Health
How Urolithin A Supports Energy and Healthy Aging
The pursuit of better health and longer life has inspired scientists and wellness experts to explore natural compounds that can help the body function more efficiently. Among the most exciting discoveries in recent years is Urolithin A, a compound linked to cellular energy, longevity, and overall vitality. This supplement is gaining attention as people search for safe and effective ways to support healthy aging and maintain an active lifestyle.
At the core of Urolithin A’s benefits is its ability to support mitochondria, often called the powerhouses of the cell. Mitochondria generate the energy our bodies need to move, think, and recover. As we age, mitochondrial function tends to decline, leading to lower energy levels and slower recovery times. Research suggests that Urolithin A can help stimulate a process known as mitophagy, which clears away damaged mitochondria and makes room for healthier ones to thrive. This cellular housekeeping is key to maintaining energy and reducing the wear and tear that comes with aging.
Energy is one of the most noticeable changes people experience as they get older. Everyday tasks that were once effortless can start to feel more demanding, and recovery after physical activity takes longer. By supporting mitochondrial health, Urolithin A has the potential to enhance endurance, stamina, and resilience. For individuals who want to stay active into their later years, this can make a significant difference. Whether it is exercising regularly, traveling, or simply enjoying daily routines, consistent energy is a foundation for a fulfilling life.
Beyond energy, Urolithin A has also been studied for its potential impact on muscle function. Maintaining strong and flexible muscles is essential not only for athletes but for anyone aiming to prevent the frailty that often comes with age. Research indicates that Urolithin A supplementation may help improve muscle health, supporting strength and mobility even in older adults. This is particularly important in societies where longer lifespans are common, as people want to not just live longer but live better.
Another area of interest is Urolithin A’s role in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Both of these factors are linked to aging and chronic health conditions. While more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects, early studies suggest that this compound may provide protective benefits at the cellular level. Supporting the body’s natural ability to manage stress and repair itself is an essential part of promoting overall wellness.
What sets Urolithin A apart from many other supplements is that it is not directly found in foods. Instead, it is produced in the body when certain gut microbes break down compounds found in foods like pomegranates, berries, and nuts. However, not everyone has the right balance of gut bacteria to produce Urolithin A naturally. This makes supplementation an appealing option, ensuring that individuals can consistently benefit from this compound regardless of their diet or gut health.
It is also important to recognize the growing demand for natural wellness solutions that are backed by science. Consumers are increasingly looking for products that have been studied and shown to work, rather than relying solely on traditional remedies or trendy wellness fads. Urolithin A falls into this category, with research pointing to real, measurable benefits for energy, muscle health, and aging. This scientific grounding provides reassurance for people who want to make informed decisions about their health.
As interest in longevity and healthy aging continues to grow, supplements like Urolithin A will likely become part of broader wellness strategies. They can complement other healthy lifestyle choices such as balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and sufficient rest. No supplement can replace these fundamentals, but when combined, they create a strong foundation for lifelong vitality.
In the bigger picture, the discovery and growing use of Urolithin A represent a shift toward targeted, evidence based wellness solutions. Instead of focusing only on treating illness once it appears, more people are choosing to be proactive, supporting their health at the cellular level before problems arise. This approach not only enhances quality of life but may also help reduce the burden of age-related conditions in society as a whole.
Urolithin A is more than just another supplement. It is a promising advancement in the science of aging, offering a natural way to help the body renew itself from within. For anyone seeking better energy, stronger muscles, and the ability to enjoy life fully at every stage, it represents a powerful ally in the journey toward healthy longevity.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) says the number of Nigerians enrolled in health insurance has risen to more than 22 million.
The Director-General of NHIA, Mr Kelechi Ohiri, said this resulted from the implementation of the mandatory health insurance, which has gained momentum nationwide.
He said this on Wednesday at the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE) in Lagos.
Mr Ohiri said enrolment had increased to 22.03 million, representing a 35 per cent year-on-year growth, attributing this to stronger collaboration with state social health insurance agencies, ministries, departments and agencies, organised labour, employers, the private sector, and the gradual implementation of the mandatory health insurance provisions of the NHIA Act.
He said that the country had moved beyond policy formulation to delivering measurable improvements in healthcare access, service quality and consumer protection in line with the federal government’s health sector reform agenda.
According to him, Nigeria already has the necessary policies and legislation to achieve Universal Health Coverage, positing that the key challenge was effective implementation.
“The decisive variable is now implementation- consistent, rigorous and accountable execution that converts political commitment into healthcare access for real Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Ohiri said that the transition from the former National Health Insurance Scheme to the NHIA had strengthened regulation, consumer protection, accountability and strategic purchasing, while providing the legal and operational framework for achieving Universal Health Coverage.
He added that improving the experience of enrollees remained central to the Authority’s reform agenda.
According to him, NHIA has strengthened its complaints management system, introduced faster resolution timelines, and intensified compliance monitoring of Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) and healthcare providers.
He further added that NHIA had sanctioned facilities that failed to meet the required standards, adding that his organisation had resolved 3,878 complaints, representing an 87 per cent resolution rate, while 95 per cent of the cases were concluded within prescribed timelines.
