Lactose Intolerance

Lactose is a disaccharide commonly found in milk and is composed of the monosaccharides glucose and galactose (1). The absorption of lactose requires the enzyme lactase to split the bond within this disaccharide. When lactose malabsorption occurs, unabsorbed lactose in the small bowel is transported to the colon (2). Lactose intolerance is the manifestation of symptoms resulting from malabsorbed lactose, resulting in diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, abdominal pain and/or bloating,