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easydna-philippines-health-for-one-and-all

Health for One and All: National Health Education Week 2023

Are you feeling like your health and wellness is never quite where it should be, and that you could be looking after yourself better than you are? We all try to maintain our health and look after ourselves, but sometimes our busy lives take over and we forget the basics. Maybe it’s time for a refresh!

The second week in October is National Health Education Week in the Philippines, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of leading a healthy, balanced life, which in turn helps to create a health-conscious nation of people who care about their own, and other’s wellbeing. The success of a nation is largely dependant on the health of its people.

Adopting healthy habits is essential for people of all nationalities, including Filipinos. There are seven healthy habits that can benefit individuals in the Philippines or anywhere else:

  • Move more, eat right – Moving more and eating right are essential for a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical activity boosts energy, mood, and overall well-being. A balanced diet reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Together, they promote a longer, healthier life.
  • Care for yourself, care for others – Caring for yourself and others is the foundation of a compassionate and harmonious society. Prioritizing self-care, like maintaining physical and mental health, enables you to be a better support system for loved ones.
  • Be clean, live sustainably – Living sustainably is vital for our planet’s future. It means reducing waste, conserving resources, and making eco-friendly choices. Sustainable living involves recycling, using renewable energy, reducing water consumption, and supporting environmentally friendly products and practices.
  • Do no harm, put safety first – Making informed decisions to prevent accidents, protect your health, and ensure well-being in various aspects of life.
  • Get vaccinated – Getting vaccinated is a crucial step to protect yourself and others from infectious diseases.
  • Don’t smoke, avoid alcohol, say No to drugs – Smoking, drinking, and drug abuse you’re your health. These habits increase risks of diseases, addiction, and accidents. Avoiding them promotes well-being, better quality of life, and healthier communities.
  • Practice safe sex – Sexual health starts with safe sex. It involves using protection like condoms, regular testing for STDs, and open communication to prevent infections and unintended pregnancies while fostering responsible relationships.

For those wanting to be proactive, and get a more scientific insight to their current health status and learn about their propensity for developing serious health problems, genetic testing is the answer. EasyDNA Philippines has a range of tests that can give you the answers to your health-related questions, from a genetic perspective. The health and wellbeing tests include:

Celiac Disease Genetic Testing – Around 83% of celiac diseases suffers go undiagnosed. Could you be one of them?

Lactose Intolerance Test – A lactose intolerance test will establish whether you carry certain a gene mutation which makes you unable to produce the enzyme which helps digest lactose.

Genetic Predisposition Test – An innovative test which allows you to discover whether you are genetically predisposed towards developing a number of diseases and medical conditions.

DNA Diet and Health Weight Test – The DNA Diet and Health Weight Test can help you understand why you can’t keep off those extra pounds, providing you the personalised nutrition and fitness recommendations you need to get your weight to budge – and keep it off.

Intolerance Sensitivity Test – Intolerance testing uses a sample of your hair to determine your sensitivity to up to 800 food and 325 non-food items. Testing includes a nutrition, metal toxicity, gut biome and hormonal analysis!

So you really have no excuse! Simple changes to your diet and lifestyle, combined with a DNA test that will answer your specific health related questions is a great start in your journey to know your health. Educating yourself about your health is the first step towards a health and happy life!

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Time To Take Care of Your Thyroid!

National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week is a significant annual event observed in the Philippines during the last week in September. This campaign aims to raise awareness about thyroid cancer, thyroid health, educate the public about thyroid cancers and disorders, and promote early detection and treatment.

So what exactly is a thyroid? The thyroid gland, though small in size, plays a crucial role in maintaining our overall health, making it essential for every Filipino to understand its significance. Located in the neck, the thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate various bodily functions, including metabolism, energy production, and body temperature. Unfortunately, thyroid disorders are widespread around the world, affecting millions of individuals, with women being more susceptible than men. In the Philippines, the incidence of thyroid disorders has been steadily increasing. Sadly, thyroid cancer is the most common cancer of the endocrine system in the Philippines, making Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week more important than ever.

