Turmeric is a well-known ancient herbal medicine from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, a member of ginger family, and commonly found in health supplements for knee pain. It possesses remarkable health-promoting properties, thanks to its well-known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, along with many other physiological benefits. Mounting evidence proves the healing properties of turmeric is attributed to its active compounds – curcuminoids, which is now used in many health supplements. Curcuminoids are known to suppress inflammation by inhibiting NF-kB, a transcription factor which triggers a cascade of undesirable inflammatory responses in the body. NF-kB is implicated in a host of chronic diseases ranging from cardiovascular diseases to cancer. As a potent antioxidant, curcuminoids effectively to counteract free radicals in two ways: prevention of free radical formation; and quenching of preformed radicals. Arthritis management Turmeric offers safe and effective therapeutic benefits in alleviating inflammation and pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike NSAIDs, this natural COX-2 inhibitor does not cause undesirable gastrointestinal side effects. This makes them perfect to be used in joint care supplement for knee pain. Cardiovascular support Turmeric extract shows promising results in lowering serum levels of LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, thus reducing the risk factors for coronary heart diseases. Blood sugar management Many studies have suggested that turmeric helps in managing blood sugar levels. It increases the production of insulin and protects the pancreatic cells from damage caused by oxidative agents. Brain function Curcumin has been shown to prevent the formation and break down amyloid-beta plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Gastrointestinal health Turmeric extract helps mprove symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) such as gas, diarrhea, constipation, etc. Anti-allergic Curcuminoids are used to alleviate symptoms of allergies by inhibiting the release of histamine form mast cells. Cancer prevention Curcuminoids act by interfering with signalling mechanisms (critical for tumour growth), regulation of apoptosis (cell death), and tumour angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation which feeds tumours). Chemo-preventive effects Curcumin has recently received increased attention in protecting normal tissues from chemotherapy-induced toxicity. It may also enhance the therapeutic efficacy of many anti-cancer drugs and reduce their side effects through pharmacological and pharmacokinetic interactions. Sources: Daily JW, Yang M, Park S. Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. J Med Food. 2016; 19(8):717-729. Mirzabeigi P, Mohammadpour AH, Salarifar M, Gholami K, Mojtahedzadeh M, Javadi MR. The Effect of Curcumin on some of Traditional and Non-traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Pilot Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2015;14(2):479-486. Panahi Y, Hosseini MS, Khalili N, Naimi E, Simental-Mendía LE, Majeed M, Sahebkar A. Effects of curcumin on serum cytokine concentrations in subjects with metabolic syndrome: A post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2016;82:578-582. Mishra S, Palanivelu K. The effect of curcumin (turmeric) on Alzheimer’s disease: An overview. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology. 2008;1(11):13-19. Tomeh MA, Hadianamrei R, Zhao X. A Review of Curcumin and Its Derivatives as Anticancer Agents. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2019;20:1033. Liu Z, Huang P, Law, Tian H, Leung L, Xu C. Preventive Effect of Curcumin Against Chemotherapy-Induced Side-Effects. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2018;9:1374. Kurup VP, Barrios CS. Immunomodulatory effects of curcumin in allergy. Nutr. Food Res. 2008;52:1031-1039. Moloughney S. (2019) Curcumin: Traditional Roots Intertwined with Modern Science. Retrieved from https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/
