As part of the International Women’s Day 2025, Herbalife, a premier health and wellness company, community and platform reminds Filipinas that self-care is an essential holistic approach to wellness. As we embrace the theme of Accelerating Action, we are reminded that the power to change is in our hands—now more than ever. As we celebrate the progress woman have made across the world, we must also acknowledge the urgent need for women to take charge of their own health.
Herbalife Nutrition Education and Training Lead – Asia Pacific Dr. Vipada Sae-Lao
According to Dr. Vipada Sae-Lao, Nutrition Education and Training Lead – Asia Pacific, Herbalife, juggling careers, family responsibilities, and often primary caregiving duties, women tend to experience disproportionate levels of stress, which tend to manifest in varied physical and mental health issues. This constant pressure can contribute to weakened immune systems, hormonal imbalances, sleep disturbances, and increased susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and even depression. Many life-altering diseases such as auto-immune diseases, dementiaand sarcopenia tend to affect more women in comparison to men. It’s thus important for women to understand these intricacies and seek personalized care that meets their specific needs.
Herbalife Philippines’ ‘Healthier Together’ campaign brand ambassador and wellness advocate Joyce Pring
Herbalife Philippines’ ‘Healthier Together’ campaign brand ambassador and wellness advocate Joyce Pring echoed this sentiment. The campaign that was launched earlier this year, reinforcing Herbalife’s commitment to providing Filipinos with the knowledge and resources needed to lead healthier lives, recognizes the important role women play in fostering a culture of health within their households and communities, encouraging them to lead by example in prioritizing self-care.
“As woman, a mother, a daughter and a wife, we often put ourselves last, thinking that caring for others should come first. I’ve experienced this firsthand—there were times I felt guilty about stepping away for a moment of rest or prioritizing my own health. But prioritizing self-care is not selfish—it’s a necessity.”
“That’s why I resonate deeply with Herbalife’s values of balanced nutrition, active living, and the power of community. Wellness is not just about personal choices—it’s about being part of a supportive environment that empowers us to thrive. Through Herbalife, I’ve seen how having a strong community and access to the right knowledge can help women take charge of their health with confidence. When we uplift each other, share what we learn, and lead by example, we create a ripple effect that inspires healthier families and stronger communities.”
Prioritizing heart health
According to Dr Sae-Lao, cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality of women in Asia, accounting for almost 35% of deaths in 2019. Data indicates that the Asia region had the highest age-standardized CVD death rates for females globally at 467.2 per 100,000 population, in 2019.Affecting women across age groups, it unfortunately continues to be under-diagnosed and under-treated due to misconceptions and a lack of awareness among healthcare providers and the public. Regular checks for risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, or diabetes is crucial for early detection of any heart related issues.
“Routine exercise, eating healthy and maintaining a healthy body weight support a healthy heart. Activities like yoga and meditation can support both mental and physical health, lower stress levels, benefiting blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Exercise helps blood vessels relax and widen allowing blood to flow efficiently nourishing the heart.”
“A healthy diet goes a long way in promoting heart health. Fresh fruits, colorful vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains supply the energy and nutrients the body needs, while foods like fatty fish, flaxseeds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and soybeans are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and phytonutrients, which may also reduce the risk of heart disease,” she further added.
Nurturing hormonal health
While hormonal changes are a natural part of a woman’s life stages through menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, they can also cause issues such as irregular periods, mood swings, and fertility problems.
According to Dr Sae-Lao, iron, an essential nutrient plays a crucial role in hormonal balance in women. Iron is a key component of haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that helps transport oxygen throughout the body. Women lose iron through their monthly cycles, and many don’t get enough iron in the diet to meet daily needs. Maintaining adequate iron levels is essential for supporting overall health, particularly during key life stages characterized by hormonal fluctuations.
Hormonal imbalances need to be addressed through lifestyle adjustments, balanced diet, physical activity, social support, as well as regular health checks and proper medical care.
Understanding muscle loss and bone weakness
“Aging leads to an involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, a condition calledsarcopenia, which tends to affect women more. The impact of sarcopenia can be serious as muscle strength is critical to reduce the likely event of a fall and minimize the risk of fractures. Researchsuggests that age, height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, skeletal muscle index, and fasting glucose, could be risk factors for sarcopenia in women,” said Dr Sae-Lao.
“Osteoporosis, on the other hand, is the possible loss of calcium from the bones making them brittle and more susceptible to fractures. Women are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis than men due to the hormonal changes that occur during menopause, which directly impact bone density.”
Daily physical activity, exercise in the form of aerobics or resistance training is needed to improve bone density and maintain muscle mass, especially in older women. Balanced nutrition also plays a key role in the prevention and management of both sarcopenia and osteoporosis.
Dr Sae-Lao stresses that consuming the required amount of protein and building muscle strength can help slow the rate of sarcopenia and improve quality of life. Consuming green leafy vegetables, tofu, and dairy products like milk, cheese and yoghurt is key for the bone’s calcium needs. Additionally, vitamin D supports the health of bones and teeth by aiding the body in absorbing calcium. Dietary sources of vitamin D include oily fish, egg yolks, fortified foods, liver, however a supplement may be needed as it is difficult to get the required amount of vitamin D from food alone.
Maintaining a balanced diet, staying active, getting adequate sleep, and managing stress can help mitigate some of the health challenges women face in their life. Studies have also shown that engaging in exercise with others fosters a sense of community, camaraderie, and shared purpose, boosting the feeling of being supported, especially amongst women. Group physical activities such as team sports, fitness classes, or even walking groups, provide an opportunity for social interaction, uplifting mental wellness by reducing feelings of loneliness or isolation.
“While the conversation around women’s health has evolved over the years, it’s clear that we still have a long way to go. Enhancing awareness and education, prioritizing self-care, and advocating for better healthcare access, can enable women to accelerate their journey towards empowerment—one that is as much about body and mind as it is about rights and opportunities,” concluded Dr Sae-Lao.
