Lactose Intolerance - Symptoms and Management

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What causes lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance occurs when your small intestine doesn't produce enough of an enzyme (lactase) to digest milk sugar (lactose). Normally, lactase turns milk sugar into two simple sugars — glucose and galactose — which are absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal lining.

Is lactose intolerance a deficiency?

However, all lactose intolerance is characterized by a deficiency in the enzyme lactase. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, the main carb in dairy. It’s caused by reduced production of the enzyme lactase in your gut. If not managed properly, lactose intolerance may cause severe digestive problems.

Are You lactose intolerant?

Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency in lactase — the enzyme that breaks down the sugar in milk, called lactose. Common symptoms include bloating, abdominal cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. If you’ve ever felt a foreboding rumbling in your stomach shortly after eating, you may have wondered whether you’re lactose intolerant.

What is lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is when you can’t break down lactose. Lactose is the main sugar found in milk and other dairy products. Lactose intolerance happens when your body does not produce enough lactase — the enzyme that breaks down lactose. If you're lactose intolerant, you don't need to stop eating foods with lactose in them altogether.

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, gas, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Find out more about lactose intolerance and milk allergies in babies and children, including the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Lactose intolerance is due to not having enough of the enzyme lactase to digest the sugars, such as lactose, in milk.

How does lactose intolerance affect your health?

Lactose intolerance may affect your health if it keeps you from getting enough nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D. Milk and milk products, which contain lactose, are some of the main sources of calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients. You need calcium throughout your life to grow and have healthy bones.

What Is Lactose Intolerance

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lactose-intolerance/symptoms-causes/syc-20374232
2. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/lactose-intolerance
3. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lactose-intolerance-101
4. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/lactose-intolerance/definition-facts
5. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/lactose-intolerance
6. https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-lactose-intolerance
7. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7317-lactose-intolerance
8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance
9. https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-lactose-intolerance-1941689

Lactose Intolerance Information

1. https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Lactose_intolerance/
2. https://patient.info/allergies-blood-immune/food-allergy-and-intolerance/lactose-intolerance
3. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lactose-intolerance/