Question

Why would blood glucose concentrations fail to rise following an oral dose of lactose in individuals with lactase deficiency?

Answer 1

Lactase is an enzyme present in the small intestine which breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose. In absence of this enzyme, lactose is unable to break down into glucose and galactose. Thus, despite giving oral dose of lactose, in case of individuals with lactase deficiency, blood glucose concentration fails to increase.

This disease is commonly called lactose intolerance. It is the inability of some individuals to digest lactose due to deficiency of the enzyme lactase. This disease may be of four types - primary, secondary, congenital or developmental.