How Do You Prioritize Your Family's Nutrition?

How Do You Prioritize Your Family's Nutrition? This is a bit of a challenge especially if you have kids who are picky eaters, and other members of the family who are always on the go and want everything quick because of their work schedule. Sometimes, even I go for short-cuts like fast-food and delivery or quick meal-prep and this makes me feel guilty too knowing that they lack nutritional value. So, to sustain my family's nutritional needs, I make sure that they always get their daily dose of, milk loaded with vitamins, minerals and other needed essentials.

For kids aged 3 and up, Enfagrow plays a role in ensuring every family member is equipped with the proper nutrients for all-around nutrition. 

Enfagrow AII NuraPro Four Powdered Milk Drink for 3+ years old:  First and only staged milk in the Philippines with the natural, easy-to-digest benefits of pure A2 milk together with the brain-building nutrients for your child's holistic development. Click and Buy Now!

Enfagrow A+ Four NuraPro Powdered Milk Drink for 3+ Years Old: First and only formula that contains a brain-boosting combination with superior levels of DHA to support your child's IQ and EQ development for a holistic smart child. Click to Buy Now!

Adults need milk too, that's why ProVital Immuna Plus 480g Adult Nutritional Beverage is also included on my list.  Provital Immuna Plus is designed to help strengthen your immune system so you can stay healthy and live life to the fullest! It is a nutritious milk scientifically formulated for adults 50 years and above, containing ingredients to support the immune system. Click to Buy Now!

Get all-around nutrition for the whole family with Enfagrow at Shopee's first mega-sale of the year, 3.15 Consumer Day! 

Celebrate you and treat yourself with your favorite brands at Shopee's 3.15 Consumer Day. From March 3 to March 15, check the Shopee app and enjoy an all-out shopping experience with deals and discounts such as ₱0 min. spend,  ₱1 Deals, and 10% off daily. 

TODAY, March 15, Get to enjoy exciting discounts up to 34% off!

 

Saab Magalona-Bacarro

Saab Magalona says YES to Call the Shots 

 “Health should be on top of the list.” 

Content creator, podcast host, entrepreneur, and mother, Saab Magalona-Bacarro has officially made the call to protect her children against vaccine-preventable diseases. 

Being a mom of two boys - Pancho and Vito, Saab makes sure that health is on top of every list for her family. “It’s the most important thing because if that is overlooked, everything else will just crumble down,” she said. 

That’s why for her, saying YES to Call the Shots, is a “no-brainer” to help promote awareness and education on something as life-saving as protecting our children from vaccine preventable diseases. The Call the Shots PH is an advocacy campaign by MSD Philippines to help protect parents and their children from vaccine-preventable diseases. 

“Vaccination is a big factor in preventing illnesses and spreading disease,” she said. “It’s a few minutes of crying in exchange for long-term protection against life-threatening diseases so it’s very much worth it.” 

Saab also advised other parents who are still not taking the call. “If you need to do more research, please make sure your readings are science-based!” Saab emphasized as a lot of articles and myths can be easily searched on the internet. It is most important to seek advice from a health professional or from your pediatrician. 

She also said that it is important to be proactive in your children’s health. “Do it for your child,” Saab added as she encourages every parent to speak to their doctor about protecting their children from vaccine preventable diseases. 

Being proactive means making the call today. #CallTheShots now and go to the nearest doctor or healthcare provider to talk about the immunization schedule for your child. 

For more information, visit the Call the Shots Facebook Page and consult your pediatrician on how to protect your children against vaccine-preventable diseases. 

Discover the Advanced Way to Relieve Cough in Just 3 Days!

With the threat of the pandemic still very much present in the country, a simple cough is enough to cause heightened anxiety these days because it is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19. Unlike before where this matter was usually taken lightly by most, the current situation has people rushing to find a solution when the first signs of a cough arise.

 

Discover the Advanced Way to Relieve Cough in Just 3 Days!

Coughs are our bodies’ natural response to expel unwanted organisms from our lungs caused by allergies, irritants, asthma, and the most common of all, viruses. Although coughs caused by common viruses go away in time, it's better to treat them as soon as possible and equip our bodies with added immunity for faster recovery.

 

In the Philippines, only one cough medicine combines the trusted formulation of Solmux with an essential mineral for faster recovery: Solmux Advance, the only one with Zinc! This unique and powerful combination of Carbocisteine and Zinc is proven effective to reduce cough bouts in as fast as 3 days, compared to the usual 10 to 14 days of recovery. The addition of Zinc to Carbocisteine not only liquifies sticky phlegm, but also improves the body’s immunity for faster recovery from cough.

