Invest in Healthy Lifestyle

Protect Liver

2012-02-15T16:08:00.000-08:00

To understand more what human liver is.

The liver is one of the hardest working organs in the body, so it’s only natural that you should take special care of it.

DID you know that the liver is the largest solid organ in the body? If you place your right hand over the area under the ribs on the right side of your body, it will just about cover the area of your liver. It weighs some 1.8kg in men and 1.3kg in women, and holds approximately 13% of your total blood supply at any given moment.

The liver also performs over 5,000 important functions every minute of the day to keep your body going. It is dark reddish-brown in colour and is divided into two main lobes (the much larger right and the smaller left), which are further subdivided into approximately 100,000 small lobes, or lobules.

What are the liver functions ?
Now, let’s take a look at the functions of the liver. The liver has a multitude of important and complex functions. Some of these functions include:
·Manufacturing (synthesise) proteins and blood clotting factors.
·Synthesising, storing, and processing fats, including fatty acids (used for energy) and cholesterol.
·Metabolising and storing carbohydrates, which are used as a source of sugar (glucose) in the blood that red blood cells and the brain use.
·Forming and secreting bile that contains bile acids to aid in intestinal absorption (taking in) of fats and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.
·Eliminating potentially harmful biochemical products produced by the body, such as ammonia (from the breakdown of proteins).
·Detoxifying drugs, alcohol, and environmental toxins.
·Combating infections in the body.

To understand more about liver function, click here

In the next blog, will describe what cause liver disease and what are the prevention to protect liver.

Brain Damaging Habits

2011-12-13T05:37:00.000-08:00


1.No Breakfast. People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration. 2.Overeating. It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power. 3.Smoking It causes multiple brain shrink age and may lead to Alzheimer disease. 4.High Sugar consumption. Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development. 5.Air Pollution. The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our 20 body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency. 6.Sleep Deprivation. Sleep allows our brain to rest... Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells... 7.Head covered while sleeping. Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects. 8.Working your brain during illness. Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain. 9.Lacking in stimulating thoughts. Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage. 10.Talking Rarely. Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain.

Eathing Fruits the Right Way

2011-04-12T20:02:00.000-07:00

We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat.

What is the correct way of eating fruits?

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! * FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.

In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil....

So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! You have heard people complaining — every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc — actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the purifying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat!

Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes all these will NOT happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.

There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.

But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

ORANGE : Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene — the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA:Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.

If you are not eating enough fruits in a day, then you shall consider to take supplements to cover your body daily nutrition.

Love Your Liver

2011-04-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

The liver is important for fat metabolism, cholesterol levels, weight control, blood cleanser, destroy toxic chemicals and removes unhealthy cells from the blood and protects the immune system.

FRESH PINEAPPLES' MANY BENEFITS

2011-04-06T00:04:00.000-07:00

The pineapple is a member of the bromeliad family. It is extremely rare that bromeliads produce edible fruit. The pineapple is the only available edible bromeliad today. It is a multiple fruit. One pineapple is actually made up of dozens of individual flowerets that grow together to form the entire fruit. Each scale on a pineapple is evidence of a separate flower. Pineapples stop ripening the minute they are picked. No special way of storing them will help ripen them further. Color is relatively unimportant in determining ripeness. Choose your pineapple by smell. If it smells fresh, tropical and sweet, it will be a good fruit. The more scales on the pineapple, the sweeter and juicier the taste. After you cut off the top, you can plant it. It should grow much like a sweet potato will. This delicious fruit is not only sweet and tropical, it also offers many benefits to our health.

Pineapple is a remarkable fruit. We find it enjoyable because of its lush, sweet and exotic flavor, but it may be one of the most healthful foods available today. If we take a more detailed look at it, we will find that pineapple is valuable for easing indigestion, arthritis or sinusitis. The juice has an anthelmintic effect; it helps get rid of intestinal worms. Let's look at how pineapple affects other conditions.

Pineapple is high in manganese, a mineral that is critical to development of strong bones and connective tissue. A cup of fresh pineapple will give you nearly 75% of the recommended daily amount. It is particularly helpful to older adults, whose bones tend to become brittle with age.

Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme, is the key to pineapple's value. Proteolytic means "breaks down protein", which is why pineapple is known to be a digestive aid. It helps the body digest proteins more efficiently.

Bromelain is also considered an effective anti-inflammatory. Regular ingestion of at least one half cup of fresh pineapple daily is purported to relieve painful joints common to osteoarthritis. It produces mild pain relief. In Germany , bromelain is approved as a post-injury medication because it is thought to reduce inflammation and swelling.

Orange juice is a popular liquid for those suffering from a cold because it is high in Vitamin C. Fresh pineapple is not only high in this vitamin, but because of the bromelain, it has the ability to reduce mucus in the throat. If you have a cold with a productive cough, add pineapple to your diet. It is commonly used in Europe as a post-operative measure to cut mucus after certain sinus and throat operations. Those individuals who eat fresh pineapple daily report fewer sinus problems related to allergies. In and of itself, pineapple has a very low risk for allergies.

Pineapple is also known to discourage blood clot development. This makes it a valuable dietary addition for frequent fliers and others who may be at risk for blood clots.

An old folk remedy for morning sickness is fresh pineapple juice. It really works! Fresh juice and some nuts first thing in the morning often makes a difference. It's also good for a healthier mouth. The fresh juice discourages plaque growth.

Protect Your Heart

2011-03-16T23:34:00.000-07:00

Feeling tired all the time may be a sign that the body is lacking in a viatmin-like substance called Coenzyme Q10.

PAUL Lim, 45 years old, works in an advertising firm that requires him to work long hours and entertain clients in the night. The constant late nights and lack of sleep causes him to suffer from brain fog.

How about you? Do you find yourself feeling dull and out of focus or having difficulty concentrating in any hour of the day? Is your memory failing you sometimes?

This subtle loss of brain power is a sign of your body running low on energy.

If you are feeling tired all the time, chances are that your heart is probably not getting the “fuel” that it needs to be strong and healthy. This fuel, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), is essential for production of energy at the cellular level.

Coenzyme Q10, energy, and heart health
Scientists have discovered that your heart contains 10 times more CoQ10 than any other organ, and it beats 100,000 times a day. None of these beats could have happened without energy. Therefore, the heart, being a non-stop working organ, requires a tremendous amount of continuous energy supply.

Human energy production is a complicated process. The food we eat is broken down into smaller components in the digestive tract. These smaller components are then used by the cells to produce energy. For the cells to convert food to energy, it requires a vitamin-like substance called Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Without Coenzyme Q10 our body is unable to make energy.

What causes CoQ10 deficiency
CoQ10 is produced by every cell of the body. The production of CoQ10 is a 17-step process, which requires at least eight vitamins, several trace minerals, and the amino acid tyrosine. A deficiency in any one of the nutrients due to poor dietary intake can hinder the body’s production of CoQ10.

Age can lower your CoQ10 levels. As we age, our body produces less CoQ10. By the time you reach 50, your heart will be struggling with half the CoQ10 you had when you were 21.

