Your Health - 23 August 2016

The Star, tuesday 23 august 2016
special
YOUR HEALTH
Stay
mentally
strong
The Star, tuesday 23 august 2016
2 your health
The realities of mental illness

By Anushia Kandasivam
Mental illness, just like any
other disease or condition, affects
millions of people across the world.
Malaysias National Health and
Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2015
found that 29.2% of Malaysian
adults suffer from a mental illness.
According to the survey, there
is an increasing trend in the
prevalence of mental health
problems among Malaysian adults,
especially among females and
younger adults.
Gender plays a critical role in
mental health and mental illness.
For example, all over the world,
more women than men are
diagnosed with depression and
anxiety. Certain other mental
illnesses are more prevalent
among men than women, such
as antisocial personality disorder.
Furthermore, according to the
World Health Organization (WHO),
gender is a significant determinant
in the difference of power and
control men and women have over
the socioeconomic factors that
affect their mental health and lives,
their social position, status and
treatment in society, and their
susceptibility to specific mental
health risks.
The risk factors that
disproportionately affect women
include gender-based violence,
socioeconomic disadvantage,
low income and income inequality,
low or subordinate social status,
and unremitting responsibility
for the care of others.
These factors undoubtedly affect
Malaysian women just as they do
women all over the world.
The spectre of madness

Though the increase in the
numbers of people with mental
health problems in the NHMS
can be partly attributed to better
reporting Malaysians nowadays
are more aware of their mental
health and relatively less reticent
about reporting it social stigma
and cultural misconceptions about
mental illness still exist.
A study by International
Medical University (IMU) published
in the Singapore Medical Journal
in 2009 found that while the
younger people surveyed during
the study had a better attitude
towards mental health and were
more willing to seek help, a
combination of ethnic background,
religion, education level and
residential location influenced
their knowledge and attitudes
towards mental health issues.
Though the study took place
seven years ago, awareness and
understanding of mental health
in Malaysia have not changed
sufficiently.
While perceptions of mental
illness may have changed for
the better over the years due to
increased awareness as well as
advancements in the treatment
of mental illness, the Malaysian
society, like most Asian societies,
still holds erroneous cultural
perceptions and belief systems
with regard to mental illness,
says psychiatrist Datuk Dr Andrew

Mohanraj, who is also the deputy
president of the Malaysian Mental
Health Association (MMHA).
In such instances, chronic
mental illnesses such as
schizophrenia are attributed to
being possessed by spirits or
charm put on a person, he
explains.
Depression is still not regarded
as a clinical condition that needs
medical intervention. Instead,
many people view it as a defect of
personality or being unduly
sensitive or fussy, and expect the
person to just snap out of it.
It is clear that people diagnosed
with mental illnesses inhabit a
different space in public perception
from those hospitalised for
physical conditions such as cancer
or heart disease.
The latter are seen as health
crises that are, to a certain extent,
beyond your control while mental
illness is seen as a condition that
can and should be dealt with on
a personal level.
British television personality
Trisha Goddard illustrated this in
a 2010 interview about her battles
with breast cancer and mental
illness, saying, With breast cancer,
people ran towards me with open
arms... with depression, people
ran away.
Breaching the wall

In the interview, Goddard
revealed that peoples reactions to
her mental illness affected her
recovery, explaining that when she
tried to talk about her depression,
she was made to feel embarrassed,
ashamed and guilty.
A recent University of
Cambridge study on mental illness
in Malaysia found that stigma is
a significant barrier to seeking help
and care for mental health, and
most often manifests in the form
of labelling, rejection and social
exclusion by family, friends and
workplace staff.
The study, published last year,
states that this stigma leads to
patients being trapped in a vicious
cycle of discrimination leading to
detrimental consequences for
the individual, their families,
communities and society as a
whole.
We need to have better
awareness about mental illness
and understand that it is like any
other illness that affects the brain.
Its causes are multifactorial and
much is still unknown about
mental illness, not unlike cancers,
says Datin Dr Ang Kim Teng,
secretary-general of MMHA.
While knowledge can certainly
lead to greater understanding and
tolerance about mental illness in
general, women have one extra
wall barring them from seeking
treatment gender discrimination.
WHO reports that gender
stereotypes about the proneness
to emotional problems in women
appear to reinforce social stigma
and lead to constraints in people
seeking help as well as accurate
identification and treatment of
psychological disorders.
According to WHO,
communication between health
workers and female patients in
many developing countries is
extremely authoritarian,
making womens disclosure of
psychological or emotional
problems difficult.
Furthermore, when women
do disclose mental health
problems, stigma and gender bias
means that health workers either
over treat or under treat women
WHO statistics show that women
are prescribed more mood-altering
psychotropic drugs than men.
On top of that are factors such
as continuous day-to-day
responsibility for the care of others
that prevents women from having
the opportunity, time or energy
to identify mental health issues
in themselves and seek treatment,
and fear of humiliation or

retaliation for seeking help.
For many women, domestic
violence or other forms of
gender-based violence may be
precipitating factors to developing
psychological conditions such as
depression and anxiety but they
are often reluctant to seek help
for fear of disclosing their
victimisation, says Dr Andrew,
citing this as a possible factor for
the difference in help-seeking
behaviour between men and
women.
This cycle of stigma and gender
discrimination must be stopped if
women are to be able to seek

and obtain appropriate and
successful treatment.
The IMU study found that
there is a big gap when it comes
to understanding general
mental well-being and the
importance
of seeking mental health care,
which should be filled through
dissemination of accurate
information by the mass media
as the primary source of
information on mental health.
> See PAGE 4
What is it?
l Depression
According to the latest
Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-5), depression occurs
when you have at least five of
several symptoms lasting for
two weeks.
These include feeling sad or
depressed most of the day,
experiencing fatigue almost
every day, feelings of
worthlessness or guilt, insomnia
or hypersomnia (excessive
sleeping), impaired
concentration and a marked
loss of interest in almost all
activities nearly every day.
l Anxiety disorder
This is a medical condition
characterised by persistent and
excessive worry that causes you
such distress that it interferes
with your ability to lead a
normal life.
Anxiety disorders can come
in the form of a panic disorder,
social anxiety or specific
phobias.
l Bipolar disorder
As the name suggests, this
disorder is marked by severely
contrasting moods a period of

elation and a period of
depression.
This disorder involves clear
changes in mood, energy and
activity levels. When you are
up you will exhibit energised
behaviour (known as manic
episodes) and when you are
down you will experience
feelings of deep sadness with
the signs of depression.
l Eating disorders
These are classified as mental
disorders because though they
have a biological basis, they
affect the brain structure and
neurochemistry in ways that
make it difficult for individuals
to stop the behaviour and are
associated with impairment of
emotional and cognitive
functions.
Eating disorders include
anorexia nervosa (extreme
weight loss due to excessive
dieting and exercise), bulimia
nervosa (cycles of extreme
overeating and purging) and
binge eating disorder (regular
episodes of extreme overeating
coupled with feelings of loss of
control about eating).
THE STAR, TUESDAY 23 AUGUST 2016
your health 3
Reproduction
intervention
INFERTILITY is typically diagnosed after a
young couple (aged 30 and below) is unable
to conceive after one year of regular
intercourse.
Dr Ahmad Saifuddin Ahmad Yahaya,
obstetrician and gynaecologist at Mahkota
Medical Centre who specialises in
reproductive medicine and IVF (in vitro
fertilisation), says young couples who are
trying to have children today are better
equipped with fertility knowledge and
should be able to seek help for their
difficulties.
Look out for irregularities such as severe
menstrual pain or vaginal discharge, and
come forward with these issues as soon as
possible for early intervention before the
one-year mark. See your family doctor for
primary assessment they will refer to a
fertility specialist if needed, he advises.
Through assessments including blood
investigation and a series of tests, doctors
are able to determine if the difficulty in
conceiving stems from low sperm quality or
count in men, tubal blockage or hormonal
problems in women, or a shared issue
between the couple.
Once the issue is identified, suitable
treatment methods can be implemented and
these range from intercourse planning and
medication or supplements to intrauterine
insemination (also known as IUI, where
sperm is injected inside the uterus to
facilitate fertilisation) and minor surgery.
Hope for new life

According to Dr Saifuddin, approximately
10% of infertility issues do not trace back to
a specific cause this is when IVF comes into
the picture.
IVF is an option for selected patients who
have undergone consultation and tried other
fertility treatments unsuccessfully.
The process involves stimulating
ovulation, collecting eggs once mature,
collecting the sperm, then fertilising the eggs
and sperm in the laboratory. The healthy
embryo is transferred to the womb three to
five days later, he explains.
This method can be used for men with
poor-quality sperms that are unable to swim
up the fallopian tube and women with
difficulty conceiving due to endometriosis,
blocked fallopian tubes, irregular ovulation
or effects of previous surgery.
The success of IVF largely depends on the
age of the mother there is a 50% success
rate among those younger than 35 as well
as the health of sperm and ovaries.
Ideally, the woman would come for a
blood test to check the ovarian reserve on
the second or third day of her menses, then
on the 21st day to monitor ovulation, and
again after the end of the period for
ultrasound and X-ray to check the condiiton
The success of IVF largely

depends on the age of
the mother as well as
the health of sperm and
ovaries.
of her fallopian tubes, uterus and ovaries. A
semen analysis will also be done on the man
during this time, says Dr Saifuddin.
Latest technology has widened the scope
of IVF to include methods such as
intracytoplasmic sperm injection (injecting a
single sperm directly into a mature egg in
severe cases of male-factor infertility) and
freezing of embryos to implant when the
endometrium is in optimum condition.
Preparing for conception

Dr Saifuddin says that couples who are
trying to conceive must take care of
themselves to attain peak physical condition.
Both man and woman must keep a
balanced diet with lots of antioxidants and
do not let stress or worries occupy their
thoughts.
Their BMI must be within the normal
range as being overweight or obese can
hamper egg and sperm quality, as can
smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke, he
advises.
Ultimately, couples should not worry but
instead take quick action in bringing any
qualms to the doctor for investigation and
counselling.
Most attempts at getting pregnant are
successful after assessment, consultation
and treatment not all couples will need
high-end treatment such as IVF, concludes
Dr Saifuddin.
n For more information, call 06-285 2999.
Dr Ahmad
Saifuddin
Ahmad
Yahaya.
4 your health
Towards greater awareness
> FROM PAGE 2

This position is shared by
Dr Ang, who says that the
Government can use the mass
media to educate the public and
create better awareness about
the early manifestations of
mental illness for early treatment
and to destigmatise mental
illness.
MMHA is doing its part by
using social media to reach out
to more people, but we ourselves
have not yet maximised its use,
she says, adding that educational
programmes for caregivers and
the public, such as those that
MMHA organises, also bring
more awareness to mental illness
and better access to treatment.
Treatment and access

In 2013, WHO described
deficiency of mental health
provision and access all over
the world as a long-neglected
problem and called for
international attention to
change attitudes towards
mental illness and an
expansion of services to
treat it.
To aid in this, WHO devised
the Mental Health Action Plan
2013-2020 and is using the latest
Mental Health Atlas 2014.
The Mental Health Atlas 2014
reports that the rate of service
coverage for severe mental
disorders remains low.
It states that levels of public
expenditure on mental health
are very low in middle-income
countries of which Malaysia
is one and there is a very
large disparity between the
number of mental health
workers and mental health beds
in hospitals in middle-income
and high-income countries.
Malaysias country profile in
the publication reveals that in
2014, there were four mental
health hospitals, 48 psychiatric
units in general hospitals (there
are 139 government hospitals
in the Health Ministrys list) and
27 residential care facilities.
That year, Malaysia reported
0.8 psychiatrist and 0.9
psychologist per 100,000 people.
Malaysia certainly needs more
mental health services and those
available to be more accessible.
Though Malaysia is part of the
68% of WHO member states that
have a standalone policy or plan
for mental health (it was
implemented in 2013) and part
of the 51% that has a standalone
mental health law (enacted in
2002), it is also one of the
countries where, as the Mental
Health Atlas 2014 states,
implementation is weak and
persons with mental disorders
and family members are only
WHO reports
that reducing the
overrepresentation
of women with
depression
should contribute
significantly to
lessening the
global burden of
disability caused
by psychological
disorders.
partially involved.
Unfortunately, even when and
where treatment is available,
WHO reports that nearly twothirds of people with a known
mental disorder never seek help
from a health professional,
mostly due to stigma,
discrimination and lack of
understanding the cycle rears
its ugly head again.
Seeing the light

WHO reports that reducing
the overrepresentation of
women with depression should
contribute significantly to
lessening the global burden of
disability caused by psychological
disorders.
In fact, the United Nations
has recognised that investing in
mental health services brings
health, social and economic
returns to a country, which is
why it has included mental
health in the UN Sustainable
Development Goals (SGDs) and
WHO has made mental health
a global development priority.
WHO director-general
Dr Margaret Chan has said that
the SGDs seek to move the
world towards greater fairness
that leaves no one behind,
something that will benefit
women in terms of mental
healthcare.
As a WHO member state,
Malaysia should do whatever it
can to meet the health SGD goal
for the benefit of the rakyat as
well as for economic
development gains.
The 10th Malaysia Plan states
the countrys readiness to use
aggressive efforts to increase
awareness and the practice of
healthy living, including through
campaigns on mental health. One
of the groups singled out for
improved health outcomes
through these efforts is women.
It remains to be seen if
implementation and uptake
is successful. Efficient and
successful mental healthcare,
not just for women but everyone,
can be achieved with more
effort and political will.
Mental health help and support

The Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) provides
mental health education, support and rehabilitation services to
the public.
You can write to the MMHA at admin@mmha.org.my or call
03-7782 5499 to speak to a mental health rehabilitation officer
who can provide advice or arrange a review with a visiting
psychiatrist or visiting psychotherapist.
You can also join MMHAs online support community or share
your story and thoughts on its online forum visit www.mmha.
org.my for more information.
UNKNOWN to many individuals,

non-cancerous breast conditions
are very common and most
women have them.
Unlike breast cancer, which is a
malignant tumour that can spread
to other parts of the body, many
breast conditions are not life
threatening. In fact, most breast
changes that are tested turn out to
be benign or non-cancerous.
However, one has to be aware
that benign conditions and breast
cancer have many of the same
symptoms, making it hard to tell
the difference from just the
symptoms alone.
Some breast changes may not
cause any symptoms or discomfort
to the individual and may be found
only in a mammogram.
your health 5
Spotting the signs

breast tissue are sometimes called
fibrocystic changes or fibrocystic
disease.
Besides breast lumps, the
conditions are usually diagnosed
based on other accompanying
symptoms such as swelling,
tenderness and pain.
Just before a womans menstrual
cycle begins, these symptoms tend
to get worse, making the breast feel
lumpy and sometimes, there may
be noticeable clear or slightly
cloudy nipple discharge.
These changes are more
commonly found among women of
Know the difference

The most common conditions
found in the breasts are fibrosis
and cysts. Fibrosis refers to a large
amount of fibrous tissue, the same
tissue that ligaments and scar
tissue are made of. Areas of
fibrosis feel rubbery, firm or hard
to the touch.
Cysts, however, are moveable
lumps that feel a lot more tender
when you touch them. They start
out as fluid building up inside the
breast glands and form round or
oval scars within the breasts.
Although most often found
among women who are in their
40s, cysts can occur among women
of any age.
Another distinct characteristic of
cysts is that monthly hormonal
childbearing age, but they can

affect a woman at any age.
Fibrocystic changes may be found
in different parts of the breast and,
in some cases, both breasts at the
same time.
You do not need to worry if the
development of fibrosis or cysts
will progress to breast cancer.
Neither of these changes increases
your risk of later developing breast
cancer.
n This article is brought to you by

your partner in health, Guardian
Health and Beauty Sdn Bhd.
Hyperplasia
Fibrosis and cysts are common non-cancerous breast conditions found in

women.
changes often cause them to grow

in size, becoming more painful and
more noticeable just before the
menstrual cycle.
Tiny, microscopic cysts also
known as microcysts are too
small to be felt and are only found
when tissue is looked under a
microscope. However, continuous
build-up of fluid can cause large
cysts or macrocysts to be formed.

Macrocysts can be easily felt and
grow as large as one or two inches
across. As they grow, the breast
tissue around the cysts may stretch
and be painful.
Many women at some point in
their lives develop breast lumps
that are caused by fibrosis, cysts or
both. These benign changes in
HYPERPLASIA is an overgrowth
of the cells that line the duct or
milk glands (lobules). This
condition may be described as
usual or atypical based on the
pattern of the cells.
Unlike fibrosis or cysts,
hyperplasia does not usually
cause a lump that can be
felt, but it can cause changes
that are visible in a
mammogram.
Another dissimilarity
between hyperplasia and
fibrocystic diseases is
that different types of
hyperplasia can affect the risk
of breast cancer.
Mild hyperplasia, which is
also known as the usual type,
does not increase the risk of
breast cancer.
A person with moderate but
usual hyperplasia is about oneand-a-half times more at risk of
developing breast cancer than
that of a woman with no breast
abnormalities.
People with atypical
hyperplasia are about threeand-a-half to five times more at
risk of breast cancer compared
to women with no breast
abnormalities.
6 your health
Sunfert International has pioneered the combination of advanced fertility technologies for
embryo selection in Malaysia.
Assisted
conception
WITH a growing number of couples turning
towards assisted reproductive techniques
such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) to conceive,
many are seeking fertility treatments beyond
the standard IVF to increase their odds of
having a healthy baby.
Couples can now opt to have their
embryos (fertilised eggs) screened for
chromosomal abnormalities such as Downs
Syndrome or genetic diseases such as
thalassaemia before getting pregnant.
Sunfert International provides
technologically advanced and efficient
fertility services in Malaysia. In tandem with
this, the group has pioneered Next Gen IVF,
an innovative approach to combine two
advanced fertility technologies for embryo
selection; Time-Lapse Embryo Imaging and
next-generation sequencing (NGS).
This approach allows a selection of the
most promising embryo before the transfer
into the womb, thereby reducing the risk of
defects and increasing the chance of
pregnancy.
Sunfert International, through its
advanced laboratory arm Sunfert Genetics,
continues to spearhead research, especially
in improving the diagnosis of thalassaemia.
The group has expanded to the northern
and southern regions of peninsular Malaysia
with Sunfert@Ipoh and Sunfert@Seremban,
with further plans to expand their footprints
throughout the country.
About Sunfert International

Fertility Centre
Since its inception in November 2009,
Sunfert International now treats over 1,000
couples yearly with assisted reproductive
technology (ART) with good success rates.
Sunfert International offers a range of
fertility services, investigations and
treatments including:
l Pre-conception screening
l Comprehensive fertility assessments
and treatments
l Assisted conception IUI (Intrauterine
insemination), IVF, ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic
sperm injection), IMSI (intra-cytoplasmic
morphologically selected sperm injection)
l Sperm, egg and embryo
cryopreservation
l Ovarian tissue cryopreservation
l MESA/TESE/Testicular Mapping
l Time-lapse embryo imaging
l Preimplantation genetic testing
(PGS/PGD)
l Advanced reproductive keyhole
surgery
l Sunfert wellness
l Recurrent miscarriage clinic
l Antenatal care and prenatal screening
l Well Womans clinic
With a team of highly trained and
experienced professionals, its strength lies
in the holistic approach to fertility care.
Conscious of the potential anxiety and stress
of IVF treatment, Sunfert International
combines wellness in the form of MindBody
Fertility to harmoniously complement
outcomes in medical treatments.
Centrally located and just minutes away
from the city centre of Kuala Lumpur, its
flagship Sunfert@Bangsar South is a worldclass boutique fertility centre that cares for
patients from both local and international
reaches.
Today, Sunfert International continues to
be one of Malaysias leading choices as a
one-stop fertility service provider. With its
successful expansions into both the
northern and southern regions of the
peninsula, the centre has now extended the
fertility and laboratorial services to Perak
with Sunfert@Ipoh and Negri Sembilan
with Sunfert@Seremban.
n For more information, call Janice Tan

at 016-219 2199/03-2242 3211 or e-mail
janice.tan@sunfert.com.
State-of-theart facilities
are part of
Sunfert
International
Fertility
Centres
offering.
your health 7
Spotlight on mental illness

DEALING with mental illness can
be difficult, especially because of
the stigma that is still prevalent in
our society today. Though more
people are aware of the existence
of mental illness, not everyone
understands it, which means that
living with a mental illness can
seem challenging and lonely.
However, people all around the
world live with mental illness and
it is possible to live a successful
and fulfiling life with it. Here are a
few famous women who openly
talk about their personal journeys
towards better psychological
health and are examples of
how anyone can overcome
challenges and be
empowered to take
charge of their health
and seek the help they
need.
l Demi Lovato
bipolar disorder
At 24 years old,
singer and actor
Demi Lovato
is one of
the
youngest
Deepika
celebrities
Padukone
to come
out about
her struggles with mental illness.

Lovato has suffered from bipolar
disorder from an early age. She
also had an eating disorder, selfharmed, abused drugs and alcohol,
and was bullied before checking
into a rehabilitation centre at age
18 for treatment.
Lovato is a vocal advocate for
mental health awareness and
political and legal support for
better access to treatment.
At the Democratic National
Convention in June, she said,
Every one of us can make a
difference by getting educated
on this epidemic and its
frightening statistics, and
by breaking the stigma,
adding that she is
living proof that you
can live a normal and
empowered life
with mental
illness.
l Deepika
Padukone
depression
and anxiety
In March
last year,
Bollywood
star
Deepika
condition: The most common

reaction is, How can you be
depressed? You have everything
going for you. You are the
supposed number one heroine
and have a plush home, car,
movies. What else do you want?
Demi Lovato.
Padukone, 30, made waves by

writing candidly about living with
depression and anxiety in an
opinion piece for Indian
newspaper Hindustan Times.
By openly discussing her
condition, Padukone has done
much to raise the profile of mental
illness among young people in
India.
In her article, Padukone revealed
that she herself could not identify
what she was feeling and, only
after intervention from loved ones,
was diagnosed after seeing two
psychiatrists.
Calling for more support and
understanding of mental illness in
South Asian society, she wrote
about misconceptions about her
l Olivia Munn anxiety and

trichotillomania
Actress, television host and
author Olivia Munn, 36, suffers
from an anxiety disorder that
manifests itself as trichotillomania
where you rip out your own hair
with your hands. Munn rips out
her eyelashes when she feels
anxious.
Munns anxiety affects her
especially in social occasions, but
she has said that she is now
focused on expanding her career,
making connections with people
she works with, and surrounding
herself with supportive and
motivating people.
l Carrie Fisher bipolar
disorder
Best known for her starring
role in the epic Star Wars
franchise, Carrie
Fisher, 59, was
Carrie
inspired by her
Fisher.
experiences with
bipolar disorder and getting sober

from an addiction to cocaine and
prescription medication to write
her bestselling memoir Postcards
from the Edge, which was
published in 1987 and
subsequently made into a film
in 1990.
The memoir and the film were
revelatory of mental illness at the
time and did much to dispel
ignorance and stigma.
Fisher has openly spoken about
being unashamed of living with
mental illness, saying, At times,
being bipolar can be an allconsuming challenge, requiring a
lot of stamina and even more
courage, so if youre living with
this illness and functioning at all,
its something to
be proud of, not
ashamed of.
8 your health
GUM disease, or periodontal

disease, refers to a group of
problems that arise in the sulcus,
the gap between the gum and the
tooth.
The periodontium is the
part of the mouth that makes up
gum and supporting structures.
It protects yourteethand the
structures that hold them in place.
Gum disease starts when plaque,
made up of bacteria, mucus,
shedded cells and food particles,
invades the small space between
your gums and teeth.
If left to fester, your gums can
become infected, putting them
and your teeth at risk. If gum
disease progresses, it becomes
increasingly difficult, painful
and expensive to treat.
Gum disease is a lifestyle
deficiency and usually starts in
areas that you are not brushing
well or keeping clean.
Swelling of the gums (also
known as gingivitis) is one of
the first signs of gum disease.
Other symptoms include gum
redness, bleeding while brushing
Keep gum disease away

Gum disease can be avoided with basic dental care and regular visits to
the dentist.
or flossing, a receding gum line,

loose teeth, halitosis (constant bad
breath) and mouth sores.
Gum problems can worsen if
you do not get gingivitis treated.
Infection and inflammation can
spread deeper into the tissues
that support the tooth.
At an advanced stage, gum
disease is called periodontitis.
Periodontitis causes the tissue

and bone that support the teeth
to break down, creating gum
pockets where bacteria can grow.
As you lose dentoalveolar bone,
your teeth get looser and looser
and will eventually drop off.
To treat gum disease, your
dentist would remove the root
cause of gum disease plaque
on your teeth.
The dentist would clean around
all affected areas, including the
bottom of the pocket of the tooth,
where the most harmful bacteria
are. This deep-cleaning process
is called scaling and dental
prophylaxis.
Other causes will also be
explored, such as loose fillings
or crowns. Your dentist may take
an X-ray to check for bone loss.
If the problem is severe, your
dentist may refer you to a
periodontist a dentist who
specialises in gum disease.
To keep gum disease at bay,
you are recommended to:
l Brush with fluoride toothpaste
twice a day
l Clean between the teeth using
floss or other cleaning tools
l Swish twice daily with
non-alcoholic antiseptic mouth

rinse containing chlorhexidine
gluconate
l See your dentist regularly (at
least once a year) and correct any
dental issues that predisposes you
to gum disease
l Stop smoking
l Visit the dentist more often if
you are pregnant
Your gums are a barrier that
helps prevent inflammation that
may damage your body.
Fortunately, for most people,
daily brushing and flossing along
with regular check-ups can
mitigate and prevent gum disease.
By Dr Wong Foot Meow,
consultant dental specialist
n For more information,

call 03-2698 9530.
Snore
no more
SNORING is the noise made
during sleep, when the sleeper
forces air past any obstructions
in the upper respiratory tract,
causing the soft tissue there to
vibrate. Statistics show that 45%
of adults snore occasionally,
while 25% are habitual snorers.
According to a study by the
British Snoring and Sleep
Apnoea Association, partners of
snorers are kept awake for two
hours each night, losing some
two years of sleep over the
average course of a marriage.
Snoring is a sign that there is
disruption in breathing. It can
lead to sleep apnoea, a disorder
that causes people to stop
breathing for 10 to 30 seconds at
a time while they are sleeping.
Quite often, it is the partner who
recognises the symptoms.
Yap Ming Tian was well aware
that he was a snorer, but last
year, it worsened. During a visit
to see his daughter six months
ago, Yap experienced the same
restless sleep. His daughter, a
doctor, recognised it as apnoea.
Apnoea is potentially life
threatening as it raises blood
pressure, reducing oxygen flow
to the brain. At worst, it could
lead to stroke, heart attack and
even death.
Sufferers have been known to
experience impaired mental
abilities, emotions and work
performance, weight gain,
impotence and headaches.
There are many ways to treat
the condition, such as by using
herbal tonics and sprays, drugs
or mandibular advancement
devices. Conventional methods
use nasal continuous positive
airflow pressure devices. Some
doctors may even recommend
surgery.
Yaps daughter saw a
mandibular device called the
Somnoguard, which she felt
The Somnoguard aids in opening

up the respiratory tract to
alleviate snoring.
suited her fathers needs. The

Somnoguard is made from
flexible material and resembles
dentures. Fitting of the
Somnoguard involves boiling the
mouldable thermoplastic,
cooling it and inserting it into
the mouth for the correct fit and
bite.
Developed in Germany by
medical enterprise Tomed Dr
Toussaint GmbH in cooperation
with University Medical Centre
Mannheim, the device serves to
shift the lower jaw forward
during sleep. This allows the
respiratory tract to open up
further.
The expansion of the lower
jaw up to 10mm with 0.5mm
accuracy is made with the
adjustment of a screw on the
device.
Clinical examinations in the
Mannheim sleep laboratory have
shown that snoring in 80% of
patients either disappeared
completely or almost completely
with the use of this oral device.
The rate of dangerous nocturnal
breathing arrests was reduced
by up to 60%.
When Yap first tried the
device, he slept soundly for the
first time in years. He has since
decided to be a distributor of the
device to help fellow sufferers in
Malaysia.
Approved by European health
authorities and the United States
Food and Drug Administration
(USFDA), the device is
convenient and can be stored
easily when travelling.
n For more information, call

