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General Health

How are vitamin B groups associated with energy production?

The vitamin B groups are mostly involving in the metabolism of nutrients (carbohydrate, protein and fats). Upon eating, the food is digested and broken down into extremely small particles for body absorption. From there, the vitamin B groups help to convert the absorbed nutrients into energy for our body usage. Therefore, not having sufficient vitamin B level in the body always resulting in frequent tiredness and lack of energy.

Why do we need such a high amount of vitamin C supplementation? ¹ And how much vitamin C I can take per day? ²

Water-soluble vitamins are easily destroyed or washed out during food storage or preparation. It also unable to be stored in our body and will be eliminated out through urination easily. Hence, we may need greater amount to maintain and replenish the vitamin C level in our body.

The tolerable upper intake levels of vitamin C is 2000mg per day which will not pose any adverse reaction. However, if the consumption is as high as 3000mg per day, it may cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disturbances.

References:

Bellows, L. (2018). Water-Soluble Vitamins: B-Complex and Vitamin C. [online] Colorado State University. Available at: http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/nutrition-food-safety-health/water-soluble-vitamins-b-complex-and-vitamin-c-9-312/ [Accessed 14 Dec. 2018].
Recommended Nutrient Intake Malaysia 2017.

Colostrum is the first milk produced by mother or cow in the first few days after giving birth. As an adult, why should I consume colostrum?

As we grow older, our bodies will gradually produce less immune factors to fight against diseases. With the loss of this vital component, our vulnerability to diseases will increase. Being the first milk produced in the first few days after giving birth, colostrum is rich in a variety of biologically active components such as immune factors and growth factors. With regards to immune factors, Proline-Rich-Peptide (PRP) helps in restoring the balance of immune system. Meanwhile, immunoglobulin type G (IgG) serves as antibody to fight against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. On the other hand, the growth factors promote glucose and fat metabolism for fuel and help to restore bone and lean muscle mass. The growth factors also stimulate tissue growth and repair, thus promoting wound healing and anti-aging for the skin. Colostrum from a bovine (cow) is not species specific, and it is up to 100 to 1000 times more potent than our mother’s Colostrum. This means that every mammal on Earth can benefit from bovine Colostrum.

BiO-LiFE ImunCol + PROBIOtix is suitable for senior adults (60+ years with weakened immune system), working adults (25 – 60 years who are constantly under stress or has poor immunity or on antibiotic treatment) and children (2 – 12 years who need extra boost for growth, development, and immunity).

Should men take vitamins and minerals?

Yes, most men can benefit from a well-balanced daily multivitamin for nutritional support.

What are minerals?

Minerals, like vitamins, play an important role in the maintenance of the body’s metabolic functions and growth. Unlike vitamins, minerals are actual elements in their simple inorganic form such as iron, zinc, selenium, magnesium and biotin.

Why do we need vitamins and minerals?

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients for the human body to perform crucial of biological roles in the body in preventing deficiency disorders. A human body is not able to produce vitamins (except vitamin D), so they must be obtained from foods or dietary supplements. Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients for the human body to perform crucial of biological roles in the body in preventing deficiency disorders. A human body is not able to produce vitamins (except vitamin D), so they must be obtained from foods or dietary supplements. vv

Is it true that vegetarians (without meat or fish) or vegans (without any food from animal source) need extra vitamin B?

Vegetarian or vegan diets are usually lacking of vitamin B12, iron and calcium.
Vitamin B12 is only found naturally in foods from animal sources including eggs and dairy products.
Although meat is the best source of iron, vegetarians still can obtain iron from nuts and dark-green leafy vegetables.
Milk and dairy products are rich in calcium, hence vegans have to get calcium from other food sources such as fortified soya milk and almond.
It is always advised to include fortified foods, nuts or supplement to ensure an adequate daily intake of nutrients.

Can pregnant women consume Panax Ginseng C.A Meyer?

No. It is not recommended during pregnancy and breast feeding.

What are the functions of Premiton?

Premiton (multivitamins with ginseng extract) helps to reduce tiredness, improve physical capacity and relieve fatigue symptoms.

What are the active compounds of Panax Ginseng C.A Meyer?

It contains ginsenosides, amino acids, phenols, vitamin B1 & B12 and also proteins. Ginsenosides are the active ingredient of ginseng.

Why do we need to take vitamin B daily?

Vitamins B are water-soluble nutrients and thus easily excreted from the body.
Since vitamins B cannot be stored in large amounts by the body, therefore these nutrients have to be consumed regularly in the diet.
However, extended cooking and food processing can destroy or reduce the bioavailability of these nutrients.

How does vitamin B help in stress?

B group vitamins are important in the maintenance of cardiovascular, neural health and energy metabolism.
During the period of stress, dietary deficiency in nutrients has been observed.
Supplementation with multivitamins especially vitamin B helps to improve perceived stress and mood state.

I always seem to get a sore throat whenever I travel outstation. I would like to put an end on this.

Pharyngitis, commonly known as the sore throat is the inflammation of the pharynx. An individual who has a sore throat most often will also experience fever, runny nose, pain when swallowing, phlegm and muscle aches. Virus and bacterial infection are common causes of a sore throat. Other factors include food allergy, environmental irritants and tobacco use. Try to reduce the intake of sugar and saturated fat, which hinder the body’s immune system to work at its’ optimum potency and makes the body vulnerable to infections and allergies. On the other hand, fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains provide phytonutrients that help in the elimination of harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi by boosting the immune system. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily.

Streptococcus salivarius K12 (BLIS) which was initially isolated from the mouth of a healthy child, has been shown to reduce the episodes of bacterial pharyngitis and tonsillitis by boosting the immune system.

I would like to know more about asthma management. My son, Shawn is 9 years old and he had two asthma attack for the past 6 months. He is sensitive to duct mites and often sneeze in the morning.

Asthma is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing. During an asthma attack, the lining of the bronchial tubes swells, causing the airways to narrow and reducing the flow of air into and out of the lungs.

These episodes may be triggered by both hereditary and environmental factors. Certain foods and allergens such as dust mites, animal dander and pollen may trigger asthma. Therefore, it is important to minimize contact and avoid these allergens namely dust mites in your son’s condition. For this reason, wash sheets, blankets and pillows frequently and at the same time, keep your pet out of the house and bedroom. He can still take part in normal school activities but do avoid long-term strenuous physical activities that may trigger flare-ups.

Your child is encouraged to take wholesome and well-balanced meals. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and antioxidants as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids intake has been shown to improve airway responsiveness to allergens, respiratory and lung functions.

I suffer from frequent urination especially at night. I have urine dribbling even after getting out of the toilet. This is really embrassing and I hope you can help me.

You may be experiencing symptoms that may be associated with what is known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). BHP is the enlargement of prostate gland and happens natural

Prostate enlargement is a widespread problem that increases with age and it is often associated with hormonal changes. Normally, the prostate is about the size of a walnut that sits below the bladder but as men age, the gland becomes enlarged. When this happens, the prostate compresses the urethra, obstructing the flow of urine and causing urinary problems such as frequent urination. Many men over 40 years old suffer at least some degree of prostate enlargement and when the condition deteriorates, post-void dribbling and urinary incontinence may occur.

The herbs, saw palmetto and pumpkin seed are well known for their ability to improve prostate health. Saw palmetto contains plant fatty acids that have been shown to inhibit the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that plays a role in the enlargement of the prostate. In Germany, the use of saw palmetto is recognized as part of the treatment for prostate enlargement. On the other hand, the effectiveness of pumpkin seed is thought to be due to its high content of essential fatty acids, zinc and plant

A formulation that contains saw palmetto and pumpkin seed is demonstrated to be effective in regulating urination. You may also want to take a zinc supplement along with the aforementioned herbs for better clinical effect. Prostate tissue contains a higher concentration of zinc compared to other tissues in the body and a deficiency in zinc is linked to prostate enlargement. Lastly, cut down on alcohol and excessive meat or animal fat intake.

I have a poor immune system and thus, I fall sick easily. I would like to take vitaminC supplement for immune health. However, I am also worried about my gastric problem as I know that vitamin C is acidic by nature. Any other alternatives?

