When last did you enjoy a bowl of your favorite fruits? Wait, did I trigger a bad memory of severe stomach upset? If so, this post is meant for you.
The word fructose intolerance speaks for itself. It is a condition that is caused by the inability to digest foods that are rich in fructose. This includes fruits, some vegetables, and grains. This post intends to demystify the fructose intolerance condition and reveal the best way to manage it.
One can ascertain that they are fructose intolerant if they suffer fructose malfunction after eating foods rich in fructose.
What are some fructose intolerance disorders?
Hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI)
HFI is a genetic condition that occurs due to the body’s inability to make the enzymes required to break down fructose. HFI can be fatal as it causes liver or kidney failure if one fails to maintain a fructose-free diet. The best time to detect the condition is when a baby starts to take solid foods.
Fructose malabsorption
The leading causes of this condition are hard to ascertain. However, the condition is believed to emanate from fructose carriers’ insufficiencies, which are found in the intestines. Such carriers ensure fructose is directed to its rightful place.
Once they are insufficient, fructose is deposited in the intestines, where it brings about gut problems.
In the event of an imbalance between the good and bad bacteria in the gut, it can lead to fructose malabsorption. Other causes may include pre-existing gut issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, stress, and a huge intake of processed foods or inflammation.
Essential fructosuria
This condition is also referred to as fructokinase deficiency. The most encouraging factor here is that, unlike HFI, essential fructosuria is not harmful. Most patients with this condition hardly know that they have it until they are exposed to too much fructose food.
However, when a child acquires this condition genetically from both parents, it becomes recessive. When the gene is from one parent, it makes them carriers.
What are the Symptoms of fructose intolerance?
Most patients complain of bloating, nausea, abdominal pains: diarrhea, chronic fatigue, vomiting, and malabsorption of certain nutrients, e.g., iron.
In rare cases, fructose malabsorption symptoms include mood disorders and, even worse, depression.
A recent study from a trusted source revealed that fructose malabsorption was linked to lower levels of tryptophan. It causes the development of depressive disorders.
What is the best way to manage fructose intolerant disorders?
The best way to manage fructose intolerance disorder is by limiting the consumption of high fructose foods.
Some of these foods include grapes, juices, apples, asparagus, watermelon, zucchini peas, etc.
It is advisable to tolerate low fructose foods such as carrots, green beans, lettuce, bananas, and blueberries. However, in the event of a severe fructose intolerance disorder, one should avoid foods with fructose.
Wrapping up
The above insight should come in handy when you experience some of the symptoms above after eating foods with fructose. Also, it would be best for parents to exercise caution when winning their children. The last thing you need is a sick child.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
