Archive for the 'General Health Tips' Category

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The Truth About Sex and Aging….

June 23, 2007

3046855028.jpgIt may be true that as we age, our sex life tends to deteriorate “literally”.  The frequency of sex may now be a factor due to more stresses in life both on the part of the husband and wife.  Likewise the notion that sex in older people is a “taboo” and not to be talked about is no longer acceptable.

Sex will always be a part of a good relationship.  And no matter how old, sex should be an essential element to a happy and healthy companionship.

The AARP recently in America held a survey on the topic Sexuality at Midlife and these are some of the interesting facts that came out:

  • 5 out of six respondents strongly disagree with the statement that “Sex is only for younger people.”
  • 6 out of 10 people considered that sexual activity is indeed a crucial part of a good relationship.
  • 10% of adults accepted the fact that they don’t particularly enjoy sex
  • 12% agreed never having sex again would be okay!
  • For the majority, the results from the study show that sexual activity is a critical part of a good relationship, and that a satisfying sexual relationship is an important factor affecting quality of life.

We have to accept the fact that as our body changes with age, so do the changes of sexuality follow.  Hormanal changes that occur especially with the declining testosterone levels in men resulting in loss of desire and erectile dysfunction as well as in women resulting in the loss of libido all contribute to the decline in sexuality.  But the good news is… there are now ways to address these medical needs so as we can continue to enjoy this one thing in life that is free and enjoyable!

Live stress as part of ones life and not let it deter you to enjoy sex.  If your mind is so preoccupied with the other thoughts then the pleasure from sex will be lost and depression can set in.  Stress maybe unavoidable but solving the problems besetting us should be done outside the bedroom!

There’s  no age limit to enjoying sex…there’s no limit to the frequency of sex.  Enjoy every minute of it and just have FUN!

Living and Aging Graciously Equates Wonderful Sex! 

Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits | 4 Comments »

Tips to Overcome WORRY…

June 18, 2007

2741649040.jpgEver so often I have patients who worry too much on something that for me is so trivial that needs no worrying.  To worry can be normal but prolonged worrying can be bad!  The stress hormones associated with worrying can result in long term harm to ones body. I beleive in counting my blessings first before I start to consider if this thing is worth my worrying or not!

Worrying from time to time is normal, even healthy, because it is the body’s way to respond to threatening situations. But be careful because if this continues for long this will lead to anxiety and panic attacks and the obsession of something is going to happen to you will occupy your whole self leading to a destructive self image.  How then can we deal with worries?

Here are some tips that I got from the Harvard Health Beat:

What If You Are Just Plain Worried?

Not everyone who suffers from frequent worry has an anxiety disorder. If you don’t have anxiety disorder, but think you worry too much, the following advice may help. • Practice relaxation techniques. Listen to music or to relaxation recordings to take your mind off whatever is worrying you. Or try progressive muscle relaxation.

• Exercise regularly. Studies have found that exercise improves mood and modestly decreases anxiety symptoms. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on all, or most days.

• Consider biofeedback. Biofeedback helps you become aware of your body’s responses to stress and teaches you control them using relaxation and cognitive techniques.

Think twice: Is it worth my time? Is it worth my worry?

Count Your Many Blessings and Ask: Do I Need To Worry?

Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Personal Thoughts | 1 Comment »

The Life Expectancy of a Diabetic…

June 16, 2007

imagesrtyui.jpgI was reading through several articles today and one study that struck me is one that calculated how long a diabetic can live.  It is known that a diabetic patient is at risk of developing heart attack in his lifetime but how about the effect of diabetes on how long a diabetic can live.

It is known that being a diabetic increases ones risk to develop heart disease. In this study, having diabetes was shown to significantly increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio 2.5 for women and 2.4 for men) and of dying when cardiovascular disease was present (hazard ratio 2.2 for women and 1.7 for men).  Suggesting the need to be vigilant in targeting the prevention of the different risk factors that will increase this risk. 

The author of the study which was published in the June 11, 2007 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine also said it straight to the point in heartwire: “We showed that diabetes cuts out about eight good years of your life. While diabetics and nondiabetics have a similar number of years with cardiovascular disease, the disease process starts earlier in diabetics.

 Effect of diabetes on life expectancy with and without cardiovascular disease at age 50 years (men)

Life expectancy (y) Without diabetes With diabetes
Total life expectancy 28.8 21.3
Life expectancy with CV disease 6.8 7.1
Life expectancy free from CV disease 22.0 14.2

Effect of diabetes on life expectancy with and without cardiovascular disease at age 50 years (women)

Life expectancy (y) Without diabetes With diabetes
Total life expectancy 34.7 26.5
Life expectancy with CV disease 6.6 6.8
Life expectancy free from CV disease 28.0 19.6


The above table shows that a diabetic at 50 cuts his life expectancy by 8 years!!!!

