Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a condition characterized by digestive discomfort after consuming lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. It arises from a deficiency of lactase, an enzyme produced in the small intestine essential for breaking down lactose into simpler sugars (glucose and galactose) that can be absorbed. When lactase levels are insufficient, undigested lactose travels to the large intestine. There, colonic bacteria ferment it, producing gases and drawing water into the bowel, leading to the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance. This condition is distinct from a milk allergy, which involves an immune system response.