Your Health - April 22,2014

StarSpecialTHE STAR Tuesday 22 April 2014

YOUR HEALTH

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THE modern day definition of play for many children is settling down in front of the television, game console or tablet device. While there is no doubt that tech gadgets can help young children in terms of their mental development and dexterity, getting kids to play outdoors is beneficial, too.

Just stepping outside encourages physical activity. Children can play catch, football or dig in the dirt. Going outdoors also gives children the opportunity to see science at work. Digging the ground for earthworms,

chasing grasshoppers or exploring puddles of water for tadpoles are just a few of the ways children can discover nature and learn about life.

Additionally, children will have the opportunity to improve their social skills when making new friends. Whether it is a visit to the beach, playground or theme park, children who easily get along with each other will develop better communication skills and mental health.

Here is what playing outside can teach and do for children:

Have fun in the sun

Hopscotchl Leg muscle developmentl Precision and accuracyl Stamina

Walking the dogl Responsibilityl Empathy

Exploring the world l Keep fit and healthyl Improves immunity l Vitamin Dl Appreciating nature

Monkey barsl Develops upper body strengthl Courage and determinationl Face fear of heightsl Self-confidence

Sandbot activitiesl Creativity and imaginationl Teamworkl Dexterity

Frisbee and playing catchl Speed and staminal Motor skills and hand-eye coordinationl Precision and accuracy

Jungle gyml Strategy and problem-solvingl Develops upper body strengthl Self-confidence

Picnicsl Fine motor skills developmentl Responsibilityl Hygiene

StarSpecial, Tuesday 22 April 2014 YOUR HEALTH 3

IT is important to live within your means, especially when you have a family to take care of. In todays economy, finances are tight and people have to find ways to compromise, save and survive.

Even food prices continue to escalate and many everyday items now almost seem like luxuries. But this does not mean you have to sacrifice your familys health.

Though money is probably the biggest factor when considering groceries and preparing meals, it is not the only one time plays a big role as well. Most households have two parents working full-time and so there is very little time to spare preparing, cooking and cleaning up after meals.

The combination of tight wallets and time constraints means that it is much easier to have ready meals at home frozen pre-prepared dinners that can just be heated up in the microwave or processed foods that are quick to cook and cheap.

But it is possible to ensure that children get enough nutrition for good development while sticking to a budget.

Money-saving tips

l Buy whole foodsContrary to popular belief,

processed and frozen foods are often more expensive than fresh, unprocessed foods. The key to figuring out what is a good deal is to calculate price per nutrient instead of price for volume or price per calorie. In other words, quantity does not always equate to quality or affordability.

A good example is taking frozen chicken nuggets and comparing them to fresh home-made chicken nuggets.

The frozen variety usually contains lots of sodium and chemical additives for colouring and flavour (sometimes up to 40 types or more) and meat and bone from the otherwise unwanted parts of the chicken.

With a home-made recipe, you can control exactly what goes into the nugget chicken, flour, eggs and breadcrumbs. If you buy a fresh chicken, which is between RM6 and RM8 per kg, you can get a lot of mileage out of it too. The breasts can be used for chicken nuggets, the legs and wings for other dishes, and the bones to make stock for soups.

l Buy fresh and localFruits and vegetables are

essential for the developing child. Fresh local fruits and vegetables are much cheaper than imported fruits and vegetables. You can buy the imported fancy foods once a week or for a special dish as a treat for the family. Fruits that are in season will also be much cheaper than they would be at other times of the year.

Take note, however, that sometimes frozen or canned vegetables can be a better choice. These are produce that have been picked when just ripe and then frozen or canned immediately, and they may be cheaper than the fresh alternative.

But you must be careful and responsible when buying these foods make sure that the packaging clearly states the food is unprocessed and that there are no additives. For canned food, ensure it does not have added sodium (salt) or preservatives.

l Buy cheaper proteins or eat more meatless meals

Children need protein

Preparing economical and simple healthy meals

to grow strong. Making meals with meat does not have to be expensive. Look out for good deals on chicken and beef, and go for the more affordable pieces and cuts. You can make a little bit go a long way if you use the meat in filling and nutritious dishes like casseroles.

Protein is not just found in meat, legumes are also packed with it. These are foods such as beans,

peas, lentils and so on. A meatless meal is definitely cheaper, and can be just as appetising. For example, good dhal curry that is also packed with vegetables can make part of a nutritious and delicious meal.

Time-saving tips

l Plan a weekly menuThree meals a day, seven days a

week is a lot of food to think about.

Trying to figure out what to cook in order to give your family varied and nutritious meals can become a chore.

The best way to deal with it is to plan a menu. Children usually will not like to eat the same thing every day, but they do appreciate routine a fixed schedule gives children a sense of order and comfort.

> TURN TO PAGE 4

An easy-to-prepare vegetable wrap can be your lunch for the day.

Take ample fresh fruits and vegetables.


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A weekly menu, therefore, will provide a routine for the child and allow you to save time. You will know exactly what groceries to buy and it will help you keep track of what you already have in your fridge, saving you time and money as you will not be buying duplicates.

