TIMES TODAY TT 176 | November 8th - November 14th | 2022
Re-centre your definition of family
CONTENTS My Pulpit Message notes | Re-centre your definition of family| 3-4 My Devotional: Peace of mind | 6 Asking for help: It is OK not to be OK | 7 My Inspiration: Be deaf to unbelief | 8 My Entrepreneur: Reprioritizing health as part of your leadership goals | 9 My Health: Hair loss: The latest science on causes, treatment, and prevention | 10-11 My Kitchen: Zucchini Fried Rice |12 My Sports: Europa League play-off draw results: Cristiano will soon be back at Camp Nou, Arsenal wait for last-16 draw in February |13
My Pulpit Message Notes Re-centre your definition of family My Pulpit Message Notes are transcribed from the sermon preached at the Nairobi Baptist Church (NBC) Ngong Road on Sunday 6th November 2022. Preacher: Reverend Nick Korir. Scripture: Genesis 2:2-23. Topic: Re-centre your definition of family
The whole book of Genesis is punctuated with birth narratives, marriage sto- about how to re-centre our marriages. ries, family genealogies, narratives of death, communicating the centrality of family from the first book of the Bible and continues to go on.
Four components of family
When the Bible begins, it starts with the biological family / the home, just to underscore the importance and the value of the family unity in Scripture. It is unfortunate that today marriage is dismissed. Many people consider marriage to be irrelevant. It’s being redefined, ridiculed, demeaned, discouraged and in some instances denounced. We live in an age of the disposable -: disposable cups, plates, spoons, bottles etc. Have we come to the place where we now have disposable marriages? Marriage is not a cultural invention. I learnt this the hard way. Immediately after our honeymoon, 19 years ago, we got home and were settling into our new home. I don’t know how many have carried forward the image and character of our parents. My dad was very predictable. I could tell what my dad did from the moment he got home. He would walk to the door, remove his shoes, his socks, put his socks inside the shoes and put the shoes to the side, he would walk into the living room, go straight to his couch and sit. Immediately after he would clear his throat to announce that he has arrived into the house, someone would bring him tea and place it on the side, either myself of one of my sister and he would sit and immediately put on the TV. And he would sit and drink tea. After that when it is time for dinner he would stand up, go to the table, we would sit together, pray and eat. When he finishes eating, he would stand, go and take a shower and if he’s tired you would not see him come back. If not he would come back he would watch the news and after that he would sleep on his couch, a significant amount after news and after that he would go to bed. Predictably every single day. When we got married, I followed the same pattern without even knowing. I didn’t even notice it. So one day after having a meal, I left my plate on the table and walked to back to sit. And I did that the next three days. The fourth day my wife stopped me and asked me the question, how do you think this plate will move from this table into that sink? Just explain it to me like a two year old. Immediately after that she said okay, second question, how do you think that plate in that sink will get clean and move from that sink into that cupboard so that tomorrow it’s clean enough for you to be able to use it? I looked at her and thought, what is the big deal? And she said let me show you how: she held my hand and the plate, she walked with me to the sink and placed the plate in the sink, and she said, that is lesson number one. Tomorrow we will do lesson number two. Those lessons have been going on for a while.
1. 2. 3. 4.
The likeness of family - Gender The fullness of family - Garden The harness of family - Guide The oneness of family - Goal
The likeness of family - Gender (Genesis 2:7, 18-23) 7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. 18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” God made Adam, and God also made Eve. Then He brings Eve to Adam. He immediately we see God beginning to paint the picture of the Biblical concept of family. One man and one woman committed to each other before God for life. That is the Biblical image that God gives us. Marriage is between a man and a woman, nothing more, nothing less. It is only a woman that is God says is fit/suitable for a man. Adam looked around all of creation and he found nothing that was suitable for him. So God created one that was suitable for him. A woman to be his companion/partner/helper who is suitable because God made her for him. God officiated this first wedding in the garden of Eden. We see God becoming the first anaesthetist where Adam falls into a deep sleep (v21). Where God becomes the first cardio-thoracic surgeon as He takes out that rib and forms woman out of it. Then we see God becoming the first matchmaker where He brings Eve to Adam and He brings them together and they begin this new union. God is the One Who thought up marriage. It is God who thought up gender. It is God who thought up sex. It is God’s idea. It’s not ours. The only union that has God’s stamp of approval is the union between one man and one woman in a marriage union so that they can start a family together. Male and female are both made in the very image of God. They are equally valuable to God, but they are different in how God made them. God did not clone Adam. God made Eve specifically to compliment Adam. He made a complimentary companion so that together they can form the beautiful family unit that we see today. Men and women are made to compliment each other
I love a statement that Mathew Henry the commentator makes. He said, ‘God made a wife from Adam’s rib for a particular reason. God did not make a woman from Adam’s skull so that Adam does not rule over. He did not make woman from Adam’s foot so that Adam would not trample over her. He made woman Marriage is not a cultural invention. Culture did not invent marriage and so it from Adam’s rib so that Adam could be able to put his arms around her and should not dictate marriage. recognise his primary role is to protect her and care for her as someone dear. We see that very clearly from the beginning, the very picture that God brings Marriage is a gift from God. It is God’s idea. It is God Who invented marriage. out in family. As we reflect of re-centering our definition of marriage we need to go back to the Creator of marriage, the Creator of family and allow Him to challenge us My culture had already defined marriage for me and there are many instances that I could speak about.
TT 176 | November 8th - November 14th | 2022
My Pulpit Message Notes The fullness of family - Garden (Genesis 2:8-15) Man needed a residence/home/a place to live. God created a garden that was beautiful, bountiful. The word ‘garden’ means enclosed or protected, or sheltered. The idea is to be covered. But the word ‘eden’ means a place of delight/pleasure/bliss. It is a paradise. These two words together encompass what the family is meant to be. A place of protection, a place of sheltering, a place of covering, but also a place of delight, a place of pleasure,a place of bliss. The garden provided beauty, discovery, a place of possibility for man and God reminding us that the context where the first family unit was brought up is actually the context that God would like us to create around our very families. Every tree, bush, shrub, flower, every plant imaginable was there. Each of them with its own size and dimension and colour and fragrance. Look at that amazing variety. God’s beauty was designed to meet man’s mental, spiritual and emotional need and that environment was one where man nourished / nurtured. In that environment God provided food, shelter. Every species of vegetation and fruit and berry and nuts was there. Everything to satisfy the taste and the nourishment of man. The point is, the family is supposed to be just that. A place designed by God to allow man to be at awe of God at what He created as family and it would result in thanksgiving from man to God because my family is truly a place of protection, of nurture of beauty, of diversity. A place where my needs are met. Family is meant to be a place of blessing. A place where people are provided for and cared for and nurtured. Where we experience the very experience that Adam and Eve had at the garden of Eden. That’s what family was designed to be. A place of such richness/fullness.
The harness of family - Guide (Genesis 2:16-17) Harness means to be controlled. When a horse needs to be fastened to a cart,
harnesses / straps are used to connect the horse to the cart so that the horse can be controlled. So it is an item of control. But the word ‘harness’ is also used in the context of making use of something; to harness something’s use. To make the most of something e.g. to harness natural resources to produce energy. These two words combined reflect the essence of what God created family to be. A place where: i. Has control. Because in verse 16-17 we see God immediately institutes controls/guidelines/boundary lines around the family unity and we see God placing control around the marriage and family, not just to guide it, but also, ii. To harness and bring out the most of the family unit, because it’s context is for it to the productive/maximised. There is great potential in every family and God wants that potential to be maximised. Genesis 2:16 “ And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,…” Sometimes with think that the commands of God are restrictive. That living according to God’s Word is restricting us, or keeping us, or withholding us from what we desire, or what we really want, but it’s just an issue of perspective. If you looked at a river and how it flows towards the ocean, or sea, every river has banks. And when you look at the riverbanks you can have two perspectives. 1. The riverbanks are restricting the river from flowing out to either side. And you can perceive a riverbank as restrictive. Only if you don’t understand that the purpose of the river is not actually to flow out, but the purpose of the riverbanks are to guide and direct the river to where it is actually meant to go, to the ocean or the sea. So the riverbanks are not restrictive, but directive. They are guiding and directing the rivers towards where it is to go. It is in the guiding of the river by the riverbanks that allows the river not reach its destination, but along the way it allows the river to be productive in production of electricity, for transport, or irrigation etc. The point that God makes here is that a boundary less marriage / family is dangerous. It is dangerous not to have control/guidelines and God clearly institutes from the onset, guidelines of what we can or cannot do, what we should or should not do. Many of us detest boundaries, or limitations, but God has made it part of marriage, not to restrict us, but like the two banks of the rivers to guide us towards His intended purpose for marriage. Family life from the start can only experience fullness if it is lived out in the context of God’s Word. The riverbanks of what God has instituted for the family unit. It is through obedience that we experience fullness within a marriage or family. What is the source of authority within your family? Is it culture (not just where
you come from, or have grown up, even our modern day /contemporary culture, media etc)? Or is it Scripture, the Word of God that guides us in the right direction where family is concerned. God needs to be the first and final authority so that I can experience the very fullness in my marriage and family.
