Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Garden of Eden



We featured Cel-Tyx in our last post.

Today, we are happy to introduce to you the innovator's formulations. Garden of Eden Natural E, Rosa E and Rosa T and the Garden of Eden Scar Serum were carefully blended by a senior pharmacist with vast experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing and marketing, Mr Chew Soon Keong.

Here's a testimonial from another very satisfied user of Garden of Eden Scar Serum:

I was at a pharmacy the other day and I was looking for a treatment oil/serum for my scars, accumulated through insect bites. I came across Trilogy Rosehip Oil, which I have heard good raves about it but chose Garden of Eden Natur E Scar Serum instead. It is said to be -100% Natural Plant Extracts, a concentrated natural vitamin E, which is rich in antioxidants and skin nutrients that protect the skin from free radical damage and effectively accelerate skin renewal and repair.

Benefits:
1) Reduces skin inflammation
2) Repairs and reduces scars
3) Moisturises & smoothens out dry and cracked skin.

Ingredients: 12000iu Natural Vitamin E ( d-alpha tocopherol ), Medium-chain Triglycerides and Isopropyl Myristate.
Recommended by professionals for treating: Post surgical scars, chickenpox marks, acne scars, burns, scalds, keloids and sunburn.

Stated on the packaging no mineral oils, no animal derivatives, no alcohol, no SLS, no artificial colour or fragrance, no preservatives. I am glad to see the manufacuring and expiry date as I wanted to check how long the product has been sitting at the store. Glad to know this product is only 2 months old.

My experience:
This serum comes in a deep brown bottle, with a dropper. Serum is light in consistency and colour is a little orangey. I was rather concerned to put oil onto my skin as I really dislike my skin being sticky. To my surprise, absorption was rather good and I don't feel greasy. I was rather generous to myself, using 2-3 drops for my arms and 6-7 drops for my leg. In addition to that, I use a drop and dissiminate to some of my 'more serious insect scars' for maximum results. After a minute or two, I love how my skin is hydrated! I sleep in an air conditioning room and the next morning, my skin feels soft, smooth and moisturised. I love that this oil is fragrance free too.
I started using this serum for 2 days and I will do a full result review in a couple of months time, just to show you the if there are any improvements.


PS. We hope you are not distracted by those boxes of Durex which we used to position the Garden of Eden products for the photo shoot. If you are interested in one of those, simply pick it up and pay at the counter. Our girls know how to handle the matter discretely. ;-)


Strength training could offer many benefits



Lifting weights and other forms of strength training can offer a host of health rewards for people 65 and older, experts say.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mentions these potential benefits for seniors of strength training:

  • Better management of chronic diseases, including diabetes.
  • Improved balance.
  • Better management of arthritis pain and stiffness.
  • Stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis.
  • Maintaining a healthier weight.
  • Improved cardiovascular health.
  • Better quality sleep

Life is different in Monterey Park, Ca. Here we see on scene of local seniors exercising with Tai Chi and martial arts.

Tai Chi For Beginners

The Tai Chi group that meets Tuesdays and Fridays at Hin Hua High School, Persiaran Raja Muda Musa, Klang welcomes beginners. Bilingual classes start at 8.30pm under the direction of Messrs Aw and Ng. No 'pyjamas' required; come in your most comfortable apparel .You can call our pharmacy on 03 31688469 for further details.



Bolehkah Pengambilan Kafein Semasa Penyusuan Membahayakan Bayi Anda?


Picture credit: http://www.gentlenurturing.com


Bayi tidak mampu untuk memetabolisma atau mengeluarkan kafein dengan baik, jadi ibu yang menyusukan yang mengambil kafein boleh membawa kepada pengumpulan kafein dan gejala-gejala seperti mudah terjaga dan cepat marah, menurut temubual dengan pakar Ruth Lawrence, MD, yang disiarkan dalam Jurnal Penyelidikan Kafein, peer-ulasan jurnal dari Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Kafein ditemui dalam pelbagai produk sebagai tambahan kepada kopi, teh, coklat dan termasuk minuman ringan, minuman bertenaga, dan beberapa ubat-ubatan atas-kaunter.

