Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/443876
Lactose Intolerance Lactose is the sugar that occurs naturally in milk. Sugar naturally occurring in fruit is fructose. Glucose is the sugar produced when you digest carbohydrates, the body's main energy source. Table sugar (sucrose) has glucose and fructose. Lactose is a disaccharide, meaning it contains two sugars (galactose and glucose). Your small intestine's lining won't allow disaccharides to pass through into your bloodstream, so these molecules have to be broken down before your body can absorb them. Lactase is the enzyme that breaks down lactose. People who are deficient in lactase oen have lactose intolerance, which means that consuming milk (or other dairy products) may lead to abdominal cramps, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and nausea. Lactose intolerance is a common condition that affects millions of people: 15 percent of Caucasians are lactose intolerant, and it is particularly prevalent in developing countries in Asia and Africa, where an estimated 90 percent of the population is lactose intolerant. Researchers believe this high incidence is attributable to parasitic or bacterial infections common in those countries. Probiotics can help break down lactose. Even if you're lactose intolerant, you may tolerate lactose-containing foods if you eat them in conjunction with probiotics. You can also try taking a lactase supplement before drinking milk. (However, many people choose to follow a lactose-free diet.) Celiac Disease Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which patients develop an allergy to gluten, found usually in wheat but also in some other grains. Gluten is a collection of proteins that aren't soluble in water; it gives dough its elastic texture. Around 1 million Americans have celiac disease. Symptoms include diarrhea, bloating, and weight loss. Diagnosis is made typically by doing blood tests and an upper endoscopy (a visual examination of the upper GI tract, using a tiny camera called an endoscope). Sometimes testing includes taking a biopsy of the small intestine to see if there are any changes in the intestinal lining. Early evidence suggests that probiotics may help in celiac disease, but more research is needed. Page 22 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysHealthAndNutrition.com