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Natural Health August 2018

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Advertorial<br />

Dark Spots Gone!<br />

Smooth and flawless skin is attainable for every skin type<br />

with Palmer's ® . Unconvinced? Get even with your skin tone<br />

and fade dark marks with a simple cleanse and moisturise<br />

routine using Palmer's ® Skin Success Anti-Dark Spot Complexion<br />

Bar and Fade Milk body lotion and you'll be on the road to<br />

'success' soon enough!<br />

Palmer's ® Skin Success Anti-Dark Spot<br />

Palmer's ®<br />

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Colourant-Free<br />

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Are you experiencing dark marks or spots<br />

and uneven skin tone that results in an<br />

overall dull complexion? Then, pamper and<br />

nourish your skin with the Complexion Bar<br />

as it luxuriously enriches, cleanses and<br />

creates an ideal surface texture to receive<br />

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treatments. The Complexion Bar also<br />

contains Vitamin C and E (an antioxidant<br />

that protects and repairs your skin), natural<br />

pigment-perfecting ingredients, and<br />

enhanced moisturisers. If used on a daily<br />

basis, skin is visibly transformed into a<br />

luminous and balanced perfection.<br />

Simply apply the product using warm<br />

water to create a rich lather prior to<br />

massaging into skin. Rinse completely.<br />

For optimal tone-perfecting results, apply<br />

Palmer's Skin Success Anti-Dark Spot<br />

Fade Milk.<br />

Fade Milk<br />

This moisturising body lotion helps to<br />

fade marks and even skin tone all over<br />

your body. Formulated with Vitamin C,<br />

Vitamin E and Alpha Hydroxy to soften<br />

and smooth skin, it helps reduce<br />

unwanted skin discolouration all over<br />

body especially on problematic areas such<br />

as knees, elbows and décolletage. Use<br />

Fade Milk regularly and your skin will be<br />

left clearer, brighter and more even-toned.<br />

Available at all leading pharmacies<br />

Imported and distributed:<br />

Propharm (M) Sdn Bhd (104117-H) Tel: 03-6243 6389<br />

www.palmersonline.com.my


Ever wondered why we couldn't be healthier<br />

even with regular exercise, good dietary habits,<br />

better drinking water and quality supplements?<br />

In this modern day of advanced technology,<br />

besides suffering from poor air quality, we are<br />

being constantly exposed to ionizing radiation.<br />

This silent killer has been affecting our health<br />

negatively and is one of the major causes to<br />

acidic blood in our body. For our body to<br />

function at its optimum level, it is vital to<br />

maintain a slightly alkaline blood pH, and<br />

millionair is able to achieve that and more!<br />

Embedded with the patented Air Vitamin®<br />

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Neutralizes<br />

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Restores <strong>Health</strong><br />

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Experience today at:<br />

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Lot 522, Jalan Besar, Kampung Sentosa,<br />

Batang Kali, 44300 Selangor.<br />

E: info@millionair.com.my<br />

millionair.com.my


Published by:<br />

Editor’s Message<br />

Be Good To Us, <strong>August</strong>!<br />

Hey everyone, how's the new month treating you? <strong>August</strong> is a month that celebrates<br />

two key health-related events.<br />

For starters, it is a month that recognises breast is best! World Breastfeeding Week<br />

takes places during the first week of the month and it is aimed at spreading awareness<br />

and fostering support to those who choose to breastfeed. We, at <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong>,<br />

would like to 'celebreast' the occasion with you by saying 'You do you!' and if that<br />

means you can't or do not want to breastfeed, we still support you and you should<br />

read all about alternatives to breastfeeding in this issue!<br />

We also have local celebrity Hannah Lo, our cover image personality, sharing her<br />

thoughts on breastfeeding as well as breastfeeding in public. Quick poll! Do you agree<br />

with those who choose to breastfeed in public? Tell us 'Why?' by sending us a message<br />

on our Facebook page and we would love to feature your thoughts in our next issue!<br />

Next up, it is Psoriasis Awareness Month. A chronic skin condition similar to eczema,<br />

we bring you an informative guide on differentiating both skin conditions and advise<br />

you to always stay hydrated and moisturised.<br />

We've got pointers on choosing the best sports bra, why you should choose organic<br />

skin care products and several interviews on issues concerning the environment, a<br />

personal account of someone moving forward with life despite having epilepsy and a<br />

doctor's recommendation on why minimally-invasive heart surgery is something you<br />

should know more about.<br />

Plenty to read and stay informed, don't you think?<br />

Lastly, lest we forget, Happy 61st Birthday, Malaysia!<br />

Till we meet again,<br />

Punitha Kumar<br />

Join our Facebook Fan page<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong><br />

AcePremier.com Sdn Bhd (829271-K)<br />

N-2-6, Plaza Damas, 60, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1,<br />

Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.<br />

T: +603-6203 2522 F: +603-6203 4522<br />

E: info@acepremier.com www.AcePremier.com<br />

Publisher<br />

John Lim<br />

Editor<br />

Punitha Kumar<br />

Editorial Team<br />

Punitha Kumar<br />

Marketing & Sales<br />

Fiona Lim<br />

Adeline Chin<br />

Creative Team<br />

Aina Mardia<br />

Haziatul Shima<br />

Advisory Panel<br />

Dr Rajbans Singh<br />

Consultant Physician and Geriatrician<br />

<strong>Health</strong>y Ageing Specialist<br />

Pantai Medical Centre and<br />

President, Malaysian Wellness Society<br />

Prof Dr Zamrin Dimon<br />

Senior Surgeon<br />

UiTM Private Specialist Centre (UPSC)<br />

Dr Zanariah Hussein<br />

Consultant Endocrinologist for<br />

Hospital Putrajaya and Head of<br />

Endocrinology Service Malaysia<br />

Printer<br />

Times Offset (M) Sdn Bhd<br />

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NATURAL HEALTH encourages reader feedback.<br />

Please email to editor@acepremier.com<br />

Reproduction of the material contained herein is forbidden<br />

without the permission of the publisher.<br />

NATURAL HEALTH magazine is published 12 times a year by<br />

AcePremier.com Sdn Bhd<br />

Disclaimer<br />

Editorial material herein is provided for information only. Reader<br />

are cautioned not to use this information as a substitute for<br />

regular professional health care and consultation. Although great<br />

care has been taken in compiling and checking the information<br />

given in this publication, the publisher, authors, advisors and<br />

agents shall not be responsible or in any way liable for continued<br />

currency of the information or for any errors, omissions or<br />

inaccuracies in this publication whether arising from negligence<br />

or otherwise howsoever, or for any consequences arising there<br />

from. The inclusion or exclusion of any product does not mean<br />

that the publisher advocates or rejects its use either generally or<br />

in particular field or fields.<br />

Advertisements are subject to editorial acceptance and have no<br />

influence on editorial content or presentation. The publishers,<br />

authors, advisors and agents do not guarantee, directly or<br />

indirectly, the quality or efficacy of any product or service<br />

described in the advertisements or other material which is<br />

commercial in nature.<br />

For all business and partnership matters please contact our<br />

Director, John Lim at info@acepremier.com or +603 6203 2522.<br />

Copyright © <strong>2018</strong>. AcePremier.com Sdn Bhd.<br />

Available at


Advertorial<br />

Look for ME* when choosing Probiotics!<br />

The probiotics supplement your child needs<br />

KKLIU 0791/<strong>2018</strong><br />

MAL17096051N<br />

As a parent, it is often a struggle to have<br />

your child consume healthy and nutritious<br />

food. You may be able to get your kids<br />

to eat healthily at home, but it’s a whole<br />

different situation at school or during<br />

playdates with friends. After all, fruits<br />

and vegetables are not a child's best<br />

friend. Children prefer fast food and<br />

unhealthy snacks high in sugar, salt and<br />

saturated fats.<br />

In order to ensure your child is healthy,<br />

additional health supplements are often<br />

needed and they should come in handy<br />

to allow consumption – anytime,<br />

anywhere. Kids easily fall sick due to the<br />

presence of bad bacteria in their diet and<br />

digestive system. To maintain a healthy<br />

balance of good and bad bacteria in your<br />

child's digestive system, good bacteria<br />

supplementation is needed and probiotics<br />

can provide you just that.<br />

What are Probiotics?<br />

Probiotics are living microorganisms in<br />

which when taken in adequate amount<br />

can benefit a child’s health. These living<br />

microorganisms assist in the healthy<br />

development of a child’s digestive and<br />

immune systems. Though there is presence<br />

of good bacteria in our intestinal tract,<br />

certain lifestyle habits such as poor diet,<br />

stress, aging and medications can diminish<br />

the number of good microbes. A<br />

supplement that contains probiotics can<br />

make up for the microbes’ deficiency.<br />

Probiotics can be found in supplements<br />

and food like raw cheese, apple cider<br />

vinegar, pickled vegetables and the most<br />

popular probiotics food source – yoghurt.<br />

Each probiotic strain has a distinctive effect<br />

on the body. There are two important<br />

probiotic strains that are essential for<br />

maintaining a healthy gut – Lactobacillus<br />

and Bifidobacterium.<br />

Child-Friendly<br />

Probiotics Powder<br />

BON ® ProbioKidz ME is a formulation<br />

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children. With a customised formula of<br />

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combines two imported beneficial strains<br />

of good bacteria from Canada;<br />

Lactobacillus helveticus ME 52 and<br />

Bifidobacterium longum ME 175 in a ratio<br />

that meets the special probiotics<br />

requirements for children.<br />

BON ® ProbioKidz ME has gone through<br />

extensive scientific research to ensure the<br />

amount of good bacteria is preserved<br />

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combines both Bio-Support technology<br />

and patented Probiocap ® Micro-<br />

Encapsulation (ME) technology to ensure<br />

the probiotics remain stable, both outside<br />

the body during storage and alive inside<br />

the body once consumed.<br />

Micro-Encapsulated (ME)*<br />

Technology<br />

This technology allows the good bacteria<br />

in BON ® ProbioKidz ME to be heatresistant<br />

and thus it can be stored at room<br />

temperature without the need for<br />

refrigeration. It also enhances the stability<br />

of BON ® ProbioKidz ME to last up to<br />

24 months.<br />

With this technology, the good bacteria<br />

is rendered resistance to the attacks by<br />

the stomach acid and hence it can be<br />

taken any time of the day, before or after<br />

meals, providing convenience to both<br />

parents and kids. The ME technology<br />

allows this probiotics supplement to be<br />

formulated and packed in powdered form<br />

for easy consumption. Kids can consume<br />

directly from individual sachets or mixed<br />

with drinks.<br />

The vanilla-flavoured BON ® ProbioKidz<br />

ME is registered under Malaysia's <strong>Health</strong><br />

Ministry (Reg No : MAL17096051N) and<br />

certified Halal by the Department of<br />

Islamic Development (Jakim). It is available<br />

in most leading pharmacies in pack sizes<br />

of 30 sachets and 10 sachets per box.<br />

This is a supplement product advertisement.


}<br />

Simple Ingredients, <strong>Natural</strong>ly Organic!<br />

I'm very careful with what I put on my skin. Synthetic chemicals, fragrance and other toxic skin care<br />

ingredients can wreak havoc on our health causing allergies, irritations and hormone disruptions. So it's<br />

a real joy and relief for me to discover NAVEEN's products, specifically the NAVEEN Hydrating Mask and<br />

NAVEEN Scalp Energy Tonic. NAVEEN is the first and only COSMOS organic, and Halal-certified range<br />

available in Malaysia. It is also vegan-friendly and not tested on animals. This means that I can use their<br />

products with complete confidence proving that it is good for me and the environment.<br />

