Philippine Daily Inquirer
Richard Yu’s brilliant letter today about the use of herbal medicines by generations of users in the Philippines strikes a chord with me. He mentions TCM —traditional Chinese medicine—which was a godsend to me. I stumbled upon a Western doctor in South Australia who learned acupuncture in Hong Kong and used it to treat cigarette addiction. It worked like a charm for me—three needles in my ear and some smoke in my face and—presto!—it worked. Don’t ask me how, but if something has been working for millions of people for thousands of years, why would Western medicine continue to begrudge it? Maybe because Western medicine can’t make a profit out of it? Or is just jealous?
My wife has malunggay trees growing in the garden: wonderful stuff, even drunk as tea. And what about virgin coconut oil (VCO)? I had a raspy throat a couple of months ago and had a few thimblefuls of VCO, and the raspiness disappeared.
Not all Western medicine is profit driven, you just have to look at how much more effective the Mayo Clinic model is. As well, not all herbal medicines are effective, some are just useless placebos, but there are enough proven herbal alternatives that do work—and continue to work—despite the non-acceptance by traditional Western medicine, which keeps chanting the mantra of “no proven therapeutic value.”
We owe it to ourselves to keep an open mind and look at herbal medicines as a healthy alternative. Do I miss not smoking since Feb. 20, 1986?
—WALTER P. KOMARNICKI,
Block 10 Lot 19,
Scions Kauswagan,
Cagayan de Oro City 9000
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Efficacy, safety claims re herbal products without scientific basis
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:22:00 10/15/2009
This is a reaction to Richard Yu’s letter titled “Safety of herbal drugs proven through generations.” (Inquirer, 09/29/2009)
Protecting the industry, abundant sources, cheap herbal supplements, and “generations of common-sense” don’t justify the distribution of a product for human consumption. The claimed benefits from herbal products by herbalists and users are, in fact, only anecdotal testimony of people allegedly cured, not based on scientific research. I commend the Department of Health and Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) for regulating the production and sale of herbal products.
The following scientific information should warn the public about herbal supplements and alternative medicine:
(1) A review of scientific literature on our herbal products yielded the following number of articles in valid publications (i.e., published in international medical journals, whose standards have not yet been met by any Philippine medical journal): sambong (2), lagundi (9), akapulko (20), and ampalaya (115). Only three of these 146 articles have Filipino authors—akapulko (1) and ampalaya (2). Only the ampalaya studies have been reviewed in an international medical journal, which concluded that adequate clinical trials are needed to properly assess its safety and efficacy. For more on these four herbal products and virgin coconut oil, read “Research on medicinal plants” at, http://www.philippinestoday.net/index.php?module=article&view=238.
(2) Recent international reviews of the scientific literature on other herbal medicinal products warn: They are not free of risk. One such review was conducted by scientists from the Department of Complementary Medicine, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, United Kingdom and was published in the journal Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety in 2004. The study concludes that some herbal drugs have the potential to cause serious adverse events and fatalities and that more research and more information are required to ensure consumers’ safety.
(3) The Commission for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health in the United States, a panel that includes prominent physicians, scientists, and Nobel prize winners, has this to say about alternative medicine: Despite the phenomenal success of science-based medicine, we are seeing a reversion to irrational and superstitious approaches to medical practice. There are 29,000 nutritional supplements now marketed in the United States. In 2003, the industry made nearly $20 billion in sales. Federal law now leaves the safety of these products up to the scruples of marketers. Many of these products do not contain the amount of active ingredients listed on the label; some don’t have any at all. Recent studies have shown that many herbal remedies from India and China contain harmful levels of lead, mercury, arsenic, or other toxic substances.
For some additional examples of how the public is being endangered by alternative medicine at, http://www.csmmh.org/special.htmlSafety of herbal drugs proven through generations
First Posted 00:22:00 10/15/2009
This is a reaction to Richard Yu’s letter titled “Safety of herbal drugs proven through generations.” (Inquirer, 09/29/2009)
Protecting the industry, abundant sources, cheap herbal supplements, and “generations of common-sense” don’t justify the distribution of a product for human consumption. The claimed benefits from herbal products by herbalists and users are, in fact, only anecdotal testimony of people allegedly cured, not based on scientific research. I commend the Department of Health and Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) for regulating the production and sale of herbal products.
The following scientific information should warn the public about herbal supplements and alternative medicine:
(1) A review of scientific literature on our herbal products yielded the following number of articles in valid publications (i.e., published in international medical journals, whose standards have not yet been met by any Philippine medical journal): sambong (2), lagundi (9), akapulko (20), and ampalaya (115). Only three of these 146 articles have Filipino authors—akapulko (1) and ampalaya (2). Only the ampalaya studies have been reviewed in an international medical journal, which concluded that adequate clinical trials are needed to properly assess its safety and efficacy. For more on these four herbal products and virgin coconut oil, read “Research on medicinal plants” at, http://www.philippinestoday.net/index.php?module=article&view=238.
(2) Recent international reviews of the scientific literature on other herbal medicinal products warn: They are not free of risk. One such review was conducted by scientists from the Department of Complementary Medicine, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, United Kingdom and was published in the journal Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety in 2004. The study concludes that some herbal drugs have the potential to cause serious adverse events and fatalities and that more research and more information are required to ensure consumers’ safety.
(3) The Commission for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health in the United States, a panel that includes prominent physicians, scientists, and Nobel prize winners, has this to say about alternative medicine: Despite the phenomenal success of science-based medicine, we are seeing a reversion to irrational and superstitious approaches to medical practice. There are 29,000 nutritional supplements now marketed in the United States. In 2003, the industry made nearly $20 billion in sales. Federal law now leaves the safety of these products up to the scruples of marketers. Many of these products do not contain the amount of active ingredients listed on the label; some don’t have any at all. Recent studies have shown that many herbal remedies from India and China contain harmful levels of lead, mercury, arsenic, or other toxic substances.
For some additional examples of how the public is being endangered by alternative medicine at, http://www.csmmh.org/special.htmlSafety of herbal drugs proven through generations
Pfizer-Unilab row reaches retail sector
By Abigail L. Ho
Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE patent battle between Pfizer Inc. and United Laboratories Inc. has moved beyond the courtroom and into the drugstore space, with Pfizer threatening legal charges against those that continue to sell Unilab’s Avamax.
Pfizer external legal counsel Esguerra & Blanco Law Offices on Oct. 7 sent letters to various drugstore chains in Metro Manila and the provinces, demanding that these stores stop selling Unilab’s generic version of Pfizer’s popular anticholesterol drug Lipitor.
Among the drugstores that received Pfizer’s demand letter were Watsons Personal Care Stores (Philippines) Inc., South Star Drug Inc., Amesco Drug in Davao City and Rose Pharmacy Inc. in Cebu City.
According to the letter, a copy of which was obtained by the Inquirer, Atorvastatin Calcium, the drug Pfizer marketed under the brand Lipitor and which Unilab started selling this month under the name Avamax, was still under patent with Warner Lambert, a company that Pfizer bought in 2004.
The letter said Warner Lambert continued to hold the patent for Atorvastatin Calcium and that Pfizer held its exclusive distribution rights in the Philippines.
“We demand that upon receipt of this letter, you immediately cease and desist from further distributing or selling these generic versions of Atorvastatin Calcium as you and your personnel are contributing to the infringement of valid and existing patent and exclusive distribution rights, thus causing grave and irreparable damage and injury to them,” the letter said.
“We likewise demand that you inform us in writing of your compliance with the foregoing, and of your willingness to execute an undertaking whereby you will forever desist from promoting, advertising, distributing or selling these generic versions of Atorvastatin Calcium within five days from receipt of this letter,” it added.
The letter said drugstores that would continue to carry Unilab’s Avamax would face legal action.
Asked for a response, Watsons senior regulatory affairs manager Belinda Pesayco said the drugstore chain had decided to continue carrying Avamax despite the warning as this provided a cheaper alternative to consumers taking anticholesterol medicine.
“Both Pfizer and Unilab are longstanding partners of ours in the business. But after thoroughly studying the matter, we decided to continue carrying Avamax because it is cheaper. We just want to fulfill what (RA 9502, or the Universally Accessible and Quality Cheaper Medicines Act) aims to do—to make affordable, good quality medicine accessible to as many consumers as possible,” she said in a telephone interview.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE patent battle between Pfizer Inc. and United Laboratories Inc. has moved beyond the courtroom and into the drugstore space, with Pfizer threatening legal charges against those that continue to sell Unilab’s Avamax.
Pfizer external legal counsel Esguerra & Blanco Law Offices on Oct. 7 sent letters to various drugstore chains in Metro Manila and the provinces, demanding that these stores stop selling Unilab’s generic version of Pfizer’s popular anticholesterol drug Lipitor.
Among the drugstores that received Pfizer’s demand letter were Watsons Personal Care Stores (Philippines) Inc., South Star Drug Inc., Amesco Drug in Davao City and Rose Pharmacy Inc. in Cebu City.
According to the letter, a copy of which was obtained by the Inquirer, Atorvastatin Calcium, the drug Pfizer marketed under the brand Lipitor and which Unilab started selling this month under the name Avamax, was still under patent with Warner Lambert, a company that Pfizer bought in 2004.
The letter said Warner Lambert continued to hold the patent for Atorvastatin Calcium and that Pfizer held its exclusive distribution rights in the Philippines.
“We demand that upon receipt of this letter, you immediately cease and desist from further distributing or selling these generic versions of Atorvastatin Calcium as you and your personnel are contributing to the infringement of valid and existing patent and exclusive distribution rights, thus causing grave and irreparable damage and injury to them,” the letter said.
“We likewise demand that you inform us in writing of your compliance with the foregoing, and of your willingness to execute an undertaking whereby you will forever desist from promoting, advertising, distributing or selling these generic versions of Atorvastatin Calcium within five days from receipt of this letter,” it added.
The letter said drugstores that would continue to carry Unilab’s Avamax would face legal action.
Asked for a response, Watsons senior regulatory affairs manager Belinda Pesayco said the drugstore chain had decided to continue carrying Avamax despite the warning as this provided a cheaper alternative to consumers taking anticholesterol medicine.
“Both Pfizer and Unilab are longstanding partners of ours in the business. But after thoroughly studying the matter, we decided to continue carrying Avamax because it is cheaper. We just want to fulfill what (RA 9502, or the Universally Accessible and Quality Cheaper Medicines Act) aims to do—to make affordable, good quality medicine accessible to as many consumers as possible,” she said in a telephone interview.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Food supplements.............
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:16:00 09/29/2009
Why would the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) go after the Filipino makers of herb supplements when they’re just trying to sell their products? People are familiar with herbal drugs, especially those that have been around for generations. Our country is gifted with abundant sources of herbal medicine. These herbs are common, cheap and free of side effects, unlike chemical medicines.
What the DoH and FDA officials won’t admit is that they are yielding to pressure from greedy multinationals whose share of the market for expensive drugs is being eaten up by these very common herbs. Unlike former Health Secretary Juan Flavier who encouraged the use of alternative cures, the present DoH and FDA officials are anti-Filipino and pro-greedy multinationals. Multinational drug makers always raise the issue that herbal supplements didn’t go through years of laboratory research. Well, they have gone through generations of common-sense, valid observation by herbalists and users; they are known to be safe and without side effects. So why go suddenly strict about the use of herbal medicines? Because multinational drug makers are telling them to do so? Allow me to remind the DoH and FDA that Filipino farmers and growers are going to lose their jobs if they clamp on the local herbal drugs industry.
There is a potential export market for Filipino herbs, especially in the West, because herbs are becoming popular and chemical drugs are suddenly be unpopular because of their price and side-effects. In the United States and Europe, herbal makers are generally left alone and are making a serious dent on the sales of chemical drug makers. In Switzerland and Germany, herbs and supplements are a multi-billion dollar industry.
Combined with generics and the Minimum Retail Price, our thriving herbal industry can counter the multinational drug maker’s greed. We should encourage the Filipino herbal industry so it will thrive even more. Look at TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) and Ayurveda medicine. They have become multibillion-dollar industries in their own right. Sure, sometimes unsafe ingredients are found in them but they are quickly removed. The more than 1.3 billion Chinese people can’t be wrong about their TCM; neither can the 1 billion Indians be wrong with their Ayurveda medicine.
The health secretary and FDA director must be reminded that they are employees of the Filipino people and work for the Filipino people, not for the multinational drug makers.
—RICHARD YU,
richyu1980@yahoo.com
First Posted 02:16:00 09/29/2009
Why would the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) go after the Filipino makers of herb supplements when they’re just trying to sell their products? People are familiar with herbal drugs, especially those that have been around for generations. Our country is gifted with abundant sources of herbal medicine. These herbs are common, cheap and free of side effects, unlike chemical medicines.
What the DoH and FDA officials won’t admit is that they are yielding to pressure from greedy multinationals whose share of the market for expensive drugs is being eaten up by these very common herbs. Unlike former Health Secretary Juan Flavier who encouraged the use of alternative cures, the present DoH and FDA officials are anti-Filipino and pro-greedy multinationals. Multinational drug makers always raise the issue that herbal supplements didn’t go through years of laboratory research. Well, they have gone through generations of common-sense, valid observation by herbalists and users; they are known to be safe and without side effects. So why go suddenly strict about the use of herbal medicines? Because multinational drug makers are telling them to do so? Allow me to remind the DoH and FDA that Filipino farmers and growers are going to lose their jobs if they clamp on the local herbal drugs industry.
There is a potential export market for Filipino herbs, especially in the West, because herbs are becoming popular and chemical drugs are suddenly be unpopular because of their price and side-effects. In the United States and Europe, herbal makers are generally left alone and are making a serious dent on the sales of chemical drug makers. In Switzerland and Germany, herbs and supplements are a multi-billion dollar industry.
Combined with generics and the Minimum Retail Price, our thriving herbal industry can counter the multinational drug maker’s greed. We should encourage the Filipino herbal industry so it will thrive even more. Look at TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) and Ayurveda medicine. They have become multibillion-dollar industries in their own right. Sure, sometimes unsafe ingredients are found in them but they are quickly removed. The more than 1.3 billion Chinese people can’t be wrong about their TCM; neither can the 1 billion Indians be wrong with their Ayurveda medicine.
The health secretary and FDA director must be reminded that they are employees of the Filipino people and work for the Filipino people, not for the multinational drug makers.
—RICHARD YU,
richyu1980@yahoo.com
Mushrooms help prevent allergies
By Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE “BER” months have arrived and this means cooler temperatures and longer nights. During this time, your body begins to adjust to the changes. With every season, there’s a host of health challenges.
Allergies
Allergies come in many forms and symptoms and the causes are many such as MSG, food-coloring preservatives, eggs, chicken, seafood, peanuts, alcohol, chocolate, environmental chemicals, pollution, dust, mold and spores, pets and animal hairs. Not only people get allergies. Even animals do, would you believe? Your pet could be allergic to something if it keeps sneezing.
If you have an allergy, it is best to see your doctor. Ask about a blood test that will provide you with an accurate reading of your sensitivity to certain substances. The ImmunoCAP machine from Sweden can detect allergies and auto-immune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis within the day. It is available at Makati Medical Center, Asian Center, Medical Center and UP PGH. (For more info, call Trianon at 815-3239.)
A surefire preventive measure is to maintain a clean environment. Studies have shown that the greatest cause of allergies is unclean surroundings. Do you know that every day, your body is bombarded by fungus and microbes? Your best defense is to keep your immune system in good condition. Remove all the irritants inside your home.
One of the best ways to rid your residence of pests is the latest, state-of-the-art air and room cleaning system called Hyla NST, a portable heavy-duty cleaning machine. It is a 4-in-1 equipment – air purifier, vacuum cleaner, floor polisher and more importantly a bed, carpet, curtain and upholstery cleaner. It literally sucks out the dirt and dust mites. (Dust mites are one of the main causes of asthma, rhinitis and respiratory ailments.)
Air is drawn into the cleaner with a rotating separator that turns an amazing 25,000 rpm/second or 416 times a second. It successfully removes dust particles from the air and binds them to water inside the machine. The end result is pure cleanliness.
Annie Santos, a 54-year-old housewife, had been suffering from severe asthma for 10 years. Each time she’d have an attack, she would have to be rushed to the emergency room. Upon discovering the Hyla cleaning system, her bed has been cleansed of dust mites and she has since banned her pet dog from sleeping in her bedroom. Her trips to the emergency room have stopped. (Call Rotarian Gerry Gamez of Gammonco Trading Co. for a free demo, 092-28903367.)
According to Dr. Earth Mindell’s “Vitamin Bible for the 21st century,” a nutritional defense versus allergies includes vitamin B complex, 50 mg, twice a day; pantothenic acid, 500 mg, twice a day, Vitamin C, 1000 mg, once daily.
According to Japanese and Chinese traditions, reishi, shiitake, maitake, agaricus and cordyceps are also effective. This is surprisingly found in a 5-in-1 supplement called Multi Five. (Call World of Wellness, 332-3864/723-3878.)
Anti-allergy regimen
1. Wake up in the morning with happy thoughts and a smile on your face.
2. Drink one cup of lukewarm water with 1 tsp apple cider vinegar and 1/2 tsp honey.
3. Drink 2 full glasses lukewarm water. Drink water every 1 1/2 hours until bedtime.
4. Increase hydration through juicing (fresh is best).
5. Eat healthy.
Affirm today: “I am healthy and happy.”
Love and light!
—FLOR LACANILAO,
retired professor of marine science,
University of the Philippines, Diliman, QC
Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE “BER” months have arrived and this means cooler temperatures and longer nights. During this time, your body begins to adjust to the changes. With every season, there’s a host of health challenges.
Allergies
Allergies come in many forms and symptoms and the causes are many such as MSG, food-coloring preservatives, eggs, chicken, seafood, peanuts, alcohol, chocolate, environmental chemicals, pollution, dust, mold and spores, pets and animal hairs. Not only people get allergies. Even animals do, would you believe? Your pet could be allergic to something if it keeps sneezing.
If you have an allergy, it is best to see your doctor. Ask about a blood test that will provide you with an accurate reading of your sensitivity to certain substances. The ImmunoCAP machine from Sweden can detect allergies and auto-immune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis within the day. It is available at Makati Medical Center, Asian Center, Medical Center and UP PGH. (For more info, call Trianon at 815-3239.)
A surefire preventive measure is to maintain a clean environment. Studies have shown that the greatest cause of allergies is unclean surroundings. Do you know that every day, your body is bombarded by fungus and microbes? Your best defense is to keep your immune system in good condition. Remove all the irritants inside your home.
One of the best ways to rid your residence of pests is the latest, state-of-the-art air and room cleaning system called Hyla NST, a portable heavy-duty cleaning machine. It is a 4-in-1 equipment – air purifier, vacuum cleaner, floor polisher and more importantly a bed, carpet, curtain and upholstery cleaner. It literally sucks out the dirt and dust mites. (Dust mites are one of the main causes of asthma, rhinitis and respiratory ailments.)
Air is drawn into the cleaner with a rotating separator that turns an amazing 25,000 rpm/second or 416 times a second. It successfully removes dust particles from the air and binds them to water inside the machine. The end result is pure cleanliness.
Annie Santos, a 54-year-old housewife, had been suffering from severe asthma for 10 years. Each time she’d have an attack, she would have to be rushed to the emergency room. Upon discovering the Hyla cleaning system, her bed has been cleansed of dust mites and she has since banned her pet dog from sleeping in her bedroom. Her trips to the emergency room have stopped. (Call Rotarian Gerry Gamez of Gammonco Trading Co. for a free demo, 092-28903367.)
According to Dr. Earth Mindell’s “Vitamin Bible for the 21st century,” a nutritional defense versus allergies includes vitamin B complex, 50 mg, twice a day; pantothenic acid, 500 mg, twice a day, Vitamin C, 1000 mg, once daily.
According to Japanese and Chinese traditions, reishi, shiitake, maitake, agaricus and cordyceps are also effective. This is surprisingly found in a 5-in-1 supplement called Multi Five. (Call World of Wellness, 332-3864/723-3878.)
Anti-allergy regimen
1. Wake up in the morning with happy thoughts and a smile on your face.
2. Drink one cup of lukewarm water with 1 tsp apple cider vinegar and 1/2 tsp honey.
3. Drink 2 full glasses lukewarm water. Drink water every 1 1/2 hours until bedtime.
4. Increase hydration through juicing (fresh is best).
5. Eat healthy.
Affirm today: “I am healthy and happy.”
Love and light!
—FLOR LACANILAO,
retired professor of marine science,
University of the Philippines, Diliman, QC
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Baby allergies
By Rafael Castillo, MD
Philippine Daily Inquirer
ALLERGY for adults is a source of much concern; and it becomes more so in babies and young children. Yes, allergy is not a problem only found in adults – a popular misconception. So babies with puffy eyes and runny nose may already be suffering from allergy. Initially they may present with symptoms such as recurrent abdominal colic or regurgitation of milk, which neither the parents nor the doctor may attribute to allergy.
Dr. Peter Smith, a pediatrician-allergologist from Griffith and Bond University in Australia, was recently in the country to lecture on the various causes of allergy in infants and the steps that could protect an infant from the discomfort and danger that allergies could bring.
Dr. Smith defines allergy as “an abnormal response of the body to a foreign protein, which can be something we breathe in, something we eat, or something we’re stung with, like an insect sting.”
Food allergies, in particular, affect anywhere from 5 to 8 percent of infants, and health experts are alarmed that the rates have been rising in recent years. Cow’s milk protein is often the first and major cause of food allergy during infancy, Dr. Smith says. As the child grows and is given more solid foods as complementary feeding, allergies to eggs, nuts and seafood may also be fairly common.
Allergy symptoms
The symptoms of allergy can be relatively mild initially such as upset stomachs or regurgitation but it can also be potentially life-threatening in some cases. There have been reports of occasional anaphylactic shock in babies causing constriction of airways and difficulty of breathing. The baby with anaphylactic shock can just suddenly turn blue, due to lack of oxygen.
So babies of parents with serious allergic histories should be considered at risk of developing allergic problems also. Dr. Smith explained that if neither parent was allergic, the chance that infant would have allergies was only about 15 percent. An infant with an allergic parent has 40 to 60 percent risk of developing allergy, and if both parents have allergies, the risk goes all the way to 80 percent.
Also an interesting hypothesis (hygiene hypothesis) proposes that limited exposure to bacteria, especially in early life, due to extremely sterile surroundings may also increase the risk of allergy. So, clean environment for the baby is good, but “sterile” rooms –supposed to be a privilege of urban affluence – may deprive the babies the chance to develop the babies’ immune system.
A little bit of bacteria and other allergens may positively stimulate the immune response with antibodies being formed by the body itself. This is why some experts including Dr. Smith label some bacteria as “good bacteria.” In fact, I believe some milk preparations have already incorporated in their formula some of these good bacteria such as bifidobacteria.
‘Allergic match’
There is also such a thing as an “allergic march” in infants and children, such that the allergic manifestations may become worse as the child grows. It triggers a cascade of other troublesome allergic problems involving the stomach (gastrointestinal tract), skin, nose and lung airways. Cross allergy to various substances can also occur.
For example, 95 percent of those who have egg allergy also develop dust mite allergy. And dust mite is practically present everywhere. Egg allergy is also known to increase the risk of developing skin allergies or eczema which in turn may also lead to allergic rhinitis, so the child always have runny nose, sneezing and teary eyes.
Dietary protection vs allergy
The risk of allergy from milk preparations is one strong argument for breastfeeding. Dr. Smith stresses that it still remains as the best and earliest step that can be taken for dietary protection against allergy, regardless of family history. He explained that breast milk provided a naturally hypoallergenic milk protein that significantly reduces the risk of allergy. Also, breast milk contains antibodies and probiotics (live, good bacteria) like bifidobacteria that help strengthen the infant’s immune system.
So, unless other medical conditions in the mother and child make breastfeeding not possible, breast milk remains the best source of nutrition for the baby for as long as possible, especially during the first year. When breastfeeding is not possible, pediatricians may consider prescribing an infant formula that is hypoallergenic. Such preparations contain hydrolyzed whey (H.W.) formulas, because the process of hydrolysis makes milk proteins less allergenic. Hydrolysis is a technical process that breaks down cow’s milk protein into smaller, gentle particles that are regarded as harmless by the immune system. Hence, it helps reduce the risk of allergy.
In addition to hydrolyzed whey, introducing probiotics to an infant’s diet can also significantly decrease the risk for allergy, Dr. Smith suggests. He presented a paper explaining the benefits of probiotics in food allergy prevention. These probiotics can help alleviate the tendency of the infant’s immune system to react abnormally to proteins in food and thus help reduce the potential of developing food allergies. Specifically, probiotics have been reported to decrease the chances of developing eczema, which in turn decreases the likelihood of other forms of allergies.
Allergy prevention
Soy formula or alternative animal formulas like goat, sheep, or mare, have also been proposed for allergy prevention in infants and babies; but currently, there is no good evidence showing that they can prevent the development of allergies.
Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil) have been shown in some studies to suppress the inflammatory mechanisms associated with allergies; and nutritional supplementation in the mother has been associated with reduced allergy risk such as wheezing in infancy. However, this protective effect dissipated by three years of age. Folate is also another nutritional supplement now being studied in the prevention of allergy.
Babies, whose parents have significant histories of allergy, should be evaluated already as early as possible if they have inherited their parents’ allergy-prone genes. There are now blood tests using a few cc’s of blood to find out the baby’s allergic risk. In fact, blood from the infant’s umbilical cord can already be sent for testing, so right on day 1, the infant’s allergic risk is known.
Allergy is always bad news at any age. Let our infants and babies be spared from it.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
ALLERGY for adults is a source of much concern; and it becomes more so in babies and young children. Yes, allergy is not a problem only found in adults – a popular misconception. So babies with puffy eyes and runny nose may already be suffering from allergy. Initially they may present with symptoms such as recurrent abdominal colic or regurgitation of milk, which neither the parents nor the doctor may attribute to allergy.
Dr. Peter Smith, a pediatrician-allergologist from Griffith and Bond University in Australia, was recently in the country to lecture on the various causes of allergy in infants and the steps that could protect an infant from the discomfort and danger that allergies could bring.
Dr. Smith defines allergy as “an abnormal response of the body to a foreign protein, which can be something we breathe in, something we eat, or something we’re stung with, like an insect sting.”
Food allergies, in particular, affect anywhere from 5 to 8 percent of infants, and health experts are alarmed that the rates have been rising in recent years. Cow’s milk protein is often the first and major cause of food allergy during infancy, Dr. Smith says. As the child grows and is given more solid foods as complementary feeding, allergies to eggs, nuts and seafood may also be fairly common.
Allergy symptoms
The symptoms of allergy can be relatively mild initially such as upset stomachs or regurgitation but it can also be potentially life-threatening in some cases. There have been reports of occasional anaphylactic shock in babies causing constriction of airways and difficulty of breathing. The baby with anaphylactic shock can just suddenly turn blue, due to lack of oxygen.
So babies of parents with serious allergic histories should be considered at risk of developing allergic problems also. Dr. Smith explained that if neither parent was allergic, the chance that infant would have allergies was only about 15 percent. An infant with an allergic parent has 40 to 60 percent risk of developing allergy, and if both parents have allergies, the risk goes all the way to 80 percent.
Also an interesting hypothesis (hygiene hypothesis) proposes that limited exposure to bacteria, especially in early life, due to extremely sterile surroundings may also increase the risk of allergy. So, clean environment for the baby is good, but “sterile” rooms –supposed to be a privilege of urban affluence – may deprive the babies the chance to develop the babies’ immune system.
A little bit of bacteria and other allergens may positively stimulate the immune response with antibodies being formed by the body itself. This is why some experts including Dr. Smith label some bacteria as “good bacteria.” In fact, I believe some milk preparations have already incorporated in their formula some of these good bacteria such as bifidobacteria.
‘Allergic match’
There is also such a thing as an “allergic march” in infants and children, such that the allergic manifestations may become worse as the child grows. It triggers a cascade of other troublesome allergic problems involving the stomach (gastrointestinal tract), skin, nose and lung airways. Cross allergy to various substances can also occur.
For example, 95 percent of those who have egg allergy also develop dust mite allergy. And dust mite is practically present everywhere. Egg allergy is also known to increase the risk of developing skin allergies or eczema which in turn may also lead to allergic rhinitis, so the child always have runny nose, sneezing and teary eyes.
Dietary protection vs allergy
The risk of allergy from milk preparations is one strong argument for breastfeeding. Dr. Smith stresses that it still remains as the best and earliest step that can be taken for dietary protection against allergy, regardless of family history. He explained that breast milk provided a naturally hypoallergenic milk protein that significantly reduces the risk of allergy. Also, breast milk contains antibodies and probiotics (live, good bacteria) like bifidobacteria that help strengthen the infant’s immune system.
So, unless other medical conditions in the mother and child make breastfeeding not possible, breast milk remains the best source of nutrition for the baby for as long as possible, especially during the first year. When breastfeeding is not possible, pediatricians may consider prescribing an infant formula that is hypoallergenic. Such preparations contain hydrolyzed whey (H.W.) formulas, because the process of hydrolysis makes milk proteins less allergenic. Hydrolysis is a technical process that breaks down cow’s milk protein into smaller, gentle particles that are regarded as harmless by the immune system. Hence, it helps reduce the risk of allergy.
In addition to hydrolyzed whey, introducing probiotics to an infant’s diet can also significantly decrease the risk for allergy, Dr. Smith suggests. He presented a paper explaining the benefits of probiotics in food allergy prevention. These probiotics can help alleviate the tendency of the infant’s immune system to react abnormally to proteins in food and thus help reduce the potential of developing food allergies. Specifically, probiotics have been reported to decrease the chances of developing eczema, which in turn decreases the likelihood of other forms of allergies.
Allergy prevention
Soy formula or alternative animal formulas like goat, sheep, or mare, have also been proposed for allergy prevention in infants and babies; but currently, there is no good evidence showing that they can prevent the development of allergies.
Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil) have been shown in some studies to suppress the inflammatory mechanisms associated with allergies; and nutritional supplementation in the mother has been associated with reduced allergy risk such as wheezing in infancy. However, this protective effect dissipated by three years of age. Folate is also another nutritional supplement now being studied in the prevention of allergy.
Babies, whose parents have significant histories of allergy, should be evaluated already as early as possible if they have inherited their parents’ allergy-prone genes. There are now blood tests using a few cc’s of blood to find out the baby’s allergic risk. In fact, blood from the infant’s umbilical cord can already be sent for testing, so right on day 1, the infant’s allergic risk is known.
Allergy is always bad news at any age. Let our infants and babies be spared from it.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Ginger eases stomach pains, checks arthritis
By Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 17:54:00 08/31/2009
ANCIENT remedies die hard.
Do you know that ginger is a powerful anti-aging remedy? Ginger, especially when taken fresh, aids digestion, soothes stomach ailments and controls arthritis. Its enzyme zingibain is more powerful than the papaya enzyme papain, according to Paul Schulick in “Ginger: Common Spice & Wonder Drug.”
In fact, 1 pound of ginger is equivalent to 180 pounds of papaya. And unlike papaya, it has low glycemic index. Ginger is a strong anti-inflammatory agent (gingerol compound) and is effective as astirine with no side effects.
The best way to take ginger is to grate two teaspoons and mix with very hot water.
Steep for five minutes, strain and stir slowly.
Instant lift
Ever wondered why your skin isn’t as plump and supple as it was when you were 16? That’s because the levels of hyaluron and collagen diminish over time. A primary component of young, healthy skin and connective tissue, these can be replenished.
Hyaluron’s main function is to lubricate and cushion all tissues and organs. A drastic decrease in this substance leads to deep wrinkles, fragile arteries leading to stroke and heart attack, and poor eyesight/vision leading to blindness.
Collagen is a fibrous protein that connects and supports tissues and organs, skin, bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons. Without collagen, tissue cells will be torn apart.
Collagen works with elastic, a protein molecule inside connective tissue. Its main job is to make skin firm.
Now, a natural face and body lift minus surgery is possible. Slowly but surely, a Japan-made regimen of hyaluron and collagen taken as a potent tea provides 7,000 mg a day of youth drink. Each sachet is more than enough to give the boost you need from inside-out. This is so effective that within two weeks, visible results are dramatic.
Ask your doctor about Hyaluron-Collagen supplements, or call Dr. Rudy Apostol, aesthetic anti-aging medicine expert (0917-5782088).
This imported product is also available at the World of Wellness, SM Fairview and V-Mall (332-3864, 723-3878).
Managing stress
Managing the power of touch is a science of healing that dates back to ancient times in Egypt, China and India. The right pressure, when applied at specific points or meridians in the body, has therapeutic benefits.
The Mandarin Reflexology Foot & Body Spa at the Alabang Town Center has successfully harmonized massage and reflexology into a one-hour relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
In a dimly lit spa ambience, one can simply sink into the cozy lounging chairs and drift into slumber. Expert hands, trained by two Taiwanese specialists, have brought into the Philippines their famous reflex regimen. A complimentary cup of wolfberry tea, an added touch of entrepreneurs Maan Uy and Annie Ting, hits the healing spot (809-6108; 0917-5208950).
Affirm: “I am in charge of my body, mind and spirit.”
Love and light!
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 17:54:00 08/31/2009
ANCIENT remedies die hard.
Do you know that ginger is a powerful anti-aging remedy? Ginger, especially when taken fresh, aids digestion, soothes stomach ailments and controls arthritis. Its enzyme zingibain is more powerful than the papaya enzyme papain, according to Paul Schulick in “Ginger: Common Spice & Wonder Drug.”
In fact, 1 pound of ginger is equivalent to 180 pounds of papaya. And unlike papaya, it has low glycemic index. Ginger is a strong anti-inflammatory agent (gingerol compound) and is effective as astirine with no side effects.
The best way to take ginger is to grate two teaspoons and mix with very hot water.
Steep for five minutes, strain and stir slowly.
Instant lift
Ever wondered why your skin isn’t as plump and supple as it was when you were 16? That’s because the levels of hyaluron and collagen diminish over time. A primary component of young, healthy skin and connective tissue, these can be replenished.
Hyaluron’s main function is to lubricate and cushion all tissues and organs. A drastic decrease in this substance leads to deep wrinkles, fragile arteries leading to stroke and heart attack, and poor eyesight/vision leading to blindness.
Collagen is a fibrous protein that connects and supports tissues and organs, skin, bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons. Without collagen, tissue cells will be torn apart.
Collagen works with elastic, a protein molecule inside connective tissue. Its main job is to make skin firm.
Now, a natural face and body lift minus surgery is possible. Slowly but surely, a Japan-made regimen of hyaluron and collagen taken as a potent tea provides 7,000 mg a day of youth drink. Each sachet is more than enough to give the boost you need from inside-out. This is so effective that within two weeks, visible results are dramatic.
Ask your doctor about Hyaluron-Collagen supplements, or call Dr. Rudy Apostol, aesthetic anti-aging medicine expert (0917-5782088).
This imported product is also available at the World of Wellness, SM Fairview and V-Mall (332-3864, 723-3878).
Managing stress
Managing the power of touch is a science of healing that dates back to ancient times in Egypt, China and India. The right pressure, when applied at specific points or meridians in the body, has therapeutic benefits.
The Mandarin Reflexology Foot & Body Spa at the Alabang Town Center has successfully harmonized massage and reflexology into a one-hour relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
In a dimly lit spa ambience, one can simply sink into the cozy lounging chairs and drift into slumber. Expert hands, trained by two Taiwanese specialists, have brought into the Philippines their famous reflex regimen. A complimentary cup of wolfberry tea, an added touch of entrepreneurs Maan Uy and Annie Ting, hits the healing spot (809-6108; 0917-5208950).
Affirm: “I am in charge of my body, mind and spirit.”
Love and light!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Getting Irresistible
Zosimo T. Literatus, R.M.T.
Breakthroughs
“PROBABLY the saddest thing you’ll ever see is a mosquito sucking on a mummy,” says Jack Handy, the American writer famous for his “Deep Thoughts” comedy sketches.
Certainly, most of us believe that mosquitoes just bite any skin. But scientific evidence indicates that they too choose whom to flirt with.
Professor emeritus at the University of Florida Jerry Butler observed: “One in 10 people are highly attractive to mosquitoes.” But it’s not for dinner, as Don Marquis erroneously believed. (“To a flea or a mosquito a human being is merely something good to eat.”).
Female mosquitoes bite (males don’t); they use blood to hatch their eggs. And not just anyone’s blood, apparently.
Dinner time. Much of the determinant (a whopping 85 percent) is genetics. Genes can help create in excess or fail to process in full certain chemicals that act as beacons to these minute flyers. Mosquitoes can also smell its “dinner” from up to 50 meters. So what chemicals make humans irresistible to mosquitoes?
l Carbon dioxide! “Any type of carbon dioxide is attractive,” says Joe Conlon, technical advisor to the American Mosquito Control Association.
Larger people tend to give off more carbon dioxide (CO2). Pregnant women exhale more, too. And if your flatulating a lot and just anywhere, you’d be risking a slap as well as many little bites. Movement and heat also attract mosquitoes. The more you move, the more you heat up, and then the more CO2 goes off your skin and breath.
l Certain acids: Such as lactic acid and uric acid. Lactic acid pours out of your sweat glands if you perspire a lot. Uric acid can trigger the sense of smell in mosquitoes.
l Steroids and cholesterol: It has nothing to do with high overall cholesterol level in the body.
If your body can efficiently process cholesterol, nothing will come off your skin. “People with high concentrations of steroids or cholesterol on their skin surface attract mosquitoes,” Butler says.
Solutions. usceptible people can use repellants and traps. The Centers for Disease Control and Protection recommend N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (Deet) and picaridin for repellants. However, both are not safe for children under two months. Chemical traps attract mosquitoes and then trap and kill them. You simply spray around, and voila, mosquitoes will be dropping on your feet. But are there non-chemical-based repellants? Of course, there are but that would be for another time, or another article, so to say.
Meanwhile, the old way can still prove an enjoyable one, as three-time world boxing champion Alexis Arguello noted: “When you see a mosquito fly and you’re able to hit it, you’re able to hit it with a couple of short sharp shots — it’s a beautiful thing.”
Breakthroughs
“PROBABLY the saddest thing you’ll ever see is a mosquito sucking on a mummy,” says Jack Handy, the American writer famous for his “Deep Thoughts” comedy sketches.
Certainly, most of us believe that mosquitoes just bite any skin. But scientific evidence indicates that they too choose whom to flirt with.
Professor emeritus at the University of Florida Jerry Butler observed: “One in 10 people are highly attractive to mosquitoes.” But it’s not for dinner, as Don Marquis erroneously believed. (“To a flea or a mosquito a human being is merely something good to eat.”).
Female mosquitoes bite (males don’t); they use blood to hatch their eggs. And not just anyone’s blood, apparently.
Dinner time. Much of the determinant (a whopping 85 percent) is genetics. Genes can help create in excess or fail to process in full certain chemicals that act as beacons to these minute flyers. Mosquitoes can also smell its “dinner” from up to 50 meters. So what chemicals make humans irresistible to mosquitoes?
l Carbon dioxide! “Any type of carbon dioxide is attractive,” says Joe Conlon, technical advisor to the American Mosquito Control Association.
Larger people tend to give off more carbon dioxide (CO2). Pregnant women exhale more, too. And if your flatulating a lot and just anywhere, you’d be risking a slap as well as many little bites. Movement and heat also attract mosquitoes. The more you move, the more you heat up, and then the more CO2 goes off your skin and breath.
l Certain acids: Such as lactic acid and uric acid. Lactic acid pours out of your sweat glands if you perspire a lot. Uric acid can trigger the sense of smell in mosquitoes.
l Steroids and cholesterol: It has nothing to do with high overall cholesterol level in the body.
If your body can efficiently process cholesterol, nothing will come off your skin. “People with high concentrations of steroids or cholesterol on their skin surface attract mosquitoes,” Butler says.
Solutions. usceptible people can use repellants and traps. The Centers for Disease Control and Protection recommend N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (Deet) and picaridin for repellants. However, both are not safe for children under two months. Chemical traps attract mosquitoes and then trap and kill them. You simply spray around, and voila, mosquitoes will be dropping on your feet. But are there non-chemical-based repellants? Of course, there are but that would be for another time, or another article, so to say.
Meanwhile, the old way can still prove an enjoyable one, as three-time world boxing champion Alexis Arguello noted: “When you see a mosquito fly and you’re able to hit it, you’re able to hit it with a couple of short sharp shots — it’s a beautiful thing.”
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Vitamin C regulates blood pressure
By Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DRINKING one to two cups of black tea daily helps relieve headaches, treat digestive disorders, fight infections and prevent cavities. However, recent findings reveal that green tea has higher protective value than black tea. The polyphenols in tea, substances which contain antioxidant properties, can stop and slow down cancer.
Tea-making
Clean teapot/teacup.
Fill pot with fresh, clean cold water. Don’t use reheated water, it affects the flavor of tea. Bring water to boil.
Use one tea bag or one teaspoon of tea for every cup of water. Pour boiling water over tea.
Brewing time—about three to five minutes. If it’s too strong, add water to dilute.
When making iced tea, add 50% more tea. For eight glasses, use 12 tsp of tea or 12 tea bags. That’s because the ice will dilute the flavor.
Boil water. Remove from stove. Add tea bags. Let them stand for five minutes. Keep tea outside fridge as the color turns cloudy. Pour over ice. Stir and serve. For frothy tea, place ingredients in blender with small amounts of honey. Serve with sprig of mint.
Vitamin C
Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia found that 67 men and women with high levels of vitamin C in their blood had an average blood pressure reading of 104/65. Even those with only 1/5 of vitamin C level showed a reading of 111/73. The higher the vitamin C dosage, the lower the blood pressure. Take vitamin C in its natural form such as guava, kiwi, orange, papaya, strawberry, broccoli, grapefruit, green/red pepper, cantaloupe, sweet potato, lettuce, spinach and cabbage.
Bad breath
Halitosis or bad breath can be cured. Eliminate abdominal problems by addressing the causes of hyperacidity: spicy food, stress, not eating regular meals, parasites, fungus infection, antibiotics, alcohol and coffee.
Take probiotics or yogurt with active culture of good bacteria to correct the imbalance in your stomach. For more potent relief, try kefir. (Call World of Wellness at 7233878).
Drink plenty of water.
Brush your tongue.
Breathe through your nose.
Eat something sweet or chew on parsley, a natural deodorizer. Sugar and complex carbohydrates keep bad breath away.
Affirm: “The sweetness of life is in my breath.”
Love and light!
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DRINKING one to two cups of black tea daily helps relieve headaches, treat digestive disorders, fight infections and prevent cavities. However, recent findings reveal that green tea has higher protective value than black tea. The polyphenols in tea, substances which contain antioxidant properties, can stop and slow down cancer.
Tea-making
Clean teapot/teacup.
Fill pot with fresh, clean cold water. Don’t use reheated water, it affects the flavor of tea. Bring water to boil.
Use one tea bag or one teaspoon of tea for every cup of water. Pour boiling water over tea.
Brewing time—about three to five minutes. If it’s too strong, add water to dilute.
When making iced tea, add 50% more tea. For eight glasses, use 12 tsp of tea or 12 tea bags. That’s because the ice will dilute the flavor.
Boil water. Remove from stove. Add tea bags. Let them stand for five minutes. Keep tea outside fridge as the color turns cloudy. Pour over ice. Stir and serve. For frothy tea, place ingredients in blender with small amounts of honey. Serve with sprig of mint.
Vitamin C
Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia found that 67 men and women with high levels of vitamin C in their blood had an average blood pressure reading of 104/65. Even those with only 1/5 of vitamin C level showed a reading of 111/73. The higher the vitamin C dosage, the lower the blood pressure. Take vitamin C in its natural form such as guava, kiwi, orange, papaya, strawberry, broccoli, grapefruit, green/red pepper, cantaloupe, sweet potato, lettuce, spinach and cabbage.
Bad breath
Halitosis or bad breath can be cured. Eliminate abdominal problems by addressing the causes of hyperacidity: spicy food, stress, not eating regular meals, parasites, fungus infection, antibiotics, alcohol and coffee.
Take probiotics or yogurt with active culture of good bacteria to correct the imbalance in your stomach. For more potent relief, try kefir. (Call World of Wellness at 7233878).
Drink plenty of water.
Brush your tongue.
Breathe through your nose.
Eat something sweet or chew on parsley, a natural deodorizer. Sugar and complex carbohydrates keep bad breath away.
Affirm: “The sweetness of life is in my breath.”
Love and light!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Salty Taste and Upset Stomach
What is causing a very salty taste in my mouth?
By Howard LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School, for MSN Health & Fitness
Q: I have been experiencing a very salty taste in my mouth, to the point that it is giving me an upset stomach. What is causing this and what should I do?
A: A salty taste in the mouth is most often related to a change in the amount of saliva your body is producing, the chemical composition of your saliva, or both. Saliva contains substances that chemically interact with food and stimulate the taste receptors on your tongue and other parts of your mouth.
The influence of saliva on the taste of food is really quite complex. Our taste buds are constantly stimulated by saliva. For example, there is enough sodium and chloride, the two ingredients of salt, in our saliva to stimulate our taste receptors for salt. But because the amount of salt in the saliva is relatively constant, our taste buds adapt to our usual level of salivary salt and therefore our own saliva does not normally taste salty.
You could experience a salty taste in your mouth if either the concentration of salt in your saliva rose above your usual amount of salt, or your taste buds temporarily became more salt sensitive.
The two most common reasons why these changes in saliva or taste bud sensitivity occur are:
* Side effects of medication. There are about 400 different medicines that can alter taste sensation.
* Dehydration. You might not even be aware that you are not drinking enough water. Remember that alcohol and caffeinated drinks can be dehydrating.
Other causes include:
* Excessive tears. We are constantly making tears to keep our eyes moist. These tears drain from our lower eyelids through the tear ducts that end inside the nose. Tears can easily drain from there into the back of our throat, causing increased salt in the mouth.
* Diseases of the salivary glands. For example, an autoimmune disorder called Sjogren's syndrome damages the salivary glands and causes decreased production of saliva. Usually a dry mouth is the more bothersome symptom, rather than a salty taste in the mouth.
* A sinus infection with post-nasal drip. The infected mucous can have a high salt concentration, and it can drip into the back of your throat and affect the amount of salt in your mouth.
* Acid reflux. Usually this causes a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, but it can also be the reason for a salty taste.
My first suggestion would be to increase the amount of water you drink. If you are taking a medication prescribed by your doctor that you think may be causing the salty taste, call the doctor's office for advice. Also consider any over-the-counter medications, herbs, or supplements as potential causes of the salty taste.
By Howard LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School, for MSN Health & Fitness
Q: I have been experiencing a very salty taste in my mouth, to the point that it is giving me an upset stomach. What is causing this and what should I do?
A: A salty taste in the mouth is most often related to a change in the amount of saliva your body is producing, the chemical composition of your saliva, or both. Saliva contains substances that chemically interact with food and stimulate the taste receptors on your tongue and other parts of your mouth.
The influence of saliva on the taste of food is really quite complex. Our taste buds are constantly stimulated by saliva. For example, there is enough sodium and chloride, the two ingredients of salt, in our saliva to stimulate our taste receptors for salt. But because the amount of salt in the saliva is relatively constant, our taste buds adapt to our usual level of salivary salt and therefore our own saliva does not normally taste salty.
You could experience a salty taste in your mouth if either the concentration of salt in your saliva rose above your usual amount of salt, or your taste buds temporarily became more salt sensitive.
The two most common reasons why these changes in saliva or taste bud sensitivity occur are:
* Side effects of medication. There are about 400 different medicines that can alter taste sensation.
