A lure to change over to fish
Posted : July 24, 2004 at 10:48 am [IST]
Perhaps I was a non-vegetarian in my childhood along with my uncles. But after I came under the stewardship of Shri Ganga Dayal Pandey-my teacher in primary school, I became is true disciple and became staunch vegetarian. It continued till the end of IIT days. In IIT, even my closest friend never dared to sit beside me with their non-vegetarian plates on dining table. However, when I joined Hindustan Motors along with some more friends of IIT days, I again switched to non-vegetarian side. My main liking was for well prepared chicken dishes. I did not like fish or even eggs that much. On one of my birthday that I used to celebrate I still remember my friends treated themselves with chickens and bottles of bear equivalent to years of age, naturally at my cost. Yamuna came and then gradually children got added in the family. But I remained non-vegetarian for some more time. Once when Yamuna went to her village for a month or so, I lived on a chicken, a tin of baked beans and few bread pieces every night in dinner. But then every thing changed. One evening in New Year’s Eve party, I again turned strict vegetarian. I have continued under all provocation till date.
In Ht, July 22, I read a report from one Sanchita Sharma that made me write this: It says- “In the latest edition of the health journal CIRCULATION, researchers have standardized the frequency of fish intake with cardiovascular health.
” Eating fish one to three times a month lowers the risk of death due to heart disease by 11%.
” Having it once a week lowers risk by 15%
” Fish had two-four times a week lowers risk by 23%.
” Eating it five times or more times a week cuts the risk by 38%.
Some questions come in my mind. Is the relation between times of fish taking and the risk linear? If I live on fish itself, will the risk become zero?
Fish is good for the heart because it has omega-3 fatty acids, plants source of which are seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin etc.), wheat germ and walnuts. A daily intake of 3-10 gms of omega-3 fatty acids is recommended for cardiovascular health.
Fish in the diet has been linked with increased growth hormone levels (that promote muscle growth) lower blood pressure, dilated blood vessels, and decreased formation of blood clots and inflammation suppression, all factors that reduce cardiovascular risk.”
I wish some one would have written about the chicken the same thing or some GM chicken could have been developed with all the advantages for cardiovascular problems, I would have certainly again switched over to chicken. Am I afraid of early death? Do I want to live a long live? But when I am forced to walk everyday 5 km just to keep my heart functioning well, I think the substitute might be better.
I again remember of year August1961. I had come to Hind Motor for an interview. My grandfather also wanted to accompany me but at the last moment he stayed back. On my returned I found he is lying on bed with lot of medicines on tables. In morning when I had left, he tried to go to the market. On the way right near the doctor’s bungalow he fell down. He got an attack of paralysis. I was shocked. I did not join HM and stayed back, nursed him for a month. One day asked me ‘ Bucchi, should I take egg? Doctor says I will recover fast.” I know he never wanted it. He was a staunch vegetarian throughout his life. Was it the urge of living long and living well that made him ask that question? No, He was gifted with a very good handwriting. He used to write his diary regularly. His main worry after tha attack was about his inability to write the diary. I have no such worry. I have lived the life well. Moreover, i never liked fish. However, if the fish is the answer, the country must switch to fish to avoid large scale cardiovascular problems because of our eating habits.
- Indra
Category: Uncategorized |
Leave a Comment