Here's a nice guide in reading labels which most of us Filipinos are too lazy to do. The article is from Real Simple.
How to Read Nutrition Facts Labels Real Simple
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Spotlight on Diseases : DENGUE
From DOH(http://www.doh.gov.ph/healthadvisories/dengue.html) :
DENGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER is an acute infectious disease manifested initially with fever.
Transmission
Aedes aegypti, the transmitter of the disease, is a day-biting mosquito which lays eggs in clear and stagnant water found in flower vases, cans, rain barrels, old rubber tires, etc. The adult mosquitoes rest in dark places of the house.
Signs and Symptoms
1. Sudden onset of high fever which may last 2 to 7 days.
2. Joint & muscle pain and pain behind the eyes.
3. Weakness
4. Skin rashes - maculopapular rash or red tiny spots on the skin called petechiae
5. Nosebleeding when fever starts to subside
6. Abdominal pain
7. Vomiting of coffee-colored matter
8. Dark-colored stools
Prevention and Control
1. Cover water drums and water pails at all times to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
2. Replace water in flower vases once a week.
3. Clean all water containers once a week. Scrub the sides well to remove eggs of mosquitoes sticking to the sides.
4. Clean gutters of leaves and debris so that rain water will not collect as breeding places of mosquitoes.
5. Old tires used as roof support should be punctured or cut to avoid accumulation of water.
6. Collect and dispose all unusable tin cans, jars, bottles and other items that can collect and hold water.
DENGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER is an acute infectious disease manifested initially with fever.
Transmission
Aedes aegypti, the transmitter of the disease, is a day-biting mosquito which lays eggs in clear and stagnant water found in flower vases, cans, rain barrels, old rubber tires, etc. The adult mosquitoes rest in dark places of the house.
Signs and Symptoms
1. Sudden onset of high fever which may last 2 to 7 days.
2. Joint & muscle pain and pain behind the eyes.
3. Weakness
4. Skin rashes - maculopapular rash or red tiny spots on the skin called petechiae
5. Nosebleeding when fever starts to subside
6. Abdominal pain
7. Vomiting of coffee-colored matter
8. Dark-colored stools
Prevention and Control
1. Cover water drums and water pails at all times to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
2. Replace water in flower vases once a week.
3. Clean all water containers once a week. Scrub the sides well to remove eggs of mosquitoes sticking to the sides.
4. Clean gutters of leaves and debris so that rain water will not collect as breeding places of mosquitoes.
5. Old tires used as roof support should be punctured or cut to avoid accumulation of water.
6. Collect and dispose all unusable tin cans, jars, bottles and other items that can collect and hold water.
South Asian superbug claims first fatality - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
An update on "SuperBug", terrorizing some parts of the world right now because it is resisting anti-biotics.
South Asian superbug claims first fatality - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
South Asian superbug claims first fatality - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
Friday, August 13, 2010
Spotlight on Vitamins : Vitamin B1
What is Vitamin B1?
Vitamin B1, also called THIAMINE, is a member of the B-vitamin family and most famous for its role in the nutritional deficiency disease Beriberi. This Vitamin helps the body cells convert carbohydrates into energy. It is also essential for the functioning of the heart, muscles, and nervous system. Not getting enough thiamine can leave one fatigued and weak.
What can foods high in Vitamin B1 do for you :
1. Maintain your energy supplies
2.Coordinate the activity of nerves and muscles
3. Support proper heart function
Signs your body is low on Vitamin B1 :
1. Loss of appetite
2. "Pins and needles" sensations
3. Feeling of numbness, especially in the legs
4. Muscle tenderness, particularly in the calf muscles
Foods which are high in Vitamin B1 :
Sunflower Seeds, Yellowfin Tuna, Beans, Peas, Yellow Corn
Fruits with high Vitamin B1 content :
1. Breadfruit - 0.242mg
2. Pomegranate - 0.189mg
3. Cherimoya - 0.162mg
4. Avocado - 0.135mg
5. Pineapple - 0.130mg
Vegetables with high Vitamin B1 content :
1. Peas - 0.414mg
2. Lima Beans - 0.303mg
3. Okra - 0.211mg
4. French Beans - 0.230mg
5. Brussel Sprouts - 0.167mg
Sample Brands with Vitamin B1 :
1. Pharmaton Vitality
Vitamin B1, also called THIAMINE, is a member of the B-vitamin family and most famous for its role in the nutritional deficiency disease Beriberi. This Vitamin helps the body cells convert carbohydrates into energy. It is also essential for the functioning of the heart, muscles, and nervous system. Not getting enough thiamine can leave one fatigued and weak.
What can foods high in Vitamin B1 do for you :
1. Maintain your energy supplies
2.Coordinate the activity of nerves and muscles
3. Support proper heart function
Signs your body is low on Vitamin B1 :
1. Loss of appetite
2. "Pins and needles" sensations
3. Feeling of numbness, especially in the legs
4. Muscle tenderness, particularly in the calf muscles
Foods which are high in Vitamin B1 :
Sunflower Seeds, Yellowfin Tuna, Beans, Peas, Yellow Corn
Fruits with high Vitamin B1 content :
1. Breadfruit - 0.242mg
2. Pomegranate - 0.189mg
3. Cherimoya - 0.162mg
4. Avocado - 0.135mg
5. Pineapple - 0.130mg
Vegetables with high Vitamin B1 content :
1. Peas - 0.414mg
2. Lima Beans - 0.303mg
3. Okra - 0.211mg
4. French Beans - 0.230mg
5. Brussel Sprouts - 0.167mg
Sample Brands with Vitamin B1 :
1. Pharmaton Vitality
Spotlight on Vitamins : Vitamin A
What is Vitamin A?
Vitamin A, also known as RETINOL (because it produces the pigments in the retina of the eye) is a fat-soluble vitamin with four major functions in the body: (1) It helps cells reproduce normally—a process called differentiation (cells that have not properly differentiated are more likely to undergo pre-cancerous changes). (2) It is required for vision; vitamin A maintains healthy cells in various structures of the eye and is required for the transduction of light into nerve signals in the retina. (3) It is required for normal growth and development of the embryo and fetus, influencing genes that determine the sequential development of organs in embryonic development. (4) It may be required for normal reproductive function, with influences on the function and development of sperm, ovaries and placenta.
Where can you get Vitamin A?
Retinol or Vitamin A is found in foods that come from animals such as whole eggs, milk, and liver. Some food products are also fortified with Vitamin A. In the next blogs, we will feature foods with high Vitamin A content.
What will happen if you are low in Vitamin A?
1. Night blindness is one of the first signs of vitamin A deficiency.
2. If you don't get enough vitamin A, you are more susceptible to infectious diseases and vision problems.
3. Deficiency symptoms can also include dry skin.
Fruits with high Vitamin A content :
1.Passionfruit - 3002 IU
2. Cantaloupe (Melon, sa Tagalog) - 2334 IU
3. Grapefruit - 2132 IU
4. Watermelon - 1627 IU
5. Mango - 1584 IU
Vegetables with high Vitamin A content :
1. Butternut Squash - 22868 IU
2. Sweet Potatoes - 21909 IU
3. Kale - 17707 IU
4. Carrots - 13286 IU
5. Pumpkin - 12230 IU
Vitamin A, also known as RETINOL (because it produces the pigments in the retina of the eye) is a fat-soluble vitamin with four major functions in the body: (1) It helps cells reproduce normally—a process called differentiation (cells that have not properly differentiated are more likely to undergo pre-cancerous changes). (2) It is required for vision; vitamin A maintains healthy cells in various structures of the eye and is required for the transduction of light into nerve signals in the retina. (3) It is required for normal growth and development of the embryo and fetus, influencing genes that determine the sequential development of organs in embryonic development. (4) It may be required for normal reproductive function, with influences on the function and development of sperm, ovaries and placenta.
Where can you get Vitamin A?
