Differential impact of lactose/lactase phenotype on colonic microflora.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The ability to digest lactose divides the world's population into two phenotypes that may be risk variability markers for several diseases. Prebiotic effects likely favour lactose maldigesters who experience lactose spilling into their colon.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of fixed-dose lactose solutions on fecal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in digesters and maldigesters, and to determine whether the concept of a difference in ability to digest lactose is supported.

Methods

A four-week study was performed in 23 lactose maldigesters and 18 digesters. Following two weeks of dairy food withdrawal, subjects ingested 25 g of lactose twice a day for two weeks. Stool bifidobacteria and lactobacilli counts pre- and postintervention were measured as the primar

SUBMITTER: Szilagyi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2898492 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature