Fructose Intolerance Info

Last week I mentioned that I suspect I may have Fructose Intolerance, due to major stomach issues beginning after a couple of weeks drinking fruit & veggie smoothies. (No this wasn't the usual adjustment stuff, I know a little gas & changes are expected, this was major, stomach spasms, moderate pain, constipation, diarrhea, having to run to the bathroom right after eating, killer acid reflux, and none of my usual remedies for my usually queasy stomach working. I'm so sick of feeling like my body is falling apart, sigh...)

Going on the FODMAPs diet mentioned on this site helped, until I went off if and it came back with a vengeance, couldn't eat much of anything again. After a couple of weeks, I got desperate and tried some ice cream, and set myself up again. The bizarre thing is, things that didn't bother me before do now... Anyhow, here is some info on the whole Fructose Intolerance situation. Worth reading if you have IBS or stomach symptoms.

Basic Facts About Fructose Intolerance

Also here is an excerpt from the same site:

"Fructose malabsorption (= dietary fructose intolerance (DFI) ) is, however, an acquired condition caused by a defective transport system (GLUT-5) in the small intestine. This means that the fructose cannot be absorbed into the body at a sufficient rate. But if it has been successfully transported then it can be broken down without a problem. Every third European suffers from fructose malabsorption!

The term "fructose intolerance" is often used by the public to describe fructose malabsorption or dietary fructose intolerance. On the Food Intolerance Network website we will use the term "fructose intolerance". We never talk about hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) unless this is referred to specifically!
How does fructose malabsorption work?

Sugars are absorbed via the intestines with the help of GLUT transporters. The GLUT-5 transporter is responsible for fructose. It takes the fructose from the intestinal lumen into the enterocyte. However, this transporter also reacts to other substances. Some sugar alcohols like sorbite block it, and glucose stimulates its activity. Every molecule of glucose makes it possible to absorb a molecule of fructose. That is why people with fructose malabsorption should stay away from sorbitol, mannitol, isomalt etc and add glucose when they have to eat a larger amount of fructose (after the restriction diet). The level of transporters that are still functioning is different from person to person, which is why the "glucose-trick" does not work for everyone! This needs to be established individually!

Why some people develop fructose intolerance is not clear as of yet! But it has been observed that over the past few years carbohydrate absorption malfunctions have been on the rise. "