{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Curious Cardiologist","title":"The Hidden Metabolic Crisis Affecting Millions of Southeast Asians","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3788,"description":"South Asians develop heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction at dramatically higher rates than almost any other population—but why?\nIn this episode, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj is joined by functional medicine practitioner Shefaly Ravula to unpack the unique biology behind South Asian metabolic health. Together they explore the \"thrifty gene\" hypothesis, insulin resistance, muscle loss, continuous glucose monitoring (CGMs), gut health, personalized nutrition, cholesterol testing, and why traditional risk factors often miss the bigger picture.\nThey also discuss practical strategies for improving metabolic health, including building muscle, optimizing protein intake, improving blood sugar regulation, interpreting advanced lipid testing, and adapting traditional Indian foods without abandoning cultural identity.\nWhether you're South Asian or simply interested in longevity, prevention, and precision medicine, this conversation offers actionable insights into one of today's biggest health challenges.\nTogether they discuss:\n Why South Asians have unique metabolic risks \n The truth about insulin resistance \n Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) \n Muscle, longevity, and blood sugar \n Advanced cholesterol testing \n Functional medicine vs conventional medicine \n Gut health and inflammation \n Traditional Indian diets \n Protein myths \n Precision nutrition\n\nTimestamps\n00:00 Introduction\n01:00 Meet Shefaly Ravula\n02:15 From Gastroenterology to Functional Medicine\n05:30 Why Lifestyle Medicine Comes First\n07:00 Precision Medicine vs Traditional Medicine\n08:20 Why South Asians Develop Heart Disease Earlier\n10:30 The Thrifty Gene Hypothesis\n13:00 Why \"Skinny\" Doesn't Mean Healthy\n15:15 The Muscle Deficit in South Asians\n17:00 Continuous Glucose Monitors Explained\n21:00 Why HbA1c Isn't Enough\n23:30 Should Healthy People Wear CGMs?\n26:30 The Functional Medicine Lab Panel\n31:00 The Indian Diet Problem\n38:00 Protein, Muscle & Longevity\n41:00 White Rice vs Brown Rice\n45:00 Cooking...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/ERjY_X6E6gwO4KLOBaOc5CRJbj_3VbOWBJACPcpnyaQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wZDcw/ODk2MmZhYmViMGVl/ODE2ZGVhMDgwYzJl/NTUyZS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}