The menu can be as simple or as detailed as you wish. For example, you can just plan to cook a simple curry on Monday, a stir-fry on Tuesday, a casserole on Wednesday, and so on, and then fill in the details at the beginning of each week flesh out what kind of curry it will be or what proteins and vegetables will go into the stir-fry. This will help give your menu some variety while still giving you guideline to work within each week.

Besides saving you time (and money) a menu can also help improve the familys nutrition, as there will be less likelihood of the person in charge of the meal being in a rush and deciding to get fast-food.

l Prepare or cook in advanceBusy parents usually have

little time in the evenings to cook. A solution to this problem is to prepare or even cook meals in advance.

Modern technology is a great help in these situations. Pressure cookers are great time savers you can halve cooking times with them. On the other end of the time spectrum, you can use a slow cooker put everything in the pot in the

morning before going to work, and it will be ready in time for the evening meal. Depending on the settings you use, you could even have a meal ready for the kids when they come home from school in the afternoon.

When you have some time to spare one evening or during the weekend, spend some time chopping up onions, garlic and vegetables and store them in air-tight containers in the fridge. This will save lots of time when you are in a hurry.

It is also a good idea to cook extra portions or a few extra dishes. The extras can be stored in the fridge for later in the week or even frozen so you can use them a week or two later.

l Recruit help Many hands make light

work, so get the whole family in the kitchen to help with preparation and cooking. Parents and children working together to prepare a meal can make for fun family time.

Besides saving you time, giving children jobs to do in the kitchen can teach them quite a few things how to calculate and estimate amounts of ingredients and time, and how to match flavours and use their imagination when cooking and creating recipes. It will also allow you to spend more time with your child.

You can also use this time to teach them how you plan the familys meals, keep track of groceries and stay on budget. You can eventually get them to help you with these tasks as well, which will give them a sense of responsibility.

Plan your menus

AS the prevalence of allergic diseases continues to rise in the industrialised world, research on a 2,000-year-old herb called astragalus brings new hope.

The basis of allergic reactions stem from an over-reactive immune system. In this over-sensitive state, the immune system simply flares up upon exposure to harmless allergens present in the environment.

Nasal allergies

Allergic rhinitis (AR), more commonly known as nasal allergy, affects about 10% to 30% of people worldwide. The three symptoms of AR are sneezing, nasal obstruction and mucus discharge, all of which happen quickly and predictably upon exposure to allergens.

As an allergic nose becomes inflamed and blocked, sinusitis can develop as pressure builds up in the facial area. People with sinusitis may experience congestion in the facial area, headaches and earaches as wellas compromised sleep.

Children who suffer from allergies and are affected

with compromised sleep may also experience learning difficulties and possible cognitive malfunctioning, particularly from the long-term and overuse of antihistamines.

Children with AR are also more prone to breathing through their mouths, which may lead to facial and dental development problems.

Chronic inflammation and swelling can also cause nasal polyps, which are abnormal tissues that grow inside the nasal passages and sinuses, causing a blockage.

Medical research also shows that a close relationship exists between AR and asthma. One in every three people with AR develops asthma if their AR is left untreated. Hence, the recognition and early treatment of AR could provide a valuable window of opportunity for reducing the severity of asthma.

Allergy management

Antihistamines are usually the main treatment for managing allergy symptoms but they cannot prevent an allergic reaction from happening. Recently, leukotriene

inhibitors such as montelukast have proved to be popular, often referred to as the lung vitamin.

In April last year, however, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) cautioned health professionals of the possibility of multiple neuropsychiatric adverse reactions in children and adults who use montelukast as a treatment.

Adverse reactions to look out for include suicidal ideation, depression, nightmares, agitation, aggressive behaviour, hallucinations and insomnia. Patients who experience such reactions should immediately alert their doctors for further advice.

Natural therapies research

Clinical studies at The Ruder Boskovic Institute on an astragalus extract called lectranal found that the extract possessed immune-modulating actions useful in controlling allergic reactions.

Dr Silva Pecanic, who is one of the principal researchers of the study, says Lectranal treatment resulted in an overall

The burden of allergies

improvement of allergic rhinitis by more than 70% as evaluated by the physician and patient after at least six weeks of treatment.

In contrast to other therapies, lectranal specifically targets the imbalance of the immune system that triggers the allergic symptoms and guides the system to perform normally.

Lectranal is made up of two main components a patented astragalus extract and a special calcium mineral carrier technology that enhances absorption. Awarded the best rhinitis poster presentation prize at the XXVII Congress of the

European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology in Barcelona 2008, it is a viable natural approach to managing allergic conditions such as AR, sinusitis, hives and conjunctivitis.

If you frequently struggle with allergies, are becoming increasingly sensitive to more allergens or find yourself often requiring drugs to control your symptoms, then it is time to prime your immune system back to optimal efficiency the natural way.

n For more information, contact Nuvanta on 03-5636 3758 or e-mail [email protected]

Even harmless allergens in the environment can cause the bodys immune system to flare up, resulting in an allergic reaction.


HAVING trouble getting your child to eat fruits and vegetables? Why is it so important to get them to eat them anyway?

Fruits and vegetables should be an important component of childrens everyday diet. They contain essential nutrients that contribute to childrens health, growth and development.

