《大家健康》
文黄碧思 整理/编辑郑瑞丽
“酵素”有人自己动手做，也有人从市面上形形色色的酵素补充品中受益。这个人体内本来就有的东西，什么时候也要从体外输进来？神奇的酵素，你了解多少？没有酵素，就没有生命；没有酵素，就没有办法分解食物，无法有效利用和吸收食物的营养。除病抗老，直通健康的人生，先要掌握生命之源。封面故事告诉你酵素和身体的重大关系……
当中西药行架子上，摆放着琳琅满目的保健成品，身边围绕着的都是与健康有关的商品时，我们如何在一片打着“保健”、“养生”牌子的食品、食物中找到真正能改善体质，促进健康的营养来源？
要健康先要找到掌握生命之源，“酵素”（Enzyme）便是主打身体健康的天然元素。在日本，酵素被喻为生命之源，美国自然医学博士圣提诺认为：人体像一颗电灯泡，酵素就是电流，灯泡没有电就不会发亮。“自然疗法之父”王永汉博士也说，一切生命体的运作，完全依靠着酵素。如果没有酵素，举凡细胞的代谢、新生、分解、消化……等，都等于毫无作用。
酵素到底是什么？
既然酵素对人体如此重要，是细胞的动力，酵素到底是什么？酵素是在所有活的动、植物体内均可发现的物质，由蛋白质构成，它是维持身体正常功能、消化食物、修复组织等身体各种化学反应的元素。若缺乏酵素，体内大部分的化学反应便不能进行，甚至引起各种疾病或死亡。
王永汉博士举例说，最容易理解的消化功能，也都是靠体内消化液中的酵素，令淀粉质、蛋白质和脂肪等一一分解，然后转化为能量。酵素不同于药物，除了能改善体质外，酵素的首要功能是增加体力，即代表着酵素是利用全身的作用给予细胞复活，对抗疾病，与利用药物抑制病情症状完全不同。
酵素从哪里来？
台湾知名养生专家林光常博士说明，其实我们的身体本身就有酵素，例如肝脏、胰脏、脾脏，本身就会分泌酵素。我们出生以后，身体里面都储存了一些酵素。
即然身体已有酵素，那为何我们还要补充呢？原因是现代人的饮食一般都缺乏酵素，当我们摄取的食物中缺乏酵素，身体就会分泌库存的酵素，久而久之，体内的酵素会慢慢枯竭。
一旦体内酵素不足，则可能会容易疲倦受困、体力不继、肌肉及背部酸痛、食量大仍骨瘦如柴、肥胖、易胀气、消化不良、胃口不佳、内分泌失调等病症。人的酵素贮存量和能量成正比，需维持体内酵素平衡，才能拥有健康的人生，所以首先应有正常的饮食习惯及健康的生活空间。补充酵素有两大途径：一是生食，另一是摄取酵素补充物。生食蔬果含丰富的酵素，自己动手做蔬果酵素不但成本低，方法也很简单，如果真的没办法多生食，就必须食用天然综合酵素补充物，增加酵素摄入量，进而维持身体健康。
Technorati Tag: 生物科技 酵素 Malaysia food supplement Healthcare 糖尿病
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Price undercutting a problem that plagued CNI and other MLM Co
Few weeks ago, The Edge reported that Multi-level marketing (MLM) company CNI Holdings Bhd has missed its profit forecast for the second year running since its listing in 2005.
The main reason given was : price undercutting, a problem that plagued CNI for most of 2005 and continues to eat into the company's profits. (Price undercutting happens when CNI distributors sell the company's products below the recommended retail price in order to increase their sales and profile.)
Mobile stockist
Price undercutting not the only problem of CNI. In fact, majority of MLM company operate in Malaysia face such a problem, especially company that have mobile stiockist.
MLM's distributor only able to earn commission when your downline purchase an item. When another person from a different group buy a goods from you. You get nothing if he/she is not your downline.
However, if you are a stockist. You can sell to a member from different group yet you still get to earn a stockist commission. But you need to meet certain requirement before you entitle to become stockist.
The short cut is, you become mobile stockist.
You can become a mobile stockist if you stock up certain volume of stock at bulk purchase method. The advantages is, if you buy stock in certain volume, your personal sales also move up and you might move up a latter in the MLM hierarchy......Like to Gold Manager or Diamond Manager. Thus, your commission rate also go up other than stockist commission.
However, a person who buy your way up in the MLM business to Gold or Diamond Manager get promoted to such level because of his capital or financing capability, not his marketing capability. Thus, such high level Manager still know little on how to market the company product, causing his stock become slow moving.
