Boosting Milk Supply for my toddler | English Tea Shop Mama Me and Ruaah Lactation Cookies Review

 

Now that I am working away from my family, it becomes a real challenge to adapt to the learning curve and home sickness. My youngest is almost 2 but he still enjoys taking breastmilk. It is difficult to maintain my pumping yield with him more than 200km away. I need to be really disciplined to continue providing him with the best nutrition.

The following tips are very important to maintain milk supply:

1. Deter stress. Stress is the No. 1 killer of breastmilk supply, especially in the neonatal period due to rising level of cortisol.

2. Consume enough calories with healthy food choices as breastfeeding burns about 500 calories a day.

3. Drink enough water- one of the easiest way is by placing a bottle in the diaper bag. Drink a glass after each nursing session.

English Tea Shop Mama Me

Sometimes drinking water gets a bit boring so I love to enjoy a hot cup of tea. However caffeine in the tea can be a bad idea as it is a diuretic which can dehydrate the body. Young babies can be sensitive to caffeine as well as they cannot break it down fast enough, leading to wide-eyed babies (not something mommies would want to go through!). Limit caffeine intake to 300 mg per day to avoid this.

English Tea Shop Mama Me is the perfect tea choice for breastfeeding mothers as it is caffeine-free tea hailed from Sri Lanka. I love its rich and balanced fruity flavour which is great to wind down before sleep. Each pack contains 20 sachet tea bags. Infuse a tea bag in a glass of boiled hot water for 3-5minutes then it's good to go! I don't add sugar to my tea as these are 'empty calories'.

As fans of Mother Nature, the English Tea Shop tea bags, boxes and outer packaging are fully compostable. The tea bags are staple free and sachets are recyclable.

The ingredients are

Organic cinnamon (39%)

Organic chamomile (19%): stress relieving properties

Organic fennel (13%): anti-depression, anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and galactagogue effect (tryptophan and phytoestrogens)

Organic beetroot (12%): an excellent source of iron, folate and manganese

Organic orange peels (7%): rich in fiber, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B6, calcium,polyphenols and limonene-- strengthens the immunity.

Organic nettle (6%): rich in calcium, iron and magnesium, relieves constipation, bloating and IBS, as well as increase pumping yield.

Organic blackcurrant (2%) and organic blueberries (2%): rich in antioxidants and vitamins

English Tea Shop Mama Me can be purchased on Shopee.

A great complement to my afternoon tea is none other than RUUAH Lactation Cookies. These delicious cookies are power packed with lactogenic ingredients, aka milk boosters. Proudly made in Malaysia, the lactation cookies also improve the quality of breastmilk. I often share them with my boys as they are crispy and rich in flavour.

The cookies are made of mostly organic ingredients such as :

Oats:  Tryptophan, Polysaccharides, and Saponins promote satiety and uplift mood.

Flax Seeds:  Contains phytoestrogens and essential fatty acids to boost the amount and quality of breast milk.

Dates: has tryptophan and nourishes the body post-birth

Brewer’s Yeast: rich in B vitamins, iron, protein, chromium and selenium

Chia Seeds:  high in fibre, protein, calcium and magnesium

Virgin Coconut Oil: Has Lauric Acid and Capric Acid

Fennel Seeds

I got my RUUAH Lactation Cookies from https://ruuah.com/

What does Dr Yingzangel think? 

Despite practising the above, milk supply inevitably plummages at times.

What did I do to pick up the yield again?

Extra pumping sessions and empty the breasts after baby feeds (up to 2 hourly initially) following the demand and supply concept. 

Double pumping when baby is napping after 20minutes of rest with hydration for 24 to 48 hours.

Most importantly, enjoy the process! Before you know it, the baby will grow up and out of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a natural and beautiful way to connect with our babies, such precious experience that I would not trade it for any other thing. 

Teeth Whitening Whitekish Review

 

Everyone wishes to have a mouthful of white teeth and fresh breath to show off when we have a good laugh. It makes us feel more confident. However not everyone is born with white teeth as some teeth can be naturally yellowish in colour. Certain practices such as the beverage we drink (too much wine, coffee and tea can stain the teeth yellow), poor dental hygiene and smoking (nicotine can stain the teeth and fingers!) can stain the teeth. Teeth also gets stained over the years as we age.

How do we maintain that white teeth?

Make sure we have good dental care by brushing with fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day, and flossing daily to remove food residues to avoid plaque buildup. I would like to bust a myth here-- brushing straight after food is NOT the way to go. Wait at least 30minutes especially after acidic food or drinks as brushing with acid can remove the enamel, hence damaging the teeth and make them appear more yellowish. Including food such as apples, pears, celery, carrots, cauliflower and cucumbers  into the diet to clean the teeth and eliminate bacterial load in the mouth. Taking your favourite beverage using a straw may also help.

If these are not enough, there are 3 main ways to whiten your teeth, namely home whitening treatment, professional teeth whitening and laser whitening. Treatment options in the dental clinic may include scaling/professional cleaning, bleaching and veneers/bonding for damaged teeth.

Teeth stains can be divided into extrinsic (attached to the enamel), intrinsic (stained dentine which is underneath the enamel), ageing (causing thinner enamel and darker dentine due to wear and tear). So you can imagine most home treatment options will only work for extrinsic stains. Options include whitening toothpaste, pen, gel and strip which commonly contain peroxide, when used may cause teeth sensitivity, sore throat and gum discomfort that is usually self limiting. 

Recent trend on social media boasts charcoal teeth whitening with people brushing their teeth using activated charcoal to regain that white teeth. Activated charcoal is usually derived from coconut shells, bone char, peat, petroleum coke, and coal. It’s created by heating up charcoal using a gas that creates large pores in the mineral which trap chemicals for medicinal use. Activated charcoal is odourless and tasteless but black. The pores bind to the rough parts on the teeth, particularly the food particles, plaque and stains, with the help of gentle brushing, remove extrinsic stains.

But be careful, not every charcoal whitening method is safe and effective. Certain activated charcoal is simply too abrasive and can erode the enamel, causing dentine to be exposed, teeth sensitivity and irreversible damage to the teeth. Avoid charcoal whitening if there is a wound, cut or abrasion in the mouth due to the abrasiveness. Certain products in the market also contains bentonite clay which is high in lead. However it is safe for ingestion and is in fact used to reduce bloatedness and diarrhoea. There is a possibility some people may have mild irritation on the skin or eyes when exposed to activated charcoal-- symptoms should resolve with rinsing.  

In fact I have tried Whitekish Magic Charcoal by JamuMall for the past 2 weeks. It contains activated charcoal made from coconut shell. Importantly Whitekish is approved by the Ministry of Health as a beauty product. Laboratory testing shows that Whitekish does not contain heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, nor mould and bacteria. 

How I use Whitekish?

1. Mix some activated charcoal with water into a thick paste.

2. Apply the paste directly into the teeth.

3. Avoid rubbing the paste onto the teeth as it can be too abrasive.

4. Leave the paste on for 3 minutes.

5. Thoroughly rinse the mouth.

6. Brush gently using soft bristle toothbrush (do not be too harsh to avoid removing the enamel)

7. Use once a day in the first week then twice a week afterwards.

The label says brush using Whitekish twice a day during the first week and twice a week afterwards. For me, I prefer the method above as my teeth are already sensitive to start with. Other times I will recommend using a fluoridated toothpaste as Whitekish does not contain fluoride which is important for strong teeth, can prevent or even reverse dental decay. Fluoride (from water or toothpaste), when mixed in the calcium and phosphate in our saliva, forms fluoroapatite, which is the key defense against cavities. 

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

My teeth are naturally yellowish and I am embarrassed. I have tried many whitening products. Honestly none worked well until I tried Whitekish. 

This is my before and after photos just after a single use.

Whitekish is an affordable, safe and effective way to remove extrinsic stains on our teeth, as well as eliminating mouth odour. However, it is important to use it in moderation following the advice above to avoid eroding the enamel. 

