2008年9月19日

Does this the truth about the powdered milk made in sanlu?

The powdered milk products, produced by the Sanlu Group in China, were found to be contaminated by melamine after hundreds of babies in China got sick with kidney stones. One baby in the Gansu province, China, died because of that.
25 tons of powered milk products manufactured by the Sanlu Group were exported to Taiwan this August, and this news caused extensive panic in Taiwan.
Sinhong talked about how late people were informed by the China government about the powdered milk contamination.
This March in China, there were rumors that babies were sick due to contaminated powdered milk. There were formal case reports from hospital this June, and the contaminated powdered milk was exported to Taiwan around that time. In the beginning of this August, the Sanlu group found there was melamine in their powdered milk products. However, the Sanlu Group deferred to recall these contaminated powdered milk until September 11st, and the China government informed Taiwan officials in September 12nd.Eric further criticized how Taiwan government ignored the warning and acted slowly.
This is a very serious issue concerning human life, but the Strait Exchange Foundation was touched by the China government's “good will,” and our government decided to shut up. Later after they found the situation out of their control, Premier Liu Chao-shiuan finally decided to hold an inter-departmental meeting. The reaction nerve of our government seems to be totally numbed and the reason was most probably due to the fear of spoiling the “cherished” Taiwan-China relationship after President Ma Ying-jeou sworn into office this May… and they cannot even protect our fellow countrymen.Sinhong also talked about the possibility that the China government covered this scandal because of the Olympic Games this August.
This cover-up of contaminated powdered milk scandal cannot not be separated from the Olympic Games in Beijing. The Olympic Games was from 8/8 to 8/24. Before the Olympic Games, China government gave orders to cover all the reports that might destroy the image of China. The Sanlu Group discovered the contamination just before the Olympic Games, and we can see the China government chose to let their people die so that they can keep the positive image of China. However, this cover-up not only affects its people's lives, it further threatens people in other countries, such authoritarian attitude towards people's lives is absolutely not tolerable!The Sanlu Group claimed that the melamine found in their powdered milk was added by the dairy farmers and milk dealers to meet the nitrogen standard after they added water to dilute the milk. However, not everyone believes their claim.
Eric reasoned based on the milk powder production process.
Who decided to add melamine to increase nitrogen detection in the powdered milk must be professional as it requires chemical knowledge, so I do not believe that melamine was added by the diary farmers.Williamlong also reasoned based on the chemical property of melamine.
Melamine is only slightly soluble in water, so how could the diary farmers add melamine to the milk? If they really added melamine to their milk, melamine would be separated from the milk. As a result, I believe melamine was added to the milk powder directly after the company processed the milk.Lianyue, who is a Chinese, appealed to China government for taking this scandal seriously, finding the real problems, and solving the problems.
If the China government does not investigate all people involved,…China's diary industry will fall down. The Sanlu Group is one of China's leading dairy producers, when they added toxic substances in their products, people will think all other producers in China might do the same. If the Sanlu Group wants to protect itself and claims that adding melamine is an open secret in this industry, the whole diary industry in China will fall into crisis…China's food industry will fall down, too. If the companies and the China government do not bother to poison the children, what is their baseline in the poisoning industry? Pets, teenagers, adults…. “Made in China” is already notorious because of the toxic substances in China's products. If the Sanlu Group survive this time, we will wait and see how the Sanlu Group hits the last coffin nail for China.There was also rumor saying that Baidu took money from the Sanlu Group and helped them filter opinions harmful to the company when people search on Baidu. t4822k11b said,
The crisis management plan of the Sanlu Group was uncovered by its own employee. This crisis management plan suggested to give Baidu three million and ask Baidu to filter the news…Baidu's public relations executive said, “if you search on Baidu, you can find past news, harmful or not to the Sanlu Group. This is the best proof.”…However, after investigating, we can see that those news harmful to the Sanlu Group started to appear after 9/12. If you key in “Sanlu, do not act in dealing with our children's health”and search, in 9/12 afternoon, google shows 11400 links while Baidu only shows 11 links. In 9/13 morning, google shows 11800 links and Baidu shows 54 links, which increased quickly.