03-7954 3622 or visit
www.getupfresh.com.
ECOBROWNS ethos is centred on

integrity and ethics. From the
nutrient-rich rice grains grown in
the fertile soil of Malaysias
northern states to the hygienic
production processes, every part of
the company is designed to deliver
maximum health benefits and
satisfaction to its customers.
After harvest, the fresh grains
are immediately sent for milling
where they undergo a stringent
selection process to ensure the best
is set aside for ecoBrowns
products.
EcoBrowns offers natural brown
rice a wholegrain product that
retains more fibre and higher
levels of minerals and vitamins
compared to white rice.
Diets rich in wholegrain fibre
are associated with health benefits
that include lower chances of
developing heart diseases, several
types of cancer and gallstones.
It also aids in losing weight and
keeping the weight off for those
who follow diet regimes. Despite
the fact that these dieters eat less,
fibre helps them feel fuller.
Brown rice is also a good choice
for diabetic patients as unlike
white rice, it helps to keep blood
sugar stable by releasing its natural
sugars slowly and in a sustained
manner.
EcoBrowns rice is fresh from the
farm with a low GI (glycaemic
index), low sodium and no
preservatives or artificial
colouring. It is naturally gluten-free
your health 9
Brown rice goodness

and cholesterol-free.
Along with ecoBrowns Original
and Gold rice, the company has
expanded the range to include
Wholegrain Brown Rice Beverage
for a guilt-free treat and the
Premiere Vermicelli for delicious
dinners. Brown really is better.
Serba Wangi Sdn Bhd first
launched ecoBrowns Unpolished
Brown Rice in 2004. It is 100%
vacuum treated and sealed in
various retail sizes 500g, 1kg, 2kg
and 5kg.
EcoBrowns is produced entirely
from freshly harvested and fully

ripened paddy within the major
granary regions of Malaysia.
It is the first brown rice in the
country to be certified by the
inaugural HACCP for hazard
analysis and critical control point
for its entire processing line in
2008. This certification has further
endorsed itself for quality
assurance in the growing trend of
health conscious consumers in
Malaysia.
EcoBrowns Gold, which is the
combination of three types of
wholegrain rice (brown rice, red

rice and black rice), is the first of
its kind in Malaysia.
Going downstream, ecoBrowns
also produces the instant
Wholegrain Brown Rice Beverage.
Consumers can now choose to
have a healthy meal outside their
home, anytime, anywhere with
convenience.
The Premiere Brown Rice
Vermicelli, a gluten-free and
cholesterol-free vermicelli, is
made from quality brown rice.
It is 100% machine-made with no
EcoBrowns is
produced from
freshly harvested
and fully ripened
paddy, and is the
first brown rice in
the country to be
certified by the
HACCP for hazard
analysis and critical
control point for its
entire processing
line in 2008.
added preservatives.
It comes in handy packs, each
weighing 300g, and contains three
crusts of vermicelli each weighing
100g.
EcoBrowns was also one of the
sponsoring partners for Nutritional
Month Malaysia 2016, which was
organised by the Nutrition Society
of Malaysia to promote healthy
lifestyle habits.

1800 88 RICE (7423) or visit
www.ecobrowns.com.
10 your health
Fertility treatment
made affordable
IVFKASIH will be opening its first clinic in
Shah Alam, Selangor, mid-September. Set to
revolutionise the fertility scene in Malaysia,
IVFkasih is aimed at reaching out to more
childless couples, allowing them to be
treated at a younger age with less delay.
Currently, in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
treatment in Malaysia is mostly funded by
couples themselves and it is a category of
treatment that falls outside insurance
coverage.
Although government-funded IVF
treatments are available, they are
insufficient in meeting the demands
of Malaysians.
Subfertility affects one in every 10 couples
worldwide. The cost of IVF treatments in
Malaysia can reach RM25,000, which is
enough to deter many childless workingclass couples from seeking IVF treatment.
Most will have to save for years to seek a
single IVF cycle.
In general, one in 10 couples grapple with
some form of fertility issues. While there is
no data available for Malaysia, it is estimated
that about 800,000 couples have subfertility.
In developed countries, the prevalence
seems to be higher about one in six
In vitro fertilisation is a widely preferred treatment that enables couples with fertility issues to
start a family.
couples. This is possibly due to lifestyle

changes and couples starting families late.
IVFkasihs low-cost IVF programme
employs an innovatively different
approach to treatment, thus reducing
cost while maintaining success rates
comparable to the standard IVF
programme.
Its full-service IVF programme includes
low-intensity ovarian stimulation,
monitoring, clinical and laboratory
procedures, which are outsourced to
Sunfert Internationals dedicated team of
fertility specialists and embryology
laboratory to ensure a proper environment
for the growth of the fertilised eggs to

generate good pregnancy rates.
IVFkasihs full-service IVF programme
includes:
l First consultation
l Stimulation phase
l Monitoring
l Egg collection
l Embryology laboratory procedures
l Freezing of embryos
l Embryo transfer
l Pregnancy test
n For more information, call 03-5511 3211

or e-mail info@kasih.com.
Curvy and
confident
SOME women are not shy about flaunting
their curves. One may wonder what is the
secret to confident curves.
The secret is to get your body to look fit
and strong, not thin and underfed. Feeling
good about your body is so much more
than the clothes or the make-up you wear.
For most of us, making an effort to look
good makes us feel good internally, thus
boosting self-esteem and confidence.
However, poor diets, lack of exercise,
office-oriented and sedentary lifestyles
are contributing factors to becoming
overweight.
Nevertheless, help is available. A wide
variety of weight management strategies
are available and some involve the use of
dietary supplements.
Garcinia cambogia
Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) extracted from
garcinia is among the current natural
products used for obesity and weight
control.
The fat stored in the body is actually the
product of unused energy or glucose, which
is converted by enzymes into fat deposits in
the body. HCA extracted from garcinia can
block these enzymes and prevent the
formation of these fat deposits.
By blocking these enzymes, HCA allows
the body to burn stored fat cells by
breaking down their protective proteins,
thus increasing metabolism rate and fat
burning.
HCA also increases the release of
serotonin in the brain and influences the
neuropeptide Y function, thereby
suppressing appetites and the desire to
binge-eat fatty and sweet foods.
HCA from garcinia results in the
reduction of visceral fat (the fat stored
within the abdomen or around a number
of important internal organs) and
subcutaneous fat (the fat that is stored
under the skin).
HCA also reduces belly fat, waist and hip
circumferences. Along with lowering LDL
(low-density lipoprotein), also referred to as
bad cholesterol and triglycerides, HCA also
Garcinia cambogia, raspberry and

green tea have various properties
that aid in weight management and
weight loss.
increases HDL (high-density lipoprotein),

commonly known as good cholesterol.
Raspberry
Raspberry has been used throughout the
centuries for nutritional and medicinal
purposes. The ketone compounds contained
in raspberry have anti-obese functions.
They reduce the absorption of dietary fat
and increase lipolysis (the breakdown of fat)
in fat cells and thermogenesis (may help
increase metabolism slightly for a few hours
after you take them, resulting in the body
burning more calories even when resting).
Green tea
Green tea is considered a medicinal
beverage. It contains polyphenols such
as catechin that reduce the absorption of
dietary fat, subsequently reducing fat
accumulation in the body.
Besides that, another ingredient in green
tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), is said to
increase resting metabolism and stimulate
fat-burning.
This informational article is brought to
you by Herbs of Gold.
n For more information, call 1800 18 3288.
your health 11
Assessing child
psychology
WHEN James was three years
old, he was reluctant to
participate in games or talk with
other children in school. Initially,
his parents thought it was due to
his overly shy personality.
By the age of five, James
teachers commented that he
hardly maintained eye contact
during conversations, frequently
did not complete his school tasks
and had the tendency to rub his
inner thighs whenever he was
nervous.
Concerned, his parents
consulted their family doctor,
who referred them to the
International Psychology Centre
(IPC).
A child psychological
assessment conducted by a
team of child psychologists at IPC
revealed that James has autism
spectrum disorder, which
affects his learning and social
behaviour.
The psychologists also
carried out some laboratory tests,
including testing for the presence
of heavy metals. James hair test

revealed high levels of mercury,
which is toxic to brain cells.
A genetic test also revealed
that the boy has a mutation in his
glutathione production gene.
Glutathione production is critical
in detoxifying the body of a
number of toxic chemicals that
have entered our body from food
and the environment, including
heavy metals.
As James was not able to
produce the necessary level of
glutathione, the psychologists
recommended a diet change
containing minimal seafood,
which tends to be a high source
of mercury especially in fishes
such as tuna, red snapper and
tilapia.
The diet also emphasised
reducing food that causes gut
dysbiosis as his gut was not able
to eliminate toxins properly. The
diet included sugar-free,
dairy-free and gluten-free foods.
Detoxification supplements such
as glutathione and
Beware of
tech risks
AS a tech-savvy society,
we have become accustomed to
constantly being plugged in
whether we are facing computer
screens at work, updating social
media on our phones, listening
to music on an iPod or watching
television on these gadgets have
become important in our
day-to-day lives.
Although this has undoubtedly
increased the quality of life in
many ways, excessive use of
gadgets can be detrimental to
health, especially when it comes
to:
l Vision Do you ever find
that your eyes feel dry or
strained, or that your vision
starts to blur, when you have
been on the computer for a few
hours? It is possible to overwork
your eyes behind the screen.
This is known as computer
vision syndrome and it is
surprisingly common, albeit
temporary.
It happens because we do not
blink as often as needed to keep
the front surfaces of the eyes
moist and clean when using
gadgets at a close distance,
causing the eyes to dry out.
Looking at things up close also
causes the eyes to converge
slightly as the pupils contract
and eye muscles adjust the size
of the lenses.
It is no wonder that health
professionals and mothers
everywhere remind us to take
breaks from screen time
prolonged use keeps the eyes
converged for a long time, which
strains the eye muscles and

causes headaches.
What you can do: Avoid
reading on small screens and
use darker backgrounds and
screens to reduce the contrast
with text. Take breaks from your
computer to rest your eyes and
dont forget to blink.
l Musculoskeletal function
You may have heard of the term
text neck, which refers to the
pain felt in the neck from long
periods of staring down at your
phone. When the head tilts
forward and down, extra
pressure is placed on the
cervical spine, which can cause
its wear and tear over time and
lend to poor posture.
Young people are already
beginning to exhibit symptoms
of tech-related musculoskeletal
damage. The British Chiropractic
Association found that almost
half of the 16- to 24-year-old
population in the United
Kingdom suffers from neck and
back pain as a result of sitting
with gadgets for too long.
Besides that, continually
exerting pressure on the wrists
and fingers while operating a
keyboard and mouse can induce
repetitive strain injury, which
not only causes pain but can
impair function of affected
muscles.
> SEE PAGE 12
N-acetylcysteine were also

recommended.
After ensuring his mercury level
had been reduced, the psychologists
at IPC carried out behavioural
psychotherapy with James.
Through applied behaviour
analysis (ABA), James is now able to
learn life skills more easily, process
complex tasks, maintain eye
contact, and interact like the
average five-year-old.
According to Dr Daniel Amen,
Healthy brains help with treating and changing behaviour.
recipient of the distinguished

award of the American Psychiatrist
Association, before treating and
changing behaviour, we must first
treat the brain.
Trained and licensed by him, the
psychologists at IPC follow his
methods in conducting treatments,
which include ensuring patients
brains are healthy before they
treat their behaviour.
This article is contributed by

ChildPsych, Centre for Children
and Adolescence Psychology of
International Psychology Centres
team of psychologists and
psychonutritional therapists.

