The Health Enthusiast

Republic of the Philippines on the Prices of Medicines

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:24:00 +0000

The Department of Health (DOH) has formally received the consolidated undertaking of various pharmaceutical companies to bring down prices of a list of medicines in the Republic of the Philippines. However, the mark down in the prices only includes those that address major public health concerns such as hypertension, diabetes, common infections, and cancer, among others.

Based on the recent report .The list was transmitted by the Executive Director Reiner Gloor of the Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) where it contained a summary of the medicines being offered and their respective price reductions. It carried the proposals of both PHAP member companies and some non-PHAP members.

The DOH with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are urgently

reviewing the said list, validating the prices, identifying any possible

inconsistencies, and assessing the practicability of the said undertaking. After the said review and consultation, the DOH and DTI shall jointly make their recommendations to the President whether to accept or reject said submission.

“We take note of the timely submission of the pharmaceutical companies and their commitment to lower medicines prices of their common products by at least 50%,” said Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III.

“It is good that they met the deadline of the President and that they did not ask for extensions or engaged in any dilatory tactics,” Duque elaborated.

“We are making sure that the 21 molecules are reflected in their proposal and that the price reductions are consistent with the 50% price reduction policy that has been adopted,” stressed Trade Secretary Peter Favila.

In addition to the 21 molecules, the consolidated summary in the letter of undertaking also contained a list of other products offered for voluntary price reductions.

On the left is an image of the President with the Botika ng Bayan at the background showing hopes of cheaper medicines in the Philippines.

Mixed Green Salad

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:16:00 +0000

Do you want to cut down those calories? Here is a cool recipe that you will love and enjoy.
Bon Appetite!

Rosy Vinaigrette Dressing
INGREDIENTS:

1 can (225 g) pimientos
2 tbsp olive oil
6 tbsp balsamic vinegar
12 tbsp water
1 tsp prepared mustard
salt freshly ground pepper to taste
2 heads iceberg lettuce, washed and drained
2 heads romaine lettuce, washed and drained
1/2 head curly endive, washed and drained
1 bunch watercress,washed and drained

INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1: Prepare the dressing. Combine all ingredients in the blender and puree until smooth.
Step 2: Cut or tear the greens into bite-size pieces.
Step 3: Chill in the refrigerator.

TO ASSEMBLE:

Step 1: Place greens in large mixing bowl and toss gently until uniformly mixed.
Step 2: Place the salad in salad plates or bowls.
Step 3: Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Step 4: Serve with Rosy Vinaigrette Dressing.
Step 5: Serve the dressing in a separate container or add it just before service.

CALORIE CONTENT:

Each serving contains approximately:
Calories : 15
Carbohydrates : 2g
Fats: 0 g
Protein: 1g

Tips for Low-Calorie Cooking

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:39:00 +0000

Maybe you are wondering on how you can prepare your food with less fat and calories right? Well, I have a few list here that may come handy. These tips are fun and enjoyable to follow without denying yourself too much of the good stuffs in eating. And of course you can still retain the same interest and delight in preparing your food the way you like them to be.

Tip 1: For the fewest calories in serving, trim all visible fat before cooking.But because leaner cuts cook more quickly, you will need to decrease your cooking time.

Tip 2: If you use nonstick cookware and nonstick cooking sprays, you can decrease the amount fo fat used in cooking. Buy a 10- to -12 inch nonstick skillet and one or two nonstick saucepans for your pantry.

Tip 3: Use healthy cooking methods such as grilling , roasting ,broiling ,baking ,stir-frying, microwaving or poaching. Don't fry your food.

Tip 4: You can remove most of the fat from soups and stews if you prepare and refrigerate them several hours early. The fat will harden on the surface, and you can easily remove it before reheating. If you don't have that much time, at least let the food cool down and skim the fat.

Tip 5: The higer the grade of meat, the more fat it contains.The order of fat marbling from greatest to least is 'prime", "choice" and "select". When buying ground beef, choose extra lean.

Tip 6: Reduce pan juices to your desired consistency and concentration of flavor when cooking meats, instead of making heavy sauces and gravies.This is most easily and quickly done by boiling skimmed juices in a skillet.

