Should we use probiotics on our babies?

1. Why do we need good bacteria in our body?

Trillions of microorganism including at least 1000 species of bacteria live in the human intestines. 

We need good bacteria as good bacteria:

• helps body to digest certain foods that the stomach and small intestine cannot digest 

• ferments dietary fiber into short chain fatty acids 

• helps with the production of vitamin B and K

• crowds out harmful bacteria by competing with them for nutrition and preventing their attachment to and entry into epithelial cells

• helps to strengthen the immune system:

Scientists infected 2 groups of mice with viral germs. 

The first group had normal gut bacteria. The second group did not have gut bacteria because they were treated with antibiotics or bred under sterile conditions. 

Compared to the first group, the second group's immune response was greatly reduced and the disease took a more severe course in them.

Recent research has revealed that butyrate, a byproduct of the digestion of dietary fiber by gut microbiota, boost the immune system by inducing the production of regulatory T cells in the gut. 

2. Is there any Relationship between intestinal bacteria and heart diseases?

Yes, if our diet is on meat-based, the gut bacteria will produce a sticky compound which can clog our arteries and leads to heart disease. 

The sticky compound is called TMAO. 

What is TMAO - called trimethylamine-N-oxide? Click below to understand more.
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20130424/gut-reaction-may-predict-cardiovascular-risk

Measuring TMAO level in blood may serve as an accurate screening tool for predicting future risks of heart attacks, stroke and death. According to the findings of a study involving about 4000 subjects over 3 year period, higher levels of TMAO in the blood were associated with a higher risk of death and non-fatal heart attack or stroke. 

3. Why Probiotics are being introduced?

Probiotics in the form of dietary supplements (capsules, powder, tablets), in dairy products (cultured milk drink, yoghurts) are available in the market.

Common probiotic bacteria added are: 

• Lactobacillus acidophilus, 
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus, 
• Lactobacillus gasseri
• Bifidobacterium bifidum 

Probiotics may help in short run for diarrhea, stomach upset after antibiotics use
because they crowd out the bad bacteria. 

***However, experts caution that more research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of long term use of probiotics. 

4. What are the safety concerns involved by using probiotics supplements or drink?

Probiotics supplements may not be effective (or for long term solution) as

• Number of bacteria strains from the probiotics supplements is not enough. 
• Good bacteria varies from people to people 
• Probiotics are quickly flushed out of GI tract when one stops consuming them, hence continued intake is required (leading to dependancy). 

FDA have not approved any health claims for probiotics 

They are NOT suitable for:

• People with inflamed pancreas cannot use probiotics

• Children more easily get allergy, causing problems such as breathing difficulties, hives, vomiting, diarrhea and coughing by long term consumption of probiotics

• People using corticosteroid, chemotherapy, organ transplant, AIDS, cannot use probiotics

• People with weak immune system, for example the young, elderly, those with weakened immune system are not suitable to use probiotics, they should seek advice from a health care provider before using probiotics, as they may induce potentially fatal conditions. 

• Note that the probiotics used in many probiotics drinks in the market - require milk /dairy products as a medium to grow. They will produce TMAO in our body when they are in our body and may lead to cardiovascular diseases for long term intake. 

• More information from: 

http://www.berkeleywellness.com/supplements/other-supplements/article/probiotics-pros-and-cons


5. What are the natural approach to ensure sufficient good bacteria?

Good bacteria are supposed to grow on their own naturally when the intestinal environment is healthy. 

We don't have to replenish them by our own.

Based on different diets, each person's digestive system requires different types of good bacteria to digest the food.

For eg, people from Sichuan (eat spicy food) and shanghai (eat sweet food) have different types of good bacteria. If we supplement probiotics using outer source, we may not know which type of good bacteria our intestine requires.

In conclusion, change your diet to more fruits and vegetable to ensure healthy intestinal environment, so to let your intestine grow the good bacteria on its own. 
- no side effects 
- no reliance issue 

6. Plant foods for a healthy gut: 

1. Psyllium Husk 

2. Oat

3. Soy bean 

4. Fruits 

It's never too late to change our diet. 

If you are a parent and considering giving your children probiotics supplements but worry about possible safety concerns, you can now have a more natural approach: 

Charge your children's diet with above plant foods for a healthy gut. =) 

According to a Harvard study, following a change from an animal-based diet to a plant based diet, the gut bacteria composition in the body actually changes within a day! 

7. My solution to maintain a healthy gut of my 2 children is: 

Nutrifresh - a convenient wholesome freeze-dried food made of organic and non-GMO soy bean, and 15 different types of organic fruits and vegetables. 

• Free of preservatives
• Free of artificial colouring 
• Awarded Food Safety Excellence Award by Singapore AVA for consecutively 12 years since 2004

More info about NUTRIFRESH:

https://healthywholesomefood.blogspot.sg/2014/06/soy-protein-or-animal-protein.html


If you wish to find out healthy food suitable for a child's gut, kindly contact me via message/ email. 

Warmest Regards 
Joselyne 
+65-90909942

The Toxic Truth about Vitamin Supplements

Read an article about vitamin supplements - would like to share with all here.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1305534/The-toxic-truth-vitamin-supplements-Health-pills-millions-barely-second-thought-harm-good.html

The toxic truth about vitamin supplements: How health pills millions take with barely a second thought can do more harm than good
By Lynne Wallis
UPDATED: 00:26 GMT, 24 August 2010


Four years ago, I began taking the much promoted glucosamine supplement after hurting my knee in a skiing accident.
Glucosamine is made from shellfish and is widely believed to promote joint health - the theory is that it speeds up the production of the protein needed to grow and maintain healthy cartilage.
Although there's no clinical evidence of its effectiveness, my GP said it might help rebuild the damaged cartilage and improve my joint strength. I didn't hesitate, and immediately started taking the recommended dose, 1,500 mg a day.

Toxic tablet: Headaches, diarrhoea and a flagging libido can be side effects of taking some vitamin supplements

Not long after, I found I needed to go to the lavatory far too often - sometimes more than five times a day. I had abdominal discomfort, bloating, gas and my stools were dark and tarry. I self- diagnosed IBS.
My GP prescribed drugs to relax the bowel muscles, but they didn't help. Then, early last year, I ran out of glucosamine and didn't restock. My knee was better and I was taking fish oils, which were being promoted as the new miracle supplement for joints.
Within a few days, my bowels returned to normal and remained so until, after another ski accident damaging the same knee in March this year, I began taking glucosamine again.
Within a week my 'IBS' had returned and I made the link. I researched glucosamine and found that side-effects include diarrhoea and loose stools. I stopped again and, hey presto, everything's back to normal.
Sales of health supplements have soared in recent years, with 40 per cent of Britons taking them. It's such a huge market that manufacturers spend around £40 million a year just telling us about their products. 

As supplements are either made from natural substances or mimic substances produced by our bodies, many people, like me, assume they cannot do any harm.
But we're wrong, say health professionals. They point out that the health supplement industry is unregulated, which means manufacturers are not required to list potential side-effects - nor do their products have to go through costly clinical trials.
There are a handful of exceptions, such as folic acid, which is recommended for women trying to conceive. If you take a tablet of 400 micrograms (mcg) strength to help with conception, it is classed as a food.
But increase the dose to 5 mg (to treat anaemia and other conditions) and it becomes a medicine, requiring a licence. Otherwise, there are no checks and balances to protect consumers. And this worries experts.
'Health supplements can produce ill effects,' warns Anna Raymond, from the British Dietetic Association.
'People take supplements randomly, but they can be toxic if taken with some medicines or in high quantities.'

Needless habit: Experts say it's better to have a healthy diet than take supplements

Indeed, glucosamine has been linked to the death of one man. In 2004, Norman Ferrie, a 64-year-old engineer from Dundee, died of liver failure within weeks of taking the supplement.
'The liver had been normal and something had attacked it,' gastroenterologist Dr John Dillon, of Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, told the inquest in 2008. He said there had been two other cases involving extreme reactions to the widely used supplement.
'Increasingly, people are being taken in by the prospect of a magic pill that will make them healthy,' says Dr Dillon. 'Most people don't know that glucosamine and other supplements are only licensed as a food, but are sold as a medicine.
'It would seem fair to ask manufacturers of supplements to list serious risks.
'Everything we need can be got from a healthy diet. The vast majority of health supplements are a waste of money. People feel fluey and start taking supplements they don't need. They could end up with hypervitaminosis, caused by excessive amounts of supplements.'
This can lead to vomiting, lethargy and even renal failure. 'The only time a person should take a supplement is if a doctor recommends it,' adds Dr Dillon.
But even taking supplements on doctors' recommendations is not risk free. Last month, it was reported that taking calcium supplements - often prescribed for osteoporosis - could raise the risk of heart attacks by 30 per cent.
And it's not just the main ingredient than causes problems. Another risk is having an allergy to one of the constituents of a tablet, such as a binding agent or the gel coating, says nutritionist Dr Carrie Buxton, from the Health Supplement Information Service.
Despite the concerns, the Food Standards Agency says legislation on supplements is adequate. So, what can you do to ensure your safety?
Dietitian Anna Raymond advises anyone who starts taking supplements should tell their GP. And here we identify some of the supplements with potentially negative effects you won't find listed on the packet.
GLUCOSAMINE
WHAT IT IS: The supplement, which is made from crab and lobster shells (so should be avoided if you have a seafood allergy), is often taken to ease the symptoms of arthritis.
POTENTIAL SIDE-EFFECTS: According to the Arthritis Research Campaign, these can include stomach upset, constipation, diarrhoea, headache and rash; glucosamine can also react with anti-diabetic treatments by increasing blood sugar levels.
The UK Commission on Human Medicines has noted that glucosamine has a negative interaction with the blood-thinning drug warfarin and warns against taking these substances simultaneously.
The supplement might also cause water retention, as it attracts water.

