A PRODUCT WITH MULTIPLE BENEFITS
>> The variety of properties
>> Lactulose mechanism of action in humans
>> Prebiotic
>> Osmotically active laxative
>> Reducing blood ammonia levels
>> Lactulose mode of action
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>> The variety of properties
Lactulose reaches the colon undigested where it is fermented by bacteria into short chain fatty acids (SCFA). The main effects are a drop of pH in the colon and a favourable change in composition as well as the metabolic activity of the intestinal flora.
>> Lactulose mechanism of action in humans
Lactulose has three major effects:
• It is prebiotic
• It acts as an osmotically active laxative
• It reduces blood ammonia levels
>> Prebiotic
Prebiotics are food ingredients that beneficially influence the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of health-promoting colonic bacteria. It has been demonstrated that Lactulose is used as a carbohydrate resource by Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli,
leading to the unique bifidogenic nature of the product.
>> Osmotically active laxative
Lactulose is degraded in the colon by saccharolytic bacteria, like Lactobacilli, into SCFA. Thus the intestinal content acidifies, the osmotic pressure rises, and stool volume increases. This leads to the laxative effect of Lactulose characterised by a shorter colon transit time and accelerated bowel movement.
>> Reducing blood ammonia levels
On the one hand, Lactulose is split by colonic bacteria promoting their own growth and increasing biomass. For the synthesis of bacterial protein, ammonia and nitrogen are used. On the other hand, production of ammonia is inhibited by acidifying the intestinal content. This reduces the passage of free ammonia from the intestine into the blood. Furthermore, the residence time of ammonia in the intestinal lumen is reduced. Together with a shortened transit time, the excretion of ammonia with the stool is accelerated and hence blood ammonia levels are reduced.
>> Lactulose mode of action