Thinley Namgay
Consuming plant-based diet is one of the solutions to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases.
While the causes of NCDs are diverse, including alcohol consumption, excessive intake of salt and sugar, tobacco use and lack of exercise, consumption of meat products is viewed as a primary factor. Meat accumulates saturated fat in the body, raises cholesterol levels, and increases disease risk.
These points were presented by Dr Zeeshan Ali during an awareness session on “Chronic Disease Prevention and Reversal with Plant-Based Diet in Bhutan” at the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB) yesterday in Thimphu.
Officials from KGUMSB, health professionals, and medical students attended the event.
Dr Zeeshan Ali, a Programme Specialist at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) based in Washington, D.C., USA, was invited to Bhutan by the Duedro Rangwang Zhidey Tshogpa (DRZT), an animal rights and welfare association based in Thimphu.
According to Dr Zeeshan Ali, a vegetarian diet and a plant-based diet differ. He defines a plant-based diet as the consumption of naturally grown fruits, vegetables, legumes, and cereal products without any processing.
Dr Zeeshan said that the Bhutanese dietary system is not holistic as it comprises foods with high fat content, low fiber, and high cholesterol. He also said that increased intake of commercially processed foods is a major challenge for Bhutan.
Today, around 70 percent of the referrals in Bhutan are related to NCDs. Dr Zeeshan said that processed vegetarian food is not good for health due to the loss of mineral content during manufacturing.
He emphasised that people who exercise, engage in physical activities, and consume a plant-based diet could lead a healthy life.
Vitamin B-12 is the only vitamin that cannot be supplied by a plant-based diet, according to Dr Zeeshan. He suggested taking a B-12 supplement from the hospital.
On a positive note, Dr Zeeshan observed that Bhutanese people have the potential to stay disease-free as he found many plant-based foods with high nutritional value. He pointed out red rice, beans, okra, and sweet potatoes as examples, besides many organic fruits.
How do we encourage a plant-based diet for people living in high altitudes where access to vegetables and fruits is minimal, asked a health professional. Dr Zeeshan said that while this is a concern, health professionals should discuss with the government to reduce the tax on fruit and vegetable imports and increase the tax on processed food items.
Health professionals present at the session said the government is trying its best to promote a plant-based diet, but the major hurdle is the behavioural change among the citizens.
One of the members of DRZT, Khenpo Jamyang Choki Gyatsho, said, “Our organisation doesn’t have the right to tell people not to eat meat, but it’s up to the individual.”
Khenpo Jamyang Choki Gyatsho, however, said that citizens should think practically from the country’s economic point of view and health aspects. “Bhutan imports lots of meat products from India, which is not good for the economy.”
A participant said that switching to plant-based food brought positive changes in his life. “It was challenging in the beginning, but it reduced my body weight, I feel lighter, and became more focused.”
Citing an example, he said a kilogram of pork in the capital costs Nu 600, which could otherwise be used to purchase different types of vegetables that are far cheaper.