Where does lactose intolerance come from?
Lactose intolerance occurs when there is a predominance of lactose-negative microflora in the body. This pathogenic microflora develops, in particular, due to the use of antibiotics. And since many people have taken antibiotics multiple times since childhood, and also during childbirth, vaginal sanitation is performed with antibiotics, practically all children develop lactose-negative microflora.
The widespread and often unjustified use of antibiotics in children — starting from the perinatal period (including during the sanitation of the birth canal), and then in early childhood — seriously affects the formation of microbiota and leads to numerous metabolic and digestive problems.
Formation of Microflora in Newborns
Normally, the primary colonization of an infant's intestines occurs:
- during natural childbirth — through passing through the birth canal (maternal vaginal and intestinal microflora),
- through skin contact with the mother (breastfeeding, skin, kisses),
- through colostrum and breast milk, which contain: prebiotics (milk oligosaccharides), lactoferrin, secretory IgA, and live bacteria (including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, etc.).
This flora includes lactose-positive bacteria that teach the child's body to properly digest milk sugar — lactose.
What Antibiotic Sanitation and Antibiotics Do in the First Months
During the sanitation of the birth canal with antibiotics, the natural vaginal flora of the mother is destroyed. As a result:
- the child does not receive the starter set of beneficial bacteria (lactobacilli, bifidobacteria),
- birth becomes similar to "sterile" — with subsequent colonization of the skin and gastrointestinal tract by surrounding hospital flora, including staphylococci, klebsiella, pseudomonas, etc.
If the newborn additionally receives antibiotics (for example, "just in case" when inflammation is suspected), then:
- even the minimum amount of lactose-fermenting flora that could have appeared is suppressed,
- lactose-negative microorganisms begin to dominate in the intestines.
Consequences: Lactose Intolerance
When the intestines are colonized by the wrong microflora, and normal lactose-fermenting bacteria are absent or suppressed:
- lactase (the enzyme) produced in the small intestine decreases — due to the immaturity of the mucosa and the absence of signals from normal microflora;
- lactose from milk is not broken down and enters the large intestine;
- the lactose-negative flora cannot utilize it, but conditionally pathogenic flora begins fermentation, producing gases, acids, and toxins;
- bloating, colic, diarrhea, belching, abdominal pain occur, which is referred to as lactase deficiency or lactose intolerance.
Additional Aggravating Factors:
- Artificial feeding from birth — does not contain live bacteria, only sugar (lactose) and proteins.
- Early transition to carbohydrate cereals, fruit purees, and other products → overfeeding with carbohydrates against the background of the absence of the flora that should ferment them.
- Repeated courses of antibiotics with every ARVI → each time like a "hammer blow" to the microbiota.