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Coronary Artery Disease is a fatal but preventable disease. Here are some surprising facts about CAD and the Indian subcontinent.
Did you know :
Coronary artery disease (CAD) rates in urban India are now 4-fold higher
than in the United States although these were similar in 1968.
This increased incidence is true whether you are resident or non-resident Indian. About half of these are vegetarians. Ecxess risk is seen in women too.
The CAD rates in Indians is are two to four times higher at all ages and
five to ten times higher in those below 40 years of age (compared with whites, blacks,
hispanics and other asians).
CAD rates and mortality have decreased almost everywhere. In India however the rates have
doubled over 30 years. This seems to be due to a genetic predisposition added to a sea-change
in life style.
The above comments are taken from a Special Article in the
Journal of the Indian Medical
Association (JIMA). (page:694, 98: 11: 2000) written by Dr. Enas A Enas MD, FACC,
Director, Coronary Artery Disease in Asian Indians (CADI) research, Lisle, IL, USA.)
Kappa and fish curry used to be among the favourite foods of malayalees. This item has now been clubbed with the 'ethnic foods' even among the malayalees themselves. Well, here is some news that shows our forefathers weren't wide off the mark.
Like vitamins the human body needs but cannot make certain fatty acids called essentaial fatty acids. They are of two types: Omega 6 type and Omega 3 type which have opposite actions. Omega 3 itself is of two types: short chain Omega 3 can be obtained from plant sources, while long chain Omega 3s are found abundantly in marine food.
Omega 3 helps to reduce triglyerides and the risk of clotting. It has been recommended for just about everythng from normal fetal development to preventing cancer and to control Schizophrenia.
A study in Italy, described in the Lancet, included over 11,000 patients who had heart attack. They were randomly divided into four groups. One group was given fish oil capsule. The other three gropus had fish oil and Vit E, Vit E alone or placebo. At two years the group on Fish oil had a 17% reduction in the risk of dying from a second heart attack. Vitamin E had no effect.
This does not mean that vegetarians should start eating fish immediately. Too much hype sorround Omega 3. But those who do take meat might considering adding some fish to their diet. Fish twice a week has been recommended by Department of Health, USA, to help reduce Heart attacks. Fish oil may be taken, under medical supervision, by those who dislike eating fish.
Oily fish like sardines and mackerel are rich in Omega 3. 100 grams of sardines contain 21.1 grams of Omega 3 while Tuna yields 0.5 grams. That is fishy.
Before making changes in your diet or rushing to buy fish liver oil capsules talk to your doctor.
