Definition

Noun 1. A commercial brand name for a dietary supplement containing the enzyme lactase: "Lactaid" is a trademarked product designed to help individuals digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products. The active ingredient is the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose into simpler sugars (glucose and galactose) that the body can absorb.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • People with lactose intolerance often take Lactaid before eating ice cream.
  • She always carries Lactaid pills in her purse when dining out.
  • You can buy Lactaid in the form of caplets or drops.

Advanced Usage

• As a genericized trademark: In informal contexts, "Lactaid" is sometimes used generically to refer to any lactase enzyme supplement, similar to how "Kleenex" is used for tissues.
  • Do you have any Lactaid? I forgot my lactase pills. (Here, the speaker may be asking for any brand of lactase supplement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lactase (n): The specific enzyme that breaks down lactose. "Lactaid" is a brand that contains lactase.
• Lactose (n): The sugar found in milk that people with lactose intolerance cannot digest properly.
• Lactose intolerance (n): The condition characterized by the inability to digest lactose, for which products like Lactaid are used.

Synonyms

• Lactase supplement
• Digestive aid (for lactose)

Noun

1. any of a group of enzymes (trade name Lactaid) that hydrolyze lactose to glucose and galactose