Dalam satu perbincangan provokatif dengan Dr. Ruth Lawrence, Jabatan Pediatrik, Sekolah Perubatan dan Pergigian, Universiti Rochester, Jack E. James, PhD, Ketua Editor Jurnal Penyelidikan Kafein, mengajukan pelbagai persoalan yang memerlukan penyelesaian. Apakah ada tahap keselamatan pengambilan kafein dalam tempoh penyusuan? Adakah terdapat potensi kesan jangka panjang pendedahan kafein kepada pembangunan dan intelek? Bolehkah bayi yang ibunya mengambil kafein semasa mengandung mengalami 'withdrawal' jika dia kemudiannya tidak lagi mengambil kafein ketika penyusuan badan? Dr Lawrence membuat jawapan beliau pada bukti-bukti saintifik dan perubatan yang berkaitan dengan pendedahan kafein dalam bayi yang diberikan susu ibu, dan membezakan antara apa yang ada dan apa yang tidak difahami dengan baik dalam membangun bidang pengajian ini.

"Biasanya seorang ibu, terutamanya jika dia sedang menyusukan anak, akan diberi amaran untuk menghadkan pengambilan kafein," kata Dr. Lawrence, yang merupakan Ketua Editor peer-ulasan Jurnal Perubatan Penyusuan Ibu. Selepas melahirkan anak, ibu-ibu "perlu mengambil segala sesuatu dalam jumlah yang sederhana dan cuba elakkan pengambilan kafein yang melampaui batas."


<<< * >>>

Kisah di atas adalah berdasarkan
news release pada 21 Februari, 2012 oleh Mary Ann Liebert, Inc /Berita Kejuruteraan Genetik.

Temu bual itu disiarkan dalam Jurnal Penyelidikan Kafein, jurnal peer-ulasan khusus kepada sains kafein, menangani keperluan untuk sumber yang diyakini untuk memajukan pengetahuan sains kafein dan kesan ke atas kesihatan manusia:

James J. Can Consuming Caffeine While Breastfeeding Harm Your Baby? An Interview with Ruth Lawrence, PhD. Journal of Caffeine Research, December 2011, 1(4): 192-194.

A Woman's Poem



He didn't like the casserole
And he didn't like my cake,
He said my biscuits were too hard
Not like his mother used to make.


I didn't perk the coffee right
He didn't like the stew,
I didn't mend his socks
The way his mother used to do.


I pondered for an answer
I was looking for a clue.
Then I turned and
smacked the shit out of him...

Like his mother used to do.

Shamsinar sent us her adaptation of "A Woman's Poem". Being the dainty lady that she is, Shamsinar took the shit out of this artistic discourse and “smacked him one”.

We were left with no choice but to reproduce the "ori" from dalesdesigns.net. for your fulfillment!


Saturday, February 25, 2012

Plagiarism?


The below write-up was downloaded from artbackwash.blogspot.com



Satan's Logo
Brand Logo Option 1.
Nothing helps me to get into the creative zone and focus more then listening to something while I work. Be it music, audio books or as is the case this past weekend a cool lecture by biblical scholar Michael S. Heiser. He went in depth regarding ancient Semitic Languages and dissected some very controversial verses in the Old Testament. The guy is amazing and has a pretty good sense of humor too.
His topics are what I like to call "X File Bible Studies." The one I listened too was all about demonic hybrids and how what happened in Genesis 6 will happen again in the "End Times." And if you thought that was fringe, he was presenting this topic at a national UFO convention. LOL
BTW: If you're not familiar with the finer points of Biblical Prophecy don't sweat it, you can get a good Cliff Notes version in YouTube form here. Or if you want a good book on the subject that spells it out verse by verse then be sure to read this.
Well needless to say it got my mind churning. I started thinking about the dark lords master plan in the future. And regardless of your theological comprehension you no doubt have seen enough references over the years via movies and books to know that the number "666" is related to the prince of darkness. In fact the Bible has this to say about it.
"He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666." - Revelation 13:18
But that said not all Christians view such verses as future events. Some think it all happened in AD 70? (This is called the preterist view) Anyway I'll get to the point of this post before I put you to sleep.



