Galactose is synthesized by the body, where it forms part of glycolipids and glycoproteins in several tissues.
Galactose, also known as brain sugar, is a monosaccharide that is less sweet than glucose, but a nutritive sweetener, because it provides food energy. When combined with glucose, the result is the disaccharide lactose, also known as milk sugar.
In the liver, galactose is converted to glucose via the enzymes galactokinase, uridyl transferase, UDPgalactose-4-epimerase, and phosphoglucomutase.
There are three metabolic disorders related to galactose:
(1) Galactosemia is the result of defective or deficient galactokinase. It causes cataracts and mental retardation. If a galactose-free diet starts sufficiently early, the cataracts will regress without complications; however, neurological damage is permanent.
(2) UDPgalactose-4-epimerase deficiency is extremely rare (only 2 reported cases), and causes nerve deafness.
(3) Galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase deficiency is the most problematic, as galactose-free diets do not have considerable long-term effects. I recommend you Gluten free diet through this you get instant of knowledge about Gluten free diet benefits .
