There are many misconceptions -- many of them propagated via the Internet -- regarding the causes of lactose intolerance and potential treatment options or means of alleviating symptoms. Bromelain, or pineapple enzyme, is a popular dietary supplement. Contrary to popular belief, however, you can't use it to treat your lactose intolerance.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance results from an inability to produce sufficient quantities of lactase, the digestive enzyme that your small intestine uses to break down lactose, which is milk sugar. You have to break down lactose to absorb its components into the bloodstream. If your body fails to do so, it passes into your large intestine and is digested by bacteria, which leads to the production of large quantities of gas, according to Drs. Reginald Garrett and Charles Grisham in their book "Biochemistry."
Bromelain
Bromelain is an enzyme in pineapple. It's a proteolytic, meaning that it breaks down protein. For this reason, pineapple is a common ingredient in many meat marinades. The bromelain reacts with proteins in the meat, breaking down the muscle fibers and tenderizing the food. Bromelain is a digestive enzyme, but digestive enzymes are specific in their function; protein-digesting enzymes can't break down non-proteins, according to Drs. Mary Campbell and Shawn Farrell in their book "Biochemistry." Lactose is a carbohydrate, so bromelain doesn't affect it.
Other Considerations
Not only does bromelain have no direct effect on lactose, it has no ability to affect your body's lactase production. There are a few reasons for this. First, a protein-digesting enzyme has no function other than to digest protein -- it can't make you produce an enzyme. Second, you have no mechanism for absorbing enzymes you take internally into your cells, meaning bromelain can't affect cellular function. Finally, your stomach acid breaks down bromelain and destroys it.
Effective Treatments
Instead of trying to treat or alleviate the symptoms of your lactose intolerance with bromelain, there are other strategies you can employ. While you can't force your body to produce lactase, you can provide it with a temporary supply of the enzyme by taking supplements, which are available over the counter. You can also try lactose-free milk, which has been "pre-digested" with lactase enzyme, so it won't cause you symptoms.
References
- "Biochemistry"; Reginald Garrett, Ph.D. and Charles Grisham, Ph.D.; 2007
- "Biochemistry"; Mary Campbell, Ph.D. and Shawn Farrell, Ph.D.; 2005
