DOH-Caraga spearheads National Tuberculosis
Awareness Month celeb
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 7 – The Department of Health
(DOH) Caraga spearheaded this year's celebration of the National Tuberculosis
Awareness Month in Caraga region.
DOH-Caraga Regional Director Ariel I. Valencia
the celebration of the National Tuberculosis Awareness Month aims to better
inform the public and reiterate the facts surrounding Tuberculosis. "By
spreading awareness and appropriate information, we hope to decrease if not,
eradicate the social stigma which hinders our citizens, afflicted by such
disease, from accessing and completing treatment."
“With the celebration of the National Lung Month
and the National Tuberculosis Awareness Month, let us collaborate and
coordinate our efforts to spread awareness of Tuberculosis and other illnesses
that affect the lung. Also, I would like to reiterate the effects of smoking
and the hazards it brings to the user and the greater hazard it presents to the
population exposed to second and third-hand smoke,” said Valencia.
Based on the World Health Organization (WHO)
Global Facts on Tuberculosis (TB), 2011: 8.7 million fell ill with TB; 1.4
million died from TB, including 430, 000 people living with HIV (PLHIV); 70,
000 children died due to TB globally; TB is the leading killer of PLHIV; TB
death rate decreased by 41% since 1990; 80% of reported TB cases occurred in 22
countries; Multi-Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB), due to inappropriate or incorrect
TB Drugs, do not respond to the standard TB treatment and is difficult to
treat; there is an estimated 630, 000 people with MDR-TB; 51 million TB
patients have been successfully treated since 1995 worldwide.
Of the 3,134 cases of TB in Caraga in 2011 who
accessed treatment from various institutions including RHUs, BHS’,
Public-Private Mix DOTS (Directly Observed Therapy – Short Course), 92% or 2,
885 were cured with proper treatment and support from their significant others;
while 2% of the cases or 63 individuals died.
In 2012, a total of 3, 228 new smear positive
cases were recorded. 171 were screened with Multi-Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB),
of which, 24 were enrolled in the treatment program. 3 of the 24 cases died;
and 1 default (stopped) treatment.
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacteria,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, that most often affect the lungs. It is spread from
one person to another through the air when infected people cough, sneeze or
spit. TB is manifested by cough, possibly with bloody mucus, fatigue, shortness
of breath, weight loss, slight fever that usually occurs in the afternoon, and
night sweats. TB is confirmed by Direct Sputum Smear Microscopy (DSSM) which
detects the acid-fast bacilli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis is curable and preventable.
Treatment modalities are provided by the government through the Hospitals, RHUs
and DOTS Centers to address the needs of people infected by TB. However, stigma
and discrimination prove to be the primary barrier for these persons to access
treatment. (DOH-13/PIA-Caraga)
Feature: What diabetic persons should know about
diabetes
By Imelda A. Agdeppa
Recent studies on large numbers of people with
diabetes show that those who keep their blood sugar under tight control best
avoid the complications of diabetes like heart disease, blindness, kidney
failure, and lower extremity amputations.
Experts agree that what works best for people
with diabetes – and everyone for that matter – is regular exercise, little
saturated and trans fatty acids, and a high–fiber diet. Carbohydrates break
quickly during digestion and can raise the blood sugar to dangerous levels.
Glycemic index (GI) ranks foods on how they
affect our blood sugar levels. This index measures how much our blood sugar
increases after we eat. When diabetic patients make use of the glycemic index
to prepare healthy meals, it keeps their blood sugar levels and weight under
control.
Many carbohydrate-rich foods have high glycemic
indexes, and they certainly are not good in any substantial quantity for people
with diabetes. Other carbohydrates like complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber
break down more slowly, releasing glucose gradually into our blood streams and
are said to have lower glycemic indexes which are good for diabetic patients.
Studies on glycemic indexes by experts showed
that many of the starchy foods we eat a lot produce the highest glycemic
response. These are white bread, some breakfast cereals, e.g. cornflakes, rice
and baked potatoes but complex carbohydrates present in potatoes are
digestible. Low glycemic foods include beans, barley, pasta, oats, apples,
oranges, peaches, peanuts, strawberries, sweet corn and carrots. Likewise,
vinegar, and lemon juice help reduce glycemic load, the amount of carbohydrate
in a serving of a particular food.
