Category: Blog

While it is inevitable to start feeling all depleted or experiencing moments of intense fatigue at some point of our life, it is not normal when you find yourself extremely tired despite the full 6 to 8 hours of sleep or that no matter how many cups of coffee you had in the single hour and you still find yourself yawning away.

There are many reasons that could possibly contribute to the fatigue, and knowing what causes them will be key to addressing the issue. Here are some reasons why the tiredness is not going away.

Symptoms of an Underlying Medical Issue

Many conditions list tiredness as a symptoms. From thyroid conditions (where patients struggle to find an energy balance) to mental conditions (such as depression), to kidney diseases or Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

In the case of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), patients are unable to get a full night of uninterrupted sleep, which in turns causes daytime fatigue.

Speaking to a general practitioner will help you to rule out health problems and make a diagnosis and receive treatment and also learn how you can pace yourself and increase your energy. Online screeners are also a great way to get yourself started, here is an OSA Assessment that you can try – https://oursmartfuture.com/get-sleep-check/

Diet

For those that decide to go on a diet, cutting off sugar is a definite NO. Skipping meals may not allow the body to get enough calories which are needed to keep the energy level up. Long gaps between meals also deplete the blood sugar which will also decrease the energy.

For those going on a sugar spike diet, a sudden surge of sugar will cause a rollercoaster effect on the blood sugar. While you will feel the surge of energy after consumption of sugar, the rebound effect will hit after as the blood sugar crashes. What comes after is the sluggishness and the little bit of energy holding itself together.

Additionally, vitamin deficiency because of the change of diet can cause major fatigue as well. Experts advise that a better approach to diet will be also to include foods that take longer time to digest – sweet potato, bananas, nuts, and beans for example – these food tends to release sugar steadily throughout the day.

Hormones Changes

When you are under stress, your body goes into a fight-or-flight mode. Which causes an increase in the stress hormone, cortisol. In small doses, this response is safe but in the case of it being long-term, it takes a toll on the body in the form of poor sleep and low energy.

To tackle the issue, first, you have to identify the stress issues and learn how to control the way you face the problem. Learning different techniques of deep breathing and meditation can also help you stay calm in stressful situations.

Sedentary Lifestyle

A sedentary lifestyle with nowhere to expel causes a buildup of energy that last beyond bedtime, keeping you awake.

Adding in some simple exercises in your daily routine, such as taking a 20mins walk after a meal or doing yoga routine before sleeping are a great way to get rid of the excess energy. Researches have also indicated that exercise does not only help boost sleep duration but also the quality of sleep.

Bad Habits

It can be tempting to take that seemingly harmless after meal nap or playing another round of PUBG on the phone but these are the reasons that contribute to the lack of sleep during bedtime.

Using the phone, for example before sleep, increase alertness at night and long period of looking at the blue-light can be detrimental to your eyes.

Inculcating good sleeping habits such as ensure that your bedroom is quiet, dark, and at a comfortable temperature and also not lying awake on your bed for more than 10 minutes are some important habits to introduce to your lifestyle. Here are more ideas for you to consider : https://oursmartfuture.com/change-the-way-you-sleep-with-5-easy-sleep-tips/

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While extreme fatigue may seem like a fairly harmless condition, with the occasional dozing off during meetings or lost of attention during a conversation. Studies have also shown that extreme fatigue has also been the cause of car accidents and also attribute to suicidal behaviour. If you find yourself or a friend displaying symptoms of extreme fatigue, its time to practice good sleep hygiene or consult your general practitioner.

Globally, the number of people with diabetes have rapidly risen from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014. Just in Singapore alone, one in nine Singapore residents aged 18 to 69 years were affected by diabetes in 2010 and the number is set to grow bigger in the coming years. While diet and lifestyle changes greatly contribute to the number, getting your facts right can help you to be more aware of the ways to prevent diabetes. Here are the top 5 of the biggest myths about diabetes – busted.

“Only Adults Are Prone to Diabetes”

Type 1 diabetes also known as Juvenile Diabetes gets its name because it is usually prevalent in young children. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune chronic condition and is usually inherited and cannot be prevented.

