News Feature: Lycopene in tomatoes and prostate cancer risk
Butuan City - one of the most popular home garden vegetables is the tomato. Nowadays, the tomato is an almost daily part of the Filipino family diet. We love adding it on pizza, burgers, soups, pastas, and salads. We even make juice out of it.
The tomato is, of course, eaten raw or in innumerable cooked dishes. It is delicious when eaten raw as like in manggang hilaw (unripe mangga) with onions and bagoong (shrimp paste) or with itlog na maalat (salted egg). It can be sautΓ©ed, grilled, stewedand added to many food preparations. You can even make a raw tomato into sauce, puree, catsup, relish, and juice.
The tomato is easy to grow. When grown as a stalked plant, it requires a relatively small amount of space, yet is capable of producing a lot of fruits per plant.
It is a fact that the tomato is high in nutrients. It is packed with vitamin C, potassium, fiber and vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A.
The tomato is a rich source of lycopene, a carotenoid that is a powerful antioxidant. Lycopene has been the subject of many current promising researches on plant chemicals that promote health. It is a carotenoid responsible for the red color in tomatoes and other fruits like watermelon and grape fruit. Carotenoids, along with phenolic acids and flavonoids, are all phythochemicals, the nutritionally beneficial active compounds found in fruits and vegetables. Polyphenols, one of the potentially beneficial anti-cancer compounds, is also found in tomato products, predominantly in the skin and seeds.
A variety of epidemiological studies by Giovannucci in 2002; Mill in 1989 and Wu in 2004 have suggested that dietary factors may decrease the risk of prostate cancer.
Increased consumption of tomatoes, carotenoids, Vitamin C, selenium, cruciferous vegetables, polyphenols, soy, fish, green tea or vitamin D may all D may all be linked to a decreased risk of prostate cancer. Their studies further show that an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables significantly reduces the incidence of prostate cancer.
Lycopene and tomato products appear to reduce the risk of prostate cancer in epidemiological studies. A study led by Giovannucci in 1995 showed that lycopene and tomato productintakes were associated with a decreased risk of prostatecancer. One study led by Gann in 1999 suggested a strong inverse association between aggressiveness of the cancer and plasma lycopene. Another study led by Wu in 2004 showed an inverse association between plasma lycopene concentrations and risk of prostate cancer although only in older men without a history of the disease.
The results of these epidemiological studies support a hypothesis that tomato products and lycopene consumption reduce the risk of prostate cancer and supportsfurther testing of this relationship with animal and human trials.
With all the health of eating tomatoes, make it a habit to include your daily meals tomatoes as appetizer or an ingredient in the dishes. Based on the food and Nutrition Research Institute’s Food Composition Table (FNRI-DOST), half a cup of fresh tomato weighing 40g as appetizer for lunch and dinner, assures you of 10.8 kilocalories for energy, 0.36 grams of protein, 0.12 grams of fat, 12.4 milligrams of calcium, 10.4 milligrams of phosphorus, 0.4 milligrams of iron, 152 micrograms of beta carotene, 0.02 milligrams of thiamin, 0.012 milligrams of riboflavin, 0.24 milligrams of niacin, and 13.6 milligrams of vitamin C. (Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso, FNRI-DOST/PIA-Caraga)
.
Loren steers Asian Parliamentarians' meet on reducing disaster risk to achieve Millennium Development Goals
Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Committees on Climate Change and Foreign Relations will convene a consultative meeting for Asian parliamentarians to discuss actions that parliamentarians can take and lead in order to increase the resilience of Asian countries to disasters and climate change. With the topic of Disaster Risk Reduction: An Instrument for Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), the meeting takes place in Manila from 25 to 27 November 2010 at the Makati Shangrila Hotel.
In cooperation with the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and the Asian Network of Parliamentarians for Population and Development, the meeting aims to provide a forum for leading parliamentarians from Asian countries to share insights on why disaster risk reduction is important for achieving sustainable socio-economic development and the MDG in particular, what governments still need to do, and how parliamentarians can make the needed change happen.
“Parliamentarians play a pivotal role in today’s historic effort to achieve the MDG — clear, measurable targets for reducing poverty by 2015 that were set by heads of state at the United Nations Millennium Summit in September 2000," said Legarda. "No responsible politician would want the government to waste millions on building schools that may collapse on children. No parliamentarian would want to see the poor and most vulnerable repeatedly knocked back into extreme poverty due to lack of investments for disaster and climate risk reduction."
Among the countries represented in the parliamentarian meeting include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand. The United Nations Secretary General's Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction Margareta WahlstrΓΆm will join Senator Loren Legarda in convening the meeting.
Legarda challenged her fellow lawmakers: "As responsible leaders, we must ensure that development pursuits do not drive disaster risks. We must also always ensure that our people, our economy, and our development investments for our country are all protected from the risks and impacts of disasters and climate change.”
The 2010 Asia Pacific Disaster Report recently released by UNISDR and ESCAP cited that the people of the Asia-Pacific region are four times more likely to be affected by disasters from natural hazards than those living in Africa, and 25 times more likely than those living in Europe or North America. The region also accounted for a staggering 85 percent of disaster-related deaths and 38 percent of global economic losses during 1980-2009.
"Parliamentarians are political leaders mandated by the people to convey local concerns to national governments, oversee national progress and investments, and campaign on issues affecting the daily lives and livelihoods of their constituents. When they legislate for disaster-resilient development and promote disaster risk reduction in their constituencies, everybody and the entire country win," explained Senator Legarda who authored and took an active role in the passage of the Climate Change Act of 2009 and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.
The expected results of the parliamentarians' meeting, according to Legarda, include: (1) better understanding of the progress and challenges in disaster risk reduction in Asia; (2) increased understanding of disaster risk reduction and its links with socio‑economic development, and MDG initiatives; and (3) roles and responsibilities of politicians identified in using disaster risk reduction as a tool for climate change adaptation, promoting disaster resilient schools, and hospitals, and poverty reduction and investment in disaster risk reduction.
"Disaster risk reduction pays. For every one dollar put into disaster prevention results in as much as seven dollars saved in post-disaster aid," Legarda justified. "Therefore, parliamentarians must be fully aware of their mandate and moral responsibility to lead the way in protecting development gains from disasters, especially in this era of rapidly increasing disaster risks due to the combined effects of inequitable economic growth, population pressures and extreme climate events," Legarda added.
"I am hopeful that the meeting will conclude with all participating parliamentarians appreciating even more profoundly the importance of disaster risk reduction as an instrument for achieving the MDG and as a readily implementable means for adapting to climate change," Legarda shared. (Office of Senator Loren Legarda/PIA-Caraga)
.
POLICE REPORTS
Report on Alleged robbery hold-up
One Hyundai Grace Passenger van color gray, bearing plate number LYE 504, registered in the name of Romeo P Lambot and presently owned by NiΓ±o Jack Pongo was allegedly robbed/held by three unidentified suspects, two of whom wearing “tubaw/shawl”, while the other one wore bonnet and armed with cal .45 pistol. Initial investigation conducted disclosed that while the said vehicle was on its way to Surigao City on November 16, 2010 at 8:00 pm and upon reaching Brgy Alipao, Alegria, Surigao del Norte, one of the suspects who was seated behind the driver pulled a cal .45 and declared hold-up while two of his companions divested valuable items from the passengers to wit:
1. Nenita Behing Pedrosa, 42 yrs old, married, businesswoman and res of P-11, Navaica, Brgy San Juan, Surigao City . Taken from her possession were cash money amounting to Php 5,500.00 and one unit Nokia cell phone 91K
2. Ramil Iligan Escanilla, 25 yrs old, single, driver and res of Navaica, Brgy San Juan, Surigao City
3. NiΓ±o Jack Dalongos Pongo, 21 yrs old, single, owner of the vehicle and res of P-7, Navaica, Brgy San Juan, Surigao City. Taken from his possession were cash money amounting to Php 700.00 and one Nokia cell phone; and
4. Mark Glenn Moca Espinoza, 22 yrs old, single and res of Poblacion, Alegria, Surigao del Norte. Taken from his possession was cash money amounting to Php 500.00.
Upon receipt of the report, PNP personnel of Surigao City Police Station coordinated and referred the case to Alegria Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. Progress report to follows. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
Report on illegal gambling
PNP elements of Surigao City Police Station led by PINSP FRUCTOSO E JABONERO conducted intensified operations against illegal gambling locally known as “swertres” which resulted in the apprehension of the following persons:
1. Cyrus Edillo Cabarubias, 44 yrs old, jobless and res of Pantalan 2, Surigao City . Apprehension took place at Surigao City Public Market on November 17, 2010 at 2:30 pm and confiscated from his possession were bet money amounting to Php 187.00 and one swertres stub.
2. Sherbyl Joria Catapang, 29 yrs old, single, jobless and res of Baybay Parola, Brgy Taft, Surigao City. Apprehension took place at Luneta Park , Surigao City on November 17, 2010 at 2:40 pm. Confiscated from her possession were 2 pcs tally sheets, bet stub, pocketbook with swertres marking, calculator and ball pen;
3. Zenaida Predog y Cuares, 50 yrs old, married, jobless and res of Brgy Mabuhay, Sison, Surigao del Norte. Confiscated from her possession were one (1) swertres tip, 2 pcs tally sheets, photocopy of Birada Magazine tip, ballpen and bet money amounting to Php 40.00. Apprehension took place at Luneta Park , Surigao City on November 17, 2010 at 2:45 pm.
