*This web site is intended to provide basic information about Celiac Disease/Gluten Intolerance. Information contained herein has been approved by the GlutenSecret.com advisory board. It is not intended to provide, nor does it constitute, medical advice. Dietary changes based on information on this web site should not be initiated without first consulting a physician.
GlutenSecret.com© 2009
GlutenSecret.com© 2009
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose Intolerance
In the United States alone, every 3 in 4 people are Lactose Intolerant, and affecting up to 70% of the world’s population. This Intolerance is the most frequently encountered form of Sugar Intolerance. Lactose is found in almost all foods such as milk, cheese, eggs, veal, yogurt, and more. You can even find it in 20% of prescription drugs, 6% of over-the-counter medicines, and in products such as baked goods, cereals, potatoes, margarine, salad dressing, candies, biscuits, ice cream, and the list goes on.
Causes
Lactose Intolerance is caused by one or more things; a normal result of aging, a result of illness or injury, or by genetic disposition. This Intolerance is obtained by a lack of ability to produce the enzyme, Lactase. Normally created by cells of the small intestine, this enzyme is responsible for the break down the bond between Glucose and Galactose, a sugar called Lactose. This sugar contains which are connected together and Lactose can usually found in milk, cheese, and other dairy products. The intestinal walls can absorb Glucose and Galactose, but not Lactose, think of it as too large to fit through the door!
When the production of Lactase is lowered or nonexistent it causes failure to metabolize the sugar, and the Lactose just sits there, exposed to bacterial action. When it cannot be broken down in the intestine, the outcomes are various unpleasant symptoms.
How can Lactose Intolerance be linked to Celiac Disease?*
Lactose Intolerance is frequently a result of Celiac Disease. Some people are Intolerant to Lactose because they have inherited a genetic predisposition to develop a shortage of Lactase, others develop the Intolerance due to injury to the small intestine. People who are Gluten Intolerant/Celiac Disease and consume the harmful Protein called Gluten, cause the Villi (responsible for absorption) in the small intestine to become damaged. Lactose Intolerance is then developed as a result of this and the stomach is no longer capable of breaking down the Lactose molecule.
The Intolerance usually disappears when Celiac individuals remove Gluten from their diet/life. This allows the damaged Villi and Microvilli to slowly grow back. In most cases it takes between six(6) months and one(1)year for the Villi and Microvilli to heal completely, in some cases damage can take up to two(2) years. Symptoms can still continue for a long time after a Celiac individual has gone on a 100% Gluten-Free Diet. Most people who are Lactose Intolerant can usually eat Goat and Sheep (Feta) cheeses without any problems.
Several studies have shown that untreated Celiac patients have high rates of Lactose Intolerance. However, as the intestines heal while following a Gluten-Free Diet/Lifestyle, their Lactase-producing cells begin to function again and their tolerance for Lactose-containing foods improves. Please consult with a licensed medical professional before resuming/continuing the consumption Lactose if you are Celiac.
Symptoms
Symptoms in Lactose Intolerance occur when the intestine tries to get rid of this turmoil with vigorous contractions and flushing with water. The stomach begins to produce Gas due to bacterial fermentation, pressure on the intestinal wall causing Bloating, abdominal pain, and Diarrhea. It can result from a medical illness, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-spastic colon), or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohns or Ulcerative Colitis). These symptoms most commonly show up as soon as 15 to 30 minutes after consuming any form of Lactose, and can occur anywhere within next 24 hours.
Below is a list of symptoms that include, but are not limited to;
Abdominal Pain
Bloating or Distention
Cramping
Diarrhea
Diverticulosis (pocketing of the Colon)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohns or Ulcerative Colitis)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-spastic colon)
Flatulence
Nausea
Diagnosis and Testing
Lactose Intolerance can be difficult to diagnose supported by only symptoms.
The most commonly administered tests to measure the digestion of Lactose in the small intestine are Hydrogen Breath and Stool Acidity Tests. Your doctor may request your medical history first by asking about any concerns and symptoms you may have. The following are tests that will help your doctor determine if you are Lactose Intolerant:
Physical Examination; a detailed assessment of the individuals overall health, as well as a full blood sample for accurate readings.
Hydrogen Breath Test; measuring the amount of Hydrogen in an individual’s breath. Very little Hydrogen is normally found in humans, however, unabsorbed Lactose in the Colon is fermented by bacteria and produces multiple gases, such as Hydrogen. Please check with your doctor to make sure you are not taking any medications that may interfere with test results. This Test is not administered to infants younger than 6 months of age.
Stool Acidity Test; measuring Lactic Acid, along with Glucose, and other Fatty Acids that undigested Lactose, creates fermentation by bacteria in the Colon. A stool sample can detect. may also be present in the sample as a result of unabsorbed Lactose in the colon. This test may be used for infants and young children to measure the amount of acid in the stool.
Endoscopy; doctors insert a long tube with a camera and a light into the mouth or rectally, to view the inside of the intestines. A doctor can then take tissue samples and pictures of the inside of your stomach while looking for clues as to the cause of your symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment includes strict avoidance of ALL Lactose and other dairy products. While Lactose Intolerance is usually considered a persistent problem that has to be managed for the rest of a person's life, temporary Intolerance may occur due to infection and/or antibiotic treatment that interferes with the normal functioning of the small intestine. Please check with your doctor to determine if your condition is temporary or permanent.
