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Safety Issues
Although alpha-glucosidase appears to be safe for people in good health, there are potential concerns involving people with diabetes as well as those with a rare condition named galactosemia.
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Alpha-glucosidase breaks down complex carbohydrates into easily absorbed sugars. This may raise blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Drugs that block alpha-glucosidase (alpha-glucosidase inhibitors) have proven benefit for people with diabetes. One study found that use of alpha-glucosidase supplements reduced the effectiveness of the diabetes drug acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor drug. 1 For this reason, people with diabetes who are using alpha-glucosidase inhibitors should avoid alpha-glucosidase supplements. In addition, it is theoretically possible that alphaglucosidase might increase blood sugar levels in people with diabetes who are not taking alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, but this has not been thoroughly evaluated. (See more on Diabetes Treatments)
People with the genetic condition galactosemia should also avoid alphagalactosidase as it could worsen symptoms of the disease.
Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or people with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.
Interactions You Should Know About
If you are taking the drugs acarbose (Precose) or miglitol (Glyset) for treatment of diabetes, use of alpha-galactosidase may decrease their effectiveness.
Although alpha-galactosidase is widely marketed as an over-the-counter treatment to prevent intestinal gas , there is only limited evidence that it really works. In two preliminary double-blind, controlled trials enrolling a total of 39 people, use of alpha-galactosidase along with a meal of beans significantly reduced symptoms of excess gas. 1 Two other relevant trials were also small, and suffered from significant design flaws. 2 Larger and more strictly designed studies will be necessary to determine whether alpha-galactosidase is truly an effective treatment for reducing intestinal gas.
Since it is an over-the-counter product however, it can be tried with minimal risk (see the section on Beano side effects for more information.) People with Type 2 Diabetes, specifically those taking alpha-glucosidase inhibitor medications for their diabetes, should avoid Beano or other alpha-galactosidase products as they may increase blood sugars.
For many people, limiting or eliminating the consumption of major gas-producing foods such as beans (legumes), broccoli, cabbage, onions, and whole grains, will quite possibly eliminate the gas that comes along with them. For some people, limiting their consumption of these foods may cure their symptoms - for others, trying Beano is a great option.
Although alpha-galactosidase is widely marketed as an over-the-counter treatment to prevent intestinal gas , there is only limited evidence that it really works. In two preliminary double-blind, controlled trials enrolling a total of 39 people, use of alpha-galactosidase along with a meal of beans significantly reduced symptoms of excess gas. 1 Two other relevant trials were also small, and suffered from significant design flaws. 2 Larger and more strictly designed studies will be necessary to determine whether alpha-galactosidase is truly an effective treatment for reducing intestinal gas.
Since it is an over-the-counter product however, it can be tried with minimal risk (see the section on Beano side effects for more information.) People with Type 2 Diabetes, specifically those taking alpha-glucosidase inhibitor medications for their diabetes, should avoid Beano or other alpha-galactosidase products as they may increase blood sugars.
For many people, limiting or eliminating the consumption of major gas-producing foods such as beans (legumes), broccoli, cabbage, onions, and whole grains, will quite possibly eliminate the gas that comes along with them. For some people, limiting their consumption of these foods may cure their symptoms - for others, trying Beano is a great option.
Although alpha-galactosidase is widely marketed as an over-the-counter treatment to prevent intestinal gas , there is only limited evidence that it really works. In two preliminary double-blind, controlled trials enrolling a total of 39 people, use of alpha-galactosidase along with a meal of beans significantly reduced symptoms of excess gas. 1 Two other relevant trials were also small, and suffered from significant design flaws. 2 Larger and more strictly designed studies will be necessary to determine whether alpha-galactosidase is truly an effective treatment for reducing intestinal gas.
Since it is an over-the-counter product however, it can be tried with minimal risk (see the section on Beano side effects for more information.) People with Type 2 Diabetes, specifically those taking alpha-glucosidase inhibitor medications for their diabetes, should avoid Beano or other alpha-galactosidase products as they may increase blood sugars.
For many people, limiting or eliminating the consumption of major gas-producing foods such as beans (legumes), broccoli, cabbage, onions, and whole grains, will quite possibly eliminate the gas that comes along with them. For some people, limiting their consumption of these foods may cure their symptoms - for others, trying Beano is a great option.
A typical supplemental dosage of alpha-galactosidase provides 450 GalU (galactosidase units) per meal.
Many foods can cause gasiness, including beans (legumes), broccoli, cabbage, onions, and whole grains. This occurs because these foods contain complex carbohydrates that are not entirely broken down in the digestive tract, and these left-over carbs then serve as "food" for intestinal bacteria. These bacteria then produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide gas as they digest the carbohydrates. While everyone develops intestinal gas to some extent, certain people have an intolerance of complex carbohydrates and develop relatively more severe symptoms.1 The enzyme alpha-galactosidase has been advocated as a treatment for both complex carbohydrate intolerance and ordinary gassiness. Beano contains this enzyme, which helps break down the complex carbohydrates. When taken as a supplement, it may enhance the digestive process and thereby deprive gas-producing bacteria the left-over carbs it needs in order to create gas.
This enzyme, alpha-galactosidase, that is supplemented through Beano, is normally produced in adequate amounts in the body of each individual. Though it is true that some people may not be able to produce much or any of this enzyme, which results in their gassiness and pain, some people may simply been eating too many of the foods that cause gassieness to begin with - our bodies may not be able to handle infinite amounts of these foods, so limiting the consumption of gas-inducing foods is also a good way to attempt to rid one's self of these adverse side-effects. If that doesn't work however, Beano is a wonderful supplemental option.
Alpha-galactosidase is ordinarily manufactured in adequate amounts by the body and is not a nutrient. It is found in particularly high quantities in the yeast Aspergillus niger, which is the source of alpha-galactosidase in commercial products like beano.
Many foods can cause gasiness, including beans (legumes), broccoli, cabbage, onions, and whole grains. This occurs because these foods contain complex carbohydrates that are not entirely broken down in the digestive tract, and instead these left-over carbs then serve as "food" for intestinal bacteria. These bacteria then produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide gas as they digest the carbohydrates. While everyone develops intestinal gas to some extent, certain people have an intolerance of complex carbohydrates and develop relatively more severe symptoms.1 Use of The enzyme alpha-galactosidase has been advocated as a treatment for both complex carbohydrate intolerance and ordinary gassiness. This Beano contains this enzyme, which helps break down the complex carbohydrates. When taken as a supplement, it may enhance the digestive process and thereby deprive gas-producing bacteria of fuel to work onthe left-over carbs it needs in order to create gas.
This enzyme, alpha-galactosidase, that is supplemented through Beano, is normally produced in adequate amounts in the body of each individual. Though it is true that some people may not be able to produce much or any of this enzyme, which results in their gassiness and pain, some people may simply been eating too many of the foods that cause gassieness to begin with - our bodies may not be able to handle infinite amounts of these foods, so limiting the consumption of gas-inducing foods is also a good way to attempt to rid one's self of these adverse side-effects. If that doesn't work however, Beano is a wonderful supplemental option.
