1. Drinking Milk Does Not Cause Lactose Intolerance
A lot of people might be fooled into thinking that you can become lactose intolerant from drinking milk. This is just not true. Oftentimes when your body has an intolerance or allergen to food, it rewards you with stomach cramps, bloating, gas and diarrhea, to name a few symptoms. When the intolerant intruder is consumed, these symptoms rear their ugly heads. But it doesn't happen because of drinking too much milk. It happens because of your body's inability to produce lactase, which is the enzyme needed to break down lactose.
2. Grains and Stomach Pains
If you are allergic to grains, which is a characteristic of Celiac disease, you run the risk of becoming lactose intolerant. When a stomach ailment occurs, it attacks the lining of the small intestine, arresting the release of lactase, and lactose intolerance will most likely ensue.
3. Ethnic Background Plays a Role
Your ethnic background plays a role in being lactose intolerant. If your ancestors had diets that consisted of few dairy products, then you are predisposed to acquire lactose intolerance. If your body doesn't release the lactase enzyme for a long period of time, it will lose its ability to do so in the clutch when you need it most. Just think about what happens when you don't exercise for a long period of time then try to run a 5K.
4. Age Can Be More Than a Number
Unfortunately, as your age goes up, so does your susceptibility to lactose intolerance. Your body goes through unfavorable changes such as slower metabolism, bone loss and the slower release of lactase. You can't get any younger, but you can be aware of the symptoms when they occur.
5. It's Not Your Fault!
Lactose intolerance can be frustrating. A key enzyme lacking in the small intestine called lactase is responsible for breaking down lactose. You can't be responsible for your body's ability to produce lactose to break down milk sugar to its smaller forms of glucose and galactose. Be on guard for changes in your digestion when you eat products with lactose, and try eliminating them to see if this alleviates the problem.
