Editing Lactose intolerance (section)

=== Lactase supplements ===
When lactose avoidance is not possible, or on occasions when a person chooses to consume such items, then enzymatic lactase supplements may be used.<ref name="Montalto">{{cite journal | vauthors = Montalto M, Curigliano V, Santoro L, Vastola M, Cammarota G, Manna R, Gasbarrini A, Gasbarrini G | title = Management and treatment of lactose malabsorption | journal = World Journal of Gastroenterology | volume = 12 | issue = 2 | pages = 187–91 | date = January 2006 | pmid = 16482616 | pmc = 4066025 | doi=10.3748/wjg.v12.i2.187 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = He M, Yang Y, Bian L, Cui H | title = [Effect of exogenous lactase on the absorption of lactose and its intolerance symptoms] | language = zh | journal = Wei Sheng Yan Jiu = Journal of Hygiene Research | volume = 28 | issue = 5 | pages = 309–11 | date = September 1999 | pmid = 12712706 }}</ref>

Lactase enzymes similar to those produced in the small intestines of humans are produced industrially by [[fungi]] of the [[genus]] ''[[Aspergillus]]''. The enzyme, [[Beta-galactosidase|β-galactosidase]], is available in tablet form in a variety of doses, in many countries without a prescription. It functions well only in high-acid environments, such as that found in the human gut due to the addition of gastric juices from the stomach. Unfortunately, too much acid can denature it,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = O'Connell S, Walsh G | s2cid = 22205720 | title = Physicochemical characteristics of commercial lactases relevant to their application in the alleviation of lactose intolerance | journal = Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology | volume = 134 | issue = 2 | pages = 179–91 | date = August 2006 | pmid = 16943638 | doi = 10.1385/ABAB:134:2:179 }}</ref> so it should not be taken on an empty stomach. Also, the enzyme is ineffective if it does not reach the small intestine by the time the problematic food does. Lactose-sensitive individuals can experiment with both timing and dosage to fit their particular needs.

While essentially the same process as normal intestinal lactose digestion, direct treatment of milk employs a different variety of industrially produced lactase. This enzyme, produced by [[yeast]] from the genus ''[[Kluyveromyces]]'', takes much longer to act, must be thoroughly mixed throughout the product, and is destroyed by even mildly acidic environments. Its main use is in producing the lactose-free or lactose-reduced dairy products sold in supermarkets.<ref>{{Citation|last1=Belloch|first1=C.|title=Yeasts and Molds {{!}} Kluyveromyces spp.|date=2011-01-01|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123744074004994|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Dairy Sciences |edition=2nd |pages=754–764|editor-last=Fuquay|editor-first=John W.|place=San Diego|publisher=Academic Press|isbn=978-0-12-374407-4|access-date=2022-01-14|last2=Querol|first2=A.|last3=Barrio|first3=E.}}</ref>