Bangalore Our Native Village- April 2010
In the year 2002 I went for a Complete Health Check -up at the Lilavati Hospital.
The Scheme included a Consultation by a Physician who at the time was Dr.Sashank Joshi, an Endocrinologist.
After he went through my Reports he advised me to go on " Glycomet " tablets saying that although my blood sugar levels were
on the borderline, I was a potential " Diabetic " because of my family history- ( both my parents had died of heart attacks ).
I scorned at the idea that I was a potential diabetic and told him so.
I didn't wish to deal with it and " forgot " about it all.
Late October 2009 I received an e-mail from Dr.Nandita Shah inviting me for a 21 day Retreat for Reversal of Diabetes - A Pilot study undertaken by Sharan- in a Spa- Our Native Village(ONV),Bangalore and that I could participate.
Rules and Regulations were all laid out.
I Jumped!!!
Oh yes! Now was my chance of really finding out about my health from a very Trusted source!!!
I applied for a seat and landed up at ONV, leaving my life ( my animals ) behind in Mumbai!
In retrospect now I think that was a very brave step- leaving things behind for somebody else to manage- I would never be able to do it again!!!
The Retreat was absolutely Divine!!
ONV is a Spa, very beautiful, and we were 21 members very well taken care of by Dr Nandita Shah.
The first day were self-introductions.
Early the next morning we went for a 45 minute walk, and after coming back we had to undergo a health check up and Complete blood tests
by Religare Laboratories.
The reports came in by evening and to my horror my blood sugar levels showed up very high.
Fasting was 126, and PP was 164.
That was a shock!!!
Now I had to face the fact that I was Diabetic!
But Dr.Nandita was very helpful and positive that I will reverse it by a healthy Vegan diet.
Although I have been brought up as a Vegetarian, I was not a Vegan.
That is when my tryst with a Vegan diet began.
That was the 1st day of my Retreat.
And a wonderful day.
After the health check up, including BP check up, we had a wonderful vegan breakfast of Mangoes, at least 2 each, Organic red rice idlis, red rice dosas, coconut chutney, a lot of sambhar and a lot of black Tea- caffeinated as well as Herbal Tulsi tea, lemon grass tea, Mint tea.
No sugar.
We were told that regular black tea will be served only for 4 days after that only herbal teas will be served.
We all took it very well.
After breakfast we had Marathon Power Point sessions with Dr. Nandita, all related to Diabetes and Hypertension.
They were wonderfully Informative Interactive sessions.
I learnt so much about myself, my Health!
No Medical person has imparted so much knowledge to me.
These sessions changed my life, about how I have been living my Life, about the rights and wrongs of living.
Then 1 PM was Lunch, again a delicious Vegan fare including lots of salads, dals, vegetables, brown rice, Ragi rotis, an endless menu!!!
The food cooked was Vegetarian, without Oil,No Dairy, No Sugar, No White Flour.
And we were told we could eat as much as we liked.
It was a treat for most of the diabetic participants who have always had to curtail their portions of food.
They were delighted that they could eat as much fruit as they like!!!
After the wonderful Lunch we could go to our rooms and rest, read or whatever one liked to do.
At 4 Pm was Yoga and Meditation class.
After that at 6 PM was tea, and then a luxurious 45 minute walk in the green pastures.
7 PM back for a delicious spread of Vegan dinner.
8.30 PM some discussions over what we learnt that day, and then a treat to some wonderful documentaries for an hour.
And then to bed.
The next morning would begin with a long brisk walk, coming back to blood sugar checks and BP check up.
Gradually my blood sugar levels came down to 100 Fasting and 110 PP.
The food was whole, Organic, and with a lot of fibre.
I lost 4 kgs of weight in those 21 days, and 4 kgs more in the 1st 2 months after coming back to Mumbai.
I have stuck to my Vegan whole since then and have successfully Reversed my Diabetes.
I am on no medication.
It has been about 20 months since the 21 day retreat.....I am well. Free of the label of 'diabetic'! What a relief!
I know of other Diabetic participants cut down on their Insulin doses since their blood sugar levels were coming down.
I know of a participant who was on 13 tablets of medication when he came to the Retreat, but now is on only 3 tablets a day.
And he lost 7 kgs of weight.
I will be forever grateful to Dr Nandita for helping me with my health! I highly recommend everyone to think about choosing healthy living...as priority in life! If you can go for the next 21 Day Disease reversal program at 'Swaswara Resort'...go for it! It will be life changing experience!
Ritaa Vazirani
