Galactosemia is a rare genetic disorder where the body is unable to properly metabolize galactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. In individuals with galactosemia, the enzyme responsible for converting galactose into glucose is deficient or non-functional. This leads to the accumulation of galactose and its by-products, including galactitol, in the body. The build-up of galactitol can cause cellular damage and contribute to the symptoms seen in galactosemia patients.
