Arden Endocrinology Specialist Clinic

18/07/2025

Supporters of all meat diets often highlight discrete results in reducing weight, stabilising blood sugars and even improving autoimmune symptoms. However, very often, these effects are short lived and its benefits not backed by long-term studies.
Meat contains no carbohydrates but also very little dietary fibre. Although reducing carbohydrates may help with weight loss, the absence of fibre can potentially affect Microbiota balance. You may not be suitable for all individuals especially dose suffering from gout, kidney and other medical issues. Please discuss with your doctor before undertaking such extreme diets.
Dr Ben's comments in the local newspaper

05/03/2025

For people with gastric issues, can we still fast on the month of Ramadan?
An article written by Dr Ben on this issue published recently.

14/11/2024

Ending World Diabetes Day (WDD) 2024 in MediaCorp with Daniel Martin for the evening show 'Health Matters' on 938. It's always a busy day for WDD with an earlier radio show on 987 with Gerald Koh and one lecture and presentation in the afternoon. A pleasure to do my part in promoting awareness of this disease

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/listen/health-matters/keeping-well-while-living-diabetes-4748386

14/11/2024

It's World Diabetes Day 14th November 2024. Let's all take a minute to create more diabetes awareness in our family friends and community. Diabetes can be a devastating disease but many of its complications can be prevented and risk reduced through dietary, lifestyle and medical therapy. My thoughts on SMCP on this issue today

On World Diabetes Day, we talk to experts about the causes, symptoms and treatment of type 1 and 2 diabetes, and changes that can help.

11/10/2024

The usage of real-time continuous blood glucose monitoring has revolutionised the management of diabetes. Without conventional methods of finger picking, patients are now able to track down blood sugar levels nearly in real time and adjust the diet and lifestyle to improve your blood sugar levels.
Dr Ben Ng's comments in the local SHIN MIN daily.

23/09/2024

Is plant-based meat healthy?
At the present time, the data in the long-term remains unclear.
Though it can be a potential substitute for people preferring a more vegetarian option, it is important to incorporate these alternatives into a very diet rather than depending on them exclusively.
Dr Ben and start on the issue published on TODAY online

SINGAPORE — At some supermarkets, plant-based “meat” products are getting more shelf space or even an entire section of a fridge, unlike what it was a decade ago.

07/08/2024

There has been quite a bit of controversy recently on testosterone levels in women on the news.
Not to comment directly on issues specific to individual cases, but hormonal imbalances namely raised testosterone levels can affect 5-10% women in varying degrees. Most present with mild symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, acne and balding but some more severe cases can result in more significant problems such as infertility, increased muscle mass and diabetes.
Consultant endocrinologist Ben Ng interview and thoughts on this issues on Daily Cuts on 938

The controversy surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif’s rare s*x development condition has sparked fierce debate over gender and has, more crucially, led to a wildfire of misinformation about her eligibility to compete as a woman. On Asia First, Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman ask Dr Ben Ng, End...

04/06/2024

My thoughts on body contouring and metabolic surgery published in this article.
Body contouring surgery is useful in helping individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight remove excess skin. This is an excellent article in the local newspaper showing the benefits of body contouring in such an individual. Excess skin can interfere with daily activities, affect self-esteem and cause problems with hygiene.
However, for individuals who are seeking to improve metabolic health and obesity (i.e. reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis), bariatric surgery is the optimal method of choice. Body contouring procedures are not a treatment for obesity and not a weight loss method for health purposes.

SINGAPORE — When Mr Bernard Sim shed a third of his 160kg frame within a year after bariatric surgery, he was thrilled and for the first time, experienced what it was like to be able to move “quickly” when he returns to his walk-up apartment.

23/05/2024

Adopting a plant-based diet has been shown to be associated with better heart health, a better digestive system and a lower risk of diabetes. Plant-based eating patterns focus on food primarily from plans. This includes not only fruits and vegetables but also nuts, beans, whole grains and oils. Adopting these diet trend does not mean that you are vegetarian or vegan or never eat meat or dairy. Rather, this simply means that you are proportionately choosing more of your foods from plant sources.
However, how about the newer processed versions non meat options such as plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA)?
A recent study however indicated that plant-based meat substitutes (processed meat alternatives) may not confer the health benefits that we were hoping for but in fact, may potentially raise blood sugars in individuals who have diabetes.
My comments on this study below

The team is the first in Asia to study the impact of meat-based versus plant-based meat analogue diets. Read more at straitstimes.com.

11/12/2023

We all tend to put on a little weight in the middle as we hit our 40s. But is this preventable? My thoughts and comments on this issue on CNA lifestyle.

Welcome to your middle age, where everything either hurts, bloats, tires or causes you to put on weight. The question is, how do you lose the extra weight when jogging doesn't seem to work and just a potato chip is enough to add kilos on you?

06/12/2023

An interesting session on 'Talking Point' on CNA. This time, speaking about endocrine disruptors. Chemicals such as BPA are in many of out household items. The long term effects of these chemicals are discussed on this episode

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_tK1UhGpic

02/11/2023

People who have diabetes often experience increased stress and have higher rates of depression. It is important as family members, friends and the community to understand the struggles of individuals with diabetes and how we can support them better. My thoughts on this in the local chinese paper

糖尿病是需要终身护理的慢性疾病。人们在谈到糖尿病时，专注的多是治疗方法与长期的血糖控制，患者的心理健康往往较少受到关切。让我们从受访病患的亲身经历，了解如何关注患者情绪。