One of the primary objectives of this awareness week is to educate the public about thyroid cancer, and to recognise the signs early and seek medical help. Worryingly, there are often no obvious signs of thyroid cancer, however you may have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • a lump in the neck or throat that may get bigger over time
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • swollen lymph glands in the neck
  • a hoarse voice

Screening and early detection are vital components of thyroid awareness. Thyroid tests, which measure levels of thyroid hormones in the blood, can help diagnose thyroid disorders. Routine screenings can be especially crucial for pregnant women, as thyroid disorders can affect both the mother and the developing baby.

Furthermore, Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week provides a platform for healthcare professionals and patient support groups to share information and resources with the public. Seminars, webinars, and workshops are organised to help individuals better understand thyroid health and cancer management. These events empower patients to take control of their health and make informed decisions about their treatment options.

Thyroid cancer is caused by inherited genetic defects, so genetic testing for your predisposition to this deadly disease might be an avenue that you’d like to explore. EasyDNA Philippines offers the Specialised Inherited Male & Female Cancer Panels test, which establishes your genetic risk of hereditary cancers. This cancer panel test looks for a total of 79 Genes for the male panel and 74 Genes for the female panel. Genetic testing is the only way to confirm whether you carry certain hereditary gene mutations that may be responsible for certain cancers. This screening test can be used to identify gene mutations responsible for hereditary cancers within the family and to determine which family members may be at risk.

In addition to raising awareness, Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week encourages Filipinos to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Proper nutrition, regular exercise, and stress management can all contribute to maintaining optimal thyroid function. By making these simple lifestyle changes, individuals can reduce their risk of developing thyroid disorders and improve their overall well-being.

Your thyroid health is important! Get on board this September, and take the opportunity to learn more about this little gland and take positive, proactive steps toward better thyroid health.

EAS PH_Awareness 2023 AUG Family Plan PH

Celebrating Family Planning Month: Empowering Choices and Healthier Futures.

In the Philippines, the month of August is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the importance of family planning. Family Planning Month provides a crucial platform for engaging communities and fostering conversations about reproductive health, gender equality, and responsible parenthood. This annual observance aims to empower people with the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about family planning, resulting in healthier families and a brighter future for the nation.

The Philippines is a country with significant challenges surrounding reproductive health and family planning. Family Planning Month aims to educate the 68 million adults about the services available to ensure that individuals can plan their families according to their desires and needs. One of the key pillars of Family Planning Month is the sharing of information about various contraceptive methods. Importantly, the campaign also promotes the inclusion of men in family planning discussions, recognising their vital role in decision-making and fostering a more supportive and equitable environment.

Filipino healthcare providers and organisations play a central role during this month by conducting awareness programs, educational workshops, and distributing informational materials. By addressing myths and misconceptions surrounding family planning, these initiatives aim to break down barriers and reduce stigma, enabling more individuals to seek reproductive healthcare without hesitation.

The month also focuses on highlighting the significance of maternal and child health. Access to family planning services not only empowers women with the ability to plan pregnancies but also contributes to reducing maternal mortality rates (currently 189 per 100,000 live births) and improving child health outcomes. It ensures that pregnancies occur at the right time and spacing, reducing the risk of complications and improving the overall health of mothers and children.

Despite the progress made in the Philippines in recent years, challenges do persist, particularly in reaching marginalised and remote communities with limited access to healthcare services. Family Planning Month seeks to bridge these gaps by advocating for policy changes and increased funding to strengthen reproductive health services and make them available to all, regardless of socioeconomic status.

From a genetic perspective, family planning also includes educating yourself about the different things that can occur during pregnancy, which can impact on your family. So, what are some things that everyday people can do to ensure that their journey into parenthood is as smooth as possible? EasyDNA Philippines has a range of prenatal tests that serve to provide peace of mind to expectant parents. These include:

Prenatal Peace – Starting from 8 weeks pregnant and using only a maternal blood sample, this test detects a number of genetic conditions, including Down syndrome, Edward’s syndrome, and can provide more accurate results compared to traditional screening methods.