Retinol or Vitamin A is found in foods that come from animals such as whole eggs, milk, and liver. Some food products are also fortified with Vitamin A. In the next blogs, we will feature foods with high Vitamin A content.
What will happen if you are low in Vitamin A?
1. Night blindness is one of the first signs of vitamin A deficiency.
2. If you don't get enough vitamin A, you are more susceptible to infectious diseases and vision problems.
3. Deficiency symptoms can also include dry skin.
Fruits with high Vitamin A content :
1.Passionfruit - 3002 IU
2. Cantaloupe (Melon, sa Tagalog) - 2334 IU
3. Grapefruit - 2132 IU
4. Watermelon - 1627 IU
5. Mango - 1584 IU
Vegetables with high Vitamin A content :
1. Butternut Squash - 22868 IU
2. Sweet Potatoes - 21909 IU
3. Kale - 17707 IU
4. Carrots - 13286 IU
5. Pumpkin - 12230 IU
Saturday, July 24, 2010
What is Omega-3 and How Does it Help You?
What is Omega-3 :
Omega-3 are the essential fatty acids known as the “super-unsaturates”.
Health Benefits of Omega-3 :
Studies show that a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids may help lower triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol). Omega 3 fatty acids may also act as an anticoagulant to prevent blood from clotting. Several other studies also suggest that these fatty acids may help lower high blood pressure.
Where to find Omega 3 fatty acids :
* All fish contain omega 3 fatty acids, but they are more concentrated in fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, sardines and herring. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least 2 times a week.
* Many commercial food products, such as bread and baked goods, yogurt and infant formula are now fortified with omega 3 fatty acids.
* Other food sources of omega 3s include:
o Soybeans and tofu
o Some nuts and seeds like walnuts, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds
o Cooking oils such as flax seed oil, canola oil, and soybean oil
o Some eggs, such as omega-3 enhanced eggs
Caution:
1. Cod liver oil is not a good source of omega 3 acids. It may cause toxicity in excess amount due to its high levels of Vitamin A and Vitamin D.
2. Men are best to avoid flax oil pills until more is known about flax's potential link with prostate cancer.
Omega-3 are the essential fatty acids known as the “super-unsaturates”.
Health Benefits of Omega-3 :
Studies show that a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids may help lower triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol). Omega 3 fatty acids may also act as an anticoagulant to prevent blood from clotting. Several other studies also suggest that these fatty acids may help lower high blood pressure.
Where to find Omega 3 fatty acids :
* All fish contain omega 3 fatty acids, but they are more concentrated in fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, sardines and herring. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least 2 times a week.
* Many commercial food products, such as bread and baked goods, yogurt and infant formula are now fortified with omega 3 fatty acids.
* Other food sources of omega 3s include:
o Soybeans and tofu
o Some nuts and seeds like walnuts, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds
o Cooking oils such as flax seed oil, canola oil, and soybean oil
o Some eggs, such as omega-3 enhanced eggs
Caution:
1. Cod liver oil is not a good source of omega 3 acids. It may cause toxicity in excess amount due to its high levels of Vitamin A and Vitamin D.
2. Men are best to avoid flax oil pills until more is known about flax's potential link with prostate cancer.
Top 10 Supplements for Men - Men's Health
1. Boron - to protect your prostate
2. Calcium - for losing weight and protecting bones
3. Chromium - to ward off diabetes
4. Coenzyme Q10 - to boost energy
5. Creatine - to boost muscle and memory
6. Folic Acid - to cut Alzheimer's risk
7. Glucosamine - to grease your joints
8. Omega-3 - to protect your heart
9. Selenium - to fight off cancer
10. Vitamin E - to slow the effects of aging
2. Calcium - for losing weight and protecting bones
3. Chromium - to ward off diabetes
4. Coenzyme Q10 - to boost energy
5. Creatine - to boost muscle and memory
6. Folic Acid - to cut Alzheimer's risk
7. Glucosamine - to grease your joints
8. Omega-3 - to protect your heart
9. Selenium - to fight off cancer
10. Vitamin E - to slow the effects of aging
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