Brand Logo Option 2.
The Bible talks about a future world leader who will step upon the stage of human history and will woo the world to his brand of leadership, politics, spiritualism and set forth an agenda for a new world vision. You've probably heard him referred to as "The Antichrist."
Many times I've thought about this whole subject, but this time was very different. I pictured the number "666" in my minds eye and couldn't help but think to myself from a graphic design and marketing point of view.
"How would Satan and his minion sell this brand if it's a literal mark containing the number 666?"
Hollywood and centuries of viral marketing have already tainted the equity. Even a person who would never consider themselves a "Bible Believer" would probably pass on getting "666" applied to their hand or forehead.
Being a creatively curious person I decided to spend half an hour and see if I could create a brand logo for Satan. (After all he'll more then likely hire a brand agency to do this in the future.) I realized I needed coherent rationale before I started and this is what I came up with.
Design Rationale
- "666" has to be in the logo.
- A brand name has to be developed. (Think "Zoloft", "Viagra" or "Crestor.")
- Must use "Red". (Satan owns this color. Sorry "Target" and "Coke.")
- Spend no more then 30 minutes on it. (Have work to do.)
- Approach it like a corporate client.
- No cliches. (Think "Devil Horns" and "Trident.")
The above was the two options I came up with. The hardest part was the new brand name actually. After all we are talking about the master deceiver in all history here so his true nefarious tendencies need to be cloaked in a thin veneer of corporate benevolence.
Anyway it entertained me if only for a few minutes during this horizontal hold and I thought it would make for a fun post. Enjoy.


Plagiarism?

To JATI's credit, here's a pat on the head from the innovator: "I don't see the Jati logo as a problem, I actually like it better than the one I did," said Von Glitschka in an email reply to Harakahdaily, following a report that the logo unveiled at the launch of Jalur Tiga, or Jati could have been inspired by the designs he posted on his blog in 2008.

New Product Launch - CEL-TYX



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CEL-TYX Natural Vitamin E Serum

Natural Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol 7,300 IU) is vital in preventing damage to the tissue and skin cells. With high antioxidant properties, it has amazing ability to heal scars, dry skin, sun burn and cracked heels.


CEL-TYX A.A.A Crystal

A new revolution in skin care lightening products provides the most natural and highest quality ingredients targeted to give radiant, glowing, visible lighter and crstal clear skin beyond your expectation. It works synergistically to effectively treat freckles, blemish, even out skin tone and breakouts while aiding in skin cell regeneration and maintaining health of skin barrier.


CEL-TYX Natural Acne Solution

A blend of natural ingredients to help combat acneic skin. Tea Tree Oil (antibacterial) together with Grape Seed Oil (antioxidant) is absorbed deep into the skin to kill underlying bacteria and promote regeneration of skin skin cells. This specialized formula gently reduces the appearance of acne while smoothing the skin, reducing redness and control oily skin.


CEL-TYX Deep Purifying Cleanser

Formulated with a combination of the actives constituents of witch hazel, aloe vera, and cactus, it works gently yet effectively to remove impurities, dirt and excessive oil and problem-causing bacteria. This unique cleanser keeps pores clean without over-drying, without stripping away natural moisture. It leaves your skin looking and feeling fresh, smooth and rejuvenated.

Ideal companion to the CEL-TYX Intensive Spot Lightener, CEL-TYX Natural Vitamin E Serum, CEL-TYX A.A.A Crystal and CEL-TYX Natural Acne Solution


The above statement is taken from the packaging material of these products which are distributed by TGS Healthcare Sdn Bhd

Can Consuming Caffeine While Breastfeeding Harm Your Baby?


Babies are not able to metabolize or excrete caffeine very well, so a breastfeeding mother’s consumption of caffeine may lead to caffeine accumulation and symptoms such as wakefulness and irritability, according to an interview with expert Ruth Lawrence, MD, published in Journal of Caffeine Research, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Caffeine is found in a wide range of products in addition to coffee, tea, and chocolate, including soft drinks, sports drinks, and some over-the-counter medications.

In a provocative discussion with Dr. Ruth Lawrence, Department of Pediatrics,

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Jack E. James, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Caffeine Research, asks a variety of probing questions. Is there a safe level of caffeine intake while breastfeeding? Are there potential long-term effects of caffeine exposure on development and intellect? Can a baby whose mother consumed caffeine during pregnancy experience withdrawal if she then abstains from caffeine while breastfeeding? Dr. Lawrence bases her responses on the scientific and medical evidence related to caffeine exposure in breastfed babies, and distinguishes between what is and what is not well understood in this developing field of study.

“Usually a mother, particularly if she is breastfeeding, is cautioned to limit her caffeine intake,” says Dr. Lawrence, who is Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed journal Breastfeeding Medicine. After giving birth, mothers “should consume all things in moderation and try to avoid the excesses that might really add up to a lot of caffeine.”



<<< * >>>

The above story is based on the February 21, 2012 news release by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News.

The interview is published in the Journal of Caffeine Research, a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to caffeine science, addressing the need for an authoritative source for advancing knowledge of caffeine science and its effects on human health:

James J. Can Consuming Caffeine While Breastfeeding Harm Your Baby? An Interview with Ruth Lawrence, PhD. Journal of Caffeine Research, December 2011, 1(4): 192-194.

CLICK HERE for the full text of the interview



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Over-reactive parenting linked to problem behavior in toddlers


Researchers have found that parents who anger easily and over-react are more likely to have toddlers who act out and become upset easily.

The research is an important step in understanding the complex link between genetics and home environment. In the study, researchers from Oregon State University, Oregon Social Learning Center, and other institutions collected data in 10 states from 361 families linked through adoption – and obtained genetic data from birth parents as well as the children.

They followed the children at nine, 18 and 27 months of age, and found that adoptive parents who had a tendency to over-react, for example, were quick to anger when children tested age-appropriate limits or made mistakes. These over-reactive parents had a significant effect on their children, who exhibited “negative emotionality,” or acting out and having more temper tantrums than normal for their age.

Genetics also played a role, particularly in the case of children who were at genetic risk of negative emotionality from their birth mothers, but were raised in a low-stress or less-reactive environment.

“This is an age where children are prone to test limits and boundaries,” said lead author Shannon Lipscomb, an assistant professor of human development and family sciences at OSU-Cascades. “However, research consistently shows that children with elevated levels of negative emotionality during these early years have more difficulties with emotion regulation and tend to exhibit more problem behavior when they are of school age.”

Researchers also found that children who exhibited the most increases in negative emotionality as they developed from infants to toddlers (from nine to 27 months of age) also had the highest levels of problem behaviors at age two, suggesting that negative emotions can have their own development process that has implications for children’s later behaviors.

“This really sets our study apart,” Lipscomb said. “Researchers have looked at this aspect of emotionality as something fairly stable, but we have been able to show that although most kids test limits and increase in negative emotionality as they approach toddler age, the amount they increase can affect how many problem behaviors they exhibit as 2-year-olds.”

Lipscomb said the take-away message for parents of young children and infants is that the way they adapt to toddlerhood – a challenging time marked by a child’s increasing mobility and independence – can have an impact on how their child will develop.

“Parents’ ability to regulate themselves and to remain firm, confident and not over-react is a key way they can help their children to modify their behavior,” she said. “You set the example as a parent in your own emotions and reactions.”


<<< * >>>


The above story is reprinted from the February 20, 2012 news release by Oregon State University.

Researchers from the Oregon Social Learning Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania State University, University of New Orleans, University of Minnesota, University of California, Davis and Yale Child Study Center contributed to this study, which was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

The study was published in the latest edition of the journal Development and Psychopathology, a multidisciplinary journal is devoted to the publication of original, empirical, theoretical and review papers which address the interrelationship of normal and pathological development in adults and children:

Shannon T. Lipscomb, Leslie D. Leve, Daniel S. Shaw, Jenae M. Neiderhiser, Laura V. Scaramella, Xiaojia Ge, Rand D. Conger, John B. Reid, David Reiss. Negative emotionality and externalizing problems in toddlerhood: Overreactive parenting as a moderator of genetic influences. Dev Psychopathol, 2012; 24 (01): 167 DOI: 10.1017/S0954579411000757


Kupang Bantu Atasi Masalah Artritis


Uploaded by on Jun 11, 2010

JIKA disebut penyakit sendi atau artritis, ia adalah salah satu masalah kesihatan yang amat ditakuti orang dan cuba dielak sepenuhnya.

Artritis boleh didefinisikan sebagai kehilangan 'cecair pelincir' penting bagi melancarkan pergerakan sendi seluruh badan terutama bahagian lutut dan siku hingga menimbulkan kesakitan kepada penghidapnya apabila berjalan atau bergerak.

Punca masalah ini banyak namun hasil kajian yang dibuat pakar kesihatan menunjukkan antara penyumbang utamanya adalah aktiviti kecergasan secara kerap, umur yang semakin meningkat dan tekanan minda.

Pada peringkat serius, ia akan menyebabkan penghidapnya tidak mampu bergerak atau berjalan dan menyebabkan sendi membengkak.

Pakar saintis perairan laut dari New Zealand, John E. Croft,, setiap individu berpotensi mendapat artritis sama ada menjalani gaya hidup sihat atau sebaliknya.

"Penyakit artritis terbahagi kepada dua jenis iaitu Rheumatoid yang dihidapi sejak kecil dan Osteo yang menyerang individu apabila mereka meningkat tua.

