Health & Fitness

Thursday October 1, 2009

Saying "I DO" to your heart this World Heart Day 2009

Nesvita Omega Plus and Carrefour say "I DO" this World Heart Day 2009, in support of the Heart Foundation of Malaysia.

Say "I DO" to your heart as Malaysians and the world celebrate World Heart Day this year.

In conjunction with this world event, Nesvita Omega Plus and Carrefour will contribute a minimum of 50 sen to the Heart Foundation of Malaysia for every pack of Nesvita Omega Plus sold in Carrefour outlets throughout Malaysia from the 25th of September to the 20th of October 2009.

This community project benefits the Halfway House, a public service that is offered by the Heart Foundation of Malaysia.

According to Datuk Dr. J.S. Sambhi, Chairman of the Heart Foundation of Malaysia, the Halfway House provides affordable accommodation services to families of heart patients from outside Kuala Lumpur, who have been referred to hospitals in the city for treatment.

"We have patients and relatives who come from outstation, including Sabah and Sarawak. They come to Halfway House as they are not able to find affordable accommodation because of their limited financial resources. Our rates are as low as RM10 per night with facilities and services such as a laundry room, a well-equipped dining area, a TV lounge and prayer rooms. In addition, a free transportation service between the Foundation and hospitals is also provided," he said. The launch of this community project was also attended by 15 Carrefour employees who had signed up to take part in the 30-Days-to-LOWER-Cholesterol Challenge with Nesvita Omega Plus. They were selected after going through a cholesterol screening process. Participants with high cholesterol were then selected as candidates for the challenge. According to Datuk Dr. Sambhi, a healthy cholesterol level should be below 5.2mmol/Litre.

"Nearly 50% of all adults have high cholesterol in this country and more than 30% of Malaysians are actually overweight. These factors increase the risk of heart and pulmonary circulation diseases. More than 50% of the cases of those who die from heart disease are preventable. This can be done if they stick to simple life changes such as adopting a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly and taking foods that are good for your heart," he added.

Hisham Hamzah, better known as "Sham", radio announcer of MixFM participated in the 30 day cholesterol challenge. "I was shocked to discover that my cholesterol was at a worryingly high level after the cholesterol screening organised by Nesvita Omega Plus. I was determined to bring it down. So for 30 days, I drank two glasses of Nesvita Omega Plus milk daily as advised by the dietician. I was told that this milk contains a substance, called Acticol with added plant sterols, that will help lower my cholesterol. I was very pleased to discover that after 30 days on Nesvita Omega Plus milk, my LDL or bad cholesterol has reduced by 14%," he said.

Plant sterols are found naturally in vegetables, fruits, seeds, legumes, nuts and grains. However, our normal diet do not contain enough plant sterols to effectively lower cholesterol. This has resulted in Nestle developing Nesvita Omega Plus milk that has Acticol with added plant sterols to provide consumers a convenient source. The claim that plant sterols can help lower cholesterol is endorsed by the Ministry of Health.

Nestle Senior Brand Manager for Adult Milk, Lam Pui Yuee said that two glasses a day of Nesvita Omega Plus with added plant sterols provide 1.2g of plant sterols that are scientifically proven to lower cholesterol by 7% after 30 days*. Nesvita Omega Plus is the only milk that offers the triple goodness of plant sterols, high calcium and the right balance of Omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids. It is low fat too, a plus for those who are concerned about weight," she said.

From the 25th of September to the 20th of October 2009 at all Carrefour outlets in Malaysia, for every 1 Litre pack or 600g of Nesvita Omega Plus milk sold, a contribution of 50 sen will be donated while for every pack of 1.2kg Nesvita Omega Plus milk sold, a contribution of RM1.00 will be donated to the Heart Foundation. All proceeds will go to the Halfway House of the Heart Foundation of Malaysia.

For more information on the Halfway House, Heart Foundation, please call Encik Hamdan at 03-26934709.

*Source : Thomsen AB et al. Eur J Clin Nutr 2004 :58 :860-870