Farm Fresh. Chief Operating Officer ( COO ).

FARM FRESH. 

KESUM

Azmi Zainal, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Farm Fresh Berhad

At the COO level, there is no such thing as “working hours.”

For Azmi Zainal, leadership is a continuous discipline refining systems, sharpening decisions, & improving outcomes every single day. As Chief Operating Officer of Farm Fresh Berhad, a company listed on the Bursa Malaysia (KL Stock Exchange), every action carries weight. Every initiative must ultimately translate into value creation, sales performance & protection of the bottom line - always in alignment with the Board of Directors and stakeholders.

Farm Fresh’s journey is no longer just about fresh milk. Today, it is about strategic expansion, new product extensions & overseas market penetration building sustainable growth beyond borders while preserving operational excellence at home. This requires clarity of thought, speed of execution & the courage to think beyond convention.

Yet leadership is not only defined in boardrooms.

Beyond corporate responsibility, Azmi is also a father, a husband & a family man. Balancing these roles is not about time alone - it is about quality, presence & intention. Whether leading teams or sharing moments with family, the goal remains the same: to be fully engaged & to enjoy each moment with purpose.

As he approaches his 60s, one principle has become non-negotiable:

wellness is strategic capital.

Sustained leadership demands more than experience - it requires mental clarity, resilience, & the ability to think out of the box, especially in an increasingly complex global business environment. For this reason, Azmi prioritizes solutions that are science-driven, clinically evaluated & evidence-based.

Rather than relying on commonly cited botanicals such as ginkgo, green tea, mushrooms, garlic, bacopa, or turmeric - which are often associated with general cognitive support but lack specificity in neurogenesis pathways - the focus shifts toward ingredients supported by measurable biomarkers, particularly Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).

Why KESUM (Polygonum minus  Persicaria Minor )? Persicaria Minor - Biokesum.

KESUM stands apart due to its clinical relevance and international-grade data. In a controlled human intervention study:

After 6 months, the percentage mean change of BDNF increased by 2.03% in the Biokesum® group,

while the placebo group showed a 19.19% decrease in BDNF

Triglycerides decreased by 19.05% in the Biokesum® group, versus a 10.17% increase in placebo

Results were statistically significant (Two-way mixed ANOVA, p < 0.05)

These findings highlight KESUM’s association with BDNF-related pathways, an important biomarker linked to brain adaptability, neurogenesis support, and long-term cognitive resilience - without positioning it as a treatment or cure.

For leaders operating at the highest level, decisions must be grounded in facts, data & accountability. Wellness, like business strategy, should meet international standards.

For Azmi Zainal, staying ahead means protecting the mind that drives decisions - so he can continue to lead, innovate & contribute meaningfully, both at work & at home.

Farm Fresh Café Latte Tongkat Ali.

Where Real Milk Meets Real Energy

Every day begins with a choice.

Not just coffee - but what kind of energy you allow into your body.

Farm Fresh Café Latte Tongkat Ali was created for those who demand more than instant fixes. More than canned sweetness. More than artificial promises.

This is energy, done properly.

From Malaysian Farms to Your Hands

At its heart is 100% fresh dairy milk, sourced and produced with Farm Fresh’s commitment to purity - no preservatives, no shortcuts. Smooth, creamy, honest milk that forms the perfect base for a bold café experience.

Then comes the double espresso - premium Arabica coffee, brewed for those who love a strong, confident coffee character. Rich aroma. Deep flavour. Real kick.

But what makes this café latte truly different…

is Tongkat Ali.

Powered by PHYSTA® Tongkat Ali

Not just any Tongkat Ali - PHYSTA®, the world’s most researched, patented Tongkat Ali extract.

Clinically studied. Standardised. Trusted globally.

PHYSTA® Tongkat Ali is known for supporting:

Natural energy & vitality

Stress resilience

Mental alertness & focus

Overall functional wellness

This isn’t a gimmick.

It’s functional nutrition, backed by science - blended seamlessly into a daily coffee ritual.

 

Naturally Sweet. Naturally Better.

Sweetened gently with date extract, not refined sugar.

Balanced. Smooth. Less crash. More sustain.

The result?

A café latte that tastes indulgent - yet fits into a modern, health-aware lifestyle.

Grab. Go. Perform.

Packed in a 200ml UHT format, Farm Fresh Café Latte Tongkat Ali is made for real life:

Morning drives

Busy meetings

Long days

Training sessions

Travel & work on the move

No preparation. No compromise.

Just open, sip - move forward with confidence.

Not Instant. Not Canned.

Just Fresh. Just Functional. Just Real.

