Celebrate World Oral Health Day 2022 with Cleene CLIO

Celebrate World Oral Health Day 2022 with Cleene CLIO

On World Oral Health Day, Cleene CLIO invites everyone to celebrate by practicing proper oral healthcare with their families.

A product of proudly Filipino company PHILUSA Corporation, Cleene CLIO has been an ardent supporter of this global oral health initiative, especially with oral care given less priority during the pandemic when accessibility to dentists and visits to oral health facilities were challenging at the height of the lockdowns.

To emphasize the importance of good oral health practices at home, Cleene CLIO has partnered with Manila Water Foundation and Philippine Dental Association to provide oral health kits to various barangays and schools as part of this year’s World Oral Health Day activities. Over 2,000 health kits containing Cleene CLIO toothbrushes and Dental Floss Premium from Cleene CLIO and PHILUSA were distributed to 12 barangays and to the chosen hygiene facility in Dinalaonan Elementary School in Pangasinan.

And as a special treat for World Oral Health Day on March 20, selected Cleene CLIO products will be sold at 20% off exclusively in Mercury Drug stores nationwide.

Cleene CLIO continues to be the partner of every Filipino family, mine included, in promoting good oral hygiene by offering a wide range of affordable and quality toothbrushes.

Cleene CLIO toothbrushes are made with MicroFine Soft Bristles that help penetrate and clean hard-to-reach areas for better interdental cleaning and a gentle brushing experience. The tapered bristles penetrate between teeth and gums for a thorough cleaning, while the rounded shape of the bristles removes plaque and prevents teeth and gum damage.

There is a Cleene CLIO toothbrush for every member of the family that is affordable and has world-class quality. For those wanting extra care and protection for your teeth, Cleene CLIO offers its Refreshing Green Tea and Ultimax Charcoal under their Special care line. While for those needing specialized care, Cleene CLIO has Kiddie and Junior as well as 40+ for sensitive gum and teeth. It also has its economy toothbrushes for general oral health care for any age.

Cleene CLIO is available at Mercury Drug, leading supermarkets, drugstores, and other retail stores nationwide as well as on all leading e-commerce websites: ShopeeLazada, and the PHILUSA Online Store.

About Philusa Corporation

Established in 1957, Philusa Corporation remains one of the country’s leading marketers of high quality and competitively priced personal care, household care, baby care, and selected pharmaceutical products, making it the source of pride for its customers, business partners, employees, and shareholders.

Now with 10 branches in key cities nationwide, Philusa Corporation is a market leader or major player in different categories like cotton (Cleene), cotton buds (Babyflo Gentle Buds), wound care management (MEDIPLAST), bathroom deodorizer and air care (ALBATROSS), home care and muriatic acid (Gleam and Apollo), home remedies (RHEA Alcohol, RHEA Aceite de Manzanilla and RHEA Hydrogen Peroxide), and uni-branded generic medicines (RHEA Generics).

Philusa Corporation continues its operations, guided by the core values it lives by —championing sustainability; placing its customers’ needs first; achieving the best possible results through innovation, continuous quality improvement, and teamwork; taking proactive steps in delivering its commitments on time; acting with integrity by doing what is right; and having a genuine concern for its customers, employees, and the company itself through taking initiatives in helping one another.

The Happy WAHM is part of the Mommy Bloggers Philippines community.

How Intra Saved Me 150K in Two Months

How Intra Saved Me 150K in Two Months

It’s not what you think. I don’t have 150K in my pocket right now. But yes, Intra just saved me 150k. In just two months!

But first, what is Intra?

 

Intra is a natural food supplement that helps balance and strengthen the body’s systems. It has the proprietary formulation of 23 time-tested and trusted botanical extracts, which provide antioxidants, flavonoids, lignins, polysaccharides and other health-enhancing nutrients specific to each herbal extract. 

I first heard of Intra from an aunt. That was a long time ago, back when I had no care about supplements. I was young. I was healthy. What do I need supplements for?

