Probiotics is a term that refers to all types of beneficial/friendly bacteria residing in the human body. Good probiotics co-exist in a delicate balance with the harmful bacteria in our gastro-intestinal tract, interacting among each other in harmony. However, this balance is disturbed when we are under mental stress, have an unhealthy diet, are taking medication or under the attack from infectious disease.

As such, preserving the dominance of beneficial gut flora is one of the most crucial and sensible ways to protect and preserve our physical wellness.

The probiotics sold in the market today can be classified into 4 categories. They are:

1. Probiotics not subject to any coating process. Hence they are intolerant to heat (have to be refrigerated) as well as our stomach's gastric and bile acids. They also have a short shelf-life.

2.  Probiotics delivered in hard capsules. These probiotics are protected from heat and our stomach's acidic juices. However, the hard capsules do not dissolve readily and trap the probiotics inside. They also have a short shelf-life.

3. Probiotics in microcapsules made of gelatine have a longer shelf-life and a better tolerance to the hydrochloric acid in the gasric juice, but exhibit weak thermal stability. They can take up to 6 hours to dissolve before eventual elimination out of the digestive system.

4. Multicoated probiotics is a technology which envelope the probiotics in several layers of prebiotics (food source for probiotics, consisting of composite milk proteins, composite oligosaccharides and edible gum compound). The probiotics delivered in this manner will be able to survive and remain intact in the presence of gastric and bile juices, such that they could settle down and proliferate in the gastrointestinal tract to perform their immune modulation functions.

Shuang Hor Lactoberry is formulated using good probiotics belonging to the 4th category i.e. using the multi-coated technology. As such, it is very effective to deliver the intended benefits.

(Source: Shuang Hor Magazine November 2011, A Brief Account of Shuang Hor Lacto-Berry New Product Launching Roadshow Seminars)


Here are some Related Articles:

• Probiotics: Benefits And Important Features
• Unique Ingredients and Benefits of Lactoberry Probiotics

If you like to buy Shuang Hor Lactoberry probiotics, please email me at laifuiping@gmail.com.
Click here to refer to Shuang Hor company website for Product Description and Price.

Issues with our health can create other seemingly non-related health problems - like erectile dysfunction. This refers to the inability to sufficiently maintain an erection to have sex. Some of the causes include stress, tiredness, depression or relationship issues. Apart from mental and emotional issues, there are a number of physical causes for impotence.

Men with sexual problems of this nature include:

• smokers
• men with high cholesterol problems
• men with high blood pressure problems
• diabetics.

This article gives you a brief understanding of the main types of diabetes, together with the results of many experiments and researches that prove how ganoderma works to prevent as well as treat diabetes.



Our body's cells need sugar (glucose) as their energy source. The key to "open the door" to our cells is called Insulin (a hormone produced by beta-cells in the pancreas). When insulin in the blood is insufficient or when it cannot open the doors to the cells, glucose will stay in the blood, and in the long-run lead to diabetes. When beta-cells (the insulin production factory) die, the chance of new cells forming is relatively low. Therefore, it is crucial to keep the beta-cells alive for as long as possible so that a sufficient and stable amount of insulin can be produced to allow the glucose in our blood to be utilized.

Types of Diabetes

Diabetes is diagnosed when the fasting blood glucose value exceeds 130 mg/dl and postprandial blood glucose value exceeds 180 mg/dl.

1) Type I Diabetes - insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (congenital). Diagnosed in children aged 10 to 14 years old. Virus invasion, chemical medicine or autoimmunity are suspected to be possible causes. As their beta-cells are unable to produce insulin, diabetics are dependent on insulin supplementation for the rest of their lives.

2) Type II Diabetes - non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (maturity-onset or acquired). 90% of diabetics belong to this group. The majority is insulin resistant (insulin hormone becomes less effective at lowering blood sugars).

3) Gestational Diabetes - Diagnosed in about 2% to 3% of pregnant women. Normally, high blood glucose levels disappear after delivery, but women with gestational diabetes are prone to developing Type II Diabetes.