Tip 7: Baste meats with their own juices or with broth or fruit or vegetable juices,rather than with margarine or butter.

Tip 8: Limit added fat and oils to 5 to 8 teaspoon a day. Try reduced-fat versions of margarine , butter, mayonnaise and salad dressings.

Tip 9: Serve light meats such as chicken,turkey or fish often. Light-meat poultry is naturally low in fat,especially if the skin is removed. Most fish are also very lean.

Tip 10: Choose water-packed instead of oil-packed canned fish products, such as tuna, to limit fat intake.

Tip 11: Some dishes traditionally made with several eggs can be made successfully with only one or two whole eggs plus several egg whites.

Tip 12: Use less cheese than usual , or choose low-fat cheese.

Tip 13: Substitute complex carbohydrates for fatty foods. For example, eat a toasted whole-wheat bagel instead of a cheese Danish. Complex carbohydrates is another term for starch , and fiber. Pasta, cereals,rice and potatoes, as well as bread,vegetables and fruits are excellent,low-fat sources of energy and complex carbohydrates.

Tip 14: Serve more vegetables and fruits. When in season they are cheaper and have the best flavor.

Tip 15: Use strongly flavored ingredients in salad dresssings and reduce or omit the amount of oil. Add a little water of nonfat yogurt to thick bottled salad dressings.

Tip 16: Cut in half the amount of meat in recipes.Use only lean meats. Fill in the bulk with shredded vegetables, legumes, pasta and grains.Trim visible fats and skin from meats.

Tip 17: Use low-fat, nonfat or skim milk products when cooking. There are many such products available, including cheeses and yogurts.

Tip 18: If you like chicken, but are trying to cut calories, use the breast cut or remove the skin. Skinned poultry can dry out easily when baked or roasted. Prepare with sauces or cover tightly when cooking. Chicken is versatile enough to be used in any meal and flavorful recipes.

Tip 19: If you love pasta and want to keep your calorie count low, try the following suggestions.
           a.) Mix cooked vegetables with pasta for a hot main dish; use raw vegetables for a cold salad.
           b.) A 1-cup of pasta contains about 200 calories.Substitute 1/2 cup of cut-up low-calorie vegetable
                for 1/2 cup of the pasta and you'll cut your calorie count to 120.
           c.) Toss equal parts of cooked spaghetti with cooked squash for great flavor.

So there you go. The 19 healthy tips to reduce the calories in your cooking. So now set your kitchenwares and start cooking. =)

healthyboy29

Healthy Cooking Tips and Techniques

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:15:00 +0000

The aims of healthy cooking are to avoid adding fat to food, to reduce the saturated fat content of the ingredients when possible, to retain the vitamins and minerals and,of course,to ensuer that the food is delicious by preserving or enhancing its flavor,color and texture.The following cooking methods will help you work toward these goals.

Steaming - This method involves cooking food over , instead of in , boiling liquid (usually water). As a result, most of the vitamins and minerals are retained. Browning is not part of the process, so fat is not added. Steaming preserves the texture of foods and is a good cooking method for those who prefer their vegetables crisp, not foggy. It is also very useful for cooking fish, poultry and puddings.

Grilling - There's no need to add fat when grilling meat, fish, or vegetables.Excess fat in the meat will drip through the rack and can easily be discarded.Brush the rack with the oil before cooking to prevent the food from sticking.Preheat the grill and baste with lemon juice, if necessary.

Casseroling - One-pot meals are good for stress-free entertaining.They also contain more vitamins,since these are retained in the stock,which is served alongside the other ingredients.Such meas can be partially cooked a day ahead, then cooled and chilled.Any fat will solidify on the surface and can easlily be lifter off before the casserole is reheated.

Stir Frying - This method ensures that the food cooks quickly, thus retaining its maximum nutritional value,color and texture.Slivers of meat can be marinated in a savory mixture of,for example,soy sauce,fruit juice,tomato puree and vinegar or similar sauces before cooking to tenderize them and add flavor.Foods that are to be stir-fried need to cut into small pieces so they can cook quickly and evenly

Poaching - This is an excellent way of cooking delicate white fish or whole oily fisht.Fish steaks, particularly code, halibut,salmon and tuna,also cook well through either grilling or poaching, without the need to add any fat.Poaching can be done either in the oven or on top of the cooker.

How to Increase the Amount of Fiber in your Diet

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 08:09:00 +0000

What is Fiber?
Basically,fiber refers to carbohydrates that cannot be digested by the body.Fiber is present in all plants that are eaten for food, including fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes.

What are the health benefits from Fiber?
There are two types of dietary fiber.Soluble fiber has been found to lower cholesterol and helps to regulate glucose levels in the blood while insoluble fiber is considered to be the healthy fiber because one of its role is supporting regularity.Getting enough fiber in our diet can lower the risk of developing certain types of diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes , diverticular disease , and the formation of gallstones and kidney stones.

So what is the recommended daily intake of fiber?
We know that too much of anything is not healthy. You can refer to this link for the recommended dietary fiber intake for individuals

Tips in Putting Fiber into your Diet.
Maybe you are wondering nowon how you can increase the amount of Fiber in your diet. I was able to research on few good tips on how we can accomplish this in preparing our meals.
- Choose whole -meal, whole-grain,high-fiber,brown or granary bread in place of white bread
- Choose whole -meal pita bread,rolls,muffins,scones,and hot cross buns in place of white.
- Choose whole-meal pasta over white pasta
- Choose brown rice instead of white rice. Mixtures of brown and wild rice are also available and offer a tasty alternatives
- Use whole-meal flour in place of white flour.Alternatively, use mixture of half portion of white flour and half portion of whole-meal flour
- Choose whole-wheat breakfast cereals, which are naturally high in fiber instead of adding wheat bran to regular cereals
- Make your own high fiber muesli by combining oats , bean flakes , wheat germ , dried fruits , nuts and seeds. Serve this topped with fresh fruit such as bananas or raspberries
- Add dried fruits such as raisins and chopped ready-t0-eat dried pears or peaches to breakfast cereals or porridge
- If possible, include foods from the cereals group (bread,pasta,rice and cereals) in every meal
- Choose high-fiber crackers , crisp breads and biscuits rather than plain ones
- Choose pulse-based dishes as a change from meat or fish-based ones
- Replace some of the meat used in a recipe with cooked pulses such as beans or lentils. Many varieties of fresh,frozen and canned pulses are available
- Extend soups by adding cooked pulses such as beans ,peas or lentils
- Add cooked pulses, nuts or seeds to salads for extra fiber, color and flavor
- Eat or use unpeeled or unskinned fruits and vegetables whenever possible, but wash them thoroughly first
- Leave potatoes unskinned,especially when baking ,boiling or roasting them
- When pureeing vegetables for soups and sauces,do not pass the mixture through a sieve, because much of the valuable fibers will be discarded
- Add grated root vegetables like potatoes and parsnips to casseroles, lasagna,cottage pie, sauces and stews
- Use whole-wheat breakfast cereals in baking. Try muesli bars and flapjacks for toppings,crumbles, coatings and cheesecake bases, and in meat loaves and burgers
- Add dried fruit such as sultanas and chopped, ready-to-eat dried apricots to cakes , scones and muffin recipes
- Snack nuts and seeds contain a good amount of fiber and make a tasty snack or addition to a recipe.Use sparingly as they are also high in fat and calories
- For dessert choose fresh or dried fruit salad or compote, whole meal bread pudding, or whole -meal crumbles or fruitcakes
- For toasted sandwhiches use whole-meal bread in place of white bread
- Use leftover cooked whole-meal pasta for pasta salads
- Choose ready-made sandwhiches made from whole-meal bread with low calorie or reduced-fat fillings . Better still, if you have time , make your own high-fiber sandwhich to pack-up and take away!

Choosing a Lifelong Eating Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 07:22:00 +0000

When it comes to total health care, there are no shortcuts. A well-prepared balanced diet should be supplemented with an appropriate exercise regimen. But the first half of the equation -maintaining a healthy diet - need not be as painful and difficult as it usually considered to be . After all, in order to reap maximum halth bebefits you need to be able to stick with your eating plan for the rest of your life-not an easy thing to do if it invloves eating tasteless,unappetizing foods.

