Put A Little Zest in Your Life

Overcome the fears that inhibit your zest for life

Set just a few essential protective limits to what you will try
Bring new passions into your awareness- what intrigues you now?
Learn what to keep and what to discard from new experiences
Crank up the intensity - live life at full tilt!

The dictionary says that zest is the peel of a fruit, like a lemon. Well, we know what that tastes like! I think it's a far, far better thing than that- it's the stuff that makes life worth living, the stuff that lifts anything out of the ordinary and turns it into a wild, crazy , uninhibited frolic. You see people all the time who never heard of it- they are the zombies just going through the motions of life. They talk in monotones, look bored, sigh a lot, and you want to poke them to see if they're alive.

Why would anyone take life at idle speed? Probably fear, and maybe an overdose of common sense. You know, the kind that says, don't run, you could fall; don't speak to that stranger, she might be nasty; don't raise your hand in class, your answer might be wrong. If we listened to that voice, we'd be safe all right, but safe for what? Living with a layer of bubble wrap all around to protect us is not really living at all. You can't see much through it, and you can't taste or smell or feel anything.

Every day you make choices either to go through the motions, or to add that extra bit of energy, attention, and little touch of passion that makes everything you do a little more exciting, a little more alive. Sure, you get bruises that way, and heartbreak, too, but you never doubt that you are alive, and you don't feel as if you're waiting for something to begin - it's already here.

Ask someone what their favorite memory is, and I'll bet you anything that the memory that brings a smile, and maybe a tear, will be of something done at full tilt, of dancing to life's music, not sitting on the sidelines. It's a delicate balance, to be sure, to avoid the madness of rushing full speed into disaster, and yet to be raw, open, and ready for all that life has to offer. If there's a neat formula, I don't know it, but I do want to share a few tips with you.

First, keep your limits and safeguards very simple. If something is illegal, and you can't justify it on moral grounds, don't do it. If something is life-threatening, and you don't have the skill to dare it anyway, don't do it. If something will cause great harm to others, don't do it. If something will break the bank, and make you dependent on others for the rest of your life, don't do it. That's it.

Otherwise, the world is yours to take on, wrestle with, and love. Whenever an opportunity comes along, take it. When life asks if you can do something, say "Sure!". And so I've gotten to travel the world, get an education, teach, write, make art, make love, make music, raise children, learn languages, share my soul with strangers, learn about others' deepest hopes and fears, embrace the beauty of the world, and cook a mean lasagna. And I can't wait to see what's next!

Second, keep your hunger for experience very much in your awareness. Once a week or so, try a food you've never eaten before. When you go to the mall, stop in a store and listen to a CD by a group you've never heard of, maybe one from Asia or Africa. Walk home by a slightly different route once in awhile. Watch a TV show in Spanish, Wear a color you thought you didn't like, and see what your friends say.

Sing something, grow something, cook something, write something, draw something, build something. Join a new club or after-school sport. Ask lots of questions, and listen to the answers. Think about it all, keep the things that make you feel stronger, smarter, more hopeful, curious for more. Discard the rest, or save those for another try later on.

Third, crank up the intensity. That doesn't necessarily mean louder and brighter, but it might. Mostly, it means whatever you're doing right now, pay attention to it, focus on it, put your whole self into it. You get out of most things whatever you put into them. Seems obvious, so why not take advantage of that rule and give it all you've got?

Keep a list of "bests", and ask others for their choices for "bests" - best chocolate ice cream, best sunset, best Christmas carol, best vacation, best everything. A little more quietly, keep a list of worsts - worst cookies you ever made, worst fight with your sister, worst day of the year, and so forth. Zest is mostly, but not all, about the good stuff. It's about wringing the most from every experience; the most learning, the most feeling, the most growth.

Fourth, keep falling in love with life. In my opinion, it's a crime to go through life in a state of "like", pleasant but not passionate. What a waste of human feeling, potential, and talent. If you're feeling a little bored and discouraged, do something adventurous. Adventure will put you in the right frame of mind, so never turn it down.

Go into each day with an attitude of expectation; knowing something wonderful is about to happen, and you're about to meet some fascinating people. Your expectation radiates a kind of energy that actually brings these things to you. Whether you're expecting something terrific or something terrible, you're more likely to get exactly what you expect than the opposite. It has to do with your body language and its effect on others. So why not make that rule work in your favor, too?

Here in Mexico, the expression for "I like" is "Me gusto!" That's it exactly, gusto. In English, the word means hearty enjoyment, keen relish, delight. What's not to like? Or, more to the point, what's not to love?

About the Author:

Dr. Linda Abbott Trapp is the author of Intentional Living; Lessons from the Tree of Life, and the award-winning Letters to My Granddaughters; Insights and Inspiration for a Life Journey. She is a former Dean at the California School of Professional Psychology, and has presented more than 3,000 seminars in the U.S. and abroad.

Picture: http://www.northcountyfarmersmarkets.com/images/lemon_girl.gif

Endometriosis : Omega-3-Rich Food Linked to Lower Risk

An analysis of 12 years of prospective data involving 70,709 women from the Nurses' Health Study II that began in 1989 suggests that women whose diets are rich in foods containing Omega-3 oils might be less likely to develop endometriosis, while those whose diets are heavily laden with trans fats might be more likely to develop the debilitating condition.

Endometriosis occurs when pieces of the womb lining, or endometrium, is found outside the womb. This tissue behaves in the same way as it does in the womb -- growing during the menstrual cycle in response to oestrogen in anticipation of an egg being fertilized and shedding as blood when there's no pregnancy. However, when it grows outside the womb, it is trapped and cannot leave the body as menstruation. Some women experience no symptoms, but for many it is very incapacitating, causing severe pain. The tissue can also stick to other organs, sometimes leading to infertility. It afflicts about 10% of women. The cause of endometriosis is not known. Pain medicines and hormones often help. Severe cases may need surgery.

The study found that while the total amount of fat in the diet did not matter, the type of fat did.

Women who ate the highest amount of long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids were 22% less likely to be diagnosed with endometriosis than those who ate the least and that those who ate the most trans fats had a 48% increased risk, compared with those who ate the least.

The findings also provide more evidence that a low fat diet is not necessarily the healthiest and further bolster the case for eliminating trans fats from the food supply, said the study's leader, Dr. Stacey Missmer (1).

"Millions of women worldwide suffer from endometriosis. Many women have been searching for something they can actually do for themselves, or their daughters, to reduce the risk of developing the disease, and these findings suggest that dietary changes may be something they can do. The results need to be confirmed by further research, but this study gives us a strong indication that we're on the right track in identifying food rich in Omega-3 oils as protective for endometriosis and trans fats as detrimental," Dr. Missmer added.

Long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids are found mostly in oily fish. They have been linked to reduced heart disease risk.

Trans fats are artificially produced through hydrogenation, which turns liquid vegetable oil into solid fat. Used in thousands of processed foods, from snacks to ready-meals, they have already been linked to increased heart disease risk.

Several epidemiological studies have shown an increased cancer risk among women with endometriosis, especially ovarian cancer(2).

Because the causes of endometriosis remain elusive, no definite techniques to manage the risk of endometriosis have been developed. This evidence that dietary intervention of trans fats and high Omega-3 oils may help prevent endometriosis is thus a welcome news.

Journal Reference:

Stacey A. Missmer, Jorge E. Chavarro, Susan Malspeis, Elizabeth R. Bertone-Johnson, Mark D. Hornstein, Donna Spiegelman, Robert L. Barbieri, Walter C. Willett, and Susan E. Hankinson. A prospective study of dietary fat consumption and endometriosis risk. Human Reproduction, March 23, 2010 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deq044

Melin A, Sparén P, Persson I, Bergqvist A. Endometriosis and the risk of cancer with special emphasis on ovarian cancer. Hum Reprod. 2006 May;21(5):1237-42.