In the United States alone, every 3 in 4 people are Lactose Intolerant, and affecting up to 70% of the world’s population. This Intolerance is the most frequently encountered form of Sugar Intolerance. Lactose is found in almost all foods such as milk, cheese, eggs, veal, yogurt, and more. You can even find it in 20% of prescription drugs, 6% of over-the-counter medicines, and in products such as baked goods, cereals, potatoes, margarine, salad dressing, candies, biscuits, ice cream, and the list goes on.
Causes
Lactose Intolerance is caused by one or more things; a normal result of aging, a result of illness or injury, or by genetic disposition. This Intolerance is obtained by a lack of ability to produce the enzyme, Lactase. Normally created by cells of the small intestine, this enzyme is responsible for the break down the bond between Glucose and Galactose, a sugar called Lactose. This sugar contains which are connected together and Lactose can usually found in milk, cheese, and other dairy products. The intestinal walls can absorb Glucose and Galactose, but not Lactose, think of it as too large to fit through the door!
When the production of Lactase is lowered or nonexistent it causes failure to metabolize the sugar, and the Lactose just sits there, exposed to bacterial action. When it cannot be broken down in the intestine, the outcomes are various unpleasant symptoms.
How can Lactose Intolerance be linked to Celiac Disease?*
Lactose Intolerance is frequently a result of Celiac Disease. Some people are Intolerant to Lactose because they have inherited a genetic predisposition to develop a shortage of Lactase, others develop the Intolerance due to injury to the small intestine. People who are Gluten Intolerant/Celiac Disease and consume the harmful Protein called Gluten, cause the Villi (responsible for absorption) in the small intestine to become damaged. Lactose Intolerance is then developed as a result of this and the stomach is no longer capable of breaking down the Lactose molecule.
The Intolerance usually disappears when Celiac individuals remove Gluten from their diet/life. This allows the damaged Villi and Microvilli to slowly grow back. In most cases it takes between six(6) months and one(1)year for the Villi and Microvilli to heal completely, in some cases damage can take up to two(2) years. Symptoms can still continue for a long time after a Celiac individual has gone on a 100% Gluten-Free Diet. Most people who are Lactose Intolerant can usually eat Goat and Sheep (Feta) cheeses without any problems.
Several studies have shown that untreated Celiac patients have high rates of Lactose Intolerance. However, as the intestines heal while following a Gluten-Free Diet/Lifestyle, their Lactase-producing cells begin to function again and their tolerance for Lactose-containing foods improves. Please consult with a licensed medical professional before resuming/continuing the consumption Lactose if you are Celiac.
Symptoms
Symptoms in Lactose Intolerance occur when the intestine tries to get rid of this turmoil with vigorous contractions and flushing with water. The stomach begins to produce Gas due to bacterial fermentation, pressure on the intestinal wall causing Bloating, abdominal pain, and Diarrhea. It can result from a medical illness, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-spastic colon), or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohns or Ulcerative Colitis). These symptoms most commonly show up as soon as 15 to 30 minutes after consuming any form of Lactose, and can occur anywhere within next 24 hours.
Below is a list of symptoms that include, but are not limited to;
Abdominal Pain
Bloating or Distention
Cramping
Diarrhea
Diverticulosis (pocketing of the Colon)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohns or Ulcerative Colitis)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-spastic colon)
Flatulence
Nausea
Diagnosis and Testing
Lactose Intolerance can be difficult to diagnose supported by only symptoms.
The most commonly administered tests to measure the digestion of Lactose in the small intestine are Hydrogen Breath and Stool Acidity Tests. Your doctor may request your medical history first by asking about any concerns and symptoms you may have. The following are tests that will help your doctor determine if you are Lactose Intolerant:
Physical Examination; a detailed assessment of the individuals overall health, as well as a full blood sample for accurate readings.
Hydrogen Breath Test; measuring the amount of Hydrogen in an individual’s breath. Very little Hydrogen is normally found in humans, however, unabsorbed Lactose in the Colon is fermented by bacteria and produces multiple gases, such as Hydrogen. Please check with your doctor to make sure you are not taking any medications that may interfere with test results. This Test is not administered to infants younger than 6 months of age.
Stool Acidity Test; measuring Lactic Acid, along with Glucose, and other Fatty Acids that undigested Lactose, creates fermentation by bacteria in the Colon. A stool sample can detect. may also be present in the sample as a result of unabsorbed Lactose in the colon. This test may be used for infants and young children to measure the amount of acid in the stool.
Endoscopy; doctors insert a long tube with a camera and a light into the mouth or rectally, to view the inside of the intestines. A doctor can then take tissue samples and pictures of the inside of your stomach while looking for clues as to the cause of your symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment includes strict avoidance of ALL Lactose and other dairy products. While Lactose Intolerance is usually considered a persistent problem that has to be managed for the rest of a person's life, temporary Intolerance may occur due to infection and/or antibiotic treatment that interferes with the normal functioning of the small intestine. Please check with your doctor to determine if your condition is temporary or permanent.
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