THE STAR, FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2017

HEALTHY HEART

Heightening
the care
On this World Heart Day, we
discover the needs of our bodys
most important muscular organ
and the symptoms we should
be looking out for. Turn the
page to learn more.
2 Healthy Heart
WOULD you know if something
was seriously wrong with your
heart?
Despite the classic chest-
clutching climax soap operas
would have you believe, a heart
attack is only one of the many
problems your heart could be
subject to.
A heart attack may be the most
obvious symptom of underlying
heart-related conditions, but
some heart disease symptoms
may not even occur in the chest
area. If you notice something
amiss, get a professional opinion
and go from there.
Individuals at higher risk of
heart disease:
l Are aged 60 or older
l Are overweight
l Have diabetes
l Have high cholesterol
l Suffer from high blood
pressure
If you fit into one or more of
these categories, chances are
your risk of developing a heart
disease is higher. Many heart
issues result in a heart attack, so
here are some problems to watch
out for.
l Radiating pain down your
arm A typical heart attack
symptom you read about on
clinic posters is pain that spreads
down the left side of your upper
body. The pain almost always
starts in the chest and diffuses
outward.
However, some people
experience isolated left-arm pain
that, when examined, turns out
to be a heart attack.
Previous heart attack patients
describe the pain as a growing
ache that they passed off as
overexertion from sports and
other physical activities.
l Throat or jaw pain This is
a common symptom due to its
association with colds and sinus-
related issues.
Like a few of the items on this
list, throat or jaw pain are
probably not heart-related when
they occur independently, but if
pain or a tight pressure that
Knowing the dangers
Feeling faint
or off-balance for
less than a minute
should be fine, but if
you feel prolonged
unsteadiness with
chest discomfort and
shortness of breath,
call for medical help
right away.
starts in the centre of your chest
spreads up to your throat or jaw, it
could be a sign of a heart attack.
l Chest pain and discomfort
The tell-all symptom of heart
problems and the most commonly
misconstrued, chest discomfort
could occur due to myriad reasons.
Many people panic when a sharp
pain shoots through their chest and
jump to the conclusion that they
are having a heart attack, but chest
pain could indicate a lot of other
conditions. If it persists, though,
always obtain a medical opinion by
getting it checked.
The pain often presents itself as
a tight, painful pressure on the
chest and usually does not pass
with time. However, if it is a
fleeting ache or a small area on
the chest that hurts when pressed
or pushed with a finger, it is
usually not a heart attack. As
aforementioned, if the pain
persists, call for an ambulance
immediately.
For women in particular, heart
attacks sometimes happen without
a painful indication. This is true for
a number of heart and heart-
related diseases, so if you are
within any of the at-risk categories
mentioned above, undergoing
regular check-ups to be safe is
wise.
l Dizziness and
lightheadedness Many things
contribute to dizziness, including
lack of food, standing up too fast
and momentary vertigo.
Feeling faint or off-balance for
less than a minute should be fine,
but if you feel prolonged
unsteadiness with chest discomfort
and shortness of breath, call for
medical help right away.
If it is a heart attack, your heart
is not able to pump blood the way
it should and that drops your blood
pressure, causing the dizziness.
l Nausea, indigestion,
heartburn or stomach pain
These symptoms stem from the
dizziness or may occur
independently. People having a
heart attack may even vomit.
Most people pass these
symptoms off as normal
occurrences, especially in old age,
as they are often associated with
diet. However, it is important to
take note that these symptoms also
happen during heart attacks.
Even if no chest pain is present
during a heart attack, women are
more likely than men to report
these symptoms. If you experience
them along with one or more other
symptoms on this list, seek medical
attention immediately.
l Persistent coughing Usually,
coughing would not be considered
a sign of heart trouble, but if you
already have a heart condition or
are aware of your status in one or
more at-risk categories, it would be
wise to pay more attention to what
your body is telling you.
If you have a persistent cough
that expels white or pink mucus, it
could be a sign of heart failure.
When the heart is overexerted
and cannot keep up with the blood
supply from the pulmonary vein
that carries blood from the lungs to
the heart, its strong valves start
deteriorating in function, causing
blood to leak back into the lungs
and resulting in fluid build-up.
l Swollen lower limbs Water
retention or bloating in the body
are indications of bigger problems
you might have.
When the heart weakens and is
unable to pump fast enough, blood
supply to the rest of the body is
compromised and slowed, causing
blood to back up in the veins and
hinder waste-oxygen exchange in
the bloodstream.
Heart failure can also affect your
kidneys and impact their ability to
excrete excess water and sodium
from the bloodstream, which can
lead to bloating.
The parts usually affected are
the legs, ankles and feet as with
water retention, excess moisture
typically succumbs to gravitational
force and ends up in the lowest
points of the body.
l Irregular heartbeat
Romance novels tell you your heart
may skip a beat when you look at
THE STAR, FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2017
an attractive person and it is
normal for your heart to race
when nervous or excited, but if you
feel constant offbeat thumps in
your chest, it is worth a visit to the
doctors.
Your heart does skip or add a
beat once in a while, but it should
not be doing it all the time. In most
cases, it is caused by something
that is easy to fix, such as
palpitations due to caffeine or lack
of sleep.
Occasionally, however, it could
indicate a condition called atrial
fibrillation (AFib) that requires
treatment. AFib is a condition due
to arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
that can cause blood clots, stroke
and heart failure.
l Constant fatigue If you are
experiencing sudden exhaustion or
feeling winded after performing a
physical activity you previously
had no problem with such as
climbing stairs or doing strenuous
house chores, get medical attention
right away.
Changes like these are often
normal with ageing, but it is
important to note sudden and
significant shifts in energy level.
Extreme exhaustion or
unexplained weakness that persists
for days at a time can be a
symptom of a heart attack,
especially in women.
l Excessive sweating This
symptom can be hard to detect in
the humid Malaysian climate, but
cold sweats are usually very
noticeable.
Breaking out into a cold sweat
could signal a heart attack. If it
occurs with any of the other
symptoms on this list, make sure
to receive immediate medical
attention.
> SEE NEXT PAGE
THE STAR, FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2017
Power up
your health
COENZYME Q10 (CoQ10) is a
vitamin-like substance
synthesised by the human body.
It plays a vital role in sustaining
daily life as it helps the body
produce energy and supply it
to all body cells.
Due to its energy-yielding
capability, CoQ10 is abundant in
organs such as the heart, liver
and kidney, which have the
highest energy requirements.
Ubiquinone vs ubiquinol
There are two types of CoQ10
supplement in the market,
which are ubiquinone and
ubiquinol. CoQ10 is easily
converted from one form to
another according to our bodys
need. The biochemical function
of these two types of CoQ10 are
as follows:
l Ubiquinone is involved in
all body processes that require
energy
l Ubiquinol functions as an
antioxidant that protects body
cells against damaging effects
from free radicals. The ability of
CoQ10 to circulate back and
forth between ubiquinone and
ubiquinol contributes to
numerous benefits, especially
for cardiovascular health.
Clinical evidences of
CoQ10
In a clinical trial published in
the Journal of the American
Collage of Cardiology : Heart
Failure in 2014 involving 420
patients with heart failure, those
who took CoQ10 supplements
for two years had fewer hospital
stays and lower rates of
cardiovascular mortality than
the placebo group.
People who receive daily
CoQ10 supplements were less
likely to experience subsequent
heart attack and chest pain. This
is mainly due to the sufficient
amount of CoQ10 in the heart to
pump blood effectively to all
parts of the body.
Healthy Heart 3
Choosing life
> FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
A common mistake people make is
attempting to get themselves to the
hospital when they fear a heart
attack trying to drive in that
condition could be fatal. Have
emergency services on speed dial
and call them instead.
l Severe snoring Snoozes are
often accompanied with a little
snoring. However, unusually loud
snoring that sounds like serious
gasping or choking can be a sign of
sleep apnoea.
Sleep apnoea occurs when you
cease breathing for brief moments
several times through the night while cardiovascular stress. national foods altogether to
sleeping. Today, we celebrate World maintain a healthy heart.
People who sleep alone are usually Heart Day in light of rising heart Balance in all areas of life,
unaware of this occurrence, and disease rates globally. As including diet, physical activity,
prolonged sleep apnoea puts extra Malaysians, cardiovascular stress management and rest, is
stress on your heart. disease is our No.1 killer, key in keeping your heart beating
Sleep apnoea is often treated apparently due to our roti canai away happily. Preserve and
with a C-PAP machine, which and nasi lemak all-day breakfasts. improve your heart health not
patients use when they sleep to However, we do not have to only for yourself but for loved
regulate their breathing and reduce give up eating our favourite ones around you, too.
Generally, a healthy body and
dietary sources such as oily fish,
organ meats and whole grains
can produce an adequate
amount of CoQ10.
A two-week treatment with
statin can cause the depletion of
CoQ10 level due to its enzymatic
inhibition. The enzyme HMG-
CoA reductase is not just
responsible for cholesterol
production but also for the
synthesis of CoQ10 in the liver.
Therefore, CoQ10
supplementation is always
encouraged for statin patients
to help prevent side effects.
Consuming 50mg of CoQ10
supplements twice a day has
successfully reduced statin-
related mild-to-moderate
muscular symptoms, causing
lower interference of statin-
related muscular symptoms with
daily activities such as non-
injury-related muscle ache.
Daily requirement
Currently, there are no
established daily dietary intake
recommendations for CoQ10.
The recommended daily doses
are 30mg to 200mg of CoQ10 for
adults and 100mg to 200mg for
elderly and statin users.
The dosage can be increased
up to 300mg daily if a greater
heart support is needed or
vigorous physical activities
such as marathon and hiking
are involved.
CoQ10 can be a good option
for effective management of
heart failure and statin-induced
muscle pain. An average daily
intake of CoQ10 from food is
estimated to be approximately
10mg or less, hence long-term
CoQ10 supplementation is
advisable.
This article is brought to you
by BiO-LiFE Marketing Sdn Bhd.
n For more information,
call BiO-LiFE Customer Care
(Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)
at 03-7499 7999.
4 Healthy Heart
Core numbers
EVERYONE knows how crucial the
heart is and the importance of
having a well-balanced diet and
regular exercise to keep it healthy.
As the hardest working muscle
of the human body, this little
Your heart beats at least once
every second or roughly 60 to
100 times a minute. This
means the average heart will
beat between 86,000 and
144,000 times a day.
As your metabolism slows
down when you sleep, the
parasympathetic nervous
system becomes more active
and causes your heart rate
to drop, sometimes to
between 40 and 60 beats per
minute.
internal pump does more than
merely functioning 24 hours a day
to keep you alive.
Here are some interesting
numbers and facts you may not
know about your heart.
Your heart works hard to
pump blood through a
complex system of blood
vessels that is more than
96,000km long.
Every minute, your
heart pumps
approximately
5.7 litres of blood
throughout your body.
In a single day, your
heart pumps up to
8,000 litres of blood.
THE STAR, FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2017
The heart is made up of two
sides, the left and the right. The The power
right side pumps blood to your output of
lungs while the left pumps it the heart
back into the body. ranges from
one to five
watts.
The heart of a foetus
begins beating four weeks
after conception.
Did you know that womens
heartbeat is generally faster than
mens? A womans average
heartbeat is faster than a mans by
almost eight beats a minute.
The contraction and
relaxation of the heart or
one cardiac cycle takes
about 0.8 seconds.
