Health & Wellness Archives - Page 25 of 50

ILO, UNICEF and WHO hail significant increase in breastfeeding rates

1 August 2012, Manila, Philippines. On the commemoration of Global Breastfeeding Week, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) congratulated the Government of the Philippines for the significant increase in exclusive breastfeeding rates in the country. Recent figures released by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI-DOST) showed that exclusive breastfeeding rates have risen from 36 per cent in 2008 to 47 per cent in 2011. The initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of delivery has increased from 32 per cent in 2008 to 52 per cent in 2011.

At the same time, there are still substantial disparities in exclusive breastfeeding rates within the Philippines. Data from the recent Family Health Survey (FHS) in 2011 showed that exclusive breastfeeding rates in some areas of the country are as low as 27 per cent. Further efforts will be needed to increase the exclusive breastfeeding to be truly at the universal level, which will have a significant impact on the nutritional status of children in the Philippines. Exclusive breastfeeding is the best way to provide babies with the nutrients they need during the first six months of life, and means giving the baby no additional liquids or solid food – not even water.

WHO Representative in the Philippines, Dr. Soe Nyunt-U commented:
“Breastfeeding can save the lives of both mothers and babies, this is one of the important interventions to reducing child mortality and improving maternal health. The increase in breastfeeding rates takes us that much closer to achieving the Millennium Development Goals in child health. We should continue to intensify the campaign to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in order to gain more grounds.”

The government is leading the initiatives on breastfeeding promotion across the country in collaboration with various partners. It is this concerted effort along with a strong, policy and legislative framework that is making a difference.

“We know that efforts to increase breastfeeding rates take the cooperation and commitment of many actors from different sectors. What we have seen in recent years is a coming together of many different partners from the government, political leaders, NGOs, other civil society organizations and media to support these efforts. This is the key to sustained improvements in breastfeeding and ultimately in physical and mental development of children in the Philippines,” Tomoo Hozumi, UNICEF Representative says.
One of the challenges for breastfeeding is the period when a mother returns to work. Many working women face difficulties with the risk of income loss after giving birth.
“Working women often feel the pressure of immediately reporting back to work and giving up breastfeeding for fear of losing their job or returning to work with lower pay or position,” said Director Lawrence Jeff Johnson of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office for the Philippines.

The ILO has been working to encourage employers to support women’s rights to breastfeed during work hours.

“Workplaces which provide space and time for mothers to continue breastfeeding, profit in terms of increased productivity, reduced parental absence, lower healthcare costs, higher rate of return to work, increased staff loyalty and reduced training budget,” said Director Johnson.

Another important part of creating a supportive environment for breastfeeding is having a strong policy and legal framework that is in line with the globally agreed codes of conduct to regulate the marketing of breastmilk substitutes such as infant formula, and the global strategies on infant and young child feeding as endorsed by the World Health Assembly.

“The strong legislative and policy framework in the Philippines is being recognized as one of the best in the world, protecting every Filipino mother’s right to breastfeed. The Milk Code or Executive Order 51, signed by President Corazon Aquino back in 1986 ensures that breastfeeding is protected and women are given clear information on the benefits of breastfeeding without undue influence of infant formula companies. The very substantial improvement in the exclusive breastfeeding rate that we are seeing today is a dividend of such efforts made by leaders and people in the Philippines over the last two decades. These laws are something which the whole nation should be proud of and continue to uphold,” Hozumi added.

For more information, please contact:
ILO, Minette Rimando, rimando@ilo.org, Tel: +63 2 580.9905/9900 Mobile 09175353162
UNICEF, Marge Francia, mfrancia@unicef.org, Tel. +63 2 901.0173 Mobile 09178589447
WHO, Cora Acosta, who.phl@wpro.who.int, Tel + 63 2 338.7479

PRESS RELEASE

Lose More, Live More: Lower Your Cholesterol Level

Can I say WTF? in full words? nah? OK.. then let me scream..

whaaaat the!?!?!

