THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017

YOUR HEALTH

Being in the know

Personal health in today's society often gets pushed aside due to hectic
lifestyles and the pursuit of career goals. See inside on how this can take a
toll on the human body and the possible medical conditions that follow.
2 Your Health THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017

New technology
for the elderly
THE 21st century holds a promising future.
Every day, new technologies are appearing
that make life easier and faster. They allow
us to further our capabilities in daily life and
our areas of specialty.
This technological revolution has
benefited all people but none more so than
the elderly. As we get older, abilities slow
down and health deteriorates. Technology
offers many avenues to alleviate the onset of
ageing.
Mobility
Getting older means
being more prone to aches and
pain. Staying mobile is the key to
keeping ailments at bay, though
it may be hard to move around
and accomplish previously
simple errands.
Here are some mobility
easing options.
l Segway scooter A two-wheeled self-
balancing scooter with handlebars, this
electrical vehicle responds to the slightest
movement of the rider.
You lean forward to move forward, pull
back gently to slow down, and push the
handlebars left or right to navigate.
l Adult electric scooters A better
option for elderly citizens who cannot stand
for long, these scooters are electrically
Getting older means
powered and have an attached seat. They
are ideal for going out and about at a gentle being more prone to aches
and pain. Staying mobile is
but motivating pace.
l Wearable fitness trackers This
small device helps people lead a the key to keeping ailments
healthy life. It displays
information on real-time
at bay, though it may be
activities by tracking steps taken hard to move around and
and climbed, distance travelled,
calories burned and sleep quality. accomplish previously
This is great for the elderly who are
intent on keeping up an active life to
simple errands.
stay healthy.

l Online ordering and delivery

The growth of the Internet means
that anything and everything can be
done online through apps or websites.
The elderly who are indisposed to
leave their homes can have everything
they need without taking a step out of
their house.
Many grocery stores offer home delivery
after an online order. Tesco offers delivery
services seven days a week that can be
booked in advance.
Elderly people can schedule for their
groceries to arrive when needed without the
hassle of going out and risking falls or
muscle strain from carrying heavy loads.
Food delivery services such as Food Panda
allow older generations to also indulge in
their favourite cuisines from home.
In addition, online shopping allows the
elderly to pursue their hobbies and interests
from the comfort of home.
Brain flexing
It is not only physical abilities that slow
down with age, mental abilities deteriorate
at a similar pace, especially with the onset of
age-related disease. Technology offers some
ways to exercise our mental muscles and
help keep the brain sharp.
l Electronic tablets This popular device
can open up a whole world of wonder for
the elderly. Its simple-to-use touchscreen
interface makes it easy to navigate. It comes
with customisable features such as larger,
clearer fonts and contrast.
The tablet can be used for many purposes
reading, communication and watching
television shows.
Its convenient size and endless array of
apps make it a beneficial companion to the
elderly by improving cognitive skills,
mobility and communication. Many apps
made specifically to keep the mind sharp are
available.
l Lumosity Especially great for the
elderly, this app aims to improve memory,
problem-solving skills and processing speed.
It is ideal for dementia patients and those
with Alzheimers to help strengthen their
memory.
Health management
Besides being more susceptible to disease,
age brings to the elderly other ailments such
as decreased vision, impaired hearing and
high blood pressure. Technology, particularly
those developed for mobile devices, can help
to manage these conditions.
l Silver Surf This is an app that
simplifies the use of technology. It allows
users to zoom in, set higher contrast and
display larger buttons for easy use and
navigation.
l Blood Pressure Monitor This handy
app provides statistical health information
and reminders. It also allows users to export
the data to be shared with their personal
healthcare providers.
l Voice Reading The app reads text
aloud from the Internet, e-mails, messages as
well as text files such as e-books.

