The effect of ghee (clarified butter) on serum lipid levels and microsomal lipid peroxidation

Health benefits of ghee: Review of Ayurveda and modern science perspectives

The scientific view on dairy fats is undergoing a change. While at one time they were associated with negative health effects, recent scientific research has provided new insights into the functional benefits of dairy fats and their fatty acids. This changing scientific view on dairy fats is also resulting in a scientific interest in Ghee, the clarified butter obtained from milk. Ghee, besides being a traditional milk product of cultural importance in India and finding extensive use in its cuisines, is also one of the most important ingredients of the materia medica of Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine that originated in India. While modern scientific literature has limited studies on functional benefits of ghee, Ayurveda literature extensively catalogues the therapeutic potential of ghee and details different types of ghee based on source of milk, manufacturing method, maturation and physical phase. This work reviewed the Ayurveda literature on health benefits of ghee and examined the complementarity and gaps between Ayurveda literature and modern scientific literature to identify research questions and hypotheses for further exploring the therapeutic potential of ghee. The Ayurveda literature review involved curation of references to ghee in eleven important Ayurvedic texts spanning over 3000 years. 4000 references to milk and milk products were curated from these texts, of which 2913 mentions were in the context of therapeutic benefits of milk products. Of these, ghee had 774 mentions, the highest amongst milk-based products. These mentions were grouped into 15 benefit clusters. A review of ghee in modern literature published between 1990 and 2023 was also conducted. A comparison of this with the Ayurveda literature showed that there were major differences in the focus areas of health between the two. While recent research primarily focused on ghee's connection with cardiovascular health, wound healing and skin health, Ayurveda prioritized cognitive benefits, gastrointestinal health, and nourishing. These later areas are of growing importance to human health as global population ages, and chronic and brain related diseases start dominating public health concerns. As scientists search for solutions to these, ghee, its usage and formulations in Ayurveda and the detailed associations between ghee's animal source, processing, maturation, phases and health benefits, may have scientific insights to offer that can guide future research.

A scoping review on 'Maharishi Amrit Kalash', an ayurveda formulation for cancer prevention and management

BACKGROUND

Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Current treatments include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc., are known to be associated with several side effects. Hence, complementary and alternative medicine is growing in acceptance around the world, particularly Ayurvedic formulations. MAK is one of the most scientifically acclaimed formulations with potential anti-neoplastic and chemoprotective properties.

OBJECTIVE

To study literature available on the anti-neoplastic and chemoprotective effects of MAK.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted using multiple web-based sources: Google Scholar (185), PubMed (33), DHARA (49), AYUSH research portal (2), EBSCO (66), and CTRI (1) for all studies published before February 2021 using keywords: Maharishi Amrit Kalash, Amrit Kalash, Amrit, MAK-4, MAK-5, MAK-7, and others. A manual search was conducted on the reference list of all included articles to identify additional studies. Studies with cancer and/or chemotoxicity outcomes were selected manually. Evidence from both preclinical and clinical level studies have been included in the current review.

RESULTS

Out of total 79 studies on applications of MAK, 13 studies were found to state its anti-neoplastic and chemoprotective effects. The studies showed role of MAK in initiation of neoplastic transformation of cancer cells (1), carcinogenesis inhibition (4), metastases inhibition/reduction (1), cancer growth inhibition (4), induction of morphological and biochemical differentiation of cancer cells (3), and reduction in chemotoxicity (4). In studies with controlled clinical trial design (3), MAK use among patients with cancer showed a significant reduction in anorexia, vomiting, and other side effects associated with chemotherapy. A general improvement in quality-of-life scores (Karnofsky Performance Status) and well-being was also observed among patients using MAK.

CONCLUSION

Evidence from pre-clinical studies show promising results for use of MAK as an anti-cancer and a chemoprotective agent. More clinical studies are needed to assess the impact of MAK use for tumour regression among patients with cancer. Current scoping review provides sufficient evidence on MAK to be considered for further exploration for its anti-cancer/chemoprotective effects in bigger randomized clinical trials.

