Fructose and Sorbitol Malabsorption
Fructose Malabsorption
Fructose is a type of sugar commonly known as a fruit sugar that is found naturally in fruits and certain vegetables among other foods. Fructose is added to foods as an artificial sweetener in a variety of forms.
Fructose malabsorption is not an allergy, it is a disorder in which the body is unable to properly absorb fructose, leading to several gastrointestinal disturbances. This is because the small intestines can only absorb a certain amount of fructose.
It is not to be confused with fructose intolerance, a rare genetic disorder in which the enzyme responsible for breaking down fructose is not produced by the body. Individuals with fructose intolerance must follow a strict fructose free diet.
Unlike other sugars, such as sucrose and lactose that are broken down with the enzymes sucrase or lactase, there is no enzyme in the intestine for digesting fructose. If the absorptive capacity that is exceeded, the unabsorbed fructose collects in the colon and is broken down leading to gastrointestinal disturbances. Under normal circumstances, an individual can absorb approximately 25 to 50 g of fructose. However, sufferers of fructose malabsorption have the capacity to absorb less.
Sorbitol
Sorbitol, or glucitol, is a polyol, or sugar alcohol, which naturally occurs in some fruits. It is commonly used as a sweetener and is found in numerous food products. The reason probable reason for fructose malabsorption is a disorder of the fructose transporter GLUT 5. Sorbitol temporarily blocks GLUT 5, further restricting the absorption of fructose. Therefore it is recommended to avoid excessive consumption of sorbitol along with fructose is afflicted with fructose malabsorption.
You can find information on diagnosis of food allergies and intolerances here.
DELICARDO Foodcards:
We highly recommend the use of DELICARDO Foodcards for fructose and sorbitol malabsorption sufferers. When eating dishes prepared by someone else it is important that allergies and intolerances are clearly communicated to the cook and/or service personnel.
Ms Zanke, mother of Larissa, reports: “Almost overnight my daughter got fructose and sorbitol malabsorption. Suddenly there were so many things that I had to watch out for. No one else in our family suffers from allergies, which means I knew nothing about them and had no idea which products to use. I had a lot of reading up on the subject to do. Eating at restaurants or at a friend’s house also proved problematic as Larissa found it hard to always talk about her fructose and sorbitol malabsorption. But things are much easier now that she’s got her DELICARDO – she doesn’t mind showing her Foodcard with the cute princess pattern.”
Standard DELICARDO Foodcards can be found here
To create a personalised DELICARDO Foodcard click here
Further Information:
Foodreactions.org
http://www.foodreactions.org/intolerance/fructose/malabsorption.html
Livestrong.com
http://www.livestrong.com/article/285512-what-is-fructose-malabsorption/
The Food Intolerance Network - Fructose Intolerance
http://www.food-intolerance-network.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=2&Itemid=14
The Food Intolerance Network - Sorbitol Intolerance
http://www.food-intolerance-network.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=20&Itemid=70
