Causes:
Lactose intolerance is caused by the inability to digest lactose sugar found in milk. The common sugars lactose, sucrose, and maltose are broken down by lactase, sucrase, and maltase enzymes, located in the lining of the small intestine. The enzymes break the sugars down into simple sugars such as glucose which is then absorbed into the bloodstream and used by your body. If your body lacks a particular enzyme, the sugar remains undigested in the small intestine and is not absorbed.
Celiac disease, tropical sprue, and intestine infections all result in enzyme deficiency. Deficiencies may also be caused by antibiotics, particularly neomycin.
Infants typically produce enough lactase to digest milk, but a large proportion lose this ability as they enter childhood.
What to Expect:
Adults will experience the various symptoms and signs listed above after consuming a meal containing lactose. Symptoms occur fifteen minutes to several hours after consuming dairy.
Children may not gain weight if lactose intolerant, as nutrients are quickly expelled from the body through diarrhea before they are properly absorbed. The resulting nutrient deficiency can occur in adults as well.
Similar symptoms are experienced if you are deficient in sucrase and maltose enzymes.
