Excess Cholesterol

(Extracted from New Straits Times - December 10, 2009)

Vision Therapy Eyewear

Dr Bates, the founder of the Bates Method, created the vision therapy eyewear which allows an individual to enjoy better eyesight without glasses.  Dr Bates discovered in his research that prescription glasses do not alleviate vision problems but instead hampers the natural healing of the eyes.  He went on to invent the natural vision pinhole glasses for eyesight improvement.

Here is a brief report on the vision therapy eyewear for better eyesight without glasses and why prescription glasses do not help.

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Vision Therapy Eyewear – Better Eyesight Without Glasses

• No Risk

• No Surgery

• No Medication

• No Glasses

Why Prescription Glasses Don’t Help?

1. Prescription glasses cause a lot of strain & stress to your vision system

2. These glasses are fitted at 6M or 20ft to help you see very far. Since you have only 1 pair of glasses, they need to cater for worst case scenarios such as during the night or when you need to see tiny prints in a seminar / classroom.

3. However, these glasses become 20 times too strong when worn to read at 1 foot away, or 3 times too strong when watching TV 6 feet away.

4. The strain caused by these glasses is one of the major contributing factors to progressive myopia, astigmatism and presbyopia (changing to higher – powered lens frequently).

Benefits of Vision Therapy Glasses

1. Helps you see clearly near and far without stress and strain.

2. Eliminates stress and strain caused by prescription glasses.

3. Prevents progressive myopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia.

4. Exercises and trains your vision system to see better.

5. Breaks your dependence on prescription glasses.

6. Can be used as a substitute for prescription glasses (if diopter on glasses is less than 3.0)

7. Promotes central vision which is a key vision habit to good eyesight.

How to use Vision Therapy Glasses

1. Wear them when you are reading or watching TV. It is not safe to wear them when outdoors or when playing a sport since peripheral vision will be hindered.

2. Take a vision break for 1-2 mins after every 20 mins of reading, computer work or activities that cause a lot of near-point stress.

3. Never use this eyewear as sunglasses or look directly into the sun.

4. For more vision therapy tips and “How to Use” instructions, download Eyewear Manual, Near & Far Training Eyecharts.

5. Natural Vision Therapy is indemnified from any misuse of vision therapy eyewear resulting in physical injuries or accidents.

Suitable for Shortsighted, longsighted & astigmatic adults & kids.

The Bates Method does not use surgery, medication or any external device. It is based on the natural functioning of the eyes and mind to sense and perceive the external world accurately and clearly.

The Bates Method is an 85-year-old eyesight improvement program. It is a viable alternative to eyeglasses. Many adults and children who suffers from shortsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia (reading blur) have benefited from the Bates Method and found in improvement in their eyesight.  The pinhole glasses, as part of the vision therapy, does not miraculously “cure” myopia or presbyopia but plays a part in promoting better eyesight without glasses.

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By Paula Spencer, Caring.com

This is the continuation of the secrets of aging well.  If you missed the first two longevity factors, click 5 Secrets to Aging Well (1).

3. Be your own best friend
Why it matters: People often fall into the trap of being kinder, more loving, and more forgiving to those around them than to themselves. We beat ourselves up about an imperfect diet or a missed opportunity. We hate our looks (waist, hair, nose — there’s always something). We neglect self-care. In general, we fail to be our own number-one cheerleader. Lacking compassion and a sense of worth about yourself leads to making unfortunate choices that can damage health and well-being.

“Stress occurs when the mind perceives you’re not enough or don’t have enough,” says Eva Selhub, the senior staff physician at the Benson/Henry Institute for Mind/Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and author of The Love Response (Ballantine).

Liking one’s self, on the other hand, infuses everything you do with a more positive outlook. You make better choices–about what to eat, whether to smoke or drink, what you deserve in relationships. And you build greater stores of resiliency that can help you bounce back from outside stressors.

What to try: Work on celebrating what’s likeable, worthy, and good about you. To reprogram negative thoughts about yourself, Selhub recommends an “appreciation journal”: For 28 days, write four things about yourself and four things about your life that you appreciate; try to come up with new things every day. Say the list aloud to yourself in the morning. Before you decide what to eat, do, or say, practice using the mental phrases, “I deserve to . . . ” and “I’m worthy of . . . ”

Pinpoint cravings or addictions you might be using to fill yourself up in the absence of self-love: food, drugs, excessive Internet use, unsafe sex, cigarettes. They all activate the brain’s reward centers, which cause us to turn to them when we lack the self-approval that can calm us and help us accomplish the same thing more healthfully.

