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Some people may call lactose intolerance the term lactose intolerance, but this is incorrect, and milk allergy should not be confused with lactose int

Lactose intolerance

Some people may call lactose intolerance the term lactose intolerance, but this is incorrect, and milk allergy should not be confused with lactose intolerance, as food allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to a specific food protein, and eating that protein can lead To an allergic reaction, the symptoms of which range from moderate to severe, and a food allergy may be life-threatening, in contrast to food intolerance cases that are not related to the immune system, as a state of lactose intolerance can cause great discomfort to a person, but it is not life threatening.

As for lactose, it is the sugar found in milk , and the body needs the enzyme lactase to break down this type of sugar so that the body can absorb it, but people with lactose intolerance do not have sufficient quantities of lactase. Lactase in sufferers, but some people can digest milk products well, and for others, very low levels of lactase may cause unpleasant symptoms after consuming dairy products.

Causes of lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance occurs as a result of the small intestine not producing enough lactase enzyme to digest milk sugar lactose, as lactase converts milk sugar into two types of simple sugars: glucose and galactose, and the stomach lining absorbs these sugars through the bloodstream. Lactase deficiency, because the lactose in food moves to the colon instead of being digested and absorbed. The bacteria in the colon destroy lactose, and produce fatty acids and gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane, and the breakdown of lactose leads to the formation of acids and gases in the colon. To the emergence of symptoms of lactose intolerance, such as flatulence and gas. There are several types of lactose intolerance, as follows:

Lack of basic lactase: is the most common cause of lactose intolerance in all parts of the world, it occurs this kind of shortage as a result of genetic abnormalities, and develops when the low production of lactase, low adoption of a person in his diet on milk and dairy products, usually What happens to this type after the age of two when you stop breastfeeding or formula, and despite this, symptoms of deficiency may not be noticeable until puberty.
Lack of secondary lactase: a lack of lactase caused by a problem in the small intestine and can this deficiency occur at any age, and may be the result of other health condition, or surgery in the minute, or intestinal eating certain drugs, and can The decrease in lactase production is temporary with exposure to this condition, but it may always be if it is caused by a long-term health condition, and secondary lactase deficiency can occur with age without the presence of a health condition that necessarily causes it, because the body’s production of lactase decreases dramatically. It is normal with age, and some of the possible causes of secondary lactase deficiency are mentioned:

Gastroenteritis, which is an infection of the stomach and intestine.
Celiac disease, or wheat allergy, is a condition that affects the intestine due to an adverse reaction to the protein gluten .
Crohn's disease, a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract.
Ulcerative colitis, a long-term condition that affects the large intestine.
Cancer chemotherapy.
Take antibiotics for long periods of time.

Lack of lactase Congenital: a case of rare infect newborns, which are the result of genetic defect inherited occur, as the bodies of infected children do not produce lactase never, or produce a small amount, and it is worth mentioning that the genetic mutation responsible for Congenital lactase deficiency is transmitted in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means that both parents must have a copy of the gene that causes the deficiency to have this type of child.

Acquired lactase deficiency: Some babies who are born prematurely, such as being born in the 37th week of pregnancy , suffer from temporary lactose intolerance, because the small intestine has not fully developed at the age in which they were born, and usually This deficiency improves as affected children get older.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance

The severity of the symptoms of lactose intolerance varies depending on the amount of lactose the body can tolerate. Some people may be sensitive to very small amounts of foods that contain lactose, while others can eat larger amounts before any symptoms are noticed and the symptoms of intolerance usually occur. Lactose within 30 minutes to two hours after consuming milk or dairy products. It is worth noting that the symptoms of lactose intolerance and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are very similar, and a misdiagnosis based on symptoms only is a possibility, so it is imperative to note that From seeing a specialist to ensure the correct diagnosis, and among these symptoms of lactose intolerance are:

Flatulence Gas injury.

Abdominal pain.

Nausea .

diarrhea.

