Diary 209: Meeting a diebetic

He also visited my old friend at the Selayang Hospital on 19 October 2010.

He sat down immediately upon arrival.

Apparently, he cannot stand too long.

What is his age? 40+

What are his problems? High blood pressure and a diabetic.

His legs are swollen from time to time. He has to take few types of medicines daily.

Are you ready to change your diet to reduce the health problems? I asked.

Take more vegetables and fruits? Yes.

Reduce meat consumption? Very difficult. He likes “Bah Kut Teh” (pork herbal soup) very much.

Well, best wishes, my new friend.

Diary 208: Old friend warded

I acquinted with him 25 years ago while conducting my PhD research in a new village in Perak.

He was about 50 years then. Healthy and full of energy. He spoke freely on various topics of every day living.

In the last 25 years, we met a couple of times when I went back to the new village from time to time.

In 2009, I visited him in KL when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer . He was not well.

25 years have passed. Old friends are like the falling leaves. A few have passed away.

In early October 2010, he was admitted for treating multiple diseases.

Now, I look at this old friend at the Selayang Hospital. Dependent on oxygen, he can no longer speak. His son told me that it is a matter of time that his dear father would pass away.

In 20 years time, I will be in the 70+, just like this old friend.

How will happen to me then?

Lying in bed and dependent on oxygen?

I hope not.

That’s why I choose a healthy diet now to maintain good health.

Diary 207: Indications of healthy nations

How do people categorise the health conditions of nations?

Conventional indications: More hospitals, clinics, doctors, nurses, ambulances, beds....per 100,000 people... to serve the needs of the population.

My views on per 100,000 people:

Less hospitals, clinics, doctors, phydioyhrtspidyd, nurses, ambulances, beds....
Lower incidence of modern diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart diseases and cancer.

Lower medical bills for government and individuals.

Lesser life assurance and health insurance costs.

Fewer visits to the clinics and hospitals.

Lesser MCs for workers.

Fewer number of pharmacies.

Lesser number of fast-food stores.

Diary 206: Why ‘Western’ diseases threatening developing nations

Why do developing nations are now faced with modern chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart diseases and cancer?

As these nations develop economically, the middele class is expanding. The now have bigger spending power.

As societies develop, people’s diets change.

They tend to take more high-fat and high-sugar foods, often in Western-style fast food restaurants (Pasquet 2010).

Urban life also tends to be more sedentery. Many people stay in the air-conditioned offices for too long. They hardly do any exercise.

Note: Many families are suffering financially and mentally because one or more members are not in good health.

(Pasquet, Y. 2010. ‘Western’ diseases spreading. SF8, Fit4Life, The Star, 17 October 2010).

Diary 205: ‘Western’ diseases coming to the East

In the past, we used to associate chronic illnesses such as obesity and diabetes with the rich and developed ‘Western’ nations.

The health landscape has now changed.

Health experts met in Berlin in mid-October 2010 found that these ‘Western’ disease are making rapid inroads in the developing nations.

The diseases are not confined to the rich nations.

World Health Organisation (WHO) figures found that about 80% of new cases of cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are now being recorded in poorer parts of the world.

This is the “consequences of importing lifestyles from Western countries”, noted US National Institutes of Health head Francis Collins at Berlin’s Charite Hospital.

According to the WHO, the worst-affected areas are Southeast Asia and the western Pacific.

Take note: Malaysia is part of Southeast Asia.

(Pasquet, Y. 2010. ‘Western’ diseases spreading. SF8, Fit4Life, The Star, 17 October 2010).

Diary 197: Cleaning eyes with wheatgrass juice

As we gradually age, one of the symptom is poor eye sight.

Before we get into the complicated treatments and operations, it may be good to just clean our eyes naturally.

Normally, people clean their eyes with eye-drops purchased over the counters and pharmacies.

Commercial eye drops usually contain permissible level of preservatives.

We have another choice to clean the eyes naturally.

Use wheatgrass juice.

Purchase organic wheatgrass from your nearest organic shops.

Obtain the juice from an extractor, if you have one.

If not, just pound it to get the fresh juice.

The eyes normally feel uncomfortable initially.

You likely find some wastes coming out from the eyes the next morning.

If you are confident, do it over a few nights.

My wife and I have been cleaning our eyes with wheatgrass juice for the past 2 weeks before we go to bed.

It is good to find wastes in our eyes the next morning.

Diary 203: Gout

As one is approaching 40 years of age, be careful of gout.

Gout is a condition caused by too much uric acid in the body. This causes tiny crystals of urate to form and deposit in the tissues, thereby causing inflammation, especially the joints.

The uric acid crystals can also become kidney stones and adversely affect kidney function.

Uric acid is the product of the breakdown or metabolism of purines, which are present in our cell DNA. As our body’s cells die, the chromosomes break down and release purines, which are then converted to uric acid. This uric acid is then excreted in the urine and gut.

Gout is associated with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and dehydration.

Arthritis is the most common way gout presents.

What are the foods rich in purine?

Animal organ: liver, kidneys, brain.

Shellfish: mussels, prawns and crabs.

Beverages: beer, hard liquor.

Soft-drinks: corn-syrup based drinks.