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! |
What is in the bubble tea?
A cup of bubble tea to quench your thirst and you are loading your body with calories, fats and sugars! Bubble tea contains flavourants, sugars, with minimal nutritional value. The chewy black pearls are made from tapioca and sugar. With one added serving of the pearls, the calories of your bubble tea boosts up another 100kcal. Prefer the milky taste? It adds another 70kcal. For a calorie-sensible treat, get plain bubble tea without milk and choose Nata de Coco instead of the pearls. Best of all, head to the nearest convenient store for a low-sugar soy milk instead! |
Water for Beauty.
70% of our body is made up of water. Water is necessary for metabolic activities and regulating the moisture content in skin. With aging, the skin’s water binding ability is significantly reduced. For hydration from within, try Hyaluronic Acid, a skin nutrient that locks up to 6,000 times its weight to retain moisture, smoothen wrinkles, and stimulate repair of damaged skin. |
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. |
Have a rainbow diet!
Nothing can beat the natural goodness in raw fruits and vegetables, in supplying most of the vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals for general well-being. Including a colorful array of fruits and vegetables provide well-rounded benefits: Think Red for hormonal balance and cancer protection; Orange for skin health and UV protection; Green for toxic removal; Purple for healthy vision; White for stamina and immune health! |
Quality sleep for good health.
Aim to get a good night’s rest of 6-8 hours of sleep for good health. A lack of sleep can cause muscle aches, dizziness, weight gain, attention deficit and lack of concentration. It can even increase the risk of developing cancer! The Nurses’ Health Study by Harvard University concludes that people who do not get sufficient amounts of sleep are at a much higher risk of developing breast cancer and colon cancer. Sleep helps to promote healthy secretion of Human Growth Hormone and melatonin that prevent aging and testosterone production. |
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. |
Essential Good Cholesterol.
Cholesterol is necessary for the production of hormones, bile salts and vitamins in our body. High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) may cause plaque formation on artery walls, while good cholesterol (HDL) facilitates removal of excess cholesterol thus decreasing the risk of heart diseases. Maintain a good cholesterol balance with soluble fiber intake (to lower bad LDL), and Omega-3 fatty acids (to raise good HDL). Cold water fish (salmon, sardine and mackerel) are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Alternatively, try flax seeds and soy beans. |
Poor immune health? Your gut could be the culprit!
When the intestinal lining is irritated, it creates pathways for unwanted larger molecules to pass through. Bacteria, toxins, undigested food particles, are the potential culprits that impair your immune health. Stress, infections, excessive alcohol consumption, a poor diet and medication can affect your gut. Vinegar is a traditional aid for digestion and reducing bloatedness, as it promotes the growth of good bacteria in the gut. For a new sense of wellness from within, try Kouzu Vinegar, a prized amino-rich Japanese vinegar. The 3-year fermented formula promotes vitality, aids digestion and natural weight loss! |
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! |
Cervical cancer leads to 100 death cases per year in Singapore!
There are 200 diagnosed cases yearly. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), early sexual contact, multiple sexual partners, smoking, weakened immune system and taking oral contraceptives expose females to higher risk. You may have no signs or symptoms of cervical cancer until it has progressed to an advanced stage. If you are sexually active, do a pap smear every three years for early detection. Load up your body with raspberries as the ellagic acid in these berries is clinically proven to possibly kill off HPV and inhibit cancer growth. |
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. |
Dye your hair, harm your health.
Hair dying contains chemicals that capable of removing or covering natural pigments found inside the hair shaft. Use of these chemicals can result in many side effects, including skin irritation, hair breakage and skin discolouration. Many studies have consistently found that hair colorists have an increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia. You should avoid and reduce the frequency of hair dying to reduce your risk from getting cancer. |
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. |
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