Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is the inability to break down lactose present in dairy products such as milk and yoghurt. This causes symptoms such as diarrhoea, booting and flatulence after consumption of dairy products.

Lactose is typically broken down into glucose and galactose in the microvilli of the small intestine by an enzyme called lactase. Glucose and galactose is then readily absorbed into the bloodstream. However, patients with lactose intolerance lack the lactase enzyme and are thus unable to break down lactose. The lactose then moves into the large intestine, and water diffuses from the bloodstream into the large intestine via osmosis. This results in symptoms such as diarrhoea.

Lactose intolerance is extremely common. About 90% of Singaporeans are lactose intolerant to varying degrees and an estimated 75% of the world’s population is affected by it. Typically, lactose intolerance is caused by a decrease in lactase production with age. However, it is more common is African and Asian communities as compared to westerners.

A hydrogen breath test can be done to check for lactose intolerance. Upon drinking lactose, the amount of hydrogen in one’s breath would increase if the patient is lactose intolerant. Another test that can be done is to simply remove dairy from the diet. If this change reduces the symptoms, and the symptoms arise yet again once dairy is reintroduced, it is likely a sign of lactose intolerance.

People who are lactose intolerant are able to replace milk products in their diet with non-animals sources of milk. These include soy milk, almond milk and coconut milk.

Source:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lactose-intolerance-101#TOC_TITLE_HDR_7

https://www.healthline.com/health/lactose-intolerance#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lactose-intolerance/diagnosis/#:~:text=A%20hydrogen%20breath%20test%20is,up%20a%20balloon%2Dlike%20bag.

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