Dubai Health Author-ity (DHA) celebrated Zayed Humanitarian Day by launching the Ataya Al Khair (Giv-

ing for Good) initiative that aims to support elderly people and those in need.

DHA marked Zayed Human-itarian Day by holding a num-ber of activities that reflect the essence of late Shaikh Zayed’s humanitarian work in associa-tion with its strategic partners and supporting bodies.

The initiative — launched on Zayed Humanitarian Day, which falls on the 19th day of Ramadan every year — was or-ganised by DHA’s Community and Humanitarian Services Department. As part of the ini-tiative, water coolers, medical

beds and prayer chairs were donated to the elderly and those with limited means and their families.

The donations were made in partnership with Cars Taxi and in the presence of its CEO, Ab-dullah Sultan Al Sabagh.

CHARITABLE LEGACYIn the light of Zayed Hu-

manitarian Day, Rashid Hos-pital also donated wheelchairs to elderly people and those in need. A total of 105 wheel-chairs was donated on this oc-casion by Rashid Hospital, Lat-ifa Hospital and Dubai Charity Association.

His Excellency Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of DHA, said that Shaikh Zayed had left a long-lasting mark with his humanitarian work.

He said Shaikh Zayed’s hu-manitarian work has reached people across the world under the directives of UAE Pres-

ident His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Moham-mad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,

Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Rul-er of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Su-preme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Al Qatami said that while Shaikh Zayed was keen on providing the people of the UAE a comfortable life, giving a hand to those in need was never forgotten.

He added that Zayed Hu-manitarian Day aims to instil the culture of giving in Emira-tis in memory of the country’s founder.

The day also aims to instil a sense of social responsibility in the holy month of Ramadan, fulfil the vision of the country’s wise leadership and spread the spirt of giving. n

Better HealthYOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF HEALTH

A GULF NEWS SPONSORED SUPPLEMENT

■■ LOW BMI CAN INCREASE RISK OF INJURY IN FEMALE RUNNERS A study conducted by the Ohio State University Wexner Medi-cal Center found female runners who have a body mass index (BMI) of less than 19 are at a higher risk of developing stress fractures than women with a BMI of 19 or higher. It also found lighter women who suffered stress fractures took longer to recover than others.

“When BMI is very low and muscle mass is depleted, the shock of running is absorbed directly into the bones,” said Dr Timothy Miller, Assistant Profes-sor of Clinical Orthopaedic Sur-gery and Sports Medicine.

■■ INSOMNIA GENES FOUNDAn international team of re-searchers, led by scientists from Netherlands Institute for Neu-roscience, VU and VUmc, has found, for the first time, seven risk genes for insomnia.

The finding, published in Nature Genetics, highlights that insomnia is not a purely psycho-logical condition.

By determining the risk genes, researchers have come closer to unravelling the biological mech-anisms that cause a predisposi-tion to insomnia.

■■ VITAMIN C AND ANTIBIOTICS CAN WORK ON CANCER STEM CELLSThe antibiotic, Doxycycline, followed by doses of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), were effective in killing the cancer stem cells under laboratory conditions, according to research published in the journal Oncotarget. Re-searchers from the University of Salford, UK, say their meth-od offers a new way of prevent-ing cancer cells from becoming treatment-resistant and shows how combination therapies can help overcome drug resistance.

This week in

Global News

SUPPORTING THE ELDERLY AND THOSE IN NEEDDHA launches a charitable initiative to coincide with Zayed Humanitarian Day

Pic

ture

s: G

etty

NOOR NAZZAL

The Giving for Good initiative was organised by DHA’s Community and Humanitarian Services Department

Photo: Salah Abdul Kadir

03Medical Fitness Centre are now fully digitally integrated

06Exercises to improve your balance and flexibility

ISSUE 49: JUNE 19 2017

STAY HEALTHY THIS RAMADAN

Discover ways to stay in shape during the holy month

SKIPPING SUHOOR CAN

LEAD TO

MODERATE YOUR

INTAKE OF

Heat stress

Coffee ColasStrong tea

Weight gain

Sleeping between

5 AND 9 HOURS

to reduce the risk of weight gain.

LACK OF SLEEP CAN LEAD TO FATIGUE, LESS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

AND BINGE EATING

Daily hydration guidelines

8-12cups of water

DAILY CALORIE

GUIDE

Adult male2,500CAL

School age1,600 –

2,000CAL

CAFFEINE IS A DIURETIC THAT STIMULATES FASTER WATER LOSS, LEADING TO

DEHYDRATION

Eat at least

5 TO 7SERVINGS

of fruit and vegetables every day

During Iftar

Break your fast with dates and water or laban

It takes 20 mins for the brain to realise food has been consumed

Say NO to sugary and processed foods

Wait at least 2-3 hoursafter eating to begin your exercise routine, to give your body enough

time to digest properlyAdult female2,000CAL

Infographic: John Catherall | Pictures: Shutterstock

2 Monday, June 19, 2017Health News

KAMAKSHI

EID TRAVEL DHA advises travellers to get the necessary jabs at least two weeks prior to their trip

VACCINATIONSIf you want to protect your-

self and your family when travelling, it’s important to get the necessary vac-cinations. Dubai Health

Authority (DHA) is encourag-ing families who plan to travel during summer and Eid break to take the necessary pre-travel vaccinations at least two weeks prior to the journey to ensure the effectiveness of the vaccines.

TRAVELLERS’ CLINICSDHA has two dedicated Trav-

ellers’ Clinics in Nad Al Ham-mar and Al Barsha primary healthcare centres, which are the hub for pre-travel medical services such as vaccinations, risk assessment and advice.

