Researchers, using data from the results of the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey, discovered that breastfeeding is effective in lowering the risk of diarrhea in infants even if environmental sanitation is compromised.

 During her study presentation, Dr. Nanette Lee-Mayol, Research Associate at the University of San Carlos (USC), shared, “We know that breastfeeding is protective of infants against infectious disease, especially diarrhea. In this study, we see the relationship of exclusive breastfeeding and sanitation with decrease or increase in the probability of getting diarrhea.”

Covering 2,355 infants less than six months of age, the study gathered information on breastfeeding practices in 17 communities in Cebu in a span of one year. On their second month after birth, 19% of the infants were completely weaned from breastfeeding, 38% were mixed-fed, and 20% received nonnutritive liquid substitutes in addition to breast milk. Researchers then compared the effects of full breastfeeding, mixed feeding and weaning on the chances of infants to acquire diarrheal disease at different levels of sanitation.

Study confirmed that breastfeeding provides protection to infants against diarrheal infection. It was also revealed that regardless of the sanitary conditions of the environment, breastfeeding was consistent in providing protection against diarrhea in children. Upon comparison of fully breastfed and mixed-fed infants, scientists observed that fully breastfed infants had lower risks of contracting diarrheal infections. Dr. Mayol explained that mixed fed infants are twice as likely to get diarrhea as exclusively breastfed babies because other food substances, such as water or tea, may have diarrhea-inducing pathogens. On the other hand, children who were completely weaned from breastfeeding showed the least protection from diarrheal infection in all levels of environmental sanitations.

 In order to protect children from diarrhea, Dr. Mayol advised mothers to stick to exclusive breastfeeding. She said, “I always push for exclusive breastfeeding. Especially, for infants living in environment with poor sanitation, exclusive breastfeeding is the best protection you can provide.”

The intensive demands of parenting require huge adjustments from both parents. However, the study, Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey, suggests that men undergo extra adjustment to cope better with child rearing. Encompassing three generations of participants in Cebu from the 1980’s up to the present, the survey collected data on various aspects of human health and nutrition including, reproductive health and sexuality.

During the presentation of the results of the study at the Department of Health (DOH) 13^th National Health Forum for Action, Dr. Nanette Lee-Mayol, Research Associate at the University of San Carlos (USC) - Cebu City, shared that the level of testosterone in men is affected by courtship, marriage and subsequent fatherhood.

Researchers measured morning and evening salivary testosterone level of the 624 single, adult male participants. Baseline data were first collected in 2005. The test was repeated after four years in 2009 when some of the participants were already married. Study showed that levels of morning and evening salivary testosterone of men who became fathers declined by 26% and 34%, respectively, whereas single non-fathers only experienced a decrease of 12% and 14% in their respective morning and evening testosterone level. Researchers also discovered that the men who spend most time with their kids are likelier to get lower testosterone levels than the others. These fathers whose youngest child was less than a month old experienced the most drastic decline in testosterone levels. Dr. Mayol revealed, “The more involved you are in taking care of the children, especially the very young ones, the lower your testosterone.”

Though there were researches made on primates showing similar results, no other paper has been published yet that links child rearing with decline in testosterone in human males until the Cebu longitudinal study. The study was the first to conclusively connect child rearing to lowered testosterone levels in men.

While traditionally, child rearing has always been designated solely as a woman’s responsibility, the study proves otherwise. The researchers explained that while high testosterone ensures mating success in men, the steep decline in testosterone level showed that men are innately wired to actively help in the child rearing.  Dr. Mayol stressed, “Testosterone is often high during mating periods but then declines to allow for caregiving of the resulting children.”

“There are news that came out classifying Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) as saturated fat. Saturated fats were known to increase bad cholesterol. However, there are different kinds of saturated fats wherein one can derive certain benefits,” explained Dr. Raymund Gabriel Naranjilla, Cardiologist and Clinical Trialist of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) during the Metro Manila Health Research and Development Consortium (MMHRDC) Research Forum for World Heart Day last October 10, 2012 at the Adamson University.

Dr. Naranjilla identified VCO as a Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT), a good saturated fat that imparts a wide range of positive health benefits.

According to Dr. Naranjilla, the UST VCO research team looked into how VCO affects the cholesterol level in humans. “This study, the first double-blind placebo-controlled clinical research on VCO primarily aims to determine the effect of VCO on human total blood cholesterol level,” said Dr. Naranjilla.

VCO processes by cold-press method from freshly grated mature coconut were used in the study. “We take the mature coconut and try to ferment it only without using heat. Because if you use heat, later on its chemical properties like antioxidants will be removed,” revealed Dr. Naranjilla.

A total of 189 recruited participants included in the study were between 35 and 65 years of age with no concurrent liver conditions and no clinically significant abnormalities on pre-study laboratory screening.

All participants were instructed to take 15mL (1 tablespoon) of VCO or the placebo three times a day after meals for four months. Informed consent was personally acquired after orientation and individual consultation. The participants were further classified according to baseline total blood cholesterol levels and were divided into normal level of cholesterol, borderline high and very high level of cholesterol in blood.

Results showed reductions in triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL, bad cholesterol) and an increase in the good cholesterol, the high density lipoprotein (HDL).

“Although, no change was seen in low density lipoprotein (LDL, bad cholesterol), the improvement of the cholesterol to HDL ratio evident on the participants in this study is likely to support the intake of VCO to decrease susceptibility to heart attack or stroke,” confirmed Dr. Naranjilla.