A. The vegetarian enzymes used in Similase® are produced through the fermentation of fungal organisms, including Aspergillus, Rhizopus, and Saccharomyces. Some of the vegetarian enzyme products contain maltase, which is derived from malt barley. If a product contains maltase, it is not gluten-free.

A. Straight fructose (called free fructose) does not undergo digestion, but rather is directly absorbed in the small intestine. Enzymes are not needed for the metabolism of this nutrient. If fructose is delivered the form of sucrose, it is digested by the enzyme sucrase. This enzyme can be found in Similase®

A. There are many scientific systems used for measuring enzyme activity. The most common enzyme measurement systems are Food Chemical Codex (FCC), United States Pharmacoepia (USP), and Federal Internationale Pharmaceutique (FIP). Each different enzyme measurement system has an enzyme assay method with its own units of measurements. For example, one of the enzyme measurements from protease is HUT (Hemoglobin Unit Tyrosine). Here are some common enzyme activity abbreviations:HUT = hemoglobin unit tyrosine PC = Bacterial Protease Unit DU = apha-amylase dextrinizing unit LU = lipase units PU = phytase units ALU = acid lactase unit CU = cellulase units INVU = inverted unitLacU = lactase activity unit

A. Similase® contains very little gluten, which is derived from maltase. When the product was tested, it was found to contain less than 20 ppm gluten.

A. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose, the sugar in milk. The lactase in Similase® is derived from Aspergillus oryzae. There is no milk in Similase®.