 

Carbocisteine is scientifically proven to treat cough with phlegm and other respiratory tract disorders, and have properties that inhibit viruses and bacteria, making it more difficult for microorganisms to cause infections. The right levels of Zinc, on the other hand, can help speed up recovery from infections like the common cold through its action on immunity. It also activates white blood cells to help the body fight off viruses including coronaviruses.

 

Given the continued increase in COVID-19 cases every day plus the occurrence of other viral respiratory infections, Filipinos can protect themselves and their loved ones with a more advanced 2-in-1 solution for faster cough relief.

Together with Durex, advocates like TonyToni, Slick Rick, and Sam YG are inviting everyone to join in on the fight against HIV/AIDS even after World AIDS Day.

Top HIV advocates call on Filipinos to prioritize health safety in next normal

During last month’s World AIDS day, some of the country’s most known personalities came together to support the Protection and Preparedness Education (PPE) campaign of Durex, which is anchored on the Always Come Prepared message.  Stressing the point that, “no one is invulnerable to catching HIV so always being prepared in encounters is a must,” the campaign is the brand’s way of advocating for HIV awareness and health safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Through Durex’s World AIDS Day Campaign, which encourages everyone to join in on the fight against HIV/AIDS, celebrities and HIV advocates including TonyToni, Slick Rick, Sam YG, Ian Pangilinan, Paolo Pangilinan, Elijah Canlas, Kokoy De Santos, Macoy Dubs, Marc Teng, Freak & Jerck, Rica Cruz, Jabar Esmael, MA Buendia, and others all shared social media posts that showed them donning Durex statement face masks that carry such catchy but timely messages such as ‘Safety is Sexy,’ ‘Don’t Blow It,’ ‘Suit Up Before Hook Up’, ‘Always Come Prepared’ and more!

“Even in the face of the pandemic, the brand strongly believes that continuing to raise awareness on HIV should not stop. This is why we launched the Protection and Preparedness Education (PPE) campaign,” says Durex Philippines. “We’re extremely pleased that a number of celebrities and influencers have all agreed to take part in this endeavor, which includes our fun but sensible Mask Initiative, by helping spread the word through their respective social media accounts.”

To help boost their efforts to combat HIV/AIDS amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and promote health safety, Durex also recently donated personal protective equipment (PPEs)—a total of 1000 face masks, 1000 face shields, and 7000 boxes of Durex Condoms each—to local HIV-advocate groups LoveYourself, The Red Whistle, and the PLHIV Response Center.

 

Don’t Eat Your Heart Out: Understanding the ‘Holiday Heart Syndrome’

This year, we have been faced with an unprecedented pandemic which has taught us never to take our health for granted. But as we near its end and gear up for the holidays, there are still plenty of things to watch out for when it comes to our health. 

“That is because while the holidays are a time for merriment and indulgence, it has also been linked to a high incidence of heart attacks, stroke, and rising blood pressure, leading to the phenomenon called ‘Holiday Heart Syndrome,” said Dr. Amal Makhloufi Benchouk, The Country Lead of Sanofi Philippines.    

 

But what is it about the most joyous time of the year that causes this unfortunate spike in cardiovascular-related health concerns and how do we avoid it?

Overindulging

“During the holiday season, many of us tend to overindulge or consume food excessively. Unfortunately, a significant amount of these may be high in sodium content,” Amal forewarns. 

Why is this a problem? For some people, eating too much salty food may cause their blood pressure to rise. However, this shouldn’t deter you from indulging during the holidays, but just learning to be mindful of what you eat and avoiding excess salt can help minimize the risk for heart problems.

Frequent binge-drinking

With holiday get-togethers come frequent social drinking. Just like the overindulgence of food, the festive season is often marked by the consumption of copious amounts of alcohol. 

“The danger of binge-drinking as frequently as we do during the holidays is that it can lead to atrial fibrillation which is characterized by an abnormal heart rhythm that may increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure,” she warns.

Festive fatigue

The holidays bring with it added excitement and fatigue. For some, this can mean going from one party to another, night after night, until the wee hours of the day, leading to very little sleep which adds extra stress on their hearts. Combined with binge-drinking and overindulging, and one can be very susceptible to an unhealthy mix of triggering factors. “That is why moderation is key, especially when it comes to indulging in salty foods, alcoholic beverages, or knowing when to call it a night,” the Sanofi country lead explains.

Know the risks

Going into the holidays, it is definitely crucial to be aware of any potential risk factors or pre-existing conditions that can affect your health. If you are currently overweight and/or a heavy smoker or have a history with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease then you or your family may be at a higher risk of experiencing heart problems, so it is best to be mindful of your health and keep watch of your holiday activities.

When should you get help

In the event that you start feeling symptoms such as chest pains, you should already start calling for help. Don’t forgo treatment just because you don’t want to spoil the holiday mood. It’s always better to be on the safe side when it comes to your health.

“The greatest gift that you can give to your family is the gift of health so we must encourage everyone to live a healthy and active lifestyle,” Amal intimated. “This is why we continue to educate Filipino families to have a better understanding of the disease, beyond the medicine, to empower every single person for self-monitoring and the improvement of their lifestyle. This is our commitment to building a healthier Philippines."

Due to the pandemic, millions of people all over the world are working from home, which means longer hours in front of computers. Add to that the frequent use of phones and other devices for entertainment and other purposes. While it is somehow necessary, this may be harmful to your eyes.

Protect your vision while working from home

For starters, staring at a screen reduces a person’s blink rate, which is key to moistening the eyes and keeping it comfortable. Also, overexposure to blue light, which is the light emitted from digital screens, may pose some eye-related health risks. It has been shown that excessive blue light can increase eye strain, cause headaches and blurry vision, interrupt sleep cycles, affect hormones, and potentially do serious damage to long-term eye health. Fortunately, there are different types of lenses that can address different vision problems.

Essilor, the world leader in ophthalmic optics, offers a specially designed lens that filters harmful blue light hat comes not only from the sun, but also televisions, computer screens and cell phones. Essilor Crizal lenses can act as a shield and block harmful blue light. More than just helping you relax your vision, Crizal lenses can also provide protection against reflection, scratches, smudges, dust, water, UV and other enemies of clear vision.

Additionally, increased screen time can directly affect a person's visual acuity and range of sight. If you are already in your early 40s, you may also find yourself struggling to see a relatively distant object sharply after staring at your computer screen. Essilor can also help you with this problem with its Varilux® progressive lenses that can give you superior vision and smooth transition at any distance. 

With Varilux® lenses, there is no need to switch between glasses because you can simply instantly focus in any situation. It can also suit your active lifestyle and let you enjoy total comfort at any task.

As a way to help you maintain a healthy vision, Essilor is offering the Multi-pair Promo where you can buy one pair of Essilor lenses and get a second pair at 50% off until December 31, 2020.

This exciting Multi-pair Promo is perfect for making sure you have the right lens for your different daily activities. With this offer, you can buy a pair of Essilor lens that you can use for work, and the second one for your daily activities and hobbies, like working out at home, doing outdoor errands or playing video games. 

The Essilor Multi-pair Promo is available at leading optical shops in the country. For more information, visit Essilor’s website at www.essilor.com.ph/multi-pair-lifestyle-solutions.

The widespread panic and fear generated by COVID-19 have brought the world to a grinding halt with authorities imposing quarantine protocols.  

Visiting a doctor amid pandemic: If symptoms persist, don’t hesitate

The pandemic has caused many Filipinos to hesitate to visit doctors’ clinics primarily due to the fear of contracting the virus outside their homes. Medical practitioners are now conducting teleconsultations or virtual consultations, allowing patients to have access to doctors through phone or video calls to mitigate the situation.

Some hospitals have already opened outpatient clinics but on an appointment basis only, with the patients required to accomplish health declaration forms.

While the spread of COVID-19 currently dominates health concerns, Filipinos should not ignore their pre-existing health conditions or non-COVID-19 symptoms, as this can put patients at enormous health risk. Among health conditions that must be paid close attention to are diabetes and hypertension.

Studies have shown an increasing prevalence of diabetes and hypertension with nearly four million cases of diabetes recorded in the Philippines as of May 2020 , while hypertension is the leading preventable cause of premature death worldwide.   The emergence of COVID-19 leaves these patients vulnerable to the virus. 

“When seeing a doctor, the risks and benefits must be considered. Whatever circumstances we’re in, it doesn’t change the fact that when symptoms persist, people shouldn’t hesitate to consult a doctor, be it on-site or through virtual consultations,” said Dr. Alex Junia, Cardiologist at the Perpetual Succour Hospital and Past President of the Philippine Heart Association. 

“Early medical intervention saves lives,” the doctor emphasized.

Among the early warning signs of diabetes emergencies that should not be ignored are extreme thirst, dry mouth, frequent urination, unplanned weight loss, hunger, fatigue, irritable behavior, blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, skin that itches, or is dry and/or yeast infections.  

However, not all symptoms of diabetes are the same. According to  Dr. Grace De los Santos, Diabetologist at the Metropolitan Medical Center and President of  Diabetes Philippines, “Type 1 diabetes symptoms may also include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, while Type 2 diabetes symptoms may include shortness of breath, pain or numbness in the extremities.”

