Longevity Genes Found; Predict Chances of Reaching 100

By Brian Handwerk

for National Geographic News

There’s still no way to predict whether you’ll live to be a hundred—but scientists are getting closer.

A newly discovered suite of 150 “long life” variants in about 70 genes allows scientists to guess, with 77 percent accuracy, whether a person can live into their late 90s or longer, a new study says.

(Get a genetics overview.)

These long-life gene variants, the authors speculate, may suppress genes associated with ailments often linked to aging, such as dementia and heart problems.

“This is just a genetic predisposition,” cautioned study leader Paola Sebastiani, a biostatistician at the Boston University School of Public Health. “It doesn’t mean that you’re going to live to be a hundred. Many things can happen in life.”

Naturally, lifestyle choices, environment, and plain good luck will always play major roles in determining life span—as they may have for the 23 percent of centenarian test subjects found to lack the telltale gene variants.

Maybe this minority “lived long simply because they had some tricks and avoided risk factors,” Sebastiani said. “Perhaps they didn’t smoke, didn’t eat much red meat, or just lived healthier lives.”

Billed as the world’s largest scientific study of centenarians and their families, the New England Centenarians Study has collected data on more than a thousand Caucasian centenarians since 1995. Further studies will extend the research to other ethnicities, beginning in Japan, home to an inordinate number of centenarians.

In industrialized countries only about 1 in every 6,000 people will reach a hundred years of age. Just one in every seven million becomes a “supercentenarian,” reaching 110. Eighty-five percent of all centenarians are women.

(Pictures: “The Secrets of Longevity.”)

From Centenarian Genes to Personal Fountains of Youth?

The new discovery, which the authors call a first step, may lead to people being able to learn in advance how long their bodies are predisposed to last.

Also, further studies of the 150 gene variants could yield advances toward personalized genomics and predictive medicine—particularly in regard to age-related ailments, the study team said.

The research has already revealed one surprise in this respect.

It’s long been known that exceptional longevity runs in families, so many researchers have supposed that the long-lived might be lacking gene variants associated with age-related diseases.

But the new data show that centenarians have just as many of the disease-associated variants as other people. That means the longevity-related variants may somehow cancel or trump the variants associated with such ailments, according to the new study, to be published Friday in the journal Science.

However they do it, the centenarian gene variants generally appear to hold off disability and disease until the last years of lifes. Ninety percent of people who live to be a hundred remain disability free until about age 93, the researchers said.

(Also see “Yeast Life Extended Ten Times; Offers Hope for Humans.”)

Longevity: More Than Just Genetics

Demographer Dan Buettner has spent years studying the world’s longest-lived people and the places where they live, which he’s dubbed blue zones. (Preview Buettner’s article “The Secrets of Long Life.”)

Buettner praised the new research and said it’s long been known that people who reach a hundred not only live well but also have won the “genetic lottery.”

“But genes and environment are inextricably interwoven,” he said.

For example, environmental factors such as food, water, and air quality can shift rapidly, meaning the set of genes that helped today’s centenarians live longer might not have the same benefit to babies born this year, said Buettner, a grantee of the National Geographic Society’s Expeditions Council. (The Society owns National Geographic News.)

(Related: Buettner on the longevity lessons of a small Mediterranean island.)

Buettner believes genetic interventions could someday help slow the aging process—but that remains far in the future, he said. For now each of us must live with the genes we’ve been dealt, which means those hoping to live longer should look at their lifestyles.

“What we know now is that the average American could probably add about ten years of life expectancy and slow the biological clock,” he said.

Eating better, and less, is a big part of the equation, he added. Other aspects are physical activity and mental focus—Buettner believes that people with a strong sense of purpose in their lives can live about seven years longer than those who don’t have one.

“To take advantage of any possible future genetic interventions,” Buettner said, “your best strategy right now is to optimize your lifestyle.”

Read more via: http://preview.tinyurl.com/33bu3vr

Filed under: Health Tips, Healthy Living, Inspiration, New Ideas, Travel and Lifestyle, Longevity Genes Found; Predict Chances of Reaching 100

KIDNEY DISEASE NANANATILING ISA SA PANGUNAHING SANHI NG KAMATAYAN SA SORSOGON

SORSOGON PROVINCE (June 25) – Inihayag ni Provincial Health Officer Dr. Edgar Garcia na nananatiling isa sa sampung kadahilanan ng pagkakamatay sa Sorsogon mula taong 2004 hanggang 2009 ang sakit sa bato o kidney disease.

