In 2007, Dr Rekha experienced severe chest pain (angina). Despite undergoing tests and scans, the cause remained unknown, and she was only provided with medication to manage the pain. Determined to find a solution, she delved into the world of wellness and metabolic health, seeking a better understanding of her condition. This newfound interest soon transformed into her passion.
As Dr. Rekha made lifestyle changes, her chest pain gradually subsided. However, she received another diagnosis—diabetes. Though prescribed numerous medications to control her blood sugar levels, she felt that relying solely on medication was not the healthiest option. This led her to join a diet program that aimed to reverse diabetes naturally. She was able to reverse her diabetes within 1 month and, she successfully managed to eliminate her dependency on diabetes medication and has sustained it for over 6 years now. Moreover, she also ceased taking medication for angina. Encouraged by her accomplishments, Dr. Rekha continued her exploration of metabolic health and eventually completed a course in nutrition. She then had the opportunity to work with a group focused on diabetes reversal, where she treated over 1500 patients in 18 months.
Throughout her journey, Dr. Rekha recognized a distressing trend—many young individuals were developing lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, PCOS, and fatty liver. Determined to shift her focus towards preventive measures rather than treatment after the onset of disease, she decided to venture out on her own. Leaving the group, she had been with, she started her own wellness program.
Her first patient, Dr. Pradeep Shantagiri, her own brother, and a physician, was living with diabetes and relying on insulin. Inspired by Dr. Rekha's journey, he decided to follow her diet program. Astonishingly, within a month, Dr. Pradeep was able to discontinue insulin and tablets, experiencing significant improvements. In just three months, he also lost 20 kilograms in weight. As word spread, more of Dr. Rekha's colleagues with various lifestyle diseases sought her guidance and benefited from her program.
Witnessing the positive impact, she could make; Dr. Rekha resolved to extend her passion and help as many others as possible in their wellness journey.
My ultimate goal it to make a positive impact on the lives of one million pregnant mothers, ensuring they have a healthy pregnancy and healthy children. Additionally, I aspire to address the root causes of infertility by taking a holistic approach to health and nutrition.
I am excited to be on this mission and look forward to empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to lead healthy lives and prevent metabolic diseases.
Dr. Sowmya Selvaraj is a consultant psychiatrist at Manoshanti, Bangalore. She is passionate about empathetic clinical practice and interested in women’s mental health. She has over a decade of experience in the field and provides personalized care through evidence-based practices. She completed her MBBS from KIMS Hubli, and MD and PhD in psychiatry from NIMHANS Bangalore. She is a recipient of prestigious Wellcome trust DBT India alliance fellowship award for clinicians and Young researcher award from World Psychiatric Association (WPA) and World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP). She has over 20 publications in scientific journals and has received several awards.
Manoshanti is a multidisciplinary care provider for mental health needs with centres in Bangalore, Pune, Hubli and Dharwad. Manoshanti was started by experienced psychiatrists and psychologists who are ex-alumni/faculty from the prestigious institutes like National Institute of Mental health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and Manipal. Manoshanti aims at providing ethical and empathetic care to promote mental health, prevent mental health issues and enable those with mental health issues. The team provides specialized, advanced services to mental health needs of children, women and elderly with a multidisciplinary approach.
Dr. Rashmi T N is an Art of Living faculty member and a certified Happiness Program teacher. She firmly believes in the power of meditation and inner exploration for overall well-being. By incorporating these practices into her approach, she aims to provide not only medical care but also emotional support and guidance to her patients. She understands that each woman is unique, and she strives to tailor her approach to meet individual needs and concerns.
With over 15 years of experience in the field, Dr. Rashmi T N is also a highly experienced and compassionate consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, her team provides comprehensive and personalized care to women from adolescence to menopause. She has worked at renowned medical institutions like RMH and St. John's Medical College, gaining invaluable knowledge and expertise along the way. Currently, she serves as a consultant at Swasthya Health Care and as a visiting consultant at Rainbow Hospital.