Isn’t this just what we need? I cannot vouch this early if it’s effective but I vow to come back for more sessions to address the body malaise that I’ve been feeling lately. The Reflex Zone uses the Rwo Shur Health Method of Reflexology which was developed by Swiss Catholic priest Fr. Joseph Eugster in Taiwan. It’s distinctive for its use of ” very firm pressure, thus taking its focus beyond relaxation to detoxification and revitalization.”

Shown in photo:the zone’s young owners Jamie and Alex Coyuito.

To begin the session, an attendant leaves our tired feet to soak in a bowl of warm water and pours the content of a packet of powder which magically solidifies into a gel-like mixture after. They call this their Signature Peppermint Crystal Mud Foot Soak.

For the reflexology proper, only male attendants are tapped to do the work. They are all licensed Physical Therapists who have done extensive training at the Rwo Shur Health Institute International in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It seems males are preferred because the kind of pressure they apply are firm and consistent throughout.

The session focuses on my feet and toes. I felt my body awaken from the deep pressure and at times I felt a tinge of pain which can signify a problem (have to visit the doctor soon). In between, we consult the foot chart. Apparently, there are reflex points on the feet which correspond to all the different glands, organs, and systems of the body. Applying pressure to these points breaks up crystalline deposits of uric acid, calcium, and lactic acid on different areas of the feet, and clears blockages and toxins from the corresponding body parts. Looks promising indeed.

The therapists wind up our session with some form of massage on our arms.

My feet wrapped in a towel by therapist Bob signified that my reflexology was over. I felt relieved, with a new sense of energy. I am hopeful of this kind of reflexology’s promise which also addresses health complaints like headaches, sinus problems, insomnia, obesity, lack of concentration, and hormonal imbalances, a common malady among women.

I was also surprised to find out that The Reflex Zone offers reflexology services to children aged 5 to 8 years old. It is meant to address childhood problems like allergies, digestive problems, sleep disruption, and emotional or behavioral problems.

Cost per session is P1,000 for adults and P800 for children.

The flagship branch of The Reflex Zone natural therapy center is located at the Ground Floor of the Narra Building, 2276 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City. It is open on Tuesdays to Sundays, 1 pm – 10 pm. Appointments and queries may be made through 812-0050 or email info@reflexzone.com.ph. For more info, the center’s website is www.reflexzone.com.ph

At a press event last week, I had my hair analyzed via a tool that set off an image of my scalp on the computer. Being a very busy person, taking care of my hair is something I take for granted, preferring to do my hair spas at home rather than the salon. I honestly thought I would fare low in the scalp test they asked me to take via a set of questions. Turns out am normal and have in fact healthy hair!

But am not sitting on my laurel, or should I say crowning glory. Am raring to try the new line of CLEAR anti-dandruff shampoos which they introduced to us at the event. This new line is supposed to bring about the Total 3: No dandruff, No dryness, Less Hair fall. Exactly the same three goals I’d like to have for my hair!

Bea Alonzo is the long-time ambassador of CLEAR shampoo for women. It was my first time to see her in person and I can see why she was chosen for the role. The long tresses of this 5’8″ stunner – one of Philippine cinema’s most popular actresses – are straight, flawlessly smooth and very much healthy.

It was nice to know that both Bea and I prefer to be serviced at home than go to the salon. She said she likes CLEAR as a shampoo brand because of its emphasis on scalp nutrition. ” I never forget to use CLEAR especially when am abroad and the weather lends my hair dry.”

Another brand ambassador, award-winning actor Piolo Pascual, said he loves CLEAR Cool Sport Menthol because of the minty feeling it brings. Piolo never forgets to wash his hair, especially before retiring to bed, to remove the residue of all hair products he used during the day. Having seen Piolo (again!), I can’t help but admire how thick, black and “obedient” his hair looks to the whims of styling or even just simple combing.

