Are birdnests really healthy?

Article from The Star

WHILE the consumption of birds' nests has riled some and is misunderstood by others, the Chinese swear by the health properties of these nests created by swiftlets.

A gelatinous bowl of double-boiled birds' nests is believed to slow ageing, improve the complexion, cure coughs, and even improve your sex drive!

Are birds' nests really healthy or are they merely a status symbol prized by the Chinese – all the way since the Tang Dynasty (618CE-907CE), by the way.

"Extracts of birds' nests were found to have a direct stimulating effect on cell renewing and regeneration. They may also slow down the ageing process," says Dr Christopher Lim, kidney specialist, Universiti Putra Malaysia associate professor, and swiftlet farmer.

In Chinese traditional medicine, bird's nest is recommended for a dry, heaty, chronic cough with blood stained phlegm. – File photo courtesy of Eu Yan Sang

Research conducted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong has discovered that the soluble glycol protein and amino acids (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, praline, theonine, and valine) in the saliva the swiftlets use to construct their nests could strengthen the human immune system and promote good skin.

One of the major components of the carbohydrates found in the saliva is sialic acid. It has been found that exogenous (originating outside the body) sources of sialic acid may contribute to neurological and intellectual advantages in infants.

The birds' saliva also contains glucosamine, a substance that reportedly protects joints from degenerating.

Researchers at the University of Shizuoka in Japan have discovered that extracts from edible bird nests contain anti-flu properties.

Elderly people believe that cave nests are better as it takes up to three hours to double boil them while nests farmed in houses or other manmade structures take only 30 minutes. Dr Lim has a different view, though.

"If the proteins take three hours of double boiling to break down, they might not be easily digested in the human body," he says. "Furthermore, cave nests have a higher sodium and mineral content, which may be unsuitable for those with high blood pressure, kidney stones, or thalassemia.

"Birds' nests are one of the most nutritious organic foods available and are absolutely halal," he adds.
■ Some information sourced from ‘Make Millions from Swiftlet Farming: A Definitive Guide' by Dr Christopher Lim.

Are they really healthy?

August 23, 2009
Are they really healthy?
WHILE the consumption of birds' nests has riled some and is misunderstood by others, the Chinese swear by the health properties of these nests created by swiftlets.
A gelatinous bowl of double-boiled birds' nests is believed to slow ageing, improve the complexion, cure coughs, and even improve your sex drive!
Are birds' nests really healthy or are they merely a status symbol prized by the Chinese – all the way since the Tang Dynasty (618CE-907CE), by the way.
"Extracts of birds' nests were found to have a direct stimulating effect on cell renewing and regeneration. They may also slow down the ageing process," says Dr Christopher Lim, kidney specialist, Universiti Putra Malaysia associate professor, and swiftlet farmer.
In Chinese traditional medicine, bird's nest is recommended for a dry, heaty, chronic cough with blood stained phlegm. – File photo courtesy of Eu Yan Sang
Research conducted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong has discovered that the soluble glycol protein and amino acids (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, praline, theonine, and valine) in the saliva the swiftlets use to construct their nests could strengthen the human immune system and promote good skin.
One of the major components of the carbohydrates found in the saliva is sialic acid. It has been found that exogenous (originating outside the body) sources of sialic acid may contribute to neurological and intellectual advantages in infants.
The birds' saliva also contains glucosamine, a substance that reportedly protects joints from degenerating.

Researchers at the University of Shizuoka in Japan have discovered that extracts from edible bird nests contain anti-flu properties.
Elderly people believe that cave nests are better as it takes up to three hours to double boil them while nests farmed in houses or other manmade structures take only 30 minutes. Dr Lim has a different view, though.
"If the proteins take three hours of double boiling to break down, they might not be easily digested in the human body," he says. "Furthermore, cave nests have a higher sodium and mineral content, which may be unsuitable for those with high blood pressure, kidney stones, or thalassemia.
"Birds' nests are one of the most nutritious organic foods available and are absolutely halal," he adds.
■ Some information sourced from ‘Make Millions from Swiftlet Farming: A Definitive Guide' by Dr Christopher Lim.

Segamat DO Dismantles Swiftlet Farm

China Press reported that enforcement officers from the Segamat district council had dismantled 100 sets of loudspeakers which were used to attract swiftlets in a 20-storey building, following a court order.

Residents living near the building in the town area had often complained about the noise from the building.

Apparently, three swiftlet farming operators had been using the building to breed swiftlets which are prized for their nests.

The paper quoted council secretary Mustaffa Kamal Shamsuddin as saying the council faced difficulty in acting against swiflet farming because although the state government had banned it, the federal government continued to issue permits.

