| |
One of the most common nonallergenic food sensitivities is lactose intolerance. Instead, lactose is broken down by bacteria in the lower intestines. But past weaning and with increasing age, progressively fewer children retain this ability. It's usually rare among North American white children under six years of age, but increases to 30% in adolescents.
Adding sufficient acidophilus bacteria or commercial preparations of the enzyme lactose to milk-containing meals will prevent symptoms and improve nutrient absorption for individuals with lactose intolerance, but not for those allergic to milk. Conversely, milk allergy can sometimes be treated by desensitization. This is a procedure that is still somewhat mysterious; it introduces a very small dose of an allergic substance into the body and blocks the body's response to the allergy. "Lactose malabsorption and lactase deficiency are chronic organic pathologic conditions characterized by abdominal pain and distention, flatulence, and the passage of loose, watery stools. Once correct diagnosis is established, introduction of a lactose-free dietary regime relieves symptoms in most patients who remain largely unaware of the relationship between food intake and symptoms." [J Clin Gastroenterol, 1999 Apr, 28:3].
|
|
|
