VOL.322018 JanPP19022/05/2016(034485)

Your Gut Bacteria

Your Mood

ALSO INSIDE:• The Mind-Gut Connection - Probiotics relieves stress associated symptoms• 6 Easy Steps to Better Digestive Health• Tips to Parents: Preventing Childhood Obesity• The New Dietary Killer Hidden in Processed Food

1 Yakult Live!

PUBLISHED BYYakult (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (163559-K)

Lot No. 7, Jalan Jururancang U1/21, Seksyen U1Hicom Glenmarie Industrial Park, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor D. E.Toll Free line: 1800-88-8960 Email: customerservice@yakult.com.my

PRINTED BYPERCETAKAN SM SDN BHDNo:14, Jalan bp 5/3, Bandar Bukit Puchong,47100 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan.Tel/Fax: 603-8060 0888

The Mind-GutConnection

A big group of organisms living communally with one another inside our body are collectively called gut microbiota. This powerful group of bugs play myriad roles in the overall health of human beings.

Recently, scientists are learning that the brain and this group of organisms could have a close relationship, communicating information from both directions and interacting in various ways.

We are aware prolonged stress causes hormone dysregulation, subsequent weight gain, and sleep disturbances, but now it is found that stress also plays a major role in the health of one of our most important organ systems: the gut.

Many people suffer problems with their digestive system when they have been under enormous stress or experienced anxiety.

This is particularly evident among students that are experiencing exam stress or blue and white collar workers dealing with job stress. They might experience symptoms on an almost daily basis, including a loss of appetite even when they should be hungry or frequent toilet visits due to ongoing anxiety. In severe cases, stress or anxiety can causes conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), with symptoms of constipation and/or diarrhea.

When there’s stress at one end, there’s bound to be stress at the opposite end as well. During stressful situations, how does the brain drastically change the entire performance of our digestive system?

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Stress

Brain

You are sitting in traffic, late for animportant meeting, watching theminutes ticking away.

HypothalamusYour hypothalamus, a tiny control towerin your brain, decides to send out the order:Send in the stress hormones!

Physical effectsYour heart races, your breath quickens, and your muscles get ready for action. This response was

designed to protect your body in any emergency by preparing you to react quickly. However,when the stress response keeps firing, day after day, it could put your health at serious risk.

The brain process the signals.

Cortisol and AdrenalineThese stress hormones are the same

ones that trigger you body’s“fight or flight” response.

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Through a well-coordinated correspondence between the brain, hormones andelectrical impulses, the brain in your head and the brain in your gut can easilycommunicate. When you are under stress, your body pays less attention to digesting food. Instead, it will use all of its energy to focus on the stress at hand. At this point,digestion slows down which might lead to constipation. Constipation interruptsthe detoxification process that naturally happens during normal digestion. Stress can also have the opposite effect on your digestive tract. It may causefood to move too quickly through your system, not allowing enough time for thenutrients to be absorbed, which leads to nutritional deficiencies.

StressAffects

DigestiveHealth

New Scientific FindingsA study conducted in Japan found that Yakult Probiotics, Shirota strain could relieve stress-associatedsymptoms by modulating the gut-brain connection. The study was conducted with a group of healthy medical students under academic examination stress.They were divided to two groups with one group drinking Yakult and another without Yakult for8 weeks before their national exam.

Work-related stress is inevitable. Knowing that mental stress can affect the gut,Rohm Wako Electronic, an established multinational company located in Pengkalan Chepa,Kota Bharu, Kelantan took extra effort to care for their employees gut and overallwell-being by providing two Yakult vending machines in their cafeteria.

The medical students with Yakultregular consumption for 8 weeksshows lower level of stress hormonesecretion, cortisol and lower rate ofcold/ flu and abdominal discomfortsymptoms.

The result of this study suggestthat physical symptoms wereat least partly attributable toacademic examination stress.Shirota strain may modulate thesecretion of stress hormone andmay have prevented the onset ofphysical symptoms in theacademically stressed subjects.

The vending machine is located at thecafeteria. Employees were encouragedto consume Yakult after meal.

1. The only two Yakult vending machines found in Malaysia. 2. The company provides subsidy to their staff so that they could purchase Yakult at cheaper price than outside from August 2017 onwards.3. Dustbin is provided next to the vending machine to encourage staff to put all empty bottles into the bin for recycle purpose.

