Dr Shriram Madhav Nene, cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon, innovator and investor, has opened up about his experiments with different diet plans, revealing how one of them helped him lose a significant amount of weight but also left him struggling with muscle cramps. The husband of Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit also spoke about his experience with veganism, joking that the diet eventually turned him into a “gas bomb.”Speaking at a session at Masters’ Union University, Dr Nene reflected on why doctors often neglect their own health despite advising patients to take care of themselves. Maintaining that doctors are the “worst patients,” he observed that constantly witnessing life-and-death situations can make medical practitioners “irreverent.” He also revealed that he had tried several dietary approaches over the years in search of one that worked best for him.Among the plans he experimented with was the SHRED diet, which focuses on calorie restriction, along with intermittent fasting and a high-protein, low-carbohydrate eating pattern. Explaining his routine during that period, Dr Nene said, “At one point, we went on a SHRED diet, focusing on caloric restriction. I didn’t do a one-meal-a-day (OMAD) diet; I did intermittent fasting instead. I had my last meal at 8 pm, and in the morning I worked out and then had a protein shake. Then, we brought it down to two or three protein shakes. For two months, we did caloric restriction, six-times-a-week workouts with three strength and three spin. I went high protein, low carb,”Dr Nene also recalled how a patient once challenged him to lose weight, prompting him to try the Atkins diet alongside her. The diet, which emphasises protein and fat while restricting carbohydrates, became an unexpected personal experiment for the surgeon.Recalling the incident, he said, “There was a little lady who weighed 90 kg at 4 feet nine inches”, and she needed an aortic valve. I told her, ‘Ma’am, if I operate on you, we’re going to have a problem closing your sternum and making sure it sticks.’ When she asked what she should do, I said, ‘You need to lose a little weight.’ She retorted, ‘Why don’t you lose weight?’ So, I said, ‘Why don’t we try the Atkins diet together? It’s a high-protein, low-carb diet,’”The experiment resulted in substantial weight loss for Dr Nene, so much so that his colleagues began expressing concern about his appearance. However, the patient also managed to lose weight, eventually undergoing the necessary surgery successfully.“I lost a ridiculous amount of weight. I went down to 158 pounds and to the point where some of my nurses would ask, ‘Is there something going on with your health? You look too skinny.’ I didn’t have a choice. I tried it for her (the aforementioned patient). She eventually lost a fair amount of weight. We operated on her, changed her valve, and she did great,” he added.Dr Nene explained that the Atkins diet eventually became difficult to sustain because of its side effects. Although the high-protein, low-carb approach allowed him to consume foods rich in fat, he began experiencing severe muscle cramps that affected even routine activities such as climbing stairs.“Since it’s a very high protein diet, I could eat anything with high fat as well, as long as I kept the carbs low. But I was getting horrible muscle cramps, too. I was struggling even to climb up stairs,” he shared.He also discussed his experience with veganism, explaining that meeting his protein requirements while following a plant-based diet required considerable effort. Despite consuming pea protein shakes and a variety of plant-based foods, he found the experience less comfortable than expected.“As a vegan, you don’t get enough protein. I was on three pea protein shakes a day, 30 g each. I was also having so much tofu, edamame, rajma, and anything else I could eat.” He quipped, “I was like a gas bomb after a while.”Throughout the discussion, Dr Nene emphasised his approach to treating patients, saying he considers them much like members of his own family. According to him, this perspective helps him make decisions about their care by focusing on what he believes is right for them.