NAVEEN Hydrating Mask<br />

• <strong>Natural</strong> & Organic Awards Europe 2017<br />

– Best New Organic Beauty Product<br />

• Pure Beauty Awards 2016<br />

– Best New Organic Product (Silver)<br />

The organic 100% cotton facial<br />

sheet mask is unscented and is<br />

great for use after cleansing<br />

my face to deeply hydrate<br />

and plump it up. It is a<br />

soothing weekly ritual<br />

that I look forward to as<br />

my skin truly looks<br />

revitalised. As such, it’s<br />

best to use it before a big<br />

event when you want to<br />

look your best.<br />

NAVEEN Scalp Energy Tonic<br />

• <strong>Natural</strong> & Organic Awards Asia 2017<br />

– Best New <strong>Natural</strong>/Organic Beauty & Spa Product<br />

I used the scalp energy tonic after<br />

washing my hair and conditioning my<br />

hair, and the difference is quite obvious.<br />

Previously, my hair will only look its<br />

best the day after I wash it when the<br />

natural oils reappear. But with this scalp<br />

energy tonic, my hair appears sleek<br />

and manageable right after its dry. My<br />

scalp also feels refreshed and doesn’t<br />

get as oily as it usually does during daily<br />

activities in this humid weather. Two<br />

thumbs up for NAVEEN!<br />

Ariel Chew<br />

Editor, 100Comments<br />

Editor's Review<br />

~


WHAT’S New<br />

Extreme Perfomance with Karrimor<br />

Whether you're a novice explorer or professional mountaineer,<br />

discover new heights and reach goals with premium outdoor<br />

performance brand, Karrimor. The waterproof and breathable<br />

lining walking shoes and boots are available at Sports Direct<br />

Malaysia stores.<br />

Karrimor Appalachian Walking Shoes<br />

Karrimor Mid Spike Walking Boots<br />

Karrimor Bodmin Mid IV Weathertite<br />

Walking Boots<br />

Karrimor Sabre WTX Trail<br />

Running Shoes<br />

Rapid Relief with Sensodyne<br />

The Sensodyne Rapid Relief, available in two variants –<br />

Sensodyne Rapid Relief and Sensodyne Rapid Relief<br />

Whitening, contains a unique balance of stannous fluoride<br />

and bio-adhesive polymer, that rapidly forms a protective<br />

barrier over the exposed dentine, thus relieving tooth<br />

sensitivity in 60 seconds with dab-on applications and even<br />

from the first brush. It is available at most major Malaysian<br />

supermarkets and pharmacies.<br />

References<br />

• Seong J et al. J Dent Res 96 (Spec Iss A): 0215, 2017.<br />

• GSK Data on File 205072<br />

• GSK Data on File 207212<br />

• Creeth J et al. J Dent Res 2017;96(Spec Iss A):1543<br />

• GSK Data on File 207211. January 2017<br />

1<br />

2<br />

3<br />

4<br />

5 6<br />

Alive 3 creates clothing for women with limited flexibility<br />

Alive 3's Easy Fittings<br />

A clothing line for women, especially senior citizens<br />

and recovering patients, the Alive 3 'Out of the<br />

Blue Collection' line works comfortably around<br />

injuries, surgery-sites, personal medical equipment<br />

and care routines.<br />

The breathable, poly-crepe robes and soft, cotton<br />

blouses offer a comfortable, yet stylish, alternative<br />

wardrobe for anyone with pain and limited flexibility.<br />

Furthermore, one of the hallmark features of Alive 3<br />

apparel are the external and internal pockets,<br />

specifically for keeping medical necessities like thermal<br />

packs and post-surgery drainage bags on hand.<br />

Visit Alive 3's FB page: Clothes4AReason or its Etsy<br />

shop: Measuring2Fit for more information.<br />

7<br />

8<br />

Matte Obsession<br />

Be spoilt for choices with the latest lippie collection<br />

from L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Matte Addiction<br />

Get that bold and coveted fashionforward<br />

matte lips with L'Oreal Paris<br />

Color Riche Matte Addiction. Chose<br />

from 43 shades!<br />

Infused with Jojoba and Camelia oil,<br />

the Color Riche Matte lipsticks allow<br />

you to achieve that coveted fashionforward<br />

matte lip look without<br />

drying out your lips.<br />

9<br />

10 11 12<br />

1. 203 Peachy Brown<br />

2. 206 Glamour Fucshia<br />

3. 273 Plum Melody<br />

4. 274 Mauve Petal<br />

5. 275 Purple Comtesse<br />

6. 276 Royal Veloute<br />

7. 281 Tropical Sorbet<br />

8. 282 La Vie En Coal<br />

9. 284 Peach Perfect<br />

10. 286 Evening Sur Seine<br />

11. 287 Beige Reveur<br />

12. 289 Cashmere Delicat<br />

6 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


WHAT’S New<br />

Editor's Review<br />

Wax It Off!<br />

Receive top notch services for your<br />

money from STRIP: Ministry of Waxing<br />

when you get your hair removed!<br />

She (waxing lady)<br />

smeared a thick,<br />

warm gooey and<br />

chocolatey paste<br />

on my mons<br />

pubis and told<br />

me to relax. Sure,<br />

that's the first STRIP's Bangsar Village II outlet<br />

thing that runs<br />

through your mind when you roughly know what<br />

she's about to do next!<br />

Rip! Ow! Tap, tap! Repeat.<br />

Okay, so that's an exaggeration (not for some)! My<br />

Brazilian wax session from STRIP brought upon a few<br />

mini yelps but generally and essentially, it was a<br />

smooth ending,quite literally too!<br />

As someone with eczema and generally, sensitive<br />

skin, I tend to be wary when I decide to remove hair<br />

from body parts where the sun does not shine.<br />

However, after undergoing a session with STRIP, let's<br />

just say I will be a returning customer at their outlets!<br />

For Brazilian and Boyzilian treatments, opt for the<br />

hard wax over the regular soft wax as it will remove<br />

hair easily with less pain!<br />

Cleanse with Abellie<br />

French bee cosmetics<br />

expert Abellie's Tresor<br />

de Purete Micellar Water<br />

keeps skin soft and<br />

hydrated at all times<br />

The Abellie Tresor de Purete<br />

Micellar Water utilises honey,<br />

propolis, royal jelly, aloe vera and<br />

cornflower water. Cornflower<br />

is used in many hair and skin<br />

care products because of its<br />

anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and<br />

anti-inflammatory properties.<br />

The plant is also well-known to<br />

smooth wrinkles around the eye<br />

and soothe both inflamed and<br />

irritated skin around the eyes.<br />

Apart from being a great makeup<br />

remover and skin moisturiser, the<br />

Micellar Water is certified-organic<br />

and carries both the ECOCERT<br />

and COSMEBIO logo.<br />

Under Armour Sportstyle<br />

Modern designs and high performance materials<br />

that are definitely not made just for the gym<br />

Panda Eyes,<br />

Be Gone!<br />

Melvita's Ice Fresh<br />

Roll On for eyes<br />

with Cornflower<br />

Floral Water makes<br />

you look fresh and<br />

well-rested<br />

An organic roll-on to<br />

soothe your eyes, the<br />

Melvita Ice Fresh Roll<br />

On for eyes has<br />

cornflower water<br />

giving off an ice-fresh<br />

texture. This freshness<br />

promises to comfort<br />

and invigorate you at<br />

all tired moments and<br />

keep the dark circles<br />

away.<br />

UA Sportstyle<br />

Jogger<br />

• Loose: Generous,<br />

more relaxed fit.<br />

• Material wicks<br />

sweat & dries<br />

really fast<br />

• Mesh back panels<br />

& pocket detail<br />

UA Favorites Legging<br />

Q1 Graphic<br />

• Fitted: Next-to-skin without<br />

the squeeze<br />

• Soft, ultra-lightweight<br />

performance cotton fabric<br />

delivers incredible comfort<br />

• Anti-odour technology<br />

prevents the growth of<br />

odour-causing microbes<br />

UA Favorites Crop<br />

• Fitted: Next-toskin<br />

without<br />

the squeeze.<br />

• Soft, ultralightweight<br />

performance<br />

cotton fabric<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

7


NATURAL & Beauty<br />

Why Do You Need to Switch to<br />

Organic Skin Care?<br />

Why is it that we are far more scrutinising about what we put in our body than what<br />

we put on it? Skin care products often play host to several chemical ingredients that are<br />

known to be skin and health irritants including parabens, carcinogens and allergens. In<br />

a nutshell, be conscious of your skin care products as those made with non-toxic organic<br />

ingredients helps to keep your skin and body performing at their very best<br />

8 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


NATURAL & Beauty<br />

Back To Nature<br />

There are many celebrities and beauty icons who swear by<br />

plant-based products. So, why not take your beauty practices<br />

back to basic or rather, back to nature? Our skin craves gentle<br />

and nourishing benefits of organic and plant-based ingredients.<br />

You may be skeptical now, but do the switch and you will see<br />

changes in your skin and overall health.<br />

Unregulated Chemicals In Products<br />

Do you know that only some 11 ingredients are banned in the<br />

US for safety reasons while the European Union countries have<br />

banned over 1,000 ingredients considered unsafe to be used in<br />

the beauty and skin care industry? There are also ingredients<br />

that can be omitted from a list if it falls under 'trade secrets' (as<br />

is the case with the term, fragrance).<br />

Gentle On Your Skin<br />

Organic makeup is made with nutrients that will benefit your<br />

skin. From nourishing minerals like magnesium, calcium, mica<br />

and zinc oxide to botanical ingredients like tea tree oil, rosemary<br />

extracts and green tea, these products of nature soothe and<br />

protect the skin.<br />

Most makeup contains harsh chemicals that are bad for sensitive<br />

skin. If you have sensitive skin, it is wise to choose organic<br />

makeup because it is less irritating. By using products with high<br />

concentrations of these ingredients, your skin’s overall condition<br />

will naturally improve.<br />

Green Foot Forward<br />

If you're purchasing and using an organic product, this means<br />

it potentially removes a chemically-laden product from being<br />

used. Toxic ingredients are not being washed down our drains<br />

and ultimately, not disrupting the ecosystem. Next time you're<br />

purchasing something for your skin, look for companies who<br />

source their ingredients from renewable resources that are<br />

sourced ethically and responsibly.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

9


NATURAL & Beauty<br />

Prioritise Your <strong>Health</strong><br />

Make conscious choices when it concerns<br />

your skin care. If this decision is made in<br />

tandem with a healthy lifestyle and diet,<br />

it can be a preventive solution to some<br />

health issues. At the same time, feeding<br />

your skin and body is important for your<br />

overall health and well-being.<br />

Repairs and Heals Skin<br />

Many of us who use cosmetic products layer our faces with<br />

countless products–toner, serum, moisturiser, primer, foundation,<br />

concealer, foundation again, blush then bronzer. Not to mention<br />

eye cream, five different shades of shadow, eyeliner, brow powder<br />

- the list goes on. Imagine how many chemicals have been<br />

actively seeping into our skin! We might wake up the next day<br />

to severe outbreaks, a sign of rebellion from our delicate skin<br />

for mistreating it. Then we wonder why our skin reacts this way.<br />

Our bodies send us clear signals when we mistreat it. We must<br />

be sensitive to the needs of our bodies and learn to read warning<br />

signals before our skin goes berserk.<br />

When you use organic cosmetics, your skin feels much more<br />

balanced and shows less signs of angst. If your skin is used to<br />

organic cosmetics and you use chemical-based products again<br />

for a day, your skin will likely break out the next day as the<br />

organic products have become your body’s new norm. A key<br />

benefit of organic makeup is that you don’t need to worry about<br />

breakouts or other bad reactions.<br />

Prevents Premature Aging<br />

As opposed to regular cosmetics, organic cosmetics do not<br />

contain harmful chemicals and fillers that can accelerate the<br />

rate of aging as these chemicals are absorbed into the skin and<br />

clog the pores - causing skin to be sallow and unhealthy. Lines<br />

and wrinkles are also emphasised when using regular makeup<br />

as they contain waxes and silicones that settle into the ridges<br />

on our skin.<br />

Organic makeup also contains natural ingredients that are derived<br />

from plants that help to boost collagen production and encourage<br />

efficient cell turnover. You can say hello to healthy, supple skin<br />

all year round!<br />

Sunny Protection<br />

The three major ingredients<br />

found in mineral makeups–<br />

titanium oxide, zinc oxide,<br />

and iron oxide–offer<br />

protection against sun<br />

damage and premature aging<br />

of the skin, decreasing the<br />

risk of skin cancer. Aside from<br />

providing long-lasting<br />

coverage, titanium oxide also<br />

provides ultraviolet protection<br />

with its built-in SPF 15. Zinc<br />

oxide provides sun protection against UVA rays (ultraviolet A)<br />

and UVB rays (ultraviolet B). Last of all, iron oxide provides UV<br />

protection aside from giving the mineral foundations and eye<br />

shadows their hues.<br />

10 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


NATURAL & Beauty<br />

15<br />

Pointers<br />

To Choose<br />

The Perfect<br />

Sports Bra<br />

Who are we kidding? There are many of us who don't even wear the correct bra yet alone the<br />

correct sports bra. But, this is no joke because if you don't take care of your 'girls' at an early<br />

stage, there is a high possibility of getting premature sagging, back pain, elongated ligaments,<br />

breast injuries, chafing and heat rash! So, now that we have hopefully scared you, take these<br />

pointers to heart or should we say your breast, the next time you're on a workout!<br />