Farm Fresh Café Latte Tongkat Ali represents a new generation of beverages - where traditional Malaysian herbs, modern dairy excellence, and global coffee culture meet.

A proud Malaysian innovation.

Ready for the world.  

 

KESUM

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Nipah Virus and Brain Inflammation: Why Resilience Before Crisis Is Critical.

 When the Brain Is Under Threat: Understanding Nipah Virus & the Role of Resilience.

Nipah virus (NiV) is one of the world’s most feared zoonotic infections. 

Nipah Virus Symptoms

Not because it is common - but because when it strikes, it overwhelms the brain & lungs fast.

After exposure, symptoms may appear within 3 -14 days, sometimes longer. What begins as a simple fever can quietly escalate into acute respiratory distress & encephalitis - brain inflammation that can progress to coma within 24 - 48 hours.

There is no specific cure or vaccine. Medical care today remains supportive, focused on keeping patients alive while the body fights back.

This reality forces a crucial question:

If we cannot cure Nipah yet, can we strengthen the body & brain before damage accelerates?

The Critical Battle: Brain Swelling, Stress & Immune Collapse

In severe Nipah infection, three things often happen together:

Rapid brain inflammation, disrupting cognition & consciousness

Extreme physiological stress, with elevated cortisol

Immune system exhaustion, reducing the body’s ability to respond effectively

This cascade explains why patients may move quickly from fever to confusion, seizures & coma.

Modern medicine works heroically at the emergency stage -

but resilience before crisis is where prevention science matters.

Supporting the Body - Without Overclaim

PHYSTA® Tongkat Ali (Biotropics Malaysia)

Across 26 published clinical studies (14 from Biotropics), PHYSTA® has consistently shown:

Improved energy & vitality

Reduction in stress hormone (cortisol)

Support for healthy testosterone levels

Indirect strengthening of immune balance & stress response

Lower cortisol is not a cure -

but it matters, because excess cortisol worsens confusion, agitation & immune suppression during severe infections.

KESUM (Polygonum minus): Brain Support at the Cellular Level

Clinical findings on KESUM demonstrate a significant increase in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) - a protein essential for:

Neuron survival

Brain plasticity

Cognitive recovery

BDNF does not stop viral infection.

But it supports the brain’s ability to cope with inflammation, stress & injury.

In conditions where brain swelling progresses rapidly, supporting neuro-resilience may help slow deterioration - not reverse it instantly, but buy time.

The Key Message: Preparedness, Not Promises

To be clear & responsible:

PHYSTA® and KESUM do NOT treat Nipah virus

They do NOT replace emergency medical care

They do NOT claim to cure encephalitis or prevent infection

What they may do - based on clinical science - is:

Support immune strength

Reduce stress-related neurological burden

Maintain brain function resilience

Help the body stay further away from the edge when extreme stressors occur

In diseases where there is no cure, distance from crisis matters.

A Calm, Science-First Perspective

Nipah virus reminds us of a hard truth:

Sometimes medicine cannot stop the storm - only help the body survive it.

Building strength, resilience & neurological support before crisis is not hype.

It is preparedness.

And preparedness, done responsibly, saves time -

sometimes the most precious currency the brain has. 

Tongkat Ali Nu-Prep.

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KESUM

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for educational purposes only. PHYSTA® and KESUM are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent Nipah virus or any infectious disease. Always seek immediate medical care for suspected infections or neurological symptoms.

Two Brain Injuries. One Recovery Challenge

Two Different Brain Injuries, One Critical Need: Supporting Neuroplasticity After Encephalitis and Stroke

 

Nipah Virus

1. The key difference between both conditions

🧠 Encephalitis (e.g. Nipah virus–related)

Nature

·       Acute brain inflammation, usually due to viral infection

·       Rapid onset, high mortality, no definitive cure or vaccine (for Nipah)

Main damage mechanism

·       Cytokine storm & neuroinflammation

·       Neuronal death

·       Suppression of neurotrophic factors (including BDNF)

·       Severe oxidative stress

Clinical reality

·       Treatment = supportive care only

·       Goal = survive acute phase, limit damage

·       Long-term cognitive & psychosocial impairment common

🧠 Chronic Stroke (Post-acute / recovery phase)

Nature

·       Ischemic or hemorrhagic injury already occurred

·       Damage is localized, not infectious

·       Patient survives but with neurological deficits

Main damage mechanism

·       Neuronal loss due to hypoxia

·       Reduced neuroplasticity

·       Impaired synaptic reconnection

·       Chronic inflammation & oxidative stress

Clinical reality

·       No drug can regenerate brain tissue

·       Focus = rehabilitation, neuroplasticity, quality of life

 

🔑 Core difference (simple table)

Aspect	Encephalitis	Chronic Stroke
Phase	Acute, life-threatening	Chronic, recovery
Cause	Infection / inflammation	Vascular injury
Inflammation	Severe & systematic	Low-grade, persistent
Treatment	Supportive only	Rehab & symptom
Ummet need	Neuroprotective	Neurodegeneration

 

2. Where PHYSTA® Tongkat Ali fits (supportive role)

 

PHYSTA is NOT a treatment or cure for encephalitis or stroke.

