The starting point of my desire to study nutrition for a career began 20 years ago when I witnessed firsthand the important role played by food in the curing of chronic diseases.  Weight loss and some simple changes in his food habits brought about reversal of the blockages in my father’s heart. His hypertension and diabetes too came down to normal levels.

He had been given two choices. The conventional advice for surgery to clear the cardiac blockages or the nonsurgical method suggested by Dr. Manchanda, who was the Head of the Cardiology Department of AIIMS (Delhi) at that point of time. Dr. Manchanda was one of the pioneers in India for ‘integrative medicine’ which combined modern science along with a wholistic way of life to treat chronic lifestyle metabolic diseases.

My father chose the latter. He lost the excess weight and made lifestyle changes under Dr. Manchanda’s guidance. He also became regular with his walks. Within a year his hypertension, diabetes and heart blockages reversed. He felt much more energetic and healthier which has prevented him till date from sliding back to his former habits.

This was an empowering experience. It proved that we could take control of our health and heal ourselves through simple changes like maintaining our weight in the correct zone, eating balanced nutritious meals and by doing some form of exercise daily.