These include important vitamins such as vitamins A, C and K as well as folic acid and potassium.

Vegetables and fruits also provide fibre and complex carbohydrates, which are good for weight maintenance and healthy gut activity.

There are a couple of ways to get your child to consume vegetables and fruits while they enjoy their meal. Here are some options you could try.

Blending in

The blender is your best ally when sneaking vegetables into a meal. Kids spot vegetables easily and may avoid biting into anything crunchy or raw.

Try blending vegetables into a puree and include it in dishes like lasagne, pizza or pasta.

For example, kids may not like chunky tomatoes on a pizza, so make your own pizza sauce by blending canned tomatoes, sauteed onions, garlic and carrots together. You can also try blending cauliflower and mixing it with mashed potatoes for their next lunchbox.

Starting small

Adding tiny pieces of vegetables to your kids meal rather than big pieces usually

comes off as more appealing to eat.

Try putting in finely chopped carrots, mushrooms or baby peas into soup, a lasagne or pie.

If your child really likes his sandwiches, include spinach or spread a thin layer of avacado on the bread.

How about shredding carrots or zucchinis and mixing them into a meatball or hamburger patty for your childs lunchbox.

A sweet treat

Kids love cookies, muffins and cakes. So why not use that to your advantage? Grating carrots or zucchini into muffins or pancakes will not change the taste or texture too much.

Even orange vegetables such as pumpkin, butternut squash, sweet potatoes and carrots can be boiled or grilled before blending into a kid-friendly muffin batter.

Snacks and dips

Kids like the idea of snacks. So instead of crisps or chocolates, why not give your child a packet of raisins, prunes or apricots? If they do not like the chewy ones, try dried banana chips.

Make sure to control the amount you give them though, as there is high sugar content in dried fruits.

Alternatively, placing raw vegetables or fruits in their lunchbox accompanied with a dip, caramel sauce or peanut butter makes it more exciting for kids to eat. You can make your own dips such as hummus or buy store-bought ones.

Getting kids to eat fruits and vegetables

ISOGAI Dynamic Therapy (IDT), also known as the binding legs therapy, was founded by Dr Kimiyoshi Isogai some 60 years ago in Tokyo, Japan.

The IDT includes a series of physical movements by binding ones legs to correct the hip joint subluxation and stabilise the pelvis to ensure that the position of the spine is not affected.

After the success of IDT for spinal ailments and muscular skeleton disorders in the 1960s, many Japanese people began binding their legs with the Isogai Hip Joint Correction Belt to maintain correct postures and avoid body misalignment.

IDT is a series of physical movements that a person can carry out daily to maintain a perfect posture.

The IDT has effective tools that address specific ailments. For example, the MOB Neck Healer, when used with the Isogai Hip Joint Correction Belt, helps soothe neck pains.

The MOB Back Healer when used with the Isogai Belt helps relieve back and leg pains while the MOB Knees and Legs Therapeutic Bench helps alleviate knee pains. Users find that frequent leg binding keeps the body warm and they feel relaxed as the body is aligned and symmetrical. Another benefit of binding legs at night is that it helps reduce the frequency of visits to the washroom. IDT can also be used as a weight management programme if the user practises it frequently and consistently.

The success of IDT and its tools is attributed to its practicality, safety, convenience and cost-effectiveness.

Many Malaysians, especially those in the Klang Valley, have acquired the techniques over the last five years through seminars and group trainings and many of them have been practising since then.

n For more information, call 016-947 3065 or visit www.restnrelaxbackcare.com

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Right shoulder falls to front

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CHILDREN nowadays often indulge in unhealthy snacks such as crisps, chocolates, sweets and ice cream. Parents need to be aware of their childrens snack intake as too much sugar and fat in their diet can lead to obesity and tooth decay.

According to a population-based study, one out of five children (aged between seven and 12) in Malaysia is overweight. It is important for parents to guide their children towards a better selection of food.

There is now a healthier option for children a combination of healthy dark chocolate with probiotics. This combination will provide children a healthier snack option.

The combination is suitable for all ages, allowing children and adults alike to enjoy this healthy snack. Children and adults need to be aware of their sugar intake as high sugar intake can lead to obesity and diabetes. The prevalence of obesity is on the rise and Malaysia is said to be the most overweight nation in South-East Asia, where most Malaysians have a tendency to add sugar (an average of seven teaspoons) to their daily drinks.

A better food choice for everyoneOne piece of healthy dark

chocolate with probiotics

One bottle of cultured

drink

Calories (kcal) 5 65

Sugar content (approximate number of teaspoons)

0.1 3

chocolate with probiotics comes from a world leading patented technology found only in Europe.

It has a similar look, smell and taste to ordinary chocolate that you purchase off the shelf. Each piece of this European dark chocolate snack contains one billion CFU (colony-forming unit) of Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies Lactis BS01.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits to the host when administered in adequate amounts. Each probiotic is strain specific to deliver different benefits to the host.

Intake of probiotic BS01 has been clinically proven to improve weekly bowel movements within a month as well as relieving evacuation disorders and hard stools.

