THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 MAY 2018
YOUR HEALTH
ALONG with a range of health
concerns affecting older people
such as poor dental health,
arthritis, heart disease and
dementia, many seniors are
susceptible to experiencing some
degree of swallowing difficulty.
Also known as dysphagia,
difficulty swallowing food is a
common consequence of various
medical conditions or surgeries
that affect the head and neck.
Medical conditions due to ageing
such as gum disease or losing one’s
teeth can be a contributing factor.
It can also be a sign of a problem in
the areas of the throat and
oesophagus (part of the canal that
connects the throat to the
stomach).
Among the symptoms of
dysphagia are coughing or choking
while swallowing food, pocketing
of food on one side of the mouth, a
change in voice and the sensation
of food getting “stuck” after a
swallow.
Even though not all seniors
suffer from serious dysphagia,
people in the advanced stages of
life go through various
physiological and biological
changes that may cause
malnutrition.
The loss of teeth, receding gum
and dry mouth can affect the
choices of food while the body may
be unable to break down the food
or absorb nutrients as effectively
as younger people.
As a result, seniors are likely to
Listen to your heart
CORONARY heart disease, also
known as coronary artery disease
and ischaemic heart disease, is the
number one killer in Malaysia.
Caused by plaque in the arteries
that block oxygenated blood
supply to the heart, coronary
artery disease can be fatal if not
diagnosed and treated in time.
According to data published last
year by the Malaysia Statistics
Department, 13.2% of the 162,201
reported deaths in 2016 were
caused by ischaemic heart
disease.
Due to genetics and lifestyle
changes, everyone needs to be
aware of the risk of getting a
heart attack.
A sedentary lifestyle with a
stressful job, lack of rest
and increased intake of unhealthy
food are some habits that raise
one’s risk of developing heart
disease.
Dr Mohan Ramachandran,
consultant cardiologist at Columbia
Asia Hospital, Bukit Rimau, says,
“We used to think that only older
people were at risk of developing
ischaemic heart disease, but our
patients are getting younger.
“It is not uncommon to see
people in their 20s coming in with
a heart attack, which was a rarity
a few years ago.”
Other risk factors that make
people more susceptible to
developing coronary disease
include high cholesterol, obesity,
smoking and a family history.
However, the biggest risk factor
is diabetes, and according to the
National Health and Morbidity
Nourishment for the elderly
Eating can be uncomfortable for seniors due to loss of teeth, receding gums
and various medical conditions.
suffer from dehydration, fatigue
and illnesses as well as experience
weight loss.
The lack of proper nutrition can
also lead to chronic diseases such
Dr Mohan Ramachandran.
Survey 2015, a whopping 3.5
million people in Malaysia are
diabetic. Even more at risk are
people who have yet to be
diagnosed, and are in danger of
getting heart attacks caused by
blocked arteries.
According to Dr Mohan, people
with risk factors, especially
diabetics and people above 30,
should attend annual check-ups.
Paying attention to your
body
The scariest thing about
coronary heart disease is that
initial symptoms are subtle or
almost non-existent. In fact, many
other diseases have similar
as diabetes, coronary heart disease
and hypertension.
Fortunately, in addition to
seeking expert medical advice on
the best ways to swallow safely
A sedentary
lifestyle with a
stressful job,
lack of rest
and increased
intake of unhealthy
food are some
habits that raise
one’s risk of
developing heart
disease.
symptoms, making it difficult to
diagnose without professional
intervention. The symptoms are:
l Chest pain radiating from the
left side that spreads to the neck,
shoulder, arm and jaw
l Shortness of breath
l Fatigue
l Dizziness
l Nausea and vomiting
l Profuse sweating
There are several different
screening procedures available
in Malaysia that can detect
blocked arteries such as blood
tests, electrocardiograms,
echocardiograms, computed
tomography scans, coronary
catheterisations or angiograms,
and stress tests.
and effectively, there are products
in the market that provide the
necessary daily nutrition for the
elderly.
For seniors with difficulty
swallowing, Appeton Wellness 60+
is formulated to be a nutritional
dietary supplement to take on top
of their daily diet.
