Typhoons and calamities increase stroke and heart attacks

TYPHOONS AND CALAMITIES INCREASE STROKE AND HEART ATTACKS: Top Filipino cardiologist Dr. Adolfo Bellosillo, the founder and president of the Foundation for Lay Education of Heart Disease in the Philippines, is correct: typhoons and natural calamities that our countrymen are experiencing may increase strokes and heart attacks among them due to mental stress that could cause surges in blood pressure and faster heartbeats.

And he is also correct in saying that exercises, proper nutrition and avoidance of alcohol and cigarettes could help Filipinos fight and cope up with these dreaded diseases.

But the best antidote to stress, even without exercises, nutrition or avoidance of vices, is putting everything in our lives in God’s hands, trusting in Him more fully, and reading the Bible and following His commands, laws and decrees.

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THE BIBLE PRESCRIBES BEST ANTIDOTES AGAINST STRESS: The Bible itself, in its many parts, prescribes how we can have a healthier life, even with the daily turmoils and stresses of daily living.

In Isaiah 40:31, the admonition goes like this: “…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint…”

In Proverbs 3:1-2, the assurance of a long and healthy life is given this way: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.”

If we go further down Proverbs 3, especially in its verses 7 to 8, health of our body and nourishment of our bones is prescribed in this manner: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones…”

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EATING OUR WAY TO A HEALTHY LIFE: An article in Yahoo! Health which I came across as I was writing this column interested me so much as it involves eating our way to a healthy life. Here is a part of the article, written by SELF editor Lucy Danziger:

“Want to lose weight as you chow down? Your wish is granted! (I promise, this is no fairy tale)…Read on to discover the eight foods that deserve a permanent spot in your fridge—and in your diet!

“Almonds. These yummy nuts are high in alpha-linolenic acid, which can accelerate your metabolism of fats. In fact, dieters who ate 3 ounces of almonds daily slashed their weight and body-mass index by 18 percent, while those who skipped the nuts reduced both numbers less— just 11 percent—a study in the International Journal of Obesity revealed….

“Berries…Strawberries, raspberries and other vitamin C–spiked fruit can supercharge your workout, helping you burn up to 30 percent more fat, research from Arizona State University at Mesa has found….

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HEALTHY FOODS GALORE: “Cinnamon. Adding 1/4 teaspoon to your plate may prevent an insulin spike—an uptick that tells your body to store fat.

“Mustard. It's heaven on a soft pretzel, but mustard may also be a weight loss wonder. Turmeric, the spice that gives mustard its color, may slow the growth of fat tissues, a study in the journal Endocrinology finds…

“Oranges. This citrus fruit, which contains fat-blasting compounds known as flavones, deserves to be your main squeeze. Women who ate the most flavones had a much lower increase in body fat over a 14-year period…

“Soybeans…Soybeans are rich in choline, a compound that blocks the absorption of fat and breaks down fatty deposits….

“Sweet potatoes. The colorful spuds' high-fiber content means they keep your insulin steadier than their white sisters, which means less fat packed on your hips, research finds….

“Swiss cheese. Calcium-rich foods reduce fat-producing enzymes and increase fat breakdown, and Swiss has more calcium than many of its cheesy peers. Choose the reduced-fat variety, such as Sargento….

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BATAS RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO, an Internet radio station under www.batasmauricio.com and www.eradioportal.com. Log on to either of these two sites, click BATAS RADIO and you can stay tuned for 20 hours a day, from 4 in the morning to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays, enjoying the latest news, credible commentaries, free legal and problem counseling from the point of view of the Bible.

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Prayers diffused “Pepeng”; Lyne Abanilla leads the way in serving

PRAYERS DIFFUSED TYPHOON PEPENG: I am sure we are now heaving a collective sigh of relief after Typhoon Pepeng literally fizzled out and did not turn out to be the super typhoon that it was touted to be.

But lest we forget and become complacent once again, this happened only because of fervent and continuous prayers offered to God to spare us from further harm.

Many Filipinos fell to their knees and cried their prayers to God, through emails, text messages and other forms of communication, asking His mercy because we cannot afford to be hit by another calamity at a point where we have not yet recovered from the deadly aftermath of killer typhoon Ondoy.

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PRAY WITHOUT CEASING: And, indeed, God in His great mercy and love for humanity, listened.

Typhoon Pepeng, reputed to be a Category 5 storm because it packed winds of up to 250 kph as it was roaring its way from the Pacific Ocean to the Philippines, mercifully weakened and veered away from much of Northern Luzon Friday and Saturday.

The lesson here that needs repeating, therefore, is this: we must pray to God more often and invoke His love and mercy in our daily lives, lifting up to Him our problems and our concerns in bended knees and with contrite hearts, and He is sure to listen.

As 1 Thessalonians 5:17 of the Bible says: “Pray without ceasing”.

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LYNE ABANILLA: TIRELESS WHEN IT COMES TO HELPING OTHERS: Manila Bulletin Vice President for Classified Advertising Lyne Abanilla is one tireless lady when it comes to helping others who are in need.

Her experience as a past district governor of Rotary International (RI) District 3810 and as incumbent chairman (now on her third straight year) of RI’s public imaging resource group for its Zone 7 (covering the Philippines and Indonesia) and as the executive director of the worldwide Physicians for Peace as well, is serving her well.

Last October 1, 2009, she officiated at the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the ten district governors of RI based in the Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), whereby Rotarians and DENR will plant up to one million trees in February 2010.

Happening in the wake of realization that Ondoy’s devastating fury was the result of denuded forests and wanton destruction of our trees, the projected planting of one million trees nationwide will go a long way in preventing fatal catastrophes in the future.

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“PANTAWID GUTOM” PROGRAM FEEDS THOUSANDS: On September 30, 2009, Lyne and her Leader Team (those who served with her when she was district governor for Rotary Year 2006-2007) led Rotarians from District 3810 in feeding some 2,500 residents whose houses along the banks of the mighty Talayan River in Araneta Avenue, Quezon City were demolished as a result of Typhoon Ondoy, through her own “Pantawid Gutom” program.

Lyne told BATAS RADIO in an interview Thursday that her group cooked 20 sacks of rice and opened canned goods for the Talayan residents.

On October 3, 2009 (Saturday), in the afternoon, she is expected to once again lead Rotarians in feeding another 2,000 Ondoy victims, this time in Marikina City, composed mostly of children of displaced families.

After the feeding program, Lyne’s group will proceed to another evacuation center also in Marikina and distribute blankets, used clothes and other items needed by the residents who have not been able to start anew, including four boxes coming from the Rotary Club of Davao 2000.

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BATAS RADIO: Please listen to BATAS INTERNET RADIO, an Internet radio station under www.batasmauricio.com and www.eradioportal.com. Log on to either of these two sites, click BATAS RADIO and you can stay tuned for 20 hours a day, from 4 in the morning to 12 midnight, Mondays to Fridays, enjoying the latest news, credible commentaries, free legal and problem counseling from the point of view of the Bible.

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