It was nice to know that there are now separate shampoos for men and women, especially as it was found out that the respective scalps of men and women are different. The only downside to this is that there’d be less space in our bathroom cabinets. LOL

According to the Clear Paris Institute, male scalps have more sebum and are more prone to dandruff. Women’s scalp are tougher but when exposed to stress, harsh hair care products and hormonal changes, the scalp tends to be unhealthy and more prone to attacks of the fungal source of dandruff, Malasezzia.

CLEAR Men has three variants – Cool Sport Menthol, Anti-hair fall and Cooling Itch Control. They are equipped with resistance boosting vitamins and minerals that work on the inside to strengthen and rebuild the scalp’s natural resistance to scalp problems.

CLEAR Women which comes in the Anti Hair Fall variant and Dry Scalp & Itch Control have a special blend of moisturizing vitamins and lipids to nourish, heal and nurture damaged scalp back to life.

Note: portions taken from the official press release.

It was first time to go to the fourth floor of Greenbelt 5 in Makati City and I didn’t know that in this “wellness level” away from the restos and retail shops of the mall is this one-of-a-kind clinic specializing in age reversal, the prevention of diseases and longevity.

The clinic is called Rapha Health Institute and it is owned by the world-renowned US-trained cardiologist, Dr. Cris Enriquez and his wife Dr. Linda, also US-trained and former assistant clinical professor at Yale University School of Medicine. It’s good that they’ve set up shop in the Philippines to preach the gospel of healthy living among Filipinos. Their treatments and therapies are commendable because they seek to prevent diseases without resorting to drugs or surgery.

I came to the clinic with the hubby because we wanted to try their arterial stiffness test. Amazing but true. I am told this simple, non-invasive test can predict whether or not you’re vulnerable to a heart attack within the next ten years. The doctor puts a flexible cuff on your arm like what happens when your blood pressure is being taken. The cuff is tightened then loosened as the test finishes and pulse waves are shown on the computer which the doctor interprets to be my arterial stiffness index (ASI). At the end of the test, I was glad that my ASI of 35 was within the range and that I was at a low risk for artery disease. There was a disclaimer of course that the “correlation is not absolute and can only be interpreted in light of other risk factors.”

If a normal person like me can find the arterial stiffness test useful, the more it is recommended for those who have been experiencing chest pains, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats and other ills.

According to Dr. Enriquez, cardiovascular ailments are still the leading cause of death in the Philippines. I do know it from the number of acquaintances who have succumbed to strokes, heart attacks or went under the knife for triple heart bypass surgery or angioplasty.

The doctor notes that invasive procedures are not necessary. Most of the time, one’s risk for heart disease can be reversed through lifestyle modification, change in diet, and safe techniques like chelation therapy. The latter entails the infusion of intravenous fluid with all kinds of vitamins and minerals to restore circulation and remove toxic metals from the body.

According to Dr. Cris: “Most cardiologists would rather have you have an angioplasty or a bypass surgery when there is a blockage to your circulation than try a less invasive treatment of chelation, diet, exercise, and stress management.”

It was enlightening short session talking about health with a noted cardiologist. Caring for our body is one thing we shouldn’t delay or take for granted. I’ve made a mental note to visit Rapha Health again soon!

It’s only January after all, and I haven’t forgotten my New Year’s resolution to keep fit and stay healthy. I hardly gulp down soda now, and that’s a good thing! I still drink coffee, and that’s another story One thing that doesn’t hurt us is drinking fruit juices but it can sometimes be a hassle slicing, dicing and pureeing. That is why I opt for ready-made juices which I can buy by the bottle in the market – of course, the more natural, the better.

I was certainly glad to be introduced to the Smart C+ high Vitamin C drink brought to us by Oishi, the cracker maker. One bottle of Oishi Smart C+ already contains 500 mg. of Vitamin C which is all you need to get through the day’s activities.

No more popping the Vit C pill either. Oishi Smart C+ is available in three delicious flavors which you can drink with gusto to supplement your meals …. Lemon Squeeze, Pomelo Grapefruit and Orange Crush. I’ve been taking these as my breakfast juice and I love the fact that they contain no preservatives, artificial color, artificial sweeteners or that sugar-loaded high fructose corn syrup. One bottle is equivalent to 11 lemons or 4pomelos and 8 oranges.

You may wonder what all this fuss about Vitamin C is. We normally take it to prevent colds and infections, especially during the rainy months. But this vitamin certainly has more benefits than meet the eye. It is, for example, a powerful anti-oxidant which aids in important tissue growth and repair and prevents deadly diseases like cancer.

A depleted amount of vitamin C in the body can impair the synthesis of collagen. Collagen, a protein found in every single body cell, is the glue that holds the body together. It connects our tissues, supporting the skin, bones,tendons, cartilage, and muscles. Needed to maintain cellular integrity, collagen provides our cells with strength, flexibility, and resilience.Vitamin C enables the body to produce and maintain the collagen it needs to help our cells to recover from daily wear and tear.

On the other hand, hydration is the reason why we need to take our Vitamin C in liquid form. I remember when I was pregnant how my doctor told me to drink water as much as possible. Drinking our daily fluids ensures proper digestion, lessens joint pains, improves skin texture and gives us much-needed energy boost. Just be careful to choose your drink from the many varieties available in the market. They might do you more harm than good as most of them contain high amounts of sugar and additives.

Find Oishi Smart C in leading supermarkets and health stores or keep updated through their Facebook page

Or, better yet, view this commercial

A good support system is important during pregnancy. When I was carrying my baby Lucy (now four months), I was most thankful to the hubby for driving me to and from work, indulging my food cravings and absorbing my mood swings I would have liked to bond with fellow preggy mommas but unfortunately none of my friends were pregnant the same time I was. So yeah, what fun it would have been if I joined some sort of pregnancy class.

I was acquainted with the Iberet Gift of Life class just recently and would readily recommend this to couples coping with the highs and lows of child-bearing. The classes are conducted by the Perinatal Association of the Philippines (PAP) and sponsored by Iberet, the most trusted iron supplement brand made by Abbott. Simply put, Gift of Life is a program that disseminates information on maternal and child care through regular half-day classes for expectant mothers and their husbands.

The classes are conducted by doctors and other experts in perinatal care, and deals with such topics as pregnancy exercises, proper nutrition for a healthy pregnancy, a short Lamaze class and even baby sign language. Classes are typically attended by 50 to 100 couples, but according to PAP, a recent class in Bicol filled an entire movie theater.

People go out of the way to attend Gift of Life classes, as the PAP gets the best available speakers. The GOL classes are free, and the topics they teach about are those that typically only well to do couples can get from more exclusive and expensive OB-gynecologists.

Last week, this blogger was fortunate enough to attend one of PAP’s sessions where it invited no less than Dr. Nils Milsman, a respected world authority on anemia and human iron metabolism.

In his talk at the Crowne Plaza Galleria in Pasig City, Dr. Milman raised the alarm about the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in infanticipating women and how this causes preterm birth, complications at delivery and even maternal death.

The problem, he said, is especially serious in the Philippines where anemia affects 44 per cent of pregnant women and 42 per cent of those who are not pregnant. Inadequate iron supply in expectant moms can greatly affect a fetus’ developing brain and impair the baby’s intelligence or psychomotor development at birth.

This is the reason why doctors recommend the intake of ferrous iron and folic acid as early as the time when a woman is trying to conceive. Food that have been found to have sufficient iron stores include meat, poultry, fish, and calf liver.

I remember when I was pregnant and I complained to my OB-gyne that I felt awful every time I took my multivitamin. And he said I needed to take it to have sufficient iron supply in my body. He said the choice was between taking my vitamins (which made me retch) or eating steak everyday (steak is rich in iron). So I just resorted to the cheaper method

It is true that the typical diet of a Filipino woman quite simply does not contain an adequate amount of iron to meet the recommended daily intake.
As such, taking iron supplements like Iberet are a must. While anemia remains a dangerous disease, it can be prevented and even treated by taking the correct recommended dosage of iron daily. Even when one is not pregnant, taking iron supplements regularly ensures that the body has enough iron to produce the needed amount of hemoglobin, this in turn ensures that your blood and body are adequately oxygenated.

I thought I was already eating enough, but attending a talk sponsored by Amway-Nutrilite recently on how to “color your diet” made me realize how much still needs to be done. For starters, think about the colors of the rainbow and how the colors translate to what we need to eat in terms of fruits and vegetables per day.

Nutrilite scientist Donald Pusateri asked: “did it ever occur to you why those living in rural farms are healthier than those living in the city?” Not only because of the fresh air they breathe but because of a diet rich in phytonutrients, or those which can be derived from plants.

Mr. Pusateri said that in order to be healthy, one must take from five to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, preferably one from every color.

Here’s an easy guide:

Red : one small apple a day will do, 12 cherries or 17 red grapes
Benefits – These fruits support cell, prostate, vascular, immune and DNA health

Yellow and Orange: 1/2 cup cooked squash, 3/4 cup fresh pineapple, one large pear, one cup papaya or 1/2 mango
Benefits – They support healthy immune function, cardiovascular health, vision health, cell protection and maintains skin hydration.

Green: 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw spinach, zucchini, broccoli, green beans or romaine lettuce
Benefits: They support lung and vision health, strong bones and teeth and maintain healthy cell growth

Blue and purple: 1/2 cup cooked red cabbage or eggplant, 3/4 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup purple sweet potatoes
benefits – Food in this color range support heart, brain and bone health and provide antioxidant protection

White: One large pear, one small banana, 1/2 cup cooked cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, potatoes or turnips, 10 peanuts
Benefits – For healthy enzyme function, the maintenance of healthy bone metabolism and to preserve arterial function

Since some of us can’t get enough of the required five to ten servings of fruits and veggies each day, I found the Nutrilite lineup of nutritional supplements useful. Disclosure: we got two bottles of the brand’s tablet concentrates during the nutritional lecture and I am now taking them daily. Nutrilite Concentrated Fruits and Vegetables contains phytonutrients and whole food extracts of green tea, pomegranate, orange, elderberry, blueberry, acerola, broccoli, carrot, spinach and tomato. On the other hand, Nutrilite Daily Food Supplement contains 11 vitamins and 8 minerals with plant compounds.

These are just the health products I need and I wouldn’t mind buying them again from my favorite Amway dealer. Call the Amway hotline at 814-8181 for more information on how to color your diet

We admire basketball star and barangay kagawad (of Urdaneta Village, Makati) Chris Tiu for being the face of a new campaign to raise public awareness against sexually-transmitted infection dubbed ” Help Fight HPV.” For him, it’s not a multi-million peso endorsement for a mobile phone or power drink. Still, the benefits are priceless since it will warn the public, especially the young and carefree, about the health risks of contracting the human papilloma virus or HPV.

Sure, HPV is not the same as HIV or AIDS, but the effects are equally menacing. Most people with HPV do not develop symptoms or health problems but sometimes, certain types of HPV can cause genital warts in men and women. Other HPV types may cause cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers.

As such, Help Fight HPV was launched earlier this year by global pharmaceutical company MSD, medical groups such as UP-PGH OB-Infectious Disease Section, Society of Gynecologic Oncologists of the Philippines, Philippine Society of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy, and patient support group Carewell.

Chris Tiu says: “I admit to being initially hesitant when I was approached about the advocacy. But once the facts were laid down to me, and after doing my own research, I knew that it was a cause that I want to be a part of.”

HPV is a common infection affecting both men and women. One doesn’t need to have multiple or simultaneous partners to get infected. Even in a monogamous relationship, one can still be at risk if the partner has had past sexual activity with an infected partner.

Moreover, HPV is not only transmitted through intercourse, but through any kind of skin to skin contact (for example, hand to genital contact). In rare cases, it may be transmitted from mother to child through childbirth.

“This is not an issue of promiscuity. I, for one, feel strongly about abstinence as the best way to prevent HPV infection. HPV vaccination is a good alternative for helping to protect against certain types of HPV-related diseases, which like any other preventive vaccine, works best prior to exposure to the virus,” Chris said. “Think of it as an investment on your health and the health of your loved ones.”

