Fiza Alias (2nd from left) and Hakan Alkan, MPOC Turkiye (far right) with the writer Dr Rahim Said (seated on the right)
by Dr Rahim Said
On the sidelines of Beauty Istanbul, amidst the buzz of skincare launches and wellness talks, we stumbled upon an extraordinary story of resilience, hope, and unexpected discovery — one that beautifully blends the worlds of health and entrepreneurship.
Fiza Alias is no stranger to adversity. Diagnosed with a life-threatening autoimmune disease that severely compromised her blood circulation, Fiza faced the terrifying prospect of losing her limbs.
In fact, the disease claimed her little toe. Conventional treatment options were limited, and in a twist of medical irony, her doctors prescribed her Viagra — yes, the well-known erectile dysfunction medication — to help improve blood flow.
While it kept her condition at bay, it also placed tremendous strain on her heart, which had to work overtime to meet the demand.
Then came a turning point. At a health symposium, Fiza attended a talk by a professor on the therapeutic potential of bird’s nest — the delicacy produced by swiftlets, revered in traditional medicine for its rejuvenating properties.
That day, fate intervened. Fiza had forgotten her medication and soon noticed her fingers turning blue. Panic set in. The professor urged her to try a dose of bird’s nest. Incredibly, her condition stabilised. The bluish hue faded, and a gentle warmth returned to her fingers.
What might have been a chance encounter sparked a new chapter in Fiza’s life. Intrigued and encouraged by her experience, she delved deeper into the healing benefits of bird’s nest, eventually turning it into a health supplement business.
Her journey didn’t stop there.
In her quest to create comprehensive, natural solutions for circulatory health, Fiza was introduced to Kunak Lipids, a Malaysian producer specialising in natural tocotrienols — a lesser-known yet potent member of the Vitamin E family. Scientific research has increasingly shown tocotrienols’ ability to support cardiovascular health and enhance blood circulation, complementing her bird’s nest supplements perfectly.
We caught up with Fiza and her team at a workshop on the sidelines of Beauty Istanbul, facilitated by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) Turkiye at Point Hotel, Barbaros.
Pictured with her are representatives from Kunak Lipids and Hakan Alkan, Head of MPOC Turkiye — a testament to the collaborative spirit between wellness entrepreneurs and natural product innovators.
Fiza’s story is more than one of survival; it’s a remarkable example of how personal health battles can inspire meaningful ventures that offer hope to others. A reminder, too, that sometimes the most effective solutions are those nature has quietly provided all along.
WE