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1. Click Checkout button to make payment. 2. Enter your shipping details. 3. Choose the delivery method. 4. Then, you are required to choose payment method. We accepted two ways of payment: 1. Credit/Debit Card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express) 2. Manual Payment Pay using Credit/Debit Enter your card number, expiration date, security code and the cardholder name. The card will be charged automatically after you placed the order. * RM 1.00 processing fee will be charged on every credit/debit card payment. Manual Payment 1. Transfer funds to Medispecs (M) Sdn Bhd account using online banking. Details: Recipient Name: Medispec (M) Sdn Bhd Account number: 3123366612 Bank Name: Public Bank Berhad 2. Send the proof of payment to us via website chat or Facebook Messenger.

For the fourth year in a row, the Malaysia Urban Retreat Festival (MURFEST) is back with a bang! In partnership with Vitamode (Health Education Partner), Asia’s largest urban retreat festival returns bigger than ever, featuring wellness-related workshops, certification programs, a wellness marketplace and even a Dance Fitness Party! MURFEST 2018, happening from the 3rd to 5th November, is an event directed at promoting a balanced lifestyle through self-discovery and self-mastery. ‘MURFEST isn’t like any other wellness programs out there – we bring to the table a varied mixture of alternative self-help programs and workshops you won’t normally get anywhere else,’ shared MURFEST’s festival director, Shobie Malani. Held at one of the finest five-star hotels in town, Le Meridien Putrajaya, this 3-day event is specially tailored for those who are stressed, unhappy, overburdened, and those who are experiencing health issues, low self-esteem, emotional trauma and anxiety. While overnight results are not guaranteed, Shobie promises that change will definitely be experienced: ‘This is like walking into a spa, but unlike the short-lived feel-good sensation, the workshops at MURFEST will give you the tools you need to successfully manage your issues in the long term. Shobie Malani, founder of Malaysia Urban Retreat Festival (MURFEST), at the launch. The highlight of this year’s MURFEST is the GloKL | Dance Fitness Party, featuring some of the region’s top Salsation trainers, including its founder, Alejandro Angulo. If you haven’t already heard, Salsation is the first of it’s kind: a dance fitness program that is based on functional training, musical expression and fun! The best thing about the Dance Fitness Party is that you don’t need any dance experience prior to participating. Another thing to look out for at the festival is the JustBe Markets – a one-stop health and wellness marketplace showcasing the best in organic, homemade and homegrown wellness products. And for the first time ever, MURFEST will be introducing the Asia Beauty & Wellness Awards (ABWA) on the 29th Nov. This platform is where businesses and individuals in the beauty and wellness industry are recognized and awarded for their efforts. Alejandro Angulo, creator of Salsation™, and his team performing at the launch. With continuous support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (through FitMalaysia and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia), the organizers of MURFEST, Xhale Asia, aims at developing Malaysia into the next health and wellness tourism hub by 2020. The Malaysian wellness industry is growing at a rapid rate of 12.8% and in just three years, it is forecasted to contribute a whopping RM400 million to the nation’s gross national income – consequently creating over 3500 jobs! The wellness industry does not only play a major role in the nation’s economy; it also helps promote the mindset of healthy living among Malaysians – and MURFEST is a vital component in doing just that, as explained by Shobie, ‘MURFEST has come a long way in establishing the mindset of healthy living through wellness activities, and we are continuing this effort to further implement this through our event. This year, we are proud to collaborate with industry experts to further enhance the content of the festival. Shobie Malani (front, 3rd from right) with some of the facilitators at the launch. More than 50 facilitators are expected to conduct workshops during the 3-day festival. When asked about her vision for MURFEST, Shobie revealed that she would like to see the platform grow internationally within the next two years. ‘The wellness industry is booming in Asia; everybody wants to live a happy life. We aim at using this platform as a catalyst to do so.’ Keen on participating, but have your hands tied with parental duties? Don’t worry – families with children can enjoy the KIDZ CLUB, a safe space for children to harness their boundless energy! The KIDZ CLUB also offers activities that cater to your children’s emotional and mental growth needs. So what are you waiting for? BUY MURFEST 2017 TICKETS NOW! USE CODE: VITAMODE2MURFEST (TO ENJOY 10% Savings) Experience wellness, music and dance as they come together like never before at MURFEST 2017!

The Lowdown: - Mental health issues have made a lot of headlines recently, and you may be starting to ask questions about your own mental health. - Mental health is unlike your body’s health, there are no pills to cure your mind’s problems. And there’s a lot of damage poor mental health can inflict on you. - Fear not, there is much you can do to take care of your mental health. It isn’t rocket science but it does mean you must take action! Mental health concerns are making headline news these days. You read about cases of extreme bullying, suicides and violent behaviour in the newspapers and you wonder what’s going on. You might be asking what’s making these people act the way they do. You may even ask yourself, “Am I vulnerable too?” Mental Health Calling What actually happens in your head remains shrouded in mystery, but we know our sub-conscious works hard piecing together events occurring around you. Think about it, you’re constantly being bombarded by bad news. Your work life could also be a headache and you’re not able to switch off after work. Your family life feels chaotic with your spouse’s and children’s needs. Over time, all these troubles conspire to make your life a living hell, and you feel powerless. You can’t go to your doctor and ask for a prescription to cure ‘powerlessness’, there’s no pill for that. So we pretend it’s not a problem and march on. Until one day, you crack under all that pressure. Why should you be concerned? Poor physical health – Your mind and body are intertwined. If you’re feeling physical pain, it ruins everything, your family relationships and work. This causes stress and depression. Similarly, mental health disorders can impair physical health. Mental disorders affect your sleep quality, which make you more easily ill. You also risk living a shorter and less pleasant life. Poor productivity and decision-making – When your mind’s out of sync, you’re less productive. You can’t complete tasks or make logical decisions. You miss work often and may find it difficult to control your finances. Family relationships. Mental illness affects your family as well as yourself. Children of those with mental illness run a risk of neglect and a wide range of psychological issues. These children too, become psychologically damaged. If you love your loved ones, you owe it to them to stay mentally well. Turning to crime. People who are mentally unwell are more likely to act out in anger and frustration. This is particularly true if they abuse drugs/alcohol too. They tend to act on impulse and may turn to petty crime. But there’s also a risk of violence, particularly if the person has been mentally ill and untreated for a long time. What to do? Now you know the consequences of poor mental health, you need to take action! Here are some things you should start doing today Get professional help if you need it. Nobody likes to ask for help but there are times when you need to admit you have a problem. Remember, you’re not doing this just for yourself; you have your loved ones to think about too. At the very least, talk to someone you trust. Talking it through may help you understand what’s going on in your head. Get physically active. Simply taking a walk could turn your mood for the better. There’s just something about strolling outside that helps clear the clutter from your mind. You could also consider yoga or meditation. Aim to stay active for at least 30 minutes/day. Get enough sleep. Sleep is worth more than gold; just 2 consecutive nights of poor sleep can deteriorate your mental abilities significantly. The side effects of sleep deprivation are more serious than you think. Stay well-nourished. Nutrition and mental health? Yes, it counts. If you have poor eating habits, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Stop consuming junk food and energy drinks; they mess with your head, really! Good nutrition which includes proteins, fats and certain carbohydrates help you maintain a healthy body and mind. The right nutrients trigger feel-good hormones that make you feel better. Now you’re thinking, “But I don’t have time!” There is a shortcut that can help make up for times when you can’t eat healthy. The brain plays a central role in mental health. Therefore, feeding the brain with the right nutrients can help you stay sharp and calm. If staying sharp is what you’re looking for, then boy do we have something for you! Our CogniPro Tablet contains citicoline, a nutrient that improves brain function and memory. So here you have it, the power over your mental health is in your hands. You may not be able to control the things life throws at you, but you do have control over your mind. Take the reins and don’t let your mental health slip away today!

Everyday hassles associated with money, work and family life contribute to stress and anxiety, slowly leading to fatigue and poor sleep quality. Stress is like a double-edged sword. Short-term stress can fire up our body’s systems and keep us alert. However, prolonged stress significantly diminishes quality of life as it weakens immunity, digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems. Experts worldwide have also come to agree that continuous exposure to stress leads to a number of health issues such as a poor immune response, stomach problems and a weak heart. So if you are not sleeping well you might want to ask yourself, “Am I too stressed at work or over personal matters?” Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an Ayurvedic herb and medicinal plant, with a 4,000-year usage history. Also known as Indian ginseng for its adaptive abilities, this natural herb is mostly harvested for its roots that contain active constituents known as withanolides. Withanolides make ashwagandha an excellent adaptogen that promotes balance in the body to address stress and fatigue while also improving muscle strength, energy, sexual vitality and cognitive health. KSM-66® Ashwagandha is the current leading ashwagandha extract brand; the sole product of Ixoreal Biomed, Inc. Often known as the “World’s Best Ashwagandha”, KSM-66® is produced using a first-of-its-kind, unique extraction process based on “Green Chemistry” principle without using alcohol or any synthetic solvents. KSM-66® is the highest concentration (>5% withanolides) full-spectrum extract on the market today, retaining all the natural constituents of the herb in its original balance. Ixoreal Biomed is the only ashwagandha manufacturer in the world with its own farms, production facilities, testing laboratories, research centre and distribution. KSM-66® is GRAS affirmed and safe for long-term consumption proven by its historical footprint in Indian culture. In completion of its qualification reassurance, it is also halal certified, 100% organic, vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free. Ashwagandha root is often called the “Prince of Herbs” in Ayurveda because it has an impressively broad range of therapeutic benefits. KSM-66® has the largest pool of studies including 11 completed human studies and at least 8 ongoing human studies. It has been clinically proven to reduce stress and anxiety, enhance memory and cognition, increase endurance and strength and also improve sexual function and testosterone levels in men. In a 64-subject study, 2 capsules containing 300mg of KSM-66® Ashwagandha each was given to participants that were under stress for a total of 8 weeks. At the end of the study, stress hormone (namely cortisol) levels fell by 27.9% and all participants recorded significant reduction in depression, anxiety and stress in multiple stress surveys. While stress response in the body is biologically accompanied by an increase in stress hormone levels, the ashwagandha herb being an adaptogen is known to promote balance in the body, reduce stress levels and help individuals to relax and calm down. In the area of sports and endurance, KSM-66® has been studied in 50 healthy males taking the same dose of ashwagandha supplements as the above study. After 8 weeks, the male hormone, testosterone, was found to have increased in the participants accompanied by improved muscle strength, muscle size and a decrease of body fat percentage by 19%. Muscle growth was possibly influenced by the increase of testosterone levels with an observation of muscle recovery as well. In another similar study, KSM-66® also showed an improvement in oxygen capacity in healthy athletic adults. These two studies perfectly document the capabilities of ashwagandha to be taken as a supplement for those who are athletic and looking to improve their muscle-building routines. With an adaptive nature, the ashwagandha herb is a supplement that is suitable for all ages. It can be taken as a natural supplement for stress reduction. Ashwagandha is highly recommended for those who are stressed at work (especially executive levels and above), those who are experiencing sleeping difficulties and chronic fatigue, elderly and athletic individuals. If the source of stress can’t be resolved immediately, at least do not let the stress slow you down. References: Chandrasekhar, K., Jyoti Kapoor, and Sridhar Anishetty. "A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults." Indian journal of psychological medicine 34.3 (2012): 255. Choudhary, Dnyanraj, Sauvik Bhattacharyya, and Kedar Joshi. "Body Weight Management in Adults Under Chronic Stress Through Treatment With Ashwagandha Root Extract A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial." Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine (2016): 2156587216641830. Wankhede, Sachin, et al. "Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial." Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 12.1 (2015): 1. Choudhary, Bakhtiar, A. Shetty, and Deepak G. Langade. "Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) in improving cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults." Ayu 36.1 (2015): 63. Ambiye, Vijay R., et al. "Clinical evaluation of the spermatogenic activity of the root extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in oligospermic males: a pilot study." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2013). Dongre, Swati, Deepak Langade, and Sauvik Bhattacharyya. "Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study." BioMed Research International (2015). Dnyanraj Choudhary and Deepak Langade “Efficacy and safety of an Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract in improving memory and selected cognitive functions.” Publication pending.

