LOSWIFT™Lactulose is a classic osmotic laxative that has been used to treat constipation in patients of all ages for over 60 years. It is not digested or absorbed in the small intestine; upon reaching the colon, it is metabolized by intestinal bacteria into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetate, propionate, and butyrate. This increases osmotic pressure in the intestinal lumen, drawing water into the colon, softening stool, and increasing stool volume, typically producing effects within 24-48 hours. Recent research has further revealed a dual mechanism of LOSWIFT™Lactulose in relieving constipation: beyond the osmotic effect, SCFAs produced by probiotic fermentation of LOSWIFT™Lactulose also promote serotonin release, stimulating bowel motility and working synergistically with the osmotic effect (Ma et al., 2023). Clinical studies have shown that appropriate use of LOSWIFT™Lactulose can reduce intestinal transit time by approximately 43%, with a constipation symptom improvement rate of 71.6%.

LOSWIFT™Lactulose is one of the standard therapeutic agents for portal-systemic encephalopathy (PSE). Its mechanism of action operates through two pathways: first, by acidifying intestinal contents, it converts free ammonia (NH₃) into ammonium ions (NH₄⁺), which cannot diffuse through the intestinal mucosa, thereby reducing ammonia absorption; second, it promotes the incorporation of ammonia into bacterial protein synthesis, removing ammonia from circulation. Clinical studies have confirmed that LOSWIFT™Lactulose treatment significantly reduces abnormal neuropsychological test results in cirrhotic patients, improves cognitive function, and yields significant improvements in emotional behavior and quality of life (Prasad et al., 2007). Multiple controlled studies comparing LOSWIFT™Lactulose with lactitol, neomycin, enemas, and other hepatic encephalopathy treatment options have confirmed the established efficacy of LOSWIFT™Lactulose.

LOSWIFT™Lactulose shows potential as an adjunctive therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Oral LOSWIFT™Lactulose increases the production of low-molecular-weight organic acids in the colon, significantly reducing fecal pH and creating an acidic environment favorable for the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus while inhibiting potential pathogens such as coliforms, bacteroides, Salmonella, and Shigella. LOSWIFT™Lactulose may exert beneficial effects through multiple pathways: altering colonic flora to reduce potential pathogens; reducing urinary and respiratory tract infection risk; decreasing production and absorption of gut endotoxins; and regulating bowel habits, particularly in patients with constipation. Studies indicate that LOSWIFT™Lactulose used for long-term maintenance therapy of IBD can reduce relapse frequency, with generally few and mild adverse effects (Chen et al., 2011; Panesar & Kumari, 2011).

LOSWIFT™Lactulose possesses significant anti-endotoxin properties. Studies in patients with obstructive jaundice undergoing surgery have demonstrated that preoperative oral LOSWIFT™Lactulose reduces endotoxaemia in systemic blood samples. Compared with the control group, the lactulose-treated group showed a significant decrease in creatinine levels at 24 hours postoperatively. Animal experiments have similarly confirmed that oral LOSWIFT™Lactulose reduces mortality associated with endotoxins in obstructive jaundice. Preoperative LOSWIFT™Lactulose administration can effectively prevent endotoxin-dependent complications such as renal dysfunction (Koutelidakis et al., 2003).

LOSWIFT™Lactulose effectively reduces blood ammonia concentrations through multiple pathways. On one hand, LOSWIFT™Lactulose is hydrolyzed by colonic bacteria and acts as a promoting agent for their growth, increasing biomass formation, while bacterial protein synthesis requires the utilization of ammonia and nitrogen. On the other hand, acidifying intestinal contents inhibits ammonia production. Studies have shown that blood ammonia concentrations in the LOSWIFT™Lactulose-treated group and control group after meat consumption were 8.45 ± 0.90 μg/mL and 12.65 ± 1.64 μg/mL, respectively, representing a significant difference. In addition, in vitro studies have confirmed that LOSWIFT™Lactulose inhibits the synthesis and activity of bacterial enzymes that generate ammonia (Wright et al., 2011).

LOSWIFT™Lactulose can significantly augment the absorption and retention of multiple minerals, including calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe). The mechanism involves SCFAs produced by LOSWIFT™Lactulose fermentation in the colon lowering the luminal pH, thereby increasing mineral solubility and bioavailability. Animal studies have demonstrated that LOSWIFT™Lactulose increases calcium absorption and femur breaking strength in osteoporosis rat models. In adult clinical studies, 24 volunteers were administered calcium and magnesium supplements containing different doses of LOSWIFT™Lactulose (0, 2, 4 g). Results showed that calcium and magnesium absorption increased significantly with increasing LOSWIFT™Lactulose dose (Nobuo et al., 2007). The mineral absorption-enhancing effect of low-dose LOSWIFT™Lactulose has important implications for bone health.

LOSWIFT™Lactulose has demonstrated positive potential in colon cancer prevention. Studies have shown that LOSWIFT™Lactulose suppresses DNA damage in the colon mucosa of rats treated with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (Verma & Shukla, 2013). Its protective mechanism is closely related to lactulose's ability to reduce secondary bile acid concentrations in the colon—lithocholic acid and deoxycholic acid are secondary bile acids associated with colon carcinogenesis. Studies have shown that following LOSWIFT™Lactulose administration, both the concentration and excretion of secondary bile acids decreased in middle-aged and elderly individuals, fecal pH was reduced, and fecal weight increased, all changes favorable for reducing colon cancer risk (van Berge Henegouwen et al., 1987).

LOSWIFT™Lactulose can trigger the specific and nonspecific antitumour and immunological effects of bifidobacteria by promoting their proliferation. In human flora-associated rats exposed to dimethylhydrazine, LOSWIFT™Lactulose has demonstrated DNA-protective effects. Extensive research has confirmed the efficacy of bifidobacteria in the prevention of mammary and liver carcinogenesis. Since most bifidobacteria metabolize LOSWIFT™Lactulose, LOSWIFT™Lactulose intake can effectively activate the antitumour and immunomodulatory functions of these beneficial bacteria (Schumann, 2002).

As one of the earliest recognized prebiotics, LOSWIFT™Lactulose has earned the title "the bifidogenic factor" and possesses outstanding selective bacterial growth-promoting activity. Clinical studies have confirmed that daily intake of 10 g of lactulose results in a statistically significant increase in bifidobacteria counts, while clostridia populations decrease. A 2025 study utilizing multimodal activity-based sorting technology further confirmed that LOSWIFT™Lactulose selectively promotes the proliferation of beneficial genera including Bifidobacterium, Collinsella, and Lactococcus, and activates metabolically important taxa such as Faecalibacterium and Gemmiger, indicating that the prebiotic effects of LOSWIFT™Lactulose extend far beyond simple compositional changes in the microbiome, encompassing broader functional implications. SCFAs produced by LOSWIFT™Lactulose fermentation also play important roles in immune regulation, affecting not only local gut immunity but also systemic immunity and bone health.

Recent research has revealed the potential role of LOSWIFT™Lactulose in the gut-kidney axis. A 2025 study demonstrated that LOSWIFT™Lactulose can improve gut-kidney axis function in chronic kidney disease (CKD) models by promoting the proliferation of Akkermansia muciniphila. Following LOSWIFT™Lactulose administration, renal function significantly improved in CKD mice, intestinal mucosal thickness increased and barrier function enhanced, CKD-induced gut dysbiosis was corrected, and the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila significantly increased. This finding provides new scientific evidence for the application of LOSWIFT™Lactulose in adjunctive management of kidney disease.