03-7982 4424, e-mailChildPsych@
Psychology.com.myor visit
www.psychology.com.my.
12 your health
A RESEARCH published in Annals

of Internal Medicine last year
showed that a spare tyre around
the midriff of an otherwise
average-sized body is more
dangerous than having an even
distribution of fat all over the body.
The research shows that people
who have a spare tyre are more
exposed to the risk of mortality
compared to those who are obese
or have a pear-shaped body.
Keeping waist circumference to
less than half of a persons height
can help increase life expectancy.
A spare tyre or central obesity is
the accumulation of visceral fat
around internal organs, including
the liver, pancreas and kidneys. It
is associated with insulin
resistance, which can lead to
diabetes.
It can also lead to high levels of
cholesterol and blood fat, which
Waist loss over weight loss

can lead to heart-related issues and
other health problems that can
contribute to an early death.
The solution to this problem is to
reduce the size of your spare tyre
to add years to your life. However,
this may be challenging as
sometimes the usual methods of
counting calories, staying away
from carbohydrates, swapping
sandwiches for salads and
exercising regularly may not
show results.
There could be a reason your
spare tyre remains persistent no
matter how closely you follow your
diet or exercise regimes.
If your spare tyre is resistant to
both diet and exercise sessions,
leptin resistance might be the

problem. Often referred to as
the satiety hormone or the
starvation hormone, leptin is a
hormone that is produced by your
bodys fat cells.
When your leptin level rises, it
signals to your body that you have
enough fat stored, reducing hunger
that causes you to stop eating and
subsequently burning calories at a
normal rate.
A person who has a spare tyre
has higher leptin levels than
average-sized people. However, the
leptin signal may not be working
due to a condition known as leptin
resistance. This condition causes
you to eat more, crave more and
Central obesity has shown to be

more life-threatening compared
to having an even distribution of
fat all over the body and being
pear-shaped.
suffer from endless hunger

pangs, but with low levels of
calories burnt.
Caralluma fimbriata is a
cactus-like plant with longstanding use as a food in India.
This cactus was eaten by local
tribes to ward off hunger during
long foraging trips in the forests.
According to a research that
was carried out and published in
Appetite in 2007, this
standardised extract of
Caralluma fimbriata has
produced results of reduced
appetite, waist and hip
circumference, as well as BMI
(body mass index) and body fat
in two human clinical trials.
The natural extract of

this Indian cactus can enhance
leptin sensitivity and encourage
waist loss. It has a dual,
complementary property that
is useful in rebalancing the
sense of fullness as well as
hunger and fat management.
It also helps suppress
appetite, providing adults
with the ability to maintain a
consistent caloric intake, even
while burning more calories.
An all-natural extract of
Caralluma fimbriata has
received a GRAS (generally
recognised as safe) status that
is licensed by USFDA (United
States Food and
Administration). It is a safe and
effective way to help adults of
all ages maintain a healthy
weight with diet and exercise.
Using Caralluma
fimbriataextract as part of your
waist-loss strategy will allow
you to feel more energetic after
the waist loss.
This article is brought to you
by an in-house pharmacist at
Cambert (M) Sdn Bhd.

call 1300 88 1712 or e-mail
ask-prime@cambert.com.my.
Move around or stand while using portable gadgets to reduce time spent
behind a desk.
Sitting doesnt help

> FROM PAGE 11
What you can do: Look up
adjust your screens to eye level
and sit upright in your chair.
Perform simple stretches or get
up and walk around every half
an hour when working on the
computer for long periods of
time to ensure you are not
straining the same muscles and
bones.
l Obesity Possibly one of the
greatest qualms about technology
is that it has allowed us to get
comfortable leading sedentary
lifestyles.
The average office worker sits
down for close to seven hours
every day and, unless he has an
exercise plan, does not effectively
burn the calories he consumes.
As a result, excess calories are
stored as body fat and he begins
to gain weight.
In 2012, research by
independent economic think
tank Milken Institute found a
1% increase in obesity rates for
every 10% rise in country

spending on information and
communications technology.
This was attributed to dramatic
changes in portion sizes and
eating patterns, proving that the
lack of exercise is not the only
factor at play here heavy
technology use has been
observed to alter eating patterns,
and we ultimately eat much
more than we should.
Obesity could also mark
the beginning of other
non-communicable diseases such
as cardiovascular complications
and diabetes.
What you can do: Be mindful
of the time you spend sitting
down at your desk and plan your
diet based on your energy needs.
Use standing desks at intervals if
your office is equipped with
them.
Most importantly, make sure
that you perform some form of
physical activity every day so
your time is not spent exclusively
with your gadgets.
ON being married for 12 years,

Marie N shares, We are the ideal
pair in the eyes of many. We
nurtured our 12 years of marriage
with respect for each other,
sharing household and family
responsibilities together. Tom and I
are best friends.
We like each other, but lately I
am worried that one day, our
relationship will be in jeopardy.
For the past few months, I am not
able to love him enough. I cant
fulfil his requests of intimacy.
Marie admits that she gives
excuses that she is too tired, has
had a long day or even that she is
not feeling well to push her
husband away.
He is disappointed every time
he is rejected but I cant help it. I
am just not up for it. I cant
pretend that I enjoy our
togetherness when I dont. Is it me,
your health 13
Hormone harmony
is it stress or am I sick?, she asks.
Whether you love or like a
person, the foundation of a strong
and happy marriage cannot be
built without the element of
intimacy between couples.
Research has shown that couples
are the happiest when they are
sexually intimate once a week. In
fact, a healthy woman should enjoy
her sexual life into her 60s and
beyond.
Hormonal imbalance plays an
important role in creating issues in
sexual interest, causing women to
lag in their sex life. Women do not
need to be undergoing menopause
to have hormonal problems.
These days, as high as 43% of
Juices for
a healthy
you
EATING whole fruits and
vegetables has its limitation.
Nutrients are only absorbed
after our digestive system has
broken down the tough plant
cell walls, making the process
slow and inefficient.
One of the benefits of juicing
is the increase in daily intake
of fruits and vegetables and
their nutrients.
While juice should not be a
replacement for whole fruits and
vegetables, it complements an
overall healthy diet one cup of
fruit juice counts as one fruit
serving in the nutritional
pyramid.
Make sure you do not confuse
juices made with added sugars,
artificial blends and sweeteners
for real juice. The powerful
health benefits of juice lie in
those that are 100% juice.
Research published in the
American Journal of Health
Promotion showed that
adolescents who drank any
amount of 100% juice had lower
intakes of total dietary fat and
saturated fat as well as higher
intakes of key nutrients,
including vitamin C and B6,
folate, potassium and iron, than
those who did not.
Preparing real juice

Now that you understand the
benefits of real juice, you should
choose a juicer that can make
the best-quality real juice.
According to a report
published in September 2014
by Consumer Reports, Kuvings
Whole Slow Juicer was rated
the Worlds Best Slow Juicer for
motor performance, convenience
and juice yield.
In terms of design, Kuvings
was the first to patent the
wide-mouth whole fruit juicing
function. To achieve this, it
has the strongest motor among
slow juicers.
Kuvings Whole Slow Juicers
strong crushing action is able to
homogenise tough plant cell
walls into readily absorbed
nutrient-carrying cells. These
cells are absorbed 12 times
faster, which explains the surge
of energy felt after drinking a
glass of freshly made green juice.
Studies conducted in NUC
Electronic BioNutrient Lab in
Daegu, South Korea, found that
juice produced using the Kuvings
Whole Slow Juicer contained
four times more nutrients than
the average juicer.
With the Kuvings Whole Slow
Juicer, you can turn ordinary
fruits and vegetables into an
extraordinary diet for your
family. It makes consuming
fruits and vegetables easy,
accessible and fun.
Kuvings Whole Slow Juicer
was recognised as the best slow
juicer by two leading parenting
magazines BabyTalk and
MamaPapa and received the
coveted Natural Healths Readers
Choice Award for 2015.
Kuvings Whole Slow Juicer is
available in Harvey Norman,
Best Denki, Isetan, Cold Storage,
Jasons Food Hall, Mercatos, Aeon
Big, Tesco, HomePro, LiveItUp
and Tan Boon Ming Sdn Bhd.

03-5885 4151.
women between the ages of 18 and

50 are lagging in their sexual
interests. The oestrogen and
testosterone hormones are found
to be culprits that lead to sexual
intimacy problems, which very
often is the cause of a strained
relationship.
Other signs of oestrogen and
testosterone imbalance are
frequent feelings of depression,
anxiety, lack of interest, lack of
vigour and being temperamental.
Do not let sweet moments with
your partner be affected by your
hormones. Normalising your
hormone levels will help you
to regain your loving relationship
with your partner, making
you happier.
Eight weeks of treatment
with Libifem is clinically
proven to increase the
levels of oestrogen and
testosterone in women.
The natural Libifem
is a non-hormonal,
nutraceutical remedy
made from fenugreek
seed extract, which can
help boost moods,
vitality and energy.
n For more
information, call
1300 88 1712 or e-mail
ask-prime@cambert.
com.my.
Libifem aids
in increasing
oestrogen
and
testosterone
levels in
women as
hormone
imbalance is
found to be
one of the
culprits that
lead to
sexual
intimacy
problems.
14 your health
Minus
the taboo
Having honest conversations about sex with your partner is the first step in properly approaching the topic of STIs.
IN cultural melting pots such as

Asia, issues relating to sexual
health are most of the time still
shrouded in secrets and taboos.
Sexually transmitted infections
(STI) continue to be talked about
behind closed doors and in
hushed tones in doctors offices.
Both the nature of STIs and
how communities react to it have
come a long way, with the former
evolving in first-contact diagnosis
and treatments and the latter in
acceptance and awareness levels.
However, the step to take it
further by removing all social
stigmas surrounding STIs and
treat them like any other medical
issue is yet to be taken.
While medicine and treatment
of STIs, first-contact diagnosis
and awareness levels have
shown success rates globally, the
number of STI cases is still on the
rise.
The World Health
Organization (WHO) reported
that more than one million
infections are acquired every day
worldwide.
Each year, there are an
estimated 357 million new cases
of one of these STIs chlamydia,
gonorrhoea, syphilis and
trichomoniasis. This number is
more than 11 times the
population of Malaysia alone.
Consultant obstetrician and
gynaecologist Dr Vigneswaren
Ponnudurai says patients who
usually seek private healthcare
tend to be well-informed and
accepting of the situation. He
says that he usually has no issues
educating his patients about STIs.
However, according to the
Health Ministry, this health issue
is grossly underreported here in
Malaysia. Part of the problem
could include:
l Lack of the right
conversations about sex
Conversations about sex often
take place in a flippant manner.
The right conversation
between sexually active partners
should involve sexual history,

current sexual practices, use of
protection and past or present
symptoms.
l The general assumption
that STIs are brought on by
promiscuity Being in a
monogamous relationship does
not mean one partner did not get
it from a previous partner.
There are instances where a
first sexual encounter was all it
took to infect an individual.
There is also a rare type of
bacteria that mimics similar
symptoms of herpes but is in
fact non-herpetic. One can get
infected by these non-herpetic
bacteria through unhygienic
public toilets and unsterilised
instruments.
l Having little or no sexual
education as a nation We
often hear jokes and learn
about sex and STIs from
unreliable sources.
Cultural sensitivities that need
to be respected have also led
many to generally avoid or feel
uncomfortable when it comes to
opening up about sexual matters.
Topics such as sex outside
marriage and multiple sexual
partners in conversations are
quickly hushed. This can cause
much stress in relationships and
hamper the overall sexual health
of a couple.
Underreporting
Another possible reason for
the low numbers in reported
cases of STIs could be the lack of
symptoms in an infected patient.
The United States Center for
Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) reported that the terms
STD (sexually transmitted
disease) and STI are often used
interchangeably but that,
medically, infections are only
called diseases when they cause
symptoms. Many STIs do not.
> TURN TO PAGE 17
Getting your partner involved

l Get over the fear. As
research suggests, there are
probably more people suffering
from it than we actually know.
This means it is quite possible
for someone in your circle of
family and friends to have an
STI.
l Have the conversation. It
is the duty of every individual
to inform of symptoms or a
positive diagnosis when getting
involved with a
new partner.
l When initialising
conversation, try not to make
it all doom and gloom. This is
really an exchange of
information.
l Take comprehensive steps
to combat it. This might mean a
change in lifestyle, including

the choice of sexual partners,
taking precautions and
planning sexual encounters.
l If infected, couples can
schedule their sexual
intercourse for after the initial
stage of diagnosis because this
is where the symptoms are at
their worst.
Moreover, Dr Vigneswaren
says that couples should wait
until after the worst is over
before deciding to get pregnant
because the medication
involved in treating the
infections cannot be applied
to pregnant women.
Although the infections will
not harm the mother or baby,
the medicines or cream might.
your health 15
Louise Lee, who suffered from knee and lower back pain, has found relief through Ebene Bio-Ray
Knee Guard and Ebene Bio-Ray 3-in-1 Body Shaping Belt.
Finding relief
and support
FOR many years, Hong Kong actress Louise

Lee Si-kei had chronic knee pain that
worsened whenever she walked up or
down the stairs. This would result in her
legs feeling weak when walking.
When I was on the set of the drama,
Heart of Greed, I experienced knee pain. I
searched high and low for relief from knee
pain with a medicine-free knee support
option, she says.
When Lee was first introduced to Ebenes
joint and body support products, she was
sceptical about how such products could
ease a persons pain quickly and efficiently.
I chose to give Ebene Bio-Ray Knee
Guard a try, which proved to be a wise
choice. After I started using it, my knee pain
dissipated and I was able to walk with ease
again and without pain.
Thanks to Ebene Bio-Ray Knee Guard,
daily living has improved and I can now
stand or walk for long hours without feeling
pain, she says.
Lee also suffered from lower back pain.
According to her, working on set can be
intense as it often involves standing for
long hours.
Lower back pain had been my long-term
companion, but since I started using Ebene
Bio-Ray 3-in-1 Body Shaping Belt, my lower
back pain went away and has not come
back, says Lee.
Easing pain in the knees

Besides Ebene Bio-Ray Knee Guard, the
brand also offers Ebene Bio-Ray Metal
Support Knee Guard, which features soft
and flexible internal metal for ideal support.
The functions of Ebene Bio-Ray Knee
Guard and Ebene Bio-Ray Metal Support
Knee Guard include:
l Stimulating blood and oxygen
circulation in the knees and legs, thus
relieving stiffness and soreness
l Supporting and providing energy to
knee joints especially when walking up or
down the stairs
l Helping to improve the supply of
nutrients in the body to strengthen knee
bones and soft tissues to prevent brittle
knee bones
I chose to give Ebene

Bio-Ray Knee Guard a
try, which proved to
be a wise choice. After
I started using it, my
knee pain dissipated
and I was able to walk
with ease again and
without pain.
Louise Lee Si-kei
l Relieving rheumatism and arthritic pain

as well as reducing water retention
l Providing knee support
The Ebene Bio-Ray Knee Guard is suitable
for individuals who:
l Suffer from joint pain, especially the
elderly
l Do not have knee problems but wish to
maintain and improve the bone and soft
tissues of the knee to prevent bone-related
ailments that come with old age
l Are athletes or play sports as it relaxes
leg muscles for greater comfort and better
running speed
l Have to stand for long hours
The Ebene Bio-Ray Metal Support Knee
Guard is catered to people who:
l Require stronger support for knee joints
l Suffer from severe chronic knee pain,
have old knee injuries or need post-surgery
care
l Undergo long hours of intensive
physical training or exercise
Ebene Bio-Ray Knee Guard and Ebene
Bio-Ray Metal Support Knee Guard are
available in stores such as AA Pharmacy,
Aeon, Aeon Wellness, Big Pharmacy, Caring,
George Town, Guardian, Pacific, Sunshine,
The Store, Vitacare and Watsons.
n For more information, call 03-8736 8122.
16 your health
Work meets workout

