An eminent Professor of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Vincent Chima Okore, of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has called on Nigerians to beware of the harmful effect of excessive consumption of local foods and abuse of natural herbs which are commonly available in our environments.
Prof. Okore gave this warning while delivering a lecture titled: “Adventures in Miscellany Pharmaceutical, Physiological and Health Implications of Some Commonplace Practices” to mark 101st edition of the university’s inaugural lectures.
Enumerating the health implications of local foods consumption such as cassava starch, ogbono, bitter kola and other local herbs, Prof. Okore revealed that when combined with foreign drugs, they are not congenial to human’s health.
Citing an example with ogbono, the lecturer said that it has been discovered that in most parts of West Africa, the seed has become the favourite of the sub-region because it enhances the viscosity of the soup and also adds flavour and aroma which makes it serves dual purpose.
But he argued that despite all these norms, the truth must be told that “if the ogbono soup is stored under a cold condition, such as in a refrigerator, a layer of yellowish, waxy crust often congeals on the surface.” Regular intake of this waxy substance that consists of both wax and viscous polymer is dangerous to health, he seriously warned.
On cassava starch, the lecturer argued that, “if raw cassava starch can be used to eliminate drugs and chemicals from the stomach, too much intake of cooked cassava or cassava starch can do the opposite.” He explained that research has proved that cassava starch possesses bio-adhesive potentials that make it adhere firmly to its skin. “For as long the gel remains adhered to biological surface, the substance will be gradually released from the gel into the tissues.”
He told the audience not to be scared of the enlightenment coming from the lecture, as this same bio-adhesive cassava starch could be used in the treatment of skin infection. He is only trying to educate Nigerians on the abuse of it, he said.
The pharmacist cited some instances he had witnessed in Igbo land where experienced elders successfully used crude cassava starch to manage some degrees of food poisoning or overdosage of drug intake. He also noted that the over-consumption of bitter kola which he admitted is good for the therapeutic treatment of various diseases is also dangerous or harmful to the body.
Earlier in his opening remark, Prof Polycarp Chigbu, deputy vice-chancellor (Academic) who spoke on behalf of UNN vice-chancellor Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, emphasised the importance of the inaugural lecture, which he said, will play a significant role in the academic development of the university as well as expose Nigerians to future occurrences particularly in the health sector.
“This is why the University of Nigeria has, for long, been giving maximum prominence to the lectures,” he noted. He charged participants to utilise the knowledge gathered during the lecture in addressing personal health challenges.
Giving the vote of thanks, the public relations officer, Chief Okwu Omeku, noted that the lecture symbolised academic excellence of the Faculty of the Pharmaceutical Sciences of the university. He commended Prof. Okore for the kind of researched knowledge he disseminated to Nigerians.
The lecture attracted notable scholars within and outside the state, agents from federal and states hospitals, as well as the former vice-chancellor of the university, Prof Kelechi Udeala.
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