Lactulose adsorbs and eliminates ammonia from the gut

One of the recommendations of the Genetests.org page on Trimethylaminuria Rarediseases.info.nih.gov is the use of lactulose. For that reason this is being posted as to some extra information on lactulose.

Lactulose, also called an osmotic laxative, has two different uses: treating constipation and in higher doses, reducing the absorption of ammonia from the gut into the bloodstream by acidifying the contents of the gut.

In treating constipation lactulose works by increasing the water content and volume of the stools in the bowel, making them softer and easier to pass. Lactulose is made up of sugar molecules and is broken down by the bacteria that live in the lower part of the gut. This leads to the contents of the gut becoming more acidic, which reduces the absorption of a chemical called ammonia. The presence of ammonia in the gut causes water to be drawn into the lower bowel. This increases the amount of water in the stools, softening them and making them easier to pass, thus relieving constipation. It can take up to 48 hours for the lactulose to have an effect.

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100001447.html