Time to Get Healthy.

Fighting trans-fats

NICE the NHS watchdog has advised that trans-fats be completely eliminated from all foods in the UK following fears that increased consumption of the substance will damage people’s health. The call to eliminate trans-fats is part of a general overhaul of the foods industry which would see reductions in saturated fats, salt and sugar in ready made and pre-packaged food.

Diet continues to be a big problem in the UK, where 30% of the adult population is classified as being medically obese. Of this percentage of people, 5% take farmaci dimagranti con ricetta Xenical to help manage their weight problems and many others have tried dieting, surgery and light exercise. The rising use of diet pills, however, is very worrying as tablets do nothing to address the real issues of poor diet and insufficient exercise regimes. Having said that people who are medically obese really do require help in losing weight. High obesity rates and poor attitude to following a healthy diet must be tackled as this is the root cause behind the Uk’s high levels of cardiovascular disease and obesity-related to higher cancer rates. NICE strongly believe that a ban in the use of trans-fats in food production will significantly improve obesity rates and rates of weight related illnesses.

The Bristish food industry has already taken many steps to improve its products and does voluntarily change the recipes of popular food brands to make them healthier. However, NICE believe that self regulation is not enough and that the government must intervene to stop the obesity crisis from perpetuating. NICE also believe that a ban on trans-fats will bring about huge health benefits in the long term. Such intervention would require the Nanny State to regulate nutrition, a move many would not be happy with. Human rights supporters disagree with NICE’s proposal for government intervention arguing that the majority of people eat sensibly and that it is not solely the government’s responsibility to regulate the country’s waistline and that individuals should actively monitor their own diet and exercise regimes.

One things is clear, cardiovascular disease caused by cholesterol and obesity are on the rise. Both of these diseases are caused by over consumption of bad food and insufficient exercise programmes, and hence are preventable illnesses. Greater efforts on the part of the individuals, government and food standards agencies must be made in order to save the British population and National Health Service from disaster. Cutting trans-fats may be just a small part of this, but nonetheless is a step in the right direction.