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Improved parameters of lactose maldigestion using lactulose
A Szilagyi1, J Rivard, K Fokeeff
1Department of Medicine, The Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital Faculty of Medicine, McGill University Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|August 2, 2001
Summary
Lactulose and lactose, both disaccharides, show similar effects in individuals with lactose maldigestion. Supplementation with lactulose improved symptoms and reduced breath hydrogen, suggesting comparable benefits to lactose for gut health.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Lactulose, a synthetic disaccharide, is gaining interest as a prebiotic.
- Lactose maldigestion is a prevalent condition globally.
- Probiotics and prebiotics are being investigated for lower intestinal health benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the clinical effects of lactulose and lactose in individuals with lactose maldigestion.
- To investigate if lactulose can induce adaptation similar to lactose in the lower intestine.
- To assess changes in fecal beta-galactosidase activity.
Main Methods:
- Nine healthy subjects with lactose maldigestion participated in a three-week adaptation period with lactulose (10 g twice daily).
- Subjects then underwent a second three-week adaptation period with lactose (1.5 g twice daily).
- Adaptation was measured by reduced breath hydrogen (BH2) and symptoms after lactose challenges; fecal beta-galactosidase was also assessed.
Main Results:
- Eight out of nine subjects showed significant symptom improvement and reduced BH2 after lactulose adaptation.
- Lactose adaptation did not yield similar significant improvements in symptoms or BH2.
- Fecal beta-galactosidase activity significantly increased following lactulose supplementation.
Conclusions:
- Lactulose supplementation demonstrated clinical benefits comparable to lactose in lactose maldigesting individuals.
- Lactulose may induce adaptive changes in the lower intestine beneficial for managing lactose maldigestion symptoms.
- Further research into lactulose as a prebiotic agent is warranted.