Relationship between lactose digestion, gastrointestinal transit time and symptoms in lactose malabsorbers after dairy consumption. (17/280)

BACKGROUND: The relationship of symptoms with objective measurements, as well as some of the mechanisms involved in lactose tolerance after yoghurt consumption, remain unclear. METHODS: The trial had a double-blind design in which 22 lactose malabsorbers received 25 g daily lactose in fresh (living bacteria > 108 cfu/g) yoghurt or heated (< 102 cfu/g) yoghurt for 15 days, followed by a cross-over (15 days) after a wash-out period (14 days). The lactose digestion was determined by the breath H2 test, the gastric emptying (GE) with a 13C-acetate breath test and the revealed transit time (OCTT) by 15N-lactose-ureide test. Subjects reported their gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) in a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: Breath H2 test indicated more effective lactose digestion after fresh yoghurt intake. The OCTT was shorter after heated yoghurt ingestion as compared with the fresh. There was lower severity of GIS (P < 0.05) after fresh yoghurt intake, and this showed an inverse correlation with OCTT (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed orocoecal transit time was associated with fewer gastrointestinal symptoms. The improved lactose digestion and tolerance of fresh yoghurt should be mainly attributed to the presence of living bacteria.  (+info)

Protein-losing enteropathy and malabsorption in acute measles enteritis. (18/280)

Gastrointestinal protein loss and xylose and lactose absorption were both abnormal in underweight children with acute measles and diarrhoea. The protein loss was equivalent to a mean absolute albumin loss of 1.68 plus or minus 0.21 g/day, while the mean one-hour blood xylose level was 0.93 plus or minus 0.38 mmol/l (14.0 plus or minus 5.7 mg/100 ml) in the acute stage and 1.71 plus or minus 0.43 mmol/l (25.6 plus or minus 6.5 mg/100 ml) after recovery (P less than 0.01). Lactose intolerance was found in four children out of 17 tested. Thus faecal protein loss and malabsorption may contribute significantly to the development of malnutrition after measles.  (+info)

Effects of various dietary levels of dried whey on the performance of growing pigs. (19/280)

Because dried whey contains approximately 70% lactose, it could be harmful if incorporated into the diet of animals with low tolerance for lactose. Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of various levels of dried whey in the diet of growing pigs. In the first two experiments diets containing up to 40% dried whey were fed from weaning to approximately 5 months of age. With respect to rate of gain or feed efficiency, there were no significant differences among dietary treatment groups. In a third experiment pigs that had consumed a diet containing no lactose from 6 to 12 weeks of age performed normally when fed a diet containing 40% dried whey from 12 to 21 weeks of age. The results of the three experiments suggest that the growing pig can tolerate up to 30% lactose in the diet without any symptoms of lactose intolerance, and that continuous exposure to lactose in the diet is not necessary to maintain tolerance to this level of lactose.  (+info)

Lactose intolerance. (20/280)

Lactose intolerance affects more than 50 million Americans. It is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders seen by primary care physicians. When this disorder is properly diagnosed, the patient is easily treated with education and dietary modifications. Lactose intolerance is commonly misdiagnosed because of its overlapping symptoms of diarrhea and abdominal bloating. This article reviews the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of lactose intolerance.  (+info)

Clinical applications of probiotic agents. (21/280)

In the past century the beneficial roles of nonpathogenic bacteria in the intestinal lumen were described. In the past decade there has been a dramatic increase in scientific work supporting the concept that there are clinical benefits to ingesting specific nonpathogenic organisms (probiotics). The potential benefits of modifying the intestinal flora composition of certain high-risk groups, eg, premature infants, travelers, and children receiving antibiotics, are emerging in the literature. Studies documenting prophylactic and therapeutic benefits in acute viral gastroenteritis and in atopic disease point not only to the potential applications, but also to the fact that the mechanisms of action of these agents may be due to their interaction with the gut as an immunologic organ. The benefits documented thus far are of varying degree and are most likely dependent on the number of agents, the dose, the dosing patterns, and the characteristics of the host and its underlying luminal microbial environment. Consequently, the safety and specification of a particular probiotic agent and methods of delivery to a particular population for a particular purpose should be carefully documented before making broad recommendations. The cost-benefit assessment of adding probiotics to our diet for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes, as well as better regulation of these agents as commercial products, is also needed.  (+info)

Long-term acceptance of low-lactose milk. (22/280)

Low-lactose milk was produced by incubating cow's milk with yeast lactase. Sixteen lactose tolerant and 15 intolerant volunteers ingested 500 ml of the product twice daily for 1 month. During the testing period all subjects received on three occasions the same volume of unmodified milk in double-blind tests. Symptoms recorded throughout the study and for an additional 15 day base-line observation period were: diarrhea, abdominal pain and distention, flatulence, heartburn, and headache. Low-lactose milk acceptance was excellent. No significant differences were found between tolerants and intolerants during the base-line period and while ingesting low-lactose milk. By contrast, unmodified milk induced severe symptoms only in the intolerants. Availability of low-lactose milk and of its by-products allows consumption of greater volumes of this highly nutritious food by subjects with lactose intolerance with none or less symptoms compared to unmodified milk.  (+info)

Hydrogen excretion upon ingestion of dairy products in lactose-intolerant male subjects: importance of the live flora. (23/280)

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of the ingestion of milk, yoghurt (10(8) bacteria/ml), heat-treated yoghurt (<15 bacteria/ml) and two products obtained by dilution of yoghurt with heat-treated product (10(6) and 10(5) bacteria/ml) on hydrogen production and symptoms of lactose intolerance in lactose malabsorbers. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomised cross-over design. SETTING: The study was performed in the phase 1 clinical unit of OPTIMED, Nancy, France. SUBJECTS: Twenty-four male lactose malabsorbers were selected for the study. INTERVENTIONS: Hydrogen production and adverse events were followed during 8 h after ingestion of the products. RESULTS: The results clearly demonstrate that ingestion of yoghurt with 10(8) bacteria/ml leads to lower H(2) excretion and complaints than the other products. Results observed with the products containing a reduced population of live flora remain better than those observed with milk. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of a high population of the live flora is underlined.  (+info)

Lactose intolerance among Mexican Americans. (24/280)

Thirty-three Mexican Americans between the ages of 9 and 60 were interviewed and tested for lactose intolerance. The participants of the study included 16 children and 17 persons not related by birth, including the parents of the children. Determination of lactose intolerance was based on a rise of less than 25mg/100 ml of blood glucose as measured by an Ames Dextrostix/Reflectance Meter following consumption of a lactose load. Forty-seven percent of the 17 nonrelated Mexican Americans were lactose intolerant. There was a marked relationship between low rise in blood glucose and symptoms of diarrhea, flatulence, and distention. Sixteen children from four families had an incidence of 50 per cent intolerance. The findings of intolerance in two successive generations of three families and in both sexes of the families adds support to the contention that lactose intolerance has a genetic basis, without sex predilection.  (+info)