What does lactose intolerance mean ?
Lactose is a type of milk sugar that occurs naturally in the milk and is formed by the combination of glucose and galactose. If lactase; It is a type of enzyme that is responsible for breaking down lactose, glucose and galactose in the small intestine. As a result of not being able to synthesize a sufficient amount of lactase enzyme from the body, lactose is difficult to digest and absorb in the intestines.
Difficult lactose digestion can cause various health problems in the body. As a result, health problems caused by lactase enzyme deficiency in the body are defined as lactose intolerance. In cases where lactose intolerance is observed, lactose, which cannot be digested due to enzyme deficiency, proceeds to the large intestine and digestive complaints are seen.
Lactose intolerance does not pose a vital threat to individuals, however; it can cause various health problems and negatively affect living standards. It is important to make the diagnosis correctly in order to minimize the complaints caused by lactose intolerance.