ICMR has urged avoiding protein supplements for building body mass. (Representative)
New Delhi:
The Indian Council of Medical Research has urged avoiding protein supplements for building body mass and has recommended limiting salt intake, minimizing sugar and ultra-processed foods and reading information on food labels to make informed and healthy food choices.
The Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), headed by the apex health research body, on Wednesday released revised 'Dietary Guidelines for Indians (DGIs)' to meet the requirements of essential nutrients and prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to prevent.
The DGIs were prepared by a multidisciplinary expert committee headed by Dr Hemalatha R, Director, ICMR-NIN and have undergone several scientific reviews. It contains seventeen guidelines.
In the DGIs, the NIN stated that long-term ingestion of large amounts of protein powders or consumption of high protein concentrates has been associated with potential hazards such as bone mineral loss and kidney damage.
It also stated that sugar should make up less than 5 percent of total energy intake and that a balanced diet should get no more than 45 percent of calories from grains and millets and up to 15 percent of calories from legumes, beans and meat.
The rest of the calories should come from nuts, vegetables, fruits and milk. Total fat intake should be less than or equal to 30 percent energy, the guidelines say.
Due to limited availability and high cost of pulses and meat, a significant portion of India's population is highly dependent on grains, resulting in poor intake of essential macronutrients (essential amino acids and essential fatty acids) and micronutrients, the report said.
Low intake of essential nutrients can disrupt metabolism and increase the risk of insulin resistance and related conditions from an early age. Estimates show that 56.4 percent of the total disease burden in India is due to unhealthy diets, the report said. Healthy diet and physical activity can reduce a significant proportion of coronary heart disease (CHD) and hypertension (HTN) and prevent up to 80 percent of type 2 diabetes.
“A significant portion of premature deaths can be averted by following a healthy lifestyle,” the report said, adding that the increase in consumption of highly processed foods loaded with sugars and fats, coupled with reduced physical activity and limited access to various foods, the disease worsens. micronutrient deficiencies and obesity.
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