The oneness of family - Goal (Genesis 2:24-25) - The last two verses bring out God’s intention where the oneness of family is concerned / the goal of family, the unity that God so desires for us to have. - Singles are told you, you are not complete because you are not married. That getting married will allow you to find the missing piece in your life puzzle. That getting married become the ultimate prize for you. Or this pending trophy that you need to achieve, or accomplish in life. - Married couples are told that the reason why you actually God married was so that you can become complete. Because in marriage we find many people call, ‘your other half ’. - The Biblical formula for marriage is 1 x 1 = 1. One whole x one whole, equals one whole marriage. That is the Biblical equation for marriage. God expects us to begin as whole and be connected to another whole person for you to have a whole marriage. - Marriage is actually a celebration of wholeness. This wrong definition of marriage of 1/2 x 1/2 = 1/4. So if you get into marriage expecting your partner to complete you, what you are left with at the end is even less than what you had in the first place. No one can complete you, but God. - The problem many times is when we get into marriage expecting another fallen, sinful, human being to complete you and at the end of the day you are left with less than what you got into in the first place. - I’m not looking for the rest of me in someone else. I’m not setting myself up for failure to get less than what I had in the first place by expecting marriage to complete me. All you are doing is setting yourself up for disappointment. - Marriage does not make people whole. All that marriage does is it exposes the holes in you. Marriage can never make me whole. The oneness in marriage assumes that I entered into marriage whole. - There are many times where we leave pieces of ourselves maybe with our parents, our friends and our colleagues. We essentially offer our spouse, just a fraction of who we are. Our parents, friends, colleagues have more say in our marriage than us and at the end of the day that is where the problems in marriage begin. - Verse 24, “24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” - Too many times we leave with a third of us and the rest is at home with parents, friends etc. We did not come into marriage whole, committed whole and hence we do not get the very outcome that Scripture promises. The most important relationship I have is with my wife. - Too many times when we get marriage we do not cut some relational strings that need to be cut. We don’t clip some financial feathers that we need to clip. And there is an unhealthy connection because your spouse needs to be the strongest connection. Every other thing needs to support the connection you have with your spouse. - Too many times, I do not give all of me and hence compromise the oneness that is in my marriage unit. - One of the hardest things is for the parent to let go of their children and the Bible instructs us to be gracious enough to be able to let that child cleave. Too many times it is the influence, the ongoing unhealthy influence. In all sincerity and goodwill, but it becomes unhealthy cause it becomes a competing centre of authority/affection. - Too much involvement in our children’s marriages can compromise the oneness that God has called within the marriage unit. There are many marriages that breakdown because this significant piece of the spouse connecting with the other spouse as whole has not happened because there are pieces of us that did not come along.
Conclusion There are no silver bullets when it comes to building the family. A wedding is a piece of cake, all pan intended. It is just an event. It is easy. It takes a few minutes. I remember driving away from our wedding venue on November 29th 2003 and I remember my wife saying, ‘That’s it? We are leaving the flowers, tents chairs, etc. Things we had planned for a whole year? That’s it! We are done. The wedding day is just but an occasion. The marriage now begins. The family unit now starts being formed. It is hard work, but it is hard work that must be based on the right mindset. On the right understanding on the foundations that God has given us for the family.
TT 176 | November 8th - November 14th | 2022
My Life How to get saved and spend eternity with God His Love “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB) My response that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10 (NASB)
My prayer Lord God Almighty, thank You for Your love for me. Thank You that You sent Your Son Jesus Christ to die for my sins. Please forgive me for all the sins I have committed against You. I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He died on the cross and You raised Him from the dead on the third day. Please write my name in the Lamb’s book of life. Help me to live a life that is holy and pleasing unto You. In Jesus’ Name I pray and believe. Amen
TT 176 | November 8th - November 14th | 2022
My Devotional Peace Of Mind By Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia | www.sportsspectrum.com|
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish everyday life, Morley and Mary Unwin showed incredible hospitality. They alone another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, lowed him to live in their house until he got stronger and was able to provide singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” — Colossians 3:16 for himself again. Also, John Newton, the writer of “Amazing Grace,” helped Cowper come out of his despair by enlisting Cowper to work together with him >> Sign up here for Sports Spectrum devotionals sent right to your email inbox on a hymn-writing project. As they focused their minds on spiritual truth, Cow<< per improved. They followed the instruction from Scripture for peace of mind. “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish Before games, many athletes have butterflies in their bellies and some partici- one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, pants get so nauseated that they get dehydrated and struggle to get out on the singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16). field for the action. It is so frustrating to have talent and not be able to use it well because of nervousness about the unknown and the high expectations. We don’t When Jesus saw the woman at the well burdened with her sins and spiritually know all the reasons why some people have more anxiety than others. Some- dehydrated, He spoke refreshing words and promised her a better life now, and times, people inherit tendencies to worry excessively from parents, or trauma also eternal life. As water refreshes our bodies, the Word of God revives our from bullying and other bad experiences that contributes to anxiety disorders. souls. “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I It is not unusual for dedicated believers to wrestle with doubts, fears, anxiety give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life’” (John and depression. The prophet Elijah wanted his life to end prematurely when he 4:13-14). felt all alone after Queen Jezebel threatened to have him executed for opposing the worship of Baal. King David had big mood swings and his divinely-inspired psalms reflect his strong emotions as he dealt with enemies, unreliable friends and ungrateful children. Another psalmist expressed similar frustrations: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5). During times when English hymn writer William Cowper couldn’t cope with
TT 176 | November 8th - November 14th | 2022
Asking for help: It is OK not to be OK
Reiterating the misconstrued narrative of a ‘perfect-life’
by Mercy Endondo, a Teacher of English, Literature and Drama at Crawford International School Kenya
Many times you have heard these questions reverberated ‘Why are you complaining?’ ‘Man up!’ ‘You should be grateful for the life you have.’ ‘Don’t worry, everything will be okay.’
wrapped up in our emotions to the point where we are unable to have a different perspective. This can lead to making permanent decisions on temporary situations. Getting past that barrier of self judgement and acknowledging that you need help is one of the bravest things you can do.
While these statements intend to offer some sort of relief, they do not always serve that purpose. On the contrary, they may be more debilitating to the recipient because they trivialize the situation that they are experiencing.
Toxic positivity has rendered us to assume that we need to always put up a brave face even when deep down we are falling apart. The influx of social medial accentuates this notion through the prevalence of the ‘idealized lifestyle’ when in actual sense the so called ‘socialites’ may be having it rough behind the screens.
More often, it is easier to communicate positive news. We are wired to celebrate good things and publicize this. We are encouraged to Do yourself a favor by not getting wrapped up in the romanticized look at the brighter side of life and embrace ‘positive vibes’. Passing a life of social media celebrity wannabes. True celebrities will tell you test, getting a new job, winning a tournament, these are all about the many times they failed, sort guidance and rose. Perfection momentous moments that signify growth. But is life all about wins? is overrated and no one has it all figured out. The ‘I can do it by myself ’ tag and ‘self-made’ mentality is a fallacy. We need each other Jack Ma the Founder of E-commerce giant Alibaba and currently to thrive. one of the richest men in China with a net worth of close to $25 Billion knows quite a lot about failure and rejection. He failed to land So, the next time you feel like the walls are closing in on you, and you a job after numerous applications and was reject severally even for want to cry, cry if you must. It is okay. Lie down for a bit, take a walk, jobs where he superseded the qualifications. When asked what kept listen to music, scream if you need to. It is acceptable. him going, he said, “Well, I think we have to get used to it, we are not that good.” Treating rejections as opportunities to learn and grow is But, do not let that take away your ingenuity because when all is said what Jack Ma made of it. He saw these instances as an opportunity and done, what makes our life meaningful is the ability to overcome to revitalize. challenging situations. There is always someone to talk to: be it a friend, family or counselor. Take a deep breath and be courageous We shun failure and make it appear as though there is something enough to ask for help because that alone, can make all the differwrong with people who do not live up to societal expectation of the ence. epitomized success scales. Retrospectively, these moments of failure allow us to reflect, reset and readjust our goals. It is typical to get
TT 176 | November 8th - November 14th | 2022
My Inspiration Be deaf to unbelief
By William King | Email: kingwilliam189@gmail.com | image courtesy: success.com
We all have discouraging thoughts telling us what we cannot do, how we are not going to get well or ever be successful. Sometimes people will speak negative words, say things that can limit our destiny. If we let the negative comments play in our mind, they will keep us from becoming what we were created to be.
your faith of no effect?”(Romans 3:3). Sometimes we’re wanting people to believe in us who are never going to be for us. We long for a family member to cheer us on, for a friend to encourage us. You have to say as Paul did, “So what if they don’t believe?”
No one can make you think something. You get to choose what you dwell on. When those lies come saying, “You are not attractive, you do not have a good personality, you are too old,” you can dwell on it and let it poison you, or you can ignore it. In the Scripture, David had people constantly speaking defeat over him.
These are the tests we have to pass. There will be doubters, naysayers, people who are close tp you who don’t think you can accomplish what God put in your heart. You don’t need them to believe. They did not put that dream in you. Be respectful, but deaf to their unbelief. The quicker you get rid of it, the better you will be.
How did he keep his mind filled with faith? He says, “My enemies lay traps for me, all day long they say deceitful things, but I am like a deaf man - I hear nothing” (Psalm 38:12-13). If you are going to reach your potential, you have to become deaf to the negative. When people speak defeat, do not give it the time of day.
You cannot play defeat in your mind and have victory. You cannot think sickness and have health. You cannot dwell on thoughts of lack and have abundance. The way you keep the infection out is by dwelling on what God says about you: “You are strong, talented, valuable, your future is bright.” The next time one of those lies come just say “No, thanks.”
The apostle Paul says, “So what if they don’t believe? Will their unbelief make
TT 176 | November 8th - November 14th | 2022
Every Good G S ift
ells
Entrepreneur
Reprioritizing health as part of your leadership goals
www.biblicalleadership.com | By CATHERINE GATES | image credit: istock
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, do everything in our power to care for these bodies we’ve been given. You don’t whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a have to completely transform your habits overnight. The best results come from price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV). small mindset and habit changes over time. Health was not always on my list of top priorities. I cared more about how I looked than how healthy my body was. For years I felt that sleep was overrated. Fortunately, I’ve always enjoyed exercise. I just find it challenging to consistently fit into my perpetually full schedule. Is it just me, or do others find when one commitment comes to an end, something else quickly finds its way into those freed-up spaces on the calendar?
Replace soft drinks with water.I once loved Diet Coke until it started giving me the shakes. I also learned that consuming diet soft drinks actually can contribute to weight gain. It was an adjustment to drink more water, but now I prefer it. Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Your body is designed to get rest. In fact, there are essential maintenance functions the body performs during sleep that keep your brain in good working order. I’ve developed a habit of winding down at 8:30 PM. There are exceptions now and then, but getting a minimum of 7.5 Health falls to the bottom of the priority list for far too many of us—that is, un- hours of sleep is a priority for me. til we face a health crisis. It’s too easy to disregard our need for rest when work demands long hours. Food choices can often fall to whatever is most convenient Move your body. Moderate physical activity can improve brain health, resistance without regard for adequate nutrition or healthy ingredients. If we do wind up to disease, overall strength and ability to maintain a healthy weight. Be sure to with pain or fatigue, there’s always medication to get us through the day, right? choose physical activity you enjoy. If you don’t like running, don’t run! Go for walks, swim, dance, do yoga—find an activity want to do so you’re more likely Staying healthy is now extremely important to me. When my body, mind and to stick with it. Then put it on your calendar. heart are in great shape, I think more clearly, I’m much more productive, I gain more fulfillment from my work, and I enjoy life more. All things in moderation. Weight Watchers taught me to be aware of my portions. I don’t have to deny myself the foods I love altogether. One woman shared: In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul admonishes us to remember that when we accept Jesus “Nothing tastes as good as it feels to be thin.” Since people have different body Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. Instead of trav- types, my translation of that is: “Nothing tastes as good as it feels to be healthy.” eling to a temple to be in God’s presence and worship, the temple is our bodies. Small habit and mindset shifts can increase your desire to make healthy choices. We carry the presence of God with us because our lives were purchased with the Each of us has one body to carry us through this life. Jesus “came that we might precious blood of Jesus. As a result, we can no longer claim that we belong to have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10), but we have a part to play in makourselves and choose to do whatever we please. We belong to God. ing healthy choices for our body, mind and spirit. It has taken me years to form new habits, but I am in a much healthier place today. Make small changes over What does this mean for our health? time and you can experience greater enjoyment of this life you’ve been given, too! It means we have a responsibility to take our health and well-being seriously—to
TT 176 | November 8th - November 14th | 2022
My Health
Hair loss: The latest science on causes, treatment, and prevention
By James Kingsland on November 3, 2022 — Fact checked by Rita Ponce, Ph.D. |www.medicalnewstoday.com | image credit: mfacebook.com
In the past decade, biologists have disentangled many of the complexities of how hair grows and how it is lost in conditions such as pattern baldness and alopecia areata. In this Special Feature, we explore the latest discoveries and treatments, and ask experts if it is possible to prevent hair loss in the first place. It is perfectly normal for people to shed between 50 and 100 hairs from their heads every day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. However, excessive hair loss that causes progressive thinning of the hair, bald patches, or even total hair loss can be very distressing. There are several possible causes of hair loss. These include: major stressors, such as a prolonged illness, job loss, or a bereavement — this kind of hair loss is known as telogen effluviumsome medications, including antidepressants, beta-blockers, levodopa, and chemotherapy drugs illnesses such as thyroid disorders, a sex hormone imbalance, or a dietary deficiency of protein, iron, zinc, or biotin, for example autoimmunity, which can cause hair to fall out in one or more small patches on the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes — this is known as alopecia areata tight hairstyles that strain the hair follicles, known as traumatic or traction alopeciaa combination of genetics, male hormones, and increasing age, known as pattern hair loss or androgenetic alopecia; this can affect both males and females. The biology of hair growth is complex, but in recent years scientists have made strides toward understanding how the various factors listed above cause hair loss. They hope that in time this will lead to new, more effective treatments.
Growth cycles in hair follicles A hair follicle is a tube-like skin pore that encloses the shaft and root of the hair. Most healthy adults have around 80,000–120,000Trusted Source hairs on their scalps.
Each hair follicle repeatedly undergoes a growth cycle that comprises three distinct phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen. During anagen, which lasts between 2 and 7 years, the hair within the follicle grows about 1 centimeter per month. The follicle then enters catagen, a 2-week transitional phase during which the hair detaches from the blood supply. During the final, inactive stage, or telogen, the follicle sheds the hair. It can then take up
to 4 months before the follicle starts to grow a new one. Two to 3 months after a person experiences a traumatic or stressful event they can develop telogen effluviumTrusted Source — a type of hair loss in which the follicles remain stuck in the inactive, hair-shedding stage.
How chronic stress triggers hair loss In March 2021, scientists revealed how chronic stress can keep hair follicles in this inactive state for longer.
The hair follicle is one of the few tissues in the body that can regenerate itself, thanks to special cells known as adult stem cells. Researchers at the Harvard Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology in Cambridge, MA, discovered how chronic stress in mice suppresses the activity of these cells. They showed that a stress hormone called corticosterone — which is the mouse equivalent of cortisol in humans — keeps the follicle stem cells inactive. They found that in the absence of circulating corticosterone, the stem cells underwent many more rounds of regeneration during the animals’ lifetime. By contrast, high levels of the hormone, as a result of chronic stress, kept them inactive for longer and led to fewer rounds of regeneration. Rather than directly affecting the stem cells, however, corticosterone acted on a cluster of cells under the follicle, known as the dermal papilla. The researchers showed that in mice, the stress hormone prevented the dermal papilla from producing a molecular signal called Gas6, which normally activates the follicle stem cells. They reported their findings in Nature “Under both normal and stress conditions, adding Gas6 was sufficient to activate hair follicle stem cells that were in the resting phase and to promote hair growth,” says Dr. Sekyu Choi, who was the lead author of the study. “In the future, the Gas6 pathway could be exploited for its potential in activating stem cells to promote hair growth,” he adds. The researchers say they will need to conduct more studies in mice before they can explore potential treatments in humans.
TT 176 | November 8th - November 14th | 2022
My Health Does a muscle drive hair loss? Scientists have also discovered how a muscle that surrounds each hair follicle may play a role in hair loss and regeneration. The muscle, called the dermal sheath, is a type of “smooth muscle.” This means that — unlike skeletal muscle — it is not under voluntary control. The team led by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York investigated the role of the dermal sheath in mice. They showed that the muscle physically drives hair follicle regression, which is the middle part of the hair growth cycle, or “catagen.” The scientists found that when it contracts, the dermal sheath squeezes the hair follicle to start the regression process.
People with the condition produce more of a potent androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). They also have more androgen receptors in their scalp, and higher levels of an enzyme called 5 alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT. There are two Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs for pattern hair loss: finasteride and minoxidil. Finasteride works by inhibiting 5 alpha-reductase to reduce levels of DHT in the scalp. However, the drug’s efficacy is unclear in females, and some doctors advise females who are looking to get pregnant against taking it because the drug can cause a male fetus to develop ambiguous genitalia. As an alternative, females with pattern hair loss can take a drug called spironolactone, which is a less potent inhibitor of androgen activity than finasteride.
At the same time, this relocates the dermal papilla cells from under the follicle, up through the skin to where the stem cells are found in the upper follicle. In its new position, the dermal papilla can then signal to the stem cells to start generating a new hair.
Minoxidil solution — Rogaine in the United States and Regaine in the United Kingdom — which is applied directly to the scalp, dilates blood capillaries. This may promote hair follicle growth by allowing more blood, oxygen, and nutrients to reach them.
The researchers showed that the same contraction machinery operates in human hair follicles. They believe that if they can prevent the muscle from contracting, they can stop hair follicle regression in its tracks.
Minoxidil is safe for both men and women.
“Blocking the newly discovered muscle and its contraction cannot cure baldness caused by hair loss diseases,” emphasizes Dr. Michael Rendl, who was the senior author of the study.
Alopecia areata In June 2022, the FDA approved the first treatment for a type of hair loss in which the immune system attacks hair follicles, known as alopecia areata.
But by stopping the “destruction phase” of the cycle, he points out, this could keep the existing hair shaft that would otherwise be lost when a new hair is produced.
The drug, called baricitinib, was already approved for the treatment of another autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis.
“We are excited about the possibility of stopping follicle regression and preventing the loss of the existing hair,” he says.
It works by inhibiting the activity of enzymes known as Janus kinases, which in turn may block some of the molecular signals that cause autoimmune disease.
The scientists described their study in Science in January 2020.
In clinical trials, the drug was better than placebo at promoting hair regrowth in people with severe alopecia areata.
Hair follicles in a dish
How to minimize hair loss
For the first time, researchers have grown fully functional mature mouse hair follicles in vitro in the lab — in other words, outside a living animal. The “hair follicle organoids,” or “follicloids,” produced hair shafts that grew around 3 millimeters in 23 days. The researchers hope that their cultured hair follicles will be useful for studying the biology of hair growth and pigmentation, and to screen new drugs. In October 2022, they described their mouse hair follicloids in Science Advances. “Our next step is to use cells from human origin, and apply [the technique] for drug development and regenerative medicine,” says senior author Dr. Junji Fukuda, a professor in the faculty of engineering at Yokohama National University in Japan. Their work could offer opportunities to develop new, more effective treatments for hair loss, such as androgenetic alopecia. However, the follicloids do not undergo growth cycles in the same way as normal hair. To reproduce hair cycles, it may be necessary to transplant the hair follicles into living animals. Prof. Fukuda told Medical News Today that he and his colleagues have recently achieved this with individual follicles, which each contain a hair shaft up to 10 millimeters long. “From the results, we think that signals from the body are necessary for hair cycles,” he said. Since their recent study was published, they have also grown human hair follicles from stem cells, though for now these follicles remain at an immature stage.
Existing drug treatments Pattern hair loss Pattern or androgenetic hair loss affects up to half of males and females. People with the condition are genetically predisposed to have a stronger response to androgens (male hormones) in their scalp. Activation of androgen receptors in dermal papilla cells shortens the growth phase (anagen) of hair follicles. In people susceptible to pattern hair loss, excessive activation of the receptor progressively shrinks the follicle, which results in shorter, thinner hairs.
