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If you are struggling with lactose intolerance, you are not alone. This condition is a common digestive ailment. You may be wondering however, "What is this ailment and how do I know if I am struggling with lactose intolerance?"
IN a base sense, this condition is an inability to digest the sugars that occur naturally in milk. As such, for those struggling with lactose intolerance, foods such as the milk from cows, goats and sheep as well as cheeses, yogurt, chocolate, and butter can be digestively problematic.
The sugars in these dairy products are supposed to be broken down by enzymes known as lactase in the digestive tract. Thus those struggling with lactose intolerance tend to have reduced amounts of lactase and as such, the sugars in the milk are not properly digested and so they cannot enter the bloodstream. These sugars pass into the larger intestine without having been digested, causing negative physical reactions and digestive discomfort. Symptoms generally include abdominal pain, bloating and gas, diarrhea and nausea.
Lactase is produced in the body naturally, however the levels produced decrease as the individual gets older. As such, this health condition tends to appear in adolescence and adulthood rather than in childhood. This is not entirely exclusive as some children are born with this condition, however this is considered to be a rare occurrence. This condition also tends to affect specific racial groups. In Asia, South America and Africa for instance, many suffer from this health condition. This is related to the traditional diet of these peoples and a genetic digestive inability to process the sugars within dairy products.
Treatment of this condition involves limiting the amount of dairy in one's diet. Medical professionals can offer guidance in this so as to ensure that you maintain a healthy diet and that you receive needed calcium from other sources. In addition to this, slimming.co.uk can also offer information and consultation services that can help you as you face this health concern.
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