To increase the survival rate and efficacy

of essential intestinal bacteria, the dark chocolate and probiotics combination serves as a better option compared to a yoghurt drink. The survival rate of these bacteria is 2.5 times higher with probiotics.

The snack also contains flavanols, antioxidants that neutralise free radicals in the body. It also improves memory by increasing blood flow to the brain.

Therefore, this combination of healthy dark chocolate with probiotics can serve as a healthy food choice for children and adults as it contains beneficial probiotics that maintain gastrointestinal health. It is low in sugar, fat and has a low calorie content. Not only that, as a snack, it is convenient and appealing to take.

n For more product details, call BiO-LiFE at 03-7843 6981 or visit www.chocbiotics.com

The healthy dark chocolate combined with probiotics is a product that is low in sugar, low in fat, and contains probiotics that provide gut defence. It contains approximately one-tenth of a teaspoon of sugar, a much better option compared to a cultured drink that contains about 30 times more sugar. The snack also contains only 5kcal per piece, which is lower than the calorie content in a bottled cultured drink (usually about 65kcal).

The combination of healthy dark

COMPARISON TABLE

Survival guidefor child explorersWHILE children should be encouraged to spend some time outdoors, it is understandable that parents would be concerned for their safety and well-being. There are a few things that parents and teachers can teach children to take note of in order to ensure that they can have a healthy and happy play time outside.

If it never made an appearance at dinner, dont eat it

Being exposed to the elements strengthens a childs immune system but some germs that cause food poisoning do not make kids any healthier just sick and down for days. Children have inquisitive minds and any encounter with strange new things will pique their curiosity. In the process of examining these items, they might end up putting foreign objects into their mouths, which can be dangerous. Remind the children that no matter how colourful something looks or how aromatic it smells, if they have never seen it at the dining table, it does not belong in their mouths.

Water is healthy, but be careful about submerging yourself in it

Kids should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially if they have physically active days. However, too much water can be dangerous, that is,

when one wants to take a dip in a body of water. Children should never be left unsupervised around water, even if it is a small inflatable pool. Young children are known to have drowned in less than two inches of water, so always examine the childrens play area for bodies of standing water and watch them closely when they are near these areas even if they have been taking swimming lessons from young.

Playgrounds are not made of modelling clay even if they are coloured the same way

Spending the day at the playground is fun for the kids. The sight of colourfully designed spaces and equipment can send children bolting for them at high speed. Although a playground may be equipped with safety features, it can pose a potential injury risk. When kids fall from the equipment or knock themselves on one, they can suffer from minor bruises and cuts, which are no big deal they will learn to toughen up.

However, adult guardians can always try to minimise such risks by reminding children to look where they are going to avoid bumping into hard rails or each other. They should also avoid using broken equipment or modifying them into new rides. Sure, being creative should be encouraged, but never at the expense of safety.

The combination of healthy dark chocolate and probiotics as a snack makes it convenient to take.

OFFICIALLY opened by the Prime Minister on Sept 17 last year, ParkCity Medical Centre is ideally located to serve the communities around it.

The 300-bed hospital is in the centre of bustling housing areas Kepong, Desa Park City, Sunway SPK, Bandar Sri Damansara, Kota Damansara, Bandar Utama and Sg Buloh.

We noted the growth of new developments in these areas, where there are a lot of young families, as well as the proximity of the old housing estates of Kepong. We want to serve the community and offer a wide array of health care services and to be known as a hospital that promotes better outcomes. Our aim is for patients to come here and leave rejuvenated, says chief executive officer Chng Lin Ling.

We are a general, multi-disciplinary hospital, with specialities ranging from primary, secondary and mid-tertiary care services. Although we are aiming to be the centre of excellence in women, children and the elderly health, ParkCity Medical Centre is open to any persons with medical needs, she continues.

These centres of excellence feature specially designed facilities and equipment that cater for each specific category of patient.

The ambience of the building differs from that of a usual hospital. There are no grey walls, low ceilings and dark, depressing corridors and rooms. The building is of a triangular shape to ensure every patients room has windows so there is no chance of feeling claustrophobic. The windows can be opened safely to let in fresh air.

The courtyard, rooftop and third floor gardens can all be accessed by patients so that they can walk around or sit in the fresh air surrounded by greenery. The hospital was designed to promote holistic healing.

ParkCity Medical Centre is also child-friendly. A high standard of security is maintained so that children are able to move about their wards freely without compromise to their safety. The hospital has even put thought into the equipment used in the

Expertise that meets community needs

EVERY child has developmental milestones that he should reach, indicating a healthy rate of growth and development. Every parent should keep a look-out for these milestones. But what happens when the child seems to be unable to reach them?

A child that is still not walking by 18 months or a toddler who does not form words are worrisome for parents. This is where a developmental specialist comes in.

Parents should first be aware of what the developmental milestones are, and then if their child does not seem to be meeting them, they should consult a doctor, says Dr Rajini Sarvananthan, consultant general and developmental paediatrician at ParkCity Medical Centre.

