Brazil eliminates lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem

Cristina Mitchell

30 Sep 2024

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The 2007 Port of Spain Declaration on non-communicable diseases, endorsed by Heads of Governments, expressed strong support for eliminating trans fats from citizens’ diet. In 2022, CARICOM Ministers of Trade and Health committed to enacting legislation by December 2024 and to eliminating trans fats from the Caribbean food supply by December 2025.

It’s time to follow through!

View/download the Fact sheet

AVOIDING CONSUMPTION GOES BEYOND INDIVIDUAL CHOICE!

On an individual level, we can all reduce our intake of trans fats by avoiding fried, baked and packaged goods that contain hydrogenated oils, partially hydrogenated oils or list trans fats on their labels.

However, in reality, trans fats aren’t always listed on nutrition labels and it’s difficult to tell whether they are being used in street or restaurant food as compared to other fats.

For example, because hard margarine and vegetable shortening contain trans fats, anything made with these products —like biscuits, pies and breads —will likely contain trans fats as well.

That’s why it’s the responsibility of our government, to protect citizens from the harmful effects of trans fats.

Avoiding trans fats goes beyond individual responsibility! Governments need to protect their citizens.

Implementing regulations that limit industrially produced trans fats to no more than 2% of the total fat in all food products or banning partially hydrogenated oils altogether can help solve our trans fats problem. And this is a very achievable goal!

As of July 2024, 58 countries around the world (covering 3.7 billion people) – 9 of them in the Americas – have already enacted best practice policies to eliminate trans fats.

The Caribbean region is, unfortunately, falling behind in taking action despite its commitments.  But it’s not too late!

Eliminating trans fats from our food supply by December 2025 is a win that is still within reach once policymakers fulfill their commitments.

THE CARIBBEAN RELATIONSHIP WITH TRANS FATS!

So far, we only have commitments that have been made. The reality of our relationship with trans fats in the Caribbean is still quite dire despite so many other countries eliminating the harmful substance.

A Jamaican study conducted in 2023, revealed that almost 34% of very commonly consumed foods contained trans fats and about half of all products claiming to have not trans fats actually did. This proves that labels cannot be trusted as a means of detecting trans fats in our foods and further cements the need for policies that protect Caribbean people.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) conducted an assessment on the economic impact of eliminating industrially produced trans fats in Barbados. They found that implementing a national ban in 2019 could have prevented USD 546,246.13 in future productivity losses.

So not only is policy necessary to protect our health, it is likely to contribute positively to our economies as well!

TRANS FATS ARE A DANGER TO CARIBBEAN HEALTH!

There are no health benefits to trans fats but there a slew of harmful effects.

The consumption of trans fats is indeed associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and death from coronary heart disease. A comprehensive analysis in 2010 estimated that 537,000 global deaths from coronary heart disease were linked to trans fats intake, with 160,000 of these deaths occurring in the Americas and the Caribbean, 45% of which were premature.

But there are other risks to consuming trans fats:

Cardiovascular disease is another issue exacerbated by trans fats intake. Trans fats increase LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein), which carries cholesterol through the blood vessels. It is commonly called “bad cholesterol”. Trans fats also decrease HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein), commonly called “good cholesterol”, which carries cholesterol from the blood to the liver where it is broken down and removed from the body.

Type 2 Diabetes is also a risk affected by trans fats consumption as they impair the body’s ability to use insulin effectively.

Chronic Inflammation has also been shown by research to be significantly influenced by the intake of trans fats, contributing to an adverse inflammatory profile.

Obesity has been proven to be exacerbated by the consumption of trans fats as it increases weight gain and the accumulation of visceral fat.

Diminished Mental Performance is another risk of trans fats consumption. Research has revealed adverse effects on the brain and nervous system, and potential implications for cognitive function and mental performance.  A study on dementia patients unearthed a correlation between trans fats levels, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and the severity of cognitive disorders, suggesting a link to cognitive decline.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND TRANS FATS

Trans fats are called by several names and are listed differently on various food labels and nutritional lists. They can be called:

• trans-fatty acids (TFAs)
• unsaturated fatty acids
• trans-unsaturated fatty acids
• hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils

But what exactly are they? How are they produced?

Well, there are two types:

Natural trans fats are produced naturally in very small amounts in the guts of some ruminant animals like cows, sheep, and goats through bacterial transformation of unsaturated fatty acids derived from feed.

On the other hand, industrially-produced trans fats are manufactured by partial hydrogenation of liquid vegetable oils containing unsaturated fatty acids. Hydrogenation is simply the addition of hydrogen to these liquid oils in order to make them solid at room temperature.

Most trans fats come from ultra-processed products —extensively modified versions of natural foods because they give a more desirable taste and texture, and extend the shelf life of these chemically altered food products.

THE HCC’S FIGHT TO HELP ELIMINATE TRANS FATS FROM THE CARIBBEAN

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC), in collaboration with Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) is supporting civil society advocacy for the elimination of industrially-produced trans fatty-acids from the Caribbean food supply.

