Saturday 25 June 2011

How come the tasty stuff are the bad ones too?

In the previous post, I wrote about the passing of my friend's eldest son due to a complication I have never heard of before. Although I'm not a doctor, I thought I have heard or read about most of the life-threatening diseases there are. Just goes to show that when it comes to subject of the human body's health, there are still so many things that we have yet to know.

No doubt, the prophet Muhammad s.a.w. had mentioned that for every ailment, there is a cure. It is just that the present human skills and capability have not discovered most of them yet.

Which now brings me to the subject of my own health. About two years ago, I posted the results of my medical tests in this blog. It showed an improvement in the total cholesterol level in my blood that has fallen below reference level and a slightly high uric acid level. This caused me to seriously re-think the stuff that I eat everyday so that I could maintain the cholesterol level and perhaps reduce the uric acid level.

Apparently, I have not been serious enough...

The results of my latest medical check-up came in a few weeks ago... and they do not look too good. Well actually, I am generally okay... except for the two items above which have been a bane in my medical history. My total cholesterol level jumped from a low of 4.5 mmol/L to a high of 5.7 mmol/L, i.e above the reference level of 5.2. The uric acid level did not improve either, rising from 0.45 mmol/L to 0.49 mmol/L, above the reference level of 0.42.


This is not good at all. The high levels of these two substances are primarily due to diet. Red meat, shellfish, anchovies, tuna, soy beans (plus all its derivatives such as kicap and tempe) and a whole lot of other tasty stuff. Perhaps I should just become a vegetarian...

17 comments:

HLiza said...

I was thinking of being one too but it's actually so much difficult! (Never heard of the young man's ailment before too..but Allah has many wonders..may his soul be with Allah's loved ones..)

Mamaboyz said...

salam mr oldstock,

may I ask 2 questions- did you fast 10 hours for this blood result, and did they take blood for sugar level too?

i'm going to email you, because it's too long to comment here :)

Pat said...

Salam Fadhil,

I think Mamaboyz makes two very good points. So, do read what he's going to send you. Sugar level is key.

Your levels are only slightly elevated, and actually, cutting all the stuff you mention out of your diet will NOT make either level go away.

What you really need to do is begin an exercise regime: and faithfully stick to it. No off days. And no crazy-jumping-up-and-down exercises either. Just a walk will do, but make sure it is for more than 30 minutes a day, every day.

Then, watch your CARBOHYDRATE intake. Those elevated levels indicate a poor management of your Insulin, not your cholesterol or protein intake. Do look up stuff on the 'Glycemic Index', and you will be amazed at what you will discover.

Many doctors are working on or with diet plans devised in the 80s. They've not updated their info. And the healthy-heart diets, especially those based on the food pyramid of old, are just wrong! Just read up on it, and you'll see that I am not talking out of my 'other mouth'.

Your brain needs chotesterol to function - and for you to think, your brain needs cholesterol. Your body makes what you need, and no, you need not cut egg yolks out either. That's so yesterday, and wrong. Eggs are good for you.

Many people think I am nuts. But, even though I am 55 and fat, I don't suffer from either of these conditions you mention. My husband is 57, and he's also ok - even though there is heart disease in his family.

Take heart, Fadhil. There is a way out. And it doesn't involve a pill.

Fadhil said...

Hliza, maybe takleh nak jadi full vegetarian, tapi try to reduce meat consumption. Which is going to be a bit difficult for me sebab I memang suka daging dari kecik lagi..

Fadhil said...

Salam Mamaboyz,

Yes, I fasted before the blood sample was taken. Ada result sugar tapi I tak include dlm photo tu.

I've read your email and truly appreciate it. Nanti I explain a bit more in my email reply. Nak seek further advice :-)

See, what wonderful blogger friends I have!

Fadhil said...

Hi there Pat,

Mamaboyz above is a lady doctor who happens to be the daughter-in-law of one of my former teachers. She gave me lengthy explanation of my situation, which I did not get from my own regular doctor.

Your comments and advice I truly appreciate too. I really need to get my butt kicked for neglecting proper exercise. Hopefully six months down the road I can post better news about my health. Thanks for the concern. I am touched...

mamasita said...

Salam Oldstock..being a vegetarian will entail a whole load of sacrifices..

Just be extra careful with what you eat..
you do not have to torture yourself by being a vegetarian unless you're really up to it..enjoy life Oldstock.:D

p.s. Your postings of all those makan2 here and there are flooding back into my mind..or tummy? hehehe
Makan jer lah in smaller quantities..:))

Wan Sharif said...

In Moderation my friend..in moderation.. InsyaAllah.. and remember jalan ke syurga penuh cubaan jalan ke neraka penuh keseronokan..
begitu jugalah makanan.. yang sedap ..tu mudah membawa mudhorat.. yang pahit itu ubat..
Sama sama lah kita berikhtiar menjaga kesihatan - rahmat Allah yang terbesar selain Islam dan Iman..

Wan Sharif said...

Jalan ke syurga penuh pancaroba..
jalan ke neraka semuanya enjoyable..
so begitu juga makanan..
yang sedap -membawa mudhorat..
yang pahit selalunya ubat..
Take them in moderation ..my friend..
May Allah bless you with good health always.. sokmo!

Unknown said...

I have given up red meat for nearly thirty years. All my friends note that i do not eat "binatang berkaki empat"

But other food, I just can't say no to! And I'm a fan of deep fried food too i.e. sotong celup tepung, cakar ayam and keropok lekor!

I think I need to get myself evaluated too, soon. Bab ni, mmg suka procratinate....

Zendra-Maria said...

Salam Oldstock, have you exercised today? heheheh...

BTW I like what Pat wrote about glycemic index. Maybe I should ease up on carbos as well... but I do so love my rice, and bread and potatoes... sigh

Fadhil said...

Mamasita, rasanya takleh la nak jadi vegetarian. Beef and mutton are soooo tempting.... but I'll try my best to control the temptations :-)

Fadhil said...

Ayoh Wang,

Your advice about moderation is indeed true. I tell myself to do as such... but many times lupa lah..

Thank you for your doa. Mudah-mudahan kita sama-sama dikurniakan kesihatan.

Fadhil said...

Verse, you have to mention sotong celup tepung ye.... aduh memang sedap tu. Every time I go to east coast, mesti pergi cari..

You may eat a lot, but then you work out a lot too... all those hiking and mountain climbing. I'm not like that, although I always dream of doing all those outdoor stuff. But then, that's the problem... I dream too much, heheheh...

Fadhil said...

Kak Zen, you are asking me about exercise? Hmmm.... let me see... when was the last time... very vague in my memory lah :-)

anneaziz said...

Salam Oldstock,

Nak advise you something yang i myself have been procrastinating to do, but....

Puasa sunat Isnin Khamis and every 13, 14, 15th of the Islamic months...insyaAllah...of course puasa penuh Ramadhan tau!

Fadhil said...

Hi anne, so long no hear from you lah... very good advice that. Will try to do it soon..