Diabetes and Barley

November 14th is World Diabetes Day.  So we’re taking this time to remind consumers that a whole grain, high fiber diet may help control and even prevent Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.  Barley is an excellent grain choice because it has a high concentration of dietary fiber, including beta-glucan soluble fiber which is shown in studies to be effective in promoting healthy blood sugar, reducing cholesterol, promoting healthy blood pressure and helping control weight, all conditions associated with diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes affect over 2 million Malaysians.  Health and nutrition professionals remind us, however, that this disease can be controlled and even prevented.  It’s a matter of making some simple but important lifestyle choices including losing weight, increasing physical activity (like hiking Penang Hill lah) and including plenty of whole grain, high fiber foods such as barley in the daily diet.

Barley is an excellent food choice for those concerned about type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes because the grain contains essential vitamins and minerals and is an excellent source of dietary fiber, particularly beta-glucan soluble fiber.

Research shows that barley beta-glucan soluble fiber promotes healthy blood sugar by slowing glucose absorption.  For example, findings from a clinical trial published in the December 2006 edition of Nutrition Research showed that mildly insulin-resistant men who ate muffins containing barley beta-glucan soluble fiber experienced significant reductions in glucose and insulin responses, compared to responses after eating muffins made with corn starch.  In a clinical study reported in the August 2006 edition of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, data showed that subjects who ate cookies and crackers made with barley flour enriched with beta-glucan soluble fiber also experienced significant reductions in glucose and insulin responses compared to responses after eating the same products made with whole wheat flour.  A long-term study published in the August 2007 edition of the Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice journal reported a 30-percent decrease in HbA1c (average blood glucose level) in type 2 diabetics who consumed a healthy diet including pearl barley that supplied 18 grams of soluble fiber a day.
Regardless of the form of the grain, there is always a ready source of beta-glucan soluble fiber in barley.  Unlike many grains which contain fiber only in the outer bran layer, barley contains fiber throughout the entire kernel.  So whether it’s whole grain or processed barley products, dietary fiber, including beta-glucan soluble fiber, is available in amounts that have a positive impact on improving blood glucose levels.

It’s easy to include barley in a healthful and delicious diet.  Choose barley flakes for a hardy cooked breakfast cereal.  Add pearl or whole grain barley kernels to your favorite soups, stews, casseroles and salads.  Or use cooked pearl or whole grain barley kernels as a fiber-rich addition to your favorite stir-fry.

Adapted from Dr Dicky NG Teik Kee published writings.

Samantha

Read more on Diabetes

http://www.wellnessnrecreation.com/food_nutrition/diabetes/diabetesmellitus.php

http://www.wellnessnrecreation.com/food_nutrition/diabetes/common_consequences_diabetes.php

http://www.wellnessnrecreation.com/food_nutrition/diabetes/economic_burden_diabetes.php

http://www.wellnessnrecreation.com/food_nutrition/diabetes/activities_manage_diabetes.php

http://www.wellnessnrecreation.com/food_nutrition/diabetes/diabeticdiet.php

http://www.wellnessnrecreation.com/food_nutrition/diabetes/worlddiabetesday.php

http://www.wellnessnrecreation.com/news_articles/diabetes_footcare.php

Happy reading

Samantha

“Sam and Esther Follow Up Story.” This is a scene from the film “The Fragrant Spirit of Life,” a San Damiano Foundation production released in 2008. We found Sam, Esther, and Jane outside the small village of Serere in eastern Uganda. They are being cared for through the amazing work of the nonprofit organization Village2Village.

Watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v7ZQUzr0yo

Related Links

http://www.village2villageproject.org

http://www.sandamianofoundation.org

Samantha

http://www.wellnessnrecreation.com

Bra and Cancer

Breasts represent sensitivity and nurturing, intimacy and sexuality. The power of the breast has been a focus in fashion since Edwardian times and saw the first harness-like patent in 1863. The modern day version of the bra didn’t appear on the scene until 1913 - but you can bet that women as far back as you can imagine fashioned some makeshift animal skin supportive garment when needed. But what does this seemingly innocuous garment have to do with breast cancer rates rising to affect 1 out of 7 woman today?

