EAT SMART THIS CNY

How to indulge without guilt this

festive season

FROM MILK TO SOLIDS

Your pull-out guide to weaning

your babyISSUE 14 | FEB– MAR 2015

We welcome 2015 with Singapore’s first SG50 baby

My of

Jubilee bundle

joy!”

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CO N T E N T S

Jubilee Joy at ThomsonWE GOT OFF TO A GREAT START to the year by delivering Singapore’s first SG50 babies! Thomson Medical also believes in giving all our newborns a head start in life – that’s why all Thomson babies born this year will enjoy special rates and get a Thomson SG50 Jubilee Joy Pack (see opposite page) on top of the SG Baby Jubilee Gift for Singapore citizens. There’s never been a better time to have a baby!

With CNY round the corner, we show you how you can still feast without gaining weight, and how you can rejuvenate your face with a five-minute acupoint massage. We’ve also got a little treat for you – the centrefold of this mag is a handy pull-out guide by the Thomson ParentCraft Centre on how to wean your baby.

Happy reading!

Best Regards,The Editorial Team

ISSUE 14 FEB–MAR 2015

Celebrating Life is published bi-monthly for Thomson Medical by Publicitas Publishing (email: pp.asia@publicitas.com)

The views and opinions expressed or implied in Celebrating Life do not necessarily reflect those of Thomson Medical or Publicitas Publishing. No responsibility is accepted for the claims made in advertisements, articles, photographs or illustrations contained in this publication. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of Thomson Medical and Publicitas Publishing. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2015 by Thomson Medical. All information correct at time of printing. Printed in Singapore by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd. MCI (P) 176/12/2014

FOR ENQUIRIES ON ADVERTISING AND CORPORATE TALKS, PLEASE EMAIL CONTACT@THOMSONMEDICAL.COM

CELEBRATE We welcome 2015 with Singapore’s first SG50 babies

SAVING FACE Botox vs fillers – do you know the difference?

HEALTHY EATS How you can indulge without guilt this Chinese New Year

PARENTCRAFT Your handy pull-out guide to weaning your baby

ORAL HEALTH Prevent early childhood caries with these simple tips TCM BEAUTY Massage your way to healthy and radiant skin

HAPPENINGSHonouring our Thomson Angels, new allergy skin test and more!

KNOW THE FACTS Five common misconceptions on losing weight

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“We just want her to be happy, grow up healthy and have the freedom to choose what to do in future.” — Daddy Keith Tham on his hopes for baby Chloe

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cover story

DELIVERING FIRSTS

A great start to the year with Singapore’s first SG50 babies!

THANKS TO A STROKE of good fortune, Thomson Medical Centre delivered Singapore’s first SG50 baby – and TMC’s first Malay baby of the year – on 1 January 2015.

The golden girls who graced Singapore’s golden jubilee were Chloe Tham, who was born at the stroke of midnight, and Nur Luna Aqilah, who was born at 9.10am.

Born two days ahead of her expected due date, baby Chloe is the first child of retail customer service executive Keith Tham and banking customer service assistant Daphne Lian, both 29.

“It took 16 hours of labour to deliver Chloe, but the Thomson nurses really took good care of us,” said Daphne. “Most of them are bilingual, so that made me feel more at home.”

Being the nation’s first baby in 2015, Chloe received the SG50 Baby Jubilee Gift from Grace Fu, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.

All Thomson babies born in 2015 will receive not one but four baby gifts – a Thomson SG50 Jubilee Joy Pack (see page 3), the Singapore

Government’s SG50 Baby Jubilee Gift (for Singapore citizens only), a POSB Smiley Gift Bag and a Thomson Mummy Discharge Bag.

Said Daphne: “The four baby gifts are thoughtful and will come in handy for us. These items will last us for some time!”

On his daughter’s newfound “celebrity” status, Keith said: “We just want her to be happy, grow up healthy and have the freedom to choose what to do in future.”

To the parents of baby Nur Luna Aqilah – Mohd Ikhsan Sidek, 29 and Isnaine Muhd Salleh, 33 – the various goodies for SG50 babies were like “a birthday celebration”.

“I chose to deliver in Thomson because my first baby was born here in 2012,” said mummy Isnaine. “We love babies, so we might have another in the next two or three years!”

Thomson Medical is proud to join Singapore in celebrating SG50 with parents-to-be.

