Lactose Intolerance Explained: Why Can't Some People Drink Milk?

Lactose intolerance refers to being unable to break down lactose. For people with the condition, it could be quite inconvenient.

What Is Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is the digestive system's reaction to lactose, which is the sugar that can be found in milk. Because of this, a person with lactose intolerance may feel uncomfortable symptoms following the consumption of dairy products. While several people may find it hard to digest lactose, not everyone experiences noticeable symptoms due to it.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance include intestinal gas, a bloated stomach, stomach cramping and pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach rumbling or gurgling. Such symptoms are due to the undigested lactose within the large intestine.

There are also four kinds of lactose intolerance, namely, primary, secondary, congenital, and developmental. Primary lactose intolerance, which involves the diminishing production of lactase in the small intestine, is the most common type.

It typically takes six to 10 hours for food to arrive at the large intestine following consumption. It may take another 24 to 36 hours for it to move through the large intestine. Hence, symptoms could surface one to two days after lactose consumption.

Lactose can mainly be found in most dairy products, unless it is intentionally taken away. Such products include one's consisting of goat's and cow's milk. In some milk types, lactose levels are higher. For instance, cream and fresh milk have higher lactose content compared to hard cheese. Individuals who are extremely sensitive to lactose could end up reacting to minimal amounts.

ALSO READ: Cow-Based Milk Has More Protein Content Than Most Plant-Based Alternatives; Both Types Show Similar Levels of Vitamin D, Calcium

Causes of Lactose Intolerance

There are two main factors that contribute to lactose intolerance. These are lactose malabsorption as well as gut sensitivity.

Lactose malabsorption is the most crucial contributor. It refers to being unable to break down and absorb lactose within the small intestine. This makes the lactose go into the large intestine and trigger symptoms.

The small intestine needs lactase, which is a certain enzyme, in order to break the lactose down into tinier molecules for absorption. If one does not have sufficient lactase, digesting lactose will not be possible. Lactase deficiency accounts for most cases of lactose malabsorption. Only some populations keep on producing lactase until adulthood.

Gut sensitivity is another factor. From time to time, everyone eats food that cannot be fully digested. While this can be tolerated by most to a certain extent without symptoms that overwhelm, each person is quite different. The gut microbiome could process lactose in a different way compared to someone else.

Overall, to be able to digest lactose, lactase in the gut is necessary. Most people who have lactose intolerance cannot naturally produce lactase. Supplements could offer the body the lactase necessary for the breakdown of lactose.

Scientists are also looking into lactic acid bacteria as a potential fixer of symptoms. Such bacteria convert the lactose into lactic acid, rather than gas. Taking the bacteria in the form of probiotics, alongside prebiotics, could help improve lactose intolerance.

Lactose intolerance will not generally bring serious harm. Symptoms will eventually end if one can cope with them.