1 Optimum Support Level 2<br />

Low Impact Bras:<br />

Yoga, climbing, paddling<br />

Medium Impact Bras:<br />

Walking, road biking, skiing<br />

High Impact Bras:<br />

Running, mountain biking<br />

Hand Wash Only!<br />

If you want sports bras that last for a year, hand<br />

wash the garment and avoid the spin cycle. Use<br />

gentle detergents and avoid fabric softeners. If you<br />

must put it in a washing machine, fasten any hooks<br />

first. Avoid putting your sports bra in the dryer<br />

because even on a low setting, the heat can break<br />

down your bra's elastic.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

11


NATURAL & Beauty<br />

3<br />

Measure Yourself<br />

Stand in front of a mirror wearing a non-padded bra and use a<br />

cloth tape to get your bust measurement (at the fullest part of<br />

your chest) and your band measurement (around your rib cage,<br />

just under your breasts). Add 3 inches to the rib cage number<br />

for final band measurement.<br />

4<br />

Watch Out For Runaways<br />

If your 'girls' try to escape the bottom of your bra when you<br />

raise your arms, you need to try a smaller band size to keep<br />

things snug!<br />

5<br />

Whoa, Down Boy!<br />

It needs to be down, at the back! Turn sideways and check the<br />

back of the rib band, if it is pulling up and riding higher than the<br />

front of your sports bra, the band is too large or the straps are<br />

too short. Choose a smaller band size to keep the band at the<br />

right level, at the back or re-adjust your straps (if it is adjustable).<br />

6<br />

Cleavage Control<br />

Look straight down. If your breasts<br />

are struggling to get out or if the<br />

underwire seems to be sitting on<br />

your boobs rather than flat on your<br />

chest, you need a larger sports bra<br />

or you need to go one cup up.<br />

7<br />

Bounty<br />

That Spills<br />

If there is boob spillage on the sides<br />

or at the top of the bra, you're<br />

definitely going to need a bigger<br />

cup size.<br />

8<br />

Cup<br />

Cup<br />

Wrinkles<br />

Don't think that folds,<br />

wrinkles or looseness in the<br />

cup isn't a big deal because<br />

it only brings about weakened<br />

support and chafing. Go<br />

down a cup size!<br />

Band<br />

9<br />

If The Back Hurts<br />

If you're experiencing breast or back pain, your sports bra isn't<br />

doing its job. This also might mean that you're wearing a sports<br />

bra not meant for the activity you're doing. The bra you use for<br />

yoga should not be the bra you use for running.<br />

10<br />

Dig Me Not<br />

If your straps are digging into your<br />

skin, it is not the right fit. Sports<br />

bras come in different styles which<br />

includes the wide-set or racerback<br />

versions, choose one that fits your<br />

body and routine.<br />

11<br />

Preggers Or<br />

Breastfeeding<br />

During pregnancy or when<br />

breastfeeding you will need the<br />

maximum support available. In<br />

addition, your bust size will change<br />

throughout your pregnancy, so<br />

consider buying an adjustable sports<br />

bra to avoid frequent replacements.<br />

12<br />

Smaller Or<br />

Larger Than Average<br />

Usually, women with smaller chests find compression sports bra<br />

comfortable while those with larger chests would receive more<br />

support from encapsulation bras. However, this depends on your<br />

comfort and preference. So, if you're still unsure, talk to the<br />

sales consultant to further determine what style suits you best.<br />

Perfect Band fit<br />

Band to large<br />

Band to small<br />

12 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


NATURAL & Beauty<br />

15<br />

Encapsulation Or Compression<br />

Sports bras with individual cups which are known as encapsulation<br />

are better for larger-breasted women while shelf bra styles<br />

(compression) work for smaller cup sizes or for low to moderateimpact<br />

workouts.<br />

13<br />

Pullover Or Back-Clasp<br />

The pullover style allows you to cover more of your back but this<br />

means there's no front or back straps and you cannot adjust the<br />

bra, especially when you need to anchor large chests. If you have<br />

larger breasts, a back clasp may work better as you can tighten<br />

or loosen the band according to your preference of support.<br />

14<br />

Racerback Or Wide-Straps<br />

Racerbacks will anchor the bra closer to your body to the cinch<br />

in the back, providing more support while wide straps will<br />

distribute the weight better, adjustable and often better for<br />

those with a larger chest.<br />

Reference<br />

• Runnersworld.co.uk<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

13


FOOD & Nutrition<br />

Basil<br />

Basil, or Sweet Basil, is a common name for the culinary herb<br />

Ocimum basilicum, of the family Lamiaceae, of the genus:<br />

Ocimum. A popular herb in the same family as peppermint,<br />

basil is used to season sauces, soups, salads and pasta dishes<br />

all around the world. The name "basil" derives from the old<br />

Greek word basilikohn, which means "royal," reflecting<br />

ancient cultures’ high regard towards this ‘sacred’ herb. There<br />

are more than 40 cultivars of this pungent plant, each with its<br />

own characteristic colour and aroma.<br />

Like other aromatic<br />

plants, basil contains<br />

essential oils and<br />

phytochemicals in the<br />

leaves, stem, flowers,<br />

roots and seeds<br />

that have biological<br />

activity in the body<br />

Basil leaves contain<br />

much health<br />

benefiting essential<br />

oils such as eugenol,<br />

citronellol, linalool,<br />

citral, limonene and<br />

terpineol. These<br />

compounds are<br />

known to have<br />

anti-inflammatory<br />

and anti-bacterial<br />

properties<br />

Basil is virtually<br />

calorie-free and,<br />

in addition to<br />

antioxidant vitamins<br />

and phenolics, is a<br />

rich source of zinc,<br />

calcium, magnesium,<br />

potassium and<br />

dietary fibre<br />

Washing fresh<br />

produce in a solution<br />

that contains one<br />

percent basil essential<br />

oil is an all-natural<br />

way to reduce<br />

bacteria such as E. coli<br />

and Listeria, which can<br />

cause food poisoning<br />

Basil essential oils have been shown to lower<br />

blood glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol levels<br />

Basil leaves are an<br />

excellent source of<br />

iron, contains 3.17<br />

mg/100 g of fresh<br />

leaves (about 26%<br />

of RDA). Iron, being<br />

a component of<br />

hemoglobin inside<br />

the red blood cells,<br />

determines the<br />

oxygen-carrying<br />

capacity of the blood<br />

Basil is an excellent<br />

source of vitamin K,<br />

which is necessary for<br />

normal blood coagulation<br />

and overall bone health<br />

100 g of fresh herb leaves contain<br />

astoundingly 5275 mg or 175%<br />

of daily required doses of vitamin<br />

A. Vitamin A is known to have<br />

antioxidant properties and is<br />

essential for vision. It is also<br />

required for maintaining healthy<br />

mucus membranes and skin<br />

It is also a<br />

great source of<br />

magnesium, an<br />

essential mineral<br />

that helps the<br />

body’s blood<br />

vessels relax,<br />

which can improve<br />

blood flow<br />

Basil oil can be used<br />

to treat constipation,<br />

stomach cramps<br />

and indigestion as<br />

well as the cold, flu,<br />

asthma, whooping<br />

cough, bronchitis<br />

and sinus infections<br />

Basil also contains<br />

the flavonoids<br />

orientin and vicenin,<br />

which are plant<br />

pigments that shield<br />

your cell structures<br />

from oxygen and<br />

radiation damage<br />

Basil’s exceptionally powerful<br />

antioxidant properties have also<br />

shown to protect the body from<br />

premature ageing, common skin<br />

issues, age-related problems and<br />

even some types of cancer<br />

14 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


FOOD & Nutrition<br />

Goji berries<br />

A member of the nightshade family Solonaceae, goji<br />

berries Lycium barbarum are the most nutritionally dense<br />

fruit on earth. Native to the Himalayan mountains of Tibet<br />

and Mongolia, the goji berry is now grown in many other<br />

countries as well. Goji berry is also known as wolfberry. Goji<br />

berries are eaten raw, cooked, or dried (like raisins) and are<br />

used in herbal teas, juices, wines and medicines.<br />

Goji berry contains beta-sitosterol which aids in<br />

lowering cholesterol and improves sexual health<br />

They are also<br />

loaded with<br />

vitamin C, contain<br />

more carotenoids<br />

than any other<br />

food, have<br />

twenty-one trace<br />

minerals, and are<br />

high in fibre<br />

Gojis contain<br />

polysaccharides:<br />

a carbohydrate<br />

molecule that<br />

contains mucilage,<br />

which creates a<br />

protective film on<br />

the skin<br />

Goji berries contain<br />

as many as 22<br />

minerals (including<br />

zinc, iron, copper,<br />

calcium and<br />

selenium) and 11<br />

amino acids<br />

They are great source of<br />

beta-carotene, which is<br />

converted into Vitamin A<br />

by the liver. Beta-carotene<br />

helps to improve vision in<br />

dim lighting, preventing<br />

cataracts and maintains<br />

cell growth<br />

Goji berry is<br />

a nutritional<br />

powerhouse,<br />

boasting 15 times<br />

the amount of iron<br />

found in spinach<br />

Goji berries contain 13%<br />

more protein than whole<br />

meat, and more iron than<br />

spinach. Great if you're at<br />

risk of anaemia<br />

The zeaxanthin<br />

found in goji berries<br />

also contributes to<br />

better eye function<br />

Their powerful<br />

antioxidant<br />

properties and<br />

polysaccharides<br />

help to boost the<br />

immune system<br />

In traditional<br />

Chinese medicine,<br />

the goji is said to<br />

act on the Kidney<br />

and Liver meridians<br />

to help with lower<br />

back pain, dizziness<br />

and eyesight<br />

Eating goji berries<br />

will provide your<br />

body with vitamins<br />

B1, B2, B6 and<br />

E, all of which<br />

are essential for<br />

breaking down<br />

amino acids and fats,<br />

and converting carbs<br />

into energy<br />

Some researchers<br />

suggests that goji<br />

berry extracts may<br />

boost brain health<br />

and may protect<br />

against age-related<br />

diseases such as<br />

Alzheimer's<br />

They are great source<br />

of beta-carotene,<br />

which is converted into<br />

Vitamin A by the liver.<br />

Beta-carotene helps to<br />

improve vision in dim<br />

lighting, preventing<br />

cataracts and maintains<br />

cell growth<br />

Caution:<br />

Please note that<br />

there can be adverse<br />

interactions if you consume<br />

goji berries while also taking<br />

medication for diabetes, or<br />

blood pressure, or take the<br />

blood thinner warfarin. So<br />

be sure to consult your<br />

health care provider if<br />

that is the case.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

15


HEALTH & Wellness<br />

Losing Sight<br />

Over Sugar<br />

Diabetes is the most common cause of blindness among adults aged 20-74 and not many<br />

people including diabetics are aware of this. The 2006 National <strong>Health</strong> and Morbidity<br />

Survey found that about 15,000 to 39,000 Malaysians lose their sight because of diabetes.<br />

This condition is referred to as Diabetic Retinopathy, where diabetes causes damage to<br />

the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina).<br />

In this article, we bring you the <strong>Health</strong> Ministry's initiatives in tackling blindness caused<br />

by diabetes and why it is important for you to check for diabetic retinopathy once a year<br />

16 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


HEALTH & Wellness<br />

“Malaysia will see an increase of<br />

ageing population, by 2030 the<br />

number is expected to be 4.9 million<br />

and unfortunately, they are not<br />

ageing healthily. We will see the rise<br />

of non communicable diseases such<br />

as diabetes and its associated issues<br />

of diabetic retinopathy” said <strong>Health</strong><br />

Ministry's (MOH) former Deputy<br />

Director General, Datuk Seri Dr<br />

Jeyaindran Sinnadurai.<br />

1 Out Of 3<br />

<strong>Health</strong> Ministry's (MOH) former<br />

Deputy Director General, Datuk<br />

Seri Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai<br />

“One in three diabetic<br />

patients are affected with<br />

diabetic retinopathy,”<br />

said Hospital Putrajaya<br />

Consultant Endocrinologist and<br />

Endocrinology Service Malaysia<br />

Head, Dr Zanariah Hussein.<br />

Hospital Putrajaya Consultant<br />

Endocrinologist and<br />

Endocrinology Service Malaysia<br />

Head, Dr Zanariah Hussein<br />

She said, "Screening for diabetic<br />

retinopathy is vital because the<br />

longer you have diabetes and the<br />

less controlled your blood sugar is,<br />

the more likely you are to develop this condition.”<br />

Public Awareness Campaigns<br />

The <strong>Health</strong> Ministry is committed to reduce the burden of Diabetic<br />

Retinopathy by increasing awareness in addition to continuous<br />

screening efforts. Under this initiative, the Ophthalmology teams<br />

from Hospital Shah Alam, Hospital Serdang and Hospital Putrajaya<br />

conducted a public awareness campaign that hosted on-site<br />

eye screening activities during the Komuniti Sihat Perkasa Negara<br />

(KOSPEN) Convention. Almost 25% of the 330 participants<br />

were found to have Diabetic Retinopathy, they were then<br />

successfully referred to ophthalmologists.<br />

On-site eye screening activities during the Komuniti Sihat<br />

Perkasa Negara (KOSPEN) Convention<br />

Hospital Putrajaya Consultant<br />

Endocrinologist,<br />

Dr Masni Mohamad<br />

Technical Working Group<br />

“With the rising cases of diabetic<br />

Malaysians, including the younger<br />

population, MOH took the initiative to<br />

set up the Technical Working Group<br />

(TWG) for National Diabetic Retinopathy<br />

Screening in 2016,” said Hospital<br />

Putrajaya Consultant Endocrinologist,<br />

Dr Masni Mohamad.<br />

“For this group, MOH brings together both endocrinologists<br />

and eye care specialists to cohesively manage this condition,<br />

which requires specialisation in diabetes and optometry care”.<br />

The group consists of healthcare professionals from the MOH<br />

Ophthalmology and Endocrinology Services, the Primary Care<br />

Section of Family <strong>Health</strong> Development Division, Hospital<br />

Ampang, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Hospital Putrajaya,<br />

Hospital Sungai Buloh, Disease Control Division and Putrajaya<br />

District <strong>Health</strong> Office.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

17


HEALTH & Wellness<br />

Ophthalmology Service Malaysia<br />

Head, Dr Nor Fariza Ngah<br />

“The TWG initiated a partnership project<br />

between MOH hospitals and health clinics<br />

(klinik kesihatan) to create awareness on eye<br />

health, particularly for diabetic retinopathy<br />

amongst Malaysians, says Ophthalmology<br />

Service Malaysia Head, Dr Nor Fariza Ngah.<br />

“As a result of the TWG’s efforts, 189 MOH<br />

healthcare professionals including diabetes<br />

educators from Eastern and Central Zones<br />

were trained on diabetic retinopathy screening.<br />

They were taught on how to use fundus<br />

cameras which are better alternatives to an<br />

ophthalmoscope commonly used at primary<br />

care level”.<br />

Ophthalmoscopes VS Fundus Cameras<br />

When using an ophthalmoscope, the patients’<br />

eyes need to be dilated, requiring them to<br />

depend on caregivers to take them back and<br />

forth for check-ups. Furthermore, the majority<br />

of diabetic patients are treated at the primary<br />

care level where they are not exposed to<br />

healthcare professionals that have the skills<br />

to operate an ophthalmoscope. In most<br />

hospitals, this procedure is only conducted<br />

by ophthalmologists, reaching only a small<br />

percentage of diabetics.<br />

Fortunately, a fundus camera avoids all these<br />

limitations, making it easy in terms of time<br />

and convenience. In fact, various healthcare<br />

professionals such as nurses, paramedics and<br />

even family medicine specialists are taught<br />

how to use it. With the launch of the ‘2017<br />

Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Training<br />

Module for <strong>Health</strong>care Providers’ by the TWG, it greatly helped<br />

in educating these health care professionals, providing them<br />

with guidelines as a reference.<br />

MOH recognised that there was an opportunity to make full<br />

use of this fundus camera for maximum screening. Therefore,<br />

they conducted various efforts with the TWG to reach as many<br />

patients at risk of diabetic retinopathy, in addition to equipping<br />

more health clinics (klinik kesihatan) with fundus cameras.<br />

A workshop on how to handle a fundus camera for Diabetic<br />

Retinopathy screening was held at Hospital Shah Alam. There<br />

were 58 participants, consisting of medical officers and<br />

18 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


HEALTH & Wellness<br />

Diabetic Retinopathy screening workshop at Kuala Terengganu<br />

“It was found that many patients do not go<br />

for regular screening because of the tedious<br />

eye dilation process,” says Dr Fariza. “However,<br />

findings from the pilot study illustrated an<br />

increase in patient satisfaction due to a<br />

shortened waiting time. Patients who were<br />

detected with any form of diabetic retinopathy<br />

regardless of severity were referred immediately<br />

to an ophthalmology clinic for further<br />

treatment”.<br />

“The Ministry of <strong>Health</strong> is committed to<br />

reducing the impact of Diabetic Retinopathy<br />

in the Malaysian health sector. Although we<br />

are proactive in ensuring an increased level<br />

of awareness and accessibility to screening,<br />

it is within the patients’ hands to take<br />

proactive measures and get checked,” says<br />

<strong>Health</strong> Ministry Non-Communicable Diseases<br />

(NCD) Head, Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha. “I<br />

urge all diabetic patients to check for<br />

retinopathy once a year. With this, we aim<br />

to prevent avoidable blindness.”<br />

The Technical Working Group with the<br />

support of the <strong>Health</strong> Ministry and patient<br />

participation can significantly reduce the<br />

burden of Diabetic Retinopathy in Malaysia<br />

through these preventive measures for early<br />

detection and management, which will<br />

greatly benefit the community.<br />

The Technical Working Group (TWG) for National Diabetic Retinopathy Screening<br />

paramedics from 26 health clinics (klinik kesihatan). In addition to that,<br />

hands-on workshops at six states within the Eastern and Central Zones were<br />

held to educate healthcare professionals from these areas.<br />

The TWG also held two pilot studies for fundus screening at Hospital Putrajaya<br />

and Klinik Kesihatan Jeram, which successfully reached a total of 1,792<br />

diabetic patients.<br />

References<br />

• National <strong>Health</strong> & Morbidity Survey, 2015<br />

• Lee, R., Wong, T. and Sabanayagam, C. (2015).<br />

Epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular<br />

edema and related vision loss. Eye and Vision, 2(1).<br />

• Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy, 2017<br />

• Mayo Clinic. (<strong>2018</strong>).Diabetic retinopathy -Symptoms<br />

and causes. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.<br />

org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/symptomscauses/syc-20371611<br />

[Accessed 4 Jun. <strong>2018</strong>].<br />

• Yau JW, et al. Global prevalence and major risk<br />

factors of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes Care.<br />

2012; 35(3): 556-564.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

19


HEALTH & Wellness<br />

World<br />

Breastfeeding Week<br />

AUGUST 1-7<br />

Breast is Best.<br />

We know!<br />

But, what if you can't or do not want to breastfeed your child? The next best option<br />

is infant formula, but is it just as good and are there other alternatives?<br />