For seniors under medical
supervision or during a
convalescent period (period when
one is recovering from illnesses),
Appeton Wellness 60+ can be
consumed as a meal replacement
either orally or through tube-
feeding when one is hospitalised.
A product of Belgium, its slow
and gradual release of protein is
kind to ageing kidneys and allows
for easier digestion.
Furthermore, the product is
halal and safe to be consumed by
seniors who are on a gluten- and
lactose-free or vegetarian diet.
In a clinical study conducted by
a team from the Department of
Nutrition and Dietetics at the
National University of Malaysia,
Appeton Wellness 60+ was found to
be beneficial when used as a
dietary supplement among
participants above the age of 60.
Respondents were reported to
have better general well-being
Reducing death rates
Coronary heart disease is
incurable, but with timely
diagnosis and proper treatment,
it can be managed. If diagnosed
early, medication and lifestyle
changes can reduce the risk
of fatality from the disease.
If a block has progressed to
an advanced stage and cannot
be removed through non-invasive
procedures, bypass surgery,
coronary laser surgery
or angioplasty would be
after consuming the product two
times daily on top of their daily
meals for three consecutive
months.
In addition to meeting the
healthy fat profile guidelines set by
the American Heart Association,
this supplement is free from
cholesterol and trans fat, making it
suitable for seniors who intend to
maintain heart health.
Appeton Wellness 60+ is packed
with a range of beneficial nutrients
such as carbohydrate, minerals
and antioxidants.
It also contains protein that
helps maintain muscle mass and
prebiotic inulin that promotes
growth of good bacteria and
improves gastrointestinal health.
Besides that, coenzyme Q10,
Vitamin B complex and chromium
are ingredients that are known to
increase a person’s energy levels.
Available in vanilla flavour, the
supplement comes in two
packaging sizes – 450g and 900g.
Appeton Wellness 60+ is sold at
pharmacies, Chinese medical halls
and designated medical channels
selected by healthcare
professionals.
n For more information, call
1800 188 811.
prescribed instead.
“Waiting too long to get surgery
increases the risk of complications
when you do undergo surgery.
“Most deaths due to coronary
heart disease can be prevented
with regular check-ups and
simple lifestyle changes. It
is everyone’s responsibility
to protect themselves from
becoming a statistic,” concludes
Dr Mohan.
n For more information, call
03-5125 9999.
2 Your Health
Spinning your way to fitness
HARI Raya Puasa marks the end of
Ramadan, during which Muslims
observe the practice of fasting.
In Malaysia, we will be visiting
each other’s open houses during
the festival to exchange festive
greetings and sample a variety of
delicious dishes.
Decadent food served such as
kuih makmur, lemang, serunding
and rendang can tempt anyone
into overindulging, but the rich,
fatty food you eat could lead to
weight gain.
Enjoy the convenience of
working out without leaving the
comfort of your own home with
the Maxx De Spin X, a spin bicycle
that provides realistic intensity
and resistance similar to a road
bike.
A friction-based braking system
lets users adjust the difficulty of
their ride by simply turning or
pressing a knob to create a
sufficiently challenging workout.
With a 13kg built-in cast-iron
flywheel, the Maxx De Spin X
provides a centrally balanced
structure, letting you create and
maintain optimal momentum
during use.
When working out, it is
important that you use your
exercise machines comfortably so
that you are more likely to
continue exercising.
The seat on the Maxx De Spin X
can be adjusted horizontally and
vertically to accommodate multiple
riding postures, letting you
customise your perfect riding
position.
Other than that, the uniquely
The Maxx De Spin X lets you work out and get fit in the comfort of your own home.
shaped seat with extra thick
padding makes riding more
comfortable.
The handlebar is vertically
adjustable, which means that
people of all heights can use
this machine with ease. Its
protective foam casing lets users
hold on securely, even when their
palms are sweaty.
Moreover, an adjustable
handlebar is important for comfort
and maintaining control of the
machine during intensive training
sessions.
Maxx De Spin X also comes with
front-mounted transport wheels
for convenient portability.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 MAY 2018
Staying hydrated while working
out is important. This spin bicycle
comes with a built-in bottle holder
that can save users the hassle of
getting off the bike every now
and then to fetch a glass of
water.
