What Do You Know About Saturated Fats?

I found this article in The Star which explains about saturated fats and its effect on our health. Most of us tend to relate saturated fats to health problems, but that has already been proven as being a misconception. Read this article to understand why we should not eliminate saturated fats from our diet.

Article: Saturated, but necessary
Link: http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Health/2014/03/02/Saturated-but-necessary/

Here are some excerpts I find to be important from the article:

In fact, Assoc Prof Ng says that if we were to take away all saturated fats from our diet, and only consumed a diet of proteins, carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats, we would get sick in a matter of weeks.

And then there is the fourth type of fatty acid that raises our cholesterol – trans-fat. This, according to Assoc Prof Ng, is the worst type of fat to have in the diet. “They are not saturated, but they have the trans configuration. They are really bad because they raise blood lipid levels and they raise lipoprotein(a), which is a risk factor (for cardiovascular disease),” he says. Trans-fat is deemed so harmful that the United States Food and Drug Administration is moving towards banning the use of partially-hydrogenated vegetable cooking oils, which are the main source of trans-fat in our diets.

Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2010, the comparative study found no association between dietary saturated fat and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. ”Saturated fat intake, in fact, lowered the risk of stroke by some 19%,” says Assoc Prof Ng, adding this is a powerful paper as it is a summary of several clinical trials. He points out that while saturated fats do raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol, they also raise the high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good”) cholesterol. Conversely, polyunsaturated fats do decrease LDL-cholesterol, but they also decrease HDL-cholesterol.

It's important to get ourselves educated with facts rather than just rely on hearsay from others, just as how the article explains about a misconception which has lasted for one generation. 

Lost That Fat

I found this article from The Star which highlights the critical concerns on obesity.

Title: Lose that fat
Link: http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Viewpoints/Tell-Me-About/Profile/Articles/2014/03/20/Lose-that-fat/

What you might want to find out first is whether you are obese.

Here are several ways to help you find out:

1. Body Mass Index (BMI):
• This is the most common way. You calculate your BMI by measuring body weight (kg)/height (m2).
• This is how to interpret your BMI:
• Less than 18.5: Underweight 
• 18.5-24.9: Healthy weight (congratulations!) 
• 25-29.9: Overweight 
• 30-34.9: Obesity 1 
• 35-39.9: Obesity II 
• More than 40: Obesity IIIS
2. Skin fold thickness:
• This entails using a caliper to grasp your skin and measure the amount of subcutaneous fat you have.
• This is primarily to determine your amount of body fat. This has been superseded by some machines, which can be found in gyms.
3. Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio:
• If you have a waist circumference of more than 94cm for men and 80cm for women, you have an increased risk of health problems.

If you're overweight or obese, please make sure you read through the full article to find out more.

Breaking "Conventions"

In our daily communication, as well as in most literature, we would find some of these "conventions" when it comes to describing people:

Old and wise  vs.  young and naive

Old and weary  vs.  young and energetic

As I said, these are "conventions". But "conventions" are not necessary the true. "Conventions" are merely popular beliefs perceived as being true.

Let me explain my point:

#1 - Old and wise  vs.  young and naive

• An old person who has lived 50 years of his life, living within his very own comfort zone not being willing to challenge his limits -- I can't see how a person can gain any form of wisdom by staying in his comfort zone.
• Whereas, a young person who has lived 25 years of his life, everyday breaking his own boundaries and limits, getting through hard knocks, may even attain more wisdom than those who has lived 25 years longer.
• Sorry to say, I have bumped into quite a lot of "senior" people whom I would rather describe as old and naive. And fortunately, I have come across some "juniors" who are young and wise.

#2 - Old and weary  vs.  young and energetic

• Unlike machines which get worn out over time, humans have the ability to regenerate their own body. Therefore, a person who has lived through the years with proper care and rehabilitation of his body may still be able to retain his youthfulness.
• Whereas, a young person who doesn't take good care of his body may have suffered much more health issues than an old person.
• I'm very fortunate to have known some old and energetic people in my life, inspired by their passion and enthusiasm towards life. And I feel so sorry for some of my peers, despite being of younger age, who appear to be young and weary, everyday showing a lack of energy in everything that they do.

Our age does not define our level of wisdom and energy. A senior person is not necessarily wise. A young person is not necessarily energetic.

I'm just trying to make a point here, as well as to remind people from being drawn into some of these "conventions".

Lack of Ability or Self Sabotage?

