9 Signs You’re Depressed But Don’t Know It

31 Dec 2014

Depression can be triggered by other mental illnesses.

According to World Health Organization, depression is a common mental disorder, characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness, and poor concentration.

Depression can be long-lasting or recurrent, substantially impairing an individual’s ability to function at work or school or cope with daily life. At its most severe, depression can lead to suicide.

Anyone can become depressed, but many experts believe genetics play a role. Having a parent or sibling with depression increases your risk of developing the disorder. Women are twice as likely as men to become depressed.

How Do I Know If I Have Depression?

  • Changes of sleep patern, as there is lack of sleep (insomnia) or prior to sleep (Hypersomnia).
  • Fatigue or loss of energy almost everyday
  • Significant weight loss or weight gain
  • Problems with concentration and indecisiveness
  • Feeling hopeless, useless or guilt almost everyday
  • Do not excited or not interested in doing the usual activities almost everyday. For example, you are not interested socialize with friends, relatives and people around you.
  • Significant weight loss or weight gain
  • Rapid or dramatic shifts in feelings or “mood swings.
  • Recurring thoughts of death or suicide (not just fearing death)


Article source: 

http://www.webmd.com/depression/ss/slideshow-depression-overview
http://www.who.int/topics/depression/en/
http://www.psychiatry.org/mental-health/more-topics/warning-signs-of-mental-illness

Photo source:
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6 Tips Untuk Meningkatkan Metabolisme

30 Dec 2014

Metabolisme adalah istilah yang berasal dari bahasa Yunani yang membawa maksud perubahan atau transformasi. Di mana setiap individu mempunyai kadar metabolisme  yang berbeza.. Meningkatkan metabolisme badan adalah penting kerana ia mampu meningkatkan pembakaran kalori dalam tubuh seseorang.

Kebiasaanya seseorang yang mempunyai metabolisme badan yang tinggi berupaya menukarkan makanan atau lemak di dalam badan menjadi tenaga dengan cepat. Namun bagi mereka yang mempunyai kadar metabolisme badan yang rendah mudah mengalami masalah obesiti jika corak pemakanan tidak dikawal iaitu makan secara berlebihan. 

1. Makan Secara Kerap

Jangan biarkan perut anda kosong. Seeloknya makan mengikut waktu namun dalam kuantiti yang kecil. Jika anda tidak makan dan biarkan perut kosong kadar metabolisme badan akan menurun. Malah ia akan mengundang anda makan dalam kuantiti yang banyak akibat kelaparan membiarkan perut terlalu lama kosong.

2. Minum Air 

Mungkin agak sukar  bagi sesetengah orang untuk minum air sekurang-kurang 8 gelas sehari atau 2 liter air sehari. Ini kerana sekitar 80% tubuh manusia terdiri daripada air. Pastikan 8 gelas yang diminum adalah air kosong bukannya minuman bergula.

3. Makanan Pedas

Menjadi kelebihan buat penggemar makanan pedas di mana kandungan capsaicin di dalam cili mampu membakar kalori sehingga 30  minit selepas anda memakannya. Malah metabolisme boleh meningkat sehingga 40% untuk 2-3 jam. 

4. Minum Teh Hijau

Banyak kajian telah membuktikan bahawa teh hijau mampu membantu meningkatkan metabolisme. Polifenol yang terkandung dalam teh hijau berfungsi meningkatkan pemprosesan atau oksidasi lemak serta meningkatkan kadar penukaran makanan kepada kalori.

5. Cukup Tidur

Penting untuk seseorang mendapatkan tidur yang cukup dan berkualiti sekurang-kurangnya 7-8 jam sehari amatlah penting dalam mengekalkan metabolisme yang sihat. Cuba kekalkan rutin waktu tidur secara konsisten. 

6. Pilih Makanan Berserat

Tubuh badan manusia memerlukan tenaga demi menjalani rutin seharian. Jadi pemilihan makanan amatlah penting dalam memastikan apa yang dimakan mampu membekalkan kalori yang boleh dibakar atau hanya sekadar menjadi lemak terkumpul. Jadi makanan kaya serat seperti oat, biji-bijian, sayur-sayuran dan buah-buahan amatlah baik untuk meningkatkan metabolisme badan.

Sumber Foto:
http://www.spotsify.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/weight-loss-food-600x400.png?87aee5

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Do You Need Travel Insurance?

29 Dec 2014



Travel is all about freedom, and topics like travel insurance can take the fun out of things, but it’s an important decision that will affect your journey. Travel insurance can minimize the considerable financial risk of travelling and being insured gives you more freedom.

