simpleallergylivingsimpleallergylivingsimpleallergylivingsimpleallergyliving
  • Home
  • About Me
    • My Personal Journey with Allergies
    • How I Found Healing & Peace
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Side Dish
    • Desserts
    • Snacks
    • Appetizers
    • Breads & Mixes
    • Sauces & Condiments
    • Drinks
    • Holiday
  • Non-Food Allergies & Medical Conditions
    • Eczema
    • Eosinophilic Esophagitis
    • Fructose Malabsorption
  • Resources
    • How to Meal Plan
    • Traveling With Food Allergies
    • Must-Have Kitchen Tools
    • Allergy-Free Shopping
    • Allergy-Free Food Shopping Online
    • Best Egg Substitutes
    • Living With a Soy Allergy
    • Going Dairy-Free for Beginners
    • How to Celebrate an Allergy-Friendly Halloween
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Me
✕

Fructose Malabsorption

Published by Laura Kersting on May 18, 2021
Categories
  • Fructose Malabsorption
  • Non-Food Allergies & Medical Conditions
Tags
  • diagnosis
  • digestive concerns
  • disorders
  • fructose
  • fructose malabsorption
  • symptoms
  • treatment
Fructose Malabsorption symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Fructose Malabsorption symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

I was diagnosed with Fructose Malabsorption in April 2015. After several years of digestive issues related to food allergies and intolerances, this was the last piece of the puzzle. Read more about My Personal Journey with Allergies HERE. This was why after altering my diet to accommodate my food allergies, I STILL had digestive symptoms. What is Fructose Malabsorption? Stick with me here to find out more.

Fructose itself is a simple sugar that comes from mostly fruits, and some vegetables. It is also in honey, agave nectar, and processed foods with added sugar. Fructose malabsorption occurs when cells on the surface of the small intestine aren’t able to absorb or break down fructose properly or efficiently. Undigested fructose is then carried into the colon causing swelling in the intestines. It is a fairly common disorder, affecting 1 in 3 people in the United States. There is no known cure, but there are treatments that help manage this condition.

How do I Know if I Have Fructose Malabsorption?

Symptoms of fructose malabsorption include bloating, distention of the stomach, diarrhea or constipation, stomach pain, and flatulence. Some less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, chronic fatigue, and malabsorption of key nutrients such as iron.

How Long do Fructose Malabsorption Symptoms Last?

The symptoms and length vary from person to person since everyone has a different tolerance for fructose. Some people experience more severe symptoms than others. The length of symptoms also depends on how much fructose a person eats at a given time.

What Causes Fructose Malabsorption?

The following are the most likely causes.

  • imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut
  • high intake of refined and processed foods
  • pre-existing gut conditions such as IBS and Colitis
  • inflammation in the body
  • stress

Diagnosis of Fructose Malabsorption

There are 2 main ways doctors diagnose this condition. A Fructose Malabsorption Breath Test may be performed by a doctor. This test is non-invasive and fairly simple. With this test, your breath is analyzed for hydrogen gas.
First, you drink a cup of fructose dissolved in water. Breath results are recorded for the next three hours.
If there is a high presence of hydrogen, it indicates your body has difficulty absorbing the fructose.

A Fructose Elimination Diet is also used to determine this condition. Eat foods that are low in fructose or contain no fructose for 3 to 4 weeks, then reintroduce foods one at a time. When you begin reintroducing foods, keep a journal and track any symptoms that occur. Wait three days, or until any side effects subside before introducing the next food. Start with a small amount of the food, and if there are no side effects, eat a larger amount later in the day and see what happens. If you continue to experience symptoms consult your doctor for more testing. A breath test may be needed to confirm a diagnosis. It is recommended you work with your doctor and a dietitian during this process.

Treatment of Fructose Malabsorption

There are several treatment options. Follow a low fructose diet, and/or take a daily probiotic or enzymes prescribed by your doctor. Treatment varies from person to person because everyone has a different tolerance for fructose.

Check out my LOW FRUCTOSE DIET GUIDE below.

It’s important to note that just because a particular food is on the FOODS TO AVOID list, does not mean you can’t ever eat it. If you can tolerate small quantities of it, then eat it. For example, honey is on this list. I know, after trial and error, I can only eat approximately 1 tsp of honey at a time. Work with your doctor and a dietitian to help you determine what foods are best for you.

TIPS for Living with Fructose Malabsorption

  • Remember that everyone is different and tolerates fructose differently. A person’s tolerance also depends on how much fructose they eat at one time. For example, I know I can only eat half a piece of fruit at one time. A whole banana for me in one sitting causes symptoms.
  • Also, remember to read labels carefully.
  • As a general rule, if a food contains more than 6-8 grams of sugar on the label, I avoid it.
  • Consider cooked vegetables rather than raw. Cooked vegetables are sometimes better tolerated because of the loss of free sugars during the cooking process.
  • Limit large quantities of fruits because of their high sugar content.
  • Think about your total sugar for the day. If I have eaten a lot of foods higher in fructose during the day, then I skip something sweeter at night.

