Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Editor’s Message
Published by:
AcePremier.com Sdn Bhd (829271-K)
N-2-6, Plaza Damas, 60, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1,
Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
T: +603-6203 2522 F: +603-6203 4522
E: info@acepremier.com www.AcePremier.com
Publisher
John Lim
Editor
Lily Wong
Marketing & Sales
Fiona Lim
Adeline Chin
Creative Team
Yasmin Sarah Hamdan
Nur Hazwani
Advisory Panel
Dr Yee Kok Meng
Cardiologist
Sunway Medical Centre
Dr Nor Azlina Mohd Yusof
Consultant Cardiologist
Prince Court Medical Centre
Health and Happiness
Health is wealth – these three words, although simple, is a profound reminder that
being healthy should be a top priority in our lives. Without a well-functioning body
and mind, all the material luxuries in the world are meaningless if you are unable to
enjoy them. Ultimately, a life lived well is a healthy life lived to the fullest.
Our May issue brings together thoughtful suggestions to ensure a better balance
in our daily lives. When it comes to our diet, a doctor and a dietitian share
valuable tips on ensuring healthy blood sugar levels through our food intake. It's
also important to work out every day, and there's no better way to start an
exercise routine than with this list of belly fat workouts that we have put together.
Need to keep bad hair days at bay? We have natural remedies you can try using
ordinary ingredients you can easily get from your supermarket. On a more serious
note, we have also included first aid steps for asthma attacks in this issue. Just
knowing one of these steps could potentially help save a life.
I hope you are inspired by this edition's feature stories and health tips. Happy
reading, and I will see you soon!
Regards,
Lily Wong
Printer
Times Offset (M) Sdn Bhd
Bangunan Times Publishing
Lot 46 Subang Hi-Tech
Industrial Park, Batu Tiga,
40000 Shah Alam Selangor
Distributor
Central Paper Agencies Sdn Bhd
NATURAL HEALTH encourages reader feedback.
Please email to editor@acepremier.com
Reproduction of the material contained herein is forbidden
without the permission of the publisher.
NATURAL HEALTH magazine is published 12 times a year by
AcePremier.com Sdn Bhd
Disclaimer
Editorial material herein is provided for information only. Reader
are cautioned not to use this information as a substitute for
regular professional health care and consultation. Although great
care has been taken in compiling and checking the information
given in this publication, the publisher, authors, advisors and
agents shall not be responsible or in any way liable for continued
currency of the information or for any errors, omissions or
inaccuracies in this publication whether arising from negligence
or otherwise howsoever, or for any consequences arising there
from. The inclusion or exclusion of any product does not mean
that the publisher advocates or rejects its use either generally or
in particular field or fields.
Advertisements are subject to editorial acceptance and have no
influence on editorial content or presentation. The publishers,
authors, advisors and agents do not guarantee, directly or
indirectly, the quality or efficacy of any product or service
described in the advertisements or other material which is
commercial in nature.
For all business and partnership matters please contact our
Director, John Lim at info@acepremier.com or +603 6203 2522.
Copyright © 2022. AcePremier.com Sdn Bhd.
Join our Facebook Fan page
Naturalhealth.my
We are available at:
Bookstores
Pharmacies
Associations
Hospitals/Clinics/
Specialists/
Medical Centres
BRAND Story
Ensuring Good Gut
Health In Children
The best investment you can make in life is for your health.
At TCK BON, you can expect the best quality and the most reliable
health products. With the belief that “Better Product, Better
Health”, this homegrown company emphasises quality and efficacy
in all their products.
Since their inception in 2009, the company has spearheaded
the market with the latest and safest advanced technology and
scientific research formulations. Thus you can be assured of
premium quality health supplements that deliver results naturally
and effectively.
Health Products You Can Trust
TCK BON’s product line-up includes ProbioKidz ME, Probio-D,
Bon-Biotics and TigrusMune. Each of these products are
formulated using natural ingredients and the latest technology
to help enhance our health and well-being.
“Our inspiration is to provide customers with quality products
that can benefit their health,” says Dr Perry Tan, CEO & MD of
TCK BON. “Amongst our four products, our top seller is
ProbioKidz ME for the past ten years.”
Apart from being an all-time favourite with consumers,
ProbioKidz ME has also won multiple awards over the years,
including being honoured with the Natural Health Readers’
Choice Award for five years in a row, including two of the latest
Diamond Awards.
“We are happy and proud that ProbioKidz ME is a multiple
award winner. It shows that our product has gained the
recognition of the consumers in the market, especially for
parents with kids. Most importantly, it has become a special
part of the consumer’s family and also TCK BON itself,”
Dr Perry adds.
4 Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
BRAND Story
BON ProbioKidz ME has won
the Natural Health Readers’
Choice Award in the Kids’
Probiotics Category for
5 consecutive years!
CEO & Managing Director Dr Perry Tan (left), Chairman Dato’ Tan Chee Keong (centre), and Sales Manager Mr Leong Kah Tong (right).
BON ProbioKidz ME: Probiotics Just for Kids
Made especially for your precious little ones, BON ProbioKidz
ME provides parents with an easy and convenient way to ensure
your children are getting their daily dose of probiotics to protect
and improve their gut health. Just a simple dose will go a long
way as this probiotic for kids features a unique combination of
Probiotic strains imported from Canada: Lactobacillus Helveticus-
Rosell 52 and Bifidobacterium Longum Rosell-175. Using the
patented Probiocap ME (Micro-encapsulation) Technology, this
supplement helps to protect the probiotic strains’ integrity from
stomach acid and heat.
“In selecting probiotics for their children, we recommend parents
to choose a probiotic that is specifically formulated for kids,”
Dr Perry advises. “Other factors to consider would be the quality
of the probiotic and the flavours that appeal to the kids. Always
buy from an established and reputable company offering quality
products. At TCK BON, our probiotics are sourced directly from
the world-renowned Rosell Institute Lallemand in Canada and
has been proven to help with your child’s gut health, appetite
and immunity.”
Available in a convenient powder form, BON ProbioKidz ME
can be consumed on its own, with food or with drinks. As it
comes with a tasty vanilla flavour, a multitude of parents claim
that their children are able to consume it easily and that the
kids love it!
Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
5
NATURAL Beauty
8 ALL-
NATURAL
REMEDIES
FOR DRY
AND
DAMAGED
HAIR
Nothing spells “bad hair days” more than dry and damaged hair. The good news is unless your
parched crowning glory is beyond repair due to over-perming or using too many chemicalladen
products, you can still restore it to its naturally soft and shiny state. Here are several natural
remedies to turn your dry hair into bouncy, beautiful tresses.
Oiling Your Hair
Oils have been used for centuries to
help protect, nourish, and improve the
appearance of our hair. Oiling hair is
also known to reduce dry hair as it
protects the follicle by sealing the gap
between cuticle cells. In Ayurvedic
medicine, oils are often used to treat
hair loss and heal scalp issues. Let’s
look at some of the best oils to use for
dry hair.
COCONUT OIL AND
1 OTHER NATURAL OILS
A natural emollient, coconut oil helps
fill the gaps in the strands of dry hair
caused by heat or the sun. A 2005
study showed that coconut could
effectively penetrate hair fibres to help
with rehydrating and moisturising dry
and damaged hair. Coconut oil aside,
olive oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil are
equally effective for parched locks.
• Place a few drops of coconut oil
(or other alternative oils of your
choice) on your palm and rub
them together. Add more oil if
required.
• Apply the oil to your hair in this
order: the ends, the crown of your
head and finally, the root of your
hair. As dry ends are more
prominent, working your way up
6 Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
NATURAL Beauty
ensures the oil is distributed
optimally and prevents too much
oil from getting to your roots. If
you tend to have an oily scalp, you
can just focus on applying the oil
on the ends and skip the crown
and root.
• Saturate your hair in coconut oil
– just enough that it covers the
dry parts.
• Leave the oil for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Rinse off the oil thoroughly with
water or use a mild shampoo.
2ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils can help tame dry,
frizzy hair – with an added bonus: they
smell great! However, they are very
potent, so never use them neat or
undiluted. Always pair essential oils
with a carrier oil like olive oil, avocado,
or jojoba. Here are some essential oils
that are beneficial for dry hair:
• Peppermint is a refreshing
essential oil with a distinct hot and
cold feeling. It can be used for
both dry and greasy hair because
it helps balance oils on the scalp.
• Lavender balances oil in the scalp
and can be used for all hair types:
oily, dry, or flaky. For dry locks, it
helps with conditioning the hair,
leaving it soft and shiny.
• Ylang ylang is a floral and fruity
essential oil known for improving
growth, conditioning hair, and
balancing scalp oils.
• Sandalwood seals in moisture in
dry, damaged hair.
• Geranium oil balances the scalp’s
oil production as well as naturally
conditioning it.
• Studies show that rosemary can
help relieve scalp itching and
dryness while restoring moisture
balance in the scalp and
controlling frizzes in hair strands.
CAUTION
Not all essential oils are
safe for pregnant ladies or
nursing moms. Always
consult your doctor before
using any of these oils.
Follow these easy steps to use an
essential oil mix for dry hair:
• Mix 5-7 drops of your selected
essential oil with 1 tbsp of carrier
oil. You can use a combination of
oils or just one. However, don’t
overdo it. It’s best to stick to 1 to
2 oils.
• Massage the mixture into the
scalp for 2 to 3 minutes using
your fingertips. Using circular
strokes, work the oils into your
hair, focusing on the ends. Apply
gentle yet sufficient pressure to
the different parts of the scalp.
• Leave it between 30 minutes to
an hour.
• Wash it off with a mild shampoo.
Hair Masks Made from
Everyday Food
Many types of healthy food can help
give our hair a moisturising boost. For
example, eggs and mayonnaise aren’t
just reserved for salads and
sandwiches –they can help restore
moisture to dry or brittle hair; hence
they make pretty effective hair masks!
As these two types of food contain a
high amount of protein, it aids in
fortifying and strengthening the hair
as well.
Other foods like avocado, bananas,
and yoghurt make excellent hair
masks, too, thanks to their
nutritionally-rich content. Of course, it
works even better when you
incorporate these foods into your daily
diet, so it will help nourish your health
and hair inside out.
3 EGGS
You would need raw eggs for this
mask, so it can get really sticky and
slimy. Use gloves and ensure to clean
up all your tools and surfaces properly
after using this recipe to prevent
cross-contamination.
• Mix three eggs with 2 tablespoon
of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of
honey. Mix them thoroughly.
• Apply the mixture to the whole
head – ends, crown and scalp.
• Use a biodegradable plastic or
shower cap to cover your head.
Leave for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Rinse hair with water and
shampoo.
8 Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
NATURAL Beauty
4MAYONNAISE
Cold mayonnaise is the best
to give you a combination of
smooth texture and cool
sensation on your hair. The creamy
consistency also spreads nicely
across the hair.
• Use warm water to wet your hair
thoroughly. Squeeze off excess
water, so your hair is not dripping
wet.
• Apply a thick layer of mayonnaise
straight out from the jar to your
hair and scalp.
• Use a biodegradable plastic or
shower cap to cover your head.
Leave for 30 to 60 minutes.
• Rinse hair with water and
shampoo.
5 AVOCADO
Power-packed with vitamins A
and E as well as saturated fats and
minerals, avocado is easy to use and
effective as a remedy for damaged
and dry hair.
• Use a ripe, medium-sized
avocado. Peel off the skin and
mash it well into a paste. You can
also add egg white to it if you
want a thicker texture.
• Apply the paste to your wet hair
• Leave for 20 minutes. You can
cover your head with a towel or
shower cap.
• Rinse it off with water and
shampoo. You might need to do
this a few times to get all the
paste off your hair.
6 YOGHURT
Fermented milk products are a
popular traditional Middle Eastern hair
growth treatment. Yoghurt, in
particular, is a great ingredient to
restore dry hair as it is believed the
lactic acid in yoghurt can clean the
scalp, clear away dead skin cells and
helps with hair follicle growth. In
addition, yoghurt hair masks can also
rejuvenate damaged hair caused by
UV rays, air pollution, styling tools, and
hair products.
• Mix yoghurt and honey
thoroughly.
• Apply to dry hair and leave it on
for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Honey can be sticky, so rinse off
the hair mask with warm water.
You can also use a mild shampoo
to clean your hair.
7 BANANAS
You may be surprised to learn that
while bananas don’t contain much
juice, it has high moisture content and
are high in potassium too. It’s a
convenient ingredient to soften dry
hair, improve elasticity and prevent
split ends.
• Use a just-ripe banana. Overripe
ones are not recommended as
they can get really messy.
• Peel the ban and mash the
banana until it becomes a soft
paste.
• Apply to your hair from the roots
to the ends.
• Leave for up to an hour and rinse
it off.
REMINDER
Before trying any of the
ingredients or oils
recommended in these hair
recipes, it’s important to do a
skin patch test to ensure you
are not allergic to any of them.
Rub a tiny amount on your
forearm and wait 30 minutes.
Make sure you don’t
experience any redness,
stinging or itchiness (common
allergic reaction symptoms).
GOOD HAIRCARE
8 HABITS
Good haircare is key to preventing dry
and damaged hair in the first place.
Daily care will also ensure you can get
your frizzes under control and
minimise bad hair days. Here are a few
steps to incorporate into your daily
haircare routine:
1. Wash your hair using mild
shampoos. Restrict shampooing
to your scalp, where oil tends to
build up.
2. As shampoos can remove your
hair’s natural oils and moisture,
limit washing your hair every
other day.
3. Conditioning dry hair is more
important than over-washing it to
prevent it from drying out.
4. Detangle your hair when you
apply conditioner. This will help
prevent hair from breaking easily.