When that happens, your heart cannot work efficiently, and is not able to deliver all the oxygen and nutrients needed by the organs, tissues, and every part of your body. You feel tired and run down.

Intensive exercise can deplete our body’s CoQ10. Stress further exhausts CoQ10 reserves.

Drugs can also cause CoQ10 depletion in the body. An example is the popular cholesterol-lowering drug family, HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (statins), which not only lower cholesterol levels, but also CoQ10. Statins block cholesterol synthesis by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. However, this effect is not selective as it also blocks CoQ10 production.

Studies have shown that CoQ10 depletion from statin use can be reversed with supplementation. Further, CoQ10 supplementation does not appear to affect the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of statins.

CoQ10 for healthy cholesterol levels
Researchers have found that not all cholesterols are bad. Cholesterol can be divided generally into HDL-high density lipoprotein (good cholesterol) and LDL-low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol).
The higher the HDL levels in the blood, the better. LDL is not really bad but becomes a problem only when it is oxidised by free radicals. It is the oxidised LDL that builds up in our arteries and helps to develop the plaque which is characteristic of hardened arteries.

In the bloodstream, 60% CoQ10 is transported by LDL. CoQ10 protects LDL from being oxidised by free radicals. Studies have found that when more CoQ10 is contained in LDL-cholesterol, the less susceptible it is to oxidation and the less likely it is to form artery clogging plague.

The biggest problem with most CoQ10 products is the absorption into the bloodstream. The traditional forms of CoQ10 supplements are not easily absorbed by the body (powdered CoQ10 suspension in soy oil incorporated into softgel capsules, powder based tablets, powder-filled hard gelatin).

The reason is that CoQ10’s particle size is very large, insoluble in water and poorly soluble in lipids, which makes it hard for your body to absorb.

However, an American company has developed a patented Biosolv process which reduces the particle size from 25-70 microns to 0.3 microns – even smaller than bacteria! Hence, this makes it “hydrosoluble”.

As a general rule, the smaller the particle size, the better the absorption. Therefore with hydrosoluble CoQ10, more CoQ10 gets absorbed into your bloodstream to boost energy levels in the body.

Above article is extracted from the star online dated 13rd March 2011

H1N1 symptoms

2011-03-06T08:09:00.000-08:00

The recent news reported the death of the form 4 student in Kajang who confirmed H1N1 positive tests. The H1N1 seems come back again silently and raise up the threat again among the students and school teachers now. They main concern now is people who do not have H1N1 awareness, they may think that is just a normal flu and they delayed for seeking medical treatment, it would probably become too late and will cause death. This is a serious matter and we should take the H1N1 alert seriously. How to identify that is a H1N1 symptoms? You are advice to know the difference !

Know the difference!

Make an informed decision and take the right action!
Understand the difference between Cold & Influenza A (H1N1):
Symptoms	Common Cold	Influenza A (H1N1)
Fever	Rare	Characteristic, high (38° C) lasts 3-4 days
Headache	Rare	Prominent
General Ache	Pains Usually Slight	Often Severe
Fatigue	Very Mild	Can last up to 2-3 weeks
Extreme Exhaustion	Never	Early and Prominent
Running/Stuffy Nose	Common	Sometimes
Sneezing	Usual	Sometimes
Cough	None/Mild	Severe, without phlegm in the beginning
Sore Throat	Common	Sometimes
Chest Discomfort	Mild to moderate hacking cough	Common: Can become severe

In case you have any symptoms of above, please advise your medical doctor for further confirmation. In a daily lifestyle, people are encouraged to wash hand thoroughly or wear mask when they go places packed with crowds, public area like shopping complex, hospitals, cinemas, taking public transport etc. Those people who has lower immune system like pregnancy women, children and old age people are among the high risk group. Others important measure such as having a healthy lifestyle, take balance food intakes, regular exercise and take supplements are among the basic steps to enhance your body immune system level.

Amazing Gingers 神奇的生薑

2011-03-05T06:15:00.000-08:00

1. Ginger contains anti viral, anti toxic, and anti fungal properties, and is used for the prevention of and treatment against the common cold.

生薑含有抗病毒，抗毒素，抗真菌的特性，用於預防和治療普通感冒。

2.Ginger acts as an antihistamine and aids in the treatment of allergies.

生薑充當抗組胺藥在治療過敏有輔助作用。

3.Ginger displays anti inflammatory properties and can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and various other muscular disorders

生薑顯現抗發炎的特性，可用於治療類風濕關節炎，骨關節炎，和其他肌肉疾病。

4. The chemical components of the root are instrumental in inhibiting the biosynthesis of prostaglandins which are responsible for causing inflammation.

生薑根的化學成份是有助抑制生物合成前列腺素所引致的炎症。

Thus the root has proven to be a highly effective form of treatment, in some cases, even more so than the NSAID's that are traditionally prescribed.

因此，生薑根已被證實為非常有效的治療方法，在某些情況下甚至超越了類固醇消炎藥的傳統規定。

5. So eating ginger may help to prevent cancer and aging disorders.

因此，吃生薑可以有助預防癌症和老化疾病。

6. Ginger contains special enzymes responsible for catalyzing the proteins in your food, thus aiding in digestion and the prevention of cramps.

生薑含有特殊的酶能催化食物內的蛋白質，從而幫助消化和預防抽筋。

7. The ancient Greeks used to eat ginger after a large meal, in order to ease the digestion process.
古希臘人習慣膳食後吃生薑以紓緩消化的過程。

Good for those with constipation!
對便秘有效！

8. Ginger has proven to help lower your cholesterol levels and prevent the formation of blood clots.

生薑被證實能幫助降低膽固醇和防止血液凝塊的形成。

9. As a mood enhancer, ginger's cineole content may help contribute to stress relief.

在增進情緒方面，生薑的桉葉素含量可能有助紓緩壓力。

10. Also used for migraine headache

亦可用於治療偏頭痛

Ginger can also be used for reducing toothache and the discomfort which arises due to the infection in the upper respiratory tract due to its antibacterial and antifungal nature.

生薑的抗菌和抗真菌的性質亦可以用來減輕牙痛和呼吸道感染所產生的不適。

11. Chewing on fresh ginger, can help freshen the breath.

咀嚼新鮮的生薑，能幫助清新口氣。

12. Being a warming herb, ginger can help knock out a fever. This property also makes it effective in stimulating circulation of the blood

生薑因是一種變暖草藥，它可有助擊倒發燒。這草藥也有刺激血液循環功效。

13. It can also help relax muscles around the blood vessels and is said to help prevent blood clots from forming. The warming effects make it a natural decongestant as well as an antihistamine, making it the perfect remedy for colds.

生薑也可以幫助放鬆血管周圍的肌肉，據說有助防止血液凝塊的形成。其變暖的功效使它成為一種自然減充血劑及抗組胺藥，是一完美的感冒藥物。

14. Some studies show that it can even help inhibit the replication of the herpes simplex virus.

一些研究顯示生薑甚至可以幫助抑制單純皰疹病毒的複製。

15. Recent studies show that ginger might also have a role in lowering LDL cholesterol because the spice can help reduce the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed.