Adult electric
scooters have
greatly helped
elderly
citizens who
cannot stand
or walk for
long.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017
BENIGN prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH) is a common condition in
ageing men and can cause
incontinence, among others.
However, most men are not aware
of the condition and likeliness of it
happening to them.
Dr Han Pei Kwong, consultant
urologist to Regency Specialist
Hospital, shares his experience and
expertise in treating BPH:
BPH is very common in men.
All men will experience prostate
enlargement in their lifetime, but
you only need treatment if
symptoms of BPH present
themselves. However, men are
notorious for being reluctant to
seek medical attention and most
will just accept the symptoms as
part of ageing.
Prostate problems may lead to
symptoms in two categories. One
category has to do with voiding
and includes symptoms such as
poor urine flow, straining,
intermittency (urine flow stopping
multiple times during urination)
and prolonged emptying (taking a
long time to finish urinating).
The other category has to do
with storage and includes
symptoms such as heightened
frequency of urination (more than
eight times a day), being unable to
hold in urine and nocturnal
polyuria (the need to wake up
more than twice at night to
urinate).
These problems are what we
call lower urinary tract symptoms
(LUTS). Of course, other issues can
lead to LUTS. An overactive
bladder, nocturnal polyuria,
urethral stricture and neurogenic
bladder are secondary to systemic
conditions such as diabetes and
may have nothing to do with BPH.
Besides the disturbances in
quality of life, BPH also limits the
Minimising prostate problems
mobility of patients as they will
always be on the lookout for the
nearest washroom and may be
afraid to drink water or travel long
distances.
BPH is among the top 10 most
common diseases that affect men
above the age of 50. Fifty per cent
of men in their 50s will experience
BPH symptoms while 70% of men
in their 70s will experience BPH
symptoms.
Treatment for BPH is divided
into two broad categories medical
and surgical. Medical treatment in
the past involved using only alpha
blockers to relax the smooth
muscle in the prostate to improve
urine flow. Newer alpha blockers
are generally well tolerated with
minimal side effects.
Another group of drugs are the
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. They
target an enzyme in the prostate to
Prostate
problems may lead
to symptoms in
two categories. One
category has to do
with voiding and
includes symptoms
such as poor urine
flow, straining,
intermittency (urine
flow stopping
multiple times
during urination) and
prolonged emptying
(taking a long time to
finish urinating).
Dr Han Pei Kwong
ultimately reduce testosterone
levels in the prostate itself.
This will lead to shrinkage of
the prostate of up to 30%, but only
after sustained medication over the
course of six months or more. The
two drug groups can be taken in
combination for patients with
higher risk of disease progression.
The surgical option is usually
reserved for patients on which
medical therapy failed.
Your Health 3
Transurethral resection of the can cause acute urinary retention
prostate (TURP) is a commonly from sudden blockage in the
performed endoscopic procedure. urethra, rendering the patient
Other procedures include
GreenLight vaporisation and laser
unable to pass urine. It is very
painful and potentially dangerous
enucleation. Men who are deemed
unfit for surgery can consider
until the obstruction is relieved.
If the condition is persistent, it
prostatic stent or Urolift. may eventually affect the kidneys
Laser enucleation of the
prostate replicates the open
and lead to renal impairment.
Other common complications
surgery technique, in which the
prostate is dissected from its
include hematuria, recurrent
infections and bladder stones.
capsule, this can result in less
bleeding and is highly suitable for
even very large prostates (where
n For more information, call
07-381 7700 (ext 1186) or e-mail
TURP is unable to be performed in
one session), with almost zero
info@regencyspecialist.com
recurrence rate.
In contrast, after conventional
TURP, the prostate may grow back A healthy
from its remnants in six to seven
years. That said, the patient will
prostate can
preserve
only require further treatment if good quality
of life for
his condition becomes
symptomatic again. men.
How we decide on the best
treatment for a BPH patient is by
assessing the severity of symptoms,
the impact of the condition on his
quality of life, the risk of disease
progression and also the
patients expectations and
preferences. After these
considerations, a mutually
consented decision is
made for eventual
treatment.
For men who do not
need surgery to correct
the condition, a healthy
lifestyle, balanced diet
and adequate exercise is
recommended.
If left untreated, BPH
4 Your Health
Strengthen your gut
WHILE travel is great, travellers diarrhoea is
not. A common health complaint among
travellers, travellers diarrhoea is acquired
by the ingestion of faecally contaminated
food, water or other liquids.
High-risk foods include raw or
undercooked meats and seafood, unpeeled
fruits and raw vegetables. Tap water, ice,
non-pasteurised milk and other dairy
products also pose a high risk. The riskiest
sources of contaminated food are street
vendors, farmers markets and small
restaurants.
The main symptom of travellers
diarrhoea is diarrhoea (four to six times,
loose, watery or bloody bowel movements
each day).
If untreated, this can last from two to six
days. Other common symptoms are
abdominal cramps and nausea. Vomiting
and fever are less common.
Tourists are susceptible to illness because
travel can disrupt the bodys normal defence
mechanisms against infections.
Stress, jet lag, unfamiliar foods and water
and disrupted body rhythms can disturb
protective bacteria in the intestines.
Probiotics are a promising therapeutic
strategy for diseases that involve a
disruption of microflora as they inhibit
pathogen attachment, enhancing immune
response and assisting in re-establishing
normal microflora.
Lallemand Health Solutions, a Canadian
company with 80 years of expertise in
probiotic research and development, has
produced a Probiotic 2.0 formula combining
yeast and probiotics aimed at managing
intestinal disorders.
The Probiotic 2.0 formula combines
Saccharomyces boulardii yeast, extensively
documented for its efficacy in diarrhoea
prevention, with three specific probiotic
bacteria strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Rosell-11 (R0011), Lactobacillus helveticus
Rosell-52 (R0052) and Bifidobacterium
longum Rosell-175 (R0175).
Alone or combined, these three probiotic
bacteria have been documented for their
effectiveness in protecting the gut and
restoring a balanced microflora.
While exhibiting different modes of action
in the gut, probiotic yeast and bacteria are
complementary and allow for dual
protection of the gut surface against
pathogens.
A study published in the Digestive Diseases
and Sciences journal in 2009 demonstrated
the dual-defence capabilities of the probiotic
combination in an animal model of
travellers diarrhoea (enterotoxigenic E. coli
infection in rats).
After two weeks of probiotic
administration, the probiotic combination
appeared to offer better protection against
E. coli infection than the probiotic yeast or
bacteria mixture separately, leading to
reduced weight loss, stabilised body
temperature as well as reduced diarrhoea
severity and duration.
This probiotic combination has been
successfully marketed in many countries
under different trade names. Several post-
marketing clinical trials have also been
published.
A trial conducted in Bolivia in children
hospitalised for acute rotavirus diarrhoea
showed that the combination formula
reduced the duration of diarrhoea and
therefore the time of rotavirus excretion,
Bring back fluidity
YOUR joints work best when they are well
lubricated. In a healthy joint, a thick
substance called synovial fluid provides
lubrication, allowing bones and cartilage to
glide across one another.
Synovial fluid has many functions,
including serving as a lubricant, shock
absorber and nutrient carrier. The fluid
protects the cartilage and bones too.
In people with severe stage of
osteoarthritis (OA), a critical substance in
synovial fluid known as hyaluronic acid (HA)
breaks down.
The loss of HA contributes to pain,
stiffness and swelling in the joints.
Retention of water is one of the most
important biological functions of HA. With
inadequate HA, nutrients cannot be
transported to cells and waste cannot be
eliminated from them.
Stage 3 OA is an advanced stage of the
incurable joint disease, causing great pain
and restricting joint movement, even when
walking.
At stage 3, the joint gap is dramatically
narrowed as the cartilage is almost
exhausted. At the same time, synovial fluid
depletes greatly, leading to reduced
lubrication and less cushioning of the bones.
When bones rub against each other, the
friction leads to inflammation and pain,
especially at the knees.
As HA is the main component of synovial
fluid, supplementing the joints with HA to
improve lubrication and function is the
treatment goal for most OA cases.
For stage 3 OA, injections to replenish the
THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017
As travelling can
disrupt the
bodys defence
mechanism
against
infections,
travellers should
take extra
precaution to
keep their gut
healthy and
strong.
which in turn lowered the risk of
transmission to other children. The study
was published in the BMC Infectious Diseases
journal in 2010.
This probiotic combination is available in
selected pharmacies nationwide. It is
recommended for reinforcing or restoring
the intestinal barrier and for fighting
intestinal infections, particularly travellers
diarrhoea.
This article is brought to you by Vitamode
Sdn Bhd.
n For more information, call 1300 800 228 or
e-mail enquiry@medispec.com.my
synovial fluid are a possible treatment
option for pain relief. However, hyaluronic
injections can be painful and do not work on
everyone. A less popular option is to
undergo a joint replacement surgery, which
is costly.
A new formulation of HA with type II
collagen made from Mobilee and B2cool is
an oral solution to lubricate dried up joints
for those suffering from stage 3 OA.
Just as HA is a key component of synovial
fluid in the cartilage, type II collagen is a
major component of the cartilage. Early
research shows that taking type II collagen
for 12 weeks reduced joint pain and
tenderness in OA patients.
The formulation initiates the repair and
lubrication process with the combination of
Mobilee and B2cool. It is approved by the
European Food Safety Authority and the
United States Food and Drug Administation.
Mobilee is a patented natural ingredient
with a high concentration of HA extracted
from rooster combs rich in sodium
hyalurate, hydrolysed collagen and
polysaccharides.
B2cool is a native type II collagen
extracted from chicken sternum cartilage,
which has been demonstrated to reduce joint
swelling and pain as well as improve knee
function.
This information is brought to you by
Cambert (M) Sdn Bhd.
n For more information, call 1300 881 712
or e-mail enquiry@cambert.com.my
THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017 5
6 Your Health THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017

Carpal tunnel syndrome

LETS suppose you are in bed one
night going to sleep. Suddenly, the
numb or tingling sensation youve
been having in your hand turns
into a pain that shoots through
your arm. Or lets say instead that
these symptoms suddenly show up
while you are typing, driving, using
your mobile or holding a cup of
coffee.
Sound familiar? Then its possible
that you have carpal tunnel
syndrome.
The carpal tunnel is a tiny bony
passageway in the wrist through
which the median nerve a major
nerve to the hand and several
tendons, pass.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs
when this nerve becomes pinched or
squeezed for one reason or another.
This causes numbness, tingling, pain
and weakness in the hand that
characterise carpal tunnel
syndrome.
Causes
Many factors can contribute to
carpal tunnel syndrome. Some
people are congenitally predisposed
to get the problem.
Women are more likely to get it
than men because they have smaller
carpal tunnels and the condition is
also often triggered by pregnancy
and menopause.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can also
be caused by wrist injuries or
inflammation and swelling in the
carpal tunnel due to health
problems such as rheumatoid
arthritis. Some diseases such as
diabetes increase the risk of damage
to the median nerve.
The chances of getting carpal
tunnel syndrome also rise with
activities such as using power tools
and working in jobs that involve
repeated and prolonged flexing of
the wrist, as happens in assembly
lines.
putting a splint or brace on the
by anti-inflammatory or steroid
medications, which reduce
Finding relief
If you have developed carpal
tunnel syndrome and want to
relieve the tingling, numbness or
pain, there are several ways to go
about it to restore your hand and
wrist function.
People who only have a mild case
of carpal tunnel syndrome can ease
their discomfort by taking breaks to
give their hands a rest, avoiding
activities that increase the symptoms
and possibly applying a cold pack on
the affected wrist to bring down
any swelling.
Often, the treatment of carpal
tunnel syndrome consists of
transmission of impulses along
wrist. This holds the wrist still to
help relieve the symptoms and
may also be worn at night.
Pain can also be relieved
health.
the inflammation and swelling
of the tissue that is putting
pressure on the median nerve.
Other non-surgical therapies
that can help provide relief
include massage as well as
stretching and strengthening
exercises of the lower arm.
These can help to rehabilitate
hands and wrists that have
become weak due to carpal
tunnel syndrome.
If the symptoms still do not
stop, carpal tunnel surgery may
be necessary whereby the
pressure on the median nerve is
relieved by cutting the tissue
that is pressing on it.
Keeping nerves healthy
Vitamin B is highly
important for healthy nerves,
with vitamins B1 (thiamine), B6
(pyridoxine) and B12
(cobalamin) being essential for
them to function normally. All
three of these B vitamins come
in the health supplement
Neurobion.
Vitamin B1 strengthens
nerves and helps to provide
energy for nerves. Vitamin B6 is
necessary for the proper
the nerves. Vitamin B12
regenerates nerves, protects
nerve cells from damage and is
important for overall nerve
Known as neurotropic
vitamins, these vitamins work
synergistically with each other
in treating or slowing down the
progression of nerve damage.
Neurobion with a
combination of vitamins B1, B6
and B12 is clinically known to
nourish the nerve cells.
Neurobion helps to improve
nerve function, relieve nerve
pain as well as keep the feelings
of tingling and numbness at
bay. Take Neurobion today
to help keep your nerves
healthy.
This article is brought to you
by Merck Consumer Health.
Merck is one of the leading
companies for innovative and
top-quality hi-tech products in
the pharmaceutical and
chemical sectors.
n For more information, e-mail
ch.my@merckgroup.com or
visit your doctor or pharmacists
to find out more about
Neurobion.
KKLIU No.0967/2015

