A change in cooking oil may help trim your waistline. Clinical trials have shown that people with metabolic abnormalities and at risk of diabetes have benefited after switching from regular oil to canola or olive pomace oil.
The study conducted by the Diabetes Foundation of India and National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation, which spanned over three years, covered 90 respondents. The result showed several health benefits of consuming oil with high mono-unsaturated fatty acids.
The study, which has been accepted for publication in the Journal of American College of Nutrition, shows that canola or olive pomace oil has improved body mass index, increased good cholesterol level and has given slimmer waistlines to users. The consumption has also reduced triglicerides and liver fat significantly among people.
The participants were asked to consume 55-60% carbohydrates, 15-20% protein and 20-25% fat in their daily diet. They were also required to do brisk walk for 30-40 minutes daily. Each of them was closely monitored and interviewed for six months.
"The study has important implications for Indians, who are at a greater risk of acquiring diabetes and heart diseases. Just by changing to metabolically-friendly oil, we can avert several chronic and lethal diseases," said Dr Anoop Misra, director and head, department of diabetes and metabolic diseases, Fortis Group of Hospitals.
{{/usCountry}}"The study has important implications for Indians, who are at a greater risk of acquiring diabetes and heart diseases. Just by changing to metabolically-friendly oil, we can avert several chronic and lethal diseases," said Dr Anoop Misra, director and head, department of diabetes and metabolic diseases, Fortis Group of Hospitals.
{{/usCountry}}"A recent data suggest that about one-third of the urban population has metabolic syndrome and the problem has been seen in 25% of children studying in public schools across Delhi," he added.
Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of risk factors that include abdominal obesity, disturbed lipid profile, high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose levels and fatty liver -- all of which are bad for people at risk of diabetes or heart problems," he said.
According to experts, a person suffering from metabolic syndrome is twice likely to develop heart ailments and five times more likely to be a diabetic, compared to a healthy person.