Newborn Genetic Test with NOVA – Complete and comprehensive, NOVA is a newborn screening test that determines a baby’s risk for 50 inherited disorders, as well as providing personalised genetic information on the metabolism of 20 drugs.

Additionally, EasyDNA Philippines offers a suite of paternity tests that can help to solve any paternity doubts you might be having about the true, biological father of an unborn baby or child. These tests will provide peace of mind for people as well as determining the correct parentage.

 

So, for existing families and those planning on starting one, Family Planning Month serves as a vital platform to promote the significance of family planning, reproductive health, and gender equality. By fostering awareness, providing information, and engaging communities, this annual campaign empowers individuals to make informed choices about family planning, leading to healthier families and a more prosperous nation. Every Filipino has the right to plan their families and secure a brighter future for themselves and their children!

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Lifestyle Changes Can Change Your Life – National Diabetes Week 2023

We have all heard of diabetes, and we probably know someone who has either Type 1 or Type 2, and their individual struggles, but what do you really know about it? Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels. It is a sizable public health concern worldwide, and the Philippines is no exception. An increasingly Western lifestyle and diet has led to a marked increase in the incidence of diabetes amongst the Filipino population.

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), it was estimated that around 4.8 million adults aged 20-79 were living with diabetes in the Philippines in 2019. This number is projected to increase to 6.8 million by 2045. Most diabetes cases in the Philippines are type 2 diabetes, which accounts for more than 90% of all diabetes cases, however there is a significant concern about the number of cases of diabetes that go undiagnosed. In 2019, it was estimated that about 2.5 million adults in the Philippines were living with undiagnosed diabetes.

We all know that there are several risk factors that contribute to the onset of diabetes, including, sedentary lifestyles, obesity, unhealthy diets, family history of diabetes, and increasing urbanisation. Diabetes can also lead to a range of related complications, including cardiovascular diseases, kidney disease, nerve damage, eye damage, and more seriously, lower limb amputations.

For those with a family history of diabetes, EasyDNA Philippines offers the Genetic Predisposition Health Test. Simply, this test is designed to analyse an individual’s DNA to identify potential genetic variants or markers that could be associated with an increased risk of developing certain diseases or conditions, including diabetes, and 34 others. This test is based on advancements in genetic research and the identification of specific genetic variations linked to various health outcomes. Your results can provide insights into your unique genetic makeup and help you make more informed decisions about your health.

National Diabetes Week is an awareness campaign that aims to educate the public about diabetes, its risk factors, prevention, management, and available resources. Officially, National Diabetes Week in the Philippines runs from July 9-15, but it is a three-week observance to highlight diabetes, its causes, management, and research. During National Diabetes Week, various organisations, including government agencies, healthcare providers, diabetes associations, and advocacy groups, collaborate to raise awareness about diabetes and its impact on individuals, families, and communities, and often involves initiatives such as:

Health screenings: Free or discounted diabetes screenings are conducted to detect undiagnosed cases and raise awareness about the importance of early detection.

Educational programs: Seminars, workshops, and community events are organised to provide information about diabetes prevention, management, nutrition, exercise, and self-care practices.

Awareness campaigns: Public service announcements, advertisements, social media campaigns, and other forms of media are used to reach a wider audience and disseminate information about diabetes.

Support groups: Existing diabetes support groups may hold special meetings or events to provide support, share experiences, and offer guidance to individuals and families affected by diabetes.

So, if you are concerned that your lifestyle might play a hand in contributing to diabetes, then it is time to make some changes. Remember, a small change could change your life!

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Family History of Breast Cancer? Check Your Bumps for Lumps

Do you know someone who has had, or currently has breast cancer? It would be surprising if you answered ‘No’ to this question, as it touches the lives of so many. Breast cancer is a significant health concern in the Philippines, with a cancer expert recently claiming that the disease is bordering on pandemic proportions.