Aniya, maging sa buong rehiyon ng Bikol at sa buong bansa ay nananatiling pangunahing suliranin din sa pampublikong kalusugan ang sakit sa bato.

Kaugnay nito, patuloy ang kanilang kampanya katuwang ang Philippine Information Agency at iba pang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan ukol sa wastong pangangalaga ng kidney partikular ngayong Hunyo kung saan taunang ipinagdiriwang ang National Kidney Month sa bisa ng Presidential Proclamation 184.

“On-going din ang aming pagsasagawa urinalysis, blood glucose at total cholesterol testing at iba pang mga aktibidad na mahalaga upang mapukaw ang kamalayan ng publiko ukol sa pag-iwas sa pagkakaroon ng sakit sa bato,” pahayag pa niya.

Kasama rin sa kanilang kampanya ang pagpapabot sa publiko ng mga mahahalagang impormasyon ukol sa hakbang sa paggamot sa mga may sakit sa bato at ng organ donation program sa ilalim ng REDCOP o Renal Disease Control Program ng Department of Health at National Kidney and Transplant Institute o NKTI.

Samantala, isang libreng dialysis machine mula sa Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) ang tinanggap ng Provincial Health Office nito lamang nakaraang linggo.

Ang dialysis machine ay handog ng PCSO mula sa presidential fund na naisakatuparan sa pagsisikap na rin ni Sorsogon Governor Sally A. Lee.

Ayon sa gobernador, bahagi ito ng limang milyong pisong halaga ng mga kagamitang kinabibilangan ng isang dialysis machine at anim na karagdagang mga ambulansya.

Dagdag din niya na sa pamamagitan nito ay maiibsan din ang bigat ng alalahanin ng mga pasyenteng dina-dialysis at kapamilya nito lalo pa’t malaki ang gastos na ginugugol ng mga sumasailalim sa dialysis. Bennie A. Recebido, PIA Sorsogon)

Read more: http://pia-sorsogon.blogspot.com

Filed under: Department of Health, Health Tips, Healthy Living, Sorsogon News Updates, KIDNEY DISEASE NANANATILING ISA SA PANGUNAHING SANHI NG KAMATAYAN SA SORSOGON

SAVE YOUR HEART WITH PILINUTS

The healthy goodness of nuts can be traced way back to ancient history when only the royals were given the privilege to eat the luscious morsel because they have known that nuts are good for the heart.

Over the past years, various researches have shown that nuts are indeed nutritious and one of the best plant sources of protein and other vitamins.

In the Philippines, exporters have began capitalizing on the nutrient advantage of nuts by creating a myriad of healthy versions of the local Pilinut.

Pilinut is a popular native variety of nuts in the Philippines that is abundant in the Bicol region. People love it as a dessert, an appetizer, as a pasalubong, or just a snack to while away time because of its zesty flavor and delightful crunch.

Recognizing the healthy benefits of pilinuts and realizing its huge market potential, companies from the Bicol region such as J. Emmanuel Pastries, Sweetven Enterprise, and C.O.P. Pili Sweets and Pastries start venturing into healthy pilinut-based products business. These companies are introducing their pilinuts-made items at the forthcoming 7th International Food Exhibition on 6-8 May at the World Trade Center.

Philippine company J. Emmanuel Pastries started producing pili nut-based products as a gift or pasalubong. Their products have captured the discerning taste of the public and they have catered to markets such as Japan. After realizing the huge market potentials of pilinuts, Lydia Lomibao, owner of J. Emmanuel Pastries, quit her job and focused in producing and developing pilinut-based products.

“We soon found out that aside from its luscious and distinct taste, pilinuts have more to offer. Through our continuous product research and development we found out that pilinuts are very good for the heart so we started producing healthier pilinut snacks,” said Lydia Lomibao, owner of J. Emmanuel Pastries.

The company’s efforts were rewarded as the regional Department of Health (DOH) recognized them as the “Most Outstanding Healthy Lifestyle Advocate”.

Meanwhile, another company based in Bicol, Sweetven Enterprise also ventured into the pilinut business as the demand for sweets but healthy snacks continue to rise. “We were inspired by the belief that everybody loves sweets but because of the demand for healthy food and abundance of pilinuts in our place we came up with different versions of pilinut products that also promote healthy eating. We strongly promote our pilinut products as source of protein and other vitamins that are good for the heart,” said Rachelle Abordo, Owner and Manager of Sweetven Enterprise.