Mr Ohiri noted that more than N14.2 million had been refunded to enrollees, while non-compliant healthcare facilities had been sanctioned.
He said NHIA had also introduced service standards, including a one-hour treatment commencement target for enrollees requiring urgent care, to improve access to timely and quality healthcare services.
The NHIA boss further disclosed that capitation payments to healthcare providers had been increased by 93 per cent.
He said fee-for-service reimbursements rose by 378 per cent to enable providers to invest more in personnel, equipment and infrastructure.
According to him, 7,592 healthcare facilities have been assessed under the SafeCare quality framework as part of efforts to institutionalise continuous quality improvement across the country.
Mr Ohiri also highlighted interventions targeted at vulnerable groups, including support for more than 48,500 pregnant women, expanded maternal and newborn healthcare services, the Vulnerable Group Fund, and improved access to healthcare for pensioners and retirees.
He said Universal Health Coverage could only be achieved if every Nigerian, regardless of income or location, had access to quality healthcare services.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The new one-hour authorisation response time ultimatum policy introduced by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has received the full backing of SUNU Health Nigeria Limited.
This policy was introduced by the agency to ensure enrollees get prompt approval codes to access care.
Healthcare service providers have been urged to report any Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) that violates this initiative through an email, with the HMO in copy and a timestamp attached as evidence of the request. They may proceed to offer services to enrollees thereafter.
Speaking at the company’s second-quarter Providers’ Forum for the Lagos-Ogun region in Lagos recently, the chief executive of SUNU Health, Dr Moyosore Olomola, expressed optimism that this policy would improve healthcare delivery in the country, especially for enrollees, who crave quality service.
At the event themed Improving Quality and Access to Care Through Stronger Provider Network, and held at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Yaba, Lagos, Mr Olomola reaffirmed the HMO’s commitment to operating within legal and operational frameworks to guarantee adequate care for enrollees.
“Access to care and quality of care remain key priorities in our healthcare systems. We know quite well that deliberate collaboration, strategic partnerships, and a shared commitment to excellence are required to achieve these priorities.
“A strong provider network is doubtless the backbone of any effective healthcare system. It ensures that our mutual enrollees receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place, and at the right price,” Mr Olomola, represented at the programme by the organisation’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Dr Faith Nwachi, stated.
He further assured that SUNU Health would strictly adhere to the one-hour authorisation limit, stressing that this aligns seamlessly with one of the organisation’s core values—promptness and its corporate slogan, Humanity is the centre of our initiatives.
In a bid to further improve access and quality of care, SUNU Health also demonstrated its new operational software and Mobile app, aptly named SUNU Legacy.
Also speaking at the event, the NHIA Lagos State Coordinator (Ikeja), Dr Bethuel-Kasimu Abraham, noted that the forum’s expected outcome is to significantly reduce delays in accessing medical care.
Other key expectations include ensuring continuity of care, improving patient outcomes, and strengthening accountability among HMOs.
Addressing specific pain points faced by enrollees, the NHIA Ogun State Coordinator, Mr Dare Adefeso, acknowledged that the agency had received complaints regarding out-of-stock drugs and the discrimination of enrollees by certain providers.
He affirmed that the NHIA is actively addressing these issues, stressing that moving forward, every facility must ensure enrollees are properly catered to regardless of their status, provided they have an active health insurance plan.
Corroborating the long-standing legacy of SUNU Health, the Ogun State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Aishat Tiamiyu, shared that her agency is responsible for public information dissemination and has been enrolled with SUNU Health for over 25 years.
Commending the HMO’s stellar service over two decades, she called for the immediate enrollment of new NOA staff into the scheme.
The Providers’ Forum remains one of the strategic channels employed by SUNU Health to consistently engage healthcare providers, understand their operational challenges, introduce new software updates, and solidify partnerships aimed at fostering premium healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the recall of a sexual enhancement product known as WAP Sensual Enhancement Capsules.
In a statement on Monday, the Nigerian agency disclosed that the recall is due to “undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients” in the product, whose country of origin is unknown, but is marketed and distributed online in the US through eBay.
It was emphasised that the recall is being “voluntarily” made by the manufacturer, Best Supplements Best Prices Company.
The detection of the undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients was made by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Laboratory analysis by the US FDA revealed that the product contained undeclared sildenafil, tadalafil, and flibanserin, which were not mentioned on the product label. Such substances may include phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors or related compounds commonly used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, the statement by NAFDAC stated.
Sildenafil and tadalafil are ingredients in FDA-approved prescription drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction.
It was noted that these undeclared ingredients may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates.
Flibanserin is the active ingredient in an FDA-approved prescription drug used to treat low sexual desire in women. Flibanserin can cause drowsiness, sedation, dangerously low blood pressure, and fainting, especially when combined with alcohol.
Consumers have been encouraged to report compromised products (medicines or medical devices) to the nearest NAFDAC office, call 0800-162-3322, or send an email to sf******@********ov.ng.