In order to increase cash flow, such mobile stockist has to sales off the goods...fast. If he has cash flow problem. One way to sales the goods fast is providing huge discount to customer or what we call price cutting in CNI case. The situation is aggravated if the product have an expiry date. If the company has a large pool of mobile stockist. This can become a price war among a large pool of mobile stockist as everyone compete to cut their price to attract same pool of customer causing other distributor has difficulties market their product as customer can always get the product at a lower price else way. Distributor will start leaving the company as they unable to make profit if they unable to get the product at bulk purchase price.
To get ride of such price cutting problem. Industries veteran said they wouldn't joint a company that have mobile stockist system. However, mobile stockist system is the way a MLM company get back their working capital fast. Few company can resist such temptation to get such large amount of cash. Thus, they will act on short term rather than long term. Looking at the problem of the most successful company in the industries. Company has to find a long term solution on such problem.
Robert Kiyosaki, author of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" stated in one of his book that Henry Ford said if he become bankrupt. He can become millionaire again within 5 years. This is because he learn how to become entrepreneur and become rich. If you become rich by strike a lottery. Chances are, you would lost all your wealth within 5 years. Worst, you do not have the skill to rebuild your wealth.If you buy your way up in MLM hierarchy, like what a lot of our undergraduate doing. You still do not have the marketing skill, despite you might be a...... Diamond Manager of the company. Robert Kiyosaki state in "
The Business School" (This book is about MLM industries by Robert)that one of the advantages of joining a MLM company is the opportunity to learn the marketing and leadership skill. Give yourself a time frame say.....two years. If you have the two skill. Financial reward will come easily and your foundation become stronger than those who buy their way up.Tag: Malaysia: MLM Biotechnology klse Direct Selling
marketing
Know your diabetes medications
WHEN you have diabetes, your medications are your best friends, as they will help you keep your condition under control.
“Diabetes control is important, not only to relieve symptoms of high blood glucose but also to reduce the complications of diabetes,” says Dr Hew Fen Lee, consultant endocrinologist.
There are many complications that can occur with uncontrolled diabetes, and none of them are pleasant. You certainly don’t want to end up losing your vision, having your leg amputated, suffering kidney failure, or worst of all, dying from a heart attack.
"Lifestyle modifications with a balanced diet, regular exercise and no smoking are essential to optimise diabetic control,” Dr Hew advises.
However, he adds that in many cases, lifestyle modifications are not adequate. Thus, medications, including insulin, may be needed. These help to keep blood glucose at a level that minimises complications,” he explains.
Is it insulin?
Diabetes treatment is generally divided into insulin injections, oral medications, and/or diet modifications.
Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas, and it helps the body use or store the glucose from food. In people with diabetes, the pancreas either no longer makes insulin or the body doesn’t respond well to the insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin, while only some people with type 2 diabetes require it. Injecting yourself with insulin every day is something that you will get used to. There are devices like cartridges, pens and pumps, which make it easier to inject the insulin. In the future, we may even have insulin that can be inhaled!
There are many different types of insulin, such as rapid-acting, fast-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting and pre-mixed. Your doctor will prescribe the right one for you based on your lifestyle, preferences and control of blood glucose.
If you are a type 1, you should never stop taking your insulin because it can be dangerous and life-threatening.
Insulin has very few side-effects, besides low blood glucose or hypoglycaemia. To avoid “hypo” situations, get to know your body and how activity, exercise, stress or different foods affect your blood glucose levels.
“Take regular meals and (adjust) the insulin to certain situations, for example when fasting during Ramadan, or during illnesses,” Dr Hew suggests.
“It important to monitor your blood glucose regularly to optimise blood glucose control and minimise hypoglycaemia,” he adds.
Oral medications?
Some people with Type 2 diabetes need to take pills. There are five different kinds of oral medications: sulfonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.
Overwhelmed by all these long names? Don’t be – your doctor will help you decide which type of medication is best for you.
Each type of medication works in different ways, by stimulating your pancreas to release more insulin, decreasing the amount of glucose produced by your liver, making your tissues more sensitive to insulin or blocking the breakdown of starches in the intestines. Although you may have some side effects like loose stool, water retention, or hunger and hypoglycaemia (depending on the type of medication), “many of these side effects are mild and can be relieved by taking the medications as per instructions,” Dr Hew assures. “It is important to keep to the follow-up appointments, so that the doctor can monitor your side effects.”
Time your meals regularly to your medications, so that you won’t have “hypo” episodes. At some point later, your doctor may add on another medication to what you have been taking. Don’t despair – this is not a sign that you or your doctor has failed.
“That means the existing medication is not working adequately. Thus, another type of medication may have to be added in order to further improve diabetes control,” Dr Hew reasons.
The good news is, your doctor may be able to reduce your medication if your diabetes control improves over time.
“Regular exercise and dietary modifications can help to optimise blood glucose control,” says Dr Hew. However, if you do not exercise and gain weight instead, your doctor will just have to keep increasing your medications.
No matter how effective diabetes medications and insulin are, it is still up to you to control your diabetes successfully. So be a healthier person – your doctor will applaud you for it the next time he sees you!
