Katrina Capellan MD

27/03/2026

No clinic tomorrow, March 28, 2026.

Resume po tayo ng Holy Monday.

27/03/2026

RESEARCH | Bignay is a fruit widespread in the Philippines. It is usually consumed in processed form as juice, concentrate, or wine. The skin, seeds, and some of the leftover pulp, known as pomace, are discarded in the process. But since it consists of peel and seeds, pomace contains high dietary fiber.

This study examined at the laboratory scale the effect of bignay pomace on the estimated glycemic index (eGI) of commonly consumed local grains when digested together. The results of the experiments showed that adding 1% freeze-dried bignay pomace led to significant reductions in the estimated glycemic index and hydrolysis index (15–32%) during a two-stage simulated in vitro digestion of rice, adlai, white corn grits (WCG), a 50:50 rice:adlai mix, and a 70:30 rice:WCG mix.

Further analysis indicated that total dietary fiber and resistant starch in the grains influenced eGI, as these components slowed starch digestion. Bignay pomace notably reduced the rate of in vitro digestion of local grains, suggesting its potential to improve the glycemic index.

This study provides important baseline data for exploring the use of bignay pomace as a food supplement for preventing non-communicable diseases, particularly obesity and type 2 diabetes, which are both lifestyle-driven.

Authors: Jonina Marie Tengco (Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños | Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute), Florencio Collado Reginio Jr. (Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Gilda Melanie Babaran (Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Claire Zubia (Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Y. Ogawa (Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University) and Sheba Mae Duque (Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Published in Food Research

Read more: https://ovpaa.up.edu.ph/research/the-inclusion-of-bignay-pomace-reduces-the-estimated-glycemic-index-of-common-local-grains-during-digestion/

19/03/2026

Memento Mori

19/03/2026

ATTENTION, BEACHGOERS!

As the dry season begins, the National Museum of the Philippines urged the public on Tuesday to exercise caution when exploring beaches, as they may encounter dangerous marine species.

The museum specifically warned about the presence of the flower urchin (Toxopneustes pileolus), a highly venomous species capable of causing serious reactions such as paralysis, numbness, and breathing difficulties.

"This species of sea urchin is found in shallow waters, inhabiting coral reefs and rocks, scraping off algae, preventing it from overgrowing the coral community. They are abundant and widely distributed in Philippine waters, so next time you go to the beach, be vigilant," the museum wrote. (Facebook/National Museum of the Philippines)

18/03/2026

Grapes has resveratrol. Don't remove the skin. It's there. Heart healthy, antioxidant.

The other's gazpacho. Just found on sale. My filipino taste buds would go back to pinakbet. Packed with fiber snd antioxidants too. Has EVO.

Coffee. The gazpacho woke me up better. XD Coffee has good liver effects, antioxidants, anticancer. But there are also studies that say it triggers release of catecholamines - inducing "stress", and in a certain amount and duration, might make you gain weight.

13/03/2026

Ganto ngayon kami sa clinic. Lights off pag downtime. Tipid moves! 😛
May rangehood, kasi ito palang bagong pwesto namin dating small resto ❤

Dalawin nyo ko, kain tayo kape’t pandesal!

P.s. Yung patient, hihiga sa ilalim nito during physical exam. Pramis, hindi po namin kayo lulutuin! Haha!

07/03/2026

07/03/2026

BAWAL MANYAK ✋

Alam mo ba na puwede mo ipakulong ang mga bastos, stalker, manghihipo, exhibitionist, manyak at iba pa? Basahin dito ang mga saklaw na gawain at kaukulang parusa ng Safe Spaces Act o Bawal Bastos Law — kung saan puwede magsampa ng reklamo ang biktima, babae man o lalaki.

I-click ang links sa comments para sa iba pang detalye.

04/03/2026

ANNOUNCEMENT: Introductory Course on Clinical Bioethics & End-of-Life Care in the Philippines for Health Care Professionals

✅ Free on OpenLearning

This course provides essential knowledge and practical insights on:
✅ Ethical decision-making
✅ End-of-life care within the Philippine healthcare context

Pre-enroll here: https://bit.ly/4cVdskM?r=qr

03/03/2026

“Sabi kasi nang kapitbahay namin”

Last week I saw a patient that was admitted with a leg wound and a fever that had been worsening for weeks. She had diabetes and had already tried multiple antibiotics at home. Her daughter brought a pouch of mixed tablets: leftovers from an old prescription, a few from a neighbor, and one bought from pharmacies that wrongfully dispense antibiotics without a need for prescriptions, because it has been the practice of her family for years.

“Para daw mabilis gumaling sabi kasi nang kapitbahay namin.”

Cultures eventually came back showing MRSA, resistant to almost everything, her wound was not getting better.

Her daughter asked, “Doc, meron pa po bang mas malakas antibiotic ang kailangan?”

I explained that the remaining options were effective, but they were medicines usually reserved for severe, resistant infections, and they came with a cost most families aren’t prepared for.

As to which the patient replied,

“Sana pala nagpa-check up na lang kami agad.”

No blaming. No drama. Just a reminder that Antibiotic resisrance is real and a reminder of how easily things can escalate when antibiotics are used without proper guidance.

23/02/2026

12/02/2026