What You Need To Know About CHOLESTEROL

How diet and lifestyle modifications help reduce it

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is present in every cell in our body. Cholesterol is a component of cell membranes and furnishes the molecules for the synthesis of pro vitamin D, adrenocortical hormones like different type steroids, sex hormones, and bile salts. Our body cannot function normally without this lipid compound.

What is the cause of high cholesterol?

These include diet and family history. Obesity or diseases such as diabetes, gall bladder stones, nephrotic syndrome and cirrhosis can also contribute to a high cholesterol level.

There are two major types of cholesterol. When we talk about total cholesterol, we have LDL cholesterol, which is the bad cholesterol. One way to remember that is “L” is for lousy; we want it lower. And then we have the good cholesterol, which is the HDL cholesterol. “H” is for healthy; we want it higher. Another consideration in managing cholesterol is triglycerides, which are another form of fat found in the blood.

How to reduce cholesterol in the Indian diet

If any of your family members are been diagnosed with high cholesterol and has been advised to follow a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats. Now comes the challenge for the lady of the house – to serve healthy and tasty foods. This is as hard a task as changing the eating habits acquired over the past years.

It is a wrong notion that the more oil you use in cooking, the tastier the food. If you can follow the tips given below, your meals can be satisfying and healthy too! And believe me it is worth the change. It is also time to change the habits of everyone in the house and teach the younger generation about eating healthy.

Foods to restrict/avoid

Rich pastries, doughnuts, croissant, deep fried snacks and sweets, cream, butter, ghee, mayonnaise, shrimps, liver, sausages, hamburgers, red meats, full cream milk and yogurt, kheer, condensed milk, evaporated milk, all full fat cheeses, fast foods, coconut oil, palm oil,

Restrict use of coconut milk, dessicated or fresh coconut.

Foods allowed

All kinds of vegetables, in any amount.

All kinds of lentils. They contain good amount of protein but no saturated fat.

Whole eggs – 3 times a week and one at a time.

Choose chicken (skinned), and all kinds of fish prepared in any way but not deep fried..

Fat free milk and yogurt and low fat cheeses

Fruits – at least 3 in a day. Eat any citrus fruit when you feel the need for a sweet.

Use sesame, mustard, olive, sunflower, soyabean, oil in cooking.

Not more than 2 cups coffee per day.

How to cut down fat and cholesterol in the cooking:

First of all change the daily menu and opt for foods that need lesser oil, lesser coconut products and no frying.

Use oats to thicken soups as they do in the MiddleEast.

Instead of cream or coconut milk, use ground paste of nuts or skim milk. Or even a little low fat paneer ground to a paste makes the dish both tasty and healthy.

If you insist on using eggs, use one whole egg and the other only the egg white. Even in baking you may do so without affecting the texture of the baked product.

You can cut down on 30 % of the given fat in a recipe and still get a good tasty dish.

De-skin poultry and remove all visible fat before cooking. If you need to cook red meat, then cook in sufficient water, chill and skim the fat layer that forms on top. Then continue with the preparation.

Most importantly, exercise - Half hour of walking 3 times per week.

Triglycerides are also important. They are also contained in the plaque buildup that leads to heart disease and they’re very strongly related with the development of heart disease. According to the most recent guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), a desirable total cholesterol level is one that is below 200.

Total cholesterol levels between 200 and 239 are considered borderline high, and levels above 240 are considered high. The goal is to have LDL cholesterol levels less than 100mg/dL. For HDL cholesterol, the higher the better, greater than 40 mg/dL for men and 50mg/dL for women and triglyceride levels should be less than 150 mg/dL.

The first step is understanding where the cholesterol comes from. Cholesterol comes from two sources. There is the cholesterol that you eat in food and there is also the cholesterol in your body. Our liver produces enough cholesterol for our body. So, when we think about methods to lower cholesterol, we have to think about reducing it in the diet, and, in some situations, we need to reduce the amount that our body makes.

There are many dietary steps an individual can take to manage their cholesterol. These include limiting fat from the diet, particularly saturated fats and trans fats, limiting cholesterol-rich foods, and boosting fiber. But results from dietary changes can be mixed. And many people can control their cholesterol by changing their lifestyle.

Increasing physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight and quitting smoking are all changes that can help someone lead a heart-healthy lifestyle. And physicians agree that a heart-healthy lifestyle benefits everyone.

Butter, cheese, cream, prawns, egg yolk, kidney, liver, red meat, brain, biscuits, cakes, chocolates and pastries.

Which are the foods to be taken even with high cholesterol levels?

Egg white, fish, all unsaturated vegetables oils, skim milk, all vegetables, all fruits, whole meal bread, oats, cereals and pulses.

Egg yolk contains cholesterol but egg white contains mainly protein. Egg yolk contains 1.33gm of cholesterol per 100 gm. The egg yolk is a source of vitamin A, B vitamins, calcium, phosphorous, lecithin and iron. Iron of yolk is easily digested and assimilated in the body. Egg white is made up of protein known as egg albumin, which is of high biological value. Egg white is also a good source of riboflavin. Egg yolk is best avoided by heart patients.

Does any food help to reduce the high cholesterol levels?

Turmeric, cinnamon and fenugreek, onions, garlic and Bengal gram dhal are believed to lower serum cholesterol levels but this is controversial. Oats, wheat bran, flax seed, citrus fruits and beans are great for cleaning out cholesterol.

Source: NCEP

by

AKSHAYA SRIKANTH

Pharm.D Resident

Hyderabad, India

HEART DRUGS DEATHS: A NEGLIGENCE OF PHARMACIST ROLE IN PAKISTAN

Heart Drugs Deaths: A result of negligence of Pharmacist role in Pakistan.

The deaths of heart patients in Pakistan have exposed the defects in the health system of Pakistan; following are the main reasons for defective Health system.

Negligence of Health system by Federal Government and Parliament.

In past General Zia used to provide moral guidelines to Pakistani nation, once he advised Pakistani nation not to use Ghee as that was dangerous for health of people.

While present president Zardari never have spoken any single words about such subjects while he himself is suffering from heart disease while Zia himself was not suffering from Heart Disease. Infact Zardari and Parliament removed the subject of health from the federal subjects, while even United nations have not done such thing although that is not a government but maintain this subject in the form of very efficient system of WHO (*World health organization).

It is obvious from eighteen amendments that present parliamentarians including opposition have made such decisions without thoroughly examining the issue and made blind decisions, therefore Pakistani nation is paying price of their mistakes.

At present there are very strict regulations for import of drugs in USA, CANADA EU countries, but in Pakistan due to eighteen amendment Drugs act 1976 have become totally irrelevant. All drugs which are used in heart disease are imported from China and India and no drug is manufactured in Pakistan, Local Pharma Industry just formulate and convert the imported drugs into finished dosage form, and due to ambiguity created by eighteen amendments by foolish parliamentarians, Health system due is running without any inspection and monitoring system. Moreover Federal Government have not taken any step for manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals in Pakistan, infact only genuine manufacturing facility of Penicillin Plant in Mianwali established in 1960 have also been destroyed and Pakistani nation is forced to import low quality drugs from Garage based Pharmaceutical Industry in China and India.

Negligence of Role of Pharmacist in Pakistan:

Role of Pharmacist is very important in USA,CANDA,EU and in other parts of world, but in Pakistan to grasp the whole budget the doctors have made their monopoly in hospitals and do not understand the importance of Pharmacist in the hospital whose main responsibility is to understand the use of drugs, their interactions and side effects, as kingdom of drugs is now so much broad it is not simply possible for physicians to master this field, therefore it is their responsibility and duty to demand and take the professional help from Pharmacist in discharging their duties.

From this accident it is clear that When you will appoint non pharmacist and will try to make pharmaceuticals by workers without supervision of pharmacist then you will have to face such music always. Violation of Good manufacturing practices and using non professional and non Pharmacist staff results in such type of accidents, therefore running of Pharmaceuticals Industry by non professional and non pharmacist persons should be discouraged at present MOST OF THE PHARMACEUTICALS OWNERS are businessman such as distributors,and shop keepers, no one can expect care and quality from such peoples, Medicines should not be a business for money making, Therefore Pharmacist should be provided facilities and financial support and loans for running and owning the Pharmaceutical Industries, because only they are educated and qualified for this job.

Moreover importing Drugs from India and China garage based pharmaceuticals is not only harmful for the economy but also dangerous for the health and safety of the nation and measures should be taken to improve growth of Local Pharmaceuticals as well as to promote exports of Pharmaceuticals.Only when we will hand over Pharmaceuticals business to Pharmacist then only we can compete with India or China, otherwise we will continue to kill our peoples.

