Westernization major cause of lifestyle diseases

As Grover Medical’s Lifestyle Clinic commence full operation in Lagos
Experts have attributed the prevalence of lifestyle diseases to the western way of life adopted by most Nigerians.

They noted that Nigerians have allowed themselves to be influenced by westernization, which have made them prone to a host of diseases, physical ailments and emotional problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular problems, cancer, kidney and liver failure among other lifestyle diseases.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Grover Medical’s Lifestyle Clinic in collaboration with Artemis Hospital in Lagos, the Head of Department, Endocrinology and Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Dr. Olufemi Fasanmade said, Nigerians are now accustomed to the modern lifestyle, which, rather than reduce the risk of diseases, have created more harm with the advancement of technology and innovations.

In his presentation titled: “Emerging Trend of Lifestyle Diseases – A Health talk on Lifestyle Disease”, Olufemi said Nigerians must be conscious of sugar, salt and spices in the food they consume, as well as excessive consumption of alcoholic and soft drinks, adding that other contributors of the disease include prolong sitting due to nature of jobs, over weight, stress, poor sleep, sedentary lifestyle among others noting that one in three adults have diabetes, while one in 10 adults have hypertension.

He said the best way to reduce the menace of the disease is by increased awareness, early prevention, intervention and detection as well as regular check ups as most people are unaware they have the disease, adding that, with the opening of the lifestyle clinic, the diseases would be reduced to the barest minimum in Nigeria.

Corroborating Olufemi, a Lifestyle Consultant and Head of Operations, Grover Medical Lifestyle clinic, Sunday Clement said, most of the technologies invented, especially the smart phones radiations are harmful to the body, warning that acidic and alkaline food should be avoided as well as genetically processed food.

“Tin tomatoes contain phosphoric acid and are preserved with Biphenyl/Bisphenol used for embalming dead bodies. These foods are now imported into Nigeria and sold in the biggest shopping malls. Nigerians are only after the expiry date rather than checking the chemicals used for producing and preserving the food,” he added.

The Chairman, Grover Medical Lifestyle Clinic said, with the increase in the deaths of lifestyle diseases, there was need to help Nigerians live healthy through regular preventive medical screening and healthy lifestyle, as the clinic offers packages that are fully dedicated to provide complete health assessment.

Also Speaking, the Medical Director, Artemis Hospitals, Dr. (Brig) Anil Khetarpal said the collaboration would enable Nigerians access quality healthcare service delivery through its world class medical services, with a drive to cure these diseases.