Destress every day

STRESS can affect all aspects of
life, including productivity at
work and relationships at home.
Chronic stress can even lead to
health complications and
unhealthy practices such as
binge-eating or self-harm.
Relaxation is often left for the
weekend. However, stress needs
to be combated on a daily basis
at home, on the go and in the
office. Before your stress levels
rocket out of control, here are
some simple physical and
mental exercises that can be
done in the midst of a stressful
day.
Meditation
Take 10 to 15 minutes during
your day to zone out and look
inwards. Find somewhere quiet
to sit where you will not get
distracted.
Sit with your back straight and
your palm upwards. Lift your
tongue and connect it to the
palate (this is the roof of your
mouth just behind your teeth).
Do not worry if you feel weird
doing this the first time
practice makes perfect.
Once you are in this position,
close your eyes. Breathe deeply
and comfortably. Stop focusing
on the stimuli around you and
the endless thoughts in your
mind. If a specific part of your
body feels tired, focus on it. Fill
yourself with feelings of love
and positivity. Keep your eyes
closed, breathe deeply and let
your mind drift peacefully.
Continue this for 10 minutes
or so, until you feel relaxed. You
may need to set a timer so you
do not interrupt your meditation
to check the time.
You may feel foolish at first,
but with practice, you will reap
the physical and mental relaxing
effects of meditation.
Deep breathing
Deep breathing exercises can
also be practised throughout the
day to relax your body and
mind. Sit or lie down in a
comfortable position. Place a
hand on your belly and another
on your chest. Inhale deeply
through your nose. Feel your
body filling up and let your belly
push your hand out. Your chest
should not move.
Exhale slowly through your
mouth. Use your hand to gently
press down on your belly and
push out all the air. Repeat three
to 10 times.
Stretch your legs
Physical activity triggers the
body to release endorphins,
which are mood-boosting
hormones. Not only is this
destressing, it also strengthens
the body as a whole, especially
the heart.
Feeling cramped or tired at
your desk? Take a walk around
the office or pop out to get
yourself a coffee or healthy
snack.
Do simple warm-up exercises
such as ankle and knee rotations,
shoulder rolls, and upper body
twists. Take the stairs instead of
using lifts and walk short
distances instead of taking a car.
Each of these exercises takes
five to 15 minutes but can
accumulate into an hours worth
of destressing exercise.
Do not let stress get you down
as it can affect the quality of
your life. Use your bodys
natural relaxation abilities to
love your mind and body.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017
HAVING a child together is one of
the biggest joys of marriage but
unfortunately, some couples find
extreme difficulty in trying to
conceive, adding more worry and
stress to their already hectic lives.
In a society where the inability
to conceive is still perceived to
be solely down to the woman,
fertility consultant, obstetrician
and gynaecologist Dr Mohan
Raj Varutha Rajoo of Metro IVF
emphasises that men too are
responsible, revealing that 30%
of infertility is due to the male
factor.
There are five main areas
couples should address in order to
boost their chances of conceiving
naturally.
Both husband and wife should
take precautionary steps in relation
to general health, nutritional
health, reproductive health,
emotional and psychological health
as well as stress levels at least three
months prior to attempting to
conceive a child.
In men who have an above
average body mass index or are
obese, their sperm count or
motility (the ability of sperm to
move properly through the female
reproductive organ) reduces or
they may have abnormal sperm
morphology (size and shape of the
sperm), says Dr Mohan.
However, he advises against
excessive exercise during this
period as the heat generated by the
body around the testicular region
may affect sperm quality.
Besides limiting the consumption
of alcohol and smoking, good
nutrition and a balanced diet also
play an important role in
developing healthy sperm.
As sperm require 60 days to
reach full maturity, men must
make conscious lifestyle choices,
Of equal responsibility
Dr Mohan Raj Varutha Rajoo.
including monitoring their daily
food consumption.
Women also need a diet rich in
iron, folic acid and vitamin C to
ensure their bodies are ready for
pregnancy, and subsequently,
adequate nutrition for healthy
development of the foetuses.
Dr Mohan advises couples to go
for various screenings and tests to
have a better sense of their fertility
and check if they carry any
sexually transmitted diseases.
When it comes to emotional and
psychological health, he says, The
inability to conceive can cause
relationship breakdowns among
couples but they have to be
positive and not lose their
confidence.
Couples could try to practise
meditation, acupuncture, tai chi or
other relaxation techniques to
maintain emotional health.
Career requirements and stress
are another disruptive factor
among couples today. Dr Mohan
Dr Prakash Mayandi.
says that this can cause hormonal
imbalance, irregular menses and
decreased ovulation among
women while men may experience
lower sperm production.
According to Dr Prakash
Mayandi, Metro IVF fertility
specialist, obstetrician and
gynaecologist, as the rate of
subfertility is increasing and many
couples have difficulty conceiving
naturally despite numerous
attempts, fertility clinics serve to
advise on available options and
find out if medical intervention is
required.
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is
offered as one of the advanced
treatments available. It comprises
various screenings that can
provide a straightforward
indication of the ability of couples
to conceive naturally, detecting
possible issues such as blocked
fallopian tubes, endometriosis
(uterine lining tissue outside the
uterus) and low sperm count.
Both husband
and wife should take
precautionary steps
in relation to general
health, nutritional
health, reproductive
health, emotional
and psychological
health as well as
stress levels at least
three months prior
to attempting to
conceive a child.
The actual treatment starts with
giving the woman medication to
help grow more eggs before
collection. Laboratory processes
then begin where we choose a
sperm and inject it into the egg a
procedure called intracytoplasmic
sperm injection (ICSI). We then
wait for the embryo to grow before
transferring it into the womans
womb, explains Dr Prakash.
Despite the rising popularity of
IVF treatments, he is quick to point
out that couples must first have a
good idea of what IVF is all about
and what would be the best option
for the couple once they have their
health assessment done.
One alternative is Permata IVF,
Your Health 7
which involves minimal
stimulation by giving a female
lower doses of medicine to help
grow her eggs.
Dr Prakash says that, like all
medical treatments, IVF has its
risks and is an option to be
considered when all other options
to conceive naturally are not
successful.
There is also assisted
reproductive technology, which
involves oral medication such as
clomiphene to stimulate womens
eggs, or gonadotropins injection
consisting of follicle stimulating
hormone and luteinising hormone.
Another treatment available is
intrauterine insemination whereby
the husbands sperm is placed in
the uterus using a catheter to
increase the possibility of
conception.
Current lifestyles such as
delaying marriage due to career,
unhealthy food consumption and
stressful working environments
are a few reasons that lead to
subfertility factors and IVF
provides an alternative treatment
to maximise the chance of getting
embryos implanted while women
are still of childbearing age.
Both doctors emphasise that it is
important for couples to always
have a positive mindset, not lose
confidence in being able to
conceive and not let their failed
attempts in conceiving cause a
strain on their relationship.
n For more information,
call 03-3341 2277.
8 Your Health
A new way to train
EXERCISING at home using Functional
Trainers is more productive as they train
your whole body for better performance
using everyday movements, making you less
prone to injuries and more efficient in your