There are many good delicious ingredients out there that you use to prepare healthy and truly tasteful dishes, and can include in an eating plan that you can live with.

Just as in cooking where we select the best ingredients to create a wonderful recipe , in nutrition,we have to consider all of the required nutrients (carbohydrates, protein ,fat,vitamins, minerals and water) to build a healthful diet.

Nutrition is the study of foods and of the way the body uses them. Nutrients are the substances in foods which the body cannot manufacture.They help the body:

a.) Make heat and energy that it needs to perform vital functions, such as breathing and metabolism as well as maintaining,body temperature. Foods rich in carbohydrates, protein and fat supply our body with energy. This energy is measured in units called calories. Each gram of carbohydrates and protein provides the body with 4 calories while fat produces 9 calories. Alcohol , although not a nutrient , provides energy. Each gram of alcohol produces 7 calories.

b.) Grow , repair and maintain itself. Meat products supply our body with proteins needed for growth and tissue repair.

c.) Regulate body processes. Vitamins , minerals and water help in circulation , respiration and digestion.

Vegetarian Pizza

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Craving on Pizza's? Eating pizza is really not that popular for Filipinos in the old days.However, since the introduction of foreign food chains offering a variety of delectable pizzas ,it's not a surprise on how this dish came as the top favorite for the heart of the Pinoys.

For this article, I am going to write one of my favorite pizzas.It's the vegetarian pizza.You can also try to cook this at home.Vegetables offers a lot of nutrients and are very low in calories so I usually incorporate them in the dishes that I make for my healthy diet.

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/2 tbsp of yeast1 cup of lukewarm water

3-3 1/2 cup of all purpose flour

1 tsp of salt

1 1/2 tsp of sugar

1/2 cup olive oil

PIZZA SAUCE AND TOPPINGS:

3 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp crushed garlic

1/2 cup of chopped onions

1/2 cup of sliced fresh basil

1 cup of mashed canned plum tomatoes

1 kg fresh tomatoes seeded skinned and cubed

1 tsp dried oregano1 tsp dried thyme salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 3/4 cup grated mozarella cheese

MAKING THE DOUGH:

Step 1: In a large bowl,add yeast to water and stir to deissolve.

Step 2: Combine next four ingredients and add to yeast mixture.

Step 3: Knead dough until smooth and satiny.

Step 4: Let rise for an hour until double in bulk.

Step 5: Punch down and divide into two balls

Step 6; Roll out each piece then place an oiled baking sheets .

Step 7: Prebake in a moderately preheated oven at 400%F for about 2 to 3 minutes.

MAKING THE SAUCE AND TOPPINGS:

Step 1: Saute in oil the garilic,onions,basil,canned saute and fresh tomatoes

Step 2: Let simmer for 5 minutes

Step 3: Add the oregano and thyme

Step 4: Season to taste

Step 5: Cool and then spread enough sauce on top of each pizza crust.

Step 6: Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

Step 7: Bake at 400%F until cheese melts.

Enjoy your meal.Cheese!

Stuffed Cabbage Leaves (Mahshi)

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:13:00 +0000

Last time , I featured an article related to foods that fight cancer. Cabbage is one of the cruciferous family that helps reduce the risk of having cancer. Given this, I searched the net for recipes for cabbage. I found one interesting recipe and followed the directions. I must admit.It tasted really good. Perhaps you should try to at home.

PREPARING THE INGREDIENTS:
1 the large leaves of 1 medium sized cabbage 1 cup brown rice, soaked overnight1 1/2 cups thick cooked down tomato sauce1 cup onions, chopped fine1/4 cup green pepper, cubed small2 tbsp garlic, minced1/2 cup fresh dill, finely chopped1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped2 tsp salt1 tbsp onion powder1/2 tsp dried mint1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1: Soak the rice overnight and drain well.

Step 2: Cook down tomato puree or sauce in uncovered until it is very thick and not at all watery.

