Health Magazine Nov / Dec 2022

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Publisher

Dr. Thumbay Moideen

Founder President, Thumbay Group

Editorial & Design Advisor Nousheen Salma

Editor Saadiya Ahmad

COO Thumbay Media Vignesh S. Unadkat Design Consultant Nazlah

Editorial and International Co-ordination Thumbay Media , Thumbay Group

Art & Design Mudrikath Amemar

Online Edition Shavaiz Arshad

Marketing Office: P.O. Box 415555, Dubai, UAE. Tel.: +971-4-2985555, Fax: +971-4-2989555,

HEALTH is published under the licence no. 183 by National Media Council

Send your letters to editor: editor@healthmagazine.ae

Advertising & Marketing: advertising@healthmagazine.ae Press: press@healthmagazine.ae

AGMC is the official BMW Group importer for Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah & Fujairah.

“For over 45 years, AGMC has delivered premium automotive products and services to its customers as the exclusive importer for BMW Group vehicles and Motorrad with 6 locations spread across Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates. Established in 1976, AGMC serves as one of the largest importers for the BMW Group in the Middle East.

AGMC is passionately committed to the communities it serves and demonstrates the BMW Group’s belief in the region’s potential by supporting local activities and events including an exclusive partnership with Dubai Autodrome to bring unparalleled on-track BMW driving experiences to the UAE and partnering with grassroots organisations as part of its commitment to the growth of the nation.

In addition to its commitment to the local community, AGMC has implemented a series of corporate social responsibility initiatives through partnerships with youth road safety programmes, and its long-standing relationship with Dubai Police, through which the innovative BMW ConnectedDrive features are used, aimed to improve road safety for future generations and the advancement of mobility solutions across the Emirates”.

AGMC – A Member of Albatha Automotive Group.

thumbaygroup

thumbaytv

It is a matter of great pride to see your enter prise grow up, embrace a good value system, seek high aspirations, and achieve more than what you ever thought was possible. My dear readers, Thumbay Group is one such iconic enterprise; a venture that has made all of us proud not only just by its achievements, but also by its humility, grace, and value system.

It gives me great pleasure to state that in many ways, 2022 was a landmark year for the com pany. This year, the Group completed 25 years of its operations, and the Gulf Medical Univer sity marked the completion of 24 years, and the flagship teaching hospital, Thumbay Hospital Ajman, celebrated 20 years of its commitment to redefining healthcare services in the coun try. This has been one of the biggest success stories in the private health education sector. It makes us look back with pride at the long jour ney that started with a then-niche idea in 1997 and through sustained hard work and custom er-centric values, Thumbay Group today is a leader and a multi-business conglomerate, with a core focus in the health professions educa tion, quality healthcare delivery, and research across the UAE.

I am deeply grateful to the Almighty, the vision ary leaders of the UAE, and my team for relent lessly lending their support and collaboration to achieve the synergy of excellence and a great value system that are the hallmarks of our in stitution.

To stay ‘ahead in reach’, Thumbay Group is committed to the path of continuous improve ment in Service, Quality, and Cost. In the last two months, several initiatives have been launched and major steps have been taken to accelerate growth through innovation. A spe cialized Chest Pain Center has been launched in Thumbay University Hospital, located in the hospital’s Emergency and Trauma Services de partment and a part of the Center of Cardiac Sciences, to address patients experiencing a life-threatening event.

In addition, a Free Mega Medical and Dental Camp saw the participation of 8000 people from over 100 nationalities at Thumbay Uni versity Hospital, to be screened for lifestyle dis eases across multi-specialties. The camp also offered free medicines and discounts on dental procedures and radiology services.

On a separate note, the Body and Soul Health Club & Spa was relaunched with a new look and feel, as part of the Hospitality Divisions’ growth plans to make it the best family health club in the emirate with plenty of outdoor and indoor sports activities.

I am also delighted to announce that the Gulf Medical University welcomed their new batch of students in its six colleges through a white

coat ceremony, honoring them with their first white coats.

Adding another feather to its cap, HEALTH magazine partnered up with leading healthcare entities of the UAE to come together on one platform to create awareness on the advance ments of medical treatments available to fight breast cancer. The platform, titled Pink Warri ors, was a part of the magazine’s effort to mark the Pink October month celebrated worldwide, encouraging industry linkage, active involve ment of healthcare leaders, and better social outreach in the community of UAE. The event not only hosted panel discussions from expert doctors and clinicians in Dubai, but also traced the journey of great warriors who have suc cessfully beaten the disease.

Among other major milestones, Thumbay Group also conducted a successful talk at GI TEX 2022 with the launch of UAE’s first hospital on the metaverse. Healthcare as an industry in the UAE, have been early adopters of tech nology for patient education, surgery, mental health, treatment, and much more. The launch is also aligned with the UAE’s visionary leaders’ strategy to transform the services toward the digital world and artificial intelligence, to en hance the country’s leading role in the field of healthcare globally and achieve the vision to wards providing an advanced model of health care with best-in class international standards.

Last but certainly not the least, Thumbay Hos pital Ajman unveiled the cost-effective delivery package on its 20th anniversary- which has been one of the hospital’s distinctive features contributing to its growth journey since its in ception in 2002.

Finally, dear readers, a jubilee is also a time to look forward! We should certainly do this with determination, and I believe it takes courage to do what you do and keep going. In the coming months, Gulf Medical University will be host ing the convocation ceremony, Alumni meet, Medical Art and Science Exhibition (MASE), and HEALTH magazine will be honoring new bench marks set in the healthcare industry across UAE with the Health Awards in March 2023.

As UAE approaches its 51st National Day, I would like to take the opportunity to wish the visionary leaders that may the next 50 years bring further prosperity and glory to this beau tiful country. To conclude, I wish to convey my thanks to all of you, for your continued sup port. I specifically would like to compliment the expert contributors of this magazine, business partners, advertisers and my dear readersYou. Stepping into another rewarding year, let me take this opportunity to wish you all a Hap py New Year, and let the coming year be guided by efforts of choosing growth over comfort, and may compassion reflect in all our actions.

WORDS OF INSPIRATION

Dr. Thumbay Moideen

Founder President - Thumbay Group

EDITOR’SWish List

Augustinus Bader’s Light Cream

This is my new favorite that does literally everything, from hydrate to renew to mattify, and more. Especially good for the Dubai weather, this contains ‘Trigger Factor Complex-8’, or TFC8®, a mixture of amino acids, vitamins, and synthesized molecules naturally found in the skin. It also contains aloe vera to retain moisture and soothe irritation; lemon myrtle extract; rice bran oil, a skin-care additive rich in antioxidant vitamins A, B1, B12, and E. It also reduces the appearance of pores for smoother-looking skin, and over just a few days, I noticed a huge difference in skin tone

AED710; currently available THAT Concept Store and online at THATConceptstore.com

Makeup by Mario

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic has finally launched his beauty brand in the Middle East from October 2022. These include the Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Blush Sticks that are easy-to-use and dual ended to enhance cheeks with a soft pop of color, and are available in six inclusive shades for all skin types. And the Soft Pop Powder blush is infused with micronized clay to restore natural radiance to your complexion with a patented polymer that ensures long-lasting color and is available in five shades for every skin type.

