Lactose intolerance is a common condition caused by lactase deficiency and may 
result in symptoms of lactose malabsorption (bloating, flatulence, abdominal 
discomfort, and change in bowel habits). As current data is limited, the aim of 
our study was to assess the efficacy of probiotics with a β-galactosidase 
activity on symptoms of lactose malabsorption and on the lactose hydrogen breath 
test (LHBT). The study group comprised eight symptomatic female patients with a 
positive LHBT. Patients were treated for 6 months with a probiotic formula with 
β-galactosidase activity (Bio-25, Ambrosia-SupHerb, Israel). All patients 
completed a demographic questionnaire as well as a diary for the assessment of 
symptom severity and frequency at entry, every 8 weeks, and at the end of the 
treatment period. Measurements of hydrogen (H2) levels (parts per million, ppm) 
at each of these time points were also performed. End points were a decrease of 
50% in symptom severity or frequency, and the normalization (decrease below 
cutoff point of 20 ppm) of the breath test. Mean age and mean body mass index 
(BMI) were 36.4 ± 18.6 years and 23.2 kg/m2, respectively. Compared to baseline 
scores, the frequency of most symptoms, and the severity of bloating and 
flatulence, improved after treatment. Normalization of LHBT was obtained in only 
two patients (25%). In this pilot study, Bio-25, a unique formulation of 
probiotics with β-galactosidase activity, demonstrated symptom resolution in 
most patients with lactose malabsorption. A larger randomized trial is warranted 
to confirm these preliminary findings.