Have the heart to lead a healthy life

TS,Tuesday 25 January 2011 

“Health is better than wealth” has long been debated in our schools. The overwhelming favourite has always been health over wealth. 

However, the pursuit of health has remained largely academic, as victory in the intellectual realm has not translated into real life practice. 

If those with a steady income and having a roof over their heads plus the use of a car are considered wealthy, then many Malaysians would qualify. 

On the other hand, if only Malaysian adults who are free of lifestyle diseases or at their onset are considered healthy, then the number is in the minority. 

The Malaysian adult population having diabetes has reached 15%, those with hypertension 44% and overweight or obese 60%. 

Enjoying life to the full holds much greater appeal than laying the foundation for future health. In many homes, the main family activity is seated in front of the TV, munching crispy chips or chocolate bars, and washed down by sweetened or alcoholic drinks. 

Those who often go out for a good time repeat the cycle of late nights, little sleep, chatting, drinking, smoking and eating their favourite food that get tastier with more fat, oil, salt, sugar, preservative and colouring. 

These people would rather spend their money living out a wealthy lifestyle than eating cheaper home-cooked food and using the savings on supplements. Spending time and be seen in mamak stalls, bistros and cafes is considered chic. 

Granted, living a healthy lifestyle is not easy but it pays rich dividends. Those plagued by ill health discover too late that life is no longer meaningful. Worst, they may suffer a prolonged torture. 

For various reasons, not all who stick to a proven regime remains healthy. Apart from mental stress, the major factors that sabotage our endeavours to live a healthy life are our hormones and genes. 

However, in many cases, professionally prescribed medication or proven supplements can overcome these quirks of nature, if one is determined not to give up the fight. 

These products, though effective, are above the normal price range of those that appear similar and are easily available in the market. However, many Malaysians would be reluctant to spend money on such premium products unless they are already very sick. 

When healthy, they would not think twice paying for a bigger TV, house or car, but these things would soon be worthless to a dying person. 

If they have invested on their own health, life would have been much sweeter even if everything they own were smaller. 

YS Chan 

Kuala Lumpur