最近的研究顯示，生薑也有可能降低低密度脂蛋白膽固醇的作用，因為薑的調味可以有助降低被吸收的膽固醇量。

16.It has also been shown in animal trials to help slow or even prevent cancerous tumor growth.

生薑在動物試驗過程被證明可以幫助減緩甚至阻止癌腫瘤的生長。

17. Ginger doesn't only spice up your food it can also help to put some extra spice in your intimate life too. It improves blood flow to your sexual organs, and contains Vitamin C, zinc and magnesium.

生薑不單可以添增菜餚的味道還可以額外添增一些生活的親密情趣。生薑可以改善性器官血液流通，並含有維生素 C，鋅和鎂。

Tips 贴士

1。 To discover the health benefits of ginger for yourself, simply make a tea by steeping about 5 slices of ginger in hot water.

為了解生薑對您健康的益處，只要將5片生薑用熱水泡茶飲就可以。

2. If you prefer it in your food,

在食物方面，

Ginger is excellent in many dishes and is perfect when combined with garlic.

生薑是許多菜餚的絕妙配搭尤其是與大蒜合併。

Hope it will be of benefit to you & others. Wishing you all a happy healthy life.

Osteoporosis, the number game!

2011-02-26T08:11:00.000-08:00

Osteoporosis has developed into epidemic proportions, affecting more women than men, and has its roots in childhood and early adult life.

Males generally have a fatter bank account as far as bone mass is concerned.

Bone growth reaches the maximum in strength and hardness by age 30. This is known as peak bone mass. Boys reach 90% of peak bone mass by age 20, whilst girls achieve it earlier around age 18, rendering the male species extended growth potential, answering in part the question why guys are taller.

The best time to invest in the bone account is during youth. Exercise, good nutrition, and adequate calcium intake pay long term dividends. Just like a financial account, the bone account is subject to deposits and withdrawals. In youth, deposits exceed withdrawal, until a period of steady exchange in the 30s.

Unfortunately, the gentler gender succumbs to far more withdrawal than deposits after age 40, leading to a net loss of bone mass. Multiple pregnancies herald premature onset of bone deficit. As the ovaries start to wrinkle and the eternal spring of oestrogen trickles, culminating to a dry spell, that phase of mood swings, hot flushes, dryness, and loss of libido collectively known as menopause stamps its sovereignty.

Loss of oestrogen accelerates the diminishing bone mass, leading to a greater tendency to pathological fracture. Simply put, brittle bones that break with trivial force.

To dent the glee in the aging male, there is no escape from the gloom of age-related osteoporosis after the age of 75, with a ratio of one male to two females afflicted.

The above information are partially extracted from the star online dated 23rd Feb 2011

提供细胞营养 USANA助延缓人体老化

2011-02-23T07:43:00.000-08:00

人体是由数百万亿个细胞所组成。一般人对细胞，是知道它的存在，但不了解其作用及重要性，因此，经常不知觉的破坏它、摧残它，也直接的糟蹋自己的躯体。

我们的身体是个聪明的个体，有自行修补、新陈代谢的能力，只是必须要拥有良好的条件，即贯彻良好的生活方式及饮食习惯。

根据USANA Health Sciences创办人麦伦华斯博士在他的着作《隐藏的奇迹》（Invisible Miracles）里提到，人体细胞有很大的能力，是我们无法想像到的。

USANA新加坡及马来西亚区域董事经理黄敬贤接受《南洋商报》专访时说，营养是人体细胞的需要。

如果人类细胞吸取到所需要的营养，细胞可以健康生存，人体就不会那么快退化。

“然而，现代人的生活忙碌，无法从三餐中摄取所需的营养，因此，需要靠营养补充品的帮助，以吸取均衡的营养。

若营养补充的正确，对身体各个系统，如免疫系统、血液等都有好处。”

进军大马4年销售营养补充品为主

USANA Health Sciences是一家研发及生产营养补充品、食品和个人护理产品的美国制造商。

其创办人麦伦华斯博士是国际上闻名的微生物学及免疫学专家，也是利用人体细胞培养技术以检测传染性病毒的先驱科学家。

他于1992年成立USANA Health Sciences ，在2007年进军马来西亚直销市场，4年来已取得稳健的发展。

USANA是希腊文和拉丁文的结合体，具有“真正健康”涵义。

该公司主要是销售营养补充品，佔了销售额的90%，种类也集中在9种，比较专门。所有产品是直接进口自美国工厂。

根据世界卫生组织在年报中指出，慢性健康状况每年夺去超过2400万人的性命，并将为千百万人带来痛苦和残障性疾病。

慢性病纠缠现代人

对于这点，黄敬贤说，现代人很少因为传染病而逝世，反而是多数人受到慢性退化性疾病缠身，而失去健康的身体，如骨骼疏松症、糖尿病、心脏病、高血压、癌症、中风等。

“现在最危险的疾病都是慢性退化疾病。这是因为我们没照顾好细胞，让细胞慢慢退化或被侵袭，致使未到老年已百病丛生了。”

他说，很多人误以为年龄的增长、人体老化，才会患上退化性疾病，其实“年老”并不等于“疾病”，反而是因为现代人运动少、压力大、睡眠不足、营养不均衡等，一再破坏细胞功能，才让退化性健康问题有机会找上门。

赋予细胞修补能力

“其实，若我们破坏了细胞，它会自行修补；杀了它，它会传第二代，甚至是再复制。

“然而细胞要进行修补，制造新细胞过程中，需要营养。营养是细胞制造和修补的基本养分，包括了蛋白质、碳水化合物、脂肪、多种维生素，多种矿物质如，钙、镁、锌等。”

他说，当我们年轻时，细胞修补的不完全、不正常，是不会造成太大差别，可是，一旦如此累积二三十年，退化性疾病，如心脏病、癌症等就来袭了。

未曾病重不知健康重要年轻人多不爱惜身体

从黄敬贤主持过多场健康讲座的经验所得，他认为，年轻人是最不会爱惜身体的一群，因为他们少有经历过病重的问题。

他提醒年轻人，要好好照顾身体，就要有足够的运动，三餐吃好一点，拥有足够的睡眠，不要承担太大的压力，要有充足的休息，足够的营养。

“人们要有健康的体魄，是很容易做到的，也是很容易不去做到，这完全取决于个人的态度和决定。”

借讲座打造健康家庭

USANA经营的手法有点与众不同，他们是通过教育的途径去教导直销商、家庭等有关健康的重要性，提供健康的资讯，而不是着重于强制购买产品。

传授正确营养学

黄敬贤说，该公司的文化是强调以科学化及专业性的教育，传授正确的营养学，进而吸引一群理念相同的直销商对公司忠心耿耿。

他打趣的说，公司的活动相当朴实，就只是举办健康教育讲座，指导大家如何改变生活方式、饮食习惯去换取健康，有时甚至是生活小细节，如从选择蔬菜水果做起。

“我们深信，父母的生活方式将影响下一代，因此希望通过直销商把健康讯息传达给每个家庭，再由这个家庭教育另一个家庭。”