Fructose Malabsorption VS. Fructose Intolerance

These terms are sometimes used interchangeably but are NOT the same, which causes confusion. Hereditary Fructose Intolerance is a serious condition. It is a rare genetic disorder usually diagnosed in infants. This condition occurs because the body does not produce the enzyme needed to break down fructose. If not treated it can lead to liver and kidney failure.

If you or someone you know experience any of the symptoms mentioned in this post, I urge you to consult a doctor. This condition is very painful and often confusing because the symptoms are similar to other disorders. Don’t wait!

Please LEAVE A COMMENT with any questions or concerns. I sincerely would love to chat with you about your struggles. I get it. I’ve been there and still continue to struggle some days.

Blessings, Laura xo

NOTE: Health information contained in this post is provided for general education purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for a diagnosis and should never be used for specific medical advice. Please consult a health care professional for questions, concerns, or treatment.

Related posts:

Living with eosinophilic esophagitis eating breakfast managing symptoms and treatmentLiving With Eosinophilic Esophagitis Allergy-free skin care productsAllergy-Free Skincare Products Living with Eczema informationLiving With Eczema
Share
Laura Kersting
Laura Kersting

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Hi there and welcome. My name is Laura, and here is where I share my journey with allergies and healing. I have devoted my time to cooking allergy-friendly meals that my whole family can enjoy. Now I want to share them with you. After quite a hard journey, I am finally back to simple; and it is so beautiful. Thank you for joining me on this new journey as we heal together.

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On Instagram

How I Found Peace & Healing

SUBSCRIBE TO SIMPLE ALLERGY LIVING.

Receive a FREE collection of allergy-free recipes and weekly updates.

    Recent Posts

    • Healthy Chocolate Fruit Dip
    • Strawberry Vodka Cocktail
    • Easy Taco Dip
    • Going Dairy-Free for Beginners
    • Gluten-Free Crepes Recipe

