Lactose intolerance, for sure, is not a killer-disease like cancer or AIDS. Nor is it a silent, lifelong pain like diabetes mellitus. But lactose intolerance, if untreated, can lead to severe complications that can incur permanent disability or cripple in you. This is because lactose intolerance eliminates lactose from your diet, leading to an increased want of lactose-rich foods and foods that are necessary for the healthy sustenance of the body. This article will analyze the various complications that can arise out of lactose intolerance in adults and elderly people.
The importance of lactose: Dairy products like milk are important for the proper functioning of the body, as they add up to our total nutrition count. They contain essential minerals like calcium, proteins and vitamins like vitamin A, B12 and D. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of these nutrients are high that a daily dose of them is required to sustain the healthy functioning of the body.
Lactose plays a vital role in the absorption of minerals like magnesium, zinc into the body. These are minerals that help the body to maintain stability with strong bones, teeth and muscles. With lack of lactose, the bone strength of the body can take a beating, resulting in further complications like Osteoporosis or Osteopenia. This is why lactose intolerance can create problems in the long run. Though shifting to a lactose-free diet may help and offer a temporary relief from symptoms, deficiency of lactase/lactose can lead to disruptions in the regular bodily rhythms. Since stopping lactose can mean cutting of glucose, galactose and other essential sugars to the body, one who is lactose intolerant may suffer from lack of energy, bone health and malnutrition.
Complications of lactose intolerance: If you are lactose intolerant, you need to find other means to get your RDA of important vitamins, minerals and proteins. Failing to do so will result in complications like the below ones:
1. Osteopenia: A condition that is common only with elderly people. Osteopenia is a condition where the patient has very low bone mineral density. This is a preliminary stage to a critical stage – osteoporosis. If left untreated, osteopenia can lead to osteoporosis and further complications.
2. Osteoporosis: Massive deterioration of bone health. A weakening of bone strength, resulting in thin, slender and lifeless bones. With osteoporosis, the risk of fracture increases. Recovery from any bone-related weakeness is very slow.
3. Weight Loss: Lack of nutrition results in acute weight loss and can further lead to complications like osteoporosis.
4. Malnutrition: Wounds take longer to heal. Body is sapped of energy. Sound health is always the will-o-the-wisp. Lack of proper vitamins and minerals lead to all these conditions. Depression and fatigue too set in, leading to chronic illness and suffering.
Further, lactose intolerance can be a “stepping stone†to a great number of complications, pointing to a bleak future.
