Lactase enzyme supplements for lactose intolerance, what a mess! Let's study the two together

We have already addressed the topic of the lactase enzyme HERE . Now let's try to clarify the active ingredient of the products that you can find in pharmacies or online stores. It is not trivial, due to the scientific complexity of the subject, but let's try it together.

Until now you thought there was only one type of enzyme to break down lactose and therefore this was contained in a product for intolerant people.

Not quite so ...

Whether they are intended for adults, children or infants, there are two active ingredients used in the lactase enzyme supplement industry for lactose intolerants and more: lactase and the more generic beta-galactosidase .

You can easily understand which of the two active ingredients is used in your favorite product, simply by carefully reading what the manufacturer says on the package, among the ingredients.

Most products contain beta-galactosidase and only in some you can specifically find the wording "lactase".

There is a difference in the ability to break down lactose between the two elements, let's see which one.

Beta-galactosidase is a glycohydrolase enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of beta-galactosides into monosaccharides by breaking a glycosidic bond formed between a galactose and an organic compound.

Beta-galactosidase is not specific for lactose . Indeed, substrates of different beta-galactosidases include GM1 ganglioside, lactosylceramides, lactose and various glycoproteins. Furthermore, beta-galactosidase also catalyses the hydrolysis of fucosides and arabinosides.

What does this mean?

In more understandable words, we can write that beta-galactosidase can digest lactose but at the same time employs a part of it in breaking other molecular bonds , decreasing the amount of decomposed lactose - and therefore digested - and causing by-products that are not useful in our lactose intolerance condition.

More info on beta-galactosidase: the deficiency of the beta-galactosidase enzyme in our body can cause galactosialidosis or Morquio B syndrome. Beta-galactosidase is produced by the microorganism Escherichia Coli by the lacZ gene. Beta-galactosidase is cheaper than the specific lactase.

However, lactase is part of the beta-galactosidase family of enzymes but it is a different molecule, specifically responsible for the hydrolysis of lactose into the two simple sugars galactose and glucose . Glucose and galactose will be absorbed easily into the blood without further problems.

So lactase is the ultimate addict to the digestion of our beloved milk and our fragrant cakes.

While in humans who are not lactose intolerant lactase is mainly present along the villi of the small intestine, at an industrial level, it is obtained from lactic bacteria, molds and yeasts such as: Lactobacillus, Escherichia, Bacillus, Saccharomyces, Candida, Aspergillus Oryzae .

I highlighted the latter because it is the most common organism from which to obtain lactase and in the packages it will be easy to understand that it is lactase and not beta-galactosidase by finding the word “ Lactase from Aspergillus ”.

According to the manufacturer's wishes, the enzyme lactase or beta-galactosidase (the active ingredient) can be associated with other active ingredients or with excipients and the set will be packaged in unit doses that can be contained in tablets (also called tablets) , capsules, sachets, drops.

The excipients are those that contribute to the correct composition of the tablet / capsule in order to ensure stability, resistance, producibility, color and taste. The most common are agglomerants such as potato starch, lactase "transporters" such as cellulose, silicon dioxide and magnesium salts, which are essential for smoothing the powder in the production process. Obviously these excipients do not involve any contraindication for the body.

Now that you are a lactase enzyme expert, which products will you choose to digest your next meal well?

We recommend LACTOSOLUTION 15000: click link to find out more.

Write us your questions below, we will be happy to help you.

Bibliography:

https://www.qmul.ac.uk/sbcs/iubmb/enzyme/EC3/0201c.html#108

https://www.qmul.ac.uk/sbcs/iubmb/enzyme/EC3/0201a.html#023

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