Environmental pollution linked to the high prevalence of
diabetes in our country
With
air pollution at an all time high in our city, it is becoming crucial that
immediate steps are taken to reduce the environmental burden. Pollution has
various hazardous effects on a person’s health. It precipitates asthma, heart
attacks and COPD. Recent research has also proved that environmental pollution,
especially with high particulate matter PM 2.5 exposure, is linked with
diabetes.
Any particulate matter of
less than 2.5 micro m3 in size can get absorbed from respiratory system, enter
into the blood and release pro–inflammatory products leading to endothelial
dysfunction and resultant diabetes and heart disease.
As per WHO, the content of
PM2.5 in the air should be less than 10 μg/m3. However in India the levels are
always more than 60 μg/m3. In fact an 60 μg/m3 PM2.5 concentration has been
accepted as normal in India. That means that an Indian is already six times
more exposed to PM2.5 particulate as opposed to his western counterpart. In
India, we find values as high as 300–400 μg/m3 in selected areas on a daily
basis. Constant exposure to PM 2.5 particulates leads to endothelial
dysfunction, one of the major factors for the increasing diabetics in the
country.
Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr. A Marthanda Pillai –
National President and Padma Shri Awardee Dr. K K Aggarwal, Honorary Secretary
General IMA in a joint statement said, “ Air
Pollution is a modifiable risk factor for development of diabetes in our
country. People with a history of diabetes in the family, at high risk of the
disease must take necessary steps to protect themselves from the harmful air by
restricting their outdoor exertion levels. They must also ensure that they keep
a check on their diet and get regular exercise especially during early mornings
when the air is said to be purer. There is a dire need to raise awareness about
the need to reduce environmental pollution in our country. The air we presently
breathe is extremely harmful for patients with existing lifestyle diseases, the
young and the elderly and it is the responsibility of each citizen to reverse
this.”
To prevent oneself from
diabetes, it is advised that one should avoid eating refined carbohydrates,
omit carbohydrates 80 days in a year from diet and avoid exposure to high PM2.5
pollution matter (which can be checked from the official governmental website),
exercise more and try to eat a diet full of fruits and vegetables which are
live, locally grown and seasonal.
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