Lactose Intolerance

Milk that is produced by either animals or humans contains lactose. Lactose is a complex sugar made up of 2 simple sugars; glucose and galactose. Enzymes produced by our body enable the breakdown of complex sugars to simple sugars. Lactase is the enzyme that helps convert lactose into glucose and galactose.

It is common for adults and some children to have a deficiency of lactase. Anyone with a lactase deficiency will struggle to digest lactose and therefore suffer from lactose intolerance.

Common symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal cramping
• Excessive intestinal gas
• Diarrhoea

IMPORTANT NOTE:
These symptoms may not necessarily be attributable only to lactose intolerance. CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Lactose is a specific nutrient for infants:

• Supplies about 40% of the baby’s energy needs
• Facilitates calcium and iron absorption
• Promotes a normal healthy gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) microflora which discourages and retards the growth of GIT pathogens,
• Most importantly of all, providing the galactose which is used in the tissues of the central nervous system

There are three categories of lactose intolerance

Primary lactose intolerance.
Occurs after weaning and mostly in non dairy consuming societies. This is found in many Asian and African cultures, where industrialized and commercial dairy products are less common.

Secondary lactose intolerance (transient).
This can result from certain gastrointestinal diseases with the result that the production of lactase may be temporarily or permanently disrupted. A very common cause of transient lactose intolerance is gastroenteritis, particularly when the gastroenteritis is caused by rotavirus. Another form of transient lactose intolerance is Lactose Overload in infants.

Congenital lactase intolerance.
A genetic disorder which prevents the body from producing lactase. Present at birth and diagnosed in early infancy. It is rare and a baby will fail to thrive as lactase is an important enzyme which assists the conversion of lactose in milk into digestible sugars

Causes of lactose intolerance >>