Chennai: If you are a diet-conscious person, it is time to reconsider your plan and add sufficient amounts of oil.

It is a common belief that consumption of oil can lead to weight-gain, cholesterol and other such conditions. However, doctors in the city state that oil, which contains fat, is required to dissolve Vitamin E that can prevent several diseases.

“The nutrient is a group of eight fat-soluble compounds that include four tocopherols and four tocotrienols, or simply be termed as antioxidants. Low intake of fat or diseases that can impact the absorption of fat can lead to deficiency of the nutrition. However, the incidence is not high in the city,” said Dr Dharini Krishnan, independent nutritionist based in Chennai.

FUNCTIONS

Talking about the properties, Chennai-based general surgeon, Dr Mohamed Aabrez Shams, said, “The antioxidant nature neutralises the free radicals that are produced during normal metabolism. It can have a damaging effect on human cells.”

It is proven that the antioxidant property neutralises the excess compound by providing hydrogen, thus reducing the impact of it on cells.

Further, the doctor stated that the free radical damage causes several diseases, including cancer, heart diseases, infertility and neurological conditions. Kidney, lung and prostate cancer are primarily caused due to the lack of Vitamin E.

For instance, the artery which carries blood to the human body gets coated with fat and the condition is known as atherosclerosis.

The process of lining starts with free radical damage which damages the wall and leads to deposition of fat. When sufficient Vitamin E is consumed, it gets dissolved and does not affect the physiological process, added Dr Mohamed.

In addition, low intake of the nutrient during pregnancy can lead to the foetus being impacted with a range of maladies affecting the organs and can even lead to still-born birth.

About causing cancer, the doctor explained: “It can cause any type of cancer as the cells are constantly exposed to toxins. For instance, lung cancer is primarily caused due to smoking that releases a large amount of free radicals. When the person does not possess antioxidant to counteract the effect, it multiplies and leads to lung cancer. Though it will not prevent completely, it can minimalise the effect.”

SILENT KILLER

It has been stated that the deficiency of Vitamin E cannot be identified in the beginning stage.

“There is no proper sign or symptom to diagnose the condition right in the beginning. It manifests as a bigger disease like atherosclerosis, only then the patient realises,” Dr Mohamed explained.

SOURCES

Vegetarian source: green leafy vegetables, oils (wheat germ, sunflower and safflower), almonds, peanuts and pine nuts
Non-vegetarian sources: goose meat, salmon, roe fish and lobster

NORMAL LEVEL

The reference range of Vitamin E in adults is 5.5-17 µg/mL. In children, it is 3-18.4 µg/mL

“However, as per the findings of a recently-conducted research, it has been found that the levels are below average. Diet-conscious people must understand the role of the nutrient and add enough oil to their diet plan,” added Dr Mohamed.