In January 2024, the HCC launched a project with the primary objective being to collaborate with key regional and national partners to spur policymakers to action and build public awareness and support for the enactment of regulations in CARICOM Member States that will eliminate partially hydrogenated oils from the food supply, and limit trans fatty acid content to no more than 2% of total fat in all food products.

PARTNER LOGOS

Other contributing partners: The CARICOM Secretariat, The Caribbean Public Health Law Forum (CPHLF), The Law and Health Research Unit (LHRU) of the University of the West Indies, Barbados, The O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University in Washington D.C, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB), The Ministry of Health And Wellness, Barbados, Healthy Bahamas Coalition (HBC), Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ), Lake Health and Wellbeing of St, Kitts and Nevis, The St. Lucia Diabetes & Hypertension Association (SLDHA) and The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, Saint Lucia.

The post Let’s Talk About Trans Fats and Why They Need To Go! appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Santo Domingo – Intelligence and anti-drug agencies in the Dominican Republic are handling information about a new synthetic drug called “Tussi,” known as “pink cocaine.”
Reports indicate that the potent and harmful hallucinogen is being trafficked in Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Listin Diario sources assure that Dominican authorities, concerned about the effects of this potent drug, are carrying out in-depth investigations to find out if the so-called “pink cocaine” is circulating in the country among consumers and traffickers.

According to investigations to which this newspaper had access, the person who consumes Tussi is exposed to multiple risks, such as overdose, severe intoxication, or unexpected adverse reactions.
The effects can vary “from intense episodes of euphoria and hallucinations to severe anxiety, paranoia, panic and in some cases, psychosis,” the study says.

The specialists in charge of the research warn that “pink cocaine” has been proven to affect both the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system.”
The drug can also produce long-term effects, such as brain damage and psychiatric disorders.

The source, who is very close to the investigations into the possible presence of this synthetic drug in the Dominican Republic, assured that drug trafficking networks operating in Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela are responsible for its production and distribution in Latin American and Caribbean countries.

The concern of the authorities goes beyond the effects that “pink cocaine” can have on public health, as they understand that Tussi “has become a tool for the dynamization of the illicit drug market” with the consequent increase in criminality, exacerbating violence.

According to reports obtained by Listin Diario, intelligence and anti-drug agencies in the country are keeping a close watch on discos and entertainment centers given the severe risk for the youth that the consumption of Tussi represents due to its high potential for physical, psychological, and addictive damage.
The intelligence work is carried out in response to recommendations for the implementation of prevention and control policies to curb the consumption and expansion of this dangerous drug.

The synthetic drug Tussi is also known as 2C or pink cocaine, although it does not contain cocaine. The pink is due to the fact that it contains a food coloring of that color.
As users are often unaware of what it contains, it can cause unpredictable and dangerous psychoactive effects.
Other effects include euphoria, increased energy, restlessness, increased heart rate, decreased appetite, distorted perception, headache, dehydration, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Although cocaine has anesthetic and stimulant properties, the properties of tussi are psychoactive, affecting serotonin, a neurotransmitter related to the control of emotions and mood.

According to information posted on various websites about the drug, its use is highly dangerous, as it leads people to feel that the effects of pink cocaine may not be what they expect and continue using it until they find it.
But they can also become addicted to the sense of risk that arises through what can be a chemical version of “Russian Roulette.”

When someone repeatedly uses pink cocaine, as with any addictive substance, the body begins to develop tolerance and needs to use more and more of it to feel the same effects as the initial doses.
For that reason, it can be deadly for users.

People trapped in addiction require specialized treatment and a detoxification process in a center that offers a program tailored to the needs of each patient, with the aim of reversing their physical and psychological dependence.
Pink cocaine,” originally from Colombia, is causing concern among healthcare providers because of its increasingly widespread use and its harmful effects.

The Vector Control Unit will continue targeting mosquito-prone areas when it conducts its fogging exercise in four parishes this week.

On Monday the following St John and St Philip districts will be sprayed: College Savannah with avenues, Fortescue, St Mark’s, Consent Bay, Blades Hill, and Three Houses.

The Unit will turn its attention to St Michael on Tuesday. It will go into Station Hill, Goodings Road with avenues, Bellevue Gap, Deanes Village, and surrounding areas.

The team will visit St Joseph on Wednesday when they fog Gaggs Hill, Hillswick Road, Phillips Road, Cleavers Hill, Bathsheba, Elizabeth Village, St Elizabeth New Road, Foster Hall, and environs.

The Unit will return to that parish on Thursday, October 3, and will target Blackman’s Tenantry, Horse Hill, Blackman’s Development, Tourville, Bonwell Road, Surinam Road, Nos. 1 to 3 Vaughn Road, and Quarry Road.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude on Friday, October 4, when the team fogs Carlton Terrace, Straker Road, Black Road Main Road, Spring Garden Nos. 1 to 2, Retreat Terrace, Hinkson Gap, Danesbury Road, and Brighton Road.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Children should not be allowed to play in the spray.

Members of the public are advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time. (PR)

The post Fogging to be conducted in four parishes appeared first on Barbados Today.