The Results of Sanlu Milk incident Responsiblility

Four local officials in north China's Hebei Province were fired on Tuesday following the baby milk powder scandal across the country.
  Zhang Fawang, vice mayor in charge of agricultural production of Hebei provincial capital Shijiazhuang, and Sun Renhu, the city's animal husbandry administration chief, were fired late Tuesday following legal procedures, according to a decision made by the city's legislative body.
  Shijiazhuang Food and Drug Administration Bureau director ZhangYi and the city's Quality and Technical Inspection Bureau chief LiZhiguo were also dismissed from their posts for loose supervision on the milk suppliers.
  Tian Wenhua, the board chairwoman and general manager of Shijiazhuang-based dairy giant Sanlu Group, was also fired from her posts. She was also removed from her post as the secretary of the corporation committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), according to Party authorities of Hebei Province an Shijiazhuang City.
  An estimated 1,253 infants, including two fatally, across the country developed kidney stones after drinking Sanlu's baby formula tainted by melamine, a chemical believed to help increase the protein content in the milk.
  However, the contamination has spread to other dairy companies as the country's top quality watchdog said Tuesday they found the chemical melamine in 69 batches of baby milk powder produced by 22companies nationwide.
  The authorities ordered a halt to the sale of the tainted products which included such well-known brands as Mengniu, Yili and Yashili, among others.
 Gao Qiang, the Communist Party chief of the Ministry of Health, visited baby patients in Hebei on Tuesday. The province alone has reported a total of 861 infants suffering urinary system stones, with 61 of them hospitalized. http://www.rr365.com/
  Gao, also head of the emergency team for handling Sanlu tainted milk, ordered timely and effective diagnosis and treatment for infants sickened by the contaminated milk.
  Experts should be organized to go to remote rural areas to check the sick infants and urge them to be sent to hospitals for diagnosis and treatment, he said while visiting sick babies and medical staff in Hebei People's Hospital and Hebei Children's Hospital.
  According to the ministry, the two deaths occurred both in the northwest Gansu Province. They were a five-month-old boy who died on May 1 after his family refused further treatment and an eight-month-old girl whose family also refused an operation and removed her from hospital on July 22 on which day she died. Both of the two were bred with the Sanlu formula and suffered kidney failure.
  Zhang Zhenling, Sanlu's vice president, apologized to the public on Monday.
  "The serious safety accident of the Sanlu formula milk powder for infants has caused severe harm to many sickened babies and their families. We feel really sad about this," he said while reading a letter of apology to reporters.
  Sanlu, which is 43 percent owned by New Zealand dairy company Fonterra, has been ordered to halt production. The Hebei provincial government decided on Tuesday to dispatch four working teams to Sanlu Group for a thorough investigation.
    

2008年9月10日

Healthy Asian Cuisine?


Look at what's on the menu. Asian cuisines, just like all other styles of cuisine around the world, have their share of low fat and high fat recipes, low sodium and high-salt dishes and sauces, and dishes that are good for satisfying appetite but low in calories and vice versa. Take for instance, curries: Many traditional curries use coconut milk, which is high in saturated fats, but other alternatives exist. For example Assam (tamarind)-based curries and soups, tom yam dishes prepared without coconut milk, and dhall curries all provide the spicy 'oomph' without the accompanying calories or saturated fat.
Rice, the Asian staple, can also be another calorie pitfall. The usual form served is white rice, which has very much less fibre and vitamins that the brown version served only in specialty restaurants. Also, some rice varieties satisfy appetite for longer than others. However, steamed white rice is generally a better choice than fried rice, briyani and other specialty rice like nasi minyak (oil rice), or rice cooked in butter or ghee. Even chicken rice, a Malaysian and Singaporean favourite, may have hidden calories, for example if the rice is cooked in butter.
Noodles, a breakfast and lunch favourite, usually comes either in soup or "dry" form. The clear, broth-based soups are generally lower in oil and sodium than dry noodles, so if noodles are your favourite, be sure to choose the types with lower oil and sodium some of the time.
However, there are plenty of caterers' cooking methods that meet with nutritionists' approval. A classic meal in Asia, consisting of rice, vegetables and some meat or seafood fits the healthy eating recommendations of complex carbohydrates, dietary fibre, lots of fruits and vegetables, limited saturated fats and protein - if you choose the right cooking style.
When it comes to vegetables, Asians are spoilt for choice in the variety of styles vegetables can be cooked in. Steamed, stir-fried, poached, boiled in soups, cooked in curries - vegetables from Asia are often packed with fibre, vitamins and minerals without sacrificing taste and flavour. Make vegetables the mainstay of your meal out and you will not go wrong.
Baked seafood - fish, shrimp, calamari – are other good options for the Asia region. Marinated in spices and wrapped in banana leaves, baked or grilled seafood is a low-fat but flavourful option to fried or deep-fried versions and also a good source of "good" fats. Other healthy and 'yummy' options are grilled meats, barbecued or steamed fish or chicken and stir-fried beef. Just be careful of the rich sauces that are often served with these meats, as they may be heavy in oil or salt.
Finish up a meal by taking advantage of the huge variety of tropical fruits available. Many fruits in Asia are good sources of vitamins, minerals and disease-fighting phytochemicals and are an enjoyable way to ensure you get your daily 3-5 servings of fruits and vegetables. In addition, fruits are a lower calorie alternative to desserts as a sweet end to a meal.