What’s a bra got to do with it? ………..

Pic 1. The lymphatic system of the breast.

Pic 2. Side cut of the breast.

Pic 3. Breast cancer and corresponding lymph nodes.

Continue reading http://structuralevolution.org/blog/2009/08/03/bra-breast-cancer-link/

Samantha

http://www.wellnessnrecreation.com

BRAS AND BREAST CANCER
by Nguyen Phawk Yu, M.D.

For years, a lot of articles with regards to the causes of breast cancer point to an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise as the major links to this disease which happens to be the biggest killer among women during these last two decades.  These studies would have been almost credible if it were not for the fact that several women (including Linda McCartney) who have been religious vegetarians and exercise-freaks
have also been unfortunate in suffering breast cancer.  Perhaps the most convincing article I have ever read with regards to this matter, published in Chinese, is one which links breast cancer to the wearing
of bras.

In the “Bra and Breast Cancer Study” in the United States, it was discovered that women with breast cancer had a history of sporting tighter and longer bra-wearing than did the women who had not (yet) developed the disease. In fact, virtually all of the cancer group wore bras over 12 hours daily with 18% even sleeping with their bras which means they wore bras 24 hours daily. In contrast, the comparison groups had 25% of the women either bra-free or wearing bras less than 12 hours daily.  Only 3% of this group slept with their bras on. This study revealed a significant link between bras and breast cancer that is three times greater than the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer!

There was a 125 fold increase in breast cancer incidence between women who were bra-free and those who wore bras 24 hours daily. Wearing a bra over 12 hours daily conferred a 113 fold increase in breast cancer incidence!  Bras apply pressure to the breasts, especially to the lymphatic system.  The lymphatic system consists of tiny, thin-walled vessels that drain from the breast tissue, removing toxins, cell debris, cancer cells, viruses, bacteria, and other products from the breasts.  All of our tissues drain through the lymphatics,  which is essentially the circulatory pathway of the immune system.

However, unlike arteries and veins, these vessels have no internal pressure.  As a result, they are easily compressed by external pressure (a bra, for instance) leading to the congestion of the tissues that would otherwise have been drained.

When a woman wears a tight bra, she subjects her breasts to pressure, closing off the lymphatic pathway from the breast to the nodes. This causes fluid build-up, swelling, tenderness and cyst formation. Toxins must be flushed out via the lymphatics.  However, a bra-constricted breast cannot adequately perform this cleansing process, resulting in toxin accumulation in the breast.

Truthfully, bras are creating droopy, weak breasts…the breast relies on the bra for artificial support, the body loses its ability to support the breast by itself.  This is why many women feel uncomfortable without a bra.  What is the solution to breast cancer then? DON’T WEAR A TIGHT BRA!  And maybe sleep without them.  There is a remarkable success rate for recovery from fibrocystic breast disease within 10 days to two weeks of going bra-free. Many women have tried going bra-less and recorded a miraculous improvement in their health!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for your kind attention,

Nguyen Phawk Yu, M.D.

Sonia Sotomayor - who rose from the broken-glass streets of a city housing project to become the Supreme Court’s first Latina  Judge - says she’s just a “kid from the Bronx.” Sotomayor’s father died when she was 9. Her mother, Celina supported Sotomayor and her brother, now a doctor, by working at methadone clinics.

July 27, 2009

In his first major speech on higher education since taking responsibility for it under the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), Lord Mandelson today outlined his views on the essential issues facing universities ahead of an HE Framework on the future shape of the sector that he will publish later this year.

To an audience of university vice chancellors and representatives from across the HE sector, he emphasised the crucial role universities play in building a stronger UK economy and responded to some of the key challenges of social mobility raised in Alan Milburn’s report ‘Unleashing Aspiration’ on access to the professions published last week.

