When the lactose that is not decomposed and absorbed enters the colon, it is fermented by the bacteria present in the intestine into small molecules of organic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, etc., and produces some gases such as methane, H2, CO2, etc. Most of these products can be reabsorbed by the colon, while those that are not absorbed or lactose that is still not decomposed can cause symptoms such as bowel sounds, bloating, abdominal pain, exhaust, discomfort, diarrhea, etc. Some people may also experience belching, nausea, etc. These symptoms are called lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance symptoms vary greatly among individuals. Severe lactose intolerance mostly occurs within 30 minutes to a few hours after ingesting a certain amount of lactose.
Lactose intolerance affects infants and children and can be accompanied by diaper rash, vomiting, growth retardation, and sometimes nausea in adults. The number and severity of intolerance symptoms are related to a number of factors, such as lactase activity in the small intestine, the amount of lactose consumed, and whether other foods are consumed at the same time.
The long-term effects of lactose intolerance in children are likely to include calcium malabsorption, diarrhea, chondropathy, low body weight, and growth retardation, especially in children with congenital and secondary lactase deficiency, which can lead to refractory and chronic diarrhea.
Addressing lactase deficiency. Several recommendations are given below.
1. Drinking too much milk at once or drinking milk on an empty stomach may induce lactose intolerance. Take a scientific approach to milk drinking, such as not drinking milk on an empty stomach and eating some food beforehand; do not drink a large amount of milk at one time, and do not drink more than 100 ml each time; one milk can be divided into several servings; increase the amount of milk drunk a little bit every day to gradually adapt.
2. Eat with cereals. Generally speaking, lactose intolerant people will have heavier symptoms when drinking milk on an empty stomach, but when mixing meals, the lactose concentration of milk may be “diluted” in a particular environment. Increased celiac action and mechanical movement in the gastrointestinal tract can improve the absorption of lactose. Eating cookies or bread before drinking milk will reduce gas and discomfort.
Drinking milk powder with some cereal will also make a good way to eat together. In particular, some milk powder is generally processed by high temperature and pressure, and the addition of sucrose and other additives such as lactase or lactobacillus, lactose is partially decomposed and diluted, the human body will be easier to absorb and use. And the content of lactose in brewed milk powder is also easy to control, more suitable for such specific people.
3, a small number of times. Each lactose intolerant people show different reactions, some people drink a cup (containing about 12g lactose) on belly bloating, diarrhea; some people drink half a cup to have a reaction. In other words, to a certain extent, milk can be tolerated. Therefore, if a glass of milk into two drinks, or take a small number of times the method can be dissolved or not occur at all any symptoms.
4, drink yogurt. Yogurt is generated by adding certain lactic acid bacteria after fermentation, and the fermentation process makes 20-30% of the lactose in the original milk break down into yogurt, and the protein and fat also break down into smaller components, making it easier to digest and absorb, so it is most suitable for people who are lactose intolerant and often have abdominal bloating and intestinal chirping or even diarrhea after drinking milk.
5, add a piece of lactase or milk powder containing lactase. Lactose intolerance occurs because the body lacks lactase. If you drink milk with a piece of lactase, it will be easy to prevent uncomfortable symptoms because external aid lactase can also improve lactose digestion and absorption.
The tip of the human small intestinal villi contains a large amount of lactase, and lactose is broken down into galactose and glucose by lactase and absorbed by the small intestine. As a result of acute enteritis in babies, the microvilli of the small intestine are damaged, so the lactase enzyme is most susceptible and lacking in large quantities, so the lactose eaten cannot be absorbed and forms hypertonic substances in the intestine, causing osmotic diarrhea, which causes diarrhea to persist, and this is what clinicians diagnose as “secondary lactose intolerance”.
Five major causes of lactose intolerance
Lactose is a sugar contained in milk and must be hydrolyzed by lactase in the small intestine into two monosaccharides, glucose and lactose, before it can be absorbed. In people with lactase deficiency, after consuming milk or milk products, the lactose in the milk cannot be completely digested and absorbed and stays in the intestinal lumen, causing the intestinal contents to increase in osmotic pressure, volume, and intestinal emptying, so that the lactose is quickly discharged to the large intestine and absorbs water in the large intestine, and is fermented and gassed by the action of bacteria, with no obvious symptoms in mild cases, but in more severe cases, symptoms such as bloating, bowel sounds, gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea can occur. Doctors call this lactose intolerance. Specifically, there are the following five major causes.
1, congenital lactase deficiency: refers to the birth of the body lactase activity is low or lack of, is the body autosomal recessive gene, this type is rare
2, primary lactase deficiency: also known as adult lactase deficiency, is due to human generations of dietary habits lead to genetic changes, the incidence is related to age and race, most people belong to this type
3, secondary lactase deficiency: refers to the temporary low lactase activity due to various causes of small intestinal epithelial damage, common causes such as infectious diarrhea, the body can recover after recovery from the disease to restore normal
4, for children, autumn diarrhea, bacterial diarrhea will cause temporary low gastrointestinal function, lactase secretion or activity is reduced, continuous milk consumption will cause secondary lactose intolerance
5. High-dose service of cephalosporins and endocannabinoids can also cause secondary lactose intolerance.
Life care:
The nutritional effects of dairy products on the human body are well known. How to solve the discomfort and distress of lactase deficient people in drinking milk and its dairy products has been a problem that the nutrition and dairy industries are committed to solve. Here are some suggestions to try.
1. Eat with cereals. Generally speaking, lactose intolerant people will have heavy symptoms when drinking milk on an empty stomach, but when mixing meals, the concentration of lactose in milk may be “diluted” in a particular environment, and the increase in celiac action and mechanical movement in the stomach and intestines can improve the absorption rate of lactose. Eating cookies or bread before or with milk will reduce gas and discomfort. If you drink milk powder, adding some cereal to eat with it is also a good way. In particular, some milk powders are generally processed at high temperatures and under pressure, with the addition of sucrose and other additives such as lactase or lactic acid bacteria, lactose is partially decomposed and diluted, so it is easier for the body to absorb and use. And the content of lactose in brewed milk powder is also easy to control, more suitable for such specific people.
2, a small number of times. Each lactose intolerant person shows a different reaction, some people drink a cup (containing about 12 grams of lactose) of milk will belly up, diarrhea; some people drink half a cup of reaction. In other words, to a certain extent, milk can be tolerated. Therefore, if a glass of milk into two drinks, or take a small number of times the method can be resolved or not occur at all any symptoms.
3.Drink yogurt. The fermentation process makes 20-30% of the lactose in the original milk decompose into lactic acid, protein and fat also decompose into small components, calcium, iron and zinc and other beneficial minerals from the large molecules dissociated, making it easier to digest and absorb, so it is most suitable for lactose intolerant people who often have abdominal rise after drinking milk, and even diarrhea.
4, add a piece of lactase or milk powder containing lactase. Lactose intolerance occurs because the muscle lacks lactase, if you drink milk, eat a piece of lactase will easily prevent uncomfortable symptoms, because external lactase can also improve lactose digestion and absorption. Tests have shown that lactose intolerant women who drink a glass of milk with one tablet of lactase can reduce their intolerance symptoms and completely change the way they used to feel. Now there are milk powder containing lactase on the market, you can try it.