Galactose

Galactose is a type of sugar, specifically a simple carbohydrate, that is found naturally in dairy products, fruits, and certain vegetables. It is one of the building blocks of lactose, the sugar present in milk. When consumed, galactose is broken down in the body and converted into glucose, which serves as a primary energy source. Understanding galactose is important, especially for people with galactosemia, a rare genetic condition where the body cannot properly metabolize this sugar, leading to serious health issues if not managed carefully.