Although Type 1 diabetes tends to occur in children and young adults – it is also possible for Type 1 Diabetes to occur at any age.

“Prediabetes is Not a Serious Medical Condition”

Prediabetes occurs when one’s blood glucose level is higher than normal and is a warning health condition. Neglected prediabetes symptoms and the continuation of lifestyle and diet habits can lead to the development of Type 2 diabetes.

Luckily though, prediabetes is reversible and can be prevented by better lifestyle management and healthy eating.

“All Types of Diabetes Are the Same“

While there are several types of diabetes, the most common amongst people are Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and also Gestational diabetes.

• Type 1 Diabetes (also known as Juvenile Diabetes)
  Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune chronic condition and is usually inherited and cannot be prevented. The patient’s pancreas produces little or no insulin and the patient depends on insulin to stay alive. Type 1 diabetes tends to occur in children and young adults – although it is also possible for Type 1 Diabetes to occur at any age.
• Type 2 Diabetes
  Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes that can occur to anyone at any age. While the body still produces insulin, unlike Type 1, the body do not respond to it as effectively as before. While type 2 diabetes occurs most often in middle-aged and older people, it is possible to prevent the onset of the disease with proper management.
• Gestational diabetes
  Gestational diabetes develops in some women when they are pregnant. Most of the time, this type of diabetes goes away after the baby is born. However, if you have had gestational diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Sometimes diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy is actually type 2 diabetes.
• Other types of diabetes
  Less common types include monogenic diabetes, which is an inherited form of diabetes, and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.

It is advised that should you experience the symptoms of diabetes, it is recommended that you consult your General Practitioner to get a diagnosis to better understand your condition.

“Diabetics Cannot Consume Sugar”

For many of us, we associate a high glucose level with sugar and in a bid to reduce the glucose level in our blood, our first reaction is usually to cut down on sugar in our diet.

But to completely cut sugar from our diet is near impossible as sugar provide energy and help form proteins, or are stored for future use. The brain and red blood cells can only use glucose for energy and for the mother-to-be, sugar also helps form the baby’s cells and produce milk.

People with high sugar level should not just blindly opt for “sugar-free” labels on food and beverages as they may have a high-fat content. Rather, eating in moderation and learning to read your food label will help you to manage diabetes more effectively.

“Artificial Sweeteners is not as Bad as Sugar”

Artificial sweeteners are a kind of food additive that provides a sweet flavour, commonly used as a sugar-replacement. Unlike sugar itself, most sweeteners contain significantly less food energy and hence, making it a zero-calorie or low-calorie replacement.

Although artificial sweeteners do not spike blood sugar levels, studies have shown that they have been linked to the development of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes.

Some research has found that artificial sweeteners can change the type and number of bacteria that live in your colon, which may contribute to glucose intolerance, weight gain and in turn, diabetes.

In conclusion, introducing a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and coffee, consuming alcohol in moderation and maintaining a healthy body weight and exercising regularly can help reduce your risk of diabetes and should be made a part of your lifestyle.

As Singapore enters into its second month of the Circuit Breaker, apparent lifestyle changes are beginning to take place on the supermarket shelves. From initiate food piling of snacks and sugary drinks, the shift in the shortage of flour and strangely oatmeal have seen Singaporean moving on to a more conscious diet. Combined with the tightening of the guideline on exercising, we speak to our Sydney-based Nutritionist cum yogi, Maya Butti in some ways you can keep healthy while adhering to the stay-home guideline.

Smartfuture (SF): Hi Maya! Why don’t you share with us a little about yourself?

Maya: I am a qualified nutritionist and yoga teacher. I used to work corporate in a previous life, but after living an unhealthy lifestyle for many years, I felt that it was time to make a change. When I was working in corporate, I practised yoga once a week. This one class came to me like salvation, not only was it a great stress reliever, it helps me find myself again. I then decided to go all in and went to India to study yoga, where I learned about yoga philosophy and Ayurveda (the yogic system of health). This inspired me to pursue natural health and I studied to become a nutritionist. I now treat people holistically- using food, supplements, lifestyle changes and yoga to help people live a healthy life and feel great in their body!

