The Star Online: Lifestyle: Health
The Star Online: Lifestyle: Health |
| Posted: 16 Mar 2013 04:21 PM PDT In this third part in the series on hormones for health, we continue with other hormones that are not only 'youth hormones' in that they help maintain health and youthful biological age, but may also impact our lifespan. ABOUT a year ago, I wrote about the Okinawans, who are famous for their longevity (Holistic ageing, Fit4Life, April 1, 2012). The secret of their longevity, according to Prof Emeritus Makoto Suzuki, who is the leading expert on the Okinawa longevity phenomenon, lies in their diet, culture and lifestyle. While much has been written about their diet, culture and lifestyle, the only glaring difference in their blood tests is that they continue to have youthful levels of the hormone DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) as they age past 50. DHEA DHEA is the most abundant hormone in the body. It is produced by the adrenal glands. It is required by both sexes and levels decline with age. At age 60, the level is only about 40% of its peak. It improves sexual function, increases muscle mass, reduces fat, stimulates bone growth, improves sleep, mobility, memory, immunity and reduces pain. It may help improve arterial disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, lupus, and possibly cancer. It is also the precursor for the sex-hormones (oestrogens and androgens). While the direct effect of DHEA is relatively weak compared to the sex hormones, a healthy level of DHEA is crucial because it is needed to manufacture the sex hormones. Strenuous physical exercise and stress increase DHEA secretion, as do high protein and high fat diets. Conversely, a sedentary lifestyle and diets high in carbohydrates, cereals and sugar reduce secretion. In anti-ageing hormone management, DHEA is among the most important hormones monitored and corrected/optimised (if necessary). Pregnenolone While DHEA is the mother of the sex hormones, pregnenolone is the grandmother of all the steroid hormones, which include DHEA, the sex hormones, glucocorticoid adrenal hormones (eg cortisol and other steroids responsible for stress and glucose management), and mineralocorticoid adrenal hormones (eg aldosterone, responsible for salt and water regulation). Pregnenolone is manufactured from cholesterol. This is one example of the vital role that cholesterol plays in the body. So cholesterol itself is not bad. It is the excess and the "bad" cholesterol that is harmful. Even that concept (that high cholesterol is bad) is controversial and I hope to write about this in the future. Pregnenolone level declines with age, and is indirectly responsible for the decline of the steroidal hormones. A serious deficiency in pregnenolone affects many organ systems because it is the precursor of so many hormones which influence so many organs. While the main function of pregnenolone is as a precursor or pro-hormone, it is also a neurotransmitter. It has been used with some success to improve memory and to reduce stress/depression. Since memory decline is a constant and worrying feature of ageing, anti-ageing doctors often use pregnenolone to alleviate the problem, and about half of the patients report some improvement. Pregnenolone testing and supplementation are not readily available here. Therefore most of the anti-ageing doctors test for, and correct/optimise the other hormones instead as an indirect way of addressing suspected pregnenolone deficiency. Melatonin Most of you may be aware that melatonin is used to counter the effects of "jet-lag" after long-distance travel, but you may not be aware that it is also a youth/longevity hormone. Its level also declines with age like the other hormones previously mentioned, and its impact on health goes beyond normalising the sleep rhythm. Melatonin is a neuro-hormone produced in the pineal gland, which is a small gland almost diagonally opposite the pituitary, in the mid-brain. In the esoteric world of mysticism, metaphysics and occultism, the pineal gland is variously believed to be the "seat of the soul"; the centre of the "sixth sense"; or even the "third eye" (connected to the Ajna chakra, which is important in spiritual awakening, clairvoyance and higher states of consciousness). Circulating levels of melatonin vary in a daily cycle, and influences the circadian rhythm of several biological systems. In animals, it even influences sexual development, hibernation and seasonal breeding. Melatonin production decreases with age. The reduced and delayed melatonin production/release (at night) as we grow older partly explains the later sleeping and waking times. While the sleep-inducing effects of melatonin is well known (it also improves quality of sleep by relaxing the muscles and calming the nerves), our interest here is its health and anti-ageing effects. Melatonin improves