Lactose intolerance often develops as people age, with about 75% of the global population experiencing a reduction in lactase enzymes necessary for lactose digestion. Initially, infants produce ample lactase to digest breastmilk, but as solid foods replace milk in their diet, lactase production decreases. This gradual reduction, called lactase non-persistence, can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhea when dairy is consumed. Understanding why this occurs can help manage and treat the discomfort associated with lactose intolerance.
If lactose isn't properly digested, it moves to the colon and is broken down by fermentation, resulting in uncomfortable symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea.
As infants, humans produce significant amounts of lactase to digest the lactose found in breastmilk; this production declines as we start solid foods.
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