Diary 60: Eating at organic shops

Dr John P came to Malaysia to attend the International Union of Forest Organization management meeting in FRIM from 25-26 March 2010.

I asked if he was keen take something different. Yes, he was.

In the evening of Friday, we dined at Green Meadow (GM) at Petaling Jaya. Esther Ting, a nutritionist, and Gary at the restaurant were kind enough to explain matters related to healthy eating and living. Curry with vegetables and curry were served. He bought a pack of Chinese herbs to bring back to US.

After the dinner, he felt that he should take organic lunch before leaving Malaysia in the evening of 27 March 2010. I brought him for lunch at Country Hill Organic shop. This time he took “Lei Chat”, comprising brown rice with green vegetables and beans. He ate all the food served.

Referring to John P, Jason Chia, the owner of the shop, explained to his clients the westerners have higher level of health awareness.

John said that he will choose the nice and nasty organic food served in Malaysia the next time he is here.

I will be happy to have him as my guest again.

Diary 59: Eating at official functions

As a researcher, I have to attend meetings, seminars and conferences where normally lunches and dinners are served.

Initially, attending these functions is a big challenge as friends and colleagues were not ready to accept the fact that my choice of food is rather limited.

No longer taking meat?

How about fish?

Egg?

Cake?

How about ce-cream?

My answer is rather simple.

I have gradually given up all the nice and tasty food consumed by the general public.

My choice is fruits, vegetables and bread at these functions. These are my nice and tasty foods.

“You miss a lot if not taking theseconventional nice and tasty foods”.

True. But I attain good health.

You cannot purchase good health even though you are among the richest group in society.

Diary 58: Malaysian statistics on obesity

The followings facts provided by the Health Minister Malaysia may be of your interests (The Sun, 22 March 2010).

The percentage of overweight adults increased from 16% in 1996 to 29% in 2006.

World Health Organisation and Malaysian Diet Guide recommendation: consume not more than 50g or 10% of the energy need.

Reality: Malaysian adults consume a staggering 51g or seven teaspoons of sugar just in their drinks everyday. This is not in addition to sugar used in sweet delicacies, porridge, cakes, ice cream, chocolates and bread spreads which we eat daily.

One needed to climb 14 floors to burn 20 calories contained in one teaspoon of sugar.

If we take 7 teaspoons of sugar that supplies 140 calories of energy per day, we have to walk up 98 floors to burn the total calories.

The Malaysian government just started a six-month Reduce Sugar Consumption Campaign 2010.

Do you belong to the category of obese persons?

If you do, you may like to do something to reduce your sugar consumption.

Diary 57: Discussing Health Matters with A Monk in Malaysia

On 21 March 2010 (Sunday), I sent my daughter and son for Sunday Dhamma class in Kuala Lumpur.

I took the opportunity to talk to a monk at the temple. We interacted a number of times before this.

His interest is how to reduce body weight. Although he is now a vegetarian, his body weight does not seem to reduce.

The doctors advised him to reduce his current body weight of 82 kg to 60+kg.

He explained his daily diet. I shared with him my views.

To me, reducing body weight is easy. One needs to be disciplined.

Take more fruit and vegetable juice to replace solid food.

When feeling hungry between meals, take nothing. Let the extra fat be burned.

Say “No” to food that causes obesity. He has to drop or reduce his afternoon biscuit consumption.

If he is determined, he should be able to reduce at least 2-3 kg within a week.

I hope he will take up the challenge and act accordingly. It is not easy for an obese person to reduce food consumption.

I guess he has little choice if wishes to live longer and in good health.

Diary 56: Talking to A US Friend With Cancer

Dr SK, a lecturer in a well-known US university, is in his mid-30s when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2009.

After a series of radiation and chemotherapy, he is able to resume his work now.

While he was here last week, I had a chance to interact with him on 20 March 2010.

After chemotherapy, he had difficulty to swallow food.

His hearing is affected after the treatment. I now understand why he has to speak loudly compared to the past.

He has gradually switched to more vegetable/fruit diet and has given up red meat. I feel good to hear this as he knows what to do.

I shared with him what he may like to do if he wishes to live longer.

