Microbiome School – Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance causes various digestive issues. If it affects you, learn about its causes, symptoms, and effective ways to manage it.
Lactose intolerance what causes it and how to get rid of it
Lactose intolerance is a widespread problem - statistics show that roughly 75% of the world's population suffers from it . If you or a loved one falls into this number, then you are probably wondering what causes intolerance, what the symptoms are and what the diagnosis and treatment look like.
Lactose (otherwise known as milk sugar) is a substance that belongs to the oligosaccharide group. Our body uses them as a source of energy, so they are extremely important for us.
However, as they are complex molecules, the body needs to 'break them down' first and then digest them.
Enzymes are responsible for this breakdown. In the case of lactose, it is the enzyme lactase, which, if we are deficient, causes problems, i.e. lactose intolerance.
Which foods contain lactose?
Lactose is found in almost all dairy products. Specifically in cow's or goat's milk, cheese, ice cream, yoghurt, butter, but also breast milk. Processed foods, which contain several ingredients, should not be forgotten either. Lactose is therefore also very often found in baked goods, sweets, cereals, ready-made sauces, but also in meat products.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance
About half an hour after you eat a lactose-containing food, various problems occur. Their intensity is directly proportional to how much lactose you have consumed and how strong your intolerance is. The most common symptoms of lactose intolerance include:
- bloating
- flatulence
- abdominal cramps
- diarrhoea
Some people may feel the urge to visit the toilet repeatedly, or be troubled by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and, rarely, constipation.
Three types of lactose intolerance
Congenital lactose intolerance
It is very rare and would have manifested itself at the first contact with breast milk. In such cases, the child has to say goodbye to lactose forever.
Primary delayed intolerance
This type of intolerance is the most common and occurs when the ability to digest lactose is lost with advancing age.
Secondary lactose intolerance
Secondary intolerance can also be caused by damage to the cells of the small intestine. It is these that are supposed to help by producing the enzyme lactase. However, if you suffer from coeliac disease, Crohn's disease or gastroenteritis, it is possible that over time you may have problems digesting lactose.
Milk protein allergy, how is it different from intolerance?
An allergy to cow's milk protein can resemble lactose intolerance in its manifestations. However, in the case of an allergy, possible skin problems (eczema, urticaria, swelling) or respiratory problems are also added.
Diagnosis of lactose intolerance
If you want to be sure whether you have lactose intolerance or allergy, you can visit a gastroenterologist or immunoallergist. The specialist will take a blood sample and monitor for specific antibodies. The second option is a lactose tolerance test, in which you drink a lactose solution. Afterwards, several blood draws are taken to monitor the development of the glucose level in your blood.
A more gentle way is the hydrogen breath test, in which you also drink a lactose solution. You will then breathe into the machine at intervals and the doctor will measure the concentration of the hydrogen you exhale.
Management of lactose intolerance
The easiest way to avoid difficulties is to avoid eating dairy foods. However, these are highly nutritious and are a source of protein, calcium and vitamins A, B12 or D.
This combination of nutrients is also beneficial for healthy and strong bones, so it's important to replace dairy products with other foods before deciding to cut out dairy for good. For example, soy, spinach or broccoli.
If you still don't want to give up lactose completely, you can also help yourself with tablets that contain the enzyme lactase. These are eaten before every meal and help with the digestion of lactose. However, their effectiveness varies from person to person.
What role does the microbiome play in lactose intolerance?
Another way to make life easier for lactose intolerant people is to have a healthy microbiome with an excess of lactase-producing probiotic strains, which help to break down lactose even when the body can no longer do so, thus helping to alleviate the symptoms of intolerance. Probiotics are live bacteria, and when given in adequate amounts, they can be beneficial to our health.
However, there are a variety of probiotic strains and they have different effects. The number of products on the market also makes the choice difficult. So how to choose the most suitable ones?
Personalised probiotics
Your body contains certain bacteria and in the case of lactose intolerance it lacks certain bacteria. In order to know exactly which strains these are, a molecular analysis of the microbiome is needed. In practice, this means that your stool is sent to a laboratory and only on the basis of the results will we produce a tailor-made probiotic for you.
Thanks to iProbio, you can now get such a personalised 3-month treatment from the comfort of your home - a courier will take care of everything.
What's more, our quality is guaranteed by an international scientific committee of professors, researchers and doctors with a wealth of experience. Do not hesitate to put your lactose intolerance problems in the hands of professionals.
