It Doesn't Matter To Me

At a lounge overlooking a 600 plus hectare man-made lake in an administrative centre, not unlike Naypyidaw …..


Having already downed a few power drinks, she turns around, faces him, looks him straight in the eye and says,

"Listen here good looking, I screw anybody, anytime, anywhere, your place, my place, in the car, front door, back door, on the ground, standing up, sitting down, naked or with clothes on; it doesn't matter to me. I just love it ! "


Eyes now wide with interest, he responds, 

                           "Really? No kidding-meh, I also from the ruling coalition-one ! "




We thank the many people who forwarded us this joke by an unknown author, originally titled “At a bar in Bangsar” . It is so funny we want to share it with you too. However, because its direct reference to a  bunch of 'lanun and perompak' (pirates and plunderers) is too close to home, we have edited it to draw attention away from these glib characters.

Positive Feelings May Help Protect Cardiovascular Health

Picture credit: i.huffpost.com

Over the last few decades numerous studies have shown negative states, such as depression, anger, anxiety, and hostility, to be detrimental to cardiovascular health. Less is known about how positive psychological characteristics are related to heart health.

In the first and largest systematic review on this topic to date, Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers found that positive psychological well-being appears to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular events.

The American Heart Association reports more than 2,200 Americans die of cardiovascular disease (CVD) each day, an average of one death every 39 seconds. Stroke accounts for about one of every 18 U.S. deaths.

The absence of the negative is not the same thing as the presence of the positive.

“We found that factors such as optimism, life satisfaction, and happiness are associated with reduced risk of CVD regardless of such factors as a person’s age, socioeconomic status, smoking status, or body weight,” said lead author Julia Boehm, research fellow in the Department of Society, Human Development, and Health at HSPH.

“For example, the most optimistic individuals had an approximately 50% reduced risk of experiencing an initial cardiovascular event compared to their less optimistic peers,” she said.

Satisfaction, Optimism, and Happiness

In a review of more than 200 studies published in two major scientific databases, Boehm and senior author Laura Kubzansky, associate professor of society, human development, and health at HSPH, found there are psychological assets, like optimism and positive emotion, that afford protection against cardiovascular disease. It also appears that these factors slow the progression of disease.

To further understand how psychological well-being and CVD might be related, Boehm and Kubzansky also investigated well-being’s association with cardiovascular-related health behaviors and biological markers. They found that individuals with a sense of well-being engaged in healthier behaviors such as exercising, eating a balanced diet, and getting sufficient sleep. In addition, greater well-being was related to better biological function, such as lower blood pressure, healthier lipid (blood fat) profiles, and normal body weight.

If future research continues to indicate that higher levels of satisfaction, optimism, and happiness come before cardiovascular health, this has strong implications for the design of prevention and intervention strategies.

“These findings suggest that an emphasis on bolstering psychological strengths rather than simply mitigating psychological deficits may improve cardiovascular health,” Kuzbansky said.

Acknowledgement by the Zestzfulness Team

The above story is reprinted from the April 17, 2012 news release by the Harvard School of Public Health. The research finding was published online on the same day the journal of the American Psychological Association: Boehm JK, Kubzansky LD. The Heart’s Content: The Association between Positive Psychological Well-Being and Cardiovascular Health. Psychological Bulletin, online April 17, 2012.

Key Findings:

Evidence indicates that Positive psychological well-being (PPWB) and CVD are associated, independent of typical factors (e.g., socioeconomic status, smoking, body mass index, cholesterol) and negative psychological states, and based on studies of both patients and healthy populations.

PPWB appears to protect against both the incidence of CVD and, to a lesser extent, the progression of the disease.

Optimism seems to be the “most robust” measure of PPWB associated with reducing risks of CVD.

The mechanisms that link PPWB and CVD seem to include direct, biological pathways; indirect, behavioral pathways; restorative processes, such as sleep and antioxidants; and deteriorative processes, such as inflammation and smoking.

What is Oat Beta Glucan?

Oats contain a form of soluble fibre called oat beta-glucan which is particularly concentrated in the outer layers of the grain. Much of the research into the cholesterol lowering effects of soluble fibre has centered around oat beta glucan.

How does it work?

Because oat beta glucan is a soluble form of fibre it dissolves inside the digestive tract where it forms a thick gel – a bit like wallpaper paste. This gel is able to bind to excess cholesterol and cholesterol like substances within the gut and help to prevent these from being absorbed into the body. The gel and the cholesterol is then excretedas part of the body’s waste.

