Eat healthy foods, Filipinos urged

An expert from the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) reported that Filipinos are not consuming enough vegetables and fruits and are not meeting the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intakes (RENI) as set by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI).

Candido Astrologo Jr., NCSB Director for National Statistical Information Center, blamed the continued mushrooming of fast food chains in the country that often offer fried and unhealthy foods.

“The proliferation of fast food chains and carinderias attracts household members to eat out instead of cooking at home. Urbanization and an increase in per capita income are factors associated with fast food and carinderia consumption. About 40 percent of the sample households buy cooked foods outside their homes instead of cooking their own meals,” the 2008 Philippine Nutrition Facts and Figures reported. 

FNRI defines RENI as “levels of intakes of energy and nutrients which, on the basis of current scientific knowledge, are considered adequate for the maintenance of health and well-being of nearly all healthy persons in the population.”

He described the possibility of the Philippines to meet the Millennium Development Goal 1 on dietary energy consumption is “medium.”

“From 1993, intakes of fruits dropped to no less than 10 percent of daily intake maybe because they find fruits expensive,” Astrologo said in a health journalism seminar organized by the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP).

In his presentation, Astrologo disclosed that in 2008, rice is on top of the most commonly consumed items in Filipino households along with potatoes and sugar. 

On the category of fish, “galunggong” topped the kinds of fish commonly consumed by Filipinos followed by milkfish or “bangus,” “tilapia,” and “tulingan” and tuna. The report also noted that Filipinos consume a high amount of soy sauce. For vegetables, carrots and malunggay were on top two spots, followed by squash fruit, kamote leaves, and "kangkong.”

Other items commonly consumed in households are salt, coffee, coffee creamer, powdered chocolate milk, coconut vinegar and pineapple vinegar.

OUR UNSOLICITED ADVICE:

For Filipinos to meet the recommended energy and nutrient intakes and stand a greater chance of achieving the "indicator" of MDG-1 pertaining to the "eradication of extreme poverty and hunger", simply drink 20 drops of HCI-CMD per glass of water 2x a day to a healthy life!

Team HealthyYOU
http://healthyyoucmd.blogspot.com
healthyyoucmd@gmail.com

5 Tips For Better Health

There's no point being the richest person in the graveyard! Take good care of yourself with these 5 tips for better health:

1.      DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

Our body is made up of 70% water. So get hydrated and see your energy soar! Every function inside the body is regulated by and depends on water. Water must be available to carry vital elements, oxygen, hormones, and chemical messengers to all parts of the body.

Without sufficient water to wet all parts equally, some more remote parts of the body will not receive the vital elements that water supplies. Water is also needed to carry toxic waste away from the cells.

2.      SLEEP AT LEAST 7 HOURS A DAY 

Your body needs sufficient rests to function properly so don’t neglect this part! Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.

Sleep affects our physical and mental health, and is essential for the normal functioning of all the systems of our body, including the immune system. The effect of sleep on the immune system affects one’s ability to fight disease and endure sickness.

3.      EXERCISE AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK

Exercise can help you release stress, keep a better physique and give you more energy so don't forget this!

Have you ever heard the expression "use it or lose it"? It's true! If you don't use your body, you will surely lose it. Your muscles will become flabby and weak. Your heart and lungs won't function efficiently. And your joints will be stiff and easily injured. Inactivity is as much of a health risk as smoking!

Many people forget to stretch or make the excuse that they don't have the time. Flexibility is important, so make the time! Stretching can be done every day, but stick to a minimum of three times per week in order to reap the benefits. When the body is warmed up, such as after a workout session, perform five to 10 stretches that target the major muscle groups. Hold each stretch for 10-30 seconds.

4.      EAT HEALTHY 

Healthy eating is not about strict nutrition philosophies, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, and keeping yourself as healthy as possible– all of which can be achieved by learning some nutrition basics and using them in a way that works for you.

Healthy eating begins with learning how to “eat smart”—it’s not just what you eat, but how you eat. Your food choices can reduce your risk of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as defend against depression. Additionally, learning the habits of healthy eating can boost your energy, sharpen your memory and stabilize your mood.

Less sugar and fats plus more fiber is always the way to go for better health.

