Lactulose

candistyx
candistyx Posts: 547 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
NOT lactose!

I have a, ahem, laxitive, for occasional bouts of constipation I sometimes get called Laevolac, which is made of a sugar called Lactulose. The pamphlet it comes with explains I as a human cannot break down this sugar to absorb it, therefore it is broken down by bacteria (producing ammonium ions in the process leading to the body to dilute it by shooting water into the gut - this is its mechanism of action).
The bacteria apparently process it into saturated fat which then is absorbed by the body.

It is from the pharmacist and it says it's suitable for diabetics... so, can I trust that it basically does not contain "processable" sugar? Or should I mark it down as sugar in my food diary?

Replies

  • kristie778
    kristie778 Posts: 51
    No, since you don't absorb it (and in fact will probably lose some nutrients from taking it, as it is a laxative) you would not consider it a sugar for the purposes of your diary..
  • Larius
    Larius Posts: 507 Member
    Non-digestible saccharide fermented by colonic bacteria to form fats and draw water into the bowel. Prevents constipation. Side effect - gas.

    I'm not an expert or even a chemist, but this stuff sounds just like a synthetic version of dietary fiber.
  • candistyx
    candistyx Posts: 547 Member
    Heh, well fiber has other effects.
    Also I assume the chemist giving me this did so under the understanding that it was stronger in effect than anything naturally in the diet.

    Also from experience I find it is, fiber = large hard bm in a day or so, weird sugars (this one, sorbitol too) = ...water jet toilet cleaning... if the image isn't too foul.
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