The study authors explained this finding that :” diabetic patients reach the final stages of the movie prematurely by missing out on some of the best bits in the middle.” These findings underscore the importance of diabetes prevention for the promotion of healthy aging. Toward this end, it is essential to implement global strategies to change the current Western lifestyle and to promote the adoption of physical activity and healthy diets.”

The fundamental objective of everyone therefore at risk of developing Diabetes is to implement strategies of lifestyle changes that can reduce ones risk to develop the disease…. meaning…

Prevention Is The Key To Long Life Span!

Check Out My Other Related Posts:

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, The Diabetes Facts | 7 Comments »

Yoga and Your Weight…

June 13, 2007

2622133215.jpgExercise your body has been shown to help lead healthier lives.  But there may be some exercises which make a person more inclined to eat.  It is now known that aerobic exercises like running can trigger this response.  But a study conducted on yoga proved this to be a better option in helping patient maintain weight or be conscious of their body image resulting in weight loss.

But waht is Yoga?  According to Wikipedia: Yoga is a group of ancient spiritual; practices that originated form India and has become primarily associated with the practice of asanas  or postures.  You can see several yoga centers anywhere in the world but I have only come accross this article only now that looked at the benefit of yoga on weight.

It is said that “Yoga may make women feel better about their bodies, steering them away from eating disorders.”, according to a  new study  published in Psychology of Women Quarterly by affecting the mind-body relationship.  Likewise, yoga may actually help prevent and treat eating disorders.

In the study, the authors compared women who practiced yoga regularly with those who did other forms of exercise. Women who hadn’t done either form of exercise for at least two years were also included.  The result showed that yoga indeed can affect a persons attitude to self image and may in fact affect bad eating habits that may lead one to gain weight.

Here’s one tip for those desiring to exercise but is confused as to what regimen to use.  Is Yoga good for you?  Well based on this study… it has benefits.  Its a form of mind and body relaxation and an activity that may prove to work for you! 

Cheers To Yoga!

Posted in Exercise and Activity Tips, General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Weight Loss Tips | 1 Comment »

Sleep and The Risks of Obesity and Diabetes…

June 9, 2007

One of the highlights of the Endocrine Society meeting that I attended just this week in Toronto Canada was  a plenary session on Sleep Debt and the Risk of Diabetes and Obesity. 

While reading Canada’s daily newpaper, the headline was that… companies are now allowing their workers also to take a nap in between work schedules with nap stations in their offices to allow workers to relax and sleep and be more productive as a result.  Suggesting that sleep debt is actually affecting productivity in the work place!

BUT how much sleep is healthy? or how many hours of sleep are needed to reduce diabetes and obesity risks? 

The magic number is 7 hours!!!

A study published in Diabetes Care this March of 2006 showed that  men who got little sleep (< 7 hours ) or a lot of sleep (8-10 hours) were more likely to develop diabetes than men with 7 hours of nightly sleep.  The same token people with less than 7 hours of sleep have a 23% to 73% increased risk of obesity!

But quality of sleep is also as important. Deep sleep is a must.  Even 7 hours of light sleep may do no good but harm.

Again the stress hormones may be responsible as more activation of the sympathetic nervous system resulting in overproduction of cathecholamies may be result in the increased risk.  Likewise, obesity may follow if you sleep less because you easily feel hungry and you tend to eat more if you’re awake!

So…..

Sleep Well and Be Well!

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, The Diabetes Facts, The Truths on Obesity | 7 Comments »

Knowing Your BMI Means Taking Action To Be Healthy….

May 23, 2007

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This is an important chart for everyone to keep just to trace where our BMI is going! Up or Down! 

The International Obesity Task Force also came up with standards to follow for the Asia Pacific Region which calculates a lower BMI for the Asian population as overweight and obese. 

Why do we need to know our BMI? Because it calculates your health risk.  And more importantly, this tracks your progress in losing weight and therefore for every one point drop in BMI translates to a concomitant reduction for its associated disease risk especially early mortality….  Studies have shown that: if you’re obese your risk to die early is high! 

Remember…

Knowing the Numbers Means Wellness…

Read My Other Related Posts:

Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, The Truths on Obesity | 4 Comments »

The Health Benefits of Visiting The Beach….