daily life.
Functional Trainers are designed to bridge
the gap between traditional strength training
and strength training for specific sports such
as tennis or golf.
Fitness Concept is introducing the
revolutionary Inspire FT1 Functional
Trainer, which allows you to have complete
freedom of movement in any direction while
performing weight resistance exercises.
The exercises are designed to allow you to
move the way your body naturally moves.
Many of the freestanding exercises
incorporate core, secondary and stabilising
muscles, giving you a more efficient
workout. Functional training focuses on
training natural movement patterns rather
than isolating individual muscles.
The Inspire FT1 is an excellent piece of
training equipment for athletes interested in
sport-specific exercise movements or
individuals looking to strengthen their
overall bodies, increase stamina and
coordination or lose weight.
Functional training provides effective fat-
burning workouts by using full body
exercises that increase strength, improve
Many of the
freestanding exercises
incorporate core, secondary
and stabilising muscles,
giving you a more efficient
workout.
endurance and boost metabolism, not
wasting a minute of your workout.
Other unique features of the FT1 include:
l More than 40 different exercises
With the colourful instructional flip chart,
you can try more than 40 types of exercise to
work different muscle groups.
l Dual independent weight stacks The
dual weight stacks allow you to work each
side of the body independently for a more
balanced workout.
l An eight-piece multifunctional
accessory kit The kit includes a
multifunctional belt, easy curl bar, straight
bar, ankle cuff, swing handle, tricep rope,
two single handles and 5lbs (2.3kg) add-on
weights for unlimited exercises.
l High/low pulleys with more than 30
height positions The quick,
one-handed high/low system
adjusts to more than 30 height
positions for all your exercise
needs.
l Inspired Fitness app
Use this free easy-to-use app
with the FT1 to help you
achieve your health and
fitness goals.
Other unique, high-quality and
movement-based Inspire products
that the whole family can enjoy are
available exclusively at Fitness
Concept.
Inspire manufactures top-quality,
award-winning functional trainers
and is the first in the industry to
offer lifetime warranty on all
parts (for home use only).
Fitness Concept is running
its Amazing Fitness Sale until
Jan 1 next year with savings
of up to 60%, while stocks last. Terms and
conditions apply.
To find out more about fully utilising the
Inspire FT1 Functional Trainer, you can join
the free Inspire Fitness Workshop at 3pm
this Sunday at Fitness Concept, Lot 2 Level 3,
Menara Great Eastern, 303 Jalan Ampang. As
limited spaces are available, register
beforehand by calling 03-4253 4821/03-8026
2293.
Fitness Concept is Malaysias largest fitness
(From left) Allianz Lifes chief executive officer Joseph Gross, Advance Medical Asia Pacifics
managing director Myra Yu and Allianz Lifes chief strategy and product officer Yeoh Eng Hun
during the official launch of Allianz Diabetic Essential.
A sweet insurance plan
DID you know? Type 2 diabetes accounts for
more than 90% of all diabetes cases in
Malaysia, medical inflation rate is between
10% and 15% each year, and treatment for
stroke could cost anywhere from RM235,000
to RM505,000 by 2035.
Previously, those with pre-existing
conditions such as diabetes, high blood
pressure, high cholesterol and high body
mass index (BMI) risked being turned down
outright by insurers.
So how could you buy an insurance plan if
you are not healthy? Now you can.
Allianz Malaysia recently launched two
products Allianz 3H Cover, which is
designed for those with high cholesterol,
high blood pressure and high BMI, and
Allianz Diabetic Essential, a medical plan
designed for type 2 diabetics in Malaysia.
With Allianz 3H Cover and its rider 3H
Critical Cover, those with the three highs
could take up a protection plan up to age 85
against four critical illness conditions (heart
attack, stroke, cancer and kidney failure),
death as well as total and permanent
disability (TPD) before age 65.
The added incentive for this plan is the
complimentary added coverage, which offers
a 50% increase in death and TPD coverage as
well as the ability to upgrade the critical
illness plan to the full, comprehensive 36
critical illness plan if the customer is able to
THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017
The Inspire
FT1
Functional
Trainer
allows you to
have freedom
of movement
while
performing
weight
resistance
exercises.
specialist chain as certified by The Malaysia
Book of Records, with 45 outlets in leading
shopping malls nationwide.
Consult your physician before beginning
any exercise programme.
n For more information, visit any Fitness
Concept store, call 03-2282 3200 (Mid Valley
store)/03-4253 4821 (Great Eastern store),
e-mail enquiries@fitnessconcept.com.my or
log on to www.fitnessconcept.com.my
get his or her three highs back to normal
levels.
As for Allianz Diabetic Essential,
customers will receive a comprehensive
medical coverage with a choice of four
medical plans that will help cover the cost of
hospitalisation and surgery, intensive care
unit, obtaining a second medical opinion and
more.
It also provides access to outpatient
treatment for cancer, kidney dialysis, dengue
and enteric fever treatment as well as
emergency accidental outpatient treatment.
Additional benefits tied to Allianz Diabetic
Essential include annual health screenings
(HbA1c blood test, kidney function test, lipid
profile, medical examination and full urine
examination), a Diabetes Care Programme
with Advance Medical and up to 40%
premium discount depending on the health
screening results submitted.
Allianz is working together with medical
experts from Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala
Lumpur, Columbia Asia, Pantai Hospitals
and Gleneagles Hospitals to build an
ecosystem that protects, educates and
encourages overall improved health and
well-being.
n For more information about Allianz 3H
Cover and Allianz Diabetic Essential, visit
allianz.com.my
THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017
THERE are more than 20 kinds of
collagen in the tissues of our body.
As steel rods are reinforcement to
concrete structures, collagen is the
main support for our tissues,
insulating and protecting joints as
well as acting as transport in the
circulatory system.
The connective tissue matrix
is rich in collagen and acts like
a glue that keeps our body
together.
Collagen production in the body
starts to decrease at the age of 30.
After 30, and with a marked
acceleration from age 40 onwards,
people usually find an increase in
fine lines and wrinkles as skin
starts to lose suppleness and sag.
Joints and muscles feel stiff
while fatigue and muscle aches
become more common.
Collagen contributes about
60% of the dry weight of cartilage.
Cartilage acts as a cushion in joints
to protect bones from rubbing
against each other as well as
reduce friction in the joints during
movement.
Breakdown of collagen and
changes in its structural
arrangement will alter the
mechanical properties of the
cartilage, leading to the
development of osteoarthritis (OA).
Joint health and OA
The ends of two or more
connected bones are encased in
smooth cartilage that absorbs
any impact from movement and
helps distribute the weight of the
body.
Over time, the surface of the
cartilage wears thin, causing the
bones to lose their protective
cushioning provided by healthy
cartilage and resulting in painful
bone-on-bone friction. This
Stay active and flexible
Taking collagen supplements can help to decrease the pain of bone-on-bone friction.
eventually leads to OA.
Initial signs of OA include:
l Swelling at the joint
l Joint stiffness
l Ache or tension around the
joint
l Grinding sound in the knee
when standing up
l Difficulty moving the joint
when exercising
l Joint pain during exercise
Managing joint pain
Hydrolysed collagen is an
excellent source of amino acids,
which play an important role in
the formation of collagen as well as
synthesis and repair of connective
tissue throughout the body.
In a study published in the Cell
and Tissue Research journal in
2003, the presence of collagen
hydrolysate exerted a stimulatory
effect on the production of type II
collagen in chondrocytes.
