keemat may

Vol. 44 Issue No.3 Azad Maidan, Mahapalika Marg, Mumbai 400001

Sender: Consumer Guidance Society of India, Block J,

KEEMAT

Rs. 15

Value for Price, People and the Environment

The Consumer’s voice

May - June 2015

CGSI installs eco-friendly Solar Power Plant!

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM AT CGSI OFFICE A STEP TOWARDS CONTRIBUTING TO CLEAN POWER GENERATION, BADLY NEEDED BY OUR COUNTRY

Dr. M. S. Kamath, Hon. General Secretary, CGSI

KEEMAT: May – June 2015 2

We are pleased to inform that CGSI has successfully installed a 5 Kilowatt, power-generating system on our building at VT.

The project involves installation of Solar Panels (consisting of Photovoltaic cells) which draws its energy from the sun and

converts the same into Electric power, for use in exactly the same way as the conventional power available from the supplying Utility – in our case BEST.

Reasons for CGSI going for this installation:

It will reduce the energy cost CGSI has

to pay to the Utility supplying power to

us – envisaged to be approximately 40% of the present bill on a yearly average.

This system falls under the non-

conventional renewable Energy Generation Initiative supported by the Central as well as the state government.

CGSI, through this initiative, believes that this will become a model installation for all to see and emulate.

CGSI will do its utmost to propagate the

message of use of solar power to reduce the load on the conventional power plants using coal as the main input,

which create enormous environmental problems.

It adds to the Prime Minister’s efforts to

enhance the power generation capacity, very badly needed, in our country.

In addition, for such projects there is a

subsidy provision by Maharashtra Govt. and thereby reducing the overall capital cost incurred by the user.

Further, CGSI can depreciate 80% of the capital costs after the 1st year itself.

CGSI with active participation of the

Managing Committee Members completed the project in a short span of 3 weeks. We sincerely acknowledge the support of the

officials of the central government and the state government who supported us whole-heartedly in this endeavor.

Energy conservation is a national movement. Non-conventional energy production is an important part of such a drive, as it does not deplete natural resources like coal or Gas, normally used in generating energy. CGSI being a body, which guides and shows a path to people, is the right channel to promote this. A project of this nature will become an example, not only for individuals or private businesspersons but also for other Government / Semi Govt. Organizations to follow suit.

Healthy Diet – The Indian Scenario Dr. S. G. Bhat – Hon. Editor


A healthy diet can mean food consumed during the day by a person, which should be nutritious containing carbohydrates, proteins, oils and fats, vitamins and minerals. Before I touch upon the present scenario, let us examine the food consumed by Indians about 50 years ago. People staying in different regions in India were consuming cereals such as wheat, maize, rice, jowar, potatoes and tapioca as main ingredient, while vegetable oils like, coconut, ground nut, mustard, til, cotton seed from their regions were

used. The main source of proteins were from milk and milk products, oil seeds like til, ground nut, chana, mung, black gram, horse gram, and other pulses by the vegetarians while the non vegetarians consumed eggs, meat and fish. The vitamins and minerals source

was from vegetables, fruits, and common salt. The traditional break fast and snacks were idli, dosa, upma, phowa, and wadas. The processed food items were not so much consumed as of today. People were happy to consume these items, walked to the school and office nearby, and kept good health, and heart problems and diabetes were not common. Elite class of the population consumed ghee while others consumed Vanaspati, which is a cheap substitute of ghee for the poor. It was made by partial hydrogenation of only ground nut oil with addition of Vitamins A & D. CGSI detected high nickel content in Vanaspati and recommended ISI, now BIS, to include limit for nickel in

the Indian Standard Specification which was accepted. Let me now consider the present scenario of Healthy Diet cherished by the young generation of the youth. Majority are not much attracted to traditional idlis, dosa etc., made at home due to breaking of joint family tradition and couples employed have no time to cook at home and attracted to fast food and Junk foods, as also hotel food. This situation is prevalent

in Mumbai and may be applicable to other metro cities in India as well. The introduction of computer education, computer operation in offices, factories, and business has created employment of youth and their healthy diet is from hotels, tiffin delivery, street food, & canteen food. The food may be tasty due to excess of fats, spices and common salt, which is tasty to the tongue but may neither, be nutritive nor good for health and prone to obesity, which one can witness in cities in large numbers.

Vanaspati made by hydrogenation of mixture of vegetable oils has high content of trans fats, which is a health hazard and was banned for consumption long ago all over the world. CGSI had taken up the issue since several years and Govt. has now directed to limit trans fat to 10% by 2016. Vanaspati consumption can lead to obesity, CVD, and diabetes; hence, its consumption should be deleted in the healthy diet for the present generation. The food habits of young generation today with lucrative salaries

sit in front of computers during the working hours have changed, as they have to leave their home early and commute at least 2-3 hours per day by public transport. Many are unable to carry their lunch box from home and depend on street foods, even have tea

on the way to office to save time. Let us examine the street foods. No one can predict from where the food is cooked. It is likely to be from hutment dwellers or from chawls. Boiled potatoes are brought and peel removed on the footpath and smashed and the Wada is fried in used oils from restaurants. The Pav is brought from the bakery and badly stored and handled by naked unwashed hands and made it into Wada pav, which falls in the category of Junk foods. Tea on the footpath is made from water of questionable source and quality. The public even educated are not aware of health hazard by eating Junk foods. Best way is to create awareness is in

schoolchildren and this was done by members of CGSI addressing the children, who in turn were asking the speakers very intelligent questions. This must be a continuous process and could be implemented through the schoolteachers. It is for the education ministry to do the needful and make this awareness compulsory. CGSI, Mumbai played an important role in this direction. In March 2008, a study was conducted

