I was back to the village in Terengganu last weekend (3-4 April 2010) to pay respect to ancestors during the annual Ching Ming festival.
The village has about 200 households.
The most disturbing phenomenon is many villagers have leg pains in one form or another. Just to mention those I know.
My step mum has difficulty walking after experiencing stroke about 5 years ago. Our neighbor’s wife has the same problem. She asked me if there is any specific medicine to reduce her pain. As usual, my answer is brown rice, vegetables, fruits and grains. Uncle Lim’s father has leg pain and his wife suffers the same fate. Brother Sow is awarded in the government hospital as he has problem breathing and swollen leg & hand. I visited him while on my way back to KL on 4 April 2010. Uncle Jim could not walk out of the house. Sister Yang suffers leg pain for the leg pain.
They have two things in common. First, all are above 60 years old. Second, all are dependent on medicines for a number of years.
To the villagers, they do not know the reasons for this leg pain. One thing for sure, they generally do not believe that it is caused by acidic food. To them, it is their fate.
I cannot say much.
Health is a matter of choice. We are responsible for our own health.
My choice for health food is clear. This will ensure my good health till my last breath on earth.
How about yours?
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Diary 62: Diabetes Can Cause Death
Most of us, including myself, thought that diabetes would not bring death within a short period of time.
Most of the time we hear of people with diabetes passed away after some years. We learn that diabetics may also have eye disease, heart problem, kidney problem and high blood pressure. Death within a few days is uncommon.
The uncommon has happened to one of our colleagues in his mid-50s. Due to the seriousness of his diabetes, he was warded in ICU for a few days from 28-31 March 2010). A few of us were in Kelantan for some research work. By the morning of 31 March 2010, we were informed that he has passed away. He did not realize that he had heart problem and kidney problem.
Diabetes is a serious matter not to be taken lightly.
Another colleague in his mid-50s also has diabetes. We caution him to take care of this disease. With the passing away of the above colleague, he knows he has to be serious in handling diabetes.
What he needs is determination to change his diet.
Most of the time we hear of people with diabetes passed away after some years. We learn that diabetics may also have eye disease, heart problem, kidney problem and high blood pressure. Death within a few days is uncommon.
The uncommon has happened to one of our colleagues in his mid-50s. Due to the seriousness of his diabetes, he was warded in ICU for a few days from 28-31 March 2010). A few of us were in Kelantan for some research work. By the morning of 31 March 2010, we were informed that he has passed away. He did not realize that he had heart problem and kidney problem.
Diabetes is a serious matter not to be taken lightly.
Another colleague in his mid-50s also has diabetes. We caution him to take care of this disease. With the passing away of the above colleague, he knows he has to be serious in handling diabetes.
What he needs is determination to change his diet.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Diary 61: At KL Book Fair
I almost missed the KL book fair this year (18-28 march 2010).
During the last 2 days, I went to the book fair held at Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
A book distributor from Sabah was keen to assist distributing my health books. That is good news. He said that the health book “Makan Sihat Sebagai Ubat” is useful for the general public. I cannot say much he needs to review my book before making any decision.
Two visitors expressed willingness to recommend their employers to invite me to deliver health talks for the benefits of staffs.
The great thing about this book fair is that many youths were there.
A developed nation has citizens who like to acquire knowledge. Malaysia is moving towards the status of a developed nation. The citizens must develop this reading habit firtst.
During the last 2 days, I went to the book fair held at Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
A book distributor from Sabah was keen to assist distributing my health books. That is good news. He said that the health book “Makan Sihat Sebagai Ubat” is useful for the general public. I cannot say much he needs to review my book before making any decision.
Two visitors expressed willingness to recommend their employers to invite me to deliver health talks for the benefits of staffs.
The great thing about this book fair is that many youths were there.
A developed nation has citizens who like to acquire knowledge. Malaysia is moving towards the status of a developed nation. The citizens must develop this reading habit firtst.
Monday, March 29, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, March 26, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
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.
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.
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