Rightways to Success: Health

Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts

Wednesday, 15 October 2025

Be cautious, students told as influenza wave hits schools and kindies

Photo courtesy of Pexels

PETALING JAYA: With schools and kindergartens not spared from the current influenza wave hitting the country, the alert is out for children to take extra precautionary measures.

Health experts want special emphasis given to children as most cases have been detected in schools.

Public health expert Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh called for the affected schools to be closed after being sanitised.

She said children with influenza-like illness (ILI) symptoms should stay home, while those with severe acute respiratory illness (Sari) should seek treatment at the hospital.

Monday, 29 September 2025

Boosting your metabolic rate

“More than half of the body’s “More than half of

“More than half of the body’s metabolism is used as basal metabolism.”

Dr Faridah Mohd Zin

28 Sep 2025

INCREASING metabolic rates has been of interest to many, especially among weightconscious individuals. Understanding metabolism is crucial in guiding us to obtain an optimal metabolic rate. Metabolism is the conversion of energy intake i.e., food consumption into products including energy and waste products. Increasing the rate of conversion is believed to burn off body fat. But is this true?

MSU Medical Centre (MSUMC) health screening and wellness specialist Dr Faridah Mohd Zin explains, “Our body consumes energy in four pathways: basal metabolism, food thermogenesis, non-exercise activities thermogenesis (NEAT) and exercise activities thermogenesis (EAT). More than half of the body’s metabolism is used as basal metabolism, which supports the function of vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, brain and others (about 60%).

The thermic effect of food has the lowest contribution which involves the energy needed to change the food we eat into substances that are “edible” by our cells i.e., glucose (about 10%). Increasing the metabolic rate would mean increasing the energy-burning rate of the body which theoretically could be increased by optimising the NEAT, EAT, thermic effect of food and body metabolism.

NEAT is simply the energy consumed when performing daily activity. Optimising daily activities such as cooking while standing or pacing around the room while on the phone has been shown to increase metabolic rates. Since these activities will naturally be done every day, enhancing the energy burned through this pathway could be regarded as an opportunity that should not be missed. Moreover, NEAT is found to be associated with improvement in overall health and helps in body fat reduction.

EAT is the body’s energy consumption through structured exercise which primarily includes cardiovascular, strengthening, flexibility and balance. Furthermore, each type should have specific criteria in terms of frequency, intensity, time and types (FITT approach) to achieve different exercise objectives. For example, in maintaining fitness, a total of 150 minutes of cardiovascular exercise per week is recommended while a longer duration is needed for body weight reduction.

Food thermogenesis contributes the least to body energy consumption. High lean protein and whole food use more energy in the metabolism compared to other types of food and processed food. Although eating the former would induce higher thermogenesis hence a higher metabolic rate, the contribution made in the increment of daily body metabolism is the lowest.

The major factors contributing to the basal metabolic rate include sex, height, age, ethnicity, body composition and genetic factors. While the body compositions are mainly composed of the vital organs, bones, body fat and muscle mass, the latter two are the only factors that can be intentionally changed.

Total body fat is composed of essential and storage fat. Storage fat is mainly deposited under the skin as subcutaneous fat, or around the body organs as visceral fat. The latter has been strongly linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases including heart attack and stroke. Energy consumption of more than required would be stored in the body as fat. Hence, a negative balance between energy intake and consumption is essential to force our body to use up the storage fat as a source of energy, leading to weight reduction. Since storage fat originates from food intake, altering an individual’s diet is crucial for achieving the desired body fat level.

Increasing muscle mass would increase the ability of the body to use up energy. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends regular resistance training exercises as the key to building and keeping muscle. Men and women should participate in muscle-strengthening activities that work the major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, chest, abdomen, shoulders and arms) at least two times each week. Examples of muscle-strengthening activities include lifting weights, using resistance bands, doing push-ups and some types of yoga. Even everyday activities such as gardening, playing with your kids and carrying groceries can strengthen muscles.

