The Farm, Mandala win Asian awards
Two wellness resorts won international recognition in the first Spa Asia Crystal Awards (SACA) held in Singapore November last year under the auspices of the Spa Asia Media Pte, Ltd., publisher of Spa Asia Retreats & Vacations.
The Farm at San Benito in Lipa, Batangas received the Best Retreat, Best Holistic Healing Program, and Best New Age Activity awards while the Mandala Spa in Boracay won the award for Best Rejuvenation Program.
SACA covers 47 categories. This year's winners were chosen from 120 nominations sent in by spa customers and readers of Spa Asia Retreats & Vacations. Customer feedback forms were collated and a panel of judges verified the feedback and assessed the standards of each of the nominees.
The Farm at San Benito is a luxurious five-star spa resort in Lipa, Batangas. It welcomes guests to its world-class holistic health resort, complete with a fully integrated medical facility specializing in alternative non-Western diagnostics and the treatment of degenerative, acute, and chronic diseases. It also offers Asia's only gourmet vegetarian restaurant.
Mandala Spa, on the other hand, takes advantage of the charm of Boracay Island to offer its clients a health-rejuvenation program with the help of its well-trained staff.
Gift of support for cancer patients
Composed of children stricken with cancer, their families, and volunteers, the Kythe Support Group got together at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) on December 15 for a day of gift-giving.
As part of its commitment to fight cancer and improve the lives of cancer patients, Biomedis Oncology spearheaded the event, which was done in partnership with Unilab's Ethical Franchise and Business Development Group.
There were 25 participants, who handed bags of goodies to and spent time with patients and families in EAMC's Tumor Clinic and cancer wards. This activity allowed the members of the Kythe Support Group to get to know other cancer patients, inpatients, and those consulting at the Tumor Clinic.
The adult participants said that they "felt blessed and happy that they are able to reach out and share themselves despite the busy lifestyle that they had."
Not forgetting that kids with cancer enjoy what other kids enjoy, Unilab Biomedis Oncology prepared a Jollibee packed lunch to culminate the activity.
The goodness of tea in good taste
Filipinos aren't really tea drinkers. Many of us don't like the taste of tea and find it too inconvenient to brew tea.
This is a pity since tea, particularly green tea, is chockfull of flavonoids, phytochemicals, polyphenols, and other antioxidants that promote health and well-being. Numerous studies have correlated green-tea drinking with longevity, reduced risks for cancer and heart diseases, lower cholesterol levels in the blood, weight loss, and even good teeth and fresh breath.
Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG seems to be one of green tea's most active health components, studies show. It is a polyphenol that makes up about 70 percent of the total catechin content of green tea.
If EGCG were added to food without changing the food's look and taste at all, would Filipinos be more receptive to the idea of consuming it regularly? The prospect of this is very promising, which was why DSM Nutritional Products (DNP), came out with Teavigo, a concentrated green tea extract that contains 95-percent EGCG, in 2003.
Food, beverage, and health-care products fortified with Teavigo can now boast of green tea's healing properties as well.
In November last year, DNP launched Let's Get HealthTea with Teavigo. Tom Bruynel, DNP Asia-Pacific area manager for food and pharma industries, said that consuming between 150 to 300 mg of EGCG per day would make a significant contribution to health.
In September 2003, DSM, a global leader in the supply of life science and nutritional products, performance materials, and industrial chemicals, acquired Roche Vitamins and Fine Chemicals Division and renamed it DSM Nutritional Products. This made DSM the world's leading supplier of vitamins, carotenoids, biochemicals, and other fine chemicals to the food, feed, health, and cosmetics industries.
Besides Teavigo, DNP has launched Lafti (a second-generation probiotic strain), Radiance CR (new vitamin combination concept for skin care), Ronozyme AX (innovative multienzyme preparation for animal feed), and Vevovitall (environment-friendly feed acidifier for improved performance in swine).
DSM, which began as a state-owned coal-mining company in the Netherlands in 1902, is now an advanced biotechnology and chemicals company with 11 large production sites in seven countries and annual sales of US$8 billion.