There is no cure for diabetes. The only way is to undertake prevention and control of diabetes. Dietary control is of paramount importance to ensure our blood glucose is maintained at the desired level. Reduce consumption of sweet desserts, starch and sweet fruits.

Creatinine is a waste product of metabolism in our body. It circulates in the blood to our kidneys for excretion through urine. However, if we have renal/kidney disfunction, the creatinine cannot be excreted. The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggest that when men and women have a creatinine level exceeding 2.0 and 1.5 mg/dl respectively, professional advice is required to prevent the occurrence of diabetes.

How Ganoderma Works to Prevent Diabetes : Protect Beta-Cells

Prof. Zhi-Bin Lin of Beijing Medical University published a report on the improvement of diabetes in mice fed with a homogeneous polysaccharide peptide of G. lucidum (GIPS). This provides a convincing evidence on the ability of ganoderma to maintain pancreatic function. Further, the beta-cells of mice fed with GIPS survive longer than mice in the control group. This means GIPS prolongs the lifespan of beta-cells and by doing so, prevents diabetes. GIPS has the ability to eliminate the free radicals that attack the beta-cells. In other words, ganoderma is potent in diabetes prevention.

A majority of researchers believe a treatment that lowers blood glucose and at the same time maintains insulin levels can be effective in controlling diabetes. Since GIPS has been shown to be effective in improving these 2 aspects, it has the potential to become an auxiliary medicine in diabetes treatment and prevention.



In other experiments conducted on mice and human clinical trials using a special strain of G. tsugae (YK-01), ganoderma is also proven effective in eliminating free radicals, prolonging the lifespan of beta-cells, lengthening the time for insulin production, and ensuring the stability of blood glucose levels.

A rule to note is the higher the dosage being used, the shorter the time it takes to see the effects.

How Ganoderma Works to Modulate Blood Glucose Level

Due to the inability of the body to modulate and control blood glucose levels, diabetic patients constantly feel hungry. But if they eat too much, they will have difficulty reducing their blood glucose levels.

In 1987, Japanese researchers conducted a "glucose tolerance test" and found that rats with high blood glucose that were given ganoderma hot-water extract had decreased levels of blood glucose and plasma insulin. This indicates that ganoderma hot-water extracts are effective in reducing excessive blood glucose and so contribute positively to control the disorder in blood glucose metabolism. However, only a high dosage will be effective.

How Ganoderma Works : Human Clinical Trials

In 2000, a clinical trial was conducted in Taichung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan that indicated that ganoderma acts to improve both "postprandial blood glucose" and the "life quality" of diabetic patients.

This clinical trial involved 46 voluntary diabetic patients with a medical history of diabetes of over 6 to 10 years. The participants were divided into 2 groups. 1 group was given a dose of 3 g ganoderma per day for 3 months. The other is a control group. The findings:

• The treated group had a decrease in postprandial blood glucose and no significant differences in the fasting blood glucose. The majority of Type II diabetic patients are able to control their fasting blood glucose after taking western medicines, but postprandial blood glucose is often difficult to control. In this respect, ganoderma can make up for the shortcomings of western medicine, as a supplementary treatment of diabetes.
• The treated group had a significant reduction in their systolic blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
• The treated group reported improvement in their quality of life compared to those in the control group.

Conclusion

Diabetes is a disease in which prevention is more vital than treatment. Ganoderma has been proven by scientific research to be effective both in prevention and as supplementary treatment.

It is important to highlight that the dosage for people with high blood glucose levels should be at least high enough to have a therapeutic effect. Continuous high dose administration over a 3-month period is recommended.

(Source: Ganoderma The Ultimate Herbal Medicine by Dr. Deng-Hai Chen, Chapter 5, Research into the Effects of Ganoderma in Chronic Disease)

Please email me at askfuiping@gmail.com if you wish to manage your high blood glucose level or diabetic problems using Yung Kien Ganoderma.

Click here to refer to Shuang Hor company website for Product Description and Price.

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by circulating blood on the walls of our blood vessels. There is pressure when the heart pumps blood throughout the whole body. It is influenced mainly by:

1) the heart
2) emotional stress
3) blood viscosity
4) elasticity of the blood vessels.

1. Ganoderma and Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)

Healthy human blood is a liquid with great fluidity. When the fluidity is poor, the heart must increase the strength of its contractions in order to force the blood around the whole body, resulting in a higher pressure.

Low blood fluidity arises from an increase in "blood viscosity", with the primary factor being higher level of "blood lipid" or "blood fat"; the chief components being cholesterol and triglyceride.

Our liver produces most of the circulating cholesterols and triglycerides in order to allow essential biochemical activities, such as energy provision and cell metabolism.

Unfortunately, due to our diet (increased meat consumption) and lack of exercise, there is an excess amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in our body, resulting in the development of Hyperlipidemia.

How Ganoderma Works

In 1989, Japanese researchers discovered that ganoderic acid B and C in an ex-vivo testing model could inhibit the formation and synthesis of cholesterols in hepatic cells in rats.

In 2004, Swiss researches used an animal testing model on hyperlipidemic mini-pigs and found that ganoderma effectively reduced total cholesterol by 20% and levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) by up to 27%. In 2005, the same Swiss research team discovered that the cholesterol-lowering mechanism of ganoderma was a result of ganoderma triterpenoids (ganoderic alcohol and ganoderic acid) inhibiting the bio-synthesis of cholesterols in the liver of the mini-pigs.

This means ganoderma triterpenoids could prevent the liver from producing an excess of cholesterol. Based on an analysis of ganoderma, these effective ganoderma triterpenoids are found to be rich in Yung Kien Ganoderma (belonging to a strain of G. tsugae).


2. Ganoderma and Thrombosis (formation of blood clots)

When there is a high level of fat in the blood, excess lipids will adhere to the surface of the arterial wall, accumulate and eventually result in arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). As the blood cannot run through these narrowed arteries smoothly, the heart will need to exert a higher pressure to push blood through, causing a rise in blood pressure.

If a piece of lipid sticks at a narrow point of the blood vessels, it will cause thromboembolism. Thrombosis at the heart is called Cardiovascular Thrombosis.
Thrombosis at the brain is called Cerebrovascular Thrombosis.

Another possible cause of arteriosclerosis is the aggregation of platelets. When injuries occur in the blood vessels, platelets gather at the site of injury and begin the repair process. The walls of the blood vessels then become thicker and narrower, thus blood flow become slower, causing high blood pressure.

How Ganoderma Works

Research at China Tongji Medical University showed that after taking 12 capsules of Yung Kien Ganoderma per day for 2 weeks, the rate of platelet aggregation was inhibited by up to 32%, and the dry weight of thrombus was reduced by more than 30%. Yung Kien Ganaoderma also reduces the size of thrombi in atherosclerotic patients.

In other words, ganoderma can improve the blood conditions of people with cerebral/cardiovascular diseases, increase blood fluidity and decrease the possibility of thrombus formation.


3. Ganoderma and Vascular Elasticity

As we age, our blood vessels are no longer as elastic and our heart has to increase its force of contraction. One important cause is sclerosis due to the over-accumulation of substances such as fats and cholesterol. The restoration of vascular elasticity is very important to control our blood pressure.

The function of the renin-angiotensin system is to maintain blood pressure in a normal state. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is an important enzyme in this system, which helps stimulate blood vessel contractions to help the human body adapt to environment changes such as temperature and also emotions. However, many hypertensive patients have a much higher ACE concentration than normal. Hence, inhibition of ACE activity is an effective way to reduce high blood pressure.

How Ganoderma Works

Experiments conducted in 1986 by Japanese researchers showed that the ganoderal A, ganoderols A, B and ganoderic acid B, C2, F, H, K and S were effective in inhibiting ACE activity. Such research provides scientific proof for the control of high blood pressure in patients taking ganoderma over long-term.

More Researches: Ganoderma and Hypertension

• In 1988, Japanese researchers from Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan found a significant drop in cholesterols and triglycerides in the blood of rats after administering them with ganoderma for 28 days. Blood pressure also decreased by more than 10 mmHg.
• In a 1985 human clinical trial, Japanese researchers from Surugadai Nihon University Hospital in Tokyo gave ganoderma hot-water extracts to 40 hypertensive patients with blood pressure of over 160 and 95 mmHg. After 6 months, 60% of the patients showed a decrease of 10 to 20 mmHg in blood pressure.

Greenzhi Toothpaste

Last Thursday

My throat feels scratchy during the day but gets worse at night. There is pain with each swallow of my saliva. Have difficulty sleeping. I was told swallowing Greenzhi Toothgel can sooth the inflammation and pain caused by the sore throat. Friends who have tried this method report that it's indeed very helpful. I've never knowingly swallowed toothpaste in my life. So I’m a bit apprehensive but rather desperate. After some ponderings – just do it! I went to the bathroom, took a glob of the green stuff and let it glide slo-owly down my throbbing throat. Hhmm.. tastes ok. Feels soothing.

Last Friday

Wonders of wonders, the sore throat is pretty much gone but now my nose is dripping. Yup, all the symptoms of a flu. I feel so tired. Have to force myself to get through both my appointments. There's an incredibly heavy downpour. I get caught in the rain 7 times scrambling in and out of my car running errands. My nose gets worse. I accumulate a huge pile of tissues during my dinner appointment. I increase my consumption of lingzhi and pollen before bed to strengthen my immune system. I put out the lights by 11.30 pm after accumulating another load of tissues. But I was woken up in the middle of the night because I can't breath. Miserable! Can't sleep well.

Last Saturday

I feel even worse today. My nose is like a broken tap - drip drip dripp drippp.. More tissues during my brunch appointment. My head feels so stuffed up that I get slightly disoriented while running my errands in MidValley. Another mountain of tissues while replying my emails. My nose is so itchy I keep sneezing. I have no energy to go to the gym. At night I have an appointment I can't miss. More tissues. I’m the first to call it a night. So worn out and my nose feels so raw. I keep up my remedy for flu – more lingzhi and pollen.

Sunday

Oh no oh no. It's the eve of Chinese New Year, and my nose is still stuffed up. I can make my way to the gym now, but have to blow my nose all through my workout. Amazingly, during the second half of the day, the numbers of tissues are fewer. I manage to get through the delicious family reunion dinner feast without disturbance from the drippy tap. Looks like my remedy for flu is working - it's going to be a great start to the new year after all.

Thean Hou Temple

Monday

Wake up early after a good night's sleep. No harassment from my nose at night. What a wonderful first day of Chinese New Year! Just 2 pieces of tissue to last me through breakfast, Thean Hou temple visit and lunch. No tissues at all the second half of the day, despite the awful scorching weather and 2 "intense" house visits. Just a bit of cough.

Tuesday

So there you have it. My shortest flu experience ever. No doctor, no medication, continue to enjoy all my food and drinks as usual (even more so, during this festive period), manage to keep all my appointments and yet my flu doesn’t linger on and on the way it always did. It's astounding. To me, it's a clear indication of my body's stronger ability to combat the flu virus. Which I attribute to my chosen remedy for flu - lingzhi and pollen.

Please email me at laifuiping@gmail.com for more info or if you want to get your supply of lingzhi and pollen.
Click here to refer to Shuang Hor company website for Product Description and Price.

My Dad has been suffering from sinus problem for as long as I can remember. It's almost "normal". Since young, I was so used to hear him sniffling every morning and during the day that I don't ask what's wrong anymore. That's just him. Whenever he woke up at night to go toilet, his nose would run and it would be 2 hours before he could fall back to sleep. A slight change of temperature would trigger the sinus. He would get my mum to make a basin of steaming water mixed with salt. Then he would put his head under a huge towel towards the steam from the basin in an effort to clear his nasal passage. It was only a temporary relief. He could never find any solution that is permanent, even from doctors and specialists.

About 12 years ago, he started practicing qi gong. He is an incredibly disciplined man. Every day, and I mean Every Single Day, come rain shine holiday or otherwise, he would be up in the wee hours of the morning to practice his qi gong. He claims that with all his consistent effort, his sinus problem is gradually being taken care of, which is great. I catch a cold and it's already a pain nursing my nose after 1 week. I simply cannot imagine being plagued by a drippy stuffy nose for years and years and years.

Anyway, he started taking Lingzhi (together with pollen) about 6 months ago, for another more pressing issue. You can read about it here - my Dad's leg allergy problem. So, it took care of his itchy legs and he was super pleased. He continued with the Lingzhi and Pollen after recovering from his problem, as he felt a noticeable increase in energy especially when he takes it before his qi gong.

I had the most wonderful news last night, during my family's Chinese New Year reunion dinner. Out of the blue, in the midst of our wonderful feast of sea cucumber, fish maw, soon hock fish, scallops, oysters, pig stomach soup etc etc, he said, "Eh, my sinus problem has cured. Do you think it has anything to do with Lingzhi? Or it could it be my qi gong?"

I asked, "How long have you been practicing qi gong?"
He said, "12 years."
I asked, "Is the sinus problem still there?"
He answered, "Yes."
I analysed, "And now after only a few months of taking Lingzhi, your sinus is cleared. So do you really need me to answer your question?"
He mused, "Yeah, well, I suppose they work well together."
I exclaimed, "Yes, definitely!"

That's one of the best angpau I could possibly get - hearing that my Dad's life-long sinus problem is finally no longer tormenting him. And the icing on the cake is the solution comes from a wonderful set of products I stumbled upon not too long ago - Lingzhi and Pollen.

I can be contacted at laifuiping@gmail.com for more info or if you want to buy Yung Kien Lingzhi and Pollen. Click here to refer to Shuang Hor company's website for Product Description and Price. I am an Authorized Distributor of the company.

GONG XI FA CAI!!

Restaurant Tanjung Bungah, SS2

The flavour of food is determined by many factors, including its taste, aroma, temperature, overall appearance and our physiological and psychological states, affecting the extent to which we perceive it to be delicious or otherwise - too sweet, too sour, too salty, too bitter or just perfect.

Since food plays a crucial role in our health and the fact that delicious food contributes to better digestion, it makes sense to improve the taste of our favourite dishes to help enhance our nutritional intake.

What do you use to enhance the flavors of your food? What about a flavor enhancer which not only tastes good but is safe and has many health benefits? Allow me to introduce to you Jia Hor Seasoning. This seasoning differentiates itself from common flavouring powders in that it is composed of a mix of ingredients that is an extract formulation of purely natural origin and works perfectly well for all sorts of dishes.

Taman Tun Indian rice

Special Features

1. Natural Composition
Jia Hor Seasoning is composed of many ingredients which cater to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian needs, and gives as many as 14 types of essential amino acids, rich amounts of vitamins B1 and B2, and a vast variety of minerals. So apart from enhancing the taste, it provides immense benefits to our health. It is a formulation of purely natural composition, and gives our dishes a mild, unique taste of sweetness that you simply cannot get from any flavouring product made from artificial ingredients.

2. Natural Taste
In place of the heavy tang from the gourmet powders sold in the market, Jia Hor Seasoning introduces a pleasant, mildly sweet taste that enhances rather than robs away the original flavor of what you cook.

Health-Giving Ingredients of Jia Hor Seasoning

1. Ganoderma Japonicum Extract
This rare herb contains amino acids that give a tantalizing sweet taste. Therefore, it makes an ideal ingredient for all forms of taste enhancer. It's health benefits are:

• Benefiting the meridian system of our body, or our vital qi energy
• Nourishing and invigorating the brain
• Tranquilizing the mind and calming the nerves
• Promoting blood flow
• Encouraging smooth urination
• Removing body toxins
• Reducing swelling
• Healing bronchitis and chronic hepatitis
• Regulating and strengthening kidney functions
• Elevating mental functions
• Lowering blood pressure
• Treating rheumatoid arthritis.

2. Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Extract
It contains more than 80 types of saponin and offers a rich base of amino acids, vitamins, minerals etc. According to research findings of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the overall nutritional value of Gynostemma Pentaphyllum is 3 times higher than that of Korean Ginseng.