying when people get access to free health care service and gainfully employed; the level of depression and other mental illnesses would be reduced and economy will get better.
SIKIRAT SHEHU
