It’s easy to see how today’s fast-paced lifestyle has shaped how we eat. With long work hours, heavy traffic, and multiple responsibilities at home, quick and convenient meals have become the norm. Fast food, canned goods, and processed snacks are now staples, not just for adults, but increasingly for children. This shift is now reflected in national health data, pointing to a growing public health crisis. The 2023 National Nutrition Survey revealed that four in ten adults (39.8%) are overweight or obese. Even more concerning, nearly one in ten Filipino children are now affected: figures that exceed global thresholds and signal an urgent need for action.
But this issue isn’t simply the result of personal choices. It’s rooted in a food environment where unhealthy options are cheaper, more accessible, and aggressively marketed. As the World Health Organization notes, ultra-processed products such as sweetened cereals, snacks, and flavored drinks dominate store shelves. And Filipino children are especially vulnerable to this imbalance. A UNICEF report found that they eat fewer fruits and vegetables while consuming more sugar, salt, and fat. Consequently, the rate of overweight children aged 5 to 10 rose from 10.4% in 2019 to 14% in 2022, with a similar rise among adolescents.
Beyond contributing to weight gain, ultra-processed food causes more silent damage at the cellular level even in children. They’re often loaded with compounds that trigger inflammation and oxidative stress, factors linked to aging, weakened immunity, and chronic disease. One of the most effective ways to support our bodies, including the young ones during their critical years of development, is through antioxidants: natural compounds that fight off free radicals, reduce internal stress, and protect cells from damage. In doing so, antioxidants not only help prevent illness but also support energy levels, skin health, immune defense, and overall vitality, making them an essential part of everyday wellness.
A Small Step Toward Smarter Self-Care
This Nutrition Month, LAC Philippines highlights the significance of championing the power of antioxidants as a foundation for smarter, everyday self-care. With LAC MASQUELIER’s® French Pine Bark Extract, LAC encourages Filipinos to take proactive steps toward better health.
Backed by over 75 years of research, this natural supplement features Original OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins)—an advanced and unique compound proven to be 50 times stronger than Vitamin E and 20 times stronger than Vitamin C in combating oxidative stress.
Its triple-action formulation supports the body in three key ways: first, by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, helping prevent premature aging and strengthening the immune system. Second, it supports healthy circulation, ensuring that nutrients and oxygen are efficiently delivered throughout the body, keeping the heart, brain, and muscles functioning at their best. Lastly, it preserves collagen, promoting smoother, firmer skin and reducing visible signs of aging.
Taken daily as a dietary supplement, it is safe and beneficial for all age groups, including children. The ideal intake for adults is one to two tablets with water or fruit juice before meals, or at least one tablet for every 45 kg (100 lbs) of body weight. For children, the recommended dosage is ½ tablet for those weighing 17 to 33 kg, and one tablet for those 34 kg and above. This makes it a practical and smart addition to any family’s wellness routines.
Whether you’re powering through long workdays, pursuing fitness goals, or simply looking after your family’s well-being, LAC MASQUELIER’s® French Pine Bark Extract is your reliable partner in daily health routine. With consistent use, it helps reinforce your body’s natural defenses so you can perform better, recover faster, and live more fully.
Lasting health isn’t built overnight, it’s built every day. With LAC, consistency becomes your strength, and wellness becomes a way of life.
