@rinsider said in Do you take supplements and do they really help?: If you don’t notice effects over time, would you just stop or continue out of habit if you’re not feeling worse or better? It’s like a reassuring blanket though, to think you’re trying to upkeep your health. Any thoughts on this and which over-the-counter supplements have really worked for you? Thanks! I am one of those people who like a simple life, which includes fewer “overheads”, especially in terms of time, memory and attention (also cost, though I am willing to pay if I feel it’s necessary). I just find it a bother to have more items to keep in stock and remember to take! I’ve also been blessed to be generally healthy with no chronic ailments - I know that I am fortunate and I know many people don’t have that privilege. But that’s the perspective I’m speaking from. Up till my 40s, I pretty much didn’t take any supplements. I’ve always preferred to just watch my diet and lifestyle instead. During pregnancies, I did take calcium and vitamins, but that was pretty much all. When feeling a cold/flu coming on, I take Vit C and a Chinese herbal drink that I find helpful to stave off colds. My husband feels like I do, but does take a couple of supplements which he finds helps, so those have become part of our regular “stock”. In my 40s and 50s, I did try glucosamine/chondroitin for joints and calcium (though I often forgot to take them anyway). I took them for over a year but didn’t notice any appreciable difference. I found that stretching and exercise did more for joints than supplements, and stopping the supplements hasn’t brought the aches back as long as I keep up the movement. I haven’t had a bone density test for years, so maybe I might regret stopping the calcium, but I think my diet is fairly OK in that respect. That’s my experience. Now that I’m in my 60s and I’m supposed to see my Healthier SG clinic for a checkup (if they ever get round to returning my call), I don’t know if things may change. In terms of general life, I can still get up off the floor, carry my groceries, do my housework, walk for a couple of hours when travelling etc, so I’m not too worried (yet).

School Central kitchens and mass catering increase risk of h.pylori cancer bacteria & stomach flu? With central kitchens and mass catering, so many people are eating food prepared in the same place. This means higher risks of one infected source spreading H. pylori to everyone? When I think about kids especially, I can’t help but feel more cautious. Traditional stalls at least feel more contained, whereas mass catering feels like one issue can snowball fast. I wouldn’t want my kids dealing with stomach flu or being exposed to things like H. pylori so early in life. Eg.This CNA article about children getting gastroenteritis after the introduction of central kitchen food really stuck with me — https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/north-view-primary-school-gastroenteritis-food-poisoning-5868191

@CarYip31 I completely understand the worry of finding the right care, I’m with Dr Chen at Healthcare for Women. She is really good and I highly recommend her if you are looking for someone kind and professional for your wife.

@lakshmiSG563 Hi Lakshmi, I am 55 yrs and went through an effective method and I loss my weight without much effort. Would you like to pm me?

I was nervous about seeing a male gynae too because it feels so personal, and I wasn’t sure if I’d be comfortable. I learned that many male gynaes can actually be very gentle, respectful, and professional, but in the end I chose Dr Chen because she made me feel safest. I think it really comes down to who helps you feel calm, heard, and cared for.

@cherrygal Every child is different but what I do as a parent is I focus on nourishing, not force-feeding. Gaining weight in a healthy way takes time and consistency. Make sure to feed your child proteins, healthy fats, carbs, fruits, and vegetables. It is important to give them proper and balanced nutrition.

This is so true! A balanced diet with vitamins, protein, fiber, and healthy fats makes such a difference. I started following a weight-loss program recently, and they really helped me understand portion sizes and how to build balanced meals. Sometimes having a bit of guidance and accountability makes sticking to healthier habits so much simpler. It made healthy eating way easier to follow in real life.

I brought my daughter to Cove Orthopaedic Clinic after an X‑ray showed mild scoliosis, and they were very clear and calm in explaining what it meant. Dr Sean Ng reassured us that mild curves can happen for many reasons and aren’t always from one incident. Maybe get your boy checked there or at any paeds ortho clinic, just for peace of mind. Don’t blame yourself, you acted fast, and you’re looking out for him.

We went to Cove Orthopaedic Clinic in Singapore for our daughter’s scoliosis. After seeing a few places, we found their approach the most thorough and supportive for ongoing treatment.

@snowfly You can try Dr Kelly Loi. She’s been my gynae, and I also went to her for treatment when I had my own cycle issues. She’s gentle, explains things in a way that’s easy to understand, and is good with younger patients too.