Disclaimer: the opinion given is merely a personal experience and does not constitute formal medical advice. Please seek your medical professional's advice before any complementary therapy. Always ask for certified professionals before proceeding with treatment and stop if discomfort or side effect ensues.

Gombak Cowboy Cafe Food Review

We have always wanted to try dining in the river at BBQ Lamb KL Kemensah. But we never got the chance to and the pandemic hit.

So I was really eager to dine at Gombak Cowboy Cafe which is Mr Zainuddin's second branch!

It's a girl's night out! (But my girls were too shy to be featured in the blog). Gombak Cowboy Cafe is just within the compound of Gombak Horse Riding Club. It is conveniently located just next to the IIUM Gombak campus. However just be a bit careful-- the immediate left turnoff just before reaching the Gombak toll because I was too busy chitchatting until I had to brave the road block just before the toll and u-turned LOL.

Gombak Cowboy Cafe
FB page
IG
Address
Lot 5639 Jalan Sungai Pusu Kampong Sungai Pusu 53100 Kampong Gombak Utara, Selangor, Malaysia

A mandatory pose at the entrance. Absolutely instagrammable.

We were greeted by a ranch. We were mesmerised by the friendly horses and the Wild Wild West feeling of the cafe. Mr Zainuddin as the proud owner runs the cafe as a family business. His children all help out and make their customers feel at home.

Me having a conversation with the horse. The horse actually wanted my patting!

Saying hello from a cowboy town. My boys will love this place!

Unlike BBQ KL Kemensah which specializes more in smoking and grilling meat, Gombak Cowboy Cafe is all about Western cuisine with a Malaysian touch. Don't worry about dining near a ranch, the place is so well kept that there was no gamey scent!

Appetizer- Baby Spinach Salad

Fresh and crispy baby spinach leaves with halved cherries tomatoes, preserved raspberries, oats, pumpkin drizzled with sweet balsamic vinegar. Just the way I enjoy it!

Main 1

Grilled chicken thigh marinated in turmeric and honey, served with coleslaw, lettuce and wedges. The chicken was succulent yet the skin so crispy that there was no fat left. The potato wedges were coated with a layer of flour and mix of herbs. The thick black pepper and mushroom sauce complemented the dish well.

Main 2

Smoked duck burger. I could not believe it when Mr Zainuddin told me he smokes his own duck breasts. The thick slices were juicy, aromatic without the thick skin associated with most commercially available smoked duck. The burger buns were light and lightly toasted with a layer of butter, sandwiching a generous portion of smoked duck slices, onion rings and lettuce. And we could not stop enjoying the potato wedges and the coleslaw.

Main 3

The star of the day was none other than the lamb shank! It had a unique presentation-- akin to a tropical island surrounded by rich and creamy caramel sauce, roast potatoes and coleslaw. The lamb shank was tender without the gamey smell. The portion was enough to feed 2 adults easily.

Drinks

Pineapple Mango Fizzy- the flavours complemented each other very well and the soda was such a great thirst quencher.

Blackcurrant Fizzy-- Loving the colour contrast between maroon and transparent soda water. Surprisngly soothing to the throat and just had the right amount of sweetness.

Mojito-- this is a nonalcoholic version of mint, lime and carbonated water on rock. Very refreshing and great to compliment the carnivorous mains!

Our verdict

Atmosphere 8/10
Taste 8/10
Presentation 8/10
Customer service 8/10
Value for money 9/10

We were extremely satisfied and were already planning for our next trip-- perhaps also to Kemensah with my family when the CMCO is over?

Anti-ageing diet | Eternelle International Review

 Being in my mid 30s, I really feel the slump after the occasional night out. In fact I can barely stay awake past 10.30pm. Sometimes I have knee pains as well after some workout. Age is catching up fast. Luckily one of our best defense against ageing is a healthy diet. 