Then last year, my high school batch had a reunion. And two batchmates were actively promoting Intra. I got curious, and I asked for the literature. What I read intrigued me, and got me thinking… Hmmm… 23 botanical extracts. Maybe this could make up for the lack of vegetables in my diet.

So I asked my batchmate, An, if she could tell me more about it. She told me about the numerous testimonies that people have shared. She invited me to come to the Lifestyles head office so I could see and hear for myself. But I said no. I don’t have time. It’s too far. And I have no intention of doing the business. I just want to use the product. She said I’d be better off if I register as a member so I could take advantage of the discounts. So I said, game. Tell me how I could get discounts.

She came to our house one day in May last year. She lives in Manila, but she was happy to visit me in Batangas. On that same day, I registered. I was really just looking for something to compensate for the lack of vegetables in my diet. But being a numbers person, I knew I’d save more if I register as a distributor and not just a member. So I got the Express Package.

One jigger a day keeps the doctor away.

The whole family started taking Intra right away. At that time, I was on a break from crocheting because my fingers were giving me problems. My nerves were not so good. Even the simple task of washing the dishes was problematic for me. My hands were so weak, I would always feel like I would drop a glass.

That was the first change that I felt. After just about two weeks, my hand started to feel stronger. In June, I was able to go back to crocheting.

Then I noticed that I was falling asleep the moment my back hits the bed. I used to have problems sleeping. I would feel sleepy, but when I lie down, I wouldn’t fall asleep. Like my mind remains active. I blamed it on the irregular hours I keep being a virtual assistant. I sometimes have to work on Pacific Time.

Migraine attacks were also a regular thing for me. And I used to have attacks that last for days. Since I started taking Intra, I haven’t had a single attack. Amazing, huh?

Born with just one kidney.

Yes, I’m special like that.

Back in 2009, I had this excruciating pain on my lower right abdomen. I was rushed by my husband to the hospital because I was doubling over in pain. On the way to the hospital, I started to lose sensation on my legs. Like I was seeing them, but I was not feeling them. When we arrived at the hospital, my husband had to half-carry me. I was able to walk, but only because I was thinking of walking. I was not feeling my legs at all.

We were referred to a surgeon and he advised an appendectomy. Last minute, he said, wait, let’s get you a whole abdomen ultrasound. There might be something else.

So I had the ultrasound. Three sonologists alternated in performing the ultrasound, while repeatedly asking me if I ever had an operation before. My answer was simple. I’ve never been hospitalized except for the three times that I’ve given birth.

The reason for the repeated questions was revealed when we got the result. They were looking for my right kidney.

The pain finally subsided, and I was not operated on. The reason for the pain remains a history to this day. Maybe it was just God’s way of letting me know that I only had one kidney so I could start taking better care of myself.

A deliquent patient.

From 2009 to 2012, I was under the care of a nephrologist. But I got tired of going to the doctor, so I stopped.

But then in 2018, I started to feel like I really have to take better care of myself because I’m not getting any younger, and we have children that we need to send to college. Intra has been my first move to better health.

Then in March, I found me a new nephrologist. I brought all my past lab results to her, and her first order for me was to have a follow-up ultrasound. She said, you only have one, so let’s see how it’s doing in there.

Stones in my gallbladder.

I was shocked. I was worried. I was afraid. I had all these feelings when I first saw the result.

My husband tried to console me. But the doctor was worried, too. She said, if this is just one or two, I would not do anything. At least not yet. But it says, at least 5 so there could be more.

So she referred me to cholecystitian. She said he’s the best in the hospital.

Lo and behold! It’s the surgeon who was instrumental in me finding out about my lone kidney. Had he gone ahead with the appendectomy without ordering the whole abdomen ultrasound first, we would have not found out about the kidney, and I’d be without an appendix now.

So when I went to see him, I trusted him. I knew he would do the right thing.

