A common vegetable in the Philippines, patola is the the unripe fruit of the plant having the scientific name Luffa acutangula. It is sometimes called “silk squash” or “ribbed loofah” or “sponge gourd” in English. Patola is more than just one of the vegetables mentioned in "Buhay Kubo". It is rich in vitamin A, which can help prevent macular degeneration or blurring of eyesight. It also has vitamin B5, which lowers bad cholesterol and triglycerides that can cause heart disease.


Gary S. Sy, M.D.
Diplomate in Geriatric Medicine
Integrative Health & Medicine
Functional Medicine Practitioner

Clinic details:
The Life Extension
Center for Health & Wellness
3rd Floor of Bell-Kenz Tower
127 Malakas Street
Central Diliman, Quezon City
(at the back of Philippine Heart Center).
Contact numbers:
(02) 8911-13-14
(02) 8400-42-05
Cellular phone # 0917-5777675

Consultation strictly by appointment only.