Technorati Tag: Biotechnology pharmaceutical Diabetes Diabetic Malaysia food supplement Health & wellness Chronic
Excerpt from The Star
This article is courtesy of Nestle Nutrition. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
“Diabetes control is important, not only to relieve symptoms of high blood glucose but also to reduce the complications of diabetes,” says Dr Hew Fen Lee, consultant endocrinologist.
There are many complications that can occur with uncontrolled diabetes, and none of them are pleasant. You certainly don’t want to end up losing your vision, having your leg amputated, suffering kidney failure, or worst of all, dying from a heart attack.
"Lifestyle modifications with a balanced diet, regular exercise and no smoking are essential to optimise diabetic control,” Dr Hew advises.
However, he adds that in many cases, lifestyle modifications are not adequate. Thus, medications, including insulin, may be needed. These help to keep blood glucose at a level that minimises complications,” he explains.
Is it insulin?
Diabetes treatment is generally divided into insulin injections, oral medications, and/or diet modifications.
Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas, and it helps the body use or store the glucose from food. In people with diabetes, the pancreas either no longer makes insulin or the body doesn’t respond well to the insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin, while only some people with type 2 diabetes require it. Injecting yourself with insulin every day is something that you will get used to. There are devices like cartridges, pens and pumps, which make it easier to inject the insulin. In the future, we may even have insulin that can be inhaled!
There are many different types of insulin, such as rapid-acting, fast-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting and pre-mixed. Your doctor will prescribe the right one for you based on your lifestyle, preferences and control of blood glucose.
If you are a type 1, you should never stop taking your insulin because it can be dangerous and life-threatening.
Insulin has very few side-effects, besides low blood glucose or hypoglycaemia. To avoid “hypo” situations, get to know your body and how activity, exercise, stress or different foods affect your blood glucose levels.
“Take regular meals and (adjust) the insulin to certain situations, for example when fasting during Ramadan, or during illnesses,” Dr Hew suggests.
“It important to monitor your blood glucose regularly to optimise blood glucose control and minimise hypoglycaemia,” he adds.
Oral medications?
Some people with Type 2 diabetes need to take pills. There are five different kinds of oral medications: sulfonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.
Overwhelmed by all these long names? Don’t be – your doctor will help you decide which type of medication is best for you.
Each type of medication works in different ways, by stimulating your pancreas to release more insulin, decreasing the amount of glucose produced by your liver, making your tissues more sensitive to insulin or blocking the breakdown of starches in the intestines. Although you may have some side effects like loose stool, water retention, or hunger and hypoglycaemia (depending on the type of medication), “many of these side effects are mild and can be relieved by taking the medications as per instructions,” Dr Hew assures. “It is important to keep to the follow-up appointments, so that the doctor can monitor your side effects.”
Time your meals regularly to your medications, so that you won’t have “hypo” episodes. At some point later, your doctor may add on another medication to what you have been taking. Don’t despair – this is not a sign that you or your doctor has failed.
“That means the existing medication is not working adequately. Thus, another type of medication may have to be added in order to further improve diabetes control,” Dr Hew reasons.
The good news is, your doctor may be able to reduce your medication if your diabetes control improves over time.
“Regular exercise and dietary modifications can help to optimise blood glucose control,” says Dr Hew. However, if you do not exercise and gain weight instead, your doctor will just have to keep increasing your medications.
No matter how effective diabetes medications and insulin are, it is still up to you to control your diabetes successfully. So be a healthier person – your doctor will applaud you for it the next time he sees you!
Technorati Tag: Biotechnology pharmaceutical Diabetes Diabetic Malaysia food supplement Health & wellness Chronic
Excerpt from The Star
This article is courtesy of Nestle Nutrition. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
A step away from diabetes
IF you are over 40, and even if you feel healthy, a test for diabetes is always a good idea. While a blood glucose test may reveal that you do not have diabetes, it could help identify if you have Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), which is also referred to as prediabetes.
You have IGT when your test shows blood glucose levels of between 5.6 mmol/l and 6.9 mmol/l.
What is IGT?
IGT is an early sign that you may be at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It is the stage between having normal blood glucose levels and type 2 diabetes. And, a good percentage of people over 40 have IGT. (Note: People with IGT experience a greater rise in blood glucose level after eating carbohydrates while their fasting level is normal or moderately raised.)
What causes IGT?
IGT is caused by a combination of a weakened secretion of insulin and reduced sensitivity of the body’s cells to insulin or insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when your pancreas secretes normal amounts of insulin to regulate sugar but the body cells resist or do not respond.
Insulin resistance is a growing concern because more and more people are becoming obese and physically inactive – both these factors aggravate insulin resistance.
The risk of heart disease rises exponentially for people with insulin resistance, high blood sugar, high amounts of blood fats and low levels of good cholesterol. Add high blood pressure in that equation, and you have Syndrome X.