Soft Pop Powder Blush AED93

Soft Pop Blush Stick AED 108 www.sephora.ae and in-store

Vitamin B Miracle Serum by Vitamin Injections London

A seriously amazing cocktail of powerful ingredients including niacinamide, vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid, this serum does so much; including reducing the appearance of pores, diminishing the fine lines, and a super glowy impact all over. It’s super lightweight, absorbs immediately, and start working immediately to give you the best skin of your life. It also helps plump the skin, resulting in a juicy skin finish that looks healthy; so, whether you are looking for hydration, radiance, or just want an anti-ageing product that actually works, then don’t miss this miracle n a bottle that leaves your skin looking more refined every day.

AED 208; www.thekur.com

Huda Empowered Lipkit

Empowering and super flattering, this limited edition set is the ultimate kit I need with universally flattering shades I am currently obsessing over. Each item in this kit is all I need to create that nude lips look that is so on-trend these days. This limited-edition Lip Trio Set features a mini–Lip Contour 2.0 in Pinky Brown, a mini-Silk Balm in a brandnew shade ‘Bold Gold,’ and a full-size Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in their best-selling shade, Interview, which has been recreated in a gorgeous gold pack. The set is housed in a cool reusable lip tin that has a gold finishing.

AED 120; www.hudabeauty.com

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Brightening Serum

Powered by 15% advanced Vitamin C, this immediately targets dark spots, dullness, and discolorations at the source, while also reducing the signs of aging. A power packed product, one of is key ingredients is a form of vitamin C called THD Ascorbate which results in visible anti-aging benefits; I noticed an improvement in fine lines from just a few days after use. It also includes phytosterols and saccharide Isomerate extract to reinforce the moisture barrier for a skin-smoothing glow.

AED 251; Sephora, Dubai Mall

Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Beautifying Face Palette

Just in time for the party season, these easy gliding powders are made with silky mica and light reflecting silica to enrich your skin with an undeniable, glasslike glow. Infused with glycerin, these non-drying powders preserve moisture and deliver a surge of hydration that won’t result in chalky residue or flakiness. I really love the way these go on and stay on, making it my go-to for the season.

Price available upon request; Charlotte Tilbury Boutique, Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates

Stellar skincare, jewel tones for the eyes, and a soft glam look; all perfect for fall. Here’s a roundup of our editor’s favorite beauty and skincare products…

Thumbay Group is Transforming Healthcare on the Metaverse

Gulf Medical University the first to adopt Metaverse and Fees payments in Crypto Currencies.

First Virtual Hospital on Metaverse to Interact with Patients and Improve patient experience.

First Yoga Studio and Fitness Studio on Metaverse providing fitness programs, Yoga for metaverse users.

The metaverse has already gained momentum with non-fungible tokens (NFTs), cryptocurrencies, gaming, and more, but now, healthcare industry leader Thumbay Group is taking its pioneering role in the region to the next level with futuristic and cutting-edge facilities across education, healthcare, and fitness on the metaverse.

The term metaverse is a portmanteau of ‘meta’ and ‘universe’ which originated in Snow Crash, the 1992 science fiction novel. With metaverse development often linked to advancing virtual reality technology due to increasing demands for immersion, Thumbay Group is set to metamorphosize the way we look at healthcare with a first-of-its-kind virtual hospital, virtual university, and wellness studio; all on the metaverse.

DR THUMBAY MOIDEEN FOUNDER PRESIDENT, THUMBAY GROUP

Aligned with Dubai’s Metaverse Strategy

At the inaugural Dubai Metaverse Assembly, organized by the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, stated the metaverse would shape a new digital future for humanity. “We seek to provide a global platform for generating metaverse solutions for global challenges,” His Highness said. “We are constantly working to foster the development of technological tools and applications to raise the community’s quality of life. In the coming years, the

metaverse will shape a new digital future for humanity, and Dubai will consolidate its status as a testbed for innovation in this emerging technology.”

The Assembly is the first event resulting from implementing the Dubai Metaverse Strategy approved by High Highness Sheikh Hamdan in July. Aiming to turn Dubai into one of the world’s top 10 metaverse economies, the strategy strives to add $4 billion to Dubai’s GDP, attract 1,000 companies specialized in blockchain and metaverse technologies, and to support 40,000 virtual jobs by 2030.

With the UAE leadership's commitment to progression and innovation in blockchain

and digital transformation evidenced by the key strategies undertaken towards the safety, transparency, and regulation of digital assets and blockchain, Dr. Thumbay Moideen; Founder and President of Thumbay Group explains that the UAE’s healthcare industry has been early adopters of technology for patient education, surgery, mental health, treatment, and more. “It aligns with the UAE’s visionary leaders’ strategy to transform the services toward the digital world and artificial intelligence, to enhance the country’s leading role in the field of healthcare globally and achieve the vision towards providing an advanced model of healthcare with best-in-class international standards.”

Creating a seamless patient experience

As Thumbay Group is launching the UAE’s first hospital in the metaverse, this virtual hospital will include consultation by avatar for patients. Dr. Moideen reveals that they have hired a firm to train all their doctors on how to deal with patients in the metaverse. “Also, we are integrating artificial intelligence into the hospital’s systems where cameras will detect the patient’s car number plate and then their face when they enter the hospital,” he says, for instance, when a patient arrives at the reception, the file will already be open with the initial process of insurance and identification eliminated. Even in the pharmacy, cameras will recognize the patient’s face and the system will indicate to the pharmacist that the patient has come to collect medicine.

Initiatives of the future

With multiple noteworthy firsts, Gulf Medical University is the

first to adopt metaverse and fees payments in crypto currencies and is the first virtual hospital on the metaverse to interact with patients and improve the patient experience. And always ahead of steering wellness initiatives and promoting fitness in the region, Thumbay Group is also launching its first yoga studio and fitness studio on the metaverse providing holistic, interactive programs to boost the fitness quotient of metaverse users. For Thumbay Group’s Healthcare Division, the metaverse represents the second coming of the internet, enriched, and engineered with the elements of hyper connectivity, augmented and virtual reality and artificial intelligence. The convergence of these technologies will potentially empower healthcare professionals to provide highly integrated and individualized care. “For our brand, ‘Growth Through Innovation’, has always been a driving force, and we hope to create a winning

metaverse solution that can contribute in more impactful ways to our industry and the UAE community,” reveals Dr. Moideen.

Multiple firsts in the region

Thumbay Group’s firstof-its-kind innovative full-fledged virtual hospital is to be built in a multi-phased project on metaverse platform providing patients with an immersive experience in healthcare. Starting from their Patient Experience center on the metaverse, there is also a complete walkthrough of the hospital and services, tele-consultation, virtual clinics with multiple doctors for consultation, and option for a second opinion from additional doctors’, not to mention avatars in local language and dress to welcome patients in the Medical Tourism department, as well as first-aid and preventive health programs using AR/ VR and AI programs to educate patients and suggest treatment plans.

The future is now Metaverse, explains Dr. Moideen, is effectively the next step of the internet, which will potentially take advantage of AI, AR, VR, and the ever-increasing connectivity to create online environments that are more immersive, experiential, and interactive than what is available today. “Swift information sharing between clinicians, better monitoring of patient’s activity, among others will assist in faster diagnosis and treatment of illnesses,” he says, with many aspects of prompter healthcare delivery will be created in the metaverse. Essentially, the phenomenal technological penetration in the healthcare sector by Thumbay Group has made it evident that metaverse will become an integral aspect of healthcare.

Starting the process

Thumbay Group’s pioneering role in the region has led to create something uniquely futuristic with advanced facilities in education, healthcare, and fitness. It is the first such project in the region

that has put a road map for the next two years for individuals to access services on the metaverse. Gulf Medical University will educate new applicants with a course on the interactive way on the metaverse for choosing the right health professions as well as to tour both the university and the labs on the metaverse. Using their crypto wallets, students can enroll in the courses as well as pay their fees. Moreover, the admissions process becomes simplified as students can view the facilities and the list of courses offered by the university, enter the admissions office, and much more.

Fitness on the metaverse

Taking the engagement to the next level on the metaverse, the Body and Soul Wellness Studio will offer their fitness programs in the metaverse, alongside a virtual fitness studio, and a yoga training module with poses demonstrated on the metaverse. Dr. Moideen explains, “We are very excited to take up these initiatives and align with the developments

of the future and explore all opportunities to develop our core business in education, healthcare, research and wellness domains.”

For long-term patients’ Thumbay Group is introducing AR & VR technology for longterm care patients who are bed-ridden and paralyzed in hospitals for six months or more; Dr. Moideen explains that the metaverse hospital would provide services tailored to patients wherein patients can virtually interact with environments outside the hospital. He adds, “For instance, bedridden patients from foreign countries could leverage this technology to visit their faraway homes. Several other features will be added too, for instance, we plan to integrate artificial intelligence capabilities that can potentially have a feature which recognizes each patient’s face. AI would further enable the hospital to increase its knowledge of each patient’s needs, which would allow them to record patient information for future references, too.” H

HOW YOUR IMPROPER SLEEPING HABITS CAN DELAY YOUR FAT-LOSS GOALS

Sleep is an inbuilt part of our life. It is a phase where the body undergoes some of the most important processes like detoxification, fat burn, repair, regeneration, regrowth, rejuvenation, and balance. It doesn’t matter how much you are exercising or how well you are eating, if your sleep is compromised, you are most likely paving the path for your body to gain unwanted abdominal and side fat. Saadiya Ahmad met with Luke Coutinho, Holistic Lifestyle Coach to learn more.

Luke Coutinho

According to Coutinho, there are still too many people taking the route of fad diets, rigorous exercise programs, dangerous fat burners, and supplements with a false belief that it will help them lose weight and keep the weight off, and yet see no results. “What were they missing out on?” he asks, “sleep is the number one gap.”

The following are the four main obstacles your body is faced with when its sleep deprived Your appetite is all over the place Sleep brings about a balance in the two most important appetite hormones called ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin, he says, is responsible for stimulating hunger and leptin for satiety. He adds, “A lack of sleep can disrupt the delicate balance between the two. It increases ghrelin and decreases leptin, which means our appetite is likely to be off balance.” You tend to crave more carbs and sugary foods, than well-balanced meals.

“More coffee or tea too because you feel deprived of energy, alongside

the sugar that comes along with it,” he says, and people blame it on willpower and lack of discipline, what your body really needs is deep sleep.

Your body is unable to detox From the unpleasant odor in our mouth in the morning to the mucus in the corners of our eyes, Coutinho reveals that these are signs that your body has undergone detoxification while you were asleep. “Cleansing and detoxification occur during sleep and the cleaner the body, the more efficient is the fat-burning process because then the liver can perform its primary job which is fat metabolism,” he says. “Now, imagine all the toxins your body holds onto when you are chronically sleep-deprived; over time, a person could also develop cellulite, which is an indicator that

hormonal harmony in your body, says Coutinho. “It’s when we are in a state of deep slumber, hormones like leptin, ghrelin, thyroxine, and insulin rebalance bring a state of homeostasis, which is a state balance,” he says, it is common, but unfortunate to find so many young girls and women with thyroid imbalances, PCOS, insulin resistance, obesity, and sleeping late at night. “Attaining hormonal balance is an uphill task when one is sleep deprived, no matter how many hormone balancing and oral contraceptive pills they may pop.” Deep sleep is also responsible for releasing adequate levels of human growth hormone, which is key to building lean muscle and reducing body fat percentage.

Your body is unable to recover, repair, grow and heal You never lose weight while you are lifting dumbbells or doing Pilates or aerobics, he says. “While you may sweat buckets, it doesn’t mean you are losing weight. Sweating is just your body’s mechanism to cool down.” All the weight loss

your body is holding onto toxins.”

Your hormones are unable to attain balance Efficient fat burn is all about

happens while you sleep. “Your body undergoes some of the most critical processes important for fat-burn during a state of deep sleep,” he says. “Sleep is non-negotiable if you want to lose fat. It is how our body is designed to function, and no number of excuses for not being able to sleep well enough is going to work. If it is important for you, put in the effort and make it work.” H

Turbocharging the Fitness Tech Industry with Your Fitness Coach

( YFC )

AN INTEGRATED PLATFORM

A platform created to benefit the entire fitness industry, Du Plessis explains that with YFC, not only does the app user gain a good deal, but even the studios and the gyms benefit as well. He adds, “We wanted to create a mutually beneficial platform where everyone including industry fitness leaders, fitness wear companies, and more, are winning from our completely holistic platform. The application touches all the little points in the industry.” The ease and simplicity underpinning the app was imperative and as simple as click and connect to the wearable an individual is already wearing. “There is a seamless integration with an Apple watch or any fitness wearable from where it picks up the data from that variable and consolidates your progress on one display, giving you your steps, your calories, and where you are as of the goals you have set to achieve daily,” says Du Plessis.

REWARDS TURBOCHARGE THE EXPERIENCE

Achieving fitness goals for steps taken and calories burned can be incredibly rewarding, but YFC takes it the next level in the form of tangible rewards for fitness achievements. Cherian explains, “The whole idea of rewards is to gamify the experience and let users to not just achieve their goals, but also earn rewards in the form of in-app currency known as “Y-coins.” These coins will be usable in the YFC soon-to-be-launched store which is focused on the fitness industry, variables, fitness apparel, and consumables. Identifying a gap in the market where gym goers were often locked into time-restricted membership deals, the duo were quick to pick up on the gap and aspired to provide fitness in the form of more than just the gym. According to Cherian, fitness can be in the form of sports, outdoor activities, extracurricular activities, and may vary daily. “Through this application, it is not just about visiting the gym, but about going to classes or for

studio group classes to do your own regime while earning rewards for it,” he says.

EXCITING NEW FEATURES

Steered by core values to engage, activate, and reward, Cherian reveals that YFC is constantly evolving on the backend deck to facilitate a seamless integration into the users’ experience. On a corporate level, the duo is creating specialized communities for government entities in which core activities and challenges can be designed specifically for the organization. “For Dubai 30X30, we are working with several fitness events which will enable them to not only just participate, but to track, earn and be rewarded for their efforts,” says Cherian, “we have multiple sponsors coming onboard to motivate and align our association, including the Dubai Sports Council; reflecting our commitment to support Dubai in becoming the world’s fittest nation.”