“Since 1979, Thomson Medical has been taking women on the amazing journey of motherhood and embracing the birth of thousands

of babies each year,” said Dr Lam Kian Ming, Senior Vice President, Thomson Medical Singapore. “This year, being SG50, our Thomson Angels are looking forward to extending their Thomson Touch and to deliver more bundles of joy to families in Singapore.”

CLOCKWISE, FROM OPPOSITE PAGE:

The Tham family at a Newton Suite in Thomson Medical Centre

Our first SG50 Malay baby: Nur Luna Aqilah with Mummy Isnaine and Daddy Ikhsan

Jubilee joy: (L–R) Mummy Daphne Lian, Daddy Keith Tham, Minister Grace Fu (holding baby Chloe), Dr Claudine Tan (who delivered Chloe) and Dr Lam Kian Ming, Senior Vice President of Thomson Medical Singapore

The Thomson SG50 Jubilee Joy Pack

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saving face

BOTOX OR FILLERS?Take years off your face with these two treatments

BOTOX AND FACIAL FILLERS may sound like the same thing, but they actually work in different ways and are used on different parts of the face. However, they are often used together in combination for maximum effect. Here’s your quick guide to these two popular treatments at the Thomson Well Women Clinic.

Note: Botox and facial fillers are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for patients with a history of neuromuscular disease, or who are currently taking aminoglycoside antibiotics or penicillamine. Our doctors will work with you to come up with a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.

Botox Facial fillers

What is it and how does it work?

Purified protein is injected to relax and smoothen facial muscles that cause wrinkles

Hyaluronic acid gel fillers are injected to lift and fill in tissue lost due to ageing

Where is it used?

Usually the top half of the face to smoothen:• Frown lines and forehead wrinkles• Prominent lower eyelid• Crow’s feet (around the eyes)• Bunny lines (beside the nose)Also used to reduce:• Perioral lines (around the lips)• Marionette lines (corners of the mouth)• Neck folds and chin creases

Usually the bottom half of the face to fill in:• Lips• Scars• Deep facial wrinkles• Creases and furrows• Sunken cheeks• Skin depressions

How long does it take? What should I note after the procedure?

Around 10 to 15 minutes. After the treatment, it is recommended you maintain an upright posture for at least four hours, and that you do not rub vigorously or massage the treated area. However, moving the facial muscles of the treated area will help to enhance the results on the targeted muscles.

A few minutes to an hour. You may need to come in one hour earlier for the application of anesthetic cream. No bandaging is required. You can resume normal activities after treatment – you are free to eat, drink and wear makeup with sunscreen protection immediately after the treatment.

Are there any side effects?

Most patients have no complaints. Some side effects such as mild bruising are temporary and are localised to the injected area, and can be easily covered with makeup. Occasionally, there may be pain at the injection sites or mild transient headache lasting less than 24 hours, which may be relieved with paracetamol.

The treated area may feel a little red, tender and swollen, but this will subside after a few days. Occasionally, some people may have an allergic reaction to the treatment, developing itchy and slightly puffy skin. People who are prone to cold sores may get one afterwards.

Are the results immediate? How long do they last?

Results gradually appear within three to five days, and full effect is achieved in seven to 10 days. The effects last three to six months, depending on the individual, and wear off after four to six months.

Results are usually immediate. Even if treatment is not continued, the skin will return to its original state, but the filling and plumping effect on the skin will have delayed further development of wrinkles.

DR LIU HAN PINGpractises atTHOMSON WELL WOMEN CLINIC9 Scotts Road #10-02 to 06 Scotts Medical Center at Pacific Plaza Singapore 228210T: 6735 0300E: contact@thomsonwellwomen.comwww.thomsonwellwomen.com

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healthy eats

DR DEREK KOH practises atTHOMSON LIFESTYLE CENTRENovena Medical Center10 Sinaran Drive #10-14/15, Novena Square 2Singapore 307506T: 6352 6550/6559E: lifestyle@thomsonmedical.comwww.thomsonlifestylecentre.com

IT’S THE TIME of the year again to feast on Chinese New Year goodies. Is it possible to indulge without piling on the pounds?

Watch what you eatThe key lies in choosing what to eat. Since festive foods are high in calories, consume them in small portions. If you know you’ll be snacking at every place you visit, take stock of how much you eat each time, and consider healthier options such as Mandarin oranges. You may even want to skip a few main meals, as the calories consumed from all that snacking will likely exceed daily requirements already.

