HIV Awareness should be elevated all year

South Africa continues to have one of the highest prevalence rates of HIV in the world.

Despite 30 years of work towards eradicating HIV, South Africa continues to have one of the highest prevalence rates of HIV in the world.

Whilst it is great news that ARVs have shifted HIV from a terminal illness to a chronic manageable condition, the number of people living with HIV in South Africa at 5.26 million is still alarmingly high. This shift is highly dependent on a person’s means, access to good medical care and nutrition and very importantly, early detection is the first step. Of the estimated 10% of the population that is HIV-positive, about 17% are women in their productive years.

While World HIV Awareness Month in December certainly helps to encourage a higher consciousness of HIV, Palesa Khambi, Head of Communications at Marie Stopes, says HIV awareness should be elevated throughout the year, but in a way that is responsive to the shifting face of a mature epidemic.
While reproductive rights for women who are HIV positive is important, careful family planning with a healthcare provider is advised.

High prevalence

“One month of concentrated awareness around HIV is just not enough. With HIV prevalence still high it is clear that awareness around the disease and how it is transmitted, the risk factors, importance of testing, and benefits of early diagnosis and treatment remains low,” She says.

Khambi stresses the importance of “knowing your status”- a phrase that is widely-coined, particularly during HIV / Aids Awareness month. But what does it mean to the average person who feels healthy enough?

“What many people still don’t realise is that people who have HIV often feel fine and can carry on as normal for quite some time. But, HIV attacks the CD4 cells which normally defend the body against illness and eventually leads to a weakened immune system.

“When people with HIV don’t get timely medical treatment, the virus can destroy so many CD4 cells that their bodies no longer have the ability to fight infections and diseases anymore. This is when HIV can lead to Aids.

 “Everyone who is sexually active should undergo HIV testing every six months and those who engage in risky behaviours should go for HIV testing more frequently, bearing in mind the ‘window’ period between possible infection and date of testing during which infection might not be detected,” advises Khambi.

High-risk behaviour includes:
•    Unprotected sex with multiple partners
•    Unprotected sex with someone you don’t know
•    Unprotected sex with a person who has HIV
•    Unprotected sex with someone whom you know has simultaneous sexual       relationships with other people
•    Unprotected sex with someone who has a STI
•    Having sex when you are infected with a STI
•    Sharing needles for injecting drugs with other people

Khambi reminds people that Marie Stopes offers HIV testing as well as counselling.
Some of the 19 Marie Stopes centres also offer CD4 counters to provide clients with immediate CD4 counts without waiting for laboratory results to be processed and a full range of sexual and reproductive health information and services to communities across the country.

Khambi reassures that all of the centres are run by competent, compassionate and qualified nursing staff.
“Your visit to a Marie Stopes centre and the results of your tests are treated with utmost confidentiality. Think of us as your ‘one stop shop’ to enhance your sexual health and peace of mind.”

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Which oil should you use?

Oils are often considered the bad guys in our diet, yet we need them to prepare the simplest meals. Here’s the lowdown on the most popular types of oils.

The cooking and vegetable oil shelves within the food market may be confusing and downright discouraging.

Aren’t the cheaper ones unhealthy and finished and therefore the healthy oils prohibitively expensive? are you able to use a similar oil for preparation and in salads? And why do you have to get vegetable oil if sunflower and canola square measure plenty cheaper – and easier to find?

First the great news: the foremost standard oils – canola, sunflower, olive and oilseed – square measure all helpful and regarded healthy as a result of they’re derived from plants.

Canola oil:

This oil is created from the crushed seeds of the Canola plant.

It has rock bottom content of unhealthy, saturated fats compared to alternative vegetable oils and is high in healthy, unsaturated fats. It’s additionally a supply of omega-3 fatty acid fats and alpha omega-6 (ALA), which can facilitate to scale back raised lipoid levels (an unhealthy variety of blood fat), whereas preventing abnormal curdling. during this approach, it helps to chop your risk for upset.

Canola is one among the healthiest oils you'll use in change of state. It may be heated with little or no deterioration and isn’t terribly distinctive in flavour, thus it doesn’t have an effect on the flavour of alternative foods.

•    Use it for: all change of state processes that need the heating of oil, as well as stir preparation, shallow-frying and sautéing.

• appropriate for: dipping or dressings, marinades and salsas.

Sunflower oil:

This oil is with chemicals extracted from flower seeds, is high in healthy unsaturated fats and low in saturated fats.

