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Enzyme

Alpha-Galactosidase

Alpha-galactosidase is an enzyme that breaks down certain complex sugars in beans and some vegetables. Supplement versions are usually produced by fungi.

Gut Health

A benefit in people sensitive to GOS

In a crossover trial, 31 people with irritable bowel syndrome completed periods of eating a diet high in GOS but low in other FODMAPs, a group of fermentable carbohydrates. Twenty-one developed greater symptoms with the GOS foods. In this sensitive subgroup, 300 GALU of enzyme reduced overall symptoms and bloating compared with placebo; the half-dose did not show the same benefit. The study tested brief, controlled dietary periods, not long-term treatment. 1 2

Why the results do not apply to all IBS

A later Swedish pilot trial tested 1,200 activity units per meal in 20 adults with IBS eating three carbohydrate-rich meals. The enzyme did not outperform placebo for digestive symptoms or breath hydrogen and methane over the test day. Together, these studies suggest that identifying a relevant food trigger matters more than assuming a larger dose will work for everyone. 1 3

What has been studied in children?

An Italian trial enrolled 52 children and adolescents with gas-related symptoms and treated them for two weeks. Some symptom measures improved, including days with troublesome bloating and significant flatulence, but abdominal distension and spasms did not clearly improve. This small, short study offers a preliminary signal rather than a basis for routine use in every child with stomach pain. 4

Effects by health goal

Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.

Gut Health5 effects

Bloating & gas reliefGut HealthStrongA3 studies
A randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled crossover pilot study: Acute effects of the enzyme α‐galactosidase on gastrointestinal symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome patients2021Increasing Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Symptoms With Ingestion of Galacto-Oligosaccharides Are Mitigated by α-Galactosidase Treatment2018The effect of oral alpha-galactosidase on intestinal gas production and gas-related symptoms.2007

Rated by SuppCo · high confidenceEvidence record

Gut healthSmallCNo linked study

No study is linked to this rating.

Rated by SuppCo · medium confidenceEvidence record

Microbiome healthGut HealthSmallCNo linked study

No study is linked to this rating.

Rated by SuppCo · medium confidenceEvidence record

Food SensitivitiesGut HealthSmallCNo linked study

No study is linked to this rating.

Rated by SuppCo · medium confidenceEvidence record

Digestive sensitivityGut HealthSmallCNo linked study

No study is linked to this rating.

Rated by SuppCo · medium confidenceEvidence record

All studies

3 publications are linked to Alpha-Galactosidase, newest first.

A randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled crossover pilot study: Acute effects of the enzyme α‐galactosidase on gastrointestinal symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome patients2021Increasing Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Symptoms With Ingestion of Galacto-Oligosaccharides Are Mitigated by α-Galactosidase Treatment2018The effect of oral alpha-galactosidase on intestinal gas production and gas-related symptoms.2007

Sources