Lactose IntoleranceMilk and other dairy products contain lactose, a sugar that is a main constituent of milk.
Where some people do not find it difficult to digest milk, some people might trigger different reactions especially if their body is intolerant towards lactose.
Lactose intolerance occurs due lactase deficiency, lactase is an enzyme which helps in digestion of lactose. Inability of the small intestine to produce lactase enzyme in sufficient quantities might result in lactose intolerance.
Human beings as well as other mammals suffer from lactose deficiency. During the period of evolution consumption of milk stopped after infancy stage, therefore, ability to produce lactase did not continue to adulthood. However, in those races where dairy industry was started the earliest, the percentage of lactase deficiency is relatively low.
Where dairy industry was started later, mostly adults still suffer from lactose intolerance.
Infants generally produce enough amounts of lactase enzyme to help digestion of milk. However, premature babies might still suffer from lactose intolerance.
Lactose intolerance amongst dairy farming areas starts after the age of 5, however, among Asians, Africans, native Americans lactose intolerance starts earlier at the age of 2.
There are several symptoms of lactose intolerance, these are abdominal bloating, this might occur due to gas, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, etc. Gas is generally produced because of fermentation of lactose which has been left undigested in stomach.
There are several tests that can be carried out to find lactose intolerance, these are lactose intolerance test, hydrogen test and stool test. While the first two tests are ideal for grown-ups, the stool test might be the best for infants.
There are chances that lactose intolerance might decrease over time when the body’s metabolic activity starts adjusting itself to presence of lactose in diet.
People who wish to have a diet rich in lactose can try assimilation of lactose, assimilation means consumption of lactose rich foods several times a day, so that the large intestine is able to break down lactase more effectively.
Many people intolerant towards lactose can switch to other dairy products which have same nutritional value but does not have that much lactase. The best example of such foods is the yogurt milk, buttermilk, cheese. In case of yogurt milk lactase reacts with bacteria culture, in case of cheese, processing destroys lactase and therefore might provide nutrition without any lactose intolerance. |
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