SF: With do you think are some of the modern ailments bothering people?

Maya: Some of the more common issues I notice includes, digestive issues, food intolerances, trouble sleeping, weight loss and weight gain, poor energy and hormonal conditions.

The body systems are interrelated, so an issue in one part of the body an often be caused from somewhere else. For example, when I work with clients to heal their gut, we often see an improvement in skin conditions and mood! Nutrition consultations can help with a broad range of chronic conditions naturally and while treating conditions at their root cause.

SF: With the big migration from working in the office to homes, what are some tips you can share to help us adapt better to this new situation?

Maya: Staying active while adhering to government guidelines is a pretty big lifestyle change. Many of us will now have to find ways to exercise from home – lucky though, there are plenty of online yoga and fitness classes to keep us busy! Lay off the excuses and remember to include them in your schedule! During this time, eating healthy is even more important – find me on Instagram to get some nutritional tips!

SF: What is some advice you have to keep the spirit up during these uncertain times?

Maya: Something that has helped me greatly is to remember that we are all in this together. Not just you and your household or your workplace, but the whole world. We as humans are strong enough and compassionate enough to get through this together and I think that we can even come out stronger. We may be farther away from each other physically but I believe we can be more connected than ever.

SF: With the shortages of snacks and unhealthy food, what is some advice you have for our next grocery run?

While I confessed to having the occasional dark chocolate as my guilty pleasure, often the “feel-good” snacks make us feel good for the few minutes that we are eating them but it will hit us later all and the consequences can hang around for quite a while!

I am all about having a healthy balance and believe that we can indulge every now and then, however it is important to maintain a long-term vision of our health. The instant gratification of eating those foods will never beat the long-term benefit of eating healthy. I think saving those snacks for once a week is a good compromise. This is especially important for those whose physical activity level has decreased.

As a piece of general advice, I would suggest people to remove as much processed foods as possible and get back to eating whole foods. Imagine what your grandmother ate- that is usually a good indication of how we should be eating!

With the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, it is without a doubt that the general public is sinking into much uncertainty. The worries about their job stability, finances and the state of the world moving forward. For those with existing mental health conditions, the stress from the current situation is only further exacerbating their condition.

With the government implemented Circuit Breaker status, more than 70% of the global population have migrated to working from home and schools migrating to e-learning. The sudden pressure for all family members to be under one roof can cause both overwhelming anxiety to both adults and children. But the good news is that there are many ways that may help you reduce stress and take care of your mental well-being and here are some tips.

Talk to People

Social distancing does not mean to socially isolate. Human are by nature – social beings and rely on interaction to stimulate the mind and stay sane. So, reach out to your friends and family and connect through chat apps and video calls. Share your concerns with them and in the process, make sure that they are okay too.

If you are looking for light-hearted social activities, try playing drawing games with friends or strangers via sites like https://skribbl.io/ or Cards Against Humanity online.

Stay Physically Active

It’s easy to let your mind wander when you are doing nothing. Engage in simple activities such as a walk at the neighbourhood park or just dedicating 20 minutes a day to simple exercises. Exercises are essential as it gets the blood flowing and help it to circulate better in the body – ensuring ample energy throughout the day. Exercising also enhances the responses to bacterial and viral intruders and is important to maintain a stable immune system.

Not sure of what exercises you can do at home? June from 1 Workout A Day has many exercises videos on her channel that you can get started on.

Know When To Power Off

Make routine your new best friend. It helps you to create a clear distinction between work and non-work time, essential to both your physical health and mental workspace. While working from home trains people to be focused and disciplined, it is easy to miss the cues and work beyond the hours. Overcome the problem by implementing work hours and stick to it. Refrain from sending out work emails or reading them past your working hours and allocate time to your family and well-being. With proper work-life balance, you will be able to realise that you working is not as stressful as it seems.

