The Benefits of Olive Oil for Your Skin and Hair

Funny thing about being over 50: Things change...surprisingly fast.

For example, everything’s just a tad bit...drier. My hair, skin, eyes, and umm, other places, too

When researching the book, I had the opportunity to pick the brains of some of the best skin care experts in the country, including Dr. Patricia Wexler and Dr. Doris Day. Both said — quite simply– that the keys to great skin are: exfoliate, moisturize, and protect.

There are gazillions of products on the market that could handle these tasks, in different price ranges. Not one who likes to spend money unnecessarily, I managed to ply a few very inexpensive beauty secrets out of both of these brilliant doctors, many of which are mentioned in the chapter on skin care in The Best of Everything After 50: The Experts’ Guide to Style, Sex, Health, Money and More, the book I wrote when I hit 50 to help me enter this new phase of life with health, energy and style. One of the best tips came from Carmindy, my makeup expert, who convinced me that the most effective way to exfoliate skin (face and body) is with...white sugar. Don’t put it IN your body, she said. Put it ON your body! And, guess what? It works. Just be extra gentle when using it on your face.

My favorite “beauty secret" (which sure wasn’t a secret to the ancient Greeks, or my grandmother) is...using olive oil on just about every part of your body.

Olive oil has been used for thousands of years for so many different things — health, beauty, cooking and more. The ancient Greeks knew of its power to heal wounds...and eventually they started using it to light oil lamps, cooking...and for beauty.

These last two years, I did a lot of experimenting with countless products, until I eventually had to narrow down my list of “must haves/must use.” Probably on the top is olive oil. Here are a few things you can (and should) do with olive oil:

•After exfoliating your body with white sugar on a wash cloth (in the shower, take a little olive oil (infused with a few drops of lavender, if you wish) and gently massage it all over your body. Result? Skin like velvet.

•When your hair is completely dry (without the use of a blow-dryer!!), add a few drops of olive oil in your hands, rub them together, flip your head over, bending down and scrunch a little olive oil in your hair. Result? Shiny (not greasy, unless you accidentally put on too much!!) and healthy looking hair.

•Rub a little extra olive oil on your elbows and heels (all over your feet actually) every night. Result? Softer, smoother elbows and feet.

•If your facial skin is feeling especially dry, take one drop of olive oil in your hands, and very gently tap it all over your face, making sure it doesn’t look slick. Take a tissue and blot your skin just a little. Result? Skin that’s soft and moist, but not greasy.

Keep a little spray bottle in your bathroom, or one of those plastic sqeezy things that diner ketchup comes in. You’ll be ready to use the “elixir of the goddesses “whenever you feel the need... which, since I turned 50, seems to be just about every day.

Save some for your salads!

About the Author: Barbara Hannah Grufferman writes and blogs about baby boomers and life after 50, the subject of her recent book.

We will be on vacation from 3rd February!

Our Port Klang and Pandamaran pharmacies will reopen for service on Monday, 7th February.

However, Hoewell Pharmacal, CLICK HERE for location,

will be opened on Saturday, 5th February

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2011 is the Year of the Golden Rabbit, which begins on February 3, 2011 and ends on January 22, 2012. The Rabbit is the fourth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animals signs. The Rabbit is a lucky sign. Rabbits are private individuals and a bit introverted. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are reasonably friendly individuals who enjoy the company of a group of good friends. They are good teachers, counselors and communicators, but also need their own space.

According to Chinese tradition, the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves. It is a time for negotiation. Don't try to force issues, because if you do you will ultimately fail. To gain the greatest benefits from this time, focus on home, family, security, diplomacy, and your relationships with women and children. Make it a goal to create a safe, peaceful lifestyle, so you will be able to calmly deal with any problem that may arise.

Not many people know that the Rabbit is the symbol of the Moon, while the Peacock is the symbol of the Sun, and that together, these two animal signs signify the start of day and night, represent the Yin and Yang of life. It is said that anyone making supplications for wishes to be fulfilled are certain to get what they want... and in the Year of the Rabbit, the wish-granting aspect of the Sun and the Moon combined is multiplied. The Moon is YIN and this is the Yin of Heaven, signifying magic. Thus on each of the Full Moon nights of this year, go out into your garden to gaze into the Full Moon and visualize plenty of Moon dust and Moon glow flowing into you, filling your whole body with bright white light and granting you fearlessness, love and courage. This will not only strengthen your inner "Chi" energy, it will also bring wisdom into your life.

Picture Credit

Story Source

No “Quick Fixes” for Losing Weight

Consumer group Choice has launched a campaign to dismiss weight loss myths that it says hinder rather than help slimmers shed kilos.

Choice spokesperson Ingrid Just stressed there were no “quick fixes” for losing weight and said many popular theories did not hold up in the long-term.

“Miracle diets and advertisements for quick fixes sell books and fill magazines, especially this time of year.

“Many of these weight loss tips are short-term fixes that won’t do you much good in the long run,” she said.

Dismissing suggestions that carbohydrates are fattening and eating a big meal at night causes weight gain, Ms Just said having a balanced diet with occasional treats and physical activity was the best way to lose weight and maintain it.

“People are being bombarded by unsubstantiated weight loss tips and tactics that make big promises,” she said.

“It’s become very difficult to know what to believe.

“As boring as it sounds, to lose weight you need a combination of healthy eating – including the occasional treat – varied physical activity and regular sleep,” she said.

