After a hard week at work, you often look forward to spending your weekend relaxing and indulging in the things we love. Food is always the centre of many social events, including get-togethers with friends, family gatherings, and company outings. Despite your best intentions to keep your eating under control, the big fest is near impossible to resist. With an episode of binge eating and drinking, you will definitely feel the effects in your body. Consuming too much rich food, or alcohol – or both together – may strain your liver and digestive system and leave you feeling sluggish, bloated and heavier. Your liver has to work extra hard to process and filter out the excess fats and potentially harmful toxins, which is where liver supplements can help. Bounce back from overindulgence Now, let’s take a look at the steps to naturally ease the misery of overindulgence and get your energy levels back on track. It is imperative to stay hydrated, squeeze in some exercise and get back to your normal, balanced eating routine. There are a number of natural remedies that you can use to relieve the symptoms associated with overindulgence. Taking a bottle of VitaHealth CHARGE-UP Liveli after your eating binge can significantly help your body bounce back from overindulgence. This unique health supplement is packed with a synergistic blend of botanical extracts and vitamin C, specially catered to protect the liver from the unpleasant effects of overindulgence as a liver supplement. The results? You will feel fresh, lighter, livelier and more energetic, and most of all, your skin will begin to look more radiant! With delicious black date and plum taste, this Halal-certified nutritive tonic is available in convenient, ready-to-drink bottles. Liver supplements – how Liveli benefits you LiverGuardTM unripe green jujube extract, which shows the function of hepatic protection, has been honoured with the Gold Medal award in the Invention & New Product Exposition (INPEX), USA. Rich in antioxidants, jujube has been prized since ancient times for its rejuvenating and soothing benefits. Unripe jujube is used as it contains 4.5 times more antioxidants than the mature fruit, bestowing greater health benefits with every delicious sip. It works gently to strengthen the liver, and thus protects the body against toxin overload and prevents liver damage from fatty build-up and alcohol. Royal jelly serves as the exclusive food of the queen bee, accounting for its extended longevity. This vitality tonic is packed with a rich variety of nutrients to strengthen the immune system. Royal jelly is also used to increase energy and vitality, and relieve stress. A nutritional staple, artichoke has been shown to protect the liver and aid digestion. At the same time, it also lowers blood cholesterol and glucose levels, which can spike after large and heavy meals. Vitamin C is known for strengthening the immune system. Jiaogulan is nourishing herb which helps boost immunity and increase stamina.
Leading a hectic schedule while living a healthy lifestyle can be challenging. When there is little time to sit down and enjoy a full meal, it often seems easier and time-saving to opt for pre-packaged food, or skipping a meal altogether. However, these ready-to-eat foods are notoriously laden with added sugar, sodium or fat, and provide little to no nutritional values. Shake it up to a healthy, sleek toned body Just because you are busy does not mean you have to resort to less-than-ideal food choices. There are other healthier options available. Fuel your body with VitaHealth Protein 23! Easy to make and convenient, it makes an excellent on-the-go meal replacement. Whether you are eating on the run or grabbing a quick snack, it can give you an energy lift, while also satisfying your hunger. It provides premium-quality protein plus a healthy burst of antioxidants to help you power through your day. Protein 23 is a nutritional protein drink featuring two key patented ingredients: VegOtein PTM 80 pea protein made from organically grown American and Canadian yellow peas; and Oxxynea®, an exclusive combination of 22 fruits and vegetables adopted from the Mediterranean diet. It comes in a delicious, creamy vanilla flavour that is free from added sugar. It has a smooth texture and mixes well with water and other beverages. This wholesome drink is also fortified with green tea extract and chromium (from natural yeast fermentation) that help burn fat and reduces cravings for high-fat foods; and MCT oil that provides energy source during exercise. Pea protein for every nutrition plan Protein is a macronutrient your body requires in large amounts for many critical roles. It is the major structural component of every living cell, essential for building and repairing muscles, bones, skin and hair. In the body, protein is constantly being broken down and recycled. It cannot be stored in the body; therefore, it’s important that you consume adequate amounts of protein every single day. Pea protein is a plant-based protein which offers a wide array of amino acids with a substantial supply of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), arginine and lysine – that is especially beneficial for active lifestyles. It can be easily digested and provides a sustained release of amino acids through the day. Pea protein is a non-animal source, hence, free from antibiotics and growth hormones. How does Protein 23 benefit you? Weight managementTaking Protein 23 can save you tons of calories. It delivers 15.5g protein in each serving, providing sustaining satiety and controlling your craving, which results in smaller portion sizes and less frequent snacking between meals. Muscle growthMuscle tissue is composed of protein, so it is no surprise that a high-protein diet can help your body build and maintain lean muscle mass. Post-exercise recoveryAll workouts, especially intense or prolonged trainings, taxes on your muscles. Consuming Protein 23 directly after a workout can optimize muscle repair and speed up recovery from muscle soreness. The addition of BCAAs boosts protein synthesis and give your muscle the fuel they need to recover. Antioxidant boostOxxynea® delivers high contents of antioxidants which help scavenge free radicals in your body, and has been associated with a reduction in risks of coronary heart disease. Who should take Protein 23? Great for busy adults and active individuals on the go, Protein 23 can be taken as a meal replacement for breakfast, mid-day snack, or post-workout replenishment. Boasting a rich amino acid profile, it also makes an excellent source of protein for vegetarians to meet their daily protein needs. It is especially recommended for individuals who are on a weight loss diet, wish to build or maintain muscle mass or undergo workouts. Mix two scoops (30g) with 200ml of water and you are good to go!
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
