Category: Uncategorized

 

By Atli Arnarson, PhD |

 

July, 2015

 

Pork is the meat of the domestic pig (Sus domesticus).

It is the most commonly consumed red meat worldwide, especially in eastern Asia, but its consumption is forbidden in certain religions, such as Islam and Judaism.

For this reason, pork is illegal in many Islamic countries.

It is often eaten unprocessed, but cured (preserved) pork products are also very common. These include smoked pork, ham, bacon and sausages.

Being high in protein and rich in many vitamins and minerals, lean pork can be an excellent addition to a healthy diet.

 

Nutrition Facts

Pork Protein

Like all meat, pork is mostly made up of protein.

The protein content of lean, cooked pork is around 26% by fresh weight.

By dry weight, the protein content of lean pork can be as high as 89%, making it one of the richest dietary sources of protein.

It contains all the essential amino acids necessary for the growth and maintenance of our bodies. In fact, meat is one of the most complete dietary sources of protein.

For this reason, eating pork, or other meats, may be of particular benefit for bodybuilders, recovering athletes, post-surgical patients, or other people who need to build up or repair their muscles.

Bottom Line: High-quality protein is the main nutritional component of pork, making it useful for muscle growth and maintenance.

Pork Fat

Pork contains varying amounts of fat.

The proportion of fat in pork usually ranges from 10-16% but it can be much higher, depending on the level of trimming and various other factors.

Clarified pig fat, called lard, is sometimes used as a cooking fat.

Like other types of red meat, pork is mainly composed of saturated fats and unsaturated fats, present in approximately equal amounts.

The fatty acid composition of pork is slightly different from the meat of ruminant animals, such as beef and lamb.

It is low in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and is slightly richer in unsaturated fats.

Bottom Line: The fat content of pork varies. It is mainly made up of saturated and monounsaturated fats.

Vitamins and Minerals

Pork is a rich source of many different vitamins and minerals.

These are the main vitamins and minerals found in pork:

• Thiamin:Unlike other types of red meat, such as beef and lamb, pork is particularly rich in thiamin. Thiamin is one of the B-vitamins and plays an essential role in various body functions.
• Selenium:Pork is usually a rich source of selenium. The best sources of this essential mineral are animal-derived foods, such as meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy products.
• Zinc:An important mineral, abundant in pork. It is essential for a healthy brain and immune system.
• Vitamin B12:Only found in foods of animal origin, vitamin B12 is important for blood formation and brain function. Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause anemia and damage to neurons.
• Vitamin B6:A group of several related vitamins, important for the formation of red blood cells.
• Niacin:One of the B-vitamins, also called vitamin B3. It serves a variety of functions in the body and is important for growth and metabolism.
• Phosphorus:Abundant and common in most foods, phosphorus is usually a large component of people’s diets. It is essential for body growth and maintenance.
• Iron:Pork contains less iron than lamb or beef. However, the absorption of meat iron (heme-iron) from the digestive tract is very efficient and pork can be considered an outstanding source of iron.

Pork may contain useful amounts of many other vitamins and minerals.

Processed pork products, such as ham and bacon, may contain very high amounts of salt (sodium).

Bottom Line: Pork is an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals, including thiamin, zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, niacin, phosphorus, and iron.

Other Meat Compounds

Similarly to plants, animal foods contain a number of bioactive substances, other than vitamins and minerals, that may affect health.

• Creatine:Abundant in meat, creatine functions as an energy source for muscles. It is a popular supplement among bodybuilders and research indicates that it may improve muscle growth and maintenance (6, 7).
• Taurine:Found in fish and meat, taurine is an antioxidant amino acid formed by our own bodies. Dietary intake of taurine may be important for heart and muscle function (8, 9, 10).
• Glutathione:An antioxidant, present in high amounts in meat, but also produced in the human body. Even though it is an essential antioxidant in the body, the role of glutathione as a zoonutrient is unclear (11, 12).
• Cholesterol:A sterol found in meat and other animal-derived foods, such asdairy products and eggs. Dietary cholesterol does not affect levels of cholesterol in the body, at least not in the majority of people (13).

Bottom Line: Pork contains a number of bioactive meat compounds, such as creatine, taurine, and glutathione.

Health Benefits of Pork

Pork is loaded with various healthy vitamins and minerals, as well as high-quality protein. Adequately cooked pork can make an excellent part of a healthy diet.

Maintenance of Muscle Mass

Along with many other animal-based foods, pork is one of the best dietary sources of high-quality protein.

With age, maintaining muscle mass is an important health consideration. Without exercise and proper diet, muscle mass naturally degenerates with age, an adverse change that is associated with many age-related health problems.

In the most severe cases, muscle wasting may lead to a condition called sarcopenia, which is characterized by very low levels of muscle mass and decreased quality of life. Sarcopenia is most common among elderly people.

High-quality protein, containing all of the essential amino acids, is very important for the maintenance of muscle mass, especially when coupled with strength training.

Inadequate intake of high-quality protein may accelerate age-related muscle degeneration, increasing the risk of sarcopenia (14).

Eating pork, or other protein-rich animal foods, is an excellent way to ensure sufficient dietary intake of high-quality protein that may help preserve muscle mass.

Bottom Line: Pork is an excellent source of high-quality protein, so it should be effective for the growth and maintenance of muscle mass.

Improved Exercise Performance

Meat consumption is not only beneficial for the maintenance of muscle mass, it may also improve muscle function and physical performance.

Aside from being rich in high-quality protein, animal muscles (meat) contain a variety of healthy nutrients that are beneficial for our own muscles. These include taurine, creatine, and beta-alanine.

Beta-alanine is an amino acid, which is used to produce carnosine in the body.

Carnosine is a substance that is important for muscle function (15, 16).

High levels of carnosine in human muscles have, in fact, been linked with reduced fatigue and improved physical performance (17, 18, 19, 20).

Following vegetarian or vegan diets, which are low in beta-alanine, may cut the amount of carnosine in muscles over time (21).

In contrast, high dietary intake of beta-alanine (from supplements) may result in significant increases in the carnosine levels of muscles (15, 17, 22, 23).

As a result, eating pork, or other rich sources of beta-alanine, may be beneficial for those who want to maximize their physical performance.

Bottom Line: Like other types of meat, pork may help improve muscle function and exercise performance.

 

Pork and Heart Disease

Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease, is the main cause of premature death worldwide.

It includes adverse conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure.

There are inconsistent results from observational studies on red meat and heart disease.

Some studies have shown an increased risk for both processed and unprocessed red meat (24), whereas others showed an increased risk for processed meat only (25,26).

Others have not found any significant link (27).

However, there is no clear-cut evidence that meat, in itself, actually causes heart disease. Observational studies can only reveal possible associations, but cannot provide evidence for a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

It is clear that high meat intake is linked with unhealthy lifestyle factors, such as low consumption of fruit and vegetables, less physical activity, smoking, and overeating (28, 29, 30), and most observational studies try to correct for these factors.

Another popular explanation involves the cholesterol and saturated fat content of meat.

However, dietary cholesterol has little or no effect on cholesterol levels in blood and is not considered a health concern (13).

The link between saturated fats and heart disease is also unclear and many high-quality studies have not found any significant association (31, 32, 33).

Bottom Line: Moderate consumption of lean pork, as a part of a healthy diet, is unlikely to increase the risk of heart disease.

 

Pork and Cancer

Cancer is a serious disease, characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells in the body.

Many observational studies have found a link between red meat consumption and the risk of colon cancer (34, 35, 36).

Other studies found no significant effects (37, 38).

It is difficult to prove that pork actually causes cancer in humans.

This is because observational studies can only detect associations, but cannot provide evidence for a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

However, overcooked meat may contain a number of carcinogenic substances, most notably heterocyclic amines (39).

Heterocyclic amines are a family of unhealthy substances found in relatively high amounts in well-done and overcooked meat, fish, or other sources of animal protein.

They are formed when animal protein, such as pork, is exposed to very high temperatures during grilling, barbecuing, baking, or frying (40, 41).

Studies have shown that foods high in heterocyclic amines may raise the risk of several types of cancer, such as colon, breast, and prostate cancer (42, 43, 44, 45,46).

The role of meat consumption in the development of cancer is unclear. Although there is no hard evidence for the carcinogenicity of meat, there are plenty of hints.

In the context of a healthy diet, moderate intake of mildly cooked pork probably does not increase the risk of cancer, but for optimal health, it seems sensible to limit the consumption of overcooked pork.

Bottom Line: In itself, pork is probably not a risk factor for cancer. However, high consumption of overcooked pork is a cause for concern.

 

Adverse Effects and Individual Concerns

Eating raw or undercooked (rare) pork should be avoided altogether, especially in developing countries.

This is because raw pork may contain several types of parasites that can infect humans (47).

Pork Tapeworm

The pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) is an intestinal parasite. It sometimes reaches a length of 2-3 meters (6.5-10 feet).

Infection is very rare in developed countries. It is a greater concern in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America (47, 48, 49).

People get infected by eating raw or undercooked pork.

Most of the time, it is completely harmless and does not cause any symptoms.

However, it may occasionally lead to a disease known as cysticercosis, estimated to affect approximately 50 million people each year (47).

One of the most serious symptoms of cysticercosis is epilepsy. In fact, cysticercosis is considered to be a leading cause of acquired epilepsy (50).

Parasitic Roundworms

Trichinella is a family of parasitic roundworms that cause a disease known as trichinosis or trichinellosis.

Although trichinellosis is uncommon in developed countries, eating raw or undercooked (rare) pork may increase the risk, especially when the meat is from free-ranging, wild or backyard pigs (47).

Most often, trichinellosis has very mild symptoms, such as diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, and heartburn, or no symptoms at all.

However, trichinellosis can develop into a serious condition, especially in elderly people.

In some cases, it may lead to weakness, muscle pain, fever, and swelling around the eyes. In worst case scenarios, it can be fatal (51).

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasma gondii is the scientific name of a parasitic protozoan, a single-cell “animal”, which is only visible in a microscope.

It is found worldwide, estimated to be present in approximately one third of all humans (47).

In developed countries, such as the United States, the most common cause of infection is the consumption of raw or undercooked pork (52, 53, 54).

Usually, infection with Toxoplasma gondii does not cause any symptoms, but in people with weak immune systems it may lead to a condition known as toxoplasmosis.

Symptoms of toxoplasmosis are generally mild. However, it may be detrimental to an unborn child and life-threatening in patients with weak immune systems (47, 55).

Even though pork-borne parasites are uncommon in developed countries, pork should always be eaten when well-cooked all the way through.

Bottom Line: Due to possible contamination with parasites, consumption of raw or undercooked pork should be avoided.

 

Summary

Pork is the world’s most popular type of meat.

It is a rich source of high-quality protein, as well as various vitamins and minerals.

For this reason, it may promote muscle growth and maintenance, and improve exercise performance.

On the negative side, consumption of both undercooked and overcooked pork should be avoided.

Overcooked pork may contain carcinogenic substances, and undercooked (or raw) pork may harbor parasites.

That being said, moderate consumption of properly prepared pork can very well fit into a healthy diet.

 

This article was originally published at https://authoritynutrition.com/foods/pork/

 

Wonderzyme is close to finalizing a joint venture in China.  The  JV company which will be set up in Zhejiang will distribute Wonderzyme products.

by Danny S. Venida

HOW DIFFERENT it feels. Filipino voters woke up in the morning after Election Day knowing with some certainty the winners and losers in the electoral exercise. It used to take weeks just to establish a trend. The 2010 and 2013 elections were both experiences in computerized polls, but the best so far is the 2016 elections. The presidential and vice presidential debates were an added bonus. The Commission on Elections deserves credit for this performance.

