22 June 2014
JEDDAH - On the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a Saudi medical expert has proposed mandatory food labeling so that consumers would be informed about the composition of food before buying.
Dr. Saud N.M. Al-Sifri, lead investigator and Director of the Medicine Department & Consultant Endocrinologist in Al-Hada Armed Forces Hospital, Taif, told the Saudi Gazette on the phone at the launch of "Treat To Goals" campaign during a scientific symposium held recently in Riyadh, that introducing regulation that makes nutrition labeling mandatory for pre-packed food would make consumers aware of the benefits or disadvantages of certain food products to one's health.
Food labeling, which must include all ingredients, among others, must be made mandatory for all food products sold in Saudi Arabia to minimize, if not prevent, the escalation of cardiovascular diseases among the population, Dr. Al-Sifri said.
The new labeling regulation would empower consumers to make more informed dietary decisions. However, the challenge remains to generate and promote interest in and motivation for healthy eating among consumers. That's s why education of consumers about CVD, cholesterol, and healthy lifestyle is equally essential so that the provision of consistent information across food products will hopefully aid in achieving greater awareness and use of nutrition information, Dr. Al-Sifri explained.
CVD driven by obesity and diabetes poses a daunting concern in Saudi Arabia. Estimates from the World Health Organization suggest that in 2008, approximately 17.3 million individuals died from CVD and this number is estimated to reach 23 million by 2030. In the Middle East alone, the number of CVD-associated mortalities is recorded as one of the highest in the world.
At the symposium, Dr. Al-Sifri discussed his new study sponsored by Merck Sharpe & Dohme (MSD) on dyslipidemia or the abnormal amount of lipids (e.g. cholesterol and/or fat) in the blood.
The proposed regulation would require food manufacturers to provide information on the energy value and 6 nutrients; fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein and salt - in this order, and expressed per 100 g or per 100 ml of product. This information should be presented in a nutrition table visibly (most likely to be the back of the pack), and may in addition be expressed on a per portion basis. Further nutrients (i.e. monounsaturates, polyunsaturates, polyols, starch, fiber, vitamins and minerals) can be included voluntarily.
Dr. Al-Sifri further said blood cholesterol level has a lot to do with one's chances of getting heart disease. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease.
He, however, clearly said that cholesterol itself isn't bad. In fact, cholesterol is just one of the many substances created and used by the human body to keep healthy. But a high level of bad cholesterol is a significant risk factor for the premature development of fatty deposits in arteries.
The good cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) helps remove the bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the arteries. Experts believe HDL acts as a scavenger, carrying LDL cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is broken down and passed from the body. One-fourth to one-third of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. A healthy level of HDL cholesterol may also protect against heart attack and stroke, while low levels of HDL cholesterol have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease.
LDL cholesterol is considered the "bad" cholesterol because it contributes to plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog arteries and make them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, heart attack or stroke can result.
Another condition called peripheral artery disease can develop when plaque buildup narrows an artery supplying blood to the legs.
Moreover, Dr. Al-Sifri explained that high cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
As blood cholesterol rises, so does one risks of coronary heart disease. If one has other risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure or diabetes, this risk increases even further. The greater the level of each risk factor, the more that factor affects ones overall risk. Besides, aside from diet, he said cholesterol level can be affected by age, gender, and family health history.
Overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, and a diet very high in carbohydrates (more than 60 percent of total calories) would also trigger elevated triglycerides - another type of fat, and used to store excess energy from diet. People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including a high LDL cholesterol (bad) level and a low HDL cholesterol (good) level. Many people with heart disease or diabetes also have high triglyceride levels.
Underlying diseases or genetic disorders are sometimes the cause of high triglycerides. People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including a high LDL cholesterol (bad) level and a low HDL cholesterol (good) level. Many people with heart disease or diabetes also have high triglyceride levels.
Dr. Sifri emphasized that "it is essential for us to improve the patient-doctor communication that in turn help in optimizing adherence, clinical efficiency and substantially reduce the number of patients suffering from dyslipidemia (abnormal amount of lipids (e.g. cholesterol and/or fat in the blood).
Dr. Sifri's study "clearly demonstrates that despite statin therapy, a high proportion of patients fail to meet lipid targets and many have a very high risk of CVD." He added "failure to adhere with therapy and compliance are the main reasons in increasing the overall prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (high level of cholesterol) that represents 54 percent of the population in Saudi Arabia."
Finally, he noted that "statins (a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels) is the cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention and decrease of LDL cholesterol levels."
Dr. Irfan Khan, Director, Medical Affairs, MSD Saudi Arabia, which sponsored the symposium, added that "MSD is committed to continue working with health practitioners in Saudi Arabia to improve the care for patients with medium or high levels of cardiovascular risk."