Besides that, the Maxx De
Spin X lets users track their
workout progress on its display
that measures time spent working
out on the machine, speed,
distance, calories burnt, heart
rate and revolutions per minute
(an indication of how fast the
flywheel is spinning).
This machine can help you
“spin” away extra weight and allow
you to enjoy this festive season,
guilt-free. Work out at home with
Maxx De Spin X and get your loved
ones involved to keep them fit as
well.
With 45 outlets in leading
shopping malls nationwide, Fitness
Concept is Malaysia’s largest fitness
specialist chain as certified by The
Malaysia Book of Records.
This festive season, enjoy up to
30% off with Fitness Concept’s Raya
Ceria Sale. Customers who make
purchases above RM1,000 stand a
chance to win fabulous prizes
worth up to RM500,000 by
participating in the Sure Win
Lucky Dip. Terms and conditions
apply.
n For more information,
call 03-7726 7787 (IPC Shopping
Centre store) or 03-2282 3200
(Mid Valley MegaMall store), e-mail
enquiries@fitnessconcept.com.my
or visit www.fitnessconcept.com.my
THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 MAY 2018
CONSTIPATION is a health
condition when one’s bowel
movement occurs less than two or
three times per week.
Constipation affects all age
groups, especially the elderly, who
often suffer from chronic stomach
discomfort and lazy bowels that
could potentially worsen if left
untreated.
“The biggest group of people
who experience constipation are
older people, and Malaysia has
an ageing population of about
three million who are above 60
years old,” says Datuk Dr Rajbans
Singh, consultant physician,
geriatrician and healthy ageing
specialist.
Having insufficient fibre in one’s
diet, not drinking enough water,
immobility and physical inactivity
can contribute to constipation.
“Taking multiple medications
can also affect bowel movements.
For example, antibiotics can
destroy good gut bacteria and
contribute to inflammation of the
bowel.
“Many individuals think that
constipation is just part of ageing,
but they do not realise the issues
and discomfort constipation could
bring to their lives,” adds Dr
Rajbans.
According to him, many elderly
people who are prone to
constipation resort to laxatives to
solve the problem, but taking
too much laxatives can result in
lazy bowel syndrome.
“Laxatives do not usually require
a doctor’s prescription. This is how
most people start abusing the
medicine and later develop an
addiction,” he says.
“Chronic use of laxatives could
cause excessive bowel contractions
that make the intestinal muscles
become tired and sluggish.
Addressing gut issues
Eventually, the bowel stops
reacting to the medication and
ends up requiring higher doses to
have the muscles moving again.”
However, constipation is a
lifestyle disorder that is highly
preventable through lifestyle
changes.
Dr Rajbans advises, “Simple
things such as exercising and
eating the right diet with plenty of
water and dietary fibre can make a
big difference.
“Brisk walking after a meal is
one way of making the gut
move. Looking after our gut
bacteria is also essential to overall
health.
“We have more bacteria in
our body than our cells. Too much
refined food and antibiotics can
destroy good bacteria, leading to
constipation and poor immune
system.”
According to Dr Rajbans, if one
Your Health 3
important. Fibre acts as a culture way to prevent constipation,” he
Chronic use of for good bacteria (probiotics) to
thrive and grow. We need to have
says.
Optimising gut health is possible
laxatives could both types of fibre to stimulate
bowel movement.
by choosing the right supplement
and changing our lifestyles for the
cause excessive “People who cannot take foods better.
bowel contractions that are high in fibre should look
for supplements that contain This article is brought to you
that make the good fibre content and the type
of bacteria that has been
by Legosan (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
intestinal muscles clinically studied. n For more information, call
become tired and “Taking a fibre plus probiotics
supplement regularly is a good
03-7956 2220 (9am to 5pm) or
e-mail info@biogrow.com.my
sluggish.
Datuk Dr Rajbans Singh
is taking the recommended
four to five portions of fruits
and vegetables a day, meeting
the daily fibre intake will not
be an issue.
“However, most elderly
are unable to consume
such a large amount of
fibre due to indigestion
and difficulty chewing.
Taking a powdered
fibre supplement
that provides
both soluble and
insoluble fibres
could help solve
the problem.”
