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ICMR Releases New Dietary Guidelines For Indians, Says Avoid Protein Supplements: In response to the escalating health concerns stemming from poor dietary habits in India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) introduced a comprehensive set of dietary guidelines on 9th May 2024. These guidelines aim to tackle the staggering statistic that 56.4% of India’s disease burden is attributed to unhealthy eating practices.
Key Recommendations
The 148-page report, crafted by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), stresses the importance of reducing sugars, salts, and unhealthy fats in our diets. A notable advice from the dietary guidelines is the warning against the indiscriminate use of protein supplements, which have been associated with potential health risks including bone mineral loss and kidney damage. Here are the key recommendations:
- Decrease Cooking Oil Usage: The dietary guidelines advocate for reducing cooking oil consumption and suggest alternative sources of fatty acids such as nuts, oilseeds, and seafood.
- Limit Sugar Intake: Aim for daily sugar consumption of 20-25 grams, focusing on naturally occurring carbohydrates.
- Manage Total Fat Intake: Keep total fat consumption to less than or equal to 30% of total energy intake.
Physical Activity and Lifestyle Changes
A significant aspect of the new guidelines is the promotion of physical activity alongside dietary guidelines to combat non-communicable diseases like coronary heart disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Regular exercise combined with a balanced diet is highlighted as a preventive measure to avoid a substantial number of premature deaths.
Food Safety and Quality
The dietary guidelines also stress the importance of food safety, recommending minimally processed foods, and understanding food labels. These additions aim to guide the Indian population towards making informed food choices beneficial in the long term.
Why Avoid Protein Supplements?
The Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), part of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), advises against the use of protein supplements for building body mass. According to the institute, prolonged intake of large amounts of protein powders or high protein concentrates may lead to potential dangers such as bone mineral loss and kidney damage.
Revised Dietary Guidelines for Indians (DGIs)
Drafted by a multidisciplinary committee of experts led by Dr. Hemalatha R, Director of ICMR-NIN, the revised DGIs have undergone several scientific reviews and include 17 guidelines. These dietary guidelines emphasize meeting essential nutrient requirements and preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through dietary modifications.
Understanding Nutrient Distribution
According to the dietary guidelines, sugar should constitute less than 5 percent of total energy intake, while a balanced diet should provide no more than 45 percent of calories from cereals and millet. Moreover, sugar intake should be limited to 15 percent of calories from pulses, beans, and meat. The rest of the calories should come from nuts, vegetables, fruits, and milk, with total fat intake not exceeding 30 percent of energy.
Challenges and Risks
The ICMR-NIN highlights the limited availability and high cost of pulses and meat, leading to a significant reliance on cereals among the Indian population. This reliance results in poor intake of essential macronutrients and micronutrients, potentially disrupting metabolism and increasing the risk of insulin resistance and associated disorders from a young age.
Impact of Healthy Lifestyle
Physical activity and healthy diets are emphasized as key factors in reducing a substantial proportion of coronary heart disease (CHD) and hypertension (HTN) and preventing up to 80 percent of type 2 diabetes. Following a healthy lifestyle could avert a significant proportion of premature deaths, according to the guidelines.
In conclusion, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) ‘s dietary guidelines provide a roadmap for improving dietary habits and overall health outcomes in India, emphasizing the importance of balanced nutrition, physical activity, and informed food choices.
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