MAY we share the highlight of the lectures on the seminar conducted by the BSU-Horticulture Research and Training Institute in coordination with the Office of the Vice President for Research and Extension, Office of the Extension Services, and the College of Nursing held on February 28, 2017 and was participated by the staff, researchers, faculty, and interested students of the university.
The healing powers
Ms. Hilda L. Quindara, a Food Science Specialist in BSU discussed the role of fruits and vegetables in maintaining human health and well being.
She stressed that phytochemical/phytonutrients present in fruits and vegetables are essential ingredients that provide health benefit beyond nutrition specially when supplemented with medicinal herbs and phytochemical concentrates, ex. coffee with mangosteen, coffee with phyto-alkaline powder, juice with turmeric and functional diets.
She said that antioxidants protect our bodies from damage by free radicals which are unstable molecules that can damage cellular structures and contribute to aging and diseases like cancer.
Ms. Quindara explained that fruits and vegetables provide fiber which helps keep things moving through the colon and keeps regular disposal of body waste.
She said that fibers are high in nutrients that may prevent inflammation and act as antioxidants, removing substances that can harm cells in the colon and throughout the body. She added that fiber may reduce risk of developing colon cancer and vegetables also provide folate and B-complex vitamin that also may lower the risk of colon cancer.
Knowing Your Colon
Mr. Jude Tayaben, a Faculty of the College of Nursing in BSU talked on how the colon functions. He said that food is digested, absorption of nutrient molecules and the elimination of solid waste passing through the digestive system (including rectum and anus). He also mentioned that the main function of the digestive system is to digesting food, absorb nutrients and eliminate waste.
Tayaben explained that the colon measures 5 to 5 ½ feet long; 2 – 2 ½ inches diameter and extends from ileocecal valve to anus. He said that the fluid (mostly water) that remains after digestion and absorption enters the colon and is reabsorbed into the body. He said that the solid waste left over is evacuated through bowel movement in the region of colon cecum, appendix, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon.
Preventing Colon Disease
Mr. Marvin Andres Aquino, an International Brand Ambassador, discussed the preventive measures of colon diseases. He mentioned that a healthy gut is healthy life the following are ways to ensure good colon: 1) Eat adequate fruits and vegetables rich in fiber, 2) Drink pure water to soften stools, 3) Take a colon cleansing supplement regularly to help clear unwanted waste that accumulates in the colon, 4) Eat food rich in probiotics and 5) Exercise, especially sit-ups and abdominal crunches, help to promote bowel movement.
Mr. Aquino explained that good bacteria is reduced by 80% at the age of 50, while bad bacteria increased by 150%. The human body has trillion bacteria and the body needs 80% good bacteria and 20% bad bacteria. He said that good bacteria help in having a “healthy stool type”.
Mr. Aquino said that based on reports, out of 22,000 human autopsies, none have a healthy colon. He said that coprostasis, colorectal cancer, and constipation are some of the colon diseases. He said that we can achieve balance nutrition daily by 1. Consuming more than 10 types of fruits and vegetables daily, 9 to 17 servings a day, from different color groups, not contaminated with pesticides and chemicals, cooked at 28 degrees Celsius; or 2. Consume 46 types of synthetic supplements a day in order to have a nutritional balance intake.