THE STAR, FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2017
Technology for well-being?
WHEN it comes to technology
advancement in healthcare, it is
common for people to think
about large state-of-the-art
research equipment in
universities or new surgical
tools in hospitals.
However, could the smallest
of gadgets that fit in your pocket
become the differentiating
factor between life and death?
People who lead a more active
lifestyle or are serious about
physical fitness would be
familiar with heart rate
monitoring gadgets from
companies such as Fitbit,
Garmin, Polar and
TomTom, be they in
Heart monitoring devices have long been in
the market but the demand for such devices
may experience a spike in the future.
the form of wrist bands, smart
watches or chest straps.
Easily available online and in
large sporting stores, these devices
seem to fly off the shelves and
have been doing so for a number
of years.
The big question is if these
devices really do help people keep
in shape and mind their heart
health or are they just a successful
marketing ploy by fitness
instructors and marketers of the
companies that produce them.
Among the features of these
People who lead a
more active lifestyle
or are serious about
physical fitness
would be familiar
with heart rate
monitoring gadgets
from companies such
as Fitbit, Garmin,
Polar and TomTom,
be they in the form
of wrist bands, smart
watches or chest
straps.
devices are that they allow you to
track your activity, measure how
much you exercise, provide
reminders to start moving,
calculate the amount of sleep you
have and may even let you analyse
the data on your smartphone.
Lucky to be strapped
While there is no doubt that
these devices can be a source of
motivation such as setting targets
for adequate amounts of sleep and
Healthy Heart 5
exercise, can they
save lives?
According to
an article on
www.engadget.
com, there have
been reports of
people who had
noticed their
heart rate
monitoring devices
showing above
average heartbeat
readings or indicating that
they have been working out for
the past hour when they had not.
These readings were thus
The use of heart monitoring
perplexing as the individuals did
devices is no longer a fad.
not feel any physical difference.
Upon medical attention, these
users learnt that they have
conditions such as atrial flutter
While the media and
technology gurus may be raving
(extremely fast heartbeat) or atrial about Apples latest smartphones
fibrillation (the quivering or
irregular heartbeat).
that were released earlier this
month, the American technology
The users realisations of their giant has also shared a teaser of a
irregular heartbeat were purely by new feature called the Apple
chance and they were fortunate to Heart Study that it intends to
have gotten prompt diagnoses as launch soon with the Apple Watch
these conditions may have led to Series 3.
congestive heart failure, heart Apple is partnering with
attack, stroke, blood clots and other Stanford Medicine, the Food and
heart-related complications. Drug Administration of the United
States as well as telemedicine
Pushing further vendor American Well to create
a watch that can detect
With such cases being reported,
companies see the need to create
irregularities in heart rhythms,
including potentially serious
more advanced gadgetry to reduce conditions such as atrial
the element of chance and produce fibrillation.
devices that can provide accurate
heart rate alert systems. > TURN TO PAGE 9
6 Healthy Heart
Caring for your cardiovascular system
CARDIOVASCULAR disease (CVD) is
a range of diseases involving the
heart and its blood vessels. Among
major problems are the coronary
artery disease (CAD), the
development of plaque in the wall
of the arteries, which may lead to a
heart attack, heart failure, which is
part of the complication of CAD,
arrhythmia or abnormal heart
rhythm, and heart valve problems.
In Malaysia, CVD has
consistently been the leading cause
of mortality and morbidity since
the early 1980s. The Malaysian
Burden of Disease and Injury Study
confirmed that CAD and
cerebrovascular disease are the
top killers of Malaysian men and
women.
CVD appears to occur earlier
in Malaysians. This fact was
revealed by The National
Cardiovascular Disease Acute
Coronary Syndrome study, which
showed CVD patients in Malaysia
Dr Ahmad Maujad Ali.
were younger compared to
neighbouring countries.
According to Dr Ahmad Maujad
Ali, consultant cardiologist of
Oriental Melaka Straits Medical
Centre, The risk factors of
developing CVD can be divided into
two categories non-modifiable
and modifiable risk factors.
The non-modifiable risk factors
are age, gender, ethnicity and a
family history of premature CVD.
Meanwhile, common modifiable
risk factors among Malaysians
are smoking, obesity, physical
inactivity and underlying medical
problems such as hypertension,
diabetes mellitus, kidney failure
and a raised cholesterol level.
Among Malaysians, smoking
remains the major factor that
contributes to CVD. This means
complete cessation of the
behaviour may prevent CVD
development. It is estimated that
smoking alone increases the risk of
CVD by two to four times. If
combined with other CVD risk
factors, it may lead to a multifold
increase in risk.
Obesity is also an independent
risk factor for CVD, apart from
other risk factors such as
hypertension, abnormal cholesterol
level or diabetes mellitus. An
increase in body mass is
significantly correlated to an
increase in mortality and CVD
death.
A reduction in weight can play
an important role in mitigating
heart disease risk. Patients may
aim for a 5% to 10% body weight
reduction in six months with
weight maintenance in a healthy
weight range over the next one to
two years.
In addition, hypertension
contributes to 54% of stroke and
CHD cases worldwide and is a
major cause of death and disability.
Controlling hypertension is an
important factor in the reduction
of cardiovascular events.
Individuals with pre-diabetes,
undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and
long-lasting type 2 diabetes are at
high risk of CVD. More than 70% of
patients with type 2 diabetes die of
cardiovascular causes.
To reduce this risk, patients have
Getting
enough sleep
ACCORDING to a 2015 study,
the average self-reported sleep
duration has decreased from
more than eight hours in the
1960s to less than six and a
half hours in 2012.
Sleep is important to
promote alertness, a must
for our overall health, and
according to studies, essential
for a healthy heart. The heart
just like the brain needs
stable and restorative sleep.
