31 Jan 2010. Have you ever realized that hypertension (or high blood pressure) can lead to eye disease? If you do not, it is good for you to learn something more on this matter. If you visit the clinics and hospitals, you probably find poster linking hypertension to eye diseases. The following case of a family member may be a good lesson to share with all of you.
The hypertension patient: aged 73, female, 16 years of hypertension (since early 1990s).
Treatment: regular medical checkup as advised by the government medical doctors.
Modern medicine taken: high blood pressure pills prescribed.
Herbal medicine: occasionally take self-prepared herbal tea.
Progress: The first 10 years, high blood pressure is under controlled.
2009: Had eye diseases and operated left eye to have clear vision. Eye sight did not improve much. Probably go for another operation in 2010.
2010: Had right eye operated at the private hospital. Looks OK and still under observation.
Current dilemma faced: Seek medical treatment from a government hospital and a private hospital where the doctors have different views on treatment and operations. The private specialist said her right eye needs no further treatment but the specialist at the government hospital has different view. Her eyes itched for two days and she stopped applying the eye lotions prescribed.
What do you think is the cause of your hypertension? The patient told me that she is facing more social pressure than anything else. She worries over small matters and indecisive when coming to making decision. When she visits the government clinic and hospital, she worries a lot before even meeting the medical staffs. Even though her self-examination shows hypertension is under control, but when she is at the clinic or hospital an hour later, her blood pressure rises.
Why do you continue taking medicine if the cause lies in social tension? The answer is given is this would ensure that she receives regular medical check-up from the government hospital.
I have nothing else to say to her. That is her choice in life. I wish her best health and she has to prepare for the worst in the eventuality. Her lack of confidence has resulted in her barking at the wrong target when coming to handling hypertension and eye disease.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Diary 19: Breast Cancer
28 Jan 2010. The below is an email received this morning and I like to share with you all.
“Hello, Dr Lim. Good day to you. My colleague is diagnosed with breast cancer and I am not sure which stage is it. I would like her to attend your talk. Would you let me know when and where are your talks held? I personally would like to attend for my knowledge too.”
Perhaps, the first thing we need to ask is why more and more females are diagnosed with breast cancer in this modern age. There are many answers to this and they differ from one cancer patient to another.
Two factors are normally given by the experts, namely genetic factor and food. If you think that it is genetically inherited, the chance of your recovery may be low as you are likely not taking any special effort to handle a major factor, which is acidic food.
Which specific food contributes most to breast cancer? No one is certain. But, if you ask the breast cancer patient her favorite food, the answer is likely to be linked to fried chicken served in stalls, restaurants and at home.
Why fried chicken? It is not difficult to understand if you make an effort to learn something about modern bird farming practices all over the world. The general trend is to make the chicks grow and mature as fast as possible. How fast? About 35 to 40 days compared to the traditional village bird rearing which takes a least 4 months. In the modern bird farming, antibiotics and growth hormones are used to ensure the birds mature in time and free of diseases. These antibiotics and growth hormones remain when the food is served on the dinner. Human being is the last stage of food chain. This contributes to breast cancer and perhaps other cancers too.
Another side of breast cancer, often ignored, is the emotional aspect. A breast cancer patient is likely to have conflicts with someone close to the heart. The person could be the husband, son, daughter, father, mother and even colleague.
What can a breast cancer patient do to lengthen her life? To me, she needs to do at least the following things.
Switch completely to healthy organic food, including giving up meat, eggs & dairy products.
Inhale more fresh and natural oxygen from the forests and parks.
Resolve whatever conflict she has with others as soon as possible.
Retire early and do voluntary work, if possible.
Have good thought, say kind words and act compassionately in daily living.
How effective is the above methods? I have met at least 5 breast cancer patients living more than 10 years instead of less than 5 as predicted by some medical experts.
To all breast cancer patients, you decide your health, not others. Make a wise choice and act now by adjusting your ways of life.
“Hello, Dr Lim. Good day to you. My colleague is diagnosed with breast cancer and I am not sure which stage is it. I would like her to attend your talk. Would you let me know when and where are your talks held? I personally would like to attend for my knowledge too.”
Perhaps, the first thing we need to ask is why more and more females are diagnosed with breast cancer in this modern age. There are many answers to this and they differ from one cancer patient to another.
Two factors are normally given by the experts, namely genetic factor and food. If you think that it is genetically inherited, the chance of your recovery may be low as you are likely not taking any special effort to handle a major factor, which is acidic food.
Which specific food contributes most to breast cancer? No one is certain. But, if you ask the breast cancer patient her favorite food, the answer is likely to be linked to fried chicken served in stalls, restaurants and at home.
Why fried chicken? It is not difficult to understand if you make an effort to learn something about modern bird farming practices all over the world. The general trend is to make the chicks grow and mature as fast as possible. How fast? About 35 to 40 days compared to the traditional village bird rearing which takes a least 4 months. In the modern bird farming, antibiotics and growth hormones are used to ensure the birds mature in time and free of diseases. These antibiotics and growth hormones remain when the food is served on the dinner. Human being is the last stage of food chain. This contributes to breast cancer and perhaps other cancers too.
Another side of breast cancer, often ignored, is the emotional aspect. A breast cancer patient is likely to have conflicts with someone close to the heart. The person could be the husband, son, daughter, father, mother and even colleague.
What can a breast cancer patient do to lengthen her life? To me, she needs to do at least the following things.
Switch completely to healthy organic food, including giving up meat, eggs & dairy products.
Inhale more fresh and natural oxygen from the forests and parks.
Resolve whatever conflict she has with others as soon as possible.
Retire early and do voluntary work, if possible.
Have good thought, say kind words and act compassionately in daily living.
How effective is the above methods? I have met at least 5 breast cancer patients living more than 10 years instead of less than 5 as predicted by some medical experts.
To all breast cancer patients, you decide your health, not others. Make a wise choice and act now by adjusting your ways of life.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Diary 18: Petai
27 Jan 2010. Other the durian, my other favorite forest fruit is petai (Parkia speciosa). Again, the petai trees are normally planted by the Orang Asli (aborigines) living in the forest areas in Peninsular Malaysia.
In the past, petai is food of the Malays and the aborigines. Since the last two decades, the fruits are highly demanded by the Chinese and Indians. The fruits do not taste nice but they are perceived to have medicinal value. Friends are telling me that the fruits help to control high blood pressure and reduce diabetes.
The fruits are mere health food for me. Just like the hill durians, they are considered organically grown.
Normally, I buy 100 pieces of petai from the harvesters or sellers in the rural areas. That meets my family need for about 2 weeks. Buying petai from rural areas provides additional income to the low-income rural folks.
In the past, petai is food of the Malays and the aborigines. Since the last two decades, the fruits are highly demanded by the Chinese and Indians. The fruits do not taste nice but they are perceived to have medicinal value. Friends are telling me that the fruits help to control high blood pressure and reduce diabetes.
The fruits are mere health food for me. Just like the hill durians, they are considered organically grown.
Normally, I buy 100 pieces of petai from the harvesters or sellers in the rural areas. That meets my family need for about 2 weeks. Buying petai from rural areas provides additional income to the low-income rural folks.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Diary 17: Hill Durian
26 Jan 2010. On our field trip from Slim River in Perak to Kuala Lumpur, we stopped at a Malay stall selling hill durians. The female seller explained that the durians were harvested by the Orang Asli (aborigines) on the way to Cameron Highlands. She was able to describe how difficult the Orang Asli have to collect the fruits from the hilly areas. That touched my heart. She was telling the true situation as our research experience among the Orang Asli community indicated the same situation.
The other reason I purchased about 13 durians from the Malay woman was her sincerity in selling them. This category of people needs our support. Sincerity in doing business is important as it has a long term impact on the form of interaction in our society.
Of course, I like hill durian for another reason ---health. As a vegetarian, we need some “hot” fruit to sustain our warm body energy as most fruits are “cooling” in nature. The low-income Orang Asli do not apply chemical fertilizers or pesticides to maintain their durian trees. They normally sell the fruits at between RM1 to RM2 per fruit to traders coming to the remote villages. Consequently, these durians are sold at a reasonable price in the urban market. That is another plus point. It simply means that we can still have good and healthy food at a reasonable price.
Beware, not all expensive durians in the urban markets are good for your health as some growers apply chemical fertilizers or pesticides to ensure good harvest and return.
Choose hill durians for good health!
The other reason I purchased about 13 durians from the Malay woman was her sincerity in selling them. This category of people needs our support. Sincerity in doing business is important as it has a long term impact on the form of interaction in our society.
Of course, I like hill durian for another reason ---health. As a vegetarian, we need some “hot” fruit to sustain our warm body energy as most fruits are “cooling” in nature. The low-income Orang Asli do not apply chemical fertilizers or pesticides to maintain their durian trees. They normally sell the fruits at between RM1 to RM2 per fruit to traders coming to the remote villages. Consequently, these durians are sold at a reasonable price in the urban market. That is another plus point. It simply means that we can still have good and healthy food at a reasonable price.
Beware, not all expensive durians in the urban markets are good for your health as some growers apply chemical fertilizers or pesticides to ensure good harvest and return.
Choose hill durians for good health!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Diary 16: Vegetarians at A Typical Chinese Wedding Dinner
24 Jan 2010. My family attended my nephew’s wedding dinner at a Chinese restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. This was one of the rare occasions as we normally only attend wedding dinners of relatives. Not that we are anti-social. Rather, we do not see the necessity of attending wedding dinners practically every week as invited by colleagues and normal friends. The energy and time could be better utilized for something else.
In any case, of the 14 tables served during this special Chinese wedding dinner, one was for the vegetarians. This reflects the situation of Chinese who are vegetarians in Malaysia. In other words, of the estimated 1350 people attending the wedding dinner, only 9 (1%) are full time vegetarians. We looked around and found that many of the elders do not seem to have good health. This is to be expected.
At the vegetarian table, Mr Liew, a close friend of my brother-in-law, was sitting next to me. He became a vegetarian about 15 years ago, for religious reason. So, he was our peer group in terms of becoming full time vegetarians. The other three full time vegetarians were Mei Lan (village mate from Air Jernih in Terengganu), her daughter and son-in-law. Mei Lan was into full time vegetarian about 25 years ago. She is my senior, to be saluted.
Mei Lan was enthusiastic to share the good side of becoming vegetarians. One looks younger. One has little pimples. One skin is smooth. Of course, vegetarians are generally healthy compared to the non-vegetarians.
Well, I personally hope more people would become vegetarians one day to ensure healthier living.
In any case, of the 14 tables served during this special Chinese wedding dinner, one was for the vegetarians. This reflects the situation of Chinese who are vegetarians in Malaysia. In other words, of the estimated 1350 people attending the wedding dinner, only 9 (1%) are full time vegetarians. We looked around and found that many of the elders do not seem to have good health. This is to be expected.
At the vegetarian table, Mr Liew, a close friend of my brother-in-law, was sitting next to me. He became a vegetarian about 15 years ago, for religious reason. So, he was our peer group in terms of becoming full time vegetarians. The other three full time vegetarians were Mei Lan (village mate from Air Jernih in Terengganu), her daughter and son-in-law. Mei Lan was into full time vegetarian about 25 years ago. She is my senior, to be saluted.
Mei Lan was enthusiastic to share the good side of becoming vegetarians. One looks younger. One has little pimples. One skin is smooth. Of course, vegetarians are generally healthy compared to the non-vegetarians.
Well, I personally hope more people would become vegetarians one day to ensure healthier living.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Diary 15: A Social Scientist Writing Health Book
23 Jan 2010. I was promoting my health books at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa between 3pm to 4.30pm. A buyer inquired about my background. He was a little surprise that I am not a nutritionist but able to write health books.
Before 2002, it was not part of my health path to write health books. I have written a few books before, all related to my work as a social anthropologist.
After 2002, there was an obvious request from the audience attending my talks that I should consider writing a health book based on my good knowledge and interesting family experience.
That sets the goal and direction to write the health books. It was a challenging task. I had to plan my thoughts, my daily life and discipline myself to sit down to write. I talked to the so-called experts and sought their views. I argued with my wife on grey areas. More research on the literature and interviews with patients was conducted. Friends helped to edit and provided additional suggestions. Another friend assisted in designing the book cover.
The first edition of Eating for Good Health was successfully published in 2007. My Chinese friends suggested that the book should also be written in Chinese. I drafted it and later amended and edited by my wife, a Chinese language teacher in the secondary school, who has a good command of Chinese language. The book was entitled Xun Zhao Jian Kang, literally meaning Searching for Health.
My friends read Eating for Good Health and found that it should also be written in the Malay language to benefit the Malay readers. Consequently, I spent another year writing this special book. The book is entitled Makanan Sihat Sebagai Ubat, literally meaning Health Food As Medicine, first published in 2008.
Writing health books has enriched my life in helping others. If I were to confine writing books in my area of work, the impact may be limited. Health is everyone’s concern. Hopefully those reading my health books are able to gain something to improve their health.
Before 2002, it was not part of my health path to write health books. I have written a few books before, all related to my work as a social anthropologist.
After 2002, there was an obvious request from the audience attending my talks that I should consider writing a health book based on my good knowledge and interesting family experience.
That sets the goal and direction to write the health books. It was a challenging task. I had to plan my thoughts, my daily life and discipline myself to sit down to write. I talked to the so-called experts and sought their views. I argued with my wife on grey areas. More research on the literature and interviews with patients was conducted. Friends helped to edit and provided additional suggestions. Another friend assisted in designing the book cover.
The first edition of Eating for Good Health was successfully published in 2007. My Chinese friends suggested that the book should also be written in Chinese. I drafted it and later amended and edited by my wife, a Chinese language teacher in the secondary school, who has a good command of Chinese language. The book was entitled Xun Zhao Jian Kang, literally meaning Searching for Health.
My friends read Eating for Good Health and found that it should also be written in the Malay language to benefit the Malay readers. Consequently, I spent another year writing this special book. The book is entitled Makanan Sihat Sebagai Ubat, literally meaning Health Food As Medicine, first published in 2008.
Writing health books has enriched my life in helping others. If I were to confine writing books in my area of work, the impact may be limited. Health is everyone’s concern. Hopefully those reading my health books are able to gain something to improve their health.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Diary 13: Climate Change and Meat Consumption 2
Fact from British Government’s Climate Change Programme 2006: If everyone in Britain were to abstain from meat one day a week over a year, this would save 13 million tones of car dioxide emissions. The carbon savings would be greater than taking 5 million cars off the road (Allan Koay, “Meaty Issue”, The Star, 10 November 2009).
Look from another angle. According to Food and Agriculture Organisation, livestock farming contributes significantly to the major environmental problems faced today. Think about this: a European com emitting a year’s worth of methane is comparable to a family-size car travelling 70,000km. Cow and pig waste worldwide weighs 5.5 billion tones annually. The gas from that and from millions of tonnes of fertilizers used in the Amazon to grow animal feed, called nitrous oxide, is a green house gas 295 times more potent than carbon dioxide. (Allan Koay, “Meaty Issue”, The Star, 10 November 2009).
We have to adjust our way of life by reducing meat consumption gradually. If you wish to fo a step further later, just give up meat consumption once and for all. Having giving up meat for the last 14 years, I do not wish to take meat any more. Some people feel that I no longer enjoy the tasty food but the truth is I enjoy great health.
When you need to choose between tasty unhealthy food and health food, consider choosing the later.
Look from another angle. According to Food and Agriculture Organisation, livestock farming contributes significantly to the major environmental problems faced today. Think about this: a European com emitting a year’s worth of methane is comparable to a family-size car travelling 70,000km. Cow and pig waste worldwide weighs 5.5 billion tones annually. The gas from that and from millions of tonnes of fertilizers used in the Amazon to grow animal feed, called nitrous oxide, is a green house gas 295 times more potent than carbon dioxide. (Allan Koay, “Meaty Issue”, The Star, 10 November 2009).
We have to adjust our way of life by reducing meat consumption gradually. If you wish to fo a step further later, just give up meat consumption once and for all. Having giving up meat for the last 14 years, I do not wish to take meat any more. Some people feel that I no longer enjoy the tasty food but the truth is I enjoy great health.
When you need to choose between tasty unhealthy food and health food, consider choosing the later.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Diary 13: Climate Change and Meat Consumption
19 January 2010. I attended the Forum on Climate Change organized by the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.
20 January 2010. I participated in a half-day Climate Change Seminar at my work place, Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM).
The fact is world leaders could not reach a binding accord on how to reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emission to slow down global warming in Copenhagen.
We as individuals and citizens of the world cannot wait for the world leaders to discuss, discuss and discuss with not firm and clear decisions. We have to act in our own ways to slow down global warming. Otherwise, it is a matter of time that human survival is at stake. With increasing world population and shrinking resources, we need to avoid a situation where human beings are fighting each other for scarce resources.
Let’s act now. One of the best ways to slow down global warming is to take less meat and better still take no meat. Taking meat has contributed to deforestation in a major way. If we take less or no meat, some of the environmental problems related to resources utilization can be reduced.
My family gave up meat since 1996 even though for health reason. That transformed my personal life.
You may like to know that there is a town in Belgium called Ghent that goes meatless every Thursday.
The World Meatless Day encourages people to go meatless for just one day, on November 25.
Wouldn’t you go for meatless day once in a week or once a month? It is achievable. Thanks for considering this suggestion.
20 January 2010. I participated in a half-day Climate Change Seminar at my work place, Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM).
The fact is world leaders could not reach a binding accord on how to reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emission to slow down global warming in Copenhagen.
We as individuals and citizens of the world cannot wait for the world leaders to discuss, discuss and discuss with not firm and clear decisions. We have to act in our own ways to slow down global warming. Otherwise, it is a matter of time that human survival is at stake. With increasing world population and shrinking resources, we need to avoid a situation where human beings are fighting each other for scarce resources.
Let’s act now. One of the best ways to slow down global warming is to take less meat and better still take no meat. Taking meat has contributed to deforestation in a major way. If we take less or no meat, some of the environmental problems related to resources utilization can be reduced.
My family gave up meat since 1996 even though for health reason. That transformed my personal life.
You may like to know that there is a town in Belgium called Ghent that goes meatless every Thursday.
The World Meatless Day encourages people to go meatless for just one day, on November 25.