According to Abordo, their best seller is the Dark Chocolate with Pilinuts because of its indulging taste without the guilt. “Our products are made from high quality plinuts that are good sources of calcium and other vitamins and dark chocolates proven to be good for the heart,” added Abordo.

On the other hand, C.O.P. Pili Sweets and Pastries owners couple Erwin and Cindy Pereña grabbed the opportunity of the increasing demand for healthy, delicious snacks and pasalubong hence, they started manufacturing the “Wrapsody” or formerly known as “Chewy Pili Caramel”, a pilinut-filled pastry. They also started incorporating other healthy ingredients such as chili and garlic in creating pilinuts-based products. To date, C.O.P. now offers Hopia de Pili, Pili Puffs, Mini Mazapan, Chili Garlic Pili, Nutty Bar and Sugar Coated Pili.

“Our products are new and unique compared to other pilinuts-based products, but because people know the healthy benefits they can get from nuts, particularly pilinuts, we have expanded our business to also penetrate the international market,” said Cindy Pereña, owner of the C.O.P. Pili Sweets and Pastries.

Nowadays, all kinds, shapes, and brands of nuts line the grocery shelves- imported and local ones. Nuts have become popular because they are very versatile and present numerous health benefits.

Highlighting the health benefits of the pilinuts-based products, these companies will introduce their pilinuts snacks in the international market through their participation in the Best of Partner Region Program (BPRP), a component of the International Food Exhibition (IFEX), the Philippines must-attend food event.

The BPRP, with its bid to provide a higher level of enhancing the quality, product acceptability, and marketability of select food and beverage products of previous partner regions participants, is led by the Department of Trade and Industry through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM).

This year, join this gastronomic journey of Philippine food from the regions as the 7th edition of IFEX Philippines feature the best products from five regions. Local gastronomic finds from Regions IV-A (Calabarzon), V (Bicol), VII (Central Visayas), X (Northern Mindanao), and XIII (Caraga).

For more information on IFEX Philippines, visit http://www.ifexphilippines.com.

Source: http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=412180&Itemid=33

Filed under: Agriculture, Food and Drinks, Health Tips, Healthy Living, SAVE YOUR HEART WITH PILINUTS

Marine sponge drug extends breast cancer survival

CHICAGO (AFP) – – A new agent derived from a marine sponge can extend the survival rates of women with locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer who already received extensive standard therapy, a new study unveiled Sunday found.

The synthetic component called eribulin mesylate mimics a component found naturally in sponges and can prevent cell division, which causes cells to self-destruct, said study authors who presented their findings at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago.

In a randomized international trial, British researchers assessed the survival rates of 762 patients, treated either with eribulin or another therapy, almost always chemotherapy, and found the new therapy extended median overall survival by about 2.5 months.

“Until now, there hasn’t been a standard treatment for women with such advanced breast cancer. For those who have already received all of the recognized treatments, these are promising results,” said lead study author Christopher Twelves.

“These findings may establish eribulin as a new, effective option for women with heavily pre-treated metastatic breast cancer,” said Twelves, head of the Clinical Cancer Research Groups at the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine in Britain.

Source: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20100606/tts-health-us-cancer-women-britain-972e412.html

Filed under: Health Tips, Medicine, New Ideas, Marine sponge drug extends breast cancer survival

Heart Attacks And Drinking Warm Water

Thanks to Mr. Felipe Lacay for sharing such a good healthy tips.

A very good article which takes two minutes to read. I’m sharing this to persons I care about…….I hope you do too!!!

Heart Attacks And Drinking Warm Water

This is a very good article. Not only about the warm water after your meal, but about Heart Attacks . The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this ‘sludge’ reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer . It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

Common Symptoms Of Heart Attack…

A serious note about heart attacks – You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting . Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line .

You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea andintense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let’s be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive.

A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this message sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we’ll save at least one life. Read this & Send to a friend. It could save a life… So, please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends you care about.

I JUST DID!!

Filed under: Health Tips, Healthy Living, Heart Attacks And Drinking Warm Water

MEDICAL GROUPS DARE NEW ADMINISTRATION TO CURB SMOKING AMONG THE YOUTH

Source: Department of Health

Medical groups challenged the new Administration of President-elect Noynoy Aquino to decisively act and prevent more youth from getting hooked to smoking addiction amid increasing efforts of the tobacco industry to storm the market with cigarette promotional activities in stores, concert & sports events and other entertainment circles.