in 4 schools from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai covering about 2200 students. The purpose was to fight promotion of Junk foods by locals and multinationals. Junk foods affect the health of children and lives of millions of people. The tiffin boxes carried by children were inspected during the lunch recess by CGSI volunteers. Each box was examined for quality, quantity, and nutritive value. This study revealed 60% junk foods, consisting of Maida items, chips, and farsan while the rest were chapatti/paratha

and Bhaji, egg items and Indian snacks. It was gathered that large number of mothers gave their children money to buy midday snacks at the school counter, but the children went to junk food sections. Working mothers are busy in the morning to prepare or pack home made snacks. Creating awareness in

the minds of children may help to eat healthy meals when they become adults. According to a clinical psychologist, the nutritive value of food consumed in childhood has an impact to play on the

onset of several illnesses in adulthood including OBESITY, diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disorders, bone, and joint diseases. This study on schoolchildren is a wake up call to teachers, parents and the Government, who are concerned about nutrition to improve health. Evaluate what a child eats at home or at school. The mid day meal schools introduced in many Govt. Schools is for this purpose of healthy diet and for better nutrition. Junk food is made tasty by adding flavors, additives and preservatives, which later on lead to craving for such food. Chinese food is one example, which may contain, MSG that is banned but used by street food makers. The tendency in recent times

to eat junk food among Indians is rising with increase in per capita income and urbanization. The trend is alarming especially in the younger generation as they eat a burger or pizza rather than idli or dosa, which are traditional and nutritious. With junk foods like khari biscuits, farsan, potato wafers and potato fries consumption, one gets carbohydrates, repeatedly heated frying oil or vanaspati, which is a poison due to trans fats, banned for human consumption all over the

World, but get no nutrition. Teachers and parents can play an important role in stopping this menace. Edible oils contain saturated fatty acids SFA, unsaturated fatty acids UFA, and poly unsaturated acids PUFA and WHO recommends a ratio of 1:1:1 of SFA:UFA:PUFA for good nutrition for healthy diet. Hence, a mixture of edible oils can be made; called Blended Oils are available in the Indian market. Alternatively, one can mix at home two or more oils or rotate different oils


every week or month for getting good nutrition for healthy diet. Coconut oil due to the presence of lower carbon fatty acids is not bad for health and is good for frying purposes. In fact, in Kerala, coconut oil is consumed for centuries without any health problems and now in USA, virgin coconut oil capsules are taken as a medicine. Palm Olein is good oil for deep-frying and is used in processed foods including biscuits in India. Sunflower oil, Soybean oils that are high in UFA

& PUFA should be avoided for deep-frying as polymers are generated at high temperature heating which are toxic for human consumption. A recent research finding by Prof. David Frisvoid of the Univ. of Iowa, USA, has found that breakfast programmes are an

effective tool to help elementary school

students from low-income families to achieve more in school studies. This analogy can be applied in Indian schools by providing schoolchildren with breakfast as many come to school with empty stomachs. Govt. of India through the Ministry of Education can add this benefit in addition to the Mid day meal scheme in vogue at present for better nutrition to the children. In conclusion, one can say that due to urbanization and globalization, cities are crowded. Migrants from other

states are without accommodation, and consume street foods, junk foods and hotel foods and deprived of healthy diet resulting in under nutrition .While the rich over eat nutritive food and become obese, the poor are under nourished and prone to sickness such as

tuberculosis, and anemia.

HEALTHY DIET thus, is at the crossroads in India at present and needs AWARENESS by public, Ministry of Health, Government of India to be tackled on war footing; otherwise, large investments have to be made by the Govt. of India, in the production of more medicines and hospitals all over the country. The best solution is to provide Healthy Diet by providing cheap food materials, such as Wheat, Rice, Pulses, Edible oils, Vegetables, Fruits, Sugar, and

cooking Salt, which a common person cannot afford due to rising prices.

(Paper presented on 21 March 2015 on the World Consumer Rights Day organized by BIS and Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of Maharashtra.)

Letters to CGSI I have acted as per your guidance with regard to the refund due to me from ‘M/s Make My Trip.com’ for the cancelled spice jet air ticket. Today I have received the refund from them. Thank you very much for your timely guidance and courage given to me in my desperate situation. My special thanks and appreciation to madam Milan for her co-operation and advice on the same. Kind Regards,

Saramma Oommen, Email: [email protected] Greetings! I am glad to inform you that I have received my outstanding payment regarding the fixed deposit with Phadnis Group Pune. I would like to thank Dr. Kamath for his time and guidance in the matter. I wish you all very best luck for future and hope lot many consumers like me are benefited with your guidance. Best Regards,

Gandhali Shah, Email: [email protected] HTC has sorted out my problem and has upgraded my phone to a HTC 820Q. I would like to thank Maharashtra consumer helpline for the support. My problem has been resolved and I would like to close the said case. Thank you.

Sagarika Kochrekar, Email: [email protected]

Soon, norms for selling medicines online, E-commerce in India should be utilized well and freedom of selling

medicines online should not be abused - Digbijay Mishra, (Courtesy: Business Standard) In the wake of the controversy over Snapdeal selling prescription drugs online, India's drug regulator is considering bringing out guidelines for selling medicines on e-commerce portals. Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) G N Singh told Business Standard the rising growth of e-commerce in India could not be overlooked, adding the regulator was working on guidelines for companies in this segment to sell medicines online. "We won't be lenient on people selling products other than OTC (over-the-counter) products online randomly," Singh said. The regulator had held discussions with members of regulatory teams in the European Union, as this problem persisted there, too, he said. E-commerce in

India should be utilized well and freedom of selling medicines online should not be abused, he added. On Friday, Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Snapdeal chief executive Kunal Bahl and the company's directors at the Panvel police station in Raigad district. The FIR has been

registered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. The matter pertained to sale of prescription drugs online. It followed the FDA searching Snapdeal's office in north Mumbai on April 16. While OTC products can be sold without prescriptions, many e-commerce companies following the marketplace model are selling even prescription drugs online. Some online companies delivering medicines ask for prescriptions while confirming orders through their apps or websites, experts often doubt the accuracy of such a process.