“While there has been an increase in awareness about pre-travel vaccines, we still see families who come to us a week or a few days prior to travel,” says Dr Fathiya Sarkal, Deputy Director of DHA Trav-ellers’ Clinics. “We inform them that we cannot be sure of the effectiveness of the vaccine un-less it is administered at least a month to minimum two weeks prior to the date of travel and we recommend that they postpone their travel dates. Therefore, to avoid all such hassles our advice is to understand the importance of pre-travel vaccines and med-ical advice and incorporate this when they plan to travel.

“We provide a full range of services for travellers and are up to date with the latest in terms of country-specific dis-ease prevalence and outbreaks. Based on the updates from the

“We provide a full

range of services for

travellers and are up

to date with the

latest in terms of

country-specific

disease prevalence

and outbreaks.”

Dr Fathiya Sarkal DHA Travellers’Clinics

Photos: Getty

DHA

News

Photos: Supplied

World Health Organisation and the Centre for Disease Control, we notify passengers about health problems they may face while travelling to their desti-nation and provide them with counselling services, which in-clude administering required vaccinations, providing preven-tive medicines as well as issuing international certification that states the necessary vaccine has been provided.”

Dr Sarkal says that year-on-year there has been an increase in the number of travellers for

both business and leisure and the clinics provide vaccines to residents and visitors.

S. Sahiwala, a Dubai resident, visited the Al Barsha Health Centre with her daughter three weeks prior to the onset of their summer vacation.

“We are travelling to Tanza-nia this year and we wanted to get the yellow fever vaccine,” she says. “In addition to this vaccine, we were informed of other precautions to take to pre-vent illnesses during our travel. Such comprehensive medical

travel advice is very helpful for families to ensure they take the necessary precautions while on holiday.”

AUTHORISED CENTRESDHA’s Travellers’ Clinics fol-

low the protocol set up by the US-based Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on the health requirements for travel and are certified by the World Health Organisation as yellow fever immunisation providers in Dubai.

The pre-travel advice takes into account the destination, length of stay, medical and vaccine history, current med-ical state and mandatory and recommended vaccines for the destination. On the significance of the services, Dr Hend Ahmed Alawadhi, Specialist Public Health Medicine, Nad Al Ham-mar Health Centre, explains that residents need to take pre-cautionary measures prior to travel. “There are mandatory

vaccines such as yellow fever vaccine for African and South American countries and menin-gococcal vaccine for pilgrims,” she says. “The clinic follows in-ternational protocol during out-breaks, so certain vaccines be-come mandatory during these periods.”

Dr Alawadhi says health risk assessment takes into account vaccines that travellers need ac-cording to their state of health.

As per the global health reg-ulation rules, only government centres are authorised to issue the international vaccine certifi-cation. In Dubai, Al Baraha Hos-pital, which is one of the hospi-tals under the UAE Ministry of Health, and the two Travellers’ Clinics under the DHA Prima-ry Healthcare Sector are the authorised entities to provide these certificates.

To contact the DHA branch-es, call 04 502 3701 for Nad Al Hammar and 04 502 3301 for Al Barsha. n

■■ DHA TO HOST VISITING DOCTORS IN JULY

With an aim to provide specialised medical care to Dubai, the DHA is hosting visiting doctors from Italy, the US and Germany.

Abdulrahman Mohammad Al Owghani, director of general foreign relations and media department at the DHA said the ongoing programme sees DHA hosting visiting doctors on a monthly basis to provide consultation to patients in specialised and super-specialised medical fields. The doctors visiting Dubai Hospital include Consultant Endocrine Surgeon, Dr. Emad Kandil from the US, who will be available from July 1 to 6. Visiting doc-tors to Rashid Hospital include Neurology Consultant (epilep-sy), Dr. Soheyl Noachtar from Germany who will be available from July 2 to 6. To book appointments, contact Dubai Hospital at 04 2195833 and Rashid Hospital at 04 2192900.

■■ EMIRATI TEENS CAN APPLY FOR SUMMER TRAINING

DHA started accepting applications of Emirati high school and university students interested in taking part in its current summer training programme. Organised by its Medical Edu-cation Department, it is a yearly programme where students work for almost one month in the administrative department of various hospitals, health clinics and DHA’s administration offices to gain practical work experience.

It presents an opportunity for students to gain valuable workplace experience. During the training programme, stu-dents will be given practical training experience.

Students can register online by visiting the authority’s web-site. The training is open to UAE nationals only. An applicant must have passing grades to be accepted in the programme.

■■ MS IS A PREVALENT ISSUE IN THE REGION

In Dubai, 54 in every 100,000 people suffer from multiple scle-rosis (MS), said doctors from Dubai Health Authority (DHA), stressing that there is a considerable MS prevalence in the re-gion and more people should be aware about the disease. “MS is a long-lasting disease that can affect your brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves, causing neurological and functional disorders,” said Dr Yasmin Kamal, Senior Specialist, Neurology, Rashid Hospital.

It relapses when the myelin layer in the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and optic nerve) inflames. While the exact reasons are unknown, Dr Kamal said the speculat-ed causes of MS include but are not limited to autoimmune diseases, excessive immune reaction, previous viral infection, genetic factors and environment factors.

DHA’s Travellers’ Clinics offer information about the health problems visitors may face at their destination in addition to pre-travel vaccinations

3Health NewsMonday, June 19, 2017

Dubai Health Authority (DHA) added yet another internation-al achievement to its list after the Dubai Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre received a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accredita-tion of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

CARF awarded the accredita-tion after evaluating the centre and found that it met interna-tional standards and offered the latest facilities and spe-cialised care. This recognition has contributed to high patient demand, with the centre receiv-ing more than 4,000 patients a month.

The CARF team commend-ed the centre’s state-of-the-art equipment and its capabilities in helping patients achieve max-imum rehabilitation, allowing

them to reintegrate into society. The centre’s services that con-tributed to achieving accredi-tation include robotic services that DHA started utilising to rehabilitate patients.

This technology, which re-habilitates patients who suffer from neurological disorders, pa-ralysis or weakness in the mus-cles, is being used for the first time in the Middle East.

The committee also com-mended the centre’s other ser-vices in addition to its rehabil-itation programmes.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTIONHis Excellency Humaid Al

Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of DHA, said the authority was keen on providing quality services that were on a par with international standards as achieving custom-er satisfaction was the author-

ity’s main priority. Al Qatami commended the centre’s staff for contributing to this achieve-ment adding that this would not have been possible without their efforts.

He said the Dubai Physiother-apy and Rehabilitation Centre had 83 specialised medical staff and 40 therapists who offered a number of services that aim to improve patients’ quality of life.

This included specialisations such as physiotherapy, rehabil-itation and physical medicine, occupational therapy, speech therapy, orthoptist fabricating devices and nutritional pro-grammes.

The centre also provided minimally invasive procedures that involve regenerative tissue injections, including dextrose prolotherapy, platelet-rich plas-ma, hyaluronic acid and cellular matrix. n

CARF commended DPRC for its efforts in patient rehabilitationPhoto: Supplied

NOOR NAZZAL

PHYSIO CENTRE ACCREDITEDDubai Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre receives

CARF accreditation

KAMAKSHI GUPTA

Picture: Getty

MEDICAL FITNESS GOES ELECTRONIC

DHA migrates its mandatory medical tests to digital platforms to improve efficiency and convenience for residents

The Dubai Health Au-thority (DHA) has completed its electron-ic integration system for all medical fitness

procedures.The move is in line with the

authority’s smart health initia-tives and aims to provide cus-tomers with added convenience and quicker processing time.

The system is of significant importance given the vast num-ber of people who require med-ical fitness services. In 2015, the total number of people who vis-ited Dubai Health Authority run medical fitness centres were 2,051,802. Of these 843,085 were new applicants and the remain-ing were visa-renewals. Medical fitness test is a mandatory re-quirement for all expats in the UAE. Medical fitness screening is a prerequisite for a residency, employment or education visa.

Maisa Al Bustani, Director of Medical Fitness at the DHA says, “All medical fitness centres are now fully electronically inte-grated. This means that human intervention is almost zero and is only applicable where cer-tain physical examinations are needed. However, all results of the blood test and x-rays are electronic and we are integrat-ed with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners

Affairs Dubai (GDRFA-D). Once the applicant completes all the due screening procedures, the applicant will receive a SMS alert and we will send the re-sults electronically via an email as opposed to the earlier system where the applicant would re-ceive a hard copy of the result via courier. The results are sent to GDRFA-D for visa processing purposes in real time so the pro-cess will now be much quicker.”

She added that the authori-ties have also begun the process of streamlining medical fitness

services to enhance the custom-er’s journey and make these typ-ing centres a one-stop-shop for them. So far, 25 typing centres located within DHA’s medical fitness centres as well as exter-nal centres have been accred-ited and are authorised to pro-vide services.

“Companies with employ-ees above 50 do not need to go through typing centres as we provide them with unique user names and passwords so that they can directly fill the applica-tions on the system. Individuals

and companies with less than 50 employees need to go through typing centres to fill out their application for visa issuance and renewal. They can log onto the DHA website to find a list of accredited typing centres. Most of the medical fitness centres have a typing centre in the same premise and they are accredit-ed. This is to provide added con-venience in one location to the customer. We have also accred-ited stand-alone typing centres that met our criteria. All typing centres are required to follow

quality standards set by DHA to ensure customer happiness and professional service.”

Al Bustani said: “We will also make sure that all these centres are geographically distributed evenly across Dubai to ensure that residents are able to go to a centre that is in proximity to his/her home.”

In future the DHA will also launch a medial fitness app. In the first phase, companies will be able to access the app to book medical fitness tests for their employees. They can book a medical fitness appointment for new visas and for visa renewals using the app. They can select a centre which is convenient to them, and can also make a se-lection based on the type of ser-vice they want. For example, the VIP fitness test and the centres that provide this service will pop up on screen. The payments can also be made online. At a later stage, DHA will also pro-vide them with an appointment scheduling facility.

The DHA has 16 medical fit-ness centres in Dubai for issu-ance and renewal of visas.

Several medical fitness op-tions are available such as reg-ular, VIP, 24-hour and 48-hour medical fitness services, en-suring the results are provided within the selected time frame.

There is also Tawajud, DHA’s fast-track service and that is highly beneficial for corporate employees. DHA employees visit the office or home of the individual who requested the service and conduct medical fit-ness tests on the spot. For every request, a maximum of 70 em-ployees are tested. This saves time for the business communi-ty as their employees can get the test done in their offices itself.

Al Bustani added that the ser-vice is also beneficial for home-makers who do not wish to go to a medical fitness centre to re-new their visa. A request for this service can be made using the DHA’s website www.dha.gov.ae

“All medical fitness

centres are now

fully electronically

integrated. This

means that human

intervention is

almost zero.”

Maisa Al Bustani Director of Medical Fitness, DHA

4 5Nutrition PlanetNutrition Planet

DR WAFAA AYESH Clinical Nutrition Director, Dubai Health Authority

DO OR DIET

All your nutrition queries answered by...

