Does chapati pose the same risk as rice?

Risk is the same, but we do not consume wheat in the same quantity as rice. Hence diabetes can be controlled to an extent.

What about millets?

Millets are good, compared to rice.

But there are concerns over ragi consumption because it is said to cause kidney stone…

Even carrots can cause kidney stone, if eaten daily. Moderate consumption of anything is the key.

You spoke about good and bad protein…

Proteins can be derived from both plants and meat. Most plant proteins, including the ones derived from peanuts, badam, cashew, etc, are good. Excessive consumption of red meat is toxic. Chicken not injected with steroids is fine, but beef can cause problems. Red meat is more carcinogenic.

So, is vegetarianism a better lifestyle?

Vegetarianism is a good lifestyle, but vegetarians are not insulated from cancer. Non-vegetarians also need not contract cancer.

What about cancer in children?

This is not hereditary alone. There are environmental factors, too. Most common cancers among children are leukaemia, blastoma, nephroblastoma, etc.

Some people consume carrot juice or green juices after their morning walk…

Many think anything herbal is good. Allopathy involves both research and trials, including testing on animals. Does this happen in ayurveda? Some say keezhanelli has certain components and can be consumed. But keezhanelli has some other components, too. Same is the case with athachakka. Many, including celebrities, have died after consuming it to treat cancer.

But, ayurveda and other alternative systems have a rich tradition…

Research is still needed to study toxicity or side effects. Even alternative medicine practitioners study anatomy, using allopathy books…

Have you come across patients who have come off worse from using ayurveda medicines?

Several. There was a person who developed liver disease due to the frequent consumption of arishtam. At times, it could be kashayam. There was a recent liver cirrhosis case with a similar link.

Recently veteran actor Paresh Rawal spoke about urine as a remedy…

No such studies have been carried out about the use of urine as a remedy. Some recent studies found certain elements in the stool that aid in curing cirrhosis. There is stool therapy as well.

What about magic drugs available in the market?

Allopathy does not recognise anything without research.

How effective is homoeopathy?

Don’t push me into a controversy (laughs). When we lose hope, we pray to god, though his existence is yet to be proved. Same is the case with homoeopathy. The concept of homoeopathy is against allopathic science. The latter does not prescribe administering micro-elements of a medicine to cure an ailment.

Many times, patients are kept in the dark about their own illness…

Mostly, out of compulsion. Sometimes bystanders request this. If we open up to the patient, the bystander may turn against us. Communication with the patient is essential. It is wrong and unethical, if I perform a permanent colostomy without informing the patient. Convincing bystanders is often difficult.

How important is a patient’s willpower in overcoming disease?

There is no scientific method to quantify willpower, but patients who demonstrate strong willpower often show better outcomes.