Showing posts with label flu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flu. Show all posts

Sunday, 18 December 2016

How Does Nutritional Immunology Lifestyle Improving Me and My Mother’s Life?

Dear friends, 

Today, I am going to share about the quality of life of both mine and my mother's after adopting a new lifestyle, which is Nutritional Immunology Lifestyle.

What is Nutritional Immunology you may ask, it is a PREVENTIVE science that studies the link between plants food and our immune system.

Read more about Nutritional Immunology here —> What is Nutritional Immunology 

A disease does not occur overnight. 

My mother was a stay home mom, taking care of me and my siblings, there are 4 of us. Life was easy back then, until we grew older. I still remember when I graduated from my secondary school, my mother started to work as kitchen helper, at a small Chinese food stall, inside a hawker center it was year 2003.

Her job is to take order from customers, serve the food to the customers, and as well as preparing the ingredients for the chef in the kitchen, like cutting chilies, garlic, onions, and cook rice. The stall is operating 2 sessions, first session from 11am to 3pm and second session from 5pm to 10.30pm. Due to the nature of her job requirement, she has to standing and walking all the time, for approximately 10 hours per day. Over the years, slowly she felt her knee’s health are deteriorating. I started noticed her knee problem when I was persuading my Degree, year 2006. Due to my University is far from my homestate, thus I can only visit my parents every 3 months, which is when there was a semester break. One night, after my mother finished her work and after taking her bathe, I noticed that she took out a bottle of ointment from the shelf and started to rub her knees. It was a very vivid memory to me because the smell of that ointment very similar to one of the famous soft drink. I was mistaken that someone was drinking soft drink at that time. After I questioned about the medication, and I learned that it was her knee giving her so much pain. However, she cannot quit her job because of the increasing of household spending. 

Time flies, on 2008 I already graduated from my Degree, finally I choose to start my career at my hometown. That time, my mother’s knee problem was not improving, despite she rub her knees with the same ointment for years. She then consulted Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and there was no significant improving of her knee health. She then started to consult doctor from polyclinic. The doctor prescribed her calcium tablets, told her that it was calcium deficiency that causing her knee’s problem. 

Year 2012, when I decided to persuade my career advancement at oversea my mother still having knee problem, and that time, her knee’s health was so bad, and she cannot even climb up staircase, because it was too painful for her just to climb up to second level. She was 52 years old that year, not only her knee’s health deteriorated, she also diagnosed with high cholesterol and hypertension. 

Fast forward to year 2014, one day of June, my met my mentor, who shared with me the science of Nutritional Immunology. As a Biology student, I was surprise that how can a non-biology background person like him, able to share what I learnt before when I was studying Pre-U courses. He refreshed my memory about how our body system works, particularly immune system. He also shared to me how to keep our immune system healthy, because based on Nutritional Immunology, 99% of the illness is caused by the malfunctioning of our immune system. I wasn’t so convinced about the products at first, until I made my research on E. Excel and Dr Jau Fei Chen. 

Few weeks later, I decided to have my mother to try the Oxyginberry, which after I consulted my mentor about my mother’s knee health. The reason that Oxyginberry was recommended is because of the 6 precious ingredients Oxyginberry has, which are, Cactus, Cactus Fruit, Ginseng Berry, Rose, Seaweed and Grape Seed. 

Read more about Oxyginberry here —>  Oxyginberry - The power of antioxidants rich Superfoods! 

With these 6 superfood, our body able to stimulate collagen, naturally. Read more about collagen here —> How does collagen affecting our health? 

So, question is, how collagen able to help my mother’s knees? Take a look at the picture below


There is a cartilage between two bones, and its purpose is to hold the bones together and act as a cushion between joints and helps support our weight when we run, bend and stretch. Cartilage is a connective tissue, that highly depends on the quantity of collagen to keep its function. As we grow older, our body will lose its ability to generate collagen, and without sufficient quantity of collagen, cartilage tends to become thiner and thiner across the years, and its symptom starts to appear especially when we are 50 years old and above. With Oxyginbery, my mother’s knee condition will be able to improve. Since then, my mother started to practise NI Lifestyle (Nutritional Immunology Lifestyle), which eventually improving her knees’ health. Slowly, she no longer needed to rub the “soft drink smell” ointment on her both knees as well as the calcium tablets that doctor prescribed. Year 2015, February, me and my family went for a family trip. Unfortunately, the homestay that we booked is located at 3rd floor, and there is no lift to access. Fortunately, my mother’s knees did not stop her from accessing the unit for couple of times throughout our stay. I was so happy that finally I’ve found the solution for my mother’s knee condition after she suffered for so many years! Now, she can walk, stand and climb up staircase without any problem at all.

