Glossary · Medical

Lactose intolerance

Inability to fully digest lactose, the sugar in milk, due to low lactase enzyme. Symptoms appear 30 minutes to 2 hours after dairy: cramps, gas, diarrhea. More common after age 5 and in East Asian, African, and Native American populations. Lactose-free dairy and fermented dairy (yogurt, hard cheese) are usually tolerated.

Related terms

Food allergy
Food intolerance
Celiac disease
Iron-deficiency anemia
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)
Reflux/GERD in infants

Miriel uses this concept across food scans, meal plans, and AI Coach responses where it is relevant to a child's profile. For the underlying clinical and scientific basis, see the research page.