Nursing can be a wonderful experience for both mother and<br />

baby. It provides ideal nourishment and a special bonding<br />

experience that many mothers cherish.<br />

A number of health organisations — including the American<br />

Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Medical Association<br />

(AMA), and the World <strong>Health</strong> Organization (WHO) —<br />

recommend breastfeeding as the best choice for babies.<br />

Breastfeeding helps defend against infections, prevent allergies<br />

and protect against a number of chronic conditions.<br />

It is recommended that babies be breastfed exclusively for the<br />

first 6 months. Beyond that, breastfeeding is encouraged until<br />

at least 12 months and longer if both the mother and baby<br />

are willing.<br />

20 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


HEALTH & Wellness<br />

But, it isn't always easy for mothers to breastfeed their babies.<br />

Sometimes, they can't and sometimes there are those who don't<br />

want to.<br />

Here are Several Reasons Why You Can't or<br />

Won't Breastfeed<br />

• Sore nipples<br />

• Baby not latching onto breast<br />

• You've had a mastectomy<br />

• Hormonal Imbalances<br />

• Mammary Hypoplasia<br />

• Personal commitments and reasons<br />

If mummy can't or does not want to breastfeed, fret not. There<br />

are several options available that will come in handy.<br />

Formula Feeding<br />

Infant formula is a nutritious alternative to breast milk and even<br />

contain some vitamins and nutrients that breastfed babies need<br />

to get from supplements.<br />

Commercial formulas are manufactured under sterile conditions<br />

using a complex combination of proteins, sugars, fats and<br />

vitamins that aren't possible to create at home.<br />

Why do some mothers prefer infant formula<br />

over breastfeeding?<br />

• Convenience. Either parent or caregiver can feed the<br />

baby a bottle at any time. This allows mum to share the<br />

feeding duties and helps her partner to feel more involved<br />

in the crucial feeding process and the bonding that often<br />

comes with it.<br />

• Flexibility. Once the bottles are made, a formula-feeding<br />

mother can leave her baby with a partner or caregiver and<br />

know that her little one's feedings are taken care of.<br />

There's no need to pump or to schedule work or other<br />

obligations and activities around the baby's feeding<br />

schedule. Formula-feeding mums also don't need to find<br />

a private place to nurse in public.<br />

• Time and frequency of feedings. Formula-fed<br />

babies usually need to eat less than breastfed babies<br />

because formula is less digestible than breast milk.<br />

• Diet. Women who opt to formula feed don't have to<br />

worry about the things they eat or drink that could affect<br />

their babies.<br />

Organic Formula<br />

Although organic formula still has questionable ingredients, it<br />

is still better than the non-organic formula. Organic formula<br />

comes from healthy cows that weren’t given antibiotics or fed<br />

GMO feed and the sweeteners and oils weren’t grown with<br />

nasty pesticides. Read in-depth articles on the matter and consult<br />

a professional doctor before going about in feeding your baby<br />

organic formula.<br />

Milk Share<br />

This may sound a little weird especially in Malaysia but if it is<br />

possible and in the best interest of the baby, why not?<br />

So, for those of you who are still clueless on what 'milk sharing'<br />

is all about, if you can't or do not want to breastfeed, there are<br />

plenty of women who are breastfeeding and capable of providing<br />

breast milk and may be of service to you and your baby.<br />

Yes, you receive breast milk from another participating and<br />

willing woman. Of course there are risks associated with<br />

milk sharing.<br />

Prior to giving someone else's breast milk to your baby, you<br />

need to ensure the person you’re getting your milk from doesn’t<br />

have any communicable diseases, their diet is adequate, and<br />

they are preserving their milk properly.<br />

To be on the safer side, you should also ask for medical<br />

screenings and blood work results.<br />

But, as mentioned earlier, this practice isn't common or favoured<br />

upon among Malaysians. Should you wish to pursue this, try<br />

asking around on parenting blogs, websites or among parents.<br />

As far as payment for the breast milk goes, that depends on<br />

your relationship with the milk donator. If both of you find it<br />

awkward to pay for breast milk, you could always help with<br />

paying for other supplies and shipping.<br />

The Best Choice<br />

Deciding how to feed your baby can be hard. Some may decide<br />

to breastfeed before the baby comes but when the baby finally<br />

arrives, mummy might have changed her mind.<br />

While you're weighing the pros and cons, talk to your doctor<br />

or lactation consultant. These health care providers can give<br />

you more information about your options and help you make<br />

the best decision for your family.<br />

References<br />

• Verywellfamily.com<br />

• Nourishedkitchen.com<br />

• Kidshealth.org<br />

• Eatrealstaysane.com<br />

Milk<br />

Share<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

21


HEALTH & Wellness<br />

Minimally Invasive<br />

Heart Surgery.<br />

Heard of it?<br />

Also known as Minimally Invasive Surgery<br />

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (MICS CABG),<br />

the procedure does not involve a heart-lung<br />

bypass machine that is needed in an open<br />

heart surgery, rather a surgeon would make<br />

small incisions between the sides of the ribs to<br />

perform the operation with new methods of<br />

surgery. Read on to find out why UiTM Private<br />

Specialist Centre (UPSC) Senior Surgeon, Prof<br />

Dr Zamrin Dimon recommends the surgery<br />

UiTM Private Specialist Centre (UPSC)<br />

Senior Surgeon,<br />

Prof Dr Zamrin Dimon<br />

The Due Process<br />

Pre-surgery, a patient will be checked by a cardiac consultant<br />

and an angiogram will be done. Then, the consultant will decide<br />

on an angioplasty or a heart surgery for the patient. In the event<br />

that a surgery is needed, the consultant will advise for an open<br />

heart surgery or minimally invasive heart surgery, based on the<br />

patient’s records.<br />

Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery VS<br />

Open Heart Surgery<br />

In an open heart surgery, the sternum bone (chest bone) will<br />

be cut open in order for surgeon to reach patient’s heart. In a<br />

MICS CABG, the cut is an 8cm incision on the side in between<br />

the rib cage. UPSC is one of a very few centres that is able to<br />

perform this technique.<br />

With this surgery, our patients are able to walk by the second<br />

day of procedure and discharged by day four or five, while open<br />

heart surgery patients take up to two weeks of hospitalisation,<br />

and up to two months to heal.<br />

The Ideal Patient<br />

• Between 40 and 68 years old<br />

• Has the most suitable anatomical shape of heart<br />

• Good outcome (prognosis) – based on overall<br />

pre-surgery assessment<br />

22 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


HEALTH & Wellness<br />

The main benefit of a minimally invasive cardiac surgery is<br />

that it is minimally invasive compared to an open-heart<br />

surgery. Smaller incisions mean that you can heal faster and<br />

return to activities more quickly. Other benefits include:<br />

• Smaller incisions with minimal scarring<br />

• Less trauma to the patient, including less pain<br />

• Shorter hospital stay<br />

• Shorter recovery and quicker return to daily and<br />

professional activities<br />

• Smaller risk of infection<br />

Types of MICS CABG<br />

Minimally invasive heart surgery can be applied in the<br />

following instances:<br />

• To repair or replace the Miral valve<br />

• To repair or replace the Aortic valve<br />

• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting<br />

• To implant Ventricular Assisted Device (a battery<br />

operated, mechanical pump) in end stage heart failure<br />

• To repair Atrial Septal Defect (a ‘hole’ in the wall that<br />

separates the top two chambers of the heart)<br />

• To repair or replace the Triscuspid valve.<br />

• To restore normal heart rhythm for patients with Atrial<br />

Fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm that can cause<br />

heart palpitations and fatigue)<br />

Now and Future:<br />

Open Heart Surgery<br />

A Revolution of Cardiac<br />

Surgery Technique @UPSC<br />

UPSC provides best options for patients<br />

with coronory artery disease.<br />

Off pump<br />

MICS CABG Surgery<br />

Why Is This Procedure Not Popular<br />

In Malaysia?<br />

• Lack of awareness among Malaysians<br />

• Only a handful of surgeons are currently able to<br />

perform this surgery<br />

Surgery Cost<br />

The cost would vary depending on the type of surgery<br />

that is required.<br />

MICS CABG is still considered a fairly recent development and<br />

most patients are still unaware of this alternative method to<br />

open heart surgery. UPSC works hard in spreading the news so<br />

that the benefits can be enjoyed by everyone. Most patients<br />

who come to UPSC to undergo the surgery have given positive<br />

feedback especially on its clinical outcome.<br />

I also train heart surgeons all over Malaysia including professionals<br />

at the National Heart Institute (IJN) to ensure the surgery option<br />

is widely available here. Patients in Malaysia should be given<br />

options, thus more surgeons should be trained to perform the<br />

minimally invasive heart surgery.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

23


HEALTH & Wellness<br />

I Have Epilepsy<br />

and That Is Okay!<br />

Approximately 50 million people suffer from epilepsy worldwide, with 80% of its prevalence<br />

found in developing countries, including Malaysia. It is estimated that epileptic patients make<br />

1% of the overall Malaysian population, with an estimated 230,000 number of diagnosed cases,<br />

affecting individuals of all races, ages and gender.<br />

Despite this prevalence, a significant lack of awareness in the condition has resulted in often<br />

negative–and in extreme cases–malevolent connotations, with epilepsy being associated with<br />

individuals who are spiritually possessed. Read on to learn one individual's epileptic journey–<br />

Christina–and how she overcame the stigma associated to the condition<br />

24 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


HEALTH & Wellness<br />

“When I was 28, I was helping my parents out with Christmas<br />

preparations. Suddenly, without warning, I fainted. I assumed<br />

it was due to me being exhausted with the holiday preparations.<br />

I had no idea that I just had my first epileptic seizure. The<br />

second time, my epileptic seizure happened at work when I<br />

was 29 years old. I had been facing elevated challenges at<br />

work and the increase in stress levels coincided with the onset<br />

of my epilepsy attacks. I had never faced such episodes before."<br />

What Is It?<br />

Epilepsy is a neurological condition where a person<br />

experiences multiple and recurrent seizures that occur in<br />

the brain. Seizures are uncontrollable, sudden changes in<br />

the brain’s electrical activity, which are commonly associated<br />

with convulsions (when a person’s body shakes rapidly,<br />

without control).However, not all seizures result in<br />

convulsions, with symptoms widely ranging in severity.<br />

However, recent advances in treatment and medical<br />

understanding of the condition, patients suffering from<br />

epilepsy can lead very normal lives.<br />

Tackling Epilepsy<br />

Christina, a lecturer with over ten years of experience,<br />

shares with us her personal challenges of epilepsy and how<br />

she overcomes them to lead an ordinary life.<br />

She added that, “Unfortunately, once epilepsy is triggered, the<br />

condition can't be reverted. I remember being in denial,<br />

believing that the attacks wouldn’t happen again. But the next<br />

one came, and was worse than the last – this time, an<br />

ambulance was needed to take me to the hospital. There, it<br />

was discovered that I have a left hippocampal sclerosis – scarring<br />

in the brain, which was the cause of my epilepsy."<br />

Challenges That Were A Blessing<br />

“After being diagnosed, I was referred to a hospital where<br />

there weren't any neurologists to help recommend the best<br />

course of treatment. I was passed from doctor to doctor, and<br />

for quite some time, I found that getting the right help<br />

was tough.<br />

“As part of my teaching requirement, I was transferred to<br />

another branch. This change was challenging; on top of coming<br />

to terms with my diagnosis, the doctors did not allow me to<br />

drive, and I struggled with the loss of independence and having<br />

to adapt to a new environment."<br />

Christina was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 28 years old but that didn't stop her from completing her postgraduate degree and working as<br />

a lecturer for the past 10 years.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

25


HEALTH & Wellness<br />

"But here lies the complication – how can we expect others<br />

to be able to comprehend something they aren’t aware of?<br />

This is why I choose to share my story, so that people can be<br />

aware of epilepsy, to understand that epilepsy does not define<br />

a person, it doesn’t define me."<br />

Accept And Move Forward<br />

A Good Support System<br />

Christina said over time, the attacks were less frequent when<br />

she developed a solid support system that consisted of family,<br />

friends, colleagues and her university students.<br />

“It was during this time I met someone who led me down the<br />

right path to managing my epilepsy. I had one particularly bad<br />

attack during a training session at work and a gentleman that<br />

I have never met before approached me afterwards. He told<br />

me that he too used to experience epileptic seizures and he<br />

passed me details of a neurologist who has helped me<br />

significantly with learning how to manage my condition, both<br />

physically and emotionally."<br />

Finally being acquainted with the professional help she needed<br />

and meeting another person who also had epilepsy was certainly<br />

the icing on the cake for Christina.<br />

“Today when I have an attack, it is rather mild – I would rest<br />

for a bit and nobody would be able to tell I had an attack. This<br />

is how the medication has helped me; I don't faint or black<br />

out. However, I understand that I too must take charge of my<br />

condition, by practicing a healthier lifestyle and not burdening<br />

myself with too much work or stress."<br />

“My advice is in addition to the medication, it is crucial for<br />

patients to accept their condition and share the challenges<br />

they face. When things got difficult for me, my neurologist<br />

arranged for me to see a psychiatrist. This helped me as I could<br />

talk about my challenges, how I feel, and what I am going<br />

through. I believe patients can benefit a lot through counseling<br />

especially when going through the more challenging phases<br />

of epilepsy."<br />

“For me, I think it is about living life to the fullest, to wake up<br />

and smell the roses. Yes, epilepsy comes with its own set of<br />

challenges and sacrifices, but I choose to look at the bright<br />

side and strive for the best”.<br />

Epilepsy Does Not Define Me<br />

“Before being diagnosed, I had a rather vague idea of what<br />

epilepsy was. I didn't know that it could be treated through<br />

medication and that patients could live a normal life. I have<br />

very supportive siblings that understand my condition, but<br />

often I find it difficult to talk about it openly with others – I<br />

find people struggle to fully comprehend my situation and a<br />

lack of understanding also brings a danger of judging and<br />

stigmatising others."<br />

This article is an initiative by GlaxoSmithKline<br />

Pharmaceutical Sdn Bhd.<br />

References<br />

• Current Status of Epilepsy in Malaysia And Way Ahead, 2014<br />

• Yayasansimedarby.com. (<strong>2018</strong>).Epilepsy Awareness and Treatment<br />

Programme with Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya -Archived.<br />

[online] Available at: http://www.yayasansimedarby.com/archived/<br />

epilepsy-awareness-and-treatment-programme-with-sime-darby-medicalcentre-subang-jaya<br />

[Accessed 9 Apr. <strong>2018</strong>].<br />

• Mayo Clinic. (<strong>2018</strong>).Epilepsy -Symptoms and causes. [online] Available<br />

at:https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptomscauses/syc-20350093<br />

[Accessed 12 Mar. <strong>2018</strong>].<br />

• Epilepsy Society. (<strong>2018</strong>).Epilepsy in childhood. [online] Available at:<br />

https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/epilepsy-childhood#.WqYxdaiWaM9<br />

[Accessed 12 Mar. <strong>2018</strong>].<br />

• Epilepsy Society. (<strong>2018</strong>).What is epilepsy?. [online] Available at: https://<br />

www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/what-epilepsy#.Wp0aGqiWaM8 [Accessed<br />

12 Mar. <strong>2018</strong>].<br />

• Mayo Clinic. (<strong>2018</strong>).Seizures -Symptoms and causes. [online] Available at:<br />

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seizure/symptoms-causes/<br />

syc-20365711 [Accessed 12 Mar. <strong>2018</strong>].<br />

• Medlineplus.gov. (<strong>2018</strong>).Seizures | MedlinePlus. [online] Available at:<br />

https://medlineplus.gov/seizures.html [Accessed 12 Mar. <strong>2018</strong>].<br />