4. Be both a giver and a taker
Why it matters: According to a growing body of research, people who are socially connected live longer, maintain better cognitive health, and have overall better mental and physical well-being. Humans are meant to be social animals. “The ‘American disease’ is isolation,” Selhub says. “We live longer and better when we feel important, valid, and valued, and when we feel that we’ll be remembered. Living within a community helps us feel that we exist and that we did exist for a reason.”

Quality counts as much as quantity in relationships, though. Healthy social connections require intimacy, that true give-and-take in which you can offer some of yourself to others but also receive a sense of love and connectivity from others. “You want interactions that go beyond just playing cards with someone; you want to be able to talk about things in your heart,” Robbins says.

What to try: Run through your closest relationships in your mind: Are they strong, nurturing, and in balance–or do you feel like you’re giving too much or receiving too little? Work toward shedding the relationships that clutter your life without giving you much back, or look for ways to reenergize them. Consider all the different types of relationships in your life: friends, parents, siblings, spouse, children, colleagues, sexual partners, even pets.

If you’re married, give that connection extra attention. Married people tend to live longer than singletons, happily married couples live longest, and married couples who remain sexually active are most satisfied with their lives overall, according to Small.

5. Sweat at the Fountain of Youth
Why it matters: Increasing snowdrifts of studies point to the same conclusion: Among all other lifestyle factors, movement is the linchpin to good health. People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, dementia, diabetes, depression, and osteoarthritis. They’re also more likely to maintain a stable, healthy weight and less likely to be obese, which is itself a risk factor for those diseases.

Now a series of compelling independent studies published in an early 2010 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine underscores the message that exercise can stave off many diseases. An analysis from the large Nurses Health Study, for example, found that women who jogged three hours a week or walked briskly for five hours a week were 76 percent more likely to age successfully, with less chronic disease or mental impairment, an effect that held among all ages and weights.

What to try: Rethink your idea of “exercise” as “movement” of all kinds. Aim for a three-way mix of aerobic exercise (such as walking and running) for the heart, lungs, and circulatory system; resistance training (with free weights, weight machines, or exercises such as squats and lunges) for muscular and bone strength; and balance work (such as tai chi or yoga) for bone density and overall strength.

If you’re currently an exercise abstainer, start small. Research shows you can add exercise at any age, even your 60s, 70s, and 80s, to reap benefits. Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator. Park at the far end of a parking lot instead of cruising until a spot near the entrance opens up. Build up gradually.

Karin Richards, director of the exercise science and wellness management program at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, suggests a “sing/talk test” as a way to gauge your intensity. “If your pace is meeting your target heart rate, you should be able to talk without being breathless,” she says. “If you can’t catch your breath to talk, your exercise intensity is too great. If you can sing while you exercise, it’s not vigorous enough.”

By Paula Spencer, Caring.com

How to be happier and healthier for the rest of your life. We’d all like to make it to 100–but let’s face it, some people age a lot more gracefully than others. What’s the difference between someone who looks and feels vibrant in midlife and beyond–and someone who’s sick, sad, and already old?

Scientists are turning up some surprising key factors: approaches to attitude and lifestyle that not only add years to your life but add a better quality of life to your years.

“Studies on successful aging have shown that only one third of what predicts how well we age is controlled by genetics. About two thirds is based on our personal lifestyle choices — and is therefore under our control,” says psychiatrist Gary Small, director of the UCLA Center on Aging and author of The Longevity Bible (Hyperion).

Here are five longevity factors you can do something about.

1. Know what makes you truly happy
Why it matters: The Founding Fathers were right about the pursuit of happiness being as critical as life and liberty. Happiness boosts the immune system and helps tamp down stress. Involvement with activities, people, and experiences that bring joy and contentment also boost optimism and positive attitude, both of which are linked to longevity. And pursuing reasonable pleasures helps one live more fully in the moment, rather than dwelling on the past or suffering until some future happiness comes along (as in slogging through a job you hate in order to enjoy an annual two-week vacation).

The catch: Most people aren’t good at knowing what makes them happy, says University of Wisconsin geriatric psychiatrist Ken Robbins, a Caring.com senior medical editor who’s also board-certified in internal medicine.

What to try: Cultivate what psychologists call an “observing ego,” Robbins says. Pay extra-close attention to your mood for a few days. Jot down what’s happening during times when you feel particularly happy, as well as what circumstances drain you or trigger anxiety. Who are you with? What are you doing? What are you thinking about? How do you feel physically and why? How can you get more of those good feelings and minimize the less-good ones?

Don’t assume you know already; you risk falling back on cliches. Learn your personal triggers. “People often think that retiring and playing golf all day would make them happy, but when they do it, it’s not as great as they thought,” Robbins says.

Common happiness triggers: Laughter, music, touch, spirituality, exercise, good conversation.

2. Approach the “new” often
Why it matters: The brain loves novelty. Although different types of mental skills change with age–for example, mental computations slow–the brain never loses the ability to grow. And trying or learning new things builds new neural connections all through life

Maximize brain fitness and the body will follow in kind, says UCLA’s Small. Staying receptive to new ideas also fuels curiosity, open-mindedness, and creativity–traits linked to healthier aging. Unfortunately, habits also ossify with age, which can make us prone to dismiss new things or feel intimidated by them.

What to try: Work “mental aerobics” brain workouts into your day. You can buy software with puzzles to flex your brain or play games like Scrabble or Trivial Pursuit. Be sure to keep challenging yourself; move up to working harder Sunday crosswords or mastering an instrument with more complicated music.

Consciously pull out of familiar ruts: Listen to some music that became popular after your 20s and 30s, even if you don’t think you’ll enjoy it. Keep looking (and more important, feeling) contemporary by visiting a cosmetics counter for advice on fresher makeup, or try shopping with someone in their 20s or 30s to experiment with new looks in clothing or glasses. Travel to a new locale or to try a new experience (such as a dude ranch, eco-tour, or Elderhostel).

Explore adult-education classes at a community college or through your local parks and recreation department. Those over 65 can also find inexpensive, and often high-caliber, lifelong learning programs at local senior centers.

New Treatments

In laboratory tests, scientists found that a banana ingredient called BanLec was as potent as two existing anti-HIV drugs.

They believe cheap therapies based on BanLec have the potential to save millions of lives.

The ingredient is a lectin, a naturally occurring chemical in plants which fights infection.

Researchers in the US found that the lectin found in bananas can inhibit HIV infection by blocking the virus’s entry into the body. BanLec acts on the protein “envelope” that encloses HIV’s genetic material.

Lead author Michael Swanson, from the University of Michigan, said: “The problem with some HIV drugs is that the virus can mutate and become resistant, but that’s much harder to do in the presence of lectins.

“Lectins can bind to the sugars found on different spots of the HIV-1 envelope, and presumably it will take multiple mutations for the virus to get around them.”

The research is reported in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Extracted from http://www.pressassociation.com/

Cucumber Facts

This information was in The New York Times several weeks ago as part of
their “Spotlight on the Home” series that  highlighted creative and
fanciful ways to solve common problems.

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one
cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2,  Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5,
Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus,
Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and
pick up a cucumber.  Cucumbers are a good  source of B Vitamins and
Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for
hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower?  Try
rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will  eliminate the fog
and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds?  Place a few slices
in a small pie tin and your garden will be  free of pests all season
long.  The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off
a scent  undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make
them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out
or to the pool?  Try rubbing a slice or two  of cucumbers along your
problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause
the collagen in  your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and
reducing the visibility of cellulite.  Works great on wrinkles  too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache?  Eat a few cucumber
slices before going to bed and wake up  refreshed and headache free.
Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish
essential  nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium,
avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge?
Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often  used by European
trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you
don’t have enough time to polish your shoes?
Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a
quick and durable shine that not only looks  great but also repels
water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge?  Take a cucumber slice
and rub it along the problematic hinge, and  voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don’t have time for massage, facial or visit to
the spa?  Cut up an entire cucumber and place  it in a boiling pot of
water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the
boiling water and be  released in the steam, creating a soothing,
relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and
college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or
mints?
Take a slice of cucumber and press it to  the roof of your mouth with
your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials
will kill the  bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad
breath.

12. Looking for a ‘green’ way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless
steel?  Take a slice of cucumber and rub it  on the surface you want to
clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the
shine, but is won’t  leave streaks and won’t harm you fingers or
fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake?  Take the outside of the cucumber
and slowly use it to erase the pen writing,  also works great on crayons
and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Celebration Food

In many instances especially during festivals celebrations around the world, people tend to binge on celebration food and indulge in high calorie food and lots of sugary festive sweets and desserts. Here are some do’s and don’t during festivals celebrations.

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Fasting and Feasting
1)Fasting is a great way to detox but can deplete your body’s nutritional resources as well.
Top-up with low-fat, nutrient-high food such as grilled fish or chicken, clear soup and fruits.

