Diplomate, Board Certification of Emergency Medicine
Some clarifications on a previous article and we will also
answer some letters. There are three types of fats:
polyunsaturated, saturated and monounsaturated.
The first one has an effect of lowering bad cholesterols, but
at the risk of increased weight and cancer. While many
margarines in chutz la'aretz tout their health
benefits, they tend to ignore these drawbacks. Saturated fats
are tasty; these are the ones found in animal fats and they
are the most dangerous. Tropical oils, such as coconut and
palm -- this one is often used on Pesach -- are also
saturated fats. The problem is that in Israel many
polyunsaturated fats are partially or totally hydrogenated,
making them basically saturated fats. Let the buyer beware --
they are dangerous.
Monos are the healthiest. They can be found in peanuts, fish,
other nuts, and olive oil. While the only oils with true
health benefits are fish oils, there is probably some benefit
to these others if used in moderation.
So to the point: nuts are a good snack if used in moderation
and are definitely better than most snacks. However they are
high in calories and nut allergies are common. Peanuts --
known in Great Britain as groundnuts -- are the most likely
cause for death due to an allergic reaction.
The nut with the least fat? This is also the easiest to
digest, provided it is cooked well. I am referring to
chestnuts. Pecans have the most fat and should only be an
occasional treat. Pine nuts are also high in fat and, by the
way, should be refrigerated. Walnuts and almonds are a good
choice, as are filberts. Cashews and Macadamia nuts have a
lot of saturated fat. Two Brazil nuts have as much fat as one
egg.
On a related topic, a reader asks what are the signs of a
heart attack?
Chest pains for sure, although in teenagers they can occur
for many other reasons. Over the age of thirty they should be
taken seriously. Pains that go down the arms or into the neck
are particularly worrisome.
The problem is there is also a large number of silent heart
attacks. This could be due to the fact that feelings of pain
are impaired in diabetics and in older people who may only
complain of vague pains or weakness. An EKG will tell us 80
percent of the time, and a recent stress test helps as well.
Often monitoring of heart enzymes and repeated EKGs will be
the only way to rule out a heart attack and this means
admission.
Remember the risks for heart attack: family history of a
close relative with one before age 70, high blood
cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking. If
you are inactive or overweight, you are at risk as well. You
can still have a heart attack without these.
If you hear the term MI, that is medical terminology for a
heart attack. Heart disease kills. Take it seriously. Write
me in care of the Yated.
A message from GlaxoSmithKline, sponsor of this
column. Avanidia is a new improved therapy for diabetes,
and now you can get this treatment in combination with
glucophage -- another well known effective diabetes drug.