Many think they do not need to focus on nutrition as much as they get older. Some simply survive on a tea and biscuit diet. In order to embrace healthy ageing, we need to fuel ourselves up with 30kcal/kg/day and 1.2g/kg protein a day! (Assuming normal body weight). Don’t forget to choose healthy and carbohydrates with low glycemic index (think multigrain and whole meal), ditch that added sugar, red meat, processed meat and saturated animal fat. Besides that ensure 3 servings of vegetables and fruits respectively following the Suku Suku Separuh concept. Don’t forget to drink 30ml/kg/day of fluids as well. 

If you are a busy person like me, I do supplement my diet to maintain my energy level and youthful appearance. Eternelle International is a great anti-ageing product. Formulated in Korea and produced in Malaysia, each sachet contains collagen peptides and N-Acétylglucosamine (NAG).

1) GreenNag is a naturally occurring precursor of hyaluronic acid, also abundant in breast milk. It boosts collagen production which helps to maintain skin elasticity, faint wrinkles  and boost skin hydration. Besides that it lubricates joints and slow down the ageing process. 

2) Collagen Peptides Optima are premium collagen peptides hailed from Korea. It is formulated to enable better absorption into the blood stream and tissues without getting broken down by the gut. The average molecular sizes are 500 da.  Extracted 100% from fish scales, it is Clinically proven to increase skin flexibility & elasticity in 2-4 weeks.

Other active ingredients include

Hyaluronic acid- makes up collagen in our body, important for healthy skin, hair, joints and bones.

Yeast derived L glutathione -- this is a atrong antioxidant that prevents ageing related changes in cells

Milk thistle extract is proven to help people with fatty liver problems, especially if scarring has already happened in the liver

Bilberry, branberry and grape seed extract, Peach and strawberry powder, Multivitamin  - these fruits contain many vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants essential for health

Fibersol- contains fiber that can supplement dietary intake in order to help with constipation

Please do always lookout for certifications for any type of supplements that you plan to start. I am happt to know that Eternelle International is manufactured and certified with HACCP, GMP, Food safety ISO22000, SGS Heavy Metal & Microbiology Tested. This ensures quality and safety of the product. 

More about the research behind Eternelle can be found here.

https://www.eternelleintl.com/studies

Consume 1-2 sachets a day in the morning on empty stomach- pour directly into the mouth then rinse your mouth with water (I prefer to mix the powder in cooled water instead). 

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

The individually packed sachets are easy to travel with. I usually just bring a sachet to work everyday as I usually arrive early before breakfast to beat the jam. I love how neutral the taste is. If you do not like to take the powder on its own, you can add it to plain water or your morning beverage. With any supplements, please always consult your health professionals before starting- as it may still interact with other prescribed medications. be very careful if you already have chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, kidney and liver dieases. 

No matter what supplements you have decided to try, do remember that there is no shortcut to health. A balanced diet and sufficient physical activity are still the key to maintain health, no matter your age.

For those who are interested to try-->

Use the code dryingzangel to get free shipping for the whole Malaysia and Singapore (for 1 year)!

Website : www.eternelleintl.com

FB page : facebook.com/eternelleintl

Instagram: @eternelleintl

Disclaimer: the opinion given is merely a personal experience and does not constitute formal medical advice. Please seek your medical professional's advice before any complementary therapy. Always ask for certified professionals before proceeding with treatment and stop if discomfort or side effect ensues.

Be In Control In 4 Weeks With Glucerna

I am very honoured to be involved in this program. Do you know that 1 in 3 Malaysians run the lifetime risk of getting diabetes mellitus (DM)? The figure is only going to soar as we face the obesity pandemic-- staying at home during this period is not helping either. 

 

Having a strong family history of DM, I knew I have 67% risk of getting DM. So I always try my best to maintain a healthy lifestyle. On the odd day, I will still have a few cheat days. But I did not expect the bad news to come so early. During my second pregnancy, I was diagnosed with Gestational DM. Read more about GDM here.

 

I felt really depressed and started with calorie counting and carbohydrate restriction. I also tried to become more physically active by increasing my level of incidental activity such as walking up the stairs instead of taking the lift. However my sugar control was still going downhill and never recovered even after delivery-- I was confirmed to have prediabetes.  Being a doctor, I probably have too much exposure about how detrimental even prediabetes can be. It practically makes the immune system weak and raises the risk of kidney problem, stroke and heart attack much higher than normal healthy population. Good sugar control is essential at all times, especially when a person is first diagnosed as our body develops memory and makes maladaptation to persistently high blood sugar levels.  Sometimes it gets really frustrating, not able to enjoy my food as much, especially during festivities. 

 

Prediabetes usually does not require medications but the risk of becoming overtly diabetic is at about 30% each year. I was aware that meal replacement can be useful in achieving better sugar control and can help weight management. I do recommend my patients to try meal replacement especially if they are overweight/obese. And now I am also giving it a go!

 

Glucerna® by Abbott is a diabetes-specific formula (DSF), which is a complete and balanced nutritional supplement formulated for people with diabetes or prediabetes. If you read more about diabetic diet, you will soon realise that carbohydrate counting and restriction is one of the keys. Choosing the correct carbohydrate-- ie those with low glycemic index (GI) which only release carbohydrate slowly into the bloodstream. The concept of suku suku separuh (fill your plate with a quarter of carbo, a quarter of lean protein and half of vegetables/fruits). Portion control is therefore also important. Gaining enough nutrition can be tricky for diabetics but it can be done easily when we are empowered by the knowledge to have a balanced diet with the help of DSF.

 

Wondering about the science behind Glucerna® ? The keywords are myo-inositol and slow release carbohydrate system which makes the body more sensitive to insulin by increasing GLP-1 levels (an important hormone lacking in DM), hence lowering blood glucose. The new Glucerna contains 4 times higher myo-inositol! Other active ingredients like Omega 3, 6 and 9 are vital for heart's health, as well as dual fiber blend of soluble fibers which relieves constipation and indigestion. Besides that 28 vitamins and minerals are also found in Glucerna with 35% higher folate and 56% higher iron levels which are essential for ladies with gestational diabetes.

 

Even if you don't like milk, Glucerna® is still an excellent choice because it comes in many flavours like vanilla, chocolate and the newest flavour, wheat and if you like, add some coffee powder/espresso shot and voila, it becomes so palatable. As Glucerna® is lactose free, us Asians do not have to worry about bloating and diarrhoea as many of us are lactose intolerant. 

 

Glucerna®  can also be used in cooking-- I sometimes substitute it instead of using coconut milk in puddings and curries. Combining it with oats also works well. If you like cold food, freeze Glucerna® with cut fruits into icicles! Remember to always combine meal replacement with healthy diet and exercises!

 

How is meal replacement done? This is the recommended guideline: 

 

UNDERWEIGHT: BMI <18kg/m2

● 2 SERVINGS A DAY TO SUPPLEMENT DIET

Eg. morning snack and supper supplement

 

NORMAL WEIGHT: BMI 18 — 23kg/m2 ( I am in this category)

● 1 SERVING A DAY AS PARTIAL MEAL REPLACEMENT

Eg. breakfast supplement

 

OVERWEIGHT: BMI >23kg/m2

● 2 SERVINGS A DAY AS MEAL REPLACEMENT

Eg. breakfast and snack replacement

 

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

 

I felt discouraged at times in my journey of getting good sugar control. After 4 weeks of  Glucerna® meal replacement program, the fluctuation of blood sugar level has fortunately plateaued so I feel so much more empowered and in control now. The main problem I face was a rise in blood sugar level after meals as my body cannot respond adequately to secrete enough insulin. Meal replacement also works well by reducing the total amount of calories consumed in a meal. Remember to cut down other food intake especially carbohydrates when you are on meal replacement therapy or else there can be weight gain (total caloric intake exceeds total energy expenditure). As a Doctor myself, I will still ensure I do my regular check-up because this is where I can review my medication and nutritional intake and evaluate if it is working. One must always be aware of what we put in our body. 