Wouldn’t you go for meatless day once in a week or once a month? It is achievable. Thanks for considering this suggestion.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Diary 12: US President and Organic Food
This is reported in The Star dated 18 January 2010.
WASHINGTON: President Barrack Obama has treated First Lady Michelle Obama to a surprise birthday party at a Washington restaurant known for its commitment to organically grown food.
Restaurant Nora claims to be a pioneering organic restaurant, with 95% of its food produced by organic growers since 1999.-AP
What do you think of this news? My thoughts are as below.
More and more people, including leaders, are accepting organic food these days.
If the US President could treat the First Lady at an organic restaurant, you probably can do the same. As for me, every week my wife and I visit shops serving organic food.
Perhaps, you should learn something about organic food. This could help save and transform your life as well as those you love and care.
WASHINGTON: President Barrack Obama has treated First Lady Michelle Obama to a surprise birthday party at a Washington restaurant known for its commitment to organically grown food.
Restaurant Nora claims to be a pioneering organic restaurant, with 95% of its food produced by organic growers since 1999.-AP
What do you think of this news? My thoughts are as below.
More and more people, including leaders, are accepting organic food these days.
If the US President could treat the First Lady at an organic restaurant, you probably can do the same. As for me, every week my wife and I visit shops serving organic food.
Perhaps, you should learn something about organic food. This could help save and transform your life as well as those you love and care.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Diary 11: My Two Colleagues
19 January 2010. These two colleagues of mine are in the age group 30-40, a male and a female.
The male told me that his migraine is coming back after a period of time. He has no choice but to take medicine to suppress and reduce the pain.
As for the female, her problem is skin itchiness. Lately, she has to apply cream to reduce the itchiness but that does not seem to solve the problem. The doctor told her to avoid sea food which is associated with skin itchiness.
My advice to both of them is to gradually switch their diet to health food. This is the only long term solution to solve their problems the natural way. Both have read my health books but yet to take a bold step.
Eating out is no longer a good eating habit as the food served is generally acidic in nature. If our bodies become acidic, all kinds of health problems may arise. It is a matter of time. Do something now before it is too late.
I wish more people can practice healthy eating habit.
The male told me that his migraine is coming back after a period of time. He has no choice but to take medicine to suppress and reduce the pain.
As for the female, her problem is skin itchiness. Lately, she has to apply cream to reduce the itchiness but that does not seem to solve the problem. The doctor told her to avoid sea food which is associated with skin itchiness.
My advice to both of them is to gradually switch their diet to health food. This is the only long term solution to solve their problems the natural way. Both have read my health books but yet to take a bold step.
Eating out is no longer a good eating habit as the food served is generally acidic in nature. If our bodies become acidic, all kinds of health problems may arise. It is a matter of time. Do something now before it is too late.
I wish more people can practice healthy eating habit.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Diary 10: The Late Mr Cheah Yan Tong
The news that Mr Cheah YT of Pelawan New Village in Perak reached me one day before his funeral in Penang on 18 January 2009. I could not plan to pay my last respect due to prior commitment in Kuala Lumpur. However, I am transferring merits to him to assist his re-birth in the pure land. I will do this for the next 50 days.
He died of stomach cancer, at the age of 75, and this was not really surprise to me. He was active at the local level and hence had to attend many dinners and lunches during various occasions organized by the Chinese community. Deep in my heart, I know that many people are going to suffer and will die of various critical diseases if the Chinese society does not transform the ways of eating.
In any case, I write this note to remind myself of his kindness towards me and my family. When I conducted my PhD anthropological research in Pelawan New Village in 1984, it was he who decided to allow me to stay with his family when other villagers hesitated. He and his wife protected me even though some people felt that I was a government spy. He obtained the assistance of local informal leader when unfriendly peoples approached me. That saved me.
I went back to Pelawan New Village from time to time after completing field research in Pelawan New Village. Our encounter in 2009 in the village was interesting as he practically transformed his mind set. He moved away from traditional Chinese religion to become a buddhist. I was glad of his life transformation. He even made a special effort to join his master in Thailand in experiencing the forest living. He did not mention of his cancer for reason that he did not want friends to worry about him.
It is all gone. Life is short and we need to value every second of our lives. If we need value someone, show him or her love and care through action.
I will continue to transfer merits to him. This is the best that can be done for such a nice man- an uncle, a brother and a friend to me.
May all beings be free from sufferings!
He died of stomach cancer, at the age of 75, and this was not really surprise to me. He was active at the local level and hence had to attend many dinners and lunches during various occasions organized by the Chinese community. Deep in my heart, I know that many people are going to suffer and will die of various critical diseases if the Chinese society does not transform the ways of eating.
In any case, I write this note to remind myself of his kindness towards me and my family. When I conducted my PhD anthropological research in Pelawan New Village in 1984, it was he who decided to allow me to stay with his family when other villagers hesitated. He and his wife protected me even though some people felt that I was a government spy. He obtained the assistance of local informal leader when unfriendly peoples approached me. That saved me.
I went back to Pelawan New Village from time to time after completing field research in Pelawan New Village. Our encounter in 2009 in the village was interesting as he practically transformed his mind set. He moved away from traditional Chinese religion to become a buddhist. I was glad of his life transformation. He even made a special effort to join his master in Thailand in experiencing the forest living. He did not mention of his cancer for reason that he did not want friends to worry about him.
It is all gone. Life is short and we need to value every second of our lives. If we need value someone, show him or her love and care through action.
I will continue to transfer merits to him. This is the best that can be done for such a nice man- an uncle, a brother and a friend to me.
May all beings be free from sufferings!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Diary 9: Meeting 3 Kidney Patients at Selayang Hospital
16 January 2009 (Saturday). I went to Selayang Hospital again to see my colleague, R, who is currently suffering from kidney disease. He was transferred from the normal bed dormitory to a four-bed room. Accordingly, one of the kidneys is not functioning well while the other has kidney stones. It is expected that the doctor would operate to remove the kidney stones next week. I cannot say much about this case except that he is suffering now. The doctor asked me to drink water every few minutes. During the one-hour visit, he had to go to the toilet every 5 minutes to release a little urine. Accordingly, he has done this for the last 3 days. He hardly slept for the past 72 hours. I felt sorry for what has happened to him.
I took the opportunity to talk to his two other roommate, while other friends dropped by to see R.
The first is a Malay boy aged 17 years old. He has been warded for 4 months undergoing kidney transplant and currently under observation. He looks good except a little swollen face. He can move around, in and out of the room.
The second is a male Chinese, aged 35, from Jinjang in Kuala Lumpur. He waited for 11 years which he underwent dialysis and managed to undergo kidney transplant at this government specialist hospital. He told me that in Malaysia a kidney patient has to wait for at least 8 years to have a transplant from the government hospital. Currently, he is under observation after successful kidney transplant.
Accordingly to him, kidney transplant is not a simple process. Some time, the transplant may not succeed due to rejection. In his case, 1 week after the transplant, special treatments are applied for 7 times to suppress any possibility of kidney rejection. The current cost is about RM14,500 each treatment at the private hospital.
He has to take at least 12 capsules per day. These capsules are mycophenolate (Myfortic) 360 mg, Valcyte Valganciclovir 450mg, Prograt (Tacrolimus Immunosuppressant) 1mg, prednisolone 5mg and Tolteradine 2mg. These medicines are not cheap if purchased from the pharmacy. To maintain kidney transplant, a patient without government support, has to spend about RM2,500 a month on the medicines alone.
Do not end up having this suffering kidney disease. He said kidney disease is a rich-man disease. Many patients have to sell land, house and car to obtain the money for treatment.
I told R that from today onwards we have to pray hard for him to ensure that the treatment journey is smooth. Let’s hope he does not have to go through the experience of his roommates.
May all kidney patients be free from sufferings!
I took the opportunity to talk to his two other roommate, while other friends dropped by to see R.
The first is a Malay boy aged 17 years old. He has been warded for 4 months undergoing kidney transplant and currently under observation. He looks good except a little swollen face. He can move around, in and out of the room.
The second is a male Chinese, aged 35, from Jinjang in Kuala Lumpur. He waited for 11 years which he underwent dialysis and managed to undergo kidney transplant at this government specialist hospital. He told me that in Malaysia a kidney patient has to wait for at least 8 years to have a transplant from the government hospital. Currently, he is under observation after successful kidney transplant.
Accordingly to him, kidney transplant is not a simple process. Some time, the transplant may not succeed due to rejection. In his case, 1 week after the transplant, special treatments are applied for 7 times to suppress any possibility of kidney rejection. The current cost is about RM14,500 each treatment at the private hospital.
He has to take at least 12 capsules per day. These capsules are mycophenolate (Myfortic) 360 mg, Valcyte Valganciclovir 450mg, Prograt (Tacrolimus Immunosuppressant) 1mg, prednisolone 5mg and Tolteradine 2mg. These medicines are not cheap if purchased from the pharmacy. To maintain kidney transplant, a patient without government support, has to spend about RM2,500 a month on the medicines alone.
Do not end up having this suffering kidney disease. He said kidney disease is a rich-man disease. Many patients have to sell land, house and car to obtain the money for treatment.
I told R that from today onwards we have to pray hard for him to ensure that the treatment journey is smooth. Let’s hope he does not have to go through the experience of his roommates.
May all kidney patients be free from sufferings!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Diary 8: A Friend Diagnosed With Cancer
Two days ago, I received an email informing me that another old friend was diagnosed with cancer. Cancer cells have spread to the liver. He is currently under chemotherapy treatment. I mailed him a copy of my book, and hopefully it becomes a life-saving gift.
What do I have to say about this?
Cancer is a deadly disease. Most (about 85%) cancer patients passed away within five years having undergone various types of treatments.
Can we lengthen the life of cancer patients?
Yes, if cancer patients are willing to do at least 5 extra things.
First, completely switch to organic food as soon as possible. In this case, the potassium rich food helps control the cancer cell.
Second, cancer cells would remain quiet when one inhale lots of oxygen. In this case, Quolin Qigung is well-known for the intake of oxygen as the steps involves double inhale and one exhale. Inhale fresh oxygen in the forest areas or parks.
Third, you have to treat the cancer cells well by talking to them. Simply, the cancer cells are part of you. Apologize to them for the cells killing treatments which are unavoidable. Tells them the treatments are essential for survival of the body as a whole.
Fourth, make a special vow that if you are able to control the cancer situation for x number of years, you would do something very beneficial to mankind.
Finally, if you body cannot withstand the cancer treatment, take a break. Do not let the treatments kill you.
May all beings be free from cancer!
What do I have to say about this?
Cancer is a deadly disease. Most (about 85%) cancer patients passed away within five years having undergone various types of treatments.
Can we lengthen the life of cancer patients?
Yes, if cancer patients are willing to do at least 5 extra things.
First, completely switch to organic food as soon as possible. In this case, the potassium rich food helps control the cancer cell.
Second, cancer cells would remain quiet when one inhale lots of oxygen. In this case, Quolin Qigung is well-known for the intake of oxygen as the steps involves double inhale and one exhale. Inhale fresh oxygen in the forest areas or parks.
Third, you have to treat the cancer cells well by talking to them. Simply, the cancer cells are part of you. Apologize to them for the cells killing treatments which are unavoidable. Tells them the treatments are essential for survival of the body as a whole.
Fourth, make a special vow that if you are able to control the cancer situation for x number of years, you would do something very beneficial to mankind.
Finally, if you body cannot withstand the cancer treatment, take a break. Do not let the treatments kill you.
May all beings be free from cancer!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Diary 7: Take Care of Our Kidneys
The kidneys in our bodies play a very important role to sustain our lives.
The main function of the kidneys is to remove nitrogen-containing wastes (mainly urea) from the blood and adjust the concentration of various salts. Kidneys act as filters of the blood. They produce urine and eliminate it through the urinary system.
Chronic kidney disease is mainly caused by diabetes and high blood pressure, accounting for two-thirds of the cases.
Diabetes refers to too much sugar in the blood.
The cause of high blood pressure is often linked to a fairly high intake of salt, exceeding 5.8 grams daily.
A colleague of mine is currently in a government specialist hospital receiving treatment for his kidney problem. He has been warded for about 2 weeks. I went to see him a week ago. He should remember that over the last five years, I occasionally encouraged him to reduce his body weight when we met in the morning.
The truth is that obesity is often linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorder, stroke, kidney ailments, respiratory disease, gall bladder disease, osteoarthritis, hormonal abnormalities, nerve & eye problems.
Perhaps, many people feel that the medical doctors can solve their health problems.
It is better to think twice if you hold to this common perception.
Our health is decided by ourselves. Self-help in disease prevention is the best assurance in life. Not the medical insurance card you are holding.
For this reason, I advise another colleague, another obese person weighing 110 kg, to fast so that the extra kilograms may be reduced. The agreed target is losing 5 kg within a month. I share with him how he may do fasting. Let’s hope it works for him.
The main function of the kidneys is to remove nitrogen-containing wastes (mainly urea) from the blood and adjust the concentration of various salts. Kidneys act as filters of the blood. They produce urine and eliminate it through the urinary system.
Chronic kidney disease is mainly caused by diabetes and high blood pressure, accounting for two-thirds of the cases.
Diabetes refers to too much sugar in the blood.
The cause of high blood pressure is often linked to a fairly high intake of salt, exceeding 5.8 grams daily.
A colleague of mine is currently in a government specialist hospital receiving treatment for his kidney problem. He has been warded for about 2 weeks. I went to see him a week ago. He should remember that over the last five years, I occasionally encouraged him to reduce his body weight when we met in the morning.
The truth is that obesity is often linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorder, stroke, kidney ailments, respiratory disease, gall bladder disease, osteoarthritis, hormonal abnormalities, nerve & eye problems.
Perhaps, many people feel that the medical doctors can solve their health problems.
It is better to think twice if you hold to this common perception.
Our health is decided by ourselves. Self-help in disease prevention is the best assurance in life. Not the medical insurance card you are holding.
For this reason, I advise another colleague, another obese person weighing 110 kg, to fast so that the extra kilograms may be reduced. The agreed target is losing 5 kg within a month. I share with him how he may do fasting. Let’s hope it works for him.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Diary 6: How Can We Shape Off the Extra Kilograms
I met a senior colleague this morning and he wished to know if there is any way to bring down his body weight. Looking at him, I would not regard him as obese but reducing some kilograms is viewed necessary.
It is important to realise that some of the accumulated toxin in our bodies are easy to get rid of. It is deeply rooted in our muscles, tissues and organ. Exercise daily may help a little but may not be effective to lose weight in the long run.
What can we do?
The best way is to do some kind of fasting to get rid of the stubborn toxin in various parts of our bodies.
Here are some suggestions to be considered.
Before fasting the next day, we must tell our bodies of the intention so that it is ready for the fasting. It is just like the “biological clock”. If you tell yourself that you want to wake up an hour earlier, the body is able to react accordingly.
How to fast the next day? Option 1: no breakfast, no lunch or no dinner. Option 2: reduce the amount of food taken during breakfast, lunch or dinner.
How about if we feel hungry in the process? That feeling of hunger is normal and it is also a test on us. Option 1: just ignore the hunger and concentrate on other work. Option 2: take some fruits. What is important is that when we are hungry, it is the time the extra toxin in the bodies is burned. This is the natural way of losing body weight.
The impact can be amazing.
Since my senior colleague is a Muslim, fasting should be an easy thing to do.
If you cannot fast on week days, do it at the weekends.
Happy fasting!
It is important to realise that some of the accumulated toxin in our bodies are easy to get rid of. It is deeply rooted in our muscles, tissues and organ. Exercise daily may help a little but may not be effective to lose weight in the long run.
What can we do?
The best way is to do some kind of fasting to get rid of the stubborn toxin in various parts of our bodies.
Here are some suggestions to be considered.
Before fasting the next day, we must tell our bodies of the intention so that it is ready for the fasting. It is just like the “biological clock”. If you tell yourself that you want to wake up an hour earlier, the body is able to react accordingly.
How to fast the next day? Option 1: no breakfast, no lunch or no dinner. Option 2: reduce the amount of food taken during breakfast, lunch or dinner.
How about if we feel hungry in the process? That feeling of hunger is normal and it is also a test on us. Option 1: just ignore the hunger and concentrate on other work. Option 2: take some fruits. What is important is that when we are hungry, it is the time the extra toxin in the bodies is burned. This is the natural way of losing body weight.
The impact can be amazing.
Since my senior colleague is a Muslim, fasting should be an easy thing to do.
If you cannot fast on week days, do it at the weekends.
Happy fasting!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Diary 5: What Are You Doing Beside Your Work?
This question was posed to me by a female colleague this afternoon (12 January 2010).
Well, I am spending much of my free time in helping others to reclaim their health naturally. This is my life-long committed project.
For this reason, I write health books, deliver free health talks and extend free consultation to people who wish to live a happy life the natural way.
On 9 January 2010 (Saturday), on invitation by a colleague, I drove about 2 hours 45 minutes from Selayang to Alokarama Asahan in Johor to join two activities at the meditation/retreat centre. The centre has been in operation since 2004 and yet this is the first time I had a chance to visit the place. The impression gathered on the place was, this is a heaven on earth.
There was a small group of 8 persons at the centre on that day. After doing some work at the Herbs Garden, we performed the dana to the motivated and committed Sister Sumangala.
My main purpose at the centre was to deliver a talk entitled “Your food, your health and global warming”. It is my hope that Alokarama will pick up some points and start practising them. What else can the centre do? My colleague asked me to provide some feedbacks. Here they are.
Firstly, Alokarama may wish to initiate a small project on organic vegetable farming. This could be the source of vegetable for visitors coming to the centre in the future.
Secondly, the volunteers preparing food at the centre need to know more about food and its impacts on the health of people staying there. If they serve health food, it would certainly be a meritorious act. For example, I sincerely hope that no more artificial salt and white sugar is used for preparing food and drink.
Thirdly, they should be enough fruit sources at the centre. Papayas ripened on trees and matured coconuts are excellent fruit sources for the visitors. Not to forget the herbs from the Herbs Garden. Use them. They need not buy fruits such as water melons.
Fourthly, I like to suggest the devotees to serve health food to the sangha community. We should take care of our health and the health of others doing excellent work in society.
Fifthly, the centre may wish to have more consultation with the local Malay and Chinese communities. Religious practices are sometimes sensitive in Malaysia. If the local Malay community has better understanding on the role of the centre, it helps to promote goodwill. Besides, the centre needs to garner more support from the nearby local Chinese so that facilities at the centre can be better utilised. By engaging the local communities, the Herbs Garden for example will be better managed and utilized. They may even start cultivating organic vegetables there.
These are some food for thought. I hope those with open mind can rethink how the centre is managed for the benefit of all beings.
Well, I am spending much of my free time in helping others to reclaim their health naturally. This is my life-long committed project.
For this reason, I write health books, deliver free health talks and extend free consultation to people who wish to live a happy life the natural way.
On 9 January 2010 (Saturday), on invitation by a colleague, I drove about 2 hours 45 minutes from Selayang to Alokarama Asahan in Johor to join two activities at the meditation/retreat centre. The centre has been in operation since 2004 and yet this is the first time I had a chance to visit the place. The impression gathered on the place was, this is a heaven on earth.
There was a small group of 8 persons at the centre on that day. After doing some work at the Herbs Garden, we performed the dana to the motivated and committed Sister Sumangala.
My main purpose at the centre was to deliver a talk entitled “Your food, your health and global warming”. It is my hope that Alokarama will pick up some points and start practising them. What else can the centre do? My colleague asked me to provide some feedbacks. Here they are.
Firstly, Alokarama may wish to initiate a small project on organic vegetable farming. This could be the source of vegetable for visitors coming to the centre in the future.
Secondly, the volunteers preparing food at the centre need to know more about food and its impacts on the health of people staying there. If they serve health food, it would certainly be a meritorious act. For example, I sincerely hope that no more artificial salt and white sugar is used for preparing food and drink.
Thirdly, they should be enough fruit sources at the centre. Papayas ripened on trees and matured coconuts are excellent fruit sources for the visitors. Not to forget the herbs from the Herbs Garden. Use them. They need not buy fruits such as water melons.
Fourthly, I like to suggest the devotees to serve health food to the sangha community. We should take care of our health and the health of others doing excellent work in society.
Fifthly, the centre may wish to have more consultation with the local Malay and Chinese communities. Religious practices are sometimes sensitive in Malaysia. If the local Malay community has better understanding on the role of the centre, it helps to promote goodwill. Besides, the centre needs to garner more support from the nearby local Chinese so that facilities at the centre can be better utilised. By engaging the local communities, the Herbs Garden for example will be better managed and utilized. They may even start cultivating organic vegetables there.
These are some food for thought. I hope those with open mind can rethink how the centre is managed for the benefit of all beings.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Diary 4: Sweet White Sugar Killing Malaysian Slowly
In 1970s, each Malaysian only consumed 17 teaspoonfuls of sugar per day, it was up to 24 in 2009. The recommended daily intake of sugar is 10 teaspoonfuls or 50gm (The Star, 15 November 2009).
Excessive sweetness may lead to diabetes, obesity, cancer and other diseases (The Star 19 December 2009).
Two out of three people with diabetes eventually die from heart disease or stroke (The Star, 15 November 2009).
Malaysia is now noted for its diabetes problem. Malaysia ranks 17th highest out of 216 countries, with a comparative prevalence rate of 11.6% (The Star, 15 November 2009).
This is indeed an alarming fact that is difficult to accept or even ignore by many Malaysians.
I have given up white sugar for more than a decade. However, when I observe friends, relatives and colleagues taking high-sugar content food or drink, I feel helpless and sorry. Many of them do not realize each cup of teh tarik (350ml) contains about 6 teaspoonfuls of sugar. Some of them have diabetes and have to seek medical check-up and treatment from time to time. They could have save themselves by reducing white sugar consumption.
Have you reduced sugar intake today? Your food affects your health and your happiness.
Make a wise choice today. Choose health food containing little artificial sugar for healthy living, especially as we are getting old.
Excessive sweetness may lead to diabetes, obesity, cancer and other diseases (The Star 19 December 2009).
Two out of three people with diabetes eventually die from heart disease or stroke (The Star, 15 November 2009).
Malaysia is now noted for its diabetes problem. Malaysia ranks 17th highest out of 216 countries, with a comparative prevalence rate of 11.6% (The Star, 15 November 2009).
This is indeed an alarming fact that is difficult to accept or even ignore by many Malaysians.
I have given up white sugar for more than a decade. However, when I observe friends, relatives and colleagues taking high-sugar content food or drink, I feel helpless and sorry. Many of them do not realize each cup of teh tarik (350ml) contains about 6 teaspoonfuls of sugar. Some of them have diabetes and have to seek medical check-up and treatment from time to time. They could have save themselves by reducing white sugar consumption.
Have you reduced sugar intake today? Your food affects your health and your happiness.
Make a wise choice today. Choose health food containing little artificial sugar for healthy living, especially as we are getting old.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Ultimate Health 6: A Health Dream for All
When health is reclaimed gradually via consumption of health food, there will be a total change in all aspects of our life. Being healthy means that we look younger and indeed health food is the fountain of youth. We may be in our 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s or 80s, still energetic and have a good memory. During old age, instead of busy looking for medicines, and spending much time visiting the hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, we may be able to afford holidays in other parts of the world.
The change in food preparation begins in the family. A healthy family would have a health-loving member leading all other members to a healthy lifestyle. A healthy family would then become the model for others to follow. Ultimately, we all could contribute to the ‘health of every one, health of the society, health of the nation, health of the world and health of the borderless universe’.
It is my dream to pursue a master plan of health for all in the universe. Even though only a very small part of the human population accepts the health food lifestyle, the concept is gradually being accepted by those who wish to reclaim health and live a healthier life.
The dream of pursuing a master plan of health for all cannot be achieved by a minority of people in the world. There is now increasing awareness and understanding on how meat-eating contributes to pollution and environmental destruction. In the town called Ghent in Belgium, residents go meatless every Thursday (Koay 2009). In Europe, more and more people choose a vegetarian diet. The Malaysian Meatless Day (November 25) campaign started in 1996 with 800 ledges and by 2008, the number of pledges increased to 8,563 (Koay 2009). You too can play a role, no matter where you are. Help yourself and assist others to achieve healthier living. The best gift you can present to your parents and other family members is to help them attain, maintain and regain health by consuming health food. The ethical part of taking less or no meat is a personal issue, but the environmental impacts affect the society at large. Your choice of food not only affects your health but also how the land and the natural environment will be managed. The matter of health is a concern for all and not yours alone. We cannot separate personal and planetary health as they affect each other. If we are healthy, the earth will be healthy. When the earth is healthy, we will be healthy.
The food revolution is taking place in varying degrees in different regions in the world, providing better health to people and creating a happier, more peaceful and harmonious world. Make a wise choice today. Things do change in unexpected ways and life can take us through amazing experiences. It could begin with just choosing to eat for good health.
May all be loved. May all be healthy. May all have compassion.
The change in food preparation begins in the family. A healthy family would have a health-loving member leading all other members to a healthy lifestyle. A healthy family would then become the model for others to follow. Ultimately, we all could contribute to the ‘health of every one, health of the society, health of the nation, health of the world and health of the borderless universe’.
It is my dream to pursue a master plan of health for all in the universe. Even though only a very small part of the human population accepts the health food lifestyle, the concept is gradually being accepted by those who wish to reclaim health and live a healthier life.
The dream of pursuing a master plan of health for all cannot be achieved by a minority of people in the world. There is now increasing awareness and understanding on how meat-eating contributes to pollution and environmental destruction. In the town called Ghent in Belgium, residents go meatless every Thursday (Koay 2009). In Europe, more and more people choose a vegetarian diet. The Malaysian Meatless Day (November 25) campaign started in 1996 with 800 ledges and by 2008, the number of pledges increased to 8,563 (Koay 2009). You too can play a role, no matter where you are. Help yourself and assist others to achieve healthier living. The best gift you can present to your parents and other family members is to help them attain, maintain and regain health by consuming health food. The ethical part of taking less or no meat is a personal issue, but the environmental impacts affect the society at large. Your choice of food not only affects your health but also how the land and the natural environment will be managed. The matter of health is a concern for all and not yours alone. We cannot separate personal and planetary health as they affect each other. If we are healthy, the earth will be healthy. When the earth is healthy, we will be healthy.
The food revolution is taking place in varying degrees in different regions in the world, providing better health to people and creating a happier, more peaceful and harmonious world. Make a wise choice today. Things do change in unexpected ways and life can take us through amazing experiences. It could begin with just choosing to eat for good health.
May all be loved. May all be healthy. May all have compassion.
Ultimate Health 5: Environmental Conservation
Human life is short. Value our life and health. A healthy foundation can pave the way for a happy life. The foundation could be set by many means, one of which is the taking of health food. You may work hard to earn money, but do not neglect your health. Health of individuals and the world can be attained when people undergo food revolution (Robbins 2001). See Robbins, J. (2001). The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save Your life and the World. Mumbai: Magna Publishing Co. Ltd.
“The world’s forests are being depleted as a result of several developments in addition to beef cattle ranching…What can we do? We can reuse paper and wood products…And, most important, we can eat less meat.” (Robbins 2001)
In this 21st Century, conservation and sustainable development have become the key words for the survival of human beings, and the earth’s flora and fauna. There is imbalance between the needs for development and the needs to sustain biodiversity.
If you let go of meat, eggs and dairy products, you will have indirectly contributed to the reduction of forest areas being cleared for poultry and animal farming. When forests are conserved, there will be less global warming and the homes of animals and plants are also protected. Moreover, “It takes far less agricultural land to produce a plant-based diet than to produce meat” (Robbins 2001). The same piece of land could meet the energy needed by more people when producing plant product compared with animal produce . Modern poultry farming also uses a lot of our water resources. More water is used for animal produce than plant produce . For example,
it takes up to 4,000 litres of water to produce a kilo of wheat and up to 16,000 litres to produce a kilo of beef.
The current culture of indulging in all nice, tasty and attractive food among the affluent world population is damaging to health. The world’s resources are limited. When a portion of the world population overeats less is available for the rest of the population. For example, it was estimated that the world’s population living in the United States was 4% but the world’s beef eaten in the same country was 23% (Robbins 2001). About half of the world’s population still lives in poverty. They earn low income, lack adequate food and they are malnourished. That is why poverty eradication among the world’s population is a major objective of the United Nations Development Programme.
If all the people in the world were to eat deep sea fishes, all the fish produce from the sea would last probably a day. Some of the world resources are not renewable. It is projected that the world’s petroleum resources will be depleted in about 40 years. In Malaysia, the petroleum resources we enjoy are expected to be gone by the year 2020 if no new resources are discovered.
The British government’s Climate Change Programme 2006 estimated that if everyone in Britain were to abstain from meat one day a week over a year, this would save 13 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. The carbon savings would be greater than taking 5 million cars off the road (Koay 2009). See Koay, A. (2009). “Meatless issue”, The Star, 10 November 2009.
Hence, simple eating with less or no meat, eggs, dairy products and processed food is encouraged. If you are a conservationist of flora and fauna, you may want to demonstrate your conservation’s idea in daily diet.
If you are an environmentalist, you probably need to know that cow and pig waste worldwide weighs 5.5 billion tonnes annually. The gas, called nitrous oxide, from that and from millions of tonnes of fertilisers used in the Amazon to grow animal feed, is a greenhouse gas 295 times more potent than carbon dioxide (Koay 2009). In addition, since forest land is being opened up for livestock pasture, you have more reason to take less or no meat.
When you decide to switch, select organically grown food for added advantages.
By selecting organic health food, you will have indirectly played a role in protecting and sustaining human cultures. Organic agriculture is a proven environment friendly and sustainable agriculture system producing high quality foods. In organic agriculture, the land and natural environment are both protected as it improves the soil through better aeration and drainage (less compaction). The health of humans and the soil/land/earth are interconnected. Land and natural environment form the basis of human culture. Their protection ensures the survival of human civilization.
Long term use of chemicals On the other hand, excessive non-desirable chemicals are used in conventional agricultural practices. They improve the crop yield initially. However, the chemicals damage the pH level of the soil, killing some useful micro-organisms and earthworms in the soil. In the long run, they reduce the fertility and the humid acid of the soil. Consequently, this causes plants to have poorer immune system in the future, increases their susceptibility to harm from pests and diseases and reduces crop output. People who eat the unhealthy plants will become less healthy and may have various diseases. Furthermore, when wild plants or weeds have been pulled out or killed using herbicides, the soil is subject to wind erosion, deterioration and desertification (Lai 2005). See Lai, C.N. (2005). “This is grown for human consumption”, Lapis News, 4th Issue, pp.5-8.
To increase the production of crops for exports and to ensure consistent supply, intensive farming is practised in many developing countries with the use of pesticides, fertilizers, hormone, genetic modification and sewer by products. This results in pollutions of river due to pesticide contaminated agriculture land runoff and ground water infiltration. The end result is the contamination of drinking water sources and this ultimately affects human health (Ratna 2008).
Hence, if you consume organically grown vegetables and fruits, you will have indirectly contributed to soil protection and prevention of river pollution caused by the excessive use of agro-chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and mineral fertilizers. The chain effects of your health food lifestyle are tremendous without you knowing them. The use of pesticide may initially help in crop production by eliminating unwanted pests. However, pests may soon build up their defence system and are eventually immune to the effects of the pesticides. Farmers have little choice but to increase the amount of pesticides (Ratna 2008). See Ratna, D.N. (2008). “Consumer perceptionstudy on the importance of standards and certification related to organic foods”. Pp. 308-327 in Chang Yu Shyun, Mazura Md piar & Nik Musa’adah Mustapha (EDs.), Plant, Health and Man- Past, Present and Future. Forest Research Institute Malaysia.
It is thus important for us to preserve, conserve and restore the health of our land/earth by selecting food crops cultivated organically whenever possible. Organic farming is not just keeping our food free from chemicals. It is managing the farm as a complete living organism consisting of soil, land, plants and animals.
“The world’s forests are being depleted as a result of several developments in addition to beef cattle ranching…What can we do? We can reuse paper and wood products…And, most important, we can eat less meat.” (Robbins 2001)
In this 21st Century, conservation and sustainable development have become the key words for the survival of human beings, and the earth’s flora and fauna. There is imbalance between the needs for development and the needs to sustain biodiversity.
If you let go of meat, eggs and dairy products, you will have indirectly contributed to the reduction of forest areas being cleared for poultry and animal farming. When forests are conserved, there will be less global warming and the homes of animals and plants are also protected. Moreover, “It takes far less agricultural land to produce a plant-based diet than to produce meat” (Robbins 2001). The same piece of land could meet the energy needed by more people when producing plant product compared with animal produce . Modern poultry farming also uses a lot of our water resources. More water is used for animal produce than plant produce . For example,
it takes up to 4,000 litres of water to produce a kilo of wheat and up to 16,000 litres to produce a kilo of beef.
The current culture of indulging in all nice, tasty and attractive food among the affluent world population is damaging to health. The world’s resources are limited. When a portion of the world population overeats less is available for the rest of the population. For example, it was estimated that the world’s population living in the United States was 4% but the world’s beef eaten in the same country was 23% (Robbins 2001). About half of the world’s population still lives in poverty. They earn low income, lack adequate food and they are malnourished. That is why poverty eradication among the world’s population is a major objective of the United Nations Development Programme.
If all the people in the world were to eat deep sea fishes, all the fish produce from the sea would last probably a day. Some of the world resources are not renewable. It is projected that the world’s petroleum resources will be depleted in about 40 years. In Malaysia, the petroleum resources we enjoy are expected to be gone by the year 2020 if no new resources are discovered.
The British government’s Climate Change Programme 2006 estimated that if everyone in Britain were to abstain from meat one day a week over a year, this would save 13 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. The carbon savings would be greater than taking 5 million cars off the road (Koay 2009). See Koay, A. (2009). “Meatless issue”, The Star, 10 November 2009.
Hence, simple eating with less or no meat, eggs, dairy products and processed food is encouraged. If you are a conservationist of flora and fauna, you may want to demonstrate your conservation’s idea in daily diet.
If you are an environmentalist, you probably need to know that cow and pig waste worldwide weighs 5.5 billion tonnes annually. The gas, called nitrous oxide, from that and from millions of tonnes of fertilisers used in the Amazon to grow animal feed, is a greenhouse gas 295 times more potent than carbon dioxide (Koay 2009). In addition, since forest land is being opened up for livestock pasture, you have more reason to take less or no meat.
When you decide to switch, select organically grown food for added advantages.
By selecting organic health food, you will have indirectly played a role in protecting and sustaining human cultures. Organic agriculture is a proven environment friendly and sustainable agriculture system producing high quality foods. In organic agriculture, the land and natural environment are both protected as it improves the soil through better aeration and drainage (less compaction). The health of humans and the soil/land/earth are interconnected. Land and natural environment form the basis of human culture. Their protection ensures the survival of human civilization.
Long term use of chemicals On the other hand, excessive non-desirable chemicals are used in conventional agricultural practices. They improve the crop yield initially. However, the chemicals damage the pH level of the soil, killing some useful micro-organisms and earthworms in the soil. In the long run, they reduce the fertility and the humid acid of the soil. Consequently, this causes plants to have poorer immune system in the future, increases their susceptibility to harm from pests and diseases and reduces crop output. People who eat the unhealthy plants will become less healthy and may have various diseases. Furthermore, when wild plants or weeds have been pulled out or killed using herbicides, the soil is subject to wind erosion, deterioration and desertification (Lai 2005). See Lai, C.N. (2005). “This is grown for human consumption”, Lapis News, 4th Issue, pp.5-8.
To increase the production of crops for exports and to ensure consistent supply, intensive farming is practised in many developing countries with the use of pesticides, fertilizers, hormone, genetic modification and sewer by products. This results in pollutions of river due to pesticide contaminated agriculture land runoff and ground water infiltration. The end result is the contamination of drinking water sources and this ultimately affects human health (Ratna 2008).
Hence, if you consume organically grown vegetables and fruits, you will have indirectly contributed to soil protection and prevention of river pollution caused by the excessive use of agro-chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and mineral fertilizers. The chain effects of your health food lifestyle are tremendous without you knowing them. The use of pesticide may initially help in crop production by eliminating unwanted pests. However, pests may soon build up their defence system and are eventually immune to the effects of the pesticides. Farmers have little choice but to increase the amount of pesticides (Ratna 2008). See Ratna, D.N. (2008). “Consumer perceptionstudy on the importance of standards and certification related to organic foods”. Pp. 308-327 in Chang Yu Shyun, Mazura Md piar & Nik Musa’adah Mustapha (EDs.), Plant, Health and Man- Past, Present and Future. Forest Research Institute Malaysia.