He has to give up white meat and fish. This concerns his life and the lives of others. Since all lives are equal, one has to respect other lives if one wishes to reclaim health.

I told him that even though the medical professionals said that all cancer cells are now killed, it does not mean that they are not coming back.

He may consider talking to his cancer cells as they are part of his body.

I recommended him to read the books written by an American, namely “Diet for a new America” and “Food revolution”.

My book “Eating for Good health” was given to him as a gift.

I hope he will be more seriously in taking care of his health.

I wish him best health and we shall meet again.

Diary 55: Sad woman at the hospital

I visited my mother-in-law who underwent an eye operation for her glaucoma at Selayang Hospital for the last few days (15-18 March 2010).

There were three Malay women sharing the same ward with her.

While in the ward, I noticed the woman next to her bed did not seem to be cheerful.

The Malay woman felt sad because none of her eight children came to visit her for the first two days. She saw family members of other patients coming to visit. Only her younger sister and daughter-in-law came that evening. I observed that she also took little food during dinner time.

The hospital nurse told her that this is not surprising for many patients.

“Their children were too busy with their work and families.”

“When the children and grandchildren came for visit, they made the place into a social gathering where they enjoyed their food.”

What comes to your mind?

For me, just take care of our health so that we do not have to be hospitalized the rest of our lives.
If we are healthy, and learn to live a life of our own that serve the society at large, it does not matter much if our children and their children have no time to visit us.

May all have good health.

Diary 54: Protecting the tropical forests

‘A United Nations scheme rewards countries that protect their remaining forests” (The Star Two, 16 March 2010).

Companies and agencies in the developed nations are willing to provide incentives to the rest of the world to protect local forests. They know too well that forests are important in regulating climate change affecting not the poor nations but the rich as well.

We are all interrelated and interdependent. What happen to others will ultimately affects our livelihood and indeed common long term survival.

We Malaysians can protect our own forests. Let the rich nations help the peoples in other developing countries.

What can the ordinary people do?

Part the Brazilian forests has been gradually cleared for animal farming.

The meat you take weekly may come from the modern farms located in previous forested land.

You can do something to reduce deforestation in the Amazon.

Very simple, taking less meat or no meat.

Diary 53: Colleague with health problems

I spent half an hour discussion with F this morning. He is 54 years and has 4 years to go before retiring.

“My family doctor told me I have problems with diabetes, heart and kidney’. He wanted me to do at least 3 things, i.e. give up smoking, change diet and exercise.”

Did he follow the advice?

“I gave up smoking. It is hard to adjust my diet as I have to attend social functions from time to time. Laziness has kept me from exercising.”

I can only say that he has to make a brave decision in life. Otherwise, his health is heading for big trouble affecting his life.

“What if you cannot walk one day? Do you think your money, property and fame are still important to you?”

“Will you give up your house in return for the ability to walk?”

All of us have to think of this question.

The answer is obvious.

Diary 52: Jog and walk to maintain & attain health

Vincent, 52-year-old, has a young look. I thought he is about 45 years of age. You cannot judge a person’s age from his outlook. I asked if he dyes his hair. No.

How do you maintain and attain health?

“I brought your book 2 years ago and follow some of your practices. The most important thing I do is to walk up FRIM’s canopy walkway 4 times a week for the last 8 years. You have to sweat everyday to maintain good health.”

What he shares makes sense.

If I am in the office, I will make a special effort to jog and walk up FRIM’s canopy walkway. It is good to sweat daily. It is most effective in rejuvenating one’s energy when one walks bare foot.
I notice that those walking up FRIM’s canopy walkway are regulars. I met this 74-year old elder, also a Hainanese, last week. He told me that if there is no rain, he will walk twice a day, in the morning and late afternoon. He feels good and seldom falls sick.

Professor Dr. Jeffry Vincent, about 50 of age, from the US came to FRIM for research discussion. He said that walking for a distance is now part of his daily activities. That maintains his health. I am glad to learn that his family now consumes a lot of vegetables these days.

Well, healthy diet and walking help to maintain and attain good health.

When was the last time you walk to sweat?

Diary 51: Calcium Deficiency

As one ages, the normal trend is one is likely to experience what the medical professionals calls “calcium deficiency”. One is likely to have weak bone and may not be able to walk properly.

It is at this stage of time that one may experiences what is clinically known as “osteoporosis”, or bone mineral losses. It simply means that about 50 to 75% of the original bone material is lost.
What is the main cause of osteoporosis?

While it is caused by a number of things, the most important is excess dietary protein.

Would increased calcium intake solve the problem?

The answer is explained by Dr John McDougall, “I would like to emphasize that the calcium-losing effect of protein on the human body is not any area of controversy in scientific circles. The many studies performed during the past 55 years consistently show that the most important dietary change that we can make if we want to create a positive calcium balance that will keep our bones solid is to decrease the amount of proteins we eat each day. The important change is not to increase the amount of calcium we take in.” (cited in John Robbins, 1987. Diet for a new America.)

In short, high-protein diets in general, and meat-based diets in particular, bring about a gradual but inexorable decrease in bone density and develops osteoporosis.

To avoid osteoporosis later, reduce the consumption of high-protein food now!

Remember, “the important change is not to increase the amount of calcium we take in.”

Diary 50: Tackling obesity the American Way

“An initiative by The American Beverage Association – including The Coca-Cola Co, Dr Pepper Snappe Group and PepsiCo – the Clinton Foundation and The American Heart Association has helped cut shipments of full-sugar soft drinks to schools by 95% compared with 2004” (The Sun, 10 March 2010).

It was also reported that two-thirds of Americans, including one in two children, are overweight or obese.

One interesting note about the above report is that obesity is a serious problem for a developed nation such as USA.

Many developing countries are influenced by what happen in the US. Fast food has become part of local culture in these developing countries. Obesity also becomes a major health problem among their populations.

Obesity tackling is not the responsibility of the government alone. We see that in the US even the soft-drink companies and NGO can together play an important role.

The role of government is important in showing the way. In US, to tackle consumption of soft drinks, California and Philadelphia have introduced legislation to tax soda.

I wish what happens in US would have a positive impact for other governments of the world to establish the relevant legislation.

Diary 49: Vegetarian food industry expanding

There is a trend that more and more people are becoming vegetarians. This is reported on page M46 of the Saturday Metro dated 6 March 2010.

In Malaysia, it is estimated there were 500,000 vegetarian, or 2% of our national population.

In the United States, there are about 15 million vegetarians.

What are the main reasons for people turning to vegetarian?

1. Health reasons.

2. Growing awareness on the protection of the environment.

My family switched to become full time vegetarians in mid-1990s initially for health reasons and later it was enhanced by our awareness to protect the environment.

We hope you will join the group of vegetarians one day.

You will enjoy the happiness of good health which could not be measured in monetary terms.

Diary 48: Last chair in life

In life process, we have the chance to sit many types of chairs.

Baby chair: when we learned how to walk.

Home chair: when we have lunch or dinner.

Home rattan chair: relax.

Wooden chair: attending lessons in schools and doing home work.

Office chair: working and sitting in front of computer.
……
What is the last chair in our life?

It depends on your health condition.

For some people, it is going to be wheel chair.

I have seen many people sitting on wheel chairs. There is one thing in common. They did not smile at all.

Avoid sitting on wheel chair at the last stage of our lives.

How?

Prevent diseases by consuming health food.

You will smile most of the time.

Diary 46: Take Care of Our Legs

Just like to share two cases with you.

Case 1: My colleague in his early 40s was warded for a few days in 2009 because he could not stand up when he wanted to go to the toilet at night. The doctor ‘scolded’ him for not taking potassium rich food (i.e. fruits and vegetables) in his daily diet. Accordingly, those not taking any or take little potassium rich food are likely to have weak legs at the later stage of their lives.

Case 2: This 73-year old woman in the neighborhood could not walk properly for a week because her legs were weak. The cause: loss of calcium from her bones. She went to seek treatments from a traditional Chinese physician in Kajang. The impact of treatment is yet to be seen.

I come to understand that legs are causing problems to quite a lot of people.

