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Alpha-Galactosidase for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

D Early Research Only preliminary research exists (lab studies, case reports).

Single study in IBS patients consuming high-FODMAP diet. May reduce gas-related symptoms from specific food triggers.

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            D

        

        

            
The Bottom Line

            
            
Single study in IBS patients consuming high-FODMAP diet. May reduce gas-related symptoms from specific food triggers.

            
            
        

    










    

  
Key Study Findings





    

        
        

            

                
                    Review
                
                
                
                
            

            
                Gastrointestinal Involvement in Anderson-Fabry Disease: A Narrative Review.
            
            

                
                Dose: None
                
                
                vs: None
                
                
                Outcome: None
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                None
                
            

            
            
Population: None

            
        

        
        

            

                
                    Randomized Controlled Trial
                
                
                
                
                Double-blind
                
            

            
                A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover pilot study: Acute effects of the enzyme α-galactosidase on gastrointestinal …
            
            

                
                Dose: 1200 G
                
                
                vs: placebo
                
                
                Outcome: every 30 min during 7
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                None
                
            

            
            
Population: patients with ibs after three standardized

            
        

        
        

            

                
                    Randomized Controlled Trial
                
                
                n=31
                
                
                2.0 weeks
                
                
                Double-blind
                
            

            
                Increasing Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Symptoms With Ingestion of Galacto-Oligosaccharides Are Mitigated by α-Galactosidase Treatment.
            
            

                
                Dose: 300 GALU or 150 GALU
                
                
                vs: Placebo (glucose)
                
                
                Outcome: GI symptom severity on VAS
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                pP0.006
                
            

            
            
Population: IBS patients (Rome III, H2 producers)

            
        

        
        

            

                
                    Randomized Controlled Trial
                
                
                n=125
                
                
                4 weeks
                
                
                Double-blind
                
            

            
                Does oral α-galactosidase relieve irritable bowel symptoms?
            
            

                
                Dose: alpha-galactosidase 600 GalU per meal
                
                
                vs: placebo
                
                
                Outcome: overall IBS symptom relief
                
                
                Effect: no significant difference vs placebo
                
                
                >0.05
                
            

            
            
Population: IBS patients

            
        

        
    







    
    

        
        

            

  
Key Statistics





            


    

        
1

        
Studies

    

    

        
60

        
Participants

    

    

        
            
            ↑
            
        
        
Positive

    

    

        D

        
Grade

    




        


        
        
        

            

  
Referenced Papers





            

                
                

                    

                        
                            Gastrointestinal Involvement in Anderson-Fabry Disease: A Narrative Review.
                        
                        
                            
                                Review
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        International journal of …
                        2021
                        
                        16 citations
                        
                    

                

                
                

                    

                        
                            A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover pilot study: Acute effects of the enzyme α-galactosidase on gastrointestinal symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome …
                        
                        
                            
                                RCT
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Neurogastroenterology and motility
                        2021
                        
                        4 citations
                        
                    

                

                
                

                    

                        
                            Increasing Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Symptoms With Ingestion of Galacto-Oligosaccharides Are Mitigated by α-Galactosidase Treatment.
                        
                        
                            
                                RCT
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        The American journal …
                        2018
                        
                        49 citations
                        
                    

                

                
                

                    

                        
                            Does oral α-galactosidase relieve irritable bowel symptoms?
                        
                        
                            
                                RCT
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Scandinavian journal of …
                        2016
                        
                        17 citations
                        
                    

                

                
            

        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Dosage & Usage





            
mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units


            
            

                
Commonly Used Dosages

                

                    
                    

                        
general:

                        
150-300 GalU (alpha-galactosidase units) per serving of gas-producing foods

                    

                    
                    

                        
standardbeanodose:

                        
300 GalU (2-3 tablets) with first bite of problem food

                    

                    
                

                
                

                    Upper limit: No established upper limit; adjust per meal as needed
                

                
            

            

            
            

                
Dosages Studied in Research

                

                    

                        
                            

                                Dosage
                                Duration
                                Effect
                                N
                            

                        
                        
                            
                            

                                None
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Mixed
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                            

                                1200 G
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Neutral
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                            

                                300 GALU or 150 GALU
                                2.0 weeks
                                
                                    
                                    Positive
                                    
                                
                                31
                            

                            
                            

                                alpha-galactosidase 600 GalU per meal
                                4 weeks
                                
                                    
                                    Neutral
                                    
                                
                                125
                            

                            
                        
                    

                

            

            

            
            

                Best taken: With the first bite of gas-producing food
            

            
        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Safety & Side Effects





            

                
                

                    
Reported Side Effects

                    
    
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Generally very well-tolerated
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Rare allergic reactions to mold-derived enzyme (Aspergillus source)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            May cause mild GI discomfort in rare cases
                        
    • 
                        
                    

                

                

                
                

                    
Known Interactions

                    
    
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Acarbose (alpha-galactosidase may counteract the blood sugar-lowering mechanism of acarbose; contraindicated for concurrent use)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Miglitol (similar mechanism conflict as acarbose)
                        
    • 
                        
                    

                

                

                
                

                    

                        Tolerable upper intake: No established upper limit; adjust per meal as needed
                    

                

                
            

            

                Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
            

        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Frequently Asked Questions





            




    
    

        
            Does Alpha-Galactosidase help with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
            
        
        

            Based on 1 studies with 60 participants, there is preliminary evidence that needs more research that Alpha-Galactosidase may support Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) management. Our evidence grade is D (Very Early Research).
        

    

    
    

        
            How much Alpha-Galactosidase should I take for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
            
        
        

            Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 150-300 GalU (alpha-galactosidase units) per serving of gas-producing foods. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.
        

    

    
    

        
            Are there side effects of Alpha-Galactosidase?
            
        
        

            Reported side effects may include Generally very well-tolerated, Rare allergic reactions to mold-derived enzyme (Aspergillus source), May cause mild GI discomfort in rare cases. Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.
        

    

    
    

        
            How strong is the evidence for Alpha-Galactosidase and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
            
        
        

            We rate the evidence as Grade D (Very Early Research). This rating is based on 1 peer-reviewed studies with 60 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.
        

    

    




        

        

        
        
        

            

  




            

                
                
                

                
                

                    
Alpha-Galactosidase for other conditions

                    

                        
                        
                            Bloating and Intestinal Gas
                            B

                        
                        
                    

                

                
            

        

        

    


    
    






  
References

  
    
    
    
  1. 
      [1]
      Fabio Caputo et al..
      Int J Environ Res Public Health.
      2021.
      Gastrointestinal Involvement in Anderson-Fabry Disease: A Narrative Review.
      doi:10.3390/ijerph18063320
      PubMed
    
    2. 
    
    
  2. 
      [2]
      Lena Böhn et al..
      Neurogastroenterol Motil.
      2021.
      A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover pilot study: Acute effects of the enzyme α-galactosidase on gastrointestinal symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome …
      doi:10.1111/nmo.14094
      PubMed
    
    3. 
    
    
  3. 
      [3]
      C J Tuck et al..
      Am J Gastroenterol.
      2018.
      Increasing Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Symptoms With Ingestion of Galacto-Oligosaccharides Are Mitigated by α-Galactosidase Treatment.
      doi:10.1038/ajg.2017.245
      PubMed
    
    4. 
    
    
  4. 
      [4]
      Markku Hillilä et al..
      Scand J Gastroenterol.
      2016.
      Does oral α-galactosidase relieve irritable bowel symptoms?
      doi:10.3109/00365521.2015.1063156
      PubMed
    
    5. 
    
  















    

        FDA Disclaimer:
        These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.