The Philippines is facing a growing health crisis that will have a national impact, with studies projecting 41 percent of Filipino adults (29.5 million) to be overweight and obese within the year, increasing the risk for heart disease and diabetes. Minimizing carbohydrates and saturated fats from red meat, and portion control, can help manage body weight. The heavier we are, the greater the risk of all diseases and surgical mortality.
The incidence of T2 diabetes in the Philippines is between 16.3 and 28 percent in various studies. There are now around 5-6 million people who have T2 diabetes, and about 40 million Americans in the United States. Filipino-Americans have 2.5 times higher risk of developing diabetes, due to diet and behavior, and lifestyle in general.
I recently reviewed the Filipino diet to assess its overall health impact. My findings indicate a significant contrast between traditional nutritional benefits and their potential for health, and modern dietary challenges.
The traditional Filipino diet is fundamentally healthy, utilizing nutrient-dense ingredients such as fresh seafood, Omega-3 fatty acids, and tropical superfoods like malunggay, ampalaya, and coconut. Additionally, vinegar-based preparation methods common in dishes such as Adobo and Paksiw can assist in blood sugar management, while fermented items like atsara, buro, and pickles provide beneficial probiotics.
Conversely, modern dietary habits present notable health risks. These include high sodium intake from soy and fish sauces, as well as a high glycemic load from large portions of polished white rice. Furthermore, many popular dishes, such as Lechon and Longganisa, are high in calories and saturated fats.
In summary, while traditional Filipino cuisine offers excellent nutritional value, modern preparation methods and portion sizes require careful management to maintain optimal health.
With a little tweaking (more fish, lower sodium, minimizing or abstaining from rice) the Filipino diet could be a healthy diet, considering the fresher produce and fish we have in the Philippines.
My wife, Farida’s, and my former professor in Pediatrics and friend, Fe del Mundo, internationally acclaimed Pediatrician, the first woman who graduated from Harvard, who lived to almost 100, gave us this magnificent common sense advice on diet: “Push yourself away from the table LESS than FULL.”
We are what we eat. Our health and longevity are actually in our hands. If we have the wisdom and the discipline to live healthily, we can look forward to a life of rewards. God will take care of the rest.
Lumipulse
In May 2025, the US-FDA approved the first blood test for the early detection of Alzheimer’s. It is called Lumipluse, which looks for Alzheimer’s blood markers intended for those 55 and older with signs or symptoms of the disease, but unconfirmed.
Instead of using the expensive PET scan and spinal tap, Lumipulse is certainly almost non-invasive and a simple blood test. The test calculates the ratio of amyloid-beta 40 (normally in the brain) and tau protein (phosphorylated tau 17), which cause tangles in brain cells. Lumipulse is highly positive or negative, a result that is accurate more than 90 percent of the time, and inconclusive in 20 percent of the time.
This new blood test is a boon to mankind. There are 55 million cases of Alzheimer’s around the world, projected to be 152 million by 2050. In the USA, there are 7.2 million people with Alzheimer’s, to increase to 13.8 million by 2060. In the Philippines, there are about one million cases, to rise to 2.5 million by 2050.
Indeed, early diagnosis is vital, not only for the treatment and care, but for the individual to know that he/she has Alzheimer’s, which will get worse, and for the family members to be prepared for this horrible disease.
Hopefully, a strategy for the prevention of Alzheimer’s, if not for a cure, will soon be discovered, especially in this age of Artificial Intelligence and mRNA technology. Alzheimer’s is a dreadful disease, a heavy burden for the family.
Metformin & COVID
Recent studies revealed that “metformin, a staple type 2 diabetes medication, significantly reduces the risk of long COVID by 40% to 60% when taken during acute infection. New research also reveals it acts directly on the brain’s hypothalamus to control hunger and blood sugar, potentially slows aging, and may counteract weight gain from antipsychotics.” As we have pointed out in a previous column, Metformin seemed to help in achieving the maximum potential for longevity for those on it.
GLP-1 & alcohol
At least 12 percent of Americans are currently on a glucagon-like-peptide receptor agonist, known as GLP-1, a class of medication, for diabetes and obesity, and 35 percent more are interested in taking them. GLP-1 is indeed very effective, but like other drugs, they have potential side effects.
Those who are on the wonder drug GLP-1 (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Wegovy, Rybelsus, etc.) should stay away from alcohol, because it counteracts the weight-loss and anti-diabetic effects of GLP-1s. Alcohol can also contribute to dehydration and worsen kidney disease, and impair the effects of medications for high blood pressure.
New studies also show that GLP-1 drugs may help improve postoperative outcomes after some orthopedic procedures, but they are also associated with increased risk for osteoporosis, gout, and osteomalacia in people with diabetes and obesity.
Sleep and lights
“Over the past few years, separate research has linked nighttime light exposure to, yes, sleep disruption, but also negative effects on cardiac, metabolic, cognitive, and mental health. It’s also linked to higher cancer risk, various studies revealed. A good night’s rest (about 8 hours of restful sleep) lowers the risk for cognitive decline, heart disease, stroke, and even cancer.
One of the important parts of sleep hygiene is the environment, which should include a comfortable bed, total darkness (with motion-sensor lights at strategic areas for walking to the bathroom, etc., which totally turn off when you are back in bed), and a slightly cooler temperature of about 70-72 degrees. All the lights, including the blue lights from computers, gadgets, phones, and nightlights, must be turned off. Bedtime should be at least 4 hours after dinner, around 6 PM or earlier, and no stimulants (arguments, TV, tea, or coffee) before bedtime. If needed, a sleep/eye mask. Sleeping pills could have dangerous side effects, especially for seniors. Consult a physician, even for those sold over-the-counter.
If, in spite of the above, maintaining sleep remains a problem, resulting in fatigue, lack of energy, and concentration by the afternoon, seek medical advice for a probable need for a Sleep Study for possible Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which is easily treatable. Sleep is vital to health and longevity.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali, distinguished educators, renowned scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com. On Amazon.com, search for “Where is My America?” Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