Eating Out the Healthier Way

Breakfast at a coffee shop, lunch at a burger joint, dinner from a noodle stall. If this describes your typical weekday meal plan, you are one of millions across Asia who are now eating more and more meals out of home. After all, most of us spend a sizeable part of the day away from home so it's inevitable that we eat out as well.

Eating out is very much an Asian phenomenon, with street food sellers (called hawkers in some countries) selling everything from local burgers to traditional noodle-based fare forming an essential part of the Asian food landscape; in addition to stand-alone restaurants offering cuisines from all over the world. International fast-food chains have also become popular, and offer a quick and hygienic option for people on the more.

Eating out need not be a guilty or unhealthy experience. Practising the same guidelines as home-cooked meals would  ensure that eating out provides the same kind of nutritional benefits. Besides, eating out does have its advantages: it takes a lot less time and hassle (no need to prepare and wash up afterwards) and one is more likely to savour foods from other ethnic groups or cuisines while eating out. In addition, eating out exposes one to a rich variety of foods - a key recommendation for good nutrition; something those of us with limited cooking skills may not be able to adhere to at home!

Safety First

Nevertheless, there are pitfalls to avoid in eating out. In Asia, especially in developing countries, some street food and eateries hygiene standards are a little dubious. Food sold on side-walks may be at risk of being contaminated by dust and other pollutants.
Furthermore if eateries do not have access to clean water for  washing, microbes that cause food poisoning may contaminate food. Also, unless the seller keeps a chiller on-site, raw cooking ingredients like meat and seafood may be breeding grounds for microbes - especially if they are not cooked thoroughly.
Therefore, the first rule to eating out healthily and safely is to be choosy about the outlet. Avoid eating in places where cleanliness is suspect. The stall's location, the food preparer's cleaning habits as well as his/her overall hygiene should give an indication of the safety of the food. Good food hygiene standards are being achieved, by many, and one of the benefits of globalisation, is global food hygiene standards using systems like HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points). Comprehensive and mandatory training for food handlers in Good Hygiene Practises are also becoming increasingly common. Nevertheless, personal vigilance is always prudent, so remember always to look out for tell-tale signs like food that has been left warm too long, food that is left uncovered, etc.

Watch the Oil and Salt

Some ready-to-eat foods have more oil, salt and sugar than home-cooked food. Oil and salt could also be hidden in sauces, dressings and condiments. For example, the low-fat nature of Japanese meals is certainly a health bonus, but the soy sauce served with many dishes is high in sodium. To ease up on these, ask for the dressing or sauces to be served on the side and use them sparingly.     

Other healthy alternatives could include using low-calorie or low sodium  alternatives. Add cut chillies without dousing them with soy sauce, or add only one or two drops. Use mustard and ketchup instead of mayonnaise on burgers and sandwiches, and pepper or lemon juice instead of salt.

Substitute Your Choices

Sometimes eating healthier requires some substitution work. Ask for less oil or salt in your food. Instead of doubling your meat portions, ask for more vegetables instead when ordering noodles or rice. Request wholewheat instead of white bread in your sandwiches, low-fat milk in your beverages and baked jacket potatoes, salads or steamed vegetables instead of fries.  

