10.31.11
Can lactose-free milks and lactase enzyme supplements provide help to the millions of Americans with lactose intolerance? “Yes, but it depends on how much enzyme activity is in the supplement and how much lactose has been removed from the milk,” said Tod Cooperman, MD, president, ConsumerLab.com, White Plains, NY.
ConsumerLab.com recently selected and tested 10 different lactase supplements and three popular lactose-free milks, including well-known brands like Lactaid and Dairy Ease. The testing showed no enzyme activity in one lactase supplement and another with so little activity as to be of questionable value. However, most of the lactase supplements provided levels of enzyme activity known to be beneficial. Each of the lactose-free milks passed testing, having no detectable lactose, although only two provided a significant amount of vitamin D.
In terms of cost and value, ConsumerLab.com found that 9000 ALU (acid lactase unit) of lactase—enough to help with a high lactose meal—cost as little as 8 cents or as much as $6.79 depending on the brand. The cost to purchase lactose-free milks varied less, with organic milk costing slightly more than the others.
“You can reduce exposure to lactose by reducing or eliminating certain milk-based products, but you risk getting too little calcium in your diet. A lactase supplement taken at the beginning of a meal, or substituting lactose-free milk for regular milk, enables you to enjoy dairy and avoid this risk,” said Dr. Cooperman. ConsumerLab.com’s report includes information on how to choose foods low in lactose and strategies for reducing the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
The Review of Products for Lactose Intolerance is available online at ConsumerLab.com. Included in the new review are quality ratings and comparisons of 13 lactase supplements and 3 lactose-free milks. Ten of the lactase supplements were selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com and three are included for having passed the same testing in ConsumerLab.com’s Voluntary Certification Program.
ConsumerLab.com recently selected and tested 10 different lactase supplements and three popular lactose-free milks, including well-known brands like Lactaid and Dairy Ease. The testing showed no enzyme activity in one lactase supplement and another with so little activity as to be of questionable value. However, most of the lactase supplements provided levels of enzyme activity known to be beneficial. Each of the lactose-free milks passed testing, having no detectable lactose, although only two provided a significant amount of vitamin D.
In terms of cost and value, ConsumerLab.com found that 9000 ALU (acid lactase unit) of lactase—enough to help with a high lactose meal—cost as little as 8 cents or as much as $6.79 depending on the brand. The cost to purchase lactose-free milks varied less, with organic milk costing slightly more than the others.
“You can reduce exposure to lactose by reducing or eliminating certain milk-based products, but you risk getting too little calcium in your diet. A lactase supplement taken at the beginning of a meal, or substituting lactose-free milk for regular milk, enables you to enjoy dairy and avoid this risk,” said Dr. Cooperman. ConsumerLab.com’s report includes information on how to choose foods low in lactose and strategies for reducing the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
The Review of Products for Lactose Intolerance is available online at ConsumerLab.com. Included in the new review are quality ratings and comparisons of 13 lactase supplements and 3 lactose-free milks. Ten of the lactase supplements were selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com and three are included for having passed the same testing in ConsumerLab.com’s Voluntary Certification Program.