Hair loss is an inevitable part of the aging process in both men and women. However, there are ways to protect hair follicles and slow down hair loss. “As soon as you notice you are losing hair, make an appointment with a health care practitioner, like a dermatologist,” advised Dr. Reid Maclellan, the founder and CEO of Cortina Health, and adjunct professor of plastic surgery at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. “The sooner you consult an expert, you may be able to start treating it quickly and minimize further hair loss,” he told MNT. If hair starts to thin, he advised against the use of hot tools, blow dryers, aggressive towel drying, and tight hairstyles such as buns. Dr. Ron Chao, a cosmetic, plastic, and hair transplant surgeon at Barber Surgeons Guild in New York, cautioned: “There are literally hundreds of products, shampoos, vitamins, supplements etc. on the market that claim to help with hair loss, but as a professional, I only officially recommend those that are currently clinically FDA approved which are oral finasteride, topical minoxidil and low-level class 3 lasers.” Low-level laser therapy — also called red light therapy or cold laser therapy — irradiates the scalp to promote blood circulation and encourage hair growth. In 2020, a review of research concluded that the treatments are safe and effective for both men and women. “If you’re concerned about androgenetic hair loss, it is critical to work closely with a physician to ensure that there are no other underlying causes of the hair loss,” advised Dr. Geeta Yadav, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology. “A physician might recommend blood work or even imaging,” she added. For example, blood tests to check for dietary deficiencies might include ferritin and vitamin D levels. “Healthy habits that patients can do themselves include following a nutritious diet and trying to keep stress levels low,” she advised.
TT 176 | November 8th - November 14th | 2022
My Kitchen Zucchini Fried Rice
https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/zucchini-fried-rice | By Adam Dolge
Ingredients
4 cups).
Ingredient Checklist 1 ½ pounds zucchini (about 4 zucchini) 3 tablespoons sesame oil, divided 8 ounces ground pork 1 cup matchstick carrots ½ cup fresh or frozen green peas (thawed if using frozen) 2 cups cooked long-grain white rice ¼ cup finely chopped fresh scallions, plus more for garnish 1 ½ tablespoons finely chopped garlic 2 teaspoons chile-garlic sauce 1 ½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger (grated on a Microplane) ½ cup lower-sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Step 2 Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over high. Add pork; cook, stirring with a wooden spoon to break into pieces, until browned on all sides, about 4 minutes. Add carrots and peas, and cook until slightly tender, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl; reserve.
Directions
Step 3 Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in skillet over high. Add rice, and spread into a single layer; cook undisturbed until dry and slightly toasty, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir, and continue to cook 1 minute. Step 4 Add zucchini, and stir to combine. Use a wooden spoon to move mixture to sides of skillet. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil in center of mixture. Add scallions, garlic, chile-garlic sauce, and ginger to hot oil; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in soy sauce, vinegar, and reserved pork mixture; toss to combine. Sprinkle with cilantro, and garnish with scallions.
Step 1 Grate zucchini using the largest holes on a box grater. Place shredded zucchini in a clean towel, and twist to wring out as much water as possible (yielding about
TT 176 | November 8th - November 14th | 2022
My Sports Europa League play-off draw results: Cristiano will soon be back at Camp Nou, Arsenal wait for last-16 draw in February By Standard Sports | Nov 07, 2022 | www.standardmedia.co.ke
Barcelona and Manchester United headlined the Europa League play-off draw Barca were eliminated from the Champions League group stage to drop into on Monday where the two giants of European football will go head to head in the Europa League for the second season running, while United came second in the New Year over two legs for the right to join the likes of Arsenal in the last-16 their Europa League group. of the continent’s secondary club competition. Manchester United will face off against Xavi Hernandez’s star-studded side in February for a place in the last 16,thereafter fans will be eager to find out who the likes of Man United, Barcelona and Juventus get as they are who Arsenal will face in the next stage of the competition.. Gunners won their group so are through to the next stage of the competition and will have to wait until the draw for the next round on February 24 to find out their opponents.
TT 176 | November 8th - November 14th | 2022 The Times Today is a publication of Elizabeth Omondi Consultancy. P.O. Box 833-00100 GPO Nairobi. Tel: 0722 927792. www.elizabethomondiconsultancy.com
