Lactose, also known as milk sugar, is a large sugar molecule found only in milk and milk products such as cheese, forsythia flowers, and a few tropical shrubs. Lactose occurs naturally in the milk of mammals with up to 4-6% lactose in cow's milk and 5-8% in human milk.
Lactose is made up of two smaller sugars, glucose and galactose. In order for lactose to be absorbed from the intestine and into the body, it must first be split into glucose and galactose. The glucose and galactose are then absorbed by the cells lining the small intestine. The enzyme that splits lactose into glucose and galactose is called lactase, and it is located on the surface of the cells lining the small intestine.
The enzyme needed to digest lactose, lactase, reaches its highest levels in the small intestines after birth and then begins a slow decline unless milk is consumed regularly. As you age, you are more likely to lose the ability to break down lactose. Most mammals lose the ability to digest lactose as they get older. As a general rule, humans maintain a 10 percent capacity to produce lactase. This is normally enough to allow humans to digest milk and dairy products. Some people, however, do not retain this 10 percent, so they cannot consume any fresh milk and milk products at all throughout their adult lives unless they combine these foods with lactase supplements.
Manufacturers typically add lactose to prepared foods as a coating to prevent caking. Additionally, food producers use lactose as a filler in bread and other baked goods such as pancakes, cereals and cookies. Since lactose does not have any flavor, using lactose as a food additive does not change the flavor of food. Additionally, you can find lactose in frozen and canned vegetables because it also helps prevent discoloration of foods. Powdered food products such as soups, dehydrated potatoes and meal-replacement supplements typically contain lactose. Further, non-dairy foods, such as coffee creamers, may also contain lactose in the form of dry milk solids or whey.
Lactose is used in hundreds of over the counter and prescription drugs as a filler or coating. This include hundreds of pills, such as chewable Pepcid AC, and throat lozenges. An estimated 20 percent of prescription medications and 6 percent of over-the-counter medications contain lactose. However, these products typically affect only people with severe lactose intolerance.
Lactose is a naturally occurring sugar, and has all the same benefits as any other form of glucose (sugars). Glucose is essential for life in small amounts. Glucose is our energy. It keeps our body sustaining a regular temperature. Our brain thinks using glucose. The production of myelin requires glucose and its derivative, glucosamine. Collagen, the basic fabric of our body is made with glucose and glucosamine. Glucose contributes to transport monocytes. Diabetic people end up with poor defenses because of their poor glucose levels. Glucose and its derivative, glucosamine are essential for muscle formation. Two of our skin main components are collagen and elastin. Both need glucose and glucosamine to be formed. Without sugar our skin ages. In fact, without sugar our body ages much faster. Sugar is good for living, for thinking, and for the regeneration of our bodies.
Lactose is also the primary carbohydrate found in human milk. It accounts for approximately 40% of the total calories provided by breast milk. Lactose helps to decrease the amount of unhealthy bacteria in the stomach, which improves the absorption of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. It helps to fight disease and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the stomach.
Carbohydrates are the group that provides essential energy. It gives your baby immediate energy and helps to keep him or her active and healthy. In the first few months of your baby's life, all your baby's energy needs will be provided by lactose, a carbohydrate found in breast milk or infant formula. Once your baby moves onto solids and reduces their dependence on breast milk or formula, their source of complex carbohydrates will be derived from starches such as pasta, bread, potatoes, cereals and rice. Fruits such as apples, bananas, and grapes and vegetables such as carrots, peas and sweet potatoes all contain carbohydrates. If your baby enjoys a variety of these foods he or she will get all the carbohydrates they require for rapid growth and an active day. Carbohydrates are also present in sugary foods, such as lollies, biscuits, jams, chocolate, soft drinks and cordials. Beware of these options! They are extremely high in refined sugars, have no nutritional value, cause tooth decay, can lead to a craving for sugar and possibly obesity. Please steer clear of all of the above!!
It is estimated that 75% of adults show some decrease in lactase activity during adulthood worldwide. So although lactose may not be of much importance to most adults, milk -- which is the only food source on earth containing natural lactose -- is usually an important source for many other essential nutrients. The nine essential nutrients found in milk that are critical to good health and the prevention of chronic disease include:
Calcium: it builds and maintains strong bones, prevents osteoporosis, but is also vital for nerve function, muscle contraction and blood clotting.
Proteins: are essential for bodily function, it is also vital to brain development and growth of nerve tissues.
Vitamin A: it maintains vision and skin and regulates cell growth as well as aiding the immune system.
Vitamin B12: is essential for the growth and health of the nervous system.
Vitamin D: promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and influences bone mineralization and the strengthening of bones.
Potassium: regulates the body's fluid balance and blood pressure. Also needed for muscle activity and contractions.
Phosphorus: helps generate energy in the body's cells and influences bone mineralization and the strengthening of bones.
Niacin: keeps enzymes functioning normally and helps the body process sugars and fatty acids. Important for the development of the nervous system.
Riboflavin: helps produce energy in the body's cells and plays a vital role in the development of the nervous system.
Lactose intolerance is caused by the inability of the body to break down milk sugars. In a normal person, lactase, an enzyme produced by the small intestine, breaks down lactose so it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. People who are lactose intolerant cannot produce enough lactase and are unable to process lactose.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance include abdominal pain, abdominal distention, passing gas (flatulence), nausea, and diarrhea, and is caused by reduced or absent activity of enzyme lactase. When there is a deficiency of lactase, the lactose in the intestine cannot be split for digestion.
If you're breastfeeding, persist if possible. Because of the nutritional value of breastmilk, and the benefits of lactose for your baby's growth, weaning isn't recommended. And if your child can tolerate a small amount of lactose, gradually increasing it can help her body produce more lactase.
Talk to your doctor if you're thinking of replacing or alternating breastmilk with a soy-based or other lactose-free formula. You can also talk to a community nurse or lactation consultant if you're concerned about alternating breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.
If you find that you need to eliminate dairy products from your baby's diet as he grows, you'll want to be sure that he has other sources of calcium, which helps bones and teeth grow strong. Nondairy sources of calcium include leafy greens, fortified juices and soy milk, tofu, broccoli, canned salmon, oranges, and fortified breads. Ask about a supplement. If you are worried about your baby's nutritional needs not being met, ask your pediatrician about giving him a dietary supplement.
Lactose intolerance can be controlled with supplements that help break down lactose.
Gas in the digestive tract may occur when bacteria in the large intestine break down undigested foods. Low levels of lactase caused by lactose ingestion increase the amount of undigested sugars in the human body, making flatulence, the expulsion of gas through the rectum, more common, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Changing the diet to avoid dairy and other foods that contain lactose lessens the incidence of flatulence, and over-the-counter medications are available to treat gas, as well.
Nausea is a side effect of ingesting lactose when the body has an intolerance for it. Nausea, the sensation of having an urge to vomit, results from irritants in the body, like lactose. Nausea may cause vomiting, which rids the body of the irritating substance. For those sensitive to lactose, avoiding dairy and other other foods with lactose puts a halt to nausea.
Malnutrition may occur as a side effect of lactose ingestion. Those who are lactose intolerant often avoid milk and other dairy products to avoid side effects. Seventy-five percent of calcium in the U.S. food supply comes from dairy products, which puts sufferers at increased risk of malnutrition. Physicians define malnutrition, a condition impacting both mental and physical health, as the lack of nutrients necessary to maintain health. Malnutrition can lead to weight loss, fatigue, dizziness, swollen and bleeding gums, muscle and bone weakness, and immune deficiency.
Lactose is used in hundreds of over the counter and prescription drugs as a filler or coating. This include hundreds of pills. However, these products typically affect only people with severe lactose intolerance. So if you have a severe lactose allergy you should talk to your doctors before starting any new medication.
Lactose is often added to prepared foods to prevent caking or as a coating. Since lactose is almost tasteless, it also makes for an ideal filler in bread and other baked goods, including cereals, pancakes, and cookies. Prepared meats such as salamis and sausages often use a large amount of milk in their production. Snacks products like potato chips are not lactose free as they contain milk solids. Lactose is also commonly added to canned and frozen vegetables to prevent discoloration. Hidden lactose is also found in many ready-to-eat powdered products such as dehydrated potatoes, soups, and meal-replacement supplements. Foods that are labeled non-dairy, including coffee creamers, can also contain lactose in the form of whey or dry milk solids.
Since lactose is essentially a sugar, people who suffer from diabetes should also limit or control its intake.
Since milk contains many essential nutrients necessary for maintaining a good health, it is recommended that people who avoid drinking milk take supplements.
The following reviews have been selected:
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Infants need lactose October 22, 2007
From Tennessee
I used this in the baby formula recipe found in "Nourishing Traditions" for my adopted babies. I would heat the water with the gelatin and lactose to dissolve, then cool before placing in the blender with everything else. Babies need lactose for proper nervous system development. There's a reason God made milk with lactose!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
NOW LACTOSE MILK SUGAR January 20, 2009
From New York
A WONDERFUL PRODUCT. I USE IT TO PREPARE MY BABY'S MILK-BASED FORMULA. IT AIDS IN THE DIGESTION OF THE FORMULA. IT CAME TO ME HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND I RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR A GREAT LACTOSE PRODUCT.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Lactose September 29, 2008
From Washington
Lactose is a prebiotic that I use when making yogurt. I add it to milk before I heat it, and that lightly sweetens the yogurt.
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So far so good... September 17, 2010
From Georgia
I have been using this product for about 2 months, and so far so good...no problems what-so-ever. :)
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Lactose tastes great but is hard to use September 29, 2006
By Baron Williams From California
I love the flavor of lactose. Lactose tastes like milk flavored sugar. It goes well with all sorts of milk products. Little kids and toddlers love it. The problem with using lactose is that some people are lactose intolerant. I don’t know anyone who is lactose intolerant, so that is not a problem for me. The other problem is that lactose won’t dissolve in cold liquids making it impossible to use as a table sugar substitute. You need to boil it to get it to dissolve in anything. The sweetness isn’t strong until you dissolve it, so it must be dissolved. To make it easier to use, you can make your own lactose syrup by mixing powder lactose with a little boiling water.
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