lactose intolerance

Examples of lactose intolerance in the following topics:

• Lactose Intolerance

  • Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk, due to a lack of the enzyme lactase.
  • Lactose intolerant individuals have insufficient levels of lactase, the enzyme that metabolizes lactose into glucose and galactose, in their digestive system .
  • However, those living among societies that are largely lactose-tolerant may find lactose intolerance troublesome.
  • About 44% of lactose intolerant women regain the ability to digest lactose during pregnancy.
  • Individuals who suffer from lactose intolerance have insufficient levels of lactase to break down the lactose in milk and dairy products.

• Galactosemia and Glycogen Storage Disease

  • Although the sugar and lactose metabolizes to galactose, galactosemia is not related to and should not be confused with lactose intolerance.
  • Lactose in food (such as dairy products) is broken down by the enzyme lactase into glucose and galactose.
  • The only treatment for classic galactosemia is eliminating lactose and galactose from the diet.
  • Galactosemia is sometimes confused with lactose intolerance, but galactosemia is a more serious condition.
  • Lactose intolerant individuals have an acquired or inherited shortage of the enzyme lactase, and experience abdominal pains after ingesting dairy products, but no long-term effects.

• Chemical Digestion of Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, and Nucleic Acids

  • Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down the disaccharide lactose into its component parts, glucose and galactose, which can also be absorbed by the small intestine.
  • This condition is commonly known as lactose intolerance.

• Digestive Processes of the Large Intestine

  • oligosaccharides and sugars like lactose (in the case of lactose intolerance) and sugar alcohols

• Malabsorption of Nutrients

  • Researchers then discovered that lactose malabsorption is actually the norm for most populations in the world.
  • Mucosal abnormalities (e.g. celiac disease , cows' milk intolerance, soy milk intolerance, and fructose malabsorption) may lead to malabsorption.
  • Lactase deficiency, which prevents the breakdown of lactose, is a common cause of malabsorption.
  • For example, patients may be put on a gluten-free diet for celiac disease or taught lactose avoidance for lactose intolerance.

• Life Functions

  • Beyond these zones are the "zones of intolerance," where life for that organism is impossible.
  • Many organisms can adapt to intolerance in their environment through seasonal migration, hibernation, or other adaptations.
  • Many microorganisms have evolved adaptations that allow them to survive in zones that are intolerant for most other organisms, such as extreme heat or cold, dehydration, starvation, or high levels of radiation.

• Absorption of Monosaccharides, Amino Acids, Dipeptides, Tripeptides, Lipids, Electrolytes, Vitamins, and Water

  • The lactase enzyme breaks down lactose, milk sugar.
  • Lactase is absent in most adult humans and for them lactose, like most polysaccharides, are not digested in the small intestine.

• Digestive Processes of the Small Intestine

  • Lactase is absent in most adult humans and for them lactose, like most poly-saccharides, is not digested in the small intestine.

• Tracheotomy and Intubation

  • In extreme cases, the procedure may be indicated as a treatment for severe obstructive sleep apnea seen in patients intolerant of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.

• Heart Failure

  • Heart failure can cause a number of symptoms including shortness of breath, leg swelling, and exercise intolerance as shown in .