Histological and Microscopic Analysis of Fats in Heart, Liver Tissue, and Blood Parameters in Experimental Mice

The intake of various types and amounts of dietary fats influences metabolic and cardiovascular health. Hence, this study evaluated the impact of routinely consumed Pakistani dietary fats on their cardiometabolic impact. For this, we made four groups of mice, each comprising 5 animals: (1) C-ND: Control mice on a normal diet, (2) HFD-DG: High-fat diet mice on a normal diet plus 10% (w/w) desi ghee, (3) HFD-O: Mice on normal diet plus 10% (w/w) plant oil (4) HFD-BG: Mice on normal diet plus 10% (w/w) banaspati ghee. Mice were fed for 16 weeks, and blood, liver, and heart samples were collected for biochemical, histological, and electron microscopic analysis. The physical factors indicated that mice fed on HFD gained more body weight than the C-ND group. Blood parameters do not show significant differences, but overall, the glucose and cholesterol concentrations were raised in the mice fed with a fat-rich diet, with the highest concentrations in the HFD-BG group. The mice fed with HFD-BG and HFD-O had more lipid droplets in the liver, compared to HFD-DG and C-ND.

Natural Ghee Enhances the Biochemical and Immunohistochemical Reproductive Performance of Female Rabbits

The reproductive effects of several dietary fats (margarine, ghee, and olive oil) on female rabbits were studied. For that purpose, 40 mature female rabbits were designed into four groups of ten rabbits each. Group I was given a control diet, Group II received 10% margarine, Group III received 10% ghee, and Group IV received 10% olive oil; after two months, all rabbits were sacrificed. Lipid profile and reproductive hormones levels were assayed in serum besides ovarian antioxidant enzyme and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, ovarian tissue was examined using hematoxylin−eosin staining and immunohistochemistry of estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor, and caspase 3. Our data revealed that the margarine significantly (p < 0.05) increased lipid profile and malondialdehyde (MDA) level, which decreased in olive oil and ghee compared to the control. In addition, serum FSH and estrogen (estradiol (E2)) were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in the group treated with margarine. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in ovarian superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity in the margarine-treated group. In contrast, SOD and MDA showed a significant (p > 0.05) increase in the olive oil and ghee- treated group compared to the control group. At the same time, there was a significant increase in serum FSH and (estradiol (E2)) in the ghee and olive oil groups, respectively, compared to the control. The margarine feed group showed moderate immunoreaction of estrogen, FSH, LH receptor, and strong caspase 3, while ghee and olive oil showed strong immunoreaction of estrogen, FSH, LH receptor, and mild immunoreaction of caspase 3 in ovarian tissue. Photomicrograph of rabbit ovarian tissue showed vacuolation in small and growing follicles in the margarine group but appeared normal in ghee and the olive oil-treated group. In conclusion, based on these results, olive oil and ghee have a strong capability of enhancing lipid profile, antioxidant status, and female hormonal functions.

Dietary Ruminant and Industrial Trans-Fatty Acids Intake and Colorectal Cancer Risk

As colorectal cancer (CRC) is largely due to modifiable lifestyle habits, the awareness on its risk factors is highly important. Dietary fatty acids have been linked to CRC risk. We explored the association between dietary trans fatty acids (TFAs) intake and CRC risk. We analyzed 865 CRC cases (434 in colon and 404 in rectum) and 3206 controls of the IROPICAN study, with data collected by trained interviewers using validated questionnaires. TFAs intake (industrial and ruminant types) was categorized into quartiles. Multivariate logistic regression models were built to calculate the odds ratios (OR) for the association between CRC and TFAs. We observed a positive association between industrial TFAs and colon cancer (OR for highest vs lowest quartile [ORQ4vsQ1] = 1.28, 95% confidence interval 1.07-1.54). A higher association was observed between industrial TFAs and CRC, occurring after 50 years of age. In addition, elaidic acid was associated with an increased risk of colon (ORQ4vsQ1 = 1.58, 1.24-2.02) and specifically of proximal colon cancer (OR Q4vsQ1 = 2.12, 1.40-3.20), as well as of rectum cancer (ORQ4vsQ1 = 1.40, 1.07-1.83). An inverse association was observed between ruminant TFAs intake and colon cancer risk (ORQ4vsQ1 = 0.80, 0.67-0.97). Industrial TFAs, such as semisolid/solid hydrogenated oils, may increase the risk of CRC, especially colon and proximal colon cancer. In contrast, ruminant TFAs do not appear to be associated with CRC. Awareness programs and regulatory actions regarding hydrogenated oils are warranted, given their high consumption through ultra-processed foods in more developed and less developed countries.

