We eat to satisfy hunger or greed. But our diet is also a major cause of many health problems, warns ANNIE FREEDA CRUEZ
IT is a paradox. Malaysian cuisine — our source of pride and joy, the envy of others, a significant tourist draw and unrelenting national obsession — is also a major health problem.
Calorie-rich diets, coupled with modern habits and living environments seemingly designed to discourage physical activity, are tipping the weight scale.
The resultant obesity epidemic, as it is now known here, is cited by doctors as a major contributor to the rising rates of metabolic syndrome, which in turn, increases risks of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and other related complications.
And now, they say it may also be the cause of digestive problems.
That diet affects digestive health is no surprise. Most of us have, at one time or another, experienced discomfort after a durian binge, gastric burns from an overly-hot curry or the after effects of a roadside meal.
But what doctors are worried about are the long-term problems that emerge once calories settle as fat tissue around the abdomen.
Obesity is a known risk factor of digestive diseases like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gall-bladder disease, acute pancreatitis, fatty liver and colorectal cancer.
The digestive tract includes the oesophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts.
Weighty heartburn Anyone with GERD will be able to tell you it is one of the most uncomfortable and, in severe cases, painful digestive conditions imaginable.
It happens when stomach contents, including acids, are forced back up the digestive tract. Patients experience constant episodes of heartburn, and if not treated, may risk complications like oesophagitis.
Studies suggest that fat accumulation around the stomach and the digestive tract places pressure on the organs that causes the reverse flow of stomach contents, particularly when lying down.
Obese people experience the symptoms more often and with greater severity. Weight loss is shown to relieve symptoms.
A galling situation Fat people have a greater tendency to develop gallstones.
These block the outlet of the gall bladder, causing periodic pain, nausea and occasionally, vomiting. If untreated, the gall bladder can become infected.
High cholesterol levels in the blood also contribute to the disease risk.
On-off dieting and rapid weight loss actually increase the risks.
Acute pancreatitis This is the sudden inflammation of the pancreas, the insulin-producing organ, with symptoms emerging within a few days of the initial pain.
There are multiple risk factors, of which gallstones is one of the strongest.
Severe complications of acute pancreatitis can follow inflammation, and since the disease appears suddenly, reducing risks related to the condition is important.
Livers turn fat We tend to equate liver damage with alcohol abuse and that belief has lulled many into a false sense of liver health.
In reality, fatty liver is the most common liver disease worldwide and occurs when fat accumulates around the liver.
People at risk of the metabolic syndrome, particularly diabetes, are especially vulnerable to this disease which generally causes few or no symptoms.
It only becomes apparent when the liver is inflamed, at which point the damage has been done. Fatty liver can also lead to primary liver cancer.
Several studies suggest that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is prevalent among Malaysians and is more common in older men particularly Indians and Malays, people with high blood glucose and/or cholesterol levels and in people with thick waists and/or high body mass indexes (over 23 kg/m2).
Colorectal cancer Colorectal cancer is ranked as the third most common malignant disease among both men and women in Southeast Asia.
It is linked to Asian trends of adopting Western lifestyles, particularly in affluent populations. In Malaysia, Chinese are more prone to developing colorectal cancer.
Diet-gastric cancer link Gastric cancer rates are falling across Asia as affluent populations living in cleaner environments have a lower risk of infections of Helicobacter pylori, once the dominant risk for gastric cancer.
However, in Malaysia, it remains the second most common gastrointestinal cancer after colorectal cancer.
Malaysian researchers note that a high intake of salted vegetables, salted fish and smoking may be the cause. Lifestyle matters Digestive disorders are also dependent on an individual’s racial background and family history.
But obesity is a major factor that can be controlled. By changing diets and adopting a regular exercise regime, gradual and sustained weight loss is possible.
Every excess kilogramme shed is an investment for a longer, healthier life.
Digestive diseases debate OBESITY and its related digestive problems will be among major points of debate at the upcoming Asian Pacific Digestive Week (APDW) 2010 to be held in Kuala Lumpur, says APDW president Professor Datuk Goh Khean Lee.
Hosted by the Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the third largest digestive diseases congress in the world will be held in Malaysia for the first time from Sept 19 to 22.
Leading international experts from the United States, Europe and Asia will gather to discuss the latest treatments, endoscopic and surgical techniques in the field.
New research is expected to provide greater insight into these diseases within Asian Pacific populations.
Main digestive disorders in Asia ANNIE FREEDA CRUEZ
1. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common liver disease worldwide. It occurs when fat is deposited in the liver and there is no excessive alcohol intake.
It leads to liver inflammation and damage, and primary liver cancer. It has few or no symptoms. It is also more common in older men, particularly Indians and Malays, those with abnormal blood glucose levels and diabetes as well as abnormal blood lipid levels. 2. Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer or large bowel cancer. It develops from growths in the colon and rectum.
3. Helicobacter pylori infections causes persistent low-level inflammation of the stomach lining. There are no obvious symptoms.
Infections are strongly linked to the development of duodenal and gastric ulcers and stomach cancer.
Decline in infection rates in Asia is associated with improved diagnosis and elimination of Helicobacter pylori as well as improved hygiene and living conditions.
4. Gastric cancer is the second most common gastrointestinal cancer in Malaysia after colorectal cancer. Risk factors include: ● Chinese ethnicity ● Helicobacter pylori infection (the exception being Indians who have low gastric cancer rates despite high infection rates) ● smoking ● high intake of salted fish and vegetables.
