Alpha-galactosidase is an enzyme that is critical for digesting hard to break down foods. These include foods commonly associated with abdominal gas and flatulence, such as vegetables and beans. Even though the human body makes this enzyme, some people do not have enough, which results in poor digestion and gas.
Supplemental forms of alpha-galactosidase are sold as over-the-counter products like Beano and as prescription medication for Fabry disease, a genetic condition that results in a lack of alpha-galactosidase or ineffective versions.
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Alpha-galactosidase is an important enzyme that assists in the digestion of fat and complex sugars. Starchy foods and fats are more difficult for the body to break down during digestion than other nutrients. How well the human body can break down the large molecules in these foods depends some... more
Alpha-galactosidase is an important enzyme that assists in the digestion of fat and complex sugars. Starchy foods and fats are more difficult for the body to break down during digestion than other nutrients. How well the human body can break down the large molecules in these foods depends somewhat up how much alpha-galactosidase is in the body, according to the Global Healing Center.
Supplemental forms of alpha-galactosidase are available for people who do not have enough in their system. The supplement may help relieve abdominal gas, improve digestion and treat a condition called Fabry disease.
As people age, their bodies may make less alpha-galactosidase. Some people may just genetically produce less as well. Regardless of the reason that someone may have lower amounts of alpha-galactosidase, the result is basically the same; without enough of this enzyme food may become only partially digested or even remain undigested.
Having food that is not fully digested in the digestive tract may lead to bacteria growth, indigestion and abdominal gas and cramps. These food particles also can turn the digestive tract into an environment that promotes an overgrowth of Candida, a bacteria associated with yeast infections.
Enzymes are substances that are critical to digestion. The mouth produces the enzyme saliva that begins to break food molecules down. Food then travels to the stomach and the intestines where they encounter additional enzymes, like alpha-galactosidase, to further break the food down into small enough molecules to be absorbed.
Different enzymes sometimes target specific nutrients, such as fat, protein and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates, which break down into sugars, and fats are the type of substances that alpha-galactosidase work on. However, a lack of alpha-galactosidase can cause undigested fat and sugars to build up in the intestines, but does not result in an accumulation of protein or other nutrients.
A build up in the gut can then lead to an accumulation of fats and sugars that may spread to the muscles, kidneys, blood vessels, nervous system and the heart, according to the Global Healing Center. These partially digested particles inhibit healthy functioning of the bodily systems.
Difficulty digesting starchy foods and gassy foods can result in abdominal gas. People with gas can try over-the-counter supplements made with alpha-galactosidase to aid digestion.
Through properly digesting foods, alpha-galactosidase reduces gas that comes after eating gassy foods, according to LiveStrong.com. Over-the-counter alpha-galactosidase comes in tablet forms and as products that dissolve.
Foods that are most likely to cause abdominal gas and bloating include cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower, heavy carbs and beans, according to Global Healing Center. A product like Beano taken with meals containing these types of foods may help improve digestion and relieve gassiness.
According to the Global Healing Center, studies show that alpha-galactosidase is beneficial for abdominal gas. A study testing the effects of alpha-galactosidase taken orally by people with an oligosaccharide intolerance, which is a type of carbohydrate, found that the over-the-counter solution was effective in preventing gas as well as other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Another similar trial, discovered that people who took an alpha-galactosidase supplement digested beans better.
Fabry disease is characterized by a mutation in the GLA gene, though more than 370 different mutations have been recorded in people with this condition. The GLA gene is linked to the production of alpha-galactosidase, according to the Genetics Home Reference website.
The most frequently seen mutation transforms an amino acid in alpha-galactosidase. Sometimes, the mutation can insert additional genetic material into the GLA gene, delete part of the gene or insert a signal into the gene that instructs it to stop producing alpha-galactosidase prematurely.
These mutations cause abnormal versions of alpha-galactosidase, which then leads to a build up of globotriaosylceramide that harms nearby cells. The cells most affected are kidney cells, nervous system cells, heart cells and the cells that line blood vessels in the skin. It is the cell damage overtime that causes the symptoms of Fabry disease.
Some mutations stop alpha-galactosidase activity, which causes the most severe type of Fabry disease. This is usually seen in children.
Supplemental forms of alpha-galactosidase are used to treat patients with Fabry disease. These supplements aim to increase levels of the enzyme in the body, just as other supplements can increase levels of nutrients like vitamins or minerals to correct a deficiency.
The two most common types of enzyme replacements are Replagal and Fabrazyme. Both products contain forms of the alpha-galactosidase enzyme.
Beano is a popular over-the-counter supplement containing alpha-galactosidase. The alpha-galactosidase in Beano comes from a fungus called Aspergillus niger.
Replagal is the brand name of a form of prescription drug containing alpha-galactosidase given as an injection. Alpha-galactosidase is the active ingredient, but according to the Health Canada website Replagal also contains sodium chloride, polysorbate 20, sodium hydroxide, water and sodium monobasic monohydrate.
Replagal is not approved for use in the United States, but is regularly used around the world. According to Drugs.com, Replagal is used in:
Replagal does have known side effects. It mainly causes mild to moderate reactions, but some serious side effects are possible. Mild to moderate side effects include:
Some people may have an allergic reaction that causes serious side effects, such as:
People may also experience potentially problematic side effects that should be discussed with a doctor, including:
Another prescription medicine form of alpha-galactosidase is sold under the brand name Fabrazyme, according to LiveStrong.com. Fabrazyme is available in the United States.
Fabrazyme is a synthetic version of alpha-galactosidase made to replace the lack of this enzyme in people with Fabry disease. It decreases deposits of globotriaosylceramide in the kidneys and other cells, according to Drugs.com.
To be effective for treating Fabry disease, Fabrazyme and Replagal must be taken every two weeks, according to LiveStrong.com.
Some people may be allergic to Fabrazyme. Adverse reactions to this drug include:
Most of the people who are given Fabrazyme develop antibodies or side effects to the medication. Doctors may be able to combat these issues and lessen the severity of symptoms by injecting Fabrazyme slowly and pretreating using other drugs.
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| Abnormal Heartbeat |
| Acne |
| Chills |
| Cough |
| Diarrhea |
| Difficulty Sleeping |
| Dizziness |
| Dry Skin |
| Elevated Blood Pressure |
| Facial Flushing |
| Fatigue |
| Fever |
| Headaches |
| Itching |
| Joint Pain |
| Muscle Pain |
| Numbness |
| Rashes |
| Shortness Of Breath |
| Sore Throat |
| Swelling |
| Tingling |
| Tremor |
| Upset Stomach |
| A-galactosidase A, Agalsidase alfa, Agalsidase beta, Glycoprotein, Beano, Fabrazyme, Replagal |
| Reduces Gas |
| Fabry disease |