Likewise, the symptoms of hypertension must also be discussed with doctors for proper medical attention. While people with high blood pressure often have unnoticeable symptoms, there are instances when the blood pressure is alarmingly elevated that the patient may experience the following: headache, dizziness, and blurred vision. 

Some of the symptoms may resemble other medical conditions, so it is best to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis.

“There is a variety of treatment and management options for patients with diabetes and hypertension. The decision on which medications to opt for to achieve target blood sugar levels and to lower the blood pressure depends on many factors including patient’s medical history and other health problems a patient may have. This is why it is crucial to seek and consult a doctor to discuss the best treatment plan for one’s condition,” Dr. Greta Cortez, Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines Inc.  Head of Medicine, Human Pharma, explained.

To alleviate concerns about visiting the doctor for consultation, patients are advised to take safety precautions such as having temperatures checked, wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and making a habit of bringing alcohol for sanitation and disinfection.

How you react to difficult situations can make a big difference on your well-being.

Mental wellness tips amid crises

The pandemic has undoubtedly taken a toll on our mental health. While difficult circumstances such as these are often beyond our control, how we react to them can make a big difference on our well-being.

To help Filipinos protect their health, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, recently held a webinar entitled “Care for your mental health in the new normal,” featuring keynote speaker Dr. Gia Sison, a mental wellness advocate and the Philippine leader of the Live Strong Foundation.

“In the time of COVID, we feel [more] anxious, and there’s heightened emotions as we transition to the new normal. There’s also the additional threat of isolation and loneliness,” she said.

To address these concerns, the AXA webinar shared mental wellness tips for people to adapt now and in the future:

Keep a gratitude journal

Even when faced with negative situations, you should also recognize that positive things are still happening -- even during a pandemic. Be intentional in recognizing what you are thankful for and write them down in a gratitude journal.

Adopt a routine

 Working from home has blurred the lines between work and rest. To avoid burnout, it is important to maintain self-control through routines and setting activities to simulate your usual schedule before COVID-19. However, routines can also become mundane, so you may integrate new activities in your schedule once in a while.

Consider mental health and media

The onslaught of negative news seen in traditional and digital media can affect people’s mental health. If you feel that your peace of mind may be affected by the news, limit your time reading or watching them. In addition, try to minimize sharing content that might be distressing to others. 

Identify your coping strategies

It is vital that you reflect on what your coping strategies were before the pandemic and see if these are applicable in the current situation. Then, examine the barriers of your self-care. Also, avoid coping strategies that are negative by nature, which include drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and other practices that might hurt rather than help you.  

Ground yourself

When faced with overwhelming stressors, it is important to limit the stimuli you are exposed to. This may include tuning out noise or dimming the lights. Ground yourself in the situation, especially during moments of anxiety. This can be easily done by using your five senses and identifying five things you can see, smell, and hear to help restore a sense of calm.

Practice mindfulness meditation

In situations you can no longer control, meditation can help relieve stress. Some mindfulness exercises include taking deep, slow breaths or practicing progressive muscle relaxation which entails tensing some of your muscles and slowly relaxing them afterwards. Explore these easy relaxation techniques and find what works best for you.

When it comes to self-care, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy; it is a process that might involve trial and error. To better protect your physical and mental wellbeing with a health plan that suits your needs, visit AXA Philippines’ website, https://axa.com.ph/ or talk to an agent via the landline +632 85815-292.

Give your immune system a boost with ProSource Virgin Coconut Oil and Nuco coconut-based products

ProSource Virgin Coconut Oil, 100% organic and non-GMO, is a potent and natural way of avoiding illnesses, with its innate anti- inflammatory properties.

As the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (nCoV-2019) has become an alarming global pandemic, with two cases now being reported in the Philippines, taking precautions towards one’s health and wellbeing has become essential. Besides not being able to report to work, the risky possibility of infecting others is also there.

Liza Soberano talks about her sweet inspirations

Liza Soberano talks about her sweet inspirations

From her humble beginnings in local showbiz, to becoming one of the most sought-after celebrities of her generation, it’s easy to say that Liza Soberano has got it all.

For healthy eating individuals, there's ProSource and NUCO products

If you’ve noticed a significant change in food trends over the past decade, thank a millennial. Comprising of over 50% of the local workforce, millennials now make the largest age demographic in the Philippines. Thus, the interests and preferences of these young tastemakers can greatly influence what can be found in restaurants and other retail establishments across the country.

Key to having a worry-free holiday

The holiday season is the best time to go big and go bold. It gives everyone the chance to cap off the year on a high note. Nobody loves this more than the Millennials and Gen Z who love to live life to the fullest. But some of them may be worried about not being able to fully enjoy the Christmas festivities.