Lactose is a disaccharide that cannot be absorbed by the body as it is, but has to be broken down into glucose and lactose by the lactase enzyme.

In addition to being a source of energy, lactose promotes other important biological functions such as calcium absorption, is favourable to Bifidobacterium colonisation of the intestinal system and provides us with galactose which is essential for the synthesis of galactolipids.

The malabsorption of lactose is due to a lack of the lactase enzyme. The infant may be born with this lack, or it may be caused by lesions in the intestinal mucosa brought about by a gastrointestinal infection. In these cases, lactose is not broken down and is therefore indigestible. The most common results of this are diarrhea, flatulence and abdominal pain. Sanilac FL was created for infants which suffer from lactose intolerance.