Alpha galactosidase breaks down complex carbohydrates found in vegetables and grains, but its absence can cause Fabry disease. The enzyme can be supplemented to treat bloating and flatulence caused by the breakdown of sugars in the large intestine. Alpha galactosidase also has a physiological role in humans, but mutations in the GLA gene can lead to Fabry disease. Treatment involves the use of recombinant alpha galactosidase.
Alpha galactosidase is an enzyme that has several different functions. It is used by intestinal microorganisms to break down sugars into complex carbohydrates found in vegetables and grains. This process often leads to the production of gases that can cause bloating and flatulence. This temporary condition can be treated with dietary supplements that contain alpha galactosidase. The absence of this enzyme can cause a genetic disorder known as Fabry disease.
Complex carbohydrates, such as beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and whole grains, are made up of many complex sugars. These sugars are present as polysaccharides, long chains of sugars, and oligosaccharides, shorter chains. They are broken down by various enzymes to smaller units. The ultimate goal is for them to be broken down into monosaccharides, which are individual sugar molecules, such as glucose and galactose, that can be absorbed by intestinal cells and used as energy sources.
The sugars are joined in an alpha galactoside bond. This is a relatively easy bond to break chemically, but it requires the action of alpha galactosidase by adding a molecule of water. This enzyme has exo activity, it cleaves the terminal galactose unit and not within the molecule. Sugar is known as a glycoside, and this enzyme is known as a glycoside hydrolase enzyme. Unfortunately, since the human stomach and intestinal tract lack alpha-galactosidase, compounds made up of two or three sugar molecules, such as melobiose and raffinose, pass directly into the large intestine.
Once in the large intestine, these small polymers can be broken down into galactose and other sugars, such as glucose or sucrose, by the microorganisms that naturally live there. However, these microbes break down sugars anaerobically by fermentation and produce a series of gases. They include methane, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. This buildup of gas can lead to a bloated feeling and gastrointestinal discomfort, along with increased flatulence.
There are a number of dietary supplements that include alpha galactosidase, and one can take these to help with this gas problem. The most prominent is Beano. Such products facilitate the breakdown of complex carbohydrates into simple sugars, making them more digestible. Manufacturer-sponsored studies suggest that taking such products reduces the discomfort some people experience after eating these complex carbohydrates. People with diabetes and a rare disorder that affects galactose should consult a doctor before taking such supplements, as should women who are pregnant or nursing.
Although not involved in digestion, alpha-galactosidase has a physiological role in humans and is encoded by the GLA gene. It hydrolyzes the terminal galactose group from proteins and lipids with galactose on them. These molecules are involved in many different processes, from the functioning of nerve cells to their participation in communication between cells.
There are a number of mutations in the GLA gene that can be inherited. This can lead to a devastating disorder called Fabry disease, particularly among men. These patients do not produce alpha galactosidase and suffer from a variety of symptoms that can be difficult to diagnose. There is an expensive treatment for this disorder, which involves the use of alpha galactosidase produced recombinantly by the fungus Aspergillus niger. While not a cure, this has been able to improve the symptoms of this serious disorder.
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