Of Back-pain and Petai

It has been quite some times since I last logged in my own writings in this blog.

It’s not that I didn’t have anything to write, though. It’s just that I was too lazy to write anything.

So, let me start with this painful and irritating back ache that I had for the past few weeks. I don’t remember how it started... but probably some times during the first few days of Ramadhan. At first, it was ok... I was able to instruct my body, and mind, to ignore it.

The pain got worse after the Eid celebration (it a bit redundant, isn’t it because Eid also means celebration)... with all the lemang, rendangs, ketupats, an occasional carbo-drinks....

It got even worse when I had to attend the meeting with our business partners. It’s not actually a meeting, though. We were showcasing the new lines of product and our business plans for the next 6 months. So, most of us had to stand up because the chairs in the room were only meant for the guest.

Well for me, the pain was still manageable... but when the spasms hit... hehehe, then you’ll know how painful it was. I had to stay stationary for about 10-20 seconds because it was so painful to move.

I remember 1-2 years ago when the worst of my back pains hit me. I was just finishing my morning shower and was bending down to take the ablution for the Fajr prayer. Then, suddenly I felt it in my lower back.... but it was still bearable. So, I went to work as usual. But in a few hours after that, the pain got worse.... I couldn’t walk straight and it was a labour for me to get into the car to go home. When I got home, I couldn’t climb the stairs to the 2nd floor of our house because each time I raised my legs the pain would hit me like, well, hell.

Then, came the spasms. My family was actually at the receiving end of my tirades.... I pity them, but what could I do.... I was in so much pain. Well, actually, I don’t think I can tell this story further without any derogatory remarks....so, I should stop here, shouldn’t I?

I figured that there’s too much gas (angin) and toxic in my circulation, coupled with my weight and my belly, of course. That didn’t do my back any favour.... and from time to time, I also had to carry Apit... especially during the fasting month (he didn’t fast but when nobody else was eating, he ate less and grew tired easily).

So, my wife and I thought that we have to find something that could dispose off some of the gas and toxic from my system.

The answer was PETAI (Parkia speciosa). We found some in the Karama market. My wife cooked them with some prawns (sambal udang petai)... I also ate them raw as “ulam”s. The results... hehehe....need I say more....?

The only negative thing is that it smells, and it will make your breath and you flatulent smell bad as well.... and you will incur the ire of the cleaning guy/lady at your office toilet.... hahahaha.

Now my back is getting better. At least the spasms are gone now.... But I know that I have to start exercising now.... I have not been feeling great for a few months now.... I figure that if I can reduce my weight by 1kg every month, I’ll be 10kg lighter before my next birthday. Here's hoping......

Before I end this entry, let me share some benefits of the petai from a Prof in UKM. I'm not sure if there're really true scientific studies done but it's interesting to know and it doesn't hurt to try, does it?

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Interesting Facts about PETAI (PETE)

Little did you know..... after reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at petai
in the same way again!

Petai contain three natural sugars -sucrose, fructose and glucose - combined with fiber, petai gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proved that just two servings of petai provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder petai is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way petai can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND among people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating petai. This is because petai contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS (premenstrual syndrome): Forget the pills - eat petai. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, petai can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the petai industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating petai at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including petai in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a petai milk shake, sweetened with honey. The petai calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Petai has a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating petai for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on petai between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of the petai skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Petai is high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. Overweight Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: Petai is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see petai as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Holland, for example, pregnant women eat petai to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Petai can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.

Smoking: Petai can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium petai snack.

Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating petai as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%".

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of petai and place it on the wart. Carefully hold the petai in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, you see, petai really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe it’s time to change that well-known phrase so that we say,

"A Petai a day keeps the doctor away".

PM Dr.Aminuddin AHK
Dept. of Physiology
Medical faculty of UKM
Kuala Lumpur
Tel:6(03)40405157
fax:6(03)26939687

Side effect: This fruit give bad breath and smelly stomach gases