"Kebiasaannya faktor umur menjadi penentu seseorang mendapat artritis terutama bagi yang berumur antara 40 hingga 60 tahun.

"Namun mereka yang aktif melakukan aktiviti kecergasan atau lasak seperti memanjat gunung, merentas hutan dan ahli sukan juga berpotensi besar mendapat masalah itu kerana kerap menggunakan sendi secara maksimum dan melakukan regangan otot," katanya dalam temu bual eksklusif bersama Utusan Malaysia baru-baru ini.

Beliau berada di Kuala Lumpur bagi memperkenalkan produk hasil daripada kajiannya, NT-Flam Joint Formula (NT-Flam), iaitu ekstrak daripada kupang (mussel) dari New Zealand

Produk edaran Nuvanta Sdn. Bhd. (Nuvanta) itu membantu menghentikan kesakitan akibat artritis hanya dalam tempoh antara tiga hingga enam minggu.

Croft berkata, NT-Flam dihasilkan sepenuhnya daripada ekstrak kupang yang hanya terdapat di perairan laut New Zealand.

Beliau mula menjalankan kajian ke atas khasiat hidupan laut itu sejak tahun 1972 apabila dipelawa membantu syarikat pengkaji produk laut.

Katanya, kajian itu juga bertujuan membantu pesakit artritis yang semakin bertambah di seluruh dunia dan menderita akibat masalah berkenaan.

"Kupang mengandungi khasiat dan galian yang mampu membantu mengurangkan kesakitan sendi. Ini mendorong saya memulakan kajian untuk mengetahui sejauh mana ia mampu membantu menghentikan penyakit artritis.

"Proses menghasilkan produk ini mengambil tempoh lama dan dijalankan menggunakan teknologi tinggi bagi mendapat keputusan terbaik berhubung keberkesanannya," katanya.

Ujarnya, setiap benih kupang yang ditabur di perairan laut New Zealand mengambil masa lebih setahun untuk membesar sepenuhnya.

Menurut Croft, selepas dikutip proses mengumpul cecair di dalam kerang hijau akan dijalankan menggunakan teknologi canggih dalam tempoh satu jam setengah.

"Banyak proses lain dilakukan termasuk menyejuk beku cecair tersebut yang dijalankan selama 12 hingga 16 jam sebelum ia dikeringkan dalam tempoh 23 jam untuk menukarkannya ke dalam bentuk ekstrak," katanya yang juga terkenal dengan panggilan Mr. Musle di New Zealand kerana kejayaannya.

Selepas produk itu terhasil, katanya, beliau sendiri mencubanya dalam tempoh tertentu bagi mengetahui sejauh mana keberkesanannya.

"Sembilan tahun lalu saya juga mengalami artritis hingga seluruh sendi badan sakit apabila bangun tidur dan bergerak, namun selepas mengamalkan pemakanan produk ini ia berkurangan dan sembuh sepenuhnya.

"Kini pada usia saya 77 tahun, saya amat gembira dengan kehidupan dilalui dan bebas melakukan aktiviti lasak serta mengembara ke seluruh dunia sama ada untuk melancong atau memberi ceramah," tambahnya.

Menurutnya NT-Flam, bertindak seolah-olah 'minyak pelincir' yang membantu melancarkan pergerakan sendi seseorang terutama yang sudah kering hingga berlaga atau berbunyi sehingga menimbulkan kesakitan.

Selain mengurangkan sakit dan bengkak, ia turut melindungi kerosakan tulang rawan dan membantu membinanya semula.

"Selepas sakit berkurangan pengguna boleh mengurangkan kuantitinya atau berhenti terus. Namun dalam jangka masa panjang apabila umur meningkat atau melakukan aktiviti lasak, mungkin artritis akan kembali menyerang jadi lebih baik meneruskan pengambilannya sebagai makanan tambahan harian," katanya. – Faizatul Farhana Farush Khan, Utusan Malaysia Online, December 1, 2009


NT-Flam boleh didapati di farmasi kami.


VERA Pharmacal Sdn Bhd
318 Jalan Pandamaran
42000 Port Klang
Tel 603 3168 1752
email: verafarmasi@gmail.com
Pharmacist: Ms Leow Fooi Mee

Location Map


HOEWELL Pharma Sdn Bhd
202 Jalan Sungei Bertik
41100 Klang
Tel 603 3373 5416
email: hoewellfarmasi@gmail.com
Pharmacist: Ms Mahfuza Turman

Location Map

Link
K. H. Hoe Pharmacal Sdn Bhd
107 Persiaran Raja Muda Musa
42000 Pelabuhan Klang
Tel 603 3168 8469
email: hoefarmasi@gmail.com
Pharmacists: Ms Jacqueline Chan and Ms Lee Poh Ching

Location Map


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Job Fair For Disabled, February 27, Monday

All disabled job seekers are welcomed to attend.