Reference: M. Takada, K. Nishida, A. Kataoka-Kato, Y. Gondo, H. Ishikawa, K. Suda, et. al (2016). Probiotic Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota relieves stress-associated symptoms by modulating the gut-braininteraction in human and animal models. Neurogastroenterology & Motility (28), 1027-1036.

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A survey was conducted among employees of Rohm WakoElectronics to find out their feedback after consumingYakult probiotics regularly. Let’s listen to their sharing.

Share your stories:

Do You Know:

Yakult probiotics contain live Shirota strain which helps to activate the activity of one of our immune cellscalled the Natural Killer cells. NK cells work to kill cancerous cells and viruses, which in turn might reducethe risk of Colon Cancer.

I started to consumeYakult without knowingthe background andknowledge of it. Afterconsuming Yakultregularly, I noticed mybloating problem hasresolved and it improvesmy constipation problemtoo.

Wong Pui Li

“I have been taking Yakult continuously for about amonth. It reduces my loose stool and stomach upsetfrequency. This was particularly evident because lastmonth when I was too caught up with auditing work,I have completely forgotten to take Yakult and Inoticed my loose stool problemreoccur again.” Saffiyah

“As we are not allowed to drink oreat in the production line, I have challenge in gettingenough of daily fluid during a workday and leading toconstipation problem. However, with the implementationof Yakult vending machine, I have started to consumeYakult regularly and my constipation problem hasreduced tremendously.”

Nur Syamimi

“I noticed my immune system has improved afterconsuming Yakult regularly. Usually it took me longerto recover from coughing, but recently I could recoverfaster than before.”

Azlina Binti Mat Yusoff

“I did my first colonoscopy 3 years ago and three growing and cancerous polyps were found. During my next follow up colonoscopy, another two new polyps were found. All polyps were removed before I proceeded to my third scope. To my surprise, no new polyps were found by the doctor. I look back into my dietary habit and see what are the changes that could explain this and the plausible cause could be the Yakult probiotics consumption which I have started recently.”

Lee San Ming

5 Yakult Live!

Easy Steps6Eat healthy

to Better Digestive HealthBy Consultant Dietitian, Indra Balaratnam

A hectic lifestyle can disrupt our mealtimes and appetite. Our lack of a routine and poor time management can result in skipped meals or eating while rushing on the go. This can cause indigestion. Below are some recommendations on eating right:

STEP

1• Eat on time and do not skip meals. • Do not overeat. Reduce the size of your portions at mealtimes, or try eating four to five small meals instead of three large ones. • Aim to include 25 grams of dietary fiber from foods such as vegetables, beans whole grains and fruit. • Allocate sufficient time to eat at a relaxed place. Chew each mouthful thoroughly. • Avoid eating a large meal close to your bedtime. Your last meal should be at least two to three hours before lying down.

Maintain a healthyweight with regularexercise The chances of heartburn increase with higher weight. Possible reasons for this include excess fats around the abdomen area and the chemicals released by body fat cells. Regular exercise helps you to lose and maintain a healthy weight. Do exercises that you enjoy so that it is something you will continue to do.

STEP

2

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Cut down on greasy foods and spicesGreasy foods are harder to digest and can cause indigestion and heartburn. Reduce deep-frying your foods and go for dishes cooked with less oil such as steamed, braised, poached or baked.

Spicy food, garlic and onion trigger stomach discomfort. If you existingly have a problem like heartburn or an irritable bowel, avoid them completely.

STEP

3

Drink plenty of fluids Drink sufficient water. It encourages the passage of waste through your digestive system and helps soften stools. A good way to ensure you are getting enough fluids is to drink a glass of water with every meal. Aim to have at least 6 to 8 glasses of water every day.

STEP

4

The right beveragesDrinks containing caffeine like coffee, tea, chocolate, and carbonated sodas boost acid in the stomach, leading to digestive discomfort.

Fizzy drinks in general may bloat your tummy, which can also lead to heartburn.However, if you can’t do without your coffee or tea, limit your intake to no more than one or two small cups a day.

Probiotic drinks, such as Yakult, have functional health properties that can help to increase the good bacteria in your gut to strengthen its digestive function. Studies show that the Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain probiotic in Yakult can help to ease constipation, diarrhea and reduce the risk of colorectal cancer as part of a healthy diet.

STEP

5

Manage stress Uneasiness in your stomach may happen during times of stress and anxiety, as this can upset the delicate balance of digestion This is when you may experience bloating, tummy pain, constipation or diarrhea.

Stress can worsen peptic ulcers (on the inside lining of the stomach or small intestine), irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation.

Learn to manage your stress level by doing activities that relax you such as meditation, yoga or qi gong.

STEP

6

Water

Milk

FruitJuice

FruitJuice

Preventing Childhood Obesity:

Tips to Parents

7 Yakult Live!

An increased trend of overweight and obesity was observed among children inMalaysia. According to Malaysian National and Health Morbidity Survey (NHMS),the prevalence of obesity among children less than 18 years old was 5.4%, 6.1%and 11.9% in year 2006, 2011 and 2015 respectively. Obese children are atrisk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age.Overweight and obesity as well as their related diseases are preventable. Prevention of childhood obesity therefore is of high priority.

Encourage healthy eating habits. Smallchanges can lead to recipe for success!

• Provide plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole-grain products • Include low-fat dairy products.• Choose lean meats, poultry, fish, lentils and beans for protein.• Serve reasonably sized portions according to Malaysian Healthy Plate “Quarter Quarter Half”• Encourage your kids to drink lots of water.• Limit sugar-sweetened beverages.

1

Help your kidsunderstand the benefitsof being physically active.Teach them that physicalactivity helps with:

• Strengthening bone.• Decreasing blood pressure.• Increasing self-esteem.• Weight management.

2Rice, Noodle, Bread, Cereals & Tubers

Fish

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Vegetable

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Children and teens should participate in at least 60 minutes ofmoderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week, and every dayif possible. You can set a great example! Start adding physical activity toyour own daily routine and encourage your child to join you. Someexamples of moderate-intensity physical activity include:

Help kids stay active.

• Brisk walking• Jumping rope• Swimming• Dancing• Playing football

3

References: 1. American Heart Association http://www.heart.org2. Dao MC, Everard A, Clément K, Cani PD, Losing weight for a better health:role for the gut microbiota, Clinical Nutrition Experimental (2016), doi: 10.1016 /j.yclnex.2015.12.001

4• Instead of ice cream, you can serve healthy smoothies such as blending probiotic drink with assorted fruits.

The human body is home to 100 trillion bacteria, the majority ofwhich constitute the gut microbiota. The gut microbiota can beimpacted by environmental factors such as dietary choices and

physical activity, and emerging evidence demonstrates thepotential role of the gut microbiome in obesity.

• Instead of banana fritters (goreng pisang) you can serve grilled banana with cinnamon and drizzle with honey.

Make favourite snacks healthier.

9 Yakult Live!

Where are Trans Fat Found?

The New Dietary Killer Hidden in Processed Food

A dietary danger lurks in almost all processed foods that we eat today. It can cause heart disease, breast cancer, and other illnesses. But many people either have not heart of it, or know little about it. Its name – TRANS FAT.

Many have heart about good fats (polyunsaturated fats – the kind found in vegetable oils) and bad fat (saturated fats – the kind found in lard and butter). But how many of us have heard of very bad fat, i.e., trans fat?

It’s a man-made substance that prolongs the shelf life of products – which benefits food manufactures, but detrimental to health of consumers.

Trans fat is basically polyunsaturated vegetable fat that has been changed chemically by a process known as hydrogenation. This is a harsh chemical process that turns vegetable oils) into solid or semi solid fats (fats that are more firm) at room temperature, allowing the oils to remain fresh for an extended period of time. Trans fat is preferred because when used in foods, like cookies and crackers, it makes a food product stays fresher longer.

However, scientists have found that the human body does not know what to do with these trans fat and ends up just storing them, leading to untold potential problems in the future.

Trans fat are present in a wide range of foods. They are to be found, for example, in margarine, vegetable shortening, ice cream, ready-made pies, cakes & cake mixes, biscuits, pizza, potato chips, doughnuts, artificial creamers, and other processed foods, including many foods marketed at children.

They are also commonly found in restaurant, especially but not only, in fast food. You can also make your own trans fat by repeatedly re-heating cooking oil but in small amounts.

Toxic Trans Fat

1. Spreads. Margarine is loaded with trans fats and saturated fats, both of which can lead to heart disease. 2. Packaged foods. Cake mixes and other mixes all have several grams of trans fat per serving. 3. Soup. Instant nodles and soup cups contain very high level of trans fat.

