Education

Kalpna Ramji, PhD                     Founder and CEO, Svelte Zone                     The Art and Science of Healthy Eating    

Academic Accomplishments: 

Dr. Ramji obtained her Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Connecticut with a specialization in Lipoprotein and Cholesterol metabolism. After receiving her PhD, Dr. Ramji completed her post-doctoral research training in Cardiovascular Biology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston

I have a lifelong passion of helping others on their health, fitness and weight loss journey.  

Why it works: Lifestyle changes are difficult due to demands of work, career, family and our social groups. Even for those who are motivated to change, it is not clear which path to follow. It is common for the various diet-plans to provide conflicting information. Some recommend a paleo diet, while others recommend a vegetarian one. Even if one manages to pick an option, these diets are hard to sustain. Why? Because cravings for certain foods you grew up eating kick-in. For instance, if you grew up eating Indian food it is hard to survive on a salad. And you constantly feeling that you are missing out! As a result of poor eating choices, weight-related issues such as belly fat, energy levels, and stress levels remain a major concern. 

How it works: The Svelte Zone plan is a balanced nutritional plan utilizing all macronutrient food groups to obtain & maintain a desirable body composition. You can even eat Indian or any cultural food smartly and still lose weight. With my meal plans you feel full and satisfied and the body fat percentage will decrease. The Svelte Zone Program supports your healthy lifestyle transformation in the following way.

1. Structured approach where good nutrition balances individual palate
2. Easy to Implement (no counting calories, carbs) = Intuitive eating
3. Accountability 
4. Nutrition Education
5. Personal Support & Focus

I have helped hundreds of clients lose fat and regain their health, energy and their life back the Svelte Zone Way! 

• Ramjiganesh T, Liu X, Chen YH, Chung SW, Hall SR, Schissel SL, Padera RF Jr, Liao R, Ackerman KG, Kajstura J, Leri A, Anversa P, Yet SF, Layne MD, Perrella MA. Disruption of striated preferentially expressed gene locus leads to dilated cardiomyopathy in mice. Circulation. 2009 Jan 20;119(2):261-8. Epub 2008 Dec 31.

• Herron KL, Vega-Lopez S, Conde K, Ramjiganesh T, Shachter NS, Fernandez ML. Men classified as hypo- or hyperresponders to dietary cholesterol feeding exhibit differences in lipoprotein metabolism. J Nutr. 2003 Apr;133(4):1036-42.

• West KL, Ramjiganesh T, Roy S, Keller BT, Fernandez ML.1-[4-[4[(4R,5R)-3,3-Dibutyl-7-(dimethylamino)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-1,1-dioxido-1-benzothiepin-5-yl]phenoxy]butyl]-4-aza-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane methanesulfonate (SC-435), an ileal apical sodium-codependent bile acid transporter inhibitor alters hepatic cholesterol metabolism and lowers plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations in guinea pigs. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2002 Oct;303(1):293-9.

• Herron KL, Vega-Lopez S, Conde K, Ramjiganesh T, Roy S, Shachter NS, Fernandez ML. Pre-menopausal women, classified as hypo- or hyperresponders, do not alter their LDL/HDL ratio following a high dietary cholesterol challenge. J Am Coll Nutr. 2002 Jun;21(3):250-8.

• Ramjiganesh T, Roy S, Freake HC, McIntyre JC, Fernandez ML. Corn fiber oil lowers plasma cholesterol by altering hepatic cholesterol metabolism and up-regulating LDL receptors in guinea pigs. J Nutr. 2002 Mar;132(3):335-40.

• Fernandez ML, West KL, Roy S, Ramjiganesh T. Dietary fat saturation and gender/hormonal status modulate plasma lipids and lipoprotein composition. J Nutr Biochem. 2001 Dec;12(12):703-710.

• Cos E, Ramjiganesh T, Roy S, Yoganathan S, Nicolosi RJ, Fernandez ML. Soluble fiber and soybean protein reduce atherosclerotic lesions in guinea pigs. Sex and hormonal status determine lesion extension. Lipids. 2001 Nov;36(11):1209-16.

• Ramjiganesh T, Roy S, McIntyre JC, Luz Fernandez M. The hypocholesterolaemic effects of sitostanol in the guinea pig are in part related to changes in hepatic lipids and lipoprotein composition. Br J Nutr. 2001 Feb;85(2):165-72.

• Ramjiganesh T, Roy S, Nicolosi RJ, Young TL, McIntyre JC, Fernandez ML. Corn husk oil lowers plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations by decreasing cholesterol absorption and altering hepatic cholesterol metabolism in guinea pigs. J Nutr Biochem. 2000 Jul-Aug;11(7-8):358-66.