Limiting salt intake checks blood pressure, protects heart

A frantic lifestyle, long working hours and even longer distances to commute in metros and cities make ready—to—eat packaged food an attractive option, which requires only a few minutes of warming.

But the flip side is that their salt content is on the higher side. So regular dependence on fast food or packaged foods promotes greater salt intake, which accumulates in the body and poses serious health risks.

These risks are rising blood pressure (BP) levels, which could act as trigger for cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks, besides cerebral strokes, as well as kidney failure, B. Sesikeran, director of Hyderabad—based National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), told the IANS.

“Several global studies have clearly indicated that reduction in salt intakes even by small quantities significantly decreases the average blood pressure of a population. The prevalence of hypertension is low among populations consuming less than three grams of salt daily. The usual increase in BP with age is also not seen with such (low) intakes,” Sesikeran said.

Last week, the NIN recommended a reduction of salt content by the packaged food industry, besides limiting maximum salt intake to six grams per day, down from the eight grams permitted under 1998 nutritional guidelines.

“The prevalence of high blood pressure in more than a third of urban Indian population could be largely contributed by higher salt intakes, though several other factors, including stress and other chronic disease, may also be involved,” said Sesikeran.

However, salt, for all its negative publicity, is crucial for the functioning of the heart, adrenals, liver and kidneys, and even for digesting food. It transports nutrients to the cells, keeps calcium and other minerals soluble and maintains the body gets balance of fluids.

Sea or raw salt seems to be a healthier option because it has a number of trace minerals like potassium, magnesium and calcium, but processed salt loses all these micro—nutrients.

A study by Patricio E. Ray, published in the journal Kidney International, has found that potassium deficiencies increase BP and induce salt sensitivity, that is bringing on more adverse effects with the same quantity of salt.

“Potassium has the exact opposite effect on the BP when compared with sodium in the edible salt. Its higher intake also results in more expulsion of sodium from the kidneys,” said Sesikeran.

Simply stated, posassium in diet is effective in lowering BP.

Sesikeran suggested blending potassium chloride with sodium chloride to reduce the sodium content for every gram of salt consumed.

The best sources of potassium are provided by fruits and vegetables. However, higher potassium intakes may not be advisable for those with certain forms of kidney or heart disease. It is safe for the general population, he added.

Whether salt is consumed as a processed or sea salt, the body ultimately takes up sodium chloride (salt’s chemical name) which largely determines the BP. The NIN recommendation limits consumption to 2,400 mg sodium chloride daily.

Pickles, preserved foods, ketchups, papads, ready to eat snacks are most of the common sources of significant amount of salt, he added.

Expanding its horizon in engineering research

Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute offers assistance to industries in the form of feasibility studies, research, training, and consultancy.

Mechanical engineering is one of the most versatile disciplines among the wide spectrum of engineering studies. Some of the areas in mechanical engineering such as production automobile, aeronautical, marine, industrial, tool and die engineering have developed as independent full-fledged disciplines. Any industry requires inputs from mechanical engineering. There is substantial research work in the diverse fields of this broad discipline.

We import a lot of technology. It is estimated that mechanical engineering technology accounts for nearly half of the total technology imported. This points to the need for intensive research in this discipline, for ensuring self reliance. A key player in the field is the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Mahatma Gandhi Avenue, Durgapur – 713209. Web site: www.cmeri.res.in.

CMERI

CMERI, which was established in 1958, is the apex R&D institute for mechanical engineering, under the aegis CSIR. The institute facilitates innovative studies utilising Indian talent. It is poised to expand its horizon of research activities so as to steer the country forward in cutting-edge and sunrise fields. It offers assistance to industries in the form of feasibility studies, research, training, and consultancy.

The institute aims at product / process development, import substitution, export promotion, waste recovery, quality control, and standardisation. It tries to provide complete technology package comprising design and manufacturing know-how, consultancy, and training. CMERI has an extension centre at Ludhiana, the Mechanical Engineering Research and Development Organization (MERADO).

Let us look at the various activities of research and development undertaken by the institute.

Robotics and mechatronics: CMERI has expertise in the field of robotic systems, control engineering, and other related areas.

It has undertaken the development of a vacuum mopping system for spilled heavy water for atomic power plants.

It has developed the first indigenous 60kg payload SCARA Manipulator. The first indigenous remotely operated vehicle for a depth of 200m for the Department of Ocean Development, Government of India, also came from this division.

Energy and process plants: The institute conducts studies in the broad field of thermal and fluid engineering. It offers technical support to the industries.

Heat power engineering: The essential focus is on process design and development in the area of thermal / fluid systems in power and process plants, drying for agro industries, and advanced energy conversion. Other areas of work includealternative energy, fuel cell, hydrogen generation from biomass and other sources, and application and improvement in drying system for grains and seeds.

Process plant engineering:Design, development, installation and commissioning of different kinds of process plants. Executing national mission programmes. Life assessment of process plants structures.

A significant contribution of the group is thedesign and development of carcass utilisation plant in Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai. Meat is processed as noodles. Tallow is used in the soap industry, bone powder as fertilizer, and the processed meat as poultry feed.

Chemistry and biomimetics: Biomimetics refers to man-made processes, substances, devices, or systems that imitate nature. It involves the application of biological systems found in nature to engineering and technology. The research in the chemistry and biomimetics group focuses on mechanistic studies of thermal reactions in solution, and photochemical studies. Modern kinetic and analytical techniques are applied for elucidating the molecular nature of the investigated reactions.

Some of the other areas are

Use of ion-exchange-membrane materials to emulate the operation of biological muscles

Miniaturisation in the chemical, biological and engineering sciences at both the micro- and nano scales.

Design methods, manufacturing techniques, and analytical methods that can be used to create and evaluate products based on bio-inspired concepts.

Metrology: It is the science of weights and measures, determination of conformance to specification or technical requirements, and development of standards. It hasapplication in all areas of science and technology including automation, robotics, space, and satellite communication. Metrological accuracy is an essential requirement for quality assurance.Any testing and calibration activity depends on good metrology.

The metrology laboratory of CMERI is a leading test centre recognised by the Bureau of Indian Standards for carrying out testing and calibration work. CMERI has links with national standards of the National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, which is the custodian of measurement standards. The high level of professional competence and stringent adherence to procedural norms ensure excellence in the service provided by CMERI in the field of dimensional metrology. Further, the laboratory has accreditation, from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration of Science and Technology, Government of India, in dimension, mass, density, and volume. It gives timely and cost effective solutions to industries.

Tribology: This is the science of the mechanisms of friction, lubrication, and wear of interacting surfaces that are in relative motion. Bearing and lubrication in machines are the major tools that help to fight the problems from friction.

Even centuries ago man had evolved bearings, though of a primitive nature. There are great innovations in the design and making of bearings that have enormous impact on the efficiency of machines.

Reduction in wear can bring down wastage of materials as well as loss of energy. The consequent savings will enhance the economy in the operation of plants and machinery. The significance of this process may be appreciated, if we remember that nearly one third of the world's resources are being wasted in overcoming friction in one form or another. Tribology applies operational analysis to problems of great economic importance such as reliability, maintainability and wear of technical equipment ranging from household appliances to spacecraft. Many cases of machine break-down, failure, and stoppage are associated with interacting moving parts such as gears, bearings, couplings, cams, and clutches. These vital issues are constantly subjected to studies and analysis that lead to desirable solutions to various problems in industrial operations.

Manufacturing technologies: Hard prototypes have to be made for product development with high grade capability for manufacturing precision.

The development of reliable components is also important.To facilitate these, CMERI has equipped its workshop with state-of-the-art machinery. Equipment including advanced CNC machines and heat treatment furnaces helps to carry out research in this area. The manufacturing facilities are adequately supported by design, metrology, foundry, heat treatment services.

Spin casting and investment casting: The institute has modern foundry facilities with computerised operation.The rapid prototyping system helps the RP models to be converted quickly into functional components. Spin casting and investment casting assist in producing net-shape and near-net-shape functional components in the desired ferrous and non-ferrous metal specifications.

Casting that is ideally suited for producing intricate and precise components of small batch size is available.

Indestructible wealth

While our jewels and money can be stolen, the only wealth that cannot be stolen is knowledge, said Goda Venkateswara Sastrigal. This is true even of knowledge that only helps in worldly matters. So how much more true it would be of spiritual knowledge can be imagined. If we keep donating the money we have, the money at our disposal gets depleted. But when knowledge is imparted to others, our knowledge grows. Teaching others what we know helps us go through the matter over and over in our minds, and this helps us think more clearly. So we get clarity of thought by teaching. Education involves four stages. We must first read the text. We must then think about what we have read, so that we are clear about the subject. We must then use it in our lives, and also teach others what we have learnt.

Even at the end of the great deluge when all else is gone, a man's knowledge remains intact. When a man dies, who goes with him? None. Not even his dearest relatives. But his knowledge goes with him. We hear of prodigies who amaze us with their abilities; they are people who are able to recall at a very young age what they studied in a previous birth. Then we might ask, why is it that a few are prodigies, while the rest are not? This is due to our prarabdha karma. It is our karma that decides whether we will recall in childhood what we learnt as adults in a previous birth.

Gnanis have no regard for material possessions. If one's wealth is as huge as the whole world, it is like a drop of water to the gnani. What makes a man good looking? Not adornment. Not bathing in aromatic compounds. Not lustrous hair. A man's speech is his ornament. And one acquires pleasant speech through practice. A man's speech will follow him into the next birth. A man's beauty is his education; such a man's joy is evident on his face. Just to see him gives one mental peace.

We might think the gnani is poor. But his wealth is hidden. Wherever he goes he is respected and welcomed. Even after a gnani dies, his fame still lives on. The praise an educated man gets is genuine. The wealthy are praised, because people expect something from them.

Oats, nuts can help reduce cholesterol: Study

Worried about your cholesterol? Make sure you eat plenty of oats and nuts rather than just avoiding fatty foods, scientists say.

Researchers at the University of Toronto in Canada found that a diet rich in foods, such as oats and nuts, was more effective in lowering cholesterol levels than by cutting out saturated fats alone.

The diet that worked best in the study also included soy products such as milk, tofu and meat substitutes, while eating more peas, beans and lentils was encouraged, the Daily Mail reported.

The researchers discovered that a six-month change to the diet could result in a “meaningful” 13 per cent reduction in blood levels of LDL cholesterol, also called bad cholesterol.

Following the diet for longer would give a predicted reduction of almost 11 per cent in heart disease risk over a ten-year period, the researchers claimed.

For the study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the researchers looked at 345 patients suffering from high cholesterol. They were split into three groups, one of which was merely recommended to adopt a low-fat diet that included fruit and vegetables, while the other two were advised on a dietary “portfolio” consisting of specific foods known to lower LDL cholesterol such as nuts, oats, soy products and lentils.

One group was counselled during two clinic visits while the other underwent an “intensive” course of seven visits. After six months the low-fat group had experienced a drop in LDL cholesterol levels of three per cent.