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Reasons why galactose is good for you

Galactose is a vital structural element and serves as a key source of energy, especially in neonates. 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.

Sources of galactose are not limited only to lactose-containing foods. Galactose is also present in legumes and some fruits and vegetables. The human body has the ability to produce galactose endogenously.

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Articles of Interest

Carbohydrates: Galactose Metabolism

The major source of galactose in the human diet is from the disaccharide, lactose, found in dairy products.

D-Galactose Molecule

Galactose is a monosaccharide constituent, together with glucose, of the disaccharide lactose. The hydrolysis of lactose to glucose and galactose is catalyzed by the enzyme beta-galactosidase, a lactase. Individuals who lack this enzyme are 'lactose intolerant' and unable to realize the nutritive potential of milk sugars. The lactose then passes to the large intestine where it is digested by bacteria, producing gas and flatulence

Determination of the lactose and galactose content of common foods: Relevance to galactosemia

In this work we have analysed the galactose content of commonly available foods in Ireland to provide more accurate information on galactose and lactose contents.

Galactose

Name origin: From the Greek gala = milk, and -ose, which denotes sugar. Galactose is not an essential nutrient, which means you do not need to get it from food to be healthy; galactose can be synthesized in the human body from glucose.

Galactose and Mannose Metabolism

Galactose is a monosaccharide probably most associated with dairy foods. It is one half of the milk sugar lactose (the other half being glucose). But, it’s also found in cruciferous vegetables, beets, and avocados. In the body, it’s a common component of glycolipids and glycoproteins.

Galactose: What it is, Where it is Found, Absorption, Metabolism

The main dietary source is the disaccharide lactose, which is made up of a galactose molecule and a glucose molecule joined by a β-(1→4) glycosidic bond. In the small intestine, the glycosidic bond is hydrolyzed in a reaction catalyzed by lactase (EC 3.2.1.108) to produce galactose and glucose, which are then absorbed.

Lactose free does not necessarily mean galactose free!

When they are manufactured an enzyme is added into the milk or cheese which breaks down all the lactose. Lactose is made up of two sugars called glucose and galactose which will still be present in the product. Although it is lactose free, the galactose levels are still very high in the product. Therefore these products are NOT suitable for people with Galactosaemia.

Three Common Simple Sugars

Galactose is typically bound to glucose to form the disaccharide lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. Although galactose is structurally similar to glucose, the slight variation in the hydrogen and oxygen atoms on the fourth carbon changes the metabolic process necessary to break down a galactose molecule. After the bond between galactose and glucose is broken in the intestine, galactose must be further metabolized in the liver through a series of steps to create a phosphorylated glucose molecule. This molecule can then be broken down through the same mechanism as a glucose molecule.

What is Galactose?

Sometimes referred to as brain sugar, galactose is a form of sugar that is understood to provide a great deal of energy in a very small amount of product. Because of its enhanced nutrient properties, many people classify the product as a nutritive sweetener.

What is the Difference Between Glucose and Galactose?

The main source of galactose is foods containing lactose, such as dairy products, though it does occur naturally in honey and beets. Lactose is broken down to generate galactose and glucose before it is absorbed in the intestine.

Resources

6 surprising facts about sugar-laden, virus-fighting breast milk

Breast milk is really quite sweet, in terms of its chemical makeup. Human breast milk has about 200 different sugar molecules, which serve a wide range of purposes. When a baby is first born, the sugars in breast milk provide sustenance for the growing bacterial population in their body. Milk oligosaccharides — a type of complex sugar — are thought to promote the growth of good gut bacteria.

Intelligent Sugar

Galactose is a simple sugar (monosaccharide) like glucose but with a lower glycaemic index, which helps keep blood sugar levels stable. Galactose is derived from milk sugar (lactose). It is naturally found in fermented dairy products such as yoghurt and kefir and in very small quantities in artichokes, mushrooms, papayas, and tomatoes. Also found in breast milk, galactose provides the foundation for important early brain developments after birth.