A pilot trial on subjects with lactose and/or oligosaccharides intolerance treated with a fixed mixture of pure and enteric-coated α- and β-galactosidase.
OBJECTIVE
Lactose and complex carbohydrates maldigestion, common food intolerances due to low gut content of α- and β-galactosidase, lead to abdominal symptoms including pain, diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, and cramping. Commonly, intolerant patients are advised by physicians to avoid the offending foods (dairy foods, cereals, beans, etc). This food-limiting option, however, has possible nutritional risks. We have therefore evaluated the impact of using pure, enteric-coated α- plus β-galactosidase on gut symptoms in intolerant subjects instead of avoidance of the offending foods.


METHODS
Sixteen subjects intolerant to lactose and/or complex carbohydrates were enrolled and evaluated in terms of gut symptoms with 1) uncontrolled diet, 2) diet devoid of offending foods, and 3) uncontrolled diet along with pure, enteric-coated α- and β-galactosidase (DDM Galactosidase(®)).


RESULTS
Even with the uncontrolled diet, intolerant subjects treated with DDM Galactosidase(®) exhibited reduced gut symptoms (bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, and constipation) significantly better than the control treatment as well as having a diet devoid of offending foods.


CONCLUSIONS
DDM Galactosidase(®) is a valid and safe optional treatment to counteract lactose and complex carbohydrate intolerance in subjects who prefer not to avoid, at least partially, offending foods.
Velleja Research, Milan, Italy.
Francesco
F
Di Pierro
Italian Association Fitness and Medicine, Fano, PU, Italy.
Alexander
A
Bertuccioli
Pharmextracta, Pontenure, Piacenza, Italy.
Eleonora
E
Marini
Digestive Endoscopic Department, Ceva Hospital, Ceva, Cuneo, Italy.
Leandro
L
Ivaldi
complex carbohydrate intolerance; lactase; lactose intolerance