Mr. Ron Verdonk, Minister-Counselor for Agricultural Affairs, Embassy of the United States launches the Generic Promotional Campaign in India for Cherries from Pacific Northwest USA
Attractive display may be found at India’s main retail stores and e-commerce platforms.
Bangaluru, July 2021, Summer means a cuisine fullof fresh fruits, and now is thetime to add the icing to the cake. The market has receivedlarge deep-mahogany red, ripe, juicy, sweet,and tasty cherries from the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
The Northwest Cherry Growers (NWCG), a trade association based in the state of Washington in the U.S.A. have launched their first-ever generic promotion campaign in India to introduce this delightful fruit to the discerning health-conscious Indian consumers.
To mark the launch, Mr. Ron Verdonk, Minister-Counselor for Agricultural Affairs, Embassy of the United States of America inaugurated a promotion campaign at Foodhall, Chanyakapuri. The retailer has set up an attractive and vibrant display of cherries from the American Northwest and is encouraged by the initial consumer response.
Speaking on the occasion Mr. Verdonk, remarked “The U.S. is one of world’s largest producers and exporters of sweet cherries. These cherries from the U.S. Pacific Northwest are grown in the states of Washington, Oregon Idaho, Utah and Montana, and consumers worldwide relish their sweet flavor, bigger size and superior quality. I am delighted to see them here in India. Food is a very important part of India – U.S. trade, and I am glad that cherries from our Pacific Northwest are now added to the basket.”
Speaking on the India campaign for Cherries from Northwest, Mr. Sumit Saran, In-Country Marketing Representative of NWCG remarked, “We foresee immense potential for Northwest Cherries in India. These cherries are considered amongst the best in the world for their high quality, flavour, taste and also food safety. Cherries from the Pacific Northwest USA will be in the market in July and August, perfectly complementing the Indian cherry season. We have chalked out an extensive retail and communication strategy to take this delicious fruit to discerning Indian consumers across the country. These cherries will be available both with retail fruit sellers and e-commerce platforms,” Saran added.
Researchers find that almond snacking may help improve HbA1c and blood lipids in young adults and adolescents with prediabetes
Bangalore, India (7 July 2021) – Over the last 40 years, the number of people living with diabetes globally has quadrupled[i] and this upward trajectory is especially steep in India. In fact, Indians have the highest annual progression to type 2 diabetes from pre-diabetes (about 14-18%), which calls for lifestyle interventions to help reverse this trend.
When it comes to snack choices, almonds may be one easy – and tasty – dietary strategy. A new study[ii] showed that almond snacking helped improve glucose metabolism in adolescents and young adults in India with prediabetes.
This randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to determine the effect of almond consumption on factors of metabolic dysfunction including blood glucose, lipids, insulin, and selected inflammatory markers in adolescents and young adults (aged 16-25 years old) with prediabetes, who resided in Mumbai, India. The study was a randomized, parallel trial of 275 participants (59 male, 216 female) with impaired glucose metabolism (prediabetes). At the start of the study, participants’ weight, height, and waist and hip circumferences were measured and fasting blood samples were taken. Participants also underwent a glucose tolerance test and their lipid profiles were assessed.
The almond group (n=107) ate 56 grams (about 2 one-ounce servings, or ~340 calories) of unroasted almonds every day for three months and the control group (n=112) consumed a savory snack with the same number of calories. The consumption of almonds as snacks was tested in the almond group, while the control group consumed a savory snack that is commonly consumed by this age group in India. Both the almond and savory snacks accounted for ~20% of participants’ total calorie intake.
Throughout the duration of the study, participants were monitored to ensure they were compliant in eating their snacks. At the end of the study, participants completed dietary intake assessments and the same measurements and blood tests were performed again.
In the almond group, HbA1c (a measure of long-term blood sugar control that also serves as a diagnostic criteria for prediabetes and diabetes) decreased significantly compared to the control group. Improving blood sugar levels at the pre-diabetes stage may help prevent or delay the development of diabetes. Additionally, almond consumption reduced total cholesterol and “bad” LDL-cholesterol significantly compared to the control group, while maintaining “good” HDL-cholesterol levels.
There were no changes in measures of weight, height, waist or hip circumferencesor biochemical markers nor macronutrient intake between the almond group and the control from the start to post-intervention. Inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-6) decreased in the almond group and increased in the control group, but this was not a statistically significant result. Fasting blood glucose levels were significantly reduced in the control group compared to the almond group post-intervention. In the almond group, FG:FI ratio (fasting glucose: fasting insulin) decreased while it increased in the control group but was not statistically significant.