The consumer group’s nutritionists said misconceptions about weight loss had resulted in people putting their faith in “magic pills” and not getting enough nutrients or trying to lose weight using techniques with no evidence of efficacy to support them.

Choice rejected the suggestion that people can lose weight by eating celery, “because it requires more energy to digest than it contains”, with the group saying, “there are no magic weight loss foods or drinks”.

Zestfulness agrees with Ms Just that you need a combination of healthy eating – including the occasional treat – varied physical activity and regular sleep to lose weight. Zestfulness, however, feels that selective short term fixes can give you the boost, the encouragement to make those lifestyle changes to lose weight.

Advertorial : Trimming the Tummy

TC PLUS is a traditional herbal preparation made with the fruits of Garcinia atroviridis (asam gelugor), Tamarindus indica (asam jawa) and Punica granatum (pomegranate), the leaves of Cassia angustifolia (senna), the rhizome of Kaempferia galanga (kencur) and the seeds of Nigella sativa ("habbat al-barakah")

The recommended dose is 6 x 400mg capsules to be taken before bedtime.

Zestz for LAUGHS

Advertisement In Shop:
Guitar, for sale........ Cheap........
.......no strings attached.


Ad. In Hospital Waiting Room:
Smoking Helps You Lose Weight....
One Lung At A Time!


On a bulletin board:
Success Is Relative.
The more The Success,
The more The Relatives.


When I Read About The Evils Of Drinking....
I Gave Up Reading


My Grandfather Is Eighty
And Still Doesn't Need Glasses....
He Drinks Straight Out Of The Bottle.


Sign In A Bar:
'Those Of You Who Are Drinking To Forget,
Please do Pay In Advance.'


Sign In Driving School:
If Your Wife Wants To Learn To Drive,
Don't Stand In Her Way....


Behind Every Great Man,
There Is A Surprised Woman.


The Reason Men Lie Is Because
Women Ask too Many Questions.


Getting Caught
Is The Mother Of Invention.


Laugh And The World Laughs With You,
Snore And You sleep Alone


The Surest Sign
That Intelligent Life Exists
Elsewhere In The Universe
Is The Fact That It Has Never Tried To Contact Us.


Sign At A Barber's Shop :
We Need Your Heads To Run Our Business..


Sign In A Restaurant:
All Drinking Water In This Establishment
Has Been Personally Passed By The Manager

Submitted Richard of Kelantan, author unknown

Advertorial: Kill germs…keep healthy?

Cough, cough, splutter splutter…aaaachoo! Some days it seems you’re fighting a losing battle in the germ warfare. Especially at home with young kids who haven’t quite got the hang of covering their mouths!

But there’s no need to resort to surface sprays packed with dubious chemicals when there’s a perfect natural weapon - Eucalyptus Spray.

Eucalyptus Spray kills germs, with the pure, natural power of Eucalyptus Oil. That’s right, eucalyptus oil!

Eucalyptus Spray is a breath of fresh air as it kills germs in rooms and on surfaces, with no harmful chemicals to irritate sensitive noses.

Spray around the home or office to remove odours and help keep the air hygienic, while enjoying the long-lasting aroma of the Australian bush.

Cringe no more when sneezy fingers touch – a quick wipe over with Eucalyptus Spray on telephone handsets, kitchen surfaces, remotes, even toys, will eradicate germs so you can breathe easy.

Use the Spray to whisk grime off kitchen benches, cupboards, dirty walls and bathroom vanities. Spray over stinky bins or pet areas; it neutralises odours like nothing else.

The poor old carpets can be a magnet for muddy boots, dropped toast and pet stains. Eucalyptus Spray can help lift dirt, grease and grime from carpets leaving them dry and ready for use. (Try it on clothing stains too – it’s a fantiastic natural pre-wash).

Kids sneezy? Easy! Spray around soft furnishings and children’s toys to help keep dust mites at bay…eucalyptus oil is a natural mite killer.

This winter arm yourself with nature’s best germ-fighting weapon and be '99.99%' more confident your family stays healthy.

Eucalyptus Spray is available at a recommended retail price of RM21.95

Source : Felton Grimwade & Bosisto's

Bagaimana Menjaga Gigi Palsu Anda

Apa gunanya berjumpa doktor gigi setiap tahun jika anda sudah tidak ada gigi lagi?- Untuk menjaga agar anda tersenyum dan tetap sihat. Malangnya, terlalu banyak yang menganggap tiada gunanya untuk berjumpa doktor gigi setelah mereka mula memakai gigi palsu, sebanyak 70 peratus dari mereka tidak pernah kembali ke doktor gigi dalam tempoh lima tahun. Ini merupakan kesilapan. Bahkan pemakai gigi palsu harus menemui doktor gigi mereka sekali setahun.

Gigi palsu perlu pemeriksaan. Mereka boleh menyebabkan radang gusi, merangsang luka dan tumor di mulut. Pemakaian gigi palsu yang salah boleh merosakkan sendi rahang dan mempercepat kehilangan penyokong tulang. Apa yang pemakai gigi palsu selalu abaikan adalah fakta bahawa bentuk mulut berubah, meskipun perlahan. Tulang yang menyokong mulut susut sekitar dua milimeter setiap lima hingga lapan tahun. Dan ini mempengaruhi penampilan pesakit, menyebabkan kedutan yang dalam di sekitar mulut, atau bibir kelihatan kurus, atau dagu menonjol, atau dikatakan rahang bawah berkantung. Akibatnya, gigi palsu perlu diganti segera.

