Overall poor lifestyle adds to disease risk, say doctors

Cooking oil does not contain cholesterol. The statement could come as a surprise, given the popular notion that consuming food fried in the oil increases the risk of heart diseases.

“Most of the oilseeds come from plants that do not generate cholesterol,” said Sheela Krishnaswamy, a registered dietitian and consultant, pointing out that poor lifestyle adds to the risk of diseases.

Krishnaswamy, who spoke at the third edition of the National Health Writers and Editors convention held recently in Lonavala, in the Pune district of Maharashtra, also shared a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 2013 among people working in the corporate sector, which revealed that they are prone to diseases due to poor lifestyle.

The study, conducted by nutritionists in all major cities, including Bangalore, found high body fat among 74 per cent professionals. More than 40 per cent of them had high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR).

Nearly 58 per cent of corporate-sector employees who took part in the study had no exercise regime.

While 58 per cent were smokers, 55 per cent had poor health and 22 per cent had high stress levels.

Krishnaswamy said the number of people with hypertension in India was just 2 per cent a decade ago, but it has jumped to 25 per cent now.

The study also revealed that there are 6.24 crore Indians suffering from diabetes, and the figure is expected to increase further.  Lifestyle changes, high calorie intake — especially due to eating out — lack of exercise and longer commute time have led to falling health among corporate employees, said Krishnaswamy.

Reduce carbohydrates

She suggested an increase in intake of fruits and vegetables and reduction of oil and carbohydrates by 20 per cent to remain healthy.

Speaking at the convention, International Diabetes Federation president-elect Dr S M Sadikot said diabetes is a growing menace among youngsters.

“Measuring thyroid levels and keeping a tab on waist circumference can help them. High waist circumference increases the risk of diabetes as well as cardiovascular diseases,” he added.

Fortis Escorts Heart Institute chairman Dr Ashok Seth highlighted the increasing instances of heart attacks among women, and said one in nine women between the ages of 45 and 65 had coronary artery diseases (CAD). 

Speakers also pointed out that Indians boil oil more than five times, which increases free radicals that cause ageing, while overheating milk divests it of its nutrients.

Mumbai-based paediatrician and neonatologist Dr Kalpesh Date said heating cows' milk helped prevent contracting diseases the cow may have had. Reheating is now not required, since boiling the milk is part of the pasteurisation process.