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Sunday, 26 March 2023

Global experts reject US' weaponizing of democracy; Global gathers share views on democracy, US human rights reports full of lies

 

Global experts reject weaponizing of democracy; no single pattern fits all countries

"Is there one democracy pattern that fits all countries?" "Does any country have the right to interfere with another country's choice of democracy?" Attendees at an international forum answered "No" as they gathered in Beijing on Thursday to share their understanding of democracy, expressing support to each country in exploring their own path to democracy and also opposition to a certain country's weaponizing of democracy for geopolitical purposes. 

 

Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Keep your bones strong and healthy

 

Keep your bones strong and healthy - The Star

 BONES are a very important organ in our body and have many functions. Its role includes providing structure, protecting internal organs, anchoring muscles and storing calcium.

They also facilitate movement and are important for blood cell formation. Therefore, maintaining bone health is very important for everyone.

Normal bone metabolism is the complex sequence of bone turnover (osteoclast activity) and bone formation (osteoblast activity). The bones are continuously changing, where the old bones are broken down and replaced by new bones. This process is regulated by hormones such as parathyroid hormones, calcitonin, oestrogen, androgens, growth hormone, thyroid hormones, Vitamin D and steroids such as glucocorticosteroids.

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon at MSU Medical Centre Dr Ruzaimi Md Yusoff says, “Most people reach their peak bone mass around the age of 30. After that, bone remodelling continues, but you lose slightly more bone mass than you gain because of a decrease in osteoblast activity.

“The higher the peak of bone mass, the less likely for us to develop osteoporosis at a younger age.”

What affects bone health

The following are the risk factors which can affect bone health. Modifiable risk factors are:

Diet. A low calcium intake will cause low bone density and will lead to early bone loss causing a higher risk of fractures. Not getting enough vitamin D can also increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Physical activity. Not exercising and not being active for long periods can increase the chances of getting osteoporosis.

• Body weight. Maintaining an ideal body weight is important for bone health. This is because an extremely thin individual will have lesser bone mass.

Smoking. Research suggests that tobacco will increase the risk of osteoporosis. Women who smoke also go through menopause earlier than those who don’t smoke.

Alcohol. People who consume a lot of alcohol are more likely to get osteoporosis.

Medicines. Certain medications can affect bone health. Prolonged usage of corticosteroid medications such as cortisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone can be damaging to the bone.

Non-modifiable risk factors are:

Age. Advanced age causes thinning and weakening of the bone.

• Gender. Women have a greater risk of osteoporosis as they have less bone tissue than men. Women also lose bone faster than men because of hormonal changes that occur after menopause.

Ethnicity. Caucasian and Asian women are more prone to osteoporosis.

• Family history. A strong family history of osteoporosis predisposes an individual to develop osteoporosis at an earlier age.

Maintaining healthy bones

Maintaining bone health is important to prevent or slow down the process of bone loss.

Dietary calcium intake is extremely important. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of calcium for female adults aged 19 to 50 years and males aged 51 to 70 years is 1,000mg per day. The recommendation increases to 1,200mg a day for women aged 51 years and older and for men aged 71 years and older.

Good sources of calcium include dairy products, almonds, broccoli, kale, canned salmon with bones, sardines and soy products such as tofu.

Calcium supplements may also be prescribed by a doctor if needed.

Adequate vitamin D intake is important for calcium absorption. For adults aged 19 to 70 years, the RDA of vitamin D is 600 international units (IUS) a day. The recommendation increases to 800IUS a day for adults aged 71 years and older.

Good sources of vitamin D include oily fish such as salmon, trout, whitefish and tuna. Sunlight also contributes to the body’s production of vitamin D. Supplements may also be prescribed if indicated.

Physical activity especially weightbearing exercises such as walking, jogging and climbing stairs can build strong bones and slow the process of bone loss. Last but not least, avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake to help delay osteoporosis.

Signs of bone health problems

There are some signs of osteoporosis that we should look out for:

• Receding gums. A dentist might be the first person to spot signs of osteoporosis. Research suggests that if there is significant bone loss in the jaw, it could be a sign of bone loss in other areas of your body.

Chipped or brittle nails. Chipping a nail frequently could be a sign that other bones may also be brittle. Those who have low levels of collagen or calcium in their nails also do not have enough calcium in their bones.

Weakened grip. Have you started to notice that you cannot turn the doorknob easily? The strength of the handgrip and the density of the bones in the arms, hips and spine are directly related.

Fractured bones. The hips, spine and wrists are the most common body parts to fracture. Fractures occur from trivial trauma such as slight knocks, bending over or lifting items.

When to see a doctor

It’s important to seek medical attention for any type of bone pain, especially if the pain is severe, persistent, worsening over time or associated with swelling, redness, warmth, a fever, unintentional weight loss or a palpable mass or lump.

Since osteoporosis does not have any symptoms until a bone breaks, it is important to talk to your doctor about your bone health.

If your doctor feels that you are at risk for osteoporosis, a bone density test may be performedto measure the density of your bones, and assess for osteoporosis and risks of breaking a bone.

Doctors may prescribe medicine if your bones are weak and have a higher risk of osteoporotic fracture in the future. These include bisphosphonates, oestrogen agonists/antagonists, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, oestrogen therapy and hormone therapy. 

By Dr Ruzaimi Md Yusoff. 

 Source link

 

Related:


Food for your bones | The Star

 

Bones need more than milk (and calcium) - The Star

 

Boning up on bones | The Star

 

Malaysians not doing enough to maintain bone health | The Star

 

Combating Bone And Muscle Mass Loss | The Star

Keeping the bones and muscles strong from an early age is crucial for mobility and independence later in life.

No bones about it | The Star



Monday, 20 March 2023

Free Malaysia of racism, corruption and religious bigotry, ‘Time to chart a new future’ - says PM

 

Show of support: Anwar surrounded by supporters as he arrived at the Youth Empowerment Fair at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here yesterday. He called on Malaysians to stop corruption, racism and religious bigotry. — Bernama

 

KUALA LUMPUR: It is time for Malaysians to unite and back the current leadership to end corruption as well as racial and religious bigotry, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“Remember, I need the full support of every Malaysian. It is time for Malaysia to chart a new history.

“No more corruption. Stop racism and religious bigotry. Let us work together,” Anwar said to a standing ovation during a youth dialogue session at the Youth Empowerment Fair at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here yesterday.

Anwar said it was heart-warming that youth at the dialogue session supported his stand.

“When I look at the innocent faces of youth, who were full of support, I’m telling you, you made my day. I love you guys,” he added.

Earlier, the Prime Minister said it was fine for students to be involved in political activism as long as they did not end up as lackeys or staunch party loyalists.

“You want to be an activist? Okay, but don’t be a ‘macai’ (lackey) or ‘walaun’,” he said.

Walaun is a colloquial reference which describes individuals who are staunch PAS loyalists.

Anwar also spoke about his experience as a student activist, which landed him two years in the Kamunting detention centre under the Internal Security Act (ISA) after he protested against rural poverty.

He said the silver lining in his imprisonment was that he began reading books.

“I started reading books that I didn’t read when I was at university. That is why I got a little smarter,” he added.

Without naming names, Anwar also said a certain desperate leader who had fallen out of power had resorted to manipulating sensitive public issues.

“He also resorted to religious bigotry without any understanding,” he said.

The premier warned that stern action would be taken against those who stoked racial and religious flames.

“For those expressing their opinions, we will protect your rights.

“But those who are playing up racial and religious issues, dividing the people, and instigating violence – I will take stern action,” Anwar said.

Last Friday, after chairing a Cabinet meeting, Anwar said he had ordered security forces to be on high alert against those stirring up racial and religious rhetoric ahead of a planned “Malay Proclamation” gathering that was to be attended by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The gathering was called off after its organisers failed to secure the venue for the second time. They were also rejected for a third time yesterday.

At the dialogue yesterday, Anwar fielded questions from youth in the session moderated by actress Amelia Henderson.

Various issues were raised, and he committed to addressing them, including the monopoly of Touch ‘n Go in the highway toll collection system.

“Touch ‘n Go has operated for more than two decades, and there were no convincing developments in its system.

“We will reconsider the Touch ‘n Go monopoly,” he added.

Other issues raised were the need to improve the public transport system and cannabis legalisation, to which he said he would consider all views. 

Source link

Anwar wants a stop to racism and religious bigotry


 Dr Mahathir calls PM Anwar’s unity govt a ‘dictatorship’ after 'Malay Proclamation' rally cancelled

Saya orang Melayu....but seriously Tun just where are you going with this?

If this is from Muhyiddin...yes. From Hadi? Also, a yes. ....but surely you would have more sense than to invite Malays to this event to proclaim that the Malays "menghadapi kemungkinan hilang kuasa".

I am 75 Tun...and never in my life have I ever thought that the Malays "menghadapi kemungkinan hilang kuasa". Never ever...and it would be disingenuous...maybe even treasonous of you to suggest that the Malays now "menghadapi kemungkinan hilang kuasa". And the only reason for you to want to create these kinds of mischief is for personal political gain. Using race to further your own political gain, must surely be treason because it brings back shades of May 13 and the killing fields that came with May13.

Are there Malays who will be with you in this endeavor to take back Malaysia from the non Malays? For sure there will be.

Will there be Malays who can be whipped up into a frenzy of hate and loathing for the non-Malays to the extent that they will resort to physical violence to put the others in their place - as pendatangs to their Tanah Air? For sure there will be as there were, during May13.

The line between love and hate among the Malays and the others in this wretched country of ours, alas, is so thin and fragile because that is how you have wanted it to be. And all it takes to take racial balance over the edge is for some Malay leader to do what you are doing now....ask the Malays to rally together because the Malays "menghadapi kemungkinan hilang kuasa".

The Malays are not losing political power. *You, Tun M have lost political power. *

The Malays have not lost their dignity. *You have lost your dignity, Tun. *

The Malays have not lost their self-respect. You have lost yours.

Personally, I am so, so disappointed by the things you have done after you lost your seat and your deposit in Langkawi. And, not only you, but everyone else in your Pejuang has also lost their seats and their deposit in GE15.

So now there is only Putra and PAS left for you to go to. Damm dignity, damm self-respect and damm any trace of self-worth that you might still have left within you. You have now gone crawling to Hadi not to ask for help, but to beg. To beg Hadi to throw you a lifeline to save you from downing - drowning in a pool of political irrelevance that you are already drowning in.

Hadi better help you Tun because God will surely not!

'Malay proclamation' to be launched, witnessed by Dr M - FMT

 

Related posts:


MAHATHIR: A RACIST EXPOSED, Crime Watch Malaysia!

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IMRAZ IKHBAL | MAHATHIR: A RACIST EXPOSED!