THE sitting disease is becoming a
global concern as our lifestyle is
modernised by the latest tools and
gadgets that make our daily tasks
more convenient to suit our hectic
lifestyle.
Sitting disease is a term used
to describe the condition of an
individual who does not engage
in enough physical activity to be
healthy.
Research has linked sitting for
long periods of time with a number
of health risks. These include
obesity, diabetes, high blood
pressure, cancer, stroke and
cardiovascular diseases such as
coronary heart disease and heart
attack.
Most health professionals
recommend walking 10,000 steps
a day as it is the ideal goal to
improve your health as well as
reduce health risks caused by
inactivity.
According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), 60% to 85%
of the population worldwide does
not engage in enough physical
activity, making physical inactivity
the fourth leading risk factor for
global mortality.
To reduce excessive sitting,
especially in the office and at
home, the new NordicTrack
According to the
World Health
Organization,
60% to 85% of
the population
worldwide does not
engage in enough
physical activity,
making physical
inactivity the
fourth leading risk
factor for global
mortality.
Deskmill is the preferred choice
as it permits you to work and
workout simultaneously, increasing
your productivity and improving
your health and fitness levels
gradually.
Revolutionary design
Produced by an American brand,
the Deskmill is revolutionarily the
best of both worlds to date. This is
because it incorporates a working
desk and a treadmill, making it a
versatile, innovative fitness

equipment that allows individuals
to walk or jog in comfort on its
long-cushioned deck while getting
work done.
Other innovative features
include:
The revolutionary SpaceSaver
design that allows the Deskmill
to fold up vertically when you
want to sit or stand, and comes
back down when you are ready
to run.
The power-adjustable incline

that digitally adjusts the
Deskmills incline with a touch
of a button. The incline can be
increased to activate specific
muscle groups and burn more
calories.
The adjustable desk height that

allows you to adjust between
26 and 42 inches to accommodate
multiple heights for sitting,
standing, walking or running.
The desktop controls that are

easy to reach as the LCD
(liquid crystal display) console is
built right into the desktop. Three
readouts display your time,
distance, calories per hour, incline
and speed.
NordicTrack Deskmill allows you to work and workout simultaneously,

which aids in increasing productivity as well as improving health and fitness.
The desktop that is sized at

40 inches by 18 inches, is
one-inch thick and made from
a solid composite that is protected
with an attractive mahogany wood
grain laminated for a surface that
looks great and performs
beautifully.
Fitness Concept
The NordicTrack Deskmill is now
available exclusively at all Fitness
Concept outlets nationwide.
Fitness Concept is the largest
fitness specialist chain store as
certified by The Malaysia Book of
Records with 45 outlets in leading
shopping malls nationwide,
retailing home fitness equipment
and accessories by worldrenowned brands such as
NordicTrack, Reebok, Adidas,

Proform, Cybex, LifeFitness,
Nautilus, Schwinn and many more.
Fitness Concept is running a
nationwide mega sale promotion
with exciting savings on various
branded treadmills, cross trainers,
exercise bikes, gym stations and
fitness accessories.
Be the first to enjoy the
NordicTrack Deskmill bundle with
the NordicTrack Premium Cardio
Set. Terms and conditions apply.
Visit nearest Fitness Concept stores
or roadshows to try the
NordicTrack Deskmill.
n To shop online, visit www.

fitnessconcept.com.my. For more
information, e-mail enquiries@
fitnessconcept.com.my or call
03-8026 2222.
Daily nourishment
WHILE genetics may contribute to higher
cholesterol levels, regular consumption of
Malaysias favourite dishes such as fried
kuey teow, nasi biryani and satay can
significantly add to a persons cholesterol
level.
But did you know that 3g of beta-glucan
daily can help reduce cholesterol? Foods
high in beta-glucan contain a soluble fibre
that may help reduce blood cholesterol levels
and stabilise blood sugar.
In addition to a balanced diet and regular
exercise, start your day healthy and get your
daily intake of fibre with Guardians Mixed
Grains and Oats 30+.
Made from high-quality oat bran powder
imported from Sweden, this healthy drink
contains additional ingredients such as
brown rice, barley and chia seeds.
Both oat bran powder and barley are
known to be good sources of beta-glucan
while chia seeds contain plenty of plantbased nutrients that are good for your body.
The brown rice with bran and germ layers
also provides additional goodness to this
already tasty drink.
You can be sure you have made the right
choice with each

cup of Mixed
Grains and Oats
30+ as it is
cholesterol and
trans-fat free, has
no added colouring,
contains very low
amounts of sodium
and is suitable for
vegetarians.
Rich in dietary
fibre, Guardians latest
product is also an excellent source of
protein that is essential for growth and
development. Protein is also an important
nutrient that helps to build and repair body
tissue.
When it comes to managing health-related
problems, prevention is always better than
cure. Available at all Guardian stores
nationwide, a 500g tin of Mixed Grains and
Oats 30+ retails at RM49.90.
n This article is brought to you by your

partner in health, Guardian Health and
Beauty Sdn Bhd.
your health 17
Wholegrains
can be delicious
GRAINS are a staple food for many people
around the world. Every grain starts life as a
wholegrain and is the entire seed of a plant.
Wholegrains in natural form are nutritious
and offer various health benefits.
For example, brown rice is made up of
three major parts the bran, the germ and
the endosperm.
Bran is the outer layer of the grain, which
provides 29% of the nutrients, including
fibre, vitamins and minerals.
Germ is the smallest part of the grain that
provides 66% nutrients, including dietary
fibre, protein, vitamins B1, B2, B6 and E, and
minerals such as iron, calcium and zinc.
Endosperm is the main part of the grain
that contains 5% nutrient, which is mainly
starch (sugar).
People mostly choose to eat white rice as a
staple food during breakfast, lunch or
dinner. In fact, refined grains have been
milled to remove 95% of the nutritious parts,
leaving only the starch that is called white
rice.
People tend to eat white rice as it is soft
and cooks easily compared with brown rice,
which is rough and hard to chew.
Eating wholegrains instead of refined
grains provides for overall health, lowers the

risk of many chronic diseases such as
cardiovascular problems and Type 2
diabetes, and helps in weight maintenance.
The benefits are most pronounced for those
consuming at least three servings daily.
Wholegrains give many the perception of
an unappetising flavour. However,
GoodMorning Vplus 18 Grains is a healthy
and nutritious wholegrains drink with a
heart-warming and delicious taste.
Vplus 18 Grains is the ideal nutritional
formula made up of 18 types of wholegrain
coarse rice, corn grits, soybean, red rice, red
bean, barley, mung bean, garbanzo bean,
brown bean, almond, green bean, lotus
seeds, black soybean, white wheat, organic
millet, black sesame, organic glutinous rice
and organic flaxseed.
It contains a high standard of vegetable
proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids, fats,
vitamins and minerals needed for proper
daily bodily functions.
Vplus 18 Grains also contains red beetroot,
which is rich in antioxidants and iron and
gives the drink its pink colour, while
seaweed calcium helps strengthen teeth and
bones.
Do not be afraid
to consult your
doctor about
you and your
partners sexual
health.
Taking precautions
> FROM PAGE 14
Dr Vigneswaren says that there are no
confirmed reported symptoms that occur in
other areas of the body besides the genital
area. Almost all symptoms of STIs occur in
the genital area for both male and female.
He also says that STIs typically do not
directly cause death and are rarely a threat
to pregnancy.
In Malaysia, a routine syphilis test is
done for women coming in to confirm a
pregnancy. If the syphilis test comes back
positive, a second test is carried out for
Good sexual health

Good sexual health begins with
getting tested. Here are a few steps
to achieving good sexual health:
l Go for regular check-ups and
actively listen and follow doctors advice
l Practise good personal hygiene
l Learn about combative products
(such as medications, hygiene washes
and condoms) and use them wisely
l Schedule sexual encounters to
when the worst stages of the infections
are over
l Use protection
confirmation and treatment is then quickly

administered. A HIV (human
immunodeficiency virus) test, on the other
hand, is optional.
According to the WHO, not treating the
disease or taking the necessary care are the
factors that can lead to serious and possibly
fatal complications.
Appropriate treatment of STIs at the first
contact between patients and healthcare
providers is, therefore, an important public
health measure.
Dr Vigneswaren says that a couple can
have a healthy sex life even after being
diagnosed with an STI as long as diagnosis
and treatment are carried out at an early
stage.
Moreover, a woman can have an entirely
incident-free pregnancy provided she is
diagnosed at an early stage and takes all the
necessary measures to cure it.
Having good sexual health is not a
natural phenomenon and involves good
decision-making.
Honest communication with partners,
doctors and even ourselves play an
important role as well. Together, we can
deal with it and lead a healthy STI-free life.
> SEE ALSO PAGE 20
The GoodMorning Vplus 18 Grains

drink contains 18 types of wholegrain
to provide you with a daily supply of
nutrients and fibre.
Fructooligosaccharide is a prebiotic to
increase friendly bacteria in the body. In
addition, water-soluble fibre helps to
increase fibre intake and improve blood
circulation and bowel movement.
Vplus 18 Grains drink is suitable for all
ages, including kids, adults, the elderly
and those with health problems. Every

cup of Vplus 18 Grains brings you and
your loved ones a step closer to better
health.
n For more information, call 1300 221

818/011-1100 1818.
18 your health
For your
well-being
HEALTH plays a greater role than ever
before in todays active and mobile society.
Illnesses affecting independence and
mobility will be a larger concern as our
population lives longer and therefore, good
nutrition becomes important for both our
body and quality of life.
Studies have found two very important
types of carotenoids, called lutein and
zeaxanthin, which are responsible for giving
plants their yellow and red-orange pigment.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only
carotenoids found in the eye and function as
antioxidants as well as filter out damaging
blue light, the highly energetic portion of
visible light. Lutein and zeaxanthin are
found in egg yolks, fruits and dark green
leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale.
However, studies have shown that a high
percentage of people are not meeting their
daily requirements of fruit and vegetable
intakes. Dietary supplements may help to
close up this dietary gap.
On average, nearly nine in 10 adults
spend more than two hours each day using
digital devices, can result in physical
discomfort after prolonged exposure to a
digital screen.
A formula that provides a natural source of

clinically tested lutein and zeaxanthin, among
other elements.
When driving, we are constantly focusing

and refocusing as objects approach. All these
strenuous activities cause fatigue.
Good practices include:
l Taking breaks when driving long
distances to reduce strain and fatigue.
l Wearing sunglasses when driving
during daytime to prevent glare.
l Wearing computer glasses that can help
reduce glare and improve relaxation.
Lutein and zeaxanthin were found to
improve contrast acuity thresholds,
suggesting improvements during activities
such as driving at night. Lutein has been
reported to protect against effects of longterm computer display light exposure in
healthy young adult subjects.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are naturally
concentrated in the macular region of the
human retina and eye lens. These
caroteinoids help to reduce the photooxidative damage to the eye by absorbing
and filtering out UV-light.
Fish oils provide essential fatty acids
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are
important for the cell membranes.
Eurobio Bio-Vizmax Soft Capsule is a
formula that provides a natural source of
clinically tested lutein and zeaxanthin, DHA
and EPA from fish oil, betacarotene, zinc and
other antioxidation nutrients such as
vitamins C and E, copper plus selenium.
The product is registered and approved by
the Health Ministry for safe consumption, is
suitable for long-term health
supplementation and formulated without
added preservatives, flavours, salt or sugars.
It is also certified halal by the Al-Iman
Islamic Society, Australia, which is
recognised by Jakim.
n This article is brought to you by

Medipharm Industries Sdn Bhd.
This is a supplement product advertisement.
KKLIU No.0912/2016
Tummy distress
BEN Fernandez has suffered from gastritis
for many years. Recently, his symptoms
significantly worsened.
He felt like he was being suffocated and
experienced a sour taste in his mouth as well
as a heavy head, gas and bloating.
One day, the chest pains got so bad that
Ben thought he might be having a heart
attack. At the hospital, tests showed that Ben
was suffering from acid reflux, a sign of
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
GERD and other gastrointestinal problems
such as ulcers, a gallbladder attack and
pancreatitis can all cause chest pain and
other symptoms that mimic those of a heart
attack.
Gastritis, GERD and stomach ulcers are
some of the ways our stomach signals
distress. Acid reflux is commonly described
as heartburn.
Acid reflux disease has risen by nearly
50% over the last decade. Symptoms include
abdominal discomfort, indigestion, bloating,
gas and upper abdominal pain.
Acid blockers
Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) or acid
blockers are the leading drug therapy for
upper gastrointestinal disorders, including
GERD, dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease.
As potent suppressors of gastric acid, PPIs
work by reducing acid production to enable
the digestive tract lining to heal.
Current guidelines recommend that PPIs
be used for only four to six weeks, after
which it should be withdrawn or adjusted to
a less-potent therapy.
In practice, long term and often lifetime
use is becoming the norm. This has led to
these drugs potential to cause adverse
effects and long-term harm due to their
profound acid suppression actions.
Natural therapeutics
In tandem with conventional treatment
methods, attention has also turned to
evidence-based natural therapeutics in the
battle against gastrointestinal disorders. One
in particular is a pine conifer green needle
extract known as Bioeffective A.
Prof Vladimir Bespalov, chief of Cancer
Chemoprevention at the N.N. Petrov Institute
of Oncology in St Petersburg led a study,

which looked at treatments to improve
pre-cancerous conditions of the stomach
(atrophic gastritis).
In this research, Bioeffective A was
administered to patients with atrophic
gastritis and compared to a control group.
Patients in the group treated with
Bioeffective A experienced a 92%
improvement in their dyspeptic symptoms
(GERD) such as gastritis, acid reflux, gas and
bowel disorders, a 58% improvement in
stomach functionality and a 46% reduction
in pre-cancerous stomach lesions.
New lease of life

Bens pharmacist suggested that he go
on Bioeffective A after noticing how he has
been regularly taking his acid-blocking pills
for at least a year now.
Ben started taking 320mg of Bioeffective A
three times daily as advised for a week
before reverting to a dose of 320mg twice
daily thereafter.
A month later, those days of feeling
bloated and anxiety were gone, as was
the burning sensations. He now sleeps
peacefully throughout the night without
the feeling of acid rising up to disturb him.
This article is brought to you by the
Nuvaceuticals Division of Nuvanta Sdn Bhd.

