[Written in partnership with RENN Asia Wellness, but the editorial team had full control over the content.]
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice.
When it comes to causes of stroke, three usual suspects come to mind—high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar. So, manage those, and you’ll be fine, right?
Of course, managing those symptoms are important, but there are other risk factors that shouldn’t be swept under the rug.
RENN Asia Wellness, a Malaysian holistic health and wellness centre, shares with Vulcan Post some factors that we might be overlooking.
Addressing the fears
Many people may unknowingly live with risk factors that can silently increase stroke susceptibility. At least, that’s what Jonathan Chew, the CEO of RENN Asia Wellness, believes.
Jonathan calls these the fear factors—key markers that conventional screenings may overlook.
He shared that one critical but often ignored risk is arterial stiffness.
“When arteries lose their flexibility, the heart has to work harder to pump blood, increasing the likelihood of rupture and stroke,” Jonathan explained.
Elevated ferritin and homocysteine levels are also major concerns.
Ferritin, a protein that stores iron, can be a red flag for oxidative stress, which damages blood vessels and accelerates cardiovascular ageing.
Meanwhile, homocysteine is an amino acid that has been linked to inflammation and clot formation. Both of these can significantly increase stroke risk.
“The good news is that once we identify these fear factors, we can take precise, science-driven actions to reduce risk through targeted nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle changes,” Jonathan adds.
That’s why RENN Asia Wellness offers advanced screening to pinpoint these hidden dangers, offering interventions to mitigate them.
Beyond physical risk factors, Jonathan acknowledges that there’s a psychological burden that comes with stroke fear.
“Many individuals—especially those with a family history—live in constant anxiety. Our role is to equip them with knowledge, strategies, and confidence to take control of their health.”
Treating the roots
At RENN Asia Wellness, it’s all about taking a comprehensive and root-cause approach to wellness.
Their comprehensive framework includes personalised nutrition plans, targeted supplementation, and lifestyle modifications designed to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and enhance neuroprotection.
RENN Asia also leverages something called metabolic optimisation. By addressing insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation—three major contributors to stroke—patients can significantly reduce their risks.
They also integrate something called nutritional functional medicine (NFM) to address immediate risk factors as well as support long-term recovery.
Sometimes referred to as functional nutrition, NFM is a branch of complementary medicine.
It’s defined by the Association of Nutritional and Functional Medicine Practitioners in Malaysia as: “the application of cutting-edge health and medical science and evidence-based nutrients, phytochemicals, nutraceuticals to enable patients to maximise their health potential including treating, controlling and preventing chronic metabolic health disorders in which protocols can impact their hormonal, neurological and/or immune functions.”
According to RENN Asia, functional nutrition is used to support brain healing and cognitive function, while evidence-based therapies, such as specific nutrient protocols, help improve vascular health.
“We focus on helping individuals regain strength, independence, and quality of life through precision medicine,” Jonathan added. “It’s not just about treating symptoms; it’s about giving the body the right tools to heal itself.”
Taking action now
Many of us might assume that stroke is something we can’t control, and that it appears suddenly. In reality, we have more control over our own health than we want to admit sometimes.
Jonathan pointed out that stroke is often the result of years of silent damage accumulating within the body.
“We have to stop treating health like a fire we only put out once it’s already burning,” Jonathan emphasised. “Instead of waiting for symptoms to show, we advocate for early screenings, targeted prevention, and long-term wellness strategies.”
This mindset aligns with the philosophy at RENN Asia Wellness, where root-cause solutions are offered, empowering individuals to take charge of their health rather than just managing symptoms.
This is done by integrating nutritional interventions, functional medicine, and complementary therapies.
But of course, not everyone can afford to take control.
Understanding that affordability is a major concern in healthcare, Jonathan aims to keep the pricing at RENN Asia Wellness as accessible as possible.
He elaborated, “We deliberately keep our pricing competitive while maintaining the highest standards of care, so more people can benefit.”
While gaining awareness on this subject is a key, it’s not enough.
As Malaysia faces rising rates of non-communicable diseases, awareness alone isn’t enough. Action is key.
Regular health screenings, lifestyle adjustments, and exploring alternative care options like those offered by RENN Asia Wellness can make all the difference.
- Learn more about RENN Asia Wellness here.
- Read other articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.
Featured Image Credit: Renn Asia Wellness