Don’t forget that sweet drinks and alcohol are high in calories. Drink “zero-calories” drinks such as oolong tea, Ayataka green tea or water instead. Drinking water also increases the feeling of fullness and reduces binges. Continue your routine exercise

EAT SMARTKeep your waistline intact this CNY!

NIAN GAO• 20g (one slice)

• 46kcal• 0.1g fat

• 7g sugar

SHRIMP ROLLS

• 45g (one packet)• 228kcal• 14g fat

• 2g sugar

PINEAPPLE TARTS

• 40g (two pieces)• 164kcal• 8g fat

• 12g sugar

LOVE LETTERS

• 26g (two pieces)• 112kcal• 2.1g fat

• 9.9g sugar

during the festive season, as this will help burn the excess calories.

It’s also a good idea to choose foods with the Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) and Healthier Snack Symbol (HSS). These products are generally lower in total fat, saturated fat, sodium and sugar, and some are higher in dietary fibre and calcium compared to similar products within the same food category.

Count your calories: It all adds up!Assuming you require around 2,000kcal to 2,500kcal of energy daily, just five slices of bak kwa would contain half the calories you need in a day. Do also note that we should limit our daily intake of added sugar to 40g to 55g, which is the amount you find in just eight to ten love letters!

So be sure to set limits on how much to snack, because all the bites and sips will add up.

BAK KWA• 57g (one slice)

• 229kcal• 7.8g fat

• 24.5g sugar

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MOVING FROM MILK TO SOLIDSYour pull-out guide to weaning your baby!

What is weaning?Weaning on to food is the period to introduce solid food to an infant at around six months of age. The World Health Organisation and Health Promotion Board recommend to fully breastfeed baby for the first six months, and to introduce solid foods thereafter to meet the nutritional needs (especially iron) of the baby.

6 MONTHS – 7 MONTHS

8 MONTHS – 9 MONTHS

Prepare consistency of food just slightly thicker than milk to start with, gradually thickening consistency as baby progresses. Feed one to two spoons to start with, and slowly increase to one full feed then to two full feeds per day. Remaining feeds will be on milk feeds and ideally from breastfeeding. Introduce one new solid food at a time for two to three days to observe allergic reaction such as rashes, bloated or gassy tummy, diarrhoea or fussiness after eating.

Foods to start with:• Baby rice cereal mixed with

expressed breast milk or baby formula.

• Slowly progress to add soft mashed pasta, noodle or porridge.

• Mashed or finely chopped cooked vegetables such as

carrot, potato, sweet potato, pumpkin, broccoli or spinach.

• Finely minced and soft cooked meat, beancurd or mashed fish (with all bones removed).

• Soft ripe fruits such as banana, apple, papaya, avocado or pear.

• Yoghurt and custard.

Foods include:• Carbohydrates to provide

energy, such as soft rice, pasta, bread, potato, millets and other starchy foods.

• Protein for growth, such as meat, eggs, fish, beans and beancurd.

• Calcium is needed for strong bones and teeth, while vitamin A is needed to boost the immune system

Gradually increase to three meals a day with milk feeds in between. Provide a variety of food choices with a mixture of soft finger foods and mashed or chopped foods.

and for healthy skin and eyes. Foods include milk and dairy products such as cheese, yogurt and fromage frais.

• Iron is needed for blood production and a strong immune system. Heme iron is found in meat and fish and is easily absorbed by the body. Non-heme iron is found in dark green vegetables, broad beans, fortified cereals and lentils.

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parentcraft

What as some signs that my baby is ready for solid foods?• Baby is able to hold head up and maintain

a steady upright position.• Baby can sit well when supported, like

sitting in a high chair.• Baby is interested in reaching out to try

your food.• Baby’s tongue thrust reflex has

disappeared.• Baby can move food from the front to the

back and swallow.• Baby still looks hungry after a good

milk feed, or cries for feeds earlier than scheduled time.

• Baby has good coordination to grab the food and put it into the mouth.

What should I note when feeding baby?• Strict hand washing before handling

baby’s food.• Always fully cook meat, reheat food to full

boil and check temperature of food before giving to baby.

• Discard unfinished food. Separate portion of amount and keep in fridge if you prepare more than one meal.

• Always supervise baby during feeding time.• Avoid food that might cause choking such

as nuts, raisins, raw carrots, fishballs, grapes and candies. Always remove fish bones and check thoroughly before feeding.