* Dehydration. You might not even be aware that you are not drinking enough water. Remember that alcohol and caffeinated drinks can be dehydrating.
Other causes include:
* Excessive tears. We are constantly making tears to keep our eyes moist. These tears drain from our lower eyelids through the tear ducts that end inside the nose. Tears can easily drain from there into the back of our throat, causing increased salt in the mouth.
* Diseases of the salivary glands. For example, an autoimmune disorder called Sjogren's syndrome damages the salivary glands and causes decreased production of saliva. Usually a dry mouth is the more bothersome symptom, rather than a salty taste in the mouth.
* A sinus infection with post-nasal drip. The infected mucous can have a high salt concentration, and it can drip into the back of your throat and affect the amount of salt in your mouth.
* Acid reflux. Usually this causes a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, but it can also be the reason for a salty taste.
My first suggestion would be to increase the amount of water you drink. If you are taking a medication prescribed by your doctor that you think may be causing the salty taste, call the doctor's office for advice. Also consider any over-the-counter medications, herbs, or supplements as potential causes of the salty taste.
Friday, September 4, 2009
New's ko po: There’s pee in the pool
A RECENT survey could make you think twice about jumping into a public pool. According to the poll, almost half of swimmers admit to one or more behaviors that contribute to an unsanitary pool, wrote Megan O’Neill for Rodale.com. And you’ve probably suspected as much, since the poll also shows 84 percent of us believe our fellow swimmers participate in unhygienic pool behavior.
THE DETAILS: The poll of 1,000 adults was conducted in late April and early May of this year by the Water Quality and Health Council, a body of scientific and other experts who advise the American Chemistry Council, an industry trade association.
For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter
One in five respondents (17 percent) admitted to urinating in the pool, while almost eight in 10 (78 percent) are convinced that their fellow swimmers are guilty of this act. Plus, about a third (35 percent) jump in without showering first, and three-quarters (73 percent) think other swimmers do the same.
Even though most people seem wary of the hygienic standards of the swimmers around them, only 36 percent say that pool water cleanliness is on their mind when they take the plunge.
WHAT YOU CAN DO. Here are a few tips to help you protect yourself, and other swimmers, from pool-related illness:
• Don’t swim if you have diarrhea. It sounds like common sense, but it bears repeating. And don’t send your kids to the pool if they’ve been having stomach problems.
• Get to know your pool operator. Ask pool management about the training employees receive to operate and keep the pool clean, and how often they check the chlorine and pH levels of the water.
• Test the water yourself. Inspectors aren’t on site every day, so what’s happening when they aren’t around?
To find out, the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends purchasing easy-to-use testing strips at a local hardware or pool supply store, and measuring the pH and chlorine levels before swimming. The pH should be between 7.2 and 7.8, and there should be one to three parts per million of free chlorine in the water, according to CDC standards.
THE DETAILS: The poll of 1,000 adults was conducted in late April and early May of this year by the Water Quality and Health Council, a body of scientific and other experts who advise the American Chemistry Council, an industry trade association.
For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter
One in five respondents (17 percent) admitted to urinating in the pool, while almost eight in 10 (78 percent) are convinced that their fellow swimmers are guilty of this act. Plus, about a third (35 percent) jump in without showering first, and three-quarters (73 percent) think other swimmers do the same.
Even though most people seem wary of the hygienic standards of the swimmers around them, only 36 percent say that pool water cleanliness is on their mind when they take the plunge.
WHAT YOU CAN DO. Here are a few tips to help you protect yourself, and other swimmers, from pool-related illness:
• Don’t swim if you have diarrhea. It sounds like common sense, but it bears repeating. And don’t send your kids to the pool if they’ve been having stomach problems.
• Get to know your pool operator. Ask pool management about the training employees receive to operate and keep the pool clean, and how often they check the chlorine and pH levels of the water.
• Test the water yourself. Inspectors aren’t on site every day, so what’s happening when they aren’t around?
To find out, the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends purchasing easy-to-use testing strips at a local hardware or pool supply store, and measuring the pH and chlorine levels before swimming. The pH should be between 7.2 and 7.8, and there should be one to three parts per million of free chlorine in the water, according to CDC standards.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
How climate change affects our health
By Amado de Jesus
Philippine Daily Inquirer
ACCORDING to the inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, sustained global temperature rises of 5 to 6°C could lead to the loss of Greenland and the western Antarctic ice sheets by the middle of the next century, raising sea levels by up to 13 meters.
Considering that a third of the world’s population lives within 60 miles of a shoreline and 13 of the world’s 20 largest cities are located on the coast, a 13-meter rise in sea level could displace a billion people in mass migration.
Water supply
Buildings in Mexico City are sinking due to overexploitation of the aquifers under the city and the water distribution network is losing 40 percent of water.
Aquifers are underground reservoirs that can be tapped for water when wells are dug until they reach the top of the aquifer. This layer is called the water table. The water table sinks lower when a considerable amount of water is pumped from an aquifer or during a dry spell.
Reduced river flows and increased water temperature will lead to declining water quality as the dilution of water contaminants are reduced, less oxygen is dissolved in water and microbiological activity increases.
Buildings and communities
Cities of the future need to adapt to climate change. First, they have to contribute less to the causes of climate change by minimizing waste, reducing consumption and preserving open space. Cities must construct green buildings and green communities that encourage walking to reduce carbon emissions and fight the global problem of obesity. Second, they must be climate resilient and must be able to cope with the risks of climate change.
What can you and I do?
Our present rate of consumption and waste creation is harmful to our health. We are using resources 25 percent faster than they can be replaced. Zero waste must be everyone’s goal and this can be achieved by composting and recycling. We have to live the 3 Rs in sustainable living: reduce, reuse, recycle. Sustainable consumption means knowing what we need from what we want.
Low carbon living is an understatement. The bigger energy guzzlers are homes than cars. Houses consume lumber, energy and other resources, and excrete waste. The middle-class household produces yearly 3,500 pounds of garbage, 450,000 gallons of wastewater and 25,000 pounds of carbon dioxide.
Investment in safe rain water harvesting during the long rainy season will bring abundant benefits during the hot season. Instead of building concrete gardens which is a very common practice, we can build underground water cisterns to store rain water for watering plants and flushing toilets. Then we can preserve open and green space above the cistern and be more environmentally responsive.
Accessible information on the life cycle of economic products and our energy usage should peter down to the community level. NGOs, pressure groups, local communities, school children should take an active interest in methods of adaptation to climate change.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
ACCORDING to the inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, sustained global temperature rises of 5 to 6°C could lead to the loss of Greenland and the western Antarctic ice sheets by the middle of the next century, raising sea levels by up to 13 meters.
Considering that a third of the world’s population lives within 60 miles of a shoreline and 13 of the world’s 20 largest cities are located on the coast, a 13-meter rise in sea level could displace a billion people in mass migration.
Water supply
Buildings in Mexico City are sinking due to overexploitation of the aquifers under the city and the water distribution network is losing 40 percent of water.
Aquifers are underground reservoirs that can be tapped for water when wells are dug until they reach the top of the aquifer. This layer is called the water table. The water table sinks lower when a considerable amount of water is pumped from an aquifer or during a dry spell.
Reduced river flows and increased water temperature will lead to declining water quality as the dilution of water contaminants are reduced, less oxygen is dissolved in water and microbiological activity increases.
Buildings and communities
Cities of the future need to adapt to climate change. First, they have to contribute less to the causes of climate change by minimizing waste, reducing consumption and preserving open space. Cities must construct green buildings and green communities that encourage walking to reduce carbon emissions and fight the global problem of obesity. Second, they must be climate resilient and must be able to cope with the risks of climate change.
What can you and I do?
Our present rate of consumption and waste creation is harmful to our health. We are using resources 25 percent faster than they can be replaced. Zero waste must be everyone’s goal and this can be achieved by composting and recycling. We have to live the 3 Rs in sustainable living: reduce, reuse, recycle. Sustainable consumption means knowing what we need from what we want.
Low carbon living is an understatement. The bigger energy guzzlers are homes than cars. Houses consume lumber, energy and other resources, and excrete waste. The middle-class household produces yearly 3,500 pounds of garbage, 450,000 gallons of wastewater and 25,000 pounds of carbon dioxide.
Investment in safe rain water harvesting during the long rainy season will bring abundant benefits during the hot season. Instead of building concrete gardens which is a very common practice, we can build underground water cisterns to store rain water for watering plants and flushing toilets. Then we can preserve open and green space above the cistern and be more environmentally responsive.
Accessible information on the life cycle of economic products and our energy usage should peter down to the community level. NGOs, pressure groups, local communities, school children should take an active interest in methods of adaptation to climate change.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
High-fat diet can cause impotence
By Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DO you know that men who eat food high in cholesterol are at great risk of becoming impotent?
Studies have shown that men aged 25-83 whose cholesterol levels are higher than 240 mg/dl are twice as likely to have trouble achieving or maintaining an erection than men with cholesterol levels below 180 mg/dl.
Cleansing cures
A high-fat diet of saturated fats/animal meats narrows arteries and blocks blood flow to your heart. These are the same arteries that carry blood to the penis.
Note: Blood has to reach the penis for an erection to take place.
Tips
1. Load up on lean meat, poultry, fish.
2. Exercise daily.
3. Take a multi-vitamin, multi-mineral supplement.
4. Increase vegetable/fruit intake.
5. Don’t smoke. Smoking limits blood flow and contributes to blockages in the arteries.
6. Try a new, potent combination of five mushrooms such as reishi, shiitake, agaricus, maitake, cordyceps (regarded by Chinese, Japanese herbal natural medicine experts as effective).
Incontinence
Afflicting mostly women, incontinence is defined as the “lack of bladder and/or bowel control.”
Stress incontinence–leakage of small amounts of urine when you lift or strain, cough/sneeze caused by menopause, pregnancy, pelvic injury and excessive weight.
Urgency incontinence–urgent need to urinate caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease.
Overflow incontinence–spilling over of small amounts of urine when the bladder is very full.
Causes: urinary blockage, nerve damage, spinal cord injury.
Remedies: Pelvic muscle exercises.
Kegel exercise can strengthen your pelvic muscle if you do it regularly.
Here’s how: Imagine that you are trying to hold back bowel movement by tightening the muscles around your anus.
These muscles are powerful. Exercising them without involving your legs, buttocks or belly muscles will give you back not only bladder control but also more orgasms. Start exercising—contract, release, contract, release at least 100 times a day.
Smoking affects your bladder, so don’t smoke. A smoker’s cough places a great amount of stress on your bladder. The tobacco itself affects the urethra and bladder.
Coconut water therapy– Drink one glass of coconut water daily to cleanse your bladder.
Red juice cleansing–a synergetic blend of 30 vegetables and fruits, including sambong and cranberry will expel toxins from your bladder.
The amazing recovery of 36-year-old Julius Castillo from stage five chronic renal failure after consuming two bottles of red juice in 10 days was featured in a TV show (red juice is available at World of Wellness, V-mall, SM Fairview and all Mercury drugstores).
Irritability
Declare freedom from mood swings, outbursts of anger and impatience. Relax. Take vitamin B.
More tips
Declare a few minutes of “Don’t bother me.” Do slow breathing, close your eyes and visualize your stress is gone.
Take an anti-stress capsule called Morin, made from natural moringa, known to cleanse the blood and boost iron levels.
Affirm: “I declare my freedom from illness.”
Love and light!
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DO you know that men who eat food high in cholesterol are at great risk of becoming impotent?
Studies have shown that men aged 25-83 whose cholesterol levels are higher than 240 mg/dl are twice as likely to have trouble achieving or maintaining an erection than men with cholesterol levels below 180 mg/dl.
Cleansing cures
A high-fat diet of saturated fats/animal meats narrows arteries and blocks blood flow to your heart. These are the same arteries that carry blood to the penis.
Note: Blood has to reach the penis for an erection to take place.
Tips
1. Load up on lean meat, poultry, fish.
2. Exercise daily.
3. Take a multi-vitamin, multi-mineral supplement.
4. Increase vegetable/fruit intake.
5. Don’t smoke. Smoking limits blood flow and contributes to blockages in the arteries.
6. Try a new, potent combination of five mushrooms such as reishi, shiitake, agaricus, maitake, cordyceps (regarded by Chinese, Japanese herbal natural medicine experts as effective).