2) Low liquid intake during fasting period can effect digestion and cause constipation.
Increase intake of fruits and vegetables such as oranges, guava, carrots, beans, spinach and tomatoes. Include yoghurt to boost you digestive health. Also decrease diuretics such as tea and coffee and rehydrate with sports drinks.

3) Go slow on family favourites such as rice or coconut based milk curry – your stomach muscles need time to get oriented to your pre-fasting state.
Eat smaller portions each time so that you can get to taste a bit of everything.

Festival of Light
1)High-fat, oil-rich curries increase calorie levels and may send blood pressure and glucose levels soaring.
Substitute santan (coconut milk) with low-fat milk and go slow on the oils when cooking or dining.

2) Sugary festive sweets and desserts give you an instant high but leave you lethargic and tired later.
Split each sweet snack and share it with a loved one! To keep energy levels high, try sweating it out and don’t forget your multi-vitamins and mineral supplements.

3) Over-cooking beans, lentils and vegetables strip them of natural nutrients.
Supplement your family’s diet with fresh fruits and vegetables such as cucumber, tomatoes and carrots that don’t require cooking.

Christmas and New Year Seasons
1)Year-end parties are great fun but remember not to go overboard with the calorie-high food and alcoholic drinks.
Limit yourself to one alcoholic drink each time, just for starters. Never go with an empty stomach as it makes you drink more. Have a snack and a cup of herbal tea or milk when you get home to prevent a hangover the next day should you have too much of alcoholic drinks.

2) Calorie and sugar-laden Christmas and fruit cakes and send glucose levels spiraling upwards.
Try baking your own cakes and deserts with less sugar or sweeteners. For decorations, cut down o the icing and replace with dried fruits such as raisins, apples, pineapples or mango.

3) The year end holidays are often used for relaxing, pampering and enjoying festival foods, right up to the New Year.
Stay active mind, body and soul! Take this opportunity to exercise, reflect on past achievements and draft new goals or resolutions for the next coming year!

In Summary
DO –
1) Go slow on the fats, sugar and salt in your cooking during festival seasons.
2) Drink lots of water to stay hydrated – festive seasons are when people tend to fall sick more often
3) Take smaller portions of each food for more variety.
4) Opt for fresh foods over processed foods.

DON’T –
1) Forget to take your multi-vitamins mineral with probiotics supplements – more festive seasons do not mean more nutrients.
2) Take more food than you can finish. Stop when your body says stop.
3) Eat like there’s no tomorrow. There’s always the next festival to look forward to!
4) Turn the celebrations into food fests – make it a meaningful time for sharing and caring.

The above is extracted from a circulating email.

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Remember then at the next festivals celebrations around the world how you can take in celebration food, yet not go overboard with the many high calorie food available.

annona muricata

Here is an article that is extracted from a circulating email by Health Sciences Institute regarding the miraculous graviola tree, also known as soursop or angmoh durian.  Its scientific name is Annona muricata and the fruit is slightly acidic when ripe. The Spanish call it guanabana, the Portuguese call it graviola, the Filipinos know it as guyabano, the Indonesians know it as sirsak, the Dutch call it zuur zak and in Malaysia, it is known as durian belanda.

As research shows that the graviola extract is possible to protect the immune system and attack cancer, graviola supplements are fast becoming more popular with their many uses and benefits.

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annona muricata

How many people died in vain while this billion-dollar
drug maker concealed the secret of the miraculous Graviola tree?

If there ever was a single example that makes it dramatically clear why the existence of Health Sciences Institute is so vital to Americans like you, it’s the incredible story behind the Graviola tree.

The truth is stunningly simple: Deep within the Amazon Rainforest grows a tree that could literally revolutionize what you, your doctor, and the rest of the world thinks about cancer treatment and chances of survival. The future has never looked more promising.

Research shows that with extracts from this miraculous tree it now may be possible to…

* Attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not cause extreme nausea, weight loss and hair loss
* Protect your immune system and avoid deadly infections
* Feel stronger and healthier throughout the course of the treatment
* Boost your energy and improve your outlook on life

The source of this information is just as stunning: It comes from one of America ’s largest drug manufacturers, the fruit of over 20 laboratory tests conducted since the 1970’s! What those tests revealed was nothing short of mind numbing… Extracts from the tree were shown to:

* Effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 types of cancer, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer.
* The tree compounds proved to be up to 10,000 times stronger in slowing the growth of cancer cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug!
* What’s more, unlike chemotherapy, the compound extracted from the Graviola tree selectively hunts down and kills only cancer cells. It does not harm healthy cells!

