subject: Lactose Intolerance What It Is And What To Do About It [print this page] Lactose is the name of the sugar found in milk and in milk products. For most people this sugar is easily assimilated, but many find themselves reacting to it in a way that adversely affects them. These people have what is known as 'lactose intolerance'.
When a person is lactose intolerant it means that he or she has an inability to properly digest milk sugar, and this is a problem that is far more common than is generally known. In reality, a large proportion of lactose intolerance sufferers are unaware that they have it.
Between 30 and 50 million Americans and more than 5% of the population of the UK will become lactose intolerant by the time they are 20 years old. The prevalence rate in Australia is around 6% and 9% in New Zealand. Though most people adversely affected by lactose are of Asian, African, Mediterranean or Native American ancestry, it can affect anyone of any racial background. It is far less common amongst Europeans and those whose dietary tradition contains milk and milk products.
Lactose intolerance is brought about because the person does not produce sufficient quantities of an enzyme called lactase, which is produced in the small intestine and is necessary in order for the body to process and absorb the lactose from milk.
Symptoms usually occur within a couple of hours of consuming milk or milk products and include bloating and abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, flatulence and nausea. An intolerance to lactose can be confused with IBS or irritable bowel syndrome, since both these conditions effect the gut and digestive system.
Lactose is found not only in milk and obvious milk products such as cream cheese and ice cream, but it is also often added to biscuits, cookies, chocolate and certain breakfast cereals. For those who are lactose intolerant eating these foods can produce the same symptoms as drinking a glass of milk. Strangely, yoghurt does not appear to have the same affect in some lactose intolerant people.
Unfortunately, there is no proven way to increase the production of the enzyme lactase in the body and the very best way to avoid the unpleasant consequences of lactose is simply by avoiding milk and those products that contain it. Soya milk and rice milk are viable alternatives, and special lactose-free milk is now available in some areas. Though not scientifically proven, some suggest that a gradual reintroduction of lactose into a lactose free diet can successfully treat the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Calcium needs to be obtained from other souces if milk is excluded from the diet. Excellent sources of calcium are dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, pok choy, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, and okra. There is more calcium in less than a cup of collard greens, for example, then there is a full cup of cow's milk. Tofu and orange juice fortified with calcium is also readily available in many stores and supermarkets. Provided a varied diet is consumed then it is easy to obtain more than enough calcium. Supplements containing 1000mg of calcium may also be taken if the diet appears to be deficient.
Preparations are available that contain the enzyme lactase in tablet or capsule form. The negative effect can be reduced if these are taken before having any foods that contains lactose..
Once the person is aware of the role that lactose intolerance is playing then they are free to choose to deal with it.
Your doctor can run tests to check if you have any lactose intolerance. Once properly diagnosed and the right action taken, then you can live your life free of the discomfort of lactose intolerance.
DISCLAIMER: Information contained in this article is not intended to replace medical advice. Be sure to consult with your doctor, medical advisor or nutritionist if you think you may be experiencing lactose intolerance.
