The compound, a flavanol called epicatechin, triggers two built-in protective pathways in the brain, according to a report published online last week in the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism.

The research team was led by Sylvain Dore, an associate professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine and pharmacology and molecular sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, reported China’s Xinhua news agency on Sunday.

A study of the cocoa-drinking Kuna Indians, living on islands off the coast of Panama, led the researchers to study epicatechin.

As an unusually low incidence of stroke and other cardiovascular disease in that population could not be explained by genetic studies, consumption of a very bitter cocoa drink that contains epicatechin was considered a contributor.

Animal studies raise the possibility that epicatechin may someday be used to treat strokes in humans, since its protective effect can be seen more than three hours after a stroke.

Existing stroke treatments typically have a shorter window of activity.

While the cardioprotective effect of dark chocolate seen in several human studies appears to open the possibility that eating lots of chocolate is healthy, “I prefer to focus on cocoa,” Dore said.

“Cocoa is not like chocolate, which is high in saturated fat and calories. Cocoa can be part of a healthy diet, combined with fruits and vegetables.”

The latest research looked at the mechanism of protection in mice that were induced to have strokes.

“We gave different doses of epicatechin in mice 90 minutes before a stroke and found that it reduced infarct (stroke damage) size,” Dore explained.

“When we gave epicatechin after a stroke, it had a protective effect up to 3.5 hours later, but not after six hours.”

Detailed studies showed that the flavanol activated two well-known pathways that shield nerve cells in the brain from damage, the Nrf2 and heme oxygenase pathways, Dore said.

Epicatechin had no protective effect in mice bred to lack those pathways.

The possibility of using epicatechin to limit human stroke damage is distant, Dore said.

“We have to be very careful. There are a lot of steps before going to human trials, potential risks and side effects. We need more work and more funding.”

She said data from the Malaysian Dialysis & Transplant Registry in 2009 also showed that 10% of the country’s population suffered some form of kidney disease and the number is expected to rise annually.

“The number has increased by nearly 400% in just one decade, from over 5,000 in 1999 to more than 20,000 in 2009.

“The culprit of this rising trend is Malaysians’ unhealthy lifestyle and dietary changes,” said Datuk Rosnah at opening of the 11th International Federation of Kidney Foundations Meeting (IFKF) in Hotel Nikko yesterday.

Among those who attended the event were IFKF president Dr. Miguel Carlos Riella and his vice president Lynn Kulasingam and National Kidney Foundation chairman Datuk Dr Zaki Morad Mohd Zaher.

Dr. Zaki said Malaysians should seriously look at the importance of early detection and treatment.

The star Publication on 10-05-2010

Insurance is important while you are alive and after you pass away. While living your dental and health insurance plans help reduce out-of-pocket health expenses. In death life insurance provides funds to take care of your final expenses as well as provide security for your loved ones.

Security for your Loved Ones

Don’t Bequeath your Debt to your Loved Ones

ave you thought about what will happen to your final remains when you pass away? Do you have funds set aside to pay your funeral expenses? These are questions that we prefer not to ask ourselves; however, it is important that we do so.

We often underestimate the importance of life insurance. The purpose of life insurance is to provide security for our loved ones in the event of our death. The funds they receive from the life insurance policy can help pay burial, educational and other household expenses.

Why aren’t we as anxious to purchase life as we are to purchase other types of insurance? We purchase auto insurance for damages to our vehicle in the event of an accident; dental insurance to help pay for dental exams, fillings and other dental services that we may need to have rendered; and health insurance helps to pay our medical bills. Additionally, we save for retirement to provide income after we stop working.

Life insurance is just as important as auto, dental and health insurance. Likewise, it as important as retirement savings. If we outlive our retirement savings, then our life insurance coverage can still provide payment for our burial and other expenses.

MLTA - Mortgage Level Term Assurance. Can be purchased from Insurance broker / agent.
MLTA is an asset as you get your money back and probably with higher
interest than what a bank would give.

MLTA
Flexi Insurance
Level Protection
Low Initial Premium
Tax Relief Up To Rm6000
Cash Return (Asset)
Transferrable
Death/TPD/Critical Illness + Premium Waiver
Level Premium

MRTA
Term Insurance
Reducing Protection
High Initial Premium
No Tax Relief
No Cash Return (Expense)
Not Transferrable
Death & Tpd Only
Higher Premium if financed by bank as it tied up with BLR.

Features/Benefits:

• Rm 50 per month**

• no medical check-up required

• Guarantee hospital admission without deposit (panels only)

• limit Rm 50,000 per year

• Hospital Room and Board (daily limit)

• Hospitalisation and Surgical Benefits

• Intensive Care Unit (daily limit)

• Surgical Expenses

(a)Surgical fees,

(b)Anaesthetist fee and

(c)Operating Theatre charges

• Hospital Expenses

(a) In-Hospital Physician Visit

(b) Hospital Supplies and Services

(c) Ambulance Fees

• Pre-Surgical/ Medical Specialist Consultation

• Pre-Surgical/ Medical Diagnostic Tests

• Daily Cash Allowance at a Malaysian Government Hospital (per Disability)

• Out of Hospital Benefits

• Day Surgery Benefit

• Emergency Accidental Outpatient Treatment

• Post Hospitalisation or Day Surgery follow-up up to sixty

(60) days from date of discharge or Day Surgery

• Out-Patient Cancer Treatment

• Out-Patient Kidney Dialysis Treatment

• Home Nursing Care (per Disability)

• Coverage for Overseas Treatment

With the Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic being the most talked about topic in our daily news, you may be concerned if your policy will be covered if you are infected with the disease. In standing by the customers and to provide relief in such worrying situation, ING has decided to waive the policy exclusion of “any communicable diseases required quarantine by law” until the end of the year and honor claims for Influenza A (H1N1):

• Diagnosed from 14/08/09 to 31/12/09.
• With in-hospital treatment in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
• Under all inforce medical plans/ riders offered by agency channel.

The waiver of the exclusion ends on 31/12/09 and claims eligibility will be as per terms and condition of the policy contract. ING hope that with this, the customer will find that the road to recovery would be easier with ING.

Get your protection for Influenza A (H1N1) now!

A plan that combines a steady income with life protection
This is a whole life plan maturing at age 100. It combines both protection and savings, making it a very desirable product. This plan also promises a steady stream of income from the end of the 12th policy year. The extra cash can be used to finance your daily commitments or to splurge on that luxurious cruise you’ve been dreaming of.

Benefits:

• Life Protection
• Total and Permanent Disability Protection
• Guaranteed lifetime cash payments – Guaranteed annual cash payments of 6% of sum insured payable starting from end of policy year 12
• Premium waiver – Future premiums will be waived in the event the life insured is diagnosed with critical illness before age 70
• Funeral expense benefit

Optional Benefits:

• Income Plus Rider – The Income Plus rider gives you the option to convert the basic plan to a fully paid up whole life plan at the end of the 12th policy year OR continue premium payment and enjoy the rider’s benefits up to age 70

This plan is to be withdrawn by ING by 31st August 2009 but the last day for manual submission is on 28th August 2009. Hurry, don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity. Contact us now to get your policy.

Types of Common Insurance

1. Life Insurance – A means of protecting your loved ones and dependents in a situation where the insured person dies. This way, there will be payout to the named beneficiary.
2. Critical Illness Insurance – A means of ensuring that medical bills are paid, either in full or partially, and for diminished ability to earn. Also as a means for protecting dependents.
3. Health & Medical Insurance – Pays for medical bills.
4. Personal Accident Insurance
5. Retirement Annuity
6. Motor Insurance – Comprehensive insurance which covers both the insurer’s car and the other car involved, should there be an accident. Third party insurance covers only the other car/ party in an accident. A minimum of third party insurance is required for all cars in Malaysia.

Medical or health insurance will give you access to the best medical facilities worldwide and provides important medical cover where you need it.

Whatever your medical insurance needs, there are some existing products will suit you as there are many specialist international provider of expatriate insurance, you can be assured that they will always be on hand to help you and your family, no matter where in the world you may be.