Laws and regulations about Health should be made by health professional and not by political personalities like Raza Rabani,Ishaq Dar or Zardari or Nawaz Shareef.

Pharmacists and other health professionals and physicians should work to augment and improve their roles for service of humanity and not just for money making.

Akshaya Srikanth, 

Pharm.D Intern

India

How To Find Your Dream Career

Before we begin let’s just agree on one thing. There are no quick answers to how to find your dream career. Finding your dream career is a process. How lengthy this process is depends on how sincere you are with yourself. It also depends on how much you are willing to sacrifice in pursuit of your dream career.
1. The Toughest Part - Know What You Want
The toughest part about finding your dream career isn’t about finding the dream career. It is about finding yourself. Do you know what you want? This is the first question you need to ask yourself. It is a seemingly easy question many answer by mentioning what they DON’T WANT instead of what they WANT. But that is not the answer that will ensure you to find your dream job.
Knowing what you don’t want does not mean you easily arrive at what you want.Unfortunately, the process of elimination does not work in finding your dream career. You can go through a thousand “don’t wants” and still not hit it. How to find your dream career? Start by knowing what you want!
2. Know Your Values
If you feel a little lost with finding what you want, start by knowing your values. Ask yourself, what do you really value? Time? That’s a common answer I get and a good one too. We all want more time for ourselves and family. So, if you value time then you know the dream career you are looking for must offer more time. Is that all? List a set of values you treasure. Then things will begin to fall in place. You have defined what it is that will fit in these criteria.
3. Know How Much You Are Willing To Sacrifice
Do you have the knowledge and skill set that fit the needs of your dream career? If you do not, how much are you willing to sacrifice in order to add those skill set in your repertoire? How to find your dream career is easy. How much you are willing to sacrifice in order to achieve it is tough to answer.
4. Do It For The Right Reasons
The trigger to how to find your dream career should never be money. It should not be because you are currently unhappy with your salary and hence you want a dream career that pays you an enormous amount of money. Money should never be the motivation. Make passion a motivation but never money.
5. The Easiest Part
If you know what you want, what you value and you do it for the right reasons – then this is the easy part. Here are your “3 Steps Guide to How To Find Your Dream Career” so to speak.
Do Your Research
Find out about the industry. Do you have friends in the industry? Find out what are the expectations, the knowledge and skills needed. The Internet is also the perfect place to start. You can read books focused on your dream career or check out sites offering career advice on certain industries. For example, the site - Job Application and Interview Advice is a compelling site written to help people Snag A Job every day. It covers all aspects of how to snag a job including job applications forms, resumes, cover letters and interview questions and answers.
Network With People In The Industry
Get to know people in the industry so you get a feel of what it is like upfront. This also sets you up for potential short-term work when the opportunity arises for some hands on experience before you make that leap. I have personally allowed friends based on recommendations to visit us after office hours. This allows them to see what it is like in our industry and to speak in depth with staff from various departments in order to understand our line.
Create A Plan To Pursue Your Dream Career
Now that you know how to find your dream career, create a plan to achieve it. How do you plan to add new skill sets? How do you plan to apply for the job? When would be able to get practical training, if that’s a requirement? Develop a plan and act upon it!
I hope it will motivate you all.
Thanks for reading
AKSHAYA SRIKANTH
Pharm.D aspirant

Pursuing Career Success the Right Tools are Important for Your Career Success

Life in the working world is very different from school or college. There are no clear rules so to speak. But there are guidelines and principles you can follow to increase your chances of career success.

Based on our real life experiences, we want to provide you with guidelines, advice and tips to help you ease into the working world. In the hope this will help you achieve career success.

This is our toolbox, tools we have used in the course of our own pursuit of a successful career. The tips, techniques and advice are geared for you to be a success with bosses, colleagues, clients and foes.

While we can share our experiences with you, YOU need to belief that you are in charge of your own destiny. Everything starts and ends with you. You are the one in control, no one else. We do not have magic formulas here you can learn in a night and be on your way to greatness. But what we know is this - the advice, tips and techniques here are used by ourselves. We aim to guide you towards a successful career, work and life.