Cases for violation of RA 9287 are now prepared for filing in court. Progress report to follows. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
Bayugan City police arrest wanted persons
One Paterno Nestle y Mijares, 54 yrs old, married and one Teresita Nestle y Varona, 49 yrs old, both res of Purok 4, Brgy Taglatawan, Bayugan City were arrested on November 18, 2010 at 9:00 am at said place PNP elements of Bayugan City Police Station led by PO3 Nestor Rasonabe by virtue of WOA dated November 12, 2010, issued by Hon Judge Lou A Nueva of 5th MCTC, Bayugan City for the crime of grave oral defamation, docketed under CC nr 8982-10-K-57 with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 6,000.00 each. Subject persons now detained at Bayugan City Police Stations for proper disposition.
Also, one Wilfredo M Ruiz, 58 yrs old, married and res of Purok 7, Brgy Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte was arrested by PNP elements of Nasipit MPS led by PO1 Robert S Maglasang by virtue of WOA , dated November 3, 2010, issued by Hon Judge Francisco F Maclang of RTC Branch 3, Libertad, Butuan City for the crime of estafa, docketed under CC nr 14483, with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 80,000.00. Apprehension took place at Purok 7, Brgy Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte on November 18, 2010 at 2:00 pm.
Subject person now detained at Nasipit MPS Detention Cell for proper disposition. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
Report on illegal drugs
PNP elements of Butuan City Police Station 1 led by PINSP RODOLFO C LEDESMA together with the personnel from Butuan City Public Safety Company led by PCINSP FERDINAND B DACILLO under the close supervision of PSUPT JOSEPH B BOQUIREN, Station Commander of Butuan City Police Station 1, conducted anti- illegal drugs operation thru the implementation of search warrant nr 02-2010 at the residence of Ronil Nalla y Conserman, 25 yrs old, res of P-5, Jerusalem, Brgy 15, San Ignacio, Butuan City on November 19, 2010 at 11:30 am.
Seized during the search were three (3) sachet of suspected shabu, 16 transparent cellophane, 3 pair of scissor, one blade, 5 disposable lighters, 1 black canister, 1 bambo stripper, 1 unit Nokia1202 Cellphone, 20 pcs Twenty Peso Bill, 2 cs Fifty Peso Bill, 16 pcs one hundred peso bill, 4 pcs two hundred peso bill, 3 pcs five hundred peso bill and 1 pc one thousand peso bill.
Said suspect was brought to Butuan City Police Station 1 for investigation together with seized items for proper disposition. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
.
News Feature: A second look at the lowly Malunggay
Butuan City - Malunggay known scientifically as Moringa Oleifera Lamk is one of the world’s most useful plants. It is cultivated in all countries of the tropics. It is easy to plant, and is available year-round. It is used as food: food, effective flocculants, antibiotics, oils, and coagulants for turbid waters. It is called “mother’s best friend” and “miracle vegetable by many who have known its beneficial effects. In fact, it is used as the logo of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST).
One hundred grams (1 cup cooked) of malunggay leaves contain 3.1 g. protein, 0.6 g. fiber, 96 mg calcium, 29 mg phosphorus, 1.7 mg iron, 2,820 mg B-carotene, 0.07 mg thiamin, 0.14 mg riboflavin, 1.1 mg niacin, and 53 mg ascorbic acid or vitamin C.
The antioxidant activity of malunggay is about 71% with oc-tocopherol (vitamin E) equivalent of 45.
The leaves are outstanding as sources of Vitamin A, B-vitamins and minerals such as calcium and iron. The calcium content is very high for a plant. Iron content is like wise very good. It is even an excellent source of protein being higher than the amino acid pattern of FAO reference protein, and a very low source of fat and carbohydrates. The leaves are incomparable as a source of the sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cystine, which are often in short supply.
Due to its high vitamins A, C, and E, which are very potent antioxidants, malunggay is a very good quencher of unstable free-radicals that can react with and damage other molecules. Antioxidants reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. They also prevent the onset of various chronic diseases like arthritis, cancer, and heart and kidney diseases.
Malunggay contains the phytochemical niasiminin, which has anti-tumor potential, (Faisi et al., 1992) and correlated with inhibitory ability against superoxide generation. The first naturally-occuring thiocarbamates, novel hypotensive agents niazinin A, niazinin B, niazimicin and niaziminin A and B were isolated from malunggay.
Malunggay is called a “miracle vegetable” because it is not only a food, it is also a medicine. It may therefore be a functional food, as popularly known these days. Malunggay helps in good eyesight, helps in digestion, facilities bowel movement, and a cure for stomach aches. It is used to cleanse wounds and ulcers. It helps in cases like scurvy, asthma, earache and headaches. Due to its high calcium content, it is consumed by lactating mothers to produce more milk for their babies, hence, called “mother’s best friend”.