Sewaktu pemeriksaan secara teratur, pengguna gigi palsu boleh membantu mengurangkan hakisan tulang dan menjaga kesihatan mulut dengan mengunyah secara lurus ke atas dan ke bawah dengan jumlah yang sama di kedua sisi rahang. Mengunyah sebelah sisi atau mengunakan salah satu sisi mulut boleh membuat gigi palsu tergelincir dan mengakibatkan pemakaian berlebihan.

Para pengguna gigi palsu juga perlu memberus gusi di bawah gigi palsu untuk merangsang peredaran darah dan menjaga gusi agar tetap sehat. Kemudian, juga, gigi palsu harus ditanggalkan untuk beberapa jam setiap hari. Dan jika gigi palsu rosak atau longgar, pengguna tidak seharusnya mencuba untuk memperbaikinya sendiri melainkan harus berjumpa doktor gigi. Cari doktor gigi yang mengkhususkan diri dalam keperluan pesakit senior.

Robin Westen menulis tentang kesihatan untuk majalah nasional.

Dia adalah pengarang “Ten Days to Detox: How to Look and Feel a Decade Younger.”

Tomatoes Prevents Vascular Diseases

Previous studies have shown dietary intake of tomatoes to be associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and type-2 diabetes. In many instances the potential benefits of the fruit have been linked to the lycopene content.

Now a team of Japanese researchers has identified a nutrient in tomatoes which could help tackle the onset of vascular diseases by reducing blood lipid levels(1).

The team led by Dr Teruo Kawada, from Kyoto University and supported by the Research and Development Program for New Bio-industry Initiatives, Japan, focused their research on extracts which tackle dyslipidemia, a condition which is caused by an abnormal amount of lipids, such as cholesterol or fat, in the blood stream.

"Dyslipidemia itself usually causes no symptoms," said Kawada, "however; it can lead to symptomatic vascular diseases, such as arteriosclerosis and cirrhosis. In order to prevent these diseases it is important to prevent an increased build up of lipids."

The research, published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, reveals that an extracted compound, 9-oxo-octadecadienoic, enhances fatty acid oxidation and contributed to the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism.

Fractioned extracts of tomatoes containing the 9-oxo-ODA compound were shown increase the expression of specific genes involved in fatty acid oxidation and suppress the accumulation of triglycerides in mouse liver tissue.

These findings suggest that 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid has anti-dyslipidemia affects and can therefore help prevent vascular diseases.

"Finding a compound which helps the prevention of obesity-related chronic diseases in foodstuffs is a great advantage to tackling these diseases," concluded Kawada. "It means that the tomato allows people to easily manage the onset of dyslipidemia through their daily diet."

Lifestyle changes that will decrease the risk of dyslipidemia are:

Smoking, Diet, and Exercise

Many experts also recommend attention to the following additional lifestyle modifications:

• Limitation of alcohol intake to one or two drinks per day

• Reduced calorie diet to promote weight loss, if overweight

• Stress management

Lycopene and 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid

Numerous studies correlate high intake of lycopene-containing foods or high lycopene serum levels with reduced incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and macular degeneration. However, estimates of lycopene consumption have been based on reported tomato intake, not on the use of lycopene supplements.

Tomatoes are sources of other nutrients, including vitamin C, folate, and potassium. Processing of tomatoes increases the concentration of bioavailable lycopene. Tomato paste contains four times more bioavailable lycopene than fresh tomatoes.

CLICK HERE for a simple lycopene and 9-oxo-ODA -rich drink made with tomato paste.

Looking for tomato paste?

Hunt’s tomato paste is available at all our pharmacies

Journal Reference:

Kim YI, Hirai S, Takahashi H, Goto T, Ohyane C, Tsugane T, Konishi C, Fujii T, Inai S, Iijima Y, Aoki K, Shibata D, Takahashi N, Kawada T. 9-oxo-10(E),12(E)-octadecadienoic acid derived from tomato is a potent PPAR α agonist to decrease triglyceride accumulation in mouse primary hepatocytes. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 2010 Nov 18. [Epub ahead of print]

Mayo Clinic Health Document last updated Dec. 1, 2010

Fielding JM, Rowley KG, Cooper P, O’Dea K. Increases in plasma lycopene concentration after consumption of tomatoes cooked with olive oil. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2005;14 (2):131-136 131

No Time To Exercise?

When we talk to customers at our pharmacies about exercise for health maintenance, we get the common response: NO TIME!

So, we have invited Lawrence Cole to help you exercise on a busy schedule.

For most of us, the #1 challenge in the quest to stay in shape and/or lose weight is not exercising itself but being able to actually fit an exercise program into our busy schedules.

So how do you do it? How do you balance the demands of family, career, important errands, relationships, organizational responsibilities, and working out?

I have found that there are five keys that will help you to be able to fit a consistent workout plan into your already hectic life.

1. Commit to a specific schedule

When you fail to plan you plan to fail. Don't try to haphazardly fit your workouts into your schedule without any rhyme or reason. Don't think you're guilty? If you've every told yourself "I'll workout as soon as I get some time", you were in direct violation of this key principle.

In order to set yourself up for success, you will need to take the time to literally write your workouts into your weekly schedule. In order to be effective, you will want to be following your exercise program at least 3 days per week. Anything less would be kidding yourself.

Therefore, right in the midst of all of your appointments, "to-do" lists, etc., should be a written plan for your weekly workout routine, so that you will never be in the dark as to when you committed to yourself to go.