It is thus important for us to preserve, conserve and restore the health of our land/earth by selecting food crops cultivated organically whenever possible. Organic farming is not just keeping our food free from chemicals. It is managing the farm as a complete living organism consisting of soil, land, plants and animals.
Ultimate Health 4: Effectiveness of Health Food
The consumption of health food helps to prevent diseases as indicated by the following medical evidences (Kushi & Jack 2003). See Kushi, M. & Jack, A. (2003). The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health. New York: Ballantine Books.
Plant foods protect against cataracts
Vegetarian women have fewer gallstones
Plant foods protect against urinary imbalances
The taking of miso soup protects against heart disease
The Macrobiotic diet protects against elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure
Macrobiotic practitioners have healthier hearts than trained athletes
Whole grains and vitamin E-rich foods may protect against asthma
Healthy diet may help lift depression and decrease aggressive hostility
Grains and vegetables may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
Diet high in vegetables protects against Parkinson’s disease
Whole grain diet protects against diabetes
Whole grains protect against duodenal ulcer
South African diet (low in fat and high in fibre) protects against haemorrhoids
Furthermore, medical research also revealed that “vegetarians and vegan (vegetarians who consume no dairy products or eggs) not only have far less heart disease but also have lower rates of cancer, hypertension, diabetes, gallstones, kidney disease, obesity and colon disease. They live on average six to ten years longer than the rest of the population, and in fact seem to be healthier by every measurement we have of assessing health outcomes (Robbins 2001). See Robbins, J. (2001). The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save Your life and the World. Mumbai: Magna Publishing Co. Ltd.
The importance of health food in disease prevention is also emphasised by the Minister of Health Malaysia, who pointed out the statistics that (Sin Chew Daily, 11 February 2007):
1. About one-third of cancer cases could be prevented via healthy eating habits, maintenance of suitable body weight and regular exercise.
2. About 80% of the cardiovascular disease is related to unhealthy eating habit, lack of exercise and smoking.
People taking the Mediterranean diet (still commonly found in Spain, Southern France, Italy, Dalmatia and Greece), dominated by the consumption of olive oil, lots of vegetables, fruits, legumes and cereal, moderate consumption of fish, milk and dairy products and low consumption of meat and meat products, had very low rates of coronary heart disease (Renaud 1997, Lorgeril et al. 2002, Panagiotakos et al. 2005, Mackenbach 2007). Research findings also showed the adoption of the Mediterranean diet is associated with the reduction of the risk of developing acute coronary syndromes and also normotensive people as well as in people who are unaware of their condition (Panagiotakos et al. 2002). This shows that it helps to keep us healthy if we gradually let go of or reduce the foods which are harmful to our health and replace them with more beneficial foods such as vegetables and fruits. See Renaud, S.C. (1997). “Dietary management of cardiovascular diseases”, Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids 57 (4 & 5): 423-427; Lorgeril, M. d., Salen, P., Paillard, F., Laporte, F., Boucher, F. & Leiris, J.D. (2002). ”Mediterranean diet and the French paradox: two distinct biogeographic concepts for one consolidated scientific theory on the role of nutrition in coronary heart disease”, Cardiovascular Research 54: 503-515, www.elsevier.com/locate/cardiores; Panagiotakos, D., Chrysohoou, C., Pitsavos, C., Tzioumis, K., Papaioannou, I., Stefanadis, C. & Toutouzas, P. (2002). “The association of Mediterranean diet with low risk of acute coronary syndromes in hypertensive subjects”, International Journal of Cardiology 82: 141-147, www.elsevier.com/locate/ijcard; Panagiotakos, D., Pitsavos C., Matalas, A.L., Chrysohoou, C., & Stefanadis, C. (2005). “Geographical influences on the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the prevalence of acute coronary syndromes in Greece: the CARDIO2000 study”, International Journal of Cardiology 100: 135-142, www.elsevier.com/locate/ijcard
Why is this so? Scientists have discovered that there are in foods “at least a thousand substances–phytochemicals, bioflavonoids, carotenoids, retinols, isoflavones, lycopene, genistein and so on–that have anti-cancer, anti-heart disease, and anti-aging properties. Where are these important substances found? With few exceptions, they are in fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans, including soy products” (Ornish 2001). See Ornish, D. 2001. “Foreword”. Pp. xiii-xvii. In Robbins J., The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save Your life and the World. Mumbai: Magna Publishing Co. Ltd.
Would the adoption of health food guarantee a 100% health recovery? Is the case of the cancer recovery of my father-in-law exceptional? The following cases on the practice of Macrobiotic diet or health diet provided useful references (Kushi & Jack 2003).
Cancer totally disappeared and the person was still alive and cancer-free 10 and 20 years after the diagnosis of ‘terminal’ cancer.
Recovery from heart attack
Reduces blood pressure
Relieves migraines
Improves hearing
Stabilizes osteoporosis
Among the Chinese in Asia, cases have also shown that the taking of health food has assisted in cancer recovery after the patients had undergone various conventional treatments (Lin 2002, Jiang 2002). See Lin, K. Z. (2002). Healthy Without Toxin. Taipei: Cool Books. (In Chinese): Jiang, S.H. (2002). Well Treat Cancer Brings Health. Taipei: Yuan Shen Press. (In Chinese)
It is important to note that while conventional medication cannot guarantee cancer recovery, the same can be said of health food. Cancer cannot be reversed by natural means once health food could not reverse cancer but it assisted the patients living a meaningful life and passing away peacefully (Jiang 2002).
What should we do then when we are diagnosed with cancer? It is best to discuss the positive and negative effects of conventional treatment with doctors. For verification, you may want to read more on cancer treatments–conventional and natural. You may seek the view of professional natural health food consultant. You may even want to consult cancer survivors. You may then consider what treatment(s) to be adopted. In most cases, the decision is conventional treatment to be followed by the consumption of health food.
When health food is not able to reclaim your health entirely, it may be due to other reasons. You may need to examine the following possible influences.
Genetic influences. Some peoples have stronger organs, others weaker. The latter category is more easily affected by toxicity.
Physical environment influences. If we are working in a place where lots of chemicals are used or stored, or living in a location where the environment is polluted by the nearby industrial activities, these could have a strong impact on our health. Health is also affected by the lack of fresh air in the living environment.
Social environment influences. If we work in a social environment emphasising ‘survival of the fittest’ with little care for others, we cannot expect a smooth health recovery. Our ability to handle stress, work, family or personal relationships also affects our health.
Habitual influences. These include smoking, consumption of alcohol and lack of exercise.
Medicinal influences. If you are taking many types of medicines (modern or alternative), health could be affected.
Religious influences. These include disturbance by spirits, individual’s karma and God’s decision.
It is equally important to note that consumption of health food may not bring instant results. If we change our food habit today, we should not expect immediate effects, not even after a week. Health food is not the same as modern pharmaceutical drugs. We may have to wait about four months to see health improvement. This is because the life cycle of the red blood cells is about 120 days. Blood test analysis would show the results after four months.
Health food is not panacea for all ailments. If the vital organs in our body are damaged beyond their ability to function, food as medicine may not work. For example, if we have a broken leg, damaged kidney or vision loss, it is unwise to expect health food to heal it. These are best managed by the medical doctors. For this reason, my father-in-law underwent a back bone operation in mid-2007.
Plant foods protect against cataracts
Vegetarian women have fewer gallstones
Plant foods protect against urinary imbalances
The taking of miso soup protects against heart disease
The Macrobiotic diet protects against elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure
Macrobiotic practitioners have healthier hearts than trained athletes
Whole grains and vitamin E-rich foods may protect against asthma
Healthy diet may help lift depression and decrease aggressive hostility
Grains and vegetables may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
Diet high in vegetables protects against Parkinson’s disease
Whole grain diet protects against diabetes
Whole grains protect against duodenal ulcer
South African diet (low in fat and high in fibre) protects against haemorrhoids
Furthermore, medical research also revealed that “vegetarians and vegan (vegetarians who consume no dairy products or eggs) not only have far less heart disease but also have lower rates of cancer, hypertension, diabetes, gallstones, kidney disease, obesity and colon disease. They live on average six to ten years longer than the rest of the population, and in fact seem to be healthier by every measurement we have of assessing health outcomes (Robbins 2001). See Robbins, J. (2001). The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save Your life and the World. Mumbai: Magna Publishing Co. Ltd.
The importance of health food in disease prevention is also emphasised by the Minister of Health Malaysia, who pointed out the statistics that (Sin Chew Daily, 11 February 2007):
1. About one-third of cancer cases could be prevented via healthy eating habits, maintenance of suitable body weight and regular exercise.
2. About 80% of the cardiovascular disease is related to unhealthy eating habit, lack of exercise and smoking.
People taking the Mediterranean diet (still commonly found in Spain, Southern France, Italy, Dalmatia and Greece), dominated by the consumption of olive oil, lots of vegetables, fruits, legumes and cereal, moderate consumption of fish, milk and dairy products and low consumption of meat and meat products, had very low rates of coronary heart disease (Renaud 1997, Lorgeril et al. 2002, Panagiotakos et al. 2005, Mackenbach 2007). Research findings also showed the adoption of the Mediterranean diet is associated with the reduction of the risk of developing acute coronary syndromes and also normotensive people as well as in people who are unaware of their condition (Panagiotakos et al. 2002). This shows that it helps to keep us healthy if we gradually let go of or reduce the foods which are harmful to our health and replace them with more beneficial foods such as vegetables and fruits. See Renaud, S.C. (1997). “Dietary management of cardiovascular diseases”, Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids 57 (4 & 5): 423-427; Lorgeril, M. d., Salen, P., Paillard, F., Laporte, F., Boucher, F. & Leiris, J.D. (2002). ”Mediterranean diet and the French paradox: two distinct biogeographic concepts for one consolidated scientific theory on the role of nutrition in coronary heart disease”, Cardiovascular Research 54: 503-515, www.elsevier.com/locate/cardiores; Panagiotakos, D., Chrysohoou, C., Pitsavos, C., Tzioumis, K., Papaioannou, I., Stefanadis, C. & Toutouzas, P. (2002). “The association of Mediterranean diet with low risk of acute coronary syndromes in hypertensive subjects”, International Journal of Cardiology 82: 141-147, www.elsevier.com/locate/ijcard; Panagiotakos, D., Pitsavos C., Matalas, A.L., Chrysohoou, C., & Stefanadis, C. (2005). “Geographical influences on the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the prevalence of acute coronary syndromes in Greece: the CARDIO2000 study”, International Journal of Cardiology 100: 135-142, www.elsevier.com/locate/ijcard
Why is this so? Scientists have discovered that there are in foods “at least a thousand substances–phytochemicals, bioflavonoids, carotenoids, retinols, isoflavones, lycopene, genistein and so on–that have anti-cancer, anti-heart disease, and anti-aging properties. Where are these important substances found? With few exceptions, they are in fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans, including soy products” (Ornish 2001). See Ornish, D. 2001. “Foreword”. Pp. xiii-xvii. In Robbins J., The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save Your life and the World. Mumbai: Magna Publishing Co. Ltd.
Would the adoption of health food guarantee a 100% health recovery? Is the case of the cancer recovery of my father-in-law exceptional? The following cases on the practice of Macrobiotic diet or health diet provided useful references (Kushi & Jack 2003).
Cancer totally disappeared and the person was still alive and cancer-free 10 and 20 years after the diagnosis of ‘terminal’ cancer.
Recovery from heart attack
Reduces blood pressure
Relieves migraines
Improves hearing
Stabilizes osteoporosis
Among the Chinese in Asia, cases have also shown that the taking of health food has assisted in cancer recovery after the patients had undergone various conventional treatments (Lin 2002, Jiang 2002). See Lin, K. Z. (2002). Healthy Without Toxin. Taipei: Cool Books. (In Chinese): Jiang, S.H. (2002). Well Treat Cancer Brings Health. Taipei: Yuan Shen Press. (In Chinese)
It is important to note that while conventional medication cannot guarantee cancer recovery, the same can be said of health food. Cancer cannot be reversed by natural means once health food could not reverse cancer but it assisted the patients living a meaningful life and passing away peacefully (Jiang 2002).
What should we do then when we are diagnosed with cancer? It is best to discuss the positive and negative effects of conventional treatment with doctors. For verification, you may want to read more on cancer treatments–conventional and natural. You may seek the view of professional natural health food consultant. You may even want to consult cancer survivors. You may then consider what treatment(s) to be adopted. In most cases, the decision is conventional treatment to be followed by the consumption of health food.
When health food is not able to reclaim your health entirely, it may be due to other reasons. You may need to examine the following possible influences.
Genetic influences. Some peoples have stronger organs, others weaker. The latter category is more easily affected by toxicity.
Physical environment influences. If we are working in a place where lots of chemicals are used or stored, or living in a location where the environment is polluted by the nearby industrial activities, these could have a strong impact on our health. Health is also affected by the lack of fresh air in the living environment.
Social environment influences. If we work in a social environment emphasising ‘survival of the fittest’ with little care for others, we cannot expect a smooth health recovery. Our ability to handle stress, work, family or personal relationships also affects our health.
Habitual influences. These include smoking, consumption of alcohol and lack of exercise.
Medicinal influences. If you are taking many types of medicines (modern or alternative), health could be affected.
Religious influences. These include disturbance by spirits, individual’s karma and God’s decision.
It is equally important to note that consumption of health food may not bring instant results. If we change our food habit today, we should not expect immediate effects, not even after a week. Health food is not the same as modern pharmaceutical drugs. We may have to wait about four months to see health improvement. This is because the life cycle of the red blood cells is about 120 days. Blood test analysis would show the results after four months.
Health food is not panacea for all ailments. If the vital organs in our body are damaged beyond their ability to function, food as medicine may not work. For example, if we have a broken leg, damaged kidney or vision loss, it is unwise to expect health food to heal it. These are best managed by the medical doctors. For this reason, my father-in-law underwent a back bone operation in mid-2007.
Ultimate Health 3: Consume Natural and Organic Food
There is an increasing awareness that natural food can improve health and help us to stay healthy. The awareness is linked to more scientific evidence showing that “switching from a high-fat diet rich in animal protein and simple carbohydrates such as sugar to a whole foods, plant-based diet high in complex carbohydrates provides a double benefit: You significantly reduce your intake of disease-promoting substances such as cholesterol, saturated fat and oxidants, and increase your intake of protective food substances” (Ornish 2001). See Ornish, D. 2001. “Foreword”. Pp. xiii-xvii. In Robbins J., The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save Your life and the World. Mumbai: Magna Publishing Co. Ltd.
This awareness seems to be higher in the developed nations while it is still new in developing countries such as Malaysia. For this reason, the organic food movement in the US is the most rapidly growing segment of the national food industry, at an annual rate of 20% (Kushi & Jack 2003). See Kushi, M. & Jack, A. (2003). The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health. New York: Ballantine Books.
To attain health via natural diet is not the privilege of the middle and upper income groups. If organic food is too costly, it is suggested that you just purchase more vegetables and fruits from the normal markets. Choose those that use little or no chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides in cultivation. Purchase locally grown brown rice, which is relatively cheaper compared to those imported. In the meantime, reduce your consumption of meat. You may also consider planting your own vegetables. Vegetable planting can easily be done even in the flower pots if land is not available. This would save your money to purchase more health food.
All in all, the first step to be taken is important. It could begin with changing fragrant white rice to brown rice. When you change your rice, do it gradually so that it is acceptable to you and family members. Initially, mix a small portion of brown rice to fragrant rice and increase the former’s proportion slowly. After three months, your tongue should be able to accept the taste of 100% brown rice. The first step could also be just reducing the weekly frequency and quantity of your meat intake. You know your preference and that of your family members better. Change eating habit comfortably and happily without any unnecessary pressure.
When your economic condition permits, you may consider purchasing some food stuff from organic shops (Appendix 1). In some of these shops, some products are organically grown. Some of these products are also certified by certification bodies and produced under international standards. Organic food does not contain poisonous chemical residues. Research has shown that the contents of minerals in organic food are generally higher than conventional food. For example, the calcium content of organic food is 63% higher than conventional food while for potassium it is 125% higher (Robbins 2001). Moreover, organic farming is environmentally friendly, reduces soil erosion, water pollution and improves soil health.
It is important to note that not all products sold in the organic shops are organically produced. Be selective when visiting the organic shops and compare prices before buying.
How do we know that the products sold are really organic? In Malaysia, to date (2007), the Malaysian government offers certification for organic production through the Department of Agriculture under a scheme known as ‘Skim Organic Malaysia’ (SOM). This scheme covers farmers’ production. In future, it is expected to cover off-farm chain and processing.
Generally, market assurance for organic products is presented in three ways. In the First Party certification, the producers (i.e. organic farmers) claim their products to be organic. Such claim is established based on the producers’ understanding of organic agriculture practices. In the Second Party market claim, the middlemen (person or company) make the organic claims through product labelling or branding. The claim is based on the credibility and reputation of the middlemen. The best market assurance is attained through Third Party certification. In this case, the claims by the producer (first party) and middlemen (second party) is verified by professional certification bodies. There are more than 400 bodies offering organic certification services in the world. Among them are ACO, ACT, BIO-GRO, CCOF, ECOCERT, ICEA, JAS, NASAA, OCIA, OIA, SAOS, SGS, SKAL and USDA. With Third Party certification, you are assured that the product is produced according to the organic standards.
Awareness is the first step in health improvement. Consumer awareness has risen in the last two decades and there is now more demand for organic food. In urban centres, brown rice, and organic vegetables and fruits are found at a special section in the hypermarkets. In the supermarkets owned by Japanese, miso is also sold. In the US, the national organic standards went into effect in 2002. Consequently, certified organic food is available in many food stores and supermarkets.
This awareness seems to be higher in the developed nations while it is still new in developing countries such as Malaysia. For this reason, the organic food movement in the US is the most rapidly growing segment of the national food industry, at an annual rate of 20% (Kushi & Jack 2003). See Kushi, M. & Jack, A. (2003). The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health. New York: Ballantine Books.
