It seemed that many opticians do not know the difference between Hyperopia and Presbyopia. I think many are simply passing off a lower degree pair of glasses as a proper reading glass and which could further exacerbate our eyesight problem.  Came across this in the internet.  So could some kind soul out there pse enlighten me if any should here is selling the Trufocal lens, as it seemed rather innovative.  Thanks.

Thanks

Mikey

my earlier posting: Vicious myopic prescriptions worsen your kids’ and national visions

Despites all the hype about Vitamin and Minerals. Remember to take them in moderation. They are after all, supplements. As we all know now, too much calcium without magnesium would lead to hardening of the blood vessels and its brittleness could cause rapture … etc etc.

In particular, please please do not overdose yourself with fat-soluble vitamins, like A, D, E and K since they would be stored in abundance in your abundance fatty tissues and becomes toxic. Water-soluble vitamins like B and C however, needs constant replenishment. But, pse refrain from taking those very popular effervescent vitamin B and C if they contains Aspartame (since its adverse effect is widely reported in the internet by both doctors and scientists). I really hope that Berocca and Redoxon could have effervescent tablets without the “aspartame” additive. Not sure why they are not releasing this healthier product. Maybe we like sweet stuff. I think orange flavour would be better than the sugar-free (aspartame) thing.

Presently, we tend to overdose ourselves with fat-soluble vitamin like Vitamin E and A while the mineral in question is Calcium. Too much calcium could harden your arteries.

Do read these “old” but still relevant articles below

Vitamin E May Shorten Life

November 2004

“Johns Hopkins University researcher Edgar R. Miller III, MD, PhD, an associate professor of medicine, tells WebMD that when he combined 19 vitamin E studies that looked at almost 136,000 patients, “it was clear that as the vitamin E dose increased, so does all-cause mortality.” ……. several theories about why vitamin E increases risk. One theory is that it increases bleeding risk, which would increase the risk of a type of stroke, while another theory suggests that at high doses vitamin E stops working like an antioxidant, removing harmful molecules in the body, and instead becomes a pro-oxidant, actually promoting the production of harmful molecules. (link)

Some physicians recommend discontinuing high-dose vitamin E supplementation one month before elective surgery to decrease the risk of hemorrhage. Premature infants appear to be especially vulnerable to adverse effects of alpha-tocopherol supplementation, which should be used only under controlled supervision by a pediatrician. Supplementation with 400 IU/day of vitamin E has been found to accelerate the progression of retinitis pigmentosa that is not associated with vitamin E deficiency. [Linus Pauling Institute] (link)

Vitamin A poisoning

Hypervitaminosis A occurs when the maximum limit for liver stores of retinoids is exceeded. The excess vitamin A enters the circulation causing systemic toxicity. Vitamin A in the form of betacarotene is only selectively converted into retinoids, and hence does not cause toxicity.

Although hypervitaminosis A can occur when large amounts of liver are regularly consumed, most cases of vitamin A toxicity result from an excess intake of vitamin A in the form of vitamin supplements. Toxic symptoms can also arise after consuming very large amounts of preformed vitamin A over a short period of time. (See Polar-bear liver below.)

Vitamin A causes cells to swell with fluid, too much vitamin A causes them to rupture in hypoosmotic environments, hence the toxicity. Toxicity has been shown to be mitigated through vitamin E, Cholesterol, Zinc, Taurine and Calcium. (Wikipedia - link)

Comments: Maybe early reports of toxicity of drinking Red Bull could be due to taking excessive amount of Vitamin A and E. This could be a deadly combination.  Though France had just revoke its earlier ban on Red Bull, perhaps, it would be wise to inform consumers the possibility of ingesting taurine with high level of Vit A and E.  However to come up with a sugar-free version of Red Bull (with Aspartame) could have other adverse effect, probably known only down the road.  Sometimes, Michael Porter’s Differentiation of Product had gotten out of hand, to come up with a “better” product than its competitors, and in the process, create alot of environment and health issues for generations to come.

CONCLUSION

So take your supplements in moderation and know what are fat-soluble and what are water-soluble. Most of the time, we actually lack proper isotonic balance in this hot tropical climate. If you are living a normal lifestyle, then your diet should be a normal diet.