Incontinence
Afflicting mostly women, incontinence is defined as the “lack of bladder and/or bowel control.”
Stress incontinence–leakage of small amounts of urine when you lift or strain, cough/sneeze caused by menopause, pregnancy, pelvic injury and excessive weight.
Urgency incontinence–urgent need to urinate caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease.
Overflow incontinence–spilling over of small amounts of urine when the bladder is very full.
Causes: urinary blockage, nerve damage, spinal cord injury.
Remedies: Pelvic muscle exercises.
Kegel exercise can strengthen your pelvic muscle if you do it regularly.
Here’s how: Imagine that you are trying to hold back bowel movement by tightening the muscles around your anus.
These muscles are powerful. Exercising them without involving your legs, buttocks or belly muscles will give you back not only bladder control but also more orgasms. Start exercising—contract, release, contract, release at least 100 times a day.
Smoking affects your bladder, so don’t smoke. A smoker’s cough places a great amount of stress on your bladder. The tobacco itself affects the urethra and bladder.
Coconut water therapy– Drink one glass of coconut water daily to cleanse your bladder.
Red juice cleansing–a synergetic blend of 30 vegetables and fruits, including sambong and cranberry will expel toxins from your bladder.
The amazing recovery of 36-year-old Julius Castillo from stage five chronic renal failure after consuming two bottles of red juice in 10 days was featured in a TV show (red juice is available at World of Wellness, V-mall, SM Fairview and all Mercury drugstores).
Irritability
Declare freedom from mood swings, outbursts of anger and impatience. Relax. Take vitamin B.
More tips
Declare a few minutes of “Don’t bother me.” Do slow breathing, close your eyes and visualize your stress is gone.
Take an anti-stress capsule called Morin, made from natural moringa, known to cleanse the blood and boost iron levels.
Affirm: “I declare my freedom from illness.”
Love and light!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Chronic Pain: Can Acupuncture Help?
by Dr. Rob for MSN Health & Fitness
Q. Do you recommend acupuncture for chronic pain, like arthritis? Is there any harm in tr
A. Even though we have made tremendous advances with medications to treat acute pain, when it comes to chronic pain, there’s no one-size-fits-all fix. The reason: Chronic pain often takes a huge physical as well as emotional toll on both the person with the pain and their loved ones.
Because chronic pain deeply affects a person’s life, a treatment plan usually involves a “team” of approaches. This individualized plan, based on a patient’s particular needs, may involve a combination of drug and “complementary” or non-drug therapies. These non-drug therapies include, among other options, osteopathic manipulative therapy, chiropractic treatments, exercise, physical therapy, biofeedback, massage, cognitive behavioral therapy and, your choice, acupuncture.
While acupuncture has been used for more than two centuries in China, it had been slow to catch on in western society. Thankfully, that seems to be changing. The World Health Organization has endorsed acupuncture as a treatment for more than 40 medical conditions, including chronic pain. Finally, this side of the Pacific seems to be getting the point (sorry, bad pun) that acupuncture can play a role in pain management.
So, do I endorse acupuncture? Yes, but—and this is key—it’s important to realize that acupuncture does not cure the problem and that every person’s response is different. However, acupuncture has been shown to help ease pain associated with a number of chronic conditions, such as:
* Osteoarthritis of the knees
* Low back and neck pain
* Pelvic pain
* Migraine headaches
* Dental pain
* Fibromyalgia and soft-tissue pain
* Tennis elbow
* Post-surgical pain
Regarding the risks, in the hands of a skilled practitioner, acupuncture is generally very safe and well tolerated. However, please take the following precautions:
* Before beginning treatment, speak with your primary care provider. He or she can often help you find a good acupuncturist.
* Check to make sure the acupuncturist uses disposable (preferably) or sterilized needles.
* If you are offered herbal supplements or loosely packed herbs in addition to your acupuncture treatments, you must verify their safety. There have been several warnings regarding oriental herbs being tainted with arsenic, lead and other impurities. One way to protect yourself is to buy name brand supplements, which list the UPC certification on the label. This assures you of the ingredients contained in the supplement.
* Additionally, if you take supplements, be sure to check with your physician or pharmacist to ensure they do not interact with your current medication(s) or medical condition.
* Tell the acupuncturist about your medical history, including a list of your medications.
* Choose a licensed and certified acupuncturist. You can research an acupuncturist’s qualifications at the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine or the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.
You may encounter people in the health care field who have mixed feelings about acupuncture or complementary therapies in general. That's why it is important to work with a physician whose treatment philosophy is in line with your own. Sometimes there is no right answer, and the success of a treatment program comes down to this: the patient's belief, as well as confidence, that his or her specific treatment plan will work.
Q. Do you recommend acupuncture for chronic pain, like arthritis? Is there any harm in tr
A. Even though we have made tremendous advances with medications to treat acute pain, when it comes to chronic pain, there’s no one-size-fits-all fix. The reason: Chronic pain often takes a huge physical as well as emotional toll on both the person with the pain and their loved ones.
Because chronic pain deeply affects a person’s life, a treatment plan usually involves a “team” of approaches. This individualized plan, based on a patient’s particular needs, may involve a combination of drug and “complementary” or non-drug therapies. These non-drug therapies include, among other options, osteopathic manipulative therapy, chiropractic treatments, exercise, physical therapy, biofeedback, massage, cognitive behavioral therapy and, your choice, acupuncture.
While acupuncture has been used for more than two centuries in China, it had been slow to catch on in western society. Thankfully, that seems to be changing. The World Health Organization has endorsed acupuncture as a treatment for more than 40 medical conditions, including chronic pain. Finally, this side of the Pacific seems to be getting the point (sorry, bad pun) that acupuncture can play a role in pain management.
So, do I endorse acupuncture? Yes, but—and this is key—it’s important to realize that acupuncture does not cure the problem and that every person’s response is different. However, acupuncture has been shown to help ease pain associated with a number of chronic conditions, such as:
* Osteoarthritis of the knees
* Low back and neck pain
* Pelvic pain
* Migraine headaches
* Dental pain
* Fibromyalgia and soft-tissue pain
* Tennis elbow
* Post-surgical pain
Regarding the risks, in the hands of a skilled practitioner, acupuncture is generally very safe and well tolerated. However, please take the following precautions:
* Before beginning treatment, speak with your primary care provider. He or she can often help you find a good acupuncturist.
* Check to make sure the acupuncturist uses disposable (preferably) or sterilized needles.
* If you are offered herbal supplements or loosely packed herbs in addition to your acupuncture treatments, you must verify their safety. There have been several warnings regarding oriental herbs being tainted with arsenic, lead and other impurities. One way to protect yourself is to buy name brand supplements, which list the UPC certification on the label. This assures you of the ingredients contained in the supplement.
* Additionally, if you take supplements, be sure to check with your physician or pharmacist to ensure they do not interact with your current medication(s) or medical condition.
* Tell the acupuncturist about your medical history, including a list of your medications.
* Choose a licensed and certified acupuncturist. You can research an acupuncturist’s qualifications at the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine or the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.
You may encounter people in the health care field who have mixed feelings about acupuncture or complementary therapies in general. That's why it is important to work with a physician whose treatment philosophy is in line with your own. Sometimes there is no right answer, and the success of a treatment program comes down to this: the patient's belief, as well as confidence, that his or her specific treatment plan will work.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Ginger eases stomach pains, checks arthritis
By Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 17:54:00 08/31/2009
ANCIENT remedies die hard.
Do you know that ginger is a powerful anti-aging remedy? Ginger, especially when taken fresh, aids digestion, soothes stomach ailments and controls arthritis. Its enzyme zingibain is more powerful than the papaya enzyme papain, according to Paul Schulick in “Ginger: Common Spice & Wonder Drug.”
In fact, 1 pound of ginger is equivalent to 180 pounds of papaya. And unlike papaya, it has low glycemic index. Ginger is a strong anti-inflammatory agent (gingerol compound) and is effective as astirine with no side effects.
The best way to take ginger is to grate two teaspoons and mix with very hot water.
Steep for five minutes, strain and stir slowly.
Instant lift
Ever wondered why your skin isn’t as plump and supple as it was when you were 16? That’s because the levels of hyaluron and collagen diminish over time. A primary component of young, healthy skin and connective tissue, these can be replenished.
Hyaluron’s main function is to lubricate and cushion all tissues and organs. A drastic decrease in this substance leads to deep wrinkles, fragile arteries leading to stroke and heart attack, and poor eyesight/vision leading to blindness.
Collagen is a fibrous protein that connects and supports tissues and organs, skin, bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons. Without collagen, tissue cells will be torn apart.
Collagen works with elastic, a protein molecule inside connective tissue. Its main job is to make skin firm.
Now, a natural face and body lift minus surgery is possible. Slowly but surely, a Japan-made regimen of hyaluron and collagen taken as a potent tea provides 7,000 mg a day of youth drink. Each sachet is more than enough to give the boost you need from inside-out. This is so effective that within two weeks, visible results are dramatic.
Ask your doctor about Hyaluron-Collagen supplements, or call Dr. Rudy Apostol, aesthetic anti-aging medicine expert (0917-5782088).
This imported product is also available at the World of Wellness, SM Fairview and V-Mall (332-3864, 723-3878).
Managing stress
Managing the power of touch is a science of healing that dates back to ancient times in Egypt, China and India. The right pressure, when applied at specific points or meridians in the body, has therapeutic benefits.
The Mandarin Reflexology Foot & Body Spa at the Alabang Town Center has successfully harmonized massage and reflexology into a one-hour relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
In a dimly lit spa ambience, one can simply sink into the cozy lounging chairs and drift into slumber. Expert hands, trained by two Taiwanese specialists, have brought into the Philippines their famous reflex regimen. A complimentary cup of wolfberry tea, an added touch of entrepreneurs Maan Uy and Annie Ting, hits the healing spot (809-6108; 0917-5208950).
Affirm: “I am in charge of my body, mind and spirit.”
Love and light!
Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain: 7 Ways to Protect Your Joints
Prevent rheumatoid arthritis pain with these seven joint protection techniques.
From MayoClinic.com
Joint protection is one strategy to help you manage your rheumatoid arthritis pain. Taking the time to think ahead and plan ways to avoid unnecessarily stressing your joints may help you reduce your rheumatoid arthritis pain. Arthritic joints can't tolerate as much stress, so pushing, pulling or twisting motions can be painful. Though you may want to work through your rheumatoid arthritis pain, doing so can aggravate the situation.
Joint protection: 7 techniques to manage rheumatoid arthritis pain
To avoid unnecessary joint strain and increased rheumatoid arthritis pain, follow these seven steps.
Step 1: Move each joint through its full pain-free range of motion at least once a day
This will help you maintain freedom of motion in your joints. The amount you're able to move each joint without rheumatoid arthritis pain may vary from day to day — take care not to overdo it. Keep movements slow and gentle — sudden jerking or bouncing can hurt your joints.
Step 2: Learn to understand and respect your rheumatoid arthritis pain
Understand the difference between the general discomfort of rheumatoid arthritis and the pain from overusing a joint. By noting the activity that stressed a joint, you can avoid repeating that movement. Pain that lasts more than an hour after an activity may indicate that the activity was too stressful. Think of ways that you can modify the action. Remember that you're more likely to damage your joints when they're painful and swollen.
Step 3: Be careful how you use your hands
You use your fingers in many day-to-day activities. Stressful positions and techniques may increase the risk of pain. You can perform most tasks in easier ways that put less deforming forces on your joints.
* Avoid positions that push your other fingers toward your little finger. For instance, avoid tasks that require forceful or prolonged gripping or pinching. Finger motions should be in the direction of your thumb whenever possible. For example, don't brush crumbs off a table with your palm flat on the table. Instead, turn your hand so that the little finger is resting on the table and the palm is facing you. Then push the crumbs off the table.
* Avoid making a tight fist. Use tools with thick or ergonomically designed handles, which make them easier to hold.
