One patient loses 20 kg, and rediscovers the joy of dressing up and attending family functions. Another sheds only a few kilos but sees better blood sugar control. Why can GLP-1 medicines produce such different experiences?

In this episode, host Srirupa Ray, a deputy news editor with TOI, speaks to Dr Ambrish Mithal, group chairman, endocrinology and diabetes, Max Healthcare, Delhi about the promise, limitations and misconceptions surrounding GLP-1-based treatments.

Dr Mithal explains why their significance extends beyond the weighing scale, discussing their role in diabetes management and the evidence for benefits involving the heart, kidneys and liver. He also explores how these medicines influence appetite, fullness and cravings, helping some patients quieten the constant ‘food noise’ that shapes their relationship with eating.

But who actually needs them? And who should avoid them or undergo closer assessment? The conversation addresses medical supervision, gastrointestinal side effects, realistic weight-loss expectations and why taking injections briefly before a wedding or another event is ill-advised.

Drawing on patient accounts, Dr Mithal discusses why weight-loss responses vary, why people with diabetes may lose less weight, and why improved metabolic health can matter even when the scales barely move. He explains the importance of personalised nutrition, adequate protein and strength training, alongside questions about long-term treatment, maintenance doses and weight regain after stopping.

For anyone considering these medicines — or hesitating despite a doctor’s recommendation — this episode offers a perspective grounded in science rather than social-media hype.

Chapters:

02:21 - Why GLP-1 drugs are changing chronic disease treatment

04:48 - Who really needs these drugs — and who is chasing a cosmetic fix?

08:57 - The problem with taking them before an event, then stopping

10:30 - Behind the book, ‘The Weight Loss Revolution’

13:32 - Beyond weight loss: Benefits for the body and emerging brain research

18:02 - A patient’s story: Losing 20kg and rediscovering confidence

19:43 - Who should avoid these drugs or seek closer assessment?

22:03 - How GLP-1s work: Gut effects, cravings and ‘food noise’

26:02 - Lifelong treatment, maintenance doses and stopping medication

28:42 - Setting realistic weight-loss expectations

30:00 - Fewer kilos lost, better sugar control: Another patient’s experience

32:36 - Why some people lose more weight than others

35:15 - Why nutrition, protein and strength training still matter

37:56 - Quality of life, tolerating side effects and advice before starting on GLP-1

Chickenpox may be a childhood memory, but the virus never leaves. It lies dormant in nerve cells and can return decades later as shingles, a blistering rash with nerve pain that can linger long after the rash fades. In this episode, host Pushpa Narayan, a senior editor with TOI, speaks to Dr Subramanian Swaminathan, president of the Clinical Infectious Diseases Society of India.

Dr Swaminathan explains why the varicella zoster virus reactivates, and why one in three people will get shingles in their lifetime — age, diabetes, cancer treatment, steroid use, organ disease and HIV all raise the risk. Early shingles pain can be mistaken for a heart problem, dental trouble, or appendicitis, and starting antivirals early can ease the rash and reduce pain severity afterwards. He also covers rare but serious complications, including spread to the lungs and brain, and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke in the months after infection.

The conversation also addresses whether shingles is contagious, how it differs from other herpes viruses, and why a blood test before vaccination adds no value. The episode ends with a clear case for the two-dose shingles vaccine from age 50.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction: the chickenpox virus that returns as shingles

00:48 – Why chickenpox comes back: the “Mexican standoff” with the immune system

01:58 – Who gets shingles: one in three, and the role of age and illness

03:03 – What happens in the body: a dormant virus travels along a nerve

04:21 – Spotting shingles: misdiagnosis, one-sided rash, 48–72 hours to appear

06:08 – Cost of delay and the treatment: antivirals and painkillers

07:35 – A nerve "on fire": neuropathic pain and serious complications

09:23 – ICU risk, severe disease and the heart attack and stroke link

11:00 – Is shingles contagious? Caregivers and isolation rules

12:57 – The herpes virus family and why this virus is so "smart"

15:50 – Do other herpes viruses cause shingles?

17:00 – Prevention: the chickenpox vaccine and the shingles vaccine

18:20 – Is a blood test needed before the shingles vaccine?

19:47 – Two doses, and how long protection lasts

20:47 – Why 50 is the sweet spot, and why not earlier or later

22:42 – Cost versus benefit: efficacy against shingles and pain

As we live longer, the traditional medical playbook—waiting for a disease to strike before we act—is no longer enough. But what if we stopped measuring health simply by the absence of illness and started tracking our physical and mental functional wellness across a lifetime?