The amazing anti-cancer properties of the Graviola tree have been extensively researched–so why haven’t you heard anything about it? If Graviola extract is as half as promising as it appears to be–why doesn’t every single oncologist at every major hospital insist on using it on all his or her patients?

The spine-chilling answer illustrates just how easily our health–and for many, our very lives(!)–are controlled by money and power.

Graviola–the plant that worked too well

One of America ’s biggest billion-dollar drug makers began a search for a cancer cure and their research centered on Graviola, a legendary healing tree from the Amazon Rainforest.

Various parts of the Graviola tree–including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit and fruit-seeds–have been used for centuries by medicine men and native Indians in South America to treat heart disease, asthma, liver problems and arthritis. Going on very little documented scientific evidence, the company poured money and resources into testing the tree’s anti-cancerous properties–and were shocked by the results. Graviola proved itself to be a cancer-killing dynamo.

But that’s where the Graviola story nearly ended.

The company had one huge problem with the Graviola tree–it’s completely natural, and so, under federal law, not patentable. There’s no way to make serious profits from it.

It turns out the drug company invested nearly seven years trying to synthesize two of the Graviola tree’s most powerful anti-cancer ingredients. If they could isolate and produce man-made clones of what makes the Graviola so potent, they’d be able to patent it and make their money back. Alas, they hit a brick wall. The original simply could not be replicated. There was no way the company could protect its profits–or even make back the millions it poured into research.

As the dream of huge profits evaporated, their testing on Graviola came to a screeching halt. Even worse, the company shelved the entire project and chose not to publish the findings of its research!

Luckily, however, there was one scientist from the Graviola research team whose conscience wouldn’t let him see such atrocity committed. Risking his career, he contacted a company that’s dedicated to harvesting medical plants from the Amazon Rainforest and blew the whistle.

Miracle unleashed

When researchers at the Health Sciences Institute were alerted to the news of Graviola, they began tracking the research done on the cancer-killing tree. Evidence of the astounding effectiveness of Graviola–and its shocking cover-up–came in fast and furious…

…The National Cancer Institute performed the first scientific research in 1976. The results showed that Graviola’s “leaves and stems were found effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells.” Inexplicably, the results were published in an internal report and never released to the public…

…Since 1976, Graviola has proven to be an immensely potent cancer killer in 20 independent laboratory tests, yet no double-blind clinical trials–the typical benchmark mainstream doctors and journals use to judge a treatment’s value–were ever initiated…

…A study published in the Journal of Natural Products, following a recent stud! y conducted at Catholic University of South Korea stated that one chemical in Graviola was found to selectively kill colon cancer cells at “10,000 times the potency of (the commonly used chemotherapy drug) Adriamycin…”

…The most significant part of the Catholic University of South Korea report is that Graviola was shown to selectively target the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched. Unlike chemotherapy, which indiscriminately targets all actively reproducing cells (such as stomach and hair cells), causing the often devastating side effects of nausea and hair loss in cancer patients.

…A study at Purdue University recently found that leaves from the Graviola tree killed cancer cells among six human cell lines and were especially effective against prostate, pancreatic and lung cancers…

Seven years of silence broken–it’s finally here!

A limited supply of Graviola extract, grown and harvested by indigenous people in Brazil , is finally available in America . The full Graviola story–including where you can get it and how to use it–is included in Beyond Chemotherapy: New Cancer Killers, Safe as Mother’s Milk, a Health Sciences Institute FREE special bonus report on natural substances that will effectively revolutionize the fight against cancer.
This crucial report (along with five more FREE reports) is yours ABSOLUTELY FREE with a new membership to the Health Sciences Institute. It’s just one example of how absolutely vital each report from the Institute can be to your life and those of your loved ones.

From breakthrough cancer and heart research and revolutionary Amazon Rainforest herbology to world-leading anti-aging research and nutritional medicine, every monthly Health Sciences Institute Member’s Alert puts in your h! ands today cures the rest of America –including your own doctor(!)–is likely to find out only ten years from now.

You need the Health Sciences Institute in your life because you and your loved ones deserve to know–and you deserve to know it NOW!!

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Now that we know more about the graviola tree and its effect on cancer, graviola is the next best thing you can plant in your garden.  Imagine if you have the annona muricata in your garden - a natural cancer killer - 10,000 times stronger than chemo and more…  Thanks to the Health Sciences Institute for sharing this with us.

