Biomaterial Database

Lactobacillus acidophilus as a dietary adjunct for milk to aid lactose digestion in humans. 1983

H S Kim, and S E Gilliland

The effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus on lactose utilization of humans was determined by our comparing the amount of hydrogen excreted in their breath after consuming milk containing either 0, 2.5 X 10(6), 2.5 X 10(7), or 2.5 X 10(8) Lactobacillus acidophilus/ml daily for 6 days. Consumption of milk without cells of Lactobacillus acidophilus for 1 wk did not affect lactose utilization. Milk containing either 2.5 X 10(6) or 2.5 X 10(8) Lactobacillus acidophilus/ml improved lactose utilization. However, consumption of milk containing an intermediate 2.5 X 10(7)/ml did not improve utilization based on comparison of group means before and after consuming the test milk. The lack of a significant effect for the latter group of test subjects was probably due to large increases of excreted hydrogen on day 7 as compared to day 0 by two of the six test subjects. The beneficial effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus was immediate and did not require that milk be consumed daily. Improved digestion of lactose was not due to hydrolysis of the lactose prior to consumption, which indicated that the beneficial effect must have occurred in the digestive tract after consumption of milk containing L. acidophilus.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007779	Lactobacillus acidophilus	A species of gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria isolated from the intestinal tract of humans and animals, the human mouth, and vagina. This organism produces the fermented product, acidophilus milk.	Lactobacillus amylovorus
D007787	Lactose Intolerance	The condition resulting from the absence or deficiency of LACTASE in the MUCOSA cells of the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, and the inability to break down LACTOSE in milk for ABSORPTION. Bacterial fermentation of the unabsorbed lactose leads to symptoms that range from a mild indigestion (DYSPEPSIA) to severe DIARRHEA. Lactose intolerance may be an inborn error or acquired.	Lactose Malabsorption,Alactasia,Dairy Product Intolerance,Hypolactasia,Milk Sugar Intolerance,Intolerance, Lactose,Malabsorption, Lactose
D008892	Milk	The off-white liquid secreted by the mammary glands of humans and other mammals. It contains proteins, sugar, lipids, vitamins, and minerals.	Cow Milk,Cow's Milk,Milk, Cow,Milk, Cow's
D012119	Respiration	The act of breathing with the LUNGS, consisting of INHALATION, or the taking into the lungs of the ambient air, and of EXHALATION, or the expelling of the modified air which contains more CARBON DIOXIDE than the air taken in (Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, 4th ed.). This does not include tissue respiration (	Breathing
D004063	Digestion	The process of breakdown of food for metabolism and use by the body.
D005503	Food Additives	Substances used in the processing or storage of foods or animal feed including ANTIOXIDANTS; FOOD PRESERVATIVES; FOOD COLORING AGENTS; FLAVORING AGENTS; ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS; EXCIPIENTS and other similarly used substances. Many of the same substances are used as PHARMACEUTIC AIDS.	Additive, Food,Additives, Food,Food Additive
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006859	Hydrogen	The first chemical element in the periodic table with atomic symbol H, and atomic number 1. Protium (atomic weight 1) is by far the most common hydrogen isotope. Hydrogen also exists as the stable isotope DEUTERIUM (atomic weight 2) and the radioactive isotope TRITIUM (atomic weight 3). Hydrogen forms into a diatomic molecule at room temperature and appears as a highly flammable colorless and odorless gas.	Protium,Hydrogen-1
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia