Millions of Americans can’t digest a certain sugar in milk and milk products called lactose. If you’re one of them, you have lactose intolerance. The condition isn’t harmful, but it can be uncomfortable and may be embarrassing. There’s no cure, but you can manage it by watching how much milk or milk
products you drink or eat. Being lactose intolerant is not the same as being allergic to milk. Lactose is the sugar that’s in milk. Our bodies use an enzyme called
lactase to break down that sugar so we can absorb it into our bodies. But people with lactose intolerance don’t have enough lactase. It’s produced in the small intestine. Even with low levels of lactase, some people can digest milk products just fine. For
people who are lactose intolerant, their low lactase levels gives them symptoms after they eat dairy. When we drink milk or have a milk-based product, lactase in our small intestines breaks down the milk sugar. It then gets absorbed into the body through the
small intestines. But people who are lactose intolerant don’t have it so easy. In them, the lactose doesn’t get broken down. Instead, it goes on to the colon, where it mixes with normal bacteria and ferments. It can cause things like
gas, bloating and diarrhea. The symptoms are no fun, but they’re not dangerous. Most people can manage their symptoms by changing their diet and limiting the amount of lactose they consume. Some people do better by cutting lactose out
of their diet altogether. Your body may be able to handle some lactose without symptoms. Experiment to find out the types and amounts of products with lactose you can eat and drink. There are some steps you can take to test yourself: Believe it or not, most adults around the world can’t digest milk -- 40% of humans stop producing enough lactase to digest milk between the ages of 2 and 5. In the United States, it’s estimated that just over one-third of people are lactose intolerant. It is most common among: It can also be inherited or associated with other specific diseases. Our bodies react to milk in ways that are easily measured. Two common tests for adults are: Doctors can also take a stool sample from babies and young children. You may still be able to eat or drink small amounts of milk. Some people do better
if they have their dairy with a meal. And, some dairy products, like hard cheese or yogurt, may be easier to digest. Also, there are lots of lactose-free dairy products at the supermarket. Or you can take commonly found over-the-counter supplements (like Lactaid) to break down the milk sugars if you still want the real thing. Talk to your doctor about a liquid lactase replacement. These are over-the-counter drops that you add to milk. But if you give up milk completely, you can still get plenty of calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients in a healthy diet. Instead of milk, you can substitute these foods:
Always read labels. Many foods have lactose, including snack foods, bakery products, candy, dry mixes, dried vegetables, and infant formulas. Many medicines also have lactose, which is used as a filler, especially in white tablets. Many birth control pills and medications used to treat gas and stomach acid contain lactose. Your doctor or pharmacist can let you know if any prescription medications you take contain lactose. Some high-lactose foods to watch out for:
Some milk substitutes you could try:
If you have symptoms of lactose intolerance, see your doctor. And if you’re diagnosed with it, talk with them about how to be sure you’re eating right. What happens if you stop drinking milk?Cutting out dairy means you get less B12, which is important within your immune system and helping your body fight off bacteria. Harju-Westman says you can combat this by taking a B12 supplement and eating foods fortified with the vitamin.
Can you become lactose intolerant all of a sudden?ANSWER: Lactose intolerance isn't a true allergy, and it can develop at any age. In some people, lactose intolerance may be triggered by another medical condition, such as Crohn's disease. In others, it develops without a specific underlying cause.
Does cutting out dairy make lactose intolerance worse?Unfortunately, yes. Cutting out high-lactose foods really can give you lactose intolerance symptoms when you re-introduce them—at least, temporarily. But you can retrain your body to digest this tricky sugar, which is excellent news if you decide you just can't do life without milkshakes.
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