Lactaid Fast Act Vs. Lactaid Original: Best Lactase Supplements

For those with lactose intolerance, consuming dairy products can lead to uncomfortable digestive symptoms like gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Lactase supplements provide the enzyme needed to properly digest lactose and avoid these problems.

Two popular options are Lactaid Fast Act and Lactaid Original. But what exactly is the difference, and which one is better?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare Lactaid Fast Act and Lactaid Original to help you determine which lactase supplement may work best for your needs.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	Lactaid Fast Act	Lactaid Original
Onset of Action	30 seconds	15 minutes
Lactase Potency	4500 FCC units per capsule	3000 FCC units per capsule
Added Ingredients	Gelatin, silicon dioxide, tapioca starch, yellow beeswax	None
Cost	Approximately $0.30 per capsule	Approximately $0.20 per capsule
Best Uses	Rapid relief when lactose is consumed; liquid dairy products	Taking proactively before meals; solid dairy foods

What Is Lactose Intolerance?

Before diving into the details on lactase supplements, it helps to understand what causes lactose intolerance in the first place.

Lactose is a sugar naturally found in dairy products like milk, cheese, and ice cream. When you eat or drink dairy, the lactose needs to be broken down by an enzyme called lactase so it can be properly absorbed in your digestive system.

People with lactose intolerance don’t produce enough lactase. This leads to undigested lactose passing through the digestive tract, causing uncomfortable symptoms. It’s estimated that 65% of the global population has some degree of lactose malabsorption due to reduced lactase production.

The most common causes of lactose intolerance include:

• Primary lactase deficiency – This is a genetic condition where lactase production decreases after infancy. It’s most prevalent in populations with ancestry from Asia, South America, Africa, and the Middle East.
• Secondary lactase deficiency – Certain conditions like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, infection, or injury to the small intestine can damage lactase-producing cells and lead to transient or long-term lactose intolerance.
• Developmental lactose intolerance – Premature infants may have lactase deficiency due to the early introduction of lactose from milk feeding before their lactase production has fully developed.
• Congenital lactase deficiency – Rarely, infants are born with a complete absence of lactase activity due to genetic defects affecting lactase production.

The severity of lactose intolerance can vary significantly between individuals based on the underlying cause and level of lactase deficiency. With primary lactase deficiency, some retain enough enzyme activity to consume small amounts of dairy without issue. Others cannot tolerate any lactose at all without marked symptoms occurring.

How Do Lactase Supplements Like Lactaid Work?

Lactase enzyme supplements provide a simple solution for managing lactose intolerance. They work by supplying the lactase needed to properly digest lactose from dairy products.

When taken alongside dairy foods and beverages, the lactase breaks down lactose within the digestive tract before it can reach the colon and cause adverse effects. This prevents the bloating, pain, and diarrhea associated with lactose intolerance.

Most lactase enzyme supplements are derived from yeast and provide 3000-9000 FCC lactase units per capsule, similar to the amount produced naturally within the small intestine. FCC refers to Food Chemicals Codex units, the standardized method of measuring lactase enzyme activity.

Two of the most popular lactase supplement brands available over-the-counter are Lactaid Fast Act and Lactaid Original. But what’s the difference between these two options? Let’s take a closer look.

Also Read: Differences Between Brain Elevate And True Focus.

Key Differences Between Lactaid Fast Act And Lactaid Original

Lactaid Fast Act and Lactaid Original both contain the lactase enzyme needed to improve digestion of dairy products. However, there are some key differences between these two supplements:

Onset of Action

The main difference lies in how quickly the supplements begin working to break down lactose.

Lactaid Fast Act starts breaking down lactose in just 30 seconds. The lactase is encapsulated in small microspheres that rapidly dissolve once they reach the stomach. This results in faster relief of lactose intolerance symptoms.

Lactaid Original takes a bit longer to go into effect, with onset of action estimated at around 15 minutes. Rather than microspheres, this supplement uses standard capsules that must fully dissolve before the lactase is released.