Peningkatan Kadar Kanser Kolorektal

Kajian sebelum ini melaporkan bahawa peningkatan pantas dalam kadar terjadinya kanser kolorektal dalam negara peralihan ekonomi di seluruh bahagian dunia, kemungkinannya menunjukkan perubahan dalam bentuk diet dan aktiviti fizikal.

Trend peningkatan dalam kadar kejadian dan kematian akibat kanser kolorektal adalah lebih menonjol dari golongan berada daripada golongan miskin dan sangat berbeza antara kumpulan etnik. Walaupun perubahan dalam kebiasaan pemakanan dan gaya hidup dipercayai menjadi alasan menyokong peningkatan, interaksi antara faktor tersebut dan ciri-ciri genetik populasi Asian mungkin juga mempunyai peranan dasar.

Di Malaysia, ia muncul sebagai penyebab ketiga kanser yang biasa terjadi pada lelaki dan wanita. Jumlah piawai kadar kejadian adalah anggaran 10.4 per 100,000 populasi ( laporan kedua dari Daftar Kanser Kebangsaan 2003).Variasi etnik juga dilihat dimana penyakit ini kebanyakkannya dari kaum Cina.

Purata populasi risiko terjadinya pembentukan kanser kolorektal di Singapura adalah antara tertinggi di dunia. Jumlah kadar kepiawaian untuk lelaki bagi tempoh 2002-2006 adalah 40.2 per 100,000 setahun dan untuk wanita adalah 28.8 per 100,000 setahun.

Faktor persekitaran dan genetik memainkan peranan yang berbeza dalam etiologi kanser kolorektal. Jira-kira 80% kanser kolorektal meningkat secara rawak tanpa tanda dari pengaruh genetik. Dalam kes yang tinggal, faktor genetik memainkan peranan penting.

Pembentukkan kanser kolorektal secara turun temurun adalah berlainan dengan kehadiran atau ketiadaan poliposis.

Kanser kolon boleh dicegah. Untuk melindungi diri anda dan orang tersayang dari penyakit ini, ikuti 10 tip pencegahan kanser kolon berikut:

1. Pergi berjumpa doktor jika anda mempunyai sebarang simptom kanser kolon.
2. Jika anda berumur 50 atau lebih, aturkan jadual pemeriksaan kanser kolon.
3. Makan diet seimbang.
4. Kekalkan berat ideal.
5. Kekalkan gaya hidup aktif.
6. Ambil kira terhadap kaunseling genetik.
7. Pelajari sejarah perubatan keluarga anda.
8. Bincang dengan doktor anda tentang sejarah perubatan anda.
9. Jangan merokok.
10. Kurangkan pendedahan terhadap radiasi.

Keterangan lanjut terdapat di website http://coloncancer.about.com/od/cancerprevention/a/Colon_Cancer.htm

Persatuan Gastrologi dan Hepatologi Malaysia : http://www.msgh.org.my/contact.htm.

Zestz : Celebrating the PRESENT

Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season.

It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year.

It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow.

Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime.

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois (February 23, 1868 – August 27, 1963) was an American civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, sociologist, historian, author, and editor.

The first African-American graduate of Harvard University, where he earned his Ph.D in History, Du Bois later became a professor of history and economics at Atlanta University. He became the head of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1910, becoming founder and editor of the NAACP's journal The Crisis. Du Bois rose to national attention in his opposition of Booker T. Washington's ideas of social integration between whites and blacks, campaigning instead for increased political representation for blacks in order to guarantee civil rights, and the formation of a Black elite that would work for the progress of the African American race.

Zestz for LAUGHS

Can you get it over the counter

A lady walked into a pharmacy and spoke to the pharmacist.

She asked, "Do you have Viagra?"

"Yes," he answered.

She asked, "Does it work?"

"Yes," he answered.

"Can you get it over the counter?" she asked.

"I can if I take two," he answered.

