The Lagos State Chapter of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) has enjoined Nigerians to always include fruits and vegetables in their diets to boost their immune system to fight Ebola Virus.
The Chairperson of the society, Dr Abimbola Ajayi, gave the advice during the commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week and inauguration of the Lagos State chapter on Friday.
Ajayi noted that the virus seeks to destroy the immune system which provides defence to the human body.
According to her, “Since there is no known cure presently for the disease, the goal of nutrition care therefore, is to protect and boost the immunity among other care provided for affected persons.
“People must ensure that they take foods that are high antioxidants, majorly foods rich in vitamins and minerals in their daily meals.
“Take yellow fruits, red fruits and vegetables to boost immunity and fight Ebola Virus in the country,’’ she said.
The chairperson also decried the low breastfeeding practices and the use of inappropriate complementary foods, stressing that the breastfeeding rate in Nigeria is 17 per cent and it is unacceptable.
Her words, “The low breastfeeding rate in our country has contributed to the high rate of malnourished, under-weight, stunted and wasted children as well as high rate of under-five mortality.
“Exclusive breastfeeding reduces 13 per cent of all under-five deaths, thereby helping us to achieve Millennium Development Goal one and four.
“Researches have also proven that exclusive breastfeeding increases the chances of a child`s survival, physical and brain development,’’ she said.
In a message delivered at the event, the National President of the Society, Prof. Ngozi Nnam informed that exclusive breastfeeding would make a child grow into a healthy adult.
Nnam, who was represented by the Chairman, Scientific and Technical Committee of NSN, Dr Bartholomew Brai called for collective efforts to encourage and promote exclusive breast feeding in the country.
“We need the support of governments, relations, families and the community to promote exclusivebreast feeding to achieve high breastfeeding rate.
“Breast milk is the ideal food for newborns and infants and we need to raise awareness on the importance of right nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life,” the president said.
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