For some travelers, insurance is a good deal for them but for others it’s not. How much is peace of mind worth to you? How willing are you to take a risks? take these considerations into account, understand your options, and make an informed decision for your trip. Buying travel insurance is an even better way to know that an accident won’t ruin the rest of your life.

Travel insurance is a great gift for a traveller. This insurance caters to the needs of the traveller. The policy is usually very versatile. It can provide in one package for death, disablement, accident, medical expenses, mortal remains repatriation, personal liability, baggage lost, trip cancellation, loss of travel documents, flight and luggage delay.

That’s why it is wise to be prepared for anything including having someone to count on when the going gets tough. That’s why travel insurance is absolutely necessary. We can give you a comprehensive protection, so that you are well taken care of even when you are miles away from home.

As the travel insurance package could contain various combinations of these types of protection but it is wise to study the policy to find out what is covered and for how much. 

Article sources:

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12 Teknik Senaman Regangan di Depan Komputer

26 Dec 2014
Pasti ramai dikalangan individu yang kerap menghabiskan masa 8-12 jam sehari bekerja duduk di depan komputer atau pekerjaan yang memerlukan seseorang itu mengulangi pergerakan sama, sudah tentu pernah mengalami situasi masalah ketegangan leher di mana leher menjadi tegang dan sakit. 

Bagi sesetengah orang, hal ini mungkin sudah biasa dialami malah dianggap remeh. Kesakitan di bahagian leher dianggap perkara biasa dan tidak perlu dirawat kerana lambat laun akan pulih dengan sendirinya. 

Walau bagaimanapun sekiranya perkara ini dibiarkan berlanjutan, berkemungkinan kesakitan yang dialami mampu menganggu keselesaan seseorang dalam melakukan rutin harian. 

Namun ada juga segelintir mereka berusaha mencari kaedah pencegahan untuk menangani sakit tersebut. Selain sapu krim panas dan menuam leher yang sakit, terdapat juga cara lain yang mudah untuk mengurangkan ketegangan sakit di bahagian leher iaitu dengan melakukan senaman regangan.

Senaman regangan ini juga boleh dilakukan selang beberapa jam sekira sudah duduk menghadap kerja terlalu lama. Jom kita lihat 12 teknik mudah senaman regangan yang boleh anda lakukan di depan komputer:





Sumber Foto: 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWuu_EnQvbV9rInhj_-dkYrBKxS5GVP0lra-1sBsjVkJkwdJhlzX8Q_Bi9VvaxxzsVbLsRyChwtY4QsXpH8wnfktm4ihQyD2fcGvuZXQ51twU2coXnRh6NznwJuEju6xmwRcr3XCs3Qw/s1600/senaman-depan-komputer.jpg
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5 Things to Let Go of Before the New Year

24 Dec 2014


1. Let go of feeling guilty

Start to forgive yourself because as a human being everybody prone to making mistakes. Releasing  your guilt and finding ways to leave the past behind by learning from your mistakes and experiences. Realise that mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow. Remember when you don’t forgive yourself; you are not able to forgive others.

2. Let go of excuses

Stop making excuses  because excuses are your way of avoiding to do what you need to do to succeed. To achieve from where you were in life to where you want to be, you need to avoid making often excuses. You need to concentrate on the mission or tasks that are going to get you there.

3. Let go of trying to fit in and be liked

If everyone is trying to impress everyone else and at one point, it makes no one happy. Don’t try so hard to pretend to be someone else. Just be yourself! People loved you for who you are. “Why are trying so hard to fit in, when you're born to stand out” – Oliver James.

4. Let go of negativity 

Avoid negative thought and change it into a positive one. Free yourself from engaging negative people because negative people can be real downers in any conversation. I think it's important to get your surroundings as well as yourself into a positive circle. Whatever it is, don’t ever stop or let the world’s negativity discontinue your spirit.

5. Let go of expectations

First rule of avoiding disappointment is lower your expectations. Despite all of expectations in our lives like what we want out of life and who we want to become but never put high expectation on it. One more thing is the best way to avoid getting disappointment and hurt is do not expect anything from anyone. 

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Kesihatan Aset Paling Berharga

22 Dec 2014


Apakah aset paling berharga dalam kehidupan seseorang? Adakah wang ringgit, atau harta benda? Tentu rata-rata akan menjawab kesihatan lebih penting dan berharga. Namun hakikatnya, ramai antara kita akan hanya ambil berat soal kesihatan apabila sudah jatuh sakit.

Sesetengah daripada individu sering mengabaikan penjagaan kesihatan. Alasan yang sering diberikan adalah kerana terlalu sibuk dengan rutin harian hingga tiada masa untuk bersenam dan menjaga pemakanan. 

Selain daripada kekal konsisten melakukan aktiviti fizikal, corak pemakanan yang betul juga menjadi faktor utama bagi mendapatkan kesihatan badan yang optimum. Ini kerana “Diri Anda Adalah Apa Yang Anda Makan”. Amalan pemakanan yang tidak betul boleh menjadi punca utama tubuh badan manusia ditimpa penyakit.

Tidak hairan ramai dikalangan individu lebih gemar mengambil makanan yang sedap dimakan berbanding makanan yang sihat dimakan. Kadang-kala akibat terlalu sibuk dengan tugas harian memaksa seseorang itu menjadikan makanan segera dan makanan proses sebagai menu hidangan harian kerana cepat serta mengenyangkan.

Tidak salah untuk menikmati makanan segera dan makanan proses. Namun jika makanan ini diambil secara kerap atau berlebihan ianya bakal memberi kesan buruk terhadap kesihatan diri malah mengundang pelbagai penyakit seperti obesiti, tekanan darah tinggi, penyakit jantung dan diabates.

Tidak dinafikan makanan proses seperti daging “burger”, “hot dog”, “nugget”, "maggi", makanan dalam tin dan makanan sejuk beku lain begitu mudah dan cepat untuk disediakan. Akan tetapi kandungan MSG, garam, lemak tepu dan kolestrol yang terkandung dalam makanan segera dan makanan proses lebih tinggi berbanding serat dan kebanyakan vitamin serta zat galian yang perlu oleh tubuh. 

Tubuh badan manusia memerlukan tenaga, protein, vitamin dan pelbagai serat untuk menjana tenaga supaya tubuh badan dapat menjana tenaga. Pengambilan makanan yang seimbang juga penting untuk keperluan tubuh badan manusia. Ini kerana, pengambilan makanan yang sihat membantu mengurangkan risiko berbahaya.

Oleh itu belum terlambat untuk anda mula mengubah gaya hidup secara sihat. Sayangi diri anda! Hargai kesihatan anda kerana kesihatan adalah sebuah nikmat yang tidak ternilai. Bukankah pepatah ada menyatakan mencegah itu lebih baik daripada mengubati. Satu langkah dalam usaha untuk mencegah mampu menyelamatkan nyawa. Perlu juga diingat mengundang penyakit itu mudah namun untuk mengubatinya amat sukar. 

Apa yang penting anda perlu mempunyai kesedaran untuk memulakan amalan gaya hidup sihat. Masih belum terlewat untuk anda mengubah corak pemakanan secara sihat dan bersenam demi memperolehi kesihatan tubuh, minda, rohani dan jasmani yang sihat. Apapun tepuk dada tanya selera.

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5 Malaysians Injured In Hot Air Balloon Crash

18 Dec 2014

KUALA LUMPUR: Five Malaysians were among 10 injured when a hot air balloon crashed during a sightseeing ride over a Unesco world heritage site in central Turkey yesterday.
The accident occurred at 8.15am local time (4.15pm Malaysian time) over the famed sculpted rock formations of Cappadocia in the Guvercinlik Valley of Nevsehir province, AFP reported, quoting the Dogan news agency.
The balloon went down for a yet to be known reason, it added.
The report said a Chinese tourist, identified as Tang Yi, died on the spot while nine other tourists, all of them believed to be Chinese and Malaysian nationals, were hospitalised for fractures.
A Malaysian tourist was in serious condition, it added.
Security forces and ambulances were dispatched to the scene of the incident.
An investigation is underway
to determine the cause of the crash.
A Malaysian embassy spokesman in Ankara told the New Straits Times that an embassy official, who was at the hospital where the Malaysians were warded, confirmed they were there on holiday.
“Those injured have been identified as Susheela Devi Raja, Thurai Pah Vartharajan, Thavil Selvi Tamotharan, Datin Juniwati Ahmad and a 15-year-old, known only as Nursyarah.
“The one who is in critical condition is reported to be Susheela and she is being treated in the intensive care unit,” the official said, adding that the other four were being treated at the same hospital for fractures and broken bones.
The spokeman said the embassy had notified Wisma Putra on the incident for the victim’s families to be alerted.
Article source:
http://www.nst.com.my/node/63704

Photo source:
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/12/17/Acident-Hot-air-balloon-Crash-Malaysian-injured/
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Why we love sugar

