Lacto
is
formulated for those that have difficulty digesting foods that
contain Lactose and dairy protein. It contains the highest amount of
lactase along with eight additional enzymes.
Between 30 and
50 million Americans are lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance is
a condition caused by a lack of an enzyme called lactase. Certain
ethnic and racial populations are more widely affected than others.
As many as 75 percent of all African Americans and American Indians
and 90 percent of Asian Americans are lactose intolerant. The
condition is least common among persons of northern European
descent.
Lactase is the
enzyme in the small intestine that digests lactose (a dairy sugar).
Normally, lactase breaks lactose down into glucose that can be
easily absorbed by the blood. When there is not enough lactase to
digest the amount of lactose consumed, water is retained in the
bowel, which results in bloating and diarrhea. Lactose that passes
into the large intestine is fermented by bacteria This produces
carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane, which may lead to bloating,
cramping and gas.
Some causes of
lactose intolerance are well known. For instance, certain digestive
diseases and injuries to the small intestine can reduce the amount
of enzymes produced. In rare cases, children are born without the
ability to produce lactase. For most people though, lactase
deficiency is a condition that develops as they age. After about the
age of two years, the body begins to produce less lactase. However,
many people may not experience symptoms until they are much older.
Symptoms:
Symptoms include cramps, gas and diarrhea. They usually occur 30
minutes to two hours after ingesting lactose-containing foods. The
severity of symptoms usually depends on the amount of lactose
ingested and how much of the enzyme lactase remains in the
intestinal tract.
Supplementation
of lactase allows for lactose to be more readily digestible and
absorbed. By taking Lacto with meals that contain lactose, you are
providing your body with the enzymes needed for proper digestion of
not only dairy sugar (lactose) but dairy protein, fats,
carbohydrates, meat protein and fiber.**
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