Is adding butter to your coffee actually good for you? Does it help in weight loss? A health drink called Bulletproof Coffee is trending now. It is a cup of black coffee with grass-fed butter and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil mixed in. It was designed by Dave As-prey, a tech entrepreneur who claims the 450-plus-calorie brew suppresses hunger, promotes weight loss, and improves energy.

Fat is more satiating than nothing, so if you add it to your morning cup, you may feel full longer. Some nutrition experts say starting the day with healthy fats provides energy, is good for cognitive function, and supports your hormonal system. Butter from grass-fed cows supplies a ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids that’s healthier than what comes from conventionally raised livestock. Meanwhile, MCTs, a unique form of fat, requires less energy and enzymes to be digested when compared to long-chain triglycerides.

Evidence suggests regular consumption of MCTs can in-duce mild fat loss, but the coconut oils and things from which people usually get MCTs often contain dangerous amounts of fats. Note that one tablespoon of grass-fed butter and one ta-blespoon of MCT oil add up to more than 100 per cent of your recommended daily allowance of saturated fat. The down-side? It’s an extra 200-300 calories, so it has to replace some food, else you gain an extra 20 to 30 pounds each year by hav-ing a cup per day. If you’re trying to cut calories or saturated fat, Bulletproof probably isn’t your cuppa.

Is saccharin safe to use as a sweetener? I read some-where that it is carcinogenic.Saccharin, an artificial sweetener known by different brand names, became popular because it’s over 200 times sweeter than table sugar, but has no calories. In the 1970s, it was per-ceived to be a possible carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) after studies in rats showed that excessive saccharin could lead to bladder cancer. This led the FDA and WHO to put warning labels on saccharin products about the possible risk of cancer. However, studies in humans have since shown no relationship between saccharin and cancer. The FDA and the WHO have taken saccharin off their lists of possible carcino-gens, but there’s still ongoing research on its safety.

Until more is known, you need to follow some regulations set by FDA around the use of saccharin. The acceptable daily allowance of saccharin is 15mg per kg of bodyweight. So, if you weigh 60kg, you could safely consume up to 900mg of saccharin. At 36 mg per packet (for Sweet’N Low), that would be 25 packets.

Q

DIET ADVICE

Monday, June 19, 2017Monday, June 19, 2017

With an informed choice of ingredients, you can far improve your chances of dehydration if you’re fasting over Ramadan

If you’ve ever been dehydrated, you’ll recognise the unpleasant feelings of fatigue and dizziness that comes with the territory. You’ll have probably experienced a dry mouth, headaches and dizziness. In essence, it’s not enjoyable. There are obvious mea-sures you can take to lessen the likelihood of feeling parched,

such as reducing your caffeine consumption or by quitting smoking. If however, you’re fasting, there are further steps you can take with your diet that will greatly improve your chances of staying hydrated during daylight hours.

TOMATO SAUCEYou’ve probably heard about the health ben-

efits of a Mediterranean diet and one of the key ingredients you’ll find in many of the dishes is tomato sauce. High in water content, it is a sen-sible option if you’re fasting. Packed with vita-min C and fibre, tomatoes also contain the anti-oxidant lycopene, which has been shown to reduce your risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. One point you need to be wary of is the salt content, par-ticularly if you buying pre-made sauces from a super-market or eating in a restaurant.

CUCUMBERAdmittedly not the most best tasting fruit on the planet,

but the very fact that cucumber is made up of around 96 per cent water makes it an excellent choice if you’re looking to stay hydrated. Despite the absence of fla-vour, cucumber also has a number of additional health benefits. It contains vitamins A, B and C, which boost your immune system. The fruit also supplies the body with skin-friendly minerals — magnesium, potassium and silicon — explaining why you’ll often find cucumber used in spa treat-ments. Silicon is also known to be good for your hair, skin and nails.

MELONWhile it’s tempting to treat yourself to a serv-

ing of Umm Ali at iftar (in moderation), if you’re looking to maximise the health benefits of your meal, a portion of fruit and specifically melon, offers far more nutritional advantages. Not only is melon a sweet and delicious dessert option but it’s also rich in an-tioxidants, including vitamin A, which will help keep your skin clear and radiant. In fact, a 100g serving of melon contains more than

100 per cent of your recommended daily level of vitamin A.

Not only can melon improve your skin but it’s also an excellent alternative to sug-

ary treats if you’re looking to keep your weight in check. A 100g serving contains just 34 calo-ries and no fat or cholesterol. The fact that mel-on also contains around 90g of water per 100g serving, depending on the variety, makes it a rea-sonable alternative if the idea of swigging endless glasses of water to maintain hydration while you’re fasting doesn’t appeal. In fact, one study in 2009 by the University of Aberdeen concluded that the minerals and sugars found in watermelon might actually hydrate you more efficiently than water itself.

EGGPLANTIf you’ve attended a traditional iftar and you’re familiar with mou-

tabel, you may already know that unlike hummus, which is a chickpea dip, moutabel’s primary ingredient is eggplant. A vegetable that’s as-

3 dehydrating foodsPhotos: Getty

LIGHT BITES

Enjoy these easy-to-prepare, fresh recipes

SERVES: 4 PREPARATION TIME: 20 MINUTES INGREDIENTS ◆ 250g zucchini ribbons (cut with a

potato peeler)◆ 250g asparagus, steamed◆ 1 cup broad beans, blanched and

shelled◆ 1 cup frozen petits pois, blanched◆ 250g young leeks, cooked until

tender◆ 6 anchovy fillets drained, rinsed

and finely chopped (optional)◆ 10 basil leaves◆ 3 or 4 mint leaves, torn into tiny

pieces◆ Small handful of chopped Italian

parsley◆ 1/2 cup olive oil◆ Juice of 1 large lemon

CRUNCHY BEETROOT AND CARROT SALAD

SERVES: 4PREPARATION TIME: 20 MINUTESCOOKING TIME: 5 MINUTES INGREDIENTS ◆ 4 medium beetroots, peeled◆ 3 large carrots◆ 125ml sunflower seeds◆ 20ml mayonnaise◆ 20ml olive oil◆ 3ml mixed herbs, freshly

chopped◆ 5ml brown sugar◆ 10ml white vinegar◆ 1 handful marjoram sprigs

METHOD1. Finely slice the beetroot and

carrot into matchsticks or use a vegetable cutting machine on its finest setting. You can also use the coarse side of a grater.