I got many people asked about the cost of knee replacement surgery, in Malaysia, it is RM25k. (Click here to read more —> http://usahawan-in-me.blogspot.sg/2009/02/kos-bedah-rm25000-di-hospital-kerajaan.html) Keep in mind that this is the cost for year 2009, medical fees are increasing year over the year, and for fully recovery, it will take 1 whole year. I am glad that my mother do not have to go through this, thanks to NI Lifestyle that she practising. To read more about knee replacement surgery, click here —> http://afifzamri.blogspot.sg/2011/02/total-knee-replacement.html

Surprise Benefits After Practising NI Lifestyle 

My mother actually has other medical conditions, which are high cholesterol level, and hypertension. Everyday she take the medicine prescribed by her doctor to control the symptom. Before practising NI Lifestyle, my whole family weren’t eating so healthily. Meats are always more than veggies on the dining table. 

Ever since NI lifestyle were introduced to my family, my mother started to buy brown rice which is low GI food, and since then we no longer buy any white rice. The biggest change that I ever noticed is that the reunion dinner on the Chinese New Year Eve, veggies were more than meats on the dining table in recent years!

My mother’s cholesterol level and hypertension condition, was greatly improved. Previously she needs to take cholesterol pill everyday, now doctor asked her to reduce the dosage to 3 times per week. Her hypertension no longer at critical stage as before. 

Other than my mother who gained lots of health benefits from NI lifestyle, me myself also got my health condition improved! 

I am no longer suffer from nose block for more than one week when I got cold like previously. Now it will gone after 2-3 days. Also my fever will gone after 1 night without taking any medication! And I won’t easily get infected by people around me especially in public transport. Not to mentioned that my wounds healed very fast too! Take a look at the photos below: 

In just 4 days, my wound’s appearance has greatly improved!

I am blessed that I met my mentor 2 years ago, with practising NI lifestyle, me and my family’s health got improved significantly. With this, I wanted to share the science of Nutritional Immunology to as many people as possible. 

If you keen to understand more, please contact me via
82183033

Thanks for reading everybody! Cheers and wishing all of you good health and happy always!

“The preservation of health is easier than the cure of the disease”



Sunday, 25 September 2016

Understand Your Immune System

What is Immune System?
The immune system is an amazing, proactive defense mechanism. Its complex network of white blood cells, antibodies and other immune chemicals and organs offers us around-the-clock protection against invaders. When there is a cut on the skin, the immune system works actively to heal it and stop the entry of microbes like viruses and bacteria. As our cells continuously reproduce, a strong immune system also helps to detect and defeat cell mutations that could lead to cancer.

Most diseases are the result of a malfunctioning immune system. The immune system may malfunction in one or both of the following ways:

A Weak Immune System
You may have come across someone who constantly gets sick – be it with flu, a cough, cold or even stomach discomfort. Have you ever wondered why some people recover quickly while others take longer or just never fully recover? The answer lies in our immune system.

The air we breathe, the food we eat and the surfaces we touch are always teeming with disease-causing dust, pollutants, fungi, parasites and germs like viruses and bacteria. Once our body is weak, these toxic agents will easily overwhelm the immune system and cause illnesses.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is one example of a disease linked with a weak immune system. Once AIDS sets in, the immune system is critically compromised and unable to effectively combat dangerous germs. Cancer is also a sign that our immune system is weak. Chemotherapy, a type of radiation treatment for cancer, further weakens the immune system – this is why cancer patients are easily afflicted with flu, coughs and colds.

A Hyperactive Immune System 
The immune system can be also malfunction by over-reacting of turning against the body’s own cells. This often leads to allergies or autoimmune diseases.

An allergic reaction, such as a respiratory allergy, skin allergy or food allergy, occurs when the immune system reacts against non-threatening agents, such as plant pollen, animal fur, dust and some types of food.