• Provide only spoon but not fork to avoid accidents.

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12 MONTHS ONWARDS

Points to note:• Do not use salt or soya sauce

for cooking for babies below one year old, as their kidneys are not ready to cope with salt. Do not give them any adult ready-meals as they contain too much salt.

• Choose pre-packaged food with lowest possible salt and sugar levels.

• Do not feed honey to babies

Gradually increase to three meals a day with milk feeds in between. Provide a variety of food choices with a mixture of soft finger foods and mashed or chopped foods.

Have three meals a day with chopped meats and vegetable. Include snacks with breast milk or baby formula, fruits, vegetable sticks or toast.

less than one year old as it will cause infant botulism (a potentially fatal paralytic illness).

• Do not give babies any diet drinks, juices or squash as they contain artificial sweeteners and will make them develop a sweet tooth.

• Do not feed babies with fish that is high in mercury, as it is harmful to their developing brain and nervous

• Fat is essential for children under two years old for energy, while some vitamins are only found in fats. Therefore, whole milk products, yogurt, cheese and oily fish are important.

• Vitamins and minerals are needed for physical and mental growth, and can be found in brightly-coloured fruits and vegetables.

system. These include shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish.

• Do not feed babies soft-boiled or raw eggs, soft mould-ripened cheese or liver pate as they could cause food poisoning.

• Do not feed a child under two with semi-skim milk, and no skim milk for a child under five years old.

FONNIE LO (LACTATION CONSULTANT)practises atTHOMSON PARENTCRAFT CENTREBlk 2 Balestier Hill Shopping CentreSingapore 320002T: 6251 4090E: parentcraft@thomsonmedical.comwww.thomsonmedical.com

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oral health

DECIDUOUS TEETH, also known as baby teeth, are often overlooked because of the perception that they are temporary. But do you know that 40% of preschoolers in Singapore suffer from early childhood caries (ECC)? It’s a form of tooth decay in infants and very young children, and is caused by bacterial infection. Here’s what you need to know.

FACT 1

You can transmit ECC to your childDental decay can spread from

person to person. Parents and caregivers can pass cavity-causing bacteria to children through saliva, so avoid sharing food and utensils such as spoons or straws, and do not kiss a child if you have tooth decay.

FACT 2

Decay can affect an infant’s growthBad habits such as drinking

milk or sweetened drinks from the bottle, frequent sugary snacks between meals and poor oral hygiene significantly increase the risk of decay. Tooth decay causes pain, appetite loss and inability to sleep. Visibly decayed teeth may also affect their social development and self-esteem.

FACT 3

Thumb sucking is bad for your babyThumb or pacifier sucking may

apply unwanted forces to the teeth and structures around the mouth. Prolonged sucking habits affect the development of the shape of the jaw arch, resulting in a condition called anterior open bite that requires orthodontic treatment. Discuss with your dentist how to wean off this habit before it affects your child.

STRONG TEETH STARTS YOUNGPrevent early childhood caries with these simple tips

Brush it right. Start cleaning your child’s mouth even before the first tooth appears. Wrap a moistened soft cloth around your index finger and wipe around the gums to remove excess milk or food. As soon as the teeth emerge, clean them twice daily with a soft toothbrush that is of an appropriate size for their age.

Birthday dental visit. Take your infant for a comprehensive dental checkup around the first birthday. This should include an oral examination to assess the risk of developing caries and formulating

TIPS TO CARE FOR YOUR BABY’S TEETH

THOMSON DENTAL CENTRE8 Sinaran Drive #07-08/16-19,Novena Specialist CenterSingapore 307470T: 6255 0770E: contact@thomsondentalcentre.comwww.thomsondentalcentre.com

a prevention plan based on the findings. The dentist will also advise on the child’s dental development and provide instructions for oral care.

Make it fun! A visit to the dentist shouldn’t be something to be dreaded. A positive first experience will go a long way in motivating your child to adopt good oral habits. At Thomson Dental Centre, we engage children with games and toys to make them feel at home and reward well-behaved children with toys and stickers.

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How traditional wisdom can help you achieve healthy and radiant skin

MORE THAN SKIN DEEP

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Getting to the root of the problemTraditional Chinese medicine seeks to identify these underlying causes and restore balance in the body to achieve naturally radiant skin.