Instead of pizza with plenty of pepperoni and cheese, order instead a veggie pizza with additional vegetable toppings. Pizzas with a thin crust (instead of the traditional thick crust) also good for cutting calories.

Cut down on the calories at fast-food restaurants with low-fat milk shakes (which are a great source of calcium), 100% juices, bottled water, sugar-free black, green or oolong teas, or diet soft drinks instead of regular soft drinks.  Fish or chicken burgers or 100% ground beef patties without extra toppings will all help to keep calorie intake down.

Mind the Portion Size

 A common problem with eating out is a greater temptation to eat more than one would at home. Large extra-value portion sizes can seem tempting because of cost savings, but opting for the bigger portion size can lead to eating more than is necessary to satisfy appetite, and ordering a larger fries or drink could add as much as 25% more fat and calories to your meal.

As well as matching your order to your appetite, be very aware when enjoying your meal, of how much you are eating. Pay attention to the food and your hunger levels and most of all take a little time to enjoy your food, and for your body to signal when your hunger is beginning to be satisfied. If you find the meal or snack you are eating is larger than you need, consider sharing with a friend, or request a take-out box and eat it for lunch the next day, or just leave the last few mouthfuls. Depsite what parents may have told you in childhood, it really is OK not to finish everything on the plate or in a carton!

The Bottom Line

Eating out is a way of life in Asia, and can be a wonderful pleasure. 'Splurging' on less healthful foods occasionally is not a problem but as eating out becomes the norm rather than the exception, it helps to plan in advance and be aware of the options out there. Being aware of the eatery's hygiene, making the right choices, keeping portions in check and going for a wide variety of foods will ensure eating out, even on a regular basis, becomes a convenient, healthy and enjoyable experience!

Here are some healthier options when eating out

  Choose More Often Choose Less Often
Chinese Steamed white rice or if available, brown rice. Steamed, roasted, poached, boiled, barbecued, grilled, stir-fried dishes. Soup noodles, assam--based dishes, steamed yong tau foo, dim sum Fried rice/noodles, butter rice, deep-fried dishes, stewed meats with a lot of oil, curries with coconut milk, "dry" noodles
Indian Steamed rice, plain thosai, chapatti, dhall curries, tandoori and tikka dishes, vegetarian dishes Briyani, roti canai, naan, papadams, curries with coconut milk, korma, deep-fried dishes, samosas
Thai/Malay Steamed rice, tom-yam soups, plain spring rolls, vegetable salads, kerabu, stir-fried, grilled, roasted, steamed dishes, satay, kebabs, fresh fruits Fried rice/noodles, nasi lemak, curries with coconut milk, deep-fried foods, desserts with coconut milk, curry puffs, deep-fried meats and seafood doused in rich sauces
Japanese Steamed rice, sashimi, sushi, soup udon or soba, teriyaki, sukiyaki, chawan mushi, stir-fried dishes Fried rice/noodles, tempura, katsu dishes
Western Salads (light dressing), baked potatoes, shrimp cocktail (without dressing), baked, broiled, steamed, grilled, poached, roasted dishes, stir-fried/steam vegetables, pasta with light sauces, fresh fruit, sherbet, sorbet Cream-based soups, oil-based salad dressings, garlic bread, french fries, onion rings, fried, creamed, stuffed, buttered, breaded dishes, pasta with rich sauces, rich cakes, puddings
Fastfood Broiled or grilled burgers, roasted (skinless and unbreaded) chicken, baked potatoes, salads, light-crust pizza with vegetables and less cheese, low-fat milk shakes, diet sodas, 100% juices Burgers with extra pan-fried meats and cheese, french fries, onion rings, soft drinks, full-fat milk shakes, sundaes

World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) Report


The second expert report of the WCRF was released globally on November 1. An expert panel of 21 scientists from around the world reviewed research on diet, physical activity and the risk of cancer and developed a set of recommendations to reduce the risk. AFIC will include an article on diet, physical activity and lifestyle and cancer risk in the next issue of Food Facts Asia. AFIC can also provide a list of experts in Asia for information on this topic.
WHO Growth standards follow-up
The World Health Organization released new growths standards for children from birth to 5 years of age in 2006. The standards were based on data collected through the WHO Multicenter Growth Reference Study in the United States, Brazil, India, Ghana, Norway and Oman. Data from a 2 year follow-up study has reported that the growth patterns in the children following the recommendations for breastfeeding and the timing of the introduction of weaning foods from the 6 different study sites are similar. This suggests that healthy children following recommended diets and raised in healthy environments have very similar growth patterns regardless of their race or genetic background. It's a small world after all.

