COCONUT WATER; THE WATER OF LIFE

No wonder why  the coconut tree is called as the tree of life. Every part of this tree can be made into something  useful to human.  The husk and leaves can be made into a variety of products which can be used for decorations and furnishing. The oil and milk that can be extracted from its meat can be used as cooking oil and others use it in beauty products. The coconut water has many nutritional benefits. It is a natural antioxidant.
Coconut water or locally called Buko juice in the Philippines is becoming popular as people around the world are now more health conscious. Recently, there is a rise in demand of coconut water in the U.S.A. and in Europe.The Philippines is one of the exporter of coconut water

Why coconut water?
* Coconut water has a lower calorie that orange juice.
* antioxidant
* anti-ageing, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-thrombotic effects due to cytokinins
* no cholesterol
* low in carbohydrate
* compared to other vegetables and fruit juices, it has more electrolytes, thus replaces fluid loss and slightly greater that than of Oral Rehydration Solution.  Coconut water is an isotonic solution that naturally rehydrates the body. It replaces loss minerals and fluids during rigorous exercises.
* natural source of vitamin B complex.
* better composition of minerals such as iron, manganese, calcium, zinc.
* has antibacterial and antiviral  properties which helps in fighting parasites, worms and viruses.
* a natural antibiotic.
* treat urethral and kidney stones
* raises metabolism
* it promotes weight loss
* controls diabetes
* natural body coolant
* helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
* helps lower blood pressure
* natural diuretics

These are the facts about coconut water and thus explains why it is gaining popularity and why many people prefer coconut water than sports drink. These fact shows that coconut water is no ordinary water. It is beneficial to everybody and has no side effects.

Trivia:
Did you know that the word COCO actually originates from the Spanish / Portuguese word which means "monkey face" because looking at the base of the coconut there are 3 round indented markings which resembles a monkey's face.

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF NEGATIVE IONS

What comes to your mind when you hear or encounter the word NEGATIVE? Think again, Negative doesn't always mean negative. There is something in this world that gives positive result besides being called negative. I am talking about negative ions. Ions are electrically charged particles which are formed when an atom contains an unequal number of protons in the nucleus and electrons in the electrons cloud . Why is it called negative ions if it has positive effect on humans? It is because in the 1700's, people couldn't still understand electrons and atoms, it is Benjamin Franklin who gave the term "negative ion". An atom with one of its normal electron removed is called positive ion (anions) . An atom with an extra electrons is called negative ion (cations). Negative ions can increase the flow of oxygen in the brain which can cause mental energy and higher consciousness or alertness.

Benefits of negative ions:

Negative ions can prevent respiratory illnesses.
Negative ions are natural anti-depressants.
Negative ions can help us get a quality sleep.
Negative ions can fight the negative effects of smoking.
Negative ions can strengthen the functions of our autonomic nerves.
Negative ions can strengthen the body's immune system.

Ever heard that staying on a seashore can help you recover from respiratory illnesses? It is because study shows that seashores have thousands of negative ions.
There were several types of negative ionizers apparatus that were sold in the market for our homes, there were negative ionizers that can be use in your cars just by simply putting a device in your cigarette lighter receptacle, pendants and lately, through the use of a sanitary napkin. Yes, sanitary napkin! I am not connected by any means with the company that produces this sanitary napkin that has a  negative ions strips nor  a reseller of the product but I find it amazing that there are a lot of people who testify that this product really works. A woman who was diagnosed with multiple mesenchymal tumor or myoma testifies that she was totally cured of the illness by simply using the sanitary napkin. I haven't tried this negative ion strips but  I am willing to give it a try and see for myself what benefits negative ions can give me.

I found some of these videos on youtube and want to share it with you.








If this strips really help, why not make it available on all products that we regularly consume so that a lot of  people can benefit from the positive effect of negative ions. I'm pretty sure that if this happens,  we can prevent sickness caused by stressed, bacterias and pollution.

WHAT IS A FOOT, HAND AND MOUTH DISEASE?

We have been hearing a lot about FHMD (Foot, Hand and Mouth Disease) recently, especially when it was broadcast that Ms. Kris Aquino and her two sons namely Josh and Baby James got infected by the virus. So what exactly is FHMD?

According to what some information I have read from the internet FHMD should not be mistaken to FMD (Foot and Mouth Disease) although their names are almost the same, they are totally unrelated and are caused by different organisms.