KELP

WHAT IT IS: This supplement is made from a seaweed which is the fastest-growing marine algae in the world - it can grow two feet in one day and is most abundant off the north California coast.
Kelp is a rich source of several minerals and trace elements, including iodine - deficiency of which can lead to an underactive thyroid. It is marketed as a treatment for thyroid imbalance, caused by the thyroid gland producing either too much or too little of the hormone.
POTENTIAL SIDE-EFFECTS: Despite the claims made for it, studies have linked kelp to an increased risk of thyroid dysfunction. It's also a blood thinner and shouldn't be taken with aspirin or any medicine to lower blood pressure.
There's also concern that some kelp is being harvested from kelp 'forests' in polluted oceans, which means it could be toxic. In 2007, research at the University of California found high levels of arsenic in eight out of nine kelp supplements. Arsenic is linked to hair loss, headaches, confusion and drowsiness.
POTASSIUM
WHAT IT IS: Maintaining an adequate potassium level is important for bone health and the proper functioning of the body. Potassium supplements are often taken to help combat insulin resistance, arthritis and menopausal symptoms such as fatigue and mood swings.
POTENTIAL SIDE-EFFECTS: Taken in very high doses as a supplement, potassium can have serious side-effects such as arrhythmia (faulty heartbeat) - and it can even be fatal.
Research at Oregon State University has also linked it to muscle weakness, confusion, stomach pain and numbness or tingling in the hands, feet or mouth.
Potassium supplements react badly with some medicines, and shouldn't be taken by anyone suffering from kidney or heart disease, severe dehydration or high blood pressure.
Older people who often have too much potassium in their bodies should avoid these supplements - kidneys are less efficient at eliminating potassium as we age.

MELATONIN

WHAT IT IS: Natural melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland in the brain and helps to regulate sleep.
Supplements can control our sleep/ wake cycles and are used to treat sleep disorders. British manufacturers make medical claims about its sleep benefits, so here it is licensed as a prescription- only medicine - however it is freely available in the
U.S. POTENTIAL SIDE-EFFECTS: These include raised blood pressure, vivid dreams, headache, lower body temperature, fatigue, depression, decreased libido and reduced fertility.
A daily dose of 1- 3 mg of melatonin increases the body's levels of melatonin by 20 times the normal amount. The British Pharmaceutical Society says that studies on its effectiveness to treat jet-lag have been conflicting.

CALCIUM

WHAT IT IS: Calcium is an essential mineral for the growth and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth and for blood clotting, muscle contraction, healthy nerves and good hormone function. It is usually taken by women to boost bone health.
POTENTIAL SIDE-EFFECTS: Research published last month by Auckland and Aberdeen universities reflected other studies in finding a 30 per cent increased risk of heart attack among women taking calcium supplements - most women taking them are postmenopausal and concerned about osteoporosis.
This increase is due to the risk of calcium supplements accelerating the hardening of blood vessels. Doctors involved with a 2008 New Zealand study advise women of 70 or older not to take calcium supplements.

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Joselyne

Safety concern of Traditional Chinese medicine

Read this article this morning, would like to share it.

Please take note of the traditional Chinese medication...

Source: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/chinese-medicines-may-contain-high-levels-toxins-230754907.html

British health regulators have issued a warning that some traditional Chinese medications contain "dangerously high" levels of lead, mercury, and arsenic.

On Tuesday, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warned people not to use a number of unlicensed Chinese medicines, including a product called Bak Foong Pills, which are used to treat menstrual pain.

The medicine has been recalled in Hong Kong after it was found to contain up to twice the level of lead permitted by the Hong Kong Government.