The results also suggested a
possible feedback mechanism for
the regulation of collagen turnover
in cartilage tissue.
The easiest and definitive way to
restore the amount of collagen in
the body is to take collagen
supplements.
For your body to fully absorb
and use the collagen present in a
Your Health 9
product, it is best to pick the highly
bioavailable form of hydrolysed
collagen. Through a revolutionary
hydrolysis process, collagen
molecules are broken down into
smaller peptides or amino acids.
The resulting short peptides
make up collagen hydrolysate,
which is more easily digested in
the gut and can cross the intestinal
barrier, enter the circulation and
become available for metabolic
processes in the skin, joint and
connective tissues.
According to a study published
in Journal of Nutrition in 1999,
orally administered hydrolysed
form of collagen is absorbed five
times faster than just collagen
with more than 90% absorbed
within just six hours and with
measurable accumulation in
cartilage and skin compared to
only 27% of collagen within the
same span of time.
When combined, hydrolysed
collagen works synergistically with
hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to
help replenish the bodys collagen
supply. Hyaluronic acid is found
abundantly in synovial fluid to
maintain high fluid viscosity and
the integrity of joints.
Vitamin C is a necessary
co-factor in collagen synthesis and
is known to promote the synthesis
of new, healthy collagen in the
body.
This article is brought to you by
Inno Asia Distribution Sdn Bhd.
n For more product information,
call 03-3358 2698.
10 Your Health
Caring for
your liver
WHEN talking about the health of
internal organs, we usually hear a
lot of advice related to the heart,
lungs and brain.
However, liver health tends to be
neglected. We do not get much
information on how to take care of
our liver even though it is extremely
important for our survival.
Located under the right ribcage,
the liver is our largest internal organ
and can perform as many as 500
different biological functions.
One of its main functions is to act
as a filter and processor for various
substances formed internally and
externally. For instance, liver helps
process the food that we eat into
energy and nutrients. It also
removes harmful substances from
the blood.
Every day, our liver may be
subjected to the damaging effects of
highly processed foods, alcohol,
drugs, environmental pollutants and
stress. These factors might interfere
with liver enzymes production and
cause oxidative damage.
The symptoms of an
overburdened liver are bloating,
constipation, fatigue and hormonal
imbalances. Hence, it is important
for us to take good care of our liver
by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Besides leading a healthy lifestyle,
we could include milk thistle as a
Limit alcohol intake
Cut down on
fatty foods
Eat more fibre
Exercise regularly
Quit smoking
Ten ways to protect the liver.
liver tonic to protect the liver.
Found in the herb Silybum
marianum, silymarin is an active
ingredient that has been used for
centuries as a natural remedy for
liver diseases.
Upon oral ingestion, silymarin is
highly absorbable and has a strong
first-pass effect through the liver.
Silymarin consists of
flavonolignans (silybin, isosilybin,
silychristin, isosilychristin and
silydianin) and a flavonoid
(taxifolin). Among these substances,
silybin is prevalent and has the most
important biological effect on the
liver.
Milk thistle contains the following
properties to help protect our liver:
l Antioxidant Reduces free
radical production and lipid
peroxidation
l Toxin blockade Competes
with toxins for cell membrane
receptor sites
l Protein synthesis enhancer
Get vaccinated
Manage stress levels
Get sufficient sleep
Drink plenty of water
Get regular health
check-ups
Stimulates regeneration and repair
of liver cell membrane
l Antifibrotic Reduces hepatic
collagen accumulation and prevents
liver cells from becoming fibrous
l Anti-inflammatory Inhibits
inflammatory enzymes
These properties of milk thistle
have spurred many scientific studies
to be carried out to better
understand its efficacy in protecting
the liver.
Milk thistle appears to be safe and
has multiple health benefits on
various liver conditions such as fatty
liver, hepatitis, liver fibrosis and
liver cirrhosis.
This article is brought to you by
BiO-LiFE Marketing Sdn Bhd.
n For more information, call BiO-
LiFE Customer Care at 03-7499 7999
(Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) or
e-mail health@biolife.com.my
Age healthily
with krill oil
AGEING is inevitable, but you
can decide how you want to age.
Taking the right essential fatty
acids such as omega-3 from krill
is one of the ways to good health
in your advancing years.
Krill oil is scientifically proven
to be a good source of omega-3
fatty acids. Derived from the
Antarctic Ocean, the omega-3
fatty acids in krill oil
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
are carried in the form of
phospholipids, which is the most
effective way to carry nutrients
to cells for absorption.
A small dose of phospholipid
omega-3 from krill oil can
provide huge clinical benefits to
humans.
Healthy cells are the
foundation of life. The
phospholipids derived from
krill oil provide high
phosphatidylcholine, an
essential nutrient that is
important for cell repair and
renewal.
The phosphatidylcholine also
helps improve brain cell
communication, remove excess
fat from the liver and heart, and
repair damaged joints, nerves
and muscles to improve
recovery periods.
These tiny shrimp-like
creatures from the Antarctic
naturally contain a high level of
astaxanthin (the red pigment), a
powerful antioxidant that can
help fight free radicals to curb
cell damage.
DHA improves long-term
memory and helps to maintain
normal brain functions. On the
other hand, EPA reduces the bad
cholesterol (LDL) in your heart
arteries, thus reducing the risk
of a heart attack. It also prevents
inflammation of the liver,
nerves, joints and muscle.
With about 8,000 human
studies already carried out, the
omega-3 fatty acids, astaxanthin
and phospholipids found in
krill oil are among the most
researched nutritional
compounds in the world.
However, not all krill oil
supplements on the market are
equal and can provide you
optimal clinical benefits.
To preserve the krill oils
natural essences in the finished
product, onboard processing of
krill at the Antarctic Ocean with
advanced technology and
technical expertise is crucial but
THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017
extremely costly.
Consequently, many suppliers
who want to save cost will
freeze the krill to prevent
oxidation before transporting
them to the factory. This process
could take up to seven months
each time.
Unfortunately, freezing
reduces the phospholipid
content by up to 15% after 30
days of storage. Further freezing
will destroy about 50% of the
phospholipids after seven
months.
The astaxanthin that helps to
protect omega-3 from oxidation
will also be destroyed with
freezing and oxidised by light
and humidity.
This is why some krill oil
supplements contain low
astaxanthin, inactive
phospholipids and have a rancid
smell.
Here are three things to keep
in mind when looking for a krill
oil supplement:
l Choose activated krill oil
that contains active
phospholipids Activated krill
oil ensures the body is always
supplied with active
phospholipids for cell renewal.
Therefore, each batch of
krill oil must be tested for
phosphatidylcholine, the essence
of phospholipids, to ensure the
phospholipids are active.
l Choose krill oil that
naturally contains high
astaxanthin Quality krill oil
contains at least 200mcg of
astaxanthin per capsule to fight
against free radicals.
l Choose krill oil that is
encapsulated by top-rated
manufacturers Top-rated
manufacturers follow stringent
guidelines and Good
Manufacturing Practice to
ensure the krill oil is well
encapsulated.
This helps prevent the krill oil
from being oxidised by light and
humidity throughout the
products shelf life.
Good manufacturers also
ensure that the source of the
krill oil is processed onboard,
thus containing naturally active
phospholipids with astaxanthin.
n For more information,
call Nuvanta at 03-5636 3758
or e-mail pharmacist@nuvanta.
com
THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017 Your Health 11