M. Ciriacruz
Belly dancing in Motilium launch
Belly dancer--if we could all be one, to get away from those nagging bellyaches that get in the way of work and pleasure.
Many of us should welcome those rolls and ripples taking place around our middle. After all, belly dancing--the latest craze to hit the country--besides being a fun and sexy way of losing weight and keeping fit, also helps ensure proper digestion.
For just like the rest of the gastrointestinal tract, our stomach has a mechanical action on food, which allows food to empty out into the small intestines once the gastric juices have done their part.
Unfortunately, just as life becomes more fast-paced, the stomach of some of us reacts by becoming lazy--normal stomach movements slow down, which causes food to remain in the stomach longer than normal, making us experience symptoms like bloating, gas, heavy stomach, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, early satiety, and heartburn.
This condition is called dyspepsia, common among us--with more than 20 percent of the population suffering from it--yet few realizing that they have it. Overeating; rich, fatty, and spicy foods; alcohol; and stress are the usual causes. People usually take antacids to relieve some, but not all, of the symptoms. Or they may take a medication that specifically treats dyspepsia.
The leading prescription medication for dyspepsia in its class is domperidone (Motilium). Doctors around the world have been prescribing it for over two decades. In many countries, it is available over the counter (OTC). In the Philippines, it is also now available OTC. On December 2, Jannsen Pharmaceutica launched Motilium OTC in a Moroccan-inspired event featuring belly dancing and an improvisational comedy act to highlight the role of the stomach's motility in stomach problems.
According to Alexander Delgado, Jannsen Pharmaceutica associate medical manager, most people always associate stomach problems with acid overproduction; they self-medicate with antacids--to little effect, because the problem in a lot of instances is with "the way the stomach moves." He explained that Motilium works by counteracting the activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine. It binds with dopamine receptors in the stomach so that dopamine can no longer exert its effect, which is to slow down the stomach's movements.
Hyperacidity could coexist with dyspepsia, Delgado added. "If your stomach is not moving very well, food stays there, therefore acid also stays there," he explained. He said that Motilium can safely be taken with antacids. But Motilium has to be taken 15 to 30 minutes before meals while antacids are to be taken after.
M. Ciriacruz
Antioxidant scan and boost
What is the amount of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, milk, eggs, and meat sources we need to consume daily to achieve the optimal antioxidant level in the body?
The answer: More than we can eat! Just imagine a pile of these food groups almost as high as an average person's height.
Yet according to studies, we need this much antioxidant-containing nutrients to combat at full strength the free radicals that ravage our cells and tissues, leading to ageing and various diseases.
Stress, pollution, smoking, strenuous exercise, and even eating lead to the creation of an excessive number of these free radicals--unpaired electrons that steal other electrons from molecules. When free radicals attack proteins, lipids, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), cells become vulnerable to cancer-causing chemicals or carcinogens.
Fortunately, a network of antioxidants inside our bodies controls this destructive process. The body produces its own antioxidants but many important ones come from the diet.
Some of the most potent antioxidants are carotenoids--the red, yellow, and orange pigments found in fruits and vegetables. The amount of carotenoids in the body gives a good reflection of our protection from free-radical damage. But how do we find out if we are getting enough protection or not?
Using a technology developed by Nobel Prize winner Sir C.V. Raman in 1928, the Raman Spectroscopy, which is a way of measuring light signals emitted by certain molecules, Pharmanex developed a portable scanner that measures the presence of carotenoid antioxidants in the skin.
Called the BioPhotonic Scanner, it sends safe, low-energy blue light into the skin to get an immediate reading.
At its launch November last year, Carsten Smidt, Pharmanex vice president for global research and development, pointed out how the BioPhotonic Scanner can impress upon people the importance of keeping antioxidant levels in the body high.
"They (consumers) don't know themselves if they need more antioxidants. That's why this whole concept about antioxidants has been a little bit vague and elusive. It doesn't mean a whole lot to people because they can't measure it," he explained.
Smidt also pointed out that dietary supplementation should be done using the right combination of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, to take advantage of its synergistic effect for optimal health benefit. He recommends Lifepak, a dietary supplement that "was put together through our vast network of scientific connections, using thousands of clinical studies that have been published worldwide."