Hence, people who repeatedly
do not get enough sleep could
be increasing their risk of
cardiovascular disease.
A 2011 European Heart
Journal review of 15 medical
studies involving 475,000
people found that short
sleepers had a 48% increased
risk of developing or dying
from coronary heart disease
(CHD) and a 15% greater risk
of developing or dying from
stroke.
Interestingly, long sleepers
those who averaged nine or
more hours a night also
showed a 38% increased risk
of developing or dying from
CHD and a 65% increased risk
of stroke.
A 2008 report in the Journal
of the American Medical
Association found that,
compared with people who
sleep seven to nine hours a
night, people who do not get
enough shuteye are more
likely to develop calcium
deposits in their coronary
arteries, raising their risk for
heart disease.
In fact, when sleep-deprived
subjects get just one more
hour of sleep per night, they
THE STAR, FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2017
to strive to achieve glucose-control
targets. As with cholesterol level
and blood pressure, it is best to
discuss with your physician the
appropriate target for your health
and design a treatment plan suited
to you.
Regular exercise may have
positive effects in reducing your
overall cardiovascular risks. Spend
some time to perform moderate or
vigorous physical activity five days
a week or a combination of both to
achieve a favourable impact on
health.
In conjunction with World Heart
Day, it is important for Malaysians
to understand the severity of CVD
and take the crucial first step to
prevent it. Screening and
treatment for cardiovascular-
related diseases are available.
n For more information, call
Oriental Melaka Straits Medical
Centre at 06-315 8888.
had a 33% decrease in their odds.
For those who already are at risk
of heart disease, cardiovascular
disease symptoms can sometimes
be a cause of poor sleep.
According to Dr Wong Teck Wee,
consultant interventional
cardiologist at iHEAL Medical
Centre, conditions that may disrupt
your sleep include chest pain,
arrhythmias, sleep apnoea and
fluid build-up in the lungs due to
heart failure.
This in turn could become
vicious cycle of inadequate sleep
contributing to cardiovascular
disease and cardiovascular disease
disturbing your sleep.
Fortunately, insomnia is
treatable. First, identify and
acknowledge your problem. See
your doctor to rule out medical
reasons.
Then, learn how to change your
behaviors to maximise sleep,
including managing your thoughts
and worries that interfere with
sleep.
Sleep supplements can also be
helpful. Natural solutions include
alpha S1-casein tryptic hydrolysate,
a milk peptide scientifically proven
to have relaxing and calming
properties, and L-theanine, an
amino acid found naturally in
green tea leaves that promote an
alert state of relaxation without
drowsiness.
Start taking steps to achieve a
healthy sleep pattern today and do
your heart a favour.
This article is brought to you by
LiveLife Sdn Bhd.
n For more information, call
1800 880 488 or e-mail
info@rilax.info.
THE STAR, FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2017 Healthy Heart 7

Stay active, move your heart

WORLD Heart Day is celebrated
across the globe on Sept 29 each
year. On that day, all across the
country, there will be activities
organised by various parties in an
attempt to spread awareness
among the public regarding heart death are preventable. Common useful tips to prevent heart disease:
disease.
It is a high hope that, with
risk factors that increase the
chance of a heart disease are
Heart disease is l Stay active, move your heart
l Maintain a healthy weight
constant effort from the public and smoking, untreated high blood the leading cause of l Limit your salt and fat intake
death for both men
health professionals alike, we may pressure, sedentary lifestyles, high l Know and understand your risks
be able to change the course of this blood cholesterol, high blood sugar l Know your numbers (blood
terrible disease, which is claiming
the lives of many in their
levels and, last but not least, a
strong family history of premature and women, not just pressure, cholesterol and blood
sugar levels)
productive years by the minute.
There are several facts and files
coronary artery disease.
Apart from genetic risk, which
in the world but also l Stop smoking and avoid
secondhand smoke exposure
in regard to heart disease, a lot of cannot be modified, all other risk in Malaysia. It claims l Know the warning signs of a
which one could have encountered
through reading elsewhere.
factors are in fact modifiable,
hence rendering the disease more lives than all heart attack
l Carefully and religiously take
Nonetheless, they are worth
mentioning once again:
preventable. cancers combined. your medicine

l Heart disease is the leading
cause of death for both men and
women, not just in the world but
also in Malaysia. It claims more
lives than all cancers combined.
It is estimated that by 2030,
almost 23.6 million people will die
from a type of heart disease
globally.
l Coronary heart disease and
l Once told to have coronary
heart disease, a doctor would
prescribe a list of heart medicines
for example, blood-thinning pills
and/or medicines to lower
cholesterol, blood pressure and
sugar levels.
It is imperative to emphasise
that the medicines are prescribed
after they have been found to be
not only safe but effective in
treating heart disease and reducing
the number of deaths.
This valuable information was
taken from multiple clinical trials,
which took many years to
complete, involving thousands of
individuals with the same illness.
From time to time, there are
many more ongoing clinical trials
of this sort. Therefore, patients are
advised to discuss with their
Dr Noorfaizan Saaidin
doctors if they are to stop any of
the medicines or, worse still, if they
wish to replace them with a single
pill that claimed to fit all based on
unproven testimonies and without
properly conducted clinical trials.
Last but not least, these are
Small changes can make a
powerful difference. Start now.
By Dr Noorfaizan Saaidin
(pic), consultant cardiologist
(interventional and non-
invasive)
n For more information about KPJ
Selangor Specialist Hospital, visit
www.kpjselangor.com.
KKLIU No.2176/2017

Keep
beating
strongly
YOUR heart is an
efficient muscular
organ that works
tirelessly without
pausing.
On average, it
beats 72 times a
minute, which is
100,000 times a day.
With each heartbeat,
your heart pumps
blood throughout your
body to deliver oxygen
and nutrients that it
needs to sustain life.
Ageing, prolonged stress, sleep
deprivation and nutritional
deficiencies can all take a toll on
your circulatory system.
Magnesium is a mineral that
plays a big role in keeping your
heart healthy. Many people are
not consuming enough
magnesium-rich foods and the
consequences of magnesium
deficiency are significant.
Inadequate magnesium intake
can place you at the risk of heart
attacks, strokes, heart failure,
hypertension, atherosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries) and
arrhythmia (irregular
heartbeat).
Taking magnesium
supplements may be a good idea
to optimise your magnesium
levels. Your body reacts on
ample magnesium supplies to
relax the heart muscles for an
optimal heart rhythm, as well as
help the blood vessels dilate,
which in turn lower blood
pressure and prevent build-up
of plaque that can lead to
clogged arteries.
Magnesium orotate, a
complex of magnesium-bound
orotic acid, is extensively
documented to have profound
effects on reducing the risk of
heart disease.
In addition to its superior
bioavailability, it provides orotic
acid to increase the availability
of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
and RNA (ribonucleic acid)
precursors needed for the repair
of damaged heart tissues.
It is particularly beneficial for
recovery from heart attacks or
heart surgery. It may also help
improve the strength of the
heart for heart patients and
athletes.
L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10
(CoQ10) give your heart an
optimal energy supply to
enhance its pumping ability.
L-carnitine transports fatty acids
into mitochondria where they
are burned for energy while
CoQ10 ignites the energy
production within the
mitochondria.
Policosanol, rice extract,
niacinamide and orange
bioflavonoids have been used to
naturally bring down cholesterol
levels. It is imperative to keep
your cholesterol level in check
because too much cholesterol
can lead to the narrowing of
arteries, resulting in heart
disease, heart attack and stroke.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), B9
(folic acid) and B12 (cobalamin)
are used in combination to
lower homocysteine levels in the
blood, which may potentially
prevent recurrent stroke or
heart attack.
This article is brought to you
by VitaHealth.
n For more information,
call 1800 183 288.
8 Healthy Heart
Keeping a smooth flow
HEART disease has remained the
principal cause of death among
Malaysians over the past 10 years,
making up 13.5% of deaths in
2014, based on the Statistics
Departments findings.
Heart and blood vessel disease
also called cardiovascular disease
includes numerous problems, many
of which are related to a process
called atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis develops when
plaque (a build-up of substances
such as cholesterol, fat and calcium)
forms on the inner walls of blood
vessels.
The build-up narrows the blood
vessels, making it harder for blood
to flow through. If a blood clot forms
in a blood vessel and cuts off the
blood flow completely, the part of
heart muscle that receives oxygen
from that vessel begins to die. This
can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Nitric oxide is one of the most
important chemical compounds for
heart health. It is a cellular
signalling molecule involved in
many physiological and pathological
processes.
Nitric oxide level in the body
is highest at birth and declines
steadily as you age. A healthy
diet and active lifestyle can
help maintain a healthy nitric oxide
level.
The interior surface of blood
vessels produces nitric oxide.
When plaque builds up in the
blood vessels, it impinges on nitric
oxide production.
You can supplement your healthy
lifestyle by consuming foods and
nutritional supplements that are
scientifically known to increase
nitric oxide levels.
Since nitric oxide is a gas, you
cannot just pop a pill to increase
your nitric oxide level. You are
dependent on your bodys
production of this gas from foods
such as seeds, nuts, dark chocolate,
black tea, watermelon and
pomegranate.
Nutritional supplements such as
L-citrulline and L-arginine also help
the body to produce nitric oxide.
L-citrulline and L-arginine are
vital amino acids that play a role in
a number of physiological functions
in the body and are best known for
their heart health benefits.
L-citrulline and L-arginine help in
vasodilation (widening of blood
vessels) and increasing blood flow
and circulation, thus reducing high
blood pressure. Both amino acids
may break down plaque build-up
and prevent blood clots from
forming.
They also seem to decrease
symptoms as well as improve
exercise tolerance and quality of life
in people with angina (chest pain).
Scientific studies have proven that
combined L-citrulline and L-arginine
supplementation effectively
increases blood levels of nitric oxide
compared to supplementation of
L-arginine alone.
In addition to heart health,
L-citrulline and L-arginine play
other important biological roles.
They improve physical and exercise
performance, energy level, muscle
development and immune function.
This informational article is
brought to you by Herbs of Gold.
n For more information,
call 1800 183 288.
NH Nutri Oats contains organic oat bran powder, omega-3 powder
extracted from algae and puffed black bean powder.
Oat to a
healthier you
HEART disease is the No.1
killer of adults in the world.
Researchers have concluded
that high cholesterol levels are
one of the main causes of heart
disease.
It is estimated that about
600,000 people die of heart
disease in the United States every
year, accounting for one in every
four deaths annually.
Similarly, heart disease has
been the No.1 killer in Malaysia
for the past three decades.
Because high cholesterol does
not expose itself through obvious
symptoms, it is the new silent
killer on the streets.
Nevertheless, it is not all bad
news. High cholesterol is simple
to detect and can be brought
down to a normal level by
treating your body right.
How you treat your body now
will determine how susceptible
you will be to heart disease in
the future.
As high cholesterol is largely
preventable, knowing how to
lower or eliminate the risk will
help you remain in the best of
health. Therefore, it is important
to take preventative action now.
A well-balanced diet is crucial
in fighting against this deadly
disease. The Health Ministry
recommends a daily intake of 3g
beta-glucan from oats to help
reduce cholesterol.
The daily consumption of 3g
oat beta-glucan has been proven
to reduce total and LDL (low-
density lipoprotein) cholesterol
levels.
