Milk Intolerance

I am a father of a five year old and I recently came across one of his friends who has milk intolerance. Could not understand it completely so thought of exploring, what it is. Thus, sharing with audience here now.

Milk intolerance, also known as lactose intolerance is the inability of the body to fully digest the lactose products, especially the sugar found in milk. The condition itself is not serious but the person may experience uncomfortable symptoms regarding the stomach. The condition is known to have caused by the lack of the lactase enzyme, which is primarily produced in small intestines.

The inability of the small intestines renders the intolerance of milk in the body. There are many people with less lactase enzyme in the body but are able to manage milk digestion without any side-effects. If anyone is suffering from lactose mal-absorption, they can continue to live a healthy life even by consuming dairy products.

Lactase is responsible for breaking down the milk into sugar molecules, which are later absorbed into the blood stream. Under this condition, the lack of enzyme fails to absorb the milk sugar. It is then passed down the colon, where the bacteria acts towards the lactose molecules to cause the symptoms and discomfort to the body.

Milk intolerance can be differentiated into three different types: Primary, Secondary, and Congenital lactose intolerance.

In primary milk intolerance, lactase production is severely hampered, hence, milk products are not digested.

In secondary intolerance, a small amount of lactase is produced by the intestine, causing infection and other problems.

Congenital milk intolerance is hereditary and commonly observed in infants.

Issues

People with milk intolerance experience wide range of gastrointestinal issues such as:

• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Pain in the lower belly
• Cramps
• Vomiting

The issues are often exhibited upon the amount of lactose ingested in the intestines. There aren’t any significant risk attached to the condition, but the continuous occurrence of symptoms may require a medical attention.

It is to be understood that milk intolerance is not the same as the milk allergy. Allergy relates to the immune system reacting to the certain type of food, whereas milk intolerance has more to do with the lack of enzyme production.

Currently, there is no cure for the condition. The only way to reduce the symptoms is to control the intake of dairy products. The lack of the important nutrients available from the milk can be substituted by taking supplements. Normally, calcium and vitamin supplements are required. Doctors may also prescribe the patient to change the diet that can substitute milk nutrients.