Lifepak also contains the most important carotenoid: lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and lutein.
Pharmanex's local affiliate is NuSkin Philippines, which is where the public may try the Biophotonic Scanner to find out if they are getting enough antioxidants.
M. Ciriacruz
Ending the dry spell
Vaginal dryness usually occurs when a woman experiences certain hormonal changes--after childbirth, while breast-feeding, while undergoing extensive medication, as well as during moments of severe stress and anxiety. The most com-mon cause of vaginal dryness, however, is menopause.
Because of social and cultural barriers, as well as lack of information, women often misconstrue vaginal dryness as an uncommon "sexual deficiency." Those who experience it are reluctant to discuss the problem with their spouses or a doctor. A recent study conducted in the United States by Johnson & Johnson showed that 42 percent of menopausal women experience vaginal dryness, but only 23 percent sought remedial actions.
In Thailand, studies also show that misinformed women tend to acknowledge vaginal dryness as a "personal fault," enduring severe pain during sex. Consequently, their sexual drive greatly decreases, which, in turn, negatively affects their relationship with their partners. Medical experts explain that this should not be the case since treatment is readily available to alleviate the discomforts of dryness. Using a lubricant is the most common advice doctors give to women with vaginal dryness.
Vaginal dryness is also a common complaint among menopausal Filipino women. Obstetrician-gynecologist Rebecca Singson notes, however, that many Filipino women consult her regarding painful intercourse, unaware that this is primarily caused by vaginal dryness. However, there are also patients who have learned to understand and embrace their condition.
In choosing a lubricant, Singson reminds women to avoid "petroleum-based products or even baby oil as these can trigger infections. Ideal products are those that are water-soluble, odorless, tasteless, and sterile."
Johnson & Johnson's KY Lubricating Jelly, which is water-based and nonirritating, helps relieve dryness and protect the genital area from irritation. It is especially formulated to complement with the natural vaginal pH level, making it gentle and safe to use.
Allan Ancheta, Johnson & Johnson Philippines senior professional marketing manager, says: "Our product has long been used by top doctors in ultrasound and other medical examinations. Through the years, it has been recognized as the leading treatment for vaginal dryness. It has delivered nothing less than relief and satisfaction among consumers--a clear vote of confidence that KY Jelly is a safe, reliable, and effective product."
Spring water for sensitive skin
Among Filipinos, France is renowned for having within its borders the town of Lourdes, where an underground spring was supposedly where the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous (later Saint Bernadette). The water from that spring is now believed to have the power to heal.
In a press conference September last year, representatives from the Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmetique Laboratories, a research institution focusing on applications in dermatology and dermatopharmacy, talked about another spring in France that produces extraordinarily soothing waters--the Avène thermal spring (discovered in 1736).
They related that in the Dermatological Hydrotherapy Center near the spring, dermatologists study the waters from the Avène thermal spring for use in a variety of sensitive-skin-type problems--atopic dermatitis, chronic eczema, psoriasis, generalized or localized pruritus, burns, and skin-healing problems.
Apparently, the waters of the Avène spring take in vital minerals and trace elements from a subterranean journey that lasts 40 years to emerge rich in soothing and antiirritant properties.
However, unlike the spring water in Lourdes or other spring waters that are said to heal, Avène thermal spring water is a "medical water," the representatives from Pierre Fabre pointed out.
Health benefits are not from any supposed miraculous healing property but from a unique mineral and pH balance and purity. "It is a water used to treat [and] cure patients," they stressed.
More than 600 clinical studies have shown that Avéne thermal spring water is particularly good for those with sensitive skin. It makes the skin less reactive, restores the skin's pH balance, and improves the skin's defense system.
Because the spring is directly channeled to the production unit, where the spring water is bottled under sterile conditions, its purity is preserved outside its natural setting.
Avène Thermal Spring Water, the essential care for sensitive skin, is now available in the Philippines in spray bottles and as essential ingredient in a range of skin-care products.
DermAsia Corporation exclusively markets Avène dermocosmetic products. For information, contact +63-2-2446992 or go to avenehydrotherapycenter.com and dermaweb.com.
M. Ciriacruz
Program for hospital managers
One of the greatest challenges the health sector faces today is developing an effective and responsive health-care delivery system. There is an increasing need for hospital managers to step up and assume leadership roles that can benefit their community. Hospital managers must be groomed to deal with the fast-evolving medical technologies, financing, regulatory environment, restructuring of work, and increased focus on preventive care.
Recognizing this need, Johnson & Johnson Philippines Inc. recently established a program for hospital managers in partnership with the Ateneo Graduate School of Business (AGSB).
Dubbed as the Johnson & Johnson-Ateneo Graduate School of Business Hospital Management Program, it aims to enhance the leadership skills of the participants; develop competencies in managing and integrating the various functions of hospital organizations; upgrade their abilities in formulating organizational vision, strategies, and policies; and engage them in a synergistic understanding of the world of doctors and the world of managers. Johnson & Johnson extended a grant of PhP2.17 million to support the program.
"We are pleased to have entered into a partnership with Johnson & Johnson in this venture and together be able to do something about improving the capabilities of hospitals in delivering health-care services to our people," said Dr. Alfredo Bengzon, dean of AGSB.
The course is an intensive five-day program for doctors, professional managers, and paramedical professionals in top administrative and management positions in public and private hospitals. It covers topics on the Philippine health situation, managerial ethics and leadership, resource and strategic management, among others, in a combination of lectures, group discussions, workshops, home reading assignments, case studies, and hospital tours.
Michael del Prado, managing director for Johnson & Johnson Medical Philippines, said they hope the program can serve as a catalyst for other joint and sustained educational and research initiatives that address common concerns in health care.
"We believe that good health care can only be delivered by viable facilities and this program will help hospital managers achieve this. It will also serve as a network for the participants so the learning does not stop and best practices in improving health-care delivery can be shared and replicated across more hospitals," he added.
SLMC pioneers IT use in operations
St. Luke's Medical Center (SLMC) recorded another first in the Philippine health-care industry when it recently adopted the SAP Industry Solution for Healthcare to integrate all its administrative and clinical procedures.
"This acquisition is in line with our efforts to constantly upgrade our competencies in areas of service, technology, research, and professional expertise," said Edith Simeon, SLMC vice president for finance. "Our commitment to deliver excellent health care through highly competent professionals utilizing cutting-edge technology and research sets SLMC apart from other medical institutions," she added.
SAP Industry Solution for Healthcare, an industry-specific portfolio using solutions from my SAP Business Suite, is designed to meet the needs of health-care organizations to deliver and manage health-care services in an evolving electronic world. The solution provides web-enabled, fully integrated tools for patient administration and accounting, patient relationship management, resource management, financial management, clinical-supply-chain management, business analytics, and decision support in an open, collaborative and personalized environment.
SAP Philippines managing director Krishnendu Datta said the SAP industry Solution for Healthcare paves the way for St. Luke's to become a "hospital of the future." "SAP understands that today's hospitals face the challenges of managing an increasingly complex business environment in which rising costs, changing organizational structures and multiple information systems place heavy demands on the organization and its staff," said Datta. "The 'hospital of the future' is where a patient receives proper medical attention promptly through an automated and integrated system that helps coordinate and optimize all aspects of patient care, from tracking inpatient and outpatient services to care planning and documenting to providing clinical care and aftercare management."
SAP Industry Solution for Healthcare enables patients to book their doctor's appointments and check their hospital bills online and doctors and nurses to easily access and review patient records and control and monitor treatments from their workstations. Precision and accuracy are significantly increased, as patient services are tracked and documented in the system. For example, lab data, test results, patient histories, and other relevant information can be distributed to the appropriate department or health-care provider as needed.
"This easy access to a patient's pertinent medical information is important for doctors to dispense the correct treatment's," said Datta.
Another benefit is the seamless integration of management and operations in the hospital's various operational departments. For example, if medicines are short in one nurses' station, requests for additional supplies can be made online to the hospital's pharmacy.
SLMC will deploy the system this year. Eventually, all of the hospital's processes would be integrated to its extension clinic in Ermita and the soon-to-rise 500-bed hospital at the Fort Bonifacio Global City.
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