Getting the right doze

DO you often feel tired,
have difficulty
concentrating at work or
find yourself yawning
throughout the day? These
are just some of the signs
that you may be lacking
sleep.
only get 6.4 hours of sleep
on average, short of the
recommended eight hours
of sleep that is needed for
good health.
A regional survey
conducted by the
association also revealed
social networking sites and
spending way too much
time on their mobile
devices.
For women, the daily
commitments of work and
family can also take away
much precious sleeping
Newborns
(0-2 months)
1. Sleep needs differ
between age groups.

The Consumers that 73% of adult time.

Association of Penang respondents agreed to So how much sleep do 12-18 Infants
claims that Malaysians being addicted to online we really need? hours (3-11 months)
Toddlers
14-15 (1-3 years)
hours

2.
Preschoolers
However, the amount of sleep needed may vary among 12-14 (3-5 years) School age
individuals, so it is important to stick to a consistent sleeping time. hours children
11-13 (5-10 years)
hours Teens
9 hours 10-11 (11-17 years) Adults
7 hours 8 ho urs
hours (18+ years)
8.5-9.5
hours 7-9
hours

3. You may have had enough sleep to

get you through the day but it is also
possible to accumulate unresolved
sleep debt. Our internal circadian
biological clock regulates the timing of
periods of sleepiness and wakefulness
throughout the day.
Our alertness level changes at
different times of the day with the
strongest sleep drive occurring
between 2am and 4am and in the
afternoon between 1pm and 3pm.
The level of sleepiness we experience
during these circadian dips will be less
intense if we obtain a sufficient
amount of sleep. Our circadian rhythm
also makes it possible to feel more alert
at certain points of the day.

High

Alertness

Low
9am 6pm

Noon Midnight
9am
6am

4.
Countless studies have been published on the effects of sleep
deprivation, highlighting the linkage of sleep with health problems
such as obesity, depression, weaker immune systems, shorter life
expectancy, diabetes, heart problems and stress.
Ensure you get an adequate amount of sleep every night and add
it to your list of daily priorities so that you will constantly feel
fresh, energised and confident in taking on the challenges that life
throws at you.
12 Your Health
Babita Sharma and
her husband Vikash
Kumar with their Persevering
through challenges
newborn son.
AS soon as the little infant lets out
a whimper, Babita is quick to react.
She cradles her son close to her
heart and, within seconds, the
whimpers decrease.
What were originally looks
of worry and anxiety on the
mothers face quickly change
to what is now a radiant
smile that lights up the
room.
Babita Sharma, 31, looks
just like any other doting
mother who has the world
tightly wrapped in her
arms, but by spending
some time with this
motivated individual, you
will soon learn that both
she and her child share a
much intriguing story.
At 16, Babita was following a
healthy diet in her homeland of
India but was experiencing
gradual weight loss, sudden pain
in her calf muscles at night and
developed symptoms such as an
increased feeling of thirst and
hunger, dry mouth, fatigue and
frequent urination.
It was at this tender age that
she was diagnosed with type 1
diabetes a lifelong and rare
condition where the pancreas
does not produce any insulin
to control the amounts of
glucose in her blood system,
causing blood sugar levels to be
much higher than the average
person.
As such, Babita had to readjust
her eating habits and it took her
a while to understand how her
body reacted to insulin jabs and
the repercussions of skipping
meals.
For a number of years, she
even used animal insulin instead
of human insulin as the latter
was not widely available in the
market at that time.
As diabetes is often associated
with causing serious long-term
health problems including vision
loss or blindness, kidney failure
and possibly even lower limb
amputation, finding out about
diabetes at an early age and
managing the condition properly
is crucial in ensuring an
individuals health.
However, it is important to
understand that diabetes does
not rob ones right to lead a
happy life as proven by Babita
who not only grew up learning
ways to cope with the condition
but started a family with her
loving husband.
Understanding
complexities and danger
To put into perspective the
types of pregnant women with
high glucose levels, we divide
them into those with type 1 or
type 2 diabetes before pregnancy
and those who develop
gestational diabetes.
Women with gestational
diabetes are screened and
diagnosed when their glucose
increases during pregnancy. The
diagnosis is usually made after
the women undergo an oral
glucose tolerance test, explains
consultant endocrinologist Dr
Chan Siew Pheng.
Gestational diabetes affects
95% to 99% of all pregnant
women with high glucose while
types 1 and 2 diabetics only make
up 1% to 5%. Of the 1% to 5%,
type 1 diabetics make up less
than 5%.
Babitas case is unusual and
quite infrequent in Asia but it
is typical of type 1 diabetes.
She needs to be on multiple
doses of insulin and have very
tight control of her glucose
levels even more so during
the nine months of her
pregnancy.
Dr Chan warns that it is
important for pregnant diabetics
to always have ideal glucose
levels throughout their
pregnancy as poor glucose
control would adversely affect
THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017
Women with
gestational
diabetes are
screened and
diagnosed when
their glucose
increases during
pregnancy. The
diagnosis is
usually made
after the women
undergo an oral
glucose tolerance
test.
Dr Chan Siew Pheng
the outcome of the pregnancy.
Glucose levels that are too
high during the first trimester
(first three months of
pregnancy) when the babys
organs are forming will
influence and increase the risk
of malformation in the foetus.
For mothers who constantly
have a high glucose level,
Dr Chan says, The baby will
grow very big (macrosomia),
which can be a problem during
delivery, but more importantly,
the babys pancreas would have
been overworking over the last
month or so to produce
sufficient insulin to cope with
the high amount of sugar.
When the baby is born, there
is suddenly no more excess
glucose supply, but the babys
pancreas does not switch off fast
enough.
The blood sugar level can
then drop too low and this is
dangerous because the human
brain depends on glucose for its
needs.
According to Dr Chan, other
complications that may arise
with poor glucose management,
particularly in the later stages of
pregnancy, are neonatal
hypoglycaemia, jaundice,
premature growth of the babys
lungs or, worse, the foetus may
be stillborn.
She also recommends diabetic
women who intend to get
pregnant to undergo tests for
diabetic retinopathy and
diabetic nephropathy (protein in
the urine) as the conditions can
exacerbate during the
pregnancy and may also affect
the baby.
Calculated measure
Recognising the risks involved,
Dr Chan points out that it is
crucial to plan appropriately for
pregnancies and have a well-
controlled glucose level even
before pregnancy.
If a woman misses her period
or realises two weeks after her
period is delayed, she is already
six weeks pregnant. We cannot
have glucose swings in that
important period.
> SEE NEXT PAGE
THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017 Your Health 13

For better preparation and control

> FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Pain and joy with constant interaction with
Dr Chan via a WhatsApp group
She establishes that morning Glucose levels The road to delivering a healthy that included the diabetes nurse

tend to drop
sickness in the first trimester can baby boy was not smooth-sailing educator team to advise on proper
be particularly difficult for a for Babita as she was not usage of the insulin pump, she
person living with type 1 diabetes
as sugar levels will always be
during pregnancy, sufficiently prepared during her
first pregnancy.
found the entire nine months
manageable.
fluctuating when she is vomiting. so when glucose Her glucose level was not My boy was born with no