2. Utilize the weekend

Take advantage of the fact that it only takes 3-5 days per week to put together an effective, results-producing workout. One trick to help you pull it all off is to workout on the weekends. One of the benefits to this course of action is that your schedule is more flexible and under your control during this time.

What is also means is that when the hectic weekdays roll back around, you will only be responsible for working out 1-3 days during the work week.

3. Keep your workouts as a high priority

One of the biggest mistakes that even many people who have scheduled a workout program into their schedule make is allowing it to be bumped off of their schedule to easily.

Although things will occassionally come up that will cause you to have to reschedule the workout you had planned, you must be vigilant in making sure that only the most important emergencies are allowed to temporarily take you off of your plan.

In the event that one of those important emergencies does happen and you can't make it to your workout, reschedule with yourself to make it up on the next possible day that you are available to do so. If your own health, fitness, and efforts to lose weight are not a priority to you, they certainly won't be so to anyone else.

4. Enroll others in your goals

Don't go at this alone. Let the important people in your life know what you are up to. You love interest, spouse, parents, children, co-workers, and close friends will often pitch in and help you to meet your fitness or weight loss commitment to yourself if you make them aware adn ask for their support.

Leverage these relationships to delegate some of your normal responsibilities or even allow you to shift appointments that you have with them as you restructure your schedule for your workout. If any of them are into exercise or trying to lose weight themselves, don't hesitate to form a buddy system with them as you move forward with your program.

5. Don't beat yourself up

No matter who you are, there will be times in your workout program that you just aren't able to keep it up as you would like due to outside demands. Don't be too tough on yourself on this.

Remember that it is what you do consistently over a long period of time, not what you do in spurts, that truly counts. Just make sure that you get back on the horse full force as soon as you can and continue to press forward, doing your best to avoid slacking off again.

No matter what goals you have for health, fitness, or weight loss, you CAN fit an effective exercise program into that hectic schedule of yours and be amazingly successful at getting the exact results that you want!

Lawrence Cole is a Lifestyle and Fitness Consultant based out of Pasadena, CA. He has over 10 years of health and fitness experience and designing simple, effective nutritional strategies to help individuals achieve their personal best internal health and physical conditioning.

Lose Weight and Feel Great!

How To Care For Your Dentures

What’s the point of visiting the dentist every year if you’ve already lost them? To keep smiling and stay healthy. Unfortunately, too many people figure there’s no point to seeing a dentist once they started to wear dentures; as many as 70 percent of them haven’t been back to the dentist in five years. But it’s a mistake. Even denture-wearers should see their dentist once a year.

Dentures need inspection. They could be irritating the gum, inducing sores and tumors in the mouth. Poorly fitting dentures can damage the jaw joint and speed the loss of supporting bone. What denture wearers too often overlook is the fact that the shape of the mouth changes, albeit slowly. The supporting bone recedes about two millimeters every five to eight years. And that is bound to affect a patient’s appearance, causing deep wrinkles around the mouth, or a thin-lipped look, or a jutting chin, or pronounced lower jaw pouches. As a result, most dentures need to be replaced in time.

Between regular checkups, a denture wearer can help cut down on bone loss and keep the mouth healthy by consciously chewing straight up and down with equal weight on both sides of the jaw. Sideways chewing or favoring one side of the mouth can make dentures slip and lead to excessive wear.

The denture wearer also needs to brush the soft tissues beneath the denture to stimulate blood circulation and keep the gum healthy. Then, too, the denture should be removed for several hours every day. And when a denture breaks or comes loose, the wearer shouldn’t try to fix it but rather should see a dentist. Look for a dentist who specializes in the needs of senior patients.

Robin Westen writes about health for national magazines.

She is the author of “Ten Days to Detox: How to Look and Feel a Decade Younger.”

Zestz for LAUGHS - The Hypnotist

It was entertainment night at the Senior Citizens Centre

Claude the hypnotist explained: "I'm here to put you into a trance; I intend to hypnotize each and every member of the audience."

The excitement was almost electric as Claude withdrew a beautiful antique pocket watch from his coat. "I want you each to keep your eye on this antique watch.

It's a very special watch. It's been in my family for six generations.

He began to swing the watch gently back and forth while quietly chanting, "watch the watch, watch the watch, watch the watch...." The crowd became mesmerized as the watch swayed back and forth, light gleaming off its polished surface.

Hundreds of pairs of eyes followed the swaying watch, until, suddenly the chain broke, it slipped from the hypnotist's fingers and fell to the floor, breaking into a hundred pieces.

"SHIT", said the hypnotist.

It took three days to clean up the Senior Citizens Centre.

Claude was never invited back to entertain.

Submitted by Robert, author unknown
Picture Credit: i.ytimg.com

Exercise May Improve Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Physical activity has been shown to be effective in the treatment of conditions, such as fibromyalgia and depression. Although these conditions are associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), no study has assessed the effect of physical activity on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in IBS.

Now a clinical trial of 102 adults, by researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, found that increased physical activity improves GI symptoms (cramps, bloating, constipation and diarrhea) in IBS

The patients were randomized to a physical activity group and a control group. Those in the exercise group to get 20 to 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise -- like brisk walking or biking -- on three to five days out of the week, for 12 weeks. The rest of the patients stuck with their normal lifestyle habits.

After three months, 43% of the exercisers showed a clinically significant improvement in their symptoms, compared with a quarter of the participants who maintained their normal lifestyle.