JEDDAH - On the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a Saudi medical expert has proposed mandatory food labeling so that consumers would be informed about the composition of food before buying.
Dr. Saud N.M. Al-Sifri, lead investigator and Director of the Medicine Department & Consultant Endocrinologist in Al-Hada Armed Forces Hospital, Taif, told the Saudi Gazette on the phone at the launch of "Treat To Goals" campaign during a scientific symposium held recently in Riyadh, that introducing regulation that makes nutrition labeling mandatory for pre-packed food would make consumers aware of the benefits or disadvantages of certain food products to one's health.
Food labeling, which must include all ingredients, among others, must be made mandatory for all food products sold in Saudi Arabia to minimize, if not prevent, the escalation of cardiovascular diseases among the population, Dr. Al-Sifri said.
The new labeling regulation would empower consumers to make more informed dietary decisions. However, the challenge remains to generate and promote interest in and motivation for healthy eating among consumers. That's s why education of consumers about CVD, cholesterol, and healthy lifestyle is equally essential so that the provision of consistent information across food products will hopefully aid in achieving greater awareness and use of nutrition information, Dr. Al-Sifri explained.
CVD driven by obesity and diabetes poses a daunting concern in Saudi Arabia. Estimates from the World Health Organization suggest that in 2008, approximately 17.3 million individuals died from CVD and this number is estimated to reach 23 million by 2030. In the Middle East alone, the number of CVD-associated mortalities is recorded as one of the highest in the world.
At the symposium, Dr. Al-Sifri discussed his new study sponsored by Merck Sharpe & Dohme (MSD) on dyslipidemia or the abnormal amount of lipids (e.g. cholesterol and/or fat) in the blood.
The proposed regulation would require food manufacturers to provide information on the energy value and 6 nutrients; fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein and salt - in this order, and expressed per 100 g or per 100 ml of product. This information should be presented in a nutrition table visibly (most likely to be the back of the pack), and may in addition be expressed on a per portion basis. Further nutrients (i.e. monounsaturates, polyunsaturates, polyols, starch, fiber, vitamins and minerals) can be included voluntarily.
Dr. Al-Sifri further said blood cholesterol level has a lot to do with one's chances of getting heart disease. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease.
He, however, clearly said that cholesterol itself isn't bad. In fact, cholesterol is just one of the many substances created and used by the human body to keep healthy. But a high level of bad cholesterol is a significant risk factor for the premature development of fatty deposits in arteries.
The good cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) helps remove the bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the arteries. Experts believe HDL acts as a scavenger, carrying LDL cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is broken down and passed from the body. One-fourth to one-third of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. A healthy level of HDL cholesterol may also protect against heart attack and stroke, while low levels of HDL cholesterol have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease.
LDL cholesterol is considered the "bad" cholesterol because it contributes to plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog arteries and make them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, heart attack or stroke can result.
Another condition called peripheral artery disease can develop when plaque buildup narrows an artery supplying blood to the legs.
Moreover, Dr. Al-Sifri explained that high cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
As blood cholesterol rises, so does one risks of coronary heart disease. If one has other risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure or diabetes, this risk increases even further. The greater the level of each risk factor, the more that factor affects ones overall risk. Besides, aside from diet, he said cholesterol level can be affected by age, gender, and family health history.
Overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, and a diet very high in carbohydrates (more than 60 percent of total calories) would also trigger elevated triglycerides - another type of fat, and used to store excess energy from diet. People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including a high LDL cholesterol (bad) level and a low HDL cholesterol (good) level. Many people with heart disease or diabetes also have high triglyceride levels.
Underlying diseases or genetic disorders are sometimes the cause of high triglycerides. People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including a high LDL cholesterol (bad) level and a low HDL cholesterol (good) level. Many people with heart disease or diabetes also have high triglyceride levels.
Dr. Sifri emphasized that "it is essential for us to improve the patient-doctor communication that in turn help in optimizing adherence, clinical efficiency and substantially reduce the number of patients suffering from dyslipidemia (abnormal amount of lipids (e.g. cholesterol and/or fat in the blood).
Dr. Sifri's study "clearly demonstrates that despite statin therapy, a high proportion of patients fail to meet lipid targets and many have a very high risk of CVD." He added "failure to adhere with therapy and compliance are the main reasons in increasing the overall prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (high level of cholesterol) that represents 54 percent of the population in Saudi Arabia."
Finally, he noted that "statins (a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels) is the cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention and decrease of LDL cholesterol levels."
Dr. Irfan Khan, Director, Medical Affairs, MSD Saudi Arabia, which sponsored the symposium, added that "MSD is committed to continue working with health practitioners in Saudi Arabia to improve the care for patients with medium or high levels of cardiovascular risk."
© The Saudi Gazette 2014
