What is lactase?
Lactase is an enzyme that breaks lactose down into galactose and glucose. A lack of ability to produce enough lactase is the major reason why people are lactose intolerant. Secondary intolerance can be due to gut health issues. Lactase is frequently added to milk or taken during meals to aid in digesting lactose.
What are lactase's benefits?
Can simply taking lactase as a supplement allow people to digest lactose more effectively? That appears to be the case, as supplementation of lactose proved effective in many human trials, with reductions in breath hydrogen (a sign of fermentation) and various symptoms such as flatulence, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea—the most common symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Simply taking lactase may not necessarily eliminate symptoms, and many of the studies still found that those with lactose interolance still experienced more fermentation when taking lactase than those who weren't lactose intolerant, and had worse symptoms. There's some evidence to suggest that higher doses and milk pretreatment for 24 hours or more are good solutions, and it's probably best to err on the side of a higher dose.
What are lactase's side effects and drawbacks?
We haven't evaluated that yet, but it's not foreign to the body, so the risk is probably low.
What are other names for Lactase Enzyme
- lactaid
Dosage information
Rules of thumb used to calculate the amount of lactase are 7500 units for 16 grams of lactose (roughly one normal glass of milk), and 3000 units for 5 g, which is similar but higher.
Of these, the latter was more likely to lead to a meantingful reduction when taken orally. This makes sense given the dynamic nature of the digestive tract, so doses of lactase shouldn't be based on the amount needed to hydrolyze lactase, but on in vivo evidence. Other studies generally suggest that less than 3000 units per 5 g leads to less impressive reductions in lactose fermentation.
Examine Database: Lactase Enzyme
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In this systematic review of randomized controlled trials, supplementation with the enzyme lactase decreased daily crying in infants diagnosed with infant colics. However, the quality and consistency of the evidence was questionable.
Examine Database References
- Flatulence - de Vrese M, Laue C, Offick B, Soeth E, Repenning F, Thoß A, Schrezenmeir JA combination of acid lactase from Aspergillus oryzae and yogurt bacteria improves lactose digestion in lactose maldigesters synergistically: A randomized, controlled, double-blind cross-over trialClin Nutr.(2015 Jun)
- Flatulence - Ojetti V, Gigante G, Gabrielli M, Ainora ME, Mannocci A, Lauritano EC, Gasbarrini G, Gasbarrini AThe effect of oral supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri or tilactase in lactose intolerant patients: randomized trialEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.(2010 Mar)
- Flatulence - Rosado JL, Solomons NW, Lisker R, Bourges HEnzyme replacement therapy for primary adult lactase deficiency. Effective reduction of lactose malabsorption and milk intolerance by direct addition of beta-galactosidase to milk at mealtimeGastroenterology.(1984 Nov)
- Flatulence - Cheng AH, Brunser O, Espinoza J, Fones HL, Monckeberg F, Chichester CO, Rand G, Hourigan AGLong-term acceptance of low-lactose milkAm J Clin Nutr.(1979 Oct)
- Breath Hydrogen - Barillas C, Solomons NWEffective reduction of lactose maldigestion in preschool children by direct addition of beta-galactosidases to milk at mealtimePediatrics.(1987 May)
- Breath Hydrogen - Ibba I, Gilli A, Boi MF, Usai PEffects of exogenous lactase administration on hydrogen breath excretion and intestinal symptoms in patients presenting lactose malabsorption and intoleranceBiomed Res Int.(2014)
- Breath Hydrogen - Solomons NW, Guerrero AM, Torun BDietary manipulation of postprandial colonic lactose fermentation: II. Addition of exogenous, microbial beta-galactosidases at mealtimeAm J Clin Nutr.(1985 Feb)
- Breath Hydrogen - Montalto M, Nucera G, Santoro L, Curigliano V, Vastola M, Covino M, Cuoco L, Manna R, Gasbarrini A, Gasbarrini GEffect of exogenous beta-galactosidase in patients with lactose malabsorption and intolerance: a crossover double-blind placebo-controlled studyEur J Clin Nutr.(2005 Apr)
- Breath Hydrogen - Corazza GR, Benati G, Sorge M, Strocchi A, Calza G, Gasbarrini Gbeta-Galactosidase from Aspergillus niger in adult lactose malabsorption: a double-blind crossover studyAliment Pharmacol Ther.(1992 Feb)
- Breath Hydrogen - Medow MS, Thek KD, Newman LJ, Berezin S, Glassman MS, Schwarz SMBeta-galactosidase tablets in the treatment of lactose intolerance in pediatricsAm J Dis Child.(1990 Nov)
- Glycemic Control - Abaturov AY, Stepanov YM, Nikulina AATreatment of lactase deficiency in children's obesity with genotype c/c 13910 of lactase geneWiad Lek.(2019)