Soluble fibre is
digested in the gut
while the insoluble
type helps move
roughage through
the bowels.
“The two
are equally
4 Your Health
Improving nerve health
NUMBNESS, tingling, pinprick
sensations, aches and cramps
in the arms and legs are all
indicative of peripheral
neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy refers
to the conditions that result
when nerves that carry messages
to and from the brain and spinal
cord from and to the rest of the
body are damaged or diseased.
Symptoms may be experienced
over a period of days, weeks or
years. Diabetic neuropathy is one
of the most common forms of
peripheral neuropathy.
Pain and numbness are often felt
simultaneously in both feet
followed by a gradual progression
up both legs. After some time, the
fingers, hands and arms may be
affected as well.
Vitamin B12 is critical for the
function of nervous system, and a
lack of it can cause significant
peripheral neuropathy.
There are two forms of vitamin
B12 – methycobalamin and
cyanocobalamin. Methylcobalamin
is the active form of vitamin B12.
Methylcobalamin is essential for
healthy development and
sustenance of our circulatory,
immune and nervous systems.
On the other hand,
cyanocobalamin is a byproduct
of the process of extracting
vitamin B12 from charcoal. The
liver must convert cyanocobalamin
to methylcobalamin for it to
perform its biochemical function
in the brain.
Thus, methylcobalamin is the
biologically active form of
vitamin B12 that can be readily
absorbed into the bloodstream.
Vitamin B12 can be obtained
from food sources such as fish and
meat.
The benefits of vitamin B12 are
listed below.
l Promotes healthy nerves
l Reduces nerve pain and
neuropathy symptoms due to
diabetes
l Improves numbness, reflexes,
sensitivity to vibrations, pinprick
sensations and pain
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is widely
known as a strong antioxidant that
protects against cell damage.
Natural sources of ALA include
organ meat and vegetables such
as broccoli and spinach.
The benefits of ALA are listed
below.
l Reduces symptoms of nerve
damage caused by diabetes such
as pain and numbness.
l Prevents cell and nerve
damage in the body and improve
essential vitamin levels
The combination of
methylcobalamin with ALA results
in a unique formulation that
happens to be effective in reducing
the symptoms of nerve damage
and promoting nerve health.
Make sure that no matter what
you do, adopt healthy lifestyle
habits to keep your nerves healthy.
Walk with ease and enjoy every
step forward, starting from today!
Complete
skin protection
TAKE a good look at your skin.
Does it show signs of ageing,
feels dry to the touch and lacks
the radiance you desire? In
short, is it unattractive to look
at? If the answer is yes, then
here is what’s happening to your
skin.
As we constantly expose
our skin to environmental
aggressors such as the sun and
pollution, it deteriorates in
health, making it dry, irritable
and lacklustre. Free radicals
start to exist within our skin,
putting the brakes on its regular
cell renewal cycle.
Along with poor nutrition and
stress factors, our skin begins to
show signs of damage – dry,
uneven tone, lines and dullness.
Left untreated, our skin can
suffer from premature ageing –
by this stage, the skin becomes
more difficult to care for and
repair.
What is the solution to
prevent all of the above?
Vitamin E. An antioxidant,
vitamin E is a natural ingredient
that has the ability to protect
cells against free radical damage
caused by the sun and pollution.
It protects right down to the
cell membrane functions so that
your skin cells can continue
THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 MAY 2018
This article is brought to you by
Vitamode and Medispec (M) Sdn
Bhd.
n For more information,
call 1300 800 228 or e-mail
enquiry@medispec.com.my
SkinLabs
Concentrated
Vitamin E Cream
is formulated
with 10,000
international units
of concentrated
vitamin E to give
you the optimum
protection you need
for your skin.
producing new cells to help
protect existing ones.
SkinLabs Concentrated
Vitamin E Cream is formulated
with 10,000 international units
of concentrated vitamin E to
give you the optimum protection
you need for your skin.
Both nourishing and soothing,
its unique formula helps relieve
dry and damaged skin as well as
prevent moisture loss.
Dehydrated skin is instantly
nourished upon application,
giving your skin the hydration it
needs to repair and rejuvenate.
SkinLabs Concentrated
Vitamin E Cream also helps
promote cell regeneration,
minimise scarring and prevent
against cell damages.
