lactose


 * Lactose** is a sugar found in milk that makes up 2-8% of the milk weight depending on the species producing the milk.The molar mass for Lactose is 342.30 g/mol.

This is the chemical structure of Lactose. Lactose is a disaccharide- A disaccharide or biose is the carbohydrate formed when two monoschaccaride undergo a condensation reaction which involves the elimination of a small molecule, such as water, from the functional groups only. Like monosaccharides, disaccharides form an aqueous solution when dissolved in water. derived from the condensation of galactose and glucose

Lactose has been used in pharmaceuticals and in aromas. It is also commonly used as an additive to high calorie diets and to even sweeten stout beer. Lactose is disaccharide sugar that is found most notably in milk and is formed from glactose and glucose. It is extracted from sweet or sour whey. The name comes from //lac// or //lactis//, the Latin word for milk, pluse the -ose ending used to name sugars. It has a formula C 12 H 22 O 11.

Lactose is considered a disaccharide. Most prominent in the dairy industry.

Lactose can also be used as an additive agent for highly caloric diets, such as the kind athletes need.

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 * Lactose is a beta linkage disaccharide as shown, meaning a different enzyme is needed for its breakdown.

What is lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is the inability or insufficient ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells lining the small intestine. Lactase breaks down lactose into two simpler forms of sugar called glucose and galactose, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream. -More recent research is discovering that most humans aren't actually able to digest the amount of lactose that we do, however there have been genetic modifications allowing more lactose consumption than normal. - Not everyone who is allergic to milk is lactose intolerant, some are allergic to other components of milk. The digestive tract. Not all people with lactase deficiency have digestive symptoms, but those who do may have lactose intolerance. Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate some amount of lactose in their diet. People sometimes confuse lactose intolerance with cow milk allergy. Milk allergy is a reaction by the body's immune system to one or more milk proteins and can be life threatening when just a small amount of milk or milk product is consumed. Milk allergy most commonly appears in the first year of life, while lactose intolerance occurs more often in adulthood.

The cause of lactose intolerance is best explained by describing how a person develops lactase deficiency. Primary lactase deficiency develops over time and begins after about age 2 when the body begins to produce less lactase. Most children who have lactase deficiency do not experience symptoms of lactose intolerance until late adolescence or adulthood. Researchers have identified a possible genetic link to primary lactase deficiency. Some people inherit a gene from their parents that makes it likely they will develop primary lactase deficiency. This discovery may be useful in developing future genetic tests to identify people at risk for lactose intolerance. Secondary lactase deficiency results from injury to the small intestine that occurs with severe diarrheal illness, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or chemotherapy. This type of lactase deficiency can occur at any age but is more common in infancy.

Who is at risk for lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is a common condition that is more likely to occur in adulthood, with a higher incidence in older adults.This shows that lactose intolerance is a condition that can develop over time, or people can once be affected by lactose intolerance and than years later regain that tolerance. Some ethnic and racial populations are more affected than others, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, and Asian Americans. The condition is least common among Americans of northern european descent. More recent research is discovering that most humans aren't actually able to digest the amount of lactose that we do, however there have been genetic modifications allowing more lactose consumption than normal. Infants born prematurely are more likely to have lactase deficiency because an infant's lactase levels do not increase until the third trimester of pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?
People with lactose intolerance may feel uncomfortable 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming milk and milk products. Symptoms range from mild to severe, based on the amount of lactose consumed and the amount a person can tolerate. Common symptoms include
 * abdominal pain
 * abdominal bloating
 * gas
 * diarrhea
 * nausea