The doctor will observe the child and may recommend a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or a speech therapist, depending on what problems the child is facing, says Dr Rajini. The

The developing child

childrens wards. For example, there is a mobile X-ray machine that can be wheeled over to the patients bed. It is painted to resemble a giraffe so that the child will not be afraid of being under the scanner, explains Chng.

The MRI scanning process has also been set up with safety in mind. There are three checkpoints the patients go through before being scanned to ensure that they do not have any metal on them, including a doorway equipped with a metal detector.

In fact, the hospital runs on modern technology; it is the first hospital under the Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care to use a hospital information management system with an integrated electronic medical record (EMR) system, which means that it is a paperless administration ensuring that patients have a hassle-free journey from admission to discharge.

Last year, the hospital won the Frost & Sullivan award for successful implementation of its EMR system.

Long-term thinking seems

to be the driving force behind ParkCity Medical Centre development. According to Chng, the hospital already has a strong neonatology department and specialists in ortho-paediatrics, paediatric surgery, paediatric ophthalmology, child development and paediatric ear, nose and throat. ParkCity Medical Centre also provides optometric services to detect potential eye disorders among children.

ParkCity Medical Centre is fast developing into a one-stop medical centre for childrens health, and is continuing to further expand its expertise to meet the needs of the communities it serves.

n For more information, visit www.ramsaysimedarby.asiaor call 03-5639 1212.KKLIU: 0786/2014

Chng Lin Ling, Hospital CEO, ParkCity Medical Centre.

Dr Rajini Sarvananthan, consultant general and developmental paediatrician at ParkCity Medical Centre.

therapist will identify the childs strengths and difficulties and work with the parents to help the child build on his strengths and overcome the difficulties until the child is able to function independently in society.

The role of the therapist is also to teach parents what they can do to assist the child on his journey.

Parents play an important role in continuing the childs therapy at home daily, says Dr Rajini, adding that there is a direct correlation between parenting and child development.

Therapists will have the tools and equipment to stimulate the childs attention and movement for example, some hospitals have therapy rooms equipped with sensory stimulus to engage the child through lights, sounds or play. But parents can easily replicate the stimulus at home with everyday objects (such as torches to catch the childs

attention by playing with lights) or outside (with balls or swings).

Sometimes, parents believe that a few therapy sessions can cure the child of his problems. However, a child with developmental issues will experience varied problems throughout the years of his life.

The key is early intervention, says Dr Rajini. If this is done, developmental problems that are amenable to therapy can be overcome, and children with a chronic problem can learn to maximise their potential to become functioning adults.

Speech and communication milestones

By 18 months, a child should be able to walk on his own. If the child is unable to do so, parents and therapists must examine why. Common questions asked by therapists are: Is this an isolated problem or is this associated with other developmental problems? Is there an underlying neurological disorder? Is the child able to explore and move around his environment freely? Is the child placed in a walker or in a playpen for the majority of the time he is awake?

Being able to freely move about and explore builds the childs muscles and motor skills, while a walker or playpen restricts movement, does not enable muscles to develop and grow strong at a reasonable pace and slows down the childs developmental journey.

ParkCity Medical Centres childrens wards have child-friendly equipment.

Therapists use sensory stimulus to engage children and capture their attention.

A CHILD should typically be able to say a few words by the time he is two years old. But before this age, parents should look out for pre-verbal skills, which are the pre-cursors to communication, says Dr Rajini Sarvananthan, consultant general and developmental paediatrician at ParkCity Medical Centre.

By 12 months a child should be able to: Recognise his name Respond to his name being called Point to objects to indicate he wants them Engage and share interest with parents

The absence of these skills suggests a developmental issue in the child. It may not necessarily be autism. The child could be globally delayed, which means they are behind their peers in overall development.

Before diagnosis, parents and therapists must observe the child and examine why these milestones have not been reached.

Part of the assessment by health professionals also involves exploring some of the following questions: How much interaction does the child have with parents and carers? How much real play goes on in a childs life? How much time does the child spend in front of the TV or on other screen activities such as on tablets?

Dr Rajini recommends that children under two years old do not watch any TV or use tablets as these technologies do not encourage interaction at all. The one-way input combined with less interaction with parents or peers through play will delay development of communication skills.

Developing motor skills



CHILDREN have high risk of getting diarrhoea due to their active lifestyle and underdeveloped immune system. This can become detrimental as repeated episodes of diarrhoea may result in increased intestinal permeability, commonly referred to as leaky gut.

Regular supplementation of colostrum is suggested to improve childrens well-being as it enhances the assimilation of nutrients and creates a stronger defence system against diarrhoea.

Childrens immune system cannot actively fight infections

The immune system detects a wide variety of foreign agents, from viruses to parasitic worms and kills them to help the body function properly. As childrens immune system develop slowly, they can be easily infected by bacteria and experience immune problems.

Providing passive immunity through breast milk, which contains colostrum, is the natural way to boost the immune system and ensure childrens good health.

Strengthening the immune system

Colostrum is produced before breast milk and is the substance by which infants develop passive

immunity during the first 24 to 48 hours after birth. It contains many biologically active factors that can influence growth, healing, repair, immunity and development.

Colostrum contains the highest concentration of immune and growth factors along with other nutrients essential for growth, immune defence and overall child development. Colostrum has also been shown to be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of diarrhoea caused by the E.coli bacteria.

Restoring gut health

To date, scientific studies have proven that colostrum can improve gut health through the following mechanisms:

To repair Growth factors stimulate repair and healing of the infected gut. Immune factors (lactoferrin) act as anti-microbial agents that stimulate the growth of intestinal epithelial cells. With leaky gut syndrome, epithelial growth factors from colostrum stimulate the repair of intestinal membranes at the cellular level.

To protect Multiple peptides found in colostrum act synergistically to protect the gut. With leaky gut syndrome,

antibodies, lactoferrin and other immune factors protect against damage from toxins.

To regulate Immune factors modulate immune development and inflammation responses, thereby reducing hyper- permeability of the gut. With leaky gut syndrome, antibodies like IgA, IgF and IgM, lactoferrin and other immune factors prevent the reproduction of the pathogens that cause infection.

Benefits of bovine colostrum

Bovine colostrum has up to 40 times more immune factors than human colostrum. It contains glycoproteins and protease inhibitors that naturally protect these immune factors from being digested in the intestinal tract.

The protein content of bovine colostrum is three to four times higher (up to 150g protein per litre) than regular cows milk (30g to 40g protein per litre). The greater part of this protein comprises whey protein.

Choosing good-quality colostrum

Good quality colostrum is produced by cows within 24 hours after calving, a point at which

COLDS and the flu are among the most common respiratory illnesses in children. The flu is highly contagious and infections among children can occur when they inhale infected air droplets, come into direct contact with an infected persons secretions or have physical contact with an infected individual.

Balancing between good and bad bacteria

Children are often prescribed antibiotics to prevent secondary infections that occur due to a cold or the flu. Antibiotics are non-selective substances and will inhibit or kill any bacteria, regardless of whether it is good or bad.

This means that antibiotics also destroy intestinal flora and trigger an imbalance between the bad and good bacteria in the gut, which poses risks to the still-developing health of children. Thus, the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia issued a warning that products containing promethazine, which increases antibiotic sensitivity, cannot be given to children under the age of two.

A way to prevent secondary infections is by regular consumption of probiotics. Probiotics (good bacteria) are living microorganisms that confer health benefits to the host when administered in adequate amounts.

Maintaining a healthy balance of intestinal microflora is one of the best ways to build and enhance digestive health and the immune system.

Research has shown that the good bacteria in the gut ensures that the immune system is constantly ready to fight off infection from pathogenic bacteria. It is

these pathogenic bacteria that cause illness to the host.

Choosing a good probiotic product

A good probiotic should not only have the genus and species of bacteria listed on the label, but also the strain, as the effects of probiotics are strain-related. Secondly, the label should state the quantity of the probiotic each serving of the product contains. The product must indicate the dosage regimens and duration of use as recommended by the manufacturer based on scientific evidence.

Based on a study published in Pediatrics in 2009, HOWARU Protect probiotics reduced the duration of cold and flu symptoms, in children by 46.2%.

With its content of 10 billion CFU (colony-forming unit), HOWARU Protect brought about a reduction in antibiotic use by 80% and their fever incidence reduced by 72.7% after six months. The number of sick days and absent days from day care reduced from 6.5 days to 3.5 days.

Kordels Protect probiotic powder is scientifically formulated with a patented proprietary blend of HOWARU premium probiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07.

Developed by scientists, the probiotics have been studied in improving gut health and strengthening the defence system especially for young children. It is a stable compound at room temperature and requires no refrigeration.

n For more information, call 1300 881 712 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.kordels.com.my/protect

Boosting childrens immunity

Protecting kids from respiratory infections

the highest amount of effective substances are found.

Fat, casein, albumin and other impurities should be removed using a gentle manufacturing method and there should not be any chemical agents or preservatives added during the preparation of colostrum.

Kordels Kids Colostrum + Co-Factors contains high concentrations of IgG antibodies and lactoferrin to protect children from infections. Growth factors and galacto-oligosaccharides are important for childrens growth, healing and development of tissues and organs. DHA, taurine and lecithin are also added for

optimal brain and cognitive development.

Kordels Kids Colostrum + Co-Factors is produced according to stringent quality control measures. The process is done according to the guidelines set by GMP, ISO 9001 and HACCP. The daily consumption of colostrum can strengthen immunity and overall health and taking Kordels Kids Colostrum + Co-Factors is a smart and easy way to ensure childrens good health.

n For more information, visit www.kordelskids.com.my or call 1300 88 1712 or e-mail [email protected]

Kordels Kids Colostrum + Co-Factors contains high concentrations of IgG antibodies and lactoferrin to protect children from infections.

StarSpecial 9Tuesday 22 April 2014


CORONARY heart disease is still the leading cause of death among Malaysians. What most people do not know is that in South-East Asia, symptoms of coronary heart disease (CHD) present themselves up to a decade earlier than in people from western countries or Australia.

In Malaysia, the average age of males who develop CHD is 59 years. CHD symptoms usually present themselves a decade later in women, and it is CHD, not cancer, that is the leading cause of death in Malaysian women, says Datuk Dr Rosli Mohd Ali, head of the department of cardiology at the National Heart Institute (known by its Bahasa Malaysia acronym IJN).

CHD alludes to the narrowing of blood vessels by cholesterol plaque. This prevents blood from flowing properly and getting oxygenated, which can lead to a heart attack. If blood vessels suddenly close off completely, it can lead to heart damage and death. This is termed a heart attack, he continues.

There are multiple risk factors that contribute to CHD non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes, hypertension or obesity) and genetic predisposition are two but the most common is lifestyle choices. This means leading a lifestyle that is unhealthy, with habits such as smoking or being sedentary.

There are also several ways to investigate, diagnose and treat CHD. Most people do not realise that when a person has symptoms of CHD, doctors must first investigate thoroughly to find out exactly what the causes are and how severe the situation is, explains Dr Rosli.

Medical technology has advanced greatly over the years so that investigation and diagnosis are quicker and more accurate.

Advances in cardiovascular treatment

THE heart is a pump, so the narrowing of the blood vessels will mean that part of the heart cannot function optimally. When there is a sudden blockage, the heart muscles will start to become damaged. This is termed as a heart attack. Twenty-five per cent of people die before reaching the hospital and another 10% in the hospital.

There is no one cause that leads to heart disease, but there are several risk factors that increase the chances of heart disease occurring:

Non-modifiable (cannot be changed)

Gender heart disease is more prevalent in males than females. When women hit menopause, their risk of heart disease increases until it is level with men.

HEART disease can be asymptomatic, meaning that a person may not have any symptoms. But there are some signs that you can look out for that indicate there is a narrowing of the blood vessels in the heart that is severe enough to impair blood flow, says Datuk Dr Rosli Mohd Ali, head of the National Heart Institutes department of cardiology.

Chest pains are a common sign of impaired blood flow to the heart. Known as angina, these chest pains start behind the sternum the centre of the chest.

There will be a sensation of tightness, pressure or discomfort. This usually happens after a period of exertion, and the pain may disappear within five to 15 minutes after stopping the exertion. The pain may radiate to the inner aspect of the arms or occasionally to the jaw.

In women the symptoms may differ. They may still present with angina or breathlessness on exertion.

Here are some signs of a heart attack:

Chest painsThese are more pronounced. The pains can

occur at rest and do not go away. They may be associated with sweating, nausea and vomiting. The elderly can experience extreme tiredness, breathlessness and dizziness.

Medical technology in Malaysia has advanced greatly over the years so that investigation and diagnosis of heart disease are quicker and more accurate.

Datuk Dr Rosli Mohd Ali, head of the department of cardiology at the National Heart Institute.

Listen to your heartCauses and risk factors

All these technologies used for imaging are available in Malaysia:

ECG and stress testThese help to diagnose the

presence of CHD.

Nuclear scanThis is where a radioactive

agent is injected into the blood stream. Along with a stress test, this test helps ascertain if there is flow through the blood vessels into the heart.

Stress echocardiogramThis is quite an accurate

diagnostic test that uses ultrasound imaging in comparing how well the heart is pumping when the body is at rest and immediately after the exercise stress test.

Cardiac MRIMagnetic resonance imaging of

the heart gives an accurate picture of what the heart is doing while under stress. The patient is given medication to stimulate stress and injected with a dye that will light up the heart. The MRI will indicate if the blood vessels

are narrowed, any damage to the heart muscles and measure the heart function.

Multislice CTA dye is inserted through the

vein and a CT scan is taken of the heart. The scan collects several slices of images at the same time. Images of the blood vessels will be constructed to show if there are blockages.

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)

A small catheter (less than 1mm in diameter) is passed through the blood vessel and an ultrasound is emitted from it, producing an image of the blood vessels in the heart.

Doctors can see the build up of cholesterol, plaque and calcium

within the vessels.

OCTThis is similar to IVUS,

except that optical coherence tomography uses light to capture an almost instant image of the heart and blood vessels. The images are much clearer than IVUS.

FFR Fractional flow reserve is where

a fine wire is inserted into the blood vessel to measure pressure and calculate flow down the blood vessel.

This allows doctors to determine whether or not the narrowing in the vessel is severe.

These technologies have eased the decision-making process when it comes to which treatment

a patient should receive, as they are far more accurate than the traditional angiogram, says Dr Rosli.

He goes on to explain that while there are several treatments available for heart disease, prevention is ideal.

The best and easiest way to prevent heart disease is by leading a healthy and active lifestyle. It does not have to be a chore and you dont have to give up having fun, he says.

You just have to incorporate healthy eating habits and exercise into your lifestyle.

Once its a part of you, it wont be a hindrance to living your life to the fullest.

n For more information on heart health, visit www.ijn.com.my

Doctors will investigate the symptoms of heart disease to find out the exact causes.

Stomach pains Sometimes, feelings of indigestion, gastric pains

or cramping of the upper stomach area can be signs of a heart attack. The pain may start in the centre of the chest and radiate downwards to the stomach.

If you experience any of these symptoms, do not just brush it off. It is beter to see a doctor immediately and rule out a heart attack and heart disease than ignore them until something worse happens.

