Scientists claim crunchy snack is essential for boosting sperm quality

Men struggling to have children could boost their fertility by eating walnuts, a new study claims. Scientists say that eating a walnut-enriched diet may improve sperm quality.

Research found that the nut reduces lipid peroxidation, a process that can damage sperm cells. This form of cell damage harms sperm membranes, which are primarily made up of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Walnuts are the only tree nut that are predominantly comprised of these fatty acids – meaning they are uniquely powerful for replenishing sperm cells.

Just one ounce of walnuts contains 13 grams of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), out of 18 grams of total fat. The study, conducted at the University of Delaware, gave two groups of mice either a walnut-enriched diet or a control diet for nine to 11 weeks.
One group was made up of healthy male mice and the other was male mice that were genetically predetermined to be infertile. Researchers found significant improvements in sperm motility and morphology in mice who were consuming 20 percent of their daily calories from walnuts – equivalent to 2.5 ounces a day for humans.

Even the infertile mice saw an improvement in sperm morphology and both groups experienced a notable reduction in peroxidative damage. Sperm motility (movement) and morphology (form) are markers of semen quality, which is a predictor of male fertility.

“What’s fascinating is we found that eating walnuts can actually help improve sperm quality, likely by reducing peroxidative damage in sperm cells,” said lead researcher Dr. Patricia Martin-DeLeon of the University of Delaware.

“More research is needed to understand the specific nutrients in walnuts that may contribute to this improvement, but the findings suggest that walnuts may be beneficial for sperm health.”

The study piggybacks off a previous randomized control trial that showed eating 2.5 ounces of walnuts per day – about 30 walnuts halves – improved sperm vitality, motility and morphology in men. Over 100 healthy young men consumed their usual Western-style diet throughout the study and participated in monthly calls to share their dietary intake with the researchers.

This research established the potential role of walnuts in male fertility. “This animal research sheds light on how walnuts may improve sperm quality and is a great follow up to our human study that showed what effect walnuts may have,” said Dr Wendie Robbins, of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and School of Nursing, who led the first trial.

“Studies that look at the factors underlying sperm quality improvements are very valuable for advancing research on this important topic.” The researchers hope to conduct larger and longer-term studies, as well as studies in more diverse male populations, to confirm the mechanism that makes walnuts improve sperm quality.

A couple is said to be infertile if there is no pregnancy after one year of normal sexual activity without contraceptives. In approximately 40 percent of infertile couples, the male partner is either the sole cause or a contributing cause of infertility.

Source: The Guardian Newspaper

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: Living An Overcomers’ Life [15/03/2017]

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33. Read: 1 Jn 5:4-5

An overcomers’ life is a life of all-round rest. A life of freedom from every harassment of the devil. A life of Joy unspeakable full of His glory and honour. Overcomers’ life is possible to those who are bona-fide children of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ has overcome the world for us which makes us more than conquerors of this world. This means, Christ has handed over to us the victory of the world, therefore, we do not have to fight anymore.

According to our Bible reading, we can live triumphantly in this world if we’re born of God through Jesus Christ. Our faith in Christ Jesus also will help us to overcome the world at large. Another way the Bible suggest we can overcome the world is, if we allow Christ Jesus to dwell in us. 1 Jn 4:4. Both Bible days to this dispensation men have lived their lives as overcomers and in our time, men/women are still living an overcomers lifestyle. There are so many Promises or benefits of God concerning overcomers. Revelation 2:7, 11, 17; 3:5, 12, 27.

#BiblePromisesDeclaration

* I am not a failure in this world but an overcomer, not a victim but Victorious. I am empowered to live an overcomers life and to do exploits now. Amen

Written by the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspaper

As part of the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s consultations with stakeholders in the Niger Delta, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was in Akwa Ibom State and, in keeping with what this newspaper has consistently advocated for years, ordered all major oil companies to relocate their headquarters to the neglected region.