You’re feeling tired more easily as you get older and you start feeling sorry for yourself. Your lethargy has much to do with the changes in your body as you get older. But that is no reason to put up the white flag and surrender, there are many things you can do to regain some of that lost energy. Do you look in the mirror and see the wrinkles creeping up on you? Are you struggling to stay awake or pay attention at work, even after a good night’s sleep? Finding it hard to keep fit and lacking the stamina for physical activity? Well, you’re not alone. After hitting the big 3-0, many suffer a gradual dip in physical and mental performance. Does this mean you should just roll over and let your life slip from your hands? NO! Vitamode believes that you should find what powers you and not surrender. Why? Your body is constantly regenerating new cells. If it didn’t, your wounds wouldn’t heal, you wouldn’t recover from the flu and you’d lose all your hair. It wouldn’t be a pretty existence. Once you hit your thirties you’ve grown to your maximum potential, there is no need to be regenerating at breakneck speed any more. So your body relaxes and now, your metabolism slows down, your hormones dwindle, you lose muscle mass and grow ‘love handles’ (if you weren’t paying attention). Does that mean you should give up? Absolutely not! What can I do? It’s NEVER too late to live a full life. Your body may slow down but it doesn’t mean you have to pack it in. In fact, if you had been diligently taking care of yourself when you were younger, you wouldn’t even notice a slowdown. But no worries, there are things you can do to keep yourself fit as a fiddle: Exercise Yes, here we go again. Exercise is a simple way to stay in shape at all ages. Exercise not only gets your body’s metabolism up, it gets your blood moving, helps to clear your mind, prevent muscle loss and excrete toxins through sweat. With so many benefits, what do you have to lose? Mind you, if you’ve never exercised a day in your life you should know your limits. For example, if you’ve never run long distances before, start by walking for an hour. Pace yourself and slowly introduce running into your routine over time. Don’t forget to warm up before you begin and, don’t be ashamed to take a breather if you are tired. Adding weight-bearing exercises can help you strengthen your muscles and encourage muscle growth. If you have pre-existing conditions like heart disease or diabetes, please discuss your exercise routine with your doctor. They may do tests to make sure you can exercise safely. Diet You are what you eat, but if you’ve been stuffing yourself full of junk food, guess what you are? We, Malaysians suffer from having too many food temptations and it’s quite hard to resist. But you don’t have to give up your sweets or fried treats, just be reasonable. Merely having your (intake a tall order), I know I can make a difference to how energetic you feel. Avoid late-night bingeing as it gives you indigestion, weight gain and poor sleep. You’ll be surprised how much more energy you’ll have when you start eating better. Supplementation Supplements have become necessary to our modern lifestyle because we don’t have much time to eat and sleep well. But there are so many supplements out there and you’re just not sure which to choose from. Choose a supplement that targets your particular need. If you’re looking for more energy, look for supplements that contain trace minerals and antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E. These help combat the ravages of free radicals, which rob you of energy. Speaking of antioxidants, have you heard of Coenzyme Q10? It is also known as CoQ10, which is a compound commonly found in the power plants of your cells. As you age there’s less CoQ10 in your cells, hence, you start feeling less energetic. And do we have something for you! How about trying our CoQ10 Ubiquinol 100mg Softgel? Vitamode’s CoQ10 Ubiquinol is a potent antioxidant that will also help to protect your heart. Feeling lethargic? CoQ10 gives you more energy to do the things you want to do! So stop the self-pity that you’re getting older and start moving. You only live once and, you should grab life by the horns and find what powers you today!