I stumbled on this article, which interestingly started with the following statement:

"I have mentored, counseled, encouraged, discouraged, hired and fired hundreds of people over the past 25 years. Oftentimes failure is less about a lack of talent or ability, and more about self sabotage. These are frequent road blocks I see in people, myself included." ~ Tim Hoch

I agreed 100% to the statement. If you, too, agree with this statement, then you may want to read the article at the following link:

Article: 12 Things You Are Doing To Sabotage Your Future
Link: http://thoughtcatalog.com/tim-hoch/2014/03/12-things-you-are-doing-to-sabotage-your-future/

This article reminds me of what I need to be doing/remembering consistently now in order to have a better future:

1. Get uncomfortable. Get moving.
2. Strictly no meaningless games for me. (No offense. I have a different yardstick for the definition of "meaning".)
3. Associate with the right group of people. (People with common goals and work ethics.)
4. Accept rejection as being "difference in opinion or priorities".
5. Hang on no matter what.
6. Strictly no more complaining.
7. Don't care what others think of me. (Most likely they are not even thinking of me.)
8. Listen to people who care for your success. (Opinions are cheap. Right advice is priceless.)
9. Everything changes. There is no perfect landing.
10. Be honest with myself.
11. My past is not my future.
12. Mind my own business. Everyone has his own destiny.

I hope you're feeling the same motivation and inspiration after reading the article.

Negative Real Interest Rates

Today my mentor shared a piece of interesting article with me, which triggered my concerns.

Article: Zeti cautions on cheap money in KL, Yellen suggests rate hike in US
Link: http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/03/20/Cheap-money-caution-Prolonged-low-interest-rate-regime-can-lead-to-excessive-risktaking/

It is a very lengthy article. But what really caught my attention are these excerpts:

During the release of its annual report yesterday, Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz said that it was undesirable to have a negative real interest rate regime for too long because it would cause financial imbalances.

Since early December last year, Malaysia has been experiencing negative real interest rates, a situation where the inflation rate is higher than the fixed-deposit interest rate.

What this means is that money that has been set aside as savings deteriorates in value because its returns are lower compared with the general rise in the price of goods and services.

In this respect, many expected Bank Negara to increase its overnight policy rate (OPR) two weeks ago, but the central bank maintained it at 3%.

In summary:

• Our money is depreciating in value.
• This situation is certainly going to stay on for some time.

It sounds to me that it's better to spend my money now than to save it in the bank, because if I spend my money now, I will enjoy full worth for my money; but if I save my money now, few months down the road I will no longer enjoy the full worth for my money due to the deterioration in the value of my money.

However, if you were to spend, make sure you spend on ASSETS (which generate income), rather than EXPENDITURES (which deplete income).

Another thing, if you're still relying solely on SAVINGS for your future, please reconsider and start learning the math of personal economy.

Which Economy Do You Focus On?

How would you describe the current world economy with one word?

Among my circle of friends, most would say it's BAD, few would say it's NOT BAD, and close to none would say it's GOOD.

How about your own economy? How would you describe your own current economy with one word?

Among my circle of friends, most would say it's the BAD, few would say it's the NOT BAD, and close to none would say it's GOOD.

Which matters more to you? The world economy or your economy?

Here's how I would describe the different combinations of world economy and personal economy:

World economy is GOOD + personal economy is GOOD = COMFORTABLE

World economy is GOOD + personal economy is BAD = STRESSED

World economy is BAD + personal economy is BAD = DEPRESSED

World economy is BAD + personal economy is GOOD = SHOPPING SPREE

Which combination do you prefer? Which economy should be your focus?

For me, I do not particularly prefer any combinations, because my single and sole focus is on making my PERSONAL ECONOMY GOOD. 

Living in the "Cheap Seats"

All my life I have been living in the "cheap seats", watching other people play the game. How often in your life have you lived in the "cheap seats", watching the game, not in it. And if you are in the game, which game are you in? Are you playing in the little league? Recreation? Minor leagues? Or are you in the major leagues? Are you playing full out?

These are the words from this speech which have captured my attention and inspired me to think of my own "cheap seat".

I encourage you to watch this video and get inspired by this speaker.

TEDx Inspirational Speaker Croix Sather - Do The Impossible

Here are some other quotes which stood out from the speech:

It's a whole lot easier to accept what's given to you, than to go out and make that difference, to make your life by your design. So things are impossible, but only impossible until someone does it for the first time.

If someone has done it for the first time, then the next question would not be whether it's possible or impossible, but rather what's next.

(At the end of the video) You know that you're only this far away from any goal in your life. Your dream life, anything that you want to do...put your hands up...this is how far it is from your goal.

I'm not going to live in my "cheap seats" any more!