If your lifestyle is “abnormal” like being physically active and involve in endurance events for weeks or months on ends, then your diet should also be “abnormal” needing constant electrolyte, minerals and vitamin. Sweating profusely is abnormal and would lead to depletion of these electrolytes, vitamins and minerals. Drinking water alone would exacerbate the loss of essential electrolytes. This is common sense.

So take care. I still vouch for magnesium as a very important and still rather neglected mineral for health maintenance in our tropical environment.

Mikey

Thanks Dr Christine for your insightful reply in the Straits Times (dated 3 July 200 - link

1. Thanks for pointing out that “Shampoos are classified as cosmetic products.” However, your reply was not clear when it was classified as a cosmetic as such. Even though as such, I believe that even for cosmetic, they should not be used on areas other than our impervious skin. As to whether the shampoo might drip into our eyes or nostril when contact with water while washing our hair, I think the answer is rather obvious. Maybe I should be using my swimming goggle when bathing. Well, you see, as pointed in my earlier blog posting: (link)

“Formaldehyde is a very reactive substance, but dissolved in water it becomes a monster (formalin) with the propensity to attach to any protein molecule that it touches. Formaldehyde in the air causes cancers in human nasal passages, because it is so reactive, it attaches to the first moist protein with which it makes contact. ” (link)

2. Thanks for also pointing out that “All cosmetic products in Singapore must comply with defined standards and requirements under the Asean Cosmetic Directive (ACD), an Asean-wide agreement to harmonise and raise the standards and quality of cosmetic products across the region. It was implemented in Singapore on Jan1 this year and is closely aligned with the European Union (EU) Cosmetic Directive. “

So I take it even for cosmetic it was ONLY implemented in Singapore in 2008! Well at least FINALLY, EVENTUALLY, IN YEAR 2008, there are some (higher?) standards governing the use of such chemicals. So, I could take it that for the last year 2007, and year before that, my shampoos probably had loads and loads of such chemicals. But who would take notice or care? Nevertheless, hip hip huray to HSA for their staging effort to come up with some standards in the year 2008. Hip Hip Huray! I feel healthier now.

3. By the way, your reply did not address my main concern as highlighted in my forum letter title “‘Toxins in dish-washing detergent?’ Maybe it was an oversight. So, is dish-washing detergent also classified as “cosmetic”? I hope not. I am not sure what would be the effect if Methylisothiazolinone is ingested little by little everyday, since it would probably clings to plates, dishes and cups during washings. If dish washing detergent are classified under cosmetic, then they shouldn’t be ingested as far as possible.

4. Is it true that dish-washing liquid here are exempted from carrying any ingredient label. Even cosmetic carry ingredient label although they are not to be ingested. I find this hard to comprehend. Maybe it has something to do with my educational background. I spent too much time reading encyclopedias and science magazines in the public libraries. Maybe I should have concentrated on doing my class assessments diligently and hand out my work on time instead. Pse enlighten me. I was also browing the shelves at Carrefour at Suntec (two weeks ago) and presto!, I actually found a dish washing liquid with individual ingredients clearly stated on its bottle. It was on offer selling a two -bottle packaging plus a free plate. The glaring ingredient I saw was “Methylisothiazolinone”. So indeed Methylisothiazolinone was present in dish-washing detergent. Of course, I could be silly, you know, they would probably be washed away with water. However, I still would not know how much it is present since I am not even sure if it is classified as a cosmetic.

Cheers!

Mikey

PS: I am currently using a popular trusted brand of baby shampoo WITHOUT Methylisothiazolinone and Formaldehyde. I also recommend this to you for health sake. This is between you and me. Haha. Just joking lah! Jokes aside, I really appreciate your reply. We should care for the common people like you and I.

============

REPLY FROM DR CHRISTINE LIM (HEALTH SCIENCE AUTHORITY)

LETTER IN THE STRAITS TIMES (3 JULY 200

July 3, 2008
Substances in shampoo pose no health risks
I REFER to Mr Michael Yee’s letter, ‘Toxins in dish-washing detergent?’ (June 25), in which he raised concerns about the use of methylisothiazolinone and formaldehyde in shampoos.

Shampoos are classified as cosmetic products.

All cosmetic products in Singapore must comply with defined standards and requirements under the Asean Cosmetic Directive (ACD), an Asean-wide agreement to harmonise and raise the standards and quality of cosmetic products across the region. It was implemented in Singapore on Jan1 this year and is closely aligned with the European Union (EU) Cosmetic Directive.

Methylisothiazolinone and formaldehyde are used in cosmetics to inhibit the growth of micro-organisms and extend shelf life. The safe use of both substances was recently reviewed by scientific committees in both the EU and the United States.

It was concluded that both do not pose any health risks when used as preservatives in cosmetics.

However, as some susceptible individuals may experience skin sensitivity, the EU and Asean authorities have adopted precautionary controls to address this.

Cosmetic products should not contain formaldehyde exceeding 0.2per cent, measured as free formaldehyde, and methylisothiazolinone exceeding 0.01 per cent.

Mr Yee is welcome to call the Cosmetic Control Unit of the Health Sciences Authority on 6866-3470 or 3588 should he need further clarification on the risk-benefit profile of these cosmetic ingredients.

Dr Christina Lim
Administrator
Health Products Regulation Group
Health Sciences Authority

(LINK)

===============

MY LETTER TO THE STRAITS TIMES (25 JUN 200

June 25, 2008
Toxins in dish-washing detergent?
I WOULD like to ask why dish-washing liquid detergents do not carry ingredient labels. This is perhaps an oversight since such detergents leave traces on utensils, even after washing.

The danger is even more apparent in foodcourts where mass-washed utensils are coated with unknown ingredients.

Recently, there were reports about the danger of methylisothiazolinone, a neurotoxin that is found increasingly in shampoos, except some old, trusted brands. Methylisothiazolinone is possibly found in dish-washing detergent, especially those that tout ‘anti-bacteria’ formula since methylisothiazolinone is also a biocide.

Likewise, can the authorities clarify why formaldehyde is found increasingly in shampoos? The dangers of formaldehyde are already known, such as autism, eyesight degeneration and high carcinogenic effect on contact with water molecules. In addition, there are no standards as to how much formaldehyde is added to shampoo since it is considered a non-food item. But the danger is real and apparent.

Michael Yee

(LINK)

=================

“Why is it when Mervyn’s is naughty, you never cane him …. blah blah blah …..?” wailed Clement in his utmost loudest tone to get our attention. You see, Clement is our younger son or my baby as I chose to call him, is behaving like one again. I hardly cane nowadays as both are approaching their late primary (10 and 12 respectively) but instead try the soft touch. Yeah, maybe one or two deft strokes, if really necessary. After all we are Asians right?

“What makes you think that I did not cane (reprimand) Mervyn?” I mouthed each word to emphasize and counter his exaggerated speech. He was still glaring at Mervyn. “Stand in the square!” I commanded. Immediately he conformed, knowing that I mean business and not the usual “Can-joke-can-make-fun-of-Daddy” mode. In this situation, I am a stern Daddy, not necessary to mete out punishments or counter every single accusation he would throw at Mervyn but to quell his perceived unfairness and try to make both sides see the own follies too.

Straightaway, Clement goes into his hyper motor-mouth mode to spill and recount every single damnation about Mervyn whether it had anything to do with the current angst today.

Mervyn on the other hand, who is now in Primary Six is becoming less of a whiner and knowing that Daddy detest whiner, refrained from going into a verbal battle with Clement. Instead his choice weapon is to antagonise Clement secretly; when I am not looking or at least he thought so. He would quietly sneak a smirk at Clement who would be watching him intently and immediately I would hear, “You see! you see!, Mervyn is smiling me…. why you never SEE.”

Well the truth of the matter, is I need not see to know both my boys’ characters. Both are wanting Dad’s love and sometimes, me and my wife do say the darnest things that unintentionally cause them to compete in strange ways for our love which is in abundance and still unconditional. However, we do not spoil them too.

Clement who got better grades (though not necessary well schooled or more intellectual) believed that his stinging verbosity at Meryvn would bring him on his knees, so to speak. Mervyn, on the other hand, usually unaware of his antagonising follies would be dumb-founded by Clement’s unrelenting surveillance or near perfect recollection of Mervyn’s crime (in his own interpretation) during quarrels like this one.

I told both in no uncertain terms that I am aware of both actions and that both are not good boys either.

Clement, who in trying all means and methods to make the Mervyn look really bad, however, seemed to me that he was indeed really having a bad time; constantly looking very dissatisfied and unhappy. I am not sure if it is school work or the pressure of being in a top class. I told him that if he got angry, he would have fallen into Mervyn’s trap of antagonising him, which is also true. Mervyn, sure know how to antagonise Clement and is making it into a art.

