Got Lactase? A Solution for Lactose Intolerance

In the vast interior landscape of our bodies, enzymes are a little like tiny political activists. Catalysts for change, these proteins (made of amino acids) speed up the rate of chemical reactions throughout the body. Without them, change would be slow in coming-too slow, in fact, for us to stay alive. 

Science has identified at least 5,000 different kinds of enzymes that the body creates and uses, and there may be thousands more. At any given moment, there are millions of enzymes working furiously to help us breathe, walk, talk, and eat. But it's not just a free-for-all in there. Each enzyme has an extremely specific job to do. Unfortunately, the energy contained in enzymes to do their work is finite and nonrenewable. In other words, they're powerful catalysts until they're worn out; once retired, they become just another source of protein for the body.

When Dairy's Got You Down
Enzymes are essential. That's why when there's a deficiency, especially one as common as lactase deficiency, people sit up and take notice. Lactase (the enzyme found on the surface of cells in the small intestine) breaks down lactose-the sugar found in dairy products. An inade- quate supply of these enzymes can lead to lactose intolerance, a common condition that expresses itself in a range of unpleasant symptoms from cramps, diarrhea, and bloating to depression and panic attacks.

Lactose intolerance is widespread, affecting up to 75 percent of the world population. Ethnicity plays a role-up to 90 percent of individuals of Asian and African descent experience symptoms due to a lactase deficiency, compared with 2 percent of people with a northern European background. Children, too, are affected; some lack these valuable enzymes as early as three years of age.

Lactase deficiency doesn't necessarily lead to lactose intolerance, however. Often it's a question of degree. Those with a mild deficiency may experience no symptoms, apart from guilt, after eating a pizza loaded with gooey cheese. Conversely, those with a more severe deficiency may have symptoms after a single bite.

Take Your Enzymes
Sometimes simply adding a little lactase can tip the balance in your favor. Anthony J. Cichoke, DC, MA, explains, "Many people can consume modest amounts of lactose-containing foods with little difficulty. Some people can consume milk and milk products if they add the enzyme lactase, or use fermented products such as cheese or yogurt." One study also showed that adding lactase enzymes to milk several minutes before drinking it reduced symptoms. Lactase products are available in capsules and liquids at natural products stores; milk treated with lactase is also available.

Added Support
Enzymes and probiotics go powerfully hand in hand when it comes to good digestion and a strong immune system. Probiotics are healthy bacteria that work together with the body's enzymes to protect against viruses and bad bacteria. They also colonize the gut and help to create more enzymes.

Among the most common and popular probiotics are L. acidophilus and L. bifidus. L. acidophilus (found in yogurt) produces lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose into simple, digestible sugars. Often those who are lactose intolerant can tolerate yogurt or will benefit from L. acidophilus supplements. Choose your probiotics wisely, however. Tom Bohager, author of Enzymes: What the Experts Know, says, "I always recommend that you look for a probiotic that guarantees potency at the time of consumption."

As always, the best approach to healthy living is a balanced one. Supplements that strengthen the body's resources, together with a moderate approach to dairy, can go a long way toward allowing a few favorite milk products in your diet.  

If Lactase Doesn't Work
People who cannot tolerate dairy may automatically jump to the conclusion that they are lactose intolerant. Though this may be true, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that 64 percent of people who claimed to be milk intolerant could, in fact, digest lactose, but they could not digest dairy solids. Dairy solids include the protein (called casein) and the fat that are in dairy. The dairy sugar (lactose) is not a dairy solid. This means that there's a greater chance that a person is intolerant to the protein and fat in the dairy, not the lactose. And most who try a lactase supplement to overcome a perceived lactase deficiency may not have such a deficiency at all.

When a person is intolerant to milk solids, lactase supplements will not work unless they contain proteases that have the ability to digest casein and lipases that can break down dairy fats. Look for a product that contains a blend of proteases and a blend of lipases in addition to the enzyme lactase. If you have difficulty finding a supplement that contains all the necessary enzymes for dairy intolerance, then look in the digestive enzyme section. Sometimes a digestive enzyme supplement that has been formulated to enhance digestion in general will contain all the enzymes necessary to digest all portions of dairy.
-Tom Bohager

The Food Connection
As we age, guess what? Enzyme production and activity decrease in our bodies. Fresh fruits, veggies, and grains are great sources of enzymes, but cooking, processing, and storing take their toll, often destroying the enzymes in our food. Organic produce, raw foods, and high-quality supplements can help maintain optimal levels of these crucial catalysts.

Enzymes and Enzyme Therapy by Dr. Anthony J. Cichoke ($18.95, Keats Publishing, 2000)  Enzymes:  What the Experts Know by Tom Bohager ($14.95, One World Press, 2006)  "Lactose Intolerance: New Aspects of an Old Problem" by B. Terjung and F. Lammert, Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 2/9/07  "Lactose Intolerance (Lactase Deficiency)" by Jay W. Marks, MD, www.medicinenet.com  Personal communication: Tom Bohager, 3/07