Eco-park concept finds takers in bird’s nest business

By AUSTIN CAMOENS

Popular industry: A swiftlet nesting in a house at Swiflet Eco Park in Manjung, Perak.
JOHOR BARU: Chin Yew Fatt, 61, is convinced of the potential in the bird’s nest industry, and has decided to give it a go after attending a seminar here on Saturday.

Chin, who works in the oil and gas industry, said he became keen upon hearing about the industry’s growth over the past 10 years.

“There is a lot of potential here in harvesting bird’s nests, and the eco-park concept is a good idea,” he said.

He was among 50 people who turned up for the Swiftlet Eco Park and Bio Desaru Organic Food Valley Cultivation and Processing Seminar organised by Swiftlet Eco Park Sdn Bhd.
Seow Chin Leng, 47, has been observing the industry for many years and waiting for the right time and project to invest in.

How: Hopes her business will be successful
“I believe the eco-park will provide a well-managed and professional solution for the bird’s nest business,” said the land surveyor.

Meanwhile, Olivia How, in her 30s, said she heard a lot about this business venture from her friends.

“My friends are in it, and many of them told me it is a lucrative business,” she said.
Swiftlet Eco Park executive director Eric P.S. Shak said the seminar was organised to give insight into the industry.

He said the company had been operating an eco-park in Perak and nine other parks would open soon around the country.

“People who lived near swiftlet nests complained about the smell and noise.
“With the eco-parks situated away from residential areas, there will be no more complaints,” he said.

Rearing swiftlets as agriculture: Mukhriz

NST
2009/08/15


KULIM, Sat: Rearing of swiftlets should be made one of the industries in the country's agriculture sector because of its lucrative income, Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukriz Mahathir said today.

He said the technology in the rearing of swiftlets had changed and that the bird could be bred using the hatchery process and then reared for its nests.

Speaking to reporters after opening an association for agriculture and agro-based industry entrepreneurs and a swiftlet rearing project here, he said such a project was being carried out by the association at Kampung Sungai Tengas, near here.

Some 8,000 birds were being reared in the project and when fully operational was expected to yield an income of RM120,000 a month, he added. -- BERNAMA

Housing for the birds

By RASLAN BAHAROM

A single storey low-cost unit turned into triple storey swift hotel is causing anxiety among residents in Kuala Sepetang.

A FISHMONGER and his 80-year-old father have moved out of their home following the arrival of swiftlets which have built their nests next to their low-cost house in Kuala Sepetang, Perak.
Beh Ah Keong (pic) and his father are believed to be the first residents in Malaysia to have moved out of their house due to swiflet problem.

A single storey low-cost unit turned into triple storey swift hotel is causing anxiety among residents in Kuala Sepetang.

Perak has been listed as having the biggest production of swiftlet nest.
According to Beh, he decided to move out when large cracks appeared on the walls and floors of his house in Aulong after a neighbouring unit was turned into a three-storey house for swiftlet nest farming.

“When it rains, water seeps through the cracks and floods my house. We cannot open the doors and windows for fear that the swiftlets will fly inside our home,” claimed Beh, 46.

He also alleged that fellow tenants in the low-cost housing scheme, which numbered about 55 units, were also facing noise pollution because of the swiftlets.

Commenting on the matter, Taiping Municipal Council president Omor Saad said the setting up of swiflet nests was prohibited in public housing schemes.
“My officers will investigate the matter,’’ he said.

The council may need a court decree to demolish the premises housing the swiftlets if the owner or operator was found to have violated the local building by-laws, he said.

In the meantime, Beh and his father are staying with friends and relatives while waiting for the outcome of the investigation.

Bird hotel owners told to be mindful

lNST
2009/08/03

By Sim Bak Heng

OWNERS of swiftlet hotels are advised to keep their premises clean and nuisance-free.

Batu Pahat Birds' Nest Traders' Association chairman Tan Teck Poh said this was to minimise the number of public complaints.

He was speaking at the recent launch of the association's website -- www.birdnestbp.org.

He urged swiflet hotel owners to instal a timing system at their premises to ensure that calls to attract swiftlets will automatically be switched off by 8pm.


He said there was no point playing the call after that time because swiftlets do not fly at night.

Tan said it was crucial for owners to establish a good rapport with their neighbours and be considerate about their feelings.

"For swiftlet hotels in old shophouses, the owners must renovate or clean up the buildings so that it does not become an eyesore.

"The birds' nest industry is growing rapidly with more demand coming from China.

"I would like to encourage breeders to venture into the China market," he said.

Tan said there are many swiftlet hotels in Batu Pahat town and any decision by the government to relocate the hotels will severely affect the industry. He said the birds like to dwell in populated areas and do not fly in the suburbs.

"I hope the government will continue to issue a licence to owners of swiftlet hotels in old shophouses," he added.