What is lactose and how does it affect the body?
What is lactose and how does it affect the body?
Lactose is a carbohydrate that is part of the groupdisaccharides. It is found in milk and dairy products. Lactose is useful for the body, however in some cases a person can develop a pathological condition characterized by intolerance to this substance.
Benefits of lactose for the body
The main property of lactose is thatit is a substrate for the reproduction and development of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, which form the basis of normal intestinal microflora. Thus, it is necessary for the treatment and prevention of various dysbacteriosis. Lactose is a source of energy in the body, a powerful stimulant of the nervous system. It positively influences the development of children's central nervous system, normalizes calcium metabolism, promotes calcium absorption, maintains the balance of intestinal microflora. Lactose refers to the means of preventing cardiovascular diseases, improves the process of producing vitamins of group B and vitamin C, is an essential component for the synthesis of various substances that impart a viscosity to saliva. What is lactose intolerance?
Lactose can cause damage ifthe body does not have the ability to internalize it. This condition occurs when the enzyme lactase is deficient, it is called "lactose intolerance" (hypolactasia). In this case, this carbohydrate becomes dangerous for the body. Hypolactasia can be primary and secondary - acquired. Primary intolerance is almost always an inherited genetic pathology. The acquired intolerance appears under the influence of the following factors: surgical operations on the stomach, intestines, dysbacteriosis, influenza, inflammatory diseases of the small intestine, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, Whipple's disease, chemotherapy. Lactose intolerance manifests itself in abdominal pain accompanied by bloating, in some cases severe flatulence leads to uncontrolled secretion of digestive gases. There is nausea, rumbling in the intestines, diarrhea, appearing one to two hours after eating dairy products or eating milk containing milk. Do not confuse lactose intolerance with allergies to milk. If you are allergic, do not use this product at all, otherwise the person will have characteristic symptoms: itching, skin rashes, clear discharge from the nose, shortness of breath, swelling and puffiness of the eyelids. In case of hypolactasia, the symptoms will depend on the amount of milk product that has entered the intestine. With small amounts of lactose, the body will be able to split it, in this case the symptoms of intolerance will be absent. If a person suffers from hypolactasia, do not completely exclude milk and dairy products. The average safe dose of lactose is about 4.5 grams per day, this amount is contained in 100 ml of milk, 50 g of ice cream or yogurt. People who do not tolerate milk sugar, doctors prescribe calcium in combination with lactase.