So Lactaid Fast Act provides quicker protection from lactose intolerance discomfort, which can be helpful in preventing symptoms after consuming dairy. But Lactaid Original is still effective for many, just with a slightly slower onset.

Lactase Potency

In addition to speed of action, the amount of lactase enzyme in each product differs:

• Lactaid Fast Act – Each capsule provides 4500 FCC lactase units
• Lactaid Original – Each capsule has 3000 FCC lactase units

So Lactaid Fast Act offers higher potency with 50% more lactase per capsule. However, one capsule of either supplement generally provides enough enzyme activity for consuming 12-15g of lactose, equal to 1 cup of milk.

Added Ingredients

Lactaid Fast Act contains a few additional inactive ingredients not found in Lactaid Original. These include:

• Gelatin (capsule shell)
• Silicon dioxide
• Tapioca starch
• Yellow beeswax

Lactaid Original simply contains lactase enzyme derived from yeast, with no additional additives.

For those with allergies or on restricted diets, Lactaid Original may be the simpler choice. But the extra ingredients in Lactaid Fast Act should not cause issues for most.

Cost Comparison

When comparing cost between Lactaid Fast Act and Lactaid Original, Fast Act tends to be a bit more expensive:

• Lactaid Fast Act: Approximately $0.30 per capsule
• Lactaid Original: Approximately $0.20 per capsule

However, because less capsules may be needed per serving with the higher potency Fast Act, the overall cost difference is minor. Lactaid Original is the more budget-friendly choice, while Fast Act offers convenience and rapid relief.

Also Read: Is Enflora LGG Better Than Probiotic LGG?

How To Take Lactaid Fast Act And Lactaid Original

Both Lactaid Fast Act and Lactaid Original are straightforward to take as needed when consuming dairy products. Here are some tips for optimal use:

• Take with first bite of dairy – Swallow capsule(s) just before or alongside the first bite of a lactose-containing meal or snack. This allows the lactase to start breaking down lactose immediately.
• Adjust dose based on lactose content – The number of capsules needed can vary based on the amount of lactose being consumed. Lactaid provides a dosage chart on their packages as a guide. Typically 1-3 capsules are sufficient for a meal or snack.
• Don’t exceed label dosing – Taking more than the recommended amount of capsules is not necessary for better efficacy and can increase risk of side effects like flatulence or upset stomach.
• Store properly – Keep unused capsules in a cool, dry location and use before the expiry date for best enzyme potency. Once opened, use within 1 year.
• Avoid alcohol – Alcohol can damage the lactase enzyme, so avoid taking Lactaid Fast Act or Original within 30 minutes of consuming alcoholic beverages.

The quick action of Lactaid Fast Act makes it ideal for use with lactose-containing drinks like milk or coffee drinks. Lactaid Original takes longer to act, so it may work better if taken just before a meal.

Those with more severe lactose intolerance may also prefer using Lactaid Fast Act for faster relief of symptoms after accidental dairy ingestion. But Lactaid Original is still effective for many, especially when taken proactively before eating.

Watch the promo video of Lactaid Fast Act!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Also Read: Comparison Between Qunol Ultra And Mega.

The Bottom Line

For those with lactose intolerance, both Lactaid Fast Act and Lactaid Original can provide effective relief of digestive discomfort caused by dairy products.

Key points when comparing the two options:

• Lactaid Fast Act works more rapidly, with onset of action within 30 seconds. Lactaid Original takes around 15 minutes.
• Lactaid Fast Act offers higher potency at 4500 FCC lactase units per capsule, versus 3000 units in Lactaid Original.
• Lactaid Original is slightly more affordable. Fast Act costs a bit more for the added convenience of speedy action.
• Both are generally well tolerated if taken as directed with dairy consumption.

While Lactaid Fast Act provides faster protection, Lactaid Original can also be effective for many when used proactively. Try starting with the regular Original formula, then switch to Fast Act if quicker relief is desired. Just be sure to always take with your first bite or sip of dairy.

Finally, speak with your doctor if you have severe lactose intolerance or concerns about proper dosage and usage of these over-the-counter supplements. With the right lactase support, even those with lactose intolerance can often still enjoy dairy products in moderation.