TODAY’S guest is Gerry Tan, one of Cebu’s most prominent doctors.
What is your background?
“I am a practicing Internist and a Clinical Endocrinologist. I finished my Internal Medicine Specialty at New York Medical College then proceeded to do my Fellowship Training in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.”
What is your involvement in health? What type of diseases do you see the most?
“I am really into health promotion. Prevention has always been the key to my approach to chronic endocrine conditions, especially the ‘plague of the new century’ which is the metabolic syndrome (high sugar, high cholesterol and high blood pressure). My goal, therefore, as an endocrinologist is simply to educate people to do measures to help them avoid the consequences of this “big three.”
What are general practices you wish most people should do to prevent sickness and disease?
“I always tell my patients that, as a physician, I am their partner in their quest for good health and not the sole driver. As a partner, I give them the right medication. But as patients, they should play their roles right, especially in their lifestyle. Proper nutrition and daily exercise have always been the foundation of preventing any illness. I think the key here is taking time to explain and talking to patients because a proper understanding of their disease empowers them to be more responsible in taking care of themselves. If the doctor is ‘too busy,’ then maybe the patient needs to be referred to specialists who can handle the problem better.
What is your personal health regimen?
“Early morning before I take a bath, I do my routine sit ups, push ups, planking and leg raises. Then I do my five minutes of weights. Early in the evening, I do my daily running in our subdivision for 20 minutes. I enjoy outdoor running a lot so that even if I am out of the country, I make sure I explore the city through running.
What is one health practice you wish most people should do?
Always exercise! Exercise makes you feel good, gives you a sound sleep and lengthens your life span. Remember to also practice seven hours of deep sleep as this is also critical to better health. With exercise, combined with right portions of food and not the fad diets, one is assured of better health, improved sense of well being and good quality of life. Exercise does not need to be strenuous. Simply put, any activity that keeps you moving is better than not doing anything at all.