An autoimmune disease occurs when our immune system mistakenly attacks our body’s own healthy cells. Rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, diabetes mellitus and systemic lupus erythematosus are all examples of common autoimmune diseases.

Doctor treats allergies and autoimmune diseases by prescribing drugs to suppress the immune response. Such treatment usually results in a weakened immune system, thus, leaving us more susceptible to diseases. And usually, such drugs only stop the symptoms, such as swelling or pain. They do not completely cure the disease. In addition, medications result in a wide array of harmful side effects.

Immune Organs



The first line of defence – skin: When invaders are sighted, Langerhans cells sound the warning bell. Antibacterial substances within our sweat and sebum trap bacteria while tears and mucus membranes secrete enzymes to break down the invader’s cell wall.

Soldier Factory – Bone Marrow: Bone marrow creates red blood cells and white blood cells, the soldiers of the immune system. Every second, about 8 million blood cells die and the same number are regenerated here.

Training Ground – The Thymus: Just as soldiers train for war through the navy, infantry and air force, the thymus assigns T cells their duties in fighting illnesses. The thymus also secretes immune-regulating hormones.

Battlegrounds – The Lymph Nodes: Lymph nodes are little pockets of battlegrounds with billions of white blood cells. When fighting infections, lymph nodes swell with foreign invaders and immune cells to the point where you can actually feel them. Swollen lymph nodes are a good indication that you have an infection and your immune system is hard at work. As the army’s drainage system, lymph nodes filter the lymph fluid, which carries away waste products like viruses and bacteria. The body contains about four times more lymph than blood.

Blood Filter – The Spleen: The spleen is a blood reservoir. It filters the blood by removing dead blood cells as well as engulfed viruses and bacteria. It also activates B cells to produce large amounts of antibodies.

Throat Guard – The Tonsils: The tonsils maintain constant vigilance against invaders that gain access to the body through the nose and mouth. People who have had their tonsils removed show a marked increase in getting Strep throat and Hodgkin’s disease – indicating the importance og the tonsils in upper respiratory tract protection.

Immune Assistant – The Appendix: The appendix assists with B cell maturation and antibody (IgA) production. It also acts like a traffic coordinator, producing molecules that direct the movement of white blood cells to other parts of the body. The appendix also exposes white blood cells to the invaders present in the digestive tract and helps suppress potentially harmful antibody response while promoting local immunity.

Intestinal Guards – Peyer’s Patches: Like the appendix, Peyer’s patches react to invaders in the intestines. They are vital to the control of microbial invaders in our food.

Immune Cells

Specific Fighters – B Cells & Antibodies: B cells provide humeral immunity – protection via antibodies circulating in our bodily fluids like serum and the lymph. B cells are soldiers who fight invaders by producing antibodies specific to them. Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are our enemy-seeking missiles. They track and lock onto assigned invaders before triggering immune responses to destroy the invaders. Some B cells become “memory” cells. So, if the same invader attacks again, they are quickly identified and antibodies are immediately produced to fight against them.

Non-Specific Fighters – T Cells: T cells give the body cellular immunity. They provide non-specific immunity by seeking and destroying enemies regardless of type. Helper T cells are the commanders of the immune system. They rouse and issue orders to other soldiers through chemical messengers. Cytotoxic T cells and NK cells are lethal snipers who shoot holes into invaders. Once the infection is controlled, suppressor T cells regulate antibody production and call an end to the war.

Enemy Eaters – Phagocytes & Granulocytes: Phagocytes, such as monocytes and macrophage, are large cell eaters that engulf and digest the enemy. Macrophages are multitasking immune cells. Apart from cleansing the body of debris and aged blood cells, they also secrete chemicals to bring other immune cells to where the invasion is taking place. Granulocytes, like neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils, destroy invaders through potent chemical granules. For example, pus from a serious infection contains dead neutrophils and other war debris.



Sunday, 18 September 2016

What is Nutritional Immunology?


Safeguarding Health with the Immune System

Some people catch colds frequently and recover slowly. Others do not fall sick when surrounded by ill people and they recover quickly form the flu. The difference is in their immune system.