5. Use natural hair masks like the
ones suggested above once a
week.
6. For very frizzy hair, oil your hair an
hour before you wash your hair
with shampoo.
7. Rinse your hair with cool or
lukewarm water. Avoid using hot
water as it can strip natural oils
from your scalp.
8. Stop using hair styling products
that put too much heat on your
hair or have chemicals that dry
your hair out.
9. Trim your hair regularly to keep
your hair in good shape. A good
trim also ensures neater, softer
hair free from split ends.
10. When you step outdoors, use an
umbrella or wear a hat. This is to
protect your hair from strong UV
rays, which can be very damaging
to your hair and skin.
10 Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
BRAND Story
Successful Milestones:
The Story of ZINNIA
With passion and perseverance, success is inevitable. For
ZINNIA GLOBAL Sdn Bhd, these two values serve as a strong
foundation for their growth over the years. Established in
2006, this homegrown company is helmed by ZINNIA’s
founder Mr. Alanm Lee, who worked with the whole team
at ZINNIA to achieve new milestones for the brand –
including launching the brand in Hong Kong in 2012 and
Xiamen, China in 2018.
In spite of the many challenges in his
business journey, Mr. Lee remained
steadfast and worked hard to reach his
goals and vision. He relentlessly exercised
tenacity and sheer willpower, which he
cultivated during his years growing up.
“Mr. Lee came from a financially well-off
background. However, during his
adolescent years, his father’s business
went into debt due to difficulties and
was forced to close down. As the debt
grew, Lee, who was only 13 at that time,
had to voluntarily work and earn money
after school to reduce the financial
burden on his family. He continued to do
so until he entered college. However, due
12 Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
BRAND Story
to his obligations at work, he could not
further his studies and thus, chose to
leave college,” representatives from
ZINNIA shared. “As a result of the early
hardships he faced, Lee had developed
a strong, positive outlook on life as well
as diligence and an eagerness to learn.”
Pursuit of Passion
At the age of 20, Mr. Lee began his first
business. Due to a lack of experience and
funds, the venture failed within half a
year. Undaunted, Lee sought to improve
his business skills, and three years later,
he started his second business. That startup
also failed and incurred a large debt,
but Mr. Lee was undeterred. Instead, he
pivoted his direction and moved into the
health and beauty industry.
His new career in health and beauty took
off, and he was able to pay off his debts
within three years. He was also promoted
to business development director and was
instrumental in helping his company get
listed in the stock market. While his career
was thriving, he still dreamed of having
his own business. After his resignation,
Lee attempted his third business start-up
– ZINNIA GLOBAL Sdn. Bhd.
Tough Beginnings
Starting a business is just the first step.
When it comes to taking it all the way
to the top, it is no easy feat. For Mr. Lee,
he carried on with tenacity, leveraging
the experience and insight he had
gained from his past business failures
to guide him.
The biggest obstacle for ZINNIA was
during the early stages of the business
when the company encountered
problems with suppliers, resulting in
continuous loss for 30 consecutive
months. At this time, many senior
executives willingly reduced their salaries
or worked without pay because of their
strong belief in the company. One staff,
in particular, played a pivotal role in these
difficult times.
When Lee wanted to give up, she
reminded him: “If you haven’t reached
the “Mother River”, don’t give up!” This
sentence had a profound effect on him,
to which he firmly replied, “Even if I reach
the “Mother River”, I will also not give
up!” Inspired by Mr. Lee’s fierce
determination, his team followed suit
and worked hard to achieve success.
All the sweat and tears paid off
handsomely. Today, ZINNIA is a wellknown
brand and has more than 1,000
distributors in Malaysia, including
reputable partners such as HealthLane
Family Pharmacy, Big Pharmacy,
Multicare Pharmacy, etc. The company
has also established successful
subsidiary companies in Xiamen, China,
and Hong Kong.
A Trusted Brand
Right from the start, ZINNIA champions
the vision of striving towards the
ultimate aim of safety and effectiveness.
Based on this philosophy, ZINNIA has a
portfolio of products that suit the needs
of today’s fast-paced society. One of
them, ZINNIA INNER CLEANSE, is a
bestseller – thanks to its safe, simple
and effective formulation.
The company also prides itself on
continuous investment in research and
development, integrating the
production process with innovative
Nanotechnology, with each product
made of natural ingredients.
“The idea of ZINNIA was to always help
others with dedication and sincerity. This
concept has been ingrained in the
company’s mindset and our products as
we continuously strive for everyone to
enjoy a healthy life,” the brand says. “In
summary, with ZINNIA’s concept of
‘safety, convenience, and effectiveness’,
everyone can achieve a healthy physique
with peace of mind.”
ZINNIA’s products are available at all major pharmacies. Visit www.zinnia2u.com for more
information on their products, or follow their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/VTOX2U)
for their latest updates.
QR Code for Website
QR Code for FB Page
Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
13
FOOD & Nutrition
How to
Control Your
Blood Sugar:
Top Tips from
a Doctor and
a Dietitian
Watching our blood sugar level is an essential
component of a healthy diet and lifestyle –
whether we are in good health or diagnosed
with diabetes. According to the National
Health and Morbidity Survey 2019, it is
estimated that 18.3% (3.9 million or 1 out of 5
people) of the adult population in Malaysia is
currently living with diabetes. In this article, a
doctor and a dietitian share their suggestions
on keeping our blood sugar under control to
prevent diabetes or manage the disease better.
HEALTHY EATING
A healthy diet does not mean you need to only consume
salad and give up everything else. You can still enjoy your
favourite foods, but you need to watch your food intake.
“When it comes to watching our blood sugar levels, the goal
is to practise healthy, balanced meals consisting of various
foods while incorporating portion control. You can follow the
Malaysian Healthy Plate guideline, which advocates a healthy
portion of carbohydrates (quarter plate), proteins (quarter
plate), fruits and vegetables (half plate),” advises Ms Poh Kai
Ling, Clinical Dietitian from the University of Malaya Medical
Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur.
14 Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
FOOD & Nutrition
CHOOSE YOUR CARBS WISELY
In a typical Malaysian diet, carbohydrates such as
rice, bread, tosai or noodles are all similar and can
be interchangeable. While carbs can cause blood
sugar spikes, we need to incorporate sufficient and
healthier carbohydrates into our daily diet to avoid
hypoglycaemia.
Sources of preferred carbohydrates would
be whole grain products, fruits, low-fat dairy
products and legumes. This said, we should limit
carbohydrates from sugar-sweetened drinks and
food such as white sugar, brown sugar, honey,
gula Melaka, condensed milk and jam. Ultimately,
portion size is crucial, no matter what type of
carbohydrates are being consumed.
“You can eat any carbs but in moderation
and correct portions. Adding more fibres and
taking low Glycemic Index food is also helpful
for controlling our blood glucose levels. This is
especially beneficial for diabetes patients. For
example, if possible, choose brown rice over white
rice that is higher in fibre content. This can help
slow down sugar absorption, improving blood
sugar levels,” shares Ms Poh.
DO NOT SKIP YOUR MEALS
Many people have the misconception that
skipping meals can help them manage their
blood sugar levels. Dietitians say this is not true.
In fact, skipping meals can negatively impact
blood glucose levels and sometimes cause
hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar levels, which in
combination with certain diabetes medications or
insulin, would result in severe outcomes.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP
Sleep plays an important role in maintaining
healthy blood sugar levels. A good rule of thumb
is not to eat a heavy meal right before bedtime. In
addition, alcohol or caffeine late at night is a big
no-no.
80-year-old Type 2 diabetes patient, Mr
Subramaniam A/L Kalimuthu, shares that when he
first discovered he had diabetes 30 years ago, one
of the challenging lifestyle changes besides diet
was to alter his sleeping patterns. “I am used to
sleeping late, and I realised that it is important to
keep to a regular sleeping schedule.”
16 Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
FOOD & Nutrition
CHECK YOUR BLOOD
SUGAR REGULARLY
It’s a good idea to monitor your blood
sugar levels daily. One of the simplest
ways is to test your blood sugar at
home with a portable electronic device
called a blood sugar meter, which
uses a small drop of your blood. This
device is readily available from your
local pharmacies. However, if you have
not been feeling well or have been
experiencing symptoms suggesting
glucose level problems, consult a
doctor immediately.
Associate Prof. Dr Jeyakantha
Ratnasingam, Consultant
Endocrinologist & Head of
Endocrinology, University of Malaya
Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur,
recommends Malaysians to get
screened regularly for diabetes,
particularly if they are at risk of
diabetes. “Individuals at risk include
people who are overweight or obese,
with hypertension and high cholesterol,
history of gestational diabetes,
abdominal obesity (increased waist
circumference), strong family history of
diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome
(PCOS) and those on steroids. Looking
at the list, particularly those who are
overweight or have a family history of
diabetes, it basically means almost all
Malaysians should be screened,” Dr
Jeya says, adding that most Malaysians
who have diabetes or pre-diabetes
think they are healthy because diabetes
is often asymptomatic. Therefore,
screening is the best way to prevent
diabetes and its complications.
Mr Ghazali Baharum, a Type 2 diabetes
patient, shares one of his best practices.
He would check his blood sugar level
two hours after his meal, so he is
consistently aware of his condition.
Mr Ghazali also brings his test kit and
insulin with him everywhere he goes,
especially when travelling.
BE ACTIVE EVERY DAY
According to Dr Jeya, increasing
physical activity and weight reduction
are crucial for ensuring healthy blood
sugar levels. Doing regular workouts
is also a necessity for people with
diabetes. “A total of at least 150 minutes
per week, or at least 30 minutes
each day for most days in a week, is
recommended. However, the type
and duration of exercise should be
individualised so that the workouts can
be incorporated into our daily lives as
much as possible,” he advises.
There are many good examples of
ensuring consistent physical exercise.
For instance, Mr Subramaniam
helps with household chores and
parks his car further to incorporate
more physical activity into his daily
routine. Mr Ghazali, on the other
hand, takes morning walks within his
house compound.
REDUCE YOUR WEIGHT
For people who are overweight,
significant weight loss helps improve
glucose control. If they have diabetes,
losing weight can also lead to reduction
or discontinuation of medications. “A
significant weight loss of more than
15% of initial body weight, at the initial
few years of the onset of diabetes can,
in fact, help a diabetes patient go into
remission. For overweight non-diabetic
individuals, reducing weight can help in
the prevention of diabetes altogether,”
adds Dr Jeya.
Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
17
HEALTH & Wellness
ASTHMA
ATTACKS:
Learn These
First Aid Steps
All of a sudden, you feel out of breath,
your chest tightens, and it’s getting
harder and harder to breathe. These are
all common signs of an incoming asthma
attack. Here’s how to recognise the
symptoms and what to do if it happens to
you or the person next to you.
Whether it happens to you or someone else, an
asthma attack is a terrifying ordeal. At times it can
be a life-or-death situation – so it is important to
pay attention to the signs. Those who go through
bad asthma attacks often describe their episode as if
they were “breathing through a straw”. Some people
also liken the experience to choking or drowning and
having to fight for air.
How does an asthma attack happen? Dr. Tan Wee
Yong, Consultant Internal Medicine Physician from
Columbia Asia Hospital - Setapak, explains: “An
asthma attack occurs when an allergen is present
in the respiratory tract. The airways will react
by secreting more discharge and swell up when
triggered by the allergen. This causes the airways to
become tighter and leads to difficulty in breathing.”
Apart from these signs, other symptoms include
laboured breathing, shortness of breath, chest
tightness, wheezing, light-headedness and unable
to talk in full sentences. In severe cases, hypoxia can
happen. This condition causes the lips and fingernails
to turn blue due to a lack of oxygen. Difficulty in
conversing and hypoxia fall under the dangerous
category and if such symptoms arise, seek immediate
medical help.
TAKE NOTE!
Some asthma attack signs that warrant emergency
medical treatment include being unable to speak,
feeling unwell after using a rescue inhaler, and
strained chest muscles due to difficulty breathing.
18 Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
HEALTH & Wellness
Dr. Tan Wee Yong
Consultant Internal Medicine Physician
Columbia Asia Hospital - Setapak
What to do if you are having an
asthma attack
Although some attacks can be severe
and require immediate medical
treatment, some asthma attacks are
mild — lasting a mere few minutes.
These milder attacks can be handled
and treated by anyone immediately.
Here’s a guide:
• Use your inhaler
This is an essential item for those
suffering from asthma and should
be carried around at all times.
Albuterol inhalers are quick-acting
bronchodilators, which means they
open up airways to help you inhale
more easily. For severe cases, doctors
can prescribe epinephrine.
“If there is a rescue inhaler, an
asthmatic person should administer it
themselves first, then call for help or an
ambulance,” Dr. Tan says. “If there are
no inhalers, it’s important to stay calm
and call for help immediately. Refrain
from doing any strenuous activities.”
• Follow your action plan
According to KKM’s MyHEALTH portal,
an asthma action plan is a written
plan customised for every asthmatic
patient. A doctor usually develops
and designs the action plan to help
asthmatic patients keep their asthma
under control. Action plans may differ
from patient to patient depending on
severity. The plans are also updated to
include changes in asthma medication.
Generally, the plan consists of these
instructions:
• The name of the medicines and
how to take them
• When to take rescue medication
• How much medication to take in
different circumstances
• When to call the doctor or go
to the nearest clinic or hospital
for treatment
• Patient’s personal best of peak
flow reading
• Doctor’s name and phone number
(Source: www.myhealth.gov.my/en/
asthma-action-plan)
• Remain calm
As Dr. Tan has mentioned, it’s
important to keep calm. You can do
this by relaxing your upper body and
slowing down your breathing during
an asthma attack. This helps prevent a
panic attack, which would exacerbate
your symptoms.
• Seek medical help
If the inhaler doesn’t help, or you still
have any of the symptoms, go to the
nearest hospital or clinic immediately.
Even if you seem better after the
initial attack, it’s a good idea to visit
a doctor right away to prevent any
further complications.
• Avoid your triggers
If you know your triggers, try to stay
away from them as much as possible.
Common triggers include pollen,
mould, dust mites, cockroaches,
and pet dander. Upper respiratory
infections such as a cold or flu and
even sinusitis can also be causes of
an asthma attack. Other potential
triggers include cigarette smoke,
certain perfumes and fragrances,
stress, and acid reflux. Certain
weather conditions such as high
winds can also aggravate asthma.
“For people who have asthma, it’s
important to have knowledge of the
allergen that you are allergic to and try
to avoid it. Use your inhaler as required.
Also, get vaccinated against respiratory
diseases such as pneumonia, influenza,
and Covid-19,” Dr. Tan advises.
How to help someone going
through an asthma attack
If you are with someone who is
having an asthma attack, once again,
remain calm despite how difficult
that may be. Panic will only make
the victim’s breathing even harder;
thus, you must reassure them that
everything will be fine. Help them sit
upright in a comfortable position and
proceed with locating their inhaler.
Call for help immediately.
“If it’s someone else going through
an asthma attack, avoid crowding the
area. Call an ambulance. If there is an
inhaler with the patient, help the patient
administer the inhaler,” Dr. Tan adds.
20 Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
BRAND Story
EMBRACING QUALITY
AND INNOVATION
Established in 1987, the Thomson brand is renowned
as one of the leading herbal and nutritional
supplement brands in Malaysia and Singapore.
Their wholesome products are synonymous with
quality and innovation, offering customers health
supplements they can trust and rely on.
In the early days of his business, Thomson
founder Mr. Michael Lim had a wake-up
call about the importance of the quality
and efficacy of supplements, leading him
to rethink the strategy and philosophy of
his company. "From there on, I began
sourcing for high-quality products. This
continues to be our philosophy to this day,”
Mr. Lim says.
Today, Thomson puts emphasis on its
strategic worldwide collaboration with
reputable and established suppliers who
have high quality proprietary raw materials.
Good for Your Health
Ultimately, Thomson believes in striving for
good health. The brand recognises that
you deserve good health. In an industry
where quality control is an important factor,
this premium brand imports clinically
tested, time-tested ingredients and equips
22 Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
BRAND Story
itself with highly developed machinery in its GMP certified
manufacturing facilities. The brand also utilises its own
in-house quality control (QC) laboratory to ensure its
products meet stringent standards.
“At Thomson, we believe that finding a trustworthy
source is also important. We fulfil this philosophy of
putting our customers’ health first by importing highquality
ingredients from reputable suppliers and backed
by science. We ensure we adhere to strict manufacturing
guidelines and test every product beyond what is required
with our own QC laboratory,” Mr. Benjamin Lim,
Marketing Director and pharmacist shares.
Quality Products for Optimal Health
To meet current demands for quality supplements,
Thomson’s product line includes Activated Ginkgo
extract, milk thistle extract, and glucosamine to offer
customers a wide range of solutions for complementing
their daily diet and healthy lifestyle.
“Thomson Activated Ginkgo is our flagship product
that has been in the market for over 30 years. It uses
proprietary Activated Technology from Japan to enhance
absorption by the body,” Mr. Ben explains. “We also
have Thomson Circulon 125, our higher strength version
of our flagship Thomson Activated Ginkgo. This product
is suitable for college students and busy working
adults.” Carefully manufactured under the Good
Manufacturing Practice (GMP), this product is free of
pesticides, fungicides, yeast, colouring, preservatives,
and bio-toxic solvent residues.
MAL19970871T
According to scientific research,
Ginkgo Biloba extract has been
advocated for improving blood
circulation. Thomson also
emphasises that healthy blood
circulation is one of the keys
to good health. “Blood
circulation is vital for survival.
It is the continuous blood flow
throughout our body that
delivers vital oxygen and
nutrients to body cells and
carries away metabolic wastes,
such as carbon dioxide and
lactic acid,” Mr. Ben explains.
“Our limbs and brain are
usually the earliest to show
signals of poor blood
circulation, such as
numbness, fatigue and
dizziness. We need healthy
blood flow to allow all the
organs of the body to
function optimally to enjoy
a healthy life.”
Besides the Ginkgo Biloba
extract range, Thomson also
offers Livrin 300, a milk
MAL14065003T
thistle extract supplement.
This product has been tested
to ensure high levels of Silymarin and Silybin – the primary
bioactive chemicals.
Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
23
BRAND Story
“Silymarin or Silybin found in milk thistle has been found by
researchers as an antioxidant that could protect our liver from
oxidative damage,” Mr. Ben elaborates. “Liver health is frequently
neglected by modern society. Factors like an unhealthy diet,
lack of sleep, stress,
smoking and alcohol
can burden our liver.
Early warning signs such
as chronic fatigue, poor
appetite, bloating, poor
skin health, bad breath,
coated tongue, dark eye
circles can alert us to pay
attention. Thus, it’s
important to take care
of our liver by ensuring
we eat well and have a
MAL19970867T
healthy lifestyle.”
Additionally, Thomson OsteoPro formulated with glucosamine
sulfate via Fully Reacted Technology ensures stable and consistent
dosing. This supplement is also plant-sourced, making it suitable
for vegetarians and those allergic to seafood.
“Osteoarthritis is a “wear and tear” form of arthritis that occurs
when the cartilage (that cushions your joints) gradually becomes
worn out, causing friction and pressure between bones, causing
pain and possibly swelling. Although more common in the
MAL06091460X
elderly, young people may also suffer from this problem,” Mr.
Ben shares. “Here’s where glucosamine plays an important role
as the building block of healthy cartilage. Keeping a healthy
weight and a diet low in inflammatory foods can also help
prevent or relieve osteoarthritis.”
To celebrate its 35th anniversary this year,
Thomson will have a series of exciting activities,
so stay tuned via the brand’s Facebook page
(www.facebook.com/thomsonhealth.my).
If you need more information about the
company and their products, visit
my.thomsonhealth.com.
KKLIU: 1198/2022, expiring 31 December 2024
This is a medicine product advertisement
24 Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
BRAND Story
Revolutionising
HEALTHY
COOKING
For over 27 years, La gourmet has been passionately advocating the
core principles of “Conserving Energy” and “Healthy Living”. The brand
firmly believes that healthy eating should be complemented by healthy
cooking and thus, puts full emphasis on offering safe cooking tools
and solutions designed with customers’ health and needs in mind.
“We always listen to our customers. What
cooking results are they looking for?
What kind of food are they cooking, and
what is their style of cooking?” says La
gourmet. “Based on what our customers
share with us, we will introduce elements
most suitable for their cooking style. For
example, if they want “wok hei” (fragrant
aroma) in their dishes, we will introduce
our Nitrigan Light Cast Iron wok to them.