Magnesium, the fourth most abundant mineral in our body, is naturally present in many foods such as whole grains, leafy vegetables, beans, seeds and nuts. Yet, magnesium deficiency is relatively common. The contributing factor lies in our eating habits, which requires additional health supplements to fill the gaps. Modern diets tend to be high in processed and refined foods which contain scant amounts of this mineral. Excessive consumption of alcohol can hinder the absorption of this mineral into the bloodstream. Stress, ageing, intense physical activities, certain medical conditions and prescription medications can also deplete our bodies of magnesium. Early signs and symptoms of magnesium deficit can include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, muscle cramps, mood changes and abnormal heart rhythms. Why magnesium matters? Compelling studies reveal that magnesium is vital for optimal bodily functions. It plays an important role in hundreds of biochemical reactions, some of which are discussed below. Relieves migraines – reduces the frequency, intensity and duration of attacks Relaxes muscles – regulates muscle contractions Regulates blood pressure – aids blood vessels relax and dilate Supports bone health – increases bone mineral density Increases energy levels – supports ATP synthesis Fights anxiety and stress – promotes a sense of calm and well-being Alleviates PMS symptoms – reduces fluid retention, mood swings, etc. Improves sleep quality – increases the production of neurotransmitter GABA Synthesises proteins Choosing the right magnesium health supplement You can consider taking magnesium supplements to protect against the myriad risks linked with magnesium deficiency. Not all health supplements are the same. Look out for the chelated form which is attached to organic compounds such as amino acids. With superior bioavailability, it is more readily absorbed by the body. It is also less likely to cause side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Combining magnesium with vitamin B2, coenzyme Q10 and L-theanine offers a promising alternative for enhanced health protection. Vitamin B2 helps convert food into energy. Coenzyme Q10 boosts the body’s antioxidant protection in addition to its role in supporting energy metabolism. L-theanine, a predominant non-protein amino acid naturally found in green tea leaves, can induce a relaxed yet alert mental state through a direct influence on the central nervous system without causing drowsiness.
Are you going to bed early but still wake up feeling groggy or unrested? Chances are you might be sleep deprived. A few hours of sleep-loss each night can affect every aspect of your daily life beyond daytime drowsiness. It can be far more severe than you thought! Several studies have shown that ongoing insufficient sleep may result in a host of health conditions, which may shorten your life expectancy! Effects of sleep deprivation Cardiovascular diseases Growing evidence suggests that insufficient sleep has been linked to an increased risk for high blood pressure and heart attacks. In the 1980s, many Japanese workers died from “karoshi” which translates to “death from overwork”, mainly from a heart attack and stroke due to stress and sleep deprivation. Obesity When you fail to get adequate sleep, your body produces less leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite, and more ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite. This will eventually prompt you to crave for food. Furthermore, it may leave you too exhausted to burn off the extra calories that you take in. As a result, you tend to gain weight and are prone to obesity. Diabetes Ongoing sleep scarcity also increases the risk of developing diabetes, particularly if you are obese and have a family history of the disease. When you are sleep-deprived, your body produces more stress hormone – cortisol which in turn promotes insulin resistance, leaving you more susceptible to diabetes. Accidents and injuries Lack of sleep can interfere with your cognitive abilities and eventually cause reduced concentration, impaired judgement, decreased creativity and increase the likelihood of making mistakes. It is not only harmful to the individual but can also adversely affect the safety of others! Being sleep deprived will put you at an increased risk of accidents, injuries or death on the road, at work and even at home.
Your body’s immune system is your first line of defence, like a surveillance system that operates 24 hours a day, constantly monitoring and protecting you. A healthy immune system is able to quickly detect and defeat potential cold, flu or upper respiratory tract infection causing pathogens such as bacteria or viruses. With the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the globe, more than ever we’re anxiously looking out for ways to boost our body’s natural defence, such as through health supplements. Vitamin C Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin with high antioxidant properties. Well known for its role in supporting a healthy immune system, vitamin C helps fight against viruses by improving natural killer cell activities and enhance activity of T lymphocytes. Bee Propolis Bee propolis is a natural resinous substance collected by bees from leaf buds and tree barks to line the beehive; acts as a natural defense to prevent infections in the honeycomb. It has significant levels of flavonoids which account for its antioxidant properties to help scavenge free radicals. Bee propolis possesses antiviral properties to protect the body against external aggressors. Elderberry With a long history of medicinal use, elderberry has earned its reputation as a powerful immune-stimulating herb. In addition to its antiviral properties, elderberry activates healthy immune system by increasing cytokine production. In essence, elderberry targets the virus itself while simultaneously boosting the natural defence mechanisms of the body. Vitamin D3 Sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin”, vitamin D is produced by the body in response to sunlight. It plays a major role in regulating immune system, including immune responses to viral infection. Probiotic Probiotics are live microorganisms that are intended to have health benefits when consumed or applied to the body. It promotes a healthy and balanced gut microbiota for enhanced immune support. Garlic Garlic is widely used to improve resistance to infections and reduce the severity of upper respiratory tract infection. It contains the immune-stimulating compound, known as allicin, which boost the disease-fighting response of some types of white blood cells when they encounter viruses, such as the viruses that cause the common cold or flu. Cordyceps Also known as “caterpillar fungus” or “winter worm, summer grass”, Cordyceps sinensis is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for centuries as a tonic to soothe the lung for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Turmeric Long been used to treat a wide variety of ailements, turmeric possesses remarkable health-promoting properties, thanks to its well-known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This golden spice provides a safe, natural approach, not only to calm inflammatory responses, but also to strengthen the body’s natural defence system.
It is vital for us to stay at home as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Staying at home and social distancing do not have to mean social isolation or boredom. Instead of feeling helpless and wasting the days, why not use this time to your advantage? Here are six productive things you can do. Read books When was the last time you read a book? Spend your time wisely to lift yourself up intellectually. You can now read some good books without interruption. Our National Library of Malaysia (PNM) offers 13.2 million digital reading materials for free digital reading during the MCO period. To read, visit https://pnm.elib.com.my/ Exercise Don’t make excuses for not exercising at home. Choose the right exercise for you to do in your living room or in your bedroom, for instance jumping jacks, push-ups, squats and sit-ups and the old-school jogging in place. You may search for online videos to follow and practice. Clean the house During this crisis, cleanliness is a key factor and staying away from germs is also very important. Therefore, it’s time for all of you to clean the house. Get all family members to participate together. Rub the floor with anti-bacterial soap, wash the toilet, clean the kitchen and clean the room and so on. Make sure every corner of your house is cleaned properly! Cook new recipes If you go through your social media feeds, there are definitely new and viral recipes for you to try at home. Get a simple and nutritious recipe from there to make sure that you eat well with balanced diet. Watch out for the high calorie food recipes! Meditate Anxiety over COVID-19 is spreading faster than the virus itself. Meditation can help you calm your anxiety and fear over the pandemic. It gives you a sense of peace, helps you focus your attention and feel less controlled by challenging thoughts. Learn new skills This is a great time to try your hand at something new. Think of the things you’ve always wanted to do, but never got the time to do. It could be painting, knitting, or playing a musical instrument. You can also consider learning a new language or picking up a new skill you could use in your career.
Working from home has many advantages such as flexible hours, better home-office balance and no traffic congestion! It can seem like a dream come true – but it can present its own set of challenges. Isolation, distractions and communication difficulties are some of the problems you may face if you work remotely. The lack of physical separation between home and work makes it difficult to “switch off” at the end of the day. You can keep being proactive even when you are working from home. Here is a bunch of great work-at-home tips to overcome the challenges. Create a dedicated workspace A conducive workspace can keep you motivated and focused. Create a dedicated workspace at home as your working station. Set yourself up with a comfy, supportive chair, a spacious desk, and consistent workplace tools. Avoid setting up your workspace in bedroom or living room to stay away from personal life that may interrupt your work. Keep yourself to regular work hours Working from home does not mean you can get lazy or delay all the works you need to do. One surefire way to keep productivity up is to keep to regular work hours. You need to schedule all tasks and meetings for the day to keep you on track. But, don’t forget your break for a meal! Stay connected with colleagues Make sure you check in with your colleagues during work hours, whether by call, text message or video call. There are many types of mobile software or applications that you can use to stay in touch. At some point, you do not even have to talk about work, just for a little chat to avoid ‘burn out’. Exercise & stretch regularly Working from home means you skip your commute and have fewer reasons to get up from your chair throughout the day. Make sure you stand up regularly to stretch or move around to alleviate body aches. Try simple exercises like jumping jacks, sit-ups, planks, lunges and push-ups. Avoid distractions It is undeniably true that you may face a lot of distractions while working from home. Therefore, you must establish strict boundaries and keep a firm barrier between my work life and home life. Physically removing yourself into a separate home office helps. With no television, books, kids or pets around, you succumb to them less easily. You may also find it helpful to turn off all of your social media during work hours.
Indulging in boba teas and desserts may satisfy your sweet tooth, but it can take a toll on your skin. Here’s the not-so-sweet truth about sugar: it accelerates the ageing process, making you look much older than you are! You are probably consuming a lot more sugar than you realise. Added sugar lurks in many packaged and processed foods, including breakfast cereals, condiments, trail mix, yogurt and protein bars. Not only that, the staple food you consume every day, such as rice, bread and noodles, are also converted to sugar in your body! How does sugar damage your skin? Too much sugar can age your skin through a process called glycation. Sugar binds with collagen and elastin, the two vital proteins which make your skin supple and elastic. This produces advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which weaken the skin’s structure, resulting in visible signs of ageing. AGEs generate high levels of free radicals which further aggravate skin ageing and increase glycation, leading to a vicious self-perpetuating cycle. Reverse ageing with resveratrol You cannot turn back the hands of time, but the good news is that you can delay ageing and reverse some of its ravages, to keep looking your best. While it is impossible to totally cut out sugar from your diet, managing the glycation process in your body is the best way to go. Sugar-proof your skin with the anti-glycation agent: resveratrol. Notably found in Japanese knotweed, resveratrol is a phytonutrient naturally synthesised as a defensive response to external aggressors. It has been scientifically proven to exert anti-ageing effects at both physical and cellular levels. The results? Rejuvenated, youthful skin your future self will thank you for! How does resveratrol work? Blocks glycation by reducing sugar release in the blood Inhibits formation of AGEs to halt the breakdown of collagen Scavenges free radicals through its potent antioxidant properties
The time of the year has come! It is Ramadhan, a blessed month for Muslims all over the world. During the entire month, fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset. Here are some tips to stay healthy and active this holy month. Suhoor with a nutritious meal Suhoor or the pre-dawn meal is not one to be missed. A balanced, wholesome suhoor can keep you hydrated and energised throughout the day. Consider incorporating rice, noodles, wholemeal bread or oats. These foods take more time to digest, keeping you feeling full for longer. Drink plenty of water Water is the best drink to keep you hydrated throughout the day. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water in between iftar (dinner) and suhoor. It is preferred to drink lukewarm water instead of iced water as it may interfere with the efficiency of your digestive system. Cut down on tea or coffee as the caffeine leads to loss of water which increases thirst. Eat more fruits and vegetables Constipation during the fasting month could be a possible problem if the intake of water and fiber is inadequate. Load up on fruits and vegetables as they contain fiber and a rich variety of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that are vital for good health. Eat at least 3 servings of vegetables and at least two 2 serving of fruits a day. Go for varieties! Do not overindulge during iftar After fasting for almost 12 hours, it is the time for iftar after the sun has set. Iftar is not a feast, make sure to prepare a well-balanced and nutritious meal. Slow down and enjoy each mouthful of your food. Overindulging at iftar may result in indigestion, heartburn and weight gain. So just get enough to fill you up. Reduce intake of fried, salty and high-sugar foods The desire to have greasy, fried, salty and sugary foods is irresistible when you are thinking of what to eat for iftar as to reward yourselves. While these foods can make you feel good in the short run, they can make fasting the next day more difficult. Consuming fatty and sugary foods will cause sluggishness and fatigue. So be moderate! Be physically active Fasting in Ramadhan is not an excuse for you to be sedentary. Do simple exercise like brisk walks, stretching or light cardio workouts. It helps stimulate your body to use stored fat for energy, leading to a reduction in body fat. The best time to exercise while fasting is an hour or 30 minutes before iftar. Do not work out too early during the day to avoid excessive dehydration and hunger. Get enough rest and sleep Get enough rest, sleep early and wake up before dawn for suhoor. You will be easily upset, out of focus, forgetful, lack of motivation and fall sick without adequate rest. Sleep deprivation can lead to headaches too. You may also take a short nap during midday to recharge – it is a Sunnah!
