Lactose intolerance

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Lactose intolerance is the inability of your body to completely break down lactose, a type of sugar found in milk. The problem is caused by a lack of lactase (a type of enzyme) normally produced in your small intestine. Lactase breaks down lactose into simpler forms of sugar (glucose and galactose) so that it can be absorbed into the blood stream.

Milk is the only dietary source of lactose.

When this lactose enzyme is missing or depleted the person is said to be lactose intolerant. If this happens, lactose can build up in your large intestine. The lactose ferments which causes the main symptoms: stomach cramps, wind and diarrhoea.

Lactose intolerance varies between different ethnic groups:

95% of Asian people
75% of Afro-Caribbean people
50% of Mediterranean people
10% of northern European people

Adults and children may learn to adjust their diets so that the amount of dietary lactose is not greater than they can tolerate.