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A few days ago, I was at MediCard Lifestyle Center, Makati for some serious tests. MediCard Lifestyle Center, aside from usual medical procedure (physical exam, ultrasound, x-ray etc) is also home to specialty services which in essence caters to health and wellness management. The lifestyle center has Skin and Body Clinic, Colorectal Specialists Inc, and Natural Rejuvenation Clinic. For healthy food choices, MediCard Lifestyle Center houses Sugarleaf and for achieving balance and harmony to the body, one can try Surya Fitness Yoga at the center. How do I know all that? Well, while waiting for my turn, I had the chance to tour around the center.

The serious tests?

Body Mass Index Test and consultation to a nutritionist
Cholesterol Training (shocking results photo above)
Fasting Blood Sugar Test
Treadmill Stress Test
Body Circumference Measurements

My BMI test result was I am Obese having 25.8 BMI (BMI>25 is obese). My weight right now is 63.5 kg or 139.7 lbs and my height is 158 cm or 5′ 2. According to Diana Lodriguito, MediCard’s nutritionist, the ideal body weight range for me is 46 to 57 kg or 102-125 lbs. Who wouldn’t want a 102lbs body?!? In order to be 125 lbs at least, I need to lose 14.7 lbs.. but Diana said I need to take it slow and that in a month’s time my weight should be 62.5 kg or 137.7 lbs.

In order to accomplish that, I need to control my calorie intake and must only consume 1000 kcal to 1200 kcal a day… and you must be wondering, how in the world can you count calories intake? Lucky day ladies, here’s a breakdown of 1000- 12000 kcal a day, relative to the food pyramid:

8-10 glasses of water
2 1/2 cups of rice OR 10 pcs small pandesal OR 10 slices loaf bread OR 6.5 cups potato
2 cups cooked vegetable or 4 cups raw AND 2 pcs fruit or 2 slices
3 matchbox size meat OR 3 small fish OR 3 small chicken servings OR 3 pcs chicken eggs AND 4 level tsp milk in 250 ml water
2 tsp sugar or honey
4 tsp oil OR butter OR margarine

It’s not that hard to cut back on calories no? just have to watch what I am eating… kakayanin ko naman ang 1200 kcal a day 🙂

Aside from watching my calories intake, I also need to exercise at least 3 hours a week or 30 minutes each day and must sleep hours a day.. now that’s where the challenge begins, not that exercise thing but the 7 hours sleep. I will have to work on that, as in.

Blood sugar OK, Treadmill Stress Test up to Level 2 and Body Circumference Measurement is 36 inches on waist (OK so I was wrong when getting my waist line.. it should be an inch above the navel, the biggest part and not the nave itself which is actually the smallest haha).. I need to lose 5 inches on my waist in a month’s time..

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going back to my scream..

what have I done to my body? what have I been eating? seriously?!? 233 cholesterol when the normal range is at 200 only.. and 363 triglycerides?!? OMG!

Teka bago kayo atakahin sa puso sa mga exclamation points ko, may I explain muna.. high triglycerides can lead to heart attack because of clogged arteries.. tsk tsk in other words, pag mataas ang triglyceride, maraming taba ang bumabalot sa ugat..

I don’t like heart attack? Hello?!? I have kids! I have a husband who can’t eat without me on his side.. and I have blogs (LOL).. sa totoo lang natakot ako sa resulta ng Cholesterol test ko.. nakaka praning.. nakakaloka..buti na lang, there are ways to control or lower it.. and that’s the gist of this article.. eh paano nga ba?

How To Lower Cholesterol and Triglycerides Level

Avoid red meat. Red meat contains saturated fat which is one of the main reason why cholesterol increases. Cheese, milk and butter is a culprit too.

Go for fish. Fish contains omega 3 fatty acid which lower cholesterol. Eat fish at leas 3 times a week. Fish like salmon, tuna and even canned tuna are good source of Omega-3 and even fish oils.