It is also important to match
insulin dosage amounts in relation
to food consumption during the
second and third trimester, when
the baby and placenta increase in
size.
Fortunately for Babita who was
already on four to five jabs of
insulin a day prior to her
pregnancy, Dr Chan was able to
work out a system using two
specialised devices to help
maintain the right glucose levels.
Dr Chan reveals, We managed
to get her a sensor-augmented
insulin pump (SAP), which
works continuously to provide
insulin at the basal level while
offering her flexibility to set the
amount of insulin needed for each
meal.
The pump gives her doses as
and when she requires it and it
works together with a continuous
glucose monitoring device that
indicates her glucose levels every
five minutes.
We did not have the luxury of
allowing Babitas sugar levels to get
too high or too low as we know it
would impact poorly on the
pregnancy.
A wider concern
Proper preplanning is also
crucial for type 2 diabetics and
Dr Chan advises these women to
use insulin prior to conception as it
is physiological, natural, easy to
manipulate and much more
responsive in controlling glucose
compared to tablets.
In addition, the effects of
different diabetes tablets in
breastfeeding women are not well
studied. Therefore, the safest
treatment for breastfeeding
diabetic women remains to be
insulin.
The area of concern is for all
pregnant women to undergo
various health checks during
pregnancy, especially for
gestational diabetes that tends to
surface after the 20th week.
This is when glucose levels start
to rise due to the baby generating
more hormones that can work
against a mothers insulin.
A woman needs to generate
about 200% of her normal insulin
production to maintain normal
glucose levels during this phase of
level increases,
it is an indication
of gestational
diabetes and we
can then take steps
to manage the
mothers glucose
levels, either
through diet or
insulin.
Dr Chan Siew Pheng.
the pregnancy.
This is the reason obstetrician-
gynaecologists and antenatal
clinics need to conduct tests at the
estimated gestational age of the
pregnancy to detect the increasing
glucose.
Glucose levels tend to drop
during pregnancy, so when glucose
level increases, it is an indication of
gestational diabetes and we can
then take steps to manage the
mothers glucose levels, either
through diet or insulin.
Antenatal care has to be
consistent, says Dr Chan.
controlled as it should have been, health issues and weighed 2.4kg at
causing her to experience issues birth, which is normal. Now I am a
with her pregnancy, including
heavy bleeding and the eventual
little more relaxed with my sugar
levels and the pump allows me
delivery of a stillborn in her 20th
week of pregnancy.
some flexibility, but I need to
maintain my glucose within an
However, as a determined acceptable range as I am still
professional, she knew she wanted
to start a family and now says she
breastfeeding.
Overall, just keep control of the
enjoyed her second pregnancy
with the support of her family and
type of food you consume, and you
do not need to necessarily eat
the reassuring advice of Dr Chan more. Eat normally and keep your
and her team of diabetes nurse
educators.
HbA1c within range.
You also should minimise stress
It boils down to the individual
and it can be difficult if you are a
during your pregnancy as stress
raises your sugar levels, so always
foodie, but if you can control your try to be calm and your pregnancy
diet and know what you can eat, it will be manageable.
is not that difficult, says Babita.
During the first trimester, I was n For more information,
using an insulin pen and had to call Subang Jaya Medical Centre
inject the whole insulin dosage and at 03-5639 1212.
eat a required amount of calories
to match the amount of insulin I
was injecting. I was not hungry
due to nausea, but I needed to
maintain my sugar levels.
From the second trimester, I
started on the insulin pump and it
made my life so much easier. I
could eat whenever I wanted to eat
and adjust my insulin intake as
needed.
Babita reveals that there were
times during her second and third
trimester when it was challenging
to maintain ideal sugar levels, but
14 Your Health
Addressing untold danger early
ERECTILE dysfunction or impotence is the
inability to develop or maintain an erection
of the penis during sexual activity.
In a healthy erection, stimulation such as
touch, sight or smell that arouses the brain
signals it to increase blood flow to the penis.
This causes the penis to become engorged,
giving rise to erection.
The process is facilitated by chemicals
(cyclic guanosine monophosphate) that
expand blood vessels to increase the flow of
blood to the penis.
Many individuals have the perception
that erectile dysfunction is caused by
ageing.
While erectile dysfunction is most often
seen in the elderly, it can also happen to
younger people, says Dr Christopher Ho
Chee Kong, consultant urologist at Oriental
Melaka Straits Medical Centre.
More often than not, when young people
present with erectile dysfunction,
psychological issues such as stress and
anxiety are the cause.
In addition, the rise in lifestyle diseases
such as hypertension, diabetes and high
cholesterol as well as smoking has led to
earlier presentation of erectile dysfunction
in the community. Sometimes, certain
medications can also lead to erectile
dysfunction.
Other causes include hormonal
imbalance such as low testosterone and
having unusual sexual preferences or
paraphilias. The latter is often swept under
the carpet as it is considered a taboo by the
community.
While erectile dysfunction itself is not
hazardous, the underlying diseases
associated with it are detrimental.
Studies have shown that
those with erectile dysfunction usually
suffer from other diseases such as
diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and
high cholesterol.
As about half of men who suffer from
erectile dysfunction will start to have heart
problems within three to five years, erectile
dysfunction can be considered an indicator
of health problems in the future.
Diseases that affect arteries, causing
narrowing and blockage, will naturally
affect the smallest arteries first.
The penile artery is one of the smallest
arteries in the body and will therefore be
the first to be affected, causing erectile
dysfunction, adds Dr Ho.
According to him, as the disease
progresses, other arteries get blocked,
including the coronary arteries supplying
the heart, leading to a heart attack.
Eventually, arteries supplying oxygen to the
brain become affected as well, which can
lead to stroke.
The rise in lifestyle
diseases such as
hypertension, diabetes
and high cholesterol as
well as smoking has led
to earlier presentation
of erectile dysfunction
in the community.
Sometimes, certain
medications can
also lead to erectile
dysfunction.
Dr Christopher Ho Chee Kong
In short, when a man has erectile
dysfunction, it is a signal that something is
not right and further tests and screening
should be done, he advises.
A visit to the doctor is important rather
than trolling the Internet for a solution
or taking advice from friends. Uncovering
and treating a disease early can save
lives.
Addressing a common belief that
masturbation can cause erectile
dysfunction, Dr Ho says, Masturbation and
pornography themselves cannot cause
erectile dysfunction.
However, excessive masturbation and
pornography can lead to different
expectations and a need for excessive
stimuli. When these are not met, erectile
dysfunction ensues.
Treatment
Erectile dysfunction can be treated and
THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017
cured in certain cases. If it is caused by
psychological issues such as stress, there is
hope that it can be cured through
counselling and removal of stressors in
ones life.
Control of diseases such as diabetes,
hypertension and high cholesterol may
reverse their detrimental effects on
erection when done early. Similarly,
smoking cessation, a healthy diet and
moderate exercise may return the penis to
its healthy state, he says.
However, if the damage done is too
extensive, there are medications that may
be able to help. These medications
are phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors
such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil
and udenafil.
If these do not work, prostaglandin
injections directly into the penis as well as
vacuum pumps can be considered.
The last resort is to get a penile implant
involving an operation to insert rods or
inflatable cylinders into the penis.
Dr Ho adds that new treatments are now
available, including applying shock waves
to the penis to modulate the tissue,
hopefully returning it to its former healthy
self.
Patients can also opt for a low-dose
PDE-5 inhibitor that, taken daily in the
long run, will hopefully be able to nurse
the penile tissue and blood vessels
back to their normal function. This, if
successful, can be considered curative,
he says.
Stem cells injection into the penis
can also be done but is not considered
standard treatment. Therefore, it is not
recommended yet.
For those looking for cheaper
alternatives, there are now generic
medications that do not cost a lot.
However, do get reputable ones from
your doctor and do not buy them through
the Internet or friends, advises Dr Ho.
n For more information, call
06-315 8911.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017
MANY people believe that
heartburn is caused by spicy or
oily foods, but this does not
explain why some people can
take spicy foods without
experiencing heartburn while
others who indulge in a little
tom yam suffer for days after.
The other common belief is
that too much acid production
results in heartburn, which is
also erroneous as the stomach
rarely over-produces acid.
Acid reflux occurs when the
lower oesophageal valves (LES)
situated by the opening of the
stomach become weakened or
damaged, allowing acid in the
stomach to escape into the
oesophagus.
Natures
liquid
gold
EUCALYPTUS marginata,
commonly known as jarrah, is a
magnificently tall timber tree
that can grow up to 40m.
Jarrah generally flowers every
two years between December
and January in the early
summer. The nectar produced
has low moisture content and is
collected by honeybees.
Jarrah produces a dark, thick
and tasty honey with a caramel
aftertaste. It is not as sweet as
other types of honey due to its
low glucose and high fructose
levels. For this reason, pure
Jarrah honey does not crystallise
easily.
Jarrah honey has naturally
occurring antibacterial and
antimicrobial properties that can
be measured on the Total
Activity (TA) scale.
The TA rating of active honey
denotes its antibacterial potency,
measured by the standard
(phenol) bacteria-killing scale.
Jarrah honey is considered a
healing honey because it has
unusually high levels of
antimicrobial properties of TA
10+ or higher thanks to its
naturally occurring hydrogen
peroxide activity. Its medicinal
and antimicrobial properties
rival that of New Zealands
Manuka honey.
Jarrah honey can be used
internally and externally for
Your Health 15
Do away with heartburn
Stomach acid has a pH close to Without sufficient acid, food fails Bioeffective A experienced a 92%
Stomach acid is not
battery acid. When this acid to be digested, instead fermenting in improvement in dyspeptic
reaches the oesophagus and the stomach and releasing gas, symptoms caused by GERD,
sometimes even the mouth, pain
and damage result in symptoms
which is a common and distressful
symptom of heartburn. the enemy. Acid exists including gastritis, gas and bowel
disorders.
such as heartburn, a sour taste
in the mouth and dry cough.
Acid suppresion also compromises
the bodys natural defence
in the stomach to help Most patients also saw a return of
normal stomach functionality and
Chronic heartburn that mechanisms, increasing the risk of digest food, absorb reduction in precancerous lesions.
happens weekly could be a more
serious condition known as
infections such as pneumonia.
A study by the University of Hong vitamins and minerals, Bioeffective A helps strengthen
damaged or weakened oesophageal
gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD). Unless treated, GERD
Kong and University College London
published in the journal Gut this
and prevent harmful valves, imparts anti-inflammatory
benefits to the stomach lining and
can cause chronic inflammation year identified an association bacteria from invading supports the normalisation of
and the development of ulcers,
which increases the risk of
between the long-term use of acid-
blocking drugs and a 2.4 times the body. digestive juices in the stomach.
These multiple actions recover
oesophageal cancer. higher risk of developing stomach optimal stomach functions without
Patients with chronic acid cancer. the side effects of conventional PPI
reflux or GERD are often The study concluded that while no alternative in managing their medications.
prescribed acid-blocking firm cause and effect could be condition.
medications known as proton- drawn, doctors should exercise The conifer green needle complex This article is brought to you by
pump inhibitors (PPIs). caution when prescribing long-term known as Bioeffective A is the result the Nuvaceuticals Division of
PPIs are powerful acid PPIs. of an extensive botanical research Nuvanta Sdn Bhd.
blockers that work fast. Current With advanced research into programme spanning more than 80
guidelines recommend that PPIs natural therapies for gastrointestinal years. n For more information, call
be used for only four to six disorders, patients with heartburn Clinical studies conducted found 03-5636 3758/1300 88 1712 or
weeks, after which or GERD can now consider an that patients treated with e-mail pharmacist@nuvanta.com
patients should turn to a
milder therapy.
In practice, long-term
and often lifetime use is
becoming the norm,
which can lead to
adverse effects and
long-term harm due to
the drugs acid-
suppressing actions.
Stomach acid is not
the enemy. Acid exists
in the stomach to help
digest food, absorb
vitamins and minerals, and
prevent harmful bacteria from
invading the body.
treating wounds, burns, sunburn
and skin infections because of
its high antimicrobial properties.
The West Australian Jarrah
Honey Committee announced
that Western Australias unique
Jarrah honey has been proven
through recent research to have
high antioxidant levels.
Undertaken by Dr Charles
Dragar, the independent
research project involved
antimicrobial activity testing of
honey in addition to other forms
of honey testing.
Jarrah honey was found to
have significantly higher levels
of antioxidants than Manuka
honey of New Zealand or
Leatherwood honey from
Tasmania, with antioxidant
concentrations that are two to
three times higher.
Additionally, its antimicrobial
activity level can be up to 50%
greater than that of Manuka
honey.
Each Opceden Jarrah Honey
is laboratory-tested and a
certificate issued for its TA,
which is as high as TA 35+.
This honey boosts immunity
naturally and is free from varroa
mites, harmful chemicals and
preservatives.
n For more information, call
Asia Healthcare at 03-6156
2836/2936.
16 Your Health THE STAR, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2017