2. Heat a frying pan and dry fry the sunflower seeds until roasted, remove from the heat and allow to cool.

3. Toss the carrot, beetroot and sunflower seeds together.

4. Mix the mayonnaise, olive oil, mixed herbs, sugar and vinegar together. Drizzle over the salad and top with the marjoram sprigs.

Imag

es a

nd

rec

ipes

: Cam

era

Pre

ss

SUMMER ZUCCHINI SALAD◆ 1 finely chopped red chilli◆ Sea salt flakes◆ Cracked black pepper◆ 1/2 cup shaved pecorino or

Parmesan METHOD 1. Arrange the zucchini, asparagus,

broad beans, petits pois, leeks, anchovy fillets, basil, mint and parsley in a large, shallow dish.

2. To make the dressing, combine

the olive oil with the lemon juice and chilli, and drizzle the mixture over the salad.

3. Season well with sea salt flakes and cracked black pepper, and scatter the shaved pecorino or Parmesan on top of the salad just before serving.

HOLY MONTH

sociated with weight loss due to its low calorie content, eggplant is also high in fibre and water,

which is key to keeping you hydrated during the day. Eggplant also contains phytonutrients, which

studies have found fight off free radicals and protect the brain against disease and toxins. If you are getting

your fix through moutabel though, pay attention to salt lev-els, as this varies from dish to dish, depending on preparation.

You also need to beware of fried eggplant as its soft texture means it easily absorbs.

ZUCCHINI Also known as courgette, zucchini is another

food that’s common in Middle Eastern cuisine — and is often served stuffed with other in-gredients. It’s actually classified as a fruit but most people consider it a vegetable. Zucchi-ni contains high levels of vitamins A and C and is also a source of calcium, which helps strengthen your teeth and bones. Low in

cholesterol and high in fibre, zucchini’s high water content should leave you feel-

ing full for longer, which is important if you’re fasting. It’s also useful if you’re trying

to stay hydrated during the day. Zucchini has also been linked to anti-aging properties, as it’s

contains antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which are two carotenoids that can exhibit powerful anti-aging properties.

CARROTYou may be familiar with people telling you that consuming de-

cent amounts of carrots will help you see in the dark. While this

is true to an extent, by virtue of the fact that the vegetable contains vita-min A and a deficiency of this can lead to nyctalopia or night blindness, it’s not en-tirely true either.

If you start consuming them in Bugs Bunny quantities, I’m afraid you’re unlikely to feel like you’re wear-ing night vision goggles. Nevertheless, what is less known is that carrots contain an extremely high amount of water — around 87 per cent. Carrots also contain more of the antioxidant beta-caro-tene, than any other fruit and vegetable. In fact, the modern name for carrot derives from the Greek word, karoton. There’s so much beta-carotene found in them that the antioxidant is named after the vegetable.

ORANGE Many people who struggle with the consumption of fruit resort

to blending fruits into drinks and smoothies. This can be a haphaz-ard approach in terms of health benefits as some drinks contain too much sugar. There are a number of health benefits to ending your fast with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice if you’re looking for something more exciting than water.

Not only does just one orange contain almost your entire daily-rec-ommended dose of vitamin C, it also contains around 87 per cent wa-ter, so it’s a hydrating fruit. Vitamin C, functions as a primary antiox-idant in the body, and destroys free radicals before they can damage the body’s systems. Beware though, if you go beyond one glass, you are likely to see a spike in your blood sugar levels, so it’s only recommend-ed that you consume the fruit in moderation, if you’re fasting. ■

PETER FEELY

Hydrate your

There are a number

of health benefits to

ending your fast

with a glass of

freshly squeezed

orange juice if you’re

looking for

something more

exciting than water.

Sugary drinksToo much sugar actually inhibits the body’s absorbing the

water you need so while a soda may quench your first initially it won’t help much in the long run.

Excessive dried fruit consumption

A popular staple at iftars, dried fruits in moderation have numerous nutritional benefits. Nevertheless, it’s worth

remembering that they’re fruits that have had the majority of their water content removed, so moderation is the key if you

wish to stay hydrated.

CaffeineDrinks, such as tea, coffee and colas should be consumed in

moderation (if at all) as they are diuretics, which will speed up the process of your body getting rid of water.

■■ IF I SUFFER FROM VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY, ARE THERE ANY DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS I SHOULD TAKE WHILE FASTING?

Include milk based porridges, cheese sandwich and eggs in the suhour.

Wholesome recipe for suhour: 2 spoons of organic oats mixed with 2 spoons of mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios, ca-shews, raisins, chestnuts) powdered and soaked overnight in a cup of milk blended with 2 spoons of yogurt.

The main meal after iftar can include fish like salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel. You could opt for mushroom and cheese based cooking if you are vegetarian. You can also include beef liver once a week. Alternately you can also consider cod liver oil sup-plements every day.

■■ I’VE ACTUALLY GAINED WEIGHT DURING PREVIOUS RAMADANS DESPITE FASTING. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?

Avoid eating fried and high calorie food, which means a big no to kunafa, katayef, pastries, samosas etc.