26 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


COVER Story<br />

Bring<br />

It On!<br />

An advocate for women<br />

empowerment, Hannah Lo<br />

is all about finding the true<br />

power that comes from<br />

within. The personal life<br />

coach believes women are<br />

unstoppable when they<br />

realise it is more important<br />

to recognise and harness the<br />

power within themselves. In<br />

her words, she said,<br />

A woman<br />

empowered celebrates<br />

everything it means to<br />

be female and doesn't<br />

confine what that must<br />

mean but instead,<br />

redefines what it means<br />

to her.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> speaks to<br />

Hannah about the role she<br />

plays in empowering women,<br />

the stigma surrounding the<br />

act of breastfeeding in public,<br />

in conjunction with National<br />

Breastfeeding Month, and<br />

why she maintains a healthy<br />

lifestyle, both mentally<br />

and physically!<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

27


COVER Story<br />

You can only really know yourself when you find<br />

ways of loving the parts of you, you find hardest<br />

to love. Feminine qualities are a powerful gift that<br />

is needed more than ever right now – it comes<br />

naturally to you, intuition, compassion, creativity,<br />

going with the flow, healing, love and so many<br />

more; use them, share them and see them as a<br />

strength. Love yourself so radically that it doesn't<br />

matter what anyone else thinks or does.<br />

Female Power<br />

Hannah is a well-known figure in the local women wellness<br />

scene. Almost always the person holding the microphone at<br />

such related events, she is either hosting, organising and speaking<br />

at such events.<br />

The message she hopes to deliver via wellness events? "That<br />

their (women's) value isn't measured by what they look like,<br />

what they've achieved, whether they have a man or a child, lots<br />

of money in the bank or lots of 'things' but by the very fact that<br />

they exist – and that is enough to be loved and loveable. They<br />

are ENOUGH right now just as they are! The other thing I'd<br />

want them take away is that they can give themselves full<br />

permission to rest, cry, say NO, be angry, sad, be wild, feel<br />

pleasure and ask for what they need to be fulfilled. They don't<br />

need to justify the why."<br />

Taking a glimpse back into the past, Hannah said she wished<br />

she could have told her younger self that the female body is<br />

amazing and more than one could ever imagine.<br />

"You can only really know yourself when you find ways of loving<br />

the parts of you, you find hardest to love. Feminine qualities are<br />

a powerful gift that is needed more than ever right now – it<br />

comes naturally to you, intuition, compassion, creativity, going<br />

with the flow, healing, love and so many more; use them, share<br />

them and see them as a strength. Love yourself so radically that<br />

it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks or does."<br />

But, she is glad and content of the strong woman she is today.<br />

"Your greatest life will emerge when you surrender the need<br />

to figure everything out with your head and start following the<br />

call of your heart. Have faith in things you might not understand<br />

but just 'know' to be right and giving what you know is your<br />

unique gift/contribution to the world. Enjoy the journey, the<br />

unfolding of greatness takes time."<br />

1-7 <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />

National Breastfeeding Month Let's<br />

Celebreast!<br />

Thoughts on women who breastfeed in public?<br />

I personally would breastfeed in public – if someone took a great<br />

offense to it – the only thing I can imagine myself doing is trying<br />

to understand where they're coming from, still being firm about<br />

what's right for me and not take what they did or said personally.<br />

I think we get so caught up with wanting to put things in neat<br />

little boxes of what is 'right' and what is 'wrong', what's socially<br />

acceptable or not when ultimately everyone is so different -<br />

what's right for me, might be wrong for you. There are also so<br />

many things to consider that influence what we believe.<br />

As long as I'm not harming anyone or causing any real pain<br />

- it shouldn't matter what I do. I think we could do a lot<br />

better as a society if we allowed people to be free to be<br />

themselves.<br />

I really love seeing a woman breastfeeding her baby. There's<br />

something so primal and comforting about it. I support you<br />

and am all for it.<br />

Thoughts on those who disagree with<br />

breastfeeding in public?<br />

I'd say everyone has the right to have their own opinion, just<br />

don't make someone else wrong for not agreeing with you.<br />

Especially in this case where a woman is feeding her child. If it<br />

really bothers you, move away and let her be.<br />

I don't agree with smoking in public because of the actual harm<br />

it could cause me if I stood too close. It baffles me as to why<br />

people don't have a strong opinion about this. And at the same<br />

28 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


COVER Story<br />

Any particular food that you are in love with<br />

and is part of your eating lifestyle?<br />

Marmalades Day Starter Juice (Strawberry, Orange and Banana)<br />

and Superfood Salad. YUM – I make the salad vegetarian because<br />

it has chicken. I listen to how my body responds when it comes<br />

to eating. When I mmmm and ahh while I eat and feel really<br />

nourished after, it's a good sign. Those two together do that<br />

for me.<br />

OhanaJo Studio's Raw Cacao homemade chocolate Bar with<br />

Raisins – I am in love with this. The chocolate melts in your<br />

mouth because it doesn't have any preservatives. I love a good<br />

Kambucha too.<br />

I am discerning about what I consume, whether its food, what<br />

I listen to, what I watch or read because I know consuming<br />

things that make me feel better and support my body to be at<br />

its best - in terms of my well-being, ultimately make me a much<br />

nicer person to be around with a lot more to give!<br />

time, I won't judge, take it personally or make them wrong if<br />

someone smokes in front me. I'll just move away respectfully. I<br />

think we can all try to understand each other better and be<br />

open to questioning where our beliefs come from and if they<br />

are making us more human or less.<br />

In the words of the late Anthony Bourdain “I don't have to agree<br />

with you to like you or respect you.”<br />

Keeping Fit<br />

What on your plate?<br />

I am mostly vegetarian and consume a minimal amount of dairy<br />

products, processed wheat/carbohydrates and sugar. I'd like to<br />

eventually be fully vegan. Right now I'm planning to start meal<br />

plans that will naturally balance my hormones. Certain foods<br />

help your body produce the hormones you need to be functioning<br />

optimally. This is what I'll be focusing on now.<br />

What's your fitness routine?<br />

I walk and do gentle stretches and free form movement at least<br />

once a day. On the weekend, I walk easy nature trails. Working<br />

out in nature is my favourite way to get away from the hectic<br />

energies of the city to be surrounded in calm serenity which<br />

helps me centre myself.<br />

Photo by @suchismitadass<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

29


FITNESS & Workout<br />

Upper Body<br />

Exercises for<br />

Toned Arms<br />

and Shoulders<br />

Most upper body exercises have as their goal<br />

to build strength. In order to maximise the<br />

beneficial effect of the routine, you'll want<br />

to mix in some good cardiovascular workouts<br />

- spinning, jogging, etc - and alternate the<br />

activities with lower body work<br />

Before starting any routine, be sure to spend at least 10<br />

minutes warming up, including good stretching exercises.<br />

Warm, loose muscles are much less likely to tear themselves<br />

or attached tendons. Also, you'll want to get the circulatory<br />

system activated and muscle temperature increased for good<br />

blood flow.<br />

How much weight to use, how many reps to perform and<br />

other variables are determined by your overall goals. Do you<br />

want to build muscle mass or just tone? For more mass, use<br />

more weight. For better tone, use less weight and do more<br />

reps. Do you want to increase flexibility and overall fitness or<br />

prepare for specific events?<br />

In any case, these traditional exercises will help you get started<br />

down that road. Some can be performed without equipment,<br />

others require only a very simple set of free weights or<br />

resistance equipment. Resistance equipment includes rubber<br />

straps with handles, springs and others that work primarily<br />

by offering resistance to tension. Weights work primarily by<br />

providing compression and/or tension due to gravity.<br />

Warning: Never exercise 'through the pain'. Mild<br />

discomfort - especially after a prolonged period of<br />

inactivity - is normal. But intense pain is a sign of trouble.<br />

Consult your physician.<br />

30 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


FITNESS & Workout<br />

PUSH-UPS<br />

Try to<br />

do 20, then<br />

build up to 40,<br />

then to 80<br />

push-ups.<br />

LATS<br />

Note:<br />

The 'lats' or<br />

latissiumus dorsi'<br />

are the large, side<br />

muscles that make<br />

men triangleshaped.<br />

>> Even with all the contemporary sports science around,<br />

traditional push-ups remain an excellent upper body exercise.<br />

Start on your stomach, back straight, feet together, hands<br />

under the shoulders. Press against the floor, keeping your back<br />

and legs straight, then lower yourself back to the floor. For a<br />

little extra effort push-up, slow the action down and both raise<br />

and lower more slowly.<br />

MORE CHEST WORK<br />

>> Stand up straight, arms at your side, grasping the<br />

dumbbells. Maintain good balance and breathe normally.<br />

At the maximum point of inhalation, thrust the arms away<br />

from the body, palms inward. Exhale as you raise your arms<br />

to shoulder height, then lower your hands slowly back to the<br />

starting position.<br />

To vary the exercise, and get the biceps and triceps involved,<br />

rotate the weights and curl your arms up at the top of the<br />

swing. Straighten the arm, then lower as described above.<br />

Do 10 reps.<br />

BICEPS AND TRICEPS<br />

>> Start with 10 lb (4.5 kg) hand-held dumbbells. Flat on your<br />

back on a comfortable surface, such as a carpet or mat, hold the<br />

weights in each hand, palms up, arms extended perpendicular<br />

from the body. Lift slowly and bring the hands together.<br />

To vary the action, and get the biceps a good workout, too,<br />

try bending at the elbow when the arms are raised about 20<br />

degrees, then straighten and continue.<br />

>> Move the weights in front of the body, with your arms<br />

hanging above the front of your thighs. Without swinging<br />

or pushing off the thighs, lift the weights toward your chest.<br />

Alternate using one arm, then the other.<br />

Do 10 reps for each arm. If you experience lower back pain<br />

during the exercise, stop immediately. Put off the exercise until<br />

another day, or see your physician.<br />

Exercises for the lats or biceps can be done with free weights or<br />

using a long, elastic resistance strap. Hook one end with the foot<br />

and grab the other with your hand. Proceed as described above.<br />

PULL-UPS/CHIN-UPS<br />

>> If you have access to a sturdy bar, either in the gym or at a playground,<br />

or at home in a doorway, you can perform chin-ups and pull-ups. Chins ups<br />

are done with the fingers toward you, pull-ups with the fingers facing away,<br />

while your hands grasp the bar above your head.<br />

This low-tech exercise remains one of the best ways to build biceps, triceps,<br />

lats and pectorals all at once.<br />

No matter what routine you choose, don't overdo it. Build up your strength<br />

gradually. One of the most common reasons people don't continue workouts<br />

is pain produced from incorrect technique or excessive effort exerted too<br />

early in the process.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

31


SPECIAL<br />

Psoriasis<br />

Awareness Month<br />

AUGUST<br />

Psoriasis VS Eczema<br />

Know the Difference!<br />

Both are chronic skin conditions and both cannot be cured completely, needing<br />

treatment and medication throughout the course of one's life. To make matters<br />

frustrating, both skin conditions often result in scaly, irritated and inflamed red<br />

and dry skin. But, both skin conditions are not the same and it is easy to be confused<br />

thinking they are. Before we tell you how to tell them apart, we elaborate and<br />

discuss a little on psoriasis in conjunction with Psoriasis Awareness Month!<br />

32 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


SPECIAL<br />

What is it?<br />

Psoriasis [sore-EYE-ah-sis] is a chronic<br />

(lifelong) disease related to the immune<br />

system. It is not contagious. When you<br />

have psoriasis, your overactive immune<br />

system sends out signals that cause<br />

inflammation in the body and speed<br />

up the growth cycle of skin cells. It<br />

causes psoriasis lesions, which are<br />

abnormal changes to the skin in the<br />

form of plaques, pustules or areas of<br />

redness and swelling.<br />

Psoriasis is different for each person.<br />

It can develop slowly with mild<br />

symptoms or quickly with severe<br />

symptoms. It can occur on any part of<br />

the body.<br />

Fast Facts<br />

• Psoriasis often starts between<br />

15 and 25, but can develop<br />

at any age<br />

• It isn't contagious<br />

• About 1 in 3 people with<br />

psoriasis develop psoriatic<br />

arthritis, which affects the<br />

joints, tendons and ligaments<br />

Plaque [plak] psoriasis is<br />

the most common. It appears as<br />

raised patches of inflamed, itchy and<br />

painful skin with scales. For some<br />

people, the skin may be red with<br />

silvery white scales. These plaques<br />

most often appear on the scalp,<br />

knees, elbows, and in or around the<br />

belly button and lower back, but can<br />

affect any area of the body.<br />

Inverse psoriasis is the second<br />

most common. It appears as inflamed<br />

deep-red skin that is smooth and not<br />

scaly. Inverse psoriasis affects body<br />

folds such as underarms, under<br />

breasts, in the genital area and<br />

buttocks. It can cause severe itching<br />

and pain and can be worsened by<br />

sweat and rubbing in these areas.<br />

Guttate [GUH-tate] psoriasis<br />

is the third most common. It<br />

appears as small, round red spots<br />

caused by inflammation that are<br />

raised and scaly. Guttate psoriasis<br />

often appears on the arms, legs<br />

and torso. However, it can affect<br />

any area of the body.<br />

Pustular [PUHS-choo-lar]<br />

psoriasis is rarer. It appears as<br />

pustules (white, pus-filled, painful<br />

bumps) that may be surrounded<br />

by inflamed or reddened skin. The<br />

pustules are filled with pus that is<br />

not infectious. This means that<br />

they are not caused by an infection<br />

and are not contagious. Pustular<br />

psoriasis may appear only on<br />

certain areas of the body, such as<br />

the hands and feet, or may cover<br />

most of the body.<br />

Erythrodermic [eh-REETHro-der-mik]<br />

psoriasis is<br />

even rarer. It can cause intense<br />

redness and shedding of skin<br />

layers in large sheets. It often<br />

affects nearly the whole body and<br />

can be life-threatening. Other<br />

symptoms include severe itching<br />

and pain, changes in heart rate<br />

and temperature, dehydration and<br />

nail changes. If you think you’re<br />

having an erythrodermic psoriasis<br />

flare-up, you should seek medical<br />

attention immediately.<br />

Symptoms of<br />

Psoriasis<br />

The symptoms of psoriasis can<br />

be different depending on<br />

what type you have. There are<br />

5 main types of psoriasis. Each<br />

type has different symptoms<br />

and characteristics. People with<br />

psoriasis may have more than<br />

one type of psoriasis. You can<br />

have different types of psoriasis<br />

at different times.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

33


SPECIAL<br />

Treatment Options?<br />

This depends on the type of psoriasis<br />

you have. Treatments include in the<br />

form of oral, topical and phototherapy<br />

(light therapy) where healthcare<br />

professionals use ultraviolet (UV) light<br />

to treat psoriasis.<br />

As there is no proper cure for this<br />

chronic skin condition, your health care<br />

provider will recommend a treatment<br />

plan based on what type of psoriasis<br />

you have, the severity of your psoriasis<br />

and your reaction to a treatment.<br />

How is Psoriasis different from Eczema?<br />

1. Eczema is much more common<br />

than psoriasis, and it also has a<br />

few different ways of showing up<br />

on the skin.<br />

2. These two skin problems have<br />

different causes and can appear<br />

in different stages of your life.<br />

• Psoriasis is immune-mediated,<br />

meaning there is some imbalance<br />

in the immune system, which leads<br />

to inflamed skin while eczema has<br />

had its fair share of conversations<br />

on whether it is an immunemediated<br />

disease or a skin barrier<br />

defect disease<br />

• Psoriasis tends to affect individuals later<br />

in life while a textbook case of eczema<br />

often occur during early childhood.<br />

3. Trigger factors<br />

• Eczema is often brought on by things<br />

that are irritating to your skin, like<br />

detergents or things that cause<br />

allergies such as dust and pollen.<br />

• Infections can start up eczema,<br />

and so can stress, sweating, heat<br />

and humidity, and changes in<br />

your hormones.<br />

• Psoriasis shares some of these<br />

triggers, like stress and infection.<br />

But you can also get flare-ups<br />

when your skin is injured, for<br />

example by vaccination.<br />

• Some medications can also bring<br />

on a psoriasis flare, like lithium,<br />

which treats bipolar disorder, or<br />

drugs for malaria.<br />

4. Association with Serious<br />

<strong>Health</strong> Problems<br />

• If you have eczema, you most<br />

probably have dry and sensitive<br />

skin. You may also have someone<br />

in the family who has it, asthma<br />

or hay fever.<br />

• But, with psoriasis, it is linked to<br />

serious health problems. If you have<br />

it, you may also have diabetes, heart<br />

disease or depression.<br />

References<br />

• Psoriasis.org<br />

• WebMD.com<br />

• Self.com<br />

34 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


PREVENTION & Remedies<br />

18 Easy Ways To<br />

Protect Your Heart<br />

In conjunction with World Heart Day next month, let’s<br />

“Take the Road to A <strong>Health</strong>y Heart” in 18 easy ways<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

