Riding that wellness trend to a healthier Malaysia

The Star

26-05-2025

Walk into any Malaysian pharmacy, scroll through social media, or spend five minutes at a weekend market, and you'll see it: the wellness wave.
Herbal teas promising 'natural detox', fitness trackers counting every step, yoga mats slung over shoulders like badges of honour, etc.
From the United States to South Korea to the Middle East – and now in Malaysia – people are becoming more proactive about their health, and much of that action is happening outside of hospitals and clinics.
This growing trend – often called consumer-driven wellness – is about everyday people taking charge of their health through diet, exercise, regular screenings and lifestyle tweaks.
In Malaysia, where chronic diseases are rising fast and public healthcare is under pressure, the impact could be huge.
But with every turmeric shot or 'miracle' supplement, there's a catch: not all wellness is backed by science, and some of it could do more harm than good.
A big business
Globally, wellness is big business.
Americans spend billions of dollars on health tech, supplements and boutique fitness classes.
In South Korea, wellness is sleek and high-tech – early screenings, personalised nutrition plans and 'biohacking' regimens are now part of mainstream life.
In the Middle East, especially in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, government health campaigns are encouraging citizens to lose weight, eat better and be more active.
Boutique gyms and wellness retreats are popping up in cities like Dubai faster than you can say 'mindful meditation'.
Malaysia is starting to catch up.
Our cities are full of juice bars, organic grocers and fitness apps.
Instagram is bursting with local influencers touting 'clean eating' and morning workouts.
Even the government is encouraging healthier lifestyles through campaigns that aim to shift public attitudes from treatment to prevention.
This shift matters.
Malaysia is facing a serious health challenge.
Diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity are on the rise.
These diseases are expensive to treat, tough to manage and often avoidable.
Encouraging Malaysians to take better care of themselves before they get sick could save lives – and billions of ringgit.
Equal access needed
It's easy to see the appeal.
Why wait for a diagnosis when you can take small steps now to avoid getting sick in the first place?
Regular exercise, eating well, reducing stress and sleeping enough – these are the unglamorous, but powerful tools that can dramatically reduce your risk of major illnesses.
Financially, the benefits are just as clear.
Hospital bills, medication and lost productivity cost both individuals and the country huge amounts every year.
A study from the Health Ministry estimated that chronic diseases may cost Malaysia more than RM10bil a year.
Prevention doesn't just help people live longer, it helps them stay out of hospital beds and in the workforce.
But here's the challenge: not everyone can afford gym memberships or organic food.
The wellness trend risks becoming an urban, middle-class privilege.
For those in rural areas or low-income households, staying healthy isn't always a matter of choice; it's about access, time and cost.
If Malaysia wants wellness to be more than a lifestyle trend, it has to make it accessible to everyone.
Keep informed
Malaysia's multicultural heritage has long embraced natural and traditional remedies.
Malay jamu, Chinese herbs and Indian Ayurvedic treatments have been part of family routines for generations.
Many of these practices can offer real benefits, especially when it comes to minor ailments or stress relief.
But today's wellness marketplace is different.
It's louder, flashier and not always honest.
The rise of 'healthfluencers' on social media has led to a flood of bold claims: miracle pills that melt fat, supplements that 'cure' diabetes, detox kits that supposedly clean out your liver, etc.
Some of it is harmless, while some of it is useful, but some of it is dangerous.
Supplements may contain hidden drugs, interact with medications or give people false hope.
When someone chooses a fake cure over real treatment, the results can be deadly.
Regulators have tried to step in, but online sales and social media marketing make enforcement difficult.
The key is balance.
People shouldn't be discouraged from exploring traditional remedies or lifestyle changes, but they should have access to accurate information too.
That means educating the public, training healthcare professionals to talk about wellness without dismissing it, and holding scammers accountable.
Turning trends into strategy
The rise of consumer-driven health isn't a bad thing; in fact, it's exactly what Malaysia needs.
Our public hospitals are under pressure, our population is getting older, and lifestyle diseases are becoming more common.
Getting people to take care of their health before things go wrong is smart policy.
But to make it work, we need a strategy.
That means: Government support – e.g. incentives for health screenings, fitness programmes and nutritious food.
Better information – e.g. public education campaigns and regulation of health claims online.
Inclusive access – i.e. making sure wellness isn't just for the rich, but available in rural areas and low-income communities as well.
It also means a new mindset from doctors and patients alike.
People are no longer just passive patients; they're consumers, researchers and decision-makers.
Doctors need to engage with this reality, guide their patients through the noise, and work with – not against – this new wave of wellness.
Consumer-driven wellness isn't just a trend; it's a powerful shift in how we think about health.
Done right, it could help Malaysia become healthier, more resilient and less dependent on expensive treatments.
Done wrong, it could lead to more inequality, misinformation and false hope.
Wellness is good, but smart wellness – guided by science, grounded in reality, and open to all – is better.
Dr Helmy Haja Mydin is a consultant respiratory physician and Social & Economic Research Initiative chairman. For further information, email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.