4. Fast Food. Bad news here is fries, chicken, and other foods are deep-fried in partially hydrogenated oil. 5. Frozen Food. Even if the label says it’s low-fat, it still has trans fat. 6. Baked Goods. Even worse news, more trans fats are used in commercially baked products than any other foods. 7. Chips & Crackers. A small bag of potato chips has 3.2 grams trans fat. 8. Breakfast food. Breakfast cereal and energy bars are quick –fix, highly processed products that contain trans fats. 9. Cookies & Candy. 10. Toppings & Dips. Non-dairy creamers, gravy mixes and salad dressings contain lots of trans fat.

The Top 10 Trans Fat Foods:

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Worse than saturated fat

Trans fat are, in fact, worse for your cardiovascular system than saturated fat (the kind of fat found in butter and other animal-based products).

Saturated fat raises the body’s “bad” LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol level, which leaving your “good” HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol unaffected.

An international study found that women with higher level of trans fats in their body have a 40% increased risk of breast cancer.

In the study, reported in September 1997 issue of the journal, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, researchers analyzed tiny fat samples from 698 post-menopausal European women, aged 50-74 and found that those with breast cancer had higher level of trans fatty acids stored in their bodies than women without breast cancer. It was also reported that women with low intakes of polyunsaturated fats (which come from fish and corn oils) while showing the highest levels of trans fatty acids had the greatest risk of breast cancer.

This higher risk is because when trans fat were consumed, our body do not know what to do with these fats and end up storing them. Fat cells make estrogen; extra fat cells mean more estrogen in the body, and estrogen can make hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers develop and grow.

To reduce trans fat consumption, when you are out for shopping, always inspect the list of ingredients before you buy any product, looking in particular for:

Trans fat raise LDL like saturated fat, but unlike saturated fat, they simultaneously lower HDL. This throws your cholesterol ratio dangerously out of proportion, which can put you risk of life-threatening disease, like heart disease and stroke.

Trans fat is practically invisible to the consumer because it is usually not declared on the label. Many processed food are labeled with “low cholesterol” and “low in saturated fat”, but these foods are often high in trans fats.

Reference: • 6 Breast Cancer Risk Factors You CAN Control. Retrieved from: http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors/slideshows/can-control?slide=1 • Toxic Trans Fat In Processed Foods. (n.d.). Penang: Consumers Association of Penang.

• Hydrogenated vegetable oil • Partially Hydrogenated vegetable oil • Vegetable shortening • Margarine

HDL LDL

Trans Fatand

Breast Cancer

OPENING DAYSMonday to Friday

& Selected SaturdaysFree ofCharge

COST

$

Maximun 120 paxper session

CAPACITYTIME8.30am - 3.30pm

(1 hours per session)12

Yakult Factory Tour Schedule 2018The Yakult factory is open for visiting! We have includedextra production line and more tanks in the past year. We welcome all of our loyal or new customers to comeand have a look at our production process. We acceptkindergarten, primary, secondary or tertiary school groups,as well as consumer and family groups. The tours are conducted daily on weekdays(Monday to Friday) and certainSaturdays from 8.30am to 3.30pm.

Saturday Opening Dates for2018 are as below:

JanuaryFebruary

MarchAprilMayJuneJuly

AugustSeptember

OctoberNovemberDecember

6th3rd17th and 31st28th (Yakult Factory Open Day)

12th9th and 23rd21st4th and 18th15th13th10th and 24th8th

Month Date of Saturday

There is NO admission fee. However,booking is essential! If you are interested,

please place your booking at our website at www.yakult.com.my/factory-tour/

On 9th December 2017, Yakult was officially announced as the official probiotic drink of FAM for three years running starting from January 2018. This sponsorship includes product sponsorship of the Yakult Ace and Yakult Ace Light probiotic cultured milk drinks worth RM 200,000 per year.

The deal was announced by FAM President DYAM Mejar JeneralTunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim (second from left) and Hiroshi Hamada,the Managing Director of Yakult Malaysia (middle).This is the first timein its history FAM has appointed an official probiotic beverage.

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Announcement:

“From year 2018 to 2020, for everybottle of Yakult sold in Malaysia,we will contribute 1 sen to FAM,”

said Hiroshi Hamada.

Yakult is the Official Probiotic Drink forFootball Association of Malaysia (FAM)

Please find and CIRCLE theanswer for below questionsfrom the word search.

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1 A big group of organisms living communally with one another inside our body are collectively called

3 A study conducted in Japan found that could relieve stress-associated symptoms by modulatingthe gut-brain connection.

5 children are at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age.

6 Fizzy drinks in general may bloat your tummy, which can lead to .

7 is loaded with trans fats and saturated fats, both of which can lead to heart disease.

