When a cardiac surgeon and health advocate finds his own health veering off course, it's a powerful reminder that no one is immune to lifestyle-related issues. Dr Shriram Nene—renowned cardiac surgeon and husband of Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit—recently opened up about a wake-up call that forced him to take a hard look at his own well-being. What followed was a dramatic personal transformation that saw him shed 18 kilograms and reduce his body fat to 16%.
A Doctor’s Wake-Up Call
Despite his extensive medical background, Dr Nene wasn’t spared from the consequences of neglecting personal health habits. During a routine annual check-up, his test results painted a worrying picture. In a candid video shared on his YouTube channel, he recalled, “People were screaming at me because all my numbers were off. They were like, ‘Doc, what are you doing? You’re supposed to be the health guy in the family!’”
It was a moment of reckoning. Though he had helped countless patients manage and reverse chronic diseases, he hadn’t realised that his own lifestyle choices were catching up with him. That’s when he decided to walk the talk—by becoming his own test subject.
Going Vegan and Alcohol-Free
Dr Nene took a decisive step: he eliminated alcohol from his diet and committed to a completely vegan lifestyle. “About 9-10 months ago, I switched it up and went vegan, stopped drinking. We went through all kinds of transformations, testing it—and I was my own guinea pig,” he explained.
His approach was not just about weight loss—it was about restoring metabolic health. By cutting out animal products and alcohol, he reduced his intake of saturated fats and processed sugars, which are known to fuel inflammation and weight gain.
Inspired by Patients—and His Father
Interestingly, his transformation wasn’t inspired by vanity or public pressure. It was motivated by his own patients and family, particularly his 86-year-old father who had been battling diabetes for more than five decades. “We were able to take him off medication and turn him around,” Dr Nene said. That success made him believe in the power of lifestyle changes more than ever.
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He applied similar strategies to himself—leveraging plant-based eating, regular monitoring, and exercise—to radically improve his health.
From Science to Self-Experimentation
Dr Nene emphasised that while his experiment was based on medical principles, it’s crucial to understand that everyone’s body is different. “What worked for me may not work for everyone,” he admitted. “Even as a doctor, I had to acknowledge the value of expert guidance.”
He strongly advocates for working with professionals such as nutritionists or lifestyle coaches when making major dietary shifts. This ensures that nutrient requirements are met and long-term sustainability is maintained.
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Lessons in Lifestyle Medicine
Dr Nene’s story isn’t just about personal transformation—it’s a testament to the power of lifestyle medicine. With obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease on the rise globally, his journey underscores the importance of prevention over cure.
He also highlighted that health isn’t just about the absence of disease but thriving with vitality. Through careful tracking of food, fitness, and sleep—and by making conscious, consistent choices—he managed to restore his own health, proving that it's never too late to change.
Bottomline
Dr Shriram Nene’s transformation offers a compelling blueprint for anyone looking to take control of their health. Whether you're a medical expert or just starting your wellness journey, his message is clear: listen to your body, take action, and seek support when needed. The results may just surprise you.