IT is advice that many expectant mothers would have heard: Eating for two during pregnancy can leave women saddled with the extra weight for life. Researchers have found that pregnant women who gain excessive weight, are at a higher risk of obesity and health problems including high blood pressure, later in life.
The findings, from a Bristol University study, add to mounting evidence about the harmful effects of being overweight during pregnancy. Although weight gain during pregnancy is natural as the baby develops, research suggests that being fat puts baby and mother at risk.
The National Health Service advises that during the first six months of pregnancy, a woman’s recommended energy intake of 1,940 calories a day does not change, so no extra food is required. In the latter three months, the expectant mother needs only an additional 200 calories a day — equivalent to a ready-made fruit salad and yoghurt, or a small bowl of sugar-free muesli with grated apple.
The long-term study found that preggies who gained more than the recommended amount of weight were three times as likely to be overweight, obese or “apple-shaped” 16 years later. Study leader Dr Abigail Fraser says women should avoid over-eating, particularly in the first six months when extra weight was laid down as fat before the baby really needed it for growth. Weight is currently recorded only when an expectant mother goes for her first antenatal check. “Our findings suggest that regular monitoring of weight in pregnancy may need to be reconsidered because it provides a window of opportunity to prevent health problems later in life,” she says.
The most important message for women is to attain a healthy weight before conceiving, she adds. “You don’t need to eat for two in pregnancy.” — Daily Mail Holistic approach to cancer THERE will be a one-day conference on holistic healing for cancer at Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital, Petaling Jaya on June 18 from 9am to 5pm. The focus will be on safe and effective management of cancer through integrative approach using holistic medicine. International speakers from India and Australia will express their views on this. Admission is free. Registration closes by end of today. Call 017-881 2287 (Agkillah) or 016-916 2206 (Susan) to register.
It is supported by the Ministry of Health and organised by Cansurvive Centre Malaysia, in collaboration with the Malaysian Chinese Medical Association. Enlarged prostate and incontinence URINATION problems or loss of bladder control are common in men aged 40 years and above as a result of pressure from an enlarged prostate on the bladder wall. Symptoms range from occasionally leaking urine during coughing or sneezing, having an urge to urinate (especially at night) and a feeling of incomplete emptying of bladder to exerting force to urinate.
As men age, the male sex hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) starts to build up in the prostate. DHT stimulates the prostate to slowly enlarge. As the gland grows, it presses on the urethra, blocking urine flow. Serious complications will cause urinary tract infection and sexual problems. A herbal alternative for a better urination flow is the saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), which has been widely tested. However, not all saw palmetto berries produce the same results due to different content of active ingredients that are not properly standardised. It is important to look for a product that delivers active beta-sitosterol that effectively relieves urination problems in men.
Sabalselect from Prime Proguard delivers active beta-sitosterol and has been created to relief urinary symptoms. The patented Sabalselect is made from standardised fruit of saw palmetto and contains sterols in the form of beta-sitosterol. Each 200mg Sabalselect softgel is equivalent to 2000mg of dried Serenoa serrulate fruit, and contains 10 types of biologically active fatty acids. The Prime ProGuard is retailing at RM78 (30 softgels) and RM128 (60 softgels) at leading pharmacies. Cereal box reality game NESTLE Breakfast Cereals has introduced the first augmented reality game on a box of cereals. The game, supplied by French technology firm Dassault Systemes, is currently featured on Nestle Breakfast Cereals’ promotional Rio packs. Augmented reality is essentially a combination of computer vision and object recognition in which the digital world becomes interactive and digitally manipulable.
A marker printed on Nestle cereal boxes sold in 53 countries allows people with Web cameras linked to computers to play an augmented reality game starring the main character of the animated film Rio. Players must lead an animated blue parrot named Blu to a big bowl of cereal on screen using the marker cut-out from the back of the cereal box. Webcams read the marker and picture it on screen as a cup that players use to leave a trail of cereal bits for Blu to follow along a path to a giant bowl. At the end of the level, Blu will perform a dance and Jewel, Blu’s love interest in the animated movie, will be unlocked. Participating Nestle Breakfast Cereals brands include Koko Krunch, Koko Krunch Duo, Honey Stars, Milo cereal and Cookie Crisp.