AN UPWARD TRAJECTORY TOWARDS YFC

While Du Plessis met Cherian for a completely different project that was also fitness related, he had immediately noticed the passion that Cherian exuded, particularly for the tech side of fitness. Du Plessis adds, “I knew Cherian was the man I wanted to collaborate with; we think very alike. I look at it from the fitness perspective and he looks at it from the tech perspective.” For Cherian, the foray into launching YFC was more personal, as he explains, “I have always been a person who has lived my passion and being in the tech space for the past 25 years, I had always compromised on my health knowing I required a worklife balance.” This drive for work-life balance aligned with his passion for tech was the steppingstone to convert both into a business. “This is how we took the first step toward launching our own business,” he says. “Du Plessis had the idea which we went on to scale and further develop to produce this integrated approach.”

MOTIVATING FITNESS POST COVID-19

During the Covid-19 pandemic and the post pandemic shifts across the globe, fitness became challenging for many of us. To reintroduce the element of community and competitiveness, Du Plessis says that bridging this gap was an objective. He elaborates, “For instance, if you are unable to go the same gym with a friend, we can still work out in separate locations, but compete with one another. This is for the individual who may be at home and cannot get to the gym but can still stream a class. It is amazing the way tech is going, even in R&D, we have virtual studios where people can beam into a studio and technology is driving all of this.”

Further adding, Cherian articulates that the whole idea is to ensure the future we build has an integrated approach where those who want to work out of the home can still be a part of a community and part of a challenge, but also be able to buy equipment through their store. “The point is to facilitate people with not just B2C, but also B2B, where we give a platform for brands to reach out to our users,” he says.

THE TOP SKINCARE INGREDIENTS WE NEED

From peptides and bakuchiol to niacinamides, the world of skincare ingredients is fast evolving, with new ingredients being incorporated into skincare products. Dr. Hasan AlOgaily, Consultant Family Medicine explains which ingredients we should be incorporating into our skincare regime and how they help with skin concerns.

Dr. Hasan AlOgaily

BY SKIN CONDITION

The number of skincare products available to us on market shelves has certainly increased significantly, making choice and selection an overwhelming prospect for many of us. “The most frequently sought-after products are those that enhance the appearance of the skin, treat acne, anti-aging and treatments for sensitive skin, so the key things to incorporate depend on the condition being treated as well as your skin type,” says Dr. AlOgaily.

FOR ACNE

For acne treatment, products that contain azelaic or salicylic acid are helpful for individuals with oily and acne-prone skin as these have exfoliating properties that also help fight against bacteria, he says. “For anti-aging treatments, the key ingredients are those that help enhance cellular turnover and collagen production, so this includes ingredients like retinol, peptides and glycolic acids.” Of course, it has been long known that both vitamins C and E are also essential due to their antioxidant properties. For people with sensitive and dry skin, or prone to eczema, he explains that humectant ingredients such as hyaluronic acid are beneficial by increasing skin moisture and is suitable for all skin types.

PEPTIDES

Peptides are made of amino acids, which are the building blocks for proteins, that are either synthetic such as palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 or naturally occurring. Our skin requires collagen to maintain its structure and integrity. Due to factors such as age and exposure to the environment, the collagen in our skin which is important for the firmness and elasticity of our skin can deteriorate over time leading to fine lines and wrinkles. So, peptides can stimulate the skin to make more collagen which helps to increase skin firmness and smooth out these lines. Other examples of useful peptides include palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 and palmitoyl oligopeptide.

RETINOL

Retinol is a fat-soluble derivative of vitamin A found in many products used to improve skin texture, skin pigmentation, unclogging pores and smoothing out wrinkles. According to Dr. AlOgaily, retinol is proclaimed to be the gold-standard of skincare and anti-aging treatments, and to be distinguished from the much more potent ‘retinoids’ used since the 1970s as specialist prescription treatment for acne. “Again, collagen production is the key method where retinols work by increasing its production which increases skin elasticity, minimizes the appearance of wrinkles as well as controls skin cell proliferation by increasing cell turnover which results in decreased hyperpigmentation and skin roughness,” he says, adding, “While retinols can be quite effective, the benefits are only usually observed after three to six months of use.” It is important to note that retinols can potentially be irritating to the skin, causing redness, dryness or peeling with

initial use and can also make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. So, if you have red or inflamed skin, he advises that it is best to avoid retinol-based products and during use, avoid any chemical exfoliants or acids. “Due to sun sensitivity, it is best to be applied at night, and use sun protection during the day including sunscreen,” he says, and if you are considering using a retinol for skin care, it is best to speak to a dermatologist for advice.

NIACINAMIDE

Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3 used in the treatment of dry and sensitive skin. It is a precursor for multiple chemical reactions in our skin that results in its antioxidant or anti-aging effect including reduced yellowing of the skin, he says.

“Niacinamide helps to increase ceramides and other lipids in our skin that are known to play a key role in maintaining its structure and integrity which therefore, improves skin barrier function leading to greater water retention capacity, reducing redness or blotchiness as well as fine lines or wrinkles.”

BAKUCHIOL

Bakuchiol is an extract from an ancient botanical seed that is grown in India and has recently gained popularity as a gentler alternative to retinoids. “It has been shown to have similar effects to retinoids, by increasing collagen production, with fewer skin side effects, however this was based on limited evidence based on a small study size,” says Dr. AlOgaily. He adds, “It exerts its effects through anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties which also helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. So, this makes it a particularly useful product for people who cannot tolerate retinol.”

H

TRANSFORMING COMMUNICATION WITH GIFTED CHILDREN USING AI AND NFTS

Gifted children are unique compared to their neurotypical age friends, with this giftedness going beyond academic performance into a child’s social and emotional development. Mental wellness is often a struggle that can be even more intense for these children, as Sara Asal, Founder and CEO of Shawerna, a virtual platform steering various projects in the field of VR, AI, and Data Science within healthcare, discusses the role of virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to proactively contribute to children’s academic success.

The benefits of virtual reality (VR) in gifted education and healthcare

According to Asal, gifted children are often segregated for added individual attention and protection, but such displacement robs them of societal interaction and tolerance building. “Separation also strains the capacity of specialists who cannot be available 24/7,” she says, and VR is an immersive form of computer-generated simulation that can improve healthcare and education. Matching VR with AI, she adds, also helps staff get work done and leave on time, while tailoring the learning style for students, family, and staff helps remove communication barriers. “When gifted children find inclusion, they develop and contribute to creativity.”

The school environment conducive for gifted students

When a school environment is both welcoming and safe, Asal reveals that gifted children can explore interests, develop skills, and find their passions. “Healthy educational policies drive healthier eating and reduce obesity and trauma among students,” she says. “Both AI and VR help gifted children to enhance motor skills, social engagement, and speech impairment, and to track their progress.” VR can also be separated from the online metaverse to be safer for a gifted child to experience. Asal also suggests making classrooms with VR toolboxes helps children and staff feel as if they are building their own school experience.

Parents helping their gifted children connect with mental wellness coaches

There are mental wellness coaches that specialize in connecting with gifted children to understand their unique behaviors, explains Asal. “However, they can face great challenges in explaining their skills and tracking transformations,” she says. “A solution is to help coaches explain their skills and transformations with NFTs, according to mental wellness standards like SPCC.” To overcome disbelief and simplify the wellness journey, it is turned into a personalized story using representations relating to the child’s heroes.

The benefits of NFTs in healthcare and education

People struggle with NFTs in healthcare and education because they are an artistic concept and lack medical and teaching standards, but Asal believes they can help by educating staff. She adds, “VR-linked NFTs follow medical codes and ease patient-to-doctor matching in healthcare. Gifted patients create their own world, learn about the disease, and earn money.” In education, NFTs can help students learn from different perspectives, promoting knowledge retention and understanding. NFTs can also enrich online courses to provide a more interactive learning experience, she says, as the visual nature of NFTs further bridges traditional and novel teaching styles online. H

Raising a Generation with Emotional Resilience

As the intrinsic force that gives us the ability to cope efficiently with challenging situations and unforeseen circumstances, emotional resilience is imperative to live our life to the fullest. As Mai Elsayed, Clinical Hypnotherapist and NextGen MENA Committee member, investigates.

Red flags

According to Elsayed, there are a couple of vital signs that indicate if a person is emotionally resilient. The top three include solution-focused versus problem-oriented. She adds, “Emotionally resilient individuals tend to find the opportunity in every challenge. They have a can-do attitude and are optimistic that there is always a solution to every problem.” Secondly, internal versus external locus of control: they are not the type to play the blame game because they know that they are in control of their own lives. “Therefore, they handle any

stressful situation by first managing their internal environment,” she says. “And third, emotional awareness versus denial; emotional intelligence is another extremely valuable skill that resilient individuals have.” They know their

boundaries and understand that some situations do not require an emotional reaction. Most importantly, they allow themselves to feel their emotions, even if it makes them feel uncomfortable temporarily.

Specifically in kids and teens

Recent studies have shown that younger generations seem to be less resilient, and this continues to be a growing concern, she says. “However, we need to highlight the fact that there is so much awareness rising about mental health, which is great because it helps remove the stigma around this topic and encourages those who are suffering to seek help.” That also means that today’s younger generation express their mental health struggles more freely than the previous generations did. She asks, “So, does that mean that previous and current generations have the same emotional resilience, it’s just a matter of how openly they shared the emotional and psychological struggles they’re going through?”

Looking back at some of the studies that were conducted around this topic, we cannot assume that there is a direct cause to the noted decline in resilience, but there a couple of factors that seem to correlate with current teenagers’ inability to cope with adversity.

Tangible solutions

Some of the factors related to the lack of resilience is having children that are too dependent on their parents to the extent that they were not allowed to face the problems they encounter. Guardians, she advises, should guide their children while allowing them to handle stressors independently. “Another major factor that could be linked

to this decline is the idealized lives posted on social media,” she says, as younger generations continue to compare themselves to the pictureperfect Instagram feed as they secretly feel helpless. “They repress their emotions as they seek to conform to the virtual community of happy people.” Whilst there are many influencers who are breaking the norm by ‘being more human’ on social media, there is still so much work required in this area to not only educate, but empower the younger generation and their parents with the tools needed to make an internal change in the way we perceive ourselves in contrast to what we see on the internet. Elsayed explains, “That’s why these tools should be incorporated within school curriculums so children can grow up with these skills to become more emotionally resilient. There is still so much awareness and education needed around healthy parenting.”

Parents should allow their children to face emotionally uncomfortable situations while guiding and helping them process their feelings. This also means giving children and teenagers the chance to be responsible for their mistakes, learn from them and fix them. However, parents need to keep in mind that most of the time, children may be experiencing situations for the first time.

Therefore, kids don’t have a reference point to understand that what they have done is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. Hence why, guardians should also be empathetic in guiding their youngsters. H

Tips for effective empowerment for kids/teens that will enable them to become emotionally resilient

The Middle East and the Circularity of Plastics for a Greener Future

With a renewed focus on the problem of plastic pollution in the environment, both the private sector and governments have taken steps to promote recycling and reduce plastic waste. These measures include phasing out certain single-use plastics and setting specific goals on plastics recycling, with the UAE government having recently banned single-use plastic bags to encourage utilizing reusable products. Mark Porter, Global Head of Bain & Company’s Chemicals Practice and Raja Atoui, Partner, Bain & Company reveal the facts about achieving a greener future.

Mark Porter

While there are many new recycling initiatives and partnerships, along with innovations in new plastic types such as low-carbon plastics made from biomaterials, the duo says their clients tell them they understand that more needs to be done to improve the sustainability and circularity of plastic products, that is, the ability to put materials back into the supply chain, rather than depositing them as waste. Moreover, boosting plastic circularity will also reduce emissions, making it essential for delivering on the industry’s decarbonization goals and ensuring the license to operate among growing concerns about plastic waste.

Circularity statistics

There’s a lot of activity underway on recycling and circularity, but Porter and Atoui say that it’s still not enough to provide the amount of recycled material that the industry will need. They add, “Our recycling scenarios, based on current industry efforts and trajectories, suggest that by 2030, between 50 million and 70 million metric tons of plastics will be recycled annually, or 10 to 14 percent of total plastic consumption, well below the global targets set by companies and governments.”

Solutions for accelerating plastics circularity

According to Porter and Atoui, they are seeing three types of actions aimed at accelerating the momentum behind plastics

recycling. One is innovation and new technology. One reason that recycling rates are so low is that the technologies involved aren’t well-developed. Recycling rates are higher in categories where technology, infrastructure, and public and consumer engagement are more mature. “Scaling up recycling also comes with challenges, though, as it gets increasingly difficult and costly to increase collection rates while also capturing smaller and less-efficient volumes of used plastic,” they say. “Most plastic recycling today is mechanical processing the material but keeping the molecule intact. Chemical processing, changing the chemical structure of polymeric waste, can recycle more plastic.” Recycling advances aren’t limited to technology, but also extend to collection, sorting, and processing to improve the quality of waste streams.

Secondly is partnerships and new business models. They explain that scaled, sustainable solutions will require partnerships that ensure a steady supply of renewable materials and a market for recycled materials. Supply chain partnerships can help ensure a consistent flow of renewable inputs, which is essential to develop a market. These partnerships need to extend beyond the local initiatives that have emerged in some regions. Plastic users are also forming partnerships. “Offtake agreements are critical to ensure demand for recycled materials as production scales up; these agreements, which ensure delivery of the recycled

materials produced, give producers a runway to gain experience, become more efficient, and reduce costs.”

And third is legislation and standards. Both point out that plastic producers, recyclers, and consumers will need to work together to build support for change. They will need to develop better policies for collecting and managing plastic waste, supported by better consumer education and behavior on waste sorting. Also, they will need to encourage investments and funding for new technologies, as well as agree on taxonomy as well as standards.

Global support

Support is also developing around the world, as in March 2022, the UN agreed to develop a treaty designed to end plastic pollution. The specific resolution is likely to address the full life cycle of plastic, including production, design, and disposal. The outcome, with internationally binding commitments, could be an important step in creating a global environment with investments channelled toward building up recycling infrastructure. Although current efforts aren’t yet at the scale required, plastics recycling, the use of recycled content, and the use of low-carbon plastics are sure to increase. H

In Conversati o n

with Anvil Fitness Club Moscow

Founder Nadezhda Grishaeva

The inspiration

Sports have always played an intrinsic role in Grishaeva’s life from a very early age. She explains, “I was in love with sports as my father was a professional basketball player, and most of my childhood was spent travelling with him and participating in his games. The level of performance brought out something unique in him which I observed early on.” Her father enlisted her in basketball at age seven to which she adds, “it was not like I immediately realized that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I started step by step; I wasn’t good in the beginning, but

I really embraced the competitive spirit and the idea to aspire to be the best.”

The path of entrepreneurialism

As she went on to play for top clubs in diverse countries followed by an opportunity to play at the Olympic Games in London for the Russian national team, she was amazed to see the expansive gym where all the athletes went to stay in shape, says Grishaeva. She also travelled frequently and visited gyms to stay in shape, but noticed something was lacking in every gym she visited.

After an injury at age 24, Grishaeva realized she could not play sports

A former professional basketball player with sports running in her DNA, the founder of Anvil Fitness Club Moscow, Nadezhda Grishaeva reveals what makes her highoctane fitness club the best from the rest.

for the rest of her life. She adds, “I began thinking of starting something that would help others, given the fact that there were not many gyms in my native Russia where you can obtain solid training, with good quality machines and great people around you.” With her experience lent from the Olympic Games, she decided to take the leap of faith to embark on launching her own fitness center.

Following your passion

According to Grishaeva, it’s all about achieving the goal you have and doing it in the best way possible. “Setting Anvil Fitness Club up took time to organize, to find a

team, to source the right location and gather the people who would help me accomplish my dream,” she says, but believes that business and sports are similar. “It is the same as everything else in life; if you are doing it with passion, it will always work out.”

A footprint in Russia

As Russia showcases key sports traditions, Grishaeva reveals that only three percent of the population is engaged in fitness. She elaborates, “When I was a teenager, I studied in the US and was enthralled to see the outdoor fields, basketball courts, and gyms; and that everywhere you look, there was sports and fitness. My family that had hosted me worked out in the gym daily, quite different to my native Russia where they are more invested in professional sports.” The bigger hurdle for her was in attracting people to this concept and went beyond curating a top professional team. “I aspired to build a place where people would want to come and have a good time,” she says. “It is not about sports but having a community that loves sports. In my beautiful club, you can not only practice, but develop a full routine, eat balanced meals at our healthy restaurant, visit the spa, and of course, imbibe the design aesthetics of our space.”

A dream set in motion

Her dream was set in motion with her acquaintance David Barton, an American bodybuilder, talented

designer and visionary. Originally from a simple neighborhood in St. Petersburg, Grishaeva recalled her visits with her father during his training. “These gyms were very old school and not at all glamorous,” she says, while she loved the posters of famous American body builders on the walls. She says, “I decided that I wanted to create a club for brutal men. The meaning behind ‘Anvil’ is something that helps you create anything you want in the desired shape, so if you put effort into your body, you can have the body of your dreams.”

Driven by original concept of a brutal muscle gym for men, the second concept was based on the story ‘Alice in Wonderland’ with showstopping objects, huge mirrors and objects, while the third concept was an abandoned castle. She also wanted bikers’ paraphernalia included in the space. “When I saw these concepts on paper, I couldn’t choose one, so I chose them all.” And with Barton’s experience at creating clubs out of fitness spaces, he merged these together. “As I am a fan of music, we also brought that energy into fitness.”

Attention to details

The aesthetics are completely unique to other gyms, says Grishaeva, as is the quality of their machines. “I brought the best machines here and personally tried the machines which David (Barton) had personally set in a specific

order with edgy lighting to create an ephemeral glow.” With an immense thought process behind the concept of Anvil, Grishaeva explains that prior to launching her own gym, she visited many gyms and conducted her research. “I observed that besides price points, there was not much difference between them, and that I needed to create an impression,” she says. She placed key masterpieces in the club, big mirrors where the male clientele would see themselves bigger than reality. “I placed steel curtains and torches on the walls to support the concept of a castle,” she says. “I wanted something special because all my life, I have felt special; so, what I am doing should be a reflection of this.”

Wellness tips

A fan of a healthy diet, her first tip is to invest in your nutrition. “Our health starts on our plate; you can avoid many health issues if you eat healthily,” she says. “Secondly, sleep, which is key, and includes sleeping as early as possible.” Lastly, engage in sports of some kind and make it fun and productive, but suggests investing in beautiful sports clothes which will make you look and feel good. H

The Metaverse

(MV) is Set to Change the Way We Learn

Not only in healthcare and business, but the metaverse will leapfrog the current monotonous education model into a new experiential form of learning. HEALTH speaks with Tom Crombie, education expert, who explains how the metaverse is set to deliver a more interactive and higher quality learning experience to students.

How MV will transform the

education

sector in the future

The ability to harness the metaverse to open multiple realities through which pupils can experience learning from the comfort of a single location will transform the learner experience, says Crombie. “It will also facilitate the exchange of culture and information as students and teachers from different parts of the world will be able to collaborate and learn together in the metaverse,” he says. “The boundaries will be removed, and people in remote areas will also be able to access education.” In short, the metaverse will create a whole new world when it comes to education and it will continue to provide incredible opportunities to make learning more personalized, creative, and immersive for pupils in the future. As technology continues to advance and becomes more sophisticated, how we educate pupils and prepare teachers to meet these new opportunities also needs to accelerate, he says.

Implementation in the education sector

According to Crombie, we have already seen the metaverse being used in the education sector through augmented and virtual reality

technology. “In the Middle East, and particularly in the UAE, we have seen Dubai lead the adoption of innovative technologies such as AI, VR, and more to become the hub of innovation,” he says, with the recent launch of the metaverse assembly aimed to make Dubai a hub of metaverse. He adds, “This is a great example of how governments can pave the way for implementation of such technologies and suggestions in both the public and private sector.” However, in other regions, the implementation is more likely to be driven by private sector institutions, developers, and innovators, as ambitious governments will build educational policy which includes metaverse implementation, as well as ensuring regulatory oversight.

The UAE and Dubai‘s commendable efforts in this area would serve as an example to other countries when developing and implementing innovative strategies in the education sector. “Dubai has always been, and always will be, a pioneer when it comes to innovation,” he says, “it is testament to this on the day of the Metaverse Assembly that global leaders had come together to meet, discuss and drive the metaverse agenda.” H

The role of government in accelerating adoption of innovation in technology

Emirati in the Spotlight: Omar Ibrahim Belselah

Background

With fencing in his genes, 17-year-old Emirati Omar Ibrahim Belselah’s father Ibrahim Belselah was a member of the UAE Fencing Federation when it was first established. His mother Hala Belselah was the first UAE Epee Champion, a title she held on multiple occasions as well as the first UAE female fencing athlete to represent the country and deliver medals in regional events. His older brother Khalid Belselah is also an elite Epee fencing athlete who has been UAE FIE Ranked NO1 in both U17 & U20 age categories multiple times and has been representing the UAE in regional and international events since 2014, including four World Championships.

Omar Belselah one days aspires to showcase the UAE national homegrown youth potential.

HEALTH magazine met with Belselah to learn more about his passion for fencing and his future plans.

It has been quite a journey since 2011 when at the age of seven, Belselah first stepped onto a fencing piste. A journey with many ups and downs, countless hours dedicated to this sport including full days taken up on weekends for events and camps and family holiday travel plans being chosen specifically to accommodate regional as well as international events and camps.