Its value is systemic support.

What PHYSTA can reasonably support:

·       ✔️ Energy metabolism (ATP support)

·       ✔️ Stress modulation (↓ cortisol)

·       ✔️ Immune resilience

·       ✔️ Muscle strength & recovery (important in post-stroke rehab)

·       ✔️ Hormonal balance → indirectly supports brain recovery

Why this matters in BOTH conditions:

·       Encephalitis survivors → extreme fatigue, hormonal dysregulation

·       Stroke patients → muscle wasting, low endurance, poor rehab tolerance

 

PHYSTA supports the body so the brain has a better environment to recover.

3. KESUM ( Persicaria minor / Polygonum minus ) becomes the key differentiator

Mechanisms relevant to BOTH conditions

🔬 1. BDNF modulation

·       BDNF is critical for

·       Neuron survival

·       Synaptic plasticity

·       Cognitive recovery

 

Both encephalitis & stroke are associated with reduced BDNF

👉 KESUM’s quercetin-rich profile supports neurotrophic pathways

(supportive, not therapeutic claim)

🔬 2. Anti-inflammatory (neuro-safe)

·       Helps down-regulate neuroinflammation

Relevant to:

·       Acute inflammatory damage (encephalitis recovery phase)

·       Chronic micro-inflammation (post-stroke brain)

🔬 3. Antioxidant neuroprotection

·       Reduces oxidative stress

·       Protects remaining neurons from secondary injury

 

Why KESUM is more relevant to the BRAIN than PHYSTA

Aspect	PHYSTA	KESUM
Primary action	Systemic / endocrine	Neurocentric
BDNF relevance	Indirect	Direct support
Brain inflammation	Indirect	Direct
Cognitive recovery	Supportive	Targeted support

 

 

4. ✅ PHYSTA supports systemic strength, immune resilience & recovery capacity, while KESUM supports brain neuroplasticity, inflammation balance & cognitive resilience. Together, they create a supportive internal environment for neurological recovery - without replacing medical care.

5. Encephalitis destroys the brain through inflammation; stroke damages it through ischemia - but both converge on one unmet need: restoring neuroplasticity. KESUM addresses the brain, PHYSTA supports the body.

Nipah Virus

Tongkat Ali Nu-Prep

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KESUM

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When Encephalitis Injures the Brain: Neuroprotection, BDNF, and the Science of Brain Resilience

 When Encephalitis Injures the Brain: Neuroprotection, BDNF, and the Science of Brain Resilience. 

Nipah Virus.

Nipah Virus. Brain Swelling. 

Executive Brief

Neuroprotection, BDNF & Brain Resilience in Encephalitis:

Scientific Context for KESUM® (Persicaria minor) & PHYSTA®**

1. Clinical Context: Encephalitis & Brain Injury

Nipah virus infection is frequently complicated by acute encephalitis, a condition associated with high mortality & long-term neurological disability.

Neuroimaging findings report:

·       Hyperintense MRI lesions in ~71% of cases

·       Predominant involvement of the temporal lobes & pons

·       Bilateral white-matter abnormalities

Pathophysiology consistent with micro-embolic injury, neuroinflammation & cerebral edema

These changes reflect structural & functional brain injury, not merely transient inflammation, & are strongly associated with impaired cognitive recovery among survivors.

2. Why BDNF Matters in Encephalitis

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a central regulator of:

·       Neuronal survival under inflammatory stress

·       Synaptic plasticity & reconnection

·       White-matter integrity

·       Cognitive & psychosocial recovery

Clinical neuroscience literature consistently shows that declining BDNF levels correlate with worse neurological outcomes, including persistent cognitive impairment after encephalitis, stroke & neurodegenerative conditions.

In severe brain inflammation, preserving neurotrophic capacity becomes a critical determinant of recovery.

3. Human Clinical Evidence: Polygonum minus (KESUM® / Biokesum®)

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trial evaluated the effects of Polygonum minus extract over 6 months.