Consume small amounts of food at a time. Avoid eating large meals and avoid eating continuously from Iftar to suhour.

Break your fast with a date and bowl of fruit as well as a fresh juice without added sugar, followed by a soup and steamed fish with vegetables, or meat and vegetables cooked till soft. Opt for water based cooking (not fried or grilled) after prayer.

Have a bowl of papaya or apple or banana before bed and a simple suhour like muesli, or the recipe explained above.

Drink four to five glasses of water and two cups of herbal /flow-er teas like chamomile or jasmine tea. And try to go for a short walk, atleast for half an hour, after meals.

www.thehealersclinic.com (04 385 5677)

HOLISTIC NUTRITION

Natural solutions to your dietary needs

Dr Saya Pareeth, Homeopath and Medical Director, The Healers’ Clinic

6 Maximum Fitness Monday, June 19, 2017

During the holy month, you may not want to hit the gym hard but you can still work on your suppleness and coordination through the practise of yoga

IMPROVE YOUR

BALANCE

FLEXIBILITYAND

Yoga is a practise that benefits both your body and mind through the process of physical poses, controlled breathing and meditation. According to the Mayo Clinic,

yoga can also reduce stress, lower your heart rate and lower your blood pressure. Physically, the more you practise the more you’ll improve your posture, balance and flexibility. Studies have also shown that

yoga can be an effective form of exercise for chronic conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and anxiety. While many opt to join classes, you can also practise yoga in the comfort of your own home, and as you become more adept at the exercises, you can extend the time you hold poses for and push your body into more advanced positions as your flexibility improves.

THE TREEStart with the mountain pose, which

is the foundation of all standing exercises in yoga. The mountain pose involves a straight

posture, with your legs together and your big toes touching. If you experience trouble balancing from

this position, then you can stand with your legs slight-ly apart. The key is to start regulate your breathing

so that when you inhale, you elongate through your pelvis and when you exhale, you relax your shoul-

der blades away from your head, towards the back of your waist. From the mountain pose, lift your right leg by bending down and grasping your ankle with your right hand. Using your other hand to help, position your right foot

on the inside of your right leg. Turn your right knee out to the right side and lift your right

foot to your inner right thigh. Then stand straight and bring your arms into the

prayer position. To maintain your balance during

4. WARRIOR IIIf you’re a relative novice at yoga then the Warrior II pose

is a simple and safe way of improving both your balance and flexibility. First, bring yourself into the five-pointed star position. Next, turn your right foot to a 45˚ degree angle and bend your

right knee directly over your turned foot. Turn your hips and shoulders to that they are facing in the same direction as your right foot, keeping your back straight and raise your arms so

that they are parallel with the floor and straight. Not only does this pose strengthen your legs, arms and hips but

it improves your concentration and should relax your mind.

DOWNWARD FACING DOGOne of the most iconic yoga positions, start on your hands and

knees, with you your knees aligned underneath your hips. Spread your arms, keeping them on the floor, and then lift your knees

away from the floor gently. Move your body into a triangle position until your heels are firmly on the floor and your legs, back and arms are straight. Ensure that your head remains

straight between your shoulder blades and don’t let it drop. If you have a moderate level of fitness, you

should be able to hold this pose comfortably for between 1 and 3 minutes.

3. THE BOATThis exercise is an effective way of building strength and flexi-bility in your abs and hips, as well as improving your balance.

To achieve this pose, sit on the floor with your legs together and straight in front of you. Move your hands so that they’re position

just behind your hips, with your fingers pointing towards your toes. The next step is to exhale gently and bend your knees, so that your thighs are positioned 45˚ from the floor. As you

lengthen your tailbone towards the floor, you should slow-ly try to straighten your legs. From that position, you

should lift your sternum (breastbone) away from the floor. If you’re a beginner and you find it dif-

ficult to straighten your legs, one tip is to use a strap around your ankles,

so you can use your

WARRIOR IIIThis is a pose that’s effective if you already have a decent

level of flexibility. Start in the mountain pose and then move your left leg forward and extend your arms out straight, until shoulder height. Shift your weight on to your left leg, ensuring

that your heel and toes are firmly on the ground. Next, you slowly lift your right leg, and begin to move your arms and

torso, so that they are parallel with the floor. To achieve this pose, you need to focus on relaxed breathing and straight-

ening your right leg, until it too is parallel to the floor. If initially this pose is too difficult, you can use a prop,

such a wall, to steady your balance, so that you can gradually improve your flexibility and

balance before attempting the exercise unaided.

Pictures: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PETER FEELY

7Monday, June 19, 2017 Life Alternatives

Last week the temperatures in the UAE soared to an av-erage high of 40 degrees and it’s only the beginning of summer. The mercury levels are expected to continue rising in the coming months and most of the UAE res-idents are coping with the extreme heat in their own ways. Some are staying indoors during the day and blasting their air conditioners in their home, cars and

offices, while the sun lovers are heading to the pool or beach. “Extreme temperatures can play havoc on your skin and hair;

during summer we see a lot more cases of fungal infections aris-ing from sweating and moist skin,” says Dr Anwar Al Hammadi, President of Emirates Dermatology Society and Consultant and Head of Dermatology at DHA. “There are more recorded cases of pityriasis versicolor, sometimes called tinea versicolor (a com-mon condition that causes small patches of skin to become scaly and discoloured).”

Diet plays a key role in managing hair and skin in summers “Dubai’s heat spares no one!” says Nadia Amin, a UAE resident who was born and brought up in the UAE. “During summers if I don’t take care of my skin/hair I start getting heat boils, acne and oily scalp, so I make an extra effort to stick to my skincare regime that includes washing my face with a light cleanser, fol-lowed by rose water spray to tone the skin and using a light moisturiser. Before I step out I make sure I’m wearing a good sun block (SPF 50).”

“Diet too is very important, I don’t eat junk food or drink soft drinks,” shares Nadia. She tries to eat clean and incorporate fruits and nuts (such as walnuts which are rich in Vitamin B and great for hair and nails) into her diet. She makes sure she is always well hydrated and carries a bottle of water with her.

HAIR TROUBLES For Monika Parwani, a banking professional from Australia summers are the toughest on her hair. “It does get more difficult

PATRICIA TELLIS

“Extreme temperatures can

play havoc on your skin and hair; during summer we see a lot more cases of fungal

infections arising from sweating and

moist skin.”

Dr Anwar Al HammadiPresident of Emirates Dermatology

Society and Consultant and Head of Dermatology at DHA

Guava This tropical fruit, which is full of vitamin C, protects hair from breaking. One cup of guava has 377mg of vi-tamin C. That’s more than four times the minimum daily recom-mended amount. Iron-fortified cereal Too little iron can lead to hair loss, but this important nutrient is easily found in fortified cereal, grains, pastas, soybeans, and lentils. Lean poultry When you don’t get enough protein, hair growth “rests”. Since it stops and older hair fall out, you can have hair loss. To get protein from meat, pick lean options like chicken or turkey, which have less saturated fat. Sweet potatoes These are filled with an antioxidant called be-ta-carotene, which the body turns into vitamin A. It helps pro-tect against dry, dull hair. It also encourages the glands in the scalp to make an oily fluid called sebum that keeps hair from drying out. Beta-carotene is also found in other orange vegeta-bles like carrots, pumpkin, cantaloupe, and mangoes.Cinnamon - helps with blood flow, also called circulation. That’s what brings oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. Sprinkle this spice on oatmeal, toast and coffees to enjoy the benefits.Eggs – are rich in a B vitamin called biotin that helps hair grow. Not having enough of this vitamin can lead to hair loss. Biotin also helps strengthen brittle fingernails.

Oysters - are rich in zinc, cells that build hair rely on zinc to help them work there hardest. Low zinc can result in hair

loss and even loss of eyelashes. Zinc can also be easily found in beef, crab, lobster and fortified cereal.

WATCH WHAT YOU EATDiet influences skin at the cellular level, and since skin is our largest organ, it’s also the first to show nutrient deficiency. In order to sport a healthy glow inside and

out this season here are some simple tips to incorporate into your diet plans

Watermelon - is around 90 percent water, which hydrates the body and is loaded with Vitamin C, which is required for

healthy collagen production. Its antioxidant properties help pre-vent signs of aging.Berries - like blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and straw-berries are packed with antioxidants, which can protect skin

from the damaging effects of the sun.Pineapple - this tropical fruit contains bromelain thought

to fight inflammation this is especially important for peo-ple with sunburns. Citrus Fruits - Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes are high in vitamin C and amino acids, like proline and ly-sine which play a role in collagen production and can keep skin looking young.Cucumber – contains water so they hydrate and re-plenish the body and skin.

Tomatoes - protects skin cells thanks to their lycopene, which not only promotes collagen production but also

fights off fine lines and wrinkles.Dandelion Greens – gives you more than your daily dose of

vitamins A and K, as well as a good deal of collagen-producing C. It’s also used for skin conditions like acne and eczemaCoconut Water – hydrating powers and its hearty dose of po-

HEALTHY SUMMER HAIR AND SKINLook your best during the warmer months with just a few simple steps

to handle my hair during summers because of the increased humid-ity, I feel my scalp is oily which makes my hair flat and lifeless. To overcome the issue I wash my hair almost every day. This ensures the oil and dust is washed off from the scalp and makes my hair look fresh and healthy.”

HAIRCARE DOS AND DON’TSAccording to Dr Al Hammadi, just as the sun damages the skin it can damage your hair too. The saltwater in the ocean and the chlorine in the swimming pool can take a toll on your hair and in just a few weeks those shiny and easily managed locks can look and feel fried.

“In the summer we tend to wash our hair more after a workout in the gym or if you sweat and this can deplete the natural oil in the hair leaving it dry and brittle,” says Dr Al Hammadi. “Using the right products i.e. not a strong shampoo, letting your hair breathe — not wearing the hijab constantly, conditioning just the tips of the hair and not the roots, not blow-drying hair as often or brushing the hair when it’s wet,” are just some of the steps recommended by Dr Al Hammadi for hair maintenance.

SUMMER TLC Summer doesn’t have to be the season of bad hair days. With some extra TLC, your hair can look great even in the steamiest months of the year.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY HAIR THIS SUMMER Seafood Fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel are packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids that protects our body from diseases but also help with hair growth and keeps it shiny and full.Greek yogurt It is packed with protein but also has an ingredient — vitamin B5 that helps with blood flow to your scalp and may even help against hair thinning and loss. Spinach The vegetable is full of vitamin A, plus iron, beta-carotene, foliate and vitamin C. These work together for a healthy scalp and mane. They keep the hair moisturised so it doesn’t break. During the summer there’s a rise in people with skin conditions

Pictures: iStock

8 Monday, June 19, 2017Life Alternatives

If you enjoy feeling bronzed, with a healthy glow, but you worry about the risks of skin damage, premature ag-

ing and even skin cancer, then scientists may just have found the answer.

