Lactose Intolerance

For many people, milk and dairy products are a great source of calcium. (Read about "Calcium") But for someone with lactose intolerance, dairy products can produce a range of unwanted symptoms.

Basically, lactose is the sugar found in milk. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, in order to digest lactose, our bodies must produce an enzyme called lactase. This enzyme is normally produced by the cells that line the small intestine. But some people don't produce enough lactase. As a result, they can't really digest the lactose of milk. This in turn leads to a host of symptoms, including:

• nausea
• bloating
• cramps
• diarrhea (Read about "Diarrhea")
• indigestion (Read about "Indigestion")

Symptoms usually start about a half-hour to two hours after consuming the milk or diary products.

Not uncommon

Lactose intolerance can be present in childhood; however many people don't start to develop its symptoms until later in life. According to the International Food Information Council (IFIC), infants are born with high levels of lactase but for most of the world's population, the levels drop off dramatically as we age. The only exceptions are Caucasian North Americans and northern Europeans. The IFIC estimates that 75 percent of African and Native Americans and 90 percent of Asian Americans are short on lactase. (Read about "Minority Health")

Coping with lactose intolerance

The symptoms of lactose intolerance can mimic that of other problems. (Read about "Heartburn" "Digestive Disorders") If you suspect lactose intolerance, a doctor can perform several tests to determine if the condition is present. If it is present, there are varying degrees of lactose intolerance. Some people may be able to have small amounts of certain dairy products, such as cheese or yogurt for example. Others may develop symptoms only when dairy products are consumed on an empty stomach.

For people with this condition there are several options.

One is to avoid foods containing lactose. Milk and dairy products are obvious examples of this. However, lactose can be found in other products too, so it's important to read food labels. For example, an item may contain lactose if the label indicates its ingredients include whey, milk by-products or dry milk solids.

It's also important to ask a doctor about finding other sources of calcium. Some of the non-dairy foods that contain calcium include broccoli, kale and fish such as salmon. A doctor may also suggest calcium supplements.

People who are lactose intolerant may also find non-prescription forms of lactase enzyme to be helpful. Lactase enzyme can be used in drop form, with several drops being added to milk prior to use. Tablets consumed prior to eating dairy products can be helpful too. A doctor or registered dietitian can provide more information on which form of lactase enzyme is most appropriate for an individual

Related Information:

    Digestive System