1 Dec 2014
Understanding why we love sugar is the first step towards finding a solution to fight the addiction.
DID you know that sugar was once known as “white gold” because it was costly and rare? One hundred and fifty years ago, only the rich and famous had access to this sweetener that is now causing massive health problems around the world.
Price and accessibility aside, there’s something about sugar that just keeps us hooked. No matter how many times we’ve read about reducing sugar intake to prevent or delay the onset of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cancer, it is hard to resist the sweet stuff.
On top of that, there are the hidden sugars in almost everything we buy these days. From cornflakes to sausages, sauces, crackers, oatmeal, and even, baby food, milk and medications, everything has been sweetened to make them more palatable.
But what is it about sweetness that makes it so addictive? Here are some reasons:
The ‘feel good’ factor
Birthday cakes, celebratory cupcakes, mama’s signature cookies, ice cream treats, delectable desserts... taste aside, all these and more are associated with happy moments.
Somehow or other, giving someone a cake, candy or cookie as a gift appears more romantic or caring than say, lasagna or chicken pie.
Why is that so? Part of the reason is our culture, many a happy family in the past grew up with memories of baking festive cookies together, having ice kacang on a hot day, singing birthday songs and cutting cakes together, and more.
Still, the sweet happiness is no coincidence. Sugar and refined carbohydrates release the hormone serotonin in the brain, which enhances mood in the same way antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs do.
Sugar also releases beta-endorphins, a neurotransmitter in the brain that acts as a natural painkiller, producing a sense of self-esteem and resolving anxiety.
When your problems seem trivial after cakes and tea, is it any surprise if you are emotionally attached to sweets?
Stress relief
Any working woman would know how stress messes up your life – you skip meals, stop exercising, have trouble sleeping and basically ruin your health plans.
When the body is stressed, it releases cortisol into the bloodstream. This stress hormone boosts adrenaline, which puts you on high alert to get through your period of stress.
Once the stressful episode is over, however, your body screams for a quick “battery” recharge, which explains the food cravings and over-eating.
There is a sense of wanting to reward yourself for having crossed another hurdle, and what better way than a sweet pick-me-up.
Hormonal imbalance
Feel yourself craving for sugary snacks just before your menstrual period? This is when your oestrogen and progesterone (two key hormones for women) dip, which affects the beta-endorphin levels.
With these three hormones on their monthly “medical leave”, you find yourself cranky, tired, moody and unable to focus.
But lo and behold, once you wolf down a super-rich chocolate cake and a caffeine-cum-sugar-spiked drink, you feel in control again. The sugar pumps beta-endorphins into your bloodstream, providing an almost drug-like reaction to your high-strung emotions.
Forget diamonds, chocolate is probably a girl’s real best friend, especially during that time of the month.
Insulin resistance
Insulin resistance is part of diabetes, where your body is unable to metabolise the sugar/glucose that you consume into energy. When that happens, excessive amounts of sugar stay in the bloodstream and start to overload your organs, beginning with your “micro” nerves such as those at the hands, feet and eyes, and moving on to major organs such as the kidneys.
Although there is excessive sugar in your bloodstream, your body cells are unable to access them, thus, they will send messages to your brain to release more insulin.
This results in sugar cravings because your body cells are crying out for fuel to operate.
Yeast overgrowth
Our intestines and vaginal tract contain millions of bacteria. When the bacterial flora are out of balance, yeast, a kind of fungi, will start to propagate quickly, leading to various problems such as digestive problems and vaginal infections.
The thing is, yeast needs sugar to thrive. When you are housing too much yeast, you are bound to get sugar cravings to feed the unwelcome “guests” in your body.
People with frequent and persistent vaginal or urinary infections often have a sweet tooth, creating a vicious cycle of infection and re-infection.
Taking a good prebiotic and probiotic will help address the yeast overgrowth, and you will find the sugar cravings significantly reduced.
Inflammation in the body
Eating too much red meat, processed foods and acid-forming foods leads to inflammation, where oxidative stress builds up and causes damage to body cells.
Having excessive acidity in the body makes you crave for sugary stuff in an attempt to find an alkalizing solution. Instead of hopping over to the nearest bakery, try getting your sugar fix with natural foods such as a banana, papaya and other sweet fruits.
The antioxidants in fruits and vegetables will help offset the metabolic damage and regulate the acid-forming oxidation caused by certain foods.
Filling an emotional void
Too many people in today’s fast-paced life lack “sweetness” in their life – a friendly smile, a warm touch, a balanced life, affirming social support or a day out in the sun.
We may not realise it, but we automatically reach for something sweet when we are actually looking for positive energy and happiness.
It can manifest in seemingly innocent rituals, such as taking a hot mug of chocolate milk after dinner, or ice-cream every weekend. Many of these rituals are linked to a childhood or adopted practice associated with comfort, love and security.
Understanding why we love sugar is the first step towards finding a solution to fight the addiction.
People who are trying unsuccessfully to reduce or forgo sugar are not weak-willed or not trying hard enough; they could be fighting a losing battle against their own body’s reactions.
■ Watch out for part two (on Dec 14) of this 'sweet' series, which will look at ways to end sugar cravings using nutrition-based solutions.


Sugar and refined carbohydrates release the hormone serotonin in the brain, which enhances mood in the same way antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs do. – AFP

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​Masalah Kulit Indikasikan Penyakit Pada Tubuh

27 Nov 2014
Metrotvnews.com, Jakarta: Ilmu pengetahuan selalu menawarkan informasi baru untuk mendeteksi berbagai macam penyakit. Seperti yang belum lama ini dipaparkan oleh dr. Doris Day, dermatologis dari Lenox Hills Hospital di New York City. 

Dalam hal ini, Day memaparkan bagaimana perubahan kulit dapat menjadi alarm bagi kesehatan tubuh Anda. Berikut ini penjelasannya seperti dikutip dari Fox News, Minggu (23/11/2014).

1. Ruam pada kulit
Pada pasien Demam Berdarah Dengue (DBD), ruam pada kulit biasanya disertai dengan nyeri otot dan demam. Namun, jika Anda mendapati kulit ruam tanpa gejala lainnya, ada baiknya untuk berkonsultasi mendalam dengan dokter Anda.

Menurut American Academy of Dermatology, ruam di sekitar leher atau belakang lengan dengan warna yang lebih gelap dengan warna kulit, menjadi indikasi seseorang mungkin memiliki resiko diabetes tipe 2. "Jika ruam tersebut kasar seperti beludru, bisa menjadi tanda peringatan adanya kanker internal (hati atau perut)," jelas Day.

2. Warna kuning pada kulit
Mungkin keadaan ini sudah populer sejak lama. Orang kerap menyebutnya dengan penyakit kuning. Menurut Day, warna kuning pada kulit menjadi indikasi kegagalan fungsi hati. "Jika sudah parah, kondisi tersebut juga akan terlihat di bagian putih mata yang ikut menguning," imbuhnya.

3. Kulit gatal
Gatal-gatal pada kulit, bisa menjadi indikasi masalah hormonal, seperti kekurangan tiroid. Masalah hormonal, biasanya juga ditandai dengan munculnya eksim dan kekeringan pada kulit. 

4. Jerawat
Pada wanita, jerawat yang muncul di sepanjang garis rahang bisa menjadi indikasi sindrom ovarium polikistik. Kondisi inilah yang kerap menyebabkan kenaikan berat badan dan rambut menipis. Selain itu, letak jerawat juga bisa menjadi mendeteksi masalah yang terjadi pada tubuh Anda. Jerawat di dahi, menandakan terlalu banyak racun yang menumpuk pada tubuh. Jerawat yang terletak di dagu, menandakan adanya masalah pada pencernaan Anda. 
AWP




Sumber artikel & gambar:
http://rona.metrotvnews.com/read/2014/11/23/322587/8203-masalah-kulit-indikasikan-penyakit-pada-tubuh
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Memasuki Musim Hujan, Waspadai Demam Berdarah

25 Nov 2014
BANDUNG,(PRLM).- Bandung dan sekitarnya saat ini mulai memasuki awal musim hujan. Salah satu penyakit yang harus diwaspadai adalah demam berdarah.
Staf Data dan Informasi Badan Meteorologi Klimatologi dan Geofisika, Bandung, Neneng Sugianti menuturkan hujan dengan intensitas ringan dan sedang seperti saat ini menyebabkan banyak genangan air.
Genangan air ini dapat ditemui misalnya di benda-benda bekas, seperti kaleng dan ban, serta talang air dan pot bunga. Barang-barang tersebut bisa menjadi tempat yang nyaman untuk berkembang biak nyamuk.
Namun belum semua mengetahui pot bunga bisa menjadi tempat nyamuk berkembang biak. Salah satunya Lina (35). "Saya tahu kalau barang bekas seperti kaleng menjadi tempat berkembang biak nyamuk, tapi pot bunga baru mendengarnya," ungkapnya.
Demam berdarah merupakan salah satu penyakit yang ditularkan melalui vektor nyamuk Aedes aegypty atau Aedes albopictus. Nyamuk ini mempunyai kemampuan terbang sekitar 100 meter sehingga berpotensi menyebabkan wabah.
Tanda dan gejala dari penyakit demam berdarah di antaranya demam mendadak atau panas tinggi tanpa sebab yang jelas. Badan terasa lemah, nyeri ulu hati.
Gejala lainnya, pusing, sakit pada otot dan sendi. Bisa juga timbul mimisan, tinja berdarah, muntah darah. Pada perempuan bisa menyerupai menstruasi.
Pencegahan demam berdarah dapat dilakukan dengan menjaga kebersihan lingkungan. Seperti menimbun barang bekas, membereskan air yang tergenang.
Pertolongan pertama pada penderita demam berdarah dilakukan dengan memberikan air yang mengandung elektrolit, seperti oralit atau jus buah-buahan. Setelah itu membawa pasien ke saran pelayanan kesehatan terdekat.(Yeni Ratnadewi/A-108)***