Likewise for Mervyn, I warned him against capitalising on Clement’s rage. I would not allow it and it would back fire for Mervyn if he were to try this outside where people in rage wouldn’t be so kind since they would be much bigger than Clement. His smirk could then become disastrous.

I always tell both , I rather hear what are their strong or good points rather than the bad points of the other party. However, I guess both are not too sure about their strong points either.

Perhaps, our society is too well-schooled at finding faults without looking at ourselves. Meritocracy in its wrong perception has its own downfall. Everyone is suddenly not too sure of their self-worth or good points. Everyone is always suspicious that he is not as good as the next person and need to do more; study more subjects, armed with more certificates to be better employable.

However, doing so many things without giving much thought would in actuality make you a SHALLOW person lacking DEPTH. It is often very difficult to digest so many things and you could get a heartburn (brainburn so to speak) from it. There is such a thing as time and a person takes time to not only to learn but also to experience the mistakes.

On the other hand, people who are too specialised, tend to become “extremist” too in a sense that they see everything with a lopsided view. They would also have difficulty understanding the scheme to thing and often becomes very depressed. Reading widely for the sake of knowledge is one way to be more enlightened. However, just going on a strictly newspaper diet could be very depressing too given the many constant bad and depressing news hoarding the limelight. Positive news is important too!

Likewise, an organisation that tries to do so many things that lack depth is only wasting resources but creating a lot of problems instead. The people would be demoralised; fatigued and often spending long hours in hours (for what) at the expense of a functioning family life. Many would certainly point their fingers at the government which may not be at fault. Sometimes, too many cooks spoil the broth.

In hindsight, it is almost like “Fighting All Day Long for Daddy’s Love”. However, if no love prevails then money would certainly become a paramount issue then.

I should try to instill more self-worth into my kids to buffer both the societal pressure and our own (maybe unreasonable parental) expectations. However, I think I am doing ok so far. I always tell them that once they could start learning things on their own without without fear of ridicule or favour (maybe), and certainly beyond the textbooks, then there would be no reason for them to be afraid of the future or unknown.

I always tell my kids I love them (irregardless of their school grades). Have you?

Cheers!

Mikey

PS. Clement was protesting as I read aloud to him this blog. However, he seemed rather pleased as I continued reading. I guess I must have been quite fair and objective.

Hi, I just this article in both our local papers and also in the internet: “ Tofu linked to memory loss: Study“. Yes, as already known, Tofu or Bean Curd contains loads of female hormone (phytoestrogen) which appear to be permeating freely in abundance in today’s society. It is good to give some thought into this. The memory loss is not so much a big problem, but rather the fact that too much phytoestrogen would significantly reduce the fertility of man and hence a problem to population sustainability.

POPULATION CONTROL

It has already be known back in 1940s that red clover (a phytoestrogens-rich plant) pastures had effects on the fertility of grazing sheep. (link1) As cattle farmers have learned from experience, and as has been proven by science, herds that are fed on red clover fields will experience a significant decline in fertility because the pythoestrogens of the red clover interfere with the hormonal balance of the bulls. (link2). So in the 1940s its birth-controlling properties were already known.

Another research in 1976, “Phytoestrogens: adverse effects on reproduction in California quail.” by Leopold AS, Erwin M, Oh J, Browning B. showed that Phytoestrogens, largely formononetin and genistein, are produced in the leaves of stunted desert annuals in a dry year. When ingested by California quail, these compounds apparently inhibit reproduction and prevent the production of young that will not have adequate food. In a wet year, forbs grow vigorously and phytoestrogenic substances are largely absent. Quail then breed prolifically and the abundant seed crop carries the enlarged population through the winter. (link)

The latter confirm that nature indeed has their own way to curb population control in bad times.

Oh My! I suddenly remember this young chap, called Laurence or is it Timothy, who was taking Flax Seed omega oil a few years ago and recommended to me that it was even better than fish omega. You see, Flax seed has the highest concentration of phytoestrogen (link) and I am not sure if Laurence is now more feminine today. Goodness gracious me! Hopefully nobody is adding phytoestrogen into my meals secretly. Hee Hee. Anyway I have two sons already and I should be quite ok.

However for those still trying to have kids, maybe you should read this too.

