Lactose intolerance is a disease which is caused by the inability to digest lactose, which is a sugar found in milk.
If you have a lactose intolerance, then you will see a reaction every time you consume dairy or anything which has been in contact with dairy. If you are missing the enzyme lactase then you will exhibit signs of a lactose intolerance. This is because lactase is responsible for breaking down lactose into two smaller sugars which are identified as glucose and galactose.
If you do not have a lot of lactase in your body, then the body will not properly break down the lactose within the small intestine. When lactose is passed through to the large intestine without decomposing, the bacteria ferment it and transform it into gases and acids, causing a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms, including a bloated stomach, headache or extreme flatulence.
The human body is programmed to feed on milk in our childhood, and it makes sense that a large part of the adult population suffers from lactose intolerance. If an adult who is suffering from lactose intolerance exhibits uncomfortable symptoms then these can affect that individual’s work and social life. It also rules out the chances of that morning coffee with milk in, and also a big bowl of cereal to get them going. This is because that person can no longer consume dairy.
The symptoms of lactose intolerance are very similar to those produced by other digestive diseases such as Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease or milk protein intolerance, which is why it is very important to diagnose it adequately by means of suitable intolerance testing such as hydrogen-expired test, also called breath test with hydrogen.
To find out more about potential food sensitivities, allergies and intolerances, please check out our website and have a look at our advice. If you need some help choosing the right test for you then our Customer Service advisors will be happy to help you pick the right test for you, your partner and your family.
Furthermore, finding out you have a sensitivity to lactose may mean that you have to completely change your diet. If you need help with this, then you can also check out the Allergy Test eBook which will provide you with a wide range of alternatives to finding the optimum diet for you.