Studies have shown that a diet which incorporates tiny quantities of oil has noticeable cholesterol-reducing edges, though it’s additionally been found to lower your sensible sterol levels, if ingested in excess.

Sunflower oil is as healthy as alternative oils and may be utilized in moderation.

•    Use it for: sautéing, shallow-frying, baking and protective. wonderful for creating dressing.

• appropriate for: dressings, marinades and salsas.

Salad oils

The bad news, however, is that not all oils square measure equal – some square measure so healthier than others and not all of them square measure appropriate for each quite change of state.

“Including oil in your daily consumption set up not solely contributes to your total energy intake, it additionally helps the body to soak up the fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K,” says Erika Ketterer, a registered dietitian. however moderation is vital – and you must ideally have a variety of oils in your cabinet.

We did some excavation to grant you a easy guide to cooking and dish oils:

Olive oil

Olive oil has long been called one among the healthier oils. a number of its helpful properties embrace its healthy, mono-unsaturated fat content and its galore provide of polyphenols – anti-oxidants which will stop cardiovascular disease and stroke and lower blood pressure.

Two processes square measure wont to build vegetable oil, thus the terms “extra-virgin” and “virgin” oil.

* Extra-virgin oils square measure of upper quality – the olives square measure processed among twenty four hours of selecting. For this reason, they contain a lot of antioxidants than the “virgin” oils.

*“Pure” vegetable oil, or simply “olive oil”, is heavily processed to get rid of bound flavours and aromas. though it’s still an honest supply of healthy fats, it’s been stripped of its inhibitor content.

“The best-tasting olive oils square measure those who haven’t been refined or subjected to high temperatures throughout process,” Ketterer explains.

“Because extra-virgin, cold-pressed olive oils square measure the smallest amount processed, they contain higher levels of antioxidants.”

Hard margarines

Generally, vegetable oil is made in mono-unsaturated fats, which may lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels while not lowering “good” alpha-lipoprotein levels. It additionally contains powerful inhibitor compounds referred to as polyphenols, which can facilitate to scale back the blood’s tendency to clot, and slow the onset of hardening of the arteries.

It may additionally cut back the danger of cancer, as it’s full of antioxidant, a robust inhibitor.

“You will get the foremost vessel profit by victimization vegetable oil rather than unhealthy saturated fats like butter, ghee, lard and onerous margarines,” Ketterer explains.

But it’s high-priced, that is maybe why chefs and health consultants worldwide take into account it a “niche” oil for special use.

Although vegetable oil may be utilized in change of state, it’s healthier once utilized in salads or as a dipping sauce. If you utilize it in change of state, make certain you warmth it at an occasional or medium temperature to retain the antioxidants.

•    Use it for: dressing salads and dipping bread, or lightweight sautéing of onion and garlic.

•    Not appropriate for: shallow-frying, deep-frying, cooking and baking.

Cottonseed oil:

Extracted from oilseed, this oil is standard in Australia and encompasses a delicate, nutty style.

Cottonseed oil is made in healthy, unsaturated fats, significantly polyunsaturated fatty acid carboxylic acids – the essential fatty acid that we have a tendency to do have to be compelled to get from our diets, however that we have a tendency to all get a shade an excessive amount of of (in comparison to omega-3 fatty acid fatty acids, that is). The oil is additionally comparatively high in unhealthy, saturated fats (26%), creating it less healthy than vegetable oil (14% saturated fat) and oil (7% saturated fat), as an example.

Animal studies have shown that vegetable oil might have a positive result on sterol however a lot of analysis is required before any firm recommendations may be created. What’s a lot of, the oil is a superb supply of antioxidant.

•    Use it for: sautéing, shallow-frying, deep-frying, and baking.

•    Not appropriate for: dressings, marinades and salsas.

A few alternative oils

•    Avocado oil:

Made by crushing and cold-pressing the flesh of ripe avocados, this oil is extraordinarily made in antioxidant and omega-3 fatty acid and -6 fatty acids. It’s best used for dipping bread and creating dressings, marinades and salsas. once change of state with avocado oil, less oil is needed for preparation and sautéing because it encompasses a high consistence (in alternative words, alittle goes an extended way).

•    Grapeseed oil:

  This oil is with chemicals extracted from the seeds of a spread of grapes. Its profile is comparable thereto of oil and it’s additionally made within the inhibitor, vitamin E. Grapeseed oil may be used for shallow preparation, baking, preserving, and for creating dressing. It’s additionally similar temperament for dressings, marinades and salsas.