Although resistance training is an important part of a complete exercise regimen, consuming the appropriate amount and type of protein to maintain and build muscle is just as important. On top of that, a healthy balanced diet is crucial to ensure adequate macroand micro-nutrients needed for a healthy body.

Body metabolism happens continuously, allowing ongoing opportunities to maximise its effect. Body fat is a way for our body to store unused energy. Hence, optimising the body’s metabolism while consuming less than the daily energy requirement will force the body to burn stored fat for energy. Consistently maintaining this negative energy balance will gradually reduce unwanted fat.

Saturday, 30 August 2025

Unhealthy sleep patterns

Here are six signs that your sleeping pattern is out of whack, and how to improve it.

T0ssing and turning throughout the night, even if you're not really conscious ot it, it is a sign of poor sleep

WE all experience the occasional late night or restless sleep, but when these nights become frequent, it can begin to take a toll on your health and overall well-being.

Britain’s The London General Practice sleep and circadian rhythm specialist Dr Katharina Lederle has outlined six key signs that indicate that your sleep pattern may be offbalance.

She has also shared some helpful tips and tricks on how to reset your routine to help you wake up feeling refreshed.

1. Waking up in the night

Frequently waking up too early or having regular interruptions during the night is a clear sign that your sleep has been disrupted.

“Waking up and going to the toilet once and then falling back asleep within a couple of minutes is fine, but if you are having a lot of toilet trips or just think ‘why have I been awake for such a long period of time’, and then struggle to get back to sleep, that suggests there might be a problem,” she says.

2. Restlessness

“If it takes you longer than 30 minutes to get to sleep on a regular basis, there could be an issue.

“One sign of poor sleep is restlessness – tossing and turning at night,” she says.

“You might not necessarily wake up fully and think I have been tossing and turning a lot, but the next day there may be an awareness of restlessness.

“Or if you have a sleeping partner, they might comment on your restlessness during the night.”

3. Busy mind

A busy mind can be a symptom of a poor sleep schedule, and vice versa.

“Stress can psychologically lead to busy thoughts – worrying about the future and replaying scenes from your day – which can make it harder to get to sleep,” says Dr Lederle.

“Stress can also physiologically lead to raised cortisol levels and a raised heart rate.

“However, what we actually want/need for sleep is the exact opposite. We need relaxation to allow ourselves to let go of everything.”

4. Low mood

Feeling low or down during the day can be another indication that your sleep pattern has been disrupted.

“The resources in the brain are all finite and need to be rebuilt.

“So, if your prefrontal cortex [which plays a crucial role in executive functions and higherorder cognitive processes] is sleep deprived, it can’t fulfil its regulatory role,” explains Dr Lederle.

“This often results in low mood, anxiety and irritability, which can then quite quickly lead to conflict or disagreements.”

5. Struggling to focus

“A lack of motivation and struggling to concentrate are some more signs of disrupted sleep that you may notice during the day,” she says.

“When the prefrontal cortex

nd hasn’t had the chance to rebuild all its resources, concentration can become hard.

“Seeing the bigger picture, attention to detail and switching attention intentionally can also become harder.”

6. Excessive tiredness

Feeling excessively tired throughout the day is likely to be a sign of disrupted sleep or accumulated sleep debt.

“Waking up and still feeling tired and groggy is sleep inertia, which we all experience to some extent.

“But if you repeatedly feel excessively tired without an

explanation, that could indicate a bigger problem,” says Dr Lederle.

Reset your routine

Here are some strategies to help your sleeping pattern get back on track:

>Expose yourself to light in the mornings

“When you wake up in the morning, let the light in and go outside,” she recommends

> Make your bedroom room dark and cool in the evenings

“Try to keep your sleeping environment quiet, dark and cool,” she advises.

Go to bed and wake up at regular times

“It’s okay to have some late nights when we go to the theatre or to a party, but on the whole, it’s important to keep your sleep and wake times as regular as possible,” says Dr Lederle.

