By: MICHELLE PARK
Staff Writer
Lactose intolerance occurs when people are unable to break down or digest lactose. It is a symptom that is common all over the world, except for parts of Central Asia, North America, and Europe. The reason for the existence of milk is to feed infant mammals that cannot properly digest and absorb normal food. However, as they grow, it is programmed to gradually become inactive because they could get nutrients from other foods. 70% of the world’s population is unable to produce enzymes(lactase) after childhood.
When people with a deficiency of lactase in the small intestine drink more than the standard amount of milk, lactose is not sufficiently broken down and absorbed, and lactose flows into the large intestine. There are bacteria that can break down lactose in the large intestine, and these bacteria break down lactose into glucose and lactic acid. However, the large intestine cannot absorb nutrients except in liquid form, so glucose and lactic acid are not all absorbed, and a mixed gas of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane is generated. In addition, gas and decomposition products increase the osmotic pressure in the large intestine, which increases the amount of water in the large intestine. This stimulates the large intestine, causing symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.