5.      MINERALS ARE MORE THAN IMPORTANT, ITS IS VITAL!

Minerals forge the foundation of every living being – forming blood and bone, transmitting impulses from our nervous system to our extremities and vice versa, and maintaining optimal health.

We know that vitamins, proteins, enzymes and amino acids are indispensable to nutrition...but lacking minerals, they are useless.

The cell is the most basic unit of life and it must have minerals to stay alive and carry out its functions, from the simplest functions to the most sophisticated functions.

To your health.

Team HealthyYOU

http://healthyyoucmd.blogspot.com

healthyyoucmd@gmail.com

Kidney stones and minerals

Calcium oxalate kidney stone formers are invariably advised to increase their fluid intake. In addition, magnesium therapy is often administered. Recently, a prospective study showed that a high dietary intake of calcium reduces the risk of symptomatic kidney stones. The present study was performed to test whether simultaneous delivery of these factors--high fluid intake, magnesium ingestion and increased dietary calcium--could reduce the risk of calcium oxalate kidney stone formation.

  

• A French mineral water, containing calcium and magnesium (202 and 36 ppm, respectively) was selected as the dietary vehicle. Twenty calcium oxalate stone-forming patients of each sex as well as 20 healthy volunteers of each sex participated in the study.
• Each subject provided a 24-hour urine collection after ingestion of mineral water over a period of 3 days; after a suitable rest period the protocol was repeated using local tap water (Ca: 13 ppm, Mg: 1 ppm).
• In addition, 24-hour urines were collected by each subject on their free diets. The entire cycle was repeated at least twice by each subject.

Findings

Several risk factors (excretion of oxalate; relative supersaturations of calcium oxalate, brushite and uric acid; calcium oxalate metastable limit; oxalate:magnesium ratio and oxalate:metastable limit ratio) were favourable altered by the mineral water and tap water regimens but the former was more effective. In addition, the mineral water protocol produced favourable but unique changes in the excretion of citrate and magnesium as well as in the relative supersaturation of brushite which were not achieved by the tap water regimen. To the contrary, tap water produced an unfavourable change in the magnesium excretion.

Conclusion

The group which benefited most were male stone formers in whom 9 risk factors were favourably altered by the mineral water protocol. It is concluded that mineral water containing calcium and magnesium, such as that used in this study, deserves to be considered as a possible therapeutic or prophylactic agent in calcium oxalate kidney stone disease.

Reference

1. Rodgers AL. Effect of mineral water containing calcium and magnesium on calcium oxalate urolithiasis risk factors. Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Accessed at http://www.mgwater.com

Team HealthyYOU

http://healthyyoucmd.blogspot.com

healthyyoucmd@gmail.com

Significance of Magnesium to Human Nutrition

Magnesium is an extremely important and valuable mineral, whose value for good health is just being recognized by conventional physicians.

All chemical reactions in the body require an enzyme system to help the biochemical reaction take place. An enzyme system generally consists of three parts. They are a specific protein molecule, another smaller organic compound, which is often a vitamin, such as pyridoxine or vitamin B6, and finally a charged mineral, such as zinc, copper, manganese or magnesium. Magnesium is a critical co-factor in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the human body. Each mineral when dissolved in fluids has a characteristic electrical charge, called its valance. Minerals with a charge of plus 1, or univalent cations, include sodium and potassium. Minerals with a charge of plus 2, or divalent cations, include copper, zinc, manganese and magnesium. Potassium and magnesium are the most abundant cations found within the cells of the body with magnesium being the most abundant divalent cation. Conventional medicine's interest in magnesium has been only by obstetricians, who have used injectable magnesium sulfate extensively in the treatment of high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia and eclampsia of pregnancy. But, recently conventional physicians have become interested in treating patients with acute heart attacks, chronic cardiovascular disease, heart arrhythmias, diabetes, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome and many other disorders.

Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

     

• With regard to skeletal muscle, one may experience twitches, cramps, muscle tension, muscle soreness, including back aches, neck pain, tension headaches and jaw joint (or TMJ) dysfunction. 
• Impaired contraction of smooth muscles include constipation; urinary spasms; menstrual cramps; difficulty swallowing or a lump in the throat-especially provoked by eating sugar; photophobia, especially difficulty adjusting to oncoming bright headlights in the absence of eye disease; and loud noise sensitivity from stapedius muscle tension in the ear.
• The central nervous system is markedly affected. Symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, hyperactivity and restlessness with constant movement, panic attacks, agoraphobia, and premenstrual irritability. Symptoms or signs of the cardiovascular system include palpitations, heart arrhythmias, angina due to spasms of the coronary arteries, high blood pressure and mitral valve prolapse.

 How can one get magnesium?

The best way of insuring enough magnesium is to eat a variety of whole foods, including whole grains, nuts, seeds and vegetables, preferably food grown on naturally composted soil. The green color of green vegetables is due to chlorophyll, which is a molecule that contains magnesium. Avoid refined processed foods, especially white sugar and white flour products, as most magnesium is removed from them.

The recommended daily allowance or RDA for magnesium is 350 milligrams of elemental magnesium. Many people do not even get the RDA of 350 mg of magnesium daily. A therapeutic dosage could easily run between 400 mg and 1000 mg daily of elemental magnesium in divided doses. In people with normal kidneys, it is difficult to reach toxic levels of magnesium. However, too much oral magnesium will result in diarrhea. Recall that milk of magnesia is a laxative containing a magnesium salt. Patients suffering from chronic kidney failure must be much more careful because their kidneys have difficulty eliminating magnesium and a toxic buildup may occur. Toxic levels of magnesium may lead to depression of the entire nervous system and even coma and death. But, this is extraordinarily rare and occurs only in patients with severe kidney function impairment. In general, magnesium doses of 1000 mg per day or less are extremely safe.

Magnesium Supplementation for Various Medical Disorders

Magnesium is essential to good health and its supplementation may be helpful to a wide variety of medical disorders including: high blood pressure, asthma, angina pectoris, coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmias, chronic fatigue syndrome, all types of musculoskeletal disorders, epilepsy, mitral valve prolapse, anxiety, panic disorder and many other medical and psychiatric conditions.

Increased use of CMD, a food supplement that is complete, balanced, and rich in magnesium, should greatly improve therapeutic results for many patients. 

References:

1. Michael B. Schachter M.D., F.A.C.A.M. (1996). The Importance of Magnesium to Human Nutrition. Accessed at http://www.mbschachter.com/ importance_of_magnesium_to_ human.htm.
2. Baker, S.M. Magnesium Deficiency in Primary Care and Preventive Medicine, Magnesium and Trace Elements, 1991-1992; 10:251-262.

Team HealthyYOU

http://healthyyoucmd.blogspot.com

healthyyoucmd@gmail.com

Ionic Trace Minerals for Optimum Women's Health

Ionic trace minerals are vital to numerous women’s health issues. They assist the body in proper nutrition, normal cell function, and healthy composition of bones and tissues. Thus, taking a complete, daily balance minerals formula is the recommended way to support women's health issues and dietary concerns.

Calcium is the number one mineral in the body. A deficiency in calcium is thought to contribute to osteoporosis, cramps, irritability of nerves and muscles, and insomnia.

The mineral Magnesium assists the body in absorption of calcium. Magnesium also assists in enzyme reactions, energy production, neuro-muscular contraction and protein synthesis. Chronic fatigue, muscle cramping and PMS can be caused by a deficiency of magnesium. Women with PMS have been found to have lower levels of magnesium in their red blood cells. Some studies suggest that magnesium mineral supplements may help relieve a variety of premenstrual symptoms (Piesse, 1984; Facchinetti, et al., 1991).

Older women may be lower on magnesium. Many women take calcium mineral supplements but completely miss out on their need for magnesium. Tests show that women who suffer from osteoporosis have less magnesium in their bones than women with strong bones. A combination mineral supplement containing both calcium and magnesium would help improve this women’s health issue (Cohen and Kitzes, 1981).

Potassium mineral is believed to help lower blood pressure and prevents stroke. Orange juice and bananas are good sources of potassium. Potassium helps regulate the body's water balance and is also necessary for normalized heart rhythms, muscle contraction and nerve impulses (MacGregor, et al., 1982; Khaw and Barrett-Connor, 1987).

