Dorothy FarrarFructoseintoleranz
After the banana in the morning, the stomach rumbles, after the peach at noon you get diarrhea – the suspicion of a fructose intolerance is obvious. This diagnosis entails a radical reduction in fructose consumption. But is it still possible to eat healthily despite this renunciation?
What is fructose intolerance?
Fructose intolerance can be described very simply: those affected cannot tolerate fructose. They react in different ways, mostly in the gastrointestinal tract, to the sugar from fruit, which can hardly or not at all be processed in the body. The reason: the patients lack a certain enzyme. This affects almost every third person in Europe.
However, not everyone affected has the typical symptoms. Important: It must not be confused with the fructose intolerance syndrome, an extremely rare metabolic defect. The fructose intolerance described in more detail here is an absorption disorder of the intestine.
causes
The causes of fructose intolerance have not yet been researched in detail. Scientists assume that fructose intolerance is both genetic and acquired over the course of life.In the case of inherited fructose intolerance, the absorption capacity of the intestinal mucosa is disturbed. Defective intestinal transport enzymes are responsible for this circumstance.
In addition, the consumption of foods containing fructose (e.g. wellness drinks, smoothies, etc.) has increased enormously in recent years. It is assumed that the body is overwhelmed with the excessive intake of fructose and can no longer break it down to the same extent. The result is intestinal problems.
When to the doctor?
If left untreated, fructose intolerance can lead to severe liver and kidney damage. It is therefore important not to put off seeing the doctor for too long, otherwise tissue damage to the liver may persist. For example, if the patient is struggling with chronic flatulence, which occurs even if no flatulent food has been eaten, or if intestinal and abdominal cramps occur more frequently, a doctor should definitely be consulted.
A hardened stomach or wind blows of more than 20 to 30 per day can also indicate a fructose intolerance and also represent a high level of stress for those affected in everyday life. Additional warning messages from the body such as a persistent feeling of fullness even on an empty stomach, unwanted weight loss or even fever and vomiting over a longer period of time should therefore also be promptly clarified by a doctor.
Even diarrhea that lasts for several days for no apparent reason can be an indication of fructose intolerance and it is therefore advisable to consult a doctor in this case too. With the help of a fructose load test and a liver biopsy, they can determine with certainty whether fructose intolerance is present and, if necessary, initiate treatment.
symptoms and course
Possible symptoms:
The symptoms of fructose intolerance are initially limited to the stomach and intestines. These include gas, bloating, diarrhea and frequent urination. However, fructose intolerance can also lead to poor concentration, nervousness , depression , dizziness and exhaustion. Those affected have a deficiency in folic acid and zinc .
Fructose intolerance should not be taken lightly. If the renunciation of fructose-containing foods is not pursued consistently, there is a risk of serious consequential damage. This can be low blood sugar and functional disorders of the liver as well as damage to the kidneys and brain.
Fructose intolerance can occur at any time. It is possible that it will be short-lived. Usually, however, the symptoms do not go away without further ado. Especially when it comes to the congenital form of fructose intolerance. Then all that remains is to avoid certain foods for life.
Diagnose
People who observe the symptoms described should see their family doctor. Fructose intolerance can most often be detected using the H2 breath test. The doctor knows that in healthy people fructose is absorbed in the small intestine. If there is a fructose intolerance, the fructose can get into the deeper sections of the intestine due to a missing enzyme. Here it is broken down by the intestinal bacteria. This fermentation produces hydrogen. And it is precisely this hydrogen that can be detected with the breath test. A second possibility is that the patient has to drink a fructose solution. Blood sugar is then checked every hour. While there is an increase in healthy people, blood sugar riseshardly or not at all in people suffering from fructose intolerance. Sometimes the blood sugar level even drops.
complications
As a rule, fructose intolerance only causes symptoms or complications if the person concerned takes fructose. If the patient completely dispenses with this ingredient, the symptoms can be avoided. In most cases, however, when ingested, diarrhea or constipation occurs and those affected suffer from a strong feeling of fullness. It is also not uncommon for abdominal pain to occur and patients suffer from frequent urination. It can also lead to disturbances in concentration and coordination and those affected appear tired and exhausted. The intestine itself is clearly irritated by the fructose intolerance and heartburn can also occur.
Depressive moods and other psychological problems are not uncommon in fructose intolerance . The patient’s quality of life is significantly restricted and reduced by this disease. If the fructose intolerance leads to hypoglycaemia, the person affected can also lose consciousness and injure themselves if they fall. Fructose intolerance is usually treated by excluding fructose from the diet. In this way, most complaints can be avoided. Life expectancy is usually not reduced as a result.
treatment and therapy
There are currently no drugs that can be used effectively in fructose intolerance. If a fructose intolerance is clearly diagnosed, only an elimination diet will help. In this diet , certain foods containing fructose should be avoided for at least four weeks. Some doctors even recommend an elimination diet for up to a year. After this waiting period, the symptoms of fructose intolerance should have receded in most cases.
But which foods are actually that should be temporarily removed from the diet if you have fructose intolerance? First and foremost are fruit, juices, honey, dried fruit, onions, table sugar and bread and sausage, provided they contain sugar.The problem: Many finished products contain fructose. Noodles, rice, meat, fish and cheese are allowed. Natural yoghurt, milk and glucose may also be consumed. Still mineral water, herbal and rooibos tea and coffee are the ideal drinks for those with fructose intolerance. In general, vegetables and fruit should be steamed before consumption.
Furthermore, if you have fructose intolerance, you should avoid the sugar substitute sorbitol. Sorbitol is found in sweets, among other things, and is converted into fructose by the body. This also leads to the symptoms of fructose intolerance. Only when all symptoms have improved can a step-by-step introduction to fructose-containing products be dared.
prevention
Unfortunately, it is not possible to prevent fructose intolerance. If fructose intolerance is already common in the family, it can make sense not to give a baby any fruit or vegetables in the first year of life. It should be discussed with the pediatrician which medication should be given to counteract the vitamin deficiency . If a fructose intolerance is already present, the only option for those affected is to avoid any fructose.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.