Galactose, a simple sugar forming half of milk sugar and sold as a supplement, is studied for a gentler blood sugar response than glucose and as an exercise fuel. Human evidence is small and short-term. It appears to push the liver toward making fat and is harmful for people with inherited galactose disorders. Overall, a useful tool in narrow settings, with an uncertain long-term balance of benefit and harm. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting triglycerides | Below 100 mg/dL | Detects galactose-driven liver fat production |
| ApoB | Below 80 mg/dL | Tracks plaque-forming particle count |
| Fasting glucose | 75–90 mg/dL | Confirms glycemic effect |
| HbA1c | Below 5.3% | Three-month glucose average |
| Fasting insulin | 2–6 µIU/mL | Detects insulin resistance |
| ALT | Below 25 U/L | Signals liver strain or fat |
| GALT enzyme activity (erythrocyte) | Within laboratory normal range; no functional target established | Excludes galactosemia and carrier states |
| Continuous glucose monitor time in range | Above 90% of time at 70–140 mg/dL; no established target in non-diabetic users | Captures glycemic stability around doses |
Cadence: Baseline panel before starting (GALT activity once, where history is unclear); lipid panel and liver enzymes at 8–12 weeks, then every 6–12 months while use continues; HbA1c every 6 months if used for glucose control; eye examination every 12 months after age 50.