Another Chinese medication called Hairegenerator, used for the treatment of hair loss, has also been recalled in Hong Kong after a sample was found to contain 11 times the permitted level of mercury.

The Swedish National Food Agency (SFNA), meanwhile, has found extremely high levels of arsenic in products going by a variety of names, including Niu-Huang Chieh-tu-pein, Divya Kaishore Guggul, and Chandraprabha Vati.

These are used for the treatment of mumps, sore throat, tonsillitis, toothache, skin infections, anorexia, and fever in young children.

"The adulteration of traditional Chinese medicines with heavy metals is a significant international problem and can pose a serious risk to public health," said Richard Woodfield, MHRA's Head of Herbal Policy.

 UK consumers can follow Woodfield's advice: "To help you choose an herbal medicine that is suitable for you, look for a product that has a Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) or product license number on the packaging.

These products have met the acceptable quality and safety standards. – AFP/Relaxnews, August 22, 2013.

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Joselyne

Orchestra for my parents-in-law

Today I woke up early morning at 5am to send of parents-in-law at Changi Airport with hubby as they are going Hong Kong to visit relatives. Had an early sandwiches breakfast at Starbucks there.

Mother-in-law has been a very caring person, been buying me a few maternity wear and told me that she will help me look out for some clothes in HK too. :) *touching*

2 days ago, I bought her and father Orchestra lime for them to consume since Orchestra is very beneficial to elderly especially on longevity, also prevent dementia. Glad that they started taking since yesterday - 1 cup each! Will let them have Orchestra daily... :)

If you want to find out Orchestra info, please click below:
http://healthywholesomefood.blogspot.sg/2013/08/longevity-herbs-kumazasa-ashitaba.html

Nourishment for Heart and Liver

Protect Your Heart and Liver

Our body is constantly working 24 hours daily. 

Our heart has never stopped pumping and our liver is our constant filter. Hence, it is important we properly nourish our heart and liver. 

To protect the heart and liver from diseases, the immune system must be well nourished.

Importance of our HEART:

• The heart is a powerful muscle slightly larger than a clenched fist located behind the rib cage, and a little to the left of the centre of the body. 

• The heart works like a pump and sends oxygen-rich blood and nutrients through all parts of the body for each cell to function. On the way back to the heart, blood carries away carbon dioxide and waste products.

Importance of our LIVER:

• The liver is the largest gland in the body, and scientists estimated that it has over 500 different functions. Evidence indicates that growing older is NOT a reason for the liver to function ANY LESS efficiently.

The main functions of the liver are to:

1. Assist in the food digestion. It makes bile, which is needed to digest fats
2. Make many chemicals important for function of all over the body.
3. Filter blood, remove toxins, dead cells, microorganism from bloodstream
4. Regulate fat metabolism
5. Burn fat - major fat-burning organ in the body
6. Store carbohydrates in the form that allows a quick release of energy when it is needed. This is why people with liver damage may lack of energy.
7. Regulate blood sugar
8. Make plasma proteins, needed to help blood clot
9. The liver is a bridge between the returning blood from the digestive system and the lower part of the body to the heart. 
10. Maintaining an adequate amount of blood flow to the heart
11. Contains over half of the body’s supply of Kupffer cells and large populations of natural killer (NK) cells. These immune cells attack and kill “foreign” cells, including tumor cells & cells infected with bacteria or viruses. The liver’s ability to fight infections, will be impaired if the liver is damaged in any way.
12. Plays an important role in the production of cholesterol. When we have high bad cholesterol, it is not just purely due to dietary intake. It could be caused also by malfunctioning of liver.

(We need cholesterol to strengthen the membranes of each and every cell in the body. It is also important in the production of many hormones in the body including estrogen, progesterone, cortisone, and aldosterone. These steroid hormones help the body manage stress and balance sodium and water in the body, not to mention regulate sexual function.)

• By properly nourishing our liver, we can keep our cholesterol level in a good balance and thereby we will be able to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

-> Therefore, there is a direct link between our liver and heart.

Recent study has also shown that heart attacks, strokes (cardiovascular diseases) are caused by malfunctioning of our immune system. When there is inflammation on our blood vessels, there will be immune cells which will gather on the blood vessels wall which further block the passage of blood; in addition of deposition of cholesterol and fats on the blood vessels.

--> Hence, we must nourish our liver and heart in a broader scope ie. nourishing our immune system.

As long as our immune system are well nourished, we are assured that we are always with the best doctor in the world!