Date: February 27, Monday
Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: Jaya 33 Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya
Contact: 03-78736579, info@beautifulgate.org.my
Organised by: Beautiful Gate Foundation For The Disabled

MAP to Jaya 33


All companies intending to employ the disabled are welcomed to set up booth, it's free of charge.

Let's help the disabled to live with dignity and independently!


Beautiful Gate Foundation For The Disabled


Background

According to the Welfare Department, there are about five percent of the Malaysian citizens suffered from certain form of disabilities. This represents a significant population whom need to be taken care and included as part of our efforts in building a caring Malaysian society.


In the past, disabled are viewed as burdens. As such, it is not uncommon that the general public will relate them to a group of people who need only public’s financial aids. However, one never thought that their greatest wish is to be given fair opportunities including opportunities to receive formal educations, training, permanent jobs and enjoy the nation’s public infrastructure. All they want is to lead an independent life and to contribute constructively to the nation’s development.


CAC Methodist Church In Malaysia sees the true needs of the disabled. Hence, the past President Rev. Koo Tiong Ling and Pastor Sia Siew Chin have commenced a ministry to care for the disabled since year 1993. The first Beautiful Gate centre was established in Petaling Jaya to provide accommodation, training and various services to the disabled in need. Regardless of their religions, races and status. Subsequently, other Beautiful Gate centres were set up in Kepong (Kuala Lumpur), Kampar (Perak), Seremban (Negeri Sembilan) , Batu Berendam (Melaka) and Klang (Selangor), to provide services to meet different needs of the local disabled.


After ten years of hardwork, Beautiful Gate centres are recognized by the government and registered as the Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled in 2003, of which donations made to the Foundation qualify for tax relief.


Beautiful Gate Foundation For The Disabled ,
29, SS2/59, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel: 603-78736579, 603-78758609,
URL:www.beautifulgate.org.my,
Activities:bgfrenz.blogspot.com

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Smoking Zaps Healthy Bacteria In the Mouth


Picture credit: http://junkspace.com

Smoking causes the body to turn against its own helpful bacteria, leaving smokers more vulnerable to disease.

Despite the daily disturbance of brushing and flossing, the mouth of a healthy person contains a stable ecosystem of healthy bacteria.

New research shows that the mouth of a smoker is a much more chaotic, diverse ecosystem -- and is much more susceptible to invasion by harmful bacteria.

As a group, smokers suffer from higher rates of oral diseases -- especially gum disease -- than do nonsmokers, which is a challenge for dentists, according to Purnima Kumar, assistant professor of periodontology at Ohio State University. She and her colleagues are involved in a multi-study investigation of the role the body's microbial communities play in preventing oral disease.

"The smoker's mouth kicks out the good bacteria, and the pathogens are called in," said Kumar. "So they're allowed to proliferate much more quickly than they would in a non-smoking environment."

"A few hours after you're born, bacteria start forming communities called biofilms in your mouth," said Kumar. "Your body learns to live with them, because for most people, healthy biofilms keep the bad bacteria away."

She likens a healthy biofilm to a lush, green lawn of grass. "When you change the dynamics of what goes into the lawn, like too much water or too little fertilizer," she said, "you get some of the grass dying, and weeds moving in." For smokers, the "weeds" are problem bacteria known to cause disease.

"When you compare a smoker and nonsmoker, there's a distinct difference," said Kumar. "The first thing you notice is that the basic 'lawn,' which would normally contain thriving populations made of a just few types of helpful bacteria, is absent in smokers."

The team found that for nonsmokers, bacterial communities regain a similar balance of species to the communities that were scraped away during cleaning. Disease-associated bacteria are largely absent, and low levels of cytokines show that the body is not treating the helpful biofilms as a threat.

"By contrast," said Kumar, "smokers start getting colonized by pathogens -- bacteria that we know are harmful -- within 24 hours. It takes longer for smokers to form a stable microbial community, and when they do, it's a pathogen-rich community."

Smokers also have higher levels of cytokines, indicating that the body is mounting defenses against infection. Clinically, this immune response takes the form of red, swollen gums -- called gingivitis -- that can lead to the irreversible bone loss of periodontitis.

