THE STAR, TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020
YOUR HEALTH
Seek treatment early
OUR heart pumps oxygenated
blood to the body through arteries
and takes the deoxygenated blood
back via veins. When the venous
walls or valves in the vein are
defective, a condition known as
chronic venous insufficiency
occurs. If this happens in the legs,
it leads to the formation of
varicose veins.
Dr Tan Kia Lean, consultant
vascular surgeon at Ara
Damansara Medical Centre,
explains that varicose veins
generally occur in the legs as the
body needs to work harder against
gravity to send blood from the legs
back up into the heart. “The body
uses your calf muscles to pump
blood back into the heart. When
we move around, the muscles
squeeze and relax, slowly pushing
the blood upwards. To prevent
blood from flowing backwards
when the muscles relax, valves
are located in various parts of the
veins to stop the backward flow
of blood.”
However, when the valve
malfunctions, blood will leak
through the valve. The blood will
then accumulate and cause the
vein to swell. It becomes a vicious
cycle – when the vein swells, the
opening of the valves enlarge
which exacerbates the issue. If
treatment is delayed, the
subsequent valves in the vein will
slowly become damaged. It can
spread to the rest of the leg; for
example, from the upper thigh to
the middle thigh, calf and then
the ankle.
More common than
expected
There are many causes for
varicose veins – some people may
have dilated veins or defective
valves from birth, while others
may be caused by external injuries
that affect the veins. There are
cases where the cause is
unidentified, too.
Compression stockings do not just make your legs feel comfortable during
long stints of standing and walking, but it also helps prevent the progression
of varicose veins.
Dr Tan Kia Lean.
Varicose veins is a very
prevalent disease. It is two times
more prevalent than coronary
heart disease, and five times more
than peripheral arterial disease,
which is where the artery
malfunctions. However, because
varicose veins do not cause
problems for most people, Dr Tan
says most people ignore it until the
symptoms get worse.
He notes women are prone to
varicose veins partially because of
the wearing of high heels and
pregnancy, which are risk factors.
However, the prevalence of
varicose veins for both men and
women above the age of 70 are
equal as they are mostly caused by
degenerative changes in the body
where tissues become lax and
the veins are easily dilated.
Prevalence is also almost equal
across all ethnicities.
Renewed hope with
medical advancements
Varicose veins are generally
found in the middle of the thigh or
the calf. Nevertheless, Dr Tan states
20% of varicose veins occur in
other parts of the body. Potential
sites of varicose veins are the
perineum, pelvic area, buttocks
and many more. He says, “Not
every varicose vein can be seen
easily, so we will need to identify
its source before determining the
Difference between normal and varicose veins.
method of treatment.”
Medical advancements have
transformed the way varicose
veins are treated now in
comparison to two or three
decades ago. The advent of
minimally invasive surgery has
shifted medical recommendations
as they are quite easily performed,
quick, and painless.
Dr Tan says, “Back then, we did
not have such advanced modes of
surgery, so you had to wear
compression stockings for life
to avoid the progression of this
condition. With minimally invasive
surgery, the outcomes are better
and the problem will not recur.
Hence, the first line of treatment
now is through minimally invasive
surgery.” Mainly diagnosed in
clinical visits, the diagnosis of
varicose veins is now paired with
ultrasound to locate the source of
the problem and to determine the
method of treatment.
To prevent and avoid the
progression of varicose veins, Dr
Tan advises people to:
l Control your weight – Being
overweight adds pressure on
your veins
Avoiding the point of no return
Dr Tan Kia Lean, consultant
vascular surgeon at Ara
Damansara Medical Centre, says
varicose veins generally occur
unilaterally, which is on one leg
instead of both legs at the same
time. While varicose veins do not
cause problems to a person’s way
of life most of the time, lack of
treatment can cause symptoms to
be exacerbated and potentially
create permanent disfigurement
to the skin. He illustrates the
different stages of varicose veins:
Stage 1 – No symptoms.
Stage 2 – Spider veins can be
seen. Some may feel restlessness
l Do light to moderate
physical activities – Varicose veins
are caused by long hours of
standing and walking, so one must
strive to be active
l Avoid wearing high heels –
High heels restrict blood flow as it
keeps your calf muscles contracted
l Have adequate leg rest –
After a long day of standing or
walking, Dr Tan recommends to
rest your legs in a raised position
l Wear compression stockings
– If your job requires you to walk
or stand for long hours,
compression stockings can make
your legs feel more comfortable
and prevent varicose veins
Small procedure for better
quality of life
It is crucial for people to
know when to seek medical help
should they experience varicose
veins symptoms.
Past generations would refrain
from treating varicose veins as it is
not life-threatening and medical
technology was inadequate.
However, Dr Tan advises earlier
in their leg.
Stage 3 – Leg starts to swell
(oedema). Patients may start
feeling heaviness in the legs, and
find it more difficult to walk or
stand for long periods of time. A
burning or itchy sensation can
also be felt, caused by micro-
lacerations in the skin from the
swelling of the leg.
Stage 4a – Pigmentation starts
to develop on the skin. Darker
skin patients will notice a lighter
discolouration on their skin.
Stage 4b – Skin starts to harden
in affected areas.
Stage 5 – Pigmented, hardened
treatment if you suspect you are in
the early stages of varicose veins.
“Do not wait until symptoms start
to cause complications and the
condition becomes more difficult
to treat. It is also better to practise
prevention methods before the
issue develops.”
He opines that modern society is
no longer similar to the time when
people would prioritise supporting
the family more than their own
health. Instead, quality of life is
the main focus for many now.
He gives an example, “If you let
your varicose veins fester into
ulcers, you will have to constantly
bandage your legs, and the smell
of ulcers is not pleasant. So, when
you go out with your friends, you
may feel embarrassed or feel
judged when people around you
are subject to the sight or smell of
your legs. The bandaging and
cleaning of your leg is not
convenient, either. These can all
be corrected and you don’t have
to live like that if you get
treated earlier.”
n For more information, call
03-5639 1212.
skin with healed ulcer
Stage 6 – Non-healing ulcers
start forming on the affected areas
as blood flow has been obstructed
for a longer period of time.
Dr Tan urges patients to seek
treatment earlier as damage to
your skin can be permanent once
it goes past stage 4. “While
varicose veins are treatable even
in its later stages, the previous
damage to the skin may never
heal. Hence, it is better to treat it
earlier. Your quality of life is
improved as well as your legs will
feel more comfortable.”
2 Your Health
Hit pause
on ageing skin
LOOKS are everything, especially now,
where selfie culture is prevalent and first
impressions are significant. Regardless of
gender, we all share the same priority of
ensuring our skin looks smooth, fair and
youthful for as long as possible.
However, despite our best efforts,
sometimes our skin can age prematurely
due to factors such as exposure to UV rays,
imbalanced diets, excessive smoking or
alcohol consumption, and stress. These
factors can negatively affect collagen and
elastic fibres in the body, causing skin to sag
and form unsightly wrinkles and dark spots.
It is common for us to turn to skincare
products and over-the-counter remedies such
as medication and steroid creams to prevent
our skin from showing signs of ageing.
However, skincare products generally tend
to treat only the surface symptoms, while
long-term use of medication and creams
can cause our skin to become dry.
Black ginger (Kaempferia
parviflora), also known as
Thai ginseng, is a herb
indigenous to South-East
Asia, particularly Laos and
Thailand, where it
is commonly
used as a folk
medicine by
the locals.
Many studies
carried out on this herb have shown
that it contains high levels of
polymethoxyflavonoids (PMFs). PMFs play a
major role in activating SIRT1, a factor that
protects cellular DNA from further damage.
In one such study, titled Potent SIRT1
Enzyme-stimulating and Anti-glycation
Activities of Polymethoxyflavonoids from
Kaempferia parviflora published in 2014 in
Natural Product Communications, clinical
trials have shown that the SIRT1-
stimulating activity of PMFs is five times
stronger than that of resveratrol, another
powerful antioxidant.
Black ginger can also help reduce visceral
fat. This is the fat stored around our internal
organs such as our heart and liver, and the
greater the amount of visceral fat, the higher
our risk of contracting type 2 diabetes and
heart disease. In the same study mentioned
above, it was indicated that visceral fat
accumulation decreased when black ginger
was consumed.
This herb can be difficult to procure,
so a supplement can be effective, too.
Look out for one with more than
15% of all five types of PMFs, such
as the patented SIRTMAX black
ginger extract.
n For more information, call
1800 183 288 or visit
herbsofgold.com.my
Cleanse your liver naturally
YOUR liver is a dynamo of an organ
performing a variety of essential tasks,
ranging from producing proteins,
cholesterol and bile to storing vitamins,
minerals and even carbohydrates. It also
breaks down toxins such as alcohol,
medications and natural by-products of
metabolism. Hence, keeping your liver in
good shape is important for maintaining
health.
Here are foods you can incorporate into
your diet to help your liver:
l Coffee: Coffee increases antioxidant
levels in the liver, all while decreasing
inflammation. It also lowers the risk of
developing liver disease, cancer and fatty
liver.
l Tea: Black and green tea may improve
enzyme and fat levels in the liver. If you are
thirsty from all the liver-benefiting foods,
try some green tea. This beverage contains
catechins, plant-based antioxidants known
to improve liver function. However,
exercise caution and stick to green tea and
not green tea extract, which can potentially
negatively impact liver health.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020
l Beets: Beets assist with increasing
oxygen by cleansing the blood and breaking
down toxic wastes to be excreted quicker.
