Milk Enzymes

What Are Milk Enzymes & Lactose Pills?

Milk enzymes are a group of natural enzymes found in milk that play essential roles in the digestion and processing of milk and milk-based products. The most common milk enzyme is lactase. It is produced by many organisms, including humans and other mammals. Lactase is essential to the complete digestion of dairy because it is responsible for breaking down lactose, a natural sugar in milk that gives it its sweetness. Many turn to lactose pills to help with the breakdown of lactose if they have an intolerance to this sugar.

Indeed, lactase decomposes lactose into glucose and galactose. This is key because only once these two sugars have been separated can they be absorbed by the bowel. Other milk enzymes include lipase, which breaks down fat molecules, and protease, which breaks down protein molecules. While these enzymes help to make milk easier to digest and improve its nutritional value, they do not cause allergy or intolerance like lactose can.

Unfortunately, statistics tell us that deficiency in lactase enzyme is common worldwide and has been estimated to affect 70 to 90% of Oriental, black, American Indian, and Mediterranean adults. This is where lactase supplements and lactose pills can help and are often a game changer for many lactose intolerant/allergic individuals.

Benefits of Milk Enzymes

• Aids Those Who Are Lactose Intolerant/Sensitive To Dairy
• Dairy Tolerance Enzyme
• Helps Promote Better Digestion Of Lactose
• Dairy Intolerance Support
• Reduces Abdominal Discomfort & Bloating Associated With Dairy

Who Needs Milk Enzymes & Lactose Pills?

Lactase supplements are intended for lactose-intolerant people to help their bodies better digest the lactose found in milk and other dairy products. Supplementation can help reduce symptoms such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea associated with consuming dairy. Remember that dairy can be found in all sorts of foods beyond milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. Dairy is often added to prepared/prepackaged foods like puddings and custards, cookies, muffins, and other baked goods, as well as sauces and bread, granola bars, salad dressing, and others. 

Milk Enzymes – Forms, Formats, and Potency

Lactase supplements are easy to find in health food stores, pharmacies and through online retailers. They typically come in pill form (capsules or caplets,) and more often than not, they are made from beta-galactosidase, a compound derived from fermented fungi Aspergillus niger or Aspergillus oryzae. Lactase supplements come in potencies between 3,000 and 9,000 international units.

Always follow the dosing instructions on the label of the product you select to avoid gastrointestinal symptoms.

Final Thoughts On Milk Enzymes & Lactose Pills

You should take your lactase supplement just before you consume dairy products. This is key because lactase enzymes have no lasting effect beyond the meal with which they are being taken.

Also, keep in mind that lactase supplements are a symptomatic approach to lactose intolerance and are not intended to "treat" the condition. If you suffer from very severe lactose intolerance, lactase supplements may not be able to entirely prevent symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas and diarrhea. In such instances, speak to a knowledgeable natural healthcare practitioner about trying an elimination diet.