May 21, 2007

boracay-at-night.jpgWe all heard of Boracay… we all heard of the pleasures of going to a beach, enjoy the breath of fresh air, the crystal clear waters, the white sands and the fun!  Indeed… these things are true with Boracay.  Ive been to different resorts and I agree that nothing beats the beach of Boracay!  Except probably for El Nido in Palawan, the beauty of Boracay stems not only from the white sand beach but more so… the people, the view, the sunset and whole of what the place brings…

another-castle.jpgNo pollution, no factories, no litter ( or else you’re fined) and literally you feel so safe strolling down the stretch of white sand beach up to dusk!  People know that tourists are their means of livelihood so everybody tries to protect them from getting harmed! You just feel so relaxed and so free from all the hassles of everyday life in the city.  For me, this brings to what we doctors always recommend to our patients to explore a a stress free environment especially to people who have no time to sleep, think a while about themselves and their families and just take time to sit down, enjoy the view, the sun and have fun!  This whole experience can really rejuvenate oneself and help boost one’s immune system to help help fight long term chronic diseases like cancer, depression and infections.

I however recommend to visit the place in times where there are not much crowd.  If you want to explore Boracayand enjoy the benefits of what relaxation can bring, then avoid going there in December or in April.

sunset.jpgMy visit to Boracay this weekend was perfect.  Not only was I able to share some tips on how to manage Diabetes to fellow doctors coming from Bacolod and Iloilo but also had time to explore the place and relax with my family who enjoyed every minute of the experience.  I enjoy teaching so I welcome sharing what I know to fellow doctors all over the country because not only am I able to live my advocacy of sharing my expertise in the field of endocrinology but also the chance to visit places in our country far better than in other parts of the world! ( Click on the pictures that I took during my visit to see how beautiful this place is.)

Lastly…Dont ever miss the beautiful SUNSET of Boracay!  It’s worth the visit and time!  Truly this place can work wonders to help us feel better and healthier!

A Breath of Fresh Air Is Worth A Thousand Cure!

Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Memories and Trips | 4 Comments »

New Guidelines for Obesity

May 18, 2007

2504513455.jpgObesity is becoming a pandemic.  Worldwide, different health institutions are trying to formulate plans to hopefully and successfully combat this problem.  I often ask my patients to check the degree of obesity becoming a reality in our surroundings.  Since it’s summer, if you go to a pool or a beach, check the number of children you see as obese and you”ll really come to realize the increasing prevalence in our local setting.  I thought of this as a screening test for the growing number of obese people…because I’ll definitely do this thing when my family will enjoy the beach of Boracay this weekend! Nope I’ll not be doing this because I have other plans for my eyes to feast on ….

Recently, published in the April 10 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal is the fhe first-ever Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) on the Management and Prevention of Obesity in Adults and Children.   The group specifically recommends that waist circumference be measured along with height and weight.  Furthermore the guidelines also recommend that:

* First-line treatment for overweight and obese adults should consist of diet changes and regular exercise, supported by behaviour change; if unsuccessful, treatment with medications or bariatric surgery should be considered;

* Starting at 10 years of age, overweight or obese Canadians should undergo screening that would include tests measuring levels of fasting glucose, HDL (the good) and LDL (the bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides (a form of fat in the blood) levels. Furthermore, they should be monitored at regular intervals;

* Patients participating in weight management programs should be provided with education and support in behaviour modification techniques as an add-on to other lifestyle modifications;

* Programs to promote healthy, active living and to prevent overweight and obesity should be implemented in schools to reduce the risk of childhood obesity; these include interventions to increase daily physical activity through physical education class-time and opportunities for active recreation;

* “Screen time” (e.g. television watching, and video or computer games) should be limited to less than two hours per day to encourage increased activity and less food consumption, and to limit exposure to food advertising.

We all know them to exist.  I have written about them in previous posts.  But the problem is the implementation of the guidelines.  Unless our government helps in implementing them, and more marketing strategies by private and public entities that promote healthy lifestyle, these guidelines will remain as guidelines meant to inform and never practiced!

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, Philippine Chapter of which I am a Board Member will definitely make this thrust an active part of our advocacy in promoting healthy lifestyle among the school children.  So watch out for us in some private schools nationwide as we will really be actively involved in this Fight!  For those interested, please contact me through this post and inform me of your interest for the group to make your school be part of this program.

Be Involved … Be Our Partners in Our Fight Against Obesity! 

Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures | 1 Comment »

Can Fruits Cause Obesity?

May 15, 2007

imagesfrd1.jpgWe love fruits.  Being a natural source of sugar, we believe it is harmless in most ways. In fact you may have heard friends who tell you that they lose weight because they are on a fruit diet!  But too much of a good thing can turn out bad especially if over-consumption becomes a habit rather than an exception.

Recently though, the notion that fruits is generally okay has been challenge especially in the field of obesity.  Apparently, in animal studies, researchers from the University of Florida have found that fructose tricks your brain into thinking that you are hungrier than you truly are, causing you to eat more to feel satiated. The pathway at which fructose may be responsible for the rising epidemic of obesity is published in Nature Clinical Practice: Nephrology.