Research has revealed that humans can live meaningfully for at least 120 years, and with appropriate care and wholesome nutrition, living for 150 years is possible. However, the average lifespan is currently only around 70 to 80 years. In 2010, 8 million people died of cancer, and 17 million died of heart disease; the 1918 Spanish flu killed 40 to 50 million; in 2003, SARS took over 1,000 lives. Such alarming statistics should alert us to address the root of the problem, and achieve longevity through prevention.

Nothing comes close to a healthy immune system in defending us from disease-causing agents. So how do we keep the immune system in tip-top condition?
A seemingly healthy outward appearance is no indication of how healthy we really are inside. Diseases have a way of sneaking up on us. Infections could be lurking deep within with the only hints being slight tiredness or a persistent sniffle. Before we know it, we could fall seriously ill but by then, it would be too late for prevention. Therefore, we need to stay vigilant by nourishing our immune system daily with generous servings of the right nutrients.

Ever since antibiotics were discovered, humans have been focusing more on treatment and less on prevention. We have forgotten to take advantage of the amazing preventive and healing powers of the immune system. Nutritional Immunology is a relatively new science that emphasizes prevention over cure. This science focuses on the explicit link between proper nutrition and the health of the immune system.

The Best Doctor – The Immune System




Advancement of medicine lags behind disease development. Treatment can only begin with the appearance of symptoms, and has its limitations. Fortunately, the best doctor, the immune system, is within the body. This doctor is like a sophisticated army, always on alert to protect the body against foreign invaders.

Things we encounter, the air we breathe and the food we eat may appear clean, but are full of pollutants. A small slip-up by the immune system may allow pollutants to trespass via the skin, eyes, nose and mouth, while a fully functioning immune system can easily destroy such invaders.

Influenza causes 200,000 to 500,000 deaths every year. Among those infected, some recovered and some died. The difference is due to the immune system.

A weak immune system makes the body vulnerable to attack by microbes and infectious diseases such as SARS, pneumonia, meningitis, hepatitis, flu and tuberculosis. It can even lead to cancer.

A hyperactive or malfunctioning immune system can result in allergies or autoimmune diseases. An allergic response occurs when the immune system reacts against non-threatening agents such as dust, plant pollen and animal dander.

An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells or tissues. Examples of autoimmune disease include rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, diabetes mellitus and psoriasis.

Can medication replace immune system function?


Immune system function involves countless cells, chemicals and organs working closely together. Medications perform only specific functions such as stimulating or suppressing the immune system, and may lead to side effects, unsettling immune system balance and even leading to more diseases.

Immune system balance is the result of a healthy lifestyle:

  • A balanced diet: Eat mainly a variety of plant foods and reduce meat intake.
  • Positive and stable emotions: Stress stimulates the body to secrete corticosteroid, which suppresses immune system function, increasing risk of cancer, flu and other disease.
  • Adequate rest and exercise: Sleep enables the immune system to repair and regenerate. Exercise makes the body perspire, letting it purge toxins, and improves lymph circulation. If regular exercise is not possible, frequent deep breathing can help to encourage lymph circulation.


A healthy lifestyle enables us to live healthier, longer lives.

The True Health with Plant Foods
Nutrition for the immune system comes from plant foods, not animal-derived food.
Plant foods contain plant nutrients such as phytochemicals, antioxidants and polysaccharides that have been proven to prevent and defend against cancer and other diseases.

Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals can prevent the various stages of cancer formation.


Phytochemicals are unique to plant foods. They can effectively prevent diseases, nourish the immune system, accelerate recovery from diseases and can halt and reverse stages of cancer development.

Every plant has its own unique variety of photochemical, which are nutrients not found in meat. For example, cauliflower contains indoles, sulforaphane and flavonoids. They can lower risk of diseases such as breast and ovarian cancer, and can encourage molecules with cleansing abilities to interact with carcinogens for a detoxifying effect. Soy is another example. It contains isoflavones including genistein, daidzein and glycitein. Isoflavones can lower serum cholesterol levels, reduce risk of coronary heart disease, relieve menopausal symptoms, suppress cancer cell growth and lower risk of osteoporosis.


Antioxidants
Antioxidants can slow down aging.


Antioxidants are chemicals that can prevent cell damage by suppressing oxidative effects of free radicals, which are highly unstable molecules. Oxidation alters normal oxygen molecules to become free radicals. They can be produced via smoking, exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive sun exposure and metabolic processes such as digestion.

