LISTEN: Prof Dr Anoop Misra on high blood glucose, its effects on COVID-19 risks, and useful functional foods

Professor Dr Anoop Misra, chairman of Fortis C Doc Centre of Excellence for diabetes, metabolic diseases, and endocrinology at New Delhi, India, is an endocrinologist who specialises in the treatment and study of diabetes.

An established figure in the healthcare industry, he is also the president of the Diabetes Foundation India, and the editor of several scientific journals.

To name a few, he is currently the editor-in-chief of Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research and Reviews, ​as well as the associate editor at the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, ​and Journal of Diabetes. ​

In one of his latest research papers, he and his colleagues found that​ vitamin D deficiency, obesity, and diabetes could lead to higher rates of COVID-19 infection and mortality amongst Asian populations.

In fact, even pre-diabetic individuals are also facing the same risk of COVID-19 infection as diabetic patients.

As such, Dr Anoop has highlighted to need to keep blood glucose level in check, and in this case, taking care of liver health would be important since the organ controls key metabolic activities.

“We have studied and actually published data, is that increase protein in the diet and take some protein supplement outside of the normal diet, the liver will benefit.​

“We have [also conducted] a double-blind randomised control trial on cinnamon Vs placebo and showed that cinnamon improves insulin level and its functioning,” ​he said.

The author of Diabetes with Delight: A Joyful Guide to Managing Diabetes In India, ​he also revealed that he has been working on his second book which would provide objective scientific evidence on why certain diets are beneficial for the health.

He also shared his experience serving as the honorary physician to two Indian Prime Ministers, namely P.V. Narasimha Rao, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in the earlier days of his career.

Listen to find out more.