WHY CLAMOR FOR GOLDEN RICE???

Golden rice is rich in beta-carotene. It is also easily processed by your digestive system. In fact, the natural fatty lipids in golden rice aid in the absorption of beta-carotene, even when little or no oil is added to it. When oil is added to rice it helps your body absorb the carotenoids in it, but in the case of golden rice oil is not necessary to reap the benefits. Other benefits of golden rice include: increased energy (which comes from the starch located within the rice) and a low fat content. A diet deficient in vitamin A results in increased risk of life-threatening medical conditions and diseases . Golden Rice Benefits – Lowers Risk of Blindness, Infections, Cancers and Diseases Golden rice has the ability to lower your risk of blindness, infections, cancers and diseases. A vitamin A deficiency can increase your risk of vision impairments, age-related macular degeneration and blindness. It can also worsen infections (measles, HIV, AIDS, chicken pox, etc.), especially in children. Approximately 125 million children, worldwide, exhibit chronically low levels of vitamin A (Wright, Hinchliffe & Adams, 2005). The carotenoids found in golden rice can combat adult degenerative diseases. Other benefits of golden rice include: a lower risk of both a variety of heart diseases and prostate, breast and skin cancers. – Reduces Gastrointestinal Distress Another one of the benefits of golden rice is that it can reduce gastrointestinal distress. In fact, it is considered a beneficial food to eat following an episode of diarrhea, regardless of the cause. Golden rice behaves like a mild astringent in your gastrointestinal system, which supports easy digestion and restores your intestinal mucus following an episode of gastroenteritis and colitis. – Reduces High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol Golden rice is a low-fat and low-sodium food; therefore it is especially beneficial for lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol. High levels of sodium, a mineral, can lead to fluid accumulation, edema (fluid retention) and a spike in blood volume. The excess fluid can increase your risk of high blood pressure. In other words, the more sodium you consume, the higher your blood pressure may soar. Moreover, one of the most valuable benefits of golden rice is that it prevents fiber-related biliary acids from accumulating in your intestines. Biliary acids found in the liver and transported to your intestines, aid cholesterol production. Golden rice contains no fat (i.e. no cholesterol); therefore it has the ability to regulate your unhealthy blood cholesterol levels. http://www.foodpyramid.com/what-is-golden-rice/

GOLDEN RICE AND VITAMIN A.

Golden rice is a form of rice with biosynthesis of beta-carotene (a form of vitamin A). In other words, golden rice is produced through genetic engineering. Beta-carotene gives golden rice its “golden” or “yellow” coloring. White rice, on the other hand, does not contain carotenoids (i.e. beta carotene) and therefore lacks that “golden” coloring. When you consume golden rice, the beta-carotene either accumulates in your fatty tissues or is transformed into vitamin A. It is important to understand that golden rice is genetically modified rice (GMO). It is a fortified food that is produced to combat a vitamin A deficiency in areas where this vitamin is scarce. More and more people are being diagnosed with a vitamin A deficiency. In fact, young children are the most vulnerable to vitamin-related deficiencies. Approximately 1 million children die of a vitamin A deficiency each year. A vitamin A deficiency can severely affect a child’s eyesight; weaken his/her immune system function and increase his/her risk of chronic conditions. Moreover, in underdeveloped countries, approximately half-a-million people, mostly children, develop blindness, associated with a vitamin A deficiency. Approximately 50% of those diagnosed with this type of deficiency-related blindness die a year or two after becoming blind (Wright, Hinchliffe & Adams, 2005). To make matters worse, approximately 10 million children suffer from malnutrition every year. In severe cases, the malnutrition turns deadly (Wright, Hinchliffe & Adams, 2005). The production of new varieties of crop not only ensure food security,but also produce disease resistant strains and crops with medical advantages.The road to food security is mapped by biotech and integration of these techniques in plant and animal production.

GENETIC ENGINEERING AND FOOD SECURITY.

Pamela Ronald talks about her work as a plant geneticist, about her work “studying genes that make plants resistant to disease and tolerant of stress.

”Genetic improvement of plants isn’t new, she says. Ancient corn had a case so hard that it couldn’t be chewed; the ancient banana was full of large seeds; ancient brussels sprouts weren’t actually individual objects.

“To create these crops, breeders used many kinds of genetic techniques,” says Ronald. “Today breeders have even more the options choose from. Some of them are extraordinarily precise.

” She moves on to her own work on rice, “the staple food for more than half the world’s population.” Every year, 40% of the rice harvest is lost to pests and disease.


“Farmers rely on varieties that carry genes for resistance. Read more ;http://blog.ted.com/why-genetic-engineering-of-plants-is-vital-for-food-security-pamela-ronald-speaks-at-ted2015/

ELEPHANT DEATHS IN ZIMBABWE PARK.

