Vitamin Information Center

MANILA, Philippines–The propagation of malunggay is seen as the best solution to ending the heated food versus fuel debate, according to a senior agriculture official.

Alicia Ilaga, director of the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office, said the so-called miracle plant is the only plant that can provide both biofuel and food at the same time. This versatile tree, in fact, is already attracting a slew of local and foreign investors because of its various uses.

“It’s both for food and fuel. We eat the leaves and we can use the seeds for fuel,” Ilaga explained.

As biofuel feedstock, Ilaga says malunggay seeds can produce up to 40 percent oil. This means that a kilo of seeds from the malunggay pods would yield 400 milliliters of oil, which can be used either for cooking or as substitute for diesel.

From a hectare of land planted to malunggay, about 20,000 kilos of seeds could be collected. This translates to some 8,000 liters of oil, worth some P200,000 if processed properly, according to the DA.

Ilaga stressed that malunggay’s high oil recovery rate was a big plus, prompting foreign investors to look more closely into the possibility of developing 500,000 ha of land in various terrain for malunggay cultivation.

With oil hitting $120 a barrel, advocates are pushing for the massive cultivation of malunggay and the collection of mature seeds nationwide.

To date, a total of 300,000 ha of land have been devoted to malunggay, from which local firm Secura International will produce malunggay oil.

Clients in the United States, however, are reportedly demanding that 200,000 ha be added to enable the firm to meet growing requirements for the oil, Ilaga said.

Secura president Danilo Manayaga is confident about the future of the malunggay oil, as he predicted that within the next few years, demand would be coming in from the Korean Peninsula and Japan, both of which are gunning for alternatives to fossil fuels.

Meanwhile, malunggay leaves were found to have seven times the Vitamin C found in oranges, four times the calcium and twice the protein found in milk, 75 percent of the iron in spinach, 400 percent more Vitamin A than carrots and thrice the potassium in bananas.

It even has copper and all the essential amino acids, Ilaga explained.

With a huge amount of micronutrients in malunggay, its leaves have been used to fortify soups and sauces, breads, biscuits, burgers, hotdogs and instant noodles. There are also several types of malunggay tea in the market and soon, malunggay juice may be available to consumers.

As herbal supplement, malunggay comes in capsule form to supply consumers with the micronutrients they need.

With reports from India affirming the capability of malunggay to increase sperm count and motility, which increases the likelihood of fertilizing the ovum, adult males have been encouraged to eat malunggay to improve their virility.

“There can also be no argument against malunggay as competing for scarce land since the tree had been grown in the country since prehistoric times and had not stolen a single square meter of soil where rice is cultivated,” Ilaga stressed.

Moreover, malunggay grows in abundance anywhere, particularly in hilly areas where it does not compete with regular food crops, she added.

MANILA, Philippines—The biggest culprit in skin aging is the sun. That’s why I find it ironic that cosmetic companies choose to bombard us with anti-aging products during the cold months but seem to abandon us altogether when summer starts creeping in.

For Asian skin, age shows first in discoloration and sagging rather than in wrinkles, as in Caucasians.

Here are some non-greasy and non-pore-clogging remedies.

In a meeting with dermatologist Lucy Forres, I learned that L-ascorbic acid is the only form of Vitamin C that will make a positive difference to collagen in terms of restoring the elasticity and firmness of the skin. Any other form is merely for antioxidant purposes.

Products with Vitamin C derivatives have molecules that are too big which cannot penetrate the deeper levels of the skin where collagen production is found. Their benefits are limited to fading skin discoloration and boosting the properties of your SPF sun blocks.

Cellex C high potency serum contains L-ascorbic acid. It is lightweight and needs to be applied only once a day. That single application is good for three days so you are assured of its benefits and protection.

The downside: The moment you open the vial, Vitamin C oxidizes so as you’re using it, it becomes less and less potent.

So take advantage by applying it not only on the face and neck, but also at the back of the hands and areas with dark marks and freckles.

I had a wound and was advised to wait for the scabs to fall out before applying Cellex C. Result: My leg wound has not yet turned brown but has stayed reddish and continues to fade and shrink.

It is when a wound has turned brown that it is almost impossible to fade. Of course, you can use hydroquinone, but not if you are pregnant or intend to conceive.

Vitamin for the skin

L-Ascorbic Vitamin C is very safe. It contains Zinc to create a conducive environment for collagen production, and Tyrosine for skin remodeling and repair.

The perfect moisturizer for the wounded skin is Hydra 5 B complex, an oil-free gel containing a high percentage of hyaluronic acid, a substance that attracts 1,000 times its weight in water for maximum hydration.

Well-hydrated skin heals and repairs more efficiently. These are sold exclusively at physicians’ clinics due to its very potent formulation that needs to be monitored, so call 8997868 to find the clinic nearest you.

Notes: Any Vitamin C cannot be combined with copper peptide or calcium ingredients as these minerals cancel each other’s benefits. So you will be spending a lot for nothing if you carelessly combine products that contain these ingredients.

Lifting eye creams

My main problems are puffiness and drooping upper lids, especially when I am really tired.

What works?

L’Oreal Revtalift Double Lift Eye may be useful. Its red side is for lifting the upper lids and its white side is for hydrating and draining the lower. Those with puffy upper lids will love this.

You may also try Kiehl’s Eye Alert, which is really for men. But it is, hands down, the best eye cream for those prone to puffy eyes. The caffeine in it will make you look like you get eight hours sleep nightly.

Kiehl’s first store is at Greenbelt 5 Makati.

Also check out Herbalife Skin Activator Eye. It was my life saver when I was trapped in an air-conditioned hotel room for three days finishing up five deadlines. It hydrated the lower and side eye area and kept it firm despite the haggard nights.

For a Herbalife dealer near you, call 8973450.

Clarins Lift Affine Regard Defining Eye lift is applied on brow bone and under the eyes. It gives an instant lift to heavy lids, drains puffy portions instantly and brightens dark circles slightly.

My staple eye creams are Shu Uemura Beta G eye, Lancome Secret de Vie, and Guerlain Orchid Imperiale. They have active ingredients that work on strengthening the immune system.

All of the items I have reviewed above really do a great job.