 

The benefits are quite obvious. Tensions and uncertainties arising from a long wait have been substantially reduced. Potential election-related incidents of violence were therefore minimized. Charges of cheating have become the exception rather than the rule.

 

This kind of experience is typical in First World countries. In the United States and Canada, Election Day is a regular working day as the governments find no need to declare a holiday just so the people can vote; the electoral exercise is routine. CNN’s coverage of the US primaries and caucuses preparatory to the November presidential election demonstrates how quickly the reliable projected outcomes can be announced, with no charges of fraud. There may be occasional glitches and hitches but by and large, everyone is comfortable with the process and the results. Some politicians may engage in sour grapes and make a fuss over things, but the people are able to see through them.

 

This is, indeed, a First World experience. But there are many more day-to-day experiences in First World countries that people in emerging economies can look forward to having. Fast and reliable voting is not the only treat. A dependable mass transport system can be had, too, involving trains and public buses that run on schedule, and commuters and bus drivers that know where the bus stops are. Efficient airports and seaports are not pipe dreams. Registering a business can be done online. Roads and bridges, power and water, telecommunications, education and healthcare services and facilities are basic governance deliverables. People can be clear on where their taxes went.

 

There is no reason for Filipinos to not be provided First World services by an administration whose fiscal budget can more than double over six years. When President Aquino’s administration assumed office in 2010, the fiscal budget was only P1.4 trillion. By 2016 it had risen to P3 trillion. The Departments of Education, Public Works and Highways, Social Welfare and Development, Tourism, Labor and Employment, and Foreign Affairs may be able to make a good accounting of what they have done in the last five and a half years. The Departments of Health, Justice, Science and Technology, and National Defense may have some plus points, too. But what can the Departments of Agriculture, Transportation and Communications, Trade and Industry, Finance, Interior and Local Government, Environment and Natural Resources, Energy, and Budget and Management show for the money they spent?

 

The transition to the administration of presumptive president-elect Rodrigo Duterte must clearly define the reference points or baselines from where the various departments will begin as the reins of government are transferred. The transition committees will have to quantify the First World services they will deliver to the people in the next six years. The effort will have to cover all grounds and provide specifics from the level of the president to the different line departments.

 

The media and watchdog organizations are faced with the challenge to closely monitor the transition in the spirit of freedom of information. The public must be informed. The outgoing DBM says that only 31 percent of the 2016 fiscal budget was spent in the first four months. This means we can assume that P1.56 trillion can be spent by the next administration for the rest of the year. Where these amounts are allocated can be identified at each line agency. Concerns and hurdles, achievements and successes will be spelled out. The remaining amount of the budget is bigger than the full-year budget for 2010 when Mr. Aquino began his term as president.

 

Where the money will be coming from will likewise have to be defined. Fiscal deficits in the last six years have been kept within manageable levels, thus giving the economic cluster high marks and allowing the economy an upgrade in credit and investment ratings. Spending will have to be tempered by the source of the money that will be spent.

 

The Philippines is in a unique opportunity to begin all over again. Political dynasties still lord it over the landscape, particularly in the local governments, but there is a resounding shift in the presidency and vice presidency. The presumptive winners are new in national executive positions. Shadows of the Marcos regime (1961-1986) and the Aquino era (1986-2016) in the national scene seem to be nearing their end. The people have spoken. They want change.

 

Infrastructure developments under the strongman Ferdinand Marcos in the 1960s and 1970s could have provided First World services to the people had the leakages been limited. The expenditures could have produced quality roads, highways and bridges, educational and healthcare facilities, and power and water utilities. To a certain extent, the same could have happened in the last 30 years begun and ended by an Aquino administration. Instead, the culture of corruption held sway.

This is what must change: Government capital expenditures at the national and local levels must be spared the notorious SOP, or standard operating procedure. It takes two to corrupt. Public-private partnerships must no longer be tainted by the 10-percent cut and its multiples. Only then can First World services be delivered consistently and with sustainability. Credible and clean elections will always be a new beginning.