During a TCM session, the physician will ask questions related to the skin condition, as well as the patient’s lifestyle habits and medical history. Then he/she will check the tongue, the pulse and the appearance of the skin (see table below) before diagnosing the root cause of the condition.

Restoring the balanceBased on the causes identified, the physician may prescribe treatment to restore balance in the body.

This could mean increasing the supply of blood or replenishing Yin to deficient organs (note that in TCM, the functions of the “organs” differ from those as defined in Western medicine). If circulation is the problem, the treatment will seek to enhance flow along meridian pathways. Sometimes it is necessary to expel excessive heat or dampness from the body.

Colour Appearance Causes

White Pale (pallid) • Lacking in energy • Lacking in blood• Cold body constitution

Yellow Unhealthy yellow/pale brown • Spleen deficiency• Excessive dampness

Red Rosy Healthy • Normal

Flushed Unhealthy • Lacking in Yin• Excessive internal heat• Excessive external heat

Black Shrivelled • Kidney deficiency

Green Livid (dark bluish grey) • Stagnation of energy-blood circulation

• Cold body constitution

MORE THAN SKIN DEEP

Common treatments include herbal medicine, acupuncture, external wash or a combination of these treatments. The physician may also recommend changes to the diet, or food to avoid.

The risk of side effects is low as Chinese herbal medicine comprises mainly botanicals, and acupuncture is generally safe in the hands of an experienced practitioner.

Holistic treatment is keyEvery patient has different needs. The treatment duration will depend on the severity of the skin condition as well as the patient’s constitution.

For example, ladies who present pale or pallid skin due to a deficiency in energy or blood as a result of menstrual irregularity will need to be treated for at least 8 to 12 weeks.

Lastly, a healthy lifestyle is the foundation for radiant skin. This includes eating balanced meals, sleeping and waking up early, maintaining a work-life balance, caring for your emotional health, exercising regularly and protecting yourself from the sun.

Skin appearance and underlying causes

THE RADIANCE AND COLOUR of our skin is a reflection of our overall health. Visiting a beauty salon may help us achieve a temporary boost in our complexion, but for true beauty that lasts, we need to adopt a healthy lifestyle and address the root causes behind any skin condition.

According to TCM, massaging selected acupoints helps to enhance the flow along meridian pathways. By transporting oxygen and nutrients efficiently to the skin and the entire body, acupressure massage can slow the ageing process and restore radiance to our skin. All it takes are five minutes a day on these ten acupoints. Give it a try!

JING MING (晴明穴): Located on the inside edge of the orbit of each eye. CUAN ZHU (攒竹穴): Located in the depression of the medial end of each eyebrow.YU YAO (鱼腰穴): Located in the middle of the eyebrow directly above the pupilSI ZHU KONG (丝竹空穴): Located in the depression at the lateral end of the eyebrow.CHENG QI (承泣穴): Located below the pupil, between the eyeball and the infraorbital ridge.YING XIANG (迎香穴): Located next to each nostril.JU LIAO (巨髎穴): Located below the pupil, at the level of the lower border of the nostril.QUAN LIAO (颧髎穴): Located below the outer corner of the eye, in the depression on the lower border of the cheekbone.LIAN QUAN (廉泉穴): Located on the neck, in the depression below the root of the tongue.YI FENG (翳风穴): Located in the depression behind the earlobe.

5-MINUTE MASSAGE: TEN POINTS TO TRY

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PHYSICIAN KUAI HONG practises atTHOMSON CHINESE MEDICINE (NUH Medical Centre)#04-08/09 NUH Medical Centre1 Lower Kent Ridge RoadSingapore 119082T: 6694 5565E: tcm_kr@thomsonmedical.comwww.thomsontcm.com

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happenings

Experts from Thomson Medical Centre shared pro tips at the Pregnancy Made Easy Forum held on 17 January at Raffles City Convention Centre. Dr Jonathan Wee, a Visiting Gynaecologist at Thomson Medical Centre, guided parents-to-be on choosing delivery options for birth, while Mrs Wong Boh Boi, Senior Lactation Consultant of Thomson ParentCraft Centre, demonstrated how to soothe a baby. Parents also learnt about TMC’s confinement food delivery service and TCM confinement herbal care, as well as the SG50 goodies that Thomson babies can expect.

Pregnancy Made Easy Forum

RECOGNISING THE THOMSON TOUCHThomson Medical Centre is proud to have 63 recipients at the Singapore Health Quality Service Award (SHQSA) 2015 held on 16 January at the National University of Singapore University Cultural Centre. This award honours healthcare professionals who have delivered quality care and excellent service. Congrats to our Thomson Angels!

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happenings

40 Korean guests had a good time at a tea session held on 28 Jan at the new Thomson Well Women Clinic at Scotts Medical Center at Pacific Plaza. There was a demonstration on facial fillers and an introduction to facial aesthetics treatment by Dr Liu Han Ping from Thomson Well Women Clinic, which offers services from medical aesthetics to clinical programmes exclusively for women.

Allergy testing lets you know if your child is allergic to certain foods or inhaled allergens. Identifying the cause of allergy helps doctors better manage the allergic symptoms. You can set your mind at ease and prevent unnecessary avoidance of foods.

The skin prick test is a simple and reliable test that can be performed in 30 to 40 minutes. The patient’s skin is scratched with extracts of suspected allergens and the skin’s reactions are observed. The doctor will then interpret the results and advise on management.

Skin prick tests for your little ones are now available at Thomson Paediatric Centre at Level 6. For bookings and enquiries, call 6259 7667.

Korean Tea PartyThomson Medical Centre gave a sneak preview of its SG50 Jubilee Joy Pack at the Pregnancy Summit held on 13 December at the Singapore Expo.

The pack includes items such as a diaper caddy, diapers, baby changing mats, latex bean pillow and educational books that will help new parents with their parenthood journey. New parents delivering at Thomson

PREGNANCY SUMMIT

NEW: ALLERGY SKIN PRICK TEST FOR CHILDREN

Medical Centre will also receive a one-time waiver from their hospital bills when they book themselves into the single or two-bedded rooms.

At the seminar, Physician Kuai Hong from Thomson Chinese Medicine shared how TCM can help mummies recover faster and boost their vitality during their confinement.

Participants also got an introduction to the post-delivery care options by TMC, which includes confinement food delivery service and TCM confinement herbal care.

Allergen Cost of test

Dust mite, cockroach, cat fur $27 each

Chicken egg white, dog fur, peanuts, soybean, whole wheat, cow milk, fish, shellfish

$22 each

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know the facts

FATBUSTERSFive misconceptions on losing weight that you need to know

MYTH 2

Slimming pills are effective for long-term weight loss.

Truth: Weight loss medication requires medical supervision and is only prescribed for a short period. A healthy weight can only be achieved with a balanced diet and adequate exercise.

MYTH 3

Eating after 6pm makes you fat.Truth: What matters is

not the time you eat, but how many calories you consume. If you use more calories than your calorie intake, weight loss will happen.

MYTH 4

You must work out to lose weight.Truth: All activities requires

calories, and contribute to weight loss. However, in a fast-paced society like ours, it’s important to optimise the time we spend to achieve weight loss. A vigorous workout would burn more calories in a shorter time than a low-intensity workout. Aerobic exercises such as brisk walking, cycling and swimming are recommended workouts for everyone.

MYTH 5

Excessive fat and skin laxity around the tummy, thighs and elbow can

only be reduced by surgery.Truth: There are non-surgical treatments for skin tightening, volume reduction and body contouring. For example, the Exilis device uses a combination of radio frequency, ultrasound and skin cooling technology to break down fats and tighten skin with out surgery.

MYTH 1

Carbs are all bad.Truth: Not all carbs are created equal. The

“bad” carbs include added simple sugars and refined carbohydrates from white flour, and are easy to digest with little real value for your body – so limit candy, desserts, pastries, white rice, white bread, syrup and sodas in your diet.

The “good” carbs, on the other hand, are complex carbohydrates with fibre. These include vegetables,

fruits, whole grains and beans, which take longer to break down into glucose. Such foods do not cause a surge in sugar levels in our blood and generally keeps us feeling full longer. They also contain essential vitamins and minerals that keep our skin and immune system healthy.

So what does all this mean? It does not mean you need to avoid “bad” carbs altogether. Just make sure you have a balanced diet with more good carbs than bad.

DR LIU HAN PING practises atTHOMSON WELL WOMEN CLINIC9 Scotts Road #10-02 to 06Scotts Medical Center at Pacific PlazaSingapore 228210T: 6735 0300E: contact@thomsonwellwomen.comwww.thomsonwellwomen.com

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