What is lactose intolerance?

Answer 1

General meaning:

Lactose intolerance is results of an inability to digest or to metabolize lactose.

• due to missing or defective enzymes (inborn error of metabolism)

Flow:

1. ingested milk products
2. buildup of dissacharides because deficiency of lactase in the intestinal villi.
3. so, lactose cant be degraded to galactose and glucose
4. cant be absorbed in to the bloodstream from the villi
5. lactose will accumulated
6. producing H2, CO2 and organic acids.
7. digestive problems: bloating and diarrhea

Note that the common definition for "lactose intolerance" excludes infants. Virtually all human infants (indeed all mammal infants) are able to digest lactose, as it is a key ingredient in gaining sustenance from their mother. Infants not able to digest lactose are much more rare (and is a serious condition).

Normally, mammals lose the ability to digest lactose shortly after entering childhood (in humans, somewhere between 3 and 5). However, a mutation in certain human populations somewhere around 20,000 BCE enabled those people to continue to consume milk for their entire life. So, in reality, "lactose tolerance" is the genetic aberration (though, a beneficial one).

Answer 2

Lactose Intolerant means that your body is unable to metabolize, or tolerate, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products called Lactose. It is caused by a lack of lactase, the enzyme required to break down lactose in the digestive system, and results in symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea and acid reflux.

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Lactose Intolerance is a medical condition that is similar to an allergy, in a way. A person who is lactose intolerant does not produce the enzyme that is used in digestion to break down the sugars found in milk and other dairy products (this sugar is called lactose). As a result, the sugars remain un-digested in the stomcah and digestive tract. This can cause pain, bloating, swelling, dicomfort, nasuea, vomiting, and infection. People who are lactoce intolerant are advised to eliminate dairy products out of their diet. In more milder cases, people can take a medication (often known as a "lact-aid") that conatins the enzyme that will allow them to digest small amounts of lactose found in their diet.

Answer 3

General meaning:

Lactose intolerance is results of an inability to digest or to metabolize lactose.

• due to missing or defective enzymes (inborn error of metabolism)

Flow:

1. ingested milk products
2. buildup of dissacharides because deficiency of lactase in the intestinal villi.
3. so, lactose cant be degraded to galactose and glucose
4. cant be absorbed in to the bloodstream from the villi
5. lactose will accumulated
6. producing H2, CO2 and organic acids.
7. digestive problems: bloating and diarrhea

Note that the common definition for "lactose intolerance" excludes infants. Virtually all human infants (indeed all mammal infants) are able to digest lactose, as it is a key ingredient in gaining sustenance from their mother. Infants not able to digest lactose are much more rare (and is a serious condition).

Normally, mammals lose the ability to digest lactose shortly after entering childhood (in humans, somewhere between 3 and 5). However, a mutation in certain human populations somewhere around 20,000 BCE enabled those people to continue to consume milk for their entire life. So, in reality, "lactose tolerance" is the genetic aberration (though, a beneficial one).

Answer 4

Lactose intolerance is the normal state of most adult mammals. After weaning, mammals normally stop producing lactase, the enzyme that breaks down the sugar in milk.

Some human populations, mostly those of northern European descent, have a genetic mutation that causes lactase persistence, which allows them to continue to digest lactose into adulthood.