The world of Tzu Chi Augusts 2021 (Vol.136)

2021 • 08 08 eature Translated by Goh Hwe Yong Plant-based diet: Fad or fact? The slogan “Protect myself, protect all others” is more than just a shout-out. Adopting a WFPB diet can simultaneously correct body weight, blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol readings. No medication can do this wonder. “A fter going through the participants’ blood test results, I am excited and hopeful. In my 20 years working as a medical doctor, this is the first time I have witnessed so many individuals achieving a positive change, not in one index, but in all,” Dr. Lim Lei Jun said in an online closing sharing session of the first round of the “Healthier Me” 21-Day Challenge. Covering various regions including KL, Selangor and Kuching, the health challenge involved 1,158 participants in a total of 15 rounds, stretching from November 15, 2020 to July 12, 2021. Of the 1,158 participants, 349 were male, 809 were female, and 45 per cent of these participants were non-vegetarians. The youngest participant was 7 years old while the oldest was 85. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, confirmed cases in Malaysia have hit its one-million mark with death cases spiralling close to 9,500. Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, cautioned, “Vaccines are able to reduce the chance of infection, but it is still possible to be infected after being vaccinated. However, the difference is that the severity of the symptoms is much reduced, including the need for ICU or ventilators, and it is not life threatening.” In an interview by Malaysia Insider with Associate Professor Dr. Tan Toh Leong, UKM Emergency Medicine clinical consultant, the latter expressed that when an infected patient has reached the critical stage, it would be hard for him/her to breathe, just like a drowning man. Also, the patient would have to bear the pain of intubation as an emergency procedure. “You certainly will not want this to happen to you,” said the consultant. Fatal cases from Covid-19 had at least one chronic disease Official statistics indicate that 89 per cent of Covid-19 deaths were patients who had comorbidities—they had one or more chronic diseases. Out of the 89 per cent, 65.1 per cent had high blood pressure, 48.5 per cent were diabetic, 24.6 per cent had heart disease, 22.4 per cent were kidney patients, and 17.4 per cent had high cholesterol. Most chronic diseases could have stemmed from dietary habits. The convener of Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) KL & Selangor, paediatrician Dr. Eddie Chan, expressed, “Unhealthy and unwholesome foods remain unhealthy no matter how they are prepared. The body may struggle to accommodate such food, but when it comes to a point when the body cannot take