Who is at risk of getting IGT?
Older people, Asians, people who are overweight and carrying a lot of fat in the abdominal region, those who are physically inactive, had low birth weight and genetic factors.
People with IGT have a 40% to 50 % chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Once you have IGT, the body’s ability to deal with carbohydrates declines, resulting in type 2 diabetes. IGT also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
How is IGT confirmed?
One of the tests used is oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The test measures blood glucose levels two hours after consuming a 75-gram glucose solution. You have IGT if your blood glucose level is more than 7.8 mmol/l but less than 11.1 mmol/l. You have diabetes if your blood glucose level is more than 11.1 mmol/l.
Read carefully: The test will show how good a job the insulin is doing to help your body cells and muscles take up glucose from the bloodstream after a meal.
If there isn’t enough insulin or it’s not working properly, the glucose will stay in the bloodstream – resulting in a high blood glucose reading.
How to treat IGT?
Increase your level of physical activity, achieve a healthy weight and follow a healthy, balanced diet. All these help reduce your progression to type 2 diabetes. Medication is not normally prescribed for IGT.
Research has revealed that diets very low in fat may aggravate the effect of insulin resistance on blood lipids.
Do not avoid naturally fatty foods, but limit saturated fats. Avoid hydrogenated oils and fried foods. For hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) symptoms eat smaller more frequent meals. Snacks should be non-starchy vegetables, nuts, seeds or protein foods.
Excerpt from The Star
Technorati Tag: Biotechnology pharmaceutical Diabetes Diabetic Malaysia food supplement Health & wellness Chronic
This information is courtesy of Roche Diagnostics.The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care.
The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
You have IGT when your test shows blood glucose levels of between 5.6 mmol/l and 6.9 mmol/l.
What is IGT?
IGT is an early sign that you may be at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It is the stage between having normal blood glucose levels and type 2 diabetes. And, a good percentage of people over 40 have IGT. (Note: People with IGT experience a greater rise in blood glucose level after eating carbohydrates while their fasting level is normal or moderately raised.)
What causes IGT?
IGT is caused by a combination of a weakened secretion of insulin and reduced sensitivity of the body’s cells to insulin or insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when your pancreas secretes normal amounts of insulin to regulate sugar but the body cells resist or do not respond.
Insulin resistance is a growing concern because more and more people are becoming obese and physically inactive – both these factors aggravate insulin resistance.
The risk of heart disease rises exponentially for people with insulin resistance, high blood sugar, high amounts of blood fats and low levels of good cholesterol. Add high blood pressure in that equation, and you have Syndrome X.
Who is at risk of getting IGT?
Older people, Asians, people who are overweight and carrying a lot of fat in the abdominal region, those who are physically inactive, had low birth weight and genetic factors.
People with IGT have a 40% to 50 % chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Once you have IGT, the body’s ability to deal with carbohydrates declines, resulting in type 2 diabetes. IGT also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
How is IGT confirmed?
One of the tests used is oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The test measures blood glucose levels two hours after consuming a 75-gram glucose solution. You have IGT if your blood glucose level is more than 7.8 mmol/l but less than 11.1 mmol/l. You have diabetes if your blood glucose level is more than 11.1 mmol/l.
Read carefully: The test will show how good a job the insulin is doing to help your body cells and muscles take up glucose from the bloodstream after a meal.
If there isn’t enough insulin or it’s not working properly, the glucose will stay in the bloodstream – resulting in a high blood glucose reading.
How to treat IGT?
Increase your level of physical activity, achieve a healthy weight and follow a healthy, balanced diet. All these help reduce your progression to type 2 diabetes. Medication is not normally prescribed for IGT.
Research has revealed that diets very low in fat may aggravate the effect of insulin resistance on blood lipids.
Do not avoid naturally fatty foods, but limit saturated fats. Avoid hydrogenated oils and fried foods. For hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) symptoms eat smaller more frequent meals. Snacks should be non-starchy vegetables, nuts, seeds or protein foods.
Excerpt from The Star
Technorati Tag: Biotechnology pharmaceutical Diabetes Diabetic Malaysia food supplement Health & wellness Chronic
This information is courtesy of Roche Diagnostics.The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care.
The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Road Builder and Hybrid rice cultivation in Malaysia
In Malaysia, a pilot hybrid rice experimental plot is already underway, with initial planting already showing excellent results. Located in Kuala Rompin, Pahang, the project – which is operated by RB Biotech Sdn Bhd – began in May 2006, with an initial development area of 27.2ha.
Road Builder Group, as part of its CSR project, began undertaking this initiative during Tan Sri Chua Hock Chin’s tenure as the company's executive vice-chairman. Now, upon retiring from a busy corporate life that has taken up his focus for the past 21 years, Chua is determined to enhance the research and development on hybrid rice in a bigger way.