In this episode, Shimona Kanwar, Senior Assistant Editor with TOI speaks to Dr John Beard, former director of Ageing and Life Course at the World Health Organisation (WHO) to explore a revolutionary shift in healthcare: Intrinsic Capacity. Dr Beard breaks down why the conventional disease-centric model is outdated, how five pivotal subdomains — cognitive, locomotive, sensory, psychological, and vitality — define our true biological trajectory, and how emerging technologies and wearable data could soon let us monitor our health pathways years before symptoms ever appear.

Tune in to discover why aging is not a disease, why it is never too late to change your trajectory, and how this new paradigm is set to flip modern medicine on its head.

Before you tune out, hear the nutrition power tip of the week by nutritionist Pooja Makhija (https://www.nourishgenie.com/)

Chapters

00:01 - The Need for a New Aging Paradigm

01:42 - What is Intrinsic Capacity?

02:27 - The Five Subdomains of Intrinsic Capacity

03:58 – The Crosstalk Between These Subdomains

04:47 - Measuring and Scoring Health Trajectories

08:46 - Digital Health, Wearables, and Future Tracking

11:25 - Personalised Medicine & The Indian Context

13:31 - Shifting Geriatric Care: Proactive Trajectory vs Reactive Disease

18:58 - Busting the Biggest Aging Myth, That It’s Too Late For Change

20:23 - The Future of Drug Approvals and Health Promotion

Running clubs, obstacle races, hybrid fitness competitions and marathons are changing the way Indians think about staying fit. Increasingly, it’s not just about losing weight, building muscle or improving endurance. It’s also about finding your people, challenging yourself and making room for real-world connections in an increasingly digital life.

In this episode, host Kritika Sharma, Assistant Editor with TOI, speaks to Adnan Adeeb, founder of Spectacom and the man who brought Devil’s Circuit to India, about the rise of participative sports and why they are resonating with a new generation of fitness enthusiasts. From building a community around obstacle races to transforming his own health at 39, Adeeb discusses how fitness can reshape confidence, mental well-being and everyday habits.

The conversation also explores Gen Z's appetite for experiences, the balance between fitness trackers and listening to your body, and why getting stronger doesn’t have to come with an age limit.

Chapters:

00:01-02:32 - Why Fitness Is Becoming a Social Experience

02:32-04:20 - What Are Participative Sports? Inside the Rise of Devil's Circuit

04:20-05:36 - From Obstacle Races to Hybrid Competitions: What’s Next for Fitness?

05:36-07:50 - Why Gen Z Is Putting Experiences Before Everything Else

07:50-10:01 - Can Running Clubs Help Fight Loneliness?

10:01-12:20 - From 98 Kg to 73 Kg: Adnan Adeeb's Fitness Transformation After 39

12:20-16:05 - Resting Heart Rate, Body Fat and Fitness Metrics: How Much Should You Track?

16:05-18:03 - Fitness Trackers and AI: Are Wearables Worth It?

18:03-19:46 - Fitness After 40: Why It’s Never Too Late to Get Stronger

19:46-21:52 - How Exercise Changes Your Mental Health and Confidence

21:52-23:08 - Raising Active Kids: Can Parents Pass on a Love of Sport?

23:08-25:19 - Gen Z vs Millennials: Who Takes Fitness More Seriously?

Cancer does not affect only the person diagnosed. It can change the lives of entire families, bringing emotional, financial and practical challenges along with the treatment journey.

In this episode, host Anuja Jaiswal, senior assistant editor with TOI, speaks to Dr Pragya Shukla, head of clinical oncology at Delhi State Cancer Institute, cancer survivor Kamaljeet Bisla, health policy expert Urvashi Prasad, and health insurance expert Abhijit Ghosh about what families need to know when cancer enters their lives.

Dr Shukla explains why cancer should no longer automatically be viewed as a death sentence. With advances in oncology, the focus today is not only on curing cancer but, where a cure is not possible, on controlling the disease and helping patients live with it as a chronic condition. She also highlights the importance of making effective treatments accessible and affordable, particularly for poorer patients.

Bisla shares her deeply personal journey with cervical cancer, from the shock of diagnosis when her children were young to becoming a cancer survivor two decades later. Her experience offers an important message about early detection, treatment and hope.