“Lifestyle changes including improved nutrition and exercise targeted at teens and young adults have the potential to halt the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes. Results from this study show that the change does not have to be a major one – simply including a twice-daily snack of almonds can make a difference. The study results are very promising in showing how almonds improved total and LDL-cholesterol levels and reduced HbA1c levels in just 12 weeks of consumption,” said principal investigator, Dr. Jagmeet Madan PhD, Professor and Principal, Sir Vithaldis Thackersey College of Home Science (Autonomous), SNDT Women’s University (Mumbai).
Limitations of the study include that participants could not be blinded. Further, nutritional intervention studies can also trigger behavioral changes in both groups as the participants are made aware of their risk during the recruitment process. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of almond consumption on the same measures in other age groups and of different ethnicities.
This research joins another study[iii] investigating the potential role of almond consumption in younger people. Researchers at the University of California Merced, in a study funded by the Almond Board of California, demonstrated that for those college students who skip breakfast, a morning snack of almonds can be a smart option. Among predominantly breakfast-skipping college freshmen (73 males and females, 18 to 19 years old), including a morning snack – either of almonds or graham crackers – reduced total cholesterol and improved fasting blood sugar levels, but the benefits were greater with almonds. Those who snacked on almonds better preserved “good” HDL-cholesterol levels and improved measures of blood sugar regulation over the 8-week study.
Results showed that those in the almond group had better measures of several glucoregulatory and cardiometabolic health indicators, including:
• 13% lower 2-hour glucose area under the curve (AUC)
• 34% lower insulin resistance index (IRI)
• 82% higher Matsuda index during oral glucose tolerance testing, which represents a gross estimation of insulin sensitivity. This index almost doubled among the almond snackers.
• Better protection of HDL-cholesterol levels. Both groups saw reductions in HDL cholesterol, but the almond snackers’ levels fell by 13.5% compared to a 24.5% reduction in graham cracker snackers.
Almonds provide fiber (12.5 / 3.5 g per 100g / 30g serving) and 15 essential nutrients including (per 100g / 30g serving): magnesium (270 / 81 mg), potassium (733 / 220 mg), and vitamin E (25.6 / 7.7 mg) , making them a perfect nutrient-rich snack for those with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes.
Study at a Glance:
The Study
• The study was a randomized, parallel trial of 275 participants (59 male, 216 female) with impaired glucose metabolism (prediabetes). The study participants had elevated fasting/stimulated blood glucose [fasting glucose (100-125 mg/dl),2h post-glucose (140-199 mg/dl)] and /or insulin [fasting insulin (=15mIU/ml) / stimulated insulin (=80mIU/ml)].
• At the start of the study, participants’ weight, height, and waist and hip circumferences were measured and fasting blood samples were taken. Participants underwent a glucose tolerance test and their lipid profiles were assessed.
• Whole blood was analyzed for complete blood count including hemoglobin, White Blood Cells (WBC), Red Blood Cells (RBC), platelets, Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC).
• The almond group (n=107) ate 56 grams (about 2 servings, or ~340 calories) of almonds every day for 3 months and the control group (n=112) consumed a savory snack typical in India with the same number of calories. The control savory snack was prepared in two varieties to prevent taste fatigue using whole wheat flour, chickpea flour, salt, and Indian spices. Throughout the 90-day study, participants were monitored to make sure they were compliant in eating the almonds or savory snacks.
• At the end of the study (3 months), participants completed dietary intake assessments and the same measurements and blood tests were performed again.
Results
• HbA1c levels showed a statistically significant reduction in the almond group compared to the control group (Table 1).
• There was a decrease in the fasting blood glucose to fasting insulin ratio (FG:FI) in the almond group in comparison to the control group but was not statistically significant. The fasting blood glucose levels were significantly reduced in the control as compared to the almond group.
• There was no significant difference in HOMA-IR at the end of the study compared to the baseline between the two groups and within each group.
• The other biomarkers for glucose metabolism showed no significant difference between the almond and the control groups at the end of the study in comparison to the start of the intervention.
• There was a statistically significant reduction in the total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in the almond group in comparison to the control group. There was an increase in the HDL-cholesterol levels, a decrease in the triglyceride levels as well as a decrease in the VLDL-c levels in the almond group in comparison to the control group but it was not statistically significant.