Many sacrifices were made as fencing always had be placed first, above many of the social activities that children would normally be doing, including juggling, and maintaining a very demanding and rigorous academic curriculum at Dubai College.

Q. What was the reason you joined fencing and how long did it take for you to reach the level you are at right now?

As my mother was a UAE national champion in fencing, from a young age, I had always looked up to the sport and this sparked my interest in fencing. At age seven, I had first

stepped into the fencing hall, and have been dedicated to the sport for 11 years which has resulted in my current achievements and level in the sport.

Q. What is your training routine?

My routine consists of training five times a week, three hours a day. A normal training session usually begins with fencing based drills and exercises, in order to improve my accuracy, speed, and reaction times. This is then followed with specific one on one training with my coach and sparring with my teammates. Every session ends with a cool down and specific stretching for recovery purposes.

Q. What is the most challenging part of fencing?

Balancing my dedication to the sport and other important aspects of my life such as my education has been the most challenging part of fencing. This is due to both aspects requiring large amounts of time dedicated to it, therefore resulting in the need to be organized and plan ahead in order to keep a healthy balance.

Q. You have been nominated to represent the UAE at the Summer Olympics 2024 in Paris. How do you feel about being the youngest representing the UAE at The Olympics?

Having represented my country in numerous international stages such as the World and Asian

Championships, followed by Arab and GCC cups, being nominated as the youngest player on the UAE fencing Olympic team is a great honor and I look forward to making my country proud.

Q. How strenuous is fencing and what are your key fitness activities that align with your sport?

Being a one on one sport, fencing requires good cardio and stamina, focus, strength and fast reaction times. As a result, key fitness activities I take part in consist of agility training, fencing specific fitness exercises (such as target practice and footwork) and weight training for strength.

Q. Do you follow a specific diet?

I have not followed any specific diets or meal plans, however, my diet has always been healthy, made up of the balanced foods, including protein, carbohydrates, and necessary fats required in order to maintain my physicality. I avoid processed foods and drinks to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Q. What is the key driver behind your grit and determination?

Dedication and hours spent towards any sport will lead to

results and the ability to get to the professional level. Fencing alongside my older brother has always driven my motivation, as a competitive atmosphere has always been held between us during training. In addition to this, having been the youngest member on the national team for several years, I have always trained with athletes older and generally more physically developed than me. This has led to an increased mental drive to perform above others. Another one of my great aspirations to be a highly competitive athlete comes from our leader High Highness Sheikh Mohamed and his encouragement and support of athletes.

Q. Who do you credit for being your most staunch supporter? My direct family including my parents and older brother have consistently been my most staunch supporters as they are always present during my competitions and are always offering advice. Also, my fencing coach has been with me since day one, always ready to provide me with support when I require it. H

Dining Out

Blue Seafood Asia

The interiors are fully in theme with the concept as a swanky, upmarket venue with live entertainment, from the moment you step in, there is a fresh fish display with sea bass, lobster, red snapper, and more, to be cooked to your preference. We experienced their unlimited Azure Brunch, which is served to the table and includes sushi, salads, raw bar, hot appetizers, mains, and desserts. There were three kinds of fresh sushi served—the cheese avocado roll, the shrimp tempura, and the California roll, alongside a platter of fresh salmon and tuna nigiri. There is also fish carpaccio, served with a black netting and was delicately flavored, while the mix Wakame

salad we reordered multiple times was delicious, with a goma sesame dressing, mixed lettuce, seaweed, kombu pickled red radish, and green apple. There is a dim sum basket which included crystal veg dumplings and beef truffle dumplings; served with three delectable dipping sauces. There are some diverse hot appetizers, also; the platter included Charsiu spring rolls with sweet chilli sauce, mint and coriander, prawn on lemongrass satay topped with a heady peanut sauce, and crispy tofu balls with sweet bean glaze, and armesan furikake, sesame seeds, and spring onion. Also, the prawn sumai served with a sweet chilli sauce was loaded in flavor, while the spring rolls were superb. The prawn nori tempura with Thai mayonnaise, and finally, a family favorite—chicken satay with a Thai peanut sauce was especially delicious.

The mains are sharing style, so we tucked into fish in Thai green curry, which was soulful and creamy, perfectly fitting with the steamed jasmine rice. We also enjoyed the Singaporean chili prawns, served with fried buns and a delectable spicy sauce.

The three sides included kimchi fried rice, crispy baby potato, and grilled sweet corn. There were three desserts, including the chocolate mousse, the fresh fruits and sorbet, and my favorite, the mango tiramisu, which took me back to my childhood.

Visit: Blue Seafood restaurant, Burj Daman Tower, DIFC Phone: 04 239 8032

A pan Asian brunch experience, an authentic Armenian lunch, and an unparalleled authentic Japanese dining experience.

Batchig, Dubai

Following the success of Batchig’s branches in Yerevan, Lebanon, and Riyadh, this venue is unique to Dubai as it offers homestyle Armenian and Lebanese cooking. The menu offers an array of Armenian Lebanese specialties and is now making Armenian mezze popular in Dubai.

The menu is divided between salads, cold mezze, hot mezze, mains and desserts with a very Armenian ambiance with plates on the walls and a gorgeous al fresco seating area to enjoy the views. From the cold starters, some standouts included Itch; a classic vegan Armenian salad made

of bulgur wheat and tomatoes, Mouhammara, though a favorite for us, this was served differently in small bundles with an oilive oil dip, then the Vospov Keufte, the Armentina lentil kebbe topped with tomato and onion salad, then our favorite from these, Batchig’s Tajen; a fish filled sesame paste with black raisins, that had a mild, but heady flavor. The Bosterma was another classic Armenian dish we enjoyed with its moreish Armenian smoked beef slices. From the hot mezze, the batata harira is always a favorite, in addition to the Batchig fried sticks; with basturma and cheese with labneh and black olives.

From the mains, we enjoyed Sojouk, a pot with fresh tomatoes and bell peppers, and the kebob karaz, also known as cherry kebabs, a mixture of spiced ground meat with spices, onion and parsley that is cooked, then simmered again in a tangy, sweet and slightly sour cherry sauce. And finally, Batchig’s feast—a mixed platter of shish tawouk, lamb chops, and kebobs.

After all of this, we barely had room for dessert, but the Armenian and Lebanese classics looked too good to miss; so we loved the classic Armenian Tahinov Hats, a mouth-watering cinnamon and tahini pastry baked in the oven served with vanilla ice-cream. Then the classic Aish El Saray was another treat, with caramelized breadcrumbs, topped with fresh ashteh and sliced pistachios.

Visit: Batchig- Dubai Mirdif, Millennium Place Mirdif Phone: 04 605 7777

Matsuri Brunch at Gonpachi

The iconic Tokyo-based Kill Bill Restaurant has finally made its way to Dubai, particularly famous for its scene in Quentin Tarantino’s 2004 film Kill Bill. This slick upmarket Japanese restaurant serves an authentic Japanese brunch on Saturdays, with a selection of starters, choice of mains, and desserts, with plenty of mocktails and mojitos.

With upbeat music, wooden tables, granite floors, and high ceilings, large artwork and open kitchen, the first starters included salty and spicy edamame, followed by Kinoko salad which

we ordered twice and loved, with the sesame sauce, and dried mushrooms. The Yellowtail jalapenos was raw, and very fresh. Then the assortment of tempura, with asparagus, eggplant, and mushrooms, served with ginger and soy sauce, which we mixed and enjoyed. Then the crunchy popcorn shrimp, which was our favorite and then the robata skewer, which was teriyaki on skewers. The sushi platter was served molecular gastronomy style on a large wooden boat, with tuna and salmon nigiri as well as fresh sushi.

The showstopper was the famous Japanese delicacy Unangi Meshi which was made in front of us, which translates as hot rice with grilled eel served in a clay bowl with the broth and sauces poured atop the rice with the delicate eel on top,

Our desserts were light, starting with the unique pumpkin zenzai, a milky pudding with red beans, topped with vanilla ice-cream; the soft chocolaty brownie topped with ice- cream, and the seasonal fruits platter on ice which rounded our experience very nicely.

Visit: Gonpachi Dubai Phone: 04 379 1380

Ask the Experts

Teenager with constipation

Question: My teenage daughter has issues with constipation. Please suggest some dietary solutions to avoid this from happening.

Fahmida Jafri, Dietician and Head of Nutrition responds, “Constipation is a common problem in teenagers, owing to their dietary habits which includes foods rich in refined sources and lack of sufficient water intake. Fiber or roughage in the diet helps to regularize bowel movement. Consumption of foods containing insoluble fibers such as leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds as well as whole grains can help alleviate constipation. Fruits and vegetables help form soft and bulky stool. Plenty of fluids must be a part of one’s diet and be sure to include vegetable soups, fruit shakes and plain water copiously in daily diet. Replace refine breads, processed foods and high fat meats with whole grains, dried fruits, nuts, and dried beans to help resolve the constipation. Moreover, increase activity levels though gentle exercises and regular short walks. And limit caffeinated foods.”

The link between chocolate and acne

Q. Is there a link between chocolate and acne? As an adult, every time I eat chocolate, I get pimples. Please explain.

Melissa Mathias, R.D, C.D.E, Clinical Dietitian responds, “Is it the milk or sugar or cocoa in chocolate that is linked to acne? These associations have been studied for decades, however, unfortunately we still do not have a clear answer due to lack of large studies. Some small studies concluded that chocolate exacerbate acne in men with acneprone skin through mechanisms like increasing inflammation and promoting bacterial colonization. Whereas other studies concluded that there is no link between chocolate and acne and that more studies are required to confirm if there is a link. There is compelling evidence showing that high glycemic load diets may exacerbate acne. Hence, moderation is the key. If you’re going to have a chocolate, choose dark chocolate. Additionally, it would be worth reviewing the intake of other sugary foods in the diet throughout the day.”

From pediatric questions to general medical queries, our panel of experts is here to answer your questions.

Diabetic neuropathy

Question: What are the hidden signs of diabetic neuropathy in the foot?

Dr. Vittorio Iantorno, Consultant Neurosurgeon responds, “The UAE has one of the world’s highest prevalence rates of diabetes at 16 to 18 percent. In addition, approximately 40.7 percent of adults (aged 20 to 79 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus are unaware that they have the condition. Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy in the world. Early diagnosis is important as diabetic neuropathy can damage any nerve in the human body. Diabetic skin lesions are also the major cause of foot amputation. This condition can worsen over time and lead to more serious complications if a person does not get treatment for their diabetes. As 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes are suffering from diabetic neuropathies, neuropathy may be present even before diagnosing diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy symptomatology includes numbness, loss of feeling or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes mainly hands and feet. Tingling or burning sensation and dull ache mainly hands and feet; sharp/ electric shock type pain, pin prick sensation or cramps; increased sensitivity to touch, for some people, even a bedsheet’s weight can be painful, and/or palsies, disorders of speech and failure of cerebral nerves.”

SHARJAH

We serve healthy food & promote local farming...

The vision of Healthy Farm Eatery is to provide the best possible eating experience for its customers, with fresh ingredients sourced from farms in the UAE . We strive to provide fresh, healthy, and nutritious food in a relaxed and friendly environment. We source most of our ingredients from local, organic farms ensuring their customers are always enjoying fresh, quality produce.

Their goal is to create a place where people can go to relax and enjoy healthy food without feeling guilty about it.

Chef Luca personally sources fresh ingredients from farms in the UAE and has even started to grow his own vegetables on his farm. He believes that this is one way he can help people live happier and healthier lives. He also gets involved with his community by participating in UAE's vision for food security and reducing food miles (which means less pollution).

At Healthy Farm Eatery, we believe in the power of local farm produce. That's why we personally source all of our ingredients from farms in the UAE. We love knowing that our customers are supporting their local farmers and that they're getting access to fresh, healthy food that hasn't been shipped from across the globe. We also believe in a healthy lifestyle—and we understand how important it is for your diet to be personalized for your unique eating habits and health needs. That's why our dishes are prepared with your individual health goals in mind.

We know that eating out can be intimidating if you're trying to stick to a certain diet or avoid certain foods. For those of us who have special dietary needs, it can feel like restaurants are out to get us—but at Healthy Farm Eatery, we have a chef whose passion is helping people cook delicious food that fits their personal health needs. Chef Luca is committed to making sure every customer feels welcome and comfortable at Healthy Farm Eatery; he wants them to know that he cares about their welfare as much as they do!

Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Health Regulation Sector, MoHAP felicitated by Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President for the support given to Thumbay Group and celebrating the occasion of completing 25 years of operations in UAE.

Body and Soul Health Club & Spa has been re-launched with a new look and feel as a part of its growth plans to make it the best family health club in the emirate with plenty of both outdoor and indoor sport activities.

Six colleges under the aegis of Gulf Medical University welcomed their new batch of students through a White Coat Ceremony.

Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President, Thumbay Group, conducted a successful talk at the GITEX 2022 with the launch of UAE’s first hospital on the Metaverse.

His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, granted an audience to Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group, as the firm celebrated 25 years of its excellence in the region.

Thumbay Hospital Ajman celebrated 20 years of its commitment to redefining healthcare services in the country-which has been one of the biggest success stories in the private health education sector.

Thumbay Hospital Fujairah organized a ‘Department Carnival’ to award the staff members and business divisions for their glorious contribution to the Group.

To

Gulf Medical University’s College of Nursing collaborated with Emirates Health Services to organise Preceptorship Development Program among 250 senior nurses.

mark the month of World Diabetes Day, Thumbay University Hospital launched the diabets clinic initiative to provide free screening and raise awareness on the chronic disease.

Department of Medical Laboratory Science of Gulf Medical University's College of Health Sciences welcomed and inducted new students organizing an orientation program.

Mr.Zamnako Yaseen Kadir and his delegation met Dr. Thumbay Moideen, founder president, Thumbay Group at the Thumbay Medicity.

Gulf Medical University’s College of Dentistry signed an memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Appolonia World ‘A healthy smile needs good Dental Care’

Gulf Medical University marked the Pink October by organizing a Breast Cancer Awareness Event at Ajman campus in association with the Pakistan Embassy.

Pink W RRIORS

HEALTH magazine led Pink Warriors Event brought together high-profile speakers and experts in the field of healthcare from the UAE. The chief guest of the event, Marwa Hashim Malik Al Balooshi, Head of Medical Training Section, Dubai Healthcare Authority launched the special edition supplement of Health magazine on Breast Cancer Awareness.