To attain health via natural diet is not the privilege of the middle and upper income groups. If organic food is too costly, it is suggested that you just purchase more vegetables and fruits from the normal markets. Choose those that use little or no chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides in cultivation. Purchase locally grown brown rice, which is relatively cheaper compared to those imported. In the meantime, reduce your consumption of meat. You may also consider planting your own vegetables. Vegetable planting can easily be done even in the flower pots if land is not available. This would save your money to purchase more health food.
All in all, the first step to be taken is important. It could begin with changing fragrant white rice to brown rice. When you change your rice, do it gradually so that it is acceptable to you and family members. Initially, mix a small portion of brown rice to fragrant rice and increase the former’s proportion slowly. After three months, your tongue should be able to accept the taste of 100% brown rice. The first step could also be just reducing the weekly frequency and quantity of your meat intake. You know your preference and that of your family members better. Change eating habit comfortably and happily without any unnecessary pressure.
When your economic condition permits, you may consider purchasing some food stuff from organic shops (Appendix 1). In some of these shops, some products are organically grown. Some of these products are also certified by certification bodies and produced under international standards. Organic food does not contain poisonous chemical residues. Research has shown that the contents of minerals in organic food are generally higher than conventional food. For example, the calcium content of organic food is 63% higher than conventional food while for potassium it is 125% higher (Robbins 2001). Moreover, organic farming is environmentally friendly, reduces soil erosion, water pollution and improves soil health.
It is important to note that not all products sold in the organic shops are organically produced. Be selective when visiting the organic shops and compare prices before buying.
How do we know that the products sold are really organic? In Malaysia, to date (2007), the Malaysian government offers certification for organic production through the Department of Agriculture under a scheme known as ‘Skim Organic Malaysia’ (SOM). This scheme covers farmers’ production. In future, it is expected to cover off-farm chain and processing.
Generally, market assurance for organic products is presented in three ways. In the First Party certification, the producers (i.e. organic farmers) claim their products to be organic. Such claim is established based on the producers’ understanding of organic agriculture practices. In the Second Party market claim, the middlemen (person or company) make the organic claims through product labelling or branding. The claim is based on the credibility and reputation of the middlemen. The best market assurance is attained through Third Party certification. In this case, the claims by the producer (first party) and middlemen (second party) is verified by professional certification bodies. There are more than 400 bodies offering organic certification services in the world. Among them are ACO, ACT, BIO-GRO, CCOF, ECOCERT, ICEA, JAS, NASAA, OCIA, OIA, SAOS, SGS, SKAL and USDA. With Third Party certification, you are assured that the product is produced according to the organic standards.
Awareness is the first step in health improvement. Consumer awareness has risen in the last two decades and there is now more demand for organic food. In urban centres, brown rice, and organic vegetables and fruits are found at a special section in the hypermarkets. In the supermarkets owned by Japanese, miso is also sold. In the US, the national organic standards went into effect in 2002. Consequently, certified organic food is available in many food stores and supermarkets.
Ultimate Health 2: What Can We Do?
Can we prevent and improve our health in this polluted world? What can we do to achieve this?
Perhaps, the first thing to do is to have a medical check-up. The available medical tests provide very useful information on our health condition, the diseases and their possible causes. A medical check-up is important particularly at the early stage of disease development. If you are healthy and do not have any specific disease yet, consider detoxify the toxins in the body to prevent potential future diseases. Detoxification may be achieved through one or more of the following means:
Change to health food and use of appropriate health supplements–to remove the toxins through urination and bowel movement. The toxins include urea, uric acid, and other nitrogenous wastes, sodium chloride, substances suspended in fluid, cellulose and other undigested food remains, bile pigments, mucus, bacteria and water.
Regular exercise and gardening–to remove sodium, urea, oils, fluids and other wastes to the surface of the body by sweating.
Deep breathing–to release carbon dioxide and other gaseous wastes into the atmosphere.
Occasional less than two-day fasting–to burn up excess fat in overweight person.
If you are diagnosed with a particular disease, you may relate it with your lifestyle and eating habits. You may choose a combination of the following treatment options:
Use of prescribed western medicine.
Sweat through regular exercise or gardening.
Have adequate rest.
Use of alternative medication such as health food, acupuncture, herbal food and drink, meditation, religious medication and prayer.
Practise Qi Gong, Tai Qi or yoga.
Quit drinking alcohol.
Stop smoking.
Most people choose prescription medicine, which has improved health and enabled them to live a normal life. In some cases, the conventional medication may not bring the expected results in the long run. Consequently, alternative medication is now receiving more attention. More people are turning to holistic and non-medicine-based treatment for various illnesses (Netzer 1999). More governments are also supporting alternative medication now. In the US, the government established the Office of Alternative Medicine some years ago and it was later upgraded to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Natural foods are served in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants and on airplanes (Kushi & Jack 2003). In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health has established a Traditional and Complementary Medical Division to increase the health level in the country. See Netzer, C.T. (1999). Big Book of Miracle Cures. New York: Dell Publishing; Kushi, M. & Jack, A. (2003). The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health. New York: Ballantine Books.
In February 2007, the Malaysian government announced that Chinese physicians from China will be employed and served in government hospitals. This is part of the collaboration between Malaysia and China on the use of traditional and herbal medication. The collaboration also includes training and the pursuit of higher education of Malaysian doctors in selected Chinese universities and conducting courses in a Malaysian government university (Nanyang Siang Pau, 1 February 2007).
The use of complementary and alternative medicine along with modern medicine is practical. It may be unwise to choose alternative medication if you do not have sufficient knowledge and confidence in it. A combination of prescription medicine and alternative medicine is commonly practised. If you are under treatment for a particular health problem (such as diabetes and high blood pressure), you may consider taking alternative medicine besides modern medicine.
According to the Minister of Health Malaysia, a hospital research in China showed that patients normally seek modern medication within two months of illness. If the patients do not recover within a month, the patients would begin to seek the assistance of traditional Chinese physicians. The Chinese physicians are of the opinion that western medical facilities are necessary in assessing the disease condition and some of the critical diseases need western medication, to be assisted by traditional treatment such as acupuncture (Nanyang Siang Pau, 1 February 2007).
This is also the case of my mother-in-law who was confirmed to have high blood pressure since 1992. Both her father and her uncle had high blood pressure, had stroke, went into coma and died. She does not want this to happen to her. The doctors told her that her condition was inherited. Her eldest son (aged 46 in 2007) also has this problem since he was 35 years old. She realized that the medicine she has been taking may be harmful to her health in the long run and hence, she decided to find her middle path.
Since 1996, she switched to health food gradually. She also started exercising daily, taking up gardening and drinking herbal tea. Over the years, she has gradually reduced the consumption of hypertension control medicine (both in terms of quantity and frequency). She still visits the government clinic regularly (i.e. four times a year) and continues to take this medicine when necessary.
Perhaps, the first thing to do is to have a medical check-up. The available medical tests provide very useful information on our health condition, the diseases and their possible causes. A medical check-up is important particularly at the early stage of disease development. If you are healthy and do not have any specific disease yet, consider detoxify the toxins in the body to prevent potential future diseases. Detoxification may be achieved through one or more of the following means:
Change to health food and use of appropriate health supplements–to remove the toxins through urination and bowel movement. The toxins include urea, uric acid, and other nitrogenous wastes, sodium chloride, substances suspended in fluid, cellulose and other undigested food remains, bile pigments, mucus, bacteria and water.
Regular exercise and gardening–to remove sodium, urea, oils, fluids and other wastes to the surface of the body by sweating.
Deep breathing–to release carbon dioxide and other gaseous wastes into the atmosphere.
Occasional less than two-day fasting–to burn up excess fat in overweight person.
If you are diagnosed with a particular disease, you may relate it with your lifestyle and eating habits. You may choose a combination of the following treatment options:
Use of prescribed western medicine.
Sweat through regular exercise or gardening.
Have adequate rest.
Use of alternative medication such as health food, acupuncture, herbal food and drink, meditation, religious medication and prayer.
Practise Qi Gong, Tai Qi or yoga.
Quit drinking alcohol.
Stop smoking.
Most people choose prescription medicine, which has improved health and enabled them to live a normal life. In some cases, the conventional medication may not bring the expected results in the long run. Consequently, alternative medication is now receiving more attention. More people are turning to holistic and non-medicine-based treatment for various illnesses (Netzer 1999). More governments are also supporting alternative medication now. In the US, the government established the Office of Alternative Medicine some years ago and it was later upgraded to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Natural foods are served in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants and on airplanes (Kushi & Jack 2003). In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health has established a Traditional and Complementary Medical Division to increase the health level in the country. See Netzer, C.T. (1999). Big Book of Miracle Cures. New York: Dell Publishing; Kushi, M. & Jack, A. (2003). The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health. New York: Ballantine Books.
In February 2007, the Malaysian government announced that Chinese physicians from China will be employed and served in government hospitals. This is part of the collaboration between Malaysia and China on the use of traditional and herbal medication. The collaboration also includes training and the pursuit of higher education of Malaysian doctors in selected Chinese universities and conducting courses in a Malaysian government university (Nanyang Siang Pau, 1 February 2007).
The use of complementary and alternative medicine along with modern medicine is practical. It may be unwise to choose alternative medication if you do not have sufficient knowledge and confidence in it. A combination of prescription medicine and alternative medicine is commonly practised. If you are under treatment for a particular health problem (such as diabetes and high blood pressure), you may consider taking alternative medicine besides modern medicine.
According to the Minister of Health Malaysia, a hospital research in China showed that patients normally seek modern medication within two months of illness. If the patients do not recover within a month, the patients would begin to seek the assistance of traditional Chinese physicians. The Chinese physicians are of the opinion that western medical facilities are necessary in assessing the disease condition and some of the critical diseases need western medication, to be assisted by traditional treatment such as acupuncture (Nanyang Siang Pau, 1 February 2007).
This is also the case of my mother-in-law who was confirmed to have high blood pressure since 1992. Both her father and her uncle had high blood pressure, had stroke, went into coma and died. She does not want this to happen to her. The doctors told her that her condition was inherited. Her eldest son (aged 46 in 2007) also has this problem since he was 35 years old. She realized that the medicine she has been taking may be harmful to her health in the long run and hence, she decided to find her middle path.
Since 1996, she switched to health food gradually. She also started exercising daily, taking up gardening and drinking herbal tea. Over the years, she has gradually reduced the consumption of hypertension control medicine (both in terms of quantity and frequency). She still visits the government clinic regularly (i.e. four times a year) and continues to take this medicine when necessary.
Ultimate Health 1: The Crisis
All of us are inter-connected in one way or another. In this interrelated world, to be healthy is not a personal matter but a matter of concern to the family, society, nation and world community. Our health does not only have effects on our personal life but on the lives of all living things, plants and animals, as well as all life forms in the universe.
It is necessary for us to learn to care for ourselves and others. Why do we live? How can we be healthy? Can’t we enjoy good health until our last breath? Can’t we help our loved ones to have good health? How much suffering did we assist to alleviate? How much love did we share, give and receive? To what extent are we friendly to the social and physical environment? Can’t we leave something beneficial for the future generations?
The world is facing a health and environmental crisis. The sea, river, water, air and the food we eat are polluted. The world’s natural forest is depleting while reforestation has not been able to keep up with the pace of deforestation.
The last century witnessed a tremendous change in both human population and forest areas. The world’s human population increased from 1,550 million in 1900 to 6,080 million in 2000, while forest area declined from 3,963 million ha in 1990 to 3,869 million ha in 2000. During the 1981‒1990 period, about 150 million ha of tropical forest or 9% of the world’s tropical forest was estimated to have been lost to various forces of deforestation, with 85% of this area being tropical moist forest (Brown & Lugo 1990, Laurance & Bierregaard 1997, Whitmore 1997). Furthermore, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), during the 1990–2000 period, the world lost about 146 million ha of natural forest due to deforestation and 15 million ha of natural forest converted to forest plantation. There was a net gain of 36 million from natural expansion during this period. The net loss in natural forest was 125 million ha. See Brown, S. & Lugo, A. E. (1990). Tropical secondary forests. Journal of Tropical Ecology 6: 1‒32.; Laurance, W. F. & Bierregaard, R. O., Jr. (Eds.). (1997). Tropical Forest Remnants: Ecology, Management and Conservation of Fragmented Communities. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
When forest is destroyed, the result is the emission of green house gases (GHG) and reduction of the environment’s ability to mitigate GHG. Climate change and global warming take the central seat in international development fora. The world’s temperature is expected to increase 1.4 to 5.8° C during the 21st Century.
This change is expected to bring about new challenges threatening the survival of humanity. Global warming, rising sea level, climatic change, flora and fauna species extinction, survival of the forest-dependent communities have become major concerns.
Global warming has adverse effects on food production. In Africa, areas that are arid or semi-arid are experiencing extended drought while wet zones are having excessive rainfall. Malawi (a south-eastern African nation) used to be the food producer for Europe (its main produce being maize) now depends on aid from the United Nations to sustain itself (Sangeetha 2007). See Sangeetha, A. (2007). “No one escapes climate change effects but many refuse to do anything”, Utusan Konsumer, January-February 2007.
New diseases and epidemics have emerged, affecting the health of the human and animal population. SARS, AIDS, mad cow disease, bird flu and other new epidemics are connected with a decline in natural immune function as a result of modern way of eating and overmedicalization (Kushi & Jack 2003). Scientists have observed the mysterious disappearance of millions of bees and since 1989, frogs were disappearing around the globe (Montague 2007). See Kushi, M. & Jack, A. (2003). The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health. New York: Ballantine Books; Montague, P. 2007. “Tread with caution when dealing with nature: human ignorance is growing”, Utusan Konsumer, July-August 2007.
More chemicals are used in food production and processing. It is alarming to learn that the world is flooded with untested toxic chemicals. Chemicals may be added to food for preservation and to give flavour or colour, or are a result of common agriculture practices such as the use of pesticides or veterinary drugs. The residues of these substances used in food production require a careful safety assessment (International Programme on Chemical Safety, www.who.int/ipcs/food). About 100,000 chemicals (out of 10 million chemicals known) are used in commercial products and every year an estimated 1,000 new chemicals enter the world market. Our concern is some of the chemicals are not tested. Of the 100,000 chemicals registered for commercial use in the European Union in 1981 and 80,000 in the US, fewer than half had been subjected to even the most basic testing (The Lancet, 8 November 2006 cited in Utusan Konsumer Jan–February 2007). In the US, roughly 1,800 new chemicals were introduced into commerce each year (Montague 2007).
The use of these chemicals in food production and processing may cause negative health effects. In poultry farming and agriculture production activities, growth hormones and pesticides are used. In the industrial sector, food production uses artificial colouring, preservatives, stabilizers and addictives. Ultimately, the vegetable, meat and a chain of food produced could be generally considered acidic in nature. When we eat these acidic foods, our body too becomes acidic, causing diseases and illnesses and affect learning and behavioural disabilities among children. In the US, one in two people will get cancer in their lifetime. In Malaysia, the figure is one in four. What happens in Malaysia is likely to occur in many other countries which have similar food consumption patterns. What is happening in the US may happen to Malaysia, if we are copying the western way of eating and living. A leading suspect of cancer is exposure to environmental pollutants and unhealthy food.
How many toxic chemicals are in our body? It has been pointed out that
“The average person today has about 300 toxic chemicals in his or her blood. These chemicals, which can cause anything from liver damage to cancer, come from the air we breathe, the food we eat, water, buildings, pesticides and from the millions of consumer products that we use each day.” (Utusan Konsumer, January-February 2007).
The health crisis should be of serious concern to all. Over the last century, some diseases have become killers. The percentage of cardiovascular disease, which accounted for the most number of deaths in the world, increased from 15% in 1900 to 44% in 1990. In 1900, cancer killed 3% of the world’s population and this increased to 23% in 1990 (Erasmus 1993).
In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health has cautioned that Malaysians are faced with eight major diseases, including heart diseases, stroke, cancer, asthma, lung problems and diabetes. It was estimated that in 2005, every Malaysian was sick for 41 days in a year on the average (The China Press, 17 March 2005). This has become a burden to the nation both in terms of the medical expenditures and reduced productive working days.
It is necessary for us to learn to care for ourselves and others. Why do we live? How can we be healthy? Can’t we enjoy good health until our last breath? Can’t we help our loved ones to have good health? How much suffering did we assist to alleviate? How much love did we share, give and receive? To what extent are we friendly to the social and physical environment? Can’t we leave something beneficial for the future generations?
The world is facing a health and environmental crisis. The sea, river, water, air and the food we eat are polluted. The world’s natural forest is depleting while reforestation has not been able to keep up with the pace of deforestation.
The last century witnessed a tremendous change in both human population and forest areas. The world’s human population increased from 1,550 million in 1900 to 6,080 million in 2000, while forest area declined from 3,963 million ha in 1990 to 3,869 million ha in 2000. During the 1981‒1990 period, about 150 million ha of tropical forest or 9% of the world’s tropical forest was estimated to have been lost to various forces of deforestation, with 85% of this area being tropical moist forest (Brown & Lugo 1990, Laurance & Bierregaard 1997, Whitmore 1997). Furthermore, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), during the 1990–2000 period, the world lost about 146 million ha of natural forest due to deforestation and 15 million ha of natural forest converted to forest plantation. There was a net gain of 36 million from natural expansion during this period. The net loss in natural forest was 125 million ha. See Brown, S. & Lugo, A. E. (1990). Tropical secondary forests. Journal of Tropical Ecology 6: 1‒32.; Laurance, W. F. & Bierregaard, R. O., Jr. (Eds.). (1997). Tropical Forest Remnants: Ecology, Management and Conservation of Fragmented Communities. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
When forest is destroyed, the result is the emission of green house gases (GHG) and reduction of the environment’s ability to mitigate GHG. Climate change and global warming take the central seat in international development fora. The world’s temperature is expected to increase 1.4 to 5.8° C during the 21st Century.
This change is expected to bring about new challenges threatening the survival of humanity. Global warming, rising sea level, climatic change, flora and fauna species extinction, survival of the forest-dependent communities have become major concerns.
Global warming has adverse effects on food production. In Africa, areas that are arid or semi-arid are experiencing extended drought while wet zones are having excessive rainfall. Malawi (a south-eastern African nation) used to be the food producer for Europe (its main produce being maize) now depends on aid from the United Nations to sustain itself (Sangeetha 2007). See Sangeetha, A. (2007). “No one escapes climate change effects but many refuse to do anything”, Utusan Konsumer, January-February 2007.