Approval from the Health
Ministry, the United States
Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), the European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) and the Food
Standards Australia New Zealand
(FSANZ) have further validated
the health benefits associated
with oat beta-glucan.
It is the only dietary fibre
recognised by the EFSA to reduce
THE STAR, FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2017
the risk of heart disease.
Another important ingredient
for a healthy heart is omega-3
fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids
such as EPA (eicosapentaenoic
acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic
acid) can help reduce the risk of
coronary heart disease.
In 2010, the EFSA recognised
the role of omega-3 fatty acids
(DHA) in helping to maintain
normal blood triglyceride levels.
Triglycerides are a type of fat
in the blood that, at high levels,
can cause heart disease.
The newly launched NH Nutri
Oats is an oat bran drink that
combines oat beta-glucan and
omega-3 fatty acids in a single
serving.
This wholesome drink is made
from organic oat bran powder,
omega-3 powder extracted from
algae, and puffed black bean
powder.
The addition of puffed black
bean powder enhances the
drinks taste to ensure that you
look forward to drinking it each
day.
Each serving of NH Nutri Oats
is of supreme quality. The latest
technology is used to produce
the organic oat bran powder,
resulting in highly refined
powder that facilitates the
release of the beta-glucan into
the body, thus optimising its
cholesterol-lowering and blood
glucose-stabilising effects.
It contains no sugar,
preservatives and additives,
making it ideal for daily
consumption to maintain healthy
cholesterol levels.
Begin your journey towards a
healthier new you by
incorporating NH Nutri Oats in
your diet. You can purchase a
900g tin at any Guardian outlet.
n For more information, call
1300 882 993 (Monday to Friday,
9am to 6pm) or visit
www.blmnutrient.com.
THE STAR, FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2017
Norway-sourced,
concentrated and pollutant free
DUE to increasing consumer
awareness about the health risk
associated with high-fat and high-
cholesterol foods as well as
products high in sugar and salt
content, Opceden is responding to
the rapidly growing demand for
pure and highly concentrated
omega-3 by providing an
added nutritional formulation
on healthy ageing throughout
life.
As a result, Opceden Omega-3
Fish Oil TG 500/200 fish oils are
now available.
Marine omega-3 essential fatty
acids offer good health benefits.
Marine sources of omega-3 are
particularly important because
omega-3 fish oil comprises
polyunsaturated, essential fatty
acids that cannot be synthesised
by the human body and must
be obtained from food or
supplementation.
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and
Life-saving
technology
that fits in your
pocket could
be the future
of health and
early detection
of heart
disease.
Growing
acceptance
> FROM PAGE 5
At the press announcement of
the Apple Watch Series 3, Apple
claims that atrial fibrillation
affects tens of thousands of
people and the condition is a
leading cause of stroke but many
people often go undiagnosed as
they do not experience any
symptoms.
The watch is already smart
enough to calculate users
resting heart rate and recovery
heart rate (how fast the heart
takes to slow down after
rigorous exercise) but when the
first phase of Apple Heart Study
is launched later this year, it will
be the first personal device of its
kind to provide alerts.
So is everybody to start
wearing a heart monitoring
system on ones wrist as it can
potentially save lives?
If modern science reports are
anything to go by, it would not
Healthy Heart 9
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are associated with standard fish body
the two key essential fatty acids in or fish liver oil.
omega-3. These fats comprise three fatty
Studies have shown that acids (such as omega-3 EPA and
EPA and DHA are important for DHA) linked to a molecule of
proper health maintenance and glycerol.
immune function. EPA and DHA Without glycerol, free fatty acids
may affect many aspects of body can oxidise rapidly. Therefore, the
function. glycerol backbone helps to
Opceden Omega-3 Fish naturally stabilise the fat molecules
Oil TG 500/200 is in the triglyceride and prevent breakdown and Opceden
(TG) form. oxidation. Omega-3
Most fish oil supplements in the To digest fatty acid in our diet, Fish Oil TG
market are available in ethyl ester we need pancreatic lipase 500/200
form or TG form. (enzyme). provides
Structurally, the major difference Studies have found that the omega-3
between the two forms is that in lipase to hydrolyse the TG form is essential
ethyl ester, the fatty acids (EPA 10 to 50 times faster and ensures fatty acids
and DHA) are esterified to an that absorption into the body is in the
ethanol backbone while in the optimised. triglyceride
TG form, the fatty acids are form.
esterified to a glycerol alcohol n For more information, call
backbone. Asia Healthcare at 03-6156 2836.
Typically, fats in most food This is a supplement product
MAL16055017N
sources are found in their natural advertisement.
TG form. TGs are generally KKLIU No.1818/2016
be surprising if results of a
subsequent study claim the
dangers of wearing such
devices 24 hours a day due to
constant exposure to wireless
technology or radio waves that
are transmitted from the wrist
devices to the owners
smartphones.
Hence, it is too soon to
say if wearing heart monitoring
devices will be the new norm but
as technology continues to
advance in the modern age,
there is certainly good reason to
imagine the possibilities a heart
monitoring device that, upon
reading a slowing heartbeat, will
send signals to a linked
smartphone to immediately call
for an ambulance?
How about a device that
records the users heart patterns
for the entire month to provide
downloadable data for doctors
and physicians during hospital
check-ups?
10 Healthy Heart
Nutrient-rich milk
WORLD Heart Day looks to raise
awareness on issues regarding heart
problems. According to the Heart
Foundation of Malaysia, heart diseases
have consistently been the leading cause
of death among men and women
nationwide.
While some may not know, risk factors
for heart diseases and stroke include
smoking, inadequate intake of fruits and
vegetables, obesity, physical inactivity as
well as raised blood pressure, cholesterol
and glucose levels.
Thus, it is important for us to take note
of our mental and physical well-being.
Never too late
By adopting a healthier lifestyle, the
risks of developing heart disease and
getting strokes can easily be reduced.