Using the product can help:
l Reduce scar visibility
l Diminish stretch marks
l Prevent dry, cracked and
damaged skin
l Lighten acne and other
blemishes
l Reduce sunburn
l Reduce the occurrence of
new wrinkles
Give your skin the protection
it deserves with SkinLabs
Concentrated Vitamin E Cream.
It is safe to use on both face and
body.
n For more information, call
Asia Healthcare at 03-6156 2836.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 MAY 2018
Living with
dementia
A WOMAN may suddenly go
from being the loving, doting
mother and grandmother that
she was to one who needs
undivided care and attention.
She may forget who you are and
be difficult when you visit her,
treating you like a stranger.
Dementia impairs a person’s
higher cortical functions,
possibly affecting memory,
character traits, emotions, the
capacity to solve problems, and
social and communication skills.
It is not uncommon for people
with dementia to lose a sense of
self, not knowing who or where
they are for short to prolonged
periods at a time.
However, dementia affects not
only those who live with the
condition but the people caring
for them. As the attention that
needs to be given to people with
dementia differs drastically
from caring for a child,
caregivers have a lot to learn
about being around such
individuals.
Caregivers need to realise that
while there will be challenges
ahead, they are surely not alone.
There are various steps that can
be taken such as to seek
emotional support and attend
talks to learn new
communication techniques and
other skills that would help
them manage the situation to
reach more positive outcomes.
All in the design
The ability to perform
everyday activities can start
becoming a challenge for people
with serious cases of dementia,
such as holding a knife to cut
fruits, properly cleaning
themselves after visiting the
toilet and recognising the
dangers of touching a pot that is
boiling on the stove.
It is for this reason that
among the first things caregivers
need to learn is how to see the
world from a new perspective,
one that will allow them to
analyse their surroundings to
quickly identify the potential
dangers posed to people with
dementia and areas that can be
improved to encourage mobility
and convenience.
While more severe cases of
Your Health 5
dementia would need round-
the-clock supervision, caregivers
need to take precautions such as
keeping sharp objects away and
restricting access to hot surfaces,
particularly when care is given
in a domestic setting.
According to the Management
of Dementia (2nd Edition) clinical
practice guidelines jointly
published by the Health Keeping elderly loved ones active and engaged can help them benefit fully from dementia-related therapy.
Ministry, Malaysian Psychiatric
Association, Academy of disease but a term to describe a group Unfortunately, memory loss Alzheimer’s disease.
Medicine of Malaysia and of symptoms associated with memory caused by Alzheimer’s disease, the There are medications available
Malaysian Society of loss. Memory loss is attributed to most common cause of dementia, is for treating curable dementia. For
Neurosciences in 2009, more than 50 causes, including not treatable. It is a progressive untreatable memory loss, however,
environment plays an important vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disease that eventually leads to the only way forward is through
role in affecting the behaviour problems (which can be cured), complete loss of memory. At present, different kinds of therapy.
and moods of people with strokes (also known as vascular about 80% of reported dementia
dementia. dementia) and Alzheimer’s disease. cases in Malaysia are caused by > TURN TO PAGE 7
Besides identifying dangerous
objects and installing safety
measures such as doorknob
covers and locks to reduce
unwanted exiting, the guidelines
state that caregivers must pay
attention to elements including
the amount of light in each
room, the use of colour schemes
and signage to assist with
orientation, clear walking paths,
and therapeutic design features
throughout the vicinity.
Floors with coarse texture,
sharp colour contrasts and
highly patterned surfaces can be
misinterpreted as a change in
level by people with impaired
depth perception.
It is important to ensure living
arrangements are designed with
accessibility in mind, while not
forgetting safety or the need to
encourage a sense of normalcy.
Practising patience and
kindness
Keeping verbal
communication short and using
simple, concrete sentences that
match the comprehension level
of the person with dementia is
imperative. Non-verbal
communication in the form of
hand gestures and other visual
cues is also encouraged.