For us, our priority is not so much about
what we sell but what we can provide
to meet the needs of our customers.”
Catering to diverse customers’
preferences, La gourmet offers a wide
range of products for home cooking.
While they have many bestselling
collections, two products stand out as
consumer favourites: La gourmet Sakura
Thermal Cooker and Shogun Granite
Plus. These products have also won the
Natural Health Readers’ Choice Awards
numerous times, further proving that
many customers enjoy using them and
have benefitted from them. Let’s have a
closer look at these collections.
26 Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
BRAND Story
La gourmet
Sakura
Thermal
Cooker
Most of us lead busy lifestyles, but that doesn’t mean we
can’t enjoy healthy home-cooked meals. Here’s where
the La gourmet Sakura Thermal Cooker is a nifty tool that
lets you prepare a hearty and delicious meal for your
family in 15 minutes.
“This thermal cooker can be your “lifesaver” – saving
you energy and time so you can focus on spending more
time with your family and friends,” says the brand. Made
from double-walled SUS304 stainless steel, this thermal
cooker is fully vacuum-insulated, allowing maximum heat
retention as well as easy and hygienic cooking. It is suitable
for all types of stovetop, including induction.
Best of all, this tabletop cookware is multifunctional and
versatile: you can use it as a thermal cooker, a cooler,
or even a steriliser, which makes it suitable for quick
and easy everyday meals at home or in the office,
confinement meals, and even for picnics or any occasions
out of the house. On top of this, it’s a handy cooker for
breaking fast during the puasa month.
How to Cook with the La gourmet
Thermal Cooker
1
2
Prepare the ingredients and put them into
the inner cooking pot.
Put the inner pot on the stove, close the
lid and boil for 10 to 15 minutes.
Immediately transfer the inner pot into
3
the outer pot, lock the cover and allow
the food to thermal cook without any supervision!
Just three steps, and the meal is ready to be
served! As this cooker conducts heat quickly
and distributes it evenly, you don’t have to
worry about overcooking or overheating your
food. This cooking method helps preserve
vitamins and nutrients, providing you with
healthy meals every time!
Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
27
BRAND Story
WHY YOU NEED A LA GOURMET SAKURA THERMAL COOKER
Healthy: The thermal
1 cooker is made from
non-reactive, toxin-free,
non-leaching and food-safe 18/10
stainless steel – the same material
used for surgical instruments
2
3
4
Multi-Functional: You can
use it as a cooker, cooler,
rice cooker and steriliser
5 Years warranty for your
peace of mind
Time-Saving: Just 15
minutes to cook a
healthy meal
Energy-Saving: The
5 thermal cooker conducts
heat quickly and uniformly,
reducing energy up to 70%
Eco-Friendly: Using a
6 thermal cooker saves
energy and reduces your
carbon footprint
Preserving Nutrients: As
7 thermal cooking will not
overheat your food,
vitamins and nutrients are retained
Cook Without
8 Supervision: As you can
continue to cook your
food by heat retention, you don’t
need to worry about forgetting to
turn off the stove
9
10
Versatile: Suitable for
any kind of cooking and
cooking hobs
(including induction)
Hot and cold storage:
Able to retain hot or cold
foods for up to 6 hours
Shogun Granite Plus
Every Asian kitchen is not complete without a good quality
cookware set, especially if you tend to cook in a variety of styles,
from stir-frying to broiling. Here’s where Shogun Granite Plus
truly shines, offering home cooks a high-quality collection of
cookware to ensure healthy, tasty meals.
“Shogun cookware inspires cooks to cook with confidence!”
La gourmet says. “It is also one of our most popular cookware
that provides great heat conductivity and at least 50% energy
saving. For many customers, this gives them an enjoyable
cooking experience.”
Engineered to last yet stylishly designed for demanding chefs, this
cookware is also scratch and abrasion resistance, ensuring seamless
non-stick performance – thanks to approved materials from
Switzerland and Germany that come with consistent safety and
quality assurance. This cookware is also compatible with induction,
gas, electric and ceramic hobs. You can also wash it in a dishwasher,
and its materials are guaranteed safe for food contact.
“We go beyond upgrading and improving this renowned
cookware to meet the needs of our Asian customers. We also
hired the best professional chefs to
use and test the cookware so we can
get their advice and opinion on how
to improve the cookware to suit Asian
cooking,” La gourmet explains.
Featuring a Tritanium Ultra Plus Switzerland multilayer system
with ceramic and granite particles, Shogun Granite Plus offers
high performance and excellent durability. It also ensures longer
lasting non-stick capabilities with proven abrasion resilience. These
non-stick coatings have received approved certification from the
EU, Swiss and USA in accordance with stringent health standards.
28 Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
BRAND Story
SHOGUN GRANITE PLUS’S
9
LAYERS OF HIGH-
PERFORMANCE
1 ST LAYER:
Resistant top-coat featuring Tritanium
Ultra Plus Coating
2 ND LAYER:
Coating reinforced with granite particles
3 RD LAYER:
3-colour sparkles
4 TH LAYER:
Mid-coat reinforced with high-quality ceramic
5 TH LAYER
Base-coat reinforced with high-quality ceramic
6 TH LAYER:
Cast aluminium core provides excellent thermal
conductivity and heat distribution
7 TH LAYER:
Special substrate
8 TH LAYER:
High-temperature exterior coating
9 TH LAYER:
Induction base - however, you can use this cookware
on gas, electric and ceramic hob as well
Moving forward, La gourmet shares that they believe
in providing “newness” and what is “trending”. But
they will always ensure that the products will be
innovated to suit the market needs.
“Like the millennials and Gen-X population, we are
also very conscious about the environment. Therefore
we will introduce new products that can help reduce
our carbon footprint when we cook,” says La
gourmet. “Apart from that, this group prioritises
safety and quality – two values that cannot be
compromised when it comes to cooking for their
family. To meet these emerging needs, we have
beautiful, eco-friendly, and innovative collections
coming up soon. So, stay tuned to La gourmet
launches both offline and online!”
You can keep up to date with La gourmet’s latest products via their Facebook page and Instagram
(@lagourmetmy). For more information, log on to www.lagourmet.com.my or call (603) 8023 3939.
Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
29
SLIM & Trim
Fab Abs
12 Belly
Fat Burner
Workouts
that Work
Tired of having a bulging
belly or frustrated with
constantly looking
bloated? Fortunately,
there are workouts that
can help you trim those
muffin tops and jiggly
love handles. Here’s a
list of belly fat burner
workouts that may work
for you. Let’s get started,
shall we?
Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
31
SLIM & Trim
2
4
BRISK WALKING
1 5
3
The best place to start is to get
your body moving, and it can
be as simple as taking a brisk
30-minute walk. If you don’t have the
stamina for running, walking can be
one of the most effective workouts
to burn belly fat. You can’t choose to
only burn fat in one part of your body
(this applies to fat in any other part of
your body), so burning overall body
fat will help you lose excess belly fat.
