Fructose intolerance: causes, symptoms and treatment

What is fructose intolerance?

Fructose intolerance, also known as fructose emice absorption, is a digestive disorder in which your body has problems processing the fructose (fructose) correctly. Fructose is a simple sugar that naturally occurs in many fruits, some vegetables and honey. If you suffer from fructose intolerance, your small intestine cannot correctly absorb the fructose, which can lead to unpleasant symptoms.

How often is fructose intolerance?

According to estimates, around 30-40% of the population are affected by fructose intolerance. However, the disorder is often not diagnosed properly, since the symptoms can resemble those of other digestive problems such as irritable bowel or lactose intolerance. Fructose intolerance can occur at any age, but often the symptoms begin in adulthood.

What are the causes of fructose intolerance?

The exact causes of fructose intolerance have not yet been fully clarified. It is assumed that it is a transport disorder in the small intestine. Usually fructose is absorbed in the small intestine via special vans and released into the blood. This process does not work properly in people with fructose intolerance. The fructose then gets undigested into the large intestine, where it is broken down by bacteria, which in turn leads to flatulence, diarrhea and other symptoms.

There is also evidence that a genetic predisposition could play a role. If other family members are also affected by fructose intolerance, the risk is increased. In addition, fructose intolerance can also occur in connection with other diseases such as irritable bowel, celiac disease or inflammatory bowel diseases.

What symptoms occur in fructose intolerance?

The symptoms of fructose intolerance can be very different. They usually appear within a few hours after eating fructose -containing food. Typical symptoms are:

• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Bloating and feeling of fullness
• Diarrhea or irregular bowel movements
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache and concentration disorders
• Fatigue and general malaise

The symptoms can be slight to very pronounced. Some people easily tolerate small amounts of fructose, while others react to small quantities. The type of food consumed also plays a role.

How is fructose intolerance diagnosed?

The diagnosis of fructose intolerance is not always easy because the symptoms can be very non -specific. Your doctor will first query your medical history and your eating habits. The following tests can then be used for diagnosis:

• H2 acumen test: You drink a fructose solution and your breath is then tested for hydrogen (H2). Once this is increased, this indicates a fructose paralption.
• Chair test: An examination of the chair for undigested fructose and a determination of the pH value can provide information on fructose intolerance.
• Blood test: The blood sugar level is measured here before and after taking fructose. A low increase could be an indication of a disturbed fructose intake.
• Elimination diet: For a few weeks, fructose -containing food is dispensed with. If the symptoms improve, fructose intolerance is likely.

The H2 breath test is currently the gold standard for diagnosing fructose intolerance. It is easy to carry out and delivers reliable results.

How is fructose intolerance treated?

The treatment of fructose intolerance is primarily an adaptation of the diet. The aim is to alleviate the symptoms and enable a balanced diet in the long term. You step by step:

1. Elimination phase: First of all, all fructose rich foods are consistently avoided for 4-8 weeks. This includes many types of fruit (especially apples, pears, mangoes), fruit juices, honey, sugar substitutes such as sorbitously and many finished products.
2. Test phase: Then the individual tolerance is tested. To do this, individual foods are reintroduced and the reaction is observed. So you find out what you can tolerate in what amount.
3. Permanent change in diet: On the basis of the test results, the diet is permanently changed. Well -tolerated foods can be consumed regularly, while poorly compatible is largely dispensed with.

It is important that despite the restrictions, attention is paid to a balanced and varied diet. Professional nutritional advice can help select the right food and avoid deficiency symptoms.

Which foods should you avoid fructose intolerance?

In the case of fructose intolerance, you should primarily avoid food with a high fructose content or only eat in very small quantities. This includes:

• Fruit Like apples, pears, mangoes, cherries, plums, watermelons
• Dried fruits Like raisins, dates, figs
• Fruit and vegetable juices, smoothies, lemonades
• Honey and agave syrup
• Sugar substances How sorbita, isomalt, xylitol
• Fruit yoghurts and other sweetened dairy products
• Sweets, jams, ketchup and many finished products

Better tolerated are usually low-fructose fruit and vegetable varieties such as:

• Bananas, blueberries, lemons, oranges
• Carrots, potatoes, green vegetables, cabbage

Strong foods such as bread, pasta and rice as well as unsweetened dairy products, lean meat and eggs are usually well tolerated.

What should you pay attention to when shopping?

When shopping, it is important to study the ingredients carefully. Fructose is hidden under various names such as fructose, fructose, fructose syrup or fruit-oligosaccharides. Sugar alcohols such as sorbit, xylitol or isomalt can also trigger symptoms.

It is best to pay attention to unprocessed, natural foods and prepare your meals themselves. So you have full control over the ingredients and can make sure that your diet is low in fructose.

Is fructose intolerance curable?

A fructose intolerance is not curable, but it is easy to manage with the right diet. Most of those affected can live in the long term by an individual adaptation of their diet.

There is indications that compatibility can improve over time due to a consistent low -fructose diet. The intestine seems to adapt to the changed conditions. Many affected people tolerate a little larger amounts of fructose over time.

Regular check -ups and professional nutritional advice can help to adapt the diet again and again optimally and to identify possible deficiency symptoms early.

What complications can occur with fructose intolerance?

Untreated fructose intolerance can lead to various consequences in the long run. Due to the constant diarrhea and indigestion, nutrients and liquid cannot be adequately absorbed. There may be deficiency symptoms and underweight.

The constant complaints and restrictions often lead to a reduced quality of life. Many affected people no longer dare to eat, withdraw and develop fears or depression.

If a very one -sided diet is pursued for too long, there may also be deficiency symptoms. A lack of B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium and fiber are particularly critical. Here, careful supplementation in consultation with the doctor makes sense.

In rare cases, fructose intolerance can also lead to a dysbiosis, a disturbance of the balance of the intestinal flora. The constant diarrhea and the high sugar content in the intestine favor the increase in harmful germs.

Can you prevent fructose intolerance?

Since the exact causes of fructose intolerance have not yet been clarified, there are no reliable possibilities of prevention. In general, however, a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle can help keep the intestine healthy.

Some studies indicate that breastfeeding in the first months of life could reduce the risk of food intolerances in later life. Probably the special composition of breast milk helps to positively influence the development of the intestine and the immune system.

There is also indications that a high -fiber diet and the regular consumption of fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut or kefir could affect intestinal health. They promote a healthy intestinal flora and may be able to reduce the risk of food intolerances.

Conclusion

Fructose intolerance is a common but often underestimated digestive disorder. It can lead to very unpleasant symptoms and significantly impair the quality of life. The diagnosis is not always easy because the symptoms can be non -specific.

The treatment is mainly in a consistent change in nutrition. Affected people have to learn to largely do without fructose -rich foods and to test their individual compatibility. Professional nutritional advice can help to optimally adapt the diet and avoid deficiency symptoms.

With the right nutrition, fructose intolerance is easy to manage. Many affected people can live in the long term by an individual adaptation of their diet. Regular check -ups are important in order to recognize and treat possible complications at an early stage.