We have collected them for you to freely use in pursuing career success. You are your own career builder; we are the supplier of the tools. You need to decide which tools to use, which suits you best and then put them into action.

There are three things we ask of you:

1. Bring Enthusiasm. Unless you are interested to improve yourself and attain success, no amount of reading can help you.

2. Take Action. Internalize the relevant materials. Then decide to take action. Nothing happens until you act upon that change you desire.

3. Be Patient. Nothing happens overnight. Success like many things in life takes time. Drop by drop an empty bucket is soon filled with water. Small steps at a time. Pursuing career success is a marathon. Not a sprint.

As you peek around you will see things in a different perspective, so you can enjoy and feel more satisfied pursuing career success. Well, come on in and let’s get started!

Hope you enjoy reading..

Thanking you
Akshaya Srikanth,
Pharm.D Internee

11 things you must know

Here are 11 things you must know to protect you and your patient health:

What is this medication called?

Why am I taking this medication?

Is this medication intended to replace any of your other medications?

What is the proper way to use this medication?

How much should I take?

How often should I take it?

When is the best time of day to take it?

What should I do if I forget to take a dose?

How do I safely store the medication, and how long is it good for?

What side effects can this medication cause, and how should I deal with them?

When should I seek emergency medical attention for a side effect?

How long should I continue taking this medication?

How can I safely stop the medication? (For some medications, you'll need to gradually reduce your dose to prevent withdrawal symptoms - ask your pharmacist whether yours is one of them.)

Will this medication interact with any of my other medications, foods, alcohol, or alternative medical treatments (such as herbals or homeopathy)?

Knowing the answers to these questions could save patient life. If you or your patient aren't sure of the answers, ask your pharmacist or doctor!

by
Akshaya Srikanth

THINK LIKE A GENIUS

“Even if you’re not a genius, you can use the same strategies as Aristotle and Einstein to harness the power of your creative mind and better manage your future.”

The following eight strategies encourage you to think productively, rather than reproductively, in order to arrive at solutions to problems. “These strategies are common to the thinking styles of creative geniuses in science, art, and industry throughout history.”

1. Look at problems in many different ways, and find new perspectives that no one else has taken (or no one else has publicized!)
Leonardo da Vinci believed that, to gain knowledge about the form of a problem, you begin by learning how to restructure it in many different ways. He felt that the first way he looked at a problem was too biased. Often, the problem itself is reconstructed and becomes a new one.

2. Visualize!
When Einstein thought through a problem, he always found it necessary to formulate his subject in as many different ways as possible, including using diagrams. He visualized solutions, and believed that words and numbers as such did not play a significant role in his thinking process.

3. Produce! A distinguishing characteristic of genius is productivity.
Thomas Edison held 1,093 patents. He guaranteed productivity by giving himself and his assistants idea quotas. In a study of 2,036 scientists throughout history, Dean Keith Simonton of the University of California at Davis found that the most respected scientists produced not only great works, but also many “bad” ones. They weren’t afraid to fail, or to produce mediocre in order to arrive at excellence.

4. Make novel combinations. Combine, and recombine, ideas, images, and thoughts into different combinations no matter how incongruent or unusual.
The laws of heredity on which the modern science of genetics is based came from the Austrian monk Grego Mendel, who combined mathematics and biology to create a new science.

5. Form relationships; make connections between dissimilar subjects.
Da Vinci forced a relationship between the sound of a bell and a stone hitting water. This enabled him to make the connection that sound travels in waves. Samuel Morse invented relay stations for telegraphic signals when observing relay stations for horses.

6. Think in opposites.
Physicist Niels Bohr believed, that if you held opposites together, then you suspend your thought, and your mind moves to a new level. His ability to imagine light as both a particle and a wave led to his conception of the principle of complementarity. Suspending thought (logic) may allow your mind to create a new form.

7. Think metaphorically.
Aristotle considered metaphor a sign of genius, and believed that the individual who had the capacity to perceive resemblances between two separate areas of existence and link them together was a person of special gifts.

8. Prepare yourself for chance.
Whenever we attempt to do something and fail, we end up doing something else. That is the first principle of creative accident. Failure can be productive only if we do not focus on it as an unproductive result. Instead: analyze the process, its components, and how you can change them, to arrive at other results. Do not ask the question “Why have I failed?”, but rather “What have I done?”