Most of us have a tendency to hunt out “superfoods” or particular diets, both to shed these additional few kilos, clear up current well being points, or put together our our bodies to battle antagonistic environmental circumstances and construct a robust immune system.
Whereas the intention is sweet, sadly, most of us fall prey to social media — particularly Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp forwards. And the outcomes are the worst.
This version of Well being Issues is predicated on my interactions and interviews with nutritionists and physicians to delve deeper into this situation.
This column is a file extension earlier article I’ve written about how Instagram reels and DIY movies depart customers with broken pores and skin that finally wants skilled intervention.
Self-prescription tales and harms
Pattern this: A 44-year-old man was dropped at the emergency division of a hospital in Bengaluru. The rationale: an impending coronary heart assault.
It was handled instantly with stent placement within the LCX artery. He had diabetes since he was 10 years previous, however when he approached the hospital his HbA1C was 14 p.c — greater than double regular ranges. HbA1C measures the quantity of blood sugar (glucose) certain to hemoglobin.
Dr. Deepak Krishnamurthy, senior interventional heart specialist at Sakra, participated within the case examine Globalism Hospital, Bengaluru, on Twitter.
Veeramachaneni or VRK weight loss program recommends consuming 100 grams of ghee in a single meal. The affected person was impressed by social media. There are numerous YouTube movies about this VRK weight loss program,” Krishnamurthy tells me of the weight loss program typically known as the “daisy” model of the keto weight loss program.
Not solely Krishnamurthy, however many docs are going through an identical downside as social media customers ignore the truth that the “one dimension suits all” strategy doesn’t work in the actual world.
In one other, a 40-year-old man with sort 2 diabetes who was taking medicine selected intermittent fasting and a low-carb weight loss program sponsored by an influencer.
He adopted it with none medical supervision. In consequence, he developed extreme hypoglycemia. Sooner or later, he handed out at work and damage his again badly,” Dr. Subhasree Ray, who has a PhD in medical vitamin and well being skilled, tells me over a WhatsApp chat.
Tales like these are limitless now.
In Kerala, a fruit known as Averrhoa Bilimbi, generally generally known as Bilimbi, is used to make a refreshing fish curry. Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, former president of the Indian Medical Affiliation (IMA), instructed me that the WhatsApp attacker made it well-known for decreasing levels of cholesterol.
“This bilimbi drink pattern has change into hell,” he added.
Individuals thought it was a fast repair, put it in a blender and drink the juice. Nonetheless, these folks ended up with irreversible kidney injury, and lots of wanted a kidney transplant as a result of the juice acted like Fevicol to the kidneys—the filters of the human physique—and blocked the pores.
“The kidneys had been clogged with oxalate crystals. This fruit is a taste enhancer and secure for human consumption provided that eaten in minimal quantities.”
One other widespread fad is consuming soaked fenugreek seeds (methi), particularly amongst diabetics. Nonetheless, individuals who took fenugreek decoction bought into hassle.
Giant doses of fenugreek seeds skinny the blood and might trigger harmful bleeding in folks with or with no medical historical past.
Social media inspiration is far greater within the put up covid world
Taking very best weight loss program or weight loss program recommendation from influencers on Instagram or social media will be dangerous as a result of they is probably not certified to supply dietary recommendation and will promote fad diets or fast fixes that aren’t sustainable or wholesome in the long run.
In keeping with Dr. Varsha Gauri, Senior Scientific Dietitian and Head of Diet at Apollo Hospitals (Navi Mumbai), the influence of social media has change into extra aggressive as a result of outbreak of Covid-19.
“Throughout the instances of COVID-19, there was a better influence of social media on folks the place out of the blue good well being is the prerequisite for survival,” she famous.
“Due to the identical, 8 out of 10 sufferers are actually social media to design or modify their weight loss program plans somewhat than approaching any physician or specialist.”
Influencers typically current a extremely modified and formatted model of their lives, which may create unrealistic expectations and physique picture points.
Consultants inform me there are various examples of individuals experiencing detrimental well being penalties from following fad diets and quick-fix weight reduction plans promoted by unqualified people on social media. This could embrace malnutrition, nutrient deficiencies, and an elevated threat of power illness.
As soon as Dr. Ray is visited by a younger woman (depicted above) who suffers from extreme dietary deficiencies resulting from her self-chosen restrictive weight loss program plan.
She was consuming solely 600 energy a day. “She grew to become malnourished, torpid, had issues with common menstruation, sleep and temper issues,” Rae stated, including that there are various examples like her.
Why do it’s essential go to a nutritionist or docs
Everyone seems to be totally different and one weight loss program plan won’t work for everybody.
Other than many different points, dieticians want to contemplate anthropometric measurements, very best physique mass index (BMI), biochemical parameters and medical circumstances whereas planning a person’s weight loss program.
Anthropometry is the scientific examine of the measurements and proportions of the human physique, whereas the biochemical parameters embrace urea, creatinine, potassium, glucose, albumin, sodium and different essential particulars of physique functioning and steadiness.
It could be dangerous to assume that “superfoods” haven’t any unwanted side effects. Each meals can have a dangerous impact somewhat than a profit if eaten inappropriately.
Whenever you go to a medically educated skilled, a weight loss program plan is made based on your medical historical past. For instance, one might have a low potassium weight loss program associated to diabetes, kidney illness, or associated to poor coronary heart perform.
“We take a look at the finer issues. The thought is to give you a well-balanced weight loss program based mostly in your weight and medical historical past,” Dr Payal Sharma, a dietitian at Dharamshila Narayana Tremendous Specialty Hospital based mostly in Delhi, tells me.
Within the occasion that an individual requires a protein-based weight loss program, the plan goes like this.
You probably have a perfect physique weight, then it’s essential eat 1 gram of protein per kilogram of weight. When you’re obese, 0.8g protein/kg, and for those who’re underweight, I would assign 1.2 to 1.3g protein/kg, including: “This protein might be divided into two classes based mostly on the affected person’s selections – vegetable protein equivalent to soy and protein animal like rooster or eggs.”
In brief, it is very important be essential of any dietary recommendation you obtain, particularly when it comes from an unqualified or untrained supply.
It’s all the time finest to seek the advice of a professional healthcare skilled, equivalent to a registered dietitian or doctor, for customized and secure dietary recommendation.
In spite of everything, your well being is essential.
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