Beat the Stroke with a healthy lifestyle with Flora
Astroke, or in medical terms, a ‘cerebrovascular accident’ (CVA) usually manifests when a part of the brain loses contact with its blood supply. Given the circumstance, the part of the body which is controlled by the blood deprived brain cells ceases to operate. Such a loss of blood supply can turn ischemic due to the deficiency in the blood flow, or hemorrhagic because of bleeding into the brain tissue. A stroke is never a medical emergency to be taken lightly, and it can cause permanent disability and potentially can lead upto death.
However, hope resides even in the darkest of times. There is indeed life after a stroke. October 29th is dedicated as the World Stroke Day which focus on the vitality of addressing the issues and implications surrounding the condition and how the stroke survivors and their families are coping with it. While on the topic, it is absolutely important to track down the key causes for the stroke. It is identified that the primary causes are high blood pressure, use of tobacco, heart disease, diabetes and overweight and obesity (caused by unhealthy dietary habits and lack of exercise).
Upon close inspection, it can be deduced that all these causes are interlinked. Nip one cause out of a person’s life, and a considerable margin of the other causes will indirectly be mitigated, or eliminated. Once again, inspections show that the majority of these predicaments is caused simply due to a persons diet. What a person consumes, ultimately leads to their sustained prosperity, or there imminent demise. Therefore, the fact remains that a simple change in dietary habits can create a ripple effect; minute changes which ultimately make a difference that matters.
Critics might claim that fatty substances are advocates for disaster, but that isn’t entirely true. The truth lies within the beholder. Similar to the reality of the world, every aspect has its ‘goods’ and ‘bads’. Certain elements might seem as poison from a glance, but that is not to say that there are some ‘necessary poisons’ hidden beneath. Some fats are better for your health than others. Unsaturated fats are called “good fats” because they have a beneficial effect on (heart) health. Especially polyunsaturated fats have a beneficial effect on heart health when it is used to replace saturated fat (SAFA) and trans fat (TFA). The “good fats” are needed as building blocks for cells in our body and they play an important role in the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.
Some polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) are also essential fats, they are called essential fats because the body needs them to function properly and cannot make them from other nutrients. For this reason, we must eat them as part of a healthy diet. Essential fats are needed for several functions in the body (e.g. for growing and renewing cells and tissues, to regulate physiological functions, and for normal growth and development of children). Essential fats include omega 3 Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA) from “plants”, omega 3 Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) from “marine” sources, and omega 6 Linoleic Acid (LA) fatty acids.
Flora fat spreads consist of a delightful blend of Canola and Sunflower Oils with the goodness of Omega 3 and 6 and Vitamin A,D,E. What makes this relevant to the discussion? Not only are they delicious and versatile, they also contribute to a healthy diet by providing the essential fats Alpha Linoleic Acid (ALA) an Omega-3 Polyunsaturated fat. The human body demands such good fats for normal growth and development
Saturated fats and trans fats are called “bad” fats because they have been shown to increase “bad” blood cholesterol (which may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases [this message may not be allowed in countries with very strict rules on health communication - Adapt locally]).
“Good’’ fats are typically found in plant oils and products made of those, such as soft-spreads and liquids. They can also be found in nuts, seeds and fatty fish. ‘’Bad’’ fats are typically found in higher amounts in full-fat dairy products, fatty meats, cakes, biscuits and savoury snacks.
Fats are a good source of energy, important building blocks of cells and hormones and help to protect vital organs. Omega 3 (ALA) and Omega 6 (LA) are essential fats and necessary to achieve quality health standard. The body doesnt produce such fats, so they out to be consumed inorder to maintain a healthy balanced diet. Poly-unsaturated fats (Omega 3 and Omega 6) are widely present in plant foods such as plant oils (e.g. sunflower and canola/ rapeseed oil) and spreads made with plant oils. Replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats from vegetable oils can help to lower blood cholesterol levels. ALA and LA are essential fats, meaning that the human body needs them for good health but cannot be synthesize naturally. ALA and LA also contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels.
Flora is a an ideal source of Omega-3 (ALA) and Omega 6 (LA) and is a way to include good fats in your family’s diet. Expert dietary advice emphasizes optimizing the types of fat in the diet (fat quality) instead of reducing total fat (fat quantity). Dietary advice also recommends replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats from oils and foods that are mainly oil, like fat spreads. Choosing fat spreads that contain no partially hydrogenated vegetable oil and virtually no trans-fat per serving, like Flora, instead of butter is a simple way to make good fats part of an overall healthy diet while limiting saturated fat. Did you also know that Flora fat spread has 70% less saturated fat than your butter?
Canola/rapeseed oil contains about 91% unsaturated fats (9% saturated fat). 63% of the unsaturated fat is monounsaturated fat, the rest is polyunsaturated fat (omega 3 and omega 6). There is no trans fat in canola oil. Sunflower oil is high in polyunsaturated fat (omega 6). It is rich in vitamin E. There is no trans fat in sunflower oil. Trans fats are worse than saturated fats. These also raise blood cholesterol levels and are found in meat and dairy products, including butter.
Trans fat occurs naturally in meat and dairy products from ruminant animals (e.g. cattle, sheep, goats, camels, etc.) but can also be industrially produced by partial hydrogenation of plant (vegetable) oils (PHVO). However, the existence of trans fats from PHVO has significantly decreased over the past 10-15 years due to major reformulation efforts made by the industry. Industrially-produced trans fats can be found in baked and fried foods, prepared snacks and partially hydrogenated cooking oils and spreads. Trans fats raise the “bad” (LDL) blood cholesterol levels and lower “good” (HDL) blood cholesterol levels. Eating trans fats can increase the risk of developing heart disease (this message may not be allowed in countries with strict rules on health communication, therefore its best to adapt locally). Flora is not using partial hydrogenated fats in the formulation of their products. Therefore, Flora products are virtually trans fat free and hence there is nothing for consumers to worry about
Fats deliver vitamins A, D and E. Vitamin A contributes to the normal function of the immune system and maintenance of normal vision. Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones and teeth, normal muscle function and maintenance of the immune system. Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Also Flora fat spread contains 33% of your daily requirement (with a 20g serving) of vitamin A, D and E, so you don’t have to worry too much about your vitamin A, D , E intake anymore if you add Flora to your daily diet
Going back to the initial discussion, incorporating these findings into the matter, it can be observed that the consumption of such would assist a person mitigate or eliminate a few of the key causes for a stroke. A healthier diet prevents stress, diabetes and cholesterol, which are a prime cause for heart disease. As mentioned, it is a ripple effect, where each decision is of utmost importance. The decision to include Flora products within a persons diet will safeguard them in the long haul, and that is what is expected on this momentous and glorious World Stroke Day.