New diseases and epidemics have emerged, affecting the health of the human and animal population. SARS, AIDS, mad cow disease, bird flu and other new epidemics are connected with a decline in natural immune function as a result of modern way of eating and overmedicalization (Kushi & Jack 2003). Scientists have observed the mysterious disappearance of millions of bees and since 1989, frogs were disappearing around the globe (Montague 2007). See Kushi, M. & Jack, A. (2003). The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health. New York: Ballantine Books; Montague, P. 2007. “Tread with caution when dealing with nature: human ignorance is growing”, Utusan Konsumer, July-August 2007.
More chemicals are used in food production and processing. It is alarming to learn that the world is flooded with untested toxic chemicals. Chemicals may be added to food for preservation and to give flavour or colour, or are a result of common agriculture practices such as the use of pesticides or veterinary drugs. The residues of these substances used in food production require a careful safety assessment (International Programme on Chemical Safety, www.who.int/ipcs/food). About 100,000 chemicals (out of 10 million chemicals known) are used in commercial products and every year an estimated 1,000 new chemicals enter the world market. Our concern is some of the chemicals are not tested. Of the 100,000 chemicals registered for commercial use in the European Union in 1981 and 80,000 in the US, fewer than half had been subjected to even the most basic testing (The Lancet, 8 November 2006 cited in Utusan Konsumer Jan–February 2007). In the US, roughly 1,800 new chemicals were introduced into commerce each year (Montague 2007).
The use of these chemicals in food production and processing may cause negative health effects. In poultry farming and agriculture production activities, growth hormones and pesticides are used. In the industrial sector, food production uses artificial colouring, preservatives, stabilizers and addictives. Ultimately, the vegetable, meat and a chain of food produced could be generally considered acidic in nature. When we eat these acidic foods, our body too becomes acidic, causing diseases and illnesses and affect learning and behavioural disabilities among children. In the US, one in two people will get cancer in their lifetime. In Malaysia, the figure is one in four. What happens in Malaysia is likely to occur in many other countries which have similar food consumption patterns. What is happening in the US may happen to Malaysia, if we are copying the western way of eating and living. A leading suspect of cancer is exposure to environmental pollutants and unhealthy food.
How many toxic chemicals are in our body? It has been pointed out that
“The average person today has about 300 toxic chemicals in his or her blood. These chemicals, which can cause anything from liver damage to cancer, come from the air we breathe, the food we eat, water, buildings, pesticides and from the millions of consumer products that we use each day.” (Utusan Konsumer, January-February 2007).
The health crisis should be of serious concern to all. Over the last century, some diseases have become killers. The percentage of cardiovascular disease, which accounted for the most number of deaths in the world, increased from 15% in 1900 to 44% in 1990. In 1900, cancer killed 3% of the world’s population and this increased to 23% in 1990 (Erasmus 1993).
In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health has cautioned that Malaysians are faced with eight major diseases, including heart diseases, stroke, cancer, asthma, lung problems and diabetes. It was estimated that in 2005, every Malaysian was sick for 41 days in a year on the average (The China Press, 17 March 2005). This has become a burden to the nation both in terms of the medical expenditures and reduced productive working days.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Detox 9: Detox for Losing Weight
It is very important to remember that when you indulge in health food life style, you are on the way to reclaiming your health and healthy living, physically, mentally and spiritually. Your body has the ability to lead its way back to state of good health. In this process, you will face various detox responses which create temporary discomforts at times. These discomforts occur any time and can last for days and weeks. Look at all these detox responses naturally. These are the false diseases you need to bear with. Confidence is important in handling the detox responses. You are not sick and hence do not need medical treatment. Always remember that detox process is life long, it will not stop as long as there are toxins in your body. In the detoxification process, it is very common to feel worse before feeling better (Calbom et al. 2003). Talk to friends who have more experience in handling detox responses. There is likely to be more detox response if much unhealthy food was consumed in the past. However, if you do not have sufficient confidence to face the detox response, you may seek medical treatment as a temporary measure.
In the detox process, the most obvious change is weight loss. When toxins are discharged from your body, the body becomes lighter. Others may look at you as though you are sick but you are on the path to better and healthier life. This is indeed the case of my family members who have practised taking health food in daily life since 1996. I lost 20 kg from 78 kg to 58 kg (1996-2005) and my wife lost 6 kg from 50 to 44 kg (1996-2005). Our body weight stabilises after 2005.
Let’s be brave and confident when faced with detox responses. You need to be patient too when dealing with the detox responses. The efforts are worthwhile as they can bring ultimate health.
It is very important to remember that when you indulge in health food life style, you are on the way to reclaiming your health and healthy living, physically, mentally and spiritually. Your body has the ability to lead its way back to state of good health. In this process, you will face various detox responses which create temporary discomforts at times. These discomforts occur any time and can last for days and weeks. Look at all these detox responses naturally. These are the false diseases you need to bear with. Confidence is important in handling the detox responses. You are not sick and hence do not need medical treatment. Always remember that detox process is life long, it will not stop as long as there are toxins in your body. In the detoxification process, it is very common to feel worse before feeling better (Calbom et al. 2003). Talk to friends who have more experience in handling detox responses. There is likely to be more detox response if much unhealthy food was consumed in the past. However, if you do not have sufficient confidence to face the detox response, you may seek medical treatment as a temporary measure.
In the detox process, the most obvious change is weight loss. When toxins are discharged from your body, the body becomes lighter. Others may look at you as though you are sick but you are on the path to better and healthier life. This is indeed the case of my family members who have practised taking health food in daily life since 1996. I lost 20 kg from 78 kg to 58 kg (1996-2005) and my wife lost 6 kg from 50 to 44 kg (1996-2005). Our body weight stabilises after 2005.
Let’s be brave and confident when faced with detox responses. You need to be patient too when dealing with the detox responses. The efforts are worthwhile as they can bring ultimate health.
Detox 8: My Children’s Detox Responses
Our elder daughter was born in 1995. We had not changed our diet yet. Naturally, my daughter was not healthy because my wife was still eating unhealthy food before and during pregnancy. After our daughter was born, she was fed with eggs, meat and milk powder. Naturally, toxins accumulated in her body too. When she reached five years of age in 2000, she gradually switched to follow our healthy diet.
During her early childhood years before 2002, whenever she had fever, she was fed with medicine to reduce the fever and also antibiotics, to be followed by cough concoction. She looked tired and weak after each treatment. After a few months, her fever returned and she had to take medicine again. My wife was particularly worried about our daughter’s fever. She kept various medicines in the refrigerator, just in case fever attacked during mid-night. This vicious cycle took place until 2002 when our daughter attended primary school.
In 2002, we decided to make a change on the way of treating her fever. Since we do not have to seek medical treatment when flu and fever arose, we thought the same could be applied to our daughter. We realize the fever medicine and antibiotics are not beneficial to her health in the long run. Her fever came in the month of December, i.e. during the long school holidays. My wife and I explained to our daughter that the fever is beneficial to her body’s immune system and we should not suppress it.
Our daughter accepted our decision. We bought a thermometer so that her body temperature could be examined hourly. This is to ensure that her body temperature does not reach the critical level of 40° C. Since it was school holidays, my wife put in a lot of effort in preparing apple juice and warm water for our daughter. This was to be taken hourly. Within two days, her fever subsided.
After two weeks, her fever recurred. The challenge came on the second day when her body temperature rose to 40.2° C. My wife was worried because she had heard stories where high fever could lead to brain damage and so on. We referred to the literature on how to treat children’s fever naturally and safely. It was confirmed that occasional rise of body temperature to 40° C is still within the safety level. Only when high body temperature (40° C and above) is sustained for some time that the child should be sent to the hospital. We decided to observe her body temperature for the next two hours before seeking medical treatment. The body temperature fluctuated between 37.0° C and 39° C and by the third day, her fever disappeared.
In 2003, my daughter had fever five times (February, March, April, July and November). She was in primary 2 and was exposed more to outside food in school and also children with all sorts of sickness. The toxin of the junk food had accumulated in her body too. By then, we learned more about methods in handling her fever naturally. The first is massaging her body, particularly her back and foot sole when her body temperature was high. The second was to drink chrysanthemum water to reduce body temperature. These two methods were very effective, as they also helped the child to sleep. Getting rest is essential for body temperature control and natural recovery.
Her fever in April 2003 raised our concern. The world community was worried about the possible widespread of SARS. After three days of having fever, her body temperature was still high, irregular and once reached 40.3° C. Should we send her to the hospital? We made a telephone call to Lapis Lazuli Light Society Malaysia to enhance our confidence. We also referred to the literature on handling children’s fever naturally. Most importantly, we explained to our daughter her fever condition, past experience and the reasons for not sending her to the clinic. We explained to her the impact of unhealthy food on children’s health and the need to avoid them once having food outside home. She was worried that she would miss her school lessons if she did not recover in the shortest possible time. We told her that health was most important, if she wanted to excel in school. By the sixth day, she recovered naturally from her fever.
Handling fever naturally is a big challenge if you do not have a thorough understanding and sufficient confidence. This occurred from 18 November till 9 December 2003. The detox responses were more severe. My daughter not only had fever and cough, her lips also were dry and peeling slightly with the appearance of white spots. Small little red spots also appeared on her chest and abdomen besides occasional chest pain. By then, we had more confidence that we have to accept this naturally. During this period, her body temperature fluctuated between 37 and 40.2° C.
We referred to the literature again and found that some children have fever for more than a month together with other symptoms. Accordingly, once the fever was over, the child would not look as if he or she had just recovered from fever. My family members did not take this seriously. It turned out to be true as my daughter had bright eyes. No one ever thought that she had just recovered from a long fever (i.e. 22 days) when our family went to attend an official function at Genting Highlands on 10 December 2003.
We have now acquired more knowledge of fever among children. When children are growing up, they are bound to have fever from time to time. It is rather a natural process. Therefore, we can handle it naturally. Secondly, during the fever period, the body temperature fluctuates but normally with natural treatment it will drop. Thirdly, we need to provide them with fresh fruit juice to reduce the body temperature. Most importantly, parents must be ready to spend time and energy attending to children with fever.
Our experience in handling fever has enhanced our family confidence whenever detox response appeared. When my daughter had fever in 2004 (3 times, 3–5 days each), 2005 (3 times, 3-4 days each), 2006 (2 times, 4 days each), 2007 (once, 2 days) and 2008 (twice, 3 days each) the normal healing methods were applied. They just worked. My daughter is now healthier than ever.
Handling fever for my vegetarian son is much easier. He was born in 2001, conceived after my wife turned to health food since 1996. The vegetarian baby was 4 kg at birth, to the surprise of many people, compared to normal baby weight of 3 kg at birth on the average. My wife experienced only two and a half hours of labour pain giving birth to our son compared with six hours when she gave birth to our daughter in 1995, which is common for the first child.
My vegetarian son has not taken any meat, eggs and dairy products directly since birth. This gives him health. Since birth in 2001, we sent him to the clinic only once when he was about two years old. He had very few episodes of fever in the past, and only once in 2002 (for a period of 2 days), once in 2003 (1 day), thrice in 2005 (2–3 days each), twice in 2006 (1–2 days each), thrice in 2007 (2–4 days each), twice in 2008 (3–4 days each) and once in 2009 (3 days).
On 16–19 February 2007, he had another fever. On the second day of the fever (17 February), he followed us by car to Air Jernih, my home village (330 km away from Kuala Lumpur) in Terengganu for Chinese New Year celebration. His slow recovery was of concern to my parents, brothers and sisters. It was difficult for them to accept that our boy was not sent to the clinic for western medical treatment. We did not explain much except continued to monitor our son’s body temperature, control his food and drink and massage him to sleep. To enable his smooth recovery, we came back to Kuala Lumpur on 19 February instead of the 20th. Before leaving the village, I told my parents that we would take my son to the clinic if his fever did not subside. When having fever, his body temperature ranged from 37–40.5° C. As always, he recovered naturally. Unlike his sister who is relatively impatient when faced with fever, our boy hardly complained and just rested.
What does this tell us? Firstly, when the mother takes health food prior to her pregnancy, the child is likely to be relatively healthier after birth. Secondly, if a child is brought up with health food, the child will grow up with little or no diseases. Thirdly, fever is a detox process whereby toxins are removed from the body and hence you do not need to treat it as if you are sick. Fourthly, it is important to learn more from the literature to enhance your confidence in facing detox responses. Fifthly, seek those with experience on natural healing whenever you are uncertain. Finally, when you are less confident in handling the detox responses, you may seek the advice of medical practitioners.
During her early childhood years before 2002, whenever she had fever, she was fed with medicine to reduce the fever and also antibiotics, to be followed by cough concoction. She looked tired and weak after each treatment. After a few months, her fever returned and she had to take medicine again. My wife was particularly worried about our daughter’s fever. She kept various medicines in the refrigerator, just in case fever attacked during mid-night. This vicious cycle took place until 2002 when our daughter attended primary school.
In 2002, we decided to make a change on the way of treating her fever. Since we do not have to seek medical treatment when flu and fever arose, we thought the same could be applied to our daughter. We realize the fever medicine and antibiotics are not beneficial to her health in the long run. Her fever came in the month of December, i.e. during the long school holidays. My wife and I explained to our daughter that the fever is beneficial to her body’s immune system and we should not suppress it.
Our daughter accepted our decision. We bought a thermometer so that her body temperature could be examined hourly. This is to ensure that her body temperature does not reach the critical level of 40° C. Since it was school holidays, my wife put in a lot of effort in preparing apple juice and warm water for our daughter. This was to be taken hourly. Within two days, her fever subsided.
After two weeks, her fever recurred. The challenge came on the second day when her body temperature rose to 40.2° C. My wife was worried because she had heard stories where high fever could lead to brain damage and so on. We referred to the literature on how to treat children’s fever naturally and safely. It was confirmed that occasional rise of body temperature to 40° C is still within the safety level. Only when high body temperature (40° C and above) is sustained for some time that the child should be sent to the hospital. We decided to observe her body temperature for the next two hours before seeking medical treatment. The body temperature fluctuated between 37.0° C and 39° C and by the third day, her fever disappeared.
In 2003, my daughter had fever five times (February, March, April, July and November). She was in primary 2 and was exposed more to outside food in school and also children with all sorts of sickness. The toxin of the junk food had accumulated in her body too. By then, we learned more about methods in handling her fever naturally. The first is massaging her body, particularly her back and foot sole when her body temperature was high. The second was to drink chrysanthemum water to reduce body temperature. These two methods were very effective, as they also helped the child to sleep. Getting rest is essential for body temperature control and natural recovery.
Her fever in April 2003 raised our concern. The world community was worried about the possible widespread of SARS. After three days of having fever, her body temperature was still high, irregular and once reached 40.3° C. Should we send her to the hospital? We made a telephone call to Lapis Lazuli Light Society Malaysia to enhance our confidence. We also referred to the literature on handling children’s fever naturally. Most importantly, we explained to our daughter her fever condition, past experience and the reasons for not sending her to the clinic. We explained to her the impact of unhealthy food on children’s health and the need to avoid them once having food outside home. She was worried that she would miss her school lessons if she did not recover in the shortest possible time. We told her that health was most important, if she wanted to excel in school. By the sixth day, she recovered naturally from her fever.
Handling fever naturally is a big challenge if you do not have a thorough understanding and sufficient confidence. This occurred from 18 November till 9 December 2003. The detox responses were more severe. My daughter not only had fever and cough, her lips also were dry and peeling slightly with the appearance of white spots. Small little red spots also appeared on her chest and abdomen besides occasional chest pain. By then, we had more confidence that we have to accept this naturally. During this period, her body temperature fluctuated between 37 and 40.2° C.
We referred to the literature again and found that some children have fever for more than a month together with other symptoms. Accordingly, once the fever was over, the child would not look as if he or she had just recovered from fever. My family members did not take this seriously. It turned out to be true as my daughter had bright eyes. No one ever thought that she had just recovered from a long fever (i.e. 22 days) when our family went to attend an official function at Genting Highlands on 10 December 2003.
We have now acquired more knowledge of fever among children. When children are growing up, they are bound to have fever from time to time. It is rather a natural process. Therefore, we can handle it naturally. Secondly, during the fever period, the body temperature fluctuates but normally with natural treatment it will drop. Thirdly, we need to provide them with fresh fruit juice to reduce the body temperature. Most importantly, parents must be ready to spend time and energy attending to children with fever.
Our experience in handling fever has enhanced our family confidence whenever detox response appeared. When my daughter had fever in 2004 (3 times, 3–5 days each), 2005 (3 times, 3-4 days each), 2006 (2 times, 4 days each), 2007 (once, 2 days) and 2008 (twice, 3 days each) the normal healing methods were applied. They just worked. My daughter is now healthier than ever.
Handling fever for my vegetarian son is much easier. He was born in 2001, conceived after my wife turned to health food since 1996. The vegetarian baby was 4 kg at birth, to the surprise of many people, compared to normal baby weight of 3 kg at birth on the average. My wife experienced only two and a half hours of labour pain giving birth to our son compared with six hours when she gave birth to our daughter in 1995, which is common for the first child.
My vegetarian son has not taken any meat, eggs and dairy products directly since birth. This gives him health. Since birth in 2001, we sent him to the clinic only once when he was about two years old. He had very few episodes of fever in the past, and only once in 2002 (for a period of 2 days), once in 2003 (1 day), thrice in 2005 (2–3 days each), twice in 2006 (1–2 days each), thrice in 2007 (2–4 days each), twice in 2008 (3–4 days each) and once in 2009 (3 days).
On 16–19 February 2007, he had another fever. On the second day of the fever (17 February), he followed us by car to Air Jernih, my home village (330 km away from Kuala Lumpur) in Terengganu for Chinese New Year celebration. His slow recovery was of concern to my parents, brothers and sisters. It was difficult for them to accept that our boy was not sent to the clinic for western medical treatment. We did not explain much except continued to monitor our son’s body temperature, control his food and drink and massage him to sleep. To enable his smooth recovery, we came back to Kuala Lumpur on 19 February instead of the 20th. Before leaving the village, I told my parents that we would take my son to the clinic if his fever did not subside. When having fever, his body temperature ranged from 37–40.5° C. As always, he recovered naturally. Unlike his sister who is relatively impatient when faced with fever, our boy hardly complained and just rested.
What does this tell us? Firstly, when the mother takes health food prior to her pregnancy, the child is likely to be relatively healthier after birth. Secondly, if a child is brought up with health food, the child will grow up with little or no diseases. Thirdly, fever is a detox process whereby toxins are removed from the body and hence you do not need to treat it as if you are sick. Fourthly, it is important to learn more from the literature to enhance your confidence in facing detox responses. Fifthly, seek those with experience on natural healing whenever you are uncertain. Finally, when you are less confident in handling the detox responses, you may seek the advice of medical practitioners.
Detox 7: My Wife’s Detox Responses
My wife, 45 years old in 2010, is the most important person in my life. It is thus my responsibility to assist her in facing various detox responses.
Flu, running nose and cough were the normal responses for my wife. She was relatively impatient when faced with these responses. Between 1996 and 1999, her first reaction was taking flu tablets purchased from pharmacies. She just wanted to get rid of these common responses within the shortest possible time. They were definitely annoying. When self-medication did not work, she would visit the local clinic. Her stand was to stop the responses first and then treat the body with the normal health food diet. For a person who was impatient and wanted a quick fix, this was a temporary measure.
She realized that this was not the best solution to her health problems. Consequently, since 2000 she decided to alter her way of handling flu, running nose and cough. She gave herself a good rest when the responses emerged. When they were too serious, she went to the clinic, obtained medicines and a medical certificate. She left the medicines aside and rested for a day or two. While resting at home, she drank lots of fresh fruit juice. Within two days, she was fully recovered. When she went back to teach in school, she did not suffer any side effect such as physical weakness or dizziness. The two days’ rest was enough for her to recover fully.
Beginning 2002 till 2006, my wife faced a very interesting detox response–hiccup. Normally, the hiccup would occur after dinner. I massaged her back to enable the gas to come out of the body before she went to sleep. Sometimes, while the family members were in deep sleep, she would sit on the chair and allow the hiccup to occur naturally. Since 2006, her hiccup was gradually reduced.
Skin itch was another detox discomfort for my wife. Since birth, she had skin itches on both hands from time to time. Before 1996, she sought medical assistance and has been taking medicine and applying ointment on her hands. After 1996, upon learning that my anus itch had stopped, she decided to stop taking any medicine. However, the skin itch remained. In 2002, I took her to a nearby hot spring so that she could wash her hands with the water. Many claim that hot spring water is an effective cure for those with skin diseases. Sometimes I transported two small containers of hot spring water back home for her use. It helped temporarily. By 2004, she found that the use of hot spring water did not provide the expected impact. She found another natural way of handling it. When the itch started, she would use a luffa sponge to brush the affected part. By 2008, her skin-itch problem was reduced to a great extent. By 2010, she seldom complain of her skin-itch.
Flu, running nose and cough were the normal responses for my wife. She was relatively impatient when faced with these responses. Between 1996 and 1999, her first reaction was taking flu tablets purchased from pharmacies. She just wanted to get rid of these common responses within the shortest possible time. They were definitely annoying. When self-medication did not work, she would visit the local clinic. Her stand was to stop the responses first and then treat the body with the normal health food diet. For a person who was impatient and wanted a quick fix, this was a temporary measure.
She realized that this was not the best solution to her health problems. Consequently, since 2000 she decided to alter her way of handling flu, running nose and cough. She gave herself a good rest when the responses emerged. When they were too serious, she went to the clinic, obtained medicines and a medical certificate. She left the medicines aside and rested for a day or two. While resting at home, she drank lots of fresh fruit juice. Within two days, she was fully recovered. When she went back to teach in school, she did not suffer any side effect such as physical weakness or dizziness. The two days’ rest was enough for her to recover fully.
Beginning 2002 till 2006, my wife faced a very interesting detox response–hiccup. Normally, the hiccup would occur after dinner. I massaged her back to enable the gas to come out of the body before she went to sleep. Sometimes, while the family members were in deep sleep, she would sit on the chair and allow the hiccup to occur naturally. Since 2006, her hiccup was gradually reduced.
Skin itch was another detox discomfort for my wife. Since birth, she had skin itches on both hands from time to time. Before 1996, she sought medical assistance and has been taking medicine and applying ointment on her hands. After 1996, upon learning that my anus itch had stopped, she decided to stop taking any medicine. However, the skin itch remained. In 2002, I took her to a nearby hot spring so that she could wash her hands with the water. Many claim that hot spring water is an effective cure for those with skin diseases. Sometimes I transported two small containers of hot spring water back home for her use. It helped temporarily. By 2004, she found that the use of hot spring water did not provide the expected impact. She found another natural way of handling it. When the itch started, she would use a luffa sponge to brush the affected part. By 2008, her skin-itch problem was reduced to a great extent. By 2010, she seldom complain of her skin-itch.
Detox 6: My Detox Responses
Changing to a health food life style has helped me overcome an old problem almost immediately–anus itch. Since my varsity days in 1979, I had this problem of anus itch that disturbed my sleep. From 1979 till 1996, I had to depend on modern and traditional medicines to relieve the itch temporarily. When my family changed to health food completely, within three months, the anus itch disappeared amazingly. It was a big surprise.
After my family switched from normal food to health food in mid-1996, I began to experience various responses (Table 6.4). Initially, flu, running nose and cough were common. Mucus was discharged from my nasal passages. I hold to the advice of Diamond & Diamond (1985), i.e. “This is not a cold”. Since I understand the detox responses better as I can read health literature in English and Chinese, my decision was not to visit the doctors unless necessary. Whenever I had flu, more time was allocated for resting. No cough concoction was taken when cough happened. Between 1996 and 1999, these detox responses were handled naturally, without any modern medication. After 1999, I hardly had flu and running nose even though cough did occur occasionally.
In 2000, my main detox response was the occurrence of external piles (i.e. hemorrhoids). Those having piles would know how unbearable it is. You cannot walk, stand, sit and sleep comfortably. I could not work and decided to take annual leave and rest at home. I did not have adequate confidence then to accept piles as a detox response. After visiting the local physician, the recommendation was to undergo an operation to remove the piles. This was to take place in a private hospital if I had wished to do so.
In the meantime, my colleague who earlier had piles informed me that taking yellow tapioca helps. I found some tapioca and started eating it. Since I did not want to undergo any operation, my chance of solving the problem appeared to be tapioca. My colleague advised me to take two tablets of Chinese herbal medicine. Ultimately, the piles burst and the pain gone. People having piles normally have problems over a long time. The piles can cause inconveniences. It was not so in my case. Since my piles matured naturally and probably with assistance from herbal medicine, without any operation, it has not caused me any inconveniences. On 15 January 2007, another piles occurred next to the spot of the first piles. Unlike the first piles, it matured naturally within two days, with only little pain. I did not take any medical leave and later went for my three-day field work in the state of Pahang on 17-19 January 2007.
In September 2003, upon reaching my office, I could not lift my right arm to adjust the temperature of the air-conditioner. The condition did not improve after a few days. Was this a symptom of ageing? From the literature, those reaching 50 years old might have shoulder and arm pain. I read the literature on detox responses again and confirmed that this was another form of detox response. Since I have developed more trust and confidence in health food as the best medicine and accepted detox responses as part of my life, I just ignored the arm pain. After three months, I was able to lift my arm to adjust the temperature of the air-conditioner again. Looking back, if I did not walk the healthy food path and had no confidence in the detox responses, I would have visited the doctors for treatment on many occasions.
The other unforgettable experience was when I had a swollen cheek in 2004. A wart the size of a table tennis ball developed in the right cheek. Ten days had passed and the swelling remained. My family members were getting worried. Colleagues advised me to seek medical treatment. In response to their concern, I went to the clinic but soon returned without seeing the doctor. While waiting at the clinic, I questioned my confidence in accepting the wart as another detox response. I decided to let it to mature naturally. After four days, puss gradually oozed out from the wart and I fully recovered.
Beginning September 2005 till January 2007 was the period of detoxification through the mouth, throat and tongue. Initially, there was cough and sore throat. Later, I found my mouth having heavy smell and some phlegm after waking up in the morning. When I brushed my teeth and gum, white bubbles appeared even though I had not used any tooth paste since 2000. Occasionally the gum also experienced aching. Despite all these, I just faced the detox responses naturally and realize that I would live a healthier life in years to come.
In November 2006, after taking a 10-day liver detox (lemon juice, olive oil, molasses and dashes of cayenne pepper), I felt the occasional right elbow pain. This did not cause any alarm at all, knowing that it was another detox response. The pain went off naturally after five weeks. However, it emerged again in January 2007. What I did was just to ignore the occasional pain.
In November 2009, light pain appeared on my right leg. It did not affect my daily routine work and I just left it alone. After eight days, the pain disappeared naturally.
After my family switched from normal food to health food in mid-1996, I began to experience various responses (Table 6.4). Initially, flu, running nose and cough were common. Mucus was discharged from my nasal passages. I hold to the advice of Diamond & Diamond (1985), i.e. “This is not a cold”. Since I understand the detox responses better as I can read health literature in English and Chinese, my decision was not to visit the doctors unless necessary. Whenever I had flu, more time was allocated for resting. No cough concoction was taken when cough happened. Between 1996 and 1999, these detox responses were handled naturally, without any modern medication. After 1999, I hardly had flu and running nose even though cough did occur occasionally.
In 2000, my main detox response was the occurrence of external piles (i.e. hemorrhoids). Those having piles would know how unbearable it is. You cannot walk, stand, sit and sleep comfortably. I could not work and decided to take annual leave and rest at home. I did not have adequate confidence then to accept piles as a detox response. After visiting the local physician, the recommendation was to undergo an operation to remove the piles. This was to take place in a private hospital if I had wished to do so.
In the meantime, my colleague who earlier had piles informed me that taking yellow tapioca helps. I found some tapioca and started eating it. Since I did not want to undergo any operation, my chance of solving the problem appeared to be tapioca. My colleague advised me to take two tablets of Chinese herbal medicine. Ultimately, the piles burst and the pain gone. People having piles normally have problems over a long time. The piles can cause inconveniences. It was not so in my case. Since my piles matured naturally and probably with assistance from herbal medicine, without any operation, it has not caused me any inconveniences. On 15 January 2007, another piles occurred next to the spot of the first piles. Unlike the first piles, it matured naturally within two days, with only little pain. I did not take any medical leave and later went for my three-day field work in the state of Pahang on 17-19 January 2007.
In September 2003, upon reaching my office, I could not lift my right arm to adjust the temperature of the air-conditioner. The condition did not improve after a few days. Was this a symptom of ageing? From the literature, those reaching 50 years old might have shoulder and arm pain. I read the literature on detox responses again and confirmed that this was another form of detox response. Since I have developed more trust and confidence in health food as the best medicine and accepted detox responses as part of my life, I just ignored the arm pain. After three months, I was able to lift my arm to adjust the temperature of the air-conditioner again. Looking back, if I did not walk the healthy food path and had no confidence in the detox responses, I would have visited the doctors for treatment on many occasions.
The other unforgettable experience was when I had a swollen cheek in 2004. A wart the size of a table tennis ball developed in the right cheek. Ten days had passed and the swelling remained. My family members were getting worried. Colleagues advised me to seek medical treatment. In response to their concern, I went to the clinic but soon returned without seeing the doctor. While waiting at the clinic, I questioned my confidence in accepting the wart as another detox response. I decided to let it to mature naturally. After four days, puss gradually oozed out from the wart and I fully recovered.
Beginning September 2005 till January 2007 was the period of detoxification through the mouth, throat and tongue. Initially, there was cough and sore throat. Later, I found my mouth having heavy smell and some phlegm after waking up in the morning. When I brushed my teeth and gum, white bubbles appeared even though I had not used any tooth paste since 2000. Occasionally the gum also experienced aching. Despite all these, I just faced the detox responses naturally and realize that I would live a healthier life in years to come.
In November 2006, after taking a 10-day liver detox (lemon juice, olive oil, molasses and dashes of cayenne pepper), I felt the occasional right elbow pain. This did not cause any alarm at all, knowing that it was another detox response. The pain went off naturally after five weeks. However, it emerged again in January 2007. What I did was just to ignore the occasional pain.
In November 2009, light pain appeared on my right leg. It did not affect my daily routine work and I just left it alone. After eight days, the pain disappeared naturally.
Detox 5: Detox Responses of My Mother-in-Law
My mother-in-law had bloating and gas problems even before we changed to health food. The problem started in 1981 when she was 44 years old. Sometimes, she tolerated the problem. However, when the problem disturbed a good night sleep, she went for treatment at the local clinics. Since then, she had to take medicine for her gastric problem from time to time. Between 1990 and 1996, the problem worsened, she could not sleep well and had to be sent to the hospital for treatment. After switching to health food in 1996, the detox responses of bloating and gas emerged in a new form.
Initially, when feeling discomfort, she took some Chinese herbal medicine. We did not have much knowledge of detox responses then, and thought that it was a result of food poisoning. Hence, she visited the local physician and was prescribed modern medicine. This provided temporary relief. It was not too long that the same problem recurred. In mid-1996, we had to send her to a private hospital at mid-night when the bloating and gas caused severe and unbearable pain. She was discharged on the second day and it cost RM1,500 for the medical check-up and treatment.
Between 1997 and 2002, due to bloating and gas problems, my mother-in-law was admitted a few times to the government hospitals. The problem was cured temporarily after medical treatment.
She decided to have a medical check-up in the later part of 2002 only to confirm that she had gall stones. She attempted to break down the stones via natural means of taking fresh apple juice for six days, to be followed by Epsom salt and olive oil mixed with lemon juice in the evening of the sixth day. Some stones were discharged naturally. My mother-in-law used this method at the age of 65 and it was probably too late to discharge all stones. The X-ray examination showed that the dark stones remained.
The medical specialist at the private hospital was of the opinion that these gall stones were causing the bloating and gas problem. Since there was no other effective method to remove the gall stones, she was advised by the doctor to remove the gall by operation so that the problem would be solved permanently. She was admitted to the hospital for three days, had the gall removed and paid RM6,000 for the medical bill.
A week after the operation, she had severe stomach-ache. Again, she was admitted to the same hospital for further treatment. The medical specialist felt that the stomach-ache might be related to the earlier operation and hence, admission was necessary. Even at the hospital, the stomach-ache did not stop totally. She just could not even have a good night sleep. The doctor prescribed vomiting medicine. In the evening of the second day, when she wanted to vomit, a 15-cm long (diameter 1 mm) worm crawled out of her mouth. She was shocked. So were we. Her stomach-ache stopped immediately and she was later discharged.
Even though her gall was removed and the worm came out of her body, her bloating and gas problem remained. Between 2002 and 2004, when the problem worsened, she was sent to the hospital four times at mid-nights. Again, modern medication only provided temporary relief. She later decided to seek herbal treatment from traditional Chinese physician. The herbal medicine did bring some temporary relief but the problem remained.
During this period, I reminded her that from the literature it was clearly stated that bloating is a detox response. It is a natural phenomenon and should be allowed to take its natural course. The modern medicine could only relieve the discomfort temporarily. I advised her to accept this reality and to look at the positive side of detoxification. She did not have to suppress it with medicine as the bloating and wind will gradually disappear after some time. The family’s encouragement slowly enhanced her confidence. She intended to give herself a chance of bearing with the bloating and instead, have a total rest the next time it happens.
In March 2004, the challenge came when bloating and gas started to give her trouble again. As she was mentally prepared to accept this as a natural response of detoxification, she decided not to take any medicine. She just rested at home and tolerated with the discomfort for another four days. To her surprise, it worked. With a strong mental state and confidence, the old problem of bloating and gas gradually disappeared.
In the treatment process, she began to realize the importance of taking health food. As she gets older, she has to take care of every meal taken as indigestion may occur. Taking unhealthy food and eating too much is likely to bring about bloating and gas problems. Eating mushroom and drinking cold drinks also causes indigestion, bloating and gas problems. She finds that limiting the amount of food taken each time, eating more fresh fruits and occasional fasting help to reduce and prevent the bloating and gas problems.
She also finds the proper way of cooking and eating. She prepares the food as fresh as possible each day. Consumption of oily and greasy food is avoided. She now eats slowly and chews each mouthful of food for about 50 times or more for easier digestion. This is because when we chew, ptyalin, an enzyme in saliva, alkalinizes the food and thus contributes to better digestion and absorption and strengthening the blood (Kushi & Jack 2003). She is the last to leave the dining table. She discards the habit of eating stale food and leftovers, a common practice in many families. She also avoids eating after dinner as this can cause stagnation in the intestines.
The consumption of unhealthy food in the past had caused her other problems. Since 1994, she had knee arthritis and had to rely on modern medication for temporary relief. In 1997, one year after switching to health food, the knee arthritis appeared to get worse. It was so painful that she just could not squat down. She was suffering mentally and physically. The same year, she sought treatment from a medical specialist at a private hospital. It was confirmed that the pain was associated with rheumatism. To the doctor, rheumatism could not be cured and the patient has to continue taking medicines to control the pain. So, she took modern medicine daily but the impact was rather uncertain. Sometimes, the pain stopped and at other times it remained. In 1999, another problem emerged–her heel started to experience pain and she could hardly walk. She went to the clinic and had an injection which subsequently relieved her pain. In the late 2008, her heel pain relapsed and she received another injection as treatment.
In 2001, my family members and I encouraged her to gradually let go of the dependence on modern drugs for her knee pain. We told her that the health food we are taking is the best medicine for all types of diseases. We encouraged each other to have confidence in the food path taken to maintain and to reclaim health. She agreed and gradually stopped taking modern drugs to relieve the knee pain. By 2003, her knee pain finally disappeared. She has no problem squatting. Smiles reappeared on her face.
Initially, when feeling discomfort, she took some Chinese herbal medicine. We did not have much knowledge of detox responses then, and thought that it was a result of food poisoning. Hence, she visited the local physician and was prescribed modern medicine. This provided temporary relief. It was not too long that the same problem recurred. In mid-1996, we had to send her to a private hospital at mid-night when the bloating and gas caused severe and unbearable pain. She was discharged on the second day and it cost RM1,500 for the medical check-up and treatment.
Between 1997 and 2002, due to bloating and gas problems, my mother-in-law was admitted a few times to the government hospitals. The problem was cured temporarily after medical treatment.