In a statement issued to the media, the medical doctors belonging to the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) and Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP) expressed their alarm over the 2009 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) released recently by the World Health Organization and the Department of Health.

“Our young generation will continue to be the hapless victims of the tobacco industry’s conscious efforts to lure them to smoking. They continue to bombard the stores with promotional materials, cigarette brand signages that are most accessible to our young’s near schools, malls and other major point-of-sale establishments,” said Dr. Eugene Ramos, PCP President.

Ramos cited the GATS results that show seven out of ten Filipinos aged 15 years old and above noticed cigarette advertisements. These were seen mostly in stores, posters, leaflets and calendars. About three in every ten Filipinos surveyed said they noticed pro-cigarette promotions in the form of brand names and cigarette logos in clothes.

“We call on our newly-elected President to support the efforts of the Department of Health to protect our children from the onslaught of tobacco promotions and advertisements. The Health Department needs to provide our children with health information that will effectively compete with the sophisticated marketing strategies of the tobacco industry,” said Dr. Abundio Balgos, PCCP President.

Balgos said the children need to be informed of the real consequences of smoking on their physical well-being and these are not effectively addressed in the existing health warning placed in cigarette packs.

The groups urged the DOH to provide more effective health information in cigarette packs because these are most accessible to tobacco users.

“In the marketing parlance, the youths are called ‘replacement smokers’ and they are the ones now being targeted by these tobacco companies. The battle against the tobacco industry for the hearts and minds of our children is tough and the government has no choice but to intervene on behalf of the health of the future generation,” said Balgos.

Filed under: Department of Health, Health Tips, Healthy Living, Department of Health, MEDICAL GROUPS DARE NEW ADMINISTRATION TO CURB SMOKING AMONG THE YOUTH, No Smoking Campaign

Lack of sleep linked to early death: study

The foot of a sleeping patient at the Sainte-Anne psychiatric hospital in Paris. People who get less than six hours sleep per night have an increased risk of dying prematurely, according to British and Italian researchers.

LONDON (AFP) – – People who get less than six hours sleep per night have an increased risk of dying prematurely, researchers said on Wednesday.

Those who slumbered for less than that amount of time were 12 percent more likely to die early, though researchers also found a link between sleeping more than nine hours and premature death.

“If you sleep little, you can develop diabetes, obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol,” Francesco Cappuccio, who led research on the subject at Britain’s University of Warwick, told AFP.

The study, conducted with the Federico II University in Naples, Italy, aggregated decade-long studies from around the world involving more than 1.3 million people and found “unequivocal evidence of the direct link” between lack of sleep and premature death.

“We think that the relation between little sleep and illness is due to a series of hormonal and metabolical mechanisms,” Cappuccio said.

The findings of the study were published in the Sleep journal.

Cappuccio believes the duration of sleep is a public health issue and should be considered as a behavioural risk factor by doctors.

“Society pushes us to sleep less and less,” Cappuccio said, adding that about 20 percent of the population in the United States and Britain sleeps less than five hours.

Sleeping less than six hours is “more common amongst full-time workers, suggesting that it may be due to societal pressures for longer working hours and more shift work”

The study also found a link between sleeping more than nine hours per night and premature death, but Cappuccio said oversleeping is more likely to be an effect of illness, rather than a cause.

“Doctors never ask how much one sleeps, but that could be an indicator that something is wrong,” said Cappuccio, who heads the Sleep, Health and Society Programme at the University of Warwick.

Research showed no adverse effects for those sleeping between six and eight hours per day.

Source: http://tiny.cc/3rwk3

Filed under: Health Tips, Healthy Living, Lack of sleep linked to early death

1 in 4 Filipinos has high blood pressure

conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST).

Recent results of the National Nutrition and Health Survey (NNHeS II) FNRI showed that more Filipinos have hypertension, high fasting blood sugar, and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other lifestyle-related diseases.

They found out that one in every four Filipino adults (25.3 percent) has hypertension or a blood pressure (BP) reading equal to or higher than 140/90 millimeter mercury (mmHg), a significant increase in the prevalence of hypertension. In 2008, the prevalence of hypertension increased to 25.3 percent from 22.5 percent in 2003.

Moreover, the survey revealed that 11 in every 100 Filipinos (10.8 percent) have pre-hypertension or a BP reading at the range of 130-139/85-89 mmHg. This becomes alarming as high BP increases with age starting from age 40-49 years.

