Once informed that his chances of recovery were slim because of kidney issues stemming from poor dietary habits, 33-year-old Muhd Idzwan Syafiq Mohd Johari has become a testament to how transformation can indeed occur.
Thanks to immense willpower and significant alterations to his daily routine, he managed to restore his well-being and no longer depends on dialysis.
His problems started when his weight shot up to 190 kilograms because of an uncontrolled diet packed with junk food, chicken nuggets, and items loaded with salt and sugar.
By the time he reached 25, he was already struggling with gout, and over time, his health deteriorated further, resulting in problems like bone issues and even pulmonary embolisms.
Nevertheless, things took a different turn once he chose to seize control. Through remarkable self-control, he successfully lost more than 135 kg within half a year, reducing his weight to 55 kg.
This impressive change assisted in enhancing his kidney health, lowering it from stage five to stage three.
“I recognized that without making changes, I would have to rely on dialysis indefinitely. Following only six treatments, I contracted a bacterial infection as a result of multiple gout marks on my hands and elsewhere on my body. This made me realize I needed to seek an alternative path to better health," he shared with journalists during a Ramadan-breaking ceremony organized for World Kidney Day 2025 earlier this month.
Idzwan's path was not without challenges. In 2019, he had a serious accident where he fell down a staircase at home, resulting in internal bleeding which led to blood clots, adding more complexity to his pre-existing delicate health condition.
“I went through four operations from 2019 to 2022 to address my spine problems. Even though the discomfort persisted, I didn’t surrender. I remained steadfast in my pursuit of better health,” he stated.
In the meantime, Prof Dr. Ab Aziz Al-Safi, who founded and currently directs Neo Medicare, mentioned that throughout the last 13 years, their health facility has assisted over 5,000 individuals in enhancing their overall well-being.
We employ therapeutic methods supported by scientific research, including hydrotherapy with hot water, sauna sessions, massage therapies, and cupping techniques to aid our patients.
"The main point for individuals with kidney issues is maintaining good nutrition. These people ought to cut down on animal proteins and substitute them with vegetable-based protein sources such as greens, barley, and honey," he stated.
Dr Ab Aziz mentioned that numerous patients find it difficult to control their health issues primarily due to neglecting the significance of proper nutrition.
Nevertheless, he mentioned that with appropriate modifications, they could lessen their reliance on medication and simultaneously relish a superior and more satisfying existence. - BERNAMA