Exercise may be helpful for several reasons. Studies have shown that it can relieve gas and constipation. Regular exercise may also have a positive influence on the nervous and hormonal systems that act on the digestive tract.

Dr. Riadh Sadik's advice to patients: "If you have IBS, then you can increase your physical activity to improve your symptoms. If you stay inactive, you should expect more symptoms."

The authors conclude that physical activity should be used as a primary treatment modality in IBS.

Elisabet Johannesson, Magnus Simrén, Hans Strid, Antal Bajor and Riadh Sadik. Physical Activity Improves Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The American Journal of Gastroenterology. Posted online January 4, 2011. Abstract

What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Irritable bowel syndrome is a “syndrome,” meaning a group of symptoms. The most common symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain or discomfort often reported as cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and/or constipation. IBS affects the colon, or large bowel, which is the part of the digestive tract that stores stool.

IBS is not a disease. It’s a functional disorder, meaning that the bowel doesn’t work, or function, correctly.

CLICK HERE to know more about IBS

Fibromyalgia makes you feel tired and causes muscle pain and "tender points." Tender points are places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms or legs that hurt when touched. People with fibromyalgia may have other symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, morning stiffness, headaches, and problems with thinking and memory, sometimes called "fibro fog."

No one knows what causes fibromyalgia. Anyone can get it, but it is most common in middle-aged women. People with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases are particularly likely to develop fibromyalgia. There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but medicines can help you manage your symptoms. Getting enough sleep and exercising may also help.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Elisabet Johannesson, Magnus Simrén, Hans Strid, Antal Bajor and Riadh Sadik. Physical Activity Improves Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The American Journal of Gastroenterology. Posted online January 4, 2011. Abstract

Picture Credit: McHumor.com

Before You Take Probiotics for IBS

Although probiotics are certainly the current darlings of the food marketing and vitamin supplement industries, it is important to be an educated consumer before you try probiotics for IBS. Because probiotics are generally considered safe, ads are popping up everywhere and probiotics are being added to foods ranging from baby formula to yogurt. Given today’s climate of media-fed fear regarding super-bugs and staph infections that kill, what’s not to like about something labeled “friendly bacteria”? Well, buyer-be-informed. Here are the things you need to know about probiotics for IBS.

What Are Probiotics?

Our intestinal systems contain a large amount of bacteria, and optimal health calls for a balance among the various types. Probiotics are sometimes called “good bacteria” because in large numbers they are thought to boost the immune system and help to balance out so-called “bad bacteria”-- those that are disease-causing or who in large numbers contribute to an inflammatory state that results in physical symptoms. The thought behind the current marketing frenzy is that ingesting increased numbers of probiotics through the use of supplements or probiotic-enhanced foods will help maintain a favorable balance of bacteria.

Will They Help My IBS?

Don’t be fooled by those clever ads. Most of the health claims regarding probiotics have not yet been supported by research. Although probiotics have been shown to help in the treatment of childhood and travelers' diarrhea, as well as the inflammatory bowel diseases, there is only limited research for the effectiveness of probiotics in treating IBS symptoms. Only one particular strain of probiotic, Bifidobacterium infantis, has been demonstrated to reduce symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, passing of gas, incomplete evacuation and straining, in patients with IBS. There was also evidence that taking the specific probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis helped to normalize the ratio of cytokines (proteins associated with inflammation) within the lining of the gut.

The Bottom Line

Probiotics, particularly in the form of Bifidobacterium infantis, may be worth trying. Before you do, remember to:

Check with your doctor: Probiotics may be harmful to individuals who have weakened immune systems or suffer from serious chronic illness.

Read the label: Make sure the product contains at least 1 billion cells per serving.

By Barbara Bradley Bolen, PhD

Sources:

O’Mahony, L., McCarthy, J., Kelly, P., Hurley, G., Luo, F., Chen, K., O’Sullivan, G., Kiely, B., Collins, J., Shanahan, F. & Quigley, E. “ Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium in irritable bowel syndrome: Symptom responses and relationship to cytokine profiles” Gastroenterology 2005 128:541-551.

Ringel-Kulka, T. & Ringel, Y. “ Probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome: Has the time arrived?” Gastroenterology 2007 132:813-816.

Whorwell, P., Altringer, B., Morel, J., Bond, Y., Charnonneau, D., O’Mahoney, L., Kiely, B., Shanahan, F. & Quigley, E. “Efficacy of an Encapsulated Probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 in Women with Irritable Bowel Syndrome” American Journal of Gastroenterology 2006 101:1581–1590.

ibs.about.com

Advertorial - Bifidobacterium infantis

Every 2 capsules of SUPA LiFE COMPLEX provides 30 billion CFU (colony-forming units) of 18 selected human strains of friendly bacteria and prebiotic, including Bifidobacterium infantis, which are scientifically proven as safe and effective agents that help regulate the body’s micro-environment.

Dose: 1 -2 capsules daily, half an hour before meal.

Is Hookah Harmful?