Nutrition On The Go

With the current hectic lifestyle today, there are many who skip breakfast, most important meal of the day. This is definitely not advisable and here we go through an article that touches on nutrition on the go as well as eating on the go. It is always best to aim for a high fiber breakfast where possible.

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Urbanities lead hectic, busy lives. How often do you find yourself skipping breakfast, the most important meal of the day? For time-starved Singaporeans, fret not. This article will teach you how to eat better by picking nutritious items on the go. Whether it is at Cheers convenience stores or any petrol marts, you can pick foods good for you by making healthier selections.

To enjoy good health, we need the right balance of nutrients in our diet. Nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Carbohydrates are found in bread, rice, noodles and biscuits, while foods like milk, dairy products, soybeans milk, meat seafood and poultry are rich in protein.

According to the healthy diet pyramid provided by the Health Promotion Board (HPB), the bulk of our food intake should comprise carbohydrates, followed by slightly less fiber (fruits and vegetables) and protein. Foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar should be taken in small amounts.

Convenient breakfast ideas include dairy products, wholegrain or high-fiber breads, cereals, canned food such as tuna, ready-to-eat foods such as buns, pao (Chinese buns) and sandwiches. Selected stores such as FairPrice Xpress sell fresh fruits and vegetables so do complement your breakfast with an apple or a bunch of grapes.

The wide range of milk, yoghurt and soybean milk you can find at most convenient stores makes great breakfast drinks as they are rich in protein and calcium. Always opt for the low-fat choices as often indicated on product labels. Select fruit juices that are 100% pure juice. Instead of sugar-laden cakes, choose cereals or bread with jam or butter.

Another alternative is to make your own sandwich. Choose wholemeal or white breads that are enriched with fiber. Canned foods are a convenient choice of sandwich filling. You can make a healthier choice with those that are low in salt. Instead of foods that are canned in brine, choose those that are labeled low in salt or canned in spring water.

- By Lyvia Lai (Food & Nutrition Specialists Pte Ltd)

Are there really IBS remedies that work in the treatment for IBS? According to studies, there are various methods for the treatment of IBS including changing your diet for IBS, medication, supplements, alternative therapies as well as stress management.

IBS sufferers should watch their diet as it is a well established fact that foods which are high in fat, insoluble fiber, caffeine and carbonated drinks act as irritants and tend to aggravate the IBS symptom. This is key to most IBS sufferers.

Soluble fiber has been known to prevent as well as relieve both diarrhoea and constipation. Thus it is one of the best dietary aids for IBS sufferers and help greatly in preventing the IBS symptom.

IBS medicine includes certain prescription drugs such as Lotronex and Zelnorm. However, these do not necessarily help each and every IBS sufferer.

Studies have shown that supplements help in the management and treatment for IBS. Supplements such as soluble fiber, probiotics, calcium and magnesium have been known to help in the treatment for IBS as they have beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

Some IBS sufferers swear that peppermint helps with the bloating. Yet others deal with their IBS by eating runny plain oatmeal. Regular green tea has also been known to sooth irritated stomachs. As you can see, there is no one way for the treatment for IBS. It all depends on the individual.

Alternative therapies have slowly but surely emerged as one of the ways of effective IBS treatment. These include hypnotherapy, emotional freedom technique as well as acupuncture.

Hypnotherapy has been proven quite successful in the treatment of IBS by helping to reduce and even eliminate IBS symptom. You can either go to a certified hypnotherapist to treat your IBS or learn self hypnosis for the treatment of your IBS. Either way, the success rates have been quite impressive.

A revolutionary technique, the emotional freedom technique or EFT as it is commonly known as, has been found to be incredibly fast, effective and useful in all situations including the treatment for IBS. EFT is the tapping of certain acupressure points to free pent up emotion and allow you to enjoy life and feel great again.

Another alternative therapy is the ancient Chinese acupuncture. This is the stimulation of certain acupoints by inserting and manipulating fine needles for the treatment of IBS symptoms such as constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain as well as stress reduction.

Stress management is another key treatment for IBS sufferers. Studies have shown that there is a direct link between stress and IBS and this resulted in lack of sleep which leads to fatigue and lower tolerance of stress level.

For the successful treatment for IBS, there must be proper management of IBS as well as comprehensive multiple strategies. IBS sufferers should check out the various methods available and not just rely on IBS medicine as there are a variety of IBS remedies available in the market including diet for IBS, stress management, alternative therapies as well as supplement for the relief of IBS symptom.