Lactase enzymes (also sometimes called lactase-phlorizin hydrolase) are essential for proper digestion of dairy products, including milk. That’s because this enzyme breaks down lactose, a sugar naturally found in milk that contributes to its sweetness. Express a few tablespoons of breast milk into a small sterilised container. Add 4 drops of Care Co-Lactase® Lactase enzyme is destroyed by high heat; it works best in warm milk/formula (ie, body temperature ~98 degrees F)

Catanzaro R, Sciuto M, Marotta F. Lactose intolerance: an update on its pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. Nutr Res. 2021;89:23-34. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2021.02.003. Production of lactase is typically highest in humans during infancy, since milk ( breast milk or formula) is normally the only food that infants consume. High production of lactase helps infants and babies absorb the sugars and other nutrients available in milk. There is currently no permanent cure for lactose intolerance, which is considered a lifelong/chronic condition that can only be managed. Permanent treatment isn’t possible (at least not yet) because no medication works to increase the amount of lactase your small intestine makes.One of the most popular lactase enzyme supplements on the market is Lactaid, which is available over-the-counter (without a prescription). You can take lactase in pill/table form or as drops that are added directly to milk. Keep a log of the times when your baby’s colic is at its worst – you may be able to find a pattern associated with any triggers, allowing you to understand better how to ease the symptoms. Lactase enzyme preparation from Kluyveromyces lactis. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21, part 184 - Direct food substances affirmed as Generally Recognized As Safe. 21CFR184.1388. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1388 (accessed 10/24/2020). The most important job that the lactase enzyme has is catalyzing the breakdown of lactose (a disaccharide milk sugar), turning it into the simple sugars called glucose and galactose. Forsgard R. Lactose digestion in humans: intestinal lactase appears to be constitutive whereas the colonic microbiome is adaptable. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019;110(2):273-279. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqz104

Kanabar D, Randhawa M, Clayton P. Improvement of symptoms in infant colic following reduction of lactose load with lactase. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2001;14(5):359-63. View abstract. Savaiano DA, Ritter AJ, Klaenhammer TR, et al. Improving lactose digestion and symptoms of lactose intolerance with a novel galacto-oligosaccharide (Rp-g28): a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Nutr J. 2013;12:160. Treatments depend on the cause of lactose intolerance. If your lactose intolerance is caused by lactase nonpersistence or congenital lactase deficiency, no treatments can increase the amount of lactase your small intestine makes. Your doctor can help you change your diet to manage your symptoms. Lactase enzyme preparation from Candida pseudotropicalis. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21, part 184 - Direct food substances affirmed as Generally Recognized As Safe. 21CFR184.1387. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/SCRIPTs/cdrh/cfdocs/cfCFR/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1387 (accessed 10/24/2020).

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In most cases, you can manage the symptoms of lactose intolerance by changing your diet to limit or avoid foods and drinks that contain lactose, such as milk and milk products. Lactase enzyme pills usually come in doses between 3,000 and 9,000 international units per tablet. (This is the amount found in Lactaid Original and Lactaid Fast Act.) Several drops (about three of four) can also be added to breast milk or formula to support digestion in infants. When you can’t break down the lactose into its component sugars, it results in lactose intolerance. For people who have lactose intolerance, lactase pills and drops (sometimes with digestive enzymes and probiotics) can be used to manage symptoms that occur when eating dairy foods.

National Institutes of Health's Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center. What people with lactose intolerance need to know about osteoporosis. Lactase pills and drops do not have any known severe interactions with other drugs. However, if you do take medications and are experiencing signs of lactose intolerance, it’s best to talk to your doctor about supplementing before beginning to do so on your own. Lomer MC. Review article: the aetiology, diagnosis, mechanisms and clinical evidence for food intolerance. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2015;41(3):262-275. doi:10.1111/apt.13041. Ibrahim SA, Gyawali R, Awaisheh SS, et al. Fermented foods and probiotics: an approach to lactose intolerance. Journal of Dairy Research. 2021;88(3):357-365. doi:10.1017/S0022029921000625 Another thing to point out is that it’s important to distinguish between lactose intolerance and a dairy allergy, since lactase pills won’t help someone with an allergy.

In this case, lactase products that help digest lactose will not solve the underlying problem and may not be a good long-term solution. Horowitz M, Wishart J, Mundy L, Nordin BE. Lactose and calcium absorption in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Arch Intern Med 1987;147:534-6. View abstract. Ramirez FC, Lee K, Graham DY. All lactase preparations are not the same: results of a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Gastroenterol 1994;89:566-70. View abstract. Lactase is an enzyme produced by humans (and many other mammals and organisms) in the small intestine. Ahmed M, Billoo AG, Iqbal K, Memon A. Clinical efficacy of lactase enzyme supplement in infant colic: a randomised controlled trial. J Pak Med Assoc. 2018;68(12):1744-7. View abstract.