Know Your Red Flags

Always keep your emotions in check. If you find yourself feeling frustrated, worry or sad, or feeling physically uncomfortable like tension, constant upset stomach or jitters, or even unexplained actions such as sudden outrage or compulsively checking the latest COVID statistics -recognise these as symptoms of stress or anxiety.

To avoid sinking deeper into the negative emotions, try to distract yourself. It could be to take time off from the screen or news by stretching, listening to music or journaling. If it gets too overwhelming, allow yourself some time to calm down and address the issue.

Using the box breathing technique can be useful to calm yourself down and regain control over your thoughts. It can help you focus and identify why you are feeling that way and help you to rationalize to feel better.

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If you felt as though you have exhausted all methods and is still feeling very much helpless. Do not panic and know that if you need help, you can always talk to someone about it. Sometimes it is not easy speaking to family or friends about things but speaking to a stranger might be much easier. Here is a link that may help : https://www.sos.org.sg/get-help/other-available-resources

Let’s hope we all can press on and overcome this pandemic together.

The COVID-19 outbreak across the globe have seen millions of employees worldwide migrating from their workplace to home, many for the first time. Corporate enterprises are making the concerted efforts to fight the coronavirus outbreak by encouraging or enforcing their employees to work from home – a move strongly encouraged by medical experts in reducing the spread of the virus.

While staying at home can be comfortable for some, studies have shown that staying at home for a prolonged period of time can be detrimental to both physical and mental health. Separate studies of quarantined patients of SARS, the 2003 coronavirus outbreak in 2003 have seen an onset of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in China healthcare workers at 10% and in Canda, symptoms of PTSD and depression – observed in 28.9% and 31.2% of respondents, respectively.

However, as the situation progresses, more and more people are facing the prospects of quarantine, social distancing or working from home. Here are some ideas for yourself to adapt to the new normal.

Workout Video Game

For the uninitiated, workout video games corporate gameplay with fitness elements that not only help players to feel good mentally but also physically. Some titles have shown results of player drastically losing weight over a period of time and like with most of the games played moderately – video games have shown to help those who suffer from mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, antisocial personality disorder (APD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Alzheimer’s disease.

Here are some top-selling titles to get you started: Wii Sports (on Wii), Just Dance (Wii, Wii U, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Stadia), Ring Fit Adventure (Nintendo Switch), Shape Up(Xbox One), and Creed: Rise to Glory (Oculus Quest, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows).

Online Streaming Exercises

With the latest announcement of the Singapore government limiting outdoor activities, many are finding alternatives to change up their workout routine. Luckily, there are tons of free-to-stream videos workout online that you can even mix up with different instructors or to incorporate a new regimen in exercises.

For the first-timers, here are some Youtube Channels to check on:
For the Pilates-lover: https://www.youtube.com/user/blogilates/featured
For those that like to move along: https://www.youtube.com/user/popsugartvfit
For the dancing queens: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheFitnessMarshall
For those that like AI: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDUlDJcPPOOQK-3UrxEyhAQ
And lastly, for the chill yogi: https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene/videos

Starting a new hobby

Starting a new hobby can be scary – devoting hours of your life and then realising that – maybe this is not for me after all and then give up on it can get depressing after a while. Finding a hobby is a journey but once you find it, you will see how it excites you and motivate you towards different goals. If mindless hobbies are not your way to go, try something practical like soap making, baking, or restoring furniture.

Trying new recipes

While juggling work, kids and home duties are tough, you do not have to worry about burning down your kitchen trying new recipes. Simple recipes such as the latest trend of Dalgona coffee (the recipe takes less than 5 minutes) or Mason Jar Salad can be an easy and quick way to get you started. Who knows, you may even become the next power food Instagrammer!

Additionally tip for your next grocery run – do not forget to incorporate some nature’s immunity boosters into your list.

The internet is overwhelmed with countless articles on the latest diet fad and videos with fitness “gurus” promoting the latest diet trend. From intermittent fasting to keto diet, paleo diet and Mediterranean diet, there is always something new every day.

While each diet has its own merits, you don’t have to kill yourself if it does not work. Here are some tips that you can introduce to everyday eating habits that will edge you closer to your health goals.

Eat more fruits and vegetables

We all know consuming more fruits and vegetables, in general, is essential for our health. A diet rich in fruits and vegetable, in the long run, can help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar.

But the question is, how do we turn in into a habit?

Tip 1: Set small and measurable goals – While it is recommended to eat 2 servings of fruits and vegetables in a day, you do not have to force yourself if you do not like to. Start small with a an apple a day and slowly increasing it to more fruits and also introduce vegetables to your meal.

Tip 2: Try new food – No one is going to enjoy steamed broccoli and tofu over a period of time. Introducing new way of enjoying your food like having your yoghurt with granola and fruit puree or change up your breakfast by adding shredded carrot into your pancake mix as a partial sugar replacement.

Tip 3: Keep Healthy Snacks on Hand – Having healthy snacks on standby can be useful when you are mindless snacking. Snacks like trail mix or raisin will not only curb the appetite, it will give you that energy boost you require.

Share your dessert

When it comes to dessert, some of us are guilty as charged. But fret not, not all sugary treats are bad. Studies have shown that desserts are not only a great pick me up but also prove to be as effective in weight control. In a study published in the journal Steroids, 195 obese adults followed calorie-controlled diets for 16 weeks. Both plans contained the same amount of calories and namely healthy foods, with one difference—one group consumed dessert daily. The dessert eaters lost slightly more weight than the non-dessert eaters and were significantly more successful at losing weight.

So now you know, the next time you have a sugar craving, you do not have to cut it off entirely. Sharing a dessert not only prevent you from indulging excessively, but it is also a great move for portion control and as said – weight loss.

Read Those Labels

“You are what you eat” may be an overused saying but knowing what you eat may not be what we all do.

Dietary labels such as “healthy”, “whole grain” or “low-sugar” are not necessarily a healthier choice as this claim does not highlight the total amount of nutrients and does not emphasize that it could be high in sugars, fats and sodium – but luckily, the nutrition information panel does illustrate the full list of the nutritional value. A good to know when looking at the labels is the listing of ingredients which is generally arrange from the majority used to the least. Learning to read labels thoroughly and checking for excessive sugar, sodium, and saturated fat content will actually help you cut off some of that unnecessary nutrients.

Limit your ultra-processed snacks 

Ultra-processed snacks are the third phrase for food that is meant to be sold for consumption.

Generally, food has 3 processes.
The first stage of the process involved making sure the food is edible, which will be like harvesting gran, and slaughtering of livestock – these are still considered “whole” food.
The second stage involves a more complex procedure such as cooking, freezing and canning. Some examples are fruit juices, bran cereals and deli rotisserie chicken.
The third stage – which is also known as ultra-process, food is when manufacturers inject flavours, add sugars, fats, and chemical preservatives. Examples include white bread, flavoured potato chips, coke, and etc.

Ultra-processed snacks contain high sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats as they are meant to preserve the food for some time and provides a better texture for people to chew on. They are affordable and convenient and can be hard to resist purchasing them (I feel you). High consumption of ultra-processed food will result in more detrimental health complications such as increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and overweight. However, not all processed foods are bad as studies have shown that several processed foods such as peanut butter, tinned salmon and natural probiotic yoghurt still contain the necessary vitamins and minerals.

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Essentially, healthy eating transforms the way you live by providing you with sustenance and reducing the risks of diseases in the future. Eating right will not only boost your immune system but also, improve your mental health.

As the COVID-19 virus persists, the issue of social distancing, panic buying, and fakes news rises abound. Whatsapp messages about the impending lockdown of the nation or news about the patients getting better on their own are aplenty and easy to convince the uninformed. If you have some time, here are some myths buster and facts that you should be looking at.

What is the COVID-19 virus?

COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus disease that was discovered in 2019. This infectious disease causes a respiratory illness with symptoms such as high fever, dry cough, tiredness and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing.

How does it spread?

