The Untold Story Behind Duoflora: My Relentless Pursuit of the Right Probiotic
If you had told me over a decade ago that I’d one day be developing my own probiotic, I would have laughed.
As an allergist-immunologist, my focus has always been on evidence-based medicine—helping my patients breathe easier, live healthier, and break free from the struggles of eczema, allergies, and asthma. I wasn’t looking to create a supplement. But when you see a problem no one else is solving, you have two choices: accept the status quo or take matters into your own hands.
The Microbiome Awakening
In 2011, the concept of the microbiome was starting to make waves in medicine. Research was revealing how gut bacteria influence immune health, allergic diseases, and inflammation. At the time, I was already speaking at medical conferences for major pharmaceutical companies about probiotics. I had even co-authored the Malaysian Allergy Prevention MAP Guideline in 2014.
But here’s the problem: while I was advocating for probiotics, I realized something was missing.
My patients with eczema and food allergies—who often later developed allergic rhinitis and asthma due to the atopic march—needed a specific kind of probiotic.
And it simply didn’t exist.
The Search for the Right Strains
Easier said than done. Finding the right probiotic strains wasn’t as simple as picking them off a shelf. I spent years diving into research, identifying strains that had real clinical benefits. But even after that, I had to track down the strain owners, negotiate access, and get permission to develop my own formulation.
Then came an even bigger challenge—finding a manufacturer willing to meet my strict quality standards. Many told me my specs were too demanding. The process took 3 years and 8 months before Duoflora even began to take shape.
Why Human-Strain Probiotics?
From the start, I made a firm decision: Duoflora had to contain human strain probiotics.
Why? Because if we’re restoring the gut microbiome, the best source should come from humans—not soil, plants, or dairy.
I selected:
✅ Bifidobacterium breve M-16V (from healthy infants)
✅ Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (from healthy adults)
This combination was designed to support gut health from infancy through adulthood—a single, comprehensive solution for my patients.
Quality Above All Else
Creating a probiotic wasn’t just about choosing the right strains—it was about ensuring effectiveness. I wasn’t willing to cut corners, no matter how many obstacles I faced.
🔬 End-of-shelf-life potency – Many probiotics advertise their CFU count at manufacturing, but that’s misleading. I insisted that every Duoflora capsule contain a minimum of 5 billion CFU per strain at the end of its shelf life, guaranteeing long-term efficacy.
🔬 Triple-seal protection – Stability is everything. That’s why Duoflora is housed in high-barrier packaging to shield against moisture, heat, and oxidation. A manufacturer once asked, “Are you sure you want such high-level specs?” My answer? Absolutely.
🔬 Rigorous testing – Every batch undergoes contamination screening, viability tests, and a two-year stability study under tropical conditions—because probiotics should work in real-world environments, not just in a lab.
🔬 JAKIM Halal Certification – I made another crucial decision: Duoflora would be produced under the Malaysian JAKIM halal standard, one of the most rigorous certification systems in the world. This wasn’t just about religious requirements—it was about quality. Every single ingredient had to be traceable from source to end product, ensuring that patients with specific dietary needs could take Duoflora with complete confidence.
And just when I thought everything was finally coming together, I faced my biggest hurdle yet.
A Devastating Setback
Regulatory approval was a grueling process—countless questions, repeated verifications. But after months of back-and-forth, I finally received approval.
Or so I thought.
Out of nowhere, I received an urgent letter.
There had been a clerical error.
No apology. No explanation. Just a notice that the registration number assigned to Duoflora was incorrect.
And because of that single mistake, Duoflora could not be sold.
At this point, the entire first production batch was already manufactured and sitting in the warehouse. Money had been spent. Everything was ready to go.
And suddenly, it was all in limbo.
What would you do? Would you fight? Would you give up?
Frustration doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt. But by then, I had learned something:
💡 Patience wasn’t just a virtue—it was part of the process.
I knew what my patients needed. I wasn’t going to let bureaucracy be the reason they couldn’t get it.
So I reapplied.
The re-registration process dragged on for another six months. I had to redo everything—a new production batch, new stability studies, new verification steps. It was a massive setback.
But if there’s one thing I knew for certain, it was this: Duoflora was never about convenience. It was about doing things right.
My Biggest Fear
When Duoflora was finally ready, something unexpected happened—I hesitated.
I didn’t want my name attached to the product. Why?
😟 Fear of judgment from colleagues.
😟 Worry that patients would think I was just trying to sell them something.
I wanted Duoflora to stand on its own—to be recognized for its quality, not because of who created it.
So, I stayed in the background.
Why I’m Telling This Now
But as the years passed, something became clear.
Patients were benefiting.
Parents were telling me their children’s eczema was improving. Adults were experiencing better gut health. And those closest to me—family, friends, colleagues—kept urging me to share my story.
Since 2017, Duoflora has helped thousands of people.
And today, I’m finally telling this story.
Because I want you to know: this was never about selling a product.
It was about solving a problem.
It was about creating the best possible probiotic for my patients—no matter how long it took, how difficult the process, or how many obstacles stood in the way.
And my pledge remains the same:
🛡️ If there’s ever a better way, I will move towards it.
Until then, I stand behind Duoflora—not just as its creator, but as a doctor who genuinely wants the best for you.
[Click here If you are interested in learning more about Duoflora]
