The Health Benefits of Lactase

Lactase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes milk sugar (lactose) into its component parts, glucose and galactose, and assists in the digestion dairy products such as, ice cream, milk and cheese. Nutritionists estimate that 10-20% of the U.S. population is lactose intolerant, meaning they have an inability to break down lactose in many of the dairy products they eat.

Some ethnic groups have much higher levels of lactose intolerance. For example, research suggests that up to 75% of all African-Americans and Native Americans, and 90% of Asian-Americans experience at least some difficulty digesting milk sugar. But these are not the only people who may be susceptible to an imbalance of lactase in the gut. Certain digestive diseases and even minor injuries to the intestines can alter our enzyme balance.

The body naturally produces the lactase enzyme in the brush boreder of our small intestines, unless we are lactose intolerant. Lactase production is particularly high when we are infants because lactose accounts for roughly 40% of the total calorie content of breast milk.

The use of lactase as a supplemental agent to help people properly digest lactose has long been confirmed by the scientific community. Here are some of the great health benefits and studies that support the benefits of enzymes such as lactase:

Lactose Intolerance
Whereas animal-based lactase has been used for many years by people with lactose intolerance, increasing research on plant-based lactase offers some exciting evidence that it can offer just as many health benefits. A recent review published in the 2008 “Alternative Medicine Review: A Journal of Clinical Therapeutic found lactase to be an effective support for digestive imbalances.

Reduction in gas and bloating
Clinical research examining the health benefits of lactase has found that it may offer prevention and reduction of flatulence in human beings. Placebo-based studies show that preparations of microbial lactase can significantly lower belching, hydrogen production, bloating and other symptoms of flatulence in individuals with a reduced lactase count in the gut.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The aforementioned research suggests that similar enzymes may play a role in the reduction of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This further leads us to the conclusion that supplementing with a lactase enzyme may help the estimated 1-in-5 Americans who have irritable bowel syndrome.

Digestive upset in children with autism
Studies also show a correlation between chronic diarrhea, children with autism spectrum disorder and lowered amounts of intestinal disaccharidase activity (i.e. presence of important digestive enzymes such as lactase, sucrase, and maltase.)

Inflammation in the digestive tract
Studies suggest that a reduced amount of intestinal lactase enzyme activity may contribute to diarrhea, infection, mucosal presence and other inflammatory responses in the gut. Supplementing with lactase may ease inflammatory responses such as indigestion, loose stools and sinus inflammation. To avoid these issues, supplementing with lactase may be an excellent idea.

Prevention of digestive upset associated with congenital digestive conditions
Scientists are now understanding the link between genetics and the digestive system. Some children and infants have chronic diarrhea, as well as cramping and abdominal distension. Studies show that the use of fungal-derived lactase in human studies have shown significant clinical improvements in children with these extremely challenging digestive conditions. This research further suggests a clear link between the use of carbohydrase enzymes like lactase as a useful aid for correcting digestive upset associated with enzyme deficiencies.

Lactase (FCC ALU/g) is measured in ALU’s (Lactase Units) based on the hydrolysis of carbohydrates. One ALU is calculated using a 15-minute hydrolysis of an o-nitrophenyl-ß-D-galactopyranoside substrate at 37°C and pH 4.5.

The FCC notation stands for Foods Chemical Codex, and is a division of USP (United States Pharmacopeia). It sets standards for ingredients. In the case of enzymes, FCC is a standard assay used to accurately determine the activity of enzymes. The current compendium is FCC VI.

Find a source that comes from all vegetarian, non-GMO sources, is kosher certified, contains no animal product and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. The best form of lactase is derived from the fermentation of A. oryzae.

References:

“Alternative Medicine Review: A Journal of Clinical Therapeutic”; The Role of Enzyme Supplementation in Digestive Disorders; Roxas; December 2008 PMID: 19152478Simadibrata M, Wanders RJA, Jan G, et al. Intestinal and colonic diseases: examination of small bowel enzymes in chronic diarrhea. J Gastroenterol Hepatol2003;18;53-6. (PDF)Horvath K, Papadimitriou JC, Rabsztyn A, Drachenberg C, Tildon JT. Gastrointestinal abnormalities in children with autistic disorder. JPediatr1999;135:559-63. PMID: 10547242Treem WR, Ahsan N, Sullivan B, et al. Evaluation of liquid yeast-derived sucrase enzyme replacement in patients with sucrase-isomaltase deficiency. Gastroenterology1993;105:1061. PMID: 8405850Making Sense of Digestive Enzymes (PDF)Lactose Intolerance. NIH Publication No. 98-2751. National HYPERLINK “http://www.diet-and-health.net/Supplements/Lactase.html” Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghousehttp://www.americanpregnancy.org/firstyearoflife/whatsinbreastmilk.html

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