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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Lactase vs L. reuteri DSM 17938: L. reuteri DSM 17938 has the stronger overall evidence (6 vs 5.5/10); they're alternatives for improve digestion — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
L. reuteri DSM 17938 wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Too few graded studies
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (3)
Outcomes where both Lactase and L. reuteri DSM 17938 have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
Taken per lactose-containing meal, not as a daily dose. Trials gave 3,000 to 11,250 units of lactase (mostly FCC units) immediately before or with a single dairy or lactose challenge. One 2022 trial used 4,662 FCC units and describes 4,500 FCC units as the amount in the EU-approved health claim. More lactose needs more enzyme: 50 g of lactose given in water overwhelmed about 6,000 units in one trial. Products differ, so dose by the enzyme units on the label rather than by tablet count.
With meals
Lactase tablets, capsules or chewables labelled in FCC units, taken with dairy
1 x 10^8 CFU daily (5 drops) for infant colic — the dose used in every positive trial
Any time of day
Oil-suspension drops standardized to DSM 17938
Hours (same meal)
Hours (same meal)
Hours (same meal)
Hours (same meal)
1-3 weeks
n/a
1-3 days
4 weeks
Systematic review: effective management strategies for lactose intolerance.
Annals of Internal Medicine (2010) · Systematic review
36 randomised trials met the inclusion criteria, 26 of them on lactase- or lactose-hydrolysed milk supplements, lactose-reduced milk, or tolerable doses of lactose.
Effect of lactase supplementation on infant colic: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (2024) · Meta analysis · n=391
Five randomised trials with 391 infants under 6 months old with colic were included.
The effect of oral supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri or tilactase in lactose intolerant patients: randomized trial.
European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences (2010) · Rct · n=60
60 lactose-intolerant patients were randomised to tilactase taken 15 minutes before a lactose breath test, placebo, or Lactobacillus reuteri twice daily for 10 days beforehand (20 per group).
Lactobacillus reuteri to Treat Infant Colic: A Meta-analysis.
Pediatrics (2018) · Meta analysis
Day-21 adjusted mean difference in cry/fuss time: -25.4 min/day (95% CI -47.3 to -3.5)
Treating infant colic with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri: double blind, placebo controlled randomised trial.
BMJ (2014) · Rct · n=167
Probiotic group cried/fussed 49 minutes MORE than placebo at 1 month (95% CI 8 to 90, P=0.02)
Probiotics to prevent infantile colic.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2019) · Meta analysis
No difference in new cases of colic: RR 0.46 (95% CI 0.18-1.19), low certainty
L. reuteri DSM 17938 has a higher evidence score (6/10 vs 5.5/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
For improve digestion, L. reuteri DSM 17938 has a higher relevance score (55 vs 45).
No known interactions between Lactase and L. reuteri DSM 17938 have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.