Photo : http://farm1.static.flickr.com/

Curcumin: getting back to the roots

The use of turmeric, derived from the root of the plant Curcuma longa, for treatment of different inflammatory diseases has been described in Ayurveda and in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.

The active component of turmeric responsible for this activity, curcumin, was identified almost two centuries ago.

Modern science has revealed that curcumin mediates its effects by modulation of several important molecular targets, including transcription factors (e.g., NF-kappaB, AP-1, Egr-1, beta-catenin, and PPAR-gamma), enzymes (e.g., COX2, 5-LOX, iNOS, and hemeoxygenase-1), cell cycle proteins (e.g., cyclin D1 and p21), cytokines (e.g., TNF, IL-1, IL-6, and chemokines), receptors (e.g., EGFR and HER2), and cell surface adhesion molecules.

Because it can modulate the expression of these targets, curcumin is now being used to treat cancer, arthritis, diabetes, Crohn's disease, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, psoriasis, and other pathologies.

Extract from Shishodia S, Sethi G and Aggarwal BB’s “Curcumin: getting back to the roots” published in the Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2005 Nov;1056:206-17.

Photo : http://www.vuatkerala.org/

Smoking - Quit Gradually or Quit 'Cold Turkey'

Here’s the good news! A Cochrane review found both methods are equally effective.

Lindson, Aveyard and Hughes evaluated 10 studies with 3,760 participants to see if reducing to quit is at least as successful as abrupt quitting.

Pooled results found that neither reducing nor abrupt quitting produced superior quit rates.

This was true whether nicotine replacement therapy was used as part of the intervention or not, and whether participants were offered self-help materials or behavioural support.

The studies all differed on the instructions given to participants on how they should reduce the amount of cigarettes smoked. For example, one study asked them to reduce their smoking by 50 percent over four weeks and then quit completely. Another study asked participants to reduce their smoking by five to 10 cigarettes per week over five weeks until they were not smoking at all.

The choice is yours. Reduction is as effective as quitting abruptly.

Decide today. For your health, CLICK HERE

Decide now for the health of your immediate family members. Not forgetting your friends and the rest of us.

Lindson N, Aveyard P, Hughes JR. Reduction versus abrupt cessation in smokers who want to quit. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD008033. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008033.pub2.

HEALTHY HAPPINESS

Is happiness good for your health?

Ruut Veenhoven of Erasmus University Rotterdam analysed 30 follow-up studies on happiness and longevity found that happiness does not predict longevity in sick populations, but that it does predict longevity among healthy populations.

So, happiness does not cure illness but it does protect against becoming ill. As a result, happy people live longer. The size of the effect on longevity is comparable to that of smoking or not.

There have been more reports of happy people living longer, but for long it was unclear whether happiness causes longevity, since it can also be that good health adds both to happiness and longevity.

Scientists assess causality using long-term follow-up studies, taking initial health into account. The results of such studies seemed contradictory; several studies found the expected causal effect of happiness on longevity, but other studies found no effect and some observed even earlier death among the happy. The analysis of 30 follow-up studies showed that the difference is in the people under investigation.

Happiness does not lengthen the life of seriously ill people, but it does prolong the life of healthy people. Happiness appears to protect against falling ill. One of the mechanisms behind that effect seems to be that chronic unhappiness causes stress, which on its turn reduces immune response.

Another possible mechanism is that happiness adds to the chance of adopting a healthy life style.

An implication of this finding is that wider public health can also be promoted by policies that strengthen individual life-abilities and improve the livability of the social environment.

BE Happy and Have a Great Day, Everyday!

Journal Reference:

Veenhoven R. Healthy happiness: effects of happiness on physical health and the consequences for preventive health care. Journal of Happiness Studies, 2008; 9 (3): 449-464

CLICK HERE for the full text of this article

Colorectal Cancer Prevention : Omega 3

A purified form of an omega 3 cuts the number and size of precancerous bowel growths (polyps) in people whose genetic make-up predisposes them to bowel cancer. Furthermore, this particular omega 3 (eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA) seems to be as effective as the prescription medicine used to treat familial bowel polyps, but without the associated cardiovascular side effects.

Investigators at the University of Leeds have created a purified form of an omega 3, which may reduce the risk of an inherited form of bowel cancer by reducing the size and number of pre-cancerous polyps.

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) is an inherited cancer of the large intestine and rectum that may be responsible for about one in every 100 bowel cancers. People with the classic type of FAP may begin to develop multiple colon polyps as early as the teen years. If these are not treated, they become malignant and the average age of cancer onset is 39 years.

Overall, FAP occurs in about 1 in 7,000 to 1 in 22,000 people and is caused by a mutation in the APC gene that affects the ability of the cell to maintain normal growth and function or the MUTYH gene that prevents the cells from correcting mistakes during DNA replication.

The researchers gave 55 FAP patients either a 2 gram highly purified formulation of EPA, called Alfa, or a placebo for six months. Those who received the omega-3 capsules had a significant (12%) reduction in the number and size of the polyps, while the placebo group showed a 10% increase in polyp number and a 17% increase in size over the same period.

The study also found that the new treatment works as well as the standard treatment for FAP patients, a drug called celecoxib (Celebrex). The use of celecoxib has been associated with harmful cardiovascular side effects in older patients.

Mark Hull, study author, said, "The particular preparation of EPA that we used delivers approximately four times as much beneficial polyunsaturated fatty acid per day as is derived from eating two to three portions of fish a week. The drug is also designed to be released into the small intestine, minimizing nausea and halitosis often associated with taking over-the-counter fish oil supplements.”

The scientists will continue their investigation of the omega-3 preparation on non-inherited bowel cancers.

The study was published online March 18 in the journal Gut.

The preceeding article lists 10 colon cancer prevention tips. Currently available Omega-3 capsules can be a part of your prevention strategy.

For example, each capsule of Scandia Omega-3 + E contains 330mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 220mg of Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 50iu of vitamin E.
(DHA is essential for the growth and functional development of the brain in infants. It is also required for maintenance of normal brain function in adults.)

Colorectal Cancer Rates Increasing

Previous studies have reported rapid increases in colorectal cancer incidence rates in economically transitioning countries in many parts of the world, likely reflecting changing dietary and physical activity patterns.

The rising trend in incidence and mortality from colorectal cancer is more striking in affluent than in poorer societies and differs substantially among ethnic groups. Although changes in dietary habits and lifestyle are believed to be the reasons underlying the increase, the interaction between these factors and genetic characteristics of the Asian populations might also have a pivotal role.

In Malaysia, it is now emerging as the third commonest cause of cancer in both males and females. The age standardized incidence is estimated at 10.4 per 100 000 population (Second Report of the National Cancer Registry, 2003). Ethnic variation is also observed with the disease being most common amongst the Chinese3.

The average population risk for developing colorectal cancer in Singapore is among the highest in the world. The age-standardised rates (ASR) for men for the period 2002-2006 was 40.2 per 100,000 per year and for women it was 28.8 per 100,000 per year4.

Environmental factors and genetics play varying roles in the aetiology of colorectal cancer. About 80% of colorectal cancers arise sporadically with no evidence of genetic susceptibility. In the remaining cases, genetic factors play a significant role. Hereditary forms of colorectal cancer are distinguished by the presence or absence of polyposis5.

Colon cancer can be prevented. To help protect yourself and your loved ones from the disease, follow these ten colon cancer prevention tips:

1. Go to a doctor if you have any colon cancer symptoms.

2. If you're 50 or older, schedule a colon cancer screening.

3. Eat a balanced diet.

4. Maintain a healthy weight.

5. Maintain an active lifestyle.

6. Consider genetic counseling.

7. Learn your family medical history.

8. Talk to a doctor about your personal medical history.

9. Don't smoke.

10. Reduce radiation exposure.

Details are available at http://coloncancer.about.com/od/cancerprevention/a/Colon_Cancer.htm

Malaysian Society of Gastrology and Hepatology website : http://www.msgh.org.my/contact.htm

Journal References:

1. Sung JJ, Lau JY, Goh KL, Leung WK; Asia Pacific Working Group on Colorectal Cancer. Increasing incidence of colorectal cancer in Asia: implications for screening. Lancet Oncol. 2005 Nov;6(11):871-6.

2. Center MM, Jemal A, Ward E. International trends in colorectal cancer incidence rates. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2009 Jun;18(6):1688-94.

3. GCC Lim, Y Halimah (Eds). Second Report of the National Cancer Registry. Cancer Incidence in Malaysia 2003. National Cancer Registry. Kuala Lumpur 2004.

4. K G Yeoh. Screening for Colorectal Cancer – Implementation. Medical Journal of Malaysia, 2009 (Nov); 64(b)

5. Wendy Lim. Hereditary Colorectal Cancer: Cancer Risks, Screeing Strategies and the Establishment of a Hereditary Colon Cancer Registry. Malaysian Society of Gastrology and Hepatology.

Omega-3, Vitamin dan Mineral Boleh Menurunkan Kelakuan Agresif

Makanan tambahan mengandungi vitamin, mineral, asid lemak omega-3 dan omega-6 boleh menurunkan sebanyak 34% insiden kekejaman, menurut kajian terkini meliputi 200 pesalah muda dewasa.(purata umur = 21.0, antara 18-25 tahun) diterbitkan dalam Aggresive Behavior.

Sebaliknya, 14% peningkatan dalam jumlah laporan kejadian peserta dalam kumpulan kawalan dilaporkan oleh saintis Belanda, diketuai oleh Ap Zaalberg dari Kementerian Kehakiman Belanda.

Ujian secara rawak, 'double blind', kawalan plasebo diikuti dari kajian di England oleh Bernard Gesch et al (Br J Psychiatry 2002, Jul;181:22-8) di mana mendapati bahawa kelakuan antisosial dalam penjara termasuk kekejaman, menurun dengan pengambilan vitamin, mineral dan asid lemak essential sama kesannya pada orang yang kurang diet pemakanan dalam komunitinya.

Pengulas bebas pada kajian tersebut, Profesor Micheal Crawford, Pengarah Institut Kimia Otak dan Nutrisi Manusia di Universiti London Metropolitan menyatakan bahawa hubungan antara diet dan kelakuan agresif adalah "memahami asas kenyataan hubungan antara depresi major, bunuh diri dan pembunuhan yang dilaporkan oleh Dr. Joseph Hibbeln di Institut Kesihatan Kebangsaan di USA dan sudah tentu bahan kami menunjukkan penggantungan mutlak otak pada rantai panjang asid lemak essential".

Rujukan:

Zaalberg, H. Nijman, E. Bulten, L. Stroosma, C. van der Staak. Effects of nutritional supplements on aggression, rule-breaking, and psychopathology among young adult prisoners. Aggr. Behav. 36:117-126, 2010

Zestfulness mencadangkan Hovid Omega 3+6 yang mengandungi 500mg Omega 3 dan 500mg Evening Primrose Oil dalam setiap softgel dan Appeton Essentials Teengrow yang diformulasi dengan 18 multivitamin dan mineral.

Sumber foto: http://www.zuraidizainol.com/

Red Meat has a Negative Impact Body Odour Attractiveness

Axillary body odour is individually specific and potentially a rich source of information about its producer.

Odour individuality partly results from genetic individuality, but the influence of ecological factors such as eating habits are another main source of odour variability.

To find out about how particular dietary components shape our body odour, Havlicek and Lenochova, researchers at Charles University, Prague, tested the effect of red meat consumption on body odour attractiveness.

They used a balanced within-subject experimental design. Seventeen male odour donors were on "meat" or "nonmeat" diet for 2 weeks wearing axillary pads to collect body odour during the final 24 h of the diet.

Fresh odour samples were assessed for their pleasantness, attractiveness, masculinity, and intensity by 30 women not using hormonal contraceptives.

The same procedure was repeated a month later with the same odour donors, each on the opposite diet than before.

Results of repeated measures analysis of variance showed that the odour of donors when on the nonmeat diet was judged as significantly more attractive, more pleasant, and less intense.

Journal Reference:
Havlicek J, Lenochova P. The effect of meat consumption on body odor attractiveness. Chem Senses. 2006 Oct;31(8):747-52.

CLICK HERE to find out how Zestz DeO Spray is a handy first-aid in embarassing situations.

Zestz : Celebrating the PRESENT

“ The act of smelling something, anything, is remarkably like the act of thinking. Immediately at the moment of perception, you can feel the mind going to work, sending the odor around from place to place, setting off complex repertories through the brain, polling one center after another for signs of re recognition, for old memories and old connection”

Lewis Thomas, 1913-93, American physician and biologist, b. Flushing, New York. He is mostly widely known for his lucid essays that combine his fascination for the living world with his thoughts on biology and philosophy. His collections of his essays include The Lives of a Cell (1974), The Medusa and the Snail (1979), and Late Night Thoughts on Listening to Mahler's Ninth Symphony (1983).

Zestz for LAUGHS

Zestz JAZZ presents Prema Yin

Prema Yin is no stranger to the music industry in Malaysia. Having launched her EP, “Eyo Eyo” in August 2009, she has thus received great reviews from the local media. The press has dubbed her as the upcoming “Rock Princess” of Malaysia.

She was the winner for NTV7’s Malaysian Topstar in 2004. The singer/songwriter has performed in big festivals like Sunburst Festival, Sunrise Jazz Festival, Sarawak Rainforest Festival as well as overseas (China for the Zhu Jia Jia Water Village Festival, Singapore Arts Festival). Prema Yin was interviewed on BFM 89.9 yesterday.

CLICK HERE for “Eyo Eyo” on youtube

Composer: Prema Yin; Lyricist: TINTA

“This song was written because I loved latin music, and what could be better than combining latin and rock together, two of my favorite style of music? Plus, have fun doing it! ;) I must say, I am satisfied with the outcome, and thanks to TINTA’s lovely lyrics, it gave the song the edge it needed. It has the attitude and fun all merged in one. Something that I can definitely relate too! YEAH!”

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Obesity, Alcohol & Liver Disease

Two studies published recently in the British Medical Journal show that obesity and alcohol act together to increase the risk of liver disease in both men and women.

Rates of liver disease and obesity are increasing in the UK. While alcohol is a major cause of liver cirrhosis, recent evidence suggests that excess body weight may also play a role.

The first study, conducted by University of Oxford researchers, saw examination of the link between body mass index (BMI)* and liver cirrhosis in 1.2 million middle-aged UK women as part of the Million Women Study.

Each participant was followed for an average of 6.2 years, and risks were adjusted for factors such as age, alcohol consumption, smoking, socioeconomic status and physical activity.

Compared to women of a healthy weight, women who were overweight or obese had an increased relative risk of liver cirrhosis. Although this relative risk did not differ significantly by alcohol consumption, the absolute risk did.

In the second study, researchers from the Universities of Glasgow and Bristol investigated the joint effects of BMI and alcohol consumption on liver disease in more than 9,000 men in Scotland. Participants were tracked for an average of 29 years.

Both factors were related to liver disease and, more importantly, the combination of high BMI and alcohol consumption was greater than the additive effect of the two separate factors.

The two studies conclude that, from a public health perspective, strategies to jointly reduce both excessive alcohol consumption and excessive body weight should lead to a reduction in the incidence of liver disease.

Future research must focus on better diagnosis and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (a build-up of fat in the liver caused by obesity, high alcohol intake and diabetes, which can lead to cirrhosis).

In the meantime, the old adage of "prevention is better than cure" remains pertinent. Reducing alcohol consumption and obesity are, at present, our only weapons against non-viral liver disease. The progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to end stage liver disease can now be added to the list of the undesirable consequences of modern lifestyles.

*Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. CLICK HERE for a quick calculation of your BMI

Journal References:

Bette Liu, Angela Balkwill, Gillian Reeves, Valerie Beral, on behalf of the Million Women Study Collaborators. Body mass index and risk of liver cirrhosis in middle aged women in UK: prospective study. BMJ. 2010 Mar 11;340:c912.

Carole L Hart, David S Morrison, G David Batty, Richard J Mitchell, George Davey Smith. Effect of body mass index and alcohol consumption on liver disease: analysis of data from two prospective cohort studies. BMJ. 2010 Mar 11;340:c1240.

Picture: http://www.argutusmed.com

KEBAIKAN BIJIRIN OAT

Beberapa kajian saintifik menunjukkan bahawa disebabkan kelarutan fibernya yang tinggi maka pengambilan oatmeal sehari boleh membantu menurunkan kolesterol darah dan menurunkan risiko penyakit jantung.

Kajian yang diketuai oleh pakar nutrisi Mohsen Meydani dari Universiti Tufts di Boston juga menunjukkan bahawa avenanthramida iaitu molekul antioksidan dalam oat, menghalang kemampuan kolesterol untuk melekat pada dinding arteri, sehingga mencegah pembentukan plak yang menyempitkan laluan di mana darah mengalir dan membahayakan kesihatan jantung.

Meydani dan rakan-rakan kini menyediakan indikasi tambahan terhadap faedah potensi kesihatan pada pengambilan oat dalam mencegah penyakit jantung koronari disamping efek yang telah diketahui menurunkan kolesterol darah.

Keradangan kronik di dalam dinding arteri adalah sebahagian dari proses yang akhirnya menjurus kepada gangguan yang dipanggil artherosklerosis. Artherosklerosis adalah keadaan di mana bahan berlemak terkumpul disepanjang dinding arteri. Bahan berlemak ini akan menebal, mengeras (membentuk pengumpulan kalsium) dan akhirnya boleh menyekat arteri.

Penemuan mereka mencadangkan bahawa avenanthramida pada oat menurunkan ekspresi proinflamatori sitokin. Sitokin adalah protien kecil yang dilepaskan oleh sel semasa proses melindung dan membaiki tisu. Sesetengahnya mencetuskan keradangan, contohnya semasa tindakbalas terhadap infeksi.

Mencegah keradangan melalui diet, ubat atau nutrien memberi faedah yang baik dalam mencegah arterosklerosis.

Kajian ini membantu meningkatkan reputasi oat sebagai makanan sihat untuk jantung.

Butir-butir kajian boleh di temui di dalam Free Radical Biology & Medicine keluaran Februari 2010.

Cool Oats

Numerous scientific studies have shown that because of its high soluble fibre content eating oatmeal daily may help to lower blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Researchers lead by Nutritionist Mohsen Meydani at the Tufts University in Boston have also shown that avenanthramides, antioxidant molecules in oats, hinder the ability of cholesterol to stick to artery walls, thereby preventing the build-up of plaques that narrow the passageways through which blood flows and endanger heart health.

Meydani and colleagues now provide additional indications of the potential health benefit of oat consumption in the prevention of coronary heart disease beyond its known effect through lowering blood cholesterol.

Chronic inflammation inside the arterial wall is part of the process that eventually leads to a disorder known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which fatty material collects along the walls of arteries. This fatty material thickens, hardens (forms calcium deposits), and may eventually block the arteries.

Their findings suggest that avenanthramides of oats decrease the expression of proinflammatory cytokines

Cytokines are small proteins released by cells while seeking to protect and repair tissue. Some trigger inflammation, for example, while responding to infection.

Inhibiting inflammation through diet, drugs, or key nutrients is considered to be of great benefit in preventing atherosclerosis.

This study furthers the reputation of oats as a heart-healthy food.

Details of this study can be found in the February 2010 issue Free Radical Biology & Medicine.

Photo: http://img2.timeinc.net/health/images/slides/oats-400x400.jpg