Covering the most noteworthy news stories in the health and wellness industry for the Filipino community.
by Anna Gorman and Harriet Rowan Millions of low-income Californians eligible for food stamps are not receiving the benefit, earning the state one of the lowest rankings in the nation for its participation in the program. Just three states — all much more conservative than the Golden State — have lower rates of participation, according to the latest…
There are already more than a dozen reasons people can use to avoid paying the penalty for not having health insurance. Now the federal government has added four more “hardship exemptions” that let people off the hook if they can’t find a marketplace plan that meets not only their coverage needs but also reflects their…
In an exclusive interview with the Asian Journal, Stargazer shares her top pieces of advice for moving positive energy within yourself and your surroundings. On continuing the year right. “First, you have to acknowledge mistakes in the past. Acknowledging means not denying. It’s a review of your past year. Where did I go wrong? And…
Doctors urge Asians to Quit Smoking and Get Screened for Diabetes According to major medical societies, the U.S. Surgeon General, and recent studies, Asian Americans increase their risk for diabetes by 30-40% for active smokers than nonsmokers. “Smoking is directly linked to lung, throat, and other types of cancer, but according to the 2014 Health…
By: Statepoint Nationwide, 30 million children and adults have diabetes, and 86 million are prediabetic, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). A leading risk factor for Type 2 diabetes is being overweight. But the good news is, according to the ADA, losing just 7 percent of your body weight can decrease that risk by…
By: Statepoint Want to make resolutions you’ll keep this new year? Think simple, sustainable changes. Follow these four steps for a healthier you, inside and out. Stick to your workout After the holidays, the gym is filled with people who have resolved to incorporate exercise routines into their lives. Come February, the novelty of the…
In the U.S., Filipinos have access to fresh malunggay leaves from their backyards, Filipino/Asian groceries, or farmers markets. But in the winter, malunggay is not readily available or if you can find it in at Seafood City, it is prohibitively expensive. Often we have to wait until the following spring or use substitutes such…
EVEN as children, we know all too well that sugar is in our favorite chocolates, candies and other food high in glucose, which can be detrimental to our health and well-being. Through the years, our relationship with this sweet, edible, crystalline carbohydrate continues to be a paradoxical one and, in a sense, perverse. As we grow older,…
IT is exhausting to try and break an endless cycle of unhealthy habits. Come to think of it, you work long hours on weekdays that you’re so drained by the end of the week so instead of hitting the beach or trekking the mountains in some laid-back town to loosen up, you choose to sleep…
Getting started on a workout routine may seem intimidating to beginners, but it’s certainly attainable. Longtime personal trainer and proud Fil-Am Joshua Hayes lends his tips to kick starting a fun, effective workout regime. Workout tips • Be sure to warm-up and cool down before and after each exercise. • Warming up before a workout…
THINK of a spa and the immediate perception is an air of pretense and privilege that only a select few can indulge in, given the exorbitant prices. However, if you live in Los Angeles, Korean spas have sprouted up, contributing to the idea that pampering oneself and affordability are not mutually exclusive. Though the options…
It’s well into the second month of the year — how many individuals have ditched their New Year’s resolutions to get healthy and shed some pounds? But if you’ve stuck to your word or are looking for another way to stay active, there’s a new app for that. Nikko Mendoza, a 30-year-old Filipino from Fairfield,…
From the Sankskrit root “yuj” which means “to yoke,” yoga is an ancient practice and philosophy promoting inner peace by joining the spirit and physical body together. The physical postures or asanas done in yoga are used to purify the body and control the chatter or fluctuations of the mind. Among the many benefits of…
Hello kababayans. It’s that time again when we resolve to change some of our habits for good. We’re naturally feeling optimistic with the arrival of a new year, a cosmic reset – a time for new beginnings. So we sign up for gym memberships, fill our pantry and fridge with sugar-free, fat-free, flavor-free foods, and…
Beauty from a Different Perspective “I see beauty in each culture. But it’s not just beauty on the outside that matters, you have to empower beauty from skin deep. It’s not just all about physical attributes, you have to be very discerning on the perspective of the functions as well.” This has become the primary…
Skeen Face and Body Centre came to life back in 2009 situated in a modest location of 20 square meters clinic in Las Piñas with only two-bed capacity and carrying three machines. It speaks of homey and intimate ambiance located in the heart of DBP Village. Perfectly suited for clients who want privacy with their…
“The greatest wealth is health,” wrote ancient Roman poet Virgil. The formula of a well-balanced diet, managing stress levels, getting more than eight hours of sleep and exercising at least 30 minutes a day has long been thought of as the key of health. Additionally, “wellness” has been a buzzword to encompass a more holistic…
ON July 22, 2015 the largest Zumba class was assembled in Cebu, Philippines. A total of 12,975 participants all dressed in yellow came together to dance and set the Guinness World Record, breaking the previous record set in 2014 with 8,232 attendees in the same city. You can read more about this on the Guinness…
In the United States, kale, avocados, spinach and flaxseeds have all been hailed “superfoods” for their nutritional density and benefits: they contain generous doses of Vitamin A, healthy fat, Vitamin K and omega-3s, respectively. Although many superfoods typically come at a slightly steeper price tag, the Philippines is home to a number of these vitamin-…
Why it’s important to get enough vitamin D ACCORDING to a study from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, spending enough time in the sun could protect against pancreatic cancer. Researchers found that rates of the cancer were highest in countries with the least amount of sunlight, due to a lack of…
Taking care of one’s skin goes beyond vanity, and no one is a champion of that belief more than Dr. Tess Mauricio. Dr. Tess is a Filipina dermatologist who immigrated to the United States from the Philippines at the age of 12 and struggled like anyone new to a foreign land. But with talent and…
According to government research, new cases of breast cancer in the United States are forecast to rise by as much as 50 percent by the year 2030. Though the surge in cases will post “a huge challenge” to medical providers over the coming decades, said coauthor Philip S. Rosenberg of the National Cancer Institute, the…
AN antibiotic-resistant superbug is making its way back to and spreading through the United States that causes severe diarrhea in nearly half a million people nationwide each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the bug, Shigella sonnei, infected 243 people in 32 states and Puerto Rico between May 2015 and…
THE California Department of Public Health released two television ads on Monday, March 23 to inform the public of risks associated with e-cigarettes. “California has been a world leader in tobacco use prevention and cessation since 1990, with one of the lowest youth and adult smoking rates in the nation. The aggressive marketing and escalating…
THE House of Representatives approved a $214 billion bill on Thursday, March 26 that permanently blocks physician Medicare cuts, moving Congress closer to resolving a problem that has plagued both parties for years. The lopsided 392-37 vote shifted pressure onto the Senate, where its prospects have brightened as Democrats have muffled their criticism and President…
A recent survey by private health insurance exchange EHealth highlights the increasing pressure and frustration felt by American families over medical bills. The survey found that more than 6 in 10 people say they’re more worried about the financial effect of expensive medical emergencies and paying for healthcare, than about funding for their retirement or…
CDC warns careful use of antibiotics LIFE-threatening infections caused by bacteria called Clostridium difficile, simply known as C. difficile, now sicken nearly half a million Americans in one year, said health officials on Wednesday, Feb. 25. The number of these infections—which can cause “deadly diarrhea” and damage to the colon—doubled between 2000 and 2010, according…
Vigorous running may do more harm than good. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that light jogging is best for longevity. Those who absolutely did not jog were just as likely to die as those who jogged strenuously and frequently, according to the study. Researchers examined 5,048 healthy…
About 480,000 Americans die each year as a result of smoking, the US surgeon general revealed. However, new analysis by researchers from the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, and other sources suggest that this figure is actually way bigger. Twenty-one causes of death that have been officially blamed on smoking accounted for 83…
A non-profit organization on the east coast is paying healthy people up to $13,000 a year for their feces. OpenBiome, which is based in Medford, Mass., administers frozen stool to patients infected with C. difficile. The bacteria can cause severe gastrointestinal distress that can leave some house ridden. The organization has been processing and shipping…