At this point, it is still considered early days, but already the undertaking promises much bigger things, because by 2007, the total development area is expected to be close to 1,000ha.
Rice is second only to wheat in terms of cultivation, and represents the staple food for more than half the world’s population, primarily in Asia.
Yet, while levels of per capita intake of rice around the world continue to climb each year, the land area utilised for cultivation continues to become smaller, everywhere.
Malaysia, for example, is only about 65% self-sufficient in rice production, and with a shrinking area of production and a growing population, the means to achieving complete self-sufficiency looks remote.
Part of it is due to the lack of glamour and low income generally associated with rice production. There is a lot of work involved, usually for very little returns in monetary terms. In larger-scale ventures, this is less of a problem, but even then, oil palm, for instance, is seen as a more lucrative business.
Despite the subsidisation of items such as seeds, fertilisers and machinery, rice cultivation is more often than not seen as not being rewarding enough for many, who are moving away from this way of life.
Besides natural conditions that determine and affect the overall productivity cycle, things such as fluctuating yields and a shortage of affordable labour are not helping to alleviate the situation. This is reflected in the area of overall cultivation, which is decreasing, the land either abandoned or left idle.
One way to arrest the decline in rice production is by means of introducing hybrid rice cultivation, which would address inconsistent yield rates and marginal income returns that affect ordinary (inbred) rice production.
Developed in China, the beginnings came when a male sterility gene was identified in a variety of wild rice. A successful transfer of the gene by Chinese scientists allowed the creation of the first generation hybrids in 1974.
With the first examples being made available to farmers in 1976, hybrid rice is now responsible for more than 65% of China’s total rice production, with more than half of the country’s total rice land currently planted with hybrid rice.
Possibly the most important element of hybrid rice is the higher output and yield rate in returns – the average yields are at least 50% higher than the best inbred varieties. On average, the yield is about six tonnes per hectare, but with favourable environment and proper field management, this can be easily double that figure.
Furthermore, it is possible to have five seasons of planting in two years, which is not achievable with traditional means.
“The Ministry of Agriculture aims for the country to be 95% self-sufficient, from currently 65%, which means more acreage to be planted and developed in the near future. With hybrid rice technology, this is very much attainable,” Chua told Sunday Star in an exclusive interview.
“It is essential to develop new and young rice farmers. They need to be trained with new technology and techniques. This encompasses the utilisation of optimum quantity of the right fertiliser, pesticides and modular farm equipment, machinery that is proven suitable and affordable for smallholders.
“The Pahang government has been very supportive and generous in providing about 15ha of land for the development of the R&D centre for hybrid rice in Kampung Paya Tebu Hitam in Kuala Rompin.
“This centre will have its own laboratory, green houses and test plots. It will enable all R&D and training activities to be done on site, which is located adjacent to the commercial plantation area. It will take about 10 years to mature,” Chua said.
“Currently, there are three hybrid rice scientists and three hybrid rice technicians stationed in Kuala Rompin. They are actively developing new varieties that will be suitable for commercialisation, based on our local climate, soil and environment conditions.
“By early 2007, five scientists will be based in Kuala Rompin to further enhance R&D activities. The estimated cost of the R&D facilities is going to be approximately RM25mil,” he added.
Chua’s partner in the community project, Chen Long-Chen, agrees that it is essential to train farmers to look at rice farming in a new way. The Taiwanese-born, Singapore-based chairman of Best Wishes Agritech Holdings Limited has been in the hybrid rice research and development business since 1991 and, as such, knows precisely what he is talking about.
“Education is the key. Explaining the benefits and how to best work with hybrid rice is very important if the entire programme is to be successful,” he said.
Chen, who has achieved notable success in hybrid rice production in the Philippines before this, believes that it should be no different here, though production in different countries has different criteria to fulfil.
“Obviously, the type of rice produced has to be suited to planting in local conditions, as well as cater to demand in taste. You cannot simply choose a variety that may be exceptional, but not suitable here.
“Likewise, the final product will have to be what local consumers want; in the case of top-quality locally, it is Thai jasmine fragrant rice.”
The creation of hybrid rice is by means of crossing two parents that are genetically different and distant from each other. With careful screening and matching, the resultant offspring will exhibit superiority over an inbred, derived from the best aspects present in both its parents.
This, of course, means that selective adaptation to the ecological environment it is going to be located in is a prerequisite. The wrong choice of hybrid simply offers no advantage in terms of yield.
Correctly matched to the environment, a hybrid will exhibit many advantages over its inbred cousins during the growth stage. Its roots are two to three times more that that of normal varieties, thus allowing it to absorb higher levels of water and fertiliser, and hybrids have a higher production of leaves, as well as larger leaves, lending it the ability to produce superior rice. Conversely, there is a need for higher amount of fertiliser and water than with inbreds.
