Who am I?

Hi, I’m Dr Sara Ramzan and I’m on a mission to help South Asian women with pre- and type 2 diabetes transform their health, so they can reclaim their self-confidence and live a life without restrictions.

When I mention to people that I’m a pharmacist by profession they assume that I am an expert in drugs, which isn’t an unreasonable assumption. However, from early on in my career I knew that there was more to medicines than just learning about their effect on the body. Which is why I got involved in researching and publishing scientific papers on how people take their medicine and what helps or hinder them to stick to the protocols they’re recommended.

In particular my work on traditional medicines used by Pakistanis descendants opened my eyes to the fact that many South Asians don’t feel their health-beliefs are recognised by the conventional health system (you can read it here if you want to geek out like me!].

I first became interested in type 2 diabetes when I was awarded a scholarship to research the management of the condition in primary care. This role led to running pharmacist-led type 2 diabetes clinics and training other healthcare professionals such as GPs, pharmacists and nurses in optimum use of diabetes medicines.

Meeting the people who were referred to these diabetes clinics, particularly those of South Asian heritage, made me realise that the patients did not receive enough culturally tailored advice to help them manage their diagnosis.That’s what inspired me to keep learning how to serve my community, so a prediabetes or type 2 diabetes diagnosis doesn’t have to mean a life of exhaustion, stress and constant worry about blood sugars.

And then there’s my own personal experience with gestational diabetes (high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy). When I had my youngest daughter, I was in my early 30s and had a pregnancy that looked nothing like a ‘textbook pregnancy’. I had been prescribed several medicines to manage my pregnancy-related complications.

When I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes it was the final straw for me – I was determined that I was not going to take even more medicines to treat this. I wanted to use diet and lifestyle changes that I knew would have an impact instead, but as a South Asian woman, the lack of culturally appropriate support left me frustrated. Being told to ‘to watch what I eat’ just wasn’t prescriptive enough to help me make any changes that would improve my blood sugars.

I have always believed in a holistic approach to health, so I began to explore other options to balance my blood sugars. One certification led to another and I kept expanding on my knowledge and applying what I discovered to myself, even after giving birth to my daughter.

With the changes I made and whilst still maintaining family life and enjoying the desi food I knew and loved, I was able to manage my gestational diabetes and go on into my life as a mum of two feeling stronger, more energetic and appreciating my body, rather than hating it.

Inspired by my personal success, I transitioned my career as a clinical pharmacist with speciality in type 2 diabetes to starting my virtual diabetes reversal clinic. 

If you’re concerned about your long-term health but don’t have a diagnosis, I’m here to help.

My purpose is to educate, support and empower South Asian women to create a lifestyle that is meaningful to them and their families.

I enjoy seeing people’s lives transform when they pay attention to their body and mind through nutrition, movement, mental and emotional wellbeing.  This is important to me as I often meet desi women who feel healthcare professionals don’t understand their spirituality and health beliefs. I aim to bridge the gap and show you how your health doesn’t have to come second and instead prioritizing it can be an enriching part of family life.

My consultations ensure that you not only understand your prescription but also how daily habits, choices and cultural values can co-exist to create a healthy body and future.

As a healthcare professional, I always encourage you to follow your doctor’s recommendations and seek their advice for any medical concerns. If needed, I will collaborate with your GP or other health professionals involved in your care to get you the health outcomes you’re looking for.