He asked me what I was feeling. Told him I’m good. He asked if I was feeling any pain. I said no. He asked if I was feeling bloated. I said all the time. And I told him I have discomfort on my right side just below my chest. He said that’s where your gallbladder is.

My worry scale just went up ten notches. At that time, I’d do anything he’d advise me to do.

He explained what the game plan would be. He showed images and explained the procedure in graphic detail. But when he quoted me what the cost would be, I balked. I asked, can we possibly wait a few months? I need to raise funds for this. He said, ok. But the moment you feel pain, you go to the emergency room and call me.

I promised to do just that, and that I would also have a follow-up ultrasound in two months.

Intra in my mind.

On the way home, I texted my friend An. I asked her if she has ever encountered testimonies of people who had gallbladder stones. She said yes. There have been several. I asked for the dosage. And she said, just three jiggers, Marge.

I started with three jiggers right away. One after breakfast, one after lunch, and one after dinner. At that time, my daughter and I were living in Manila. She was rendering her OJT hours in an events company and being inexperienced in city living, I had to keep her safe. And that meant me walking her to the trike stop every morning, and picking her up from the office in the evening.

We started living in Manila on February 25. And every morning when I walk my daughter over the MRT station I would feel really winded and there was a pain in my chest.

But after my ultrasound on March 10 and I’ve started with the three jiggers daily, the pain disappeared and I did not feel as winded as before.

Again, being a numbers person, I thought of the extra savings I’d get if I just registered my husband for another Express Package, so I did. The plan was, if Intra works for me and it somehow dissolves the stones in my gallbladder, then we’d register our daughter, too, and then we’ll have the opportunity to do the business for real.

Then in the early part of May, knowing that I was about to have my follow-up ultrasound, I told my husband I wanted to double my dose. And I did. I started taking 2 jiggers three times a day.

After a week, I started feeling dizzy. I suspected that the 6 jiggers were too much. That I was becoming hypoglycemic. So we went back to 3 jiggers. And I was fine again.

Happy day.

Indeed, it is!

I had my follow-up ultrasound today. And the stones are gone!

Echo free means no stones! Isn’t that amazing?

So yes, Intra saved me 150K. Could be more, because that was just the doctor’s estimate. You know how estimates go, right?

My husband says I only consumed less than 7 bottles of Intra in the past two months. If I were just buying it on SRP, that’s only Php 12,600. But because I’m registered as a distributor, it’s waaaaaay lower than that.

So…

Now I think I want to do more than use Intra. I have my own personal testimony that it works. And I want to share this with anyone who’d care to listen. In fact, I’m now working on a Healthy Lifestyle page right here on my site so you’ll have all the info you’ll need about Intra.

Are you interested to know more? Please do message me on Facebook! Or call or text me on my cell, or we can meet up in Manila. Just let me know!

Intra for The Happy WAHM
Labdoor: Why You Should Check It Out

Labdoor: Why You Should Check It Out

I’ve been familiar with LabDoor since 2014.  But it’s only last week that I started using it for myself.

I use Labdoor when my client needs me to link a supplement he recommends to his affiliate account on Amazon.

So let’s say he wants to recommend supplementing one’s diet with glucosamine chondroitin, I would go to Amazon and search for that supplement.

Those are big words, by the way, so I just copy and paste from his article to the search box.

The results would show different brands, so I would then go to LabDoor, and see how those brands rank.

Cool, huh?

What is Labdoor?

LabDoor is an independent company that does the hard work for us.  They test supplements to find out if what they claim on their labels are true, and whether or not they have harmful ingredients or contaminants. They grade and rank the supplements, prepare a report and then they publish the information.

And take note, they buy the products that they have selected for testing.  They do not accept samples from manufacturers. That way, they do not form a bias.

How Labdoor helps.

So Labdoor goes through the following process:

  • Select the product for testing.
  • Purchase the products.
  • Collect testing data on those products.
  • Convert collected data into scores.
  • Generate rankings.
  • Publish the result.

And all we have to do as consumers is go to their website and check for ourselves which brand is best.