Do phytoestrogens make men impotent? (link)

A important point noted by Serge Krutz is that:

Phytoestrogens, together with synthetic substances released into the environment, are grouped together as environmental estrogens. While phytoestrogens have been around longer than mankind, the awareness for environmental estrogens, including phytoestrogens, is a rather new phenomenon. Attention was brought to environmental estrogens by biologists who noticed that the males of a number of species living in a highly polluted environment experienced a marked decline in fertility as well as a lack of development of the primary sex organs.

Comments: I think we really have to look at our food products, plastic water bottles (leaching bispherols) and even our water treatment to ensure enough males for the next generation. By the way, do you know that even for turtle, their developing fetus inside the egg would only determine the resultant baby is a male or female if the water temperature is below or above 27 degree centigrade. So my hypothesis here though bizarre is that perhaps the determinant of a baby sex is not upon conception but rather in the very early stages of embryonic inside the mother’s womb; basing on the body and environmental temperature or toxicity of the environment itself. Here, I would even hypothesize that those working in high microwave radiation environment would have such “unintentionally” heat up elements that may affect the males or perhaps its is the female who is affected most to have baby girl instead.

Phytoestrogens and Prostrate Cancer

As to whether phytoestrogen (like eating lots of Tofu) stave off prostrate cancer, it is highly debatable. A test carried out in France, concluded that “Overall, the results of these studies do not show protective effects. Only four of these studies are prospective, and none of them found statistically significant prostate cancer reductions. Two prospective studies measured flavonoid intake and one reported a preventive effect on prostate cancer for the assumption of myricetin. One study assessed enterolactone concentrations in three different countries and showed no reduction in prostate cancer occurrence.” (link)

Phytoestrogens Boost Fertility … (for women only)

(by author Sally Errey)

Infertility is an increasingly common problem defined by the inability to conceive after actively trying for one year, and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is often considered as a solution.

In a study at University Hospital in Perugia, Italy (Fertility & Sterility 2004), women who were undergoing IVF treatment (fertilization of the egg takes place outside the body and is implanted in the uterus) were given progesterone with 1,500 mg of soy isoflavones, while the control group was given progesterone and a placebo. Progesterone is required to assist with the implantation of the embryo in the uterus, and it became apparent that the soy isoflavones assisted with greater fertility and birth success rates.

The study assessed rates of embryo implantation, biochemical pregnancy (based on hormone levels), actual pregnancy (seeing an embryo with heartbeat via ultrasound), miscarriage, and delivery. Women who had received the isoflavones had significantly higher rates of pregnancy and delivery than the control group. Thirty percent of the study group gave birth, compared to 16 percent in those who received no soy supplementation. The soy phytoestrogens, while having no adverse side effects, may have a hormone-like activity in the body and consequently enhance fertility for women in an IVF program. Further study is encouraged to understand how phytoestrogens exert their positive effects. (link)

CONCLUSION

So to cut a long story short, Man should take lesser phytoestrogen as compared to Woman for a healthier and sustainable population in view of the ever-growing toxicity in our environment.

Take Care

Mikey

================

Foods high in phytoestrogen content.

http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/phytoestrogen.php

Just this weekend, I was at Suntec with my family for the “Singapore Toy & Comic Convention“. Yeah, always for my kids. Well not actually. I am still a kid at heart. Not kidding.

But like a kid, I got bored after wandering a few rounds of stalls and decide that it was time for a coffee break. As usual my Misses, never failed to tell me that I had already drunk two cuppa that day. Nevertheless, I said “let’s go for tea break”. She immediately agreed.

So we went to tell both our kids who were still queuing up again at the Nintendo Wii Stand for another go at the latest game offerings that daddy and mommy were going for our teabreak. They nodded but I wasn’t sured if they cared or bothered. But I guess both would come to realise our affections for them in due time and hopefully pass on to their own kids too.

Ok. Back to the scary “Ham Chin Bang” woman at the Republic Food Court at Suntec City.

It was situated smack in the middle of the passage way with a heavy traffic volume of bodies moving incessantly. I navigated deftly and found a seat just besides the “Ham Chin Bang” stall. For the uninitiated, “Ham Chin Bang” refers to deep fried dough (a close Chinese cousin to the western Doughnut). Here I was, seating just a feet away from a hot wok full of boiling oil but separated by a glass wall. The worker, presumably a China man, was nonchalantly churning doughs in hot oil with a long chopstick (tongs) in successions to ensure even scalding for that eye-licious golden brown look. Besides “Ham Chin Pang” other popular fried doughs included the longish “You Char Qui” and the sweeter but roundish version better known as “Butterfly”.