> Expose yourself to light in the mornings

“When you wake up in the morning, let the light in and go outside,” she recommends. > Make your bedroom room dark and cool in the evenings

“Try to keep your sleeping environment quiet, dark and cool,” she advises.

> Think about what might be causing your stress

“Identify where your stress is coming from and think about what you can control,” suggests Dr Lederle.

“Think about: how can I recover? How can I let go of my work? How can I relax? How can I get a sense of autonomy or control?”

Engaging in an activity you enjoy before bed can provide a sense of autonomy and control, which may help lower your stress levels and help you drift off to sleep.

“It could be that your goal is to meditate and you start with doing five minutes every evening,” she says.

>Adjust eating times Stay active Seek help

“Eating late or eating sugary foods before bed can impact people’s ability to fall asleep,” she says.

“The general rule of thumb is to try and eat dinner at least three or four hours before you go to sleep.

“Having caffeine in the evening, or drinking too much during the day, can also make it harder to fall asleep.”

>Stay active

“Make sure you are moving throughout the day and try to avoid sitting on a chair for hours on end,” says Dr Lederle.

“Try to do some exercise to help release tension and stress from the body.”

“If we have a stressful event, it’s quite normal to have poor sleep.

> Seek help

“But if you are struggling to sleep for more than two weeks, start to think about what might be impacting your sleep,” she says.

“Then if your sleep hasn’t resolved after that, I would suggest speaking to a specialist.” – PA Media/dpa

By CAMILLA FOSTER

Tuesday, 5 August 2025

New medical innovations to address rising cancer burden in Malaysia

The Hospital Picaso medical team is showcasing a cutting-edge, minimally invasive therapy for patients with prostate cancer

Prostate, pancreatic and liver cancers remain among the most pressing health challenges in Malaysia, with late-stage diagnoses continuing to impact patient outcomes.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting Malaysian men, with many cases detected only at advanced stages.

Liver cancer is also one of the most common cancers among Malaysians, while pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest due to late detection and limited treatment options.

In Petaling Jaya, Hospital Picaso – a dedicated centre of excellence for advanced surgery and integrated oncology – is responding to these challenges with next-generation treatment options.

It is the leading hospital in Malaysia to offer Irreversible Electroporation (IRE), a non-thermal ablation technique that targets cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.

This innovation represents a significant advancement in prostate cancer care, giving patients more precise options with fewer long-term complications.

“This technique gives us a targeted way to treat prostate cancer, while reducing damage to surrounding structures,” said Hospital Picaso consultant urologist Datuk Dr Loh Chit Sin.

“This treatment can help patients to retain urinary continence and preserve erectile dysfunction.

“These outcomes address two of the biggest concerns men face – maintaining quality of life while seeking effective care.”

Known as Irreversible Electroporation (IRE), this technique utilises high-voltage electrical pulses to destroy cancer cells without the use of heat.

This method allows treatment near delicate structures, such as nerves, ducts and blood vessels, making it suitable for tumours in the prostate as well as liver, pancreas and kidneys.

It reflects a more personalised approach to cancer care that supports both survival and post-treatment well-being.

Building on this advancement, Hospital Picaso is also introducing the Electrochemotherapy (ECT), further expanding its interventional oncology capabilities.

ECT combines short electrical pulses with localised chemotherapy to enhance drug absorption directly into tumour cells.

It is particularly effective for difficult-to-access or previously unresponsive tumours in the liver and pancreas.

By concentrating treatment where it’s needed most, while limiting systemic side effects, ECT offers new hope to patients with limited options.

New technologies are expanding what’s possible but early detection is still key to better outcomes.

“When we detect prostate, pancreatic or liver cancer early, we’re able to offer options that are less invasive and more targeted,” said Dr Loh.

“With techniques like Irreversible Electroporation and Electrochemotherapy, we’re not just treating the disease – we’re giving patients more control over their treatment journey.”

At Hospital Picaso, these innovations represent more than medical advancement.

They mark a shift in how cancer care is delivered – giving patients better options, making treatments more precise and helping people live more fully during and after recovery.

KKLIU: 2321/EXP 31.12.2027

Sunday, 13 July 2025

BE LABEL-SAVVY TO STAY HEALTHY for organic food among health-conscious consumers

PETALING JAYA: The multi-billion-ringgit global organic food and beverage market is expected to grow more by 2030, according to market research firm Grand View Research.

For Malaysia, there is a growing appetite for organic food among health-conscious consumers.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

But how do people know whether the “organic” foodstuff they buy are truly organic?

An important source is the myOrganic sticker that is usually found on the packaging of organic foodstuff sold at shops.

The myOrganic certification scheme is used to promote, implement and facilitate the adoption of organic agriculture, explains Agriculture Department (DOA) director-general Datuk Nor Sam Alwi.

“This certification scheme covers various organic activities, including fresh produce farming, beekeeping, the breeding of organic plant varieties and wild harvesting.

ALSO READ: Verifying food markers not quite an organic process

“The Malaysian Organic Certification Scheme is now known as myOrganic,” she said in in a statement to The Star.

To safeguard the authenticity of certified organic products, the regulation of organic items is primarily governed under the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985, overseen by the Health Ministry, she added.

The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has also registered the myOrganic certification logo with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) as a legitimate trademark.

“If the DOA receives complaints about the misuse of this logo, the matter will be referred to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry for further investigation.

“In cases where fraud is confirmed, the offending company may be prosecuted under the Trademarks Act 2019,” she said.

Upon conviction, offenders may face a fine of up to RM10,000 per item bearing the misused trademark, imprisonment of up to three years or both.

ALSO READ: How bugs help you spot organic durians

Nor Sam said the department has issued guidelines to certificate holders outlining the terms and conditions for the use of the myOrganic logo.

“However, we also rely on the cooperation of consumers to address the risks of fraud and logo misuse by lodging complaints where appropriate.

“Matters related to processing, repackaging or importation of organic products fall strictly under the jurisdiction of the Health Ministry,” she said.

To create awareness, the department is actively carrying out promotional activities targeting consumers through physical events and social media platforms, as well as by engaging with local organic associations.

“These initiatives focus on promoting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), highlighting the importance of recognising the myOrganic logo, encouraging the purchase of certified farm produce.

“Additionally, consumers can verify the validity of organic certification by visiting the DOA website at www.doa.gov.my under the list of certified recipients,” she said.

Dr Juju Nakasha Jaafar, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture at Universiti Putra Malaysia, said there has been confusion on the authenticity of organic products.

“For example, a seller might claim he is selling pesticide-free or chemical-free vegetables, which gives consumers the impression that the products are organic.

“In reality, these vegetables may be free from chemical pesticides but are still grown using chemical fertilisers and thus do not qualify as organic,” she said.

“For vegetables to be certified as organic, all input must be completely natural.

“This includes compost fertilisers, organic pesticides and non-genetically modified organism seeds.”

These are outlined in the myOrganic certification guidelines.

“Consumers can look for the myOrganic logo on vegetable products to ensure they are truly organic.

“The DOA strictly regulates this certification,” she said, adding that more details can be found on the DOA website.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) secretary-general Dr Saravanan Thambirajah said traders must verify the certification documents provided by suppliers before selling or labelling any product as organic.

“They should only use the term ‘organic’ when backed by certification,” he said.

Saravanan said consumers should look for official certification logos on packaging and not rely solely on general claims like ‘natural’.

“If you suspect a product is being falsely marketed as organic, you should report it to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry or lodge a complaint with Fomca,” he added.--

By KHOO GEK SAN, DIVYA THERESA RAVI and RAGANANTHINI VETHASALAM

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/07/12/be-label-savvy-to-stay-healthy

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