Saturday, June 28, 2008

Dochen Swiss (nano ray energized) Nanocollagen (1)



What is Collagen?

Collagen is one of the long, fibrous structural proteins. It made up approximately 6% of our total body weight, and is a very important protein. Tough bundles of collagen called collagen fibers are a major component of the extra cellular matrix that supports most tissues and gives cells structure from the outside, but collagen is also found inside certain cells.

Collagen has great tensile strength, and is the main component of fascia, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bone and teeth. Along with soft keratin, it is responsible for skin strength and elasticity, and its degradation leads to wrinkles that accompany aging. It strengthens blood vessels and plays a role in tissue development. It is present in the cornea and lens of the eye in crystalline form.

The main function of collagen is to support skin and organ structures. It’s an essential raw material for repair and regeneration of skin cells in our body. Apart from water, 70% of the dermis is made up of collagen. It’s not only responsible for cells metabolism and renewal, but also has the ability to retain moisture, enhances skin hydration, leaves skin soft and supple.

Bone structures are another part of our body that consist large amount of collagen. About 80% of proteins containing materials in bones are collagen, representing 20% of total bone weight. Collagen in bones helps to retain calcium, reduces calcium loss, and enhances the elasticity of bone structures.

Currently, collagen is one of the most popular elements in plastic surgery, health supplements and skin care. It comes in the form of injection, oral preparation and topical application.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Persimmons

Last week I bought a box of persimmons as I love to eat them.
The last few had started to go soft.

My sister put the "about-to-rot" persimmons in the freezer as she noticed in Korea they have frozen persimmons for dessert. What turned out to be was very nice persimmon ice-cream frost-ball. It was very nice!





Persimmons contain significant concentrations of dietary fiber, minerals and phenolic compounds - all instrumental in fighting atherosclerosis, a leading cause of heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.

Persimmons are also rich in sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and manganese.

According to Shela Gorinstein, Ph.D., a research associate with the department of medicinal chemistry in the School of Pharmacy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel, eating one medium-sized persimmon (about 100 grams) a day is enough to help fight atherosclerosis.

Aloe Vera

Earlier I had a picture of my leg all cut up by thorns from doing a Hash run. Fortunately we have a lot of Aloe vera at home and I just apply aloe vera directly to the wound. IT HAS HEALED BEAUTIFULLY WITHOUT SCARS.

Aloe vera application can help in promoting tissue repair, decreased inflammation of the wound bed, self debridement, and minimizes any infection occurance.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Subway Sandwich


After working out in the gym on a Saturday morning I had a Subway Sandwich. I felt good for the rest of the day as the sandwiches are healthy and not oily.

Subway is a franchise fast food restaurant that primarily sells sandwiches and salads. It is owned by Doctor's Associates, Inc. (DAI), and has over 29,045 franchised units in 86 countries as of March 2008 and is the fastest growing franchise in the world. Currently, Subway is the third largest fast food chain globally after Yum! Brands (34,000 locations) and McDonald's (31,000 locations).

Friday, June 20, 2008

Dinner


Since last Thursday's Body Attack I had only did a 30 laps swim on Saturday (too busy). Today after work (9pm) I rushed to Body Attack to keep in shape (part of my job description). After that at 11pm I had my dinner at a food court. None of the foods are healthy but they are quite tasty.

I had grilled fish for dinner. 

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Centre For Analytical Science (Singapore)

I went all the way to Singapore to send samples for testing and just got back. They have the most comprehensive centre and equipment, and recognized widely by other health authorities.

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Tests;

Food Components/Properties:
  • Antioxidant (BHA, BHT, Gallates, TBHQ)
  • Ash (total/water-soluble/acid-insoluble)
  • Brix
  • Caffeine
  • Cholesterol
  • Cocoa butter fat/ Non-cocoa butter vegetable fat
  • Colour
  • Crude fibre
  • Ethanol
  • Fat content
  • Free glutamate acid/Monosodium glutamate
  • Free invert sugar
  • Melting point
  • Moisture
  • Nitrogen content/Protein
  • Non volatile ether extract
  • Original and specific gravity
  • pH
  • Reducing sugar
  • Salt
  • Starch
  • Sucrose
  • Theanine (in green tea)
  • Total solids
  • Trans fatty acids
  • Volatile acidity

Food Contaminants:

  • 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD)
  • Acetaldehyde
  • Acrylamide
  • Benzene
  • Benzo[a]pyrene
  • Biphenyl
  • Cyanide
  • Ethyl carbamate
  • Formaldehyde
  • Malachite green & Leucomalachite green dyes in fish
  • Metals (Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, V, Zn)
  • Microcystins (RR, LR, LA, YR)
  • Mineral hydrocarbon
  • Nitrosamine
  • Perchlorate
  • Pesticides (organo-chlorine and organo-phosphorus)
  • Polychlorinated biphenyls
  • Semicarbazide

Mycotoxins:

  • Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, M1 and M2
  • Citrinin
  • Deoxynivalenol (DON)
  • Fumonisin B1 and B2
  • Moniliformin
  • Ochratoxin A
  • Patulin
  • Trichothecenes
  • Zearalenone

Veterinary Drugs:

  • Chloramphenicol
  • Nitrofuran and metabolites
  • Oxytetracycline
  • Streptomycin
  • Thiamphenicol

Food Additives:

