by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | celebrities, healthy living, lifestyle, nutrition, weight loss
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AFTV host Robbie Lyle has experienced significant weight loss over the past few months.
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The YouTube celebrity attributed his transformation to ‘nature’s ozempic’ in a recent upload.
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AFTV host Robbie Lyle attributes his significant transformation to what he calls ‘nature’s Ozempic.’
weight loss
in recent weeks.
Ozempic has become the newest celebrity obsession in recent months, catching the attention of numerous individuals including
Oprah
Oprah Winfrey and Kathy Bates — turning to it for assistance with their fitness journeys.
Nevertheless, Lyle has become part of a select group of celebrities who have opted for ‘nature’s Ozempic,’ widely recognized as berberine.
According to Medline, berberine aids in strengthening heart contractions and has additional benefits such as antibacterial properties, assisting in regulating blood glucose levels, and reducing inflammation.
One of the main ingredients in supplements produced by wellness brand Oxford Natural is what Lyle has utilized to aid in his remarkable physical metamorphosis.
Sharing thoughts via a video post
the brand’s Instagram account
Lyle clarified: “This is Robbie speaking! Let me take this moment to hype up Dr Andre and also extend my praise to everyone at the Oxford Natural Clinic.”
These supplements have truly been beneficial for me! Optimum Day and Optimum Night. This particular supplement really assists me in getting a quality rest at night.
This particular item has truly assisted me in maintaining a balanced diet and improved my metabolic rate. Let me assure you; I have shed quite a bit of weight because of it.
‘I am feeling fantastic. I’m working out regularly, maintaining a healthy diet, and these supplements have truly made a significant difference for me. Hence, kudos to them!’
Fans were swift to spot the physical transformation of Lyle, with someone sharing a before-and-after image comparing him from several months ago. The comment stated: ‘Well done to Robbie for losing weight.’
Based on what is stated on the Oxford Natural website, these supplements aim to purportedly ‘offer improved weight management, better metabolic function, and assistance with blood sugar levels’.
Berberine has been a
fixtures in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine
For millennia, it has been used to address a wide range of issues such as conjunctivitis, itching, elevated blood glucose levels, and urinary tract infections, along with various bacterial infections.
In addition to Lyle, former Liverpool player Michael Owen is another ex-professional footballer who has supported Oxford Natural products.
On his website, Owen asserts that he has shed more than ’15kg’ after using the supplements.
In a video snippet, he mentioned: “Hello everyone, I just wanted to express my gratitude to Oxford Natural Clinic. Ever since I joined their program under Dr Andre’s guidance, I have shed 15kg. It has truly been quite a remarkable change!”
On the other hand, Ozempic imitates glucagon-like peptide-1, known as GLP-1, which is a hormone produced by your intestines upon eating. This substance suppresses appetite signals in the brain and prompts the pancreas to secrete insulin—a hormone responsible for controlling blood glucose levels.
Regarding Ozempic, numerous private physicians adhere to the policy of not prescribing it exclusively for weight management; however, a few might be willing to do so for individuals without diabetes.
Over the past several years, an increasing number of individuals have opted to use Type 2 diabetes medications. These drugs enable them to effortlessly lose weight that they had been struggling with for many years. However, these treatments might lead to potential unknown long-term side effects like pancreatitis.
Celebrity figures such as Kelly Clarkson, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk, Rebel Wilson, Chelsea Handler, Amy Schumer, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, Lauren Manzo, Dolores Catania, and Golnesa ‘GG’ Gharagedaghi have acknowledged using semaglutide medications.
Read more
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | business, commerce, retail, retailers, small and medium enterprises
KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 — Unified commerce platform EasyStore has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Alliance Bank, Ninja Van, and SUNMI to support more than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. This partnership aims to enhance the customer journey across brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce sites, fostering advancement and expansion for Malaysian firms.
Expanding upon this collaboration, EasyStore is strengthening its dedication to the advancement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) via the ‘Supporting Businesses Through Mutual Aid’ program. This Memorandum of Understanding aims to establish a cohesive environment designed to provide local SMEs with all-encompassing solutions such as digital resources, logistics assistance, and innovative payment methods, catering to the changing demands of contemporary technology-aware consumers.
The updated ecosystem will provide companies an extensive suite of services to streamline their processes. This includes offerings from EasyStore along with Sunmi Technology’s intelligent Internet-of-Things gadgets, facilitating quicker and more secure payments within stores. In collaboration with Ninja Van, EasyStore aims to improve supply chain management through real-time monitoring and expedited shipping choices. Additionally, partnering with Alliance Bank, EasyStore intends to deliver smooth financial assistance aimed at fostering business expansion, offering digital funding opportunities, and providing adaptable options tailored specifically for local enterprises.
Partnership to enhance customer experience spanning both brick-and-mortar stores and digital platforms.
These strategic partnerships and customer-focused tools will enable numerous Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to tap into advanced trade solutions, thereby helping them tackle daily business hurdles and provide outstanding service to their customers.
It is anticipated that SMEs will experience an increase in revenue, shorter delivery periods, and a reduction of more than 25% in operating expenses, thereby enhancing total efficiency and fostering expansion.
Yien Yee Soh, who holds the position of Chief Relationship Officer at EasyStore, mentioned that this initiative allows enterprises to seamlessly handle client engagements spanning both digital and physical platforms.
“We’re developing a revolutionary environment specifically tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It’s not merely about providing tools; in Malaysia, these businesses encounter numerous hurdles as they navigate through the growing digitized world. With the boundaries between traditional retail and e-commerce becoming less distinct, countless companies struggle to keep up due to insufficient resources to merge both domains. This collaboration aims to bridge that gap,” she explained.
Yien Yee elaborated that as the local SME sector expands, companies must adjust to integrating digital and physical platforms. Implementing unified commerce will assist these enterprises in maintaining their edge, guaranteeing competitiveness.
Furthermore, EasyStore has introduced the
EasyStore Brand App
Designed to assist businesses in maintaining connections with their clientele. Given that more than 70% of consumers prefer buying from applications already present on their devices, this app helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) become part of their customers’ everyday habits.
Companies have the ability to completely customize the application using their own logos and brand names, providing clients with a user-friendly and engaging shopping environment that boosts customer retention as well as fosters lasting brand allegiance.
Raymond Chui, who holds the position of Group Chief Business & Transaction Banking Officer at Alliance Bank, highlighted the bank’s dedication to helping local enterprises access suitable financial resources to reach their maximum capability.
“Our acclaimed offerings are crafted to assist companies prosper in the rapidly changing digital marketplace. Partnering with EasyStore signifies our continued commitment to delivering efficient, cutting-edge financial assistance to small and medium enterprises—enabling them to concentrate on what truly counts: expanding their ventures,” he declared.
The updated ecosystem will enhance the efficiency of SMEs and strive to reduce costs by 25%.
Victor Tan, who serves as SUNMI’s country manager for Malaysia, highlighted that smart IoT solutions are transforming retail transactions. He noted that secure, smooth, and efficient payment processing will improve the overall customer experience and simplify business processes.
In the meantime, Fariz Maswan, who holds the position of Chief Sales Officer at Ninja Van Malaysia, highlighted the crucial part played by logistics in molding customer experiences. He emphasized that their partnership guarantees dependable deliveries coupled with real-time tracking, which boosts overall customer contentment and dedication.
Register today and join the digital ecosystem.
www.easystore.co/lp/let-business-help-business.
Don’t let this chance to revolutionize your business pass you by.
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | europe, infectious diseases, medicine and healthcare, news, public health
The measles outbreak in Romania persisted for almost three years until Dr. Claudia Cojocaru contracted the virus from a patient she treated in the infectious disease ward of a Bucharest hospital back in 2019.
The illness—one of the most highly infectious globally—struck her severely, even resulting in her admission to the very hospital where she was employed.
It was not until after Cojocaru made a recovery and gave birth to her second daughter nearly a year later that she came to understand how her illness would alter the course of her career. She transformed into an outspoken advocate for vaccinations in a nation plagued by widespread health misinformation, antiscience political tendencies, and a beleaguered healthcare sector.
“I got to know measles very intimately,” Cojocaru, a neonatologist who is also training in family medicine, told SANGGRALOKAHealth. “[Now] I’m the one [parents] call when they have mixed messages”.