他说，USANA与一般直销公司不同之处，是在于创办人是科学家，不是商人。因此，公司所售卖的产品是专注在营养补充品，希望大家获得健康，而不只是以赚钱为导向。

他说，麦伦华斯的理想是，“一个没有苦难的世界，一个没有疾病的世界。”公司的使命是，USANA这个大家庭将是世界上最健康的家庭。

“麦伦华斯采用直销的方式去推广产品，是看到直销业的潜力，借由使用产品有效果的人介绍给其他亲友，与此同时又可赚取一些收入，可以免费吃产品。这种方式正吻合了华斯博士的梦想，把健康带到全世界去。”

营养补充品均衡日常饮食

可能有人会问，如果我从日常食物中摄取营养，那应该是足够的，不需再服用营养补充品。

可是，按照现代人忙碌的生活步伐，越来越多的父母需要在外打工，没有时间为家人准备新鲜又营养均衡的三餐，因此，要从食物中补充营养成分，的确有点困难。

黄敬贤说，无论多注重健康的人，都很难从日常饮食中摄取重要的维生素、矿物质及植物营养素。这是因为，大家有偏食的习惯，只爱挑自己或家人喜爱及懂得烹煮的食物。

此外，他说，过度的烹煮，如煎、炸、烤、焗等方法也会破坏食物的营养。

“营养补充品并不能代替健康饮食，但是适当的服用，却可以补充我们日常饮食中所缺乏的营养，确保我们获得最均衡的营养。”

他说，特别是儿童及青少年，若在成长期没有摄取到足够的营养，将会妨碍他们发育，影响日后的健康。

挑选营养补充品5要素

营养补充品对我们不陌生，几乎每家每户，大人与小孩，都有所需的营养补充品。但是，在众多的品牌中，该如何挑选适合自己的营养补充品呢？

黄敬贤说，在挑选营养补充品时，要注意5个要素，即全面性、均衡、足量、生物利用率高及安全。

他说，所谓的全面性，是摄取少量的不同营养，总比大量摄取一两种营养好。均衡是营养素需互相配合，原料用量平衡，才能发挥效应。

足量意即原料用量足够，不过量也不少量，任何营养素，过量便会有害，分量过少，则发挥不到效能。

生物利用率高意思是营养素需容易被人体吸收，否则就是浪费。而安全则是不危害人体健康，而且生产过程也需符合优质标准。

公司发展稳健取胜

USANA成立至今已近20年，但是相比其他直销公司，其插旗潜质国家的速度相对的较缓慢。就好比“直销天堂”的大马，它也是迟至2007年才来敲这个市场的大门。

“我们开发国际市场的态度是，尽管速度慢，但比较实际，一年最多打开一个国家的市场，因为我们了解到，要真正教育一个直销商了解产品、掌握健康的教育资讯及培养领导层，并非简单的事。”

黄敬贤说，该公司去年的业绩已达到近1亿令吉，预料今年会更好。而全球的业绩则冲破5亿美元（约15亿6000万令吉）。

“我们希望是稳健的成长，不是过热的不寻常增长率，否则就属于投机性质了。”

积极开拓外州市场

他说，USANA在大马的发展潜力很大，过去数年，该公司着重在巴生谷的市场，今年将会往外州扩散，通过网络直播会议的方式，让外坡的会员也能同步获取资讯。

该公司也善用科技，以电脑方式处理产品订单，再邮寄予直销商及消费者，节省大量的开店成本。

“由于我们的产品比较集中，种类不繁多，因此暂没计划在各地开设更多销售店，目前只有一家，设在八打灵再也的Axis大厦。”

提到大马政府对直销业的协助，他说，大马的直销业环境已很成熟，政府方面也无需怎么样去推动。不过如果直销公会能和政府携手推动，相信可以创造一个更健康的直销业环境

他说，只是直销公司数量不断在增加，业者需以实际及正当的手法去经营，以改变普罗大众对这个行业的看法，产生正面印象多余负面印象。

黄敬贤来自太平，投身直销业已超过十多年。他认为，直销业在大马是个很好市场，而且人们对这个行业也有一定经验和了解，在选择直销公司或产品时，都有一定成熟度。

享受永续性收入

此外，他说，作为一名直销商，应看重的是永续性的收入，而不是赚取快钱。

“从事直销业的一个好处是，在打好基础后，制造永久收入，继而享受这种持续性丰收果实，直至退休后。

“USANA的概念是，把奖励金公平分配予每一位直销商，我们并不热衷于制造多个百万收入的高层，我们更希望见到每一位直销商都能赚取合理及持续性的收入。”

此文章摘之以南洋商报 22 Feb 2011

Food for thought

2011-02-22T06:18:00.000-08:00

Healthy eating and living is not only good for the ageing body, but also, good for the mind.

TODAY, as we get used to the idea of people living longer lives, we have also learned to accept the changes in our bodies and minds as inevitable developments we have to deal with when we age.

The physical changes are usually obvious. We have more aches and pains. We need more time to recover after pulling all-nighters. We no longer have the strength to move heavy boxes around the house.
Changes in the way our minds function (cognition), however, are subtler. Over time, we may notice that we take more time to learn new skills.

We need written checklists as we forget easily. Simple calculations make us reach for our mobile phones.
While we may be familiar with the ways we can slow or delay physical decline, we often overlook that the same measures can also help us slow and delay cognitive decline.

“Cognitive decline may not be preventable, but there is much that can be done to delay or slow the decline,” said US Northeastern University Professor of Health Science Dr Katherine L. Tucker.

Keeping the mind active with Sudoku and mahjong is only a part of it. “Eat healthy foods, be physically and cognitively active, and avoid obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol,” Dr Tucker continued, as she wrapped up the presentation of her paper, Cognitive Decline with Aging: Can it be Prevented?, at the International Symposium of Health Sciences in Kuala Lumpur recently.

“Although we do not yet have enough data to confirm causal relationships between diet and cognitive decline, we are accumulating considerable evidence,” she said.

Eat well
Cognitive decline can be caused by infections and degenerative changes in the brain (when brain cells are diseased or damaged) or the lack of blood flow to the brain (which may cause brain cells to die).
But before science backed them up, factors that contribute to the acceleration of ageing have been largely observational. For instance, we notice that people who lead highly stressful lifestyles seem to age, physically and mentally, faster than those who lead simple, peaceful lives.

But why, and how? Researchers like Dr Tucker and her team at the Northeastern University, and formerly, at the Tufts University in Boston, are finally getting some clues. And Dr Tucker thinks it has a lot to do with good diet choices.

The strongest evidence for a dietary component supports a role for omega-3 fatty acids or fish consumption, wrote Dr Tucker in her abstract. There is a catch, though. As there is increasing evidence that omega-3 fatty acids interact with processes that are influenced by certain genes in the body, our genes may determine whether we will enjoy the protective benefits conferred by consuming it.

Other nutrients with compelling evidence include vitamins B6, B12 and folate from diet, although clinical trials with these as supplements have been disappointing, she continued.

