Worried about high cholesterol? Following this may help you achieve an ideal cholesterol level.

Age Gracefully, Protect yourself from cardiac events.

After examining the study, Serum-cholesterol, diet, and coronary heart-disease in Africans and Asians in Uganda by A.G. Shaper, M.B. Cape Town, M.R.C.P., D.T.M. & H., K.W. Jones, F.I.M.L.T., here’s what we found.

Coronary artery disease was actually not existing in the african population (in earlier days and when this study was done) compared to Asian countries where we find a growing number of Coronary heart diseases. The coronary heart disease or the coronary artery disease majorly includes heart attack (myocardial infarction) or obstruction of a coronary artery that blocks the blood flow to some parts of the heart (coronary thrombosis). Authors of this study discuss how environmental, genetic, race and dietary habits influence coronary heart disease.

People from African and Asian communities in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda were selected for the study. Dietary habits were screened and collected. Africans consumed staple foods like green plantain, sweet potatoes steamed in banana leaves, cassava,  yams, maize and millet with reduced use of fat on the other side asian group consumed foods such as “dhal”(lentils), wheat flour (for making chapatis), handmade bread,  pooris, green vegetables fats; oil was used for preparing dishes. Serum cholesterol levels were monitored for all members in the group.The recordings of the study: Mean Serum-Cholesterol Concentrations in African and Asian Males, Kampala, Uganda (Numbers in parentheses are numbers of subjects in each group)

Serum-cholesterol (mg. per 100 ml.)(mean & S

Observations: 

The study was done involving Africans and Asians under three age groups aged 12 years, 20 years and over 40 years. The study recorded differences in the cholesterol levels across age and was different for both the populations.

• Since the study included both groups from one location, the climatic and geographical environment remained the same. Reference to  “Bronte-Stewart et al.2 have emphasised the considerable overlap from race to race despite interracial differences in mean values’’
• Physical activity may not be the cause, because both african and Asian children were schooling and were students.
• Diet was a major differentiating factor found among both groups in the study.

These two racial groups differ markedly in their liability to coronary heart-disease.

The results of this survey showed an increasing cholesterol level for the asian population  which consumed foods such as “dhal”(lentils), wheat flour (for making chapatis), handmade bread,  pooris, green vegetables fats and used oil for preparing dishes. While the african group on staple food like green plantain, sweet potatoes steamed in banana leaves, cassava,  yams, maize and millet with reduced use of fat showed a lower cholesterol level.

The study concluded; the data supported the view that a rise in cholesterol level may not necessarily be an accompaniment of ageing. The study also explains if an ecological relationship does exist between coronary heart disease and serum cholesterol concentration, a level of 170 mg.per 100 ml  is suggested as ideal.

Read the full study here. 

The diet we eat has a major influence on different parameters of health. Adopting a healthy eating habit, not necessarily eating what the African population in the study consumed, but identifying nutritious food locally available for your diet, stopping those contributing to your increased cholesterol levels may be a starting point.  

If you are looking to make a dietary change to improve your health parameters, seek help from your Physician or a Dietitian.

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Click here to speak to a Candok Health Coach for your personalized consultation. 

A step to control, prevent or in some cases reverse coronary artery disease. Candok Health Coach can guide you through the process and if required involve your treating physician to monitor and taper medications. 

Understanding and applying Nutrition Series. Edited by Candok Editorial Board, Candok Lifestyle. Live Life, Naturally!

References:

Serum cholesterol, diet , and coronary heart – disease in Africans and Asians in Uganda. A.G. Shaper M.B. Cape Town , M.R.C.P.,D.T.M and H1 and K.W. Jones ,F.I.M.L.T.2.