Specialists from Massa-chusetts General Hospital have discovered a drug that

works as a catalyst for the skin to create the brown form of the pigment melanin. The drug, when rubbed on to the skin, causes a chain of reac-tions that eventually leads to your skin becoming brown-er. Speaking to the BBC, re-searcher Dr David Fisher said, ““It has a potent darkening effect. Under the microscope it’s the real melanin, it really is activating the production of

pigment in a UV-independent fashion.”

The researchers don’t claim to be motivated by cosmetics and instead say that the ex-periments were carried out to find a solution to the rising number of global skin cancer cases. The eventual aim of the team is to combine the drug with sun protection lotions so that the when the drug is used, it’s combined with the

maximum protection against harmful UV rays.

The drug is not yet on the market as more tests need to be carried out but research-ers are yet to encounter any serious issues with the prod-uct. Hopefully, if you’re fair skinned and find it difficult to tan, or you simply love look-ing bronzed, you won’t have to wait too long before you find a safe solution.

Scientists have created a new way of getting a healthy glow, without the risksSTAFF REPORT

A team at Stanford Uni-versity have found a relationship between

the popularity of vegetables and the seductiveness of how they’re described. The scientists labelled the same vegetables in a number of different ways across the period of a semester and collected data from more than 600 students’ reactions to the different descriptions. The academics concluded that the more attractively or seductively the vegetable descriptions were,

then the more popular they became with the students. The vegetable were categorised into four description groups: basic, healthily restrictive, health pos-itive and indulgent.

Basic was simply labelling the vegetables as they are, such as carrots. Healthily restrictive was where vegetable descrip-tions had a health clause, which was viewed as unappealing, such as sugar free. Health pos-itive, was where the vegetable had an attribute, which was considered attractive, such as vitamin C and indulgent, in the

case of carrots, was where they were described as, “twisted cit-rus-glazed carrots.”

The scientists found that there was a clear trend for stu-dents choosing vegetables with indulgent labels. In fact, when vegetables were described in-dulgently their popularity in-creased by 25 per cent on aver-age, which was 41 per cent more

than vegetables labelled as basic and 35 per cent more than veg-etables with healthily restrictive vegetables.

The findings were original-ly published in JAMA Internal Medicine. The researcher, Brad Turnwald, said of their findings, “When most people are making a dining decision, they are moti-vated by taste.”

Photo: iStock

STAFF REPORT

INDULGENT LABELLING MAKES VEG MORE PALATABLEFoods classified as healthy were found to be less attractive than options

with more enticing descriptions

SAFE TANNING DRUG INVENTED

LAST WORD

During Ra-madan, it’s important to r e m e m b e r those less

fortunate, including people who require blood donations. Peo-ple who have rare blood groups are es-pecially in need. I encourage you to reg-ister with our data-base, so that we can contact you for dona-tions based on supply and demand. It’s im-portant to realise that blood expires every 42 days and blood plate-lets expire in just five days.

Blood donors are able to give blood ev-ery eight weeks and can donate platelets up to 24 times a year. A regular do-nation will take just 15 minutes of your time and a plate-let donation can be made in just 45 minutes. As platelets have the shortest shelf life, I would encourage people to educate their friends, family and colleagues about the im-portance of these donations.

As DHA appreciates that many donors will be fasting during the holy month, provisions have been made to en-sure that the Blood Donation Center at Latifa Hospital is open after iftar hours from 8:30 pm to 1 am, making it more convenient for you to visit after you have broken your fast.

The centre is accredited to the highest possible quali-ty standards by AABB and these rigorous standards are applied to the collection, processing and storage of the donations.

What’s significant to remember is that with each do-nation you make, you could potentially save three lives. DHA has been active with campaigns to encourage more donations and I would like to thank the community of existing donors for their dedication. Ramadan Kareem.

Donors interested in platelet donation can call 04 219 3769. To contact the Center, call 04 219 3221.

DR MAY RAOUF, Director of the Dubai Health Authority-run Dubai Blood Donation

Ph

oto:

iSto

ck

“When most

people are making

a dining decision,

they are motivated

by taste.”

Brad Turnwald Researcher, Stanford University

It is a known fact that chil-dren of obese mothers face increased risks of birth de-

fects. But new research has revealed that the risk of con-genital malformations in chil-dren increases in proportion to mothers’ degree of obesity. The fatter the mum, the greater the risk.

Published in the BMJ, the study, which covered 1.2 million births in Sweden over a span of 14 years, showed progressively higher risks for major congen-ital malformations in children born to overweight as well as obese mothers. The risk of birth defects for overweight (with a

body mass index (BMI) of 25-29.9) mothers was 3.5 per cent, while for obesity class 1 moth-ers it was 3.8 per cent, class 2 mothers 4.2 per cent and class 3 mothers 4.7 per cent.

Class 1 are those with low-risk obesity with a BMI of 30-34.9, while class 2 (moder-ate-risk obesity) have a BMI of 35-39.9 and class 3 a BMI of 40 and above.

According to the study, the risk for underweight (with a BMI less than 18.5) and normal weight (with a BMI of 18.5-24.9) mothers was 3.4 per cent.

The most common type of malformation found was con-

genital heart defect, followed by defects in genital organs, limbs, urinary system, digestive sys-tem, nervous system and mouth and facial clefts. Serious con-genital malformations can cause stillbirth and also increase the risk of death in infants.

It’s still not clear how exact-ly the mother’s weight affects the development of the foe-tus. The study suggests the in-ability of the foetus to receive sufficient nutrients through the placenta, change in hor-mone levels and greater lev-els of inflammation may all be contributing factors to birth defects in babies.

The most common malformation found in children born of obese mothers was congenital heart defectPhoto: Supplied

AIM FOR NORMAL BODY WEIGHT BEFORE CONCEPTIONA new study finds risk of birth defects in babies increases with severity

of mothers’ obesity