Effects of diets rich in ghee or olive oil on cardiometabolic risk factors in healthy adults: a two-period, crossover, randomised trial

This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular health-related effects of consuming ghee in the usual diet. Thirty healthy men and women were studied in a free-living outpatient regimen. The participants were instructed for the isoenergetic inclusion of ghee or olive oil in their diets for 4 weeks using a randomised crossover design. At the end of run-in (baseline), 2-week wash-out and interventions, fasting blood samples were drawn. In addition, 2-h postprandial blood samples were collected after ingestion of a meal containing olive oil or ghee at week 4 of each dietary intervention. Body weight was not different between the two interventions. Compared with the olive oil, the diet with ghee increased fasting plasma apo-B (apo B) (0·09, 95 % CI 0·02, 0·17 g/l, P = 0·018), non-HDL-cholesterol (non-HDL-cholesterol) (0·53, 95 % CI 0·01, 1·05 mmol/l, P = 0·046) and LDL-cholesterol did not differ significantly between diet groups (0·29, 95 % CI -0·05, 0·63 mmol/l, P = 0·092), but had no significant effect on total cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratio (0·75, 95 % CI - 0·24 to 1·74 mmol/l, P = 0·118). No significant difference was observed in fasting as well as 2-h postprandial plasma TAG, glucose, insulin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 concentrations. This study showed that ghee that is predominantly saturated fats had an increasing effect on plasma apo B and non-HDL-cholesterol compared with olive oil, adding further evidence to the existing recommendations to replace dietary fats high in SFA with dietary fats high in unsaturated fats to reduce CVD risk.

'Old Is Gold': How Traditional Indian Dietary Practices Can Support Pediatric Diabetes Management

Nutrition is crucial for maintaining normal growth, development, and glycemic control in young people with diabetes (PwD). Undue restrictions cause nutrient deficiencies as well as poor adherence to meal plans. Widespread availability of low-cost, ultra-processed, and hyperpalatable food is further damaging. Most families struggle to find ways to provide nutritious, yet attractive, food with a low glycemic index (GI). India is one of the oldest continuous civilizations with a rich and diverse cultural and culinary heritage. Traditional dietary practices, including the centuries-old 'Thali' (meaning plate) concept, emphasize combinations (grains, lentils, vegetables, dairy, spices, prebiotics and probiotics, and fats) of local, seasonal, and predominantly plant-based ingredients. These practices ensure that all of the necessary food groups are provided and fit well with current evidence-based recommendations, including the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) 2018 Guidelines. Techniques for the preparation, cooking, and preservation of food further impact the GI and nutrient availability. These practices benefit nutrient density, diet diversity, and palatability and thus improve adherence to meal plans and glycemic control. This narrative review describes the ancient wisdom, food composition, and culinary practices from across India which are still valuable today. These may be of benefit worldwide to improve glycemic control as well as quality of life, especially in PwD.

Comparative evaluation of fish oil and butter oil in modulating delivery of galantamine hydrobromide to brain via intranasal route: pharmacokinetic and oxidative stress studies

The present study investigates the role of fish oil (FO)- and butter oil (BO)-enriched microemulsion-based system of galantamine hydrobromide (GH), an anti-Alzheimer drug, for its potential role in brain permeation enhancement and neuroprotection against oxidative stress. Microemulsion (ME)-based system of GH was prepared using water phase titration. The prepared ME was characterized by several physicochemical parameters like particle size, polydispersity index, and ex vivo drug permeation. Cell-based oxidative stress assays and pharmacokinetic studies were performed using C6 glial cell lines, and Sprague Dawley rats, respectively. The optimized ME comprised 5.3% v/v of Capmul MCM EP (as oil),15.8% v/v of Tween-80 (as surfactant), 5.3% v/v of Transcutol P (as co-surfactant), and 73.6% v/v of water (as aqueous phase). The addition of FO and BO resulted in a slight increase in the droplet size and decrease in transparency of ME. Cell-based anti-oxidative stress assays (glutathione assay, nitrite assay, and lipid peroxidation assay) showed the efficacy of formulation in the order of ME, BO ME, and FO ME, respectively. A similar trend was also observed in in vivo animal studies, wherein GH FO ME showed a comparatively higher percentage of drug reaching the brain when administered by intranasal route than by IV route. The study concluded the potential benefits of co-administering FO- and BO-enriched microemulsion is not only enhancing the permeation of drugs across BBB but also improving efficacy against lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidative stress. Graphical abstract.

Consumption of Ashtanga Ghrita (clarified cow butter added with herb extracts) improves cognitive dysfunction induced by scopolamine in rats via regulation of acetylcholinesterase activity and oxidative stress

OBJECTIVES

Ashtanga Ghrita (AG), an Indian traditional formulation, has been used to promote neuropharmacological activities. AG is made up of clarified cow butter (ghee) and eight different herbs.

METHODS

To test whether scopolamine (SCP)-induced dementia and brain oxidative stress can be counteracted by AG, rats were separated into five groups (n=6/group): group one control, group two SCP (1 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) treated and group three to five were co-treated with different doses of AG (1.25, 2.5 and 5 g/kg b.w., orally) and SCP. After the treatment regimen, behavioral (Y-maze test) and brain biochemical changes were measured in all groups.

RESULTS

Microbial load and heavy metals were found within permissible limits. Results from attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated the complexation/interaction of herbal phytoconstituents with the functional groups of Ghrita. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of AG exhibited the occurrence of flavonoids, phenolics, glycosides, steroids, triterpenes, tannins, and amino acids. Findings of the experimental study exhibited that AG significantly protected the rats from SCP-induced behavioral dysfunction and brain biochemical alterations.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that AG protects the brain from SCP-induced dementia by promoting brain antioxidant activity and thus could be a promising drug for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.

Short term escalating administration of large amount of sneha does not increase blood lipids

Vardhamana snehapana or shodhana sneha is classical Ayurvedic treatment in which escalating dose of sneha or ghee is administered for utkleshana (precipitation and dilution) of morbid doshas in body. Due to snehana and swedana, doshas get separated from dhatus, channelized towards koshtha, from where they can be easily and safely removed by appropriate cleansing therapy or shodhana like vamana (emesis) or virechana (purgation). Since this type of snehana requires administration of large amount of sneha or ghee there is fear that patients may experience increase in harmful lipids. The present study examined the effect of vardhamana snehapana on relevant physical and physiological parameters in normal individuals before and after samyak snehana and shodhana. Vardhamana snehapana was administered in healthy individuals according to agni and koshtha to achieve samyak snigdha lakshanas (symptoms of proper oleation).We assessed parameters of vardhamana snehapana in all individuals including samyak snigdha lakshanas, jeeryamana lakshanas, total quantity of sneha consumed. Effect of vardhamana snehapana on weight, abdominal circumference and lipid profile were measured before and after vardhamana snehapana. Statistical significance of results were quantitated by paired t test. After vardhamana snehapana, 16 out of 29 volunteers showed a significant weight loss of > 2 kg (p < 0.0001). The remaining 13 volunteers showed less but significant weight loss <2 kg (p < 0.0001). Notably, all 29 volunteers showed a significant reduction in abdominal circumference (p ≤ 0.0006) after vardhamana snehapana. Although vardhamana snehapana did not significantly alter levels of total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL, it did cause a significant reduction in triglycerides (p = 0.009) and VLDL (p = 0.005) in all 29 volunteers. Vardhamana snehapana is responsible for precipitation of doshas and does not cause brumhana (Nourishment of dhatus or body elements). Importantly, this treatment did not negatively affect health of any of the volunteers. Notably, Vardhamana snehapana caused different degrees of statistically significant reduction in body weight, abdominal circumference, and levels of specific lipids (triglycerides and VLDL) in these 29 volunteers. These encouraging results could be due to the composition and metabolism of the pure cow's ghee used for vardhamana snehapana treatment in this study.

