Growing up, my brother and I thought it was normal that milk makes you feel sick after eating it. Best case scenario you suffer mild gas and stomach cramps. Worse case, hope there’s a clean bathroom around. It was kind of a running joke in our family to see who would get hit with the runs post-dairy first (see what we did there?). Usually Dad.
Until the day our brother collapsed with severe stomach pains, supposedly, from appendicitis. But removing the appendix didn't stop the vomiting, bloating, cramping and bathroom sprints every time dairy passed his lips.
Of all people, a dermatologist suggested a food intolerance test that solved the mystery. It was lactose intolerance. Turns out 90% of Asians have lactase deficiency. Lactase is the enzyme responsible for breaking down milk sugar (Lactose) in our guts. Undigested lactase causes a host of issues including gas, pains, bloating, diarrhoea, vomiting (in severe cases) and the discomfort we associate with lactose intolerance.
We’re not alone. An estimated 11 million Malaysians suffer lactose intolerance to some degree. A UKM study found only 12% of Malaysian kids can actually digest dairy properly. No wonder so many kids are so farty. Genetically speaking, we're meant to stop drinking milk after childhood. An evolutionary mechanism that made sense back when we were cavemen. But cavemen didn’t have teh tarik, Milo, pizza and chocolates though, did they?
We’re tired of watching as friends indulge in countless teh tariks. Slurping all that frothy, creamy deliciousness.. .while we sip our teh ais limau enviously. Tired of pretending that oat milk coffee is yummy. Tired of paying an extra RM5 for oat milk. Tired of missing out on cheese pizza, fluffy cream cakes, butter prawns, kuih raya and so much more.
So we are developing an ultra-strength lactase enzyme formulated for lactose intolerant Malaysians like us. One easy to swallow tablet right before a milky meal is strong enough that we don’t need to confuse ourselves figuring out dosages. No math before milk please.
Malaysians shouldn't have to sacrifice the food we love. Milk It is for the ones tired of settling. The ones who refuse to let lactose win. The Rebels who want to Dare Dairy.