The conversation also looks beyond medicines. Prasad discusses the gaps in cancer screening and the importance of early and accurate diagnosis, while Ghosh explains why families need to look beyond the sum insured when choosing health insurance, including room-rent restrictions, cancer-specific sub-limits, coverage for newer treatments and restoration benefits.

The episode also explores the often-overlooked needs of caregivers, including emotional support, counselling and financial protection. A conversation about cancer, but also about early detection, better support, survivorship and the possibility of life beyond a diagnosis.

Chapters

00:00 – Cancer affects the whole family

01:15 – What does the 92% cancer figure mean?

01:53 – The financial and emotional burden of cancer

03:02 – Can we approach cancer with hope?

03:40 – Can cancer become a chronic disease?

06:28 – A survivor remembers her cancer diagnosis

10:07 – Why early and accurate diagnosis matters

12:12 – What your cancer insurance may not cover

17:15 – Supporting patients and caregivers

18:50 – Why cancer screening must become routine

20:18 – Why people fear cancer screening

21:19 – Caregivers need support too

24:21 – Cancer is not a death sentence

24:50 – Life 20 years after cancer

At 25, heart health may be the last thing on your mind. But could the lifestyle choices you make today already be shaping your heart health for the future?In this episode, host Anuja Jaiswal, a senior assistant editor with TOI, speaks to senior cardiac surgeon Dr Naresh Trehan, chairman and managing director of Medanta, about why heart disease remains a major concern in India and why younger people should not assume they are immune.

Dr Trehan explains the role of genetics, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels, obesity, stress, sedentary lifestyles, pollution and dietary habits in cardiovascular risk. He also discusses the idea of a personalised “health horoscope”, combining genetic information, lifestyle and biomedical parameters to identify an individual’s risk and guide preventive measures. The conversation also explores what healthy living really means. Dr Trehan stresses on moderation rather than deprivation, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress and keeping track of important health numbers. He recommends 40 minutes of brisk walking five times a week as a simple form of cardiovascular exercise, and explains why people who spend long hours sitting should take regular movement breaks.

Why are some apparently healthy young people collapsing suddenly? Dr Trehan explains that heart attacks are not the only concern. Undiagnosed rhythm disorders, abnormal heart muscles, valve disease and congenital heart conditions can also lead to serious events. He discusses warning signs including breathlessness, palpitations, unusual fatigue and recurring chest, jaw or back pain, and why symptoms should not simply be dismissed as acidity.

The episode also touches on energy drinks, pre-workout supplements, ageing, muscle loss and GLP-1 medicines, including what is known and what still requires longer-term evidence. It wraps up with a conversation on recognising risk early, making informed lifestyle choices, and taking heart health seriously at every age.

Chapters

00:01 – Why young Indians need to think about heart health

02:27 – The three major risk factors for heart disease

03:23 – Can your genes predict your heart risk?

05:15 – From treatment to prevention

07:08 – Stress, pollution and your heart

09:35 – How much does family history matter?

10:32 – What does a healthy diet really mean?

12:01 – How your health changes with age

13:44 – Why apparently healthy young people can collapse suddenly

18:00 – Why Indians face a higher heart-disease risk

20:07 – How technology is changing heart care

26:24 – The three things you must do for your heart

33:06 – Is one hour of exercise enough if you sit all day?

38:07 – Heart warning signs you should never ignore

42:24 – GLP-1 drugs and heart health

For every viral reel warning you against gluten, seed oils or everyday foods, this man has a counter-reel explaining the science — and often, the pseudoscience — behind the claim.

In this episode, host Srirupa Ray, an Assistant Editor with TOI, speaks with Krish Ashok, food science writer, techie, musician and author of ‘Masala Lab’ fame who is known for using first principles to debunk nutrition fads and give practical, evidence-based insights.

Ashok demystifies fermented foods like dosa and idli, explaining that while ancient fermentation served primarily as a preservation tool, modern science highlights its role in unlocking nutrients and aiding digestion. He emphasizes that gut health relies far more on prebiotics — such as the soluble fibre in whole dals and guavas — than on probiotic trends. On gluten, Ashok clarifies that avoiding it is essential only for those with Celiac disease; for most people, cutting out wheat inadvertently reduces refined carbs.

The discussion tackles the psychology of food marketing, exposing how terms like ‘free’, ‘organic’, and ‘herbal’ create false health halos. Ashok warns against social media fear-mongering, urging listeners to distinguish between viral content, peer-reviewed knowledge, and personalised medical advice. He also explores the emerging science around GLP-1 weight-loss medications, explaining how they alter reward pathways and satiety signals to rewire cravings for ultra-processed food.

