Lactose Intolerant

What is Lactose Intolerant?

Lactose intolerance is a condition in which a person's body is unable to digest lactose, a type of sugar found in milk and dairy products. This is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which is responsible for breaking down lactose into simpler forms that can be absorbed by the body.

When lactose is not properly broken down, it can cause symptoms such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The severity of these symptoms can vary from person to person, and some people may be able to tolerate small amounts of lactose while others may need to avoid it completely.

It's important to note that lactose intolerance is not the same as a milk allergy, which is a reaction to the proteins in milk rather than the lactose sugar.

See also: all definitions