Romania reports the lowest measles vaccination rate within the European Union, where only 62 percent of individuals were fully vaccinated as of 2023.
That’s well beneath the 95 percent threshold required to stop measles outbreaks among infants and individuals with compromised immune systems who can’t receive vaccinations.
The outcomes include further lethal outbreaks. Romania’s previous measles epidemic concluded in 2020, however, the government announced yet another one.
December 2023
.
Approximately 31,000 individuals were affected, resulting in 22 fatalities last year, with 44 percent of those cases being unvaccinated children under five years old. No particular cure exists for this condition.
However, even though Romania’s outbreak is the biggest one in Europe, it isn’t the sole nation dealing with measles.
In the last year, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Austria, and France have individually documented numerous cases, with infections continuing to rise.
expected to rise
in the coming months.
This suggests that Romania’s recent measles outbreak might serve as an early warning of similar epidemics that could occur in other parts of Europe.
“The challenge spans across the entire region,” Dr Dragan Jankovic, who heads up efforts towards measles elimination at the WHO’s European office, told SANGGRALOKAHealth.
2024 turned out to be the absolute worst year for measles in Europe.
since the 1990s
, he added. “This is precisely why nations must step up once more and begin vaccinating individuals who have yet to receive their shots.”
Why vaccination rates plummeted
By 2013, Romania’s measles vaccination rates were comparable to or exceeded those of numerous other European Union nations.
However, vaccinations declined during the 2010s because of an “uptick” in vaccine reluctance, postponements in immunisation schedules, kids dropping out of follow-up visits as their families relocated, insufficient vaccine supplies, and a significant exodus of medical professionals from the nation.
according to a study
headed by the country’s main public health institution.
“It’s akin to a perfectly mixed cocktail being prepared before an outbreak,” said Dr. Stefan Dascalu, an immunologist at Oxford University from Romania, who wasn’t part of the study, to SANGGRALOKA Health.
If you neglect one of these issues, it will spread.
The COVID-19 pandemic provided ample opportunity for such sentiments to flourish. Similar to what occurred in numerous other nations, false information about vaccines along with conspiracy theories resulted in widespread doubt towards public health measures, sparking an upsurge in anti-scientific discourse that aided in
raise three conservative political parties
to the Romanian parliament, where they currently have control over approximately
third of seats
.
“God has not been vaccinated,” Diana Sosoacă, the leader of the SOS Romania party, stated during a speech last year.
barred from running
In the latest presidential election, following a court ruling that found some of her remarks “at odds with democratic principles.”
Since the onset of the pandemic, public trust in standard childhood vaccinations has
plummeted
in Romania.
For Cojocaru and other vaccination supporters in Romania, combating online conspiracy theories and anti-scientific political stances is just part of the challenge. They must also confront healthcare professionals who oppose vaccines—sometimes even facing resistance from within the medical community itself.
Romania’s healthcare system lacks adequate resources; the nation allocates insufficient funds for its medical needs.
5.8 per cent
In terms of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it allocates approximately half of what the European Union spends on healthcare. The country continues to face challenges stemming from past corruption during the Communist period.
“You’ll still encounter this widespread belief that if I visit a doctor, I must offer a little bribe… as otherwise, they might not attend to my needs,” Dascalu explained.
Many people think doctors are “corrupt or earning substantial profits or influenced by pharmaceutical companies,” which is quite a complicated issue to tackle, he mentioned.
Moreover, the measles vaccine is provided at no cost and advised for young children, though it isn’t compulsory. Additionally, although medical students study the historical background of vaccines, they do not
always trained
On how to provide them to patients.
In the meantime, certain healthcare providers offer patients inaccurate details regarding vaccinations and their possible adverse reactions. Additionally, these professionals frequently fail to inform individuals about which vaccine corresponds to which illness or when they ought to come back for subsequent visits, as reported.
a 2019 study
those following vaccination discussions at clinics throughout Romania.
Officials from Romania’s National Institute of Public Health did not reply to SANGGRALOKAHealth’s queries for information.
When patients express worries or even conspiracy theories regarding vaccines, Cojocaru mentioned that she aims to remain composed and unbiased, clarifying that vaccinations such as the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine are among the most thoroughly researched and safest medications available.