“We know from history that the deficiency of several B vitamins can cause neurological deficits and dementia,” explained Dr Tucker. The chronic deficiency of vitamin B12, for instance, can cause peripheral neuropathy – damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

Also, as the B vitamins and folate play a role in breaking down homocysteine, its deficiency can result in higher levels of the protein, which is associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and lower cognitive function.

Studies of nutrients with antioxidant properties like vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene show conflicting results, but there has been increasing support for the role of an overall healthy dietary pattern.
Participation in physical and social activities, and the avoidance of tobacco use, too, has been shown to be protective.

“Other risk factors include diabetes, the metabolic syndrome, and depression, so it is likely that nutritional factors associated with these conditions contribute indirectly to cognitive decline,” Dr Tucker wrote in the report.

Live well, with less stress
A systematic review of research that looked into the link of health behaviours and cognitive decline by Korean researcher Lee Yunhwan and his team have found the following:
·Leisure-time physical activity, even of moderate levels, showed protective effects against dementia, whereas smoking elevated the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (the most common form of dementia).

·Moderate alcohol consumption tended to be protective against cognitive decline and dementia, but non-drinkers and frequent drinkers exhibited a higher risk for dementia and cognitive impairment.

·Midlife obesity had an adverse effect on cognitive function in later life.

·Analysis showed vegetable and fish consumption to be of benefit, whereas, persons consuming a diet high in saturated fat had an increased dementia risk.

However, besides these dietary factors, there are also other lifestyle factors that researchers have found important to maintain cognitive health as we age, said Dr Tucker.

“Things like keeping your mind active, continuing to work, and keeping a positive attitude can also help delay cognitive decline. So, being under stress and having a lot of concerns can take a toll on you as well,” she noted.

In a 2009 study that assessed the association between food insecurity and lower cognitive performance in 1,300 Puerto Rican adults in Massachusetts, Dr Tucker and a team of researchers also studied the interaction between stress and nutrition.

“When you have more stress in your life, your requirements for vitamins are even higher. And so it is even more important for people under high stress to have a good diet – because the processes in the body that are activated (under stress) need to be controlled with vitamins and antioxidants,” she explained.

Unfortunately, most of the time, the last thing on these people’s minds is eating well.

“That’s another reason why stress is harmful,” said Dr Tucker. “It has an effect directly on the body in terms of its utilisation of nutrients, and it also affects people because they tend not to eat as well,” she elaborated.

Education appears to count, too. “We don’t know completely why, but individuals with higher education tend to retain their cognitive function better when they age,” said Tucker. “It may be because people with higher education continue to be actively learning, and tend to have better diets as well,” she reasoned.

It’s a combination
With a reported 63,000 patients with dementia living in the country, and the Health Ministry’s expectation that this number is to double in 10 years, prevention is one of the important things we should look into.

The good news is, we don’t have to be nutritionists, PhD holders, or Zen masters to improve our chances at retaining our mental capabilities as we age, as any effort in the right direction counts.

This is because when researchers take into account all the promising results of separate studies done on diet, exercises and activities that build mental muscles, the evidence remains largely non-conclusive for any single factor.

They do, however, suggest what we have observed so far: that like any chronic condition, following a healthy lifestyle with a good quality diet, physical activity and social engagement can delay cognitive decline, Dr Tucker concluded.

The next step, then, is to find out how these measures can be tailored to fit current society needs. “More research is needed to develop effective interventions,” she said.

SOURCES FOOD sources of nutrients that may help cognitive decline:
Omega-3 fatty acids
Fatty fish (like salmon, mackarel, anchovies and sardines)
Vitamin B6
Organ meats, fortified cereals, fortified soy products
Vitamin B12
Fish, poultry, meat, fortified cereals
Folate (Folic acid)
Dark, leafy vegetables; enriched and whole grain breads; fortified cereals
Vitamin C
Raw guava, red pepper, kiwi fruit, orange, green pepper, brussels sprouts, strawberries, papaya
Vitamin E
Fortified cereals, sunflower seeds, almonds, peanut butter, vegetable oils
Beta-carotene
Carrot juice, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach
Reference:
1. Food sources for Vitamins and Minerals, WebMD.com
2. Food sources of Selected Nutrients, Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, USDA.gov.
3. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 22 Nutrient Lists, US Department of Agriculture Food and Information center.

Above article is extracted from the star online dated 20th Feb 2011

Probiotics good for gut !!

2011-02-16T22:12:00.000-08:00

The good bacteria in our digestive system help our body to resist invasion by other foreign, potentially harmful microorganisms, regulate the immune system, and perform metabolic activities, among others.

BACTERIA generally get bad press. After all, aren’t they the cause of many diseases? But like most things in life, bacteria can be divided into the good and the bad. As a matter of fact, did you know that the number of bacterial cells in our body outnumber our cells by about 10 to one?

Most of these bacteria are obviously not harmful to us, and indeed, some actually help our body to function better. Dr Lahtinen said " probiotics help to maintain the balance in our immune system."

One example of this would be the bacteria in our digestive system, which forms the largest bacterial community within our body.

These microorganisms help our body to resist invasion by other foreign, potentially harmful microorganisms, regulate the immune system, and perform metabolic activities, among others. And it is these functions that are the basis behind probiotics.

Probiotics, as defined by the World Health Organisation, are “live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”.

After all, if some bacteria are good for our body, wouldn’t more of the same be better?

“When we think of the immune system, one of the major systems is the gut. Many immune defences are in the gut. And they are doing this together with the bacteria in the gut,” he told reporters at a group interview. Probiotics, he said, have different effects on the immune system.

“In some cases when the immune system is low, probiotics can help boost it. In some cases, the immune system is too high and overreacting.

“In these cases, we can use probiotics to suppress the immune system – for example, in the case of allergies.
“So, in this way, we can use probiotics to maintain the balance of the immune system,” he said.

According to Dr Lahtinen, our gut bacteria (and also the bacteria in probiotics) does this through a combination of various mechanisms that are still being researched.

“The bacteria can stop pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) from attaching to the gut wall because they are already attached there.

“They also trigger production of anti-bacterial defence cells from the body’s immune system,” he said, explaining that the presence of these non-harmful bacteria puts the immune system on “alert”, but does not trigger the full-on defence system of the body.

Above article is partially extracted from the star online dated 21 Nov 2010

Shop online for Probiotics? Click here or call us for more info.

Keep our digestive system healthy

2011-02-14T20:22:00.000-08:00

The stomach is a very tolerant organ when compared to other organs in our body. It is a strong grinder, and can hold up to one gallon of food and liquid when fully stretched. (This is the upper limit of comfort.)

“It can tolerate a lot of abuse, so people are generally not sensitive to it. So, when they get indigestion, bloatedness or angin, as they like to call it, they generally ignore it until they experience pain or develop constant irritation.

“By that time, the problem has already become serious.”

Certainly, our stomach is not the only organ in our digestive system. It also includes other organs in the digestive tract (our mouth, esophagus, small and large intestines, rectum and anus), and supporting organs such as the liver and pancreas.

It may be a complex system, but the things we can do to take care of it are rather simple.