Protect Your Heart and Liver

Nutritional Immunology advocates plant foods that are high in disease-fighting nutrients like phytochemicals, antioxidants and polysaccharides.

Nutritionists recommended obtaining a variety of nutrients from our diet, not from pills, because not all the nutrients in plant foods can be mimicked in a laboratory and bottled into pills.

Furthermore, liver and heart pills or medicines bring along many side effects as you can see below:

Besides consuming a variety of wholesome plant foods on a daily basis, maintaining good heart and liver health also requires adequate rest and exercise, abstaining from smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and maintaining emotional balance.



What are the plant foods which are excellent for our heart and liver?
1. BLUEBERRIES

Do you know these tiny blueberries are mighty disease-fighting warriors? Brimming with health-promoting compounds, they give a delicious boost to your heart, immune system, brain, eyes and musculoskeletal system.

Keep your heart happy with Blueberries! Thanks to their high antioxidant activity, blueberries help reduce the buildup of LDL (bad) cholesterol, prevent formation of blood clots that may block blood vessels and cause heart attack and stroke. They may also lower blood pressure. Phytochemicals in blueberries strengthen blood vessels and are useful in treating varicose veins and spider veins.

2. HAWTHORN

Hawthorn is a beautiful shrub with a variety of phytochemicals, making it a herb that nourishes the cardiovascular system in many ways!

What are the benefits of Hawthorn?

•  It increases the rate at which the liver converts LDL cholesterol (bad) into HDL cholesterol (good).
• Antioxidants in hawthorn include Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs) that help protect against cell damage and atheroscle...rosis.
• It is rich in flavonoids that help to strengthen the structure of collagen in blood vessels, preventing plaque buildup in them and improving blood flow for the smooth circulation of oxygenated blood.
• It also helps to decrease blood pressure by dilating blood vessels.
• It nourishes heart, makes it easier for calcium to enter cells, increases myocardium activity and dilation of blood vessels thus help prevent the heart from oxygen deprivation.
• Laboratory tests found that hawthorn stopped growth of larynx cancer cells. It may also relieve inflammation

Some other heart and liver nourishing plant foods:

Plum helps to prevent plaque formation in the arteries. The high potassium content in plum helps to normalize blood pressure, while soluble fiber promotes heart health.

Winter melon may protect against cardiovascular diseases and cancers by fighting free radicals and inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, which causes blood vessels to narrow. It also promotes urination, thereby removing wastes and toxins from the body.

Chrysanthemum increases blood flow to the heart. It is also reputed for aiding liver functions, lowering high blood pressure, improving eyesight, and detoxifying blood.

Mulberry helps improve blood flow, which eases the workload of theheart. It supports healthy liver function as it has detoxification properties.

As convenience,
 
To get the above plant foods more conveniently based on the right species, right harvesting time, right processing and safety guarantee, ENCORE  is an ideal healthy fast food as your option.

ENCORE is a wholesome food product made of 

• Blueberries
• Hawthorn
• Winter Melon
• Chrysanthemum 
• Mulberry

Who have benefitted from ENCORE?

My father has been taking high blood pressure medication for more than 20 years. Due to long term intake of medication, I know his liver and kidney will be definitely burdened. 

Therefore, I got him ENCORE and REFRESH to consume. 

Initially he was not too enthusiastic in taking the health foods, but my mother was very diligently making the drinks for him every morning and night! 

After taking for quite some time, he observed that the rashes on his skin getting lesser. He used to have rashes around his hand or legs due to toxin from the medication. He knew that the ENCORE and REFRESH are helping him a lot! 

Now without fail, he is taking both the products daily! =)

Cheers

Joselyne
Nutritional Immunology Consultant

+65-9090 9942

Liver diseases - is it reliable to monitor our liver health based on liver test results?

Read a post in Facebook regarding liver diseases, would like to share it here.
English translated version as followed by the Chinese version

台大醫院醫師最近掀起一股超音波檢查熱，原因是該院一位才 37 歲的主治醫師就是因為太過仰賴肝功能指數檢查（GOT、GPT），卻在春節前被檢出已有 10公分 肝癌！且肝已被撐破！

臨床上有太多太多人都迷信肝功能指數，以為指數正常就一切OK，這樣的誤解，連很多專業醫師都會犯，這些平時要民眾建立正確保健常識的醫生，自己的常識竟還不正確。

肝癌的預防要好，但台大早年推動肝癌防治，但最後仍是死於肝癌的許子秋署長最令人印象...，另外還有病理界頗負盛名的林文教授、醫界耆老杜教授，以及台大內科醫師、醫學院內科博士班的學生KK，均因罹患肝癌宣告不治．