Their rankings are 2-fold.  There is a ranking for quality and another ranking for value.

My reason for going to LabDoor last week was to find me a good Vitamin D that I can get from Amazon. I had some blood work done, and for today, I’m sharing the results of my 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D test.

Why did I get tested in the first place?

Well, if you Google what the 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D test is for, you’ll find that it is requested when your doctor believes you are at high risk of having Vitamin D deficiency.

So who are those at high risk?

  • people who don’t get much exposure to the sun
  • older adults
  • people with obesity
  • babies who are breastfed only (formula is usually fortified with vitamin D)
  • people who have had gastric bypass surgery
  • people who have a disease that affects the intestines and makes it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients, such as Crohn’s disease

Notice that I highlighted the one that applies to me.

Come one, people!  I’m not that old!

But anyway, in one of my mother’s regular visits to her internist, it was mentioned in passing that I’m a virtual assistant.  The good doctor asked me how long I’ve been a VA, and I replied, “Going on 13 years.” Right then and there, the doctor wrote me a lab request for 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D test and a bone densitometry test. He told me to get those done and see him when I have the results.

And because I’m stubborn, I never had those tests done.  Until something happened two weeks ago.

I’m not going to delve too much on what it was that happened, but suffice it to say that since October 2009, I’ve been under the care of a nephrologist.

Now back to my hunt for Vitamin D.

My test result showed a level so much lower than the normal range.  A level of 30 to 40 nanograms/milliliter is adequate, and I had 10.5.  So I was prescribed 4000iu of daily intake of Vitamin D for the next 2 months, and a repeat of the test after that period.

I’ve never taken any vitamins in my life.  Well, except for those prescribed when pregnant.  Other than those, I don’t take any meds at all.

Not even for a migraine.

Now, here are some fun facts…

There are doctors here who sell what they prescribe.  Yes, even when you can see on the hospital bulletin board that it is prohibited. There’s a long list of reasons why they cannot and should not sell, but still…

So we buy from the doctors.  Because another fun fact is… we can’t find Vitamin D higher than 1000iu in pharmacies.

And the doctors sell either Kirkland or Healthy Options.

And the price!  While you can buy Kirkland from Amazon at Php1.35 per softgel (at 54 to a dollar exchange rate), we pay Php10.00 per softgel to our good doctor.

Hey, I realize they also need to pay for shipping cost and everything, okay?  So I’m not complaining.  

But if I can get it directly from Amazon without worrying about shipping, why not, right?

So I went to LabDoor to check how Kirkland’s Vitamin D ranks.  It has a score of 81.5 out of 100.  Not good enough, because it only has a score of 66 on Ingredient Safety.

See, LabDoor also shows the ratings based on

  • label accuracy,
  • product purity,
  • nutritional value,
  • ingredient safety, and
  • projected efficacy.

The ratings are also coded in colors. Dark green is best, light green is good, yellow not so much.

I checked out the other brands that I’m familiar with, like NatureMade, and it has a score of 85.9 out of 100.  It’s twice the cost of Kirkland, but I like that it scored higher with LabDoor. The only concern is that they only tested the 1000iu, and I need the 2000iu.

The top-rated Vitamin D?  It’s called NutriGold. It has a score of 87.4 out of 100.  It’s a no-brainer, I’m going for this one.

wahm vitamin

And I’m writing about LabDoor, why?

I mean, other than finally waking my blog up from its deep slumber.

Well, for one, I know that there are parents in my audience.  Parents who buy their kids vitamins on a regular basis. I’m sure they’ll appreciate the information that LabDoor gives away for free.

And two, because I know that there are also freelancers in my audience, who, like me, fall under the category of “people who don’t get much exposure to the sun.”  Guys, if you’re like me, whose only time outside the house is to go for groceries and run errands, please go and see your doctor.  It won’t hurt to get tested for your Vitamin D level.

Like it literally won’t hurt if you find a phlebotomist who draws blood like Iliad.