Step 3: Blanch cabbage leaves in boiling water. Spread out to cool.

Step 4: Cut away stems from cabbage leaves, and cut leaves into pieces that are about the size of an entire hand. Spread the cabbage stems at the bottom of a pot.

Step 5: In bowl a bowl, combine rice with all the ingredients except for cabbage.

Step 6: Fill cabbage leaves with around 2 tablespoons of rice mixture and roll. Place in pot. Continue until rice mixture is finished.Fill outer green leaves of cabbage first and work inwards because the outer leaves are the thicker and thus can handle a little more cooking the extra cooking at the bottom of pot.

Step 7: Place a small glass plate on top of cabbage leaves in pot to keep them pressed down when cooking. Cover the pot and simmer on the lowest heat for 1 Â¾ to 2 hours. Turn heat off and keep pot covered for at least 15 minutes to absorb excess moisture.

Step 8. Serve immediately with a tahini sauce, or vegan yogurt.
Happy cooking!

Making Tofu

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:41:00 +0000

Tofu originated in ancient China, but little else is known about the origins of tofu and its method of production.Tofu and its production technique were subsequently introduced into Korea, then Japan during the Nara period (late eighth century). It also spread into other parts of East Asia as well including the Philippines. This spread likely coincided with the spread of Buddhism as it is an important source of proteins in the religion's vegetarian diet.

Tofu is very low in calories,contains a relatively large amount of iron and contains little fat. Depending on the coagulant used in manufacturing, the tofu may also be high in calcium and/or magnesium. Tofu also contains soy isoflavones, which can mimic natural human estrogens and may have a variety of harmful or beneficial effects when eaten in sufficient quantities

So how do you make a tofu at home? Here's a quick direction on how to make one.

PREPARING the SOYBEANS:
Step 1: Clean 2 1/3 cups whole soybeans under running water. Remove debris or damaged soybeans.
Step 2: Soak the soybeans overnight in a bowl or other container in approximately 8 cups of water.
Step 3: Drain and rinse the soybeans in a colander.

MAKING THE TOFU:
Step 1: Grind the soybeans with 12 1/2 cups water in a blender until it makes a slurry. This can be done in batches if the blender doesn't hold it all.
Step 2: Pour the slurry into a pot on the stove.
Step 3: Bring the pot to a boil, stirring constantly.
Step 4: Once the slurry is boiling, turn it down to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Keep stirring.
Step 5: Filter the slurry through a cheesecloth or linen towel, saving the liquid in a bowl. Discard the ground up soybeans.

COOKING THE TOFU:
Step 1: Return the slurry to the pot and put it on low heat.
Step 2: Combine 2 tbsp. calcium sulfate with 1/2 cup water to make a coagulant solution.
Step 3: Add the coagulant to the slurry and stir.
Step 4: Put a lid on the pot and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Check to see if the tofu has coagulated. There should be chunks of tofu curd. If not, you can add more coagulant.
Step 6: Strain the tofu, using a colander lined with cheesecloth or towel. Use the cheesecloth or towel to squeeze out excess water.

PRESSING THE TOFU:
Step 1: Put the strained tofu in a tofu mold lined with cheesecloth.
Step 2: Fold the cheesecloth over the tofu and place the lid on it.
Step 3: Put a weight such as a can of food on the lid.
Step 4: Let the tofu sit in the mold for 20 or 30 minutes.
Step 5: Remove the tofu from the mold. It's now ready to use.

I hope with this information, you start making TOFU for a healthy diet!

Marikina City to distribute Health Passports

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:52:00 +0000

According to Daily Inquirer, Vital health data like personal vaccinations and medicine records are now readily available for markinita City residents in handy booklets for easy monitoring of one's health.

From the report,the city government is providing residents with "health passport" that would contain pertinent medical information and even link it with the city health office electronic patient information system.

According to Dr. Honnielyn Fernando, acting assistant city health officer these health booklets -called MCF Health Passports will contain records of vaccinations medicines taken as well as treatments by patients. The constituents will now be able to monitor the health status of their family members.