Boron is an essential trace mineral needed for healthy muscle and joint tissue. Boron is known for its role in helping to prevent or slow the effects of osteoporosis. Epidemiologic studies show that people in countries with low amounts of boron in the soil often have osteoarthritis. Boron may also encourage cartilage repair and synthesis. One open trial demonstrated that daily boron supplementation caused some symptom remission in 90 percent of arthritis patients studied including people with osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis (Newnham, 1991; de Fabio, 1991).

Zinc is found in every cell in the body and is believed to play a key role in the immune system. Zinc is also important to sexual function, wound healing, skin health and the sensory functions of vision, taste and smell. However it is not a good idea to consume unusually high mega-quantities of zinc mineral supplements, hoping to fight off the common cold. Research done at the USDA Nutrition Center at Tufts University suggested the possibility that mega doses of zinc might actually inhibit immune response. So while zinc is important to women's health issues, don't overdo it (Fraker, 1986; Tuormaa, 1995).

Iron is an important mineral to healthy functioning of red blood cells. It is vital to the transport of oxygen throughout the body and to the function of enzymes. The most common nutritional deficiency is iron deficiency.

A small amount of copper is a required cofactor for the enzyme lysyl oxidase, which plays a role in the cross-linking and strengthening of connective tissue. This could be important to joint support. Too much copper can cause problems for some women. High daily multivitamin and mineral supplements will supply enough copper for most women's health needs (DiSilvestro, Marten and Skehan, 1992).

Chromium is a trace mineral that affects blood sugar control. Chromium works together with insulin and is necessary for the proper functioning of insulin. Insulin plays a major role in the metabolism of sugar and is involved in the body's use of protein and fat. Recently, Chromium has been studied for the promotion of weight loss and lean muscle gain. Chromium levels can be depleted by over indulgence in foods containing refined flour and sugar (Mertz, 1993; Katts, Ficher, and Blum, 1984). Chromium mineral supplements have become a hot topic in regard to women's health issues.

Mineral supplements are important for a variety of women's health issues. Take a balanced mineral formula every day. Drinking 20 drops of CMD 2x a day in a glass of water, with proper diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle may help boost immunity and resistance against sickness.

References:

1. Cohen L, Kitzes R. Infrared spectroscopy and magnesium content of bone mineral in osteoporotic women. Isr J Med Sci 1981;17:1123-5.
2. DiSilvestro RA, Marten J, Skehan M. Effects of copper supplementation on ceruloplasmin and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase in free-living rheumatoid arthritis patients. J Am Coll Nutr 1992;11:177-80.
3. de Fabio A. Treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis. Townsend Letter for Doctors 1990 Feb-Mar:143-8.
4. Facchinetti F, et al., Oral magnesium successfully relieves premenstrual mood changes. Obstet Gynecol 78, 177-181, 1991.
5. Fraker PJ, Gershwin ME, Good RA, Prasad A. Interrelationships between zinc and immune function. Fed Proc 1986;45:1474-9.
6. Katts GR, Ficher JA, and Blum K, The effects of chromium picolinate supplementation on body composition in different age groups. Age 14, 307-310, 1984.
7. Khaw KT and Barrett-Connor E, Dietary potassium and stroke-associated mortality. N Engl J Med 316, 235-240, 1987.
8. MacGregor SA, et al., Moderate potassium supplementation in essential hypertension. Lancet ii, 567-570, 1982.
9. Mertz W, Chromium in human nutrition: A review. J Nutr 123, 626-633, 1993.
10. Newnham RE. Arthritis or skeletal fluorosis and boron. Int Clin Nutr Rev 1991;11:68-70.
11. Piesse JW, Nutritional factors in the premenstrual syndrome. Int Clin Nutr Rev 4, 54-81, 1984.
12. Tuormaa TE, Adverse effect of zinc deficiency: A review from the literature. J Orthomol Med 10, 149-162, 1995.

Team HealthyYOU

http://healthyyoucmd.blogspot.com

healthyyoucmd@gmail.com

BPO and Call Center Agents Health Hazards

Long hours of work, permanent night shifts, incredibly high work targets, and loss of identity are the dark clouds that threaten the BPO and Call Center industry in the Philippines.

The odd timings and nature of work roots people to a chair 9 hour a day, reading pre-scripted conversations on the phone endlessly - often to irate customers from across the globe. Where every single second of an employee's time is recorded, measured and automatically logged onto a computer for praise or censure on a weekly basis. Where walking down to the water cooler for a drink and a chat with a friend messes up performance metrics, salaries, and hikes. Where the three acts of listening, watching and talking - all at the same time - never get a break. This performance monitoring also puts enormous stress on the employees.

Employees working in the call center had complained of eye problems. Soreness, dryness, blurred vision, light sensitivity, headache, all these put together is labeled as the computer vision syndrome. This problem is more acute with the team leaders who need to come in early and go back late. Digestive disorders are common among employees in the BPO and call center.

It was also pointed out that the employees are facing the possibility of losing their voice. The problem known earlier as the teacher syndrome is now being found in the young workers of BPO and call centers. Some of them may face the acute manifestation of this in the form of permanent loss of voice. In the chronic form it is characterized by inability to speak (Dysphonia), pain, croakiness of voice, irritating cough, poor vocal power, inability to modulate and breathing difficulties.

The BOSS syndrome is seen very commonly among young people working in BPO and call centers. The symptoms of this syndrome include chronic fatigue, insomnia and complete alteration of 24-hour biological rhythm of the body are routine cause for sickness absenteeism. Chronic levels of stress affect the heart, endocrine system and also lead to sleep disorders.

 

Importance of CMD to BPO and Call Center Agents

CMD minerals which are ionic, natural, balance, concentrated and pure are necessary in many chemical processes in the body. Potassium deficiency for instance, results in muscle cramps, fatigue and cardiovascular disease. Calcium deficiency leads to arthritis, osteoporosis and high cholesterol. Iron deficiency leads to hair loss, goiter and anemia. Magnesium is the protection of the kidney, prevents migraine and is badly needed by the heart.

BPO and Call Center agents are usually exposed to unhealthy food, smoking habits, harsh environment and mental stress. CMD provides BPO and Call Center Agents the much-needed mineral balance to maintain their body's functions at optimum level.

Team HealthyYOU
http://healthyyoucmd.blogspot.com

healthyyoucmd@gmail.com

Diabetes Breakthrough: THE MINERAL SOLUTION!

The trace minerals chromium and vanadium have been shown to help the body metabolize glucose and regulate blood sugar levels. Also it is well documented that both the trace minerals chromium and vanadium have dynamic and positive effects on normalizing blood sugar for both hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and diabetes (high blood sugar).

Diabetics also often have inadequate levels of calcium, magnesium and zinc. These nutrients play a vital role in supporting health in those with blood sugar abnormalities.

A lack of calcium and magnesium may increase the odds of people forming diabetes. Researchers at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee found a consistent relationship between the levels of these minerals and the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Thus, intake of calcium and magnesium may help to protect against the development of Type 2 diabetes.

A study published in the journal Diabetes Care examined the role of the mineral zinc in the incidence of heart disease. Researchers discovered that patients with lower levels of serum (blood) zinc had a higher risk of dying from heart disease. Those with higher zinc levels had a lower risk factor to suffer from a heart attack.

Every diabetic should be taking CMD on a daily basis. CMD is a unique and powerful mineral supplement, particularly rich in trace minerals needed for optimum health and nutrition. CMD is very effective in helping to lower blood sugar and insulin levels, reduce cholesterol levels, reduce triglyceride levels, reduce blood pressure, improve energy, and reduce the risk of heart disease. CMD supplementation can also protect your tissues (eyes, kidneys, blood vessels) from the damage diabetes often causes. They can also support your immune system, protect your heart, and improve circulation.

If you have diabetes, mineral supplementation is more than important, it is vital!

CMD Dosage for Diabetics:
DRINK 15 DROPS OF CMD IN A GLASS OF WATER 2X A DAY

Team HealthyYOU
http://healthyyoucmd.blogspot.com
healthyyoucmd@gmail.com