HEALTH

HEALTHCARE
Ways to reduce cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is produced by the body and is also found in animal products. Some cholesterol is needed for cells to function. Unfortunately, excess cholesterol builds up inside arteries. Cholesterol deposits are the major cause of heart attacks. Fat travels through blood stream attached to protein in a combination called lipoprotein.

Two lipoproteins are the main carriers of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Total cholesterol levels are: under 200 mg/dL — desirable; 200-239 mg/DL — borderline high risk; and 240 or higher — high risk.

However, overall heart disease risk depends on the combination of many factors, not just cholesterol level.

Some ways to control cholesterol:

* Take fresh amla (1-2 pieces) in the morning or 1 tablespoon of its powder with fresh water twice daily.

* Exercise more. Exercise increases your protective HDL cholesterol level.

* Eat more soluble fiber, which lowers overall cholesterol. Soluble fibre found in fruits, beans, peas etc and helps to lower cholesterol, reducing risk of heart diseases. The fiber in legumes can also help regulate blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

* Quit smoking. Quitting can increase your HDL levels and reduce your risk of a heart disease.

* Eat less fat. Avoid all types of butter.

* Use soya bean, canola cooking oil.

* Take green salad, onion, ginger, garlic, green vegetables, lemon juice, papaya and mausambi.

* Eat chapatis of wheat, black chana and soya bean (equal parts).

* Drink skim milk and more water in routine. Take isabgol powder 1-2 tablespoons with water at night daily

* Reduce extra weight.

— Dr Anil Dheer

IMA assails govt’s decision
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 12
The state and district unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has condemned the government's intention to hand over the Medical Council of India (MCI) to bureaucrats, as reported in a section of the media recently.

Dr R.C. Garg, state president, in a press statement today said it was a sinister move and everybody should take a serious cognizance of this issue. It was a direct assault on the medical fraternity, alleged Dr Garg. He further said the medical community would not allow it to happen at any cost. The government was thinking of extending its hold on the autonomous professional bodies, which was absolutely ridiculous.

IMA members said the taking over of the MCI by bureaucrats would not rid the system of corruption.

Dr Gursharan, president of the local unit of the IMA, alleged that almost all top officials in various departments were implicated in corruption cases.

Dr Garg said “job for money” schemes were aplenty in government departments. “How can then ‘babus’ bring in efficiency? This is just an excuse to extend its control of the medical professionals”, lamented Dr Garg.

The IMA also criticised the government’s move to remove Dr C.P. Thakur from the post of Health Minister. The IMA has also given a call to the doctors to unite and raise their voice against this move of the Central Government. The members said the IMA Punjab would have to take a lead in this regard and it was already fighting a court battle in Punjab to get the Punjab Medical Council out of the clutches of the government.

Docs pay homage to WTC victims
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 12
The Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) at a meeting held here today paid homage to those killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr L.S. Chawla, president, IDPD, said terrorism had taken lives of thousands of innocent people last year in New York. The doctors opposed the violence of any kind perpetrated by any group or state. Dr Chawla said the whole world spent about $ 839 billion on military purpose in 2001. “This could have easily been utilised for the betterment of health and education of the people”.

Mr Bharat Prakash, general secretary of the All-India Peace and Solidarity Organisation (AIPSO), said past events had proved that nobody was immune from terrorist violence, even those who considered themselves to be the mightiest.

“We in South Asia in general and India, in particular, have been bearing the brunt of terrorist violence, especially in Kashmir, and have lost innumerable lives. Similar is the condition in other countries of South Asia, including Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan”, said Mr Prakash.

The doctors said before 9/11, the US administration and its allies never uttered a word over the suffering of people. Terrorist violence could not be abolished by the use of force. Serious note had to be taken of causes behind this. Human interests should be seen as supreme by all.

The medical community was of the view that the plans of the Bush Administration to invade Iraq and to let thousands of innocent Afghans suffer at their fate, could not be condoned. In a world divided into rich and poor, such events were likely to continue if the demands, needs and aspirations of poor nations were not addressed.

Dr Arun Mitra, general secretary, IDPD said the world community under the UN leadership must recognise the principle of respect to the territorial integrity of all countries. The nuclear-weapon states should denounce and eliminate nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction in a time-bound period. Conflicts, wherever they were, must be resolved through mutual cooperation and dialogue. The “big” powers must not interfere in the internal affairs of other nations.

Dr Mitra appealed to the Bush Administration to immediately withdraw its star wars programme which would make even space loaded with nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.

Dr Sanjeev Uppal said that cross border terrorism must stop and India and Pakistan should sit together to sort out various issues.