She said the health passport is useful particularly in the event of medical emergencies so patients can readily provide their medical history to attending doctors. Fernando said the health passports were initially distributed to families within the Industrical Valley Complex. Last year, health passports were also given to families in Barangay Fortune.If proven effective, the project will also start distributing the passports in to the other barangays in Marikina City.

From my opinion, other parts of the country should also start adapting the project to help their constituents maintain and monitor their personal health records.

With this, I give my salute to the City of Marikina for starting this initiative. I hope that the other cities as well will follow for the good and benefit of their constituents.

News on Swine Flu Vaccine

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:40:00 +0000

Based on the recent developments reagrding swine flue, the world's first human trials of a swine flu vaccine have begun in Australia.

Based on the report , two biotechnology companies have started tests on volunteers in the southern city of Adelaide with their vaccines. Adelaide-based Vaxine began trials Monday with 300 subjects, and Melbourne's CSL has 240 people in its seven-month trial,The companies say their trials are the first tests of a swine flu vaccine on humans.

At least 41 people have died in swine flu-related illness in Australia, and at some part of the globe. According to World Health Organization , the worldwide death toll from swine flu is moer than 700.

As the world ramp up the hunt to discover the vaccine for this type of flu, different countries are now starting to do their own tests.As an example , US officials announced they were searching for volunteers to run their own trials of two swine flu vaccines and a Chinese drug company said it would soon test its own preparation to fight the A(H1N1) virus, which has killed more than 700 people worldwide

In China, state news agency Xinhua said Hualan Biological Engineering Inc had completed a swine flu vaccine last month and would test it on more than 2,000 volunteers in the city of Taizhou in the eastern province of Jiangsu.

These tests are done in well developed countries. In the Philippines a 49-year-old woman with swine influenza A-H1N1 has died - the first death in that country related to the virus. However, there are no reported news as of today if there will be tests to be conducted here in the country.

Foods that Fight Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:56:00 +0000

Last time, I posted a blog discussing what cancer is , its origin and how it can be prevented.This time I am going to write an article about the research I have done related to foods that fight cancer.

Cabbage on the Go

Cruciferous vegetables are one of the dominant food crops worldwide.They are widely considered to be healthful foods as they are high in vitamin C , soluble fibre and contain multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties: diindolylmethane, sulforaphane and selenium.

These vegetables can be dense and crispy, like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. A healthy diet that includes two to three cups of fruits and vegetables daily can help lower your risk of many diseases, including cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus and stomach. In lab studies, some components of crucifers have helped to halt the growth of breast, cervix, endometrium, lung, colon and liver cancer.

How does a cruciferous vegetable reduce the risk of having cancer? Cruciferous vegetables are unique in that they are rich sources of sulfur-containing compounds known as glucosinolates.Chopping or chewing these vegetables results in the formation of bioactive glucosinolate hydrolysis products, such as isothiocyanates and indole-3-carbinol.

So if you want to incorporate the crucifers in your food , make sure that you don't boil them too much to keep their crispiness and nutrients intact. We don't want to throw away all those good stuffs out right?

Berry Berry Berries

Everyone one of us knows about berries. These are the colorful fruits that have a sweet and sour tastes which makes them the top favorite of the fruits that we eat today. Imagine how we incorporate berries in our desserts and pastries. Even on ice creams we normally put them on the top.

The berry is the most common type of fleshy fruit in which the entire ovary wall ripens into an edible pericarp. The flowers of these plants have a superior ovary formed by the fusion of two or more carpels. The seeds are embedded in the flesh of the ovary. Some of the poular berries includes grapes, barberry,gooseberry, strawberry blackberry and raspberry

So what is the effect of berry in fighting cancer? Specifically one group of phytochemicals found in all berries, is the cause of their red colour, called anthocyanins. This substance is most probably the major contributor in the health benefit of berries. One rule to follow is that the tinier berries and particularly those with brighter colours have the higher medicinal content. Black raspberries, blackberries and strawberries seem to be the most potent against cancer progression

In order to benefit or take the most from these delicious frutis, start introducing them in your diet.You can put them in your desserts , salads or even in your cooking. Besides, prevention is still better than cure.

