gastrointestinal disorders
Carbohydrate Intolerance
Etiology of Carbohydrate Intolerance
Enzyme deficiencies can be Acquired (primary) Secondary Congenital Acquiredlactasedeficiency(primary adult hypolactasia) is the most common form of carbohydrate intolerance.Lactaselevels are high in neonates, permitting digestion of milk. In most ethnic groups (80% of Black and Hispanic people, > 90% of Asian people), the levels decrease in the post-weaning period, rendering older children and adults unable to digest significant amounts of lactose. However, 80 to 85% of White people of Northwest European descent producelactasethroughout life and are thus able to digest milk and milk products. It is unclear why the normal state of>75% of the world’s population should be labeled a “deficiency.” occurs in conditions that damage the small-bowel mucosa (eg, Celiac Disease , Congenital enzyme deficienciesare rare and include deficiencies oflactaseor sucrase-isomaltase. 