And then you can plan on working under the sun, like on a beach, or a park…

Now I’m dreaming.

So there you have it, folks!  I hope that you find this post helpful.  Thank you for reading! And feel free to share!

Do you, have questions, comments or feedback about this post?
Please leave a comment below, or post them on my Facebook Page.

Astragalus Root

Astragalus Root

Astragalus is an herb. The root is used to make medicine.

Astragalus is used for many conditions, but so far, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to determine whether or not it is effective for any of them.

Astragalus is used for the common cold, upper respiratory infections, allergiesfibromyalgiaanemiaHIV/AIDS, and to strengthen and regulate the immune system. It is also used for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), kidney disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Some people use astragalus as a general tonic, to protect the liver, and to fight bacteria and viruses.

Astragalus is commonly used in combination with other herbs. For example, in combination with Ligustrum lucidum (glossy privet), astragalus is used orally for treating breast cancercervical cancer, and lung cancer.

Astragalus is sometimes applied to the skin to increase blood flow to the area and to speed wound healing.

There are several different species of astragalus. Some species contain a toxin called swainsonine and have been linked to livestock poisonings. Some of these species include Astragalus lentiginosus, Astragalus mollissimus, and others. However, these species of astragalus are usually not found in dietary supplements used by humans. Most astragalus supplements contain Astragalus membranaceus.

How does it work?

Astragalus seems to stimulate and increase the immune system.

Proven Effective for

  • Reducing side effects of chemotherapy. Early research suggests that giving astragalus intravenously (by IV) or using Chinese herbal mixtures containing astragalus might reduce nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bone marrow suppression (a decrease in the cells that provide immunity) that is associated with chemotherapy treatments.
  • Diabetes. Early research suggests that astragalus, given intravenously (by IV) or taken by mouth as a combination product, might help control blood sugar and insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Resource:  WebMD

Siberian Ginseng

Siberian Ginseng

Siberian ginseng is a plant. People use the root of the plant to make medicine.

Siberian ginseng is often called an “adaptogen.” This is a non-medical term used to describe substances that can supposedly strengthen the body and increase general resistance to daily stress.

In addition to being used as an adaptogen, Siberian ginseng is used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels such as high blood pressurelow blood pressure, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), and rheumatic heart disease.

It is also used for kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetesfibromyalgiarheumatoid arthritisflucolds, chronic bronchitis, and tuberculosis. It is also used for treating the side effects of cancerchemotherapy.

Some people use it to improve athletic performance and the ability to do work. They also use it to treat sleep problems (insomnia) and the symptoms of infections caused by herpes simplex type 2.

It is also used to boost the immune system, prevent colds, and increase appetite.

In manufacturing, Siberian ginseng is added to skin care products.

Don’t confuse Siberian ginseng with other types of ginseng. It is not the same herb as American or Panax ginseng. Be careful about which product you choose. American and Panax ginseng can be a lot more expensive. It is said that years ago, the Soviet Union wanted to provide its athletes with the advantages offered by ginseng but wanted a less expensive version. So, Siberian ginseng became popular, and this is why most studies on it have been done in Russia.

You should know that the quality of Siberian ginseng products varies a lot. It is often misidentified or contains “adulterants,” which are other ingredients that do not contribute to the benefit of the product but take up space in the product. Silk vine is a common adulterant of Siberian ginseng.

Before taking herb, talk with your healthcare provider if you take any medications. This herb interacts with many prescription drugs.

How does it work?

Siberian ginseng contains many chemicals that affect the brain, immune system, and certain hormones. It might also contain chemicals that have activity against some bacteria and viruses.