Oat beta glucan lowers cholesterol in 3 ways: 

1. Preventing cholesterol in food from being absorbed

Foods provide about 20% of our cholesterol. Many of the foods that are rich in cholesterol are similar to those high in saturated fat.

2. Preventing cholesterol like substances in bile from being reabsorbed.

Bile is produced from the breakdown of cholesterol. Both bile and cholesterol are released into the gut by the body to help in the digestive process. They help the body to absorb fats from the diet. By binding to bile and cholesterol, oat beta glucan prevents them from being reabsorbed lower down the digestive tract.

3. Causing more cholesterol to be removed from the circulation

Because less cholesterol is being absorbed by the gut, the body has to take more cholesterol out of the blood stream and process it into bile to help with the digestive process. This serves to help reduce the levels of cholesterol in our body

Source : Heart UK  - The Cholesterol Charity

Bioactive oat β-glucan reduces LDL cholesterol in Caucasians and non-Caucasians

 There is increasing global acceptance that viscous soluble fibers lower serum LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), but most evidence for this comes from studies in Caucasians.

Thomas Wolever et al randomly assigned 367 healthy men and women aged 35 to 70 years to consume wheat bran cereal (Control), or oat β-glucan twice daily for 4 weeks. Fasting blood was obtained weekly for analysis of total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and calculated LDL-C.

They conclude that oat β-glucan reduces LDL-C in Caucasians and non-Caucasians!

Reference:

Wolever TM, Gibbs AL, Brand-Miller J, Duncan AM, Hart V, Lamarche B, Tosh SM, Duss R. Bioactive oat β-glucan reduces LDL cholesterol in Caucasians and non-Caucasians. Nutr J. 2011 Nov 25;10:130. You can read the full report HERE

 

In Malaysia, products containing oat β-glucan, for eg Oat BG22, are allowed as supplements to help lower cholesterol and blood sugar

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS MAY HELP TO REDUCE THE PHYSICAL HARM CAUSED BY SMOKING

Picture credit: samuelgallagher.blogspot.com

Omega-3Fatty Acids May Help Reduce Physical Harm Caused By Smoking

 According to a new study presented at the recent World Congress of Cardiology organized by the World Heart Federation, omega-3 fatty acids may help to reduce the physical harm caused by smoking.

The study, carried out in Greece, assessed the effect of four-week oral treatment with 2 g/day of omega-3 fatty acids on the arterial wall properties of cigarette smokers. The results showed that short-term treatment with omega-3 fatty acids improves arterial stiffness and moderates the acute smoking-induced impairment of vascular elastic properties in smokers.  

“These findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the detrimental effects of smoking on arterial function, which is an independent prognostic marker of cardiovascular risk,” said Dr. Gerasimos Siasos, University of Athens Medical School, 1st Department of Cardiology, “Hippokration” Hospital.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Atherosclerotic

“The cardioprotective effects of omega-3 fatty acids appear to be due to a synergism between multiple, intricate mechanisms involving anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects.  Furthermore, AHA recommends that people without documented history of coronary heart disease should consume a variety of fish (preferably oily – rich in omega-3 fatty acids) at least twice per week.”

“The World Heart Federation strongly encourages all smokers to quit,” said Dr Kathryn Taubert, Chief Science Officer at the World Heart Federation.

Only Way to Protect Yourself

“The only way to protect your body from the harmful effects of tobacco is to stop smoking.  We encourage all people, both smokers and non-smokers, to eat healthy diets, which includes foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.” 

Acknowledgement by the Zestzfulness Team

The above story is based on the April 20, 2012 news release by the World Heart Federation.

The World Heart Federation is dedicated to leading the global fight against heart disease and stroke with a focus on low- and middle-income countries via a united community of more than 200 member organizations. With its members, the World Heart Federation works to build global commitment to addressing cardiovascular health at the policy level, generates and exchanges ideas, shares best practice, advances scientific knowledge and promotes knowledge transfer to tackle cardiovascular disease – the world’s number one killer.

A Southeast Asian Minister*

While walking down Jalan Belangkas one day a Southeast Asian Minister is tragically hit by a lorry, and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

“Welcome to heaven,” says St. Peter, “before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We have never had a high official from your part of Asia, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.”

“No problem, just let me in,” says the man.

“Well, I’d like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one day in heaven. After that you can choose where to spend eternity.”

