TFN Nutrition Center

23/08/2025

On August 23, the heavens will treat us to a rare sight — the Black Moon. Unlike the glowing full moon, this mysterious Moon hides in shadow, its bright side turned away from Earth, rising quietly with the Sun.

A Black Moon happens when a month hosts two new moons, an event that appears only once every 33 months. While invisible to the eye, its presence transforms the night: skies grow darker, stars shine sharper, and the Milky Way becomes breathtakingly vivid.

Sky watchers, photographers, and stargazing enthusiasts this is your moment. With no moonlight to dim the view, the cosmos unveils its hidden rhythms, inviting you to witness the universe in its quiet, spectacular glory.

Read more: https://blog.philhealthid.ph/?p=307

18/08/2025

Excess sugar may be deadlier for your heart than cholesterol itself. A landmark 15-year study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has revealed that consuming high levels of added sugar more than doubles the risk of dying from heart disease—even if you are not overweight.

The study followed thousands of adults and found the danger persisted regardless of age, s*x, weight, physical activity, or cholesterol levels. Those who got 25% or more of their daily calories from added sugar were over twice as likely to die from heart disease compared with those consuming less than 10%.

Sugar-sweetened beverages emerged as the biggest culprit, accounting for more than a third of added sugar in the average American diet. Other sources include desserts, candy, breakfast cereals, and fruit drinks. Researchers suggest that excess sugar raises blood pressure and prompts the liver to release harmful fats into the bloodstream—both of which heighten cardiovascular risk.

The American Heart Association warns that women should limit added sugar to 6 teaspoons (100 calories) per day and men to 9 teaspoons (150 calories). Yet just one can of soda can meet or exceed this daily limit. Experts recommend swapping sugary drinks for fruit-infused sparkling water and choosing naturally sweetened or unsweetened foods to safeguard heart health.

Source: Yang Q, Zhang Z, Gregg EW, Flanders WD, Merritt R, Hu FB. Added Sugar Intake and Cardiovascular Diseases Mortality Among US Adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(4):516–524.

15/08/2025

Norway has unveiled a floating greenhouse that grows food, purifies seawater, and powers homes—all using the vast energy of the ocean. 🌊 This innovative solution brings together nature and technology in a way that feels almost dreamlike. Could this be a glimpse of a future where human ingenuity and nature’s forces work together to create sustainable ecosystems?

This groundbreaking project calls us to reconsider how we interact with the environment. Instead of exploiting nature, could we learn to live symbiotically with it, harnessing its power while leaving minimal impact? 🌱 What if the future of innovation doesn’t lie in dominating the Earth, but in coexisting with it?

Could this floating greenhouse inspire other nations to look to the ocean for solutions to food security, clean water, and renewable energy? 🌍 Let’s reflect on the possibilities of a future powered by the forces of nature. What other aspects of human life could benefit from this approach? Let’s start the conversation.

30/07/2025

Have a great weekend 💝

28/07/2025

Available at TFN

26/07/2025

🎾 Got back pain? Studies show a tennis ball might be the easiest tool for relief — right in your living room.

If you're dealing with back pain and don't have time for a massage appointment, a simple tennis ball might offer surprising relief.

Studies show that a tennis ball massage works by applying gentle pressure to soft tissues in your muscles, helping to release muscle tension, improve circulation, and trigger the release of pain-easing endorphins.

You can use a tennis ball under your feet (one at a time!) to help loosen your muscles and tendons. This will, in turn, loosen your hamstrings and back muscles, which often helps relieve pain.

But that's not all.

By lying on a tennis ball and gently moving your body, you can target the large muscles around the spine—known as the erector spinae—which support your posture and mobility.

To get started, tape two tennis balls together and place them on the floor, then lie back so the balls align with the center of your back. Slowly raise your arms and shift your weight to massage tight areas.

For lower back relief, try placing one tennis ball under the muscles beside your spine, or sit in a chair with the ball positioned behind you. Rolling a tennis ball under your feet can also help by loosening tight hamstrings and calf muscles, which are often linked to back discomfort.

This accessible, low-cost technique may not replace a medical diagnosis, but it can offer meaningful relief as part of a broader pain management routine.

Sources:

Ghauri, M. (2022, July 26). How to Use Tennis Balls for Back Pain Massage. Sapna Pain Clinic.

Langevin, H. M., et al. (2011). Connective tissue: a body-wide signaling network?. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 15(1), 1–14.

24/07/2025

22/07/2025

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19/07/2025

14/07/2025

All smiles at TFN 💝