It has been reaffirmed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the COVID-19 virus is primarily spread through droplets. The coronavirus disease spreads mainly through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze near you. Also, it spreads when an individual touches a surface or object that has the virus, then touches his face such as the eyes, nose or mouth.

Myths Buster

Despite the worrying and stressful period, we should continue to stay vigilant and be calm, check news sources to prevent misinformation of the coronavirus disease to others.

Myth 1: The Coronavirus Disease Does Not Survive in Hot Weather

From the statistics collected so far, the coronavirus has shown to be able to transmit in ALL areas – including areas with hot and humid weather.

Myth 2: The Coronavirus Only Affects the Older and Younger Demographic

Statistics tabulated by the World Health Organization has said that people of all ages need to take steps to protect themselves from COVID-19. In particular, older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable as they are at increased risk of severe complications.

Myth 3: Antibiotics is All I Need to Get Well

Although there are reports of patients getting well on their own, self-medicating or taking antibiotics are definitely not the right way to get better. Antibiotics are used to fight bacteria, not viruses, which is what COVID-19 is. While the myth may have stemmed from the fact some people who are hospitalized for coronavirus have received antibiotics, but that is only because bacterial “co-infections” are possible with COVID-19, according to the WHO – the antibiotic does not treat the virus itself.

Patients who has symptoms of the virus are encouraged to visit their GP clinics and do not GP hop.

Myth 4: Mosquitoes Spreads Coronavirus

With the temperature rises as we go into the hottest months of the year, the increasing population of mosquitoes are leading people to raise concern on mosquitoes being the possible channel of the virus. WHO has confirmed that so far, there are no information nor evidence to suggest that the coronavirus can be transmitted by mosquitoes and that the primarily spread is only though droplet from someone with the virus. Once again, emphasizing on the need for social distancing and frequent hand washing.

Myth 5: Rinsing Your Nose and Gargling With Saline Solution Helps Prevent Covid-19 Infection

While the WHO has confirmed that there is evidence stating that regular rinsing of the nose with saline can help you get over the common cold more quickly, this method does not apply to COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.

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Good habits are essential to keep the virus away from yourself and others. Here are some habits to incorporate into your daily routine.

• Wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap for 20 seconds.
• Refrain from touching your face, especially when your hands are unclean.
• If you are feeling unwell, wear a mask if you need to go out and see the doctor. Also, you should rest at home.
• Use a hand sanitiser or disinfectant wipes when water is unavailable.
• Practise social distancing; stand 1 metre away from an individual while in queues and stand at the designated lines and blocks in public spaces as they are marked out to indicate social distancing efforts
• Opt for cashless or contactless payment to minimise contact and also as to also speed up the processing of payment.
• Defer all non-essential overseas travelling.
• Monitor your own health conditions and avoid going to mass gatherings.

Social responsibility is an ethic that we should adopt together. Let’s hope that we can brave through this epidemic together.

For a complete list of myths buster, visit the WHO site.

As COVID-19 hits ever closer to home, adding on to the procedures of good hygiene practice of washing your hand frequently, wearing a facemask when unwell and to avoid physical contact as much as possible, taking ownership of your health and feeding your body certain foods is another way to keeping your immune system strong and those viruses further away.

Not that stocking up on supplements during your pharmacy run is bad, supplements are widely known to only be able to fill up the certain dietary gap while the fresh food you eat is loaded with multi-nutrients. And not to mention, fresh food can actually be a lot less costly than supplements. So here are some food that you can stock up on the next time you are at the supermart.

Citrus Fruits

With most vitamin C supplements sold as orange-flavoured, it’s not a wonder that the orange is known as the powerhouse fruit of Vitamin C. The orange fruit is not only naturally packed with vitamin C but have also been proven to be a good source of fibre and potassium, both of which are essential to support heart health.

If the sweetness of the orange is not your thing, the citrus family also includes the grapefruit, lemons and limes which also provide the same benefits as the orange. A common trick to increase your vitamin C intake is to add lemon in your water – proven to improve hydration, aids weight loss, and also prevent kidney stones.

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Green Tea

Learn a thing or two from the nation of longevity – green tea is synonymous to the Japanese, valued for its health benefits and restorative properties Green tea provides an excellent source of antioxidants, which helps in strengthening the immune system. They also aid in fighting against infection by helping immune cells to produce germ-fighting compounds and also strengthen the liver.

A study was done at the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences with a group of 80 people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. They were placed in either a placebo group or 500 mg of green tea extract diet daily for 90 days. After 12 weeks, the group that consumed green tea extract daily, shown significantly reduced liver enzyme levels.

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Bell Peppers

If you have not heard of the “trend word” of 2020 – “Superfood”, let me fill you in – Superfoods are mostly plant-based food ( with some exception of fish and dairy) that are thought to be nutritionally dense and beneficial to the health. One good example of a superfood is the bell peppers. They are known to be excellent sources of vitamins C and A and also antioxidants that neutralize free radicals, thus helping to reduce the risk of heart disease, some cancers, and cataracts, and also alleviate symptoms of arthritis and asthma.

Did you know the different colours of bell peppers does more than adding colours to dishes? Red peppers pack the most nutrition because they have been on the vine the longest. Green peppers are harvested earlier before they have a chance to turn yellow, orange, and then red. Compared to the green bell peppers, the red ones have almost 11 times more beta-carotene and 1.5 times more vitamin C!

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Yoghurt

Yoghurt is one of the best sources of probiotics – friendly bacteria that improve digestion and in recent years, prove to be a great source of Vitamin B and an excellent immunity booster. The live bacteria in probiotics aids in the digestion of lactose and also keep the digestive tract healthy. Topping your yoghurt with some fruits such as blueberries or strawberries and you will a good addition of vitamin C and antioxidants.

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Ginger

Since ancient times, ginger has been an excellent culinary spice and medicinal marvel. The medical properties of ginger are endless. From treating pregnancy-related nauseousness to sea-sick vomiting, reducing inflammation from the onset of osteoarthritis to the lowering of blood sugar, these are just a few of the many health benefits of ginger.

Do not let the pungent flavour of ginger turn you off though. There are well over 1,000 varieties of ginger that you can always give it a shot with. From gingerbread to ginger tea to ginger candy – your options are endless.

As our manufacturers prepare for Industry 4.0, the healthcare system is also being empowered to modernize and become more efficient to meet the growing demand of the current population.

Problems such as the rise of chronic and novel diseases, high medical treatment costs and shortage of healthcare workers are imminent in the growing and ageing population in Singapore. To tackle this multi-faceted problem, other than increasing the number of brick-and-mortar clinics, a solution incorporating the latest technologies to optimize physician’s time, reducing patients’ waiting time, and providing better engagement between patients and physician is needed.

Singapore-based Smartfuture has integrated the latest health technology into one inter-connected platform for GP clinics. From a paperless clinic management system with self-registration and digital queue system to the remote treatment of chronic diseases, wearables tracking and telemedicine, physicians will be able to pick-and-choose the technologies on the modular platform. The platform can include modules such as a kiosk with self-registration and vitals taking that is installed in the clinic, take-home device kits for chronic disease patients, a telemedicine web portal for physician and a mobile app to connect to their regular patients.

“We are focused and determined on helping the primary care physicians ride on the latest trends in healthcare technology. The platform will collect and analyse patient data and present it to physicians alongside insights into patient’s medical needs, which will move diagnosis from symptom-based to data-based.”

“The kiosks in clinics will change how we see a doctor for routine problems, just like how ATMs have changed the way we do routine work in a bank. These kiosks will also offer Telemedicine when the physician is not in the clinic, encouraging patients to try telemedicine and realise its efficacy and practicality,” says Sumit Khemani, Chief Executive Officer of Smartfuture.

For media enquiries or further information, please contact Eleanor at eleanor@oursmartfuture.com.

About Smartfuture

Based in Singapore, Smartfuture develops IoT and AI-enabled healthcare solutions for healthcare providers and corporates in Asia. For more information about Smartfuture, visit: www.oursmartfuture.com