HEALTHY GUT ALSO LEADS TO A STRONGER MIND – YAKULT MALAYSIA

Kuantan, 20th September – Yakult (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. in collaboration with International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan Campus have organized a community health awareness event, “Healthy Gut, Stronger Mind” at Banquet Hall, Campus Director Office, IIUM Kuantan Campus, Kuantan, Pahang with the presence of around 100 people from Kuantan.

Plenty of fun and interactive activities have been conducted throughout duration of the event. Among activities that capture many attention are Smoothie Contest “Smooth Your Gut” which involved participants’ creativity to prepare Yakult based smoothie drinks. Meanwhile, children have their chance to learn about healthy meal preparation in Mindfuel Meal: Gut Friendly Pocket workshop. Health checkups and exhibition were also held by Alpro Pharmacy Sdn. Bhd. and the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) of Pahang.

Next up in the event itinerary was the health forum “Healthy Gut, Stronger Mind” with the presence of two panellist – Prof. Madya Dr. Wan Azdie Mohd Abu Bakar, lecturer from Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, IIUM Kuantan Campus and Ms Fatin Eilyana Afandi, registered counsellor from Centre of Foundation Studies IIUM Gambang. The forum was moderated by Ms Raewadee Bon Rit, Public Relation & Science Leader/Dietitian from Yakult Malaysia. The event attendees were exposed to the importance of taking care of gut health and mental health; and also the relationship between both of our gut and brain.

According to Associate Director of Public Relation and Science Division, Yakult (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Ms Mazlyn Mena Mustapha, Yakult Malaysia will always give their commitment to deliver accurate science-based information through organizing a community health program to guide public making better choices for maintaining their health including gut health.

“During this event, we would like to provide exposure to public on the importance of taking care of our gut and its relationship with mental health. According to this gut-brain axis relationship, a healthy and balanced gut will not only support digestion, but it will also influence one’s emotion, mood and cognitive function.” She also added that daily consumption of probiotics such as Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota strain (LcS) will help to maintain balance of gut bacteria, and in return supporting digestion and gut function.

She also said that “According to scientific research in Japan which involved a group of final year medical university students facing the pressure of academic exams, it has been found that those who consumed Shirota strain probiotics every day in eight consecutive weeks has produced lower production of the stress hormone (cortisol) compared to those who did not take probiotics. In addition, the Shirota strain was also found to reduce symptoms of abdominal discomfort such as stomachache and flu caused by academic stress.”

Attending participants have chance to bring home exciting lucky draw prizes and gifts which was given away during the closing ceremony. Organizing a program such as today fits the corporate philosophy of Yakult to bring health and happiness towards people. This program also received support from sponsors including Elianware Enterprises Sdn. Bhd., The Pastels Shop, Fresh Life Water Resources Sdn. Bhd., Kewpie Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and Kuantan 188. For more information about Yakult, please visit the website www.yakult.com.my.

USUS SIHAT JUGA MEMBAWA KEPADA MENTAL YANG LEBIH SIHAT – YAKULT MALAYSIA

Kuantan, 20 September – Yakult (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. telah berkolaborasi dengan Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) Kampus Kuantan bagi menganjurkan satu program kesedaran kesihatan komuniti, “Usus Sihat, Minda Lagi Hebat” di Dewan Banquet, Pejabat Pengarah Kampus, UIAM Kampus Kuantan, Kuantan, Pahang yang melibatkan kehadiran 100 orang penduduk dari sekitar Kuantan.

Pelbagai aktiviti menarik telah dijalankan sepanjang program ini berlangsung. Antara aktiviti yang menjadi tumpuan ramai adalah Pertandingan Smoothie “Smooth Your Gut” yang menggunakan kreativiti peserta bagi menyediakan minuman smoothie berasaskan Yakult. Kanak-kanak pula berpeluang belajar cara menyediakan hidangan yang sihat menerusi Bengkel Makanan Minda: Poket Mesra Usus. Selain itu, pemeriksaan kesihatan dan pameran turut diadakan oleh Alpro Pharmacy Sdn. Bhd. dan Lembaga Pembangunan Penduduk dan Keluarga Negara (LPPKN) Negeri Pahang.

Program ini diteruskan lagi dengan sesi forum kesihatan “Usus Sihat, Minda Lagi Hebat” melibatkan dua orang ahli panel iaitu Prof. Madya Dr. Wan Azdie Mohd Abu Bakar, Pensyarah di Jabatan Sains Pemakanan, Fakulti Sains Kesihatan Bersekutu, UIAM Kampus Kuantan dan juga Puan Fatin Eilyana Afandi, yang merupakan Kaunselor Berdaftar dari Pusat Asasi UIAM Gambang. Forum ini dikendalikan oleh wakil dari Yakult Malaysia Cik Raewadee Bon Rit, Penyelaras Perhubungan Awam dan Sains/Pegawai Dietetik Yakult. Menerusi forum ini, para hadirin telah didedahkan tentang kepentingan penjagaan kesihatan usus dan kesihatan mental serta hubungan antara keduanya.

Menurut Pengarah Bersekutu Bahagian Perhubungan Awam dan Sains, Yakult (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Puan Mazlyn Mena Mustapha, Yakult Malaysia akan terus komited dalam menyampaikan maklumat tepat berasaskan prinsip sains melalui program kesihatan komuniti seperti ini bagi membantu orang ramai membuat pilihan lebih baik untuk penjagaan kesihatan termasuk kesihatan usus.

“Kali ini, kami ingin memberi pendedahan kepada orang ramai tentang kepentingan penjagaan usus dan hubungannya dengan kesihatan mental. Menurut hubungan paksi otak – usus ini, usus yang sihat dan seimbang bukan sahaja dapat melancarkan penghadaman, malah mampu mempengaruhi emosi, mood dan fungsi kognitif seseorang secara positif.” Beliau turut menambah bahawa pengambilan probiotik seperti Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota strain (LcS) secara harian boleh membantu mengekalkan keseimbangan bakteria baik dalam usus, sekali gus menyokong penghadaman dan fungsi usus secara umum.

“Menurut kajian saintifik yang melibatkan sekumpulan pelajar universiti perubatan tahun akhir yang berdepan tekanan peperiksaan akademik di Jepun, didapati mereka yang mengambil probiotik Shirota strain setiap hari selama 8 minggu berturut-turut menunjukkan penghasilan hormon tekanan (kortisol) yang lebih rendah berbanding dengan kumpulan pelajar yang tidak mengambil probiotik. Hasil kajian turut mendapati Shirota strain mampu mengurangkan gejala ketidakselesaan abdomen seperti sakit perut dan selesema akibat tekanan akademik.” Ujar beliau lagi.

Pelbagai hadiah cabutan bertuah dan cenderahati menarik telah disampaikan kepada peserta program semasa majlis perasmian penutup. Penganjuran program seperti ini adalah selaras dengan falsafah korporat Yakult untuk membawa kesihatan dan kebahagiaan kepada orang ramai. Program hari ini turut mendapat sokongan rakan penaja lain seperti Elianware Enterprises Sdn. Bhd., The Pastels Shop, Fresh Life Water Resources Sdn. Bhd., Kewpie Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. dan Kuantan 188. Untuk maklumat lebih lanjut mengenai aktiviti Yakult, layari laman sesawang Yakult di www.yakult.com.my.