MORE Filipinos face higher levels of cholesterol, according to the latest nutrition survey of the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI).
One in two Filipino adults faces borderline to high-cholesterol levels, with 46.9 percent Filipinos aged 20 and above at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The survey also revealed that more females suffer from higher cholesterol levels, which might be attributed to their less active lifestyle compared to males, said Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, FNRI assistant scientist.
Agdeppa added that the Filipinos’ inclination to fatty foods contributes to this health risk.
“The Filipino diet is skewed more toward meat,” said Agdeppa, who cited the high content of saturated fat in red meat solidifies and blocks the arteries.
Across the country, areas that manifested the most prevalent incidence of high cholesterol are the Bicol region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the National Capital Region in order.
The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014 listed coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes as the most common causes of mortality related to having increased cholesterol levels, with Southeast Asia recording 3,516,000 cases of increased cholesterol levels in 2011.
People from rural areas were found to be more at risk than urban residents, because information about cholesterol-related diseases is more accessible to urban areas, according to Agdeppa.
To help alleviate alarming levels of bad cholesterol, Agdeppa warns against smoking, and prescribes regular exercise, manage stress healthily and make the right food choices.
Curbing cholesterol levels
As a response to this major health issue on high cholesterol in the country, Del Monte launched Heart Smart 100-percent Pineapple Juice and Orange Juice Drink with Reducol, which is an ingredient that is clinically proven to help lower bad cholesterol. Studies have shown that plant sterols and stanols, the main components of reducol, significantly lower bad cholesterol levels among clinical-trial participants.
The Philippine Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons (Patacsi), the specialty organization of all certified thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons in the Philippines, is partnering and supporting Del Monte in this advocacy to increase awareness and help prevent the continuous rise of bad cholesterol in the country.
According to David Peele, President of Avoca Inc., and makers of reducol, “based on various clinical studies conducted, reducol has been proven to be safe and effective in lowering cholesterol levels.”
In the Philippines del Monte Heart Smart is the only reducol-fortified food product or drink, containing 1 gram of US-FDA approved Reducol per serving. Based on the results of clinical studies, two servings of Del Monte Heart Smart pineapple juice per day may help reduce cholesterol levels in eight weeks.
Healthy lifestyle still the key
Though Del Monte Heart Smart with Reducol reduces cholesterol levels, a healthy lifestyle remains vital to optimize benefits. “To best manage cholesterol, it is still important to have a healthy regimen which includes a healthy diet and constant exercise” Patacsi President Dr. Michael Baccay said.
A diet consisting of fruits and vegetables, whole grain, fat-free and low-fat milk products, fish, legumes (beans), and lean skinless meats can help prevent spikes in cholesterol.
With Johnwyn Fornal, Kathryn Jose & Sandra Sendingan (trainers)
1 comment
This article is upside down the diet advise buried at the bottom will quickly reverse spikes, high bp , high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and much more . Especially if coupled with low oil use and sticking to coconut or virgin olive oil .