The neurologist also called for maintaining adequate hydration as “chronic under-hydration and habitual low water intake are associated with higher cardiometabolic risks, including low HDL-C levels”…reports Asian Lite News
Lifestyle measures are crucial to increasing the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, also known as the “good” cholesterol, said a top neurologist on Tuesday.
Taking to social media platform X, Sudhir Kumar, from Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad explained that low HDL cholesterol levels can increase the “risk of heart attack and stroke”.
On the other hand, higher levels of good cholesterol can also protect against the “risk of heart attacks, stroke, and premature death”.
To increase the HDL-C levels, “lifestyle measures are key”, said the doctor sharing some tips.
Sudhir said that a good sleep of seven hours is essential for high HDL-C levels.
“HDL-C levels sharply reduced in people sleeping for four hours or less,” he said.
He stated the need for aerobic exercises, such as running, brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, for which one should “aim for 4-5 sessions per week”; and three sessions per week of resistance (strength) training.
“Combination of aerobic exercises and strength training has more beneficial effects on HDL-C levels than either of them alone,” the doctor said.
Further, Sudhir stressed the need to quit smoking as “HDL-C levels decrease with smoking, and increase after the cessation of smoking (among smokers)”.
The neurologist also called for maintaining adequate hydration as “chronic under-hydration and habitual low water intake are associated with higher cardiometabolic risks, including low HDL-C levels”.
Regarding dietary approaches, the doctor recommended the consumption of olive oil, avocado, nuts (a handful), and seeds like chia seeds; a low carbohydrate diet; choosing purple produce (rich in anthocyanins).
“Several fruits and vegetables are very high in anthocyanins, such as eggplant, red cabbage, blueberries, blackberries, and black raspberries. Eat fatty fish often (salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines) to boost HDL levels,” Sudhir said.
He also advised black coffee (5 cups or more/day) without additives, as “it is associated with higher HDL-C levels”. He noted that green tea consumption is not associated with HDL-C levels. Further, the doctor advised to “lose weight (if obese or overweight)” and to manage stress via “meditation, relaxation, taking periodic vacations, engaging in hobbies, etc”
EDB’s move to provide support to businesses and start-ups set to drive the national economy, reports Asian Lite News
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, approved the Emirates Development Bank (EDB) Strategy to provide a sizeable AED30 billion financial support to businesses and start-ups in a major step to drive the national economy.
Launched to support “Operation 300bn”, the EDB Strategy aims to leverage the Bank’s role as a key driver of the national economy to provide the largest support network for the industrial sector.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “Advancing the national economy is a top priority that requires a joint effort of all our economic entities in the coming phase.”
He added, “We must adopt a distinctive vision that meets global trends and sustains development to maximise the industrial sector’s revenue and boost the broader economy. The Emirates Development Bank Strategy presents a giant leap that will leverage the bank’s role as a key driver of the national economy. Providing effective financial solutions will support the role of SMEs as main players in shaping our national economy.”
The EDB Strategy was launched in the presence of H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; and H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, among other delegates and officials.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid had launched Operation 300bn earlier in March as a 10-year comprehensive strategy to more than double the industrial sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP, positioning the UAE as a global industrial hub by 2031.
Supporting Operation 300bn Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of EDB, presented the Bank’s strategy pillars and objectives.
Under the strategy, the Bank allocated a portfolio of AED30 billion to support priority industrial sectors over a period of five years, which will contribute to financing more than 13,500 SMEs and creating 25,000 jobs.
Al Jaber noted that the launch of the strategy is based on the Bank’s role as a key driver of the national economic development that provides a large support network for the industrial sector in line with the Industrial Strategy 2021-2031 objectives.
He said, “Operation 300bn is a comprehensive national programme aimed at enhancing the contribution of the industrial sector to the UAE’s sustainable economic growth. Through close collaboration, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and the Emirates Development Bank will extend support to large corporations, SMEs and entrepreneurs across various industries including healthcare, infrastructure, food security and technology.”
Al Jaber noted that EDB will act as a critical financial engine for the national industrial strategy Operation 300bn, alongside its continued mandate to provide Emiratis with housing finance. “The new EDB strategy will help accelerate industrial development and the adoption of advanced technology through dedicated financing programmes and will also provide dedicated investment funds that will support entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs.”
In addition to providing flexible housing solutions, EDB will complement its offering to companies and entrepreneurs with training, counselling and guidance for UAE citizens and residents. “EDB aims to cultivate a spirit of innovation, with a focus on the industries our leadership have identified as critical to the nation’s long-term sustainable growth,” he said.
Al Jaber noted, “EDB will provide other tools including supply chain support, project financing, long-term financing, business accelerators, equity capital financing, and a business growth support fund.”
He added that maintaining and furthering sustainable economic development in the post-COVID-19 era is a priority for the UAE’s leadership.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai
“We are grateful to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for approving the Emirates Development Bank’s new strategy, which aims to stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation across the UAE’s vibrant industrial sector by providing financing solutions to large companies, entrepreneurs and SMEs. Through the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE continues to reinforce its global reputation for progress and ingenuity as it prepares for the next 50 years.”
He added, “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is confident our country will reach many important milestones in the next 50 years. And His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has emphasised the need for a unified national effort, calling on the entire country to multiply their efforts ten-fold to ensure the nation’s ambitious goals are met.”
Al Jaber stated that “Alongside the close cooperation between the Ministry and the EDB, Operation 300bn is the result of a tremendous collaborative effort with our stakeholders, which has in turn enabled and allowed us to develop practical, integrated solutions that we can begin implementing right away.” The Bank will also launch an AED1 billion investment fund for start-ups and SMEs in 2022 and targeting industrial companies in priority sectors that need financing and investment
