Why Nigeria should speed up action to eliminate trans fats - Experts
Experts have again expressed concern over the consumption of Trans-fatty Acids in foods which they say is silently responsible for the growing number cardiovascular diseases and highly preventable deaths, while it’s elimination is yet to receive the attention it deserves.
Though experts say not all fatty acids are dangerous to the health, they however, describe industrially produced Trans Fatty Acids (IP_TFAS) as poisons which Nigerians consume daily without knowing and end up suffering the health and economic consequences as well as economic further putting pressure on the fragile health care system. Industrial trans fats are gotten through partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils.
Even as Nigeria grapples with several other disease burdens, experts say consumption of trans fats has become a major public health concern. Akinbode Oluwafemi, executive director CAPPA, Quoting a recent report revealed that more Nigerians are now getting heart attacks and strokes from the consumption of imported vegetable oil that has high trans fats content.
Oluwafemi had warned that trans fats could overwhelm Nigeria Nigerian healthcare system if concerted efforts are not made to get rid of it in foods consumed by the citizenry.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that trans fat intake leads to more than 540,000 deaths of people from cardiovascular disease annually, with Nigeria accounting for 1,261 of that figure. The agency notes that trans fats are still used in Nigeria and other countries as an ingredient in fried foods baked goods and spreads to make them attractive and have a longer shelf life
The need for Nigeria to speed up action and meet the target for the eliminations of IP-TFAS was re-echoed at a 2-day workshop organised by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) in Abuja recently.
Jerome Mafeni, Country Technical Lead of Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED) likened trans fats to cyanide arsenic poisons which interfere with the metabolic process of life, taking the place of natural substance that performs a critical function.
According to him, consumption of IP-TFAS are associated with cardiovascular diseases and many other adverse health effects such as blood cholesterol, diabetes, Obesity, cancer, gut bacteria, and inflammation as they clog arteries and make blood vessels unhealthy and inflamed.
Studies have also shown that when people eat even small amounts of trans fats have a higher risk of stroke, heart disease, and sudden heart death. Just 2 grams of trans fats can raise a person’s risk, researchers have said.
Mafeni said it was important that the Nigerian government prioritise elimination of industrially produced transFats because replacing trans fat with healthier oils/fats in the food supply is a low-cost way for governments to save the lives of their citizens. According to him, Costs to implement best practice interventions ( i. e regulatory limits on trans fat) are likely well under the commonly accepted thresholds of costeffectiveness.
He notes that the WHO also recommends trans fat elimination as a cost-effective intervention for Nigeria and other middle- income countries.
Mafeni also notes that experiences in several countries demonstrate that industrially-produced trans fats can be replaced by healthier oils and save health care cost
He said modeling from the United Kingdom found five-par net savings in healthcare costs, while in New York City, USA after a policy for the elimination of trans fat in fast foods was implemented, the city recorded a significant reduction in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases.