Beat chronic diseases
APART from healthy eating habits and regular exercise, there are other lifestyle factors that we sometimes unconsciously do which can ruin our health. According to a survey done by the Ministry of Health, a startling 73% of deaths among Malaysians were due to non-communicable diseases (NCD).
Also known as chronic diseases, NCDs tend to last for longer periods of time and progress slowly. A combination of genetic, physiological, lifestyle and environmental factors can cause NCDs. Some of the most common NCDs include cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease.
The major culprits of an unhealthy lifestyle contributing to NCDs are:
1) Lack of sleep can cause an increase in hunger and appetite, and cravings for high-fat, highcarbohydrate foods. High-carb foods can give you quick energy, but after a while, they can leave you feeling down. Sleep loss can also contribute to weight gain by making you feel too tired to exercise.
2) Too much stress can seriously damage your health and body. It can cause insomnia, changes in hormone levels, raise blood pressure or trigger negative mood swings.
3) Alcohol consumption, especially when heavy, affects health. Drinking alcohol regularly can disrupt your immune system and increase your risk of liver damage.
4) Unhealthy eating habits such as fast food or take-out for dinner or stress-eating chips and chocolate can lead to higher intake of sugar, salt and fat, which in turn increases your risk of chronic diseases.
5) Lack of physical activity or leading a sedentary lifestyle can cause unnecessary weight gain and increase the risk of health conditions such as heart diseases.
What you can do to optimise your health
All it takes is to engage in a healthy, active lifestyle and avoid the five unhealthy habits above. A balanced diet should always be the first thing you look for to ensure you’re meeting your body’s nutritional requirements.
Many people struggle to eat a healthy balanced diet. This can lead to inadequate intake of essential micronutrients which the body needs to function properly.
Choline is one of the essential nutrients required for optimal body function. It is needed to make fats that support the structural integrity of cell membranes.
It is also essential for making a substance required for transporting cholesterol from the liver. The nervous system needs choline to make acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter.
Although your liver can produce small amounts of choline, mostly as phosphatidylcholine, but the amount that the body naturally synthesises is not sufficient to meet the daily needs. As a result, choline should be obtained from the diet.
Dietary choline is typically found in the form of phosphatidylcholine. Eggs, organ meats, pumpkin, cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli are some options to boost choline intake.
If you find it challenging to consume adequate amounts of choline from your diet, you can consider taking a nutritional supplement to help fill the nutritional gap for optimal health.
Seven Seas Livopro is specially formulated with a 3-in-1 combination of phosphatidylcholine, vitamin Bs and vitamin E to support your lifestyle.
Phosphatidylcholine repairs damaged cells to keep cell membranes healthy, while vitamin Bs help the body to convert food into energy.
Vitamin E supports cellular health by helping to protect cells from free radicals damage in the body, often caused by stress, exposure to pollution, smoking, alcohol and fried foods.
A balanced diet should always be the first thing you look for to ensure you’re meeting your body’s nutritional requirements.
This article is a supplement product advertisement brought to you by Merck, one of the leading science and technology company. The information contained in this supplement is supported by independent and/or scientific references which are available upon request.
■ For more information, contact 03-7494 3688 or e-mail ch.my@merckgroup.com. KKLIU No.2355/2018 MYS-7SE-1809-0172a