If you struggled with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, read and listen to Dr Malini’s story for an inspiring account of how she fixed it with Low Carb lifestyle
When Malini began her medical journey at Monash University, she didn’t yet know that the stress management techniques she learned in her first year would play such a crucial role in her life. As an 18-year-old student, she was introduced to progressive muscle relaxation and reflective practices—tools meant to help manage the intense stress of medical training. However, at the time, she and many of her peers were more focused on exams and grades, often overlooking the importance of these techniques.
Looking back now, Malini realizes how fortunate she was to have received this early training. As she advanced in her career, the demands of the medical field grew, and the pressures became more intense. It was then that she truly began to appreciate the value of stress management and meditation. These practices have since become essential parts of her daily routine, helping her navigate the challenges of being a GP and maintaining her own well-being.
The Journey into Integrative Medicine
In 2020, Malini officially qualified as a GP, but her passion for learning didn’t stop there. She transitioned into the integrative and functional medicine space, an area of healthcare that emphasizes treating the root causes of illness rather than just the symptoms. This shift marked the beginning of continuous training and fellowships, as Malini immersed herself in new areas of knowledge that went beyond conventional medicine.
Malini’s journey into integrative medicine was driven by her desire to provide holistic care to her patients—care that addressed not only their physical symptoms but also their emotional and mental well-being. This approach resonated with her own experiences, as she had seen firsthand how stress and lifestyle choices could impact health. Her work in this field is a testament to her belief that learning in medicine is a lifelong journey, one that never truly ends.
Discovering the Low-Carb Lifestyle
Malini’s advocacy for a low-carb lifestyle, including keto and carnivore diets, stems from her personal experiences and the benefits she has witnessed in her family, patients, and friends. Her introduction to low-carb living came during a challenging time in her life. In 2019, while studying for her GP exams, Malini found herself living in isolation and consuming unhealthy foods—a combination that led to a weight gain of about 10 kilograms in just one year.
This weight gain was particularly distressing as her wedding was approaching, and she was determined to lose the extra weight. It was during this time that a colleague recommended “The Obesity Code” by Dr. Jason Fung. This book fundamentally changed her understanding of weight loss. Malini learned that weight management is not just about calories in versus calories out; it’s also about hormones, particularly insulin and cortisol.
This revelation was a turning point for Malini. She began to implement low-carb principles into her diet, focusing on reducing her carbohydrate intake to stabilize her insulin levels. The results were significant, not only in terms of weight loss but also in how she felt overall. Her energy levels increased, and she began to see improvements in her health that went beyond just the numbers on the scale.
The Impact of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome on Malini’s Health Journey
Malini’s experience with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) further fueled her passion for the low-carb lifestyle. Diagnosed with PCOS at the age of 19, she had long been aware of the condition but didn’t focus on managing it until weight gain became a more pressing concern. Over time, she came to understand that PCOS is essentially a metabolic syndrome, closely linked to insulin resistance.
For Malini, the low-carb diet was not just a weight-loss tool; it was a way to manage her PCOS effectively. She discovered that by keeping her insulin levels in check through dietary changes, she could better control her symptoms and improve her overall health. This personal experience deepened her commitment to advocating for a low-carb lifestyle, especially for patients with metabolic conditions like PCOS.
Challenging Conventional Wisdom in Medicine
Malini’s journey also led her to challenge some of the conventional wisdom in medicine, particularly the emphasis on weight as the primary indicator of health. Through her own experiences and those of her patients, she came to understand that weight is not always the best metric for overall well-being. In fact, she no longer owns a scale, finding that focusing on other aspects of health, such as body composition and how she feels, is far more liberating.
This perspective is particularly important in the context of PCOS, a condition that is often poorly understood and inadequately treated by many doctors. Malini’s own experience with being prescribed the contraceptive pill from ages 19 to 30 highlighted the limitations of conventional treatment options. While the pill was convenient for managing symptoms, Malini eventually felt that it negatively impacted her mental health, leading her to question whether long-term use of the pill was the best solution.