Eat more fiber. It acts as sponge to cholesterol and good source of fibers include oats and fiber products with psyllium like C-Lium. Discovering that I have high cholesterol level and triglycerides level, I am now taking 2 sachets of C-lium everyday, one before lunch time and one before my last meal. After a month, I will have another series of test and we’ll see how much cholesterol C-lium can take down 🙂

Move and Move or exercise, moving can increase good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol, so I am trying to exercise at least once a day, doing MetaFit in the morning and hopefully by tomorrow I can also do zumba in the afternoon.

The results were very shocking but I am very thankful that I learned about it this early, I know I can still do something about it…and to think I was only a few points Obese.. and yet my cholesterol level is that high already..oh my, I can’t imagine a few months back when I was in my biggest.. buti na lang talaga, nalaman agad.. now with proper diet, exercise and C-lium I will lose more and will live more.

And I know, a lot of my readers can relate to me..on not so healthy eating and on wanting to live healthier, why don’t you join me? Let’s lose more and live more!! You might even win 10,000 PhP with C-Lium Lose More Live More promo

LIKE C-Lium Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Clium
FOLLOW their Twitter account: https://twitter.com/cliumfibre

Thank you Ning and Kat for the MediCard photos 🙂

120 Minutes of Bliss At The Spa Acropolis

There is so much to be thankful for July..

for one, I had clients more than I can handle. Busy is not the word to describe it, I was exhausted! but yes, clients means more payments.. so there

And as if the blessings were not enough, I was asked to try Purity Facial Organics at The Spa as well as an hour of massage (The Spa Reflexology)! I was offered the chance just when I need it the most, talk about proper timing!

The Spa Acropolis is the nearest to my location, not walking distance but just a few minutes away (2-5 with light traffic)., so I had my most needed me time at The Spa Acropolis.

It started with a ginger tea (after I changed into robe).. which by the way, I had 3 cups.. masarap sya! The tea explodes on my throat.. from ginger hotness then sweetness then hotness again.. ohhh

After the tea, I was led to a room for an hour of relax and recharge and heal.. hello, The Spa Reflexology. A head to- to toe healing message that combines 3 Asian techniques- Japanese Shiatsu, Thai Massage and Chinese Reflexology.

It started with a foot soak then a hot pillow was placed on my back.. ahhh can this be any better? well in fact it did.. while my feet was soaked in the warm solution, my head, shoulders, arms was being massaged. I doze off..and went to la la land.. then a tickle and it was time for my feet! I have a very low tolerance for touch on that area.. actually I have very low tolerance to touch in almost any part of my body and that’s what I like best about The Spa Reflexology, you don’t need to disrobe or you don’t even have to change into robes, you can have the massage with your clothes on.

After the feet, it was my back’s turn and a more intense massage for the shoulders.. my weak point, been aching for days and was really glad I said yes to this opportunity. And I fell asleep again.. it feels like every massage, every pressure is a lullaby..

After an hour of bliss, I was led to another room for a facial treatment. Hello, Purity Facial with Organics.

Purity Facial with Organics is a natural and eco friendly alternative facial specially for face that needs all natural and effective treatment. Purity Facial with Organics is good for any skin type, may it be normal, dry or both. And Since it is organic and does not contain any chemicals or synthetic ingredients, it is good for sensitive skin. Pregnant woman need not to worry they can have Purity Facial with Organics. The only limitation is, if you’re allergic to tea, rose or rosemary, this facial is not for you.

Purity Facial with Organics includes scrub, extraction, cleansing, hydrating serum, mask and massage. The treatment lasted for an hour and I was sleep most of the time..savoring every moment of this very rare ME TIME.

I was told what makes Purity Facial with Organics treatment unique:

Treatment is certified Organic by ECOCERT and BIO COSMETIQUE from France.
Treatment is 100% natural (ingredients come from nature and not man- made).
A complete and all-natural facial with unique ingredients used in every step.
All products in each step does not use any normal water but instead uses THERMAL water.
All the benefits of the natural ingredients are delivered into the skin with unique massage and gestures.

I feel refreshed, rejuvenated, relaxed and prettier after spending 120+ minutes at The Spa Acropolis.. to say I enjoyed it, is not enough, that 120 minutes is heaven! I can get used to this!