Lactose Intolerance

Intolerance to lactose, a sugar found in milk

Lactose is the predominant sugar found in milk. To be able to digest milk and dairy products, lactose must be broken down into galactose and glucose in the small intestine. The enzyme responsible for this process is called lactase.

Not everybody can digest milk sugar. If lactase is not sufficiently active, lactose is not broken into its monosaccharide components and reaches the colon undigested. Depending on the degree of the lactase deficiency and the amount of milk consumed, this can result in stomach aches, flatulence or diarrhoea.

Lactose intolerance may be acquired or innate.
see: Food Intolerance

See also:

Food Intolerance

Enzyme

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