Limit intake of transfats to stay healthy: Dr Sushil

Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, July 29: In addition to the belief as when to eat what to eat still largely determines the state of being healthy and the malefic consequences of not following the strict diet regimen,” said Dr. Sushil Sharma, (HOD Cardiology GMCH & SSH Jammu) while conducting a day long camp at Lower  Gadi garh area of Jammu City as a part of his awareness drive wherein today he stressed on the havoc caused due to the intake of trans fatty acids on individual health and their role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases.
Accompanied by a team of young doctors, paramedics and volunteers, Dr Sushil examined people of the area for prevalence of cardiac diseases and other health ailments. More than 250 people were screened. They were thoroughly evaluated, diagnosed and free medicines were given as per the requirement
While interacting with the residents of the locality Dr Sushil highlighted that low intake of trans fatty acids is the first step towards the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Trans fatty acids are fatty acids produced by the partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils. Margarine, baking products, fried food and dairy products represent the most important dietary sources of these particular types of fatty acids. It has been established that the acids are able to determine a significant increase of the low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and, at the same time, a decrease of the high density lipoprotein-cholesterol”, he said. Furthermore, their unfavourable effect on atherosclerosis has been ascribed to their effects on the inflammatory pathway, through the increase of the concentration of some inflammatory cytokines. “Accordingly, these two aspects reflect a great raise of the relative risk of coronary arterial disease in the population with a higher introduction of trans fatty acids, and it has been also established that their capacity to modify the normal evolution of the coronary arterial disease is more dramatic than that produced. It has also been observed in numerous scientific findings that a significant proportion of adolescents does not follow the nutritional recommendations for intake of transfatty acids thereby increasing their risk for cardiovascular diseases,” he added.
Others who were part of this humane effort included Dr. Dhaneshwar Kapoor and Dr Kewal Sharma. Paramedics and volunteers, who were part of the team, included Vikas Kumar, Akshay Kumar, Gourav Sharma, Nitish Gupta, Ankush Kohli, Vikas Sabharwal, Amandeep Singh, Harvinder Singh, Aman Gupta,Suresh Sabharwal, Raj Kumar, Raghav Rajput and Kamal Kishore.