The following is an extract of an article of the same name by Darrell Hulisz, PharmD which was posted on Medscape Pharmacists on 09/03/2010

Numerous publications have documented the harmful effects of hookah.^[3-9] For example, a single session of waterpipe smoking (which may last about an hour) may deliver as much tar as an entire pack of cigarettes.^[3] As with cigarette smoking, the user inhales nicotine, carbon monoxide, benzene, toluene, arsenic, lead, formaldehyde, and other carcinogens.^[3,4] Concern has been raised over a lack of warning labels of waterpipe tobacco products and accessories.^[3,4]

Scholarly reviews have found similar adverse health consequences with waterpipe and cigarette smoking.^[9] Pregnant women who use waterpipes are more likely than abstainers to give birth to babies with low birthweights, low Apgar scores, and respiratory distress syndrome. Studies have shown that hookah smoking increases the chances of periodontal disease, and may be associated with adverse cardiovascular effects, such as tachycardia and increased blood pressure.^[9]

The World Health Organization^[10] and the American Lung Association^[11] have released advisory statements indicating that many of the long-term adverse consequences of hookah smoking, including increased risk for cancer, mimic those of cigarette smoking.

References

1. Dugas E, Tremblay M, Low NC, et al. Water-pipe smoking among North American youths. Pediatrics. 2010;125:1184-1189. Abstract
2. Aljarrah K, Ababneh ZQ, Al-Delaimy WK. Perceptions of hookah smoking harmfulness: predictors and characteristics among current hookah users. Tob Induc Dis. 2009;5:16.
3. Nakkash R, Khalil J. Health warning labelling practices on narghile (shisha, hookah) waterpipe tobacco products and related accessories. Tob Control. 2010;19:235-239. Abstract
4. Chaouachi K. Hookah (shisha, narghile) smoking and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). A critical review of the relevant literature and the public health consequences. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2009;6:798-843. Abstract
5. Maziak W. The waterpipe: time for action. Addiction. 2008;103:1763-1767. Abstract
6. Barnett TE, Curbow BA, Weitz JR, et al. Water pipe tobacco smoking among middle and high school students. Am J Public Health. 2009;99:2014-2019.
7. Watad W, Sukhera J, Shushan S, et al. Water pipe smoking: effects, attitudes and directions. J Smoking Cessat. 2009;4:18-25.
8. Noonan D, Kulbok PA. New tobacco trends: waterpipe (hookah) smoking and implications for healthcare providers. J Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2009;21:258-260. Abstract
9. The hazards of hookah. Harv Ment Health Lett. 2008;24:1-3.
10. World Health Organization. Tobacco regulation advisory note: Waterpipe tobacco smoking: health effects, research needs, and recommended action by regulators. 2005. Available at: http://www.who.int/tobacco/global_interaction/tobreg/Waterpipe%20recommendation_Final.pdf Accessed July 8, 2010.
11. American Lung Association. An emerging deadly trend: waterpipe tobacco use. Tobacco policy trend alert. 2007. Available at: http://slati.lungusa.org/reports/Trend%20Alert_Waterpipes.pdf Accessed July 8, 2010
    
12. Picture credit
    

Thirdhand Smoke - Bigger Health Hazard Than Previously Believed

Smokers, primarily, put their own health at risk with their habit, but their second-hand smoke puts others at risk too.

If you can smell tobacco smoke — even if you can't see it — you're breathing in toxins, including more than 60 known carcinogens.

Scientists are reporting that so-called "thirdhand smoke" -- the invisible remains of cigarette smoke that clings to smokers' hair and clothing as well as to household fabrics, carpets and surfaces even after secondhand smoke has cleared -- may be even more of a health hazard than previously believed.

In an effort to learn more about thirdhand smoke, Yael Dubowski and colleagues studied interactions between nicotine and indoor air on a variety of different materials, including cellulose (a component of wood furniture), cotton, and paper to simulate typical indoor surfaces. They found that nicotine interacts with ozone, in indoor air, to form potentially toxic pollutants on these surfaces. Exposure to them can occur to babies crawling on the carpet, people napping on the sofa, or people eating food tainted by thirdhand smoke.

Given the toxicity of some of the identified products and that small particles may contribute to adverse health effects, the present study indicates that exposure to thirdhand smoke ozonation products may pose additional health risks

Thirdhand smoke can persist on those materials for days, weeks and even months. You can't eliminate thirdhand smoke exposure in your home by opening a window, using air conditioning or a fan, or allowing smoking in some rooms but not others. The only way to fully protect your children — and nonsmoking adults in your family — is to make your home and car smoke-free. Consider this added bonus: Enforcing these smoke-free zones may help smokers quit and reduce the risk of teens becoming smokers.

Journal Reference:

Lauren M. Petrick, Alona Svidovsky, Yael Dubowski. Thirdhand Smoke: Heterogeneous Oxidation of Nicotine and Secondary Aerosol Formation in the Indoor Environment. Environmental Science & Technology, 2011; 45 (1): 328 DOI: 10.1021/es102060v

Picture Credit : quit-smoking-central.com

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Adakah anda ingin berhenti merokok tetapi tidak berjaya?

Kini anda boleh mencuba Terapi Gantian Nikotin atau dikenali sebagai NiQuitin yang didakwa mampu menghentikan tabiat itu.

Produk yang terbukti secara klinikal itu didatangkan dalam dua variasi iaitu pelekat dan lozenges yang mampu membebaskan seseorang perokok tegar mahupun biasa daripada tabiat merokok dalam masa hanya 12 minggu.

Lebih memudahkan, produk itu boleh dibeli di mana-mana farmasi di negara ini tanpa memerlukan preskripsi daripada doktor kerana ia dijamin selamat dan tidak mendatangkan kesan sampingan.

Naib Presiden merangkap Pengurus Besar Asia Selatan, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Sdn. Bhd. (GSK), Akhil Chandra berkata, nisbah perokok adalah dua orang lelaki bersamaan dengan seorang perokok di negara ini dan ia satu statistik membimbangkan.