When my wife returned with two cuppa coffee, I decided to buy a few of those fried “Butterfly” since they would be decidedly pipping hot (just of the stove .. I mean, just off the wok). As I was queuing, I noticed a woman in frameless lens (presumably the boss) stuffing the pipping hot “Butterfly” into polystrene plastic bags for customers who seemed more eager in quickly supping up their goodies than queried the woman why the pipping hot (with oil still dripping) from the colander pans should have been store in the paper bags (just below the plastic bags). I was aghast that six to seven people ahead of me clearly had their “Butterflies” with dripping hot oil individually stuffed into small plastic bags and never batter an eyelid. I wondered, hey, had these people never brought any fried stuff before? Maybe they should go to the famous “Lau Chang” curry puff stall and see how it diligently enforced and certainly more hygienically stored in paper bags in view that these are pipping hot fried stuff.

I wanted to tell the lady but decided against it since I was wanting to snack on that delicious “Butterfly”. When it was my turn, I said rather loudly, “Can I have two of those Butterflies, but pse use the paper bag instead”. Immediately she complied and I was on my way.

What was nagging was that there were paper bags on the serving tray and here she was happily dishing out in pastic bags. Maybe it would save cost for her, but not at the expense of consumers who paid for the food. Maybe we should be more discerning when it comes to health care. I should be writing to the AVA or the relevant authorities soon to bring out various issues on food handling which I find rather appalling here.

So beware of the “Ham Chin Bang” woman at that food court no matter how enticing the smell is…..

Take Care.

Mikey

PS:  Other “Ham Chin Bang” stalls doing brisk business in similar fashion could be found at Bukit Panjang (next to Macdonald) and maybe at other major housing estates.    Likewise, you can find many plastic-glazed food like in Roti Prata and Oyster Omelette when their hot dough fused nicely with the styrefoam plates like at Newton Circle food centre for example.  Or even the “fried fish mold” at a popular Nasi Lemak stall at a food centre in Lorong Ah Soo.  The list goes on and on and on.

In view of the latest tragic incident when a pickup vehicle accidentally ploughed onto pedestrians at road junctions, maybe the relevant authorities could consider installing protective barriers at critical junctions to prevent such “accidents”. Examples could be those leading to or exiting from the highways in which vehicles either begin to accelerate or decelerate at curved, or worst still, negotiating perpendicular junctions at high speed. Critical assembly points include traffic light junctions at MRT and with the increase propensity of people taking MRT, crowds are even found spilling onto the roadside edges at the traffic junctions. It would make sense to install some protective barriers to prevent speeding vehicles (including buses) trying to beat the red light whilst negotiating the perpendicular turns. Maybe concrete columns like those found at bus terminals (which was introduced following earlier tragic deaths in those areas) could be similarly introduced at major junctions considered critical mass assembly areas or simply danger zones. Additionally in view of rising petrol prices, most vehicle owners especially pickups and private buses owners who tend to save on servicing costs and that includes prolonging lifespan of worn-out tires that often cause skidding when negotiating bends or brakings. Some even fail to switch on their headlights in the early evening or simply on a very dimly lighted parking light. Maybe the present lot of traffic marshals could be mindful of these seemingly minor issues besides directing traffics. Maybe there could be traffic lights wardens doing spot checks at critical road junctions to act as deterrents against drivers who persist to bully pedestrians whom they think are too slow in crossing the roads; whether to save fuel (waiting time) or to rush for time (bus drivers). Traffic Lights wardens (whether employed or voluntary) could be another form of employment too for perhaps, enforced graciousness.

Take Care

Mikey

Still on this same book “The Health Detective’s” from the Woodland Library (written by Nan Kathryn Fuchs, Ph. D) that I borrowed from the library, it seemed to say that oolong tea could get rid of dermatitis. I am not really sure if there is a one-cure all (panacea) for this complex problem.

Perhaps, it is worth a try. But do consider my comments:

a. Some tea have high fluorine content and thus should not be drunk in hard plastic cups that could hasten the leaching of bisphenol A (BPA) from Type 7 plastic water bottles. However, disposable plastic cups are made from polystrene, so the effect would be different. Anyway, it would be good to go to the canteen to drink from glass cups. Taking a break is good for the skin too. Remember the brief sunlight exposure would activate the Vitamin D. Good for skin and also stave off depression too.

b. Avoid, certain “new” chemicals in shampoos and bathing foams that contains Methylisothiazolinone and Formaldehyde. The latter danger is already known not to mention that it could be liberally used in shampoos being a non-ingestible product. The former is a neurotoxin, so it affects the nerves. Wow, imagine having the emolient in the shampoo that ensure the Methylisothiazolinone stick to your skin even after bathing. Dam Itchy man. (link)

c. I also personally think magnesium could is useful since it regulate the calcium, sodium and potassium. Anyway, it a time-test remedy to use Epsom salt for dermatitis too. Easily available from any pharmacy. Just saw this magnesium sulphate cream on the net (link). As you already know, magnesium regulate activity over 300 enzymatic actions in the human body. However, it doesn’t works for everyone, this person has diarrhea problem. Probably needs time to get his other bodily functions on par or simply over dosage in over eagerness. (see link). Need time, i guess.

d. Do use salt that include magnesium like PAN SALT (a brand) that include magnesium too. After all, your diet has salt right? I understand that many people with eczema take allergy test take often tells you to exclude many metal compound from your diet. But I think magnesium is too essential a mineral to exclude. At least your other bodily functions are working well for any real healing to begin with. Logical approach.

I think that is about all. Got to sleep too. Not amount of nutrients could replace the rejuvenation of sleep.

Anyway do check to the sites on Oolong tea;

a. A trial of oolong tea in the management of recalcitrant atopic dermatitis (link)

b. semi-fermented process, oolong tea contains a wide variety of polyphenolic compounds …. very effective regarding atopic dermatitis.(link)

Cheers!

Mikey

PS. Anyway, I am a coffee drinker. May want to try this Oolong tea. Maybe the keyword here is the semi-fermentation process of this kind of tea.

Yeah. You probably would say that I am being naggy again to harp on the importance of Magnesium again. Well you are right! Anyway, it was because I have borrow this book “The Health Detective’s” from the Woodland Library (written by Nan Kathryn Fuchs, Ph. D) and it seemed to confirm those things that I have been telling others about the marvel of this essential mineral.

However, to make things simple (as compared to my earlier postings),

Do take Magnesium if you want:

a. A restful sleep (since it helps to regulate heart beat)

b. A performance edge in endurance run (like marathon) since the the current isotonic is (purposely) missing this performance addition to keep the masses from maybe achieving peak performance.

c. Prevent osteoporosis (as it makes bones flexible as compared to calcium that makes bones brittle)

d. Prevent arteriosclerosis (since it removes excess calcium in blood stream from depositing onto the arterial walls and the narrowing would lead to hypertension itself)

e. Prevent child birth delivery deaths since the poor mothers are usually in a edema (water retentive) state with hypertension. The long contraction period in deliveries are like running a full marathon on ends. Maganesium sulphate were used long ago but superceded by “new” medicines that actually are expensive and does nothing really.

f. Higher survival rate in the event of a heart attack. (As written in Nan Kathryn Fuchs’, Ph. D book, she quote a magnesium expert who suggested having immediate intravenous magnesium for those whilst still on the ambulance on their way to hospital). I think it should be done immediately for those who collapse during arduous runs possible from water retention and brain edema.

g. Prevent heat stroke death, since magnesium regulate heart beat and prevent brain edema as stated above. At least the person would survive and not be in a vegetative state if the brain is not bloated.

Okay, so do not go running out now for your magnesium tablets. I have actually brought a bottle of just magnesium only from GNC store. However, my qualms is that why is it the GNC people have to purposely include a pill (tablet) whitener, like Titanium Dioxide just to make the pill looks WHITE! Are we overly obsessive with being white. Does white equate to pureness? I am confused. Titanium dioxide had also recently been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as an IARC Group 2B carcinogen possibly carcinogen to humans. It had been test carcinogenic on animals. I think that there are many tablet out in the pharmacies including government hospitals that are coated with titanium dioxide to make the tablets looks nice. For what? I would be writing to GNC to get some answer. Not sure if I had written to them earlier or that I had gotten any reply.