03-5636 3758/1300 88 1712 or e-mail
pharmacist@nuvanta.com.
Symptoms of
gastrointestinal
problems can
mimic those of
a heart attack.
your health 19
Right balance of
highs and lows
TO achieve a balanced life, we
need to nurture and keep the
balance of our body, mind and
soul. One of the ways to achieve
this balance is through consuming
healthy and nutritious food.
Milk is one of the most
nutritionally complete foods as it is
a good source of calcium, protein,
vitamins and other essential
nutrients.
It is naturally a good providerof
a whole range of nutrients
essential to growth, development
and maintenance of the
human body for all age groups.
Marigold HL Low Fat Milk,
Malaysias No.1 low fat milk, is
constantly aiming to provide more
benefits in its milk.
Every glass of Marigold HL Low
Fat Milk offers you the nutritious
goodness of wholesome milk. High
in calcium and protein, it is also
fortified with nine essential
vitamins A, B1, B3, B6, B12, C, D, E
and folic acid to give you the
nutrients needed to stay healthy
and active.
People who are lactose intolerant

may experience digestive
discomfort such as gas, bloating
and diarrhoea after drinking
regular milk.
Marigold HL Low Fat Milk
contains low fat and low lactose.
Therefore, it helps in weight
maintenance and is suitable for
people with lactose intolerance.
As plant sterols assist in blocking
cholesterol absorption by your
body, Marigold HL Low Fat Milk
with Plant Sterols can help lower
cholesterol levels.
Two glasses of Marigold HL Low
Fat Milk with Plant Sterols daily
provide 1.6g of plant sterol esters
to help you maintain your
cholesterol level at a healthy range.
Besides the plant sterols variant,
Marigold HL Low Fat Milk is also
available in plain, chocolate and
strawberry flavours.
You can enjoy Marigold HL Low
Fat Milk as it is, with cereals or
cookies, or make healthy low-fat
milk shake, smoothie or parfait
with it.
Marigold HL Low Fat Milk

comes in a few variants to
suit different tastes and
needs.
Health benefits of Marigold HL Low Fat Milk

1. Stronger bones and teeth
A diet rich in calcium, protein and vitamin D
contributes to bone health. Marigold HL Low Fat
Milk contains 25% more calcium and 56% more
protein than regular milk and is fortified with
vitamin D to help keep your bones stronger and
prevent osteoporosis.
It also keeps your teeth, nails and hair strong
and healthy.
2. Healthy muscle mass
Marigold HL Low Fat Milk contains the essential
protein to build and repair body tissues. It also
serves as a good post-workout drink for muscle
recovery and rehydration.
So start drinking this nutritious and delicious
Marigold HL Low Fat Milk after your next exercise
to give your body the nutrients it needs to recover

while replenishing it with fluids lost during your
workout.
3. Maintain a healthy weight
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy
foods is effective in helping to maintain a healthy
weight.
You can enjoy drinking Marigold HL Low Fat
Milk, which has 74% less fat compared to regular
milk, to help keep you slim and trim.
4. Easier on your tummy
Milk with a lower lactose level is easier on your
stomach, making it suitable for people with
lactose intolerance. Marigold HL Low Fat Milk
contains 74% less lactose than regular milk.
20 your health
Combination of
krill oil and EPO
ONE of the famous sources of
omega-3 is from krill oil. Krill is a
shrimp-like crustacean that lives in
very cold waters, especially around
Antarctica, and feeds on
microscopic algae.
Their diet leads to the oil
extracted from them to be rich in
omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA
(eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA
(docosahexaenoic acid).
The phospholipid form of EPA
and DHA from krill oil is better
incorporated into cells and tissues.

This makes the omega-3 in krill oil
significantly more bio-available
because it allows the direct
entrance of EPA and DHA into
the cells.
Omega-3 fatty acid in krill oil has
antioxidant properties for healthy
body development and functions.
In addition, omega-3 fatty acids
may reduce the risk of diseases.
Evening primrose oil (EPO), a
kind of herbal extract traditionally
used for a wide range of ailments,

is commonly used for womens
health. The oil is extracted from
evening primrose (Oenothera
biennis) plant seeds.
EPO contains a high amount of
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA),
including omega-6 fatty acids,
linolenic acid and gamma-linolenic
acid (GLA). They help stimulate
skin and hair growth as well as
regulate metabolism. EPO is one of
a few natural sources that contain
high amounts of GLA in the world.
Vitamode Superba Krill Oil Plus
EPO Softgel (MAL16015020NCR) is
a combination of krill oil and EPO
that provides you with both
omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids,
which are essential for your cell
growth and development.
Vitamode
Superba
Krill Oil Plus
EPO Softgel.
The ideal ratio of omega-3 and

omega-6 is 1:1 as the balanced
ratio is essential for the
maintenance of healthy cell
membranes and hormone
regulation.
Regardless of whether you are
a man or woman, getting
adequate amounts of essential
fats like omega-3 and omega-6
are crucial to help maintain your
overall health.
In summary, a balanced diet
that is rich in omega-3 and
omega-6 together with macro and
micronutrients are important for
growth and development among
women. Women also have to be
physically active by carrying
out exercise at least 150 minutes
per week.
Women are encouraged to

refrain themselves from taking
drugs, smoking and excessive
consumption of alcohol in order
to keep a healthy lifestyle.
Vitamode Superba Krill Oil Plus
EPO Softgel is available in
selected clinics and pharmacies
nationwide.
This article is brought to you by
Vitamode Sdn Bhd and Vitamode
Healthcare (Australia) Pty Ltd.

1300 800 228 or e-mail
enquiry@medispec.com.my.
This is a supplement product
advertisement.
KKLIU No.1160/2016
The common four

THERE are various types of sexually transmitted
infections (STIs), with the four common ones
being syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and
trichomoniasis. Seek medical attention if you
suspect you may have any of these infections,
as early treatment is best.
Syphilis
Syphilis is considered the most dangerous of
all STIs. The disease appears in stages and can
stay dormant in the infected person years after
it has been treated, giving it a chance for a
comeback. Therefore, it can cause long-term
effects if not treated properly.
Syphilis also has a wide range of symptoms
which sometimes makes it very difficult for an
individual to detect because they can mistaken
a symptom for something else. The smallest of
symptoms can look like an ingrown hair or a
harmless bump in your genital area and will
later spread to other parts of your body like
your hands and mouth.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia can cause very serious effects to
women, especially those who are pregnant.
The problem with chlamydia is that there will
be no symptoms at the initial stages.
Symptoms like abnormal discharge, burning
sensation, pain and bleeding will only show
up weeks later and is usually confined to your
genital area. Even with no symptoms, it can
cause a lot of damage to your reproductive
system.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis or trich, as it is
commonly known, is the most curable
of all STIs and is the one that has the least
symptoms if not none at all. Most infected
people may not be able to tell that they have
trich simply because of the lack of
symptoms.
Those who do have the symptoms, may
experience anything from mild irritation to
severe inflammation, although only 30% of
those with trich actually get symptoms
and it is still unclear why this is so.
Hence, the only way to detect if someone
has this STI is through a laboratory test.
Unlike gonorrhoea or chlamydia, trich
does not commonly affect other body parts
such as the hands or mouth.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is very much like its partner
chlamydia. This disease also does not show
any symptoms in the initial stages and similar
symptoms to chlamydia will only show up
much later. This disease, however, may
spread to other parts of your body.
The common aspects that bind the four

major STIs are:
l They are all caused by bacteria and are
contracted through direct contact, usually
sexually.
l Almost all the symptoms start at the
genital area. Some might progress to other
parts of the body.
l They can be cured.
your health 21
Ease with yeast

IRRITABLE bowel syndrome (IBS)
is a disorder that interferes with
normal bowel functions and has
various symptoms.
Some sufferers have stomach
discomforts with constipation
(IBS-C) while others have it with
diarrhoea (IBS-D). Some even
experience both, alternating
between the constipation and
diarrhoea w(IBS-M).
IBS-C sufferers experience
constipation with abdominal
discomfort, excess gas or bloating
at least three days a month over
the span of three months.
While not life-threatening,
IBS-C can affect your lifestyle due
to its constant cycle of discomfort
and distress. IBS-C is increasingly
affecting Malaysians, with an
estimate of 70% of IBS cases
being caused by IBS-C.
Although the exact cause of
IBS-C is unknown, there are a
few underlying pathological
reasons that explain the cause
of its symptoms. These include
intestinal inflammation,
altered digestive tract motility,
hypersensitivity of the digestive
tract, alterations in microflora
and bacterial overgrowth.
Drugs used for IBS-C are not to
cure but relieve its symptoms
during the attack. A prokinetic

group of drugs is commonly used
for IBS-C.
They work by stimulating the
peristaltic movement of the small
intestine and quickening the
stomachs emptying process, thus
relieving stomach wind, bloating
and pain.
However, prokinetic agents
have many side effects such as
headaches, dizziness, dry mouth,
nervousness, flushing or
irritability when used too often.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
CNCM I-3856 is now available
as a clinically proven, natural
alternative to drugs for IBS-C. It
helps relieve IBS-C symptoms
and alter the gut environment to
build a healthier gut that wards
off IBS-C attacks.
This yeast probiotic was
associated with a 34% reduction
in pain for people with IBS-C,
reported in the United European
Gastroenterology Journal last
year. Another study published in
the Digestive and Liver Disease
journal in 2014 reported a 63%
improvement in stomach pain
and discomfort with a 500mg
yeast probiotic intake a day.
Yeast probiotic (Saccharomyces
cerevisiae CNCM I-3856) aids in
Dry comfort
and protection
HUMANS have two types of
sweat glands. Eccrine glands
are distributed throughout the
body and responsible for
regulating body temperature
through the release of sweat
onto the bodys surface.
Also known as apocrine
glands, scent glands are found
in the armpits and groin.
Apocrine glands are mainly
responsible for body odour as
the sweat produced is high in
protein and fatty acids, which
easily breaks down bacteria.
Using anti-perspirants is the
most common and effective
form of treating excessive
sweating.
Perspirex anti-perspirants
are clinically proven to provide
safe, unequalled protection for
up to five days. Its patented
formulation is fragrance- and
stain-free and kind to sensitive
areas of the skin.
The main ingredient,
aluminium chloride, reacts
with water in the sweat glands
to form a deep keratin plug in
the gland. This plug seals the
sweat gland, temporarily
halting sweat production.
As dead skin cells on the
skin surface undergo shedding,
the plug is expelled, thus
reactivating the sweat gland.
It takes two to seven days for
this process to complete a cycle.
Perspirex enables you to
remain protected even when
you shower, swim or bathe, so

there is no need to reapply.
Perspirex is used before going
to bed as the sweat glands are
less active at night. For optimal
results, apply on completely dry
and unbroken skin, and let the
skin dry after application. Wash
off in the following morning with
soap and water.
For a start, use Perspirex every
night until you have achieved
the desired effect (usually within
a week).
For sensitive skin, apply every
second night for two weeks.
Thereafter, apply Perspirex two
to three nights a week or as often
as your body needs it. Do not use
the product within 48 hours after
hair removal.
The Perspirex Original
Antiperspirant Roll-on (25ml)
and Perspirex Antiperspirant
Hand and Foot Lotion (100ml)
are each retailed at RM59.90 at
Guardian Health & Beauty and
other leading pharmacies.
n For more information, contact

Perspirex.
generating short-chain fatty acids

(SCFAs), which display natural
prokinetic effects, moving the bowels
and relieving the bloating and pain.
It helps to increase stomach
resistance and pain by 39% and
allows the stomach to adapt to 50%
better distension, within 10 to 15 days.
Yeast probiotic helps reduce the
underlying issues of IBS by balancing
the bacteria colonisation in the
intestines, eliminating bad bacteria
such as Enterococci and Candida
albicans (bad yeast) and subsequently
reducing bowel inflammation.
Besides being natural, yeast
probiotics are also not sensitive to
antibiotics and are resistant to bile
and gastric juices.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM
I-3856 can be used long term without
any side effects at either two 250mg
capsules daily or one capsule twice
daily with an empty stomach.
Bring with you any empty Probiotic
bottle and a cut-off advertisement to
your nearest pharmacy and you can
enjoy up to 40% discount (at special
People with IBS

experience
constipation
with abdominal
discomfort,
excess gas or
bloating, which
may not be
life-threatening
but is
challenging
due to the
constant cycle
of discomfort
and distress.
price of RM40.10) until the end of

this year.
the in-house pharmacist at

call 1300 881 712 or e-mail
ask-prime@cambert.com.my.
22 your health
Increasing enzyme efficiency