Proven Effective for

  • Bipolar disorder. Taking Siberian ginseng plus lithium by mouth for 6 weeks appears to induce a similar response rate and remission rate as taking lithium plus fluoxetine in people with bipolar disorder.
  • Relieving symptoms of the common cold, when used in combination with an herb called andrographis. Some clinical research shows that taking a specific combination product containing Siberian ginseng plus andrographis (Kan Jang, Swedish Herbal Institute) by mouth improves symptoms of the common cold when started within 72 hours of symptom onset. Some symptoms can improve after 2 days of treatment. However, it generally takes 4-5 days of treatment for the maximum benefit. Some research suggests this combination of Siberian ginseng and andrographis relieves cold symptoms in children better than echinacea. Also taking a specific product containing Siberian ginseng, echinacea, and malabar nut (Kan Jang, Swedish Herbal Institute) for 6 days appears to improve coughing and congestion better than taking the drug bromohexine.
  • A viral infection called herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2). Taking a specific Siberian ginseng extract, standardized to contain a specific ginseng ingredient called eleutheroside 0.3% (Elagen), seems to reduce the number, severity, and duration of herpes simplex type 2 infections.

Resource: WebMD

Schisandra Berry

Schisandra Berry

Schisandra berry, also spelled schizandra, is a vining shrub native to Northern and Northeast China, areas of Korea and Russia.  In Chinese, the berries of Schisandra chinensis are called Wu Wei Zi, translated as the “five-flavor fruit”, based on it’s salty, sweet, sour, pungent and bitter flavors,  It has been used as a natural medicine for thousands of years and prescribed by physicians in China.

The use of schisandra berry in North America is limited; only small number of studies have currently been published in English.  Most of the published research is in Chinese, Japanese and Russian.  In the 16th century, the largest description of materia medica in traditional China was written in a pharmaceutical book titled Bencao Gangmu (Guidelines to Roots and Herbs). In Traditioanal Chinese Medicine, schisandra berry has been widely used as a kidney tonic and lunch astringent.  Schisandra helps promote the production of body fluid, increase the body’s resistance to a broad spectrum of adverse biological, chemical and physical effect and help the body handle stress.

Schisandra fruit has been found to have a variety of active constituents including essential oils, vitamins A, C and E, flavonoids, triterpenic acid, citric acid, ganwuweizic acid, and more.

Health Benefits of Schisandra Berry

Antimicrobial Effects and Liver Health

Scientific studies have found that schisandra berry works as an antibacterial, a stimulants and it protects the liver against toxins.  Liver problems lead to immune disorders because of the build up of toxins.  In vitro and in animal models, schisandra extract has been examined for its anti-inflammatory effects.  A constituent of schisandra has been shown to inhibit inflammatory cell infiltration in animals with liver injuries.  In vitro, schisandra chinensis extract has also shown antibacterial activity.

Other Benefits

Schisandra is used as an “adaptogen” for increasing resistance to disease and stress, increasing energy, and increasing physical performance and endurance.

Schisandra is also used for preventing early aging and increasing lifespan, normalizing blood sugar and blood pressure, stimulating the immune system, and speeding recovery after surgery.

It is also used for treating liver disease (hepatitis) and protecting the liver from poisons. The Chinese have developed a liver-protecting drug called DBD that is made from schizandrin, one of the chemicals in schisandra.

Other uses for schisandra include treatment of high cholesterol, pneumonia, coughs, asthma, sleep problems (insomnia), tiredness and irritability associated with emotional disturbance (neurasthenia), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), chronic diarrhea, dysentery, night sweats, spontaneous sweating, involuntary discharge of semen, thirst, erectile dysfunction (ED), physical exhaustion, excessive urination, depression, irritability, and memory loss. It is also used in children to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks of fever associated with an inherited disease called familial Mediterranean fever.

Some people use schisandra for improving vision and muscular activity, protecting against radiation, preventing motion sickness, preventing infection, boosting energy at the cellular level, and improving the health of the adrenal glands.

Common Name:
Schisandra Berry

Botanical Name:
Schisandra chinensis

Part of Use:
Berry

References:
1. Natural Standard: The Authority of Integrative Medicine
2. Louise Tenney (2000). Today’s Herbal Health. 5th Edition
3. WebMD

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