Lactobreath: A Study to Diagnose Lactose Intolerance Using Breath Markers

Food intolerances affect many people and can cause discomfort and dietary challenges. One common cause is difficulty digesting certain carbohydrates called FODMAPs. Diagnosing food intolerance is often done by excluding and then slowly reintroducing these carbohydrates or using a hydrogen breath test, but these methods have limitations.

To address these issues, this project uses the breath we exhale to find markers for lactose intolerance as a model for food intolerance diagnosis. Our aim is to identify breath markers for lactose tolerance and intolerance and link them to metabolic traits, including those found in urine. We use a real-time breath analysis method and a special sensor to measure gases in the digestive system, and we also explore genetic factors using saliva samples.

This project aims to help clinicians better identify patients who should follow low FODMAP diets and provide non-invasive breath tests to predict how patients will respond to these diets. It will also advance the use of breath analysis for personalized nutrition, contributes to the broader field of food intolerance research, and has the potential to benefit millions of individuals worldwide.