ಕೊರೋನ ಮತ್ತು ನಂತರದ ಕಾಲಘಟ್ಟದಲ್ಲಿ ಯುವಜನರ ಸಭಲೀಕರಣ ಮಾಡುವಂತೆ ಮತ್ತು ಯುವಜನರ ಸಂವಿಧಾನಾತ್ಮಕ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸುವಂತೆ ಹಕ್ಕೊತ್ತಾಯ… ಯುವಮುನ್ನಡೆ – ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಯುವಜನರ ಯೋಗಕ್ಷೇಮ ಚಿಂತಿಸುವ , ಅರಿವು ಮೂಡಿಸುವ , ಯುವಜನರ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳ ರಕ್ಷಣೆಗಾಗಿ ವಕಾಲತ್ತು ವಹಿಸುವ ಯುವಜನರ ವೇದಿಕೆ. ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಸುಮಾರು ೧.೮ ಕೋಟಿ ಯುವಜನರಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ೧೫ ರಿಂದ ೨೯ ವಷದೊಳಗಿನವರನ್ನು ಯುವಜನರೆಂದು ಪರಿಗಣಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಕೊರೊನ ೨ ನೇ ಅಲೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಲಾಕ್ ಡೌನ್ ಸಂಧರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಯುವಜನರಿಗೆ ಬಹಳಷ್ಟು ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗಳಾಗಿವೆ. ೧೯೪೮ ರ ವಿಸ್ವಸಂಸ್ಥೆ ಮಾನವ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳ ಒಡಂಬಡಿಕೆಯು ಮಾನವ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳನ್ನು ಘೋಷಿಸಿದೆ. ಆದರೆ ಈ ಬಿಕ್ಕಟ್ಟಿನ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಯುವಜನರು ಸಕ್ರಿಯವಾಗಿ ತಮ್ಮ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಹಾಗಾದರೆ ಈಗ ಯುವಜನರ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಏನು ? ಇವುಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ವಕಾಲತ್ತು ವಹಿಸುವವರು ಯಾರು ?
ಇದು ಯಾವ ನ್ಯಾಯ ? ೪೫ ವರ್ಷದ ಮೇಲಿನವರಿಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಮೊದಲು ಕೋವಿಡ್ ಲಸಿಕೆ… ! ಕೋವಿಡ್ ೨ ನೇ ಅಲೆ ಯುವಜನರನ್ನೂ ಬಲಿ ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡಿದೆ. ಹ್ಯಾಪಿನೆಸ್ ಹೈಪಾಕ್ಸಿಯಾ ಯುವಜನರನ್ನೇ ಭಾದಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಈಗ ಗೊತ್ತಾಗಿದೆ. ಹಾಗಾದರೆ ಲಸಿಕೆ ಕೊಡುವಲ್ಲಿ ಯುವಜನರಿಗೆ ಮೊದಲ ಪ್ರಾಧಾನ್ಯತೆ ಯಾಕೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿಲ್ಲ ? ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ೩೫ ವಷ ಮೇಲ್ಪಟ್ಟ ಕಲಾವಿದರಿಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಕೋವಿಡ್ ಪರಿಹಾರ ಧನವನ್ನು ಘೋಷಿಸಲಾಯಿತು. ಆದರೆ ಯುವ ಕಲಾವಿದರ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಏನು ? ವಯಸ್ಸಿನ ಆಧಾರದ ಮೇಲೆ ಇಷ್ಟು ತಾರತಮ್ಯ ಯಾಕೆ ? ಸಮಾನತೆಯ ಹಕ್ಕಿನ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ತಲೆದೋರುತ್ತದೆ… ದ್ವಿತೀಯ ಪಿ.ಯು.ಸಿ ವಿದ್ಯಾಥಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆಗಳನ್ನು ರದ್ದು ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿದೆ. ೧೦ ನೇ ತರಗತಿಯ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆಗಳನ್ನು ನಡೆಸಲಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಆದರೆ ಯಾವುದೇ ವಿದ್ಯಾಥಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾದ ಪಠ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಮುಗಿಸಿಲ್ಲ. ಆನ್ ಲೈನ್ ಪದ್ದತಿಯ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯು ಎಷ್ಟು ವಿದ್ಯಾಥಿಗಳನ್ನು ತಲುಪಿದೆ… ? ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಭಾಗದ ವಿದ್ಯಾಥಿಗಳು ಬಹಳಷ್ಟು ಮಂದಿ ಮೊಬೈಲ್ / ಲ್ಯಾಪ್ ಟಾಪ್ ನೆಟ್ ವರ್ಕ್ ಹಾಗೂ ರೀಚಾರ್ಜ್ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗಳಿಂದ ಆನ್ ಲೈನ್ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣದಿಂದ ವಂಚಿತರಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಇದು ಶಿಕ್ಷಣದ ಹಕ್ಕಿನ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ… ಆರೋಗ್ಯದ ಹಕ್ಕಿನ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಒಂದು ವರದಿಯ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಕೋವಿಡ್ ಸಂದಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾದಕ ವ್ಯಸನಗಳಿಗೆ ಬಲಿಯಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ಯುವಜನರ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ ಶೇ. ೯ ರಷ್ಟು ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿದೆ. ಇತ್ತೀಚಿಗೆ ನೇಸರ ಫೌಂಡೇಶನ್ ಮಾಡಿರುವ ಒಂದು ಅನ್ ಲೈನ್ ಸರ್ವೇ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಕೋವಿಡ್ ಸಂದಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಯುವಜನರಲ್ಲಿ ಭಯ , ಆತಂಕ ಮತ್ತು ಏಕಾಂಗಿತನ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿದೆ. ಉದೋಗದ ಹಕ್ಕು ಲಾಕ್ ಡೌನ್ ಸಂದಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಲವಾರು ಯುವಜನರು ತಮ್ಮ ಉದ್ಯೋಗಗಳನ್ನು ಕಳೆದುಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ಹೊತ್ತಿನ ಊಟಕ್ಕೂ ಕಷ್ಟದ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಎದುರಾಗಿದೆ. ಇನ್ನೂ ಹಲವಾರು ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗಳಿವೆ.
ಹಾಗಾದರೆ ಈ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಪರಿಹಾರ ಒದಗಿಸಿಕೊಡುವವರು ಯಾರು ? ಸಕಾರದ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿ ಇಲ್ಲವೇ ?
ಈ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಸಕಾರ ಶೀಘ್ರಗತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಗಮನ ಹರಿಸಿ , ಈ ಕೆಳಗಿನ ಅಂಶಗಳನ್ನು ತಕ್ಷಣವೇ ಪೂರೈಸಬೇಕಿದೆ. ೧. ಕೋವಿಡ್ ಮತ್ತು ಲಾಕ್ ಡೌನ್ ನಿಂದ ತೊಂದರೆಗೆ ಒಳಗಾದ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ – ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ಹಿಂದುಳಿದಿರುವ ಕುಟುಂಬಗಳಿಗೆ ಅರ್ಥಿಕ ನೆರವು ನೀಡುವುದು. ೨. ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆಗಳನ್ನು ರದ್ದು ಪಡಿಸುವುದು. ಈ ಶೈಕ್ಷಣಿಕ ವರ್ಷದ ಕಲಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಾದ , ಆಗಬಹುದಾದ ಕೊರತೆಯನ್ನು ತುಂಬಲು ಕ್ರಮ ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳುವುದು. ೩. ೨೦೧೨ ರ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಯುವನೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾಪಿಸುವಂತೆ ತಕ್ಷಣ ಯುವಜನ ಸಬಲೀಕರಣ ನಿಗಮವನ್ನು ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಿ. ೪. ಕೋವಿಡ್ ಲಸಿಕೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಅರಿವನ್ನು ಮೂಡಿಸುವುದು. ದೀರ್ಘ ಕಾಲಿಕ ಬೇಡಿಕೆಗಳು ೧. ಯುವಜನ ಸಬಲೀಕರಣ ಇಲಾಖೆಯ ಅಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾವಾರು ಆಪ್ತಸಮಾಲೋಚನಾ ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಹಾಗೂ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಮಾನಸಿಕ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳನ್ನು ತಾಲ್ಲೂಕು ಮತ್ತು ಗ್ರಾಮ ಪಂಚಾಯ್ತಿ ಹಂತಕ್ಕೆ ವಿಸ್ತರಿಸಬೇಕು. ೨. ಯುವಜನರ ಆರೋಗ್ಯದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಕಾಲಜಿ ವಹಿಸಿ , ಸರಕಾರಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಅನುದಾನಿತ ಕಾಲೇಜುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಪೌಷ್ಠಿಕ ಆಹಾರ ನೀಡುವ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ನೀಡಬೇಕು. ೩. ಯುವನೀತಿ , ಯುವಜನ ಆಯೋಗ ಮತ್ತು ಯುವಜನ ಸಬಲೀಕರಣ ನಿಗಮವನ್ನು ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಬೇಕು. ೪. ಗುಡಿಕೈಗಾರಿಕೆಗಳು , ಸ್ವಯಂ ಉದ್ಯೋಗಗಳಿಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಒತ್ತು ನೀಡಿ , ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಭದ್ರತೆಯುಳ್ಳ ಉದ್ಯೋಗಗಳನ್ನು ಒದಗಿಸಿಕೊಡಬೇಕು. ೫. ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಮತು ಆಡಳಿತ – ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಯುವಜನರು ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಲು ಅವಕಾಶ ಒದಗಿಸಿಕೊಡಬೇಕು. ೬. ಯುವಜನರ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳನ್ನು ಘೋಷಿಸಬೇಕು.
ಕೋವಿಡ್ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಯುವಜನರು ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳಿಂದ ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ವಂಚಿತರಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಎಂದು ನಮಗೆ ಅನಿಸಿದೆ. ನಮ್ಮ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳನ್ನು ಕೇಳಲು ಹೊರಟಿದ್ದೇವೆ.
–ಯುವಜನ ಮುಂದಾಳುಗಳು
ಪೂಜಾ ನಾರಾಯಣಪ್ಪ,ದಿಲೀಪ್ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು, ಮಣಿ ಕೋಲಾರ,ಮೇಘನಾ,ಮಹಾಲಿಂಗ ತುಮಕೂರು
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.
Kalanikethan has a new address in Jayanagar and is offering a completely different experience. The experience recently became greater with 5000 Master Designers and 2 lakh variety spread over 10000 sft (3 storeys).
The biggest shopping mall in Jayanagar was inaugurated by Ms Priyanka Upendra, renowned actress and the Guests of Honor were Ms Roopamouli, Founder – Sahaya Hastha Trust & Pinkathon Ambassador and Ms Reena Suvarna, ACP, Bangalore North.
Great inaugural offers await the customers, including Ashadam Sale Upto 50% off on Kanjivarams, Designer Sarees, Fancy Sarees, Ghagras, Salwars, Dress Material, Western Wear, Men’s Wear, Kid’s Wear. Experience a never before shopping experience for the entire family at your favourite Kalanikethan Jayanagar Showroom.
The city gets a dedicated facility for the treatment and management of spinal and chronic pain with minimally invasive and target specific techniques that offer much less risk and trauma than conventional surgery Most procedures at IPSC can be done in a day-care setting at half the cost compared to large hospitals. Patients can go back home the same day Over 19% of Indian population suffers from chronic pain
BENGALURU / July 10, 2021: The Interventional Pain and Spine Centre (IPSC), a group of single speciality clinics that provide state-of-the-art spine care and chronic pain management using minimally invasive techniques, has opened its first location in Bengaluru, on Bellary Road in Shahkara Nagar.
The new facility, equipped with modular operating theaters, is staffed with pain specialists skilled in minimally invasive techniques for the management of chronic pain of all types, including joint pain (knee, shoulder, neck, etc.), low back pain, slipped disc, spondylitis / sciatica, neurology pain, migraine, facial pain, rheumatic pain, and cancer-related pain. It also offers capabilities in the prevention and management of sports-related injuries. The Centre’s regenerative department uses natural cells of the body to repair damaged tissues.
