Lactobacillus sporogenes, or lactobacillus, is a kind of bacterium that lives in the digestive, urinary and excretory systems. Lactobacillus is also present in fermented foods like yogurt, as well as in probiotic supplements. Bacteria like lactobacillus are considered friendly to your system. They help your body break down food, digest nutrients and fight off harmful organisms. Lactobacillus is useful in treating conditions such as diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammation of the colon and lactose intolerance.
Lactose Intolerance Symptoms and Lactase Deficiency
The inability to digest the sugar lactose is a characteristic of lactose intolerance. One of the main causes of lactose intolerance is a deficiency of the enzyme lactase. Lactase is produced in your small intestines and breaks lactose down into glucose and galactose before they are absorbed into your bloodstream. Lactase deficiency develops gradually and begins after the age of 2. However, most people with lactase deficiency do not exhibit symptoms of lactose intolerance until late adolescence or adulthood. Lactase deficiency can also occur as a result of damage or injury to the small intestine, which in turn can result from conditions like severe diarrhea, celiac disease and Crohn's disease. The severity of lactose intolerance symptoms depends on the amount of lactose you consume and how much you are able to tolerate. Abdominal pain and bloating, gas, diarrhea and nausea are typical symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Probiotics and Lactose Intolerance
Even though probiotic supplements contain lactobacillus, this does not guarantee they will automatically alleviate lactose intolerance. A study published in 2005 in "The Journal of Family Practice" showed that general probiotic supplementation did not alleviate lactose intolerance. The researchers assessed the efficacy of oral probiotics in alleviating the symptoms of adults with lactose intolerance by evaluating randomized controlled trials published between 1966 and 2002. The results suggested that specific strains of lactobacillus such as lactobacillus sporogenes are more effective at alleviating lactose intolerance than others. Further research is necessary to determine the optimum strains and probiotic concentrations necessary to alleviate lactose intolerance.
Amino Acid Uptake From Lactobacillus Probiotic Milk
Probiotic milk is useful in helping lactose-intolerant people assimilate the amino acid leucine, according to a study published in a 2007 issue of "The British Journal of Nutrition." The study involved 33 participants including 16 mildly lactose-intolerant people. The researchers tested fresh and pasteurized yogurt containing leucine and found that fresh yogurt yielded a higher short-term leucine assimilation but that lactose intolerance impaired the assimilation rate. This suggests the potential role of lactobacillus in amino acid uptake.
Other Ways of Managing Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance generally requires a reduction in dairy product intake to minimize symptoms. However, dairy products are a source of vitamins and minerals such as calcium. One way to ensure you still get your daily dose of calcium is to use alternative calcium sources like almonds and kale, MayoClinic.com notes. When you do consume dairy products, the serving sizes should be small. Drinking milk with meals is one way of reducing your risk of experiencing lactose intolerance symptoms.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Lactose Intolerance; February 2010
- MedlinePlus; Lactobacillus; July 2011
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Lactose Intolerance; June 2009
- "The British Journal of Nutrition"; Amino Acid Uptake From a Probiotic Milk in Lactose Intolerant Subjects; D. Parra and J.A. Martinez; October 2007
- "The Journal of Family Practice"; Do Probiotics Reduce Adult Lactose Intolerance: A Systematic Review; K.M. Levri et al.; July 2005