Many foods have few available carbohydrates in a
standard serving. We call these the "free foods" because they are
essentially free of any impact on your blood sugar. These foods contain less
than 5 grams of available carbohydrate in a 100-gram portion. The rest of the
portion is protein, fat, fiber, ash and water.
Examples of these foods are: (1) vegetables – asparagus, beans, cabbage,
broccoli, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, okra, mushrooms, tomatoes, radishes,
spinach, turnips and peppers; (2) fruits – avocados, raspberries, strawberries;
(3) eggs and dairy – cheese, milk, eggs, yogurt plain; (4) beverages – coffee,
diet soda, tea and water.
The glycemic index should not, however, be the
only criterion when selecting what to eat. The total amount of carbohydrate,
the amount and type of fat, and the fiber and salt content are also important.
Consider also, that, factors such as variety, cooking, and processing may
affect a food’s glycemic index.
The Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos
developed by the Technical Working Group led by the Food and Nutrition Research
Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) recommends to
eat a variety of foods everyday in order to have a well balance diet.
For more information on food and nutrition,
contact Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research
Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue,
Bicutan, Taguig City, E-Mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com,
Telefax: (02) 8372934, (02) 8273164, or call (02) 8372071 local 2296 or visit
our website: http:www.fnri.dost.gov.ph (FNRI-DOST S&T Media
Service/PIA-Caraga)
Feature: FNRI recommends using iodized salt in
meat products
By Czarina Teresita S. Martinez
MANILA, Sept 7 -- The Food and Nutrition
Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST)
recommends using iodized salt in processed foods like ham, tocino, tapa,
hotdog, sausage, longganisa and the like.
These are all-time favorites of the young and
grown-ups alike for meals and snacks.
Using iodized salt in processing meat products
may increase the iodine available in the diet of consumers patronizing
processed food items.
Availability of iodine in the diet may help
maintain optimum nutrition, as this micronutrient helps prevent goiter,
impaired mental function, retarded physical development and congenital
anomalies among children.
Food
fortification is one of the strategies in preventing micronutrient deficiency
in the population.
The FNRI believes that universal salt iodization
(USI) is the recommended strategy to eliminate iodine deficiency disorder (IDD)
in the population by using salt to carry iodine in the diet.
Related to this, the FNRI-DOST conducted a study
on the quality of salt in the Philippines, led by the group of Marcela C.
Saises, Senior Science Research Specialist of the Food Research and Development
Group.
The study found that salt produced in Pangasinan
and Occidental Mindoro are safe for human consumption.
The trace elements found in salt, such as lead,
cadmium, arsenic, mercury, calcium and magnesium were found to conform to the
acceptable levels set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Saises' group also studied the effects of
iodized salt on the quality of meat products such as ham, tocino and hotdog.
The study found that the meat products using
iodized salt had higher iodine content while the color was enhanced making the
product or a bit darker.
The meat products, when tested for shelf-life,
were found to retain high iodine content and the general acceptability levels
were close to "like very much".
Further studying the iodine levels retained in
processed foods after boiling, frying and steaming, Saises' group found that
significant amounts were retained in cooked meats seasoned with iodized salt.
Results of studies of Saises' group were used as
basis in promoting the mandatory use of iodized salt in processed food products.
The FNRI-DOST recommends including iodine-rich
food in daily meals, like fish, shellfish, and seaweeds.
Iodized salt and processed meats containing
iodized salt are also recommended in moderate amounts as good sources of
iodine.
For more information on food and nutrition,
contact Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research
Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue,
Bicutan, Taguig City. E-mail: mcv@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com
Telefax: 837-2934 and 827-3164, or call: 8372071 local 2296 or visit our
website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media Services/PIA-Caraga)
Feature: Himbaba-o: odd but tasty and nutritious
veggie
By Czarina Teresita S. Martinez
MANILA, Sept 7 -- Himbaba-o is an indigenous
vegetable in the Philippines. According
to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), himbaba-o is
widely grown in the Philippines. As proof, the DENR gathered unique names for himbaba-o
in the different provinces of the Philippines.
