Walk the mall!
Nothing is more exciting than doing your exercise and shopping at the same time. A research on shopping pattern shows that shoppers spent up to 86 minutes in shopping mall per visit. An 86 minutes of brisk walking can use up 500kcal! That is ¼ of the daily calorie intake of a normal weight adult! Incorporate brisk walking during your shopping spree for the extra calories burnt. A weekly shopping trip can help you lose 1kg in 4 months time, simple by walking faster in the mall! |
Omega-3 fortified foods for health?
Research shows omega-3 fats help keeping heart, joints and brain healthy. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for omega-3 fats in the UK is 450mg for adults and 200mg for children. Recognizing the health benefits of omega-3, a lot of foods are now fortified with this healthy fat. But, are they sufficient to supply the need? To reach the recommended daily amounts, an adult needs to eat 5 omega-3 enriched eggs daily! A 6-ounce salmon has 100 times higher omega-3 content compared with fortified yoghurt. So, go get the salmon or tuna instead! |
Wear protective clothing.
Clothing provides up to 98% UV protection against harmful UV rays. Choose tightly-woven fabric over loosely-woven types for the best UV shield. Test the UV-protection level of the fabric by holding it up to the light. If you can see through the fabric, then the UV radiation can penetrate it easily to reach your skin layers. Taking antioxidants can help boost your sun protection from within. Coenzyme Q10 is an essential nutrient and potent antioxidant to fight UV-generated free radicals, and also safeguards your heart and enhances energy levels. |
Oatmeal as a natural exfoliator.
Looking for a natural remedy to cleanse and exfoliate skin? Other than helping lower cholesterol and improving digestion with its high fiber content, Oatmeal contains saponin, a natural cleanser to retain skin’s moisture. Grind 3 tablespoons of rolled oats finely and add water to form a paste. Apply to face and neck, leaving on for 10 minutes. Rinse off. This natural mask gently removes dirt, oils and cleanses the pores without irritating the skin. Try it today! |
Choose whole grain breads.
Choose wholegrain breads over white breads. White bread is made from white flour is refined to remove the bran and germ, which carry the most nutrients and fiber. Look out for food labels that list the first ingredient as whole wheat, whole meal, or whole corn. If you can, choose whole grain breads with intact grains, seeds, oats or nuts. These will help regulate blood sugar level and maximize the benefits of carbohydrates. |
Take 5 from the computer.
Computers have become necessities in our daily lives. It’s important to maintain good eye habits and good posture, as long term repeated usage can lead to repetitive strain injury. Ideally, the computer screen should be 18-30 inches away from you. Take short, frequent breaks of at least 30 seconds after every 20 minutes of computer use to rest your muscles and eyes. Bilberry is naturally rich in anthocyanins that alleviate fatigue and guard your eyes against the glaring damage. |
Joint food.
Foods high in antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables can help to fight off free radicals which may damage our joints. Omega-3 fatty acids have natural anti-inflammation properties to reduce swelling and stiffness. For extra cartilage help, take supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin to build up cartilage, improve joint lubrication and to inhibit enzymes from further cartilage breakdown. Joint Sensei is a quad-action formula with glucosamine, chondroitin, cat’s claw and Ajuga extracts specially formulated for joint health and improved flexibility. |
Red wine for a healthy heart.
Red wines contain antioxidants that can help to increase your ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL) and protect against artery damage by the ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL). Red wines also contain a substance called resverastrol which help to prevent blood clots, reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. According to the American Heart Association, the recommended intake is 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women (1 drink = 4 ounce/118ml of red wine). Taken in moderation, a glass of red wine help provide many health benefits towards a healthy heart. |
Healthy travelling!
Nothing spoils the excitement of discovering a foreign place like falling sick. The most common conditions are diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps and bloating. It pays to take extra precautions, particularly if you are travelling to developing countries: always stick to bottled water, avoid eating raw or undercooked food. Wash your hands with soap, and use a hand sanitizer when washing facilities are unavailable. |
Laugh to better health!
The easiest and simplest way to boost your immunity is to laugh out loud. Laughing helps to decrease stress hormones and increases immune cells and strengthens your internal defence system to resist colds better. Having a positive attitude, and a sense of humor helps you relax and feel more upbeat. |
Caffeine and pregnancy.
Excess caffeine may lead to low birth weight and miscarriage. Caffeine may affect baby’s growth as it may constrict blood vessels and limit the nutrient supplies to baby. Also, caffeine inhibits iron absorption. The low iron stores at fetal stage causes higher risk of iron deficiency anemia during infant development. Yet, pregnant mothers need not avoid caffeine totally. American Dietetic Association suggests 300mg daily (equals to 3 cups of coffee) as the upper limit of caffeine intake for pregnant women. Other sources of Caffeine include tea, soda, chocolates and energy drink! |
Leukorrhea solution.
Leukorrhea is a thick, whitish or yellowish vaginal discharge. Inflammation around the vaginal, yeast infection and the usage of vaginal deodorants may lead to leukorrhea. Power up your own immune defense through intake of probiotics may help inhibit the growth of yeast and other microbes that possibly lead to abnormal discharge. Pick underwear with cotton material over nylon as nylon retains sweat and increases the risk of infection. Good hygiene and a well-balanced diet are essential to reduce risk of infections. |
Moisturize dry scalp.
We put in a lot of efforts to make sure that our skin is well-moisturized and tend to forget the layer of skins underneath the hair. If we have dry skin, most likely will have a dry scalp too. Dry skin is the most common cause of itchy and flaking scalp. Scalp oil moisturizes scalp better than the cream or lotion as it stays longer on the scalp. Jojoba oil is most commonly used. Others include almond, flax seed, or olive oil. Apply the scalp oil on wet hair, it prevents oil getting into hair. Choose shampoo with citrus oil, tea tree oil or chamomile oil as they rinse out oil treatment effectively. |
SLS-free shampoo!
Check your shampoo label and look for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – a common foaming agent that present in 90% commercially available shampoos. SLS is able to permeate the skin effectively and concentrate in some organs such as eyes, brain and heart. It washes away the hair moisture and may lead to premature shedding of hair, clogged hair follicle and finally, and hair loss. Avoid products containing SLS. Seek natural alternatives! AFC Shokaigan Shampoo with zero content of SLS and natural blend of 10 amino acids to gently deep cleanse, unclog hair follicles and regulate hair scalp pH. |
Sensitive teeth? Pick the right brush for pain-free brushing
For those with sensitive teeth and bleeding gum, brushing and cleaning interdental spaces can create pain and discomfort. Tooth sensitivity occurs as a result of receding gum and exposed dentin. Many factors lead to sensitivity. Brushing too hard, over time, can damage enamel and cause recession of gum. The build-up of plaque, may cause gum disease, leading to bleeding gum and sensitivity. Pick a soft brush with fine bristles to reduce abrasive on tooth structure and to cleanse the gum line better. A toothbrush with compact brush head allows you to brush hard-to-reach areas, like back teeth, which can be easily missed while brushing with normal-sized brush head. |
|
