Exercise free cure to some health problems — top health exec

MANILA, Philippines — Due to the surge of cases of non-communicable diseases like hypertension, coronary artery disease and diabetes, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday urged the public to exercise.

Duque said that instead of relying on medicines to maintain their health, people should just exercise as it is a recognized “treatment” for many diseases.

“Mag-exercise na lang. Exercise is now important. It’s now recognized as a treatment for hypertension, for diabetes for many other conditions involving the circular system,” Duque said in a press conference at the East Avenue Medical Center.

“Walking, libre. Bakit tayo bibili ng gamot kung libre naman [ang exercise]? Binigyan tayo ng Diyos ng kakayahan para kontrahin itong mga kalabisan,” he added.

Duque pointed out the non-communicable diseases such as coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, and pneumonia among others are the top killers of individuals.

“Ito naman year- in year-out, so I’m sure there’s going to be a slight surge during the festive months of December up to January because of excess food,” the health secretary said.

Duque said that instead of practicing restraint, people just rely on medicine such as anti-hypertensive drugs to maintain their health.

“Ang number one kalaban ng tao dito, kalabisan. Ang problema kasi yung iba, parang walang bukas, kabundok kung kumuha [ng pagkain],” he said.

“Ang palusot lagi ng Pilipino, may gamot naman eh,” Duque added. /cbb