•    Peanut oil:

Often utilized in Asian cookery, groundnut oil is high in monounsaturated fats, creating it a wholesome possibility. The oil encompasses a high smoke purpose, that additionally makes it ideal for preparation. Note, however, that this delicious, sapid oil ought to be avoided the least bit prices once change of state for somebody with a nut hypersensitivity reaction.

•    Coconut oil:

The latest analysis on copra oil indicates that it might have a positive result on sterol levels, despite its comparatively high saturated fat content (92%). However, there presently simply isn’t sufficient  proof to market this oil as healthy.

•    Palm oil:

This type of oil is presently the topic of some tilt. The positive attributes – a high smoking purpose, an extended period of time and high inhibitor content – can't be argued. However, biological process consultants square measure involved concerning its high level of unhealthy, saturated fat (40-50% of total fat). So, it ought to be restricted, or perhaps avoided. This counts for palm fruit, nut and refined oil. Sources embrace low creamers, tea whiteners, commercially ready biscuits, haywire and pre-packed microwave popcorn.

A last few tips:

• invariably try and opt for oils with an occasional saturated fat content.

• embrace a spread of mono- and polyunsaturated oils in your diet. every quite oil will contribute to a healthy diet.

•    Healthier change of state ways square measure higher than deep-frying. Rather steam, stir-fry, grill or bake your food.

Which oil should you use?

The cooking and vegetable oil shelves within the grocery store will be confusing and downright discouraging.
Aren’t the cheaper ones unhealthy and finished and also the healthy oils prohibitively expensive? are you able to use an equivalent oil for cooking and in salads? And why must you obtain vegetable oil if flower and canola are plenty cheaper – and easier to find?

First the nice news: the foremost well-liked oils – canola, sunflower, olive and oilseed – are all useful and thought of healthy as a result of they’re derived from plants.

Canola oil:

This oil is formed from the crushed seeds of the Canola plant.

It has all-time low content of unhealthy, saturated fats compared to alternative vegetable oils and is high in healthy, unsaturated fats. It’s additionally a supply of omega-3 fatty acid fats and alpha omega-6 fatty acid (ALA), which can facilitate to scale back raised lipid levels (an unhealthy sort of blood fat), whereas preventing abnormal curdling. during this means, it helps to chop your risk for disorder.

Canola is one amongst the healthiest oils you'll use in cooking. It will be heated with little or no deterioration and isn’t terribly distinctive in flavour, thus it doesn’t have an effect on the flavour of alternative foods.

•    Use it for: all cooking processes that need the heating of oil, together with stir cooking, shallow-frying and sautéing.
• appropriate for: dipping or dressings, marinades and salsas.

Sunflower oil:

This oil is with chemicals extracted from flower seeds, is high in healthy unsaturated fats and low in saturated fats.

Studies have shown that a diet which has little quantities of sunflower-seed oil has noticeable cholesterol-reducing edges, though it’s additionally been found to lower your sensible steroid alcohol levels, if eaten up in excess.

Sunflower oil is as healthy as alternative oils and may be employed in moderation.

•    Use it for: sautéing, shallow-frying, baking and conserving. glorious for creating salad dressing.
• appropriate for: dressings, marinades and salsas.

Salad oils

The bad news, however, is that not all oils area unit equal – some area unit so healthier than others and not all of them area unit appropriate for each reasonably cooking.

“Including oil in your daily intake set up not solely contributes to your total energy intake, it additionally helps the body to soak up the fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K,” says Erika Ketterer, a registered specialist. however moderation is essential – and you ought to ideally have a variety of oils in your cabinet.

We did some dig to offer you a easy guide to cooking and dish oils:

Olive oil

Olive oil has long been referred to as one amongst the healthier oils. a number of its useful properties embody its healthy, mono-unsaturated fat content and its copious provide of polyphenols – anti-oxidants that will stop cardiovascular disease and stroke and lower pressure level.

Two processes area unit accustomed create vegetable oil, thus the terms “extra-virgin” and “virgin” oil.
* Extra-virgin oils are of upper quality – the olives area unit processed among twenty four hours of choosing. For this reason, they contain a lot of antioxidants than the “virgin” oils.