Many factors can cause the immune system to deteriorate and some of them include poor diet, insufficient sleep, lack of exercise and stress. You are right about the link between the poor immune system and the risk of illness. Undeniably, individuals with poor immunity are prone to infections and this will cause distress and affect usual routines.

Vitamin C is the most popular vitamin among the common nutrients for immune system function and many people are taking it as their daily supplement. Besides promoting resistance to infection, vitamin C also protects lung function and acts as an antioxidant, preventing free radicals attack.

You may opt for a vitamin C supplement from Non-acidic Vitamin C & Bioflavonoids which is available in the pharmacies. Non-acidic vitamin C does not irritate the stomach lining and thus, it is very suitable for individuals with gastric problems. A sustained-release vitamin C is beneficial to ensure a steady vitamin C supply all day long.

Proper nutrition, physical activity, sufficient sleep and stress management is the key to good immune health. Build up on roughage and antioxidants. Good sources include green vegetables, citrus fruits, legumes and whole grains. Last but not least, stay physically active. Daily exercise allows one’s tension to dissipate and you can start off with brisk walking.

How to prevent premature agening? Several people whom I met recently said that I looked older than my age. I am only 24 years old this year.

Premature aging is one of the conditions feared by many especially females who are in their mid-twenties. If one shows an early appearance signs of aging before old age, then it is simply known as premature aging.

It refers to the unnatural acceleration of the natural aging process primarily due to damage from sun exposure and an unhealthy lifestyle. Freckles, deep wrinkles, age spots and rough skin indicate premature aging caused by years of unprotected exposure to the sun. Unhealthy lifestyle such as exposure to cigarette smoke will increase wrinkling and dryness of the skin.

A poor diet is also a factor of premature aging from the inside out. A diet which mainly consists of highly processed foods and alcohol along with insufficient intake of fresh fruits and vegetables accelerates the aging process. You can prevent signs of premature aging by protecting your skin from the sun and adopting a healthier diet and lifestyle.

Always use a good sunscreen (typical SPF 15) and apply it at least 20 minutes before going outdoors. Exercise tones muscles and helps promote blood flow which is necessary for healthy skin and body. If you are stress, take some time off and go for a spa or relaxing massage.

Evening Primrose Oil may help in a healthy skin. It provides omega-6 for modulation of membrane function. Besides that, supplements of antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, E, zinc and selenium may also help to improve the condition and reduce the damage done by the free radicals onto the skin.

I have a dull complexion due to dry skin. I have spent a lot on facial products but nothing seems to work for me. Can you please tell me what I can do to overcome this problem?

Skin becomes dry when the moisture evaporates faster than it can be replenished and this occurs when the production of sebum, which contains oils that inhibit evaporation, diminishes as skin ages. Poor diet and environmental factors such as exposure to sunlight, frequent contacts with chemicals and excessive bathing with harsh soaps may aggravate the condition.

A good balance of vitamins, minerals and nutrients is essential to maintain healthy looking skin. Vitamins C and E are great assets to the skin. Vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen and connective tissues to firm the skin,; whereas vitamin E has been shown to slow down the ageing of tissues. Supplementing your diet with these antioxidant nutrients and evening primrose oil may be a good start.

Evening primrose oil provides gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential element of skin structure. GLA is reputed to boost moisture content and strengthen skin cells. Studies have demonstrated that 3g of evening primrose oil daily improves moisture content, elasticity as well as enhances the structure and function of normal healthy skin.

Avoid extensive use of harsh soaps and detergents. Hot baths or showers and high consumption of caffeinated beverages may also lead to dry skin. You may apply lotions containing aloe vera to restore skin moisture.

What is the best way to quit smoking? I have tried to quit smoking several times due to health concerns but my attempts failed. Please give me some suggestions.

Cigarette smoking is addictive and a majority of us find it hard to stop smoking. Quitting smoking requires determination, commitment as well as support from your family and friends. Below are some suggestions that may be helpful:

Reduce the amount of cigarettes gradually.
Get some exercise every day. It is a great way to reduce stress and improve general well-being which will make you feel more confident.
Identify and avoid your smoking triggers. Whenever you crave for a cigarette, eat your favorite foods or snacks. It can help reduce cravings by fulfilling the oral desires that you may have.
Keep reminding yourself the reasons for quitting and think of all the benefits to your health, finances and family.

