Donor Story: Dr Eugene Khoo
Dr Khoo: Occupational Health, Personal Injury and Metabolic Health Practitioner
From Personal Struggle to Purpose-Driven Giving
Dr Eugene Khoo’s interest in metabolic health began with his own experience of poor health, following the very dietary advice he had been taught to trust. “I was obese at one point, and it got worse when I tried to fix it with calorie counting and a carbohydrate-centric menu. It made me pre-diabetic.”
It was only through Therapeutic Carbohydrate Reduction that Eugene was able to reclaim his health, lose weight, and find the energy to exercise sustainably. That experience ignited a clinical passion that has shaped his practice ever since.
More than a decade ago, Eugene recognised that mainstream dietetic advice was failing patients. The low-fat, calorie-counting approach he observed was not producing better health outcomes. It was producing sicker patients. His response was to go deeper into the evidence, and to find a better way.
Why He Supports AMHS
For Eugene, supporting the Australasian Metabolic Health Society was a straightforward decision. He sees AMHS as a group of highly qualified practitioners volunteering their time and expertise for the public good, at a time when that kind of altruism is increasingly rare.
“Their pragmatic clinical acumen balanced with respect for good research makes this very doctor and patient friendly. Good medicine is practical medicine bolstered by common clinical sense.”
Eugene is particularly passionate about the role of education in transforming healthcare. He points to developments in the United States, where medical school curricula are beginning to include meaningful training in dietetics, as a sign of the shift that is underway. He believes Australian healthcare must follow suit.
“It is imperative that students in healthcare learn about therapeutic carbohydrate restriction as a first-line approach for prevention and treatment.”
Investing in the Next Generation
Eugene’s donation supports sponsored student places in AMHS training, ensuring that emerging clinicians are exposed to evidence-based metabolic health education early in their careers. He sees this as one of the highest-leverage investments available in healthcare today. He also believes that meaningful change in this space cannot wait for government action. Philanthropy, he says, is how progress actually happens.
“Metabolic health is the foundation of health. The chronic disease disasters we see represent unnecessary suffering for patients and an unnecessary burden on our healthcare system. AMHS are investing in the future of metabolic health for all Australians, so good on them.”
AMHS is deeply grateful for Dr Khoo’s generosity and his commitment to building a healthier future, one clinician at a time.
To support student training and help us educate the next generation of metabolic health practitioners, donate today. Or, contact the AMHS team to discuss how you can support, email AMHS: ausmetabolichealthsoc@gmail.com
