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Lactose-free products everything you need to know about them
Table of Contents
1. Is that what lactose is and what it does?
Lactose, also known as milk sugar, is a bi-sugar made up of glucose and galactose found in the milk of all mammals. It is much less sweet compared to other sugars such as glucose or sucrose.2. What is lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is a disease associated with a lack or deficiency of lactase, an enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of lactose into glucose and galactose. The correct process takes place in the human small intestine. Reduced activity or total lack of this enzyme adversely affects the digestion of lactose, as it is an ideal food source for the gut bacteria present in the food. Lactase that does not hydrolyze is not easily absorbed into the bloodstream.3. What's the difference between lactose intolerance and cow's milk protein allergy?
These two terms are not the same, although they are very commonly mistaken for each other. Under normal conditions, the body should ignore the allergen. Diseases also occur from 2 hours to even days after the onset of the disease. One of the most common allergy symptoms is allergy to cow's milk protein. Allergy is an excessive and abnormal response of the immune system to allergen exposure. Under proper conditions, allergen should be ignored by the body.4. What is a lactose-free diet, and what are its dangers?
The basic principle of the lactose-free diet is to partially or completely exclude products containing this milk sugar in its composition. This means that if we decide to eliminate all dairy products for health reasons, we should also ensure that this type of diet is eliminated. The level of restriction depends on the individual tolerance of lactose, so it is essential to determine the appropriate dose for a particular person. The basic rule of the dairy diet is the partial or total elimination of products containing the milk sugar. If we decide on such a diet for health purposes, we must also take care to ensure that these types of alternatives have the same nutritional and energy efficiency.5. A range of lactose-free products
First, it is worth considering which dairy products contain lactose and in what quantities. It may turn out that not everything causes gastrointestinal disorders in us and not everything we have to give up. Some may be sensitive to very small amounts of lactose, while others may need higher doses to notice symptoms.6. Are lactose-free products a new dietary trend or a real need?
Manufacturers of dairy products are following new trends and adapting their offer to the changing demands of consumers. Consumers are increasingly aware of lactose-free diets, which is why there is a significant increase in demand for this type of food. A characteristic feature of such products is the purple shade of the packaging and the inscription free lactose or the abbreviated letter L. In order for a food product to be considered lactose free, the lactose content must not exceed 0.01% or 10 mg per 100 g. Due to the lack of publicity, the manufacturer is obliged to include such content on its packaging to eliminate the product with a clear composition.7. Summary
Lactose intolerance is an increasingly common problem. Due to uncomfortable disorders of the digestive system, it can be very cumbersome in everyday life. In this case, an elimination diet should be used, excluding products containing lactose. Such modification of the diet should take place under the supervision of a specialist who will make an appropriate diagnosis. Food manufacturers are meeting the needs of consumers and are increasingly expanding the supply of lactose-free products. Unfortunately, very often, the price of these products is much higher (even by 1020%) compared to those with lactose content.
