Diabetic friendly essentials

Here are advertisements of essential nutritional supplements for diabetics and article on Companies may have to back advertisement claims with proof along with the article on Diabetes published today on 14.07.12 in the Times of India, Ahmedabad Edition.

Abstract of article on Diabetes:

It has been estimated that Diabetes, which is one of the most prevalent non communicable diseases in India had witnessed a steady increase over the last decade due to the economic transition and increased changes in lifestyle. Healthy lifestyle with regular exercise can help you stay hale and hearty, say experts.

From the website of www.uthhealth.com

Diabetic Care:

Diabetes is a chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. This leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood (hyperglycaemia).

Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent or childhood-onset diabetes) is characterized by a lack of insulin production. 

Type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes) is caused by the body’s ineffective use of insulin. It often results from excess body weight and physical inactivity.

Gestational diabetes is hyperglycaemia that is first recognized during pregnancy.

IDF, which tracks the global spread of this scourge, says that by next year, the country will be home to 50.8 million diabetics, making it the world's unchallenged diabetes capital. And the number is expected to go up to a whopping 87 million -- 8.4% of the country's adult population -- by 2030.

The report points out another interesting trend -- women are the worst affected by this disease. In 2010, one million more women than men have diabetes (143 million women as against 142 million men). The difference is expected to increase to six million by 2030 (222 million women against 216 million men).

Diabetes prevention is as basic as eating more healthfully, becoming more physically active and losing a few extra pounds — and it's never too late to start. Making a few simple changes in your lifestyle now may help you avoid the serious health complications of diabetes down the road, such as nerve, kidney and heart damage.

  

Here is an article from Dipti Jain | TNN published in TOI, 14.07.12

  

Companies may have to back ad claims with proof

New Delhi: Companies that promise that their brand of cereals helps in losing weight or their massage oil gives instant relief from that knee pain may soon have to back their claims with stronger evidence to continue with such claims in their ads, or face action in court.

In a bid to protect consumer interest, the consumer affairs ministry has recommended that the government set up an investigative agency that will collect data on claims by companies and advertisers to ensure that they are scientific and not without any basis. The move follows consultations with the health ministry, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) over the last three-four months. Various stakeholders have also suggested that the Centre and state governments also file cases before the consumer courts against companies that make misleading claims.

“To ensure that there is complete transparency and to avoid any moral hazard, we have recommended the creation of some sort of an investigative agency. This wing should be attached to our ministry,” a senior official in the consumer affairs department told TOI. The ministry has also sought that a panel of lawyers should be constituted so that appropriate action be taken. And these lawyers will have to be present in the investigative agency, not in a separate panel.

While companies refused to comment, officials said the matter has been discussed with industry representatives and it has not found “full support” as they believe the move will kill creativity. “All companies in any sector, be it financial institutions or FMCG, will come under the ambit,” the official said.
Even as self-regulatory advertising body ASCI is authorized to check misleading claims, the government believes there is a need for a stronger body to ensure stringent action is taken. “We are not against self regulation, but this is not the right attitude,” the official added.

FSSAI, which is mandated to take action against misleading claims in the food sector, said there was still some clarity needed if the food sector comes under the ambit. The organization has recommended the strengthening of the existing mechanism instead of constituting a separate body. “We are just worried that a toothless body like the existing one might be constituted again. Companies say they are already providing evidence. But we have recommended for empowering the legal mechanism under the consumer protection act,” an FSSAI official said.