Extreme vegetarianism can lead to fatal diseases:
experts
VARCA: Extreme vegetarian practices among Indians can lead to
hyperhomocysteinemia and high homocysteine levels resulting in
diseases including strokes, heart attack, diabetes and other fatal
diseases, experts have opined.
At the end of two-day long conference of Indian study group on
homocystein at Varca in Goa, medical practitioners said
homocysteine levels amongst Indian population was alarming and it
is more amongst the "extreme vegetarians".
"We are not advocating that everyone should eat meat but milk, eggs
or green salad can be consumed to make up for deficiency of B12,
folic acid and pyridoxine," stated Dr Rusom wadia, pune-based
consulting physician and neurologist.
Various medical professionals including Dr Wadia, Dr G S Sainani,
cardiodiabetologist, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, Dr Pradip Talwalkar,
consulting diabetologist, S L Raheja hospital, Mumbai, Dr Y P
Munjal, Director, Centre for Diabetes and Lifestyle Diseases
participated in the first ever such conference aimed to work out
guidelines on awareness amongst general practitioners and masses
about homocysteine level, which is a major risk factor.
"Prevalence of heart attack, diabetics and paralysis stroke has
reached epidemic proportions in India. It has begun affecting 10 to
20 years younger population compared to the western world," noted
Dr Talwalkar.
The experts participating in the conference revealed that different
parts of country showed different homocystein levels "ideal level
is five to 15 micromoles per litre but the lower the level is
better," they stated. It was felt that besides advising for change
in lifestyle, which includes giving up smoking, including eggs or
milk or green salad in diet, regular exercises, one vitamin tablet
a day can reduce the homocystein level and save Indian population
from being susceptible to fatal diseases.
"What we are talking is just one risk factor for fatal diseases,
there are various other factors. But taking care of one factor can
reduce the diseases," the experts stated.
"What is most important is awareness about this aspect. There
should be awareness amongst the population and also amongst the
average medical practitioners so that the level can be checked or
can be reduced with tablets without waiting for something drastic
to happen," Dr Talwalkar added.