The reality in India today is that one can walk into any pharmacy and buy prescribed medicines without a prescription. Sometimes the shopkeeper asks for the name of one’s doctor to fill in the blank, but not always. So why this action against Snapdeal? Just, because it is easy to target it. More importantly, many pharmacies do not have a qualified pharmacist, which is required under law. How many state and local health authorities carry out such checks?

Pradeep S Mehta, Email: [email protected]


HIGH LEVELS OF ARSENIC AND LEAD IN COSMETICS

Greetings from Consumer Education and Research Centre, Ahmedabad (CERC). Shockingly high levels of Arsenic and Lead were found in lipsticks and kajal when we tested cosmetics for their safety against the BIS standards for lipsticks and kajal. Arsenic as high as 9.59 ppm against the BIS Standards limit of 2 ppm was found in lipstick Coloressence Mesmerising Lip Colour costing Rs. 175. Three other brands, 7 Heaven’s Super Matte, Tian Nuo, and MakeOver Professional, were also much higher in Arsenic than the allowed limits. The test results for kajal were even more disturbing. One brand of kajal, Rashmi Herbal Kajal, had Lead as high as 48.91 ppm against BIS Standards limit of 20 ppm. In many cases, labels did not show ingredients, manufacturer address or licence number and other required details. Safety ignored-How can cosmetics with poisonous substances like Arsenic and Lead are allowed to be sold in the market. In the absence of label information about ingredients, how does the consumer know they are buying safe products?

LIPSTICK - TEST RESULTS FOR LEAD AND ARSENIC

Sr. No.

Brand Name/ Manufacturer Name Price (Rs.)

Lead as Pb mg/kg (ppm)

BIS limit maximum 20 ppm

Arsenic as As mg/kg (ppm)

BIS limit maximum

2 ppm

1 T. Y. A. Herbal Lip 30 0.15 0.18

2 Kiss Beauty Lip stick, Taiwan 50 0.46 BQL (QL-0.04)

3 Passion, Shanghai, China 20 BQL (QL-0.08) BQL (QL-0.04)

4 ADS Professional Lipstick, Jiangsu, China 50 0.26 BQL (QL-0.04)

5 Lakme Enrich Lipcolour, Hindustan Unilever Ltd. 240 0.43 BQL (QL-0.04)

6 Maybelline New York, Imp & Mktd. – L’OREAL India Pvt. Ltd. 399 BQL (QL-0.08) BQL (QL-0.04)

7 ColorBar USA Crème Touch Lipstick, Mfd-Aero Pharma Pvt. Ltd., Navi Mumbai, Mktd -ColorBar Cosmetics Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi

475 0.28 BQL (QL-0.04)

8 Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick, Imp & Mktd -Modi Revlon Pvt. Ltd. 550 0.29 BQL (QL-0.04)

9 Coloressence Mesmerising Lip Colour, Mfd – Natures Magic World, Haridwar, Mktd -Naturals Essence Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi

175 2.96 9.59

10 MakeOver Professional, Mfr-Viva Cosmetics, Thane, Mktd –Makeover Tradings, New Delhi

200 2.58 8.28

11 7 Heaven’s Super Matte Lipstick 120 2.68 9.28

12 Tian Nuo 90 4.97 9.22

KAJAL - TEST RESULTS FOR LEAD

Sr. No Brand Name/ Manufacturer Name Price (Rs.)

Lead (ppm), BIS limit

maximum 20 ppm

1 Blue Heaven Indian Kajal, Blue Heavens cosmetic Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi 20 0.77

2 Khojati Mumtaz Delux Kajal, Khojati Ayurved Pharma, Mumbai 40 0.26

3 Rashmi Herbal Kajal, Datu Manji Padamshi Surmawala, Mumbai 20 48.91

4 Jai Kajal, Western India Chemical Company, Mumbai 13 0.82

5 Niki Kajal, Bg Products, Mumbai 12 15.14

6 Ambar Kajal 13 1.41

7 Clarion Long wearing Matt Kajal/eye liner 10 1.89

8 ADS Kajal Pencil, Mfd in Jiangsu, China 20 1.46

9 L’oreal Paris Kajal Magique, Imp & Mktd –L’OREAL India Pvt. Ltd. 245 0.66

10 Lakme Kajal Black Eyeconic, Hindustan Unilever Ltd. 200 0.62

11 Maybelline New York The Colossal Kajal, Imp & Mktd –L’OREAL India Pvt. Ltd.

199 Below limit of quantification

(LOQ – 0.08 mg/kg)

12 Himalaya Herbal Kajal Extra Smooth, The Himalaya Drug Company 45 0.16

We have appealed to the Drugs Controller General of India to stringently enforce safety directives for cosmetic products in the interest of safeguarding consumer health. We have also urged the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Standards to support our Representation and persuade concerned Authorities to take necessary action to make available safe cosmetics to consumers. Should you need any further information/clarification, do let us know. Regards,

Pritee Shah, Chief General Manager, CERC, Email: [email protected]


A husband visited a

marriage counselor and

said, "When we were first

married, I would come

home from the office, my

wife would bring my

slippers and our cute

little dog would run

around barking.

