Mouse Mommy Treats

tvN Movies With 100 Korean Blockbuster Proudly Launches On Astro This 1st August 2017!

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Astro customers will have even more movies to watch with the launch of tvN Movies. Featuring blockbusters and critically acclaimed movies from Korea, fans can enjoy both newly released movies and all-time favourite movies that they have always wanted to watch but did not have access to. Here is the opportunity!

From August 1, tvN Movies will be available on demand on Astro GO and Astro TV and on Channel 435 offering first run and exclusive Korean titles ranging from action, thriller, romance, comedy to even horror. The stellar line-up features Korean stars and blockbusters such as ‘Master’ (Lee Byun-hun, Kim Woo-bin), ‘Mood of the Day’ (Moon Chae-won, Yoo Yeon-seok), ‘Train to Busan’ (Gong Yoo), ‘The Age of Shadows’ (Gong Yoo, Lee Byung-hun), ‘Like for Likes’ (Choi Ji-woo, Kang Ha-neul), ‘One Way Trip’ (Suho, Ji Soo), ‘Gangnam Blues’ (Lee Min-ho, Kim Rae-won) and many others.

Excited about the expansion of tvN Movies, Mr Samey Lee, CEO of CJ E&M HK remarked, “2017 has been a fruitful year for us. The launch of tvN Movies across the Southeast Asia region comes at a time when the demand for Korean contents is at the apex. We are confident that our audience can comfortably indulge themselves in our unprecedented line-up anywhere, anytime.” He continued, “tvN Movies has been very supportive of Korean movies, and introduced many movies to audiences in region. For the launch of tvN Movies on Astro, we are proud to present the Star Tour of ‘The Battleship Island’, the war action blockbuster opening in cinemas on 17 August, with participation by Best Actor Hwang Jung-min, heartthrobs So Ji-sub, Song Joong-ki and high-octane director Ryoo Seung-wan, aiming to promote quality Korean films in Malaysia.” He remarked, “After Singapore and Malaysia, we strive to expand tvN Movies’ coverage across the rest of Southeast Asian countries, to fill up the gap between the market and its mass international audiences!”

Agnes Rozario, Vice President Content Management Group of Astro, said, “The launch of tvN Movies marks another milestone for Astro. Having built a very strong franchise and fan base offering same day as Korea dramas and entertainment shows from all the major producers in Korea, we are now expanding that line-up as the popularity of Korean movies soars globally. Kicking off tvN Movies with the star-studded cast tour of the most talked about Korean movie of the year, ‘The Battleship Island’, is the icing on the cake and we are keen to do more. Song Joong-ki, So Ji-sub and Hwang Jung-min and director Ryoo Seung-wan fans will now get to see their idols live!

Customers who have been enjoying dramas like ‘Strong Woman’ on demand will now have a long list of movies to add to their watch list. Speaking of Song Joong-ki, fans will get to see him in a role he is not traditionally known for in ‘Werewolf Boy’ and the same can be said for Gong Yoo in ‘Silenced’. We are also embarking on a new era for Korean content from co-production of successful Korean formats and original IPs that will appeal to audiences across ASEAN to distribution and marketing of Korean content and signature festivals. Astro reaches 71% of homes and 21 million individuals from diverse backgrounds in Malaysia and is in a good position to further amplify Korean content via our TV, radio and digital platforms.”

From August 1, all Astro HD customers who subscribe to the Movie Pack will enjoy tvN Movies on demand and linear via Astro GO and Astro TV with movies subtitled in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese.

Some key titles that will feature on tvN Movies at launch include:

A Werewolf Boy – Summoned by an unexpected phone call, an elderly woman visits the country cottage she lived in as a child where memories of a wild, feral boy she knew 47 years ago come flooding back to her. The movie stars Song Joong-ki and Park Bo-young.

Fabricated City – Starring Ji Chang-wook and Shim Eun-kyung, the movie follows an online gamer who is framed for a murder. He tries to uncover the truth behind the murder case and help clear his name.

The World of Us – A bullied girl befriends a new kid during the summer, but when school starts, their new friendship is tested when the bullying continues. The movie stars Choi Soo-in and Seoul Hye-in.

My Annoying Brother – Starring Cho Jung-seok and Do Kyung-soo, the movie is about an ex-con who gets released from prison and re-enters his younger brother's life after he becomes blinded in an accident.

Be prepared for the month of August 2017!

Get to know more about tvN with Astro at,

Website : http://www.astro.com.my/

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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease [GERD] | Know It | Care It | Solve It !

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Raymond experienced heartburn years back but the symptoms would go away with a gulp of antacids. In the last year, however, Raymond would have great discomfort especially after eating. He would feel the food coming back up and a sour taste in his mouth. Not just that, there was gas and bloating too. Each day was a struggle as he would feel tired, not being able to sleep well at night because of the reflux. Tests at the hospital finally showed that Raymond was experiencing a chronic form of heartburn called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD for short.