“Really, I have made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,” says the The Right Honourable [abbreviated as The Rt Hon; also known as Yang Berhormat in Malaysia, but with your understanding ;-) , we’ll stick to Rt Hon]

“I’m sorry, but we have our rules,” says St. Peter.

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator, and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and dressed in their finest. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then indulge themselves in lobsters, caviar and the most expensive food there is.

Also present is the Devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises.

The elevator goes up, up, up and the doors re-open on heaven, where St. Peter is waiting for him.

“Now it’s time to visit heaven.”

So, another 24 hours pass, with the Rt Hon joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp, and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the day is gone, and St. Peter returns.

“Well, then, you’ve spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.”

The Rt Hon reflects for a minute, then he answers: “Well, I would never have said this before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I’m better off in hell.”

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open, and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.

He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

The Devil comes over to him, and puts his arm around his shoulder.

“I don’t understand,” stammers the Rt Hon, “Yesterday I was here, and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, danced and had a great time. Now there’s just a wasteland full of garbage, and my friends look miserable. What happened?”

The Devil looks at him, smiles and says, “Yesterday we were campaigning, just like they do during a Malaysian election…… Today you have voted.”

SO, VOTE WISELY!

Picture credit: malaysianindian1.blogspot.com

Part of a simulation exercise on crowd control prior to Bersih2  

Still confused with the 1Malaysia slogan that is being splurged all over the country?

Well, there’s 1Malaysia for you in the banner that says “Disperse or We’ll Shoot” in the major languages of the Rakyat, the citizens of Malaysia. 

It is not written in the language of the millions of Indonesian, Filipino, Bangla, Nepali, Vietnamese, Myamarese, Thai or Kampuchean brought into the country by both licensed and unlicensed human traffickers.

Our soldiers, whose duty is to defend our shores from invasion, are being coached that it is alright to turn their weapons on their own countrymen.

* This non-partisan joke is based on a download from diybanter.com. There is a street named Jalan Belangkas in Singapore, as well as in Kg Baru, Kuala Lumpur.  Take your pick. 

Tai chi and Heart Health

Older subjects who regularly practise Tai Chi found to have better arterial compliance and greater muscle strength than non-practitioners

Exercise which can achieve both cardiovascular function and muscle strength "would be a preferred mode of training for older persons", say investigators

Experienced practitioners of Tai Chi, the traditional Chinese mind-body exercise now enjoyed worldwide, have been shown in a study of older subjects to have improved expansion and contraction of arteries according to cardiac pulsation (arterial compliance) and improved knee muscle strength.(1)

The findings, say the investigators, of better muscle strength without jeopardising arterial compliance suggest that Tai Chi may well be a suitable exercise for older people to improve both cardiovascular function and body strength. A number of studies, they explain, have shown that strength training to improve muscle function and offset the effects of ageing have also been accompanied by a decline in arterial compliance. "Evidence that strength training could change arterial compliance in middle-aged and older subjects is still elusive," they note.

As background to their report, the investigators explain that arterial stiffness - when an artery fails to distend or rebound in response to pressure changes - is closely associated with cardiovascular diseases, possibly through elevated blood and pulse pressure and atherosclerosis. Arterial compliance, therefore, has been identified as an important predictor of cardiovascular health in the elderly and a therapeutic target for physical exercise in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The study, published online today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, involved 65 elderly subjects from Hong Kong, 29 recruited from local Tai Chi clubs who had each practised Tai Chi for at least 1.5 hours a week for three years, and 36 controls with no Tai Chi experience. All subjects' physical activity levels were defined according to metabolic index units as light, moderate and heavy - but there were no differences between the two groups.

Initial results showed that the Tai Chi subjects were better in almost all haemodynamic observations - including blood pressure, vascular resistance, and pulse pressure. Measurements also showed that both large and small artery compliance was significantly higher in the Tai Chi group (by 40-44%). Additional analysis showed that the Tai Chi subjects had greater average muscle strength in both their knee extensors and flexors.

Tai Chi is well known for its aerobic affects. Significant improvement in cardiopulmonary function has been found in Tai Chi practitioners when compared with sedentary controls, and Tai Chi training has been shown to improve cardiopulmonary function in patients with chronic heart failure and myocardial infarction. The effect of Tai Chi training in lowering blood pressure has also been extensively reviewed.

"However," said principal investigator Dr William Tsang from the The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong, "this is the first study to investigate the possible effects of Tai Chi on arterial compliance by comparing older Tai Chi practitioners with non-practitioners similar in age and activity level. The improvement in arterial compliance could have resulted from a combination of aerobic training, stretching, mental concentration and calm meditation during Tai Chi movement."