Said Dr. (Maj) Pankaj N Surange, Managing Director and CEO, IPSC: “IPSC offers minimally invasive and target specific techniques with much less risk and trauma than conventional surgery for the management of spinal and chronic pain. For most cases of chronic pain, less invasive interventions are better alternatives to open surgical methods. They are also much safer and don’t require hospital admission. Since most of the procedures can be done in a day care setting, we can reduce their cost to almost half compared to large hospitals. Patients can go back home the same day.”
Said Dr. Swati Bhat, Director (South) with IPSC and Head, IPSC Varsity: “A facility like IPSC is much needed in Bengaluru. A 2018 survey of 20,000 patients of back pain from Indian metro cities estimated that 46% of Bengaluru’s population in the younger age group suffers from spinal problems. This is among the highest incidence in the country. About 43% of patients neglect their pain for more than 7 weeks, leading to delayed treatment and increased risk of surgery. With better understanding of chronic pain and technological advancement, pain physicians can now control chronic pain adequately and cure it in most cases. However, it is the responsibility of the doctors to treat acute stages of pain promptly to prevent patients from sliding into chronic pain. Interventional pain management helps treat the exact cause of pain with minimally invasive and non-surgical techniques. Early interventions not only relieve pain, but also reduce morbidity and improve quality of life.”
Talking about the various treatments available at IPSC, Dr. Renu Dadiala, Consultant, Sports Medicine, and Centre In-Charge, IPSC Bengaluru, said: “Patients suffering from back pain, slipped disc, disc bulge, sciatica etc. are treated with less invasive techniques like ozone discectomy, percutaneous disc decompression and endoscopic discectomy where a small scope is inserted to remove the herniated portion of the disc. Patients suffering from arthritis of the joints are managed with regenerative interventions in their early stages to prevent progression. Pain in advanced arthritis of knee, shoulder, hip and spinal joints is managed with radiofrequency procedures. Nerve pain, including neuralgia and neuropathic pain, is managed with medication and neurolytic procedures. All these procedures are done under local anaesthesia and patients are discharged the same day.”
Said Dr. Namrata Dabas, Consultant, Pain and Regenerative medicine, IPSC: “A study about the incidence of chronic pain in India estimated a population prevalence of 19.3%, with 33% of responders reporting inability to do routine work. Pooled data from multiple developing countries has shown a prevalence of 18%. There is a higher prevalence of chronic pain in females (25.2%). Pain prevalence increases steeply beyond the age of 65 years. A study from eight cities across India showed that the mean intensity of pain on Numerical Rating Scale was 6.93, which means higher than moderate to severe intensity of chronic pain. Respondents with chronic moderate and chronic severe pain were 37% and 63%, respectively. Pain in knees (32%), legs (28%) and joints (22%) was the most prevalent. People with chronic pain were no longer able to exercise, sleep, maintain relationships with friends and family, or lead an independent lifestyle.”
Said Dr. Om Prakash Gupta, Head – Spine Surgeries, IPSC: “Chronic pain is emerging as a significant public health problem. It will exert an increasing social and economic toll in the next two decades in the country with significant spending on surgical treatment and hospitalization. Chronic pain has a serious impact on work and daily life function, with increasing loss of work-days associated with chronic pain conditions, especially low back pain. Chronic pain usually does not occur in isolation. There are often multi-morbid mental and physical health problems.”
He added: “The global prevalence of chronic pain is increasing. In 2018, the Lancet Low Back Pain Series Working Group identified a global problem of mismanagement of back pain and called on the WHO to increase its attention on the burden of low back pain. According to a study published in the British Medical Journal in 2016, about one-third to half of the population in the UK suffers from chronic pain. The commonest cause of chronic pain worldwide is spinal pain and joint pain. Arthritis, degenerative conditions of the spine, and cancer pain are the most common contributors. Obesity and diabetes are inherent in Indian genes, putting the Indian population at a higher risk of complications, such as peripheral neuropathy, stroke, ischemic vascular disease and deep vein and pulmonary thrombosis, due to patients’ inactive lifestyle because of chronic pain.”
For more information about IPSC, please visit https://ipscindia.com/ For booking appointment at IPSC Bengaluru,
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.
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