Have you heard about GERD? How it can affect us? When we eat something, the food travels down a tube called the esophagus into the stomach. At the bottom of the esophagus, before the opening to the stomach, lies a circular tube of muscle known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When the LES becomes damaged or weakened, it fails to close all the way, causing the acidic contents of the stomach to move back up (reflux) into the esophagus. Stomach acid has a pH close to battery acid. When this acid contacts the esophagus and sometimes rises up into the mouth, damage and pain ensues.

Acid reflux causes a burning pain in the chest commonly known as heartburn. When acid reflux symptoms happen more than twice a week or is accompanied by difficulty in breathing or swallowing, it could denote a more serious condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).The prevalence of GERD has been found to be rising across Southeast Asia, numbers of which areup to 20%from data recorded after 2005.[i]

Many people with acid reflux or GERD believe that their condition is caused by stress or from eating spicy or acidic food. While stress is not a cause, it is one of the factors that can aggravate GERD. Scientists have found that people are more sensitive to stomach acid when they are stressed. Besides stress, obesity is also another driving factor of GERD development. As weight accumulates in the belly area, it creates pressure on the diaphragm and LES to cause further weakening of the LES muscles. With Malaysia ranked as the fattest nation in Asia, it is not surprising that more and more people are suffering GERD. Smoking is another risk factor for GERD as the nicotine in cigarettes cause a relaxing effect on the LES, hence allowing stomach acid to escape into the esophagus.

In an event titled “Oh My GERD” hosted by NuvaPineA®, a panel of experts came together to discuss the severity of the GERD epidemic, to help the public to recognise the signs and symptoms of GERD and more importantly to manage the condition successfully. The panel comprised Dr. Raja Affendi Raja Ali, Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; Dr.Vagif Soultanov, a Gastroenterologist and Naturopathic Doctor from Melbourne, and Datin SwaneeTeh, Pharmacist and Natural Therapies Advocate.

“GERD is a condition that worsens over time if left untreated,” stated Dr.Affendi. “Because it’s a disease driven both by structural and lifestyle factors, patients need to take proactive steps to manage it well. Think of it this way, if you had a wound and did nothing about it, that wound will fester to cause greater harm. Similarly, GERD needs to be addressed.”

GERDhas a significant negative impact on patients’ quality of life.Imagine being constantly stressed about what you should eat or not besides having to limit social dining engagements all in a bid not to trigger GERD symptoms.A 2003 study showed that GERD patients have a poorer quality of life in terms of mental health, social functioning and vitality when compared to the general population.[ii]A separate study showed that having GERD decreased work productivity, even more than someone having a chronic condition like arthritis.[iii] In effect, GERD affects the very core of those things human beings take greatest pleasure in– food enjoyment, restful sleep, and meaningful work.

“Most people don’t expect the dramatic changes GERD makes in their lifestyles. GERD literally sucks all the fun out of life. According to clinical data, GERD can lead to anxiety and depression and vice versa. GERD also affects productivity and sleep which drains a person’s sense of purpose,” explained Dr.Soultanov on the topic of how miserable it is living with the disease.

Heartburn is one of the hallmark symptoms of acid reflux. The other symptoms of GERD include a sour-tasting fluid at the back of the throat (stomach acid has asourish taste), difficulty swallowingor a sensation that something is stuck in the chest or throat, gas build-up, and excessive belching. Some patients may even experience a chronic dry cough or breathlessness, which is triggered by the acid reflux. Should the acid rise up further into the mouth, bad breath can develop as the acid kills off good bacteria in the mouth. Tooth decay is another consequence of acid damaging teeth and gums.

Conventionally, heartburn and GERD are treated with medications that control acid. Routinely, the use of acid-blocking drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is initiated. Examples of PPI drugs include deslansoprazole, pantoprazole, omeprazole, and esomeprazole. PPIs are potent stomach acid suppressants. They are popular choices to help patients deal with symptoms as they work fast.

However, the symptoms of GERD are sometimes impossible to control, even with the most powerful PPI drugs. Some studies have already demonstrated that up to 40% of patients with heartburn reported either a partial or complete lack of response to PPIs. Not just that, acid blockers are not meant to be used for the long-term because of adverse effects, the result of compromised digestion and immune protection when acid production is suppressed over time.

Current guidelines recommend that PPIs be used for only 4 - 6 weeks after which they should be withdrawn or stepped down to less-potent therapy.^{^[iv]}In reality however, patients continue their PPIs indefinitely as symptoms tends to recur.

GERD is not a simple condition to manage. As a naturopathic doctor as well as a researcher, Dr.Soultanov was at hand to share the results from a recent clinical study done on a pine conifer green needle extract called Bioeffective® A and its effects on gastrointestinal health and GERD.

“We know that Bioeffective® A possesscellular healing properties. In this study, we wanted to see the extent of its effects amongst patients with pre-cancerous stomach conditions who were also experiencing GERD. The administration of Bioeffective® A resulted in a 92% improvement in dyspeptic symptoms (GERD), including improvement in symptoms such as gastritis, gas and bowel disorders. Not only that, patients also regained normality of stomach function besides a reversal in pre-cancerous lesions,” shared Dr. Soultanov.

“Instead of sitting around worrying more and more about GERD, Bioeffective® A as a natural medicine,can offer patients added arsenal to deal better with their condition.By helping tostrengthen damaged or weakened esophageal valves, as well as to support the normalisation of digestive juices in the stomach, Bioeffective® A will help get you, your normal tummy back,” said DatinSwaneeTeh.

The session was also attended by former Prime Minister Tun Dato’ Sri Haji Abdullah bin Haji Badawi who shared a few words on how Bioeffective® A has helped improve his health. “At this golden age, all I can hope for is to be as healthy as possible. I have been taking Bioeffective® A for almost 10 years nowfor my defences and anti-aging needs. It is a very safe natural medicine and my doctors will affirm that my tummy, liver and kidneys are all in excellent condition. I’m glad to have found such a safe and reliable friend in health,” he said.

When one understands the crushing grip GERD has on the many things we enjoy in life, it’s difficult not to be disheartened. However, the combined knowledge from both mainstream and naturopathic medicine can now offer patients a more holistic way of managing their condition successfully.

Raymond discovered Bioeffective® A online after surfing the net one night when he couldn’t sleep. Raymond went on a dose of 320mg three times a day as advised by his pharmacist. Over the weeks, his GERD symptoms gradually improved. He noted how he was able to tolerate his foods so much better without those familiar gas and reflux symptoms. Raymond has arrived at a point where he can actually plan a “makan get-together” without a care in the world.

For more information please call Nuvanta’s Nuvaceuticals® division,

Contact number : 03-56363758

Email : pharmacist@nuvanta.com.

[i]Garrido-Maraver J, Cordero MD, Oropesa-Ávila M, et al. Coenzyme Q10 Therapy. Molecular Syndromology. 2014;5(3-4):187-197

[ii]Kulig et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2003;18:767–76

[iii]Adapted from Dean et al. Gastroenterology 2003;124(Suppl 1):A505

[iv] Talley NJ; American Gastroenterological Association. American Gastroenterological Association medical position statement: evaluation of dyspepsia. Gastroenterology. 2005;129(5):1753–1755

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SWANICOCO | Korean Organic Beauty Products On Board To Watson Malaysia Now!

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Swanicoco, a brand that began making naturally fermented soaps which now is South Korea’s leading cosmetics company made its debut today in an official media launch event at The Glass House, Seputeh in Kuala Lumpur. Swanicoco’s philosophy stems from using its trademarked anti-aging fermentation process which produces natural bio ingredients replacing artificial chemical ingredients.

Dermatologically safe, having no skin side effects and earth-friendly are some of the many advantages of using natural ingredients in skin care products. Swanicoco provides the assurance of providing excellent benefits to the skin, including regenerating and controlling skin elasticity using organic herbal and botanicals sourced from all over the world.

“With the growing consumer interest in using natural and organic beauty ingredients, it was befitting to introduce Swanicoco to Watsons Malaysia, known for its unique bio-based formulation. At Watsons, we continually listen to our valued customers and strive to provide the latest skin care brands from around the world. The product range complements the innovative approach by Watsons Malaysia in constantly catering to the needs of our customers,” said Caryn Loh, General Manager (Country Head) of Watsons Malaysia.

A special ballet swan lake dance performance opened the event, complementing Swanicoco’s brand name, meaning pursuing the elegance of a “swan” (feminine), and “coco” meaning “coconut” (offering botanical natural cosmetics) as well as “cuteness” in French. Some of Swanicoco’s product range including the Bitamin E extra matt emulsion, Pore Clearance, A.C control care skin toner, best-seller Gold plant stem pure ampoule, RH-EGF Pure ampoule and the Extra hydrating swan cream were showcased with a ‘live’ skin routine care demonstration session conducted by Swanicoco’s skin expert flown in from Korea, Miss Adia Song.

Members of the media and bloggers also got a chance to understand the brand in fun games and activities during the event, such as “Get to Know Swanicoco”, “Swanicoco Memory Game” and posting of photos and hash tagging the event.

There are a wide range of Swanicoco products available to choose from. Swanicoco Korean made products suitable for Asian people including Malaysian. Awesome! Affortable and quality natural cosmetics products that can try on.

According to Kevin Hyun, General Manager of Swanicoco Korea, Swanicoco caters to all skin types and challenges and is it the only brand trademarked with a special anti-aging fermentation process which gives a differential product offering to Watsons Malaysia, a leading health and beauty retailer in the country.

He also proudly mentions that one of Swanicoco’s ‘star’ product, the RH-EGF Pure ampoule promotes epidermal cell renewal with the Noble-Prize formulation of the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF).