Research
The use of lactase preparations to aid lactose digestion has been widely researched and proven over many years. These are some of the clinical papers available:
D Kanabar, M. Randhawa and P. Clayton
Transient lactose intolerance has been identified as a possible causative factor in infant colic. A double-blind randomised placebo controlled crossover study to investigate this has been undertaken in 53 babies with symptoms of colic. Pre-incubation of the feed with lactase resulted in breath hydrogen levels and total crying time which were both at least 45% lower than figures with placebo treatment, in 26% of the full trial group and in 38% of compliers. The remainder did not respond to the same extent. These findings suggest that infant colic may have a multiple aetiology, and that in a significant number of cases the immediate cause is transient lactose intolerance, in which case pretreatment of feeds with lactase can result in considerable symptomatic benefits.
By Melvin B Heyman, MD, MPH, for the committee on Nutrition. Source: American Academy of Paediatrics Volume 118, Number 3, September 2006
The American Academy of Paediatrics Committee on Nutrition presents an updated review of lactose intolerance in infants, children, and adolescents. Differences between primary, secondary, congenital, and developmental lactase deficiency that may result in lactose intolerance are discussed. Children with suspected lactose intolerance can be assessed clinically by dietary lactose elimination or by tests including non-invasive hydrogen breath testing or invasive intestinal biopsy determination of lactase consentrations. Treatments consist of use of lactase-treated dairy products or oral lactase supplementation, limitation of lactose containing foods, or dietary elimination. The American Acadamy of Paediatrics supports use of dairy foods as an important source of calcium for bone mineral health and of other nutrients that facilitate growth in children and adolescents. If dairy products are eliminated, other sources of calcium or calcium suppliments need to be provided
By Jeffery A. Biller, M.D., Shella King, B.S., Andrea Rosenthal, B.S., and Richard J. Grand, M.D. Source: From the Division of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Boston Floating Hospital, New England Medical Centre, and the Department of Paediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston
By Fernando Lami, M.D., Carla Callegari, M.D., Massimo Tatali, M.D., Lucia Graziano, M.D., Cristina Guidetti, M.D., Mario Miglioli, M.D., and Luigi Barbara, M.D. Clinica Medica I. University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. Source: The American journal of Gastroenterology Vol. 83, No. 10, 1988
By Meei-yn Lin, PhD, Jack A. Dipalma, MD, Margaret C. Martini, PhD, Carol J. Gross, BS, Susan K. Harlander, PhD, and Dennis A. Savaiano, PhD. Source: Digestive Diseases and Sciences, Vol. 38, No.11, November 1993, pp. 2022-2027
Microbial-derived ß-galactosidase (ß-gal) enzyme preparations improve in vivo lactose digestion and tolerance through enhanced gastrointestinal digestion of lactose. Thre different ß-gal preparations and placebo were fed to lactose maldigesters with either 20g or 50g of lactose to compare the efficacy of these products and to further establish a dose-response relationship for use. All enzyme preparations dramatically reduced both the peak and total breath hydrogen production when fed with milk containing 20g of lactose. Treatments containing approx. 6000 IU of lactase reduced total hydrogen production significantly (P<0.05). Symptoms were significantly (P<0.05) less severe with all the ß-gal products.