What is Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is a digestive disorder that affects individuals who have difficulty digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. It occurs when the small intestine does not produce enough of an enzyme called lactase, which is responsible for breaking down lactose into simpler forms that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Undigested lactose moves into the colon without sufficient lactase, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms.

 

 

What are the Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance?

Individuals with lactose intolerance may experience the following symptoms after consuming lactose-containing foods:

• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Bloating and flatulence
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Excessive gassiness

These symptoms typically occur within 30 minutes to two hours after consuming lactose-containing products.

 

 

 

What are the Causes of Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose intolerance can be caused by different factors, including:

 

1. Primary Lactase Deficiency:

This is the most common type of lactose intolerance, occurring when lactase production naturally decreases after childhood. It is more prevalent in certain ethnic groups, such as people of African, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American descent [1].

 

2. Secondary Lactase Deficiency:

In some cases, lactose intolerance can be triggered by an injury or illness that damages the small intestine, affecting lactase production. Conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and intestinal infections can lead to secondary lactase deficiency [2].

 

3. Congenital Lactase Deficiency:

A rare genetic disorder, congenital lactase deficiency, causes infants to be born with little or no lactase enzyme. This condition requires specialized medical care and dietary adjustments from birth [3].

 

 

 

How is Lactose Intolerance Diagnosed?

To diagnose lactose intolerance, the following tests are commonly used:

 

• Hydrogen breath test: Following the consumption of a liquid containing elevated lactose levels, the quantity of hydrogen in your exhaled breath is measured periodically. An excessive amount of exhaled hydrogen suggests incomplete digestion and absorption of lactose [4].
• Lactose tolerance test: Two hours after ingesting a liquid with high lactose content, a blood test assesses glucose levels in the bloodstream. If your glucose level fails to rise, it indicates inadequate digestion and absorption of the lactose-containing beverage by your body.

 

 

 

What is the Treatment for Lactose Intolerance?

For individuals with lactose intolerance resulting from an underlying condition, addressing and treating the underlying condition may eventually restore the body's ability to digest lactose. However, this restorative process can take several months. In cases where the cause is different, you can alleviate the discomfort associated with lactose intolerance by adhering to a low-lactose diet.

 

To reduce the intake of lactose in your diet, consider the following measures [5]:

 

• Limit the consumption of milk and other dairy products.
• Incorporate small portions of dairy products into your regular meals.
• Opt for lactose-reduced ice cream and milk as alternatives.
• Enhance lactose digestion by adding a liquid or powder lactase enzyme to milk, which helps break down lactose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

1. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02236031

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9122546/
2. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/2/461
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2761582/
4. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/118/3/1279/69390/Lactose-Intolerance-in-Infants-Children-and

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