There is also a different scope in how seedlings are managed. For one, the level of attention needed in growing seedlings is greater, and there is a requirement for sparse seeding to promote vigorous growth.
Though more expensive to produce, less seeds are needed per hectare, about 20kg compared to 100-200kg needed for inbreds. The use of new seeds every season is a prerequisite; otherwise, it will result in non-uniform growth.
The different terminologies for hybrids are classified as such: The A Line is the female plant, which is also known as the cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS). This is the seed parent, and is produced by crossing with a B Line.
The B Line is genetically the same as the A Line, except for fertility (it is not male sterile). It holds the key to “patenting” the hybrid, and is also known as maintainer because it preserves the sterility of A. The R Line is the male parent; the R is short for restorer, because it restores fertility in the hybrid seed.
The F1 is what is termed the hybrid seed, and is a product of crossing A with R. It is essentially the first filial generation, and is supposed to perform better than either parent.
Technically, it is not classified as a genetically modified organism (GMO). Finally, there is F2, which is harvested from F1 plants, and is sold as commercial rice.
Currently, the total land area at the Rompin project is made up of an A x B research plot that is 0.7ha, a 3.5ha A x R seed production area and a 23ha F1 rice production area, the entire development being supervised by three Chinese scientists who have extensive experience from working on the subject in the Philippines.
By December, the total development area will be expanded to 293ha, of which 280ha is slated for F1 rice planting. Sixty-five types of rice seeds are being cultivated at the moment, and these will be used for determining what will be in the end the parent seeds for eventual production purposes, according to Chen. “The cultivation in Rompin will effectively be for printing the parent seeds; production seeds can be done across the country.
Likewise, the research centre here will cover the whole country’s needs in terms of research, development and education,” he said.
A visit to the site recently showed that the promise is shaping up well. The air was filled with the scent of fragrant pilot F1 plants, and the Chinese scientists were busy at work implementing further planting for the next phase. The coming months will see more machinery coming in, according to Chua.
“The plan is to do direct seeding and we will be bringing in multi-purpose machines to cope with the expansion.” It is obvious that the subject is close to Chua’s heart – his vision and goal for the project is admirable.
“Our target for Malaysian rice farmers is to plant 250,000ha of hybrid rice across the country,” he stated.
There is still some time before the lofty ideal of full self-sustainability in rice production is achieved, but the wheels of that promise have been well and truly set in motion.
Excerpt from The Star Pictures by ANTHONY LIM and courtesy of RB Biotech
Tag: Malaysia: Health & wellness Biotechnology klse hybrid rice
Road Builder Group, as part of its CSR project, began undertaking this initiative during Tan Sri Chua Hock Chin’s tenure as the company's executive vice-chairman. Now, upon retiring from a busy corporate life that has taken up his focus for the past 21 years, Chua is determined to enhance the research and development on hybrid rice in a bigger way.At this point, it is still considered early days, but already the undertaking promises much bigger things, because by 2007, the total development area is expected to be close to 1,000ha.
Rice is second only to wheat in terms of cultivation, and represents the staple food for more than half the world’s population, primarily in Asia.
Yet, while levels of per capita intake of rice around the world continue to climb each year, the land area utilised for cultivation continues to become smaller, everywhere.
Malaysia, for example, is only about 65% self-sufficient in rice production, and with a shrinking area of production and a growing population, the means to achieving complete self-sufficiency looks remote.
Part of it is due to the lack of glamour and low income generally associated with rice production. There is a lot of work involved, usually for very little returns in monetary terms. In larger-scale ventures, this is less of a problem, but even then, oil palm, for instance, is seen as a more lucrative business.
Despite the subsidisation of items such as seeds, fertilisers and machinery, rice cultivation is more often than not seen as not being rewarding enough for many, who are moving away from this way of life.
Besides natural conditions that determine and affect the overall productivity cycle, things such as fluctuating yields and a shortage of affordable labour are not helping to alleviate the situation. This is reflected in the area of overall cultivation, which is decreasing, the land either abandoned or left idle.
One way to arrest the decline in rice production is by means of introducing hybrid rice cultivation, which would address inconsistent yield rates and marginal income returns that affect ordinary (inbred) rice production.
Developed in China, the beginnings came when a male sterility gene was identified in a variety of wild rice. A successful transfer of the gene by Chinese scientists allowed the creation of the first generation hybrids in 1974.
With the first examples being made available to farmers in 1976, hybrid rice is now responsible for more than 65% of China’s total rice production, with more than half of the country’s total rice land currently planted with hybrid rice.
Possibly the most important element of hybrid rice is the higher output and yield rate in returns – the average yields are at least 50% higher than the best inbred varieties. On average, the yield is about six tonnes per hectare, but with favourable environment and proper field management, this can be easily double that figure.
Furthermore, it is possible to have five seasons of planting in two years, which is not achievable with traditional means.
“The Ministry of Agriculture aims for the country to be 95% self-sufficient, from currently 65%, which means more acreage to be planted and developed in the near future. With hybrid rice technology, this is very much attainable,” Chua told Sunday Star in an exclusive interview.
“It is essential to develop new and young rice farmers. They need to be trained with new technology and techniques. This encompasses the utilisation of optimum quantity of the right fertiliser, pesticides and modular farm equipment, machinery that is proven suitable and affordable for smallholders.
“The Pahang government has been very supportive and generous in providing about 15ha of land for the development of the R&D centre for hybrid rice in Kampung Paya Tebu Hitam in Kuala Rompin.
“This centre will have its own laboratory, green houses and test plots. It will enable all R&D and training activities to be done on site, which is located adjacent to the commercial plantation area. It will take about 10 years to mature,” Chua said.
“Currently, there are three hybrid rice scientists and three hybrid rice technicians stationed in Kuala Rompin. They are actively developing new varieties that will be suitable for commercialisation, based on our local climate, soil and environment conditions.
“By early 2007, five scientists will be based in Kuala Rompin to further enhance R&D activities. The estimated cost of the R&D facilities is going to be approximately RM25mil,” he added.Chua’s partner in the community project, Chen Long-Chen, agrees that it is essential to train farmers to look at rice farming in a new way. The Taiwanese-born, Singapore-based chairman of Best Wishes Agritech Holdings Limited has been in the hybrid rice research and development business since 1991 and, as such, knows precisely what he is talking about.
“Education is the key. Explaining the benefits and how to best work with hybrid rice is very important if the entire programme is to be successful,” he said.
Chen, who has achieved notable success in hybrid rice production in the Philippines before this, believes that it should be no different here, though production in different countries has different criteria to fulfil.
“Obviously, the type of rice produced has to be suited to planting in local conditions, as well as cater to demand in taste. You cannot simply choose a variety that may be exceptional, but not suitable here.
“Likewise, the final product will have to be what local consumers want; in the case of top-quality locally, it is Thai jasmine fragrant rice.”
The creation of hybrid rice is by means of crossing two parents that are genetically different and distant from each other. With careful screening and matching, the resultant offspring will exhibit superiority over an inbred, derived from the best aspects present in both its parents.
This, of course, means that selective adaptation to the ecological environment it is going to be located in is a prerequisite. The wrong choice of hybrid simply offers no advantage in terms of yield.
Correctly matched to the environment, a hybrid will exhibit many advantages over its inbred cousins during the growth stage. Its roots are two to three times more that that of normal varieties, thus allowing it to absorb higher levels of water and fertiliser, and hybrids have a higher production of leaves, as well as larger leaves, lending it the ability to produce superior rice. Conversely, there is a need for higher amount of fertiliser and water than with inbreds.
There is also a different scope in how seedlings are managed. For one, the level of attention needed in growing seedlings is greater, and there is a requirement for sparse seeding to promote vigorous growth.
Though more expensive to produce, less seeds are needed per hectare, about 20kg compared to 100-200kg needed for inbreds. The use of new seeds every season is a prerequisite; otherwise, it will result in non-uniform growth.
The different terminologies for hybrids are classified as such: The A Line is the female plant, which is also known as the cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS). This is the seed parent, and is produced by crossing with a B Line.
The B Line is genetically the same as the A Line, except for fertility (it is not male sterile). It holds the key to “patenting” the hybrid, and is also known as maintainer because it preserves the sterility of A. The R Line is the male parent; the R is short for restorer, because it restores fertility in the hybrid seed.
The F1 is what is termed the hybrid seed, and is a product of crossing A with R. It is essentially the first filial generation, and is supposed to perform better than either parent.
Technically, it is not classified as a genetically modified organism (GMO). Finally, there is F2, which is harvested from F1 plants, and is sold as commercial rice.
Currently, the total land area at the Rompin project is made up of an A x B research plot that is 0.7ha, a 3.5ha A x R seed production area and a 23ha F1 rice production area, the entire development being supervised by three Chinese scientists who have extensive experience from working on the subject in the Philippines.
By December, the total development area will be expanded to 293ha, of which 280ha is slated for F1 rice planting. Sixty-five types of rice seeds are being cultivated at the moment, and these will be used for determining what will be in the end the parent seeds for eventual production purposes, according to Chen. “The cultivation in Rompin will effectively be for printing the parent seeds; production seeds can be done across the country.
Likewise, the research centre here will cover the whole country’s needs in terms of research, development and education,” he said.
A visit to the site recently showed that the promise is shaping up well. The air was filled with the scent of fragrant pilot F1 plants, and the Chinese scientists were busy at work implementing further planting for the next phase. The coming months will see more machinery coming in, according to Chua.
“The plan is to do direct seeding and we will be bringing in multi-purpose machines to cope with the expansion.” It is obvious that the subject is close to Chua’s heart – his vision and goal for the project is admirable.