The most common in the world, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among Filipino women. According to the Philippine Cancer Society, breast cancer comprises 16% of all newly diagnosed cancers in the Philippines. 2020 data from the World Health Organisation said there were 86,484 cases of cancer in the Philippines, of which, 27,163 were breast cancers. Sadly, breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Filipino women, and accounts for approximately 10% of cancer-related deaths in the country. Most commonly occurring in women over the age of 40, breast cancer doesn’t discriminate, and can also affect younger people. Dr. Perry Wilson, associate professor of medicine and Yale research director, writes about this in his article in Medscape. He discusses the benefit of genetic testing in younger patients, and how far genetic testing has advanced, making it a viable and affordable option for all.

There are a number of risk factors which contribute to the development of breast cancer in the Philippines, including family history of breast cancer, genetic mutations (such as BRCA1 and BRCA2), hormonal factors, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption, and certain reproductive factors.

Regarding genetic mutations, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two genes that play a crucial role in the development of breast and ovarian cancer. Mutations in these genes are associated with a significantly increased risk of developing these types of cancer.

So, what exactly are these genes? The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are involved in DNA repair and maintaining the stability of the cell’s genetic material. They help prevent uncontrolled cell growth and the formation of tumours. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations can be inherited from either parent. If an individual inherits a mutation in one of these genes, they have an increased risk of developing breast, ovarian, and certain other types of cancer during their lifetime. Sadly, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are also linked to an increased risk of other types of cancer, including pancreatic, prostate, and male breast cancer, however it’s important to note that while BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are strongly associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, not all individuals with these mutations will develop cancer.

For those wanting to further explore and confirm whether they carry certain hereditary gene mutations that may be responsible for certain cancers, the Specialised Inherited Male & Female Cancer Panel is available from EasyDNA Philippines. This clinical test looks for a total of 79 Genes for the male panel and 74 Genes for the female panel. The Inherited Cancer Panel can serve as a powerful tool for early intervention and can assist in preparing you to take the steps necessary to reduce your changes of developing certain cancers, including breast cancer. This test can identify mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and can help determine the risk of developing cancer and inform decisions about screening, prevention, and treatment options.

For Filipinos concerned about the likelihood of developing cancer of any type, EasyDNA is a great starting point for genetic screening tests. Let’s band together to stop being cancer statistics!

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The Motherload – Navigating Safe Motherhood

Mothering is a hard gig! It brings equal challenges and rewards to all mums. In the Philippines, women start their families from a young age, with the average age being around 24 years for a first child. More than one million babies are born in the Philippines each year, making parenting a highly important role in society.

Safe Motherhood Week in the Philippines is an annual event that is observed in the second week in May. The event aims to promote safe motherhood practices and raise awareness about maternal and newborn health issues in the country. The theme for Safe Motherhood Week varies each year, but it always focuses on improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality.

In recent years, the Philippines has been working to improve maternal and newborn health, with the government implementing various programs and initiatives to address the issue. Safe Motherhood Week serves as a platform for various stakeholders to come together and share information, experiences, and best practices on maternal and newborn health.

During Safe Motherhood Week, various activities are organized, including health education sessions, seminars, workshops, and community outreach programs. These activities are aimed at educating and empowering women and their families on the importance of safe motherhood practices and the steps they can take to ensure a healthy pregnancy and childbirth.

Currently, all Philippines-born babies are screened for five common conditions including congenital hypothyroidism, cystic fibrosis, amino acid disorders including phenylketonuria, organic acidemias and fatty acid oxidation defects.

For those who want to have the best possible start into motherhood, there are a range of things you can do to ensure that your baby is healthy, before you even meet them! Mothers wanting peace of mind about their baby can invest in a number of prenatal tests from EasyDNA Philippines. The prenatal suite includes:

Prenatal Peace – a non-invasive test, requiring no risky amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. The Prenatal Peace test screens for a number of genetic conditions and provides accurate results in a timely manner. This test is 100% safe, and screens for 18 genetic conditions, including Down syndrome, Turner’s syndrome and Trisomy 9. Starting at just 10 weeks of pregnancy and using only a maternal blood sample, this test can provide more accurate results compared to traditional screening methods. A standard blood draw is all that is required to undertake the DNA test; however it should be noted that this does not replace a diagnostic test.