While it is common knowledge that the common causes of obesity includes the intake of high-fat, high-calorie foods and forgoing exercise, the concept of fructose as one culprit has never been on top of the list to determine if this sugar is in fact an underlying cause of metabolic syndrome, a condition that is linked to type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Fructose is present in many foods that we eat including the high fructose corn syrup to soft drinks, the jellies our children love , the pastries,  the tomato or banana ketchup and other commonly used products.  It is estimated that fructose consumption has risen more than 30 percent since the 1970s which coincided with the rise in the rate of metabolic syndrome and obesity worldwide.

But can fruits cause obesity? No link of that yet but again… eating a balanced meal with a fruit serving per meal should not make one gain weight MORE than the benefits of fruit consumption you’ll get!  But the general rule on fruits is: The Sweeter…The More Fructose…The More Calories!One Fruit Per Meal Is The Deal!

Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, The Truths on Obesity | 4 Comments »

How Much Caffeine is In Our Drinks?

May 10, 2007

2333326284.jpgWe know caffeine is a stimulant.  Therefore we tend to grab a cup of coffee everytime we feel we need a jolt out of our daily routine resulting in exhaustion or just mere tiredness.  But researchers have warned us about too much caffeine because of its health dangers including the effect of caffeine on the heart and bones as well as our ability to take a good sleep.  Likewise studies have shown too much caffeine can lead to stomach problems like ulcer or esophagitis.  People who likewise drink Energy drinks should also be cautioned because all they contain are sugars and caffeine.

Students trying to cram for an exam should be warned of the palpitations and jitteriness that they will feel if their body is loaded with caffeine.  On the other hand, those wanting to have a good sleep or the insomniacs should limit caffeine during the 4 to 6 hours before bedtime.  It is estimated that approximately 50% of the caffeine consumed at 7 PM remains in the body at 11 PM…the time frame that we want to go to bed!

One may actually be avoiding coffee per se to avoid problems with sleeping but remember that caffeine can be present in many different foods, beverages and medications.

Coffee (5 oz. cup)
Brewed, drip method 60 – 180 mg caffeine
Instant 30 – 120 mg caffeine
Decaffeinated 1 – 5 mg caffeine
Tea (5 oz. cup)
Brewed 60 – 180 mg caffeine
Instant 25 – 50 mg caffeine
Iced (12 oz. Cup) 67 – 76 mg caffeine
Chocolate
dark/semisweet 1 oz. – 5 – 35 mg caffeine
Soft drinks
cola (12 oz.) 36 – 47 mg caffeine
Non-prescription drugs
Dexatrim 200 mg caffeine
No Doz 100 mg caffeine
Excedrin 65 mg caffeine

But drinking coffee per se has many health benefits including the possibility of preventing diabetes and liver and other ailments as well as help us lose weight.  And therefore…Just as always…we recommend drinking or taking anything or even doing things in Moderation is the key to prevent dangers because…

Too Much Of A Godd Thing Can Turn Out BAD!

Read My Other Related Posts:

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures | 1 Comment »

The DANGER of Taking Antioxidants…BEWARE!

May 8, 2007

23349167291.jpgScience is ever-changing. One study should not make one take a pill just because it shows the drug to be beneficial. Any research should be carefully done and reviewed and if published in a reputable peer reviewed journal then its worth a second look!

The story about antioxidants and their benefits is one controversy. You may have heard a lot already about the benefits and side effects of Vitamins E and C but what is really the real score?  So before grabbing these vitamins… take to consider the facts below: 

The results of this study came from a meta-analysis of 68 randomized trials with a total of 232,606 patients published in the February 28 issue of JAMA.

  • Vitamin C does not appear to be detrimental but it is not beneficial either.  It likewise did not decrease or increase  mortality.
  • Trials of selenium showed it to be neither of benefit nor harm.

But the most striking results that I want readers to take note is that:

…. Vitamins A and E actually increased the risk for mortality whether it is used alone or in combination….

These data only point to one thing:

…That people should NOT take these over the counter supplements marketed as anti-oxidant vitamins in an effort to prevent illness…because…THEY DON’T!

…And as the usual cliche… we should instead” eat a balanced diet and take regular exercise“… as full proof to healthy living with NO SHORTCUTS…because…

Being Healthy Requires No Shortcuts!

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Truth About Herbs | 3 Comments »

Tips To Eat Less

May 4, 2007

imagesl.jpgThe main obstacle in losing weight is FOOD. The availability of tasty high caloric foods  in a glance within minutes within our sight anytime and anywhere tempts us to eat, savor the taste and enjoy! That’s how man was born to live! To work hard and enjoy the fruits of ones labor by eating a satisfying meal after a hard days work.  Unfortunately… we enjoy the food so much and its overabundance has lead to a lot of suffering instead! 

BUT…by eating well and balancing the kinds of food and taking time to consider what to eat and how much during each meal should make a difference long term. 

I found this interesting  article on tips on how to eat small from the April issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter which I want to share: 

  • Select smaller bowls, plates and spoons for serving and eating. Research has shown that people eat more when food is served in or eaten from larger dishes.
  • Get rid of high-calorie leftovers; store them in inconvenient locations or in opaque containers. — Seeing a calorie-laden goody can trigger the desire to eat. Food in the basement pantry is less tempting than leftovers on the kitchen counter. Weight loss is easier when healthy, low-calorie foods are within sight and easy reach.
  • Buy small packages and serve or order small quantities. Larger packages or larger portions often lead people to eat more than they would if the serving or package were smaller. After serving appropriate portions, put leftovers away immediately or, at a minimum, keep the serving dishes off the dining table.

Actually, we know these tips exist but constant reminder may help us follow these tips if we are really serious in our quest for…

Better Health Through Healthy Weight!

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Nutrition Health Tips, Personal Thoughts, Weight Loss Tips | 2 Comments »

Are Eggs Healthy To Eat?

May 2, 2007

4069335754.jpgI just received a comment from Nick regarding my post on ” Can I Eat Eggs Everyday” (My most popular post!) and I guess based on the many comments I received, we continue to have mixed beliefs on whether to eat eggs daily or its unsafe to do so because of the risk of heart disease.

So far, I agree with Nick that not a lot of prospective studies have been done to look at eggs per se and heart disease but rather its the relationship between the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol and heart disease that we all know exists.

Here’s a timely article from the Harvard Medical Letter  on the Myths and Facts of Egg Nutrition and Health:

Fact: Eggs are a good source of nutrients. One egg contains 6 grams of protein and some healthful unsaturated fats. Eggs are also a good source of choline, which has been linked with preserving memory, and lutein and zeaxanthin, which may protect against vision loss.

Fact: Eggs have a lot of cholesterol. The average large egg contains 212 milligrams of cholesterol. As foods go, that’s quite a bit, rivaled only by single servings of liver, shrimp, and duck meat.

Myth: All that cholesterol goes straight to your bloodstream and then into your arteries. Not so. For most people, only a small amount of the cholesterol in food passes into the blood. Saturated and trans fats have much bigger effects on blood cholesterol levels.

Myth: Eating eggs is bad for your heart. The only large study to look at the impact of egg consumption on heart disease—not on cholesterol levels or other intermediaries—found no connection between the two.

In people with diabetes, though, egg-a-day eaters were a bit more likely to have developed heart disease than those who rarely ate eggs.If you like eggs, eating one a day should be okay, especially if you cut back on saturated and trans fats. Other ways to enjoy eggs without worrying about cholesterol include not eating the yolk, which contains all the cholesterol, or using pourable egg whites or yolk-free egg substitutes.

There you go: if you want to eat eggs daily: cut back on other sources of fat. It’s the yolk that’s rich in cholestrol so use it sparingly and instead enjoy the egg whites!

The Controversy Continues…..

Read My Other Related Posts:

Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, Tips To Protect Your Heart | 6 Comments »

Losing Weight By Managing HUNGER

April 30, 2007

imagesrt.jpgOf the many diet fads that are out today… probably the one that I believe has the best physiological basis is limiting intake by preventing hunger.  And of the different foods that we eat, we seldom select which of the many can make us feel full faster without necessarily putting us off balance in weight!

In one study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the lead author Dr Susan Holt established a satiety index. Taking similar portions of popular foods with the same amount of calories… then compare them with a slice of white bread, giving it a rank of 100.  The popular oatmeal ( which I eat every morning) has a high satiety level at 209.  The yummy doughnut on the other hand ranked 68. A similar calorie serving of boiled potatoes ranked highest at 323,  while French fries score just 116.

The above study shows that with the same amount of calories, eating a bowl of oatmeal already makes you feel full.  BUT you need to eat 3 to 4 doughnuts or 2 packs of french fries to reach your satiety level!  But how many calories have you accumulated?

Water on the other hnad play a very important role in achieving satiety BUT not the water we drink with our meals.  Talking about satiety or the feeling of fullness and satisfaction, unfortunately we dont feel that with water alone!  It’s the water or volume coming from the fruits and vegetables and soup that gives us the fullness faster.  THUS, the recommendation ( which I have been advising in the past) is to start ones meal with a broth based soup to help you achieve satiety faster at a lesser calorie load!

Managing hunger in between meals with snacks can also come a long way in helping you curb that urge to eat more when your hungry. Again high in volume from fruits like apple can help achieve that satiey faster with more fiber helping you achieve fullness longer!

