Abstract
Lactose intolerance is a biochemical condition caused by the inability to digest fully the sugar in milk, i.e., lactose [1]. The condition of lactose intolerance is better described as “lactose sensitivity,” as everyone can tolerate some lactose, although this amount varies considerably between individuals [2]. It is essential to distinguish lactose intolerance from an allergy to milk proteins as there are major differences in the management of these two conditions and allergy occurs in 3–5 % of infants. Some four billion people around the world express low lactase levels (see below) and are thus potentially sensitive to lactose, suffering a range of gut and systemic symptoms (Fig. 1), unless diagnosed and then managed correctly. Lactose sensitivity is associated with two common gut conditions [3], irritable bowel syndrome (IBS, a disease characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation or both alternating) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, a group of inflammatory conditions affecting small intestine and colon, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) [4], and thus should be taken into account when diagnosing and treating these patients [5].
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© 2014 Springer-Verlag Wien
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Campbell, A.K., Matthews, S.B. (2014). Lactose Intolerance. In: Lammert, E., Zeeb, M. (eds) Metabolism of Human Diseases. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-0715-7_23
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-0715-7_23
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