Newborn Genetic Test – This NOVA test is suitable for newborns and children up to 5 years of age. NOVA screens for 50 inherited disorders, which have a combined prevalence rate of 1 in every 400 births. This unique test aims to achieve early detection, referral and treatment of all babies identified as high risk of these disorders.

Overall, Safe Motherhood Week in the Philippines is an important event that helps raise awareness and promote safe motherhood practices, which can ultimately lead to better maternal and newborn health outcomes in the country. Motherhood is a challenge but also an ultimate privilege – enjoy every moment!

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Time to Celebrate – 75 Years of World Health Day

Do you ever look at the images on your social media pages and think, “Wow, how do they look so good?” or “I wish I were as healthy as that person.”? Life is busy. We often have all the best intentions of getting fit, losing weight, moving more and eating healthier, but sometimes, our busy schedules get in the way, and before you know it, the day is over and you’re exhausted and ready for bed. Forget New Year’s resolutions, what about turning over a new leaf in April? If your health journey has taken a turn for the worse, or if you’re in a bit of a slump, now is the perfect time to shake it up and do a master reset on your overall health.

World Health Day is on April 7, and 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of this momentous day. In 1948, countries of the world came together and founded the World Health Organisation (WHO) to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable, with the aim of providing improvements in health to all, regardless of their location, race or financial status. This year’s theme is Health for All, with some of the key messages including:

  • A vison that all people have good health for a fulfilling life in a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.
  • The right to health is a basic human right. Everyone must have access to the health services they need when and where they need them without financial hardship.
  • Almost two billion people face catastrophic or impoverishing health spending, with significant inequalities affecting those in the most vulnerable settings.
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These are all important things to consider, when thinking about our own, and the health of others. So, what can you do on a personal level if you want to improve your health? Surprisingly, the answer could start with your own DNA.

The DNA Diet & Healthy Weight Test from EasyDNA Philippines can help you to take the first steps in moving towards a healthier, and as a result, happier life. This test provides personalised weight management, fitness and nutrition advice based on your genetic makeup. Your results will closely analyse your food intake, helping you understand the interaction between what you eat and your genetic makeup as well as provide a recommended diet plan that can help you reach your goals. Your 70-page results report will have you on the right track to feeling better about what’s on the inside, and the outside!

Your results will include useful information about:

  • Your weight loss ability: is your body a weight loss wonder, or are you more geared towards slow and steady weight loss? Your genes hold the answers.
  • Carbs, proteins and fats: What are the right recommendations of fats, carbs and proteins for your genetic makeup but also for your age, height and gender?
  • Nutrients & vitamins: What nutrients and vitamins do you need? Vitamins and micronutrients support functions in our body which affect your weight. All will be revealed in your results.
  • Cardio response/strength training/exercise regimes: How intense should your workouts be? How often should you be working out?

EasyDNA Philippines also has a wealth of other health and wellness tests, including:

Celiac Disease Genetic Testing – Discover if you have the genes associated with Celiac Disease.

Lactose Intolerance Test – Feeling sick after dairy foods? You could be lactose intolerant.

Children’s DNA Discovery – Find our how genetics affects your child’s behaviour, personality, and physical traits.

Intolerance Sensitivity Test – Rashes? Skin Problems? Feeling strangely Ill? You could have an intolerance.

So, it’s obvious that there’s a health test to help make everyone a better version of their current self. Take control of your health this World Health Day, and become a champion of your own health.

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Get Your Gut Right – Digestive Health Week

Did you ever get that terrible, aching, painful feeling in your stomach after eating certain foods? It’s sometimes a sensation that can’t be described but can leave you feeling bloated and tired for hours after. It may even result in you spending a fair bit of time in the bathroom, if you know what I mean! For many people, an upset stomach is a rarity, and is often self-inflicted due to over-indulgence, meaning that there’s no one to blame but yourself, but what if you felt sick after every meal of the day? Maybe it’s something more serious, like an allergy or an intolerance.

Surprisingly, there are a countless foods that you can develop an intolerance to. For Filipinos, the most common food intolerances are egg, wheat, peanuts, shellfish and milk. An intolerance is difference to an allergy, in that intolerances are caused by a deficient enzyme in the digestive system or a chemical substance in the food such as carbohydrates like lactose or glucose, or food additives or toxins which may irritate the digestive system. Allergies on the other hand, are caused by an abnormal reaction of the immune system against certain substances or proteins within foods. These substances are known as allergens. Intolerances can occur from birth or can develop over one’s lifetime.

In the Philippines, March 5-11 marks Digestive Health Week, an initiative aiming to encourage Filipinos to take charge of their gut health and take positive steps towards a healthier gut. For those interested, there are organised events on March 5 and 8, established by the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology.

For those wanting some more definitive answers as to what might be contributing to their gut issues, a DNA test from EasyDNA Philippines. Offering a wide range of health testing services, the suite of DNA tests has something for all conditions and curiosities. One of the key factors that affects your health is your unique genetic code, and by looking at selected genes and understanding their impact on an individual, health tests can help improve your health and pave the path to wellness and vitality. For gut related concerns, there are three tests that may provide peace of mind.

Celiac Disease Genetic Testing – Celiac disease is a serious genetic autoimmune disorder and could lead to long-term complications that could adversely affect your life. Around 83% of celiac diseases suffers go undiagnosed. Could you be one of them?

Lactose intolerance – A lactose intolerance test will establish whether you carry certain a gene mutation which makes you unable to produce the enzyme which helps digest lactose. This test may be beneficial if you experience extreme discomfort, bloating and indigestion after eating dairy foods.

Intolerance Sensitivity Test – Did you know that skin irritations, migraines and constipation can be caused by a food intolerance? This test examines a range of food items including common foods and everyday fridge items, and non-food items such as pets and pollens. This test covers more than 800 trigger items, and testing includes a nutritional deficiency, metal toxicity, gut biome and hormonal balance analysis.

So, if you have a gut feeling that all isn’t right with your insides, get on board with Digestive Health Week, and try a DNA test that can help to answer your questions about your internal health.

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Dance into February with Down Syndrome Consciousness Month!

The discovery of a pregnancy is a special time in the lives of expectant parents. It is filled with questions and wonderings about so many aspects of the impending baby. Will they look like Mum, or Dad? Will they sleep well? Will they lead successful lives? One of the most wished for things is that the new baby is healthy, born without physical or neurological impairment. Sadly, this is not always how things eventuate, and babies are sometimes born with a disability or medical condition, requiring special care during their childhood, and sometimes throughout their lives.

One of the most well-known conditions that is quite prevalent in today’s society is Down Syndrome. This condition occurs when a baby is born with an extra piece of genetic material known as a chromosome. People with down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21. This is known as a trisomy, and down syndrome is often also referred to as Trisomy 21. Trisomy changes how a baby’s brain and body develop and can result in a range of disabilities of varying severity. Physically, a person with down syndrome usually has some common identifying traits, which can include:

  • A flattened face, especially the bridge of the nose
  • Almond-shaped eyes that slant up
  • A short neck
  • A tongue that tends to stick out of the mouth
  • Tiny white spots on the iris (coloured part) of the eye
  • A single line across the palm of the hand (palmar crease)
  • Poor muscle tone or loose joints

Down syndrome also affects a person’s intellectual capabilities, however most young people with down syndrome enjoy a very typical life, with a range of support needs that can be minimal or more complex, depending on the individual.

In the Philippines, down syndrome is more common than you might think, with 1 in 800 babies being born with the condition, that’s 1 baby with down syndrome being born every 4 hours. February is National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month, which encourages everyone to learn a little more about this unique condition, to be accepting of the differences displayed by people with down syndrome, and to better support families living with a person with down syndrome.

One of the most popular ways that Filipinos can celebrate diversity during this consciousness month is to engage in Happy Walk, an annual activity that promotes awareness, acceptance, and inclusivity of persons with Down syndrome into society. This year, after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Happy Walk is back! Join with friends at the SM Mall of Asia for a morning of fun, while advocating for acceptance and social inclusion. Persons with a love of dance can also upload videos of themselves showing off their best dance moves to either TikTok or Facebook until February 15. Use the hashtags #happywalk2023showdown or #happywalk2023 to get yourself seen!

The prospect of having a baby born with down syndrome can be worrying and confronting, but there are things you can do to learn more about your chances of having a baby with this condition. As down syndrome is a genetic condition, there is a DNA screening test available for expectant parents who are interested in discovering if their unborn child may have the condition.

The Prenatal Peace genetic screening test from EasyDNA Philippines is non-invasive, requiring no risky amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. A standard blood draw is all that is required to undertake the DNA test; however it should be noted that this does not replace a diagnostic test. The Prenatal Peace test also screens for 17 other genetic conditions and provides accurate results in a timely manner.

National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month is a great time to learn more about this unique condition, and to embrace the people who live with it. Remember that kindness, acceptance, and inclusivity are basic needs for all humans!

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Festive Season Fails: How to Get Back on Track

Christmas is a special time, when we celebrate with family and friends, embarking on our special traditions, which often include worship, feasts, and social events. It’s a time when we relax a little and leave our usual routines behind, but sometimes, it can be hard to refocus and reset ourselves. Did you enjoy the festive season a little too much? Maybe you indulged in too much lechon, puto bumbong or bibingka and are feeling that your pants are a little bit too tight! The new year is upon us, and traditionally, it’s a time to forget about the past and look to the future, and this means taking time to look after ourselves a bit better!

Sadly, it’s not just Christmas that is to blame for those tight pants. The COVID-19 pandemic has also taken a toll on the health and well being of Filipinos, with the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) noting an increase in the prevalence of obesity since the onset of COVID, especially among children and young adults.

Astonishingly, around 27 million Filipinos are considered to be overweight or obese. So, how does obesity happen? Obesity happen in all the ways you would imagine. Drinking too much alcohol, eating out a lot, eating more than what you need, having too many sweets, and comfort eating are all causes of obesity and weight gain. Similarly, lack of physical activity is another important factor related to obesity. Many people have jobs that involve sitting at a desk for most of the day. They also rely on their cars, rather than walking. If you are not active enough in your day-to-day life, the human body stores the energy you consume as fat, which of course, makes you fat!

If you’re feeling less than healthy after the festive season but can’t quite get motivated to make a fresh start, then perhaps you need a helping hand to get back on track. The DNA Diet & Healthy Weight Test can help to understand why the numbers on the scales just won’t shift. It provides personalised weight management, fitness and nutrition advice based on your genetic makeup. Your results will closely analyse your food intake, helping you understand the interaction between what you eat and your genetic makeup as well as provide a recommended diet plan that can help you reach your goals. Your 70-page results report will have you on the right track to feeling better about what’s on the inside, and the outside!

Your results will include useful information about:

  • Your weight loss ability: is your body a weight loss wonder, or are you more geared towards slow and steady weight loss? How able is your body at losing weight? Your genes hold the answers.
  • Carbs, proteins and fats: what proportions of fat, carbohydrate and proteins should you have in your diet? What are the right recommendations for your genetic makeup but also for your age, height and gender?

 

  • Nutrients & vitamins: What nutrients and vitamins do you need? Vitamins and micronutrients support functions in our body which affect your weight. All will be revealed in your results.

 

  • Cardio response/strength training/exercise regimes: How does your genetic profile affect your response to cardio exercises? How intense should your workouts be? How often?

 This comprehensive test can be taken at home, with our convenient home test kit. The kit includes everything you need to undertake a DNA mouth swab test and comes with comprehensive instructions and a pre-addressed return envelope.

There really is no better time than right now to reassess your health choices, and to get back into your regular routine. You know what they say, ‘New Year, New You’, and you even if you only want the pre-Christmas you back, then EasyDNA Philippines can help!

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