Health & Living

To most Malaysians, halal means no pork and alcohol. But the true meaning of it goes beyond that and could extend to better health, a larger market and more respect. Hajjah Jumaatun Azmi joins us to discuss the burgeoning halal market and the value it could hold for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In conjunction with Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we invited Dr. Christina Ng to discuss the story of colorectal cancer here in Malaysia, as well as the importance of treatment and awareness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On March 8th of this year, 16 brave women shaved all their hair for the sake of charity and to raise awareness and funds. Going beyond that however, it was also to show support for women living with cancer who had also made the shave for other obvious reasons and were now struggling with feeling different and less feminine. We spoke to founder Shamaine Ho and participants Annie Ismeth and Chew Mee...

What does it take to drag a child away from the Xbox or Playstation and out in the sunshine, moving around? For that matter, what does it take for our Malaysian athletes to become world class contenders in sports? Tanty Amin and Raj Subramaniam share their thoughts and methods for coaching young Malaysian children and athletes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every few months it seems, a new superfood enters the public consciousness : Acai, goji berries, omega 3, they've all had their time in the sun. But what do they really do for our health, especially in terms of fighting diseases of the heart, high blood pressure and cancer? Dr. Arif Anwar joins us again for another installment in our ongoing genetics series, to hash it all out. See omnystudio.com/...

Coming from a university with a long and proud history of sports engineering, Professor William Powrie, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Environment, explains the role the university has played in the great leaps forward in sports such as Formula One, cycling and yachting in the last 30 years and the role of technology in sports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we continue to live longer and longer, it's become an imperative to ensure that the aged members of our community are given room and means to flourish and stay healthy, but how can that be done? The first World Congress of Healthy Ageing will be held in Malaysia this year, and honorary secretary Ranuga Devy is here to tell us what we can expect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

While we covered some ground in our last interview with Carolyne Anthony, Dr. Harjeet Singh, consultant orthopaedic surgeon offers a different take on women and fitness, discussing the physiological differences between men and women and why some results will necessarily be different. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A leading cause of disfigurement and disability worldwide, lymphatic filariasis is a tropical disease that affects mainly people living in poverty and dire straits. While more than 1.3 billion people in 72 countries worldwide continue to suffer from this, it remains on the list of potentially eradicable diseases, provided we push the right initiatives forward. Sharing his knowledge on the disease...

Dr. George Lee answers a listener question about her son's bedwetting, talks about how to preserve the psyche of the child going through it and shares some of his personal experiences along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Often touted as a man's illness, heart disease is actually incredibly pervasive amongst women, killing more women in a year than all the cancers combined. In conjunction with International Women's Day, we wanted to highlight the importance of taking care of one's own self and not just everyone around you, with Datin Paduka Dr. Shanta Kumari from the National Women's Heart Health Organisation.&nbsp...

Yoga done in harnesses...while it may sound strange to the uninitiated, it's actually something that's growing in popularity these days, as its weightlessness appeals equally to those looking to tone up as it does to those looking to limber down and decompress. Reiko Soo incorporates other aspects such as pilates into aerial yoga, all forming it into her own special method and class.  See omn...

While we would all like to believe that we enter our workspace as dispassionate, objective professionals, the truth is markedly different. Petty jealousies, the simple irritations that occur from seeing one another too often, secret crushes...these are all part and parcel of emotions in the workplace. How can we deal when personal emotions enter our professional worksphere? Dr. Eugene Tee answers...

What really goes into recognising people's faces? Different cultures have different techniques and methods that go into facial recognition, and in a multicultural country, we've learnt to adapt. Chrystalle Tan of Nottingham University authored a paper that explored this subject from the point of view of the Malaysian Chinese community and how exposure to media and more cultural faces and shapes ha...

The search for a cure for HIV has been going on for years, though recently popular scientific opinions are more focused on the hunt for a vaccine that could help prevent the disease. However, a number of factors such as the length of time needed to develop the drug, the decrease in awareness and the amount of money required have all contributed to a decline in funding for HIV vaccines. Dr. Robert...

In a survey of 22,000 people across 28 countries, a research network has uncovered deep dissatisfaction with the majority of local healthcare systems, though it is also balanced by high regard for the healthcare professionals within it. How is this paradox carried out in practice, and how satisfied are Malaysians with our healthcare system? Tricia Yeoh, director of Dynamic Search, talks us through...

Pharmaceutical companies are often viewed with askance by the general public, seen as purveyors of important and necessary medicines as well as manipulative, self-focused profit makers. Yet they are also responsible for saving literally millions of lives around the globe and continue to push forward in trying to cure and manage diseases such as AIDS and cancers.  Angel Choi and Muru Annamalai...

While many fitness centres tend to advocate a one-size-fits-all mentality, the differences between the physiological and emotional makeup of men and women are undeniable and extend to fitness and exercise as well. A squat for a man may not have the same efficacy as for a woman, not to mention all the other aspects of working out, such as weight and strength training. Carolyne Anthony, from The Cen...

Far from being a club for brandy fanciers or borderline alcoholics, the VSOP Club in Petaling Jaya, is actually a place for Very Strong Old People to gather, chat and perchance sing a little karaoke. Taking into consideration the growing number of pensioners and retirees who suddenly find themselves with a lot of free time, the VSOP Club is a way of keeping them active, happy and social.   Ch...

Created to help a family member who had skin issues, stemming from balm for cow udders, MooGoo has grown from an inside joke among family and friends to a skincare brand with a steady cult following among skincare afficionados and people who struggle with ecxema and psoriasis.  Craig Jones, founder and CEO, shares the story of the little skincare brand that could and discusses moder...

During the honeymoon period, love and the people you love can seem infallible and the world may seem like a spectacular place. But love can also cause jealousy, insecurity, stalking that can culminate in the infamous 'boiled bunny' scene from Fatal Attraction.  So what causes the two sides of love, and how can we keep both the good and the bad in check? Dr. Johnben Loy tries to make sense of...

Pain during childbirth is one of those things that frequently ranks highly on lists of 'Most Painful Experiences' and for that reason, many mothers approach the experience with due trepidation. But with so many options available now to dull or ease the pain, confusion has popped up around what will harm and what will help, with some drugs affecting the health of the baby as well.  Dr. Helena...

While the links between genetics and diseases remain nebulous, they also remain certainly present if not entirely researched. But what recent studies have shown is that there is a clear connection between heart diseases and genetics. We explore this topic with Dr. Ariff Anwar, a genetics specialist, and also take into account mitigating factors such as diet and lifestyle. See omnystudio.com/listen...

Tapping one's fingers is sometimes considered a nervous tic or a sign of anxiety, but in some practices, it's actually a method of coping with anxiety and helping to dissipate negative emotions associated with problems or major illnesses such as cancer. The Emotional Freedom Technique is one that is focused on acupressure and TCM beliefs of meridians and is one that has helped many while others co...

What drives accomplished, talented athletes to take the illegal quick fix of steroids and other performance enhancers, and what are some of the potential long-term effects of usage on the body? Dr. Harjeet Singh, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, untangles the complicated web of drug use in sports, exploring the three main areas: therapeutic, recreational and ergogenic. See omnystudio.com/listener f...