This is a good development, after such a long time of its desirability. It is, therefore, a policy directive that should be carried out with utmost vigour, sincerity and a sense of urgency. Peace in the Niger Delta is synonymous with peace and security in the country and an execution of this directive will be one major step towards an enabling environment for Nigeria’s greater prosperity.

Soon after the discovery of oil in Oloibiri in 1958, the Niger Delta became host to major oil prospecting firms. Through the years, whereas exploration and extraction were carried out in the interior of the region, the major oil firms maintained their headquarters in Lagos and Abuja.

The effect was that these multinationals became insensitive to the ecological and human disaster that exploration created for the oil-bearing communities. To make matters worse, even their middle level workers insultingly hopped in and out of the region indicating that management and middle level staff had no obligations whatsoever to the communities. It did not take long before the people of the region became restive. The many years of neglect had taken its toll and the people thought enough was enough. Given this insensitivity of the oil companies and the neglect of the people by the Nigerian state, the rise of militancy in the Niger Delta was inevitable. And it has been relentlessly violent.

In spite of many years of extracting billions of dollars worth of crude oil from the soil of the region, there is virtually nothing to show in return. The social and economic conditions of the Niger Delta are simply appalling. Apart from poor infrastructure, the region lacks basic necessities which the wealth that had been extracted from its earth could provide. There were instances where host communities lived in years of darkness while their ‘guests’ (the oil firms) provided twenty-four hours of electricity for themselves. Aquatic life was destroyed. Farmlands were often covered with huge oil spills, and clean-ups were half-heartedly embarked upon by these firms.

It is against this background that the symbolic importance of the administration’s order to the oil firms should be appreciated. By relocating to the region, they would not only be obliged to make contributions to the economies of the host states, they would be sending the right signals to the people that they are with them. It is on record that once oil majors moved out of Warri and its environs, the economic life of that once-boisterous town went downhill. Therefore, if the oil majors move their headquarters to Warri, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Calabar, Benin and Yenagoa, they would be more sensitive to the plight of the host communities. Leadership which feels the pain of the people is usually more responsive and progressive. The state governments would also have the opportunity of dealing directly with the companies on policy formulation and implementation.

Also, the multiplier effects of their relocation will be enormous. Apart from jobs that would naturally be at the disposal of people of the region, all ancillary services would be provided by small scale businesses in the host towns. This will create employment and help reduce tension. To be sure, the oil majors would be compelled to address the imbalance in employment quota which activists and stakeholders in the Niger Delta have always complained about.

Peace in the Niger Delta is crucial to the survival of the Nigerian state. The violent attacks on pipelines and oil installations have affected the finances of the country, owing to decreased output of oil. It is instructive that the Acting President’s visits calmed nerves and created a stable environment for discussions. It is only in a peaceful environment that issues surrounding resource control can be discussed and mutually agreed on. The Federal Government should, therefore, maintain its stand on the issue of bringing peace to the Niger Delta.
To give strong backing to the order, a time frame for relocation should be given and the oil majors must act in good faith and show corporate social responsibility to the host communities.

On their part, the host communities and state governments should welcome the oil firms with open arms. They should ensure that an atmosphere of peace is truly ensured to allay the fears of the returning firms and corporations. By reining in the youths and fostering positive engagement, normalcy would return to the relationship between and among all the parties involved in the process of nation building.

Topic: Prosperity By Divine Guidance [Wednesday March 15, 2017]

Who you follow determines what follows you.

Following the Shepherd is the guarantee for material supplies. Ps 23:1-6; 105:37

You cannot follow the Shepherd and end in lack and penury. Gen 26:1-14

His guidance commits His presence that provides His resources.

You cannot miss His supplies if you do not miss His ways.

Link with the source and flow with the resources.

God doesn’t lead to leanness but to fatness; not into dryness but into refreshing. Is 48:21, Deut 32:8-14

God’s guidance will always lead to man’s greatness.

God’s leading is the process for man’s making. Matt.4:19

So, link with the source and you will flow with the resources.

Topic: Authority Over the Devil [Wednesday March 15, 2017]

Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you. — Luke 10:19

One of the best ways to defend ourselves against the devil is to know the Word of God and speak it aloud against the lies he bombards our minds with. When the devil tells you God doesn’t love you and you will never amount to anything, go to war using the Word of God. Get out your two-edged sword and use it!

Talk back to the devil, loud and clear, saying, “I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ” (see 2 Corinthians 5:21); “God has a good plan for my life” (see Jeremiah 29:11); and “Nothing can separate me from the love of God” (see Romans 8:35–39). Trust God—know that you are more than a conqueror through Christ as you confidently declare the truth of His Word.

Power Thought: Through Christ I have authority over the devil.

Topic – David: A Rare Giver [Wednesday 15, March 2017]

Memorise: If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 4:11

Read: 1 Chronicles 22:14-16 (KJV)

14 Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.

15 Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.

16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.

Bible in One Year: Exodus 7-8, Isaiah 60:8-22

MESSAGE:

Some people make all kinds of vows, pledges and promises before they receive the blessings of God, but after they experience the blessings, they make no move to keep their promise, redeem their vow or honour the verbal commitment they made to God. If you are one of such people, repent now and make good your promises. If we take a close look at the patriarchs of old, we will find really determined people to learn from amongst them. Take for instance David. He was just a shepherd boy when the Almighty God picked him up and blessed him. What did he do with the blessings? He determined in his heart to build a temple for God, but God said to him, “Your hands are full of blood because you are a warrior. I cannot allow a soldier like you to build me a temple.”  Then he replied, “Lord, if you will not allow me to build you a temple, I will provide most of the money needed to do it, while you can set someone else to supervise the building.” In 1 Chronicles 22:14-16, we see David fulfilling his promise to God on this. His heart was there. Most of the gold, silver, bronze and other materials that Solomon needed to build the house of God were provided by David.

Moreover, if you look closely at the events in 2 Samuel 24:22-24, you will discover something about David attitude towards giving. As a matter of principle, he never gave God a causal offering. Any time he had the opportunity to give an offering to God, he gave substantially and did it sacrificially. He delighted in giving wholesomely to God. No wonder he was blessed beyond measure, financially and materially. If you add up what he single-handedly gave for the building of the temple of today’s terms, you can safely say he was a billionaire. He gave 3,400 metric tons of gold, 34,000 metric tons of slivers and so much bronze that it could not be weighed. What is your attitude towards giving? Do you wait to be pushed, compelled or begged before you give to God? What is the most valuable thing you have ever given to God? Are you still in the practice of giving to God only when you can afford to?

When you receive God’s exponential blessings, they will be more than what you can handle. They will go far beyond what you need. What then do you want to do with such blessings? Have you told God about it? Do you have a burden or a vision for the Kingdom of God that you will pursue?

Action Point: God is the greatest giver, and if you have His nature, you will give sacrificially like Him.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

By Chukwuma Muanya [The Guardian]

Low-carb, high-fat diet may provide cure for epilepsy, seizures

Eat onions, leeks and artichokes if you are stressed and struggling to sleep.

For scientists have discovered that the popular vegetables could help humans to relax – allowing them a better night’s sleep.

They are known to be high in prebiotics, dietary fibers that act as food for good stomach bacteria.

And a groundbreaking new study has found these help to boost gut health by aiding the growth of beneficial bugs.

They also release metabolic byproducts, which influence the brain into overcoming worry and fear, research shows.
Experts believe the findings strengthen the ever-growing link between gut bacteria and overall health.

A lot is already known about probiotics – live bacteria designed to improve gut health – but research on prebiotics is relatively scarce.

To test their effects, a team of United States (U.S.) scientists fed three-week-old male rats a diet of either standard chow or chow that included prebiotics.

The rodents are often used in scientific research due to their close genetic and behavioural resemblance to humans.

They then monitored the rodents’ body temperature, levels of stomach bacteria and sleeping cycles using a brain activity testing.

Those on the prebiotic diet spent more time in non-rapid-eye-movement sleep (NREM), the researchers from University of Colorado Boulder found.

This form is more restful and restorative is where the body gets the chance to repair itself. After being exposed to a stressor, the rats on the prebiotic diet also spent more time in rapid-eye-movement sleep (REM).

REM sleep is when dreams occur, and is believed to be critical for promoting recovery from stress.

Stress has previously been shown to reduce healthy diversity of gut bacteria and to lead to a temporary flattening of natural fluctuations in body temperature.

But rats on the prebiotic diet were buffered from these impacts, the scientists discovered. They maintained a healthy and diverse gut microbiota and normal temperature fluctuations even after stress exposure.

Writing in the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, the researchers said: “It is possible that a diet rich in prebiotics started in early life could help improve sleep, support the gut microbiota and promote optimal brain/psychological health.”

But the researchers said that it’s far too early to recommend prebiotic supplements as a sleeping aid.

Further studies are needed to confirm the effects that prebiotics can have in promoting a good night’s rest or buffering stress.

Also, a diet high in fruit and steak could cure a deadly form of epilepsy, scientists have found.

Super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) is the most severe classification of the brain condition, killing 60 per cent of sufferers.

But new research suggests that a ketogenic diet could be used in future as a life-saving treatment for patients.

High in fats and low in carbohydrates, the diet alters the activity of brain cells to prevent deadly fits, scientists claim. In general, after a patient has experienced 24 hours in a seizure and they will be placed in a coma if drugs aren’t working.

They are then awakened after another day to see if the seizures return. If so, they are then considered to have SRSE. The patient will then return to a coma and continue on other medications to try find a treatment method. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University recruited 15 patients between the ages of 18 and 82 who were hospitalized with SRSE.

The scientists gave them a ketogenic diet, consisting of four parts fat to one part carbohydrates and protein.

Each were fed through a feeding tube over 72 hours, with their calorific needs based on their weight. They were then weaned off of the drugs to see if their seizures had stopped.

If the fits did not return at this point, patients continued with the diet for several days until they could eat on their own.

At which time they were switched to a modified Atkins diet, which is high in fat and low in carbohydrates as well.

If a patient’s seizures continued, they were kept on the feeding tube and given additional drugs.

While super-refractory seizures stopped for 79 per cent of the patients on the ketogenic diet, the study published in Neurology found.

Two thirds of the patients experienced adverse effects of the diet, such as constipation, weight loss and high cholesterol, they found.

Further research is needed to support the idea that the ketogenic diet should be widely used in treating epilepsy, the researchers noted.

Study author Mackenzie Cervenka said: “We can only state that it appears to work in some patients to halt status epilepticus and reduces the frequency of their seizures.

“What we can say is that the ketogenic diet is promising for at least a subset of patients. Any safe means we have of getting patients off of anesthesia and out of a coma quickly will be welcome.”

Topic: Satan Has Been Destroyed [Wednesday, 15th March 2017]

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Hebrews 2:14

Satan, before Jesus Christ came to the earth, was the Lord over the earth. Scriptures call him the prince – ruler – of this world (John 16:11). He was ruling supreme. He had the power of death. His rule only brought death to the world, both spiritually and physically. Jesus said that Satan only came to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10). That was his area of specialization.

But now, not only has Jesus reclaimed the power of Satan which was given to Him by Adam, he has been destroyed and rendered incapacitated. Colossians 2:15 says, “and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” The word ‘spoiled’ in that scriptures is translated in Greek as ‘apekduomai’, which means to disarm and stripped off. Satan has been disarmed and all His power stripped off him.

But Jesus went further, and through his death, He destroyed Satan. Satan is a broken record. He has nothing on Him to hurt you. In the scheme of things, He is a nonentity: that is, he doesn’t matter or count. He might want to be deceitful and prove to be powerful. But pay him no attention, because he is powerless and can’t harm you. When he shows up, remind him that through death, Jesus Christ has destroyed him, and that all power in heaven and on earth is now in your possession because Jesus Christ lives in you, and I can assure you that he will take to his heels.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

Thank You Jesus for disarming Satan of his powers and incapacitating him. Thank You for empowering me to always put Satan to flight. He has been destroyed and he has no power over me. I live with this knowledge and enforce my dominion over him daily, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Topic: The Word and the Miracle [Wednesday March 15, 2017]

Scripture: Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, whatsoever he saith unto you, do it…And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. John 2:1-8

Thought For The Day: Wherever God is, His Word will be found and anywhere God’s Word is, His Presence is natural.

