Miriel
Glossary · Medical
Lactose vs galactose
Two different sugars often confused. Lactose is the sugar in milk, made of glucose and galactose linked together; lactose intolerance reflects inability to digest the link. Galactosemia is a rare inherited disorder where the body cannot metabolize galactose itself, requiring lifelong avoidance of all dairy from infancy — a very different condition than lactose intolerance.
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Miriel uses this concept across food scans, meal plans, and AI Coach responses where it is relevant to a child's profile. For the underlying clinical and scientific basis, see the research page.