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Public apathy leads to dengue spike

24 Nov 2014
KUALA LUMPUR: Dengue fever has reached pandemic levels due to public apathy.
There were 88,806 cases reported until Nov 8 this year compared to 31,170 in the corresponding period last year.
“Most Aedes breeding grounds formed out of human negligence,” said operations director of the Malaysian Integrated Medical Professionals Association (Mimpa) Dr Muhamad Hazizi Muhammad Ha­­sa­ni.
“Residents around dengue hotspots refuse to change their habits and that is causing the number of dengue cases to rise every day,” said the doctor who leads 300 volunteers on weekly operations to destroy potential mosquito breeding grounds around Kuala Lumpur.
Dr Muhamad Hazizi claimed that low-cost flats were the most common Aedes breeding ground.
“I guarantee you will find stagnant water below staircase landings, near the central water tank, and dish washing areas,” he said.
Dr Muhamad Hazizi said that the Aedes would not breed so easily if residents inspected and cleaned their areas regularly.
He advised flat dwellers to assign teams to check for water ponding at stagnation-prone areas.
“Just spend 10 minutes a week to check whether the central water tank or your toilet is properly sealed,” he said.
When asked whether Mimpa was fighting a losing battle, Dr Hazizi replied it was a fact that the organisation had manpower problem.
“We now have 300 volunteers and can only clean four to five hotspots a week,” he said.
Dr Muhamad Hazizi said Mimpa was aiming at forming a 1,500-strong volunteer base by collaborating with local universities.
“Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of Built Envi­ronment has created a volunteerism course for students who can earn credit points by joining Mimpa’s dengue fight.
He added that Mimpa would help Cyberjaya University College organise a similar course for its students.
A report from the Health Ministry showed 169 dengue-related deaths so far this year, compared to 63 in the same period last year.


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Reduction of imported car prices by up to 30% on track

20 Nov 2014
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government is committed to ensure that prices of imported cars particularly those in the mid-range engine capacity will be reduced by up to 30%, said International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Hamim Samuri(pic) on Thursday. 
"The Government will keep its promise of reducing prices of imported cars between 20% and 30% within the next five years,” Hamim said this when answering a question by Rafizi Ramli (PKR-Pandan) in the Dewan Rakyat. 
However, he said the reduction of prices does does not include imported luxury cars. 
He agreed with Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (BN-Setiu) that the price reduction of imported cars could not be done immediately as it would have a negative impact on the industry. 
Hamim noted that such a drastic move would leave the secondhand car dealership industry in a lurch. 
"What will happen is that consumers will focus on getting new vehicles and will no longer want to buy secondhand cars,” he added. 
Earlier, Hamim told lawmakers that RM10bil was generated from excise duties for imported cars. 
He said RM3.37bil was collected in 2011, RM3.44bil in 2012 and RM3.19bil in 2013.


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Pemanis tiruan dijamin selamat?

19 Nov 2014
Aspartame dipercayai menimbulkan rasa lapar, menyebabkan seseorang makan secara berlebihan

MAYO Clinic yang dipercayai sumber rujukan utama golongan perubatan moden mendapati pemanis tiruan adalah selamat dan tidak mengganggu paras gula darah.

Kenyataan tersebut berdasarkan artikel berjudul Artificial Sweeteners and Other Sugar Substitutes yang memuatkan kenyataan berkaitan. Kepercayaan yang sama juga dipercayai dipegang sebahagian besar golongan perubatan moden, pakar dietetik, pakar nutrisi dan wartawan.

Pada bahagian akhir artikel minggu lepas penulis sangkal kepercayaan tersebut. Sangkalan penulis adalah bersandarkan kepada sebuah kajian berjudul Artificial Sweeteners Induce Glucose Intolerance by Altering the Gut Microbiota yang diterbitkan dalam jurnal Nature (9 Oktober 2014).

Kumpulan penyelidik kajian tersebut mendapati pengambilan pemanis tiruan tanpa kalori yang biasa ditambah dalam makanan terproses menyebabkan pembentukan ‘tidak toleran kepada glukos’ (glucose intolerance) melalui proses perubahan komposisi serta fungsi mikroflora usus.

Selepas menjalankan kajian pada tikus, penyelidik kajian tersebut menjalankan kajian ke atas subjek manusia. Dalam uji kaji pertama, penyelidik menganalisis paras gula darah dan koloni bakteria pada 381 orang subjek yang mengambil bahagian.

Seperti dijangka, penyelidik kajian mendapati subjek yang mengambil pemanis tiruan pada paras tinggi mengalami gangguan metabolisme termasuk peningkatan berat badan serta mengalami perubahan koloni mikroflora usus yang ketara.

Gangguan metabolik

Keputusan daripada kajian kedua yang juga melibatkan subjek manusia pula menunjukkan 4 daripada 7 subjek  yang mengambil dos saccharin engalami perubahan koloni mikroflora selain mengalami peningkatan gula  darah.

Kajian-kajian tersebut mendapat perhatian bijak pandai misalnya daripada saintis saraf Purdue University, Dr Susan Swithers yang menyatakan dos yang diambil oleh kumpulan subjek kajian menunjukkan kesan gangguan akibat pengambilan pemanis tiruan terhadap paras gula darah dan koloni bakteria berlaku pada jangka masa yang pendek.

Namun ia menerima kritikan daripada saintis makanan Stanford University, Dr Christopher Gardner. Beliau berpendapat dos yang diberikan kepada kumpulan subjek kajian tidak sesuai.

Kumpulan subjek manusia diberikan saccharin 5 mg/kg berat badan setiap hari. Ini ialah dos maksima yang dicadangkan oleh FDA. Maksudnya setiap subjek yang memiliki berat badan 60 kg perlu mengambil 300 mg saccharin setiap hari!

Menurut Dr Gardner, dos tersebut serupa seperti seorang dengan berat badan 68 kg mengambil 42 tin air soda berkarbonat setiap hari.

Bagaimanapun, ramai pengkritik berpendapat kajian seperti ini tidak harus diketepikan begitu sahaja. Jika penemuan ini boleh diulangi dengan kejayaan dalam kajian lain misalnya dengan bilangan subjek kajian yang lebih besar serta dos yang lebih munasabah, maka ia akan memberi mesej kepada pelbagai golongan.

Mesejnya ialah pemanis tiruan menyebabkan gangguan metabolik kepada sesetengah orang.

 Ia juga tidak selamat untuk orang awam dan juga penghidap diabetes. Berikut ialah beberapa kajian sains menunjukkan pemanis tiruan dipercayai menimbulkan beberapa gangguan metabolik kepada tubuh.

Kajian berjudul Uncoupling sweet taste and calories: Comparison of the effects of glucose and three intense sweeteners on hunger and food intake (Physiology and Behavior, 1988) mendapati pemanis tiada/rendah kalori boleh menyebabkan perubahan pada selera makan. Daripada tiga jenis pemanis tiruan yang diuji, aspartame didapati menunjukkan kesan paling jelas.


Tambah berat badan

Kajian berjudul Oral stimulation with aspartame increases hunger. Yang terbit dalam jurnal yang serupa (1990) pula menunjukkan aspartame menyumbang kesan kepada selera makan berdasarkan masa iaitu menyebabkan penurunan sementara diikuti dengan peningkatan kadar rasa lapar yang berkekalan.

Sebuah kajian epidemiologi dikenali sebagai San Antonio Heart Study (2005) yang dijalankan selama 25 tahun menunjukkan mengambil soda diet meningkatkan risiko peningkatan berat badan yang serius – jauh lebih tinggi berbanding dengan pengambilan soda biasa.

Dalam sebuah kajian lain seperti dilaporkan dalam jurnal Appetite (2012), kumpulan penyelidik mendapati kedua-dua saccharin dan aspartame menyebabkan peningkatan berat badan yang lebih besar berbanding dengan gula. Kerana kesuntukan ruang, penulis hanya memilih beberapa hasil kajian seperti yang dipaparkan di atas.

Mengapa orang ramai mudah percaya kepada informasi yang disampaikan media dan golongan perubatan moden misalnya mengenai pandangan pemanis tiruan adalah selamat diambil orang awam dan penghidap diabetes serta perkara lain berkaitan dengan penjagaan kesihatan?

Berikut ialah pandangan penulis. Satu daripada punca suatu kepercayaan dipegang secara berterusan oleh golongan perubatan moden, pakar dietetik mahu pun ahli nutrisi moden ialah sikap fanatik kepada sesuatu informasi yang diketahui misalnya daripada buku mata pelajaran di universiti.

Sebahagian besar golongan wartawan dan penulis pula fanatik kepada informasi yang disebarkan oleh media misalnya Mayo Clinic.

Katakanlah pembaca dapati seorang wartawan atau penulis menyatakan Mayo Clinic sebagai sumber rujukan dalam tulisan mereka. Apabila ditanya mengapa mereka bertindak demikian, kemungkinan besar mereka akan menyatakan media tersohor dan golongan doktor seluruh dunia menjadikannya sebagai sumber rujukan.

Tambahan pula, Mayo Clinic memang memiliki sejarah yang panjang serta cemerlang terutama dalam bidang penyelidikan perubatan.


Pakar bertaraf dunia

Cuba taip what is Mayo Clinic di Google. Jawapan ringkas untuk pembaca tersedia di barisan pertama muka pertama yang berbunyi Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit worldwide leader in medical care, research and education for people from all walks of life.

Maksudnya dalam bahasa Melayu ialah Mayo Clinic merupakan peneraju sedunia tidak berasaskan keuntungan dalam bidang perubatan, penyelidikan dan pendidikan untuk orang ramai pelbagai golongan.

Bagi pengkritik berilmu pula terutama yang memandang serta meneliti sesuatu perkara dari sudut yang berbeza-beza akan mendapati sesungguhnya ilmu atau informasi yang disampaikan oleh Mayo Clinic tidak lepas daripada kecelaruan di sana-sini.

Golongan perubatan moden mungkin tidak senang jika mereka tahu ada golongan atau orang yang cuba mengkritik Mayo Clinic. Mana tidaknya. Ia kerana mereka percaya Mayo Clinic yang dibarisi oleh lebih 3,000 pakar perubatan bertaraf dunia sudah tentu sentiasa menyumbang yang terbaik dalam bidang perubatan dan pendidikan.

Apa pun gelaran dan sanjungan terhadap sesuatu badan atau organisasi termasuk Mayo Clinic, namun ia tidak bebas daripada kelemahan. Sebahagian kelemahan diri jarang-jarang dapat dikesan oleh diri sendiri.

Ia dapat dikesan oleh orang luar lingkungan. Ia juga dapat dikesan jika mekanisme penambahbaikan diubahsuai agar kelemahan sentiasa dapat diperbaiki.




Pemanis tiruan saccharin dan aspartame meningkatkan berat badan. - Gambar hiasan.


Sumber artikel:

http://www.sinarharian.com.my/rencana/pemanis-tiruan-dijamin-selamat-1.334765
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Home cooking a key ingredient to a healthy diet

18 Nov 2014
When people cook most of their meals at home, they consume fewer carbohydrates, less sugar and less fat than those who cook less or not at all


Cooking at home can lead to consuming fewer calories and healthier foods, according to a new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Research.
“When people cook most of their meals at home, they consume fewer carbohydrates, less sugar and less fat than those who cook less or not at all — even if they are not trying to lose weight,” says Julia A. Wolfson, MPP, a CLF-Lerner Fellow at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future and lead author of the study.
Surpringly, the study also found those who cook at home six or seven nights per week tend to eat less when they do go out to dinner.
Co-authors Wolfson and Sara N. Bleich, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Bloomberg School, examined the responses to a questionnaire filled out by 9,000 US-based participants with a minimum age of 20.
Eight percent of them cooked dinner once or even less per week and they consumed an average of 2,301 calories, 84 grams of fat and 135 grams of sugar per day.
Forty-eight percent of survey respondents cooked dinner six to seven times per week and they consumed an average of 2,164 calories, 81 grams of fat and 119 grams of sugar per day.
Drs. Wolfson and Bleich found that those who cook at home are less dependent on frozen foods and less likely to choose fast foods when they dine out.
The researchers say it won’t be easy to get people cooking more often, but there are ways.
“Time and financial constraints are important barriers to healthy cooking and frequent cooking may not be feasible for everyone,” she says. “But people who cook infrequently may benefit from cooking classes, menu preparation, coaching or even lessons in how to navigate the grocery store or read calorie counts on menus in restaurants.”

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