Your gut microbiota contains approximately 1-2kg or 100 trillion bacteria from about 1000 different types of species. In fact, these bacteria are ten times more than the number of cells of your entire body! The delicate balance of gut microbiota Bacteria are not all bad. Most of the bacteria are good and you need them to maintain good health. It is of the utmost importance to keep a correct balance between the good and bad bacteria. Ideally, the colony of microflora should be composed of a ratio of 85% good bacteria to 15% bad bacteria. The key is to promote the growth of good bacteria while reducing the amount of the bad. What disrupts the gut microbiota? The delicate balance of gut microbiota can be disrupted by numerous factors such as: Stress Poor dietary choices Use of antibiotics Lack of exercise Smoking Alcohol consumption When your body does not have enough good bacteria, bad bacteria can thrive. An imbalance of gut microbiota, often due to lack of good bacteria or an overgrowth of bad bacteria, can negatively affect your well-being. Here are some signs to look for: Constipation, diarrhea or bloating Fatigue or sluggishness Mood swings Skin problems like eczema Poor concentration Unexplained weight changes Probiotic + prebiotic = synbiotic There are hundreds of varying strains of bacteria in a healthy gut, with specific strains benefiting certain parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Lactobacilli strains reside in the small intestines while Bifidobacteria settle predominantly in the colon. Probiotics work synergistically with prebiotics, non-digestible fibers that feed the good bacteria, stimulating their growth and activity in your gut. Inulin is one of the best-known examples of prebiotics. Combining probiotics and prebiotics in a powerful synergy, known as synbiotic, can optimise the beneficial effects of both. Gut health Probiotics have been shown to promote digestion and optimise the absorption of nutrients. They stimulate the enzymatic activities which break down the food you ingest. In the colon, probiotics promote regular bowel movements to eliminate the detrimental waste and toxins from your body. Good digestive health will ultimately relieve a number of digestive conditions including gas, bloating, flatulence and abdominal discomfort. Probiotics also help alleviate the symptoms of lactose intolerance. Immune defence Your gut and your immune system are closely linked. Housing 80% of your body’s immune cells, your gut plays a vital role as the first line of defence against infections. Probiotics reinforce the integrity of the gut barrier, providing an extra level of defence against infectious bacteria and other triggers from entering the bloodstream. By establishing colonies of good bacteria in the gut, probiotics help discourage the less friendly bugs which otherwise the immune system would have to deal with. What makes a good probiotic supplement? Not all probiotics strains are created equal. To ensure the quality and efficacy, look for a probiotic formula which is: High strength Made with multiple strains for synergistic benefits Resistant to stomach acid, bile and antibiotics to survive the stomach and intestinal transit Stable at room temperature during their storage throughout their shelf life In the form of capsules so the bacteria are protected from air, moisture and other contaminants Added with prebiotic to stimulate growth and activity of good bacteria Maintaining a balanced gut microbiota Tending to the bacteria in your gut is an ongoing process. Supplementing with probiotics offers a fast and effective way to replenish the good bacteria. Remember, you can only achieve good health when your body is able to effectively absorb and utilise the essential nutrients from what you eat and eliminate the metabolic by-products and toxins from the body. https://youtu.be/NAi-3iqRHL4