The study findings showed that older Tai Chi practitioners have better arterial compliance and knee muscle strength than their healthy counterparts. And, because Tai Chi can be practised at any time, anywhere, and without the constraints of equipment or a gymnasium, Dr Tsang added that this traditional Chinese exercise could be a good exercise strategy for older adults, both for vascular health and for muscle strengthening.

Acknowledgement by the Zestzfulness Team

The above story is reprinted from the April 4, 2012 news release by the  European Society of Cardiology. The research finding was published online on the same day in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology: Lu X, Hui-Chan CWY, Tsang WWN. Tai Chi, arterial compliance, and muscle strength in older adults. Eur J Prevent Cardiol, 2012 DOI: 10.1177/2047487312443483

Old classmate and engineer Hua Keong drew our attention to this report.

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.

歡迎太极初學者參與巴生的太极小組，

日期: 每星期二和星期五

地點: 興華高中

時間: 晚上8時

指導老師: MR AW 和MR NG

服裝: 隨意，但須本身感到舒適

請接洽我們的藥店，以獲取進一步的詳情

電話:03-31688469

Vitamin C May Lower Blood Pressure

Picture credit: www.biomedblog.net

500 milligrams of vitamin C daily reduced blood pressure by 3.84 millimeter

--But hold the supplements, for now, researchers say

Newswise — Taking large doses of vitamin C may moderately reduce blood pressure, according to an analysis of years of research by Johns Hopkins scientists. But the researchers stopped short of suggesting people load up on supplements.

“Our research suggests a modest blood pressure lowering effect with vitamin C supplementation, but before we can recommend supplements as a treatment for high blood pressure, we really need more research to understand the implications of taking them,” says Edgar “Pete” R. Miller III, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor in the division of general internal medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and leader of the study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Roughly 30 percent of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, or hypertension, an important risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Successful treatment may include drugs, exercise, weight loss, and dietary changes such as reducing salt intake. Some experts believe that large amounts of vitamin C, an essential micronutrient found primarily in fruits and vegetables, could lower pressure as well, but randomized, controlled dietary intervention studies — the gold standard of nutrition research — have produced mixed results.

Miller and his colleagues reviewed and analyzed data from 29 randomized, controlled, previously published clinical trials that reported systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure values and also compared vitamin C intake to a placebo. What they found is that taking an average of 500 milligrams of vitamin C daily — about five times the recommended daily requirement — reduced blood pressure by 3.84 millimeters of mercury in the short term. Among those diagnosed with hypertension, the drop was nearly 5 millimeters of mercury.

By comparison, Miller says, patients who take blood pressure medication such as ACE inhibitors or diuretics (so-called “water pills”) can expect a roughly 10 millimeter of mercury reduction in blood pressure.

Five hundred milligrams of vitamin C is the amount in about six cups of orange juice. The recommended daily intake of vitamin C for adults is 90 milligrams.

“Although our review found only a moderate impact on blood pressure, if the entire U.S. population lowered blood pressure by 3 milliliters of mercury, there would be a lot fewer strokes,” Miller says. Miller cautions, however, that none of the studies his team reviewed show that vitamin C directly prevents or reduces rates of cardiovascular disease, including stroke.

Vitamin C may act as a diuretic

Scientists have focused on vitamin C’s potential role in blood pressure reduction because of the nutrient’s biological and physiological effects. For example, vitamin C may act as a diuretic, causing the kidneys to remove more sodium and water from the body, which helps to relax the blood vessel walls, thereby lowering blood pressure.

Nutritional supplements are a $28 billion-a-year industry, and marketing claims, newspaper stories and testimonials often make them hard to resist, Miller says. People often view supplements as a “natural alternative” and preferable to drugs for high blood pressure or other ailments, he adds, despite mounting evidence that many supplements don’t work and in some cases may cause harm.

“People love to take vitamins regardless of the evidence or lack of it,” Miller says. “We’re trying to raise the bar and provide evidence-based guidance about whether supplements help or actually do harm.” With respect to vitamin C, he says, the jury is still out.

Acknowledgement by the Zestzfulness Team

The above story is reprinted from the April 18, 2012 news release by Johns Hopkins Medicine.  The research finding was published online on the same day in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: S. P. Juraschek, E. Guallar, L. J. Appel, E. R. Miller. Effects of vitamin C supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr, 2012; DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.111.027995