Antibiotics for cold and flu?
Gan Pou WeeMPharm, MBBS, BCPS, RPh Sneezing, runny nose, sore throat. “Oh no! Am I falling ill? I guess I need a course of antibiotics.” Should one take a course of antibiotics for a cold or flu? To answer that we need to understand what are antibiotics, cold and flu. The common cold is a […]
Haze: What you can do to minimize negative health impacts
Mai Chun Wai,BPharm, PhD, RPh Haze is composed of small particles that can affect both your airways and vision. Haze particles are mainly formed from the incomplete combustion of fuel, open-air burning, by-products from motor vehicles or from manufacturing sites and plantations. They can cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory tract on prolonged exposure. […]
Natural is not equivalent to safe
Mai Chun WaiBPharm (Hons), PhD, RPh You have probably come across a lot of health products in the market being promoted as ‘100% natural’ to coax you into thinking that it is safe owing to its advertised natural content. Did you know that natural compounds or products derived from natural sources are not guaranteed to […]
Vitamin C preparations: Are they all the same?
Lau Hui Ling PhD, MPharm, RPh While there is no difference in terms of the absorption and bioavailability between natural and synthetic vitamin C, the type of formulation or dosage form in which the vitamin C is delivered to the body may affect its absorption from your gastrointestinal tract into your blood stream. Vitamin C is available as […]
Natural and synthetic vitamin C supplements: Are they different?
Lau Hui Ling PhD, MPharm, RPh Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is a vital water-soluble micronutrient which is known to have antioxidant properties that can aid in maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, immune system, soft tissues and wound healing. A healthy, non-smoking adult requires approximately 75 – 90 mg (more in smoking adults) of […]
The incredible benefits of celery
Yow Hui Yin,Phd, BPharm (Hons), RPh Did you know that there are multiple health benefits in just one stalk of celery? Celery, also known as Apium graveolens, is a vegetable from Apiaceae family. Although it is more well-recognized for being low in calories and as a popular diet food, celery actually has incredible health benefits. It […]
Soybeans and the hidden risk – Phytic Acid
Yow Hui Yin,PhD, BPharm (Hons), RPh Soybean is a legume that is commonly consumed among Asians, especially among vegans and vegetarians. It is normally served as foods that include soy milk, tofu (or bean curd) and fermented products such as soy sauce, fermented bean paste, natto and tempeh. In 1999, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) […]
Rabies: What it is and why it matters to me?
John Tiong Jeh LungMPharm, PhD, RPh Lau Hui LingMPharm, PhD, RPh In recent days, a number of rabies cases have been reported in Malaysia. The last canine rabies outbreak in the country was in 2015, which ended after mass vaccination and controversial culling of potentially infected animals. Despite multiple dog bite cases during that period, […]
Vitamin supplements: Do we need them?
Mai Chun WaiBPharm (Hons), PhD, RPh Vitamins are a group of compounds that are needed in small quantities for normal daily functions. In general, with the exception to vitamin D, human body cannot produce vitamins. We therefore have to rely on our diet and/or supplements as sources for our vitamins. Vitamin deficiency is uncommon in […]
Leptospirosis! Not again!
Dr Yeap Li LingBPharm, PhD, RPh Leptospirosis, better known among the locals as “rat urine disease” is in the public eye once again. This is following the release of forensic investigations that uncovered leptospirosis infection as the actual cause of death of a young student from Johor, whose assault case made headlines in recent weeks. In […]