Now after ten years it's all

different, I come home,

the dog brings the

slippers, and my wife

runs around barking."

"Why complain?" said the

counselor. "You're still

getting the same service!"


Santa Singh was having a tough time lugging his lumpy, oversized travel bag onto the plane. Helped

by a flight attendant, he finally managed to stuff it in the overhead bin. 'Do you always carry such heavy

luggage?' she sighed with a smile. 'Bas! Bahut hua!' replied Santa. 'Next time, I'm riding in the bag, and

Banta can buy the ticket!'

KEEMAT: May– June 2015 8


Capitalizing – Consumer Confusion

Dr. Sitaram Dixit – Chairman, CGSI

OILS AND FATS Today most people are aware that oils & fats create

blockages in our heart. We also keep hearing words like trans fats (TFA), saturated oils, unsaturated oils, mono unsaturated oil, hydrogenated fats (vanaspati), lipids, cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or "bad”, cholesterol, High-density lipoproteins (HDL) or "good" cholesterol, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), triglycerides (TG or TRIG), essential fatty acids, etc., with little or no understanding from all and sundry. Oil manufacturing companies to sell their produce join the clutter with their misleading advertisements claiming that their product is superior to all others available in the market enticing all of us to consume more and more oils

and fats. Medical experts, researchers, nutritionists, keep professing their opinions basing it on the latest research papers that crop up on a regular basis completing the confusion on consumers. This paper, will try explaining these medical terms in an easy to understand simple language enabling us to take an informed decision. The foods that we consume contain oils and fats. Oils and fats in turn have cholesterol, triglycerides, and trans fats. Excess cholesterol in our blood leads to the formation of blockages in coronary arteries. Cholesterol, triglycerides that are present in oils and fat, combine with proteins in our body during our metabolism and form LDL, HDL, and VLDL. It is important to note that none of our foodstuffs,

including oils and fats contains LDL, HDL, or VLDL.

CHOLESTEROL Chemically cholesterol is a long chain fatty acid and plays a very significant role in heart ailments. Excess cholesterol in blood builds up the walls of our arteries causing atherosclerosis Cholesterol buildup makes the arteries narrow, blocking the blood flow to the heart muscles eventually leading to heart disease. A normal individual has 130-200 mg of cholesterol per 100 ml of blood serum. Cholesterol increase in our blood serum is mainly due to two reasons. One is through food intake and the other due to its formation in our liver during metabolism. Animal food like meat, fish, eggs, milk, and milk products largely contribute our cholesterol intake.

Vegetables and plant products do not contain cholesterol they are all cholesterol free. Only animal

products contain cholesterol. This point is very important to remember as some vegetable oil and non-animal or plant produce manufacturers highlight the absence of cholesterol in their product as a unique selling point (USP) to make higher sales. This ‘zero cholesterol’ promotion by unscrupulous food product manufacturers is only to mislead the consumer to consume more and more of the product they market. Indiscriminate vegetable oil consumption may not lead to increased cholesterol levels in blood serum, but it can surely increase triglyceride content in blood serum to unacceptable levels. Likewise, nuts like almonds, cashew

nuts, walnuts, and groundnuts may be free of cholesterol however, they are loaded with triglycerides.

Avoiding animal foods is one the best ways to prevent excess cholesterol in our blood serum. In case of vegetarians 70 to 80%, of their body cholesterol requirement is from liver manufacturing and the remaining is due to intake of milk and milk products. Consuming skimmed milk is one simple option to reduce cholesterol intake for vegetarians.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance present in our body cells, that is required by our body to make Vitamin D, hormones, etc., and help in the digestion of food. Cholesterol plays a

major role in producing body hormones such as, estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, aldosterone, and cortisone. Cholesterol helps the body in producing vitamin D when sunrays fall on our skin surface. Cholesterol produces bile acids, aiding digestion, help absorption of vitamins, in creation and maintenance of human cell membrane.


Human liver manufactures cholesterol from oils, fats and other foods we consume. Liver produces cholesterol, as much is necessary by our body. However, in some persons liver produces cholesterol in much excess. Although the exact reasons for this are unknown, it could also be due to their family genes. Thus, people not consuming any animal product may still have high cholesterol content in their blood and end up in the high-risk category for getting heart disease. In all these cases, an over working liver is the culprit. Proper control and medication will only be able to keep check of excessive cholesterol levels in the blood.

LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS (LDL) & HIGH-DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS (HDL)

Cholesterol is a lipid and does not easily mix or travel very freely in blood. Mainly due to this reason, some amount of cholesterol picks-up proteins and phospholipids on the way, forming complex lipoproteins (combination of lipid & protein) to transport cholesterol through the bloodstream to cells that need it for various functions.

Lipoproteins comprises of small structures made of fat or lipids on the inside and proteins on the outside. The two kinds of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol through out the body are the Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol, and High-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol. Healthy levels of lipo proteins in our blood are necessary to maintain good health free from heart ailments. Although LDL and HDL both play roles in transporting cholesterol within our body, they have very different structures, functions and effects on our health. See composition chart below for details.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) have little cholesterol and can pick up more cholesterol from the arterial blockages. They are therefore "good" cholesterol unlike Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or "bad” cholesterol, which already has plenty of cholesterol in itself and so unable to pick up some

more cholesterol that may lead to arterial blockages. LDL cholesterol, with elevated cholesterol, builds up in the walls of our arteries, making them hard and narrow. If the arteries that supply our heart with blood (coronary arteries) are affected, we may have chest pain and other symptoms of coronary artery disease. Most pathological laboratories do not physically measure LDL, but mathematically calculate it using the formula,

LDL = Cholesterol – (Triglycerides/5) – HDL.

TRIGLYCERIDES (TG or TRIG) Triglycerides like cholesterol also cause arterial blockages. Triglycerides are a different class of lipids. We call them

triglycerides because the base molecule is glycerol and it combines with three fatty acid chains. Many types of triglycerides exist depending on the fatty acid chains present in them which again depends on the fat source. The fatty acid chains are either saturated or unsaturated.

Triglycerides very similar to cholesterol travel alone as well as in combination with proteins. We already know that triglycerides are present in LDL and HDL. Closely packed triglycerides in lipoproteins, better known as Very-low density lipoproteins (VLDL) also travel along with triglycerides in human blood. Similar to LDL pathological laboratories calculate VLDL, mathematically as follows,

VLDL = Triglycerides/5

WHY EXCESS CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLYCERIDES ARE HARMFUL TO HEART? Excess lipids like cholesterol, triglycerides, and their sub products namely LDL & VDL over a period of 20-50 years, deposit on the inner arterial wall of the heart causing Atherosclerosis. This process starts with the White Blood Corpuscles (WBC) in our blood mistaking the various above lipids to be foreign bodies attacking and taking them inside their cell structure. Slowly excess fat keeps increasing within these WBC, forming foam cells, which then sticks to the wall of the heart blood vessels creating blockages. When foam cells leads to more than 80% blockages we call this condition as Angina. When these blockages break the covering membrane, it forms a clot leading to heart attacks.

4 1122

4624

2250

21

0%

50%

100%

HDL LDL

HDL & LDL - Composition

Triglycerides Cholesterol Phospholipids Protein

TRIGLYCERIDES


TRANS FATS (TFA) Hydrogenated oils are saturated fats and could contain a good amount of trans fatty acids, or trans fats (TFA) if manufacturers for commercial gains carry out partial hydrogenation of oils or polyunsaturated fats.

TFA leads one to having adverse health effects. TFA are neither saturated nor unsaturated fats. Our body recognizes TFA as saturated fats and it treats it likewise,

biochemically in the human body. TFA are as bad or even worse for your arteries than saturated fats.

Studies show that TFA raise blood cholesterol levels, similar to the cholesterol-raising effects of saturated fats and provide little nutritional benefit to the body.

TFAs raise the levels of LDL that transports cholesterol

throughout our body.

TFA increases Lp(a) lipoprotein a type of LDL

cholesterol found in varying levels in our blood, depending on our genetic makeup. TFA make Lp(a) into smaller and denser lipid particles, which promote a buildup of plaques in our arteries. Plaques, can reduce blood flow through our arteries. If plaques tear or rupture, a blood clot may form, blocking the flow of blood or breaking free and plugging an artery downstream. If the blood flow to one part of our heart stops, we will suffer a heart attack. If blood flow to a part of our brain stops, a stroke occurs. A high LDL cholesterol level is a major risk factor for heart disease.

TFAs reduce levels of HDL that picks up excess

cholesterol and takes it back to our liver.

TFAs job of raising the bad cholesterol LDL and

lowering of the good cholesterol HDL in blood is double trouble.

TFA increases triglycerides in our blood contributing to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) or thickening

of the artery walls, which increases the risk of stroke, diabetes, heart attack, and heart disease.

TFAs may increase inflammation, which is a process by which our body responds to injury. Researchers believe that inflammation plays a key role in the formation of fatty blockages in heart blood vessels. TFA appears to

damage the cells lining the blood vessels, leading to inflammation. Studies show that TFA decrease the

body's ability to produce natural anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.

TFA or hydrogenated fats may interfere with the ability of the cells of the body to metabolize the fats that are good, damaging cell membranes of the brain and nerve cells leading to chronic, degenerative diseases.

Human brain and placenta have a biochemical way of

filtering most trans fatty acids that occur naturally in some foods (meat and diary products) by metabolizing these fats as energy sources before they have a chance to do any cellular damage, and then use the good fats

(the essential fatty acids) as healthy nutrients for the cells. However, this protection is incomplete if the diet is overwhelmed with TFA.

Eating a diet high in nutritionally worthless

hydrogenated fats lessens a person's daily intake of essential fatty acids that are important for growth and function of vital organs, like the brain. This is especially true in case of children whose daily diet is high in processed and deep fat-fried foods and snacks.

TFAs links to other health problems as well, including

decreased testosterone, abnormal sperm production, and prostate disease in men, overweight to obesity, immune system depression, and diabetes.

Studies carried out by National Institute of Nutrition

(NIN) to evaluate the effects of TFA from Indian Vanaspati in rats show that both saturated fatty acids and TFA increase insulin resistance. Moreover, TFA intake by mothers increases the susceptibility to biochemical / metabolic alterations increasing the risk of diet related chronic diseases.

WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT TRANS FATTY ACIDS? TFAs form naturally in the stomachs of animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats and are stored in their fat cells. Products such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and meat from these animals, therefore, contain TFA in the form of conjugated linoleic acid or CLA. Natural TFA may have either a neutral effect or a moderating effect on LDL and no effect on HDL

cholesterol or triglycerides. In addition to not being harmful, naturally occurring TFAs may actually be good.

SUGGESTIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that diets should provide a very low intake of TFAs. In practice, this implies an intake of less than 1% of daily energy intake. As for saturated fats and total fats, the FAO and WHO recommend an intake of less than 7-10 % and 15-30% of daily energy intake respectively. An individual

with a daily energy intake of 2000 kilocalories should limit the daily intake of TFA to less than 2 grams, saturated fats to less than 20 grams and total fats to less than 60 grams. Studies confirm that rural India consumes 20 grams Vanaspati fat daily and urban India around 30 grams. Considering that only 10% TFA is available in Vanaspati, still the person will derive 0.9 and 1.35 % energy from the TFA exceeding the 1% energy, limit for TFA recommended by World Health Organization, WHO. Cholesterol, triglycerides, trans fat, although important for the normal functioning of our body, is extremely harmful when in excess. We may be able to reduce TFAs, and TRIG, in our body by limiting consumption of products high in triglycerides and trans fats, but we cannot do this with

cholesterol, as it is our body, which produces it naturally.


Avoiding animal food totally and reducing oils and fats consumption is an easy practical option.

Cholesterol-reducing drugs like, „Statins‟ that lower the blood cholesterol levels by slowing down the production of cholesterol in the liver is one such alternative. However, they cannot neutralize cholesterol that we consume through food. „Statins‟ drugs are useful only if we stop consuming cholesterol rich food. Human liver

produces bile juice that helps our body in digestion. Bile juice contains a good amount of cholesterol. After food digestion, the body recovers the cholesterol by reabsorbing it back into our blood, when the digested food passes through our intestine. „Ezetimibe‟ group of drugs stops reabsorbing of this cholesterol in the intestines thereby reducing overall cholesterol levels in our body. Limiting the

consumption or intake of products rich in oils and fats can prevent triglycerides build-up in our body. „Fibric acid‟ group of drugs largely lowers triglyceride levels in our blood and lowers cholesterol very slightly.

AS CONSUMERS WHAT CAN WE DO?

Avoid hydrogenated fats, foods containing

"hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated" oil.

Avoid using butter and ghee since these are higher in

saturated fat and cholesterol.

Look for labels that mean "saturated-fat free" or “contains no cholesterol” or “TFA 0%,” etc.

Avoid eating commercially prepared baked foods, snack

foods, and processed foods, including fast foods. To be on the safe side, assume that all such products contain TFA unless known otherwise.

Avoid deep-fried foods, especially at fast-food joints

and restaurants.

Tropical oils, like coconut, palm kernel, and palm oils,

contain a lot of saturated fat that also raises our LDL.

Recent evidence indicates that coconut oil strongly increases HDL cholesterol, which may make it a good choice when a bit of hard fat is essential.

Fat is a major source of energy for the body and aids in

the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K. Fat is also important for proper growth, development, and maintenance of good health. A healthy diet should

include some fat, but well within limits.

25-35 %

of our total daily

calories can come from fat but saturated fat should account only for less than 10% of our total daily calories.

Aim for consuming less than 7% of fat calories from

saturated fats.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids viz., alpha-linolenic

(Omega 3) and linoleic (Omega 6) acids are important components of cholesterol lowering healthy diet. However, the benefits depend on the consumption of

an appropriate balance of these fatty acids. Replacing trans saturated fats with mono unsaturated fats and maintaining adequate intake with an appropriate

balance of Omega 6 and Omega 3 polyunsaturated

fatty acids is necessary.

Monounsaturated fat, found in virgin olive, groundnut,

sunflower, etc., is a healthier option than saturated fat.

Nuts, fish and other foods containing unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids are other good choices of foods with monounsaturated fats.

Try baking, steaming, grilling, or broiling instead of

frying.

Eat plenty of foods that are naturally low in fat, such

as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. It is important to realize that we cannot purchase good cholesterol or HDL in the market as it is our body that produces it. Daily exercise, eating green vegetables, only can increase it in our blood. Maintain cholesterol below 130, triglycerides below 100. Higher the HDL levels in blood the better. HDL above 40 mg/dl (1.03 mmol/L) for males and above 50 mg/dl (1.29 mmol/L) for females is best. In any case, HDL should be at least 25% of our cholesterol level. Doctors call it the cholesterol HDL ratio. This ratio should be below 4, meaning HDL is above 25%.

In addition, reduce systolic blood pressure (BP top number) at or below 120 and diastolic blood pressure (BP bottom number) at or below 80 mm Hg. Decrease fasting blood glucose below 100 mg/dl (5.6 mmol/L), HbA1c, less than 5.7%, and hs-CRP level below 1.0 mg/dl. A trim waist circumference of less than 90 cm (35 inches) in males and 80 cm (31 inches) in females, lowering the fat or lipid consumption, totally avoiding trans fat, is good for our blood, better for heart and best for our health. Maintaining all this can go far to keep us healthy for long, protecting us from any impending heart attack.

The Truth about Weight Loss Medicines (Source: The Times of India-Health Me Up)


Sameer Malik Heart Care

Foundation Fund is a one of

its kind initiative by the

Heart Care Foundation of

India instituted in memory of

Sameer Malik to ensure that

no person dies of a heart

disease because they cannot

afford treatment. Any person

can apply for the financial

and technical assistance

provided by the fund by

calling on its helpline

number or by filling the

online form.

1) Madan Singh, SM Heart

Care Foundation Fund, Post

CAG, 2) Kishan, SM Heart

Care Foundation Fund, Post

CHD Repair, 3) Deepak, SM

Heart Care Foundation

Fund, CHD TOF.