Gestures, postures and movements! These actions are all supported by our bones. It may not sound like a big deal, but bones give us mobility. Our bones are made up of living cells and like all other cells that we have, they need to be constantly repaired. Our body works hard to replace old and broken bones with new and healthy ones. This process is called bone remodeling. It has been estimated that every 7 to 10 years, we get a new set of bones. Bone remodeling is a metabolic process that involves growth factors, hormones and enzymes for bone development that replaces older bones with stronger bones in order to maintain the strength of the bone and mineral balance. Of course, there are ‘diligent workers’ involved in the process that we should know about. Our bodies synthesize osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Osteoblasts are cells responsible for bone formation while osteoclasts are cells responsible for the removal or reabsorption of damaged bones. The bone structure is separated into two components. The dense and solid part surrounding the marrow space is known as the cortical bone while the honeycomb-like network part in the bone marrow compartment is known as the trabecular bone. These osteoblasts and osteoclasts are located in our cortical bone’s outer surface. Other than osteoblasts and osteoclasts, there are bone cells called osteocytes (the differentiated osteoblasts) that produce Type 1 collagen and other bone extracellular matrix components. Totaling up to 6 different phases, bone remodeling is a metabolic active progression. In short, the journey of bone remodeling is initiated when there are factors such as a demand of calcium and mechanical stresses (trauma injuries) on your tissues. Such factors kick start the process of bone remodeling whereby bone cells are ‘alerted’ to produce osteoclasts and thereafter promote the removal of old and damaged bones. Next, bone formation takes place followed by the incorporation of minerals such as calcium into our bones. The bone remodeling process is an ongoing and actively regulated process. Calcium is important in forming most of our bone mass but it also needs support from Vitamin D3 for absorption into the bloodstream. Once in the blood, calcium floats freely until Vitamin K2 activates certain proteins that direct calcium into our skeleton. Without Vitamin K2, said proteins are inactive and do not work, causing calcium deposits that harden blood vessels. This leads to blood flow impairment and various heart complications. It takes years to build strong bones and vice versa, it also takes years for the skeleton to weaken if there is insufficient bone-building material or an inefficient bone regulation process. Start taking calcium today for bone health and make sure that you are getting the most out of your calcium intake. References: 1. Raisz, L. G. (1999). Physiology and pathophysiology of bone remodeling. Clinical chemistry, 45(8), 1353-1358. 2. E., McCarthy, T., & Centrella, M. (1988). Growth factors and the regulation of bone remodeling. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 81(2), 277. 3. Kini, U., & Nandeesh, B. N. (2012). Physiology of bone formation, remodeling, and metabolism. Radionuclide and hybrid bone imaging, 29.

