Dr R K Sanghavi

  # RKS: ALL ABOUT SUGAR & DIABETES – Can Lessened Sugar Intake Slice Diabetes Risk? 1st March 2021 THE SUGARY MYTHS - DIABETES CO-RELATION It is an established fact etched in textbooks, and considered an irrefutable truth that the common diabetes condition which starts in adulthood is Type 2 variety is a consequence of defect in action of insulin (medically referred to as 'insulin resistance' or 'diminished insulin sensitivity').  ABOUT INSULIN But what is the action of insulin? If we are not diabetic then our normal blood glucose fasting and 2 hours post-food (prandial) will be less than 100 mg/dL of blood. When we eat food the carbohydrates consumed is all converted to glucose and enters the blood. As a result the levels of blood glucose can rise up to 140 mg/dL. But do we become diabetic? No way. The blood glucose is utilised for energy purpose, and primarily it fuels the muscles and brain - each consumes 20% of the total calories taken as food carbohydrates dai

  # RKS: ALL ABOUT SALT & HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE – Can Lessened Papad & Pickle Intake Slice High BP Risk? 1st February 2021 THE SALT INTAKE ENIGMA For adults, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends to consume less than 5 grams (g) [just under a teaspoon (tsp)] of salt per day. However, most people, including Indians, consume too much salt - on average 9 to 12 g per day, or around twice the recommended maximum level of intake. Over time, excessive salt intake can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension) and hence it is also reported that prolonged modest reduction in its intake supposedly induces a relevant fall in blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. Between 40-60 years of age the number of sufferers of various grades of high blood pressure (BP) is as follows: • Borderline BP (130-139 & 85-89 mm Hg): 40-45%  • Mild High BP (140-159 & 90-99 mm Hg): 15% • Moderate High BP (160-179 & 100-109 mm Hg): 5% • Severe High BP (>180 & >110 mm Hg