What is Lactose Intolerance

Well, lactose intolerance is the inability to comfortably digest moderate amounts of diary products like milk and ice cream. Common World wide nearly 70% of the adult population is thought to be lactose intolerant. The condition is very common among American Indians and those of Asian, African, Jewish and Hispanic descent. Northern Europeans, a few African tribes, some Mediterranean people and descendants of each of these are the only one’s who typically do not develop lactose intolerance. No one knows exactly why, but genetics no doubt plays a role.

What causes Lactose Intolerance

The incomplete digestion of lactose, the sugar contained in milk, causes lactose intolerance. At birth and in early childhood, your body produces large amounts of an enzyme called lactase. Lactase breaks down lactose and allows it to be absorbed. However, as you grow up, you usually produce less lactase. By the time you’re a teenager, you generally produce only about 10 percent of the lactase you did as an infant. With less lactase available to break down the lactose, your body can no longer comfortably digest the amounts of milk and ice cream that it used to handle easily.

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is characterized by abdominal bloating, gas, stomach cramps, flatulence and diarrhoea. The frequency and severity of the symptoms seem to be dose-related. In general, the larger the amount of lactose consumed, the greater the risk of more frequent and severe symptoms.

Am I Lactose intolerant

Well, to find this out it is always better to consult your doctor because he has got ways to determine if you’re lactose intolerant. One way is to measure the hydrogen in your breath after you’ve taken in a dose of lactose. Large amounts of hydrogen indicate that lactose is not being fully digested and that you’re probably intolerant.

Another method involves taking a blood sample after you’ve received a dose of lactose and then testing for signs of lactose breakdown.