Dr. Mubin Syed on ‘Healing From Our History’ and How Colonialism Still Shapes South Asian Health

What if your health risks weren’t just about what you eat or how you move—but about the history your ancestors survived?

As a South Asian woman and gynecologist, I’ve long seen the ripple effects of misunderstood metabolic conditions, especially in women who don’t “look” unhealthy. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Mubin Syed—also known as DesiDoc on Instagram—whose new book Healing From Our History connects the dots between colonial-era famines and today’s alarming rates of disease in South Asians. His personal health scare led to years of research, and the result is a compelling case for why our bodies still carry the burdens of our history.

We also unpack what this means for PCOS, early menopause, and the misdiagnoses that come from trying to fit diverse bodies into Eurocentric templates. If you're South Asian, female, or both, this conversation will likely shift how you understand your symptoms—and how urgently we need better, more specific care.

It’s not all gloom. Mubin and I dive into actionable strategies, from rethinking white rice and walking more to using CGMs and reconsidering hormone therapy earlier. It’s knowledge, not fear, that lets us take the reins on our future health. His book, Healing From Our History, is a must-read if you want to go deeper into the research, the history, and the path forward for South Asian health.

Highlights

• The real story behind Mubin’s “healthy” heart attack.

• What to test for now especially if you’ve been dismissed before.

• How British colonialism and famine still shape South Asian metabolism.

• Why lean South Asian women may still face PCOS and early menopause.

• Epigenetics explained: your genes didn’t change, but their expression did.

If you're a healthcare provider or part of the South Asian community, I hope this episode brought clarity and context to the health challenges we often face. Share it with someone who might benefit whether that’s a colleague, a patient, or a family member. And don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment, and like the show. Your support helps amplify conversations that matter.

Dr. Syed's Bio:

Mubin Syed, MD, is a nationally recognized physician with almost 30 years experience, specializing in endovascular therapy. He is also a health historian, a medtech entrepreneur, anda medical products inventor holding 28 patents.

He is the author of a medical guide on pain treatment and two works focusing on the modern South Asian health crisis. He has been a TEDx speaker, and was featured in the “Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies” PBS documentary, and in CNN International/The Guardian and HuffPostUK.