    simpleallergyliving

    Who is your PERSON? You know the one that loves yo Who is your PERSON? You know the one that loves you no matter what. The one who supports your dreams, and listens to your fears and frustrations. The one you just can't help but love. That person.
Want to know my PERSON? Meet my wonderful husband, Tom. Thanks for supporting me on this crazy journey! I wouldn't be where I am without you.
    Everyone loves a good origin story, right? They ma Everyone loves a good origin story, right? They make us believe that anything is possible—and it IS! 
On that note, I'm so excited to share the new journey I'm embarking on. What started 3 years ago as a little food allergy blog has turned into a real passion for food photography. It just makes my heart sing ❤️
It's this passion that has brought me here. I'll still share delicious allergy-free recipes, but now I will highlight my recipes in conjunction with my photos.
My goal for this year is to capture the beauty of community and a sense of belonging through food. I'm super excited and terrified all at the same time.
Where did you get your start?
    Hi, my friends. I wanted to check in and let you a Hi, my friends. I wanted to check in and let you all know I'm still here and I'm looking forward to serving you in the new year.
Since August, I've been adjusting to a new season in my life. We sent our only child Paige to college and it's been very difficult for me. I needed time to embrace this season, and sit in the sadness and disappointment for a while. I had to take a break from my blog and social media.
❤️ Thank you so much to everyone who is on this journey with me. 🧁📸 I appreciate your support and for sticking with me. 
With the new year, I'm finally ready to get back to serving you. I'm excited to share some new things coming this year.
    The Christmas and Holiday Season is in full swing. The Christmas and Holiday Season is in full swing. This week in the spirit of the season, I'm sharing some of my favorite sweet treats.
One of my all-time favorite sweet treats is carrot cake. Grab my gluten, dairy, and nut-free version at https://simpleallergyliving.com/gluten-free-carrot-cake-recipe/
Follow along in my stories this week for more sweet treat fun.
Share one of your favorite sweet treats in the comments below.
    Do you crave certain foods more in the fall/winter Do you crave certain foods more in the fall/winter months? I sure do. 
I'm curious. What foods do you crave when the weather turns colder?
Follow my stories this week and join in the fun.
    I had so much fun doing my food photography challe I had so much fun doing my food photography challenge I had to share another photo. 
What makes your heart sing?
    Been practicing my food photography skills. Here's Been practicing my food photography skills. Here's a peek at a Dark and Moody Challenge I completed a few weeks ago. The theme is fall fruits. 
So excited about how this turned out! I hope you enjoy it too!
What new skill have you been practicing lately? 
#foodphotooftheday, #foodphotographyandstyling, #foodphotoshoot
    I've been busy updating some of my old recipes. He I've been busy updating some of my old recipes. Here's a glance at my updated dairy-free key lime pie recipe. I've made the filling thicker, and creamier. 
Even though we're into the fall/winter seasons, this pie is one to enjoy any time of the year. 
Try it for your next gathering, or even during this holiday season. Find this recipe at https://simpleallergyliving.com/dairy-free-key-lime-pie-recipe/.
    Now, this is what I call an adventure… Each time Now, this is what I call an adventure… Each time I create a new allergy-free recipe and photograph it, I get butterflies just thinking about how it will help you feel empowered and included. This is my favorite and most rewarding adventure! 
What’s been making your heart flutter recently?
#livesimplywithallergies, #glutenfreerecipes, #soyfreerecipes, #dairyfreerecipes, #simplerecipes, foodallergymom, #allergyfreemom, #foodallergyblogger, #foodphotoshoot
    It’s Fall! My favorite season. That means enjoyi It’s Fall! My favorite season. That means enjoying crisp evenings by the fire pit with friends, a warm pot of soup for dinner, and the beautiful leaves in shades of red, orange, and yellow. Oh, and I can't forget cozy sweaters.
What does Fall mean for you?
Check out my stories this week for some fall fun!
    Are you transitioning to a new season? Not just th Are you transitioning to a new season? Not just the fall season, but a new season of life? 
Maybe you're like me and recently sent a child to college, or a mom who just sent their young child to kindergarten. Perhaps you're in a season of learning to navigate and manage new food allergies in your family. 
Whatever season of life you're in right now, I want to offer encouragement and cheer you on. 
Check out my stories all this week to find words of encouragement from me to you! Together we can embrace whatever new season we're in right now.
    What can I say? I love giving you a snapshot of my What can I say? I love giving you a snapshot of my life outside of being a food allergy blogger and aspiring food photographer. 
Today’s topic: Spending time with my family. If you're new here you may not know my daughter just started college this fall. We spent time with her last weekend for a family weekend. It warmed my heart so much to see her.
Now, allow ME to get to know YOU… Tell me about your family and share your favorite family activity below.
    As a mom of young children with food allergies do As a mom of young children with food allergies do you struggle to make one meal everyone can eat? This has been a struggle for me too.
Today I'm here with 2 simple tips.
TIP #1: MAKE A WEEKLY MEAL PLAN.
Creating a meal plan does not have to take hours of your time. With a little practice, it can be done quickly.
TIP #2: USE LEFTOVERS.
The best way to do this is to make one meal and use the leftovers for another meal.
To get started check out my post HOW TO MEAL PLAN. https://simpleallergyliving.com/how-to-meal-plan/
    Do you like getting a peek behind the curtain as m Do you like getting a peek behind the curtain as much as I do? Well, today is your lucky day because I’m sharing a glimpse of my updated recipes! COMING SOON! 
What do you think? Would you like to see more sneak peeks like this one?
    Want to know where I get the ideas for my recipes? Want to know where I get the ideas for my recipes? 
One of the biggest motivators for my recipes is my family. I am big on sharing family meals and dinners. I mean it seriously just warms my heart when we all come together and share a meal. 
That feeling of connection through food is so universal. When I was first diagnosed with food allergies it felt like I lost that connection. 
Another HUGE motivator for me is YOU! Yes, that's right YOU! I want you and your family to feel that connection through sharing meals together despite food allergies.
    Ooooooh friend, I know it’s easy to get caught u Ooooooh friend, I know it’s easy to get caught up in the morning rush, but take a few moments to start your morning off on the right foot. 
Suggestion to start off on the right foot, make a gratitude list while you sip your cup of coffee. Whatever you do, I bet you’ll be surprised by how much of an impact it will make on the rest of your day! 
Today, I’m beginning my morning by reading my daily devotional. How about you?
    I've been doing a lot of traveling lately. So maki I've been doing a lot of traveling lately. So making sure I'm stocked up on my breakfast recipes is essential.
Just made these gluten-free blueberry muffins. They're simple to make and easy to pack for weekend getaways.
Full recipe at https://simpleallergyliving.com/gluten-free-blueberry-muffin-recipe/
    Are you looking for new allergy-free snack ideas f Are you looking for new allergy-free snack ideas for your children? Get ready to try an easy allergy-free snack recipe. 
I'm here for you my friend.
Watch this and learn how to make these simple and delicious apricot bars. They're the perfect afternoon or after-school snack.
Full recipe at: https://simpleallergyliving.com/simple-and-delicious-apricot-bars/
So, be honest… Are you willing to try?
    Okay, I’ll admit it: My ultimate goal for this a Okay, I’ll admit it: My ultimate goal for this account is to serve you exactly what you need and share my work to inspire you. That’s why my next question is VERY important: 
What kind of content would you like to see? Let me know in the comments below!
    Have you heard this before? “The person who love Have you heard this before? “The person who loves walking will go further than the person that loves the destination.” Wherever you find yourself on your journey today, remember to focus on one step at a time because how you get somewhere is often more important and meaningful than where you end up. Drop a heart emoji if you agree!
    Load More... Follow on Instagram

    All Content Copyright SimpleAllergyLiving.com 2021