Unlike probiotics, which are living microorganisms, prebiotics are indigestible carbohydrates. These prebiotics stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria of the intestinal flora. Lactulose is one of the best-studied of the unabsorbable carbohydrates. Lactulose is therefore a prebiotic.
The intestine of an adult human contains approximately 1014 bacteria of more than 400 different species and sub-species, which together weigh between 1 - 1.5 kg.
Because bacteria are single-cell organisms and can carry out all essential metabolic activities themselves, the complete intestinal flora can be considered an enormous and complex metabolic organ for the human body. As a result, this "organism" affects our health and well-being.
What are beneficial bacteria in the intestinal flora?
In the large intestine, we can differentiate between beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacillus and possible pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella and clostridium. The latter cannot use lactulose. If one stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria using lactulose, they can therefore displace the possible pathogens.
Other important functions of a healthy intestinal flora are:
Growth inhibition of possible pathogenic bacteria
Positive influence on the activity of the immune system
Recovery of the intestinal flora after treatment with antibiotics
Lactulose is a synthetic carbohydrate with a prebiotic effect that is made up of the natural sugars fructose and galactose.
Lactulose is the ideal nutrient for the beneficial germs bifidobacteria and lactobacillus. In this way, it serves to stabilise and restore our physiological flora of the intestine.
Prebiotics occur naturally in plants such as garlic, asparagus, and onions but also in yoghurt and milk.
In addition to the prebiotic effect, in other words the stabilisation of the physiological intestinal flora, lactulose also helps in the treatment of constipation (medical term: obstipation). Before lactulose is used by the intestinal bacteria, it has in fact an osmotic effect. This means it draws water into the intestinal lumen, thereby increasing the mass of the stool. This in turn has a stimulating effect on the intestinal musculature and stimulates the bowel movement.
You will find more detailed information on how lactulose works in the treatment of constipation here Duphalac® optimal for digestion. Lactulose is moreover the preferred choice for gentle detoxification in the case of liver diseases.
Lactulose can help in the treatment of inflammatory intestinal diseases and prevent the emergence of gallstones as well as intestinal infections. Initial evidence of this already exists. Subsequent studies still have to be carried out, however. The same applies for the assumption that lactulose could prevent the emergence of colon cancer.
There are also indications that lactulose has a positive effect on atopy. Atopy is an inherited condition in which the skin or mucous membranes react hypersensitively to various substances in the environment. Along with other factors, problems with the intestinal flora have been linked to atopy. A test on newborn babies showed that the risk of atopy was reduced when certain bacteria were administered. These bacteria belong to a strain of lactobacillus; in other words, a strain of bacteria whose growth rate is stimulated by lactulose.
The results of studies provide encouraging evidence to support the assumption that simply administering lactulose will positively influence the intestinal flora balance. Further studies need to be carried out in order to show the precise links to immune system processes.