9 Probiotic drinks, such as , have functional health properties that can help to increase the good bacteriain your gut to strengthen its digestive function.

8 and adrenaline are the two stress hormones released by the tiny control tower of brain,

4 is dietary danger lurks in almost all processed foods that we eat today which can cause heartdisease, breast cancer, and other illnesses.

2 Through a well-coordinated correspondence between the brain, , and electrical impulses, the brain inyour head and the brain in your gut can easily communicate.

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H ER A R T B U R N L Y O EI C O A M I N E SI ZK D O A P P R E B Y C LI O T I C S M J V

C SA C A U W K M U T S U XI B L O A T I N GD EM E Z R G O U Y T N A SH Y A K U L T N IO GE A N N X P J O J Y Z QO T M L Z D C T XD PH J E O U E I C D S C LO B E S E C R D EA TT I K M M B P R I U B PD A K G E O G S EC AY K A E I R O B O M A OA O J S C A E E ZO FW T I T O S O H R A Q CL E S C E R N L FV EQ V N P H R Y H E L R NI C E I M L I P QA SE A E U C N A C T A E WO W P T J J R P MH NP P O I L I B O S H N MF C Q O G H A A TT AS A M N I N G F E T N LA D L I D W G E AK RZ K J S E X N E P R I JI F X B K C R P TE TA I E R H O U X Z M U SH Y P O T H A L AU EO O B E S I T Y S Y G AC O P R M Y M E PH CG T Z R J K Y L P W R DM C E P A K X Z H

13 Yakult Live!

Please circle all the words found in the diagram box. Limited to ONE entryper household. Answers and list of winners will be posted on our facebookat www.facebook.com/yakultmalaysia. The first 100 entries with the correctanswer will receive a prize.

These Terms andConditions apply:

Send the answer to us by fax (03-55698961) or scan andemail to customerservice@yakult.com.my or post to:

Please provide your full name (in English alphabets),your contact number and address.

Yakult (M) Sdn Bhd Lot No. 7, Jalan Jururancang U1/21, Seksyen U1,

Hicom Glenmarie Industrial Park, 40150, Shah Alam. Attention to: PR Department

Name:

Contact Number:

Address:

Yakult Factory Open Day is backfor the rd time at Yakult Factoryin Seremban 2!

3 Mark yourcalendar!

28th April 2018

this yearfortheme iswhat theGuessCanyou

this yearfortheme iswhat theGuessCanyou

this yearfortheme iswhat theGuessCanyou

this yearfortheme iswhat theGuessCanyou

Stay tuned with us to find out the time and theme for this year. See you there!

Yakult Live! 14

ProsperityToss withYakult

Prosperity Toss (“Yee Sang”) also known as lo hei (in Cantonese)is a Cantonese-style raw fish salad. Yee Sang or Yúshēng(鱼生) is interpreted as a hormophone of mandarincharacter 余升, meaning an increase in abundance.Therefore, Yee Sang is considered a symbol ofabundance, prosperity and vigor.

Let’s DIY your Yee Sangthis year with an

added tinge of Yakult! Ingredients: (serves 5-6)

100g Wonton wrappers, sliced 1cm wide vegetable oil to deep fry 40g Thinly sliced candied ginger 40g Grated fresh ginger 20g Julienned red ginger 100g Carrot, shredded 100g Lettuce, shredded 100g Cucumber, shredded 180g Sengkuang, shredded 200g Sashimi salmon, thinly sliced 1tbsp Corriander, finely chopped 3 Green Shallots, finely shredded 100g Crushed roasted peanuts ½tbsp Five spice powder ½ tsp Pepper

Sauce: 5tbsp Plum Sauce ½ bottle Yakult Ace 2tsp Sesame oil 2tbsp Lemon juice (adjust to preferred sourness) Sprinkles of white sesame (optional)

1. Deep fry sliced wonton wrappers in small batches until golden and crisp. 2. Remove from oil with a mesh skimmer and drain on a paper towel. 3. Arrange all ingredients and fried wonton wrappers on a large platter by colour, placing salmon pieces last. 4. Scatter the vegetable with coriander, peanuts, and spices. 5. Place ingredients for the sauce in the bottle and shake well to combine. 6. Pour sauce over salad in a circular motion.

Did you know?Eating Yee Sang during Chinese New Year is a cultural activity for people living in Singapore and

Malaysia but not so much in other Chinese populated countries.

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