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- Category: Region 2
Regional Bantay ASIN Task Force (RBATF) Region 02 halted and sent back to source origin a total of 3, 527kgs of inadequately iodized salt during the Community Quarantine due to COVID-19 in Sta. Praxedes Municipal Bantay Asin Checkpoint.
According to Ms. Aerphel Tauyan, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer, a total of 16, 717kgs passed through the Bantay Asin Checkpoint during the quarantine period. However, a total of 3, 527kgs were tested inadequately iodized. This salt came from Ilocos region to be delivered in Claveria, Cagayan. However, upon inspection it yielded below the 30 ppm minimum required iodine content.
“Despite po kasi na kasama sa allowed food commodities ang asin we ensure po through testing protocols na adequately iodized salt pa rin po ang pumapasok sa ating rehiyon,” added by MNAO Tauyan during the conduct of virtual monitoring of the asin checkpoint.
Moreover, PCapt Arnold Bulaqui, Chief of Police-Sta Praxedes, relayed to us that the sacks of uniodized salt were hidden below the mixed vegetables in container vans used to transport food items. “Tinatago po ng mga traders sa ilalim ng mga gulay. Upon checking po nakita natin may mga asin kaya sinubject for inspection at yong lumabas na below 30ppm po ito, advised namin to send back to origin po,” he emphasized.
Read more: RBATF R02 halts 3, 527kgs of inadequately iodized salt amid COVID-19
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- Category: Region 2
Breastmilk is indeed the best for babies. However, many mothers experience different breastfeeding difficulties, and these hinders them to continue breastfeeding and just choose to adhere to infant milk formula. Mothers only want to provide what is the best for their babies and by overcoming these breastfeeding problems, they can make it possible. But, how can they overcome these breastfeeding difficulties?
One of the common problems that mothers encounter during their breastfeeding journey is when they think there is not enough breastmilk produced. Usually, they think that the cry of their babies implies that they are not satisfied with feeds and they need to be fed more often. In addressing this problem, counselling the mother and her breastfeeding support group is very important. Helping them build their confidence and giving them an assurance that babies cry not just because they are not satisfied but with other different reasons such as noise, feeling of too cold, too hot, or other discomforts. The reliable signs that the baby is not getting enough breastmilk are its weight gain and urine output. If the baby passes plenty of urine and gains weight, it usually means that the baby is getting enough milk. The mother should also understand that frequent feeding actually helps her to produce more milk.
Another problem is having a nipple fissure or sore nipples during breastfeeding. This is commonly caused by the poor attachment of the baby to the breast. Nipple fissure is very painful for the mother thus, it is important that the baby is correctly attached to the breast to prevent fissures. Also, the mother should remember to only wash her breast once a day without rubbing and using soap to prevent the removal of natural oils that protects the skin. Putting a little expressed breastmilk on the fissures can help the skin recover and heal. Moreover, engorged breast is another breastfeeding problem that they might encounter. It can be the result of the delay in starting breastfeeding after deliver, poor attachment and when breastmilk is not removed effectively. It can be prevented by feeding the baby right after the deliver and assuring that he/she is properly attached to the breast. It is also helpful to express breastmilk through breast pump to have a continuous production of milk, especially when the mother cannot breastfeed her baby.
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- Category: Region 2
National Nutrition Council Region 02 shared the newly issued Nutrition Cluster Advisory No. 02 series of 2020 to its Local Nutrition Clusters (LNCs) in the region to ensure continuous provision of healthful and nutritious food packs.
Early this May, Region 02 is one of the regions who gradually transitioning from Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) but provision of assistance is continuously given by respective LNCs to their constituents specially the vulnerable sectors.
To diversify and enhance the nutrient content of food packs, LGUs are strongly encouraged to optimize the use of local/fresh produce of dark green and yellow vegetables, root crops, legumes/beans/seeds, fruits, poultry, egg, meat/fish, or pasteurized fresh milks as stated in the LNC advisory no. 02.
The advisory also encouraged LNCs to buy healthy and nutritious food packs to small scale farmers, fisherfolks and cooperatives which is adjacent within the said communities in order to protect and promote local economy.