*“Pure” vegetable oil, or simply “olive oil”, is heavily processed to get rid of sure flavours and aromas. though it’s still a decent supply of healthy fats, it’s been stripped of its inhibitor content.

“The best-tasting olive oils area unit people who haven’t been refined or subjected to high temperatures throughout process,” Ketterer explains.

“Because extra-virgin, cold-pressed olive oils area unit the smallest amount processed, they contain higher levels of antioxidants.”

Hard margarines

Generally, vegetable oil is wealthy in mono-unsaturated fats, which may lower “bad” cholesterol levels while not lowering “good” HDL levels. It additionally contains powerful inhibitor compounds referred to as polyphenols, which can facilitate to scale back the blood’s tendency to clot, and slow the onset of coronary-artery disease.

It may additionally scale back the chance of cancer, as it’s full of vitamin E, a strong inhibitor.

“You will get the foremost vas profit by victimisation vegetable oil rather than unhealthy saturated fats like butter, ghee, lard and arduous margarines,” Ketterer explains.

But it’s costly, that is perhaps why chefs and health consultants worldwide contemplate it a “niche” oil for special use.

Although vegetable oil will be employed in change of state, it’s healthier once employed in salads or as a dipping sauce. If you employ it in change of state, check that you warmth it at a coffee or medium temperature to retain the antioxidants.

•    Use it for: dressing salads and dipping bread, or lightweight sautéing of onion and garlic.
•    Not appropriate for: shallow-frying, deep-frying, cookery and baking.

Cottonseed oil:

Extracted from oilseed, this oil is well-liked in Australia and encompasses a delicate, nutty style.

Cottonseed oil is wealthy in healthy, unsaturated fats, notably omega-6 fatty acid carboxylic acids – the essential fatty acid that we do have to be compelled to get from our diets, however that we have a tendency to all get a shade too much of (in comparison to omega-3 fatty acid fatty acids, that is). The oil is additionally comparatively high in unhealthy, saturated fats (26%), creating it less healthy than olive oil (14% saturated fat) and vegetable oil (7% saturated fat), for example.

Animal studies have shown that oil may have a positive impact on steroid alcohol however a lot of analysis is required before any firm recommendations will be created. What’s a lot of, the oil is a superb supply of vitamin E.

•    Use it for: sautéing, shallow-frying, deep-frying, and baking.
•    Not appropriate for: dressings, marinades and salsas.

A few alternative oils

•    Avocado oil:

Made by crushing and cold-pressing the flesh of ripe avocados, this oil is extraordinarily wealthy in vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acid and -6 fatty acids. It’s best used for dipping bread and creating dressings, marinades and salsas. once change of state with avocado oil, less oil is needed for cooking and sautéing because it encompasses a high body (in alternative words, to a small degree goes an extended way).

•    Grapeseed oil:

  This oil is with chemicals extracted from the seeds of a range of grapes. Its profile is comparable to it of sunflower-seed oil and it’s additionally wealthy within the inhibitor, vitamin E. Grapeseed oil will be used for shallow cooking, baking, preserving, and for creating salad dressing. It’s additionally similar temperament for dressings, marinades and salsas.

•    Peanut oil:

Often employed in Asian cookery, groundnut oil is high in monounsaturated fats, creating it a wholesome choice. The oil encompasses a high smoke purpose, that additionally makes it ideal for cooking. Note, however, that this delicious, flavorous oil ought to be avoided the least bit prices once change of state for somebody with a nut hypersensitivity reaction.

•    Coconut oil:

The latest analysis on oil indicates that it may have a positive impact on steroid alcohol levels, despite its comparatively high saturated fat content (92%). However, there presently simply isn’t enough proof to market this oil as healthy.

•    Palm oil:

This type of oil is presently the topic of some difference of opinion. The positive attributes – a high smoking purpose, an extended period and high inhibitor content – can't be argued. However, biological process consultants area unit involved regarding its high level of unhealthy, saturated fat (40-50% of total fat). So, it ought to be restricted, or maybe avoided. This counts for palm fruit, nut and refined oil. Sources embody occasional creamers, tea whiteners, commercially ready biscuits, nutty and pre-packed microwave popcorn.

A last few tips:

• invariably try and select oils with a coffee saturated fat content.
• embody a range of mono- and unsaturated oils in your diet. every reasonably oil will contribute to a healthy diet.
•    Healthier cooking ways area unit higher than deep-frying. Rather steam, stir-fry, grill or bake your food.