Our immune system does a remarkable job on a day-to-day basis in protecting us from getting sick. However, the immune system might occasionally fail us and allow disease-causing microorganisms to invade our body, making us feeble and weak. It is often through repetitive exposures to invaders that we build our immune system to be stronger. Even the strongest wall might shake but it should not collapse. While relying on our innate immunity to defend us, we should also continuously help it stay strong by learning about ways to boost immunity. What can you do to boost your immune system? The immune system involves a group of immune warriors that play their part integrating with each other to detect invaders. These warriors are just like normal cells needing nourishment as well. Some tips include : Maintain a healthy and balanced diet Researchers have found that people facing poverty and malnourishment are more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Diet plays a vital role in nourishing our body cells especially immune cells which has to be fit all the time. According to rules from the food pyramid, more fruits and vegetables are recommended compared to foods rich in fat such as meat, poultry, cheese, butter and etc. Why so? Fruits and vegetables are richest in vitamins and minerals that help to boost your immunity. An intake of about 3-5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day is usually good enough. If you’re missing out on getting the recommended nutrition levels, you can add immune-boosting vitamins as a daily supplement to help build a strong immune system Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake People who smoke have been shown to have a reduced immune response. We might not see that as a problem but both smoking and excess consumption of alcohol increase free radicals in the body, leading to a condition known as oxidative stress which could cause harm to the immune cells. After a while, we have a suppressed immune system much like a weakened barrier which leads to ineffective self-defence. For that, we recommend a moderate intake of alcohol and cut down smoking as much as possible. After all, even taking the best vitamins for immune system won’t help if we don’t give our bodies a chance. Regular physical activity Virtually, those who are sedentary fall sick faster than those who are active. Regular physical exercise is encouraged to improve blood circulation and thus provide better nutrition and oxygen supply for a stronger immune system. Have sufficient rest and stay stress-free An overworked body or insufficient rest is often accompanied by elevated stress hormones where it is part of the body’s survival mechanism to compensate for the imbalance, often at the expense of your immune health. A good night’s rest on top of managing expectations and time is the key to a better-controlled life and a strong immune system. Remember to take things easy and stay stress-free! Supplementing for an extra boost Natural food would always be the preferred option for most people. However, not everyone has the luxury of time to shop and prepare meals with all the right recommendations. A variety of health supplements such as Vitamin C or herbal extract supplements can be added to your daily routine as an immunity booster. A compromised immune system exposes us to unwelcomed infections. Keeping yourself fit and strong acts like vitamins for immune system for adults. On top of food and lifestyle changes, supplements to boost immune system are helpful.

Vitamins are a group of organic substances that are required for normal growth and development, maintenance of life as well as normal reproduction. There are two categories of vitamins – water soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin that is absorbed into the body with the aid of bile acid, a kind of fluid used to absorb fat. There are two types of Vitamin K – K1 and K2. Vitamin K1, which is also known as phylloquinone, helps to maintain healthy blood clotting and is normally found in green leafy plants. Vitamin K2, or menaquinone, is made by bacteria that lines the gastrointestinal tract. It goes into blood vessel walls as well as bones and helps to optimise bone health. The primary source of Vitamin K2 is from natto, a traditional Japanese dish made from fermented soybeans. Natto is a traditional Japanese food made from soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis var. natto. Some eat it for breakfast, which is served with soy sauce, karashi mustard and Japanese bunching onion. Vitamin K2 is a newly discovered essential vitamin that has been proven to optimally bind calcium to bones. This keeps them dense and strong, which lessens the risk of fracture due to ageing. Vitamin K2, particularly in its menaquinone-7 (MK-7) form, is derived from the fermentation process of natto and it prevents excessive calcium accumulation in the arteries. In the absence of Vitamin K2, calcium is not able to adhere properly to bones, which may cause a build-up of calcium in the blood vessels that could eventually lead to cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin K2 is also vital for growing children who are still developing their primary and adult teeth, proper facial form and strong bones. It is also important for women who are at risk of bone fracture. Population-based studies have shown that women in Japan who consume larger amounts of natto have generally shown lower rates of bone fractures. Vitamin D is also known as the “sunshine” vitamin. It helps to keep bones and muscles strong and healthy. The best source of Vitamin D would be from exposure to sunlight, especially in tropical countries like Malaysia. However, it’s not surprising that Malaysians might have insufficient Vitamin D as most white-collar workers spend all day in the office and not under the sun. The natural form of Vitamin D is Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which is also the form that our bodies produce. Supplementation of Vitamin D3 helps to enhance calcium absorption from the intestine in order to build and maintain strong bones. Undeniably, calcium is the essential dietary supplement for improving bone health. However, recent studies have shown that supplementing with calcium alone is not enough as our bodies require other elements like Vitamin K2 and Vitamin D to optimise the use of calcium to ensure it is directed to and utilised by the bones. Therefore, the combination of Vitamin K2, Vitamin D3 and calcium is a winning combo to keep your bones healthy and prevent bone fractures during old age. Besides taking calcium, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 to improve bone health, a healthy lifestyle is also important for treating and preventing osteoporosis. The best exercise for bones is a weight-bearing exercise that forces you to work against gravity. Some examples of weight-bearing exercises include weight training, walking, hiking and climbing staircases. In addition, quit smoking and avoid excessive consumption of alcohol to significantly reduce the risk of bone fractures. If you would like to check on the health of your bones, be sure to come to our roadshow. Click the banner below for more details.