Conclusion
Almonds were shown to have an effect on glucose metabolism by reducing HbA1c levels in adolescents and young adults in India at risk for developing diabetes in just 12 weeks. When included as a snack, almonds also helped manage dyslipidemia by reducing total cholesterol and “bad” LDL-cholesterol, while maintaining “good” HDL-cholesterol levels. Almonds can be a nutritious snack that can replace regular snack choices and can be part of a food-based strategy to help prevent or delay the development of diabetes, particularly in a younger population.
If every woman and girl of menstruating age in India used disposable pads, 38,500,000,000 used pads would be discarded every month – an environmental disaster since each of these would take 500-800 years to degrade naturally
May 26, 2021: Considering the immense non-biodegradable waste generated by disposable sanitary pads every month, sustainable menstrual hygiene in India can be achieved only with reusable pads made of organic material, said Anju Bist, Co-Director, Amrita SeRVe (Self Reliant Village) Program of Mata Amritanandamayi Math. Known as the “Pad Woman” of India for her zeal in promoting the use and reuse of sanitary pads made of cloth and banana fibre, she is the co-creator of Saukhyam Reusable Pads which have been awarded as the “Most Innovative Product” by the National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad. The pads were also lauded at the UN Climate Change Conference held in Poland in 2018.
Said Anju Bist: “There are 355 million menstruating women and girls in India, as per the National Family Health Survey data. Many from low-income communities still do not have access to hygienic products to manage their menstruation. There are efforts by many organizations to make low-cost disposable pads available to such women. But if every woman and girl of menstruating age in India were to use disposable pads, 38,500,000,000 used pads would be discarded every month. How does one get rid of soiled pads? Burning them releases harmful dioxins and furans. Burying them is no good either because the pads are non-biodegradable. Each pad contains plastic, and would take 500 to 800 years to decompose. None of wants to leave this trash as our legacy.”
Saukhyam Reusable Pads are the first ones in the world to be made from banana fiber, which is a naturally occurring absorbent material. It absorbs six times its weight in fluid! Disposable pads, on the other hand, use cellulose fiber for absorption. Cellulose fiber is derived from cutting down billions of trees every year worldwide, unlike banana fiber which is obtained from agro-waste. All cellulose fiber used in India to make disposable pads is imported. Banana fiber is locally available. Its supply is limitless and cheap as India is the largest producer of bananas in the world.
Educated and informed young women are switching to reusable products, not only due to environmental concerns but also potential health hazards of using disposable sanitary pads. Dr. Sirisha from the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, said: “Girls and women experience health-related problems from the chemical additives and toxins in disposable pads. These pads use cellulose fiber as the absorbent material. The bleaching of this fiber to obtain the pure white color leads to the presence of trace amounts of harmful dioxins on the pads. The skin in the vaginal area is highly permeable. Anything that is in constant contact with the skin is likely to end up in the bloodstream too. Dioxins are endocrine disruptors and among the most harmful substances known to mankind.”
Said Anju Bist: “Each Saukhyam Reusable Pad lasts up to 3 years, and a pack of five pads costs only ₹ 330. In contrast, an average woman in India spends ₹ 50-100 every month on buying disposable pads, which adds up to a considerable amount every year, and over the course of the entire menstruating lifetime. Even in rural areas these days, women and girls aspire to have a better product for menstrual hygiene. More than 200,000 women and girls have made the shift both in India and internationally to Saukhyam reusable pads. This is helping prevent the emission of 812 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually and has eliminated 17,500 tons of non-biodegradable menstrual waste.”
India now has ISO standards for reusable sanitary pads (IS 17514:20). Big businesses all over the world are beginning to embrace the principles of circular economy in which there is no waste. What is left over after a product’s useful life-cycle is used again as raw material in the next cycle of production. Products meant to be used only once and thrown away are not so popular in this new economy. Added Anju Bist: “Reusable menstrual pads is clearly an idea whose time has come. Not only are such reusable products helping many consumers save money, they are also offering a better choice to scores of women. This is the only sustainable way to make menstrual hygiene accessible and affordable.”
The team from Mata Amritanandamayi Math has recently published a scientific study conducted with both urban and rural users of Saukhyam Reusable Pads. It was published in the international journal BMC Women’s Health (Part of Springer Nature) in March 2021.
The paper titled “A Novel Banana Fiber Pad for Menstrual Hygiene in India: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study” was authored by Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan, Dean, PG Programs, Amrita University, Anju Bist and three other collaborators. The quantitative study was conducted amongst 155 rural and 216 urban participants in India, who had made the switch to reusable pads. Parameters like CO2 footprint analysis, microbial load, pH and ability of the reusable pad to withstand pressure after absorption were also studied. The study is available here:
Talking about the results of the study, Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan said: “The results of our study indicated high levels of feasibility (rural =82.2%, urban =80.3% and acceptability (rural =80.2%, urban =77.5%) of banana fiber pads across both participant groups. Comparing key characteristics such as leakage and comfort to participants’ prior practices revealed general satisfaction on the performance of the pad, leading users to recommend the pads to others. The reasons for their preference of a banana fiber pad highlighted their concern for environment, health and cost as decisive factors. The microbial load on a 3-year reused pad was found to be similar to an unused one. Regression analysis showed cost as an important indicator for feasibility and acceptability, especially amongst rural users.”
The combined entity will be a boon in transforming and building India’s largest Healthcare Supply chain platform
The transaction enables Aknamed to further promote excellence in delivery of healthcare essentials, with an enhanced pan-India footprint with leadership in therapeutic areas such as oncology, immunotherapy and virology Boosted by additional investment by existing investor of Aknamed- Lightrock, part of LGT Group (a global private banking and asset management firm with over $250B assets under management), accelerating the successful completion of the transaction This is the 3rd addition to the Aknamed Group in last 12 months, scaling its business to ~$200M in annualized revenues Aknamed aims to widen its footprint to 35 locations with the ability to serve over 500 cities and towns by end of 2021 Bengaluru, may 20th, 2021: Aknamed (Akna Medical Pvt. Ltd.), India’s largest tech-enabled hospital-focused supply chain platform announced the successful transaction with Vardhman Health Specialties (Vardhman), one of the largest specialty products provider to hospitals with expertise in therapeutic areas such as oncology, immunotherapy and virology. The integrated organization with the strong proficiency in hospital focused distribution, will work towards transforming and building India’s largest healthcare supply chain platform. The transaction marks the 3rd addition to the Aknamed Group in last 12 months, scaling the business to $200M in annualized revenues. Over the next 2 years, Aknamed is aiming to invest significant additional capital to fuel the group’s organic and inorganic growth plans, while continuing to invest in people, technology and infrastructure. In fact, by the end of the current year, Aknamed will be present in 35 locations with the ability to serve over 500 cities and towns. Mr. Naresh Chowhan, CEO of Vardhman spelling out the motivation for the transaction, remarked “We are extremely pleased in partnering with Aknamed. This partnership underlines the growing importance of consolidation in the pharma supply chain industry in India. It opens up significantly larger opportunities, apart from the synergies derived from the combined businesses of Vardhman and Aknamed. The improved value proposition for our clients and stakeholders will allow us to serve them better. The combination propels us to an unequivocal leadership position to tap the large growth potential of the Indian market.” Commenting on the completion of the deal, Mr. Saurabh Pandey, Founder and CEO, Aknamed, said, “We are delighted to welcome Vardhman as part of the Aknamed Group. The vision of Aknamed has always been on delivering excellence in customer service, transparent business processes and practices with all stakeholders and developing exceptional technology based supply chain processes in niche and therapeutic areas. Our vision and goal have resonated very well with the Vardhman team as their business has been built on the similar values over the years. The focus is now to provide a top-notch supply chain service to the hospitals across country.”
Sharing his views on the completion of the transaction, Mahadevan (Mahad) Narayanamoni, Co-Founder & Chairman, Aknamed, said, “I am excited about the combination of Aknamed and Vardhman as it will solve a significant number of procurement challenges, and will broaden the horizon of healthcare supply chain in India. We also thank the continued support and guidance from our financial partners, Lightrock from LGT Group. We remain strongly committed in our endeavour to make a meaningful contribution to the digital health aspirations of hospitals in the country.”
