The risks of not respecting your lactose intolerance –

Being a very common disease – according to a study in Brazil, 43% of whites and mulattos have the lactase persistence allele, with hypolactasia (reduced activity of the enzyme lactase) being more frequent among blacks and Japanese -, lactose intolerance it is caused by the deficiency of the enzyme lactase, responsible for “breaking” lactose (carbohydrate known as milk sugar) to facilitate its absorption by the intestine.

This unabsorbed lactose accumulates in the large intestine, being fermented by microorganisms, generating symptoms such as gas, flatulence, abdominal distention, intestinal colic.

Intolerance can be from birth or throughout life, due to problems arising from pathological conditions, alterations in the microbiota or the drop in lactase production.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE

Debora Palos, nutritionist at Clínica Dr. Maria Fernanda Barca, explains that the diagnosis can be made through a clinical evaluation, observing the symptoms and digestive manifestations when ingesting foods with lactose. “In addition, it can be done through stool examination, exhaled air test, blood test, intestinal biopsy and genetic examination”.

According to data from Dr. Consultation, network of medical centers, the number of patients with lactose intolerance has increased since 2018. Considering the data registered between January and August year by year, there were 490 diagnoses in 2018, 512 in 2019, 524 in 2020, and 658 in 2021.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPECTING YOUR LIMITATIONS?

Because it is a disease whose symptoms vary according to the degree of intolerance, it can range from intestinal discomfort to joint pain and red spots on the skin.

“Symptoms start minutes after eating foods with lactose, but they can vary according to the degree of intolerance and the amount of lactose ingested” shares Débora. Some symptoms (such as abdominal distension, cramps, diarrhea, etc.) can turn into diaper rash and hemorrhoids, as fermentation generates greater acidity, which can hurt the region.

“In the long term, these symptoms can alter the permeability of the intestine, and with that unwanted substances can go into the bloodstream, generating inflammatory and allergic processes (such as allergies in the eyes, nose and mouth; asthma; mucus; fatigue; difficulty breathing). concentration; low immunity; joint pain)” warns the nutritionist.

The treatment is simple: Avoid foods that contain lactose. There are also other possibilities such as intestinal modulation and probiotics. “Recalling that, together with the use of probiotics, we must have an adequate and healthy diet to maintain intestinal permeability. Foods such as sugar, refined flour, fried foods, processed foods, among others, make the intestinal microbiota less healthy and more permeable,” he points out.

There is enzyme replacement, with the enzyme lactase (pill or liquid) that serves as a support at specific times, but its use does not reduce intestinal changes. Therefore, it should be used sporadically.