Where is lactose found in food?

The changes that a person needs to make to the diet vary depending on the extent of the body's intolerance to lactose, as previously mentioned, some people are able to tolerate a little lactose in the diet without any problems, while others suffer from symptoms after eating food that contains It contains a very small amount of lactose, so it is recommended to gradually try new foods when trying to find out what a person can tolerate from sources of lactose, and the appropriate amount from each food, and it is not recommended to eat it in one go or in a large amount, as starting gradually helps to get used to Foods that the body may be allergic to, as well as the ability to determine which type is causing symptoms.

You can start by trying a diet free of milk, dairy products , and other foods containing lactose for two to three weeks, and if the symptoms disappear with following this diet, and return again after reintroducing the milk into the diet, then it is possible that the person has an intolerance. Lactose ,The following is an explanation of the sources of lactose in food:

Milk: It is the main source of lactose sugar in the diet, including cow's milk, goat's milk, and sheep's milk. A person may need to change the amount of milk consumed depending on the degree of lactose intolerance.

Dairy products: Products made from milk contain lactose, such as: cream, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and butter, and it may need to be avoided by those with lactose intolerance, but the level of lactose in these products varies from one type to another, and it may It is very low in some products, so a small amount of these products can be consumed without any symptoms occurring, and as mentioned previously, it is useful to experiment with different foods to find out which dairy products can be eaten, because they are a good source of essential nutrients such as calcium .

Other foods and drinks: There are many products that may contain milk and its products, we mention the following:

Salad dressings, and mayonnaise.
Biscuits, chocolate, and cakes.
Boiled sweets like candy.
Some types of breads and pastries .
Some types of breakfast cereals.
Ready mixes for baked goods, such as: pancakes, and biscuits.
Some processed meats.

Thus it is advisable to check all ingredients of prepared foods and drinks, because milk or lactose are often hidden ingredients, and the word lactose will not necessarily be listed separately on the food label, so you must check the ingredients list and make sure that it is free of milk, whey, curd, and products. Dairy is like cheese, butter , and cream.

Some medicines : Many medicines contain lactose, such as: some types of birth control pills, medicines used to treat gas, and medicines for stomach acidity, and you can consult a doctor or pharmacist to make sure that the medicines you are taking do not contain lactose.

Tips for lactose intolerance

Here are some tips regarding lactose intolerance:

Drinking milk in moderate quantities, as most people with this condition can tolerate approximately 240 milliliters of milk per day, but there is a need to determine the level of tolerance for the same person.

Consumption of some types of cheese that do not contain lactose and that can be tolerated for people with lactose intolerance, such as: hard and mature cheeses such as cheddar , mozzarella, feta, Edam cheese, and Brie cheese, as well as fresh cheeses. Such as: cottage cheese and ricotta have very low levels of lactose, and people usually tolerate them in small quantities.

Eat butter and cream in the diet in moderation, as they are one of the well-tolerated sources, because they contain very low levels of lactose.

Consumption of yogurt in moderation, because it is a well-tolerated food for people with this condition, and its lactose content decreases after its production day after day, as the bacteria in it use lactose for energy.

Choose whole milk, because the fat slows the passage of milk through the intestine and allows the lactase enzymes more time to break down the lactose sugar.

Avoid low-fat or fat-free dairy, because they move quickly through the intestine and tend to cause symptoms in people with lactose intolerance, and many low-fat milk products may contain skimmed milk powder that provides a higher dose of lactose.

Eat foods containing lactose with other foods to reduce their effect on the body, or distribute them throughout the day instead of eating a large amount at one time.

Choose alternatives to milk and dairy products that are lactose-free, such as: soy milk and soy milk, which are good sources of calcium.

The body may not get adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D if the consumption of milk and other dairy products is restricted, so it is advisable to consult your doctor about taking calcium and vitamin D supplements, in addition to eating other calcium-rich foods, such as: leafy vegetables, broccoli, and some seafood Like salmon.