Seminar on Epigenetics of Healing and Wellness
Seminar at Manresa Compound, from Manila and Paranaque, had a blessed opportunity to attend a seminar scheduled for 3 meetings on Wellbeing and promotion of a healthy lifestyle, held at Manresa Retreat House, conducted by Dr. Blecelda Varona, a Nutritionist-Dietitian.
Dr. Blecenda Miranda-Varona, DrPH, FACLM, Dip BLM, MPH, RND, is a Diplomate of the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine. She pioneered the Lifestyle Medicine Program in the Philippines. She designs and redesigns wellness programs for businesses and communities. She is passionate about helping people adopt healthy living and has helped thousands of people prevent and reverse lifestyle diseases. Her commitment is beyond measure because she believes that she is not only serving the people but God, above all.
In the seminar, she was accompanied by her husband, David Varona, who is also an inspirational speaker.
The seminar came in three parts on March 5, 12, and 31. Her seminar was about the Epigenetics of Healing and Food as Medicine; Happiness is Medicine; I Love You, Petra; Dealing with Problematic People, etc. She promotes an acronym which serves as a guide to a simple program for anyone who wants to live a healthy lifestyle.
Below is a summary of the content of the seminar.
Lifestyle Management
Lifestyle management involves working with other medical doctors and focusing on natural health remedies. It includes different factors such as nutrition, behavior, stress, working habits, diet, etc. There are studies that show how lifestyle factors might affect human health via epigenetic mechanisms.
Our lifestyle management is based on the belief that the body has the capacity to heal itself. The moment you understand that the body can heal itself, you can be helped to heal. Therefore, you must provide the correct environment for your body.
Epigenetics of Good Genes
Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work.
The human body has a lot of cells, each with its own structure and function. There are around 30 trillion cells. All the cells work together to keep the human body running effectively.
The brain is so powerful with its 86 billion neurons. Neurons are cells that help transmit signals throughout the brain. Each neuron is home to hundreds or even thousands of synapses, estimated to be in the trillions.
The Key Influencers of Epigenetics
Several lifestyle factors have been identified to modify epigenetic patterns.
The positive and negative influencers are as follows:
| Polyphenols and B vitamins | Sugar |
| Exercise | Alcohol |
| Stress reduction | Saturated fats |
| Maternal/Paternal diet | Processed food |
Positive influencers will provide good genes and will relax the body. This is the reason why food, happiness, and gratitude are medicine.
Our program is based on the acronym NEWSTART, which stands for:
N – Nutrition
E – Exercise
W – Water
S – Sunshine
T – Temperance and self-control
A – Air
R – Rest and Relationships
T – Trust in God
Negative influencers will bring about stress and anxiety.
Antioxidant Power of Greens: Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC)
ORAC measures the radical chain-breaking ability of antioxidants by monitoring the inhibition of peroxyl radical-induced oxidation. It measures the total antioxidant power of foods and other chemical substances. ORAC values are considered a reference for antioxidant effectiveness.
Almost all green leaves (dahon) have a 1000+ ORAC score. Our body needs 3,500 ORAC units/day. For our protection against aging, 5,000 -6,000 ORAC units are needed. Plant-based food, due to its high antioxidant power, will improve the environment of the colon. As we eat vegetables, the environment of the colon changes and brings about change in the microorganisms.
Brain Installation
You must install something beautiful in your mind. You are in control of yourself and with God’s grace, you can change and improve.
PETRA 1.0 – People Embedded with the Traits Resemblance of the Almighty God
PETRA 2.0 – (Unaware) People who Emotionally Trigger Rage and Anger
PETRA 3.0 – People who are Emotionally Transformed, Responsible, and Abundantly Overflowing