HGH (the youth hormone) secretion and also improves thyroid function. It calms down excessive stress, and lowers the stress hormone cortisol. Melatonin is a powerful broad-spectrum antioxidant that does not itself become a free radical once it has been oxidised, unlike other antioxidants. Each melatonin molecule, through its metabolites, can neutralise up to 10 free radicals (reactive oxygen/nitrogen species). The other powerful antioxidant that mops up many free radicals without itself becoming a free radical is silica hydride. Melatonin is especially useful in protecting DNA from free-radical damage. It has been shown in animal experiments to protect against brain injury and Parkinson's disease. As a longevity hormone, it has been shown to increase lifespan by 20% in mice. Let us hope human studies will be done too. Melatonin is readily available over-the-counter in many countries and even in some aeroplanes for the convenience of travellers. Unfortunately, it is not available here, so we have to get it from overseas to prescribe to our patients who need them. Cortisol – the stress resistance hormone Cortisol is the most important glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It also has a circadian rhythm (highest in the morning) and decreases with age. Cortisol is a catabolic hormone (breaks down tissues to provide energy) in contrast to HGH, DHEA and the sex hormones, which are anabolic (build and preserve tissues/body). Cortisol allows us to respond adequately to stress by making energy available (increased blood glucose), maintaining or raising blood pressure, and fighting inflammation. Cortisol and its derivatives are therefore widely used as anti-inflammatory drugs (for all forms of inflammation and pain), and are widely abused in sports to enhance performance and manage the stress of competitions. The overuse and abuse can give rise to dangerous side-effects. The abuse has given a bad name to cortisol and steroid hormones because the public only know the bad side of the story. In reality, those with low levels of cortisol can easily be helped with their health and behavioural problems such as poor memory, emotional lability, anxiety, depression, attention deficit, irritability, poor reaction to stressful situations, negativism, being quarrelsome, paranoia, excessive emotions, hair loss, being underweight, inflammatory skin conditions, muscle and joint pains, fatigue, dark eye circles, and a host of other problems. There are many people who can benefit from cortisol therapy (if their problems correlate with low cortisol levels), but many are reluctant and aghast because the doctor prescribes a steroid (hormone) drug! Correcting and optimising cortisol levels can result in mood enhancement, more energy, better work performance, better stress management, and improved immune system. The natural ways to increase cortisol are by exercising in the morning sunlight and by consuming certain foods (eg licorice). Since cortisol level decreases with age, and the aged are the ones most likely to have problems of inflamed and damaged joints and other tissues, their ability to cope with the damage is compromised. Thus many end up with chronic injuries and have to consume all sorts of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. This is worsened by the decline in the anabolic hormones that are needed to preserve and build tissues. The right balance and synergy of hormones are required to maintain optimum health. Even during the day, there is a programmed symphony among them. The "active" hormones like cortisol and testosterone peak in the morning, while the hormones like melatonin and HGH work quietly at night while we sleep. In the next article, I will discuss hormone therapy in more detail. Dr Amir Farid Isahak is a medical specialist who practises holistic, aesthetic and anti-ageing medicine. He is a qigong master and founder of SuperQigong. For further information, e-mail starhealth@thestar.com.my. The views expressed are those of the writer and readers are advised to always consult expert advice before undertaking any changes to their lifestyles. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information. |
