In pursuit of wealth and health

It was American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote the now famous quote "the first wealth is health."

- MARIANNE GO

Unfortunately, the enduring pursuit of wealth and health is similar to the question of which came first: the chicken or the egg?

Most of us never really appreciate that our true wealth is being healthy. We capitalize on our health to gain wealth, but eventually use our wealth to remain or regain our health which we may have squandered in our pursuit of wealth.

Then the journey to regain our health turns to finding that elusive fountain of growth and renewal, creating the new economic growth engine of beauty and wellness treatments.

My previous column on a similar topic of searching for youth, wellness and a cancer cure led to an invitation to join members of the Manila Polo Club's Diamond Club, a social group that is comprised of seniors aged 70 and above that meets regularly to discuss topics on health and wellness, and generally remain active.

Their topic last week was on the stem cell therapy experience of retired Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, who after two separate stem cell treatments, has become the poster boy for the still controversial procedure, particularly the procedure that uses the stem cells of black sheep fetus.

He has written about his experience in his column in another publication.

CJ Panganiban, at 88, is still a very sharp, witty and energetic "young" man who still loves to dance and play golf with former banker Arsenio "Archit" Bartolome at the nearby Manila Golf Club.

His first treatment was done here at Medical City by Dr. Sam Bernal using the autologous stem cell (ASC), which uses one's own stem cells that are extracted from bone marrow, as well as from blood, skin or other body parts, and is then cultured to extract cells that are infused or injected back into the patient.