“Our target for Malaysian rice farmers is to plant 250,000ha of hybrid rice across the country,” he stated.
There is still some time before the lofty ideal of full self-sustainability in rice production is achieved, but the wheels of that promise have been well and truly set in motion.
Excerpt from The Star Pictures by ANTHONY LIM and courtesy of RB Biotech
Tag: Malaysia: Health & wellness Biotechnology klse hybrid rice
Diabetes – back to basics
DIABETES is a serious ailment. Yet, it remains a mystery to many people. The general attitude is, “Heard of it. Read about it.” “I haven’t checked if I have it.” “I don’t have it, so I don’t need to care, right?”
In Malaysia, 10 out of every 100 people over the age of 35 have diabetes.
In Asia, diabetes and not bird flu is the bigger threat to lives.
Globally, diabetes is rated as the fourth largest killer disease. The statistics should be enough to make us want to care and jump to action.
If you have any of the following symptoms, take a diabetes test:
Excessive thirst
Unexplained weight loss
Unusual hunger
Extreme fatigue
Irritability
Frequent infections
Blurred vision
Slow-to-heal cuts and bruises
Vaginitis or recurring yeast infections in women
Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
Recurring skin, gum or bladder infections
If you answer yes to any of the following, you are at risk!
You are 20% over a healthy weight or obese
You lead a sedentary lifestyle
You had abnormal glucose levels during pregnancy or had a baby who was nine pounds or more at birth
You are 45 or older
You have low HDL cholesterol or high overall cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels.
You have very high blood pressure.
What is diabetes?
There is type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas either no longer produces insulin or not enough insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas makes insulin but the body is not able to use it properly.
Why do we need insulin?
Insulin helps our cells take in fuel in the form of blood sugar or glucose. Glucose is produced when we digest food. If glucose doesn’t get into the cells, it weakens.
The glucose then builds up in the blood stream, damaging our blood vessels and organs.
Why don’t we know we have symptoms?
First, it is not obvious because we feel fine, and second, it hides behind other ailments like cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, nerve damage and eye disease.
By the time we know we have it, it is firmly established and would be difficult to treat. Of the 16 million people with diabetes, only a third realise they have it.
Is there a cure?
No. But, with the right treatment and regular monitoring, we can get our blood sugar back to acceptable levels, and we can lead a normal and healthy lifestyle.
Who is at risk?
Type 1 diabetes often occurs in people less than 30, who are not overweight. Type 2 diabetes typically develops in people over 30, who have one or more risk factors.
Technorati Tag: Biotechnology pharmaceutical Diabetes Diabetic Malaysia food supplement Health & wellness Chronic
Excerpt from The Star
Note: This information is courtesy of Roche Diagnostics.The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
In Malaysia, 10 out of every 100 people over the age of 35 have diabetes.
In Asia, diabetes and not bird flu is the bigger threat to lives.
Globally, diabetes is rated as the fourth largest killer disease. The statistics should be enough to make us want to care and jump to action.
If you have any of the following symptoms, take a diabetes test:
Excessive thirst
Unexplained weight loss
Unusual hunger
Extreme fatigue
Irritability
Frequent infections
Blurred vision
Slow-to-heal cuts and bruises
Vaginitis or recurring yeast infections in women
Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
Recurring skin, gum or bladder infections
If you answer yes to any of the following, you are at risk!
You are 20% over a healthy weight or obese
You lead a sedentary lifestyle
You had abnormal glucose levels during pregnancy or had a baby who was nine pounds or more at birth
You are 45 or older
You have low HDL cholesterol or high overall cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels.
You have very high blood pressure.
What is diabetes?
There is type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas either no longer produces insulin or not enough insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas makes insulin but the body is not able to use it properly.
Why do we need insulin?
Insulin helps our cells take in fuel in the form of blood sugar or glucose. Glucose is produced when we digest food. If glucose doesn’t get into the cells, it weakens.
The glucose then builds up in the blood stream, damaging our blood vessels and organs.
Why don’t we know we have symptoms?
First, it is not obvious because we feel fine, and second, it hides behind other ailments like cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, nerve damage and eye disease.
By the time we know we have it, it is firmly established and would be difficult to treat. Of the 16 million people with diabetes, only a third realise they have it.
Is there a cure?
No. But, with the right treatment and regular monitoring, we can get our blood sugar back to acceptable levels, and we can lead a normal and healthy lifestyle.
Who is at risk?
Type 1 diabetes often occurs in people less than 30, who are not overweight. Type 2 diabetes typically develops in people over 30, who have one or more risk factors.
Technorati Tag: Biotechnology pharmaceutical Diabetes Diabetic Malaysia food supplement Health & wellness Chronic
Excerpt from The Star
Note: This information is courtesy of Roche Diagnostics.The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
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