For as long as we can remember, calcium has been known as the key to maintaining bone health. Today, calcium is easily available in the form of dairy products followed by various leafy greens, seafood, legumes, certain fruits and last but not least – calcium supplements. Bone development occurs every day of our lives just like the way our skin sheds and grow new skin cells to replace them. Our bodies naturally remove (resorption) old bones and replace (absorption) them with new ones via a process called bone remodelling. Through this process, we get a new set of bones every 7 years. The pace of bone remodelling differs among individuals and gradually slows down with age. Resorption must balance absorption to prevent osteoporosis. This can be achieved with the help of calcium. Osteoporosis affects men and women of all races and is most commonly seen in women after menopause due to low levels of oestrogen. This leads to an increased risk of broken bones with various risk factors such as age, gender, family history, hormone levels and diet coming into play. The Calcium Paradox For the longest time, calcium was thought to be the answer to all bone health concerns until a recent study in 2011 shed light on contradicting results. It brought a whole new perspective on calcium’s regulation and function in the human body. The study found that women who took calcium to prevent osteoporosis are at higher risk of developing atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. Based on the study, for every bone fracture calcium supplementation prevents, it precipitates two potentially fatal cardiovascular disease events. What happens to our calcium needs now that the potential for heart diseases is revealed? What could be the missing link in protecting our heart and maintaining bone health at the same time? Vitamin K2: The Missing Link Vitamin K is often referred to as the “forgotten vitamin” because it is continually overshadowed by more well-known nutrients. This fat-soluble vitamin is essential in building strong bones and improving bone health as it serves as the biological “glue” that helps to plug calcium into your bone matrix. Since its discovery in the 1920s, Vitamin K has been classified into several types with K1 and K2 being the most prominent ones. Vitamin K1 plays a key role in helping the blood clot and is commonly found in green leafy vegetables. Vitamin K2 is a different cousin of the family that plays the crucial role of calcium regulation. Vitamin K2 is further divided into subtypes depending on the length of its molecular structure. Menaquinone (MK-7) is the natural form of vitamin K2’s subtype. It can only be found naturally in the Japanese delicacy natto. Short of consuming natto, our bodies lack this natural form of vitamin K2. This little vitamin, MK-7, has been creating sparks of interest as studies have shown that it helps improve bone density while preventing heart diseases by effectively depositing calcium where it belongs – in the bones and teeth. Without vitamin K2, calcium floats freely in the bloodstream and tends to deposit in the arteries, making them progressively stiffer and narrower (calcification). This impedes healthy blood flow to and from the heart. MK-7 activates bone-building proteins that are dormant in its absence. These proteins bind calcium to the bones and teeth as well as stop calcium from depositing in the arteries to prevent arterial calcification and heart disease. Vitamin K2, Vitamin D3 and Calcium: A Winning Combo If you take calcium and vitamin D for your bones, it’s also important that you get plenty of vitamin K2. These three nutrients have a synergistic effect that cannot be achieved when one piece of the puzzle is missing. Dietary calcium is linked to many benefits, especially bone health. That is why recommended daily intakes for calcium have been established. Vitamin D3, a natural form of Vitamin D, helps your body to absorb calcium, and vitamin K2 directs that calcium to your bones where it’s needed. You can think of vitamin D3 as the gatekeeper, controlling who gets in, and vitamin K2 as the traffic cop, directing the traffic to the right direction. In other words, without the help of vitamin K2, the calcium that vitamin D3 so effectively lets in might be working against you — by building up in your coronary arteries rather than your bones. Thus, calcium taken together with Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 may well be the solution necessary for bone health while circumventing the increased risk of heart disease. For patients taking Warfarin, it is recommended that they do not take vitamin K2 supplements without consulting their doctor.

Getting enough sleep every night does not happen very often in this day and age. Whether it is a girls’ night out or a presentation that needs to be completed for work, it is common practice to sacrifice that much-needed date with our bed. Skimping sleep for a day or two might not do us much harm, but not getting enough sleep for a few weeks? Our body could be complaining about the effects of sleep deprivation with subtle signs that we mostly ignore. Always hungry and eating? Being sleep deprived means more than just feeling tired. Poor sleep decreases production of the hormone leptin (satiety hormone), which tells your brain you’ve had enough to eat. Lesser leptin leads to a constant feeling of hunger and a general slowdown of your metabolism. A sleep-deprived body can also increase production of the hungry hormone known as ghrelin. When the signals to stop eating are all messed up, you end up feeling hungry and eating more. You will be more impulsive and probably find it harder to say no to a double cheeseburger which obviously leads to weight gain. *cries* Poor cognitive skills Forgot where you placed those car keys or if you popped those pills this morning? It could be a sign of sleep deficiency! It is during sleep that the brain restores itself, preparing us for the next day’s activities. A lack of sleep leads to a slowed down brain which can cause poor attention and short memory! These side effects of sleep deprivation affects students and executives that are very much dependent on their brain power. Sleep deprivation can also affect speed and higher level processing such as making decisions at work. So if you have made some bad decisions at work, it could be your brain complaining of insufficient rest. Your emotions are all over the place When you’re tired, it is common to lose control of emotions in which you easily overreact towards emotional stimuli. It becomes easier to lash out at somebody who accidentally said the wrong thing. Or, it can be quite the opposite when you become overjoyed at incidents that happen on a daily basis. You’re unusually clumsy It’s normal that we sometimes lose balance and coordination of our limbs, but if it happens a few times in a day or if you have butterfingers, then it can be a sign you’re sleep deprived. Lack of sleep leads to a tired brain. This equals a slower response and thus delayed movements. You get sick easily Sleep quality is often an important predictor of immunity. The immune system produces proteins and antibodies that fight off infections from foreign substances like bacteria and viruses. These protective substances also help you sleep, giving the immune system more energy to defend against illnesses. A sleep-deprived body does not have a chance to build up its defensive forces and it could also be the reason why you can’t seem to shake off a common cold. Long term effects of sleep deprivation also include a higher risk of developing chronic illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Bad skin condition There is plenty of truth behind the phrase “beauty sleep”. Some people have perpetual skin problems due to a lack of sleep. Sleep deprivation throws off skin balance and causes common problems like dryness, dull complexion, pimple breakouts and dark eye circles! Maintain that glow with a complete beauty regime that includes ample sleeping time, good skincare products and an active lifestyle. Finding the right sleep habits Sleep deprivation symptoms can be felt in many ways, but luckily the best way to cure them is by getting enough sleep. Experts generally recommend 7-9 hours of sleep for adults and more for growing children while less is expected among the elderly. Every individual has their own sleep patterns and habits. Some adults can function well with 6 hours a day while 8 hours make them groggy. Therefore, it is important to find that balance and be consistent with your sleep. Instead of building a sleep deficit (also known as sleep debt), tuck in early tonight and enjoy the rest! Related Product