The simplest way to do so is by
following a balanced eating plan that is
high in carbohydrates and low in
saturated fat. You can include at least two
glasses of Marigold HL Low Fat Milk with
Plant Sterols daily in your plan.
What are plant sterols?
Plant sterols are natural substances
that are found in many grains, vegetables,
fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds. Not only
do they help block cholesterol absorption,
they also aid in lowering bad cholesterol
levels.
According to Dr Tan Hong Chang,
consultant at the Department of
Endocrinology, Singapore General
Hospital, studies have shown that a daily
intake between 0.8g and 3g of plant sterols
lowers bad cholesterol by a 10% to 20%,
without affecting the good cholesterol.
Get fit at home
DO you always think you do not
have the time to work out? What
you need is high-intensity interval
training (HIIT).
HIIT is a training technique in
which you give 100% effort through
quick, intense bursts of exercise,
followed by short recovery periods.
This type of training increases
the amount of fat you burn per
session in far less time and
keeps your heart rate up.
The United States No.1 fitness
brand, ProForm, introduces its
latest piece of home fitness
equipment, the Cardio HIIT
Trainer a unique hybrid that
combines the benefits of a
stepper and elliptical trainer
that works the upper and
lower body simultaneously
with less impact on the joints.
The ProForm Cardio HIIT
Trainer is the right step
towards reaching your fitness
goal in the comfort of your
own home.
With 24 digital resistance
levels, the Cardio HIIT
Trainer allows you to start
out easy and progress in
intensity. The transition between levels is
smooth, frictionless and silent with the
patented Silent Magnetic Resistance.
Not only does this machine provide a great
lower-body exercise, it allows you to engage
your upper body for a more complete
workout using the multifunctional
handlebars.
The easy-to-read seven-inch backlight
display tracks your speed, time, distance and
calories burned every time you work out.
You can also track your statistics at any time
and beat your own record.
One of the biggest concerns people have
about an in-home fitness machine is the
amount of space it takes up.
The ProForm Cardio HIIT Trainer resolves
Marigold HL Low Fat Milk with
Plant Sterols
Drinking at least two glasses of Marigold
HL Low Fat Milk with Plant Sterols daily
provides you with 1.6g of plant sterol esters.
Two glasses of the milk also contain no
more than 1% fat compared to regular
milk.
Suitable even for those who are lactose
intolerant, its high calcium content can
help keep your bones strong and prevent
osteoporosis while its high protein content
aids in building and repairing muscles.
It is also fortified with nine essential
this concern with its compact design that
only takes up half the space of the average
elliptical trainer, leaving you with much
room to spare by easily moving it around
using the front-mounted transport wheels.
When you step on the pedals of the Cardio
HIIT Trainer, you get instant access to 32
professional training programs fully loaded
and ready to go.
It comes with many other features such as
an integrated tablet holder, CoolAire
workout fan, iPod-compatible audio and EKG
(electrocardiogram) hand-grip heart rate
monitor for heart rate training.
Consult your physician before beginning
any exercise programme.
Fitness Concept is having a World Heart
THE STAR, FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2017
Plant sterols in Marigold HL
Low Fat Milk are effective in
helping reduce cholesterol
absorption and lower bad
cholesterol levels.
vitamins, which are A, B1, B3, B6, B12, C, D, E
and folic acid. Marigold HL Low Fat Milk is
available in plain, chocolate and strawberry
flavours as well as with the addition of plant
sterols.
Marigold takes pride in creating a milk
with the perfect balance of highs and lows.
Garnering several awards at the Readers
Digest Trusted Brand Awards and the Putra
Brand Awards, Marigold HL Low Fat Milk
also recently received the Healthier Choice
logo by the Health Ministry.
n For more information, call 1800 885 587 or
visit www.marigold.com.my.
The ProForm
Cardio HIIT Trainer
combines the
benefits of a
stepper and
elliptical trainer to
simultaneously
work the upper
and lower body.
Day promotion until Oct 15 for treadmills,
exercise bicycles, gym stations and more
with in-store free gifts, purchase-with-
purchase offers and other deals, while stocks
last. Terms and conditions apply.
The ProForm Cardio HIIT Trainer is
available exclusively at all Fitness Concept
stores nationwide. Purchase the ProForm
Cardio HIIT Trainer and receive a Smart
Activity Tracker Wristband.
In conjunction with the upcoming World
Heart Day, Fitness Concept is running a
donation drive and body fat check to raise
awareness of heart disease and stroke
prevention.
Fitness Concept will donate RM25 to
Yayasan Jantung Negara with every
purchase of cardio equipment.
Fitness Concept is Malaysias largest fitness
specialist chain as certified by The Malaysia
Book of Records, with 45 outlets in leading
shopping malls nationwide.
Drop by any of its stores today and let
Fitness Concept assess your fitness needs
and suggest the best product for you and
your family. Fitness Concept believes fitness
begins at home.
n For more information, call
03-2282 3200 (Mid Valley store)/
03-5631 3901 (Sunway Pyramid store),
e-mail enquiries@fitnessconcept.com.my
or visit www.fitnessconcept.com.my.
THE STAR, FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2017 Healthy Heart 11

What is ubiquinol?
UBIQUINOL is the converted
(reduced), active form of Coenzyme
Q10 (CoQ10), which is naturally
produced by our body.
Ubiquinol is an essential nutrient
for cellular energy production and
antioxidant protection. In a healthy
adult, 90% or more of the total
CoQ10 in the body is in the Vitamode
ubiquinol form. CoQ10
Body tissue that has high energy Ubiquinol is
requirements and metabolic rates available in
such as the heart and skeletal selected
muscle contains relatively high clinics and
concentration of ubiquinol. pharmacies
nationwide.
What is the difference
between CoQ10 and MAL14125058NC

ubiquinol?
CoQ10 is sometimes referred to
as ubiquinone. Ubiquinone and
ubiquinol are both forms of CoQ10
and both are necessary to produce
cellular energy. In order to
generate cellular energy, the body
must convert ubiquinone (inactive)
into ubiquinol (active).
Without this conversion, the
bodys energy production process
cannot be completed and energy
levels cannot be sustained. Thus,
both are critical to sustaining your
bodys natural energy.
Ubiquinol is simply the fully
reduced state or the unoxidised
form of CoQ10, which the human
body can immediately and more
easily use for energy. Ubiquinol,
being in its reduced state, also
provides antioxidant function,
protecting cells from free radical
damage.
Why Vitamode CoQ10
Ubiquinol?
Our bodys ability to produce
CoQ10 and convert it into
ubiquinol significantly depletes as
we age. Without proper levels of
this vital substance, the body
produces less energy and lacks a
strong defence against oxidative
stress.
Ubiquinol levels have been
shown to be suppressed in older
individuals. Absorption of dietary
CoQ10 is slow and very limited due
to its hydrophobicity and large
molecular weight.
Therefore, supplementation
products are required for those
whose CoQ10 levels are being
compromised. Because ubiquinol
is pre-converted, it is ready for
immediate use by the body,
making it suitable for those
unable to efficiently reduce
CoQ10 in the body.
What can Vitamode CoQ10
Ubiquinol do for you?
Energy
l Provides sustained, healthy
energy
l It is a key component in 95%
of the bodys energy production
Antioxidant
l It is a lipid-soluble antioxidant
l Protects the bodys cells from
damage caused by oxidative stress
and free radicals
l Naturally regenerates
other antioxidants such as vitamin
A and E
How much Vitamode CoQ10
Ubiquinol should I take?
The recommended daily dose of
ubiquinol varies based on each
individuals specific needs.
As a general guideline, start
supplementing with 200mg per day
for the first two to three weeks. After
that, 100mg per day is a good
amount to maintain optimal
ubiquinol levels.
This is a supplement product
advertisement. This article is
brought to you by Vitamode Sdn
Bhd.
n For more information,
call 1300 800 228 or e-mail
enquiry@medispec.com.my.
KKLIU No.0199/2017
About Vitamode CoQ10
Ubiquinol
Vitamode CoQ10
Ubiquinol is highly
absorbable and is clinically
tested to provide high-
bioavailability ubiquinol.
It is formulated using
Kaneka QH Ubiquinol,
which is a bio-identical
ubiquinol available as a
nutritional ingredient.
It is 100% made through
yeast fermentation
exclusively in Japan. It is
manufactured to stringent
cGMP standards in Japan
and conforms to stringent
USP specification for
purity, quality and
structure.
12 Healthy Heart THE STAR, FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2017

Fight high cholesterol and diabetes

MANY natural health remedies
that claim to help reduce
cholesterol and blood glucose
levels such as red yeast rice and
plant sterol/stanol supplements are
available for purchase in drug
stores.
A study published in the
European Heart Journal in 2009
reported the controversial roles
of these supplements in
cholesterol management as
they could potentially cause
undesirable side effects if
consumed in large amounts and/or
over a long term.
Therefore, consumers should be
cautious when consuming products
containing plant sterols or red
yeast rice and should obtain a
doctors medical advice before
taking any of these supplements
for self-treatment of unhealthy
cholesterol or blood glucose levels. Benefits of oat beta-glucans
Recent studies suggest that we in the heart-healthy soluble fibre two-in-one health benefits in a l Laboratory tested to be low
not only need to keep our oat beta-glucan. small and easy-to-consume in glycaemic index (< 55), making Health claims for oat beta-
cholesterol levels in check for a The cholesterol-lowering and serving size. them suitable for pre-diabetics glucans approved by
healthy heart, but also a stable blood glucose-regulating effects The advantages of Biogrow Oat and diabetics European Food Safety
blood glucose level throughout our of oat beta-glucans depend highly BG22 products are as follows: Authority and the Malaysian
life. on the molecular weight and l Contain only clinically As a trusted brand that Health Ministry:
According to International bioactivity of the oat beta-glucans. researched, bioactive oat beta- provides clinically proven effects Three grammes of oat
Diabetes Federation, people The latter is often destroyed by glucans with more than 20 on blood cholesterol reduction beta-glucans daily help
with elevated blood glucose poor processing control. published human studies on and blood glucose management, lower cholesterol.
levels are two to six times more Therefore, more than just cholesterol-lowering and blood Biogrow Oat BG22 provides a Oat soluble fibre (beta-
likely to develop cardiovascular consuming the recommended 3g glucose-regulating effects natural and easy way to obtain glucan) helps curb the rise
disease. oat beta-glucan per day, we require worldwide bioactive oat beta-glucans from our of blood glucose level,
The National Health and clinically researched oat beta- l Small, easy-to-serve daily daily diet. provided it is not
Morbidity Survey 2015 reported glucans to achieve the desired portion of only two scoops ( 18g) consumed with other
that, in Malaysia, there are 9.6 health benefits. of oat bran powder or one packet This article is brought to you by food.
million people with high Compared to the average (30g) of crispy oat cereal offers the Legosan (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. The consumption of
cholesterol and 3.5 million people breakfast cereal and instant recommended 3g bioactive oat beta-glucans from oats
living with diabetes. oatmeal, Biogrow Oat BG22 beta-glucan n For more information, e-mail helps keep glucose level
Oats, oat bran powder and Oat Bran Powder and Biogrow l Low in calories, high in total info@biogrow.com.my or visit after a meal in check.
crispy oat cereals are naturally rich Oat BG22 Crispy Cereal provide fibre and lactose-free www.biogrow.com.my.