Lactitol

Lactitol is a sugar alcohol produced by hydrogenating lactose. It provides fewer calories than sucrose and is used as a sweetener and an osmotic laxative.

Lactose: Lactose is a disaccharide sugar composed of glucose and galactose, naturally present in milk. Hydrogenation of lactose produces lactitol while retaining its two-sugar backbone.
Osmotic laxative: An osmotic laxative retains water in the bowel by increasing the concentration of poorly absorbed substances there. Lactitol is used this way to soften stool and promote bowel movements.
Maltitol: Maltitol is a sugar alcohol made by hydrogenating maltose and used as a sweetener. It is a structurally related sweetener with similar bulk and digestive effects.
Sucrose: Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose, commonly known as table sugar. Lactitol is less sweet and generally provides fewer calories than sucrose.
Sugar alcohol: A sugar alcohol is a carbohydrate-derived compound in which a sugar’s carbonyl group has been reduced to an alcohol group. Lactitol belongs to this family of compounds formed by reducing sugars.
Constipation: Constipation is a condition involving infrequent or difficult passage of stool. Lactitol’s laxative action is used to relieve this condition.
Sorbitol: Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol found naturally in some fruits and used as a sweetener and humectant. It provides a familiar comparison for lactitol’s lower-calorie sweetness and potential laxative effects.
Erythritol: Erythritol is a four-carbon sugar alcohol used as a low-calorie sweetener. Unlike lactitol, erythritol is absorbed efficiently and is usually less likely to cause laxative effects.
Hydrogenation: Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction that adds hydrogen to a substance, often using a catalyst. This reaction converts lactose’s reactive carbonyl group into lactitol’s sugar alcohol structure.
Hepatic encephalopathy: Hepatic encephalopathy is impaired brain function caused by liver failure or portosystemic shunting. Lactitol can be prescribed to reduce intestinal ammonia absorption in this condition.

Linked from 2 pages