If you have ever watched late night television, you must have stumbled across endless advertisements about magical weight loss pills. Each advertisement begins with the wondrous promise of 'eat all you want, don't exercise, and still watch those kilos melt away’, and with obesity on the rise the world over, the business of weight loss medicines becomes more lucrative with each passing day. However, is there any merit to these weight loss pills? Can healthy weight loss really be that simple? Today we are looking at what the truth behind these weight loss medicines really is. Claim to blind 'fat' cells: There are many weight loss medicines available out there, most of which claim to shield us from the absorption of fat. Sold as pills that can cheat our metabolism into thinking that the stomach is full, sadly, the truth is nowhere close to what they 'guarantee'. Blinding fat cells is not a scientifically accepted method or even description for healthy weight loss processes. Most companies use legal loopholes to incorrectly, describe products, without focusing on genuine, clear-cut product descriptions. Side effects of weight loss pills can be increased heart rate, Undesirable interactions with prescription drugs you are taking, Insomnia, Stomach irritation, Nervousness or irritability. The truth behind fat burners: Fat burners are generally some combination of herb-derived stimulants, essential fatty acids, chromium picolinate, pyruvate, and/or

hydroxycitric acid. They are meant to increase energy while leading to fat burning, only when combined with exercise. However, their safety is a different matter altogether. They lead to an elevation in blood pressure levels even after you stop using the drugs. Some can also lead to unexpected dizziness and stomach problems.

Absorption of fat cells becomes a problem: One of the dangers of diet pills is with the absorption of fats. Diet pills, if taken in regular doses create a deficiency in vitamins A, D, E, K, and Beta-carotenes. Many diet pills can also create symptoms of pruritus, rash, urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis. Dietitians generally recommend that people, who absolutely must take diet pills, should increase their multivitamin supplementation to ensure adequate nutrition. The bottom-line: Even dietitians or nutritionists who advocate weight loss medicines are of the opinion that they can only work well with regular exercise and a proper dietary routine. Whether or not these products can actually speed up your efforts of getting in shape is up for debate, but never and in no way can they ever do so without a balanced diet or exercise. Besides, dietitians and nutritionists are not meant to prescribe drugs, since their field of healthcare practice does not cover such expertise.

Shoe Hygiene by Dr. K. K. Aggrawal (Raichur)

1. Avoid poorly fitting shoes. 2. Diabetic patients should avoid walking bare feet. 3. Shoes that are too tight can cause pressure ulcers. 4. High heels are okay for occasions but if you wear them all the time, significant foot pain and other problems can

develop. These problems can range from bunions, corns and calluses to more complex problems like misshapen hammer toes or worsening excruciating pain in the ball of the foot.

5. Whenever you wear shoes that are tight, they will cause foot pain.

6. Whenever you wear shoes that constrict the natural shape of the foot, it is bound to cause foot pain. 7. Women, who regularly wear high heels, walk with shorter, more forceful strides and require more muscles to walk. 8. Shoes can be classified under following three categories: (A) Good shoes or low risk shoes: athletic and casual

sneakers, (B) Average mid-risk shoes: hard or rubber–soled shoes – special shoes and work boots, (C) Poor or high-risk shoes are the ones that do not have support or structure such as high heels, sandals, sleepers.

9. Pointed toed shoes are equally bad as they disrupt the natural shape of the feet. 10. If you love to wear heels, then choose heels that are not higher than 2" and are wide. 11. It is always better to buy shoes in the evening as the foot swells up by evening. If you buy them in the morning, the

shoes may feel tight in evening hours. 12. Always wear the shoes that are wider than your foot. The selected shoe should be wider than broadest part of the foot. 13. Always try both shoes, as one foot may be smaller or larger than the other one in some people. The actual size of the

shoe may vary between manufactures. 14. Narrow shoes with heels should only

be used for a function, dinner or a formal party, specially a party where you do not have to stand for a longer time.

15. Your foot tends to become longer and wider as you age, check the size of your shoes every two years.

Cough Hygiene by Dr. K. K. Aggarwal (Raichur)


When you cough or sneeze, you tend to expel out respiratory waste, which can be droplets (larger than 5 micron), or

airborne droplets less than 5 micron; both have a different implications. Droplets remain suspended in the air only for a limited period. A distance of less than 3 feet is usually required for human-to-human transmission of droplet-borne respiratory

organisms. In flu, this distance can be up to 6 feet. The sources of droplet infections are patients with meningitis, influenza, rubella etc.

No precaution need to be taken, by a person who is 6–10 feet

away from the patient but if a person is sitting or working even 3–6 feet distance the non-coughing person should wear masks. In contrast, airborne droplet nuclei carrying respiratory

secretion smaller than 5 micron remain suspended in the air for an extended period and can cause infections to people who are standing even more than 10 feet away. Examples of

airborne droplet nuclei infections are TB, measles, chickenpox and SARS. These patients should be placed in an isolation

room; all healthcare personnel looking after these patients must use a safe N95 mask.

Usually, in houses with their windows open, there is a constant exchange of air, which prevents spread of infections,

but in AC setups with no air exchange, the infections can spread from one person to another. When sitting in an air-conditioned atmosphere, the AC setting should be such that the same air is not circulated and fresh air is allowed to

exchange. Split ACs, are more dangerous than the window ACs. In an office with split AC, if one of many employees is suffering from any of the droplet nuclei, disease can transmit infection to others. Therefore, patients with confirmed TV,

measles, chickenpox and SARS should not be allowed to work in areas with split AC.

The Legacy of Health All of our problems erupt from a bad life style, long working hours, unhealthy food habits and bottling up of unwanted stress.

