Here is a summary of the key points about inflammatory bowel diseases and lactose intolerance:
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), which include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, have been increasing in prevalence globally.
- There is a question of whether having an IBD predisposes a person to developing secondary lactose intolerance.
- Some theories suggest that lactose intolerance seen in IBD patients may arise as a byproduct of the inflammatory bowel condition, rather than being a primary issue.
- If IBD does increase risk of lactose intolerance, the mechanisms driving this relationship need further exploration to better understand the interaction between these conditions.