The Lean Life team

Dr Reina Punj

Lead Physician

MBBS, Dr DY Patil Medical College, Mumbai. PG Diploma in Endocrinology, University of South Wales, UK. Certification in IV Nutrition, Canadian Board of Aesthetic Medicine.

More than 20 years in internal medicine, endocrinology and functional health, including five years of training at leading UK university hospitals and work at a well-known endocrine and diabetes centre in South Mumbai. She leads Lean Life's medical team, focuses on the hormonal and metabolic causes of weight gain, and reviews every medical page on this site.

Dr Johann Varghese

Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist

MBBS, Dr DY Patil Medical College, Mumbai. DNB in Internal Medicine. DM in Endocrinology, gold medal.

Trained in endocrinology with three years of full-time residency at Andhra Medical College, and has been a consultant endocrinologist at Holy Family Hospital, Seven Hills Hospital and other Mumbai centres. He wrote the chapter on diabetic foot in the Textbook of Diabetes in Practice and lectures at state and national conferences. He sees Lean Life patients whose weight is linked to diabetes, thyroid or other hormonal conditions.

Dr Anuya Manerkar

Lead Dermatologist

MBBS, DY Patil Medical College, Mumbai. DDV (Dermatology and Venereology), KJ Somaiya Medical College, Mumbai.

More than 17 years in skin and hair care, and an Allergan medical trainer for over a decade who has presented internationally. She helps Lean Life patients with the hair thinning, skin laxity and facial volume changes that can come with fast weight loss.

Zainab Gulamhusein

Clinical Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist

BHSc Nutrition and PG Diploma in Sports Science and Nutrition, SNDT University. MSc in Dietetics and Food Service Management, IGNOU.

More than 18 years in clinical and sports nutrition. Formerly Senior Clinical Dietitian at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, and for seven years a senior nutritionist and subject expert at HealthifyMe. She builds protein-first Lean Life plans around vegetarian, Jain and non-vegetarian Indian food.

Ujjwala Baxi

Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator

Certified Diabetes Educator, Christian Medical College, Vellore. PG Diploma in Dietetics and Applied Nutrition, IHM Mumbai. Diploma in Sports Nutrition.

More than 10 years in clinical, sports and community nutrition in India and Singapore. Formerly Chief Dietitian at K.J. Somaiya Hospital, where she led nutrition care for a 500-bed hospital, and a research dietitian on obesity and diabetes studies at B.Y.L. Nair Hospital. She supports Lean Life patients managing prediabetes and diabetes alongside weight loss.

Dr Dhwani Topiwala

Sports Physiotherapist

Master of Sports Physiotherapy, DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai. Bachelor of Physical Therapy, MUHS.

Works with the Mumbai Cricket Association's women's cricket set-up and with professional and international athletes across cricket, tennis and football, and leads a team of physiotherapists. She designs safe strength plans that help Lean Life patients keep muscle while they lose weight, including those with knee or back pain.

Priyanka Kapoor

Psychologist and Psychotherapist

MA in Clinical Psychology. PG Diploma in Couple, Relationship and Family Counselling.

More than 7 years of clinical practice and over 3,000 clients, using approaches including CBT and DBT. A TEDx speaker and member of the Counselor Council of India, she practises at Marine Drive, Mumbai. She helps Lean Life patients with emotional eating, motivation and lasting habits.

Parinaz Agha

Psychological Counsellor

MA in Developmental Counselling and Guidance, SNDT University. BA Economics (Honours), St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. Positive Psychology certifications, University of Pennsylvania.

More than 10 years counselling adults and young people in India and abroad, online and in person, on stress, anxiety, relationships and life changes. She helps Lean Life patients handle the stress, body-image shifts and setbacks that can come with changing their weight.