Age the older a person is, the higher the risk of heart

disease. Family history a history

of premature heart disease in first degree

relatives (parents or parents siblings), especially of males with heart disease and sudden death before the age of 55 years old and females before 65 years old.

Modifiable Smoking

Dyslipidemia high bad cholesterol (LDL-C)

and low good cholesterol (HDL-C) levels.

Diabetes mellitus Hypertension Obesity Leading a stressful lifestyle Leading a sedentary lifestyle Metabolic syndrome

truncal (abdominal) obesity; it is associated with hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia.


Put on sunscreen Sunscreen absorbs and

reflects UV radiation and blocks harmful UV rays from getting to your skin. Sunscreens come in a range of SPFs (sun protection factors).

Generally, the higher the SPF number, the more protection the sunscreen has. You should choose a minimum of SPF 15 although a higher range can be from SPF 30 to 50. Sunscreen tends to wear off especially when in contact with water or sweat, so it is good to reapply every two hours.

Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside

SPF needs a good 20 minutes for absorption before your skin becomes completely protected from UV rays. Not applying it prior to heading out will be like not having sunblock during the first half-hour being outdoors.

Protect your eyes with sunglasses

You will need sunglasses with 100% UV protection. Darker tinted sunglasses do not necessarily mean more UV protection and toy sunglasses

may not have any UV protection at all. It is important to look out for the UV protection label that provides both UVB and UVA protection when getting a pair of sunglasses.

Wear protective clothing

Hats, long trousers and long-sleeved shirts can provide different levels of UV protection. Dark colours and tightly woven fabric provide better protection than light colours and loosely woven fabric.

Be a mad hatterWear a hat with a wide brim

to shade your face, head, ears and neck. While a baseball cap may protect your face, it leaves other areas vulnerable to sun exposure.

Seek shadeGet under shade whenever

possible, especially if you are outdoors between 10am and 4pm when UV light is strongest. It should be easy to find a tree at the park or bus stop on the street if you need to escape the sun. An umbrella may also help for those who do not mind carrying one.

Sun protection tips

OMEGA-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients for our bodies because they assist in basic cell functioning, cell repair and cell growth, as well as other body functions. However, omega-3 fatty acids cannot be produced in the human body and must be obtained through outside sources.

To keep your heart healthy, nutrition experts have been recommending krill a new generation of omega-3 that is phospholipid-based.

What is krill oil?

Krill oil is extracted from a tiny, shrimp-like crustacean that lives in the ocean and feeds on microscopic algae. Krill oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Due to the algae in the krills diet, it is also a source of the powerful antioxidant astaxanthin, which may be beneficial in cardiovascular, immune, inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.

What makes krill oil unique?

The omega-3 in krill oil is thought to be assimilated into the bodys cells better than other sources of omega-3 because they are attached to phospholipids EPA and DHA, which are more bio-efficient than other marine oils.

The bodys cell membranes are composed of omega-3 fatty acids and phospholipids. The omega-3 combination with phospholipids makes krill oils fatty acids more readily absorbed and diffused

throughout the cell. In contrast, omega-3 in fish oils must be converted first by the liver for cellular absorption to happen.

In essence, krill oil omega-3 is: water dispersible, making it gentler on the stomach more readily absorbed by the body readily available as smaller softgels that are easy to swallow free from reflux and other unpleasant digestive issues

A powerful antioxidant

Krill oil contains a very potent antioxidant called astaxanthin. Antioxidants function to protect your cells from being damaged by free radicals. Free radicals form when the body oxidises air breathed in, breaks down foods or encounters environmental hazards such as smoke and radiation.

Antioxidants typically fight only one free radical at a time but astaxanthin may be able to handle multiple free radicals at one time.

The benefits ofkrill oil

Vitamode Superba Krill Oil is extracted from the Antarctic krill species Euphausia superba by sustainable eco-harvesting techniques, making it the most environmentally sustainable krill oil available.

It contains Superba Krill, which is sourced from the pristine waters of the Southern Ocean in Antarctica. Antarctic krill is low in the food chain and lives in the cleanest waters on Earth, making it virtually free of contaminants.

The next generation of omega-3

This allows astaxanthin, the antioxidant inherent to krill oil, to naturally preserve its omega-3 fatty acid content.

Superba Krill omega-3 targets several areas of health such as heart, brain and joint health as well as healthy inflammation and specifically womens health.

Krill oil supplements are generally well-tolerated and safe to use when taken in the prescribed

dosage range of one to three softgels up to twice daily.

Krill oil supplementation will assist in: Helping to keep the heart and arteries healthy Promoting a healthy response to inflammation Supporting brain and joint health Reducing the physical and emotional symptoms of

premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in women

While krill oil may offer health benefits, you should not take it if you are allergic to shellfish or if you take blood thinners. Check with your doctor before taking any supplements.

n For more information, call 1300 800 228 or visit www.medispec.com.my

The clean waters of the Southern Ocean off Antarctica provide good living conditions for Antarctic krill to naturally preserve its omega-3 fatty acid content.

StarSpecial 9

12 StarSpecial Tuesday 22 April 2014

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Your Health - April 22,2014

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Transcript of Your Health - April 22,2014