35


PREVENTION & Remedies<br />

1<br />

Eat less salt<br />

Ashley Simmons, M.D., cardiologist at the University of<br />

Kansas Hospital said that when there is a high content<br />

of salt in the body, the body responds by releasing more<br />

water into the blood. The blood then increases in volume,<br />

putting more pressure on your heart as it works harder<br />

to cope with the extra volume of blood.<br />

2<br />

Use extra virgin olive oil<br />

Use the oil in cooking and salads as a study<br />

conducted in Spain revealed that students<br />

who have had meals drizzled in the oil<br />

have increased their levels of HDL (good)<br />

cholesterol by 2% and lowered their<br />

LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by 4%.<br />

3<br />

Eat magnesium-rich food<br />

Magnesium helps blood vessels to relax, thus lowering<br />

blood pressure by 5 points. It has been found that as<br />

many as half of Americans do not get their daily<br />

requirement of magnesium, which isn’t surprising<br />

considering that many do not know its role in the body.<br />

The daily requirement for men and women are 400 mg<br />

and 310 mg per day respectively, so add food rich in<br />

magnesium such as spinach and seeds to your daily diet.<br />

4<br />

Eat more fruits and veggies<br />

Fruits and veggies are always recommended for good<br />

health. In the case of protecting the heart, it is the fibre<br />

contained in the fruits and veggies that benefit the heart.<br />

A study from the Northwestern University in Illinois, US,<br />

showed that adults age 20 to 59 on a fibre-rich diet had<br />

significantly lower risks of cardiovascular diseases than<br />

those who consumed less fibre.<br />

5<br />

Eat healthy fat<br />

Omega-3 fatty acids in food<br />

such as olive oil and nuts are<br />

known to benefit the heart.<br />

The Mediterranean diet,<br />

which is rich in omega-3,<br />

has been proven by a 2013<br />

study in The New England Journal of Medicine<br />

to reduce the risks of heart attacks and strokes by 30%.<br />

The diet is not only good for just the heart; being wellbalanced<br />

with a combo of fruits, vegetables, fish, beans<br />

and olive oil makes it great for managing lipid and<br />

insulin levels.<br />

6<br />

Wine and dine<br />

Some reports say that a glass of red or white wine a day<br />

can reduce your chances of death attributed to heart<br />

ailments by as much as 25% but the findings are still<br />

being debated.<br />

7<br />

Start exercising<br />

Your arms and legs get stronger as you exercise them; the<br />

same goes for your heart. In fact, during a workout, your<br />

heart muscles work twice as hard as the muscles in your<br />

arms or legs. Before embarking on an intensive workout<br />

regiment at the gym, you can start small by walking in<br />

the park or taking the stairs at the office.<br />

8<br />

Lift weights<br />

By lifting weights, your arms grow stronger and you will<br />

be more capable at lifting heavy objects. There is less effort<br />

required and you will not be straining your heart to execute<br />

the lift, hence lowering blood pressure and heart rate,<br />

according to Barry Franklin, Ph.D., director of cardiac<br />

rehabilitation at the William Beaumont Hospital in Michigan.<br />

9<br />

Get Fit<br />

Have more sex<br />

Studies show that regular sex, at least twice a week, helps<br />

to keep the heart in better shape. Andrew Scheinfeld,<br />

M.D., a clinical instructor at New York University Langone<br />

Medical Centre testified that sexual activity stimulates the<br />

production of the dehydro-epiandrosterone (DHEA)<br />

hormone, hence increasing<br />

cardiac performance,<br />

lowering blood pressure,<br />

improving the circulatory<br />

system’s function and<br />

reducing stress.<br />

36 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


PREVENTION & Remedies<br />

15<br />

10<br />

Quit smoking<br />

Smoking has never had any advantage,<br />

except for the tobacco industry. Nicotine<br />

affects the heart’s function while the<br />

smoke scars the heart tissues, doubling<br />

the risks of cardio diseases as reported<br />

by an American Heart Association study<br />

in December 2012. The study also<br />

reported that even the occasional cigarette at a party increases<br />

your risks of heart failures.<br />

11<br />

Floss your teeth<br />

“How can cleaning my teeth help my heart?” you may ask.<br />

When bacteria breed in your mouth, your body’s immunity<br />

is on a low and poses a risk of inflammation to the heart and<br />

other vital organs. Women must pay more attention to oral<br />

hygiene as they have twice the risk of getting a heart attack<br />

if she has a gum disease. Brushing and gargling are ways to<br />

reduce the presence of bacteria in the mouth but according<br />

to Mark Schlesinger, D.D.S., of the New York University<br />

College of Dentistry, flossing is the most effective way to<br />

remove harmful oral bacteria.<br />

12<br />

Sleep enough<br />

A study published in the Epidemiology journal stated that<br />

20% of people age 24 to 32 years, who were suffering from<br />

a lack of sleep, had started displaying risks of heart failure.<br />

According to Barbara Phillips, M.D., a professor of sleep<br />

medicine at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine,<br />

one should get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.<br />

Take the HSCRP test<br />

DO<br />

Largely unheard of, the highly sensitive C-reactive protein<br />

test (HSCRP) was reported in the New England Journal of<br />

Medicine to be twice more effective than a standard cholesterol<br />

test in predicting strokes and heart attacks. The HSCRP measures<br />

the levels of the C-reactive protein; the higher the level of the<br />

protein, the more inflamed the heart arteries are leading to a<br />

higher likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.<br />

13<br />

Relax<br />

Stress and heart disease are correlated, says Martha Gulati,<br />

M.D., director of women’s cardiovascular health at Ohio State<br />

University. When you are feeling stressed, your body produces<br />

high levels of cortisol, a hormone that can lead to accelerated<br />

heartbeats and high blood pressure. Cortisol also causes<br />

damage to the linings of the arteries, reducing their efficiency<br />

in delivering blood to your organs.<br />

14<br />

Think positive<br />

Treat and Test<br />

A study reported in Psychological Bulletin revealed that those<br />

who were happy by thinking positively tend to have lesser<br />

heart attacks and strokes. This finding is echoed by Nieca<br />

Goldberg, MD, cardiologist and Director of<br />

the Joan H. Tisch Centre for Women’s<br />

<strong>Health</strong> at NYU Langone Medical Centre.<br />

She said that those who have positive<br />

relationships with friends and family are<br />

happier and healthier due to having better<br />

support in times of life crises.<br />

16<br />

Take the threadmill test<br />

The threadmill test is another indicator of an<br />

underlying cardio condition. The University of<br />

Maryland’s School of Medicine says that the test<br />

is still the best single predictor of heart problems<br />

and suggests that one starts undergoing the test<br />

upon reaching the age of 40.<br />

Know your risks<br />

17<br />

Speak to your doctor if you have a family history of cardiovascular<br />

diseases. By having that knowledge, your doctor can assess and<br />

determine if you are also at risk, and subsequently monitor and<br />

administer early therapy if necessary.<br />

Treat that migraine<br />

18<br />

A migraine could be a sign of an approaching heart condition.<br />

While high blood pressure is the leading risk factor for heart<br />

diseases, migraines that are accompanied by affected vision of<br />

blind spots or flashes of lights are a close second as a risk factor.<br />

This form of migraine is an indication of impaired vascular<br />

function brought about by blood clots.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

37


ECO+Green<br />

Is The Glass<br />

Half Empty?<br />

If you thought climate change is just bad for the planet’s<br />

health, you're wrong because it’s bad for people too.<br />

Water problems may vary by age, gender, geography<br />

and socioeconomic status, but the remedies will be<br />

the same. We speak to World Economic Forum Expert<br />

Network, Climate Reality Leader and goals-driven<br />

environmentalist, Dr Renard Siew on water woes and<br />

how it affects one's health<br />

Dr Renard Siew<br />

38 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


ECO+Green<br />

Malaysians use a daily average of 248 litres of water per person,<br />

almost twice the World <strong>Health</strong> Organisation's (WHO)<br />

recommended 125 litres.<br />

"It implies that we are generally quite a wasteful society. In fact,<br />

it’s interesting to see that people are willing to pay RM15 for a<br />

cup of Starbucks coffee but when there’s a proposal to raise<br />

water tariffs by even 5 sen people get agitated. I think what<br />

that says is that we have a tendency to see water as an infinite<br />

resource and don’t treat it as a commodity or valuable resource."<br />

Not mincing his words on Malaysians taking water that comes<br />

out of their taps for granted, Siew said the negative effects can<br />

already be seen in both rural and urban areas.<br />

He said rural people were largely involved in the agricultural<br />

sector which has high dependency on water for irrigation.<br />

"So, when we experience prolonged droughts and water<br />

shortages, crop yields tend to decline significantly which affects<br />

their main source of income. Exponential growth of human<br />

population coupled with the fact that with urbanisation people<br />

are moving out of rural areas and staying away from agriculture,<br />

there will come a time when we might just run out food and<br />

starvation will become a very real issue. We also have cases of<br />

rivers on the verge of drying up in Malaysia which is really bad<br />

news for our local fishermen. Needless to say, city dwellers<br />

including those living in Selangor have already experienced<br />

first-hand the inconvenience of water shortage and the situation<br />

will further worsen if urgent action is not taken."<br />

Play your Part<br />

"Seriously, there is so much that can be done. Whether we like<br />

it or not we make conscious decisions that have an impact on<br />

the environment every day."<br />

Don’t waste food<br />

Become a part-time<br />

vegetarian. Eat less<br />

meat. Livestock farming<br />

has one of the largest<br />

environmental impacts<br />

you can imagine from<br />

land water degradation,<br />

biodiversity loss, acid<br />

rain and deforestation. It<br />

also contributes to 18%<br />

of all human-produced<br />

greenhouse gas emissions.<br />

Say no to plastics.<br />

Carry a shopping bag<br />

with you when going to<br />

the groceries. Eliminate<br />

single use plastics.<br />

Check out zero waste<br />

alternatives to avoid silly<br />

supermarket packaging.<br />

Drive only when you<br />

need to. Take public<br />

transport or carpool<br />

whenever possible as<br />

it helps reduce your<br />

carbon footprint. It<br />

also means lesser traffic<br />

congestion which means<br />

less stress and more time<br />

for everybody.<br />

Almost 50% of our landfills consist of food waste<br />

and they contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.<br />

Composting is an easy way to ensure that our<br />

produce goes back into creating healthy soils and<br />

there are various tips that you can pick up by<br />

watching online tutorials.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

39


ECO+Green<br />

Bad air<br />

Droughts can reduce air quality<br />

and compromise the health of<br />

people with certain conditions.<br />

During a drought, the amount<br />

of airborne particles, such as<br />

pollen and smoke increases<br />

significantly. These particles can<br />

irritate the airways and worsen<br />

chronic respiratory illnesses, such<br />

as asthma. Poor air quality can<br />

also increase the risk of<br />

respiratory infections, such as<br />

bacterial pneumonia.<br />

Mental health effects<br />

As mentioned, prolonged<br />

droughts can affect crop yields<br />

and those whose livelihood<br />

is directly tied to the water<br />

supply including farmers,<br />

horticulturalists and nursery<br />

owners may suffer adverse<br />

mental health effects during<br />

this period. Financial woes can<br />

become a major cause of stress.<br />

<strong>Health</strong><br />

Risks<br />

Germy hands<br />

In a drought, people may feel<br />

the need to reduce hand<br />

washing and other hygiene<br />

practices to conserve water. This<br />

may increase the spread of<br />

infectious diseases, such as<br />

acute respiratory and<br />

gastrointestinal illnesses.<br />

Mosquito-borne diseases<br />

Increases in diseases transmitted<br />

by insects, such as West Nile<br />

virus, which is spread by<br />

mosquitoes, are linked with<br />

drought. Drought can shrink<br />

bodies of water, and cause water<br />

to become stagnant, providing<br />

breeding grounds for<br />

mosquitoes. Droughts can also<br />

change the behaviour of<br />

mosquitoes and allow for outof-the-ordinary<br />

meetings<br />

between certain types of<br />

mosquitoes and birds. This may<br />

create outbreaks of diseases<br />

such as St. Louis encephalitis.<br />

The Business of Bottled Water<br />

Former World Bank Vice-President Ismail Serageldin was once<br />

quoted as saying, "The wars of the 21st century will be fought<br />

over water."<br />

On this, Siew said the arguments can already be seen happening<br />

around the world with people being territorial and fighting over<br />

their water resources.<br />

"Only 3% of the water on Earth is fresh water, water that we<br />

can drink. As population increases, the demand for drinking<br />

water will naturally increase, so I think it makes a lot of business<br />

sense to be involved in selling clean drinking water," the World<br />

Economic Forum Expert Network Member who will be<br />

representing Malaysia at the World Economic Forum Sustainable<br />

Development Impact Summit in New York this September, said.<br />

But, Siew said one of the main issues faced by companies selling<br />

water is that their plastic bottles end up becoming ocean waste<br />

which kills marine life.<br />

"And with the whole #NoPlastic movement escalating, this could<br />

pose a real threat to bottled water companies. I really like what<br />

Evian(R) <strong>Natural</strong> Spring Water one of the world's leading luxury<br />

spring water effort in helping the environment. Apart from being<br />

the first company to introduce compactable bottles, they created<br />

the Evian Water Protection Institute which works in conjunction<br />

with the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, to introduce the use<br />

of recycled plastic (r-PET) to its most popular bottle sizes. They<br />

have also launched a new partnership with Recyclebank, Inc. in<br />

the US, further solidifying their commitment to the environment."<br />

Lamenting that awareness levels on water woes and environmental<br />

issues are minimal among university students and civil society<br />

groups, Siew hopes more priority will be given in the future to<br />

ensure water management and climate change are issues that<br />

matters to everyone.<br />

40 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


ECO+Green<br />

15 EASY WAYS TO GO<br />

ORGANIC IN <strong>2018</strong><br />

Even the biggest journey begins with a series of small steps.<br />

It’s exhausting just imagining the amount of change we‘re going to have to effect<br />

to leave the world a better place for future generations. Thankfully, our individual<br />

actions can add up to a major shift in our shared future. Even better? Many little<br />

things we can do to help save the world are actually kind of easy, and require little<br />

or no sacrifice on our part. It’s a win-win all around. Here are 20 easy ways you can<br />

go organic—and help save the planet<br />

Stop Drinking<br />

1. Bottled Water<br />

Besides the massive price we pay in<br />

energy and greenhouse gases to ship<br />

tens of billions of units of bottled water<br />

around the U.S. each year, most of them<br />

aren’t recycled, meaning nearly 30 billion<br />

plastic bottles end up in landfills annually.<br />

For the most part, the U.S. is blessed<br />

with drinkable tap water that is usually<br />

just as safe and sometimes safer than the<br />

bottled variety. (In fact, one out of four<br />

bottled waters are actually just tap water<br />

in plastic.) So the next time you go to a<br />

restaurant, tell the waiter that he can<br />

put away the overpriced bottled water<br />

and fill up your glass from the faucet—<br />

and know that that’s one fewer piece of<br />

plastic to add to humanity’s ever-growing<br />

trash heap.<br />

2. Compost<br />

Leftover Salad<br />

The average American family tosses out<br />

$1,600 of food a year, according to the<br />

EPA, yet farmers over-plant by about<br />

10 percent, according to the NRDC.<br />

All that wasted food goes straight to<br />

landfills, where it ends up contributing<br />

to methane emissions.<br />

According to the EPA, the<br />

average American could<br />

reduce the amount of waste<br />

they send to landfills every year<br />

by 140 pounds if they were<br />

to compost food instead of<br />

tossing it in the trash. Plus,<br />

think of all those beautiful<br />

lawns and backyard gardens!<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

41


ECO+Green<br />

Buy Organic<br />

3. Produce<br />

Factory farming based on heavy pesticide<br />

use has cost consumers both in terms of<br />

flavor and nutrition.<br />

A study published in the British Journal<br />

of Nutrition in 2014 found that organic<br />

fruits and vegetables were 20 to 40<br />

percent higher in antioxidant activity<br />

than conventionally grown produce.<br />

Antioxidants have been linked to slower<br />

aging and cancer prevention.<br />

4. Bike + Walk More<br />

Our reliance on gasoline-powered vehicles<br />

is suffocating the planet, and may lead<br />

to an irreversible change in climate that<br />

will have far-reaching effects on all life<br />

on Earth. The average American driver<br />

alone is responsible for 7,840 pounds of<br />

carbon emissions per year.<br />

Walking or biking rather than driving<br />

by a little more each year can lead to a<br />

significant reduction in greenhouse gases.<br />

If the number of Americans who traveled<br />

mostly by bike or foot increased by just<br />

3 percent—from 12 to 15—we’d save<br />

3.8 billion of gas and 33 million tons of<br />

greenhouse gases each year, or about the<br />

same as replacing 19 million conventional<br />

cars with hybrids, according to the<br />

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.<br />

5. Buy Organic Cotton<br />

Cotton is a crop that’s notoriously<br />

dependent on chemicals as conventionally<br />

grown, using 16 percent of all the world’s<br />

pesticides, or about three-quarters of a<br />

pound of chemicals per pair of jeans (and<br />

a third of a pound for per t-shirt). The<br />

World <strong>Health</strong> Organization blames many<br />

of the 20,000 pesticide-poisoning deaths<br />

each year on the cotton industry.<br />

Buying organic cotton supports an<br />

industry that uses less water than<br />

convention cotton, is less harmful to the<br />

soil and air, and isn’t steeped in chemicals.<br />

6. Give Up Gift Wrap<br />

Wrapping paper might make your<br />

birthday or holiday present look great<br />

before opening, but it’s a terrible gift for<br />

the environment: Each year, 4 million tons<br />

of trees are chopped down and milled<br />

into wrapping paper, according to the<br />

Clean Air Council, essentially wasted so<br />

they’ll look good for a few minutes under<br />

a tree or on a receiving table. What’s<br />

more, those cheerful colors often come<br />

from harmful synthetic dyes and inks,<br />

meaning you can’t even use them to light<br />

the yulelog or birthday barbecue. Let your<br />

gifts go naked, or use containers that your<br />

friends and family can keep using forever,<br />

like clay pots or reusable bags.<br />

Try A Different Fish<br />

7. For Dinner<br />

For far too long, we’ve indulged in the<br />

bounty of the sea without consequence.<br />

And now stocks of our popular eating fish<br />

like are nearing the point of extinction—<br />

the population of bluefin tuna has<br />

dropped by 96 percent over the last<br />

century, thanks to overfishing.<br />

What’s worse, unethical fishing methods<br />

have devastated seabeds and wreaked<br />

havoc with other endangered marine<br />

species, including dolphins, seals, seabirds,<br />

and whales. So put down the tuna burger<br />

and shrimp poppers and try a so-called<br />

“trash fish,” an underutilized species that<br />

tastes great and can sustain responsible<br />

levels of consumption, like wreckfish or<br />

U.S.-sourced rockfish.<br />

Avoid Products With<br />

8. Microbeads<br />

From face soaps to toothpaste,<br />

microbeads—tiny balls of plastic that<br />

provide a soothing, gritty texture that<br />

supposedly makes for a better cleanse—<br />

are sounding alarm bells. They’re not<br />

biodegradable, and are so small that they<br />

simply pass through the filters of wastetreatment<br />

plants.<br />

Along the way, they can soak up<br />

pollutants and carry them out into the<br />

waterways. Though there’s legislation<br />

banning microbeads pending across the<br />

country, the companies that make them<br />

hear the sound of profits more clearly than<br />

that of lawmakers: Do your part to send<br />

manufacturers a message by banning the<br />

beads from your home.<br />

9. Plant Native Flora<br />

Our American need to impose a ‘50s-era<br />

suburban ideal everywhere we live is<br />

both bad for our wallets and bad for our<br />

country. The 30 to 40 million acres of lawn<br />

across the U.S. drink up as much as 60<br />

percent of our home water, cause us to<br />

spend billions on harsh pesticides, and<br />

pump pollution into the air in the form<br />

of lawnmower exhaust—one hour using<br />

a gas-powered mower is equivalent to<br />

taking a 100-mile spin in a car).<br />

By beautifying your yard with plants that<br />

nature meant to be there—succulents in<br />

desert regions, for example—you waste<br />

less water and gas, and don’t have to<br />

resort to spreading harmful chemicals<br />

around in order to keep your unnatural<br />

grass carpet on life support.<br />

42 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


ECO+Green<br />

10. Use Cover Crops<br />

Your garden could be doing its part even<br />

when it’s cold out and the sun seems to<br />

barely peek over the horizon. Planting<br />

Protective Cover Crops like vetch, clover,<br />

and legumes improves the soil, helps feed<br />

and shelter beneficial insects, and prevents<br />

soil erosion. They’ll also make your garden<br />

more productive—a 2013-2014 study<br />

found that farms that used cover crops<br />

were 4.3 percent more productive.<br />

Make Your Own<br />

11. Deodorant<br />

Commercial antiperspirants and<br />

deodorants rely heavily on aluminum<br />

compounds (which have been linked<br />

to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s, and<br />

are derived through the environmental<br />

train wreck that is bauxite mining) and<br />

on triclosan, which has a whole host<br />

of possible health issues as well as<br />

environmental problems—it washes into<br />

our surface water and is absorbed by<br />

aquatic life. If you don’t want to Stop<br />

Using Deodorant you can Make Your Own<br />

Deodorant at home easily<br />

enough with baking<br />

soda, shea butter<br />

or arrowroot<br />

powder, and<br />

essential oils.<br />

12.<br />

Recycle Old Phones<br />

Smartphones come with a lot of baggage,<br />

including the valuable elements that<br />

they use, from gold to palladium to<br />

tantalum—a rare metal valued for its<br />

resistance to corrosion. Sales of some of<br />

these substances prop up the finances<br />

of oppressive, armed groups in conflictridden<br />

parts of the world, such as the<br />

Democratic Republic of the Congo. Yet a<br />

2014 study found that, of the1.8 billion<br />

cell phones expected to be bought that<br />

year, only 3 percent would be recycled, 4<br />

percent would be thrown away, and 44<br />

percent would forgotten in some corner<br />

of the owner’s home. Recycling your old<br />

phones isn’t just a way to reduce the strain<br />

on our Earth’s most precious resources,<br />

it’s also a way to help stop supporting<br />

violent militias.<br />

Know Which<br />

13. Expiration Dates You<br />

Can Ignore<br />

The average U.S. family tosses out 2<br />

million calories of food every year, and<br />

part of that’s because we compulsively<br />

abide by those expiration dates on<br />

the containers, which are put there by<br />

manufacturers—they’re not required by<br />

law for anything besides infant formula.<br />

You can actually safely use plenty of<br />

products past their sell-by date by a matter<br />

of days or even years, and prevent a lot of<br />

food waste. In general, trust your eyes and<br />

nose, or use our handy rules of thumb.<br />

Take Shorter<br />

14. Showers<br />

The average shower is 8.2 minutes long.<br />

Shaving that down to five minutes can<br />

save 13 gallons every morning. Having a<br />

hard time convincing yourself it’s time to<br />

towel off? Try singing shorter songs while<br />

you’re in there.<br />

And skip baths altogether—filling up the<br />

tub can require up to 70 gallons of water.<br />

If you insist on rubber-ducky time, maybe<br />

you can at least cut down on the water<br />

use by inviting a friend to join you.<br />

Go <strong>Natural</strong>,<br />

15. Hairwise<br />

The hair-salon industry has long relied<br />

on harsh dyes and toxic treatments with<br />

chemicals like lead, formaldehyde, and<br />

paraphenylenediamene. Those poisons<br />

end up washing into our rivers, streams,<br />

and oceans, into our soil, and back into<br />

our bodies.<br />

Fortunately, more and more salons are<br />

adopting green methods that include<br />

natural dyes that rely on herbs and<br />

vegetable and fruit extracts and oils<br />

like grapefruit, rhubarb, black walnut,<br />

calendula, and henna. Give them your<br />

business. Or go a step further, and simply<br />

let your hair shine with its natural color.<br />

This article was first published in RODALE’S<br />

Organic Life for the American readers but we<br />

believe the tips will work well for our readers too.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