Relationship Between the Consumption of Milk-Based Oils Including Butter and Kermanshah Ghee with Metabolic Syndrome: Ravansar Non-Communicable Disease Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in recent years has been growing in different societies, which may be due to lifestyle changes including changes in diet, in particular the consumption pattern of edible oils. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the consumption of animal oils including butter and Kermanshah ghee with MetS and its components in the adult population of Ravansar Non-Communicable Disease (RaNCD) cohort study.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was carried out on 5550 adults aged 35-65 years using baseline data of Ravansar's prospective study center in Iran. MetS was defined according to the criteria of modified NCEP ATP III for Iranian adults. Relationship between the consumption of butter and Kermanshah ghee and MetS was analyzed by logistic regression model using STATA software.

RESULTS

In our study, the frequency of MetS was 31.40%. The mean body mass index and mean age were 27.1±4.6 kg/m² and 47.6±8.2 years. The mean values of consumed butter and Kermanshah ghee were 3.3±1.8 and 5.1±2.3 g/day, respectively. After adjusting the confounding variables, the highest to the lowest quintile of butter and Kermanshah ghee consumption showed a reverse correlation with the MetS (OR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.5-0.9) and (OR= 0.7, 95% CI=0.6-0.9), respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed a reverse relationship between milk and Kermanshah ghee consumption with MetS and its components. Therefore, consumption of milk-based oils may be associated with lower cardiovascular risk factors.

Interaperitoneal Administration of Αlpha-Tocopherol Loaded Nanoparticles Improves Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rat Ovaries Torsion and Detorsion Model

Objective:

To investigate effects of intraperitoneally administration of α-tocopherol loaded nanoparticles (TNP) on ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovaries.

Methods:

Thirty-five healthy female Wistar rats ~250g were randomized into seven experimental groups (n = 5): Group SHAM: The rats underwent only laparotomy. Group Ischemia: A 3- hour ischemia only. Group I/R: A 3-hour ischemia and a 3-hour reperfusion. Group I/T: A 3-hour ischemia only and 100 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration (IP) of α-tocopherol 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia. Group I/R/T: A 3-hour ischemia, a 3-hour reperfusion and 100 mg/kg IP of α-tocopherol 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia. Group I/TNP: A 3-hour ischemia only and 1 mg/kg IP of TNP 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia. Group I/R/TNP: A 3-hour ischemia, a 3-hour reperfusion and 1 mg/kg IP of TNP 2.5 hours after induction of ischemia.  

Results:

Animals treated with αTNP showed significantly ameliorated development of ischemia and reperfusion tissue injury compared to those of other groups (p=0.001). The significant higher values of SOD, tGSH, GPO, GSHRd and GST were observed in I/R/NC animals compared to those of other groups (p=0.001). Damage indicators (NOS, MDA, MPO and DNA damage level) were significantly lower in I/R/NC animal compared to those of other groups (p=0.001).

Conclusion:

Intraperitoneal administration of TNP could be helpful in minimizing ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovarian tissue exposed to ischemia.

Beneficial effect of ghee consumption over mustard oil on lipid profile: A study in North Indian adult population

Background

Ghee (G) is attributed with numerous health benefits in Ayurveda. However, due to the high saturated fat content, it has been predicted to increase the cardiovascular disease risk. Hence, the current study was performed to evaluate the effect of G consumption as compared to mustard oil (MO) on lipid profile.

Methods

Two hundred (100 males) apparently healthy adults (≥40 years) were randomly selected out of the total individuals interviewed in a house-to-house survey. They were divided into three groups based on G and MO consumption: (A) MO >1 L/month, G<0.5 kg/month; (B) MO 1–0.5 L/month, G 1.25–0.5 kg/month; and (C) MO <0.5–0.2 L/month, G>1.25 kg/month. Serum lipid parameters were compared among the groups.

Results

Group C had the significantly lowest triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), TC/HDL and LDL/HDL and highest high-density lipoprotein (HDL). A similar finding was found when analysis was done separetely for male and female.

Conclusions

A favorable lipid profile might suggest a possible beneficial effect of predominantly G consumption over MO.

