What causes lactose intolerance?

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Lactose Intolerance is the name that many people use to refer to the condition of impaired digestion of lactose. This is a condition in which the body is unable to digest lactose in dairy products. Therefore, it may cause bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. After consuming milk or dairy products. It is estimated that people with lactose intolerance are found in up to 70-75% of the world’s population. And is more common in Asians, South Americans and Africans UFABET

Our body has the enzyme Lactase produced in the small intestine. It breaks down lactose, which is found in many dairy products, into smaller sizes and is absorbed to use as energy in the body. But the body of a person with intolerance cannot completely digest lactose. This is because the small intestine does not produce enough of the enzyme lactase. When undigested lactose reacts with bacteria in the large intestine, It causes gas and causes bloating and abdominal pain as a result.

Impaired lactose digestion is divided into 3 types, which have different causes as follows:

  • The body produces less of the enzyme lactase on its own (Primary Lactose Intolerance) is the most common type. It is usually caused by a genetic abnormality. This causes the body to produce less of the enzyme lactase as we age. As a result, it results in lactose intolerance when people enter adolescence and adulthood. 
  • Result of various illnesses (Secondary Lactose Intolerance) such as gastritis and small intestine inflammation.  Gastroenteritis, Crohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, including treatment with certain antibiotics and chemotherapy.
  • abnormalities since birth It may be caused by genetics and premature birth. This causes babies to be born with intolerance. But it is a condition that is found very rarely.