TCM Nigeria

Stress is more than just a feeling — it’s a biological response powered by hormones like cortisol. When life feels overwhelming, your body triggers a stress response that’s designed to protect you — but when that response stays “on” too long, it can take a toll. In our earlier article, When Life Becomes Too Heavy: How Chronic Stress Breaks the Body Before the Mind Notices , we explored how prolonged stress impacts physical and mental health. In this follow-up post, we’ll dive deeper into cortisol — what it is, why “anti-cortisol” foods matter, and why kiwi fruit deserves a spot on your plate for better stress resilience and wellbeing. 🧠 What Is Cortisol & Why Should You Care? Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone” because your adrenal glands release it in response to perceived threats. Its job is to regulate your fight-or-flight response, manage inflammation, and help balance energy. 🔍 In the short term, cortisol helps you stay alert and focused. ⚠️ Over the long term, con...

The death of Ifunanya Nwangene , a former The Voice Nigeria contestant, at just 26 years old has left Nigeria grieving—and arguing. Beyond the shock of losing a young, talented woman, her passing has reopened old fears, folk beliefs, and uncomfortable questions about emergency medical care in Nigeria. According to BBC Africa , Nwangene was bitten by a snake in her apartment in Abuja. A friend told the BBC that she was asleep when “the snake bite woke her up.” Videos later circulated on social media showing a snake being removed from the premises, as terrified voices screamed, “It’s a cobra.” What followed was a race against time—one that she tragically lost. But to truly honour her memory, we must separate facts from folklore , and medical reality from long-held myths that continue to cost lives. Snakes in Homes: Myth or Reality? There is a popular belief in Nigeria that stories of snakes living with humans—sometimes in the same room or toilet—are mere folklore. Unfortunately, this ...

Intermittent fasting has become one of the most talked-about health strategies in recent years—but not all fasting schedules are created equal. One of the most effective (and sustainable) approaches is ending meals by 6pm and eating your first meal at 12 noon the next day. This eating pattern creates an approximate 18-hour fasting window, and its benefits go beyond weight loss. When done correctly, it can support better sleep, improved hormonal balance, and more efficient fat burning. Let’s break down why this works. How Not Eating After 6pm Improves Sleep Sleep is not just about rest—it’s when your body repairs tissues, regulates hormones, and resets your metabolism. Late-night eating can interfere with this process more than most people realize.  1. Reduced Digestive Activity at Night When you eat late, your body stays in “digest mode” instead of transitioning into rest and repair. By stopping food intake at 6pm, digestion has time to settle before bedtime, allowing your nervous ...

High cholesterol is one of the most common silent risk factors for heart disease—but the good news is that your daily food choices can make a real difference. A heart-healthy diet rich in plant-based, nutrient-dense foods can help reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol while supporting overall cardiovascular health. Let’s take a closer look at five science-backed foods that deserve a regular spot on your plate: avocado, okra, green tea, garlic, and walnuts. 1. Avocado: Creamy, Satisfying, and Heart-Smart Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, the same heart-healthy fats found in olive oil. These fats help lower LDL cholesterol while maintaining or even increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Avocados are also packed with soluble fiber, which binds to cholesterol in the digestive system and helps remove it from the body. Just one avocado provides nearly 10 grams of fiber—about a third of your daily needs. How to enjoy it: Add sliced avocado to salads, blend it into smoothies, or use it as a nu...

In early 2026, the world watched closely as new cases of the deadly Nipah virus were identified in India—prompting heightened surveillance, cross-border screening, and renewed international attention to this high-fatality pathogen. While Africa has not yet experienced a major Nipah outbreak, the lessons emerging from Asia’s experience are highly relevant to the continent’s ongoing efforts to prepare for and respond to infectious disease threats. ( Reuters ) What Is Nipah Virus and Why It Matters Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus —originating in animals but capable of infecting humans—that can cause severe respiratory and neurological disease, including brain inflammation (encephalitis). It is primarily transmitted from fruit bats (natural hosts) to humans, often through contaminated food or close contact with infected animals or people. Human-to-human transmission has been documented in healthcare and household settings. ( World Health Organization ) The virus’s case fatality rate ran...

Emerging infectious diseases continue to challenge global health systems, but not all threats operate in the same way. Some spread rapidly with relatively low fatality rates, while others remain rare yet devastating when they occur.   Nipah virus (NiV)   belongs to the latter category. When juxtaposed with   Ebola virus disease (EVD)   and   COVID-19 , Nipah reveals why public-health risk is not defined by mortality alone, but by a complex interaction of transmissibility, severity, preparedness, and prevention. Understanding Nipah Virus Nipah virus is a  zoonotic pathogen  first identified during an outbreak in Malaysia in 1998–1999. It is naturally hosted by  fruit bats (Pteropus species)  and can spill over to humans either directly or through intermediate animals such as pigs. Human-to-human transmission has been documented, particularly in healthcare and caregiving settings. Clinically, Nipah infection often begins with  non-specific...