FMD is a virus that affects cattle, swine and sheep. They are from the Picornaviridae family, Aphthovirus genus. FMD is  known to be one of the most contagious livestock disease. This spreads from one animal to another rapidly. Mode of transmission is through feces, saliva, mucus, breaths, and milk.

FHMD are caused by intestinal viruses. It is a common viral infection that affects infants and children but adults who have immune deficiencies can also be infected.. The infections is spread from a person to another through direct contact with the infectious virus. It is said that the first week of the infection is the most contagious and although the symptoms have gone away, FHMD can still remain in the body for weeks. Some who were infected of this virus may not show any symptom. It is also said that a person who already got the infection is most likely to be immune from the disease. It may only recur if the person who already got FHMD in the past catches the infection that came from a different member of the enterovirus group that causes FHMD.

FHMD symptoms are the following:

vomiting, malaise, pain in the ear, fatigue, headache, sore throat, fever, oral lesions, non-itchy body rash, sores with blisters on palms and soles, diarrhea, and oral ulcers.

There are no specific treatment for the disease and no vaccine available for protection from the virus that causes FHMD. It is said that doctors let the virus run on its course on the patient and no medicine is given to the patient unless the infection is severe and except for fever reducers that will help control high body temperatures.
The risk of getting infected by disease is lessened by washing the hands frequently specially after using the comfort room, disinfecting toys with solution of chlorine which can be made at home by mixing 1 tbsp of bleach to 4 cups of water. Another way is by avoiding close contact which means avoid kissing, hugging, eating on same plate with the person who has FHMD.

Remember: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure... agree?

GLOW OF HEALTH

It is nutrition month once again and it is time to give concern to our health. We always hear the words "Health is wealth" especially from our elders who knows too well how good health could serve people in their old age. What does it mean to be healthy? Good health really shows inside and out. A healthy person usually show a lean body, shiny hair, white teeth, rosy complexion, bright eyes, and smiling face.

The food we eat and do not eat contributes largely to our overall health. The secrets as attested by nutritionist, is to have the right combinations of food in the right quantities. A healthy food includes a variety of  foods that provides nutrients the body needs. Eating the right foods will surely take you to the path of good health. Good health also means that our bodies do not easily succumb to sickness or if they do, we are able to recover from them easily.

SO WHAT  NUTRIENTS IN FOOD DOES KEEP OUR BODIES HEALTHY?
@ Fat for stored energy
@ Protein for building muscles and healing of wounds
@ Vitamins for bright eyes and healthy gums
@ Fiber to give enough roughage for regular bowel movements. It also lowers sugar and cholesterol levels.
@ Carbohydrates for good energy level.
@ Water for good digestion and for preventing fatigue and irritability.
@ Minerals for strong bones and teeth.

LITTLE BITES COULD KILL!!!

Still in relevance to rainy season there is another disease that we should be aware of...DENGUE!
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) - is an acute infectious viral diseases usually affecting infants and young children. It is characterized by fever during the initial phase, and other symptoms like headache, pain in the eye, joint pains, muscle pain, etc. followed by signs of bleeding, that is petechiae (red tiny spots on the skin), nosebleeding, gumbleeding. If there is blood in the stools and/or blood in the vomitus and accompanied by shock, this is called Dengue Shock Syndrome and is often fatal.

Aedes Aegypti, the transmitter of the disease, is a day-biting mosquito which lays eggs in clear water container, such as flower vases, cans, rain barrels, old rubber tires, etc. The adult mosquitoes rest in dark places of the house.

THE SYMPTOMS OF DENGUE H-FEVER

1. Sudden onset of high fever which may last 2 to 7 days.
2. Joint and muscle pain and pain behind the eyes.
3. Weakness
4. Skin rashes -  maculopapular rash or tiny red spots on the skin called petechiae
5. Nosebleeding when fever starts to subside.
6. Enlargement of the liver
7. Vomitting of coffee-colored matter
8. Dark-colored stools

PREVENTION

@The community should organize themselves to remove all possible breeding places of mosquitoes inside and outside the houses such as tin cans, rubber tires, bottles or drain accumulated water from trees and plants.

@Cover water storage containers to prevent breeding of mosquitoes.

@Clean house gutters to prevent stagnation of rain water.

@Isolate patients suffering from Dengue H-Fever for at least 5 days.

@Report to the nearest health center any suspected case of Dengue H-Fever in the neighborhood.

BEWARE OF FLOOD WATERS

Our sufferings from the hot and dry El Nino was still fresh from our mind and now here comes its cold counterpart La Nina. Expecting that La Nina will provoke more rains, we also have to assume added features such as flashfloods, overflowing canals, and floating garbage. There are certain diseases that occur during rainy season and on of these is leptospirosis.

What is leptospirosis? Leptospirosis is an acute, generalized infectious disease characterized by extensive inflammation of a blood or lymph vessel. The causative organism are slender, finely-coiled bacteria called leptospira. Some of the types mostly found in human infection include L.ictero-haemorrhagiae, L. manilae, and L.pomona.
Leptospirosis is primarily a disease of wild and domestic animals. The most important sources of infection are rats, dogs, cats and cattle that discharges leptospira in their urine. Worldwide, rats are the common source of human infection. Humans are infected only through direct or indirect contact with animals.

Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, Jaundice & hemorrhagic manifestations. Patients may develop respiratory distress and liver and kidney failure and may die, if they are not treated in time.

Remembering my Hapontukin moments!!

I was LOL when I first saw Enervon's Hapontukin commercial ads on TV because it reminds me of my own sleepy experiences during working hours at my previous job. I also remember my friends teasing me that the reason why most of the time i am sleepy every afternoon at work is because I am the one who is "naglilihi" because my wife was 3 months pregnant to my eldest child when this this hapontukin story of mine happens.  I was working then as a Customer Relation Service Representative in one of the well-known  mall in Manila. Part of my job is to entertain guests and visitors at the information area at the employees entrance. So, my job calls for energy and happiness but I don't know why every afternoon, after eating my lunch which was prepared and packed by my wife, I feel the urge to sleep. Maybe its the feeling of being full and the ambiance because every afternoon this area turns out to be like an empty chapel and I feel like I was serenated by the voice of an Ibong Adarna that makes me wanna sleep. So when hapontukin sets in, I look around, jump and slap my face, Yes! just to make myself awake.  Unluckily, one time my manager caught me doing this stuff as she was going out of her office to go to the selling area, she seemed surprised to see me jumping and slapping my face. She ask me to come over and ask for an explanation. I was really embarrassed and I remember myself repeatedly asking for her kind understanding, she just then smile and ask me to go back to work. Days passed and I am still assigned at this post so a new idea comes to my mind to overcome the attacks of hapontukin, I see to it that I always have a safety pin with me so that when again when hapontukin sets in i just have to prick my thighs so I don't have to jump and slap my face only to be caught again by my boss. (thanks God there are no hidden cameras in the area...hahaha!!!)
Now, I am regularly taking my Enervon Multivitamins to have steadi-energy so that I won't be  hapontukin anymore because I can't imagine myself behind the steering wheel of a car and sleeping, A big NO because that would probably waste all of my energy and my precious happy life. More energy mas happy diba?.

THE NEW GENERATION CIGARETTES

For those of you who are nicotine addicts who cannot quit smoking here's a new generation cigarettes  that would help you get rid of those dangerous side effects of smoking. I am in no way connected with those companies that made this Electronic Cigarettes or the E-Cigars or sell this products but i am a heavy smoker too who has long been longing  to quit smoking. There are a lot of reason to quit smoking this includes health problems, it causes bad breath,and it also unnoticeably adds up  to your monthly expense and besides you are also risking the health of your loved ones specially those children who can develop lung diseases. Just imagine those smoking pregnant women who doesn't seem to realize that may have a miscarriage or will have a stillborn baby when they don't quit. Cigarette smoking removes oxygen from the blood and does replace it with carbon monoxide which kills cells and those cells will not be able to regenerate again. Cigarette smoke contains 4000 different toxic chemicals. Chain smokers are probably asking how to stop or  would love to but afraid  of getting a cold turkey,  I think this E-Cigars would help.

Electronic Cigarettes or E-cigars are battery operated  device that produces smoke just like the real ones but this smoke is a result of vaporized solution. This smoke also produces flavor that resembles your favorite cigarette taste but  it has no tar, no flames, no carcinogens, and no unpleasant odors. Most E-Cigars are divided into 3 parts the atomizer or the heating element, the battery and the liquid cartridge which is refillable. 

So its up for you to decide,  the real one or the E-cigar? Watch this videos about electronic cigarettes that i have seen on youtube.