In smokers, however, the body is not just trying to fight off harmful bacteria. The types of cytokines in smokers' gum swabs showed the researchers that smokers' bodies were treating even healthy bacteria as threatening.

Although they do not yet understand the mechanisms behind these results, Kumar and her team suspect that smoking is confusing the normal communication that goes on between healthy bacterial communities and their human hosts.


<<< * >>>


The above story is reprinted, with editorial adaptation by the Zestzfulness Team, from materials in the Feb. 15, 2012 news release by Ohio State University.

The results of the study were published in the journal Infection and Immunity: P. S. Kumar, C. R. Matthews, V. Joshi, M. de Jager, M. Aspiras. Tobacco Smoking Affects Bacterial Acquisition and Colonization in Oral Biofilms. Infect Immun, 2011; 79 (11): 4730 DOI: 10.1128/IAI.05371-11

Tai Chi Helps Ease Symptoms of Parkinson's


An Oregon Research Institute (ORI) exercise study conducted in four Oregon cities has shown significant benefits for patients with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease.


Fuzhong Li, Ph.D. and colleagues report that a tailored program of twice-weekly Tai Chi training resulted in improved postural stability and walking ability, and reduced falls in the participants.


"These results are clinically significant because they suggest that Tai Chi, a low-to-moderate impact exercise, may be used, as an add-on to current physical therapies, to address some of the key clinical problems in Parkinson's disease, such as postural and gait instability. Since many training features in the program are functionally oriented, the improvements in the balance and gait measures that we demonstrated highlight the potential of Tai Chi-based movements in rehabilitating patients with these types of problems and, consequently, easing cardinal symptoms of Parkinson's disease and improving mobility, flexibility, balance, and range of motion," noted Dr. Li.


In the 4-year project funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the investigators randomly assigned 195 patients to one of three exercise groups: Tai Chi, resistance training, or stretching. The patients participated in 60-minute exercise sessions twice weekly for 24 weeks.


The results of the study showed that the Tai Chi group performed consistently better than the stretching group in how far they could lean in any direction without losing balance as well as demonstrating better levels of directional control of the body and walking ability (i.e., longer stride length). Tai Chi participants also outperformed those in the resistance training group on the balance and stride length measures. Finally, Tai Chi training was shown to significantly lower the incidence of falls compared to stretching and to be as equally effective as resistance training in reducing falls.


Impaired movement, especially the loss of ability to maintain standing balance, adversely affects function and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease. With progression of the disease, patients lose stability and have trouble walking, difficulty managing activities of daily living, and experience frequent falls. Exercise is an important part of the management of Parkinson's disease because physical activity has been shown to retard the deterioration of motor function and to prolong functional independence. However, research on alternative forms of exercise, such as Tai Chi, that could improve balance, gait, and function in patients with Parkinson's disease is scarce.


The Tai Chi program developed by Dr. Li consisted of six Tai Chi movements integrated into an eight-form routine that focused on weight-shifting, controlled-displacement of the center of gravity over the base of support, ankle sway, and front-to-back and sideways stepping. Natural breathing was integrated into the training routine.


"There are a number of practical advantages to using Tai Chi to improve motor dysfunction of Parkinson's disease - it is a low cost activity that does not require equipment, it can be done anywhere, at any time, and the movements can be easily learned. It can also be incorporated into a rehabilitation setting as part of existing treatment. Similarly, because of its simplicity, certain aspects of this Tai Chi program can also be prescribed to patients as a self-care/home activity," Dr. Li added.


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The above story is reprinted, with editorial adaptations, by The Zestzfulness Team from the February 8, 2012 press release by the Oregon Research Institute.


The article is published in the February 9, 2012 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine: Li F et al. Tai chi and postural stability in patients with Parkinson's disease. N Engl J Med 2012 Feb 9; 366:511.

Somewhere in the South Sea(s)


We were at the South Sea Seafood Restaurant by the old Subang Airport runway last Friday.

The food was good and expensive and the ambience classy, including the place where gentleman diners go to ease themselves.

Notice the splatter and splashing on the platform?

Apparently, some gentlemen could not resist the temptation to target their stream at the fishes swimming in the tank, after having been trained to shoot the fly, and many must have succeeded staining their shoes too.

Or it’s them oldies with their post-voiding dribble.


What Is It About Coffee?

Picture credit: http://businessjournalism.org


Remember when people (and their doctors) used to worry that coffee would harm their hearts, give them ulcers, and make them overly nervous?

In excess, coffee, and more particularly, caffeine, can cause problems. But the fretting about two or three cups a day, or even more, is fading as study results suggestive of health benefits from coffee keep on coming in. Coffee drinking is associated with a lower risk of depression among women, a lower risk of lethal prostate cancer among men, and a lower risk of stroke among men and women. Earlier research also shows possible (it’s not a done deal) protective effects against everything from Parkinson’s disease to diabetes to some types of cancer.

Coffee contains literally a thousand different substances, and some of the lesser lights are thought to be responsible for healthful effects in other parts of the body. Some studies show caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee as having the same effect, which suggests that something else in coffee is involved.

It gets complicated, though. Caffeine and some of these other substances in coffee seem to have their good and bad sides, and coffee’s overall effect may depend on how much they cancel each other out.

Caffeine: Good for the brain, bad for other parts?

Caffeine is the most commonly consumed psychoactive drug in the world, and some of its behavioral effects (such as arousal) may resemble those produced by cocaine, amphetamines, and other stimulants. Coffee consumption accounts for about 75% of the adult intake of caffeine in the United States, although that might be changing among younger adults with the growing popularity of energy drinks.

The caffeine content of coffee varies greatly, depending on the beans, how they’re roasted, and other factors, but the average for an 8-ounce cup is about 100 milligrams (mg). Tea has about half as much caffeine as coffee. Decaffeinated coffee has some caffeine, but the 2 to 4 mg in an 8-ounce cup is a smidgen compared with the caffeinated version. The lethal dose of caffeine is about 10 grams, which is equivalent to the amount of caffeine in 100 cups of coffee.

Caffeine gets absorbed in the stomach and small intestine and then distributed throughout the body, including the brain. The amount circulating in the blood peaks 30 to 45 minutes after it’s ingested and only small amounts are around eight to 10 hours later. In between, the amount circulating declines as caffeine gets metabolized in the liver.

Caffeine probably has multiple targets in the brain, but the main one seems to be adenosine receptors. Adenosine is a brain chemical that dampens brain activity. By hogging adenosine’s receptors, caffeine sets off a chain of events that affects the activity of dopamine, another important brain chemical, and the areas of the brain involved in arousal, pleasure, and thinking. A part of the brain affected by Parkinson’s disease, called the striatum, has many adenosine receptors; by docking on them, caffeine seems to have some protective effects.

Outside the brain, caffeine can be a performance enhancer, boosting the strength of muscle contraction and offsetting some of the physiological and psychological effects of physical exertion. But, especially in the short term, it also has negative effects, which include raising blood pressure, making arteries stiffer, and increasing levels of homocysteine, insulin, and possibly cholesterol.

Chlorogenic acid and other antioxidants

Explanations for the association between coffee consumption and lower rates of heart disease and diabetes often point to chlorogenic acid and other obscure antioxidant substances as the responsible parties. Antioxidants are substances that sop up reactive molecules before they have a chance to harm sensitive tissue like the lining of blood vessels. Some experiments have shown that chlorogenic acid may also inhibit absorption of glucose in the digestive system and even out insulin levels.

Chlorogenic acid might be another coffee ingredient with a split personality. Along with caffeine, it seems to push up levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that has been associated with artery-clogging atherosclerosis.

Vitamins and minerals

Coffee isn’t a great source of vitamins and minerals, but as a plant-based drink, it contains some, and a few that we should be getting more of.

Let’s start with magnesium. A cup of coffee contains about 7 mg, which is a drop in the daily-requirement bucket (420 mg for men, 320 mg for women). But because we don’t eat enough fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, the average American’s intake falls about 100 mg short of the daily goal. A cup of coffee or two can help close that gap a little bit.

Potassium can offset some of the negative consequences of sodium. At about 116 mg per cup, coffee’s contribution toward the 4,700 mg of the potassium that we’re supposed to get daily is a widow’s mite, but it’s something. A cup of coffee also has small amounts of niacin (0.5 mg) and choline (6.2 mg).

A health drink? Not quite.

It is one thing to say that coffee may be good for you; it’s another to say it’s so good for you that drinking it should be recommended. And we’re not there yet.

All of the favorable studies and all of the seemingly healthful ingredients in coffee are good news for coffee drinkers. They can relax and enjoy their habit. And people who don’t drink coffee can find plenty of other things to do to help keep themselves healthy.

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The above story is reprinted from the February 14, 2012 issue of HEALTHbeat by the Harvard Medical School.