Meanwhile, five in every 100 Filipinos have high fasting blood sugar (FBS), which is indicative of diabetes mellitus. The prevalence increased from 3.4 percent in 2003 to 4.8 percent in 2008. The prevalence of high FBS or hyperglycemia peaks at age 50-59 years.

The survey also showed that three in every 100 Filipinos have impaired fasting glucose (IFG). If not prevented, IFG may develop to diabetes mellitus.

The cases of people with dyslipidemia or abnormal lipid levels, on the other hand, increased from 2003 to 2008.

The survey showed that one in every 10 (10.2 percent) Filipino adults has high total cholesterol level, while 21 in every 100 (21.2 percent) Filipinos are on the borderline high level.

FNRI also discovered that 15 in every 100 (14.6 percent) Filipinos have high triglyceride level, while 16 in every 100 (15.5 percent) are borderline high.

The prevalence of low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) level increased from 54.2 percent in 2003 to 64.1 percent in 2008.

In contrast, the prevalence of high low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) level did not change much, from 11.7 percent in 2003 to 11.8 percent in 2008.

A person is considered to have a low HDL-c level if the fasting blood measurement is less than 40 mg/dl while a high LDL-c level of the fasting blood measurement is greater than or equal to 160 mg/dl.

These are all major risk factors to lifestyle-related diseases, specifically cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and cancer which are the leading causes of death in the country.

To prevent these diseases, people must have a healthy lifestyle. The Technical Working Group of the FNRI produced a nutritional guideline for Filipinos. The group said that smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages are major habits which should be removed in order to start a healthy lifestyle.

They also recommend eating more fruits, vegetables, root crops, and legumes, which are sources of fiber. Fiber can help the body in many ways as it decreases the cholesterol level, prolongs the response of our body to blood glucose levels, and limits the intake of salty foods in our system

Published @  http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/250786/1-4-filipinos-has-high-blood-pressure

By MITCH ARCEO

April 2, 2010, 5:59pm

 

Filed under: Health Tips, Healthy Living, high blood pressure, pinoy health life style, pinoy high blood pressure

Dry spell boosts red tide in Sorsogon Bay, 3 areas

MANILA, Philippines – The El Niño phenomenon is causing the proliferation of red tide toxins in four coastal areas including Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon, Bislig Bay in Surigao del Sur, Dumangquilas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur and Murcielagos Bay in Misamis Occidental.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said it has detected red tide contamination in the first three areas for several years now, with Murcielagos Bay added last January.

BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento said lack of rain due to the El Niño phenomenon could cause high red tide incidence because the bacteria proliferates more when the water is stagnant.

Sarmiento said the bureau has already installed checkpoints in the four areas to prevent the transport of shellfish to markets.

The BFAR official warned that all types of shellfish gathered from these areas are not safe for human consumption. He added, however, that fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs harvested from these areas are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.

Symptoms of red tide poisoning are nausea, dizzyness, a tingling sensation in the mouth or face, paralysis of limbs and inability to breathe, which can lead to death.

 

from: abs-cbnNEWS.com | 02/24/2010 6:39 PM

Filed under: Food and Drinks, Health Tips, Healthy Living, Dry spell boosts red tide in Sorsogon Bay

10 lifesaving numbers you should know

Here are 10 numbers every person should know. Read on and learn about them. Be sure to keep them below danger levels.

1.Your blood pressure: 120 over 80, or lower. The first number in the blood pressure refers to the pressure in the arteries when the heart is pumping. The second number correlates to the pressure when the heart is relaxed. The optimal blood pressure based on scientific studies is 115/76. To make this easier to remember, doctors round it off to 120/80. A blood pressure in excess of 140/90 (either one of the numbers) is considered high and must be treated with lifestyle changes and/or medications. How important is this number? Well, if a person with a blood pressure of 160/90 reduces his BP to 120/80 through medicines, he will live approximately nine years longer.

2.Your heart rate: Within 60-90 a minute. The normal heart rate at rest ranges from 60 to 90 beats a minute. You may check your heart rate by taking your pulse at the wrist area or the neck area. The most accurate heart rate is determined by listening to the heart with a stethoscope. An athletic person may have a heart rate as low as 50, which is normal for him. However, if a person’s resting heart rate is persistently above 90 beats a minute, he needs a checkup to rule out thyroid disease, anemia, heavy smoking, and other disorders. When we exercise, our heart rate increases, but should return to normal within two to four minutes of resting.

