Lactose intolerance  

What is lactose intolerance 

Lactose intolerance occurs when the digestive system in a person cannot break down completely the sugar called Lactose that is found in milk. This is due to a shortage of the lactase enzyme which is produced by the cells that line the small intestine. 

Lactase breaks down milk sugar (lactose) into the simpler form of sugar called glucose and galactose that are absorbed into the bloodstream.  

Undigested lactose ferments in the intestine and could cause abdominal pain, bloated stomach or diarrhoea. 

There 3 types of lactose deficiency: 

1. Congenital lactase deficiency is a rare genetic condition where there is a marked deficiency of lactase production if any at all in the small intestine from birth. It is caused when a baby inherits two ineffective genes from the parents (one from each). This results in an inability of the genes in the newborn to produce enough lactase or nothing at all.  
2. Primary Lactase deficiency also known as Adult Lactase Deficiency is very common and it affects more than half of the world population. The lactase enzymes which are the highest shortly after birth slowly decline with aging. The people most susceptible to lactose deficiency in their adult life are usually from Asian, South American and African descent.  
3. Secondary type Lactase Deficiency could result from the aftermath of intestinal surgery and possibly from untreated coeliac disease.   

Symptoms for lactose intolerance are: 

-Stomach bloating   

=Diarrhoea  

-Abdominal pain 

-Irritable Bowel Syndrome 

-Nausea.    

-Flatulence   

-Vomiting     

Lactose intolerance is usually diagnosed through the lactose intolerance test. This test involves measurement of blood sugar levels before and after drinking liquid containing lactose. The other is the breath test where after drinking a lactose solution, the doctor will analyse your breath for hydrogen gas, the result of undigested lactose left to ferment in the intestine. Medical test such as endoscopy are carried out to extract a sample from the lining of the small intestine for further analysis. 

Food to avoid for lactose intolerance 

- Lactose intolerance can be treated with digestive enzymes tablets containing lactase. As the enzyme breaks down lactose, it should be taken immediately prior to consuming food containing lactose. The benefits of lactase enzyme tablet is it helps people who suffer from lactose intolerance maintain a normal life without suffering the symptoms.  

- A lactose free diet is also an effective way to control the symptoms. The following are food to be avoided for a lactose free diet.    

- Milk or milk products such as fresh, long life, homogenised and sterilised whole, semi skimmed and skimmed milk. Powdered milk, tinned milk, milk drinks and instant powdered hot or cold malted, chocolate or coffee drinks. Cream, butter, buttermilk, margarine, ice cream, yoghurt, cheese, sour cream, whey, casein, lactose or lactalbumin.   

- Lactose found in processed meat, food additives, gravy, sausages, custards, puddings, sauces, chocolates and confectionery.   

Alternative milk replacements are soya milk, rice milk, oat milk, coconut milk, almond milk, sunflower oil.   

Other lactose free foods include tofu, hoummous, soya, mushroom, fresh produce such as meat, seafood, vegetables and fruit.   

There are many foods with high calcium content that is beneficial in a lactose free diet. They are legumes, curly kale, soya milk, sardines, meat, salmon, spring greens, parsley, figs, sesame seeds, tahini, almonds, apricots, hazelnuts, brazils nut, broccoli, spinach, oranges and cocoa.