Nithin Kamath's stroke: His close associate has message for those who do 10,000 steps a day

Dilip Kumar, a close associate of Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath, has joined the debate on being fit vs being healthy. Recently, founder and CEO of stock broker Zerodha Nithin Kamath revealed that he had a "mild stroke" about six weeks ago and is recovering. He said that it could take three to six months for a full recovery. It was a big surprise for many as Kamath is a fitness enthusiast and occasionally shares his work-out pics. In the post on X, Kamath wondered why a person who is fit and takes care of himself could be affected.

Dilip Kumar works closely with Nithin Kamath and is associated with Rainmatter, an initiative by Zerodha, which backs
Indian entrepreneurs working in the area of money and health.


"We have done workouts and races together. I know him a little more than others making opinions and commentary on social media," Dilip Kumar said in a post, referring to Nithin Kamath.

In a series of posts, Dilip Kumar emphasized that being physically fit does not necessarily equate to being healthy. Many individuals mistakenly assume that fitness and health are interchangeable terms but they represent distinct aspects of physical well-being, he said.

Going to gym or doing 10,000 daily regularly?

Fitness, he said, primarily pertains to one's capacity to engage in physical activities, encompassing attributes like endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, and speed, which individuals develop through exercise. On the other hand, health encompasses complete well-being, encompassing physical, mental, and social dimensions, with bodily systems functioning harmoniously, he added.

"You may be a runner, go to gym regularly or get your ten thousand daily steps. Fitness doesn't guarantee health," he said.

While athletes and celebrities may appear fit and healthy, appearances can be deceiving, Dilip Kumar said. Despite being physically fit, individuals may still face health issues stemming from factors such as inadequate nutrition, stress, sleep deprivation, or underlying medical conditions, he said.

Also read: Why Zerodha's Nithin Kamath, a fitness enthusiast, suffered a stroke?

In our fast-paced lives filled with stress and distractions, maintaining a balance between fitness and healthy living becomes imperative, especially for those who prioritize physical fitness, he said. It's crucial to manage stress effectively and prioritize rest alongside exercise to promote growth and well-being, he said.

"Going to a gym or doing a run doesn’t get you a heart attack or stroke. Overdoing it might. So do everything in the right proportion," he said.

For holistic well-being, he suggests: monitoring health through blood tests, consultation with healthcare professionals and qualified nutritionists and trainer and spending less time doing commentary on Whatsapp groups and more with family and friends.

What Nithin Kamath said in his post

Zerodha founder said that the possible reasons for the stroke could be stress due to his father passing away, poor sleep, exhaustion, dehydration, and overworking out. He said his doctor told him that he must "know when you need to shift the gears down a bit."

What Doctors Say

Observing that Nithin Kamath is among the "most physically fit individuals," Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist based in Hyderabad, pointed out that the Zerodha founder accurately identified five potential risk factors contributing to his stroke: Stress from his father's passing, insufficient sleep, excessive exercise, fatigue due to work responsibilities and workouts, and dehydration.

Dr. Kumar's recommendation is to prioritize moderation in exercise, ensuring sufficient rest, and reducing workload for those who are overburdened with work commitments.