Lactulose

See also : Prebiotics
Lactulose is a synthetic, non-digestible sugar used in the treatment of chronic constipation and hepatic encephalopathy, a complication of liver disease. It is a disaccharide (double-sugar) formed from one molecule each of the simple sugars (monosaccharides) fructose and galactose. It is produced commercially by isomerization of lactose.It is broadly classified as an osmotic laxative.

Special Precautions of Lactulose

• At higher dosage, in pharmaceutical usage, common side effects of lactulose are abdominal cramping, borborygmus, gas and pungent, noisy flatulence that some people find difficult to control in social situations. In normal individuals, overdose is considered uncomfortable, but not life threatening.[medical citation needed] Uncommon normal side effects are nausea and vomiting.
• In sensitive individuals, such as the elderly or people with reduced kidney function, excess lactulose dosage can result in dehydration and electrolytic disturbances such as high sodium levels.
• Although lactulose has less potential to cause dental caries than sucrose, there is a minimal potential because it is a sugar. This should be taken into consideration when taken by people with a high susceptibility to this condition.

Benefits and uses of Lactulose are

If you’ve ever seen a doctor for constipation or hemorrhoid, you’re probably familiar with lactulose. It’s a thick, sweet syrupy liquid that helps to increase the water content and volume of the stools so that they become easier to pass. Unbeknown to many of us, lactulose is also a prebiotic. It contains a type of non-digestible sugar called galactofructose that boosts the growth of probiotic bacteria, which in turn helps to reduce the populations of pathogenic species (source). A dosage of 3 g per day for 2 weeks appears to be effective in bringing about a favorable change in the composition of gut microbiota according to a small study. Like inulin and GOS, lactulose also appears to improve the absorption of calcium and magnesium in a double-blind study involving 24 male volunteers.