DR. MONISHA BHANOTE: BRIDGING ANCIENT WISDOM

And Modern Medicine for Optimal Health

COURTNEY MCGEE

2025

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Dr. Monisha Bhanote, a quintuple board-certified physician, best-selling author, and founder of WELLKULÅ, is transforming the conversation around gut health, longevity, and disease prevention. With expertise spanning pathology, integrative medicine, and culinary medicine, she has dedicated her career to decoding the root causes of chronic disease and empowering individuals to take charge of their health.

Dr. Bhanote sat down with TereZa Hakobyan-Lolli and Anthony Lolli, Editors-in-Chief of longevity and wellness platform Biohack Yourself, for an interview for the influential upcoming women’s health documentary, “sHEALed,” to share her unique perspective on why chronic illness is on the rise, how lifestyle choices influence disease, and why ancient healing traditions like Ayurveda hold the key to optimal well-being.

The sHEALed Documentary is the sister documentary to Biohack Yourself, which became a massive success after exploding on the scene in December 2024 and ignited a firestorm of interest in information focused on health and longevity. Biohack Yourself features 114 prominent and respected high-profile politicians, doctors, bestselling authors, Ph.D.s, M.D.s, scientists, chemists, inventors, biotech investors, and world-renowned academics. Stemming from the success of Biohack Yourself, TereZa Hakobyan-Lolli and Anthony Lolli have grown Biohack Yourself Media to become the number one resource for health news, publishing over 500 articles ranging from breaking news to peer reviewed content.

A Quintuple Board-Certified Journey: From Traditional Pathology to Holistic Healing

Dr. Bhanote’s medical journey started in internal medicine before she transitioned to pathology, specializing in anatomic, clinical, and cytopathology. "Most people don’t know what a pathologist does," she said. "We’re the ones who examine tissue samples, diagnose disease, and help guide treatment decisions."

After a decade of diagnosing patients with cancers and chronic conditions, she started questioning why so many people were getting sick in the first place. "I kept seeing patients come back with new tumors, new diagnoses, and I wanted to understand what was driving this epidemic."

That led her to pursue additional board certifications in integrative medicine and culinary medicine, where she explored how food, environment, and lifestyle influence disease development.

The Truth About Chronic Disease: It’s Not Just Genetics

One of the biggest misconceptions Dr. Bhanote debunked is that chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease are primarily genetic. "The truth is, 95% of cancers are not inherited—they result from lifestyle and environmental exposures."

She pointed to the rise in early-onset cancers, particularly among young women. "I diagnosed an 18-year-old woman with breast cancer, and her genetics were completely normal. But she had been exposed to toxins from makeup, hair dyes, and processed foods since childhood."

Gut Health: The Root of All Disease

Dr. Bhanote emphasized that gut health is the foundation of overall health. "Every chronic disease—from Alzheimer’s to autoimmune disorders—can be traced back to gut dysfunction."

Common signs of gut imbalance include:

Bloating and digestive issues
Brain fog and fatigue
Hormonal imbalances
Skin conditions like acne and eczema

Her gut-healing recommendations include:

Eliminate ultra-processed foods: "Over 60% of foods in grocery stores are ultra-processed and loaded with **toxins that inflame the gut."
Eat 30+ different plant foods per week: "Diversity in plant foods feeds beneficial gut bacteria and lowers inflammation."
Reduce glyphosate exposure: "Prioritize organic produce to avoid pesticides linked to gut damage."
Incorporate Ayurvedic herbs: "Turmeric, ashwagandha, and triphala are powerful for gut restoration."

The “Angry Cell” Theory: Understanding How Disease Begins

Dr. Bhanote introduced her concept of “angry cells”—cells that have been damaged by toxins, stress, or poor nutrition. "When your cells are inflamed or dysfunctional, they send distress signals that lead to symptoms like pain, fatigue, and brain fog."

Left unchecked, these cells can turn into senescent or ‘zombie cells’, which accelerate aging and disease. "By reducing inflammation through food, movement, and detoxification, we can restore cellular health and prevent disease before it starts."

Functional Testing: Why Standard Blood Work Isn’t Enough

Dr. Bhanote believes that traditional lab tests fail to provide a full picture of health. "When you go to a regular doctor, they might run basic tests like a CBC, lipid panel, and thyroid screening. But these tests only flag issues when disease is already advanced."

She recommends deeper testing, such as:

Micronutrient Testing: "Most people are deficient in key vitamins and minerals, which weakens immune function."
Comprehensive Gut Testing: "A stool analysis reveals gut imbalances, infections, and inflammation."
Hormone and Cortisol Panels: "Chronic stress can disrupt hormones, leading to weight gain, fatigue, and poor sleep."
DNA Testing for Personalized Nutrition: "Genetic testing can guide optimal diet and supplementation strategies."

Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science: The Power of Ayurveda

Dr. Bhanote incorporates Ayurvedic principles into her practice, blending traditional herbal medicine with modern functional medicine.

"For menopausal women struggling with hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood swings, Ayurvedic herbs like shatavari and ashwagandha can be just as effective as pharmaceuticals—without the side effects."

She also recommends adapting your diet to the seasons, aligning with Ayurvedic wisdom:

Fall/Winter: Root vegetables, warming spices, and citrus for immunity.
Spring: Bitter greens and detoxifying foods to cleanse the liver.
Summer: Hydrating fruits and cooling herbs like mint and coriander.

Food as Medicine: Why Diet is Your Best Defense Against Disease

"Your diet can either fuel disease or promote longevity," Dr. Bhanote stated. "Most people focus on macronutrients (carbs, fats, protein), but micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants) are just as critical."

Her dietary principles: ✔ Prioritize whole, organic foods ✔ Avoid ultra-processed foods and refined sugars ✔ Eat a variety of colors (‘Eat the Rainbow’) for maximum nutrient intake ✔ Incorporate healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, and nuts ✔ Include fermented foods for gut health

The WELLKULÅ Approach: A Blueprint for Lifelong Health

Through her company WELLKULÅ, Dr. Bhanote offers telemedicine consultations, retreats, and in-depth testing to help patients restore their health. "My mission is to make root-cause medicine accessible to everyone."

She also hosts transformational wellness retreats, where participants experience:

Customized meal plans using functional nutrition
Breathwork, mindfulness, and meditation for stress reduction
In-depth health testing and personalized protocols

"When you remove people from their daily stressors and immerse them in healing environments, you see dramatic improvements in just a few days."

You Have the Power to Heal

Dr. Bhanote wants people to know that disease is not inevitable. "You are not a victim of your genes. Your daily choices—what you eat, how you move, how you manage stress—determine your health outcomes."

Her advice? "Stop running on autopilot. Take control of your health, nourish your body, and invest in longevity."

With her blend of modern medicine, functional testing, and ancient healing wisdom, Dr. Bhanote is proving that true health is a balance of science, nature, and intentional living.

Check here for information about the upcoming spring 2025 edition Biohack Yourself Magazine, where the team at Biohack Yourself Media dives deeper into their insights on biohacking, longevity and cutting-edge wellness strategies. Biohack Yourself Magazine is the first peer-reviewed longevity publication with international distribution across the U.S. and Canada, bringing science-backed health optimization, functional medicine and performance-driven breakthroughs to a broader audience. Pick up a copy at major retailers, including Barber & Noble, Books-A-Million, Publix, Kroger, Indigo/Chapters, and select fitness gyms and pharmacies.