“Kajian yang dibuat oleh National Morbidity Survey pada tahun 2006 mencatatkan bahawa 21.5 peratus atau lebih kurang empat juta orang di negara ini ketagih merokok yang mencatatkan kematian sebanyak 10,000 setahun.

“GSK yakin bahawa penyelesaian yang kami tawarkan dengan NiQuitin akan membantu perokok mengurangkan pergantungan mereka pada nikotin dan meningkatkan peluang mereka yang tidak merokok,” katanya pada sidang akhbar di sini semalam.

Kredit : kosmo.com.my

Zestz for LAUGHS - No Speakah De English

A bus stops and 2 Italian men get on. They sit down and engage in an animated conversation. The lady sitting next to them ignores them at first, but her attention is galvanized when she hears one of them say the following:

“Emma come first. Den I come.
Den two asses come together.
I come once-a-more!
Two asses, they come together again.
I come again and pee twice.
Then I come one lasta time.”

The lady can't take this any more, “You foul-mouthed sex obsessed pig,” she retorted indignantly!

“In this country we don't speak aloud in public places about our sex lives!”

“Hey, coola down lady,” said the man. “Who talkin' abouta sex? I'm a justa tellin' my frienda how to spell ' Mississippi '!’

Submitted by Edwin, author unknown

$5.00 says you're gonna read this again

Kesihatan Gigi dan Gigi Sensitif

Sensitiviti gigi adalah ketidakselesaan gigi melibatkan satu atau lebih gigi yang dipicu oleh makanan yang panas, sejuk, manis, atau makanan dan minuman masam, atau bahkan dengan menghirup udara sejuk. Rasa sakit boleh tajam, tiba-tiba, dan menembak jauh ke hujung saraf gigi anda.

Apa Punca Gigi Sensitif?

Gigi sensitif terjadi ketika lapisan yang mendasari gigi anda - dentin - menjadi terbuka sebagai akibat dari surutnya rangkaian gusi (selimut pelindung yang menutupi akar gigi). Akar, yang tidak ada enamel keras, mengandungi ribuan tubula kecil yang mengarah ke pusat saraf gigi (pulpa). Tubula dentin ini (atau saluran) membenarkan stimulus - contohnya, makanan panas, sejuk, atau manis - untuk mencapai urat saraf di dalam gigi anda, yang mengakibatkan rasa sakit yang anda rasakan.

Ada banyak faktor yang boleh menyebabkan gigi sensitif, termasuk:

* Memberus gigi terlalu kuat. Seiring waktu, memberus terlalu kuat atau menggunakan berus gigi berbulu keras boleh menghakis lapisan bawah enamel dan menyebabkan dentin terdedah. Hal ini juga boleh menyebabkan lekuk pada gusi (rangkaian gusi tertarik dari gigi).

* Kerosakan gigi berhampiran garis gusi.

* Lekuk pada gusi. Disebabkan gusi menjauh dari gigi seperti pada penyakit periodontal, permukaan akar menjadi terbuka.

* Penyakit gusi (gingivitis). Radang dan tisu gusi yang bengkak boleh menyebabkan sensitiviti akibat kehilangan ligamen penyokong, yang memaparkan permukaan akar yang mengarah langsung ke saraf gigi.

* Gigi retak. Gigi pecah atau rosak boleh menjadi tempat pembiakan bakteria dari plak dan masuk ke pulpa sehingga menyebabkan keradangan.

* Melaga-lagakan gigi. Melaga-lagakan gigi atau mengetap gigi mungkin menipiskan lapisan enamel dan mendedahkan dentin yang mendasarinya.

* Produk pemutihan gigi atau pasta gigi dengan baking soda dan peroksida. Produk-produk ini merupakan penyumbang utama untuk gigi sensitif.

* Usia anda. Sensitiviti gigi tertinggi pada usia antara 25 dan 30 tahun.

* Pembentukan plak. Kehadiran plak pada permukaan akar boleh menyebabkan sensitiviti.

* Menggunakan ubat kumur. Penggunaan jangka panjang beberapa pencuci mulut. Sesetengah ubat kumur dipasaran mengandungi asid yang boleh memburukkan lagi sensitiviti gigi jika terkena pada dentin (lapisan tengah gigi). Kandungan asid lebih banyak merosakkan lapisan dentin gigi. Jika anda mempunyai sensitiviti dentin, tanya doktor gigi anda mengenai penggunaan larutan fluorida neutral.

* Makanan masam. Pengambilan secara rutin makanan dengan kandungan asid yang tinggi, seperti buah jeruk, tomato, acar, dan teh, boleh menyebabkan enamel terhakis.

* Prosedur pemeriksaan gigi yang rutin. Sensitiviti boleh berlaku disebabkan membersihkan gigi, 'root planing', penempatan mahkota, dan pemulihan gigi. Sensitiviti yang disebabkan oleh prosedur gigi bersifat sementara, biasanya akan hilang dalam empat hingga enam minggu.

Apa yang Harus Dilakukan untuk Mengurangkan Gigi Sensitif?

Beberapa langkah yang boleh diambil untuk mengelakkan sensitiviti gigi meliputi:

* Menjaga kesihatan mulut dengan baik. Berus gigi dengan betul dan lakukan teknik floss untuk benar-benar membersihkan semua bahagian gigi dan mulut.