Zimbabwe’s environment minister has blamed the poisoning of at least 71 elephants in recent months on disgruntled game rangers and local communities who do not benefit from wildlife revenues. “It was noted that a number of issues such as low staff morale, lack of community benefits and hunting quota anomalies are fueling poaching in Zimbabwe,” Oppah Muchinguri told a meeting of conservationists, government and security officials on Thursday. “We have all heard the devastating news of the cyanide poisoning that has claimed the lives of 71 elephants at Hwange national park in recent weeks,” she said. “We need to motivate our rangers so that they do not engage in poaching activities,” Muchinguri said, calling for improvements in their working conditions. Staff motivation, better wages and good working conditions are so essential in any enterprise; any venture where revenue is generated needs administrators with emotional intelligence to prevent sabotage of the business. The effects of poaching on wildlife is further revealed by this act, read more;http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/12/zimbabwe-blames-disgruntled-rangers-and-villagers-for-elephant-poisonings.

IMPROVING NUTRITION AND FOOD SECURITY.

A walk through the annual Kerala seedfest, in the sultry heat of India’s Western Ghats, is like a walk through a proverbial garden of Eden; okra the size of a hand; deep purple coloured runner beans; 26 varieties of chillies from one village alone. The size and colours of multiple bananas on offer here make a mockery of the fact that your average supermarket sells just one type. With women and men standing proudly alongside their produce, this celebration of seeds and biodiversity is the future of farming: it is abundant, resilient and most importantly, smallholder led. Read more; http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/nov/11/how-a-successful-collective-of-smallholder-farmers-in-india-is-showing-the-way?CMP=ema-1702&CMP=

SOCIAL PROTECTION , WOMEN AND FOOD SECURITY.

( Photo credit; internet). Social protection; simply refers to programmes,policies ,laws and regulation that are designed to reduce poverty and vulnerability by providing a way of escape by tackling these issues .Social protection seeks to support those that are at risk because of sickness,illness, disability ,exclusion and old age.Social protection is to provide help to those in need and prevent shock caused by these factors. The sector of the society basically affected are women and children; they are at risk of shock caused by lack,discrimination, disability,poverty e.t.c. Social protection is vital to food security as the women and children which are part of the work force are segregated/discriminated and holed up by laws that hamper productivity.The land laws are big issues in certain parts of Africa, where land rights are given to men; how will the women make a living without farmlands? how about education? how many girls are in school/or learning a skill that will be a source of income. Traditional beliefs such as female genital mutilation, this must be addressed; social protection must cover all unlawful acts and practices that prevent the provision of normal basic amenities and human rights .Equal land rights, employment opportunities,a means of livelihood,right to life,education,primary health care and a cell-group where there are interactions,discussion and training is the best form of social protection that will ensure economic growth, and food security.

VITAMIN C FOR DOGS.

Vitamin C is synthesized in liver of healthy dogs,but this ability is compromised in sick,debilitated and old dogs.Vitamin C is also depleted in cases of stress such as prolonged exercise,lactation, pregnancy, surgery and vaccinations. The level of stress a dog experiences can be measured by the level of depletion of vitamin c in the dogs blood.Dogs placed on supplements of vitamin C,show greater resistance to disease and exhibit better recovery from illness and injuries. Dogs with skin diseases usually have low levels of vitamin C. Vitamin C can be very low or absent in dogs with fever or have exercised beyond limits.Vitamin C improves the immune functions by enhancing the white blood cell function and activity.Vitamin C increases the blood level of interferon the body's natural antiviral and anti cancer compounds and antibodies,this is the reason its used to treat cancer.The effect of vitamin c on immune system is utilized in treating kennel cough,respiratory infections,abscess and bacterial infection. Vitamin C, maintains health of collagen, this is very important in reversing degenerative joint diseases,hip dysplasia,arthritis and spinal disorders.Young and old dogs benefit from vitamin C supplement; the young dogs exposed to various stressors and the old dogs with joint issues e.t.c. Vitamin C is very vital to dog's health and really comes in handy in practice, when presented with a weak, debilitated dog or lethargic dog , i always include a shot of vitamin C with my protocol and it always a success.When faced with cold/ cough i always give it alongside antibiotics and its also the only treatment for canine distemper. Vitamin C is very handy, add it to your medicine box.In poultry ,when birds are to be vaccinated; i dissolve some tablets in their drinking water 2 days before vaccination. When birds are dull/inactive with low feed consumption; just add vitamin C to their water for 3 days you will be amazed at the turn around. When you observe that birds are stressed, give cool water with vitamin C . Vitamin C ; a little does a lot of magic. #dogs #photoofdogs #petcare