Anyway, I am now getting my magnesium supplement from another brand “Nature Essense” that is in the combination of Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Zinc, Boron and Vitamin D. Seemed pretty good but could have been better if the calcium were omitted. Why? Well, since we are either easily getting calcium from our diet, as evident in the bountiful of people with arteriosclerosis, of that the calcium are not finding their ways to the bones. But first thing first, we should be taking the magnesium to offset, I mean to remove the excess calcium in the blood from depositing on the arterial walls. Anyway people are getting smarter nowadays and are taking calcium scoring medical screening to pre-empt if indeed there are too much calcium are residing in the blood stream rather than where they are needed. In the bones.

By the way, do read my earlier post on the importance of having enough muscle to lift your frail skeleton frame as you age. Strong bones means nothing if you do not have the muscle that goes wasted if not worked upon. (Marathon, muscle atrophy and sarcopenia)

Cheers!

Have a good night sleep. Counting sheeps do not really help. Try magnesium instead. You may have been working or training too hard and lack this essential mineral to prevent irregular heartbeat (Cardiac arrhythmia).

Earlier postings:

Magnesium Sulphate to prevent brain edema (swelling) injuries and childbirth deaths

How to spot a potential “heat stroke” or “sudden death” victim.

Defibrillator for marathoners to include electrolyte jabs

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Addendum:

http://www.healthsalon.org/240/cerebral-vascular-disease-stroke-cerebral-aneurysm-vascular-disease-part-c/

To maintain cerebral vasculature, thus lowering the risk of a cerebral aneurysm or hemorrhagic stroke, the following supplements should be considered:
Magnesium, 1500 mg daily.
Arginine, 4-5 grams daily.
Calcium, 1000 mg daily.
Grape-seed skin extract, two 200-mg capsules daily.
To enhance vasodilation and improve the health of vessels, consider the following:
Potassium, 500 mg daily.
Hydergine, 5-20 mg daily. (Hydergine may be obtained by prescription or from offshore pharmacies.)
Antioxidants scavenge free radicals and protect against underlying factors that lead to cerebral vascular disease:
Vitamin E containing tocopherols and toco - trienols provide the most broad spectrum protection, 1-2 softgels daily of Gamma E Tocopherol/Tocotrienols. (Provides 210 mg of gamma - tocopherol and full spectrum tocotrienols.)
Vitamin C, 2000-5000 mg daily.
For more information

Contact the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, (800) 352-9424.

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Went to a Guardian pharmacy this afternoon to look for some effervescent Vitamin C tablet.  I told my wife that I wanted to get the Vitamin B and C effervescent combination from Bercocca.  However, she reminded me that she always get sick after taking those tablets.  I often thought that she could be just bias instead against certain brand.  However this time I took a closer look.  Indeed there was the dreaded sugar-free sweetener added to the effervescent and that I had been taking it a few years back.  Come to think of it, I had flu like symptom too after ingesting for series of days.  Hence I also consume it minimally.

Okay, then I thought maybe I should just get the Vitamin C effervescent from Redoxon instead.  Woh!  on checking the content, I saw the dreaded aspartame additives too.  So that is why it is so sweet.

I just do not really comprehend.  Here I am trying to get some health product and many people like me were already well aware of the danger of aspartame, then why add it to a health product?   Do we really need the sweetening effect that kills us sweetly.  I think even diabetics are staying away from this stuff nowadays as people gets more educated of what aspartame could really do.

So could Berocca and Redoxon please do our health conscious populace a favour by giving us a choice with  another effervescent tablets that are aspartame-free.  Whoever comes up with this differentiation of product would win … both market share as well as being civic mindedness.

The current mid-year sale is not helping either since both products are selling like hot cakes in twin or larger packets at sale prices that would certainly guaranteed many people rushing to get the Vitamin Cs and Bs supplements aided by the escalating inflations.

I understand that we are dictated by a free trade market, but there are many civic conscious people here  who could like to take health care to a higher level… at least at the preventive end…..after all, health cost is often passed back to the government too.   Seemed that aspartame is making its way into many food products.  I really have difficulty understand why it is so.

Perhaps our brains are already overly excited by the many neurotoxins additives that could serve to produce quick reactive response in todays need-for-speed society but not necessary producing coherent brain functions and overall well being of individuals.  The effect could be simply disastrous down the road.

Take Care

Mikey

Previous postings:

Aspartame - killing us sweetly?

Aspartame, Methanol and Public Health

Metabolic newborn screening program for Phenylketonuria compulsory in Singapore?