The Coadministration of Unoxidized and Oxidized Desi Ghee Ameliorates the Toxic Effects of Thermally Oxidized Ghee in Rabbits

Desi Ghee was thermally oxidized at 160°C for 9 h and characterized for peroxide value (PV), free fatty acid (FFA), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), radical scavenging activity (RSA), and fatty acid and cholesterol composition using GC-MS. Oxidized (OG) and normal ghee (NG) were fed to rabbits in different doses. Blood was collected for hematology and biochemical analyses after 7 and 14 days. The oxidation of desi ghee increased the PV, FFA, and TBARS values and showed a decline in the RSA values. GC-MS revealed that desi ghee was rich in saturated fatty acids (55.9 g/100 g) and significant amounts of oleic acid (26.2 g/100 g). The OG significantly decreased the body weight, which was normalized by the coadministration of NG. Serum lipid profile showed a dose dependent increase in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low density lipoproteins (LDL) and decrease in RBCs count, hematocrit, glucose, and hemoglobin concentration with OG feeding. These parameters were normalized by coadministration of NG. Liver histopathology of OG fed groups showed bile duct dilation and necrotic changes, while normal architecture showed in NG groups, compared to control. These results indicate that NG has no significant effect on rabbits comparing with OG and that it was beneficial when coadministered with oxidized ghee.

Open sesame: Identification of sesame oil and oil soot ink in organic deposits of Tang Dynasty lamps from Astana necropolis in China

Lamp illuminants evidence the exploitation of natural resources, animal and plant domestication, commerce, religious practices and nutrition of ancient populations. However, the physicochemical analysis of their major constituent—burned, degraded and aged mixture of triacylglycerols is imprecise and may lead to ambiguous interpretations. We applied proteomics to analyze fuel deposits from eight lamps dated by 6^th to 8^th centuries AD that were excavated at the Astana necropolis (Xinjiang, China) and determined their origin by identifying organism-specific proteins. Proteomics evidence corroborated and detailed the assignments of source organism relying upon comparative profiling of intact triacylglycerols by shotgun lipidomics. We found that ruminant (mostly, sheep) fat, cattle ghee and sesame oil were common combustibles in Astana and concluded that sesame as an oilseed appeared in China under Tang Dynasty concomitantly with the expansion of Buddhism.

Development of process for the production of arjuna herbal ghee from buffalo milk

The present study was envisaged to develop a process of production of herbal ghee from buffalo milk using arjuna extract. Three different types of extracts viz. commercial aqueous arjuna extract powder, aqueous extract and alcoholic extract prepared in laboratory from arjuna bark were tried. It was observed that, amongst the three types of extracts when added at the level of 4% of the fat taken, ghee prepared using alcoholic extract was found superior. While selecting the level of alcoholic extract for maximizing the retention of phytosterol in ghee, it was found that there was no significant difference in overall acceptability scores of ghee samples prepared by adding the extract @ 5%, 6% and 7% by the weight of fat taken. Phytosterol content was found to be the highest, i.e. 0.38 and 0.47 mg/g when cream and butter were used as fat source at 7% level of addition of alcoholic extract, respectively. Based on the above results, the optimized product was the one that was prepared by addition of 7% alcoholic arjuna extract using creamery butter method. The chemical composition of the optimized product was found to be fat 99.92%, moisture 0.08%, free fatty acid 0.22% oleic acid, Butyro Refractometer reading 41.5 at 40°C, Reichert-Meissl value 31.5 and phytosterol content 0.39 mg/g.

Comparison of Mustard Oil and Ghee Consumption on the History of Coronary Heart Disease in Urban Population of India

INTRODUCTION

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is one of the leading causes of mortality in India, due to high consumption of mustard oil and ghee among urban population.

AIM

To find out the relationship of mustard oil and ghee consumption on CHD history.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

By a random cross-sectional, house-to-house survey in North India, 137 people aged between 40-80 years (70 males and 67 females) were selected by dietary history of Mustard Oil (MO) and Ghee consumption (G), but having no other CHD precipitating factor. Using food frequency questionnaire, the study population was divided into two groups based on the amount of MO and G consumption; Group A (n = 75): MO >1L/month, but G <0.5Kg/month and Group B (n = 62): MO =0.2 to 0.5L/month but G >1.25Kg/month. Serum lipid profile estimation and resting ECGs recording were done from all the subjects.

