Health Wealth

How many times have you felt for a person purely on the basis of the expression in their eyes? Our eyes don't just allow us to see the world.

They give depth to social interactions as well. Either that or we spend hours perfecting the gradient of shadow on our lids for no reason ! 

Eye-ronically though, even though we know its worth, we rarely invest in pre-emptive eye wellbeing. Studies estimate 40% of Indians will have dry eyes (a condition where your eyes can't produce the lubrication needed) in the next 50 years and that 27 crore Indians already suffer from vision issues (majorly due to poor eye care). This year there has also been a noticeably high cases in conjunctivitis infections. 

In this episode, we learn about the eye-deal health regime for our eyes which will keep them safe from infections and protect against damage. 

Note: The podcaster assumes no responsibility for whether you 'get' cornea eye puns or not. 

*** Featuring Dr Suneeta Dubey, Medical Director, Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, Daryaganj

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

Here's a frightening thought--- imagine going bankrupt buying medicine and treatment to save your life.

But that is exactly what 55 million Indians experience every year (according to data by the World Health Organization).

Ironically, this happens in a country which is a leader in manufacturing generic drugs (medicine that is 30 to 80% cheaper than its branded or patented counterparts). But the National Medical Council's recent attempt to promote such low-cost medicine was met with alarm and panic within the doctor community. 

In this episode, we discuss what mandatory generic drug prescription would mean for a patient.

We get to hear from a doctor leading the debate on unbranded generics as to why pharmacists cannot be the one choosing the final medicine, and whether all medicine is reliable or not. There are many paths to affordable healthcare, but not all promise quality. 

***Featuring Dr Sharad Kumar Agarwal, National President, Indian Medical Association

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Siblings can be your protector. They can also help you sneak out at night, get first dibs on all your new gifts, advice you endlessly and take on a great many more roles.

But have you ever considered them to also be your early warning system for health risks?

In this biology masterclass we learn about the very basics of human DNA, genetic inheritance and mutations that cause diseases.

Emotional support, growth and love can be availed through both blood and chosen siblings. But biological siblings remain great links to the past, and as it turns out, also to the future.

*** Featuring Dr Rakesh Mishra, director, Tata Institute for Genetics and Society

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Let's be honest. We know Vitamin D is important. But who has the time for sun exposure or regular monitoring?

Now try re-framing the thought.

Vitamin D is important. I don't have the time for sun exposure or to monitor it. What can I do?

This change of perspective is needed. It is easy to leave self-care under the incredibly relatable excuse of 'who has the time?'. And easier still to forget the person who will most suffer the consequences of this neglect is you.

This episode is dedicated to two fundamental requirements for our health-- sunshine and Vitamin D. We discover their impact on our bodies and simple solutions to maintaining optimal levels. In the end, perhaps, like generations before, we might find a part of the answer to ill health and unhappiness lies in a spot of golden sunshine and a dash of self-love.

*** Featuring Dr Ambrish Mithal, chairman of diabetes and endocrinology, Max Hospital, Saket"

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Life is meant to slow down after 60. Isn't it? When you fall very sick you become dependent and overwhelmed. Don't you? Meet Dilshad Master, a cancer survivor, who after battling a painful disease decided to quit her job in television and reinvent herself (and how!). Instead of boardroom politics, she now faces grade 5 rapids, tricky glaciers and torturous mountain trails. But where did she get the strength to accept her problems and fears?

In this episode, we learn how to not become slaves to our emotions and find our inner fearless child. It is crucial that we claim this freedom within so that we can stare down both disease and destiny, refusing to let either script the story of our lives.

PS: Happy Independence Day!

*** Featuring Dilshad Master, mountaineer and former COO at UTV Entertainment

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh

"Meet the little creatures in your gut. They are responsible for so much more than just breaking down your food. New research is showing how gut bacteria can influence metabolism, emotions, and even the type of food we crave.

In this episode we discover why digestion should be in our minds when we order a late night binge, the dark side of gluten and how not to go crazy shopping for probiotics.


***Featuring Dr Ishi Khosla, clinical nutritionist, founder of Whole Foods and author "

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh

There are two kinds of people who can't access treatment for anxiety. The first are those who can't convince their caretakers to foot the therapist's bill because the symptoms are invisible; the second are those who don't even know they have anxiety.

This episode will help you spot the visible manifestations of anxiety and realise that it is not 'all in the mind'.

***Featuring Dr Purnima Nagaraja, psychiatrist, lifestyle expert and holistic mental health professional

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

What if there was a way to prevent ourselves from getting sick at all? A mix of AI-powered diagnostics, genetic tests, new medical research is paving the way for a new regime in healthcare--predictive health.

In this episode we learn more about the benefits of early disease prediction and how it can keep us away from a life dominated by medical bills and pills.

***Featuring Dr Randeep Guleria, chairman, Institute of Internal Medicine, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Medanta Gurugram

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh