IDF Factsheet 002/2017-03
Scientific excellence Industry applicability Strategic networking Global influence
Reasons why galactose is good for you
Key facts
• Galactose is a vital structural element and serves as a key source of energy, especially in neonates
[2,3,6]
.
• In normal conditions, galactose is quickly and almost completely metabolized to glucose in the
liver.
• Galactose serves as a substrate for cerebrosides, gangliosides and mucoproteins in the brain and
nervous system, which supports its neural and immunological role [2,3,6,7].
• Sources of galactose are not limited only to lactose-containing foods. Galactose is also present in
legumes and some fruits and vegetables [5,6,10].
• The human body has the ability to produce galactose endogenously [2,6].
• Evidence shows that galactose in its oligosaccharide bound form has prebiotic properties [16].
• Galactose has been shown to have therapeutic potential, especially in disorders affecting brain
function such as Alzheimer’s [13,14] as well as nephrotic syndrome [15].
• Free galactose is detrimental only in the case of Galactosemia, a genetic disorder that prevents
the processing of galactose, thereby leading to toxic levels [18, 21].
What is galactose? essential during the early developmental stages
of mammalian infants, when they are exclusively
Galactose is a simple sugar that is normally dependent on milk [6].
transformed in the liver before being used up as
energy. This sugar is quite abundant in human diets Therapeutic role of galactose
and helps in a number of functions.
Galactose has recently been reported to be
Galactose sources beneficial in the management of a number of
diseases, particularly those affecting brain function
• The main dietary source of galactose is lactose [2]. The conversion of galactose to amino acids in the
from milk and yogurt, which is digested to brain requires ammonia equivalents as a substrate.
galactose and glucose Galactose plays a potentially useful role in removing
• Foods containing small amounts of free galactose these neurotoxic compounds from the brain in
include low-lactose or lactose-free milk, certain patients suffering from hepatic encephalopathy or
yogurts, cheeses, creams, ice creams and other Alzheimer's disease [13]. Dementia is associated with
foods artificially sweetened with galactose. Plain dysfunction of the insulin-receptor system, followed
natural foods (fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, by decreased glucose transport to and subsequent
fresh meats, eggs, milk) usually contain less than metabolism in brain cells. As galactose is transported
0.3 g galactose per serving to the brain, it can act as an alternative source of
energy owing to its metabolism to glucose[14]. Daily
Essential source of energy oral galactose administration has also been shown
Because galactose is a precursor to glucose production, to be a promising new, non-toxic therapy for the
it is an important energy-providing nutrient. This is treatment of resistant nephrotic syndrome .
[15]
IDF Factsheet
IDF Factsheet 002/2017-03
– February 2017
Galactose as a prebiotic Galactose and ageing
Galactose is present in the so-called raffinose- The usage of chronic daily injections of D-galactose to
family of oligosaccharides (RFOs) and galactose induce ageing in animal models has been reported in
oligosaccharides (GOS) [16,17]. These prebiotic some studies [19]. This has led to some doubt about the
oligosaccharides have been found to provide health effect of dietary galactose and consequently
beneficial effects in the gastrointestinal tract of the health effects of milk [1]. However, this effect of
humans not only by stimulating growth of selected galactose in ageing is seen only in animal studies
members of the intestinal microflora but also through where the galactose was given subcutaneously. Thus,
their anti-adhesive activity. GOS specifically were the same effect is not achieved when galactose is
found to inhibit infections by enteric pathogens [17]. ingested orally.
Challenges ahead On the contrary, studies with chronic oral
administration of galactose have not shown
Galactosemia detrimental effects but rather beneficial effects of
The human body is normally able to metabolise galactose on learning and memory ability.
galactose efficiently. Dietary restriction of galactose Conclusion
may be indicated to resolve the symptoms of
Galactosemia. This is a serious condition, particularly Galactose is crucial in human metabolism, with an
during the neonatal period, that affects a number of established role in energy delivery. There is strong
organ systems, including the liver and brain. evidence of the potential therapeutic benefits of
galactose.
The “detrimental effect” of galactose might thus
only be evident in the rare cases of genetic disorders
where individuals cannot metabolise galactose.
References
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Dairy J. 18:458–65.- 4. Prado EL et al. 2014. Nutr Rev. 72:267–284. – 5. Cederlund A et al. 2013. PLoS One. 8:e53876.- 6. Emms, T. 2005. www.
bioscreenmedical.com - 7. Van Calcar SC et al. 2014. J Agric Food Chem. 62(6):1397-402. -8. Zivkovic AM et al. 2011. Adv Nutr Res. 2:284–289.- 9.
Roser M et al. 2009. J Neural Transm. 116(2):131–139.- 10. Salkovic-Petrisic M et al. 2014. Neuropharmacology. 77:68–80.- 11. Kopač M et al.
2011. Ther Apher Dial. 15(3):269–72 -12. Lukito W et al. 2015. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 24(1):S1-S8. - 13. Waisbren SE et al. 2012. J Inherited Metab
Dis. 35:279–286. - 14. Berry GT et al.1995; 2004. Endogenous synthesis of galactose in normal men and patients with hereditary galactosaemia.
Lancet 1995;346: 1073–4 - 15. Berry GT et al. 2004.The rate of de novo galactose synthesis in patients with galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase
deficiency. Mol Genet Metab. 81(1):22–30.- 16. Shoaf K et al. 2006. Infect Immun. 6920–6928 - 17. Ho SC et al. 2003. Biogerontology. 4(1):15-
8. - 18. Henderson JM et al.1982. First-order clearance of plasma galactose: the effect of liver disease. Gastroenterology. Nov.83(5):1090-6. - 19.
Zemel MB et al. 2008. Dietary Calcium and Dairy Products Modulate Oxidative and Inflammatory Stress in Mice and Humans. J of Nutrition. 138
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