RAW food contains the enzymes
needed to digest it. However, most
of us do not live on a raw food diet.
When we cook our food, the
enzymes in the food are destroyed
and our body has to make these
enzymes to digest our food.
This puts stress on our system
especially since people eat
processed foods high in calories
and fat. Digestive enzyme
supplements can aid in digesting
meals more efficiently and deliver
the nutrients from your food to
your body.
According to the article
published in Alternative Enzyme
Review in 2008, enzyme
supplements are clinically proven
to reduce the effects of bloating,
gas, occasional heartburn and acid
reflux.
Digestive enzymes help to
improve the conditions of Irritable
Bowel Syndrome (IBS), coeliac
disease, gluten intolerance, food
intolerance, non-alcoholic fatty
liver disease and stress.
When we are stressed, our
bodies are not equipped to digest
food as blood is diverted away
from the digestive tract, and to the
muscles and brain to focus on the
stressful jobs.
Digestive enzyme
supplements aid in
improving digestion.
endogenous enzymes required

to digest plant fibres,
supplementation provides humans
with an additional source of
nutrition and reduces the bulking
effect of fibrous foods.
Lipase breaks down lipids (fats
and oils), and poor digestion of fat
can lead to excessive fat in stools
(steatorrhea) and impaired
absorption of fat-soluble nutrients
such as essential fatty acids and
vitamins A, D, E and K.
Importance of digestive
enzyme potency
This means that digestive

enzymes will only be synthesised
and released when our body
finally relaxes. This is why we have
indigestion and gastric pain when
we are under stress.
Digestive enzyme supplements,
which contain proteases,
carbohydrases, cellulase and lipase
are effective in addressing
indigestion symptoms such as
abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting,
heartburn, bloating, flatulence and
loss of appetite.
Proper absorption of protein
is needed for energy and the
rebuilding of muscle and cell
tissue. Incomplete digestion of
sugars and starches can lead to
fermentation by gut bacteria.
This in turn may contribute to
many symptoms, including IBS,
diarrhoea, bloating and flatulence.
Cellulase breaks down cellulose,
a plant fibre found in fruits and
vegetables. Since humans lack the
Each enzyme is assigned their

own Food Chemicals Codex (FCC)
potency unit. For example,
Amylase (a carbohydrases enzyme
to breakdown starch), is measured
in Dextrinizing Unit (DU) while
Lactase, which helps to digest
lactose, a milk sugar, is measured
in Acid Lactase Unit (ALU).
This not only demonstrates the
potency or amount of activity of
each enzyme in a particular
product but also allows
comparison between different
FCC-labelled products.
Unfortunately, not all the
digestive enzyme supplements on
the market are labelled with their

potency unit because measuring
enzyme activity is a complex and
expensive task.
Most products just state the
weight of the enzymes, telling you
nothing about the actual activity.
That means you might choose a
digestive enzyme supplement that
contains 40mg of lipase over the
one that contains 20mg of lipase
because you would think that the
bigger dose of lipase would have
twice the activity.
However, every enzyme
preparation can have different
activities so you would not know
the real potency of the lipase dose
unless the FCC unit is stated.
This means if you choose a
digestive enzyme supplement that
states enzyme activity in FCC units
you are making an informed
decision.
Consult your healthcare
professional before taking
supplements.
Nuvanta.

call 03-5636 3758 or e-mail
pharmacist@nuvanta.com.
your health 23
Not a pause
to good health
MENOPAUSE can be a trying time. It is a
time when the body deals with hormonal
changes that in turn cloud physical and
emotional well-being.
The changes the body goes through due
to menopause signals a time when one
must pay close attention to potential health

problems that are prevalent as women get
older.
Here are some common health issues
post-menopausal women should
keep an eye on.
Osteoporosis
What about it?
Our bones constantly lose mass and gain
them back as a natural process. When
individuals are younger, the rate of bone
mass being rebuilt is higher than the rate
of bone mass loss resulting in stronger
bones.
However, as individuals get older, this
process occurs vice versa and contributes
to osteoporosis when bones become
porous and fragile.
Studies have shown that a drop in
oestrogen levels post-menopause
contributes to an increase in bone mass
loss, thus increasing the risk of developing
osteoporosis.
Women who suffer from osteoporosis
are more susceptible to fractures or bone
injuries even in a light fall. Women with
osteoporosis may also suffer from
vertebrate injury or develop a curvature
of the spine known as the Dowagers hump.
What do I do?
Women are encouraged to begin
adopting an active lifestyle at a younger
age.
Weight-bearing exercises such as
walking, hiking and jogging are shown
to help build strong bones.
On the other hand, reduce alcohol
consumption and quit smoking as these
are high-risk factors that contribute to the
early onset of osteoporosis.
Supplementing your diet with foods rich
in calcium and vitamin D will also help
boost calcium accumulation in your bones
and further strengthen them. This includes
dairy products, green vegetables, soy and
fish.
Alternatively, calcium-rich dietary
supplements are a great way to boost
calcium intake if you are lactose intolerant
or do not get the sufficient daily calcium
intake.
Heart disease
What about it?
Heart disease is still the leading cause of
death among Malaysian women and there
is a significant number of patients who fall
victim to this disease after menopause.
Menopausal women face increased risk
of getting heart disease, which is typically
attributed to unhealthy lifestyle habits such
as obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol
consumption, lack of exercise, high
cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.
High oestrogen levels in younger women
help to keep the inner walls of the arteries
more flexible, allowing blood vessels to
expand and relax to facilitate blood flow.
Women who have reached menopause
do not reap these positive effects as their
oestrogen levels have gone down
dramatically.
As a result, blood vessels and heart tissue
lose this protection and are now exposed to
damage caused by smoking, alcohol,
cholesterol and fats.
What do I do?
It is crucial for women to begin taking
charge of their cardiovascular health
once they reach menopause. Smoking is
one of the major risk factors for heart
disease, hence quitting will improve
cardiovascular health and blood
circulation.
Consume alcohol in moderation.
Women should also reduce foods that
are high in saturated and trans fats,
sodium and sugars. Instead, opt for foods
that are rich in dietary fibre, protein,
omega fatty acids, vitamins and
minerals.
Post-menopausal women should
also engage in mild to moderate
cardiovascular activities such as aerobic
exercises and brisk walks.
Relieving stress also goes a long way in
preventing stress-related heart disease.
Yoga is a great meditation and relaxation
technique for post-menopausal women.
Breast cancer
What about it?
Breast cancer is also a major cause of
death among women and is the No.1 cause
of cancer deaths among women in
Malaysia.
According to breastcancer.org, there are
at least 13 types of breast cancer that occur
among women.
The risk of breast cancer increases as a
woman ages. A study published in The
Lancet Oncology in 2012 found that there is
a higher risk of women developing breast
cancer if they reach menopause above 55
years of age due to a higher lifetime
exposure to oestrogen.
What do I do?
In general, women are advised to
maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet as well
as exercise often. Breast self-examinations
are efficient ways women can keep tab on
changes they can feel or observe on their
breast.
The best solution is to have yearly
check-ups with a physician and undergo
the necessary tests especially when
approaching the menopause stage.
It is also important to discuss with your
healthcare specialist your risk factors, how
you can reduce them, and preventative
options available as these differ from
patient to patient.
24 your health
Fix your vision

VISION correction surgery, or refractive and
laser eye surgery, is any surgical procedure
performed to correct vision problems.
In recent years, tremendous
advancements have been made in this field.
A new procedure called ReLEx SMILE is
gaining popularity.
Unlike conventional laser-assisted in situ
keratomileusis (Lasik), ReLEx SMILE does
not create flap and involves the use of only
one laser (the femtosecond laser).
Instead of vapourising cornea tissue to
correct the underlying short-sightedness and
astigmatism, ReLEx SMILE carves out a small
piece of corneal tissue called a lenticule and
removes it through a small keyhole incision
(about 2.5mm to 4mm).
This single-step, all-in-one-laser operation
only takes about 30 seconds to correct one
eye and the entire procedure can be
completed in about 15 minutes for both eyes.
This laser is fast and uses very low energy.
The procedure is odourless and silent,
causing minimal discomfort to patients.
Patients also feel more comfortable
because suction on the eye during treatment
is gentler. There is no frightening blackout
or bleeding (no red eye) during the
procedure or swelling of the eye after
treatment.
The smaller wound caused by minimally
invasive surgery results in a much stronger
eye and less immediate postoperative
discomfort and tearing.
A small incision also means fewer corneal
nerves are severed during the procedure,
leading to lower probability of dry eyes.
With no flap created, flap displacement or
dislodgement is not an issue. ReLEx SMILE is
a good option for those involved in contact
sports.
The collagen drink

by Pro Health
Medics contains
functional food
material that
improves dry skin,
aids in healing of
bone fracture and
enhances skin
suppleness.
Strengthen with collagen

In the ReLex SMILE procedure, the lenticule is
removed through a small incision and the
disruption to the biomechanics of the cornea
is minimal.
Most patients will experience a dramatic

improvement in their vision a day after the
surgery and then remain stable days after.
If the present direction and volume of
research is any guide, a large proportion of
tomorrows femtosecond technological
advances and discoveries will be based on
the mastery of treating refractive errors
without even touching the cornea.
All treatment will be intrastromal and
ReLEx SMILE is currently one of the most
advanced procedures available.
Choosing laser eye correction is not a
decision you should take lightly. Keep in
mind that it is still a surgical procedure that
carries surgical risk, although risk is very
small and the success rate is very high.
Have your eyes properly evaluated and
examined by the eye surgeon prior to
surgery and discuss all options and potential
risks in detail before making any final
choices.
n For more information, call KPJ Pusat Pakar

Mata Centre for Sight at 03-4022 6222 (KL) or
03-7804 4051 (PJ). KKLIU No.1416/2016
COLLAGEN is the most abundant protein in

the human body and is the substance that
holds the whole body together.
It is found in the tendons, muscles and
skin, where it forms a scaffold to provide
strength and structure.
Collagen is a part of the connective tissue
in the skin. It contributes to the firmness and
suppleness of the skin as well as constant
renewal of skin cells. Collagen is vital for
keeping the skin supple.
The skin ageing process is the process of
collagen loss, says Dr Fredric Sheldon
Brandt, who hosted a radio show called
Ask Dr Brandt on SiriusXM radio.
Pro Health Medics presents a new concept
for a collagen drink by combining 7,750mg
of high-quality, water-soluble and
low-molecular-weight fish collagen extract
from the scales, skin and bones of fish with
five-year fermented probiotics, which are
infused to boost absorption and efficacy.
Out of the 7,750mg of collagen, 500mg
are of a smaller-molecular-weight collagen,
called collagen tripeptide. It contains three
types of collagen: Type I, Type II and

Type III.
Collagen tripeptide is a highly purified,
non-antigenic and low-allergenic collagen
fraction. It is a functional food material
with several biological effects such as
improving dry skin, facilitating bone
fracture healing and increasing skin
suppleness.
Consuming a large amount of a
high-quality collagen is not as effective
unless it is absorbed into the body well.
Therefore, fermented probiotics (OM-X)
are added to enhance nutrients absorption
and detoxification.
Beauty components such as vitamin C,
hyaluronic acid, coenzyme Q10, elastin,
ceramide and royal jelly are added to
support the enhancement of overall
absorption. Thus promoting anti-ageing,
radiant skin and healthy joints.
n For more information, call 03-8023 2292

or visit the nearest Caring Pharmacy for a
free consultation on this product.
Caring for
your liver
ALTHOUGH the biological factors are still
being researched, it is known that women
face a great risk of developing liver disease.
For example, post-menopausal women
with lower oestrogen levels are at risk of
gaining more weight, which can lead to fat
accumulation in the liver. This toxic
condition can worsen from fibrosis to
cirrhosis, and eventually cancer.
The liver is a powerful organ that
performs more than 500 digestive and
metabolic functions, including processing
nutrients from the small intestine,
detoxifying chemicals, and producing
proteins for blood clotting as well as bile for
the digestion of fat and fat-soluble vitamins.
Without proper care, these vital functions
are interrupted while liver damage is slow
and quiet, it certainly poses a serious health
risk.
Here are some ways you can keep your
liver functioning well for a healthier,
happier life:
l Minimise alcohol intake As the liver
breaks down everything we eat and drink, it
plays a large role in detoxifying your body
when you drink alcohol. Thus, drinking too
much alcohol can overwork the liver,
destroy its cells and cause permanent
damage.
Alcohol-related liver damage can manifest
through deposits of fat in liver cells (fatty
liver disease), liver inflammation and mild
scarring (hepatitis), or advanced injury with
severe scarring that can disrupt the livers
structure (cirrhosis).
To avoid overworking your liver, do not
drink too much, too quickly or too often.
Long-term binge drinking is linked to
irreversible liver damage.
Women should remember that their
bodies absorb alcohol more efficiently
The wrong dosage or combination of medicines

can increase your risk of liver damage.
than men due to higher body fat, so their

intake should be lower. In fact, women face
a greater risk of developing cirrhosis as they
age even if they are non-drinkers.
l Control medicines Be careful when
taking cholesterol drugs and acetaminophen
(found in cold and pain medicines). The
chances of these damaging your liver are
increased if they are taken in certain
combinations or the wrong dosage.
Be sure to follow your doctors orders on
dosages and combinations to avoid the
potential liver-damaging side effects of
medicines.
l Protect against hepatitis Essentially
a viral infection of the liver, hepatitis is a
serious disease that can be transmitted
through infected food or water (hepatitis A)
or blood and body fluid (hepatitis B and C).
People can go years without knowing they
have this disease because the symptoms are
not obvious, but a simple blood test will be
able to determine your status.
You can protect yourself from hepatitis A
and B through vaccinations. However, the
best measures to avoid these viruses include
practising safe sex, maintaining personal
hygiene and getting screened from time to
time.
EATING too many rich foods such

as ketupat, rendang, satay, lemang
and curry can gradually take its toll
on the body and mind.
You may start to feel tired all the
time, sluggish, gain weight, have
difficulty concentrating and find
your digestive organs not
functioning optimally.
The liver especially takes a
beating when you overindulge as
this organ is responsible for
metabolising fats, removing wastes
and detoxifying the bodys system.
It is the livers job to get rid of
excess fat, protein and unnatural
chemicals found in food, the
environment, cosmetics and water
supply.
If the liver cannot eliminate
these toxins, they are stored in the
bodys fat and the result is weight
gain.
Other areas that are affected
when you overindulge include the
gallbladder, pancreas, small
intestine, nervous system,
endocrine system, heart and lungs.
Undergoing a detox can help you
achieve your health and fitness
goals.
There are a lot of misconceptions
surrounding detox diets. From
crash diets that shock your body
and only worsen your health to
flushing the body without
replenishing the system, fad detox
diets are everywhere.
It is important to note that
detoxing does not mean starving
your body or performing a flash
your health 25
Cleanse your body
Excessive consumption of rich food such as these Malaysian delicacies can

take a toll on your body.
sale on your digestive system.

For a detox to be successful, you
have to remove bad toxins, feed
your body with the right amount of
vital nutrients and support your
internal detoxification system. Not
only would these detoxify the body
effectively, it would also be more
beneficial to your health in the
long run.
Juvanex de-Carb 7-Day Program
is a complete cleansing and

rejuvenation programme that
helps to detoxify your body.
It is a combination of a natural
body-cleansing complex TotalCleanze, carb blocker called
de-Carb and premium whey
protein isolate. All of these natural
ingredients exert a powerful triplecleansing detox effect on the entire
body.
Total-Cleanze enhances your

bodys cleansing and elimination
functions by improving the
cleansing efficiency of the digestive
system and activating the livers
detox capability. It also contains
natural soluble fibres that cleanse
the colon while its probiotics
improve gut health.
On top of that, the natural herbal
extracts in Juvanex stimulate the
detoxification process in the liver,
thus accelerating its cleansing and
elimination actions against
harmful substances in the body,
allowing it to rejuvenate.
While on a cleansing
programme, it is important to keep
your blood sugar levels stable.
Carbohydrate blocker de-Carb is a
phytoextract complex that
regulates and normalises sugar
and carbohydrate absorption, thus
helping to manage sugar levels
effectively.
While most cleansing and detox
programmes tend to leave one
hungry and unsatisfied, Juvanex
de-Carb does not.
The premium whey protein
isolate keeps one satiated, thus
reducing calorie intake.
Juvanex de-Carb nourishes
the body with 23 vitamins and
minerals, allowing the cells to

rejuvenate quickly and
effectively. It includes unique
natural soluble fibres and
probiotics that ensure colon
and gut health.
It also contains essential
amino acids to repair and
renew cells, such as amino acid
cysteine to boost glutathione
production. Glutathione helps
to combat toxins by
neutralising free radicals,
detoxifying the liver, improving
the immune system and
protecting cells from oxidation.
After completing the Juvanex
de-Carb 7-Day Program, you
will feel re-energised and
revitalised.
Other benefits include
clearer skin, less bloating, more
energy, better digestion and
bowel elimination, improved
sleep quality and better overall
well-being.
This article is brought to you
by an in-house pharmacist at

1300 881 712 or e-mail
ask-juvanex@cambert.com.my.
26 your health
Beauty
&Wellness
Guts best friend
Yoke Chen,
second
runner-up of the
2009 Astro Star
Quest, shares
that since she
started drinking
the Beauxlim
Lemon Mix Fibre
Complex, her
digestive
problems have
eased.
TODAYS diet consists abundantly

of processed foods, which are
normally high in sugar, refined
flour and fat. The change in diet
has caused the total sugar and
calorie intake of a person to
increase dramatically in the past
few decades, while fibre intake has
decreased.
Diets high in processed foods
and low in fibre are contributing
factors of obesity and the
increasing tendency of health
problems such as diabetes and
heart disease.
Fibre is good for the body in
many ways as it keeps the digestive
lining healthy and aids in
constipation. It also removes excess
hormones, fat and toxins from the
body.
Fibre helps weight management
by controlling your appetite to
keep you feeling full longer, which
refrains overeating. It also feeds
the beneficial bacteria in the gut.
These healthy bacteria can
eliminate harmful bacteria. Studies
have discovered that harmful
bacteria in the gut of overweight
people can actually convert sugars
to store as fats.
Sufficient fibre intake

The common advice is probably
to increase fibre intake; by eating
more fruits or vegetables, which
may not be easy to do.
The Beauxlim Lemon Mix Fibre
Complex is a drink packed with
fibre so that one does not need to
go looking for more elsewhere.
Packed in convenient sachets,

one needs to simply drink a glass
of the Beauxlim Lemon Mix Fibre
Complex daily.
Working together with the
dietary fibre to promote a healthy
bowel movement and keep it
healthy is lemon, another
ingredient of the Beauxlim Lemon
Mix Fibre Complex.
A significant immune system
booster, it also helps to detoxify
the body so that one feels good
and looks even better.
The Beauxlim Lemon Mix Fibre
Complex aids in weight loss as
well. The drink contains green tea
extract that helps in the breaking
down of fats, making one slimmer
and healthier.
Made from natural plant-based
ingredients with no preservatives,
chemical additives or laxatives, all
you need is one serving of this
lemon drink per day and you are
good to go.
Choice of celebrities
Yoke Chen is not just any
consumer. She is the second
runner-up of the 2009 Astro Star
Quest as well as the winner of the
TVB8 International Chinese New
Talent Singing Championship.
Yoke Chen not only has to look
her best for public and media
appearances, but also has to keep
healthy due to her hectic schedule.
For Yoke Chen, this has not been
easy, at least until now.
I used to suffer from
constipation as well as feeling
bloated and, as a result, had to

spend hours in the toilet. It caused
me a lot of trouble and you can
imagine how desperate I was to
get rid of my problem.
After I started drinking this
fibre drink, my digestive problems
were alleviated. I dont need to
spend hours in the toilet and I no
longer feel bloated.
Its unique formula of fibre,
lemon and green tea extract also
helps me to lose weight. I have a
flatter tummy and I feel great,
says Yoke Chen.
Another happy customer is Raja
Lawak season three runner-up
winner Jihan Muse.
I really enjoy the lemon tea
taste and it has a pleasing texture
so its a delight to drink. Best of all,
indigestion and constipation are
problems of the past now. Ive lost
weight and feel much more
confident putting on clothes that
show off my figure, says Jihan.
Get your Beauxlim Lemon Fibre
Mix Complex now from any
leading pharmacy outlet where the
value pack of the drink is currently
retailing for RM112. The pack
includes 30 sachets and 10
additional sachets of this drink
plus a free container.
This drink should be taken
with a balanced diet and regular
exercise. The effect of the product
may vary among individuals.

1300 882 993 (Monday to Friday,
9am to 6pm) or visit
www.beauxlim.com.
Know your type

BEAUTY and cosmetic product
purveyors consistently promote facial
products for different skin types.
Whether your skin type is normal,
oily, dry, combination or sensitive,
understanding why your complexion
is the way it is can help you make
more informed choices when it comes
to facial care.
Your skin is affected by internal
and external elements, including
hormones and genetic predisposition,
diet and medication, stress, smoking,
pollution and exposure to the sun
this is why skin type can change from
time to time.
Water and oil content affects your
skins suppleness and softness, while
your personal level of sensitivity
determines your tolerance to certain
subtances.
l Normal Characterised by
smooth, even and radiant skin, those
with this skin type need only perform
basic skincare regimens, stay
sufficiently hydrated and healthy, and
protect themselves from excessive
exposure to the sun.
l Oily When oil glands in the skin
secrete lipids excessively, the effects
are enlarged pores, dull or shiny
complexion, and all sorts of
blemishes.
Oily skin can be exacerbated by
stress, unsuitable diet and

medication or change in hormonal
balance.
Those with this skin type should
wash their skin with a gentle
cleanser no more than twice a day
and after heavy perspiration.
Stay away from products that
clog pores look out for
noncomedogenic items, which are
specially formulated so as not to
block the pores.
l Dry Red patches, close-toinvisible pores and a dull, rough
complexion are signs of dry skin.
It is common for dry skin to
flake, crack, peel, feel tight, or
become itchy and irritated as a
result of hormonal change,
overexposure to extreme weather,
prolonged hot baths and showers
as well as irritants in cosmetics and
cleaning agents.
To improve this skin type, use a
gentle cleanser and rich, protective
moisturiser that retains moisture
well.
Switch your shampoos and
cosmetics for milder alternatives
and avoid scrubbing your face
while washing or drying. Also stay
away from extreme climate
conditions that are too hot or cold
as these will dry your skin out.
l Combination True to its

name, this skin type is a
combination of the other types it
can be normal or dry in some
areas, then oily especially in the
T-zone (nose, forehead and chin
area).
This skin type requires special
care in different affected areas, or
it can produce overly dilated pores,
blackheads or shiny skin.
l Sensitive Sensitive skin
covers a range of conditions, from
rosacea and eczema to acne and
contact dermatitis.
The first course of action for
those with this skin type is to
identify and eliminate the irritant
that is causing the undesired
reaction. Common irritants include
bath soaps, eye cosmetics and
moisturisers.
your health 27
Memory management
IT is never easy watching someone we love
dearly lose his or her memory day by day, to
see their confusion and agitation when they
start to forget things. Naturally, we worry
and want to help but the question is, what
can we really do?
Firstly, understand that your loved one
could be in complete denial of what is
happening to him or her, as they are afraid.
It is easier to pretend that it is nothing
serious than to admit that they are possibly
slipping away into dementia or even having
Alzheimers. Lapses in memory can begin as
early as our 40s. However, forgetfulness,
does not always lead to such serious
outcomes.
Have a chat
Have a heart-to-heart talk about the
possible causes of their forgetfulness,
as it may be reversible and caused by
consumption of certain medications, lack
of sleep, stress, excessive alcohol intake or
vitamin deficiency. Get them involved so
that they feel that they are still in control.
If you know your loved ones close friends,
talk to them about your concerns and see if
they notice the same things you do and ask
them to talk to your loved ones too.
Your loved one may listen to their friends
more than to you.
All you want to do is encourage your loved
one to get a proper diagnosis from a doctor.
If all the discussions fail, then you may need

to get them to see a doctor on the pretext of
something else such as checking blood
pressure or something that would seem
non-threatening. While you are there, talk to
the doctor about the concerns you have
about your loved ones memory lapses.
Early diagnosis
Early diagnosis can help your loved one
plan their next steps. Be it a change of
lifestyle or consumption of more nutrients
for the brain that could help slow down or
maybe even repair the decline of their brain.
Tanakan with EGb761 40mg is a highly
purified and standardised Ginkgo Biloba
extract manufactured in France that fulfils
the pharmaceutical quality in accordance to
the German Commission E and World Health
Organization recommendations.
Healthcare professionals in 52 countries
worldwide prescribe it for memory
deficiency and blood circulation problems.
EGb761 40mg can also be consumed
long-term with peace of mind, even for the
elderly.
Ask your doctor about how EGb761 40mg
can work for you today.
Tanakan with EGb761 40mg is distributed
by EP Plus Group.

03-6205 2728.
Lapses in memory can begin

as a early as in the 40s. Early
diagnosis can help your loved
ones plan their next step.
28 your health
Antioxidants for healthy ageing

FREE radicals are unstable
molecules with an unpaired
electron, which are in search of an
extra electron to achieve a stable
state.
This unstable state of free
radicals often results in cell
damage when electrons are
stolen from our body cells or
molecules needed for cell
metabolism.
While the free radical subject
is nothing new, its nature of
destroying our cells or disrupting
bodily functions remains
unavoidable as free radicals are
generated by our bodies in various
endogenous systems through daily
activities such as sun exposure,
smoking, exercising and exposure
to radiation from visual display
terminals such as computers,
television and other electronic
gadgets.
A balance between free radicals
and antioxidants is necessary for
proper physiological functions.
However, an excess of free radicals
will overwhelm the bodys ability
to regulate them, leading to a
condition known as oxidative
stress, which will lead to
destruction of cells and molecules
in the body and then a disruption
of the homeostatic balance.
Vitamin E acts as
an antioxidant,
preventing the
damage done
by oxidation of
nutrients and
other chemicals in
the body.
Vitamin E present in the Asta-i-Care helps to provide protection against

diseases and conditions linked to ageing.
Unfortunately, the effects of free

radicals are often neglected until
they cause physical symptoms.
Astaxanthin is a naturally
occurring carotenoid extracted
from the microalgae
Haematococcus pluvialis, which
is able to withstand and survive

harsh conditions. Astaxanthin has
antioxidant properties to help
guard against the effects of
excessive free radicals.
AstaREAL astaxanthin is
manufactured by Fuji Chemical
Industry from the one and only

natural source, Haematococcus
pluvialis microalgae. The
microalgae are cultivated in closed
photobioreactors in pollution-free
environments in Gustavsberg,
Sweden.
The bilberry fruit is high in
a substance called flavonoids,
chemically known as polyphenols.
Bilberrys flavonoids are
antioxidants known as
anthocyanosides, which give
the bilberry fruit its reddish blue
colour.
Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant,
preventing the damage done by
oxidation of nutrients and other
chemicals in the body.
Antioxidants such as vitamin E
play a major part in the bodys
immune system.
They provide protection against
diseases and conditions that are
associated with ageing by
preventing free radicals from
damaging cells.
It is essential to promote health
and protect vitamin A (retinol)
from damage by free radicals.
Certain groups of individuals are
more exposed to the risk of free
radical damage and the need for
great antioxidants such as
astaxanthin never ceases.
These individuals include
computer users, individuals who
drive long distances, those who
watch television and read for long
hours, and the elderly with a
weaker defence system. As the
saying goes, prevention is better
than cure.
Supplementation becomes
important as nutrients are usually
delivered in their concentrated
form, which you will not be able to
obtain as much from diet alone.
Vitamode Asta-i-Care is available
in selected pharmacies nationwide.

1300 800 228 or e-mail
enquiry@medispec.com.my.
KKLIU No.2064/2014

Your Health - 23 August 2016

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Your Health - 23 August 2016

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The Star, tuesday 23 august 2016

The Star, tuesday 23 august 2016

The realities of mental illness

The spectre of madness

says psychiatrist Datuk Dr Andrew

Breaching the wall

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> FROM PAGE 2

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