By Ikenna Nwokedi and Jennifer Isidienu
The Director of Academic Planning Unit of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Angela Nwogor Ufele-Obiesie on Thursday, 4th July 2024 delivered the 103rd Inaugural Lecture Series of the University on the topic: “Impact of Nutrition on Endocrine System.”
The inaugural Lecturer and a Professor of Animal Physiology, Prof. Ufele-Obiesie stated that Endocrine system is the second communication system in the body of animals that has ductless glands which secretes hormones directly into the blood stream.
Prof. Ufele-Obiesie informed that the system is a complex network of glands and organs that is found in all mammals, birds, fish and many other species that uses hormones to control and coordinate body’s metabolism, energy level, reproduction, growth and development while responding to injury, stress and mood.
The Professor of Animal Physiology further mentioned that nutrition is the biochemical and physiological process through which an organism uses food to support its life.
She opined that food is of great essence for animals and when one fails to eat for some days, most of the physiological processes in the body begins to fail while also reiterating that failure to obtain sufficient nutrient causes malnutrition which can present significant threats to human health.
The scholar revealed the importance of balanced diet in one’s daily meal to avoid cases of kwashiorkor, rickets and similar impaired health conditions.
She stated that based on her research and findings, Vitamin E and a mineral called selenium helps to ameliorate certain disease conditions with common sources of selenium drawn from seafood, meat and poultry, whole grains and brazil nuts.
Prof. Ufele-Obiesie also stressed on the intake of vitamin E with its sources including mango, avocado, blackberries and kiwi. She therefore, emphasized that Vitamin B17 is an important vitamin and is classified as an anti-cancer vitamin which can be gotten from apple seeds, peach seeds, apricot seeds and cashew nuts.
The Institution’s Director of Academic Planning disclosed that Nutrition plays very important role on the endocrine system as micro and macro nutrients can alter the physiological processes when deficient in the body and can also enhance the production of certain hormones when in abundant.
She also stressed that balanced diet is the most important thing in the survival of animals and maximal performance is also dependent on balanced diet.
Decorating the inaugural lecturer, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ikechebelu who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor (SAVC) on Academic Matters, Professor Frederick Odibo noted that the 103rd Inaugural lecture was the first under the tenure of the current administration.
The scholar described the lecture as an exceptional one as the lecturer ensured that his audience where inundated about the endocrine system and it’s pivotal role in the proper functioning of the human body.
Highpoints of the occasion was the decoration of Prof. Ufele-Obiesie with a medal of honour as one of the scholars to perform the mandatory academic ritual in an ivory tower.