RESULTS

There was no statistical significant difference in CHD history between the two groups. Mustard Oil had positive correlation with CHD history. CHD was higher by 50.9% in Group A and was independent of gender. However, the odds of CHD history were higher among males by 32.2% irrespective of the groups.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that CHD history was associated with higher relative consumption of mustard oil than ghee and CHD is positively correlated with increase mustard oil intake, blood level of TG, TC, LDL, VLDL, TC/HDL and LDL/HDL ratio.

Comparison between the Effect of Cow Ghee and Butter on Memory and Lipid Profile of Wistar Rats

INTRODUCTION

The traditional texts designate Cow Ghee as Medhya Rasayana, beneficial for mental alertness and memory. There has been concern about increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to its high percentage of saturated fatty acids in ghee. Amongst all edible fats, nutrition composition of cow ghee and butter is comparatively similar. Hence we had planned a study to assess effect of cow ghee on memory and lipid profile.

AIM

So the aim of this study is to assess the effect of cow ghee on memory and lipid profile.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nootropic activity of test drugs was assessed by Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and Morris Water Maze (MWM) model. Rats were divided into four groups namely control, Piracetam, cow ghee and butter. All drugs were given orally for 21 days. Transfer latency was measured in EPM model and probe test was done in MWM model.

RESULTS

Cow ghee and butter group showed no significant effect on memory in EPM and MWM model. There was reduction in weight of animals in Cow Ghee group and increase in weight with Butter. In both the models there was a significant increase in Triglyceride (TG) and Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL) levels of rats in butter groups and increase in TG and VLDL of rats with cow ghee in EPM model.

CONCLUSION

The result of experiment suggests that no beneficial effect cow ghee and butter on cognition was seen. However, ghee is relatively safer when compared to Butter in considering lipid profile.

Global epidemiology of obesity, vegetarian dietary patterns, and noncommunicable disease in Asian Indians

An increase in noncommunicable disease (NCD) in India has been attributed to an epidemiologic transition whereby, due to urbanization, there is an increase in traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors such as obesity. Accumulated biomarker data on the "Asian Indian phenotype" identify central obesity, which occurs at a lower body mass index (BMI), as a particularly potent risk factor in Asian Indians. A revised WHO case definition for obesity in India [BMI (in kg/m(2)) >25] has identified an obesity epidemic that exceeds 30% in some cities and rivals that in Western nations. This review summarizes 2 key lines of evidence: 1) the emergence of an obesity epidemic in urban and rural India and its contribution to the NCD burden and 2) the role of a "nutrition transition" in decreasing the whole plant food content of diets in India and increasing risk of obesity and NCDs. We then present new epidemiologic evidence from Asian Indians enrolled in the Adventist Health Study 2 that raises the possibility of how specific whole plant foods (eg, nuts) in a vegetarian dietary pattern could potentially prevent obesity and NCDs in a target population of >1 billion persons.

Overweight, obesity and related non-communicable diseases in Asian Indian girls and women

The prevalence of obesity is rising globally and in India. Overweight, obesity and related diseases need to be delineated in Asian Indian women. A literature search was done using key words like 'obesity', 'Asian Indian women', 'body fat distribution', 'type 2 diabetes', 'fertility', 'polycystic ovarian disease', metabolic syndrome', 'cardiovascular disease', 'non-alcoholic fatty liver disease', 'gender', 'sex' and 'prevalence' up to September 2012 in Pubmed and Google Scholar search engines. This review highlights the Asian Indian body composition with regards to obesity and provides a collated perspective of gender-specific prevalence of the co-morbidities. Recent data show that women (range of prevalence of overweight and obesity from different studies 15-61%) have higher prevalence of overweight and obesity as compared with men (range of prevalence of overweight and obesity from different studies 12-54%) in India and that obesity is increasing in the youth. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in both men and women steeply rose in a Punjabi community from Jaipur. Importantly, prevalence of abdominal obesity has been consistently higher in women than in men. The lowest prevalence (6.0%) of type 2 diabetes mellitus in women is reported from South India (rural Andhra Pradesh; 2006) and the highest (14.0%) by the National Urban Diabetes Survey (2001). Although the clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors was generally high, it increased further in post-menopausal women. There are a number of factors that predispose Indian women to obesity; sedentary behaviour, imbalanced diets, sequential and additive postpartum weight gain and further decrease in physical activity during this period and cultural issues. In view of these data, preventive measures should be specifically targeted to Indian women.