| Posted: 16 Mar 2013 04:20 PM PDT Dr Albert Lim Kok Hooi, a consultant oncologist and regular editorial contributor to The Star, passed away from cancer last week at age 60. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness and compassion. ALBERT Lim Kok Hooi was a man of many words. A consultant oncologist and regular editorial contributor to The Star, the doctor had made good of his penchant for the pen to speak up for the rights of the under-represented, humankind and animals. A voracious reader and fervent philosopher, Dr Lim was known for his biting wit and charm. He passed away in his home last week from prostate cancer at age 60. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, 60, and their two children, Leonard, 34, and Leona, 31. A firm believer in freedom of speech, the good doctor consistently raised questions on science and social issues, and revelled in the free exchange of ideas. Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Dr Lim had received his early education at Victoria Institution, before specialising in radiotherapy and oncology at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital (HKL) and Middlesex Hospital in London. He went on to obtain his Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists in 1983. In 1987, as a senior consultant, he was appointed head of HKL's Institute of Radiotherapy and Oncology, before joining private practice in 1997. In fact, Dr Lim was the physician in charge of British theoretical physicist, cosmologist and author Stephen Hawking during his 1994 visit to Malaysia. "Hawking was dad's hero at that time," Leonard shares with a smile. But far from being a stiff academic, his family members describe him as a "witty raconteur" who enjoyed trading banter, and a regular glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc on his front porch. Also a lover of music and the arts, Dr Lim enjoyed classical music and regularly attended dance performances, his last being Swan Lake at the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. Elizabeth describes her late husband as a family man who often doubled up as chauffeur to his children on weekends during their youth. He used to rush back from work just to ferry them to and from their guitar and taekwando lessons. The doctor was fond of the outdoors and found pleasure in taking his two children to the park for games. He also loved his pet shih tzu, a cuddly furball he christened Dioji (derived from D-O-G). Having being part of the family for about seven years, Dioji often enjoyed long walks with his master, even towards the end stages of Dr Lim's cancer. Above all, the doctor was a beloved companion to his children. "He was certainly not the typical father who wanted us to respect him as the head of the household. "He was more interested in being a friend to my brother and I," Leona, a marketing executive, relates. "He always thought of us as his best friends first, and children second," she adds. Leona recalls occasions when her late father would pour her a glass of whiskey and invite her for a chat whenever she came home looking glum. "He actually encouraged me to drink. He calls alcohol a 'lovely social lubricant'," she says with a laugh. Having loved reading from young, Dr Lim was an avid fan of history and literature, a passion he strived to nurture in his children. He spoke often of issues appearing in the papers and news channels to stimulate thought and discussion in the family, Leona shares. "He could prattle off the intricacies of the American political system, the poetry of Kipling, and the art installations currently ongoing at the Tate gallery (in London). "He taught us all about Charles Darwin and the theory of evolution and made it enjoyable," she says. A portrait of Darwin, a 19th-century theorist of evolution, hangs atop a piano at the corner of the family's living room. Darwin had served as a testament to his father's take on science, Leonard shares. For Leonard, an investment consultant, it is those Sunday family dinners spent musing over gossip and current affairs with his father that he will miss the most. "We always spent Sunday together as a family. Dad always looked forward to it. "He would always be dressed and ready, and he would always arrive the earliest," he tells this writer. It was one year ago that the doctor learned of his cancer following a visit to the urologist, and decided to break the news to his family in their living room. "I was devastated. It was very crushing news," Leona shares. "But it didn't hurt as much in the first 10 months because he was asymptomatic (showing no signs of the disease), so it was easy to forget that he had cancer. "He had been so upbeat and had such a cheery outlook, that he made it easy for the family to forget." Despite his diagnosis, the doctor was determined to live as full a life as possible, while his quality of life was still good. He also kept his cancer a secret from acquaintances and friends. "He was a private person in many ways. His cancer was something to be dealt with within the family," Leonard says. Related Stories: |
| Posted: 16 Mar 2013 04:13 PM PDT Sunday Star Ancient Secrets columnist T. Selva will be sharing several ancient remedies which can be applied to ease health problems at the Star Health Fair 2013. INDIVIDUALS having difficulty sleeping should place copper pyramids in their bedroom to remove negative energies and improve subtle energy flow for a good night's snooze, says Vasthu Sastra (Indian feng shui) expert T. Selva. According to Selva, pyramids can be used effectively to help individuals having sleep disorder because it has the power to ward off stale and unwanted forces in any space and restore the enclosure with vibrancy. "If a dweller is experiencing interrupted or disturbed sleep, it is an indication that the space is being governed by bad energies that will affect the harmony and balance of the person's body, mind and spirit. "This issue can be easily tackled by placing copper pyramids on the bed side table, under the bed or in the four corners of the bedroom and this will revitalise the force," said Selva, who will be presenting a talk entitled "Power of Pyramids and Vasthu Sastra" at The Star Health Fair on April 13 in Kuala Lumpur. He notes that since ancient times, the four sloping sides of the pyramid have been found to attract powerful bio-energy forces that can help in healing, and sick people would often sleep overnight under large pyramids as part of their healing process. "In alternative therapy, the pyramid is used to ease aches and pains because its geometrical shape has the power to store and emit therapeutic energies. "The unseen energies have the strength to neutralise negative forces in any space and speed up cure," he notes, adding that pyramids are now gaining popularity in homes as a means of enhancing energy flow, particularly in properties that are governed by "dullness". Selva said experiments have shown that pyramids have the power to change the mental, physical and emotional states of individuals who have been exposed to its vibrations. Selva says some of the use and effects of pyramids include: ● Placing a pyramid on your desktop in the work place can help remove stale energy and improve the working environment. ● Meditating under a pyramid-shaped structure can help an individual reach a state of consciousness that can assist in self-healing. ● Placing beverages and food under a pyramid-shaped cover will ensure they stay fresh longer and taste better. ● Medicines placed under the pyramid will become more effective. ● Water stored under a pyramid gets energised, and when drunk, brings relief to those with skin diseases. ● Placing a pyramid under a cut or wound expedites the healing process. ● Building a house in the shape of a pyramid can increase the occupants' lifespan. ● Sleeping under a pyramid helps retard ageing and retain youthful looks. ● Placing pyramids made with copper in the corners of the house can remove fatigue and low self-esteem. ● You may receive positive results within a few days if you write a wish on a piece of paper and place it under a pyramid. Selva says the power of the pyramid is said to be boundless, and to experience its benefits, an individual should try it with complete faith and respect. Selva, who is the author of the bestseller Vasthu Sastra Guide, adds he would also be showing how people can apply Vasthu Sastra in their homes for better health. He says if a couple sleeps in the wrong quadrant of the house, like in the south-east for instance, they would experience tension, ill health and will have no peace of mind. "Consuming food cooked from an inauspicious quadrant of the house can also result in bad health over a period of time. "The auspicious location for the stove in the kitchen should be in the south-east and north-west. Food prepared in any of the two quadrants will taste and be digested well, and will keep the family happy and united," he says. Selva would also be teaching participants how to reorganise their homes without tearing down walls and renovations. The 5,000-year-old result-orientated science of construction could be easily practised by any individual seeking good health, peace, happiness and harmonious living. Find out how you can say "no" to negativity, learn to identify what are negative thoughts, and turn them into positive energy at Great Eastern Life's Live Great Portal on livegreat.greateasternlife.com. Look out for the Live Great Challenge in The Star Health Fair 2013, a contest to test one's physical and mental fitness, financial fitness, nutrition knowledge, and to advocate healthy eating. Attractive cash prizes await you! Selva's talk will be held on April 13 at 3.45pm at Hall 3 at The Star Health Fair, Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur. This year's theme 'Let's Live Great!' is to inspire Malaysians to lead a healthy life by being physically and mentally fit. The Star Health Fair 2013 is organised by The Star, with Great Eastern Life as the event partner. It will be held in Halls 1 to 3 of the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre from April 12 to 14. It is open from 10am to 7pm and admission is free. For enquiries or to participate, call 03-79671388 (ext 1243/1529) or visit www.facebook.com/thestarhealthfair. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Star Online: Lifestyle: Health To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan