Lactagen

Founder and president of Ritter Pharmaceuticals, Andrew Ritter, suffered from severe lactose intolerance since his early childhood.{{cite news|last1=Gott|first1=Dr. Peter|title=Lactagen Helps Reader Enjoy Milk Again|issue=Sunday Edition|publisher=The Courier News: A Division of the Chicago Tribune|date=September 16, 2007}} Medical experts told Ritter there was no treatment available and that he would have to manage suffering from lactose intolerance for the rest of his life. The condition dramatically affected his health and lifestyle, and thus he began a quest to develop a better solution for his condition.{{cite news|last1=Gott|first1=Dr. Peter|title=Lactagen Helps Reader Enjoy Milk Again|issue=Sunday Edition|publisher=The Courier News: A Division of the Chicago Tribune|date=September 16, 2007}} In 1997, after years of suffering, Ritter used himself as the first test subject and developed a lactose intolerance treatment as a project for the California State Science Fair.

Thereafter, Ritter assembled a team of leading lactose intolerance and gastrointestinal experts to formulate, develop and test an alternative solution for treating the condition.{{cite web |last=Khan |first=Mickey Alam |title=Lactagen hopes search test does a body good |url=http://www.dmnews.com/Lactagen-Hopes-Search-Test-Does-a-Body-Good/article/84792/ |date=21 July 2004 |work=Search Marketing |publisher=DMNews.com |accessdate=10 August 2009 |archive-date=29 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229171147/http://www.dmnews.com/lactagen-hopes-search-test-does-a-body-good/article/84792/ |url-status=dead }} In 2004, Ritter created Lactagen and began selling it commercially under the company name Ritter Pharmaceuticals, Inc.{{cite web|title=Leadership|url=http://ritterpharmaceuticals.com/about-us/history|website=Ritter Pharmaceuticals|accessdate=October 10, 2011|archive-date=April 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419080653/http://www.ritterpharmaceuticals.com/about-us/history|url-status=dead}}

After identifying Lactagen, an early-generation product which demonstrated dramatic improvement in lactose intolerance symptoms, the team embarked on a formal FDA-approval clinical development process to establish efficacy and safety to ultimately be able to provide the treatment to the millions of lactose intolerance sufferers worldwide.{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://ritterpharmaceuticals.com/about-us/history|website=Ritter Pharmaceuticals|accessdate=October 10, 2011|archive-date=April 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419080653/http://www.ritterpharmaceuticals.com/about-us/history|url-status=dead}}

The second generation product, called RP-G28, is a first-in-class compound with the potential to become the first FDA-approved drug for the treatment of lactose intolerance.{{cite news|last1=Gott|first1=Dr. Peter|title=Lactagen Helps Reader Enjoy Milk Again|issue=Sunday Edition|publisher=The Courier News: A Division of the Chicago Tribune|date=September 16, 2007}} Ritter's pioneering scientific team developed this compound based on the philosophy of microbiome modulation and the ability to improve colon function by selectively increasing the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colonic ecosystem.{{cite news|last1=Gott|first1=Dr. Peter|title=Lactagen Helps Reader Enjoy Milk Again|issue=Sunday Edition|publisher=The Courier News: A Division of the Chicago Tribune|date=September 16, 2007}}

{{main|Lactose intolerance}}

Lactose intolerance (LI) is a widespread condition affecting over one billion people worldwide.{{cite journal|title=Lactose Intolerance and Health|journal=NIH Consensus and Development Statement|date=February 22, 2010|volume=27|issue=2|url=http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/docs/LI_CDC_2010_Final%20Statement.pdf}} Approximately 40 million Americans (or 15% of the US population) suffer from lactose intolerance, with an estimated nine million of those individuals demonstrating moderate and severe symptoms.{{cite web|title=Lactose Intolerance|url=http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases/lactose-intolerance/Pages/facts.aspx|publisher=National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)|accessdate=19 December 2006}} Lactose intolerance is caused by a lack of the naturally produced enzyme lactase in the stomach. Lactose intolerance is exemplified by the inability to tolerate and fully digest dairy products, such as milk, ice cream, cheese and pizza. Symptoms may include a painful combination of digestive discomfort, including gas, cramping, bloating or diarrhea.{{Cite web |last=Bowen |first=R. |date=28 December 2006 |title=Lactose Intolerance (Lactase Non-Persistence) |work=Pathophysiology of the Digestive System |publisher=Colorado State University |url=http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/smallgut/lactose_intol.html |accessdate=2010-03-07 |archive-date=2010-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623213029/http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/smallgut/lactose_intol.html |url-status=dead }} According to the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition (2006), "the symptoms of lactose intolerance can lead to significant discomfort, disruption of the quality of life, and loss of school attendance, leisure and sports activities, and work time, all at a cost to individuals, families, and society."{{cite journal|last1=Heyman|first1=Melvin|title=Lactose Intolerance in Infants, Children, and Adolescents|journal=Pediatrics|date=September 2006|volume=118|issue=3|page=1284|doi=10.1542/peds.2006-1721|pmid=16951027|s2cid=2996092|url=http://pediatrics.aappublications.org|doi-access=|url-access=subscription}}

Currently, there is no approved prescription treatment for LI. Most persons with LI avoid ingestion of milk and dairy products, while others substitute non-lactose-containing foods in their diet. However, complete avoidance of lactose-containing foods is difficult to achieve (especially for those with moderate to severe symptoms), and can lead to significant long-term morbidity, i.e., dietary deficiencies of calcium and vitamin D.{{cite journal|last1=Such, Brannon, Varpenter|first1=F., P., T.|title=Lactose Intolerance and Health|journal=NIH Consensus Development Conference Statement|date=2010|display-authors=etal}}

At the 2010 National Institute of Health ("NIH") Consensus Development Conference: Lactose Intolerance and Health, the NIH highlighted numerous health risks tied to lactose intolerance, such as: osteoporosis; hypertension; and low bone density.{{cite journal|last1=Such|first1=F.|title=Lactose Intolerance and Health|journal=NIH Consensus Development Conference Statement|date=2010|page=1–27|display-authors=etal}} There is substantial evidence indicating that lactose intolerance is a major factor in limiting calcium and nutrient intake in the diet of people who are lactose intolerant. Adequate calcium intake is essential to reducing the risks of osteoporosis and hypertension.{{cite web|last1=McCarron and Heaney|title=Steps to a Healthier You: Dairy's Role in a Healthier Lifestyle|url=http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/sitecollectiondocuments/education_materials/dietary_guidance/dairysroleinahealthylifestyle.pdf|website=nationaldairycouncil.org|publisher=US Department of Agriculture|accessdate=19 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222093721/http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/education_materials/dietary_guidance/DairysRoleInAHealthyLifestyle.pdf|archive-date=2014-12-22|url-status=dead}} In addition, chronic calcium depletion has been linked to increased arterial blood pressure, thereby establishing a relationship between hypertension and a low calcium intake.{{cite journal|last1=Karanja|first1=N.|title=Plasma Lipids and Hypertension: Response to Calcium Supplementation|journal=American Journal of Clinical Nutrition|date=1987|volume=45|issue=1|pages=60–65|pmid=3799505|display-authors=etal|doi=10.1093/ajcn/45.1.60}} Moreover, there is evidence of a correlation between calcium intake and both colon and breast cancer.{{cite journal|last1=Barger-Lux and Heaney|title=The role of calcium intake in preventing bone fragility, hypertension and certain cancers|journal=The Journal of Nutrition|date=August 1, 1994|volume=124|issue = 8 Supplement|pages=1406S–1411S|accessdate=|doi=10.1093/jn/124.suppl_8.1406S|pmid=8064393|doi-access=free}}

Over 50% of lactose intolerant patients are very concerned that they may be susceptible to one of these health risks, as a result of their lactose intolerance.{{cite book|last1=Objective Insights|title=Market Research Analysis and Forecasts on Lactose Intolerance and RP-G28|date=June 2012}}

In a clinical study conducted by Ritter Pharmaceuticals medical board member{{cite web |title=Ritter Pharmaceuticals Medical Board |url=http://www.ritterpharmaceuticals.com/science-advisors#landon |year=2008 |publisher=Ritter Pharmaceuticals, Inc |accessdate=10 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231161258/http://www.ritterpharmaceuticals.com/science-advisors#landon |archive-date=31 December 2011 |url-status=dead }} Chris Landon, M.D., Lactagen showed a statistically significant reduction in lactose intolerance symptoms. The results were gathered among sixty-subjects in a double-blind clinical trial at the Ventura County Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Specifically, 79% of subjects on Lactagen reported a substantial reduction of lactose intolerant symptoms after completion of the 38-day program, while those on a placebo showed little or no reduction in symptoms.{{cite web|title=Lactagen Launches Breakthrough One-Time Treatment for Lactose Intolerance; Clinical Study Proves Lactagen's Revolutionary 38-Day Program Allows Sufferers to Reintroduce Dairy into Diet |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_Nov_14/ai_n15793854/ |date=14 November 2005 |work=Business Wire |publisher=bnet |accessdate=10 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501202121/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_Nov_14/ai_n15793854/ |archivedate= 1 May 2009 }} The abstract from the study was published in FASEB Journal in 2006.Landon, Chris, Tracy Tran, David Connell, Federation of American Societies for Experiment Biology Journal, 20, No 5., 2006

At the National Institute of Health Consensus Development Conference on Lactose Intolerance and Health, experts stated that strategies such as colonic adaptation have intriguing preliminary data and may be useful for individuals with lactose intolerance, although additional research needs to be completed in the area.{{cite web |title=National Institute of Health Consensus Development Statement; NIH Consensus Development Conference: Lactose Intolerance and Health |url=http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/images/lactose/lactose_finalstatement.pdf |accessdate=24 February 2010}}

A study on colonic adaptation, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, concluded there is colonic adaptation to regular lactose ingestion. This related adaption reduces lactose intolerance symptoms.Colonic adaptation to daily lactose feeding in lactose maldigesters reduces lactose intolerance, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Vol 64, 232-236. The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc 1996

In an interview with the Washington Post, gastroenterologist Theodore Bayless of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine suggested that such a course can relieve symptoms of lactose intolerance, but the relief would not be permanent, particularly if the user were to take antibiotics at a later date.

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.Lactagen.com Lactagen Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528055941/http://www.lactagen.com/ |date=2010-05-28 }}

Category:Milk

Category:Dietary supplements