Thiruvananthapuram:
At many of Kerala's clinics, a chart warns of different oils and how much saturated fat they contain. At the very top of that list, sits Coconut Oil. And now, doctors are worried that's to blame for Kerala's rate of diabetes, highest in the country, with 21 out of every 100 people testing positive.
A survey conducted by the Kesavadev Trust, famous and trusted for its work in diabetes awareness and research, has shared these startling results. The average age of Kerala's diabetics has fallen dramatically in the last six years, from 65 to 34.
So, why are so many young men and women becoming diabetic? The Trust blames coconut oil used for cooking in most homes; because younger people are eating lots of deep-fried meals, their cholesterol levels are leaping. Cholesterol is to blame for 70 per cent of the state's diabetes.
"The more shocking revelation is the silent prevalence of high cholesterol and very high blood pressure (BP). Even among the younger generation, we see more than 300 level of cholesterol commonly in Kerala population," says Dr Jothydev, a leading diabetologist.
Thirty-six-year-old Bindu was diagnosed with diabetes three years ago. She says she's never been fond of dessert or sweets, and her family has no history of diabetes. "When I was told I have high sugar, I was scared and shocked to say the least. But at that time my weight was much more than normal," she sighs.
Doctors say Kerala's high literacy rate could be why its population is aware of the need to get tested. Just last week, the World Diabetes Congress held in Canada announced that India is the diabetes capital in the world. Kerala seems to have done its bit to help India earn that title.
A survey conducted by the Kesavadev Trust, famous and trusted for its work in diabetes awareness and research, has shared these startling results. The average age of Kerala's diabetics has fallen dramatically in the last six years, from 65 to 34.
So, why are so many young men and women becoming diabetic? The Trust blames coconut oil used for cooking in most homes; because younger people are eating lots of deep-fried meals, their cholesterol levels are leaping. Cholesterol is to blame for 70 per cent of the state's diabetes.
"The more shocking revelation is the silent prevalence of high cholesterol and very high blood pressure (BP). Even among the younger generation, we see more than 300 level of cholesterol commonly in Kerala population," says Dr Jothydev, a leading diabetologist.
Thirty-six-year-old Bindu was diagnosed with diabetes three years ago. She says she's never been fond of dessert or sweets, and her family has no history of diabetes. "When I was told I have high sugar, I was scared and shocked to say the least. But at that time my weight was much more than normal," she sighs.
Doctors say Kerala's high literacy rate could be why its population is aware of the need to get tested. Just last week, the World Diabetes Congress held in Canada announced that India is the diabetes capital in the world. Kerala seems to have done its bit to help India earn that title.
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