Key clinically significant findings:

·       BDNF increased by 2.03% in the Biokesum® group

·       BDNF decreased by 19.19% in the placebo group (p < 0.05)

·       Triglycerides reduced by 19.05% in the Biokesum® group, while increasing in placebo

The significance lies not only in BDNF elevation, but in prevention of BDNF decline, a factor strongly linked to neuronal vulnerability under inflammatory stress.

These findings support the role of KESUM® as a neuroprotective & neuro-resilience -supporting botanical, rather than a disease-curative agent.

4. Relevance to Brain Swelling & Hyperintense Lesions

Hyperintense MRI lesions represent:

·       Axonal stress

·       Microvascular injury

·       Disrupted neural connectivity

BDNF-supported pathways are directly involved in:

·       Neuronal survival signaling

·       Repair of synaptic connections

Functional recovery following inflammatory or ischemic injury

Thus, maintenance of BDNF may influence the brain’s ability to withstand & recover from encephalitic damage, including white-matter injury associated with edema & micro-embolism.

5. Complementary Role of PHYSTA® (Tongkat Ali)

Across 26 published clinical studies (14 conducted by Biotropics), PHYSTA® has demonstrated:

·       Stress & cortisol modulation

·       Energy metabolism support

·       Immune & physiological resilience

In the context of severe infections:

·       Systemic stress & metabolic exhaustion exacerbate neuroinflammation

·       Physiological resilience indirectly supports neurological outcomes

PHYSTA® is therefore best positioned as systemic resilience support, complementary to neurotrophic strategies.

6. Integrated - Scientific.

Encephalitis damages the brain structurally.

BDNF determines recovery capacity.

KESUM® supports neurotrophic resilience.

PHYSTA® supports systemic stress adaptation.

This framework aligns with current neuroscience understanding while remaining ethically, clinically & regulatorily sound.

7. Nipah virus - related encephalitis results in significant inflammatory & microvascular brain injury.

Neurological outcomes depend not only on infection control, but on preservation of intrinsic brain repair mechanisms.

Human clinical evidence supports Polygonum minus (KESUM®) in maintaining & modestly enhancing BDNF, a key factor in brain resilience.

PHYSTA® supports systemic stress response & immune balance.

Both should be positioned as supportive, not therapeutic, interventions for brain & systemic resilience.

Scientific - Statement :

“In severe encephalitic stress, preserving neurotrophic capacity & systemic resilience may influence neurological outcomes beyond infection control alone.” 

Tongkat Ali Nu-Prep

https://shop.biotropicsmalaysia.com/nu-prep-lelaki-90s-bm.html

 

KESUM

https://shop.biotropicsmalaysia.com/biotropics-en/biotropics-kesum-extract-250mg-bm.html

Nipah virus - associated encephalitis and neurological injury.

Onions, Orchids, and Encephalitis: A Layered Narrative of Resilience in the Face of Nipah.

Nipah Virus Infection. 'encephalitis'.

Neurological involvement associated with Nipah virus infection (encephalitis).

Disclaimer. This illustration is for educational purposes only. It depicts general mechanisms of brain involvement seen in Nipah virus infection and does not represent an individual patient outcome. There is currently no specific antiviral treatment for Nipah virus; prevention relies on evidence-based public health measures and clinical care remains supportive. 

Abstract: In the absence of specific antiviral therapies or vaccines, the management & public perception of emerging zoonotic pathogens like the Nipah virus (NiV) present complex challenges. This narrative synthesis examines historical & contemporary responses to pandemic threats, drawing parallels between the folklore of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic & the modern exploration of evidence-based nutraceuticals. It advocates for a stratified defense strategy that prioritizes proven public health measures while rationally acknowledging the potential supportive role of general wellness and clinically studied botanicals, without overstating their efficacy against the specific pathogen.

 

Part I: The Persistent Allure of the Talisman - Lessons from 1918

During the 1918-1919 H1N1 influenza pandemic, which claimed an estimated 50-100 million lives, a vacuum of effective medical interventions was filled by folklore & desperation. One enduring anecdote tells of a rural family surviving unscathed while placing unpeeled onions throughout their home. The belief was that the onions would absorb the "miasma," or bad air, believed to carry the disease.

 

This story, while scientifically invalid - onions cannot absorb airborne viruses - serves as a powerful anthropological artifact. It reveals a fundamental human impulse: in the face of an invisible, lethal threat, people will employ available cultural & natural resources to create a sense of agency and control. The onion acted as a psychological and cultural talisman, a tangible symbol of protection in an era before virology could offer concrete solutions. The family's survival was far more likely attributable to isolation, quarantine, or stochastic luck, but the narrative provided a compelling, simple explanation.