Deloitte Corporate Finance were the exclusive financial advisors to Vardhman on the transaction
Incidence of Parkinson’s Disease rising with increasing life expectancy
Availability of PD specialists only in big cities, procedures like DBS out of reach for many, and lack of financial and care-giving support are the main challenges facing Parkinson’s patients, according to Rajeev K Gupta, celebrated author of the book “Destination Unknown – My Journey with Parkinson’s”
Do not pity us or sympathize with us or treat us as dull-witted, he says
BENGALURU / April 8, 2021: The incidence of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is rising across India with increasing life expectancy, and Karnataka is no different. The prevalence of PD is 300-350 persons per lakh population in the country, making it one of the most common aging-related disorders. While no specific numbers are available for Karnataka, the state government had in the last census specifically asked the question of whether anyone in the family is suffering from PD, highlighting its increasing incidence and recognition as a brain disorder requiring attention. This was said by doctors of Vikram Hospital at an event in the run up to the World Parkinson’s Disease Day.
Rajeev K Gupta, celebrated author of the book “Destination Unknown – My Journey with Parkinson’s,” narrated his story and struggle of living with this progressive disease. A 59-year-old Bengaluru resident, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013 when he was 51. The book is about emotionally and physically coping with a life-altering illness narrated through his personal stories and experiences of living with Parkinson’s.
Dr. Prashanth LK, Consultant Neurologist and Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorder Specialist, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru, said “Of late, more and more people in younger age groups of less than 40 years are showing symptoms of Parkinson’s which is significantly impacting their personal and family life. The reason could be multifactorial, including genetics, stress factor, poor quality of life, etc. The exact causes of Parkinson’s remain unclear. Genetics as a cause has been acknowledged in some patients. Research is being carried out to understand the genetics of Indian PD patients. This is important because most global studies currently relate to only Europeans and Americans. Vikram hospital is one of the leaders in the multicentric pan-Indian Parkinson’s disease research along with AIIMS, NIMHANS, Centre for Brain Research, IISc, Centre for cellular and Molecular biology. Vikram Hospital has been one of pioneer hospitals in India for initiation of Apomorphine pump therapies”
Dr. Kiran S Khanapure, Consultant Functional Neurosurgeon, Vikram Hospital, added further“Covid and the ensuing lockdown had significant effect on patients of PD and Parkinsonism. It led to many of them developing behavioural changes in the form of anxiety, depression, and hallucinations, along with sleep disturbances and worsening of symptoms. Quite a few of them were unable to access regular medications or meet the doctors, adding to their problems. Parkinson’s Disease is an ageing-related disorder and has good treatment options, including tablets, injections, pump therapies, and surgeries (DBS and lesioning). No curative option is available yet, but research like gene-based therapy and modification of underlying pathophysiology may see the light of the day in the near future.”
Talking about his book, Rajeev K Gupta said: “After my diagnosis, I wanted to read about the experiences of other patients and how they coped with this life-changing illness. There are many books written by Parkinson’s patients and their care-partners – all by Western authors. I could not find a single book by an Indian perspective. Through my experience of medical therapies and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery, it occurred to me that I should pen down my own story and experiences rather than wait for someone else to write theirs. This is perhaps the first book on Parkinson’s journey of an Indian patient. I hope it will inspire some other patients to open-up and share their experiences.”
Rajeev K Gupta said: “Though an active life helps maintain general health, PD is not a lifestyle-related disease. Though there is no cure for Parkinson’s yet, it is a slowly progressing disorder and patients can manage it and lead a near normal life for many years. Finding the right doctor is half the battle won. Even if patients have to travel some distance, they should go to a specialist who they trust. They should not focus on the worst-case scenarios. The journey of each of them is different and so is their destination.”
Giving suggestions on how people and society can better deal with Parkinson’s patients and make their life easier, Rajeev K Gupta said: “People should have some basic minimum awareness about Parkinson’s. They should remember that despite their blank expressions and slow, awkward movements, most PD patients have their cognitive abilities intact. We are as sharp as ever. Do not treat us as dull-witted. Do not pity us or sympathize with us. Rather accept and socialize with us. Managing our own tasks is important for our self-esteem and independence. We do not expect you to offer help to us but rather be patient with us if we are taking more time to accomplish the task.”
“Vikram hospital is one of leading centres in India participating in research programs on Indian patients of Parkinson’s. These include projects like Genetics of Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease and genome-wide association studies on Parkinson’s disease (funded by Michael J Fox Foundation as a part to understand genetic architecture of under-represented communities). There is also a consortium of Movement disorders specialists working in India under the banner of Parkinson’s Research Alliance of India (PRAI) which is looking forward to any form of technical, clinical, or funding collaborations to get to understand the Indian Parkinson’s disease patients” said Dr Somesh Mittal, MD & CEO Vikram Hospital Bengaluru.
City Today News 
You must be logged in to post a comment.