The intake of fresh fruit and vegetables appear to be protective against gastric cancer.
IT is a paradox. Malaysian cuisine — our source of pride and joy, the envy of others, a significant tourist draw and unrelenting national obsession — is also a major health problem.
Calorie-rich diets, coupled with modern habits and living environments seemingly designed to discourage physical activity, are tipping the weight scale.
The resultant obesity epidemic, as it is now known here, is cited by doctors as a major contributor to the rising rates of metabolic syndrome, which in turn, increases risks of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and other related complications.
And now, they say it may also be the cause of digestive problems.
That diet affects digestive health is no surprise. Most of us have, at one time or another, experienced discomfort after a durian binge, gastric burns from an overly-hot curry or the after effects of a roadside meal.
But what doctors are worried about are the long-term problems that emerge once calories settle as fat tissue around the abdomen.
Obesity is a known risk factor of digestive diseases like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gall-bladder disease, acute pancreatitis, fatty liver and colorectal cancer.
The digestive tract includes the oesophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts.
Weighty heartburn Anyone with GERD will be able to tell you it is one of the most uncomfortable and, in severe cases, painful digestive conditions imaginable.
It happens when stomach contents, including acids, are forced back up the digestive tract. Patients experience constant episodes of heartburn, and if not treated, may risk complications like oesophagitis.
Studies suggest that fat accumulation around the stomach and the digestive tract places pressure on the organs that causes the reverse flow of stomach contents, particularly when lying down.
Obese people experience the symptoms more often and with greater severity. Weight loss is shown to relieve symptoms.
A galling situation Fat people have a greater tendency to develop gallstones.
These block the outlet of the gall bladder, causing periodic pain, nausea and occasionally, vomiting. If untreated, the gall bladder can become infected.
High cholesterol levels in the blood also contribute to the disease risk.
On-off dieting and rapid weight loss actually increase the risks.
Acute pancreatitis This is the sudden inflammation of the pancreas, the insulin-producing organ, with symptoms emerging within a few days of the initial pain.
There are multiple risk factors, of which gallstones is one of the strongest.
Severe complications of acute pancreatitis can follow inflammation, and since the disease appears suddenly, reducing risks related to the condition is important.
Livers turn fat We tend to equate liver damage with alcohol abuse and that belief has lulled many into a false sense of liver health.
In reality, fatty liver is the most common liver disease worldwide and occurs when fat accumulates around the liver.
People at risk of the metabolic syndrome, particularly diabetes, are especially vulnerable to this disease which generally causes few or no symptoms.
It only becomes apparent when the liver is inflamed, at which point the damage has been done. Fatty liver can also lead to primary liver cancer.
Several studies suggest that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is prevalent among Malaysians and is more common in older men particularly Indians and Malays, people with high blood glucose and/or cholesterol levels and in people with thick waists and/or high body mass indexes (over 23 kg/m2).
Colorectal cancer Colorectal cancer is ranked as the third most common malignant disease among both men and women in Southeast Asia.
It is linked to Asian trends of adopting Western lifestyles, particularly in affluent populations. In Malaysia, Chinese are more prone to developing colorectal cancer.
Diet-gastric cancer link Gastric cancer rates are falling across Asia as affluent populations living in cleaner environments have a lower risk of infections of Helicobacter pylori, once the dominant risk for gastric cancer.
However, in Malaysia, it remains the second most common gastrointestinal cancer after colorectal cancer.
Malaysian researchers note that a high intake of salted vegetables, salted fish and smoking may be the cause. Lifestyle matters Digestive disorders are also dependent on an individual’s racial background and family history.
But obesity is a major factor that can be controlled. By changing diets and adopting a regular exercise regime, gradual and sustained weight loss is possible.
Every excess kilogramme shed is an investment for a longer, healthier life.
Digestive diseases debate OBESITY and its related digestive problems will be among major points of debate at the upcoming Asian Pacific Digestive Week (APDW) 2010 to be held in Kuala Lumpur, says APDW president Professor Datuk Goh Khean Lee.
Hosted by the Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the third largest digestive diseases congress in the world will be held in Malaysia for the first time from Sept 19 to 22.
Leading international experts from the United States, Europe and Asia will gather to discuss the latest treatments, endoscopic and surgical techniques in the field.
New research is expected to provide greater insight into these diseases within Asian Pacific populations.
Main digestive disorders in Asia ANNIE FREEDA CRUEZ
1. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common liver disease worldwide. It occurs when fat is deposited in the liver and there is no excessive alcohol intake.
It leads to liver inflammation and damage, and primary liver cancer. It has few or no symptoms. It is also more common in older men, particularly Indians and Malays, those with abnormal blood glucose levels and diabetes as well as abnormal blood lipid levels. 2. Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer or large bowel cancer. It develops from growths in the colon and rectum.
3. Helicobacter pylori infections causes persistent low-level inflammation of the stomach lining. There are no obvious symptoms.
Infections are strongly linked to the development of duodenal and gastric ulcers and stomach cancer.
Decline in infection rates in Asia is associated with improved diagnosis and elimination of Helicobacter pylori as well as improved hygiene and living conditions.
4. Gastric cancer is the second most common gastrointestinal cancer in Malaysia after colorectal cancer. Risk factors include: ● Chinese ethnicity ● Helicobacter pylori infection (the exception being Indians who have low gastric cancer rates despite high infection rates) ● smoking ● high intake of salted fish and vegetables.
The intake of fresh fruit and vegetables appear to be protective against gastric cancer.
