Multicomponent biocomplex consisting of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019TM, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM® 109 and 1010, alphaand beta-galactosidase, extracts of lemon balm, chamomile, passionflower, and ginger for the treatment of lactase deficiency and irritable bowel syndrome

One of the diseases that occurs under the “mask” of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is disaccharidase deficiency, which develops due to the deficiency of disaccharide hydrolysis enzymes. The probability of disaccharidase deficiency in a patient with IBS-like symptoms is quite high and reaches 22-26%. Disaccharide intolerance develops against the background of congenital or acquired galactosidase deficiency. Beta-galactosidase is an enzyme, often called lactase, that catalyzes the reaction of hydrolytic cleavage of non-reducing residues of beta-D-galactose in milk sugar, the disaccharide lactose. Impaired or decreased synthesis of beta-galactosidase is the cause of intolerance to milk and dairy products. Lactose intolerance is diagnosed based on a thorough collection of complaints, anamnesis, physical examination and medical tests. A connection between symptoms and the intake of dairy products is traced. In this regard, a patient who has come to the doctor for the first time with IBS symptoms is recommended to keep a food diary. Poor milk tolerance appears within 1-1.5 hours after consuming dairy products. Rumbling, abdominal pain, loose stools and bloating appear. The severity of clinical manifestations of lactase deficiency often does not correlate with the degree of decrease in enzyme activity. Lactose intolerance is associated not only with the level and activity of the enzyme, but also with the number of lactose-fermenting bacteria. Lactase deficiency is combined with manifestations of excessive bacterial growth in the small intestine, which affects the clinical symptoms and their duration. Diagnosis is made by performing a hydrogen breath test to confirm excessive colonization of the small intestine. Treatment of lactose intolerance involves dietary changes, taking lactase-containing enzymes, and treating the underlying disease in patients with secondary lactase deficiency.