I have got lactose intolerance and newly fructose intolerance. What are the consequences for my diet?

Germany

For proper treatment it is important to consult your doctor in order to know the exact causes of your food intolerance. Then, you can start changing your diet and draw up an individual dietary plan. Sugar malabsorption is the inability of the body's small intestine to break down sugars like fructose (most common), lactose or sorbitol into smaller molecular fragments for digestion. So it progresses down to the colon where the bacteria present break it down into short chain fatty acids and the gases carbon dioxide and hydrogen. These gases create enormous pressure in the intestine causing bloating, pain, diarrhea and flatulence. Lactose-intolerance is a deficiency of the enzyme called lactase, which breaks lactose into glucose und galactose, so that they can be absorbed by the body. Fructose intolerance is an intestinal dysruption of fructose absorption. Once lactose or fructose intolerance has been diagnosed, the diet should be adapted to avoid or limit (depending on personal tolerance) foods containing lactose or fructose. Many individuals who have low intestinal lactase activity can drink a glass of milk without experiencing discomfort. Similarly, hard cheeses, which are low in lactose, and fermented milk products such as yoghurt are usually well tolerated. This could explain why cultured milk products and yoghurts are widely consumed in areas of the world where lactase deficiency is common. Fructose is contained mainly in fruits, honey, vegetables and foods with fruit ingredients. Minor amounts of fructose could still be tolerated but that again depends on individual tolerance. Be aware: Fructose can also be added as an food ingredient to industrial products. You should always read the label. All types of food intolerance have their own particular characteristics. For this reason it is advisable to consult a doctor who will make the right diagnosis and a dietician who will then help you adapt your diet for proper treatment.

See also:

http://www.lactose.co.uk/