* Gunakan berus gigi berbulu lembut. Hal ini dapat mengurangkan permukaan gigi dari melecet dan mengurangkan kerengsaan gusi anda. Berus dengan lembut dan berhati-hati di sekitar garis gusi sehingga anda tidak menghakis tisu gusi anda.

* Gunakan ubat gigi tidak sensitif. Ada beberapa jenama ubat gigi di pasaran untuk gigi sensitif. Dengan penggunaan secara teratur anda akan melihat penurunan sensitiviti. Anda mungkin perlu mencuba beberapa jenama yang lain untuk mencari produk yang terbaik bagi anda. Tip lain. Sapu lapisan tipis ubat gigi pada akar gigi yang terdedah dengan jari anda atau Q-tip sebelum anda pergi tidur. Jangan gunakan ubat gigi kawalan tartar, melainkan menggunakan ubat gigi berfluorida.

* Perhatikan apa yang anda makan. Kekerapan mengambil makanan yang sangat masam boleh secara berperingkat melarutkan enamel gigi dan menyebabkan dentin terdedah. Ia juga boleh memburukkan lagi sensitiviti dan memulakan reaksi nyilu.

* Gunakan produk ubat gigi berfluorida. Penggunaan harian ubat kumur mengandungi fluorida dapat menurunkan sensitiviti. Tanyakan doktor gigi anda mengenai produk yang ada di pasaran untuk digunakan di rumah.

* Elakkan mengetap gigi. Jika anda mengetap atau mengisar gigi, gunakan pendakap mulut pada malam hari.

* Jumpa doktor gigi anda secara rutin. Dapatkan cara membersihkan gigi secara profesional, aturan kebersihan mulut, dan rawatan fluorida setiap enam bulan (atau lebih cepat bergantung pada keadaan gigi anda).

Jika anda masih mengalami ketidakselesaan, bincang dengan doktor gigi anda. Mungkin ada beberapa prosedur gigi yang boleh membantu mengurangkan sensitiviti, termasuk penggunaan:

* Tampalan putih(ikatan) untuk menutup permukaan akar yang terbuka
* Fluorida bervarnis digunakan pada permukaan akar yang terbuka
* Penutup dentin digunakan pada permukaan akar yang terbuka

Dry Chapped Lips: How To Prevent And Treat Them

Unlike body skin, the skin on our lips does not naturally create its own moisture layer, leaving it susceptible to dryness and chapping.

Thus, almost everyone has experienced dry, chapped lips at one time or another. This condition often comes after overexposure to extremes of weather – too much sun, wind, or cold and the dry air-conditioned environment in the office and at home.

Other possible causes of dry cracked lips are :

• Periodontal disease or abscesses
• Hypersensitivity to a new lipstick, in which case throw it into the garbage and never buy any product of the same brand again.
• Nickel found in items such as paper clipsJuice from citrus fruits
• Red dyes and cinnamates (cinnamon flavor) found in candy, lozenges, gum, mouthwash and toothpaste
• Snoring caused by enlarged tonsils, adenoids or sleep apnea resulting in co
  ntinuous breath flowing over your lips
• Thyroid hormone imbalance
• Chronic licking or chewing of your lips
• Medications, eg isotreinoin used in the treatment of acne, the anti-hypertensive propanolol and certain antidepressants may cause chapping.

What can you do to protect your lips and prevent the painful problem before it happens?

• ‘Obsessively’ apply a good lip balm to keep your lips moisturized.
• Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.
• If the air in your home is very dry, invest in a humidifier to keep some moisture in the air.
• Invest on a humidifier to moisturize the air in your home and/or office.
• Breathe through your nose and cover your lips with a ski mask or scarf when you go out in cold weather.
• Licking dry lips actually dries them out even more. Furthermore, the enzyme amylase in your saliva can also damage the already compromised lip tissue.
• Avoid picking on the flakes of dry skin, this may cause your lips to bleed.

However, if your lips do not respond to any of the above treatments or if they are becoming severely chapped and uncomfortable, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Photo Credit: The HealthAge.Com

Zestz for LAUGHS - Another DOM story

A DOM is walking down the street one afternoon when he sees a woman with perfect breasts.

He says to her, "Hey miss, would you let me BITE your breasts for $100?"

"Are you nuts?!" she replies, and keeps walking away.

He turns around, runs around the block and gets to the corner before she does. "Would you let me bite your breasts for $1,000?" he asks again.

"Listen you; I'm not that kind of woman! Got it?"

So the little DOM runs around the next block and faces her again, "Would you let me bite your breasts - just once - for $10,000?!"

She thinks about it for a while and says, "Hmmmmm, $10,000... Ok, just once, but not here. Let's go to that dark alley over there."

So they go into the alley, where she takes off her blouse to reveal the most perfect breasts in the world.

As soon as he sees them, he grabs them and starts caressing them, fondling them slowly, kissing them, licking them, burying his face in them - but not biting them.

The woman finally gets annoyed and asks, 'Well? Are you going to bite them or not?'

"Nah," says the little DOM... "Costs too much!"

Submitted by TG of Singapore, author unknown.

What is a DOM?

An elderly man that dreams of screwing women between the ages of 15-35, or women who look like they're 15-35. Often stare at their young flesh. They often try to score with them. Usually have to settle with porn or elderly women, unless they are very rich (check sugar daddy)

OK-la, if you are not happy with this definition, CLICK HERE!

Picture Credit: An "Innocent Old Man" by Photobucket.com