Lactase
Lactase enzyme supplements help digest lactose and reduce symptoms of lactose intolerance when taken with dairy.
Overview
What is lactase?
Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose, a sugar found in milk and yoghurt.
Dosage
A typical dose of lactase is 3000 units per 5 grams of lactose.
A cup of milk contains around 15 grams of lactose so 9000 units or around 300 mg should be taken.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
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Database Snapshot
Most lactase research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Lactose intolerance accounts for 11 of 11 studies (100%).
Safety
Lactase is likely safe at a dose of up to 13,500 food chemical codex (FCC) units or 9900 international units.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources11 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Lactose intolerance
11 references1.SupplementDEX Database: Lactose intolerance — Effect of lactase on symptoms and hydrogen breath levels in lactose intolerance: A crossover placebo-controlled study2020
In 47 lactose-intolerant adults, lactase chewable tablets reduced symptoms and hydrogen breath levels during lactose challenge versus placebo.
2.SupplementDEX Database: Lactose intolerance — A combination of acid lactase from Aspergillus oryzae and yogurt bacteria improves lactose digestion in lactose maldigesters synergistically: A randomized, controlled, double-blind cross-over trial2014
In 24 lactose malabsorbers, acid lactase from Aspergillus oryzae plus yogurt bacteria improved lactose digestion more than either alone versus placebo.
3.SupplementDEX Database: Lactose intolerance — The effect of oral supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri or tilactase in lactose intolerant patients: randomized trial2010
In 60 lactose-intolerant patients, tilactase or Lactobacillus reuteri before lactose breath test reduced hydrogen excretion and symptoms versus placebo.
4.SupplementDEX Database: Lactose intolerance — Effect of exogenous beta-galactosidase in patients with lactose malabsorption and intolerance: a crossover double-blind placebo-controlled study2005
In 30 lactose malabsorbers, beta-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis added to milk reduced hydrogen breath excretion and symptoms versus placebo.
5.SupplementDEX Database: Lactose intolerance — All lactase preparations are not the same: results of a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial1994
In 10 lactose-intolerant adults, three commercial lactase products differed in efficacy for reducing symptoms and breath hydrogen after 18 g lactose challenge.
6.SupplementDEX Database: Lactose intolerance — Comparative effects of exogenous lactase (beta-galactosidase) preparations on in vivo lactose digestion1993
In lactose maldigesters, Lactogest, Lactaid, and DairyEase beta-galactosidase preparations dramatically reduced breath hydrogen with 20 g or 50 g lactose versus placebo.
7.SupplementDEX Database: Lactose intolerance — Effect of a single dose of lactase on symptoms and expired hydrogen after lactose challenge in lactose-intolerant subjects1992
In 21 lactose-intolerant subjects, a single dose of 9,900 FCC-unit lactase before 37.5 g lactose in milk reduced symptoms and breath hydrogen versus placebo.
8.SupplementDEX Database: Lactose intolerance — beta-Galactosidase from Aspergillus niger in adult lactose malabsorption: a double-blind crossover study1992
In 16 lactose-malabsorbing adults, Aspergillus niger beta-galactosidase added to 400 ml milk significantly reduced breath hydrogen versus placebo.
9.SupplementDEX Database: Lactose intolerance — Dietary manipulation of postprandial colonic lactose fermentation: II. Addition of exogenous, microbial beta-galactosidases at mealtime1985
In lactose-malabsorbing adults, microbial beta-galactosidase enzymes added to milk at mealtime reduced postprandial hydrogen excretion versus untreated milk.
10.SupplementDEX Database: Lactose intolerance — Enzyme replacement therapy for primary adult lactase deficiency. Effective reduction of lactose malabsorption and milk intolerance by direct addition of beta-galactosidase to milk at mealtime1984
In 25 adult lactose malabsorbers, yeast or fungal lactase enzymes in 360 ml milk reduced breath hydrogen up to 53% versus untreated milk.
11.SupplementDEX Database: Lactose intolerance — Long-term acceptance of low-lactose milk1979
In 31 lactose-intolerant and 16 tolerant adults, 500 ml low-lactose milk twice daily for 1 month was well tolerated with fewer symptoms than regular milk.