Smoking causes oxidative stress due to increased cumulative exposure to harmful substances. As such, smokers need antioxidant nutrients to scavenge the free radicals formed, which in turn will help prevent damage to the elements of the bloodstream and protect body tissues.

Vitamins C and E as well as minerals, zinc and selenium are potent antioxidants which are essential. The herbs, milk thistle and dandelion may also help reduce toxic loads by promoting detoxification and cleansing the liver of harmful substances.

My 48-year-old mother has been diagnosed with borderline blood pressure. Doctor said that she does not need medications but care is needed to maintain her blood pressure. Kindly advise.

A holistic approach that combines lifestyle and dietary changes along with nutritional supplements has been found to be effective in maintaining and reducing blood pressure.

Your mother should increase intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. The types of dietary fiber that are of greatest value are the water-soluble oat bran, apple pectin and psyllium seeds. It is important to reduce the intake of red meat and dairy products as they are rich in saturated fats which are known to elevate blood pressure. Studies have revealed that diet high in sodium chloride (table salt) indirectly results in hypertension and thus, it is good to cut down on salt consumption. Include essential fatty acids such as those found in evening primrose oil (omega-6 fatty acids) and marine fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids) in your diet to lower blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

A supplement containing antioxidant nutrients namely beta-carotene, vitamins C, E and the mineral zinc will also be helpful in preventing the oxidation of cholesterol on arterial walls, consequently reducing the risk of high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.

Lifestyle wise, avoid caffeine intake as it constricts blood vessels, aggravating a hypertensive condition. Exercise regularly (40 minutes a day, 3 times a week) and manage stress properly. Yoga, meditation or sports are examples of relaxation techniques to keep hypertension under control.

My husband has severe hair loss and difficulty falling asleep. I am not sure if this is due to his stressful career. Please advise.

Stress is defined as a response to conditions and events, both routine and out of the ordinary. No one can completely escape the effects of stress. Stress may deplete the flow of oxygen, which all cells need for maintenance and health. It might be the main culprit of hair loss and insomnia in this case.

Make time for leisure activities and plan a day out with the family to relax the body and mind. A good laughter is an excellent way to help relieve stress. Diet also plays a vital role in stress management. Low-fat, high-fiber and carbohydrate-rich meals with plenty of fruits and vegetables may be helpful due to increased production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood. Avoid caffeine, tea and alcohol several hours before bedtime as these beverages are stimulants that may disrupt and affect the quality of sleep. Relax before bed – reading or simply enjoying relaxing routines can make it easier to fall asleep.

Your husband may consider supplementing his diet with vitamin B complex that aids in nervous system function, reduces anxiety and immune system damage as well as improves brain function. Other nutrients of value are magnesium and zinc. Magnesium may help promote sleep quality by relaxing the muscles and soothing the nervous system. As for zinc, it strengthens the root of the hair, thus beneficial in preventing hair loss. These important minerals (magnesium and zinc) are best combined with calcium, vitamin D and manganese for maintenance of healthy bones, hair and nails.

What are the antioxidants? Many people are talking about the benefits of antioxidants and I would like to have a better understanding.

Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive compounds that are created in the body during normal metabolic functions or introduced from the environment. Too many free radicals in the body can interfere with normal cell function and may cause health problems such as heart disease, cancer and premature aging.

Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals and therefore, it is important for human health. Examples of antioxidants are beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and selenium. Consuming adequate antioxidants will help to improve the body’s defense system and skin health. Beta-carotene acts as an immune modulator and vitamin C strengthens white blood cells that fight against infections. Vitamin E has been shown to slow down the aging of tissues while zinc is essential for the normal function of sebaceous glands.

Clinical studies have suggested that a combination of antioxidants provides greater efficacy and protective effects against oxidative damage. You may obtain these antioxidants from foods namely fruits, vegetables and whole-grains or opt for a supplement that contains these important anti-free radical nutrients.