 肝病防治學術基金會執行長、台大醫院內科教授許金川指出，近十幾年來，隨著小型肝癌的研究，臨床上才確定肝臟好壞並不能全然仰賴GOT、GPT數值，但醫學發展至此，觀念竟依然如故。

 許金川表示，醫生對肝病的防治都可能發生錯誤認知，更遑論一般民眾了；曾有一位 醫師也是誤信GOT、GPT，結果只幫他岳父監測數值，後來這位岳父大人還是得了肝癌！
台大這位年輕醫師，係因右上腹不舒服，自行用超音波探頭檢查才發現腫瘤。

許金川說，肝臟本身並沒有什麼神經，因此常常在得肝癌已經很大了才會發現，但卻為時太晚；這也是肝癌為何如此難以治療的最大原因。

 在台灣，每天有30人死於肝病，肝臟疾病已是威脅國人健康的最大殺手，在肝病常識有限下，許醫師感嘆，有太多人都是被無知給害死的。

 日前，許醫師門診也是有位病人，最近一個月經常肚子痛而且體重也減輕了不少；經超音波檢查發現，肝臟部位有一個很大的肝癌，幾乎 80%的肝臟都「吃」掉了。
 病人大吃一驚，直呼「怎麼可能？去年才做健康檢查，結果都是正常的，怎麼可能才短短的一年，就長出這麼大的肝癌？」原來病人接受的體檢只有做肝功能檢查，檢查結果病人的肝功能都是「正常」?

病人接受的肝功能檢查，是肝臟檢查項目中最讓一般人耳熟能詳的一種檢查，但這項檢查卻是被國人誤解最深的一項。因為，很多人以為只要肝功能檢查出來的數值正常的，那肝臟就沒有什麼問題了；結果一樁樁喪失治療先機的悲劇就一而再再而三的發生。

 許金川說：GOT、GPT是肝細胞裡面最多的酵素，如果肝臟發炎，或者是不管什麼原因細胞壞死，壞死之後GOT、GPT會跑出來，導致血液裡的GOT、GPT數值升高；但是，GOT、GPT指數不高，卻不代表病人沒有肝硬化或是肝癌。

因為形成肝硬化的時候，大部份肝炎患者，就算發炎情形都已經停止了，可是纖維化、肝硬化卻已經形成；一旦變成肝硬化，病人就很容易形肝癌。

 另外，肝癌在早期，肝指數也不會高，因為肝癌在生長的時候，只有在肝癌周圍被肝癌壓迫侵犯的肝細胞才會壞死，因此，GOT、GPT仍可能是正常的，即使會升高，不會太高；但是，由於很多人缺乏這些知識，因此造成不幸悲劇。

 肝的致命傷原因如下：
1 .晚睡晚起為最大致命傷。
2.早上不排便。
3.暴飲暴食。
4 .不吃早餐→透支體力而不自知。
5 .服用藥物過度。
6 .防腐劑、添加物、色素、人工甘味（如：沙茶醬）
7 .不當的油脂（如：沙拉油為不穩定油），烹調盡量少用油，即便是好油，如：橄欖油。疲倦時不吃油炸物，若要吃趁精神好時吃。
8 .不生食（完全熟食）亦不利肝。青菜生吃或煮三分或五分熟，炒過的青菜當天吃完，不要隔夜吃。
9 .錯誤的價值觀，只追求卓越，欠缺和平、博愛。
1 0.急躁。
 要做到，完全不需花錢，只要注意起居與飲食習慣的調整。食療加上時療，讓身體在正確的時間內主動進行吸收與排毒的動作。

 原因：
 晚上9- 1 1 點為免疫系統（淋巴）排毒時間，此段時間應安靜或聽音樂。倘若此時，作母親的仍處於焦慮狀態，如洗碗盤、盯孩子功課，對健康不利。
 晚間11-凌晨 1 點 肝的排毒，需在熟睡中進行。
 凌晨1-3點 膽的排毒亦同。
 凌晨3- 5 點肺的排毒，此即為何咳嗽的人在這段時間咳得最劇烈；因排毒動作已走到肺經，不應用止咳藥，以免抑制廢積物的排除。
 凌晨5- 7 點 大腸的排毒，應上廁所排便。
 早晨7- 9 點 小腸大量吸收營養的時段，應吃早餐。療病者最好早吃，在６點半前，養生者在７點半前，不吃早餐者應改變習慣，即使拖到 9 、 10點吃都比不吃好。
 晚睡晚起 混亂整個排毒過程；另外，半夜至凌晨４點為脊椎造血時段，必須熟睡，不宜熬夜。

 肝炎有四個現象
 若有以下任何一個現象經常性的發作時要注意，為了大家的健康，請將本文舉手之勞傳送給您周遭的親朋好友們！

 一、 右上腹悶痛
 二、 右後腰酸痛
 三、 右肩感覺酸、麻、痛，甚至造成右手舉不起來
 四、 小腿晚上睡覺時，容易抽筋

 肝臟出現問題時，我們的身體會產生的現象會有：肝臟像拳頭一樣，有正面，有背面，正面如果硬化、腫大，會擠到我們的肋間神經，肋間神經就會脹痛；如果在背後，會造成右腰酸痛。

全身的筋，都由肝臟主管，晚上血液必須進到肝，若肝臟有問題，血液進到肝臟會比較困難，所以翻來覆去睡不著；血液好不容易進入肝臟，出去也相對的困難，全身的筋需要血來滋養，人在睡覺翻身的時後需要動，動就需要血液提供，血液不容易從肝臟出來，筋就會僵硬，僵硬過度就會抽筋。

肝臟不好，晚上睡眠品質會不好，翻來覆去不容易睡著；起床後口乾、口苦、口臭，刷牙時牙齦會流血。平常為食物沒有興趣，不吃不餓，吃一點點就有飽感；走路走個兩步小腿就會很酸， 會感覺全身越來越疲勞，手腳也是越來越沒有力。

肝臟不好的人，腳會經常扭到，扭到了又好不了，不小心割傷了，傷口也不容易癒合。

喜歡喝酒的朋友，忽然酒量減少了。或是有久治不癒的皮膚病，週而復始好不了，都要注意肝。

Translation in English using Google Translate.

National Taiwan University Hospital recently set off a sonogram heat, because the hospital has a 37-year-old physician - because too dependent on liver function examination (GOT, GPT), before the Spring Festival he has been detected in 10 cm Liver cancerous tumor! And the liver has been bursting!

 Clinically, there are far too many people are superstitious at liver function index, that index normal means OK, this misconception is even believed by many professional doctors. These doctors usually have to establish the correct health knowledge among people,  but their own common sense actually is still not correct .

Liver cancer prevention is better, but NTU promote early prevention and treatment of liver cancer, People who finally died of liver cancer is still vivid in many people's mind for example, Director Xu Zaiqiu - another renowned pathology profession, Professor Lin Wen - the elder medical community,  Professor Du, and National Taiwan University College of Physicians, Internal Medicine doctoral student KK, were dead due to liver cancer.

 Liver Disease Prevention and Treatment Research Foundation executive director of National Taiwan University Hospital, professor of internal medicine Jin-Chuan Sheu noted that in the last decade of research in small liver cancer, deciding clinically the liver is of good condition or not can't completely rely on the liver GOT, GPT values, but with medical advances so far, this misconception still remains the same.

 Jin-Chuan Sheu said this misconception has lead to many doctors making wrong judgement towards liver disease in the public; There was a physician who was helping his father in law to monitor the liver condition - believed on just checking the GOT, GPT, in the end, then the father in law still got liver cancer!

There is a young physician in NTU, due to the right upper stomach's discomfort, he did self-examination with ultrasound probe and discovered it's a tumor.

 Jin-Chuan Sheu said that the liver itself has no sensory gland, so often the liver cancer was diagnosed when it has worsened to quite severe stage, but it was too late; This is the biggest reason why liver cancer is difficult to treat.

 In Taiwan, there are 30 people die of liver disease every day. Under a limited knowledge, liver disease has been the biggest killer in Taiwan and became a threat to people's health. Physician Xu sighed, too many innocent people are killed.

 Recently, Xu has a clinic patient who claimed a frequent stomach pain last month and experienced also a lot of weight loss; The sonography found he has a liver cancer, almost 80% of the liver has been "eaten" out .

 The patient was shocked, asked him "how it could be?" He just did health checks last year, the results were normal, how could it happened just in one year, that the liver tumor has grown to so big?" Actually the patient just did the liver functionality test, and the results shown were "normal"

Usually, the liver test done are the functionality test. This liver test is the most familiar or common test for most people. But this check is always misunderstood by people that as long as liver function test values ​​are normal, there is nothing wrong with the liver. This has resulted to one after another tragedy.

 Jin-Chuan Sheu said: GOT, GPT is the largest enzymes inside liver cells, if there is any inflammation of the liver, or for whatever reason which cause cell necrosis, the GPT and GOT will come out into the blood resulting in the GOT and GPT values ​​increased; Therefore, if the GOT , GPT index is not high, it does not mean that patients are not experiencing cirrhosis or liver cancer.

**FYI:
The ALT level is tested to look for and evaluate damage to the liver. This test measures the amount of an enzyme called glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in your blood. This enzyme is found in many body tissues in small amounts, but it is very concentrated in the liver. It is released into the blood when cells that contain it are damaged.
(The GOT glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase or GPT glutamate pyruvate transaminase is also known as AST and ALT)

Although the patients with hepatitis has their inflammation stopped, but when there is formation of cirrhosis of the liver and fibrosis and cirrhosis has been formed, the liver cancer is more easily occurred. 
Furthermore, usually in the early stage liver cancer, the liver index is not high, because the growth of cancer tumor will only damage the surrounding liver cells, thus, GOT, GPT could be still normal, even if it's increased, it wont be too high. Because many people are lacking of this knowledge, thus causing many unfortunate tragedies.

The following are the reasons that cause fatal liver injury:

1. Sleep late.

2. No defecation in the morning.

3 Overeating.

4 Do not eat breakfast

5. Overuse of medication.

6. Taking preservatives, additives, coloring, artificial sweeteners (such as: barbecue)

7. Improper intake of oil (eg: salad as an unstable oil), cooking oil as little as possible, even good oil, such as: olive oil. When feeling tired do not eat fried things

8. Do not eat raw food (fully cooked) has adverse liver. Eat One-third or one-fifth raw or cooked vegetables, roasted vegetables must be finished on that day, do not eat it overnight.

9 wrong values, only go for pursuit of excellence, lack of peace and fraternity.

10. Impatient.

Pay attention to the adjustment of living and eating habits. 

When coupled with diet therapy, allowing the body to take the initiative at the right time for absorption and detoxification action.

*******************************************************************************

Dr Chen earlier has mentioned that liver plays a very important role in our body.

The liver is the biggest gland in the body, and the scientists estimated it has over 500 different functions! The main functions of the liver are to:

• Assist in the food digestion. It makes bile, which is needed to digest fats
• Make many chemicals important for function of all over the body.
• Filter blood, remove toxins, dead cells, microorganism from bloodstream
• Regulate fat metabolism
• Burn fat - major fat-burning organ in the body
• Store carbohydrates in the form that allows a quick release of energy when it is needed. This is why people with liver damage may lack of energy.
• Regulate blood sugar
• Make plasma proteins, needed to help blood clot

Besides detoxification, liver actually plays an important role in the production of cholesterol. When we have high ‘bad’ cholesterol, it is not just purely due to dietary intake. It could be caused also by ‘malfunctioning’ of liver.

Therefore, there is a direct link between our liver and heart.

By properly nourishing our liver, we can keep our cholesterol level in a good balance and thereby we will be able to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

SUPERFOODs which can nourish our LIVER:

1. KUMAZASA

2. ASHITABA 

Both are 2 japanese herbs well-known as longevity herbs!

More info about Kumazasa and Ashitaba: 
https://healthywholesomefood.blogspot.sg/2013/08/longevity-herbs-kumazasa-ashitaba.html

Best regards, 
Joselyne
Nutritional Immunology Consultant
+65-9090 9942

Dinner at Jerry's BBQ and Grill

Had a sumptuous dinner at Jerry's BBQ and Grill restaurant with my hubby yesterday! A belated birthday celebration - supposed to be a French dinner at MBS but due to some clashing of time arrangement, ended up with American dinner! haha 
nvm it's still a great dinner moment =) 
We had a very full dinner too with the big servings!

 

 

I immediately drank a pack of Millennium (my cactus beverage) after taking so much meat over the dinner too! haha

 

 

Felt more relieved from removing the harmful animal hormones...hehe

 

Wondering western food is always of such big serving and a lot of meat with little vegetables. No wonder the chronic diseases (such as diabetes, cancer) rate is increasing much higher than of the Asian countries.



However, in recent years, chronic diseases cases in Singapore is also on the rising trend. Yesterday read the newspaper article stating that within 10 years, terminal stage kidney patients cases are multiplied. It is estimated that in year 2016, there could be an increase of more than 500 kidney patients.  Diabetes is the main culprit that caused kidney failure disease. As we know, majority of diabetes are due to incorrect dietary habit by eating too much high calorie food, rich in meat which cause obesity etc.

I feel blessed that there are such convenient healthy plant food products for me to consume whenever I am having 'not so healthy' diet. =)