Hello Reader

Since I last wrote to you, I have completed a course about evidence based health care for research.

I often see people say that they are an evidence based nutritionist or evidence based health care practitioner. But what does that really mean?

Anyone can look up articles online and find a research paper that serves a specific message. You can almost always find an article that will support your viewpoint. But the problem lies where you are not willing to acknowledge the other side. True evidence based health care is not about picking the evidence that fits; but rather truly evaluating all the research without any bias.

Health care is not a one size fits all model. Studies generally do not show 100% effectiveness and this is also why personalisation in health care is so important.

Evidence-Based Health Care includes the following three main factors, which also translate into clinical practice:

1. The Best External Evidence: High-quality, peer-reviewed clinical research
2. Clinical Expertise: The practitioner’s years of experience and specialised skills
3. Patient Values and Circumstances: The unique needs, preferences, and cultural backgrounds of the individual being treated

Essentially a protocol that works for one woman’s PCOS may not work for another because our bodies and lifestyles are uniquely complex.

This is exactly why my PhD research is so important to me. I am not just looking for proof of what I already know. I am researching the integration of Ayurveda and Nutrition for PCOS to bridge a genuine gap in science.

For far too long, women with PCOS have been dismissed or given "one-size-fits-all" advice that ignores their unique metabolic profiles. By applying the rigorous standards of EBHC to Ayurvedic wisdom, I am working to create a framework that is both scientifically robust and deeply personalised. We need research that respects the person, not just the symptom.

If you value a perspective that does not just cherry-pick headlines but looks at the deep, evidence-based reality of women’s health, I invite you to join Varsha's Health Journal.

This is where I share my clinical notes, teachings, and learnings from the front lines of my research. For £13/month you get the expertise of a researcher and the heart of a practitioner who understands that your health is more than just a statistic. And how research based knowledge can be personalised.

Is there anything in particular you would like to learn more about when it comes to nutrition and Ayurveda? Reply to this email and let me know.

Health & Happiness,

Varsha