High-Intensity Interval
Training (HIIT)
One of the best cardio exercises,
HIIT forces your body into an overall
effective fat burn process. This type
of training incorporates high-intensity
exercises with short breaks for recovery
in between. Choose your preferred
HIIT workout length, from 10 to 30
minutes, and lose stomach fat through
burning overall body fat. An excellent
way to implement HIIT is to do an
individual routine using a 40-second
burst with 20 seconds of rest.
Stairmasters
Like its name, stairmasters is a
machine that allows you to perform
cardio exercises via climbing stairs. The
machine works like a treadmill but is
designed like a staircase to help users
get more out of a single workout. This
cardio activity is considerably effective
in burning belly fat, as it trains your core.
Cycling
Like every other cardio exercise,
cycling can help burn overall
body fat. As you are rapidly moving
your hips side by side when cycling,
you would be giving your abdominal
muscles an intense workout on top of
cardio exercise, thus burning belly fat
in a more effective way.
6
7
8
Planking
Planking routines are generally
divided into three positions: high
plank, shoulder plank and side plank.
All three have proven effective to train
your core muscles. For high planks,
your palm will support your upper
body. Face head down, and keep your
core, quads and butt tight, maintaining
your body in a straight line. You should
avoid arching your back when doing
planks, as that will injure your lower
back. Shoulder planks are the same,
just with your elbows as support.
Mountain Climbers
For this “mountain climber”
workout, get into the high plank
position described above. Bend one
knee forward towards the same
elbow, and then alternate sides. If you
would like to try a higher intensity
workout, bend your left knee to the
right elbow and vice versa.
Bicycle Crunches
Lay down with your back on the
floor. Take a deep breath in, and
exhale slowly. While exhaling, move
your leg in a peddling motion – as
if you are riding a bike. Curl your
upper body. Then, lift your shoulders
slightly off the ground and bring your
opposite arm towards the leg that’s
bent towards you. Repeat the motion,
and you’re basically “cycling” while
crunching your abs.
Vertical Leg Raises
Leg raises can strengthen your
obliques and core. Lie down on
your sides with one hand tucked
under your head and the other on
the ground. Raise your straight leg
upwards, and lower it back down
without touching the floor. Repeat
both sides for multiple sets.
9
10
11
12
Leg Circles
Lie down on your back and raise
both legs upwards vertically.
Slowly lower them to a 45-degree
angle, and draw circles as big as
possible without your leg hitting the
ground. This exercise will really get
both your core and lower abdominal
muscles burning.
Oblique Twists
Sit on the mat with your knees
bent and back leaning slightly
backwards to form a V shape.
Maintain your posture as you lift
your legs off the ground. Then, twist
your upper body from side to side
with your arms moving together.
If it gets too difficult, you can keep
your leg on the ground. Just be sure
to keep your back straight when
leaning backwards.
Superman
For “Superman” sets, lie on
your mat with your face down,
legs straight and hands extended
in front of you. While keeping your
head in a neutral position, lift both
your arms and legs off the ground.
Repeat multiple sets. Though this
is an exercise known to train back
muscles, it can also help tone the
back of your waist.
Stretch
Last but not least, add stretches to
your belly burn workouts. Many
people tend to overlook stretching
as it is not the standard “fat burn”
workout. However, stretching your
abdominal muscles after working
out helps them relax, increase blood
circulation, and train your waist to be
more flexible. It will indirectly make
burning belly fat in the long run
much easier.
What’s essential when it comes to burning belly fat is consistency. It is recommended to do these workouts at least four
times a week and up to 3 weeks before you start seeing results. So don’t give up too soon, and keep it up!
32 Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
Advertorial
Unlock the Door
to Better Health
and Wellness with
OPTI-i and OPTI-C
The concept of a well-balanced diet has long been
advocated for a healthy life. Adequate physical
activity, optimal nutrition, restorative sleep, and
the minimisation of personal risk factors are all
critical to a healthy lifespan.
FOR YOUR BRAIN-HEALTH SPAN: OPTI-C
To encourage good health, Optixanthin presents an effective
solution to variables related to a range of diseases associated
with ageing including impaired vision, reduced mobility,
declining cognition, and cardiovascular disease. By targeting
the root cause of many conditions of ageing, we are sure
Opti-C and Opti-i will play a big role in you fighting conditions
associated with getting older!
FOR YOUR EYE HEALTH SPAN: OPTI-i
Voted as the best for eye health, this convenient anti-ageing
superfood is formulated for your youth and young heart to
support your general health specifically the eyes. OPTI-i
consists of a potent combination of vitamins, minerals, and
antioxidants to effectively combat free radicals, promote
good eye health and sugar metabolism. Formulated with
Astaxanthin, Lutein, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B Complex,
Zinc and Chromium, OPTI-i will help you to:
• Fight the ageing of eyes and progression of presbyopia
• Relieve dry eyes
• Protect against UV & blue light
• Strengthen eye muscle and improve capillary blood flow
• Reduce eye fatigue, irritation and blurred vision linked
to visual display use
• Improve vision & clarity
• Delay ageing of eyes e.g. age-related macular
degeneration (AMD) and cataracts
• Relieve eye redness and inflammation
Did you know as a functional
food for brain health, OPTI-C
reaches our brain to exert its
protective role on oxidative
stress and improve your
memory and concentration?
We all know that brain is the
most important organ in our
body that acts as the control
centre to all our responses
to function throughout the
day. The brain needs plenty
of good fuel and nutrients
to stay healthy, build and
repair brain cells as well as
antioxidants to reduce
cellular stress and inflammation, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
OPTI-C is an innovative mix of Astaxanthin and
Phosphatidylserine (PS) from non-GMO soybean in Virgin
Coconut Oil (VCO). This stable formula has demonstrated
wide-ranging benefits:
• Replenishes fuel of energy
• Uplifts cognitive health
• Alleviates stress and support moods
• Promotes good eye health
• Regulates glucose metabolism
Specific dietary interventions and nutrients can enhance
individual health span. Now that you know the secret of how
to live longer and healthier, don’t delay taking action to show
love for yourself. OPTI-C and OPTI-i are both certified by the
Ministry of Health Malaysia.
For more information, log on to www.optixanthin.com
LIVING WELL
Financial Protection
4 Important
Health
Insurance
to Consider
Unforeseen circumstances like illnesses
and accidents can happen to anyone.
Thus, knowing you have something
to fall back on can be reassuring.
Here’s where health insurance plays an
important role to keep you and your
family protected. In this article, Annie
Wong, Managing Director of Annieway
96 Sdn Bhd, a professional financial
planning consultancy, talks about the
four types of health policies and how
they can benefit us.
When we talk about personal health insurance,
there are four different types, each offering
various aspects of health-related coverage.
If your budget allows it, it is recommended
to sign up for all of them to give you full and
comprehensive coverage.
FOUR TYPES OF HEALTH
INSURANCE
1. Life Insurance, which will pay out a sum
of money to our loved ones if there’s
a permanent disability or in the event
of death.
2. Medical Insurance, which will cover all
medical expenses when we are hospitalised,
in day-care or undergoing operation
or surgery.
3. Critical Illness Insurance, which will pay out
in cash if we are diagnosed with certain
diseases, to ease the burden of our daily
living expenses.
4. Personal Accident Insurance, which will pay
out in cash if we were to lose certain body
parts due to an accident.
Each type of insurance plays a role in
protecting our income loss or easing the
burden of medical expenses. Consider this
situation: if a person were to be diagnosed with
cancer and require treatment, they might struggle due to the high medical
costs. Moreover, most Malaysians depend only on a single-sourced
income, and a majority do not have enough savings. When an illness or an
accident happens, it would be a tragedy not only for the victims but also
for their family members. Health insurance can help mitigate some of these
hardships by providing financial assistance in times of need.
HOW MUCH DOES HEALTH INSURANCE COST?
For Life Insurance, Critical Illness, and Medical Insurance, the cost depends
on the plan and the insured’s entry age. Here is a simple comparison table
to visualise the cost differences between a 25-year-old young man and a
55-year-old senior citizen when purchasing a plan.
Plan 25-year-old 55-year-old
RM 500,000 Term Life Insurance
(price changes yearly according to age)
RM 500,000 Investment-Linked Life
Insurance (price levels until maturity)
Standalone Medical Card
(price changes yearly according to age)
Investment-Linked Medical Card
(price levels until maturity)
• Price estimation is just for illustration purposes. Policies from different
companies may vary in pricing.
• Price estimation is based on yearly premiums.
Estimated RM
720
Estimated RM
3,000
Estimated RM
920
Estimated RM
2,000
Estimated RM
7,500
Estimated RM
9,000
Estimated RM
3,200
Estimated RM
5,500
Overall, the cost of Critical Illness Insurance is constantly the highest,
followed by Medical Insurance and Life Insurance. The advice here is to
purchase insurance as early as possible. This is because when you are
young and healthy, you pose a lower risk of facing major medical issues
and, therefore, have the opportunity to pay insurance at a lower premium.
Personal accident insurance is determined by the entry age, but the risk level
is based on your occupation instead. For example, buying a RM 500,000
personal accident policy would require a 25-year-old logistic driver to pay
RM 1,800 while an executive-level 55-year-old man just needs to pay RM 800
as his personal accident policy would be smaller based on his needs.
Many people think that a single medical card is sufficient. Unfortunately,
that is not true. The four types of insurance highlighted above are all
equally important. Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to talk to a professional
financial advisor if you are unsure about what sort of insurance would suit
your needs best.
36 Natural Health * May 2022 VOL 127
LIVING WELL
Tried & Tested
The Power of UV-C:
Philips UV-C Disinfection
Desk Lamp
Safety Features
Before activating a disinfection cycle, users must vacate
others, pets, and even plants (although they can be shielded)
as the intensity of the UV-C rays can damage skin and eyes.
However, there’s nothing to fear as the desk lamp has many
safety features, such as a timer and a motion sensor.
The device even has voice activation – allowing for voice
activation/deactivation options and providing audible
warnings to vacate the room. It even comes with an extralong
2.9-metre power cord for added convenience
Recent studies conducted by the
WHO found that the COVID-19
virus can survive on surfaces
anywhere between 2 hours to 9
days — depending on the strain,
the type of surface, humidity, and temperature. Here’s where
the Philips UV-C Disinfection Desk Lamp can provide you
with a simple yet effective solution.
Not an Ordinary Lamp
Being user-friendly, safe to use, effective at sterilising areas,
and environmentally friendly, it’s easy to see why this desk
lamp is bound to be a popular choice among homeowners.
As new strains continuously emerge and the world pushes
towards an endemic, the Philips UV-C Desk Lamp will no
doubt remain an effective tool in the fight against harmful
diseases, both old and new.
Using UV-C, the Philips UV-C Disinfection Desk Lamp disinfects
your living and workspaces when you turn it on. It’s perfect
for home use, office environments, storage areas, and small
lobbies. Although the coverage can seem small, this tool can
remove 99% of pathogens, ensuring your safety and
wellbeing.
The desk lamp can disinfect a room in as little as 15 minutes,
but the timing will depend on the size of the location. For
example, a regular bathroom can take 15 minutes, a bedroom
30 minutes, and a living room about 45 minutes.
UV-C: The Magic Ingredient
How does UV-C work exactly? UV-C is an invisible band of
light that impairs and breaks down the DNA/RNA structures
of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. In several tests, these light
sources were able to reduce SARS-CoV-2 (responsible for
COVID-19) on surfaces to below detectable levels in less than
10 seconds.
Natural Health Readers’ Choice Awards:
A Roaring Success for Everyone
For award winners, the 2021 Natural Health & 健 康 时 尚
Good Health Readers' Choice Award ceremony was truly a
memorable and exciting event. Held on 17 March 2022 at
Pavilion Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur, this event celebrated
the tremendous success of top health, beauty, and wellness
brands that have continuously gained the trust and loyalty
of Malaysian consumers.
We take great pride that this is the 11th edition of our
annual award. Over the past decade, we have been
Malaysia’s most authoritative platform for showcasing
award-winning health and beauty products and services.
With this award, we aim to offer quality brands the
recognition they deserve and celebrate their success in the
local industry.
As one of Malaysia’s premier awards, the 2021 Natural
Health & 健 康 时 尚 Good Health Readers’ Choice Award
features over 79 awards in a broad range of categories
ranging from the best skincare brands, health food and
supplements to homeware, lifestyle products, and so
many more.
This award marks yet another milestone for many of our
winners as it acknowledges the unique qualities of the
winning products while serving as an accolade for brands
that readers and consumers continue to trust and support.
As consumers, our readers are more aware than ever before
of health and wellness. Through this prestigious award,
we empower our discerning audience by offering them a
trusted avenue to discover what matters most to them
in terms of their personal experiences with Malaysia’s
top-selling products and services.
Kudos to everyone who contributed to yet another
successful event this year, and well done to all award
winners on your accomplishments. Our sincere
congratulations also go out to those who have won the
award for three consecutive years, qualifying you for the
coveted Diamond Award. It is clear from your consistent
success that you have reached an outstanding reputation
amongst Malaysians.
We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to
the venue sponsor, Pavilion Bukit Jalil and our goodies
bag contributors: Vista Laser Eye Center Sdn Bhd, Wide
Tropism Trading Sdn Bhd, Y.S.P. Industries (M) Sdn Bhd,
Propharm (M) Sdn Bhd, HK3 Marketing Sdn Bhd, Blank
Resources, B-Crobes Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd, Medicos,
and Cool Rhino.
Last but not least, we hope each one of you will continue
to win the hearts of your fans and followers in the
upcoming year! See you again soon!
Congrats to all our winners:
R