Ahead of Rare Disease Day on the 28th February, we speak with nutritionist, author and lifestyle medicine professional Rohini Bajekal about a rarer form of diabetes, MODY, or maturity onset diabetes of the young. Rohini shared the challenges she had to overcome to finally reach her diagnosis of this rare genetic condition.

To connect with Rohini:www.rohinibajekal.comhttps://www.instagram.com/rohinibajekal Explanation of MODY: https://www.diabetesgenes.org/what-is-mody/

Guidelines for genetic testing in MODY: https://www.diabetesgenes.org/tests-for-diabetes-subtypes/guidelines-for-genetic-testing-in-mody/

MODY calculator tool: https://www.diabetesgenes.org/exeter-diabetes-app/

Genetic Test Referral Form: https://www.diabetesgenes.org/genetic-test-referral-forms/

Diabetes UK information: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/other-types-of-diabetes/mody

Example case study: https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/genotes/in-the-clinic/presentation-patient-with-incidental-finding-of-raised-blood-glucose/

Plant-Based Health Professionals UK Type 2 diabetes factsheet: https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Diabetes-factsheet08.11.24.pdf

References Discussed:

Chakera, A. J., Steele, A. M., Gloyn, A. L., Shepherd, M. H., Shields, B., Ellard, S., & Hattersley, A. T. (2015). Recognition and Management of Individuals With Hyperglycemia Because of a Heterozygous Glucokinase Mutation. Diabetes care, 38(7), 1383–1392. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc14-2769 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26106223/

Stride, A., Shields, B., Gill-Carey, O., Chakera, A. J., Colclough, K., Ellard, S., & Hattersley, A. T. (2014). Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies suggest pharmacological treatment used in patients with glucokinase mutations does not alter glycaemia. Diabetologia, 57(1), 54–56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-013-3075-x https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24092492/

Steel AM, Shields BM, Wensley KJ and others. ‘Prevalence of vascular complications among patients with glucokinase mutations and prolonged, mild hyperglycemia’. Journal of the American Medical Association 2014: volume 311, issue 3, pages 279–286. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2013.283980 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1814212

Are you literally sick of bringing home the bacon? Good news is plant-based diets are not only healthier, but they can also be cheaper. In this week's nugget Daisy and Clare discuss ideas to save money on your food bill. And if money worries are keeping you up at night, you can find a full explanation of cognitive shuffling and more in Jane Thurnell- Reed's book:
Health & Wellbeing on a Budget: Simple and Affordable Strategies for a Healthier, Happier You

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Wellbeing-Budget-Affordable-Strategies/dp/1739294149https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(21)00251-5/fulltext

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9321292/

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2808910

https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/plant-based-on-a-budget-

This week we had the pleasuring of speaking with the fabulous skin specialist, Star Khechara. With a 20 year career spanning skincare formulation and nutrition – author of The Holistic Beauty Book, original founder of Formula Botanica, creator of The Facelift Diet® and leader of Skin Nutrition Institute – Star has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to skin health.We cover why skin is so important, and how our skin is a reflection of our overall internal health.She tells us how our diets and lifestyle can impact its protective barrier, what a good skin care regimen looks like, how to combat the signs of ageing, and finally how to treat problematic skin conditions such as acne. To learn more about Star's work:https://www.starkhechara.com/

Other links from the pre interview chat:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PLANTS-FIRST-HEALTHCARE-REPORT-R.pdf

https://ukhealthalliance.org/news-item/government-urged-to-stop-multi-million-pound-campaign-promoting-meat-and-dairy/

https://feedbackglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AHDB-Jan-2025.pdf