This figure may have improved over the last decade, but Easaw-John doubts Malaysians are getting enough fibre today. “When I look at my patients over the years, at least about 60 to 70% had not achieved their fibre intake, and many of them had not even achieved their five to six servings of fruits and vegetables daily,” she notes.

Of course, fruits and veggies are not the only sources of fibre. Grains, beans and oats are also good sources we can choose from.

Various studies have shown that fibre, either in supplements or in its natural form, can relieve chronic constipation, reduce blood cholesterol, and maintain the stability of the digestive tract. On top of that, fibres can provide “food” for the good bacteria in our intestines and make us feel full after our meal (hence stopping us from eating more), says Easaw-John.

Supplements are not the alternative, but it can ‘do the trick’ for the moment. But supplements are just that – supplements, says Easaw-John. “They are add ons and they are supposed to enhance your diet, not to replace a meal,” she notes.

Above article is partially extracted from the star online dated 13 Feb 2011

Mind Your Health

2011-02-09T07:34:00.000-08:00

A Rolls Royce needs maintenance, but does one have a service programme for the body? Are you living your life by accident (waiting for incidents to happen), or by design (having a health strategy)?

When a baby is born, so very often, the cute little miracle is deprived of the caress of the mother’s bosom and given a hard plastic bottle to nurse on. When the child grows older, the milk is exchanged with a bottle of coke. With the dawn of adulthood, the beer bottle takes over, and as the wheels of misfortune continue to turn, one may have to find sustenance through a bottle of intravenous fluid, reflecting on regrets of the past.
If exercise can give an additional five years of health, would one not be interested? If exercise, lifestyle, dietary modifications and taking the right supplements can offer 10 or more years of enhanced living, would one not embrace it?

If the picture is still hazy, it is because the “why” zone is rusted and clouded by cobwebs. With a little clean up, there should be better connectivity with the live wire.

Cigarette packaging carries pictures of lung damage so grotesque that it makes the seasoned pathologist squirm. Visual image at best is carried up to the occipital lobe where it dissipates with no impact. The “why” zone is not activated because the desire to smoke overwhelms the perceived danger.

Unless something significantly dramatic occurs, like being a survivor of a nasty heart attack or severe bronchitis, there is no trigger for change. A smoker will continue to smoke, a drinker will continue to drink, a heart will continue to be attacked.

We hear of the typical sponsored radio message that goes like “Heart disease is the No.1 killer in Malaysia. Exercise, eat healthily, reduce stress, and do not smoke and drink. Act now!”

That lyric has been sung for the last two decades, but heart disease is still the chart-topper. The song never touched the “why” zone. I should know as I, too, serenaded that ballad for the greater part of my career to impervious minds. Unless the “why” zone gets connected, there is no U-turn.

Despite herculean efforts to take action, change is usually inconsistent. Have we not heard of the diet plan that failed? Or someone who tried to stop smoking but quit trying to quit?

The final link to success in better health, wealth, or happiness is sustained commitment, not just for a day or a month, but daily.

If we do the right things today and everyday, we need not spend all of tomorrow rectifying yesterday’s mistakes. A health plan that works will add another decade of good years to life, but one has to work on the plan. A parting caution of D.I.Y. is that, if the wrong plan is chosen, a short circuit can electrocute the “why” zone, resulting in permanent damage.

Above article is partially extracted from the star online dated 9th Feb 2011 by Dr C.S.Foo

Main cereal foods of Malaysians

2011-02-03T23:03:00.000-08:00

Rice is the staple food of this country. Almost the whole population consumes rice twice daily, sometimes as porridge. White rice is invariably the choice of the population.
Greater efforts should be made by the community to consume under-milled rice or brown rice as they are of much higher nutritional value.

A variety of rice products are also consumed. These include a variety of products made from rice flour, and include several noodle-type products, such as mee-hoon, mee-sua, kueh-teow, lo-see-fun and mee-laksa. These are useful ingredients to prepare rather complete meals, after adding some meat or fish products plus plenty of vegetables.

You should prepare these meals with less oil and coconut milk. There are also several local “kuih” made from rice flour, e.g. bidaran, kuih kasui, kuih bom, kuih buah Melaka, kuih karas, kuih koci, and kuih talam. These foods should be consumed only in moderate amounts as many of these are high in sugar and contain coconut milk.

A variety of wheat flour products are consumed by wide segments of the community. Bread is certainly the most common one. The preference should be for the healthier alternatives of whole grain or wholemeal bread, as well as those with other grains added.

A number of products made from wheat flour is also commonly consumed, the most popular being noodle (mee). Cake is also made from wheat flour, but we should take note that it could be high in fat and sugar. Several local “kuih” are also made from wheat flour, e.g. dumpling, kuih apam, apam balik, and kuih ketayap.

As for rice flour products, we should opt for varieties of these that contain less sugar, coconut milk and fat.

Tubers are also good sources of energy

Tubers are the fleshy underground swelling of stem or root strands that normally contain varying amounts of starch. Root and tuber crops are consumed as food in many countries in the world.
However, their contribution to the energy supply of the population varies within a large range, depending on the country.

Many species and varieties are consumed but three species such as cassava, potato, and sweet potato provide more than 90% of the root and tuber crops used for direct human consumption.

Tubers are also sometimes consumed in this country. The common tubers include cassava, potato, sweet potato and yam. Tubers are also rich in carbohydrates, with similar protein levels compared to cereals. But their fat content is very low, resulting in slightly lower energy levels than that of cereals.

The MDG 2010 has grouped tubers together with cereals and cereal products, placed at the base of the food pyramid.

I would like to promote the consumption of red varieties of sweet potato and yam, in view of their interesting flavours and the carotenoids they contain.

Above article are partialy extracted from the star online dated Jan 30 2011

Health is Wealth

2011-01-29T19:11:00.000-08:00

The key to health and longevity is finding the trigger to demolish the barrier to a healthier and better life.

IN sitcoms, there is often an episode that plays flashbacks to consolidate the storyline. For those who had joined our tour from the beginning, we have discussed the four pillars of true health. Knowing the benefits of exercise, appropriate lifestyle habits, healthy dietary choices, and a science-based approach to supplementation is still not good enough. It is the keying in of the right digits that opens the combination lock of the door to optimal health that makes the difference.

The secret behind health and disease, life and death, lies within the 100 trillion cells in the body, which are the miracles of life itself. When cells are subjected to toxic and free radical burden, the body fights back with its own artillery, nature’s own immune and antioxidant defence system.

The roots of many chronic diseases are man-made. Never in the history of mankind have we seen such an escalating incidence of heart diseases, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer, and a host of other degenerative diseases. What is worrying is that these conditions are afflicting a younger segment of the population today. Part of the blame is on highly processed foods, a sedentary lifestyle, and overindulgence of the “good life”.

Above article are extracted from the star online dated 26 Jan 2011

Malaysians afflicted by type 2 diabetes

2011-01-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

THE Metabolic Syndrome Study of Malaysia (MSSM) that was conducted in 2008, had uncovered startling facts: 22% of those surveyed above the age of 18 are suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Even more alarming is the fact that half of these people were unaware that they even have the condition.
The rise in the occurrence of T2DM has been linked to the increase in obesity amongst the population. With the mean age of T2DM sufferers gradually lowering, a greater number of the Malaysian public are at risk from this condition, which can lead to diseases involving multiple organ systems, including coronary artery disease, stroke, blindness, and renal failure.

Nearly two million Malaysians suffer from diabetes. Obesity and weight management are linked to this rising trend. The escalation of diabetes over the last 20 years is fairly shocking, with over 50% of Malaysians currently grappling with a weight management problem.

Malaysians are also rather recalcitrant when it comes to managing diabetes, with over 80% of patients demonstrating poor glycemic (or blood glucose level) control and low treatment compliance.

Hyperglycaemia is caused by two main conditions: insulin deficiency and/or insulin resistance. Insulin deficiency is a condition where the body does not produce enough insulin.

Insulin resistance prevents the body from converting glucose into glycogen (a starch-like source of energy stored mostly in the liver), which in turn makes it difficult or impossible to remove excess glucose from the blood. To further compound the issue, a 2006 study found that 92% of type 2 diabetes patients are insulin resistant.

To learn more about Dr Ray Strand's Diabetes Risk and Prevention, click here
To learn more about Dr Ray Strand's 'How to release Fat', click here
To learn more about Dr Ray Strand's Nutritional Recommendation, click here (to fill up your name and email address)

Above article are partly extracted from the star online dated 16 Jan 2011

Allergic Rhinitis

2011-01-16T16:17:00.000-08:00

Having a stuffy nose all the time is one of the most common symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

IMAGINE not being able to breathe properly because of a stuffy, or congested, nose. Add on repeated bouts of sneezing, and snot constantly dripping from your nose.

Sounds quite miserable, doesn’t it?

You might think these are symptoms of the common cold. And it probably would not be so bad if it was, because although having the cold is definitely no fun, at least you know that you will recover from it in a matter of days.

Also commonly referred to as nasal allergies, hay fever and “sinus problems”, allergic rhinitis is on the increase around the world. Aside from nasal congestion, sneezing and a runny nose, patients might also experience headaches, itching in the nose, eyes or throat, watery eyes, coughing, a reduced sense of smell, and dripping from the nose into the back of the throat.

Above article is partly extracted from the star online dated January 16 2011

To learn more Dr Ray Strand specific recommendations about Allergies and Hay fever, kindly click here to fill up Name and email address. Subscribe to Dr Ray Strand Health Nuggets.

Giving preventive Nutritional Medicine a hope

2011-01-11T05:20:00.000-08:00

They studied the number of cancer patients who survived more than five years following diagnosis and treatment and found that overall, chemotherapy contributed just over 2% to improved survival in the cancer patients.

The authors strongly questioned the continued use of chemotherapy [Clinical Oncology (2004)16:549-560]. Since evidence-based medicine shows that the success rate with chemotherapy is so poor, any nutritional or non-conventional (ie. not yet generally accepted by mainstream medical practice) or complementary therapies that can give 2% or better success rates should be considered, especially if they are safer and less expensive.

However, no matter how poor chemotherapy results are, these are backed by adequate scientific studies, while the others are not. That is why chemotherapy is so widely prescribed despite the outcomes. It is the best among the “proven” therapies.

Patients opting for the other therapies should be clearly told about this. Proponents of nutritional, non-conventional, and complementary therapies should not be giving patients false hope. But it is not wrong to give them some hope, especially after conventional therapy has failed, and they have nothing to lose by trying other methods.

Moreover, many of these other methods do have recorded success cases. While such documented cases do not qualify as scientific studies, they give us hope to try on those patients who refuse conventional therapy (for whatever reason), and for those in whom conventional therapy had failed.

Above article is extracted from the star online dated 9-Jan-2011

Cancer and prevention

2011-01-10T07:52:00.000-08:00

More than 1,359,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year alone and approximately 550,000 patients will die this year from cancer. In spite of the near 25 billion dollars spent on cancer research in the past twenty years, cancer deaths have actually increased over that same time period. This has raised major concern among researchers and clinicians alike-it's time to rethink our approach to cancer prevention and treatment. If there has been any improvement in cancer risk, it seems to be with the ability to detect some cancers sooner, i.e. mammography for the detection of breast cancer and PSA tests for prostate cancer.

It seems that everything we do or eat these days allegedly causes cancer. Excessive exposure to sunlight increases the risk of skin cancer. Asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing an unusual form of lung cancer called a mesothelioma. Smoking and secondary smoke are the main reason that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths (over 158,000 deaths in 1996 alone). Radiation, charcoal grilled steaks, too much fat in our diet, saccharin, and numerous chemicals increase our risk of cancer. These are referred to in the medical literature and media as carcinogens (those things that increase our risk of developing cancer).

Since the first report that chimney sweeps had an increased risk of scrotal cancer because of their exposure to soot, we have become more and more afraid of our environment. Our bodies are being exposed to far more chemicals than any previous generation. The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that there are well over 60,000 chemicals in commercial use today and they are increasing at a rate of 1,000 per year. What is the one common denominator? They all increase oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the key to understanding new strategies for preventing and fighting cancer. To learn more, click here

Above article is extracted from Dr. Ray Strand's online medical practice. Dr. Strand is a specialist in nutritional and preventive medicine and is quickly becoming one of the world's leading authorities.

Moving into 2011

2011-01-07T15:48:00.000-08:00

Trends come and go, but in health, they last longer than most. So it pays to look back in order to look forward.

Below article is extracted from the star online date 2-Jan-2011

Non-communicable diseases

1. Lifestyle diseases

Going by the number of articles on it, lifestyle diseases received a lot of press in 2010.
Statistics on hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, amongst others, from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) III in 2006 were repeated several times throughout the year by various officials to emphasise the need for Malaysians to start adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Various campaigns and governmental committees were also set up to combat these chronic conditions.
Among them is the Cabinet committee, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and involving 12 ministries, approved last month, to outline policies to deal with issues related to these diseases.
RM90mil was also allocated for community empowerment programmes to transform local leaders into health advocates.
Unfortunately, these diseases are likely to remain among the top killers of our nation for a long while to come.

2. Cancer
The big C is still one of the scariest diagnoses one can hear from a doctor.
It puts a clear and definite full stop to your life, and brings home an awareness of mortality unlike many other diseases.

And because of its lingering nature, you have to deal with, not only your upcoming meeting with your Maker, but also with the rest of your life and the people in it.

Thanks to various world cancer days, including Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and general public awareness, this disease pops up in the press fairly regularly.

3. Obesity
In December, Liow reported that Malaysia had been listed sixth among Asian countries with the highest percentage of obese people.

Not surprising, considering that the NHMS III showed that two out of every five adults (43%) were either overweight or obese.

The 10-year survey showed that obesity among Malaysian adults had increased by 250%, while the number of overweight adults went up by 70% from 1996 to 2006.
About 38% of teenagers were also overweight, while a more recent survey of 10,000 primary school pupils showed that 24% were either overweight or obese.
With our delicious and easily-available food, and increasingly sedentary lifestyles, this trend of growing waistlines is only set to increase.

4. Hypertension & diabetes
Of the lifestyle diseases, these are probably the two most common among Malaysians.
The NHMS III showed that cases of hypertension, or high blood pressure, among those aged above 30 had increased from 29.9% in 1996 to 43% in 2006, while diabetes patients had gone from 8.3% to 14.9%.
The Food Intake Among Malaysian Adults Research 2002/2003 study also showed that Malaysians take 25% more salt than what is recommended by the WHO.
The intake of salt is linked to high blood pressure.
Meanwhile, a survey by the Consumers Association of Penang found that Malaysians consume an average of 26 teaspoons or sugar a day, or about 130g. WHO recommends that we should not exceed 50g daily.

5. Cigarettes
While not a disease, the smoking of cigarettes is linked to certain non-communicable diseases, like heart disease and lung cancer.

This item popped up in the news in 2010 because the Government increased the tax on it by three sen per stick, effective last Oct.

Based on statistics, one in 10 Malaysians are cigarette smokers. And while there are free clinics to help quit smoking, this habit is proving hard to break.

Putting a halt to non-communicable diseases:

·Have a balanced diet. Decrease the salt, sugar and fats, and increase the vegetables and fruit. Drink enough water and watch out for the “hidden” calories in your food.

·Exercise. Take the stairs, walk around your neighbourhood, do the housework or wash your car — exercise doesn’t have to mean joining the gym.

·Find ways to relax, have fun and release your stress. This can be through physical activity, taking up a hobby or just getting together and talking with friends.

·Taking nutritional supplement.

Click here to learn more how to choose a high quality nutritional supplement comparative guide

·Put a halt to unhealthy activities like smoking, drinking excessively, eating five times a day and running up your credit card bills, among others.

·Go for an annual medical and dental checkup.

Pushing for a healthier lifestyle

2010-12-28T19:52:00.000-08:00

IT MUST be the millionth time you've read about the danger of diabetes, heart disease and chronic illnesses brought on by the Malaysian passion for food and our tendency to drive everywhere in air-conditioned comfort.

But would you do something to beat the odds of 35 millions deaths a year?

The World Health Organization states that non-communicable diseases (NCD) like diabetes, heart disease, lung cancer, hypertension and obesity account for 60% (35 million) of all global deaths annually, and of that number, more than a quarter are premature (before age 60) and easily preventable.

Malaysian already ranked sixth globally in obesity rates with over 70% of patients in government clinics with NCD.

Last year, 17,679 pit pf 47,266 (37.4%) deaths in government hospitals were due to NCD, and of that number, 5,278 deaths were those below the age of 55 - indicating that NCD is no longer just limited to the older generation.

The number has hovered in the same range for the past four years and something needs to be done to combat the devastating results of unhealthy lifestyles. 98% of total health expenditure today go to treating the sick. ONLY 2% go toward keeping people healthy!

Please share this info to your loved one and friends. Thanks !!

Living a healthy lifestyle

2010-12-28T19:41:00.000-08:00

It’s important that people start investing in their future health now.
It’s sad that heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis are robbing so many of the joys that life can bring.

Often, sufferers wished they had protected their health a whole lot better. Given the chance to wind back the clock, they would certainly have lived life differently.

For the rest of us who still have our health, we would do well to be more mindful and to invest in a lifestyle that ensures long-term health.

Let’s start by watching our diet. Below are relevant recommendations and tips from the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines (MDG) 2010.

Veggies lower the risk of disease.

Go low fat
Limit intake of food high in fats and minimise fats and oils in food preparation.
·Minimise intake of deep-fried foods and organ meat.
·Limit cholesterol-raising coconut oil, santan, ghee and butter, as well as margarines and shortening made from hydrogenated fats.
·Cut back on dishes that use excessive oils and fats (e.g. fried rice, nasi minyak and sambal tumis).

Less sweet
Consume food and beverages low in sugar.
·Cut down on products that have sugar at the top of their ingredient list.
·Replace sweet desserts with healthier options like fruits.
·Choose plain water rather than soft drinks, syrup or cordial.
·Ask for “less sweet” or kurang manis when ordering beverages.

Less salty
Choose and prepare food with less salt and sauces.
·Use natural herbs and condiments (like garlic, onion, curry powder, pepper, lemongrass, vinegar and lemon) to flavour food.
·Choose products labelled as having less salt/sodium.
·If you are already using salty sauces and flavouring condiments (e.g. monosodium glutamate, oyster sauce, belacan, cincaluk), do not add any more salt.
·Reduce intake of salty foods such as salted fish, salted egg, salted vegetables and high- sodium snacks.

Fibre
Most food with fibre contain antioxidants that help protect against diseases.
·Eat wholegrain or wholemeal products (fortified breakfast cereals, brown rice or whole-wheat spaghetti) at every meal.
·Add beans, barley, oats or lentils to your cooking and baking.

Fruit & veggies
Fruits and vegetables provide vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that help lower the risks of certain diseases
·Eat three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruits every day.
·Take fruits with edible peel or edible seeds (guava, pears, apples, prunes and berries) as these are high in fibre.
·Have different coloured fruits and vegetables each time.

Calcium
Milk and milk products are essential for maintaining healthy bones.
·Consume milk and milk products every day.
·Add milk to beverages and breakfast cereals.
·Increase your calcium intake with sardines, ikan bilis and high-calcium vegetables like broccoli, and green and french beans.
Health calls for a total lifestyle concept. So, besides eating right, you’d do well to exercise every day. While you’re at it, why not try quitting the cigarettes and alcohol, too? Your body will thank you for it.

Diseases to watch for
Heart disease and stroke are the No 1 killer disease in Malaysia.
The disease occurs when fatty plaques clog up the arteries and cut off blood flow to the heart or brain. It is estimated that one in every four adult Malaysians die from a heart attack or stroke, succumbing to the combined fatal effects of high cholesterol, a blood clot-forming tendency in the bloodstream, stress and hypertension.

Most people with high blood pressure usually do not experience any symptoms. If untreated, high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack or kidney failure. As many as three in every 10 adult Malaysians may have high blood pressure.

Characterised by persistently high blood glucose levels, diabetes is a serious disease that can lead to heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage and gangrene of the foot, resulting in leg amputation.

About one in every 10 adult Malaysians may be afflicted with diabetes. It is believed to afflict one in every four people in the 50-64 age group.

Cancer is the No 2 cause of death globally. Nearly 70,000 new cancer cases were diagnosed among Malaysians in Peninsular Malaysia between 2003 and 2005, according to a report published by the National Cancer Registry. In Malaysia, breast and colorectal cancers are most common in women and men, respectively.

Osteoporosis robs bone of its density, quality and strength, often resulting in fractures at the hip, wrist and spine. Over one million Malaysians may be at risk of osteoporosis, 80% of which are women. It is estimated that one in three women over the age of 55 suffers from osteoporosis.

Note : picked from the star online dated 27 Nov 2010