Lactose Intolerance: Clinical Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Authors: Lorenzo Morelli, Naima Amrani, Olivier Goulet, Widjaja Lukito

Affiliations:

1-Professor, Research Center Director, Department of Food Science and Technology, for a Sustainable Agro-Food Chain, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy. Mail: Lorenzo.morelli@unicatt.it

2-Professor, Centre International de Formation Post Graduée en Gastroenterologie de, l’OMGE, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rabat, Morocco. n.amrani@um5s.net.ma

3-Professor of Pediatrics, Head of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology-Hepatology-Nutrition, National Reference Center for Rare Digestive Disease, Reference Center for Home Parental Nutrition, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades-University Paris Descartes, Paris, France. Olivier.goulet@nck.aphp.fr

4-Advisor to SEAMEO Regional Centre for Food and Nutrition, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia. Wlukito298@gmail.com

Citation: Lorenzo Morelli et al., (2019) Lactose Intolerance: Clinical Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment. Global Diabetes Open Access Journal, 1(1); 1-10.

*Corresponding Author: Lorenzo Morelli, Professor, Research Center Director, Department of Food Science and Technology for a Sustainable Agro-Food Chain, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of lactase deficiency and the role of lactose in health, as well as presents a compilation of the research to date. When the lactase enzyme lactase is absent or deficient, unhydrolyzed lactose remains in the intestinal lumen and fluid is osmotically driven into the intestine, increasing the volume and fluidity of the intestinal contents, allowing undigested lactose to enter the colon and to be fermented by colonic bacteria. The result can be cramping, flatulence, and diarrhea. However, not all individuals with lactose malabsorption experience symptoms. The mainstay of treatment of lactose intolerance is avoidance of all lactose-containing milk and milk-containing products, but it typically is not necessary. Yogurt is an option because the lactose it contains is partially digested by thebacteria present.

• Fulltext Article