Free radicals are highly unstable and destructive. They can easily alter proteins, cell membranes, and DNA. Over time, such irreparable damage causes cancer and other degenerative diseases such as cataracts and heart disease.

Grape seed is high in antioxidants, particularly oligomeric proanthocyanidin (OPC). With 20 times more antioxidant activity than vitamin C and 50 times more antioxidant activity that vitamin E, it can protect cells from oxidative DNA damage, and boost health and skin’s youthfulness.


Rose is also rich in antioxidants. Besides 50 times the vitamin C in lemon, it contains niacin, flavonoid, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, E and K. It aids DNA damage prevention, wound healing, increase of macrophage activity, and improvement of skin tissue and appearance.


Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides can boost immunity, encourage natural killer cell growth and defend against tumors.

Polysaccharides are long chain of sugars. Research has shown that they can inhibit tumor growth by activating immune cells.


Polysaccharides help to balance the immune system and encourage the production of NK cells, interferons and interleukins, promoting the immune system’s destruction of cancer cells and viruses.

Research has shown that mushrooms are rich in polysaccharides, and different mushrooms have different polysaccharides. ABM mushroom, Yun Zhi mushroom, Shitake mushroom, Maitake mushroom and Reishi mushroom are particularly effective in resisting tumors and viruses. They can speed up recovery from cancer and relieve side effects of chemotherapy.


Eating a variety of mushrooms is more beneficial than eating a single type of mushroom, and consuming a concentrated extract of polysaccharides is more beneficial than consuming dried mushroom powder. In addition, only a suitable amount and combination of polysaccharides will produce optimal results.

Wholesomeness is Best!

Wholesome plant foods are Nature’s miracles. Till today, their abundant nutrients have not been entirely discovered by scientists.



Advantages of Plant Foods Over Animal-derived Food 
Plant foods contain phytochemicals, antioxidants and polysaccharides that can boost immune function. Plants also contain fiber that is lacking in meat, dairy products and other animal-derived food. Fiber is non-caloric and helps to regulate blood sugar, reduce blood cholesterol levels, lower risk of coronary heart disease, aid bowel movement, decrease risk of cancer in the digestive system and aid weight management. Plant foods also contain plant protein that is easily absorbed, does not easily trigger allergies and does not lead to calcium loss.

Compared to animal-derived food, plant foods do not contain animal hormones and are more eco-friendly. In 2009, Worldwatch Institute (WWI) reported that livestock produce 51% of greenhouse gases, with 1.5 billion livestock producing more waste gases than all transport vehicles in the world combined, contributing to the greenhouse effect. Methane, produced by livestock in large amounts, is 72 times as strong as carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas over a period of 20 years. In addition, rearing livestock uses large amounts of resources, taking up around 70% of farmland worldwide. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimated that during 1961-2001, more than 60% of grain was fed to livestock. 2400 gallons of water is needed to produce one pound of meat, while one pound of wheat requires only 25 gallons of water. Hence, replacing animal-derived food with plant foods is not only healthy for the immune system, but also contributes towards saving the environment.


Hidden Dangers of Vitamin Pills 

Many people think that they can make up for imbalanced diets due to busy lifestyles by taking vitamin pills. However, there are risks of vitamin pill overdose. Researchers from Copenhagen University Hospital analyzed data from trials involving 233, 000 participants, and found that beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E intake doubles the risk of hip fracture. A large-scale eight-year study by the Swedish government revealed that beta-carotene pills might increase lung cancer risk in male smokers. Researchers at Keio University in Japan found that vitamin E overdose leads to increased osteoporosis risk. An American Heart Association report of a follow-up study on 132, 000 participants pointed out that excessive vitamin D intake can lead to a rapid heart rate or arrhythmia. Research from Johns Hopkins University has shown that vitamin A overdose increase liver and lung cancer risk, and may lead to fetal deformities and lower bone density.


Wholesome Plant Foods for Perfect Nutrition
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the best way to obtain vitamins is through consuming beneficial, wholesome foods. They also emphasize that vitamin pills cannot replace a well-balanced diet.
Wholesome plant foods contain perfect combinations of nutrients. They are Nature’s greatest gifts, and cannot be replaced with man-made vitamin pills.

Let's watch a short video about how our immune system function: