Vice Chancellor of the Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Ibadan, Professor Kola Oloke, Tuesday advised Nigerians against the consumption of animal skin popularly known as Ponmo.
Prof Oloke who is a renowned Microbiologist gave the advice while speaking at a seminar titled; ‘Life Style, Diseases and Management,’ held at the PCU campus, Ibadan.
The vice chancellor said consumption of animal protein has been identified as the major cause of cancer which has led to the death of many, adding that the disease was not only preventable but curable.
“Consumption of animal protein can lead to diseases in the body. More importantly, it causes cancer. Run away from meat, especially the red meat. If you want to eat chicken, eat the local one. Animal skin known as ponmo is also harmful to the body, it has no nutritional value,” he said.
Professor Oloke stated that, “60% chronic diseases mostly assailing the people could be prevented through healthy diet” and that “other lifestyle measures, must include managing stress, avoiding toxins (like alcohol and tobacco), regular exercise and ensuring adequate sleep.”
The vice chancellor noted that diseases such as cancer could be cured through nutrition, and that lifestyle could determine the level of sicknesses individual could be nursing in the body.
“One of the things that cancer cells thrive on is sugar. So if you can take off the consumption of sugar from any cancer patient, you would have helped the patient. Some foods and fruits are high in sugar content such as banana, apple, pineapple and carbohydrates. Also, cancer patients should avoid animal-based milk but can be consuming plant-based milk.”
He declared that “beans are the best meal for those suffering from the ailment, stressing, “the best meal for cancer patients is beans prepared with olive oil and not red oil. Snail, croaker fish, carbage and leafy vegetables, among others, are good and nutritious for cancer patients.
“With proper nutrition, cancer cells could be killed. Consumption of walnuts can kill cancer. Soya products are equally good but avoid soya oil. Soya milk is good for breast cancer.”