A prominent Indian liver specialist has publicly challenged a wellness claim made by a top tech entrepreneur, reigniting a crucial debate about scientific evidence versus viral health trends. The dispute involves Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, known online as The Liver Doc, and Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal.
The Spark: A Podcast and a Public Rebuke
The controversy flared up after a clip from the Raj Shamani Podcast went viral. In it, Goyal stated he had lost respect for Dr. Philips after the doctor declined a private discussion on a novel theory of ageing. Responding on social media platform X, Dr. Philips posted a lengthy critique, targeting what he called an ancient, already debunked gravitational theory of ageing being used to market a wellness product.
He dismissed the product as having no scientific basis, comparing it to a fat band-aid stuck to the temple. The hepatologist emphasized his duty to call out misinformation repackaged as wellness innovation. This public disagreement is a spillover from a clash that began in November 2025, when Dr. Philips first challenged Goyal's theory.
What is the 'Gravitational Theory of Ageing'?
The theory in question proposes that human ageing is primarily caused by Earth's gravity. It suggests the constant 1G pull on our upright bodies reduces blood flow to the brain, especially the hypothalamus, over decades. This gravitational effect, according to the hypothesis, is a dominant driver of ageing, surpassing factors like genetics, lifestyle, or molecular processes.
Dr. Philips firmly rejected this idea, labeling it reductionist, mono-causal and scientifically untenable. He argued it conflicts with the established, multi-factorial understanding of ageing studied by biologists worldwide.
Scientific Flaws and a Call for Evidence
Dr. Philips detailed several scientific objections. He pointed out a category error in treating a physical force like gravity as a direct biological mechanism. Examples used to support the theory, such as astronaut health data or bat longevity, were based on misinterpreted data and logical fallacies, he claimed.
Ageing is driven by intertwined cellular, molecular and genetic processes, not a single dominant cause, he noted. The doctor urged Goyal to invest resources into evidence-based research on recognized hallmarks of ageing, like genomic instability and telomere attrition, which offer testable pathways for genuine scientific progress.
A Refused Private Talk and Public Principle
Revealing a behind-the-scenes detail, Dr. Philips stated that after his initial criticism, Goyal had privately reached out for a one-on-one Zoom discussion. The doctor declined, stating it would be a waste of time. If there is evidence, it should be presented publicly so everyone can benefit, he wrote. This principle of public scientific discourse was what led to Goyal's subsequent comment about losing respect during the podcast.
Dr. Philips concluded with a warning, drawing parallels to questionable longevity experiments elsewhere. He cautioned that India risks going down a similar path of speculative wellness narratives, coining a sharp phrase: The future of wellness is cooked. Never delivered. Definitely not in 10 minutes.