Diet and Cancer - What’s New?

The incidence of cancer in Asia has risen over the past few decades with deaths from cancers overtaking previous causes of mortality as we race to catch up with Western countries. Cancers of the bowel, breast and lung are now all too common. But there is some good news. Scientists now believe that most cancers are caused by external factors, many of which we can control. That means that, in theory at least, many cancers are preventable. So how do we reduce our risk of cancer?

In December 2007, the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) announced an update of their 1997 recommendations for the prevention of cancer with a healthy diet and exercise. So what has changed since the previous recommendations and just what do the guidelines mean for people on a day-to-day basis?

More emphasis on managing body weight

Interestingly and perhaps not surprisingly, the recommendations are very similar to the previous set of diet and cancer guidelines (WCRF/AICR Report 1997) and consistent with what most health authorities are recommending for a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of diet-related diseases. The main change is that the revised guidelines have a much heavier emphasis on managing body weight. 

Compared to the 1997 recommendations, the changes found in the new guidelines include: 

-          More focus on body weight. The panel found that there was stronger evidence for the link between being overweight or obesity and an increased risk of certain cancers. In fact the first three recommendations of the Report  relate to keeping body weight under control and staying active

-          More focus on physical activity.  The previous report noted a link between colon cancer and physical activity. Further studies in this area have produced convincing evidence that physical activity itself is protective against several types of cancer in addition to playing a key role in the control of body weight.

-          A recommendation to breastfeed for up to 6 months has been included in the 2007 guidelines. Breastfeeding helps control body weight in both mothers and infants and also appears to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

-          A recommendation for cancer survivors (people who are either living with, being treated for or having survived cancer) has been included for the first time. The guideline for this group is to simply follow the recommendations for cancer prevention.

-          A recommendation to get nutrients from a varied diet and not to rely on supplements.

Putting it into practice

Here's what the recommendations actually mean for the average person trying to follow a healthy diet. 

Recommendation 1: Be as lean as possible within the normal range of body weight

 

What it means: Children and adolescents should keep a healthy weight throughout childhood and adults should try to avoid that gradual creeping up of the scales that often goes hand-in-hand with increasing age. The BMI (weight in kg /height in metres squared) for a healthy weight is usually 20 – 25. The WCRF report recommends that people aim for a BMI at the lower end of the normal body weight range, say a BMI of 21-23. 

Recommendation 2: Be physically active as part of everyday life

What it means: Try to be moderately active (this means brisk walking or something similar) for at least 30 minutes a day. Aim to gradually increase the time (up to 60 minutes) or the intensity of exercise and cut back on screen time (TV, computer, and gaming consoles). 

Recommendation 3: Limit consumption of energy-dense foods.

What it means: Energy-dense foods are foods that are high in calories. While any food will cause weight gain if we eat too much of it, these foods offer calories but little in the way of additional nutrients so they should be consumed in moderation. Energy-dense foods include cakes, biscuits, pastries, soft drinks, sweetened drinks, confectionary, fried and fast foods.  

Recommendation 4: Plant foods – fruits, vegetables and grain foods

What it means – Aim for 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. The more colourful the better – so aim to include a variety of fruits and vegetables – red, green, purple, yellow, orange.

Choose high fibre cereals and pulses to increase fibre intakes. And avoid grains or nuts that are spoiled or have not been properly stored as they may be infected by toxins from fungus (aflotoxins) which can cause liver cancer. 

Recommendation 5: Animal foods

What it means: The WCRF recommendation is to eat no more than 500g of cooked red meat (beef, lamb, pork or goat) a week and to make sure the meat is lean and trimmed of fat. This translates to about 750g of raw meat and is consistent with the Australian National Dietary Guidelines that recommend 3-4 servings of lean red meat a week. The Report recommends that processed meats (such as ham, bacon, salami, frankfurts) should be avoided or taken only occasionally in small amounts.  