Surprisingly we are all well aware of these facts, but keep on ignoring them, until things go out of hand and make us just too weak to work. That is the time when we rush to doctors. Doctors cannot cure completely; they can only treat the problem. Health is wealth, it needs all the attention all the time; it must be our topmost priority. The worst part is that wealth may or may not be hereditary, but health is. So, if we are not healthy, how do we pass on the wealth of our health to our children for them to enjoy? Yesterday life was

difficult and living was easy but today life is easy and living is difficult. We, as Indians, have a rich cultural lineage that enables us to lead a healthy and subsequently a wealthy life under all conditions, lest we believe in exporting our culture to western countries, to be approved by them, and only then, we put it into use. Let us preserve it for our future generations or else it will be destroyed. This can be only done if we inculcate them, in our own daily lives, and pass them on to our children by leading a self-disciplined routine life, with a

positive outlook, strong moral ethics and values. Controlling and channeling the negative into positive, works wonders for our mind, body and soul. Like food, exercise of any kind, be it, yoga aerobics or even simple walking is compulsory. Taking care of one's own self is not being selfish or self-centered. Pamper yourself by taking good care of your body. It is said a healthy body inhabits a healthy mind. When one is in good health, only then can one take care of his loved ones and enjoy the pleasures of life in all ways possible. The legacy of

health has no substitute for our future generations to come.

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength - Charles Spurgeon


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LAUGHTER THE BEST MEDICINE


Once Pappu was holding ice in his hand and watching

carefully. Someone asked him, ―What are you watching?‖ for which Pappu replied, ―I am watching as to from where the water is leaking‖.

A man checks into a hotel. Seeing a computer in his room, he decides to send an e-mail to his wife. Accidentally he types a wrong e-mail address, and without realizing, the error e-mails the message. Meanwhile….somewhere in Houston, a widow has just returned from her husband’s funeral. The widow decides to check her e-mail, expecting condolence messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she faints. The widow’s son

rushes into the room, and finds his mother on the floor, and seeing the computer screen he reads, To: My Loving wife Date: 28 May 2015 Subject: I have reached. I know you are surprised to hear from me. They give computers here, and allow us to send e-mails to loved ones. I have just reached and checked in. I see that

everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. I am looking forward to seeing you SOON! Bye!

A student encloses a 100-rupee note with his answer sheet,

and writes ―1 mark 1 rupee‖. When he gets the corrected answer sheet, the student finds 66 rupees, his answer sheet and a note, ―You have got 34 marks‖, hence, we are returning 66 rupees.

A man is trying to insert the dog’s tail inside a pipe. A passerby tells him, ―Are you become mad. Don’t you know that, you cannot straighten the dog’s tail?‖ The man says I know that, ―I am trying to bend the pipe.‖

Doctor: You wife’s operation will cost a lot. Are you sure,

you want me to go ahead? Husband: Whether you cure her or kill her, you will sure get your money.

However, the wife dies after the operation. Doctor: I am sorry this happened but you will have to pay me for the operation. Husband: Did you cure my wife? Doctor: No. Husband: Did you kill my wife? Doctor: No, not at all. Husband: Well, then why should I pay you?

Little Harold was practicing the violin in the living room

while his father was trying to read in the den. The family dog was lying in the den, and as the screeching sounds of little Harold’s violin reached his ears, he began to howl loudly. The father listened to the dog and the violin as long as he could. Then he jumped up, slammed his paper to the floor and yelled above the noise, "For pity’s sake, can’t you play something the dog doesn’t know?"

Two employers are talking. Says one ―I fear that the young

man I employed last week as a cashier is dishonest.‖ Oh, replied the other, ―You shouldn’t judge by appearances.‖ ―I am not. I’m judging by disappearances‖

A man comes with a bucket to a doctor and tells her, ―This

bucket has a hole, what can be done.‖ Doctor asks, ―Why are you asking me‖. The man replies, ―I heard that, you are a famous Plastic Surgeon.‖

James: I would like some Vitamin for my son. Pharmacists: Sir, Vitamin A, B or C? James: Any will do, my son does not know alphabets’ yet.

Two elderly men, Mike and Joe, have been friends all of

their lives. When it is clear that Joe is dying, Mike visits him every day. One day Mike says, ―Joe, we both loved rugby all our lives, and we played rugby on Saturdays together for so many years. Please do me one favor, when you get to heaven, somehow you must let me know if there’s rugby there.‖ Joe looks up at Mike from his deathbed, ―Mike, you’ve been my best friend for many years. If it is at all possible, I will do this favors for you. Shortly after that, Joe passes on. At midnight a couple of nights later, mike is awakened from a sound sleep by a blinding flash of white light and a voice calling out to him, ―Mike—Mike.‖, ―Who is it?, asks, Mike

getting up suddenly from sleep. ――Mike—it’s me, Joe.‖ ―You’re not Joe. Joe just died.‖ ―I am telling you, it’s me, Joe,‖ insists the voice.‖ ―Joe! Where are you?‖ ―In heaven‖, replies Joe. ―I have some really good news and a little bad news.‖ ―Tell me the good news first,‖ says Mike.

―The good news,‖ Joe says,‖ is that there is rugby in heaven, better yet, all of our old friends who died before us are here, too. Better than that, we are all, young again. Better still, it is always springtime and it never rains or snows. And best of all, we can play rugby all we want, and we never get tired.‖ That’s fantastic,‖ says Mike, ―It’s beyond my wildest dreams! So what is the bad news? ―You’re in my rival team from this Saturday.‖

A man is driving home late at night. A police officer on

patrol stops his car and asks him to produce his car documents. Finding no fault with the documents, he questions, "My friend, do you realize that you committed a criminal offence by driving alone in this car at late night?" The man becomes angry and responds: "How could you say that? God the father, the son and holy spirit, Prophet Elijah, Angels Michael & Gabriel are all with me in the car." The police officer replies, "You mean, all these people are in this small car? I charge you for overloading!"

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KEEMAT: March – April 2015 19

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