3.Your waist line: Less than 35.5 inches for males and less than 31 inches for females. Now these numbers are a bit difficult to accept. But research shows that if your waistline (measured at the belly button and not the pants area) is less than 35.5 inches in males, and less than 31 inches in females, then you are in the ideal range. However, if your waistline is more than 40 inches in males, and more than 37 inches in females, then you are at the highest risk for a heart attack and stroke. People in between those numbers are at moderate risk and should try to reach their ideal body weight.

4.Your ideal body weight: Within 10 percent of the ideal. Your ideal body weight is shown in the accompanying table. Try not to exceed 10 percent of your ideal weight. Anything more than 20 percent of the ideal weight is labeled as obese. The higher the weight, the greater the risk for diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.

5.Your LDL cholesterol level: Lower than 130 mg/dl. LDL cholesterol is the “bad” kind of cholesterol. It breaks apart easily and gets stuck in the walls of your arteries, causing impaired blood flow. If a middle-age man reduces his LDL cholesterol from a high 180 mg/dl down to 100 mg/dl, this will make him three years younger. To reduce your LDL cholesterol, reduce your intake of beef and pork, and increase intake of healthy fats like olive oil, fish, walnuts, and omega-3 fats. Monitor your cholesterol level at least once a year.

6.Your oxygen saturation level: 95 percent or higher. A pulse oximeter is a portable device that measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. The better your lung and heart function, the higher your oxygen saturation rate. Young adults usually have higher oxygen saturation levels of 98 percent or more. However, for chronic smokers and city dwellers, this level goes down. Breathe clean air, avoid cigarette smoke, and use air-conditioning. All these will help keep your lungs strong and healthy. Practice slow and deep breathing for five to 10 minutes in the morning and at night. It’s relaxing and good for the lungs.

7.Your fasting blood sugar: 100 mg/dl or lower. A blood sugar higher than 100 mg/dl means that you are not normal. If you don’t watch out, this will lead to diabetes and its frightening complications. The excess sugar in your body damages your arteries, causing cracks and holes to appear at the walls. If you have a first-degree relative with diabetes, try to keep it lower than 90 mg/dl. Avoid simple sugars like donuts, candies, and cake icings. Go for more veggies.

8.Your body fat: Less than 25 percent (for males), and less than 30 percent (for females). Manny Pacquiao has a body fat of 10 percent. Wow! But for us ordinary mortals, the ideal numbers are less than 25 percent for males and less than 30 percent for females. Women have more body fat because of their breasts and wider hips area. To reduce your body fat, exercise more to build more muscle mass. Also, reduce your fat and food intake to keep your weight down. These body fat measurements are available in gyms.

9.Your sleep hours: At least 7-8 hours. Sleeping and resting are a great way to boost your energy. The best sleep is at night, especially from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. because this is the time the liver exerts its regenerating powers. If you work the night-shift at call centers, then try darkening your room during the day to simulate nighttime sleep.

10.Your bank account. It’s partly true that wealth can buy you health. You need money to buy nutritious food, and to pay for medicines and hospital bills. However, there’s a limit to what money can buy. Exercise, a healthy diet, and a healthy lifestyle are still your choices. Get a yearly checkup. And make sure you have some money stashed away for urgent medical needs.

Finally, have a list of emergency contact numbers at hand, like your favorite doctor, the hospital, the fire department, etc. Keep these lifesaving numbers handy for your health and peace of mind.

MIND YOUR BODY

By Willie T. Ong, MD

The Philippine Star

Original Story: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=534662&publicationSubCategoryId=80

Filed under: Health Tips, Healthy Living, 10 lifesaving numbers you should know

EXECUTIVE CHECK-UP: Health Tips ni Dr. Willie T. Ong

KUNG ikaw ay edad 40 pataas, kailangan mo ng check-up. Kung wala ka pang 40, pero may lahi ka ng sakit sa puso, diabetes o kanser, kailangan mo din magpacheck up ng maaga.

Heto ang mga dapat tandaan:

• Magpa-blood test bawat taon – Heto ang mga tests na dapat gawin. Complete blood count (para mala man  ang dami ng dugo), creatinine (para sa kidneys), uric acid (para sa arthritis), cholesterol (para sa puso), fasting blood sugar (para sa diabetes), at SGPT (para sa atay).

• Urinalysis – Para masuri ang kidneys at malaman kung may impeksyon sa ihi.

• Chest X-ray – Para makita ang baga at puso. Kaila ngan ito kapag naninigarilyo ka o laging may ubo.

• ECG – Para malaman kung may sakit sa puso.

• Bantayan ang prostate – Kapag nagkakaedad ang lalaki, lumalaki ang prostate. Minsan ay nagiging kanser pa ito. Ipa-check ang iyong PSA test para malaman kung may diperensiya o wala.

• Bantayan ang colon cancer – Para makaiwas sa colon cancer, kumain ng maraming gulay at prutas. Pag lampas ng edad 50, kailangan magpasilip sa puwit (sigmoidoscopy o colonoscopy). Ipa-check din ang dumi (stool exam with occult blood) para makasiguro na walang dugo sa dumi.

• Ihinto ang paninigarilyo – Halos 60% ng kalala kihan ay naninigarilyo. Ang sigarilyo ay nagdudulot ng kanser sa bibig, lalamunan, baga at prostate. Mag-ingat.

• Limitahan ang pag-inom ng alak – Huwag mani wala sa mga sabi-sabi na mabuti ang red wine para sa iyo. Kapag nasobrahan ka sa alak ay masisira ang iyong atay, bituka at utak.

• Mag-ehersisyo – Ang tamang pag-e-ehersisyo ay 30 minutos hanggang 1 oras, at gawin ito ng 3-5 beses sa isang linggo. Huwag din magpataba.

• Alamin ang BP –Ang normal na blood pressure ay 120 over 80. Kapag lu mampas ka sa 140 over 90, ang ibig sabihin ay may altapresyon ka na. Magpa tingin sa doktor.

• Magbawas ng stress – Masama ang stress sa ating katawan dahil nagla labas ito ng cortisol. Ang cortisol ay nakasisira sa ating mga organo.

• Magpabakuna – Para sa mga edad 50 pataas, kailangan ninyo magpa ba kuna laban sa Pulmonya at Trangkaso. Ang tawag dito ay pneumonia vaccine at flu vaccine. Sa mga kaba taan, magpacheck din kung kailangan ninyo ng Hepatitis B vaccine.

Hindi mahal ang magpa-check up. Sa katunayan ay mas hahaba pa ang iyong buhay. Sana ay makum binsi natin ang mga lalaki na alagaan ang kanilang sarili. Good luck po!

Executive check-up: Sa lalaki
DOC WILLIE Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong (Pilipino Star Ngayon) Updated December 24, 2009 12:00 AM

Filed under: Health Tips, Healthy Living

Top 7 Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol Without Prescription Medications

Nowadays many people suffering from high levels cholesterol. High levels of cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases and chronic cardiac failures. The medical records reveal that every year in United States of America, over a million people experience heart attacks and added ½ million die owing to the other heart diseases. In fact, according to the American Heart Association, people who have a total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) are twice as likely to experience a heart attack as people who have a cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL.

There are two primary types of cholesterol: Low -density lipoprotein (LDL), which is bad cholesterol because it collects in the arteries and blocks blood flow and High-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is very good cholesterol because it tends to take off the LDL deposited on the artery walls as it passes through your bloodstream. This means LDL elevates our cholesterol levels and HDL lowers our cholesterol levels

There are ways to lower cholesterol naturally and keep it at a healthy level. Listed below is the best natural remedies for lowering your cholesterol levels:

1. Regular Exercise – Doing regular exercise for about 30 minutes of exercise 3 or 4 times a week can significantly lower the risk for many major life threatening disease. Regular exercise has been found to help lower cholesterol and reduce triglyceride levels. With regular exercise you can lower your body mass index and achieve a healthy weight. This helps you to reduce your risk for heart disease and diabetes.

2. Healthy eating

• Increase soluble fiber intake. By increasing your intake of soluble fiber to 10 grams per day, you can lower your cholesterol levels a great deal according to some recent studies. The best sources of fiber include certain types of fruits, bran and oat products, and many kinds of vegetables.

• Cut down on saturated fat and Trans fats.

– Saturated fats are found in animal-based foods, including meats, butter, whole-milk dairy products (including yogurt, cheese, and ice cream), and poultry skin. They are also found in some high-fat plant foods, including palm oil. The Nurses’ Health Study, which included more than 80,000 participants, showed that saturated fats increase the risk of coronary artery disease

– Trans fats are found mostly in fried foods, pastries, cookies, and other similar foods. Avoiding these types of foods limits your calories, fat intake, and helps lower your cholesterol. The American Heart Association`s Nutrition Committee recommends limiting trans fat to one percent of your daily calorie intake.

• Avoid Red Meat, Eggs, & Whole Milk – Red meats, whole milk, and egg yolks are concentrated cholesterol foods. They should be avoided and replaced with some of the healthier foods that are low in cholesterol.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Stock up on foods containing Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids raise HDL and lower LDL cholesterol levels. Some good sources include salmon and herring fish, walnuts and almonds, dried cloves, and flaxseed oil. Many of these foods also contain antioxidants and vitamins.

• Blueberries, Garlic, & Apples – These three foods are tasty and can be easily combined with many other foods in home-made recipes. Garlic and Blueberries lower blood pressure and cholesterol. The fiber pectin in apples decrease the amount of cholesterol produced in the liver. Using these ingredients in your meals can make a healthy impact on your cholesterol.

• Soy. Soy products are another example of cholesterol lowering foods. Several studies suggest that foods containing soy can lower a person’s bad cholesterol by about 10 percent. Soy contains natural chemicals known as isoflavones. Researchers believe that isoflavones, along with the protein contained in soy, help reduce the bad cholesterol.

3. Watch cholesterol consumption. If you’re on a low cholesterol diet, you’ve got to pay attention to the food labels and make sure you keep your intake below 200 mg per day. That means watching serving sizes, too.

4. Reduce Stress. Stress and anxiety cause chemicals to be released into your body, raise your blood pressure, and reduce blood flow to your heart.

5. Stop smoking. Smoking increases the build up of plaque in the arteries, exacerbating the affects of high levels of LDL cholesterol.

6. Lose Weight – Being Overweight changes your metabolism and the way your body deals with fat and cholesterol. Losing weight in a slow and steady manner improves your health and lowers your cholesterol. Natural dieting results in consistent weight loss and reduces your risk of diabetes and high blood pressure.

7. Taking Supplements to Lower Cholesterol. Supplements can lower cholesterol naturally without side effects and more or less with same results as drugs. The only difference if there’s any, would be the time: it may take a bit longer to lower cholesterol naturally through supplements.

It is important to use supplements such as vitamin C, selenium, green tea extract, and ginseng to keep cholesterol levels in check. Cholesterol lowering supplements shouldn’t be used as a crutch or instead of good food choices, but just how the name supplement implies – as an addition and help to the cholesterol lowering work the right foods can do.

The Following Article Courtesy of Steve Pohlit : Bios Life Franchise Owner

Filed under: Health Tips, Healthy Living, Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol

Ten Tips To Avoid A Heart Attack

A heart attack is known as a myocardial infarction. This occurs when the heart muscle is damaged or does not receive enough oxygen. Many cardiac related problems occur due to blockages in arteries that carry purified blood away from the heart to different parts of the body. Another cause is the formation of blood clots.

Very often, it is quite difficult to differentiate between a heart attack and heartburn. The common signs of a heart attack are a tightness, pain, or discomfort in the chest. Sweating, nausea, and vomiting that are accompanied by intense pressure in the chest. A radiating and intense pain in the chest that extends from the chest to the left arm. A shortness of breath for more than a few minutes. If you have any of the above you must consult the doctor or go to the emergency rooms.

If you even think you are having a heart attack you must call for a cardiac care ambulance, and put under your tongue a sorbitrate or chew an aspirin. If you are allergic to aspirin don’t take one. At the hospital care will include rapid thrombolysis, cardiac catheterization, and angioplasty. They will also administer intravenously clot busting medications.

The risk factors for a heart attack include: smoking, diabetes, high levels of cholesterol, hypertension, family history of heart diseases, atherosclerosis, lack of exercise, obesity, and fast foods.

Reduce the risks of a heart attack by:

1. Quitting smoking.

2. Eating healthy. Avoid fatty foods, excess salt, and red meats.

3. Controlling high blood pressure and diabetes.

4. Ensuring regular exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Walking is most beneficial.

5. Preventing obesity. Doing all you can to maintain weight.

6. Choosing to live a healthy lifestyle.

7. Practicing meditation.

8. Doing regular relaxation and breathing exercises.

9. Undergoing periodic cardiac evaluations.

10. Including foods that are rich in anti-oxidants in your diet.

A killer disease, according to the American Heart Association approximately 58.8 million people in the US suffer from heart diseases. And, about 950,000 Americans die of heart ailments each year. Heart diseases and death from it can be prevented by maintaining your health. Find a balance in life between work and other activities, abandon the couch for the outdoors, don’t watch sports on television play sports instead and you can hope to live a long and fulfilled life.

By:  http://www.buydominica.com

Filed under: Health Tips, Healthy Living, Ten Tips To Avoid A Heart Attack