* Avoid pinching items between your thumb and your fingers. Hold a book, plate or mug in the palms of your hands. If you're reading for long periods, use a book holder. Instead of a clutch-style purse, select one with a shoulder strap.
Step 4: Use good body mechanics
The way you position your body largely affects how much strain you put on your joints. Proper body mechanics allow you to use your body more efficiently and conserve energy.
* When you're sitting, the proper height for a work surface is 2 inches below your bent elbow. Make sure you have good back and foot support when you sit. Your forearms and upper legs should be well supported, resting level with the floor.
* If you type at a keyboard for long periods and your chair doesn't have arms, consider using wrist or forearm supports. An angled work surface for reading and writing is easier on your neck.
* When you're standing, the height of your work surface should enable you to work comfortably without stooping.
* Increase the height of your chair to decrease stress on your hips and knees as you get up and down.
* To pick up items from the floor, stoop by bending your knees and hips. Or sit in a chair and bend over.
* Carry heavy objects close to your chest, supporting the weight on your forearms.
* Maintain good posture. Poor posture causes uneven weight distribution and may strain your ligaments and muscles.
Step 5: Use the strongest joint available for the job
Save your weaker joints for the specific jobs that only they can accomplish. Throughout the day, favor large joints. For example, carry objects with your palm open, distributing the weight equally over your forearm. Slide objects along a counter or workbench rather than lifting them. When opening cabinets or heavy doors, use a loop that you can pull with your wrist or forearm to decrease stress on your fingers.
Step 6: Avoid keeping your joints in the same position for a prolonged period of time
Don't give your joints the chance to become stiff — keep them moving. When writing or doing handwork, release your grip every 10 to 15 minutes, or when your hand feels fatigued. On long car trips, get out of the car, stretch and move around at least every hour. While watching television, get up and move around every half-hour.
Step 7: Balance periods of rest and activity during the day
Effectively managing your workload throughout the day can help you avoid overworked joints. Work at a steady, moderate pace and avoid rushing. Rest before you become fatigued or sore. Alternate light and moderate activities throughout the day. And take periodic stretch breaks.
One step at a time
Remember, you don't have to make all of these changes at once. By gradually incorporating these methods into your day-to-day activities, you're more likely to stick with them.
Keep an open mind about how you do everyday tasks. You might have to change some old habits, but the reward is that your joints may cause you less pain.
From MayoClinic.com
Joint protection is one strategy to help you manage your rheumatoid arthritis pain. Taking the time to think ahead and plan ways to avoid unnecessarily stressing your joints may help you reduce your rheumatoid arthritis pain. Arthritic joints can't tolerate as much stress, so pushing, pulling or twisting motions can be painful. Though you may want to work through your rheumatoid arthritis pain, doing so can aggravate the situation.
Joint protection: 7 techniques to manage rheumatoid arthritis pain
To avoid unnecessary joint strain and increased rheumatoid arthritis pain, follow these seven steps.
Step 1: Move each joint through its full pain-free range of motion at least once a day
This will help you maintain freedom of motion in your joints. The amount you're able to move each joint without rheumatoid arthritis pain may vary from day to day — take care not to overdo it. Keep movements slow and gentle — sudden jerking or bouncing can hurt your joints.
Step 2: Learn to understand and respect your rheumatoid arthritis pain
Understand the difference between the general discomfort of rheumatoid arthritis and the pain from overusing a joint. By noting the activity that stressed a joint, you can avoid repeating that movement. Pain that lasts more than an hour after an activity may indicate that the activity was too stressful. Think of ways that you can modify the action. Remember that you're more likely to damage your joints when they're painful and swollen.
Step 3: Be careful how you use your hands
You use your fingers in many day-to-day activities. Stressful positions and techniques may increase the risk of pain. You can perform most tasks in easier ways that put less deforming forces on your joints.
* Avoid positions that push your other fingers toward your little finger. For instance, avoid tasks that require forceful or prolonged gripping or pinching. Finger motions should be in the direction of your thumb whenever possible. For example, don't brush crumbs off a table with your palm flat on the table. Instead, turn your hand so that the little finger is resting on the table and the palm is facing you. Then push the crumbs off the table.
* Avoid making a tight fist. Use tools with thick or ergonomically designed handles, which make them easier to hold.
* Avoid pinching items between your thumb and your fingers. Hold a book, plate or mug in the palms of your hands. If you're reading for long periods, use a book holder. Instead of a clutch-style purse, select one with a shoulder strap.
Step 4: Use good body mechanics
The way you position your body largely affects how much strain you put on your joints. Proper body mechanics allow you to use your body more efficiently and conserve energy.
* When you're sitting, the proper height for a work surface is 2 inches below your bent elbow. Make sure you have good back and foot support when you sit. Your forearms and upper legs should be well supported, resting level with the floor.
* If you type at a keyboard for long periods and your chair doesn't have arms, consider using wrist or forearm supports. An angled work surface for reading and writing is easier on your neck.
* When you're standing, the height of your work surface should enable you to work comfortably without stooping.
* Increase the height of your chair to decrease stress on your hips and knees as you get up and down.
* To pick up items from the floor, stoop by bending your knees and hips. Or sit in a chair and bend over.
* Carry heavy objects close to your chest, supporting the weight on your forearms.
* Maintain good posture. Poor posture causes uneven weight distribution and may strain your ligaments and muscles.
Step 5: Use the strongest joint available for the job
Save your weaker joints for the specific jobs that only they can accomplish. Throughout the day, favor large joints. For example, carry objects with your palm open, distributing the weight equally over your forearm. Slide objects along a counter or workbench rather than lifting them. When opening cabinets or heavy doors, use a loop that you can pull with your wrist or forearm to decrease stress on your fingers.
Step 6: Avoid keeping your joints in the same position for a prolonged period of time
Don't give your joints the chance to become stiff — keep them moving. When writing or doing handwork, release your grip every 10 to 15 minutes, or when your hand feels fatigued. On long car trips, get out of the car, stretch and move around at least every hour. While watching television, get up and move around every half-hour.
Step 7: Balance periods of rest and activity during the day
Effectively managing your workload throughout the day can help you avoid overworked joints. Work at a steady, moderate pace and avoid rushing. Rest before you become fatigued or sore. Alternate light and moderate activities throughout the day. And take periodic stretch breaks.
One step at a time
Remember, you don't have to make all of these changes at once. By gradually incorporating these methods into your day-to-day activities, you're more likely to stick with them.
Keep an open mind about how you do everyday tasks. You might have to change some old habits, but the reward is that your joints may cause you less pain.
Friday, August 28, 2009
‘Train village health workers to nurses’
June 26, 2009 10:01:00
INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—The country’s 1.3 million village health workers should be given the chance to train as midwives, nurses, doctors, and other health professionals, said Akbayan Representatives Risa Hontiveros and Walden Bello.
The two congressmen filed a bill establishing such a program to fill the gap created by migration of health professionals. Called “Bibong BHW Education and Training Program,” the program seeks to institutionalize a training and education program initiated by the University of the Philippines.
The program offers a ladderized training and education scheme for barangay (village) health workers. The first step is a basic training on community healthcare delivery, which shall be mandatory to all BHWs. The second step is a more comprehensive training on community health work where they could specialize in midwifery, pharmacology, occupation therapy, dentistry, or physical therapy.
The next two steps would be more rigorous and specialized. Step three is a course for those who wish to become nurses. It’s a 15-month program that shall include all the necessary courses on nursing. Graduates of this course shall be eligible to take the Nursing Licensure Board Examination.
To be eligible to take the licensure examination for doctors, they have to take a five-year program that shall include all courses on Medicine.
The bill also grants additional benefits for BHWs, among them full scholarships, socialized subsidies, or study now pay later schemes for those who wish to proceed to advanced courses; an increase in their allowance to P4,500, exclusive of other allowances; mandatory PhilHealth membership for all accredited BHWs; and free medical services for veteran BHWs.
“Global outbreaks like the swine flu are exacerbated by our lack of nurses and doctors. With better training, our BHWs (barangay health workers) could become an effective and efficient first line of defense against the swine flu and other diseases,” said Hontiveros, the principal author of the measure.
“The migration of our health professionals has seriously impaired the provision of health services, especially at the community level. Hospitals have actually closed down in the past three years because of the lack of nurses and doctors,” she said.
Hontiveros said this training program for BHWs could help reverse the brain drain.
“Our pool of potential health professionals could be expanded if the government could tap and capacitate our BHWs, which today number around 1.3 million,” she pointed out.
“We can train our BHWs to become midwives, pharmacists, occupation therapists, dentists, physical therapists, nurses, and doctors,” she said.
INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—The country’s 1.3 million village health workers should be given the chance to train as midwives, nurses, doctors, and other health professionals, said Akbayan Representatives Risa Hontiveros and Walden Bello.
The two congressmen filed a bill establishing such a program to fill the gap created by migration of health professionals. Called “Bibong BHW Education and Training Program,” the program seeks to institutionalize a training and education program initiated by the University of the Philippines.
The program offers a ladderized training and education scheme for barangay (village) health workers. The first step is a basic training on community healthcare delivery, which shall be mandatory to all BHWs. The second step is a more comprehensive training on community health work where they could specialize in midwifery, pharmacology, occupation therapy, dentistry, or physical therapy.
The next two steps would be more rigorous and specialized. Step three is a course for those who wish to become nurses. It’s a 15-month program that shall include all the necessary courses on nursing. Graduates of this course shall be eligible to take the Nursing Licensure Board Examination.
To be eligible to take the licensure examination for doctors, they have to take a five-year program that shall include all courses on Medicine.
The bill also grants additional benefits for BHWs, among them full scholarships, socialized subsidies, or study now pay later schemes for those who wish to proceed to advanced courses; an increase in their allowance to P4,500, exclusive of other allowances; mandatory PhilHealth membership for all accredited BHWs; and free medical services for veteran BHWs.
“Global outbreaks like the swine flu are exacerbated by our lack of nurses and doctors. With better training, our BHWs (barangay health workers) could become an effective and efficient first line of defense against the swine flu and other diseases,” said Hontiveros, the principal author of the measure.
“The migration of our health professionals has seriously impaired the provision of health services, especially at the community level. Hospitals have actually closed down in the past three years because of the lack of nurses and doctors,” she said.
Hontiveros said this training program for BHWs could help reverse the brain drain.
“Our pool of potential health professionals could be expanded if the government could tap and capacitate our BHWs, which today number around 1.3 million,” she pointed out.
“We can train our BHWs to become midwives, pharmacists, occupation therapists, dentists, physical therapists, nurses, and doctors,” she said.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Vitamin D versus cancer
By Dr. Philip S. Chua
THE ROLE of vitamin D as a cancer-preventing and fighting agent has been on the forefront of medical news these days. Medically known as calciferol, this vitamin was discovered in 1918, in cod liver oil, and popularly called today as the Sunshine Vitamin (HTH column, Cebu Daily News, 7-27-06).
New studies revealed that “vitamin D regulates cell proliferation and can hold in check the sort of wild cell growth that leads to cancer.”
Several studies showed that among people taking high dose of vitamin D there was a decrease in the rate of at least 18 types of cancer and autoimmune diseases, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and 40% less risk for multiple sclerosis. Statistical analysis estimates that “thousands of caner deaths could be avoided in the United States each year if everyone gets enough vitamin D.”
Vitamin D is the only vitamin humans can produce on their own, when exposed to the ultraviolet B from the sun. In 15 minutes, a fair-skinned person, outside on a sunny day, can generate as much as 10,000 to 20,000 IU of vitamin D. This vitamin is recently in the limelight for being a “blockbuster” nutrient that confers even greater health benefits than previously recognized by the medical community. This “re-discovery” has put vitamin D in an altogether new perspective and importance.
Which vitamin D is preferred?
Vitamin D3 (choleciferol) is the recommended form since it is better absorbed and better utilized by the body compared to vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol).
What foods contain vitamin D?
Not many foods contain vitamin D. Milk is fortified with 125 IU of vitamin per glass. The following contain some vitamin D, but in themselves, do not provide the minimum daily requirement: organ meats, eggs, fish like tuna, mackerel, sardines, salmon, and herring. Having a balanced diet with enough calcium (1000-1500 mg) and vitamin D (400 IU daily) will prevent osteoporosis (thinning of the bones, a common cause of fractures). Exposure to the sun for about 5-10 minutes, 2-3 times a week is enough help in the body’s production of vitamin D.
How different is D from the other vitamins?
Besides being unique in the sense that it is the only vitamin our body can make on its own, vitamin D is also the only vitamin that influences the entire body, as the findings have shown. Receptors that respond to vitamin D have been discovered in almost all the various kinds of human cells, from the brain to the bones.
What else is vitamin D good for?
Besides the old role vitamin D was popular for (boosting absorption of calcium which is essential for bone health), vitamin D has also been found over the past decades to have a broad range of added benefits. This includes the ability to help fight cancers and diabetes. Sixty-three independent studies showed that high normal level of vitamin D reduced the risk of developing colon, breast and ovarian cancer by 50 percent. It is also a “pivotal feedstock” for a hormone that protects muscles, and inhibits autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, lupus and inflammatory bowel illnesses. It also helps in easing some body aches and pain.
Can the anti-cancer properties of vitamin D be isolated?
Since it has been proven that the higher the dose of vitamin D, the greater its anti-cancer effect is, and since taking high doses of vitamin D might lead to elevation of the blood calcium to a toxic level, it would be ideal of the anti-cancer properties of vitamin D was separated from its other functions and effects. A promising reports on this issue comes from Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, as published in the journal Molecular Cell.
“We found that we might be able to separate the two functions at the molecular level, and this raises the possibility that vitamin D can be chemically modified into a drug that will only have anticancer effects,” said Professor Stephen Byers, Ph.D., who, with Salimuddin Shah, Ph.D., spearheaded an international group of scientists in this research.
How does one prevent vitamin D deficiency?
Health education and awareness are essential. Human breast milk does not have enough vitamin D (40 IU/L), unlike fortified cow’s milk (400 IU/L). Babies who are breastfed should have a physician’s advice for possible oral supplement of vitamin D (300 IU per day) from birth to 6 months, Dr. Michael F. Hollick of the Boston University School of Medicine stated in their NIH-funded study, which involved 16,500 subjects, they have “found that lactating women need about 6,000 IU a day to transfer enough vitamin D into their milk to supply adequate amount to a nursing infant.” In more urgent cases, like the studies done among adolescents in the Far East, one does of intramuscular injection of 2.5 mg (100,000 IU) of ergocalciferol given in the Fall has increased the plasma level of vitamin D that lasted till Spring the following year.
Experts now say that, together with normal sun exposure, 1,000 IU is the amount of vitamin D3 tablet we all should be getting daily. While researches have also shown the safety of the daily intake of up to 2,000 IU, studies are still underway to determine if the intake of 5,000 IU daily is better, is safe, and is devoid of the potential toxic side-effect (dangerous increase of blood level of calcium). I strongly recommend that you check with your physician first before starting yourself on this regimen.
The wonders of science are indeed amazing. They alone are not enough to ward off diseases, like hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, etc. We still have to do our share by not abusing our body with an unhealthy diet of saturated fat and high carbohydrates, lack of exercise, smoking, and alcohol and/or drug abuse, and lack of stress reduction program (R&R, mini-vacation).
There is, indeed, no substitute for a healthy lifestyle to maintain good health and maximize a happy and rewarding longevity.
THE ROLE of vitamin D as a cancer-preventing and fighting agent has been on the forefront of medical news these days. Medically known as calciferol, this vitamin was discovered in 1918, in cod liver oil, and popularly called today as the Sunshine Vitamin (HTH column, Cebu Daily News, 7-27-06).
New studies revealed that “vitamin D regulates cell proliferation and can hold in check the sort of wild cell growth that leads to cancer.”
Several studies showed that among people taking high dose of vitamin D there was a decrease in the rate of at least 18 types of cancer and autoimmune diseases, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and 40% less risk for multiple sclerosis. Statistical analysis estimates that “thousands of caner deaths could be avoided in the United States each year if everyone gets enough vitamin D.”
Vitamin D is the only vitamin humans can produce on their own, when exposed to the ultraviolet B from the sun. In 15 minutes, a fair-skinned person, outside on a sunny day, can generate as much as 10,000 to 20,000 IU of vitamin D. This vitamin is recently in the limelight for being a “blockbuster” nutrient that confers even greater health benefits than previously recognized by the medical community. This “re-discovery” has put vitamin D in an altogether new perspective and importance.
Which vitamin D is preferred?
Vitamin D3 (choleciferol) is the recommended form since it is better absorbed and better utilized by the body compared to vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol).
What foods contain vitamin D?
Not many foods contain vitamin D. Milk is fortified with 125 IU of vitamin per glass. The following contain some vitamin D, but in themselves, do not provide the minimum daily requirement: organ meats, eggs, fish like tuna, mackerel, sardines, salmon, and herring. Having a balanced diet with enough calcium (1000-1500 mg) and vitamin D (400 IU daily) will prevent osteoporosis (thinning of the bones, a common cause of fractures). Exposure to the sun for about 5-10 minutes, 2-3 times a week is enough help in the body’s production of vitamin D.
How different is D from the other vitamins?
Besides being unique in the sense that it is the only vitamin our body can make on its own, vitamin D is also the only vitamin that influences the entire body, as the findings have shown. Receptors that respond to vitamin D have been discovered in almost all the various kinds of human cells, from the brain to the bones.
What else is vitamin D good for?
Besides the old role vitamin D was popular for (boosting absorption of calcium which is essential for bone health), vitamin D has also been found over the past decades to have a broad range of added benefits. This includes the ability to help fight cancers and diabetes. Sixty-three independent studies showed that high normal level of vitamin D reduced the risk of developing colon, breast and ovarian cancer by 50 percent. It is also a “pivotal feedstock” for a hormone that protects muscles, and inhibits autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, lupus and inflammatory bowel illnesses. It also helps in easing some body aches and pain.
Can the anti-cancer properties of vitamin D be isolated?
Since it has been proven that the higher the dose of vitamin D, the greater its anti-cancer effect is, and since taking high doses of vitamin D might lead to elevation of the blood calcium to a toxic level, it would be ideal of the anti-cancer properties of vitamin D was separated from its other functions and effects. A promising reports on this issue comes from Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, as published in the journal Molecular Cell.
“We found that we might be able to separate the two functions at the molecular level, and this raises the possibility that vitamin D can be chemically modified into a drug that will only have anticancer effects,” said Professor Stephen Byers, Ph.D., who, with Salimuddin Shah, Ph.D., spearheaded an international group of scientists in this research.
How does one prevent vitamin D deficiency?
Health education and awareness are essential. Human breast milk does not have enough vitamin D (40 IU/L), unlike fortified cow’s milk (400 IU/L). Babies who are breastfed should have a physician’s advice for possible oral supplement of vitamin D (300 IU per day) from birth to 6 months, Dr. Michael F. Hollick of the Boston University School of Medicine stated in their NIH-funded study, which involved 16,500 subjects, they have “found that lactating women need about 6,000 IU a day to transfer enough vitamin D into their milk to supply adequate amount to a nursing infant.” In more urgent cases, like the studies done among adolescents in the Far East, one does of intramuscular injection of 2.5 mg (100,000 IU) of ergocalciferol given in the Fall has increased the plasma level of vitamin D that lasted till Spring the following year.
Experts now say that, together with normal sun exposure, 1,000 IU is the amount of vitamin D3 tablet we all should be getting daily. While researches have also shown the safety of the daily intake of up to 2,000 IU, studies are still underway to determine if the intake of 5,000 IU daily is better, is safe, and is devoid of the potential toxic side-effect (dangerous increase of blood level of calcium). I strongly recommend that you check with your physician first before starting yourself on this regimen.
The wonders of science are indeed amazing. They alone are not enough to ward off diseases, like hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, etc. We still have to do our share by not abusing our body with an unhealthy diet of saturated fat and high carbohydrates, lack of exercise, smoking, and alcohol and/or drug abuse, and lack of stress reduction program (R&R, mini-vacation).
There is, indeed, no substitute for a healthy lifestyle to maintain good health and maximize a happy and rewarding longevity.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Oils that help remove body toxins
By Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BELIEVE it or not, our mouth is populated by bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa.
Fact #1: The population of bacteria living in our mouth exceeds the world population of roughly 10 billion. And there are over 600 types of bacteria found in the mouth.
Fact #2: Constant brushing of teeth only reaches 60 percent of the surface, leaving plaque in hard-to-reach areas. In fact, infection begins inside the enamel.
Fact #3: Germs in the mouth migrate to other parts of the body.
Ancient practice
Two thousand years ago in India, the art of “oil pulling” was used to maintain good health. Indian medicine in Ayurvedic medical texts described oil pulling as vegetable oil gargling which cleanses the mouth and restores good health.
Said to cure 30 systemic diseases ranging from bad breath, to migraine, sinusitis, asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes, rinsing the mouth with oil delivers good results.
According to Doctor Bruce Fife, author of “Oil Pulling Therapy,” the theory behind oil pulling is simple. Microorganisms inside the mouth literally bond with the oil—virgin coconut, olive or sunflower—once it enters the mouth and become vehicles where toxins will ride.
1. Take 2-3 teaspoons of oil in your mouth upon waking up. Swirl around the mouth for 15-20 minutes.
2. Spit out the milkish white substance.
3. Expect after-effects like expelled excessive mucus from your nasal passages. Do not be alarmed. Be happy it’s out of you.
Minor aches and pains, flu-like conditions and sluggishness may occur. It only means healing has begun.
Practicing what I preach, I started oil pulling using virgin coconut oil one month ago. Since then, my chronic sinusitis condition has been under control. And when I feel that a sinusitis attack is imminent, I “oil pull” twice a day upon waking up and before bedtime.
Benefits
Virgin coconut oil has health and beauty benefits, and anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Take 2-3 tbsp daily with your breakfast for tremendous energy and turbo-charged metabolism. Apply 2-3 drops CocoZen beauty oil or Novuskin facial VCO to rejuvenate skin. (Call World of Wellness at 723-3878.)
Affirm: “I am looking and feeling better everyday.”
Love and light!
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BELIEVE it or not, our mouth is populated by bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa.
Fact #1: The population of bacteria living in our mouth exceeds the world population of roughly 10 billion. And there are over 600 types of bacteria found in the mouth.
Fact #2: Constant brushing of teeth only reaches 60 percent of the surface, leaving plaque in hard-to-reach areas. In fact, infection begins inside the enamel.
Fact #3: Germs in the mouth migrate to other parts of the body.
Ancient practice
Two thousand years ago in India, the art of “oil pulling” was used to maintain good health. Indian medicine in Ayurvedic medical texts described oil pulling as vegetable oil gargling which cleanses the mouth and restores good health.
Said to cure 30 systemic diseases ranging from bad breath, to migraine, sinusitis, asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes, rinsing the mouth with oil delivers good results.
According to Doctor Bruce Fife, author of “Oil Pulling Therapy,” the theory behind oil pulling is simple. Microorganisms inside the mouth literally bond with the oil—virgin coconut, olive or sunflower—once it enters the mouth and become vehicles where toxins will ride.
1. Take 2-3 teaspoons of oil in your mouth upon waking up. Swirl around the mouth for 15-20 minutes.
2. Spit out the milkish white substance.
3. Expect after-effects like expelled excessive mucus from your nasal passages. Do not be alarmed. Be happy it’s out of you.
Minor aches and pains, flu-like conditions and sluggishness may occur. It only means healing has begun.
Practicing what I preach, I started oil pulling using virgin coconut oil one month ago. Since then, my chronic sinusitis condition has been under control. And when I feel that a sinusitis attack is imminent, I “oil pull” twice a day upon waking up and before bedtime.
Benefits
Virgin coconut oil has health and beauty benefits, and anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Take 2-3 tbsp daily with your breakfast for tremendous energy and turbo-charged metabolism. Apply 2-3 drops CocoZen beauty oil or Novuskin facial VCO to rejuvenate skin. (Call World of Wellness at 723-3878.)
Affirm: “I am looking and feeling better everyday.”
Love and light!
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