Doctors advise moderate use of red meat on Eid

Expert says excessive use of red meat can cause type 2 diabetes and heart diseases

LAHORE: If you want to stay away from hospital during Eidul Azha holidays, you must not eat too much red meat because it causes coronary heart diseases, strokes and food poisoning, says Dr Sohaib Zaidi, senior medicine consultant at Mayo Hospital.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Zaidi said that people would have abundant red meat on Eidul Azha, but they should not indulge in overeating. “Patients of chronic liver disease are advised not to eat red meat because they can go into coma,” he said.

People suffering from kidney diseases and high blood pressure should also eat less meat. Patients of stomach ulcer should avoid spices and fried meat, he said.

Citing a recent study, Zaidi said excessive use of red meat could cause type 2 diabetes, coronary heart diseases, strokes and certain cancers. He said too much animal protein, especially in red meat, could aggravate liver disorders and affect activity of the brain -- reduce alertness and cause confusion as well as subtle changes in thinking, personality and behaviour.

Congo virus watch

Health experts have said that people must take precautionary measures while slaughtering animals keeping in view the Congo fever threat.

“Keep children and elderly people indoors while slaughtering animals. Pack hides and offal in plastic bags very carefully and then dispose them,” says Dr Farhan Gohar from Services Hospital. He said that a person could contract Congo virus if the blood of an infected animal mixed into his blood or splashed into his eyes, nose or mouth.

Safety protocols at hospitals

The Health Department has directed all public hospitals to follow the safety protocols while providing treatment to patients of Congo fever, food poisoning and heart diseases.

“We have launched an SMS service and a media campaign to educate people about the diseases and safety measures,” says Akhlaq Ali Khan, spokesperson for the Health Department.

“Animal handlers, butchers, health workers, sanitary workers and people sacrificing animals must wear masks and gloves before slaughtering animals and handling offal and hides,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2016.