She decided to have a medical check-up in the later part of 2002 only to confirm that she had gall stones. She attempted to break down the stones via natural means of taking fresh apple juice for six days, to be followed by Epsom salt and olive oil mixed with lemon juice in the evening of the sixth day. Some stones were discharged naturally. My mother-in-law used this method at the age of 65 and it was probably too late to discharge all stones. The X-ray examination showed that the dark stones remained.
The medical specialist at the private hospital was of the opinion that these gall stones were causing the bloating and gas problem. Since there was no other effective method to remove the gall stones, she was advised by the doctor to remove the gall by operation so that the problem would be solved permanently. She was admitted to the hospital for three days, had the gall removed and paid RM6,000 for the medical bill.
A week after the operation, she had severe stomach-ache. Again, she was admitted to the same hospital for further treatment. The medical specialist felt that the stomach-ache might be related to the earlier operation and hence, admission was necessary. Even at the hospital, the stomach-ache did not stop totally. She just could not even have a good night sleep. The doctor prescribed vomiting medicine. In the evening of the second day, when she wanted to vomit, a 15-cm long (diameter 1 mm) worm crawled out of her mouth. She was shocked. So were we. Her stomach-ache stopped immediately and she was later discharged.
Even though her gall was removed and the worm came out of her body, her bloating and gas problem remained. Between 2002 and 2004, when the problem worsened, she was sent to the hospital four times at mid-nights. Again, modern medication only provided temporary relief. She later decided to seek herbal treatment from traditional Chinese physician. The herbal medicine did bring some temporary relief but the problem remained.
During this period, I reminded her that from the literature it was clearly stated that bloating is a detox response. It is a natural phenomenon and should be allowed to take its natural course. The modern medicine could only relieve the discomfort temporarily. I advised her to accept this reality and to look at the positive side of detoxification. She did not have to suppress it with medicine as the bloating and wind will gradually disappear after some time. The family’s encouragement slowly enhanced her confidence. She intended to give herself a chance of bearing with the bloating and instead, have a total rest the next time it happens.
In March 2004, the challenge came when bloating and gas started to give her trouble again. As she was mentally prepared to accept this as a natural response of detoxification, she decided not to take any medicine. She just rested at home and tolerated with the discomfort for another four days. To her surprise, it worked. With a strong mental state and confidence, the old problem of bloating and gas gradually disappeared.
In the treatment process, she began to realize the importance of taking health food. As she gets older, she has to take care of every meal taken as indigestion may occur. Taking unhealthy food and eating too much is likely to bring about bloating and gas problems. Eating mushroom and drinking cold drinks also causes indigestion, bloating and gas problems. She finds that limiting the amount of food taken each time, eating more fresh fruits and occasional fasting help to reduce and prevent the bloating and gas problems.
She also finds the proper way of cooking and eating. She prepares the food as fresh as possible each day. Consumption of oily and greasy food is avoided. She now eats slowly and chews each mouthful of food for about 50 times or more for easier digestion. This is because when we chew, ptyalin, an enzyme in saliva, alkalinizes the food and thus contributes to better digestion and absorption and strengthening the blood (Kushi & Jack 2003). She is the last to leave the dining table. She discards the habit of eating stale food and leftovers, a common practice in many families. She also avoids eating after dinner as this can cause stagnation in the intestines.
The consumption of unhealthy food in the past had caused her other problems. Since 1994, she had knee arthritis and had to rely on modern medication for temporary relief. In 1997, one year after switching to health food, the knee arthritis appeared to get worse. It was so painful that she just could not squat down. She was suffering mentally and physically. The same year, she sought treatment from a medical specialist at a private hospital. It was confirmed that the pain was associated with rheumatism. To the doctor, rheumatism could not be cured and the patient has to continue taking medicines to control the pain. So, she took modern medicine daily but the impact was rather uncertain. Sometimes, the pain stopped and at other times it remained. In 1999, another problem emerged–her heel started to experience pain and she could hardly walk. She went to the clinic and had an injection which subsequently relieved her pain. In the late 2008, her heel pain relapsed and she received another injection as treatment.
In 2001, my family members and I encouraged her to gradually let go of the dependence on modern drugs for her knee pain. We told her that the health food we are taking is the best medicine for all types of diseases. We encouraged each other to have confidence in the food path taken to maintain and to reclaim health. She agreed and gradually stopped taking modern drugs to relieve the knee pain. By 2003, her knee pain finally disappeared. She has no problem squatting. Smiles reappeared on her face.
Detox 4: Responses of My Father-in-Law
My father-in-law had prostate cancer in 1996 when he was 62 years old. Since then, my parents-in-law stayed with my family and together we switch to natural and health food. Yes, that switch not only saved and lengthened his life (from three to 13 years), but also improved his health tremendously (before passing away peacefully in early 2009). His medicine was health food.
Flu, running nose and cough have accompanied my father-in-law for a long time. Since young, just like everyone else, he took western medicine when these diseases occurred. Normally, he purchased medicines from Chinese medical halls. When these medicines were not effective, he sought medical assistance from the clinics. Such practice went on even after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Between 1996 and 2003, he took flu tablets and cough concoctions as he wished to recover as soon as possible. He took extra tablets when he felt necessary. He did recover temporarily only to find their recurrences after two or three months. I have constantly reminded him of detox responses but these fell on deaf ears.
In 2003, I told him, “the natural health diet is able to control your cancer cells and enables you to live a normal life, why don’t you give yourself a chance to handle the flu, running nose and cough naturally? You have read a lot on natural healing and understand the detox responses. Why don’t you put it into practice? The best way to face flu, running nose and cough is to rest. You are a retiree who does not need to work. When you have flu, just lie in bed and listen to soothing music or songs. You will recover without any medicine after a day or two.”
After listening to my advice, my father-in-law finally gave himself a chance to handle his flu and running nose naturally. He rested when there was sign of flu and running nose. He finally discarded all medicines used for treating flu and running nose.
Then, the problem of coughing appeared. Again, I encouraged him not to take any western medicine. He said it was difficult as he felt throat irritation. My advice to him was this coughing is a response to detox process. All books on natural healing explain this phenomenon clearly. Some people have cough for a few days, others for weeks. When you take cough concoctions, it seems you are stopping the cough, but actually you are suppressing the removal of toxins from your body. You have managed to overcome running nose and flu, why don’t you give yourself a chance to handle cough naturally?
This advice worked for him. He has more confidence to take health food in handling the cough. In the first place, he takes apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice, which is very effective in treating throat irritation. He also takes miso soup and black bean soup to reduce the cough. All these work well for him and he now has less cough compared with the past. No more cough concoctions.
A cancer patient is normally very sensitive to his or her physical reaction. Even though my father-in-law did not undergo any radiotherapy or chemotherapy, all his cancer patient friends did. They shared experiences of the side effects of such conventional treatments. One such effect is dental problems such as toothaches and tooth loss. In early 2002, when my father-in-law had minor toothache, he suspected it had something to do with cancer. We advised him that his situation was not the same as other cancer patients. Simply, we explained that he walks the health food path while most cancer patients are engrossed with the acidic diet. In short, minor toothaches may just be a detox response. What he needs is a little patience since his dentals are in good condition. He finally postponed his plan to extract the affected tooth and observed its condition. After two months, his minor toothache gradually disappeared.
In February 2005, my father-in-law began to feel some chest pains. The pain continued to be felt even while he was practising Quolin Qi Gong. He was worried and did not know what to do. External application of ointment merely brought about temporary relief. Though the chest pains were not serious but they were sufficient to cause alarm to him. Could it be caused by the spreading of cancer cells to the lungs? He wanted to visit the clinic for advice. Again, I advised him to observe for a few more days as it could be just detox responses. I showed him the literature on detox responses. Two weeks passed and the minor chest pain remained. He wanted to seek a medical specialist’s advice.
To ease his mind, we made an appointment with the medical specialist. I reminded him of detox process and its responses. He was asked to think about conventional medication. Why did he want to see a medical specialist, who will definitely prescribe medicine? Would the medicine benefit him in the long run? Why did he want to turn back to the old way of treatment after walking the health food path for nine years? What he needed was patience. The health food would turn a sick man into a healthy one.
In the meantime, one of his cancer friends informed him of the beneficial result of taking a plant-based herbal drink. He thought it could be a way out. He gave himself a chance and drank a glass of “Dark face general” or lidah jin/pecah biling (Strobilanthes crispus) (leaf) juice a day. The plant was grown by him. After a few days, his chest pain gradually disappeared. Of course, he also cancelled his appointment with the medical specialist.
In October 2006, he had chest pain again and the chest showed signs of swelling. The pain started on the central portion of the chest, moved to the right and then to the left. This caused alarm. He was worried that the tumour was coming back and spreading. I told him to be patient as it was likely to be another detox response again. Since he is on health food since 1996, he has managed to regain health. There is no reason for the tumour to return when potassium-rich foods are taken. He felt relieved and agreed that he needed to bear with the occasional minor chest pain. The chest pain disappeared by the end of December 2006. This chest pain, a challenge indeed, lasted about three months.
In the morning of 7 January 2007, after taking breakfast and performing prayer, my father-in-law got ready for his Quolin Qi Gong exercise. Before leaving the house, he felt dizzy, began to have cold sweat and felt physically weak. Instead of joining his friends in the Qi Gong session, he had to lie in bed and rest the whole day. He felt sleepy, no appetite and vomited even after taking warm water. We advised him to take the opportunity to fast. He was worried. He had heard too many stories from his cancer friends on various illnesses and sufferings. He wondered how and why this suffering happened to him. We advised him that this was a false disease and it was a detox response.
We asked him to think of the possible reasons for his current problems. He soon realized that during the November–December 2006 school holidays, while staying in Taiping, he had not taken good care of his daily diet. Instead of eating home cooked food, he ate from stalls. By eating unhealthy food, his body weight increased about five kg within two months. To detoxify, he had herbal drink daily. He also neglected the weather conditions. It rained on one occasion when he was practising Qi Gong and another when he was gardening.
This detox response did not last long. The next day, after sleeping and fasting for about 24 hours, he lost 2 kg. He gradually regained his appetite and began to take light meal, i.e. wholemeal bread and millet porridge. On the third day, he could eat normal food and was also able to drive to the bank. Smiles appeared again. By the fourth day, he was fully covered and went for his Qi Gong exercise. On the fifth day, 11 January 2007, he participated in a TV program shooting session organised by a private company. The TV programme was intended to share the experience of a cancer patient who did not go for conventional treatment and yet survives since 1996. It was aired over NTV 7 on 27 May 2007.
In February 2007, my father-in-law had pain in his right leg. This time the pain was unbearable and he had to walk slowly. My father-in-law suspected cancer cells had spread to his leg. It could also be related to a twist of leg muscle while gardening a few weeks ago. Respecting his feelings and perception, with our encouragement, we sought medical treatment for him at a local clinic on 12 February 2007. The doctor prescribed ointment to apply. This did not help to reduce the leg pain.
On 16 February 2007, my wife took him to a government hospital for further check-up. The X-ray examination showed that his leg bone is in good condition but a minor damage of leg muscle was observed. He was prescribed pain killer, vitamin B and muscular pain relieving ointment, which he took when very necessary.
The leg pain was not a small matter. Between mid-March and May 2007, he sought medical examinations at the government hospital again. He was informed that his leg pain was due to the lack of cartilage at the ankle and hip as well as bone spur. He was given medicines (Table 6.2) but he took them only when necessary.
In the process of practising health food diet, we do not reject conventional medical facilities and treatment. We believe that medical services and treatment should be sought when necessary.
Flu, running nose and cough have accompanied my father-in-law for a long time. Since young, just like everyone else, he took western medicine when these diseases occurred. Normally, he purchased medicines from Chinese medical halls. When these medicines were not effective, he sought medical assistance from the clinics. Such practice went on even after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Between 1996 and 2003, he took flu tablets and cough concoctions as he wished to recover as soon as possible. He took extra tablets when he felt necessary. He did recover temporarily only to find their recurrences after two or three months. I have constantly reminded him of detox responses but these fell on deaf ears.
In 2003, I told him, “the natural health diet is able to control your cancer cells and enables you to live a normal life, why don’t you give yourself a chance to handle the flu, running nose and cough naturally? You have read a lot on natural healing and understand the detox responses. Why don’t you put it into practice? The best way to face flu, running nose and cough is to rest. You are a retiree who does not need to work. When you have flu, just lie in bed and listen to soothing music or songs. You will recover without any medicine after a day or two.”
After listening to my advice, my father-in-law finally gave himself a chance to handle his flu and running nose naturally. He rested when there was sign of flu and running nose. He finally discarded all medicines used for treating flu and running nose.
Then, the problem of coughing appeared. Again, I encouraged him not to take any western medicine. He said it was difficult as he felt throat irritation. My advice to him was this coughing is a response to detox process. All books on natural healing explain this phenomenon clearly. Some people have cough for a few days, others for weeks. When you take cough concoctions, it seems you are stopping the cough, but actually you are suppressing the removal of toxins from your body. You have managed to overcome running nose and flu, why don’t you give yourself a chance to handle cough naturally?
This advice worked for him. He has more confidence to take health food in handling the cough. In the first place, he takes apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice, which is very effective in treating throat irritation. He also takes miso soup and black bean soup to reduce the cough. All these work well for him and he now has less cough compared with the past. No more cough concoctions.
A cancer patient is normally very sensitive to his or her physical reaction. Even though my father-in-law did not undergo any radiotherapy or chemotherapy, all his cancer patient friends did. They shared experiences of the side effects of such conventional treatments. One such effect is dental problems such as toothaches and tooth loss. In early 2002, when my father-in-law had minor toothache, he suspected it had something to do with cancer. We advised him that his situation was not the same as other cancer patients. Simply, we explained that he walks the health food path while most cancer patients are engrossed with the acidic diet. In short, minor toothaches may just be a detox response. What he needs is a little patience since his dentals are in good condition. He finally postponed his plan to extract the affected tooth and observed its condition. After two months, his minor toothache gradually disappeared.
In February 2005, my father-in-law began to feel some chest pains. The pain continued to be felt even while he was practising Quolin Qi Gong. He was worried and did not know what to do. External application of ointment merely brought about temporary relief. Though the chest pains were not serious but they were sufficient to cause alarm to him. Could it be caused by the spreading of cancer cells to the lungs? He wanted to visit the clinic for advice. Again, I advised him to observe for a few more days as it could be just detox responses. I showed him the literature on detox responses. Two weeks passed and the minor chest pain remained. He wanted to seek a medical specialist’s advice.
To ease his mind, we made an appointment with the medical specialist. I reminded him of detox process and its responses. He was asked to think about conventional medication. Why did he want to see a medical specialist, who will definitely prescribe medicine? Would the medicine benefit him in the long run? Why did he want to turn back to the old way of treatment after walking the health food path for nine years? What he needed was patience. The health food would turn a sick man into a healthy one.
In the meantime, one of his cancer friends informed him of the beneficial result of taking a plant-based herbal drink. He thought it could be a way out. He gave himself a chance and drank a glass of “Dark face general” or lidah jin/pecah biling (Strobilanthes crispus) (leaf) juice a day. The plant was grown by him. After a few days, his chest pain gradually disappeared. Of course, he also cancelled his appointment with the medical specialist.
In October 2006, he had chest pain again and the chest showed signs of swelling. The pain started on the central portion of the chest, moved to the right and then to the left. This caused alarm. He was worried that the tumour was coming back and spreading. I told him to be patient as it was likely to be another detox response again. Since he is on health food since 1996, he has managed to regain health. There is no reason for the tumour to return when potassium-rich foods are taken. He felt relieved and agreed that he needed to bear with the occasional minor chest pain. The chest pain disappeared by the end of December 2006. This chest pain, a challenge indeed, lasted about three months.
In the morning of 7 January 2007, after taking breakfast and performing prayer, my father-in-law got ready for his Quolin Qi Gong exercise. Before leaving the house, he felt dizzy, began to have cold sweat and felt physically weak. Instead of joining his friends in the Qi Gong session, he had to lie in bed and rest the whole day. He felt sleepy, no appetite and vomited even after taking warm water. We advised him to take the opportunity to fast. He was worried. He had heard too many stories from his cancer friends on various illnesses and sufferings. He wondered how and why this suffering happened to him. We advised him that this was a false disease and it was a detox response.
We asked him to think of the possible reasons for his current problems. He soon realized that during the November–December 2006 school holidays, while staying in Taiping, he had not taken good care of his daily diet. Instead of eating home cooked food, he ate from stalls. By eating unhealthy food, his body weight increased about five kg within two months. To detoxify, he had herbal drink daily. He also neglected the weather conditions. It rained on one occasion when he was practising Qi Gong and another when he was gardening.
This detox response did not last long. The next day, after sleeping and fasting for about 24 hours, he lost 2 kg. He gradually regained his appetite and began to take light meal, i.e. wholemeal bread and millet porridge. On the third day, he could eat normal food and was also able to drive to the bank. Smiles appeared again. By the fourth day, he was fully covered and went for his Qi Gong exercise. On the fifth day, 11 January 2007, he participated in a TV program shooting session organised by a private company. The TV programme was intended to share the experience of a cancer patient who did not go for conventional treatment and yet survives since 1996. It was aired over NTV 7 on 27 May 2007.
In February 2007, my father-in-law had pain in his right leg. This time the pain was unbearable and he had to walk slowly. My father-in-law suspected cancer cells had spread to his leg. It could also be related to a twist of leg muscle while gardening a few weeks ago. Respecting his feelings and perception, with our encouragement, we sought medical treatment for him at a local clinic on 12 February 2007. The doctor prescribed ointment to apply. This did not help to reduce the leg pain.
On 16 February 2007, my wife took him to a government hospital for further check-up. The X-ray examination showed that his leg bone is in good condition but a minor damage of leg muscle was observed. He was prescribed pain killer, vitamin B and muscular pain relieving ointment, which he took when very necessary.
The leg pain was not a small matter. Between mid-March and May 2007, he sought medical examinations at the government hospital again. He was informed that his leg pain was due to the lack of cartilage at the ankle and hip as well as bone spur. He was given medicines (Table 6.2) but he took them only when necessary.
In the process of practising health food diet, we do not reject conventional medical facilities and treatment. We believe that medical services and treatment should be sought when necessary.
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