There is a connection between the Word and the miracles of God. The Word of God is the same as God. The Bible calls Jesus the Word of God (John 1:1-5). Wherever God is, His Word is found and anywhere God’s Word is, His Presence is natural.

The greatest wisdom employed by the celebrants of the wedding at Cana in Galilee was the invitation of Jesus to their marriage even when there was no problem. The most important achievement of anybody in life is the possession of God’s Word and His Presence. The best compliment that can be paid to anybody is that God is with him or her.  The availability of the Word of God is the guarantee for fulfilment in life. There is no challenge to fear when the Word of God is available.

The more you understand the Word, the more outstanding you will be in the world. Those who work the Bible understand the values and the virtues that are in the Word of God. The Word of God is the cure for insufficiency, failure, mockery, shame and reproach in the life of any child of God.

Remember this: Wherever God is, His Word will be found and anywhere God’s the Word is, His Presence is natural.

Assignment(S):

1. Ensure that you are consistent in the study of the Bible on a daily basis.

2. Ask God to show you revelative insights out of His Word.

Prayer: O LORD, I ask for the grace to be consistent in the study of Your Word. Open my eyes, Lord, to see revelations and insights from Your Word as I study Lord in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE WORD AND THE MIRACLE.

Quote: One light can handle your night. One revelation can handle your affliction. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: Numbers 22:21 to 23:30, Luke 1:57 to 80, Psalm 58:1 to 11, Proverbs 11:12 to 13.

Today In History: 15/03/1493 – Christopher Columbus returned to Spain after his first New World voyage.

Amazing Fact: An Ostrich egg can weigh up to 3 pounds — that is equivalent to about 24 chicken eggs.

Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), is a powerfully anointed church, headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Dr Paul and Dr Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities.

Topic: Between Heart And Tongue [Wednesday March 15, 2017]

Text: Proverbs 17:15-20

Key Verse: “He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief” (Proverbs 17:20).

There is a close connection between the heart and the tongue. While the condition of our heart is often hidden to our fellow men, it is the tongue that gives the true picture of what goes on there: “…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34).

The hearth is thus likened to a reservoir of evil or good, and the tongue being the bucket that brings out what is in it. It therefore means that the heart of all the problems of the tongue, is the problem of the heart. Our text reveals that someone with a froward heart cannot see good and one with a perverse tongue will always fall into mischief. One with a froward heart is unregenerate and habitually disposed to disobedience. He is crooked, distorted and opposed to authority or to the law. He is wilful and not easily controlled. Though man was created in God’s image, when he fell into sin of disobedience at the Garden of Eden, Satan took advantage to gain dominion over him.

Man’s heart came under the influence of sin and Satan. This depraved nature affected the tongue and made it perverse. True wisdom can be measured by the depth of a person’s character. It is the manner in which one’s tongue is often employed that reveals his disposition towards God, towards people and towards life in general. A careful, winsome speech and wise loving words are the result of a heart made new. Anyone who repents from sin and yields to God is cleansed from inside out. Issues that determine the course of life come from the heart and not from the head. Since this is the case, the heart must be well taken care of. God purges the heart and tongue of the redeemed. And as the believer diligently studies and meditates on the word of God with prayers, the heart is increasingly renewed and prepared for edifying, life-giving speech in every situation.

It is what the heart harbours in abundance that it releases through the tongue in times of tension, desperation or provocation. There is great gain in having a cleansed heart through faith in the atoning blood of Jesus which produces a blessed tongue. You can sincerely covet it today and pray for it.

Thought for the day: The tongue reveals one’s spiritual state.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Samuel 4-6

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.