Aging delayed, diseases prevented at cellular level

VALDECAÑAS

IN 2010, 93 percent of Filipinos were buying health foods, a 10-percent increase from 2005 figures. This was revealed by research firm Kantar World Panel, in a survey on shoppers’ purchase and usage behavior.

The same survey revealed that Filipinos have been consciously reading the nutritional content in health food labels before buying; there has been a 13-percent increase of Filipinos who exercise; and 17 percent say they strive to maintain their figure.

A closer look at cellular health

Filipinos would eventually realize that health, as in all aspects of life, could be ultimately traced to the cellular level. Diet and exercise can only do so much. For some really serious and immediate results on delaying aging and preventing degenerative diseases, a closer look at cellular health is needed.

For starters, we might need to be sleeping before 10 p.m. to help regenerate damaged cells (the key to optimal production of the hormone melatonin is adequate rest early in the night), getting rid of animal protein (excessive animal food increases risk for heart disease and cancer of the breast, prostate, skin, colon, rectum, ovaries and womb), and shunning junk food. Healthy activities, such as exercise, would also significantly contribute to a healthy individual right down to the cellular level.

One medical center here in the country, however, claims to get its clients a little more “involved” in the health of their own cells. The LifeScience Center for Wellness and Preventive Medicine at the Accra Law Tower, 2nd Avenue corner 30th St., Bonifacio Global City, offers gene testing to look for diseases their clients may be predisposed to, determines what their food allergies are, prescribes supplements specifically customized for clients (genomics), does hormone tests and even checks for skin defects at a cellular level.

Marv Romero Salas, executive director, stressed that the treatment is evidence-based, physician-assisted and customized for each patient.

The LifeScience Center is an affiliate of the Klentze Institut Madrid and VitalLife Thailand (both known for preventive medicine and anti-aging practices). Dr. Michael Klentze—an authority in the fields of preventive, regenerative, anti-aging and personalized medicine and a staunch advocate for prevention over cure—and Dr. Jesus F.A. Tresguerres from Madrid, Spain, were recently at the LifeScience clinic for a four-day training workshop for doctors. Both are distinguished faculty members of the European Council for Aging Research and Education.

Various tests at the center

Dr. Ben Valdecañas, MD, medical director of LifeScience Center For Wellness and Preventive Medicine, explained to Inquirer Science and Health that the center’s gene test is done in Germany with Asian genetic panel developed in Bangkok. He added that the center uses buccal swab from the inside of patient’s cheek.

“The micronutrient test, toxic metals test, hormones (all hormones, not only sex hormones), immune cellular assay for cancer patients, cancer marker profile are all done through loud specimen in Thailand (Bumrungrad Hospital). Oxidative damage markers, neurotransmitters are done through urine in Munich. Digestive profile, including bacterial flora and inflammatory markers are done through stool specimen sent to Germany,” Valdecañas explained.

The machines the center uses for preventive medicine practice are the Kinesis exercise machines, body composition analyzer, hyperbaric oxygen chamber and programmable infusion pumps for our intravenous therapy. For our minimally invasive surgery, we have the top-of-the-line endoscopy tower that allows ambulatory arthroscopic, laparoscopic and gynecologic surgeries. For beauty and skin, we have a cutting-edge face and skin analyzer, lasers and facial machines.

Valdecañas, whose pre-medicine course is a degree in BS Biology, minor in Cellular Biology at UP Diliman, complete his doctor of medicine degree at the UERM. He took up his residency training in orthopedic surgery at the Institute of Orothopedics and Sports Medicine at St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Valdecañas subspecialized in sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery at the Baptist Medical Center in San Antonio Texas. He took postgrad programs at the Clinical Epidemiology at the Ben Taub Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston Texas, Shoulder Arthroscopy and Reconstruction at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and Joint Replacement and Revision surgery at the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, India.