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:02:00 +0000

healthyboy29.blogspot.com is a friendly website that aims to provide information on health,food,fitness,dieting and lifestyle.Almost every topic about health can be found in this website.

The site aims to keep you updated with the recent news and development about health and the latest trend in medical technology .

As you visit and read the postings in this site ,I hope the site was able to share all the information suited for your queries. You are also welcome for subscriptions to keep you updated with all of these information.

It will be greatly appreciated if you can also post your comments and suggestions. In this way, we can both help build this website to be of better service while continuing to provide you the information you need.

Thanks and feel free to read the postings.

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:46:00 +0000

Four years ago I had a close family relative diagnosed of a lung cancer. The diagnosis came when she was just scheduled for a general check up.My aunt lives in Hawaii so we were not able to know it right away. Knowing how serious this was, I started to ask myself questions on what really is cancer and how does it develop? Is there really a cure for this disease? These are just some of the questions that popped in my head and before I knew it , I was already doing a research. Here's what I was able to find out.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is the term used for a disease where abnormal cells develop. These abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues.These activity causes the formation of what we call tumors.There are many types of cancers.Most of them are named based from the organ where they were found.As an example, my aunt was diagnosed of a lung cancer because the tumors were found in her lungs. However, not all cancers develop tumor. One example is leukemia which involve the blood and blood-forming organs where they grow.

Origins of Cancer:

All cancers begin in our cells, the body's basic unit of life. To understand the disease ,it's helpful to know what happens when normal cells become cancer cells. Our body is made up of many cells. These cells grow and divide in a controlled way to produce more cells. This is necessary so that cells that are already worn-out or dying are replaced.However, the genetic material (DNA) of a cell can become damaged or changed, producing mutations. These mutation affect normal growth and division .When this happens, cells do not die and new cells form when the body does not need them. These cells then forms what we call mass or tumor.However, just to clarify. Not all tumors are cancerous. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors can be removed through surgeries. Once removed , these tumors don't come back unlike the case of malignat tumors. Cells in these tumors invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body.

So what contributes cells with damaged DNA? I also asked my self this question and tried some more research. From what I was able to gather,people can inherit damaged DNA.However, the biggest contributing factor are caused by something we are exposed to in our environment. In my Aun's case, its pretty obvious. She already started smoking at the age of 14.

Cancer Distribution:

I then looked at the distribution of cancer and here's what's reported by World Health Organization.

The number of global cancer deaths is projected to increase 45% from 2007 to 2030 (from 7.9 million to 11.5 million deaths), influenced in part by an increasing and aging global population. The estimated rise takes into account expected slight declines in death rates for some cancers in high resource countries. New cases of cancer in the same period are estimated to jump from 11.3 million in 2007 to 15.5 million in 2030.

In most developed countries, cancer is the second largest cause of death after cardiovascular disease, and epidemiological evidence points to this trend emerging in the less developed world. This is particularly true in countries in "transition" or middle-income countries, such as in South America and Asia. Already more than half of all cancer cases occur in developing countries.

Lung cancer kills more people than any other cancer - a trend that is expected to continue until 2030, unless efforts for global tobacco control are greatly intensified. Some cancers are more common in developed countries: prostate, breast and colon. Liver, stomach and cervical cancer are more common in developing countries.

Prevention:

According to world health , most of the factors for cancer can be prevented. These factors are indicated below:

•tobacco use - responsible for 1.8 million cancer deaths per year (60% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries);
•being overweight, obese or physically inactive - together responsible for 274 000 cancer deaths per year;
•harmful alcohol use - responsible for 351 000 cancer deaths per year;
•sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV) infection - responsible for 235 000 cancer deaths per year; and
•occupational carcinogens - responsible for at least 152 000 cancer deaths per year.

Healthy Tips and Tricks

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:28:00 +0000

Sometimes people get to think of their health only after they suddenly feel ill. Most of the time we do things that we like but are not really mindful of the effects that they have in our health. As an example, a coffee drinker may think that its okay to drink coffee everyday. I honestly believe so as I myself drinks coffee a lot.However if you do some tricks and start to be mindful of some little things may help you reduce these risks. Taking time to look at the contents found in your cofee is something that you may want to think about for a while and ask yourself if perhaps you can probably pass drinking coffee even for just one day.If you are an everyday coffee drinker, this will give you one coffee-less day in a week and probably 4 coffee-less days in a month. Now that is something that you can contribute to yourself and start living a healthy lifestyle.

For this article I have gathered Healthy Tips and Tricks on how to reduce the risks of the things you like doing without altering too much of your lifestyle.

1. Most of us drinks alcohol on special occasions. Some of us do more than that.If you drink alcohol a lot on gimmicks or parties,you may want to consider planning your schedule on drinking.For me, this works a lot. Do not look where the drink is served at the start of the event. Drink only when invited to do so. In this case, you have avoid drinking too much on the event. It's a trick that always work for me.

2. If you drink coffee a lot and really loves the effect of its aroma, you may want to do it only in the morning and restrict yourself from taking another one for snack.Consider this tip that I was able to come up with. Before when I get to drink coffee twice I day,I am not mindful of how much cholesterol am I putting in my body.Now after considering it, I only take coffee in the morning and drink tea for snack instead. This way the tea refreshes the body and does a good cleansing of your intestine and stomach.

3. If you like sweets and loves chocolate, you may want to consider eating dark chocolates or cocoa powder rather than the more popular milk chocolate.The dark chocolate and cocoa powder may help reduce the risk of having cardiovascular disease and decrease your blood pressure.

4.) When preparing your food, its good to have a well balanced diet. However,if this doesn't work for you then atleast plan on incorporating food rich in nutrients even for just one day. Eating vegetables and salads reduces the risk of some chronic diseases. Vegetables provide nutrients that are vital for health and maintenance of your body.

I hope that with these simple healthy Tips and Tricks, you will be able to stay healthy and in good shape while still maintaining your current eating habbits and lifestyle.

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noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:43:00 +0000

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noreply@blogger.com (Marc Glen) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:49:00 +0000

I am Marc Glen Arcilla.I am a Filipino and is currently working as software engineer here in the Philippines. I work as a full time consultant for one of the IT Corporation here in my home country.

Being in the industry for 7 long years is quite an achievement for me. I was able to broaden my knowledge and develop my skills in what I think is the most progressive industry in the world today.

Having to travel twice in different parts of the globe is also the most wonderful experience my job has offered me. Being able to interact and talk with so many people regardless of their race, ethnicity ,culture and religion is something priceless and rewarding.

To tell you honestly, having to write blogs and post them on the website is not really my cup of tea.I could say that I was an accidental blogger that finally saw interest and passion in writing. This passion came in when I was trying to build a site to post my advertisement for a business that I like to start. However, having to build a website is easier said than done.I was challenged and at the same time was so curios on how these things are done today. These factors proved to be catalysts that suddenly gave me the passion in writing.

So what topics do I think are worth writing? The answer is very simple. You can right almost everything that you love and is passionate about. I love to write articles about health, foods, exercise and lifestyles. I love to watch food television channels and all other stuff.I love to read latest news about healthy living.Most of all , I like to pursue a degree in Medicine but I guess education nowadays are not free and easily available unless you have the right amount of resources.And so I just express my frustations through writing. Besides sharing information is free for everyone.

About My Blogs:

The blogs that I will write in this site will be all about health ,food and lifestyle. These are thethings that I will always like to talk about and are really very interested in.I also like to write anything about the latest technology , video games and all that related stuff but I will be posting them on a different site .The information that I've gathered in all of my postings are based on the books that I have read, the people that I have consulted with and from my very own experiences.

So what is my goal in writing this site? The answer is obvious. I'd like to be help and inform the visitors. For me ,sharing is something that should be free and fun to do. Besides, what's the purpose of having knowledge if it's not to be shared? It's like buying your very precious bag and not being able to use it.

Also, as you pass by and visit my site I'd request you to post a comment. These comments are very valuable information in helping me build this site. I assure you that all the comments you give will be of significant importance.

Thank you and God bless.

The author