43


Recipes of the Month<br />

Power<br />

Up with<br />

Potatoes<br />

In an event that took place recently, Celebrity Chef<br />

Naem creates starchy goodness using US Potatoes<br />

to boost energy and fuel athletic performances<br />

TOM YAM HASH BROWN<br />

with CHICKEN<br />

Ingredients<br />

• 6 US Hash Brown<br />

• 1 pack tom yam paste<br />

• 2 chicken breasts (poached)<br />

• 2 tomatoes (diced)<br />

• 2 kaffir lime leaves (sliced)<br />

• 2 coriander leaves (sliced)<br />

• 1 lemongrass (diced)<br />

• Salt/pepper<br />

Method<br />

1. Poach the chicken (Cut, dice & put chicken into simmering<br />

water seasoned with some salt and ginger until cooked).<br />

2. Air-fry the US hash brown at 100°C for 15 minutes till<br />

golden brown.<br />

3. Spread the tom yam paste on the hash brown.<br />

4. Mix in a bowl the chicken, tomatoes, kaffir lime leaves,<br />

coriander, lemongrass, salt & pepper.<br />

5. Season well.<br />

6. Place the chicken on top hash brown.<br />

7. Garnish with coriander.<br />

44 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


Recipes of the Month<br />

ON-THE-GO POTATOES<br />

Ingredients<br />

• 10 US Russets<br />

(peeled & diced)<br />

• 2 tbs olive oil<br />

• 1 nos chopped garlic<br />

• 1 tsp paprika<br />

• 1 tsp curry powder<br />

• 1 nos lemon zest<br />

• 1 nos lime<br />

(cut wedge, garnishing)<br />

• Salt/pepper<br />

Method<br />

1. Put potato in a bowl and toss with olive oil.<br />

2. In separate bowl, combine paprika, curry powder,<br />

lemon zest and ground almond and garlic.<br />

3. Mix all the ingredients well and coat the potato with<br />

the ingredients.<br />

4. Air fry at 120°C for 20-30 minutes (in small batches).<br />

5. Garnish with lime wedge.<br />

POTATO JACKFRUIT<br />

SMOOTHIE<br />

Ingredients<br />

• 2 US Russets<br />

• 1 scoop Protein Powder<br />

• 6 pieces of jackfruit<br />

• 1 cup soy milk<br />

• 2 tbs honey<br />

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder<br />

• 1/2 tsp chia seed<br />

• 1 cup ice cube<br />

• 1 daun pandan (garnish)<br />

• 1 gula melaka (garnish)<br />

Method<br />

1. Peel potato, cut into cubes.<br />

2. Boil the potato until soft for 10 minutes.<br />

3. Blend all ingredients – potato, jackfruit, protein powder,<br />

soy milk, honey, cinnamon, chia seed and ice cube<br />

together until smooth.<br />

4. Garnish with daun pandan, chia seed, and some drizzle<br />

of gula melaka.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

45


MINDFUL Living<br />

12<br />

<strong>Health</strong>y<br />

Shortcuts<br />

Real-world Advice for Living<br />

the <strong>Health</strong>iest Life Possible<br />

It seems as if people these days are dying at<br />

such an early age when they’re supposed to<br />

look forward to what life has got to offer for<br />

them. Unfortunately, out of these early deaths,<br />

there are a number of them who are not quite<br />

happy with their life and opt for the easiest<br />

way out instead of facing and trying to tackle<br />

the problem – by committing suicide. The ones<br />

breathing are left to wonder “What prompted<br />

these people to commit suicide? Why were<br />

they living so unhappily?” Whatever the<br />

reasons are, one thing we know for sure is that<br />

these people suffer from weak mental health<br />

Many think that mental health is just “all in the mind”. This is<br />

very wrong as physical well-being can play a role in promoting<br />

good mental health. Have you ever heard of “A happy, healthy<br />

body equals a healthy mind” or vice versa? There is also this<br />

famous line from Legally Blonde by Reese Witherspoon’s character<br />

who said “Exercise releases endorphins. Endorphins make you<br />

happy. Happy people don’t kill other people. They just don’t”.<br />

So now you know that you can be stronger mentally if you are<br />

physically fit. A balanced diet and the right exercise on a regular<br />

basis while ditching all the unnecessary culprits – cigars, alcohol,<br />

drugs – will do the trick. With all that said, let’s take a test to<br />

where you stand in the health department:<br />

• Do you get 8 hours of sleep every day?<br />

• Do you drink enough water daily?<br />

• Do you exercise regularly?<br />

• Do you have a healthy diet?<br />

• Do you find it easy to curb your bad habits of smoking/<br />

drinking too much?<br />

• Are you willing to completely walk away from your<br />

bad habits?<br />

If you answered “no” to any of the above questions, you’ll need<br />

to improve your health. A recent scientific study indicated that<br />

those who lack sleep or have too much (less than 8 hours or<br />

more than 8 hours a day) are at higher risk of getting a heart<br />

attack or heart failure than those who get the required 8 hours<br />

a day. Then, when it comes to drinking enough water each day,<br />

just how much is enough? The ‘8 glasses per day’ rule no longer<br />

stands these days as suggested by researchers at University of<br />

Pennsylvania, Dartmouth Medical School and several other<br />

institutions. Fluid is contained in the food we consume, so as<br />

long as our urine is not dark in colour and we do not feel thirsty,<br />

we are sufficiently hydrated.<br />

Easy Tips You Will Love!<br />

So, how else can you kick-start your life in the health lane?<br />

Follow these real-world advice which are easy to remember and<br />

easy to do:<br />

1Pray/meditate<br />

Depending on how spiritual you are,<br />

praying really helps you to focus on your<br />

inner thoughts. Take it as a simple form<br />

of soul-searching as prayer empties your<br />

mind and calms your soul. If you prefer<br />

to meditate instead, do go ahead by all<br />

means. Speak to those knowledgeable<br />

on the subject matter as taking good<br />

care of your inner self is as important as<br />

taking care of your physical appearances.<br />

It is amazing how much prayer and<br />

meditation can help to ‘detox’ your mind<br />

and change your outlook on life.<br />

46 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


MINDFUL Living<br />

2Purge negativity from yourself<br />

Sometimes, the negativities do not come externally but exists<br />

from within. Eliminating negativity from yourself is harder to<br />

do than to get rid of ‘toxic’ people. It takes a lot of effort<br />

and tremendous perseverance because you yourself are now<br />

the ‘toxic’. Know your problem is with yourself. If you find<br />

that you take failure or loss hard, loosen up and tell yourself<br />

to acknowledge your accomplishments instead of focusing on<br />

your weaknesses. Similarly, if pessimism constantly pops up in<br />

your mind, get rid of those negative thoughts and think that<br />

life is too short to be always in worry. A lot of binge-eating<br />

happens too when one is unhappy, so by staying positive, you<br />

can cut out that unhealthy dependence on junk food for a<br />

short-lived feel-good moment.<br />

Exercise<br />

4<br />

If you can, exercise every day instead of just a few times a week.<br />

Movement is life. Research has shown that exercising daily<br />

increases life span, lowers the risk of diseases, improves bone<br />

density and of course, promotes weight loss. Physical activity is<br />

actually easy to do; you don’t have to jungle trek or go hiking<br />

but simply choose to walk if you are going somewhere close by<br />

or climb the stairs instead of taking the lift. Join some aerobics<br />

classes or take up a sport of your liking, be it tennis, swimming<br />

or rock climbing. Any activity that keeps you up and about is<br />

great for getting blood rushing through your veins.<br />

3Purge negative people from your life<br />

Positive mental health is an important part of a healthy life.<br />

You don’t need ‘toxic’ people in your life. If you feel that a<br />

friend is overly critical or negative, let him/her go. You’ve got<br />

enough on your plate already without having your so-called<br />

friends adding salt to injury. The same goes if you have a<br />

colleague who is constantly ranting about traffic jams or her<br />

heavy workload. You don’t need these negativities in your life,<br />

so slowly distance yourself from the people whom you find are<br />

starting to affect your mood.<br />

5<br />

Live your life with meaningful purpose<br />

Life is good when it has a purpose or a meaning. Are you<br />

living a life of meaning? What is your purpose for living? Life is<br />

indeed meaningless if you don’t have a reason to live. Think of<br />

something that motivates you or create an event that you can<br />

countdown to attending. This way, you have something to look<br />

forward to when you wake up each morning. It could be just<br />

a gathering with old schoolmates or meeting a family member<br />

whom you have not seen for a long time. If you want to add<br />

even further meaning to life, you could get in touch with God,<br />

be kind to others or spread joy and happiness. Do things that<br />

will make you feel fulfilled spiritually.<br />

Eat more fruits<br />

6<br />

Fruits are a plethora of vitamins<br />

and minerals. Do you know that<br />

oranges offer more health benefits<br />

than Vitamin C pills? Taking in<br />

synthetic supplements are not<br />

the same as consuming the foods<br />

direct from nature. Why take a<br />

chemically-synthesised drug when<br />

you can savour the sweetness<br />

and juiciness of the fruits, along<br />

with their fibre which aids your<br />

digestion? Fill your plate with<br />

these 10 most nutritious fruits;<br />

watermelon, apricots, avocado,<br />

apple, cantaloupe, grapefruit, kiwi,<br />

guava, papaya and strawberries.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

47


MINDFUL Living<br />

7<br />

9<br />

Cut down on processed food<br />

Processed foods undergo so many processes until most<br />

nutritional value is lost. Furthermore, the preservatives,<br />

colouring and flavouring added are bad for our health. Many<br />

processed foods contain a high amount of salt too, which<br />

leads to higher blood pressure and heart disease. In general,<br />

most food in the supermarkets are processed. The longer the<br />

list of ingredients is on the label, the more processes the food<br />

item has undergone. So although nuggets and drummets<br />

are convenient to serve to fussy kids, cut them out from your<br />

menu as your children won’t benefit from eating any of those.<br />

Breathe in and out deeply<br />

Oxygen is a vital source of life. Of course you know how to<br />

breathe but are you breathing the right way? Most of us don’t<br />

breathe properly – we take only shallow breaths and use only<br />

1/3 of our lung capacity. Athletes are coached proper breathing<br />

techniques to get their best performance. A full breath is<br />

defined as one when your lungs are completely filled, your<br />

abdomen expands and there is minimum movement in your<br />

shoulders. Also, remember that your brain needs sufficient<br />

amount of oxygen for it to function at its best capacity, so<br />

breathe well and breathe right.<br />

8Eat more veggies<br />

Just like fruits, vegetables are<br />

important for the well-being of our<br />

health. Experts suggest that we should<br />

have 5-9 servings of fruits/vegetables<br />

but unfortunately, most people don’t<br />

even get 5 servings per day! Some<br />

of the best veggies include kidney<br />

beans, black beans, asparagus, long<br />

beans, French beans, sprouts, button<br />

mushrooms and carrots. Baby carrots<br />

and celery sticks are great as snacks at<br />

the office but if raw veggies aren’t your<br />

fancy, stir-fry them for lunch or dinner.<br />

Avoid trigger foods/binge eating<br />

10<br />

12<br />

Trigger foods are food which causes you to binge like crazy<br />

after eating them. Everyone’s trigger food is different; some<br />

people could be dying for doughnuts and pastries while the<br />

others crave for chips and French fries. Common favourites are<br />

candy, chocolate, confectionery, chips, cookies or anything with<br />

a high level of refined sugar, salt, fat or flour. While these food<br />

undoubtedly taste heavenly good, they cause an imbalance in<br />

blood sugar, hence triggering one to eat even more and more.<br />

Identify what are your trigger foods and practise moderation.<br />

Improve your posture<br />

Good posture improves your breathing and makes you look<br />

smarter, more confident and more attractive. Remember the<br />

art of body language? That’s what we are talking about.<br />

Among the five key benefits from maintaining a good posture<br />

include a lower risk of health complications such as slipped<br />

disc, back aches, back pain, pressure inside your chest and<br />

poor blood circulation, improved self-confidence, better selfimage,<br />

facilitated breathing and an increase<br />

in concentration and thinking ability.<br />

11<br />

Get outdoors more often<br />

If you have a regular 9-5 job, chances are that you spend most<br />

of your time holed up in the office. It is even worse if you<br />

stay late at the office or bring work home. On the weekends,<br />

you’re probably busy with errands and housework. Make it a<br />

point to go for a run at least once a week. Get some sunlight<br />

doing something fun in the sun with friends. Go out and have<br />

a change in environment. Let out the tension within by singing<br />

your lungs out at the karaoke bar. You will find your heart and<br />

mind feeling ‘lighter’ after each of those sessions.<br />

Our body is our temple. We must take good care of<br />

it in order to enjoy life to the fullest. Life is beautiful<br />

but short, so you don’t want to spend what little time<br />

you have on earth in bed with unnecessary health<br />

problems. Your vital organs may be working well<br />

today but that might not be the case tomorrow, so<br />

take proper care of your body and don’t wait for<br />

tomorrow to be healthy.<br />

48 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


NEWS & Events<br />

An Exciting Motherhood<br />

Workshop<br />

Strong turnout and positive response<br />

at a 5-star luxury confinement centre<br />

The 23 June <strong>2018</strong> turned out to be an exciting day for dozens<br />

of expectant couples who attended the Journey to<br />

Motherhood Workshop held at LYC Mother & Child Centre<br />

at Plaza VADS, TTDI.<br />

Held from 10 am until 2 pm, expectant parents came to get<br />

parenting tips and new information from the experts which<br />

include the good practice for newborn and childbirth tips.<br />

Some of the notable speakers who joined the workshop were<br />

CryoCord - one of the largest and most comprehensive stem<br />

cell banks in Southeast Asia, Bmama - a growing company<br />

that specialised in maternity products as well as Princeton<br />

who specialised in the luggage industry.<br />

Also included in the workshop was a lucky draw session<br />

where many fabulous prizes being bagged by lucky participants<br />

and the grand prize winner walked away with a breast pump<br />

worth RM800.<br />

Nivea rolls out<br />

a Clean Cause<br />

Personal care brand talks to school<br />

children about personal hygiene<br />

How do we educate teens on taboo subjects like personal<br />

hygiene? One way to go about it is via awareness<br />

campaigns!<br />

Rolling out a school campaign to raise awareness on<br />

personal hygiene among school children, Nivea reached<br />

out to schools across Malaysia with the first ever school<br />

campaign on July 3 at SMK (P) Sri Aman.<br />

The campaign is a long-term initiative, supported by a<br />

massive school roving team that will visit secondary schools<br />

in major cities throughout Malaysia, targeting students<br />

going through puberty. While visiting the schools, the<br />

team will share a 45-minute programme which will cover<br />

key aspects of keeping the best personal hygiene including<br />

underarm hygiene and protection, as well as personal<br />

grooming.<br />

The official launch saw Nivea rolling out a video titled<br />

'Penjagaan Diri Terbaek' (Personal Care is the Best) and<br />

special appearances by local artists and Nivea role models,<br />

Khai Bhar and Nabila Razali -stars of the brand new Nivea<br />

personal hygiene awareness music video.<br />

Women's Pelvic Care<br />

Centre opens in Bangsar<br />

Centre offers consultation, care,<br />

rehabilitation and physiotherapy to those<br />

affected by pelvic floor dysfunction<br />

Pelvic floor dysfunction, though often overlooked results in<br />

various issues such as urinary incontinence, stubborn belly,<br />

back pain, pelvic organ prolapse and sexual dysfunction.<br />

Vibrance Pelvic Care Centre also gives women affected by<br />

pelvic floor dysfunction access to professional treatment by<br />

physiotherapists according to the needs and requirements<br />

of each woman.<br />

The non-surgical treatment helps to improve bladder control,<br />

sexual health, relieve back pain and restore abdominal tone.<br />

The centre is located at 139, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar and is<br />

open Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm. Consultations<br />

and treatments are by appointment only. For more<br />

information or to book a consultation, call +603 2201 2115.<br />

Nivea role models Khai Bahar (left) and Nabila Razali at the launch of<br />

the personal hygiene awareness campaign<br />

Situated along Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, Vibrance Pelvic Care Centre offers<br />

a comprehensive range of holistic non-surgical treatments to manage<br />

women’s pelvic health.<br />

<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94<br />

49


NEWS & Events<br />

Glow with Honey!<br />

French bee cosmetics expert, Abellie<br />

launches officially and appoints Abellie<br />

Malaysia ambassador<br />

The age old adage to naturally<br />

clear and glowing skin often<br />

comes from utilising natural and<br />

organic ingredients.<br />

So, if you haven't heard of<br />

French brand, Abellie, you<br />

should because it is certifiedorganic<br />

and carries both the<br />

ECOCERT and COSMEBIO logo.<br />

During an official product<br />

launch that took place early this<br />

year, Abellie introduced its line<br />

of beauty and skincare products<br />

which are largely made with<br />

ingredients that include honey,<br />

propolis, royal jelly, aloe vera<br />

and cornflower water.<br />

The brand also introduced its<br />

Malaysia product ambassador,<br />

Soh Jin Chuan who is also an Ai<br />

FM DJ and 8TV news announcer.<br />

Malaysia's distributor for Abellie<br />

and curator of organic products,<br />

Organique Essentielle Sdn Bhd<br />

and Celebrity Beaute Founder,<br />

Stephanie Yong said Jin Chuan<br />

was chosen as the product<br />

ambassador to drive home the<br />

point that men should take care<br />

of their skin too.<br />

"We wanted Malaysian males<br />

to learn more about skincare<br />

and why they should take care<br />

of their skin and Jin Chuan was<br />

the perfect ambassador."<br />

Soh said, "Having come from<br />

the entertainment industry, I<br />

often wear makeup and always<br />

on the lookout for good quality<br />

products that will not damage<br />

my skin. I have used the Abellie<br />

Tresor de Purete Micellar Water<br />

and it is both a great makeup<br />

remover and skin moisturiser."<br />

He added that he was proud to<br />

represent Abellie in Malaysia<br />

and shared beauty and skincare<br />

tips with Abellie Founder and<br />

President, Benoit Mary, during<br />

the event.<br />

(Left to right) Abellie Founder and President, Benoit Mary, Organique<br />

Essentielle Sdn Bhd and Celebrity Beaute Founder, Stephanie Yong,<br />

and Abellie product ambassador, Soh Jin Chuan<br />

Ai FM DJ and 8TV news announcer, Soh Jin Chuan (third from right)<br />

is the proud product ambassador for Abellie Malaysia cosmetics<br />

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery<br />

The Kinevo 900 surgical microscope<br />

from Carl Zeiss<br />

World's first ever use of Kinevo 900 surgical microscope<br />

for spine surgery at UKM Medical Centre helps surgeons<br />

improve efficiency<br />

In the past, spine surgery was a nightmare for patients, who had their back cut open<br />

and were immobile face down in the ICU for as long as five days, before even<br />

attempting to walk.<br />

Today, UKM Medical Centre is the first in the world to acquire the Kinevo 900, a<br />

surgical microscope from Carl Zeiss that allows surgeons to operate with greater<br />

speed and precision, detecting even the smallest details with the help of magnified<br />

images with superior quality and 3D visualisation.<br />

The microscope's robotic capability also frees the surgeon from having to make<br />

repeated manual adjustments, cutting down surgical time by 50%.<br />

The device's minimally invasive surgical methods allows spine surgery patients to be<br />

up and walking in as little as eight hours after surgery. They can be discharged in as<br />

little as one day and be back at work within the same week.<br />

50 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Health</strong> * <strong>August</strong> <strong>2018</strong> VOL 94


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