HEALTH

Little check on ads of “miracle capsules”
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, February 22
Local TV channels frequently beam advertisements of “wonder capsules”. The manufacturers of these capsules advertise their product to be panacea for all ills. The number of such like “‘miracle capsules” is rapidly increasing. The advertisements claim to solve a number of problems like stopping of bed-wetting, diabetes, diseases related to women, loss of weight and many other diseases. The capsules according to manufacturers can solve all problems. Is it possible that one capsule can cure all ailments which are so different in nature? These capsules are made by ayurveda companies.

Dr Gursharan Singh, president of the Indian Medical Association, said, We are shocked to see such advertisements on the television. The repeated telecast does effect the psyche of people and they are tempted to buy such capsules as these are available over the counter. We have complained to the higher authorities that the capsules never mention the constituents. One does not even know if they have passed any clinical laboratory test. The Drug Authority of Punjab should take stringent steps before allowing the sale of such capsules. Sometimes the manufacturers may be adding steroids, which are bound to make one feel better for a short time but later can produce adverse effects. Sometimes the capsules are expensive. The males who have anxieties about their sexual performance “psychologically feel better” after spending a lot of money on these capsules. The problems may be psychological, and eating of expensive capsules might allay their fears.

“The drug authorities should take lessons from the Food and Drug Authority of the USA, which keeps a strict vigil over all medicines and food supplements before allowing these in the market.”

Dr R. Vatsyan said that ayurveda deals comprehensively with eight divisions of medicines namely — medicine, ENT, surgery, toxicology, rejuvenation, paediatrics, virility and gynaecology. The knowledge is passed from generation to generation. Due to the invasion by Muslim rulers and then by the British, the knowledge of ayurveda went underground. Later when the knowledge surfaced, Gurukuls had vanished. Later families did not want to share the knowledge and the knowledge that came out was distorted.

Most ayurveds are dealing with rejuvenation and virility — only two aspects out of eight. The capsule-makers are misguiding people except a few good products in the market. Most of them have not passed the clinical laboratory test.

In the capsules to enhance virility, use of aphrodisiacs is made, which may lead to renal failure or hypertension. These capsules do not pass any stringent drug tests and can do more harm than good.

Dr Vatsyayan further says that Indian male is sex-starved. He can bear to lose his limbs but loss of sexual power is something he cannot cope with. During middle-age, the libido of male declines, and to increase his sexual performance he is attracted towards such products which claim to enhance the virility but due to social taboos, even if they do not gain anything after taking these capsules, they cannot discuss this problem. Keeping the obsession of Indian males with sex, companies are minting money by making capsules of dubious nature to lure man into buying them.

Dr Pradeep Nagrath, owner of a company manufacturing such drugs, says that this company sells ayurvedic medicines only after these have been certified under good manufacturing practices. They have a proper laboratory where clinical laboratory tests are done. Their medicines are free of heavy metals like lead, mercury, gold etc.

The ayurveda does recommend the use of heavy metals. The capsules being sold as “miracle capsules” can have heavy metals. Buyers can get hypertension or renal problems by consuming these capsules. Therefore, the onus is on the public to be careful in buying such products. Drug-controllers have to become more vigilant before they allow the sale of such capsules.

‘Folic acid must for expectant mothers’
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 22
“Vitamin folic acid, if taken before pregnancy or during the first few weeks of pregnancy can reduce the risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect by up to 70 per cent”, Dr Ashok K. Antony, a renowned professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine (USA), expressed these views during an extention lecture at S.D.P. College for Women here today.

Dr Antony said that folic acid (also referred to as folate) can help prevent birth defects only if taken before pregnancy and during the first few weeks of pregnancy.The term preconceptional folate supplementation means taking folate supplements before the woman conceives.

Dr Antony said that folic acid was needed to produce new DNA (genetic material) as human cells multiply. Without adequate amounts of folic acid, cell division was impaired, leading to poor growth in the foetus and/or placenta and low blood counts. Earlier research identified that women who were deficient in folic acid during pregnancy were more likely to have a premature baby of low birth weight. Such women were also likely to have more repeated early miscarriages.

The neural tube was the embryonic structure that developed into the brain and spinal cord. This structure which started out as a tiny ribbon of tissue normally folded inward to form a tube as early as the 28th day after conception. Among the NTDs, anancephaly (absent brain and spinal cord) and spina bifida (a condition where there was an opening in the spine through which the spinal cord and nerves could be visible) were the most commonest. Other forms of NTDs include encephalocele, meningocoele or meningomyelocele involving herniation (protrusion of the brain and spinal cord out of its normal position) in the head and spine.

Dr Antony added that NTDs originated in the first month of pregnancy, before many women knew that they were pregnant. "Therefore, it is very important for a woman to have enough folic acid in her system before conception”, said Dr Antony.

Dharna by health employees
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 22
The Joint Action Committee, Health Department, and members of the Punjab Health Department Subordinate Officers Clerical Association staged a protest dharna outside the Civil Surgeon’s office here today against the transfer of district president Sukhwinder Singh.

The clerical union and the class IV, drivers and other employees have been protesting against the transfer. Sukhwinder Singh was transferred to Patiala by the Director, Health Services, following the Election Commission (EC) orders. It was alleged that he had helped in canvassing for the SAD candidate from Ludhiana Rural, Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal. The complaint was sent on the letter head of Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Libra. However, Mr Libra has denied that he had complained against anyone.

Mr Bikramjit, one of the committee members, said that they had withdrawn the decision to protest when the DC had given an assurance that he would do something to resolve the matter.

Dental check-up camp
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 22
The Rotary Club here organised a dental check-up camp at New Senior Secondary School in Sarabha Nagar. Dr Akshay Vohra and his team checked 152 students.

In the dental hygiene competition, awards were presented to students. The “Best clean mouth” award went to Chetan Bawa and Rupinder Singh, while the “Best smile” award was claimed by Jaspreet Kaur and Parvinder. Richa Sood was presented the “Best attentive person” award.

Toothbrushes, tooth pastes and biscuits were distributed among the students by the club members on the occasion.

Harpreet Kaur adjudged best athlete
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, February 22
Harpreet Kaur was declared the best athlete in the annual athletics meet of the Malwa Central College of Education, Ludhiana, here yesterday.

More than 250 students participated in various events. Mr R.L. Kalsia, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, gave away prizes to the winners.

Results

Shot put: Jatinder Kaur (1), Rupinder Kaur (2), Gurpreet Kaur (3).

Races (400m): Harpreet Kaur (1), Harjinder Kaur (2), Poonam (3); (200m): Harpreet Kaur (1), Sukhvir Kaur (2), Balroop Kaur (3). (800m): Harjinder Kaur (1), Harpreet Kaur (2), Rajwinder Kaur (3).

Discus throw: Jatinder Kaur (1), Rupinderjit Kaur (2), Inderjit Kaur (3).

Long jump: Balroop Kaur (1), Harpreet Kaur (2), Inderjeet Kaur (3).

High jump: Manpreet Kaur (1), Harjinder Kaur (2), Rupinderjit Kaur (3).

Javelin throw: Jatinder Kaur (1), Rupinderjit Kaur (2), Gurpreet Kaur (3).

Spoon and potato race: Karamjit Kaur (1), Sandeep Kaur (2).

Sack race: Pinki Rani (1), Harjinder Kaur (2), Navjot Kaur (3).

Skipping race: Sukhbir Kaur (1), Charanjit Kaur (2), Balroop Kaur (3).

Three-legged race: Sukhpal and Gurpreet (1), Priya and Meena (2), Harjinder and Rupinderjit (3).

‘Chatti’ race: Sujata (1), Gurpreet (2), Harjinder (3).

Appointed

Dr M.S. Mahal, Senior Entomologist (Ecology), PAU, Ludhiana, has been appointed third umpire for the first one-day international cricket match of the India-Zimbabwe series to be played on March 7 at Faridabad. Earlier, he stood as umpire in the sixth one-day international cricket match played between India and England in Mumbai on February 3. It was his first international match, a press note stated.

Cricketers honoured

On the eve of the inter-zonal one-day cricket match for Deodhar Trophy between North Zone and East Zone, the Ludhiana District Cricket Association (LDCA) organised a function here last night where Arun Sharma, a former Punjab Ranji batsman-wicketkeeper was felicitated. This match is a benefit tie for Arun Sharma who holds the national record in wicket- keeping ( 188 victims).

Arun created a record in 1994-95 when while playing against Baroda, he surpassed Daljeeet Singh record of 187 victims. The LDCA gave him a demand draft for Rs 2.5 lakh. Mr Inderjit Singh Bindra, president, Punjab Cricket Association, and Kapil Dev, legendary allrounder and former captain of the Indian team, presented Arun the draft and a memento.

The LDCA also honoured Mr Bindra, Mr M P Pandove, honorary general secretary, PCA, and former test star Yash Pal Sharma.

Athletics meet

Doraha
The 28th Annual Athletics Meet for Boys of Doraha’s Guru Nanak National College concluded in Guru Nanak Stadium here yesterday. The Annual Athletics Meet for Girls began today.

The boys’ meet was inaugurated by Mr Avtar Singh Turna, Principal of Ludhiana’s SCD Government College for Boys. In his address at the inauguration, the chief guest urged athletes to stay away from drugs and do well for the nation at international level.

The results of the boys’ meet are as follows: 100 m dash — Gurmit Singh 1, Harinder Kumar 2, Harinder Singh 3; 200 m dash — Gurmeet Singh 1, Kulwinder Singh 2, Harpreet Singh 3; 400 m dash — Bikramjit Singh 1, Kulwinder Singh 2, Amandeep Singh 3; 800 m dash — Pavittar Singh 1, Kirpal Singh 2, Navneet Kaushal 3.

High jump — Mandip Singh 1, Ravi Kant Sharma 2, Jagjit Singh 3; long jump — Gurmeet Singh 1, Harpreet Singh 2, Harinder Singh 3; triple jump — Narinder Singh 1, Yadwinder Singh 2, Gurmeet Singh 3; shot put — Sandeep Singh 1, Jasvir Singh 2, Kulwinder Singh 3.

Discus throw — Amritpal Singh 1, Sandeep Singh 2, Satwinder Singh 3; hammer throw — Sandeep Singh 1, Satwinder Singh 2, Sukhvir Singh 3; javelin throw — Amritpal Singh 1, Satvinder Singh 2, Sandeep Singh 3; three-legged race — Balwinder Singh and Mandeep Singh 1, Amit Kumar and Amardeep Singh 2, Manmohan Singh and Kulwinder Singh 3.

Tug-of-war between staff and students was a special attraction. Pavittar Singh, a first-year student of arts, was adjudged the best athlete.

The chief guest gave away the prizes to the winners. Those who were present there included Prof Darshan Singh Gill of the SCD Government College for Boys, Prof Parkash Singh of Government College Karamsar-Rara Sahib, Mr Urmil Sood, Principal of Guru Nanak Model Senior Secondary School, Mr D.S. Gosain, Principal of Saraswati Model School, Mr Tarlok Singh Jaggi, member of the college management committee, Mr Balwant Singh Panjali, secretary of the college committee, Mr Rajinder Singh Khalsa and Mr Morari Lal Goyal, a retired principal.