Read more: NNC R02 encourages LNCs continuous provision of healthful, nutritious food packs
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- Category: Region 2
In challenging times like what we are experiencing with COVID-19 situation, it is still vital to take care of ourselves and protect our body. National Nutrition Council Nutrition Advisory No. 6 informed us of the foods that could boost our immune system, which could help in preventing harmful diseases. We can get these nutrients if we eat a variety of foods everyday. Here are the vitamins and minerals that can boost our immune system.
Vitamin C:
An antioxidant required for the functioning of several enzymes involve in the immune system. It also involve in repairing tissues. It is most abundant in sour and citrus foods such as dalandan and calamansi, but can also be found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and other food items such as strawberries and bellpeppers. Healthy adults generally need around 60-70 mg of Vitamin C per day as per Philippines Dietary Refence Intakes 2015 (PDRI).
Vitamin A:
A fat-soluble vitamin that have an antioxidant effect. It also maintains the integrity of epithelial tissues. It is also needed for normal vision, normal bone and skeletal growth. It is commonly found in colorful and bright foods high in carotenoids, a colorful compound. You can get your daily dose of this vitamins in squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, and other yellow, orange, and dark green fruits and vegetables. Per PDRI, healthy adults need around 600-700 µgRE.
Vitamin E:
Another fat-soluble vitamin and a powerful antioxidant that can help in fighting off infections. This vitamin is involved in almost 200 biochemical reactions in our body, hence very critical for our immune system functions. Nuts like almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds are rich in Vitamin E. Spinach and broccoli can also be the food source of vitamin E.
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- Category: Region 2
In 2018, the National Nutrition Council celebrated the 44th Nutrition Month with the theme “Ugaliing magtanim, Sapat na nutrisyon aanihin!”, aiming to contribute to improved nutrition through improved food access by increasing the number of households, schools, and communities engaged in food gardens.
Unfortunately, COVID-19, a pandemic, altered the normal situations and behaviors of most of the countries, including the Philippines. Luzon, and some provinces in Visayas and Mindanao had to be placed in an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), as attempt to minimize the interaction of people and their mobility, making the population confined in their homes. ECQ also limited the food production, mainly by closing all factories, and food accessibility, as most store owners, and some markets closed their businesses.
With the current situation, Filipinos’ resiliency is being tested once again. Inorder to ensure that food will be served in the tables of their homes, local chief executives, local government units, and even household leaders had various effective solution. Most LGUs initiated mobile palengke’s and rolling stores in their respective areas. They had also included fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, fish, and even dressed and live poultry, in their family food packs or relief goods. Local Agriculture Offices also distributed seeds and seedlings to their constituents.
Read more: Food Gardens: Combating Food Insecurity Amid COVID-19
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- Category: Region 2
Breastfeeding is very challenging to some mothers especially during the first few days. According to World Health Organization and Department of Health, there are only 34% of Filipino infants 0-6 months that are exclusively breastfed and 36% that are fed with infant formula. Mothers face different breastfeeding challenges that may hinder them to continue breast feeding and in order to overcome these challenges, the mother and her family must know and be knowledgeable on breastfeeding. So, how does breastfeeding works?
Breastmilk Production: Prolactin and oxytocin
The body signals the brain to produce two hormones that is responsible in producing and releasing breastmilk. These hormones are the prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin is responsible for the production of milk from the breast during feeding and it also the suppresses ovulation that may delay pregnancy. Oxytocin is responsible in the secretion or flow of milk during feeding and in the uterine contractions and decrease the bleeding. The failure of the oxytocin reflex may hinder the let-down or flow of breastmilk produced by the body and may result to decreased milk supply. There are factors that may help this reflex, and this includes the confidence of the mother in breastfeeding and the touch, sight, and sounds of baby. Whereas, stress, worry, pain and doubt of the mother may hinder oxytocin reflex. Thus, it is important that the breastfeeding support group, including members of the family and health workers, should support the mother while breastfeeding.
The breastfeeding mother can determine if she has an active oxytocin or “let-down” reflex. Right before or during breastfeeding, she may feel a squeezing or tingling sensation in her breast. She will also notice that breast milk will drip from her breast when she is reminded by her baby. She may also experience pain caused by uterine contractions in the first week of breastfeeding. The mother will also observe the swallowing and suckling of the baby which indicates that there is breastmilk flowing in her baby’s mouth.
