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8. Dr Rangan Chatterjee

08 dr chatterjee rangan power50 2017 8

08 dr chatterjee rangan power50 2017 8

For much of the UK population, this Cheshire GP is the modern face of general practice. Dr Chatterjee is BBC Breakfast’s resident GP and the presenter for BBC 1’s Doctor in the House. With a prime-time slot of Monday 9pm, he reached more than four million households a week with his message that pills are not the answer.

And his message is important. In the show, Dr Chatterjee spends 10 days with a family to find the causes of their health problems. He tries to solve them without drugs, and instead makes long-lasting modifications to their lifestyles, such as the 30-day complete reversal of type 2 diabetes seen in series one that was still sustained 18 months on.

He is probably one of this year’s most visible mainstream advocates of a different approach to medicine. And his programme isn’t just entertainment. It has been recognised by the prestigious Mind Media Awards for promoting the power of nutrition and lifestyle for mental health problems.

Dr Chatterjee is using his fame to make changes in the profession. This year, he is working on the first RCGP-accredited lifestyle medicine courses to teach other doctors about its therapeutic application. He has also called on the Medical Schools Council and GMC to introduce nutrition training for doctors. His first book, The Four Pillar Plan, is out at the end of this year.

Why influential

Educating the public about lifestyle medicine

What he says

‘I hope to inspire both patients and doctors to understand the science and therapeutic value in making nutrition and lifestyle change’

Random fact

He is a keen singer/songwriter and performs regularly with his band in France