 

Want to change for the better? Request samples at Glucerna webpage, or even make your purchase online at Lazada & Shopee official store now!

 

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To understand how other fellow Malaysians are living with diabetes: 

 

Abbott conducted an online survey from 2-12 October 2020 to find out more about people with diabetes in Malaysia and how they are managing their condition, including how they are making daily decisions about their food and nutrition. The survey aimed to identify areas that people with diabetes struggled with the most, with a focus on understanding areas that can be better supported.

 

● A total of 158 Malaysian residents with diabetes participated in the survey, comprising a mix of genders and ethnicity. Among the respondents, 24.7% provided feedback with the help of a caregiver, which was allowed to enable less tech-savvy people with diabetes to also participate.

 

● The respondents mainly indicated that they had been diagnosed with diabetes for:

o 3-5 years (34.8%)

o Less than 3 years (19%)

o 6-8 years (17.7%)

 

● The respondents were mainly aged:

o 50-59 years (28.6%)

o 40-49 years (22.9%)

o 30-39 years (22.3%)

 

● Most respondents reported going for follow-ups at a frequency of:

o Every 4-6 months (48.7%),

o Every 3 months (25.3%)

o Do not go for follow-ups (12%)

 

● Most respondents has recorded a latest HbA1c reading of:

o Within 6.5-7.0% (51.3%)

o Within 7.1-8.0% (26.6%)

o Below 6.5% (12.7%)

 

 

● The HbA1c readings were mainly steady, with respondents reporting that they were:

o Showing no change in trend (55.1%)

o Trending upwards (17.1%)

o Trending downwards (13.9%)

 

 

● When asked about how diabetes impacted their lives, the respondents indicated that they were struggling, agreeing (strongly agree, agree or somewhat agree) to the following statements in the indicated percentages.

o I feel that diabetes controls my life (96.2%)

o I feel that managing diabetes is taking up too much of my mental and physical energy every day (95.6%)

o I feel overwhelmed by the demands of living with diabetes (94.3%)

o I feel that I am often failing with my diabetes routine (92.4%)

o I do not feel confident in my day-to-day ability to manage diabetes (91.8%)

o I feel angry, scared and/or depressed when I think about living with diabetes (90.5%)

o I feel that I am not sticking closely enough to a good meal plan (90.5%)

 

● Nevertheless, 58.2% of respondents still felt they were managing diabetes very well or quite well.

 

● The respondents indicated that fitness and diet management factors were among the key stressors in their diabetes management, saying that the following activities were stressful (very or slightly stressful):

o Achieving or maintaining a healthy weight (74.7%)

o Daily carbohydrate or calorie counting (73.4%)

o Management of emotions (72.2%)

o Reducing or giving up favourite foods and drinks due to unsuitability (72.2%)

o Following a diet suitable for people with diabetes (71.5%)

o Regular exercise (70.9%)

Eco Beauty Squad Interview

Warning. Long post ahead! Thanks @thefaceshopmalaysia for selecting me to tell my story about content creation! Of course, @venicemin and @fishmeatdie are my awesome mentors this round.

About Yourself

1. What are the biggest and most life-changing milestone/s and/or achievements of your life?

 

Being able to undergo undergraduate training in Melbourne on a scholarship was definitely the life changing moment for me. I am the only child and had not lived away from my family until I turned 20. It was not easy fitting in a completely new environment, struggling to understand the culture and the peculiar Oz accent. I was not used to having cold milk and salad for lunch. Neither was I familiar with the way people socialized. But I was glad to have the support from my fellow uni mates. We explored mundane day to day activities together. We also travelled a lot-- from there I really learnt to be open minded and to assimilate different culture. This included my first and last time bungee jumping as well as visiting a hot spring while surrounded by first snow. I also met my then bf now husband there. 

I was also fortunate to be offered an opportunity to attach to one the most prestigious health facility in London. I was alone for 2 months. But the experience was one of a lifetime. Till to day, my values and approach to managing patients are still very much shaped by these experiences. My husband and my outlook in life is to dream big and work hard towards our goals-- dare to be different and shine. We encourage our children to do the same.

 

2. Why do you think it's important for you to share your life's stories/experiences with others?

The more I progress in my career, the more humble I am by the vast amount of knowledge and experience each expert has. So I believe that I have to share my knowledge to others' benefit as well. It is very important to keep the mind sharp -- at least learn a new thing everyday. I am learning to become an expert doctor in the care of older adults-- therefore, keep updating our mental faculty remains the most vital way of preventing cognitive impairment. This includes being creative when producing new content. Why do I share mainly on social media? Because that is where most people are getting their information from and one of the most effective ways of passing the message I want to convey about loving life. I try to share some tips about healthy living in each of my posts for example. And I like people to see how an independent woman like me can juggle between work and family-- hopefully to inspire other young mothers and to build a supportive community to share our joy and challenges. 

 

3. What does it mean for you to be bold and "dare to be"?

Confidence definitely comes from knowledge and experience. To explore, to see, to feel and to able to relate to every moment in life. And to reflect on my life so I can be better and stronger everyday. When I am confident, I automatically put on that smile and look. I do pay attention to my physical appearance as well because that is a way to showcase my boldness and character. As I am in a leadership position at my workplace, I need that energy and assertiveness to bring my team to another level to provide consistent and quality patient centered care. 

 

It is very important to voice out opinions even if it is clearly different from others. I do encourage my team to brainstorm and provide ideas as well for each patient as every team member sees the case from a different perspective and is able to give constructive input. To me 'dare to be' means being able give and accept constructive feedbacks as well as to learn from mistakes for self improvement. 

4. What do you think sets you apart from other participants?

As a fulltime working physician, I enjoy showcasing my medical knowledge and incorporate them into skincare and beauty. After all, any good skincare regime is futile without healthy lifestyle because it does not stem from within. To maintain good skin health, fundamental things like adequate hydration, avoid smoking, a balanced diet and active lifestyle are the basis-- but it is still not being emphasized enough. And this becomes even more important as people ages. 

5. If you had the power to change the world today, what would you do?

The world is becoming less healthy-- both physically and mentally. Due to the current pandemic, many has become even more sedentary by working from home, and getting daily necessities d elivered to doorstep. This means a huge loss in the level of incidental activity. People who have no means to maintain social connectedness, especially those who are underprivileged (the poor and the old), their routines get disrupted, they may lose the means to be able to fend for themselves and make a living . Frail older people are particularly vulnerable when they become home bound.

We may not be able to curb the transmission over the short term but I believe everyone needs to come together as one, to embrace the new normal,  stop the chain of transmission, while at the same time, be mindful of those who are being disadvantaged and still find means to reach out --- even if it is as simple as helping to set up video call for an elderly to contact their loved ones. 

As a single person, I will not be able to reach out to everyone. But to bring about the awareness to more people using my social media handles-- so everyone can do their part in keeping our society together and healthy. 

Your Experience of the Campaign

1. Why did you decide to take part in this campaign? 

2. 

I have always been interested in content creation. I see this campaign as a leaping ground for me to get first hand information and knowledge how to revolutionize my love for sharing and to really get the message across to my followers. Getting accepted and being able to join the top 55 contestants mean a lot to me. It is an acknowledgment to my dedication in producing quality contents. It has also become a source of motivation for me to carry on. 

 

2. What are some of the key things you have learnt thus far in this campaign?

[Talk about key learnings, share exciting experience, what have you applied from the workshops so far]

 

It has been an educational journey. I have learnt how to position myself in the world of content creation, how to produce quality content that will attract engagement including the story I want to tell, the angle, the lighting, the editing as well as the focus. Anyone can post on social media but whether the post will resonate with others depends on how sincere and how others can relate to the post. As people tend to scroll through contents, the first impression of the posts become the determining factor of whether your readers will invest interest. 

3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I will complete my subspecialty training in geriatrics after 3 years. By then I am hoping to promote healthy living as well as healthy aging. I want to build a supportive online community who continues to make important conversations and to live healthily. And of course become an inspiration to those around them. As I become older, I want to live by example and prove I can still be youthful and beautiful. 

