Friday, February 12, 2010

MOSQUITO ATTACK

In able to win a battle, you must know who your enemies are. You must study their ways and strategies for you to defeat them.
A set of mind like this is also applicable in the battle we have in our health. Now that summer season is approaching, mosquitoes are for sure will interfere in the vacation.
Mosquitoes are old things on earth but there are things about it that we should know.

Do you know that mosquitoes have lived in this planet for 30 million years? There are thousands of species of these insects. However, it is just the Aedes Aegypti that most concerns us Filipinos. It is a carrier of dengue, a life-threatening infection. Female mosquito is the only one that bites. The reason is that she needs blood in order to lay eggs and produce even more mosquitoes.

Mosquito can be seen everywhere because it is attracted to carbon dioxide, so just by breathing, we already attract mosquitoes. Their sight isn’t that good but they can sense you moving especially when you are wearing something dark. Small insect like mosquito is a lethal weapon that its bite can cause malaria, yellow fever, encephalitis and dengue fever.

Mosquitoes can smell your breath, body scent and perfume from 20-35 meters away.
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS cannot survive in a mosquito. Thus, AIDS cannot be transmitted through mosquito bites.

There is lot of information about mosquitoes that amuses us. Fruit juices, plant nectar and other saccharine liquids from plants are liked by mosquitoes because sugar is the most mosquitos’ source of energy.

Aside from these truths about mosquitoes, our lifestyle can or cannot attract mosquitoes.

The more you sweat, the more you seem attractive to mosquitoes. That’s because when you perspire, you produce lactic acid, which is a mosquito magnet.

Beware especially when you are the outdoorsy type, it is because mosquitoes like ponds, lakes and wooded areas.

Those insects may be attracted to fruity and floral fragrances, we can avoid attracting them by steering clear of scented soaps, lotions, perfumes and hair products if you are heading outside.

Health is wealth, we always take that. So with the old but important information the people must know is a help to prevent diseases carried by these small insects, mosquitoes.

We can take these as simple advices because we are always reminded that prevention is always better than cure.

by: karen balmes bj 3-1d
What To Eat To Gain Weight

Malnutrition rate in the Philippines is getting higher but even though there are eating programs conducted both by the government and private foundation, these are still not enough to fill what is really needed.
If you are blessed to sustain your needs, you must take these simple advices as you changed your eating habits.
Increasing your intake of junk foods and greasy foods is not a good way to gain weight. Junk foods usually contain unhealthy trans fats or saturated fats. Even though you need to increase your calorie consumption to gain weight, those calories should come from foods that are good for you.
Healthy fats include omega-3 essential fatty acids sources like tuna, salmon, flax, and walnuts. Good sources of protein include lean meats, fish, poultry, nuts, seeds and legumes. Healthy carbohydrate sources include fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
It may be easier to eat five or six smaller balanced meals per day rather than eating three large meals, especially if you are not used to eating much at one sitting.
Protein powders and nutritional supplement drinks can be added as in-between meal snacks if you still need more calories. Some protein powders are flavored and only need added water and some others can be blended with your choice of juice or milk to improve the taste.
It would also be a healthy idea to add a small amount of flax seed oil and some psyllium powder to add some omega-3 essential fatty acids and extra fiber.
Keep your meals balanced. One meal should have a healthy protein source such as fish, low fat meat, chicken or legumes plus two or three servings of vegetables. Green vegetables add lots of vitamins and phytonutrients while starchy potatoes and corn add extra calories.

Drink healthy beverages such as milk and fruit juices to add calories. Don't choose sugary sodas, which only add calories and no nutrition.

Your food will determine how you would be healthy. So eat what is right and healthy.

by:karen balmes bj 3-1d