There are certain points to
keep in mind when
communicating with people
affected by dementia.
l Simplify – Ask short and
simple questions that they can
comprehend. Do not pressurise
or rush them to reply. Be patient
and listen attentively to what
they have to say.
l Keep calm – You must
never behave in a way that
suggests to them that any
unwelcome incident is their
fault. Neven ridicule or
patronise them for what they
say.
l Be attentive – Listen to
what they have to say even if it
seems irrelevant. Encourage
them to talk more, about
whatever they want to.
l Clear instructions – Use
clear and simple verbal and
non-verbal communications for
instructions. You might need
to repeat your questions or
instructions but make sure
you maintain a polite tone
of voice.
A lifestyle change
Dementia is not a specific
6 Your Health THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 MAY 2018

Targeting the root cause

MANY believe that having joint
problems is part of ageing.
Although age will bring with it
some joint aches and pain, a joint
problem that gets progressively
worse over time is in fact due to
osteoarthritis (OA).
A degenerative disease, OA
progressively causes joint damage
and loss of joint functionality.
Although OA can cause damage to
any joint in the body, it most
commonly affects the knees, hips,
hands and spine.
The prevalence of OA increases
with age. In healthy joints, joint
tissues can rebuild at the same
rate as they are broken down. In
why many patients who
initially see positive
results from taking
glucosamine
supplements later
experience a return in
joint pain and stiffness as
their MMP enzymes take
over.
Therefore, tackling
long-term joint diseases
such as OA requires not
just supplementation of
glucosamine but also
inhibition of MMP enzymes.
Many drug companies have
attempted to develop drugs that
target and stop the degenerative

a person with OA, however, the
joints break down at a rate much
faster than the body is capable of
rebuilding.
This breakdown process
Aid to
actions of MMP enzymes.
However, these MMP enzyme
inhibitor drug prototypes have
been unsuccessful due to serious
side effects.

is driven by matrix
metalloproteinases (MMP
enzymes) or joint-ageing
enzymes.
MMP enzymes are
overexpressed in a person with
OA, causing the patient’s joints to
break down progressively over
time. Unless these MMP enzymes
are inhibited, the joints will
eventually be destroyed, leading
to loss of joint functionality
Glucosamine supplements help
repair damaged cartilage but are
not able to slow down the
breakdown of OA joints driven by
MMP enzymes. This may explain
Nature has produced a solution
to the dilemma of targeting these
destructive MMP enzymes. Biolane,
a patented active green-lipped
mussel extract, has undergone
over 40 years of research.
Besides having MMP inhibition
properties, it has anti-
inflammatory and antioxidant
properties to help repair and
preserve joint functionality in the
long term.
Biolane is recommended
especially for older patients whose
joints have been degenerating over
time. These patients are likely to
have tried glucosamine but still
experience the stiffness and loss of
joint functionality.
It is recommended that Biolane be
taken for at least three months to
allow joints the time to regenerate.
Biolane is neither a drug nor a
painkiller and results will not be
seen overnight.
This article is brought to you by
the Nuvaceuticals Division of
Nuvanta Sdn Bhd.
n For more information, call 03-5636
3758/1300 88 1712 or e-mail
pharmacist@nuvanta.com
hearing well
CALLING all mothers aged 60
and above who have hearing
problems – 20dB Hearing has
just the thing to help you.
Customers who purchase a
pair of 20dB V510 digital
hearing aids stand a chance of
receiving a free charger set
worth RM1,800 (subject to terms
and conditions).
With 16 years of experience,
20dB Hearing has the highest
number of hearing centres in
Malaysia and many awards
under its belt.
It employs the largest group
of experienced audiologists in
the country and is the only
hearing centre with an ISO
9001:2015 certification.
It also provides the widest
coverage in its product
protection plans.
n For more information, call
1800 882 032, message 012-942
7729 over Whatsapp or WeChat,
or visit www.20dbhearing.com
THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 MAY 2018
> FROM PAGE 5
While research is ongoing to improve
existing therapies, a few of them have
already been shown to delay hospitalisation
of dementia patients by improving their
cognitive behaviour and slowing down
deterioration of memory.
The therapies often implemented by
professional caregivers include reminiscence
therapy and reality orientation therapy to
help individuals with mild to moderate
dementia regain their cognitive balance.
These therapies involve reminding
patients of certain events or incidents in
their life by repeatedly telling them about
the experience or showing photographs.
Family members are encouraged to
participate as well.
Malaysians beware
According to www.statista.com, the
number of Malaysians with dementia is
predicted to rise from 123,000 in 2015 to
261,000 in 2030, to a whopping 560,000 in
2050. This statistic is based on a survey
Your Health 7
Providing
stability
conducted in 2014.
One reason for this worrying statistic is
the growing ageing population in Malaysia.
At present, majority of dementia patients fall
under the category of people aged above 60
and it is forecasted that by 2030, 15% of the
population of Malaysia will be 60 years old
and above.
This statistic also points to the need for
more professional centres offering dementia
care and the need for better awareness
among Malaysians on how to care for
elderly loved ones affected by this
frightening condition.
Alcohol consumption and excessive
consumption of sedatives or sleeping pills
have been linked to early onset of memory
loss in the elderly. If you are a caregiver to a
person showing early symptoms of memory
loss, you need to take extra precautions
before giving him or her over-the-counter
drugs.
Providing support to a loved one with
dementia is not an easy task, but with the
right knowledge and lots of patience, care
and understanding, you can take on this
important duty successfully.
8 Your Health
DO you spend hours staring at your
smartphone screen every day? Do you
know that eyeing the digital screen for
long hours can harm your vision?
Blue light – the high-energy visible
light emitted by digital screens – is one
of the contributing factors that cause
adverse effects to our eyes and vision.
Seventy-one per cent of Malaysians
own a smartphone and spend an average
of 5.1 hours a day on the Internet.
Constant exposure to potentially
damaging blue light from smartphones
and other digital devices causes visual
stress that damages the retina, accelerates
vision deterioration and increases the risk
of developing age-related eye diseases at
a much earlier age.
While limiting the amount of time spent
staring at digital screens is one precaution to
protect your eyes in this digital world, good
nutrition is also one of the key factors in
promoting healthy eyes and sharper vision.
Below are six sources of key nutrients for
heathier eyes.
l Marigold – Naturally rich in lutein and
zeaxanthin, which are important in
promoting healthy vision. Clinical studies
have shown that daily intake of 10mg lutein
and 2mg zeaxanthin is beneficial for eye
health. Lutein and zeaxanthin in
combination can filter harmful blue light
and ultraviolet (UV) rays and neutralise free
radicals.
l Haematococcus pluvialis – A type of
freshwater green microalgae that is
THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 MAY 2018
Protect your eyes
naturally high in astaxanthin. Astaxanthin
is an antioxidant that can promote retinal
blood flow and alleviate eye fatigue.
l Wolfberry (goji) – Naturally high in
polysaccharides and carotenoids, wolfberry
is traditionally used for improving eyesight,
especially night vision.
l Eyebright – Traditionally used for relief
of eye strain, fatigue or irritation.
l Bilberry – A source of anthocyanosides,
which provides antioxidant protection and is
essential for visual acuity in dim light and
darkness.
l Dunaliella salina – A type of green
microalgae that is naturally high in mixed
carotenoids including beta-Carotene, alpha-
Carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin to support
eye health.
Alleviate eye problems
Biogrow OPTIbrite E Capsule is a 6-in-1
new and improved formulation with
higher strength. Each vegetable capsule
contains clinically approved amount of
10mg lutein and 2mg trans-zeaxanthin
extracted from marigolds, astaxanthin from
Haematococcus pluvialis, anthocyanosides from bilberries and other eye health- healthy eyes and sharper vision. Biogrow
enhancing nutrients from wolfberries, OPTIbrite E Capsule is certified halal by
eyebrights and Dunaliella salina. Jakim and suitable for vegetarians. It is
It is recommended for ageing adults, now available in all leading pharmacies
students, computer users, individuals with nationwide.
vision impairment or poor eyesight,
individuals experiencing eye strain or tired This article is brought to you by Legosan
eyes due to reading, driving or prolonged (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
use of digital devices (such as smartphone
and tablet), and individuals who are n For more information, call 03-7956 2220
frequently involved in outdoor activities or visit www.biogrow.com.my
and exposed to UV rays. This is a traditional product advertisement.
Take one capsule daily after meal for KKLIU No.2262/2017