Have you noticed any discomfort or discomfort during digestion after eating dairy products, charcuterie or a ready meal? 🍔🍕🥛
These symptoms may be a sign that you are lactose intolerant. However, before you embark on any medical tests, it's important to understand what lactose intolerance is and how it can be treated. It can occur overnight in adulthood.
👇 Here are some answers to guide you 👇
What is lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is the inability of the body to digest lactose. lactosethe carbohydrate in milk. This inability is due to the fact that the body does not produce enough lactase, an enzyme found in all mammals that enables lactose to be converted into a simple sugar.
Lactose is a "complex" sugar which our body must break down into two simple sugars: glucose and galactose. To transform lactose into these two simple sugars, lactase is needed. Without it, lactose is not broken down and becomes difficult to digest.
What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance and how is it diagnosed?
Common symptoms of lactose intolerance
The symptoms of lactose intolerance can vary from one person to another, but also according to the degree of intolerance. Generally speaking, the most common symptoms are listed below:
- borborygmes
- abdominal pain
- bloating ⚽
- flatulence ☣️
- diarrhoea 🚽
In certain (rarer) cases, some people experience nausea and vomiting, or even more rarely migraines and constipation.
Problems can appear between 15 minutes and 4 hours after ingestion of lactose. Some people may experience symptoms for up to 24 hours after consuming foods containing lactose.
The main tests used to diagnose lactose intolerance 💉
There are several tests you can do to find out if you are lactose intolerant:
- the eviction test
- lactase supplementation test
- the breath test
- genetic testing
- blood glucose test
We recommend that you first carry out an eviction test (completely eliminating lactose from the diet for a short period)Then, if the result is positive (your usual symptoms have disappeared), have your intolerance confirmed by a doctor or gastroenterologist, who will carry out a new test in a medical environment (respiratory, genetic or blood sugar).
You should be aware that no scan or MRI is likely to reveal lactose intolerance.
Click here to find out more about symptoms and tests
Can you become lactose intolerant as an adult?
Lactose intolerance, a natural phenomenon 🌿
Yes, an adult can become lactose intolerant from one day to the next; it's even natural and normal. In mammals, lactase is produced in the small intestine. In the first few weeks of life (during weaning), lactase activity is at its highest. However, when we grow up, lactase activity in our bodies decreases, exposing us to more or less severe intolerance over the years.
After adolescence, it is estimated that lactase can reach a residual level of between 5 and 10%. As we get older, this level will fall further due to the reduced activity of our microbiota (lactase production drops), which is why a large proportion of the elderly suffer from lactose intolerance.
Why do some people tolerate lactose better? 🛡️
It's the result of progressive genetic mutation over thousands of years!
10,000 years ago, people in the Caucasus began to raise livestock and consume milk regularly. The bodies of these people adapted and naturally produced more lactase, even in adulthood. The body simply adapted to a new way of life! This adaptation was passed on to subsequent generations, and individuals in these regions became more or less lactose-tolerant. That's why we see varying degrees of disparity around the world...
It is estimated that 75% of the world's population is lactose intolerant (according to different levels of severity). In Europe, the figures are lower, with a population of 40%. with moderate intolerance. In France, 8% of the population suffer from symptoms of intolerance on a daily basis.
Lactose intolerance is often hereditary. If your parents are lactose intolerant, chances are your body no longer produces enough lactase as you get older.
The symptoms of intolerance vary greatly depending on the time of life and age. In addition, some people may experience symptoms after consuming large quantities of dairy products, while others are bothered even after consuming small quantities.
Three factors can explain the onset of lactose intolerance: ageing, genetic factors or gastrointestinal disease. Most of the time, it's simply genes at work, coupled with the fact that as we age we naturally produce less lactase.
Note that in regions where people consume fewer dairy products, they are more likely to be lactose intolerant. Worldwide, Asian, African and South American populations are considered to be the most commonly affected by lactose intolerance.
Can lactose intolerance be cured?
No, because lactose intolerance is not an illness and there is currently no cure for (re)becoming lactose-tolerant. The only way to put an end to the symptoms is to stop consuming lactose (which involves being very vigilant about the foods you eat, and is difficult to live with socially). or to help the body digest this complex sugar. To achieve this, there are dietary supplements containing the enzyme lactase which you can take before consuming lactose, as well as specific probiotics to be taken daily so that you can eat normally and make meals away from home easier.
👇 Say goodbye to the symptoms of lactose intolerance with Lactolerance 👇
Hello, I'm Vincent 😄
Like you, I'm lactose intolerantI know exactly what you're going through and the difficulties you encounter on a daily basis. For over 10 years, I've been helping our customers to use our dietary supplements and giving advice and tips on how to improve their digestive comfort. I'm also a keen cook and gourmet, so you'll find my favourite recipes for a lactose-free diet in this blog.
Lactose intolerance is not inevitable! With Lactolerance you can digest with complete peace of mind 😉
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