They stimulate bile flow and boost
enzymatic activity. Beets also contain fibre
and vitamin C, which are both natural
cleansers for the digestive system.
l Avocado: Avocados are a superfood. In
addition to cleansing your arteries, avocados
help the body naturally produce glutathione,
the compound that helps the liver rid itself
of toxins.
l Fish: Eating fish at least twice a week,
especially fish containing omega-3 fatty
acids such as salmon, sardines, tuna and
trout is beneficial for your liver. Omega-3
fatty acids can help prevent fat from
building up, keep enzyme levels normal,
fight inflammation and improve insulin
resistance. While consuming omega-3-rich
fatty fish appears to be beneficial for your
liver, adding more omega-3 fats to your diet
is not the only thing to consider. The ratio of
omega-6 fats to omega-3 fats is also
> TURN TO PAGE 4
THE STAR, TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020 3
4 Your Health
Boost your blood circulation
OVER the past few months, the world has
been grappling with the effects of the Covid-
19 pandemic, with more than 12 million
people infected and a death toll of 552,000,
according to the World Health Organization.
The most common symptoms of Covid-19
include fever, cough and shortness of
breath. There is also emerging data showing
that Covid-19 not only causes respiratory
illness, but is also associated with
neurologic complications such as stroke.
What do all these symptoms have in
common? Impaired blood circulation. In
fact, several retrospective clinical studies
have shown that the Covid-19 virus is prone
to attacking the lining of blood vessels all
over the body, deteriorating the body
defence system and forming blood clots in
the blood vessels, which can ultimately lead
to poor blood circulation.
Poor blood circulation is reflected in
restricted or blocked blood flow to various
parts of the body and vital organs such as
the brain, which is usually due to blockage
of the blood vessels caused by blood clots
resulted from platelet clumping (platelet
aggregation). Subsequently, the lack of
oxygen and nutrient supply to the organs
may lead to:
l Fatigue
l Numbness and tingling sensations in
the hands and feet
l Cold hands and feet
l Chronic or life-threatening diseases
Maintaining healthy blood circulation is
important for a healthy life as it warrants
the smooth flow of blood that carries
oxygen and nutrients throughout the body,
allowing vital organs such as the brain to
function properly, as well as ensuring the
efficient transport of immune cells around
the body. Below are some tips to improve
blood circulation:
l Regular exercise
Improving your blood circulation not only helps to strengthen your immunity but also reduces your risk of developing chronic diseases in the
future.
l Massages
l Staying hydrated
A natural health supplement
Fruitflow, a natural water-soluble tomato
extract, is the first natural, scientifically
proven ingredient that promotes healthy
blood circulation. It consists of a number of
bioactive compounds with anti-platelet
properties such as nucleosides, polyphenols
and flavonoids, which have been clinically
proven to improve blood circulation.
A daily dose of just 150mg of Fruitflow
natural water-soluble tomato extract can
help to improve blood circulation by
maintaining normal platelet aggregation,
according to a 2010 article titled Scientific
Opinion on the modification of the
authorisation of a health claim related to
water-soluble tomato concentrate and helps
to maintain a healthy blood flow and benefits
circulation pursuant to Article 13(5) of
Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 following a
request in accordance with Article 19 of the
Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 published in
A satiating health plan
> FROM PAGE 2
important. The recommended ratio of
omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in the diet is
4:1 or less. An omega-6 to omega-3 ratio
that is too high can promote the
development of liver disease. So, it is just as
important to keep your omega-6 to omega-3
ratio in check.
l Walnuts: Walnuts are high in the
amino acid arginine and assist the liver in
detoxifying ammonia. They are high in
glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids, which
all provide support to natural liver
cleansing.
l Vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables
such as broccoli and cauliflower contain
glucosinolate, which helps the liver to
produce detoxifying enzymes. They also
contain sulphur compounds that aid with
liver health. Leafy vegetables are high in
chlorophyll, which leaches toxins out of the
blood stream. They can neutralise heavy
metals to protect the liver.
l Fruits: Fruits such as grapefruit,
oranges, limes and lemons all boost the
liver’s cleansing
ability. They help
the liver to
produce the
detoxifying
enzymes that
flush out
THE STAR, TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020
EFSA Journal.
While strengthening your immunity to
fight against Covid-19 is important now,
maintaining healthy blood circulation is
vital to reduce your risk of developing
serious illnesses in the future.
This article is brought to you by Biogrow.
n For more information, call 03-7956 2220
(Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), visit
www.biogrow.com.my and like the Facebook
page at www.facebook.com/BiogrowMY
pollutants. Besides that, apples contain high
levels of pectin, a chemical that helps the body
cleanse and release toxins from the digestive
tract. With fewer toxins in the digestive tract,
the liver can better manage its toxin load,
being able to better cleanse the rest of the
body. Other than those fruits, berries, grapes
and pears also help with cleansing the liver.
l Olive oil: Consuming one teaspoon
(6.5 ml) of olive oil per day improves liver
enzyme and fat levels as well as blood
flow to the liver, hence, encouraging a
healthier liver.
l Garlic: Garlic contains selenium, a
mineral that helps to detoxify the liver. It also
can activate liver enzymes that can help your
body naturally flush out toxins.
l Turmeric: This herb works wonders
for the liver. It helps the enzymes that
flush out toxins and contains antioxidants
that repair liver cells. It also assists the
liver in detoxing metals, while boosting
bile production.
Your liver is a vital organ with many
essential functions in your body. Doing
what you can to protect it
and incorporating
healthy foods into
your diet is one way
of keeping your
liver functioning
at its best.