In Luzon, it is known as alukon in Ilocos, baeg
in Pangasinan, alokon bongon in Mt. Province, himbaba-o in Nueva Ecija, kabag
in Mindoro, alitagtag in Camarines. While in the Visayas, himbaba-o is known as
bulbulan in Cebu and Negros, and talubang in Siquijor. In Mindanao, himbaba-o
is known as karud in Misamis, liba in Davao, and malabingan in Sulu.
Himbaba-o is a small to medium-sized tree.
Horticulturists classify himbaba-o as a dioecious tree. Dioecious trees have
male and female flowers in separate trees. Thus, it is important for the male
and female trees to be planted near each other for pollination to occur.
The DENR reports that himbaba-o is a
drought-tolerant and fast-growing species. In Mindanao, himbaba-o wood is used
for paneling, furniture, and cabinetwork. In the Visayas, the wood is used in
making boats and canoes because it is water resistant.
The Ilocanos use the himbaba-o's tender young
leaves and the flowers as ingredients for vegetable stew.
The Philippine Food Composition Tables (FCT)
published by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of
Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) reports that the himbaba-o flower contains
362 milligrams of calcium and 645 micrograms of beta-carotene while the same
amount of leaves contain 357 micrograms of calcium and 3,035 micrograms of
beta-carotene per 100 grams edible
portion each.
My grandmother, an Ilocana, used to cook stewed
himbaba-o topped with fried fish. The dish is popularly known as dinendeng or
inabrao. Here's how to prepare it:
Ingredients:
2-3 tablespoons bagoong na isda
1 head garlic, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup, patani or young lima beans, peeled
1/2 cup saluyot leaves, clean and trimmed
1/2 cup himbaba--o flowers, clean and trimmed
1 piece fried fish
Procedure:
Dilute bagoong na isda in 2 cups hot water and
strain. Simmer water seasoned with bagoong
for 2 minutes then add garlic and patani. Simmer for 3 minutes or until
patani is tender. Add saluyot and himbaba-o flowers and simmer for 5 minutes or
until himbaba-o and saluyot leaves turn deep green and the broth becomes thick.
Top with fried fish and cook for a minute. Serve hot.
The FNRI-DOST promotes the use of indigenous
vegetables. Recently, FNRI-DOST recently published "Lutong FNRI: Mga
Katutubong Gulay," a collection of indigenous vegetable recipes from soup
to dessert. The collection also contains information on the yield per recipe
and the estimated energy and nutrient content per serving.
"Lutong FNRI: Mga Katutubong Gulay"
and other nutritious recipes are available at the FNRI-DOST Library and soon it
will be uploaded in the FNRI website.
For more information on food and nutrition,
contact Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research
Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue,
Bicutan, Taguig City, E-Mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com,
Telefax: (02) 8372934, (02) 8273164, or call (02) 8372071 local 2296 or visit
our website: http:www.fnri.dost.gov.ph (FNRI-DOST S&T Media
Service/PIA-Caraga)
Brown rice: The heart-healthier choice
By Ma. Susana O. Encarnacion
Do you know that brown rice or “unpolished rice”
is more nutritious than white rice? Rice when polished loses significant amount
of calcium, phosphorous and thiamine.
Brown rice, with only the husk removed retains its brown color due to
the bran layer left intact. This bran layer is also believed to have
cholesterol lowering effects. It is rich
in dietary fiber which may reduce the risk factors associated with
constipation, hypertension, diabetes and colorectal cancer.
Despite its health benefits, only a few people
use brown rice. It is because brown rice
has short shelf life. Moreover, it is
not usually available in the market due to low supply and consumers are not
aware of its health benefits.
In support of the government’s advocacy to
promote brown rice, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department
of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) conducted a study that has been able to
extend the shelf-life of brown rice from its original one to four months to 4
to 9 months.
The consumption of brown rice because of its
higher milling recovery and higher satiety value may provide a promising
solution to our country’s problem of rice shortage and importation. This may contribute significantly to the
realization of the Filipino dream of rice self-sufficiency.
Now that you know that brown rice is good for
your health and our economy, isn’t it time to shift from white rice to brown
rice?
This message is brought to you by the Food and
Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, the
government’s lead agency on food and nutrition research and development. For
more information, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, FNRI-DOST, General
Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telefax Numbers: 837-2934 and 837-3164;
email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph, mar_v_c@yahoo.com; website:
http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
