The Star Online > Health

Wednesday March 1, 2006

Changes with age

By DR MILTON LUM

The biological changes associated with menopause do not occur in isolation but against a background of age-related changes in all the body systems of a woman. These age-related effects often interact with the menopausal changes and may exacerbate their impact. However, there is compelling evidence that menopausal changes, rather than age-related changes, are a primary precipitating factor of changes in sexual function. This is certainly more evident in premature menopause. 

Urogenital changes 

The decrease in oestrogen levels during ageing has profound impact on the genital and urinary tracts.

The vulva and vagina becomes thin, dry and less elastic. Over time, the pubic hair will decrease and the vagina will become shorter and narrower. Sometimes, the vaginal skin is more prone to infection or injury during sexual intercourse or even a gynaecological examination. There is increased risk of vaginal atrophy in premature menopause or when there is lack of regular sexual stimulation of the vagina. 

It should not be assumed that all vulval and vaginal problems are due to decreasing oestrogen levels. If there are vulval and/ or vaginal complaints, it would be prudent to consult a doctor. 

Water-soluble lubricants and moisturisers may be helpful in mild vaginal atrophy. Regular sexual intercourse has also been shown to maintain vaginal health. If these measures are ineffective, topical application of oestrogen will restore vaginal thickness and elasticity as well as relieve dryness.  

The decreasing oestrogen levels also cause the lining of the urinary tract to thin, the bladder size to be reduced and it also weakens the supporting pelvic muscles. As a result, the following urinary symptoms may occur : 

The Star Online > Health

Wednesday March 1, 2006

Peanut roots and coconut water

By CHIA JOO SUAN

I was informed by numerous people within the Chinese community that soup made from roots of peanut will help youngsters to grow taller, especially when given to them during their teen years, but it is not advisable to serve them the soup after they have reached 16. The roots are usually boiled with a young male chicken for three to four hours. Boys whose voices are starting to break are given three doses of the soup. Can you elaborate on this? – G.P. Ng  

Not only peanuts popular in Chinese diet, but the seed coat, shell, leaves, stem and roots are useful as well. Peanut is commonly used in making soup. Boiling it together with barley, red date and si seg makes a cheap yet nutritious soup that supplies essential nutrients for the young and aged.  

The nut and roots of the peanut are used to make nutritious soups.

However, there is no scientific report on how soup made from peanut root would affect the growth of children. 

On the other hand, in recent years, several healthful components were found in both matured and young peanut roots. Researchers at National Chiayi University, Taiwan, have identified resveratrol in matured peanut roots (J. agri. food chem., March 2002). 

Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant found in red wine. It has been touted as a health component with many healthful benefits including preventing cardiovascular disease and cancer. 

A glucose-specific protein-like substance known as lectin has also been isolated from peanut seedling roots (Indian J. of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Dec 1993). People who are lectin-intolerant may have problems ingesting foods such as soya, wheat and legumes. 

Would drinking peanut root soup during the teens help to increase immunity or decrease allergy problems in growing children, promote better health and even make them grow taller? These need to be investigated further. Nevertheless, the soup is very tasty and adults enjoy it too! 

I like to drink coconut water and eat the meat of young pandan coconut. Is it alright to consume them on a regular basis? Are they high in cholesterol, uric acid or polysaturated fats? – S.K. Seah 

In countries where coconuts are grown, it is a traditional belief that drinking coconut water, especially from the young fruit, helps one to stay healthy.  

Coconut water is a natural isotonic drink that has been naturally enriched with phytonutrients such as vitamins, minerals and hormones. The nutritious water is contained inside a hard nutshell and the nutrients are necessary for the seed embryo to sprout into a healthy young seedling. 

Coconut water contains magnesium that helps to relax muscle; furthermore the vitamin C, potassium, sodium, iron, calcium, dietary fibres, vitamin B1, B2 and niacin that are essential for body’s development are also present. The water has very little fat and contains no cholesterol or uric acid. 

This combination of nutrients makes young coconut water a natural diuretic and an excellent oral re-hydration isotonic drink for active sportsmen to prevent spasms and cramps.  

It has been processed into canned drinks.  

In Malaysia, coconut is a popular plant in the gardens of many houses. Fresh coconut water, with its vitamin C, dietary fibres, potassium and sodium is considered best for its cooling properties. The water is given to children to ease high fever and to replenish water loss due to diarrhoea.  

The sugars and B vitamins that provide energy make coconut water a stress buster. Young coconut water is also taken as a remedy for flatulence, vomiting and to improve digestion and absorption of food nutrients. Its diuretic property aids in removing toxins and is touted as a blood purifier. Others claim that it helps eliminate swelling in hands and feet.  

However, its diuretic property may cause mineral loss. It is a common belief that older people, especially women, should not take the water excessively . 

People who are on a low-sodium diet or those with hypertension have to take its sodium content into consideration.  

Besides taking it as a refreshing drink, coconut water has been used directly on the face for skin hydration. In agriculture, coconut water is used as a growing medium in tissue culture and as a growth regulator. It supplies useful compounds such as nicothinate acid, auxin, gibberellin pyridoxine and thiamin. Research has shown that applying coconut water to tea cuttings may improve rooting success. The effects of these growth regulators to human health are areas that need further research. 

The meat of a matured coconut contains saturated fats and triglycerides with some monounsaturated fats and no cholesterol. We extract santan from the grated meat. The young tender meat has much lower fat content and is also cholesterol-free.  

Coconuts are the fruit of the coconut palm, botanically known as Cocos nucifera, with nucifera meaning “nut-bearing.” It is the largest seed known in the botanical kingdom. The variety that yields pandan-flavoured coconut water has become a popular thirst quencher.

Public Policy International News Update "'Mr. Condom' Says Thailand Has Returned to Ignorance: AIDS Is Back"

"'Mr. Condom' Says Thailand Has Returned to Ignorance: AIDS Is Back"
Associated Press (10.03.05)
Alisa Tang

Mechai Viravaidya, dubbed "Mr. Condom" for his pubic-education and condom-distribution campaign, said new HIV infections are rising because Thais, especially youth, are having unprotected sex. Mechai, a senator and chairperson of a private population association, claims the country had 25,000 new infections last year, more than the official figure of 19,000.

"We've gone back to days of ignorance," the activist said. "There's no reason why next year it won't be 100,000 new cases."

Due to its thriving sex industry, Thailand was believed to be on the verge of an HIV/AIDS epidemic when its first AIDS case was recorded in 1984. In 1991, the government counted 143,000 cases in the country. Officials estimate 1 million Thais have contracted HIV and 500,000 have died. Mechai put the number at 2 million infections and 800,000 HIV/AIDS deaths.

In the 1990s, after Mechai persuaded the prime minister to head the National AIDS Committee, the budget to fight the disease increased 50-fold, and the government required radio and television stations to broadcast HIV/AIDS education announcements. The current prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, has neither attended NAC meetings nor addressed HIV/AIDS in Parliament.

In July 2004, the UN Development Program warned of an HIV/AIDS resurgence. Funding of HIV/AIDS programs dropped from $82 million in 1997 to $25 million in 2003.

Government spokesperson Suraphong Suebwonglee denied the government was neglecting HIV/AIDS and said Thaksin shares Mechai's concern about its spread among youth. Recently, Thaksin announced a policy to prevent youth delinquency, including inappropriate sexual behavior.

In 2004, STDs in youth increased at least 30 percent. Mechai thinks HIV/AIDS is on a similar track and noted that only 20-30 percent of Thai youth use condoms.

Last Updated October 12, 2005