HPV vaccines, such as the quadrivalent HPV vaccine, have been approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration.

“In reality, whether you’re liberal or conservative, helping spread the message regarding HPV and the ways to prevent infection has the potential to spare a lot of people from undue burden and most likely even save lives. And for that I’m proud to be part of this advocacy,” shares Chris.

For more information, visit www.helpfighthpv.com.

Just as soon as we arrived home from the hospital, my Alagang Healthway card was waiting for me in the mail. Healthway is a one-stop clinic and it’s so convenient because they’re located in the major malls.

I like what the Healthway card offers: unlimited family medicine consultations; one free pediatric consultation; 15% discount on laboratory, diagnostic, dental and imaging services; 10% discount on vaccines.

Helpful for a new mom like me!

It’s now easy for everyone to get this health card for free with the clinic’s tie-up with Wyeth Pre-School Gold. Simply present a valid receipt of purchase of any size of Wyeth Pre-School Gold, dated May 1-July 31, 2010 at any Healthway branch to claim a free Alagang Healthway card.

“Wyeth staunchly advocates the need to support good nutrition with health checkups
to help moms best take care of their children,” says Ricky Espinosa, Wyeth Group
Product Manager. “Through this partnership, we will be able to provide parents and their
kids with the gift of healthcare and ensure that children stay healthy as they grow up.”

Branches can be found in the following Metro Manila malls: Market Market!, SM North EDSA, Rustan’s Shang-ri La, Festival Mall, Alabang Town Center, and Robinson’s Manila.

As a result of the earlier blog post we made about a mystery woman being spotted in the metro, Veet – a leading world depilatory brand – is collaborating with us in holding a promo specially for this blog’s readers. Simply share your most horrific hair removal experience in a few sentences, a paragraph or two and win a dainty gift pack from Veet. The pack contains two boxes of hair removal wax strips and a tube of hair removal cream

How to join:

1. Leave a comment in this post sharing your mortifying hairy story. Make sure to leave a valid email address.

2. Promo is open to Philippine residents only.

3. Five winners will be drawn through random.org. Promo closing date is the following Monday, March 22, 2010, 11:59 p.m.

Speaking of…. I am reminded of my first Brazilian wax experience and how horrifying it was indeed. A classic case of suffer for the sake of beauty It pays to know about depilatory products available in the market and am glad to be acquainted with Veet, a trusted brand when it comes to depilation. It helps that their products have skin care ingredients and moisturizers to suit every type of skin- be it dry, oily or normal. For example, my legs have been turning scaly lately and I’ve tried Veet’s removal cream with the green label which is infused with shea butter and lily, their solution to poorly hydrated skin. Their cold wax strips, on the other hand, are highly-recommended for preventing hair regrowth up to four weeks!

Meanwhile, it’s also not too late to join Veet’s Catch and Shoot Barbara contest. A friend of mine took this picture of her in SM Megamall last Saturday. It seems the buzz is now on Barbara, as you can see.

My tip for winning Catch and Shoot Barbara where posh prizes such as a Macbook Pro and iPhone 3GS are at stake: follow her on Twitter and Facebook. Who knows, it might give you an idea on where she’ll be sighted next!

http://twitter.com/i_am_barbara

http://www.facebook.com/cruz.barbara

Anyway, I could never guess what this room was. Is it a condo or a room in a five-star hotel? No to both. It is part of the presidential suite of the new St. Luke’s. (via isabelledaza on Twitter)

It seems the young model was so impressed. She even described it as “five star” and even better than the poshest hotels around.

I bet prices in this spankin new medical facility are five-star too

A fact sheet of the new St. Luke’s hospital describes it as having a floor space of 154,000 square meters, with a total land area of 1.6 hectares. It will have 600 beds, 400 clinics and two medium-rise towers – the hospital proper and the Medical Arts building.

Address:

Corner of 32nd St. and Fifth Avenue
Bonifacio Global City
Taguig, Metro Manila