Continue reading http://www.bis.gov.uk/mandelson-universities-are-central-to-the-economy-and-social-mobility

Samantha

http://www.wellnessnrecreation.com

July 27 (Bloomberg) — Rob Valentine, the mayor of Hobart in Australia’s island state of Tasmania, says New Zealanders should be thankful their biggest earthquake in 78 years pushed the neighbors 30 centimeters (12 inches) closer.

“They’re just that little bit closer to paradise,” Valentine said. “As neighbors, we’re really close, we can work together to take on the rest of the world.”

The magnitude 7.8 quake on July 15, the strongest in the world this year, struck off New Zealand’s South Island, according to seismological monitor GeoNet. Hobart is the Australian city nearest to New Zealand, separated by 1,530 kilometers (951 miles) of water across the Tasman Sea.

Continue reading http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20670001&sid=aBPwQMzDUTHM

Samantha

http://www.wellnessnrecreation.com

On 7th July, 2007, George Town’s rich living heritage, culture and history was officially recognised when the World Heritage Committee in Quebec City, Canada, officially inscribed the city as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jointly listed with Melaka, George Town was acknowledged as having developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West in the Straits of Malacca.

The influences of Asia and Europe have endowed the town with a specific multicultural heritage that is both tangible and intangible. Featuring residential and commercial buildings, George Town represents the British era from the end of the 18th century.

The people of George Town and Penang are celebrating the 1st anniversary of World Heritage Listing throughout the month of July. The highlights are held on Saturday & Sunday 25-26 July.

Community groups are staging performances, arts and crafts this year. The streets and historic monuments are our theatre sets. The idea is to walk about the city from one alfresco performance to another.
Free admission to almost all the performances and venues.

25-7-2009 • Sabtu / Saturday

9.00am – 2.00pm Free Boat Ride - Lim Jetty, Weld Quay

9.00am – 11.30am “Street of Harmony” Heritage Walk “Street of Harmony” - Meet at Town Hall, Jalan Padang Kota Lama

9.00am – 5.00pm Penang Heritage Exhibition - INTI International College Penang, 1Z Jalan Bukit Jambul

10.00am – 5.00pm Food, Craft, Art & Music Festival - Dewan Sri Pinang, Lebuh Light

10.00am – 10.00pm Art International Festival (Art workshop, art forums & drama performance) - Town Hall & Wawasan Open University

11.00am – 7.00pm Exhibition on the Acheen Street Mosque History and Islamic Traditional Culture - Acheen Street Mosque, Lebuh Acheh

3.00pm – 5.00pm Gostan Forward a solo performance lecture by Marion D’Cruz - Penang Heritage Trust, 26 Lebuh Gereja

5.00pm – 10.00pm Food Stalls and Craft Demonstration - Islamic Museum Park, Lebuh Acheh

5.00pm – 7.00pm “Street of Harmony-Heritage Zone”

5.00pm – 9.00pm Hokkien Puppet Theatre - Cheah Kongsi, 8 Lebuh Armenian (Open House, 9.00am)

5.30pm – 9.30pm Teochew Opera - In front of Goddess of Mercy Temple, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling

5.00pm – 10.00pm Islamic Musical Performance - Acheen Street Mosque & 35 Lebuh Queen

5.00pm – 10.00pm Little Penang Street Market Craft and Food Corner of Little Penang Street Market - Lebuh Armenian

6.00pm – 10.00pm Open House - Meng Eng Soo Temple, Jalan Pintal Tali

6.30pm – 10.30pm Showcase of Teochew & Chinese Culture (Dragon Dance, 24 Seasonal Drum, Teochew Opera,Traditional Games, Chinese Dance & Teochew Delicacies) - Inside & in front of Teochew Association, 127 Lebuh Chulia

7.00pm – 10.00pm Indian Dance and Classical Music - Next to Kuil Arulmigu Mahamariamman, Lebuh Queen

8.00pm – 10.00pm Multi ethnic street performance - “Street of Harmony – Heritage Zone”