Recommendation 6: Limit alcoholic drinks

What it means: The recommendation is similar to that of most public health authorities – if alcohol is consumed, men should have no more than two standard drinks a day and women should take no more than one drink a day. 

Recommendation 7: Watch your salt intake

What it means: Salt and foods that are preserved using salt (such as pickled vegetables) are thought to be a cause of stomach cancer so it's best to limit the intake of salt and salty foods.  Of particular note for people living in China, the Panel warned against eating Cantonese style salted fish. This fish, which is often given to children, is thought to increase the risk of naso-pharyngeal cancer. 

Recommendation 8: Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone

What it means: You don't need supplements if you are taking a healthy diet.  While there are studies suggesting that some supplements may decrease the risk of certain cancers, the evidence is conflicting.  A healthy well-rounded diet is the best remedy for cancer prevention. 

Recommendation 9: Breastfeeding

What it means:  Aim to breastfeed for up to six months. 

Recommendation 10: Cancer survivors

What it means: People who have survived cancer are advised to follow the 9 recommendations given above if possible. The panel noted that there is no evidence to provide any separate recommendations for people who are living with cancer or who have recovered from the condition.  

 

Tips for a Longer Life

Based on the Okinawan experience, it can be safely said that the aging process is influenced by a variety of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. While we can't control for all of these, there are a lot of things we can do to increase our chances of living longer. 

Following are some factors that can help contribute to a longer life: 

Stay active – exercise not only helps keep body fat levels down, it also keeps the brain active. A US study of 6,000 women aged 65 yrs and above, found that those who were active tended to retain their cognitive function better than those who were sedentary. Increased cardiovascular fitness appears to be linked to better brain function. 

Watch those calories – while a severe reduction in calories is not advised if you are normal weight or underweight, try to concentrate on wholesome foods like fruit, vegetables and whole grains, and aim to keep off those kilos that come creeping up with age. Watch that serving sizes don't get too big and make sure you offset your calorie intake by being active. If you are overweight, it's a good idea to drop the excess kilos through a healthy diet and exercise plan. 

Load up on fruits and vegetables – the more brightly coloured the better. Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of bioflavenoids and other antioxidants which are known to help neutralise free radicals. They are also low in fat and provide dietary fibre. Aim for a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables daily and make sure you get lots of variety. 

Choose the good fats – studies in populations that live longer in both Europe and Japan,  show that their diets tend to be low in saturated fats (the type that raise cholesterol). Instead choose moderate amounts of monounsaturated fats (olive oil, canola oil, fatty fish, nuts, seeds, flax). Choose fish two to three times a week. 

Get enough sleep – a lack of sleep increases the risk of obesity and it can affect metabolism and hormone production. Aim for 7-8 hours a night. 

Moderate alcohol – high alcohol intakes are linked to increased body weight and other health issues including certain cancers. If you drink alcohol, limit it to just one to two drinks daily and aim for 1-2 alcohol-free days a week.  

De-stress – whatever works for you. Meditation, yoga, religion, a simple cup of tea or a walk in a garden.  

Don't smoke – smoking is linked to an increased risk of cancers, heart disease and stroke.

Life Expectancies in Selected Countries, 2005

(Sourced from WHO World Health Statistics 2007)

Country

Life Expectancy for Men

Life Expectancy for Women

Japan

79

86

Australia

79

84

Sweden

79

83

Italy

78

84

Greece

77

82

Selected Asian Countries

(Alphabetical Order)

 

 

China

71

74

India

62

64

Indonesia

66

69

Malaysia

69

74

Philippines

64

71

Republic of Korea

75

82

Singapore

78

82

Thailand

67

73


Food Facts Asia Issue 32 - The Secrets to a Longer Life



It's a New Year – 2008 and the Chinese Year of the Rat - and many people's thoughts turn to the future. For most of us, that means wishing for a long, healthy and happy life. But what can we do to increase our chances?


In almost every country in the world, the fastest growing population group is the 60 years and over age group. This has been attributed to improved health care, better housing, increased incomes and more nutritious diets. The countries in the world with the greatest life expectances include Japan, Australia, Italy, Greece and Sweden. Japan tops the longevity stakes with a life expectancy of 86 years for women and 79 years for men. The number of people living to be 100 years or more in Japan has increased greatly. In 1963, there were only 153 recorded centenarians in the country while by 2006 the figure had increased to 28,395, of which 85% were women.

While there is a genetic factor influencing life expectancy, scientist's estimate that it accounts for only about 30% of the observed differences in longevity rates. So it makes sense to look at diets and lifestyles and see what other factors play a role.

The International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) Subcommittee on Nutrition and Aging and the World Health Organization (WHO) attempted to do just that in 1987. The "Food Habits in Later Life" study looked at 818 subjects aged 70 years and over, in Sweden, Greece, Japan and Australia (the study separated the Australian group into Anglo-Celts and Greeks living in Australia). The subjects were followed for seven years. Information was gathered on dietary habits, lifestyles and general health. The study found that those with a better memory and healthier diet (particularly a "Mediterranean" type diet with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables, fish, legumes, cereals and olive oil) tended to live longer than those who didn't follow a healthy lifestyle. Not surprisingly, smoking was found to significantly shorten the life span. Several other studies in European countries have shown similar results – no smoking, moderate alcohol, and a healthy lifestyle including a Mediterranean-style diet and exercise – make for a longer and healthier life.

Why Do We Age?

The aging process is thought to be due to the accumulation of free radicals (substances formed as a result of normal body processes) which damage body tissues and DNA. In younger people, this damage is quickly and easily repaired. However, as we get older the damage accumulates resulting in chronic inflammation and irreversible DNA damage. This in turn increases the incidence of age-related conditions such as cancer and heart disease. But it appears that there are steps we can take to reduce the speed of this aging process and increase our chances of blowing out those 100 candles!

Studies conducted on rats have shown that lowering energy (calorie) intake can extend the lifespan by 30 per cent. It is thought that fewer calories results in a decrease in the production of free radicals and hence an increase in longevity. Researchers have found lower blood sugar levels, reduced insulin levels and a reduction in the production of free radicals in rats fed low calorie diets. Low calorie diets have also been shown to increase the lifespan of worms, mice and flies and an ongoing experiment in monkeys is showing positive results too.

Studies in genetics have also thrown some light on the effects of energy restriction and the aging process. A US study reported that a reduced calorie diet changed the activity of a small number of genes involved in stress response, protein repair and energy production. The activity of these genes usually decreases with age and researchers believe that a reduced calorie diet may delay this reaction and allow the genes to stay intact and active for longer.

The evidence to date in humans is indirect and most of the trials have been short term. A US study in overweight people found that those who reduced their calorie intake by 25% for 6 months had reduced fasting insulin levels and a lower body core temperature, both of which are markers associated with longevity in humans. High levels of insulin are known to increase inflammation and oxidative stress, both linked with cell damage and the aging process. In addition, weight loss is known to reduce blood pressure, blood sugar levels, blood cholesterol, the amount of body fat, heart rates and weight, all factors which in turn are linked with a reduction in the risk of a whole host of lifestyle-related disorders linked with an early demise including certain cancers and heart disease.

But what about people who are not overweight? Can they expect to live longer if they cut their energy intake? Although studies in this area are lacking, scientists have hypothesized that a lowering of insulin levels and body core temperature as well as effects on gene expression from reduced calorie diets are probably linked with an increased life span. However, caution must be exercised with consumption of a very low calorie diet. The varied risks associated with very low calorie diets include problems with nutrient inadequacy; possible loss of muscle mass and bone density; and an increased risk of anaemia, memory loss or depression. Additionally, it's not always easy to follow a calorie restricted diet for long periods of time.

The Case of the Okinawans

One of the most studied elderly populations is a group of people living on the Japanese island of Okinawa. It is believed that Okinawa has the world's largest number of centenarians (people living over 100 yrs) with 50 people per 100,000 aged over 100 yrs. In most developed countries including the USA, the rate is 10-20 per 100,000. So what do the Okinawans do that helps prolong their lives?

They appear to have "better" genes for aging which is thought to account for about one third of their longer life spans. They have a reduced risk of inflammation and autoimmune disease, which is believed to be genetically pre-determined. Yet, when Okinawans moved away from home and migrated and adopted alternative lifestyles, they did not fare as well in the longevity stakes. More recently, lifestyle changes have eroded the average lifespan in Okinawa and this implies that there are probably other factors which contributed to their longevity.

One of these is their low saturated fat diet which is high in seafood, seaweed, fruit and vegetables. The other striking factor is that their diet is low in calories, due to a cultural tradition called "hara hachi bu" meaning "eat until you are only 80% full", which is widely practiced in Okinawa. The Okinawans consume 20% fewer calories than the average Japanese diet which in turn is lower than that consumed in most other countries. In effect this means they consume about 500 cals less than the typical 2,000 plus calorie-diet consumed daily by an adult woman in a Western country.

Alcohol too is consumed in moderation and regular exercise is an important part of their lives, even when they are very old. The Okinawans are also said to have a psycho-spiritual outlook on life and use meditation and other means to reduce stress. This lifestyle seems to be paying off. In addition to their long life spans, the Okinawans have an 80% lower incidence of cancers such as breast and prostrate cancer when compared to the USA. They also have very a low incidence of heart disease and stroke. The average body mass index (BMI) is just 18-22 and they have low levels of body fat.

2008年9月3日

The All Conferencing Teleconference Services Difference

All Conferencing conference call service is dedicated solely to providing affordable teleconference and web conference services to business customers, both large and small. As your business expands, both domestically and globally, we can provide all your conference call service needs. Our commitment to you is to deliver easy to use, high-quality teleconference and web conferencing services.

The Best Full-Featured Conference Calling Service

All Conferencing provides feature-rich automated conferencing. Our conference bridge was developed using proprietary conferencing hardware and software, designed in direct response to the needs of All Conferencing customers. We offer lower prices than AT&T conference calling, Genesys teleconferencing, MCI conference call, and many other conferencing services, with comparable service and quality.
All Conferencing enables organizations to have on-demand access to automated conferencing services. Ready Conference customers are provided with a passcode-protected, dedicated dial-in conference call number that is accessible 24/7, acting as a virtual conference room. Users are only billed for minutes used, and there is no set-up fee.
Compare our prices, service, and support to AT&T conference calling, Genesys teleconferencing, MCI conference call, or any other conferencing service and experience the exceptional conference call services that we offer.
Services & FeaturesAll ConferencingAT&TMCI/VerizonWebex
Audio$.12/min$0.14/min with $600 upfront per year; 500 minutes$0.18/minN/A
Web$.25 /min$0.25/min $0.32/min$0.33/min
On-line Scheduling Capability+ $.05/minNoNoYes
Maximum Participants9612520-
On-line servicesYesNoNoYes
Instant E-mail NotificationYesNoNoYes
Operator Required to RegisterNoYesNoNo
Registration Processing TimeInstant1-2 days1-2 daysInstant
Credit Card BillingYesYesYesYes
E-Billing YesNoNoYes
Operator Available During CallYesYesYes-

ATT TeleConference & Web Meeting


This service allows you to conduct teleconferences anytime, day or night, without ever having to make a reservation. Simply use your own personal dial-in number and access code when you want to set up a call - there's no need to ever contact customer service. And now you can just as conveniently add a visual dimension to conference calls with Web Meeting Service capabilities. It's a great enhancement that allows you to present and collaborate with virtually any software application on your PC, in real-time over the Internet. And anyone can view or participate from just about anywhere, because only a standard browser and Web connection are needed.

Types of TeleConference Calls and Prices

Reservationless Automatic Dial-In
All participants dial in to the conference and are "automatically" joined together.

  • 14¢ per minute, per connection with toll-free dial-in number
  • 14¢ per minute, per connection with caller paid dial-in number

Operator Dialed
An Operator-Dialed TeleConference is ideal when you want to "meet with a call" and have AT&T handle the arrangements for you. The AT&T TeleConference Specialist dials out to each participant, including the host, and adds them to the call. International locations will incur additional international long distance charges.

    $.28 per minute, per connection

Operator Assisted Dial-In
This call type will benefit customers who are looking for a personal customer service touch and security features for their conference calls.

  • $.22 per minute, per connection
  • $.20 per minute, per connection with caller paid dial-in

Web Meeting
Each participant that logs in to the web meeting is "automatically" joined together.

$.25 per minute, per connection