Relationships of Intestinal Lactase and the Small Intestinal Microbiome with Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance and Intake in Adults

Milk: A Natural Guardian for the Gut Barrier

The gut barrier plays an important role in health maintenance by preventing the invasion of dietary pathogens and toxins. Disruption of the gut barrier can cause severe intestinal inflammation. As a natural source, milk is enriched with many active constituents that contribute to numerous beneficial functions, including immune regulation. These components collectively serve as a shield for the gut barrier, protecting against various threats such as biological, chemical, mechanical, and immunological threats. This comprehensive review delves into the active ingredients in milk, encompassing casein, α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, lactoferrin, the milk fat globular membrane, lactose, transforming growth factor, and glycopeptides. The primary focus is to elucidate their impact on the integrity and function of the gut barrier. Furthermore, the implications of different processing methods of dairy products on the gut barrier protection are discussed. In conclusion, this study aimed to underscore the vital role of milk and dairy products in sustaining gut barrier health, potentially contributing to broader perspectives in nutritional sciences and public health.

Whey permeate powder is a suitable ingredient for ice cream

The objective of this research was to evaluate the suitability of whey permeate powder for ice cream. Three white mixes were formulated with equivalent total solids, fat, and carbohydrates, but different concentrations of lactose and added sugar. Vanilla ice creams contained either reduced lactose (RL, 3.8% lactose and 17% added sugar), standard lactose (SL, 5.8%; 15%), or high lactose (HL, 7.8%; 13%). Trained panelists evaluated 8 body and texture, and 6 flavor characteristics through 10 mo of storage. All ice creams maintained low mean scores (<4.0/15.0 cm) for crumbly, lacks freshness, nonfat dry milk flavor, and whey, and moderate mean scores (5.0-8.3/15.0 cm) for gummy, melt rate, melt viscosity, sweet, and vanilla flavor for 10 mo. In mo 1 and 10, consumers in Iowa (n = 94, n = 55) and in mo 4 and 6, consumers in Kansas (n = 44; n = 56) rated the acceptability of the ice creams. Overall acceptability, flavor, and texture acceptability for products did not significantly differ until mo 10, when HL mean scores decreased lower than SL ice cream mean scores. The lower scores are attributed to crumbly and sandy texture defects, noted by trained panelists, only for HL ice cream stored 10 mo. The research demonstrates that whey permeate powder can be used to produce ice creams of acceptable quality for up to 10 mo.

Fecal Calprotectin Elevations Associated with Food Intolerance/Malabsorption Are Significantly Reduced with Targeted Diets

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves two clinically defined entities, namely Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Fecal calprotectin (FCAL) is used as a marker to distinguish between organic IBD and functional bowel disease in disorders of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) spectrum. Food components may affect digestion and cause functional abdominal disorders of the IBS spectrum. In this retrospective study, we report on FCAL testing to search for IBD in 228 patients with disorders of the IBS spectrum caused by food intolerances/malabsorption. Included were patients with fructose malabsorption (FM), histamine intolerance (HIT), lactose intolerance (LIT), and H. pylori infection. We found elevated FCAL values in 39 (17.1%) of 228 IBS patients with food intolerance/malabsorption and H. pylori infection. Within these, fourteen patients were lactose intolerant, three showed fructose malabsorption, and six had histamine intolerance. The others had combinations of the above conditions: five patients had LIT and HIT, two patients had LIT and FM, and four had LIT and H. pylori. In addition, there were individual patients with other double or triple combinations. In addition to LIT, IBD was suspected in two patients due to continuously elevated FCAL, and then found via histologic evaluation of biopsies taken during colonoscopy. One patient with elevated FCAL had sprue-like enteropathy caused by the angiotensin receptor-1 antagonist candesartan. When screening for study subjects concluded, 16 (41%) of 39 patients with initially elevated FCAL agreed to voluntarily control FCAL measurements, although symptom-free and -reduced, following the diagnosis of intolerance/malabsorption and/or H. pylori infection. After the initiation of a diet individualized to the symptomatology and eradication therapy (when H. pylori was detected), FCAL values were significantly lowered or reduced to be within the normal range.