Lactose Intolerance: What you Need to Know?
The confusion around lactose intolerance is rife these days and children suffering gastroenteritis due to lactose intolerance is not unheard of. Lactose is the sugar, carbohydrate, in all mammalian milk and it is made up of two sugar molecules bound together — glucose and galactose. Lactose naturally occurs in breast milk and dairy products such as milk and cheese. It can also be found in most formulas. To digest lactose the body produces an enzyme called lactase, which breaks down the glucose and galactose in order for it to be absorbed in the small intestine. The lactase enzyme are made in the microvilli lining of the small intestine. These villi naturally recreate themselves, continually producing cells that make lactase, which then absorb the lactose as it passes through the digestive tract.
Lactose intolerance is an extremely rare genetic condition, which requires medical treatment to make life liveable. The medical term for lactose intolerance is Galactosemia, and from birth a baby with lactose intolerance fails to thrive, meaning they won’t put on any weight. These children require a very special diet and emergency medical treatment, with a hydrogen breath test and tests for reducing sugar in the stools undertaken for diagnosis.
Lactose intolerance occurs when a baby does not produce lactase, which breaks down lactose. Only a few people in the world have been diagnosed with this condition. The US National Library of Medicine states that, ‘Classic Galactosemia occurs in 1 in 30,000 to 60,000 newborns.
The symptoms of lactose intolerance are:-
· Irritability, grizzling, inconsolable crying, screaming.
· Bloating, intestinal cramps, excessive gas.
· Frequent watery, frothy and/or explosive bowel motions.
· Wakefulness from discomfort with episodes of longer periods of sleep.
With these many problems which are evident it is very natural to be worried but luckily alternatives exist. Most babies with lactose intolerance can still be breastfed. And if your baby is formula-fed, you can change to a low-lactose or lactose-free infant formula.
So which product is right for you? To help you figure that out I recommend Danone’s Daxolac Lactose Free milk formula which comes in 3 variants — Nusobee Casein 1 Lactose Free Formula, Nusobee Casein 2 Lactose Free Formula and Nusobee Soya Lactose milk formula.
Nusobee Lactose Free Formula is specially designed with Nutricia science for infants with lactose intolerance and diarrhoea. Contains ingredients that support
Easy Digestion: With maltodextrins and MCTs. Free of lactose for better tolerance during diarrhoea
Electrolyte Replenishment: With Sodium, Potassium and Chloride
Immune Function: With Vitamin A, C, E, Selenium and Zinc. Contains Nucleotides known to support immune function
Growth: Energy levels of 69 kcal/100ml, Protein — 1.8g/100ml
Strong Bones: With Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium and Vitamin D
Brain Development: With Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids (precursors of DHA and ARA), Taurine, Choline, Iron and Iodine.
Since, using the product for my child and based on feedback from other parents, Danone’s Nusobee Lactose Free Products has a respectable acceptability and is known to help babies get the best of nutritive value of milk minus the complications that arise due to the lactose content in them. The product is highly recommended for children who are born lactose intolerant.