I am grateful that at the age of 55, I do not have to face leg problems. Exercise is important. I walk and jog up FRIM’s canopy walkway whenever possible. Diet is also important. Since I no longer take the modern protein-rich food, the loss of calcium from my bone is minimized.

Be grateful to our legs. Take good care of them.

Diary 46: Favourite Food of Royal Prof Ungku Aziz

In case you do not know who Pak Ungku is, here is some basic information on this wise man.

Born 1922. Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz is his only child. Doctorate in economics. Former vice-chancellor of Universiti Malaya. Now executive chairman of Azair Sdn Bhd.

He is 88 years old (2010) now and in good health condition.

What is his secret? I guess it lies partly on his favorite food.

Errol Oh (errol@thestar.com.my) wrote about him “Royal prof Ungku Aziz” (The Star, page SBW6, 27 February 2010) and here is the answer.

Favorite Food: “I eat all sorts of vegetables raw”.

If you ask the elders above 80 years old the secret of good health, we will find that they take lots of raw vegetables. That is main answer to their good health. The same is true for Pak Ungku.

Then, you should ask yourself, “Do I take enough raw vegetables in daily diet?”

If you do, GREAT!

If you do not, better make a small change in your diet. This is going to transform your health path.

Diary 45: Miss Malaysia An Angel to Animals

Below is what Jayagandi Jayaraj (jaya@thestar,com,my) wrote about Miss Malaysia World 2009, Thanuja Ananthan, on the latter’s love for animals (Page M2, The Star, 3 March 2010).

“She adores animals and would support any initiative that fights for the betterment of animals”.

“She had two dogs, eight cats, a sugar glider and rabbits at home.”

“She was given the opportunity to pose for an ad campaign by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recently”. I remember Amber Chia, a popular model, also did the same thing in 2009.

What Miss Thanuja and Amber Chia did was good to assist raising awareness to inspire others to be kind to animals. Not many celebrities are ready to do so.

I would like to suggest Thanuja and Amber Chia take a bold step in not taking any more animal food to fully show their love for animals if they have not done yet. You can only be a complete angel to animals when you do not consume their meat.

If Thanuja and Amber Chia are willing to do so or have done so, I am very sure their beauty will last for a long time even without using cosmetics, besides attaining good health.

I also hope Thanuja, Amber Chia and those at PETA (www.petaasiapacific.com) have a chance to read this message in Diary 45 “Miss Malaysia An Angel to Animals” in http://drlimhinfui.blogspot.com

May all animals be loved.

To have more information on why you need to consider giving up meat, read the book (picture) by John Robbins.

Diary 44: The Four ‘Brothers’ in Health

Among the common health problems these days are high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney and heart problems. These are known in layman term as the “four brothers” diseases. It simply means that if you have one, you are likely to have others at the later stage of your life if you do not take care of your health.

When you are diagnosed with one of them, modern medication is almost unavoidable.

Is there any alternative advised by the doctor?

Yes, I met a young man of 35 years old in 2009 who was diagnosed with early stage of high blood pressure.

The doctor told him his choices. First, take medication for life. Second, adjust his diet by taking less acidic food and more alkaline food.

Since he was relatively young and his high blood pressure was not too serious, he chose the second choice.

The result: his high blood pressure was properly controlled with health diet, exercise and adequate rest.

You have choices in life when facing health problems. Do not let the ‘4 brothers’ make you unhappy.

Make a wise choice today. Switch to health food, irrespective your health is in good condition or not.

Diary 43: Brave Change to Save Himself

During the lunch break today, Dr S told some of us that he was recently warded for treating his high blood pressure.

While at the hospital, the doctor told him to do 3 things: medication, exercise and diet change.

On diet change, he takes little or no rice for dinner. While others are enjoying the nice and tasty foods, he focuses on his salads. He is slowly getting used to this health diet.

He has taken a bold step in changing his diet to improve his health. He is wise in this sense, i.e. making the right decision in life. There are many people who are just not willing to adjust the daily diet as advised by the doctors.

It is never too late for us to adjust our diet.

Do not wait for the doctors to tell you to do so.

You brave change will ensure good health in the long run.