Ways To Treat Galactosemia
Lactose intolerance is a common condition that involves being incapable of digesting the sugar lactose, so it goes through the digestive tract without being metabolized. But lactose intolerance is only one of the numerous ways the body can have problems with processing sugars. Lactose normally breaks down into two sugars: glucose and galactose. Certain genetic mutations can prevent one of these sugars, galactose, from breaking down further and causes it to build up within our bodies. When galactose builds up in the body due to a genetic mutation, it's called galactosemia. Treating it differs from its more popular but distantly related sugar processing disorder. Learn more about this now.
Eliminate Dairy Products
One way to treat galactosemia is the same way lactose intolerance is treated: eliminate dairy products. Dairy products have a lot of lactose, which the body will break down into glucose and galactose. Since galactose is the sugar individuals with galactosemia have difficulties metabolizing, removing any foods that ultimately break down into galactose is one way to treat it. Eliminating dairy products such as milk, butter, cheese, and yogurt can reduce the risks involved with galactosemia. Infants born with this condition should also avoid human breast milk since it contains the sugar that breaks down into one they can't process.
Cut Out Fruits And Vegetables With Galactose
Plenty of fruits and vegetables also contain trace amounts of galactose. Because of this, individuals with galactosemia are often recommended to cut out fruits and vegetables with galactose in them as well. Some patients choose to avoid fruits and vegetables entirely while others may stick to ones without high amounts of galactose or limit their overall daily intake of the sugar. Peas are high on the list due to having a lot of galactose. Black-eyed peas, green peas, yellow peas, pigeon peas, and dry field peas are all bad choices for those restricting their intake of galactose. Other examples that don't have as much galactose but are still possibly dangerous include tomatoes, yams, bell peppers, pumpkins, kale, celery, cabbage, onions, turnip, eggplant, and cauliflower. Tomatoes aren't the only fruit individuals may have to cut out either. Fruits to possibly avoid include dried figs, grapes, papaya, honeydew melon, blueberry, watermelon, pineapple, dates, kiwi, grapefruit, peaches, strawberry, oranges, plums, mangoes, cherries, and bananas. If patients cut out fruits and vegetables with galactose, it'll further reduce the risk of complications associated with galactosemia.
Take Calcium And Vitamin D Supplements
Patients with galactosemia can't have dairy products and can have calcium deficiencies as a result. Calcium is necessary for strong bones so they may have to take calcium supplements to compensate for the lack of dairy products in their diet. The body also needs calcium to keep the muscles, heart, and nerves in optimal condition. The recommended calcium dose for kids depends on their age. Children from one to three years old need seven hundred milligrams, children from four to eight years old need one thousand milligrams, and kids and teens between nine and eighteen years old need 1,300 milligrams. Too much calcium, however, can be dangerous. The majority of individuals of any age should never exceed a daily calcium intake of two thousand to 2,500 milligrams. Along with taking calcium supplements, they should take vitamin D supplements. Individuals with galactosemia take these to help their body absorb calcium. In addition to having to take calcium and vitamin D supplements, simply going outside and basking in the sun can improve vitamin D levels.
Take Vitamin C Supplements
Avoiding fruits and vegetables may result in a vitamin C deficiency for individuals with galactosemia. Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, meaning the body does not create it on its own and has to get it from an external source. Low amounts of vitamin C can lead to a host of physiological issues such as a low immune system, high blood pressure, higher risk of heart disease, iron deficiency, and memory issues. Alleviating this deficiency requires vitamin C supplements. The recommended amount of vitamin C for adults is sixty-five to ninety milligrams a day, or 2,500 milligrams at the most. Too much vitamin C could lead to nausea, vomiting, cramps, headaches, and insomnia.
Hormone Treatment At Puberty
One of the complications of galactosemia is delayed puberty. Galactosemia can affect the reproductive organs and prevent them from producing the hormones associated with puberty. This is more frequent among females than males and is associated with high levels of follicle-stimulating hormone in their blood. Males are less likely to have delayed puberty issues, but some research implies it's more common than believed. Delayed puberty is also more common among patients with classic galactosemia than other versions of the condition. Regardless, hormone replacement therapy serves as an option for individuals with this condition. Hormone treatment at puberty serves as a treatment option to mitigate issues with delayed growth.