This columnist joins the ranks of people who agree with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who said in her State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the nation, during the past year, has experienced local natural disasters and global developments that have reduced productivity, but nevertheless has survived. Instead of buckling down to these pressures, the President showed determination about misfortunes and critics not going to get in the way of the nation’s progress.
I know that so many reproductive health and population management advocates — Roman Catholics and Protestants alike — are not pleased with her pronouncement of there being no need to change the government’s stance on espousing artificial family planning. They show facts and figures about the need to make artificial contraception an option for couples who want to space and plan the size of their families.
A group of Christian bishops and leaders of various faith-based organizations stated their position that they do not share the view of Roman Catholic bishops in reproductive health and population management. Leaders of the Interfaith Partnership for the Promotion of Responsible Parenthood reiterated their support for the controversial Reproductive Health and Population Development bill, saying that the passage of this measure would greatly help in recognizing and solving the health needs of the Filipino family.
“We support the objective to manage our population in relation to the development of our country,” Bishop Rodrigo D. Tano, Interfaith chairperson, stated. “As Christians, we want an improved standard of living for our countrymen. We should be able to assist couples to achieve their desired family size so that parents will be able to provide better the needs of each of their children.”
“It is not only our social, but also our moral responsibility to ensure that every right of our people is protected and that any hindrance to achieve a better quality of life is addressed. It is high time for the passage of a Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood and Population Development policy that would contribute in achieving a healthy and abundant life as desired by God for every Filipino family,” Bishop Tano said.
Among the prominent religious denominations within the Interfaith Partnership is Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), Iglesia Ni Cristo, Council of Christian Bishops of the Philippines (CCBP), International Bible Society, Baptist Conference of the Philippines, and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP).
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We can’t escape getting old. As much as we’d like to discover the elusive fountain of youth, when many, many, many years pass, the wear and tear on our mortal systems is inevitable. Apparently, the appetite of older people seems to diminish as well and they might be at risk of getting malnourished if not properly addressed. While they continue to enjoy their food, somehow, they’re not consuming as much.
That can be worrisome, especially if you have aging parents to look after. If you find yourself getting an anxiety attack wondering if your hard-to-feed (HTF) children are not getting enough nutrition, what emotional rollercoaster will you be riding when you notice your parents taking a nibble and stating, “I’m full?” How can you ensure that they’re getting complete and balanced nutrition when they’re at an advanced age?
Well, there is a product that addresses your concern about your old folks not getting enough of the nutrients they really need. I am told that Abbott’s Ensure is an excellent source of 28 essential vitamins and minerals, and is low in saturated fat. You therefore not only provide them with what’s good for them, you’re also ensuring that they’re getting the best food possible.
Hopefully, getting old will not mean more lengthy stays at the hospital to combat an illness, and submission for the necessary surgery to do so. But if you find yourself in that state, the paramount priority is to get well. Whether or not you qualify for a senior citizen’s discount, at any age, the body needs proper nutrition to heal faster. Don’t take my word for it. There are several medical studies that show patients lacking essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals do take longer to recover, and are more likely to suffer complications.
Doctors have told me that when your loved ones undergo major surgery, they need extra protein, calories, and other nutrients for repair and recuperation. If you’re confident that your patient is well nourished, he or she is likely to better recover from sickness or an operation. Improper feeding and eating habits have the opposite effect.
Many doctors continue to point out that protein is essential for proper healing. In a nutshell, our bodies use the amino acids in protein to build and mend body cells and tissues. When you are undernourished, you may lack the nutritional resources — especially the protein — that the body requires for the extra work of healing. To support the body’s repair process, an intake of adequate calories, vitamins, and minerals is apparently vital.
This may seem like a lot of stuff to take in. But let me share with you an acquaintance’s account of what happened to her after being involved in a car accident. Since her jaw was injured and she couldn’t eat properly, her doctor advised her to take Ensure. She did and in no time, she was back to driving again, but extra careful already, she stressed.
Many health products available in the market now have labels stating, “No approved therapeutic claims.” I’d rather stick to products that are “doctor-recommended,” especially those endorsed by prominent medical practitioners who head prestigious health institutions and organizations. If you can’t trust these learned professionals with your own health care requirements, are you willing to bet your peace of mind on a line of “no promises”?
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My e-mail: dominimt2000@yahoo.com