(This article was published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on May 18, 2016) 

 

by Marc Anthony P. Chua

 

 

 

Dr. Bondoc is an animal genetics consultant– with regards to the implementation of the lNFARMCO swine genetic improvement program that is based on an effective local pig performance data recording and evaluation (statistical analysis) system.

Specifically, Dr. Bondoc oversees the development of the INFARMCO breed standards for various economically important traits in pig breeding and production, while periodically doing a “genetic audit” of genetic trends, inbreeding coefficients, and other genetic and phenotypic parameters.

He is also involved in designing on-farm applications of livestock genomics to improve and sustain production of the best INFARMCO swine genetics.  In this regard, he provides advice to sustain and promote the relevance of INFARMCO’s participation in the National Swine Performance Test (i.e. boar testing).

Dr. Bondoc also participates in conducting related swine breeding and production researches that are important contributions to INFARMCO in particular, and the Philippine swine industry, in general.

INFARMCO Foundation, Inc. (IFI) and De La Salle Araneta University (DLSAU) recently signed the Infarmco Foundation Scholar Grant.  The grant will benefit two students of DLSAU’s Salikneta Farm agricultural program where IFI will fund their scholastic expenses.  This is in line with IFI’s and DLSAU’s shared vision than at an agricultural based career offers great opportunities.

INFARMCO participates in the 25th National Hog Convention and Trade Exhibits in Bacolod City from April 14-16.  The event which was organized by the National Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc. and the Pork Producers Federation of the Phils, Inc. is an annual gathering of commercial and backyard hog farmers where participants and experts share their techniques and experiences.

The biogas conversion and waste water treatment facility in Lexus Multiplier Farm (LMF) is nearing completion.  According to Mr. Mel David, GM for LFM, the facility should be fully operational by 2^nd quarter of 2016.  When fully operational the facility will be able to provide electrical power, harnessed from the waste material of the animals to produce methane gas, to power the entire complex.  This will translate in big savings for LMF in terms of electricity costs.  Moreover, any excess power production can be provided to neighboring communities contributing a vital role in one of INFARMCO’s values of social responsibility.

Aside from generating electrical power, the facility will also have a by-product of organic fertilizer.  These fertilizers can be sold as additional income or be used in LMF’s own fruit and vegetable plots.

 

IFC (International Farms Corporation) of the INFARMCO Group companies registered a record breaking achievement for getting the highest ever performance index in 27^th INAHGEN Boar Auction.  The performance index with a score of 269.8 was highest ever recorded since the auction which began 1984.  The breed which was a Landrace boar also garnered the highest bid in the auction with a price of P195,000. IFC also placed highest in the Large White category which got an index of 244.5 and the 2^nd highest bid price at P170,000.  IFC also garnered third place in the Large White category. While ISGI (International Swine Genetics, Inc>) got the 2^nd and 3^rd places in the Duroc category.

by Gary D. Veloso

The INFARMCO Group held its Christmas Party last December 23 at the North Greenhills Clubhouse.  The highlights of the evening were company Christmas presentations, a singing contest, raffle prizes, employee service awards and the Chairman’s Award for the best performing company.

Chairman’s Award 2015

Europhil Swine Genetics Inc,. (ESGI) wins the Chairman’s Award 2015.  The award is given to the company which garners the highest points in performance parameters such as net income, accounts receivables, and the like.  This is an annual award which comes with a winner-take-all cash prize of P100,000.

 

Employee Service Awards

The INFARMCO Group also gave recognition to employees who have their shown loyalty and dedication to the company.  The awards were given those who have served 10, 15, 20 and 30 years in the INFARMCO Group.  Each employee was given a plaque of appreciation and a cash gift.

In Recognition of Butch Peralta

In remembrance of Mr. Serafin “Butch” Peralta also known as 1BP, a special moment of recognition was given by the INFARMCO Group in his honor.  As Mr. Tony N. Chua said, “1BP has made immeasurable contribution to the growth of the INFARMCO Group in general and to the farm based companies in particular.  And I know, he is up there looking after us.”