Finally, Ashok reflects on the multi-dimensional engineering behind traditional home cooking, celebrating how grandmothers rely on sensory feedback and muscle memory to master temperature, viscosity, and balance. The episode wraps up with a lively rapid-fire round covering under-appreciated spices, retrograded starch benefits, and the unmatched health profile of black coffee.

Before you tune out, do listen to the nutrition power tip of the week by nutritionist Pooja Makhija (https://www.nourishgenie.com/)

(This podcast was recorded in August 2026)

Chapters

01:34 – The Science of Fermentation & Dosa

05:34 – Probiotics, Postbiotics, and Prebiotics Explained

08:18 – The Gluten Myth & Non-Celiac Sensitivity

15:23 – Deconstructing ‘Free’, ‘Organic’ & ‘Natural’ Marketing Labels

25:26 – Navigating Food Anxiety & Media Misinformation

32:51 – The Problem with Elimination Diets & Fad Diets

38:14 – Can AI Help Fact-Check Health & Nutrition Claims?

42:45 – GLP-1 Drugs & Their Impact on Food Cravings

48:24 – Why Engineers and Techies Are Drawn to Food Science

54:47 – Are Eggs Vegetarian? Defining Diets & Morality

59:18 – Why Leftover Biryani Tastes Better the Next Day

01:02:59 – The Intrinsic Wisdom & Measurement Science of Grandmothers

01:07:18 – Food Memories, Culture, and the Evolution of Cooking

01:13:33 – Rapid Fire: Unsung Spices, Food Myths, and Macros

Does your body get used to lack of sleep? Can napping fill in for night-time shut-eye? If you think these are true, then this podcast is for you. For, sleeping is something we all do but know so very little about.

In this episode, host Himanshi Dhawan, a Senior Editor with TOI, sits in with Dr Sanjay Manchanda, a pioneering sleep specialist who established Delhi’s first sleep clinic at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in the 1990s. With over three decades of experience and 27,000 sleep studies conducted, Dr Manchanda dispels the common misconception that sleep is merely a passive state. Instead, he explains its vital evolutionary role in memory consolidation, tissue repair, and neuronal rejuvenation.

The conversation walks us through the vast landscape of sleep medicine — which encompasses nearly 80 distinct conditions — highlighting major disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome. Dr Manchanda shares fascinating case studies, illustrating how multiple sleep disorders can coexist and heavily impact physical safety, emotional stability, and long-term heart health.

Listeners will also learn the truth behind viral health trends. Dr Manchanda challenges the efficacy of over-the-counter melatonin and magnesium supplements, warns against the accuracy of commercial wearable trackers, and explains how the ‘blue light’ from digital devices disrupts the brain’s natural sleep rhythms. Finally, the episode concludes with practical sleep hygiene advice, from fixing wake-up times to proper evening wind-down routines.

Don’t miss the nutrition power tip of the week by nutritionist Pooja Makhija (https://www.nourishgenie.com/)

Chapters:

00:38 - The Evolutionary Importance of Sleep

01:42 - The 80+ Types of Sleep Disorders

02:43 - Debunking 'Insomnia' vs. 'Dysomnia'

03:34 - The Four Pillars of Dysomnia & Sleep Studies

04:43 - Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Risks

05:48 - Restless Leg Syndrome: The Sleep Thief

06:52 - Unpacking Narcolepsy & Cataplexy

08:28 - Parasomnias: Violent and Complex Sleep Behaviors

09:48 - The Daily Physical Toll of Disrupted Sleep

11:19 - Cognitive Impact, Irritability, and the Role of REM

13:20 - The Tripod Stand of Perfect Sleep

14:53 - The Modern 24-Hour Cycle and Shift Work Fatigue

16:41 - Dangers of Microsleeps & The Myth of the Nightcap

18:54 - The Truth About Melatonin and Over-the-Counter Supplements

20:31 - The Trend of Magnesium and Gadget Over-Reliance

22:01 - The Reality of Wearable Sleep Trackers

23:40 - The 20-Year Swiss Watch Dealer Problem

29:21 - Unconscious Night Eating

(30:12-32:59) Sleepwalking Crime and Legal Precedents

(32:59-34:14) Blue Light and Digital Fatigue

36:03 - Masterclass in Sleep Hygiene