Through her journey, Malini has become a vocal advocate for better understanding and treatment of PCOS, particularly the role of insulin resistance in the condition. She believes that many patients with PCOS could benefit from a low-carb diet and that this approach should be more widely recognized and promoted in the medical community.
Integrating Stress Management into Medical Practice
Malini’s experiences with stress management, both as a student and as a practicing GP, have shaped her approach to patient care. She strongly believes that self-care and stress management should be integral parts of medical training, not just in the early years but throughout a doctor’s career. Unfortunately, as she progressed through her training, Malini noticed that the focus on these vital practices often diminished, with junior doctors receiving little support for managing the emotional and mental demands of the job.
The issue of doctor burnout and the rising rates of suicide among doctors is a significant concern for Malini, not just in Australia but globally. She has observed that the hierarchical structure in hospitals, combined with the constant movement of junior doctors between departments and locations, exacerbates feelings of isolation and stress. Despite the demanding nature of the job, there is often little emphasis on self-care or emotional support as doctors advance in their careers.
Malini’s own journey into practicing low-carb medicine has shown her the importance of connecting with patients on a personal level. Sharing her experiences, especially around diet and lifestyle changes, has opened up meaningful conversations with her patients. Many of them ask about what she eats for breakfast, looking for ideas and inspiration. This connection is crucial for Malini—it’s about more than just providing medical advice; it’s about relating to her patients’ struggles and showing them that they are not alone.
A Holistic Approach to Patient Care
Malini’s transition into integrative and functional medicine has allowed her to adopt a more holistic approach to patient care. She recognizes that treating the root causes of illness often involves addressing lifestyle factors, including diet, stress management, and mental health. By integrating these elements into her practice, Malini is able to offer her patients a more comprehensive approach to health and wellness.
Her work in this area is deeply personal, as it reflects her own journey and the lessons she has learned along the way. Malini’s experiences with PCOS, weight management, and stress have all contributed to her understanding of what it means to truly care for oneself. She is passionate about sharing this knowledge with her patients, helping them navigate their own health challenges with the tools and strategies that have worked for her.
The Importance of Vulnerability and Connection in Medicine
One of the key lessons Malini has learned in her journey is the importance of vulnerability and connection in medicine. As a doctor, it can be easy to maintain a professional distance from patients, focusing solely on the clinical aspects of care. However, Malini has found that sharing her own experiences—whether it’s her struggles with weight, her management of PCOS, or her journey into low-carb living—can create a deeper connection with her patients.
This approach not only helps her patients feel more understood and supported, but it also allows Malini to practice medicine in a way that feels more authentic and fulfilling. By being open about her own health journey, she is able to build trust with her patients and encourage them to take an active role in their own care.
The Future: Supporting the Next Generation of Doctors
Looking to the future, Malini is committed to contributing to the ongoing effort to support the next generation of doctors in a more holistic and compassionate way. She believes that medical training should place a greater emphasis on stress management, self-care, and the importance of vulnerability in patient care. These elements are crucial for preventing burnout and ensuring that doctors can provide the best possible care to their patients.
As Malini continues to learn and grow in her own practice, she remains passionate about sharing her knowledge and experiences with others. Whether it’s through her advocacy for a low-carb lifestyle, her work in integrative medicine, or her efforts to support junior doctors, Malini is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of her patients and the medical community as a whole.
Conclusion: Malini’s Journey as a Testament to the Power of Integrative Medicine
Malini’s journey from a newly qualified GP to an advocate for integrative and functional medicine is a testament to the power of continuous learning and personal growth. Her experiences with weight gain, PCOS, stress management, and low-carb living have all shaped her approach to medicine, allowing her to offer her patients a more holistic and compassionate form of care.
Through her work, Malini has shown that true health is about more than just treating symptoms—it’s about addressing the root causes of illness, understanding the impact of lifestyle choices, and creating meaningful connections with patients. Her journey is an inspiration to others, demonstrating that with the right knowledge and strategies, it is possible to overcome health challenges and lead a fulfilling, healthy life.
Malini can be contacted HERE