  • Artificial sweeteners (Acesulfame K, Alitame, Aspartame, Cyclamate, Neohesperidine, Saccharin, Stevioside and Rebaudioside, Sucralose)
  • Coumarin
  • Isosafrole and safrole
  • Non-permitted colours
  • Para Red and Sudan I, II, III, IV
  • Potassium bromate
  • Preservatives (Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl, Butyl parabens, Benzoic acid, Sorbic acid, Sulphur dioxide, Salicyclic acid, Sodium nitrate and nitrite, Propionic acid, Dehydroacetic acid)
  • Synthetic organic colour

Oil Analysis:

  • Acid value
  • Anisidine value
  • Cloud point
  • Cold test
  • Colour
  • Epoxidised oil
  • Erucic acid
  • Free fatty acid
  • Halphen test
  • Insoluble impurities
  • Iodine value
  • Kerosene and diesel
  • Kirschner value
  • Peroxide value
  • Polar compounds
  • Polenske value
  • Rancidity
  • Refractive index
  • Reichert value
  • Saponification value
  • Slip point
  • Titre
  • Trans fatty acid
  • Unsaponifiable matter

Plastics/Foodware/Packaging:

  • Base Material
  • Bisphenol A
  • Epoxidised Soya Bean Oil (ESBO)
  • Leachable metals
  • Migration of styrene
  • Nonyl phenol
  • Overall migration
  • Plasticisers (Adipates, Phthalates, Dibutyl sebacate and Acetyl tributyl citrate)
  • Styrene Monomer
  • Vinyl chloride monomer

Alcohol:

  • Alcoholic strength
  • Butanol
  • Chloroform
  • Diethyl phthalate
  • Ethyl acetate
  • Iso-butanol
  • Iso-propanol
  • Methanol
  • Propanol
  • Tert-butanol

Others:

  • Authenticity test for black moss
  • Authenticity test for royal jelly (trans-10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid)
  • Irradiated food screen
  • Star Anise (poisonous vs. non-poisonous)

Quality Checks:

  • Histamine in fish
  • Peroxide value
  • Polar compounds in oil
  • Total volatile nitrogen in fish
  • Trimethylamine in fish

Drugs/Poisons:

  • Common poisons screening
  • Hormones and steroids
  • Naphthalene

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Nike Free


I bought a pair of Nike Free 4 trainers. Feel like running on barefeet and not much cushion when running on the treadmill but very good for Body Attack as there is more grip and pivot control.

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Nike Free is technology developed by Nike and incorporated into some of their atheletic shoes. Nike Free simulates barefoot running while wearing a shoe.

As this shoe allows the muscles in the foot to gain strength by providing less constriction, runners are advised to gradually break into the shoe rather than immediately running long distances as to prevent muscle cramps and other discomforts. This is especially true for amateurs, as Nike Free shoes do not provide as much cushion and shock absorption as the traditional running shoes.

In 2006 Nike released a new version of the shoe, the Nike Free V2, that addressed some of the durability issues in the earlier model. Among other changes, the heel and sidewalls of the shoe were redesigned to prevent tearing.

In 2007, Nike released a 3rd edition of the shoe, Nike Free V3, which is an update to the V2.

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About the Nike scale

The Nike shoe scale goes from 10.0 to 1.0 with a '10' being a fully supportive shoe, and '0' being completely barefoot.

Example: The 5.0 Nike Free is like running halfway barefoot, the 3.0 is even less shoe, and the 7.0 is a bit more supportive.

Versions of the Nike Free

  • Nike Men/Women Free 7.0 (running)
  • Nike Men/Women Free 7.0 Trainer (cross training)
  • Nike Men/Women Free 5.0 (running)
  • Nike Men/Women Free Trainer 5.0 (cross training)
  • Nike Men/Women Free Trail 5.0 (light trail running)
  • Nike Men/Women Free 5.0 v2 (running)
  • Nike Men/Women Free 5.0 v3 (running)
  • Nike Men/Women Free Trainer 5.0 v2 (cross training)
  • Nike Men/Women Free 4.0 (running)
  • Nike Men/Women Free 4.0 Trainer (cross training)
  • Nike Men/Women Free 3.0 (running)


Nike's numbering system is designed with a 10 being the average shoe and a 0 being barefoot.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

LesMills Body Attack

I had not done Body Attack for a month as I have been super busy, but it was good to use Body Attack sessions to get back into fitness. I find all the swimming and running fine but it does not help push the body and raise fitness levels like Body Attack.

I would like to attend once a week but due to work and traveling commitments it is a luxury to find time to go even at night.


Benefits of Body Attack
  • Burn calories for a leaner body
  • Tone and shape
  • Raise overall fitness and stamina for high energy spots like football or tennis
  • Improve coordination and agility
  • Enhance bone health and density
  • Increase heart and lung capacity through a full-body cardio worout through a full-body cardio workout.

Glucosyn as a soft gel launched



My new office at Solaris Mont'Kiara (night view)


Saturday, June 07, 2008

Hash House Harriers

I joined the Klang Hash for a 2 hour run in a jungle estate in Puchong. I am cut all over by the thorns - body, leg and hands.




Good to exercise but the slippery terrain and the dense jungle with thorns is not my cup of tea.

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Are You Eating Right For Your Joint? Rheumathoid Arthritis - Omega 6 oils

Oils containing the omega-6 fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA), such as borage oil, black currant seed oil and evening primrose oil (EPO), have also been reported to be effective in the treatment of RA. The most pronounced effects were seen with borage oil.

GLA appears to be effective because it is converted in part to prostaglandin E1, a compound known to have anti-inflammatory activity. Supplementation with GLA often allows a patient to reduce their dosage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Furthermore, animal studies show that GLA protects the stomach lining against gastric acid, reducing the side effects of prescription and over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as aspirin. GLA is therefore useful in conjunction with conventional arthritis medications.