The key to successful weight loss is based on what you feel you are comfortable with.  It has to be a discipline or habit change that you can sustain throughout your life…to be effective and lasting!

Eating What’s Right Does Not Mean Feeling Deprived!

Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, Weight Loss Tips | 2 Comments »

Attacking Childhood Obesity: A Major Emergency!

April 27, 2007

imagesdfghj.jpgHere are some important facts I read in the book Food Facts by Dr Brownwell on childhood obesity.  If the facts wont make you wonder what the hell are we doing to the kids…am not sure what will make us wake up to take a closer look at the health consequences of obesity in children….

  • Prevalence of childhood obesity : Increased by 3 fold in US & England; 4 fold in Australia and Egypt
  • Overweight children who develop Diabetes may have heart attacks and need Bypass surgery before they reach age 30!!!!
  • In France; obese children had stiffer arteries and unhealthy changes in the arterial lining… important early findings before they develop stroke.
  • In Canada: obese children who develop Diabetes before the age 17 were experiencing blindness, amputation and kidney failure including premature death as young adults.

Remember… parent have the responsibilities to track the weights of their children.  We are responsible for what we feed our kids.  Simply put…research has shown that…. 

  • Parents diet and exercise patterns predict the child’s likelihood of being overweight giving rise to the term: OBESIGENIC Families…

 Look around the school grounds or the shopping malls… obese parents are strolling around or eating fried chicken with their obese kids inside a fast food resto. Obese parents beget obese kids…what we eat and do is what we show our kids and they then follow what we do even if they’re wrong or unhealthy!

The good news is according to Dr Brownwell, research shows that children can be persuaded to eat healthy foods and be able to differentiate between ” persuasion” and “information”:

  • Children who watched public service announcements focusing on nutrition chose more vegetables and fruits.
  • A Canadian study showed children ages 5 to 8 picked more candy than fruit following a candy commercial but showing fruit commercials encouraged children to eat more fruits.
  • A Stanford study showed reduction in TV time decreased the frequency of meals eaten while watching resulting in effective weight control.

The above studies therefore prove that as parents we have the say as to how to shape our kids future health! My kids rooms have no cable TV as a result less viewing time to watch Nickelodeon or Cartoon network and more play time and more activities. Now that its summer, I join them in swimming and do at least 10 lapses across my pool while playing and swimming leisurely in between. I likewise do swimming competition to make them do lapses while enjoying the fun on their faces by making them win! Walking together or biking should do the same in terms of bonding and increasing activity.

Lets take care of our kids.  Obesity among our kids is now becoming a medical emergency…let’s all act together before this becomes a global pandemic!

Loving Our Kids Does Not Mean French Fries As Treats!

Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, The Truths on Obesity, Weight Loss Tips | 3 Comments »

A Way To Permanently Remain THIN

April 25, 2007

3582380440.jpgHave you experienced being envious to a friend who eats but never gets fat?  It may really be in the genes but now a new study can make this a reality if the problem is resolved early in life.  We know that by the time we drink milk… we see babies getting bigger and bigger because of the saturated fat and the high sugar content in full cream milk.  Once the habit of over feeding is in place… then the difficulty in losing the accumulated fat results when we reach adulthood.  Needless to say, the parents or the grandparents just want the babies to look fat so they can look CUTE!

29037632431.jpgIn a recent article published in the January 2007 issue of the American Journal of Physiology, incorporating LEPTIN in a baby formula resulted in subjects remaining slim with lesser chances of developing obesity related illnesses like diabetes even on a high fat meal.

Leptin, a breakthrough hormone in the field of obesity is the fat hormone that turns off hunger in the brain.  In the study, the rat subject fed with formula supplemented with leptin, remained slim even if they were fed with high fat diet!  SOUNDS GREAT! 

 This is the first study that looks so promising that incorporating leptin in a meal may hopefully mean the end to our quest to combat obesity!  It is still far from reality but again this can lead to more studies to exploit the finding and hopefully be funded to become what we hope to be reality!

The studies therefore help us understand that the effect of leptin in a human body may start early in life even before we are born.  In fact, feeding the hormone to pregnant rats resulted in a  animals born to remain lean even when fed a high fat diet, compared to animals born of untreated mothers suggesting the impact of leptin in the developing fetus!  The authors believe that “the difference boils down to energy expenditure. such that the offspring of leptin-treated mothers burn up more energy.”

More good news to us who love food and want to remain thin! The thought of just putting a pinch of leptin to a pound of steak of a pan of pizza seems Magic!

BUT…definitely for now… the recommendation remains: 

…eat the right food….

…..exercise daily and live positively…

Stay Healthy To Be Wealthy!

Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, The Truths on Obesity, Weight Loss Tips | 2 Comments »

The Magic Way To Lose Weight….

April 23, 2007

3755688817.jpgThe rising obesity epidemic and the need for better and safer drugs for weight loss, has made a lot of doctors and patients in need for better alternatives.  As a result, you hear a lot of patients going after alternative forms of therapy and herbal preparations devoid of any scientific proofs and opt to try medications advertised on TV with image models like Judy Ann Santos claiming weight loss in front of all of us!

The truth of the matter is… weight loss depends solely on YOU!  One’s discipline to achieve the goal of weight loss depends solely on ones will to do it and achieve that goal.  There is no easy way out or a magic pill that will allow us to eat and yet lose weight! PERIOD! I have made some recommendations in this website that are deemed safe, effective and practical.  If you are willing to follow the rules of the game, then you should make it big time in weight loss. Am sure we all know how to lose weight BUT we just cant bring ourselves to cut the meat and the fat, or to bring ourselves outside to run or walk because the comfort of the bed and TV is so tempting match it with chips and soda! HOLA…. more fat is welcome and less energy is utilized!

The magic formula for the year 2007 if you want to lose weight big time is SURGERY!  There’s no other MAGIC way at the present time.  The only one procedure I will recommend to my patients at the present time if they are deemed candidates to it is the so called LAP BAnd.  It is now the widely accepted procedure in the US and in our country.  But IS IT SAFE?

4119225528.jpgA small pouch in the upper part of the stomach is created with a controlled and adjustable stoma, without stapling, thus limiting food intake.  A gastric band device is introduced through tiny (1cm) incisions laparoscopically without making a big cut in the abdomen and is placed around the upper part of the stomach.  The whole procedure can be done in 30 minutes to 1 hour and the band that is fitted in the stomach and be inflated or deflated reversibly.  Within 48 hours…you are discharged from the hospital.

In a recent article published in March 2007, Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases,

…a 5-year study of the safety of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) was compared to laparoscopic Roux-en Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), two bariatric surgical procedures performed in the United States for the treatment of morbid obesity. All patients undergoing LAGB received the LAP-BAND(R) System, which is the only FDA-approved adjustable implant device for individualized weight loss. found it to have a significantly fewer complications, shorter operative times, and shorter hospital stays when compared with LRYGB….

In that study the patients who were advised surgery were categorized a morbidly with either a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more or a lower BMI of 35 or more with at least one obesity-related co-morbidity, such as sleep apnea, diabetes, or hypertension. 

Weight loss from these procedure can be dramatic.  But again, you should be ready enough to stop eating once you feel full.  Since your stomach is now literally small… you feel full easily and therefore, the WANT to eat should take a back seat and the NEED to stop eating because your ” small” stomach is now full to its capacity should supersede the WANT!

A Magic Pill definitely is better…but there is still NONE available… and definitely NOT the ones advertised on TV! The ads just take advantage of the people’s despair to lose weight fast!

I still and will continuously recommend and promote the safest way to lose weight … through discipline, determination and will to eat what is right and what is healthy!

Eat Right and Bright To Stay Light!

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Posted in General Health Tips, Medical News Bits, The Truths on Obesity, Weight Loss Tips | 12 Comments »

How Much Sugar Is In My Food?

April 20, 2007

imagesasdf.jpgAlmost any food we eat may contain sugar.  Even those with marketing ads saying the product is sugar free…may actually mean “no added table sugar” BUT contains other sources of sugar hidden under a different name so BE AWARE! 

It is important to remember that sugar can come in many forms.  You may think you are eating sugar free foods but hidden in the ingredients are the likeness of sugar that can still contribute to calories.

Sources of sugar that you should check in the food labels include the words that end in “ose” or “ol” . These are all forms of sugar. Very important to note is that syrups such as corn sweetener, sorghum syrup and high fructose syrups are sweeteners that are often added to drinks and therefore high in calories.  Remember also that brown sugar, molasses and honey are said to be better than regular sugar because they are “natural” but they all give you the same calories as regular table sugar! So BE AWARE!

Common sources of sugar added to our daily food include:

  • fructose
  • high fructose corn syrup
  • maltose
  • lactose
  • dextrose
  • mannitol

When you read food labels, take note that the Ingredients listed: they are usually in order by weight, meaning from the most to the least amount. So when a type of sugar is the first ingredient, you know there is more sugar in that food than any other ingredient. Likewise some foods may contain more than one kind of sugar so when they are added up, the total may be more than any other ingredient in that food. So BEWARE!

Lastly…One important  fact about sugar that I want everyone to remember and share:

One culprit of a bad “food” that we all at one time or another have “enjoyed” is softdrinks.  But . we may not be aware that a 12-ounce can of cola contains about ten teaspoons of sugar which actually provides more calories and put on more body fat than the same amount of table sugar taken dry by the spoonful !