Reliable source of nutrients

IN Asia, goat milk formula is a less
popular alternative to cow milk
due to the lack of research done on
the former.
Goat milk is a viable source
of nutrients for children. In
Europe, goat milk is widely
accepted by parents thanks to the
European Food Safety Authority,
Karihome goat
which states that goat milk is milk is processed
using modern
nutritious enough to be
manufactured as milk powder
formula for children.
This acceptance is extending to techniques to
regions such as Taiwan and China,
which are starting to be more
help preserve its
receptive to goat milk. nutrients. The
There are differences between
goat and cow milk formulae. While processing of
both types of milk have pros and
cons, it is worth noting that the
Karihome goat milk
nutrients in children formulae is fully automated
are all quite similar as the Health
Ministry maintains strict with strict hygiene
regulations on the manufacturing
of children formulae. However,
requirement to
the amount of natural ingredients prevent any form of
present in each milk formula may
differ. contamination.
Natural nutrients are more
easily digested than added,
synthetic ones, which can cause any form of contamination.
constipation in children as they are Karihome goat milk range
unable to digest the food properly. contains three variants Karihome
Goat milk naturally contains Growing-Up Step 3 Formula for
higher calcium, vitamins A, B1 and children aged one to three,
B2 and natural bioactive Goat milk is suitable for the entire family. Karihome Pre-School Step 4
compounds. Formula for children aged four to
These bioactive compounds system. This makes goat milk more provide the energy that children for raising goats. six and Karihome Whole Milk
include nucleotide, sialic acid, digestible. require. The goats diet is further Powder for individuals aged seven
casein phosphopeptides and In addition, the majority of fat in enhanced through vitamin and and above.
taurine, which can boost the
immune system and increase
goat milk is made up of medium-
chain fatty acids (MCFAs). Which
Wholesome choice mineral supplementation, which
allows the milk produced by the
Each milk formula contains
nutrition that is tailored for the
mineral absorption. are easily broken down and Karihome goat milk formulae goats to be of higher quality. specific age group.
Aside from that, goat milk absorbed in our body. are imported from New Zealand, Karihome goat milk is processed
contains less lactose than cow milk This is important as toddlers which is known for its high-quality using modern techniques to help This article is brought to you by
and has a unique protein and fat from one to three years old require dairy products. preserve its nutrients. Orient Europharma.
profile. As the size of proteins in significantly more energy than New Zealands availability of The processing of Karihome goat
goat milk is smaller, they form adults for growth. As MCFAs can be fresh air and vast open space for milk is fully automated with strict n For more information, call
softer curds in our digestive digested easily, they can readily grazing makes it an ideal habitat hygiene requirement to prevent 03-5569 5405.