Cojocaru also informs her patients that she has vaccinated her two children, aged 5 and 7, who are both healthy.
I avoid pushing or teasing them,” she stated. “I inform them that there’s no rush for making decisions; my channel remains open. Should they have questions or worries, they can reach out to me anytime.
Implications for Europe
Regardless of how many households Cojocaru convinces to get vaccinated, it won’t suffice if there remain clusters of unimmunized individuals since the illness spreads so easily.
In Romania’s previous measles outbreak, individuals lacking health insurance, people experiencing poverty, single-parent households, and the Roma ethnic group were notably more susceptible, as indicated by the national public health institute’s research.
However, “no individual nation can be immune to the introduction of the virus,” Jankovic stated. “Once this virus enters a country and comes into contact with susceptible individuals, it will lead to cases, and regrettably possibly even outbreaks.”
Only four European Union nations — Hungary, Malta, Portugal, and Slovakia — boast measles immunization rates at 95 percent or above.
In numerous nations, the number of susceptible individuals seems to be increasing. Since the pandemic began, routine childhood vaccination rates have declined globally, leading international health organizations to initiate a promotional drive known as the
“big catch-up”
in 2023.
Jankovic stated that typically, nations that performed well throughout the pandemic—such as those boasting robust healthcare systems, effective public health communication, and consistent approaches to managing the crisis—seem to be progressing smoothly with regular childhood vaccinations.
However, some nations with inadequately coordinated efforts, contradictory advice, and overburdened medical facilities now appear to be in a worse situation, he mentioned.
“If you experience confusion… this will inherently impact not just that particular vaccine, but also other vaccines already within the system,” Jankovic stated.
Experts warned that without a sustained effort to enhance trust in public health initiatives and increase vaccination rates for measles and other illnesses, similar issues facing Romania might emerge across other parts of Europe.
“We are now facing the danger of losing all these investments,” Jankovic stated. “Should those skeptical attitudes towards vaccinations turn into a worldwide trend, we will be in serious trouble.”
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | happiness, politics, society, welfare, world
Finland has been crowned the globe’s happiest nation for eight years running, as stated in the World Happiness Report 2025.
Specialists point out that easy access to natural areas and an effective social support network contribute to this.
This is followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden.
These nations consistently achieve top scores in indicators such as social support, trust, and general well-being.
The World Happiness Report polled over 100,000 individuals across 140 nations and regions.
“Contentment in Finland isn’t defined by unceasing happiness but rather by a feeling of safety, trust, and equilibrium in everyday living. This satisfaction stems from the assurance that help is available whenever required, be it via robust social welfare systems, superior educational opportunities, or proximity to natural environments,” stated Miika Mäkitalo, CEO of
HappyOrNot
, a Finnish firm that assists companies gauge customer contentment.
Mäkitalo added: “In our community, we uphold principles of equity and environmental stewardship, fostering a setting where individuals receive support and can flourish. By implementing policies like extensive paternity leave and accessible early childhood care, we guarantee that households enjoy economic stability along with ample opportunities to bond with offspring, underscoring a broader dedication to health and harmony between professional duties and personal life.”
Eating together and having someone to count on
Communities where individuals often have meal-sharing experiences tend to exhibit greater levels of happiness and stronger social support systems.
The sole EU nation appearing in the upper echelon is Poland, where individuals partake in over 10 communal meals each week on average.
In contrast, Estonia sits at the bottom of the list, with residents reporting just 2.7 shared meals per week.
Individuals residing solo tend to be unhappier.
In Europe, households comprising four to five individuals show the greatest degrees of happiness.
Nevertheless, loneliness amongst younger individuals is increasing, with 19% stating they have nobody to depend on — this marks a 39% rise from what was seen in 2006.
A lot of young people often undervalue their friends’ ability to understand and share feelings, causing them to shy away from forming connections and losing chances for significant bonds.
Deeds of compassion saw an upsurge during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to be 10% higher than before the outbreak.
It seems that donating and volunteering are more prevalent in Central and Eastern Europe, whereas sharing tangible assets is more frequent in Western Europe.
The current year’s report encourages us to focus on factors beyond conventional measures such as health and wealth. Surprisingly, activities like sharing meals and having trust in others emerge as more significant indicators of happiness than anticipated,” stated Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, who directs Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre and co-edits the World Happiness Report. “Amidst today’s climate of social distancing and political division, it becomes essential to discover methods to gather individuals at one table once again—this action is vital for both personal and communal well-being.
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | business, consumer electronics, gadgets, smartwatches, technology
If you’ve been following the wearable technology sector for the past few weeks, you may have come across news about the comeback of the
Pebble
, or currently referred to as
Core smartwatches
.
In brief, Eric Migicovsky, who founded the Pebble smartwatch brand, introduced two new smartwatches.
Core 2 Duo
and
Core Time 2
— successfully reviving the formerly defunct e-paper-driven Pebble smartwatches.
But since
Google
Since he still owned the rights to the Pebble name, Migicovsky chose “Core” instead. At the behest of the Pebble founder, Google graciously released PebbleOS as open-source software. This move was primarily responsible for making these watches possible.
Although I am excited along with other Pebble enthusiasts about the comeback of the “Pebble” watches, we should take into account an important factor prior to spending between RM700 and RM1,100 on them—the warranty coverage offered with these timepieces.
Basic smartwatches offered with just a 30-day warranty period?
In the frequently asked questions section on the rePebble website, Core Devices, the firm responsible for the two new smartwatches, will offer a warranty solely for issues related to manufacturing defects.
30 days
once customers get their order.
Certainly, this offers a 30-day warranty. It isn’t for one year or even six months; rather, it lasts for just 30 days. However, considering Migicovsky’s position fairly, his group at Core Devices comprises merely four members. As previously noted, the duration of the warranty can be easily found on the rePebble website.
The FAQs also mentioned that should your watch turn out to be faulty, you can return it to Core Devices via shipping. Upon receiving the watch, the company will send you a new one free of charge. Additionally, no more specifics about the warranty were provided; however, the firm pledges to release a comprehensive legal warranty document sometime in the future.
In response to queries regarding the limited 30-day warranty, Migicovsky addressed the concerns via a detailed post on the r/Pebble subreddit. He clarified that as a smaller entity named Core Devices, they aim to manage customer expectations carefully without overpromising. The CEO further stated that although he anticipates minimal troubles, both he and his team are committed to taking all possible measures to prevent any issues from arising.
To venture or not to venture? That is your decision.
Furthermore, Migicovsky has openly mentioned that the Core smartwatches aren’t meant for everybody. In a blog post, he outlined groups of potential buyers who may find these devices less than ideal.
In addition to these, many individuals seek out a flawlessly refined smartwatch. The founder highlighted that the Core smartwatch initiative stems more from personal passion than an enterprise aiming to offload countless devices.
Purchasers should be aware that the items might have coarse edges, can potentially break easily, may experience delays, won’t endure as long as desired, and certain features might not be functional upon release.
In the end, the choice is yours whether you want to take such risks or not. Personally, I was one of those excited for the comeback of the “Pebble” smartwatch, as I had regretted missing its peak period ten years earlier. However, upon reconsidering my decision to buy, I ended up cancelling my preorder. Despite worrying that items like this could disappear forever without making another appearance.
At times, being pragmatic makes more sense than getting carried away by emotions.
Ultimately, shelling out more than RM1,100 for a smartwatch (including Core Time 2 and the delivery cost) definitely isn’t pocket money. Should anything go wrong with the timepiece beyond the 30-day guarantee window, I would likely end up with a defective watch and hardly any chance of getting it repaired.
However, if you’re more inclined towards being a hands-on DIY type of individual and are ready to find and install components like the actual buttons yourself, you may have stronger motivations than I do for making this purchase.
Nevertheless, this does not imply that my enthusiasm for straightforward, functional, and eccentric wearables such as these has diminished. Actually, I extend my best wishes to Migicovsky and hope his initial two offerings achieve success, providing him with sufficient resources and inspiration to create even more.
And should that occur, either now or sometime later, I would gleefully use my well-deserved money to buy the more advanced next-generation Core smartwatches. These watches will hopefully include a warranty lasting longer than just 30 days.
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