An immeasurable aspect of our health can be affected by our sexual health. According to the American Sexual Health Association sexual health is “the ability to embrace and enjoy our sexuality throughout our lives. ” This shows that sexual health is a valuable part of life.

World over, sex, sexuality and conversations around sexual health is still a taboo subject in many cultures. However, for us to thrive as humans, our sexual wellbeing is just as important as physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. In addition, love, affection, and sexual intimacy contribute to healthy relationships and individual well-being.

Below are ways that can help navigate what being sexually healthy means:

• Being able to enjoy a healthier body, satisfying sexual life, positive relationships, and peace of mind.
• Understanding that sexuality is a natural part of life and involves more than sexual behavior.
• Recognizing and respecting the sexual rights we all share.
• Having access to sexual health information, education, and care.
• Making an effort to prevent unintended pregnancies and STIs.
• Seeking care and treatment when needed.
• Being able to experience sexual pleasure, satisfaction, and intimacy when desired.
• Being able to communicate about sexual health with others including sexual partners and healthcare providers.

Towards Better Sexual Health

We have come to terms with the fact that sexuality is an integral part of being human. But along with the positive aspects of our human sexuality, there also are illnesses, mixed emotions and unintended consequences that can affect our sexual health. An open discussion of sexuality issues is important to promoting sexual health and responsibility. Below are action steps to ensuring better sexual wellness;

Value yourself and decide what’s right for you: While sex is a natural part of life, the decision of if and when you have sex is solely yours. It is important that the decision aligns with what you want in life, including personal goals, desires, and boundaries. All of which may change depending on your stage in life, being fully aware of your desires, and true to yourself will help you navigate the different stages.

Know your body and protect it: Understand your own body and its functions. Don’t be afraid to explore ways you can express yourself sexually. Always, practice safe sex to protect against STIs/STDs and unintended pregnancies.

Build positive relationships: Having open and honest conversations about your relationship, desires, and sexual health will help you and your partner(s) build respect for one another, as well as make decisions together. Discuss any health problems openly and you should feel comfortable seeking medical care if need be. If you find yourself with violent partner(s) or who pressure you into things you aren’t comfortable with, seek help from your healthcare provider or a community organization right away.

Treat your partners well and expect them to treat you well: Be with someone or people who make you feel good about yourself, as well as comfortable and safe. Any boundaries should be respected, and no one should feel pressured or forced into doing something they aren’t comfortable with.

Adopt sexual healthcare routine: Start with a provider who is respectful and makes you feel comfortable, as it will allow you to feel more at ease having otherwise difficult conversations. You should be able to discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding your sexual health, including performance and function.

We are a sex positive community. If any of our articles on here appeal to you, there’s more. Let’s connect us on Instagram & Medium

_{Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article intend to inform and induce conversation. They are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Red Edit Magazine, and are for informational purposes only, even if and to the extent that this article features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.}

The post There’s More to Sexual Health Than STI Prevention appeared first on Rededit Magazine.

Meet Chinwe Nwosu a Mental Health Ambassador, Master Life Coach, Founder and Chief Executive of Andromagik. She enlightened us on the mental health being the integral part of our existence. It’s signs and symptoms.

1: Tell me about yourself?

My name is Chinwe E. Nwosu, a Mental Health Ambassador, Master Life Coach, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Andromagik Company. I am a business growth and sustainability enthusiast with experience in Human Resource and Administration Management, Customer Satisfaction and Experience, Fund Recovery, Business Development, Marketing and Sales. A Social Entrepreneur who is highly passionate about identifying institutional voids and actively devising possible ways to fill those voids. A Thought Leader driven by creativity, spontaneity and quest for innovation.

2: What made you choose to be a mental health advocate?

It’s a lot of reason that drove me into advocating for mental health, starting from the fact that experience teaches us, meaning I’ve been a victim of mental health distortion. I’ve had friends in my circle who had gone through the same, some more evident and intense than others. Sadly, it hits us all but we don’t even know what it means, so we assume it’s just part of life. Another reason is that we don’t even take it seriously in this part of the world. When we hear a lad jump off 3MB, we just assume it’s our “villagers”.

3: What does mental health mean to you?

Mental health is generally, emotional and psychological well being. You take care of your body to avoid ailments, you take care of your mind to avoid ailment too. If I would put it in it’s simplest form, it is sanity to me. It is an integral part of our existence, if not the most integral part, it affects how you treat yourself, people around you, how you react and counter react, how you act… right about everything.

4: Is it happiness or the absence of happiness?

Presence of a sound mental health is pure happiness, extreme joy and satisfaction, of course you can imagine what it’s absence would be.

5: What are your thoughts regarding the signs and symptoms of mental health issue?

Majority of the signs and symptoms of mental health issues are very insignificant at first. We often think it is until there’s an obvious sign but the truth is, mental disorder is a farther/extreme sign of mental health issue. Various mental health issues have numerous different symptoms. For instance depression might lead you to withdraw from the society, cause you to lose interest in right about everything that makes you tick initially. Anxiety might start off by feeding on your fears, cause you unhealthy sleeping partners. Panic attack might get you breathing heavily from thinking of things you cannot even pinpoint. Biplolar could make you happy this second and sad the next, for untraceable reasons.. extreme highs and lows.

6: Have you ever experienced a terrible occurrence that has impacted you significantly?

Yes, absolutely, we all have had these experiences even when we don’t get to find a name tag to it or wish to accept it. Whether it is the lost of a loved one, or a relationship, gory experiences, work stress, unhealthy expectations, and so on.

7: Do feelings of anxiety or discomfort around others bother you?

If I do get this question rightly, then I’d say making conscious efforts to keep my mental health in check has helped.

8: Most Nigerians aren’t conversant with mental health issues, some are still uninformed especially those in the rural area who couldn’t access social media, how do you think this gap can be filled?

It’s not exactly a function of urban or rural area, in this part of the world, we don’t take it seriously. Truth be told, we need more outreaches, we need more ambassadors, we need more support groups, we need more safe spaces. Andromagik Company has started it’s bit but we sure can never do it alone. Let’s have programs, let’s go on trips to the safer rural areas, let’s educate the younger ones first in schools, let them translate it to their parents, let us just… never stop talking about it.

9: What do you believe is important for anyone to be aware of if they know someone with this mental health issue?

Please, first of all, listen to the words people don’t even speak. Listen, pay attention and please do not judge. If you cannot help them to get calm at the earlier stage, please SIGNPOST them to the right people.

The post Interview with Chinwe Nwosu: Mental Health Ambassador appeared first on Rededit Magazine.

As the world evolves and scientists learn more about the body and diet, it is increasingly clear that the things we eat can significantly affect the health and aging of our skin.

According to www.healthline.com , we have listed 12 of the best foods to keep your skin healthy and guess what? 98% of these items are a part of our daily diets and can be easily sourced in Nigeria.

1. Fatty fish

Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and herring, are excellent foods for healthy skin. They’re rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for maintaining skin health (1).

Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary to help keep skin thick, supple, and moisturized. In fact, an omega-3 fatty acid deficiency can cause dry skin (1, 2Trusted Source).

The omega-3 fats in fish reduce inflammation, which can cause redness and acne. They can even make your skin less sensitive to the sun’s harmful UV rays (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).

Some studies show that fish oil supplements may help fight inflammatory and autoimmune conditions affecting your skin, such as psoriasis and lupus (4Trusted Source).

Fatty fish is also a source of vitamin E, one of the most important antioxidants for your skin.

Getting enough vitamin E is essential for helping protect your skin against damage from free radicals and inflammation (5Trusted Source).

This type of seafood is also a source of high quality protein, which is needed for maintaining the strength and integrity of your skin (5Trusted Source).

Lastly, fish provides zinc — a mineral vital for regulating the following:

inflammation

overall skin health

the production of new skin cells

Zinc deficiency can lead to skin inflammation, lesions, and delayed wound healing (6Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Fatty types of fish like salmon contain omega-3 fatty acids that can reduce inflammation and keep your skin moisturized. They’re also a good source of high quality protein, vitamin E, and zinc.

2. Avocados

Avocados are high in healthy fats. These fats benefit many functions in your body, including the health of your skin (7Trusted Source).

Getting enough of these fats is essential to help keep skin flexible and moisturized.

One study involving over 700 women found that a high intake of total fat — specifically the types of healthy fats found in avocados — was associated with more supple, springy skin (8Trusted Source).

Preliminary evidence also shows that avocados contain compounds that may help protect your skin from sun damage. UV damage to your skin can cause wrinkles and other signs of aging (8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).

Avocados are also a good source of vitamin E, which is an important antioxidant that helps protect your skin from oxidative damage. Most Americans don’t get enough vitamin E through their diet.

Interestingly, vitamin E seems to be more effective when combined with vitamin C (5Trusted Source).

Vitamin C is also essential for healthy skin. Your skin needs it to create collagen, which is the main structural protein that keeps your skin strong and healthy (10Trusted Source).

Vitamin C deficiency is rare these days, but common symptoms include dry, rough, and scaly skin that tends to bruise easily.

Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that helps protect your skin from oxidative damage caused by the sun and the environment, which can lead to signs of aging (10Trusted Source).

A 100-gram serving, or about 1/2 an avocado, provides 14% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin E and 11% of the DV for vitamin C (11Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Avocados are high in beneficial fats and contain vitamins E and C, which are important for healthy skin. They also pack compounds that may protect your skin from sun damage.

3. Walnuts

Walnuts have many characteristics that make them an excellent food for healthy skin.

They’re a good source of essential fatty acids, which are fats that your body cannot make itself.

In fact, they’re richer than most other nuts in both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).

A diet too high in omega-6 fats may promote inflammation, including inflammatory conditions of your skin like psoriasis.

On the other hand, omega-3 fats reduce inflammation in your body and skin (13Trusted Source).

While omega-6 fatty acids are plentiful in the western diet, sources of omega-3 fatty acids are rare.

Since walnuts contain a good ratio of these fatty acids, they may help fight the potential inflammatory response to excessive omega-6.

What’s more, walnuts contain other nutrients that your skin needs to function properly and stay healthy.

One ounce (28 grams) of walnuts contains 8% of the DV for zinc.

Zinc is essential for your skin to function properly as a barrier. It’s also necessary for wound healing and combating both bacteria and inflammation (14Trusted Source).

Walnuts also provide small amounts of the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium, in addition to 4–5 grams of protein per ounce (28 grams) (12Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Walnuts are a good source of essential fats, zinc, vitamin E, selenium and protein — all of which are nutrients your skin needs to stay healthy.

4. Sunflower seeds

In general, nuts and seeds are good sources of skin-boosting nutrients.

Sunflower seeds are an excellent example.

One ounce (28 grams) of sunflower seeds packs 49% of the DV for vitamin E, 41% of the DV for selenium, 14% of the DV for zinc, and 5.5 grams of protein (15Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of nutrients, including vitamin E, which is an important antioxidant for the skin.

5. Sweet potatoes

Beta carotene is a nutrient found in plants.

It functions as provitamin A, which means it can be converted into vitamin A in your body.

Beta carotene is found in oranges and vegetables such as carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes (5Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source — one 1/2-cup (100-gram) serving of baked sweet potato contains enough beta carotene to provide more than six times the DV of vitamin A (17Trusted Source).

Carotenoids like beta carotene help keep your skin healthy by acting as a natural sunblock.

When consumed, this antioxidant is incorporated into your skin and helps protect your skin cells from undue sun exposure thereby helps prevent sunburn, cell death, and dry, wrinkled skin.

Interestingly, high amounts of beta carotene may also add a warm, orange color to your skin, contributing to an overall healthier appearance (5Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta carotene, which acts as a natural sunblock and may protect your skin from sun damage.

6. Red or yellow bell peppers

Like sweet potatoes, bell peppers are an excellent source of beta carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A.

One cup (149 grams) of chopped red bell pepper contains the equivalent of 156% of the DV for vitamin A (18Trusted Source).

They’re also one of the best sources of vitamin C. This vitamin is necessary for creating the protein collagen, which keeps skin firm and strong.

A single cup (149 grams) of bell pepper provides an impressive 211% of the DV for vitamin C (18Trusted Source).

A large observational study involving women linked eating plenty of vitamin C to a reduced risk of wrinkled and dry skin with age (19Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Bell peppers contain plenty of beta carotene and vitamin C — both of which are important antioxidants for your skin. Vitamin C is also necessary to create collagen, the structural protein that keeps your skin strong.

7. Broccoli

Broccoli is full of many vitamins and minerals important for skin health, including zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin C (20Trusted Source).

It also contains lutein, a carotenoid that works like beta carotene. Lutein helps protect your skin from oxidative damage, which can cause your skin to become dry and wrinkled.

But broccoli florets also pack a special compound called sulforaphane, which boasts some impressive potential benefits. It may even have anti-cancer effects, including on some types of skin cancer (21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source).

Sulforaphane is likewise a powerful protective agent against sun damage. It works in two ways: neutralizing harmful free radicals and switching on other protective systems in your body (22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source).

In laboratory tests, sulforaphane reduced the number of skin cells UV light killed by as much as 29%, with protection lasting up to 48 hours.

Evidence suggests sulforaphane may also help maintain collagen levels in your skin (23Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Broccoli is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids that are important for skin health. It also contains sulforaphane, which may help prevent skin cancer and protect your skin from sunburn.

8. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C and contain all of the major carotenoids, including lycopene.

Beta carotene, lutein, and lycopene have been shown to protect your skin against damage from the sun. They may also help prevent wrinkling (24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source).

Because tomatoes are rich in carotenoids, they’re an excellent food for maintaining healthy skin.

Consider pairing carotenoid-rich foods like tomatoes with a source of fat, such as cheese or olive oil. Fat increases your absorption of carotenoids (27Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin C and all of the major carotenoids, especially lycopene. These carotenoids protect your skin from sun damage and may help prevent wrinkling.

9. Soy

Soy contains isoflavones, a category of plant compounds that can either mimic or block estrogen in your body.

Isoflavones may benefit several parts of your body, including your skin.

One small study involving middle-aged women found that eating soy isoflavones every day for 8–12 weeks reduced fine wrinkles and improved skin elasticity (28Trusted Source).

In postmenopausal women, soy may also improve skin dryness and increase collagen, which helps keep your skin smooth and strong (29Trusted Source).

These isoflavones not only help to protect the cells inside your body from damage but also your skin from UV radiation — which may reduce the risk of some skin cancers (30Trusted Source, 31Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Soy contains isoflavones, which have been shown to improve wrinkles, collagen, skin elasticity, and skin dryness, as well as protect your skin from UV damage.

10. Dark chocolate

If you need one more reason to eat chocolate, here it is: The effects of cocoa on your skin are pretty phenomenal.

After 6–12 weeks of consuming a cocoa powder high in antioxidants each day, participants in one study experienced thicker, more hydrated skin.

Their skin was also less rough and scaly, less sensitive to sunburn, and had better blood flow — which brings more nutrients to your skin (33Trusted Source).

Another study found that eating 20 grams of high-antioxidant dark chocolate per day could allow your skin to withstand over twice as much UV radiation before burning, compared with eating low-antioxidant chocolate (34Trusted Source).

Several other studies have observed similar results, including improvements in the appearance of wrinkles. However, keep in mind that at least one study didn’t find significant effects (34Trusted Source, 35Trusted Source, 36Trusted Source, 37Trusted Source).

Make sure to choose dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa to maximize the benefits and keep added sugar to a minimum.

SUMMARY

Cocoa contains antioxidants that may protect your skin against sunburn. These antioxidants may also improve wrinkles, skin thickness, hydration, blood flow, and skin texture.

11. Green tea

Green tea may help protect your skin from damage and aging.

The powerful compounds found in green tea are called catechins and work to improve the health of your skin in several ways.

Like several other antioxidant-containing foods, green tea can help protect your skin against sun damage (38Trusted Source, 39Trusted Source, 40Trusted Source).

One 12-week study involving 60 women found that drinking green tea daily could reduce redness from sun exposure by up to 25%.

Green tea also improved the moisture, roughness, thickness, and elasticity of their skin (41Trusted Source).

While green tea is a great choice for healthy skin, you may want to avoid drinking your tea with milk, as there’s evidence that milk could reduce the effect of green tea’s antioxidants (42Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Catechins, a type of phenolic compound found in green tea are powerful antioxidants that can protect your skin against sun damage, reduce redness as well as improve skin’s hydration, thickness and elasticity.

12. Red grapes

Red grapes are famous for containing resveratrol, a compound that comes from the skin of red grapes.

Resveratrol is credited with a wide range of health benefits, among them is reducing the effects of aging.

Test-tube studies suggest it may also help slow the production of harmful free radicals, which damage skin cells and cause signs of aging (7Trusted Source, 43Trusted Source).

This beneficial compound is also found in red wine. Unfortunately, there’s not much evidence to ascertain that the amount of resveratrol achieved from ingesting a glass of red wine is enough to improve your skin overtime.

It is important as well to note that since red wine is an alcoholic beverage, excessive intake is accompanied by negative effects.

MoreSo, it’s not recommended to start drinking red wine just because of its potential health benefits; rather, increasing intake of red grapes and berries is advised .

SUMMARY

Resveratrol, the famous antioxidant found in red grapes, may slow your skin’s aging process by impairing harmful free radicals that damage your skin.

The bottom line

What you eat can significantly affect your skin health.

Make sure you’re getting enough essential nutrients to protect your skin. The foods on this list are great options to keep your skin healthy, strong, and attractive.

The post The Best Foods For Healthy Skin appeared first on Rededit Magazine.