Lactase enzyme supplements for lactose intolerance: so much confusion! Let’s study the two active ingredients together.

Lactosolution

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

Until now, you probably thought there was only one type of enzyme to break down lactose and that it was therefore contained in products for the lactose intolerant.

That is not quite the case...

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

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

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

There is a difference in the ability to break down lactose between the two elements; let's see what it is.

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

Beta-galactosidase is not specific to lactose. In fact, the substrates of various beta-galactosidases include GM1 ganglioside, lactosylceramides, lactose, and various glycoproteins. Furthermore, beta-galactosidase also catalyzes 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 uses a portion of itself to break other molecular bonds, decreasing the amount of lactose broken down—and therefore digested—and causing byproducts that are not useful for our lactose intolerance condition.

Other info on beta-galactosidase: a 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 via the lacZ gene. Beta-galactosidase is cheaper than specific lactase.

Lactase is still part of the beta-galactosidase enzyme family, but it is a different molecule, specifically dedicated to the hydrolysis of lactose into the two simple sugars galactose and glucose. Glucose and galactose will be easily absorbed into the blood without further problems.

So, lactase is the one ultimately responsible for the digestion of our beloved milk and our fragrant cakes.

While in non-lactose-intolerant humans lactase is present mainly along the villi of the small intestine, at an industrial level, it is obtained from lactic acid bacteria, molds, and yeasts such as: Lactobacillus, Escherichia, Bacillus, Saccharomyces, Candida, Aspergillus oryzae.

I have highlighted the latter because it is the most common organism from which to obtain lactase, and on the packaging, it will be easy to tell that it is lactase and not beta-galactosidase by finding the label "Lactase from Aspergillus".

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

Excipient substances are those that contribute to the correct composition of the tablet/capsule in order to ensure stability, resistance, manufacturability, color, and taste. The most common are binders like potato starch, "carriers" of lactase like cellulose, silicon dioxide, and magnesium salts, which are essential for giving the powder flowability during the production process. Obviously, these excipients do not cause any contraindications for the body.

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

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

Write 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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