Malunggay is usually cooked with chicken as tinola, or with fish and other vegetables, mongo soup dishes and blanched as salads. (Lydia M. Marero, FNRI-DOST/PIA-Caraga)
.
Birth spacing saves lives
Butuan City – As built up by studies, couples who space their births 3 to 5 years apart increase their children’s chances of survival, and mothers are more likely to survive, too.
Various studies show that although birth spacing of at least two years has been recommended over the years, recent studies show that children born 3 years or more after a previous birth are healthier at birth and more likely to survive at all stages of infancy and childhood through age five.
The Commission on Population will intensify the birth spacing campaign in time of the celebration of the Population and Development Week on November 23-29. While the theme for this year’s celebration is “Population, Poverty, and Development”, POPCOM, on the other hand, adopted the slogan “Responsableng Pagpapamilya Tungo sa Kaunlaran: Sa Tamang Agwat ng Panganganak Pamilya ay Aangat”.
POPCOM Director Camilo S. Pangan cited that despite the communication campaign for family planning in the country, a substantial 22 percent unmet need for family planning remains. In 2008, Caraga’s unmet need for family planning exceeded the national average at 26 percent, 15.5 of these are for limiting births and 10.5 for spacing births.
The Demographic and Health Survey has provided some of the best evidence that spacing births further apart improves mother’s health. Compared with women who gave birth at 9 to 14 month intervals, women who have their babies at 27 to 32 month birth intervals are more likely to avoid anemia, avoid third-trimester bleeding and are more likely to survive childbirth.
The study pointed out the need for birth spacing to avoid complications and reduce the cases of infant and maternal deaths. “Shorter birth intervals may not allow mothers to restore nutritional reserves that provide for adequate fetal nutrition and growth. Fetal growth retardation and premature delivery can result in low birth weight and greater risk of death”, findings said.
POPCOM has taken the campaign directly to the couples through the conduct of responsible parenting classes in the barangays. “We are hoping that more couples will adopt the value of responsible parenting and practice family planning of their choice to address the unmet need of millions of couples thereby helping them to achieve their family planning goals”, Pangan added. (Rutchie C. Saluta, POPCOM-13/PIA-Caraga)
.
PNP Chief turns over new firearms, equipment to PRO-13
BUTUAN CITY - PNP Chief Raul Bacalzo vowed to distribute all equipment and firearms needed by policemen in different regions stocked at camp crame.
In a ceremony held yesterday at the grandstand of Camp Rafael Rodriguez in Libertad, PNP Chief Bacalzo hand over to Police Regional Director Reynaldo Rafal supplies and equipment that will enhance the regions capability to fight against lawless elements.
These includes 20 units of rifle caliber 5.56mm, 20 units of 12-gauge shotgun, 70 units of pistol caliber 9mm Jericho, 100 pcs gas masks, 100 pcs truncheons, 4-units search lights, 4-units Sony cybershot digital cameras, 4-units audio recorder, 5-units video camera, 4 megaphones, 8 rolls police lines, 25 pairs of hand and body protector and 300 pcs handcuffs.
According to Police Chief Reynaldo Rafal these will be distributed to the Regional Headquarters, provincial offices in Caraga Region namely; Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office (PPO), Agusan del Sur PPO, Surigao del Norte PPO and Surigao del Sur PPO.
In three days, the Chief PNP visited four regions in Mindanao and Butuan is the fourth area that he went to that started in Basilan, Zamboanga, and Davao with Police Chief Supt. Renato Heredia, Directorate for Intelligence, PCS Victorino Panganiban, Director of DIPO-Eastern Mindanao and Police Senior Supt. Joevic Ramos, Chief of Budget and Fiscal Directorate for Comptrollership.
PNP Chief Bacalzo is not new in the region being assigned as the company commander in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur and in Butuan City replacing then Lieutenant Jesus Versoza who was the company commander of the 544 PC Company in early 70’s but was assigned later in Basilan.
“General Rafal is not new to me also, he used to be my deputy director when I was the Director of Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) in Camp Crame,” said PNP Chief Bacalzo.
He recalled that five days after when he became the Chief PNP, PCS Reynaldo Rafal assumed office as the Director Logistic Support Service.
This is when they found out the numerous supplies and equipment being kept at the stockroom.
He said, “These are actually procurement fund made last year and it has to be distributed to different regions as one of my focus in the organization.”
He added, “The gauge of a good logistics officer is where he cannot see anything inside the bodega and logistics are supposed to be given out.”
PNP Chief Raul Bacalzo in his visit to Butuan City also graced the blessing of the newly renovated office of PRO 13 Regional Director. (Jocelyn E. Morano, Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)