I am also hoping to let the older generation know-- becoming old is not an excuse to stop learning or to live healthily. In fact they should treasure and maintain their level of independence. The Eco Beauty Squad campaign has definitely improved my skills at content creation-- to portray the ability to shine through natural beauty using healthy lifestyle, aided by suitable skincare products.

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#yingzangel

#EcoBeautySquadMY #THEFACESHOPMalaysia #Belifmalaysia#beauty #everydaymakeup #makeup #beautiful #fashion #naturalmakeup #instagood #dailyofficeoutfit #officefashion #officeoutfit #workingwoman #picoftheday #workwear #fashion #workwearstyle #ootd #style #makeupartistkl

Is collagen supplementation worth the hype? | Vii Nutrition Sakura Collagen Review

 I have tried many collagen supplements but believe me, I am choosy when it comes to what to consume. I will show you why and how to pick the right product off the shelf.

40 years down the road, this is what face app think I will look like without me doing anything to slow the skin aging process. I think this looks fairly graceful but I definitely don't mind having less wrinkles :p

Collagen is abundant in human and animal connective tissue as the secret ingredient which makes skin elastic, joints lubricated and bones strong. With ageing, collagen production diminishes. So supplementing diet rich in collagen sounds like the way to go-- but most are quickly broken down during digestion, so how can any of this be true? Therefore, only certain collagen preparations work such as hydrolyzed collagen and collagen with enteric coating to withstand stomach acid to allow most of the protein molecules to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Always find out the exact ingredients in what you take. Make sure they are natural and produced by reputable source. I always research the products before purchase using reliable search engine like SFA.

In my constant quest for safe and effective collagen supplement, I have been taking Sakura collagen for a month now.

What is in Sakura Collagen by Vii Nutrition?

Patented Verisol® collagen peptide is the pioneer in the market developed by Gelita, the world's leading collagen manufacturer from Germany. . A unique membrane coating technology is used to prevent breakdown by the digestive system to allow the collagen to be absorbed by the body and gets delivered to its target site (underneath the skin, in the joints and bones). Verisol® also lasts for 192-hours - far exceeding the standard collagen peptide's at 8-hours.

Patented sakura extract is derived from hand-picked fresh petals within the "golden seven days" of its bloom. It contains two main active ingredients Caffeoyl Glucose and Quercetin Glucose. These are potent antioxidants to prevent premature skin aging and are able to stimulate skin cells from producing more collagen. As an anti-glycation agent, sakura extract also inhibits melanin formation to reduce skin tanning. Japanese Yuzu extract helps skin cell renewal and protects the stability of collagen. At the same time, Roselle extract is also rich in antioxidants.

Besides that, Vii Nutrition have also established a collaboration with Fitoplancton Marino - a world leading Spain-based company producing marine microalgae called TetraSOD® which forms the backbone of Vii Nutrition’s MA+ product. All Vii Nutrition products undergoes vigorous Pro Nutri Technology (PNT) Research, partnering with local scientists in both UPM and University of Malaysia Sabah. Therefore, the product quality is assured by multiple certifications such as GMP, MESTI, Halal, as well as ISO 9001.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

Preliminary research suggests that collagen supplements are safe and effective to improve the health of skin and joints. But be cautious because the Ministry of Health does not regulate supplements, making it impossible to know if the supplement really matches what’s on the label. Therefore, choose brands that use third party testing, like NeoCell, rather than generic brands. Be vigilant and do not believe extreme claims-- especially in the ability to reverse aging, effects of unhealthy lifestyle, diet and previous smoking, as well as excessive UV exposure.

Disclaimer: the opinion given is merely a personal experience and does not constitute formal medical advice. Please seek your medical professional's advice before any complementary therapy. Always ask for certified professionals before proceeding with supplementation and stop if discomfort or side effect ensues.

Vii Nutrition Official Website
https://www.viinutrition.com/