Stepping up

Okay - My weight and cholesterol count is down. Today my weigh in is 50.5kg. It has been stable for over two weeks now. Yes, it was done without exercising. I am going to step up my programme to being healthier. Yes! I am incorporating a 10-min-a-day exercise session. No gym workout, just stretching and stepping routines. Will update in ten days time.

Cardiovascular disease is a women's disease

More women dies from cardiovascular disease (CVD) than men.  CVD is now the number 1 killer and threat to women.  Find out - listen to Dr.Merz on :  http://www.ted.com/talk /noel_bairey_merz_the_single_biggest_health_threat_women_face.html

Twisted path of fats

Bad fats kill. Good fats heal.  The two "superstars" of essential fatty acids that enhance health are alpha-linolenic acid (LNA) the superunsaturates, and linoleic acid (LA) the polyunsaturates. 

      Read more on http://www.udoerasmus.com/fatsmain.htm

Estrogen & a woman's heart

 Both men and women have estrogen - just women have much higher levels. It is this high level of estrogen that works in favour for women against cardiovascular diseases. Estrogen protect women from heart disease by lowering blood levels of fats that cause atherosclerosis.   

       Read more at  http://www.readabstracts.com/Health/The-protective-effects-of-estrogen-on-the-cardiovascular-system.html

Stepping up to life events

                  Life events are events that produce changes in
                  people's lives that require adaptation.
                                                    Brannon & Feist, 2010, p.117


Two of my friends are divorcing and it is not an amicable parting. But even if is amicable, the events that lead to the decision as well as the 'last straw that broke the camel's back' has already taken toll on both physical and mental health of the whole family.
      As both adults contend against each other, the children are caught in-between. So much pain and anger - but friends and family members will provide much social support which hopefully will help buffer some of the negative effects of the stressful situation as well as to manage the coming changes and adjustments.  
       So please excuse me now. It's time to start cooking dinner. The children will be home soon and a warm meal will help bring a sense of calm and routine during this distressing time.

Women - Protect Your Heart

We often think that heart disease is more of men's health problem than women's. Before menopause, women has the advantage of estrogen which have a protective function for the cardiovascular. Bad news is estrogen levels drop with menopause, then combined with weight gain and ageing, women face equal risk of developing heart disease with men.

      According to Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin, consultant cardiologist and director of the Heart Foundation of Malaysia (Yayasan Jantung Malaysia, YJM)* "Heart disease has been the number one killer of women in Malaysia and the world for decades....Older women also tend to have higher levels of triglycerides and LDL ('bad') cholesterol, not just due to menopause, but also due to weight gain and ageing. All of these increase the risk of heart disease in a woman." 

      I am still working towards reducing my risk of cardiovascular problems; have cholesterol total at 6.5 (as at January 28) lowered to 5.49 (as at February 29).  

*Source: http://www.malaysianheart.org/article.php?aid=628

De-confusing Ginseng

In my approach to maintain my health, I incorporate selected ginseng
in my health programme:  

   My daily multivitamin contains panax ginseng (ren shen). 

   I enjoy an occasional cuppa of wild American ginseng (fa kei sum)
       tea in the afternoon. 

   On weekends, I boil dang shen (codonopsis) with red dates and
       wolf-berries as a drink. 

   Then home-prepared dinners would likely include a soup with ren shen.  

   When I notice an onset of any mouth ulcer, I drink a brew of shen xu to
    detox, cool my internals and restore balance.

Are you confused with the variety of ginseng?  It was the same for me in
the beginning but investment of time in traditional chinese medical halls
and reading books on chinese herbs have enhanced my knowledge.

Here is a short introduction to four types of ginseng* used most frequently among the Chinese:

Panax ginseng a.k.a. Chinese ginseng, ren shen. One of the most used herbs. Valued for its revitalising properties. Value increases with age and price usually reflects it. Harvested only after 6 years. Warming in nature. Activates circulation and modulates endocrine glands and brain function(anti-stress). Tonifies lungs and spleen. Panacea for serious exhaustion and aid restoration of energy after illness. Believed to be an elixir of longevity.

Wild American ginseng a.k.a. fa kei sum. Cooling in nature but with revitalising properties. Reduces heatiness, quenches thirst and restores energy levels. Influences lung, heart and kidney. Harvested after 4 years. Restorative for those with hectic and stressful lifestyle. Suitable for people with yang constitution.

Codonopsis root a.k.a. dang shen. Mildly warm in nature. Invigorates the spleen and stomach, tonifies lungs and nourishes blood (reduces leukocytosis). Those experiencing shortness of breath, thirst and fatigue will benefit. Lowest price of all ginseng but efficacy not compromised.

Notoginseng root a.k.a. tian qi. Hemostatic action more efficacious if harvested between 3-7 years. Valued for elimination of blood stasis, anti-inflammation, reducing pain, and to stop bleeding. Widely used in treating traumatic injuries. Influences liver and spleen. Some evidence show effective to treat narowing of arteries in heart, aids lowering cholesterol and fat. Expedite growth children and relieves growth pain in teenagers.

*Sources:  Eu Yan Sang Anthology of Chinese Herbs & Medicine (1998), Introduction to Chinese herbs of geo-specific habitat (2004)