Sugar in the body can cause tooth decay, diabetes and more importantly OBESITY! Be more attentive to what you eat or drink because you may actually be taking hidden sugars that you thought were non existent!

Sugar in Your Food: Beware and Be Aware!

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Posted in General Health Tips, Lifestyle Measures, Nutrition Health Tips, The Diabetes Facts, The Truths on Obesity | 15 Comments »

The Seattle Experience: The Depression Factor

April 19, 2007

1ebfscd.jpgJust came back from a fruitful and educational meeting in Seattle where I attended the Annual Convention of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.  I was therefore off my usual schedule in updating my blog.  Attending the AACE meeting also afforded me the chance to say hello to my mentors at Mayo especially this year where more than 8 of the plenary speakers and workshop facilitators were my former mentors at the Mayo Clinic. 

I also make it a point to also explore the place in between serious learning to learn more about the people and the culture  especially Seattle where we heard most from the movie Sleepless in Seattle.

It is indeed true that it rains 70% of the time in this part of the world.  It was almost always cloudy and that there was only 1 day out of 7 that I saw the sun!  In fact the newscaster was saying …” this is your chance to get out and enjoy because were not sure when the sun will come out again”.

The place reminds me of an important and yet unrecognized aspect in treating hospitalized patients. When I see patients in the hospital and if I know that  they will be there for quite sometime, I usually request them a room with a window.  For me light therapy is as important as my medications. It is not easy to be hospitalized and be worried about the illness.  Therefore being able to enjoy and see the light from the sun can be a bonus to early recovery.  This is already known in the world of depression especially during winter wherelight therapy in fact has been shown to be as effective as antipsychotic medications in the treatment of depression.  And experience wise… it almost always works.

The Seattle Experience therefore brought back memories of my days in Rochester Minnesota where winter is at its worst and therefore light is at its minimum.  Beautiful places but nothing beats the SUN in Cebu!

So if you have the chance… enjoy our year round sunlight.  Its one beautiful bonus that we have which we seem to take for granted.  The sun gives us the perk we need to stay alert,and  the Vitamin D we need to help our bones and muscles strong.  Unfortunately…as is true to everything we own… be it a person or a thing…we only start missing the value of a thing or a person when they’re gone!

The Seattle experience made me take a second look at Cebu and value each day that we have the sun! Enjoy the benefits of it … be it for fun or for health!

Beat Depression…Enjoy the SUN! 

Posted in General Health Tips, Health Facts on Osteoporosis, Lifestyle Measures, Personal Thoughts | 5 Comments »

Tips To Avoid Getting Tired…

April 9, 2007

2950510993.jpgGetting tired has a lot of reasons.  But it may signal an illness especially diabetes or an underactive thyroid gland.  Most often however, patients start to consult us when the feeling of tiredness last more than 6 months which obviously may mean something else.  It is imprtant to remember however that tiredness can also happen during the normal changes in our lives…like stress from work or family, during menopausal state or just due to aging.

Eat for energy : a Health Tip From the Harvard Medical School

The tried-and-true advice for healthful eating also applies to keeping your energy level high:

• Eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats with an emphasis on vegetables, whole grains, and healthy oils. Taking a daily multivitamin will ensure that you get the vitamins and minerals you need, but taking extra amounts of individual nutrients won’t give you more energy.

• Eating certain types of foods in particular amounts can help prevent fatigue. Because different kinds of foods are converted to energy at different rates, some — such as candy and other simple sugars — can give you a quick lift, while others — such as whole grains and healthy unsaturated fats — supply the reserves you’ll need to draw on throughout the day.

• Eat small, frequent meals. Where energy is the issue, it’s better to eat small meals and snacks every few hours than three large meals a day. This approach can reduce your perception of fatigue because your brain, which has very few energy reserves of its own, needs a steady supply.

Reduce stress

The most common cause of persistent fatigue is stress and the emotional response to it. People who feel fatigued most of the time don’t necessarily have more stress in their lives than other people, but they may be more sensitive to its effects. Stress-induced emotions consume huge amounts of energy. Relaxation therapy can be an effective tool for reducing stress and naturally boosting your energy, particularly when used in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy. Meditation, self-hypnosis, yoga, and tai chi are all relaxation techniques. One of the easiest techniques to use is progressive muscle relaxation, which involves systematically tightening and releasing sets of muscles, beginning with your toes and progressing up your legs, torso, hands, and arms. You might also consider other relaxation therapies, including aromatherapy and massage.

My Advise? 

Be Bappy, Relax So You Can be “Tired-Free”

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Posted in General Health Tips, Healthy Practice Tips, Lifestyle Measures | 2 Comments »

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