 

Part II: The Modern Threat – Nipah Virus and the Neurological Siege

The recent emergence of Nipah virus outbreaks presents a stark, modern parallel. NiV is a bat-borne paramyxovirus causing severe disease in humans, with case fatality rates estimated from 40% to 75%. Its pathogenesis is particularly alarming: initial febrile illness progresses to severe encephalitis. The virus triggers inflammatory responses that compromise the blood-brain barrier, leading to direct brain infection. Symptoms escalate from headache & drowsiness to disorientation, coma, and seizures. As of this writing, there are no licensed vaccines or specific antiviral treatments for Nipah virus infection. Management remains supportive.

 

Nipah Virus

Neurological involvement associated with Nipah virus infection (encephalitis)

The core, non-negotiable pillars of prevention are established:

1. Avoidance of Exposure: Preventing consumption of raw date palm sap contaminated by bat excreta & practicing strict hygiene around sick animals or humans.

2. Infection Control: Rigorous use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for caregivers & health workers, coupled with patient isolation.

3. Public Health Surveillance: Rapid identification, contact tracing & community education.

 

These measures are the "stone tiles" of defense - proven, fundamental & critical. They represent the equivalent of the 1918 quarantine, not the onion.

 

Part III: The Contemporary Inquiry – Exploring Supportive Terrain Modulation

In the 21st century, the search for ancillary support has moved from the pantry to the realm of phytochemistry and clinical nutraceutical research. The inquiry is no longer about magical absorption but about whether certain compounds can modulate host resilience - strengthening the "terrain" to better withstand an insult. This is a nuanced, investigational field.

 

Two botanicals illustrate this exploratory frontier:

· Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) Standardized Extracts (e.g., Physta®): This compound has been the subject of multiple human clinical trials (e.g., significant bodies of work referenced as 14, 26, and 12 studies in various analyses). Its primary evidence-based effects are associated with reducing fatigue and improving aspects of quality of life related to vitality and stress hormone modulation. In the context of pandemic preparedness, the theoretical value lies not in direct antiviral activity, but in the potential for supporting general physiological resilience. A system under less chronic stress may maintain more robust immune homeostasis, a concept relevant to overall health defense but unproven against NiV specifically.

· Polygonum minus (Kesum/Daun Kesum): Research on this plant offers a more targeted neurological insight. A clinically observed 2% increase in serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is noted in relevant studies. BDNF is a key protein supporting neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive function. In the context of NiV encephalitis, this suggests a hypothesis of neuroprotective support. The reasoning is analogical: a brain with a marginally enhanced environment for neuronal maintenance and repair might, in theory, possess greater resilience during the inflammatory cascade of encephalitis. It is crucial to emphasize this is a preclinical hypothesis of supportive mechanism, not a treatment. The 2% modulation represents a subtle biological influence, not a defensive barrier.

 

A Stratified Defense for a Complex Threat

 

The narrative of pandemic response evolves but echoes a consistent theme: survival hinges on a multi-layered strategy that distinguishes proven fundamentals from investigational support.

 

1. The Primary Imperative Layer: Unwavering adherence to evidence-based public health measures (exposure avoidance, hygiene, isolation). This is the incontrovertible first line of defense, equivalent to the effective quarantine of 1918.

2. The Foundational Wellness Layer: Maintenance of general health through nutrition, rest, and stress management. Interventions with clinical evidence for supporting vitality, like certain adaptogens, fit here as general wellness strategies.

3. The Investigational Support Layer: The exploratory use of botanicals with clinically documented, relevant biological mechanisms (e.g., neurotrophic factor modulation). This layer must be communicated with radical transparency - it represents rational, science-informed hope based on mechanism, not proven efficacy against the specific disease. 

Nipah Virus.

Neurological involvement associated with Nipah virus infection (encephalitis)

The 1918 onion was a talisman against the cause. Modern nutraceutical research probes a more sophisticated question: can we gently fortify the host? The answer remains incomplete and must never distract from primary prevention. Yet, within a framework of scientific humility and clear communication, this layered approach - prioritizing stone, then clay, then considering the careful placement of glazed tile - constructs the most resilient story of human endurance against emerging threats. It replaces blind folklore with a disciplined, tiered architecture of response, where every action has a clear and justified place in the defence of life.

PHYSTA Tongkat Ali Nu-Prep https://shop.biotropicsmalaysia.com/nu-prep-lelaki-90s-bm.html  

KESUM https://shop.biotropicsmalaysia.com/biotropics-en/biotropics-kesum-extract-250mg-bm.html