8.00pm – 10.30pm “Road to Dawn” Film Screening “Road to Dawn” - Penang Chinese Town Hall, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling

9.00pm – 10.30pm George Town Sebagai Tapak Warisan Dunia UNESCO Closing Ceremony of The 1st Anniversary George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site Celebration - Khoo Kongsi, Lebuh Cannon

26-7-2009 • Sunday

8.30am – 11.00am Chingay Competition - Jalan Padang Kota Lama

10.00am – 5.00pm Food, Craft, Art & Music Festival - Dewan Sri Pinang, Lebuh Light

10.00am – 10.00pm Art International Festival (Art workshop, art forums & art auction dinner) - Town Hall & E & O Hotel

10:00 am – 5:00pm Little Penang Street Market - Upper Penang Road
www.littlepenang.com.my

This will be our third anniversary and also part of Penang’s celebrations of the first anniversary of the World Heritage Site listing for Georgetown. So lots will be happening, including the usual fabulous range of more than 60 stalls showcasing all sorts of wonderful things, plus live performances and gallery presentations. There will be an emphasis on “Our Heritage, Our Future”, so part of our programme will see various children’s groups performing traditional and contemporary pieces.

10.30am Malay and Indian traditional dancing
11.30am A medley of Chin Woo and other dances
12.00pm Children from Sungai Pinang perform drama, dance and music
12.20pm Children from Kumpulan Warisan Jemari present a medley of Malay performances
12.30pm Children from YWCA presenting a medley of heritage dances
1.00pm Rozz and the Frequency
2.30pm Wayang Kulit at 2.30pm presented by the Bayu group
3.00pm Gostan Forward a solo performance lecture by Marion D’Cruz - Panggung Sasaran, USM

All events are supported by the Penang people, especially the local government MPPP and community organisations.
The photos here were taken by Khoo Salma at the previous year’s community celebrations.
The blog is put up by Namora Hadi Lubis.

YouTube links to see last year’s celebrations
UNESCO Walk of Unity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=200a-Hfzvus

WH Celebrations at the Hindu Temple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig5I6vgvHh8&feature=channel

Lion Dance Performance outside Yeap Temple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-pL4cx1ftQ&NR=1

For bilingual program of the World Heritage Celebrations and pdf file go to
http://georgetowncelebration.wordpress.com/

For more articles about George Town World Heritage Site, go to
http://igeorgetownpenang.com/

For more Penang Cultural Links go to
www.lestariheritage.net/penang/index.html

For books on George Town and Penang
www.arecabooks.com

George Town and Melaka, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1223

“… A unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.” - UNESCO

Citing “outstanding universal values” as the reasons for the inscription, UNESCO acknowledged the city as:

•     A remarkable example of historic colonial towns on the Straits of Malacca that demonstrate a succession of historical and cultural influences arising from their former function as trading ports linking East and West
•     The most complete surviving historic city centre on the Straits of Malacca with a multi-cultural living heritage originating from the trade routes from Great Britain and Europe through the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and the Malay Archipelago to China
•     An exceptional example of multi-cultural trading towns in East and Southeast Asia, forged from the mercantile and exchanges of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures and three successive European colonial powers for almost 500 years, each with its imprints on the architecture and urban form, technology and monumental art
•     A living testimony to the multi-cultural heritage and tradition of Asia, and European colonial influences
•     A reflection of a mixture of influences which have created a unique architechture, culture and townscape

Happy weekends

Samantha

http://www.wellnessnrecreation.com

The potential for a huge Pacific Ocean tsunami on the West Coast of America may be greater than previously thought, according to a new study of geological evidence along the Gulf of Alaska coast.

The new research suggests that future tsunamis could reach a scale far beyond that suffered in the tsunami generated by the great 1964 Alaskan…………

Continue reading

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Pacific_Tsunami_Threat_Greater_Than_Expected_999.html

Samantha

http://www.wellnessnrecreation.com