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How flesh-eating disease and diabetes sparked Indian executive’s health reset

Dhiraj Bhandary, who beat a flesh-eating disease, reversed his type 2 diabetes and lost 21kg, talks about taking up distance running

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Dhiraj Bhandary after taking part in a distance race with his wife, Deeksha, and their sons in Gurgaon, India. Bhandary started running to get fit after being diagnosed with diabetes and a flesh-eating disease. Photo: Dhiraj Bhandary

When doctors told Dhiraj Bhandary in 2018 that he had a rare, life-threatening disease and type 2 diabetes, he moved quickly to take charge of his health and transform his life.

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Bhandary took up distance running and changed his lifestyle. Over the past four years, he has run four full marathons and 85 half marathons – 10 of these actual races and 75 runs in training – an average of one half marathon a month.

He dropped 21kg (46lb), from 96kg in 2018 to 75kg in 2020, and now weighs about 78kg. He went off medication for his type 2 diabetes in 2020. He inspired his wife and 12-year-old son to take up running, too.
His transformation six years ago came after a diagnosis of Fournier’s gangrene, a type of necrotising fasciitis or bacterial infection that may cause parts of the body’s soft tissue to die.
Bhandary takes part in the Tata Mumbai Marathon in India, in 2023. Photo: Dhiraj Bhandary
Bhandary takes part in the Tata Mumbai Marathon in India, in 2023. Photo: Dhiraj Bhandary

The now 45-year-old Bhandary had fallen ill with a high fever and was rushed to hospital, where his average blood glucose level had climbed to more than double the normal level and the infection was discovered. Prompt hospital admission and surgery saved his life. An eight-week recovery process followed.

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