Does being skinny or thin mean that you are healthy or free from bad cholesterol, fat cells and cardiovascular diseases? No.
Being thin does not mean that accumulation of fat cells does not take place. In some cases, it is higher than even obese people. There are many incidences of thin people, who believed they were healthy, suffering from diabetes, strokes and heart attacks. While their metabolism keeps them skinny, the lipids in their body have a large number of fat cells, increased amount of bad cholesterol and abnormally high level of lipoproteins in them. This results in blockages and improper flow of blood due to stiffening of blood vessels.
The lifestyle today has even made the young vulnerable to these diseases. Increasing levels of stress from studying for 14 to 17 hours leads to lack of physical activity, depression and also bingeing on junk food.
The medical fraternity counsels patients: Start early, drive slowly, reach safely, avoid hurry and worry and too much of oil curry!
‘Eat right, exercise to control fat’
Most Indians have a large number of fat cells in their blood due to genetic mutation where the receptor protein is found to store fat instead of using it. Here the lipids, fat-soluble molecules, are transported in a protein capsule to the cells, increasing the density which influences metabolism of the body.
The increased flow of fats impairs blood supply, resulting in organs like brain, heart, kidneys and eyes not getting enough blood. This in turn leads to paralytic strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, hypertension, kidney failure and even sudden loss of vision.
Dr R.V. Vijay Bhaskar, head of Cardiology at Global Hospitals, says, “Chest discomfort, squeezing pains, heaviness in chest or choking sensation are some of the signs of coronary artery diseases. These get aggravated due to stress, physical exertion and diabetes. The best way to control this is to ensure a balanced diet with optimum proportion of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins. Do not go on a diet and starve yourself. Eat right and exercise.”
‘Stress, a major cause of overeating’
A lean body is not necessarily a fat-free body. It might be because of unhealthy food habits wherein the fat is deposited around the internal organs making them prone to heart diseases. Truncal obesity, fat deposition around the hips, thighs and bottom are significant risk factors for heart diseases and strokes.
Dr Anand Agrawal, senior cardio thoracic surgeon at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, says, “Brisk walking for 30 to 40 minutes at least four days a week helps in weight reduction, improvement in blood fats, increases good cholesterol and decreases bad cholesterol and triglycerides.”
In present times, stress has become one of the major reasons for cardiovascular diseases as it leads to overeating, inactivity as well as depression.
Dr Agrawal says, “We are seeing more and more young patients, in their early 30s, who have severe blockages due to indulgent lifestyle compounded by an extremely stressful atmosphere.” Also, symptoms like fatigue, pain in the back and neck, allergies and headaches must not be ignored. These are a few signs of a deteriorating immune system.
Watch What You Are Eating
- Modifications in lifestyle can control blood fats in majority of people.
- Consume fortified food products like orange juice, yogurt, salad dressing, barley and legumes.
- Eat whole wheat bread, oatmeal and brown rice. Eat fatty fish like salmon or herring once a week.
- Fruits, vegetables and cereals do not have cholesterol
